Prologue
I lay here in my bed, fresh out of the Imperial Prison. So many years of being forced to live in a dark, damp and confined cell having only the gravelly tiles and a bug ridden bedroll to sleep on. Constantly beaten by the Imperial Guard and fed scraps that had been pissed on and dropped on the floor – I just can't seem to get the grit out of my teeth. Not to mention my neighbouring cell mate Valen Dreth, a Dark Elf like myself, who almost drove me mad with his incessant verbal torment. It's hard to believe that I am finally back in Skingrad... much to the dismay of my neighbours. My house is just as I remember it. My room is large and spacious with a grand mahogany bed covered in red silk, pictures of my past line the walls. They used to comfort me and I'd turn to my would-be wife and smile, I'd fall asleep with thoughts of our future leading the way. Now they mock me, they speak of past long gone and imply an impossible future. My darling Ethasi, she has left me, gone, all because of that blasted Wood Elf and my foul temper. THE 'KER! Even in death he enrages me. Never will I forget the day our paths crossed.
I was on my way back from a long and arduous trip to the Imperial city. I had gone all the way to Red Diamond Jewellery in the Imperial Market District to pick up a gorgeous gold and diamond necklace for my fiancé. The sparkles gleamed through the warped, diamond emblem and reminded me of the twinkle she had in her eye. This twinkle would spark as she confided secrets within me or told me she loved me – I smiled the whole way home. I finally reached the gates of Skingrad and could not wait to surprise Ethasi with the true reason behind "reporting to Imperial Legion Headquarters". As I entered the quaint city, what I noticed to be a beggar child carelessly bumped into me and ran off out of sight down an alleyway, "Watch where you're running you filthy pauper!" I cried. I couldn't believe the nerve and lack of manners children had these days. After a moment of grumbling and annoyance my mind wandered back to thoughts of Ethasi. I dug into my pocket to take another look at the priceless necklace once more before I surprised her with it. It was gone! I frantically checked all my pockets and even removed my clothing in a vain attempt to find the gift. It had struck me; the child! He stole the necklace. Without thinking, without putting on my clothes, I gave chase to the boy and sprinted down the dark alley.
The alleyway was narrow and reeked of sewage. My nostrils flared and I cringed at the putrescent stench. The smell caused my eyes to water and I had to wipe them in order to see in the dim light. By this point I was fuming with rage, this boy was soon to learn what happens when you cross an adept Spellsword. As I ran forward I eventually heard whimpering coming from the end of the alley. As I approached, the light was protruding through the entrance and clearly showed the child on the ground clutching something. "Surely it's the necklace!" I thought. I knelt down by the boy and opened his hand. Without doubt, the necklace was there. I sighed with relief and my rage calmed, I was ecstatic that the necklace was there not to mention that the filthy ker was hurt. I gleefully reached to take the necklace for myself but as I gripped it, it fell apart in my hands. The clumsy fool broke the necklace, the gift for my beloved Ethasi! Rage welled within me. I picked the boy up and slammed him against the alley wall. "WHY! IT TOOK DAYS OF TRAVEL FOR ME TO ACQUIRE THAT NECKLACE! NOT TO MENTION THE AMOUNT OF OVERTIME SHIFTS I HAD TO WORK FOR THE GUARD IN ORDER TO PAY FOR IT!" I screamed and spat. The boy simply whimpered again. "FILTHY WOOD ELF! HAVE YOU NOTHING TO SAY!" I screamed once more. My hands balled into fists and all hell broke loose. I became the very rage that welled within me. I slammed my fists against him, over and over. I couldn't see myself stopping. The sound of bone cracking echoed through the alley, it was horrid. Horror struck, I let the boy go and he slumped to the ground, lifeless. "What have I done!" I cried out in shame and sprinted home.
I reached the manor in a panic. I opened the door and stumbled into the house. My darling Ethasi was sitting in the dining room chatting with one of my co-workers in the Skingrad Guard. Guilt whirled within me and I found myself crying and explaining what happened to both of them as I stood naked in the dining room. Humility is too tame of a word to describe me in that moment. Needless to say, killing a child with your bare fists in a fit of rage isn't taken lightly. My Ethasi could never even bear to look at me from that point on; she cried and begged me to leave as I justified my rage in futility. My co-worker had heard enough and escorted me to the watch house. With tears welling and a final glance at my beloved, I trudged behind him with my head hung in shame.
Ten years I've spent in that watch house, Ten years to try to forget. It was to no avail, unfortunately. I kiss the portrait of Ethasi, that still sat by my bed, goodnight and slowly doze into sleep.