The Scrolls Of Akavir, Chapter 1:The Librarian Options

[Florodine of Hlaalu]

The Librarian
Dalrus quickly scrolled through the documents stating the location of the spies of the resistance. Earlier that afternoon a riot had broken out and orders were passed that all suspects be rounded up and brought to the palace. Dalrus was ordered to get the documents to the safe house on the other half of the city where the main resistance leaders lived. It was a pretty normal section of the Imperial City, manors, shops, and restaurants, but it just so happened that Eurod, the resistance leader, lived there.

Dalrus cleared off her desk which was strewn with countless papers and important documents containing information on the resistance. A book lay on the table, reddish in color, and rings decorated it from drinks placed on it, using it as a coaster. It was the perfect holder for the spy document. Dalrus’s job was the resistance secretary, though to the public she was only the bitter old librarian. She walked out of her stuffy office and into the musky smell of the library. Books were her passion and though she knew a lot of current events, she would sometimes not open the library for a day just so she could read a new book.

Dalrus stepped out the door, and locked it, and then set out towards the city. There were many who knew her cover up and she had kept herself inside to library to hide herself from just such people. She was one of the many who were ordered to be rounded up and taken to the palace, but she had to get the document to the resistance without delay. The city was dark at this hour; the early showers of the day had given the cobblestone an icy gloss in the early moon-light. The soft clap of horse’s hooves was the only noise to be heard. The town gate lay to her left along with many other high class stores neighboring the library. She made sure the guards at the walls didn’t see her by staying close to the buildings along the sidewalk. She was running, she didn’t know why but she felt an urge to run as if she was being chased. She ran around the corner of a brick café building. She had to rest, she was getting old and wasn’t used to all that running. She put her hands on her knees and panted, her gray hair which was in a bun was now falling down her sides, she wore a dull dark pink and light blue dress, which was now soaked with sweat. Her eyes were such a light red that they almost looked pink, and her face was hard and wrinkle-free by her mouth as if she had never smiled. Her Gray-blue skin was paler then most, and was dull.

Her break time was over and she must get off the streets, for even if a simple robber came she would lose the document and that was not acceptable, because the empire would eventually get a hold of it. She started off in a jog, she made alright time, but the city was huge, one could live their entire life in the center of it, and not ever see the outside world. She had to get to a stable where she could get a ride the rest of the way to the safe house. She entered the market part of the city, it was deserted. It was an extremely eerie site, in the afternoon it was jammed packed you could barely walk around without running into someone; but now it was a ghost market, the stalls were covered in sheets so no one could see the merchandise. The only living things around were rats eating the dropped garbage. She did not stop to take in more of the site, it scared her, and she tried to think of something she enjoyed; books.

Dalrus passed through the market, and entered the manor section; luckily the first thing she saw was the stables. She slowed to a walk towards them; she had never been so excited to see a building after being scared and for what? Nothing. She felt embarrassed to even be out in the open, even if no one had seen her be afraid. Suddenly footsteps were heard behind her. It sounded like more than one man, she sprinted towards the stables, and so did the foot steps. Dalrus found the fastest looking horse and didn’t even wait to saddle it. She opened the stall jumped on the horse and went out the other entrance of the stable. The footsteps became quieter as her horse bolted down one of the manor section streets, she had chills even thinking about those men in the dark following her, she knew she was outrunning them though. What would they have done with her if they had caught her? Were they working for the empire? And if so would she just be taken to the palace?

These questions rung through her head as she continued her race to the safe house. She had lost them, Dalrus felt a little better now, and slowed her horse down. She had passed the hardest leg of her journey; walking. This was a part of the city Dalrus was not familiar with. She had always hated the people in the manors; when the empire occupied the cities they, who owned land outside the city and armed forces, had stood by and done nothing, and these imperial manors would have done the same, had they had to. Her horse suddenly reared, something was wrong, her horse could sense it. Out of nowhere three horsemen armored head-to-toe rode out in front of her.

“You are to be arrested and taken to the palace; we know you are guilty of being with the resistance. You will be hanged at the palace if you come peacefully, or tortured if you try to run,” the knight said officially...

[mplantinga]

An interesting start. I'm curious to find out more about this resistance, and why the documents she had were so important. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this story.

[Florodine of Hlaalu]

Thank you, i do indeed have the second part of this chapter finished, though i wanted to wait untill people said they want me to continue

[Florodine of Hlaalu]

Dalrus didn’t even respond, she kicked the side of her horse, and flew out of their, or so it seemed. Her horse jumped high over a road block the knights had made. She galloped faster then an arrow down the wide boulevards of the manor section. The horsemen were close behind riding hard even with their armor on. The resistance’s district was straight ahead. The section of the city they were in was owned by the empire’s northern trading company: which dealt with weapons and raw materials. But lately the weapons had disappeared and at the same time that section of the city’s population had grown, something big was going to happen. Most people knew it was because the trading company was really just a cover up for the resistance to get more weapons to fight.

It was just a matter of keeping ahead of the three horsemen, only a few minutes and she’d be in the safe house looking down upon their dead bodies. The knights were not tiring however, and Dalrus’s horse was. The four horses’ hooves slammed against the cobblestone, cracking a lot of it. In unison to the riders storming by, lights from the houses lit their candles because of the noise waking them. It was like a wave, the stars of the night sky were dissipating to the illumination of the city. There right at the end of the street was the safe house, she knew it wasn’t smart but leading the knights there and killing them was the only way to lose them. Her horse jumped over a wagon, the other horses followed, and then she weaved in and out of boxes, they still followed. They were gaining now, and she had to get to safety. Dalrus rode her horse into the courtyard of the safe house, and rung the bell. The three knights rode up and reached down to grab her.

Dalrus grabbed a wooden flagpole and hit the knight’s arm. He yelled and suddenly out of the house, came a flood of resisters. Only about one fifth of the crowed were resistance soldiers, and the rest were old people, un-armored, and inexperienced. The knights got off their horses and unsheathed their blades. The crowd lunged at them and the skirmish began. The knights were amazing, not overwhelmed they were obviously well trained. They cut swathes through the crowd, and people began to panic. The knights were attacked by archers now, and they fought their way to their horses, and stormed off.

“Dalrus, Dalrus I am glad you are safe,” Eurod came up to her. “You must have had to call upon the gods help to outrun those Salincs,” The old man exclaimed.
“Wait those were knights of Salinc?” whispered Dalrus
“Precisely, how else would they slay fifteen of our men without so much as a scratch?” questioned Eurod.

“Well I guess I don’t know…” Dalrus suddenly fainted, if she had known they were the empire’s greatest knights, she would have given up right there. No one knew their origin, but the knights were resound for their skill in everything, from sword fighting, to archery. It was thought that they were of an ancient race superior to everyone else, but this of course was not the case. They were just an ancient order who’s training was unmatched. This was the resistance’s first run in with the Order Salinc, but it would most certainly not be their last.

[mplantinga]

Wow. Resistance fighters, exceptionally well trained knights, and the remaining mystery of the reason for the resistance. What more could we ask for? I do hope the resistance has some fighters that can stand against the Knights of Salinc, or their movement will be very short-lived

This story is off to a great start. I look forward to seeing where you will take it.

[Florodine of Hlaalu]

thank you very much for your kind words, i do in fact have another chapter

[Florodine of Hlaalu]

The Resistance


Dalrus awoke on a small cot, in a medium sized room with two windows. There was an oak desk under one of the windows and a plant sitting on a chest at the end of the bed

“A poor place to put a plant,” grumbled Dalrus. She slowly got up, holding her back, and moved the plant to the window sill. It was late in the morning, around ten, and Dalrus found it hard to believe just nine hours ago she had very nearly escaped death. Dalrus quickly slipped on some clothing she found in the bed-side chest, and walked downstairs. It was an extremely well furnished manor. Statues and fountains were in every one of the three courtyards set up around the estate. Dalrus found herself walking down a long hallway filled with exquisite paintings of Cyrodill’s long past emperors. It was an enchanting experience; Dalrus had seen many of their once great kingdom’s kings, but only in books. Some of the paintings must have been original portraits, which Dalrus assumed were saved before the empire’s troops confiscated them.

Dalrus would have stayed all day but she knew she must go get something to eat, especially after her near-death race to the safe house last night. She quickly scurried down the hallway and to the bottom of the long stone stairs, to the dining area. It was a large area, but of course what wasn’t large in that big a mansion. There were many other people all gathered around a large table in the center of the room. Dalrus slipped past un-noticed and into the kitchen.

“Why hello there,” a plump old chef lifted his hat to Dalrus. “You had quite a rough night, we were wondering when you would get up. Your food has already been prepared; I knew you’d be hungry as soon as you awoke,” the chef said to her.

“Hmm… well? Where is it?” Dalrus said grumpily.

“Oh how impolite of me, let me go get it,” the old man said with a laugh.

“Fine, but be quick,” sighed Dalrus.

“It should be in the ice box I should think,” the chef said from a back room. “Would you like some tea with that? Well I’ll make some just in case; well actually would there be something else you want for a drink?” the old man kept saying while he ran around looking for the keys to the ice box.

“Just get me some tea, and can you pick this up?” grumbled Dalrus

“My apologies mam, here’s your food,” the old man said innocently.

“Thanks,” Dalrus said insincerely as she snatched the chicken. Dalrus angrily stormed out of the kitchen and sat down at a table. Everyone at the large table spun their head towards the racket Dalrus was making. Brushing off the confused stares of the people looking at her, Dalrus dug into the chicken with the ferocity of a starved leopard.

“Well Miss Varus, it would seem as if you haven’t eaten in a fortnight or two.” a middle aged colonel laughed as Dalrus.

“Or a day,” her poor disposition could be felt for miles, her sarcasm was way overdone. The men at the table made a few more remarks but Dalrus ignored them. She finished her meal and went to the office of Eurod.

Eurod’s office was on the third floor in a secluded section of the house, with an escape ladder leading down to the city streets. Dalrus worked her way up the stairs past the hallway with all the portraits, and into a hallway with a maroon rug, and walls. More statues lined the walls, and curtains covered up small inlets in the walls, where guards were posted for Eurod’s every bidding. Dalrus knocked on the door hard, and instantly Eurod bade her to come in

“Ah welcome to my office Dalrus, I am sorry I couldn’t talk more to you last night,” greeted Eurod

“It’s quite alright I was much too tired anyway,” Dalrus said. Eurod was quite possibly the only person Dalrus treated with respect. “I brought the documents as you requested. I would however, like to know what exactly is in them. All I know is that it is something involving our spies,” questioned Dalrus.

“Well not just about our spies, but their real names, locations and times they are to report here. If the empire got a hold of these, then they would have proof that this estate is our head quarters, and would be able to execute all spies working for us. In other words, the fate of our entire operation is in this document,” Eurod said with extreme seriousness. “And now that they have openly chased you, and we in turn attacked the knights when they came here; the empire’s troops will be here anyway. I already knew that was going to happen, and by day’s end tomorrow we will be fleeing from here to the port section of the city. My family has lived in this house for generations, and you know what? I am not at all sad to sacrifice my house for the safety of the resistance. One would think I would be sad, but the port section of the city will give us even more access to the goods coming in. We will soon be strong enough to leave the city and open war against the empire in our new hideout in the forest of Valenwood. The people there have promised us a safe place, and men to fight the war,” Eurod stated in a briefing of their next few months.

“Sounds like a sound plan, but the empire will notice if its trade has come to a standstill. So far we have maybe two thousand men under our command. However in comparison the empire has at least two hundred thousand men in their standing army,” replied Dalrus.

“I understand your concerns, but we’re not just recruiting just anyone, its who the people are. You see, many of the men that are coming here as slaves are operatives of ours from cities like Mounhold, and Daggerfell, who have already been captured,” replied Eurod.

“Really, you mean I will be able to see Senmpa again?” an excited Dalrus nearly yelled.

“Yes, yes, your good friend Senmpa will be on the next shipment. As you know she was in the same position as you only in Mounhold,” Eurod stated.

“Yes that’s what worries me. I know the slaves have to work in the mine for the first three months, until the empire deems them strong enough to become slaves. I don’t think I could survive the mines, and I’m surprised Senmpa did,” stated Dalrus.

“Well there’s no need to worry just for yourself now, if you get taken out we all do, we are in this war together, and your spy work is just beginning. By the way have you heard of what happened to Malren?” questioned Eurod.

“Oh Malren, I believe he’s with the resistance fighters, preparing the defenses of our new stronghold in the forest….”

This post has been edited by Florodine of Hlaalu: Dec 19 2005, 10:15 PM

[mplantinga]

Thanks for the update. It's a real shame that nobody else seems to be reading this. It is well on its way to becoming a great story. I'm looking forward to watching the resistance develop and move to their new headquarters.

[minque]

Oh my holy muffin.......how on Nirn did I miss this one? It´s amazing......Is it the Dalrus who you play in the RP? This story will be on my "must read-list" .It´s very well written and the plot is thrilling.....

Can´t wait for another update......

[Florodine of Hlaalu]

Thank you minque, well it is actually the same character yes, but quite a bit later in her life. Like say 35 years later. Dalrus in the RP is only around 25, but this one is 60. A new update is on the way!

[Disasterpiece449]

Just caught up with this, very well done. I'll be waiting for the update.