Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works; all other characters and worlds belong to their respective owners. I'm just playing with them.
Betad by Priapus, Beans, Marethyu
The Celestial Farmer
Chapter 04: Lighthouse
– Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon (Ciri) –
Grinning to herself, she ducked under the powerful but slow swing, her training fresh in her mind as her blade slashed out and removed the already-injured arm.
The troll roared in pain and anger, but this fight was over already. Trolls healed, but not fast enough to recover from the dismembered arm. It had wandered a little too close to the farm, and while Barioth could have eaten it easily, Barioth was also off in the mountains, so she'd volunteered to deal with it. She had to earn her keep since she was mostly just lounging around and eating Jorgen's food and drink.
After so long on the run, she was very much enjoying her new, far more relaxing day-to-day life. But still, she had to admit that she'd missed this as she dodged back away from the Troll's remaining arm.
With a grin on her face, she went to finish the job when a flash of orange made her eyes widen, leaping back, ready to fight off the new threat.
The troll fell, its furred back burning as a chicken stared at her with an expression she could only describe as 'superior'. It squawked once, then turned and dashed back to the farm as she stared in disbelief. But… that was her fight, the first time she'd gotten to use her sword since she'd woken up on the farm…
She really fucking hated those chickens. Why did they have it out for her so much?
Sure, their eggs were amazing and always made her feel much stronger after she ate them, but now she was wondering what their meat tasted like. Gripping her blade, she took a deep breath and looked toward the mountains. Jorgen had said there were other monsters, like Ice Wraiths, around, right?
Heading toward the mountain, eager for adventure, she paused as she spotted Barioth lounging with three sabre cats nearby. The sabre cats rose up, but Barioth just let out a quiet roar, and they backed down instantly. Tilting his head at her, Barioth rose up onto its hind legs and stared at her expectantly.
"Can you understand me?" Ciri tried, making him huff in what might have been amusement. "I don't suppose you know where I can find something to fight?"
Barioth paused, tilting his head again before he huffed. Dashing forward, she barely had time to react before he swept her feet from under her with his long tail, picking her up gently by the back of her top and tossing her onto his back.
Despite her surprise, she was quick to grab onto the scaled back as Barioth rose and gave a quiet roar to the three sabre cats, who also rose, following him as Barioth dashed through the snowy tundra. She had no idea where he was taking her, but he was damn fast and soon enough, he came to a stop right in front of… a lighthouse?
"Erm, I didn't mean people," Ciri tried, and the giant cat just rolled its eyes as it nodded its head to the door and then laid down, seemingly going back to sleep. Frowning, she moved to the door and knocked on it, surprised when the door just swung open.
Her senses screamed that something was wrong as she picked up the scent of blood, and a lot of it. Turning back to Barioth, it simply stared at her expectantly before she nodded, drawing her blade and entering the lighthouse.
The place was something out of a horror story, ransacked and blood-soaked. She found a weird, chitinous axe that didn't look like any of the weapons she'd seen around here, but something Jorgen had mentioned made her pause.
She'd quizzed him a lot about the threats around here, and one of the things he'd mentioned was the Falmer. He didn't know much about them, just that they were monstrous primitive elves of some kind, blind and living underground. He'd heard stories of them coming up to the surface at night to attack travellers and isolated places.
It didn't take her long to find the first body, a dark-skinned woman lying dead on the floor in the middle of the main room, having been butchered. Her investigation was interrupted as creepy skittering sounds made her stiffen. Finely honed witcher training kicked in as a strange, black giant insect approached, blood on its mandibles.
It lunged at her, likely seeing her as an easy meal, but she wasn't such easy prey. Someone had already fought this thing, leaving an axe wound on its chitin. Her sword slashed into its mandible as she sidestepped the attempted bite, finding its black hide far tougher than she'd anticipated, but that just meant she had to hit it harder. A part of her wanted to use her powers, but the smarter part of her told that part to shut the fuck up as she rolled to the side, the creature far too slow to catch her, before lunging forward and stabbing her blade directly into the axe wound to its head.
Returning to her investigation, it soon became clear to her that this was planned. She didn't know how intelligent these Falmer were, but they'd clearly tunnelled in from below. As she examined the hole in the cellar and the clear evidence of at least four people living here before the attack, she nodded to herself.
This was a job for a Witcher (in training).
– Jorgen –
Guiding the golems, I start setting up my smelter and smithy. The parts weren't cheap, but I have the money to spend now, and my goods were very well received in Winterhold. Birna promised to get me all the parts from her suppliers, and while I could have probably done it myself, she's a good person to know since she runs the only general trader in the Winterhold.
She got the parts fast and didn't overcharge, so I'm guessing she's thinking the same about me.
100cp granted, 100cp total.
[Ingrid] - 100cp, 0cp remaining
Source: God Of War (2018)
During your travels you came across a sword that was able to fly on its own! It seems to have taken a liking to you and has since proven to be a powerful weapon. Able to fight on its own accord, the blade has a tendency to defend its wielder from nearby threats and is able to even keep up with Mjolnir blow for blow. Another of its powers is that it grants its wielder the ability to fly, as well as create shields by spinning in the air, though oddly, the shields are able to grow larger than the blade itself. These shields are strong enough to even hold back a blow from Ragnarok itself for a short time, though it would ultimately fail to stop it forever.
As a golden sword appears, I blink and watch it swirl around wildly. It's pretty, but I'm more of an axe guy. Ingrid floats over the smelter as I work, making strange noises as I shrug. Flying is a nice trick, but I prefer to keep my feet on the ground.
The moment I got the idea to set up my own forge and smelter, my mind started racing on how I could improve things. If I can make farming so much better through magic, shouldn't I be able to do the same with smithing? My main idea came from my Dragon Communion. Why settle for regular heat when I can use the flames of a Dragon to forge?
Trapping my heat isn't easy but at the same time… I've already handled that. That's practically what all the pillars are doing, warming my farm. All I realistically need to do is work out how to do that, but it's much hotter.
Sure, I have to play around with some scrap first to make sure I won't accidentally melt the smelter but my artificer knowledge helps as I enchant the smelter itself to handle the far hotter flames.
Sensing Barioth quite far away from the farm, I scratch my chin before shrugging and getting back to work. He's a big boy. He doesn't need me babysitting him if he wants to go for a walk. He won't go near any settlements or attack anyone who doesn't start a fight with him.
Continuing my work, I frown as I sense some newcomers. With [Jichinsai], I am far more connected to my land, and nobody can enter without me knowing. For just a moment, I hope the bandits have taken the bait, but I relax as I sense their appearance.
The trio of men are from Dawnstar and dressed in guard uniforms. Well, I suppose this was always going to happen, but I figured I'd have some more time. Putting away my tools, I go out to meet the nervous men with a casual expression.
"Something I can do for you lads? You're a decent way from Dawnstar," I say, greeting them. I already know what this is about before they even decide who is talking.
"I- Mr Jorgen, sir," one of them starts, clearly younger than me from the oversized armour and lanky figure. "Jarl Skald the Elder sent us to request that you present yourself at the White Hall."
"Oh? Last I checked, I wasn't a subject of Dawnstar, and this isn't the Pale," I point out, arms crossed as I stare at them. The trio are barely men at all, too young and clearly inexperienced in hand-me-down armour. "What's the Jarl want with a farmer from a different Hold?"
But then, Jarl Skald had sent all the actual guards to fight for the Stormcloaks, hasn't he? It's been a constant source of trouble for the people of Dawnstar. I worked in the mines there long enough to have a good guess at what the old man wants.
The trio shuffle awkwardly, and I roll my eyes.
"Come in, you've had a long journey and the least I can do is provide you with a stiff drink for the cold and something to fill your bellies," I say, lessening my defensive stance. These three are just kids, really. No need for me to act like a hardass to them, ain't their fault they've been sent here.
Leading them into the warmth, I get them a drink, and some throw some meat on the fire. As they take off their helmets, it just confirms what I already suspected. They're just teenagers. See, Dawnstar has a serious manpower problem that has only gotten worse since the war started heating up.
Jarl Skald is a fanatic when it comes to supporting Ulfric and happily sends the hold's resources and men to fight for the Stormcloaks, even when it means the city suffers for it. He practically emptied the guard barracks when the war began and convinced a lot of miners to throw down their picks and pick up a sword instead. It's why Iron-Breaker Mine was so happy to accept a wanderer like me. They needed someone capable of swinging a pickaxe and couldn't be picky with half their workers running off to play soldier. So, the guards and mines have been scraping the bottom of the barrel to stay in some semblance of being staffed.
Crime was skyrocketing in Dawnstar in the final year I was there, and the understaffed and under-trained guard couldn't handle it. What proud Nord was going to back down when the guard who was trying to get things under control was too young to grow a proper beard? Burly, overworked, angry miners and inexperienced guards were not a good combination.
My golems could help the mines, but that's not why they're here. Skald doesn't care about such minor things as mining or petty crime when there's a war on.
"Is it true you can breathe fire, sir?" one of them asks, making me turn to him. "Like a dragon?"
"Aye, I can do that," I admit as he confirms my suspicion. The vigilants might be more disciplined than most Nords, but they're still men and no doubt their lips grew loose after some drinks at the Windpeak Inn.
"And the giant cat-lizard, that's your pet, right?" he asks, making me raise an eyebrow. "Some of the boys saw it take down a troll and said it moved like the wind and turned invisible in the blizzards. The vigilants said-"
One of the others harshly elbows him, shutting him up but I've heard enough.
Barioth has ventured far, hasn't he? Well, he hasn't hurt anyone that didn't have it coming so I don't mind. As I said, he's a big boy and can take care of himself.
"I wouldn't call Barioth a pet, but yes. He's mine," I confirm, giving them a challenging look. I'll not hide my skills and powers like some coward. My main worry is that the rumours might have reached the bandits, scaring them off. I've got a debt to settle with them.
I can see the shock and a little fear on their faces, but what surprises me is the… awe. There's something in their eyes that is uncomfortably close to worship. I saw the same on Carcette's face before she left. She was better at hiding it, but these lads are an open book.
Serving them up some Popo meat and Dwarven Ale, I let them enjoy the feast as I go some busywork around the house and pretend not to hear their whispered conversation. As they finish up, and have had seconds and thirds, they finally gather the bravery needed to actually talk to me.
"So, the Jarl wants to see me?" I prompt, semi-gently.
"O-oh, right. Err- you're not in trouble, we're not here to arrest you, but the Jarl wants to see you soon-" one tries, being cut off by another.
"You know, whenever it's convenient for you, sir," he says quickly, making me huff in amusement. I'm guessing the Jarl's court reminded Skald that I'm not one of his subjects and that he doesn't have any actual cause to drag me to Dawnstar.
"I'm heading there next week. I wanted to have a business chat with the traders and inn. I'll pay my respects when I do," I say calmly, watching the relief on all their faces. "I'll-"
My words are interrupted as the door opens, Ciri limping in as I freeze and sigh. Slung over her shoulder is an unconscious woman, and Ciri is covered in blood.
"Jorgen, you got another of those healing potions- Err, hi?" Ciri starts, seeing three guards staring at her in shock. "Don't worry, this isn't all my blood- I mean, I can explain."
"Save the explanations. Put her in the guest room. I'll be up in a moment," I order, sighing and rubbing my forehead. "Sorry, lads. Work calls."
"Okay," one of them squeaks, watching Ciri stride past them. "...whose blood is it?"
"I'll find that out," I sigh, turning to see Barioth sticking his nose through the door and ignoring the whimper I hear from the guard. Grabbing a slab of Popo steak, I toss it to him, watching his tongue lash out and catch it before he pulls back.
– Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon (Ciri) –
Maybe she was just destined to really not get along with elves?
Somehow, she preferred the Wild Hunt over the fucking Falmer. At least they just had wild hunt hounds and not evil giant insects. She really fucking hated the giant spiders, but the weird black ones were still the worst. Vesemir would be embarrassed at how poor her showing against them had been; she was obviously getting way too sloppy.
"Who is your friend?" Jorgen asked, entering with a pack at his side.
"I think her name is Sudi," Ciri explained, looking down at the exhausted girl with a frown. "I went exploring and came across a lighthouse."
"That'd be Frostflow Lighthouse, I'd bet. To the west? I wondered what Barioth was doing out that way," Jorgen said, making her nod. "Heard a family had moved into it from Hammerfell."
"Yeah, Habd and Ramati. I found their journals… and their corpses. The Falmer had tunnelled up from underneath and broke into the basement," Ciri explained, sitting down on the bed with a scowl. She'd found the corpses of Sudi's parents and her brother, but they'd been keeping Sudi to feed to that giant version of the black insects, which was also what managed to hurt her. "I found Ramati in the Lighthouse, but realised that their children had been taken below. Habd followed them, but-"
"The Falmer aren't known for being kind to their captives," Jorgen continued, his eyes noticing the wounds on Sudi as he gently removed her outfit to see the damage. She was wearing undergarments, thankfully, but her wounds weren't a pretty sight.
Nothing fatal, but Sudi had told her the Falmer would attack her for seemingly no reason beyond their own entertainment. Fucking scummy underground elves. Sudi had been planning on killing herself with a dagger that her father had managed to slip her before his death but hadn't gathered the bravery to do it yet. Barioth had probably saved her life by leading Ciri to the Lighthouse… but how had he known to begin with?
She'd been lounging around on the Farm for days while Sudi and her family had been going through hell just to the west. She could have saved them all if she'd not been so lazy.
Jorgen was quick to heal her up with the potions, before he forced her to take one as well with that no-nonsense stare that reminded her of Geralt just a little.
"You killed Falmer?" one of the new guys said, getting her attention.
"Yeah. Didn't leave a single one of them standing, or their creepy bugs for that matter," Ciri agreed, clenching her fists.
"Ciri, go to my parent's old room and grab one of my mother's dresses. It won't fit, but it's better than nothing, and I can adjust another one later," Jorgen ordered, positioning himself to block the trio lurking at the door from getting an eyeful of the nearly naked girl on the bed. "She's just exhausted now, she'll be fine."
"More than her family can say," Ciri muttered, making him pause as he gave her a scolding look.
"Sudi is alive because of you, so knock that shit off," Jorgen ordered sternly, making her laugh. No, he didn't remind her of Geralt. He reminded her of Eskel. "Now stop feeling sorry for yourself and get the girl a dress. Then get a bath. You're trailing Falmer blood everywhere."
His small smile told her that he was mostly joking with her as she nodded and moved past the boys, who all backed away nervously. Even still, as she got Sudi a dress, she felt herself frown.
– Jorgen –
With the trio running off home, I frown. They're definitely going to spread word about Ciri as well, but I get the feeling she isn't going to be sticking around for long.
"So, what does the Jarl want with you?" Ciri asks, sitting in the living room as she sips her drink.
"He wants my powers for the war, I'd guess. He's probably salivating at the idea of me sending Barioth to kill Imperials," I scoff. "He's gonna be disappointed. I've no love for the Thalmor, but I've got no grudge against the Empire or any love for a kingslayer like Ulfric."
"You think he's going to leave it at that?" Ciri asks, making me outright laugh. "That bad, huh?"
"I'm not one of his subjects. He can rage all he likes, he can't order someone from another Hold to join the war," I say with a carefree shrug. "Worst case, he tries causing trouble for the Farm but when his best guards are children? I'm not exactly worried."
Skald doesn't seem the type to be subtle. If he's going to try and exert pressure, it'll be through physical threats, not economic sanctions. He might try to confiscate things for the war effort, but when I say no, what's he going to do?
He sends guards. I send Barioth. It's not exactly an even fight, assuming I don't just burn them to ashes myself. I didn't do all this to get pushed around by some obsessed Jarl. I let the Vigilants in because I had nothing to hide, but if they'd tried to take anything by force, we'd have had a problem.
Movement upstairs interrupts us, making me nod to Ciri as she rises and heads up. Ciri saved the girl, and I doubt she wants crowding right now. I'll just make her some food.
– Sudi – Next Day –
Sitting in the living room, she watched through the window as Jorgen went about his business. She'd heard of Chillbloom Farm but had assumed the farm owners were crazy to be trying to grow anything up here. As she looked out at the flourishing farm, she shook her head. Crazy seemed the norm around here.
A part of her wondered if she should have gone through with it and ended her own life. At least that way, she could be with her family, right? But no, she shook her head with a scowl. It was unfair to Ciri to think like that, after the older girl had worked so hard and risked her life to save her.
Jorgen seemed sweet, if gruff. He'd made it clear that she could stay on the farm until she'd decided what she wanted to do with her life. She didn't have the resources to go back to Hammerfell, not that she had anyone left in her birth province. The idea of going back to Frostflow was nightmarish. Even after Ciri had killed everything, she'd never be able to sleep peacefully in that place.
Every quiet sound would send her into a fit of terror.
Leaving the house, she got Jorgen's attention as she hugged herself.
"I- is there anything I can do to help, sir?" Sudi asked, and she could see him about to turn her down, probably to tell her to rest before he stopped.
"Aye. Can you feed the Kelbi for me?" Jorgen asked, gesturing to the large pen that had the small deer-like creatures in it. "The feed is over in the shed."
"Of course," Sudi agreed happily, just wanting something, anything, to keep her occupied. It didn't take long, even if she spent most of the time petting their incredibly soft fur, and Jorgen sent her to feed the Mosswine next, keeping her busy. The farm was oddly cosy, unlike the bitter winds around the lighthouse, and the day went by easily enough.
As the chores were finished, Jorgen called for her to follow him, making her blink and run along. He had a list to work through everyday, and she knew it was complete because she had watched him tick off the final task for the day.
Leading her to a small alcove under one of those strange white trees, she froze as she spotted two graves.
"I'll be honest, I don't know what burial rites you Redguards prefer, but either way, I'm guessing anything would be better than rotting in a Falmer cave," Jorgen started, a little awkwardly as he pursed his lips slightly in thought, clearly undecided about how to approach this conversation. "I'm going to take some golems over to the lighthouse with a Popo and cart to gather all your things, and your family."
She appreciated that he didn't call them 'remains'.
"If you'd like, I can bury them here or we can put them closer to the lighthouse-"
"H-here is fine. I- my people usually mummify and bury the bodies, but I don't know anything about that, and my family worship the nine divines, not the Yokudan gods. Just burying them is fine," Sudi explained, flinching as he placed a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. She hadn't missed how recent the graves seemed. She had wondered how a relatively young man ended up running a farm in the middle of nowhere, but she suspected she had her answer. "I- my father, can you put his remains in the lighthouse fire?"
Jorgen blinked at that, before he simply nodded. Her father had loved the Lighthouse, it was his dream. She'd read the journals that Ciri had found during her mission to save them. It was how he wanted his body to be dealt with.
"Aye, I'll handle that myself if you don't want to go back," Jorgen promised. "Anything I should look out for when I'm gathering your things?"
"Just loot the place. Take everything that isn't nailed down, then take the nails for all I care. I'm never going back there. I'd rather you have it than looters," Sudi said stubbornly, making him nod calmly.
"Got it. We'll sort it all out when I bring it back. If nothing else, you can sell it all to get some gold for whatever you decide to do," Jorgen agreed, giving her a reassuring smile. "I know words don't mean a damn thing right now, but it will get better. Slowly, day by day."
Sudi smiled softly at that, barely noticeable as she looked over the two graves. Day by day sounded good. As for what she wanted to do?
Farming didn't sound so bad.
– Jorgen – Next Day –
"I'm not gonna be offended, Ciri, stop dancing around the subject," I sigh, making Ciri chuckle and rub the back of her neck. "You're leaving."
"Not just yet," Ciri admitted before pausing. "But yeah. Frostflow reminded me of some things. I do love it here, but I'm not made for staying in one place."
"Don't sound so damn grim. The farm ain't going nowhere," I huff, rolling my eyes making Sudi giggle quietly. "You're free to leave whenever you want, and just as free to come back when you want a break from the road."
Ciri smiles at that, looking around the house that's been her home for the past week.
"You got a plan, or are you just going to hit the road and see where it leads you?" I ask, making her grin.
"I'm not that reckless. I'm heading to Whiterun on foot, gonna check out these Companions you mentioned," Ciri explains as I nod. Sounds like a plan to me.
"You'll do well for yourself there," I agree, pausing as I summon Ingrid. "Take Ingrid with you, she'll serve you better than she would me. Ingrid, take care of her."
Ciri blinks as the sword zips over to her, catching Ingrid and examining her.
"Jorgen, I can't-"
"You can, you will. Ingrid's too good a blade to gather dust here, and too dainty for me anyway," I scoff, making Ciri hesitate before she chuckles.
"Then I'll take her, thank you," Ciri agrees, watching Ingrid vibrate excitedly. I'll make Ciri some things to make her travels smoother before she goes, as the girl has grown on me in her time here. I'm sure she'll grab Skyrim by the balls.
But that life isn't for me. I've got farming to do.