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shapelytimber · 8 months ago

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Wdym it's been 5 months ? Anyway, here is the end of my little comic serie about this niche Skyrim mod

*Insert me 100%ing the 4th arc of the hit mod 'vigilant' for the elder scrolls V Skyrim with little difficulty having a grand ol' time*

I messed up my files so Teldryn divorced me while I was away ckgkckkc And you know what good for him, he got a cottage and a kid out of it

[PART 1] - [PART 2] - [PART 3]

[COMMISSIONS]

If you're interested in my thoughts about this mod, you can read that below (it's fucking long so I'm sparing you all just here for the art to have to scroll through all that) vvv

A fantastic mod for sure ! I had so much fun, the voice acting was (for the most part) quite impressive, the music !!!!!!!!! Excuse me who gave this mod permission to have this fucking banger of an ost ???? Loved the new environnements, and there was so much of them !! Especially in act 4, I felt that all the locations had a unique and gorgeous aesthetic (frankly it was the most fun I had doing dungeons in skyrim... the bar is on the floor tho- if I ever see another nordic tomb or draugr I'll not be responsible for my actions), and fucking impressive mise en scene.

And the fights were so fun ??? In skyrim ?? Incredible.

But I still have some problems with it- first let's get the elephant out of the room : act 1 and 2... Boy oh boy were they not so great- I get that the begining is a slow burn to 1) get to know the vigilants of stendar, and 2) drive home the fact that the vigilants are quite incompetent and stendar hates them. Ok this is cool ! And they definetly were some highlights, like with the story of the three kajiits (I'm not good with remembering names (forshadowing for later-)), the ending of act 1, and uuuuuuuhhhh underground windhelm looked sick in act 2 !

But the quests in general were not very fun, at least not fun enough to distract me from the parts of the scenario I understood- which were kind of sexist and not that interesting (the sexism doesn't get better with act 3 and 4 but at least I'm having fun)- like I don't expect great women characters, this is still a tes mod, and it definitly doesn't get to "the man writting this is a fucking creep and I'm not playing this any longer" territory... But all the women we interact with are either : prostitutes, mothers/wives, or abuse(it's nearly always rape) victims- like I don't really mind that the first quest is to track down a vampire prostitute who propose to show me her sweetrolls, but it gets pretty tiresome after a while (and kinda ridiculous, like do all the big musley men I'm fighting in act 4 have to angst about their wives ? Can't a big musley woman angst about her partner too...). The worst one is Lamae Bal. From the charadesign, to the dialogues with her, to her story- hated that.

And also we don't have much dialogue choices and ways to influence the story in these 2 (3) first acts. Which I understand like this is a lot of work for fan content, but it's such a stark contrast to act 4 it's a bit jaring.

But speaking of the story... I get this is a very thoughtful and well researched story. A lot of work reading the tes wiki as been done by the author... But I, on the other hand, did not read the entire extended lore wiki- and I admit I was not understanding any of it during Act 4. Like I got a general idea, and the epic, dramatic and emotional moments were still impactful ! But I really don't think the author did a great job getting the story accross, and the more the mod progress, the more this problem becomes relevant. The recuring problem of tes games is that they have really deep interesting lore that we rarely get to see in the games ; the problem of this mod is that we get presented with this lore as if we already knew it.

And after watching an explaination of the story, it's such a shame because it's really good !! And well written ! But I don't think I should need a youtube video to understand it...

Also omfg I am not good with names mod please- everything has like 2-3 different weird fantasy names (but it's never explained it's the same thing, and what the thing is is never explained-), there is a billion men characters with weird ass long names, and the mod expects me to remember them all 5-6 hours after they got killed ??? I don't remember them 5 seconds after I'm done talking to them-

But I had fun playing it, and that's what matters <3 and I'll never get other twink molag bal <3

Also, my mage dragonborn is even more op now omg I can summon an army of 8ft musle men + molag bal + Jyggalag ??? The only fight I had a bit of trouble with was Pelinal's, the rest got obliterated easily (by Pelinal) kgkgkfjfifb

I'll probably need to nerf Elaris at some point in the future-

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sonsofbal · 2 months ago

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V. The Mist Festival pt.2

During Morthal's Mist Festival, Alicent is torn between her budding feelings for Seth and her strained friendship with Joric. As the villagers make their offerings to Magnus for protection, tensions escalate and a sinister omen strikes, throwing the ceremony into uncertainty. With Seth's presence raising suspicions, Alicent begins to wonder if the gods are still watching over them, or if something darker is at play.

Morthal was divided into two parts by the Hjaal River. The villagers gathered to the east of the southern region, next to the house of Falion. It was his duty to preside over the ceremony as Court Wizard. The organizers had set up several rows of wooden benches. As the people took their seats, Falion finished preparing the torch to bless the fire.

By the time the ceremony was under way, night had fallen and the sky was aglow with stars. Alicent felt tiny as she looked up at the firmament; Maser and Secunda were shining overhead on this clear night, and the dawning light was the color of fireflies' thoraxes and butterflies' blue wings.

Looking out at his audience, Falion stood before the bonfire the guard had lit for the occasion. Behind him, willow branches swayed in the breeze, dropping leaves and creating meandering shadows in the air as the cold waters of the Hjaal returned flashes of light.

"Inhabitants of the Hjaalmarch, we gather for another year in commemoration of the deeds of Magnus, architect of Mundus." Phalion turned around in front of the fire. "MAGNUS!" he said, lighting the torch and raising both arms to the sky. “Hear our voice, for this day we commemorate your sacrifice, so that when the mists come and hide us from your eyes, you will remember us!".

Alicent felt sorry for Falion. The wizard was not a crowd person. She could almost feel his discomfort as he faced the audience again. He was a terrible speaker: he dropped his free arm to the side, where it would remain until the end of the monologue, and proceeded to recount for the umpteenth time the confrontation that Magnus and Molag Bal had had right there in the Shire of Hjaal, according to the legends.

Falion went on with the telling of the legend. The family of the Jarl took up the front row, and Alicent caught Joric looking in their direction. She was in the back row, next to Seth, and from there she had a good view of everyone. There were people she didn't know well, outsiders who only came to Morthal for supplies or, on days like this, Magnus' blessing.

Alicent's eyes searched for his mother and found her beside Thonnir. They've been spending a lot of time together lately, she thought, watching them lean in to exchange comments. Her attention shifted back to Seth; he seemed to be engrossed in the story Falion was telling.

"Molag Bal's roots in our realm run deep. When the lord of domination and slavery first set foot in these lands, Tamriel was young. It was on this occasion that the cruel Daedra taunted Arkay after the taking of the soul of Lamae Beolfag, the first daughter of the night.

Alicent leaned over to Seth.

"It's a reference to vampires. According to the stories, Lamae was living in this region at the time she met Molag Bal," she explained, trying her best to impress him.

"I've heard of that," he replied without looking at her. Still, Alicent appreciated that he managed to smile, amused.

"Not content with the transgression," Falion raised his voice, struggling to make himself heard over the murmuring of the people and the rushing of the river, "Molag Bal decided to outwit Arkay once more, twisting the magic of Tamriel to give his followers the power to kidnap the souls of those who died. The power to enslave them and thus prevent them from passing on to the afterlife.”

"Now he's talking about Necromancers," Alicent commented in a new attempt to get his attention. But Seth completely ignored her again.

Alicent let out a small sigh. She was beginning to wonder if she had done something wrong.

"You think anything he says is true?" Seth asked abruptly.

The question startled her. She had heard the story hundreds of times before, but she had never stopped to ask herself if there was any truth to it at all.

"Well... I don't know." She confessed.

"Come on, you must have an opinion about it. Do you think it is true?" Seth insisted. He leaned toward her without looking away from Falion.

Alicent shrugged his shoulders.

"I guess so. I mean... If someone doesn't make their offerings, bad things happen."

This got the attention of Seth, who looked directly at her and turned his body in her direction. Alicent mimicked his pose as well.

"What sort of bad things?" asked Seth.

"Laelette didn't make her offerings last year." She whispered.

"It is my understanding that Laelette has left of her own free will," he replied.

Alicent searched the crowd again for his mother. When he found her, she stared at Thonnir and Virkmund, the young son the man had had with Laelette.

"Yeah, but... I dunno. It still feels strange.

Seth's face twisted. Suddenly, he seemed defensive.

"What's so strange about it?" he asked impatiently.

"I don't know. It's strange, that's all," Alicent replied, feeling uncomfortable, "I find it hard to believe she would leave her son for a war she never mentioned. Plus, that's happened before..."

Alicent rubbed his shoulder uncomfortably. She looked away, her eyes misting over.

"Was it someone important to you?" Seth asked after a short silence, softening his tone.

"My father..." Alicent's voice cracked.

"Wow. I'm sorry I mentioned that," Seth said after a moment, sincerely. "Sorry, I didn't mean to distract you from the story."

"That's okay. I know this story by heart," she replied, tucking hair behind her ear.

Seth's gaze was on Falion for a moment before his attention returned to her.

"I'd rather hear it from you then."

That made Alicent smile a little.

"I don't know if that would be a good idea. I'm not a very good storyteller," she hesitated.

"Worse than Falion? I don't think so.”

Alicent looked down shyly, but a smile escaped her lips. Seth's hand caught her chin and forced her to raise it. He didn't have to say anything else, his smile and the way he looked at her encouraged Alicent to speak.

"Magnus did not like Molag Bal's use of magic, nor did he like the fact that he was challenging Arkay again, so he stepped into the body of one of his followers to confront him and his army. Though Magnus defeated him and banished him, Molag Bal managed to gouge out his eye during the battle. That is why the mist has covered Morthal for months. And that is why the flame of the torch is blessed today, so that it will see us today and protect us from his followers when the mist comes".

Seth remained thoughtful after hearing the story, his eyes fixed on the torch Falion held.

"I think I should do some more reading on the local legends," he turned his head back to her. "What would you recommend I read?"

Alicent nodded toward the Jarl's family and shook her head. Joric hurried to look forward.

"Ask Idgrod. She's the book person."

Seth nodded and looked forward again. Falion was just at the end of the story of the battle between Magnus and Molag Bal. It had been the end of a war, more than a battle. Alicent felt that she had not explained the events very well after listening to the wizard for a few minutes.

"Why is he looking at us like that?" Seth suddenly asked in a low voice.

Alicent followed his gaze and caught Joric looking in her direction once more. This time she noticed the look in his eyes. He seemed annoyed. Angry.

"Don't worry about Joric," Alicent murmured, in an attempt to play it down. "He's probably just wondering what we're talking about."

"When I first met him, he looked at me that way, too. I think he was upset that his mother suggested Idgrod and I might spend time together." He said matter-of-factly.

Alicent looked at him, startled.

"Oh," she murmured with poorly concealed disappointment. "I thought it was because of me. He seemed very angry when I told them about..."

Seth waited for her to continue, and Alicent blushed, aware that she had spoken out of turn.

"About me?" Seth asked, before he changed his tone of voice to a more light-hearted one. "I guess there are not too many strangers who come to this place."

"Not too many," Alicent confirmed, without taking her eyes off of the fire. "And you're the first who stays."

"It's not a bad place," he admitted. Alicent followed Seth's gaze. It was on her friend. "Perhaps I should take the jarl's suggestion into consideration."

"To spend time with Idgrod?" she asked, in dismay.

"To settle here. It doesn't have to be with Idgrod."

Alicent turned her head quickly in his direction and then jerked it back to the front at almost the same speed, as if she had done it by accident. At a loss for words, she pointed his chin in the direction of the campfire in an attempt to get Seth to turn his attention back to the ceremony.

Falion had already finished the tale, so he left the torch on a metal stand next to the table where he had everything ready for the preparation of the offerings of the people of Morthal. Falion placed a bowl and a candle on the table, lit the candle with the blessed flame from the torch, and poured a little melted wax into the bowl to stick the candle to the bowl.

"Magnus, today I light this candle in your name in prayer for your protection. And I offer this parchment to Julianos, that he may be my keeper when your eyes are not upon me."

Falion carefully placed the scroll in the bowl. With the sacrifice complete, he approached the Hjaal River. He bent down and placed the bowl in the water. The wizard's sacrifice began to drift slowly away from him, buffeted by the river.

The murmur of the people of the Shire rose a few notes, and as soon as the Earl stood up, many of them began to imitate her. The second to make the sacrifice was always Idgrod Ravencrone. Then each person in the county had to wait their turn for the sorcerer to prepare their offering and make their request to the Aedra.

“Do you think she likes me?” Seth asked out of the blue, innocently.

Alicent looked around to see who he was referring to. Alva was standing a few pews ahead. She said something to Benor and approached the offering table, around which a circle had already formed.

"Alva?" Seth nodded, and her brow furrowed. "You're too late. She's already with Benor."

Seth continued to look at Alva, and Alicent stomped a little, trying to get his attention back.

"You know?" she said in an attempt at a change of subject. "Mom says I'll inherit the Taumaturgist Hut. "

"Really?" Seth asked amused. "And are you going to give me a discount?"

"You might not even pay..."

She stopped looking at him in embarrassment when Seth burst out laughing. Apart from the two of them, there were only a couple of other couples sitting on the benches. Most of the neighbors were chatting animatedly around the fire, waiting for their turn to make offerings. Joric emerged from the crowd and made his way to where they were.

Alicent stood to greet her friend, taking the offering from his lap. Standing next to her, Seth did the same.

"Joric, have you made your offering?" asked Alicent, greeting Joric.

Joric glanced at Seth, then shook his head. He had a childish, shy, hopeful expression on his face. Joric's hair was a shade of ash brown, and though he always wore it short and messy, he had tried to comb it on this particular day.

"I was expecting that we could make our offerings together this year," he suggested, hope shining in his eyes.

Just like Seth, Alicent couldn't take her eyes off of him either. But not because Joric looked so beautiful, but because he looked as if a cow had licked the top of his head.

"Sure. Seth, would you like to join us?" She invited him, trying to shyly comb her hair with her fingers, wondering if she looked ridiculous to him, too.

"I was talking about us. You and me," Joric emphasized. "I don't want to have to make my annual offerings with a stranger."

"Oh, come on now, Joric. Don't be mean." She protested, holding out her hand to Seth. "Join us..." she asked.

This brought a smile to the boy who took her hand. The three approached the offering area. There were quite a few people scattered around the area, although most of them were huddled around the table. The three teenagers moved away from the group after realizing that they would have to wait quite a while for their turn.

"What did you think of Falion's speech?" was Joric's question.

Alicent noticed a certain amount of resentment in the question and frowned.

"I don't know. It was fine... like every year."

Joric's lip curled into a pucker. It was clear he was angry.

"Really? Did you really listen to anything? Because I saw the two of you talking the whole time."

Being addressed like that in front of Seth annoyed her. Alicent opened her mouth to speak, but Seth was quicker than her.

"Alice has been explaining your customs to me. It's good to have someone here who has an education," he reproached coolly.

The reply hit Joric like a bucket of cold water. He glared defiantly at Seth and clenched his fists.

"Do you have a problem with me, Athan?" he asked.

Seth put a hand on top of his head and reached out with his fingers to massage his temples. Alicent sensed an irritated smile behind his hand. He let out a sigh and then stared out into the crowd. Alicent followed where he looked, stopping to look at the torch. The breeze had been on the rise and was rippling the flame. From time to time, Falion raised his arm to light a candle to add to another offering.

"Me?" Seth snapped back, suddenly determined to have a confrontation with Joric. "It seems you're the one with the problem. If you want to talk about it privately..." He challenged.

Joric furrowed his brow and looked at Alicent. She raised her arms in a denial, but Joric stuck out his chest and turned to face Seth.

"Gladly, Athan. Follow me."

Joric walked along the river, in search of the rocks and bushes that would hide them from the rest of the group. As she tried to talk some sense into them, Seth followed.

"Guys, don't be stupid. It's a party, there's no reason to fight." Alicent was on their heels, her attempts at dissuasion in vain.

"What's your problem, Imberbe Raven?" began Seth as soon as they were far enough away.

Alicent could imagine Joric's cheeks flushing at the comment, despite the darkness.

"What did you just call me, Athan?" he asked, closing the distance between them in such a shrill tone that Alicent felt as if he was going to strike Seth.

A white, glowing energy burst out of Seth's fingers and wrapped itself around his hands.

"Joric, stop..." Alicent demanded, trying to get between the two of them so she could face her friend. But Joric gently pushed her away so he could face Seth once more.

"You are my problem, Athan. I don't like you."

Seth raised his eyebrows.

He said: "I didn't do anything to you, kid. That's your problem, not mine, if you can't handle your jealousy."

Joric's aggressiveness did not seem to intimidate Seth at all. Preparing to intervene if necessary, Alicent held her breath. Luckily, Joric just grimaced.

"You have a false look to me, Athan. I don't like the way you look, or the way you talk, or the way you act. And I don't like the way you hang around with Alicent all the time, either," he spat before spitting in front of Seth's feet.

Seth's reaction was a pout of disgust.

"How vulgar," Seth merely commented, with as much contempt as coldness in his voice. "Is that how Earl Idgrod raises his kids?"

"In Morthal, we have Morthal ways. We don't need some hairdo from the city to tell us how to behave!" exclaimed Joric like a spring.

"Think twice before talking about hairstyles, kid."

Joric looked at Alicent, looking for support, but she was slow to react, hiding a nervous laugh after Seth's last comment.

“Boys," she interrupted, wanting to keep things from escalating any further, "We should come back. There's no need to…”

Suddenly, interrupting her words and frightening her, the wind roared over their heads. Though there was a glow of fire behind the rocks that served as a windbreak, only the fire of the torch was blessed. The flowers in her hands were a reminder to Alicent that she had not yet made her offering.

"We definitely ought to..."

"Maybe it was a mistake to come, Alicent." Seth cut her off. "It's clear I'm spoiling some people's party."

Seth's words hit her like arrows in the chest. Because of this stupid fight, he didn't enjoy the festival at all and he wanted to leave. Seth was on his way out, but Alicent grabbed his arm.

"I'm not going to let you go because of Joric."

"I don't understand why you are on his side," Joric complained in frustration.

"Because, unlike you, Seth has shown a respect for our traditions. And you... You're acting out of jealousy." She accused Joric. Alicent didn't even think about how her friend felt because she was so angry with him.

Joric looked at her, hurt. He let out a dejected sigh.

"Do what you want, Alicent." He kicked over a stone and started to walk away from them.

"Thank you," Seth said, whispering.

Alicent smiled and looked into his eyes, where she was once again in the grip of his gaze. Seth released her hand and slowly brought it closer to his face, an intimate atmosphere suddenly created between them. He was on the verge of touching her cheek when he heard Idgrod's voice in the distance, interrupting the moment.

“JORIC!”

The sound of the scream was just like all the times Idgrod had seen Joric on the verge of injury. Alicent's eyes were on the lookout for Joric, who was already on his way back to the party. Joric approached his sister and they began to talk. Not long after, he turned to Alicent in alarm. To hurry her along, he raised both arms and waved them in the air.

Alicent crossed the path of the river bank at a fast pace until she reached the two of them. She saw that Falion was not alone in preparing the sacrifices as she peered over the rocks. The neighbors were hurrying to make their own sacrifices. They could see that the torch fire was dying with every shift of the wind. Alicent and Joric looked at each other, panicked.

The two ran. Joric was picking up two bowls when Alicent reached the table. The wind blew another backhand, and the torch went out over their heads, leaving the two of them in complete silence. Them and everyone else there.

A louder and louder whisper spread along the banks of the Hjaal. Finally, Brelas, a dark elf who lives in a hut northwest of Skyrim, said out loud what everyone was thinking.

"This must be a bad omen for us."

Brelas was standing at the table and had not yet made his offerings, either. Alicent dropped her flowers, discouraged. Then fear gripped her. She was not the only one; there were a number of voices, and she could even hear a few tears.

Just in time to see him run towards Seth, she glanced over to Joric after remembering that he hadn't done it either.

"This is your fault, Athan." He accused.

Seth, who had been walking calmly in their direction, stopped in his tracks and crossed his arms over his chest. When Joric reached him, he shoved him, making him stumble. Seth stumbled and regained his footing with no pretense of self-defense.

"Me? It was you who started the fight."

Idgrod quickened her pace with Alicent at her heels. She stepped between them.

"Leave it, Joric!" She ordered. "Mom wants to see you."

"She's going to kill me," Joric cursed, running a hand through his hair.

Joric turned his back on them and walked away, and Idgrod gave him a farewell glance before following him. Up until that moment, Alicent hadn't even noticed that the people were looking at them. As she listened to the whispers, she understood why.

"It can't be a coincidence that the boy arrives first and then the torch goes out," Uthna commented to her husband Hroggar.

She turned to Seth, worried about how he was going to take this, and was surprised to find that he was looking elsewhere. She followed his gaze and found that Falion's gaze was on him, heavy with doubt. Alicent pretended not to notice when Seth turned his eyes back to her.

"Are you feeling all right?" Seth asked, his head cocked sideways. "You seem worried."

"I..." she murmured with slumped shoulders and a few tears in her eyes, "My offering..."

"It was my fault." Seth said regretfully. He grabbed her shoulder, pulled her to his body and hugged her. "I'm so sorry. I promise I won't let anything harm you."

In any other situation, that would have cheered her up. But the fear was so intense that she couldn't bring herself to look up. She didn't want him to see her crying like that. Then she heard the worried voice of her own mother behind her back.

"Alicent, my child, please tell me that you have made your offering."

#skyrim #tes art #dark fantasy #dark romance #fanfic #magic #morthal #the elder scrolls #tes #daedric lords #molag bal #aedra #tesblr

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thegravityshark · 1 year ago

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The vigilant mod for skyrim sucks so much ass dude. It's just fanfiction. It's literally just molag bal x lamae bal bullshit and it's gross

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loshijosdebal · 10 months ago

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Capítulo V: El Festival de la Bruma pt. II

El río Hjaal dividía Morthal en dos partes. Los vecinos de la villa se reunieron al este de la región meridional, junto a la casa de Falion. Como mago de la corte, era su deber oficiar la ceremonia. Habían colocado varias filas de bancos de madera y, mientras el pueblo tomaba asiento, Falion terminó de preparar la antorcha para bendecir el fuego.

Cuando la ceremonia empezó, ya había caído la noche y las estrellas brillaban en el cielo. Alicent se sintió minúscula al mirar el firmamento; Maser y Secunda brillaban sobre sus cabezas en aquella noche clara, y la luz de la aurora tenía el color del tórax de las luciérnagas y de las alas azules de las mariposas.

Falion se situó frente a la hoguera que la guardia encendió para la ocasión y contempló a su audiencia. A su espalda las frías aguas del Hjaal devolvían los destellos de luz y las ramas de los sauces se mecían al paso de la brisa, dejando caer algunas hojas y creando sombras serpenteantes en el ambiente.

—Habitantes de la comarca, nos reunimos otro año para recordar las hazañas de Magnus, el arquitecto de Mundus. —Falion giró sobre sí, encarando al fuego. Encendió la antorcha y luego alzó ambos brazos al cielo—. ¡MAGNUS! ¡Escucha nuestra voz, pues hoy recordamos tu sacrificio para que tú nos recuerdes cuando las nieblas lleguen y nos oculten a tus ojos!

Alicent se compadeció de Falion. El brujo no era una persona de multitudes y casi podía sentir su incomodidad cuando volvió a encarar al público. Era un orador terrible: dejó caer el brazo libre a un costado, donde se quedaría hasta el final del monólogo, y procedió a relatar por enésima vez el enfrentamiento que habían tenido Magnus y Molag Bal allí mismo, en la Comarca de Hjaal.

Falion siguió contando aquella leyenda que ya se sabía de memoria. La familia de la jarl ocupaba la primera fila y Alicent pilló a Joric mirando en su dirección. Ella se había sentado en la última fila junto a Seth y desde allí podía verlos a todos. Había personas a las que no conocía demasiado, ciudadanos de las afueras que solo visitaban Morthal para conseguir suministros o, en un día como aquel día, la bendición de Magnus.

Buscó a su madre con la mirada y la encontró junto a Thonnir. Últimamente pasan mucho tiempo juntos, pensó al ver cómo se inclinaban el uno hacia el otro para intercambiar comentarios. Su atención volvió a Seth; parecía estar absorto en la narración de Falion.

—Las raíces de Molag Bal en nuestra comarca son profundas. Tamriel todavía era joven cuando el señor de la dominación y la esclavitud pisó por primera vez estas tierras. En esa ocasión el cruel daedra se burló de Arkay, tras arrebatarle el alma de Lamae Beolfag, quien se convertiría en la primera hija de la noche.

Alicent se inclinó hacia Seth.

—Se refiere a los vampiros. Según las historias, Lamae vivía en esta comarca cuando conoció a Molag Bal —explicó, buscando impresionarlo.

—Había escuchado algo al respecto —respondió él sin mirarla.

—No conforme con la transgresión —Falion elevó la voz, haciendo un esfuerzo por hacerse escuchar por encima del murmullo de la gente y de la corriente del río—, Molag Bal decidió burlar una vez más a Arkay y retorció la magia de Tamriel para dar a sus creyentes el poder de secuestrar las almas de los difuntos. El poder de esclavizarlas, impidiendo su paso al más allá.

—Ahora habla de los nigromantes —comentó Alicent, intentando llamar su atención de nuevo.

Seth la ignoró por completo. A Alicent se le escapó un pequeño suspiro. Se quedó pensando en si había hecho algo mal.

—¿Tú crees que algo de lo que dice es cierto? —preguntó Seth de pronto.

La pregunta la pilló por sorpresa.

—Pues… No lo sé.

—Vamos, alguna opinión tendrás. ¿Crees que son ciertas? —Seth se inclinó hacia ella sin desviar la mirada de Falion.

Alicent se encogió de hombros.

—Cada vez que alguien no hace sus ofrendas, pasan cosas malas.

Aquello captó la atención de Seth, que la miró directamente y orientó el cuerpo en su dirección. Alicent hizo lo mismo.

—¿Qué tipo de cosas malas?

—Lalette no hizo sus ofrendas el año pasado —susurró con secretismo.

—Tenía entendido que Lalette se fue por voluntad propia —replicó él.

Alicent buscó de nuevo a su madre entre el gentío, y cuando la encontró se quedó mirando a Thonnir y a Virkmund, el hijo pequeño que el hombre había tenido con Lalette.

—Sí, pero…, no sé. Me sigue pareciendo raro.

Seth torció el gesto.

—¿Qué tiene de raro? —preguntó con impaciencia.

—No sé. Es raro, sin más —respondió ella, empezando a sentirse incómoda—. Me cuesta creer que dejase a su hijo por una guerra de la que nunca había hablado. Además, ya ha pasado otras veces…

Alicent se frotó el hombro con incomodidad y apartó la mirada cuando sus ojos se empañaron.

—¿Era alguien importante? —preguntó Seth, suavizando el tono.

—Sí… mi padre —confesó con la voz quebrada.

—Vaya —dijo Seth, tras un breve silencio—. Siento haber sacado el tema —añadió con una mirada sincera—. Perdona, estoy haciendo que no te enteres de nada.

—No pasa nada. Me sé esta historia de memoria —respondió ella, tras colocar un mechón de pelo tras la oreja.

Seth miró hacia Falion por un momento, antes de devolverle la atención.

—Entonces, prefiero que me la cuentes tú —contestó él.

Eso le arrancó una pequeña sonrisa.

—No sé yo… —dudó.

Alicent bajó la mirada hacia el suelo con timidez; la mano de Seth atrapó su barbilla y la obligó a levantarla. No necesitó decir nada, su sonrisa y aquella forma de mirarla que él tenía la animaron a hablar.

—A Magnus no le gustó mucho cómo Molag Bal usó la magia, ni tampoco que volviera a desafiar a Arkay, así que se metió en el cuerpo de uno de sus seguidores para enfrentarse a él y a su ejército. Aunque Magnus lo derrotó y lo desterró del pueblo por un tiempo, durante la pelea Molag Bal le arrancó un ojo. Por eso la niebla cubre Morthal durante meses. Y por eso hoy se bendice la llama de la antorcha, para que hoy nos vea y nos proteja de sus seguidores cuando esta llegue.

Seth quedó pensativo tras escuchar la historia, con la mirada fija en la antorcha que Falion sostenía.

—Creo que debería leer más sobre las leyendas locales —giró la cabeza para mirarla una vez más—. ¿Qué me recomiendas?

Alicent negó, cabeceando en dirección a la familia de la jarl. Joric se apuró en mirar al frente.

—Eso deberías preguntárselo a Idgrod. Ella es la que sabe de libros.

Seth asintió y volvió la vista al frente. Falion estaba terminando de narrar la batalla que habían mantenido Magnus y Molag Bal. Más que una pelea, aquello había sido la conclusión de una guerra. Tras prestar atención al mago unos minutos, tuvo la sensación de que no había explicado nada bien los hechos.

—¿Por qué nos mira así? —preguntó Seth en voz baja.

Alicent volvió a pillar a Joric mirando hacia ellos. Esta vez se fijó en sus ojos. Parecía molesto. Enfadado.

—No te preocupes por él —murmuró Alicent, tratando de quitar hierro al asunto—. Probablemente solo se está preguntando de qué hablamos.

—También me miró de esa manera cuando lo conocí. Creo que le molestó que su madre insinuara que tal vez Idgrod y yo deberíamos pasar tiempo juntos —contó como si nada.

Alicent lo miró con sorpresa.

—Oh —musitó, con una decepción muy mal disimulada—. Pensé que era por mí. Parecía muy enfadado cuando les hablé de…

Seth esperó a que continuara y Alicent se puso completamente roja, consciente de que había hablado de más.

—...¿De mí? —preguntó Seth, antes de cambiar el tono a uno más ligero—. Supongo que no vienen muchos forasteros por aquí.

—No, no muchos —dijo Alicent, sin apartar los ojos de la hoguera—. Y tú eres el primero que se queda.

—No es un mal sitio —reconoció. Alicent siguió su mirada, estaba puesta en su amiga—. Tal vez considere la recomendación de la jarl.

—¿De pasar tiempo con Idgrod? —preguntó ella, desanimada.

—De establecerme aquí. No tiene por qué ser con Idgrod.

Alicent giró la cabeza hacia él con rapidez y la volvió a dirigir hacia adelante casi a la misma velocidad, como si lo hubiera hecho sin querer. Sin saber qué decir, apuntó con la barbilla hacia la fogata, queriendo que Seth volviera la atención a la ceremonia.

Falion ya había terminado de contar la leyenda, así que dejó la antorcha en un soporte metálico junto a la mesa, donde lo tenía todo listo para preparar las ofrendas de los habitantes de la comarca. Colocó un cuenco y una vela, encendió esta última con la llama bendecida de la antorcha, y vertió un poco de cera derretida en el cuenco para pegar la vela al recipiente.

—Magnus, hoy enciendo esta vela en tu nombre para rogar tu protección. Y ofrezco este pergamino a Julianos para que él me guarde cuanto tus ojos no me vean.

Falion depositó con cuidado el pergamino en el recipiente. Con la ofrenda completa, se acercó al río Hjaal y se agachó para dejar el cuenco sobre sus aguas. La ofrenda del mago se empezó a alejar lentamente, mecida por el río.

El murmullo de las gentes de la comarca subió algunos tonos y, tan pronto la jarl se puso en pie, muchos la imitaron. Idgrod Cuervo Viejo siempre era la segunda en hacer la ofrenda. Tras eso, cada habitante de la comarca debía esperar su turno para que el mago preparase su ofrenda y, con ella, hacer su petición al aedra.

—¿Crees que le gusto? —preguntó de la nada, con inocencia.

Alicent buscó con la mirada a quién se refería. Alva estaba de pie unos bancos más adelante. Comentó algo a Benor y se acercó a la mesa de las ofrendas, a cuyo alrededor ya se había formado un corro.

—¿A Alva? —Seth asintió y ella frunció el ceño—. Llegas tarde. Ya está con alguien.

Seth siguió mirando a Alva, y Alicent dio un pequeño pisotón en el suelo, atrayendo de nuevo su atención.

—¿Sabes? —fingió cambiar de tema—. Mamá dice que algún día heredaré la Cabaña del Taumaturgo.

—¿En serio? —preguntó Seth—. ¿Y me harás descuento?

—Podrías incluso no pagar…

A Seth se le escapó la risa y ella dejó de mirarlo. Además de ellos, solo quedaban un par de parejas sentadas en los bancos. Casi todos los vecinos charlaban animadamente en torno a la hoguera, esperando su turno para hacer las ofrendas. Vio a Joric salir de entre la multitud, dirigiéndose hacia donde estaban.

Alicent recogió la ofrenda de su regazo y se puso de pie para saludar a su amigo. Seth hizo lo propio, colocándose a su lado.

—Joric, ¿ya has hecho tu ofrenda? —preguntó Alicent como saludo.

Joric lanzó una mirada fugaz a Seth y luego negó. Adoptó una expresión infantil, tímida e ilusionada. Joric tenía el pelo de un tono castaño ceniza y, aunque siempre lo llevaba corto y desordenado, aquel día había intentado peinarse.

—Esperaba que hiciéramos juntos nuestras ofrendas este año —propuso con la esperanza brillando en los ojos.

Al igual que a Seth, tampoco podía dejar de mirarlo. Pero no porque estuviera guapísimo, sino porque parecía que una vaca le había lamido la cabeza.

—Claro. Seth, ¿te unes a nosotros? —lo invitó, preguntándose si tendría el mismo aspecto a sus ojos que Joric a los propios. Tímidamente se atusó el pelo.

—Me refería a nosotros. A ti y a mí —puntualizó Joric—. No quiero hacer mis ofrendas anuales con un extraño.

—Oh, vamos Joric. No seas malo —protestó, tendiéndole la mano a Seth—. Ven… —pidió.

Aquello le arrancó una sonrisa al chico, que tomó su mano. Los tres se acercaron a la zona de las ofrendas. Había bastante gente dispersa por los alrededores aunque la mayoría se apiñaba en torno a la mesa. Los tres chicos se apartaron un poco del grupo tras reconocer que todavía les quedaba un buen rato de espera hasta que llegara su turno.

—¿Qué te pareció Falion este año? —preguntó Joric.

Alicent notó algo de resentimiento en su pregunta y frunció el ceño.

—No sé, ha estado bien… como todos los años.

Joric apretó los labios. Ahora se notaba a todas luces que estaba molesto.

—¿Ah sí? ¿De verdad escuchaste algo? Porque te vi hablando todo el rato.

Que Joric le hablase así la molestó. Abrió la boca para responder, pero Seth fue más rápido.

—Alicent me estaba explicando vuestras costumbres. Es bueno ver que alguien aquí tiene educación —reprochó con frialdad.

Aquella réplica le cayó a Joric como un jarro de agua fría. Apretó los puños mirando desafiante a Seth.

—¿Tienes algún problema conmigo, Athan?

Seth, a su lado, se llevó una mano a la cabeza y estiró los dedos para masajearse las sienes. Alicent percibió una sonrisa irritada tras su brazo. Él suspiró y luego se quedó mirando hacia la multitud. Ella siguió su mirada y se detuvo en la antorcha. La brisa había arreciado y sacudía la llama. Cada poco, Falion alzaba el brazo para encender una vela que añadir a otra ofrenda.

—¿Yo? —Seth volvió en sí de golpe, decidido a confrontar a Joric—. Parece que eres tú quien tiene un problema. Si quieres lo hablamos en privado —retó.

Joric frunció el ceño y miró a Alicent. Esta levantó los brazos, negando, pero él sacó pecho y se enfrentó a Seth.

—Con mucho gusto, Athan. Sígueme.

Joric caminó siguiendo el río, yendo tras las rocas y arbustos que los ocultarían del resto. Seth lo siguió mientras ella intentaba hacerlos entrar en razón.

—Chicos no seáis idiotas, es una fiesta, no hay razón para pelear.

Pero ninguno le hizo caso.

—Cuál es tu problema, Cuervo Imberbe —empezó Seth en cuanto estuvieron lo suficientemente lejos.

Pese a la oscuridad, Alicent pudo imaginar las mejillas de Joric rojas por el comentario.

—¿Qué me has llamado, Athan? —preguntó acortando distancias, con un tono tan chillón que a Alicent le dio la sensación de que iba a pegarle.

Una energía blanca y luminosa brotó de los dedos de Seth, envolviendo sus manos.

—Joric, basta ya… —pidió ella, intentando ponerse entre los dos, enfrentándose a él. Pero éste la apartó con gentileza para volver a encarar a Seth.

—Mi problema eres tú, Athan. No me gustas.

Seth alzó ambas cejas.

—Yo no te he hecho nada, mocoso. Que no sepas gestionar tus celos es problema tuyo, no mío.

No parecía intimidado en absoluto por la agresividad de Joric. Alicent contuvo el aliento, preparándose para intervenir si hacía falta. Por suerte, Joric se limitó a dedicarle una mueca de asco.

—Me pareces un falso, Athan. No me gusta cómo miras, ni cómo hablas, ni cómo te comportas. Y tampoco me gusta que estés todo el rato alrededor de Alicent —espetó antes de escupir frente a los pies de Seth.

Seth respondió con un mohín de disgusto.

—Qué vulgar… —se limitó a comentar Seth, con tanto desdén como frialdad—. ¿Así es como educa la jarl a sus hijos?

—¡En Morthal tenemos las formas de Morthal, y no necesitamos que venga un repeinado de la ciudad a decirnos cómo comportarnos! —exclamó Joric como un resorte.

—Si yo fuera tú, me lo pensaría dos veces antes de hablar de repeinados.

Joric la miró buscando su apoyo pero ella tardó en reaccionar, conteniendo una risa nerviosa tras el último comentario de Seth.

—Chicos —interrumpió, queriendo evitar que las cosas siguieran escalando—, es una fiesta. No hay ninguna necesidad de…

De pronto, el viento rugió sobre sus cabezas interrumpiendo la conversación. Aunque la luz de la hoguera brillaba tras las rocas que hacían de cortavientos, solo el fuego de la antorcha estaba bendito. Las flores entre sus manos la hicieron recordar que todavía no había hecho su ofrenda.

—Creo que deberíamos…

—Tal vez fue un error venir, Alicent —la cortó Seth—. Está claro que estoy estropeando la fiesta para algunos.

Las palabras de Seth acertaron en su pecho como flechas. Por aquella riña estúpida, él no estaba disfrutando del festival y quería irse. Trató de irse, pero Alicent lo sujetó de un brazo.

—No dejaré que te vayas por culpa de Joric.

—¡No entiendo por qué lo defiendes! —se quejó Joric, frustrado.

—Porque a diferencia de ti, él ha demostrado respeto por nuestras tradiciones. Y tú… Tú estás actuando por celos —reprochó ella. Estaba tan mosqueada con él, que ni se paró a pensar en cómo se sentía su amigo.

Joric la miró herido y soltó un suspiro abatido.

—Haz lo que quieras, Alicent —y pegó una patada a una piedra y se alejó de ellos.

—Gracias —dijo Seth en un susurro.

Alicent sonrió, pero se quedó mirando cómo Joric se alejaba. En cuanto se asomó a la multitud, escucharon la voz de Idgrod.

—¡JORIC!

Aquel grito sonó igual que todas las veces que Idgrod había visto a Joric estar a punto de hacerse daño. Joric se acercó a su hermana y empezaron a hablar, y no mucho después se giró hacia Alicent alarmado. Alzó ambos brazos y los zarandeó en el aire, para que se diera prisa.

Alicent cruzó el camino de la rivera a paso rápido, hasta alcanzarlos. Tan pronto se asomó a las rocas, vio que Falion no preparaba las ofrendas solo. Los vecinos apuraban sus propias ofrendas viendo que el fuego de la antorcha era más débil ante cada zarandeo del viento. Ella y Joric intercambiaron una mirada de pánico.

Los dos echaron a correr. Cuando Alicent llegó a la mesa Joric estaba cogiendo dos cuencos. El viento pegó otro revés y la antorcha se apagó sobre sus cabezas, dejándolos a ambos en completo silencio. A ellos y a todos los allí presentes.

Un susurro cada vez más alto se extendió por la rivera del Hjaal hasta que Brelas, un elfo oscuro que vivía en una cabaña al noroeste de Skyrim, pronunció en voz alta lo que todos estaban pensando.

—Esto tiene que ser un mal presagio.

Brelas estaba junto a la mesa y tampoco había hecho sus ofrendas. Alicent dejó caer sus flores al suelo, desanimada. Entonces el miedo se empezó a apoderar de ella. No fue la única; algunas voces se alzaron e incluso llegó a escuchar algún llanto.

Miró hacia Joric tras recordar que él tampoco la había hecho, justo a tiempo de ver cómo salía corriendo hacia Seth.

—Esto es culpa tuya, Athan —acusó.

Seth, que caminaba tranquilamente en su dirección, paró en seco y se cruzó de brazos. Cuando Joric llegó hasta él, le atizó un empujón. Seth se tambaleó y recuperó la postura sin hacer amago de defenderse.

—¿Mía? Fuiste tú el que empezó.

Idgrod aceleró el paso con Alicent pisándole los talones y se puso entre ambos.

—¡Déjalo, Joric! —ordenó—. Mamá quiere verte.

—Mierda —maldijo Joric, pasándose una mano por el pelo—. Va a matarme.

Joric les dio la espalda y se alejó. Idgrod se despidió con mirada antes de seguirlo. Hasta ese momento, Alicent no se dio cuenta de que la gente los miraba. Entendió por qué cuando atendió a los cuchicheos.

—No puede ser coincidencia que primero llegue el chico y luego se apague la antorcha —comentó Uthna a su esposo Hroggar.

Se giró hacia Seth preocupada por cómo podría sentarle aquello y se sorprendió al darse cuenta de que tenía la atención puesta en otra parte. Siguió su mirada y se encontró la de Falion puesta en él, cargada de dudas. Cuando Seth volvió sus ojos a ella, Alicent fingió que no se había dado cuenta.

—¿Estás bien? —le preguntó Seth, ladeando la cabeza—. Pareces preocupada.

—Yo… —musitó, con los hombros hundidos y lágrimas en los ojos—. Mi ofrenda…

—Ha sido mi culpa —dijo Seth con arrepentimiento. Puso una mano en su hombro, la atrajo contra su cuerpo y la abrazó—. Lo siento. Hagamos una cosa. Te prometo que no dejaré que te pase nada.

Alicent alzó la cabeza sobre su pecho y le sonrió con timidez.

—¿De verdad? —preguntó con un hilo de voz.

—De verdad. —Seth sonrió.

#fanfic #skyrim #vampiros #magia #darkromance #juvenil #fantasía #tes #morthal #nigromantes #bruma

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