Seven Saviors Chapter 5:
Hey readers, it's me again. Just letting you know of a few changes I have in mind to make the story better. In case you're wondering about our other two mystery characters, I plan to bring them in after our current cast gets settled in at Cloud Ruler Temple. And this chapter, I am going to skip over the quest 'Breaking the Siege of Kvatch', just because I know it all too well, and I want to keep our heroes moving along. As for update speed, I'll do what I can. I apologize for the long waits. And now, whenever the party of heroes is separated, each section of the chapter devoted to them will say the names of the hero/heroes in the section, and a brief blurb of where they are. You'll see what I mean when I start… which is now. Thanks all!
PS: DISCLAIMER! I take no credit for any spells appearing in my story from the Midas Magic mod available at . I just love the spells so much that I want to use them. I give all credit to…the proper creator/author of the mod, who I hope will forgive me until I can find his name again.
10/10/08- Another update… I realized I'm an idiot. The abandoned fort that is closest to Hackdirt and Weynon Priory is called Fort Carmala. Fort Caractacus is a fort to the north of the Imperial City, important in the quest where everyone in the village of Aleswell is invisible…
11/22/08- Sorry, everyone. I'm taking forever to post, but I want to round off this chapter well enough to bring in the last two characters. Enjoy!
Temple in the Clouds
Gerich, Adanrael, Loryn
Gold Road, somewhere between Kvatch and Skingrad
Gerich walked in the front of the group, bow at the ready, eyes wary of danger, bloodshot from lack of sleep. Adanrael snuck along in the treelines, keeping up with the group and brutally assassinating any bandits encamped along the road, and looting them of any valuable or useful goods. Loryn brought up the rear, axe ready to smash in the head of any foes foolish enough to show themselves to her. Why were they so tense and on guard for enemies? Accompanying them was the currently-quiet priest they had gone to retrieve from Kvatch in the first place, who was, in reality, the illegitimate son of the late Uriel Septim IV. Martin Septim walked along quietly, not because he didn't like his travel companions. He actually liked them quite a lot. Gerich, the archer who was being hailed as the Hero of Kvatch, was a kind man who was fulfilling the duty thrust upon him by the late emperor. He walked down the road, wearing the cuirass of Watch Captain Savlian Matius, who had grown tired of fighting. He also carried a light shield with the emblem of Kvatch, given as a gift by Ilend Vonius.
"You saved my life. You brought be back from hell! I'll never forget it," he said in thanks, handing Gerich the shield and a silver longsword he had retrieved from the ravaged armory.
Martin also liked the female assassin Adanrael. He grew nervous at learning her occupation and affiliation, but relaxed when he realized her devotion to the Lady Dibella. He observed her affection for Gerich when they stopped to camp for the night. She and Gerich would unpack food and supplies as Loryn would dispose of the bodies of the bandits they had taken the campsite from. Gerich would sit there, staring at the fire as though he saw an old friend in a different light: as a possible threat. Adanrael would go over, sit cross-legged in front of him, take his hands, and just stare into his eyes, whispering soothing words.
As for the Nord arena combatant, Martin enjoyed her company greatly. She kept a very close watch on him, always sleeping the closest to where he slept, axe ready to send some heads rolling if they dared attack him. During the walks, she would chat with him aimlessly, asking if he knew anything about the arena, and saw any fights. She would gladly tell him tales of her exploits in the arena, and how she bludgeoned all challengers into unconsciousness. When they would stop to eat or rest, and before turning in for the night, she would craft some acceptable mockeries of real weapons, and would spar with Martin, insisting that it was important he learn how to capably defend himself. After a few days of travel, she sat with Martin near the fire and pulled out an assortment of weapons from the combined kits of their little party. She spread them out in a straight line in front of Martin, the weapons moving from small to large. She pointed to them down the line, Martin paying rapt attention.
"Now, we'll start small and move up. This," she said, picking up and holding Adanrael's silver dagger, "is obviously a dagger. What's special about it is the fact that it's a silver dagger. One major fact to remember is that in a pinch where you are stuck in a dungeon ridden with undead and spirits, you can't go wrong with silver weaponry. The material acts out against the spiritual and mythical creatures of the world with great effect. The dagger itself is a very short-bladed weapon, better if you use a shield with it, to make up for its lack of defense."
Martin studied each weapon she picked up and handed to him carefully, even standing up at times to throw a few practice swings and strikes at a dead sapling nearby. He went on to be educated in how the mace was handy for pulverizing bone, breaking shields, and bashing in plate armor, how the longsword and claymore gave a nice long reach preferred by blademasters, and how the war and battle axes were able to cleave through the finest armor when used properly. Gerich and Adanrael watched on as well, impressed by Loryn's vast knowledge of weapons, borne of her career in the arena.
The journey continued on to Weynon Priory, and to save time, they eventually cut through the wilderness to the southern entrance of Chorrol, being very sure to circumvent the demented, partially decimated village of Hackdirt. They reached the southern entrance to Chorrol, entering the town to relax and refresh for a few hours before presenting the heir-apparent to Jauffre. They neatened themselves up at the local tavern, even sinking so low as to freshen up at the Grey Mare and avoid undue attention to Martin. Gerich and Martin waited in the lobby, Gerich dressed in black leather boots, black wide pants, and a blue silk shirt, and Martin changed into a fresh light blue robes with a shield enchantment. They sat at a table in the corner, backs to the wall, weapons at hand in case danger appeared. While they waited for the girls to finish washing up, they studied the sigil stone Gerich had still been holding onto as they teleported to the ground just outside the ruined Oblivion Gate. It glowed softly, not attracting attention in the light of the fire in the fireplace.
"So this is a Sigil Stone," Martin mused aloud. They weren't too worried about being heard, because a couple of Orcs were over at the bar arguing about some Orcish quality or another.
"Indeed, but what does it do?" Gerich said, "It seems to be magically charged, which would make sense. And yet… We should consult a trustworthy mage on this at some point. But for now, it should probably remain a mystery."
"Agreed," Martin said, then looked up and nodded acknowledgement at the two lovely females that entered the room. Adanrael and Loryn had been sure to dress well, Loryn in a white blouse and burgundy skirt, and Adanrael in a green dress, adding to her Elven features. Adanrael walked up and kissed Gerich on the cheek.
"Well don't you look handsome," she said to him, grinning prettily. Loryn smirked as she rolled her eyes, settling into a chair next to Martin with a tankard of mead. When they all had settled in, she raised her glass in a toast to their table.
"To Martin. May we never have to rescue him again," She said with a smirk in his direction.
"I'll drink to that!" Martin said, and they all laughed. They had their drinks and set out for the southern gate to leave for the Priory. As they left, Martin had a sudden bad feeling and put on the Kvatch cuirass, having had it cleaned and repaired by the local smith of Chorrol.
Weynon Priory: Ralas and Makar
Ralas and Makar were in the back gardens behind the sheepfold, helping Brother Piner to pull weeds. Prior Maborel was busy scrubbing the brass plaque next to the door of the Priory House. All of a sudden, they heard the Prior speak to someone. Makar whispered a life detect spell and studied the situation. A group of men in robes was gathered around Maborel. He smacked Ralas in the shoulder to get his attention and pointed, casting a detect life spell on Ralas. Ralas saw and noted, and stood up, rolling back his sleeves. Makar cursed his idiocy for leaving his weapons inside the priory, before looking at his fists and grinning. He armed the deadly Dispel/Silence spell that Ralas had taught him earlier, and summoned the magic to his fists. Brother Piner noticed their movements and reached under his robes, a fierce look replacing the confused expression. Then the voices reached their ears.
"No, old religious fool, we are not pilgrims. We are here on a little matter of finding the Amulet of Kings for our Master," a voice said.
Prior Maborel stiffened noticeably, and Ralas sighed softly.
"I don't know what you speak of, sir. The Amulet of Kings is most presumably in the care of the Elder Council!" Prior Maborel stated defiantly.
The leader of the group confronting Maborel sighed in mock resignment, and the rest of the group chuckled in an unfriendly manner.
"What a pity. If you will not help us, then we will just have to find it ourselves, and then burn this defilement against Dagon to the ground!"
With that, the leader drew a dagger and stabbed Prior Maborel in the chest. The Prior stood for a moment, and then shouted, "ATTACK! ATTACK ON THE PRIORY!"
The leader withdrew his dagger and smashed a gauntleted hand into the Prior's face, silencing him forever. Piner knelt to the ground and prayed for his deliverance, before standing and drawing a magnificent katana from under his robe. They heard a scream, and then Eronor the shepherd dashed out of the sheepfold, running for the city of Chorrol as fast as he could.
"YOU! AFTER HIM! We can't let anyone know we are here! You three, follow me into the Chapel. The rest of you, ransack the Priory house. Kill anyone you find!"
The leader then turned and ran into the Chapel, and three figures followed, all four summoning armor.
"Cultists! They ARE attacking! We must stop their desecration!" Piner declared, charging toward the corner of the building. As he reached it, three cultists rounded the bend, weapons ready.
"For Lord Dag-" cried a cultist, before being cut off as a massive beam of red fire smashed into her, sending her crashing into the wall of the sheepfold and crumpling to the ground, magic armor dispelled and clothes smoking. Makar looked at Ralas, the Telvanni Dark Elf grinning as his palm smoked from unleashing the magical beam. Makar then followed Piner as Piner rushed a female cultist with a mace. The cultist facing Makar swung a mace that Makar stopped by grabbing the cultist's wrist and kicking his elbow, snapping the arm the wrong way. As the cultist screamed, Makar brought a fist hard into their facemask, dispelling the armor and silencing the cultist, preventing further magic spellcasting. The cultist fell back, spitting out blood and teeth, and then died as Makar brought a foot down on his neck. Piner smashed at the mace-wielding cultist in a fury, then smashed the mace out of the way, spun, and impaled the cultist between the armor plates covering the chest and face. The cultist's armor dissolved and she fell with a gurgle. The three rushed around the corner and were engaged by a larger group of cultists. Makar picked up two cultists with telekinesis and smashed them together on a third, crumpling him to the ground and killing two of them. Makar ran up and kicked a cultist in the crotch, and then smashed a palm into the cultist's nose as the armor distintegrated away, slamming it into his brain and killing him instantly. Piner engaged more cultists with fluid swordplay, dancing and dodging around the clumsy swinging maces. As Makar looked up to check on the position of his friends, he noticed a cultist sneaking up on Ralas as he continued obliterating enemy ranks with telekinetic assaults, grinning wickedly the entire time. Makar tried to shout a warning and reach his friend, but cultists kept getting in his way. He smashed them aside aggressively, and watched in horror as the cultist raised a mace. Suddenly, an arrow soared from out of nowhere and caught the cultist in the throat, the armor and mace disintegrating away as the cultist died. He looked to the road, and saw four people running to help, two men and two women. The archer who had rescued Ralas was already drawing and nocking a second arrow, taking aim and killing a cultist attacking Piner. The archer was wearing a Kvatch guard cuirass, a round shield strapped to his back and a strange-looking obsidian sword sheathed at his hip. The man behind him holding a silver shortsword and hurling frost spells at the cultists was wearing a priest's robe and had shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes. After Makar was interrupted in his assessment of their reinforcements, he smashed the responsible cultists with quick kicks and punches, and resumed looking at their reinforcements. A Nord woman came charging down the road, smashing cultists left and right with her axe. The last woman was there, running down the road with a glittering silver dagger drawn, and then she wasn't. His fading life detect spell saw her purple essence slide between the cultists that had been rushing her, chameleoned. The spell faded, and then he saw the cultists collapsing to the ground, tendons sliced and throats slit. She reappeared next to the archer, and with a nod from the archer to Makar, both stormed into the Chapel building. Between the raging Nord woman, the powerful Telvanni, the katana-wielding monk, and Makar, the remaining cultists were slain. Red-clad bodies littered the outside of the Priory, and the Nord woman charged into the Priory House, calling out, "C'mon, Piner, I saw some of the bastards run in here!" Piner stood from where he had been stooped, panting, and followed her in, katana ready at hand. The priest with the blue eyes and silver shortsword ran into the Chapel. A minute later, a couple more cultists came up the road, and Makar and Ralas killed them with a vengeance. A few minutes after that, Brother Jauffre came dashing out of the Chapel, holding a dai-katana, followed by the archer, the assassin, and the priest close behind. They dashed into the Priory house as Jauffre shouted.
"I fear the Enemy came here for the Amulet of…" Jauffre shouted back to the archer and assassin, and was cut off from Makar's hearing by the shutting of the door behind them.
Ralas beckoned to Makar to follow him in. Inside the house, they found a couple more dead cultists, as the Nord woman and Piner sat tiredly in chairs at the table. Makar and Ralas walked over and joined them, receiving nods from the other two.
"Nice fighting, monk," the Nord woman said to Makar, "The dispel charm on touch compounded with your fists of fury was quite clever."
Makar grinned.
"Thanks, but I can't take all of the credit. Ralas here gave me the idea. I am Makar. And you are-"
Ralas stepped forward warmly offering a hand to the woman.
"Ms. Loryn Hall-Shamer, the Tamriel Terror, I presume?" Ralas said, shaking her hand with a grin.
"Oh, wonderful, a fan! Tell me, how rich did I make you in the Arena?" The woman replied with a chuckle and a grin.
"We'll just say you helped me take away a lot of funding from my colleague's experiments and funnel it into my coffers every Sundas, O Great Terror," Ralas commented with a grin.
Makar and Piner chuckled, enjoying the break from the tension that had been thrust on the Priory.
"They've taken it, the Amulet is gone! The enemy has beaten us at every turn!" cried Jauffre, coming down the stairs and coming face-to-face with the priest, and staring with recognition.
The archer following Jauffre down the stairs swept an arm at the priest in indication.
"Not entirely, we managed to rescue the heir." The man said, sounding tired.
Jauffre bowed to the priest, saying "So Martin, you are safe. There is hope yet."
"We must keep him safe from the Enemy, stall for time while we reorganize," the archer said.
"We will go to Cloud Ruler Temple, in the mountains north of Bruma. A few men could hold it against an army."
Jauffre eyed Makar and Ralas.
"You two should come along. Your defense of the Priory will have earned you the wrath of our enemies. But you have also earned my highest trust. I ask your help to defend the last remaining Heir while we come up with a plan to end the Oblivion crisis," the wizened Grandmaster said.
"Great!" said Ralas, "Where to?"
Four Hours Later
Orange Road between Chorrol and Bruma
The party taking Martin north to Cloud Ruler Temple had stopped to rest for a few hours on a bluff that provided a view through the otherwise dominating forest tree line, looking down on the wheel-spoke shape of the Imperial City. Martin leaned on the wooden fence by the edge of the precipice, staring down at White-Gold Tower. Loryn was leaning against the fence next to him, looking in the same direction.
"It's funny," said Martin slowly, causing Loryn to turn and look, "It's funny to stand here and look down at that tower, and know it to be my final destination. And yet, we are heading the opposite direction."
Loryn snorted.
"Jauffre explained it to me earlier, because I asked why we didn't just take you to the Elder Council for their help. He said that without the Amulet of Kings around your neck to provide proof of your claim, you'll be seen as a sort of power-hungry usurper or something like that," She said, patting him on the shoulder affectionately.
"And I suppose that if Jauffre went into the palace to vouch for me, the Elder Council would deem him to be far too senile to hold his position, and that would make things far more inconvenient," Martin said with a shake of his head.
"The Blades may be separate from the government," Jauffre said, coming over to where they stood, "But the Elder Council doesn't need to take an interest in Blade affairs now that Emperor Uriel is dead. Are you ready to eat, Majesty? Gerich has brought in a few deer he and Makar took down in the forest. I must say, having two marksmen on hand is quite comforting."
Makar came up, arms wrapped around a nauseous-looking Gerich and Ralas, who wore an expression that mingled together shame, disgust, and great amusement.
"Aye, and Ralas tried to help us, but his attempt is still burning a scorch mark onto a boulder in the forest," Makar said, laughing.
Adanrael came up next, having started a cooking fire.
"The cookfire is ready, everyone," She said with a grin at the three hunters, or the two hunters and one would-be hunter.
Jauffre couldn't help but feel comforted by the presence of this fast-connecting group. Their teamwork would prove to be a comfort and an essential asset in the coming days.
"My thanks to you all," said Jauffre with a soft smile, "But we should perhaps dine, and then press on. I do not doubt our formidable skill, but I fear the power the Enemy may array against us to prevent Martin from reaching safety."
The group, still jovial despite this thought, gathered around the fire and ate, then collected their things and pressed on.
Mountain Road to Cloud Ruler Temple, North of Bruma
The snow came down gently, almost like a gentle welcome to the northern lands to the party coming up the road to Cloud Ruler Temple.
As they approached the doors, Jauffre took the lead, followed closely by Martin. The rest of the group formed up, bringing the few horses they had. A Blade in full Akaviri armor came sprinting through the gigantic double doors as they swung open.
"Grandmaster! Is this…?" The Blade stammered, staring at Martin with confused recognition.
"Yes, Cyrus, this is Martin Septim," Jauffre answered.
"Surprise!" Loryn muttered, and Ralas chuckled until Makar elbowed him in the ribs.
Cyrus eyed the trio, but then stepped up to Martin and spoke:
"My Lord! Welcome to Cloud Ruler Temple! We have not had the honor of the Emperor's visit in many a year."
"Well, thank you," said Martin, thrown off by the Blades' quick acceptance, "The honor is mine."
"Come," said Jauffre, the tension easing, "Your Blades are waiting to greet you."
The group walked up the stairs to a ceremonial-style double-line formation of Blades, holding their katanas crossed in the air above them as Martin and Jauffre passed under them. The rest of the group stopped and held their position at the end of the formation. Gerich drew his sword out and knelt, facing Martin. The rest followed suit, kneeling with whatever they had at hand. Jauffre made a motivational speech to the Blades, speaking of the 'Dark Times' that had fallen onto Tamriel with the death of Emperor Uriel and the loss of the Amulet. But he spoke also of the rescue of Martin, and asked if he would say a few words. To resounding encouragement and cheers from the Blades, he nervously stepped up.
"Jauffre…Everyone… Thank you for your warm welcome here. This is all new to me. I appreciate your loyalty, and I hope to prove worthy of it in the coming days. Thank you."
"Well, thank you, Martin," said Jauffre somberly, "We'd best all get back to our duties, eh, Captain?"
The Blades dismissed, scattering to their positions and tasks around the temple. Martin walked up to his five companions.
"Not much of a speech, was it?" He asked.
Gerich clapped him on the shoulder.
"It was good for a start and introduction," he said.
Martin nodded.
"It didn't seem to hurt. But the Blades, saluting me and hailing me as Martin Septim! Forgive me, I don't mean to sound ungrateful, I know what you all went through to get me here."
Loryn clasped his arm with her hand comfortingly.
"We know," she said with a soft smile.
Martin went down the line and gripped all of their arms warmly, smiling gratefully to each of them.
"I know I can rely on you all for strength in the coming days. We must make plans immediately to regain lost ground against the Enemy."
He amended himself as he saw Adanrael sway tiredly against Gerich, and saw how haggard his friends were.
"But first you must rest. We all must rest."
Jauffre came up then, accompanied by Captain Steffan of the Blades, as well as a young Breton Blade named Jena. Jauffre carried one elongated cloth-wrapped bundle with two hands, while the other two Blades carried two bundles apiece.
"As you have risked your lives at the expense of saving the last remaining heir to the throne, I wish to honorably induct you into the Order of the Blades," he said to them, a proud smile on his wizened face.
They unwrapped the bundles, and five shining Akaviri Katanas were revealed to the group. They all reached out and accepted the gifts with bows to Jauffre and the Blades. They went and rested up in the Blades quarters.
The next morning, the group met near the fireplace in the Main Hall with Jauffre and Martin. Captain Steffan was also nearby. Jauffre and Martin were figuring out a plan to get back on their feet.
"Someone must go to the Imperial City and meet up with Baurus. He magically relayed us a message through the Arcane University that he has gained information on the cult and how to find them," Jauffre said.
"I'll go," Gerich said, "I'd like to check up on my house to make sure the Gray Fox hasn't victimized it yet anyway."
"I'll go along as backup," said Ralas, "Should I report anything to the Archmage or Master-Wizard Polus while I'm there?"
Jauffre shook his head. "We should only warn them about the Mythic Dawn and the presence of an anti-Imperial cult in Cyrodiil. If word gets out about our location or the fact that we have the heir to the throne safe here, the Enemy's spies will report to their masters, mortal or Daedric."
"Then I'll go with them," Makar said, "Ralas and I also have other pressing business in the city." He held up a bag and grinned at Ralas. Ralas crowed with laughter.
"I would go with Gerich, but I think I'll be more useful if I go to the Dark Brotherhood. There's a possibility they may have leads on the cult there, such as rejected contracts for other political targets. Not to mention that they'll be waiting for me to return and report on my last…bit of business," Adanrael said, taking Gerich's hand in hers.
"I'll stay here and help guard Martin, er, his Majesty," Loryn stated awkwardly.
Jauffre nodded.
"Then the duties are assigned. Gerich, Makar, and Ralas will follow up on Baurus' lead and catch up to him in Imperial City. Adanrael will gather information underground, and Loryn will help guard Martin. I will set a watch and continue to monitor for enemy activities, as well as send postings out to the Blades around Tamriel to keep an eye out for cult activity. I will also inform the Nerevarine of Morrowind."
"Also remember that the Armory has equipment available to all of you if needed," Captain Steffan said.
The group separated to pack and prepare their gear. After restocking on armament and supplies, they set off for the south
Ring Road, North of Imperial City
Adanrael and Gerich embraced while Makar and Ralas waited nearby with the cart.
"I hate to leave your side," said Adanrael sadly, staring up into Gerich's eyes with her own, unshed tears shining. Gerich gently kissed her lips and stroked her cheek with a thumb, cupping her chin in his hand.
"I hate to leave you as well, especially knowing you are walking into a den of assassins," he murmured.
She laughed sadly.
"Love, I am an assassin. I'll be careful, don't you worry. The family will take care of me at the Sanctuary. When I am done, I will come to the city. Wait for me at your home. If I don't meet you there in a week, come to the temple, for it will mean I had information I needed to take there. And if I'm not there…"
She paused, looking over at the cart. Ralas and Makar abruptly began whistling mismatched tunes and looked away quickly, trying to look innocent of eavesdropping.
Adanrael stood on her toes to whisper into Gerich's ear.
"Seek me in the abandoned house in Cheydinhal. But tell no one else!"
She then kissed his jaw, then his lips one last time before mounting her borrowed horse and wheeling and riding east.
Gerich watched her go, then returned to the cart and jumped on the back with Makar. Ralas was up front guiding the reins, wearing a ridiculous straw hat and a grin.
"Seriously, Ralas, where in the Nine Hells did you get that ridiculous horse-chow you're wearing as a head-dress?" Gerich asked, grinning at the foolish Dark Elf.
"Just because I'm trying the hardest to blend into the countryside," Ralas said, shaking his finger at Gerich and Makar with a mock-stern expression. Makar laughed, and they rode toward the city.
End Chapter 5
Whew. What a brainstorm. Sorry it took so long to post, again… I'm formulating ideas for next chapter as we speak. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope your turkey tasted great, if you had any. Please feel free to leave comments. This was a long one, so I hope everyone's happy until I can get Chapter 6 up. Thanks for sticking with me for so long!
-SG
