CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
When I had left Narina’s room earlier I did not look the soldiers in the eye; I was simply too embarrassed to make eye-contact. I had been humiliated by Martin, but for good reason. I am not complaining about being reprimanded. I only blame my self for my ignorant ways, and sooner or later I’m going to have to snap out of this imaginary world I live in; one where I think everyone is the enemy and only I am right. Paranoia is an excellent word that describes my situation. I think everyone is out to get me, because I am thief I suppose.
Martin was surely angrier with me right now than he has ever been, and there was no doubt in my mind he was apologizing to Janus for my childish ways, and he too probably isn’t my number one fan at the moment. I would have to make amends and hope to Talos they take my offer seriously. I know I have already apologized to Martin for something in the past, and I just hoped I wasn’t about to lose Martin’s respect because of my actions.
It’s just that everything is starting to affect me mentally. Granted I am in no way losing my mind, but the stress is mounting faster than I ever though it would. The fate of the entire province, maybe even the entire world, rests on my shoulders and my shoulders alone. I say mine alone simple because in my mind there are two scenarios that can happen. Either One, I somehow am able to slay Mankar and end the Mythic Dawn threat; or two, Mankar will at last eliminate me and end all hope for Cyrodiil. I may sound cocky, I realize that, but I swear to you in the chapel pew I am now sitting in it is only confidence. I’ve always been that way. No matter what anyone else says, I firmly believe it’s going to come down to just the two of us: Mankar and I alone.
Now, as I sit here in the pew like I have told you, I am concentrating hard on deciding what to say to Martin and Hassildor. I have once again insulted really the only friend I have ever had, and I have essentially called Janus a traitor. Those two things are going to be very hard to forgive, but if we are going to even have a remote chance of effectively defending the city, we all need to be on the same terms.
I’ll make my apologies and admit I was being a bit hasty with all of my accusations, but after that our entire focus should be the Mythic Dawn. I know Janus and Burd are thinking this as well. In fact, they probably don’t even care how I feel either way. And Martin, well, I’m not sure what he’s going to do during the battle. I myself will probably go and look for Mankar personally, but I guess that depends on what Burd and Janus want of me. Obviously they are the two leaders now, and I’ll admit it will take a while getting used to being bossed around. I may not like it at first…okay, I will hate it at first…but it’s only for the best.
I had been thinking so deeply that I did not even hear the former Count of Skingrad slip into the chapel. Nor did I sense his presence behind me either. My face was in my hands and I was feeling quite bad about everything I had done when I heard the familiar raspy voice, “Rayden, we need to talk.”
I turned around Janus was standing behind me with his arms behind his back, seemingly in deep thought as well. I started to speak and apologize for my mistakes, but he held up a hand, silencing me.
“I am not here for an apology, I am here to discuss a plan Burd and I have conjured up. Listen to me and please do not interrupt. I will not lie to you and say nothing is wrong. I am not happy with the way you acted in Narina’s chambers. You assaulted me and claimed me a liar and a traitor, two things I am most definitely not. While I am extremely displeased with your hot-headed attitude, I will also not lie and say you are unimportant. That is far from the truth.”
Janus had now walked around and was sitting right beside me. I had expected to see anger in his face, and though he made it clear he was unhappy with me, he wasn’t scolding me like had originally anticipated.
“Whether you know so or not, you are our only hope against Mankar. We can likely defend this city for a while, but the Mythic Dawn’s numbers will not dwindle. They’ll keep coming and coming until there is nobody to defend us anymore. That is where you come in.”
I was definitely interested in what he had to say. Like I had thought myself it was I who would have the final shot of swaying the war to our side.
“Mankar’s troops will be here soon. I believe we can defend our selves for some time given the city’s strong defenses, and the fact that Mankar’s troops are not accustomed to Bruma’s cold whether, whereas Burd’s troops obviously are. We can possibly hold out for a few days, maybe a little more, but sooner or later they will split through our defenses and enter the city, and when that happens, all hope will be lost. We can retreat to the mountains but we wouldn’t last long. Burd has something in mind, and I agree with him totally. But I’ll let him explain more.”
I did not say a word. I simply sat in my seat looking Janus in the eye. I could tell he was hiding his true feelings. He really wanted to lash out and yell at me for acting the way I did back in Narina’s chambers, it was clear on his face that he was doing his best to keep the anger bottled up inside.
“Janus, let me speak as well. You might not want to hear it, but I am going to apologize whether you like it or not, I…”
“See, there you go again, Rayden. Whether I like it or not? I know you don’t mean as bad as you sound, but you come off as rude all the time. It’s very agitating and one should not talk to anyone the way you do sometimes, especially towards those higher than you. Whether you are actually rude or not remains to be seen, but that doesn’t matter right now. Quite frankly I could care less whether you sorrowful or not, because right now my focus is the Mythic Dawn and the defense of Bruma, nothing else. Let’s go outside and speak with Burd.”
I was hit hard by his words, for the first time I was becoming emotionally attached. Never before in my life have I once cared what people think about me, but that was a different and terrible time of my life. I know that now, ever since my life was turned upside down when I found that amulet. Living like a thief is no lifestyle to be proud of. I’ve been trying to persuade myself all my life that it is, but the sad truth is that it is most definitely not.
Janus and I stood up from the pew and exited the quiet chapel. Outside Burd was rounding up the troops near the side exit of the city, close to a small inn. Snow was pouring down from the sky faster than I could count and the cold wasn’t getting any warmer if you know what I mean. The two of us walked over to Burd, who turned to us and said, “There you are, Rayden. I take it Janus has told you your mission.”
“No, sir, he wanted you to explain the details.”
“Very well, follow me into the castle so that I may talk to the two of you in the warmth of the fireplace. This cold is starting to affect even me!”
So we left the soldiers to follow another officer’s commands, while the three of us entered the castle. There weren’t as many guards milling about as there was before when I first met Captain Burd, only two in fact I noticed, after taking a closer look. They were both Imperials and were standing next the throne, staring straight ahead. As we walked towards the throne I couldn’t help but think something seemed weird about the two soldiers. I don’t know, but they just look out of place for some reason.
Burd sat down in the throne chair and nodded at the two soldiers. They nodded back and that’s when I noticed the two were sweating profusely, and one of the soldiers’ hands was shaking as well. Something was up, but I didn’t want to make a scene. Then again…..
I put my hand on my blade holder, but not making it look obvious. It’s a good thing I did, because as soon as Burd began to speak on the soldiers unsheathed their blade and raised it high into the air. But I was too quick and ready; I lunged forward and shoved my rusty dagger up the man’s throat. He fell to the ground clutching his bloody neck, desperately gasping for breath. Then I turned around to face the other soldier, who I assumed was going to attack as well. But he wasn’t attacking; he had already dropped his blade to the floor and was raising his hands in the air as if to show a sign of surrender.
“Please…d-d-don’t kill me…PLEASE!”
Burd had previously called for help beforehand, apparently while I was shoving my dagger into the other soldier’s throat, for the castle door busted open and in came a large group of yellow uniforms. Burd ordered for them to take the other would-be-assassin into the custody, and they did just that. Afterwards Burd was too much in shock to say anything, other than throw the traitor into the dungeon. The man was taken away and things had all of a sudden got even more confusing.
“Can someone tell me what just happened here?” Burd asked while two soldiers were examining the body of the dead attacker.
“It seems Mankar has men inside the city,” Janus bluntly replied.
“No, there’s no way. I don’t believe that for a second. It’s just impossible to think a Bruman would ever even ponder the idea of betraying their people,” Burd defiantly insisted.
“I’m not so sure about that, Captain. I’ve talked to Mankar personally before. He told me that he had inside people for every city that he’s captured. It only makes sense for him to have the same connections for this city as well. I know it’s hard to believe that your own men would betray you, but these are trying times. Occasionally people find themselves in a situation that they’d do anything to get out of. Mankar has already proven his fear could be used as a deadly tool; perhaps even more deadly than a blade,” I commented, though Burd was still determined to prove his men’s loyalty.
“No, no, no. That cannot be. I just…there’s no…I mean, how could something like this happen. I just don’t understand how something like this could penetrate the ranks of my own soldiers.”
“We need to interrogate that soldier, Burd, before someone ‘does away’ with him, if you know what I mean.”
Burd was confused by Janus’s words, but I knew very well what the old man was getting at.
“What he’s saying Burd, is that whoever contracted those men onto Mankar’s side will likely murder them now that the one man has been caught and is now in prison.”
“So, Rayden, you think there’s someone else in the city who’s working directly with Mankar?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Mankar is an extremely intelligent being. This sounds just like him to have someone on the inside. It all makes sense if you think about it.”
Burd thought about what Janus and I had said and then order one of his soldiers, “Round up the civilians and bring them here. I shall have one of my officers speak with them and ask them question pertaining what has just happened. I will take these two with me into the dungeon to interrogate the prisoner.”
The soldier took off into the snowy coldness, and then Burd stood up from his throne.
“Follow me please.”
On to the next chapter
When I had left Narina’s room earlier I did not look the soldiers in the eye; I was simply too embarrassed to make eye-contact. I had been humiliated by Martin, but for good reason. I am not complaining about being reprimanded. I only blame my self for my ignorant ways, and sooner or later I’m going to have to snap out of this imaginary world I live in; one where I think everyone is the enemy and only I am right. Paranoia is an excellent word that describes my situation. I think everyone is out to get me, because I am thief I suppose.
Martin was surely angrier with me right now than he has ever been, and there was no doubt in my mind he was apologizing to Janus for my childish ways, and he too probably isn’t my number one fan at the moment. I would have to make amends and hope to Talos they take my offer seriously. I know I have already apologized to Martin for something in the past, and I just hoped I wasn’t about to lose Martin’s respect because of my actions.
It’s just that everything is starting to affect me mentally. Granted I am in no way losing my mind, but the stress is mounting faster than I ever though it would. The fate of the entire province, maybe even the entire world, rests on my shoulders and my shoulders alone. I say mine alone simple because in my mind there are two scenarios that can happen. Either One, I somehow am able to slay Mankar and end the Mythic Dawn threat; or two, Mankar will at last eliminate me and end all hope for Cyrodiil. I may sound cocky, I realize that, but I swear to you in the chapel pew I am now sitting in it is only confidence. I’ve always been that way. No matter what anyone else says, I firmly believe it’s going to come down to just the two of us: Mankar and I alone.
Now, as I sit here in the pew like I have told you, I am concentrating hard on deciding what to say to Martin and Hassildor. I have once again insulted really the only friend I have ever had, and I have essentially called Janus a traitor. Those two things are going to be very hard to forgive, but if we are going to even have a remote chance of effectively defending the city, we all need to be on the same terms.
I’ll make my apologies and admit I was being a bit hasty with all of my accusations, but after that our entire focus should be the Mythic Dawn. I know Janus and Burd are thinking this as well. In fact, they probably don’t even care how I feel either way. And Martin, well, I’m not sure what he’s going to do during the battle. I myself will probably go and look for Mankar personally, but I guess that depends on what Burd and Janus want of me. Obviously they are the two leaders now, and I’ll admit it will take a while getting used to being bossed around. I may not like it at first…okay, I will hate it at first…but it’s only for the best.
I had been thinking so deeply that I did not even hear the former Count of Skingrad slip into the chapel. Nor did I sense his presence behind me either. My face was in my hands and I was feeling quite bad about everything I had done when I heard the familiar raspy voice, “Rayden, we need to talk.”
I turned around Janus was standing behind me with his arms behind his back, seemingly in deep thought as well. I started to speak and apologize for my mistakes, but he held up a hand, silencing me.
“I am not here for an apology, I am here to discuss a plan Burd and I have conjured up. Listen to me and please do not interrupt. I will not lie to you and say nothing is wrong. I am not happy with the way you acted in Narina’s chambers. You assaulted me and claimed me a liar and a traitor, two things I am most definitely not. While I am extremely displeased with your hot-headed attitude, I will also not lie and say you are unimportant. That is far from the truth.”
Janus had now walked around and was sitting right beside me. I had expected to see anger in his face, and though he made it clear he was unhappy with me, he wasn’t scolding me like had originally anticipated.
“Whether you know so or not, you are our only hope against Mankar. We can likely defend this city for a while, but the Mythic Dawn’s numbers will not dwindle. They’ll keep coming and coming until there is nobody to defend us anymore. That is where you come in.”
I was definitely interested in what he had to say. Like I had thought myself it was I who would have the final shot of swaying the war to our side.
“Mankar’s troops will be here soon. I believe we can defend our selves for some time given the city’s strong defenses, and the fact that Mankar’s troops are not accustomed to Bruma’s cold whether, whereas Burd’s troops obviously are. We can possibly hold out for a few days, maybe a little more, but sooner or later they will split through our defenses and enter the city, and when that happens, all hope will be lost. We can retreat to the mountains but we wouldn’t last long. Burd has something in mind, and I agree with him totally. But I’ll let him explain more.”
I did not say a word. I simply sat in my seat looking Janus in the eye. I could tell he was hiding his true feelings. He really wanted to lash out and yell at me for acting the way I did back in Narina’s chambers, it was clear on his face that he was doing his best to keep the anger bottled up inside.
“Janus, let me speak as well. You might not want to hear it, but I am going to apologize whether you like it or not, I…”
“See, there you go again, Rayden. Whether I like it or not? I know you don’t mean as bad as you sound, but you come off as rude all the time. It’s very agitating and one should not talk to anyone the way you do sometimes, especially towards those higher than you. Whether you are actually rude or not remains to be seen, but that doesn’t matter right now. Quite frankly I could care less whether you sorrowful or not, because right now my focus is the Mythic Dawn and the defense of Bruma, nothing else. Let’s go outside and speak with Burd.”
I was hit hard by his words, for the first time I was becoming emotionally attached. Never before in my life have I once cared what people think about me, but that was a different and terrible time of my life. I know that now, ever since my life was turned upside down when I found that amulet. Living like a thief is no lifestyle to be proud of. I’ve been trying to persuade myself all my life that it is, but the sad truth is that it is most definitely not.
Janus and I stood up from the pew and exited the quiet chapel. Outside Burd was rounding up the troops near the side exit of the city, close to a small inn. Snow was pouring down from the sky faster than I could count and the cold wasn’t getting any warmer if you know what I mean. The two of us walked over to Burd, who turned to us and said, “There you are, Rayden. I take it Janus has told you your mission.”
“No, sir, he wanted you to explain the details.”
“Very well, follow me into the castle so that I may talk to the two of you in the warmth of the fireplace. This cold is starting to affect even me!”
So we left the soldiers to follow another officer’s commands, while the three of us entered the castle. There weren’t as many guards milling about as there was before when I first met Captain Burd, only two in fact I noticed, after taking a closer look. They were both Imperials and were standing next the throne, staring straight ahead. As we walked towards the throne I couldn’t help but think something seemed weird about the two soldiers. I don’t know, but they just look out of place for some reason.
Burd sat down in the throne chair and nodded at the two soldiers. They nodded back and that’s when I noticed the two were sweating profusely, and one of the soldiers’ hands was shaking as well. Something was up, but I didn’t want to make a scene. Then again…..
I put my hand on my blade holder, but not making it look obvious. It’s a good thing I did, because as soon as Burd began to speak on the soldiers unsheathed their blade and raised it high into the air. But I was too quick and ready; I lunged forward and shoved my rusty dagger up the man’s throat. He fell to the ground clutching his bloody neck, desperately gasping for breath. Then I turned around to face the other soldier, who I assumed was going to attack as well. But he wasn’t attacking; he had already dropped his blade to the floor and was raising his hands in the air as if to show a sign of surrender.
“Please…d-d-don’t kill me…PLEASE!”
Burd had previously called for help beforehand, apparently while I was shoving my dagger into the other soldier’s throat, for the castle door busted open and in came a large group of yellow uniforms. Burd ordered for them to take the other would-be-assassin into the custody, and they did just that. Afterwards Burd was too much in shock to say anything, other than throw the traitor into the dungeon. The man was taken away and things had all of a sudden got even more confusing.
“Can someone tell me what just happened here?” Burd asked while two soldiers were examining the body of the dead attacker.
“It seems Mankar has men inside the city,” Janus bluntly replied.
“No, there’s no way. I don’t believe that for a second. It’s just impossible to think a Bruman would ever even ponder the idea of betraying their people,” Burd defiantly insisted.
“I’m not so sure about that, Captain. I’ve talked to Mankar personally before. He told me that he had inside people for every city that he’s captured. It only makes sense for him to have the same connections for this city as well. I know it’s hard to believe that your own men would betray you, but these are trying times. Occasionally people find themselves in a situation that they’d do anything to get out of. Mankar has already proven his fear could be used as a deadly tool; perhaps even more deadly than a blade,” I commented, though Burd was still determined to prove his men’s loyalty.
“No, no, no. That cannot be. I just…there’s no…I mean, how could something like this happen. I just don’t understand how something like this could penetrate the ranks of my own soldiers.”
“We need to interrogate that soldier, Burd, before someone ‘does away’ with him, if you know what I mean.”
Burd was confused by Janus’s words, but I knew very well what the old man was getting at.
“What he’s saying Burd, is that whoever contracted those men onto Mankar’s side will likely murder them now that the one man has been caught and is now in prison.”
“So, Rayden, you think there’s someone else in the city who’s working directly with Mankar?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Mankar is an extremely intelligent being. This sounds just like him to have someone on the inside. It all makes sense if you think about it.”
Burd thought about what Janus and I had said and then order one of his soldiers, “Round up the civilians and bring them here. I shall have one of my officers speak with them and ask them question pertaining what has just happened. I will take these two with me into the dungeon to interrogate the prisoner.”
The soldier took off into the snowy coldness, and then Burd stood up from his throne.
“Follow me please.”
On to the next chapter