Entry posted by Stanoth in TES V: Skyrim - Lucille's journey
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After a day's walk and some explorations around the region's borders, I finally tracked down Bashnag's coven, holed up in a cave. A spellsword guarded the entrance, mixing alchemical concoctions to pass time.
I thought about my approach. I could go in and wipe everyone out, except Bashnag, who would crush me. Or I could sneak in, ask to blend in with Bashnag's people. I just had to override whoever stood in my way, starting with the person below.
I used a calming spell combined with my persuasion skills to gather useful info.
"Hey. I don't mean any harm. I'd like to become one of you, can you tell me more about the current status of the band?"
"Huh... It's not looking good... Bashnag's paranoia is growing, he's suspecting betrayal from all of us... Now there are only three of us, plus him."
"Good. Thanks a lot, now leave this place and never come back!"
See the door behind me? It's protected by a magic rune. Only those versed in magic can perceive them. There were various ways to get rid of this trap, the first being to throw a spell on the rune to make it explode. But that would cause far too much noise, so I opted for the second solution, to cast a dispelling spell to disable it.
The cave's main section was quite vast, with trees sprouting up in the middle. I advanced cautiously in silence, following the stone path while keeping an eye out for any potential danger.
An elven spellsword guarded another wooden door. I snuck up behind her and employed a sleep spell to knock her senseless. I had to keep my magic consumption in check; the more spells I used, the less energy I got.
I confronted the leader and his last spellsword.
"Bashnag! I've heard a lot about you and wish to learn at your side. How can I become your apprentice?"
"Who the hell are you? How did you get here?"
"Quiet, Redguard! I'm pondering... Ah, got it! If you beat my assistant, I'll consider your request."
"Sorry, handsome, but I don't have time for this."
The Redguard, aware of his life at stake, tried a direct assault with his axe. Unfortunately for him, I responded with both hands and lightning sparks right into his torso. He cried out in pain before collapsing unconscious in the snowy grotto grass.
Bashnag was an elderly Orc, the kind you rarely associate with magic. He had white eyes and horns on his face, the look of a scary necromancer.
"Behold, my new apprentice! How did you hear about me?"
"Master, I've found several texts mentioning your name. You used to be part of a group known as Enigma, weren't you?"
"Enigma... It's been more than a decade since the last meeting. I'm surprised you could find any remnants of this past..."
"And yet I did! As your newest student, what's my first lesson?"
"Take off all your clothes, show me your naked body."
I did what he instructed, straight away. I had to play my role as his apprentice to its fullest.
"There! Do you like my body, Master Bashnag? You could explore it if you want..."
"Yeah, you're pretty, but that's not the point. Here's a magic collar I've enhanced that can boost its wearer's magical energy. I want you to test it on the vegetation behind you and tell me if it works."
"I'll put it on immediately and report back to you!"
With this magical collar around my neck, I might have a shot at Bashnag, but something seemed fishy...
"Um... Master? It doesn't seem to be working, I can't use any of my magic."
I heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind...
... Before taking a blow to the head that knocked me down onto the icy stones of the cave. I heard Bashnag's last lines before fainting:
"Foolish girl... This collar bears my curse, preventing its owner of magic! Once awake, we'll need to talk, my eager apprentice..."
I'm sorry I... I haven't told you everything. I came to Skyrim for a purpose, to track down my relatives also members of this Enigma organization. As the name implied, it was a secret for a reason. And here's how I ended up: naked, cold, my hands and feet tied up with leather straps and worst of all, being held captive by a rather uptight Orc necromancer...
"You're awake, good. I got rid of the other swordsmen, it's just you and me now."
"Please Master, what do you want from me? I only wish to learn alongside you!"
"Enough of this! Tell me about your ties with Enigma. You thought you had the slightest chance against me, you little pest? Try harder next time!"
"No, Master Bashnag, you're mistaken! I don't know anything about Enigma, I merely hoped to improve my magic knowledge with you!"
"Well, let's put it to the test. Lesson one: stamina training."
I remained strapped in and the Orc pulled me to my feet, facing him. His stamina test consisted of casting a cold spell on my naked body. It was awful, more like a torture session really. Fortunately, as a Breton, I absorbed some of the magic, which reduced the pain I felt. Bashnag wanted to force the truth out of me but I had no intention of let it happen.
After countless hours of stamina drain, I collapsed on my side, totally exhausted. The freezing cold had left me paralyzed, I couldn't feel my lower body.
"It's not over yet. You passed through the first lesson, here's the second: conjuration."
A frosty atronach appeared and pulled me up with such force that it loosened my hand bindings to lock them in its limbs. As a result, his cold aura swept through my body, inflicting far more pain than Bashnag's magic spell. I couldn't bear it any longer...
"So, little one, ready to confess?"
"Please master Bashnag... All I can tell you is where I found the texts... A hidden cave near Solitude... That's it, I swear I don't know anything else about Engima!"
"Liar! The last meeting took place in Markarth, how can you explain that?"
"I... I can't. But I'll do anything you ask, Master!"
"I like that answer! You're going to lead me to this secret location and I'll decide to let you live or not."
The conjured atronach disappeared, loosening my feet binding. I couldn't get up with the little strength I had left. Instead, I crawled on all fours behind Bashnag, like his pet.
"Hurry up, we've got a long way to go and I'm not carrying your sorry ass."
"Sorry Master... I'm too exhausted... I... I can't take it anymore..."
I dropped dead at the orc's feet, shattered by his ordeals against me.
"You humans are truly so puny and weak. At least I won't have any trouble tying you back up."
It was a trick. When Bashnag turned to adjust the leather straps, I discreetly rose to my feet and picked up the first weapon on the table: a pickaxe that I used to pound my former Master's spine. He let out a demented cry of pain so loud that the cave walls trembled.
"Eat this, you freak!"
I escaped. I had no desire to fight Bashnag again and I was an easy prey for him without magic. I preferred to brave the mountain cold naked than this vile Orc.
I just ran, as far and long as my body would let me, until I couldn't anymore. What I had endured, the cold and the fatigue were too much for me... I fell by the roadside, completely burnt out.
Half-conscious, I was curled up, trying to warm myself up. Then, at some point, I heard footsteps and a voice:
"Well, well. If it isn't a thrall fleeing from her master. I guess it's my lucky day..."
AUTHOR'S NOTE
So, do you have any idea who is “rescuing” Lucille? If you've played Skyrim, you may know this person.
As you have seen, Lucille's main quest gets off lightly, she's seeking out her parents from a secret clan called Enigma. I can think of a few ways to set this up, but it will act more as a background to Lucille's journey than anything else.
Besides, what happens next is entirely up to this new owner...
Edited by Stanoth
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