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31st of Last Seed, 427 3E
We have reached the weekend so Rey and I did not go hunting today. Even if I had wanted to there were no agents posted anywhere to buy the day's catch, so it was a good time to remain at home and do some house cleaning. With the pair of huts being small, the task didn't take long. After the little cooking stove and sink had been washed, I took some time to examine the small wood burning stove that's in the corner of the sleeping hut. Before long the summer season will be over and the weather will turn cold. I want to make sure the stove is fireproof before I use it to warm the hut, for I have already decided that Rey and I will be staying on here at least through the autumn and winter seasons.
While I was doing the housework Rey lay in the grass outside playing with the ball and chew toys that I had purchased for him from the general merchant. Like all canines, he frequently feels the urge to chew things, and by providing him with toys I can hopefully prevent him from chewing the legs on the furniture. I highly doubt Drelasa would appreciate her property being damaged while we're here so I intend to do all that I can for us to leave this place as we found it when the time comes that we move on...whenever that might be.
Although it was nice to take a break from wandering around the Bitter Coast, Rey and I both started to feel restless once the chores were done. Rey began yipping and bouncing around as he looked at me hopefully with his feline-like amber colored eyes. Laughing, I said to him, "You're right; we'll have plenty of time to hunker indoors once the weather grows cold. We should go outside and enjoy these last days of summer."
The Ascadian Isles is a truly beautiful region of Vvardenfell. All sorts of colorful flowers grow beneath towering green trees and giant slender mushrooms (I say they are giant just because they are the size of an average ash or maple tree. Ascadian Isles mushroom-trees are dwarfed by the giant mushroom towers that are found in the territories of Great House Telvanni). Enjoying the scent of the many flowers, Rey and I strolled along the cobblestone road, occasionally stopping to play fetch or to observe the colorful songbirds that fluttered through the trees.
Now and then we passed small isolated cottages and humble farms, all of which looked far more charming and cozy than of the places within the city of Mournhold. With a sigh, I commented softly to Rey, "Who knows? Perhaps someday we'll be able to have a real home and not have to live in a tiny hut next to the tavern anymore."
At one point we walked past an isolated tomb that had been built into the hillside and I was relieved to see that there were no undead guardians posted on the outside of the door. Nonetheless we gave the tomb a wide berth. If we left the tomb alone, any undead guardians would leave us alone. Any valubles that have been left as offerings to the ancestors hold no interest to me. Even if I were an adventurer I have no desire to rob the dead.
Shortly after we had passed the tomb I noticed a gray haired female Dunmer who was standing along the side of the road. Dressed in commoner's clothing, she would cautiously take a few steps before stopping and looking around with a worried expression. As far as I could see, she was not carrying a weapon.
Coming to a stop, I stood behind a tree and spent a few minutes silently observing the womer. Although she looked harmless, I still felt that I should proceed with caution. For all I knew she could have been a highly skilled mage and could cast deadly spells that would make up for her lack of physical strength. And so for a little while I remained behind the tree and silently observed the womer, carefully watching her facial expression and body-language. She certainly was not acting like a bandit or a witch who was lying in wait for an unwary traveler. Indeed she seemed to become more distressed, looking up and down the narrow road as though she could not decide which way to go.
At last deciding to take my chances, I stepped out from behind the tree and resumed my walk down the road with Rey at my heels. Since this was an off-day I was not clad in my ranger gear and the only weapon I carried was a small dagger that was attached to my belt. Although I doubt I looked threatening in my light blue sundress and straw hat, the womer's red eyes widened in alarm as she took a step backward and said warily, "I don't have anything!"
I assured her, "I am not a bandit." I then surprised myself by stating with confidence in my voice, "I'm a ranger. Are you lost, sera?"
The womer squinted her eyes and seemed to be taking a closer look at me, before she relaxed slightly and answered, "Yes, I've lost my way, and cannot find the holy place for which I am searching. Would you help me?"
As Rey sat down and watched the womer curiously, I answered, "I am willing to try. What 'holy place' are you searching for, sera?"
She relaxed even more and took a couple of steps toward me as she replied, "The Fields of Kummu. I am on a pilgrimage to this place, but I somehow lost my way. Surely you know this area better than I. Could you help me find this holiest of places?"
The name "Fields of Kummu" sounded familiar to me and I suddenly remembered seeing that location marked on my map. The location that she was looking for was to the northeast of where we were standing. She had somehow ended up on the back road rather than the main road, which led to the pilgrim becoming lost. To reach her destination, the pilgrim would need to be led back to the main road and go in the same direction one would go when traveling to the town of Suran.
Pleased that I was actually able to help her, I explained, "The road that you need to be on is a short distance to the northeast. If you'd like, I can escort you to the shrine."
The pilgrim gave a loud sigh of relief before replying, "Oh, praise the Tribunal! Thank you. I don't know how I lost my way. I've heard that the Fields of Kumma are near the water. The view from there is supposed to be breathtaking. I've also been told there is a farm nearby where pilgrims may sometimes stop and rest weary legs. I can give you one hundred and fifty septims for your time."
"That's not necessary," I replied. With Rey tagging alongside me, I started down the road and added, "This way."
Taking care to not walk so fast that the pilgrim would have trouble keeping up, I led her southwest toward the main road. She must have decided that I was trustworthy, for she told me her name was Nevrasa Dralor and chatted pleasantly for almost the entire walk.
Obviously a devout member of the Temple, she asked, "Are you familiar with the story behind the Fields of Kumma? It was there that Lord Vivec met a poor farmer whose only oxen had died. This farmer could not harvest his muck sponge without his oxen, and could not provide muck for himself or his village. So, Lord Vivec removed his fine clothes, laid them aside, and toiled in the farmer's fields, acting as a beast of burden until the entire crop was harvested. It is at the Fields of Kummu we go to pray for the same humility Lord Vivec showed on that day."
I nodded slightly and replied, "Indeed a good dose of humility can be good for the soul."
Looking at me curiously, Nevrasa inquired, "Are you a member of the Temple?"
Glancing at her, I answered, "No I am not, nor am I a member of the Imperial Cult, although I grew up with shrines to both religions alongside each other."
Nevrasa rolled her eyes and responded, "I would stay away from the Imperial Cult if I were you. Imperials worship powerful spirits, but are they the right spirits? They are powerful, but are they good? We used to worship the Daedra, but now we worship the true gods, the Tribunal, and the Daedra serve the true gods in fear and humility."
I looked at her out of the corner of my eye as I assured her, "Imperial influences have been present for as long as I have been alive, but I find myself drawn to the customs and traditions of my Dunmer ancestors. I cannot remember my mother's father very well, but I was told that he was a proud Redoran."
Stepping carefully along the road, Nevrasa asked, "And your father? Is he a member of the Temple?"
After a brief hesitation, I answered, "He is a member of both the Temple and the Imperial Cult."
My father has never been one to discuss spiritual beliefs with me. For that matter, he and I have never spoken about much of anything. Father has primarily provided me with things. Before being banished I had an abundance of fine clothes and jewelry. I lived in a beautiful home and was attended to by maids and my governess. My meals were prepared in the palace kitchens by talented cooks. Of course the King has also provided me with an excellent education, but when it came to quality time, that was given to me by my uncle. It had been Aengoth Indarys who had discussed topics such as the Dreamsleeve, ancestral beliefs and customs, and the disappearance of the Dwemer with me. When it came to nurturing and quality time, Uncle Aengoth had been more of a father-figure than the mer who had conceived me with my mother.
We had almost reached the main road when Rey came to an abrupt stop and lowered his tail. Perking his ears forward, he stared at a some shrubbery along the side of the road before looking up at me with a wary expression. That was when I noticed the area smelled of blood. Speaking in a whisper, I told Nevrasa to remain still and wait while I looked to see if the road was safe to travel on.
Moving silently, I followed the blood scent for a few steps and then saw that we would need to take a detour for there was the carcass of a cow sprawled on the ground only a little over a yard from the road. Eagerly devouring the carass was a full grown thylacine. The wild canine was certainly not interested in preying on us when it already had a huge amount of meat all to itself, but it would certainly attack us if it thought were were there to try to steal its kill.
Keeping still and silent, I watched the thylacine a few moments more just to make sure that it was thoroughly absorbed in feeding on the unfortunate cow. If I had been carrying my bow I might have disposed of the thylacine, for such creatures could not be permitted to lurk so close to the road, but I was not about to take on the big canine with nothing but a dagger.
When I had returned to where Nevrasa was waiting, I explained in a whisper, "Thylacine. Feeding on a cow. We'll need to veer off the road and travel a bit through the shrubs and ground cover. It won't track us if we stay away from it."
Nevrasa nodded in understanding and carefully followed me as I led off the road and along the base of the foothills toward the mainroad that forked toward the northeast. I know that walking through the ground-cover was difficult for Nevrasa, but that was better than us being attacked and likely killed by the thylacine.
When we were were away from danger, I at last led Nevrasa back to the road. Glancing back over her shoulder, Nevrasa said a bit breathlessly, "I'm so glad that you spotted that animal. Had I been traveling alone I would have have walked right by it and likely drawn its attention. Praise Almsivi for protecting us."
We continued our journey along the road, moving in the direction of Suran, until we came to a where the Shrine of Humility is located. Surrounded by all sorts of colorful flora, the shrine is indeed an ideal place to stop and meditate before moving on to the next stop in the Temple's Pilgrimage of the Seven Graces.
Taking my hand, Nevrasa pressed quite a few gold coins into my palm as she said, "Thank you again. Here are one hundred fifty septims for your trouble."
I protested, "You don't have to give me anything. It was no trouble at all."
Smiling, she replied, "If you had not found me I would still be lost along that deserted road and who knows what might have happened to me. I give thanks to Almsivi that you were there. May all of your travels be safe."
I said nothing more as I watched her approach the shrine and bow her head in prayer. As Rey and I turned to return to the road, I realized that I felt good about what I had done. Not only had a learned more of the region, but I had located a person who was lost in the wilderness and was able to prevent her from being killed by a wild animal. Helping Nevrasa has made me feel like...well...a ranger rather than a sheltered, frightened former princess who is fearful of her own shadow.
With raised spirits, I headed back toward Pelagiad, taking my time and learned the placement of trees, rocks and large mushrooms. Like my uncle and mother who had been rangers before me, I'll commit every detail of the wilderness to my memory. There really is a place for me on this island, and I think that I'm slowly starting to find it.
*~*~*
For those who missed my alternative universe Mammalized Vvardenfell post, the thylacine replaces the insectile nixhound.
We have reached the weekend so Rey and I did not go hunting today. Even if I had wanted to there were no agents posted anywhere to buy the day's catch, so it was a good time to remain at home and do some house cleaning. With the pair of huts being small, the task didn't take long. After the little cooking stove and sink had been washed, I took some time to examine the small wood burning stove that's in the corner of the sleeping hut. Before long the summer season will be over and the weather will turn cold. I want to make sure the stove is fireproof before I use it to warm the hut, for I have already decided that Rey and I will be staying on here at least through the autumn and winter seasons.
While I was doing the housework Rey lay in the grass outside playing with the ball and chew toys that I had purchased for him from the general merchant. Like all canines, he frequently feels the urge to chew things, and by providing him with toys I can hopefully prevent him from chewing the legs on the furniture. I highly doubt Drelasa would appreciate her property being damaged while we're here so I intend to do all that I can for us to leave this place as we found it when the time comes that we move on...whenever that might be.
Although it was nice to take a break from wandering around the Bitter Coast, Rey and I both started to feel restless once the chores were done. Rey began yipping and bouncing around as he looked at me hopefully with his feline-like amber colored eyes. Laughing, I said to him, "You're right; we'll have plenty of time to hunker indoors once the weather grows cold. We should go outside and enjoy these last days of summer."
The Ascadian Isles is a truly beautiful region of Vvardenfell. All sorts of colorful flowers grow beneath towering green trees and giant slender mushrooms (I say they are giant just because they are the size of an average ash or maple tree. Ascadian Isles mushroom-trees are dwarfed by the giant mushroom towers that are found in the territories of Great House Telvanni). Enjoying the scent of the many flowers, Rey and I strolled along the cobblestone road, occasionally stopping to play fetch or to observe the colorful songbirds that fluttered through the trees.
Now and then we passed small isolated cottages and humble farms, all of which looked far more charming and cozy than of the places within the city of Mournhold. With a sigh, I commented softly to Rey, "Who knows? Perhaps someday we'll be able to have a real home and not have to live in a tiny hut next to the tavern anymore."
At one point we walked past an isolated tomb that had been built into the hillside and I was relieved to see that there were no undead guardians posted on the outside of the door. Nonetheless we gave the tomb a wide berth. If we left the tomb alone, any undead guardians would leave us alone. Any valubles that have been left as offerings to the ancestors hold no interest to me. Even if I were an adventurer I have no desire to rob the dead.
Shortly after we had passed the tomb I noticed a gray haired female Dunmer who was standing along the side of the road. Dressed in commoner's clothing, she would cautiously take a few steps before stopping and looking around with a worried expression. As far as I could see, she was not carrying a weapon.
Coming to a stop, I stood behind a tree and spent a few minutes silently observing the womer. Although she looked harmless, I still felt that I should proceed with caution. For all I knew she could have been a highly skilled mage and could cast deadly spells that would make up for her lack of physical strength. And so for a little while I remained behind the tree and silently observed the womer, carefully watching her facial expression and body-language. She certainly was not acting like a bandit or a witch who was lying in wait for an unwary traveler. Indeed she seemed to become more distressed, looking up and down the narrow road as though she could not decide which way to go.
At last deciding to take my chances, I stepped out from behind the tree and resumed my walk down the road with Rey at my heels. Since this was an off-day I was not clad in my ranger gear and the only weapon I carried was a small dagger that was attached to my belt. Although I doubt I looked threatening in my light blue sundress and straw hat, the womer's red eyes widened in alarm as she took a step backward and said warily, "I don't have anything!"
I assured her, "I am not a bandit." I then surprised myself by stating with confidence in my voice, "I'm a ranger. Are you lost, sera?"
The womer squinted her eyes and seemed to be taking a closer look at me, before she relaxed slightly and answered, "Yes, I've lost my way, and cannot find the holy place for which I am searching. Would you help me?"
As Rey sat down and watched the womer curiously, I answered, "I am willing to try. What 'holy place' are you searching for, sera?"
She relaxed even more and took a couple of steps toward me as she replied, "The Fields of Kummu. I am on a pilgrimage to this place, but I somehow lost my way. Surely you know this area better than I. Could you help me find this holiest of places?"
The name "Fields of Kummu" sounded familiar to me and I suddenly remembered seeing that location marked on my map. The location that she was looking for was to the northeast of where we were standing. She had somehow ended up on the back road rather than the main road, which led to the pilgrim becoming lost. To reach her destination, the pilgrim would need to be led back to the main road and go in the same direction one would go when traveling to the town of Suran.
Pleased that I was actually able to help her, I explained, "The road that you need to be on is a short distance to the northeast. If you'd like, I can escort you to the shrine."
The pilgrim gave a loud sigh of relief before replying, "Oh, praise the Tribunal! Thank you. I don't know how I lost my way. I've heard that the Fields of Kumma are near the water. The view from there is supposed to be breathtaking. I've also been told there is a farm nearby where pilgrims may sometimes stop and rest weary legs. I can give you one hundred and fifty septims for your time."
"That's not necessary," I replied. With Rey tagging alongside me, I started down the road and added, "This way."
Taking care to not walk so fast that the pilgrim would have trouble keeping up, I led her southwest toward the main road. She must have decided that I was trustworthy, for she told me her name was Nevrasa Dralor and chatted pleasantly for almost the entire walk.
Obviously a devout member of the Temple, she asked, "Are you familiar with the story behind the Fields of Kumma? It was there that Lord Vivec met a poor farmer whose only oxen had died. This farmer could not harvest his muck sponge without his oxen, and could not provide muck for himself or his village. So, Lord Vivec removed his fine clothes, laid them aside, and toiled in the farmer's fields, acting as a beast of burden until the entire crop was harvested. It is at the Fields of Kummu we go to pray for the same humility Lord Vivec showed on that day."
I nodded slightly and replied, "Indeed a good dose of humility can be good for the soul."
Looking at me curiously, Nevrasa inquired, "Are you a member of the Temple?"
Glancing at her, I answered, "No I am not, nor am I a member of the Imperial Cult, although I grew up with shrines to both religions alongside each other."
Nevrasa rolled her eyes and responded, "I would stay away from the Imperial Cult if I were you. Imperials worship powerful spirits, but are they the right spirits? They are powerful, but are they good? We used to worship the Daedra, but now we worship the true gods, the Tribunal, and the Daedra serve the true gods in fear and humility."
I looked at her out of the corner of my eye as I assured her, "Imperial influences have been present for as long as I have been alive, but I find myself drawn to the customs and traditions of my Dunmer ancestors. I cannot remember my mother's father very well, but I was told that he was a proud Redoran."
Stepping carefully along the road, Nevrasa asked, "And your father? Is he a member of the Temple?"
After a brief hesitation, I answered, "He is a member of both the Temple and the Imperial Cult."
My father has never been one to discuss spiritual beliefs with me. For that matter, he and I have never spoken about much of anything. Father has primarily provided me with things. Before being banished I had an abundance of fine clothes and jewelry. I lived in a beautiful home and was attended to by maids and my governess. My meals were prepared in the palace kitchens by talented cooks. Of course the King has also provided me with an excellent education, but when it came to quality time, that was given to me by my uncle. It had been Aengoth Indarys who had discussed topics such as the Dreamsleeve, ancestral beliefs and customs, and the disappearance of the Dwemer with me. When it came to nurturing and quality time, Uncle Aengoth had been more of a father-figure than the mer who had conceived me with my mother.
We had almost reached the main road when Rey came to an abrupt stop and lowered his tail. Perking his ears forward, he stared at a some shrubbery along the side of the road before looking up at me with a wary expression. That was when I noticed the area smelled of blood. Speaking in a whisper, I told Nevrasa to remain still and wait while I looked to see if the road was safe to travel on.
Moving silently, I followed the blood scent for a few steps and then saw that we would need to take a detour for there was the carcass of a cow sprawled on the ground only a little over a yard from the road. Eagerly devouring the carass was a full grown thylacine. The wild canine was certainly not interested in preying on us when it already had a huge amount of meat all to itself, but it would certainly attack us if it thought were were there to try to steal its kill.
Keeping still and silent, I watched the thylacine a few moments more just to make sure that it was thoroughly absorbed in feeding on the unfortunate cow. If I had been carrying my bow I might have disposed of the thylacine, for such creatures could not be permitted to lurk so close to the road, but I was not about to take on the big canine with nothing but a dagger.
When I had returned to where Nevrasa was waiting, I explained in a whisper, "Thylacine. Feeding on a cow. We'll need to veer off the road and travel a bit through the shrubs and ground cover. It won't track us if we stay away from it."
Nevrasa nodded in understanding and carefully followed me as I led off the road and along the base of the foothills toward the mainroad that forked toward the northeast. I know that walking through the ground-cover was difficult for Nevrasa, but that was better than us being attacked and likely killed by the thylacine.
When we were were away from danger, I at last led Nevrasa back to the road. Glancing back over her shoulder, Nevrasa said a bit breathlessly, "I'm so glad that you spotted that animal. Had I been traveling alone I would have have walked right by it and likely drawn its attention. Praise Almsivi for protecting us."
We continued our journey along the road, moving in the direction of Suran, until we came to a where the Shrine of Humility is located. Surrounded by all sorts of colorful flora, the shrine is indeed an ideal place to stop and meditate before moving on to the next stop in the Temple's Pilgrimage of the Seven Graces.
Taking my hand, Nevrasa pressed quite a few gold coins into my palm as she said, "Thank you again. Here are one hundred fifty septims for your trouble."
I protested, "You don't have to give me anything. It was no trouble at all."
Smiling, she replied, "If you had not found me I would still be lost along that deserted road and who knows what might have happened to me. I give thanks to Almsivi that you were there. May all of your travels be safe."
I said nothing more as I watched her approach the shrine and bow her head in prayer. As Rey and I turned to return to the road, I realized that I felt good about what I had done. Not only had a learned more of the region, but I had located a person who was lost in the wilderness and was able to prevent her from being killed by a wild animal. Helping Nevrasa has made me feel like...well...a ranger rather than a sheltered, frightened former princess who is fearful of her own shadow.
With raised spirits, I headed back toward Pelagiad, taking my time and learned the placement of trees, rocks and large mushrooms. Like my uncle and mother who had been rangers before me, I'll commit every detail of the wilderness to my memory. There really is a place for me on this island, and I think that I'm slowly starting to find it.
For those who missed my alternative universe Mammalized Vvardenfell post, the thylacine replaces the insectile nixhound.
