Chapter 14- Conjuring Tricks
This is going to hurt, Calvus thought as he flew towards the far wall. With a huge clang of steel and stone he hit it, before falling to the floor like a limp rag doll.
"Very interesting" The Altmer Conjurer said.
Calvus groaned in pain. He couldn't even look up at the elf, let alone fight him. All he could do for the moment was listen to his gloating.
"You are the Divine Crusader I presume? Of course you are! I can practically feel the Magika flowing off that armour. Surely only one chosen by the Gods could harness such power?! Well no, that is foolish superstition."
The Altmer turned back to his table, his eyes quickly darting over the tomes and texts that lay open upon it.
"The relics are fascinating objects. Yet you do not possess them all. I wonder if you are just another brute with delusions of grandeur!"
He looked at Calvus over his shoulder, and though Calvus could not see him, he could feel his old eyes piercing into him like knives.
"Who are you under that fancy Helmet? Who lays under the glorious cloak of steel? Are you a divinity sent to save Tamriel? What if you were some commoner? What would happen if your true identity was known? Or if you died? People would lose hope. Lords and wealthy men would try to take the title of 'The Divine Crusader'. The whole of Cyrodiil would descend into chaos while Umaril invaded. But… "
The Altmer paused, to collect his thoughts. Calvus finally gathered the strength to look up at the grey haired elf who questioned him. He wore the standard Conjurer robe, but he had all sorts of jewellery around his person. Golden rings and silver necklaces with defensive enchantments decorated him, reflecting the light of the braziers in the room.
"But…the stories could have some truth in them. Did you really reclaim that Helm from its underwater tomb? Did you really scare of four bloodthirsty bandits with one word? Can you answer that? Crusader?"
The last word was said with spite and loathing, and angered Calvus. But what angered him more was the realisation of the consequences of failure. If Calvus did die or his identity as a mere Fighters Guild member revealed, then Umaril would succeedin destroying the Nine Divines, and he would take Tamriel with them. That he could not allow to happen.
"I am beginning to doubt you have any power Crusader! I have brought you to the ground with one spell! Have you no strength left?"
Calvus ignored the Altmers words, and gathered all the strength he could find within him.
***
Jureem was having fun torturing the Crusader with the power of his words. Questioning his strength and his ability seemed to make him weaker and weaker. He would soon break him, and then he could take the relics, and study them, see if they could help the Conjurers. Trading them to Umaril seemed such a waste of power anyway.
"Do you fight for the so called Divines? Or just for personal gain? I can see into you Crusader, and I see weakness, I see frailty, and I see hopelessness. You spend far too much time fighting bandits and brigands when you could be fighting the minions of Umaril! Have you even seen one of his servants? Do you ever plan to stand against him? Or would you rather be a beacon of fleeting and fading hope to the doomed people?"
Jureem smiled as he saw the Crusader squirm. He could tell that he was causing him pain and anger. He would not last much longer. But then something happened that he did not expect, the Crusader said something.
"I fight for the Divines" he said as he slowly struggled to his feet. "I fight for the people. Whether I kill bandits or Umaril's servants, I still fight for them. Those stories you've heard, they're true. And to answer your other question…Yes I do have strength left!!"
With that the Crusader leapt forward, bringing his sword down towards Jureem. He barely had time to parry the blow with his staff. Nevertheless Jureem smiled.
"Your stronger than I thought! Very interesting!"
***
With those words Calvus withdrew his sword from the parry and thrust it at the Conjurers chest. The Conjurer blocked again with his staff, quick as lightening. The Conjurer then knocked Calvus back, and spun around, using his staff like a club. Calvus blocked the blow at the cost of his shield. The force of the blow shattered the red diamond of wood and leather after many battles and continuous punishment.
That's the second shield I've broken this month! Calvus thought. The loss of his shield left his side open, but he was more agile without it. The Conjurer attempted to hit Calvus's open right shoulder, but Calvus grabbed the staff. The steel grip of the Crusader's Gauntlet ensured that he would not let go. The Conjurer tried to pull his staff out of Calvus's grip, but he was interrupted by a quick swipe to his right arm by Calvus's silver blade. The Altmer screamed at the sudden pain, and staggered back, letting go of the staff.
"Give up now and I will spare you!" Calvus declared.
"Fool!! Why do you think we are called Conjurers?" was the reply.
The elf raised his uninjured arm and said an incantation. Red ribbons of light ran round his robe sleeve. A huge swirl of red light appeared in front of him, and amongst it a roar could be heard. The red cleared to reveal a Daedroth, one the most terrifying type of Daedra. The creature was like a huge reptile standing eight feet tall. It a crocodile like head, huge claws that could kill a horse in one swipe and its thick scaly skin could prove a challenge for the sharpest sword. It roared. The sound of it rocketed around the room, bouncing all over the walls, making it sound as if there were ten of the creatures.
Calvus could see the Conjurer standing behind the Daedroth, grinning at his imminent demise. Calvus then came up with a cunning plan. With a spin of the magical staff that was still in his hand, he aimed the tip of it at the Conjurer. The Daedroth started to run towards Calvus.
Kill, He thought.
A storm of blue lightening erupted from the staff's tip, flashing passed the Daedroth and striking the Altmer in the chest. With a cry and a thump, the Conjurer fell to the cold stone floor, dead. The huge monster was only a few feet away from Calvus when it faded into nothingness.
Calvus threw the staff to the ground. A brief look at the Conjurers smoking corpse told him he was definitely dead. He ran his sword through the bodies chest, just to make sure. After wiping his blade on the robes of the dead Altmer, he sheathed his sword, and cast a few restoration spells. He then looked at the puzzle before him. Four statues, with a small stone plinth in the centre. On closer inspection, the statues had turn handles on their bases.
'When the eyes of the Guardians are upon you, Julianos will show you favour'
Calvus remembered the passage said to him by Thredret. He turned the handles, making all the statues face towards the central plinth. He stood upon it, and felt the stone descend into the ground. All the braziers in the room went out instantly, making Calvus jump. The only light left was a gloomy dim glimmer from the chandailier above. However, this light was sufficient enough for Calvus to see an opening in one of the smooth walls, an opening that revealed a long winding passage. Calvus walked over to the opening, and cautiously made his way into the darkness.
After some time he saw light at the end of the passage. He made his way out into bright blue torchlight , and upon an alter he saw the Shield of the Crusader. It was a red diamond, made of not wood and leather but steel and magic. There was a silver rim around the edge of the Shield, as well as two wings similar to the ones on the Helm. Calvus held up the shield in triumph. It felt just right in his hand, much better than his previous shield. It was like having his original steel shield back except it felt…better.
He saw an exit, and made his way towards it. After walking and stumbling through a winding passage, a door opened in front of him, leading into the open air. He took a deep breath, and was glad to be away from the stale and dusty air of the fort. He located Tiber and untied his faithful steed. The horse gave Calvus a look which said 'I've been worried sick, where have you bloody been?' Calvus patted the horse's nuzzle, which seemed to comfort him. Calvus climbed onto the saddle.
"Wait! Crusader!!"
Calvus saw Thredret running up to him.
"I don't suppose you could give me a lift? Or a knighthood? I can fight well, and I do serve Julianos!!"
"I can do both my friend!" He chuckled, and offered Thredret his hand.
Thredret took it, and Calvus pulled hi up onto the horse. With a cry of 'On Tiber!' they galloped off through the trees.
***
The journey was long and arduous, and tired both Calvus and Thredret. Nevertheless, they were in high spirits when they reached the priory. Calvus left Tiber in the stable, and noticed another horse he did not recognise. He went to the door of the priory and saw a figure sitting by it, reading a book. As Calvus drew nearer, he recognised the figure.
"Areldur?" he said startled.
"Crusader! You've returned! Erm…listen." the Altmer said as he stood up and snapped his book shut. "I did some thinking and decided I could serve Stendarr better as a Knight than a priest…so I have come to ask if you would have me in your service."
"Can you fight Areldur?" Calvus asked.
"I'm a dead shot with a bow and I have some fair skill with a sword." he replied.
"Thredret, Areldur, kneel" Calvus commanded.
They both did as he asked, kneeling side by side. After touching both their shoulders with his blade, Calvus said:
"Arise Sir Thredret! Arise Sir Areldur!"
Both men rose and thanked Calvus. He told them to get some armour on from the basement, then went inside. Calvus was tired beyond belief, he went up the stairs to the second floor and collapsed onto a double bed. He closed his eyes and slept like he had never slept before.
***
Under the cover of night Ungolim walked up to the well in Cheydinhal. He took a key from his pocket and unlocked the grate that covered the well. He looked around for any guards and when he was sure there were none around, he slipped silently into the black, closing the grate behind him. He climbed down the ladder into the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary, where most of the Brotherhoods operations were carried out for Cyrodiil.
As Ungolim climbed down the ladder, there was silence. This was strange, as there was usually some sound that could be heard while climbing down. He could also smell something pungent, but he could not quite identify it. When he reached the bottom, he stepped in something wet and sticky. He looked down, and saw a pool of red liquid at his feet. He then identified the smell.
"Blood." Ungolim said. "Oh shit…"