The letter.... Options

[Christo_2992]

Please don't be mean, it's only my first ES fan fic.
Constructive critisism, suggestions and comments are highly appreciated


Chapter 1: the message


Christo looked to the five squires surrounding him.
He sighed deeply, it was in the middle of the night and they were in a small abandoned chapel.
This was the night before all of them would become a knight, this was their last quest, they had to sit a whole night in this chapel, they weren’t allowed to speak, sleep or open the door, they just had to think of their tasks as knights.
Christo sat in the chair the closest to the door, a small light showed the other men’s faces who were all sleepy.
Christo knew all of this men, they were his friends and not being allowed to talk to them was painfully, and so was no being allowed to sleep. He tried to keep his eyes open but the further the night went, the harder it got.


Christo was still sitting in his chair, he kept himself busy with thinking of his father, how proud he would be if he would come in the Imperial city armed with his armor and shield and if he became knight.
His father would be so proud, that his own and only son would become the same as him.
He then began to think of the memories, of working for lord Amprhius as a squire. The man was always kind to him and it was nice working for him, although he was tired of the stupid jobs he had to do, like bringing messages to his wife and such.

The small light that came from a burning candle slowly faded away and it was now darkness in the chapel, almost no sounds could be hear except for sometimes the sound of animals outside.


Suddenly someone knocked on the door.
‘This has to be a trap’ Christo immediately thought.
They weren’t allowed to open the door nor to speak as else they wouldn’t become a knight. This was probably some trick to see if everyone was loyal.


« Help! » The voice said. « Please help! » A man yelled from outside.
‘This man is in trouble I need to help him ‘ Christo thought while he stood up and slowly walked to the door.
Although it was dark, Christo knew that the other squires were looking to him.


The voice kept yelling and kept knocking on the door.
And slowly Christo opened the door, it wasn’t locked and it went open easily.
He walked outside and closed the gate behind him, he knew that he lost his chance to become a knight but this man was in trouble and it was his duty to help him.


Christo now noticed an old Imperial man standing next to the door.
The man showed Christo to follow him and so did he.
Once they were away from the chapel the man began to speak: « I’m sorry to disturb you in the night before you become knight but… »
Christo interrupted with a confused voice: « How do you know I become a knight tomorrow? »
The man laughed. « Sir, everyone knows that, it is well known that every year on this day, the squires do their night service in this chapel. »
Christo didn’t knew what to think of the man. « So why did you interrupt me then? »
The man became serious again. « Because my lord, my master, has to get this message. »
Christo looked suspicious to the man. « Why don’t you do it yourself? »
« I’m only an old man, I’m not able to go into the woods and to the inn, I would die in there by some wild creature and then my master would not be able to receive this important message. »
« Why didn’t you disturb someone else? »
« Because this is a task for a knight, I can’t ask a local peasant to do this, you don’t know for who he’s working, and the chapel was the only place I could ask for a knight. »
« I’m not a knight. » Christo replied.


Christo saw no other choice than to bring this message to the man’s master as he was already was out the chapel.

He sighed. « Alright I’ll bring the message to you’re master. Where is the message and where is you’re master? »


The man smiled. « Thank you sir, you’re to kind. » He then did a hand into his pocket and a small letter came out. « Just follow the path true this woods and follow it for a while, then after a while you’ll see two roads, one going to the left and the other one goes to the right, go left and then ride on until you get to the inn called ‘Tavern Kager’. There it should be, and if you’re lucky you could get on time back an you could sneak back into the chapel and no one will notice it, unless the other squires will tell it. »
« No they won’t. » Christo was happy, he now could help the man and also still become a knight.
« Ooh yes one more thing, » the old man said « The message is very important and you aren’t allowed to read it, but there are enemies, the daedra worshipers and such, who want to see this letter destroyed, so watch out you’re steps as they wouldn’t hesitate to kill you.
Also the password you have to say to my master is: ‘Lord, why is you’re shield white? ‘ And then he says: ‘Because white has all the colors of the rainbow’ and only then you’re allowed to give him the message. »
« How do I recognize you’re master? » Christo asked.
« He will carrying a white shield and red armor. Just call him the red knight with the white shield. »

Christo nodded and quickly left to the path as he had no time to loose if he wanted to come back in time at the chapel.

[Christo_2992]

Chapter 2: The red knight with the white shield


Christo finally got to the place where he had to be, and he took a left path. He now walked again as he knew the inn couldn’t be much further; plus he was tired of all the running. Suddenly he heard the sounds of men talking, they weren’t acting quiet, so they probably had no one to fear.

Christo lay down and crawled behind a rock.
There were three men in robes and one man in silver armor.
They all were either armed with a dagger or with a silver short sword.
Christo aimed his hands towards the four men and began to think of a good spell to use when they would spot him.

The men were probably guarding something, as they didn’t move an inch in an hour. Christo was getting frustrated because if he wanted to get at the chapel at time he had to give the letter now.

For the past hour he had been searching for a way to pass these men, but it wasn’t possible as they were standing on a very good spot and could see in every direction. Also at the side of the road was a gap that probably led several yards below and it would be impossible to get down there without making any noise.

He only had one plan left, so he stood up. His hands were shaking and he had troubles with acting normal. He walked towards the four men and acted as if he didn’t see them, but then they quickly stood before him.

« Stop! What do you seek here? » said one of the guards.

Christo’s short hair and face without any scratches made him look as a rich kid, which in fact he actually was.

« I’m a merchant, and I heard about an inn that lies not far from here. » Christo said with a confident tone, although actually he was shaking. « And who might you be? » He asked the man.

« None of your damn business. » One of the robed man said aggressively.
Christo noticed one of them laying his hand on his dagger.

Looks like they don’t treat people that nice he thought before he began to walk again.

The four men followed him with their eyes but to Christo’s surprise they didn’t literally follow nor stop him. He kept walking and once out of eye sight he began to run.
Maybe this quest is more dangerous than I thought.

It only took him half and hour to get at the inn. It was past midnight and the inn was likely closed. He knocked on the door and to Christo’s surprised it opened.

There stood a large Nord with a battleaxe on his back. The man had short hair and a rough looking face.

« What do you want? » He asked while standing in the door enterance.

« Euh… I’m here to find the red knight with the white shield. »
The Nord nodded and walked inside.


Christo followed and walked in the inn. There were only some small candles that brought some light in the place. It was a small room and Christo found that it didn’t look too sociable. He saw no one else inside and the Nord, who was probably the inn keeper, walked up the stairs. It took several minutes before the Nord came back, followed by a man in armor. Christo couldn’t see which race he was because he was wearing a helmet.

« What do you want? » The man in armor asked.

« Euh… I came to see you, sir. » Christo said nervously.

« Then tell me the password. »

Christo could almost hear anger in the man’s voice. Then he thought for a second before he remembered it. « Why is you’re shield white? »

« Because white has all the colors of the rainbow. »

The man now walked towards Christo and reached out his hand.
Christo shook it, he was glad to have found the knight.

« So, what did you have to tell me? » The armored man asked curiously.

Christo took the letter out of his pocket and gave it to the man.
The knight whispered something to the Nord who immediately left. The knight then took the letter and began to read it. It was a long letter, and once he was finished reading the knight said: « Who gave you this? »

Again there was anger in his voice, but this time also fear.

« An old Imperial men. » Christo replied frightened.

The knight turned around and walked to a chair.
« This letter has to be given to the count of Leyawiin; I wonder why that old man sent you to give me this. »

Christo shrugged hi shoulders. « Does it matter? »

The man shook his head and replied: « This is very important; we have to take this to Leyawiin now. »

« We, sir? » Christo asked confused.

« Yes many dangers lay ahead of us, if this letters falls in the wrong hands it would be a disaster. So I need you. »

« But I have to finish my night duty, so I could become a knight. »

The knight again shook his head. « You’ll become a knight another day, now this letter is the most important. »

Christo nodded, but he didn’t have much of a choice anyway.

« Give me an hour, and then I’ll be ready to leave. » The knight said before he stood up and walked to the stairs.

« Sir, on my way to here, I saw four armed men on the road, as if they were guarding something. »

The knight turned around, « as long as you’re with me, you’ll be safe. » He said before he walked up the stairs.

Christo sighed deeply and sat back in a chair waiting for the knight to return