Agent, Ebonheart's finest Options

[jack cloudy]

Yesterday was my birthday so here's my belated gift to all of you. The start of a new fanfic! (Wings of Light will be continued as well.) You may notice a shift of focus compared to my earlier fanfics.




Agent.
Chapter 1: In training.

My knees were shivering. For a good reason, I might say as the Duke towering over me looked very intimidating in his heavy suit of Ebony armour. Just to compare the two of us, the helmet would have been enough to crush me. Also, being dressed in cheap rags has never been a good source of courage. As it was, I had more than enough reasons to be afraid of him.

Who am I? I no longer use the name I was born with. I changed it upon my arrival here on Vvardenfell. Now I finally I have a name I can spell. Anyway, my name is Ro-El Frost. Sounds Khajiit? Maybe, but I am really closer related to the Nords, though without the muscles, the alcohol tolerance, the noise and without the size. Go figure.

The Duke turned to a man wearing some sort of golden armour. Probably the boss of the guard who was blocking the only way out of the room.
,,Is this the kid you were talking about?” The Duke asked with a stern voice. This did not sound well.
,,Yes, that’s the one.” Was the equally stern reply. This was one of those moments that your life would start to fly past your eyes.

How did I get here? Well, I don’t really know to be honest. People claim I must have been on the Skooma to have forgotten how I ever found myself in that mine. I didn’t like it there. The slavers forced me to do hard labour every day. I could feel my life slowly seep away with every single egg I harvested. I had to get out.

My plan took time but it worked in the end, except for one small detail. I harvested some poison one of the Kwama warriors had been spitting at the wall and mixed it with my food for the day. The day after that, I dumped it into the lake that was somehow inside the mine. The food had been swallowed by the Slaughterfish before I’d stepped away. The next part of my plan was the hardest. I’d been warned that the smell of their queen’s blood puts the Kwama into a killing frenzie. This information was meant so that the slaves were careful not to kill themselves, but it could also be used to my advantage.

So as you might guess, tapping blood from the queen is a potentially lethal act. Fortunately, I knew that by tapping just a little through a tiny wound made with my fingernail, the Kwama would not even notice. I carefully kept the blood sealed away inside a bottle till after four days, I’d finally collected enough. That night came the last part of my masterplan.

I managed to convince the slaves to go swimming in the lake, after showing them that the Slaughterfish had died through my act of poisoning. Next, I sprinkled the collected blood on the clothes of the slavers. I managed to get out to the lake before the killing started. I’d never been so glad that Kwama can’t swim. Those things were completely out of control. Which leads me to where I am now.

,,You have caused the death of three Dunmer and would have escaped if my Legionaires weren’t performing a raid at the same time.” The Duke spoke directly to me. Remember the little detail that went wrong? Well two dozen heavily armed soldiers who found a whole angry bunch of Kwama in their face, that’s what went wrong.
,,I thought they would run when the Kwama went mad. I didn’t expect them to die.” Was the weak defense I managed to whisper.

My arm was brusquely grabbed by the guard. The slave bracers I’d been forced to wear clattered on the floor.
,,Ro-El Frost, you have closed down an illegal egg mine and punished those who were responsible. You have further freed their prisoners who are being returned to their families as we speak. All that without harming the Kwama themselves, my men are responsible for that. As such, it is my pleasure as a servant of the great Emperor, Uriel Septim, to grant you your freedom and to take you into my service as an agent in the order of Ebonheart. Serius will escort you to your room.” The Duke now said with a smile and pointed at the guard who had released me from the symbol of slavery.

In a flash of inspiration, I snatched the bracers from the floor before I was dragged out of the room by Serius. We ascended many stairs before he finally threw open a wooden door and pushed me inside. ,,Consider everything in this room to be yours. You’ll be summoned tomorrow at 6 am. Wait inside your room till we come for you.” Serius ordered me before slamming the door shut. Not the nicest guy in the world.

I sat down on the bed and looked around, still unable to believe what had just happened. Instead of being branded as the bad guy and possibly executed, I had been turned into some sort of hero. Not exactly something that happened to me every day.

After I finally admitted to myself that things had turned out alright, I took a look around the room they’d given me. Apart from the bed, there was a closet, a mirror, a desk with several books on it and a sturdy wooden chest. It wasn’t big, but not small either. I opened the closet with the intention of swapping my dirty old rags with something more comfortable. It was cold this time of the year. The closet did not disappoint me. It was filled with all kinds of clothes ranging from simple but sturdy to downright extravagant and fit for a noble. There were shirts, pants, robes, shoes and even a few skirts, though I did not know what I was supposed to do with those. Men don’t wear skirts where I come from. Finally there were a few gloves on a separate rack.

I choose for a simple blue shirt with matching pants and a pair of shoes fit for indoor use. As the last action of the day, I picked up the book lying on top of the pile. ‘History of the Empire, part 1’ it said on the cover. If my idea of an agent was somewhat correct, these books had been placed here for a reason. I had some reading to do.

[Taillus]

I would definately say we have a winner on our hands. Not to say I was doubting it at all. A wonderful start to a story I believe will soon become a huge success! Congrats Couldy!!!!!!

[The Metal Mallet]

This is definitely a new style for you Jack. I'm liking it too. It's always great to see an author try something different with their writing.

Ro-El all ready seems like a very interesting character, and a very smart one. I'm curious to find out more. Please fill me in!!!

[Kiln]

I've noticed that you've taken a first person approach to this story Jack, I've found first person to be a difficult point of view to write from but it seems like you've pulled it off well. I like the freshness of the characters here and the fact that the character seems to be an accidental hero as well.

Great start, continue soon.

[canis216]

I like it... There are certain things you can do in first person that are difficult in the third. And vice-versa, of course. Personally, I like switching between the two with some frequency.

I look forward to seeing more of this one.

[jack cloudy]

I'm glad you like it. Yes, first person feels a bit harder though it can definitely be done. Just look at Trey, it's a masterpiece. I have to admit I actually started out here in first person. I have gone a full circle. Now for the next update.




Next morning, I was awoken by the loud sound of someone banging on the door. Normally, I’m not much of a sleeper. I suppose this is my body’s way of telling me it was the best bed I’d ever slept in. Still, it seemed unlikely that whoever was banging on the door would just leave, not to mention I had my duty as an Agent, whatever that duty might be. Slightly panicked, I scrambled out of the bed and rushed to get dressed. In my haste, I accidentally switched shoes and I was still hopping around on one leg while trying to correct my mistake when the door was opened.

Serius said nothing about the laughable pose I was in. He just threw a loaf of bread in my arms and marched out again. ,,This is your breakfast, follow me.” He said with a commanding voice. I was beginning to wonder if Serius ever laughed or allowed himself to lighten up. Munching on the bread, I followed him, still struggling with my shoes.

Today I would learn about the untold shadows that hide behind the walls of every nobleman’s house, or castle in this case. Serius led me into a maze of tunnels used by the servants and us Agents. The entrance we used was masterfully disguised as a painting of a reddish mountain with dark clouds pouring out of its tip. I had no idea which mountain it was or even if it was real. My geographical knowledge was lousy at its best.

Serius led the way with a torch, leaving it up to me to decide whether to follow him or not. Naturally, I choose to follow him while doing my best to remember the route we took. Not only were the tunnels so dark that you couldn’t see a thing beyond the torch’s light, it was also completely featureless which made navigating a serious pain in the behind. We walked for what felt like hours before Serius finally stopped in front of a simple wooden door. By now, I had absolutely no idea just where we were.
,,Get inside.” Serius grunted and walked away.

I took a deep breath before opening the door. Beyond the door, I saw a large room lit by countless candles. Deep shadows penetrated those areas that were not lit up. It had a very creepy atmosphere.
,,Ah, you must be the new kid!” A Bosmer yelled as he leaped out of the shadows. I stumbled backwards in fright, tripped and ended up on my back. If I planned to make a good first impression, I’d failed miserably.
,,I’m Leroth, Duke Dren’s official spymaster. We can do everything the Blades can, only better!” The little man continued and helped me get back on my feet. To be honest, there wasn’t all that much of a size difference. My eyes were about as high as the tip of his ears.
,,Ro-El Frost. Nice to meet you.” I mumbled, feeling the blood rush up to my face.

Leroth was full of energy and he almost literally threw me on a stool.
,,Sit down, my young friend. You may call me master Leroth. I will be your commanding officer as well as your teacher. The Duke likes your improvising back in that mine so I have to turn you into a fine Agent if I don’t want to disappoint him. Now, where do we start?” He rambled on. I had no chance to interrupt him even if I knew something to say.

Still, he was a likeable fellow. A really likeable fellow. It was as if we’d been friends for years. I frowned at that thought. We’d only met a few seconds ago. How could I like someone that much after such a short time? It just felt odd.
,,Very good. Seeing the trap is the first step in avoiding it.” Leroth said with his cheerful voice. The odd feeling vanished just as sudden as it had came. Leroth had tested me, to see if I could notice when someone tampered with my minds. Just the fact that he considered this test necessary made me somewhat worry about my new profession.

,,Alright, Ro-El. First things first. The interrogation the Legionnaires put you through revealed some things, such as your age, your gender, your race and of course your name. What I do need to know are other things, skills, knowledge and your birthsign.” The Bosmer had rushed off to a second room I only just noticed. He came out a bit later with a big book and a quill.
,,I’ll write it all down. From the impression I’ve just received, you are not much of a talker and being a slave means you are unlikely to know much about economics either. So that means Speechcraft and Mercantile are in need of improvement. Next, you appear to be either clumsy or you just have bad luck. I’ll need some more observation to decide on that. You are intelligent enough to come up with overly complicated escape plans when needed, so I’ll put a plus next to your intelligence profile. That leaves us with the other things. Do you know on which day you were born?”

I was feeling dizzy from the rapid talking. It took a moment before I’d realized the question was directed at me. I shrugged.
,,I have no idea to be honest.” I muttered. Leroth noted it down in that big book of his.
,,In the field, such a slow answer could have been fatal. Pay attention.” And so the questioning continued.

[Taillus]

Wow. Leroth is one hell of a talker. haha, poor guy is going to have to deal with his overly talkative Bosmer for a while and for that I feel sorry for him. Ro-El is going to have to develop quite a load of patience to be able to handle this but overall I can see that this will develop into yet another classic. Great job Cloudy.

[mplantinga]

It would seem that Leroth's strategy is to flood Ro-El's mind with so much information so fast that he has to learn to keep up. Not a bad strategy for teaching quickness of mind. Let's hope that it works.

I'm still very curious about the gruff, almost abrasive mannerism of Serius. Perhaps he holds some kind of grudge against agents in general? I do hope we'll find out.

[Kiln]

The encounter with Leroth was rather interesting and even a bit humorous as well.

I like the way you described the class selection...the way you used a rambling spymaster to get this information from the character was well done and made the class selection almost un-noticable. Not to mention the fact that you managed to keep from having to write his name, age, and gender by saying the legion officers had already found that out in the interrogation.

Amazing work here mate, keep it up.

[minque]

Yay, Jack! You´re doing excellent!, Now first person really has its advantages, it´s much easier to involve emotions and feelings...keep it coming ya hear!

[The Metal Mallet]

You're definitely weaving this story really nicely, with some great characterizations with the Bosmer and Serius. Not to mention Ro-El himself. Continue please!

[Black Hand]

Ahh. So Jacky has joined the ranks of the First Person Epicy tale tellers!

Nice work so far,....I'll be watching your progress,....from the shadows,....for I am the shadows...

***Stumbles over a coat rack on the way out***

Stupid shadows! Cant see a thing!

....ow....

[Taillus]

Yikes Black, watch out for those coat racks! They can be a thorn in your side for sure...* Quietly mumbles curse words to his own coat rack*

It does seem as though more and more people are wandering to the dark side, the first person side. Like Minque said it does have its ups and downs for sure but I think we will all agree that Jack has taken to it like a prodigy!

[jack cloudy]

Need a light, Hand? I love fireballs. Now enjoy the update. It's a short one.



I put the book away. Leroth looked at me expectantly.
,,And, what is your impression of this book?” He asked me.
,,Propaganda. Don’t try to beat Helseth as he is the best schemer in the world. Geez, is that all necessary?” I complained. My head felt as if someone crammed the whole castle in it. When Leroth spoke, his voice was quieter, more serious.
,,It’s called politics. You have to be mean. Nice kids are death. The profession you’ve chosen is not a safe one, Ro-El Frost. Once in, you can’t get out. It’s as if you dove headfirst into a deep pool. The danger you’ll face will not be as blunt as the bandits the Legionnaires fight against. No, your danger will be subtle, a hand behind the curtain, a dagger in the hand, poison on the dagger’s blade. It will kill you, without you knowing it was ever there. Don’t expect it to play by the rules. There are no rules. Now go, this was enough for today.”

I looked at the book’s cover before leaving. A game at diner. If this was the game, I did not want to be a part of it. Yet, as Leroth said, I had no choice. The only option I had was to learn how to play this game. My mind was in turmoil as I navigated the dark maze. A light appeared beyond the corner.

My feet stopped. I realized that no one should be this close to Leroth’s hideout. Unless it was Serius. And I had the distinct belief that Serius would stay away from here if he could help it. Who would be here now? Whatever his reason was, I did not want to know. I turned around and ran, leaving my own torch behind.

Without any light, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I ran straight into a wall. I came to a noisy and painful stop, on the floor. There was the sound of rushing air, nearly silent footsteps coming closer. I felt the sharp blade of a dagger being pressed against my throat.
,,My writ is not on you. Don’t interfere.” The assassin’s voice hissed in my ear. I closed my eyes, wishing that it would end.

When the assassin left, I remained where I was. I just lied on the ground, crying. I was so frightened that he would come back to kill me. Right now, I would have done everything to be back in that mine, harvesting eggs till my body broke down. My body was fine and healthier than ever, yet my soul had been shattered in one swift blow. Eventually, I passed out from exhaustion, the adrenaline and shock having taken their toll.

[The Metal Mallet]

Uh oh, I sense we're going to be down a Bosmer by the next update! Poor guy.

Life doesn't seem to be getting any easier for Ro-El. I have a feeling he's going to need to learn how to operate in politics rather quickly as well. I wish him luck.

[jack cloudy]

I stared at the ceiling without seeing a thing. I was not made for this life. Danger, lies and death lurking in the shadows were not my idea of pleasant activities. I sighed. It wasn’t just me who was living that life. Leroth, Dren, even Serius were all involved. Especially Dren, who had to play the game both in the open and behind the curtains. I tried to imagine how it would be, to fear every meal in case it had been poisoned. To go to bed, wondering if you would wake up to see the next day. To judge every man, woman and child before you, hoping that they weren’t an assassin hiding behind an innocent face. No, then those who kept low and seemingly outside the whole matter had the better deal.

I forced myself to get out of the bed. I did not know who brought me to my room, so I had no idea what happened after I passed out. Now, I was determined to find out. Leroth deserved that much. He’d been the closest thing to a friend here. Serius was always cold and distant while the duke, he was too busy to talk. I would find the Bosmer and if he was death, I would make sure he received a proper burial. I hoped this wouldn’t be needed though I feared the worst.

Through the last few days, I’d learned a lot from the talkative Bosmer. Most importantly, I’d learned to recognize tiny scratches on the wall that allowed me to know where I was inside the dark tunnels. I stormed through, my fingers stroking against the cold stone, slowing down only when I had to pass a servant. As I went in deeper, the amount of traffic dropped rapidly. Soon, I was all alone, deep underneath the ground.

The plain wooden door looked as if nothing ever happened. It had no right to look as if nothing happened. I threw it open and marched into the room without even bothering to check if it was safe. The room looked just like when I left. A game at diner was still lying on the table. The disastrous results of my Alchemy experiments still bubbled and sizzled angrily. The Imperial shortsword was still stabbed into the training dummy’s heart. The only sign of what had happened was the large pool of dry blood at my feet.

For a moment, I’d lost all hope. Then, I finally noticed what I should have noticed right away. Someone was snoring. I grinned. My fears had been completely useless. Leroth was sleeping in his bed. There wasn’t a problem at all.

The Bosmer opened one eye.
,,Oh, hi Ro-El. Nice to see you. I was wondering if you’d show up today. Eh, I’m afraid that I need to stay in the bed for a few days. So I’ve been thinking.” He whispered. I leaned in closer so I could hear what he was saying. It was then that I noticed the bandage covering his throat. The assassin had come close, very close to finishing his job.
,,The duke wanted to send me to Ald-Rhun. Something about Sarethi being a murderer. Athyn Sarethi is an influential member of the Redoran council. This could cause a large shift in the balance of power. So, could you go in my place and find out what is going on? I’ve prepared a package for you to take. It’s on the table. Now, goodnight.” Leroth fell asleep almost instantly.

With nothing better to do, I picked up the package. It contained only a few documents and a pouch filled with a small fortune. I read the first document. It was a publicly available guide to Ald-Rhun. Then, I had a small list of inhabitants and whatever we knew about them. Finally, there was a note regarding the shipping of goods right here in Ebonheart. The last note got me.

Leroth didn’t plan to send me to Ald-Rhun at all. He’d simply given in to my constant complaints and presented an easy way out, including the money to start a new life. I crumpled the last document and burned it with a candle. I would no longer back out of things. Whether Leroth had wanted me to do this or not, I was going to Ald-Rhun.

No one saw me leave that night. No one would see me return until I’d found out about the truth.

[Lord Revan]

You're still doing well Jack, keep it up!

*hears Black Hand's comment......... and sticks foot out to trip him* Newsflash: Dark Naryyn can see in the dark and actually become shadow......

"Stop tripping on that coat rack Blacky, or your going to die before you kill Dagon, ROFL!!!!

This post has been edited by Lord Revan: Nov 19 2006, 02:51 AM

[Black Hand]

You're just mad cuz you're godlike character cant fight mine in....clash of the titans!! (Dun-dun-dun-da-da-duuuuun!)

Sethyas can see in the dark, I cant. And it sounds like Ro-El is learning to feel his way in the dark. nice work Jack, keep it up!

[The Metal Mallet]

Glad to see our Bosmer buddy survived, though by a hairlength it seems.

It'll be interesting to see how Ro-El applys his new found abilities in Agenteering (a patented word by The Metal Mallet, thank you).

[Lord Revan]

Maybe Ian would like to meet this new prodigy........ and give him some advise.