Chapter 4

The beds were very uncomfortable, much to my surprise. I had expected the mattresses to be quite relaxing since we were staying at the Headquarters of House Redoran. I don't know why but I just figured at a place like this the beds would be more comfy. But why am I complaining about how comfortable a bed is? There are a lot more important things to ponder on at the moment.

Such as when we do arrive at the island, what will happen? Will I be able to lead the men, and woman, to Venim's son with ease? Or will I falter once more and lose the lives of my soldiers yet again?

These thoughts crowded my mind and weren't showing any signs of leaving. It was nearly one-thirty in the morning, but I was still wide awake, obviously because of the thoughts that were racing through my brain. I wanted so much to get back to the field, but then again the more I thought about the more I feared I wouldn't be able to perform my requested duties.

Looking down at my backpack I could almost smell the sweet liquid that was held up inside. I hadn't had an ounce of alcohol since I left Pelagiad. Now to you that might not sound like anything special…but to me it seems as if it's been years since I've had my last drink.

I reached down to the bag and laid it on by bed. I stared at the pack for a couple of minutes decided on whether to indulge myself with beer. My hand lifted from the bed and neared towards the bag's opening. My hand was half way inside before I quickly yanked it out.

[i"What am I doing to myself? I don't need that stuff…or do I?"[/i I thought to myself.

[i"Just a couple drops won't hurt me…"[/i I urged myself on.

My hand shot back into bag and brought out the dark colored bottle. I took the cap off and quickly downed the beer in no more than ten seconds. It was a shameful act, almost [ineeding[/i the alcohol, and surprising as well. My thirst for alcohol hadn't been this bad for a long time. Not since my days as commander at the town in Cyrodiil, whose name I purposely forgot long ago.

I stared at the bottle with menacing eyes. [i"Why must you torment me?"[/i I shouted at the bottle, hopefully not too loud. Don't ask me why I was talking to the bottle because I'm not sure. Maybe if I yelled loud enough the bottles would disappear…forever.

I threw the bottle off the bed and onto the floor. I was about to check to make sure I didn't spill any of it on the rug, but then again I knew I hadn't left a drop of liquid inside the bottle. I [inever[/i did…

I must have fallen asleep shortly after that, because the next thing I knew I was lying on the floor and someone was knocking from outside my room.

"Yes what is it?" I asked the mean-looking Dunmer as I opened the door.

"My master is ready to speak with you and the others once more."

"But it's in the middle of the night! Can't this wait until the morning?"

"It [iis[/i morning. I shall wait outside for you to get dressed. Once you are ready I will escort you to the chambers." The Elf scowled as he shut the door.

Perhaps I had fallen asleep without knowing it, although I was well aware that you never did actually know when you fall asleep. It was one of those questions that I knew would never get an answer. As a kid growing up in Cheydinhal I used to try to catch myself falling asleep, but of course I was never successful. Hey…I was a kid back then!

I put on some old cloth pants and shirt, laced up my cowhide shoes, and walked out the door, along with my trusty silver long sword in its sheath of course. I never let that thing out of my sight.

The Dunmer led me back to the chambers were everyone else was waiting for me.. Was I always late or something?

"It's nice to see you've joined us Vitellus," Venim said. I could hear a faint snicker from one of the others. I didn't quite like that.

"I know you all are wondering how you will arrive at the island. That is what I am going to explain. A man by the name of Louis Beauchamp has constructed a Dwemer Airship that will fly you to…"

Venim was rudely interrupted by the Argonian. "Louis Beauchamp? Didn't his last airship fail terribly and crash to the ground in Solstheim?" demanded the Argonian.

"Why yes it did, but his new model is first-rate quality. Believe me, I've seen it fly myself, there is nothing wrong with it. You don't have anything to worry about," Assured Venim.

The Argonian didn't seem to like Venim's reply but he sat down anyway.

"Now, the airship will take you to the island, but only to the southern coast. There you will be dropped off. I don't want the airship flying too far over the island, for I am not sure what dangers are lurking throughout that place. From there you five will be on your own. The note that was delivered to me said nothing as to where my son was being held up, only that he's somewhere on that island."

"Who will be flying the ship?" The Nordic female asked.

"Louis himself will be attending this flight, and he will be bringing along his men to fly the ship. I don't know anything about them other than they are superb flyers. Again you have to believe me because I have seen them fly in person. Now that everything is settled, I believe it is time for you to receive gear that is suitable for the snowy atmosphere of Frost Bane Isle."

The doors opened and in walked several Dunmer, all carrying enormous boxes. They sat the boxes on the ground and then opened them. Inside were beautifully crafted pieces of armor. They resembled Bonemold armor, but they looked lighter and were a dark greenish color, with a bit of white scattered about. As I felt them I noticed that they were made of hard leather.

"This is what you will be wearing on the island. It will keep you warm, but it will offer strong protection at the same time. As you can see I copied the designs off of Bonemold armor and placed them on this leather. The green and white will help you blend in with the thick forests and snow as well. I didn't give you any weapons because I see you all have your own. "

Venim gave us a chance to gander at the armor for a few seconds and then continued to speak.

"Now that everything is settled it is time for you to leave this place and travel to Frost Bane Isle. Good luck everyone, I know you will bring my son back!"

At those words the Dunmer that had brought in the boxes led us outside the chambers and down a flight of stairs, into what looked like a very large basement. In the middle of the room was the Dwemer airship. It was humongous, about the size of a Silt Strider in height, and nearly five times as long in width and length! It was an amazing sight to behold.

"Welcome to my masterpiece!" Shouted a scrawny looking man I took to be Louis. I was right in that assumption.

"My name is Louis Beauchamp and I am the creator of this magnificent ship! Step aboard so we may soar into the skies!"

We all boarded the ship uneasily, afraid that it might break as soon as we stepped foot on it. However, the ship didn't even budge as we entered. I let out a sigh of relief at this, because I remember what the Argonian said about the last airship…

There were many gears and cogs moving about, holding the ship together. It truly was an amazing thing see. I watched as Louis instructed his large crew of Dunmer. After a few seconds the ship began to rumble and we lifted up from the ground.

I wasn't ready for it and as the ship began to rise I fell to the ground, embarrassed as ever. I looked around to see if anyone was laughing at me, and then only ones laughing were the Dunmer and Louis. I noticed my new soldiers had fallen to the ground as well.

When I gathered myself I looked upward and saw that there was no roof. I wondered what part of the Temple we were at. Perhaps it was a secret or something. It didn't matter now; we were off to Frost Bane Isle!