Blood and Corruption, A Fan-Fiction Options

[Zalphon]

Prologue

I kneeled before Emperor Pelagius, we all did. The year was 4E 575. He had come to greet the Imperial Legion’s soon-to-be soldiers in Morrowind. The Great Houses were back to their former power, thanks to Divayth Fyr’s work to restore it to what it was before Lie Rock hit.

The cities were gone, but some were rebuilt. We were going to Morrowind, to defend against the Argonians who were trying to take it again. I was one of the battle-mages to be going to Vvardenfell.

Pelagius stated, “You are the Empire’s Finest. The Marsh Knights as they call themselves try yet again to take Morrowind. Some of you will go to the Main Land to defend against their forces; others will go to Vvardenfell to keep order.”

“Listen up, soldiers,” Knight of the Dragon Trask Gro-Tralog barked. “Once we win this war and the Marsh Knights are captured, we’re all coming back here to Cyrodiil as war heroes.”

We all cheered and raised our blades with enthusiasm. About five-thousand of us stood in the streets of the Imperial City at the Palace District. We wore suits of Imperial-Steel Armor, while the officers wore suits of Templar Armor made from ebony, but painted to be gold.

After the Emperor left, my friend, Saraya smiled, “You looking forward to going to your homeland, you Ashen-Born son of a vampire?” Her smile revealed brilliant white teeth. She was an Imperial raised in Elsewyr, which made it strange her teeth were so clean due to all the sugar.

“Do khajiit smoke Skooma?” I asked rhetorically. Saraya smiled at me gently. We had known each other since we enlisted five years ago. She was my bunk mate and she was one in a million of friends.

“Kalarn,” she sighed with a grin. “You always mock Khajiits. Did one of those mean khajiits get your tongue when you were little?”

I simply chuckled, “Funny, now I need to go.” I walked away, wading through the streets of the Imperial City. Hundreds of people looked at me, some saluted, some scowled, and others paid no notice. I was a hero at least to some. The Marsh Knights hated all Dunmer.

The moon rose and the streets emptied. In an alley, I noticed a young Breton girl casting a spell and a Skooma pipe lighting up. A tear burned my eyes, another life lost to the drug.

Imperium Tong twenty-five years ago had a lot of it in the circulation, and then some Bosmer single-handedly took them out with the help of an Argonian and a khajiit. At least that’s what the history books said.

I found myself crawling to a tavern, it was warmly, quiet, and tranquil. The Tavern Keeper smiled. An aging imperial dressed in a blue shirt and black pants smiled. “Can I get a room?”

He nodded and as I pulled out my coin-purse, “Sorry, Soldier. Your money’s no good here. The bed is upstairs to the left, here’s the key.” I snatched the key and headed up the stairs to blissful sleep.

Tomorrow, Vvardenfell awaited me. Champion Kalarn Dralas of the Imperial Legion. Five years ago, I was just a recruit, but my outstanding duty has earned me a position right below the Knights.

My mind faded into the dream world. Vaermina’s realm...

[Zalphon]

Chapter One: Voyage to Vvardenfell

I awoke to the innkeeper nudging my shoulder. “Sir, the sun is rising, I have prepared potatoes and venison for you to enjoy,” he stated. “I hope you do.” I simply nodded as I started to don my armor.

I walked down the stairs and a feast awaited me. “Master-Soldier, enjoy the meal. You’ll need a full stomach to fight against the Marsh Knights,” the Innkeeper said calmly. “I wish I could fight, but alas my daughter lives out in Weye.”

“Well I do thank you for this wonderful meal, Sir,” I managed to say between mouthfuls. It exploded with flavor when it hit my tongue. The man shouldn’t run a tavern; he should be the Emperor’s personal chef.

Several minutes later, I finished my meal and walked out. That’s where it happened. People walked by the spot left-and-right, uncaring of the events that occurred. I killed an innocent Argonian there. Even worse, I was given a promotion for it.

The Argonian stood there shouting, “The Legion needs to stop this war. The Marsh Knights fight in defense.”

“Be silent, Sympathizer.”

“You can’t silence me; I am one voice of many.”

“You’ll be silent or you’ll rot in prison.”

He just chuckled. I swung, deep. I can still see the deep laceration gushing blood and the Argonian on the ground. He died in cold blood; I didn’t have to kill him. However, the guards saw me do it and my commander, Knight-Protector White-Raven.

I finally reached the Waterfront after hours of walking through the people. Large warships filled the docks. Saraya looked at me and giggled girlishly. She wore a suit of black-leather armor with a hooded, black cloak. Across her back was a quiver filled with arrows and in her hands was a bow. “Finally made it, Battle-Mage?” She laughed. “You look like you just went through Oblivion and back.”

I looked in the water, my hair was a mess. “I thought you were a soldier?” I asked. “Why the special outfit?”

“This? I’m a Nightblade, Kalarn. I thought you knew I was a trained Nightblade,” she chuckled. “Besides, Champion you need us.”

“You kill the Marsh Knight leader and I’ll make sure you take my position.”

“We don’t even know who their leader is yet.”
“Everyone get on the ships, we’re heading for Vvardenfell,” Trask ordered. We each marched on ships. We were told to go to the lower levels of the ship for our rooms; the Knights got the upper ones.

As usual, Saraya and I got rooms right next to each other. Hundreds of men boarded each ship. Yet, it felt like a ghost ship. Desolate. I lied down on my hammock, letting sleep take my mind.

My dream was strange. I was sitting in the Ruined City talking to an Argonian and a Khajiit. The Argonian wore black-leather armor and had a black, hooded cloak. The Khajiit wore tattered gray robes and white fur with black stripes.

“Kalarn Dralas, I am Quick-Strike,” the Argonian stated. “Vvardenfell awaits, Kalarn. But your destiny doesn’t lie in Vvardenfell.”

“What’re you talking about?” I asked. “I’m just a soldier.”

“We’ll see… We’ll see…”