"Farewell friend, farewell." Snoe'Gles gently placed the corpse of Brother Taltus into a small pit, but big enough to hold the corpse of his fallen friend. Snoe'Gles then proceeded to fill the hole with dirt and snow, and when he was finished stuck Taltus's spear on top of the small mound. He then set Taltus's shield next to the spear and around the shield he hung Taltus's necklace of Mara. Snoe'Gles stood there in silence and wept for some time. Farewell Brother Taltus. Fairest of all imperials, holiest of all priests, and most honorable among all who serve the Emperor. May The Nine accept you with open arms, for you have done well. I love you Brother Taltus. Farewell… Snoe'Gles then hesitantly turned from the crudely made grave as he walked to the direction of the city of Bruma and away from the great Jerall Mountains that divide the lands of Skyrim and Cyrodiil.
Snoe'Gles through grief, misery, and determination marched for miles through thick and heavy snow to reach the city of Bruma. Bruma was no longer in sight due to him descending from the mountains but he was confident he was walking in the direction of the city nonetheless. Along his path Snoe'Gles came across a small hamlet and a gathering of townsfolk. As he trudged close to the city he could see that these towns folk were gathering many belongings on to as many wagons as possible. As Snoe'Gles entered into the small hamlet he pulled aside an Imperial man and asked him "If you don't mind me asking, how come everyone is collecting their belongings into these wagons?" The man took a deep sigh and pointed back towards the Jerall Mountains. "By nightfall Nordic bandits descend from those mountains and menace our small village. We've been able to bribe them with coin and harvest to not hurt us but unfortunately what they demand this time we can't afford. We've sent letters to the Count of Bruma for aid against these barbarians but the Count has not responded to our plea. Our best bet now is just pack our stuff and move out as fast as possible before the Barbarians arrive. And if the Nine are truly merciful then we should be safe." Snoe'Gles embraced the sorrowful Imperial. "Where do you plan to go?" Snoe'Gles asked, still holding the stranger tightly. "Only Kynareth knows…" the Imperial said while reciprocating the hug. The two stood there for some team, the Imperial softly weeping as Snoe'Gles comforted him. However as Snoe'Gles stood there embracing the Imperial he couldn't stop thinking about the commandment of Talos. "Be strong for war. Be bold against enemies and evil, and defend the people of Tamriel." Echoed throughout his mind on repeat. Eventually Snoe'Gles let go of the man and put his hand on his shoulder. "I will fight these Nord bandits for you. Even if I can't defeat them all I can buy you enough time to escape with fear of them following you." Everyone in the Hamlet stood there in shock and stared at the bold Khajiit. "Really? You'll do that for us?" the Imperial man asked. "Of course. I know how it feels to be exiled from your own home. It happened to me, and I won't let it happen to you." The man was overwhelmed by this turn of events and was momentarily flabbergasted. "Well if you're going to fight for us, allow us to arm you properly. My name is Dysonius Prefectus." Dysonius said while reaching his hand out for a handshake. "Oh that's not necessary, I fought worse with a lot less." Snoe'Gles said while reciprocating the handshake. "Please, I insist. You should be well equipped to take on bandits after all." Dysonius said while reaching into his caravan. Dysonius laid the equipment out for Snoe'Gles to see. "By Zenithar, what amazing craftsmanship!" Snoe'Gles said as he marveled at the iron spear, iron helmet and chestpiece, Iron bow and set of Iron arrows in a quiver that laid in front of him. "I can't take all this, really it's not right." "Please, I insist." Dysonius said. "It's the least we can do for you." Snoe'Gles reluctantly slung the spear and bow and arrows around his back and placed the helmet on his head. "Come with me, I'll show you the best place to take on the Bandits." Dysonius said, mounting a horse and holding out a hand for Snoe'Gles. Snoe'Gles took his hand and mounted the horse while holding on to Dysonius's waist. "I'll be back before long, I promise!" Dysonius loudly announced to the host of this hamlet while speeding off into the direction of the now setting sun.
"I never did catch your name, friend." Dysonius said to Snoe'Gles. "Snoe'Gles, my name is Snoe'Gles."
"Snoe'Gles. What a beautiful name."
"Thank you, I've never heard anyone say that before." Snoe'Gles giggled.
"So where were you coming from Snoe'Gles?"
"Dawnstar, in Skyrim."
"Wait a minute you're from Skyrim? Goodness that means you had to cross the Jerall Mountains!" Dysonius exclaimed in astonishment. "By the Nine what in the world are doing down here?"
"I've… I've been sent here because…"
"Because what?"
"I've been requested to have an audience with an Imperial governor in the Imperial City."
"Wait, shouldn't we get you to the Imperial City then?"
"No-no! They can wait, besides I'm not supposed to see them until next year, I just figured better be in this province so it's easier to get to the Imperial City when the day arrives."
Dysonius stops the horse dead in its tracks. "But what if you…"
"It won't happen friend, Talos guides my blade."
Dysonius continued to ride the horse to their location. "I wish I had the same faith in the gods as you do friend, perhaps you'll give me the faith I lack."
Snoe'Gles said nothing, but smiled upwards at the stars. For he knew somewhere up there at least one of the Nine smiled back down on him.
"Here we are" Dysonius says as he dismounts the horse and helps Snoe'Gles down. Dysonius pointed towards a mass of tall pillar-like rocks. "When nightfall finally occurs the Nords should be riding their horses just over the plains" he said as he pointed to the wide snowy plains that stretched in front of them all the way back to the Jerall Mountains. "There you will see them and can shoot at them with your bow and arrow, and gods willing will arouse their anger and lead them to these rocks." Snoe'Gles and Dysonius stood there in silence for a minute, just staring at the sun setting over the mountains. Without saying a word Dysonius mounts his horse. "What am I to do if…" "Live your life to the fullest." Snoe'Gles answered. "Don't let my sacrifice be in vain. Now go, the Nords should be here soon." Dysonius nodded at Snoe'Gles and sped back towards his hamlet, leaving Snoe'Gles at the mass or rocks. Snoe'Gles looked up towards the sky and got on his knees. "Oh Talos the mighty, unerring, and unassailable. I call upon you to guide my blade, my spear, and my arrow. For it was you who said "Be strong for war. Be bold against enemies and evil, and defend the people of Tamriel." And I intend to do as you will. But Talos: oh great god of the Empire, I fear I cannot win this fight without your aid. That's why I ask you to grant me one thing: victory. I ask that you grant me the strength, the courage, and the determination to be unyielding towards my foes. I ask you to give me the power to crush them, to watch them flee before me, to make me: one Kahjiit, strong enough to best an entire host of evildoers. Please Talos oh mighty god of war and of the Empire, guide me towards victory and crush the enemies that stand before me." As Snoe'Gles finished his prayer he heard the galloping of horses in the distance and quickly sprinted into the rocky mass next to him. As he looked out into the distance through the rocks he saw seventeen Nords all on horses speeding across the plains. Without hesitation Snoe'Gles reached for his bow and arrow.
Snoe'Gles drew his bow and arrow. Lining up his bow and arrow towards the group of bandits. After hesitating for a moment he let go of the string as his arrow flew across the plain towards one of the Nordic bandits. It pierced the side of the Bandit as screamed in agony, startling his horse causing the horse to throw him off of it's back. With the Nords now made aware of Snoe'Gles's position they rushed towards the mass of rocks. Snoe'Gles reached for another arrow, drew his bow, aimed towards another Nord and released the string. The arrow flew directly into the Nord neck, as he fell off his horse, his hands clenched around his throat as he was choking on his own blood. Snoe'Gles then reached for another arrow as he drew his bow and lined up his shot towards another Nord. As he let go of the string he missed the Nord and shot his horse instead, causing the horse to fall dead, violently throwing the Nord on to the ground and causing the horseback Nord behind him to crash into the dead horse. Snoe'Gles now saw they were getting far too close for him to prepare another well aimed shot from his bow and arrow. Snoe'Gles slung his bow behind him as he quickly grabbed his spear. He crouched behind one of the pillar-like rocks as he allowed the horseback Nords to encircle the rocky mass. Snoe'Gles sweating bullets waited for one of the Nords to enter into the rocky mass. As one of the Nords rode past Snoe'Gles's rock the Kahjiit immediately sprung up from his position and impaled the Nord in the side with his spear, causing the Nord to scream in agony as he was knocked off his Horse. Snoe'Gles then impaled the wounded Nord in the stomach as he would look up to see another horseback Nord riding straight towards him. Snoe'Gles let out a mighty roar as he charged towards the Horseback Nord, his spear drawn towards the horse. Snoe'Gles's spear pierced into the neck of the horse, killing it instantly and forcing the Nord to fly into Snoe'Gles. As the Nord crashed onto Snoe'Gles, the enraged Khajiit sunk his claws deep into the Nords's throat as he pulled out his esophagus, the Nord clutching at his throat and staring in horror at Snoe'Gles holding his own esophagus. Snoe'Gles then dropped the esophagus as he quickly pulled his spear from the throat of the horse. Snoe'Gles heard the sound of a horse galloping towards him, and wasting no time he turned around and threw his spear towards the horseback Nord. It impaled the bandit's chest as he clutched the spear and fell off of his horse. Snoe'Gles sprinted near the edge of the mass of rocks, ducking behind one of the pillar-like rocks. As he heard the galloping of a horse getting closer and closer and gripped his shortsword in his two hands and leaped from the pillar. Swinging his shortsword on to the horse's leg with all his might. As the horse fell to the ground his Nordic rider was ejected from his seat onto a nearby snowbank. Snoe'Gles wasting no time ran towards the Nord lying face first in the snow and brought his sword down onto his back. Snoe'Gles then ran out into the open field as the remainder of this bandit host, now being no more than seven Nords chased after him. Snoe'Gles then stopped as he turned around and swung his sword into the leg of the horse. The horse fell as his rider was sent flying off of it. Snoe'Gles ran towards the rider and sunk his sword into his neck as he turned around to see the six riders encircling him. "There's only one of him! The Khajiit! He is unyielding!" one of the bandits cried. Snoe'Gles roared at the bandits as one of the Nordic riders galloped towards him. Snoe'Gles brought his shield up as he felt the mighty swing of an iron sword against his shield. Snoe'Gles in response jabbed his sword right into the stomach of the Nord, killing him instantly and causing his corpse to fall from the horse. As another rider sped towards Snoe'Gles the two clashed there blades together, causing the Khajiit to unfortunately drop his blade in the encounter. However as the rider turned around and sped towards Snoe'Gles again, the Khajiit full of rage and fury jumped at the rider and tackled him off his horse. Snoe'Gles now on top of the terrified bandit mauled the bandit to death with his clawed hands. The other riders were horrified by this sight and did not engage in combat with the unyielding Khajiit. "Who are you and why do you attack us?" the bandit leader cried. "I am Snoe'Gles, the protector of the hamlet you chose to menace. I will grant you mercy if you go back from where you came, and bother neither that small town, nor any town or people ever again." The bandits stood there for a moment before their leader sped off, the other bandits following in pursuit. Snoe'Gles, the unyielding Khajiit stood there victorious. He looked up towards the stars and fell to his knees, thanking Talos for answering his prayers.