Chapter XXXI: Vacation
(General POV)
In the western reaches of the southern marshy plains of Windhelm nature stood undisturbed for many years. Most humans preferred not dying of disease at the tender age of 30 so people generally avoided settling in such areas, and even when they did they would usually do so because of an ore vein being turned into a mine or something similar, always at least some ways away from the actual swamps.
Much to a certain dark elf's disgust a certain kind of creature did settle in such lands, mostly because they were kicked out of anywhere worthwhile, which was fine seeing as they weren't exactly people... they were goblins.
That is right, the swamps were dotted by about a dozen small goblin villages. The disgusting little things were surprisingly tenacious when it came to surviving in a difficult climate, though that might have something to do with the fact that they reproduce like rabbits...
It is at one of such rickety villages that our heroes, or war criminals depending on your worldview, find themselves.
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A small, deformed, green creature runs away in terror as the screams of its kin fill the air. It closes in on the shallow swampland, hoping to hide away from the ravenous beasts that attacked their village.
Its hopes are promptly dashed by a warhammer flying into the back of its head, a wave of translucent white energy immediately ripping itself from its corpse and flying toward the village's center.
Minthara jogs up to her newest kill and flicks her hammer into her hands, she turns to her right and smirks smugly "That is 32 for me."
Marco huffs in disgust "I already told you Minthara, I am not playing this disgusting little game of yours." The Altmer shivers as he frantically wipes the specks of blood from his prized lute.
The Nord pouts and crosses her arms "Oh come on, live a little you milk drinker!"
"I am not going to enjoy" Marco points his hand around frantically "All this." He hisses "I swear if they weren't actually raiding half the hold I would have never agreed to this wholesale slaughter."
"Come oooon" She groans "They are goblins!" She exclaims as if that explained everything.
Marco looks down at her with pure disgust in his eyes "They are still living beings." He calmly reiterates.
Minthara huffs and once more hefts her hammer in preparation "Well stay here and pout then, I am going to get the most of the little shits and get me all of the enchantments, no one can possibly challenge me!"
Before Marco can respond a very lazy-looking Davos walks next to the two of them and without even looking fires off a crossbow bolt, causing an explosion of flame and a shriek of agony to happen beyond their sight, the familiar white soul energy followed soon after.
As he passes next to them he mutters, with a well concealed smug smirk "53" before silently disappearing into the nearby crevice.
Minthara stills as if struck before her eyes are alight with the flames of motivation, the wind around her picks up as she looks into the distance with determination.
Marco raises a hand in concern "Hey, are you doing alri-"
"WULD NAH!" The Nord is gone the next second.
As he remains alone the bard sighs and shakes his head, absent mindedly brings out his lute and starts strumming it while walking. "Now then, how to make this whole thing sound heroic..."
(Reyvin's POV)
More and more goblin souls rush into Azura's Star from all around me as I lazily sit in the village's center, completely surrounded by the scene of my guards, Edrassa, and Nightshade butchering goblins with incredible efficiency, all the while I share a nice pizza with Scorch.
One might find themselves wondering where I got the pizza? Well, what use is immense political and financial influence if you can't even teach your servants how to make fast food?
Though to be fair it wasn't really fast food if it was prepared by a master chef.
A couple of goblins die at the same time so I am forced to actually focus on drawing their pathetic souls my way so they don't go to waste. It really was a good thing that goblins carried white souls instead of black ones, I dread the very idea of being forced to feel bad for... them.
Things go much the same for the following hour, we had already raided a good ten tiny villages, if they could even be called that, so this was to be our last before we continued to our actual destination at the temple of Kynareth, or more specifically the Eldergleam Sanctuary.
I feel a surge of Magicka and turn my gaze just in time to see Nightshade turn a goblin shaman into a popsicle before hitting it with an ice spike and shattering it to pieces, and just like that the tumult of battle is shattered as the remaining goblins are swiftly cut down by my halberd-wielding guards.
I sigh contentedly and store my chair within my oblivion storage, it having grown to such a point that I could easily carry a ballista with me at all times. I clap my hands appreciatively as everyone turns to me, naturally, I timed it in such a way that the rest arrived at that exact moment "Excellent work everyone, the world already feels cleaner."
Most of them nod in agreement while Marco looks completely baffled "Why do you all hate them so much?"
Everyone, even Nightshade, looks at him like he has grown a second head. "They are goblins..." I finally break the silence after it grows awkward and everyone once more nods 'sagely'.
The Altmer throws his hands up in frustration and grabs a snack I summoned onto a nearby crate.
"Well then, after that nice workout" I begin and even my guards give me a side glance "I feel like having a nice little break, onwards my brave goblin slayers! To the sanctuary!"
As we leave the village I hear Davos snickering next to Minthara "Oh look at me, I slew all of the goblins" He drawls "I am become... goblinborn!" Minthara's face goes red and she tries to kick him in the shin but he is long gone by that point.
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It doesn't take us long to find the sanctuary with the maps we purchased on our departure from Winterhold and we soon stand at the entrance to a vast cavern.
An elderly priestess wearing green robes exists just in time to meet with us and stands confidently as she asks "Who approaches Mother Kyne's sanctuary?"
Instead of responding verbally I focus on my blessing and invoke the winds, they do not move at any impressive speed when I do so but the feeling in the air shifts and the plants around us grow just a tiny bit more vibrant.
The woman smiles kindly at the sight and moves from our path "I see your cause here is honorable, be welcomed and may nature heal your woes."
I nod at her and lead the party inside, we pass through a couple of winding passages before finally stepping forth into the massive cavern within. Every single one of us is stunned and awed by the sight before us.
A self sufficient ecosystem surrounds the gargantuan tree hidden below ground, colorful moss and flowers surround any place not trampled by the ever careful pilgrims, a lake stands at the center and three small creeks flow freely into its basin from three different directions.
I relax immediately and feel some of the weight lift from my shoulders "Now this is how you build a temple." I nod in appreciation.
Marco raises a confused finger "I do not believe this was built..."
"Exactly my point" I clap and wave for everyone to follow me "Let's get going."
We all quickly set up some tents at a free spot and start up a small fire, it was allowed as the priests could easily put it out but we were still warned to be careful. A nice meal was prepared and I decided to invite some of the other visitors to sit by our fire.
The other pilgrims were jovial and trusting, so trusting in fact that I was surprised for a moment and scanned the entire place.
It takes some brainstorming but I finally realize what is going on, this entire place is quite literally a divine safe zone. No one can attack each other and even if I were to theoretically bypass it through brute force the nature within the sanctuary would destroy me and protect my target at the same time.
Magnificent!
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"It is too bad Morrigan isn't with us" Edrassa sits down next to me "She would have enjoyed the magic here."
My eyes snap open, my relaxing meditation now interrupted, and nod "That she would, a shame she is so thoroughly blinded by greed that she refuses to leave Deepholm."
My first vassal chuckles "I guess that is what happens when you are born within a cave."
"And to an aspiring hag" I raise a finger and chuckle "Do not forget that part." Edrassa remains silent after my comment and I finally ask "Was there something you wanted?"
She nods hesitantly "I... I believe I have proven my loyalty and wish for my position to be given its due respect." She blurts out with faltering confidence.
I raise an eyebrow and stare at her for an uncomfortably long time... before slowly nodding "Indeed you have, your chance is given, do not waste it."
She gets up and bows "Thank you my Lord."
"Yes, yes" I wave her off "I am here to escape all that for a spell so go ahead and relax."
I don't need to tell her twice and she scampers away to actually enjoy herself. She must have been mustering the courage for that little 'demand' for a while now.
I get up from my seat and head back to camp, Marco had started playing some kind of new song and as much as I tease the brat he is pretty good at what he does.
What I wouldn't give for my old playlist...
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The fools should have set up a powerstone toll at the sanctuary's entrance.
No matter, all the more for me!
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