Inhale.
"Do you know where the true power of a Dovah's Thu'um lie, Kiera?" The one that spoke had a voice like gravel, slow and measured.
Exhale.
"The might of their soul?" I ventured a guess.
The cold of the mountain air cut through my lungs. My legs were also growing numb from sitting in the snow. I had to suppress my shivering as the wind blow through my frame.
"That is part of it, yes." A chuckle. "But more than that is, understanding."
"Paarthurnax said that before. As one contemplates and begins to understand a Word, the power of that word will give you power."
"Not power." An annoyed grumble as the voice corrected me. "The greater understanding of a Rotmulaag, the more you will become that Word."
"He shown me how before."
"Yes Kiera, Paarthurnax may have lent you his own understanding. But that was only scratching the surface of what they can do. For true understanding can only come from within, not without."
"So I should sit on a mountain top and meditate for a thousand years until I figure out the true meaning of a single Rotmulaag?"
"I doubt you will need that long. Your mind is that of a mortal, flexible and ever changing. My mind is that of a Dovah, unbreakable and unyielding. You will be opened to ideas and change greater than me."
"What are you talking about?" I laughed.
I open my eyes to view the white swept mountain top of the Throat of the World, the largest mountain peak in Skyrim. From here I could see the entire land beneath me, or I would have if not for the mist that covered everything below the mountaintop I was sitting on.
A figure moved along side of me. A large frame that towered over me when standing languidly rested infront of me. Her dark ebony scales covered her from the tip of her spike tail to the end of her large triangular shaped reptilian head and protected her like armor. Wings large enough to engulf a house were held close to her body like a leathery blanket.
She cut a terrifying visage, especially the raised ridge on her snout that ended with six horns flared out the back of her head, it gave her the appearance of wearing a crown of thorns. The pair on the top were the longest with the other two getting progressively shorter. Another unique thing about her was that unlike the Dovah that only had a pair of hindlegs and wings ending in claws. She also had a pair of forelegs that her head rested in the crook of. Her golden eyes stared at me with a wry sense of amusement.
"You are me." I smiled.
"Am I now?" Dovahkiin smiled as well, her teeth as large as swords. "Or am I just a figment of your imagination as a result of the memory from the hundreds of lifetimes you have eaten, that each lasted for thousands of years. When you think about the enormity of all those memories. Well, it's enough to drive one mad."
"Both, I think." It was terrifying the first time, how she showed up one day while I was sleeping. But when your existence revolves around the eating of souls you're going to have to expect that things are going to get a little weird.
"Regardless this is something you're going to have to do and it will not be easy."
"Why do I have to?" I relaxed and laid down amongst the snow. Above me were what looked like streaks of prismatic lights darting along the night sky.
"Akatosh is not here." Dovahkiin spoke as if that explained everything.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Must I explain everything to you?" l looked at her expectedly and she sighed. "The Thu'um was created by Akatosh for his children, the dragons to manipulate the world. The world that Akatosh helped create. This is not that world. The only reason you can use the Thu'um at all is because of the amount if power you already hold. Even then the most basic of Shouts will cost you greatly more effort than what you are used to using, and there is not telling what your more esoteric Shouts will do to you."
"Got it, so I won't be able to stop time and kill everything around me anymore." Shame that was always a good trick.
"More than that, even the laws of reality that keeps this Creation functioning will be different from Mundus. Any ability or blessing you have received from there will have been rendered moot here. Even your spells could react much differently than what we are used to." Dovahkiin looked a bit panicked at the prospect.
"What do you suggest we do?" I asked her.
"Run." She admitted without shame. "Find your way back to Mundus where you will be at full strength. Wait for her to come for you there."
"What makes you think that Woman is following me."
"You wounded her and killed a number of her people, she'll want revenge."
I held out a hand and one of the many lights shot down to my palm forming an orb as big as my fist. I idly fiddled with the thing, examining the light within and the power on my fingertips. I then dropped it, and as is fell it shot right back up into the sky.
It would be maddening to some I figured. To have this much power at their fingertips, but to be unable to tap into it, without risking one's own destruction. I was not most people though and instead I just enjoyed the show I got whenever I close my eyes.
"There is a reason I ended up here, I'll not fight it. When she comes for me, I'll be ready." I told her and I believed it. "She is not the only one who wants revenge."
"Fine." Dovahkiin conceded. "It will be interesting at least to see what entity gets to claim our soul when we die."
With that she slammed her tail covering me in snow. Spluttering I sat up wiping the snow from my eyes. When I could finally see again, I was back in the forest around the city of Summerholm. The sun was only just now rising above the skyline. Pushing up and away from the tree I was slumped against. I found out that during the night the spirits I had bond to my form took the opportunity presented to them and left, leaving me naked again.
Grabbing my satchel, I stepped away from the impromptu campsite. Walking for a short distance I found the perfect spot to get clean, but first I would have to prepare it. Sticking the tips of my right hand down into the earth, I exerted my will and shaped the earth. In front of me a smooth, 20 ft around and 6ft deep, circular hole appeared in the ground. Tapping the inner sections of the hole I transmuted the inside of it to brass. Then with another spell I crafted enough hot water to feel it to the brim. Reaching into my satchel I pulled out a tightly bound orb of herbs and tossed it into the water.
Waiting a moment for the scent of medicinal herbs to permeate the area I slip inside bath. The moment I contacted the hot water I relaxed as the tension in my body melted away. I took the time to examine my injury, the scar on my chest were my heart was looked a few years old, but I had only received it three days ago. I traced the edges of it, about as big as a fist like someone trying to gouge out my heart. It still hurt to touch but whatever effect it had on me was staring to fade.
Resting my head against the tub I stared up into the sky, dawn had come dying the sky a mixture of red, purple, and blues. I reached my hand out towards the trees beckoned the figure forward that thought herself hidden among the trees.
"You can come out now!"
Slowly shuffling out from behind a tree was Elise. She looked embarrassed that she was caught peeking in on me.
"I'm sorry, it's just that you disappeared, and I was worried, is all." She walked forward taking special care to avoid looking at me too much.
"Enjoyed the show?" I asked and she blush crimson, I couldn't help but laugh at her reactions. "Okay, time for your bath."
"What?" Elise shrieked.
"You're covered in dirt." I said looking at her, dirt clung to her face and her dress had several rips in it after last night's activities. I splashed water at her. "Get in and clean yourself up."
Elise looked conflicted, part of her wanted to flee the awkward situation and another could smell herself and fought the urge to gag. The part that wanted to gag won as she started to undress herself.
"Don't look." She said to me.
I obliged her turning my head till I heard a splash and turned back to see the now crimson faced Elise. I went back to enjoying my soak and after a few minutes Elise relaxed enough that she could too.
"I had never seen magic before." Elise said her eyes towards the trees.
"Oh?" I asked my own eyes half closed only half aware of the world around me.
"I had thought of magic as this awe-inspiring thing and it was. But then you used it to make a fire to sleep by, water to drink, and then a bath. It just…" She trailed off unable to find the words.
"Just what?" I open my eyes to look at her and she was staring at me as well.
"Frivolous, maybe?" Elise looked frustrated as she tried to make her point. "You do all these things and don't think twice about them, as if they don't matter."
"They don't." I said and at the look Elise was giving me I hurried to explain. "Don't get me wrong, it took a long time before I reached this level. But once I got there, I saw no need to hide what I can do or to shy away from anyone who might not like it."
"How?" Elise asked, she looked equal parts angry and jealous. "How do you get there?"
"By doing the work and pushing passed your limits from what was possible till you reach the impossible." I said quietly.
"I wouldn't even know where to start." Elise said sadly.
I honestly had no idea what prompted the next words.
"Want me to teach you?" I asked.
But I meant them.
Elise looked at me in shock at my proposal, I was in shock by it. She struggled to find the words but gave me a nod and a whispered. "Yes."
Well looks like I got me a disciple.
"If were going to do anything then were going to need some clothes." I coughed a bit embarrassed and reached out my hand once again, except this time I was trying to grasp something outside of Creation.
The school of Conjuration magic was at its core reaching out to the planes of Oblivion, as if casting a fishing line into a lake. If you knew where to cast, you would always grab the thing you were looking for. If you didn't, well it is surprising what you could find patrolling the depths. But this was I line I had cast many a time before.
A orb of purple flames burst into existence where I was pointing. As the flames died down a man was standing in the center, hands behind his back as he stood at attention before me. If all one did was look at his clothes, you'd assume he was a servant. But by his skin, hair, and eyes that were black as charcoal. Along with his crimson facial markings and horns extending from his hair. Revealed the man's nature as something, Other.
"Mistress, I was wondering where you disappeared to, I had almost begun to hope you'd have perished by now." The Daedra Butler, Xaira. He spoke in Ehlnofex an ancient language of Nirn, from which all others were based on. He gave me a bow that was only slightly mocking, he then took in my form. "I suppose you will be needing a change of clothes. Any preferences?"
I stared at him for a moment, sad once I realized what his presence meant. There were no Aedra, the Nine Divines in this world. Because this is not the world they made. But the Daedra were not of Mundus and not bound to it, as such I could call on them.
"Some armor that is inconspicuous and easy to move in, a sword too. Actually, make that two sets of armor, light not heavy. And a spare sheath" I said in Ehlnofex as well as I gave him a list and waved him off.
"Very well." With a long-suffering sigh Xaira disappeared from this plane. From experience I knew it would take a few minutes for him to sort through and retrieve the excess amount of armors, weapons, and whatever else miscellaneous objects I'd gave go him over the years in case of emergencies. Mostly I knew he took as long as he could to inconvenience me as much as he could get away with.
"What was that!?" a familiar voice rang out behind me. A quick look behind me showed William glaring at my back.
"First time seeing a daedra, Lonely?" it wasn't surprising I supposed, no matter the world it seems summoning creatures from beyond it would be frown upon.
"You just summon a devil." The confusion in his voice disappeared, replaced with anger. He reached for a sword that wasn't there. "You're a Villain, aren't you?"
"That's a matter of perspective." I told him.
"Perspective, you think you can talk your way out of this!? You're just another Praes dog, a tool of the Carrion Lord!" He was tense, with his fist clenched and snarl on his lips. He looked a moment away from charging me.
"Are you going to attack a naked and unarmed woman?" I stood and turned to face him fully.
He tried to keep looking at my eyes but a single look downward and his anger was replaced with embarrassment. With a blush on his face, he turned away from me.
I turned to Elise. "How about you?"
"I trust you." She replied without hesitation.
"What are you planning here, what's your game?" Lonely as I was now going to call him turned to me but looked at the ground.
"No plan." I admitted. "I usually make things up as I go along."
"Then why do this?" He asked again.
"No real reason, just doing what I want to do for the moment." I said.
A burst of purple flame interrupted whatever else Lonely could have said. As Xaira appeared again a bundle of clothes in his arms and a sheathed sword and belt atop it. Xaira looked between me and William with a cocked eyebrow.
"Sorry Mistress, am I interrupting something?" Xaira looked as if he didn't care either way. He held out his hands almost a second away from dropping them on the floor. "Here is the clothing you requested."
"He's a little too young for my taste." I picked out the clothing for myself as I placed the sword aside. Black pants tucked into brown leather boots, with thick white tunic and slim ebony bracers. A leather jacket dyed brown made from dragon scales and lined with chainmail that reached a little past my waist put it all together. The sword was a Skyforge steel sword I had personally crafted. "Not exactly inconspicuous but damn if I don't look good."
I held out the second bundle to Elise as she stepped out of the tub, in a way that placed me between her and the others in the clearing. A few awkward moments later a crimson face Elise was dressed in clothing that was a lot like mine. It fit a bit awkward on her frame, I would have to make some adjustments for it to properly fit her.
"If that is all." Xaira gave another mocking bow and disappeared in a burst of purple flame. As he left both Elise and Lonely visibly relaxed.
"That reminds me of something." I said as I turned to Lonely.
"What?" He asked.
"What is your name? you've never said." I asked him.
"I am the Lone Swordsman." Lonely said as if that answered everything.
"Not your little title, but your actual name." I clarified.
"That is all you need to know about me." He snapped.
"Fine. But just so you know I've been calling you Lonely in my head, Lonely." I told him.
Elise let out a snort as she failed to cover her laughs.
"It's the Lone Swordsman." Lonely said, slowly a threat clear in his voice.
"That's what I said, Lonely." I said just as slowly.
Our eyes were locked as we each tried to stare the other down. But I have seen many a thing that would make me flinch, this kid wasn't even in the top 100. He backed down first.
"William." He said quietly. "My name is William."
'Well then." I smiled "I think it's time to get back to Summerholm, if the both of you are ready to go."
"We're not done talking about that devil." William said it so seriously that I had to suppress my smile as not to rile the boy up further.
"How are we getting back into the city?" Elise asked me cutting William off. He tried to glare at her and was promptly ignored.
I walked a distance away from the two of them and turned to face a relatively clear piece of the forest free of trees. Staggering my feet, I took a breath and open my eyes to the world.
"I hope this works." I softly whisper to myself as I reached out with my hands slowly spinning them in a circle. As they did a circle appeared in the air infront of me. Through the circle I saw not the forest but the image of Elise's bedroom. I focused on that image and let it replace the scene infront of me. And slowly the image of my mind became the reality of the world. With then complete and utter confidence I stepped through the portal and found myself back in the backroom of the Lost Crown Inn. I stumbled a few steps and had to catch my breath on a door frame. That had taken a lot more out of me than I thought. There was also a strange resistance as I stepped through like walking through rushing wind.
There was no body on the floor I noticed, so someone must have come and cleaned up, then. There was a creak of wood behind the frame. At the sound I lashed out reaching around the frame I felt the slim neck of a woman. Pulling back, I grabbed the woman, twisting around I shifted my grip to cover her mouth. My other arm keeping hers at her side.
The Woman, Girl I corrected myself as I got a good look at her small form. All I could make out of her was black curly hair and that she was stiff as a board. My movement so fast that she couldn't process what just happened. It took her a few seconds for the dots to connect and when they did, she began to scream, her voice muffled by my hand.
"Just calm down." I whispered.
She screamed louder.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
She just kept screaming.
"Seriously, you're starting to make me feel bad."
Her head wiggled around and I could almost make out her blue watery eyes, her screaming took on an angry tone.
"Yes, I know I should feel bad." I admitted.
She wined again.
"I'm not letting you go until you calm down."
She screamed again, this time there were muffled curses mixed in.
"There is no need for that kind of language."
She slammed an elbow into my stomach and shouted another curse as her arm spasm in pain.
"Abigail?" Elise voice rang out as she and Lonely stepped through the portal. As they did it fell away and I let out a sigh of relief.
At Elise appearance the girl, Abigail calmed down enough that I let her go. As my arms left her, the two girls rushed forward in an embrace. It was all very sweet, though off to the side Lonely looked rather sick at the display.
"So is that your plan?" Lonely asked as he gestured towards were the portal was. "Get to the Sons of Streges, and teleport away?"
"Pretty much, just have to fine were they're being held first." I said.
"They're in the jail next to the Court of Swords." Abigail spoke up. As one both me and Lonely turned to look at her.
"How do you know that?" I asked gently.
"The Legion isn't exactly keeping it quiet. They marched the rebels there and spread town criers around that they will be executed in two days." Abigail said.
"Then why are you here?" Lonely questioned Abigail.
"They said this place was involved with what happened last night, and I was worried. But, when I got here Legionaries were moving bodies out of the way, so I waited until they left to see if I could don't know, do something?" She was terrified of Lonely and me I could tell, though she refused to show it.
I sniffed the air. "Are you drunk?"
"A little bit." Abigail scratched the back of her ear.
"How do you two know each other?" I asked.
"Abigail's father was our supplier for the beer we sold here." Elise answered. "But why would they say where the Sons were being held?"
"It's obviously a trap. Probably to bait out any more sympathizers or survivors in the city. In fact, this place is probably being watched as we speak." I told them.
"What?!" Abigail paled as what I said registered in her mind. Probably visualizing all the horrible things that are probably going to happen to her.
"You'll be fine." I reassured her.
"Really." She looked at me with hope in her eyes.
"No." I gently cupped her cheek. "You'll be dead within the day if you're lucky."
"Ah." Was all Abigail could muster as her eyes rolled up her skull and she fainted.
Elise held Abigail limp body close and carefully laid her down on the bed. Elise then glared at me. "That was uncalled for."
"Probably, was funny though." I told her.
"That doesn't matter." Lonely cut in. "How are we supposed to get to the Sons of Streges if this is all a plot by the Carrion Lord."
Looking down at the unconscious body of Abigail I smiled. "I have an idea."
XxX
The first rule to stealth was not to be invisible or to hide, but to be one with the world. To be the thing that a person sees and immediately ignore and dismisses as unimportant.
But when you lack that kind of skill being able to turn invisible on command was a close second.
Slipping out of the inn underneath a veil of invisibility I took a look around. The bodies had been cleared away which was a good thing as I couldn't risk Elise having another break down while we were in here. Also, the place was being watched, but not by orcs or humans. Instead up on the roof were several small humanoid forms. A few fortified jumps and I was close into to see what was watching the place.
Goblins, small green leathery goblins. They were spaced out around the area some watching the roads leading to the inn while some were watching the inn itself. They would alert everyone the moment they realized someone else besides Abigail was inside the inn.
Slowly drawing my blade, I stared to take care of the problem. I stopped for a moment sighed holstered my blade and went to work. It was all to easy as most predators never realize the moment, they become prey until it was too late.
Tapping the head of the last goblin scout I sent a burst of lightning through it, not enough to kill but to knock out. I rummage through its things, just like the rest it had quite the assortment of bombs that I added to my growing horde. Afterwards I made my way back to the inn.
Walking back inside the inn I passed a two-wheel cart lying next to the door and an idea sparked in my head.
After waking up the girl I carefully implied that if it was seen as if she was a petty looter seeking to reclaim what her family had sold, then instead of being hung like a traitor she would instead just have to pay a hefty fine.
A prospect that she immediately agreed to after telling her my idea. Abigail quietly shuffled us inside of her carriage. The carriage was used to distribute the alcohol that Abigail's family made to their respective taverns that bought it. Seeing as Abigail's family did not have own a horse, Abigail was forced to pull it by herself through the city. A task she had to do everyday from the moment she was big and strong enough to pull it.
Unfortunately, Lonely had chosen that moment to ditch us. He had somehow felt where his blade was, and it was in the opposite direction of the Plaza. So, he went for it, and told us he would find us later.
"I have to admit though, this is much better than my plan." I said from the back of the cart as I sipped from a bottle. Abigail had thrown a blanket over the carriage to hide us from view.
"What was your plan?" Elise asked. She was looking out through the blanket at the people walking by.
"Disguise myself as Abigail and get myself arrested. There would have been a problem with the height difference, but that is what magic is for."
"You were going to WHAT?!" I heard Abigail shout out but then in a quieter voice continued. "This is as close as I'm going to get you. The Legionaries weren't let anyone to close, until it is time to carry out the execution."
Slowly Abigail stopped the carriage and let us out in the middle of the street.
"We're lucky that a portion of the Legion is fighting the fire." Abigail huffed, sweat dripping down her face. The cart wasn't exactly large, it was still impressive that a tiny slip of a girl could move it.
"Fire? Shouldn't it have been putted out by now?" I asked. This city looked to be made entirely of stone. A fire shouldn't have been a problem.
"Not a regular fire, this was goblin fire. Up by the old royal foundry." Abigail explained.
"Goblin fire?" I asked.
"It's a special flame used by the Legion. It burns green and it burns everything, even magic. It can't be extinguished and burns for seven days straight." Elise explained.
"Sounds… interesting." I said. A fire that could burn magic, wonder what it would take to make something like that?
"The Royal Foundry is where the Sons where meeting last night." Elise had a pensive look on her face. "Did Cat have anything to do with it?"
"Don't know, but l am not staying around for whatever it is your about to do. So goodbye." With that Abigail grabbed her cart and walked away, well more like run away.
As she left, I looked around the place. All around us people were walking about. Going on with their lives. But there was a tension in the air. People were walking carefully eyes down on the ground, and when they talked it was in subdued whispers. Legionaries marched through the streets and as they did the people gave them a wide berth.
Looking around I could see and hear at the far end of the plaza the construction going on. They were, it seems, making makeshift gallows right there for all to see. Legionaries stood guard as it went on, though it seems very few if any people were looking to get close. Behind that was a large three-story building that stretched from one end of the plaza to another. Along the front of it were pillars holding up an overhanging of the second floor.
"So think the Sons are in there?" I asked
"Yes, the Court of Swords were where the judges held court and held prisoners to be judged." Elise said.
"And executed. So, you wouldn't happen to know a secret way inside."
"No."
"Guess we're going through the front then." I sighed as I walked towards the courthouse.
"We can't just walk into a Legion stronghold!" Elise said as she tugged on my sleeve.
"We can if they have something else to focus on." I said as I held up my hand fingers pointed towards the sky. Five dots of wind and flame gathering on the tips of my fingers.
The second rule of stealth. Is if you can't blend in, then cause a distraction, and slip in why no one is the wiser.
With that in mind I let my spell fly. The orbs flew upwards around me and spread out. Out in the open like this with people around no one would be able to tell it was me. As the orbs got far enough away from us, they exploded. The spell itself was designed for maximum sound and light. But that wasn't enough to ensure everyone was properly distracted. So even as the screaming began, I extended a line into Oblivion and pulled. Five bursts of purple flame appeared within the plaza and from them figures emerge. They wore heavy armor black like midnight, spikes extended from every possible point. Red lines, almost like blood, cross the metal, pulsing every second like a heartbeat. Their black helms completely covered their faces, along with the pulsing red lines.
At the appearance of the Daedra Knights the screams kicked into high gear as the people began to run.
"Zul Mey Gut." I whispered under my breath and then I threw my voice to let it reach the Knights. "Do not kill, hurt, or otherwise inconvenience the people around you."
The became still at the sound of my voice. They had never heard it, but through the nature of the spell they knew that the person talking was to be obeyed. There were the a few jerks against my leash around them, but eventually they settled down.
"Run along now." I continued. "Go make nuisances of yourself to get others to follow you."
They let out blood curdling screams as they followed the fleeing people. The Legionaries after a moment dropped whatever they were doing and followed them, steel in hand.
I stuck to the side as I made my way through the now cleared plaza. Elise though was staring at me horrified.
"What?"
"You just summon a pack of devils and unleashed them on my people." She spoke in a flat tone.
"They're not going to hurt anyone." I told her.
She looked unconvinced.
"No really, I summon those type of things all the time. Their apart of Sanguine brood, their more likely to go raid a bar than kill people." Probably, as long as they follow my orders.
"Sanguine?"
"The Daedric Prince of Debauchery. One of the 17 princes that rule Oblivion. One of the few left relativity intact."
"Intact?"
By that point in time we reached the door to the courthouse. The double door loomed infront of us, and a peek inside show more Legionaries, though not as many as there were outside.
"Ready for the next part in my plan?" I smiled at the girl ignoring her question. I carefully gathered Magicka in my palm. The spell I was preparing had to be done carefully, Illusion spells were like that, requiring a level of care that only Restoration magic could match.
"There's a plan?" Elise looked generally confused.
"Follow my lead." I pushed opened the door and walked in. The doors open into a large open chamber. Sunlight shined down from the glass ceiling. Along the floor and wall were painted imagery of angels, lights, and swords. I didn't have the cultural understanding to know what any of it meant. Along the chamber we're two flights of stairs leading up to the second floor. In the middle of it all was a desk. And all along the room were the legionaries.
Just as the Legionaries turn to us; I released the spell. Unlike others there was no flash or bang, more like a mist that settled over their heads. Illusion magic Unlike other spells don't affect the physical, but the minds of the caster's target.
This one affected the senses of the ones who are hit by it. It was simple in nature as it only made it so that I look like someone else. When the spell finished, they as one stood at attention. As they didn't see me, but a hulking woman in heavy plate and a giant warhammer slung over her back.
"Where are the prisoners?" I barked.
"In the holding cells within the basement, ma'am." On of legionaries stepped forward, a human man with dark skin and features that pegged him as a redguard to me. Though technically they don't exist in the land. More importantly he looked to be high ranked.
"Lead me to them." I commanded.
"But…" He tried to talk but I cut him off.
"But nothing!" I snapped. "If those ears on your head wasn't for decoration then you'd have heard the screams!"
"But…"
"Say but again and I'll shove my hammer up yours the BIG END FIRST!" I snarled stepping closer. It was kind of funny how he had to look up to see the false image of Captain, but from where I stood it looked like he was staring at the ceiling. "The rebels from last night are attacking and we have to secure the prisoners. Black's orders."
Just like that as if I said the magic words the legionnaire saluted me and led me down though the corridor on the right and down a flight of stairs. Elise trailing behind me gave me a look that said she wanted answers, but now wasn't the time. Eventually we came across a bared gate. The legionary quickly opened it with a key along his waist.
"They're just down here." He said.
"Good, you stay here." I ordered as I made my way through, Elise following right behind me.
"B…"
I gave him a look. His mouth clicked shut as his dark skin paled as he stepped back.
"You can leave now." I said.
I didn't look back at him as I made my way further down the stairs. There was no natural light, so torches lit the way. As I walked, I could hear voices they were talking in whispers so I couldn't make out the words. But as I found myself within a long corridor the whispers stopped. Along the walls were jail cells and in the low light I could see the people within.
As I stepped forward I felt five snaps in my head as the Knights I summoned were killed within seconds of each other. Shit, I was going to have to move now. Turning around I quickly made an ice wall blocking off the passage. Then several more between the gate and the first cell door, just to be safe.
The prisoners let out sounds at the display of magic. Many of them pressing their face against the bars to get a look at me.
"Okay prison break time! Step away from the doors if you don't what to get hurt." I shouted. With no time to pick the locks I instead melted them with my strongest flame spell. My hands pressed against each lock it took precious few minutes to go through them all and as each one opened the Sons slowly walked out. They looked at me with open suspicion but as they saw Elise that, while not leaving completely from their eyes it quieted a bit.
"Who are you?" One of the Sons spoke up. He was the oldest of the bunch. he wore simple clothes but looked like he had seen better days. His face was covered in bruises and one eye was swollen shut, he also had several cuts along his frame to. All of them were in similar conditions. There were about 50 of them.
"Kiera, and I would love to know your names, but we have to go now." I walked towards the end of the room and began my spell to open a portal back into the clearing. A moment later and a perfect circle appeared and inside it was a forest.
"I can't believe this worked out as well as it did." Elise said with a smile on her face.
"Why would you say that?" I stared at her in horror.
"What?"
There was a quiet thump that echoed around the chamber from the walls of ice, then another, and another. Each one faster than the last.
"Through the door now!" I shouted and the Sons listened. One by one they ran through and with a quiet whoosh disappeared. As the final one step through the last of the ice walls shattered.
Stepping through the ice with warhammer in hand was The Captain. "You." She spoke with a growl and I saw she was still wearing the armor I dented.
"Hi." I waved at her with a smile as I stepped through the portal. "Bye." I then collapsed it. The last sight I had of her, Captain had bared her teeth as she tried to charge at me.
"So, what do we do know?" I turned to Elise.
"Who are you!" another one shouted out. Only to be hushed by the others.
"My name is Kiera." I said again.
"But your named right?"
"Yes, Kiera." I repeated. He tried to speak again but I cut him off. "It's not safe to stay here any longer we need to move. Do any of you know a safe place to stay, or any destination in mind."
They began to quietly converse among themselves and I took a few steps away to let them. As they did, I couldn't help but notice that the Sons consisted of both old soldiers and kids that were just becoming adults. Two though looked familiar to me, but I couldn't place where.
Wait now that I thought about it those two were the one who dragged me to the Lost Crown inn in the first place. I gave the two a wave. One returned it, the other ignored me, rude.
"Lucian." I whispered to myself. A shadow rose behind me as the assassin appeared. In just the right way that no one else can see him.
"Yes." Lucian said.
"Have the Legion found this spot yet?" I asked.
"They have sent out a few patrols in the area, but so far they haven't found your campsite yet. But it is only a matter of time until they do." Lucian said, he then adds. "This is a strange land you have found yourself end."
"How so?" I was generally curious what a wraith of the void had to say about this Creation.
"This land is…" Lucian stopped, struggling he tried to find the right words. "Firmer and more ridged that what I'm used to."
"Oh?" That would be interesting to ponder, when I didn't have to worry about and army marching down on me. "So! Any places in mind yet!" I called out to the Sons, which I just now noticed had women in it as well.
"North, we need to head north through Denier towards the Duchy of Daoine." The same old man from before.
I had no idea what any of that meant. "Do you think it's a good idea?"
"Daoine has the least amount of interference from the empire, it will be a safe enough place. Otherwise we would have to leave the country." The man shuffled nervously then. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Where are you headed?"
"If you would have me, I'd like to travel with you until you make it to Daoine."
"Why?" He spoke in a gruff tone, but there was a hint of relief in his eyes
He wants me to come with, but he's worried about my intentions. I smiled at the man. "Three of your own helped me when I needed it, I intend to return the favor. After that, only the Gods know."
"That's… uh… fine, we could use all the help we can get if we are to get our home back." He held out his hand to me.
"You still intend to fight. Um, what was your name, you never said?" I took gripped his forearm and gave it a shake.
"Samuel, and yes we all still do. If the fear of death was enough to stop me, I never would have picked up a sword in the first place." Samuel said resolute.
"That's great." I smiled. "So, do you have a way of contacting the others, or a place to leave a message?"
"Others? What others?" He asked.
"The other Sons of Streges in the city, they could be compromise and need to flee." I explained.
"There are no others, we are all that's left of the Sons of Streges."
What?
"What about in other cities, or villages. Do you have people there?" I grabbed him by his shoulders and give him a shake.
"No." Samuel said worried.
"You're planning on fighting an empire with 50 people?!"
"Well, yeah to start with. But once the people see that were here others will rise up and stand against the empire."
You mean ordinary people against a trained army. It will be a massacre.
"Did you at least have a plan, before you were taken prisoner?" I asked but I had a feeling I already knew the answer. The fact that Samuel didn't look me in the eyes said I was right. Dammit, it too late to join the legion. The silence dragged on to the point it was uncomfortable.
"Kiera?" Elise asked me. "Is everything alright?"
"It's fine." I sighed as I let Samuel go. "If we move now, quickly and quietly and we're extremely lucky we can avoid the legion's patrols. But once we hit open land, I'll need someone to guide us to Denier. Has any of you been there before?"
A few people raise their hands.
"Good how long will a trip on foot take?"
"A week, or longer if we take the roads less traveled." One of the Sons said.
A week, I didn't have the rations to last a week for myself, so there was no way I could provide for all of them. Maybe, Xaira could provide food if I asked of him. But what if I went off ahead with the guide and once, I reached Denier I could just bring them to me. If I did that though I would have to fine a safe place to stash the Sons first.
"Lucian, tell Lonely where we are going." I said to the wraith. "The rest of you, we're leaving now." I reached out to Elise and pulled her close. "And I'll need you to tell me all about this Name thing you have all been going on about?"