CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It was now daylight, but I didn’t even care. I was determined to find and rescue Danus no matter how high the risks may be. It is true that Danus probably does deserve what he gets, but then again I suppose I am being too harsh. Nobody deserves death unless they have caused it themselves. I’ve always though that way; an eye for an eye, no less. Of course I do realize that same rule applies to me as well, and frankly I have broken that tenet several times in my life, not counting the cultists.
The castle walls were for some reason unattended to as I made my way across the fields, running full speed. Mankar was probably informing everyone of what happened in the tower, and I’m sure he’s extremely angry. By killing his own bodyguards he had shown his true side. He was a murderer that didn’t even care about his own men. It was pathetic really, that he thinks himself a leader. He is nothing even close to such a title.
I was going to head over to the secret entrance, but I figured that would be too obvious. Mankar knows that I am aware of the hidden passageway, and there was a good chance he already has his men posted at the garden which the passageway leads to. I didn’t know of any other hidden entrances, so now I was sort of stuck. Then I decided to enter through the main entrance. It was a risky chance, but I believe if I was to perhaps hide behind one of the gates when it opens, I could wait for the cultists to pass and then quietly enter myself. There was also the possibility of the gate squashing me against the stone wall, but I was willing to take that chance. I really didn’t see any other way.
So I quickly ran over to the gate and waited. I stood there for what seemed like five minutes or so, when finally the gate opened. Thankfully they didn’t swing it open violently, resulting in the door opening about three-fourths of the way. I waited silently as a large group of cultists came running out of the city. There were at least twenty of them altogether, and one of them, a tall Breton, yelled, “Head to the forest! He’s likely headed back to Skingrad! Hurry before he gets too far!”
When they were all gone I was about to sneak around the door and enter the city, but then I heard the soft metal-sound of footsteps coming from within. Rather than show myself I remained hidden behind the door. Two bodyguards appeared from inside the city, with the same armor as the other two that Mankar had thrown from the tower, though these two were without masks. They were both Altmers but their skin was a little darker than usual. Apparently there were more than two bodyguards, though these two must have some sort of significance since they were not wearing masks. As they stepped outside and looked around, behind them came Mankar himself. He then spoke to the bodyguards.
“Go to the hidden entrance. He might be there, though I doubt he’s dumb enough to go there twice. Still, there’s always a chance and if he is there he will be stuck between the two of you and ten of my own men who are waiting on the other side, hidden in the bushes.”
“What shall we do if he isn’t present, father?” the female asked.
Father? Could she really be…?
“Then report back to me. If he is at the entrance, or if you find him along the way, kill him without hesitation. We cannot allow him to escape again,” Mankar said sternly.
“Yes, father. We won’t let you down,” said the male.
And could he really be…?
“Raven…Ruma…you two have not failed me as of yet, but do not think I will let you slide if Rayden escapes once again. It matters not if you are my kin, I will make an example out of you two if Rayden slips away.”
The two guards nodded and then turned to their left, where they started walking towards the hidden entrance. Mankar watched his two children walk away, and then he entered the city once more, closing the gate behind him. I couldn’t believe it; I never once thought Mankar had any offspring. This was very interesting indeed.
After Mankar entered the city and closed the door, I thought about following him inside, but then I decided against that and instead followed the son and daughter, though I did not have a plan as of yet. I wanted to kill the two, but not shed too much blood so that I may use their uniform as a disguise. But then again they were not wearing helmets, so wearing their armor probably wouldn’t be the safest decision anyway. Perhaps maybe shedding a little blood wasn’t totally out of the question?
The two led me around the castle walls not talking to one another, which I found to be a bit suspicious. Then, suddenly, the female whose name was presumably Ruma, said, “Shall we take care of him now or later?”
Then the male, Raven, replied,” Now…”
They both turned around and casted a spell in my direction. The spells went off course as I dove to my left. I hit the ground hard, hurting my back even further. But I got up quickly because the two were now running at me with their long blades unsheathed.
Raven swung mightily at my head and Ruma chopped down at my legs. I dove in between the two attacks and at the same time I took out my dagger and swiped through the air, hoping to hit something besides air. I did make contact with something: Raven’s right cheek. A scar had immediately showed and blood was dripping down his face. He merely gritted his teeth and came towards me again.
He swung at my neck this time and I barely moved back in time before the blade could make contact with my skin. Then Raven shot a spell towards my way but I dove again to my left and just barely dodged the attack, and now I was on my back. Raven ran to me and raised his blade into the air, ready to bring it down on my face, but he was then hit from behind by a spell. I thought it was Ruma who had casted the spell, but no…it was Martin! Ruma looked horrified as she witnessed her brother fall to the ground. He hit the dirt with a thud and then lay motionless. He was dead.
“Raven, no!” She screamed, and then turned her attention to Martin. “Imperial scum, you’ll pay for that!”
She threw a fireball at Martin, but he safely dodged the attack. She had fully lost her focus and was not paying any attention to anything behind her. I took advantage of the situation and got up from the ground, picked up Raven’s blade, and sprinted over to Ruma, who had just dodged a spell. I stuck the blade into her back with great force, and she immediately dropped her own sword. She then wrapped her arms around her back and grabbed my blade, but it was too late. I dug the blade deeper and deeper until she fell to the floor, dead just like her brother.
I was now totally out of breath, frantically gasping for air. I had fallen to the ground while I regained my energy, when Martin walked over with a smile.
“What, you thought I was going to leave you here to die?”
I was very surprised to see him and Hassildor, who was standing beside a tree in the distance. I didn’t think they would have taken the chance of getting caught. I guess Mankar was wrong after all, heh. Maybe they do care about me.
“I thought you guys would have already been on your way to Anvil or Bruma by now,” I replied with a sense of thanks and excitement.
“No, I wasn’t about to leave you here to die, Rayden. After what Hassildor and I learned we knew something bad was going to happen up here, hence the reason I am here now. We came to save you Rayden, because I had a feeling you might get caught again,” he said laughing. “Hey, where’s Alf by the way?”
I forgot about Alfhedil, that filthy traitor. “He betrayed us, Martin. It was he who led me to Mankar. Mankar is actually “Alfhedil’s” mentor.”
“Wow…I never would have guessed that in a million years, though I do suppose it was rather odd that he was so skilled in magic.”
“Yes, I should have been more careful. I guess that’s why I don’t generally trust anyone.”
“Well, I know I can’t tell you what do Rayden, but you can definitely trust me. I won’t turn out like Alf, or Alfhedil I should say.”
“Yes, I know that, Martin. You have shown me that my coming to my rescue.”
“So, what happened to everyone?” Martin asked.
I told him the whole thing; about Alfhedil leading me to Mankar; about Mankar’s son and daughter; Alfhedil ambushing the Skingrad soldiers; and of course my narrow escape. Then I told him I was going back into the city to save Danus. I didn’t know where I was going to enter, but apparently that didn’t matter, for Martin wasn’t going to let me go either way.
“Are you crazy or something? You just escaped Mankar for the second time and now you want to take a chance of getting captured for the fourth time? Rayden, you’re crazy, that’s all I can say. How many times do you think you’re going to get lucky?”
“I have to rescue him, Martin. He’s a skillful warrior and could lend us a lot of help. After all, he is Hassildor’s mentor as well.”
“I forgot about that. Well, that changes everything I guess. We should involve Hassildor in this discussion. It’s only fair that he gets his opinion on the matter,” Martin said as he waved for Hassildor to join us.
“It’s good to see that you are safe, Rayden,” Hassildor mentioned after patting my on the shoulder, “But it’s time we leave before Mankar realizes what has happened. Off to Bruma we shall go.”
“Wait, Count Hassildor,” I began, but was interrupted by the Count.
“Please, Rayden, call me Janus. From the looks of things I am no longer a Count of anything,” he said sadly.
“The Skingrad troops were ambushed by Alf.” I started. “It turned out he was a traitor all along. His real name is Alfhedil. He…attacked your troops and killed all of them, except for Danus. I found Dion lying in the battlefield, and he told me Danus was taken inside by the enemy. I’m sorry Janus, but Dion was on the very urge of dying when I left him. All that’s left is Danus, and I want to go in there and save him. I realize that he is your “heir to be” so to speak, but Martin feels that entering the city is a bad decision. We want your take on the situation.”
Hassildor’s face looked so depressing and he looked worn out, mentally and physically. Of course what could I expect? All of his soldiers and people have died, and his commanding officer is going to soon face that same fate if we don’t do something about it.
“No, we have to leave,” he said with a loud sigh. “It is unfortunate that Danus has been captured by the enemy but that does not justify us going in there and saving him. He can’t lose anymore people. It’s only the three of us now.”
“But, Janus, I’ve infiltrated both the Imperial City and Kvatch before, I…”
“And from what I have heard you were captured in both instances. Luckily you were not killed during those scenarios, but how long do you think you can go without getting yourself killed?”
“You sound like Martin. So I guess your siding with him, eh?”
“I’m only siding with what is right, Rayden. I appreciate the thought that you want to save my commander, but it is simply too dangerous of a task, especially for someone who doesn’t have a knack for staying in the shadows, if you know what I mean.”
I started to blush, for I could feel my cheeks turning red. I was a thief, that was my profession, and yet Hassildor and Martin were right. I have been caught the last two times. Maybe I’m not as lucky as I used to be. Either that or my skills are diminishing, but I didn’t even want to think of that.
“Well, I mean, it’s not everyday that I sneak into cities that are guarded by hundreds of angry cultists. You try it once and see what happens.” I was getting a little defensive, and Martin quickly noticed.
“Rayden, we’re not trying to bring you down at all, even though I’ll admit that I’m not too impressed with your “profession.” All we’re asking is why take a chance on getting killed? We need you more than anyone else. You’ve already proven countless times that you’re a force to be reckoned with, and obviously a survivor, if not a tad bit lucky as well I should say,” he said with a grin.
“I guess you’re right. Oh well, let’s get out of here then,” I said, not wanting to talk about it anymore. “You said Bruma, Janus?”
“Yes, Burma’s defenses are top-notch. That, and the fact they are located near the mountains, and from what I hear they have some kind of hidden fortress up there.”
“You mean Cloud Ruler Temple?” Martin asked.
“No, I mean another fort that was just recently built. Cloud Ruler Temple is still housing the remaining Blades agents. Last I heard they were helping protect Bruma from any invaders, but it’s all rumors. We’ll just have to wait and see for ourselves. But enough of this standing around; we can talk on the way there.”
On to the next chapter
It was now daylight, but I didn’t even care. I was determined to find and rescue Danus no matter how high the risks may be. It is true that Danus probably does deserve what he gets, but then again I suppose I am being too harsh. Nobody deserves death unless they have caused it themselves. I’ve always though that way; an eye for an eye, no less. Of course I do realize that same rule applies to me as well, and frankly I have broken that tenet several times in my life, not counting the cultists.
The castle walls were for some reason unattended to as I made my way across the fields, running full speed. Mankar was probably informing everyone of what happened in the tower, and I’m sure he’s extremely angry. By killing his own bodyguards he had shown his true side. He was a murderer that didn’t even care about his own men. It was pathetic really, that he thinks himself a leader. He is nothing even close to such a title.
I was going to head over to the secret entrance, but I figured that would be too obvious. Mankar knows that I am aware of the hidden passageway, and there was a good chance he already has his men posted at the garden which the passageway leads to. I didn’t know of any other hidden entrances, so now I was sort of stuck. Then I decided to enter through the main entrance. It was a risky chance, but I believe if I was to perhaps hide behind one of the gates when it opens, I could wait for the cultists to pass and then quietly enter myself. There was also the possibility of the gate squashing me against the stone wall, but I was willing to take that chance. I really didn’t see any other way.
So I quickly ran over to the gate and waited. I stood there for what seemed like five minutes or so, when finally the gate opened. Thankfully they didn’t swing it open violently, resulting in the door opening about three-fourths of the way. I waited silently as a large group of cultists came running out of the city. There were at least twenty of them altogether, and one of them, a tall Breton, yelled, “Head to the forest! He’s likely headed back to Skingrad! Hurry before he gets too far!”
When they were all gone I was about to sneak around the door and enter the city, but then I heard the soft metal-sound of footsteps coming from within. Rather than show myself I remained hidden behind the door. Two bodyguards appeared from inside the city, with the same armor as the other two that Mankar had thrown from the tower, though these two were without masks. They were both Altmers but their skin was a little darker than usual. Apparently there were more than two bodyguards, though these two must have some sort of significance since they were not wearing masks. As they stepped outside and looked around, behind them came Mankar himself. He then spoke to the bodyguards.
“Go to the hidden entrance. He might be there, though I doubt he’s dumb enough to go there twice. Still, there’s always a chance and if he is there he will be stuck between the two of you and ten of my own men who are waiting on the other side, hidden in the bushes.”
“What shall we do if he isn’t present, father?” the female asked.
Father? Could she really be…?
“Then report back to me. If he is at the entrance, or if you find him along the way, kill him without hesitation. We cannot allow him to escape again,” Mankar said sternly.
“Yes, father. We won’t let you down,” said the male.
And could he really be…?
“Raven…Ruma…you two have not failed me as of yet, but do not think I will let you slide if Rayden escapes once again. It matters not if you are my kin, I will make an example out of you two if Rayden slips away.”
The two guards nodded and then turned to their left, where they started walking towards the hidden entrance. Mankar watched his two children walk away, and then he entered the city once more, closing the gate behind him. I couldn’t believe it; I never once thought Mankar had any offspring. This was very interesting indeed.
After Mankar entered the city and closed the door, I thought about following him inside, but then I decided against that and instead followed the son and daughter, though I did not have a plan as of yet. I wanted to kill the two, but not shed too much blood so that I may use their uniform as a disguise. But then again they were not wearing helmets, so wearing their armor probably wouldn’t be the safest decision anyway. Perhaps maybe shedding a little blood wasn’t totally out of the question?
The two led me around the castle walls not talking to one another, which I found to be a bit suspicious. Then, suddenly, the female whose name was presumably Ruma, said, “Shall we take care of him now or later?”
Then the male, Raven, replied,” Now…”
They both turned around and casted a spell in my direction. The spells went off course as I dove to my left. I hit the ground hard, hurting my back even further. But I got up quickly because the two were now running at me with their long blades unsheathed.
Raven swung mightily at my head and Ruma chopped down at my legs. I dove in between the two attacks and at the same time I took out my dagger and swiped through the air, hoping to hit something besides air. I did make contact with something: Raven’s right cheek. A scar had immediately showed and blood was dripping down his face. He merely gritted his teeth and came towards me again.
He swung at my neck this time and I barely moved back in time before the blade could make contact with my skin. Then Raven shot a spell towards my way but I dove again to my left and just barely dodged the attack, and now I was on my back. Raven ran to me and raised his blade into the air, ready to bring it down on my face, but he was then hit from behind by a spell. I thought it was Ruma who had casted the spell, but no…it was Martin! Ruma looked horrified as she witnessed her brother fall to the ground. He hit the dirt with a thud and then lay motionless. He was dead.
“Raven, no!” She screamed, and then turned her attention to Martin. “Imperial scum, you’ll pay for that!”
She threw a fireball at Martin, but he safely dodged the attack. She had fully lost her focus and was not paying any attention to anything behind her. I took advantage of the situation and got up from the ground, picked up Raven’s blade, and sprinted over to Ruma, who had just dodged a spell. I stuck the blade into her back with great force, and she immediately dropped her own sword. She then wrapped her arms around her back and grabbed my blade, but it was too late. I dug the blade deeper and deeper until she fell to the floor, dead just like her brother.
I was now totally out of breath, frantically gasping for air. I had fallen to the ground while I regained my energy, when Martin walked over with a smile.
“What, you thought I was going to leave you here to die?”
I was very surprised to see him and Hassildor, who was standing beside a tree in the distance. I didn’t think they would have taken the chance of getting caught. I guess Mankar was wrong after all, heh. Maybe they do care about me.
“I thought you guys would have already been on your way to Anvil or Bruma by now,” I replied with a sense of thanks and excitement.
“No, I wasn’t about to leave you here to die, Rayden. After what Hassildor and I learned we knew something bad was going to happen up here, hence the reason I am here now. We came to save you Rayden, because I had a feeling you might get caught again,” he said laughing. “Hey, where’s Alf by the way?”
I forgot about Alfhedil, that filthy traitor. “He betrayed us, Martin. It was he who led me to Mankar. Mankar is actually “Alfhedil’s” mentor.”
“Wow…I never would have guessed that in a million years, though I do suppose it was rather odd that he was so skilled in magic.”
“Yes, I should have been more careful. I guess that’s why I don’t generally trust anyone.”
“Well, I know I can’t tell you what do Rayden, but you can definitely trust me. I won’t turn out like Alf, or Alfhedil I should say.”
“Yes, I know that, Martin. You have shown me that my coming to my rescue.”
“So, what happened to everyone?” Martin asked.
I told him the whole thing; about Alfhedil leading me to Mankar; about Mankar’s son and daughter; Alfhedil ambushing the Skingrad soldiers; and of course my narrow escape. Then I told him I was going back into the city to save Danus. I didn’t know where I was going to enter, but apparently that didn’t matter, for Martin wasn’t going to let me go either way.
“Are you crazy or something? You just escaped Mankar for the second time and now you want to take a chance of getting captured for the fourth time? Rayden, you’re crazy, that’s all I can say. How many times do you think you’re going to get lucky?”
“I have to rescue him, Martin. He’s a skillful warrior and could lend us a lot of help. After all, he is Hassildor’s mentor as well.”
“I forgot about that. Well, that changes everything I guess. We should involve Hassildor in this discussion. It’s only fair that he gets his opinion on the matter,” Martin said as he waved for Hassildor to join us.
“It’s good to see that you are safe, Rayden,” Hassildor mentioned after patting my on the shoulder, “But it’s time we leave before Mankar realizes what has happened. Off to Bruma we shall go.”
“Wait, Count Hassildor,” I began, but was interrupted by the Count.
“Please, Rayden, call me Janus. From the looks of things I am no longer a Count of anything,” he said sadly.
“The Skingrad troops were ambushed by Alf.” I started. “It turned out he was a traitor all along. His real name is Alfhedil. He…attacked your troops and killed all of them, except for Danus. I found Dion lying in the battlefield, and he told me Danus was taken inside by the enemy. I’m sorry Janus, but Dion was on the very urge of dying when I left him. All that’s left is Danus, and I want to go in there and save him. I realize that he is your “heir to be” so to speak, but Martin feels that entering the city is a bad decision. We want your take on the situation.”
Hassildor’s face looked so depressing and he looked worn out, mentally and physically. Of course what could I expect? All of his soldiers and people have died, and his commanding officer is going to soon face that same fate if we don’t do something about it.
“No, we have to leave,” he said with a loud sigh. “It is unfortunate that Danus has been captured by the enemy but that does not justify us going in there and saving him. He can’t lose anymore people. It’s only the three of us now.”
“But, Janus, I’ve infiltrated both the Imperial City and Kvatch before, I…”
“And from what I have heard you were captured in both instances. Luckily you were not killed during those scenarios, but how long do you think you can go without getting yourself killed?”
“You sound like Martin. So I guess your siding with him, eh?”
“I’m only siding with what is right, Rayden. I appreciate the thought that you want to save my commander, but it is simply too dangerous of a task, especially for someone who doesn’t have a knack for staying in the shadows, if you know what I mean.”
I started to blush, for I could feel my cheeks turning red. I was a thief, that was my profession, and yet Hassildor and Martin were right. I have been caught the last two times. Maybe I’m not as lucky as I used to be. Either that or my skills are diminishing, but I didn’t even want to think of that.
“Well, I mean, it’s not everyday that I sneak into cities that are guarded by hundreds of angry cultists. You try it once and see what happens.” I was getting a little defensive, and Martin quickly noticed.
“Rayden, we’re not trying to bring you down at all, even though I’ll admit that I’m not too impressed with your “profession.” All we’re asking is why take a chance on getting killed? We need you more than anyone else. You’ve already proven countless times that you’re a force to be reckoned with, and obviously a survivor, if not a tad bit lucky as well I should say,” he said with a grin.
“I guess you’re right. Oh well, let’s get out of here then,” I said, not wanting to talk about it anymore. “You said Bruma, Janus?”
“Yes, Burma’s defenses are top-notch. That, and the fact they are located near the mountains, and from what I hear they have some kind of hidden fortress up there.”
“You mean Cloud Ruler Temple?” Martin asked.
“No, I mean another fort that was just recently built. Cloud Ruler Temple is still housing the remaining Blades agents. Last I heard they were helping protect Bruma from any invaders, but it’s all rumors. We’ll just have to wait and see for ourselves. But enough of this standing around; we can talk on the way there.”
On to the next chapter