The Outpost - a story by Milanius & Minque Options

[milanius]

OK, here's a little something I've been working for the past few weeks, with Minque's great (and much appreciated) help. Hope you like it, but remember: it's far from perfect, just like everything else in life Cheers !
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Edited by minque 27.04.2005

The Outpost


I

The waves were rolling across the sea, all the way from far north, breaking gently upon the shore and his bloodied legs. The water was unusually cold, even at this time of the year, but that could`ve also been his own imagination; "I have lost too much blood and the death is upon me", he thought, "it’s no wonder I feel so cold... but that is unimportant. My lord, Gods, I’ve failed you... forgive me". He gazed upon the star-filled sky once again, then closed his eyes and fell into a restless sleep, full of memories...

The three of them came from the south, just a few days earlier, directly from Ald´ruhn, two Dunmer scouts and Corvin. The Dunmers, Merisa Dralas and her younger brother, Maiev, were loyal servants of Lord Athyn Sarethi years before this assignment and they were both very (unpleasantly) surprised when they learned that they’d have to be subordinated to this foreigner. No one, not even Sarethi’s troop commanders, had a single clue just what did the lord of Great House Redoran saw in this young man.

Indeed, Corvin was more than a skilled swordsman and gifted tactician; however, he was also an Outlander and, on top of all other things, an unbeliever, a member of the Imperial Cult. In the light of all these things it seemed that only Sarethi knew what was so special about this skinny and unusually pale Redguard hireling.

Corvin came to Morrowind province only recently, looking for his fortune, and after several months with The Great House Redoran, after a series of several difficult patrols in the Ashlands, he gained the reputation of a fearsome fighter and an excellent scout.

During one unfortunate Redoran raid on Berandas, an old Dwemer stronghold which was sanctum for bad daedra worshippers, Corvin’s courage, quick thinking and reactions saved more than just a few lives and he was officially recommended for bravery. But, inspite all these events, everyone still got surprised when Sarethi himself decided to name him the leader of a small group of scouts who had the task to lead the investigation of dark events that took place at Bal Voria, the new Redoran stonghold on the northern shores of Vvardenfell.

Bal Voria was a newly built outpost - merely one guard tower, barracks for several guards and an unfinished wall; it stood against the shores, a bit west of the old daedric ruin of Ashurnabitashpi. It was supposed to be the beginning of a new, larger Redoran stronghold, which would monitor and effectively cut down the cultist activity that had grown stronger within that area for the last several years.

After the initial negotiations with Duke Vedam Dren, concerning the Redoran building rights, and the hardship that followed involving the protests of other two Houses, Duke Dren worried himself with stories about rise of old cults and their dark practices, finally gave in and permitted the Redorans to begin building the stronghold.

The first several weeks on the works have passed, surprisingly without any troubles; the second phase, involving the stationing of 8 men and women at Bal Voria got on the way, and everything seemed to be going smoothly...

Then, just one week before Corvin’s expedition, something happened. Silence has covered the north and no reports were sent from the outpost to Ald Velothi, as usual, for days. The commander of Ald Velothi was worried, and therefore he sent three messengers, one by one, to Bal Voria. Not one had returned. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that something vile had happened to the outpost and its guardians. Velothi and Maar Gan lacked sufficient forces for investigation... so, instead of weakening these two settlements, Athyn Sarethi has ordered a rallying of Redoran soldiers, volunteers from Ald-Ruhn and a small group of Ordinators, to form together a company which would then march to the north, take over Bal Voria and find out what ill fortune has befell their brothers and sisters...

Corvin, along with his two companions, were the spearhead and reconaissance of this entire mission - the silent eye which was to come close and see what exactly happened, full two days before everyone else did the same.


II

Corvin was all ready in his black-dyed bonemold armor, prepared to go before sunrise that morning even. Since he never travelled with big loads he only took his trusty Dwemer Jinxsword and two silver daggers, some food, a few healing potions, herbs, and a brand new bonemold longbow with two dozen arrows. When he finished packing all the equipment he kneeled down and made a silent prayer to Nine Divines; to each one of the sacred Imperial spirits he gave his gratitude and trust, promising nothing but valiance in combat. After that, he rose and went outside the city gates, where his two companions, fully armed and ready, waited for him. As soon as they saw him they came silently by his side and all three started their march towards north.

Right after morning broke they became aware that they wouldn’t outrun those dark, rainy clouds, which were gathering from southwest throughout the last day, and that soon proved to be truth. At first the rain fell very quietly and scarcely, but as they made their progress to Maar Gan it really started to pour down like nothing Corvin had seen before.

Soaking to the bone, they passed the Redoran stonghold of Bal Isra and continued to march towards Maar Gan in heavy rain. Soon there wasn`t even one alit or nix hound outside; all living creatures and the Ashlander natives had crawled into their dwellings, while the storm raged outside. However, they continued, in silence, and by early afternoon they finally reached the gate of Maar Gan.

"Hey, you fools, what are you doing here in this lovely weather ?" - the guard`s loud voice, barely came to them through the furious wind and rain;"don`t you see that we`re having the end of the world here ? And above that, there is trouble up north... big trouble !"
Corvin yelled back to the guard:
"We know about all this ! We`re coming from Ald´ruhn... in fact, we`re going after that very trouble, but before we do so a hot bowl of kwama- soup and some dry clothes would really raise our spirits !

The guard said something they didn`t hear, and then waved to them to come in from the rain. They entered the barracks and within minutes their clothes were drying by the fireplace, while everyone in there listened, worried, about the reason they came.
"You must be insane to go up there at once, without backup" - one of the guards argued - "we all have orders to stay put here, all of us except our scout - he went just several leagues from that shrine last night and he heard screams and growling, like someone was skinned alive !"

"He also said he saw several bonfires from distance," replied the other guard "Azura save us, they might`ve burned Bal Voria`s men down alive and....."

"That`s enough out of you two! "

Miles Gloriosus, veteran crusader and defender of Gan, stepped up to Corvin and his companions, shaking their hands:
"These two are acting like frightened old women, but you`ll have to forgive them - us all, in fact. We still don`t have a clue what exactly happened in Voria, or what was the fate of our men there, but we believe that Daedra worshippers from Ashurnabitashpi got them all... we already lost one scout who went out there alone, and the other one wasn`t so enthusiastic about testing his luck. However, he did see fires from a distance and heard several screams, but he still isn`t sure whether they were human or animal. He also said... ah, but that`s just his imagination probably!"

"He said what ?"

Gloriosus shaked his head and replied:
"He told us that he didn`t see the Urshilaku camp at all - not one yurt - as if the entire place just vanished over night... instead, he said, he saw many tall figures with arms and cargo... they might be cultists , but we still don`t believe him entirely and right now I myself don`t know what to think about it. Maybe the Urshilaku packed bags and left in a hurry, but that just doesen`t sound right to me."

"So where is this scout of yours, then?" - Merisa asked - "We would like to hear all he has to say to us."

"Of course... Ronyr, call Glinter and tell him to come at once - we need him to tell us story about his last night... again!"

Several minutes passed by in nervous silence, it seemed more like hours. Finally, Ronyr came back followed by one really small, dark-haired Bosmer. Corvin stood up and shook his hand.

"You must be Glinter, I presume?"
"Indeed, that is my name - but I didn´t get yours?"

"I`m Corvin, scout and retainer of House Redoran" – he replied, while they both took their seats - "I am sent by the order of Lord Sarethi, along with my two associates, to investigate the events at Bal Voria. We were told you`ve come close to it, and the old shrine as well, last night."

"Yes, and much closer than I preferred, too... Oh, don`t start frowning at me ! Many people have gone missing; the rumors say that cult of Mehrunes Dagon is rising up and making more and more human sacrifices and anyone who comes near Voria disappeares without a trace… you must understand that I love my skin more than glory or money - yes, you`ve heard me right - even more than money!"

"I understand; a truly wise warrior goes around trouble, like Ashlanders say, until he can give it a big suprise. But, now that I mentioned Ashlanders, we`d also like to hear news about the Urshilaku camp?"

"What about it ? There is no camp anymore; I tell ya, I was cursing darkness and I rubbed my eyes constantly, but they didn`t deceive me - the camp just isn`t there, but no one here believes me; they make jokes at me and compare me to a scared guar. Bah ! I was the one who stuck his neck out!"

"Calm down, I believe you... is it possible, maybe, that the Urshilaku relocated somwhere when these troubles started to occur?"

"I honestly don`t know where they could have gone, but now when I think of it… maybe they just had enough time to get to the Ald Redaynia`s island – it`s the only relatively peaceful place arround here."

"Probably", Gloriosus said, "I am sure the Ashlanders know how to take care of themselves; this is, after all, their backyard. But now we have other urgent matters. Tell me, please, what kind of reinforcements will come from Ald´ruhn and when ? I am sorry to say this but we can only provide you with surplus and weapons, not manpower."

"That is fine, we just needed a brief rest",Corvin answered, "our troops, several dozen of soldiers and a unit of Ordinators, will arive in a day and a half. We must scout the entire area surrounding the outpost and then report to our troops when they arrive, in order to make the first strike, if needed, the best possible way."

" Now",he turned to Glinter once again, "before we prepare to go I`d like you to tell me if you saw Bal Voria itself – how it looked and if there were some traces of razing?"

"Alas, the darkness prohibited me from seeing correctly in what state the outpost was, but this I can tell you : the defensive wall looked torn down in several places, and the tower was half-broken. Other than that I believe that the place might have been burned or bombarded with some powerful fire-based spells, because I also saw several large debris that looked completely burned… and that`s just about all... "

"It is more than enough, Glinter. You have my gratitude and when we return remind me to buy you some flin. Well, I guess we have some preparing to do now. Sir Larrius, gentlemen, please excuse us."

Corvin stood up once again, and so did Merisa and Maiev; they went to the next room and started to assemble their gear. In the meantime people dispersed, going back to their business, all except Glinter, who stayed for a while longer, looking at the three, shaking his head. Finally, he too turned away and left.
The storm outside continued, as the night began to fall.

[milanius]

IV


Reawakening wasn’t easy, to say the least; it wasn’t even immediate. It was a blunt, painful process: Corvin first started hearing voices of his captors; then, some feeling came back to his limbs and he was overwhelmed by hurting from many cuts and bruises he received that night; after that, he started smelling various odors – the stench of blood, vomit, candle wax, burned flesh, and something even worse that made his stomach turn. Finally, he was able to see again, although darkness still ruled in this horrid place, but his regained sight didn’t bring him comfort.

He was in a daedric shrine, no doubt about it. From the place he was lying at he saw seldom red and green dimmed lights, and a few tall figures moving around a huge statue in front of him. Corvin knew what god resided here; the muscular, four-handed figure of Mehrunes Dagon, Lord of Destruction, was a recognizable sight even from the back. Since he knew only one shrine in whole area that belonged to Mehrunes he instantly knew where he ended up – he was in Ashurnabitashpi, the presumed beginning of all troubles. He then took one look at himself and his situation became painfully clear: multitude of his wounds told him that this time he might have reached the end of his rope.

"So, here is where all the fun is" – he mumbled ironically.
One of the figures heard his weak voice and rushed towards him. When it got close he saw that this was another mean-looking orc.
"Awake again, ha ? Well then, here’s another one for you !"
By saying that, orc waved his fist widely and directed a devastating blow right into Corvin’s nose. Pain overwhelmed him and he felt salty, warm blood running to his mouth. His nose was crushed and the pain gave Corvin new awareness – not at all pleasant, however.
"You are a fine piece of meat, Redguard, but before we have some more fun our leader wants to talk to you about some important matters – but don’t worry, I will be back to make your final moments most unpleasant."

As orc stepped aside and faded with his brethren into the shadows he left the chamber with only one figure standing in the lightless corner; slowly, like a ghost gliding trough the fumes, robed figure came ever closer to Corvin and he was soon aware that he had one well dressed, proud looking Altmer in front of him.
"Are you… the leader of these… these animals ?"
"My dear boy, I shall be the one who asks questions. However, since we aren’t the brutes you think we are I’ll indulge your curiosity – to some level. I am Elgorin the sorcerer and I'm, truly, the commander of this expedition. Don’t bother to introduce yourself since I don’t care for your name or title. I only care for things you might know."
"Expedition ? I thought that the cult of Mehrunes Dagon existed in these parts of island long ago ? Are you not cultists ?"
"So many questions" – Altmer slowly raised his eyebrows – "from one who is in such unenviable position... surely, even you could have guessed by now we’re not some unorganized bunch of daedra worshipers. No, our humble contingent is made for one purpose only: to take back the land which is rightfully ours and drive your hard-headed Redoran kind out of here or into the cold ground - whatever you prefer first. So, if you’re still in the dark because of your inferior intellect let me help you - we are Telvanni who are here because you’ve played with our patience for too long. Construction of Bal Voria was the last straw and that is why all of this has happened - your arrogance has to be punished."

Corvin’s bloodshot eyes widened and a shade of anger covered his face. In his mind parts of the picture started to connect and he was, at last, able to understand what really happened here.
"Telvanni ? So you have come here, turned our outpost into a pile of ashes and murdered all of our people because you needed to punish us ? Because of the land grabbing ?! Stendarr curse you, of all people on this island you should be the ones to talk about it ! House Redoran had settlements in these parts for centuries and we had to build Bal Voria to protect them !"
Altmer was still standing firmly, but now Corvin was able to sense irritation in his voice:
"Really, is that so ? And I suppose that you would use the same excuse if the inhabitants of Valenvaryon and Zergonipal became rowdier ? You would ask duke Dren to permit you even more strongholds ? Bah, it doesn't even matter... Vedam Dren is hollow shell of a man he once was, since the feud with his brother. He doesn't give a slightest thought about your own lives if he believes you'll keep peace here in north... but enough of this ! I shall ask you several questions now, Redguard, and it is in your best interest to answer them all truthfully. First of all, we want to know the exact number of your men who are marching here - now, don't look so surprised... we have - or rather, we had - our spy for some time in Ald-Ruhn, but sadly she herself couldn't find out some facts which you certainly know. Since I don't have much time left to bother myself with you will tell me about strength of your forces, their movement route and the place where you were supposed to meet them - now ?"
"Even if it was all true... and what if I say no ?"
"As much as I would like to spill some of your blood myself I am really busy right now, so I think that several more minutes with our spy will be sufficient. When she's done with you you'll tell us all you know... and maybe even something you don't know."
"Her... I suppose that your spy is Merisa ?"
"If you wish to talk about someone in presence of that person" - clear female voice came from the dark corners on the right side of chamber - "you should speak to that person; otherwise, you risk to be very, very rude."

By saying those words Merisa Dralas stepped out of the darkness and started to walk slowly across the room, to the place where Corvin was lying. With every soft, silent step she made he started to recollect all the gruesome details; every cut of a blade, every strike of a club, every single wound he endured while he was under the effect of paralysis - and she was responsible for the most of them, doing the job with some fearsome hatred she barely managed to conceive. He felt chills when she came to him at last and put her hand on his shoulder.
"You... damn you. Damn you to Oblivion."
Merisa just smiled and turned to Elgorin:
"You were right, master Elgorin. He won’t speak to us… not yet. Give me just half an hour alone with him and I’ll make him tell us all we need to prepare our ambush properly."
"Very well, you have that time. Do you want me to paralyze him again so you can work in peace ?"
"There is no need, master. He is so weak that he can’t even raise his hand on me."
"Fine… but, just to be safe" – Elgorin pulled out a small vial from his robe and approached Corvin, forcing him to drink its contents; and then, he spoke to Merisa again:
"That was the extract of daedroth’s saliva. It will completely drain his strength and render him powerless to do anything. Take this antidote for it; in case you get in contact with his blood it will heal you. When you finish interrogation send the guard to call me… and remember: we don’t want to kill him just yet – he can still be of use to us !"
Elgorin gave Corvin one more quick look, full of despise and loathing, after which he turned away and left the shrine with haste trough the main exit. Corvin and Merisa were now completely alone and tense silence filled the great hall of Mehrunes Dagon.

Merisa spoke first, while slowly drawing that same daedric dagger with which she executed her brother:
"Come on, ask me before I start... go ahead ! Aren’t you going to ask me about all this ? If my memory serves me right you are one of the more curious Redoran lap-dogs."
"Ask you what ? Why did you murder your own brother in such brutal and cowardly way ? Or why are you working for the Telvanni ? Even if you told me what was your real name I would not believe one word you said, traitor. You can torture me even more or finish me right away, but either way it doesn’t matter. You won’t get the answers you seek from me – they will follow me into my grave."
"Haha ! Merisa is really my birthname and you will not die for much longer – you heard our leader... but in the end, filthy Redoran scum, you have no right to call me traitor. I am what I am, loyal to my real ancestors and their call for vengeance."
"Vengeance ? Is that what they call murder and mutilation nowadays ?"
Merisa swung the dagger across Corvin’s chest and he moaned in pain. A new stream of blood started to flow from the cut as she continued to talk.
"Murder, and a mass one, was the atrocity that servants of House Redoran committed nearly three decades ago in a small Ashlander settlement near Berandas, when they slayed everyone there - that is, everyone except me. I was only a child at the time, but even now I clearly remember everything – the screams, our yurt in flames, bodies of my mother and father in the dust... I was taken to Ald-Ruhn where the Dralas family adopted me and tried to mold me into a obedient little Redoran, and I've made them believe they could do just that, while I was telling myself every single day that I shall have my revenge... Mephala be praised, Telvani have made that possible for me when they approached me last year. This incident with Bal Voria came to us unexpected, but nevertheless, I caused enough damage to your damn House. Here and now we only have few things left to accomplish; after we destroy the troops Sarethi has sent our council in Sadriht Mora will persuade duke Dren to leave protection of these parts of Vvardenfell to House Telvanni... by then I’ll have a high rank within it and your bones, you miserable fool, will be long forgotten."
"And what about bones of Maiev and defenders of Voria ? Do you believe that they shall also be forgotten ?"
"Maiev, that sniveling little brat... as long as I can remember I hated him. To be honest, his death hasn't brought me as much satisfaction as I hoped, but at least he's rotting in wilderness now. But enough of this nonsense ! You will give me some answers right away if you don't want to experience a whole new volume of pain..."
Corvin suddenly felt the storm of long repressed fury rising in him. Holding his feelings back he spoke trough clenched teeth:
"All right, Merisa. I will tell you all you need to know about our troops, but first I need to give you one more information you've overlooked. Please, come closer..."
"What is it ? What do you want to tell me ?"
"This: Anger only gives birth to more anger. You should know that best !"

The adrenaline tide that hit Corvin's bloodstream and heart in a split second, speeding it up nearly to the point of breaking, gave him enough strength to jump right off the ground and onto Merisa who, shocked, only managed to open her mouth. However, before she was even able to mutter a single scream, Corvin shoved his right hand into it, while with his left hand he grabbed her fist with dagger, still slippery from his own blood, and aimed it at her larynx. Two of them have tumbled down on the floor and struggled only for few brief moments, long enough for Merisa to brutally bite Corvin's hand and for Corvin to drive the dagger all the way to the hilt into Merisa' throat, turning it for half circle. River of blood gushed up from Merisa's neck and she died in the same way as Maiev, with her eyes still open wide in astonishment.

Corvin himself needed several more seconds to come to his senses, because he too was now in a state of shock; finally, he realized that he had only a short time left until the effects of adrenaline faded. He then turned to Merisa's body and started to search trough it feverishly, but he did not find anything on her, except the dagger and Elgorin's antidote, which he drank immediately. As soon as he started to feel the effect of potion he made a desperate rush toward shrine's side entrance, slowing his pace down to creeping when he got near them. He leaned against the heavy stone door as quietly as possible, attempting to hear what was going on outside; since he didn’t hear anyone he half-opened it and, as soon as he was able to squeeze trough them, he sneaked out, closed the door back and tried to sink into shadows. Nearly at the same tame he noticed one figure coming straight at him. He hugged the dark walls as best as he could while figure came closer. It eventually turned out to be another orc, who was under heavy influence of alcohol and in a bad mood, mumbling something about the “damn slave drivers”. Five paces from the place where Corvin tried to hide himself orc stopped and turned around, leaning on the wall, giving the Redguard a good opportunity to use those few remaining seconds of extra strength and speed so he could strike and kill him from behind – not at all worthy of one warrior, but Corvin has already banished all things from his mind except thoughts of his own survival.

As he fell beside orc’s lifeless body he began another desperate search of it and this time luck gave him a wide smile: underneath his steel armor, beside an empty jug of sujjama, orc had carried two potions which restored a part of Corvin’s strength and endurance, enabling him to drag back orc’s corpse back into the shrine. There Corvin noticed one more lucky circumstance: orc was just a few inches taller than him and his clothes were fitting for him. He then took off orc’s boots and gauntlets, as well as his robe; he tore up his own shirt, which was already in tatters, so he could use it to bandage his legs and the hand Merisa has bitten. At last, after he’s put on everything he pulled the heavy hood over the face as much as he was able and so, for the second and last time that night, Corvin left the Ashurnabitashpi shrine.

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NOTE: The following part was re-edited and de-bugged only by me and NOT by Minque, so if there are some more blunders in it let ME have the ugly end of the stick :lickinglips: Cheers !