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]

Okay, sorry for the long delay but it seems I'm developing a style here. I don't like this style though, but what can a guy do? Here's the latest update, and here's hoping that the next one will come quicker.


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Now that the phases of the plan had been established the plan could be put in motion. All known Crown and Forebear enclaves in the teritory of Sentinel were to be approached with offers to join the Lhotunic. I was very skeptical of the plan's succes rate though, Crowns were famous for their stubborness and their desire to work alone for the salvation of Hammerfell. The Forebears on the other hand, were easily influenced by a well placed bribe...or assassination.

There were a number of Forebear-owned taverns in the city of Sentinel. As our agents were roaming the whole Kingdom looking for other groups of Forebears and Crowns, a few of the remaining agents started looking in Sentinel itself. I decided to go and oversee one of these operations at a Forebear tavern, the "Rusting-Crown". The name of the tavern was a clearly attacking the Crowns. After all these years, the Forebear-Crown hate hadn't dropped significantly. Hate is the most powerful human emotion, more powerful than love, regardless what some might tell you. Hate creates destruction and friendships alike. The saying "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" is very suited to this statement. Hate is something more permanent than love, you might love someone one day, you might love another one the other, you might even love someone if you were paid to do so. Hate however, is stronger. If you hate someone one day, you can't stop hatting him the other, no matter the situation.

Leaving the philosophical part of things aside, I carefully made my way inside the "Rusting-Crown" with 2 other men beside me. Just in case. The tavern was a rather beat-up place. It was clearly badly cared for, if it was cared for at all that is. There were a few tables in front of an old wooden bar. The bar-tender was an old Redguard with a rather uncared-for beard. I approached the bar, trying not to disturb the other patrons of the tavern. Despite my efforts, everyone was looking at me like I was dinner. The only one who wasn't looking at me was a Bosmer who was sitting at the bar, sipping his drink in a very annoying manner. I took a seat next to the Bosmer at the bar, so did my two companions who were "keeping the peace" by holding the handles of their blades, ready to draw their weapons.

I started a seemingly normal conversation with the Bosmer, if you can call any conversation with a skinny midget normal that is.

"Um, greetings." I said in a rather hesitant voice. All the eyes which were looking directly at me made me rather nervous.

"Greetings friend, where do you hail from?" the Bosmer asked in a rather absent voice.

"Vulnim Gate." I responded with few words.

"You come from Vulnim Gate, do you? Never heard of that city. Regardless. My name is Balfix." the Bosmer said in a merry voice.

"Arthago, pleased to meet you Balfix." I replied.

"So what is your trade, Arthago? I'm a sailor myself. I was just passing by and decided to stop in this fine city." the Bosmer said.

"Ah, my trade? Well, I'm a...messenger boy. Yes, I'm a messenger boy." I said, trying not to draw atention upon myself.

"A messenger boy? And what is a messenger boy doing, running around with two armed guards behind him? You must be carrying a very important message." Balfix said in a rather unassuming voice.

"Well, um...um." I slouched over to Balfix' ear, trying to whisper something to him. "You seem to be a nice Bosmer, I suggest you get out of here before things get ugly between me and these boys." I whispered, trying not to attract atention at the same time.

"Oh, I understand. Well, I'll leave you to your bussiness. I wouldn't want to get in the way of this "package". It was pleasant meeting you, Arthago of Vulnim Gate." Balfix said, as he left the tavern.

"Same here, Balfix." I said as I also got off my chair.

I approached the bar-keeper, which was sitting on a small chair behind the bar, with a question.

"Where is the owner of this fine establishment?" I asked in a serious tone. The bar-keeper looked towards another direction in a strange way, then he turned to me.

"You've come 'ere looking for trouble, 'ave you?" the old Redguard asked.

"I've come here trying to do bussiness. If you are against my good intentions I will be forced to use other methods." I said.

"Other methods such as your sword 'ere? My two 'eaded battleaxe just under the bar doesn't like your behaviour. I suggest you leave, before your blood will decorate the walls." the bar-keeper said, trying to threaten me.

"Was that a threat. I suggest you back off before your blood decorates the walls." I said in a threatening voice.

"We seem to 'ave an 'ero 'ere." the bar-keeper stood up. "Do we 'ave a problem 'ere?" the bar-keeper asked in a threatening tone just as well. As the bar-keeper stood up, so did all the Forebears in the bar. I was clearly in trouble.

"Can I ask you one question, before my blood decorates the walls?" I asked with a seemingly content tone of voice.

"What?" the bar-keeper asked in an annoyed tone.

"Is your leader here?" I asked.

"Yeah, but you won't be meeting 'im." the bar-keeper said.

"Good, I'll beat the information out of your after I'm done with your friends." I said in a calm voice with a slight smile.

"Boys, we 'ave a situation 'ere!" the bar-keeper shouted. The Forebears all drew their various weapons.

"Let's get to work!" I said to the agents following me as I drew my trusty scimitar.

As we all drew weapons, we knew that Oblivion would break loose. I took my scimitar in one hand and jumped on a table, in front of all the Forebears. I didn't manage to count them all, yet I could clearly see that there were at least 8 of them. A fine chalenge I say. As I was on the table, I kicked one of the Forebears in the face, hard. He stumbled into one of his friends who gave him a "friendly" push to the ground. I jumped from the table into the middle of the Forebears, swinging both my sword and my feet as I did so.

As I fell to the ground, so did all the Forebears around, I could see that only 2 were still standing after my jump. With a quick mothing I thrusted my sword into the neck of one Forebear standing on the ground, leaving him there permanently. I chopped off the head of another. After I quickly dispatched these two foes, I quickly stood up. I soon found myself surrounded by 5 angry Forebears. I could see that my agents were ocupied with the bar-keeper who was swinging his battleaxe like a mad-man. The Forebears started approaching me slowly, raising their weapons while they were doing so. I had to get out of there fast and there was only one thing to do.

I raised my scimitar and quickly spinned while I was between the Forebears. My blade passed between them like lightning, yet as I was turning one of them managed to slash my back with a longsword. I got angry because of this yet I could still think clearly and see that I had to get some space if I wanted to defeat my oponent. My spinning attack had slain two of my foes and left another two wounded. I quickly made use of the gap I had made and took some distance between me and my foes. The one Forebear which I didn't wound at all came after me yet he commited one grave mistake, he came after me with his blade raised high. I quickly made use of this. I took my scimitar in one hand then I started running towards him. As I was close to him I grabbed him by his hand and thrusted my scimitar in his stomach. I quickly drew my blade and beheaded him though, I didn't wish to see him suffer, even if he was my opponent.

The other two Forebears were still trying to get up but their wounds were too severe to let them do that. I quickly put them out of their misery with a slash to the neck. The Forebear which I had kicked in the face earlier was getting up, I saw his efforts and quickly raced to stop him. I decided not to kill him though, just hold my blade to his neck and convince him that it would be a better choice if he left the tavern. He agreed with me. Finally, a smart enemy!

As I turned around I could see the bar-keeper standing on his knees with a blade held to his neck by one of my agents. I made my way towards him.

"You were saying?"
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That's the end of this update. I'll write more soon...I hope.

This post has been edited by Agent Griff: Aug 17 2006, 10:05 AM