When We Die

Prologue: A wind among chimes.

Dack Sparks blinked his bloodshot eyes, staring at the now open book before him. It was nearing the end of the day, and the Imperial was graciously prepared to rush off to his ragtag bedroll so that he could promptly crash out into the night. The thin pillow and itchy blanket he had escaped from some hours ago seemed like Heaven compared to the lethargic boredom he was facing throughout the day. Around him, his fellow Blade and Grandmaster Jauffre made quiet noises that typically seemed to crescendo from his position at the bookcase where he continued to mundanely scan the pages of the first book he had picked up.

The twenty-one year old Blade shifted his weight onto the opposite foot and yawned, his Akaviri Katana clanking quietly against his armor as he did so. Weynon Priory was quiet for the most part this time of day, with Jauffre and Captain Stephan conversing in hushed voices at the grandmaster's desk about something that Dack had no idea about. He was just along for the ride from Cloud Ruler Temple to Chorrol at Jauffre's request. Although Dack wasn't picked personally for this assignment, Captain Stephan had argued with Caroline that he needed some experience outside of the temple, which was something that he did admittedly lack. And, despite the utter boredom of the assignment, he was pleased that he managed to take a short break from the biting cold of Cloud Ruler temple.

Down the stairs in the main hall, two young Breton girls sat at one of the small round wooden tables, their eyes glued to a few scrolls of many that were scattered around the table, along with potions, books and the like. Pacing around them like some sort of predator waiting to pounce on their prey was an elderly monk, his grey thinning hair and scraggily beard only complimented the wrinkles on his face. His hands were folded at the small of his back as he carefully scrutinized their each move, making sure no mistakes were made that would potentially put either of his student's lives in danger. Both wore dark matching robes that completely contrasted their teacher's abnormally white ones.

Everything was put on indefinite hiatus when a loud knocking echoed throughout the farm house. Stephan and Jauffre immediately ceased their hushed conversation and turned towards the source of the noise. The monk quirked an eyebrow and politely excused himself from his students and took a few steps towards the door. Suddenly, Jauffre's eyes grew wide and he leapt up from his seat with more agility than Dack thought anyone that age could have. "No! Don't open the-"

It was too late. As if on cue, the door exploded, showering the monk with bits of wood that shot through the air every which way. Reflexively, the elderly peace keeper threw his arms in front of his face to shield himself. It was to no avail, almost as soon as the door had mysteriously shattered a large stream of lightning careened through the air and struck the man dead in the chest, sending him into a wall on the opposite side of the room. "Master!" One of the girls screeched and rose to her feet. Her comrade followed suit, and both were met with a belch of lighting, silencing them indefinitely.

Dack had long ago drew his blade and prepared to charge down the stairs, only to be halted by Stephan, whom grabbed him by the shoulders and flung him backwards. "No!" He seethed. "This man is far too powerful for us! You'd be dead before you reached the doorway!"

Dack blinked and scowled. "Who is it?"

The Captain opened his mouth to speak, but was beaten to it by a deep, hoarse voice. "I am Mixagul."

All three Blades turned to see two figures at the head of the stairs. The first one, the man who had spoken, was clad in dark colored ropes with a symbol knitted into the front that Dack did not recognize. Judging from his sharp facial features, pointed ears and height, or lack thereof, he was a Bosmer. His comrade, who was of similar heritage, stood beside him, a smile plastered on her childish face and a bow straddled across her back.

Dack could hear Stephan gulped as he turned to face the mysterious duo fully. "What do you want?"

The male Bosmer, Mixagul, ignored the question. Instead his eyes scrutinized the three men before him and, like any traditional Bosmer, answered a question with a question. "Which one of you is Jauffre, grandmaster of the Blades?"

Dack noted Stephan exchanging a worried glance with Jauffre, who remained stoic. "Who's asking?" He growled in answer, hand moving to the hilt of his Katana.

The girl's smile turned into frown and, with speed faster than anything Dack had seen before, drew her bow and knocked an arrow. "Wrong answer, Imperial!" She hissed and let the arrow fly, smirking as it lodged itself right between Stephan's eyes. Dack stared in complete horror as his Captain, and long time friend, slumped to the ground lifelessly, mouth hanging agape and blank eyes staring into nothingness.

"Jauffre!" Dack drew his Katana and leapt towards the two assailants. "Run!"

Before he had even taken three steps Mixagul raised his hand and a green aura enveloped Dack, freezing him in place. "No!" He shouted. A paralysis spell. This wasn't good. Judging by the female Bosmer's rather crude curse, he assumed Jauffre had gotten away.

"Find him." Mixagul ordered, eyes never wavering from Dack's frozen figure. With a quick nod, his partner jumped to the side out of Dack's field of view.

Mixagul took a step towards him and unsheathed a small dagger at his side, mockingly examining it his captive watched helplessly. "Who are you?"

"That," Mixagul began, still refusing to meet Dack's eyes. "Is a question you already know, my friend. However," He cleared his throat and finally looked up. "I understand how slow you Imperial types are. I am Mixagul, Master Wizard."

"Never heard of you," Dack spat back.

The Bosmer grunted and shrugged before returning his focus to the dagger. "No matter, you won't be alive to hear of anyone else, either."

A chill cascaded down Dack's spine. The Bosmer's words were dripping with venom and seriousness. He closed his eyes slowly. "Why?" He asked calmly.

The Bosmer seemed to freeze and look up, eyes slanted. "Excuse me?"

"Why?" Dack repeated. "Why are you doing this?"

The question seemed to bother the Wizard and he chewed on his lower lip thoughtfully. After a few long moments of silence, he smiled lightly and chuckled. He took a few steps towards Dack and placed one hand on his victim's shoulder and his lips close to his ear. Due to Mixagul's shortness, he had to stand on his toes, and the scene would have almost been comical if not for such dire consequences. "That my friend," He whispered. "I do not even understand myself."

Dack let out a grunt of agonizing pain as the dagger was slid into his side. Before everything went black, the Bosmer took a few steps back and lowered his head. "I'm sorry."

Dack fell to the ground, a small pool of blood rapidly beginning to form around his corpse.

Strange. Mixagul thought, wiping the dagger off on a nearby cloth and sheathing it. He was a peculiar one. Not like the others… He looked around the room once more and shrugged. No matter. What's done is done.

And with that, he flicked his wrist and a fireball ignited a nearby pillar. "Let all be forgotten." He voiced before exiting back the way he came, leaving the Weynon Priory in a fiery blaze.

Well? What did you think? Constructive criticism is always welcome. So please review and tell me what you think! In the next chapter we will introduce one (maybe two) of our protagonists!