Chapter 14: The Frozen North
I laid on the deck of the ship, continuing to read the book about Solstheim. A ship from Khuul was the only way to get there from Vvardenfell, unless you were daft enough to try swimming that far. I yawned and got to my feet, wondering how much longer it would be until we arrived. I heard someone yell, and looked across the ocean. There was land appearing over the horizon, and a large fort could be seen along the coastline. That was Fort Frostmoth, the Imperial fortress on the island. The main city, if you could call it that, was Raven Rock, a rather small settlement in the southwest part of Solstheim. The expansive ebony mine located there was the main source of income for it's residents, which of course, were mostly miners. The thief had been stealing ebony, which seems to be a big deal to most people, I couldn't have cared less about it. The ship docked at Fort Frostmoth, and I stepped back onto solid ground.
I walked into the fort, Imperial Soldiers were everywhere, but I suppose that was to be expected. Guarding the entrances, wandering around the huge courtyard, bowmen perched atop the lookout towers. I asked around about the thief in Raven Rock, none of them had much to say about it, but I did learn a bit about the fortress I was in. I made a beeline for the armory, hoping they would sell me a few arrows. I had wasted a few as the ship I was on left Khuul, shooting at slaughterfish that swim near the boat, they had tormented me plenty of times, I figured it was my turn to have a little fun. I bought two dozen arrows and a slightly larger quiver from the shop, they seemed to have a bit more than they needed for some reason. I thanked the soldier minding the armory and began walking back to the docks.
A shrill cry echoed in my ears. I turned toward the main gate of the fortress and wasn't sure what I was seeing at first. Over a dozen Nords had charged though the gate and began attacking the soldiers. It wouldn't have been that confusing normally, but I just couldn't understand one thing. All of them, male and female alike, were charging in wearing nothing but underwear, one or two wore boots or a helmet, but never anything more than that. I watched as the soldiers and Nords battled, wondering if I should help, walk away, or if someone had drugged the bottle of Flin I drank on the way up here. I continued to stand there, watching the battle like a complete idiot as the last Nord was cut down. As one of the soldiers in the battle walked by I came to my senses.
"Ah... excuse me!" I said, still a bit dumbfounded.
The soldier, a young Imperial I had spoken to earlier, turned back to me. "Yes?"
"What... what the hell was that?" I blurted out, gesturing to the half-naked Nord corpses.
"Those are berserkers, Nords that have gone a bit... crazy. It's unusual though, they never used to bother us much, or be so organized, they've even attacked Raven Rock a couple times."
"You think someone's leading them?" I asked, a bit curious.
"I don't see how anyone could lead a group like them, but I suppose it would explain a few things." he shrugged. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to work."
"Of course... sorry to bother you." I said, walking off to the dock.
I stepped onto a small boat that was bound for Raven Rock, and began looking through the guidebook again. As the boat left the dock I found the chapter on berserkers. There wasn't much information about them, but it was clear that they were never known to attack in large groups like what I had witnessed at Fort Frostmoth. Before I knew it, the boat had stopped outside Raven Rock. I made my way from the boat to the tavern, staring at the snow covering the ground. After a short inquiry, and drink, at the tavern, I learned a bit about the thief.
I entered the ebony mine, reading what little information I had about the thief. Tall, probably a Nord. Wears black, of course, what thief wouldn't? And only shows up at night. I wondered why I bothered to stop for such common information. I walked deeper into the mine, the sound of picks against ore echoing through the tunnels. I soon found the store room, plenty of ore was kept here, and the security had been greatly increased after the last few robberies. I waited until nobody was looking, and stepped into the shadows across from the entrance to the store room. I sat on the ground and waited, it wasn't the best plan, but watching for anyone suspicious was the only thing I could think of.
Time seemed to stand still in the dim tunnels. I yawned, beginning to wonder if it was a waste of time just sitting around. Then something caught my eye, I thought I saw something moving, but there was nothing to see. I stared at that one spot, confused. It looked like there was something standing inside the store room, but not plainly visible, it was like when steam or smoke distorted an image. That's when it hit me, I was looking right at the thief! I got up and dashed out of the shadows toward the store room, the two guards outside it yelled for me to stop, and grabbed me before I was able to make it in.
"Crap! Let go!" I shouted, struggling as each one gripped my arms.
"Not a chance, you must be that thief! You're coming with us!" One of them shouted.
As they began to drag me away I could faintly see the thief walking out of the store room and back into the tunnels. "Idiots!" I shouted, sending a jolt of lightning into each of them until their grip loosened enough for me to escape. I charged at the thief, from the guards point of view it must have looked like I was trying to flee, and then tripped over my own feet as I came crashing to the ground after ramming the invisible thief. After I struck the thief his illusion ceased, and everyone could see the worried looking Nord on the ground.
"There's the thief... now then, I have a few questions for you." I said, standing up and wiping the dirt from my robe.
Before I could say anything else the Nord turned and charged down the tunnel deeper into the mines.
"Damn it... why do they always have to run?" I shouted, running after him.
I chased the Nord through the mine, almost losing him a few times. I was about to give up when he came sliding to a stop, the tunnel he had entered came to a dead end. I stopped a few feet from the only exit, panting.
"Was that really needed? I only need to ask you a couple things... geez." I said, still out of breath.
"You're not here to capture me?" he asked.
"No, just tell me, are you part of the ASP?" I asked, crossing my arms so I could easily reach my dagger if he was.
"The ASP? Are you stupid? Those guys are jerks!" he yelled.
"You know of them?"
"I met some of them up north, back when I still lived in Thrisk. It was near Lake Fjalding. We had a misunderstanding, one hell of an argument, and then I had to slaughter them."
"I bet ASP didn't like that..."
"No, they tried to have me killed a couple days later, and then a few more times after that. Eventually I just left Thrisk to get some peace. As you can see I haven't gotten any. I only stole ebony from here so I could buy a new place on Vvardenfell."
"Hmm..." I thought things through for a moment, and heard faint footsteps echoing from the tunnel behind me. "The guards are coming... as I see it you have two choices. I leave, and you try your luck with them, or I help you escape, and in return you come with me to Suran. There's someone I'd like you to meet."
The Nord didn't answer, he seemed to be thinking it over.
"There he is!" One of the guards shouted from the tunnel's entrance.
I turned back to see almost a dozen people crowding the only way out, each looked ready for combat. "Last chance."
"I don't really have a choice, do I?" he said, a bit irritated.
"True. Here you go." I reached into my robe and removed two scrolls, tossing one to the Nord. "See you there." I muttered the spell on the scroll and was engulfed in a blinding light. A moment later I was standing outside the temple in Gnisis.
There was another flash of light beside me, and the Nord from the mines appeared. "Ow... what was that?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.
"Intervention scrolls, a much needed item when traveling. A shame I always seem to forget about them." I chuckled.
"Interesting. So... you wanted me to go to some place called... what was it, Suntan?"
"No, no, no... Suran! Come on, I'll explain on the way." I said, walking toward the Silt Strider.
The Nord took a few steps forward and stopped, staring at the silt strider. "What the hell is that?!" he exclaimed.
"What?"
"That giant bug looking thing!"
"The silt strider? It's our transport, haven't you seen one before?"
"I've never even left Solstheim. they don't have things like that there!"
I sighed, getting a bit annoyed. "Then you can enjoy a few new experiences. Now hurry up, I want to get back."
"Okay..." he followed behind, a bit cautious of the silt strider. "Hey..."
"What now?" I grumbled, getting ready to throw something at him.
"You never introduced yourself, what's your name?"
"Nem... Nem Orian."
"Nice to meet you, I guess... my name's Barbarius."