The Ice Warrior Options

[redsrock]

The Ice Warrior

CHAPTER ONE


The horrifying, ear-piercing screams ran through the night, waking me up from my slumber. Upon hearing these dreadful noises I immediately rushed from my old wooden bed and entered the hallway of the fort. The others had already risen from their own cots and were brandishing their blades while running outside.

Come, Erick! The time is now! Prove your honor and your pride!

I heard someone yell those three sentences, but I couldn't make out who was talking. But I didn't have any time think. The enemy horde was on our doorsteps and I was not about to let my people down. After seeing the others rush out into the cold night, I sprinted back into my own room and lifted the lock off of my old oak wood-chest. Then I reached for my silver broadsword and ran out into the hall to join my comrades.

Outside the battle had already commenced, and the white-colored floor had by now been stained with the crimson blood of my friends...and my enemies. I ran, creaming at the top of my lungs as loud as I could. The enemy from the northeast had at last built up enough courage to attack us without surprise. I for one was not going to let this opportunity go to waste.

The untamed Nords had made their way through our defenses and were now in our camp. There were at least fifty of them; all running around setting to fire to anything they could find. Their dirty beards and hair flapped in the wind, along with the blizzard that was coming down from the dark sky.

The first enemy I came to face was a heavy-set warrior wielding an iron war axe and a dagger of the same material. The piece of scum roared at me and got into a defensive position as I charged towards him with my broadsword held high into the air. As I neared the man he swung his axe at me but I ducked just in time and tackled him to the cold floor. Snow splashed up into my eyes but I quickly wiped it away as I hacked at my adversary's face. Again and again I slashed at his face, even when I knew his death had already come and passed.

I was too crazed with wanting revenge; too distraught to even observe the other heavy warrior lumbering towards me with a giant wooden war-hammer. The weapon hit me square in the back and I instantly dropped my blade and fell to the white canvas. Then the warrior turned my body over and I was face to face with the enemy; the despicable Nordic warrior from the north...the Skaal!

The oaf of a Nord glared into my eyes with pure disgust. He hated me and I hated him. This story of revulsion between the Imperials and the Nords has lasted for many years. And this particular battle was only one of hundreds that was sure to follow.

Then the Nord opened his mouth and began to laugh insanely. Spit fell from his mouth and hit me in the forehead. I could smell the putrid stench that was his breath; but alas there was nothing I could do. He had my arms pinned to the ground. Then, a ball of green smoke came from the mouth. It formed into some kind of animal, though I couldn't tell what it was. Suddenly I heard a deep howl, and that's when everything went black and I snapped back into reality.

"Erick...Erick, wake up! Wake up, Erick!"

A dream....it was all a dream. I could have sworn it was real; the heat from the fires, the yells of the Nords, and the impact from the war-hammer...it was all so real to me. But, fortunately I was only dreaming, and now my roommate was trying desperately to rouse me up from my delusion.

"It was a dream, Erick...only a dream!"

Finally I sat straight up in my cot with my roommate's hand on my shoulder. Melvin, an Imperial soldier just as I, was looking into my eyes with a most concerned look about his hairy face.

"You don't look so good," he said, stroking his slick and thin black beard. Melvin had always been proud of his facial hair. He always kept it neat and tidy; which the ladies loved.

"I'll be fine. I just had another dream..."

I looked outside my window to see that it wasn't snowing the least bit, and there weren't any angry Nords running around with torches. Everything was peaceful for the time being

"More like a nightmare, Erick! I can't keep living with those screams, friend. Sooner or later I'll throw you in the hallway!"

I merely laughed it off, trying to forget what I saw. For the past several days I've had some of the most dreadful dreams ever imaginable. They all started out differently, but they all ended with the same green smoke and the same howl. It had really started to bug me and I had thought about seeing a mage about it.

But Melvin wasn't going to let me do such a thing. He figured the mages would think me insane. Such dreams were a sign of lunacy, you know. But I just couldn't help it. I wanted to know what they meant; if something was going to happen to me. I've talked with Melvin about it hundreds of times, but he doesn't seem to think anything is wrong. I wished I could feel the same way.

"So...was it the smoke again?"

"Yes."

"The howl as well?"

"Yes."

Melvin had jumped back into his bed by now, but when I told him it was the same dream, he turned around to meet my sweaty face.

"I know I've said this just a few seconds ago, but you look awful, Erick."

My friend's ‘kind' words weren't doing me any good. I couldn't keep living like this. At that very moment I told Melvin I was going to talk with the local mage first thing in the morning. He got out of bed and stretched his arms into the air.

"Where you going?" I asked him.

"Taking a piss, if that's okay with you," he said playfully walking out the door, closing it gently behind him.

I was lucky to have a friend like Melvin. I remember the first time I met him here in this desolate snowy island of Solstheim. It was three years ago then, just shortly after I had arrived from the mainland. Melvin was always the smartellic type. He never let anyone tell him something he didn't want to hear, but he was always one to voice his own opinion.

And you know what; I almost feel grateful for getting sent here to Fort Frostmoth. Sure, I'd be much more comfortable back in Caldera, stealing ebony again. But what good would that do me? By coming here and working my tail off I've become a better man and a better human being. No more thieving for me; my life as a criminal was over the moment I set foot on this island. Since then it's been a lot of hard work, but at least I can say I now have control over myself.

But Melvin...well, he's different story. Though he's stopped his skooma addiction, he's also still a heavy drinker. Mazte is his favorite and I could almost bet you a hundred septims there's a couple bottles of it under his bed right now. But at least he can control when he drinks. It's not like he does it in broad daylight. No, he's way smarter than that. If you ask me it's his intelligence that's allowed him to survive so far. Everyone has their own personal attribute that compliments themselves. Melvin's is his charm and intelligence, and mine is...well I'm not quite sure just yet.

Captain Falx Carius seems to be respectful for my hard-working nature, but that has only gotten me the title of "Captain's Pet" from the other soldiers. Of course, none of us are really soldiers. Everyone knows Fort Frostmoth is where all the trouble makers go to spend the rest of their lives working for the Empire. It's not really that much work if you ask me; a little bit of construction, a little bit of mining, and some other minor chores.

The life of a prisoner isn't so bad I guess, but I can still can't help but wonder if there's something else out there for me. I realize that my life as an inmate is eternal, but still...I've got a feeling something's about to happen. Something big...but I just don't know what; nor if it's good or bad.

"You still awake?"

Melvin had walked into the room and flopped onto his bed. It was likely a little after midnight, and I had awoken my friend from his sleep for the third night in a row.

"I'm sorry, Melvin. I'll...I'll wait on speaking to the mage if you want me to."

"Yes, I'm glad to hear it, my friend. Do NOT tell them about your dreams, Erick. It will only lead to more problems. They'll lock you up in a cell, and before you know it they'll throw you out into the wild. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

No, that didn't sound like a good life to me. Perhaps my dreams would fade away?

"Don't worry, I'll keep quiet."

Only time would tell.....

This post has been edited by redsrock: Feb 7 2008, 05:11 AM

[redsrock]

CHAPTER FIVE


Once Bruno was out of earshot Melvin started getting angry again.

“That honoured user! He’ll be sorry tonight, that’s for sure!”

He the picked up a rock from the ground and flung it out towards the forest, where it hit a tree and fell harmlessly to the ground.

“Melvin, just sit down and cool off, okay? Why are you letting him control you like this?”

“How the hell is he controlling me, Erick?”

“I can’t remember you ever acting like this towards another person. Melvin you aren’t known for going off and getting angry, you are known for your slyness and cool-attitude. You never let anyone ‘ruffle your feathers’, if you will. But now…now Bruno is turning you into…well, into this,” I said pointing at Melvin, who was still fuming with anger. “And he knows this as well. You’re doing a good job at letting him know he’s getting to you.”

Melvin looked me, sighed, and then sat back down beside me.

“I know, I know…I just…there’s something else, Erick.”

“What?”

“I…I have a specific hatred towards the Redguard race. I never told you this but I am a racist towards them. Every last of one ‘em.”

This was definitely a surprise. He had never told me this before. I thought I had him all figured out, but apparently not.

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“One, I never have had the chance. There are no Redguards at Fort Frostmoth, you know. And two, once we met Bruno I still didn’t want to tell you. I…I don’t want you to think bad of me or anything like that. I’m ashamed of it, I really am, but my father brought me up hating the race.”

“Melvin, I’ll never think badly of you. You’ve been a great friend and have done nothing but give me advice and keep me in line. What would I do without you, buddy?”

I punched him playfully on the arm and at last he began to smile a bit.

“Thanks, Erick. I’m glad you understand. Now you know why I hate Bruno so much, and why I have to do what I am going to do tonight. And I can’t wait to do it too,” he said, gritting his teeth.

Back in the mines, some twenty minutes or so later, we continued our digging. If you ask me our particular room must have been exhausted of ebony before we arrived; simply because we just weren’t finding a lot of anything. I was thinking perhaps Falco did this on purpose because he wanted us prisoners to suffer, but then again he didn’t appear to be that type of fellow.

But anyways, we kept on digging throughout the day, and with a source of water I should add. After Melvin’s and Bruno’s mishap Falco ordered a large supply of fresh well-water for every room. Needless to say this made everyone happy, especially Teemee and J’Dato, who kept hogging it.

“Come on you two, get back to work!” I yelled.

“Who died and made you captain?” Teemee asked sarcastically.

“Yeah, we’re just having a drink. Is it really hurting you?” J’Dato added.

“But this is your third stop since lunch!”

“That’s right, and we’ll probably have a fourth here soon!” The lizard remarked. The two then began howling with laughter, spilling water from their mugs in the process.

I found it extraordinary that the two of them could at one second be arguing like bitter enemies, and then the next minute they were sitting beside each other drinking water as if they had not a care in the world. But I suppose it wasn’t too big of a deal. I mean, we weren’t going to find anything either. But Melvin on the other hand was getting sick of the beasts’ laziness.

“Either you two get back to work or I’ll force you with my own bare hands!”

“And do to us like Bruno did to you, eh?” Teemee laughed.

Melvin got up from digging to retaliate but I grabbed him and pinned him to wall.

“Let him be, Melvin. It’s only Teemee. You know how he is.”

“Someday that lizard’s going to get what he deserves, Erick.”

“I know, but now isn’t the time to fight. You’re on the verge of letting loose on someone, I can tell. Just calm down and ignore the two. Hell, you can snitch on them to Falx for all I care, but for now let’s just keep digging.”

“For what? There’s nothing here, Erick! The place is totally barren!”

“Yes, I know. I’ve told you the same thing several times. I told Falco about it earlier but he insisted there was still a large amount buried deep within the rock. There’s no use in arguing, you know.”

He simply nodded and we continued to dig while Teemee and J’Dato were laughing it up just a few feet away from us.


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At six o’clock the horn at last sounded and we were free to go home. But of course Melvin wasn’t planning on doing that, and when he bid me and the others farewell I hid behind a tree, only about thirty yards from Melvin, who was hiding as well. He had told us that he wanted to speak with Falco about something, but I knew it was a lie.

Melvin waited for everyone to leave the mine, until Bruno himself walked out. He was being followed by his five ‘bodyguards’, and Melvin followed them to wherever they were going. Of course I followed as well, but far behind so nobody could hear or see me walking.

Melvin made sure to stay in the trees while following, and so did I. Bruno eventually led us to a nice looking house on the western edge of the settlement, right beside the river. After exchanging a few words with his friends he entered his home and the others dispersed to theirs. Melvin then waited behind a large tree until it was dark outside and everyone was asleep. I was only about thirty yards behind him the entire time, waiting for him to make his move.

I almost felt guilty about following my friend, but I too had a bad feeling something was going to happen. Ever since Melvin and I had our little talk during lunch my stomach’s been upset. It seems to do that whenever I’m worried about something; and I sure as hell was now.

Finally Melvin walked up to the cabin and peered through a window. There was a light coming from inside, but I was of course too far away to see anything. Then I witnessed Melvin take something from his pocket. It looked shiny but it was impossible to tell what exactly he was holding. He walked up to the door and waited, pressing his ear against the keyhole. Then, shortly after the lights inside went out, he quickly opened the door and rushed inside. I heard a yell from inside, both a man and a female voice. Then there were some grunts and noises of things breaking and falling. Soon Melvin came out, limping quite noticeably. He ran right past me without even seeing me, and then I whispered loudly, “Hey, Melvin.”

“Erick? What are you doing here? I told you not to follow me!”

“I wasn’t just going to leave you here all by yourself! What happened in there?”

“Let us get back to the fort first.”

Then another yell ran out and Bruno had appeared from his cabin, clutching both of his eyes. Soon his buddies appeared from there homes and that’s when Melvin and I decided to get of there as fast as possible.


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Once we made it back to the fort we tried to sneak through a back entrance, but unfortunately a prison guard spotted us before we could get inside.

“Hey, Erick, Melvin…where have you two been?”

But, thankfully this guard was only a prisoner, just like Melvin and I. And that meant he could be bought, if you know what I mean.

“We were out……talking with someone in Raven Rock. Just let us go, please,” Melvin said impatiently.

“Why are you limping? And why is there a cut about your right eye?”

“Never mind that, just let us through!” Melvin was getting angry now.

“And why should I do that? I think I might go to Falx about this…”

Melvin of course had something up his sleeve. “Alright, go ahead. I just hope I don’t let slip how you and Antonius are smuggling alcohol,” he said, very smoothly.

The guard looked rather disappointed and agitated. “Fine, just leave before the Captain sees you like this.”

“Thanks.” Melvin winked at the guard and we slipped through the door and headed straight for our room. As soon as the door was closed Melvin grabbed a cloth from his bed and dabbed his bloody eye.

“What the hell happened?” I asked while sitting down in a wooden armchair.

“Well, I went in there with a knife and cut his wife’s eyebrows off…”

He said this with as much normality as possible. He said quick and with a serious tone. I simply gave him a look of great confusion. Her eyebrows? Her EYEBROWS?

“What in the world possessed you to do that? I didn’t even know he had a wife”

“Neither did I. I was planning on cutting off Bruno’s brows, but I saw his wife and got her instead. I don’t know, it just felt like the right thing to do.”

“The right thing to do? More like suicide if you ask me.”

“Don’t worry Erick, there weren’t any lights. They have no clue who did it.”

“What happens when he sees your limp and that nasty cut on your eye?”

“I’ll make something up. You know I’m good at it,” he said with a cunning smile.

“Whatever, Melvin. I can’t believe you did that…”

I climbed onto my bed and pulled the sheets up to my chin, wanting nothing more than to sleep. I was very tired and something told me tomorrow was going be…..’different’ from the norm. Thankfully I didn’t have to wait long and soon I fell asleep.

Come, Erick! The time is now! Prove your honor and your pride!

I ran out of the fort with my blade in hand, and outside Skaal Nords were everywhere, killing anything that stood in their path. I killed several Nords with my trusty blade, but then I was hit in the back by something. I was turned over and in my face was an ugly Nords with a huge war hammer. One of his comrades had pinned me down onto the ground.

The Nord with the hammer was laughing insanely and green smoke came from his mouth, in the form of some sort of animal. I closed my eyes and then something wet hit me in the mouth. I thought it was spit from the Nord but when I wiped it away it was thick and sticky. I opened my eyes to see that it was blood!

Then I heard a howl and I looked up and realized the Nord was no longer there. In his place was wolf, but this one looked different. It was much bigger and had mesmerizing yellow eyes. Then the beast opened it’s mouth and more blood dripped from its razor sharp teeth. Suddenly he went straight for my neck and just inches from my skin everything went dark.