The Priest of the Wilds [Tantalus Xeno]

[nidhug]

The wilds of Falkreath Hold were soothing to Nidhug, even though the expanse of the sky was still a bit unnerving to the Dragon Priest. He was slowly getting used to living here, out under the open skies and in the breezes. Nidhug walked slowly along the shore of Lake Ilinalta, looking for a decent spot to make his camp so he could undertake the Cleansing Ritual.

The Ritual had to be performed at least once every two weeks to ensure that Nidhug did not carry around too much negative energy, to help him keep a clear head and to keep to his mission at the forefront of his mind. Humming softly, he finally located a slightly sheltered spot, smiling as he stood on the spot. The energy here felt good, so Nidhug undid his cape, folded it and set it down on a rock. He slipped into the woods surrounding the lake for a few moments, quickly gathering the tender and fuel he needed to build a fire.

Getting the fire started and burning well, Nidhug removed his pouch from his waist, pulling out his other sacred tools - a bowl made of dragon scale and his Dragon Priest Dagger. Walking over to the shore of the lake, he knelt and filled the bowl, gently whispering a blessing over it as he did so before going to place it by the fire.

Then he removed his Dragon Priest armor, setting it atop his cape before removing the long wrap from his waist, folding it and setting it atop his armor. Fully naked, Nidhug walked into the water, submerging himself in the deep, cold water to meditate and cleanse his mind and body...

[Tantalus Xeno]

Today was actually sunny compared to the previous week. Perhaps this meant some thing good was to happen.

Tantalus walked quietly among the bushes and leaves, as he had grown used to in order to survive out in the wild. He had his bow drawn as he walked, watching and listening for any movement ahead of him. Several hundred yards back he had spotted a buck, but had scared it off before getting close enough to ensure a kill shot. Now he was tracking it as carefully as possible, but the buck's tracks were becoming muddled now amid other tracks. The reason for the tracks became clear as he moved on and heard the ebb and flow of water; a lake or river lie ahead. Perhaps the buck stopped for a drink up ahead if it thought it had lost him.

The dark elf crouched and continued forward, peering around the thinning tree line and freezing when he heard the distant sounds of a voice. He crept forward and stopped at the clear shoreline of the lake, seeing and smelling a small camp site before him. No one appeared to be in the camp site, and Tantalus crept forward hesitantly, coming out of the cover of the trees and looking around without touching anything. Armor lay on a folded cloak, and Tantalus looked around carefully for any sign of the owner.

He listened for the voice again and heard nothing, only the rustle of leaves and water lapping at the shore. His eyebrows knitted as he directed his eyes to the ground, seeing foot prints in the soft ground leading to the lake. Suicide? He had run into a suicide before; someone had laid all their belongings out and left a note before going swimming with some slaughter fish. It had seemed like a terrible way to go to Tantalus, and he had left the site as he'd found it. Was this something similar?

The Dunmer approached the shoreline carefully, bow still in hand as he searched the surface of the water. Without warning someone emerged from the water far closer than Tantalus had expected, nearly giving the young Dunmer a heart attack as he scrambled backwards and fell on his ass, gripping his bow tightly and staring wide-eyed at the naked Nord in front of him. He was too stunned for words for a few moments before he scrambled to get up and leave, face flushing at the thought of interrupting some one in the middle of bathing.

[nidhug]

All things had been going as normally for Nidhug's cleansing ritual, spending the usual amount of time under the water, even as his lungs lightly began to scream for air. He ignored their protests, feeling his heart slowing slightly to accommodate for the lack of air. Once he felt cleansed mentally and physically, he emerged for the water, taking in a deep breath to awaken himself. Opening his eyes, he looked to the shore, where there was a Dark Elf near to where he had set up his camp.

Nidhug blinked in confusion as he was faced with the Dunmer. Never before had he been approached by anyone during a Cleansing Ritual, the members of the Dragon Cult had known to give him wide berth during the ritual, save for those who had previously requested to take part in the ritual so they, too, may be cleansed of negative energies. However, he recalled the fact that the practices of the Cult weren't widely known due to the fact the other inhabitants of Tamriel found the Dragon Cults to be blasphemous.

He hummed softly, the sight of this Dumner had broken his concentration, so he would have to begin again... so, it was probably best to find out if the Dumner wanted anything before beginning again. Approaching the shore he went to grab the wrap and tied it around his waist.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone else was out here," he stated, running his fingers through his long wet hair that clung to his back in long, black tendrils, obscuring the large ceremonial tattoo over his back.

[Tantalus Xeno]

Tantalus had scrambled into an up right stance, staying far back from the Nord to allow him space. When he emerged from the water, the Dunmer averted his eyes to respect his privacy, backing away from the camp site slowly, "I- I didn't know if you were alive or not," he mumbled in a confused apology, putting his bow away and almost hiding his hands behind his back.

Tantalus glanced over at Nidhug just to check where he was, relieved when the Nord had wrapped something around his waist. But he still avoided eye contact, eyes flicking up to his face just to acknowledge him before looking away again, "I'll... I'll go now."

The last person he'd met out here was a little Nord girl, and he'd scared her simply because he was Dunmer. She'd fled right into a pack of wolves, and Tantalus had come to her rescue with an animal calming Thu'um, rendering her speechless but safe. He hadn't been thanked as she ran off again, leaving him with some rather doe-eyed looking wolves that could smell deer meat on him. He'd shared half of what he had with the wolves before leaving and continuing on his way, unaware that the little girl had spread word of a Dovahkiin; a Dunmer with white hair.

[nidhug]

Nidhug smiled as he sat down on a large rock near the fire he had started, relaxed and at ease. He was very much a creature of relaxation when he wasn't working towards the mission Alduin had laid down before him. Of course, he was also a creature of extremes when it came down to it.

"It's quite alright, you don't have to go," he said to the Dunmer, relaxed as he placed a few more logs on the fire. "Come, sit with me and converse. I've few acquaintances so it is always good to speak to someone new. I've nothing to offer but the blessings of Akatosh... the sky, the land, the water, and the fire."

Which was true, Nidhug hadn't had much to eat over the last few days, so he was hungry, but had long been taught to deny his hunger pains. He had planned after his cleansing ritual to go hunting or to continue to find a nearby town in which to attempt to barter for food. He had no coin, never had and never did. Normally he used his status as a pious priest of Akatosh in order to win the sympathy of pious local people.

[Tantalus Xeno]

Tantalus was very ready to run, to put lots of distance between them both and try to find another deer to hunt. He himself still had meat on him; deer jerky from a previous hunt. But he was starting to run low, so needed to hunt once more.

Very very slowly the Dunmer approached the Nord, hesitating at length before kneeling next to the fire in a rather uncomfortable position, one that allowed him quick reaction time if he needed to leave. At the moment he was feeling doubly guilty; this man appeared to be a priest, and he'd come in the middle of his bathing. He glanced up at Nidhug and fidgeted a little, "I'm sorry I... um..." well what exactly had he done? "... Interrupted your bathing."

His eyes flicked to the priest and then away again, unsure of what to do now. He'd mentioned talking, but Tantalus knew nothing to talk about. What did people talk about?

[nidhug]

Nidhug smiled comfortingly to the Dunmer. It was obvious from his tensed muscles and fidgety nature that he was prepared to run at any moment, not unlike a frightened wild animal. Nidhug remained in a very relaxed stance, having no weapon within his reach he kept his hands where his new companion could see them, fingers laced together with elbows resting on his knees as he observed his new companion. Tantalus's refusal to make eye-contact was no issue to Nidhug, while others found such an action to a sign of trustworthiness Nidhug was used to it being a sign of respect for his status.

"It's quite alright. I was actually about to perform a Cleansing Ritual. It can be repeated, no issue," Nidhug stated, shrugging lightly. "It is normally customary to learn names when you meet someone new. I am named Nidhug Silvertounge."

[Tantalus Xeno]

Tantalus glanced up at him again when he spoke, but the eye contact was faulty at best, constantly trying to twitch away from Nidhug's face. The Dunmer looked at the fire instead, fidgeting a little more, "Tantalus Xeno," his voice was quiet and as awkward and shy as he looked. He glanced up at the Nord again after a moment of silence, eyes still twitchy as he asked, "What is the Cleansing Ritual for?" He hadn't had much exposure to religion. The only experience he'd ever had was the small and dusty tribute to Azure that had been at his house when he was a child. It sat there more out of habit than actual use.

[nidhug]

The Nord was still very relaxed, used to dealing with quiet, shy types. His own son had been very shy and very quiet, the child always having hung around his father, but had been forever hiding behind him. Being the leader of the Cult had given him much experience in dealing with different types of people. Nidhug was just quietly observing Tantalus, watching his quirks and body language.

"The Cleansing Ritual helps me to remove negative energies and influences. First, I cleanse both my mind and body free-flowing water, allowing it to wash over me and carry away all negative thought. Then I ask for the blessings of the four elements of Nirn - earth, air, fire, and water - all things that are the gifts of Akatosh," Nidhug explained. Of course, he would leave out the part how he asks for the blessings of Alduin due to the fact that many people feared Alduin and didn't understand that by acknowledging both the good and the bad they were celebrating and accepting all aspects.

[Tantalus Xeno]

Tantalus had never heard of a cleansing ritual before, let alone seen one. The idea of cleansing negative thoughts didn't have the full impact on the Dunmer that it could have since fear had been the majority of what he had become used to through out his young life. Fear of people and violence had almost encompassed his whole life. But he know enough that he recognized having negative energy and influences; how could he not?

He shifted his weight a little, eyes on the fire again as he thought about what he knew and what this Priest had said. But he had been under the water for so long, how had he not drowned? "What do the blessings do?" he asked, now more curious about the ritual itself. Could he.... could he possibly perform the ritual?

[nidhug]

Nidhug smiled gently, seeing how curious this Dunmer was. Perhaps he might be able to recruit him as a follower. Even though Nidhug wasn't extremely social, he still got very lonely now that he was traveling the world. Most of the time he tired to comfort himself in the fact that was doing Alduin's will, but it was still a very lonely existence when he finally bedded down for the night. He deeply missed his wife, even if he hadn't really loved her. She had been pleasant enough company and he had enjoyed having a warm body to sleep next to in the cold of the caves. Their son had also slept between them after he was born, so that had helped as well.

Lightly, Nidhug stoked the flames of his fire, looking into them as well as he searched for the words to explain what the ritual did. It had become so natural to him that he hadn't thought about the meaning of it in a long time.

"Well, you see, Akatosh is the Father of all things. So, I ask for his blessings... the blessing of the earth, which sustains my body with food and materials to make my shelter and clothing. The blessing of fire, which warms my spirit and helps to banish my fears by lighting the darkness. The blessing of water removes my sorrows, as tears are made of water. The blessing of air helps me to listen to the voices around me, guiding me in my purpose in life," Nidhug explained after a few moments. "So, thus, you are cleansed by the four elements of Nirn, and of life."

[Tantalus Xeno]

Cleansed. That sounded... nice.

Tantalus bit his lip slightly, attention directed at the flames that Nidhug was stroking instead of the Nord's face. It felt sometimes that fear of people was all that was on his mind, fear and a scolding that he shouldn't be afraid. Maybe a cleansing was what was needed to see what he really wanted instead of trying to see through all of his internal conflicts.

He glanced up at Nidhug and fidgeted again, arms wrapped around his knees, "So... This cleansing. Does it clear your mind?" Because that's what it had sounded like what it did, but in many more words.

[nidhug]

The Nord nodded lightly, resting his chin on one hand as he continued to watch his new Dunmer companion. His fidgety nature seemed to be slowly starting to abate as the pair spoke. Even though Nidhug was almost certain that the Dunmer was much, much older than himself, the elf seemed more like a young child that needed someone to look out for him.

"It helps to clear your mind... and your soul if you'll let it," Nidhug said, smiling pleasantly. He actually believed that as well, being a man of faith.

[Tantalus Xeno]

Soul cleansing. Tantalus wondered what that even meant, let alone what it was like.

He bit his lip slightly and looked toward the lake, wondering if there had been an introduction of Slaughter Fish in the waters since he'd last come here. They tended to swim in deeper water, but it was certainly not uncommon for them to go near shore to look for a meal. The Dunmer looked back up at Nidhug, eyes a little more steady as he searched the Nord's face. It didn't last long though, and he looked back to the fire to ease the pressure of eye-contact, "Could... could I try it?"

[nidhug]

Nidhug wasn't in the least surprised that Tantalus would ask that of him, especially after the questions he had been asking about the ritual and what it did. The whole point of Nidhug's existence had once been to help guide people to mental and spiritual peace, as well as lead the Cult, so he would have no issue with guiding Tantalus through the ritual. Smiling nicely, Nidhug stood, offering a hand to Tantalus to help him stand.

"We'll do it together... it's not difficult," Nidhug said. This was quite fortuitous indeed... perhaps he could recruit a new follower to assist his quest. Tantalus seemed that he could be easily swayed to the truth of Alduin if it was introduced at the right point...