Chapter 5

Louis was beaming with joy as the humongous vessel lifted high above the Temple. I could scarcely see the people of Ald' Ruhn below; though it looked like they were waving at us. It was hard to tell because they were becoming tinier and tinier by the second.

Finally, after Ald' Ruhn resembled a small speck, the airship stopped lifting upwards and then went forward, northward towards Solstheim. We were finally on our way towards Frost Bane Isle.

"Alright, everyone circle up. My name is…"

Before I could go any further the Argonian rudely interrupted me.

"I don't care who you are Imperial! It doesn't matter what Venim says, you're not going to boss me around. You may be the captain but will not let you strut around barking orders left and right, abusing your leadership, if that's what you call it. I will not have it!"

I was totally stunned. Never once before had I been addressed with such a display of hatred and disgust; and NEVER had any of men raised their voices with me. They knew better than that and I was going to make sure this lizard knew that as well.

I walked up to the Argonian and stared him down, my nose just inches from his face. My scowl was as intimidating as I could get it to be yet the Argonian showed no sigh of fear.

"Listen here, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. I don't like being yelled at, especially by worthless, low-life, pathetic lizards like you. Now, you [iwill[/i do as I say and you'll like it. And if I get lip from you again I'll make sure you regret it. Got me?"

He stood his ground not moving a muscle. The hatred was intense and I knew he wanted to slew me where I stood. However, this particular Argonian was smart, a deadly trait if given to the wrong person.

The Argonian merely scoffed while he walked away and entered the airship's interior. The other three followed him except for the Redguard. He watched as everyone left and then walked over to me.

"Don't worry about Skeemo sir, he's always like that. It'll take a while to get used to I'm afraid…" said the Redguard.

"What, do you know him personally or something?" I curiously asked him.

"Why yes, actually all four of us do. We're part of our own "protection agency", if you will. We live on the outskirts of Ald' Ruhn, just a bit to the southwest in a small cabin. I believe Venim chose us because we know each other, thus meaning we'll work well together on this mission. But that doesn't explain why he chose you, now does it?"

"Don't tell me I have to hear it from you too?"

"No, no, I am not like Skeemo. I am a more laid back person; I don't worry too much about anything. Besides, I can tell that have the qualities of a leader. Don't ask me how but I can just sense it somehow…"

"Well that's good to hear. What's your name anyway soldier?"

[iSoldier[/i…it felt nice addressing someone by that name. I haven't done that in a long time. It made me feel young again…well…five years younger at least.

"The name's Cyro. Don't worry; I'm on your side captain. It's a pleasure to serve you. I know you'll get the job done," Cyro said while walking away to join the others inside.

It was good to know at least someone didn't mind having me around. I didn't know about the Nord or the Bosmer, hopefully they were just like Cyro.

That night I didn't sleep too well. In fact I'm not even sure I slept at all. I was too nervous to fall asleep. Thoughts of the mission in Cyrodiil were creeping back into my mind, and they were starting to affect my psyche once again. I thought I had dismissed those feelings, that I had banished them along with my pride when I ran away. Perhaps it was because I was given a second chance to gain the pride I once had that the nightmares were taking their toll once more.

A knock sounded at my bedroom door. I answered the call and Cyro was standing there along with the others. "We're almost there Captain. Louis says it's only another so until we arrive."

I nodded and then told them I'd be outside in a minute or two. [i"The time is almost here…"[/i I thought to myself. A pit in my stomach had formed when we first left Ald' Ruhn and had gotten bigger by the minute. Now it felt as if my stomach was about to implode from the anxiety, but I couldn't let the men see it on my face. Skeemo was already breathing down my neck; I didn't need to give him anything else to criticize.

Before going to meet my troops I went ahead and put on my armor. We would be arriving at the island soon so I figured it was best to get a head start. Plus it was absolutely freezing cold this high in the air.

When I walked outside the troops were talking to Louis. Upon seeing me he turned his attention away from the troops.

"Ah, Vitellus, It's good to see. We have some things to discuss," he said.

"What might that be?" I answered back.

"Here's the plan. When we dropped you off my men and I will not accompany you on the trip. It's just too dangerous for us to follow you. What we'll do is wait on the snowy beaches until you return."

"But what if you are attacked by the natives?" I asked him.

"As far we know there aren't any natives, but of course that's highly unlikely. There will be the captors of Venim's son of course, but our safest bet is to stay here on the ship. Mind you that my men [ican[/i fight. Don't think of them as weaklings. They can hold their own when given the opportunity," Louis said proudly.

I nodded at him and he walked off commanding orders to his men. "Alright everyone, gather around. It's time to get ready for the landing," I said to the troops. I saw Skeemo roll his eyes but luckily for him he kept his mouth shut.

"Since we don't know anything about this island, we'll survey the area for a bit. We'll look for any signs of a preexisting camp or something like that. After that I'm not sure what we'll do. If there's a forest we'll trek through it, if there's a mountain we'll trudge up it. Whatever it takes to find Venim's son we will do. How's that sound?"

They shook their head with enthusiasm, except for Skeemo of course. I watched as they walked away to get ready, and that's when I started to wonder about the Bosmer and the Nord. I had not yet personally met the two, something I probably should have done. Oh well, we'd have plenty of time to talk later. Now it was time to get ready for the landing.

"FIVE MINUTES!" declared Louis happily.

My men and I were dressed and ready, but at the same time cold of course. Even though our armor was rather thick the bitter cold was piercing through our protective covering with ease.

As the ship began to lower itself towards the ground the men and I were in complete silence. We took in the moment and received our last moments of peace. Once we set foot on that island we were to find Venim's son and bring him back.

The ship hit the snow hard and I almost fell to the wooden floor. Louis waved goodbye as the five of us hopped off the ship and onto the frozen wasteland of Frost Bane Island…