Killing in the Emperor's Name, A collection: An argonian assassin's world Options

[canis216]

Here you, the reader, will find works associated with Always-He-Lingers-in-the-Sun's life and work all together. His future stories will be found here, primarily. I think it's appropriate, as his tales have taken on a more serialized form--if not strictly so. I still intend to experiment with different perspectives and styles within his general narrative, so don't expect every installment to flow perfectly into the next--that isn't what I'm going for. I'd like to think that I'm using Always-He-Lingers-in-the-Sun's stories as a medium--evocation of the rough existence that is life on Vvardenfell.

[canis216]

An Obsession - Part Two

The encampment grew by the hour, swelling with ranks of the hist-folk from across Argonia’s northern marshes. By evening the lonely patch of earth within the dismal swamp supported a force of 70 or 80 betmer. They all gathered around the central fire pit, craning for space and a glimpse of faces both familiar and not. The battlechief Gei-Tekri stood closest to the fire, nearest the mid-point of the great circle.

“I am pleased that you could all make it, friends and comrades, in this time of great need. We have resisted the Dres slave raiders for as long as we can remember, and even longer still. This is what the Hist tell us, and what we all know in our hearts. Is there not one of us who has not known one taken into brutal servitude?”

No one spoke, for there were none present who had not experienced such loss, the inexplicable vanishing of brother or sister, mother or father, son or daughter. Most of the assembled stared down at their feet. Eyes boiled and burned in red and orange and yellow, the colors of fire and hate and vengeance.

“There is no one. I myself have lost my entire family to the Dres, as you all know. I returned home from my hunting to find my family stolen, my home leveled and burned, my entire village despoiled. The elderly, the sick, those who could not make slaves were instead killed. You know of what I speak. You have all seen it.

“I know that a few of you have been enslaved and escaped, only to return to fight here. I thank you now for your courage and strength, and for the information which you provide. Your sacrifice will be repaid soon! I swear it!

“We cannot undo that which was done, but we can ensure that it will never be done again. Not here! Now we take the fight to the Dres! Now we make them feel our pain four-fold! We will free our people, and Tear will burn to the ground!”

This post has been edited by canis216: Jan 29 2007, 12:07 AM