The Accounts of Rayden Options

[redsrock]

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story takes place just nine days after Uriel Septim's assassination, with a unique twist. I am taking the Main Quest and I am remaking it with my own version. What would have happened if both the main-character and Uriel Septim died in the sewers, along with all of the Blades officers? What would have happened if the Amulet of Kings fell into the hand of an "innocent" but hidden bystander?


The Accounts of Rayden


CHAPTER ONE


I wouldn't even have been able to get into the sewers if it wasn't for that foolish Imperial Guard, who, after a few too many bottles of ale, carelessly dropped his heavy set of iron keys lying so temptingly upon the hard wood floor. I was sitting in the tavern, minding my own business. I had planned on settling in for the night, but when I saw that gleaming shine coming from the keys, I knew my night had only just begun.




My name is Rayden, Bosmer and freelance thief of the Imperial City. I am a mere twenty-seven years of age, yet I am capable of many things even veteran thieves cannot accomplish. What, do you think of me as a boastful young brat? I will not argue with you, I am indeed confident of my abilities, but I guess I'll have to prove that to you. Don't worry, you'll learn soon enough.




When I first saw the keys I assumed someone else would pick them up and hand them back to the officer as a sign of good will, possibly a way to kiss up to the Imperials, just like everyone seemed to be so keen of doing. But alas, my inner prayers were answered and nobody but I witnessed the keys fall to the floor. So I left my seat and walked out the door, slyly scooping down to pick the keys up on my way.

At first I wasn't sure what to do with them. There were so many keys hanging from the iron ring, more than fifteen in fact. There were hundreds of places I thought about going to in order to get my hands on whatever I wanted, but one place stood out more than any other: the sewers under the prison. I had heard many a story about how there was a secret passageway to hidden chambers, were rooms were filled with lost and hidden treasures. From my understanding the sewer was not guarded by one soul, meaning it was probably my safest option, as well as my most prosperous.

I left the tavern and headed straight for the sewers entrance, which was just a bit northeast from the city. There, I fumbled through the keys, and thankfully, just as I had originally hoped, one of them opened the large-barred gate that was standing between me and my soon to be treasures.

I stepped inside the damp sewers and walked around for a few minutes, trying to find my way to the secret chambers. The rats were making things difficult, not to mention the goblins. They were extremely difficult to sneak around. After not finding anything of interest for an hour I was beginning to think that the stories must have been false, but then I faintly heard a metal door opening to the west, and the sound seemed as if it was not too far from where I was standing.

I quietly ran to where I heard the sound, and sure enough a door had been opened, and you won't even begin to believe who I saw. The Emperor himself, Uriel Septim, was being led by a Redguard Blade, and some other person who looked to be an inmate of the prison itself. I made that assumption because he was wearing raggedy clothes, and his wrists had irons on them. But the inmate was too far in the back, making it impossible to see what race he was. Obviously the Emperor was an Imperial, everyone knows that. And the Redguard's race was certainly visible thanks to obvious circumstances. As for the inmate, I never did get a look at his face. What happened next went so fast I'm still a bit dazed...

No more than ten seconds after spotting the three, a rustled noise came from their right side. Suddenly men and women wearing scarlet red robes and hoods appeared almost out of nowhere, and for whatever reason a small battle immediately commenced.

It was all so confusing and wild. I didn't know what to do, so I simple hid around a corner, but carefully peeking my head out so that I could see all the action. The Redguard was taking on two opponents at once, and the inmate had already been slain by one of the red-robed.

Uriel Septim had attempted to run away but one of the robed shot a spell his way, hitting him square in the back. A humongous cloud of magic surfaced through the air, and somehow a necklace flew from the Emperor's body, hitting the wall right next my face. I assumed the necklace was a simple, but expensive, piece of jewelry. But, when I picked the item up, I realized it was none other than the Amulet of Kings, THE Amulet of Kings!

I looked back, expecting to see the robed men running towards me, but instead they were running towards the fallen body of the Emperor. The Redguard had taken down his own opponents, and was then rushing over to the Emperor to protect him from the two remaining opponents.

Without hesitating I picked up the necklace and ran away, but before I did that I took one last glance at the battle. The Redguard was on the ground with an axe sticking from the side of his head, and the Emperor was lying unprotected on the hard stoned floor, with both of his frail hands in the air, shielding himself from the two remaining robed men.

"Tell us where the Amulet is!" Yelled one of the robed men. When the Emperor did not respond to their commands they simply stuck a sword through his chest and into his heart, ending the long lived life of Cyrodiil's leader. I watched in horror as Uriel's hands fell to the ground and slammed against the floor. The robed men began searching the area, and that's when I finally left the place.

Now, nine days later, I stand here in an old worn-out cabin, deep in the woods west of Cheydinhal. I sit here with the Amulet of Kings in hand, and I'm trying to figure out what to do. It only took one day for a total transformation of the Empire to take place. After what took place in the sewers, thousands of red-robed figures showed up in the Imperial City, led by an Altmer who called himself "Mankar Camoran". He claimed to be the leader of the cult he called "The Mythic Dawn".

I was in that same tavern where I found the keys when Mankar and his cultists arrived. The death of the Emperor had not yet been spread, since I was the only witness to the deaths, and I surely was too afraid to tell anyone. I was trying to keep myself out of trouble, but then again that would impossible as long as I had the Amulet of Kings still in my possession.

A fight broke out in the city. The guards and citizens banded together to fight the Mythic Dawn, but it was of no use. Apparently Mankar had several men inside the Imperial City who were working for him. That and the fact that the Imperial Legion was greatly outnumbered benefited to the Mythic Dawn's easy victory. Since then Mankar has taken the throne, and his men are looking for the Amulet, which I of course have in hand.

I had left the city before I was rounded up by Mankar's men, and like I told you before, I am now residing in my hidden cabin. It is not hidden by magical powers, but the trees certainly provide help in hiding from the outside world.

I was looking at the amulet closely, examining every last detail of the famed jewel. It was rather heavy for a piece of jewelry, seemingly a little over 1 pound in weight. The gold chain was supposed to wrap around the wearer's neck, and in the middle of the amulet itself was a gigantic, red, ruby-like gem, which was absolutely stunning. Around that gem were eight smaller jewels, all different colors. The amulet was truly a magnificent item, but unfortunately it had some magical powers conjured in it as well.

I say this because when I tried to put the amulet on my own neck, it simply fell off. It never would stay on and I was getting quite furious about the whole situation. That's when I paid a "visit" to the bookstore in the Imperial City, after-hours if you know what I mean. While there I discovered a book about the Amulet of Kings, and in its contents I learned that only a legitimate heir to the Septim bloodline may wear the amulet.

And now, again I say for the third time, here I am sitting in my cabin trying to figure out what to do with my new found treasure. For a while I had thought about giving the jewel to Mankar, for I had foolishly thought he might have given me a hundred heaps of gold for it. But after thinking a bit more clearly, I came to my senses and realized the elf was way too cunning. He would never have given me anything in return; he would have simply tricked me somehow. I do not know the man personally, but I could just tell what kind of man he was by looking at the way he talked.

Ever since the Mythic Dawn's battle was won in the Imperial City, I've been here in my cabin, for fear of my life. I do not want to give the amulet up anymore, I've made that decision. To be honest with you I don't really care about anyone else, but I do not want to see Cyrodiil run by a bunch of cult members and their fanatic leader. Obviously they want the amulet for something, but I'm just not sure what. Right now I'm trying to think of who might be able to help me. Perhaps there is someone who can help me destroy the gem, or perhaps destroying the item isn't what I should do. Back in the bookstore, I read something about that the Amulet of Kings light the Dragonfires, whatever that meant. I don't know what to make of all this, but surely there is someone in this land that can help me; someone who is wiser that I in that sort of business.

At that moment I remembered hearing about an old Breton who lived in a priory south of Chorrol. I knew not his occupation, but only that he had something to do with the Empire. His identity was supposed to have been kept a secret from all, but thankfully for me I was a nosey little thief. I decided that paying this man a visit would definitely help my cause, but of course I really didn't what my cause was at the moment...

This post has been edited by redsrock: Dec 5 2007, 08:23 PM

[redsrock]

CHAPTER TEN


Trying not to look suspicious, I quickly walked up the aisle until I was a mere few feet away from the Count, Ormellius Goldwine. I knelt on one knee and looked at the ground, attempting to show my respect for Goldwine. I didn’t want to anger him before even having a chance to speak with him.

“My lord, can you spare a few minutes of your time, please?”

I looked up to meet Goldwine’s eyes, and they were still transfixed upon me, as if he was trying to decide whether to oblige to my offer. I had never met the man himself, despite visiting the city many times as a child. I’ve never even heard stories about the Count, other than Martin’s, about him not liking mages or whatever. Other than that I don’t really know what to expect.

“And why should I speak to the likes of you, Bosmer?”

He said this not with a tone of disrespect, thought it may have sounded like it to anyone else. I could tell he was at least a little curious as to what I had to say.

“I come with news of Mankar Cameron’s plans. I know what he wants with Cyrodiil. He wants to find the Amulet of Kings and eventually take control of the country.”

I had also expected this statement to catch the Count off guard, but instead he just laughed. “Is that all, Bosmer? Well of course he wants to take over the country! Why else would he invade our land? And obviously he wants the amulet destroyed so that the dragonfires will diminish. But what fools me is why he wants that. There are no other Septim heirs, so all we are left to do is ponder why he wants that amulet so much.”

I didn’t want to mention Martin’s name, for the time wasn’t right for that. Instead I went ahead and told the Count of Mankar’s plan for tonight. “Mankar is also going to attack Kvatch, this evening in fact.”

This announcement caused quite a stir within the room, and everyone began talking with one another, rather loudly I might add. They were all pointing at me, asking each other who I was and where I came from. But the Count, however, was only angered by my statement.

“How can you make such a statement? What makes you think you know what Mankar is going to do?”

The Counts attitude had drastically changed for the worst. At that point, I don’t think telling Goldwine that ‘a friend told me’ would do me any good. But I definitely would explain how I infiltrated the city. But why should I not tell him about Alf’s claim? It wouldn’t hurt.

“I just came from the Imperial City. I…infiltrated the city, but was caught by Mankar and thrown into jail. Then, when I escaped with my prison mate, he told me that he heard with his own ears, from Mankar himself, that he was going to attack Kvatch today, sometime in the late evening.”

He still wasn’t going to believe me. “And why should I believe that you, a low-life scum, was able to escape the Mythic Dawn’s headquarters? For all I know you are simply making this up and all of it is a lie. Leave now before I have you thrown into my own dungeon!”

Before I even had a chance to defend myself my arms were grabbed by two guards and they began to drag me from the Counts throne room. “Wait, you have to listen to me, I swear I’m not lying! They’re going to attack this city tonight!” But he wasn’t even looking at me now. “You’ve got to believe me! If you don’t your city will fall!”

The guards took me outside and then threw me to the ground. They walked back inside, slamming the door shut behind them. I laid on my back for a few seconds, spitting out the clods of dirt that had unfortunately made thier way into my mouth. I guess that’s what I get for trying to save a city from it’s soon destruction.

“Hey, I thought I told you stay out of there!” yelled the guard who originally wouldn’t let me inside.

I got up from the ground and walked away. Thankfully the guard didn’t come after me, but he did send me a last second message, “The next time I catch you around here I’m locking you up!”

I didn’t care what he said, if Goldwine wanted his city to burn to the ground, then so be it. Martin, Alf, and I have done all we can do to help the Count see what is really happening out there, but his ignorance has blinded him, disabling him to see the truth. It doesn’t matter anymore, the three us have to get out of here as soon as possible.

“What did he say, Woody?” Alf asked as him and Martin, who were both sitting on the same ledge as the three us had been doing before I entered the castle.

Martin knew what I was about to say, and sighed heavily as I told Alf what happened. “He wouldn’t listen to me. He called me a liar and had his guards throw me out. I tried to tell you, Martin. Now what are we supposed to do?”

“I don’t know. We’ve got to get out of here before the Mythic Dawn show up, I do know that.”

“So what happened with you and Alf? You didn’t get into trouble with the guards?”

“No, that just told us to get lost,” Alf said.

We stood in sat in silence for a few minutes while trying to decide on where to go from here. We couldn’t go back to the Imperial City; it was too dangerous to attempt another infiltration. Count Goldwine was never going to believe me, and neither was Adamus. All we could do was travel to the next city and hope they would listen to our story.
“I guess we should just travel to the next closest city. What about Skingrad? Do you think Count Hassildor would be willing to hear what we have to say?” Martin asked.

“I don’t know, I’ve never met the man before, but I’ve heard he’s one of the more intelligent rulers of Cyrodiil. What do we have to lose?”

Before we left the city we grabbed some bread from the local bakery, which was a different store from the one I worked at as a teenager, as well as a different owner. We sat outside on a bench while we ate the food and washed it down with bottles of water. I hadn’t eaten a bit since I first came into the possession of the amulet. This meal was definitely a refresher.

“So, Alf, you never really told us about yourself. What was life like before all this mess started?” I asked.

“Well,” he said taking a last gulp of his bread,” I was just a gardener fer someone in the Elven Gardens. A nice little Altmer lady, very kind, offered me the job because she was getting to feeble to take care of it herself. Don’t ask me why she wanted me fer the job, but I took it without hesitation. I knew she’d pay me well because of her wealth, and that she did. It’s too bad I spent most of me money at the Arena, where I rarely won any bets. What about you, Woody?” He asked me.

“I’m a freelance thief, if you will. Nothing else really matters I guess; it’s all I’ve ever known since I was a young adult.”

I wasn’t in the mood for going into detail, like my past, unlike when I met Martin. I don’t know…it was kind of embarrassing now that I think about it. Here lately I’ve silently been arguing with myself about what I have become. Never before did I look down upon myself because I was thief. Heck, I suppose I even considered myself somewhat of a “respectable” thief, even though that doesn’t make any sense at all. I’ve persuaded myself over the years that what I do is not wrong, only a necessity. But now…..I just don’t know. I’m starting to have second thoughts about where my life is heading, and I’m not sure whether that’s a bad thing or a good thing.

“What about you, Marty? What’s your story?”

Martin rolled his eyes at the new given nickname and explained his past, but as an extremely trimmed down version.

“I’ve been a priest for a while now. I used to be in the Mages Guild but it didn’t exactly work out for me.”

We spent another ten minutes or so eating the rest of our food and drinking the rest of our water. Then we refilled the bottles to the top, and head out towards Skingrad. Rather than travel through the forest we just used the dirt road. There really wasn’t a threat from anyone, or at least we hoped so.

“You know, Martin, why didn’t we stop at Skingrad first? We passed it up on the way to Kvatch,” I said.

“I don’t know, I guess because Alf told us they were going to attack Kvatch.”

“But wouldn’t they go ahead and attack Skingrad while they passed? Why pass up on an opportunity to strike the city by surprise?”

“I don’t know, Rayden, maybe because Skingrad’s army is a lot stronger than that of Kvatch,” he said sarcastically. “Historically Count Janus Hassildor of Skingrad has been feared by many, and I guess Mankar just thinks Kvatch will be much easier to take over, and if you ask me I think that as well.”

“How so? Kvatch is well protected by their walls.”

“That’s true, Rayden, but Ormellius Goldwine is too preoccupied with making money that he’s forgotten the army. Their numbers are weak and the soldiers aren’t very well trained.”

“But they’ve got the legion with them. Why would Mankar attack a city where the Legion commander is present? It would be much easier to attack Skingrad.”

“Skingrad has Legion presence as well. Mankar probably wants to kill the Adamus Phillida to send a message to the rest of the country: that the Mythic Dawn cannot be stopped.”

“Ay, but we plan to stop that!” Alf yelled.

“It’s not going to be as easy as it sounds, Alf,” Martin explained. The Mythic Dawn cultists are trained professionals in the Dark Arts. I know you two were able to take out several of them at the Imperial City, but it’s not going to be that simple every time. They saw you two us mere prisoners. That had no clue what they were up against. But now that they know the skills you two possess, they’ll be prepared.”

“That all makes sense, but how does Mankar even know what we are up to?” I asked.

“For all we know he doesn’t have a clue, I’m just giving you an example. But sooner or later he will find out what we are doing and he will also realize who I am and what we have in our possession. Then things are going to get a lot more complicated and dangerous…for all of us, not just me.”

Silence fell upon us for several seconds until Alf chimed in again. “I’ll never leave ya’ Marty. I’ll stand by yer side till’ the end, whenever that is.”

Alf was a good person, thought I’m still having trouble understanding why he’s so eager to help us in the first place. He hasn’t even known us that long and already he’s pledging his life to us. But I guess that’s sort of the same way with me. I’m putting my trust in Martin and I barely know the man either.

“Yes, count on me as well, Martin. I mean, what else can I do? Sooner or later there won’t be anyone to steal from if the Mythic Dawn keeps up with their plan,” I said grinning.

We walked not very long, maybe a couple of hours or so, and it was about five o’clock in the evening. We reached the edge of the dirt path surrounded by trees, and it was flat lands the entire way after that. I say this because at the edge of the forest we could see the city of Skingrad in the distance. It wasn’t too far away, maybe another hour at the most. And then, to the west of Skingrad, we could see torches, many of them. We marched towards the lights, while picking up the pace, and as we neared we realized it was the Mythic Dawn. We stood beside a rock from afar while we watched them pass along the dirt road in the middle of everything where they could be easily seen. There were so many of them, easily a thousand if not more.

“Look at them. They’re not even more than two hundred yards from the city, yet Hassildor isn’t sending out his troops to fight,” Martin said.

“Why would he send out his troops if he’s not going to be attacked? I’m sure he’s keeping a close eye on them, but from the looks of it, it seems as if your theory was right, Martin. I guess Mankar does want to send that message.”

“Either that or Hassildor has sided with the scum!” Alf said.

“No, I doubt that. I know Hieronymus Lex betrayed the country, but I just can’t see a Count or Countess doing the same thing. It just wouldn’t make sense,” Martin said.

“It does if they don’t want their entire city destroyed!” Alf shot back.

Martin didn’t argue any further, one because there was simply no reasoning with the stubborn Nord. And two Alf was actually becoming angry, and it probably wasn’t a smart thing to get an Angry Nord even more upset that he already is. Not unless you want your face smashed in that is.

After Mankar and the rest of the Mythic Dawn troops passed by the three of us continued on, this time through the forest, just so we didn’t take a chance being spotted by Mankar or his men.

When we reached the city gates we were met by about ten soldiers dressed in Skingrad uniforms, all with their swords drawn as if we were the enemy.

“Halt! Show your hands!” yelled the one soldier without a helmet. He looked to be a Redguard, but I actually wasn’t so sure. He could have passed as an Imperial, but with an unusually dark skin complexion.

“There’s not need to worry, friend; we’re not here to harm you. We’ve come to speak with Count Janus Hassildor,” Martin said in calm voice.

“And why is that?” said the guard.

“We have news concerning the fate of Cyrodiil and the plans of Mankar Camoran.”

The soldiers whispered amongst one another and the tanned guard silenced them with the raise of his right arm. Then he walked over to Martin, just inches away from his face. Then stared into his eyes for a few seconds and said, “Why should I believe you?”

“You’ll just have to take my word.”

“Words really don’t mean anything nowadays,” the guard replied back.

Martin stared back at the guard this last about ten seconds until I started to grow impatient. “Come on, Martin, just show him the amulet.”

Martin looked at me crazily, as if I had just asked him to take his clothes off or something. Then he realized we weren’t going to get into the city unless he did what I had suggested. So he reluctantly got the amulet from his robe pocket for the guard to see. The guard’s eyes lit up in amazement as the amulet twinkled in the air. Then he looked at Martin with awe, and then at Alf and I.

“Come with me, please,” he mumbled in shock.