Pietersielie: I just aim to try. Most people must be like me and not soak in every detail. I read about it on the Elder Scrolls Wiki, and thought 'I just have to include them.' If Ji'Chulus becomes a favourite, then I must've made him interesting.
It's been three days since Haj-Jah gave Viola the diaries. Right now, the Butcher hasn't struck again. Haj-Jah has been busy trying to use more taxing Conjuration and Destruction spells, but none of them seem to leave him satisfied. Be it conjuring a spectral sword from Oblivion or shoot a ball of fire to a target.
Right now, Haj-Jah was sitting on a bench close to the Grey Quarter of Windhelm, reading another spell tome. Lightning Bolt, a Destruction spell. A shadow blocked the sun, not allowing Haj-Jah to read the words written. He looked at who was creating the shadow, and saw Viola standing there. She was holding the books in her hands, but gripped the spines and covers tightly.
"Viola, have a seat." Haj-Jah proposed, moving over to give Viola some space.
"Thank you." Viola responded, being careful to not harm his tail in the process.
Haj-Jah closed the spell tome and put it in the book pouch, being careful to not rip the cover or pages. When he closed the pouch, he looked back at Viola. "What did you manage to find?" He asked.
Viola opened the book, where her observations were scribbled down along the edges of the pages. "I believe that Wuunferth is experimenting in necromancy." Viola explained.
Haj-Jah's eyes widened in shock. Wuunferth, a murderer and necromancer? Couldn't be possible. Well, mages that specialise in Conjuration can reanimate corpses to fight for them, but it was only temporary. Necromancers can reanimate corpses for extended periods, allowing them to fight until they are slain once again.
The Argonian was shaking his head, not believing it. "Are you sure about this?" He asked.
Viola nodded in affirmation. "Also his next victim would be a female Argonian. But, there aren't any in the city."
"Not in the city, but one lives outside the walls. The Nords don't care for anyone that's not a Nord, so they wouldn't notice it." Haj-Jah explained.
"Why would he need an Argonian? Your anatomy is completely different to ours." Viola asked.
"Maybe the bones that the Butcher needs is the right size. Otherwise the necromancy might not work." Haj explained.
Viola gave the books to Haj-Jah. "You must bring Wuunferth to justice. Or the murders will continue."
"I don't believe Wuunferth is behind this. I will ask him first, then make my judgement. Thank you for your time, Viola." Haj-Jah replied, walking away with the diaries in hand.
He walked up the steep incline that lead to and from the Grey Quarter and the Stone Quarter. Haj-Jah knew that the runoff from the Stone Quarter goes to the Grey Quarter, and that decreases the living quality of the area in some regards. He reached the top and diverted towards the Palace. He went inside and went straight towards Wuunferth's chambers. He casted Candlelight while in the halls, allowing him to see clearer in the darker halls. He knocked on Wuunferth's door, allowing the old wizard to open it and allow him in.
Haj walked in casually. "So, master, I've heard you dabble in necromancy." Haj said.
"What?! I am a member of the College of Winterhold, in good standing. They haven't allowed necromancy for hundreds of years." Wuunferth responded, much to Haj-Jah's shock.
"B-But I found your diaries and amulet in Hjerim." Haj responded.
"My what now? I never kept a journal, Haj-Jah, I assure you. But, what did this amulet look like?" Wuunferth asked.
"Ummm. Eight-sided. Jade, ringed with ebony. A worn carving on the face." Haj explained.
"I see. I going to believe that the carving once depicted a skull." Wuunferth assumed, making Haj nod in response. "I know that well, or I believe I do. That is the Necromancer's Amulet, of legend."
Haj kept a straight face, but his mind was in turmoil. He sold a dangerous magical artefact to Calixto, and thereby satisfied his own greed. He felt sick, but he was keeping it in check in Wuunferth's presence.
"Well, Haj, you were at least half right. There is necromancy at the heart of this." Wuunferth praised, making Haj-Jah feel a small piece of pride for himself. "And now that we know that they are tied into some kind of necromantic ritual, I may be able to determine the time of the next murder."
Haj-Jah handed the diaries over to Wuunferth, who began to note down the dates.
"The next victim is the young Argonian lady that lives down on the docks." Haj reported.
"Must be waiting for when they are allowed into the city for food and supplies. But that's twice a month, and the last one is..." Wuunferth began, coming to a realisation, "tonight."
"Tonight?" Haj asked, not believing it.
Wuunferth nodded, confirming Haj's thoughts.
"I still don't believe I am ready. It's been three days and I still have that promise to fulfil." Haj said, doubting himself.
"What promise?" Wuunferth asked.
"Tell you later, but right now, we need to inform the gua-"
"The guard don't care for any who are not Nords. You said and know so. Even If the Butcher killed the Argonian in a public display, the guards will not react. If the victim was a Nord, though, they will react." Wuunferth explained.
Haj-Jah sighed, clutching at the hood's cloth. He felt the fabric ever so slightly ripping beneath his claws. "Looks like I'll have to handle this be myself, then."
"Not by yourself, Haj."
Haj-Jah turned around, seeing a face that he hasn't seen for almost two weeks. Calder was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame. A war axe hung by his belt, accompanied by a shield being held in his left hand.
"Well, looks like one youngster has learnt respect. Patrol the Stone Quarter tonight. That's almost certain where the killer will strike next." Wuunferth said.
Haj and Calder nodded in affirmation, both leaving Wuunferth to his research. When the door closed behind him, Haj collapsed onto the ground and vomited onto the stones. The bile burnt his throat and left a very horrible taste in his mouth. His stomach was restless, probably from the news. Calder grabbed an arm roughly and harshly pulled Haj-Jah back onto his feet.
"I can't do this." Haj mumbled repeatedly, under his breath.
"Look, Haj, you can. The Butcher has killed three before. You can put a stop to the string of murders." Calder replied.
"I can't kill another sentient being." Haj responded back to Calder's comment.
"Then how do you suspect to fulfil that promise to Shahvee? Talk the bandits into giving the amulet back?" Calder asked, receiving a wide-eyed stare from Haj-Jah.
"You know about that?"
"Funnily enough, I was stationed at the docks then. I kind of eavesdropped on the promise you made. Don't worry, though, I will help you." Calder replied.
Haj-Jah breathed out heavily, feeling himself relax. "We'd better get some rest. I don't want us being responsible for not stopping the murder."
It was Shahvee's turn to get supplies. The Argonians in the Assemblage rotate who will buy the things needed. Food was the top priority, and clothes came a close second. The guards, after flinging their customary racist remarks, allowed Shahvee to enter the city. At eighteen, it was her second time going, since the first time she went she was little, with her...
'No. I will not remember the pain once more.' She thought, banishing the memory from her mind.
A little Nord girl was standing on close to the gates, holding a basket filled with a variety of small flowers. Shahvee walked past, heading straight for the marketplace. Even walking through the streets, the Nords of the city and the guards yelled insults at her. Luckily, Neetrenaza was kind enough to give her directions to the marketplace, just in case she'd forgotten, and Stands-In-Shallows gave her a list, one that didn't involve skooma. The streets were dark, lit only by a few torches and the stars.
She came into the marketplace, where the eyes of pretty much everyone honed in on her. Most were of shock, some were of anger, but there was one that she couldn't place. It was intent, she knew that much, but not what kind of intent. It didn't matter, she had to do something. She saw the vendor for meats and began to barter. Somehow, the price for meats decreased or increased depending on what she was looking for. When she came out of the bartering, she had half of the pouch full of money left. She stood in front of the fresh produce stall, trying to pick out the best. Unlike the others, she had the mindset of a merchant but she was a thief before, so she had a mind of what's expensive.
She heard a small ringing sound of metal on leather. Dismissing it as the meat vendor going to cut another chunk of meat, she went back to bartering. Suddenly, a hand wrapped around her mouth and a sharp pain emanated from her midsection. She faintly heard people scream, most likely the vendor and those that gathered in the marketplace, but Shahvee didn't pay much attention. The pain was felt again as something was ripped out, the hand moving away from her mouth and allowing her to fall. Her own basket of goods fell to the floor, dispersing the produce she just bought.
She heard a series of footfalls and a yell, which sounded like someone saying "no" but she wasn't sure. The edges of her vision were clouding up with darkness. An impact on the stones was heard, but that was a follower of a crack of short lightning bolts striking something. Another series of footfalls came running towards her. She felt someone pick her up and carry her somewhere, her body jostling with each step.
The pain grew too much and she passed out. Shahvee still didn't know where she was going, but it did count that it smelt like off alchemical ingredients before she passed out.
Haj-Jah was walking through the graveyard. It was ironic, four days ago he began to search for the Butcher, and now, he will be given justice. The tombstones, coupled with the fact that it was a dark night, made the surrounding area seem more dangerous than before. A scream was heard from the south, in the marketplace. Haj began to run, hoping that he was not too late and that he could save Shahvee. He took the stairs two at a time, rounding the corner from grasping onto the stones and looked over the square. He saw a hooded figure, holding a dagger, who's blade was inside Shahvee's back. He roughly pulled it out, Shahvee falling to the floor.
"Nooo!" Haj yelled, electricity sparking between his fingertips and palms and his eyesight filling up with red.
The hooded figure turned to face him, the dagger being held out threateningly. Like what Wuunferth said, the guards did nothing to assist the Argonian mage, so Haj-Jah was on his own for now. The hooded figure began to run towards the apprentice, the right arm pulled back to stab forwards. The Argonian reacted fast. He charged up the electricity in his palms and shot them out towards the hooded figure. Both streaks hit the figure, lightning coursing through the veins. The man slumped to the ground, the chest not rising or falling. He was dead, and Haj was alive.
His eyesight went back to normal, and saw the result. He couldn't do anything now. Shahvee was dying. Calder came running from the eastern entrance. He saw Shahvee lying down in a pool of her blood, but still alive. Calder ran over and picked her up gently. Haj motioned his hand towards the White Phial and Calder took her in there. Haj walked over to the hooded figure and pulled back the hood, revealing who the Butcher was.
The crowd, and Haj-Jah, gasped at the identity of the Butcher. Haj-Jah vomited out to the side due to who he killed. It was Calixto, his eyes were open in deep shock and his mouth was slightly open. Being respectful, Haj brought his hand up to Calixto's eyes and pulled the eyelids down shut, yet feeling as sick as possible yet again for killing a person. He looked through the possessions that Calixto had on him. He pulled out the Necromancer's Amulet, leaving the rest where it was. He ran into the White Phial, where the shopkeeper and his assistant were desperately trying to stem the flow of blood from Shahvee's back wound. Calder was sitting off to one side, unable to do much.
Haj ran up to Shahvee's unconscious form and laid both of his hands over the wound. The Restoration magic he knew would come in handy now, but also put it to the test. He pumped magic into the wound, allowing the muscles, bone and skin to reknit and reset. Unfortunately, his magicka ran out before the wound fully healed. Luckily, the apothecary pulled out a healing potion that was in stock and poured the contents down Shahvee's throat. A slight cough but nothing else major. The rest of the wound fully healed over, but a deep pink scar was left on her back.
"It might be best if we left her here tonight. It's a good thing that she's still alive." The apothecary said.
"Ok. Thank you." Haj replied. He began to walk away from the counter but stopped and turned back around. "For the potion and services." He laid a few gold coins on the countertop.
"Our pleasure to assist." The apothecary said, bowing slightly.
Haj-Jah and Calder walked out, where the crowd around the corpse of Calixto dispersed. Calder stared at the body in shock.
"Calixto was the Butcher?" He asked. Haj nodded in reply.
"Come on. We'd better tell Jorleif that we got the Butcher." Haj said, Calder held up a hand.
He took his war axe out, as well as a large leather pouch. He knelt down and raised the axe in the air. He brought it down upon Calixto's neck, decapitating the corpse. He placed the head inside the pouch, which began to stain the bottom red with blood. He nodded that he was ready, although it made Haj-Jah feel even more sick.
They walked up to the Palace of the Kings. Knowing that Jorleif doesn't have a proper set of quarters, Haj walked through the hall, went to the kitchen and shook Jorleif out of his sleep. The Nord shook his own head to wake himself up, his face betraying his emotions of anger.
"What is it now?" He asked Haj and Calder angrily.
"Calixto was the Butcher. He's dead now." Haj replied calmly.
Calder took Calixto's head out from the pouch, strangely calm while holding it.
Jorleif's eyes widened at the accusation and the head, his anger dissipating. "Ysmir's beard. That man was a little bit odd, but I'd never.." Jorleif began to say, cutting his own rant short.
Calder shoved the head back into the pouch and gave it to Jorleif, who placed it to the side.
"Doesn't matter now. You've done this city a great service, Haj. I'll post something that would make the guards a lot more cordial with you in the future." Jorleif said, shaking Haj's hand in thanks.
"My pleasure." Haj-Jah replied, letting go of Jorleif's hand. "We'll let you get back to sleep."
The two left the kitchen, where Jorleif lied back down onto the bedroll and fell asleep a bit too quickly.
"Well, who will tell the news to the Argonians in the Assemblage?" Calder asked.
"I will. I think Neetrenaza will try to rip your throat open if you try."
"True. I'll be going to the barracks. May the Nine watch over you, Haj. Including the Hist as well. And whatever else anyone worships."
Haj laughed at the wish of good health. "May the Hist and the Nine and whoever watch over you too, Calder." He replied, still laughing.
He walked out of the Palace and down the Stone Quarter. He came down to the gates that lead to the docks, where the little girl that usually stood there wasn't anymore. He went through the gates and down the stairs. He knew where the door to the Assemblage was and so he walked to it and knocked on the door. A lock was heard being undone and the door was pulled open. The face that met him was Neetrenaza, who did not look happy.
"Why are you here?" He asked, his voice and body language not covering his anger.
"News, about Shahvee." Haj-Jah replied calmly.
Neetrenaza calmed down, upon hearing about Shahvee. He stood off to one side and allowed Haj-Jah to walk through. When Haj-Jah was fully inside, Neetrenaza closed the door softly and locked the door. He motioned with his hand for the mage to take a seat, which both Argonians did.
"What was this about Shahvee?" He asked, his voice on the edge of despair.
"She was targeted by the Butcher tonight. The Butcher is now dead." Haj explained.
"What about Shahvee? What about her? Is she dead?" Neetrenaza asked once again, his anger rising.
"No, she is alive. Luckily, Calder and I came and helped at the right time." Haj-Jah explained.
Neetrenaza breathed out, putting his head into his hands and calming down. "Thank the Hist for that. Shahvee's like a little sister to all of us. Recently seen eighteen winters now and almost died after that. It's great seeing that there are people looking out for us, specifically you and this Calder." Neetrenaza said.
"She may not be the same after that experience. If your employer asks why Shahvee isn't there, direct them to me." Haj-Jah replied. He was thinking of a joke, but decided to not say it now.
"I'm not sure if Torbjorn would like that."
Haj-Jah stood up and began to walk out. "Wait!"
He turned around to see Neetrenaza standing in front of him.
"Your name?"
"Haj-Jah Cadorees. Why?"
"Haj-Jah. Thank you, Marsh Friend."
"My pleasure." With that said, Haj-Jah walked out of the Assemblage.
He returned to the Palace and, with the sun peaking over the horizon, he went to bed. A long night drained him of much of his energy and slept for one day. Wuunferth understood his small plight and continued on his own research. Calder, with Jorleif's approval, was diverted from active duty for that day.
Haj-Jah was standing out the front of the Shatter-Shield's lodge. He still held the key to Hjerim on his person. He went up to the steps and, was about to knock on the door, when the door was pulled back, revealing Tova Shatter-Shield. While she was still solemn, she may be overjoyed when she may hear the news.
"Tova Shatter-Shield, here is the key to Hjerim." Haj said, handing the key over to her.
"Thank you. Did you find anything about the murderer?" Tova asked.
"A lot. It was tied into a necromantic ritual, by Calixto. He's dead now, after trying to claim a fourth victim."
Tova began to smile when she heard that the Butcher was dead, but her smile disappeared when she heard about the fourth victim.
"A fourth?"
Haj nodded. "Shahvee, one of your husband's workers, was attacked. Luckily, it wasn't fatal and we were able to save her."
Tova's smile came back when she heard that Shahvee was still alive. "Poor girl. Lost her father at a young age, though." She reminisced.
"What?"
Tova was shocked at her words. "In fact, forget I said anything about that." She said, waving a hand to dismiss the past.
"Thank you for your time, Tova." Haj said, walking away to the White Phial. He received a note that Shahvee would not move from a corner in the healing room. She would stare blankly at a wall and sit in a feeble position.
He came to the White Phial and entered. The apothecary's assistant recognised Haj-Jah and lead him to where Shahvee was. What he saw was exactly how the note explained. Shahvee was in the corner and staring, small tears coming from the eyes, down the cheeks and onto the floor. She must've noticed the presences of the two, since she looked their way before looking back to the wall.
Haj-Jah slowly walked towards Shahvee and knelt down to her level. "Come on, Shahvee. Talk to me." He proposed, keeping his voice light and not making the proposition an order.
Shahvee didn't speak right away. She breathed in sharply, causing more tears to fall. She took a deep breath. "Sorry." She whispered, but Haj-Jah kind of heard it.
"What?" Haj-Jah asked, not fully sure what Shahvee said.
"Sorry." She whispered in a louder voice.
Haj-Jah came forwards and enveloped Shahvee in an embrace. It wasn't long until Shahvee put her forehead onto his shoulder and cried into it.
"Come on, let's get you back to the docks." He said, standing up.
Shahvee offered no resistance and stood up, allowing Haj-Jah to slowly guide her out of the room and into the marketplace. Many eyes looked their way, but not of hate or disdain, but those of happiness or sorrow. The meat vendor had a bag to give to Shahvee, since the produce she bought from him were ruined when she was stabbed. And similar with the fresh produce vendor, as she gave her a small bag as well. One of the guards, who was a female, took Shahvee as a thanks for helping the guards while Haj-Jah kept holding the two bags.
"No wonder why Calder has a different mindset to the rest of us." The guard remarked, guiding Shahvee's unfocused body to the gates.
Haj's eyes widened. He recognised that voice. "It is true. I just did what was necessary, Erila." Haj-Jah replied.
"You know, when I first saw you with Calder, I thought you were weak. Now though, you aren't weak to kill."
Haj-Jah became distant, but kept walking. "I am hesitant to take lives. I felt sick just by seeing his face and the actions of what I'd done." He came back to reality. "But looks like Nords can change."
"True, true. Much to my distaste."
The three made it through the gates and down the stairs. Since the Argonians were working, the Assemblage was locked. But, upon seeing the state that Shahvee was in, Neetrenaza stopped what he was doing and unlocked the Assemblage door. With that, Shahvee was placed on one of the four beds, where she continued to blankly stare at the wall or the floor. Erila left and Haj placed both of the bags onto the table. He went to the door to leave.
"Don't leave. Please." Shahvee pleaded.
Haj retracted his hand from the door and walked back over to Shahvee. Some of the purple streaks around her eyes were washing off of the scales from tears. It broke his heart, seeing her in this state. Haj-Jah went over to Shahvee's sitting form and sat down beside her. He wrapped his arm around her slender form, where Shahvee rested her head on Haj-Jah's shoulder. They stayed like that for a few minutes until another Argonian walked in. He was old, his scales a sick shade of mint green. Clothes that were ragged clung to him desperately. He walked over to the two. That was when Haj-Jah realised that his scales were also slightly tinged with grey, indicating the old age of the Argonian.
"I'll take Shahvee, friend. You can leave." He said.
Haj-Jah nodded and stood, having the older Argonian take his place next to Shahvee. Haj-Jah left the Assemblage and stopped on the edge of one of the piers. He took the Necromancer's Amulet out of one of his pouches and held it in his hand. He looked out over the water, half frozen over.
He narrowed his eyes and looked down at the amulet in his hand. It looked like it was begging him to keep it, but Haj-Jah had other plans. He burned the straps of the amulet, leaving nothing for it to connect to. He looked back up, pulled his arm back with his fist closing around the accursed object and threw it into the water with a satisfying sound. He rapidly saw Calixto's face in the air, the face he saw when he was dead. Accusing him.
Haj-Jah looked down at the stones, closing his eyes. "I'm sorry. But you forced my hand, Calixto. Now you can rejoin whoever you were going to bring back." He said to himself and obviously Calixto's spirit.
He turned and walked back up to the Palace of the Kings. He had to get ready to get to Ivarstead.
The Khajiit was sitting in his cell, thinking over his stupidity and his apparent lack of skill. He used to be good. The best, even.
The room around him and his cell turned a shade of blue in the sunlight. Everyone paused in place, even though they had no idea what was happening since they couldn't see it happening.
A note hovered in midair, floating in a sphere of blue energy. The Khajiit took it and the energy disappeared. He opened the note and read the contents.
There will be two Blades in Riverwood in a few days, an Altmer and a Dunmer. Give them the note I will give you in a few days time.
And say this phrase to them. "Remember the 30th of Frostfall?"
-A.
The Khajiit closed it and tucked it away in his rough sack clothing.
Time reverted back to normal, and one of the Windhelm guards walked up to his cell, key in hand. They stuck the key in and turned it, opening the lock that the Khajiit wouldn't even attempt to lock.
He knew he was out of practice, and therefore wouldn't try.
When the door was swung open, he was dragged out and his stuff was thrown to him. Given no sense of privacy, he had to strip in front of the guards and replaced all of his old attire.
The cotton undershirt, the silken wraps and breeches, with the sash around his waist. The dagger, made to the old Yokudan style and with trusty Redguard steel, was placed within its scabbard and into the sash. The dark blue cloak, even though most people thought it was black, went over the garb and completed his look. He was shoved quickly and he complied, knowing the old result rather well.
He went to the Grey Quarter when he was shoved out of the Palace, looking at the note when he made it.
At least he still had that skill mastered. Now to practice his other skills back up to legendary status.
If you like to leave a review, please do. In fact, if you'd like, leave who your favourite character is so far and I may create a short story about them.