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 TWELVE


I watched solemnly as the others exited the fort, unknowingly walking to their deaths. I wanted so much to save them from an early fate, but what was I to do? They hadn’t listened to me earlier when I first made my pleas, plus Falx was on the verge ending my own life if Madila hadn’t stepped in. Wait….that’s right…..Madila had just saved my life and I had yet to thank her for the heroic deed. I suppose I was too surprised by what she did. After all the months of silence and solitude I was completely taken back by her actions, so much that I forgot to give my thanks.

“Thanks for saving me, Madila. I think he was really going to kill me, though I can’t be too sure.”

“Oh, he was going to kill you alright,” she said while helping me up from the bloody snow. “After catastrophes such as the one that just took place, people often turn to drastic measures. I’ve seen it hundreds of times, and this scene was no different from the others. Don’t feel too bad, Erick. Although Falx is a complete idiot, we can’t judge him too harshly…not after what just happened.”

Those mere 35 words that came from her mouth were more than I have ever heard before this day put together. It was actually quite awkward in a way; like I was meeting her for the first time. I really wasn’t sure how to react.

“Well it’s a good thing you stepped in.” And then I saw Teemee give a sad look, and I realized I had forgotten him as well. “And you too of course,” I responded with a smile, and then Teemee returned the facial favor.

Then everyone’s attention turned to J’Dato’s lifeless body that lay on the ground. I could see tears form into Teemee’s eyes at once, and right then I wanted to decide on what to do with the body as soon as possible.

“What should we do with the body?” I asked the two.

“I say put the body somewhere and be done with it. There are things that have to be done, and we cannot remain idle too much longer. Falx was right, the Skaal will be back soon with a much larger force.”

I looked at Madila and simply marveled at what was taking place. I know I’ve already said this once before, but it’s like I’m meeting her for the first time. It was actually quite disturbing in a way, though I can’t quite explain why. It was…just the odd nature of how she’s come from extremely silent to very talkative.

And looking at Teemee, I could tell he was a bit insulted by Madila’s words. Though she might not have meant it, Madila sounded as if she didn’t care much for J’Dato, and that a proper burial was unnecessary. I for one would have to be with Teemee on this issue. J’Dato deserved a proper burial. Even though I didn’t get along with him all the time, he was still a partner and a friend of mine. I wasn’t about to just leave him in the cold.

“No, I think we should bury J’Dato. It’s the least he deserves,” I said forcefully, but not in a rude way.

Teemee’s face lit up with glee in happiness that I was taking his side in this matter. Madila on the other hand simply rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. “Very well, you two may bury the body, I will scout ahead just to make sure we aren’t being watched.”

She began to walk outside the fort and into the forest, towards Raven Rock. That’s when I stopped her. “No, wait…you can’t go to Raven Rock…not without me anyways.”

She turned around and gave me an interesting look, and then said, “I’m not going to Raven Rock, just the surrounding area to make sure you two are safe while digging and burying.” And then she continued on her way.

“What’s gotten into her? It’s as if we’ve met her for the first time or something…” Teemee whispered as she walked away. I smiled a bit, only because what Teemee said is what I’ve been thinking this entire time.

“You took the words right out of my mouth.”

But the smiles faded as we turned our attention to J’Dato once again. His body lay limp in the snow with his eyes still open. This brought memories back during the rebellion in Vvardenfell.

I remember those times…..so many bodies on the floor…..with their eyes open as well, as if they didn’t want to die, but alas had no choice but to surrender their souls to the father of death.

I shook my head hard, wanting to forget about the past. Now was not the time to dwell on those terrible days; maybe later perhaps, but not now.

So we placed some torches around the area so that we could see, and then we dug a small hole, which took a lot longer than I expected; three hours in fact. The hardest part was getting past all the snow and blood, which wasn’t a pleasant take mind you. And the entire time Madila was in the forest, doing who knows what. And finally after the hole was dug Teemee and I placed the body into the hole and then covered it with dirt, which took another twenty minutes or so. Thankfully the hole wasn’t too deep or else it would have taken ages for us to complete the task. You’d think it wouldn’t be too hard since we were miner, and all we did was dig all day, but that simply wasn’t the case.

“What….now?” Teemee gasped after throwing his shovel to the ground in exhaustion.

“I’d say a few words if I were you. Eve if you won’t admit I know you two were good friends…” I said, and Teemee simply looked on at the hole without looking at me.

“You’re right, we were good friends, and just now I realize that. Its funny how things work out, you know? You never really see the good in things until it’s too late.”

I patted him on the shoulder and said, “Well here we are, my friend. This is your last change to make due and say what you want. It’s your decision.”

Without looking at me he took a deep breath and said a few words. It wasn’t much, nothing too important. It was simply an apology that he didn’t see the good in their friendship. Teemee then knelt beside the burial spot, buried his head into his claws, and began weeping uncontrollably. I didn’t know whether to console him or let him have his time. I ultimately decided on the latter, for that seemed like the right decision to me.

Once he was finished he wiped his snout with his sleeve and rose from the ground. He stared at the burial site for several minutes, thinking deeply about many things I’d say. Then he turned to me, nodded, and said, “Alright, I’m through crying.”

He said this in a sort of tone like ‘what are we going to do now’, and to be completely honest, I wasn’t sure what to do. I suppose waiting for Madila to return was the best decision, and as soon as I thought that she appeared through the back entrance of the fort.

“Are you two finished? I’ve scouted the area and the coast is clear for now. But like I’ve said several times already we need to move before they do come back. I trust you two are ready to go?”

“Go where?” I asked while staring at her curiously.

“Wherever you take us, Erick. You were the one who told the others not to go to Raven Rock without you. Obviously you have a plan in mind. Please tell if I’m wrong.”

“No…you’re right,” I said, still looking at her curiously. “Are you sure you’re okay, Teemee?” He nodded. “Alright, then let’s go to Raven Rock….”


+++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ +++++


Upon arrival at the fort I almost passed out. And not because of a mass of bloodied bodies, or a town engulfed in flames, but something else…..the town was completely barren of any life at all. The weirdest part was that everything was pretty much normal. Everything was where it was supposed to be, the buildings were all intact, and there were absolutely no signs of a struggle.

“By Talos…” Teemee whispered loudly.

It was so weird, yet there was something else bugging me. Somehow I could sense something was terribly wrong in this settlement, though I wasn’t sure what. I ran around opening all the doors to every house and looking inside them, only to find nothing. I had hoped perhaps everything was alright and that everyone was simply sleeping. Yes, I know that sounds a bit silly, but I didn’t want to think that they were all gone. I mean, there was nothing to go on. Nothing evidence, nothing…

When I got back to the front of Raven Rock Teemee and Madila were still standing there. Teemee had the exact awestruck expression and attitude that I had, while Madila sat outstandingly calm with her arms crossed.

“Nobody’s here,” I said sounding very worried, and for good reason of course. “I just don’t understand it.”

“Did you check the mine?” Madila asked.

Without responding I immediately bolted towards the mine with great anticipation. I expected everyone to be in there, huddled up together, waiting for me with open arms. But when I opened the double doors and entered the mine I was met with the most sickening and horrifying sight I had ever seen in my life.

Hanging from the rafter, at the top of mine, were a number of bodies, all skinned to the bone. But the job wasn’t too pretty, and some of the flesh was still drooping from the limps. It was so disgusting I almost hurled on the spot. And then upon looking at the floor I realized it was paved with crimson red blood, the entire floor in fact. That’s when I noticed bodies lying up against the wall, skinned as well, as if positioned by someone. Somebody with the sickest mind did this, and now I knew were everyone had gone…to their graves of you will.

Madila and Teemee followed shortly, and when the Argonian saw the bodies we instantly ran back out and began puking his guts out. Madila simply came in and stopped right beside me.

“So…what do you think?” Madila asked.

I looked at her crazily and responded with, “What do you mean? It’s horrible, just horrible!”

I noted two bodies in the corner of the room, Falx and Bruno. The old lady had said to look where Bruno was found most, and here I was. I just wasn’t expecting to find him dead.

“It’s a shame, really,” Madila said after sighing heavily. “I really didn’t want to kill Bruno, but he gave me no choice.”

What? Did she just say what I thought she said? Madila was the killer? No…it couldn’t be…it just couldn’t…

“What did you just say?” I asked her as if she were insane.

She then merely smiled and suddenly a loud noise sounded and a dust of purple smoke overcame Madila. When the fog cleared seconds later Madila was replaced with an old wrinkly lady in a dark black robe with the hood down. Her bright white hair lingered far down her spine, all the way down to her knees.

“What’s wrong, Erick? You don’t know who I am, do you?”

As soon as she spoke I recognized her voice. It was the old lady from the other night!

“What…h-h…how?” I barely stammered.

Madila...or whoever this person was, laughed maniacally. “Oh, Erick, there are many things you don’t understand! But there’s no need to fret, I’m here now, ready to answer some of your questions!

I backed up from where I was standing and I almost tripped over the slick bloody underfoot. I just couldn’t believe it, and I pinched myself to see if I was dreaming, and this caused the lady to laugh once again.

“Erick, Erick, Erick! This is no dream, my boy! This is real!” she yelled while throwing her crinkled hands up in the air. I looked outside and I noticed that Teemee was somehow frozen in time. Vomit was steady in place in-between his open mouth and the ground. It appeared this…something…had frozen time once more.

“What the hell is going on?” I screamed, unable to hide the fear within me.