Memoirs of a Morag Tong Assassin: Vvardenfell, Chapter Six: An Old Friend to Kill... Options

[Black Hand]

Chapter One:..to the east, to Morrowind
Chapter Two: Rise of the Black Hand
Chapter Three: Azura's Portents
Chapter Four: An Assassin Amongst Us....
Chapter Five: History rewritten, and History Reborn



Ebonheart; Grand Council Chambers, Three Weeks Later

Duke Dren exited his office, wearing the polished ebony armor of the Duke, accompanied by two of his Imperial Guard. He had specifically asked for me to show up and hold the meetings of the preparation of war in the Grand Council, for all intents and purposes, I was the Dukes equal upon the Island of Vvardenfell.

“You know, Sethyas. As of right now, politically speaking, you are the most powerful Man on Vvardenfell. Even the tribes of the Ashlanders have chosen you as War Leader. A feat that has not been accomplished since the first era. And certainly not by an outlander, you truly must be the Nerevarine…” the Duke mused.

“I am. I know that now more then ever…but I wonder, if I am this child of fate and destiny, am I also destined to win, or fall? Dagoth Ur is a GOD for Azura’s sake!” I said with defeatist tone.

“Now, now! You must seem strong and confident to your people! You are the General of the Dunmer once more, Nerevar, and they will look to you for inspiration and leadership…besides, I would wish for you to return, and to play with my Grandchildren in a world that you have made safe…” he said subtly.

“Right…I…” I said blushing, while thinking of Ilmeni, safe in my Stronghold of Bal Isra.

“Relax, Sethyas. The time now calls for preparation of our assault upon Dagoth Ur. The Council awaits us now. Come.” He said motioning for the Chambers.

I sat down at my Central Chair, the Chair awarded to Generals and Kings. Not a chair that I deserved to sit in for long. The eyes of Dunmer that I did not recognize, save that of Llerar Mandas and Eno Hlaalu gazed upon me with a mixture of skepticism and wonder. And pride. The pride from the Morag Tong and House Redoran, my chosen families.

There were in fact representatives from every faction in the Grand Council, the Imperial Cult, the Imperial Legion, Fighters and Mages Guild. The Thieves Guild obviously did not take place in the proceedings, and my little surprise showed up amongst the beginnings of the proceedings.

Sul-Matuul showed up with three other Ashlanders, after receiving my correspondence to gather three Gulakhans from the other tribes and show up on this day. There were gasps of shock and surprise as they took a seat at the Grand Council Table, all of them with a satisfied smirks on their faces.

“Sethyas…what are they doing here?” Vedam Dren whispered to me.

I stood up and spoke in a loud, clear voice. “Representatives, may I present the Great and honorable Ashkhan of the Urshilaku, Sul-Matuul! The three other Mer are Gulakhans of the Erebanimsun, the Ahemmusa, and the Zainab Tribes. They will join us in counsel as equal representatives of the Army of Nerevar! I will not have any grumblings or dissentions to the contrary! They are brave and wise warriors whom are willing to lay down their very lives for the Honor of destroying Dagoth Ur! They have equal standing amongst all others here amongst the Council.” I said with a hand outstretched and a powerful gaze overlooking the room.

There were murmurs and looks of hate and curiosity towards the Ashlanders. But all seemed to come to the same conclusion: We needed all the troops we could get. Ashlanders might have been hated, but their skills in the Ashlands and hunting were undeniable.

“While the House Dunmer grow fat and lazy in their rooms of stone, we Ashlanders live in the Shadow of Red Mountain, we see our lands die from the Blight. This is the same fate that shall befall all you, unless we now act as one people under Nerevar once more.” Spoke Sul-Matuul.

“Thank You, my friend. As the Chosen Hortator, and Nerevarine. I will set forth a few rules that I need obeyed in my interim. Eno. There will be a cessation to all Writs, House Wars will not be waged while we assault the Mountain. House Representatives, no duels, no murders. Sul-Matuul, Gulakhans, no raids, no tribal disputes. We are one people.”

There were a few murmurs again, but all Representatives agreed eventually, Eno shook his head in agreement.

“How do you propose we begin this war, Nerevarine? Just gather as many heads as we can, and walk into Red Mountain? We’ll get killed!” asked the Telvanni Wizard Lady.

“Vivec has already given us his outlines for the War, and how to best proceed. I have had made copies for all…..” I said as parchments were handed out.

Phase 1: Raids inside the Ghostfence
The Tribunal, Ordinators, and Buoyant Armigers are familiar with the terrain, and will provide maps and current intelligence reports. The region inside the Ghostfence is dangerous, and the Nerevarine will need to be familiar with its particular challenges. After measuring skills and resources against Dagoth Ur's defenses, the Nerevarine will know better how to pace a campaign, alternating raids with improving skills, getting better equipment, and stockpiling resources.

Phase 2: Raids upon Ash Vampire Citadels
Dagoth Ur's kin have become markedly more powerful in recent decades, after remaining stable for thousands of years. If they can be individually isolated and destroyed, they will not be able to support Dagoth Ur in later stages of the war. It may also be that the dramatic increase in their power comes from items enchanted by Dagoth Ur. Salvage of such items might contribute to our resources.

Phase 3: Assault on Gate Citadel Vemynal
Essential to recover the artifact hammer Sunder for Phase 5. The Ash Vampire Dagoth Vemyn has possession of Sunder, and probably seeks to discover the secrets of its enchantments. He may also have access to notebooks and journals of Kagrenac that have survived in the Dwemer workshops of Vemynal.

Phase 4: Assault on Gate Citadel Odrosal
Essential to recover the artifact blade Keening for Phase 5. The Ash Vampire Dagoth Odros has possession of Keening, and probably seeks to discover the secrets of its enchantments. He may also have access to notebooks and journals of Kagrenac that have survived in the Dwemer workshops of Odrosal.

Phase 5: Assault on Citadel Dagoth
All the previous stages are preparations for this stage. Recent expeditions show that Citadel Dagoth has undergone extensive expansion; the location will need to be explored carefully. The known route to the Heart Chamber will be well-defended; alternative routes may exist. Dagoth Ur will have anticipated our plan to destroy him by attacking the Heart, and he will almost certainly personally oppose approach to the Heart Chamber. Together the Tribunal could not defeat him, and he has grown stronger since then. Admittedly, the Tribunal had the distraction of maintaining the Ghostfence simultaneous with fighting Dagoth Ur, but, even so, the challenge seems daunting.

The adoption of this phased campaign seems to offer the best chances for success. In retrospect, the Tribunal's decision to directly assault Citadel Dagoth rather than proceed step-by-step through lesser objectives must be seen to have been a serious error. The Tribunal did not feel it had the option of a slow-paced and deliberate campaign, given that they had many other competing priorities, not the least of which was the maintenance of the Ghostfence and the outer defenses surrounding Red Mountain. The Nerevarine, on the other hand, should be best served by a careful, step-by-step advance, with the additional advantage of building confidence along the way while successes would undermine Dagoth Ur's own assurance in his defenses.

“Interesting, and how do we find all these Ash Vampires…and more Importantly, how do we stop them from coming back? Every one knows that Dagoth Ur eventually resurrects them…” she asked once more.

“It is possible to prevent that through Soul Trapping magic…” I said.

“And how do you know that?” She asked flippantly.

I tossed her the Grand Soul Gem that housed the Spirit of the Ash Vampire I had encountered beneath Kogoruhn.

“Say hi to Dagoth Uthol. He won’t be coming back anytime soon…” I said as she examined the gem, and remarked in surprise: “This IS an Ash Vampires soul!”

“The one you faced when I sent you to Kogoruhn? You faced down an Ash Vampire and Lived to tell the tale? Impressive Sethyas. That is already one down out of seven…” said Sul-Matuul

The murmurs of the Council now had a different tone, one that of hope. If I could face down an Ash Vampire single-handedly, then there was hope that a Unified Dunmer could defeat Dagoth Ur.

“Then we will begin with the first phase immediately! Let the Sixth House know that the Dunmeri Wrath is swift and vengeful!” cried Llerar Mandas, the Redoran General.

“Not so fast.” I said, interjecting. “Read the parchment again. A full scale war is exactly what Dagoth Ur expects, and he is well prepared for such an occurrence.”

There was a silence. “Then what?” came the response.

“I will act largely alone. What the significance of the unification means, is that the Dunmer are working together to DEFEND themselves against Dagoth Ur. The towns, the villages, now more then ever, must have every available man to defend themselves against the Hosts of Dagoth Ur. Now that I have returned, there is a different feeling in the wind, Voryn Dagoth senses me, he knows that I have returned, he feels the time is nigh to set forth with his ambitions to conquer the land.”

“What hope do you have against an army? Can one man defeat an entire army?” asked Llerar.

“No…I’m not going after every single Ascended Sleeper and Corprus Monster. I’m going after the heads of the army. The Dunmeri society was built from small fractious clans that needed to use secret murder to defeat their enemies. Kill a General, and an Army is useless. My trade is that of an Assassin, and I shall employ all my skills to this end. Ending eventually in facing Dagoth Ur and severing his link to the Heart.”

”I am attacking the weak points, not the strongest. Dagoth Ur, believes himself to be invincible. He sees his armies as easily replaceable within the ranks. This is somewhat true. But in my experience, everything has a crippling weakness. I intend to exploit it once I find it…”

The council talked amongst themselves for a time. There was a feeling of anti-climatic ness, but this was war, not glory. Just as the Empire exploited the political weaknesses of the Dunmer to Conquer Morrowind, so could Dagoth Ur. The in-fighting and petty squabbles had to cease, at least for the time being.

The council departed, and my orders were relayed to the Clans, and the Tribes. Defense of settlements and towns were to begin immediately, if aid was needed, it would be given, without consideration to the others Clan.

I then joined the Duke in his chambers for a brandy after the meeting.

“Wise Choices, Sethyas. And foolish as well. But, I believe you will succeed. You will assassinate the brothers of Ur, and the Sixth House Army will shatter like a scrib, then it will simply be a matter of cleaning up the mess. But our people will have the War they desire. And you. I wonder whether you will live through all this…”

”If I don’t, you must pick up where I left off. Follow the phases, kill the Ash Vampires. Recover Wrathguard if you can, present it to another Champion, one who is capable of facing the Sixth House.”

He nodded grimly. “Do try and live, Sethyas. I have grown rather fond of you.” He said finishing his brandy.

Before I returned to Bal Isra, I made a stop by the Arena in Vivec for a contact with my Master, Eno Hlaalu. For company, and a bit of luck.

“Sethyas! Nerevarine, and Hortator. I am proud of you this day…even if you are cutting into my profits a bit!” Eno remarked on the Cessation of Writs.

“Well, I have two new threads for you, as well as a request.”

He took the threads and asked me my request.

“Well, I know I asked for you to stop the Writs. But I would like you to make me one…for luck.” I said telling him, and he laughed as he wrote out the parchment, and applied his Morag Tong Signet Ring to the red wax.


”Here you go.” He said handing me the finished writ.

I read it aloud.

Dagoth Ur

The afore-mentioned personage has been marked for honorable execution in accordance to the lawful tradition and practice of the Morag Tong Guild. The Bearer of this non-disputable document has official sanctioned license to kill the afore-mentioned personage.

This post has been edited by Black Hand: Aug 16 2011, 04:22 AM

[Black Hand]

And here we go! This update is darker then most, so please bear with it. And the fine fellow writer, is canis216 with everyones favorite temperamental Argonian Assassin; Always-He-Lingers-In-The-Sun.

http://chorrol.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3574&st=0

If you havent already, do read up on his fine work, "Killing in the Emperors Name" The scene was written by both of us, so the credit is equal in his fine word-weaving of an update that entails two paths of Assassnic Revenge meeting.........enjoy.


===========================================

I awoke in the Morag Tong Headquarters in Vivec. Under the covers I felt warm and safe, the emptiness of the void that had entered my life did not sink in just yet, as the memories of the evening had yet to assault me. The sounds of the distant voices held an otherwordly presence that I couldn't fully interperet. Then, like an army breaking a seige into the castle walls, the images of unspeakable loss broke in. I vomited again, but I was not weakened.

I got up, feeling colder and more focused then ever before. Death called me, the ethereal gloom of the otherworld beckoned me to become its avenging angel. It was a call I was very willing to answer. Ilmeni, I swear that you shall not be alone for long!

I walked into Eno Hlaalu's chambers, the Mer was taken aback by my silent entrance, but he nodded grimly to me, knowing exactly what I was going to ask of him. He unrolled a Writ, a set of daggers, and my Dwemer Crossbow with a large quiver of poisoned bolts. And most importantly, my pair of black gloves.

"I told the Temple authorities that this was a matter of Mephala's, no one will dare rob you of your revenge. Dren has fled to his Plantation for the time being, but he will depart before this night ends. You must not let that happen. Mephala demands murder. Swiftness and accuracy to you." Eno said as I changed into a pair of blacks, and slipped the gloves on slowly, letting the psychological affects of the 'Black Hands' take over me.

"What of the Duke, though? He has lost a love as well."

"Who do you think paid for the Writ? Vedam has finally seen the light in regards to his brother. Almost a shame that you did not earlier, but this is not time for blame, only blood. Go. Avenge your bride." He said coldly, and I was glad to oblige.

I ran at full speed, hatred pumping my heart and veins, nothing held me back, and nothing would stand in my way. Running, and running, through the Ascadian Isles, underneath the light of Secunda and Masser. I was vengeance. I was pure rage.

Slowing down to take a breath at the hills just before the Plantation, I came to a stop as I gazed at the walls that guarded Dren. Strangely, there were no Guards. No. Dren would have them around him. He knew that he had messed up. Dren! I will see you dead! You will beg me too kill you before I am finished with you!

Holding back my rage, I took in a deep breath to focus my mind. Anger is a weapon only to ones opponent, and there would be plenty of time for it later. The task at hand required subtlety and finesse. Not blind rage, I was not an armored orc wielding a battle-axe. Though I certainly felt like one.

Creeping in slowly through fields, I almost did not capture the slight flicker of cloth as it jumped easily from the ramparts; this was an excellent acrobat. As good as me, the rustle of the marshmerrow reeds were slight enough to dismiss them as the evening wind. If you weren't a paranoid Assassin that is, and I knew stealth when I almost didn't hear or see it.

I unslung the crossbow, and rushed as quiet as I could to the rustle, seeing a tail emerging from a shadow, and the whistle of a bolt heading for my face, I barely dodged the shot, and released mine. I hit nothing it would seem, the shadow grew in size and produced a glowing daedric dagger, and an argonian snout, the clawed hand bringing it down in a wide arc for my neck, the powerful legs rushing for me.

I brought the dagger slightly to the side of my neck, and fell backwards, planting my feet on the lizards chest, and pushing upwards, the smell of brandy quite strong on the breath, and the audible 'oomp' as he landed. The black robed Assassin then unsheathed his Ebony Shortsword from the folds, and prepared for another lunge.

"Stop!" I seethed. "Somehow I doubt that Dren would hire a 'slave' for a guard, so you tell me who you are, or die here and now!" I whispered angrily.

"I am no guard. And it is you who will be dying, here and now. Any friend of Orvas Dren is my sworn enemy" the lizard hissed, his enraged eyes narrowing.

"Dont even start with me! I am here to kill him, and no one will rob me of the pleasure! Not even you! Now tell me why you're here! Are you Twin Lamps? Then you'll like to know. Ilmeni Dren is dead! Orvas attacked my wedding, and my bride is dead! Vengeance in mine!"

The snout seemed to sniff the air for a moment, considering my words. "I am no ‘Twin Lamp’, dunmer. My acts are my own. But I have heard that name before, Ilmeni… Im-Kilaya will be much grieved if what you say is true. But all I have is your word, and that is the one thing I cannot trust.”

I unrolled my writ and left it on the ground, taking a step back, but keeping the figure in my sights with my crossbow. He slowly walked forward, picking it up, and keeping a close eye on me as well, but readying just as intently.

"You're Morag Tong. I've dealt with your kind before. Assassins don't tend to love or wed. So you understand why I don't believe a word you say. But I believe that you are here to kill him. Go back to your guild and tell them someone else has taken care of him."

"No, Lizard! Dren is mine! The Writ is just insurance! This is personal! Make no mistake! I'll kill you if I have too!"

"And I you. You have no idea how many men and mer I’ve killed on this gods-forsaken island.” The argonian paused. “Even Morag Tong assassins. And that is a nice crossbow that you are holding—I wouldn’t mind acquiring another like that. Mine is just like it yours see, Dwemer-make, and shoots viper-bolts very nicely, as you know quite well...who are you? What claim do you have to Dren's blood, dunmer?"

"I am Sethyas Velas. You may have heard of me by another name...I am the Nerevarine."

The snouts jaw lowered slightly. "The Nerevarine?! Come on! The Nerevarine is seven feet tall and can punch through the metals of the dwarves—if you can believe any of the bards’ lies. Hah! Nerevarine…

I took off the glove hiding the Moon-and-Star. "I have told you no lies, Assassin! Now step aside!"

"So, you are Nerevar returned. Then we have a mutual acquaintance. Caius Cosades."

"Caius? The Spymaster? What do you know of him?" I said incredulously.

"He was my commanding officer… when I do not kill in my own name it is in the name of the Emperor. But perhaps you have something to say about that, Operative.”

"You're in the Blades? Then who sent you here?"

The Argonian looked to the moons for a moment. "I have come for the revenge of my people, who are stolen and sold into bondage in the name of abominations like Orvas Dren, and I come for my own vengeance, for the slavers of Vvardenfell have been lately pursuing me. Im-Kilaya wishes that I would also come for the Twin Lamps, but I will not serve any but the Emperor. My name is Always-He-Lingers-in-the-Sun, Heik Auri in my native tongue. You can call me Al.” He paused, and looked down to the ground. “Your words now have the ring of truth. A good woman is dead? A shame. Ilmeni was good to my kind. A credit to her race. And the scrib-born scum killed his own niece! He shall pay in gallons for every drop of blood he has spilled of hers!"

"Yes, he will. At my hands. If I am your superior in the Blades as you say, then I order you to step down."

"You’re not listening. I'm not here at the behest of the Blades, Velas. I came here on my own terms. I must also have my vengeance."

"Then perhaps a compromise is in order?" I suggested, lowering my crossbow.

"I'm listening." Al said lowering his Ebony Shortsword.

Three minutes later, thirteen of Orvas Dren’s guards were dead. Two more fell to dual bolts being fired by two black-clad assassins, and within seconds Heik-Auri and I reloaded and made our way into the lower strongholds of Drens Villa. Working with him was strangely instinctual, as all our moves complemented the others.

Dren himself showed all of his fear at the two of us approaching him slowly, both with Dwemer Crossbows at the ready. A long wet stain appeared in his left pant leg, and I held my ground, as the argonian pulled his shortsword and struck Dren in the side of the head, a trickle of blood falling down the side of his face. And then tied him to a chair, and I took a seat as well, laying the crossbow across my lap, and lit up a hackle-lo leaf, exhaling the smoke slowly, as I gave the most sinister of looks to Dren, his eyes never leaving me.

"So..get it over with Nerevar! Kill me! What are ya waiting for?"

"Yes, Dren, I am going to kill you...when you look up from that chair you’re tied to and look into my eyes and beg me to. In the meantime, my friend, the lizard here, who just so happens to be a fellow assassin, and fellow Blade, is going to have his way with you and remind you of the error of your slaver ways. You see, Ilmeni was a secret member of the Twin Lamps, and you hurt his feelings just as much as you did mine, so you can understand just how much the both of us want you dead....I’m going to sit down here and watch you, and whenever you're ready just say the word..."

Heik-Auri whispered harshly in my ear, “Argonian, not lizard.” Then he turned to our prisoner, speaking loudly, “Orvas Dren, you have made my people, and the people of Vvardenfell. I cannot make you suffer proportionately, but I will certainly try.” He looked to me. “Velas, there is a torch just back there in the hallway. I have need it of it, if you would.” As I walked down the stairs to pick up the torch, the argonian spoke again, “Now, what I’m going to do is hang you upside down from the ceiling here, and place that torch underneath your head. I’ll be applying a few spells of destruction to the rest of your body, as well. You should have heard how Talare Arvel screamed last night, when I visited her plantation.”

Dren spat, “You lizard scum…”

“Silence!” I was walking back upstairs with the torch when Always-He-Lingers-in-the-Sun slapped Dren’s face with the flat of his ebony blade. He turned to me, “Put that torch over there for a moment, Sethyas. Help me hang this scum up.”

Two hours later Dren cried, “AHHH! PLEASE! PLEASE! ENOUGH!” as Heik-Auri prepared to set another torch under the scrib-sucker’s head.

I walked up slowly to the monster. His face burned and beaten nearly beyond recognition. I put out my seventh hackle-lo on his cheek, the ash boiling in with the blood. I took out the dagger that Eno had supplied me with, and I carefully held it to his throat.

I felt the pressure of the tip going into the neck, and I brought it slowly across, savoring every moment. The tearing of the jugular, the esophagus, the wheezing for air, the waterfall of blood pouring like a rivulet from the neck. My vengeance was complete.

Always helped himself to Dren’s stash of fine brandy and inbibed, offering me a bottle of my own. I accepted heartily, laying my head back, and swallowing the contents as fast as I could.

"I wonder, do you sleep as poorly as I?" the Sun-Lingerer asked me.

"Before this, I slept fine. After this. I don't know. I know what they say about revenge. When seeking it, dig two graves. But this felt damn good. I don't care what they say....I don’t know...heh...I wonder what a friend of mine would have to say about all this.."

"Well. It was nice to work with you, I suppose, but I don' t think that we’ll be meeting much after this. You are the Protector of Morrowind, I am the black hand of the Emperor." He said, while picking up a set of daedric greaves, and a large sack of booze. They say that to the victor go the spoils, but I didn't feel much like I had won anything.