The Story of Taillus, Chapter 5 Options

[Taillus]

Chapter 5 - Two Is Not Better Then One.

Taillus wakes up to the sound of someone trying to gain access to the top of the guard tower. He rolls over as he opens his eyes before frantically scooting over to sit on the hatch. He can hear the annoyed grumbles of an Imperial Legion guard as he knocks on the wooden hatch.

“By the gods if you do not let me up there intruder we will go outside and ventilate you with a volley of arrows!” An angry imperial shouts as he raps on the door impatiently. Taillus bites his lip as he looks at the hatch between his legs. He quickly thinks about his best course of action. The tower is quite high, but he has had really good luck with falling and not breaking any bones.

He could scale the wall like he did on the lighthouse in Seyda Neen, but the surface of this tower seems much more smooth and he would probably land on his face anyhow. Not to mention he runs the risk of being caught.

“You could kill him my boy. One solitary guard is no match for my harvester of souls! Use the Mace that I have entrusted in you to rearrange that mouthy guard’s facial features. It will get you started on my army of souls!” The evil Molag Bal whispers in Taillus’ head.

“Do you not have any godly duties you should be concerning yourself with? I agreed to your demands but you did not tell me when I had to start.” Taillus growls as he looks again at the wooden hatch. The guard begins chipping away at it with his sword making Taillus panic.

Suddenly it comes to Taillus as if he had read it in a book of things to do in a situation such as this. Taillus clears his throat and kneels on the hatch, lowering his face to the wooden surface so that the guard below can hear him better.

“Could you leave me to my job my imperial friend?” Taillus shouts at the hatch trying to get the attention of the guard.

“I have been paid to clean the leaves and rain water out up here and I cannot do my job when I have guards threatening my life!” Taillus shouts again. He can hear some guards below him conversing quietly with one another and he looks down between his legs hoping that they fell for it.

“Terribly sorry friend. I will leave you to your business but hurry and be on your way.” The guard says as Taillus can hear him descend the wooden ladder and walk away. Taillus has to cover his mouth to contain his laughter as he gathers his things and opens the latch with his foot.

Taillus finds himself once again in the bustling city of Balmora. It seemed that the people had forgotten about his little spat with Molag Bal in the streets yesterday and he decided to check out the local merchants.

[Taillus]

Taillus laughs to himself over the name but wishes to refrain from further insulting this large man. Truth be told, Taillus knew he could down this poor soul but didn’t quite feel like unnecessarily fighting his way out of Balmora. He decided that it would be best if he could just easily outsmart him and be on his way.

He even felt bad for the Nord too. Here was a man just trying to make a simple living providing a place to stay for weary travelers. He did not wish for one of his rooms to be ransacked by a crazy imperial and his “imaginary” friend.

“I am terribly sorry my good friend but the same as you and your shop had a rough night, let us not forget about me being the one who actually ended the life of the Daedroth that was terrorizing this place. I put my life on the line to save you and your patrons. Is this not enough repayment?” Taillus asks, looking at the Nord.

The large man thinks for longer then Taillus would have hoped. There was a certain level of urgency when a god of sorts is angry with you. A type of urgency that makes people want to be on their way to avoid lots of wrath. Finally, the Nord speaks up.

“Aye, it was a mighty fine job you did here my boy, I guess I should be thankful considering that dreaded beast didn’t eat me or any of my customers. I thank you for your might. You have the courage of a true Nord. What is your name friend?” The now pal of a Nord asks.

After hearing Taillus’ name, the Nord reverts back to his thinking state, unaware that Taillus is really tried for time and desperately has to get to Vivec. The Nord’s face eventually lights up like a paper lantern and he clears his throat.

“I hereby name you Taillus Alpha wolf for your bravery and courage to defend this inn from the evils of the Daedra!” Vlad shouts as he beats his chest with one arm proudly.

“Kill him Taillus, Killing a man of such stunted intelligence is not a crime, it is a favor. Please do it for everyone. You will be a local hero. Kill this Nord before he makes me vomit!” Molag shouts from within Taillus’ head.

Taillus thanks the Nord with good intentions and leaves the inn. He nods accepting invitation to return for some mead and practically sprints from Balmora.

“I am getting a bit upset Taillus how you continue to ignore me and my biddings! I will not tolerate this for too much longer.” Molag Bal growls as Taillus jogs through the streets.

Taillus grinds his teeth together as he walks, trying to ignore the voice in his head. He hoped to get all the way to Vivec without someone thinking that he is completely mad from talking to himself.

He quickly jogs up the steps leading to the local Silt Strider and up to the awaiting dunmer ticket person and hands her a few gold coins. The dark elf woman looks at the coins before looking at Taillus with a scowl on her face.

“Hurry up and make this ugly beast take me to Vivec.” Taillus growls as he walks past her and looks down at the hideous creature known as a Silt Strider. He cannot believe that he is about to get up close and personal with something this nauseating but knows that it would be better then walking and angering the voice in his head. He realizes that he was overly rude with the Strider pilot but could not help his mood due to a splitting headache that he was getting from having Molag Bal in his head all the time.

The Strider Pilot shakes her head and climbs onto the beast before confirming in a monotone voice about the next destination being Vivec. Taillus holds on for dear life as the strider leaves its dock of sorts and begins coasting out of Balmora.

“I should send an army of Daedroths to rip the meat off of your bones you sad and pathetic weakling. One dim-witted Nord and you couldn’t even crush his skull. I know that mortal emotions can get in the way but I am beginning to think that I should be done with you and look to another ambassador. Your fried Jiub would be plenty blood thirsty.” Molag Bal states as Taillus shakes his head in a feeble attempt to remove the voice.

“I am giving you one final chance to prove yourself to me Taillus. If you do not end the lives of everyone you face in that arena I will be sure to have someone take your place. Do you hear me you insignificant speck!” Molag Shouts from within the confines of Taillus’ brain.

“Shut up, shut up! I will do as you ask of me but please just shut up!” Taillus shouts as he grips his head. Luckily the pilot was the only one around and she was quite focused on doing her job. Taillus can feel his head pound from the constant stress of having another entity share his mind.