Heartless

Chapter 39 - Part 52

Okay, so all of you readers were taking too long, so I combined the two options because I'm an impatient person. Deal with it darlings, because I'm the author here.

Shadow

Do you have any idea how annoying it is to have a trickster god trick you into dying? It's ten times more annoying than... I can't actually remember...

'Sharinzah Septim. A peculiar specimen. Who will claim her in immortal divinity?' A deep and powerful voice echoed throughout the misty void I floated in.

'She is my kin, should she not be immediately inducted into our ranks and become the tenth Divine?' Queried Talos from where he sat, sword in hand.

'All of us are depicted as Nord. It would be unfitting for such an ugly creature to join our divine ranks.' Spat Dibella.

'All the more reason for her to join us then.' Rasped Rajhin from his perch.

'It makes perfect sense for her to join the filth over there.' Agreed Magnus from his misty throne, motioning with his staff towards the magnificent Khajiit gods and goddesses.

'Or she could join us. We will not discriminate against this warrior, for we are far stranger than a Khajiit in a city. Look at Clavicus for Perite's sake, he has horns and a dog!' Interrupted Nocturnal.

'Just because she's my favourite, I'll let her go with you.' Sighed Rajhin.

'All agreed that the Dovahkiin will become one of the Daedra?'

And so, it was agreed.

—

Groggily, I awoke to the sounds of ravens cawing.

'Ah, you're awake. Feel lucky that I saved you from those abominations back there, they're terribly boring.'

'I'm in your debt.' I groaned.

'Yes. Yes you are.' Purred Nocturnal. 'And your little human pet thinks you died.'

'Brynjolf is not my pet.' I snapped, running a hand through my hair. 'Allow me to repay my debt by stealing something. Anything you want, I'll get it.'

'Good, good. I've had my eyes on a prize for some time now, and every champion of mine fails to get it. I command you to retrieve the heart of Lorkhan.'

'One slight problem.'

'What?'

'The Nervarine destroyed the heart ages ago.' I pointed out.

'Journey to the Red Mountain, search there, don't die and return only when you have procured something no master thief could ever attain.'

'My Lady?'

'Yes?'

'How do I return to Nirn?' I asked.

'Like THAT.'

Nocturnal snapped her fingers, and my vision flicked to black.

—

'Well would ya get a look a' tha' fine lass o'er there!' Slurred a beefy Nord.

'Aye, she'd look a righ' prize sittin' on me knee.' Replied his companion, equally drunk.

'Lay off 'er. Get back downstairs you two, I don' want any more trouble from you.'

'An' who're you ta order me aroun' like tha'?' Sneered the first Nord.

'I'm yer captain to order ya aroun' like tha', now get yer great behinds outta' this pub an' down inta the hull before I kick ya down there, ya great lumps!' Barked my savior in a thick accent, putting a thick tattooed arm around my shoulders and giving me a little squeeze of reassurance. 'I'm sorry they're such bothers. The lads normally keep ta 'emselves.' He apologised.

'Oh no, it's quite alright. You're a sailor?'

'Aye. Tha' I am, and a decent one too, if I do say so meself.'

'What's your next stop?' I asked.

'We 'ave to weigh anchor up by the Red Mountain ta do a spot o' fishin'. Ya wouldn' 'appen ta know 'ow ta weave or sew, would ya?'

'As a matter of fact...' I proved my suddenly blank mind. 'I think I do. Lead the way, Captain...'

'Capn' Alfred Oakheart at yer service, tho' most jus' call me Capn' Red Oakheart. Glad ta be of assistance ta a fine young lass. I don' mean tha' in a weird way, jus' tellin' the truth.' He wrung his hands together in nervousness.

'Lead the way then, Captain Oakheart.'