The Story of Taillus, Chapter 8 Options

[Taillus]

This is the very last "Full" chapter. I really appreciate the continued support and since my Video Card will be in my computer by Saturday I will have to start working on the story of Xander.... Thanks all and I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I have loved writing it!

Chaper 8 - Eye For An Eye.

The now defenseless town of Balmora bows to Taillus’ mercy as he casually struts through town. Morrowind used to scare him silly. He can remember walking through these same streets not too long ago with a dire fear that someone would plant a knife in his spine for whatever gold he would be carrying. Today, and from now on he would not fear this at all.

He heads across one of the stone walkway bridges that cross the small river passing through the town and heads to the more residential part of town. The villagers pass by him without the slightest clue and he also ignores them for the time being. His mind was completely focused on giving his old “Friend” what he deserves.

The door to the Balmora hideout of the Thieves Guild opens quickly, catching a nearby Thieves Guild Member off guard. Taillus stomps across the floor and grabs the one known as “Sugar-lips Hasabi by the throat and lifts the thief off the floor, letting clawed feet dangle. Taillus squeezes hard as Sugar Lips wheezes and gasps trying to catch some small breath of air.

“I am going to give you three seconds to catch your breath and then you will tell me where the Dunmer by the name of Jiub is. I will not tolerate your ignorance so it would be in your best interest that you do not utter the words “I do not know.” Taillus whispers as he clenches Hasabi and props him against the wall.

The Thief gasps and tries to pull Taillus’ unarmored muscular arm away but to no avail. Finally, Hasabi manages to agree to Taillus’ terms and he drops to the ground desperately trying to catch some air to breathe.

“Sugar-lips sent Jiub to fetch some items of use from the local Mage’s Guild and he should be back soon.” The Sugar-Lips gasps while looking up at Taillus in fear. Taillus grins from beneath his hooded robe and turns to leave.

“Juib will peel that armor off of your body and skewer you without mercy you Imperial fool. He will not allow you to disgrace the Guild of Thieves.” Sugar-Lips hisses just before the door closes making Taillus turn quickly and grab hold of some clothing and heave the poor thief outside, off the step and out into the streets of Balmora for some discipline.

“What did you say!?” Taillus explodes as Hassabi struggles to quickly get to his feet. The thief draws a poisoned glass dagger and circles Taillus in a defensive stance. Taillus rips his robe off revealing his chiseled bare chest and motions for Sugar-Lips to try and plant the dagger into his exposed chest.

Sugar-Lips lunges at Taillus over and over but fails to hit flesh. Taillus draws his mace and motions for the Guild member to try and fill his body with poison. As the dagger is thrust in his direction, Taillus steps to the side and swings the mighty enchanted mace downward at the Thief Guild member knocking Sugar-Lips lifeless to the ground at his feet.

“Where are you Juib!? Come to me and accept your fate my friend!” Taillus shouts filling the empty streets with his voice as the white spirit energy of Sugar-lips flows into his amulet. Taillus can feel the added attributes of the thief with his own and his eyes could now suddenly make out more detail in the dark He felt as though he had trained in the Thieve’s Guild for years. He sprints through town heading quickly to the mages guild where Juib is supposedly off stealing scrolls. Checking his inventory, He found an invisibility scroll that he would definitely see going to good use within the next few minutes.

[Taillus]

At just about the same time as the events in Balmora, a well armored Breton steps off a ship docked in Seyda Neen. He walks alongside of Sellus Gravius and they head into the excise office.

“You need me here to eliminate one man? What is this?” The Breton asks accompanied by a raised brow. “My men needed me back in the north defending the fort from the Lycans Gravius! You yourself know that my mission was that of high importance!”

The Imperial sat at his desk with his hands folded neatly before him. He looks across the table at the Breton man and heaves a long, distressed sigh. He knew that the order was preposterous but they were not from him directly. He was informed that he himself had to travel to the north to bring back Xander Moorcroft and to do it quickly.

“Listen Xander, I know that this part of Vvardenfel is my duty and I have done all I could do to refrain from bringing you here but we do sorely need your assistance. You are really the only true battle mage that is at our disposal and you may very well be the best skilled fighter in the Imperial Legion’s ranks.” Gravius states as he can feel sweat accumulate on his brow.

He had to convince Xander to help the legion or else Taillus would stomp Morrowind flat. He had heard the news that he had attacked traveling merchants, nobles and everyday travelers and was last witnessed heading towards Balmora where he would undoubtedly cause more death and destruction.

“Let us get one thing straight Sellus! I am not at the Legion’s disposal and I really never was. The Blue Lions of Ebonheart come with direct orders from the Emperor himself. There are very few men that I take orders from and I can assure you that you are not one of them.” Xander states as his obvious concern for his men in the frozen north is tolling on his mind.

“Xander, I know we have not always seen eye to eye and maybe I have harbored some resentment against you in the past but this is the fate of all of us we are talking about. The man that I am having problems with is one named Taillus. He is a demon of a man that has killed without remorse!” Sellus Gravius states as leans forward.

“Some say that he borrows from the strength of the Mace of Molag Bal. An artifact that steals the strength of opponents as well as drains their life energy meaning that we are not dealing with just some everyday serial murderer, this man is on a rampage Xander, and if we can’t stop him then may the gods have mercy on our souls.” Sellus whispers with a look of complete concern and worry on his face.

Xander knew the urgency of the issue. Sellus was not a begging man, and he would rather die fighting himself then ask for help from Xander. This was not an ordinary occurrence and was definitely not any ordinary man. Anyone who could have that mace would have to be quite skilled to begin with. Xander shakes his head slowly and gets to his feet. Sellus also stands, eager to hear the word of Xander. Finally, he speaks.

“Alright Sellus. Gather up some men and have them as well as yourself meet me outside of Seyda Neen. You must have some good men on patrol here. Tell Arille at the Trade house that we need every article of well crafted weaponry and make the bill out to the empire. We will stop this man or die in the process.” Xander states as he walks out the door and into the small village of Seyda Neen.