The Ice Warrior Options

[redsrock]

The Ice Warrior

CHAPTER ONE


The horrifying, ear-piercing screams ran through the night, waking me up from my slumber. Upon hearing these dreadful noises I immediately rushed from my old wooden bed and entered the hallway of the fort. The others had already risen from their own cots and were brandishing their blades while running outside.

Come, Erick! The time is now! Prove your honor and your pride!

I heard someone yell those three sentences, but I couldn't make out who was talking. But I didn't have any time think. The enemy horde was on our doorsteps and I was not about to let my people down. After seeing the others rush out into the cold night, I sprinted back into my own room and lifted the lock off of my old oak wood-chest. Then I reached for my silver broadsword and ran out into the hall to join my comrades.

Outside the battle had already commenced, and the white-colored floor had by now been stained with the crimson blood of my friends...and my enemies. I ran, creaming at the top of my lungs as loud as I could. The enemy from the northeast had at last built up enough courage to attack us without surprise. I for one was not going to let this opportunity go to waste.

The untamed Nords had made their way through our defenses and were now in our camp. There were at least fifty of them; all running around setting to fire to anything they could find. Their dirty beards and hair flapped in the wind, along with the blizzard that was coming down from the dark sky.

The first enemy I came to face was a heavy-set warrior wielding an iron war axe and a dagger of the same material. The piece of scum roared at me and got into a defensive position as I charged towards him with my broadsword held high into the air. As I neared the man he swung his axe at me but I ducked just in time and tackled him to the cold floor. Snow splashed up into my eyes but I quickly wiped it away as I hacked at my adversary's face. Again and again I slashed at his face, even when I knew his death had already come and passed.

I was too crazed with wanting revenge; too distraught to even observe the other heavy warrior lumbering towards me with a giant wooden war-hammer. The weapon hit me square in the back and I instantly dropped my blade and fell to the white canvas. Then the warrior turned my body over and I was face to face with the enemy; the despicable Nordic warrior from the north...the Skaal!

The oaf of a Nord glared into my eyes with pure disgust. He hated me and I hated him. This story of revulsion between the Imperials and the Nords has lasted for many years. And this particular battle was only one of hundreds that was sure to follow.

Then the Nord opened his mouth and began to laugh insanely. Spit fell from his mouth and hit me in the forehead. I could smell the putrid stench that was his breath; but alas there was nothing I could do. He had my arms pinned to the ground. Then, a ball of green smoke came from the mouth. It formed into some kind of animal, though I couldn't tell what it was. Suddenly I heard a deep howl, and that's when everything went black and I snapped back into reality.

"Erick...Erick, wake up! Wake up, Erick!"

A dream....it was all a dream. I could have sworn it was real; the heat from the fires, the yells of the Nords, and the impact from the war-hammer...it was all so real to me. But, fortunately I was only dreaming, and now my roommate was trying desperately to rouse me up from my delusion.

"It was a dream, Erick...only a dream!"

Finally I sat straight up in my cot with my roommate's hand on my shoulder. Melvin, an Imperial soldier just as I, was looking into my eyes with a most concerned look about his hairy face.

"You don't look so good," he said, stroking his slick and thin black beard. Melvin had always been proud of his facial hair. He always kept it neat and tidy; which the ladies loved.

"I'll be fine. I just had another dream..."

I looked outside my window to see that it wasn't snowing the least bit, and there weren't any angry Nords running around with torches. Everything was peaceful for the time being

"More like a nightmare, Erick! I can't keep living with those screams, friend. Sooner or later I'll throw you in the hallway!"

I merely laughed it off, trying to forget what I saw. For the past several days I've had some of the most dreadful dreams ever imaginable. They all started out differently, but they all ended with the same green smoke and the same howl. It had really started to bug me and I had thought about seeing a mage about it.

But Melvin wasn't going to let me do such a thing. He figured the mages would think me insane. Such dreams were a sign of lunacy, you know. But I just couldn't help it. I wanted to know what they meant; if something was going to happen to me. I've talked with Melvin about it hundreds of times, but he doesn't seem to think anything is wrong. I wished I could feel the same way.

"So...was it the smoke again?"

"Yes."

"The howl as well?"

"Yes."

Melvin had jumped back into his bed by now, but when I told him it was the same dream, he turned around to meet my sweaty face.

"I know I've said this just a few seconds ago, but you look awful, Erick."

My friend's ‘kind' words weren't doing me any good. I couldn't keep living like this. At that very moment I told Melvin I was going to talk with the local mage first thing in the morning. He got out of bed and stretched his arms into the air.

"Where you going?" I asked him.

"Taking a piss, if that's okay with you," he said playfully walking out the door, closing it gently behind him.

I was lucky to have a friend like Melvin. I remember the first time I met him here in this desolate snowy island of Solstheim. It was three years ago then, just shortly after I had arrived from the mainland. Melvin was always the smartellic type. He never let anyone tell him something he didn't want to hear, but he was always one to voice his own opinion.

And you know what; I almost feel grateful for getting sent here to Fort Frostmoth. Sure, I'd be much more comfortable back in Caldera, stealing ebony again. But what good would that do me? By coming here and working my tail off I've become a better man and a better human being. No more thieving for me; my life as a criminal was over the moment I set foot on this island. Since then it's been a lot of hard work, but at least I can say I now have control over myself.

But Melvin...well, he's different story. Though he's stopped his skooma addiction, he's also still a heavy drinker. Mazte is his favorite and I could almost bet you a hundred septims there's a couple bottles of it under his bed right now. But at least he can control when he drinks. It's not like he does it in broad daylight. No, he's way smarter than that. If you ask me it's his intelligence that's allowed him to survive so far. Everyone has their own personal attribute that compliments themselves. Melvin's is his charm and intelligence, and mine is...well I'm not quite sure just yet.

Captain Falx Carius seems to be respectful for my hard-working nature, but that has only gotten me the title of "Captain's Pet" from the other soldiers. Of course, none of us are really soldiers. Everyone knows Fort Frostmoth is where all the trouble makers go to spend the rest of their lives working for the Empire. It's not really that much work if you ask me; a little bit of construction, a little bit of mining, and some other minor chores.

The life of a prisoner isn't so bad I guess, but I can still can't help but wonder if there's something else out there for me. I realize that my life as an inmate is eternal, but still...I've got a feeling something's about to happen. Something big...but I just don't know what; nor if it's good or bad.

"You still awake?"

Melvin had walked into the room and flopped onto his bed. It was likely a little after midnight, and I had awoken my friend from his sleep for the third night in a row.

"I'm sorry, Melvin. I'll...I'll wait on speaking to the mage if you want me to."

"Yes, I'm glad to hear it, my friend. Do NOT tell them about your dreams, Erick. It will only lead to more problems. They'll lock you up in a cell, and before you know it they'll throw you out into the wild. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

No, that didn't sound like a good life to me. Perhaps my dreams would fade away?

"Don't worry, I'll keep quiet."

Only time would tell.....

This post has been edited by redsrock: Feb 7 2008, 05:11 AM

[redsrock]

CHAPTER FIFTEEN


After searching for a suitable cave for the night, I first checked inside to ensure it was safe. For all Teemee and I knew the Udyrfrykte could have been waiting in the shadows, ready to pounce on our soft skin at any moment. But thankfully that wasn’t the case and it turned out the only other living creature was a stray baby Bristleback, untusked of course. We killed it and then waited for its mother, and then killed her too. Needless to say we wouldn’t be going hungry any time soon.

And because the cave was fairly deep for its small space, I decided it was also safe enough to make a fire. I myself wasn’t too cold, but Teemee was literally shivering. I was afraid the lizard was actually going to die, so I made the fire and then gave him a blanket. That seemed to help a little bit, but he still wasn’t acting right.

“Are you gonna be okay, Teemee?”

His head trembled my way and said, “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’m just not used to this kind of weather, you know. It wasn’t this cold back at the fort. No, no, there we received a warm front coming from Vvardenfell across the Sea of Ghosts. Well, it wasn’t exactly warm as such, but it was better than nothing.”

After that I unrolled several other thick blankets and attempted to fall asleep, but it was of no use. One, it was a little to frigid for me to get comfortable, not to mention that fact that I was lying on the hard stone floor. But two, I was worried about being attacked during our sleep. If figured I’d let Teemee get some shuteye, and then tomorrow night I’d have a turn. But apparently Teemee was having a hard time falling asleep as well.

“Erick…?”

Teemee whispered loudly from across the room.

“Yeah…?”

“Are you awake?”

What kind of question was that?

“Obviously, since I’m talking to you,” I said with a chuckle.

“So you’re not tired?” He asked.

“Not really,” I lied.

“Me neither. I can’t get to sleep; not in this cold and hard floor. What time do you think it is, anyway?”

“To be honest I have no clue, but if I had to take a guess I’d say around three or four I the morning. Why?”

“If it’s that close to sunrise, then I’m not even going to try to fall asleep. What’s the point if I’ll have to get up soon anyhow?”

I grunted a simple ‘okay’, and then I laid my head on the pillow I had brought from Raven Rock. I thought maybe Teemee was going to just let us rest peacefully until it was time to leave, but the friendly lizard had other plans.

“So, are you going to tell what that screaming was about or not?” he asked curiously.

At first I didn’t know what he was talking about, and I frowned at him with confusion. But then I realized he was referring to my little nightmare, and that of my past. Unfortunately I still wasn’t ready to talk about it just yet.

“My head is still aching, I’d like to just rest if you don’t mind,” I lied. In truth I felt just fine. I was tired though, and didn’t feel like talking. However, Teemee was on a roll this morning and wouldn’t shut up. Not that I mind, I guess. At least he wasn’t the smartellic jerk he once was.

“How about you just sit back and let me tell you my story then, eh?”

I rolled over onto my stomach and faced, Teemee, if only to show respect. He was being a nice little fellow, and I didn’t want him to think he was being ignored. And to be honest, I was sort of curious as to what he had to say. I’ve never really spoken with anyone about their past before, not even Melvin.

“Sure, bud. Go right ahead…”

“Well…” Teemee said, and then cleared his throat. I smiled at that. “It all started in Suran. Just like many of my kin I was once a slave. My master wasn’t too cruel, just a little bossy at times. I don’t remember her name anymore, not that it matters. Anyways, one day I finally built up the courage to escape from the cell I was assigned to at night. I don’t exactly remember how I did it, but I think I simply escaped through a crack in the window by busting it with a chair. I’m not sure, nothing is too clear from that night.
“After I escaped through the window I darted out of town and headed northwest. I had heard from a traveler that towns up there didn’t own slaves. I of course didn’t know what to believe, so I figured I’d take a chance. Well, I ended up at a small town by the name of Pelagiad. It was nice enough, and the guards didn’t ask me any questions. I went to the local pub that night, and that’s where I made my mistake.”

I had to hand it to him; Teemee was an exceptionally good story-teller. I had forgotten all about the coldness of the cavern, and my aching sleepiness, and was now fixated with this story of escape.

“At the pub I met an overly-friendly Imperial who called himself, Jed. He was nice enough guy, and he even offered me a few drinks. Well of course I wasn’t about to pass on free drinks, and he bought me a round of Tamika’s Finest. Only that wasn’t it…the rounds kept coming and coming. I must have had about seven before finally he started asking me some questions. I….I don’t remember all of it, some is just a blur you see, but I do remember the last question. ‘Where did you come from?’ And of course by then I was drunk so I boasted loudly, and rather slurred, ‘I escapapidid me slave-owners down in Suran!’
“That was all ‘Jed’ needed to hear, and he immediately slammed my body to the floor and tied me up. The pub was of course worried and curious to what was happening, and the Imperial man told them who I really was…a run-a-away slave. After that he took my outside, loaded me into a cart, and we drove off into the night.”

“What did your owner say when Jed took you back to Suran?” I asked. Teemee just laughed loudly and slammed his claws into his pillow.

“Silly, Erick, I knew you’d ask that! Jed wasn’t working for the government…he was a freelance slaver hunter, one who hunts slaves and then sells them to other owners. This trick is actually illegal, but those who do it know how not to get caught.
“Anyways, he ended up dropping me off at Fort Moonmoth, and there he told the captain he had caught me stealing food from his farm down on the western shores of the Bitter Coast. Of course Jed was a charmer, and spoke with great intelligence, and the Imperial Captain believe every word he said. They paid Jed fifty septims for his trouble, and that was the last I saw of him. And now, here I am with you, Erick. Some story, eh?”

It was some story, and but it still paled in comparison with my own. I wanted to tell Teemee this, but now was not the time. I’d let him have his glory of a well-told tale for now, but sooner or later it’d be my time.

“I’m sorry, Teemee. I can’t believe they sent you here, though? Why not just throw you in the Moonmoth dungeons?”

“I dunno. They kept me in a cell for several days and the next thing I know I’m here. It’s a mystery to me, really. I think I was still drunk when they transported me to this god-forsaken island.”

Teemee then rolled over to the other side and grabbed something from his own personal pack. It was leather, purple, and large. After taking a closer look at what it was, I realized it was a book. This was absolutely spectacular to me because I never would have dreamt that Teemee knew how to read!

“You never told me you could read, Teemee…” I commented, trying not to sound rude.

He sort of huffed at the remark and playfully replied, “Just because I was a slave that doesn’t mean I can’t read or write, Erick. Like I said, my owner wasn’t cruel, just bossy. In fact, she forced reading and writing upon me at a young age. I didn’t like it back then, but I wish I could thank her for it now. I’m a much better person because of it.”

Rather than bug him anymore, I let him continue his reading. I now wished that I had brought a book along as well, for now I was feeling extremely bored. And of course I couldn’t just go for a nightly stroll. I wasn’t in Fort Frostmoth any longer. And right then I remembered someone…..Winona…Melvin’s girlfriend.

My heart immediately sank for her, and of course Melvin as well. I wish I had asked more about her, and that I may know where she lives exactly. I don’t know to think about this, but there’s always a chance that I may not see Melvin again. And how fair is that for Winona? She deserves to know what happened. Then again, I might not even make it out alive. Didn’t Melvin say she lived in Balmora? I don’t know, just that it’s nowhere near my hometown of Caldera. Or is it? Damn I hated how confusing things could get.


+++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ +++++


About three hours or so later I poked my head out of the cave and noticed the sun was already up. The cave was obviously deeper than I had originally thought because without the fire I had made it was pretty much pitch dark. So we gathered our things and headed out into the cold, where it was snowing heavily. I shouldn’t be surprised, for I had heard many stories about the massive blizzards this side of the island received. Now I was experiencing them first hand.

We walked for nearly fifteen minutes until admitting neither of us had a clue where we were going. Teemee said he was following, and I said I was following him. All in all things weren’t going too well, and I was about to suggest that we try and go back to the cave and wait for the snow to end. But then a spear landed just inches from my foot, and immediately I was tackled from behind. I tried to shout out loud but then I was hit in the back of the head by something hard.

I don’t remember much after that, only being rolled over onto my back and coming face to face with someone with an overgrown beard.