The Dragon Lands/Chapter 8,9, and 10 Options

[Andric]

Ooops. Looks like the last two chapters I posted are missing. Well, Here they are again.

Chapter 8: The Heart of the Empire.
(Isabel)

Kai actually got some sleep last night. But only a little bit. I could only imagine what it would be like staying awake every night, waiting for the day.

Locke said we’ll be at the capital soon. This entire journey took 14 days. I have a feeling it would’ve taken a lot longer if we didn’t ride the wagon. But now we have departrd from the wagon, while Dorrog parked it. He took An’Jirr with him. So for the next hour, the four of us walked down a paved trail until we came upon an enormous lake. A long wide bridge stood in front of us.

“There it is. The Imperial city is across this bridge.” Locke said.

Cyrodiil was right in the middle of the lake. The city was surrounded by thick tall stone walls. More bridges connected the city to smaller islands with structures on them. This city literally humbled Daggerfall. We walked along the bridge in front of us. As we walked closer, I noticed the large banners hanging beside the gate. Each banner bared the symbol of an Imperial dragon.

“Its beautiful!” I shouted.
“I feel I’ve been here before.” Kai said.
“Really? So your starting to remember your past?” I asked
“I’m not really sure. Its just a strong feeling of déjà vu. So I only FEEL like I’ve been here before. I really don’t know if I have or not.” He said.
“Well maybe we could find some one who knows you here.” I exclaimed.
“In a city with a population of over ten thousand? I seriously doubt it.” Locke said.
“Anything is possible.” I said. Mostly to reassure myself that there still hope.
“No offence, but I agree with Locke on this one. Besides. Suppose there is someone who is searching for me. How will they find me?” Kai said.
“I… well… Maybe you guys are right. Its just that I never try to give up hope.”
“She’s way to optimistic for her own good.” Kai whispered to Locke.

Changing the subject, I asked Kane “So what do you think of the city?”
“This is a waste of time. My people make structures only good enough to keep the wind out. Your people build useless details. Even the location seems strange to me. Why build roads over rivers when you could swim? Why build things so high when they will eventually fall?” Kane said
“If I recall, I believe in Argonia, they have large stone structures. Why did you build those?” Locke asked.
“They were there before my ancestors came” Kane responded.

We approached the gate. Locke handed the guard a copper coin.

“I see.” The guard said, as he handed it back.
“Open the gate!” the guard shouted.
“Normally the gates would always be open at this time of the day, but there have been bandit raids in the countryside around here. We have to be careful of who we let into the city.” Locke explained.

The large gate came open. We walked into the city. This was clearly a commerce district, as we were surrounded by large shops and taverns. There was an open area at the center of the plaza where new legionary recruits trained. The crowds of people where busy and noisy. Farmers sold their extra produce on corner markets. Large statues were erected to honor the many saints and heroes of the city.

“follow me, and stay together. It is very easy to get separated in this crowd” Locke said.
“And who knows how many psychopaths are in a city this size.” Kai said looking at me.

We worked our way through the crowds. I struggled not to bump into anybody and to stay with the group. But when a crowd of people walked in front of me, I became completely separated. I walked into the direction where I last saw them, but I couldn’t find them. I started to panic.

“Locke! Kai! Where are you guys!” I shouted.

But it was no use. The crowds were to noisy to talk over. I worked my way over to a less crowded area. It was next to a statue dedicated to a general in the second era. There was a bench next to it, so I sat down in the shade. Then I wondered what to do next. I was so busy worrying, I didn’t notice the elderly Breton man who sat down next to me.

“Hello there. So what brings you here to Cyrodiil?” He said
“Huh? Sorry, I didn’t notice you at first. Well, I got separated from my group.” I said.
“Where you by any chance escorted here by a Redguard and an Orc?” he said.
“Yes I was! How did you know that though?” I said
“If you go into the crowd about ten feet to the left, You may find them.”
“Thanks!” I said.

I rushed through the crowd. I went about ten feet, but with the constantly moving crowd, I didn’t know which direction I came from. Suddenly, some body snatched my arm and pulled me through the crowd. I couldn’t see who it was because I was to busy apologizing to all the people I bumped into. We came to another gate out of the crowd. The person that pulled me turned out to be Kai.

“What did he say about getting separated?” Kai said, slightly frustrated.
“I’m sorry.” I said.
“ I’m just glad I found you in this crowd.” He said
“Yeah, that was a strange coincidence, huh?”
“To tell the truth, I heard a voice in my head telling me to go towards your direction. I know its strange, but its true.” He said.
“Well, whatever it was, you found me.” I said, smiling.

For some reason this made him a little nervous, but he tried to hide it through anger.

“I… Where the heck is Locke!?” He said looking around.
“Right behind you.” Locke said, surprising Kai.

Kane was standing next to him as well. The gates in front of us opened. We entered into a beautiful garden. Thousands of specimens of plants grew around us. A group of alchemists were studying the plants. It was the courtyard of the Imperial palace. And it reminded me of Daggerfall’s courtyard.

“We’re here.” Locke said.

The gate shut behind us. We followed Locke through the arboretum. Even Kane seemed to be amazed. We finally came up to the palace gates, which were already opened. Guards stood watch in the halls, while nobles talked among themselves. A Wood Elf approached us and said:

“Ah Locke. What a pleasant surprise. So where’s the Orc?” The Wood Elf said.
“DORROG, had business to take care of.” Locke replied.
“Well, what ever. I wonder what kind of business the savage needed to take care of.” The wood Elf said.
“He’s not a savage, he’s a very nice person. Not like many of the other Orcs I hear about in stories” I said.
“So these are the “escorts”?” He said, obviously changing the subject.
“Are you giving Locke trouble again, brother?” another Wood Elf said.
“Whatever. Just take us to the Emperor.” Locke said, getting ignored.
“You never were the one to hold a conversation long.” The first Wood Elf said as he walked away.
“Please excuse my brother’s behavior. He has had a problem with Orcs since our mom was taken in an Orc raid. Anyways, my name is Samuel. Well, Lets go. The Emperor is waiting for you guys.” Samuel said.

Samuel took us to the Emperor’s chamber. He opened the doors, and we entered a dark room. The dim torches supplied enough light to know where I was going. And as soon as I glanced at the throne, I knew who the Emperor was. He looked a lot like what I thought he would look like. It was hard to believe that a humble priestess like me now stood in front of the throne of Emperor Ureil. But now the question arose in my mind.
“Why?”



Chapter 9: A new chapter in my life.
(An’Jirr)

My name is An’Jirr. Its not my real name, but I gave up my old life along with that name. My new name came from a Breton thief named Kristy in Daggerfall. She taught me everything she knew, and we were just like family. But one day, we overheard a man by the name of Duke Winston talk about stealing an ancient artifact called the Heinsemane. This artifact was rumored to give the user some kind of magical abilities that made him more powerful than a mortal is able to become. We stole this artifact to prevent it from falling into his hands. And Kristy died to make sure I got away. I feel that her death may have been in vane because I was caught with the artifact on me. And now, I stand before the trial.

“So this is the thief that stole the Heinsemane?” the judge asked.
“Yes, this is him” Dorrog said.
“And what evidence do you have.?”
“The guards caught him holding this.” Dorrog said, holding up a crystal.
“Of course, while he is guilty of stealing the Heinsemane, he told us a very interesting reason as to why he stole it. Could you give us that information?” Dorrog continued.
“I would tell you, but none of you would believe me.” I said.

Then a familiar face walked into the room. It was a face that I prayed never to see again. The face of Duke Winston. My anger began to build up inside.

“Tell us anyways.” The judge said, impatiently.
“Like I said, you wouldn’t believe me. We stole the Heinsemane to protect it. We stole it to protect it from Duke Winston. He is a murderer and plans to use it to become King of Daggerfall!” I said.
“Winston, what do you have to say in your defense?”
“I never did anything wrong. I did plan to use the power of the artifact, but only to benefit the kingdom of Daggerfall. I plan to use it to benefit the royal family.” He said calmly. That was the thing that made him most deadly. His charisma.
“He murdered two of my friends!” I shouted.
“I don’t know what your talking about. I only defended myself. “MURDER” is not an appropriate word.”
“He also murdered count Erin.”
“No I did not! I mourned his death. I had nothing to do with it. By the way. We found Khajiit scratch marks in the room where he was murdered.”

With that, I knew my fate had been sealed. The verdict decided I was guilty. Dorrog walked me to a room. Then he turned and said:

“Don’t worry. You wont be executed.
“What!”
You have been assigned to help Locke. And there is enough evidence to support you side of the story.” He said
“Then why didn’t you display that evidence?” I asked.
“I don’t know. We were told not to display the evidence. But you are supposed to go with Locke to Akavir, while carrying the Heinsemane. I don’t know that one either. Its just an order.”

In my life I have lived two lives so far. The first on, I abandoned. The second one ended on this day. And the third one is about to begin.

___________________________________________________________
I was busy for the last few days, so I still havent finnished chapter 10, but Ill try to post what I have so far soon, since its a long chapter.

[Andric]

Heres the first part of chapter 10. Please enjoy.

Chapter 10: A continent of chaos
(Kai)

We have now arrived in the presence of the emperor Uriel VII. He is about to tell us why we were summoned to his chambers. Its about time…

“You have finally made it” A tall figure in the corner said. His face was covered by a cloak. Though at the time I thought he was a gold Elf, because of his golden colored hands.

“Yes, We’re here. Now could we get some answers?” I impatiently said.

“And I assume You found the Akaraishen.” The Emperor said to Locke.

“I have.” Locke said, holding out a pendent with a symbol of a dragon on it.

“So, what do we have to do with it. I know it has something to do with that thing.” I said.

“Perhaps the briefing room would be a better place to talk about this.” The tall figure said.

“Wait! Tell me what the artifact is for first.” I demanded.

“Please don’t yell at him. He seems important.” Isabel whispered.

“Alright. The object Locke recovered is an ancient artifact of Ka Po’ Tun. An empire in Akavir.” The Tall figure replied.

“AKAVIR!?” I shouted, remembering about what that Sload told me.

“Akavir is a continent to the east of Tamriel.”

“I know that. I just wondered how the artifact ended up here in Tamriel.” I said.

“We are not sure how Darroll got his hands on it, but we suspect it has something to do with the most recent war in Akavir, Emperor Uriel V’s conquest. However he died in the battle of Ionith. The Artifact was guarded by the dragons in ancient times. But however, the dragons of Akavir were destroyed in a war between the Snake people of Tsaesci and Ko Tun. After which, the Cat people have guarded the artifact. How ever, if Darroll did steel it in Uriel V’s conquest in 3E 288, then he would of held it for 116 years now. So, the Ka Po’ Tun would’ve invaded long ago.” The tall figure informed.

“What makes this artifact so important?” Isabel asked.

“It is rumored to have the power to disrupt time. Thus causing an unpredictable result afterwards.”

“Oh, I see.” Isabel said, though she was still a little confused.

“And why do we have to return it? It could easily be protected within the walls of Cyrodiil, right?” I pointed out.

“As I said, the artifact is a very important relic to the people of Ka Po’ Tun. They know the powers it holds. And say one of there Soothsayers locates it here. Either by a vision, or astro projection. Then Tamriel would risk open war.” the tall figure explained.

“So, what do we do? When do we leave? And how do we get there?” Isabel asked frantically.

“No, first we have to train you and prepare you two. You wont make it far in Akavir if you don’t know their language.” The hooded man answered.

“So who are you?” I asked.

“My name is Varsidue-Harvaku”

He Walked over toward us with out making a noise. Then as I looked at where his feet should be, I realized he stood on a tail, not legs. He stopped in front of me and pulled off his hood. His head was a snake head.

“I am the brother of Varsidue-Shaie. He once ruled this empire after the Reman Dynasty.

[Dantrag]

Must've missed these -

Good additions to the story. Here's a jonajosa... :goodjob:

[Mazuk]

Nice addition. Woot.

[MerGirl]

Ooooh, nice update! That last one I didn't expect. Anyway, continue, pweeeese?

Could you please space the talking? Because it looks so squashed together like that, and it hurts me eyes... Maybe that's just me.

Anyway, good job and I didn't see any grammar errors or serious spelling errors, though I wish that you would add more details and descriptions. (It looks like more talking than anything else). :ashamed:

Anyway, please continue! :goodjob:

[Andric]

[quote=MerGirl]Ooooh, nice update! That last one I didn't expect. Anyway, continue, pweeeese?

Could you please space the talking? Because it looks so squashed together like that, and it hurts me eyes... Maybe that's just me.

Anyway, good job and I didn't see any grammar errors or serious spelling errors, though I wish that you would add more details and descriptions. (It looks like more talking than anything else). :ashamed:

Anyway, please continue! :goodjob:[/quote]
I edited the spacing. The rest Ill edit when I do the final draft.

[jonajosa]

Don't forget to edit the spacing for the first post. Lots of conversarion in this story. Thats not a bad thing its just that... I would to get a better picture of whats going on around the characters while they talk.

Very nice overall. :goodjob: