Jump to content

Chapter 30: Breathless


gregaaz

1,073 views

"Did you think Nocturnal would just let you leave?" the ghostly figure asked.

 

Monywyr tried to answer, but cold steel clamped tight around his throat. 

 

She continued then, smiling thinly as she explained, "I'm not sure what power hid you from my mistress' sight for these past days, but... steps have been taken to rectify that error. Any you... there's a fitting punishment in store for you." The ghost turned, walked from the tent, and vanished. 

 

Struggling to draw breath past the tight collar, Monywyr staggered out of his tent and towards the campfire. Everything was oddly still; he could hear Rigmor sitting up from her bed and could see Rosa warming her hands, but his greetings went unanswered. On closer examination, he saw that Rosa's eyes had taken on a glassy, dreamlike quality. Slowly, the mercenary stood to face Monywyr.

 

"Punishment," she whispered. "You need punishment."

 

ScreenShot433.png.f8f6a0e6adbf01d650e8c0200d25c2b0.png

 

Monywyr was pinned to the spot. Helplessly, unable to move or even flinch away, Rosa drew forth a whip and began to strike Monywyr with merciless blows. He'd felt the taste of this whip before - when Cassia had whipped Monilee at Nocturnal command. As he staggered to his knees, Rigmor emerged from her tent, similarly armed. The beating continued for what seemed like an eternity. At last, Monywyr's senses returned sharply as he heard Rosa let out a surprised breath. Shaking his head to try and clear his blurred vision, Monywyr saw Angi wrestling on the ground with Rosa, trying to wrench the whip from her hand. Rigmor just stood dumbly, as if sleepwalking. 

 

The pressure on his throat subsided, and at last Monywyr could fully catch his breath. Rosa too, as if shook awake, suddenly stopped her struggle with Angi.

 

"What?" she asked, "what's happening? Angi, let me go? What are you doing?"

 

Everyone paused. Glancing back to Rigmor, Monywyr saw that the whip had disappeared from her hand.

 

Angi hissed towards Monywyr. "You, you brought a curse into this camp."

 

But Rigmor at last spoke, interrupting her. "No, Angi. He saved me. I don't know what just happened here, but it's not his fault."

 

Gently testing the unyielding steel of his new collar, Monywyr said, "You're both right. If you'll listen, I suppose I owe you an explanation."

 

Angi nodded gravely and Rigmor watched in keen anticipation, but Rosa, at last on her feed, shook her head. "Only if you want to, Monywyr. We've all got our problems, and yours seem worse than most, but after what just happened I don't think you owe us anything."

 

"No, it's all right. Listen, I won't bore you with the whole story, but suffice it to say in... another life... I was chosen for a destiny. I fought against a daedric prince for my freedom, but I lost the battle. I haven't given up yet, however, and it enrages her. But now she's drawn all of you into her game. Perhaps I'd best leave."

 

Rigmor shook her head vehemently, "No! You're my guardian angel! You can't leave!"

 

"At a minimum, I need to find Rose. Rosa, did you see the ghost who appeared in my tent?"

 

She shrugged, "I'm not sure. It was all like I was dreaming."

 

"She said that a power had hidden me from Nocturnal's eyes, and that steps had been taken to remove that protection. I think Rose was that protection, and if I'm ever to be free of the Shadow Queen I need to find her."

 

"Then I'll come with you," Rigmor said. "We'll find her together."

 

Monywyr sighed. "We don't even know where to start. You should stay here, where it's safe. I might be a long time in searching."

 

"No you won't," Angi cut in, "come into my cabin and I'll show you something."

 

Monywyr followed her, and the hunter laid out a crudely drawn map. 

 

ScreenShot434.png.0d6f0d92c424eee3a56c04b2057426aa.png

 

"Don't mind the quality, I didn't have time to make it pretty. Before you woke up and started this ruckus, a trader I know passed through. He'd seen a Thalmor caravan headed up Helgen way, with prisoners in tow. One of them matched the description of your Rose. Bound for Fort Black."

 

"Then I have to follow. I need to find her, she has a special power that might be the key to my freedom."

 

Angi cut him off with a sharp hand gesture. "You can't approach the fort from the road. There's no way in where you can't be picked off by their archers from a distance. See here?" she pointed at a rough trail she'd drawn, "There's a path through the mountains. It's hard going, but it'll give you the element of surprise."

 

Monywyr studied the map carefully. "I see. You're right, that's exactly the edge I need."

 

"You need?" she asked. 

 

"I have to go alone. I can't take Rigmor with me, she's barely recovered from what happened before."

 

Angi laughed. "Good luck trying to stop her, but I meant Rosa. She was already getting cabin fever staying up here, and after your little incident she's going to feel like she owes you a favor. Take her with you. You'll need a sword to guard your back." 

 

True to Angi's prediction, Rigmor wasn't in the mood to take now for an answer. 

 

"Pfft," she scoffed, "Rose saved my life too, you know. I'm not leaving her behind."

 

Exasperated, Monywyr tried to talk her down. "Listen kid, you almost got cut in half what, three, four days ago? You need more rest."

 

"Kid?!" she seethed, "I'm as much an adult as you or Angi or Rosa. And I'm twice as good with a sword as any of you. I'm coming with you, and that's final."

 

Monywyr glanced over to Rosa, who he noted was filling up a waterskin. "And you too, I suppose?"

 

Rose rolled her eyes. "If you're tough enough to take that beating, you're probably tough enough to take on some Thalmor. But I owe you and, besides, who doesn't like whetting her axe with some elf blood?"

 

Defeated, Monywyr relented. "Fine. But Rosa, if it comes down to me or Rigmor, keep her safe first. I... have other options if worse comes to worst."

 

"Then it's settled," Rigmor announced triumphantly. "So are we walking or riding? I'm sure Angi would let you borrow her horse."

 

Monywyr considered the horse for a moment then concluded, "Walking. If Angi's map is right, the part we could take by horse isn't far from here, and then we'll be on our feet anyway."

 

While everyone checked their gear, Monywyr tested his bindings one last time. No give, but he did find scattered on the floor of his tent another set of wrist bindings as well as the torch that Nocturnal's ghost had roughly inserted into his back passage when she set upon him in his sleep. With a grunt of disgust, he tossed them both out of the mouth of the tent before he set to breaking them down.

 

"Excuse me," Rosa said, "I saw you throw those away. Do you... mind if I take them?"

 

Monywyr looked at her in surprise. "Consider them yours, I suppose. Why do you want them?"

 

ScreenShot435.png.1da8c8cd3b303b3670b5f6e5028d9038.png

 

"I'm curious about this power you're contending with," she explained. "I've seen men afflicted by curses before, and there may be a way to help you overcome it. I've done jobs for wizards in the past and know a thing or two about their ways. I also have some insights of my own. Tell me... are they safe to wear?"

 

Monywyr thought about that. "The bracers and the, uh, torch? I believe they are, yes. Not like some of the other items Nocturnal's foisted on me."

 

 

ScreenShot436.png.6297cfb58c8a4f236a8dd56dd1c1a3d7.png

 

"Thanks!" she said, "I'm going to go put it on right now, and maybe I can learn some more about them."

 

Monywyr couldn't help but laugh. "You're an odd one, Rosa, but if you really think it'll help, don't let me stop you." 

 

Rosa collected the items, examined them, and slipped on the wrist cuffs. "Yes," she said, "I can feel a subtle energy to them. Very interesting..." then considering the torch, she set it aside. "I think if I'm to examine that, I'll wait for a more private time, if you don't mind."

 

He shrugged. "Sure, like I said, consider it yours now. Before we should hit the trail. No sense wasting daylight."

 

They walked for a time, heading south and higher into the mountains, until the ruins of an old fort came into view to their left.

 

ScreenShot437.png.7f3e4716a45a79b0e7e7f0a8c7377492.png

 

Monywyr thought back to the mind. "That'll be the vampire lair," he said. 

 

Rosa nodded in agreement. "Bloodlet Throne. Daylight or not, let's steer clear." 

 

They only got a little further into the woods before a voice whispered in Monywyr's ear.

 

"Boo!"

 

ScreenShot438.png.b15e3a064ea217b5591ccd64c9255213.png

 

The ghost was back. Still, where Monywyr had been surprised and shocked before, now he was just annoyed.

 

"Agh, not another one of you. Go away."

 

"Pain or pleasure?" she asked, smiling cruelly.

 

"Are you sure you won't just go away?"

 

"Make your choice, Dragonborn."

 

"Dragonborn?" Rigmor said aloud.

 

Exhaling loudly, Monywyr said, "Fine, we tried pain before. I'll take the pleasure this time."

 

Monywyr felt his armor straps loosen and the steel breastplate fall away, exposing his body to the chill of the mountain air. If he'd hoped the ghost would warm him, he was sorely mistaken. He flesh was cold as the mountain snow. If this was pleasure, it was a very narrow definition of the term.

 

ScreenShot439.png.91e49d7e418760df5ee7bf7ad3285820.png

 

She rubbed herself against his chest, first slowly and then gradually increasing in tempo, her moist drippings like a stream of icy river water running down his chest. Monywyr gasped, then gasped again, trying to suck in air as he once again found the choking collar constricting around his throat. It didn't help Monywyr's discomfort that Rigmor was standing maybe two feet behind him, silently watching the spectacle

 

Then she pushed him down, leveraging her surprising weight against him. Monywyr pushed out his elbows, trying to keep his whole back from sinking into the snow, but the ghost rubbed harder and pushed deeper, bringing him inch by inch towards what might well become a freezing grave. 

 

ScreenShot440.png.3e1f23bdd35fa390ae8220d757aff08e.png

 

"Enough!" Monywyr growled in spite of the choking collar. Spinning, he reversed their position so that now the ghost was lying in the snow. She opened her mouth to chastise him, and he pressed he scrotum down against her mouth, realizing a moment too late that if she was tangible enough to push him down into the snow, she was probably tangible enough to bite. Fortunately, the ghost seemed content to honor her promise of pleasure, and no such encounter with ghostly teeth commenced. 

 

ScreenShot441.png.3de418ee006b42bd3fd911bc1a5ec759.png

 

Monywyr's dominant position did not last long. Mustering surprising strength, the ghost drew herself back to her feet, pushing Monywyr back until they stood eye to eye. She kissed him, he icy tongue entering his mouth and making him shiver - but doing nothing to diminish the heat of his passion. Then she lifted him entirely off the ground, rubbing him tightly against her cool body. 

 

ScreenShot442.png.d8c1eb8b05f09d3bc882e2a97fde85fe.png

ScreenShot443.png.0c23da911876d24b88a6ba4b9f1c7dd5.png

 

"Did you enjoy that, Dragonborn? Are you hot and ready?" 

 

Monywyr could only answer with a groan, steaming breath giving the truth to his heated state.

 

"Then come to me, Dragonborn," the ghost said, laying down on the ground. "You remember what to do from your past life. Take your pleasure."

 

He saw the ghost had grown a jet black penis, thick and slick with fluids. Almost as if moving by its own accord, he body crouched over her, lowering until his rear touched the tip of the ghost's phallus, and then pressing down until it entered him.

 

ScreenShot444.png.8e319b42750e8de16f0bed27ced331f3.png

ScreenShot445.png.7f3c214e0336f74fb294710fcd0e062e.png

 

Rising and falling with increasing speed and urgency, Monywyr rode the ghostly shaft, feeling a slowly building pressure deep within him. At last, he found release - literally seeing stars as thick fluids pumped from his body in a series of powerful contractions. 

 

"Eww, ew, no," Rigmor groaned, only now turning away.

 

The ghost now thrust her hips a few more times, eliciting a sharp draw of breath from Monywyr, before she slowly pulled the shaft out of his anus.

 

"I hope you enjoyed your... pleasure," she said. "Remember that Nocturnal is watching. Don't defy her again."

 

Monywyr spoke raspily against the squeezing collar. "How can I forget?"

 

She giggled. "And yet you failed her once before. To help protect your memory, I think you'll find now that your shackles may weigh heavily on your from time to time. Expect to spend some time on your knees, like the slave you are."

 

And then, she vanished.

 

"Ew, what did you just do?" Rigmor asked incredulously.

 

Monywyr sighed. "Look, I told you not to come. If you don't like it, you can go back to Angi, but this is the burden I have to bear."

 

From a few yards away, Rosa belted out a laugh. "I can think of worse burdens."

 

"Agh, gross, not you too," Rigmor bemoaned.

 

"Seriously," Monywyr said, "you haven't seen a fraction of what Nocturnal is capable of. If you don't want to see the things the daedra do to try and dominate and humiliate mortals, then don't watch next time."

 

"Rigmor," Rosa said, "listen to Monywyr. He is battling a powerful curse, and you're being disrespectful. If you don't want to see what Nocturnal forces him to persevere through, then give him some privacy next time."

 

"Fine..." she moped. "Fine, you're right, I don't want to see... see... that again anyway."

 

They pressed on in silence for a time. Just before they turned back for fear of losing the trail, the path opened up again and the trio increased their pace -- just in time to run straight into another ghostly figure.

 

ScreenShot446.png.7c2f3fe2299cd347421485382f30052b.png

 

"Unbelievable," Monywyr muttered. "I've had enough of this for one day."

 

The ghost grimaced. "I see the virgin ghosts have been up to their usual pranks."

 

"Those little harlots," he continued, "were virgins when Nocturnal sacrificed them... but they lost their innocence aeons ago."

 

"And who are you?" Monywyr pressed.

 

"I'm one of Nocturnal's Nightingales, sworn to serve her in life and death. And I have a message for you. There's a threat you must address. Meet with Nocturnal in Movarth's Lair." 

 

"Fine," he said, "I'll hear what she has to say, but I want these devices removed from me."

 

He shrugged. "Only Nocturnal has the key, I'm afraid. But that does remind me... pain or pleasure?"

 

Rigmor groaned and turned away. "I don't want to see this. I don't want to see this."

 

This posed an interesting conundrum for Monywyr. He still wasn't sure if he actually wanted the company of men. Monilee had certainly enjoyed it from time to time, but even she had found the touch of a woman more enjoyable - to say nothing of womens' conversation. And in Monywyr's new body, which was quick to provide a clear indicator of it's carnal interests, it barely stirred at the promise of more pleasure from this ghostly being. Was it simply because he was exhausted from his earlier encounters, or had Monywyr lost interest in the male sex? 

 

At length, he decided to just get things over with quickly. "Pain. Get on with it and then leave."

 

"Pain it is..." the ghost said with a wisp of a smile.

 

 

ScreenShot447.png.5f8e2d7ed99a012f8fe8be047b6c82e4.png

ScreenShot448.png.92d15ff5e3fc31019be315fdf3b91f51.png

ScreenShot449.png.0b5c2655a0d5eebc26191ba10940f2a5.png

 

Instantly, iron bars enclosed Monywyr and a vicios beating commenced. When it was over, blood spattered the snow around him and Rigmor and Rosa both visibly winced.

 

"Alright," Rigmor said, "I'm sorry for what I said before. I had no... idea." 

 

Catching his breath, Monywyr tried his best to not snap back. "It's... alright. Now that you understand though, try and follow Rosa's counsel. If you don't want to see what Nocturnal is going to try and to do dominate me, look away, don't complain. It just makes it worse otherwise."

 

They seemed to trudge through the snow for hours, getting colder and colder with every step. At last, they reached the end of the path. Rough stairs and ladders offered a path up through the mountains, but armored men blocked the way. Bandits, of course. Monilee would have cut them down where they stood, especially when they had the nerve to ask for a "toll." But Monywyr was well aware that he was half frozen through and so he simply lightened his load by a small purse of coins. Their goal achieved, the bandits proved surprisingly welcoming, even letting Monywyr and his friends warm themselves by their fire. 

 

As they warmed up, the exchanged a few words with the bandits. Like many others, they were here as much because of the civil war as for any evil purpose. Refugees, they were, homes burned and livestock stolen or slaughtered, they had nothing. So they sheltered at the foot of the old mine and charged a toll for anyone who wanted to work the shafts. Silently, Monywyr still knew he would have likely put them to the sword under other circumstances, but hearing their story helped him rationalize paying their toll... just this once.

 

ScreenShot450.png.6483c9b22e6ba25294c88d52dc57cdb5.png

ScreenShot451.png.f899c38878ccc798b411864f30784fec.png

 

"Tell me Rosa," Monywyr asked, looking over at her, "how can you be comfortable like that."

 

She shrugged, "It's the Nord blood, mostly, and a childhood living in these mountains. When you're used to something, it's easier to bear it. I suppose you know that, in a sense, don't you?"

 

"True enough. When this fate was fist pushed on me, it troubled me greatly. Now... well, it still troubles me, but I press on in spite of it."

 

"Aye," she said, "that's the way of all things."

 

The fire's warmth lingered long enough for them to reach the mine entrance; from there, they changed their strategy to stealth. Rosa commented that while the upper tunnels might be safe enough for the occasional wildcat miner to set to work, anything could lie deeper in the shafts - and they were going to go deep indeed if they wanted to reach the outlet to Angi's mountain approach. 

 

"What is that smell?" Rigmor whispered, trying to stifle a cough.

 

Whatever it was, it was foul. Monywyr couldn't identify it, but something was definitely not right here.

 

"I'm not sure," he said, "but be on your guard. It can't be anything good."

 

Turning a corner, they entered a long mine shaft, improved with wooden scaffolds and ramps. It seethed with dark shapes. Skeevers, more than Monywyr had ever seen together in his life. And they were getting closer. 

 

Drawing his sword, Monywyr's halo blazed to life and he set on the vicious rodents, hewing left and right with his greatsword. Rosa joined in with her axe a moment later, and between the two of them - and some well placed bowshots from Rigmor - they soon cleared the horde. Only then did they see the source of the smell -- corpses, piled high and roasted.

 

ScreenShot452.png.fad98b43b7f69473d6f0128ac1527c31.png

 

"No..." Rigmor gasped. "Did the bandits do this?"

 

Rosa shook her head. "I don't think so. This has the look of magic. Someone else... and I'd wager that if this mine hides a secret approach to the fort, then the Thalmor had a hand in this." 

 

"And that," Rigmor pointed to Monywyr's glowing halo, "is this the power of the Dragonborn?"

 

"Who said anything about the Dragonborn?" Monywyr snapped. "How do you even know what that is?"

 

"I heard the ghost," she explained, "she called you Dragonborn. And of course I know what a Dragonborn is. I'm from Bruma, we haven't forgotten our history. The Septim emperors had the Dragonborn blood. The legacy of Might Talos. But their line is extinct. And you're no Septim in any event."

 

Monywyr made a brushing-off gesture. "This isn't the time for explanations. After we've found Rose... then I'll tell you the rest of the story. But for now, we need to survive this mine."

 

Fortunately, the skeever swarm proved to be the last immediate obstacle for some time, notwithstanding a few traps the party managed to bypass. As hours passed, Monywyr found himself yawning with fatigue. At length, the trio came across a rough sleeping area with some bottles of mead and a clean bedroll. After saying his prayers to Dibella, Monywyr and his companions caught some much needed sleep.

 

Of course it was too good to be true. Monywyr awoke choking as a fleshy mess pushed its way into his throat. The spiderlike creature held him fast, and he felt his stomach bulge as some kind of fluid began to fill him. Struggling to speak past the creature, Monywyr roused Rosa, who tried to calm him down enough for an examination. 

 

"Not good," she said, shaking her head. "These creatures live in the deep mountain tunnels. I've heard of them, but never seen one up close before. Can you pull it off you?"

 

Monywyr shook his head in an emphatic no. 

 

"OK..." Rosa said, pausing in thought. "I might have an idea, but I'm not sure you'll like it. Bear with me though, this might work."

 

"Now," she continued, rolling over on her back, "lean close to me. It may try to jump from you to me, and we have to catch it in-between."

 

ScreenShot453.png.8f1986d45679258ca2726ee9a37823be.png

 

"Closer... yes, closer still. Don't worry, I'm on my guard." 

 

Monywyr leaned in, and felt a sudden movement in his throat.

 

"Now!" Rosa reached up and grabbed the creature, pulling hard and dislodging it from Monywyr in a stream of reeking green mucus. Before the creature could react, Rosa rolled over, pushing it into the dirt and smashing it with her armor gauntlet. It shrieked, before going limp in a pile of its own fluid. Monywyr turned and vomited, his muscles contracting to push the last of the intrusive goop out of his stomach. 

 

"Ew... what? Noooooo!" Rigmor commented as the whole affair played out. 

 

"OK," Monywyr said between coughing fits, "no more resting in this cave. Let's find a way out of here!"

 

 

 

 

3 Comments


Recommended Comments

1 hour ago, VirginMarie said:

That map looks like a child drew it, but maybe its not in the game?

 

That's an in-game asset, though the dialogue in game acknowledges that it's kind of awful :)

Link to comment

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. For more information, see our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use