The adventures of Arthago chapter III, A Province united Options

[Agent Griff]

So let's kick this chapter off shall we? A small bit of info at what's to come further in the series: At the end of this chapter, Arthago will move to a whole new province and I think many of you already know which province it is. Anyway, let's enjoy Hammerfell while it lasts shall we?

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After the defeat of Lord Vhosek's rebellion, things went back to normal in all of Hammerfell. Some local kings and rulers however, seeing that Lord Vhosek managed to battle the King and even defeat him, albeit for a short time, started a fight against King Lhotun's rule as well. Since I was one of the highest ranking knights in Sentinel, with the exception of Marshal Daron and a few other senior knights of the order, I was often sent to these small kingdoms to stop the rebellions. The first kingdom to revolt, a few years after Vhosek's uprising, was the small kingdom of Santaki which was close to the Dragontail mountains. I was sent there, together with a few other knights below my rank, to stop the rebellion.

We arrived there after a few days ride. The capital of the small kingdom was the town with the same name, Santaki. The kingdom, albeit small, had its own knightly order, the order of the Hawk. That meant that the Kingdom had some importance in the politics of Hammerfell but it also meant that other smaller kingdoms may gather around Santaki and fight against Sentinel. I never really understood why Redguards or men in general fight eachother if there's no other foe to fight against. Maybe to heighten their skills? No, the answer was quite simple really. For Power. Once a man got ahold of better, he never could really let go of it. The more power you have the more power you crave. King Lhotun obviously had too much power for the regional kingdoms to bear, so they rebelled against him. Quite simple if you look at it from a political point of view.

The capital was a rather big town. It was quite smaller than Sentinel though but bigger than any other town I had seen before. The seal of the order that was etched on my cuirass was concealed by a cloak and so were the seals of the knights under my command. I didn't want someone to see that knights from Sentinel had arrived to settle affairs with Santaki. The palace was not a big or tall building, it was merely three storeys high. I could see an open balcony leading to the throne room at the last floor. There were also knights of the Hawk standing guard near the palace. Even though they came from an issolated kingdom such as Santaki those knights looked fierce.

Once we reached the gate of the palace, a knight stopped us to ask us of our business with their king. I didn't exactly think of an excuse on the way so I had to improvise.
"We come from Sentinel to bring word on King Lhotun's movements." I said in an official tone.

"Sentinel eh? Why do you have to bring the news to the King personally? I thought that sir Greklith was in charge of intelligence." the knight said with a suspicious voice. He was also constantly looking at my knights who were behind me.

"Our duties are to transmit this information to his Majesty personally." I said, trying to keep the lie going. He seemed to believe me.

"Very well then. If the King specificaly required that you meet him I won't interfere. Carry on!" the guard said as he opened the gate. How polite of him! I'm sure that he will be pounding his head after I slay his treacherous king.

A few minutes later we were standing in front of the king of Santaki. He was a man close to old age with a small beard and long, flowing, hair. He looked at me and my men with his brown eyes and asked what my business was in Santaki. He seemed confused and I felt sorry to slay him because he looked like an innocent man.

"What is your business in Santaki, travellers?" the king asked.

"We come from Sentinel with news and counsel." I said, with a soft tone that calmed him down a little.

"Counsel? What counsel? I think I can handle my own kingdom, despite my advancing age." the king said with a hostile voice. Alright so he didn't like advice. It wasn't as if he had much choice when it came to the advice I was about to give him.

"King Lhotun of Sentinel advises you to lay down your outrageous claims and slanders against him. He also advises you that uprisings are very dangerous for men of advanced age such as your fine self." I said in a cold voice.

"Men as myself? King Lhotun now mocks me! I will not lay down my just claims! Hammerfell must be free!" the old king shouted.

"The king of Ephesus had the same opinion regarding the King's counsel. He dissapeared shortly after he made his opinions public and his cousin now peacefuly rules the kingdom. I would not want the same happening to yourself." I said, trying to scare the old king.

"I know why you're here. Lhotun sent his assassins after me. He is a coward not to face me in just battle!" the old king shouted.

"Neither I nor his Majesty see a brave, young King fighting against an old man as a just battle. I think you will agree with our opinions." I said with a sarcastic tone. This man was really pushing my indulgence to the very limit.

"Your king is a filthy coward! And so are his men!" the old man shouted.

Before the old king could say another word he fell down on the floor. His throat was pierced by a small dart. Blood started flowing shortly until it reached our feet. Our job was done! Slaying old men with darts really wasn't my style but at least it payed well, well enough to manage the estate that Lord Vhosek left me. Before the guards could react we were already outside the palace and into the crowded streets of the city.

Once we reached the gatehouse, one of the knights under my command entered as the others, myself included, exited the city. Shortly after, the guard inside the gathehouse fell out of a small window. The knight inside had done his job well. He was more lightly armoured than the rest of us and he was adept in sneaking around and stabbing people when they weren't looking. He then fired a flaming arrow into the sky. The army waiting for us outside soon stormed the town with the gates open. The town guards and even the knights of the Hawk surrendered once they saw what was pouring through their open gates. The King would be pleased to hear of my actions, conquering a town without any loses and slaying a king without anyone noticing. Being an assassin though, didn't quite fit me. I lusted for the thrill of battle again. I had not fought anyone since Vhosek's rebellion. I had to return to Sentinel to report my deeds and receive my rewards anyway. I wonder what Marshal Daron has to say? I had not spoken with him since the days of the rebellion and I was anxious to speak with him again.


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That's it for the start of the chapter! I've followed advice and have used spaces between dialogue lines, tell me if you like it how it is now or if you liked it more the way it was before.

[Agent Griff]

Here's the next part of Arthago's tale. Enjoy!

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As I stood lazily in my bed I could see Belwin going about the room looking for something. It was still early morning and I didn't have it in my mind to get up yet. I was always somewhat lazy when it came to getting up early. When I was a child and my father was training me to become a knight, he always relished in waking me up early by pouring cold water on me. It always got me up from bed and instantly ready to change my clothes. After the morning training session which involved fighting with both a blade and a mace, with or without a shield, for extended periods of time, I would have to learn something about Tamriel's history. My father always said that a knight not versed in lore would be like a bard which couldn't sing. I never disagreed with him and, lo and behold, his training got me far. Very far. Being a Marshal in one of the most important knightly orders of the Iliac Bay was something to respect. Returning to the present, Belwin approached me once he found what he was looking for.

"Come on Arthago. It's time to wake up. Beomir just came and said he was going to meet his contacts. Bodean and Jon are also waiting downstairs." Belwin said rather eagerly as he opened the door and left the inn room.

I quickly got up and slipped into my traveling clothes, carefully strapping the scabbard of my scimitar to my belt. I made sure that my armour was well protected in a locked chest before leaving the room. As I got down to the common-room I saw Belwin sitting at a table together with Bodean and Jon. The inn was practically empty besides a few of the occupants which were having breakfast. An odd silence was about, when compared to last night's commotion. The band of singers was also gone. I went to the table where my three companions were sitting and took a free seat. From the empty seat which had a half-empty plate of food on it and the empty mug next to it, I could predict that Beomir had also had a hasty breakfast before leaving to meet his contacts.

"Good to see you're awake Arthago." Jon said in a neutral voice. "I hope you had a good night's sleep."

"How can you sleep well at night when you know this witch of a queen hounds you on the street with her guards?" Bodean said in a rather upset voice. This man seemed to be annoyed all the time.

"Well, today we put our plan into action. I think we should start discussing who to send to all the organizations we have to talk to." I said, initiating the discussion about the plan. I was in a hurry so no point not to be frank about it.

"I will go to the Imperial Legion." Belwin said rather boldly. Jon and Bodean looked at him in an odd way since he had spoken before they had.

"Well, I agree. Sending someone who is a Redguard might prove a bit suspicious. Someone neutral, like a Breton, would be more suited for the job. You could also use a few subtle charms to make them more appreciative of your suggestions, Belwin." I said. Jon and Bodean both nodded.

"I'm glad I have your trust. When should I leave? And most importantly, where must I go?" Belwin asked, looking towards Jon.

"We should wait for Beomir to come back from the woods nearby and see what's the status on the Imperial Captain's dissapeared wife. After he comes back, and we discuss how we should start spreading rumours about the Guard Captain, you should wait for nightfall before leaving. That way, if the street gangs really are to ambush the Orcs and the Legion, they can do so under the cover of night." Jon said in a rather brisk fashion. "You can find the headquarters of the Legion near Clavilla's castle, in the Upper Quarters which are in the north of town. Generally look for cleaner streets with less people on them and they'll lead you to the Upper Quarters. Nobody except nobles and rich merchants live there, so there shouldn't be any problems."

"Now that that's sorted out, we should talk about who is going to talk to the street gangs and the Orcs. I think that Beomir fellow should talk to the Orcs. They seem to have much in common." Bodean said in a rather grim way.

"Something you have against him?" I casually asked while leaning back in my chair.

"I, for one, think these Nords are no better than the Orcs. Bloodthirsty killers the whole lot of em'. In such times however, one must do whatever he can to sustain himself, even if it means associating with Nords or Orcs. So be it however." Bodean said with a rather cruel smirk.

"Well, I agree with sending Beomir to speak with the Orcs, since a Redguard would make them suspicious as well, but that still leaves the street gangs. Who is to go and convince them to actually ambush the Orcs and the Imperials?" I asked in a rather unconfident way. I wasn't really sure who would be fit to go to the street gangs.

"Hm, I don't think I would be well suited to going. I've had some scuffles with their members in the past. Scum, through and through. It's hard to see how they could be convinced, except by way of bribes." Bodean said in a rather pessimistic way. I had money given to me for bribes and other expenses, but it was for use in Rihad, not in Taneth. For now, good old persuasion would have to do. Since Jon seemed just as hesitant as Bodean to volunteer, it seemed that I would have to be the one to negotiate with the street gangs.

"Since you two don't seem to anxious to volunteer, I'll do the 'honours'. Besides, I've done my share of negotiations in the past, how hard could these thugs be to convince?" I asked as I stood up from the table. The others all looked at me with doubtful eyes, especially Jon.

"They can be rather stubborn." Bodean said in a bored way. "Nothing you can't handle though, from the looks of you."

"There have been some rumours however." Jon added in a rather frightened way. He seemed to fear for my safety.

"What rumours?" I asked in a concerned voice.

"Well, I did say that the street gangs were in a conflict with the Orcish mercenaries. This conflict hasn't been just a verbal one; it has also been a very physical one. Lone Orcs have been attacked and killed on the streets late at night. One time they even tried attacking an Orc patrol but the Orcs managed to escape after leaving a few of the thugs in a pool of their own blood. They have some skill with easily concealable weapons, especially daggers." Jon said in a worried way.

"Bah, I once got into a knife-fight with one of em' thugs and he barely got away with his life. Even my mother has more skill with blades, and she's 50!" Bodean said in a rather boastful way. From the start I seriously doubted his claims.

"That thug would have been the last one standing if he hadn't been dead-drunk by the time you got into an argument with him. Drunk as he was he could barely stand, let alone swing a knife around. He did leave some scars on you though." Jon said in an almost mocking way, which managed to anger Bodean.

"Well, he was a little drunk. Well, more than a little drunk. But still, he was pathetic! He barely managed to leave a few small cuts on my arm and an awkwardly aimed stab at my leg. I would have beaten the living daylights out of him even if he was sober!" Bodean said, almost shouting. If I didn't know better I would have said he was drunk.

"Anyway, boasts aside, where can I actually find these guys?" I asked.

"Well, pretty much on any side-street in the Lower Quarters. I know of one tavern near here which is owned by a man rumoured to have dealings with the street gangs. You can start from there. The tavern's name is the 'Least Liked Hound' and the owner is a man named Dak." Jon said, summing up where I could find members of the street gangs.

"Very well then, best not to tarry, since time is of the essence. Let's hope that until I'm back, Beomir will return as well." I said as I rose from the table and left.

"If you come back, that is." Bodean added with a grim smirk. Belwin looked at the man in a rather annoyed way after he said those words. I didn't pay any attention though and left the inn.

As soon as I opened the door I was back, out and about around Taneth. The small clearing in the shacks in which the "Serpent's Coil" was located seemed an open meadow in a forest of dark buildings now with the coming of day. Since it was still rather early most of the people in town were still asleep. I found a beggar nearby however whom I asked for directions. He was wearing some torn up pants and was sitting all huddled up in a corner. He smiled as I approached him, a very opportunistic smile however. If he had a weapon on him he'd surely hit me over the head and steal everything I had. Thankfully, he didn't.

"Greetings. Could you tell me where the 'Least Liked Hound' inn is?" I asked in a rather wary way. Knowing he was a beggar he would probably ask me for something.

"Some food for my kids might refresh my memory sir. We've been starvin' since the Queen locked up my brother for being a priest of Satakal." the beggar said, trying to put on an act of being pitiful. I quickly threw him 2 Septims. His face lightened up as he gathered them up from the ground.

"Up that alley-way, second turn to the left. Thanks kind sir!" the beggar said as he began counting how many coins he had gathered. He opened a pouch which revealed a lot of coins of various sizes. He did so carefully so that nobody could see him, but I could get a glimpse of his money by turning my head quickly when he wasn't looking in my direction. Lucky beggar.

The tavern was pretty easy to find, being situated near the "Serpent's Coil". Right near the entrance were a few shady types who appeared to be standing guard. They gave me an odd look as I approached, one of them entering the inn before me. I had to be on my feet, unless I wanted to wake up with a dagger at my throat and a palm on my mouth. I carefully approached the door, pretending not to pay the Redguards who were standing about any attention. After a few tense moments they stopped looking at me and carried on discussing something of importance to them. I entered the tavern, somewhat calmer. It was all but empty, except a few people standing about at some tables and talking. The tables were old and decrepit, one good kick could have splintered one entirely. So were the chairs. Suspicious eyes all targeted me as I approached the bar. The publican didn't seem to be paying any attention to it though. He was idly cleaning some glasses.

"Greetings." I said with an awkward smile as I approached him. "I'm looking for Dak."

"Speaking." Dak said in a bored fashion.

"Um...I came here about...how should I say this?" I said in a pretty nervous way. I was unsure how to ask him about the street gangs.

"Do you owe me money? If not, scram. Or, sit down and have a drink. Either option is fine with me." Dak said in the same tone. At least he was straighforward about it.

"Well, I don't exactly owe you any money, but I have a very interesting proposition for your business partners, and for your fine self." I said, trying to make him curious. He looked at me with dull eyes.

"If you're another member of the Guard trying to make my tavern appear as an unlawful venue, you can take your offer and shove it right up your backside, Redguard." he said in an agressive tone. It seemed my message didn't have the meaning I was intending.

"I'm no member of the Guard, but it will be your loss to consider me one. If that's is your will, I won't oppose it. A good day to you." I said in a last desperate move, trying to make him open to discussion. As I turned, I started walking towards the door. After a few moments, I heard a voice.

"Wait a minute." Dak finally said, after waiting a few moments. "Maybe I was too rough on you. Come with me in the back room."

I silently followed him behind the bar and into a small back-room which seemed to be a kitchen of sorts. There was also a door in this back room which lead to a small chamber which was lined with hooks on the walls. On one of the hooks I could see the ghastly image of an Imperial hung by the back of his head. Dak noticed me looking at the dead Imperial then smiled.

"Don't worry about him. He was a former business partner who came to me with a scam. When I found out about his little scam, I had a word with him. As you can see, he got hung up in the details. Now...go ahead and name your offer." Dak said with a crude smirk on his face. He obviously though that the sight of that Imperial would intimidate me. I had seen worse in my days though.

"I knew you'd reconsider." I said, smiling that my move had paid off. It was a very slight smile however, coupled with a feeling of fear. "I represent a certain faction which does not wish to be named, yet it works in the interest of Hammerfell and all Redguards."

"What does that have to do with me?" Dak asked.

"I happen to have heard of a conflict you and friends have with the Orc mercenaries present in this city. The Imperial Legion has also been encroaching on your affairs more than you find pleasant. I have a solution for your problems." I said, trying to speak in a mysterious tone.

"Cut the small talk, what are you proposing?" Dak asked in a rather impacient way.

"I can arrange for an opportunity to severely weaken both the Legion and the Orcs in one fell stroke. The plan has already been set in motion, as a matter of fact. All that is needed now is that you give your word of cooperation." I said, eluding the subject once more.

"Hm, it sounds interesting enough. You're still being too vague though. What exactly does your plan involve? Be more specific and I'll give you a proper answer." Dak said. He appeared interested enough.

"Well, alright. Let me explain. Several of our agents have already infiltrated both the Orcs and the Legion, and have convinced them to head off into a specific spot at a specific time of the night. At that specific time, both the Orcs and the Legionnaires will be standing idly, expecting to find a gang of thieves unloading their loot after a succesful heist. That would be the perfect time for an ambush. All that is needed is a willing and able company of men ready to set off the ambush. That's where your organization comes in." I said, explaining the plan.

"Fair enough. You mentioned some agents however. If this job is so important to you, why don't you pull it off yourself if you're representing such a powerful faction?" Dak asked.

"We do have some agents, yet they are not enough to succesfully put an ambush into effect. They are also ill-fitted for combat, rather for infiltration and subterfuge." I said, trying to give an excuse for the reason we couldn't do this alone.

"I don't understand the last words you said but you seem honest enough. If you'd have been with the Guard my men would have gutted you the moment you stepped inside my tavern and you would have joined that Imperial back there. Very well then. I'll spread the word and have my men ready. When will the ambush take place?" Dak asked with a grin. It was a grin of revenge however. Revenge he was going to get for all the hardships the Legion and the Orcs had caused him.

"My own men have yet to set out and 'warn' the Legion and the Orcs about the supposed gathering of thieves. When night sets in however, they will go. It's best to have your men ready before night comes. Have them sit quietly at the spot and wait for the Orcs and the Legionnaires to come. When they're both at the spot, and wondering where the loot is, pounce." I said, explaining how Dak should arrange his men. Hopefully, he would listen.

"Very well then. Where exactly is this spot?" Dak asked in a curious tone. I simply handed him a note written by Jon, detailling where the ambush would take place. He looked at it with a quick glance then smiled. "Aye, I know this place well enough. Is there anything more I should know?"

"No. I'll be leaving know if you don't mind. I hope your men at the door won't be giving me any trouble." I said as I left the small back room. Dak followed me and resumed to tending glasses and mugs.

"If they would have given you trouble you'd have been dead by now." Dak said simply as he looked down at his glasses.

"Or the other way around." I said, smiling as I left. I could hear Dak laughing behind me.

"You sure have a sense of humour Redguard! Off with you!" he said, during bursts of laughter.

Now that the street gangs had been handled, I eagerly returned to the "Serpent's Coil" to anounce Jon and Bodean of my exploits. Hopefully, Beomir should have also returned by then. The short trip back to the "Coil" was uneventful and I soon found myself stepping inside the large common rooms. I could see Jon waving at me from the door to the back-room where we first thought out the plan. I was quick to follow him inside the back-room. I hastily took a seat at the small table inside, where Bodean, Jon, Belwin and Beomir were also sitting. Beomir's simple cloth tunic was dirty and torn in places, with some dried leaves and twigs also sticking out of his long hair. He had just returned from the forest, by the looks of him.

"Greetings, I hope I didn't miss something." I said, eager to hear what Beomir had to say.

"No, Beomir just arrived. He was going to tell us about his forray in the wild." Belwin said with a smile as he looked at Beomir. He was eager to hear what news Beomir brought as well.

"Well, as I was saying before Arthago arrived, I was stalking about the forest with these two trackers who were friends of mine, freshly arrived from Falkreath. Red-blooded Nords both of them. Anyway, we were looking through the forest but all we could find were some bones left by wild beasts and the odd animal droppings. After a few hours of pointless wandering, one of my friends, Valgeir was his name, finally gave a shout. He had just found something. I rushed to the place where he was standing. At his feet, was a fine corslet bearing the arms of Taneth. It was bloodied. We continued our search however. Soon we found other signs of a despicable deed. A bloodied sword, a rusted helm and a pair of gauntlets shattered beyond repair, dried blood coating them." Beomir said with an eager voice as he recounted his tale.

"Fitting evidence, yet did you find a body?" Jon asked, anxious to hear more.

"We kept on looking for one more hour. My other friend, Thorsten, kept finding separate tracks. One pair was that of a heavy, mailed, pair of boots. The other pair was soft and almost invisible to the untrained eye. The tracks kept going as if in a chase. We lost the trail several times until Valgeir found the remains of a struggle, and a body. It was the body of a woman. Judging from what we found, she had used a large branch as a weapon against her attacker. The branch had been cleaved in two however." Beomir said, finally smiling after he finished his tale.

"I think we have our culprit." Belwin said in a calm voice. He never seemed to get over-enthusiastic about things.

"The signs all point in the same direction. The murder of a woman by a guardsman of Taneth. But was that guardsman the very Captain of the Guard?" Jon asked in a rather rhetorical way.

"Well, look for yourself and tell me if this is the armour and weapon of a regular guardsman." Beomir said as he stood up and heaved a large sack on the table. Inside, was the corslet and the blade they had found in the woods. I took the blade and examined it. It was made of fine steel, a kind unlike most swords. The edge was coated with a layer of silver. That meant that the weapon was custom-made, and very expensive. It obviously wasn't the weapon of a regular guardsman.

"This blade is of very fine craftsmanship. It couldn't have belonged to a regular member of the City Guard. See the edge?" I said as I held the blade close for everyone to see the silver coated on the edge. "This is a very expensive blade to give to a minor guardsman. So is the corslet, by its appearance."

"I think it's very obvious what happened. The honoured user murdered his wife then hid the evidence in the woods. He also was too foolish to hide it propperly, from the looks of things. I can surely say that we have a culprit on our hands. I'll start writing those propaganda leaflets right away. I think it's fitting for the people of Taneth to know what kind of a man their Guard Captain is." Bodean said in a despising tone.

"Well, we were lucky. We found both a body and the evidence regarding who did the crime. Now, the only thing left to do is to pay a visit to the Orcs. We were thinking you should go Beomir." I said, changing the subject.

"Great. Countless hours of wandering about the forest and looking at the ground for tracks can become very boring, very fast. Let me change my clothes and I'll be on my way. Perhaps there will be some fighting as well." Beomir said with a grin as he left the table to change his clothes.

"No fighting Beomir, we don't want to blow our cover! Just talk, alright?" I said, trying to warn Beomir not to ruin the whole operation. A dissapointed grumble was the only answer I received yet it was enough.

With the Street Gangs ready to spring the trap on the Legion and the Orcs, everything which was now needed was for someone to actually tip the two groups off about a gathering of thieves which would split their loot. Belwin was already preparing to leave, and so was Beomir. All I had to do was to wait. Hopefully, the next day we would already be on the road to Rihad, leaving Taneth behind us in its new, revolutionary state. Good plans however always had a history of not working at the last moment. Hopefully, this one would. It had little consequence however if our plan would succeed or not. With the events which had already been placed in motion, Taneth would be shaken to its very foundations.
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That's it for this rather long chapter. Hope you enjoy it.