Memoires of Rales Sarethi, A Morrowind fanfic Options

[Destri Melarg]

Wow, every time I open this thread it seems that you have posted two new chapters! Excuse me while I check these two out. . .

Venturing deep into the ash-regions of Vvardenfell I heard a wailing sound but couldn’t pinpoint its origin. ‘Not another Bosmer,’ I amused myself by imagining the strangest of scenarios just to keep my mind from wandering into melancholy again.

Hilarious!

We blocked each others’ every attempt getting the upper hand in the battle. This was no fight, this was a dance, as deadly as a hidden viper and I never felt more alive than ever. The first miss-step would mean defeat and certain death for either of us.
I almost ended the fight with a quick lunge straight to his gut, just before my sword hit him, he ducked and rolled to the side, recoiled and brought up his sword diagonally across my chest. If I would have been impatient and immediately had stepped in not recognizing the trap, the thrust would’ve cut me in half. I could feel the air displacement from the blade on my face as it flashed by.

This was the opening I had waited on, I grabbed the iron dagger from between my belt with my free hand and rammed it between the creases of his armour, into his armpit. The Daedra dropped his sword and fell to his knees. I ended the dance cutting of his head with his own sword in a single swipe. I’d call that poetic justice.

What a battle! Action-packed and well described.

[Destri Melarg]

Wow, every time I open this thread it seems that you have posted two new chapters! Excuse me while I check these two out. . .

Venturing deep into the ash-regions of Vvardenfell I heard a wailing sound but couldn’t pinpoint its origin. ‘Not another Bosmer,’ I amused myself by imagining the strangest of scenarios just to keep my mind from wandering into melancholy again.

Hilarious!

We blocked each others’ every attempt getting the upper hand in the battle. This was no fight, this was a dance, as deadly as a hidden viper and I never felt more alive than ever. The first miss-step would mean defeat and certain death for either of us.
I almost ended the fight with a quick lunge straight to his gut, just before my sword hit him, he ducked and rolled to the side, recoiled and brought up his sword diagonally across my chest. If I would have been impatient and immediately had stepped in not recognizing the trap, the thrust would’ve cut me in half. I could feel the air displacement from the blade on my face as it flashed by.

This was the opening I had waited on, I grabbed the iron dagger from between my belt with my free hand and rammed it between the creases of his armour, into his armpit. The Daedra dropped his sword and fell to his knees. I ended the dance cutting of his head with his own sword in a single swipe. I’d call that poetic justice.

What a battle! Action-packed and well described.

[Remko]

DestrYou loved it that much you felt it necessary to repeat yourself? If that isn't a compliment, I don't know what is


Chapter 6: Alchemist

Sason and Malexa were heading to the town Ald Veloth. Since I had decided to go home, I offered to trot along.
Walking all the way back to the south from all the way up north was not my idea of fun. From Ald Veloth it was only a short jump to Gnisis and from there I could go anywhere easily enough by stiltstrider.

The Redguard couple was more than happy to have me as company. With me around, they were sure to arrive safely. Sason offered to carry some of my gear. After the raid on the Daedric shrine, I could barely carry it all out so the offer was more than welcome. Swapping the mail cuirass for the ebony one I took from the dead Elf helped a bit as well.

By the Nine, that thing was heavy. I was sure I’d never get used to the weight of heavy armour. It uncomfortably pressed on my shoulders and neck, rubbing the dust and sand, swept up by the perennial winds, between the armour and my neck and shoulders. I had a dustrash in no-time. I wasn’t sure what was worse; carrying the damn thing or wearing it.

Once arrived in Ald Veloth, Sason and Malexa asked me if I’d stay the night, it was the least they could do. I politely declined, I was too eager to head back south.
Promising them to visit them if I’d ever be in the area again, I said my goodbye and left for Gnisis.

Several hours later, in the dead of night I arrived and immediately took the stiltstrider to Ald'ruhn, Balmora and last stop, Seyda Neen.
Well rested I arrived the next day in the early morning. Starving but with a bounce in my step I went to Arrille to have breakfast.

The moment I stepped through the door, the Elf’s eyes lit up. ‘I see you’ve been doing well for yourself?’
‘You could say that,’ I replied with a smile.
‘Yeah, I can tell.’ He glanced me up and down. ‘Where did you get that fancy armour from?’
‘Long story. I’ll tell you all about it, but how about some breakfast first?’

He knew exactly what I liked. In no time at all I was enjoying a pair of well-deserved fried eggs, freshly baked bread and a steaming cup of tea while telling Arrille all about my adventures up north.
Fargoth had also grabbed a seat, of course he had heard of my return and was listening to my tales while his eyes were glowing with anticipation like that of a child. I might have exxagarated some stories to amuse him.

Several hours later, I dumped most of the gear I had collected in the shack I inhabited, including the ebony cuirass. What a relief to take it off! If I’d be able to sell it, my fortune would have been made but Arrille said I could forget about that. No one in Vvardenfell had that amount of gold.
However; he had just heard a tale from a trader, who had come by recently, about the strangest thing he had ever seen in Caldera. According to the travelling merchant, in the town Caldera there was a scamp trader who might be able to give a good price for it.
I just had to see that for myself. In my travels I had encountered lots of scamps but those were hardly intelligent enough to recognise a superior warrior, let alone to do business and talk with you.



Day 46

With all my adventures and raiding of tombs, caves and shrines I acquired quite a fortune. Money itself is no good to anyone; you can’t eat or drink it. You can invest it however.
Which was exactly what I did. After having spent some days doing nothing at all in Seyda Neen, I took the stiltstrider back to Balmora and went to see Ajira for some more alchemy education and tricks.

Ajira was impressed with how quick I absorbed her teachings. Telling me once was enough; soon I had a good understanding of what apparatus had which function and how to make most of the ingredients I used to make a certain potion.
By the end of the day there was not much more she could teach me; lots of practice and experiments were what made a good alchemist, she said.

I knew exactly which potion to make; if there was anything I had learned, it was that it’s nearly impossible to cast a spell or swing a sword true when your tongue is on your knees.
I gathered ingedients to make potions to reduce the effect fatigue had. It was a fairly simple potion but I soon found out I could make stronger potions with longer duration by choosing ingedients that had more concentrated properties.

Choosing such ingedients proved to be risky though. I got it wrong on several occasions and made potions that had detrimental and sometimes even deadly effects next to the effect I wanted to create and had to dispose of several, quite valuable, potions. I couldn’t risk having them lying around lest someone found them. I collected them in a watertight casket and sank the casket into the deep end of the Sea of Ghosts eventually.

After a few days I had perfected the process and was able to make potions that allowed me to run for hours and still be able to cast a spell and be effective in combat without the necessity to rest first..
It wasn’t hard to see such potions would come in handy for everyone, not just adventurers like me. I traded several with Ajira for ingredients to make new potions and sell them off to anyone who’d buy them.

Most I sold under the price I was offered for them, making it interesting for the trader to buy a lot of them and sell them again for a decent price so they could restock with me soon. It didn’t take me long to acquire a decent fortune this way.

This post has been edited by Remko: Mar 26 2010, 06:29 PM

[SubRosa]

Am I the only one who keeps thinking that Arille is female? The name sounds feminine to me.

The soldier's eternal lament:
I wasn’t sure what was worse; carrying the damn thing or wearing it.

It is neat to look back and see where Rales began acquiring his skills as an alchemist. It is something to contrast him now with the Rales I know from the future.


nits:

This too, is so Rales (and so male!)
I might have exaggarated some stories to amuse him.
however, that is spelled exaggerated.


What a relieve to take it off!
that is relief in this context.

[Remko]

@SubRosa Thanks, I always struggle with exxagerate. In fact, I changed it before posting because I thought I had it wrong the 1st time... guess not Arrille's voice is male so I am pretty sure it's a he.

This post has been edited by Remko: Mar 26 2010, 06:32 PM

[mALX]

Sorry, I barely had time to get on here this week. I will be catching up (hopefully, lol) <3

[Remko]

That's okay, you've read it before anyway


Day 50:

Caldera was fairly easy to get to. For a small sum of gold a Guild guide in the Mages Guild would teleport someone from one guild to the other instantly. I wished they had warned me about the weird feeling you’d get once arrived at the destination. The first few seconds after arrival I couldn’t tell what was up, down, left or right. Fortunately, the feeling soon dissipated.
The local mages had heard of the scamp trader, I could find him just around the corner in the Ghorak manor. I thanked them for the info, sold some potions to the Caldera Mages Guild alchemist and went to find Creeper, the scamp trader.

The travelling merchant Arrille had told me about hadn’t lied. On the second floor in the Ghorak manor there really was a scamp trader. I made a deal with him; I’d sell him convenient potions far beneath the commercial price and he would make sure they got sold so he could buy some from me on a regular basis. He said he usually needed a week to get his goods sold. The gold I made on selling my potions over several weeks far exceeded the value of the ebony cuirass so I kept it as decoration.

Back in Balmora I made the same deal with Nalcarya, the proprietor of the White Heaven alchemist shop. With my current fortune I couldn’t help but snickering in how wealthy I had thought myself with the missing taxman’s reward. It was dwarfed by what I had in my pockets after my successful trade-runs.

Most of it went on training sessions. I was adequate with a long-sword, fairly accurate with a bow and all the running around in the Ashlands had left me with a good stamina so needed no training in those disciplines.

Like a sponge soaking up knowledge I looked up trainers to teach me the arts of the other weapons and heavier armour than my favourite - light armour. Better weapons would carve through the light armour - like the Chitin one I usually wore - like a hot knife through butter. I had seen it happen several times with my own ebony blade. Fighting with it was both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. The blade didn’t as much as kill as mutilate my enemies in the worst possible ways.
I cringed every time at the sound of the blade slicing through armour, tissue and bones. It made me feel more like a butcher than a sword-fighter and dreaded the thought of what would happen if I ever failed to block an enemy wielding one as well.
I had to make sure I was stronger, meaner and better equipped than my opponents.



Day 55

Several days of constant training hardened me. Skills I had never bothered with, were getting more familiar to me. I even learned to endure the weight and restricted movement of my limbs in heavy and medium armour although they would never be as comfortable as the light armour I preferred.
But then again; what good is being comfortable when you’re dead?
A Nord trainer had tried to convince me into using an axe rather than a “puny” long-sword. According to him an axe was a real man’s weapon and the toothpick I was swinging was for little girls.
I politely declined but did take him up on his offer learning me some basic skills in it.
After all; you can never know when it could come in handy.

I will never be a great axe-fighter. It’s perfectly understandable huge Nords are able to handle them but for a relatively small guy like me it’s just not convenient swinging a weapon heavier and almost taller than you are.
However; handling those encumbersome weapons for days did put some muscle on my scrawny figure. This first few days all I got was a terrible muscle ache in my arms, shoulders and back. I regretted and cursed the very day I was born every night I couldn’t get asleep because of my sore and bruised body. No matter how I turned and rolled in my bed, there was always a aching part that kept me from drowsing off.

The following nights the nightmares I was having recently got gradually worse.
Most I can’t recollect but the name “Nerevarine” lingered. It felt as though it was referring to me, as if I was supposed to be him. Some books I had read not long ago mentioned the name Lord Nerevar Indoril. I wondered if it had anything do with my dreams. It was time to go back to Caius; I considered myself ready for what-ever he wanted me to do. Maybe he had an answer to who that Nerevarine character was and what the hell it had to do with me.

[mALX]

I love the paragraph you devoted to his aching muscles - how real is that !!!

[haute ecole rider]

I've been sitting back and enjoying re-reading the Rales story again.

But now I feel inclined to pop up and say I agree with Rales about fighting with a war-axe. Better left to big tall guys like Nords and Altmer. I prefer using a weapon I can at least pick up one handed! Without throwing my back out! That part tickled my funny.

[SubRosa]

It’s perfectly understandable huge Nords are able to handle them but for a relatively small guy like me it’s just not convenient swinging a weapon heavier and almost taller than you are.

Now we know Rales is not an anime character. In anime, it is not a real weapon unless it is larger than the wielder!

[Remko]

A/N: This is one of my favourite chapters. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing this.

Chapter 7: Caius explains

Day 64

‘I assume you are here to discuss orders?’ Caius asked. He didn’t ask what had taken me so long.
I nodded in agreement.
‘You better sit down, this might take some time.’
Obeying, I sat myself down on a grubby seat and awaited what the Spymaster had to say.

The next hour he briefed me on what was expected from me. He explained the Emperor had taken an interest in the rumours that kept getting stronger about what he called The Sixth House. The Emperor wanted to know if there was any truth to the rumours of it returning and wanted me to investigate. I had the sneaky suspicion he knew more than he was telling but figured he must have had his reasons not to tell me.

When I asked him why he needed me and why Caius couldn’t take care of it himself, he simply said he was too old and too high-profile. Everyone knew who he was. I was a stranger so I could get into places he was denied access to.

Recognising the simple truth in that I asked what the first thing was that he wanted me to do. Caius ordered me to look up an informant, Hasphat Antabolis, more clued up on Sixth House cultists and the legend of the Nerevarine (again that name).
Since Caius asked me to investigate upon Nerevarine I didn’t bother asking him about it. It was highly likely Caius was as clueless about that as I was.
Locating Hasphat was easy, I could find him in the local Guild of Fighters hall, just across the river Odai that divided Balmora.

Hasphat wanted a favour in return for the information. To be more specific; he wanted me to retrieve a puzzlebox from a Dwemer ruin, called Arkngthand, southeast from Balmora. According to Hasphat the ruin was easy to find - the entrance would be concealed but all I had to do is pull a crank nearby to reveal it - which turned out to be more than true. Especially when you have found out a combination of some rather common ingredients - including the flying rats’ tailfeathers - make a very convenient flying potion.

I flew across the Balmora city walls and the surrounding mountains, straight to the Dwemer ruin.
Some people in Balmora were pointing upwards when they saw me passing by.
Except for being able to go straight to my goal, another advantage was that I was moving too fast for the Cliffracers - or flying rats as I call them - to be able to get to me. My flight was uneventful, I arrived at the ruin effortlessly about an hour later. If I had been on foot it would’ve taken me three to four hours easily because of the mountains I would’ve had to circumvent.

The flying potion wore off a bit too soon for my liking; I landed a small distance from the ruin on a huge steel bridge leading to the ruin.
As soon as I set foot towards the ruin, a spell hit me full on and a skeleton attacked me. A set of carriages with crates on it on the far end of the bridge had distracted me so I overlooked a bandit, probably smuggling contraband from the ruin.
The conjured skeleton disappeared with one hit from the ebony blade.

Shouting to him I didn’t mean him harm - as far as I was converned; his business was his business - proved useless. He snarled something undistinctive and threw another spell at me which I dodged easily.
This really wouldn’t do; I gave him a fair chance to surrender. But no…. he had to do it the hard way. I guess his associates were going to have a bigger cut with him out of the way.

As Antabolis had mentioned, an unpenetrable stone cover concealed the entrance. The crank was nearby, as soon as I moved it, the stone cover moved out of the way with a mighty rumble, revealing a heavy steel door, which opened without trouble. Those Dwemer – whatever they had been - sure knew how to make hinges.
I entered into a hall where more, probably smugglers as well, bandits took offence in my presence. Let’s just say my arguments for being there were stronger than theirs.

The ruin was enormous. It took me almost a day to go through all of the lower levels and to realise that’s not where the puzzlebox was. I did find several Dwemer artifacts, convenient ingedients, books and some rare weapons. I couldn’t carry it all out so I had to be selective with what I took with me. I left the heavier items behind.
Eventually, I got back into the entrance hall, still without the puzzlebox. Frustrated I sat myself down on a stairway, rested a while and had a quick bite while thinking what I was missing. There had to be something I had overlooked.

Carefully I looked around for a door I might have missed when my gaze caught another stairway I somehow managed to have overlooked. Feeling kind of embarrassed I followed it upwards and found a door into a chamber I hadn’t been into yet.
Two more smugglers were between me and my goal: behind them was a cupboard with a small, square item I never saw before. One smuggler went down quick, he was badly armoured; my ebony blade made short work of the Breton bandit.

The second bandit, an Imperial, was armoured far better than any bandit I had come across throughout all my travels. This must have been the boss of the smuggling operation they had going on. He was more clever than the rest as well; he kept well out of reach of my terrible sword and flung one spell after the other at me. How could I have been so stupid? I remembered a magical amulet I had found with which I could silence spellcasters, rendering them nearly harmless. It took me some time to find it; of course it was entirely on the bottom of my bag. I had to swallow some more spells which were really starting to hurt.

Together with the amulet I also dug up a healing potion from my bag. I sidestepped when another spell was hurled towards me, downed the potion and activated the amulet. The Imperial tried to cast more spells but soon realised it to be futile, drew his sword and attacked me. Needless to say; that was a bad move from his side. He payed dearly.

The item in the cupboard I had spotted behind him indeed turned out to be the puzzlebox, just as I had assumed. Finally I could leave this wretched ruin and report back with Hasphat to receive the information Caius requested. Returning the way I had arrived, I got back in Balmora in the middle of the night. Rather than disturbing Hasphat, I rented a room at The Eight Plates and went to see him the next morning.

Day 66

Hasphat Antabolis was pleased with my efforts. He told me everything he knew about Sixth House cultists and its re-ascension. Unfortunately, he knew nothing about the Nerevarine legend I didn’t already know, which was basically nothing at all.
When I asked him what he wanted with a toy he scowled and said it was a key to… well something else. It appeared he didn’t want to share his little secret.
He did give me a a set of notes he made to give to Caius.

‘How did you know I came from Caius,’ I asked him. ‘I am sure I didn’t mention him.’
He sighed in a way making me feel like it was pretty obvious. ‘He still owed me favour, now we’re even.’
So that’s how it is being a spy? Doing somebody else’s dirty work? I wasn’t amused at all.

Still angry I stamped into Caius’s house and threw the notes in front of his feet.
‘Here’s your favour,’ I snarled. ‘Anything else I can do for his royal Imperial Spymaster?’ and made a mock-bow.
The sarcasm wasn’t wasted on him. Caius excused himself for using me but also put me back in my place at the same time.

‘Look, I needed to know what you’re capable of. I know it may seem as though you were doing it for me but don’t forget; you are serving the Emperor, and do so without questioning. You owe him that much for releasing you from prison and allowing you to make a life for yourself once more.’
I realised I had been out of order and looked down on my worn-out shoes in shame.
A lesson in humility I guess. With having that ouf the way I proceeded to ask him what would be next.

‘I need you to look up another informant. I hoped Hasphat could provide all the info we need but I guess you noticed there is no information about the Nerevarine in Hasphat’s notes?’
I nodded; I had indeed noticed that.
‘There is a mage in the local Mages Guild hall-‘
‘Who you owe a favour as well?’
Caius smiled. ‘You are quick to comprehend the situation. Good. That means I won’t have to repeat myself. Anyway; I would like you to look up the Orc alchemist Sharn gra-Muzgob and ask her if she knows anything about the Nerevarine.’

A realisation to the whole situation came to me as I made towards the Guild of Mages. From what I gathered, spying was all about politics. And if you said politics in Morrowind, you also said Tribunal – the living gods of Morrowind. If I was to spy on the proceedings in Vvardenfell, I needed to come close to the Tribunal. I could see no easier way to create a viable reason to be in their presence than as a representative of the Temple of the Tribunal. But first, I needed new shoes.

This post has been edited by Remko: Mar 31 2010, 11:42 AM

[mALX]

This chapter is revealing so much about Morrowind to me, the descriptions of Balmora, the explanation of the Tribunal - things someone who has never played the game can grasp onto and feel. Really love this chapter!

[SubRosa]

"Flyyyin'... flyyin' in the skyyyy.... Rales flys so high.... flyinnn..."

Sorry, I just love that Cliffracer song of Aldos Othran...

Thanks to Rales, I have started playing Morrowind.

This is so Rales:
I guess his associates were going to have a bigger cut with him out of the way.

nits:
I need to you look up another informant.
I think this was supposed to be:
I need you to look up another informant.

[Olen]

I love the description of Arkngthand, who didn't go through the whole ruin before finding that silly side room... Yes this is so Morrowind, and I love it.

I can't quite imagine how Rales will fit into the Temple though

This post has been edited by Olen: Mar 30 2010, 04:58 PM

[Destri Melarg]

Typical Rales, in the middle of a chewing out he notices the condition of his shoes. This leads to a final line that is both memorable and appropriate.

Something I think that is missing from Oblivion is the sheer exhilaration of being a part of the Blades. You get to be a Blade in Oblivion, you even get to wear Blades armor and wield an Akaviri katana, but you never really feel like one of the Emperor’s spies the way that you do in Morrowind. I am glad that you are able to capture that feeling so well through Rales.

One can really tell that you enjoyed writing this chapter. Know that this reader enjoyed reading it just as much.

[haute ecole rider]

You said that you enjoyed writing this chapter.

I can see that it's true. You have captured the exchange between Caius and Rales so beautifully, I could see it clearly in my mind's eye.

And like Destri said, Rales's preoccupation with his shoes in the midst of a figurative storm is priceless and so clearly defines Rales's character.

This whole chapter made me smile.

[Winter Wolf]

The way you write combat scenes and humor is amazing.

But no…. he had to do it the hard way. I guess his associates were going to have a bigger cut with him out of the way.

I entered into a hall where more, probably smugglers as well, bandits took offence in my presence. Let’s just say my arguments for being there were stronger than theirs.

These two lines are priceless.

[Remko]

Thanks everyone! I don't consider myself a comedy writer like Rachel (the Breton) or Helena but I have my moments.
Pleased to announce this is the chapter before he meets Zerina.


The temple hailed me with open arms. Too few were joining the temple nowadays the priests said. Rumours of the failing of the Tribunal were becoming more prevelant. It was said it was their fault the Blight was claiming more and more victims every day.
Their power was obviously waning, people were losing faith in them and turned to the Imperial cult instead.

The situation suited me just fine. All I had to do to become a member was make a pilgimage to seven Tribunal shrines scattered all around Vvardenfell. I was given the book “The Pilgrim’s path” to help me on my way which I stuck in my bag and didn’t bother looking into untill I really needed it.

The first pilgrimage was easy; The Fields of Kummu shrine was due east from Balmora.
On my way there I encountered a kind old lady who had lost her way going there as well. Together we continued and reached the shrine without serious trouble. Nothing I couldn’t handle anyway.
Nevrasa wanted to give me some gold for escorting her. Initially I declined but she insisted so I promised her to donate it to the temple. A smile on her face told me I couldn’t have made her happier.

After having donated a piece of muck to the shrine - I wouldn’t have known I had to if Nevrasa hadn’t told me - I felt a weird, elevating sensation. Everything I was carrying felt lighter. The first part of my initiation into the Temple was complete. One down, six to go.

The next two shrines were easy to reach; they were both located in Vivec. I took the Stiltstrider to Vivec, then took a gondola to the Temple where the first of my two destinations was. I was glad I was handed the book. Otherwise I would’ve never guessed I needed to donate a potion of rising force to receive a blessing. Not that I had one with me; a home-made potion wouldn’t do. I needed to buy one from the Temple. Now I understand why everyone wanting to join the temple needs to go through the pilgrimages. The Temple probably makes a decent income from selling these potions.

I flew to my next destination, - after having donated a potion of rising force to the shrine I was blessed with a long-lasting levitation spell - the palace of Vicec.
Outside the temple I quickly found the Grace of Generosity shrine and donated some gold to receive a blessing. Pay to pray I guess.

On the pilgrimages I had plenty time to think over what had happened to me the last few weeks. I had been pulled into Blades and I dove headlong into becoming an Imperial legion but so far had neglected my order to investigate the murder of Zabdas. Maybe now was a good time to follow up on these.
I had learned two shrines were nearby Gnisis; I could kill two birds with one stone. Settling the business with the murderous Orc Legionnaire and getting two more pilgrimages out of the way.

Day 68

They day I arrived in Gnisis by stiltstrider an awful storm was blowing. Most people had sought shelter in local inns or inside their homes. It almost appeared to be a ghost-town.
Again, I took the trail upwards to the egg-mine and made my way inside.
Remembering the General wanted me to find out why Lugrub had so brutally murdered the miner Zabdas, I started with talking to the miners to try to find out what they had seen or maybe had heard.

Most were still refusing to talk to me. Either they were oblivious to what had happened or just wanted to stay out of the whole deal. Or more commonly said: they were covering their own precious hides.
This wasn’t working at all, I needed another approach. Rather than investigating as a Legionnaire, I took off my armour and dressed down as a regular Dunmer. If Darius would see me I’d probably get in trouble but they way I saw it, I had no choice. If I wanted to find out the motive I would have to act sympathetic to the harsh circumstances the miners were working in.

My new approach reaped its reward. Soon, I found out most miners were scared out of their wits of Lugrub. Apparantly he acted far different than as the honourable Legionnaire Darius knew him to be. One miner let slip that Vabdas had been the only one brave enough to voice his dismay about the miners having to work their butts off in the dangerous mines while the guards do nothing to make it easier on them, which was their - our - job. According to the loose-lipped miner, Vabdas had gotten in a serious argument with Lugrub where Vabdas had threatened to take his complaints to the General just before his unfortunate accident.

In the light of this new evidence, it was convincing enough, I was sure Darius couldn’t allow this to stand in his precious Legion. I knew what was next. I was going to have to confront the Orc about his mis-behaviour. There was no doubt in my mind about the truthfulness of the miner’s story. I had been confronted with the Orc’s hideous behaviour myself weeks earlier and really doubted he would’ve changed his attitude in so little time.

At least, I didn’t have to look for him, I knew exactly where to find my soon to be ex-collegue, Lugrug gro-Ogdum.
I made my way deeper into the mine and changed into my armour. I didn’t don my usual robe to make it very clear I was on official Legion business. After having checked my weapons - the ebony blade was as sharp as ever, it appeared it never needed sharpening - I opened the door and hollered: ’Lugrub, time to face justice! General Darius has ordered you to put down your weapons and surrender!’

‘I’m never surrendering to a whelp like you,’ he barked while running in my direction with a menacing grin on his ugly green face and his axe raised high above his head.
I swallowed hard. An Orc coming at you swinging his huge axe is a very intimidating sight, I wasn’t unsensitive to his posture at all. I didn’t intend on under-estimating him. That would have been a deadly mistake on my side. I readied my sword and braced for impact.

The fight was long, hard and sweaty. I kept darting away from the swing of his axe as soon as I recognised it and blocked the blows I couldn’t get away from. Every hit I blocked send a spur of pain throughout my entire body.
Sweat was pouring down my neck, across my arms and straight into my handpalms. The feel on my sword wasn’t what I was used to and a sensation – fear – made me feel most uneasy. I had to change the course of this fight or it would end with a very bloody - and very dead - Dunmer on the ground.

Swing after swing crashed into the rocks underneath our boots, barely missing me. It was getting harder to dodge his swings, I was getting tired. I had hoped swinging the heavy weapon would fatigue the Orc before I was fatigued by dodging it but I had been wrong. The Orc had a strength and stamina unsurpassed. A frightening thought rattled my existence- I was going to lose this battle if I didn’t act fast.
I jumped out of the way of another swing of the axe and jabbed my sword to where I had been a split second ago. The blade cut deep into the Orc’s left arm but he didn’t as much as flinch even though blood was pouring out of the wound staining his bracers crimson.

Then, I made a mistake. For a brief moment I blinked the sweat from my eyes and was too late dodging the flat of the axe aiming towards my head. All I saw was a flash and then everything went black. It could’ve been a second, it could’ve been an hour, I don’t remember. What I do remember was a load of screams from behind the Orc just before I was hit and went unconscious.

When I came around, the proud warrior was reduced to a pile of green and red all-over with several miners standing around him with all sorts of sharp objects; pick-axes, chisels, anything they could their hands on. I guess they finally had found the courage to stand up to the lazy guard who had killed one of them and to save the man who had defended their rights and the honour of their murdered collegue.
He had been maimed to the point of being unrecognisable. I turned and retched up my stomach’s contents. My head was still ringing with the blow and I had severe difficulty focusing. Suddenly I felt my knees getting weak and I collapsed into a helpless heap on the ground.

This post has been edited by Remko: Apr 1 2010, 11:13 AM

[Olen]

Good update. The miners joining in is a particuarly nice touch, adds a realism and interaction with the environment which the game lacked. Just what i like in a fanfic

a home-made potions wouldn’t do - a typo, I don't normally bother pointing them out (or notice them unless I'm looking) but this one was quite distracting.

"Pay to pray I guess" - catches the temple exactly. So morowind.

[haute ecole rider]

I had noticed the same thing as Olen:

Pay to pray I guess.

It's not unique to Morrowind. I've seen that IRL as well.

It's great that Rales knows he's not über, but still goes ahead and confronts a guy that is twice his size. He does it because he has to do it, because it's the right thing to do.