Hello! I am back with Chapter Two! Sadly, I had hoped to have this up two weeks ago, but i managed to get this up today. Thanks to the one who reviewed my story, it means a lot! So don't hesitate to review, even if it's to say "Good job" its something that helps keep me going! So without further waiting, Please read on!

Chapter 2: The Return

Inside Riften's Mistveil Keep, the scene is one that the people present have witness numerous times these past few years, one of the Jarl yelling at his commander.

"It has been Two years and still nothing about those bastards who burnt down my armory and stole my gold! And now you tell me that even adding Five Thousand Gold to each of those Whore sons, at your suggestion I might add, they have not been seen since they most likely left the hold!" The Jarl proceeds to get off his throne, and begins pacing back and forth. The action causes those within sword arm distance to become nervous. "Those animals have beaten every bounty hunter I have sent at them, every scouting party into other holds report no sightings.. not to mention I can't send a force out to try to locate them without invading other holds! So you tell me what it is I should do now?!" Without bothering to wait for a reply, the Jarl back hands one of his chamber maids.

"Jarl, I understand your anger, however, short of raising the bounties by a hundred thousand gold or hiring better bounty hunters.. there really isn't much more you can do at this point but wait." The commander states, which causes the Jarl to become even more angry where he begins stomping on the chamber maid he struck down. Only after her screams stop does the Jarl seems satisfied.

The Jarl signals some guards to take the corpse out of the room, which Three guards help carry out the task. After the room has been cleared the Jarl sits back down in his throne, rubbing his head in frustration. Turning his attention back to the commander, "I want you to go out and collect the taxes."

"But Jarl, the people have already paid their taxes a month in advance."

"I don't care! Go out and fine the bastards then! Begone!" The Jarl cuts off his commander, dismissing him before he could even finish his response. The commander simply turns on his heel and walks out to preform his task, summoning a contingent of Five guards to escort him out to the city.

Making their way out to the market place the group see simple commerce being conducted. Stepping up to one of the fruit stands ran by a simple middle aged Nord, the Commander, with reluctance, "Do you have a permit to do business here?"

The Nord in question turns to the Commander, a small measure of fear evident on his features, "No sir, the guards told me I did not need one."

With a sigh, the Commander turns towards his accompanying guards. "Confiscate all the fruit."

The Commander looks around their area, and notices that their presence is beginning to cause a scene. Noticing that some of the people there doing their business begin to show their discontent by grunting and shouting at the guards about it not being right. The Commander turns to one of the guards not gathering the fruit, a young recruit recruit judging by stubble on his face, and says, "You, I want you to rush to the castle and bring a large contingent of guards back with you, with haste!" with a dismissal, the young guard rushes to complete his task. Shifting back to the Nord fruit seller, the commander continues his business, "It will be Two Gold fine for selling without a permit or up to Four months in jail. What is your choice?"
The unnamed Nord, with a regretful sigh, digs into his pockets and pulls out his earnings for the day. Counting the Silver and Copper coins, he hands over the necessary amount to the commander, ignoring the cries of injustice from the other shopkeepers.

Accepting the coins the Commander dismisses the man, after warning him about having permits. Turning to the other people in the marketplace, some who looked ready to attack the guards, the Commander calls back his men gathering the fruit and forming a loose formation, all the guards drawing their weapons. "All of you return to your business, or you will be fined for loitering!" Seeing that the response doesn't get the desired effect the group of guards prepare for confrontation, as the people begin surrounding the outnumbered group.

"All of you best disperse or else!" One of the guards shouts, waving his sword at the crowd in a futile attempt to disperse the crowd.

When the attempt at intimidation failed, the guards begin backing away as the people begin to surround them. The people gathered grab makeshift weapons from wherever they could grab them, some wielding basic clubs to iron weapons gathered from the stalls selling assorted iron weapons. The people in the back of the group pick up rocks or small items and begin hurling them at the guards.

This causes one of the guards to impale a female Nord in her chest in front of him while shouting, "Disperse or die!"

The site of the guard killing one of them causes the people around them to charge the guards, intent on killing them. The marketplace erupts into a bloody melee between the guards versus the people in the marketplace. During the riot two of the four guards are killed when the numbers of the rioters over power them and brutally killed them by impaling them dozens of times with their weapons.

The remaining guards and commander were able to kill a dozen or so people, however the situation gets more grim as the begin to tire. As the crowd begins to ready for another charge, over thirty fully armed guards rush into the market area being led by the guard that was ordered to get help. With the tide turned, it only took a few more minutes of the guards killing the people in the market area for them to restore order.

The Commander pulls his blade out of one of the rioters and wipes the blood off of it with a cloth, sighing. Looking around he spots numerous bodies littering the ground, a few bodies dressed in guards armor. The other guards present begin gathering the bodies of their comrades, and help their wounded. The rest of the guards are going around making sure the rioters are dead by thrusting their blades into their bodies, and arresting everyone in the area for revolting. Turning his attention to a guard not even five feet away, tending to one of the wounded guards, he walks over to the man.

The guard on a knee, wrapping a bandage on the wounded man's upper arm, is without his helmet, no doubt lost in the chaos of the riot. Clearing his throat the commander gains the guard's attention. Turning his head to the noise he spots his commander, and recognizing his superior, grabs the other wounded guard's hand and presses it against his wound. Rising up he salutes his commander, "Yes sir! What do you need?"

"I need a casualty report detailing the amount of guards lost, and how many rioters were killed. Make sure the wounded guards get treated as soon as possible." The commander responds in a hard tone. Turning back to the riot area, looking over the mass of dead. "As for the bodies, burn them. Remove their heads and put them on spears around the marketplace as a warning to the people to fall in line or share their fate."

"Sir, what of the guards who died?" The guard inquires, looking at his fallen friends, regretful for their deaths.

The commander looks down, at his feet lies the young guard that he ordered to get reinforcements. His hard features soften as he kneels down at the young man's head and removes his helmet, revealing short blond hair and a large wound showing both skull bone and brain matter. Sighing, the commander looks into the young man's face, frozen in fear. Bringing his right hand up, and cradling his head with his left arm, he softly closes the young man's eyes for the last time, "May Mara keep you..." As gently as he could, the commander lowers the dead boy's head to the ground.

The guard from earlier, watching his commander, looks on. After a few more moments he clears his throat, "Sir?"

The commander rises up, and turns to the man, regaining his hard tone in his voice. "I want all guards that died brought to the Hall of the Dead for burial. I'm also ordering martial law in Riften. I want every guard ready to be on duty for their assignments when they are passed out. There will be a curfew at dusk." The commander turns his back to the guard, heading to Mistviel Keep.

"Sir, if anyone is found outside during curfew? How much is the fine?" The guard asks, causing the commander to stop.

Not even turning around to face the guard, the commander responds simply. "Death." Leaving the bewildered guard to his tasks. While walking to the keep, he passes numerous residents who flee into their homes, no doubt hearing about the bloodshed in the marketplace. The commander ignores this, instead focuses on how to inform the Jarl about the incident. Deep down inside he feels that its sad that he himself is safe from the Jarl's backlash but the people under the Jarl's tyranny wont be so lucky.

Clearing his head of such thoughts the commander nods his head to the two guards at the outside door way and proceeds to make his way in. Looking around the room, he notices numerous people in line to have an audience with the Jarl, no doubt either trying to buy favor from him or to get on their Jarl's good side. With a sigh he clears his throat, and with a loud voice, "All of you, the Jarl is no longer available for audiences until further notice. Riften is under martial law now, so I suggest you leave the keep now or be arrested for trespassing." His words have the desired effect as he watches the gathered people rush out.

One of the guards walk up to him, "Sir? What is going on?"

"There was a riot in the marketplace, numerous guards were killed. No one is allowed into the keep unless they are guards or workers. Everyone coming in and out is to be searched, regardless of rank. I want the head guards and watch commanders informed of this as well." He replies, dismissing the guard and makes his way over to the Jarl, who judging by the scowl on his face is not happy.

"I demand to know what you are doing!" The Jarl yells, annoyed. He rises up from his throne and stomps over to the commander, grabbing the front of his robes in rage. "I told you to simply get me more gold.

The commander looks at the Jarl, not intimidated by him in the least. "You forget yourself, during martial law the commander is in control. The previous Jarl, your parents, dictated as such before their passing. Now I suggest you go count your gold, I have your mess to clean up." Shrugging the hands off and walking past the Jarl, who stomps out of the room in rage, the commander heads to his office.

Sitting down at his desk he goes over the events of the day. He knows that all the events of today only did one thing, and that was plant the seeds of further rebellion. He never understood why the Jarl behaves the way he does, and frankly at this point it no longer matters. Didn't he realize that his lust for gold and pleasures of the flesh does is create more hostility? More work for the guards that have to keep the peace? No, none of that matters to him. Only his gold and the occasional woman. 'Sometimes I wish I didn't promise the Jarl's predecessor, his father, to watch over him.. however its my duty, no matter how much I do not like it... I just hope this day doesn't get any worse' His thoughts are interrupted as an out of breath guard rushes into his office, his body littered with battle wounds. The commander curses his luck, figuring that it just got worse due to the wounds on the guard. "What is it? Out with it!" The commander shouts, not giving time for the out of breath guard to catch his breath.

"Sir! Reports have come in. Thirteen guards have died in the marketplace riot, two being squad commanders and another being a watch commander..." The guard reports, a few drops of blood falling from his form onto the ground.

"Damn!" The commander slams a hand down onto the table. "How many people died?"

"Over a hundred and still counting, over Forty as well have been arrested." Replies the guard, holding his left side, some blood of which seeps through his fingers. Judging from the amount flowing, no doubt a decent wound to the side.

"Get yourself patched up. I doubt that we have seen the last of the rioting, and I will need every able guard available. Dismissed!" The commander dismisses the guard, who heads directly to the healers. Watching the guard go he pulls out a bottle of black briar reserve mead, though puts it back in the drawer as this is no time to be drinking.

Another guard runs into the room as the commander begins looking at some papers on his desk. "Another riot has broken out sir! It's in the residential area."

Shooting out of his seat, as if it was alight, he draws his sword. "I want every available guard in the keep to lock it down. Only open those doors to any military or guard personnel. Also have more guards posted near the armory, as well as the gates. And send out a rider to our army to the south to recall Two Thousand soldiers back to Riften immediately."

Both the guard and the commander leave the room in a rush, the guard going to the war room to deliver the message and the commander rushes to the courtyard in front of the keep. Reaching outside, he finds a column formation of guards numbering One hundred, Five man per row and Twenty rows total. In front of the formation stands a man dressed in full iron armor, wielding a sword and shield. Knowing this man to be a lieutenant, and a skilled one at that, the lieutenant salutes him, the commander being one of the few men in charge he is able to respect. "I am in need of your men, lieutenant."

The lieutenant simply scoffs, "You know me better than that sir, I have always told you simply tell me where you need us to be and we will follow. Where do you need us?"

A smirk graces the commander's face, despite the day turning out to be a horrible day. The man before him, while crude, has proven himself time and time again to be a competent leader. Though he can be harsh on his men, he is loyal and a skilled fighter. "We are needed in the residential district. Another riot has broken out. I don't want another blood bath so try to keep civilian casualties low. I need your men to help restore order there. I shall be accompanying you."

"Yes sir! Lead the way!" The lieutenant roars out, his men echoing behind him.

The Group, with both the commander and lieutenant leading, run in full sprint to the residential district with their weapons drawn, fully intent to restore order in the city of Riften.

"Alright sir, it would seem your paperwork is in order. Welcome to The Rift. I advise you to not cause any trouble here. Conduct your business and begone." A Rift guard says to a young male wood elf, traveling with a large caravan. This wood elf stands around five foot tall. He has long brown hair that is pulled back into a pony tail. His clothing consists of simple gray tunic and dark blue pants, though it would be hard to spot due to the worn leather armor he wears over it. On his back rests a simple leather quiver, full of arrows that have seen some time, as well as a simple hunting bow. Though when the Nord guard turns his back, to inspect the rest of their cargo he fails to see the young Bosmer spit towards him with a sneer. The group he is traveling with consists of around fifty people of various races, though mostly Nord, all wearing a dark green cloak that conceals their bodies and dark green cowl that covers their head and the lower part of the face. The large group are escorting five horse drawn wagons, each covered in large brown cloth, obscuring the contents inside. Making no other conversation the group makes their way down the road, and when a few miles away from the border guard they break from the road and spend the next two weeks moving south-west. Their destination shared by multiple other groups making their way to the same spot, one being lead by a Redguard, A Khajiit, a Breton, and a Nord.

Two weeks pass and the group lead by some of the cloaked figures. The unique feature of the cloaked figures would have to be the fact when their hoods of their cloaks are up as well as their cowls, it makes for identifying them next to impossible. Not to mention due to the dark green cloaks it helps hide the men in the woods during the night. They are known as Rangers. Their armor consists of a light leather armor chest piece, no shoulder guards. Leather arm bracers and leather grieves consist of the remaining armor equipped to them. The Ranger being lightly armored is due to the fact is to gift the wearer highest mobility as well as maneuverability. The rest of the uniform consists of simple long sleeved, but thick due to the cold, dark blue shirt that is mostly covered by the armor. Dark green pants are worn, with the pant legging tapering off into leather boots that travel up mid calf, the grieves provided a little extra protection. Each Ranger has a large belt around their waste that holds an iron sword, as well as two steel daggers, not to mention numerous pouches that help keep some smaller tools or equipment within hands reach. On their backs rests a large quiver that looks to hold twenty arrows, each one filled with many steel tipped arrows. The final piece of equipment would be a lightly customized long bow. The unique feature of this particular longbow is that it was made from Falkreath wood, the best wood in all of Skyrim. Not to mention the Falkreath hold is renown for their bows quality, as well as their archers. The small customization to the bow would have to be that the bows have been dyed a dark green to help match their surroundings.

Everyone in the group though has their packs in one of the carts. Why carry something when you have a horse drawn cart that can carry the stuff for you? The group traveling Southwest, fortunately, do not encounter any trouble during their two week travel, though at a slower pace due to the carriages having some issues maneuvering through the woods. When they finally reach their destination the first thing they spot after breaking through the wood-line is two stone towers, one being larger and higher than the other. Another thing they notice is that around the towers are hundreds of people of different races milling around doing things such as unloading supplies, weapons, start to cook food over fire pits. An interesting feature to note would be that among the people milling around, some are wearing the same uniform that their group is wearing.

Others are wearing full typical Skyrim steel armor, steel sword, wooden steel reinforced shield. Another group is wearing full leather armor, with a chain-mail shirt underneath. They wield steel headed spears, small wooden crossbows, and a short sword resting on their left hip. Their analyzing of the people gets interrupted when the Rangers get spotted by the men they were observing, having forgone staying in cover.

"Halt, who are you? Any sudden moves and your dead!" A Nord in Steel armor shouts, supported by over one hundred of their group. They draw their weapons and prepare to attack, should the group in front of them prove hostile. The situation becomes very tense when one of the cloaked men from the group step forward. One wrong move and this will turn into a huge blood bath.

"We are one of you, Saaldrik's Rangers. We were delayed due to the slower pace of the wagons." The cloaked man responds, tension still heavy in the air.

"If that is true what is the pass code?" The same Nord that questioned them asked, moving forward a bit, shortening the distance between him and the ranger to about five feet. The distance between the two groups however is around forty feet, with neither side making any sudden moves.

"The Autumn dragon flies the Watch once more."

That statement causes the Nord's side to lower their weapons, and the tension in the air to dissipate.

"I'm sorry, but you know we have to do that. Hunter wants to make sure that we aren't spotted just yet." The nord stated, sheathing his weapon in the presence of their allies. Walking over to the ranger he holds out his hand, as an offer for a hand shake.

Accepting it the ranger shakes the offered hand, not bothered by the earlier hostility from the others. "I understand. We got side tracked when that Bosmer kid "Estella" and his group of Bosmers thought they knew of a short cut. Cost us a few days extra travel. What kind of name is Estella for a male Bosmer?"

"No idea, but come. Saaldrik will want to hear your report. Come, we have a lot to do tomorrow." The armored Nord states, beckoning the Rangers to join them. Turning around he begins to make a trek up to the large tower, the Ranger following him. The other rangers and the earlier confronting group break off, some going to fire pits to get some food while others simply went to set up tents. A remaining few rangers begin unloading the caravan, revealing shovels, tools, assorted clothing, some equipment and armor. Seeing the amount of stuff in the carts, a few people near them offer their aid, helping unloading the goods and setting up tents.

The statement causes the Ranger to raise an eyebrow in question. Looking up into the sky, spotting the sun. He notices that the sun is high in the sky and judging it to be around mid day, "The day is still early, only around mid day. Why not get started now?" Voicing his opinion, the Ranger stops following the man leading him.

The armored nord stops and turns around, facing the Ranger, when he noticed the person he was leading to the towers stop. "Hunter's orders. All we can do is clear the area around Autumn Watch until Reggroth comes back." He shrugs his shoulders, not worried about Reggroth missing. "Hunter had him travel to Eastmarch in order to get the Stone mason guild to assist us in rebuilding. We split up from him a few months ago when we were returning from Rorikstead. He should be due back any time now, though we only got here a few days ago."

"Who was the first one here?" The Ranger asks, spying an open crate filled with dozens of unopened mead bottles in a crate to his left. Turning his head over to the Nord, he gestures to the bottles, silently asking the other man if he wants one, though he sighs when the nord shakes his head no for the mead. Before he can grab a bottle for himself, he is stopped by the Nord's next words.

"Sadly, Hunter has stated that until all the commanders return there is to be no drinking. Something about being ready to fight at all times. That and something about having proper defenses up before the mead could flow." He states. He understands what Hunter is thinking but can't help but be annoyed due to not allowed to have mead. "Hunter was the first one here with his unit though, that was.. I believe Four days ago.

"What kind of defenses will be built?" The Ranger sighs, really wishing he could have a drink, but he won't go against orders.

"Talk of a wooden palisade for one. Hunter, Saaldrik, Rhyna, and Chrystavyng is having us clear the terrain around the tower. Orders being everything within arrow range from the top tower is to be cut down, then add Fifty paces to that range." The nord continues, gesturing for them to get moving.

Following the nord, he continues with their conversation. "That should give us great firing range.. but we may have to trim the forest back farther."

"I don't really know. I am part of Reggroth's troop. We will leave the arrows to you guys." The nord states, not particularly fond of fighting by bows. He prefers strait up melee combat.

Their conversation is cut short due to having reached the large tower. The armored nord steps up to the door frame, which is covered by a cloth, and steps to the side.

"They wanted you to report to them when you got here. I shall take my leave now." And with that, the armored nord walks away, hoping to rejoin his comrades around a fire.

The ranger watches the man walk off, and turning to face the cloth covered door way he parts the cloth, and steps inside. Looking around the room he notices multiple people standing around a large table in the middle of the room. On the table there is a large map of the Rift, detailing multiple settlements located in the Rift, towns, major forts, roads, and anything important to be posted upon the map. The map covers most of the table, being about five feet wide and four feet high. Littering the edge of the table are small wooden carvings, few being a small wooden models of a cloaked ranger drawing his bow to shoot. Another set depicts an armored soldier brandishing a sword and shield. The two remaining wooden models are that of a spear man, thrusting it forward, and a robed figure that depicts a mage.

Looking at the people gathered he notices the Red guard Hunter standing the furthest away from the door way, looking almost the same as he did two years ago. The only difference wouldn't be anything physical, that is if you don't count the chain mail shirt, but more of the way he presents himself. Behind him stands four Red guards, equipped almost exactly like Hunter. The only difference would be while Hunter's armor is black, their armor is dyed red. Saaldrik, standing to the left of the table, is wearing similar armor to the ranger, but absent is the bow and quiver. The cloak covering most of his body, but his hood is down, showing his head. Though the cowl isn't present on his head, like most rangers. Looking to his right he sees a young girl around Seventeen, who happens to be Chrystavyng.

Upon noticing the Ranger's eyes on her, Chrystavyng strikes a pose, showing off her new robe, loving the feel of the more refined fabrics of the robe, a golden dragon midst preening emblazoned on the back of the brilliant snow white cloth, wrapping around her teen body firmly, yet lose enough to allow movement for conjuring the spells she has become renowned for within the group, the robe coming to an end just above her ankles, showing off the gold hemming resting against her new light-tanned boots, though hiding the white fur trimming. Behind her stands the beautiful Red headed Rhyna. The only difference though, is that she has allowed her hair to grow to mid back length, which is tied into a loose pony tail that is blowing down her back. Her helmet, along with Hunter's rests on the edge of the table.

Upon entering the tower everyone's attention averts from the map, and the conversation they were just having, to focus on the newcomer.

Saaldrik is the first to voice his concern, "What are you doing here? What rank are you ranger?" The men behind Hunter draw their cross bows and aim them at the ranger. Rhyna draws her dual hand axes and maneuvers Chrystavyng behind her who is readying a spell, and Saaldrik draws one of his daggers. Hunter though does not draw anything, simply rests his palms onto the table and leans on it.

The Ranger in question, not voicing anything, simply opens the left side of his cloak, revealing a small patch depicting a wolf's head.

When Saaldrik notices the patch he lowers his weapons, signaling everyone else that it's okay. "Saaldrik is sorry but we had to be sure."

The Ranger nods his head and walks behind the Khajiit, mindful that everyone else is looking at him.

When the Ranger doesn't state anything, Saaldrik decides to explain, "This is Saaldrik's second in command. Saaldrik's rangers ranks are shown by patches inside their cloaks. Stag for rookie, Bear for sergeant, Saber cat for lieutenants and Captain is Wolf patch." With that stated Saaldrik turns towards his second. "What took you so long to get here? This one thought you'd get here before him."

"I let that Sergeant Bosmer kid lead the way here, Estella. Something is odd about that boy." The Captain rubs his cloth covered chin. This draws everyone's attention to him, including Hunter's.

"What do you mean by that?" Hunter asks, removing his hands from the table and standing up strait.

The Captain Ranger thinks for a moment, trying to find the right words to describe what he is thinking. With a sigh, he figures he should just come out and say it. "I don't trust the boy. There are too many issues with him. One being that the amount of coin that his squad brings in is oddly lower than the others."

"Could it be from not being able to get places with decent loot?" Chrystavyng speaks up, trying to give the benefit of the doubt. While she herself feels that something about Estella that bothers her, makes her skin crawl if she was being honest with herself. But she doesn't want to pass judgment without evidence to the cause.

"That's the thing. I made sure that he was sent on the good runs. Like one of the Solitude merchant caravans he hit with his men. For a Solitude caravan going to Markarth for a goods shipment, laden with gold, to be loaded with so little?" The Captain Ranger responds, already expecting the question.

"Interesting.. The one thing that held true was that those caravans were always good for a good amount of gold." Hunter responds. Could the Bosmer be stealing the gold for himself but turning in something to save face? That is one thing Hunter won't tolerate, turning towards Chrystavyng he asks, "I need you to go through our records, find anything out of the ordinary and bring it to Saaldrik's attention, as well as mine." Putting a hand on his chin, in thought 'Hmn.. if that kid is stealing from the group, I will see to it he dies.. but not without evidence' "Saaldrik, what do you think?" Hunter asks.

Saaldrik scratches his cheek, the thought that one of his men is robbing the group saddens him. "If it is that the wood elf is stealing the shinies.. this one will take his time ripping him apart with my claws!" Saaldrik's claws extend on both hand as the thought angers him.

This is the scene Reggroth walks into as he walks into the room. The most noticeable feature that everyone noticed is that Reggroth is wearing new armor. From what they can tell, the armor is a complete set of Nordic Carved Armor, complete with a Nordic Shield, and a Nordic sword on his left hip.

A Red guard, dressed in woolen clothing, with a white apron on his chest, leather gloves, leather boots, and a large satchel, walked in right behind Reggroth. "This is who I am to negotiate with? Bandits?" The Red guard says neutrally, not at all impressed with those in front of him but keeping that to himself.

This causes Hunter to laugh, finding the words the Red guard spoke amusing. "To insult those who asked you to come for business, you must have the blessings of the Divines upon you. What is your name?"

"Karrod, one of the master masons of Eastmarch Mason Guild. Your associate has informed me you wish to... rebuild this.. eyesore?" Karrod asks, and at everyone's nod, he sighs. "From what I have seen, these... structures... the foundation is the problem."

"What's wrong with the ground?" Chrystavyng asks, not really knowing what Karrod said. The topic being discussed isn't one that she has learned about during the past two years.

Karrod turns towards the girl, giving her a once over look, "This place isn't just what you see, the two towers go down around another Thirty or Forty feet, judging how much it is buried. Our guild once built this place originally, so we do know our work." That info causes a few raised eyebrows. "This place suffered a land slide from the mountain behind the towers, so simply rebuilding the towers isn't what I advise."

"How come?" Saaldrik asks, to him it really didn't seem like much of a problem. Why not simply set more stones upon what is already down? The towers is still standing after all. Voicing his thoughts on the matter causes the Redguard to scoff and dismiss that thought.

Hunter though beats the mason to the punch. "Because of the land slid, Saaldrik. All that earth sliding down.. I wouldn't be surprised if the base of these towers have shifted as well. Until we know for sure, masons don't like building onto.. questionable stability structures." To him it makes sense. You wouldn't add armor to someone who has a broken leg, thinking you were protecting the soldier. Why would you rebuild the towers, should the bases be damaged or destroyed.

The mason is surprised at Hunter's words. He never figured that a bandit would know really anything other than swinging a blade, much less basic masonry knowledge. "Your friend is right Khajiit. I wont accept a project on not knowing." Saaldrik's ears fold to his head, somewhat deflated. "But that most likely wont be the only concern. Tree roots may pose a problem as well. From how close the trees are to the towers, some being within Ten to Fifteen feet, the roots would have no doubt entangled themselves into the towers, further destroying the durability. What is it you want of us to do here?" Karrod asks, crossing his arms over his chest, waiting for an answer. While it takes a few moments for Hunter to respond, he uses this time to observe the people before him. The young woman to his right, he notices that she wears no armor, and a robe. She looks, if anything, a simple young Breton girl. Turning toward the Khajiit, and giving him a once over, he figures that he is some scout of sort. Seeing Reggroth in the corner of his eye, he passes him off as a hard hitter. Not to mention during the time that it took to get here, the two were on somewhat friendly terms. Finally, turning his head towards Hunter, he doesn't know what to make of him. For a bandit, he seems knowledgeable, which is very odd for someone in their "profession".

Before Karrod can observe Hunter some more, Hunter begins to speak. "I guess we have Two ways to do this. Tearing the towers down has to happen either way. But its weather we want to rebuild them or not." Hunter rubs his chin in thought, "We will want Two walls built, the inner wall being the priority. Where the walls connect to the mountain I think a tower should be semi built into the mountain right behind the wall. Decent gate way, nothing extravagant. I would like the walls to be thick enough for four men to stand shoulder to shoulder and have room to move. For now that is the priority. I also would like to talk to you about something I doubt the mason's have done in a while."

"What do you mean by that?" Karrod asks, somewhat interested in what Hunter has to say.

"I want to build into the mountain. The barracks or squad size rooms for individual squads, the mess hall, war room, armory, kitchen, pantry, treasury, offices, extra bedrooms, large hearth hall, huge storage space, a small arena and a prison but not priority, a clinic, shrine room, multiple bath room areas, as well as simple plumbing to get the waste out, and anything you can think of that would be of use to us in a siege." Hunter finishes, looking at the others, seeing if they had anything to add.

"What of industrial buildings? Black smiths, armorers, Fletcher? What of a training area?" Karrod adds, figuring what else to add to the order. More work for them means more gold.

"The training area will be between the first wall and second wall. Industrial buildings will be behind the inner wall, close to the mountain." Reggroth comments.

"I want to add a multilevel alchemy tower, as well as a potion making area inside the tower on one floor, as well as an enchanter's area. Could I ask for a large storage room for potions inside the mountain?" Chrystavyng polity asks, somewhat giddy to have an area to practice making potions.

"On the outer wall, as well as the inner wall, we want to build defenses to hit the attackers, as well as wooden roofs to protect the archers from arrows." Saaldrik adds,

"And I think a nice hawk coop to send messages out and receive them would be delightful." A new voice adds, causing everyone to turn towards the doorway as Diriah walks in. Reggroth smiles softly at her, their relationship developed into the beginnings of romantic one.

"The walls and towers are easy enough to build, what may be the problem is the building into the mountain. That will take time." Karrod states, going over the different ways they could go about the construction. The good part of the area, is that they could get the stone they need from the mountain. The masons could also kill two birds with one stone, while they get the stone they need from the mountain, they could carve out the needed rooms, and facilities, everything requested. "If you don't mind, I shall go take the needed measurements." Karrod pulls out some papers and a charcoal pencil from his pockets, and proceeds to leave the room to make his measurements necessary.

Those present decide to continue their earlier discussions, though Reggroth and Diriah start their own conversation between the two. During which Hunter and Saaldrik cut into their conversation, informing the two about Estella, to which Reggroth gets enraged, though Diriah somewhat calms him down with some soothing words.

"Reggroth, I understand your anger my friend, but we have to gather proof first." Hunter says. He himself isn't happy about the situation, and who can blame him? One thing that annoys and angers him more than anything is disloyalty. During the Two years they were out of the Rift, doing their banditry, another person was caught stealing from the group. Hunter and Reggroth, as well as Saaldrik, spent almost two days torturing the thief, who stole thousands of gold, in front of everyone of the group.

"If we find out that he is stealing, let me handle it. I'll make that milk drinker suffer!" Reggroth exclaims, clenching his fist.

"That's fine." He agrees, Hunter then turns towards Saaldrik, as Diriah wraps her arm around Reggroth's, to try to calm him down some. "Saaldrik, I need your rangers to scout to the North, look at the map for a moment." Hunter points to their position, at Autumwatch, on the map. At the map point, Four figurines stand close together. One of a spear men, representing Hunter's men. The one with a sword and shield depicts Reggroth's men. The mage is to show Chrystavyng's healers, and the one with the bow shows Saaldrik's rangers. Hunter grabs the Ranger model and moves it from Autumwatch and moves it to the north to a point where it shows a small base about a week's travel from where they are. "I keep hearing more and more rumors of a camp of Riften guard's in this area. I would like your men to scout it out. I want possible troop numbers and to know what kind of defenses they have. I don't want any engagements or skirmishes so tell your men to let them do their business. Report back within a month though."

"This one wants to know when we leave." Saaldrik asks. Then adds one more thing. "Should we hunt as well?"

"I want you to leave as soon as possible, so gather your Two Hundred troops and stay safe." Hunter orders, and Saaldrik nods, walking out with his captain right behind him. "Rhyna, before we get ready to hit that camp, I will need you to check with those alchemists to see if they have finished that project we requested two years ago. Reggroth, can you spare two squads to escort her?" The two in question, Rhyna and Reggroth, accept and nod respectively.

A few minutes of further discussion, Karrod walks back into the room. "Unfortunately, I can not honor that previous estimate we talked about in our guild hall Reggroth of Thirty Thousand gold. With all the extra work, taking down the towers and building the desired two walls, with the requested two towers. All the inner work on a fortress built into the mountain... I estimate around One Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Gold to do the work." That number causes everyone to go wide eyed in shock, not expecting the number to be so high!

"I didn't think it would be so high! That's over four times the original estimate.." Chrystavyng says, overwhelmed at the number.

"The reason for the high number is due to what Reggroth told me. He did mention you wanted the walls and towers done as soon as possible. Not to mention you wanted this place up and running quickly, so that will cost extra due to the man power needed. We should have the inner wall up as well as the Two towers within Two months. We are going to be deploying well over half our guild in order to do the order as quick as we can, though the inside the mountains will take longer due to having to carve into the rock. Depending on how many rooms you want for living quarters, though I recommend a Thousand, as you put it, squad sleeping quarters. And we will be building the fort to accommodate the number. The facilities such as the kitchen, bathrooms, pantry, armory, and anything to do with military aspects will be built to accommodate a full garrison." Karrod states.

"How long will it take for your men to get here?" Hunter asks, trying to figure out how much work they have to do before the masons get here. The area needs to be cleared of the trees, the stumps, and get the area ready to accommodate everyone coming. Not to mention that their people will have to patrol the area to make sure Riften doesn't find out what they are doing. Should they be spotted before the inner wall is even up, no doubt the Jarl will waste no time in having them wiped out. Hunter doesn't want to leave anything to chance, so he will have to make the necessary precautions.

"I have Two thousand people already on their way, they should be here within a week or so. When your friend Reggroth came to us, he had already given a down payment of Ten thousand gold. He also informed me of your.. desire for an escape route leading to safety. I will be sending out a message to our guild requesting more masons to assist with the project. At the most there will be Fifteen Thousand masons to get the work done quickly. Now, onto the matter of how you will pay."

"Follow me, You too Chrystavyng and Reggroth." Hunter says, turning towards the guards behind him. "I want you to make sure no one enters, we will be back soon." He then turns towards Karrod, Chrystavyng, and Reggroth, signaling them to follow him up the stairs.

They climb the stairs to the next level, and upon getting to the second story, the main thing they see there is a two foot high, three foot long. and two feet wide. Next to the chest, on both sides is two chests, half the size of the middle one. Chrystavyng walks over to the middle chest, pulling out a key from her robes, and unlocks the middle chest. Hunter walks over, with Karrod following him. Hunter opens the chest, with Chrystavyng standing right near the chest, revealing almost a full chest of gold coins. Karrod walks over to the front of the chest, peering inside. When he got here to Autumwatch he didn't expect these bandits able to pay the fee needed, as only a hold or large business could afford to build a fortress, but here he is peering into a chest of gold coins. He reaches out to grasp some of the coins, only for Hunter's hand to shoot out and grasp his, pulling it away from the chest.

Karrod was about to lash out at Hunter for putting his hands on him but his words die on his lips as a small bluish-gold dragon head pops its head from the coins snatching the area where Karrod's hand would have been. The color drains from his face as he watches the sharp teeth in the jaws snap shut. If Hunter hadn't pulled his hand back he would have no doubt have lost his hand. He watches, a mix of fascination and fear, as the dragon tilts its head to the left, one of the dragon's eye's look at him. To his surprise, the little winged reptile looks to be glaring at him just before it dives back into the chest, disappearing into the coins. Surprisingly the little dragon, due to the color of it, blends into the coins.

"What was that?" The Redguard mason asks, somewhat shaken due to what happened. Hunter releases him from his grasp.

Chrystavyng cutely chuckles and faces the open chest, kneeling down in front of the chest. She makes little kissing sounds, "Come out Oriel Folawn, come on little one, I wish to see my little girl." She says, trying to lure out the dragon, now known as Oriel Folawn.

It only takes a few moments, but a few shifting coins, the dragon pops its head out. Seeing the Breton girl in front of her, she lets out a little cry and pops out of the chest, jumping into Chrystavyng's outstretched arms bringing it into a hug.

Getting up, she faces everyone as the cat sized dragon snuggles into Chrystavyng's body, enjoying the warmth from her body. "Sorry about that, but she is very protective of the gold. She has only killed Seventeen people who have tried to steal it. Taken many fingers too," She states, Chrystavyng turns to the little dragon in her arms, "And she is a good girl isn't she?" She touches her nose to the dragon's snout, rubbing their noses.

Hunter and Reggroth chuckles at the display, while Karrod is still shocked. Hunter, seeing this, pats the man's shoulder, snapping him out of is daze. Karrod's gaze turns from the dragon cuddling Chrystavyng to Hunter. "I know, but she is our guard dragon. She loves playing with the gold and is very protective of it. We found her egg near Whiterun about a year ago. But back to business, I won't pay the whole amount at once."

"A Third of the amount up front to help pay for the necessary supplies and wages needed. Another Third half way through it, or when we need the funds to pay workers, and the final amount upon completion. Deducting the Ten Thousand gold from the original estimate, its One Hundred and Fifteen Thousand gold." Karrod speaks, getting out of his daze from seeing the dragon, though still eying it from the corner of his eye. Doing some quick math, dividing the One Hundred and Fifteen Thousand gold by Three and getting his number, goes to tell Hunter but Chrystavyng beats him to it.

"That will be Thirty Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Three gold. Though, I will get you Forty Thousand gold to start. You will have it by the end of tonight." Chrystavyng says, still playing with her dragon. Adding the Ten Thousand gold Reggroth paid, to the Forty Thousand that will be paid tonight, that would leave a balance of Seventy Five Thousand Gold left to pay.

Accepting the offer, Karrod begins to make his way out but is stopped by Reggroth's voice. "I wouldn't have been focusing so much on Oriel," Reggroth says, smirking. He points up to the ceiling which draws the mason's eyes to where he is pointing, which reveals a larger than a cat black dragon, clinging to the ceiling. The black dragon's, Alduin, sharp eyes watching every move Karrod makes. "If you had made one move on Oriel to harm her, Alduin would have pounced on you. Even Hunter and I wouldn't be able to pull him off before he killed you."

With that said, everyone makes their way out, except for Chrystavyng who places Oriel back into the chest filled with gold coins while she counts out the Forty Thousand Gold. The dragon proceeds to dig her way back into the gold, disappearing from sight.

Within the next few days, Karrod takes a small chest filled with gold to Eastmarch to his guild being escorted by a squad from Reggroth, and the masons he said were on their way arrived. The masons brought all the tools to do their work. Unfortunately, Karrod's guess about the towers having damaged foundations were proven true. Upon digging down to the foundation, they find that the tower was pushed off the foundation as well as roots destroying the tower base. The masons begin work on tearing down the towers, as well as digging down into the ground in order to lay the foundation for the wall. While all this was going on, the remaining men from Reggroth's unit as well as Hunter's continue to clear away the trees and stumps, turning the trees into firewood.

Two weeks later, Saaldrik's rangers return. Those in charge, being Hunter, Reggroth, Chrystavyng, and Saaldrik, make their way back to the larger tower where the map and gold is placed in order to report about the camp. The Rangers that returned help cut down the trees, gather game for people, or patrolling around the area. The masons have yet to start taking apart this tower, as they are waiting for the other masons to get here. Karrod informed them before leaving that he is sending a hawk to have them travel to Autumwatch.

Hunter and the group begin to talk about what Saaldrik was able to see at the camp. "This one observed the camp for about two weeks. They mostly stay inside their camp, only coming out to accept goods, or to go out on a taxation duty."

Hunter mulls over what Saaldrik says, attempting to figure out a strategy for the camp. But before he can make a decision, he needs to know what type of defenses they would be up against. "What of their defenses?"

Saaldrik thinks for a moment, trying to recall what he has seen observing them, dismissing useless information. Saaldrik remembers some key facts he saw about their defenses, troop numbers, and one very interesting fact. "The odd things this one remembers, is the palisade defenses. Only one or two patrols a day, but they don't travel far from camp. Captain did count of the ones there, around Three hundred total. The interesting thing though, from what Saaldrik overheard, once a month there is a gold shipment to the camp of Ten Thousand coins and food, something about wages or something." Saaldrik smiles, remembering how he had to hide underneath one of the wagons, listening to the guards talking about the shipment of food as well as money. "There is only one entrance into the camp, but there is a large watch tower near the middle."

"What of guards? Night patrols?" Reggroth asks, surprised at the lack of movement from the camp that is within marching range of Autumwatch. Though if he thought about it, the fact that everyone was able to get over Six hundred people in their group to here and not be spotted, means that the camp is lax about their duty.

"During the day they only guard the entrance to the camp with four guards, at night only two. There is always someone in the tower though." Saaldrik states, watching Hunter's eyes narrow, weather in thought or anger Saaldrik doesn't know.

Those present stand in silence while they think of a method of attack. A direct attack would result in high losses, and not to mention it would leave chance of someone running and informing the Jarl of their location so that option is out. Besieging the place is also out of the question due to should the caravan coming to bring their shipment in sees the place surrounded, they will report it to their superiors. No, the only option would be a sneak attack, hit them before hey have a chance to act, or run, something that Hunter thinks of.

Hunter turns towards Reggroth, remembering something from their time before they formed their bandit group, "Reggroth, you remember the Horsemen bandits?"

Reggroth looks at Hunter, puzzled for a moment, before he remembers what Hunter is implying. While the idea Hunter suggests is an effective one, Reggroth isn't fond of the idea. "You can't be thinking of infiltrating the place, and killing them in their sleep?! When we did that to the Horsemen bandits we had to only deal with a little more than Twenty passed out drunk bandits. The only way we got in was that we joined them for that purpose. That wont work here, the Rift guards will simply put us in chains." Reggroth states, causing the others to give Hunter and him questioning looks.

Seeing the looks on the others faces Hunter decides to explain. "A year before we hit Riften, there was a group of bandits from Whiterun's hold that moved to the Rift. I don't know why they were called bandits, they never robbed or looted. All they did was ride around slaughtering everyone they encountered, women and children as well. Not to mention they had cannibalistic tendencies. Reggroth and I joined them after they tried hitting Ivarstead, but failed. They needed new recruits so we joined. What they didn't realized was that we were going after their bounty. After one night where they all drunk their weight in mead, we killed them all in their sleep." He explains, sighing. Turning towards Reggroth, "I know they would simply arrest us. Saaldrik said the camp is lax in its security from what he describes. If someone can take out the guard in the tower, before he alerts the camp, and kill the two guards at the entrance.. we should be able to simply walk into the camp. I have heard the quartermaster there orders mead by the barrel full daily for their camp. Walk in while they are sleeping while drunk, and put the sword to the camp. I have an idea for what to do after that, but lets focus on this first." Hunter says, taking a deep breath.

While some people may call this a cowardly tactic, not to be used by any true Nord, Hunter doesn't care what others think. This option keeps almost most of their men alive should they succeed. Attacking the camp outright would cause them to alert the Jarl, which he would order his men to simply march out and kill them. No, Hunter chooses this option for it would give them breathing room. Not only would they take out a camp near them, able to spot them first should they move around too much, if they did it silently and keep it quiet who did it, it would buy them time to build up their forces in order to contend with the forces of Riften.

Chrystavyng, standing near the section of the map with the camp, moves a set of models from Autumwatch to the camp. Looking up, she looks at Hunter. "Where will I be in this?"

Looking into her eyes, Hunter sighs, knowing she won't like what he is about to say. "I do not want you near the camp. I want you to keep thirty men from each of Reggroth's men, Saaldrik's men and my unit as defense, with Rhyna guarding you. I will take the remaining troops to the camp to take it out." True to what he thought, he sees her begin to pout, not liking being left out. "I know you don't like killing, your a healer.. ill take a few of your healers with us to help. But I trust you to protect this place while we are out." With that he notices her pout diminish a bit, smiling he rubs her head, which causes her to fluster. Laughing a bit he returns back to the table. "With the Thirty from each unit remaining here. That should leave us with one hundred and seventy men each. With the ten healers I want to take with us, and their two guards each, that should bring our numbers to five hundred forty total. With surprise on our side we should barely suffer casualties."

"Who is going to take out the tower, this one asks?" Saaldrik asks, but frowns when everyone looks expectantly at him. "Why is it always this one?"

"Your the stealthiest one out of all of us, with your claws you can climb up the palisade, hop over and take out the tower. You can see better than us uncle Saaldrik." Chrystavyng says, smirking at the end. During the two years she has spent with everyone, she has developed somewhat of family bonds to everyone, calling them uncles or in Rhyna's and Diriah's case, big sister.

"She is right Saaldrik, I believe you can do it." Reggroth says, patting the Khajiit's shoulder.

Hunter concludes the meeting, and everyone gathers their men to get ready to march out. An hour later, the large group moves out, everyone carrying large backpacks full of food and water for their trip. Hunter takes one last look at Autumwatch, and then turns around, leading everyone out. It takes a little more than a week to reach the camp, but they all stop about a mile from the camp around mid day. Reggroth tells everyone to get a bit of rest, and be ready to march out at night fall.

When night falls, Saaldrik gathers the Commanders and their second in commands. Hunter though doesn't have a second, as his unit is split into four groups, each lead by one of his four bodyguards. Reggroth's second is a young, dark haired, Nord, dressed in full steel plate armor, equipped with a sword and shield. Saaldrik's second is the cloaked Ranger with the Wolf patch. When they are gathered they begin their meeting.

"This one thought of something. Reggroth's men march and move too loudly. We should keep them on the outskirts of the attack, only to come in if things go bad. The man in the tower will have a torch, if things go south I will wave the torch up and down. If this one waves it back and forth, it will signal my men to take out the guards at the entrance. If this one waves the torch in a circle, Reggroth should bring his men into the camp as we have it." Saaldrik says. He says this due to hearing the sound they made when they marched to the camp.

"Sorry buddy," Hunter says, patting the now downtrodden Reggroth's shoulder, "but he is right, your men make too much noise with their armor."

"Hunter, since this one will be in the tower, this one's men will follow this one's second." Saaldrik states, Hunter nodding.

"Nothing fancy, though. Just kill them, pass the word around." Hunter says, looking at the gathered seconds or bodyguards, making sure they know. "Reggroth, I want your men in eye range of you seeing the tower, but not to be seen."

"I know. We will stay hidden near the entrance way encase anyone tries to run." Reggroth says, saddened at the lack of combat, but somewhat understanding what is needed of him.

Seeing the meeting has covered what they need, Hunter dismisses everyone, telling them to get their men ready. Within minutes everyone is ready to move. Saaldrik and his men lead everyone else to the camp, ready to either wipe it out, or die trying. The camp has, within arrow flight, cut down all trees, brush, and anything people could hide behind.

Saaldrik, after leaving his men with Hunter and Reggroth in the wood line near the gate, makes his way to the back side of the camp, traveling through the woods. Looking around, he spots only the guard in the tower. He waits till the guard isn't looking, and upon turning his back towards Saaldrik, Saaldrik breaks out into a dead sprint. Keeping his eye on the guard, the Khajiit doesn't stop running till he makes it to the palisade wall. Taking a moment to catch his breath, Saaldrik listens for any sound's that aren't part of a sleeping camp. Not hearing anything, he extends his claws on both his hands and feet and faces the wall. Using his strength and cat like abilities, Saaldrik slowly climbs the palisade, keeping a strong grip on the logs. Finally getting to the top of the wall, he peers over, only spotting large tents, but no one milling around. Finding this to be odd but he doesn't question it, instead looking to the tower that is placed in the middle of the camp.

Seeing the guard proceed with his rotation looking around, the Khajiit lifts himself up and over the wall, mindful of his cloak. Landing with a soft thud, Saaldrik dashes behind some tents. Taking another breather, Saaldrik pulls out two steel daggers. Stealthily as possible, he makes his way to the tower, keeping to the shadows. Peering into a few tents, he spots guards sleeping, passed out drunk or judging by the little bottles still grasp in their hands, drugged on the dangerous drug Skooma. Shaking his head in disappointment at the lack of military order. Hunter would have had them strung up or executed on such display of conduct.

Shaking his head, Saaldrik lets go of the flap to the large tent, and continues on his way. Reaching near the tower after a few minutes of keeping hidden behind tents, Saaldrik finds a major problem. In the middle of a clearing, about a rock throw from any of the tents, stands the wooden tower. The problem being that in regular intervals around the base of the tower is multiple fires, each surrounded by multiple drunken or passed out guards. Finding the guards in front of him to be passed out, Saaldrik places the daggers on the ground in front of him and removes his cloak revealing a leather front chest protector. On his back rests a custom harness that holsters multiple daggers, four daggers on each side, the sheathed blades resting on his spine. On his legs Saaldrik wears simple dark green pants with holsters for three daggers on the outer thigh, the lower two still sheathed. Bending down to pick up his steel daggers, Saaldrik breaks out into a sprint for the tower, bypassing the sleeping guards, and jumps up multiple feet, grasping onto the tower, and quickly making his way up. With the daggers in his hand in a revers grip, Saaldrik makes it near the top. Waiting for the guard to turn his attention elsewhere, the Khajiit waits. Upon noticing the guard has turned, Saaldrik lifts himself up into the tower, and as stealthily as possible, switches the dagger in his right hand to a normal grip, and as quick as possible, stabs the guard into the side of the neck.

The strike pierces the side of the neck, going through both jugular veins and the wind pipe. Saaldrik stabs his left dagger, into the top of the right shoulder, and with a harsh jerk, pulls the imbedded dagger towards him, spinning the guard. Unfortunately, due to the jerk turning the guard towards him, the dagger in the man's neck causes his neck to be ripped open, spraying blood all over Saaldrik's front. Holding the bloody dagger in his right hand, Saaldrik allows the now dead guard's body to drop to the floor. Bending down, he uses the guard's clothing to clean off his blade and then sheathes it, doing the same with the one still buried in the man's shoulder. Finding the torch discarded on the wooden ground of the tower, Saaldrik picks it up, and shines the light on the guard, revealing that the only thing keeping his head on was the spine. This causes Saaldrik to cringe, not because of the carnage, but because he knows that Reggroth would make an obnoxious comment right about now.

Looking at the entrance of the camp, Saaldrik raises the torch and waves it side to side, signaling the beginning of the attack.

And that's where we will be ending this chapter today. Don't worry though, i already have chapter three panned out and all i need to do is write it out. I do hope you enjoyed this segment of our tale, and hope so see some reviews, expecially constructive criticism! See you on the bounce, trooper!