The Eldest Councilor, A knight in service of a councilor... Options

[Ibis]

Thank you Kiln for continuing. I am one of the new readers and have just read from beginning to here this fascinating tale. I can't wait to read more

[treydog]

Woo Hoo- Update! Eh-hem. Sorry- must maintain proper literary decorum. You know, sometimes a story just gets a hold on you and you have to write it. You may think you can walk away- but....

So glad to see more of Deagan. I love your descriptions, the feelings and thoughts of the character, the ambiguity of the plot....

[Kiln]

Glad to know I still have a few readers, there are few people that remain on these forums and even fewer that read my writing these days so you all have my thanks for your comments and those of you who do not comment as well just for reading along.
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Chapter 5: Wrong Place, Wrong Time

Falen and I made our way to one of the many taverns in the city and drank merrily among the other patrons, enjoying ourselves as much as we could before we would set out for Tamira's manor. My mind flowed from one thing to the next and I paid little attention to the things around me. The sounds of singing and laughing filled the air of the place as well as the occasional sound of mead hitting the floor during toasts...it truly was a place to lose your troubles.

Falen sat next to me drinking peacefully and humming along with an age old bar song that every self respecting drinker knew. I remembered it from when I was much younger, my father used to sing it while working in the forge. The song wasn't particularly interesting unless one was incredibly drunk...that is likely why it was so popular.

As I was deep in thought, a large drunken man approached me, pushing me from my stool at the side of the bar with ease. I fell to the floor, grabbing my dagger from my boot, rolling, and getting to my feet as quickly as I could. With a threatening look I pointed my dagger toward the chest of my attacker in anger. The man before me was an incredibly large Nord that was equipped much like a common mercenary but looked twice as strong and ten times as arrogant. Among every amazing bar, was at least one amazingly stupid jerk.

"Stay out of my seat weakling, this is Boryn's place at the bar." He said threateningly

"Watch your tongue Nord, you don't need enemies like me." I barked quickly

"What will you do Imperial? Cut me? With such a short blade? Are you too afraid to fight fair with one like me tiny man?" He asked nearly laughing

I put my blade away and shook off the rage building inside of me, I wasn't about to be bullied by this Nord, but I had no wish to fight him if it could be avoided.

"I have little time for this, Nord. Go about your business and have a drink, on me." I said turning to the bar and taking a drink from my mug

I stood calmly and did not move from in front of the stool. He pushed me angrily, causing me to stumble. People cleared a large circle in the middle of the tavern, knowing what was about to happen...it was likely that this Nord was a regular at the tavern and they all expected that he would start a fight, regardless of what I had said or where I'd chosen to sit.

Without missing a beat I lunged forward after regaining my footing and planted my fist on the left side of his face, turning his head slightly. As he looked back at me he smiled, swinging incredibly hard for my face and missing because of my expert ability to move from the path of danger. I wiped the smile from his face with another quick jab to his chin and followed it with an uppercut to his torso.

His arrogant smile was gone now and he swung wildly trying to hit me but was unable, partly because of his drunken state and partly because of my agility. I sidestepped each swing perfectly with little effort. I was beginning to feel invincible with each hit that I landed on him and each punch I leaned out of. Thats when one of the Nord's friends stepped in and pushed me. Unexpectedly, I fell forward into a dangerous punch that caused me to hit the floor instantly. I saw Falen hit the man that pushed me and they began to fight as well in the background.

The Nord sat on my stomach and grabbed my throat, hitting me repeatedly in the face, each hit causing my vision to become black for a split second. I couldn't allow him to stay on me much longer or I wouldn't be able to remain conscious. A moment later I brought my legs up and wrapped them around his face, bringing the back of his head down to the floor below me with as much power as I could muster. I got to my feet and watched as he slowly pushed himself up and took a knee as if he was in great pain.

I smiled as I drew back to hit him, the hit that would take him to the floor and leave me standing over him as the victor. As I threw my arm forward he moved from the path of my swing, stepped to my side, and landed a devastating blow to the side of my head all in one fluid motion. As I fell to the floor I saw Falen kicking his opponent in the ribs as the man lay on the floor before him. The nord man laughed and kicked me in the side with astonishing strength before sitting down at the edge of the table next to me.

The guards rushed in to stop the disturbance at that time, grabbing Falen and throwing him against the wall. One of the patrons quickly rushed to our aid and explained what had happened, as well as what usually happens when someone sits in Boryn’s seat at the pub.

I was helped to my feet and the Nord was given a hefty fine but little more was done…Imperial officials were easily bribed with money. After a few minutes the Nord left and another man followed him outside. I watched the two pass by a window facing the alleyway right outside the tavern and for some reason decided to investigate.

I motioned for Falen to follow and we left the tavern, slowly making our way to the corner leading into the dark path between the buildings. We warily watched the scene unfold in the alleyway from the edge of the wall. The darkness masked our presence but a glimmer of light from a nearby building allowed us to see the two men clearly.

After a moment the two began to walk away from us together and the smaller man rested his arm on the Nord’s shoulder like a close friend would. Just as I decided that nothing was happening the smaller man wrapped his arm around the Nord’s neck and sliced the man’s throat. The unexpected change from friend to murderer caught me off guard and I snapped.

I pulled my blade and stepped around the corner quickly.

“Hey!” I yelled to get the man's attention

I walked quickly toward him and Falen followed close behind me. With a quick jab I managed to pierce the killer’s arm, covering my blade in blood. He yelled and he kicked me in the stomach, causing me to fall backwards into Falen and then to the ground. During the brief period that I was on the wet, stone floor of the alleyway the killer managed to escape into the darkness.

That was when the “Empire’s finest” arrived in the alley with torches to find me and Falen hovering over Boryn‘s body. It was perfect for the real killer…I mean here I was with blood on my sword next to a dead Nord that I’d just had a fight with a few moments before…after all, who would believe that I had saw someone kill him and then I’d stabbed his murderer before he ran away all in just a few seconds?

This post has been edited by Kiln: Nov 14 2006, 08:23 PM

[mplantinga]

"The wrong place at the wrong time" indeed. It seems almost certain that they will believe he did the killing, so I'm very curious to see what happens next.

Thanks for giving us another update. I have tried to comment regularly, but sometimes it just doesn't happen. I just wanted to make sure that you knew that I still look forward to every update.

[Avego]

I love reading the fanfiction. Awsome stuff Kiln!

[The Metal Mallet]

Excellent bar fight Kiln. I could follow each swing effortlessly, which is good!

I, too, am curious to find out what's going to happen to Deagan now with the Imperial Guard finding standing by a dead body. This situation does not bode well in my books...

[jack cloudy]

From the frying pan into the fire. This is not his lucky day.

[Taillus]

The Good - Having a nice drink in a bar.
The Bad - Getting into a fistfight in said bar with a hardy Nord.
The Ugly - Getting framed for the murder of the man that cleaned your clock.

I actually winced in pain when the Guards showed up to see the situation. I wonder how this will turn out and will wait, eager to read the next update. Great job Kiln, very well done!

[minque]

The Good - Having a nice drink in a bar.
The Bad - Getting into a fistfight in said bar with a hardy Nord.
The Ugly - Getting framed for the murder of the man that cleaned your clock.

I actually winced in pain when the Guards showed up to see the situation. I wonder how this will turn out and will wait, eager to read the next update. Great job Kiln, very well done!

What he said! A tribute to Mr Oven

[Kiln]

Well here's the next part. Enjoy...or don't its your choice.
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Next thing I knew the guard had yelled for backup and there was an alley full of legion soldiers before me, in such a small city it didn't take long for all of them to arrive. The light from all the torches was blinding in the darkness and I slowly walked backwards. Falen and I were backed up against the wall of the alleyway, swords drawn...there was no way out, both possible exits had been blocked by guards.

"Drop your weapons!" A guard yelled

I pointed my blade at him quickly, shaking with anticipation of what would happen and fear. I took a deep breath, swallowed what felt like razor blades, and looked to Falen. He stood bravely beside me, seemingly unshaken by recent events...ready to fight beside me, ready to die beside me. I looked to my sword and then back to the mass of soldiers before us. There was no way I could take all of these guards, not even with Falen at my side. No going out in a blaze of glory for me...not today at least.

I slowly lowered my steel sword and let the tip touch the ground before releasing the hilt. Falen looked surprised by my actions but he did the same. It wasn't an easy decision for me to surrender but fighting all of them was not an option.

"Good choice kid...now kick your weapons toward us and raise your hands into the air." The guard said in a persuasive tone

I reluctantly kicked the blade away and slowly lifted my hands into the air. Falen did the same and two of the guards grabbed us, tying our arms together behind our backs and leading us toward the prison. The men were surprisingly calm and didn't use much force...then again I didn't give them reason to. I cooperated fully as we walked the short distance to the local prison. The streets were empty, none of the citizens were outside and the city had a much different feel to it when you were walking toward a prison.

I didn't admire the street lamps, nor did I think of the beauty of the wet stones beneath my feet. The only thought that crossed my mind was the fact that I was going to be locked up without a way out. Perhaps never to see the light of day again.

Once there I was sat in a small stone room and tied down tightly to a chair that was bolted to the floor. This place was the typical interrogation room...it was dark, dirty, and smelled like a mixture of urine, old blood, and body odor. As I began to wonder what was taking so long a large man emerged from the steel door, closing it quickly behind him and then slowly hobbled over to the chair across the table. He placed a large book before him and opened it quickly.

"Well my friend it seems that you have been charged with the murder of one 'Boryn Gray-Locks' and are sentenced to death on this day of the following week." He said as he read from the book

"But I didn't even..." I started but he cut me off before I could get another word in

"It has been confirmed that you fought with him just moments before inside the bar, that was your motive for murdering him." He said

If I'd known that I was going to be blamed for his murder I would've just killed the honoured user in the bar fight and saved my dignity.

"What is your name?" He asked

I hesitated for a moment and then told him. As I tried to explain the truth of what had happened he interrupted me once again. I was beginning to get rather impatient with him and even a bit angry.

"I care little for your excuses Deagan, in all my years working at the prison none of the murderers have ever been guilty according to their accounts and I don't expect that you are much different...you are scum that would do anything to escape the punishment you deserve. Accept your fate murderer."

I understood at that point that no matter what I said he would still find me guilty and I would be killed next week. I decided that I was done cooperating since nothing I told him would have any effect on my sentencing. In the Imperial City I would've gotten a real trial but in a small town like this I got the local executioner.

"What were you doing in the alleyway behind the Northern Light Inn?" He asked

I sat silently for a moment before he stood up and leaned toward me threateningly.

"Answer the question." He said angrily

"I was waiting for someone." I stammered

"Who were you waiting for?" He asked

"Well you see...a while back your mother and I met at a local market...every since we've been meeting outside the Inn for..." I started with a smile but the guard caught on to where the conversation was going and planted his fist between my nose and mouth, hitting both due to the size of his hand

As a steady stream of blood ran into my mouth I winced in pain as I realised that my nose was broken and a large gash had opened within my mouth. I spat the blood building inside of my mouth onto the floor and looked back to the man. He wiped my blood onto his pants and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"Lets try this again..." He said in an almost sinister voice

The interrogation went on for hours and I gave him nothing...there was nothing for me to tell since I didn't even kill the damn Nord. Even if I had known something I wouldn't have told this man. He continued to beat me until I was barely conscious and then called for the other guards to drag me to my cell. My feet barely dragged the ground as I was carried to my cell and thrown inside.

My limp body hit the floor and I crawled to the center of the room onto a small bedroll. I sprawled out on the bedroll trying to picture myself somewhere else to take my mind off the pain but there was no escape. I laid there for several minutes before I crawled a few feet and pushed myself up against the wall of the room.

I gently touched my nose and found where the bone had separated. My body tensed up and shook in anticipation of the agony that was about to come when I grabbed my nose and pushed broken bone back into position. My eyes watered and a dull cry of pain escaped my mouth as I tried to move my left shoulder...it had been purposefully dislocated by the executioner.

I always secretly wanted to see what it was like in prison but from my experience I think it would've been better to wonder what it was like. I curled up on the bedroll and stared at the stone wall next to me, not even attempting to sleep...it wasn't possible.

[The Metal Mallet]

Poor Deagan, he's stuck in a very difficult posistion at the moment. Hopefully he can figure out a way to get out of it. He only has a week! Eeek!

You're making this into a nail biter Kiln!

[mplantinga]

You've done an excellent job of making us feel very bad for Deagan. I hope the guards don't treat him like this every day.

[Kiln]

I must inform you all that I will no longer be continuing this story as I no longer have the time to do so. I hope you've enjoyed it to this point but I just don't have the time to continue, this is the first I've been able to log on in quite some time and I doubt I'm going to be able to do so very often.

[The Metal Mallet]

That's unfortunate, Kiln, but understandable. I did enjoy reading this story up to this point. You are an excellent writer.

Hopefully in the near future, you're real life will cool down a little bit to at least allow to visit us every now and then. Heck, maybe you'll have enough time on your hands to ressurrect this story. But that might just be wishful thinking on my part.

Anyways, good luck with your future endeavors! Stop by every once and a wile and say hi!

[minque]

I´m so sorry to hear that Mr Oven, but I do understand that life sometimes take turns that we can´t rule over. I´ve enjoyed it and I´ve enjoyed you being around, so I do hope you´ll pop in here sometimes and say hello!

Good Luck to you anyway and may you achieve what you have afore you!

[mplantinga]

I am also sad to hear that, but I completely understand. I haven't been able to spend as much time here as I would like either; RL just gets too busy sometimes.