And Darkness Consumes
Chapter One: Clouds and Squalls
Sun shone down on the face of the male Nord, dressed from shoulder to toe in Bonemold armor, holding his Redoran Master's helm in the crook of his arm. Besides him was an Imperial Cult sergeant, his Imperial steel heavy armor a color contrast to the Redoran House Father's own dark orange medium armor. The sea breeze was strong here in the port city of Ebonheart, cool, and refreshing.
"Sir, are you sure you wish to travel all the way to Mournhold on the mainland?" The knight had asked the Nord. Behind them, life continued as normal in the Imperial city, unaware of the darkness that awaited the House Father.
"There is nothing anyone can do to stop me." The Nord said, his voice deadly serious. The knight didn't question him further. Something in the man's voice told him that he wasn't joking.
Taking in a deep breath, the Nord ran a hand through his blonde hair, glad as the ship that would take him to Mournhold began to approach the docks. Slipping the helmet over his head, the Nord adjusted his Daedric dagger on his belt, waiting for the captain to lower the ramp to allow him access.
The island of Morrowind quickly disappeared over the horizon as the Moonraker made it's way across the ocean. Standing at the bow of the long wooden ship, the Nord Erich sighed, the heft of his Dwenmer Halberd resting comfortably on his shoulder. It was already past noon, and if all went well, he'd be in Mournhold in one week's time.
"Ma sera, perhaps we should head into the lower levels?" Jiub asked, a young Dark Elf who Erich had met while passing through Seyda Neen, a fishing village west and north of Vivic. He had hired him on the spot, and had the Dark Elf trained as an archer.
Erich turned his head to gaze at Jiub, dressed from head to toe in Bonemold armor as himself. He was Erich's right hand man, his best friend and most trusted comrade, a brother he never had. "Another minute up here, then we'll go down."
"You still miss her?" Jiub asked, stepping to stand besides Erich.
"Terribly so..."
"When we find the one who hired those assassins..." Jiub started, but was silenced by Erich speaking.
"Jiub… Why are you here? With me? This is my own battle, you have nothing to gain by coming with me." Erich asked.
Removing his helmet, Jiub held it in both hands, looking Erich in the eyes with his one good eye. "Tanith was your wife, but she was my friend as well. And any enemy of yours is an enemy of mine."
Erich was silent for a long time, then smiled, placing his hand on Jiub's shoulder. "I'm glad you're coming with me."
"As am I. With your superior skill with that Dwenmer Halberd, and my bow and arrow, there is nothing we cannot do, no foe we cannot best."
"Indeed... Come now, let's go see what's the good captain has for us to eat." Erich grinned broadly, motioning for the dark skinned Elf to follow him below deck.
Three days passed uneventfully, but within the recess of Erich's heart he felt a dark shadow ever growing, as if some unseen threat were lying in wait for him, to strike at him when he least expects it. He kept his hand wrapped around the handle of his Daedric dagger at all times, his trusty Halberd nearby in the event of a sneak attack. But it never came. Perhaps it was all in his mind, paranoia left unchecked that manifested itself into what he is currently feeling. Yet he could not let his guard down, not even for the smallest of seconds. To do so may mean his life... Jiub was ever at his side, as were his Redoran guards. Erich both trusted and counted on the men-at-arms to be there to support him in Mournhold, where untold dangers lie in wait for him.
"I don't like the look of the sea." Jiub said, snapping Erich back to reality. Dark storm clouds were billowing on the horizon, a storm brewing up.
"Neither do I, but there is nothing we can do but prey to Alsmiv for protection," Erich offered, "Even so, I think it's best we weather this one out below decks."
"Agreed," Said Jiub, "And I think lunch is being served anyways." It was around noon, but the sky was dark and foreboding, a high wind blowing across the sea. Shivering as the cold bit at him, Erich followed Jiub down below deck.
What awaited him was a small meal, he and the Redoran guards treated to a special meal cooked by the ship's own cook.
"Oh wow..." Erich said, taking a seat at the table, his guards also taking seats with him, "This looks really good. What's the occasion?"
"It's my birthday." The cook said humbly.
"Really? Well, happy birthday then. Had I know, I would have brought a gift for you..."
"It's quite alright. Just, eat up and be merry."
"I don't know... I heard one of the sailors say that a bad storm is coming. Isn't eating a bad idea now?" One of Erich's guards posed. Suddenly, as if to punctuate the taller Dark Elf's words, the ship began to sway unsteadily as the sea quickly became restless.
"It's nothing, really." The cook insisted. He didn't want to throw out the food after he had taken so long on it.
"Now now, we're all men. 'Sides, if any of you are motion sick, it'll be better to have something in your stomach so that if you do throw up, it'll be the food and not stomach acid, which I hear doesn't taste very good." Deciding to lead by example, Erich picked up a piece of Nix-hound meat and took a big bite off of it, chewing it thoroughly. Slowly, one after the other, the others began to do likewise. Erich noted it was a bit spicy, but otherwise the meal was very good. He'd have to see if he could hire this cook to work for him once his business in Mournhold was over with.
The ship sailed on for another day, the weather working itself up into a full blown storm.
"Ma sera!" Jiub would shoot from the safety of the ship's hold, "Come inside!" Most would be appalled at the Dark Elf for ordering Erich to come inside like he was some small child, but Erich's friendship with him allowed him certain privileges that others weren't normally allowed. And in any event, Erich knew Jiub had the best of intentions in mind.
The fierce wind was almost gale force, the shriek of it deafening, threatening to drown out all sound, the skies overhead black with billowing storm clouds. In the distance, lightening struck repetitively, thunder booming loudly. A rope tied around the mast of the ship was all that kept Erich anchored as the Moonraker was hit repeatedly by massive waves that washed sea water onto the deck. Perhaps it would be best to go inside, but his pride wouldn't let him. No, he wouldn't bow to something as insignificant as a sea storm. Instead, he straightened his posture, holding himself erect, openly defying the gods.
As if to test his resolve, a bolt of lightening struck the Moonraker, and all went white for Erich as the ship was split in two...