Chapter 3

A Deceptive Serenity

Third POV is the first main protagonist Darious Wulf

Darious awoke, his dark beard drenched in a cold sweat from a terrible dream. Instinctively he reaches underneath his bed and grabs the hilt of his Nordic sword, the dull blue glow of its enchantment bouncing off the stone walls giving a dim blue light to the room that aided in his sight. He is calmed by the sight of Arielle, his beautiful wife who is sleeping soundly. He strokes her blond hair and gently kisses her on the forehead before a chill ran down his back. The window was open and a cool breeze has crept in the dark room. He can't seem to remember what the dream was about but he knew getting back to sleep was not a option. He sits up and running his hands through his short hair to wipe away the irritating sweat, lighting a small lantern that lay next to the large bed, the flame reflecting more prominently than the enchanted steel. He sheaths his blade, placing it around his waist as he stood up. Walking over to the window he peers out, looking out at the nearby mountain with only its peak being illuminated by the morning sun. Icicles hang from the roof, dripping due to an unusually warm morning for the month. With dawn rapidly approaching, he decided to get dressed and head down stairs to start breakfast. Gathering wood for a fire and putting on a pot of water, he prepares his beef stew, which was about the extent of his culinary knowledge. When he was finished he decides to step out to the deck to smoke his pipe, while the meal simmers.

Stepping out to his deck, he leans up against the fence as smoke from the nearby smith drifts up in to the crisp winter air. His house is located on the southern end of the Great Boulevard near Cumberland Square, one of the most reputable markets in High Rock. The Boulevard was a white cobble stone road that extends the entirety of Wayrest, lined with various unique buildings that inspire a sense of aw. The road was empty besides a few vendors starting to set up their stands for the day, and a few guards finishing their patrol. A rare sight for most as it is usually bustling with people trading with the various merchants and vendors that also line the road. After lighting his pipe, he shares a friendly wave with a local guard starting his patrol.

"Don't suppose I could have a taste of those herbs" the guard said in a joking manner.

Darious laughs. "Maybe after you are done keeping us safe from all those bandits and trolls."

The guard chuckles and walks off as Darious finishes his pipe. He had always liked Wayrest, Its architecture being similar to Anvil, witch was he and his brothers favorite city in Cyrodiil. Two distant mountains lay to the north, clearly visible from his deck. The clear blue sky and misty mountains creating a truly beautiful view. He lets out a big yawn and prepares to go back inside but spots a familiar figure down the road. As he takes a closer look he can see this man is dawned in full Dwemer armor. A full set of this particular armor is a rarity in Tamriel, so not many people can afford it, let alone brave the depths of a Dwemer ruin. So this leads Darious to believe that this man is his brother Cyrus who lives in Markarth, a city built in to the surface of an ancient Dwemer ruin. Knowing his brother owned a full set of this unique armor, he picks a stone up off the ground and tosses it at the man's helmet. The rock sails through the air before hitting him dead on, letting out a loud clang.

"Brother!" Darious says loudly extending his arm.

But the man says nothing, and just slowly turns his head to stare at Darious. Fearing he might of jumped to the wrong conclusion and had picked a fight with a vicious warrior, he prepares to apologize for the mistake. But his paranoia is put to rest when the man speaks up.

"Ha! Nice throw brother, but let us skip the pleasantries" Cyrus says, grabbing his arm in response. "And let's just get to the mead, meat, and some of that pipe while you're at it, the road leaves me weary and thirsty"

Darious let out a hearty laugh and replied" What was I thinking, I should of have a plate prepared at all times just for when you decide to show up, hours before most would rise, and without even sending word your coming".

They go inside and sit by the growing fire to enjoy mead and stories.

"Still carrying around that ancient nord blade I see." Cyrus inquired as he relives himself of the cumbersome armor. "what was the story behind that old thing again?"

"Roderic used this blade when he became the Champion of the Arena. It used to be a claymore, forged for a captain in Bruma who fought in the oblivion crises."

"He is a damn war horse." Cyrus mumbles with a mouthful of bread.

Darious strokes his short dark beard as he took a moment to think. "The full story is lost to me, Roderic knows more than I but at some point he re-forged it to be a one handed blade, which suited better for his dual wielding style."

As his story went on his family began to rises with the sun. The first to come down is his youngest son Danous, a cheerful dark haired boy who was only seven years old. His wife Arielle was the next to down the stairs, causing Darious to pause mid sentence, beholding the beautiful blond Breton woman he was lucky enough to marry come down the stairs. Her bright green eyes locked on her husbands as she come down, a thing of beauty despite being disheveled by a long nights sleep. His attention is drawn away from Cyrus momentarily, but the same would happen to Cyrus as Danous runs to his uncles side with and endless pool of curiosity.

"Are you telling the story of Roderic, the champion of the arena again?" Danous said with eagerness in his voice. " Could you tell me the story again?" He had always been enthralled by tales of battle and victory in adversity, but Cyrus is not exactly the kids type.

"Haha I am sorry Danous, but your uncle Cyrus is here visiting from Skyrim, and I'm sure he has pressing matters that need addressing." He pats Danous on the head. "Go help your mother with the stew and I'll tell you the story later."

They began to eat the stew Darious prepared as Arielle kisses him on the forehead.

"Thanks for making the stew, trying to impress our company I see." Darious smiles at her. "So Cyrus what brings you all the way to Wayrest?"

After a moment of silence he blurted out "It's our family home."

"The manor in Markarth, what about it?" Arielle replied.

Darious knew his brother had come to Wayrest for a reason and understood he is an honorable man and has difficulties admitting faults.

Turning to Arielle. Darious calmly says. "Let us finish this meal before we begins talks of unfavorable topic."

"No!" Cyrus blurted out loudly "Those milk drinkers from the hills claim Markarth as their birthright! And that coward of a Jarl is actually considering conceding some properties to avoid conflict!"

"What? Darious said, surprised by the news. "But our family has been living in that estate for generations. Our fathers, father lived in that home how could the Jarl even be considering our home for that?" Darious said with a confused tone.

"Its those damn reachmen again, making up fictitious claims of ownership." Cyrus replies in a hateful tone.

Danous chimed in "Why would they think Markarth is theirs? Did they build it?"

Darious looked to his son. "No they did not build Markarth, but the Nords did not build it either."

Cyrus turns to Darious "That was the case I made, He seemed to hold firm at first, but when the announcement was made that he's considering their offer I called him a coward for even thinking about bending over for those fools."

"You called Jarl Hrolfdir a coward?!" Darious said sternly.

"I only tell it to those who deserve the title." He said looking away.

Darious chuckled to himself. "You call everyone a coward. You've even called me a coward on several occasions."

His eye brows tensed as he responds in a defensive tone. "Who is afraid of a little beehive?!"

Darious lets out a hearty laugh. "I was only eight! Eight year old's tend to be afraid of a beehives! But don't worry my brother, im sure there are ways to aid the Jarl in forget your lapse in judgment "

"There was no laps, only a justified accusation. Father would of done the same."

"Well then explain why did not."

Cyrus pauses for a moment, then begrudgingly admits. "Because he is not aware of the situation."

Darious snaps his attention away from his food, towards Cyrus. "You have not told father?"

"No I have not sent word, and neither shall you. His concerns lay in the Imperial City." Cyrus sighs before adding. "He placed the responsibility on me, and I will not fail."

Finally his eldest son Alix, who is eleven came down the stairs. Greeted his uncle and sat down to the table. He asked about what were discussing.

Darious turns to him and says "Apparently the Reachmen in the hills by Markarth are arguing with Yarl Hrolfdir about the rightful owners of the land."

"Truly captivating" Alix said, a hint of sarcasm on his lips.

Darious instructs Alix to eat his food as he continues. "If do not wish to tell father, I will support your decision. Even if I find it to be unwise."

"Thank you my brother." He says in a relived tone.

The discussion continues for a moment before they agree the best way to secure the home that they grew up in, is to acquire enough funds to outbid the Reachmen if it comes to that. We start to discuss possible options when Alix chimes in.

"Why don't you go kill the trolls? Isn't there a bounty for each troll in the eastern mountains?"

"Yes I've overheard rumblings in the tavern of the recent troll attacks plaguing travelers and merchants." Darious said, embarrassed he did not think of it himself. "It would be a few days travel but maybe we should go and see how much each one is worth. "

Cyrus smiled and said "Hunting and coin? how could I possibly say no to that."

"We haven't been hunting in many years, remember? If my memory serves me well I think that was the last time we all went hunting together was when father took us hunting in the Jerall Mountains."

"Yes, that was when I caught Hell Joint from that damn wolf, bastard wasn't even worth the kill."

"Those were good time." Darious says, taking a mouth full of stew before adding. "That was so long ago you actually still had hair then."

"Not everyone can have long dark hair brother, besides it gets in the way when you fight." Cyrus says in a defensive tone.

Darious laughs. "But back to the point. Provided the bounties are substantial, we shall head out tomorrow morning. I would see a swift end to this adverse situation."

They finished their meal and set off to spend the day in town, catching up and seeking information about the troll bounty. They are distracted by the sights and sounds of the Wayrest markets and in turn, the day goes by rather quickly. Arielle had offered to take Alix and Danous with her as she went to gossip with the other women in town, something she did quite frequently. This gave the brothers time to grab some mead at the local tavern and catch up. They spend the rest of the night drinking and reminiscing on times past., both of them passing out around midnight after a long stumble home.

Despite the long night of drinking, Darious bursts in to the room where Cyrus sleeps at an ungodly hour.

"Gather your hunting gear, we leave before the sun can rise."

"For the love of Talos, your telling me the sun isn't even up yet?" Cyrus groans in to his pillow. "What is the point of the early hour if it will take several days to even reach the area?"

"Because I'm up, now I'm sure you wouldn't want me to grab a bucket of cold water."

"Fine, fine, fine. One thing though, my armor, it is not quite suited for hunting" Cyrus replies. His scavenged Dwemer armor weighing more than a large elk by itself.

"Here wear this" Darious said as he throws him a spare set of Iron armor he used when he first started adventuring, many years ago.

"This old thing, really? It can barley fit me."

"You could do it naked for all I care, as long as you keep up."

Cyrus begrudgingly agrees and meets Darious outside. The sun will not rise for a while so they light their torches and set off down the dark road, headed for the nearby city gate.