[Quest: Leaves Return to Their Roots]
Quest One (Completed): Go to Ivarstead.
Quest Two (Completed): Inquire about Mother's past.
Quest Three (Completed): Resolve the troubles Mother left behind.
Quest Four (Completed): Build a cenotaph for Mother.
Simon retrieved an iron coffin from the Forelhost crypt, remelted it, and carved the symbols of the Nine Divines onto its walls. Most importantly, he carved Shor, the chief god who presides over seasons and life and death. Every Nord hopes to go to Shor's realm, Sovngarde, after death. It was a pity, though, that his Mother was likely fighting in Hircine's Hunting Grounds.
Inside the coffin, he placed a cloth doll and the longsword his Mother used in life. This sword had cut Simon's umbilical cord, truly bringing him into the world, and it was also the tool Gaelina used to fight for her child's survival, making it incredibly significant.
He hesitated for a moment but ultimately did not take out the tear drop. It would disappear once it melted.
The coffin was buried in the ground behind the house. Simon took a piece of marble, chiseled out a tombstone, and erected it at the head of the grave.
"Great Hunting Daedric Prince, Father of Hunters and Werewolves, I believe in you. I ask you to protect my child. I, Jia'erna Drinks-Blood, swear that after my death, I will participate in the eternal Blood Hunt in your Hunting Grounds, bringing you joy. I ask that you allow my child to grow up safely. I offer a Troll as a sacrifice—Jia'erna Drinks-Blood."
As he carved this epitaph, Simon paused three times, needing to suppress the sorrow in his heart.
Even Trolls have tears.
Simon would no longer shed tears because he was an adult, and adults were not meant to have tears. Simon only occasionally fell into reminiscence, sharing joys and sorrows with the people in his memories.
Gaelina's life was an adventure, and her story would be continued by Simon. This was a legacy of blood and courage.
[Quest: Rest in Peace]
Description: I know Mother is in Hircine's Hunting Grounds; this was her choice. But I also know how helpless that choice was. I cannot make the decision for her, but I must at least give her the option to choose.
Quest One (Incomplete): Summon Mother's spirit.
This quest would be very difficult, with the main challenge being the cleanup. Simon actually knew how to pull his Mother out of Hircine's Hunting Grounds. In the game, Whiterun's Companions inherited the werewolf bloodline, and the ending of a related quest was to help a deceased Harbinger remove his wolf spirit so his soul could go to Sovngarde.
The process was still very clear; he could repeat it step by step. But what Simon wanted to do was give his Mother a choice. If she willingly stayed in the Hunting Grounds, then he would have nothing to say. Moreover, pulling his Mother out of a Daedric Prince's domain was equivalent to stripping away a part of the Daedric Prince's body—because person and god are one.
He worried that Hircine would pursue him for this. At that time, he would have to face the wrath of a primordial spirit. Even if he wasn't afraid, what if his Mother was implicated?
Perhaps he could make a deal with this Daedric Prince, pleasing him with a thrilling hunt in exchange for his Mother's freedom.
Many Daedric Princes could be summoned and sensed by mortals, and their will could descend for communication. For example, his old friend Hermaeus Mora could be reached by performing a prayer ritual on the fifth of First Seed. For example, Azura could be summoned on the twenty-first of First Seed. As for Hircine, he was more whimsical; he would usually transform into an animal with deer antlers and wander around. If one was lucky enough, they might encounter him. Furthermore, as a werewolf personally transformed by a Daedric Prince, Simon felt he should be able to summon his boss at any time.
Making a deal with this Daedric Prince was relatively reliable because he was a brute with simple principles of conduct—you put on a show for me, and I'll grant your wish. His reputation in Mundus was neither good nor bad. Many people disliked Hircine due to their hatred for werewolves, but aside from that, many hunters liked him.
Speaking of deals with Daedric Princes, one couldn't help but mention the Daedric Prince Clavicus Vile. He presides over wishes and terrible bargains, often repaying wishers with pranks, making him a very malevolent Daedric Prince. In the game, a group of Vampires prayed to him to be restored to normal, but the result was that the protagonist encountered them, and they all died. Clavicus considered this to have solved the Vampires' "suffering," thus fulfilling their wish.
Simon actually liked Clavicus back when he played the game because the artifact he bestowed was quite cool: a black, carved mask with horns. Paired with Ebony Armor, its appearance was very imposing, at least cooler than the armored helmet Simon designed.
That night, Simon set up an altar in the wilderness, offering a deer head and yellow wild flowers, imploring Hircine to descend.
The sky was half-cloudy, and the moonlight was dim. The thin layer of snow on the hillside reflected a faint, clear light, like the veil of a goddess. The Troll's pristine white cloak was also shrouded in the gaze of stars and moon. On the stone platform, a pale deer skull, stripped of flesh, had a faint yellowish sheen, and in its eye sockets, tiny, ghostly blue starlight gathered.
Boom—
Simon looked up. Before him, within the deer head, a faint blue orb was gently spinning, its surface adorned with swirling, fiery patterns.
"I remember you, mortal. You made quite an impression. Your Mother's performance was truly exceptional. In the last decade, she has been the most outstanding hunter."
Hircine's voice came from the deer head, a deep, resonant baritone that was surprising. However, his tone was always very excited, emphasizing words like 'impression,' 'exceptional,' and so on, with short, trembling sounds. He was a rather excitable Daedric Prince.
"I request that she be granted freedom," Simon's tone was calm.
"Presumptuous words! My child, you must understand, without me, you would have died long ago! However, I am always happy to see mortals struggle. Tell me, what can you offer?" Hircine's anger came and went quickly, his words carrying a fatherly solemnity.
"I will offer a spectacular hunt."
"Oh! That's excellent! I still remember your magnificent slaughter of those hunters not long ago. It was splendid! You have more talent than your Mother. So tell me, who is the prey?"
"That can be decided by you. It could be the Volkihar bloodline of Skyrim, or the followers of Boethiah."
"Boethiah! Hmph! Boethiah! That hussy!" Hircine roared as expected, his voice shaking the earth into a mournful cry. The nearby town, alas, was once again thrown into chaos.
Simon's proposal was very high-end and classy. Vampires were the kin of the Daedric Prince Molag Bal, and Boethiah was also a Daedric Prince who had once caused Hircine great loss—the specifics were unknown, but their relationship was certainly not good.
Neither Bal nor Boethiah were good. They could be called evil gods, and opposing them made Simon very happy.
Although the Amulet of Kings was shattered, the Dragonfire Barrier still existed. Daedric Princes could not personally enter Mundus. As long as Simon was not tempted, he could safely provoke Daedric Princes.
Hircine's voice became excited, "Excellent! You go and kill those insane followers of Boethiah. I know that hussy looks down on mortals, but this is war. My children will kill her children. Good child, go quickly, do not make me wait long. I approve of your bargain!"
[Quest: Hircine's Pact]
Description: Is there a more worthwhile deal in the world than killing those deranged followers to gain Mother's freedom?
Quest One (Incomplete): Go to Boethiah's Altar.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"