Entry posted by Stanoth in TES V: Skyrim - Lucille's journey
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LABOUR
I was handcuffed and led to the Cidhna Mine by one of the guards. I didn't know in which unknown depths I was plunging into but I only wanted one thing: to meet Madanach, the King in Rags.
When I arrived, hired mercenaries stripped me of all my belongings. The female orc briefed me on the prisoners' role here:
"All right prisoner. Eyes front. You're in Cidhna mine, now. And we expect you to earn your keep. There's no resting your hide in a cell in this prison. Here, you work. You'll mine ore until you start throwing up silver bars, got it?"
"At least give me some clothes, you bitch!"
"Don't get smart with me. I'm in charge. You'll keep it up, I'll have your toes cut off. Now, get down there!"
I was greeted by other prisoners around a campfire. They looked at me like prey, mocking my nudity, which I tried to cover with my hands. The one-eyed man and the woman spoke to me directly:
"Wow. They threw you inside Cidhna mine naked. They must really hate you!"
"There are clothes over there, sweetie. Not that I mind the view of course, but, still..."
The prisoner with the ponytail came to greet me while I put on some rags.
"What are you in for, new blood? Theft, assault, murder?"
"That's not of your business."
"Oh, a mystery girl! My advice? Serve your time at the pickaxe and get out."
"Not until I've talked to Madanach first. Where is he?"
"Tough luck friend. No one talks to Madanach, I'm afraid. Not without getting past Borkul the Beast, the big Orc behind me."
So I took my chances with Borkul. He was even more frightening up close and capable of snapping me in half with his bare hands if he wanted to.
"You want to talk to the King in Rags, fresh meat? Go find me a shiv and maybe I'll let you through. In the meantime, turn around and leave. You serve your time by digging, so go dig."
I grabbed a pickaxe and went deeper into the mine. Madanach wasn't going to disappear anytime soon and I had been sentenced to five years in Cidhna mine. A few days mining silver ores couldn't hurt me, right?
Several weeks passed, I had completely lost track of time, I couldn't tell day from night anymore. I was so dirty and worn out... My new daily routine consisted of mining silver deposits until I reached my physical limit. I tried to keep my distance from the other prisoners too, in case they might harm me or worse.
When I couldn't endure the mining any longer, I used to fall asleep for a couple of hours in secluded corners of the mine, always on my toes. With the filth covering me from my head to the bottom of my feet, I felt my magic and myself slowly fading away, my existence reduced to a life of slavery.
It was only a matter of time before I stumbled upon a group of prisoners, who stared at me as easy prey.
"Hey, gorgeous! Come over here, the boys and I are so excited to finally lay hands on you..."
They were going to use me like a piece of meat... I was afraid, but I had to fly away.
I started running through the mine tunnels, aiming to make it back to the campfire. With other prisoners around, I figured maybe my stalkers would give up on whatever they were about to do. But to succeed, I had to draw on my already weakened energy reserves.
Unfortunately, I rushed into a dead end and fell to the ground. I had no other choice but to face them, with such scarce magic at my disposal...
"Don't come any closer or I'll show you my lightning!"
"You think you can scare us? We've got you! And when we're done with your pretty little ass, you'll be ours forever!"
And then a miracle happened. A guardian angel fell from the hole above, interposing herself between the prisoners and me, armed.
"Touch her and it will be the last mistake you ever make! I strongly advise you to piss off, unless you want to challenge me..."
It was over, and I didn't know why, but I started sobbing. Maybe it had to do with avoiding something horrible and feeling relieved to not have lived it. My female Redguard savior grabbed my arm to comfort me.
"It's okay, they're gone, you have nothing to fear anymore. Come on, let's get out of here! I'll give you a hand and lead you to a quieter part of the mine."
We walked for a few minutes and I gradually managed to pull myself together emotionally. I began to mumble out some words to her:
"Thanks... I owe you big time..."
"My pleasure! Those jerks are nothing but trash, picking on the most vulnerable... What's your name friend?"
"Lucille... And you are?"
"Neesia. I ended up here about a year ago, so I know Cidhna pretty well. You're going to love this little spot I'm taking you!"
"Here we are, you can take off your rags and wash off all that filth. Don't be embarrassed, I'll stay here to scare off anyone who show up!"
Neesia seemed so genuine and I felt safe with her. I didn't care if she saw me naked and exposed, I was just so worn out from everything that a soak in the water could only make me feel better...
While I was cleaning myself up, I carefully listened to Neesia sharing her past life stories with me.
"I lived and grew up in the Alik'r desert in Hammerfell. That's where I received my enhanced warrior training. I did commit a few crimes, though... So I escaped from jail and boarded a ship, turned a pirate for a few years until reaching Solitude, Skyrim's capital. I became a sword for hire and after a failed contract, I ended up here. Your turn now Lucille."
I put my rags back on and sat down next to Neesia, our feet dipped in the water, to tell her my own story.
"Like you, I'm not from here. I grew up in High Rock, and my family disappeared when I was little. I first lived in an orphanage, then on the streets, committing petty theft while training my magical powers. And I kept going, robberies, burglaries... Of course, I got caught and spent some time in prison too. Until I learned that my family might be in Skyrim, I decided to track them down. Madanach is my latest lead. He probably knew them 25 years ago, but I can't talk to him..."
Neesia shifted her position and handed me one of her shivs.
"Take it! I know Borkul demands a fee to gain access to the King in Rags' cell. It's the least I can do to help you!"
"Really? Thank you, Neesia! I owe you one again! How could I ever repay you?"
"Don't worry about it, Lucille. I guess you still have a few years to serve in Cidhna's mine too. We'll work something out over time. Now go meet Madanach!"
After a little rest, I gave Borkul the shiv so he could allow me to pass.
"Head on in. But don't try anything in there. Madanach knows more than you think about you."
I walked slowly through the tunnel, thinking about what the orc had just told me. Madanach knew me, but how? That's impossible, he's been locked up here since my birth. Or perhaps his right-hand man Nepos sent him a message... One way or another, I was going to find out the answers.
The King in Rags' cell was furnished and opulent, with everything at his disposal. He was writing on a scroll with a naked woman behind him, either his mistress or his personal bodyguard, or both. She heard my footsteps and stared at me with a fierce stare.
"It seems that our guest has finally arrived. Dear Flora, can you leave us alone? I need to talk to Lucille privately."
"King Madanach, how do you know my name?"
"No need to curtsy here, you're a slave, just like the rest of us. I was told that a young woman was looking to meet me, so I asked around for details. You're far from your home, Lucille. Why come all this way?"
"Because I've heard about Enigma, and I suspect you were close with my parents. Please, I just need the truth."
"Fine. Take a sit."
"We founded Enigma about thirty years ago, a secret society composed of powerful politicians, mages and bandits throughout Skyrim. Our goal was to gain enough power and money to be self-sufficient. It lasted for a couple of years. Unfortunately, during our last meeting here in Markarth, Ulfric Stormcloak defeated us. Not many people survived but your parents somehow fled. Your father was a mage under my command, and your mother was an imperial soldier so I guess they had planned a way out.
Now, Lucille, I'll give you a choice: strip off and accept your place by my side and I'll turn you into a powerful sorceress, or go back to mining silver for those Nord bastards."
I didn't hesitate for long. I took off my rags and knelt before Madanach. If I could become stronger, I would embrace that opportunity. His mistress joined us, grabbing my shoulders to acknowledge me.
"What do you think, Flora? Will Lucille be a worthy pupil?"
"I don't know, my king, but she has a beautiful figure... I will treat her with good care."
"Excellent! I'll be teaching you the theoretical part while Flora will be handling the practical part. Any question?"
"None. Thank you for accepting me into your ranks, I will not disappoint you."
AUTHOR'S NOTE
I took my time with this entry, I made some adjustments and improvements to my Community Shaders for Skyrim, which now looks much better in interiors! I also have a clearer plan of where I want to take Lucille on her journey.
If you're wondering, yes, Neesia will be a major companion! I want to take her on various adventures with my gal Lucille, in the sea, in the desert, in a bed... Who knows!
Edited by Stanoth
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