Hello again, readers, and welcome back to another chapter of Valer the Dragonborn! I won't take up any more space, so I'll leave you to the story. Let's see how this story goes!

Chapter 4: Exiled
The Glass Army (4)

Atmora, 1E 67, 5th of Sun's Dusk

The Jarls met at the capital city of Yjergnheim, waiting for High King Magneril to reveal his "master plan" to increase the power of Atmora, tenfold. Strangely, no Glass Knights were allowed anywhere near the castle until the meeting was over.

His new advisor had taken the liberty to replace King Magneril's usual Glass Knight personal guard replaced with strange men in red armor. High King Magneril strode in, and surveyed the Jarls that were seated at his table.

"Welcome, all of you! It has been ages since we have met like this before." He said. Nobody seemed to notice his voice was somehow different, along with how he looked older than he really was. They all stood up.

"Hail High King Magneril!" They shouted in unison. When he sat, the others followed.

"Now, as you have been informed, we are here to discuss the matter of our power and resources."

"Yes, sir. We are aware." Said one of the surrounding Jarls.

King Magneril looked at him with eyes that would make a horker lose weight. "I would mind my tone if I were you, Jarl Yngvar."

The surrounding Jarls looked shocked. King Magneril had never in his life threatened anyone like that. The harshest threat he ever dished out was to a psychopath that threatened his wife and children.

Jarl Yngvar began to sweat furiously. "I-my King, I meant no di-!"

King Magneril waved him off. "Never mind that, a simple mistake. Now, back to our little discussion."

-Outside the castle walls of Yjergnheim-

Fenris sat next to the stables, watching over the Jarls' carriages. He was thinking about the king. He knew something was up. The king had a certain evilness in his eyes, but seemed to not be there completely. Lost in his own mind... and the Psijic with him was VERY strange. Though when they attempted to tell the king who he was, they were sent off.

Now, today, is the first time King Magneril had ever thought about gaining power. He, being the High King of Atmora by birthright, had supreme power over Atmora. His personality alone was never power hungry. Fenris' head began to spin with all of these new changes. Asgarne walked towards him from the other side of the road.

"You look miserable." He said, leaning on the stable wall with him.

"Did Kirstia ask you to marry her?"

"No."

"Is she asking for money?"

"No, she never asks...much."

Asgarne chuckled. "Well then she must be pregnant!" He burst into a laughing fit.

Fenris looked mortified, his cheeks turning five shades of red. "O-of course not!"

Asgarne slowly regained his composure. "Then what's bothering you?"

"The King...he seems...off."

Asgarne turned to face the carts. "It's no mystery that he's been acting unusual. But the way things are now, their's nothing we can do about it."

Fenris didn't respond. Then, the four Jarls stormed out of the city gates, laughing yet steaming.

"He's mad!"

"He wants to kill us all!"

"A waste of time!"

"Use Daedra to help. Hah! I'd rather marry a troll!"

They got onto their carts and rode off. Fenris and Asgarne just watched them drive away. Then, the word Daedra kicked in. They both ran to the castle at full speed.

-Castle Sylvrn-

"...we shall start preparations tomorrow. It will requi-."

Fenris burst through the doors. "High King!"

King Magneril turned towards him. "How dare you interru-"

Asgarne quickly unsheathed his sword and placed the edge on the Psijic's neck. "He has been manipulating you!"

"What nonse-!" The blade pushed harder onto his neck, shutting him up.

"He's part of the Psijic Order, as we told you about them. He's been contr-."

"You fools! He is going to help me achieve ultimate power!" King Magneril shouted.

"But, my ki-!"

"Out! Now! You are hereby exiled from this kingdom!"

Asgarne froze. Fenris looked at the king intently. He was banishing them? His royal guard?

Asgarne took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that."

The king was furious. "You can't?! I am your king! You will leave at once!"

Asgarne didn't move. Suddenly, one of the guards stabbed him in the back.

"Asgarne!" Fenris took out his sword.

He was surrounded by five guards on all sides. One of them came from behind him, but Fenris spun around just in time to land a solid punch to his face, denting the helmet. As he flew a few feet back, another one attempted to catch him at his flank. Fenris turned and slashed his waist. Two came at the same time. Fenris easily took the sword from one, knocked the other off his feet, and stabbed the sword into the first's leg. He slowly turned to face the fifth one, while the others moaned on the ground (with the exception of the first one unconscious). The guard debated on whether or not he should attack or flee.

He ran.

King Magneril was still trying to comprehend what just happened as Fenris knelt down next to Asgarne.

"Asgarne..."

He coughed up blood. "Fenris... you...you have to lead them... the order... you-"

"No. Not without you. Come on, Asgarne. Stay with me."

Asgarne took off his dragon ring and placed it into Fenris' hand.
"Take it...you will know... if you've found him...the one destined...to keep...the secrets."

Fenris looked down at him, his oldest friend. He finally accepted that he would die. "Asgarne, please."

"You...lead...them..." And with a final breath, he was gone.

Fenris, having been trained to tolerate the worst of conditions, shed no tears. It would only make Asgarne angry. Standing up, he face King Magneril, fist clenched around the ring.

"How touching. Now you die without fulfilling your 'destiny'."

The doors flew open, and guards flooded the room. Fenris ran towards the wall near the throne.

"Nowhere to run!" Said the Psijic.

Fenris pushed a brick on the wall, and a doorway opened. He ran in and heard it close on one of the guard's arm. He vaulted over collapsed wood beams and dashed through the tunnels.

-Outside-

When he reached a stone grating, he lifted it to see Glass Knights defending themselves against Daedra and guards. He ran through them, with them following him close behind, and searched for Kirstia.

He saw her fighting off two Daedra near the city gates. Fenris picked up a sword and threw it into the head of one of them, and she took out the other.

"Fenris!" She said, wrapping him in a bear hug. "What's going on? Where's Asgarne?"

"He...he was killed...Asgarne is dead."

The Knights looked down mournfully. Asgarne had been their leader for years, showing each of them their deserved respect and friendship. But, he taught them to be strong, even in the worst situation.

Kirstia knelt down on one knee in front of Fenris and took out her sword, holding it out to him.

"What do we do now, my liege?" She said.

The others mimicked her. They were already accepting his leadership, pledging themselves to him. He looked around, surveying their circumstances.

"Alright. We're now fugitives and will probably be hunted down by the guards. King Magneril is obviously under some mind-control, and we can't get to him due to current epidemic."

They all stood up and listened intently. He told them of the Psijic's manipulation and the strange plan to gain more power.

"With the Psijic's involvement, we know it has something to do with Daedra. For now, we have to retreat to our old base."

One of the newer members asked, "Do you mean what I think you mean?"

Fenris smiled. "The Bethel of Anu."

I hope that makes up for the delay. Since I'm not really an author's notes kinda guy, all I'll say is that you'll be having a lot of cliff hangers! See you next time!