Elder Scrolls IV
OBLIVION
Amnesty: The Trials of Kareth Lay
Please note that this is a first draft. I will take all constructive criticism to better and build the next chapter upon it
Sacrificial Bond
"I do not believe I heard correctly," Kareth said, his once mellow voice now quivering, caused by the sheer bloodlust reeking off the speaking man. He stood up and stepped back towards the back wall and began searching for a door.
"I believe you did, Kareth Lay. Our suggested way is through potions created from necromancy, though we may not step foot in Skingrad," the speaking man said. He stepped towards Kareth and held out his hand, motioning for Kareth to take it. "The Countess has her Brotherhood Hunters out for our kind."
"Why would I do such a thing? Janus is a good friend of mine," Kareth stepped forward and stared at the man's hand.
"It will make your next task much easier. Please note, dear Kareth Lay, that even though the Night Mother is in favor of your family and has us ordered not to spill their blood, we can still hire one such as the Blackwood Company to erase them," Suddenly a blackened knife appeared in the palm of the man. He pulled it out of his hand and let the blood soak into the dark blade. It began to glow a deep crimson, filling the room with an eerie lighting.
"What is the knife for?" Kareth retorted.
"You must bond with a Speaker of the Brotherhood for this task. It will announce not your initiation to the Brotherhood but only your service to it. It will void all Brotherhood contracts placed upon you forever." The man took the blade and slashed at Kareth. He cut a wide X into his cheek, carving precisely with skill mastered over many years.
Visions began to come to Kareth. He could see memories of this man. His name was Cervan. He had no surname, as he is a rare second-generation vampire. His father was the uncle of the Champion of Cyrodiil. Kareth gasped.
"You are Uriel Septim V's nephew?" Cervan stared at him and bared his fangs.
"Make no mention of anything you see to anyone, or this bond will be void in an instant!" he hissed. "You have until the full moon."
The blackroom disappeared and Kareth found himself at the entrance of Lake Arrius Caverns. He saw a drop of blood in the small puddle of water beside him and smiled.
Bandit Sport
Kareth had hitched a ride with a caravan on its way to Skingrad for 800 Septims. The rocking of the carriage he rode in was unnerving, as it reminded him of the prison wagon. Across from him was a young Breton Lady of Kvatch, the newly married spouse to Count Matius. She quietly hummed a tune unfamiliar to Kareth.
He looked outside to see a familiar sight, though this time it wasn't Nordic men. Khajiit and Redguard bandits jumped out of the bushes and slaughtered the two Legion soldiers guard the caravan and the two Fighter's Guild members hired for it.
Kareth stepped outside the carriage and pulled a sword from one of the dead Legion. He killed two of the bandits before being surrounded. He prepared to attack when three arrows pierced the heads of all three remaining bandits. Kareth searched for the bowman but found none. He told the caravan driver to continue to Skingrad. The horses neighed and started in the direction.
Skingrad
Kareth looked down the main street of Skingrad, taking note on how much it had changed in the past nine years. It had expanded exponentially and its population had increased by 33. He had spoken to the Countess of Kvatch to find that there were rumors of a necromancer on the edge of Skingrad, just to the left of the East Gate. Lucky enough, he stood at the East Gate.
He looked to his left and instantly gasped for air as the smell of potion and bile reached him. He saw a run-down shack that must have been it. He strode to the door and banged on it. A black-haired man opened it and saw the scar of Kareth's cheek. As he began to close the door in fear, Kareth pushed it wide open and drew his sword, slicing the necromancer's throat.
Scared, he began to frantically look for a potion which would drive Janus to kill his wife. He hysterically chuckled at the obvious labels on the vials he saw, all placed in a neat row. He nearly gave up hope when he sighted the one he needed: Madness Potion.
A Short Sighting
A cloaked and hooded Argonian stared at the East Gate of Skingrad with another pale cloaked and hooded figure. They lied in wait for the one they needed. Blood trickled from the unknown figure's hand.