=Ch.20 =
"Father, father, your back!" excitedly yelled a girl running into her fathers arms.
"My you've grown up so much Sofie! You were just up to my waist when I left and now you reach up to my chest."
Sofie giggled. "I'm not that big daddy!"
"Of course you are your my daughter Sofie. Big and strong like me and just as pretty as your mother."
"That's enough you two come in and have some dinner. I'm sure your fathers hungry after all that fighting against the imperials and his march home."
Sofie and her father turned to the beautiful woman in the door way. "Yes mamma!"
Sofie and her Father held hands as they entered their house. Together as a family they ate a nice big pork-roast freshly slaughtered along with various vegetables. Sofie enjoyed the hearty meal while her father happily drank the mead mother poured for him. They talked laughed and ate to their hearts content. Then her father carried a sleepy Sofie to bed and her mother told her stories until she was sound asleep.
Sofie woke up to the clattering of a wagon wheel passing by. Blinking she felt the bitter bit of the cold as she laid in the back ally wrapped in a warm winter blanket Niranye had kindly gave her. Wanting to go back to sleep she curled up into a tight ball under the blanket wanting to go back to her dream. But the growling of her stomach brought her out of her daydream.
"Best get to work." the child growled as she stood up neatly folding the blanket and placing atop a barrel behind Niranye's house. The Altmer-(high elf) woman had been generous enough to let Sofie sleep in the alleyway behind her general shop/house and give her that warm blanket in exchange for working in her store from time to time.
Sofie dusted off her drab clothes and walked out of the ally to the front door of Niranye's house and knocked.
The door creaked open and a tall elf woman stood there. "Ah Sofie your up."
"Is there going to be any work today?"
"Later. I should be getting a shipment of goods from the farms at around noon. Come by then and help me unload and stock all of it on my shelves like last time and I'll pay you this time."
Sofie felt slightly excited at the prospect of getting money to pay for food. "Really!"
"Yes really. Now off with you. Customers will be coming soon an..."
"Good morning Niranye." said a Nord in Storm-Cloak armor followed by three others and a horse drawn cargo wagon.
"Ah I was wondering when you'd show up. The supplies are in the store house like always."
"Can I help?" Sofie asked desperation cracking through her voice.
"This that the orphan girl you've been helping Niranye?" said a Storm-Cloak.
"Yes. I lent her a warm blanket and have her work from time to time."
One Storm-Cloak looked down at the child. "Sorry little girl but these boxes are too big for your scrawny arms to carry. I feel for your situation but I have my own family to look after."
Sofie glanced down a moment before meeting the soldiers eyes again. "I understand. My father was a soldier and died fighting for what he believed in. I'm his daughter and a Nord so I can take care of my self. I'll get by."
Niranye huffed out a smile. "Well when this wars over and I've saved up the money to leave Skyrim I'll leave you my shop here."
Sofie blinked turning to the Altmer woman. "Really!? You would do that?"
Niranye shrugged. "Sure. I don't feel like just abandoning this place to rot when I leave and I know your a hard worker. I'm sure the shop will be in good hands with you. And you could support your self after I leave. Ah I can't wait to be back in my home land."
One of the Storm-Cloaks stared at her. "Hey captain we sure she's not a spy?"
The storm-cloak captain turned around staring into his subordinates eyes. "Oh enough with this non-sense. I understand she's a Altmer and all but Niranye has been watched like a hawk for years and not once has any evidence that she's a Aldmeri spy com up. So just leave it. Now come on we have work to do. Ulfric wants these supplies moved out to the front lines within a day."
"Yes sir."
With little to do Sofie left leaving Windhelms gate and wandering out in the fields to pick wild flowers to sell. She collected only the most pretty and colorful ones along with some medicinal herbs she could sell. Looking around her usual picking spots she frowned seeing that most of the flowers and herbs had been picked already. Looking up to the mountains surrounding Whindhelm she sighed gathering her strength and beginning her march up the mountain.
The trek upwards was hard in the snow as was the wind cold and bitter. But hearty flowers grew up here on the flats and plateaus vivid purple and red flowers that would surely fetch a good price. After spending three hours tromping through the snow covered mountain flats a odd wind blew across the mountain. Sofie held her vary full basket tightly so her flowers wouldn't be blown away. She kneeled down to brace against a sudden strong gust of wind. As the wind blew passed she felt the ground tremble under feet as a loud thumping resounded like a heavy boulder landing from a avalanche.
As the wind died down Sofie opened her eyes beholding a giant black dragon with what looked like a single eye glowing like the sun. Blinking she realized it was actually a great jewel in the great beasts forehead.
"Ah! d... dra."
"Dragon." It spoke staring curiously down at the tiny human.
The two just stared at each other for a moment.
"Human child. I am Kalameet. I am... new to these lands. I request thee to explain where I am and about these lands."
It took Sofie a full ten seconds to process what was happening. A real life dragon was here and asking her a orphaned girl for information. Gulping a lump of spit down she took a few breaths and spoke truthfully as only a fool tries to lie to a dragon. As small and weak as she may be stupid was not what Sofie was.
"Um this is Skyrim province. On the continent of Tamriel of the world Nirn. Down there is the city of Windhelm. Ruled by the great warrior Ulfric Storm-cloak. Leader of the Storm-cloak rebellion. He's fighting against the imperials who are enforcing a edict of outlawing the worship of Talos, A great man who created and ruled the septim empire a long time ago and even ascended to join the eight divine's as the ninth." Sofie's knowledge maybe basic and simple but it was all she had learned from her father and others.
The black dragon towering over the tiny human girl emitted a low rumbling growl as he pondered her words.
"Thank you for diminishing my ignorance young child. Take this as reward."
The dragon reached back behind it's head pulling a gem from some where and dropping it at the child's feet.
Sofie stared at the gem as big as her own fist. A gust if wind drew her attention as the black dragon reared up on its back legs and flapped it's wings once lifting it off the ground, twice raising it into the air and three times sending it sailing over Sofies head and off over the valley and mountains. Sofie turned around watching as the great beast flew away into the sky. She watched with envy until the dragon was out of her view. Sofie realized she felt envious of the dragon for its ability to just fly away like that. She wished she could fly away from all her troubles. As the dream ran in her head Sofie's mind was brought crashing down to reality as the bitter cold bit at her hands and face. Pulling her arms around her self and holding the basket of freshly picked flowers close she made her way down the mountain back to Windhelm.
With a thump Niranye lowered the box into its place by the wall. She walked out the door checking the position of the sun. "It's past noon, where is that child?" a bit of worry in her face.
Sofie trudged along down the hill the main road in sight. Her limbs felt numb from the freezing wind but nothing was missing. As she walked down the road back to Windhelm she checked her flowers again making sure they were ok. As she marched on the weight of the gift she was given was all too real at the bottom of her basket. A little emotionally strained from her encounter with the dragon Sofie trudged onwards until the city gates were in sight.
With a exhausted breath she slumped against the side of Niranye's house. Breathing deeply for a few moments she glanced around noticing a object in the street. Looking closer she recognized it as a small dagger resting on the cobblestones of the street. It was odd in that it had a reverse blade edge. The blade was semi-curved with one curved blunt edge and a straight razer-sharp edge and a ringed finger guard over the handle which was covered in a banded leather cover. It clearly looked meant for thrusting rather then slashing even to young Sofie's eyes. Glancing around before getting up she scuttled over snatching the blade up and quickly returning to her seat by the door.
She examined the black blades fine craftsmanship. She liked it. Not to heavy and not to light. It was odd with the reverse blade edge being on the straight part of the blade and not the curved part but that just made it look more exotic to her. Sofies attention was drawn to the door as it opened and as if on instinct she pulled the dagger behind her back.
"Oh Sophie there you are! Where were you it's passed noon!"
The look on Niranye's face told Sofie that the high-elf woman was actually worried.
"I was up on the mountain picking these flowers." Sofie said presenting said flower basket.
"Ah these look quite good. What's that behind your back?"
"Oh uh? Nothing." She inserted the blade between her belt and her shirt. "But there's something else I want to show you." Sofie glanced around as several people passed my. "Lets talk inside."
Keeping her front facing Niranye Sofie went inside. Minutes later in her house/shop Niranye stared at the large uncut-jewel the supposed dragon had given Sophie. It would be impossible for the child to have found such a thing by her self so the story must be true.
Niranye sighed deeply. "Well I guess you must be telling the truth. I can't explain how you could have found something this big other wise. It's the biggest gem I've ever seen. If it were properly cut it could fetch a... lot of money."
"How much?" asked a eager Sofie.
Niranye glanced at Sofie then back to the gem taking a moment to think. "Enough to buy a castle maybe twice over."
Sofie's eyes widened. "That's a-lot. Maybe we shouldn't tell anyone."
"Yes that a vary good idea. I'll look for some one I can trust to be able to keep a secret and has the talent to properly cut this fine gem. Till then Sofie I'll keep it in my lockbox."
"Yeah. I don't have any place to keep it."
Niranye looked at Sofie with concern. "Yes and that Butcher is still at large. You should be careful when your out late at night."
"I will. Well I trust you with the gem. I need to go sell these flowers now. The days almost over."
Sofie awkwardly kept facing Niranye as she exited the door.
Niranye shook her head. "That girl? First she encounters a dragon and the thing actually gives her a gem like that! Can't believe those creatures are back after who knows how long? I wonder what their thinking. One attacks Helgen then another attacks Whitrun? Then another askes a child for directions and gives her a gem? The worlds becoming a mad house!"
Sofie walked the cobblestone streets of the city calling out to potential customers while presenting her flowers. She presented them and spoke honeyed words of their beauty and how they could make any home feel prettier or be the perfect gift for a friend or lover. She used words Niranye had told her to use to draw in customers. Hours later Sofie counted the meager earnings she had.
"Not many flowers sold today. Why? There so pretty. I would think people would want their homes to look a bit prettier?"
With a sigh Sofie turned around to go back to her ally home and curl up for the night. It may not be a proper home but the walls keep the wind out at the least.
Sofie wondered around the streets of Windhelm feeling like she was in a daze. Eventually coming to a corner where her head felt heavy. Shaking the feeling away she looked passed the corner realizing she was in the cemetery.
"How did I get...?"
As she was about to leave Sofie heard a scuffle a little ways off. It sounded like it was coming closer so she rushed into the graveyard and hide behind a tall gravestone. Peeking around her cover she saw a man pulling a woman backwards into the graveyard holding her mouth closed as she struggled against him. He yanked her one way then slammed her against a tomb stabbing her several times until she was silent. Sofie was frightened but not frozen in fear. She had stared down a dragon recently so that had to count for something. Calmly she moved behind the large tombstone taking a few shallow breath's before looking again.
The man was doing something with the woman's body cutting into her body and removing... parts.
"The Butcher?!" Sofie mumbled under her breath as she hide again behind the tombstone.
It was then she realized her life was in danger. She could just hide here until he left. Or... she could follow him. Surly there would be a reward for bringing the murderer to justice. As she thought that Sofie felt her hand pull the dagger from her belt. She looked down at it feeling off but confident.
"Your father was a Storm-cloak and you just meet a dragon today. Your a child yes but your not weak. Your smart, small and quick on your feet. You can do this. Just be carful and take things slow."
Sofie blinked shaking her head. The voice in her mind felt confident and knew what it wanted. But it didn't feel like hers but rather like it was it's own being.
"Who are you?" she asked the dagger.
Sofie heard laughter in her mind.
"Oh so your strong of mind huh! I would have thought a child like you might think my voice was your own. But no matter. If your going to deal with that killer I'm more then willing to help, Who knows how many more woman he'll kill. Maybe that friend of yours what was her name? Ah yes Niranye. That would be a shame."
Sofie pondered the magic daggers words. Finding the threat to the only person who had shown her kindness since her fathers death unacceptable.
"I won't let that happen!" Sofie spoke determined.
"Oh ho ho! A real spitfire you are. Vary well then. Just do as I say and you'll be a hero in no time."
Sofie was a little reluctant but had no other choice. She heard that there had been several murders by the Butcher and the possibility her friend could be the next victim was not something was willing to allow. Peeking out from the tombstone Sofie followed the daggers instructions.
"We wait and watch for now. No need to hurry."
Watching as the Butcher carved the poor woman's body into pieces stuffing the parts he wanted into a bag he stood up and left.
"Take your boots off, follow slowly and watch your step. Keep your knees bent. Move from one tombstone to another keep hidden."
Taking her boots off and crouching she moved slowly from tombstone to tombstone staying out of sight as the Butcher glanced around paranoid of being seen. He slowly moved away from the body leaving the graveyard. He then turned the corner leaving the area.
"Wait a moment!"
Sofie counted to ten then slowly left her cover and followed. Reaching the street entrance she slowly peeked around the corner looking left then right. She spotted the Butcher heading down the street to the rich district. Slowly she followed keeping to the shadows as the dagger instructed. The Butcher made his way through the rich district occasionally glancing around eventually entering a certain house.
"Hm. That's the house of another victim. Friga Shatter-Shield."
Sofie looked down at the dagger. "How do you know that?"
"Oh I know a lot of things. But not everything. Look through the window."
Looking through the window Sofie spotted the Butcher walking up to the second story. She waited a moment before opening the door and entering slowly and quietly. She kept to the wall as she made her way to the stairs.
"Get on your hands and keens and slowly move up the stairs."
Sofie reached the second floor standing up as she carefully moved down the hall where she heard noises. Peeking into the room she saw a ritual site of some kind with various objects and body parts. The Butcher was laying the body parts from his recent victim on the floor with the rest and arranging them how he wanted.
"Ok that's enough lets get out of here."
Following the daggers instruction Sofie slowly made her way back down stares and out of the house.
"Ok we learned a lot. The murder is collecting body parts for a ritual. Obviously Necromancy of some kind. I suggest wait for him to come out."
"What why?!" asked Sofie.
"So that we can mark him. We didn't get a good look at his face and we need evidence to convince the adults of our words."
Sofie sighed agreeing.
Minutes later the Butcher exited the house. Sofie hiding around the houses corner followed like before. The Butcher lead them back to the Graveyard and to the body of the victim. Then the Butcher did something unexpected and he screamed in the most girly scream he could manage.
"Now throw me into the air!"
"What? Why?"
"Just do it."
Sighing Sofie trusted the magic dagger and tossed it sky words as high as she could. Once in the air the dagger pointed towards the Butcher and accelerated on its own power. The dagger sliced into the Butchers ankle piercing all the way through. The Butcher screamed in pain as he fell onto his ass. He yanked the dagger out of his leg and quickly ran away.
Sofie still hiding behind the tombstone watched as the dagger floated off the ground and flew back into her hands.
"Perfect now we can identify him by the curse mark I gave him. He'll be much more careful because he was attacked but that won't matter once we preset the Jarl with the evidence."
"That was dangerous!" Sofie yelled at the Dagger keeping her voice down.
"Whos there? What's going on?" yelled a poorly clothed old woman.
The old woman gasped as she saw the body of the victim.
Peeking out from her hiding spot Sofie recognized the woman as another homeless person named Silda. They had meet and talked once or twice.
"What's with all the screaming!?" said a guard caring a torch illuminating the graveyard more then the moon light.
"Stay quite and leave before they spot you. Don't want you becoming the suspect in the murder now do we."
Following the daggers instructions Sofie crawled away out another entrance. Once back to ally-way home she covered her self up in her blanket and prayed to Talos that the Butcher wouldn't come for her. The next morning Sofie groaned in discomfort as the snow that had slid off the roof had partly buried her legs helping to keep them warm but also putting pressure on them. Feeling her legs were a sleep she pushed the snow off as she got up and went back to her normal life of selling flowers for meager money. Or she would have if her life didn't suddenly take a drastic turn yesterday.
"Do we really have to do this today?" Sofie complained as she stood before the Palace of Kings.
"You want that reward don't ya?"
Sofie thought the question over. "Yes."
"Then lets go. Just say what I tell you to ok and everything will be fine."
Uttering a unconfident sigh Sofie took a step forwards to the Jarls residence approaching a guard.
"What is it little girl?"
"Um I... I saw the Butcher kill someone last night!"
The guard stared down at Sofie a moment. "I heard there was another murder. You say you saw who it was?"
"Uh not exactly. But I need speak to the Jarl anyway?"
"If you don't know anything then then off with yah. The Jarl's got more important things to do then waste time with a dirty street urchin."
Sofie stared intently up into the guards eyes and shouted. "Isn't this Jarl Ulfrics own city! His domain? If he can't stop one murderer from killing his own people in his city how can he possibly defeat the imperials?! And for your information I do know something about the Butcher!"
The guard recoiled. "I... you have a point. Follow me."
The guard lead Sofie into the Palace of Kings directly to the entrance to the Jarls throne room. Sofie waited while the guard entered. A little later the guard returned and called her in. There in the chamber was Wuunferth the Unliving the court-wizard and on the throne was Ulfric Storm-cloak himself.
"I hear little lass that you saw the Butcher kill his latest victim last night correct?"
Gulping down a lump in her throat Sofia answered. "Yes my Jarl. I was just heading back to..." The subject of her homelessness made Sofie fell more then a little ashamed. "The ally where I sleep when I was passing by the graveyard and heard a noise. It was a man pulling a woman into the graveyard. He held her mouth closed so she couldn't scream."
Jarl Ulfric leader of the storm-cloak rebellion mused intently at the girls words.
"You live on the street. Where's your parents?"
Sofie grasped onto her rough and worn dress. "My dad was a warrior of your storm-cloaks sir. But he died some weeks ago. And my mother passed when I was little. I barely remember her."
Jarl Ulfric mused stoically listening to the girls story.
"I see. You've had a hard life as many in this day and age do. You have my condolences. And I thank your father for his sacrifice as a soldier in my army. I'm sure he's in Sovngarde sharing mead with the other great warriors. But getting back on topic."
"Uh yes sir. I hide behind a tombstone in the graveyard when I saw the Butcher head my direction after killing that woman. I knew he would kill again so I followed him to the rich district. He entered a house there and I followed him in and saw a evil looking ritual site in one room. I avoided letting him see me and kept following him. He returned to the site of the murder and called out like a woman screaming. I don't know why?"
It was then that the dagger knew the hard part was coming. Convincing Nords like these would not be easy so the story had to be good and truthful mixed with a little lie here and here.
"Well I didn't know what he was doing attracting attention but I found this dagger on the street a day ago and decided to take a chance. So I threw it at him. I figured if some one was coming it would be safer to do it there and then. I managed to hit him in the ankle giving him a limp. He turned staring in my direction as I hid behind another gravestone. But people started running over from the street so he ran off through the other exit."
Ulfric and his court mage Wuunferth both thought intently on the girls story.
"Tell me lass where did you get that dagger again?" asked the wizened mage.
Sofie pulled her dagger out. "On the street. I guess someone dropped it?"
Wuunferth stepped closer taking the dagger in hand examining it.
"This is a fine weapon. Enchanted too. Fine craftsmen-ship. You sure you didn't steal this little lass?"
Feeling insulted Sofie stomped her foot. "I'm not a thief! I really did find it on the street."
"Hm ok ok. Sorry to insult your honor little lady." said Wuunferth handing the blade back.
"In any case what your saying is the Butcher has a identifiable wound and has been killing woman for some apparent ritual. Can you lead me and my guards to the house where you said this ritual site was?"
"Yes sire!"
Galmar Stone-Fist stepped in to the chamber. "My Jarl we have a war to fight. Can't you simply send some guards to deal with this minor matter?"
Ulfric nodded in agreement. "Yes I could. And although the matter of capturing a killer is hardly the responsibility of a Jarl. I've recently heard of Jarl Korir of Winterhold personally slaying a necromancer in battle up by Dawn-stars border. Apparently he hired a member of the mages-college to find that old helmet. And they succeeded. Jarl Korir now wears the ancient Helm of Winterhold. And his reputation with Dawn-star is on the rise after ridding them of the necromancer who apparently held the helm."
"So the college mage made a deal with the necromancer for the helm?!" accused Galmar.
"I haven't talked with Korir on the matter but I will some time soon when I give him a visit. But the point I'm making is that if a Jarl of a tiny and weak place like Winter-hold can do that then what excuse do I have for not personally dealing with a problem my people face. Besides Galmar we're in something of a dead lock with the Imperials at the moment aren't we."
Galmar shrugged with a groan of visible annoyance. "Urgh? Ok you have a point. I suppose people will talk about how weak you are if you can't protect your own city from a mere back ally murder. I'll keep the fort down while your out."
Ulfric nodded thanking Galmars understanding and turned to Sofie. "Now Sofie show me this house with the ritual site. Wuunferth why don't you join us. Your the expert in magical matters after all."
"Vary well my Jarl. It's been a while since I got out of the palace and stretched my legs anyway. And I'm eager to bring this Butcher to justice."
With both Ulfric and the court mage Wuunferth following her Sofie lead them out of the Palace of Kings and to the rich district to the house the Butcher had visited. They tried the door but found it locked.
"Locked." said Ulfric with a grin.
Wuunferth stared daggers at his Jarl. "My Jarl don't even think about using your Thu'um for a trivial matter like this!"
"What! I was just going to bust the door down. I can pay for the damages. Besides this house is abandoned?"
"Still there are easier ways. This house if I'm correct belonged to a daughter of the Shatter-Shield family. We can just ask them for a key. I'm also sure they will be more then willing to help us bring their daughters killer to justice."
Ulfric sulked. "Fine. I'll stay here so the Butcher can't get back to get rid of the evidence if he hasn't already."
Wuunferth and Sofie walked a little ways to the clan shatter shield house. The court mage knocked on the door and waited.
"Yes I'm coming." said a voice. The door opened. "Yes what...? Uh what business does Ulfrics court mage and a... child have here?" asked Torbjorn patriarch of the Shatter-Shield clan.
"Torbjorn this girl has stated directly to the Jarl that she saw the Butcher commit another heinous murder last night and can possibly lead us to the killer."
At the old mages words Torbjorns eyes lit up with both rage and focus.
"You mean my daughters killer. You know who it is?"
Wuunferth shook his head. "No. But we believe he has been doing something in your daughters old home. If we can find evidence there it could possibly lead us to him."
Torbjorn thought a moment. "I always thought it was strange we never found Friga's house key. That damned Butcher took it so he could get into her house and defile it the bastard! Wait here I'll get the spare we had made."
Torbjorn rushed off to his office to collect the house key. He returned to the waiting mage and child handing it to them. "Promise me you'll get the bastard."
Wuunferth nodded. "I promise to do all in my power to bring this Butcher to justice."
With the key the two returned to a impatient Ulfric leaning against the wall tapping his foot against the ground. Using the key they entered the Hjerim house making their way to the ritual site Sofie saw. Entering the room all three stopped in there tracks as a gruesome scene lay before them. Body parts and ritual objects clearly of necromantic significance lay on the floor.
Ulfric sighed feeling his stomach contents churn. "Well Wuuferth can you tell me anything from this mess?!"
The old mage kneeled down examining the room. "Hm I'm not too sure but it seems this ritual is meant to bring the dead back to life by harvesting ideal parts from various people."
"So the Butcher is trying to bring someone back to life? There are plenty of people who miss their loved ones but to go to these extremes!?"
"It would have to be someone with the means and motivation." said the wizened mage. "But they would also need certain objects to aid in the ritual. A object called the Necromancer's Amulet and Nordic embalming tools would be necessary to harvest the required body parts."
Ulfric huffed. "Guess that's why he's called the Butcher now huh. Lets go look around the city. The young miss said she wounded him in the leg so he'll have a obvious limp."
The group combed the city asking around and watching for anyone with a limp to their stride. After several hours they were directed to a certain little shop.
Sofie looked up at the sign which said Calixto's House of Curiosities. For some reason she felt anxious. Her magical dagger friend had also been quite for a while.
"They said the owner of this place was seen with a limp recently." said Wuunferth.
"If its him I'll get the truth out of them." Ulfric stated as a matter of fact.
They entered the shop glancing around the place. There were various odds and ends in display cases along the walls here and there. Wuunferth noted that most of the displayed items were rare alchemical ingredients along with some books a fork of all things and something that caught his eye. A set of Ancient Nord embalming tools. Looking more closely he saw that they looked cleaned recently.
"Sorry for not coming out sooner I was in back stocking some things." the store owner said coming from a back room. "My names...!" In that moment the Butcher recognized the last person he thought would ever enter his door. "Jarl Ulfric! Why are...?"
"THRUS VAH HAR!" Ulfric shouted. "Tell me coward are you the Butcher that's been killing citizens of my city?!"
Calixto felt a force come over him. He couldn't resist or stop his lips from speaking the truth. "Yes!" At the shouted confession Calixto pulled a dagger from his belt lunging at the Jarl.
With a quick spell Wuunferth caused the floor to become extremely slippery causing the Butcher Calixto to fall flat on his face with a loud thud.
"Ow!" Calixto moaned holding his bloody nose. "You bastar..." Calisto's words were silenced as he was paralyzed by another spell.
Ulfric removed his hand from his blade turning to Wuunferth. "You could have just paralyzed him the moment he dew the knife?"
"Yes but I wanted to have some fun. It was worth the look on his face with that bloody nose."
Sofie who had stayed back found her self laughing along with Wuunferth at the Butchers expense.
"Well that's all wrapped up." spoke Sofie's dagger.
"Where have you been?" asked Sofie looking down at the dagger on her belt.
"Uh?! On your belt the whole time. I've just been silent is all."
Sofie pouted as Ulfric dragged the Butcher out the door by his feet and all the way to the prison cells in the Palace of kings.
That night Ulfric had a feast in Sofie's honor for helping to rid the city of that menace. Clan Shatter-shield was also invited and the family thanked Sofie for the help in giving their daughter/sister justice. They even asked Sofie if they could adopt her in repayment. Sofie was over the moon at the prospect of having a roof over her head again. And the shatter-shields were quit rich. Sofie quickly accepted the offer thanking them. The Shatter-shield clan quickly embraced the girl as a new family member.
=Meanwhile=
At the Collage of Winter-hold.
I grinned as the desired out come was achieved watching through my new crystal-ball. Another item created in my work shop that I'm sure many people will pay well for. Well the ones I chose anyway.
"Now that that's set up I can make Sofie into more of a hero for the Storm-cloaks. Manipulating her with a Sword Devil Minion was easy. Glad I found a use for them besides serving as partners to my Succubus and Witch's."
Knock! knock!
Glancing to the door I sigh. "Yes what is it?"
"Sorry to interrupt your busy work but I need to talk to you mister Azure."
The voice was unmistakably that of Ancano the Thalmor agent. I've seen him watching me from time to time since I had retrieved the Helm of Winterhold.
"Coming!"
Getting out of my chair I open the door to see that indeed it was the Altmer Ancano with a vary suspicious smile.
"Your Ancano the arch-mages advisor right?" I stated raising a scaly eyebrow at the mer.
"First of all I would like to congratulate you on the work you've been doing and that shop of yours."
I shrug a little. "Thanks for the compliment. The girls are the ones that run it though. They still have a lot to learn but their far from incompetent."
Ancano smirked. "Yes I can see that their quit skilled." He gestured to his ear-ring. "This for example can bewitch a person of their desired persuasion into thinking the person wearing it is more... attractive. Haha! I'm sure there's more then a few people out there that would pay a high price for something like this."
I stared at the Altmer. " With you being one of them. It also doesn't work if the person knows how it works. So what's your?"
He put the piece of enchanted jewelry away. "Nothing at all. Just admiring the quality your apprentices put into their work. Though I have to ask? If your apprentices can make things like this then what could you make?"
I grinned smugly. "If I made one it would be of unparalleled power. Not to brag or anything. I have no use for arrogance. Did you have a item in mind or are you just striking up a conversation?"
"A little of both I guess you could say." said Ancano. "But since you brought it up. Could you create a enchanted ring that could turn a person invisible. I'll even pay twice the normal rate."
I laughed. "Hah! Need it for one of those secret Thalmor missions of yours?"
Ancanos eye twitched. "While me being a member of the Thalmor is not a secret I would ask that you not think that I'm some assassin of the night or something."
I shrug smiling. "Tell you what. How about I create a ring that can make you look and sound like other people. Come one I'll make it while you watch!"
I basically dragged Ancano to the Azure anvil and got started on the ring. The Witch girls were working on other orders at the moment but the forge was large enough for one more worker. Getting started I picked the basic material in this case orichalcum. Grabbing a ingot of both I carve off a appropriate amount as needed and melt them in a enchanted heat resistant bowl with a long handle in the forge. I then pour them into molds and rapidly cool them with frost magic.
Ancano watched intently as I worked moving his gaze between me and the others as we worked.
With the material cooled I broke open the molds and removed the ring. I then used my matter alteration ability to refine and polish the Orichalcum ring before extracting stylized grooves and filling the grooves with Mithril or also known as Quicksilver in Tamriel.
The Orichalcum would amplify the magic and the Mithril wire network that ran throughout the orichalcum ring like a nervous system would increase speed and efficiency of the magical energy flow. I then shaped the top of the ring with a diamond shaped hollow. I then enchanted a diamond with the illusion magic and secured it into place. The process took hours and it was already ten at night when I was done.
With the final touches done I polished it and gave it one last look over before handing it to Ancano who was still watching intently as I handed it to him.
"Well that was a interesting process. Not that I'm all that familiar with forging and enchantment. But I could feel the power and effort you put into the ring as you made it." he noted examining the ring.
"Try it out. Just imagine who you want to look and sound like. Or just project the effect somewhere else."
Thinking Ancano slipped the ring on his gloved hand. His form shifted to that of the Arch-Mage Savos Aren.
"Hm? How do I sound." he said sounding exactly like the Arch-mage.
I gave him a thumbs up. "Sounds good. But just remember if your going to disguise your self as some else make sure to get their speech pattern right."
There are two kinds of illusions magic for those of you who don't know. Mental manipulation types and elemental manipulation type. The former can be resisted if the target has a high enough mental resistance and the later is a clever manipulation of light and sound to emulate a real thing. Earth spirits can be used to even give the magical hologram mass and a physical form to actually deal real physical damage making the projection all the more real.
But both are still Illusions and don't have a strong presence compared to the real thing and such are easily dispelled if the mage casting a counter spell knows what their doing. But if both types are used together they create a nearly perfect illusion. I'm sure Ancano and his boss will like the ring.
I smugly grinned. "Could have fooled me. Whey don't you go have some fun with it. Just don't cause a ruckus. I don't need a bad image for my shop."
Ancano shifted between looking like the various teachers and students before dispelling the illusions turning to Azure. "This is quite the gift I must say. Here I insist you take the promised payment for this master work."
I take the bag of coins reluctantly. "Well if you insist. If you ever need any other item please come by again."
Engrossed with looking at his fancy new ring Ancano left the Argonian's shop. Outside he got a idea and using the ring turning invisible. He walked across the snowy ground a few feet noticing the distinct lack of the crunch of snow under his feet. Looking back his tracks were there but his foot falls made no sound and the area around his feet showed no tracks as if they were invisible like the rest of him. The effect only ending when he took another step would his previous foot falls in the snow become visible.
"Hm! This rings abilities are well above the usual equipment Thalmor agents get!"
Thinking on how powerful this ring forged in but mere hours was Ancano decided to test its limits. He first headed to the Jarls longhouse. Walking right up to the guard dozing off at his post Ancano slipped past not making a single sound even when he opened and closed the door. His every step was non-existent as he moved through the house first checking on how the... washing, machine... used. Entering the back room where the Jarls wife had stored it he saw it working away making only a slight noise as the internal drum spun around cleaning the clothes.
"A useful device to be sure. I wonder how much it's going to be priced once Azure started mass production? Surly only the nobility and rich business folk could afford it."
His mumblings done Ancano left with no one ever having seen him. His next destination was the college. Crossing the bridge and entering the Hall of Attainment he made his way to the private room of the students who were still learning magic and have yet to prove themselves as mages. The first stop was that Khajiit J'zargo. Entering the cat mans room as he slept Ancano noticed the various items laying around. It seems J'zargo had been trying his hand in enchanting and alteration. Given his many failures scattered about the room the man must feel frustrated. But as Ancano examined the many enchanted objects while the quality does not compare to the master work Ancano was wearing some were quite well made. This just owed to J'zargos talent and obsession when it comes to competition.
The next stop was the dunmer Brelyna. Entering her room without a noise Ancano saw it was filled with anatomical study books and alchemy ingredients. It seems she had been working on practical medical skills instead of just relying on healing spells. Moving on the last student was Onmunds room.
It was there that things got weird even for the Thalmor agent. Entering Onmunds room Ancano was stunned to see the room partly filled with floating rocks. He had heard of the application of alteration magic to control gravity and mass but seeing it was another story entirely. The various clods and pebbles floated about bouncing off each other and being sent spinning only to repeat the process again and again as they bounced all about the room. Eventually one small pebble smacked the sleeping Onmund on the head waking him.
"Hah! I'm up I'm up! Huh? Oh I really need to learn how to chancel the effects of this spell!"
Shaking his head Ancano departed for one final location. With heavy food falls that remained silent and invisible he headed for the Arch-mages room. Ascending the stairs the silent phantom stared at the small private garden the arch-mage used to grow ingredients for his various personal projects and experiments. Moving past them he entered the mans bedroom where the elderly dunmer slept mumbling under his breath. Ancano picked up a soul-gem on the counter and dropped it. Nothing happened.
He picked up a old staff and tossed it onto the old man. Again nothing happened. Glancing at his ring Ancano got bold and decided to have a bit of fun at the old mans expense.
The next morning arch-mage Savos aren awoke to the feeling of something heavy on him. Looking down he saw to his great surprise that various objects from his room had been piled on top of him.
"By the nine divines what is this!" he shouted sitting up.
The shout of confusion and surprise reached all the way to Ancanos room. His eyes opened and he gave a evil grin of satisfaction.
=Meanwhile=
Across the continent in Hammerfell province Blackrose and Mimiru rode upon two giant scorpions.
"You sure you don't want to see that Paarthurnax guy up on the mountain?" asked Mimiru.
Blackrose shook her head. "Nah! Not right now. I've been itching to get into some action and I hear these red-guards are renowned warriors."
Sighing Mimiru glanced around at their army. "I take it that's why were here using the new army master created."
All around them a host of hundreds of reptilian Death-claws and Giant Scorpions moved together with purpose and focus as the Witch's, lightly clothed for the desert, floated over head. Mimiru tapped on the object attached to her ear making it project a illusionary holographic display over her eyes. The display showed a wide over head view of the area. Mimiru mentally noted how much improved the new command unit is over the original. It makes it much easier for commanders like her to tell direction time and much more aware of the location and stats of their armies down to the individual their injuries and health and even if they need to eat and rest.
Zooming out Mimiru noted the time and distance to their first target. It had taken them a week to establish their base of operations in the Dragon's teeth mountains but taking the time to make sure their supply lines were secured and well defended was important. The master always drilled it into their heads to always secure supply lines and use strong practical strategies that accounted for how the enemy would react and how you should counter them.
Their current position was a hundred miles south of a place called Stonedale a small town known for its wealth of obvious building material. With a name like that and the scouting done by the Witch's a day before the city was obviously a well defended place with high walls. It would be pointless to send a army of beasts to attack it. Unless they could get the gates open. They could just use the Witch's portals and bypass the walls completely. But relying on a trick like that would mean admitting they can't think of a way to use what they have in the best way possible. There was always a way past something like a wall. If going through and around isn't a option then go over or under is.
"Hey sis you got a plan or what?" questioned Blackrose.
"The Giant Scorpions can dig right?"
Black-rose turned to her sister. "Yeah. They should. Death-claws can too but not as well. Why?"
Mimiru looked out over the sandy dunes. "Were going to start here and dig to the city. Their at a higher elevation then our current location so all we have to do is go straight through the terrain and we'll be right under the city."
Black-rose looked out across the desert. "Hm? yeah I guess your right. But were a hundred mile from the city. It'll take a long time. We could use the Witch's portals to get rid of the sand and dirt more easily so we don't build up a pile that would attract attention. They could also use their elemental magic to form a stone tunnel too."
Mimiru snapped her fingers. "Yeah that, and we could use the stones to create a under ground field-base here to store supplies to feed the army while we prepare."
Giving the command the Giant Scorpions and Death-claws started working in unison moving large amounts of sand out of the way. The Giant Scorpions lined up and used their front pinchers like bulldozers pushing the sand away while Death-claws pushed sand stones formed by the Witch's from the sand away from the dig sight. In just a few hours a natural looking ring of sand several hundred feet wide surrounded the dig sight. After the loose sand was removed the Death-claws dug deeper churning the more compacted dirt and stone so the Giant Scorpions could push it up to the ringed hill of sand. The ring of sand would also act as camouflage keeping the eyes of enemy scouts or random passerby's from spotting them.
=A Few days later=
A sand storm blew in the eyes of Ahtus as his caravan moved through the desert.
"How much longer till we get to Stondale brother?" asked Talist the youngest of the three brothers.
Owyneen sighed. "Shouldn't be long."
"If we knew their was going to be a sand storm this time of year we wouldn't have taken this short cut through the desert." complained a camel driver.
"I knew trying to take a short cut through the desert was asking for trouble." complained another.
"Enough complaining!" shouted Ahtus. "We avoided any dangerous animals and we made good time."
To that everyone could only roll their eyes and continue pushing through the sandstorm.
The caravan continued pushing through the desert for another hour. Had the sandstorm been even a little bit stronger it would have forced the caravan to stop and wait it out but this was a weaker storm and even though it kicked up the sand Red-guards were used to a little sand flying around. Eventually the storm subsided allowing the caravan to move faster at the end of the day they stopped resting for a few hours before continuing on. By morning they had the town of Stone-dale in sight.
"See we made it. We'll win the bet with the Rakvan clan for sure now." cheered Talist.
Ahtus and his caravan entered the town gates stopping by the market to off load their goods.
"Once we get everything sold well have a feast."
The men of the caravan cheered and got to work offloading everything. Considering their goods were mostly essentials like salt and meat from the coast it all sold quickly. It wasn't until late at night that Ahtus and his brothers and business partners closed up shop. Taking that short cut through the desert was risky but it did pay off.
Jiggling a fat bag of coins with a smile on his face middle brother Owyneen sat down with his siblings at a table in a local inn.
"Ah ha! I love making money!"
"Don't flaunt that around brother! Your just inviting a thief to steal it."
At that Owyneen lost his smile carefully tucking the bag into his breast pocket. "So any word when those scoundrels from the Rakvan clan will arrive?"
Popping a grape into his mouth Talist leaned back into the pillows along the wall. "They may not arrive for a while given we had a few days on them thanks to our shortcut."
"And our little secret." said Ahtus as he brought out a small object. It was a round metal container enclosed with glass on top and a metal needle suspended by its center to the bottom of the container with one end painted red that always pointed north. "If that mage didn't need us to test this compass I would have never taken that bet to race to this small town."
Talist eyed the compass. "So how does it work anyway? I mean I know how a compass works but that one different right?"
"I don't know. Guess you should have listened to that old man before we took off huh." Owyneen stated.
"Guess your right. I got distracted by his other inventions. That staff of paralyzing would have been useful for hunting Giant Scorpions since arrows tend to bounce off their armor some times."
Ahtus put the compass away. "I have a feeling well head back to Hegathe anyway. We need to restock our supplies before going back out. Were low with all the goods we sold today and hopefully tomorrow."
Owyneen chuckled. "It was fortuitous for us that this back water town was in need of supplies."
Talist took a thoughtful moment to think. "Why were this towns supplies low in the first place. Their stone quarry provides many of the building material for the bigger cities so they should be well supplied?"
Ahtus huffed feeling the situation was a bit off. "Well the way I 've heard it a group of Giant Scorpions attacked three of the previous caravans that attempted to enter the city. "
Both his brothers looked at him oddly.
"Giant Scorpions?" replied Talist. "I've never heard of Giant Scorpions attacking along a established trade route before? Out in the desert like we were it's common but on the main roads?!"
Owyneen looked at his older brother. "It may have been that compass that saved us. I heard that old man say it wasn't a normal one but didn't catch most of what he said."
Ahtus nodded. "He said it also helps the user avoid danger and...!"
A noise was heard from Ahtus pocket. Pulling out his compass he got a bad feeling as the needle was spinning around then would point in a direction then spin and point then spin and point. Each time pointing in a different direction.
"I have a bad feeling!"
That moment the three brothers heard a racket outside. They left the inn arriving at the towns main gate and a gruesome sight as a camel drawn wagon covered in blood was swarmed by guards and citizens.
"What's going on here?" Ahtus asked a guard as he and his brothers approached the scene.
"The caravan was attacked by Giant Scorpions like the other times. Your lucky your group wasn't attacked either."
The two men left alive were pulled from the wagon and taken away on stretchers to the healers as Ahtus and his brothers watched.
"That's Azzarod Rakvan and his brother in law!" stated a shocked Owyneen.
Talist became panicked. "What? Then where's Ronairah!"
Panicked Talist ran after the wounded men being carried away.
"Hinsan, Hinsan can you hear me!" Talist yelled into the mans bloody ear.
Hinsan glanced up at the young-man. "Talist? that you. Damn guess you bet us after all." Hinsan coughed up some blood as a healer pushed him back.
"Please don't interrupt us we need to get him to the healers."
"Sorry but I just want a few words with him, Please!"
As the man hesitated in thought Hinsan spoke.
"Your.. gah!, worried about Ronairah." Hinsan said the pain staggering his words as he broke into tears.
"Yes! Where is she?" Talist said as his voice gained a tone of desperation.
Hinsan broke into tears covering his face with his good arm. "She... fought hard till the end... but... I... I watched as she was ripped apart by those beasts!"
Talist stood in shock. "No... no no it can't be!"
He had really liked Ronairah even though she was from a rival trading caravan. They had spent all those times meeting in secret and talking. That time they were both stranded in the desert together under the stars. That time they had been found out by their families and told never to see each other again. The years of arguing with their families to let them be together. Now all for nothing as they were now eternally separated. A wave of grief followed by anger washed over Talist as his brothers arrived. He screamed to the heavens as the night sky loomed over head.
=Meanwhile=
A group of Giant Scorpions returned to the Witch in charge of their patrol route. The beasts loyally stopped before their handler.
"That was a good work taking that convoy out my pets. Or since were in a desert isn't it called a caravan? Meh?" The Witch looked down at one of the Giant Scorpions mouths as it chewed on something. "Oh having some human to eat? Looks like she was pretty once. To bad I guess. War is cruel as master says. You can eat all the human you want once we attack the town tomorrow."
=Later=
The next day Mimiru stood at the final section of the tunnel. Though this all seemed too elaborate for a small town she wanted the first strike against Hammerfell to be swift and build momentum. The report on the Aldmeri dominions failed invasion some years previous told her all she needed to know about how tough the Redguard people are and how they would resist invasion and occupation. She had talked with master Anon'xil about what strategy would be best to subdue the province but ultimately Mimiru concluded a mass culling of the population was necessary mainly the males to break the Redguards spirit and to force their submission.
The Redguard would put up a significant fight however and them being consummate and natural warriors would make the fighting even tougher. But a battle field like this was also the perfect place to test the two new Minion types the Giant Scorpions and Death-claws as their biology was built for desert environments. And their inhuman size and strength would easily match the Redguards skill and prowess in battle. But a solid strategy was also needed. As these beasts while strong would still fail without a proper commander.
Hence the need to develop a beast tamer spells. The Automation-Knights are as intelligent as a human though mostly emotionless and so can be commanded easily. Beasts on the other hand while they are the minions of master Anon'xil and thereby loyal lack a large scale communication ability. The new commander class spells and equipment on the other hand filled in that gap. Mimiru felt like thanking the Arcane Academy for their quick perfection of these things.
"Hello Abyss to Mimiru come in?!" exclaimed Blackrose snapping her fingers.
Startled out of her train of though Mimiru glared at her sister. "What?"
"Oh! good. I thought you were day dreaming there."
Mimiru rolled her eyes. "Ugh I was just thinking. Anyway the tunnels done now and we can begin the attack."
Blackrose shrugged. "Yeah yeah. I attack the front gate to divert attention and you attack from below. Typical pincer maneuver. Except for the coming from underground bit."
"Which is why they'll never see it coming." said a Witch.
Blackrose and Mimiru turned to the minion.
"Are they all ready?" asked Mimiru.
The Witch casually crossed her arms. "They've all been fed and had a drink within the hour. Caring for beast type Minions like them is relatively easy."
"Alright then. And the Witch squads?"
"Ready." The Witch answered. "Well bombard the town walls and keep the archers distracted while the beasts siege the gate. Though We could just burn a hole through the gate since its wood. Seriously why have your walls stone and not make the main gate of it as well?"
Blackrose laughed. "Hehe! Yeah right. Again Sis why aren't we doing that?"
"Because it's to easy and too obvious. Hitting the enemy where they expect you to attack is mistake. Once the ground collapses under their feet and their towns infested with monsters their defenses will count for nothing and we can kill them all without needless effort. Besides I want the siege to go as smoothly as possible. Now lets get going."
Blackrose joined the Witch. "Just try not to die. It would be embarrassing if you got killed by a random no name human."
Mimiru sighed. "Sure I'll watch out. And why don't you take your own advice."
"Sure sure." Replied Blackrose as she waved.
A hour later Blackrose and her army were a few miles outside the town arrayed in regimented army rows. Giant Scorpions in front forming three rows deep and each twenty wide with ten feet between each creature. The two rear lines consisted of Witch's equipped with enchanted bows and small round shields. Standing proud and eager to begin this little massacre at the front of the army was Blackrose. Not that she enjoyed the prospect of killing unarmed opponents but she was more then willing to do what was necessary to fulfill a order given by her master.
Drawing her great sword she aimed it towards the high stone walls of the town.
"Charge!"
The order swift and simple the Giant Scorpions skittered forwards towards their target.
A top the walls guards stood at the ready observing the sandy terrain. One guard spotted a cluster of small dots coming over a sand-dune. He pulled out a monocular telescope. Extending its length as he put it up to his eye he gazed at the objects out in the desert. There in his vision was the fanged mouth of a Giant Scorpion.
"Sound the alarm! A pack of Giant sand Scorpions are coming!"
The guards all swiftly moved readying for a attack. Dozens of guards left the gates to meet the creatures head on while others stayed at the gate or on the walls. The Redguard warriors were fearless standing to meet the approaching enemy rather then just hide in the walled town. A good defense was a good offense one person said once upon a time and many Redguards take that saying to heart. After all their just giant bugs. They couldn't possibly match the courage, skill and steel of the Alik'r Warriors. Right?
As the town guards watched in anticipation of the creatures arrival they started to notice something troubling. The giant scorpions were getting larger the closer they got. At first they looked as large as the typical giant scorpions from the desert. But then they kept getting bigger and bigger the closer they got until they were a mere hundred meters from the town walls. It was then the Redguards understood the true size of these beasts.
The captain of the town guard stood atop the wall observing the small armies advance to his town. "These creatures are much larger then typical giant scorpions. Half close the gates. I want to be able to fully close them quickly if we need to!"
The guards activated the mechanism closing half the main gates. A moment later the creatures crashed against the first line of warriors. Normally a scorpion attacks with its pincers or stinger but these creatures held their pincers together and simply crashed into the line of warriors. Nearly all of the men were knocked down except for the ones who leaped back just in time and they counter attacked just as swiftly cutting into the tough armor of the creatures. Despite the swift counter attack five warriors were killed in as many seconds and others were grabbed by the pinchers and swiftly impaled by the stingers.
The captain of the guard gritted his teeth at the intelligence the creatures displayed. "Archers fire!"
At the order a hail of arrows rained from the wall down upon the Scorpions. Some arrows piercing their thick exo-skeletons but most simply deflecting or getting stuck in the thick natural armor. As the Giant Scorpions chittered and shrieked the captain of the guard noticed two things. One that the beasts were slightly different in their body structure then the norm. Their pinchers were flatter like shields and their color was darker and more spikey then normal variants of their kind.
And two and perhaps more importantly they were fighting with better organization then normal beasts of the desert. As if they were domesticated and given training by a master. By then it was to late as the first volley of arrows fell upon the walls piercing the chests of many Redguard warriors. The captain of the guard watched as a dozen of his men were killed with skilled arrow strikes to the chest.
"Enemy archers take cover!" he yelled as he ducked behind the walls crenellation. He peeked out from behind cover spotting a line of soldiers in the distance. Using his telescope he identified them as a host of archers in black and silver garb ready to loose another volley at the town.
"Enemy archers several hundred meters away. How did their arrows reach us from such a distance?"
That moment another hail of arrows rained down on them quickly followed by another. The captain of the town guard rallied his men getting the wounded behind the walls and into the guardhouses and reorganizing his forces. Glancing out the window he could see the scared looks on the peoples faces. He had been completely ill prepared for this situation. Then again the constant attacks on any travelers trying to leave or get to Stonedale should have been a dead give away that something was off. But attacks by desert beasts were not that un-common so he had no reason to suspect it was a organized attack.
In their inn the three brothers stood in their room watching the guards rush around the main gates.
"What's going on?" asked Owyneen.
Talist stared at the gates down the street. "I'm going out there."
Ahtus turned to his younger brother grabbing him by the collar. "No you not. Were traders not warriors!"
Talist stared daggers at his big brother. "I will avenge Ronairah. I'll kill them and what ever master that leads them. These creatures are obviously being controlled by someone who wants to destroy this town. You trained me in the way in the sword."
"For self defense!" exclaimed Ahtus. "Not to fight a battle."
As loathed to interrupt and call his big brother out, Owyneen felt he had too given the dire situation. "Well. He sorta does have a point." Ahtus glared at the middle brother. "What don't give me that look. The guards are obviously having a tough time out there. If they all die then more then likely we all die to. I'm just stating facts."
Ahtus sighed letting Talist go. "You have a point. We don't know who is controlling the giant scorpions and what they want. It would be prudent to assume they mean to kill everyone behind the walls. Owyneen, Talist. You two may have been a pain in my rear after I took over the family business. But I wouldn't have any other brothers but you."
The three brothers gathered their weapons and left the inn. They marched down the street to the main gate just as wounded guards rushed in. A moment after the gate was closed a loud bang shook the giant wood and steel gate. Again and again the gate shook from repeated impacts of the desert creatures trying to get in. Thier chittering and shrieks hungering for human flesh reaching over the walls.
=Meanwhile=
Blackrose standing at the head of the Witch archers watched as the Giant Scorpions took the outside of the front gate. One even managed to get in before the gate quickly closed behind it.
"I wonder if there are any interesting warriors in there?"
=Chapter End=