The Hero in Disguise, Chapter 3 Options

[Taillus]

Ah Chapter 3. It starts getting alot better from this point on in my opinion but I will let you all decide for yourselves. I am also thinking of doing a double post tonight so I can make up for not being able to post tomorrow. Enjoy everyone!

Chapter 3 - Don't forget about the amulet!


As my demanding training regiment slowed down and I could feel as though my combat skills were back where they should be I decided that I would check in on Jauffre and Martin. I am afraid that I may have neglected them a tad but I knew that it was for the better. I would be of no use to anyone without my skills sharpened.

I was quickly told that I should go see Baurus in the Elven Gardens of the Imperial City. I knew him as the Redguard Blades member that was with me at the time the Emperor died. I was to go visit him in hopes that he had found any small piece of information on the whereabouts of the Mythic Dawn.

I agreed to pay Baurus a visit and see what he has turned up. Hopping on to my horse once again and setting off along the roads made me realize why Silt Striders were so popular in Vvardenfel. It would be another long ride to the Imperial City but I would be able to run without worrying about people to protect.

I managed to track down my friend in question and at first glance, he angered me. Not very convinced that he was looking too hard because he had his redguard boat plopped down on a barstool having a drink but I thought that it wasn’t up to me to keep tabs with him and as far as I could tell, he was off duty.

I sat down on the stool beside him and smiled. I knew he remembered me and something told me he was expecting me but something was on his mind. He seemed to be preoccupied but he let me in on what was happening…well he kind of let me in on it.

“I am going to get to my feet and walk away. The man behind me will do the same. I want you to follow him following me so we can see what he is up to.” Baurus said quietly before getting up off his stool and walking down into the basement of the Tavern.

I watched as the man did exactly as the Redguard predicted and followed him beyond the door. I decided to wait a second before getting to my feet. I had a nod of approval from the bartender or owner of the tavern as he agreed to watching my bag full of equipment for me without saying a word.

I rushed into the basement and to my amazement, I saw Baurus trying his best to fight off a Mythic Dawn agent. The Redguard Blade member’s akavari katana was on the floor feet away and the Mythic Dawn agent had a short blade to his throat. I figured that enough was enough as I grabbed the robed oaf by the hood and pulled him from Baurus. He swung madly at me but was quickly stopped by a jolt of crippling shock magicka from my fingertips.

I could feel his body convulsing before he fell to the ground before us as the shock effects still crackled around his body. I then used a touch magic that increased the poor fool’s weakness to magicka greatly. He yelped in pain before giving up completely and expiring.

“I knew he was Mythic Dawn! I knew it!” Baurus said as he checked the body. He managed to pull a book from the Agent’s robes and asked me to take it to a contact he had in the Arcane University. An Argonian woman who had a great deal of experience with the Dawn and would prove quite useful in figuring out the contents of the book in question, as well as a possible use for it as well.

[Taillus]

Update number two just because I will be too tied up to update. I will leave you all with this for the night and I will see everyone Saturday!


A short time later I was told that the book was a piece of a four book volume all composed by a man that was a leader of the Mythic Dawn. Mankar Camoran… Supposedly in owning all of these books, a person could find out the location of the Mythic Dawn lair. I agreed to searching for the other volumes and I would do whatever it took to get the Amulet of Kings back from the Dawn.

I had heard from many men that the Altmer that owned the bookshop in the Market district of the Imperial City was a great man to start my search with, as he is an avid collector of rare pieces and he could perhaps point me in the right direction.

In getting there, I found out that the third volume was already purchased by another man and that he would arrive before day’s end to pick it up. I decided that it would be a good idea to wait around to meet this character. I was eager to meet a man that was interested in collecting the four volumes of this book because I had a sneaking suspicion that he wasn’t interested for the same reasons as myself.

Now what happened next I am afraid to admit, I was a tad aggressive to the poor Bosmer that asked for the book. I “Politely” asked him to step outside for a quick word. I could tell he wanted to tell me “finders keepers” and he tried to, but he was quickly interrupted by me accusing him of killing the Emperor.

“I..I did what!!! I absolutely did NOT kill Emperor Uriel Septim! How could you even suggest something so awful?!” the Bosmer wails as I keep him pinned to the outside wall of the bookstore. I explained to him that he was dealing with the Mythic Dawn who I personally watched as they assassinated the Emperor.

Reduced to a crying mess, the poor Bosmer handed me the book as well as a letter stating that he was to be interviewed by the Mythic Dawn in order to become a member. Fortunately for my new Bosmer friend, I had changed his mind about being interested in the books… I might have just saved his life. Unfortunately for the Dawn, I would be the one attending instead. With one more book getting us one step closer to completing the series, I walked back to the Arcane University where my contact was analyzing the other book.

In arriving there, I learned that she had obtained another book from the series in her library at the University meaning that we were only one book away. I decided to go tell Baurus of my findings and we discussed plans for crashing this Mythic Dawn interview. In all honesty, I was excited. I was eager to get a little bit of revenge on those that were so brave as to kill off most of the Septim bloodline.

I spent that night getting ready for the worst. I sharpened my sword and I made sure my armor had no overwhelming flaws. I was not a master armorer but I could do well enough that my cuirass wouldn’t fall apart from stress.

Surprisingly, I slept perfectly fine. I was worried that I would be plagued with another dream of Taillus. The fact that I had one was disturbing enough but I was glad that it wasn’t happening every night. I knew that in the days coming I would have to get more then my fair share of rest. A tired soldier is a dead one is what my Lions trainer had always said and I used to live by the rule.

I was startled awake by Baurus as he came into my room at the inn, obviously ready to head underground to the Mythic Dawn meeting. He wanted to hop into the hot seat but I had to object. I was the one who has done the dirty work so far and I was really itching for a piece of these bastards.

After bartering back and forth between us, he finally saw things my way. I was the one to be interviewed because I was a new face here and they would not recognize me at all. Besides, Baurus was already stalked by a Mythic Dawn agent not even days ago. We both also decided to leave our armor behind because having blades armor on hand would give us away for sure.

[jack cloudy]

The search is on. Mythic Dawn beware, for Alexander has carved your names on his blade. Great updates as usual.

[DarkHunter]

Good Work Taillus i wanna see what happens next

[Taillus]

Update time...I hope everyone enjoys as much as I have enjoyed reading everyone else's wonderful works.

We both hopped down into the sewer works and I was forced to follow the leader. Good thing too because if I had hopped in here myself I would never find my way out again. I felt safer having someone else going along with me as well. I was confident about my skills but against a horde of Mythic Dawn agents I wasn’t too sure how I would fare.

We walked for what seemed like ages through the dank, dark sewer network. It was pretty much uneventful but so confusing. Everything looked exactly the same. Grey stone with occasional catwalks crossing a filthy stream of disgusting water, if you could call a thick, brownish liquid water at all.

We made it to the location described on the invitation that I got from the Bosmer and Baurus headed up to a convenient catwalk to hide. I was so much more confident having a helping hand just in case things got… violent, and I was prepared for anything. I didn’t want to get too cocky though, I would hate to botch this and not find any information.

“Sit down in the chair and place your hands atop the table. Do not move and do not look around.” A voice says from the darkness as I follow orders. I waited in the chair for the Dawn agent and Baurus was carefully tucked into the shadows. I obeyed the commands and sat with my hands on the rickety wooden table that was placed conspicuously in the middle of the sewer works.

“We appreciate your interest in our group and we would like to see you in but before we do, I will need to test your mind, body and more importantly, your faith. I will cast a detect life spell now to see if you have brought friends.” The voice growls from the darkness.

I could tell he was on to us from the beginning, but in reality I had the feeling that he just wanted to see my reaction so I called his bluff. The fact that he didn’t “detect” anyone means that the imbecile didn’t even cast the damn spell. Too bad for him I guess. Now on to the next test I suppose.

The Agent then brings his mouth close to my ear and I could feel his breath on my neck. Something was wrong here and I wasn’t sure I liked being in such a helpless position.

“You know that I can see your friend hiding yet you don’t try to escape? You must be either very brave or incredibly stupid!” the agent whispers as I can hear a dagger being pulled from its sheath. Quickly, I fall out of my chair rolling across the small room in a display of acrobatics causing the agent to catch only air with his blade. I cast a spell that fortified my acrobatics as I watched a trio of Agents running to my assistant’s location.

Using my newly buffed skills I ran up the side of the stonework wall and hopped onto the stone catwalk blocking their path. Baurus kept my dagger wielding friend at bay by hopping off the catwalk he was hiding on and planting a foot into the Mythic Dawn agent’s mouth.

I was left with the other three that I was easily able to overcome by overwhelming them all with a potent flame magicka that turned them from evil, murderous cultists to nothing more then three panicking idiots with flaming robes. In no time at all, we had managed to put down every single Agent and I was able to get my hands on the fourth and final book needed to complete the series that we would need to discover where the Dawn’s main hideout was located.

[minque]

Ahhh great as always Taillus! I do like your writing-style and your very fine use of the language.....this story will be a classic....like your former one I can assure you...

[Taillus]

Such a nice day outside here today and I am stuck at work! I really wish I could stumble upon a few millions of dollars and be done with this work nonsense... oh well what can you do? Here is today's update...enjoy all!

The next course of action would have to be put into effect quickly before the Mythic Dawn realize that there will be about four less of them attending their next get together. Hopefully we can decipher the location within a day or two so I can go to the real party.

As I anticipated, the rest of my week was spent looking at books and trying to figure out some sort of pattern in Mankar Camoran’s works. Me, Baurus and our contact in the Arcane University were frantically searching the entire series but in the end, it was our contact that made the discovery.

I can’t say that I remember how the passage went, or what process was taken to find it out but all I do know is that within hours of hearing the location I was on my way out into the wilderness on the late Prior Maborel’s paint horse in search of the cave where the Mythic Dawn Cult was located.

I was going to have to exercise some self control even though the gods knew I wanted to just run in with my blade drawn but doing so would get me nowhere but in a small wooden box. I was going to have to infiltrate the dawn and get my hands on two things: The Amulet of Kings of course and the book of the Mythic Dawn itself, the Mysterium Xarxes. The Xarxes is a book that is said to have been written by the daedric prince Mehrunes Dagon himself.

The book itself was bound by the evil of Dagon and is said to contain powers that are unfathomable to man. It is also said that anyone able to harness the book’s powers could potentially immortalize themselves. I had to get this book from the Mythic Dawn and I had to rip the Amulet of Kings from whoever had it.

Again, I decided to leave the Blades armor behind, It would give me away faster then having a sign that said “I am here to get the Amulet back.” I packed lightly, wearing only modest articles of clothing and an iron shortsword dangling at my side. I knew that if the worst scenario happened, I still remembered my bound daedric armor spell and it would at least give me the protection I needed if I had to fight my way out.

As I entered the cave, I could see a flickering torch light a short distance into the cave itself. Walking deeper inside, I could see a man wearing the familiar blood red hooded robe of the Mythic Dawn. I had found it, the Dawn hideout and I was seconds away from putting my life on the line yet again.

[Agent Griff]

I can't read further Taillus I'm sorry since I haven't been here yet and I don't want to spoil myself. I hope you understand. I will play through this respective section as quickly as I can though, I don't want to miss out on your story.

[Taillus]

I saw all this coming a mile away and I really wouldn't be sorry. Such is the hinderances of doing a story that revolves around a new game. I would hate to spoil it for you so to you and all others, I suggest not reading this story due to its spoilers. For me I have decided to take a break and do another story. This will give others a chance to play though the game.... hopefully I can devote some time to the Clash series as well.

[jack cloudy]

So you're taking a break? Too bad, but I understand your reasons. Well, good luck with whatever you're going to do now.

[Agent Griff]

I agree with Jack. I only hope you're not doing this because of me but I don't think I'm that important. By the time Arthago reaches Cyrodiil I think all of the people here will have played the game proper. I will also be adding alot of things from my own head to make the province more lifelike and the story not a carbon copy of the Oblivion storyline. Anyway, good luck in whatever you're doing Taillus!

[Taillus]

Yeah after the Mythic Dawn piece it was going to sprawl into a different direction further involving some original works but I needed the beginnings of the main quest to get the ball rolling. Maybe I will continue in a while but I just think I am in need of a break anyway. Some new ideas have been flowing into my head and I think I will pursue them for the time being......

[minque]

Aww Taillus! I haven´t even played one scene of Oblivion, but I enjoy to read it anyway..hehe when I finally get around to play the game, I´ll probably forgotten any spoilers...

[Agent Griff]

If you have a pretty good memory like I do even the smalest things stick with you. And if you eventually forget about a big spoiler, it always comes back at the essential time.

[Taillus]

Too true... I will continue working on the Xander story but I won't update it for a bit. Or maybe I will update less often but make sure everyone knows of its spoiler content. The mythic dawn piece was the last of the spoiler content so maybe I can still pull it off. Who knows. I guess we will have to see.

[Kiln]

Spoilers don't bother me so much, I read several Morrowind fan fictions before I actually got into the quests they highlighted and it didn't bother me...maybe I'm just different though. Anyways I'll look forward to your future updates, spoilers or no.

[Taillus]

Sorry Griff... I have decided to continue, the majority doesn't mind the spoilers so I am afraid you will have to refrain from reading further. As for everyone else, this is going to be a MASSIVE update! Hope you all enjoy as much as I did creating it...


“Trespassers are not welcome Imperial. I suggest you leave while you have a chance.” The robed man says with a raspy voice that I found hard to hear. The man stared at me with a cold glance and it took everything I had in me not to remove his head from the rest of his body.

“Such kind words to another brother. I am here to welcome a new Dawn.” I managed to choke out. Saying such words made me feel so filthy. I would make a point that if I survived this event I would want to take a day to clean myself vigorously. At the very least, I stirred a small grin from the robed man as he whispered something to a small wooden door behind him.

I watched as the door slid open and he invited me inside. He informed me that I was a lucky man to be accepted so late but he assured me that they were always happy to accept new recruits. I laughed to myself knowing that they would not be too happy to have me as a “Brother” by the time I was through.

As I had suspected, the Mythic Dawn agents that I had met just inside the door insisted that I give up all my worldly possessions. They claimed that the only thing I would need would be a fancy new blood red hooded robe. Excuse me if I am not jumping for joy.

I seemed to be just in time for a speech of sorts. Everyone was gathered around a large podium when I entered their main area and an Altmer in a blue robe was spewing Daedric Propaganda like nursery rhymes. I had two questions at this point… Why does this big wig get a blue robe instead of the traditional red? But more importantly how was he able to wear the amulet of kings?

From what I had known about the amulet was that it was a gift to Tiber Septim and was an artifact of great power. It was able to keep order in Tamriel but the biggest kicker was that it was supposedly only able to be worn by one of the Septim blood. How was this man who I knew immediately as being Mankar Camoran able to wear the amulet?

This made things so much clearer to me. The gates to Oblivion, the Mythic Dawn, the slaying of the Septim blood and Mehrunes Dagon. Maybe I should have realized this all much earlier but now I can see it all. It seems that Mankar Camoran wanted to remove the boundaries of our world and that of the daedric realm.

It pieced together so perfectly! Mankar Camoran wanted things to be like they were so very long ago. He wanted to give the Daedric Princes more influence over our lands because our supposed gods were nothing but fakes. He thinks he is doing us a favor by letting the daedra walk our lands…

After his lengthy speech that had his followers practically cheering I could tell that Camoran didn’t like being out in public for long. I guess it made sense. If he was in our realm, he was subject to danger. He seemed to me a person that trusted no one. Sadly, I couldn’t be more right.

Just as I had fought my way through the crowd of Dawn agents so I could get a shot at him with the most powerful blast of magicka I could conjure, the Altmer vanished with a flashy display of magicka. He had escaped with the amulet and I was left in a room full of cultists.

I was about to walk out of the lair with my head hung low for failing to get the amulet but was grabbed by my robed shoulder and spun around. Damn, I was hoping I could discretely make my escape but now I was being led to the front of the crowd by the bosmer cultist that took my belongings.

“As the newest member of the Mythic Dawn, you are required to make a sacrifice of innocent blood to our prince, Mehrunes Dagon. Take the dagger from the podium and kill the slave that rests beneath his statue.” The agent from the door explains as he leads me up some steps and on to the podium where Camoran was only seconds ago.

I was pushed onto the stage where a tied and helpless Argonian was waiting for his demise. He didn’t know it yet, but today was not the day that he would die. I was going to free him, and take the book I needed. I may not leave with the amulet but the book is the next thing to it.

The Argonian was quite mild mannered for someone about to lose their life. He looked at me with hatred but he basically had the mindset that I will burn for my actions. I didn’t take his burning gaze to heart considering I would be saving him in minutes. As I approach him further, I look into his eyes as a small grin crosses my face.

“Can you play dead, Argonian?” I whisper as I bring the dagger over my head. The poor ex-doomed man looks as if he is about to cry in happiness from my words. I swung the dagger quickly but I only manage to sever the rope holding his hands together and just barely miss his chest as I run the dagger across him. He yells out in a fake pain that was so real, it had me convinced that I killed him.

As one of the Mythic Dawn members come up to check the body, she was met with a diagonal slice of the dagger in my hands. She cried out as she fell before me and I hopped over her and grabbed the Mysterium Xarxes. I had one of the items I had come for but now the hardest part…how was I going to get out of here? I guess I hadn’t planned this far. The Argonian had run off in the darkness but I was being advanced upon by what seemed like two dozen Dawn Cultists.

Kill or be killed I guess was my state of mind and these guys did not seem to want to reason things out. All I knew is that they would have to pry this book out of my cold, dead hands because I was not going to give it up.

With a blast of magicka, I managed to keep them at bay for a few seconds. Luckily for me, The Mythic Dawn uniform was quite flammable, a little fun fact that I had learned from the Mythic Dawn meeting in the sewer and I had preoccupied a handful of agents by setting them ablaze.

Next, I had to find a way out of this cave. It seemed that the door I had used to enter had been sealed from the other side meaning that if I did manage to get out, it would be by using the scenic route, the more heavily populated route. Knowing I had little choice, I gripped the book tightly with my left hand and ran like my life depended on it… no pun intended.

[minque]

Ah wonderful Taillus! I enjoyed reading it very much....it´s a whole new world sort of..

I´m glad you decided to continue....


And Griffie!!! When you reach my age you´ll probably start forgetting things you as well!!!!

[Taillus]

I just had to post this tonight! I thought it was the clever Xander at his best. This should just about carry us into Chapter 4 too! Happy Reading everyone!


As I ran through a tunnel that was labeled as the one leading to the barracks, I knew that things would soon get much worse. I could see some figures up ahead meaning that I was about to be blocked from both sides. I wasn’t really up for being flatfooted so I thought quickly and decided to boost my strength and speed with a fortification spell.

I must say that unarmored, cloaked idiots do not fare well against a man running about as fast as a deer with the plowing force of a minotaur. After I trampled the pathetic few that were in my way, it was due time to deal with the ones that were still able to chase me. As I passed another room in the barracks, I noticed in the corner of my eye some food as well as some large barrels.

I had to stop them for just a few seconds. I needed enough time to make sure I could escape this place. I had a plan and it was my only hope. I extended an arm to the hall containing my pursuers and focused another blast of magicka. Luckily my aim was dead on causing the trio of men taking the lead to fall hard from a paralyze spell. The falling dawn agents tripped others and within seconds created a congested Mythic Dawn blockade.

I chuckled to myself at the sight of the poor fellows subject to that magicka. They looked so helpless as their legs gave way to paralysis and they crumpled to a skidding halt as others tripped and fell onto them. I had no time to consider how amusing it truly was. Soon enough they would push their way through the tunnel and catch me.

The reason I had to stop in this next barrack hall was that there were barrels propped up on wooden stands. I could tell by the symbol burned into the wood of the barrel that I was looking at something that would completely turn the tides for me. Cyrodillic Brandy!

I quickly used my buffed strength and speed from my fortification spell to heave one barrel on each of my shoulders and ran through the next hall. I had secured the book within my robes for good measure and I looked behind me as they were beginning to catch up to me now but it really didn’t matter any more. They will all rue the day they messed with the Blades, more so they will regret ever coming in contact with me!

I could see the exit of their lair and the wooden door to the outside world was only a short distance away. I smiled as I let the barrels of brandy drop off my shoulders and fall behind me. In one swift movement, I leapt into the air while turning to face my assailants. A surge of magicka swelled in my opened hands as I pointed my palms at the barrels.

“This is for Uriel Septim you hooded scumbags!” I yell as an earth shattering blast of flame magicka screams into the halls. It collided with the barrels causing an explosion that collapsed most of the barracks as well as trapped or killed all of the Mythic Dawn agents that were following me.

I landed hard on my upper back and skidded across the stone floor of the cave entrance. The force of the explosion propelled me several feet so I could only imagine what it had done to the agents that were almost in point-blank range. I slowly got to my feet as the wind was knocked out of me and I headed for the exit. After the events that had unfolded in that lair, I felt so refreshed, so rejuvenated and so alive.

I was not one to get a thrill from killing a man. In fact I would hate myself for killing a man unless he deserved it but this, knowing that I ended the lives of such vile, fowl people, knowing that I had taken the lives responsible for killing the emperor made me feel immortal.

I headed back to Cloud Ruler Temple eager to give Jauffre and Martin the news as well as the Mysterium Xarxes so he can work on getting us another chance to take the amulet back. Things were really getting intense but I had to say that we were definitely making some progress. I was actually beginning to think that we would end up successful.

Back at the Blades Head Quarters, I presented Martin with the book. He told me that he so greatly appreciated me doing everything I have done and he really felt sorry to keep sending me on errands but I seemed to be the only one capable of doing these things. I informed him that it would be a waste to send others to do such jobs. I reminded everyone that before Uriel Septim was assassinated, I was just another man waiting to die in prison.

Martin was polite in saying that everyone makes mistakes and I know that not a single man here would believe me if I just suddenly told the story of me saving Vvardenfel. It would be a waste of breath so I thanked him and went to the west wing of the Fortress and rested for a while…gods know I needed the sleep…

As I slept in the room that was provided for me, I could see Ebonheart again in my dreams. It was like the vision I had in the caves some time ago. I could still see Taillus in my body, giving a rally speech to a number of men. The sky was a deep red and black and I could hear thunder in the distance.

Unfortunately I could not hear his speech. I was in the crowd but his voice was muffled and distorted. He did have the support of every person in the crowd however and they were all cheering his name, his real name. This is perplexing, what does it all mean? Why are these dreams haunting me?

I woke up in a cold sweat. I expected it to be like my last dream with him acting as though he was me but I distinctly heard the crowd cheering Taillus. I was going to end up going mad unless I could figure this all out.

The next morning I was greeted by Jauffre, He knelt beside my bed and shook my shoulder. He informed me that Martin had made a great number of important findings and that he wished to speak to me. I decided that it would be best if I went to see him right away.

“Good Morning Xander, I have made a great number of discoveries. The good news is that I may be able to gain access to where Mankar Camoran is hiding. In doing so, we can eradicate him and get the amulet back. The only bad part is that I need two things. We will have to acquire the armor of Tiber septim…an artifact that no one has laid eyes on in a great number of years.

The other artifact is a powerful item known only as a great Welkynd stone. I know you have seen minor ones but it is said that after the pillaging and theft of most of the great stones, only one remains in Cyrodiil. There is a great ruin a distance away from here. It is there that you will find the stone.

As for the Armor of the great Tiber Septim, you have to travel to where it rests, in a shrine turned ruin on the other side of Cyrodiil. We will need these items to be collected before I can go any further.” Martin explains as he sets the Mysterium Xarxes on the desk before him.

I agreed to track these artifacts down and was about to leave to my room to collect what I needed for the journey when a young blades member burst through the door. He instantly gained the attention of the entire room and he stopped for a brief second to catch his breath.

“A messenger from Bravil… He came to me to say that a gate to Oblivion has opened just outside of the city gates. It only took seconds for daedra to come spilling out. We have to send help right away!” The young man says as he still struggles to catch his breath.

“We cannot spare any defense here at the Temple so I will go myself. I will have to get the artifacts at a later time.” I state as I sprint into the west wing and gather my equipment. I get approval from Jauffre as I burst through the door of Cloud Ruler Temple and I hop atop my paint horse and speed to the aid of Bravil.

[Kiln]

Such a nice day outside here today and I am stuck at work! I really wish I could stumble upon a few millions of dollars and be done with this work nonsense... oh well what can you do? Here is today's update...enjoy all!

There are lots of good places to do that...they're called banks...

On a more relevant note, I'm glad you decided to continue on with the spoilers, if you removed them it would pretty much take away the point of your story so you know...keep up the great work mate.

This post has been edited by Kiln: May 11 2006, 01:52 AM