Legacy, Book II of the Corruption Trilogy Options

[Zalphon]

Prologue
4E 512

My ebony long sword danced into the flesh of the heretics. It would slide itself into one, and then tear into another. I noticed each of the heretics cower as Lord-Templar Draconis walked forward. We all kneeled as he strode to the middle of the battle-field.

“You dare defy the word of Kalian Broodikus, Heretics?” he shouted. “The Inquisitors ‘may’ show mercy if you accept the error of your ways.” It was rumored that Lord-Templar Draconis had traveled with Kalian himself. Apparently his aura of fear intimidated most of the heretics and they dropped their weapons.

A fair-haired woman with snowy skin shouted, “You may break our bodies, but Kalian is long-gone. He is no god.” Each of the heretics, who had surrendered, picked up their weapons and charged.

“Troopers of Kalian follow the Templar into war,” I cried out. “Their attempts to defile Kalian’s Valor will go unsuccessful.” I watched as the chain-mail clad troopers charged into battle behind us templar.

Lord-Templar Draconis shouted out a prayer, “Lord Kalian, please bless me with the ability to control holy fire!” Suddenly a long, thin serpent of flame was conjured and it was commanded by the Lord-Templar. Within moments, the battle-field had the stench of charred flesh. The stench of heretic charred flesh arose from each of the blackened corpses.

“Templar, lead your troops back to Skingrad,” the Lord-Templar ordered. “Templar Ashur, report to me in Castle Skingrad.” The grassy plains were stained with blood and ash. It was the price of war. Lord-Templar Draconis wished to speak to me, but why?

We began marching to Skingrad. Well over forty miles, we’d likely arrive in two days. However, what did Lord-Templar Draconis want of me? Had I done something wrong? Few earned the Lord-Templar’s attention without either impressing or angering him.

After two eventless days of marching, we saw the bustling city of Skingrad. The sermons had just ended and children were out playing. Men and women alike were working. When they saw us marching, they applauded. We were the Templar and the Troopers of Kalian and their protectors.

The soldiers slowly drifted off to perform their own affairs, but I found myself walking towards Castle Skingrad. Civilians and Troopers saluted me alike. Across Tamriel, any Templar was revered. Finally I reached the large, double doors of Castle Skingrad and the troopers opened them.

I nervously walked towards the throne room. Sitting on it was Lord-Templar Draconis in his armor. We both were. Templar always wore their armor except when they bathed or slept. I pulled off my helmet, “Lord-Templar, you asked for me to come?”

“Templar Ashur, you rallied the troopers,” he slowly explained as he pulled his helmet off. His white skin, icy blue eyes, and jet-black hair made him look even more intimidating. Those eyes followed me and I could feel them searching me for fear.

“I did, Lord-Templar,” I replied honestly. “It’s my duty as a Templar to unite them under my word. I am a Champion of Kalian’s Will.” My voice was sincere, proud, and afraid all at once. I couldn’t tell if he was angry or impressed yet.

“Templar Ashur, I’ve watched you for some time,” the Lord-Templar nodded. “Kalian and I were once friends. We fought side-by-side and once against each other. I wish for you to bring me someone…actually somebody of much importance to me and to Kalian.”

“Who do you refer to Lord-Templar?” I questioned.

“His native name is Sar-Kura or as he is called in Tamrielic, Quick-Strike,” he explained. “Quick-Strike was one who trained Kalian, as I did as well. However, I taught him in the Ways of the Old Religion.”

“What is the Old Religion?” I wasn’t sure if it was worship of the Aedra or the Daedra. Or if it was worship of some ‘god’ that wasn’t either of them.

“The old religion is worship of the Aedric Deities. Many followed them before Kalian saved Mundus and became a god.”

“Sar-Kura, is he dangerous?” I knew the answer to that. If he taught Kalian anything he was likely a master of his trade.

“He once bested me in combat before I could draw my sword.” I gulped. The Lord-Templar of Cyrodiil was the most powerful of the Lord-Templar. He was second only to Kalian and he only answered to the Templar-Emperor out of respect, not fear.

“And you seek for me to bring him to you, Lord-Templar?”

“Kalian will guide your blade and ward you from Sar-Kura,” Lord-Templar Draconis nodded. “After Kalian became a god, Sar-Kura betrayed his pupil and refused to acknowledge that Kalian was the only deity worthy of worship.”
“He betrayed his own apprentice? Who could do that to their own pupil?” I heard the words of betrayal to Kalian. But how could one who taught him and fought with him betray him?

“The Argonian assassin did it to Kalian. Also, ‘J’skooma’ or ‘Ra’Kyre’ is a Khajiit Wizard who was extremely loyal to Sar-Kura while I traveled with him.” The cold breeze of the castle winds forced me to shiver, but I simply nodded acknowledging what he said.

“The last time I spoke to Sar-Kura was twelve years ago right below the top of the White-Gold Tower,” he explained. “He’ll likely find you before you find him, Templar Ashur.” Those words sent ice up my spine.

“Yes sir, when may I leave?” I asked curiously. “And may I take some other Templar or some troopers with me?”

“You’re to go alone,” the Lord-Templar stated. “Let your equipment be your shield and your faith be your weapon. Sar-Kura and Ra’Kyre must pay for their treacherous actions.” I slowly bobbed my head to show acknowledgement and I grabbed my helmet. As I walked out, my black cloak flowing softly behind me.

The Templar looked at me and saluted with a fist to chest. When I reached the giant, double-doors two troopers pulled them open. I had to begin my search, but where? Who would know anything about them?

[Zalphon]

Chapter Two: Trials of the North (Part III)

The Templar would lead squads of Troopers into homes; I could hear the screams of agony. There she was, the fair-haired woman from the battle; with sword in hand, we locked eyes and time felt like it stopped. For some reason, we both knew the other was an enemy of the Templar.

She grabbed a broadsword a Trooper was using and shouted, “To Castle Bruma, Tharsk is dead. Now we don’t rest until we can drink mead from their hollowed out skulls.” Her voice was fierce and I saw some Nordic men come out of their homes fully armored in everything from furs to Nordic Steel. Most, if not all carried battle axes.

I looked at Cyril and the rest of my companions, “If we can save these people, when we return ready to declare war on Bryne, we’ll have a much stronger force.”

Sar-Kura nodded, “Ri’Skar, you’re a warrior. Cyril, these are your people. Evangeline, I know you’ll be staying with us.”

The old Nord looked around for a moment. He looked at us and said with a breath, “The spirits have guided us here. Now we must do their will by stopping the Templar.”

“Leave no Templar alive!” Ri’Skar shouted. His voice inspired a lot of Nords to come out and fight off the Templar. Even in the bitter cold, he was a beacon of warmth and hope.

About one-hundred Nords were all-together with us not counting Cyril or the woman. “We must fight back the Templar and the Troopers. We all come from different walks of life, but here we must unite or die,” I howled. “I want each of you to make sure not a single follower of Bryne is left alive. If they survive, you’ll die.”

“That’s an order from Kirsten the Immortal,” The woman added, “I will join these adventurers as they advance into the castle. It is the gods and the spirits on our side!” I saw a sea of battle-axes rise and fall in cheer. Then they scattered.

“Kirsten the Immortal, do you have any armor for me to use?”

“Listen,” The woman looked at me and pushed her hair back. “We may be fighting on the same side this time, but don’t think I’ll forget where your old loyalties were.” Her voice was bitter and sincere.

I looked at the dead Templar, Troopers and Nords as I marched towards Castle Bruma. A lot of pointless deaths that never needed to occur had happened. Evangeline rested her hand on my shoulder and whispered, “My magic’s not working. Someone has a ward against it here.”

The huge, wood-and-iron double doors of Castle Bruma were guarded by two dead Troopers. I pulled one open and walked in to see Templar standing with their swords drawn. “Bring no harm to him,” a raspy voice shouted from the throne. “Ashur, do you recognize me?”

I walked closer and then I heard his voice echo, “Come alone.” My companions looked at me and I simply nodded. As I stepped closer, I began to make out that the individual was a Dunmer.

I finally realized who it was. Someone I hadn’t seen in years since I was forced to join the Templar or watch my people die. “I do recognize one of my Gulakhans and my dear friend, Kaushad.”

“Templar-Lord Dralor is what I am now addressed by. Why have you betrayed your oath?” Kaushad questioned. “Do you realize what you’ve done? You need to die, ‘Templar Selos’.”

“Have you forgotten when we were of the Urshilaku Tribe? When I considered you my brother?”

“It was Kalian’s will that you, the other gulakhans and I be ascended into his service.”

“Kaushad, don’t make me kill you. We are of the same tribe, but I can’t allow you to do this. Bryne must be stopped.”

“You’re wrong, Ashur. It is through his will that we have law and order, instead of chaos.” He truly believed what he was saying. Kaushad had always been head-strong and thick-skulled, but not like this.

“Kaushad, I challenge you to a duel. No armor, no magic. Do you accept?”

He nodded and two Troopers came to help him take off his armor. I tossed my robes out of the way. The Troopers brought Kaushad an ebony long-sword and they offered me a weapon. I shook my head.

“Are you surrendering?” he questioned sincerely.

“No. I do not need a weapon to defeat you, Kaushad.”

“We will see.”