DarkRider

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The leaves of the canopy rustled oblivious to their travels as Rider and Red made their way steadily along the herding paths. The narrow pathways were neither cobbled nor even and it made traveling slower. Savior snorted his displeasure loudly at having to tromp along this pitted trail scalloped by the hooves of sheep. Rider had voted against traveling the roadways for the rest of this leg of their journey. No doubt, the forces of Drakness knew they had the baby and would be watching the main roads. These trails provided some safety as they were seldom known to anyone besides shepherds, rangers, and other wild folk. Savior was not the only unhappy one, Jenna had begun to fuss for the last several minutes and her fussing had finally turned to wails. "Can't you keep her quiet," Rider hissed over his shoulder. "Have you ever tried to change an infant's dressing while posting on a horse along a sheep trail?" Red asked in annoyance, "She's not a ranger, Rider, she's a baby. She needs a break." Rider sighed, slowing Legion to a stop and turning in his saddle to face her. To his chagrin, Red was no longer behind him, but had turned Savior off the road and into the trees, "Red!" he fairly barked after her, "We don't have time for this. It's getting late, we need to make Bruma by nightfall," he argued. The thief wasn't listening, she simply rode on, muttering something to the baby about the way men are. Red managed to dismount from Savior with the hold-infant-slide maneuver she had perfected. She glanced back to the sheep trail where Rider was still seated on Legion scowling in her direction. She understood his need for urgency, she shared it, but urgency and danger were not easy concepts to explain to a child, even one as special as the little princess she had been charged with. Red pulled her bag from Savior's saddle and carried Jenna through the trees to the banks of a little river. She laid the child on a soft bed of reed grasses near the water's edge and made quick work of changing her soiled dressing. Red fished an old scarf from her bag and fashioned it into a clean wrap, then turned to dispose of the old dressing. It was probably best to bury the thing. The child's scent might draw the hounds of their pursuers. It was short work to bury the rag in the soft soil, but when Red turned back to retrieve Jenna, the child was gone. "Oh no!" Red said aloud, searching the grasses for the missing babe; surely she wasn't able to crawl off. A delighted squeal caught her attention and Red looked up to see her precious bundle sailing down river on the bed of reeds, "Jenna!" She called out to the baby, wading into the water, "Rider! The baby!" Still waiting on the sheep path, Rider heard Red call his name and then the words he had been dreading - The Baby. He spurred Legion into the woods and pulled him up at the shoreline. Red was chest deep in the center of the river, caught in a strange walking swim that could have been humorous under different circumstances. She saw him and started waving her arms and pointing wildly at a bundle of reeds floating lazily downstream several feet in front of her. The bundle was gaining speed as the lazy river caught momentum "Rider, get the baby!" Red shouted to him. Rider pushed his charger forward along the bank of the river, hoping to close the gap before getting into the water himself. As he neared her he could hear Jenna cooing and squealing happily as her makeshift boat bobbed up and down on the water's surface; blissfully unaware of her dangerous predicament. Up ahead he saw a fallen log and a chance to cross to the center of the river and snatch her to safety. "Yes!" he said in victory, leaping from Legion near the log before the horse had even stopped. The ranger deftly crossed the log and lay on his belly to wait to catch her. He could see the reed bundle approaching and as it drew close he pulled it deftly from the water; the baby was gone! "No!" he shouted in disbelief, his voice cracking slightly over the fear the child had drowned. Then a flicker of movement caught his eye. Several feet up river, Jenna was floating in mid air surrounded by many sparkling light and creatures that looked like large dragonflies from a distance. He jumped into the water toward her, but the creatures fluttered their wings and carried her away to the opposite shore. Rider whistled, "Legion!" The black warhorse charged into the water, but he wasn't alone. Savior carrying Red tore past him at a full gallop. As Legion passed, Rider caught the saddle and pulled himself up without slowing their pursuit. Red and Rider rode hard through the woods chasing the colored light that fluttered every which way in the half light of the evening. Red flushed with guilt and anger. They had managed to care for Jenna over so many miles; she would never accept losing her this way and would never forgive herself if the child was lost.

If you are making a new texture for a custom model you need a UV map. If you are just retexturing an existing texture for an existing model, then it already has a UV map. You just need nifskope to add the texture to the model!

The first one I used was Trollf's Actors in Charge. It was easy to manage for a first timer! This one combines a few of the pose mods into one: http://www.tesnexus....le.php?id=13232

The Rider awoke with a start. Where was he? How long had he slept? His eyes struggled to adjust to the low light as he surveyed his surroundings. The previous day's events slowly trickled their way back into his consciousness aided by the cooing cries of a baby from the other room. He swung his legs out of the rumpled bed, feeling a kink cry for mercy in his back. The ranger gathered his gear and headed into the main heart of the small dwelling. The Bosmer Dangot was sipping tea and speaking in a low cheery voice to Red who was feeding the baby from a soft milk bladder. Their little host hurried to fetch some tea for the ranger when he entered the room. Rider accepted the mug of warm liquid gratefully and settled himself next to the hearth. The lady here tells me you're heading to the City of Wight with this child? Dangot said. Rider shot an annoyed glance at his partner before answering, Yes, we are. Dangot sensed the tension, Do not be worried my new friends, I will tell no one I saw you or where you are taking her. But, I will tell you, she is a precious gem, he reached for the baby and Red handed her to him, Yes you are! he cooed at her. What do you mean? the ranger asked. Of course you must know of the Cities of Wight and Drakness? the Bosmer asked. Rider shrugged, They are called the Watchtowers of Skyriim. They are sister cities that dwell on opposite ends of the borderlands. Both fell into ruins an age ago. Ah not so, and not into total ruin, Dangot corrected, Long ago it was decided that the two rival cities would take turns ruling over the border lands instead of fighting. For a time, a tenuous peace reigned. But during the last cycle, when it was time for power to return to the City of Wight, King Jabul of the City of Wight had no heir and King Markum of Drakness seized control of the border lands. Rider sighed, he was ready to get moving, not interested in fairy tales from distant lands, however relevant. Red elbowed him without taking her eyes off the Bosmer. She knew there was something more to this story that a simple tale around the fire hearth. Dangot seemed to be oblivious to their silent arguing, King Markum sent his soldiers to seize Wight and hold it under martial law. They did so, under the command of Markum's ruthless son, Prince Vargo, and imprisoned King Jubal. It is said the wise King died in his own dungeons. Dangot, what does this have to do with the baby? Rider asked in exasperation, trying to hurry the story along. Everything, Dangot suddenly cried, everything! You see, Vargo and his men also took many captives as slaves. Including a beautiful kitchen maid name Jenna. This maid caught Vargo's eye and he kept her as his own. She was his slave for many years until one day she ran away; they say she was pregnant with Vargo's child. King Markum ordered the woman found and murdered before she could give birth to a child, but you see, she must have escaped! This is her child! Red and Rider exchanged uncertain glances, How do you know? the thief asked uncertainly, after all she could be anyone's child. Dangot held up the little girl's leg, This birthmark near her ankle, its shape is peculiar do you think? It is the mark of Wight; all heirs of the kingdom bear this mark, he said rubbing the small hourglass shaped mark near the baby's ankle gently. Rider shook his head, You said Jubal had no heir. Ah, no legitimate heir, Dangot corrected, the maid Jenna was his daughter, his only child and her child will be heir to both kingdoms and her heirs will unite the watchtowers forever. The ranger's features grew dark in thought, There's no way Markum and Vargo will allow her to return to Wight. I certainly do not envy you your mission, Dangot agreed, passing the baby back to Red, you should be leaving now. The forces that hunt this little one will never rest for long. Red stood and gathered her things before carrying the baby outside. Rider handed a few coins to Dangot and thanked him for his hospitality and his insight into their strange mission. The Bosmer gave him a small pouch of tobacco and another bladder of milk for the baby before waving them off. As the two rode away toward the north, the visage of the Bosmer faded into the visage of a ghostly old man. Farewell, Princess, my grandchild, the old king said softly, May your new friends wing you to your throne in safety.

Added it now, thanks for the reminder, meant to update it the day he donated and got side tracked!

With the danger behind them for the moment, Rider and Red retraced their steps through the woods and finally reunited with their horses. Red mounted up on Savior while Rider waited until she was seated in the saddle comfortably before handing the now sleeping infant to her. "How's the arm then?" He asked as the thief settled the little bundle on the saddle in front of her. Red glanced at her wound then nodded surely, "I'll be fine I think. Sure you can handle going on alone?" she asked. Rider glanced in the direction of the hollowed tree where they'd last seen Vereta, "I can manage," he assured her, "it's you two I'm worried for. The old woman was right, danger follows this child." "Perhaps taking her back to the tavern isn't the wisest move," Red pointed out. "So, what then? Head to Wight?" Rider looked confounded, "And what of Vereta? I don't think we should abandon our young friend's quest just yet, he might have need of us." Red thought silently for a moment. Rider was right. They had followed Vereta because of the stranger he called Maris. Now he was alone in the depths of that hollow, he might have need of them even as they stood uncertain how to move. Do they stay together and help Vereta? What of the child? She couldn't fend for herself even without the evil that pursued her. Red knew as she watched the tiny girl sleeping she could not abandon her. As an assassin, and even as a thief, Red knew there was little chance she would ever have a child of her own. And suddenly there was this little thing that needed her so desperately. We have to take her to Wight, Rider," Red said, breaking the silence that had fallen between them, "This is our responsibility. I will not abandon her." Rider was going to protest, but the look of pleading in Red's eyes, gave him pause. She needed him to understand, "Alright. We'll take her, but what of Vereta?" "We do have friends, ranger, you forget too quickly," she reminded him, "All we need to do is find a way to contact them." The ranger thought for a moment. In his years in the wilds he had learned ways to send messages. If Grond was in the tavern yet, he knew exactly how he could send word of Vereta's plight. Rider dug into his satchel and withdrew a small parchment, a shard of graphite, and a small silver whistle. He put the whistle in his mouth and blew. The note that range from the pipe was almost soundless to the thief's ears, but the sweetness of it seemed to echo all around her. As he continued to blow one note after the next, Rider scribbled madly on the parchment before rolling it neatly and shoving the graphite back into his pack. As the ranger blew once more, the strange whistle seemed to be answered by a screeching call overhead. Red spotted a beautiful brown and white falcon breaching the canopy over head and soaring down to them. She had wondered about the strange leather glove he wore on his left side, and now it made sense, "You're a falconer." The ranger extended his arm and the falcon executed a perfect landing; gripping his arm in its talons tightly before ruffling its downy feathers. Rider immediately began tucking the parchment into the tie on the bird's leg, "Her name is Serenity," he explained, "I found her in the wilds a few years ago; another ranger taught me how to train her. I should have thought of it sooner." "Can she take a message to our friends?" Red asked hopefully. "She can take a message to Grond," Rider clarified, "I only hope wherever he is he can get the message the rest of the way," he stroked the bird's feathers, "To Grond, bring this message to Grond, Serenity." The falcon bobbed her head once, almost as in nodding her understanding, and then lifted herself into the air on her massive wings. They watched her fly high into the sky heading back toward the tavern. "Alright then," Red said as the bird disappeared, "Serenity will bring help for Vereta. Now how do we get to Wight?" Rider mounted up on Legion, "We ride North. We'll stop off in Bruma to resupply and get something warm for the baby before we head into the mountains. We'll be well into Skyrim before we find the city I should think." Red turned Savior toward the main road far on the other side of the trees now. Traveling with the infant would be safer on the roads which were frequently patrolled by legionnaires. Rider moved his horse into step behind her. They would leave Vereta on his own for now, but with some luck. Their friends would be able to help. ================================================================ Back at the tavern, Grond was just about to leave with Echo in tow when a great flapping of wings was heard at the window. The big Nord opened the window and a hawk flew into the room, flying once over the heads of those gathered before landing on the bar. "Tis the Rider's hawk," Grond explained, approaching her slowly, "Oi, where did you come from little darling?" he asked, pulling the parchment from her leg. He handed her a bit of meat from the bar before unraveling the parchment. "What's it say?" Echo asked trying to peer over Grond's shoulder to no avail. "It's for William," he answered, catching the former assassin's attention, "He says, Vereta needs some help, but he and Red have been tasked with another quest. He asks that you come to Vereta's aid. Even drew a map marker here." Grond handed the parchment to William. The former assassin read over the hastily scrawled note then studied the mark. It wasn't too far from the tavern, less than a day's ride. Two roads lay before him, and all eyes in the tavern were waiting to see which one William would choose.

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The daggered glares Red shot his way quelled the rest of Rider's laughter. He followed her back into the woods as she marched rather unceremoniously to where she had left Savior tied. "You know..." Rider began, but Red glared at him hard. "Say one word about staying downwind of V and I will kill you," she interrupted, "I mean it, ranger." He could tell she was more embarrassed than angry and definitely struggling to maintain her own composure. He curbed his grin and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, turning his back to allow her some privacy. Red was accustomed to living out of her packs and quickly found a change of clothes in Savior's saddle bag. She made fast work of changing and discarded her ruined things in the bushes. Once prepared to resume their task of following Vereta, Red cinched up Savior's saddle bag and headed over to where the ranger was standing. "Alright then, you've done the gentlemanly thing, now let's see to Vereta before we lose his trail completely," she said as she came up beside him. "Shh," was his only response. She looked up at him questioningly. He didn't speak, his brow was furrowed in concentration, his eyes seemed to be locked on some far away point. For a long moment she said nothing, but finally curiosity won out over caution. "What is it?" she asked in a hushed voice just above a whisper. Rider took a silent step forward, "I heard something just a moment ago. It was carried on the wind." Red listened, but nothing unusual greeted her ear. "I hear nothing," she said with a shrug. Rider remained still. He was uncertain what the sound had been, but something in his heart told him to wait. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees and again a faraway cry was carried through the woods around them. Red gasped. "I hear it now!" she exclaimed, suddenly dashing off into the woods. "Red wait!" Rider called to her back as she ran, "We don't know what it is!" She didn't slow and he had no choice but to run after her. Whatever awaited them in the distance they would fare better handling things as a team. Red broke through the trees and down to a riverbed. The water was racing, fueled by the rain draining down from the highlands, but it's rushing pace didn't stop the thief from charging into it. The ranger emerged from the trees just in time to see her wade into the rapid water. "By the NIne," he swore under his breath and hurried after her. Red seemed to lose her footing on the slippery rock near the other side, but quickly caught herself and climbed to the embankment. The once distant cry could now be heard easily without the aid of the winds. The ranger growled as he struggled to cross without swimming, and watched his friend dash off down the shore line. For a few minutes, he lost sight of her around the bend, but once he had crossed and followed her trail he spotted her near a wider, but calmer section of the river. Thick patches of high reeds were all along the edges of the water. It was a predator ground, where danger lurked in the long grass waiting to strike any who approached the water's edge to drink. "Where are you?" Red was saying as she searched in the grass near the water. "Be careful," Rider warned her, his hand on the hilt of his blade and eyes watching vigilantly for danger. Suddenly Red gasped and stopped searching. Red glanced over her shoulder at him, "Rider, come here," she said, then crouched and disappeared in the grass before his eyes. The ranger hurried to cross the reed field to her side and found her crouched near the edge of the water. There, lying in the wet sand in front of Red was an elderly woman. Her breathing was shallow and raspy; she was near death. "So, hers was the cry we heard," Rider said softly. "No," Red said, turning toward him, "it was hers," she looked down at a small bundle in her arms. For a moment it was unclear what he was looking at, but then he realized the bundle was moving and a pale innocent face looked up at him. Blonde hair curled around its face and deep blue eyes were set against the blushing pink skin. "What is..." he stumbled for something to say. Red shook her head, "It's a baby,� she said softly, �The old woman was holding her to the shoreline." Rider crouched beside her and set a hand on the old woman, "Madam?" he called to the woman gently reaching in his satchel for a curative of some kind. The woman coughed once then spoke, "You must...take this child to the mountains, to the City of Whight," she could barely form the words, "she is in grave danger..." The life force seemed to leave the woman's body and as her strength left her, so did her hold on the shore. They watched as the woman's body was taken by the river. Left with a baby and a strange request.

Quote I'VE OPENED THREAD THE FOURTH!!It's the one with IV in its title... That's great, but in the future, folks, please wait until a mod locks the old thread before starting a new one!

Aye those are both brilliant, thanks mates!

Quote As in a mask? Or a realistic shadow effect, or where the hood drapes over the face? The latter, where the hood drapes over the face somewhat.

Off topic: I'm stoked for Halloween this year, we finally live in a neighborhood where we'll get trick or treaters to scare!

Wow, way to run with it V! Knew you had it in yah! I'm thoroughly creeped out, can't wait for part two. Red, don't know when Will is going to post that bit, I thought he said he needed a bit tof time to get it together, Looks like we will have to wait....as patiently as we can muster!

Quote Sorry if I bruised some feelings there. It was not intended. Fair enough, Mate, no harm done. Did it to surprise V cause we thought he had something ready. Next time either of us has some brainy plan we'll clue you guys in!

It's cool, what's written is written and what happenes next is really anyone's guess; this game takes on a life of it's own. I just don't want you to feel bullied Mate, because that seems to be the impression our gesture made and was not the intention of Red or I. It really bothers both of us that it came across that way.

You didn't feel left out at all? Vereta Quote Time! Quote Side story for Vereta...? Well, since Rider and William got there own 'main' story I think everyone else deserves one don't you think? Even me. The slow writing, short posting Vereta. Quote Well I would not say you guys didn't include everyone (including me) I kinda' always thought of this part of our story more for William and Rider. No, I'm not complaining and don't plan to ever do so. I'm just saying that when we do enter Vereta's past he will most likely be the center of that part of the story simply because it revolves around his past. I'm not singling anyone out, mind you, just saying that some parts of our story tend to lean towards one or two characters more than the others. That gives everyone a chance to show what's going on with their character. Quote Ug... Even more time off from me... I just got Dead Space. LOL. Your previous posts suggested otherwise. You certainly seemed like you felt left out and wanted to tell your story. So, to make you feel more included we put our heads together to figure a way to give you center stage for awhile. Does kinda bruise my feelings some. I agree, developing character as we go makes things more interesting, but I thought I was doing the nice guy thing. I am not forcing anyone to do anything, jeez.

Quote Perhaps you shouldn't force someone to write a story, no enthusiasm when you do that. When V is ready, he will write his story.But, thats just my opinion. Aye, yeah, we're not trying to force him, just encouraging him! We set it up to be nice not to bully anyone, if you can't write anything V, it's cool, I had a backup plan in case to get us back.

Quote I have no idea what to write. I'm rusty. You've gotta be kidding me?! Just write the story you were planning for V before.

Quote Whaz tha'...? I'm I needed somewhere? Lol. Read mine and Red's last tavern entries, we set you up for your adventure you've been wanting to have....GO V GO!

We're waiting on Vereta, he said he wanted to be the center of a story so we gave him an opening, if he doesn't take it we should be back shortly. You probably have time to go out for a bit though, ya!

Quote And what are you guys talking about? Ink? Mythic GPS?Did some posts get deleted or what??? Aye, part of Wind's new idea for a new adventure, but it needs the group and we're not quite together now, so he pulled it and decided to wait until we are back together. It's a cool idea, I can't wait to get to it!

Cool idea! I moved this to the user mod forum, probably a better spot until we find an even better one! I have a mod I'd like to know if there's one out there! Is there a mod with a hood that conceals the face partway?

Aye, Will seconded! Heck of an artist there Vereta!

One of my modding gurus Welcome to the Alliance Lord Gannondorf! Your manual was one of my first steps into modding. I'd read it several time before I even owned the PC version of Oblivion! I wish you luck in working with the Lost Sword team, they are all great folks and I hope you make yourself at home here in this modders' haven.