Chapter 1 Swords…
Assassination, deliberate death upon a person of great important, prompted by military, political or other motives. An act done for one's own greed, for fame and desires, or of ill intent for fools' righteousness. Beware for a poor choice may end ones' life.
13th February, Ylisse
Within Castle Ylisstol
Castle Ylisstol was the home to countless generations of Ylisse's royalty, as well as temporary housing for the Shepherds. Some were tired from their journey to and from the border between Ylisstol and Plegia, while a few stayed to either unwind or improve their skill. Yet, within the sparring room, a boy in his late teens grunted as he struggled to remove his embedded lance.
"Dang nab it!" cried the messy, taupe-haired boy. He pulled and pulled till he fall back onto the floor.
"You must be stronger then you look, Donny," another man chucked. The young soldier-in-training looked up to meet eyes with an equally messy haired man, Stahl. With an offering hand, Stahl pulled Donnel up to his feet. Both men turn to see Donnel's handy work. The country youth sighed seeing his lance still in the wooden dummy.
"Well, it seems you have shown mastery over the lance," Stahl said as he freed the piece of weaponry from the practice dummy.
"Y'all could say that," a modest Donnel spoke.
Both of Stahl's hands locked to the hilt, and he placed foot to the dummies wooden gut; with all his might, he failed just the same as the Shepherds newest recruit had. With a grunt the green armored knight said, "We might need Sully to get this thing out."
"Waden't she fixin' to hit the hay?" the young lad reminded his trainer and friend.
A hint of fear washed over the normally mellow knight as he stated, "I believe its best we leave her be." He glanced over at the wooden dummy. "At least till we know she is fully rested, that is."
The farm boy nodded and made his way to the nearest weapon rack. With each practice weapon, thoughts and desire danced in Donnel's head. All his life, he believed he was destined to be a farmer, not that he would've mind. Sure, it may seem a simple life to some, or perhaps a hard one to others, but Donnel wouldn't have it any other way. He was happy and proud to help his mother and father with their work, as well as anyone else that needed a helping hand. Since he was always so focused on others, he had a great difficulty focusing on simply which arm best suited him.
Donnel wasn't as simple-minded as most people thought he was, but he admitted honestly that tomes went way over his head. He had proven his skill with a lance a few times, and even donned a full, heavy suit of honor (which was extremely uncomfortable, never to be worn again). He was fine with a bow, however nowhere near Virion's level of archery. The former villager searched throughout the wooden pieces. Few moments passed till Donnel found his eye kept returning to a sword. Picking up the wooden piece of craft, Donnel turn to Stahl.
With a gleam in his eye, Donnel asked Stahl, "Ya reckon I'll be any good with this?"
Smiling, the young knight joined his friend, he too drawing a wooden sword from the weapon rack. "Only one way to find out Donny," Stahl replied with a smirk as the two slated for the practice ring.
"It had been a mistake," the words slipped though the mage mouth as he wandered about the halls of Castle Ylisstol. Ricken, for most of his life, had either kept his nose to old tomes, or tried to act older then his true age. More often than not, however he did everything he could to redeem his family name. This ranged from becoming the court wizard to the Exalt, creating a new form of spell, or even playing the part of a hero. Anything to resource his family's honor. Ironically, he hadn't considered by what means he would reach to do so.
If by becoming a court wizard, would he have to surrender a part of himself? Would this "new spell" create ill effects that would befall on to others? Saving one's life however… Ricken came to a rationalization that at times, by saving one life, another may be lost in the process. Earlier, he played a grind role in a rescue.
At the Border Pass, a noble by the name of Maribelle had tried at playing spy and found herself captured. During the rescue attempt, Maribelle had managed avoiding her capturers until she was facing a cliff. Seeing none of the others where nearby, Ricken took it upon himself to charge in to aid her. As he came closer to the noble, he spotted a wyvern rider appearing from out of nowhere. With quick-thinking, the mage unleashed an Elwind spell, the end result being the rider forcefully unsaddled from his winged beast. Ricken stood still in shock, for he only meant to stun the air-born foe.
The world seemed to be frozen, save for the falling rider and Ricken's eyes as they followed the man to the earth below. All other sounds were drowned by his screaming.
"It had been a mistake," the youth said to himself again. "…That spell was meant for the wyvern… he just happened to charge as I released it…" Being as young as he was, Ricken had trouble keeping a calm demander. Luckily for him, he was short and was well-able to hide his face under his oversized mage's hat. Yet, no amount of hiding, spell costing, nor miles could save him from knowing he had taken another life.
"Ricken there you are!" a cheery voice exclaimed. Turning, Ricken found himself face-to-face with the princess of Ylisse, Lissa. The blonde maiden gave a warming smile to the young mage. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
"R-really?" He shuddered, hearing that his voice was shaking with anxiety.
"Of course, silly," the bubbly princess said. "Marbelle and I were going to have some tea, and I was hoping maybe you'll join us."
Ricken nodded. "Sure I'll love to have some tea." With a smile, Lissa turned and began to skip merrily down the hall. Following the skipping princess, Ricken gave a small sigh as he felt disturbing thoughts clawing at his psyche.
"A cup or two sounds about right…" the sickened mage thought out loud.
Sun's Daw 12th, Tamriel
Near Windhelm
Smoke clang to the lone figure as he entered the gates of Windhelm. Though he smelled of fire, his clothing showed little to no burns, nor any scars seemed to have been added to his body. The city guards rushed to his aid, offering any assesses that he may have needed; he, however, brushed the two aside as he stated, "If you wish to assist, then tend to my steed." He pointed towards a dark, bulky stallion. Without another word, the man resumed his pace. Passing though the massive gate, the man noticed how many windows were dim, how quiet the streets were (aside for the minor footsteps of patrolling soldiers). The lone male quickly made his way through allies and pathways towards one of the houses of Windhelm, Hjerim. He started to unlock the door, only to find it had already been unlocked.
Calder must have forgotten to lock up again, he thought. Entering the once-empty building came a welcoming sight. Through the main room was largely open space. There were furniture placed about, such as two small wardrobes between the front door, a table to his right, and a small kitchen to his left. Yet, something was troubling. He found it odd that the last time he was home the small room, which had been barren, was now serving as a kitchen. In fact, he even heard the faint crackle of burning wood.
"Welcome home my Thane." The servant of the household called. "The kitchen has been set. I'll have food and whatever ingredients you wish by dawn." Housecarls, just as Calder as well as another, were appointed to serve and honor those viewed worthy of the title of "Thane", which were heroes or heroines who had done great deeds for jarls and their Hold.
"Excellent," the man simply voiced. With a fire glowing in the new found oven, his burned scent would be masked. "Buy as many supplies we'll need." He handed the housecarl a coin purse, nearly bursting with gold.
"A messenger came by earlier, my Thane," Calder began. "Galmar has called a meeting for all Stormcloak commanders. The meeting will be held within the Palace of the Kings, from dusk till dawn."
The young commander nodded. "Thank you, Calder. And please, call me Mahir."
With both a nod and a yawn, the housecarl began to travel up the stairs, only to pause a moment to inform Mahir of the fresh hay been placed for his bed, before heading off to his own. Carefully listening to his servant's footsteps, Mahir sat and waited.
13th February, Ylisse
Outside of Castle Ylisstol
Outside the walls stood two men, one in hooded clothing with blades lining his leather bracers. The other dressed in a robe of some kind, jewelry cling to his head.
"Castle Ylisstol…" the aged man spoke. "Are you certain there are only but a handful of guardsmen?"
"Yes, master," the assassin answered
A delighted chuckle came from the robed man as he locked his gaze to the peaceful palace. "Send in your men." The hooded man nodded, and just as he was to inform his forces, the robed man spoke once more. "And remember, I want the Emblem in my hand and Emmeryn dead where she stands. Let nothing distract you from either purpose."
"As you wish."
Deep within the tree line waited a skirmish of Plegians' dark mages and cavaliers. Among their forces was a slim amount of hired mercenaries and thieves, along with a handful of archers. One hired hand, a red-headed man going by the name of Gaius, had used his time to form a method to break into the royal treasury. Again. His thoughts were disturbed, however, by the very man that hired him. It wasn't due to how he was shouting orders about, but by his movement. Gaius watched as the bladed bracers-wearing man whispered to two other hooded men. After their quick exchange, the twins (as Gaius called them) left the group to do whatever they were told to do. The red-head hardly listened to the orders his boss gave out while he took a bite from a sweet roll.
"Alright men, get into formation," the bladed man ordered as he visited each fraction. "Sell-swords up front! Those of you with nimble fingers either join their ranks or be on standby until the archers provide an alternative means of entering. Two will be needed to rise the gates. Once the gates are open, cavaliers rush in and prevent anyone from escaping. Grimleals!" Gaius lazily eyed the few dark mages that had formed a group away from the main forces. "Do as you please."
"This is going to be the easiest job I've been on," a hulking green being said.
At first, Gaius had barely followed what the Orc was saying… that is, until he heard his following words.
"Ylisseans are too soft to be true warriors," the seemingly overconfident Orc complained.
"What are you going on about, Fang?"
The Orsimer mercenary groaned, "Oh I never get tired of hearing that name," he sarcastically stated. "We're finally getting this job over and done with, and I'll be able to return to my stronghold."
"So tell me, Fang. What is so important about getting this gold?" Gaius pried at the steel armored Orc.
"During my foolish youth, I wished to see the world beyond the gates of the stronghold. Once my training was completed, I left and haven't looked back since."
"And it wasn't what you thought it would be," Gaius vocally realized.
The Orc nodded as he looked over his sword, the blade seemingly crudely made; yet the red-headed thief had seen it cut though steel plate armor far easier than a knife through cloth.
"A week ago, I received a letter. My brother has became the new Chief of my formal stronghold, as well as offering me a place once more." The proud Orc slid his helmet on. "I do not wish to return with only shame. This will be my final job before I return home."
"And where do you hail from, Fang?" Gaius asked one last time.
"Skyrim, Ylissean, perhaps you should visit it one day," The Orc, Chorbash Gro-Dushnikh, left to act as a heavy forcer for the skirmish.
Authors' notes
Sorry about the wait everyone. Life had me by the ropes and schooling was giving it a helping hand. So I'm sorry to say but, I'll try to post chapters as soon as I can. I just hope everyone is enjoying the fic. I wanted to post this on my birthday as a gift for you all. But I couldn't wait so here it is. In other words. I forgot to thank two awesome authors for proof reading my last chapter as well this one, big shout out to smileplases91 and DeltaV. Check out some of their fine works.
