The Hero in Disguise, Chapter 1 Options

[Taillus]

CHAPTER ONE - A Consuming Darkness.

I wish I could say that my story was that of a true hero. I wish I could say that in this land, a man that was a hero would get recognition for his selfless acts and would be immortalized. This is not the case. I have the unfortunate curse of not being myself in the most literal sense. My true name is Xander Moorcroft. I WAS an elite Battlemage in the Imperial Blue Lions of Ebonheart.

I was the only man able to bring down the maniacal, cold-hearted killer known only as Taillus. My congratulations and praise were non existent, instead I was thrown headlong into the Imperial Prison in Cyrodiil. In reality I blame no one. The events unfolding were not under control by anyone and I would never expect anyone to fully understand.

I am a prisoner in Taillus’ body. In defeating him, I had to switch our bodies to lock him in Oblivion. Now I am to be punished for all of his violent crimes. I must agree, they procecuted me quickly and efficiently so I do still have faith in our justice system but I would have liked to at the very least find out about my men that as far as I know are still fighting in northern Morrowind…


Today my morning began not unlike any other. I was kicked awake by a mouthy guard that drops a small loaf of crusty bread and a small pitcher of water in my cell and kicks again just for fun before leaving. It is like a violent alarm clock. I can also look forward to my daily harassment by the arrogant Dunmer across the hall. This is the life of a savior at its very finest.

After exchanging verbal blows with my “friend” across the hall, we were both surprised to hear the wooden door above us fly open as a handful of armored guards quickly try and smuggle a figure into the holding cells with us. I knew the elderly man as the one and only Uriel Septim himself.

Why he was down here is far beyond me and what is more mind boggling is that they opened my cell and quickly aided him inside. I know that that my idea of a safe haven for the Emperor would NOT by any means be safe in a cell with a COLD BLOODED KILLER. Give me a break. The Blades must be full of new recruits for god’s sake.

Then it hit me, well if “it” was the flat of a short sword. I grimaced as I felt cold steel rap against my fingers that were holding on to the bar door of my cell. I was instantly ordered to have a seat and was aided in doing so by the armored boot of a female guard. I fell into the corner of my cell as a nice Redguard man held me in place with his forearm. They opened up a passage in my cell that would have been great to know of before hand and was knelt before the Emperor.

“Let this man go. He does not deserve being manhandled.” The Emperor says softly as he motions for his guards to lift me to my feet. If you think I was blown away then you would be severely understating my feelings.

“I have seen you in my dreams young man. I know that you are not who people say you are and you are being tried as a murderer. I have seen in the stars that this is not what you will be remembered for…. But you must excuse me, my time here is limited.” The Emperor explains as a cell wall beside us rumbles below the floor.

“This man comes with us. He is most deserving of a second chance as any man I assure you.” The Emperor explains to his Blades as they walk down the stone passage that had just recently been revealed.

This post has been edited by Taillus: Apr 19 2006, 07:57 PM

[Taillus]

I thought I would add another update considering it may be a couple of days before I can get to add more. Without further hesitation.....

As I exited Chorrol and left Jauffre to watch the Amulet, I was treated to the excited voice of the balding tubby man that I had met earlier as I was heading off to my next destination. He allowed me use of his horse for travel to Kvatch but I had to decline. Unless the heir had his own horse which I was thinking he didn’t, it would be quite difficult to control a horse with such an unstable weight.

I was sure to thank Prior Maborel before leaving and I made sure I had what I thought I needed before setting out to get in contact with Martin Septim. I decided that even though it would take me almost twice as long, I would be better off to take the main road. Walking aimlessly through the wilderness right now is grounds to get myself killed. This way I would get to visit another city on my way and maybe see if their local Fighter’s guild had better equipment.

Only a short time had passed since I had left Weynon Priory when something ahead of me caught my eye. A rustling of bushes made me a tad defensive and with good reason. I was shocked to see what I was seeing only minutes out of town…

“One hundred gold or your life you Imperial scum!” a nasty Khajiit hisses as he draws an iron short-sword. He steps toward me with the blade catching the last rays of the falling sun.

“Please, don’t hurt me! Take everything I have but don’t hurt me!” I wail like a ninny as the bandit grins before closing in on me.

“Let us not try any funny business and Ra-Jiil won’t bury his blade in your neck.” The bandit growls as he comes ever closer to take his prize. With a quick grin I pull my short sword from its home at my side letting the handle as well as my armored gauntlet catch him in his leather armored chest.

It was a non-lethal move I had learned in close quarters combat training through the Blue Lions. It was used to ready your weapon while giving your foe a chance to surrender and give you space to think.

I could hear the wind escaping his lungs as he gasps hard. With a flick of my wrist, my blade shows business side upward and I swing it hard letting it collide with his shoulder. If the leather of his cuirass wasn’t as tough as it was I might have taken his arm clean off. Luckily I didn’t hurt him too badly but he knew I meant business and my blade was able to cut through his armor and cleanly slice into his furry flesh beneath it.

The Khajiit wailed in pain as I pulled my blade from the wound. He gripped his shoulder and dropped his sword. As the bandit dropped to his knees I decided to kneel down with him.

“Guess what pal? One-hundred gold or your life the choice is yours. I decided to give you the choice since you were kind enough to do the same.” I explain as I rest my armored hand on his injured shoulder to help me to myself to my feet.

The Khajitt cries out in pain again as I pick up his sword and toss it into the high grass off the side of the trail. I bet this poor guy is going to rethink his career choice after today but in all honesty as angry as I was that this can happen not far from a town gate, I had no intention of killing him. He was probably just down on his luck and decided that this was an easy way out. Everyone makes mistakes and I will be sure to have him learn.

“Get to your feet…what did you call yourself? Ra-jiil? I am not going to kill you or take your money but we are going to wait around for a road guard so he can have you spend some time in Chorrol’s prison for ambushing people on the street. There are many ways a man can provide for his family. You spend so much time…. AAAAAH” My speech was cut short by an interrupting dagger being jabbed into my hip. I should have known.

Some people just cannot be taught how to change. Some people just cannot break away from a life they have been used to for so long. I guess this guy is going to have to pay a price that is quite permanent. I really did try but in the end when a choice has to be made between my life and his, well I am quite biased.

The Bandit lunged at me after pulling his dagger from my thigh. He tried another swing but was only bumped aside by my shield. I countered with a quick swing of my blade that found its mark cutting though his leather cuirass yet again. Blood stained the area by his abdomen as he looked up at me in pain. I really did not want to kill him but he just didn’t stop swinging.

He acted like I was a vicious madman but I had clearly given him a chance to surrender. With one final swing I fear his wounds had gotten the best of him. After losing so much blood he gave up on the dusty road before me and breathed his last breath. I decided that I would drag his body off the road so it would not gather too much attention and I relieved him of his more valuable items.

As I got about half way to Skingrad, I realized that when I got there it would only be half way to Kvatch. At least I would be fit and well exercised. I also got a collection of wolf pelts that would make a Nord cry. I thought of wolf pelts to be the natural currency and of course killing those hungry beasts would be better then trying to outrun them any day.

Skingrad was a good choice as I once again enter through a large set of double wooden doors. A place to rest, rejuvenate and repent for killing that bandit. I had a hard time dealing with killing a man whose only crime was being desperate, and robbing people, and probably harming people emotionally as well as physically. Well ok, I don’t feel all that bad about it now and really all it means is that I have stopped it from happening to someone else.

But I did manage to reinforce my inventory. I managed to barter once again which was something I was getting increasingly better at and as I laid my head on another comfortable Inn pillow for the night as well as let my hard earned meal settle I knew that I was ready for anything that could be thrown at me in Kvatch…