Entry posted by Stanoth in TES V: Skyrim - Lucille's journey
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REVELATION (PART 1)
A week later, on the outskirts of Whiterun.
With our recent score of about 3,000 gold coins, Neesia and I went to Whiterun for some shopping and a bit of fun. I also asked about the Eclipse name while I was at it. It turned out to be someone new in the criminal underworld involved in skooma smuggling and illegal betting on animal fights. I even had a location: Craglane Cavern in the far east, near Riften. That was where I was going, alone. As for my friend Neesia, she set off to Dawnstar up north to resume her pirate's life. We shared a few more stories and jokes before going our separate ways.
"So, I find myself ditched by my crew, tied up in the ship's hold with my hands and feet bound together. Those stupid pirates tortured me for a while and my bonds loosened. I slipped the ropes off and quietly snuck around until I found a dagger, a sword, anything! Then I played hide-and-seek with my captors, taking them out one by one until I reached their captain. After defeating him, I found a letter on his desk in which I learned my own crew had sold me out. What a bunch of scumbags, they fled so far away, I never heard from them again!"
"Ahahah! That was a great story! Something similar happened to me... minus the heroic part. After a burglary, my partner at the time betrayed me and I was left hogtied and gagged, lying fully naked on a empty treasure chest. Imagine how I felt afterwards, ahah!"
At the crossroads, Neesia and I parted ways, knowing we would definitely meet again in the future.
"Good luck finding your mother, and take care of yourself, Lucille!"
"Thank you, I will! I hope you'll make good use of what's left of our gold!"
"Don't you worry, my favorite gal will always have a spot on the ship if she is interested!"
"I appreciate it, see you soon, Neesia!"
Back on my own, I walked towards my original goal that brought me to Skyrim: to reunite with my family. I continued east, keeping my eyes on the signs pointing to Riften. As long as I followed them, I couldn't go wrong.
After a few hours, the landscape transitioned into a dense forest with a river flowing through it. In the far distance, I could see some majestic mountains, my next step to reach Riften.
The afternoon was winding down, and I still had a fair way to go. At the intersection, I stretched to maintain my physical condition, as I still had some climbing to do.
A little further down the road, I was attacked by wild wolves. Strangely enough, their coats didn't match between the two. To get rid of them, I cast my lightning cloak spell, just to prevent any bites and scare them away.
Night was falling and I still hadn't arrived. Something caught my attention so I stopped in the middle of the road and listened. It was wolves howling, coming from behind. They didn't sound like a pack on the hunt, but rather like whimpering. I remembered the illegal animal fights held at the location. Maybe I was closer than I thought.
Bingo! Following the path up into the forest, I finally discovered the entrance to Cragslane Cavern. Wolves locked in cages with no one to watch over them, I guess it wouldn't bother anyone if I set them free, right?
As for the folks inside, I didn't have a plan, but I had a purpose, and nobody was going to stand in my path.
Inside, I charmed the first bandit guarding the tunnel with a mind control spell.
"The wolves outside have escaped, hurry up and chase them!"
"What, again? I did lock the cages, damn it!"
Without another word, he left the premises. I didn't need to kill anyone, just neutralize them.
See those guys down there? They didn't look like bandits, but more like gamblers discussing the wolves' fight they had just attended. I couldn't stand those jerks so I thought it was only fair to punish them properly. I already knew which new spell I wanted to try out first-hand...
I went down the wooden ramp and came up to them, casting the spell with my two hands.
"Good evening, gentlemen! May I have your attention, please? If you would kindly not move, it won't take long!"
"Who are you, girl? Get out of here! This isn't a place for women."
"Someone who can use magic, check this out!"
I unleashed two blades of wind at the gamblers who were thrown against the cavern wall. The Redguard that had disrespected me even suffered some extra damage under the shocked gaze of the innkeeper, powerless to intervene.
I approached him, my hands still filled with magic. I figured he'd be scared enough to tell me the truth.
"I'll only ask once, where is the Eclipse?"
"Not here, I swear! It's the Butcher in charge here, he's in the back mixing skooma!"
"Alright. Get the gamblers back on their feet and scram!"
Obviously, Eclipse wasn't in the cavern, but I ventured deeper inside to have a chat with this Butcher character. I could feel it, I was getting closer to my objective: to be reunited with my mother after so many years!
"Foolish Breton girl, how dare you invade my lair!"
"I am looking for the Eclipse. Where is she?"
"That's none of your business! I'll give you one chance: leave right now and never come back. You don't know who you're messing with..."
"Either you tell me now, or I'll make you spit it out. Your choice."
The Butcher turned and drew his greatsword. I threw off my cloak and charged my hands with my lightning magic.
"Fine, you asked for it, you insolent little brat, prepare yourself!"
"You don't scare me, I've been preparing for months. Go ahead and try your best, old elf!"
My provocation did the trick and after a battle cry, the Dunmer swung a fairly predictable vertical sword strike that I easily dodged. I even allowed myself to taunt him again:
"Missed! Is that all you've got? I feel bad for the Eclipse clan!"
"I'll show you, bitch!"
Thanks to his failed move, I got right behind him. It was my turn to attack, and I gathered my inner energy to zap him with my lightning. The shock wave struck him so hard that sparks crackled across his entire body, causing him to drop his weapon.
"Nothing more to say, huh? Feel my magic, you prick!"
The Butcher collapsed and began to crawl. I kicked his sword away and crouched down next to him, ready to take his confession.
"Let's start over. Where is the Eclipse? And this time I want a real answer. Otherwise, I'll use my magic again!"
"You're too late, she's already left! But don't worry, someone else will deal with your ass..."
I didn't understand what he meant until I heard barefoot footsteps rushing in my direction.
"Leave him alone, you witch!"
I didn't even have time to fully turn around before I was knocked over by a heavily built female Orc in underwear. Her shoulder charge caught me by surprise and I couldn't use my magic to fight back. I needed to create some space between us if I wanted to have any chance of defeating her.
I charged my lightning bolts and struck her right where she stood. Normally, that should have been enough to stun her, but it didn't. On the contrary, the Orc kept up her frenzied sprint, ready to throw her weight at me, lying totally vulnerable on the ground.
She grabbed me and strangled me with a firm hand. I started to feel lightheaded, so in my last moments of despair, I channeled what remained of my lightning magic to push the Orc back but I only saw her smile, strained by the pain I was causing her. I heard the Butcher's cheering before fading away.
"That's my girl! Show her how a real Orc fights!"
"It's done, she's unconscious. I'm worn out, her lightning magic was no joke... Who the heck was she and what are we going to do about her, Butcher?"
"No idea, but she was after the Eclipse. Maybe some kind of spy sent by a competitor? Whatever, I have a plan for this one: frisk her then strip her armor and lock her in one of the cages. I'll make sure she is rendered powerless."
I began to wake up with a blurred vision and a massive headache. I could feel the cold bars of the cage I had been dragged into, with only my top and pants still on. How stupid I was... Thinking I had enough power to defeat anyone, I ended up getting strangled by an Orc way above my league. And there I was, a dirty, barefoot prisoner left helpless.
The Butcher and the female Orc warrior came to check on me. I sat down against the back bars of the cage, ready to fight them again.
"Don't come any closer, or I swear I'll kill you both this time!"
The two of them laughed as they opened the cage, as if they knew something I didn't.
"I have to admit, you've got some nerve Breton girl. You sabotaged our entire operation and nearly defeated us but it ends here. You must be wondering why you're feeling a little under the weather, right? It's because of this bottle of Skooma I'm holding, we forced you to drink it! And guess what? I personally modified some of its ingredients to prevent you from using magic for a while!"
"No... It can't be... You bastards!"
"Come on now, you should thank me! My friend is about to grant your wish. You wanted a chance to meet the Eclipse, and you're going to get it!"
I got fed and brought back into the main part of the cavern. The female Orc gripped my arm tightly to make sure I didn't try to escape while the Butcher returned with a huge smile and a familiar item I didn't like: a yoke.
"This is something to carry along on the road! And judging by your face, you've already been stuck in one of these! Safe travels, little one!"
Near the tunnel entrance, the Orc traded the torch for a set of shackles to bind my ankles. Out of curiosity, I started talking to my captor:
"Hey! I want to know, how did you endure my lightning with such ease? This is the first time I've seen someone resist it quite so strongly!"
"Lots of training since my early childhood. I learned to overcome pain the hard way. Your magic was powerful, yet not enough to defeat me."
"We could have a rematch. If I win, you tell me where the Eclipse is and let me go. What do you say, deal?"
The female Orc lifted me up and pinned me against the cave wall. I guess my request got denied.
"Let's cut the crap and listen closely! I own you, and you'll obey me if you value your life. We're going to cut through the woods and follow forest trails all the way to Eclipse's location. I'll be in front, you'll be behind. With that yoke and shackles on your feet, better stay close to me in case danger arises. If you try anything, I'll make sure you never feel your toes again, understand?"
"Yes, ma'am. I swear to be a well-behaved girl. Can you put me down now, please?"
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Lucille is in a bit of a bind, wouldn't you say? On one hand, she has the chance to meet her mother, but on the other, at what cost? Well, you'll find out in the second part!
Last entry of 2025, I started Skyrim's adventures, made a few changes to the game, and I'm pretty satisfied with how it's evolving! I still have ideas for stories and characters, enough to keep me busy throughout 2026. Maybe I'll make simpler entries too, screenshots featuring my characters in poses. If you have any comments, don't hesitate to share them.
Until next time!
Edited by Stanoth
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