Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-3293219-20140623222942/@comment-24449631-20140628045913

Rowan stared right into the large clear green iris of the Elven guard in typical gold-like elven armour.

“Yes… That’s my sword.” Rowan agreed. Hoping to soon figure out the intent of the mer.

“Well, Not a lot of men come to Summerset these days. And I must say, In all my years I’ve never seen one enter like you did” He nodded at the piece of wood stuck in the sand of the beach.

Rowan didn’t really know what to make of this. He was exhausted, hungry and thirsty: not really capable of any resist or witty comeback.

“Well, Now you have.” Rowan said while looking back at the little piece of splintery wood that had saved his life.

“I assume you shipwrecked?” The Altmer enquired.

“Yes, I did.” Rowan couldn’t lie his way out of this. Obviously.

“We were attacked by an Elven Galleon.” Rowan admitted.

“Oh…” The elf sounded.

“Ja...” Rowan nodded.

“Well, you said ‘we’ so... Where is the rest of your company?” The elf lowered the sword.

“They… Didn’t make it.” Rowan explained as he looked a bit sad, thinking about it.

“Ah… That’s regrettable.” The elf showed minor compassion to the Nord.

Rowan didn’t know whether he was a prisoner or not. And from the looks of it, neither did the tall Altmer in front of him.

“So what now.”

“That’s not for me to decide. Young one. I will take you to the ‘Magistrate of Firsthold’ He will decide what your fate is.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan was then escorted willingly to the first bit of civilisation he had seen in days.

<p class="MsoNormal">Trying to fight the Altmer without a weapon didn’t seem like a good option, moreover… He didn’t even know where he was and he’d stick out like a sore thumb in the land of the Altmeri. No, It would be best to keep quiet and obey for now.

<p class="MsoNormal">At least he could enjoy the view. It seemed to be still early daylight, so the docile wildlife seemed to be ruling for now. They created an atmosphere of calm and soothing, the whispering of the gildergreen-like trees, whistling of the birds… The air smelled like honey. A sweet taste fragmented in his mouth, without the Nord really noticing, it washed away the filthy salt taste of the barren oceans.

<p class="MsoNormal">The sound of the whispering trees was now joined with the cool sound of lapping waters. A creek or river perhaps.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That’s the Dicato you are hearing, we cannot see it, but it is one of the greatest rivers in all of Summerset, it flows through Firsthold.” His ‘escort’ passed to him. As if he knew Rowan wondered what it was.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Ah I see. Is it far away? Firsthold that is?” Rowan asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hah, No it isn’t, young one… just about half an hour.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan nodded as a way of saying think you.

<p class="MsoNormal">-

<p class="MsoNormal">The sound of the tumbling water became ever more present and Rowan could feel it, they were just about to reach the city, he was a bit nervous though. He had heard of the amazing feats of Elven architecture, but he never had the chance to actually see Altmer towers and spires with his own eyes before.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Guard hopped out of the grassy shortcut they had taken and unto what appeared to be a mainroad. With cobblestones, completely flat and perfect unlike the ones used in roads of the Empire, sure it had improved not there are still roads in Skyrim where one slip could mean your death because of poor roads or loose stones within such a road.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan hopped after him, he then looked back at the Altmer, awaiting further instructions. He noticed that the Altmer was smiling.

<p class="MsoNormal">The elf nodded to the distance. “There it is… Firsthold”

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan quickly followed the Altmer’s gaze and turned around. What he saw was absolutely amazing:

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Gleaming spires come into view when in sight of Firsthold. High cliff palaces of the ancient capitol adorn the Cliffside. It seemed the sunlight fell perfectly to show the whole city in its spectacular glory. From the cliff-face a waterfall protruded, that elegantly made its way down into the basin below, connected to the Dicato river, which ran through a giant network of little canals in between the Royal garden. Where plants and fruits of unimaginable beauty were grown. The whole city looked like a palace all on its own. As if everything was incorporated into one, but it simply wasn’t so. There were market places and residences as well. But it was all handled with such care and elegance that it was hard to differentiate. Even the walls around the city were handled with such ingenious gorgeous-ness, they looked like Art, and not defensive walls. But knowing the Altmer, they most certainly would be sturdy and strong.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan felt giddy and he hadn’t even entered the city yet. Though that would soon change.

<p class="MsoNormal">The guard and Rowan had arrived at the large golden gates of the city, at least they looked like gold.

<p class="MsoNormal">His altmeri escort walked over to one of the two royal guards outside the city gates with even more detailed and beautifully hand-crafted armour.

<p class="MsoNormal">''“Hah, fothlin… Qua er follundra sill?” ''

<p class="MsoNormal">''“Mai, vinna ig othl magistrato va nium, di davlar si orsi.” ''

<p class="MsoNormal">''“Ah… ig fra… Bothe fun sill.” ''

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan didn’t understand a word of it but it didn’t take long or the other guard nodded and the large doors opened right in front of him. The sunlight beamed up from the opening door. Causing him to shield his eyes for a bit. But after that he could truly see the city in all its glory.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Come. We can go.” The Altmer beckoned the practically spellbound Nord.

<p class="MsoNormal">The citizens wore silky cloth and strode around gracefully, giving the Nord passing by odd looks.

<p class="MsoNormal">“We will pass through the gardens.” The Altmer declared as he took a sharp turn away from the town centre, he probably wanted to avoid awkwardness. Can’t blame him.

<p class="MsoNormal">And also, it would’ve been a damn shame if he was to take the Nord through the regular town. These gardens were the pinnacle of peace and quiet.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ever green grass. Carefully trimmed to perfection. Lush plants and flowerbeds, carefully created tapestries only visible from the skies above. Like some sort of… greenery mosaic.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Nord’s eyes wandered upon the sight of a fair and quite frankly beautiful mer, she stood in the waters of the tiny canals. Her long silky white dress seemed to flow into the waters. As is she was one with it. She seemed to be praying or sorts. Whispering elven tongue as she held her hands together and her head bowed down.

<p class="MsoNormal">He only ever saw her in her in profile, from where he was walking anyway. But she seemed blindingly gorgeous.

<p class="MsoNormal">''I don’t know but the Altmer of Summerset seemed to be… More mysterious and amazing than the ones found in other parts of Tamriel who mostly are snobby and pompous. But… not here… ''

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan looked around, bewildered at the fact that this Island was, not long ago, on fire and burning.

<p class="MsoNormal">It also brought some bad memories back, Thalmor related ones… Though they seemed to be eradicated from regular life, even on Summerset it seems. Which was a blessing.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Gardens seemed to end at broad steps up to a giant palace.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan seemed to recognise it. Oh yes, he had seen it earlier, but from a different angle. It was probably their destination all along.

<p class="MsoNormal">“This is the palace of the magistrate.” The Altmer declared as he hurried up the first few steps.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Ja ja… I’m coming.” Rowan stated as he looked back, one more time to look over the large garden before he would enter.

<p class="MsoNormal">Amazing… Simply amazing…