Prologue

Ten Years Before The Oblivion Crisis

The Dark Elf ran up the long, ebony, spiral staircase. His shadowy hair flew by under his shining steel helmet. His ashen-gray skin was nearly invisible in the darkness of Fort Blackblood. His eyes were as red as his heart. Zalphon kicked open a door and saw a man dressed in ebony armor. His hair was long and gray, his eyes were a dark red, his skin was a pale gray. An Imperial Vampire. "Surrender, Vampire," The Dark Elven Knight barked. "Surrender and the Tribunal Temple will make your death private."

The Man snickered, "A Tribunalite dares challenge me, I am Sir Askarn Stormbringer, Knight of the Ebon Rose." The Dunmer ripped his silver blade out of the sheathe and frowned.

"It doesn't have to be this way, Vampire," He sighed. "I will kill you quickly if you just forfeit." The Imperial grinned wickedly, revealing his yellow fangs. His breath smelled of rotting flesh and suddenly he charged. The Dark Elf kneeled and put his towershield in front of him to protect himself. The sword cut into the shield, making a screeching noise.

With haste the Tribunalite jumped forth and thrusted into the chest of the Vampire. "I didn't want to hurt you, Blood-Drinker." The vampire fell to the ground and Zalphon muttered a fire spell. It burst into flame and turned to ash.

The Knight walked up the Ebony Stairs and at the top saw an old, Dunmer in Daedric Armor. In his hand he held a daedric longsword, that was lit by flame. In his other hand was a daedric tower shield. The Elder Dark Elf turned around and bowed deeply, "Greetings, Zalphon."

"Why do you greet me, Vampire?" He asked. "And how in the name of Vivec do you know who I am?" The Elderly Dunmer chuckled at that.

"I am no vampire, dear child. I am a Lich," He muttered. "And I know your name, and everything you've ever done and ever will do."

"What're you talking about," Zalphon demanded. "I can sense the lies in your tone." The lich put his gauntlet-covered hand up to his face and sighed deeply. After he chuckled for a moment.

"I don't lie, Zalphon. Do you?"

"Never."

"I do know your fate, Zalphon, after all I am you."

The Knight thrusted his blade into the Lich and then suddenly awoke. Sweat beaded down his forehead. He called out, "Quick-Strike, make me a kwama egg, get me a bottle of flin, and prepare a loaf of bread with scrib jelly. Get yourself some scrib jerky."

One thought rushed through his mind, "Was it just a dream." He ushered it out of his mind as he put on some pants and went down his stairs. He lived in Balmora, Vvardenfell District, Morrowind. The Argonian had light green scales and stood up like a normal humanoid. On the table was a limeware plate with a warmed kwama egg, a bottle of flin, and a loaf of bread with scrib jelly spread on it. The aroma was amazing, but Zalphon knew he'd need it.

With haste he ate it and headed for the Temple...

Yeah! Zalphon is Back! Now that's what I'm talkin' about !!!

Your writing has improved so much it's scary. Did you make a deal with a demon or something?

Very nice.

Verlox, you caught me! Hermaeus Mora and myself had a deal. I sold him my little sibling for the power of the quill. Apparently he likes my brother...

Well, it seems siblins ARE good for something.

"GAAAAK" * mALX suddenly grew large, muscular, turned green, and ripped shirt off * "Mustn't..."

Hey, wait a minute...I thought Clavicus Vile had the quill?

I always thought it was Dagon, personally. He's just so elegant and cultured.

I'm actually a Daedric Lord. Zalphon, Daedric Prince of Necromancy and Knowledge.

Yeah? Well, I am Verlox. The Destroyer of Fluffy Things and Drinker of Sweetened Cough Syrup. Cower before my might.

Anyway. Eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

Hey, wait a minute...Zalphon was a good guy when he visited my story...is he changing? Will we see him wreaking havoc now? (I may need to call him back in, lol)

And I still think it was Clavicus Vile, but I could very well be wr...wr...wr...

It was a joke, silly Malx.

Well, it's nice to see your character Zalphon on the loose again. Nicely done, Z!

Good dream sequence, that relates to other things from 'Zalphon lore'.

Perhaps it does, perhaps it doesn't. Zalphon is a Tribunalite. Weird stuff happens to the Tribunal Worshippers However it might be more, it might not. Also, let's not forget the old trio is getting back together again. Zalphon, Quick-Strike, and the lovable, huggable, insane khajiit we all know (and hopefully love) J'skooma!

This was very well-written and anyone named 'J'Skooma' is someone that I want to meet.

One of my favorite parts of Morrowind is taking a Dunmer character through the Tribunal Temple questline. As a Tribunalite I hope that Zalphon will have occasion in the future to elaborate on his faith and to show his audience just what it is about Vivec, Almalexia, and Sotha Sil that makes them such amazing characters.

You are mining deep and fertile ground, my friend.

Hey awesome. Zalphon is here too. Welcome !!

It is so cool to see that your zeal and enthusiasm will never be abated.
Long may Zalphon stand up to the hordes of darkness that prowl the lands!!!

J'skooma is a very interesting character. He is an amazingly powerful wizard (rivaling Lord Divayth Fyr himself), but so cursed by insanity (by Sheogorath) that he can never remember the right words, or when he does he is busy playing chess with the talking cheese next to him. He is my favorite character to write. In the middle of combat he'll laugh wildly at the joke the wall told him. You'll love J'skooma if you like the Shivering Isles.

And Winter Wolf, I'll never stop standing up to the darkness (but I may join if they have cookies!)

Good to see you writing again, your progress is staggering m8!
J'Skooma sounds a bit like that funny Feist character, what was his name again, the little old guy denying there is magic, saying it's all a little trick?

Chapter One: Faith

Zalphon slowly crept into the Temple in his formal clothing. A Dunmer in a green robe with a netchleather satchel at his side walked up and asked, "Who are you?" His voice was calm and inviting. However he looked rather annoyed.

"Sir Zalphon Broodikus, Curate of the Temple and Knight of Vivec," he stated. Suddenly the Dark Elf scooted out of the way and left the Knight room to walk. Slowly he paced forth and reached a triangular shrine to the Tribunal. He kneeled and prayed for several minutes...

Suddenly he had a vision. His sword slid into the flesh of Lord Vivec. He howled in agony, in pure anguish. The Deity punched back and shoved the Dunmer into the wall of his palace. Zalphon stood back up and charged at Vehk. He thrusted his mighty blade into the chest of Vivec. He whispered to the dying god, "This is the end, Vivec." Instantaneously it stopped. Cold sweat dripped down his forehead as he rushed to the Master of the Temple.

She was an elderly woman, and he was a young Dark Elf. He said, "M-M-Master, I've been having dreams, maybe even preminitions of myself doing horrible things." His voice quivered as he spoke. His eyes were wet at the thought of his punishment.

Master Hlaalu frowned and questioned, "Your faith is weak? Perhaps you should go on the Pilgrimage of the Seven Graces again, or actually... Lord Vivec, Lady Almalexia, and Lord Sotha Sil each have an item they lost. Vivec lost his sacred Ash-Mask, it is rumored to be somewhere in the Ashlands. Lady Almalexia lost her sacred sword, once wielded by Saint Nerevar. It is said to be in Cyrodiil. Lord Sotha Sil lost his mighty staff, and could be anywhere on Tamriel."

"The task shall be done, Master Hlaalu," Zalphon said as he walked out of the Temple. His mind was entangled with his task, his friends, his slave, and all others he knew. Waiting outside the Temple was a strange khajiit.

"I am J'skooma, a wizard, I know where you're going and I want to come with," It said. "My friend and I want to come."

"Who is your friend?"

"Mr. Scrib," He said as he looked at the ground. There was no scrib, or anything else.

"Go away, you Sheogorath Cultist," He grumbled as he walked back to his Manor.

Inside the Temple, Archcanon Saryoni walked over to Master Hlaalu. Saryoni asked, "Do you think he'll really succeed in finding the artifacts?"

"It doesn't matter, Archcanon," She responded. "If he finds them, then we'll send Morag Tong for stealing artifacts from the Temple, and if he fails, then we'll execute him for failure."

Saryoni frowned deeply, "And if he doesn't return?"

"He will, if I know Zalphon, he will..."

Holy Cow Zalphon, this was Awesome! You have made huge steps with this story - I am so glad I am getting to see them !!!!!!

nicely done.. I have only one remark, Nerevar was sainted after his death so I doubt Saint Nerevar wielded Trueflame or its legendary counterpart, whatsitsnameagain.
How about General Nerevar ? Or even Hortator?

I agree with Remko, nicely done. You are building some suspense here.

Morrowind is a fascinating area for me, though I have never played the game.

The more I read about it, the more fascinating it is for me. Now I have your version of something called the Tribunal Questline, and I'm hooked already.

Good work!

I used Saint, because he was sainted. I thought Saint was more of an honored title, especially amongst the Tribunal. And do you guys like the secrecy of the Temple against Zalphon. In Morrowind if you had weird dreams you had "soul sickness" AKA "insanity" they locked you up or killed you. They're sending him on a crazy quest, and he has to find the artifacts. If he returns, he'll be assassinated. I can't wait for the next part

Chapter Two: The Ashlands

Zalphon walked to his Manor. There his slave sat in a chair with his shackles off and he wore worn, leather boots. Old, faded, blue pants, and a tattered, gray shirt. At his side was an ebony dagger. "Master, I know of your goal, I want to help," Quick-Strike stated. "I am a fine assassin."

The Dunmer smiled weakly and stated, "I'll be fine, Sl--Quick-Strike." He reached into his chest and pulled out a suit of shining steel plate mail. Next to it was a steel longsword and a steel towershield. He donned it slowly. It was heavy, very heavy.

"This is the end, old friend," Zalphon said to the Argonian. "I'll miss you, Quick-Strike, find a life for yourself in the Thieves' Guild or House Hlaalu..." He walked out the door, ready to experience life. With haste, the armored knight walked into the Mages' Guild and handed the breton woman in the back room several gold.

"Ald'Ruhn," The Dunmer coldly said. "And thank you." Suddenly he closed his eyes and appeared in the Ald'Ruhn Guild Hall. It was filled with mages of all races. Argonians, Khajiit, Orcs, Imperials, even a Redguard! Zalphon waded through the crowd and opened the door.

For what felt like hours he walked towards Ghostgate. "The item is most likely in one of those old strongholds," The Tribunalite told himself. The ash blew in his face. It pelted his exposed skin and felt like fire. Rushing out of the ash was a Dunmer in chitin armor. He hit Zalphon in the side of the head and knocked him into unconsciousness...

The blackness surrounded him. When he awoke, he was in an Ashlander Yurt. By him was Quick-Strike and the very strange khajiit. "You took quite a blow," Quick-Strike stated. "Lucky I was there to save you." Zalphon tried to speak, but Quick-Strike quieted him. They would talk in the morning... For now they needed their rest. The Ashlands were a harsh place, and they needed to be alert.

"Sleep," Quick-Strike said. With a sense of obedience, Zalphon did as commanded. Tomorrow would be a long day, and he knew it...

So Quick-Strike and J'Skooma followed Zalphon anyway? I wonder what their angle is. (ex)Slaves and addled Khajiit mages don't usually rouse themselves to hunt down Temple artifacts.

Long story that I intend to reveal. Zalphon and Quick-Strike are very close, by the way. Quick-Strike loves Zalphon like a son. And J'skooma is a very "insane" guy.

Everybody loves Zalphon! He is my fave of all your characters! (and Raven of course)

Chapter Three: The Ash Mask

Quick-Strike awoke before the sun rose. He awoke J'skooma and whispered, "What shall we do with him, J'skooma?" The khajiit was half-asleep. His orange-fur was like a beacon in the darkness.

"Cheese is good, I love cheese, I hate cheese, do you love cheese? I hate you! I love you," He responded. The Argonian let out a deep sigh and hugged J'skooma. Quick-Strike pulled out a journal and wrote in it, "Sir Zalphon is asleep as I write this, but I fear for the worst. What if the Temple is trying to kill him? I guess I'll find out soon enough, when we find the Ash Mask. I predict it'll be in Red Mountain or in one of the strongholds." He put it back into his nix-hound skin backpack and rubbed his scaley hand across Zalphon's cheek.

The sun rose as Quick-Strike stood watch over Zalphon. The Argonian thought blissfully, "Your father was a great man, Dunmer. He owned me when I was a hatchling. You may be an orphan, but I promised to him as he lay in his death bed I would watch over you, I will keep my vow." The Dunmer awoke and stared at the argonian. With haste he stood up and donned his armor.

"To Falasmaryon," he commanded. Suddenly a bright, blue light surrounded them. J'skooma smiled as his tattered, gray robes lit up in the brilliance of the light. Quick-Strike gazed at the Khajiit and frowned. Suddenly they appeared in the Stronghold.

Zalphon surprisedly asked, "What was that?" The Khajiit chuckled and raised his hand. The darkness of the Stronghold was lit only by ancient sconces. Blood stained the floors. As they walked, they sought the mask, but what they found was death... Lots of corpses...

They reached a door where they heard ritualistic chanting. They kicked it open and their stood a robed lich. She had long, silver hair. Rotted, gray skin. And pallid, sunken eyes. She asked curiously, "Who are you?"

The Dunmer responded, "Your end, Necromancer." Before Quick-Strike could stop him, the Knight rushed in. The door slammed shut. They had a small keyhole to look through and it provided little information. They relied on sound. Screams were heard, loud screams... Suddenly the door clicked and opened. Zalphon reached into the robes of the lich and pulled out an ash mask.

"Vivec's," Zalphon stated with glee. He wrapped it in fine velvet and put it in his pack. Quick-Strike frowned, knowing that he had to learn from experience...

Woo Hoo Zalphon! Reaching into a Lich's robes and pulling out an ash mask? All I can say is... Woo Hoo! I could have used him on that last quest I did, the Lich was at least 20 foot high, it took forever to kill it! (mod). I may reload an old save, and this time I will just reach inside his robes and pull out his...er...mask. Just teasing - I am loving having you back on the same board with me again and getting to keep up with Zalphon !!!!!!!

This sounds like it could have come straight from the mouth of Sheogorath.

J'skooma was cursed by Sheogorath hundreds of years ago when he was a young mage. He wanted immortality, so he went to the Shivering Isles trying to kill Sheogorath and rip him of his power and immortality. Sheogorath laughed in his face and gave him his wish. But there was also a bad-part too. He was permenantly mad.

I've done that, I'll bet he found himself in a very high place and falling fast, lol.

Chapter Four: Secrets of J'skooma

Zalphon walked into the city of Balmora with his armor weathered by the ash. J'skooma followed behind, while Quick-Strike was around, but nowhere to be seen. The people of Balmora nodded at him and smiled. A Dunmeri Knight was a respected member of society.

He walked into the Temple and saw the Master waiting with two ordinators. One on each side. Zalphon pulled out the mask and handed it to her, "Master, here is the ash mask, I am still getting the other artifacts." The Dunmer bowed deeply to the Priestess.

"Guards, this man has stolen an artifact from the Temple and hidden it, have him executed," She said. With haste she turned around and walked up the stairs. The Ordinators drew their ebony maces and charged. The Khajiit muttered under his breath for a second and a pile of ash lay where the ordinators were.

"J'skooma kill them for you, Friend," He said to Zalphon. His voice was laced with empathy, kindness, and innocence. Like a child. They walked up the stairs and saw Quick-Strike with a dagger to the throat of the Master of the Temple.

His left hand held her stomach, his right had the dagger to her throat. He whispered to her, "This is the end, Betrayer of the Chosen." Suddenly blood spurted from her neck as she fell to the floor.

"J'skooma, Quick-Strike, what are we going to do," Zalphon asked as he looked at the Hlaalu Guards that were rushing to the Temple. Fear laced the Knight's voice. He was only in his early twenties and already on his way to his execution.

Bright, blue light surrounded each of them. The Dunmeri Knight stood there in an Ancient Wizard's Tower. He noticed there were no doors or windows, just black, dismal stone. In the center of the round room was a pedestal and on it, a black book that glowed with bright, blue light. "J'skooma," Zalphon thought. "I have to read this, it may be important."

With haste he ran up to it and pulled the cover to one side. It was written in bright, glowing, blue letters.

"3E 411, Seventeenth of Last Seed,

Zalphon, he is my son. My only son. I must protect him at all costs. I have found an Ancient Hourglass made by Akatosh. I will use it to go back in time and be granted immortality and power by destroying the weakest daedric prince, Sheogorath. Then I'll protect my son, I will always watch over him. I write this before I go back, with my very blood. My blood is more magick, than actual blood. Due to my many experiments with magicka this has happened. I've evolved past just being a Dunmer, I am more. I am more magick than mer. This is the end of my life as a mere wizard-lord. I will be a god, if not stronger! All for him, my only son. For now he is only an infant, but one day he'll be as mighty as an ogre and as smart as a Telvanni.

Lord Alu'Kar Broodikus, Telvanni Wizard-Lord."

"J'skooma is my father, but he died when I was just a baby... The Temple took me in and made me a member, this can't be," Zalphon screamed in his mind. "What lies are these, they can't be true!"

Instantaneously, he appeared in a tavern. J'skooma drank bubbling elixirs of his own. Quick-Strike drank fine, red wine. Zalphon felt his pack feel heavier. He opened it up, and there was the Journal of Lord Alu'Kar Broodikus, AKA J'skooma. The Dunmeri Knight ordered some honey mead and drank it slowly.

"What do we do now, Quick-Strike?" Zalphon asked inquisitively. "Do we become mercenaries?"

"We'll talk in the morning, Zalphon," was all the response the Argonian would give. The Assassin put down a bag of over-flowing gold coins. And motioned J'skooma and Zalphon to follow to their rooms. They would each sleep, but what would they do for a career? Become a sword for hire? A gladiator? They were all unsure, except Quick-Strike who was going to tell them both everything in the morning.

Is this where Zalphon becomes a Lich?

No, this is why the insane khajiit we all know and love follows Zalphon. And Quick-Strike was a loyal servant and friend of Lord Alu'kar. J'skooma knows Zalphon is his son, but he doesn't want to tell him.

ARGH! I have to go back and read your email again (the birth of Zalphon) !!!!!! I'm sorry, I was ill this morning - see what happens when I try and think while sick? ROFL !!!!

That was a different character. It was a portion of my novel, not TES

Chapter Five: The Amulet

Zalphon had nightmares of watching his father try to fight Sheogorath. The Telvanni Wizard-Lord being defeated by the Mad-God. The wrath of a Daedric Prince. He had never known what it was like to be loved. It felt good to know somebody cared about him.

He awoke in cold sweat, after watching his father plummet from high in the sky to the ground and his body being crushed by the force. It was early in the morning and very few people were in the Tavern. Zalphon went down and saw Quick-Strike. He wore a suit of black-leather armor. He also wore a black cloak with the hood up. He stood in a corner of the Tavern, his eyes scanning the room.

J'skooma was gone. Where, Zalphon didn't know. Quick-Strike walked over to Zalphon and whispered, "I have met up with a few old collegues of mine, but none of them had any work for us. We're enlisting in the Imperial Legion. Meet me in the Temple of the One in an hour."

Suddenly, the argonian sprinted off into the city. The Dunmer walked out and headed towards the Market District. Swarms of people surrounded him from every angle. Peddlers and vendors lined the roads. There were more people in this one district than there were cliffracers in all of Morrowind. He managed to go into a shop and there stood a man in robes. Black robes with red patterns. "What do you want?" The Shopkeeper asked. "I carry items for wizard-folk. But I may have something to help you."

"Shelter, and what is this one thing?" Zalphon responded. "A sword or some armor?" He was inquistive.

"An amulet," The Black-Robed Altmer said. "Wear it proudly." He put a strange-looking amulet around Zalphon's neck and dissapeared instaneously. The Amulet had a long, ebony chain. In the middle of the chain was a violet gem in the shape of a circle. It was surrounded by ebony.

He walked out and shoved it beneath his breastplate. When he walked out of the building, he turned around and there was just a wall. A standard, stone wall. It sent chills down his spine to wonder what was really there. But he remembered to go to the Temple of the One. With haste, Zalphon sprinted towards the Temple District through all the people.

After an hour of going through people, he reached it. J'skooma stood there, as did Quick-Strike. "Ready to enlist, friends?" Quick-Strike asked.

They each nodded and walked towards the Prison District...

Now this is what I'm talkin' 'bout !!!!! Great Job Zalphon !!!!

Quite a tangled web you are weaving, Zalphon. J'Skooma is Zalphon's father? Quick-Strike was servant to Lord Alu'Kar/J'Skooma? In that case, did Quick-Strike know that J'Skooma was Zalphon's father? Or did J'Skooma's madness hide his identity, even from his loyal trusted servant? I'm sure these questions will be answered as the story progresses, lead on.

Awesome adventure Zalphon. I would love to see you as the director of a TES movie. It would be one crazy affair.

I also love your sig.
Exile of the Beth forums 2010. Ha, fantastic!!!

Does real life go smoothly? No way, you have a bunch of different things going on. Realism is good, just in moderation.

I agree with Destri.. although I would call it somewhat chaotic. That's not necessarily a bad thing, I always have to read your posts twice to fully comprehend it. Which I gladly do!

Nice one Z!

Wait, J'Skooma is a Khajiit, and Zalphon is a Dunmer....oh, oh no, does not compute... * ZZZZZZ-POW - mALX's head exploded *

Chapter Six: Soldiers

They reached the Recruitment Officer. He wore a suit of Imperial Platemail armor, like that of other Imperial Guards. He wore no helmet and had thinning, gray hair. His eyes were light blue and his skin was lightly tanned. "What are you doing here?" He asked. "Potential recruits?" His eyes gleamed in the sconce-light as he sat behind his desk.

"Yes Sir," Zalphon stated hastily. "When do we start?" His voice was eager. The Amulet he wore began to glow faintly.

"You can start next month," The Recruiter answered. "You'll be members of the Dragonblood Legion." His lips turned into a grin as he something down.

"What are your names?" He asked.

"I'm Zalphon, the Argonian is Quick-Strike, and the khajiit is Al--J'skooma," he said as he walked out. The two friends of his stayed in. The Dunmer looked down at the Amulet and noticed the violet gem was glowing very faintly.

Quick-Strike and J'skooma came out soon after. The Argonian asked, "Why did you leave so quickly?"

Zalphon retorted, "Why didn't you tell me J'skooma was my father!" Hatred filled his voice. The Amulet glowed slightly brighter. "Why, Quick-Strike? Why?"

"He told me if you failed not to tell you, so he wouldn't make you feel bad about having a freak for a father," Quick-Strike reluctantly stated. "I've known since the event, J'sk--Lord Alu'Kar and I were best friends, I served him as his personal assassin. Eliminating liches and rogue wizards throughout the lands. He didn't want to embarass you."

J'skooma said into thin air, "Scribs, why are we talking about scribs? You like scribs, I hate you!"

Zalphon pulled out his blade and hissed at Quick-Strike, "Kill me, Akatosh curse you!"

Quick-Strike pulled out his ebony short-sword and the ebony dagger. Zalphon slashed at Quick-Strike, but he parried. Quick-Strike thrusted, but Zalphon used his shield. The Amulet was glowing even brighter with it's black light. Zalphon tried to impale his friend and a second away from succeeding, time stopped.

J'skooma walked over to Zalphon and put the sword back in the sheathe. And unfroze time. Zalphon panicked as he knew that he was at the mercy of Quick-Strike. "Don't ever try to harm me again, Zalphon," Quick-Strike barked. "I've watched over you since you were an infant. Don't ever do it again..."

Zalphon nodded and the amulet's light extinguished. He pulled out the amulet and gently caressed it. It gave him strength, clarity of mind, agility, wisdom, a silver tongue, and everything else he'd ever need. But what he didn't know was as time went on it slowly darkened his soul. Zalphon shoved it back under his armor.

They headed for the King and Queen Inn. For the next week, they would rest, soon they'd be soldiers of the Legion...

Zalphon, you did an AWESOME job with a very emotionally charged scene! That may be the best I have ever seen you write, and emotional scenes are so hard to do, but you nailed it!

Ooooo, ominous! We should all be blessed with guardians like Quick-Strike and Al- J'Skooma at our back.

Chapter Seven: The Boat to Skyrim

Zalphon stood in his Imperial Platemail. At his belt in a sheathe was a silver longsword, and attached to his left arm was an Imperial kite-shield. To the right of him stood Battle-Mage J'skooma. He wore a similar uniform, but instead of a helmet he had an azure hood. To his left was Assassin Quick-Strike. He wore black clothing and at his belt was a silver shortsword and a silver dagger. They were in the Prison District. "You are being sent to Skyrim," The Captain barked. "It will be cold, icy cold. There is much work that needs to be done in the North. Rumors of necromancers spread freely in Winterhold. Missing people, we suspect vampires. And worse, a band of nords have started uprising against Imperial Rule. Head to the Waterfront and board the ship."

They obeyed dilligently and started marching to the ship. Zalphon looked to his companions and whispered, "I'm looking forward to Skyrim, the cold, the war, the despair." Glee was in his voice. The Amulet glowed faintly under his armor.

"I am disturbed by your actions lately," Quick-Strike responded. "You seem a bit more blood-thirsty than I've ever seen you."

They reached the boat and got in. It was a large, wooden boat. Huge sails were on the deck, but they headed down to the lower areas of the boat. There were beds, supplies, and in the shadows something humanoid. Quick-Strike drew his short-sword and stepped closer. In the corner was a dark elf with a scar on his left eye. He wore raggedy clothing and asked, "What is your name?"

"Qui--" Quick-Strike managed to say, but was interrupted by Zalphon. "Zalphon Broodikus, Corporal of the Imperial Legion." The Dunmer with the scar snickered.

"The name is Jiub, I warn you now, beware of the amulet, young Zalphon. Beware," he muttered. Quick-Strike and J'skooma both rose a brow. Then when they looked back at Jiub he was gone.

"What, the amulet is mine, and only mine," The Dunmeri Corporal hissed. "You can't touch it!"

Quick-Strike sighed. "I will have that amulet and hopefully J'skooma can examine it," the Argonian thought.

I always wondered what happened to Jiub after the boat drops the main character off in Morrowind. And now you have me curious about this amulet. I am eager to see what happens next.

Yes! I agree with Destri - This story has to be one of your best yet!