It was easy enough to find the blade.
All William had to do was follow the wails. Even when he was far away from The Penitent's Blade, William could still hear the mournful wails of a sinner crying out. The power of his Name gave him the strength and speed to duck through the cordon the Legion placed around the area of the city that was currently being consumed by goblin fire.
The green flames were consuming all, everything was being reduced to a blackened mess. William sighed at the sight, a perfect example of my failure.
William quietly walked through the desolation. He used part of his coat to cover his mouth as he made his way, the smoke in the air burning his lungs. As William moved deeper into the flames, he could hear the sounds of the crackling of wood and the collapsing of building. But even that could not overwhelm the wailing William could hear down within his soul.
William followed the sound leading him through the burning sections of the city. He shortly found himself looking over the same wall he was last night before his defeat by the Squire. His heart hammered in his chest as William remembered the half dead thing that came for him, burning eyes that had nothing to do with the raging fire and words that lashed his soul.
William took several breaths to try and calm his heart, as he did, he could hear it clearly now. The wail of The Penitent's Sword. Turning he saw it laying there plain as day surrounded by goblin's fire. The flames themselves almost seemed hesitant to touch the angel feather turned sword.
I can understand that, William thought to himself as he picked up the blade. The material that made up the blade was white. On the single edge of the blade close to the hilt were several slight ridges that tapered off towards the pointed tip.
William let out a sigh of relief as he sheathed the Penitent's Blade and the constant wailing stopped. He stared out to the distant land as the sounds of flame let him drift off.
This entire adventure was a complete failure. He had come to Summerholm to form an army, or at least the start of one to finally free Callow from The Empire. Only to have it blow up in his face in a week.
"I didn't even have a chance to cross swords with a Calamity, instead I was beaten by a newly Named Villain." William said in disgust. He remembered what they had said, he wasn't even considered a threat just a prize in a hunting game. More concerned with killing themselves than they were with him.
He leaned over the railing where he fell in the river. Remembering how he had dragged himself out and holding his chest together to keep from bleeding out. He walked aimlessly until a figure had emerged from the ground next to him. It was providence, the blessed golden luck that shines on heroes from above, that led to that moment. It was the daughter of the Lost Crown inn, he had never bothered to learn her name, she had told William then about the attack then and how she was saved by Her.
Kiera, she had introduced herself to him, but she had given another name to Elise. Dovahkiin, it had the ring of a Name, but that didn't feel quite right. He had his slight suspension when he first met that golden eyed woman. He could always tell what a person was thinking, well almost always. But the look in that woman eyes, William had struggled to put it to words what he saw in the end he still couldn't.
But then he witnessed her summoning devils and her nature was clear. He wanted to strike her down then and there. It was only the fact that he lost his sword and his recent loss that stayed the Lone Swordsman's hand. He still confronted her, and her words were even more confusing than the Squire's.
As he was thinking about the past William was also trying to find a path forward. He was able to avoid the Eyes of the Empire by being alone, but a Lone Swordsman cannot defeat an empire. So, he would have to craft an army. Which was a problem because he had no idea how to do it. He had hoped by using the Sons of Streges that he could forge an army around them, but…
The stories always make this part seem so easy; William sighed again. He was doing that a lot lately he found.
Maybe he could head to Marchford, the Countess there Elizabeth was one of the few remaining nobles left after the Conquest and she had held out the longest against the Empire during it. Or he could make his way west to Procer to find the former Duke of Liesse. The man was a coward and a cockroach that had fled before the Empire had taken Laure, the capital of Callow. Both were an option, or maybe he could try and find Dovahkiin and…
"You should move soon. The fire is getting closer while you stand there and brood. It wouldn't do for you to die in such a way, William."
The Lone Swordsman turned, the Penitent's Blade in his grasp slashing downward at the sword of the voice. The Penitent's Blade was forged from an angel's feather and since getting it, there was never a thing that it couldn't cut through. So, The Lone Swordsman was shocked as the blade let out a pitiful wail as it was stopped dead by a simple dagger.
"W… what?" William sputtered in shock.
"That was rude." The figure said. It was dressed in black and red leather; it wore a hood that covered it's face in shadows. It was shaped like a man, but only to William's eyes. His Name was screaming at him that the thing in front of him had to die.
"Assassin!" The Lone Swordsman shouted as he took a step back, falling into his self-taught stance. One of the Calamities here before him. This was his chance if he could stop just one, then this wouldn't be a waste.
"Not today." The Assassin said as it took a step back. "Right now, I'm just a messenger."
"What does the Carrion Lord have to say?"
"No idea." The Assassin said dryly. "But Kiera has rescued your Sons of Streges and are taking them to Daoine."
William nearly dropped his sword in shock. He didn't think it was possible to rescue them from the Carrion Lord. There were stories where it was tried only for everyone to end up dead. Also, a part of him believed it to be nothing but a trick on Kiera's part to deliver him to the Black Knight, part of him still did.
"What makes you t…think I believe you." He hated himself for how he stammered.
"Believe, or not I have done as I was asked." It bowed mockingly. "I shall take my leave now."
It turned to leave.
"Wait!" William shouted at its back.
"Yes." It sighed as it turned back around.
"Why is she doing this? Why are you?" He had to know. She was a Villain had to be, but why do this? There had to be a plan, or scheme behind this. So, tell me something, monologue like your kind love to do.
"Because she is bored." It simply said.
"What?!"
"That is the kind of person she is." It explained.
It didn't make any sense but do Villains ever do? Having her run free will cause problems in Callow. The kind of problems he could use. If it meant the Empire had something else to focus on then William will use whatever it took, make any deal he would have to. Even if it took everything, he was The Lone Swordsman will see his kingdom save.
"To the north, then." He told it.
It gave a nod, turned, and walked away into the flames. As it did though the flames themselves parted around it, then rushed forward and consume it. Though William doubted It was dead.
William, himself climbed atop the ledge and watched for a moment. Taking in the moment and imagining what it would all look like when he was done. With a step that both felt lighter and heavier than before, fell from the wall into the waters below.
Soon, he promised, I will free you all.
XxX
The series of blows that came was fast and hard. Raining down on her from serval directions at once. Not too fast that she couldn't see them and not too hard that they would break through her guard. But the shear ferocity that they came forced her to focus everything she had on defense and wore her down. Eventual she grew tired and her guard dropped.
It was an easy mistake to make, letting her guard drop. As it was one that she had made countless time before. She saw the strike coming, it was swung slow enough for her to see if not react to, as the wooden club, whittled into the crude shape of a sword. Easily hit Elise on her left outer calf sending her to the ground again, with an ever-growing collection of bruises.
"Fuck!" Elise shouted as she fell in the dirt. A litany of curses pouring from her, many of which she had learn as a babe from drunk patrons.
It was day 4 of their flight from Summerholm and things were not off to a great start, but it wasn't entirely awful.
To avoid detection their group was forced to travel at night and slowly at that. So far, they haven't run into any Legion patrol, but it left their days completely open. So, Kiera took it as a point to sometime out of the day to take Elise somewhere quiet and beat me within an inch of my life, while telling me what I'm doing wrong and call it training!
The quiet awe of meeting an actual Hero was quickly disappearing from Elise's mind. Not that you could call Kiera a Hero after knowing her for half a day.
As her mind returned to what was happening around her. Elise scrambled to stand as to lay on the ground was an open offer to have her chest stomped on. She faced her opponent in an open field they had stumbled upon. Slipping into the stance her father had taught her on the slower days at the Lost Crown inn, suppressing the pain that come from remembering her father. Elsie carefully observe the woman in front of her for any opening.
But even if they were in the middle of a fight Elise couldn't help but be captivated by the beauty of Kiera. Without the low light of the moon light and the distractions of a jail break Elise could truly appreciate the looks of the woman standing before her. Which so far was the only thing of worth these past few days.
Long ebony hair was now tied into a simple three strand braid. As Kiera had separated her hair into three different strands and then wrapped them one over and under the other until she reached the tip of her hair. A metal band was attached from where the braid ended. A band that Elise knew could hit like a mace.
Two tassels of hair escaped the braid, framing a diamond shape face. Thin lips curved into that ever-present smile she seemed to always have on her face, as her golden eyes gleamed in amusement at Elise's staring.
She stood taller than most women and some men, but not the tallest person that Elise has met. Kiera also had a figure that while was well-built it also served to accentuate her more buxom feminine qualities. Elise remembered as much when she stumbled upon Kiera changing.
"You are staring." Kiera laughed.
Cheeks flushed with embarrassment Elise looked away and… crap!
Kiera's fist buried itself into Elise stomach before she could react. As neither were wearing armor the hit forced all the air from her lungs, Elise collapsed back to the ground again. Hacking out her lungs and if anything were in her stomach she'd be vomiting too.
"Don't get distracted." Kiera chided her. Reaching down Kiera placed a now familiar white phial down next to Elise hunched over form. Signaling the ended of their training session.
"I can keep going." Elise said when she got air back in her lungs.
"We've been going at it for hours now and you need your rest." Kiera replied. She then looked pointedly to the side. "Besides those two seemed to be about finished as well."
Now that she wasn't focused on trying to survive. Elise could hear the sound of wood slamming into wood and sounds of exertion. Sullenly sipping the now familiar crimson liquid, Elise turned to watch what Kiera had indicated.
The wind-swept black hair and the bright green eyes of the Lone Swordsman that would have once excited Elise, even twisted into the focused scowl he now wore. Instead only made Elise angry. While Cat, the Squire and the Dread Empire had played the largest role in her Father's death. Elise could not discount the part that William of Greenbury had in it all. Neither did the Sons of Streges.
It wasn't his fault, Kiera had said, He just had lost is all, though in some ways a hero who had failed was worse than a hero who didn't try at all.
Since rejoining the group William had stuck to the fringes. Rushing ahead to scout the surrounding areas and when he wasn't doing that…
Another crash louder than before followed by a scream as William was thrown backwards digging a small furrow into the ground. Just as quickly was he down, he rose again and charged his opponent.
A picture-perfect copy of Kiera.
The one next to her gave Elise a smile as she disappeared like smoke.
Even now Elise could help but marvel at the myriad abilities that Kiera possessed. Sermons from the House of Light spoke of the Three Graces bestowed upon those chosen by the Heavens and the Three Sins that were curses upon those that serve Hell.
When Elise had asked it of her, Kiera had described the power as the Thu'um. A form of magic as Kiera described it. A word is spoken and through understanding of that word an effect happens. Through mix and matching the words and understanding the newly created shout and even greater effect could happen.
The two lashed out at each other again. The movement of the wooden practice blades and even themselves were a blur to Elise's eyes as they moved around the clearing.
"Swing." William called out as he swung in a downward arc.
"Fus." Kiera replied swinging in a retaliatory angle as the blades collided.
Elise remembered that word, when Kiera spoke it last a wave of force knocked Elise on her ass. But this time it looked like the power of the Thu'um was contained within the blade itself.
A wave of force erupted from the two as they clashed. A sharp crack rang out at the practice blade they were using shattered. William was once again toss backwards. This time he took his time to stand again.
"Did not expect that to work." Kiera said laughing as she tossed away the broken sword.
"Again." William demanded. He was vibrating in a pent-up rage, clutching his broken sword so tight it looked to be the verge of cracking.
It was strange Elise thought that the man in front of her was so very different from the man her father once intruded her to. Before he looked almost perfect more like a statue with all imperfections smooth away. But now it seems that with every day more and more imperfections were appearing. Becoming more human and less a figure of myth.
"Tomorrow." Kiera refused, her arms and face covered in slight bruises that were slowly disappearing. "The sun is coming down and we need to move."
"Fine." He spat out.
"Still don't trust me?" When William said nothing, Kiera let out a pained sigh. "Then ask. Not like I have many secrets that I need to keep from you, either of you." She sat on the ground cross-legged. "We got a few hours until it is dark enough for us to safely move, ask away."
The two of them stared at her in silence as they tried to think of what to ask. This was another thing that made up their day where Kiera would sit down and asked the two of them or Simon questions. The questions themselves would very from history, to religions, even to their daily lives they had led. There was much Elise herself could tell Kiera expect what she learned from the House of Light. It was times like these that Elise realized how little of the world that she knew.
Though this was the first time Elise would be the one asking the questions.
"Where are you from?" Elise blurted out nervously. Parts of her was giddy to learn more about Kiera.
"The continent of Tamriel, the province of High Rock, and the city of Daggerfall. My people call themselves Bretons." Kiera explained.
I have no idea what any of that means, Elise thought to herself. A glance at William showed the same look on his face.
"What was your home like?" Elise asked as she sat down with Kiera.
Kiera smile then, a gentle thing as her head tilted backwards. "Daggerfall is the capital and largest city of the kingdom of Daggerfall, confusing I know. It is also the cultural center of High Rock. The greatest artisans gather there to show off their work. There is also a bustling marketplace where one can get a hold of anything your hearts desires. All Bretons are also innate users of magic, so are Mage's guild are some of the most advanced. Really Bretons are just the best."
"You must have grown up in the lap of luxury." William said bitterly.
Chuckling Kiera replied. "I grew up in a brothel actually."
"A brothel!? That would mean you'd have…" unbidden images floated through a blushing Elise's head. So much so that she had to shake herself to clear them.
"Get your minds out of the gutter. I never took on any clients myself. My mother was a courtesan, and a valuable enough one that she was given a permanent place to stay at 'The Wandering Paradise inn' because even a single night will make you feel like you have found Paradise." Kiera had sung out the last part.
"A Courtesan? What is the difference that and a…" William cut himself off, as Kiera turned to him, an unamused look in her eyes. "um, you know."
"My mother did not just sleep with people. She also preformed shows at night where she would sing to others, with a voice so charming even gods themselves were entranced. She was knowledgeable enough about arts, politics, and arcane to talk shop with experts in their field. Being with her didn't just soothe a person's body but their mind and spirt as well." Kiera showed more passionate in that moment that Elise could ever remember hearing from her before.
"You must care for her a great deal." Elise had never known her mother as she had died during Elise's birth.
"Oh, I loved her still do. Before I left Daggerfall she had taught me a many trick of her trade that she'd knew I'd need on the road."
"Why'd you leave then if you thought so much of your mother's profession?" William spoke bluntly.
"Because as much as I loved my mother. She was in the end a pretty bird in a gilded cage, and I didn't want to grow up in a cage." She explained sadly.
Was. Past tense. Elise realized something. "Is your mother?"
"Dead. Yes, she is. But she's been gone for years, so while there is still pain. It's not as raw as it once were." Kiera said simply.
"And you father? You spoke a lot about her, but what about him?" William asked.
"Some Nord mercenary that help mom out of a jam."
"Jam?" Elise asked confused.
"Some noble wanted my mom on a more permanent basis and my dad objected. With an axe, which I have come to learn is how most Nords solve their disagreements. My mother was so grateful that she thanked him, and then nine months later she had me." Kiera explained with a laughter in her voice.
"What?"
"That was my reaction when she told me. After hearing that my first stop after I left Daggerfall was to Skyrim. That is the home of the Nords, just so you all know. On the way there I ran into a Legion ambush, not your Legion of Terror but The Imperial Legion. I was going to be executed, but I was rescued by a dragon. Which led me to killing another dragon, then another, and another. Eventually I found myself in the Afterlife fighting the same dragon that saved me. But it was an evil dragon called the World Eater, that was going to eat the world. Kill it and save the world, didn't even get paid for it." Kiera muttered the last part to herself.
"What?"
"After that I ended fighting against this vampire lord and his undead army. Then if that weren't crazy enough, I'd ended up fighting and killing my sort of my brother." Kiera was laughing at their reaction, which could have been the point of the answers.
A beat of silence passed between them as Elise tried to work out what to say next.
"How did you end up here then?" Elise asked. "You said you were in Oblivion. But how did you end up there and why did you end up here?"
"That is a bit of a tale." Kiera stood up and stretched. "It's getting late and we need to grab the Sons and start walking again. I'll tell you on the way. But I guess it all started when I went out drinking with a god."