Cyrodiil Options

[Alexander]

Ok, so for the unavoidable introduction babble, as most of you know I was rather pleased with Morrowind. I thought it was far better then the dribble I wrote prior to that, and most people seemed to agree with me. After I finished Morrowind I already had an idea for a sequel, I actually wrote the very first chapter of said sequel while I was posting up parts of Morrowind. Unfortunately though, after that first chapter I kind of lost interest. I didn’t think the ideas I had back then were enough to weave an entire story together, and I was probably right.

But as these things have a habit of developing themselves, over the past months I kept thinking back to the sequel, and kept adding ideas to the pile I already had. Now it’s done. I once again enjoyed writing this, and I hope you’ll have similar fun reading it.

As I’ve explained in the past, I’m not very good at making up things like titles, Akatosh knows it took me about as long to come up with the various titles of the chapters as it did to write the entire thing, so I’ve named the story “Cyrodiil” (catchy wot? )

Before I end my babbling and get on with posting the story, I once again would like to thank Treydog for agreeing to help with my story as editor, and for fixing the many, many, many grammatical and spelling errors, and placing every comma, semicolon and whatchamacallit in the correct place. And thanks to everyone who ever read Morrowind, and commented. I really enjoy the comments.


Now, while you don’t have to have read Morrowind, I believe in order to get the most out of Cyrodiil, it would be recommended.


So, enough babbling and on to Cyrodiil.

[Alexander]

Chapter 7 Dealings with the Brotherhood.

The way through Fort Farragut had been strenuous to say the least. At each turn and every intersection, Baurus was assaulted by undead, Daedra and even a small band of Marauders that had somehow survived in this relic of a time past. Despite all of that though, Baurus finally felt sure again, sure in the knowledge that he had a goal now, a link, a possibility for saving Varvur. If the chance was slim, it was still better than sitting in the Imperial city guarding noblemen and noblewomen.

Up ahead Baurus saw a very solid-looking gate. Upon approaching it, he could not detect any opening mechanism on his side. Fortunately he didn’t have to ponder this dilemma for very long, because as soon as he came close, the gate opened by itself.

“Welcome young Blade. It isn’t often I get to play host for anyone, considering the remote location and my occupation. I don’t get too many visitors, as you’ll likely understand.”

A mocking laugh followed the jovial statement, and Baurus looked around, trying to see the person who had spoken. But such was the size of the ancient fort that he couldn’t even make out which direction the sound had come from

“Please, young master Baurus, don’t be afraid. Please come inside before more undead show up. Once they come to this gate, the sound they make always keeps one up at night.”

Baurus reckoned he didn’t have a choice. Lucien, and by now he had little doubt that that it was Lucien Lachance whose mocking voice echoed in the darkness, was the one he needed to see. If that meant walking into the unknown to receive the information he was looking for, then so be it. That didn’t mean he had to be careless though, he reminded himself with a smile.

Edging his way forward, he found himself in the living quarters of Lucien Lachance. Behind him the gate boomed shut. “Just a precaution, you understand, don’t you Master Baurus?”

“Yes, I guess I do.”

Looking around, Baurus didn’t think the home looked like what he would have expected. To be sure, it was located inside a dark and damp fort that would have been unremarkable 500 years ago, but the living quarters themselves looked very normal. There were no stacks of poisoned daggers, no shackles or piles of rope, no recently-deceased bodies lying around. No, if it hadn’t been for the remote location and his knowledge of the occupation of this Lucien Lachance, Baurus would have thought him to be a normal, everyday person- just one who preferred to live in isolation.

Hearing a sound behind him, Baurus turned and found himself face to face with the man himself.

“Lucien Lachance at your service, Master Baurus.”

Baurus caught himself looking over the master assassin, and saw a regular Imperial, no bigger than one you’d meet at random somewhere. He was clothed in a hooded black robe, but most telling were his eyes. He had that look Baurus knew so well, the look that said he’d killed many men, and would do so again should the need arise. And perhaps he even enjoyed what he did.

“How do you know my name, Lucien?”

“It’s our business to know, Master Baurus. If knowledge is power, then the lack of knowledge, especially in my line of work, means you don’t survive very long. I’ve known you were on your way here since you left the Imperial City. In fact, I’ve known for a long time now that the Blades knew my hiding place. But why go through the bother of finding new accommodations when the Emperor’s Guard has no interest in ‘bringing me to justice’.”

“How do you know what our plans are?”

“Oh come, Master Baurus; you don’t seriously believe the Blades is the only organization in the empire we haven’t infiltrated do you? I believe you’re smarter than that.”

“But how did you know I was coming here? Maybe five people knew I was coming here, grandmaster Jauffre, Captain Steffan, Chancellor Ocato and his bodyguard and Janus Hassildor. Surely you don’t expect me to believe one of them is a spy for the Dark Brotherhood?”

The silence that followed was telling; obviously Lucien did know more, much more, than Baurus believed possible, but he was just as sure that he’d never get him to talk. It was funny; ever since coming through the gate Lucien had been nothing but civil, going so far as to address him as ‘Master’, yet despite that, Baurus couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this powerless. So he gave up that fruitless line of thought and returned to the purpose of his visit.

“Perhaps it’s best if we just leave that be, Lucien. I didn’t come here to find a traitor; I’ll let Grandmaster Jauffre worry about such things.”

“A wise choice. Now, I believe you came here for some information regarding one of our operatives. Please, ask your question and I will see if I can answer it.”

“You’re right, Vicente Valtieri. Does the name sound familiar?” Baurus thought he’d caught a glimpse of something other than confidence in Lucien’s eyes as he said the name. With such a stone cold killer though, one could never be certain.

“Well now, the name does have a certain ring to it. But before I reply, what is it you want with Vicente that you can’t have from me?”

Baurus pondered the question. He could try and come up with a story now, or he could try and find an easy way to get the answer he was looking for, but if Lucien thought he was being fooled, or at least someone was trying to fool him who knew what might happen.

“I’m told you once met Varvur Sarethi personally, Lucien.”

“Yes Master Baurus, I did once have the pleasure of meeting with young Varvur; I even traveled with him, if for a short period of time. Last I heard, though, the Champion of Cyrodiil died defending the Imperial City.”

“Yes, that’s what most people believe, but it’s not entirely accurate.” Baurus suddenly felt relieved; if Lucien didn’t know the real events from that day in the Temple of the One, he might not be as knowledgeable as he’d just tried to get Baurus to assume. ”What really happened is unfortunately at least as serious as what you’ve heard.” Baurus then quickly filled Lucien in on the events that had transpired.

While he was speaking, he finally saw some more emotion on the face of the assassin, perhaps even go a hint of sympathy.

“I am so sorry to hear that, I truly am. Yes, I know Vicente, or rather I knew Vicente.”

“Why, what happened to him?”

“Surely you understand, Master Baurus, in an organization like ours, secrecy, discretion and trust are the things that keep us alive. From time to time, though, we find not all of our- ah, call them employees- are as trustworthy as others. Unfortunately but a few days ago, there was a cleansing, our version of taking out the trash if you will. A young apprentice of mine who is showing uncanny potential took care of the deed. I’m sorry to say Vicente Valtieri was one of the employees that was, ah, cleansed.”

Baurus was speechless. Was this it then, an internal power struggle among a bunch of hired killers would turn his search for Varvur into a dead end?

“So that’s it, he was killed and now there’s no chance of finding a way to get Varvur out of Oblivion?”

“Now wait just a moment, not so hasty, let me think here for a second.” Lucien paced up and down the length of his table a few times, then stopped. “There might just be a way out of this. Tell me, Master Baurus, how do you feel about Necromancy?”

“Necromancy? What are you suggesting?”

“During my travels I meet an assortment of people with professions and gifts that are somewhat unusual. One person I met not too long ago was able to communicate with the recently deceased. Since meeting him I’ve had some dealings with him, and I’m sure that if the price is right, he’ll be able to help us with our little problem.”

Baurus thought this over. While Necromancy wasn’t technically against the law in Cyrodiil, the practice was frowned upon by many and those who performed such feats were shunned by most people. But he did not have to think very long. At this point, Baurus might have sold his soul to get the answers he needed, so if necromancy was the key, then so be it.

“I’m not a rich man, Lucien. I likely can’t meet the price for such a thing.”

“No, no, you misunderstand. I’ll provide the money. Call me soft, but I rather liked Varvur, even admired him for what he did. I’m not sure if I would be as certain and confident charging into an Oblivion gate as I witnessed him doing during the battle for Bruma. I did what I could there, a poisoned knife or arrow thrown or fired on occasion, so long as I was not seen of course, but little enough other than that. No, paying for this is not a problem; I owe Varvur that much for threatening to have him kidnapped the first time I met him.”

Baurus found himself confused; he had never expected to hear such a thing from a cold- blooded assassin like Lucien. But then perhaps he wasn’t entirely as cold-blooded as he let people think.

“Thank you Lucien. How do we proceed?”

“Let me handle all the details. Please, find yourself a room at Cheydinhal for the night and meet me tomorrow night at the East gate. I’ll be there at eleven in the evening, with my associate.”