Chapter 8 | Growth
Entry posted by Stanoth in TES V: Skyrim - Lucille's journey
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GROWTH
Several months had passed, you can tell by my long hair. A new Lucille had just arisen! Under Madanach's guidance, I made progress in mastering spells and could now cast more complicated ones. I could also feel my magic supply increasing, a growth I hadn't experienced in years.
The King in Rags taught me mostly how to use my magical powers effectively. That's why training sessions were done naked to meet this requirement. After a while, you get used to it.
"Focus, control your lightning, Lucille. The more you're in tune with it, the better you'll understand to handle it with ease."
When I practiced casting my lightning bolts, I noticed a big improvement: they were easier to shoot, they went farther, and most importantly, they did more damage. I was glad to have unlocked this newfound power that lay dormant inside my body.
"You're doing well, Lucille, but you must remain cool-headed. If you lose control of your magic, it could backfire, especially when you use such destructive spells."
Despite my enhanced power, Flora remained a fearsome witch. She used a cloak of fire to counter my lightning and knock me off balance. I remembered Madanach's wisdom echoing in my head as I fell to the ground.
Flora placed her foot on my stomach as a sign of victory, once again. She had always defeated me since I was Madanach's student. Rightly so, because I also learned how to be tough.
"Nice tricks you showed me there, Lucille, but it's not enough. You lack creativity, you're too predictable. Until you learn to outsmart me with your magic, you don't stand a chance. Oh, but I forgot, this is the tenth time, right? You know what comes next..."
Every tenth defeat, I ended up with my hands tied behind my back by Flora, who took a malicious delight in the process.
"Ouch! That's too tight!"
"Don't be childish, Lucille! I know you'll find a way to free yourself again. You might be thankful I'm not tying your feet too..."
"Very funny... I'll beat you one day, Flora!"
After being untied thanks to my Redguard friend, I asked Neesia if she could train me in hand-to-hand combat. She agreed and gave me a rag then we started the practice straight away.
"I'm indebted to you once again, Neesia! When we get out of here, I'll make it up to you, any way you like!"
"Oh, sweet Lucille, it's my pleasure! I'll keep your offer in mind though! So, let's warm up. I'll do push-ups while you stretch your legs. Today you're going to learn how to kick and dodge!"
Once ready, Neesia and I trained our footwork on the hanging bones.
"As a magician, you need your hands to cast spells, which is why your legs will catch your foes off guard. One well-placed kick and you can turn a fight around!"
"Like this? Aaaagh!"
"Yeah, not bad, but we'll have to improve your technique..."
"When an opponent can hit you Lucille, dodge! You're short and agile, use that to your advantage!"
"I can evade, but what am I supposed to do next, Neesia?"
"It depends on your enemy. If they're slow, create some distance. If they're quick, counterattack with your feet!"
"Got it!"
The days passed and I could see the progress I was making. We eventually began mirror sessions where I had to copy Neesia's movements.
"Looks like you're handling yourself pretty well now! I have nothing more to teach you."
We finished the session and I was still fired up. At that precise moment, I felt invincible. I wanted only one thing: to stop all these defeats over the last few months.
"Bring it on, Flora, your time is about to come!"
"Easy there, tough girl! You may be talented, but you still lack experience."
I tried to prove Neesia wrong by kicking her by surprise. She sidestepped and then grabbed my foot to tickle it.
"What's the matter, Lucille? Are you ticklish? I'll show you dirty tricks!"
"Ahahah! Wait, I'm sorry! Please stop!"
"If you can stand being tickled for a minute, I won't retaliate, deal?"
When I faced Flora again, I changed my strategy. No more offense, just defense. She was forced to attack me with her witch's fire. She thought I would counter with a magic barrier, but I ducked down to cast my lightning spell. I aimed at the ground to immobilize Flora and break her focus while my sparks ran through her body from toe to head.
Flora was looking for something creative and unique in my magic. I kept my lightning bolt zapping her crotch so she could feel my wrath before sending her down with a kick to the throat.
"Good enough for you? It's over!"
I didn't think I could do it, but I had defeated Flora! As she did so, I put my foot on her stomach. The student had managed to outwit the teacher, for once.
"Wow! I never thought you had that kind of wildness in you, Lucille. That was awesome!"
"I learned from the best and I simply follow their guidance! How did you like the foot kick?"
"Well... I must admit, he caught me off guard! I'll let Madanach know about your new progress."
A few days later, Madanach requested my presence. I had the privilege to bath alongside the King in Rags in his private quarters.
"You've made great progress! Few people could match my dear Flora. I have a special reward for you, Lucille. I may know where your mother is."
"Really? How did you find out?"
"I have my resources... An Imperial woman in her fifties who's dabbled in shady business. She operates in the Rift region and goes by the name of the Eclipse. Soon, you'll finally be able to meet her."
"What do you mean? I still have time left to serve at Cidhna Mine."
"Not for much longer, I have a very important announcement to make."
After gathering the prisoners nearby, Madanach gave his speech:
"My brothers and sisters, we have been here long enough. It's time to leave Cidhna Mine and continue the fight against the Nords. Through this gate, just beside my quarters, some of you dug a tunnel. A tunnel that leads right through the old Dwarven ruins of Markarth, into the city. Well, what do you say my people?"
Most of them shouted "The Reach belongs to the Forsworn" as an answer.
"This is where we part ways, Lucille. I know what you must do, and my fight is not yours. There is an alternate exit through the ruins to get out of Markarth quietly. Use it with your Redguard friend. She means a lot to you, I can tell."
"I don't know how to thank you both. You have taught me so much and I sincerely hope that I can return the favor someday."
"We will retreat to the Druadach Redoubt, north of Markarth. Come see us, it'll take me years but I'll organize the Forsworn again. We'll reclaim our land, and then, when power is ours, we'll have peace."
"Good luck on your journey, Lucille. Until our next fight!"
The Dwarven ruins had been abandoned for decades; there was only darkness and the cold stone beneath our feet. Neesia and I found a skeleton armed with a shield and an axe. She didn't waste any time taking them for herself.
"Hey Lucille, take my shiv! I'm keeping these new toys."
"Already looting someone? Shame on you, Neesia... But thanks for the shiv!"
A little further on, on a footbridge lit by Dwemer technology, we were attacked by the new tenants of the ruins: skeevers. Hideous and biting, they always attacked in packs.
"Get a taste of my shield, vermin! Lucille, take a step back when it attacks you and kick it!"
I could have just zapped them, but why not practice a little?
The skeevers hid the real treasure in their lair: a key to freedom from this hellhole.
"Who could have left that in there, Lucille?"
"Well... According to this note, the key was used to open the abandoned part of the Left Hand Mine. Guess someone stole it and stashed it here."
"If I remember correctly, that mine is right outside Markarth. Let's go!"
We followed the fresh air from the ruins that rose up to the abandoned part of the mine, our way out.
"I bet you 100 septims that the key unlocks the door up there! Let's check it out!"
"Really, Lucille? Taking my gold when you already owe me two favors... You've got some nerve, and that's why I like you!"
The moment Neesia and I walked through the door, both of us felt liberated. We dropped to our knees and held hands, so excited to be back in the outside world that we had missed so much.
"We did it, Neesia, we're free! I couldn't have wished for a better friend to share this joy with!"
"Same as you, Lucille! hank you for bringing me along, it meant a lot to me... Now, off we go!"
The outskirts of Markarth were deserted that morning, most certainly due to Madanach and his prisoner forces. I was already thinking about my next venture, how to find my mother until Neesia interfered with her own logic.
"If I may, we have no money, no equipment, we're in rags and barefoot. I suggest we retreat to another hold and do what we know best: returning to a life of crime!"
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Cidhna Mine has been cleared of its slaves! Neesia and Lucille are going to team up in the next chapter to make some gold. I really like this Redguard, and I have other plans for her in the future! But that'll have to wait until Lucille can reunite with her mother.
Speaking of the mother, she will also play an important role. Maybe I'll take my time to introduce her in a different way, probably next year!
Edited by Stanoth
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