Tale of a Scaled Knight., An Argonian in High Rock. Options

[jack cloudy]

This probably isn't fair for Tesfiction, but here ya go. A Daggerfall-era story.

Tale of a scaled knight.

Chapter 1: Hunter and prey.

The smell of decomposing plants was enough to give a zombie a headache. Mosquetos buzzed about in thick clouds, landing on every bird, snake or other animal foolish enough to come close. Dead fish floated on the surface of the murky lake. The water bubbled as gas rose up from its depths. A particular mound of mud shuddered slightly, sending the mosquetos into a mad scramble for safety. The mound lay silent then and shortly after, the little insects had forgotten its very existence.

One pair of bloodred eyes gazed up at the castle that sat at the edge of the lake. It was tall, with a round tower at each corner and another at the centre of the keep. Its walls were so overgrown with vines, even the windows had vanished behind thick green tendrils. The pair of eyes had inspected every single stretch of vine over the past three hours. At regular intervals, the eyes had shifted up in search of guards patrolling the walls. But there were no guards, at least none that could be seen. The mound shuddered again, briefly revealing the silhouette of a large creature covered in a thick layer of mud.

Was this castle really the one it had been looking for? The creature’s instinct said it was, but its senses claimed otherwise. There was no sign at all of any inhabitants. No sign at all, except…..all the death it was surrounded by had been fairly recent. That, and the vines growing over the walls were the only plants still left alive in the nearby area. With that knowledge, it remained where it was, till night fell. While there apparently weren’t any guards, it preferred the cover of the night for its plan.

When night fell, the mound rose up and stalked away. The mosquitoes now landed on the crawling creature in search of blood to drink, but the mud proved to be an impassable barrier to their tiny snouts. Often, the creature stopped and scanned the keep before moving on. What was less than a hundred metres, it took nearly an entire hour to cross. Never once did it see a sign of guards.

Now it was up at the base of the vines and stood up completely, balancing on its hind legs. As it rose, it shook off most of the mud, revealing more of its features. It was vaguely humanoid, despite the thick tail and somewhat awkward positioning of its joints. It was covered in simple clothes and with a large curved sword sheathed on its back. This was not just a creature, but a fully sentient being in its own right. It was an Argonian and if one would have had the chance to see the Argonian’s scales beneath the mud, one would realize it was a male Argonian.

He had to get inside the castle, but the front door was overgrown as much as the walls and even if it hadn’t been, he bet it was barred from the inside. No, he would have to scale the walls and find another way inside. Before he proceeded any further though, he reached out behind his back and unsheathed the Dai-Katana he carried with him. He carefully removed the rag he’d wrapped around the hilt and leaned the sword against the vines. He also took off his gloves and threw them on the floor before resheathing the Dai-Katana.

Now, he would have a perfect grip if he was forced to draw the weapon. The Argonian pulled on the vines to test them and began to climb. Unlike his crawl to the keep, he didn’t pause during his climb. If a guard came and looked down, he would see what looked like a pile of mud clinging to the vines. What had been a disguise had now become a dead giveaway. He still hadn’t found any proof of guards, but he wasn’t going to take any chances.

Once at the top, he smoothly vaulted over the edge and drew the Dai-Katana in one swift motion, sending a spray of mud into the air. His eyes drifted from left to right. The courtyard appeared as abandoned as the rest of the castle, except for one thing. The door leading to the central tower was flanked by two burning torches. The Argonian bared his teeth in a feral grin.
“So, you wish to invite me in? Well, I can’t possibly refuse such an invitation.” He hissed into the empty air. He took a second glance at the central tower. Unlike the towers at the corners, there were no vines growing over this one. Also unlike the cornertowers, this one appeared to be constructed to be a comfortable place to live instead of being a near impenetrable barrier. There were a lot of windows, large ones, sealed off with glass. There was a balcony near the top. There were no firingslits, no grooves for boiling oil, no reinforced door. There was nothing in its design to stop an attacking army, or a different kind of intruder.

The Argonian sheathed his sword and leapt down the wall, breaking his fall with a haystack. He then dashed across the open courtyard and begun to climb the walls of the central tower.
“I can’t refuse an invitation, but I won’t walk into your trap.” He thought as he made his way to the balcony. After he’d vaulted over the railing, he drew his Dai-Katana and took a deep breath.
“Alright, I know you’re in this room. You’ve always enjoyed high places.” He whispered before kicking in the door. The Argonian rushed inside, towards the person seated behind the desk.

[jack cloudy]

You're right. I kinda forgot about that. And I forgot about it again when I edited it. Too late now, for I've already sent it in.

Anyway, I've done some touching up, changed the ending for a bit. So here's the big showdown again. For the most part it is the same, but the dialogue has been modified and as I already said, the ending.


Chapter 5: Showdown at sunset.

“Damn that Erick. Bossing around the guards, playing me for the fool. All that is fine. But sucking out citizens who can barely afford their bread, is something I can’t forgive! I’ll give him a piece of my mind.” He thought and kicked in the front door, with the sun shining on his back.
“ERICK! GET YOUR UNPLEASANT EXTERIOR OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!”

“Just what do you think you’re doing?!” The Fighter’s guild doormaster barked and hastily pulled his toes out from under the door. The man, a Nord just like Erick albeit at least a head shorter, reached for the small hatchet he wore on his belt. Root noticed the movement and pressed the tip of his sword under the doormaster’s chin.
”I’m doing what is right. If you value your life, step aside.” He hissed. The Nord swallowed hard but there was little he could do. The slightest movement, and the blade would ascend up into his brains.
“What do you want?” He asked while his hand dropped down to his side.
“Justice. Now step aside.”

“Root, Root. What got up in that egg-sized brain of yours?” Erick came out of his office, bringing neither his axe, nor his armour with him. What he did bring was a whistle which he used now. Within moments, the small hallway was crowded with armed Fighters. The Doormaster pressed himself against the wall and the Argonian brushed past till he was stopped by the wall of steel that now opposed him.
“I have figured it out. This isn’t a Fighter’s guild. This is just a gang of bandits, lowlifes. Degenerates. I said that you were either the guildmaster, or the thug of a crimelord. Turns out that you are all three. Guildmaster, thug and crimelord. You intimidate the guards, you oppress the people. There is nothing honourable about what you do. And I, am going to change it.” Root answered. He showed not even the slightest bit of fear as he looked at the many swords, axes and maces that were pointed his way.

Erick laughed and had to lean on the wall for support.
“You’re going to change it? Man, you are one funny lizard! What is this, more of this knightly honour? You’re strong, for a lizard, I give you that. It’s just a shame you are a knight.” He said and took a single menacing step forwards.
“Knights and their honour belong in the past. Today, only the strong can rule.” He taunted. The Argonian didn’t reply, but merely reversed his grip on the Dai-Katana and stabbed backwards. The iron blade pierced soft flesh and the knight felt a vibration run through it as his victim entered his deaththroes. He pulled out the sword and aimed it at the mob in front of him. Blood dripped from the edge.
“My actions are bound by my honour, yes. However, do not ever assume this makes me vulnerable to your ambushes. Even if my back is turned, I am still aware of anyone who attempts to sneak up on me with an axe. By the way, was the late doormaster your brother?” Root commented with feigned nonchalance.

Erick was no longer laughing. His eyes burned with rage.
“You have no idea what trouble you are in.” He snarled, chest heaving as he fought to control his anger. His blood beckoned, demanded that he would fly at the Argonian in a berserker rage. But his mind held him back. He knew that unarmed, he was no match for Root. However, Root was now blocked on both sides, Fighters in front of him, guards on the other. The Nord gestured at the guards standing just outside. Surely they would rush the foolish knight. After all, they didn’t dare to oppose him and the Argonian was just one lone swordsman. But to his surprise, they merely shook their heads and remained where they were.
“Don’t expect help from those you oppress. They won’t help me, true. But they won’t stop me either.” Root said and settled into a defensive stance.
“I’ve defeated you in public earlier today. That is what freed them from your grip. They fear you, yes.” His nostrils flared.
“But they fear me even more.”

That was the final drop.
“You…You’ve had your chance! Kill him!”
The Fighters rushed forwards without any coordination. That was their mistake.
“Four side by side, three lines. Plenty of weapons, all unsuited for such a packed formation. No armour. Trying to use this plan of attack against a single opponent in such a crowded hallway….fools.” When the first line reached him, Root merely jumped back while swinging the Dai-Katana, dismembering two of his foes. The wounded Fighters panicked and got in the way of their colleagues, giving the Argonian the chance to attack. And attack he did. Like lightning, he descended into their midst. Stabbing, slashing, cutting, piercing, cleaving. He never allowed any of his opponents the time to comprehend the situation. He never allowed anyone to retaliate. It was all over within moments.

“Now it is just you, Erick.” Root spoke solemnly as he stepped over the pile of corpses.
“Who...what are you?!” The Nord stammered and began to step back, towards his office where he carried his axe.
“I am Root Lich-Bane, knight in the order of the Blue Serpent, heir to the lands of Sapphire-hill, son of Green-Fire, former knight in the order of the Blue Serpent, lord of the lands of Sapphire-hill. Trained in the art of combat against multiple foes in any environment imaginable. If you wish to stop me, don’t send in amateurs.” The Argonian replied in a solemn tone of voice. He wasn’t even breathing hard.
“But that sword is made of iron, blunt and practically falling apart. It’s not possible!” Erick objected. He had reached the door to his office.
“You…you’ve been lying to me! That crummy weapon, it is an illusion, isn’t it?!”

“It is not the material of the weapon that matters, but the material of the warrior. And you, are no warrior. Just a brute.” Root answered as he approached. Erick reached behind the door for his axe.
“Oh, we’ll see. We’ll see. You think I got my position just like that? I had to work for it, fight for it. I had to fight for every single bit of power in this good for nothing town. I’ll show you exactly how I fought for it!” He roared.
“Be my guest, Erick Ice-Fist.”

“Be my guest?! Don’t be so cocky, lizard!” Erick stormed forwards, swinging his axe even before reaching his foe. Root ran backwards and jumped over the pile of his previous victims.
“No armour weighing him down, so I can’t rely on attrition. No allies to impair his movements and that axe is too large to dodge within such tight quarters. I have to lure him outside, then.” The Argonian thought.
“Cocky? It is not cocky, when I already know how easy you are to defeat. After all, I did it once before, didn’t I? And I already told you before. Do not address me with lizard.” He jabbed as he pulled back.
“Uah! SHUT UP!” Erick screamed furiously.

The Nord was faster than Root and caught up with him before he’d reached the door. Just like the last time they fought, the knight was forced to duck under a horizontal swing.
“Same plan of engagement as last time? I can work with that.” Root thought. The next strike was a diagonal upward cut, exactly the same move Erick had used last time.
“Is this really the only pattern he knows? It is hard to believe he could bully the entire town with such poor skills.” Root frowned.
“I see, he is attempting to fool me.”

Again and again Erick swung his axe, never pausing even a single moment and fluidly shifting from one attack into the next. Again and again, Root dodged the blows despite the cramped arena they were in. The fact that he knew exactly what was going to come next helped. But he realized he couldn’t rely on Erick to keep using the same, useless, pattern.
“If I were him, and I wanted to fool me, how would I do it? I would seize the moment I would feel as if I had the upper hand. Namely, the moment I stepped outside.” He reasoned as he kept backing up towards the exit. A plan began to form in his mind almost naturally.

“Outside, three more steps. Two…one…now!” His right foot crashed down on the hard wood of the fallen door. One short jump backwards and his left foot hit the cobblestones outside.
“Got you!” Finally, Erick switched his pattern and performed a strike he had never used before. Namely, he levelled the axe and thrust it forwards like a spear. But Root had already realized his opponent’s plan and moved with a strike of his own.

He knew that he could not dodge the axe this time, but he also knew that Erick had made a fatal mistake. The Argonian’s tail sweeped forward and hooked under the door. He then flipped the door up with every muscle he could bring to bear. The sheet of wood flew up where it struck the axe. Even before Erick’s weapon had made contact with the door, Root dropped on his back and rolled backwards. He knew that the axe would cut the door like a razor through a butterfly’s wings. He hoped that the impact would slow the axe just far enough for him to escape.

One heartbeat later, he knew he had succeeded. Blood trickled down from his snout where the flesh had been parted till the bone. But his skull remained intact and the wound did not require immediate attention. He could still fight. Erick did not run out of the building, but had retreated just beyond the doorway. Root calmly lowered his sword to the ground.
“Come out, Erick! It’s over!” He shouted.
“Over?! Who says this is over?! I’ll kill you, mark my words!” The Nord replied furiously.
“You can’t kill me unless you step outside.” Root observed. He knew why Erick refused to leave the safety of the guild hall. It wasn’t because he feared the crowd. No, fear was something the Nord couldn’t feel, not towards the people he’d oppressed.

The reason why he refused to step out into the open was the sun shining low behind the Argonian knight. If Erick stepped out, he would be blinded momentarily and that moment would be fatal. While he cursed himself for admitting it, he feared Root’s sword.
“Why don’t you step inside? I’m not moving. I’ve got all the time in the world.” Erick said. Root bared his teeth in what vaguely resembled a victorious smile.
“I see, then we’ll just build a wall in the dooropening. Then this hall shall be your tomb. Rather fitting, for a poisonous spider and a powerless coward.” He gloated.
“And an easily provoked hothead.”

Erick grit his teeth.
“I’m no coward. You don’t know anything!” His blood was boiling even worse now. Root merely blinked. Then…he laughed.
“Know nothing? My oh my, the signs are there for all to see! You send your lackeys after me, you try to make the guards kill me from behind. You do anything you can just to avoid me! You are a coward Erick Ice-Fist. A coward. I pity you.”

“I SAID, SHUT UP!!!” Erick stormed out without a further thought. The sun blinded him when he moved beyond the door and at that moment, he realized he had been tricked. Vaguely he saw a silhouette rush passed him. Then, something pushed into him from behind. Something warm. Warm, with the blood of others. He looked over his shoulder at what could have pushed him like that. An odd cold feeling began to crawl up his spine as he did so.
With a quick reverse, Root stabbed his sword solidly in the Nord’s back.
“You lose, Erick.” Root hissed. He had his back turned to the Nord, and his Dai-Katana was pointed backwards. Back to back they now stood, connected through the sword that dug into Erick’s flesh.
“I lose? You’re bleeding as well, Root.” Erick grunted in response. Root cringed as the wound came to his attention. He was bleeding from a large gash in his side, there where the axe had managed a glancing blow.
“But unlike you, my wound is not lethal. Mine will heal even without care, yours will not. The moment I pull out this blade, you will begin to bleed and die. Even if I do not pull, the wound will kill you in the end.”

Erick attempted to laugh, but was cut off by the bloody spittle that welled up from his throat.
“Ack. Indeed, I guess I shouldn’t have taken off my armour when you left. So what’s next? If you planned on killing me, you wouldn’t be talking now.” He gasped. He noticed how the hand holding his axe began to tremble. Even with the Dai-Katana closing his wound like a plug, he was weakening rapidly.
“I do not wish to kill you, but I will if you leave me with no choice.” Root said solemnly.

“You don’t wish? Why, you had no problem killing my pawns. I’m the worst of the bunch, I admit so myself. Why?” Erick desired to know. The Argonian was confusing him. The axe now felt as heavy as a wagon. He couldn’t hold on to it any longer. The weapon hit the floor with a loud thud.
“Because their sin was the lightest, and because they stood in my way. You have brought great harm upon this place, Erick Ice-Fist. So great, that I will not allow you to seek refuge in death. You will live, and you will atone.” Root explained. He pulled out the sword and instantly, blood poured from the wound in a thick stream. No longer supported by the blade, Erick sank to his knees. He felt something tugging at his soul.
“No…NO!!!” He panicked, but there was nothing he could do.

“You will aid me in my quest, Erick Ice-Fist. Through that, you will atone. Once you have paid for your sins, you will be released into the eternal slumber of death.” Root said to the ominous black gem he held in his hand.
“And you have already begun your redemption. Now that I’ve freed the town of your rule, the mages will consider helping me. And they will help, I’m sure. For now they no longer need to fear your thugs every time they step outside to search for ingredients.” He whispered to the unconscious Nord before stepping outside.

“You are free from Erick. Do with the fighter’s guild’s possessions whatever you wish. I have no interest in the spoils.” He told the large crowd that had gathered outside. It appeared as if just about everyone had come to watch the fight, with the notable exception of the mages. Root grinned.
“Mages, utterly useless but at least they’re not a bother to anyone.” He thought before looking at the soulgem he’d taken from the necromancer’s castle.
“We were both wrong. This gem was destined to hold neither of our souls.”







PS: Yeah, the soulgem is new. That's something I added to the beginning. The Necromancer left it behind on a table.