The adventures of Arthago, My first fan fiction so be gentle Options

[Agent Griff]

So, just that you know, this is my first fan fiction ever. I have done backstories for my Oblivion characters before but this will be different. It will also be from a First Person perspective, something I'm experimenting with for the first time btw. So here we go:

In the year 400 of our curent era, in the stronghold of Vulnim gate located to the North-East of Sentinel, I was born. My mother was a humble peasant girl who barely reached the age of 18. My father was a knight in the Order of the Candle, a great man, who many looked up to. Some could say that I had an easy life up ahead, beeing the son of a noble warrior but I can firmly deny their claims. My father was a perfectionist, always was, always will be. He always wanted me to strive to do the best I could in all my affairs. I was forced to join the Knights of the Candle at a fragile age. I was trained and chiseled in a warrior with knowledge of etiquette and various other skills. I was mainly a fighter though, I never was much of a diplomat.

When I reached the age of 15 my father gifted me with a horse of my own. I called him Whisper because he was quite quick and very quiet for an animal of his size. He wasn't much of a war horse though and always craved for my love and care. I figured that if I ever went into battle on his back I should dismount first to meet my enemies. My life went on in the same way until I reached the age of 18 years old.

At my eighteenth birthday I was greeted with the news that my father was found dead somewhere to the east of Vulnim Gate. It was a great tragedy, my mother was devasted. She wasn't worried for the death of her husband as much as she was worried that she would loose her social standing. That terrified her so. She was always the ambitious sort that clinged to whatever inch of power she could. She realized that she was going to have to take a job after the death of my father. She didn't have a great many skills. She knew how to spend money very well but didn't know many ways of making it. She got married to my father before she could complete her studies. She could have been a merchant but she was forced to work at a tavern.

After a few years of working at the tavern she must have caught some ilness from a traveller. Whatever happened she died a few days after and I was left completely alone, with no one to help me anymore. I was going to have to decide what to do and that had to happen fast or else I would end up some beggar on the street, and I know that my father wouldn't want that.

This is the end of the first part of the story. I hope you liked it and I also hope that I will receive some feedback.

This post has been edited by Agent Griff: Mar 4 2006, 09:07 AM

[Agent Griff]

I haven't updated the story for some time since I've had tests at school. But now they're all over so I can continue writing. I hope you'll enjoy this part of Arthago's story.


My 19-th birthday saw me travelling the barren plain of Zathra, on my way to Count Duadeen's estate. The respective count was chalenging my order for a piece of land, bearing papers that somehow showed that the land belonged to him. Since my order controlled the land they too had papers to show ownership. A standstill had been reached and a duel was to be held. Since a civil war had broken out in the neighbouring province of Laynlin, almost all of the knights of my order were fighting there and I was the only one left to fight the duel. I hope this Count Duadeen will fight the duel himself, but knowing how nobles handle duels he will probably bring some champion over to fight this duel for him. May Stendarr guide my blade in battle.

After a day of travelling the arid plain, I finally saw some signs of life. The sun was seting but I could see the Count's estate on the horizon. It was an opulent manor house built on the edge of a desert oasis. What a place, if you were hot you could go for a swim in the oasis nearby, if you were thirsty you could do the same thing. Life here must have been pure bliss. I passed by the oasis and saw a man bathing in the cool water.
"Is this the estate of Count Duadeen?" I asked the man.
"Yes traveller. What bussines do you have with the Count?" responded the man.
"I am here for a duel." I responded to the man's question.
"Ahh, you are the knight Count Duadeen spoke off. I shall anounce the Count of your arrival."" responded the man.
He imediately got out of the water and ran to the gate of the estate. He then shouted something at the gate guard and the gate opened.
"Come knight!" he shouted at me.
I followed, both I and my horse were very hungry and thirsty, and this Count seemed to be very well provisioned.

I entered the estate's courtyard then dismounted my horse and gave him to a servant. I then followed the man who was previously bathing inside the estate. Two big wooden doors opened and I gazed at a luxurious manor-house worthy of a king. I was led to the library in which Count Duadeen spent most of his time. I had seen many libraries which belonged to scholars and rich men before but none were as grand as this. When the massive door made of a rare wood opened I was left stunned at the door. It was one of those great chambers which are rarely seen even in the bigger manors. The clear light of a Fall sunset made the atmosphere of the chamber even more solemn. There were maybe 1 000 volumes in this chamber, all wraped in the finest leather. I already knew that this Count Duadeen was a very wealthy man.

I found him at his study, reading an old book about the history of the Redguards. I found all subjects related to books very boring, I don't know how some can spend such ammounts of money just to buy books! Give me 1 000 drakes and I'll buy myself a suit of platemail any day. This Count was either a very wealthy man which didn't have what to do with his money, or a very avid scholar. Either way, I presented myself to him in a very polite way.
"Greetings to you Arthago. I am glad you have arrived. In this time of turmoil I thought you couldn't make it." said the Count in a smooth voice.
"I'm here about the duel Count Duadeen." I said.
"Ah yes, the duel. Why must the educated and civilized world of men and mer be shaken by such barbarian practices called duels or wars? Can't our race get along whitout violence?" He was clearly trying to dazzle me with his language.
"I couldn't know Count, it was you who chalenged us to a duel in the first place." I said in a sarcastic way.
"I see you are skilled with the tongue young knight. If you are here for the duel then a duel you shall have. The duel will commence tommorow at first light. You can wear whatever armour you wish and you can use whatever weapons you choose. If you don't have any weapons, I have a limited selection available." he said in his snobish voice.
"Can I see this limited selection?" I asked.
"Well, yes of course! Kaye? Please show this man our weapon collection!" said the Count to the man who led me to the library.
I then followed Kaye to the armoury.

Once I arrived at the armoury I could see that Count Duadeen wasn't interested only in books. He also had a fine colection of weapons and armour. The retainer, named Kaye, then showed me the Count's weapon collection. There were five swords and 2 axes all in all. One of the swords caught my eye in particular, a steel scimitar which was outshining all the other weapons. Since the Count told me that I could take a weapon from his limited collection, I took the scimitar. I grasped its handle into my hand and felt its power. This was a real weapon and acording to general duel rules, I could keep the sword if I won. Once I replaced my old iron longsword with the steel scimitar, I made my way back to Count Duadeen.
"So you like this weapon?" he asked me.
"Yes, it is a fine craftmanship. Worthy of a true warrior if you ask me." I responded.
"I'm glad you like it Arthago. Do you have any more questions concerning the duel? It is geting late and I wish to sleep." he inquired.
"A question? Well, you have said that I can use whatever armour I wish and whatever weapons I so choose. Will you be fighting personally or will a champion be fighting for you? I asked the Count. As if I didn't know the answer, I don't think such a snob could fight his own battles.
"Well Arthago, I am an important man and can't just risk my life in a duel. Alot of people need me and I can't afford to let them loose me. My champion, Raccan, shall duel you in my stead." responded the noble.
"Very well then Count Duadeen. I shall also go to bed for the journey has tired me." I said trying to put my best noble accent on. Just as I thought. If there ever is a noble that fights his own battles that would be a wonder.
I was then led by Kaye upstairs to my quarters. It was a fine room and the bed was surely of better quality than that old bed back in Sentinel. I took my armour off then blew the candles in the room. I then layed down and prepared for a good night's sleep.


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That's it for this part. You can read about the duel with Raccan in the next part and I can tell that I will try to make that fight scene truly epic. I hope you've liked this part. Cheers!!!