Online:Skorkhif's Conundrum

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Book Information Skorkhif's Conundrum
ID	8401
Collection	Solstice Summations

Skorkhif's Conundrum

by Skorkhif

A daedra's thoughts on who is truly worthy to wield the Dolorous Cista

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Even excellent torturers, such as myself, need a break every once in an era. I haven't had many complaints since beginning my tasks in the Ossein Cage, but now I face a real conundrum. I saw these mortals writing down in their little books and I thought to myself, "Skorkhif, that's what you need to do. Write it down in an easily burnable medium and then have Valneer destroy it later." And so that's what I will do. Ponder my conundrum here and then burn it later.

So, here's my question. Must we follow everything that Overfiend Kazpian says? Sure, he's the strongest among us, and sure, the Dolorous Cista chose him, but it could choose anyone. If someone asked me—which no one did—he's about as clever as a dense boulder. One only needs to look at that oversized sword of his to realize that. I'd wager that half the targets he hits are unintentional.

Of course, if Valneer and I went against Kaz's orders, then who would we follow? Surely not Jynorah and her Myrinax. They're so boring. Where Kaz is dull, Jynorah's bland. She'll never be able to fill the Dolorous Cista with suffering. She doesn't have the creativity for it. There's only so many nails I can rip from fingers before it becomes interminable. I once had a conversation with Jynorah about the different kind of screams you can wring from mortals. She said there was only one, "a scream." Is that really the kind of response we want from the next leader of the Ossein Cage? I doubt it.

No, we must have some sort of order here. Preferably from someone who can invent new ways to feed the cista. From someone with the will to use the power of all we do here to bring the realms to their knees. Perhaps the Harvester of Souls himself has a plan to use the Dolorous Cista. That would be a sight!

Or I could wield it. What? I know it's what everyone's thinking. But I couldn't accept it. Not if the Lord of Domination wants it. I couldn't dream of interfering with his plans.

Still, if the Dolorous Cista is not meant to be attached to Overfiend Kazpian, and Jynorah's not a viable candidate, why shouldn't I be the one to wield it? I harvested the torment that swirls inside it. I cultivated the power that flows through it. All those many cries of pain. All those screams—yes, screams—are mine by right of creation. I will wield the cista. I am the only one currently in the Ossein Cage who deserves to.