gamer10
Jun 21 2005, 11:08 PM
Niran
Revised Edition
I’d like to thank all those who commented on the original version, inspiring me to edit and correct the mistakes in this story. Now it shouldn’t be quite as confuzzling.
Well, here you have it, enjoy.
In the RP Planning Thread titled “A Mystery Unleashed” I have given away some information, such as Niran not having parents. Most of the answers to puzzling statements such as these will be found in the fan fiction based on his life up until the age of twenty-four.
-Gamer10
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Chapter 1
I took a good look at my surroundings, but there wasn't much to see. Except maybe the well kept guard towers, which I preferred not to look at. They were positioned very carefully, in order to make it nearly impossible for an escape. I'd have to be careful this time around.
The other prisoners were being shoved into a line by the Imperial Guards who were in control here. It was a military prison, so the skillfully positioned guard towers were to be expected.
A tall guard grabbed my shoulder and pushed me into with the rest of the captives, who were already walking at a fast pace into the Main building which held the prison cells.
As you walked in, more heavily armored guards would take groups of four prisoners and push them into a cell, which was meant to hold a maximum of two. Many complained and were silenced by dangerous threats from the guards.
I however, did not complain as I was rudely squashed into a cell by a guard. I sat down on the mat that was lying on the floor and looked at the guard. He quickly turned away, and I spat at him.
Looking around, I took mental notes on the situation the prison cells were in, the walls were cracked and mold was growing on the old food that had never been cleaned out of the cell. Insects were crawling around the head of my mat, many dead ones were scattered across the cold stone floor.
Sitting there observing my new habitat consumed a lot of time, for I was snapped back to reality when a guard came by my cell, "Your food," he said as he pushed it through the small opening in the bottom of the cell door.
It definitely did not look very appetizing, but I would need energy, so I took what I was given. I would rather not have eaten half cooked meat from a Nix hound.
After the meal, I slept. And remembered . . . .
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"Mr. Cular, were you not involved in an incident that took the lives of three guards from the Imperial Legion? Come on now, speak up. Do not be afraid, we will do no harm to you."
The room was dark and musty, a single candle worked hard to keep it lit.
I responded very calmly,
"I was leading a group of them."
He smiled wickedly; finally he had got what he wanted. A confession from me.
"Who were the others?"
I would not tell him, I kept my mouth shut.
His smile disappeared.
"I will not negotiate with you Mr.Cular, fine if you do not want to give us the information willingly, then I'll let Ilym take care of you."
Ilym was a dunmer, a big dunmer. One who wielded a large battle-axe.
I became uneasy when Ilym entered the room, "You said I would not be harmed."
The interrogator, turned while walking out of the room "Oh, you will not be harmed- by me."
When he left the dunmer put the sword to my throat,
"Now let’s get this over with. Tell me, who was with you."
I told him, but I swore to protect these people from him.
He said
"Who funded the rebellion, who bought you weapons?"
I could not tell him, I would not put more people in danger.
When I stayed silent he pulled a dagger from his belt using his free hand and nicked my arm with it.
I flinched and he smiled like the former interrogator, he raised it higher up my arm and cut again, this time deeper. Several times more he did this, and finally I gave in.
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When I awoke it was daylight and the other three in my cell were eating, my food had been left on the floor in front of my mat. I paid no attention to it; it had already been infested by the insects. Surprisingly another prisoner asked for it. I let him have it, why waste it.
We were called out to line up outside, behind the guard towers. They checked each one of us, to see we were all there. Of course we were, with the amount of fortifications this prison camp had.
Afterwards we were sent back to our cell to rot until the next meal; this lifestyle would definitely take a toll on my health.
Chapter 2
Days went by, which followed into what seemed like long weeks. Finally after this period of time, we were called out to line up for a meeting with everyone. This meant we were going to have a meeting with the guards. I knew what this was for; it was punishment for our actions. Prison time does not compensate for the killing of several imperial officers. Death is the punishment for such an act. We had been sentenced to die by arrow.
The Imperial archers placed the arrow on the bow, and prepared to fire. We stood there silent, if this is what we receive for our actions then so be it. We knew that we had only defended the citizens of the Village by taking such actions. As the bow string was released the arrows flew, hitting with great accuracy. Many fell, but also many did not. For there were less archers then prisoners, so they were going down the line. I decided I had to take action now.
I glanced behind me, but the only way out of the military prison was through the front gate, the rest was enclosed by sturdy walls made of stone. I dashed forward and surprised the nearest archer about 15 feet ahead of me, who had been chatting with his friend. They had no trouble executing us. It must have been a routine performed often by them.
When I reached him he turned at the sound of approaching footsteps. Surprised at my approach he pulled a short iron sword from its sheath on his side. I grabbed his arm to stop him, but his buddy hit me on the side of my head with his fist. Then he took hold of my arms and kicked me in the stomach. I crumpled to the ground and one of the archers knelt down and spit on my face. As he did this I put my hand around his neck and started to strangle him. The other guard had been standing around aimlessly for the good part of this. The moment he saw his friend in dire trouble he unsheathed his short sword. He stabbed at me several times but missed because his friend was in the way. As he came around to get a good strike, I threw the archer I had in my grasp backwards towards him. They crumpled over as I stood up. I took one short sword and once again running. Now I would have to pass the guard towers.
The other guards had witnessed just the end of the fight for they were busy executing the other prisoners. They immediately started shooting arrows at me. I sped up as several of them drew swords and charged at me. The guards in the guard towers threw down nets, and used extremely accurate crossbows.
I felt a sharp pain in my arm as I climbed the gate but I didn't take the time to look. When I reached the top of the gate I jumped, landing on the hard dirt road.
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I wasn't pursued. They must have thought I wouldn't live very long, especially with a crossbow bolt have way into my arm. I clasped it, and pulled. It came out with a jerking painful lurch, and started bleeding profusely. I took a sleeve of my prison clothes and tied it around the wound area very tightly, hoping to quell the bleeding. It seemed to slow down a little so I stared around the forested area in which I was sitting against a tree.
It had rained yesterday evening and the forest was still damp. This didn't bother me, it was much nicer then my prison cell and didn't have a bad stink. So I lay the short sword I had stolen beside me for easy reach if I were to need it, and then I drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 3
When I awoke it was night, but the darkness wasn't prevalent because of the bright moonlight.
I started to stand up but as I moved my arm, a sharp jolt of pain was sent through me and I staggered. The wound on my arm had barely healed. Yet, I didn’t have time to rest. I would have to make it to civilization if I was to eat a decent meal. I knew the route from here to my home, many miles away. I had visited the fortification here often when I was younger. All of my childhood I had hoped to become a member of the imperial legion, but those hopes had been slashed a while ago and now if I didn't get moving I would only join my sister.
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I walked home from the interrogation feeling numb, I took my time, and I paid no attention to the dunmer who passed me on his horse. This would prove to be a mistake.
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I was hungry, and had little energy left. My determination was the only thing that kept me going, as well as the thought of a good meal when I reached an inn, but I had accidentally wandered off of the path and become lost. My hunger greatened as it got later, and though I had already slept a great deal, I felt extremely tired. My eyes were becoming heavier as I walked and soon I was forced to lie down once again, falling into a disturbing sleep, filled with nightmares.
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When I reached home I knocked on the front door, but when I knocked several times and did not receive an answer, I began to worry. Finally, after a long while of waiting and knocking I decided to force my way in. The door was old, and if I gathered enough strength I knew I could push it down. So I backed up many paces, and charged. It fell inwards as I had expected, but my arm didn't feel very good after that.
I gasped as I entered the main room. My sister's lifeless body was lying on the floor, beside that of my adopted mother's.
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That image today remains locked in my mind, and no matter how much I try to forget my past, it will always stay with me. Maybe that's a good thing, because now I have a reason to stay alive. I will seek revenge on that assassin until I kill him.
During the night I woke up to the sound of small creatures ruffling around me, recognizing them by the sounds they made, I went back to sleep. Hoping my dreams would not be plagued any further by the images of my dead sister.
Chapter 4
When morning came, I was well rested. Despite the fact my sleeping hadn’t been very enjoyable. I stretched, and noticed the cut on my arm was healing well. Strange, I had not used a healing potion on it, or a spell, but the knowledge of such things would be very useful. So I planned to learn such skills as soon as possible.
My hunger was making me very uncomfortable, and I was growing weaker instead of stronger although I had rested. So I started to look around for something to eat. I noticed some of the small animals from the night before, and I snuck upon one with my small sword raised. Then I slammed it down, killing the creature with one swift strike. I was glad I had food, but upset over the fact that I would have to eat it raw. Never before had I done so. So my first bite wasn't very impressive, just a little nibble. Over the period of time which I ate this, it begin to taste much better. By the time I finished I had actually grown to like it.
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I knelt beside my sister’s body and saw the stab wounds in her side, the assassination was poorly executed and she must have died slowly, she might not yet have died when I was knocking for the first time on the door. This was completely my fault; I should not have told the man who had leant me money for my weapon. Now my sister has paid for it.
I dragged myself over to a dark corner of the room and cried like a little child.
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After finishing the "meal" I looked for a source of water but found none. That is, until I stepped in a muddy puddle, but it was so dirty that even I in my desperate state, would not drink from it.
So, I went without water, and my mouth became terribly dry, but I put up with it. I had no choice.
I walked further north; at least I thought I did. Occasionally stopping to rest, but I would sometimes rest too much and would have to quicken my pace. I did not stop for any other meal.
Always looking straight ahead, I could see that the forest would end soon.
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For a long time I had cried, and eventually I reported the deaths to a few guards at the nearest fort. They did not act sympathetic, for they knew I was the one who had killed several of their friends. After they took them away I went to the back room, and slept. For a long time I stayed in bed, most of the time I spent talking to myself. Until the next day. When I received a knock on my door.
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I came upon the end of the forest with a confident step and a sigh of relief. As I stepped out, I was taken aback by the buildings in front of me.
I had finally found refuge.
Chapter 5
I walked up to the tallest building I could see, it looked like an Inn but I couldn't be sure. I entered cautiously and looked around, and something caught my eyes. A stunningly beautiful young Altmer. Not wanting to seem rude I quickly looked away before she noticed I was staring. I sat down at a table and listened to her talk. Not only her, but a whole gathering of people seemed to be in this inn. They all seemed friendly enough, though some of them seemed dangerous enough as well.
I had the innkeeper bring me a drink as I listened to their conversation, it seemed strange. Yet, as I thought about it, my whole life would seem strange had I spoken about it.
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I got out of bed to answer the knock on my door, it was late and I didn’t know who would be visiting. Had the news of my sister's and mother's deaths traveled so fast?
When I opened the door I was grabbed by the shoulder and dragged outside, the next thing I felt was a boot in my stomach. I attempted to yell out for help, but something was stuffed in my mouth. I was next pulled by the hair and dragged back into my house. Where many painful experiences followed. I was a target of the imperial legion.
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I realized halfway through my drink that I had no money to give the innkeeper for the drink. I would have to ask for money, hoping those people would be kind enough to help me. Whether or not they were kind, I would have to try my luck.
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I had very little recollection of my beating but when I came too, I was in much pain. My face had been bloodied and my body was riddled with bruises. That's when I heard another knock at my door and I froze. My mind filling with frightening thoughts.
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Walking nervously up to the group of what looked like adventurers, I asked as confidently as I could:
"Excuse me if I'm interrupting, but I could use some assistance."
A woman turned and said:
"Go ahead young man."
Replying I said:
"Well it's sort of a complicated story but in short, can I borrow some spare coins? I do not have much to offer in return and my business is secret."
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I made sure I found some kind of weapon before answering, in this case a wooden plank. Opening the door, I saw two Imperial Legion Guards standing there. Scared, I stepped back.
But one spoke out:
"Stay where you are, I have a warrant for your arrest."
He paused and said sternly:
"In the name of the Imperial Legion and the Emperor, I place you under arrest for the murder of an Imperial officer."
And they grabbed me by my arms, dragging me out into the street and down the cold dirty road.
NOT QUITE THE END
Dantrag
Jun 22 2005, 12:41 AM
[quote=gamer10]What do you mean, when Niran is arrested at the end is just a flashback. That was why he was in jail at the beginning.[/quote]
Yeah, That does make more sense...lol.
treydog
Jun 22 2005, 03:14 PM
Will we ever discover how he came to "cause the deaths of three Imperial Legionnaires"? Or maybe that is in the RP and I haven't seen it.... :paperbag2:
Good writing, though, I hope we will see more of Niran.