Chapter 5: Stranger
Next time was roughly four hours later. The first sign of people was some heavy shouting punctuated by the clash of steel. I sighed as I realized the kind of situation I’d walked into. No matter what year it was, there would always be people trying to kill other people. I broke into a jog so I could approach the tangled group faster.
What I saw made my heart skip a beat. A High Elf woman stood with her back pressed against a tree, while a man of the same race fended off the assault of three Redguards with a simple wooden staff with steel tips more suited as a walking aid than for combat. Or at least, he tried to fend them off. Already he was bleeding from over a dozen wounds. Their nature confirmed what I could already see simply from the swordsmen’s movements. They were playing with him, like a Nix-Hound with a Scrib. I had seen scenes like this before. But never were the culprits Redguards. It went against our honour. Just why would they disgrace themselves by hounding a defenceless couple of elderly people? And again the apparent refusal to simply blast them to kingdom come amazed me. I mean, aren’t pyrotechnics the High Elf’s specialty?
My jog sped up into a sprint. I came closer, close enough to hear the words of my kin. They spoke something that felt similar to a Hammerfellian dialect. An older version perhaps? I also noticed that they all wore the same clothing, as if it was some kind of uniform. A chainmail shirt, brown pants with leather boots. A red sash. I was now close enough to call to them and be heard over the clanging of steel.
,,Hey, what’s going on here?!” I shouted, using the modern version of their language. With a bit of luck, at least the Redguards would comprehend me.
One of them broke off, the other two continued their game. I relaxed a bit. The guy who stopped behaved with the air of a leader. They wouldn’t dare to kill the old man out of fear of robbing him of his pleasures.
,,Ah, friend. It is as simple as you see. We are fighting the point-ears, as our contract says.” He spoke, spitting on the dirt at his feet. He had a dark stubble lining his cheeks and enough wrinkles to be considered thirty. I skidded to a halt two steps away. I’d just ran a threehundred metre sprint, but I was as fresh as if I’d walked that distance. From his words, I could make out he’d been able to understand my words.
,,What contract?” I asked bluntly.
,,Why, the contract with the Empire of course. This land, Resdayn. It shall be ours from that tree till the creek over there. As soon as the war ends and this land has been conquered for the Emperor. Where are you from? I don’t know your dialect. Learn some manners, you’re talking to a captain. What’s your name, kid?” The man replied and spat again, this time hitting the tip of my left boot. I deliberately ignored his attempt to anger me, even though I was becoming more annoyed by the second.
,,Morrowind. And my name is Luper Alkad. Perhaps you’ve heard of me?” I answered, still in the same blunt tone.
Now his sword went up into the air.
,,I said, learn some manners! I’m a captain in the Imperial legions!” He hollered.
,,If you don’t learn some manners, my men and I will gut you! We’re the best swordfighters in the land!” He added and then fell silent. I’d reached for the hilt of my own sword at his movement. He gestured with his free hand and the other two Redguards stopped their game to stand at their master’s side. The High Elven couple backed away, the man supported by the woman.
,,I see, you’re with them! You’re a spy for the pointears. No wonder you don’t have any respect!”
I looked at the three for a moment and then my hand dropped back to my side, leaving the Ebony saber in its sheath. The Redguards took this as their cue to laugh and spit at my feet in unison.
,,Ha, coward! You don’t dare to draw your sword and fight us? You lack the bravery to face death? Fine then, run! We’ll cut you down from behind, as befits a coward!” The leader taunted. I let out an extremely bored sigh.
,,As befits a honourless bully, you can’t back up your words with deeds. I haven’t fought Redguards in a while. Bad news, eh?” I then quipped, which caused more laughter and more shoespitting. Oh, they’d better clean up my boots later.
,,Yes, you don’t hold the skills to fight us with your sword! That’s why you haven’t drawn. You’re begging for mercy.”
I smirked, which took away some of their false courage.
,,Bad news for you. You see, lately I’ve only been fighting immortal gods, demons, untouchable assassins and elite of the elite bodyguards of gods. And I’ve been defeating each and every one of them. Simply put, you’re so far below my skills, any attempt at swordplay is an utter waste of my time.” I gloated and promptly used a trio of firelances to melt down their swords to three steaming puddles. The smirk vanished and my sword flew from its sheath faster than they could blink.
,,And this is how I deal with those who taint Redguard honour.” I snarled, disembowelling them all in a single stroke. I left them there on the ground, bleeding their lives away.
I scraped the spit off my shoes against a nearby rock. I refused to touch them in any way. I then turned to the two High Elves. The men pulled himself free from his wife’s grasp, I think they were married. He raised his quivering staff against me.
,,I’ll not let you lay a finger on my wife as long as I life.” He said. Bingo, married. I was however surprised to hear him speak in the exact same language as the Redguards. I took a better look at him as I resheathed my sword. A simple robe, a pouch with a sheet of paper dangling out, a quill tied to the side of his hat, several vials of ink tied to his belt. A scholar of languages? Why not?
,,Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you, I promise.” I vowed. I then remembered the allegiance the dying scum had claimed.
,,In fact, I’m not even involved with the Empire. Look, let me demonstrate where I stand.” I added and cast a simple healing spell on him which took care of those cuts in a moment. Too bad I couldn’t sew his robe the same way.
The man instantly brought his staff into a position where he could lean on it. That still didn’t change the way he looked at me though.
,,Why did you do that?” He asked in a deliberately neutral tone. No gestures or pointing fingers were needed. I knew he was referring to the little scuffle I had with those Redguards.
,,They attacked you. I don’t tolerate people who try to kill those who cannot defend themselves.” I replied evenly. The man’s answer was rather odd.
,,Then do you tolerate yourself?”
He didn’t wait for me to say anything before he pressed on.
,,They are unarmed and untrained in the art of the mind. Yet still you struck them down without any hesitation and there they lie now, bleeding to a tortuous death. So I repeat, do you tolerate yourself?” Unarmed, and I struck them down. I told myself they were evil, but was there really any difference? Dagoth Ur, was he evil? Most people would say so but from his point of view, he was on the side of good, no matter how twisted it might seem. I killed Dagoth Ur, but why? Simply because a false god and a true goddess had told me to do it, which instantly made me seem less like a hero or good person. The time of killing had come to an end, yet I did not stop. I killed because I didn’t know better and justified it somehow. They killed because they didn’t know better and justified it themselves. Was I really any less evil than they were?
To put it more simply, I didn’t tolerate them because they attacked a man who couldn’t defend himself or his wife. And what did I do? I destroyed their swords so they couldn’t defend themselves and then struck them down. Like cattle. How was I any different?
Without a word, I turned and emptied my Magicka reserves into the three Redguards. Entrails crawled back to where they should be and the wounds healed, leaving only three clean scars as a reminder. Their mouths hung open in dazed confusion.
,,Go, before I change my mind.” Was all I said to them. A cloud of kicked up dust at the horizon was the last thing I saw of them. I then turned back to the Elf.
,,I guess I don’t tolerate myself. Just tell me what year it is and where I am. I’ll leave you alone after then.”
The High Elf muttered something to himself which was probably along the lines of ‘why doesn’t he know what year it is’.
,,The year is 2920, and you are just west of Mournhold, home to the Tribunal, praise Their names, ALMNEVI.” At the mention of the tribunal, his eyes shone with devotion. I noticed but was more hooked up in the details. 2920, I was sure I’d read that date on the cover of a book. Wasn’t it the one where an Akaviri became emperor of Cyrodiil or something? And what about ALMNEVI, wasn’t it supposed to be ALMSIVI?
,,Sorry for busting a promise about going away within the first ten seconds, but what does ALMNEVI stand for?” I asked the scholar.
,,Why, the names of our gods of course. Almalexia, Nerevar and Vivec.” His wife answered for him.
I must have made a really dumb expression, for she then shook her head in pity.
,,Ah, you’re an outlander. Allow me to explain. Almalexia is our Queen-mother, who cares for the people. Vivec is the great poet and scholar, as well as my husband’s patron deity. Nerevar, He leads our warriors into battle. If you ever see a man in golden armour, wielding a sword of fire, run. No one has ever stood against Him and been victorious or even survived.” She then added, which in turn told me nothing I didn’t know already except for two very critical facts.
One, Nerevar had not died at Red Mountain but was very alive. Two, Vivec would later add Nerevar’s role to his own after the Tribunal betrayed him. But, Nerevar was one of the Tribunal? It so completely turned history upside down, I had no footing left to compensate. I mumbled an indistinct farewell and then took off, heading east. I had only one foothold left. The Tribunal betrayed Nerevar. How, and when, that was what I had to find out somehow. If Nerevar was alive, then what was Sotha Sil’s role, and what was Dagoth Ur’s? I would have to find out, somehow.
I skidded to a halt as another thought struck me. I had been created to replace Nerevar. But if Nerevar lived, there would be no need for me. I would never exist? If he lived, would this mean I would just poof into nothingness? I shook my head to clear the mental fog.
,,I’m Telvanni! Temporal paradoxes be damned! It’s not as if my youth was so good. If I’m never born, my folks won’t have to die at the Empire’s corrupt justice! I’ll just warn Nerevar about the betrayal and see how history pans out. In the meantime, I have to find this dragonfire meeting.” I began to argue with myself.
,,Think, where could Nerevar be? He was, or rather, is Almalexia’s boyfriend. He’s also at the head of the armies. Almalexia has a big palace in Mournhold in the third era. So if anyone knows where to find him, it’s her and she’s probably in Mournhold. Not to mention the scholars who can bring me up to speed about the current procedures for Daedra summoning. Ok, plan made. Time to get moving.”
I’d completely forgotten about the war going on. The guards at the gates of Mournhold were more than eager to remind me however.
,,Redguard! Surrender immediately!” The one on my left shouted while the one on the right moved to flank me. A few dozen archers on the walls readied their bows. Two swordsmen and forty-something archers against one person? Wasn’t that overkill? Overkill if done against a normal Redguard, I mean. As it was, none of it managed to really intimidate me.
,,Isn’t it a bit early to talk about surrendering? I haven’t even drawn a sword.” I called back.
,,Don’t try to use diplomacy on me, man. I know your kind.” The guard who’d spoken first replied. I decided he was a captain of sorts, based on the red scarf he wore around his neck. Another pair of guards ran out of a small watchbuilding to join the two and finish the encirclement. Whether he liked diplomacy or not, I was going to try. It would be much easier to get an audience with Almalexia if I didn’t smear her city red with the blood of her soldiers. And since this was the past, I decided not to use my own name. That way, if I screwed up and left a goddess with a grudge, at least she wouldn’t come after Luper Alkad in the third era.
,,I doubt you know anything about my kind. Allow me to introduce myself. I am…Caius Cosades, A pilgrim from….I doubt it matters. Anyway, a small village located off the coast of Summerset.”
Four swords kept pointing at me.
,,Anyone can bring up a fancy story. Now unbuckle your swordbelt and kick it across the ground towards me. Don’t do any fancy moves, or you’ll regret it!” The captain snarled. I sighed. Talk about stubborn. I could say anything I want and it would just fuel his paranoia.
,,I’m only here to pay tribute to ALMNEVI. I have no intention whatsoever of kicking you straight over the wall and into Almalexia’s thrice-blessed toilet.” I shut up and gave myself a mental kick to the head. Great, I’d done it again. I’d let myself get carried away in my anger and had turned my brilliant diplomatic manoeuvre into the biggest insult I could make.
,,What did you say?! Men! A…..”
The time for talking had come to an end. Only bloodshed could solve this now. Only bloodshed…..or a spell which suddenly popped to the forefront of my mind. It was a spell that manipulated a person’s mind. Felissa had taught a simple version of it to me so I could keep my nonexistent slaves under control. I took that crude matrix and crafted into a larger form that took hold of all four swordwielders simultaneously. I couldn’t reach the archers up on the wall, but they were out of earshot anyway.
,,Sheathe your blades!” I ordered.
All four did as I told and I couldn’t hold back a smirk.
,,Now, good captain. What is needed for me to be allowed to enter your city without encountering any problems from your colleagues on the streets?” I asked as I nearly burst into maniacal laughter.
,,Normal protocol requires you to give up any tools of war for the duration of your stay. I can however sign some papers that will give you permission to go wherever you please, while maintaining posession of your items.” The man, yet another High Elf, answered. We then walked to the watchbuilding, flanked by his companions. A quick gesture at the walls made all the arrows vanish. Good.
Strange, I had only seen High Elves today, excluding those three Redguards. Of course, now I realized. Azura had punished a golden-skinned race called the Chimer. The punishment had occurred directly after the battle at Red Mountain. But if Nerevar was still alive now, then that punishment could have been postponed as well. It would also explain the lack of Destruction.
Several hours later, and many important looking documents richer, I finally entered Mournhold. I still carried the Ebony saber, I still wore my armour, I now had a lovely green scarf with the sign of ALMNEVI woven into its fabric, identifying me as a follower of ALMNEVI, and best of all, I hadn’t hurt anyone.
My plans were simple, but their execution wasn’t. All I needed to do was to meet Almalexia, make her tell me where Nerevar was, then hike over to him and convince him that his gal is shacking up with Vivec and that they’re planning to kill him. Simple, but how to actually do it? I’d already decided to get face-to-face with the goddess without decimating her entire city full with fanatic worshippers. This however, brought a new problem to the foreground. I remembered that it had been awfully hard to get to Vivec. I had to disguise myself as an Ordinator first for that. No Ordinators here however, and gold-coloured skin is a lot harder to duplicate than ash-coloured skin. Not to mention more expensive. There was simply no chance whatsoever that they would permit a stranger, who was a member of a hostile race, to meet their queen. Then how should I continue?
The war, that was the key. One of the quickest ways to achieve the full trust of someone high up, was by turning spy. Was I willing to betray my own people? I thought about it and then shrugged. It didn’t matter anyway. As far as I was concerned, there was no such thing as ‘my people’. Only friends, neutrals and enemies. None of my friends had even been born yet, so I could scratch that part from my list. That left my loyalties completely free to do whatever I wished. Alright, spy it would be. It would be hard perhaps, but I would manage somehow. Now I suddenly felt myself wishing that I’d actually done some real spy-work while under good old Skooma-head’s wing. Caius had been a nice spymaster, for an Imperial Blade, who knew how to handle me. But as a result, I’d only done some public questioning on subjects any tourist would likely bring up. And after he left, I’d been anything but subtle while going about my business. Nope, I wasn’t much of a spy, despite my semi-official title as one.
The skyline of Mournhold was dominated by two buildings. One had many intricate spires and banners emblazoned with ALMNEVI. This was the temple and palace of Almalexia. The other was darker, less elegant. I figured that this was the castle. To get to Almalexia, I could go there and get the ear of the current ruler. I made my choice and strutted towards the castle. It was no surprise that the guards at the gates tried to stop me. Believer or not, I was still a Redguard and no one had great love for that detail. Not now anyway. Not later either.
,,Halt! State your business, man!” Again it was a man with a red scarf who was in charge here. I slipped into a short silence as I figured out how to reply. Blurting out more insults didn’t seem like a funny thing to do. If I had to resort to mindgripping everyone I came across, I would go nuts.
,,Business, you ask? Well, I am sure you can ask your lord all about my business and he might even tell you. But are you willing to lose your tongue?” I said slyly with what looked like an all-knowing grin. The captain stiffened visibly.
,,I asked for your intentions. If you don’t answer me, you will see the power of Mournhold’s guard. Even you dark-skinned demons fear us.” He boasted, very agitated. I flicked a finger in the rough direction of the west.
,,Perhaps some of my less-skilled kin fear you. Perhaps. But know this, my good captain. Battles aren’t only fought by muscle and steel, especially if the muscle is somewhat lacking.” I told him, then moved that same finger to tap my forehead.
,,Know what I mean?” I asked, demonstratively moving to pass him even before he had answered.
,,I see. Pass. You have our silence.” He conceded with an utter show of disgust. Ah well, no one likes a spy, not even those who hire them. Trust? Yes, if proven. Like? Never.
Inside, I was met with looks of disdain all over. The Chimer might not look like it in colour, in spirit they were Dunmer through and through. I was surprised no one called me an outlander. It was also somewhat surprising that no one tried to stop me. Apparently they put great trust in the guards at the gates. Misplaced trust. No one worth his salt should have caved in that quick. What if I wasn’t a spy? He would be the laughingstock of the century. Wait a minute, I wasn’t, I was only pretending to be one! I had to bite down on my tongue to keep from laughing and fall out of my role.
The only ones who came even close to slowing me down were the guards standing at each side of the doors leading to the throneroom. They didn’t speak or make any overly obvious gestures, apart from the halberds crossed before me. They only glanced at my sword which got the point across. With a sigh of resignation, I unbuckled the swordbelt and put it in a basket. I could understand the need to keep swords away from their lord, but it still got on my nerves. The halberds rose.
,,Don’t lose it, fellas. Last time I came here, it got stolen and boy, was I pissed!” I quipped. The joking tone was only to take the sting out of my words. I was completely serious at this point. Though I had to give them points for how they carried themselves. Professional, yet not downright rude like Helseth’s thieving captain. Man, it made me realize how far their successors would fall.
On to the next chapter
Next time was roughly four hours later. The first sign of people was some heavy shouting punctuated by the clash of steel. I sighed as I realized the kind of situation I’d walked into. No matter what year it was, there would always be people trying to kill other people. I broke into a jog so I could approach the tangled group faster.
What I saw made my heart skip a beat. A High Elf woman stood with her back pressed against a tree, while a man of the same race fended off the assault of three Redguards with a simple wooden staff with steel tips more suited as a walking aid than for combat. Or at least, he tried to fend them off. Already he was bleeding from over a dozen wounds. Their nature confirmed what I could already see simply from the swordsmen’s movements. They were playing with him, like a Nix-Hound with a Scrib. I had seen scenes like this before. But never were the culprits Redguards. It went against our honour. Just why would they disgrace themselves by hounding a defenceless couple of elderly people? And again the apparent refusal to simply blast them to kingdom come amazed me. I mean, aren’t pyrotechnics the High Elf’s specialty?
My jog sped up into a sprint. I came closer, close enough to hear the words of my kin. They spoke something that felt similar to a Hammerfellian dialect. An older version perhaps? I also noticed that they all wore the same clothing, as if it was some kind of uniform. A chainmail shirt, brown pants with leather boots. A red sash. I was now close enough to call to them and be heard over the clanging of steel.
,,Hey, what’s going on here?!” I shouted, using the modern version of their language. With a bit of luck, at least the Redguards would comprehend me.
One of them broke off, the other two continued their game. I relaxed a bit. The guy who stopped behaved with the air of a leader. They wouldn’t dare to kill the old man out of fear of robbing him of his pleasures.
,,Ah, friend. It is as simple as you see. We are fighting the point-ears, as our contract says.” He spoke, spitting on the dirt at his feet. He had a dark stubble lining his cheeks and enough wrinkles to be considered thirty. I skidded to a halt two steps away. I’d just ran a threehundred metre sprint, but I was as fresh as if I’d walked that distance. From his words, I could make out he’d been able to understand my words.
,,What contract?” I asked bluntly.
,,Why, the contract with the Empire of course. This land, Resdayn. It shall be ours from that tree till the creek over there. As soon as the war ends and this land has been conquered for the Emperor. Where are you from? I don’t know your dialect. Learn some manners, you’re talking to a captain. What’s your name, kid?” The man replied and spat again, this time hitting the tip of my left boot. I deliberately ignored his attempt to anger me, even though I was becoming more annoyed by the second.
,,Morrowind. And my name is Luper Alkad. Perhaps you’ve heard of me?” I answered, still in the same blunt tone.
Now his sword went up into the air.
,,I said, learn some manners! I’m a captain in the Imperial legions!” He hollered.
,,If you don’t learn some manners, my men and I will gut you! We’re the best swordfighters in the land!” He added and then fell silent. I’d reached for the hilt of my own sword at his movement. He gestured with his free hand and the other two Redguards stopped their game to stand at their master’s side. The High Elven couple backed away, the man supported by the woman.
,,I see, you’re with them! You’re a spy for the pointears. No wonder you don’t have any respect!”
I looked at the three for a moment and then my hand dropped back to my side, leaving the Ebony saber in its sheath. The Redguards took this as their cue to laugh and spit at my feet in unison.
,,Ha, coward! You don’t dare to draw your sword and fight us? You lack the bravery to face death? Fine then, run! We’ll cut you down from behind, as befits a coward!” The leader taunted. I let out an extremely bored sigh.
,,As befits a honourless bully, you can’t back up your words with deeds. I haven’t fought Redguards in a while. Bad news, eh?” I then quipped, which caused more laughter and more shoespitting. Oh, they’d better clean up my boots later.
,,Yes, you don’t hold the skills to fight us with your sword! That’s why you haven’t drawn. You’re begging for mercy.”
I smirked, which took away some of their false courage.
,,Bad news for you. You see, lately I’ve only been fighting immortal gods, demons, untouchable assassins and elite of the elite bodyguards of gods. And I’ve been defeating each and every one of them. Simply put, you’re so far below my skills, any attempt at swordplay is an utter waste of my time.” I gloated and promptly used a trio of firelances to melt down their swords to three steaming puddles. The smirk vanished and my sword flew from its sheath faster than they could blink.
,,And this is how I deal with those who taint Redguard honour.” I snarled, disembowelling them all in a single stroke. I left them there on the ground, bleeding their lives away.
I scraped the spit off my shoes against a nearby rock. I refused to touch them in any way. I then turned to the two High Elves. The men pulled himself free from his wife’s grasp, I think they were married. He raised his quivering staff against me.
,,I’ll not let you lay a finger on my wife as long as I life.” He said. Bingo, married. I was however surprised to hear him speak in the exact same language as the Redguards. I took a better look at him as I resheathed my sword. A simple robe, a pouch with a sheet of paper dangling out, a quill tied to the side of his hat, several vials of ink tied to his belt. A scholar of languages? Why not?
,,Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you, I promise.” I vowed. I then remembered the allegiance the dying scum had claimed.
,,In fact, I’m not even involved with the Empire. Look, let me demonstrate where I stand.” I added and cast a simple healing spell on him which took care of those cuts in a moment. Too bad I couldn’t sew his robe the same way.
The man instantly brought his staff into a position where he could lean on it. That still didn’t change the way he looked at me though.
,,Why did you do that?” He asked in a deliberately neutral tone. No gestures or pointing fingers were needed. I knew he was referring to the little scuffle I had with those Redguards.
,,They attacked you. I don’t tolerate people who try to kill those who cannot defend themselves.” I replied evenly. The man’s answer was rather odd.
,,Then do you tolerate yourself?”
He didn’t wait for me to say anything before he pressed on.
,,They are unarmed and untrained in the art of the mind. Yet still you struck them down without any hesitation and there they lie now, bleeding to a tortuous death. So I repeat, do you tolerate yourself?” Unarmed, and I struck them down. I told myself they were evil, but was there really any difference? Dagoth Ur, was he evil? Most people would say so but from his point of view, he was on the side of good, no matter how twisted it might seem. I killed Dagoth Ur, but why? Simply because a false god and a true goddess had told me to do it, which instantly made me seem less like a hero or good person. The time of killing had come to an end, yet I did not stop. I killed because I didn’t know better and justified it somehow. They killed because they didn’t know better and justified it themselves. Was I really any less evil than they were?
To put it more simply, I didn’t tolerate them because they attacked a man who couldn’t defend himself or his wife. And what did I do? I destroyed their swords so they couldn’t defend themselves and then struck them down. Like cattle. How was I any different?
Without a word, I turned and emptied my Magicka reserves into the three Redguards. Entrails crawled back to where they should be and the wounds healed, leaving only three clean scars as a reminder. Their mouths hung open in dazed confusion.
,,Go, before I change my mind.” Was all I said to them. A cloud of kicked up dust at the horizon was the last thing I saw of them. I then turned back to the Elf.
,,I guess I don’t tolerate myself. Just tell me what year it is and where I am. I’ll leave you alone after then.”
The High Elf muttered something to himself which was probably along the lines of ‘why doesn’t he know what year it is’.
,,The year is 2920, and you are just west of Mournhold, home to the Tribunal, praise Their names, ALMNEVI.” At the mention of the tribunal, his eyes shone with devotion. I noticed but was more hooked up in the details. 2920, I was sure I’d read that date on the cover of a book. Wasn’t it the one where an Akaviri became emperor of Cyrodiil or something? And what about ALMNEVI, wasn’t it supposed to be ALMSIVI?
,,Sorry for busting a promise about going away within the first ten seconds, but what does ALMNEVI stand for?” I asked the scholar.
,,Why, the names of our gods of course. Almalexia, Nerevar and Vivec.” His wife answered for him.
I must have made a really dumb expression, for she then shook her head in pity.
,,Ah, you’re an outlander. Allow me to explain. Almalexia is our Queen-mother, who cares for the people. Vivec is the great poet and scholar, as well as my husband’s patron deity. Nerevar, He leads our warriors into battle. If you ever see a man in golden armour, wielding a sword of fire, run. No one has ever stood against Him and been victorious or even survived.” She then added, which in turn told me nothing I didn’t know already except for two very critical facts.
One, Nerevar had not died at Red Mountain but was very alive. Two, Vivec would later add Nerevar’s role to his own after the Tribunal betrayed him. But, Nerevar was one of the Tribunal? It so completely turned history upside down, I had no footing left to compensate. I mumbled an indistinct farewell and then took off, heading east. I had only one foothold left. The Tribunal betrayed Nerevar. How, and when, that was what I had to find out somehow. If Nerevar was alive, then what was Sotha Sil’s role, and what was Dagoth Ur’s? I would have to find out, somehow.
I skidded to a halt as another thought struck me. I had been created to replace Nerevar. But if Nerevar lived, there would be no need for me. I would never exist? If he lived, would this mean I would just poof into nothingness? I shook my head to clear the mental fog.
,,I’m Telvanni! Temporal paradoxes be damned! It’s not as if my youth was so good. If I’m never born, my folks won’t have to die at the Empire’s corrupt justice! I’ll just warn Nerevar about the betrayal and see how history pans out. In the meantime, I have to find this dragonfire meeting.” I began to argue with myself.
,,Think, where could Nerevar be? He was, or rather, is Almalexia’s boyfriend. He’s also at the head of the armies. Almalexia has a big palace in Mournhold in the third era. So if anyone knows where to find him, it’s her and she’s probably in Mournhold. Not to mention the scholars who can bring me up to speed about the current procedures for Daedra summoning. Ok, plan made. Time to get moving.”
I’d completely forgotten about the war going on. The guards at the gates of Mournhold were more than eager to remind me however.
,,Redguard! Surrender immediately!” The one on my left shouted while the one on the right moved to flank me. A few dozen archers on the walls readied their bows. Two swordsmen and forty-something archers against one person? Wasn’t that overkill? Overkill if done against a normal Redguard, I mean. As it was, none of it managed to really intimidate me.
,,Isn’t it a bit early to talk about surrendering? I haven’t even drawn a sword.” I called back.
,,Don’t try to use diplomacy on me, man. I know your kind.” The guard who’d spoken first replied. I decided he was a captain of sorts, based on the red scarf he wore around his neck. Another pair of guards ran out of a small watchbuilding to join the two and finish the encirclement. Whether he liked diplomacy or not, I was going to try. It would be much easier to get an audience with Almalexia if I didn’t smear her city red with the blood of her soldiers. And since this was the past, I decided not to use my own name. That way, if I screwed up and left a goddess with a grudge, at least she wouldn’t come after Luper Alkad in the third era.
,,I doubt you know anything about my kind. Allow me to introduce myself. I am…Caius Cosades, A pilgrim from….I doubt it matters. Anyway, a small village located off the coast of Summerset.”
Four swords kept pointing at me.
,,Anyone can bring up a fancy story. Now unbuckle your swordbelt and kick it across the ground towards me. Don’t do any fancy moves, or you’ll regret it!” The captain snarled. I sighed. Talk about stubborn. I could say anything I want and it would just fuel his paranoia.
,,I’m only here to pay tribute to ALMNEVI. I have no intention whatsoever of kicking you straight over the wall and into Almalexia’s thrice-blessed toilet.” I shut up and gave myself a mental kick to the head. Great, I’d done it again. I’d let myself get carried away in my anger and had turned my brilliant diplomatic manoeuvre into the biggest insult I could make.
,,What did you say?! Men! A…..”
The time for talking had come to an end. Only bloodshed could solve this now. Only bloodshed…..or a spell which suddenly popped to the forefront of my mind. It was a spell that manipulated a person’s mind. Felissa had taught a simple version of it to me so I could keep my nonexistent slaves under control. I took that crude matrix and crafted into a larger form that took hold of all four swordwielders simultaneously. I couldn’t reach the archers up on the wall, but they were out of earshot anyway.
,,Sheathe your blades!” I ordered.
All four did as I told and I couldn’t hold back a smirk.
,,Now, good captain. What is needed for me to be allowed to enter your city without encountering any problems from your colleagues on the streets?” I asked as I nearly burst into maniacal laughter.
,,Normal protocol requires you to give up any tools of war for the duration of your stay. I can however sign some papers that will give you permission to go wherever you please, while maintaining posession of your items.” The man, yet another High Elf, answered. We then walked to the watchbuilding, flanked by his companions. A quick gesture at the walls made all the arrows vanish. Good.
Strange, I had only seen High Elves today, excluding those three Redguards. Of course, now I realized. Azura had punished a golden-skinned race called the Chimer. The punishment had occurred directly after the battle at Red Mountain. But if Nerevar was still alive now, then that punishment could have been postponed as well. It would also explain the lack of Destruction.
Several hours later, and many important looking documents richer, I finally entered Mournhold. I still carried the Ebony saber, I still wore my armour, I now had a lovely green scarf with the sign of ALMNEVI woven into its fabric, identifying me as a follower of ALMNEVI, and best of all, I hadn’t hurt anyone.
My plans were simple, but their execution wasn’t. All I needed to do was to meet Almalexia, make her tell me where Nerevar was, then hike over to him and convince him that his gal is shacking up with Vivec and that they’re planning to kill him. Simple, but how to actually do it? I’d already decided to get face-to-face with the goddess without decimating her entire city full with fanatic worshippers. This however, brought a new problem to the foreground. I remembered that it had been awfully hard to get to Vivec. I had to disguise myself as an Ordinator first for that. No Ordinators here however, and gold-coloured skin is a lot harder to duplicate than ash-coloured skin. Not to mention more expensive. There was simply no chance whatsoever that they would permit a stranger, who was a member of a hostile race, to meet their queen. Then how should I continue?
The war, that was the key. One of the quickest ways to achieve the full trust of someone high up, was by turning spy. Was I willing to betray my own people? I thought about it and then shrugged. It didn’t matter anyway. As far as I was concerned, there was no such thing as ‘my people’. Only friends, neutrals and enemies. None of my friends had even been born yet, so I could scratch that part from my list. That left my loyalties completely free to do whatever I wished. Alright, spy it would be. It would be hard perhaps, but I would manage somehow. Now I suddenly felt myself wishing that I’d actually done some real spy-work while under good old Skooma-head’s wing. Caius had been a nice spymaster, for an Imperial Blade, who knew how to handle me. But as a result, I’d only done some public questioning on subjects any tourist would likely bring up. And after he left, I’d been anything but subtle while going about my business. Nope, I wasn’t much of a spy, despite my semi-official title as one.
The skyline of Mournhold was dominated by two buildings. One had many intricate spires and banners emblazoned with ALMNEVI. This was the temple and palace of Almalexia. The other was darker, less elegant. I figured that this was the castle. To get to Almalexia, I could go there and get the ear of the current ruler. I made my choice and strutted towards the castle. It was no surprise that the guards at the gates tried to stop me. Believer or not, I was still a Redguard and no one had great love for that detail. Not now anyway. Not later either.
,,Halt! State your business, man!” Again it was a man with a red scarf who was in charge here. I slipped into a short silence as I figured out how to reply. Blurting out more insults didn’t seem like a funny thing to do. If I had to resort to mindgripping everyone I came across, I would go nuts.
,,Business, you ask? Well, I am sure you can ask your lord all about my business and he might even tell you. But are you willing to lose your tongue?” I said slyly with what looked like an all-knowing grin. The captain stiffened visibly.
,,I asked for your intentions. If you don’t answer me, you will see the power of Mournhold’s guard. Even you dark-skinned demons fear us.” He boasted, very agitated. I flicked a finger in the rough direction of the west.
,,Perhaps some of my less-skilled kin fear you. Perhaps. But know this, my good captain. Battles aren’t only fought by muscle and steel, especially if the muscle is somewhat lacking.” I told him, then moved that same finger to tap my forehead.
,,Know what I mean?” I asked, demonstratively moving to pass him even before he had answered.
,,I see. Pass. You have our silence.” He conceded with an utter show of disgust. Ah well, no one likes a spy, not even those who hire them. Trust? Yes, if proven. Like? Never.
Inside, I was met with looks of disdain all over. The Chimer might not look like it in colour, in spirit they were Dunmer through and through. I was surprised no one called me an outlander. It was also somewhat surprising that no one tried to stop me. Apparently they put great trust in the guards at the gates. Misplaced trust. No one worth his salt should have caved in that quick. What if I wasn’t a spy? He would be the laughingstock of the century. Wait a minute, I wasn’t, I was only pretending to be one! I had to bite down on my tongue to keep from laughing and fall out of my role.
The only ones who came even close to slowing me down were the guards standing at each side of the doors leading to the throneroom. They didn’t speak or make any overly obvious gestures, apart from the halberds crossed before me. They only glanced at my sword which got the point across. With a sigh of resignation, I unbuckled the swordbelt and put it in a basket. I could understand the need to keep swords away from their lord, but it still got on my nerves. The halberds rose.
,,Don’t lose it, fellas. Last time I came here, it got stolen and boy, was I pissed!” I quipped. The joking tone was only to take the sting out of my words. I was completely serious at this point. Though I had to give them points for how they carried themselves. Professional, yet not downright rude like Helseth’s thieving captain. Man, it made me realize how far their successors would fall.
On to the next chapter