Chapter 2

That night, before going to bed, I had revisions of what happened back at the cave in Cyrodiil. Usually it was the nightmares that reminded me of my mistakes, but this time I was able to clearly replay that faithful day……..

[i "The path ahead is clear Vitellus; it is safe to advance further."[/i

[i"Very good Solonius. Everyone stay in formation, we don't know where they are or how many of them there are."[/i

I remember leading my men towards the cave's entrance. The atmosphere had been peaceful, the birds were singing, the wind was blowing slightly, the sun was shining brightly. It was a perfect day. I remember before we went on the mission I envisioned us all drinking and celebrating in the Imperial City later on after the deed was done. My men and I had never seen defeat, until then.

The objective had been simple: take out the marauders and come home. I remember before my men and I departed for the mission my superior officers told me that we wouldn't see much resistance; just a few bandits and whatnot. I trusted their words, for they had never been wrong before.

In all my years in the Imperial Legion nothing had been able to stop me. My battles were generally won rather easily and I had never known any type of defeat, whether it was on or off the battlefield. Thinking about it now I realize that it was the success that had been the eventual downfall of my career as an officer.

We weren't farther than ten feet from the entrance when I had given my usual speech. It was never long, and for the most part it was never serious either. I had fought side by side with the same men then as I did when I was first employed in the Imperial Legion. My men needed no speech.

I didn't notice it then but thinking back right now, my men and I were probably [itoo[/i confident, perhaps on the edge of being cocky, a deadly trait indeed. Now I believe that our success was the last thing we needed. Perhaps failing a couple of times would have made us ready for what we came up against that day. It doesn't matter anymore…….

[i"AAAAAAHHHHH! MY LEG, MY LEG!"[/i

Screams had rung out as we were attacked by surprise just a few feet inside the cave. The ambush came so swift that I had been unable to order a retreat, not that I would have been able to anyway. I watched my soldiers attempt to defend themselves from the marauder onslaught.

Instead of fighting with them I had merely stood still, watching the battle from a distance. I had not been scared for my life; I was just too stunned to act. I wanted to run with my men and strike down the enemy, but it couldn't move, or speak either. I felt ashamed that moment, and I still do to this day, as my men fought valiantly for their lives while I watched from afar.

[i"Help me! Please, help me!"[/i Screamed one of my soldiers.

The soldier had grasped my leg with his bloody hands. Blood had been pouring out from his mouth and he was pleading for my help, but there was nothing I could've done for him. I stood there frozen like a statue, unable to act quick enough to save my men.

[i"Sir, we need your help, please sir!"[/i Screamed Solonius; my best friend and most talented soldier.

Finally I had somehow been able to break free from my trance and suddenly I was ready for battle. The cheers of my men sounded loudly as I charged forward with my silver long sword held high.

The battle had lasted no more than five minutes, and for the most part it was one-sided. My men were cut down quickly until it was only me and three others left. Somehow the four of us had been able to kill the marauders, ending the mission, at a high cost.

[i"They're all dead!"[/i yelled one of my soldiers. I remember he went on and broke down and started to cry, something I had never seen out of [iany[/i of my men. Usually I would've reprimand the soldier for such a childish act, but at that point I had I felt like crying as well.

[iLet's go home……my officers have some explaining to do."[/i I announced to my men.

I had not expected to see such confrontation from the marauders. My officers had told me not to expect much. Perhaps the marauders had been tipped off by a rat within the Empire. It's something I've thought about time after time, but of course I don't have the evidence to make such a claim.

I had taken my men outside, where we were yet again ambushed, but this time I was ready for the attack.

A marauder had swung his sword at my head but I had been too quick for him, and I charged at him with my blade held forward. The sword sliced through the man's stomach and I tackled him to the ground.

When I grabbed the sword from the man's stomach I was hit on the side of the head by another marauder's foot. I went down hard and hit my head on a rock, causing blood to drip from the side of my head.

I looked up to see the marauder raise his war axe high into the air. Just as he was about to bring the axe down a blade was shoved through his back. He fell limp to the ground and Solonius was standing above his body.

[i"Solonius, look out!"[/i I had yelled at him, but I was too late…once again.

He was decapitated by another marauder's axe, the last one left. I yelled out in disgust and disbelief as I charged towards the last enemy force. I had seen the fear in his eyes and it was clear as the shining sun.

He dropped his weapon and got on his hands and knees, pleading for me to let him go unharmed. I had listened to his pleas for a few seconds before making my decision.

[i"Please spare me! Please, have mercy!"[/i begged the criminal.

[i" Mercy? I am no saint…"[/i I said as I shoved my blade through the marauder's leather cuirass and into his chest, ending his life forever.

Though the mission was complete, that day was the beginning of the end for my career as an officer. I looked at the fallen corpse of Solonius and started to cry. They told me I was clutched up in a ball, crying loudly when they found me. They said I was mumbling words that didn't sense; that I was momentarily insane.

I don't remember any of that. The last thing I do remember is looking into the open eyes of Solonius. They were staring at me as if asking "What happened sir? How did we fail? How did you fail? The last question was one I've tried to answer for some time, but I've yet to find a solution. Perhaps I never will……

And that it was happened that day. The rest, as they say, is history. I don't remember much after that. Like I said, I was reassigned to another city, commander of the local fort. The drinking had taken its toll and here I am now, a merchant of a very small town. Now it appears that all may change.

The next morning I woke up and had myself a liquid breakfast, something I had not had for a very long time. Drinking beer in the morning wasn't something I did often, but this particular morning I found myself quite nervous, though I'm not sure why. I suppose it was because I was about to meet the House Redoran leader, but I still wasn't sure why that made me nervous.

After the "meal" was over I packed a couple clothes and some food, mainly apples and a couple loaves of bread. I didn't want to but I packed a few bottles of beer as well. I had argued with myself on whether I should bring some or not, and ultimately I decided it was best if I brought several bottles. In my mind it was better to have something and not need it…..then to need it and not have it.

I left the city with a few waves from the neighbors, but nothing too dramatic of course. I was known as a gentle quiet man here in Pelagiad. Only Talos knows what they would think if they found out about my past.

The Stilt Strider worker was leaning against a tree when I approached him. He looked as if he was about to doze off, but at the sight of me his eyes lit up like a thousand torches.

"Hello Vitellus! Where can I take you today?" said the Dunmer nicely.

"It's gonna be Ald' Ruhn today I think…"

"Oh…Ald' Ruhn. You have an important meeting or something?" chuckled the Dunmer.

"Yea…something like that," I chuckled back.

"Well, it's going to cost you fifty septims."

"That much? Don't you think that's a tad bit expensive?"

"Hey, business has been slow the past couple of weeks…" explained the Dunmer.

This trip to Ald' Ruhn was already costing me……