Scroll 18
"Subterfuge and Spite"
The journey to Kragenmoor was swift and silent. Tensions were high as the three mer rode in silence. Aedalyn still seemed angry and not herself, so both Dauragon and Amrien made no effort to talk. Not that they would talk to each other anyway.
Even Finn could sense his usually jovial owner was not herself, and seemed to lean into her comfortingly as he sat in-between her and Kari's neck. After a while, Aedalyn took note of this and gave Finn a soothing rub behind his ear.
"I'm sorry, little one. I'm just…..at a loss with everything that's happened today. I don't understand it, but, maybe things will become clear eventually."
The group passed what was now unmistakably the Sathram Plantation, passing by the piece of land atop a hillside. Further down the road they went and not long after passing the plantation, they saw the city, or part of it.
It loomed atop a hill, looking very much like yet another fort or keep. On the road leading in, a small group of dunmer stood around each other. One seemed to be keeping an eye on the road and when she spotted the group approaching, ushered them over.
"A word of warning, travelers, Kragenmoor is not safe at the moment." she says with frustration. "Unless you're here to help, I suggest you move on and leave this matter for someone else to deal with."
"We have business of our own to look into here. We just came from Fort Virak. We're willing to help if you'll have us." Amrien assured.
"Well, that's good news at least. I heard Fort Virak was taken over, but I guess that's been resolved. If you are here to help, we'll have it. Speak to Duryn Beleran." she points just behind her. She crosses her arms and sighs. "If I thought the Three gave a damn about me, I'd pray for you. Instead I'll wish you good luck and a sharp blade."
"You as well." Dauragon replied.
The group of mer were noticed by Duryn Beleran and his face lit up with renewed hope.
"The saviors of Davon's Watch, and the Virak siege-breakers! Thank Vivec you're here!"
Amrien held out his arm in greeting, receiving a handshake from the dunmer. "Gurdsman Beleran, what can you tell us? We were told by your compatriot over there that the town isn't safe right now?"
Duryn nods. "Tanval Indoril entered town at the head of his personal Vanguard and demanded an audience with the grandmaster. Now the Vanguard patrol the streets. They practically command here in Kragenmoor."
"Any idea what he did to make that happen?" Dauragon asked, arms crossed.
"I don't know, but when he came out from talking to our grandmaster, he was suddenly in charge."
"Just like that?" Aedalyn questioned, a bit skeptical.
The guardsman nodded. "Our House Elves and slaves alike are terrified. If you want to help, please speak with our grandmaster. Maybe he'll listen to a new voice…..I hope. He's sure to listen to the heroes of Fort Virak, I'd imagine."
"Y'ffre willing, but let's make sure that what we say doesn't offend them. Last thing we need is to end up imprisoned or exiled out of town. We won't be able to stop Tanval, otherwise." Amrien replied.
"Something we can agree on, antlers." Dauragon begrudgingly added. "And trust me when I say that the members of House Dres are easily offended. Especially regarding slavery, since it's what they made their living on." he scoffs at his own statement. "Bastards."
"Well, here's hoping we come up with something to say on the way. Tanval has a tremendous lead on us and we don't have time to come up with an appropriate appeal." Aedalyn reminds her companions, feeling a bit anxious.
Returning to their mounts, they rode into town, being met with the gazes of, presumably, Tanval's Vanguard. Dropping off their mounts at the stable, they ascended the stairs and gazed at the large keep before them.
"How fitting for House Dres." Amrien commented dryly.
"Come on, let's be quick about this and find Tanval." Aedalyn added urgently, walking towards the large structure with haste.
Upon entering, it didn't take long to find the grandmaster. For he stood on the opposite side of the doorway, talking to a Captain of the guard.
"Surely we can compromise on the matter." the grandmaster stated, his voice echoing through the large chamber.
"Remember, Grandmaster, the urgency of our business." the guard Captain replied, his voice thick with frustration.
"As you say, Captain, as you say. I-" he stopped as the three mer approached. "Who are you? What gives you the….oh!" he looks to Dauragon in surprise. "The hero of Fort Virak, I assume. Honor to you and your house. I had word of your arrival!"
Amrien and Aedalyn snickered slightly, receiving a dark glare from the guard captain. "Silence!" he yelled, moving his hand down toward his blade.
Amrien and Aedalyn narrowed their eyes at the guard captain, but held their tongues begrudgingly.
Dauragon held up a hand, stopping the captain from irritating the bosmer siblings further.
"A-apologies, I'm Dauragon Feydron. These are my comrades, Aedalyn Rosevale and her brother Amrien Thornvale."
Both Grandmaster Dres and the captain looked absolutely disgusted.
"Truly? You travel with these two?" Grandmaster Dres questioned in disbelief, finding it hard to believe that two bosmer would be helping the Ebonheart Pact. "I feel sorry for you, Dauragon of House Feydron. What brings a war hero of the Ebonheart Pact to distant Kragenmoor? Forgive me, I would be more welcoming, but today, important matters distract me."
Dauragon cleared his throat awkwardly.
"T-thank you for seeing us on such short notice, grandmaster. There's an urgent matter we must discuss, if that's alright?" Dauragon asked, his hands folded behind his back in respect.
Grandmaster Dres shakes his head dismissively. "Apologies, but the Vanguard demands my attention at the moment. If you have further questions-and I'm sure you do-speak to my seneschal, Denu Faren. Also, have you made sure that your…. 'comrades' aren't, shall we say, spying for the Dominion?" he questioned rather bluntly, looking at the two bosmer disapprovingly.
Aedalyn and Amrien glared daggers at the grandmaster at his accusation.
"I assure you, ser, they are on our side. We're sorry for the sudden intrusion." Dauragon bowed respectfully, even though deep down he wanted to punch the egotistical and pompous dunmer off his high horse.
Not looking at Dauragon, the captain's eyes narrowed at the two bosmer siblings, who were practically fidgeting in place.
"While you're speaking with the sensechal, make sure your….. 'companions', keep their opinions, and hands, to themselves. Are we clear, Dauragon of House Feydron?" the captain asked, not taking his eyes off the bosmer siblings since they approached.
Amrien made a slight movement, anger fueling what no doubt would result in the guard captain on the floor with a bloody nose.
If Dauragon had any respect for House Dres, which he didn't, he could have easily let this have gone to his head. But he bowed respectfully and nodded. "I will….do my best to keep them in line, ser." he said through gritted teeth.
"Very well…you may find seneschal Faren over there." he pointed to a side hall to the left of where they were. "Off with you, now. The Grandmaster is busy."
As the three mer walked away, the two bosmer were fuming.
"Pompous prick." Amrien added angrily.
"That is an understatement, brother." Aedalyn replied. "Took everything in me not to shoot an arrow at both of them."
"And you would have been imprisoned on the spot, tree-dweller." Dauragon added, shaking his head. "Believe me….that was a lot harder for me to listen to than you think."
A wide grin stretched across Aedalyn's face as she started nudging Dauragon in the arm. "Does this mean you actually like us, mage?" she asked teasingly.
Dauragon ignored her, only replying with a scoff.
"Surprised you didn't get off on that, ash-skin. Perhaps I can trust you a slightly bit more now, knowing you have little respect for those kind of people." Amrien begrudgingly stated.
Dauragon stopped and stared at the bosmer. He couldn't believe what he just heard, if he was honest. A compliment, of all things. He expected it from Aeda but not from Amrien.
Amrien got a little irritated at the way Dauragon was staring at him. "Don't think anything of what I just said, ash-skin! I still don't like you!"
"The feeling's mutual, antlers. You're the one who's thinking about it too much."
While the two mer bickered like children, Aedalyn caught the gaze of a dunmer woman, who ushered her over.
"Bosmer, might I have a word with your Master?" she asked, igniting a renewed irritation within Aedalyn.
A vein above Aedalyn's brow flared as she crossed her arms. "My apologies, but he is not my Master. I don't belong to anyone. We are simply comrades." she replied through gritted teeth. "He's currently bickering with my brother. I am perfectly capable of receiving any information you may have."
The seneschal's brows furrowed, before nodding in understanding. "Very well…..caution, stranger. Speak quietly, lest one of the Vanguard hear us."
"Of course…..I hope you can tell me what's going on. Since no one else in this damned place will. Why did Tanval Indoril stop by here?"
"When he came here to talk to the grandmaster, the grandmaster refused him access to the mountain. Then Tanval snapped and ordered his Vanguard to take the grandmaster's son hostage."
Aedalyn's eyes widened at this, for she could hardly believe the lengths Tanval had gone to get what he wanted.
"Kidnapping? That hardly sounds like the Tanval I knew nearly days ago." she lowered her head, clenching a fist in frustration. I suppose losing Garyn was the last straw. Damn it, Tanval!
"He's lost control and must be stopped, but first, the grandmaster needs help."
"Really?" Aedalyn questioned rudely. "Because it sure didn't seem like he wanted any. Especially from me and my brother. He barely made eye contact with us and practically told us otherwise. He said he had urgent business with the Vanguard. It's the reason I'm talking to you."
The seneschal narrowed her eyes at the bosmer. "If I had any power over anything here, and a certain law wasn't in place, I would put you in chains for the way you are speaking about the grandmaster. Consider yourself lucky that the Pact is keeping that from happening, bosmer. Now…..Nadras Hlor, upstairs, will know more. Go, and good luck, I suppose. For what that's worth to you."
Aedalyn bowed respectfully, but immediately rolled her eyes once the seneschal's back was turned. She walked over to her brother and Dauragon and smacked them both across their heads. Her action caught the attention of a few noble dunmer, who gasped in disgust.
"Mind your own business!" Aedalyn suddenly yelled, then internally cursed herself for it.
The dunmer nobles continued to glare and Aedalyn leaned down to both her brother and Dauragon.
"Upstairs, you two! Quit your bickering and lets go before I lash out at these pompous nobles again!" Aedalyn threatened in a whisper, pointing towards some stairs.
The two bickering mer did as they were told, and they all ascended the stairs. At the top, Aedalyn looked around in hopes of spotting the mer that Seneschal Faren mentioned. It didn't take long, for he was one of the only dunmer that wasn't a guard on the upper floor. She practically pulled her brother and Dauragon along, who were still glaring daggers at each other.
Nadras Hlor saw them approach, looking a bit uneasy at the sight of two bosmer, but perked up once he met Dauragon's gaze.
"Honor to you and your house. What can I do for you, ser?" he asked, only making eye contact with Dauragon.
"Uh…." unsure what to say, Dauragon looks to Aeda, hoping she could tell him.
The dunmer's brow furrowed curiously. "Are you alright, ser?" he asks.
Aedalyn quickly stepped in-between Dauragon and Nadras, getting a little irritated with the way people had been treating her here.
"Seneschal Faren thinks you might know where the grandmaster's son was taken? The one that was kidnapped by Tanval Indoril?" Aedalyn asked, trying to make eye contact with the stubborn dunmer.
"I might know where he is, but I don't socialize with woodland savages. I will only speak to your Master, here." he gestures to Dauragon.
"You can speak freely." Dauragon adds coldly. "I do not 'own' these two." he replies with narrowed eyes. Hoping the dunmer would take a hint.
Nadras seemed a little disgusted, but nodded. "Truth be told, I don't know where he was taken. But, you can certainly get the information from the Vanguard. As I see it, you have two options: you could sneak into their barracks here in town, or you could assault their camp. Good luck attempting either." he begrudgingly answered, still not making eye contact.
Aedalyn held her chin in thought. "Well…I don't think we need to make anymore enemies today….it seems a bit of subterfuge may be our best option. How would we get into the barracks?"
"Disguising yourself as a member of the Vanguard should do the trick, I'd imagine. Talk to Kaasha, outside, near the manor wall. She's selling her wares out there and might have what you're looking for." Nadras sneered.
"It seems we have a plan, for now." Amrien assured. "We'll return to Seneschal Faren once we find out any information. Thank you."
Nadras scoffed, but nodded.
000
Upon exiting the grandmaster's palace, they immediately found Kaasha's place of business…..or lack thereof. It was mostly a small shed.
Aedalyn was saddened a bit to see that Kaasha was a Khajiit. And even though the signing of the Pact meant no slaves were allowed anymore, she couldn't help but wonder if Kaasha was one at one point.
"You come to buy from this one, yes? Grandmaster gives us special license to see and trade."
"We heard a rumor that you might have a Vanguard uniform for sale?" Aedalyn questioned, leaning a bit closer to keep her voice down.
Kaasha shrugged, looking away. "Perhaps…can't remember. Kaasha is a loyal servant, and doesn't wish harm to come to House Dres."
Amrien rolled his eyes, reached into his satchel and held out a handful of gold.
Kaasha's eyes brighten and a smile forms on her face as she whispers. "A kind gift removes suspicion." she then raises her voice as a member of the Vanguard walks by. "You come for a package for the great House Dres, yes? Here you are!"
Kaasha hands Amrien the uniform, cleverly wrapped in a large piece of leather, then points behind the three mer to a bridge leading to another large structure.
"Tell the grandmaster that this one hopes he is pleased with what he's purchased! You are welcome to purchase from Kaasha anytime!"
Amrien bowed in thanks to the khajiit as the three mer headed in that direction.
"As much as I want to have a little fun away from these pompous people, I think you need to put on the uniform, ash-skin." Amrien admits begrudgingly.
"I agree. Having a dunmer like you does come in handy in this situation, seeing as how every person here doesn't trust me or my brother." Aedalyn adds, crossing her arms as yet again both her and her brother were being stared at.
"I'll…..try to be quick then. Before you get yourselves into any trouble." Dauragon assures.
"Says the pyromaniac with a temper. Why do I suddenly want to punch you, mage?" Amrien asked.
Dauragon scowled as he walked away from the two bosmer, descending a set of stairs out of sight. When he came back, he was dressed in the Vanguard uniform.
"You look pretty good in that, mage! You should wear actual armor more often!" Aedalyn said with a huge grin.
Dauragon, while somewhat flattered, hated the way the armor felt on him.
"It's so heavy…..how do people wear this?" he questioned, fidgeting with one of the shoulder pieces.
"Just take the compliment my sister gave you, ash-skin. Because I certainly won't offer you one. And we wear leather armor, not full on iron and steel."
"It would be awfully hard for me or my brother to move around the way we do in that." Aedalyn agreed with a shrug. Giving an apologetic look to Dauragon.
Dauragon glared at Amrien and without saying a word, headed for the door to the barracks.
"Be careful." Aedalyn soothed, patting Dauragon on the back. "And good luck!"
"You worry too much, tree dweller." he replied, before entering the barracks.
Aedalyn and Amrien stood in silence, still staring at the door Dauragon walked into. It was strange, having Dauragon do any semblance of subterfuge. Amrien was practically fidgeting and pacing.
"We should move away from the barracks." Aedalyn spoke up. "Don't want to draw attention to ourselves….." she stops, thinking back to all of the disgusted looks both she and her brother had received up until now. "Well….even more than we unwillingly have."
"Damn it, I should have been the one to go in there. Can he even handle sneaking around in that armor? Has he even done anything like this before?" Amrien questioned, still pacing back and forth.
Aedalyn, getting a little irritated at the constant footfalls behind her, turned around and started dragging her brother towards the central area in front of the Grandmaster's Palace.
"It would be very hard to convince anyone that a bosmer is a member of Tanval's personal Vanguard, who by the way, consist of only dunmer soldiers." she smirked, giving a light punch to his forearm.
Amrien crossed his arms, pouting. Without looking at her, he nods begrudgingly. "I guess you're right. Damn I hate waiting."
"You hate waiting?" she added in frustration. "Now you know how I feel whenever you go off on one of your little escapades."
"I…..I guess waiting has never been something I've enjoyed doing. I suppose being patient in general is not something I'm accustomed to." he looked away, seemingly going into his own thoughts.
Aedalyn stared at her brother with a worried glance, watching his face contort multiple times in thought.
"Were you patient? When I was missing, I mean." Aedalyn asked, feeling a little guilty about bringing up the subject.
"I searched for you the whole time…..so no, I wasn't. I couldn't let any kind of authority look for you. It would have taken them too long." Amrien placed both hands on his hips and let out a deep sigh. "Suffice to say I wasn't the only one though."
Aedalyn's brows furrowed. "Really? Who else?"
Amrien smiled. "The Pack looked for you. Ravena was mad with worry, she demanded that every single member of the Fighters Guild inquire about you when they went out on jobs."
Aedalyn laughed at that. "That doesn't surprise me. Ravena was always…..sort of a motherly figure for us, wasn't she?" she questioned, thinking back to both her and her brother's time there.
"Yeah…..she still is." he then smirks. "You know…..he looked for you too. When he could, of course."
Aedalyn blushed profusely, smiling as she looked down at her feet. "O-oh…really?"
Amrien smiled. Glad to see his sister looking a little more like herself after the past few hours.
"Are you…..okay?" he asks her out of nowhere. "We haven't really had any time to talk since unwillingly starting this venture."
Aedalyn crossed her arms and lets out a long held sigh. "Much like the first time you asked me back at Fort Virak…..no, I'm not." She spins on her heel and looks straight at him. "This whole….war, is just pointless to me. So much killing and for what? To have one single person sit on a throne in Imperial territory? I'm not buying it!"
Amrien nods in agreement, knowing all too well at the stupidity of it all. "I have a hard time believing the imperials will just let either a Breton, an Altmer or a Nord sit on the Ruby Throne and give them orders."
"When you put it that way…..it does sound ridiculous." Aedalyn added, smirking slightly. "In hindsight, with what we're currently dealing with, the war shouldn't even be happening."
"You want to tell the whole world that a daedric prince is trying to potentially destroy everything? Do you know how much panic that would cause?"
"And you think this war is causing any less panic?" Aedalyn retorted.
Seemingly ignoring the question, he looks up toward the grandmaster's residence to see Seneschal Faren leaving.
Seneschal Faren sees him staring and cocks her head to her right and begins walking towards the wall opposite of Kaasha's shop.
"It seems she wants to talk somewhere else once we're finished." Amrien spoke up, pointing Seneschal Faren out to his sister in a subtle way.
Aedalyn's face contorted irritably. "She probably wonders why we're taking so long."
It was eerily quiet between the two bosmer again, aside from the sounds of the town around them. Aedalyn watched an argonian woman walk by with a basket full of what she assumed were food items. She frowned, a terrible thought coming to mind.
"I can't imagine what this town would be like if The Pact hadn't been established." Aedalyn spoke aloud, leaning on a stone column connecting to the bridge towards the barracks.
"You and me both…..the town would have a completely different air about it than it does now."
Aedalyn nods. "What's worse is even though The Pact was formed, this town still feels…under control? I'm not sure what it is, and it's not because of the Vanguard. Maybe I'm just over thinking things after the way we've been treated here so far."
"I know what you mean. The noble houses here, while seemingly insisting that they are following the rules, probably don't agree with it. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some sort of underground slave trade or something."
"Amrien." Aedalyn breathed, feeling even more uneasy at his observation.
"I'm sorry….it just seems wrong here. I don't like it." He stretched his arms out above him and looked back towards the barracks. "He's been in there way too long."
"Give him some time, brother. Our dear broody mage may not be used to this sort of thing and may need to take his time. Last thing we want is for him to get caught and imprisoned."
"Fair point, but the longer we wait, the sooner Tanval will release the second Brother of Strife. I'll give him a little while longer before I go in there myself."
Aedalyn walked over and punched him in the arm. "You'll do no such thing!" she yelled, balling up her fist again in a threatening manner.
"Do what?"
Aedalyn and Amrien, startled slightly, looked behind them to see Dauragon standing there with papers in his hands.
"Oh, you're back! How did it go? Did anyone see you?" Aedalyn asked.
Dauragon nodded. "It was touch and go. So I grabbed what I could and got out."
"Something worthwhile, I hope." Amrien replied.
Dauragon gave Amrien a cold glare and hastily held out the papers in his hands. "See for yourself, antlers." he grumbled.
Amrien snatched the papers and ushered the other two down a set of stairs and under the bridge. He glanced through the papers, eyes widening every so often. "Well, well, mage. It seems you aren't completely incompetent after all."
Dauragon opened his mouth to reply, but Aedalyn grabbed one of the sleeves of his robe and shook her head.
"Well, color me impressed that you were able to find these. Shall we head back to the lovely seneschal?" Amrien asked.
Aedalyn nodded. "Yes, we should, before she gets anymore irritated with us."
Amrien and Aedalyn led Dauragon to where they both saw her walk and found her in a corner next to one of the walls surrounding the grandmaster's residence.
"From the looks on your faces, I'll go ahead and guess that you've discovered where the grandmaster's son is being held?" seneschal Faren questioned with a smirk.
"A daedric tomb to the west of town. Are you familiar with it?" Dauragon asked.
"Of course. The honored dead of Kragenmoor have been interred in those tombs for centuries. They were built to honor the daedra in the time of the Chimer. Well done, indeed. Be careful, that tomb complex will be well defended."
"Now that we know where we need to go, there's the matter of getting there." Aedalyn sighed out in frustration.
Seneschal Faren pointed behind them, up near a cliff-side. "There's a tunnel that will take you right to its entrance. Just head out of town through the western pass, most likely where you came in, and it's right by the road leading into town. You can't miss it."
Dauragon bowed. "Three thank you, seneschal. We'll do what we can to bring the grandmaster's son back."
"Well, good luck…..for what it's worth. Even to the both of you bosmer." she made eye contact with Aedalyn and nodded before walking back towards the grandmaster's residence.
"That didn't seem completely genuine, but I suppose I'll take it." Aedalyn huffed, cocking her head to the side as she watched the dunmer woman walk off.
"Can't please everyone sister." Amrien assured with a light smack on the back. "Come on, let's find this tomb and attempt a rescue, shall we?"
000
They found the tunnel leading to the tomb, which had three khajiit standing in front, frightened and confused.
"Everything alright?" Amrien asked, making one of them jump.
"Oh, um….yes…and no. These ones were supposed to clean the urns outside the tomb, but on our way we were attacked by spiders in the tunnel."
A shiver ran up Dauragon's spine at the mention of the arachnids.
"We can clear the way, if you'd like. We have business in the tomb." Aedalyn assured, placing a hand on the khajiit's shoulder.
"Jone and Jode bless you, kind strangers. These ones will be ever so grateful!"
Aedalyn and Amrien immediately began walking into the tunnel before noticing that Dauragon was a little reluctant in following.
"Mage? Are you alright?" Aedalyn asked, her right brow rising curiously.
Dauragon seemed to be clutching his staff more tightly than usual.
"F-fine, let's go." he stammered out, briskly walking between the two bosmer siblings.
Amrien smirked. "Oh, watch your step there, ash-skin! Spider."
Dauragon flinched, smacking his staff at nothing but dirt.
An amused snort left Amrien as he covered his mouth.
I knew it! He thought, fighting the urge to laugh.
A sharp pain erupted through his leg as Aedalyn kicked him in the back of the knee, making him stumble.
"You're such a child." Aedalyn scolded, walking past him and towards Dauragon. She was startled when an intense amount of heat formed in front of her. She saw Dauragon, staff in hand, walking with a cone of fire spraying out of it. He looked back, seeing her staring at him.
"Shut up!" he yelled at her.
Aedalyn flinched. "But I didn't s-" she stopped herself at the very scary glare she continued to receive.
The rest of the way through the tunnel was silent, aside from the crackling flesh of burning spiders. The nervous group of khajiit following close behind.
000
After being pointed in the right direction by the group of khajiit, the three mer found themselves within the daedric tomb.
"So much for not killing anyone else." Amrien whispered in disappointment.
"Bound to happen sooner or later, antlers." Dauragon added. "We'll more than likely have to kill Tanval too if his plan succeeds."
"Thank you for reminding us, mage." Aedalyn replied sarcastically cold.
It was as Seneschal Faren said….though guarded didn't seem to be the case. There weren't a lot of guards to be honest, not from what they saw right away.
Amrien quickly took care of an unsuspecting member of Tanval's vanguard, ushering the other two forward once the deed was done.
The small tomb entryway opened up into a large cavern full of daedric ruins, seemingly forgotten to time.
They continued forward and soon learned that with each room and hall they traversed, it seemed like the number of guards increased. But usually no more than three at a time.
Eventually they found themselves at the end of the series of tunnels to two remaining vanguard members protecting a bound dunmer. As both Amrien and Aedalyn dealt with them, Dauragon ran past to free the grandmaster's son.
The young dunmer, no older than his mid twenties in appearance, looked up at Dauragon, seemingly on guard.
"W-who are you? What do want with me?" he asked, looking behind Dauragon to see Amrien thrusting a dagger into one of the vanguard members.
"Does it matter?" Dauragon questioned coldly, moving behind the young dunmer to untie him. "We've come to get you."
The young dunmer's brow rose in confusion as he watched Aedalyn smile in his direction and wave before she fired an arrow at a vanguard member coming up behind her.
He sighed in relief as his bound hands were undone. "Thank the Three!" he exclaimed. "Look, I won't question what's going on. To be honest, I didn't expect any help to arrive so soon, but if you follow me, I know how to get out of here without running back the way you came."
"As long as you speak to your father, I don't care which way you take us." Dauragon replied.
The young dunmer nodded and held out his arm in greeting. "I'm Sen Dres. Nice to meet you, outlander." He looked over at the two bosmer uneasily. "Are…..are they with you, ser?" he asked.
Dauragon nodded, crossing his arms. "Unfortunately, but they are on the side of the Pact….at least, I think so. They can be trusted, if that's what you want to know. They haven't stabbed me in the back yet, so I consider that trustworthy at least."
Sen relaxed slightly. "Well, if you say so. I used to play in these tombs as a child, let's hurry back to the city. We'll speak with my father once we arrive."
Dauragon nodded and pointed towards Amrien and Aedalyn. Sen led the way, the three mer following close behind. He led them to an old door of daedric design, fiddled with it a bit and managed to get it open.
They ended up not far from the main square. He stopped momentarily. "Your timely aid was much appreciated. We've begun the liberation of Kragenmoor. We'll run these Indoril out of town!"
"Then let's hurry and talk to your father. We don't have time to waste." Amrien urged.
With haste, the group of mer entered the grandmaster's palace. Upon entering, Sen ran directly to his father, who was shocked to see his son standing before him.
"Sen?! But how?!" Grandmaster Dres questioned in disbelief.
"It was this dunmer and his two bosmeri comrades, father." he answered. "Please, you must talk with them. Let's remove these Indoril fools from our town!"
Grandmaster Dres looked at the three mer and while he was a little disapproving of the two bosmer before him, he addressed Dauragon.
"My son is free and my hands are unbound. Now the Vanguard will learn the price of threatening House Dres." he holds out his hand and gives Dauragon a key. "Accept the thanks and esteem of House Dres. Now that my son is safe, I entrust the second key to Tormented Spire to you, ser. Use it and stop Tanval Indoril."
Dauragon bowed his head. "It will be my pleasure."
"I'd raise a goblet of wine with you, if there was time. But there isn't. My father gave you the key to the spire. You should find a cave there that leads to the path up the slope."
"And the key will just work? Should we known of anything else?" Amrien asked.
"There should be two wardstones at the entrance, each attuned to a constellation. The Atronach and the Tower, if I recall. The key should allow you to disrupt those stones, and any others you encounter on your journey up to the spire. May the Three guide your steps, outlanders."
Aedalyn was already heading for the door, not saying a word to the grandmaster and his son. After the way this town and it's residents had treated her and her brother, she was glad to leave this town behind. Amrien didn't give thanks either, following after his sister in a quickened pace.
Dauragon bowed before following the two bosmer out. He wondered if this was the first time the two bosmer had earned such distrust, but to be honest, he didn't think that was the case. War was raging with each second that passed. And war brings out the worst in everyone, even those not involved.
The three mer quickly ran to the stables to collect their mounts. Aedalyn gave an energetic pat to Kari's right shoulder.
"Like the wind, my friend. We need to hurry!" she exclaimed, checking to make sure Finn was with her as well.
"Same to you, Kudri, follow your sister with haste!" Amrien replied, patting the senche on his back.
Dauragon looked a bit confused as they practically talked to the two lions as if they were able to understand. He didn't say anything, but found another reason to find the two bosmer siblings strange.
Kudri and Kari seemed to give each other reassuring looks before speeding off. Dauragon urged his horse forward, hoping it could keep up with the now energetic lions.
Off they went, speeding down the road until the towering, craggy peaks of the Tormented Spire came into view. The winds began to pick up, almost as if the land itself seemed to know that a battle was on the horizon. A crack of thunder echoed in the distance and ash began to fill the sky.
As they approached, they passed under an archway from ruins long forgotten, seeing the cave just ahead.
What they didn't expect was the group of Pact soldiers, led by Holgunn, to be there.
"Holgunn!" Aedalyn called as Kari stopped in her tracks, allowing for a quick dismount.
"My friends! Welcome back to the fight….or lack of one I should say." Holgunn greeted, his foot tapping the ash covered ground beneath him.
"How long have you been here?" Aedalyn questioned in surprise.
Holgunn looked up at the towering walls of the Tormented spire, his hands resting on his hips as a frustrated sigh escaped his lips.
"This mountain's been rumbling for hours, and we're stuck here, blades in our hands and no one to stab." he replies in frustration. "Did you get the key from the grandmaster in Kragenmoor?" he asked hopefully.
Dauragon held out the key and nodded. "We're ready to take down Tanval. Where is he?"
"He's already inside. After we disabled the ward, Walks-in-Ash managed to get some troops inside. The ward came back up almost immediately afterward." he gritted his teeth, balling up a fist. "Damn that old dark elf's hide! These ward stones are the only thing stopping us."
"We can lower the wards, Holgunn. Are your men ready?" Amrien asked.
"Shor's bones! What would we do without you, my friends. Bring down the ward, and I'll lead the troops in. You have to go find Walks-in-Ash."
Dauragon had already begun to disable the wards with the key. And to be honest, he was probably the best person to do it out of everyone present.
Aedalyn put a hand on Holgunn's arm. "H-how are you doing, Holgunn?"
Holgunn looked a little defeated at Aedalyn's sudden concern. "I've….been better, my friend." He looked up at the walls again. "Tanval and I have been shield brothers since the war, but Kyne save me, I might have to kill him to stop him. I….don't want to think about it."
"I hope it won't come to that, my friend. We'll try to reason with him when the time comes, but in case we can't….."
Holgunn nods and places an assuring hand on Aedalyn's shoulder. "I know, small one…..I know. I've already prepared myself for it." He lets out a deep sigh and looks at the entryway to the Tormented Spire. "Now…." he begins with his hands on his hips. "Let's get this damnable ward taken care of, shall we?"
As if on cue, the ward was dispelled thanks to Dauragon and one other mage assisting him. Holgunn yelled his orders at the top of his lungs and urged the soldiers inside.
"We'll try to clear a path for you to make your journey inside a little more bearable. Good luck my friends!" Holgunn yelled as he lead the soldiers inside.
Aedalyn watched the veteran warrior lead his troops into battle, her expression saddened for him, knowing full well what they could face once inside. She didn't want to kill Tanval, even if he was a bit of an arse. But by now, as much as she didn't want to admit it, they were at war. And war brought out the worst in even those who were not involved.
Tanval lost his only son, and because of it he turned mad with grief. Aedalyn prayed that they could stop him without killing him. A means to an end if all was said and done.
"Sister, are you coming?" Amrien asked, breaking her from her thoughts.
"Of course, I was just preparing myself, that's all. Let's get inside and find Walks-In-Ash."
As Aedalyn entered the Tormented Spire's cavernous entrance, she begged Y'ffre that they wouldn't have to kill Tanval….but she already knew that her prayer would be ignored.
(With the unsavory and spiteful welcome of House Dres behind them, our little group are ready to ascend the Tormented Spire and stop Tanval from releasing Sadal, the second Brother of Strife. Will they have to kill him to save Stonefalls? Or can they find a way to peacefully stop him? Next Chapter: The Tormented Spire! Look forward to it! ^.^)