The adventures of Arthago chapter III, A Province united Options

[Agent Griff]

So let's kick this chapter off shall we? A small bit of info at what's to come further in the series: At the end of this chapter, Arthago will move to a whole new province and I think many of you already know which province it is. Anyway, let's enjoy Hammerfell while it lasts shall we?

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After the defeat of Lord Vhosek's rebellion, things went back to normal in all of Hammerfell. Some local kings and rulers however, seeing that Lord Vhosek managed to battle the King and even defeat him, albeit for a short time, started a fight against King Lhotun's rule as well. Since I was one of the highest ranking knights in Sentinel, with the exception of Marshal Daron and a few other senior knights of the order, I was often sent to these small kingdoms to stop the rebellions. The first kingdom to revolt, a few years after Vhosek's uprising, was the small kingdom of Santaki which was close to the Dragontail mountains. I was sent there, together with a few other knights below my rank, to stop the rebellion.

We arrived there after a few days ride. The capital of the small kingdom was the town with the same name, Santaki. The kingdom, albeit small, had its own knightly order, the order of the Hawk. That meant that the Kingdom had some importance in the politics of Hammerfell but it also meant that other smaller kingdoms may gather around Santaki and fight against Sentinel. I never really understood why Redguards or men in general fight eachother if there's no other foe to fight against. Maybe to heighten their skills? No, the answer was quite simple really. For Power. Once a man got ahold of better, he never could really let go of it. The more power you have the more power you crave. King Lhotun obviously had too much power for the regional kingdoms to bear, so they rebelled against him. Quite simple if you look at it from a political point of view.

The capital was a rather big town. It was quite smaller than Sentinel though but bigger than any other town I had seen before. The seal of the order that was etched on my cuirass was concealed by a cloak and so were the seals of the knights under my command. I didn't want someone to see that knights from Sentinel had arrived to settle affairs with Santaki. The palace was not a big or tall building, it was merely three storeys high. I could see an open balcony leading to the throne room at the last floor. There were also knights of the Hawk standing guard near the palace. Even though they came from an issolated kingdom such as Santaki those knights looked fierce.

Once we reached the gate of the palace, a knight stopped us to ask us of our business with their king. I didn't exactly think of an excuse on the way so I had to improvise.
"We come from Sentinel to bring word on King Lhotun's movements." I said in an official tone.

"Sentinel eh? Why do you have to bring the news to the King personally? I thought that sir Greklith was in charge of intelligence." the knight said with a suspicious voice. He was also constantly looking at my knights who were behind me.

"Our duties are to transmit this information to his Majesty personally." I said, trying to keep the lie going. He seemed to believe me.

"Very well then. If the King specificaly required that you meet him I won't interfere. Carry on!" the guard said as he opened the gate. How polite of him! I'm sure that he will be pounding his head after I slay his treacherous king.

A few minutes later we were standing in front of the king of Santaki. He was a man close to old age with a small beard and long, flowing, hair. He looked at me and my men with his brown eyes and asked what my business was in Santaki. He seemed confused and I felt sorry to slay him because he looked like an innocent man.

"What is your business in Santaki, travellers?" the king asked.

"We come from Sentinel with news and counsel." I said, with a soft tone that calmed him down a little.

"Counsel? What counsel? I think I can handle my own kingdom, despite my advancing age." the king said with a hostile voice. Alright so he didn't like advice. It wasn't as if he had much choice when it came to the advice I was about to give him.

"King Lhotun of Sentinel advises you to lay down your outrageous claims and slanders against him. He also advises you that uprisings are very dangerous for men of advanced age such as your fine self." I said in a cold voice.

"Men as myself? King Lhotun now mocks me! I will not lay down my just claims! Hammerfell must be free!" the old king shouted.

"The king of Ephesus had the same opinion regarding the King's counsel. He dissapeared shortly after he made his opinions public and his cousin now peacefuly rules the kingdom. I would not want the same happening to yourself." I said, trying to scare the old king.

"I know why you're here. Lhotun sent his assassins after me. He is a coward not to face me in just battle!" the old king shouted.

"Neither I nor his Majesty see a brave, young King fighting against an old man as a just battle. I think you will agree with our opinions." I said with a sarcastic tone. This man was really pushing my indulgence to the very limit.

"Your king is a filthy coward! And so are his men!" the old man shouted.

Before the old king could say another word he fell down on the floor. His throat was pierced by a small dart. Blood started flowing shortly until it reached our feet. Our job was done! Slaying old men with darts really wasn't my style but at least it payed well, well enough to manage the estate that Lord Vhosek left me. Before the guards could react we were already outside the palace and into the crowded streets of the city.

Once we reached the gatehouse, one of the knights under my command entered as the others, myself included, exited the city. Shortly after, the guard inside the gathehouse fell out of a small window. The knight inside had done his job well. He was more lightly armoured than the rest of us and he was adept in sneaking around and stabbing people when they weren't looking. He then fired a flaming arrow into the sky. The army waiting for us outside soon stormed the town with the gates open. The town guards and even the knights of the Hawk surrendered once they saw what was pouring through their open gates. The King would be pleased to hear of my actions, conquering a town without any loses and slaying a king without anyone noticing. Being an assassin though, didn't quite fit me. I lusted for the thrill of battle again. I had not fought anyone since Vhosek's rebellion. I had to return to Sentinel to report my deeds and receive my rewards anyway. I wonder what Marshal Daron has to say? I had not spoken with him since the days of the rebellion and I was anxious to speak with him again.


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That's it for the start of the chapter! I've followed advice and have used spaces between dialogue lines, tell me if you like it how it is now or if you liked it more the way it was before.

[Agent Griff]

Sorry for not writing in some time. School has begun anew so I will be busy in the future. Here's the update anyway!


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After a few days of travel, the walls of Sentinel rose before me like mountains out of the desert. After I entered the city the first thing I had in mind was to pay Marshal Daron a visit. We had not spoken in a long time. His house was, as ever, in its state of disrepair and the Marshal didn't seem to care about it much. I knocked on his door.

"Who goes there?" a rough voice asked through the door.

"Arthago of Vulnim Gate." I said in an official tone. The door soon opened to reveal the Marshal. His beard was unshaven and he seemed tired.

"Ah, Arthago! It's a pleasure to see you again. I haven't seen you since the Rebellion. By the gods, I thought you died. Come in!" Marshal Daron said as his face lightened up.

"So how goes it Marshal?" I asked after I entered his house. I sat down on a wooden chair near his table. He did the same.

"Things have been going as they always have been. I have some good news and some bad news for you though. Tomorrow is your 24th birthday is it not?" Marshal Daron asked. I wonder what bad news he had in mind?

"Yes, as a matter of fact, it is tomorrow. What's the news then?" I asked.

"I have talked with Grandmaster K'avar and you will be advanced to the rank of Marshal in the order, as a gift for your birthday." the Marshal said.

"That is excellent news Marshal! But, wasn't the order allowed to have just one Marshal? How can there be two?" I asked in a confused voice. Marshal Daron started looking out the window.

"All my life I have served this fine Kingdom. I have served King Camaron, Queen Akorithi and their son, King Lhotun. I have spilt blood for my Kingdom and my King. I think I have had enough of this life. It is time for others to take my place. You have been my greatest pupil Arthago. I remember the day you first came to me, a young man with an uncertain future. You have grown up. It is now time for you to take my place as Marshal of the Order. I shall honourably retire from the affairs of the Order." Marshal Daron said, with a slight tear in his eye.

"And what will you do for a living?" I asked with a slight tear as well.

"I have gathered enough money from my wages to create a small establishment. I don't know a great many things except taking the lives of other people so I'm not sure what to do exactly." Marshal Daron said. He was unsure of his future and it was easy to see.

"A butcher's shop perhaps? It's not that hard to hack into the flesh of beasts and alot of people go to butcher shops to buy their food. If you wish I will help you in this business Marshal because I don't wish that veterans like you have nothing to do." I said, trying to help his decision.

"Yes, a butcher's shop will do. I know a few veterans that have also retired from duty and are unsure what to do with their money. I will talk to them and perhaps we will create an association of some sort." the Marshal said with a slight smile.

"You should give cheaper food to veterans like yourselves. That should get more people to come to the store and buy food. Maybe give free food once a month? Who knows? There are alot of ways in which to make your business prosper." I said, trying to give the Marshal advise on what to do.

"Yes that is a great idea, give cheaper food to veterans. Maybe the store will be known as the veteran's store? Why didn't you become a trader Arthago? You seem to have experience in the matter." Marshal Daron said.

"I thought the life of a soldier to be more rewarding than the life of a trader. Not to mention that the life of a trader is dull beyond means of understanding. I have had some friends in the past and they were traders. We would meet at taverns and they would go on about their adventurous trade deals and how they sold all their stock and things like that. Hell, I was only friends with them because they gave out free drinks when they got drunk. I think you understand why I didn't want to become a trader Marshal." I said, explaining my notion of being a trader to the Marshal.

"Yes I understand Arthago. Hmm, seems someone is knocking at the door, I wonder who it might be? I'll go answer it, you make yourself at home. I have alot of questions to ask you, my old aprentice." Marshal Daron said while he got up to answer the door.

"Oh, do I have some stories to tell you! I'll tell you of the time when I went with the King to Daggerfall on a pirate ship!" I said with enthusiasm in my voice.

"It sounds exciting, just let me..." the Marshal stopped talking mid-sentence. I rose up to see what had happened.

I was shocked to see the Marshal fall down with 2 arrows stuck in his stomach. I quickly grabbed my scimitar and prepared to battle whoevever had attacked the Marshal. I had left my armour at my estate since I had doubts of anyone attacking me in the street. I was wrong. A man wearing a black hood came inside to inspect the Marshal. From what I saw he was still breathing and the assassin hadn't seen me. I threw my scimitar at the assassin. It pierced his chest and he fell down. I quickly ran to the body of the assassin to take my scimitar back. I saw one more assassin outside. He ran once he saw me and I raced after him once I grabbed my sword.

The assassin ran with a speed I had never encountered before. After he saw that I could keep up with him he made a huge leap towards the roof of a small house. We had entered one of Sentinel's many little side-streets which featured rows of small houses so the assassin could easily escape. I barged inside one of the small houses and ran to the roof. I saw the assassin easily since he was wearing some black garments and a tail came out of his pants. He was a Khajiit, one of the cat-men from the South. I ran after him as fast as I could but he seamlessly jumped over buildings. In desperation I threw my scimitar towards him when I got closer. It managed to hit him in one of his legs and he fell down. Once I got to him I summarily grabbed his throat.

"Who in Oblivion sent you?" I shouted at the assassin.

"Not Redguard's business! Slay me now so I don't suffer the humiliation!" the Khajiit said. If he wanted to die I would fulfill his wish but he wasn't going to get away easily. I grabbed my scimitar and cut off his tail. The Khajiit screamed in pain.

"Who sent you filth?" I asked once again.

"King Sosscan of Bergama. Please, slay me!" the Khajiit said. I had what I needed so I drived my scimitar through the Khajiit's throat. Blood started gushing everywhere and I threw the Khajiit over the roof.

I made my way back to Marshal Daron quickly...


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That's it for this cliffhanger ending! If you think Arthago is becoming too sadistic please notify me. He killed the Khajiit because of the Marshal so I hope you can understand his rage.