Disclaimer: I do not own Elder Scrolls, nor any of their works.
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The earth we abuse and the living things we kill will, in the end, take their revenge; for in exploiting their presence we are diminishing our future. - Marya Mannes.
Many of you know of Spriggans. Of how those feminine spirits appear, heralded by a buzzing sound akin to angry bees. How these spirits can command any being of nature to attack, even docile cows and deer, anyone foolish enough to trespass on their sacred grounds. There is even talk among some who examine the planes at the College of Winterhold that Kynareth, widow of Shor and Goddess of the Heavens, that she demanded the creation of the Spriggans in exchange for agreeing with her husband Shor for the creation of the mortal planes.
With the recent defeat of Alduin, the world eater by an Altmer Dovahkin, many in Skyrim have visited Solstheim and walked the grounds there. While in Solstheim, many have reported on a variation of the Spriggan, known as a Burnt Spriggan. Though new to Nords and other races that live in Skyrim, there are tales which describe how a Burnt Spriggan came to be. Sit a while and I will tell you.
In the Second Era, after the resolution of the Dragonfires and the Coldharbor crisis, there was a female Nord born in Kynesgrove to two parents. Both parents were ardent followers of the Goddess and they were rumored to be barren. The female child, then, was considered a blessing to the couple. Fair in skin with hair the color of wheat, she spent her formative years with her parents learning of the Goddess and what was expected. She learned that Kynareth was instrumental in both having Men and 'Mer learn the Thu'um and overthrow the Dragons of the First Era.
As she grew, and became even more comely, she learned of the Eight Divines, as Tiber Septim was not yet born. Of brave Akatosh, Chief of the Heavens, He who helped the first Empress form the Cyrodilic Empire; Arkay, Son of Akatosh, whose priests were responsible for helping souls achieve their final destination; "Queen of Heaven" Dibella, patron of women, love and of the Arta; Julianos the God of Mages, Literature and Law; Compassionate Mara; Stendarr, God of Mercy and apologist of Men; and of Zenithar, the God of Work and Trade. While her parents taught her to worship and honor each of the Divines, they preached and praised Kyne as they believed she was the reason their daughter was born.
It was when the daughter was of marriageable age that they were visited by a wandering Seer. This seer spent the night in the Inn and asked to speak to two who were 'blessed by Kyne herself'. Her father and mother came and spoke with the Seer, who explained that Shor had heard their prayers and had decided to bless them with a child. This child, they were told, was a "Dovahkin" or a mortal born with the soul of a dragon. Kyne was promised by her husband to have a guardian for her town and they were to be the guardians until she was of age. She stressed to the parents that the girl was "to never know the touch of Men or 'Mer, else Kyne's wrath will be upon her."
As a travelling priestess of Kyne, and one gifted with the Thu'um, their daughter went throughout the holds of Skyrim. Many wrongs were reversed, and many who walked the path of darkness were sent to Sovengarde. Our tale happened when the Dovahkin, Priestess of Kyne, had recently solved a murder on the Isle of Solstheim. Unknown to her the murderer was one highly favored by Mephala, Daedric Prince of Murder, Sex and Secrets.
The day after she left the mead hall, she was heading to the outskirts of the town. While she was doing so, she accidentally bumped into a stranger.
"Ooof!" he replied, the items in his hands falling to the ground. If the Dovahkin was paying attention, she would have had questions raised as there was some Nightshade and a dagger in a bundle, symbolic of someone trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood of assassins. Another item of concern was some Deathbell and Daedric Hearts. However, she noticed not these things. Instead, she noticed just how handsome the being was.
A Redguard, one of those raven-haired bronze skinned natives of Hammerfell. His almond shaped eyes held irises which were a deep lilac. Garbed in the outfit common to his people, which consisted of a loose fitting tunic dyed snow white, a pair of leather breeches, and a purple head wrap, his gaze glimpsed on the young woman.
"Oh... sorry" she murmured as their eyes locked. Kyne, why was her cheeks blushing like a schoolgirl! The way his eyes contrasted intriguingly against his bronze skin, the chiseled facial features and the well defined muscles of the man brought a stirring within the young woman that she had never felt before. Even the tattoo of a long, slender blade the color of ebony ore against the right side of his neck was striking. His name, sadly, has been lost to history.
"No, no. The sin was all mine." he replied, in a deep rich baritone. His eyes glimpsed upon the woman as he replied "Are you new to this isle?"
"Oh... just passing through. I am a wandering priestess of Kyne" she murmured.
Failing to see how his eyes darken with the name of the Divine, the young male stood still for a moment. This caused the woman to ask questions. What she didn't know was that the male had pledged himself to Mephala, though calling her of another name. His infernal mistress was whispering commands into the young man's ear. Realizing that he seemed to be lost in a daze, he shakes his head.
"Nothing, nothing. Sorry. I am from Hammerfell and the Divines, though we know of them.." he shrugged his shoulders in confusion. This seemed to make the woman more happy, as she always loved to talk of Kyne, widow of Shor. Making small talk, they agreed to meet later that evening in the house the village let the Dovahkin use.
This gave the male time to go shopping and to craft some items. What he crafted, we will see later.
As night fell, there was a knock on the door.
