An Argonian's Account, Haa-Rei's adventures in Cyrodiil Options

[hazmick]

Chapter 1

The room was furnished as most high ranking Imperial offices were – dragons everywhere. Dragon curtains (red), dragon floor mat (red), dragon banners (red). I wouldn't be surprised if the guards outside were wearing socks (red) with little dragons on them.

“So we just need to go over a few things here,” the clerk’s piping voice interrupted my thoughts. He studied the notes in front of him “you were born 3E 408?”

“Yes.” I wasn't half as nervous as I thought I’d be, but my mouth was almost too dry to speak.

“Our first official record of you is not until 19 years later. An Imperial prison transport fished you out of the Inner Sea of Morrowind and took you to the port of Seyda Neen. Yes?”

He didn’t look up from his notes, instead arching an enormous grey eyebrow. There was more hair on those brows than on the rest of his head.

“Yes.” Though my mouth was still dry my hands were now clammy. Please gods don’t make him go in for a handshake when this is done.

“Your occupation is listed here as ‘adventurer’. You also seem to have aided the Twin Lamps organisation, among others.” He licked a bony fingertip and turned the page. “This is around the time that you officially joined the Imperial Legion, rising to the rank of Agent.”

“That’s right.” My face reddened slightly when he looked up at me. Apparently a ‘yes’ would suffice.

He took a sip of his drink, a dark gold substance, and winced slightly as it went down. How anybody can enjoy that sort of thing was beyond me. I much prefer tea.

Looking back to his notes, the clerk continued listing various people I’d met who were considered important enough to have an opinion. Mainly guild leaders and Imperials.

I managed to steal a glance at the page, most of which was concealed with black ink.

“Well this seems to be in order. On account of your previous work for the Empire and the skills you have at your disposal, I have no doubt that you will do some good with us.” He stamped my file for approval with an official looking dragon stamp (red).

I grinned widely (any display of emotion towards humans must be greatly exaggerated) and thanked him as he shook my hand firmly.

“Welcome to the Blades, Agent Haa-Rei.”

This post has been edited by hazmick: Jul 9 2016, 01:03 AM

[hazmick]

DE - Good to know you're still around, and even better to hear that you're enjoying it.

Acadian - Thanks! And apologies for the terminology. Gaolers, meaning 'jailers', is a deliciously archaic word that you'll often find in medieval-themed literature.

ghastley - I'm glad the perspective works. I'm trying to work Haa-Rei into the story without it being his story...if that makes sense.



Previously - Haa-Rei made his way through the ruins under the Imperial City, following an unknown group of people. Finally, he's caught up with them...

Chapter 21

A figure emerged out of the gloom, silver armour spattered with blood. A Blade. The two extra swords on his belt indicated that he was the companion of the others I’d seen. He removed his helm, revealing his youthful Redguard face.

"I am Baurus, knight of the Blades. Who are you? Why are you down here?” He placed his helm under one arm, while his other hand gripped the handle of his sword, still sheathed. His face was coated with blood and grime, except for two clean tracks leading from his eyes to his chin. He’d been crying.

“I’m Haa-Rei. Agent. I was sent here to help, but…” I lowered my bow. If he was the last of the guards, then he would have died before abandoning the Emperor. That he was alive was a bad sign.

Baurus lowered his head and stepped to the side, revealing the small room behind him and the body therein.

“The Emperor…is dead.”

I took a few steps forward and bowed my head. I wasn’t ever sure what I thought of the Emperor, but here he lay. He looked old, but strong, dressed in purple robes which looked as expensive as one would expect. Baurus had lain the body in a peaceful pose, with a sword in his hand.

“I’m sorry.” I said after a while. I understood the concept of human emotion enough to know that this sort of thing was often quite difficult for them. For the young Blade this would be even more so.

“So am I,” Baurus said quietly. “but we still have work to do.” By ‘we’ I assumed he meant me, and I turned to face him.

“What would you have me do?” I asked. Truthfully I was a higher rank, and thus should give him orders, but considering the situation (and my dislike for telling people what to do) I thought it best to let him take the lead.

“I have sent a…courier…to Jauffre at Weynon Priory with news of tonight’s events and a high value package. I’d like you to head there and confirm the delivery. It’s important.” Weynon Priory was the home of the Blades’ Grandmaster, Jauffre, but I knew nothing about him. This would be an interesting trip.

“I’ll head there at once. What was the package?”

The young Blade was silent for a while, clearly deciding whether I was trustworthy enough. Finally he spoke:

“The Amulet of Kings. The Emperor trusted the pri- courier with it before he died.”

I stood aghast for a moment. I certainly wasn’t expecting him to say that. Baurus spoke again to snap me out of my momentary lapse of concentration.

“I’ll stay here until help arrives. Take this path through the sewers.” He motioned to an opening in the wall behind him, and I took that as my cue to leave.

The ruins properly gave way to sewers here, but the courier I was following had dealt with any dangers. Several dead rats, two dead goblins, and a mudcrab.

I finally emerged into the cool morning air, and promptly slipped over on a patch of wet grass, landing with a thud in a sitting position. I remained there for a few minutes while I tried to absorb all that had happened.

The Emperor and all of his sons were dead. Of course this was bad news for them, but it was also bad news for the entire civilised world. Unless the Elder Council were a lot more competent than everyone said they were, there would be utter chaos within a matter of days. If a group of assassins can make it into the heart of the Imperial City, then the Empire might not be as strong as they appear, and foreign powers will be certain to take note of this.

What worried me most however was the Amulet of Kings. Without it, there would be no way to relight the dragon fires that keep Oblivion at bay. The Daedra would not hesitate to exploit this opportunity. The spines on my head tingled with uneasiness.

I clambered to my feet to get my bearings. The Imperial City rose up behind me, which meant that the body of water at my feet was Lake Rumare. An Ayleid ruin sat on a small island ahead. If I was reading my map correctly then I was near the prison, facing in a north-easterly direction.

I set off in the direction I hoped to be West, but stopped again when I saw movement ahead. Dropping to a crouch, I crept forward and took cover behind a large boulder. A mudcrab splashed around in the shallow water to my right, a chilly breeze whistled through the trees. Then I saw her. It was Sjöfn.

I quickly debated the pros and cons of talking to her, but the mudcrab decided for me when he skittered over and attempted to chop off my foot with his large claws. His shell made a satisfying crunch as I drove my sword through it.

“Haa-Rei?” Sjöfn appeared in front of me, obviously confused at my sudden and dramatic appearance.

“Oh, hello.” I said with as much surprise as I could muster. “What are you doing all the way out here?”

“Scouting.” She pointed to the ruin across the water. “You?”

“Me? I’m…” think, Haa-Rei, think “…going to Chorrol for my Mages Guild recommendation.”

If the Nord knew I was lying (which she clearly did) she was too polite to pry. Instead she turned and set off in the opposite direction of the ruin, calling over her shoulder as she went:

“I’ll join you, if you don’t mind. I hear Chorrol is gorgeous this time of year.”

I opened and closed my mouth a few times before giving up on talking. At least I’ll have someone to talk to on the way, I suppose.

This post has been edited by hazmick: Jul 9 2016, 01:13 AM