Palla My Love

The Hero and the Beast

((sorry for short chapter))

She was a wild spirit of nature, her screams frozen in an eternal battle against a looming, monstrous figure sculpted from black marble. The monster's talons gripped her right side and teared at the flesh as her sword pierced its heart.Their eyes were focused on one another and their legs wound around one another in what looked like a precarious dance. I felt utterly powerless. This small but formidable woman was beautiful beyond all. Whoever had sculpted it had somehow captured not only a face and figure of a goddess, but her prowess and unwavering will. She was both tragic and triumphant and I fell instantly and fatally in love with her.

I know not how long I stood in awe of her radiance. I was so ensnared I had not even noticed when Gelyn, an initiate who had just left the party, came up behind us.

I couldn't do anything, I could only utter the words. "magnificent"

"Yes, it is magnificent" Betaniqi spoke, she sounded as if she was miles away "That's why I was afraid of exposing it to the elements."

I understood her plight, I was conflicted. I wanted to cover her up again, make sure no man or force of god could destroy such a breathtaking scene. However I also didn't want to let her out of sight, fearing that if I cover the statue it might disappear.

I was broken out of my trance when I heard, clearly, like a stone breaking water, Gelyn: "Mara preserve me. That must be Palla."

"Then you heard of my mother?" asked Betaniqi, turning his way to speak to him. I didn't hear a word of their conversation after that. Palla. Pa La. The name left echoes in my mind.

"I hail from Wayrest. practically on the border to Hammerfell. I don't think there's anyone who hasn't heard of your mother and her great heroism, ridding the land of that abominable beast. She died in that struggle, didn't she?"

"Yes," Betaniqi spoke, her tone held hints of sadness. "But so too did the creature." She lifted her head slightly after and spoke proudly of her mothers feats.

For a moment, we were all silent. I don't remember anything more of that night. I was invited to dine the next evening, but my mind and heart had been entirely and forever more arrested by the statue. I returned back to the Guild, but my dreams were fevered and brought me no rest. Everything seemed diffused by white light, except for one beautiful, fearsome woman.

Palla. Pal La.

The name seared my heart. I found myself whispering it in my studies, during my chores and even when I tried to concentrate on something the Magister was saying. My lips would silently purse to voice the "Pal," and tongue lightly flick to form the "La". It was like second nature, as if her spirit were there controlling me. It was madness in all aspects, however I knew that it was madness. I knew I was in love. I knew she was a noble Redguard woman, a fierce warrior more beautiful than any man, woman or any other I had ever bared witness to. I knew her young lonely daughter Betaniqi had taken possession of the old manor near the University, and that she had an interest in me, perhaps even liked me. I knew Palla had fought a terrible beast and killed it. I knew that Palla, my love, was dead.