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]

Here's another update to everyone's favourite mediocre story! The adventures of Arthago! I hope this was quicker than the last update. Anyway, enjoy!


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As I stood in my house, lying down on a chair and just thinking of what had happened the past days, I heard a knock on my door. Quick to answer, I jumped to the door to open it. It was no other than Atius, my old friend. I welcomed him into my house:
"Welcome Atius, I wondered when you'd come. Come in, what will you be drinking?" I asked Atius as I invited him into my house.

"An ale would be enough." he calmly said as he entered. As soon as we both sat down the conversation re-began.

"So, what brings you here Atius?" I asked in an anxious voice.

"I have found a buyer for my "wares" but I don't want to meet him alone so I want you to come with me." Atius said.

"A buyer, you say? Who is he?" I asked.

"A very powerful man who would like to gain even more power, I'm sure you know him." Atius said.

"Well then, if I know him would you stop being mysterious and tell me his name?" I asked in a determined tone.

"I'll tell you, but promise that you will tell no one of our business venture." Atius said.

"Now you know I won't tell anyone, tell me his name already Atius." I said.

"Alright, he is king Lhotun the ruler of Sentinel." he said. I was rather surprised by his reply, the King dealing with one such as Atius?

"And what exactly are these wares for which you risked your life?" I asked, trying to hide my surprise.

"These wares are actually only one object, an ancient artifact I found in a wind-swept tomb in the middle of the Alik'r. It has the rather interesting ability of creating a corrupted copy of whomever you choose. It works on whole armies as well, imagine going to battle with an army much smaller than your foe's then creating a whole army of dopelgangers to match his own army. That's exactly why this Lhotun wants it. He wants it badly actually so he's arranged a meeting between me and him on the waterfront. I'm afraid of going alone, who knows what this Lhotun character may do to me?" Atius said in a rather nervous voice.

"King Lhotun of Sentinel? You shouldn't be afraid of him, he's an honourable man." I said, trying to reassure Atius.

"Honourable? Where have you heard that? I'm guessing the king of Bergama wouldn't agree more gathering what Lhotun did to him, his head was lopped off in the very street. Can you believe that? Someone should do something against this Lhotun before he starts a war with the Empire itself." Atius said in a despicable tone.

"Watch your words! I mean...you shouldn't judge someone as a tyrant before you know his reasons. Perhaps he has a good reason for all of these things?" I said, loosing my temper for a moment.

"I'm sure he has a very good reason, all of these tyrants have the same one: the thirst for power. The fact that he desires my merchandise just shows that he wants even more power." Atius said, trying to slander King Lhotun's reputation.

"I should..." I was interrupted by a knocking at the door. I made my way to answer. I only found a note at the foot of the door. I picked it up and started reading it. It read:

There is a very despicable man in the city. He seeks to conquer the city by using a malefical artifact of Oblivion. Seek him out and slay him before it is too late for the city and the Kingdom. Make sure to recover the artifact so that no one comes forth and takes it to use it against us.

Signed,
King Lhotun


So Atius wasn't actually an adventurer seeking to sell off his loot. He was actually here to take over the city. His first, most probable step, was to take out King Lhotun in that meeting on the Waterfront. Afterwards, taking down the city's defenses would be easy with a tool like that in his possesion. I had to stop him before he got out of my house and on to the streets.

"So Atius, where did you say that your merchandise was? I am rather worried that this despicable Lhotun character might try and steal it." I said, trying to trick the conspirator.

"Oh, I have it with me. It's quite easy to carry along with you, you see? It has the shape of a normal-sized human skull yet it is...darker and gives you a feeling of imense power. So you agree to come along to the meeting?" Atius asked me anxiously.

"Come along to the meeting? Well, before I answer that question here's something that I'll bring along. Protection you see?" I said as I left the room and went upstairs to get my scimitar. I had to take care of this menace.

Later, after I had returned: "Oh, great. That's just what we need. In case that Lhotun tries anything funny with us at the docks." Atius said in a rather relieved voice. He must really trust me to say that.

"Oh, but the best part is yet to come. Look over your shoulder." I softly said to Atius, directing him to look behind him.

As he turned his back, I raised my scimitar, intent on leaving this malitious schemer without his foul head. As Atius looked behind I tried to fell the blade upon his head, but I just couldn't. This man had helped me very much, he had even saved my life once. I couldn't just repay him by lopping off his head. If he would die, his death would not come by me. I am not a murderer, and when I kill, I do so with reason.

"What was there? I couldn't see anything except an empty wall." Atius said, rather dissapointed. He didn't know how lucky he was.

"Oh nothing. I was planing on showing you something but I've decided against it." I said in a rather bored voice, trying to mask my former intentions.

"Oh well. I forgot to tell you something. The meeting with Lhotun is tonight and there's not much time left! We should hurry." Atius said as he got up from my chair. I did the same.

Soon enough we were on the streets, on our way to the docks to meet the King. As we past through the empty streets, we went past a few market stalls which were emptied for the night. Atius started giggling for no apparent reason. After some time passed, I asked him why he was giggling as we past those stalls.

"Oh, I just remembered one time when I was walking through the market and I heard a little disscusion between a merchant who was selling dogs and one of his customer. The customer, after settling to buy a specific dog, asked the merchant if the dog had a family tree. The merchant responded: He can pee on any tree sir.
I just burst into laughing when I heard that. It's rather nice to remember past episodes like this one. It brings back fond memories." Atius said as he weaved a story and a joke in his words.

We both started laughing after he told of his memories. I exchanged some of mine in turn. Yet the time for niceties and jokes was soon coming to an end. We were nearing the docks, and I would have to tell the King why I can't slay Atius.

As we reached the meeting place, I could see the King was already there together with two other men. Atius was outnumbered heavily. I knew that he would not survive the night one way or another. King Lhotun greeted us as we approached.

"Greetings Atius! I am glad to see you have made it on time. Hm, who is your friend?" King Lhotun asked in a slightly suspicious voice.

"A friend of mine, Arthago of Vulnim Gate. Nobody important." Atius said in a calm voice.

"Arthago?! Arthago, is that you?" King Lhotun asked in a perplexed voice.

"Yes, sire. I am sorry to..." I was interrupted by the King.

"Don't be sorry Arthago. So you say you've befriended this petty thief? You're even more talented than I expected Arthago, perhaps you should focus your talents elsewhere than in the career of a knight. Now that we have him here, slay him Arthago." the King said with a slight grin.

"I am sorry Sire, but that was what I was meaning to tell your Highness. I can't kill him. He has saved my life and helped me greatly in the past. This is no way to repay his efforts." I said in an honest voice. Atius was looking at all of this in a very surprised way.

"Who do you trust more Arthago? Me? Or this petty tomb-raider? He means to destroy the city with his wicked artifact! He means to destroy everything you know and love!" King Lhotun said, slightly shouting.

"Destroy the city? What rubbish has this man been stuffing into your head Arthago? You know very well that he wants to buy the artifact and use it for himself! He only wishes to kill me so he doesn't have to pay any drakes out of his pocket!" Atius said at me with a certain desperation in his voice. He didn't want to die. Yet, what he said all made sense. The fact that the King wanted me to recover the artifact and take it to him. It all linked up. Perhaps the King had other thoughts than the ones of peace that he showed.

"He's trying to turn you against me Arthago! Who made you what you are today? Who? I did! If it weren't for me, you'd still be a petty squire by now! I liked you Arthago, I saw your potential! Why throw it all away in such a time? You're at the middle of the road now Arthago, will you go forwards or will you turn back?" King Lhotun asked me.

"Can't you see he's using you Arthago? Can't you see you're just a tool in his eyes? He fears you Arthago, that's why he wants you in his service, and not by your own. He fears your potential. If you stay with him any longer, you'll soon end up like me, or countless others, at the edge of a pier ready to be thrown into the water. What will you do Arthago? He's right when he says you're at the middle of the road, you can go either go forward and leave Lhotun's service or you can go back and remain his hired killer. What will you choose Arthago?" Atius asked me in almost the same way.

Things had gotten so confusing. I didn't know why I didn't just kill Atius, I didn't know why I didn't obey the King's wishes. I started feeling different towards the King, I started seeing his true face. He wanted power, no matter the consequence, no matter the reason. I saw it in his eyes that he delighted when I told him about the assassins from Bergama, it was clear, he had an excuse for war. Perhaps, with the death of Atius he might say that some king from say, Daggerfall, sent Atius here to conquer the city. This was just one great chain, one evil leading to another. Would I choose to continue, or would I choose to break it?
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DUN DUN DUN DUNNN!!! Stay tuned for the next update!