Chapter 11:
Siris walked across the main room. The cold wind howled outside, and the snow fell relentlessly against the windows. The eyes of the room followed his every step as he positioned himself opposite of the Jarl`s throne and met the blue eyes of the rebel leader.
Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak was sitting in his chair, now looking directly at the face of the Argonian that challenged him. Siris stood there, for a few moments, before the Jarl recognized him.
- Siris… - Ulfric said, clenching his fist. – I thought I had told you not to ever step in Eastmarch again.
- I know, but I come in peace this time. – he said, before turning to someone that was standing by the Jarl`s throne. – Galmar, the cold of the north still blows fiercely inside of you, I see.
Galmar was wearing his typical armor, completed with the bear head that doubled as his helmet. Galmar stone cold gaze managed to turn even colder after Siris`s statement. Siris merely smiled to him, before turning to the other Nord near Ulfric. This one had a wound that hadn`t fully closed yet instead of a right eye.
- Torbjorn, would it be much of an insult if I said to you that I actually did a favor to your wife by adding that scar? You seem less ugly with it.
- How dare you… - the Nord said, putting a hand on his sword.
Much to his surprise, Ulfric stopped him. Torbjorn, unable to understand, slowly released the grip in his sword.
- He says he comes in peace, he will have peace. – the Jarl said, slowly turning to Siris. – What do you want? Haven`t you caused me enough trouble by destroying my docks?
- That is something you owe Torbjorn, not me. But I am here merely as a messenger.
Ulfric seemed confused, right before Siris took out the small war axe and threw it at Ulfric. It jammed itself almost a centimeter from the Jarl`s head, not earning a movement from him. Everyone else on the room drew their weapons. The Jarl calmly ordered them to sheath them. He knew that Siris didn`t have the intention of killing him, or else he wouldn`t have come in through the front door.
Ulfric turned to the axe, and saw that it`s handle was wrapped in blue tissue, with the image of a bear, sculptured out of marble, serving as it`s pommel. He instantly recognized it.
- My war axe. Balgruuf is supporting the Legion, then? – Ulfric said. Siris nodded, much to Jarl`s disappointment. – So, the war has truly begun. I had hoped he would have decided to support the Sons of Skyrim, but I see he prefers that Dunmer whore of his.
- I will be taking my leave, then. – Siris said, turning around to leave. – Torbjorn! – he said, with his back to the Jarl. The old Nord looked sharply at the Argonian. – The next time we meet, pray that you see me first… – Siris continued, beginning to walk to the door. – Because, if I see you first, you won`t be seeing anything ever again.
Torbjorn growled at the threat. As soon as Siris had left the palace through the heavy doors, a shadowy figure appeared from behind the Jarl`s throne. Ulfric removed his axe from the wood of his chair.
- Should I kill him, Ulfric? – the shadowy man said.
- No. Capture him. He could be a valuable asset. But do it outside the city gates.
- It shall be done. – he said, before disappearing once again.
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Siris was walking through the woods at a faster pace than normal. He had to put as much distance between himself and Windhelm as possible. And, besides, he wanted to get to Whiterun soon. He missed Dila, and four days without seeing a loved one could do horrible things to a man.
"This cold weather is killing me. It will be good to sleep next to something warm again…"
The next second, all thoughts exited his mind. He felt a sharp pain on his lower back, and all of his muscles became suddenly rigid. He fell on the ground face first, struggling to understand what had happened. As his vision began to darken, he could distinguish a few forms running around him. One of them had…
… a tail?
- Siris… - it said, with a grim voice, before chuckling. – I wished we would be meeting under better circumstances…
Siris recognized him. He would have recognized him anywhere. If his arms could move, he would have strangled him. With the last of his breath, he said:
- Razara…
After that, he fell cold into a dreamless sleep.
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Dila woke up suddenly. She had felt something strange. She was covered in sweat.
"Must`ve been a nightmare" she said, before standing up and putting on a robe. She walked to the window and opened it, letting the cold breeze of the night roll into the room. She had been getting nightmares regularly after the caravan had been ambushed, and now that Siris was gone, they were hitting her even harder.
Her fingers involuntarily curled around the amulet in her neck. Siris had been gone for four days now. He would be arriving shortly, if the Nine were kind enough. But she had the feeling that something had gone wrong. Oh, why did she have that feeling?
She went off to the bed again. She could barely wait for the tomorrow to come. She would see Siris again. He promised he would be back in four days. Where was he now? Was he sleeping? Was he hunting? Was he running toward the Whiterun, like she would have done?
She cradled herself in bed, but couldn`t sleep. She rolled in bed all night long, waiting for the sun to "wake" her up. Since she had completed her training, she had nothing to do the whole day. Usually, she would practice with the guards, near the barracks. She thought it was pointless, but she knew that they still considered her an outsider, and the less they saw her that way, the less probable it would be for her to receive a knife on the back.
After what felt like an eternity, the sun gently made it`s way to the sky. She quickly dressed herself and walked down the stairs. The innkeeper nodded at her, before retaking the boring task of cleaning the tankards. Dila stepped out of the inn and quickly ran up to Dragonsreach. She had anxiousness shinning on her eyes. Maybe Siris had arrived when she was still sleeping.
Instead, as she went up the stairs of the manor, she was greeted by a pale Balgruuf holding a letter. He lifted his head to see her, and handed her a letter.
Dila carefully took the letter, reading it`s contents looking for any news about Siris. She did get what she wanted.
But not what she expected.
She felt all strength leave her body as she slumped to her knees and began to cry.
Siris had been captured.
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A damp smell invaded his nostrils as he woke up. He tried to stretch his arms and legs, but felt that his arms were locked. He slowly opened his eyes. It was dark. His hands were tied and were being held above his head. His legs were tied by the ankles to the ground. His torso was naked.
He looked around. The cell they had put him in was small. Probably in the underground. He saw that there was hay in the corner, and figured it hadn`t been changed for a while. A dim light was coming from a lantern to the cell`s right side. He fidgeted with the shackles in his hand for a little while, rethinking how he had gotten there. He remembered walking out of Windhelm, of thinking about Dila, and of that sharp pain on the back, coupled with…
"Razara." He thought, growling.
Siris heard a door open and close, and footsteps closing in on his cell. He saw an Argonian walk in front of his cell, pull out a chair and sit in front of the bars, looking at Siris. He had a cowl on his face.
- Well, well. – he said, with his voice muffled by the cowl. – Look at what the wind has blown my way.
Siris couldn`t keep his face neutral. He unconsciously showed his teeth. The Argonian laughed at the display of anger.
- Oh, Siris! – he said. – Why don`t you show some happiness from seeing your old friend again?
He pulled the cowl down, showing his yellow scales and silver slit eyes. His brows had spikes, painted black. His horns were of a flawless white. There was no mistake. It was really him.
- What? Has the cat stolen your tongue? I know she already did that to your brain… and to the thing hanging between your legs…
Siris wanted to lunge at his throat. But the cuffs on his wrists were made out of iron, and all he could do was shake himself in the vain attempt of loosening himself.
- Calm down, Siris. You used to be a quiet lad, no need to change that now…
- What do you want, Razara? – Siris asked. – Wasn`t killing our king enough?
Razara laughed again. Then his face stood serious again.
- No. You lacked that ambition, Siris. We could go much higher than that!
- What do you mean? What else could be higher than leaving all of Argonia crumble into dust?
- Argonia is strong now, thanks to me. But I don`t want Argonia. I want more.
- You are insane, Razara.
Razara`s eyes became grave with the mention of insanity. Razara thought highly of himself. Siris knew how to get under his skin. Razara drew a dagger and started polishing it.
- I see that you have acquired the Ebony Blade, Siris. – he said, looking only at the dagger. – I fine weapon indeed. Not suitable for an assassin, though. But this… this is the prime of assassination tools. It is not only you that has allies in other planes, you know?
He held up the dagger, and Siris immediately recognized it. The legendary Mehrunes Razor. Fable said it could kill with the smallest of pricks. Razara put it back in it`s sheath.
- Why have you allied yourself to the Stromcloaks? They want nothing good for our people.
- They promised to give me two things I always wanted: one of them, Siris, is you.
- I feel flattered, but I don`t see why I would be necessary.
- Oh, that is just personal for me. What I really want, besides you suffering a horrible, painful death, is an army.
Siris was surprised by this. Razara could be anything, but he was no warmonger. The Shadowscales didn`t operate like that.
- Has our brotherhood fallen to that level under your lead? Now we resort to quantity, not quality?
Razara laughed again.
- This is turning out to be a really fun night, after all. No Siris, I want an army to destroy Elsweyr.
- What?
"He is insane."
- You heard me. I hate the Khajiit. I hate every single one of them. They say they are honorable and strong warriors, but they are just dirty beggars and Skooma dealers. – Razara said. Siris felt rage boil up inside him. - You know that the Shadowscales weren`t doing well when you left, Siris. You can`t imagine how we are doing now! And you know why? Because of the damn cats!
- How so?
- They have been stealing all our contracts. It`s been a few months since we don`t get a good kill. And you know we can`t eat our daggers.
Sirs had to chuckle at the joke.
- See, you get it! You know it`s true.
- I`m sorry, but I can`t allow that, Razara.
- Has that whore already done this to you? What would Krona think?
Siris anger finnaly burst and he screamed:
- Don`t you dare saying that of her again, scum! Dila is worth a thousand of you!
Razara laughed again. All that laughter was getting Siris`s nervous.
- Well… - Razara said, standing up. – Since you are going to stay there for a long time, you might as well catch up with the rest of us. After all, it`s been too long. – he then turned to someone standing outside of the cell. – He is all yours, Tar-Ma. Just don`t overdo it like you did last time. We need him alive.
"Tar-Ma? Oh, this is going to be really bad…"
As Razara walked out of the dungeon, a big, orange skinned Argonian opened the cell door and stepped in, closing it behind him. The Argonian`s red eyes fixed themselves on Siris.
- Tar-Ma. – Siris said, looking up to him. He had gained some more muscles since Siris had last met him. – How have you been?
His answer was a kick in the ribs. He gulped a yell of pain as he heard one of them snap.
- You are going to pay to what you did to my sister, traitor. – Tar-Ma said.
Siris sighed. He interrupted the sigh when he noticed it made his chest hurt like it was on fire.
- Krona attacked me first. – Siris said, sorrow in his voice. – I had no other option.
- Then you shouldn`t have left. – Tar-Ma said, with a stomp in Siris`s knee. Siris felt it was on the verge of dislocating. – Do you know how painful it is to bury your own sister, tha has been killed by one of your best friends and who supposedly loved her? - he was screaming now. Siris could feel that he had rehearsed those words. No one could say that naturally without bursting into tears. - You were like a brother to me, Siris. You were to be my sister`s husband! Instead, you turned your back to our family.
He kicked him in the ribs once again. This time, Siris released a gasp. He was using steel-toe boots.
- I will make you regret killing my sister
- No need for that. – Siris said, breathing heavily. – I already do that every single day of my life.
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"But how… how could he… how could they…"Dila tried to think, between sobs.
Siris was gone. Now, she felt more lost than ever before. Not even in Dune, where she had to fend for her life every day, she had felt so depressed. Not even when the caravan had been slaughtered, she had felt so useless. She wanted to lay down and die.
- Dila? – she heard Irileth say. – Come on, get up.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, which she promptly slapped away.
- Leave me alone! – she yelled.
- Dila, I know that you like Siris. We all do. He has been a dear friend to us all. But crying won`t help him, will it?
Dila shook her head, still crying. She hugged Irileth and buried her face into the Dumer`s shoulder. Irileth pated her head.
- Besides, he is going to make it. He always makes it.
- Thanks, Irileth. – she sobbed, trying to compose herself. She needed to keep herself calm.
- I`m sorry, Dila. – she heard Balgruuf say. – This is my fault. If I had send more people with him he wouldn`t be stuck in some cell, rotting.
Dila wanted to hit him. Hard. But she knew that that was only going to make things worse for the man. He was as distraught as Dila, if not more. He had just lost one of his best friends.
Dila stood up. The water in her green eyes had been substituted by flames, and she wanted to see the blood of her enemies on the blade of her sword.
- Balgruuf. – she said, coldly. – Send a messenger to General Tulius. This war is starting right now.
And thus, she left, fingers gripped tightly around her amulet. She was going to make Ulfric pay dearly for that. She wasn`t going to allow the Stormcloaks to take the only good thing of her life from her.
No matter how much it costed…
No matter how painful it would be…
She was going to get Siris back.