#quintus navale

[ladytanithia]

Writing WIP Wednesday

For Chapter 18 of Best-Laid Plans. Just doing some good works around Windhelm and showing sweet Erik around the less-fortunate parts of town. Miranja's take on the Aventus Aretino situation. Could damn near be a chapter in itself.

Tagging @dirty-bosmer @guarmommy @gwilin-stay-winnin @mareenavee @skyrim-forever @sunny-d-anomaly @thana-topsy @thechaosdragoness @thequeenofthewinter

^0^0^0^0^0^

Miranja hugged Quintus tightly for a long moment. “Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do. I mean that. And if his condition changes. I would like to try to be present for his funeral when the time comes.”

Quintus nodded, following his guests to the door, and closing it behind them as they exited.

Miranja was somber as they took the way back through the cemetery toward the docks. Before Erik could speak to her, a passing guard commented about the Aretino boy. Miranja’s mood shifted visibly, and a determined look came into her eyes.

“I’ve been hearing about this kid since the day I came to Skyrim. It’s odd that after months, no one’s done anything to help this kid. We’re about to go right by his house. Maybe I’ll check in on him.” Although Erik had claimed to be open-minded, he obviously retained some of that Nord superstition. He tried to protest, but Miranja had made up her mind. “You don’t have to go in with me if you don’t want to,” she told him.

“I’m not letting you go into a potentially dangerous situation by yourself, Miss Miranja. I’ll do what you’re paying me for. I’m just a little nervous, that’s all.”

She had to pick the lock to get into the house, and as soon as she opened the door, their nostrils were assailed by the smell of decomposing flesh. But it wasn’t the boy; they could hear his frustrated chanting and cursing from where they stood. Miranja gagged and turned away toward the outside, sucking in a deep breath of fresh, cold air.

“Die, Grelod! Die!” Miranja nearly jumped out of her skin at the shout, and she took another deep breath and held it before hurrying up the stairs.

“I’m… so tired…” the boy whimpered to himself. “How long do I have to pray?”

It was quite chilly in the house, and Miranja dared not wonder how bad it would smell if it had been warm. Surely the jarl’s people would have tended to the boy’s mother’s body after she died, right? What was this nauseating smell?

“Sweet mother, sweet mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear.” The bloodchilling prayer was accompanied by repeated thunking sounds, and when the pair finally reached the room where Aventus was performing his ritual, Miranja was stunned. Here was the source of the rotting smell: decaying human body parts. It was warmer in this room because of the circle of candles, and the scent of the hot wax did nothing to detract from the stench. The thunk was the sound of Aventus wearily stabbing the disintegrating flesh, the tip of his blade catching slightly in the floorboards with each blow. Aventus was tearfully complaining to himself now about how tired he was, asking why the Night Mother wasn’t answering him.

Miranja nearly wept at the thought of some stranger doing this ritual with the intention of having her life snuffed. To see this child performing the ritual… what sort of horror must he have endured at that orphanage? Where and how did he get the body parts? This was serious, gruesome business.

“By the Nine…” Miranja murmured in horror. Behind her, she could hear Erik vomiting into – well, hopefully into something. When she tried to take another breath, the smell was so bad that she gagged again, but the boy was on his feet as soon as he heard her voice, jumping for joy as if he hadn’t just been on the verge of collapse a moment ago.

“Are you okay?” Miranja choked out, trying to take shallow breaths.

“You came! An assassin from the Dark Brotherhood! I did the Black Sacrament with the body and the… the things. I prayed and prayed, and the Night Mother finally answered me!”

“Oh, no, no, no, I’m not who you think I am, young man.”

“Of course you are! I prayed, and you came, and now you’ll accept my contract.”

Aventus told her about his mother’s illness and death, and how he was sent to the orphanage in Riften, and how cruel Grelod had been. Miranja agreed that someone who could be so inhumane to children who had already lost their parents and had no one to love and care for them deserved a terrible punishment, but she was not an assassin and wasn’t sure that she could kill someone who wasn’t actively threatening her life. But Aventus wouldn’t take no for an answer, so she agreed.

“Please hurry,” he begged. “It’s lonely here, and even though I hated Grelod, I really miss my friends there.”

Before she left, she had Erik open some windows and helped Aventus fill a burlap produce bag with the grisly items from his ritual. She found Aventus’s mother’s cleaning supplies and cleaned up the blood stains from the floor. Reminding the boy to close the windows again in half an hour or so, she took the bag with her and put it in a large trash receptacle down at the docks, where it and all the other trash would be taken by ship to be dumped far out in the Sea of Ghosts. Erik took the whole bucket, keeping it upright even when he added it to the trash bin, knowing the cold weather would freeze it solid. They were both relieved to have that experience behind them.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 8.19 (before 1930)

295 BC – The first temple to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility, is dedicated by Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges during the Third Samnite War. 43 BC – Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, later known as Augustus, compels the Roman Senate to elect him Consul. 947 – Abu Yazid, a Kharijite rebel leader, is defeated and killed in the Hodna Mountains in modern-day Algeria by Fatimid forces. 1153 – Baldwin III of Jerusalem takes control of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from his mother Melisende, and also captures Ascalon. 1458 – Pope Pius II is elected the 211th Pope. 1504 – In Ireland, the Hiberno-Norman de Burghs (Burkes) and Cambro-Norman Fitzgeralds fight in the Battle of Knockdoe. 1561 – Mary, Queen of Scots, aged 18, returns to Scotland after spending 13 years in France. 1604 – Eighty Years War: a besieging Dutch and English army led by Maurice of Orange forces the Spanish garrison of Sluis to capitulate. 1612 – The "Samlesbury witches", three women from the Lancashire village of Samlesbury, England, are put on trial, accused of practicing witchcraft, one of the most famous witch trials in British history. 1666 – Second Anglo-Dutch War: Rear Admiral Robert Holmes leads a raid on the Dutch island of Terschelling, destroying 150 merchant ships, an act later known as "Holmes's Bonfire". 1692 – Salem witch trials: In Salem, Province of Massachusetts Bay, five people, one woman and four men, including a clergyman, are executed after being convicted of witchcraft. 1745 – Prince Charles Edward Stuart raises his standard in Glenfinnan: The start of the Second Jacobite Rebellion, known as "the 45". 1745 – Ottoman–Persian War: In the Battle of Kars, the Ottoman army is routed by Persian forces led by Nader Shah. 1759 – Battle of Lagos: Naval battle during the Seven Years' War between Great Britain and France. 1772 – Gustav III of Sweden stages a coup d'état, in which he assumes power and enacts a new constitution that divides power between the Riksdag and the King. 1782 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Blue Licks: The last major engagement of the war, almost ten months after the surrender of the British commander Charles Cornwallis following the Siege of Yorktown. 1812 – War of 1812: American frigate USS Constitution defeats the British frigate HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada earning the nickname "Old Ironsides". 1813 – Gervasio Antonio de Posadas joins Argentina's Second Triumvirate. 1839 – The French government announces that Louis Daguerre's photographic process is a gift "free to the world". 1848 – California Gold Rush: The New York Herald breaks the news to the East Coast of the United States of the gold rush in California (although the rush started in January). 1854 – The First Sioux War begins when United States Army soldiers kill Lakota chief Conquering Bear and in return are massacred. 1861 – First ascent of Weisshorn, fifth highest summit in the Alps. 1862 – Dakota War: During an uprising in Minnesota, Lakota warriors decide not to attack heavily defended Fort Ridgely and instead turn to the settlement of New Ulm, killing white settlers along the way. 1903 – The Transfiguration Uprising breaks out in East Thrace, resulting in the establishment of the Strandzha Commune. 1909 – The Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens for automobile racing. William Bourque and his mechanic are killed during the first day's events. 1920 – The Tambov Rebellion breaks out, in response to the Bolshevik policy of Prodrazvyorstka. 1927 – Patriarch Sergius of Moscow proclaims the declaration of loyalty of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Soviet Union.

[blossom-adventures]

@nerevar-quote-and-star here! I thought I'd send you a prompt from the list, too!

22: Wildflowers ✨

Thanks for the request, I have already done this prompt (which you can find here)

HOWEVER! While I was at work I came up with this idea so here is another short story involving wildflowers (well… actually mountain flowers but, oh well ☺️)

One Red Flower

Ulfric ran his hand along Jaina’s hair, catching the red mountain flower that was tucked into her braid

“You wear a red flower in your hair quite a lot, is it your favourite colour?”

“No, actually blue is my favourite colour”

“So… why have a red flower?”

“In memory of my father, mother always grows red mountain flowers so she can have a vase of them in the house, she can’t grow plants that are native to Morrowind, we have the wrong soil for them, I’ve just got used to having one” Jaina stepped back and took the flower out of her hair and looked at it. “It must sound quite silly to you” she said in a choked laugh

“Not at all, it’s a beautiful gesture” Ulfric took the flower off her and tucked it behind her ear “besides, it suits you”

Some time later, the morning of Jaina and Ulfric’s wedding

Of all the people to be wandering the streets of Windhelm on the day of the Jarl’s marriage to the Dragonborn, few could have predicted to see the Jarl himself, it was even more surprising to see him walking with such purpose to The White Phial

“Jarl Ulfric?” Quintus Navale stammered as the Jarl entered his shop “w…what can I do for you, my lord?”

“I would like a single red mountain flower, please”

“Oh, of course, give me a moment, I’ll cut a fresh one from one of the plants” the young Imperial disappeared into a side room for a moment before returning with a single red flower

“That’s perfect, thank you” Ulfric took the flower and placed a single septim on the counter before leaving

“All the best for the wedding, my lord!” Quintus shouted as Ulfric shut the door behind him. Ulfric looked at the delicate red flower, that’s the easy part done, he thought as he walked back to the palace

Now for the hard part

Ulfric put his ear to the door of Jaina’s room and listened carefully, he couldn’t hear any talking so he slowly opened the door and slipped in, muffled voices were coming from the adjoining room, where Freya and Mera were helping Jaina get ready. Being as quick as he could and keeping an eye on the door at all times, Ulfric walked over to the writing desk where Jaina’s wedding bouquet was standing in a vase; a gorgeous combination of blue mountain flowers and lavender.

He tucked the single red flower into the bouquet, making sure not to displace any of the other flowers before quickly and quietly leaving the room, once outside he let out the breath he didn’t realise he was holding

“You should be proud of your daughter Tal’theran” he whispered before making his way to his room to get ready to be married

[postalninja]

You have Skyrim mentioned as a fandom of yours in your blog description, but I actually don't know your stance on it at all - who are the blorbos?? the ships, if any???? (And - get better soon!!)

Yesssss! I've written four fics for Skyrim (plus one long neglected WIP), which is why it's listed at all. I didn't play it when it first came out (open world games are hard for me - I tend to get overwhelmed) so it took a couple of years and two characters before I finally properly got into it. The sneaky Bosmer archer is the build that clicked for me - I got really good at killing things from a distance so I was having lots of fun with it. I ended up playing more than 300 hours with that character, which probably means that Skyrim is the single game that I've put the most time into. My partner has been an Elder Scrolls fan since the beginning of the series, but I couldn't get into Oblivion when I tried it, so Skyrim is my first and only Elder Scrolls experience. I still dearly love it, despite its jankiness and flaws! As for ships, it's kind of a funny story. When I was playing the game and looking around for a husband, the only character that I wanted was already married - big, burly Ulfberth War-Bear. Now, at the time this was decidedly not my type!! I've always liked long-haired pretty boys and emo villains, but there was something about him that intrigued me. And I started developing this fantasy in my head about him and my character getting together, how it would happen, the drama around the fact that he was married, etc. And a few years later when I started writing fanfic, I actually wrote it! To this day I think it's the most self-indulgent thing I've ever written, and I have a special fondness for it despite the fact that the pacing is off and that my writing has improved a lot since then. If nothing else, it has some excellent drama. I even incorporated Quintus Navale, the character I actually ending up marrying in the game, to make it even more dramatic! And then I wrote a spin-off about him and Adrienne (the spurned spouses!) which was a lot of fun. Later, I wrote my first novel-length fic about Rune from the Thieves Guild and his search for his parents. I spent a lot of time developing the plot, writing and re-writing the first draft, and it's still one of my favorite things I've written. It features Rune/Sapphire as a ship, but is a bit of a slowburn, with more focus on the plot.

And then I got inspired for an alternate version of events from that story, which is the neglected WIP that I mentioned. I created an OC for Rune's mother who I really grew attached to, and I wanted to explore how things would have turned out had she made different choices. I have 45 pages written, but have been stuck for a long time with it, especially since I moved on to writing other longfic ideas. I'd still love to finish it one day. The most recent Skyrim fic I wrote is a short, funny idea I came up with for a fic exchange. It pits Arcadia and Farengar from Whiterun against each other, and I loved the result! One of the funnier things I've written, I think! ^_^ Goodness, I've blabbed on! Thanks for the ask and the well wishes! <3

[sneakyspades]

>Morning Star, Sun's Dawn, and First Seed for the elder scrolls ask thingy!! YAY ok ima do my dragonborn nicholas frasielle >Morning Star - What was the first thing you gave your OC? Name, backstory, design, etc the first thing i came up w for nic was his name, nicholas. i actually flopped back and forth on names for awhile, but i know early on i decided on N.F. for the initials >Sun's Dawn - Does your OC have a love interest? What is their relationship like? ya 👉👈 hes married to quintus navale, the alchemist in windhelm. he was one of the first people my db met outside of whiterun and they had pretty similar interests >First Seed - Does your OC have any enemies or rivals? How did these rivalries start? nic is like on-sight with delphine he cant stand her. which is a shame bc he likes esbern. he never really cared for her but managed to put up with it. after she told him to kill paarthurnax he just went "no absolutely not" and has not seen her since. he also cant stand belethor just, like, not to the extent that he dislikes delphine.

[rosiewitchescottage]

It's one story where we can watch the 1959 movie and the 2016, and get something special from both.

I don't know if you've ever read the Lew Wallace novel? But it's a real biggie. It covers a lot of ground over a lot of pages. So there's no way a movie is going to fit it all in.

But I think they did the right thing with the 2016 version. Rather than trying to compete with the 1959 version, they covered things that didn't get much screen time in 1959.

So with the two versions we get, if not everything from the book, at least more than we could have in just one movie.

In 1959 we get Judah saving the life of a high ranking Roman naval officer Quintus Arrius, who then adopts him as his son and heir.

In 2016 we get far more of the Judah and Messala as adopted brothers story.

Aside from the fact that as a Roman, Messala needs to prove himself as equal to the noble Judean family that took him in as an orphan. Plus he wants to be able to marry Judah's sister Tirzah, and must get past her mother's objections.

But he also has a disgraced forebear of his own that he needs to clear his name of. And his only real way forward is to create a distinguished army career.

We get different outcomes to their story too. But they are in keeping with the tones of the films, so it's not a problem.

The biggest difference is in the handling of the role of Jesus.

In 1959 we get a glimpse of Jesus's birth and one of the Magi who will crop up again later.

Jesus as a man is a mysterious and silent figure, who crosses Judah's path only once before he's seen again during The Passion Narrative, and the benefits it brings to the characters.

In 2016. We first see Jesus as a craftsman at work, but he's already talking about the healing power of Love. And Judah can feel his charisma.

He doesn't have a lot of lines, but he's very much visible, this time. And his influence spreads wide.

The chariot race is a nail biting spectacle in both versions.

But given that there's roughly 60 years between the two films. I think it shows how brilliantly the 1959 version did the scene.

Watched from the intermission til the end of Ben-Hur last night! The audacity of having an enter’act like I am at a musical!

The chariot race. Thrilling, riveting, the PRODUCTION. I was blown away for the entire nine minutes.No wonder this is what culture remembers about this movie. I went on wikipedia after the movie ended just to MARVEL at the production.

Sure it was boring after that because the leper stuff was generally a drag I’m like Jesus will cure them we know this and the end was abrupt. But! I really enjoyed it the movie. It’s fun to watch an old school epic.

(And from my wikipedia sojourn, they cut a bunch of Jesus stuff from the book which made the pacing snappier overall and Jesus only showed up like four times, all done tastefully enough. I was here for the spectacle of it all but the entire point is the Jesus stuff 😂)

[getetteroo]

Another exciting day at the white phial.

[wattsynessy]

White Winter Sky

"Master, look at the phial! It's refilling with your mixture as we speak!"

Nurelion's eyes fluttered weakly open, and he blinked in order to adjust them to the warm light of his room above the shop. He could see his loyal apprentice, Quintus, kneeling next to his bedside, the white phial in his hand bubbling with the mixture he created with his own two hands. Quintus was staring at his master with a grin and an expecting look in his eye, and Nurelion realized just how little he actually praised his apprentice. All of a sudden very determined, the elderly elf hoisted himself up with what little remained of his strength, reached forward, and placed a thin hand on Quintus' shoulder. His apprentice looked as if he was about to say something, but stopped when he saw the look in his teacher's eyes.

"Quintus, have I ever told you how very proud of you I am?" He whispered. This was something he didn't want the third person in the room to hear, Dragonborn or not. It was much too personal. To his surprise, Quintus smiled.

"You didn't need to tell me. I understood without you ever saying a word." His apprentice whispered back. Suddenly extremely weak, Nurelion collapsed back onto the bed, hacking violently. As his vision went in and out of focus, he could just see Quintus place the vial at his bedside table and quickly rush to the fireplace for a pitcher of water. The Imperial poured some of the liquid into a cup, used the rest to wet a towel, and finally grabbed a handkerchief from the dresser at the foot of the bed, before returning to his teachers side. Gently, Quintus helped the elf sit up, and began to give him the fresh water. As the cool liquid rushed down his parched throat, Nurelion allowed himself to accept the assistance. Though Quintus' caring nature was an annoyance in the past, he was extremely grateful for it in the present. He had grown steadily weaker over the past few days since the return of the phial. After the elf finished the water, Quintus gently wiped the blood from his mouth and placed the wet cloth on his forehead, before carefully lying him back down again. Nurelion sighed quietly as his head rested on the pillow, and allowed himself a small smile.

"Finally..." he breathed. "My work is complete."

"Nurelion?" Quintus voice cracked a little with emotion, causing the dying elf to turn his gaze on his apprentice. His eyes were pools of sadness, and it was then he realized how much he himself really meant to the young man. Needing to do something to ebb the pain, Nurelion took one of Quintus' hands in both his own. Eyes suddenly sparkling with mischief, he gave Quintus one of his sarcastic quips.

"Don't tell me as soon as I'm gone you're going to throw yourself off the bridge." Quintus sniffed, shaking his head.

"Of course not."

"Good." Nurelion smiled. "I didn't spend my twilight years training you just for you to kick the bucket right after I die."

"No. Of course not." Quintus tried to give a smile of his own back, but it turned out more like a grimace. Nurelion sighed again, quieter this time, and when he spoke his voice was much quieter.

"You're destined for great things, my apprentice. Great things..." After saying this, he began to cough again, much to Quintus' alarm, but the elf waved the imperial away. "I'm fine...don't worry, Quintus. This old body has simply seen better days."

"Do you want me to bring you your tonic?" Quintus asked nervously. Turning to look out the window into the winter sky, Nurelion shook his head.

"No. I think I'll do better...with a sleeping potion."

As the imperial went downstairs to mix the potion, Nurelion allowed his facade to slip and let show a worried face. "Windhelm is no place for non-nords, as I'm sure you've realized. Which is why I worry for Quintus...we've been attacked multiple times before due to our race. I'm telling you this because..." he coughed a few times before regaining his composure. "Because I want you to check in on him from time to time. Just to make sure that he's alright. That he's...alive. They'll listen to you...you're one of them. Just knowing my apprentice...my son...has someone looking after him will give me peace."

Glancing at the Dragonborn, Nurelion noticed a strange glint in their eye, before the nord nodded. Content, Nurelion went back to staring out the window. The hubbub of the marketplace easily cut through the thin glass, and the elf could see a hawk perched on top of the outer wall. He smiled at the sight, remembering how his parents always told him a hawk told those around that there was life nearby. He shouldn't be surprised that it nested here, then. Windhelm was a big city.

"Here, master. The potion." Quintus knelt next to Nurelion again, and held out a bottle that was filled with a rich purple liquid. Nurelion managed to sit up, and took the bottle, studying it.

"Blue mountain flowers with clean water, correct?" He mused, seemingly to himself. "I remember...this was the first thing my teacher taught me. A member of House Ravenwatch named Fennorian..."

"And it was the first thing you taught me." Quintus added quietly. Nurelion smiled.

"Yes. It has become a tradition, has it not?" With trembling hands, Nurelion uncapped the bottle and placed the cork on the nightstand beside the white vile. Holding it up to his lips, the elf took a deep breath, before downing the potion in one gulp. He shivered has the vile liquid went down. Giving a short laugh, he remarked, "Just as disgusting as always!" Chuckling, he lay back down, and continued to look out at the snow white sky. "I had hoped to see Auridon...one last time." He whispered to himself. "Alas...it wasn't meant to be." Nurelion could feel the potion kicking in, drowsiness filling his mind. Closing his eyes, he let the feelings of life flow through him for the last time.

"Live well, Quintus...my son..."

Outside on the wall, the hawk cawed, spread its wings, and flew away into the white winter sky.

[the-elder-polls]

so. at the absolutely wretched suggestion of my roommate:

if you don't wanna see these polls, blacklist #ideal spouse poll

don't see your ideal spouse here? go to the #ideal spouse poll tag on my blog and look for 'em there!

this poll is a multi-part poll.

[sheirukitriesfandom]

interactions with Quintus Navale?

Ever since his first visit Rethul has vowed to avoid Windhelm as best as he can, so there's really just the one interaction they've had when Rethul contracted rockjoint on the way to Winterhold.

Quintus struck Rethul as a nice but naive kind of guy—one who could be easily talked into giving a discount. He was already haggling with Quintus—and succeeding—when Nurelion interrupted them rather gruffly.

Considering how quickly Quintus obeyed, Rethul now thinks of him as a doormat. Ironically, Rethul himself got scared of Nurelion's temper, and gave up on his discount.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 8.19 (before 1920)

295 BC – The first temple to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility, is dedicated by Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges during the Third Samnite War. 43 BC – Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, later known as Augustus, compels the Roman Senate to elect him Consul. 947 – Abu Yazid, a Kharijite rebel leader, is defeated and killed in the Hodna Mountains in modern-day Algeria by Fatimid forces. 1153 – Baldwin III of Jerusalem takes control of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from his mother Melisende, and also captures Ascalon. 1458 – Pope Pius II is elected the 211th Pope. 1504 – In Ireland, the Hiberno-Norman de Burghs (Burkes) and Anglo-Norman Fitzgeralds fight in the Battle of Knockdoe. 1561 – Mary, Queen of Scots, aged 18, returns to Scotland after spending 13 years in France. 1604 – Eighty Years War: a besieging Dutch and English army led by Maurice of Orange forces the Spanish garrison of Sluis to capitulate. 1612 – The "Samlesbury witches", three women from the Lancashire village of Samlesbury, England, are put on trial, accused of practicing witchcraft, one of the most famous witch trials in British history. 1666 – Second Anglo-Dutch War: Rear Admiral Robert Holmes leads a raid on the Dutch island of Terschelling, destroying 150 merchant ships, an act later known as "Holmes's Bonfire". 1692 – Salem witch trials: In Salem, Province of Massachusetts Bay, five people, one woman and four men, including a clergyman, are executed after being convicted of witchcraft. 1745 – Prince Charles Edward Stuart raises his standard in Glenfinnan: The start of the Second Jacobite Rebellion, known as "the 45". 1745 – Ottoman–Persian War: In the Battle of Kars, the Ottoman army is routed by Persian forces led by Nader Shah. 1759 – Battle of Lagos: Naval battle during the Seven Years' War between Great Britain and France. 1772 – Gustav III of Sweden stages a coup d'état, in which he assumes power and enacts a new constitution that divides power between the Riksdag and the King. 1782 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Blue Licks: The last major engagement of the war, almost ten months after the surrender of the British commander Charles Cornwallis following the Siege of Yorktown. 1812 – War of 1812: American frigate USS Constitution defeats the British frigate HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada earning the nickname "Old Ironsides". 1813 – Gervasio Antonio de Posadas joins Argentina's Second Triumvirate. 1839 – The French government announces that Louis Daguerre's photographic process is a gift "free to the world". 1848 – California Gold Rush: The New York Herald breaks the news to the East Coast of the United States of the gold rush in California (although the rush started in January). 1854 – The First Sioux War begins when United States Army soldiers kill Lakota chief Conquering Bear and in return are massacred. 1861 – First ascent of Weisshorn, fifth highest summit in the Alps. 1862 – Dakota War: During an uprising in Minnesota, Lakota warriors decide not to attack heavily defended Fort Ridgely and instead turn to the settlement of New Ulm, killing white settlers along the way. 1903 – The Transfiguration Uprising breaks out in East Thrace, resulting in the establishment of the Strandzha Commune. 1909 – The Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens for automobile racing. William Bourque and his mechanic are killed during the first day's events.

[bretongirlwrites]

peach - What would your OC do if someone confessed their love to them? (ask from @happi-iris)

What you must know for these stories is thus. Julianne’s best friend at the Arcane University is Quintus Navale, who has been displaced in time mainly because I want those two to work on the White Phial quest together; he has something of a crush on her, but she is likely aro ace, and you will find out how that goes below. The second story features Julienne and Marcurio, and is probably set in an inn, or at one of their camps, I haven’t decided yet.

JULIANNE

There was something quite special about the Imperial City at sunset – about the effervescent sky against the white walls, and the burning orange that took them over, gradually at first, but at last completely; about the shadow of White Gold Tower, and the city walls, dwarfed by this natural spectacle; about the gentle evening, upon the slopes of City Isle, the heat of the day dissipating in a quiet breeze, and a nightingale in the woods...

There was something quite special about it, and Julianne supposed, later, that that was why he’d chosen that evening. If she’d been the romantic sort, she would have called it romantic. It was to Quintus’s misfortune that she was not.

They had spent the evening lazily commenting on the view, nibbling at their picnic, and generally chatting as any friends might do: but as the sunset became more insistent, as the calm became absolute, they fell silent, and sat back, and revelled in it. – Rather, Julianne revelled in it, she beamed up at the sky, and heard music in her mind, new music, a composition of her own; but when she glanced to her side, she saw that Quintus’s eyes were not on the city, or the sunset, but on her, and his mind was quite obviously occupied by the same.

‘Hullo,’ she said, and shifted from her reverie.

He blinked, and looked away a moment; then, swallowing, he recovered his composure, and said:

‘I... I don’t know if you will like what I am about to tell you... but I ought to tell you it anyway.’

‘Go on.’

‘I... well, it’s just that... I will tell you it straight: I think I have fallen in love with you.’

‘Oh!...’

The clumsiest of moments; then he added:

‘If you don’t feel the same way, then... that’s fine... I just... I don’t want things to be awkward between us, but...’

‘No, I know, I just... I suspected it.’

Her face was not dismal, not dismayed, more curious, inquiring; she considered him, as if from a new angle, the facets of his face smoothed by evening shadow, and his eyes cascading with turbulent emotion; she considered him, and tried to see in him what he saw in her, what was different, what being in love might entail; and at last, when she had conducted her study, she raised one eyebrow, and sighed.

‘I don’t know... what it is to be in love. Perhaps I already am, and –’

‘I – well, I think you’d know.’

‘I like you. As a friend. In fact, I think I love you, as a best friend. That’s... all I can say, I don't – maybe it could work? Maybe it could be more?’

‘Do you think?’

‘I don’t know...’

Quintus, too, had been studying her, with the utmost attention; he knew her well enough to know that she was not the sort to love any more than platonically, he knew that he was leading himself to disaster, by pursuing anything of the sort; he wanted nothing more than to drop the subject, and expressed as much.

‘Oh!... Quintus, don’t be so defeatist. I’ve always said that nothing is impossible.’ Then, as coquettishly as she could manage, which wasn’t very: ‘Kiss me, and then I’ll see how I feel.’

‘Really? – You –’

She had already taken his hand in hers, and he brought her close; she shuddered a little, felt his other hand on her cheek, saw the nervousness in his eyes, as he descended; the kiss was not unpleasant, indeed she enjoyed it, though perhaps not as much as she ought. He was gentle, very gentle, platonic even, and seemed anxious to stop, as if he had imagined her panicking; he pulled away, as if he had felt her pulling away.  

‘No, it’s fine, it – kiss me again.’

And he duly did so, she felt his lips and his hands trembling this time; and there was none of the warmth of the first, only an awkwardness, a heightened awareness of how bizarre the situation was, no, it was wrong, it –

‘Hmm,’ Julianne murmured, and fell back on the grass. A second, a century of hesitation; at length she turned back to him, and said: ‘It... no, I didn’t really feel a lot. I was too busy... analysing it, I suppose. Analysing my feelings, like an experiment.’

Quintus’s cheeks were still a furious red, and his voice shivered when he replied:

‘You don’t love me the same way that I love you. I can tell. And... and that’s fine, I just...’

‘Oh, Quintus...’

--------------------------------------

JULIENNE

‘The amulet of Mara –’

Julienne absently touched it, even before she looked up at Marcurio; her eyes sparked a little, she saw his eyes following the glancing reflexions in the gold chains.

‘What about it?’

‘I – well, I have been informed that – I may be an expert in ancient Nordic history, but I am not one in modern Nordic culture, it seems.’

‘What have you done now?’

‘I thought they meant you were taken. Like a wedding-ring, I suppose, for people who aren’t married.’

‘Oh!’

‘Apparently that’s not the case.’

‘It means – it means the opposite,’ Julienne stammered, and her heart began to beat just a little faster.

‘I know that now.’

She leaned forwards, wanted him to continue his train of thought; but he did not see her movement, he had turned away, briefly – briefly, yet for too long – to stoke the fire. She clasped her hands in her lap and said nothing. There was something about his glowing silhouette, something about those eyes, something about the fact that he was here, that she was beside him, that –

‘I don’t think I’ll ever understand Nords,’ Marcurio went on, at what felt like immense length. ‘Do you mean you just – wear it? And people are supposed to flock to you, if they see it? Doesn’t that attract too much attention?’

His question was not for himself, but rather for her, she realised: and she had an answer, but she didn’t know how to say it. How to tell him that she had only ever worn it round him, that she hadn’t wanted anyone but him to see it? that she had been terrified of the attention, that she hadn’t ever even thought of wearing one, until she’d met him?

And so she was silent; he watched her, gave the fire another definitive stoke; she trembled a little, clasped her hands tighter, waiting.

‘I probably I should have known... if there was someone back in Bruma, you wouldn’t have decided to go to Skyrim with me, I suppose.’ He laughed. ‘That would have been one unlucky man... or woman.’

‘Yes,’ stuttered Julienne, who would have said so much more, if she had had the confidence...

The fire continued to crackle, the night crawled onwards, the constellations swung lazily in their arcs; and Julienne felt like an Empire had risen and fallen, by the time Marcurio had finished his excessive stoking of the fireplace, and studying her closely, studying the amulet, he said:

‘You’re not taken, then.’

‘No, I-I’m not.’

‘I don’t suppose I could change that?’

She could not move, for almost a minute: her eyes on his, his eyes in hers, each waiting for the other to answer, to do something, anything. She clasped, unclasped her hands, trembled more insistently, looked at him, gauging his expression, gauging his sentiment –

And reaching to the nape of her neck, she unhooked the chain of the amulet, and took it off, and set it aside.

‘I’ll take that as a yes, then –’ he said.

‘Oh!’ she cried: ‘yes, yes, oh, Marcurio! –’

[rosiewitchescottage]

I can see where you're coming from. But as you say, this is a seriously long book.

There's plenty that wasn't included in either movie. We probably need about 3 movies to even begin to cover it all.

But there are things in the 2016 version that didn't get into the.1959 movie, and things in the 1959 movie that aren't in the 2016 version.

In 1959 we see Judah adopted by Quintus Arrius when as a galley slave, he saved the Roman naval officer from drowning.

In this version, he sees Messala again, not only as a high born Jew, but also as a fellow Roman Citizen.

In the 2016 version, we learn more about the relationship between Judah and Messala.

Knowing Messala's background shows us why, even though The House of Hur gave him a loving home when he was orphaned. He has Roman pride, and knows the stains on his family honour that he needs to remove.

The Judah and Messala story gets two different endings. But they're in keeping with how the story's being told.

1959 is simply friends who become enemies, and the obsession with vengeance exacts the ultimate price.

2016 makes them adopted brothers. When the worlds they come from collide, they become estranged.

The desire for vengeance eats Judah up, and it's only seeing his brother brought low that finally brings him back to what matters.

The bond of love that once rendered their differences insignificant. And can do so again.

The two versions handle the Jesus story differently. But he's still as central as he is in the book.

1959 makes him more mysterious, we see him from the rear, without ever hearing him.

But his influence is what makes Judah let go of the hate he has been carrying.

In 2016 we see and hear him. "Jesus wouldn't say that". You made me think here, which is good.

And actually, let's consider where in His Timeline we see Jesus appearing.

The Crucifixion happens after The Chariot Race.

Judah was a galley slave for 5 years.

The first time that Judah and Esther see Jesus is an indeterminate time before Pilate's arrival in Jerusalem. And the second time, is when Judah is punished for Dismas' attack on Pilate.

Both these are surely long before Jesus' Ministry would begin.

When Pilate and Messala see Jesus helping a leper. This is harder to work out. But it's clearly not a moment from The Gospel.

Yes. It's strange to see a Galilean in Jerusalem. But this could be during Passover, Shavuot or Sukkot, when Jews would make pilgrimage.to worship at The Temple.

There'll be plenty of times in Jesus' Earthly Life when we don't know things that he said.

Tirzah in with The Zealots does seem strange. But she's clearly a very angry young woman. Firstly, she's been angry with her mother, for putting obstacles between her and Messala.

After he leaves, maybe she's angry with both her mother and Rome for taking Messala away?

The family values are there. The Hurs are clearly devoted to each other. The Mother may not be especially fond of Messala but she accepts that her husband took him in and gave him a home.

She accepts his friendship with Judah (except for when Judah is injured) and I only think that she minds Tirzah interacting with him, because she senses that romance might be brewing.

Watching the Ben-Hur remake….

Meh

[bhaalble]

@autisticplumeria IM NOT GONNA LEAVE HIM ALONE SO HE WORKS FOR MAVEN AND HE'S GOT A DEATH WISH??? BAD QUALITIES!

@sunkin-photons there are certain types that you just look at them and immediately know someone is drawing some weird shit

[the-gayest-dragon]

Inktober 15, 2018

Quintus Navale presents the white phial to a very weak Nurelion.

[ltwilliammowett]

Christian V of Denmark visits the 'Christianus Quintus', by Christian Mølsted dated 1896

The ship was originally called Prins Christian after the Danish Crown Prince Christian. But after he in 1670 became King Christian V the name was changed to Christianus Quintus.

She was the flagship of Danish admiral Niels Juel in Battle of Køge Bay in 1677 in which the Danes obtained a crushing victory over the Swedes.

In 1684 the ship changed name again to Elephanten because the Danes had built a new and bigger ship that took the name Christianus Quintus.