Corpus Tamrielicum - The Imperial Library

[30.6] KING EDWARD VI
"No, you are not. But the daedra feed on actions such as that. They encourage them. And your
anger draws them. But they can't make you do anything. And they or it's not inside you. But it
is connected to you."
"I don't want it. I want it to go away. How can I make it go away?"
"Why don't you want it? You draw power from it. That's what let you shield us both with the
rats attacked."
"Mana? That doesn't come from demons."
"No, but the ability to use it can. Look, some of your deeds feed the daedra. But you draw
power from it at the same time. Then the power's yours, to use as you choose."
"Do you have a daedra?"
"I do and it's a big one, too, but I think everyone has one or more. Some are stronger than
others, that's all. But don't go around asking after them. It's not polite."
"I want mine to go away!" Edward wailed.
"So you say. But pretending it isn't there will not accomplish that. Having a daedra is a bit
like riding a horse. You must keep control. The daedra do not care for you. It would as lief
feed off your pain or injury or death as any other, and find a new host. They do not think or
plan as we can and I do not think they experience time as we do. So acts that feed the daedra
take place in the moment and while you are caught up in them, past and future cease to exist
for you too. It is an intensely pleasurable experience, but it can also be very dangerous. And
very addictive, so that you begin to think only of feeding your daedra. You cease to think of
the gods and those you love and even yourself. When you have walked too far along that path,
you lose the will to choose another."
"How terrible! What must I do then?"
"It is terrible, the worst that can befall a person. Remember this night. How you felt. Learn to
recognize the daedra's hunger for what it is, and think about what you do. You are young and
this is heavy for you, but you are at risk. Ah!" The elf's body stiffened and he caught his
breath. Edward guessed that the wound was paining him.
Moraelyn said that he must sleep a bit, and could Edward keep watch and wake him in an
hour's time. Then he could set a lock on the door and they could both rest.
"Aye, sir...and I might do somewhat more. I cannot set a lock, but..." The door would not
latch, nor would it stay open, but would swing nearly shut. Edward felt about near the wall
behind it and found a wedge. He shut the door and drove the wedge home with a chunk of
wood. "I thought so. 'Tis awkward to pass such a door with both arms full of wood. We have
such at ho...in Gerald's palace. Now anything trying to come in will rouse you; you can use
your power to cast heal instead of lock."
"Why, well thought of, indeed." He freed his blade and laid it on the floor beside him. "We
may as well both sleep then."
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