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20 comments
I love your story telling, and the shots always so good.
Been away for awhile I know, but I am trying to make sure I catch up on all my fellow adventurers.
Cheers Jess
But sadly having already seen the next post I see the truth of Katrun's words:
"Katrun nodded though her lower lip still trembled. “Will I ever see you again?”
Rathe shrugged. “I don’t want to answer that with a lie Katrun. So, truthfully, I don’t know.”
I hope so.
((Hugs))
Arnold
Sometimes, certain types of thugs deserve death no matter what the Gods might desire, and Rathe was not hesitant in the least in that regard!
Endorsed.
Many thanks, Jess, and cheers, dear!
Found it ironic that the goddess would take points away for killing him because it might start a war ... only it could also mean the girl he saved would be sold again in the future. So Kyne is saying sacrifice the girl to prevent the war. All very noble but like Rathe I tend to choose the individual in this case. Gods, on the other hand, have to see the big picture (which is why they are so removed from every day life with mortals). So Kyne sees that actions create other actions and has to remove herself from individuals. She can still care for them and love them ... but in a distance god sort of way. Better to sacrifice a few to save many.
Humans can also make that choice (decide to save the life of a close companion knowing it might mean the death of a village) but only when it is a bit more clear cut - not multiple futures only a god could possible see.
I know, I know ... Kyne was more teaching him a lesson about not judging others. Who then does judge? Is everyone allowed to get off scott free with their crimes then - because no mortal can ever judge? Sticky wicket that. So many mortals I would not want judging me - think of people who kill gays because they think it is wrong. yet what if their is no after life and no final arbiter? I suppose the best you can do is what we do now - get judged by a group of people with a fair trial.
So in this case it was not Rathe's place to judge Dagan. What if next time he decides to kill someone because of his own personal experiences that may not be morally justified in the eyes of the many, like how you set this one up so we would all hate Dagan? I think that is the lesson from Kyne.
That being said a person still has to make decisions and live by their own moral code - a code that we may not all agree with ourselves but that is the way of things. Skyrim is also a harsh place and sometimes justice is met on the cold blade of steel in the wilds. A traitor to the stormcloaks but a hero to the imperials? Judging is so relative to the situation.
But should all evil go unpunished in a sense? No light can come from further darkness after all (i.e. fighting evil with evil is not going to remove evil). Yet if evil is left unchecked it will only encompass all. So how do you fight evil without becoming evil? Sometimes you have to kill even if killing is evil. A tough situation. I think that until the system is set up to help eradicate evil from taking root in people in the first place there is going to be a need for people like Rathe.
One last thought, back to gods like Kyne versus the princes. First I think Darius is wrong. I think Kyne, in your stories, is just a manipulative as the Princes. Perhaps the only difference is that she is manipulating for the greater good of all while the Princes manipulate for their own benefit (and possibly for their followers). I know Kyne in Grim's world isn't that wholesome. Oh she is more on the side of good but she has no issue with laying waste to evil or even sending a bolt of lighting to fry someone invading her sacred grove. She is all paladin rainbows and unicorns off on the pure wonderment of life and love. She is a sky goddess full of fire and spunk. One reason Hircine is so stuck on her.
Anyhow probably why I like the Princes more than the Divines. Princes are more like us, more physical and emotional. More solid and real then the etheral and frustrating divines. I suppose that is partly why Princes are seen as evil and the Aedra as good. Evil is more in your face and quicker - about self-fullfillment. Good is ethereal, a very hard goal to achieve and hence more noble and enduring. Still at the moment I would take life with Grim's version of Hircine over that of Shor and Kynareth in Sovngarde.
Got a bit sidetracked lol. Great story - totally loved this one and all the twists even if I am a bit negative towards the lovey-dovey at the end
Amazing work dear !
The images were great and especially the emotional ones with Katrun's sadness as she ran away after giving Rathe her pendant. I think if Erikur pissed himself in everyones story it would never get old. He did get off easy by continuing to live thanks to Darius, now he can continue his ways of annoying everyone in Solitude. But then there is Dagan.....
With your stories I should have known that there was more to Dagan. Choosing to sell his daughter into slavery rather than simply give up his lands and title, there is a special place in Oblivion for him. The conversation that peaked my interest was regarding Dagan's lands being sold to the Jarl of Markarth and the events that would transpire. The concepts of Chaos are always interesting but in the end mortals cannot see such things and I think even Gods can only predict the near future with infinite possible outcomes. Darius failed to mention what other things could happen if Dagan lived, and any consequences of that.
Anyway, I greatly enjoyed this series and will always be happy to see more Rathe!
Yes I like the idea that there's a special place waiting for Dagan in Oblivion. Maybe Bal's realm where torture is an everyday way of life? Indeed I think sometimes Gods and deities with their far-seeing, all-knowing eyes shouldn't try to play the 'what if' game with mortals. I wouldn't blame Rathe for events that might transpire in the future regarding Dagan's lands being sold (if Ingrun even does sell them). That's not fair to lay at a mortal's feet. But, what the Goddess wants him to see is that he is not (and should not) be responsible for meting out justice in the world. But what Rathe realises is that while he is not responsible, he's still compelled by his own internal code of ethics to do just that... and bugger the Goddess if she doesn't want him to, he'll do it anyway!
How that will work out for him in the future is anyone's guess. My guess would be that he'll save a bunch of souls, then do something "wrong" in Kynareth's book and lose some 'brownie points' and be back near the start again. I suspect THIS is the true reason She said it would take him a LONG time to make up his debt; not because he has so much to atone for, but that he continues to rack up his debt even while walking the path!
Ah, poor Rathe.
His visit with Katrun was quite touching, her wanting him to stay with what her and her mother would have to face, him telling her to be strong, to be the one to keep her family together, her leaving him that bauble before running back into her house, I do hope things will go well for her. Looks like Darius still has some bitterness about the way he died though he does not want to deal with it, would be odd to face. It was kind of Kynareth to say that Rathe did indeed have a soul worth saving, she would be one to see the good in a person. Though the goddess spoke those words it is Fleur's approval and his love for her that really drives him, keeping true to the one she fell in love with.
That nickname Katrun gave Rathe did not escape Darius' attention it seems, him making that jest about what colour of garb he should wear, Rathe was right that he would laugh at that name. You really struck a good balance of heavier moments and amusing moments in this story. It is good to hear that Rathe is going to make sure those bandits will not be a danger to any other innocent ones. An excellent story with intriguing twists and turns, Jess
Ah but Dagan, there was no hope for him. He was just evil through and through and Rathe runs to his own moral code. Goddess wishes or not, Dagan had to die. And, Rathe ultimately realised that even the Goddess's own path of atonement is not going to be a black and white path for him. He is who he is and will always wander his own way. If that means straying from Her path from time to time, so be it. He's at peace with that, and more importantly, he knows Fleur would be too.
Poor, sweet, enamoured Katrun. I think it'll be a few months of heartbreak for her as she remembers he saviour. Eventually his memory will fade, but i think (hope) she'll always be touched by what he did for her and carry that with her, thus making her into one of Skyrim's truly good people.
It was a difficult thing to do to try and keep some light moments in between such heavy subject matter and it makes me happy to hear that you think i achieved it. Glad you enjoyed it dear!
Wonderful work, Good to see Erikur wet himself with fear, I was hoping he'd get it, Will solitudes gambling really get cleaned up, I hope not, would be nice to see Rathe pay a return visit to Erikur. Oh why did Darius have to show up just then ah Nevermind.
Well Dagan really did get it, how low can you go, never learnt his lesson and then to walk out on the family taking the valuables with him to. Well at least Rathe put a stop to that despite Darius's disapproval.
Katrun is very sweet, I can't say things have turned out too well for herbut it could have been a hell of a lot worse. Nice to give Rathe that present and this kiss on the cheek wich seemed to catch Rathe off guard. I wonder what effect this will have on Katrun in the future and will she get to meed the brooding Rathe again. Rathe has his memento, I wonder how much that job will keep on his mind.
Darius and Kynareth I'm sure will have plenty of work to keep Rathe busy, and I look forward to him paying the slavers a visit.
A great story with wonderful characters and top images too, nice work Jess
I'm sure Erikur will keep; people like him will always get their comeuppance one day (and seeing as Nataly's Dannee lives in Solitude, I wouldn't mind betting she'll take him down!! )
But Dagan, there was no question. Even if Fleur herself had asked him to spare his life I don't know if rathe would've. Assassin (ex) he might be, but he has ALWAYS had strong principles and internal morals. Scum like that (the worst kind) just couldn't be allowed to live. What if he came back to his family in a few years and tried to pull the same stunt? No. Had to go.
As for Katrun, well, I imagine this will have a huge effect on her in her future. She could be traumatised by the events and have trouble moving on, or (and I think this most likely) she will thank her lucky stars for the Red Wraith and dedicate her own life to helping those in need... and I'm sure their paths will cross again!
Glad you enjoyed the ride hon!
wonderful images and a really excellent story about it
I am so very happy and relieved that Rathe did save this particular girl, that he did not let her repeat the fates of Regan and Fleur and so his modjo and wish to do good was not destroyed. I chuckled at Rathe studying Erikur and he sure was right in his perceptions abort that lustful, greedy and treacherous jerk (given how Erikur keeps betraying his jarl). While harassing poor servant girls Erikur sure was not ready to be face to face with former professional assassin... no wonder that he told Rathe everything he wanted to know! and good to know that I was right and there was a twist with selling off poor Katrun... only I suspected both parents in that, but it seems that Dagan was the main bad guy while his wife was just too impassive and weak to do anything...
Rathe and Katrun scenes were very sweet! sure she was smitten by such courageous and awesome man who saved her, so no wonder she wanted Rathe to stay, but he has his own path and Katrun probably doesn't realize that she is still very much a kid and her gift to Rathe only proves it. I guess Rathe wanted to preserve the pendant as a sign of his success and saving really innocent soul, thus starting his new way.
And while Erikur was spared by Darius interference, somehow I knew that with his own past Rathe won't let Dagan escape and he did not. And despite Darius words I could never think to blame Rathe in finishing off that scumbag (I wouldn't mind if he killed Erikur too). The one scumbag is less and what happens on longer tern with lands, with people... it is just too grand for one man to think off, let higher forces deal with such things. Rathe is delivering justice but on his own terms and I love that about him... no way he is going to be a puppet or kissing rabbits paladin type of knight. and I loved Rathe thoughts about Fleur, who is sure fell in love with him as he was, knowing his bad points... Hopefully his road continues with success and I am sure he will have many adventures ahead!
Thank you very much for sharing your awesome work! I hold hope that this might not be the only story written about Rathe new adventures...
Yes, in the end Rathe I think we'll and truly passed Kynareth's test, even if it meant taking a life out of vengeance or justice. He came to peace with the idea that he is who he is and he'll do things his way. And even better, that though he might be 'punished' by Kyne for delivering his brand of justice, Fleur will always be waiting for him. I doubt there's much Rathe could do that would drive her away now. Yes, I think he's holding onto Katrun's pendant because it's a symbol of both his success in his inaugural mission and also because it will serve to be a reminder of the real reason why he's doing what he's doing; not just to be reunited with Fleur, but to do what he believes is right. That said, I could've quite happily seen his dispatch Erikur too! Ah well, I'm sure he'll get his... maybe Dannee could pull some strings and get him de-thaned!
Again, I really want that you for your continual support and comments. You really made my night!