"I see you have strengthened your arm and your mind, Tenyin. It is time we began this journey." The voice returned, Ria Silmane, a mage that claimed to serve under Uriel Septim himself. The voice didn't cause pain this time but I was surprised, quickly jolting into a sitting position. This shouldn't have been possible, I thought I was going to die but I was still alive. Even more, the pain from my leg had all but left, which I quickly checked on and my eyes widened in much more than surprise. The wound was completely healed, leaving not even a scar.
"That's impossible…" I spoke aloud, carefully touching the place that the wound was before, expecting some sort of trick or illusion. That was not the case, though, and when I made contact, it was only with the flesh of my leg and no evidence anything had happened to it.
"I seen what had happened and I can explain enough to suppress your questions for now." Ria spoke again, grabbing my interest instantly. I didn't entirely throw away the idea of this being an illusion of some sort but I couldn't discount that there were dozens of other possibilities as well. I simply waited to hear the woman out, continuing to touch and inspect where the injury had been earlier.
"You are special, Tenyin. You are not like a normal Redguard in any way, as evidence by the injury that healed itself over the time you were resting. It won't happen while you are awake but whenever I can come to you while you are asleep, I can use what magic I still possess to heal minor injuries. I cannot heal anything fatal, even while you are resting, so remember that. Are you satisfied with the explanation?" I didn't answer right away, absorbing the information that had been told as if it were common knowledge. I wasn't against having the chance to live through events like what had happened without repercussions but I my pride get a little damaged at the fact it would be hard for me to die an honorable death. Then again, maybe fate had purposely given me this extraordinary gift for more than just to be killed because of a small mistake, if being sent on a quest to save the Emperor himself from imprisonment wasn't indication enough.
"For now…what is this journey that you speak of?" I wasn't entirely convinced of what was going on still, seeing as along with being put in an Imperial Prison and now having an almost infinite increase in healing ability, this still all seemed far too convenient or unusual. The only thing that would make this completely believable to me was finding that Shift Gate that was hidden somewhere in this dungeon.
"Close your eyes, I need to show you something." I did as was told, leaving Ria as the master of my vision for now. I expected some sort of battle or a destructive scene of some sort but what I saw was just the sky, as if I were outside and simply floating well above where any developed magic or trained body could take me. In front of me also was a floating item but I couldn't reach out and touch it, it just turned in place but it held my attention. The item that came into view was a staff of some sort, unlike anything that I had seen before.
"This is the staff of Chaos, the one item that can open the door between this world and the dimension to which the Emperor has been banished." The item mentioned was clearly a staff but it was not made by a novice and probably not even a master. This staff was most likely crafted by a group of people ranging from the most renowned of crafters and the most powerful mages, seeing as it had such immense power. It looked to be as tall as the average Imperial but not extremely detailed. The bottom most section was made into a sharp point, solid gold and obviously made for the event of an enemy that got within melee range. The handle made up most of the length and was a bright blue with about six gold rings up the length, spread out equally. What held the focus looked like it had the most work, though. The focus itself was a simple glass orb, entirely transparent and seemingly useless. The figure that held the orb looked to be the three-fingered claw of a beast, complete with the detailing of nails and even a joint before the handle met the object like the beast's hand was bent. That section was also made of solid gold but looked to be extremely strong like the pointed opposite end.
"Tharn used this item to destroy my corporeal form when I tried to warn the Council. He knew that the Staff of Chaos was nigh indestructible, having been made from the essence of the land itself but in that, he found the key. As the land is split, so did he shatter the Staff into eight perfectly formed pieces. These he scattered across the realm. I have been able to diving the location of the first piece, a place called Fang Lair." Ria went quiet again after the speech, giving myself time to register everything in a more organized way in my head. Ria had been killed whenever she figured out what had happened, trying to report to the very Council I had been part of ironically. After he had taken control of the Imperial City, took the place of the Emperor, and dealt with the other council members in an unknown way, Tharn broke the Staff into pieces and hid them so he couldn't be beaten. Even if he was clearly evil, Tharn always was a very good tactician especially when it came to the subject of magic or manipulation. He had gotten too much power from what it seemed, though.
"It is said that Fang Lair was originally built by the Dwarves of Kragen. Legend has it that a Great Wyrm drove the Dwarves from their home in the Dragon's Teeth and took the lair for itself." Then came the subject of Fang Lair. Being a native Redguard, I knew quite a bit about the legend of Fang Lair. It wasn't a guarded secret, rather something just about all native Redguards either knew or learned from someone else. A long lost Dwarven settlement that the Dwarves themselves lost to a ferocious Wyrm that made its own home in the same location. Despite the legend not being proven because of the fear of the Wyrm still in the lair, guarding its territory and letting no one pass. No one knows exactly where the Lair itself is anymore, as well.
"I only wish I knew the exact location. Perhaps there are sages or scholars who would know of this place. Somewhere in its dank depths lies the first piece of the Staff. I wish you well. I do not think Tharn knows of your escape but I can do little else in this form. I have tried to obscure your identity with a spell but I do now know how well it will hide you. Take care for Tharn may be searching. Go forth with the blessings of the true Emperor and myself…" Ria's voice faded again, probably reaching her limit. I was on my own for a while but I believed more that this woman was not a trick. The pieces given were too close to what has been said so far. I couldn't let myself fail on this now and I certainly couldn't let anyone take the place of Emperor who didn't deserve it.
My eyes fluttered open and after a moment of catching my thoughts again and getting my equipment in place, I set off into the labyrinth of the Imperial City dungeon again. After a few treacherous water gaps, dead ends, and weak enemies, I finally came to a swirling purple gate that seemed to lead to nothing except a black void as evidence by the center being just that. It almost looked like an illusion made by an apprentice in the school but there was something much different than that. In my travels, I have met up and even rode with a few mages from different schools and different interests of magic. This seemed too constant for a low-level user but too simple for a high-level user.
"This has to be the gate Ria was talking about. I don't see what I have to lose but I can't rush in recklessly." I held my buckler up to cover my chest and as much of my face as possible, moving my sword so it also was pointed forward in case there were things waiting on the other side. With a deep breath and a solid resolve, I pushed forward into the portal.
It seemed almost instant, the travel from the Imperial Dungeon into…wherever I ended up. For a small instant, I closed my eyes as there was a sudden change from darkened halls to an incredibly bright wide-open space. Whenever my brain registered what had happened, my body forced a stop to all movements and I stood wide eyed at what had happened. Ria was telling the truth, there was a portal and that could only mean that the Emperor was in trouble!
I couldn't celebrate though as the skittering noise from the Dungeon was replaced with the speech of citizens of wherever I was and the packing of snow below my feet. There was so much to take in and I could only think to begin with what was immediately around me, which wasn't much since I only felt the bite of the cold against my light clothing. I lowered my well-used broadsword to my side and the bruised buckler to the other. My feet would not will themselves to move, not out of cold or even fear but more out of amazement and caution. My head and mind were not addled, though.
I was surrounded by walls except for what was directly in front of me but I knew I did not turn my body at all. The gray stoned wall behind me had no portal or any source of magic whatsoever or even any evidence of such. There was something familiar about the abstract shape of the stone that made up the decorative shapes of the walls, though my attention was not at all what was familiar currently but what was opposite. The voices I heard started to get louder than the packing of snow and what I saw instantly led me to an immediate conclusion.
"The news spread even up here really quick. Apparently, there was some sort of problem in the Imperial City."
"It came here that fast, huh? Sounds like whatever it is might even affect us, surprisingly."
"I hope not. We never asked for their help and I don't know why their petty problems would do anything to us."
The voices were deeper than most and the dialect matched up exactly with what I was seeing. There were two Redguards talking as they passed me, not paying any attention to me thankfully as well. Common sense told me it was because I was also a Redguard and unless I looked to be in trouble, they wouldn't bother anyone else. The male with his head facing me glanced but nothing more and they were gone after a small instant. Redguard citizens and talking about the fact that the news concerning the Emperor didn't come here in too much detail meaning I had an idea where I was.
Belkarth Guard, one of the later developed towns because of the distance in land. It wasn't largely different from any other settlement in Hammerfell but I knew the names from my homeland, as expected of someone who had originally resided in the province. Other provinces like Skyrim or Elsweyr were ones I could only give the names of the larger cities or ones of some sort of tactical advantage. My position, before this not entirely unexpected treachery, helped me with memorizing some landmarks and cities.
That could barely help me now, though, except for giving me an idea of where I was and needed to go. This quest I was given was not going to be something that a few names was going to solve, especially with the false Emperor on the throne with almost unlimited power. Jagar certainly would have more than just names at his disposal. I would need much more than just what I currently have.
"Miss, are okay in there?" A voice broke me from my inner conversation and I turned from the wall that held my attention to a black haired Redguard. He didn't have the look of someone who was genuinely worried, more like someone who was worried about their own safety. I didn't have to see his hand to know he had it at the ready on his blade to fight.
"Fine, just…thinking about something." There was no way anyone would believe me no matter how gullible but I would also be dragged to the imposter himself most likely. I wouldn't be able to use my position in my defense since no one except high ranked officials knew or cared about my position. That is not to even mention the fact that if I got discarded into the dungeons, there is little chance the others I knew would have a different treatment.
The man said nothing and simply walked away, slowly moving his hand back to his side away from the weapon on his hip. I let out a long held in sigh and gathered my thoughts, thinking about what I would want to do first. I knew what I should do first was get myself some equipment or something of the sort but the problem with that was I had absolutely no money or any means to get some right now. With no connections in a small hold like this and no gold held elsewhere, I was backed into a corner, both literally and figuratively. First thing first, though, was I had enough from a few bags I found in the Imperial Dungeon to get a room at an Inn but that made another problem come to light. I didn't know the layout of every place in Hammerfell and even less of a place that I didn't spend any time in at all during my life. I would have to ask around to see where I could find one close by.
There was a fair share of people around, as expected seeing as even small 'towns' were large enough to hold a generous number of people. I pulled one aside and asked for the location and he gave me directions to the closest one. He didn't seem that phased at the fact I was still holding my equipment and surprised me with more information than I asked for. He generously informed me of the closest blacksmith, the best in his opinion apparently, and simply asked I make sure to mention the man. In truth, I had no intentions of doing so but I agreed nonetheless and went on my way.
The Inn was no more than a few minutes of a walk away and when I entered, I was greeted with the enveloping warmth of the building and the idle chatter as well. The building's entrance led directly to the main room, which had little windows. The Inn instead decorated its walls with portraits and the like of landscapes or people that were probably bought from the Imperial City or a local painter. The Redguards weren't known for their artistic abilities for the most part, though. The walls themselves didn't look to be in the best shape with some of the outer layer being broken away to reveal the inner section. Some of the decoration could only be assumed to be there to mask the state of the building. The Innkeeper beckoned me over and I obliged, hearing the laughs and talking of the other patrons but not glancing around. I was focused on one thing right now and I couldn't get distracted.
"Welcome to the Crimson Chasm! You look very, very weary but you are in a good place to bring yourself back to good spirits. Might I know your business first?" The innkeeper was a cheery and rotund Redguard, no doubt living life to its fullest. He also seemed to get straight to the point, the normal personality trait of the Redguard race showing itself yet again.
"I am just looking for a place to stay. I got in to a bit of a…situation while coming here and I lost a couple of things." I answered back just as directly, not directly lying but at least moving my words around so it sounded more believable. The man simply gave a pleasant smile, not showing any signs of suspicion and lowered his guard slightly.
"I see. I hear that tale many times as an answer. I'd be rich if I got gold for every time I did. Looking for a room then, I can only assume."
"Yes, that is all for now. I'm not sure how long but probably a night or two unless I feel fine before then." My shoulders slacked a bit, feeling the unease and tense atmosphere I had before dissipate. Things were feeling normal again and my body certainly felt it.
"I wouldn't recommend going out at night. Weird things happen and it is certainly not safe with the unsavory types that stalk the darkened paths." The man seemed to look me up and down followed by a quick glance at the other patrons. "I have a room free and you certainly look like you seen better days. How about you get one night for free, especially since it is so close, but come morning you must decide what you are doing. How does that sound?" I was stunned at the innkeeper proposed, not sure why he was offering me such a generous arrangement.
"Why would you do that? That wouldn't be that great for business." I was not one to take anything that was called free and I was honestly trying to dissuade him from going through with the proposal. I would feel a bit guilty about taking something that good, no matter my situation. The man simply made his way around the bar counter without answering me, taking quite a while since the worn counter was quite large, and produced a keyring.
"Come on, I'll show you to your room. Sader, watch things for a moment!" The innkeeper was speaking to another Redguard who was already behind the counter, apparently a helper, and led me past the many tables and the rather colorful group scattered across the length of the bar. The Innkeeper led me to a hall through a door on the emptier side of the bar. It didn't lead to any other floors or any adjacent halls, instead just small rooms along the length. It started to occur to me that this inn wasn't all that well-kept, not by blame of the owner, though.
"Are things going okay here? Seems sort of rundown…" I spoke while analyzing the state when the Innkeeper stopped in front of a door to one of the Inn's unoccupied rooms. I couldn't hear any noise from the other doors we passed, which meant anyone who was staying was keeping themselves in the bar and not risking a room.
"I'm sorry for the state of the place but I think you would have noticed already. We aren't doing that extremely well with gold…that doesn't mean we are going down easily! Tell me tomorrow about your choice and we will decide what will happen." The man left, not leaving me any room to talk anymore about everything else I still had to get off my chest. He was back out with the other patrons before I could even put my hand up to stop him.
The room I was given looked to be nothing more than a shack or a cupboard in the wall. It was not something that was made for a reason, only put in because there was free area. This Inn wasn't meant to have the customer stay overnight, just to drink and stumble out to try and make it home if they could. There was a very simple bed with absolutely nothing else for decoration or otherwise. It felt a little empty especially compared to what I normally was housed in. Then again, it was either a dingy Inn room or a damp prison room. I couldn't complain for now.
"So, I'm in a place I know, kind of. It could be worse but I am certainly not comfortable still." I set my equipment at the end of the bed, inspecting it one at a time. The sword was surprisingly well-kept, the worst damage being the edge chipped at places and blunt at others. I couldn't tell if that meant it was underused and the owner got killed early or placed in front of my cell on purpose. It did seem much too convenient for the former but I could not imagine who could have placed it when thinking about the latter. Ria still had some special powers indeed but something tells me she couldn't bring any object from one place and physically place it in another. There seems to be someone or something else that was involved in this quest but there was no telling if it was friend or foe yet.
On the other hand, the shield was the exact opposite in condition to the broadsword. It looked to have been stolen by the goblin that wielded it long ago and used quite a bit. It covered most of the body of the goblin but to any normal sized being, it covered about half of the arm to most races and its round shape made for fine protection against basic attacks. It had a ring of iron around the edge and a cross pattern of iron to help bolster its durability. The rest was a hard wood but it showed lots of wear, having chips and gashes. It was entirely different from even the quality of the broadsword and wouldn't last for much longer without repair or just replacement.
The realization of what I had and the quality of it really made the harshness of my situation obvious. I would very much have to work on getting some new equipment or more equipment before I did anything else. My first 'quest' would have to be to go to the blacksmith and see if I could get myself fitted. I know there were none of them on short supply, blacksmithing being a very profitable business at this time. After that, I would have to see what I could fine from fallen adventurers that failed their own personal quests in the largely unexplored caves and ruins.
"Well…I never was someone who waited for things to happen. Either I start now or I will get nowhere." I put my inspected equipment on the end of the bed again but had no intention of resting yet. When I had arrived in Belkarth Guard, it was only midday and even when I came into the Inn, the sun was barely setting. The Innkeeper surely only warned me about the night because of my clear nervousness as well as a warning beforehand. I still had time to see if I could learn anything about what was going on, where I had to go or even rumors about where items could be found. There was no way I was going to waste what time I had at my disposal.
The Inn itself still had a dozen patrons or so, not much emptied despite it becoming closer to night. Either they lived close or they were used to whatever came out during that time. I had no intention of finding out what happened around here with what little I had to work with. My assumption was either some sort of beast or it was nothing but thieves running around. Not that the lot drinking their lives away looked any different from the stuff I would probably find skulking around any Inn with alcohol.
The 'brave' patrons that were still occupying the Inn were all sorts and very clearly different personalities. It was even more surprising to see more races than just the native Redguards. There were a couple Nords and maybe even Bretons but I was going by only skin color. Not all of them were drinking, as well. I couldn't begin to think about what people would want here if they weren't here to spend their night trying to forget about something. I guess some could have been looking for work, something that I would not have ever dreamed I would be doing again but I was not expecting to be almost killed by a traitor as well.
I took the closest table to the rooms and inspected the people that were still around. They came from all over with most being either native Redguards, some Nords, and even some Bretons. I don't know why Nords and Bretons would be drinking merrily with the natives but they must have been cast out or had their own personal reasons to be acting so friendly. The other tenants looked to be nothing but mercenaries looking for anything in the way of quick gold. No matter what, I certainly did not get a good feeling when I walked in, no doubt the leering eyes giving me the sense one gets when they are not welcomed.
After I looked around at the other drinkers, my eyes ended on looking at the Innkeeper and his assistant, Sader. I didn't get the name of the Innkeeper himself but that was very much not important. The thing that worried me was he was constantly glancing at me and not covering it up in the slightest. I could only assume that Sader was doing the same. It could have been because I was new or because I seemed suspicious, both of which were very good reasons to be apprehensive of anyone.
The two exchanged glances and words but I couldn't hear them without the ears of an elf. When the two were finished, the Innkeeper was carrying a bottle and a set of cups. I wasn't sure what the alcohol was or if it was safe but seeing as I didn't have much of anything, I quickly decided to throw caution to the wind. The most anyone could get from me was my clothing or my used equipment, neither of which would go for very much to anyone except the most desperate of people.
"So, feeling any better?" The Innkeeper wasted no time in getting straight to the point. He was trying to get my defenses down, using his guile to get me to speak no doubt. Being stubborn and bull-headed were necessary to a profession as an Inn owner and this man I could already tell wasn't missing any of that.
"A lot better already, yes. I am warm and calm, better than I was earlier." The Innkeeper pushed a cup towards me, opening the bottle and filling up to more than most people would get for no cost. This 'free' treatment was no doubt more tactics to get me to talk more.
"You don't say. You looked like you were stranded in a cave when I first saw you. What happened to make you look like that?" The Innkeeper filled himself up as well and leaned back, waiting to see how gullible I was no doubt.
"I was indeed stuck somewhere but I can't say where exactly. I don't know the names of everywhere, after all." It wasn't a complete lie, seeing as I only really knew capital cities and a good portion of my own native towns but not small caves and such. I wasn't a scout and they didn't answer to me before, I spoke only of places that were within my knowledge.
"That is true. I couldn't tell you the closest hole monsters dwell outside the city walls myself as well. I forgot your name, memory isn't what it used to be. Care to tell me again?" The Innkeeper was on his second cup, filling up as if he was drinking away his own problems as well. I was taking small sips of my own drink, being careful as to not lose my wits or give out any sensitive information.
"Tenyin." I answered with only a first name, not sure if I would get recognized that way yet. I wasn't exactly sure how Jagar Tharn spread the news when he slaughtered who knows how many and took the guise of Emperor Septim.
"You don't say? Wow, you got the same name as the person who is in the Imperial City that represents us. That must be confusing but prideful. I do hope you can live up to the standards that are expected with a name like that." The Innkeeper was swallowing swigs of alcohol like it was water, more than used to trying this approach to get more information.
"I know, I've been trying but with…things, it is hard. Do you mind if we change the topic? I don't want to talk about this much." I was too stubborn for this man to win over and he seen it when he finally put the bottle and his cup down, clearing his hands since he sat down. His face didn't sour instantly but did not seem too enthused for me to have something to speak of.
"Of course, of course. I don't want you to get a bad impression of me right away. So, what do you have on your mind?" The man straightened his back, making himself look as professional as possible.
"Nothing too big. I was wondering if there was anything that might have to be done or any caves that might be unexplored." It didn't feel right to talk like a mercenary. I knew that if most other people I was around daily had been in the same position, they would have not been able to ask to brazenly. That was if they even got through the dungeons alive.
"Right, right. I should have known. Unfortunately, I don't know of any way to make your fortune close by but there are certainly people that need assistance every now and then. This is an Inn, after all. Anything else you need to know?" Either this man was lying or more things changed than I thought since I was younger. Either way, I wasn't going to get anywhere by lazing around here too long. I had to pack up by morning and figure out my next move. It was going to be hard to start with nothing but I have done it before and I know I had the skills to do it again.
"Nothing. Thanks for the drink but you don't expect me to pay for it without enough gold on me, right?" The Innkeeper sighed in clear defeat, shaking his head. He grunted to his feet, the bottle and his own cup in his hands.
"No, I guess I can't and I highly doubt you have anything that would interest me enough to trade or you wouldn't look to ragged. Finish what you have and I will leave you alone." The Innkeeper did indeed that, leaving me alone and back to his post by the bar table itself and his assistant.