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 FIFTEEN


“Janus, I want to ask you a question, but you have to be totally honest with me.”

It had been a mere five hours since we left Kvatch; and with it we also left hundreds of dead bodies as well, including Dion and presumably Danus. Now we’re traveling along the Great Forest, on a path of dirt that wasn’t exactly easy to follow. Mountains were to our left, Chorrol only thirty or so miles to the northwest. We didn’t plan on stopping for anything except for rest every now and then. We could wait until we arrive at Bruma for actual sleep and food.

“Sure, Rayden, go ahead and I’ll do my best to answer your question.”

I was still bent on wondering how we still stood a chance against the Mythic Dawn onslaught. We were now outnumbered and out-skilled as well. I just didn’t see a way of victory.

“Do you think the Empire still has a chance of taking back Cyrodiil from Mankar?”

He sort of chuckled a bit at the question, and then sighed heavily. “Rayden, I’m afraid I cannot give you a straight answer. But instead may I give my opinion on how things might unfold?”

I nodded, “Sure, go ahead.”

“This may sound strange, but I think perhaps the Imperial dominance is coming to an end in Cyrodiil. Look at us…only one city remains, granted that city will stand a long time before it is conquered, but sooner or later Bruma will meet the same fate as the others. Mankar’s army is simply too powerful and too numerous to defeat.”

“So do you think what the three of us are doing now is useless; all for nothing?” I asked.

“I really don’t know what think anymore, Rayden. Unfortunately it appears that no matter what we do, Mankar will eventually find us and take the amulet. He has his army of cultists, the Blackwood Company, the army of Kvatch and possibly any Anvil soldiers that might surrender and join their side. The odds are greatly stacked against us. Our Emperor is dead and only three rulers of Cyrodiil remain, that is until Countess Umbranox is killed by Mankar’s men. To be honest with you, as you have asked of me, I don’t see a realistic way of defeating the Mythic Dawn.”

“Then why all of this struggling? Why risk our lives to keep the amulet from Mankar if he is to take it away from us anyway? If what you say is true, Janus, I really can’t see a reason for taking all of these chances.”

“That is for you to decide individually. I am doing this because I am not a coward. I will fight to the end no matter what. It may be a hopeless battle, but why simply give in and surrender? If we are to die why not go down fighting?”

“I understand what you are saying, and I agree with it, but sometimes I just can’t help but feel stupid fighting for a lost cause, if that is what his is I mean.”

“I never said it was a lost cause; only that in my opinion victory cannot happen. But, Rayden let me tell you that I have seen strange things in my long, long life. Who is to say that the Council will not intervene?”

“About them…..where are they in all of this chaos?” Martin asked.

“I’m afraid I cannot answer that question either. I’ve been totally confined to my city and my city alone. Since the death of Uriel Septim and the invasion of the Mythic Dawn I have lost contact with the outside world. I am sure the Council is doing something, but what that actually is I do not know. Perhaps Countess Carvain will have an answer for us.”

“You’d think soldiers of the Legion from the other provinces would have came back to help defend Cyrodiil,” Martin commented.

“Well, there’s no telling if the Mythic Dawn has attacked the Legion abroad as well. If Mankar is smart, and he obviously is, he would have taken care of the situation. There are hundreds of thousands more Legion soldiers around Tamriel, but unfortunately they have not come to our aid as of yet. And King Hlaalu Helseth of Morrowind doesn’t strike be trustworthy at all. His mother, Barenziah, means well, but I am afraid her son is nothing like her. I wouldn’t be surprised if he too has sided with Mankar, if of course the invasion has reached the other provinces,” Hassildor said.

“Doesn’t Helseth command his own army?” Martin asked Hassildor.

“Yes, and a very skillful one as well I might add. He has many soldiers and would definitely be a useful force for Mankar’s army.”

“Come on, Janus. Do you really think King Helseth would side with the enemy?” Martin replied.

“Yes, I definitely do. Especially after witnessing Ormellius Goldwine and Hieronymus Lex do the same. These are tricky times, Martin. People don’t want to die, and sometimes they’ll resort to the lowest of things in order to survive.”

“I guess so, but I hope that doesn’t happen. We’re outnumbered enough as it is.”

“Yes, but after the deaths of Dagoth Ur, Almalexia, Sotha Sil; and the disappearances of the Nerevarine and Vivec in Morrowind, Helseth is doing all he can to gain as much power as possible. I don’t like it, and given the fact that the Empire is leaderless, this is an excellent and perfect opportunity for Helseth to make a move. I just hope his mother will tell him right if the worst ever begins to happen.”

We trudged on towards Bruma into the dark night and soon the weather changed for the worst. No longer were we able to walk in the cool weather with the nice light breeze that the Colovian Highlands offered. Now we had to endure the frosty coldness and snowy atmosphere of the northern part of the Great Forest. I was only wearing what little clothing I had before. I didn’t have a robe or a coat of any kind. It was absolutely freezing and it was now starting to snow! But I didn’t complain; after all, we’d be in Bruma in no more than five hours or so.

But along the journey something quite odd appeared out of nowhere. We were traveling along the road, snow was falling down heavily, and out from the forest came at least ten soldiers in leather and fur armor. The large group were carrying all types of melee weapons, were made up of various races, and were blocking our way. We stopped dead in our tracks, and then noticed to our left and right there were four more respectively. And to our rear were another five or so. Things weren’t looking good for us and at that moment I thought the end had finally come.

“Hold it right there!” yelled an angry looking Redguard, who had a giant scar across his right cheek bone and above his right eye. As he came closer I could see him blink, and the two scars were connected by another one over his right eye lid.

“Hold on, we don’t want any trouble; we’re just passing through. You can take my gold, I don’t have any use of it anymore,” Hassildor pleaded with the man. Apparently Janus thought they were bandits, but I didn’t think so. There were just too many of them to be simple bandits.

“We don’t want your money, old man, we want to make sure you’re not the bad guys,” the Redguard said while rubbing his hairy chin and checking Janus, Martin and I out. “You’re not wearing the usual red garb, but of course that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not one of them. My men and I have learned that the hard way...”

“I swear to you, we’re not the Mythic Dawn, we are only trying to…”

Hassildor was interrupted by a young Imperial standing to our right.

“Say, Alusan, ain’t he the Count of Skingrad?”

The Redguard, who I took was named Alusan, looked Janus in the eyes for several seconds and then formed a large grin. He appeared to recognize the Count as well.

“By Talos, you are the Count! What are you doing out here in the cold weather? Shouldn’t you be all bundled up in your warm and cozy chambers?” Alusan laughed.

“Yes, I am Janus Hassildor, former Count of Skingrad. My city was overrun by the foul Mythic Dawn. These two I have with me are escorting me to Bruma so that I may be with the last living ruler of Cyrodiil other than my self.”

“Overrun…just like all the others. But you say the Countess of Bruma and your self are the only ones left. How can that be when Countess Umbranox of Anvil and Count Goldwine of Kvatch still live?”

“Anvil is being attacked as we speak, by Goldwine’s own forces. Unfortunately he has betrayed the Empire and has sided with Mankar, just as the Legion officer Hieronymus Lex has done.”

“Yes, I remember Lex’s betrayal. I was at the Imperial City when it happened. Those men in red robes, they came in and destroyed the Legion troops like it was nothing. I barely escaped with my life.”

“Then you are a certainly one of the few lucky ones to have done so. Who are you?” Hassildor asked looking around.

“We are all refugees from several cities; the Imperial City, Chorrol and even Cheydinhal to be exact. We’ve been camping in the Great Forest caves ever since the invasion, picking off as many Mythic Dawn patrols as we can with our might and strong will to rid the land from their evil ways. I used to have more than fifty men, but now as you can see our numbers have dwindled down to a mere twenty hands, hands that are untrained in combat I might add.”

“Well, you are a remarkable bunch then. What is your name?”

“Alusan, son of Gancolm the Great. Have you ever heard of him?”

Hassildor raised an eyebrow.

“No? I thought so; my father was an excellent fighter in his time and won many fistfights. But unfortunately his drinking habits ultimately got the best of him and he died at the early age of thirty five when he mistakenly picked the wrong fight while intoxicated. But I am not like my father, a drinker I mean…” he said laughing once more.

This Alusan seemed rather friendly, and that scared the daylights out of me. The last time I met someone this friendly I was led to Mankar and almost killed for the umpteenth time. And then Hassildor actually asked him to come along with us.

“Well, I think it would be the best decision for all of us if you followed me and my two friends to Bruma. That is where the final stages of the defense of Cyrodiil will be. It’s the last city left and we’ll need plenty of men to fight.”

Alusan appeared to like the idea because he was now grinning larger than before and was again stroking his chin. “I like that proposal. It is getting cold out here and my men could definitely use a nice warm bowl of soup or something.”

Before anything else could happen I aggressively tugged at Janus’s robe sleeve.

“What are you doing, Janus? We don’t know these people; for all we know they could be just like Alfhedil!”

“Who is this Alfhedil you speak of?” Alusan asked me curiously.

“He was a friend of ours, or at least we thought so. He betrayed us and actually led Rayden to Mankar, where he just narrowly escaped death,” Martin answered for me.

Then the Redguard looked at me and said, “If that is true…Rayden…then you are a capable little elf.”

“I don’t make friends very easily and especially now because of Alfhedil’s betrayal. I will never let that happen again.”

“Well you don’t have to worry about that. One I’m not trying to be your friend; and two; I am as loyal as they come. I know it’s hard to believe me but you’ll just have to take my word for it.”

The last sentence I had heard before. I once told Martin the same thing, several times actually. He had believed me and so far things have worked out. Perhaps I should be a little more open as Martin was with me, but I can’t get careless. One more wrong step and it will surely be the death of me.

I simply shrugged at the comments, “Very well, but I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

“Oh I’m sure you will,” he said with a grin.

“Are we done with the arguing, Rayden? I’d like to get to Bruma soon. And this cold weather isn’t good for the Count. He isn’t young and able like you and I,” Martin said, but not with disrespect concerning his last two comments.

“Oh, if you only knew,” Janus said chuckling.