Sun's Height 12, 4E1

(Fights-up-close): Leyawiin

More and more dread was coming to me with each step. Simply seeing the walls of the city made me feel ready to throw up, every part of my body felt constricted, and my heart was racing. Would the guards remember me?

All the bad memories attached to this city were assaulting me at once as well: the first time I found out "Scar-tail" was missing, the discovery of his treachery, and the catastrophe that the assignment regarding Philida had nearly become.

Assassinating Caelia Draconis required me to go through the entire city unseen. I could already make out the shape of a guard in distance. Was he to be a bystander, or a mortal enemy? Would getting their attention cause a casual glance, or an armed charge? Would I have to explore Leyawiin through stealth, and gather information through spying, or could I explore it with casual strolling and gather information through well-planned talk?

When was the last time I'd relaxed?

As I got closer I could see how well the enemy had adapted to the threat they perceived. Two guards were at the city gates, two other archers were guarding the I'd originally escaped through during my assignment to kill Philida, and several sentries were using the cover of the turrets of the city walls. Imagining how to penetrate such a force seemed impossible. If I was recognized as I wanted criminal here, it looked like the enemy had already outdone me.

I decided it would be impossible to take a stealth approach. I'd just need to see how the guards would react to me. If they drew their weapons, I'd just run into the Western Swamps and, if necessary, use my Shadow power to escape. I'd plan the rest afterwards.

I approached close enough to catch their attention. An archer by the bay was staring at me from some distance. Seconds of uneasiness passed through me as I thought about the implications of what it would mean if she were to attack. She did nothing. It seemed I would indeed be able to get into Leyawiin. I could relax.

I continued towards the gates of the Leyawiin. It was a relatively clear day. It was slightly in the evening, causing the sun to cast a golden tint on the ground. Normally the smell of the swamp would have been comforting, but I had painful memories attached to this place, and it seemed to take more and more willpower to approach the city gates the closer I got. The guards definitely saw my face now, and didn't seem bothered, but I wanted an excuse to stall. An odd sort of fear was pushing me away from the city, but I had to wade through that fear.

A shudder shot down my body as I remembered killing Goes-in-heavy here. Then the memory of the mistake I'd made with Philida came back to me as well. All these memories made me want to tare my fins out. Would they get worse when I entered the city.

As I passed the guards I became extra conscious of where I stared and my facial expression. I didn't want to give them any clues, but I had no idea how I should look when I was entering a city guarded by so many soldiers.

"Ma'am," A deep voice of one of the gate guards said, causing me to jerk slightly before turning towards him "A little friendly advice: stay away from the Black Marsh border. Captain Draconis has a patrol lining the Niben Valley, and the Leyawiin guard's pretty twitchy about that area."

(Learns-fast): The Nibenay Valley

The Leyawiin city walls were now in full view. My appetite had completely disappeared. Some way to avert this had entered my mind countless times, but each time it seemed like running from Leyawiin guard in broad daylight would only cause us more problems. We hadn't seen Fights-up-close yet, and now I'd turned down just about every opportunity I could to escape their clutches. My muscles tightened as I imagined the pain we might have to endure. My stomach ached with fear, but it was of course a petty pain considering the circumstances.

It was almost a poetic fate, considering it was the Argonian Royal Court's fault Lady Leyawiin was so paranoid about Argonians in the first place. If I hadn't given Climbs-out-of-sight an assignment here, everything would be different now. Even with all the emotional pain I had received through this ordeal, physical pain was still horribly intimidating.

The guards opened the town gates. I wouldn't have very many more opportunities for escape I could seize, but it wasn't over yet. The alleys, the giant buildings, and the other citizens: They could all be made into distractions and hiding spots. All I needed was one second of opportunity and an instant of bravery and tactical promise to escape.

(Fights-up-close): Leyawiin

The streets were almost completely clear of town guard members, I noticed as I walked through the colorful city. No doubt they were outside of the town walls, watching the perimeters for the Renrijdra Krin. There was definitely an atmosphere of tension and seriousness in the Leyawiin county today. The town guard had already become more focused on military operations than law enforcement. Their limited numbers made them seem more on edge than usual. They made no effort to hide their stares at passers by like me. They weren't there to maintain the towns friendly system for a few crooks. It was like they were at war, with both friends and enemies in the city walls.

I wanted to wait for night to cross into the Niben Valley, but I knew a non-resident Argonian loitering around the town would stir up suspicion. I needed to appear occupied. Up ahead, I saw a sign for a store called "Southern books". Reading a book was the best way to keep myself occupied over such a long period of time I could think of.

I already could feel the eyes of one of the town guard members as I headed for the bookstore. I couldn't blame them for acting so brazenly suspicious towards the citizens. Even I was a bit afraid of the Renridjra Krin at this point, and the evening sun and nearly empty streets made the town sort of eerie.

I was actually eager to enter the bookstore. It was part of Leyawiin I hadn't seen, and therefore didn't have any bad memories attached to it. That, and it was hard to imagine anyone trying to arrest me in there.

I opened the door and entered Southern Books.

High-class paintings were on the wall, the carpet was decorated with intricate patterns, and the shelves had a large selection. I turned straight towards the books, instead of looking at whoever was at the counter.

I was slightly enjoying the intellectual ambience of the store, and I was oddly glad to get out of the ominously empty streets of Leyawiin.

I skimmed through the shelves, not at all in a hurry. I methodically began on the top left:

Biography of Queen Barenziah Sounds boring. Fall of Prince Snow. Also boring. The Firsthold Revolt Maybe. The Red Kitchen Reader What? The Wolf Queen Maybe if it wasn't so thick... Rislav the Righteous Boring. The Amulet of Kings Who would write a whole book on a piece of jewelry? The Runis of Kemel-Ze Boring. The Children's Anuad Sounds weird. The Eastern Provinces Impartially Considered

The memory shot through my like a bolt of lightening. My tail twitched in the storm of thought. I remembered where I'd last seen that book: right by "Scar-tail's" body. The cruel words we shared came back to me, a vicious and merciless ending marring the memory of our friendship. I wanted those memories to leave, but they were always in the background ready to pounce.

Was this book, along with the other two I'd found at his campsite, really the source of his defection? The title stared at me accusingly, reminding me off all the pains of the past that were still buried beneath the troubles I already had. Even if I hadn't "Purified" the sanctuary, my life would have been far from perfect, I realized. The friendship I'd lost could have never been replaced. Everything else felt artificial and constricted by comparison. And now, in the one place I thought I could find peace, I was staring at a reminder of the events that haunted this area of Cyrodiil.

Last time I'd decided to burn that book. But why? I searched my head for my reasoning back then, though it seemed like back then I was leading a totally different life. The very air I breathed seemed different. Yet, at the same time, it seemed so close.

I remembered...I had indeed assumed the books lead to his defection, so, like everything else that turned people against the Dark Brotherhood or Argonian Royal Court, I destroyed them. Yet...they were still only books. They only presented reasons...and if these reasons weren't valid, if I truly believed in my superiors, then it how could it turn me against them?

My reasoning was solid. My path was clear. Now I needed to presue it.

I reached out to the book, feeling more and more alert as my hand got closer to it. I was breaking free of something now. I knew I was entering a new stage in my "life's dark journey".

As I touched the book, I suddenly felt more lucid. I was looking at the world from a new angle, somehow. Something inside me had woken up.

I turned towards the counter to see who the proprietor was.

He was an Orc, dark and wearing a quilted doublet. For some reason he didn't look happy to see me, though. Now just to buy this book. As I walked towards the counter it occurred to me it wasn't too late to turn back, and something was pulling me that way. My mind was racing for some kind of excuse to stop this, but I found none. I had to keep pushing forward. I'd proved to myself this was right. I had to follow up on my logic.

I approached the counter, then finally pushed out the words. "Excuse me, I was thinking of buyi..."

"Yeah, buy a goddam book! It's a bookstore, ain't it? Don't just go peaking at 'em, buy one! I'm Bugak gro-Bol, and I say you better buy a goddam book, and right away, dammit!" With more than a bit of surprise, my mood dropped down a notch further. But having enough on my mind already, I complied.

"How much for this?" I said, trying to keep any sort of emotion out of my tone, while holding up the book so he could see the title.

"15 Septims. And make it quick. You've wasted enough time here already!" He snapped. I probably should have been a bit angrier about all this, but when I wondered if my own employers were on the right side of things, it was hard to get worked up by one person's rudeness.

I fished through my pockets, deciding to save this issue for another time, and, combining types of coins, managed to get out a sum of 15 Septims. He didn't even extend his hand. I just dumped them on the counter, and headed out the door so I could find a good place to read as the coins trembled.

The odd occurrence at the book store continued to dance around in the back of my mind, but for now I knew I should block it out. Or should I? Yes, I already had the Draconis contract to worry about. I was already getting into the annoying habit of second guessing myself. I groaned. I hated all this internal bickering. It was usually over something more serious than this, but it marred my existence constantly.

I saw a good place to sit and read across the street.

(Learns-fast): Castle Leyawiin Dungeon

We were truly ensnared by the enemy. I'd turned down every impulse to run and instead continued to flow with the current they set for us. As we walked I began surveying every thing I saw, and thinking about how it might factor into the torture. My breaths were growing shallow. I clenched my fists as the sense of desperation became overwhelming.

We turned a corner, and a small flight of stairs came into view. The ache of fear remained, even though I knew it wasn't the two guards with us who would be doing the torturing. That ugly bit of County Leyawiin was kept secret. It would be high-ranking guard we'd most likely need to keep our eyes peeled for. I had to wonder if there might be one last flicker of hope in this situation, that I could use to break free of the invisible bonds they were holding us by.

Then the Orc opened the door, her face still dull. The Cyrodiil turned to us:

"We need to search you before we can proceed. We just have to work out a few details first." He said, obviously trying to be as vague as possible. Yes. We'd been granted one more spec of hope. Now we just had to find a way to use it. We were truly fortunate.

I entered the cell, trailed by the two younger ones. With a series of metallic clangs and clicks, they closed and locked our cell, but right then and there, it felt more like a sanctuary than a prison.

I could hear both of them walk off. Now we had another chance to avert the terrors that would otherwise come our way. But we needed to make good use of this last chance. I needed to put some ideas forward.

Unfortunately, it seemed easier to imagine how the two Shadowscales could escape, given that they were Shadows, than how I could escape. Also, I wasn't sure how well Surveys-from-above could conceal himself, given that he was relatively young and inexperienced. Even so, if even one of us seemed to disappear that must be useful. What if, when they opened the door, one or both the Shadowscales slipped out, hid, and then created a diversion? But even that seemed risky. There was no telling what any sort of diversion might cause the Leyawiin Guard to do.

It seemed the enemy had really outdone us by infuriatingly simple means. Yet I'd briefed Shadowscales about this area countless times. It was usually the last place I sent my Shadowscales before they went to Cheydinhal. What had I told the last Shadowscale I sent here?

Then I recalled my own words from the letter I had given to Fights-up-close for her last for the Argonian Royal Court "If you are captured, we recommend suicide, as the Countess is infamous for her brutal methods of interrogation, and escape is highly unlikely even for someone of your abilities."

I felt my heart sink as hope drifted away, leaving me alone to face this.

The more sensitive areas of my body began to ache as I began to image what kind of brutality might await us, but the thought that the best I could hope for was death was too brutal to accept. Fear began to set on, wrapping tightly around my body.

(Fights-up-close): Leyawiin

Hearing things from a Cyrodillic perspective was oddly entrancing. The book was turning out to be more interesting than I originally anticipated.

I wondered briefly what Learns-fast or Mr. Lachance would think of me reading this. It did make me feel a bit disconnected from them, but no, I wasn't turning to the enemy yet. I was researching their ways, and so far everything I'd read just reaffirmed my views about the Empire, and it was satisfying to read. It wasn't anything I'd been told, but it was clear the Cyrodillic government was occupying Black Marsh for the interest of noone but themselves. I turned the page:

First and foremost, we must take a look at the history of Morrowind's southern neighbor, Black Marsh. For much of Cyrodiil's early history, its inhabitants have been virtually disregarded, seen as irreformable savages. The Second Empire had annexed Black Marsh in 1E2837, but did little to help its people progress from their primitive and down trodden state. In fact, Imperial propaganda still referred to Black Marsh as part of "The Wild Regions" late into the Second Era, dismissing its inhabitants as "beastly lizardmen".

As the Third Era dawned, Argonians were allowed more and more influence in border cities such as Gideon and Stormhold, and Argonian immigrants to the Imperial province were increasingly welcomed. However, with the exceptions of areas in extremely close proximity to Imperial built roads, villages, and cities, the inhabitants of Argonia were granted no protection, aid, or even rights, with Cyrodiils only venturing into the area to obtain rare resources on tribal territory.

It was after the insurrection at Armanias, an Imperial settlement in a territorial dispute with the River-Watchers tribe, that areas of Black Marsh left unsettled for centuries caught Imperial attention. To put down the rebellion, not only was the Imperial Legion forced to rethink the equipment it outfitted its troops with, but it was also forced to call on another tribe, opposed to the River-Watchers, known as the Stone-Scales for aid in defeating their enemy.

This incident both showed the Imperials the need to control the inner-regions of the province, as well as the usefulness of native allies. Because of this, Empress Katariah commissioned the formation of the Argonian Royal Court, putting prominent members of the Stone-Scales tribe in power. The tribe, which was now officially recognized as the government of all non-Imperial owned territory, was granted a large allowance of money and resources, including weaponry, under the condition it would put an end to tribal insurrection and inter-tribal warfare, through diplomacy or force, and bring the inner swamps to a point where they could sustain themselves as civilized, agricultural societies. In addition, it was expected to protect all Argonians from foreign slavers.

Only years after its creation, however, the Empire completely lost contact with the new Argonian royal family. Tribal conflict escalated over the passing years, with events like the Murkwood War and Glenbridge Crisis, as did the yearly number of slaves captured for work in Morrowind (1) . The Argonian Royal Court was, by many officials, considered to be completely dissolved. Its exact fate is unknown.

The issue was only briefly brought to the attention of the Empire during 3E399, when an Argonian descended Councilman, Thoricles Romus, insisted troops be sent to the inner swamps to re-establish some form of government, as the Argonian Royal Court was considered officially disbanded more than a century earlier due to loss of contact. When Morihatha was assassinated after refusing to send Imperial Legion troops to Argonia, Romus was quickly blamed, tried, and executed. Conspiracy theories about the assassination continue to prevail, but what is clear is that the Empire continued to ignore this province.

I stopped reading. The Stone-Scales? The Imperials forming the Argonian Royal Court from a lowly tribe? The Argonian Royal Court dissolving in the early years of the Third Era?

The Draconis assignment had almost been pushed to the back of my mind with the grim interest this text had spawned in me. Was this book truthful? If it wasn't lying, my superiors had been.

(Learns-fast): Leyawiin Castle

Now, defenseless, we were being led out of the detention center. Fury struck me every time I thought about how this had happened. We had not been cleverly duped: the enemy had captured us with mundane means, and yet even these far from genius means were totally inescapable.

We followed the two guards through the door, transitioning from the narrow, dull, and eroded hallways to a wider, more aesthetically pleasing set. A facade for the uglier things that went on in this castle...somewhere. As our feet touched the carpeted floor, I kept concentrating for the next signal that could give me some sort of idea of where they planned to take us. We didn't know exactly where the Argonians were tortured, but it seemed odd for them to be leading us to a more comfortable and less practical area like this.

We ascended the stone staircase. I wanted this walk to drag on as long as possible, because I knew I wouldn't like our destination, but I was already having trouble imagining what could become of this mysterious scenario. How could this walk through the same halls the Countess herself walked translate into torture? It was mysterious, but a void of knowledge meant there was room for hope.

We turned the corner to face the throne itself. In the lavish throne-room, the Countess herself was at the throne, glaring at us. I became extra conscious of my own expression. How should I react? Should I settle my eyes onto the floor? Should I try to look confident? There was no clear answer.

The guards were not heading towards the Countess, though. They cut away from the carpeted path and began heading toward an inconspicious door to the right, under the balcony. Fear began to simmer inside me once more. As we walked, my feelings altered between a readiness to fight and the idea that the torture would be a dreaded inevitability. I just had to wonder which hunch would ultimately spur my fate. It all felt arbitrary right now.

When they opened the door in the corner, it revealed a dimly lit basement. We made our way down a small set of stairs. Was this where the pain would start? The tension was growing almost unbearable. I clenched my fists tighter.

When we made our way down the stairs I could see just how unwelcoming the basement looked. Boxes and barrels were scattered about, some opened, some closed, and cob-webs hung from the ceiling. Another guard stood opposite to us, his face exhibiting dull anger, his sword unsheathed.

The female guard who had been escorting us turned back to face us. "I'm not sure what they do down here, but we're not supposed to find out." Then both the guards turned towards the door we had just come from. The sound of boots hitting the stone steps and clanking chainmail was all we heard until the door opened and closed. No one dared break the silence with protest. Our own voices could startle us at this point. It was a painful reminder of the power they so blatantly had over us.

The remaining guard spoke to us "All of you." He said, then reached into a barrel and made an odd pulling motion.

Behind him, a large piece of the basement's stone wall began to sink into the ground, revealing an equally unwelcoming looking tunnel, leading even deeper underground.

"In here." He demanded, his voice simmering with contempt. He pointed his sword in our direction "You walk here, or I cut your legs and drag you here. All of you."

I noticed I was quivering. I couldn't imagine standing up to the power and protection his equipment granted him. It infuriated me that simple equipment could grant them so much power. It took no skill to pick up a sword and put on a suit of armor, yet its rewards were so great.

I began walking forward. Was this how I was to die? An anguishing death viewed as little more than a commoner? I had recommended suicide to the Shadowscales if they were captured, but the thought slapped me in the face: I was really in a position where suicide was the wisest option. But how would I do it? I had no equipment, and the guard was certainly capable of non-lethal take down. My mind seemed to boil over with panic. My thoughts seemed to lose their anchor as I walked closer to pain I knew I could never provide any comforting thoughts to counter.

The hallway was lit with ominously dim, orange light. It was like transitioning into a surreal nightmare. My heart was pounding.

Then I heard the voices of one of the Shadowscales.

"Surveys-!" Tienaava called abruptly. I immediately swung around to observe what had broken the seemingly endless silence. As I turned, I saw the guard had also. We both stared at the youngest Shadowscale for only an instant before Cleaver wrapped his hands around the throat of the distracted guard, choking him mercilessly. With beautifully fluent and intuitive teamwork, Surveys-from-above rushed towards the Imperial to add to the attack.

The guard violently jerked his metal elbow in Cleaver's direction. Cleaver quickly moved his stomach back, avoiding most of the blow. By the time the guard had retracted his elbow however, Surveys-from-above had grabbed the guards helmet and threw it to the ground.

All the destruction was a truly beautiful sight, and I was anything but hesitant to do my part. I knew one second of peace could give the guard time to recuperate and finish what he'd started.

I grabbed the guards head and violent pulled it backwards. He stumbled slightly. Cleaver managed to extend his foot, tripping the stumbling guard and causing him to hit his head against the stone fall with a brutal crack.

Yet the guard was still alive. He clenched his teeth, and sucked in a sharp stream of air between them, trying to grapple over the blatant pain.

I pressed my foot hard against his neck. His eyes widened with panic and he thrashed violently as he saw death approaching. But it was all for naught. His last moments would consist of the same feeling of helplessness he'd given us. Without hesitation, I pressed my shoe deeper into his neck, just to make sure I was stopping his breathing entirely, feeling nothing but satisfaction at my own display of dominance. I looked into his eyes. His mind and body were in state of chaos, trying to find a way out of the situation, but there was none. His suffering was silent. His windpipe was blocked. We had prevailed over him in every way possible. I truly felt glad to be in the company of my Shadowscales. They had served me well. They had saved us all.

The guard stopped moving. He had silently slipped into death. We'd done it. We'd made use of every iota of the small bit of time and space we'd been offered and made world's of difference.

I lifted my foot from the guard's throat and noticed small wounds had been clawed into his neck as it was. My body was flooded with the hardy energy the kill had endowed us. I was ecstatically appreciative of freedom we could once again realized and the fact that my body was intact. The Argonian Royal Court had truly proven itself to be resourceful conquers. I felt euphoric.

If someone heard the ruckus and came down to check on us, they'd see the hidden torture chambers. If not, we could invent any story we wanted. After all, they didn't know what went on in this basement. Even if the Countess saw us leave, what would she tell them?

I smiled at the Shadowscales, Surveys-from-above seemed to be enjoying the same rush. Cleaver's smiled was a good deal more subtle, but that was the most happiness than I'd seen in him since he left for Cheydinhal. "I guess we'll tell them 'We checked out'" I said "We should just close this door behind the body on our way back our way out."

Soon we'd be out of Leyawiin, and we'd stay out of this county. If we were going to capture the rogue agent, it was time for a change of plans.