Standing here, I realize, you were just like me-
You've been on that Metal Gear binge for month's man.
Just too excited for all the sweet games! Besides, you're the one who got me started on it.
I'm bad at games, you're good, it's a fine mix.
Mr. I'm-gonna-break-a-world-record, over here.
Totally going to do it. I'm gonna break that speed running record. As soon as I figure out how to stream.
Whatever man, time for that disclaimer.
We seriously don't own the Elder Scrolls series, but we do have the rights to our own characters you see in this. Please enjoy this chapter.
Descent Into Darkness
Chapter 7: A Reprieve from Battle
Arlia's scream of pain overlapped with Ilend's and Cassius' as they emerged from the raging inferno. They were flung from the Oblivion gate and slammed to the ground forcefully. Arlia lifted herself up and looked to the gate, the flames flickering and dying out, the stone obelisks crumbling around it.
"Arlia!" She heard Cassius shout. She turned to see him kneeling next Ilend, blood steadily leaking from his wound. The arrow had broken at some point, leaving the shaft lodged in Ilend's leg, the tip of the arrowhead protruding from the front of his thigh. "He needs medical aid," said Cassius.
"What do you expect me to do?" She asked, "I'm no doctor and I'm definitely no mage."
"I'll be damned," they heard a familiar voice shout, "They actually did it!" Arlia looked up to see Savliun running towards them, a bright smile on his face. However, his smile quickly faded as he saw Ilend. "Ilend?! You're alive!"
"Yes, sir," he said weakly, "Thanks to these two." He smiled graciously at the pair.
"What about the rest of your squad?" Ilend fell silent, his eyes once again filled with sadness.
"No matter," said Cassius, "He needs help now." Cassius gestured towards Ilend's leg, causing Savlian to gasp in surprise.
"What happened?"
"One of those beasts got a good shot off on him," said Arlia, "The arrows they use are meant to completely maim whatever they hit." Savlian knelt down next Cassius and took a closer look at Ilend's wound. Flesh and bits of muscle were protruding from the wound, forced out by the vicious arrowhead. Bits of bone were tearing through the flesh as well, shattered by the force of the blow.
"We've got to get him to the refugee camp," said Savlian.
"Refugee camp?" Asked Arlia.
"Yes, some were able to escape Kvatch before it was overrun by the Daedra. They've set up a small camp at the bottom of the hill. I know there's a doctor and at least a few mages there." Cassis put Ilend's arm over his shoulder and hefted the man to his feet. Ilend grunted in pain as he forced his weight onto his right leg, his left leg lazily being dragged along. Cassius dragged Ilend along as they made their way down the hill, Arlia and Savlian following closely behind. Cassius pulled Ilend towards the congregation of people and a female Khajiit moved to help him.
"What happened?" She asked.
"Arrow wound, left leg." Cassius replied. He and the Khajiit carried him into a small tent and laid him down on some blankets and rags.
"See to it that he's taken care of," Savlian said sternly.
"Of course, sir," the Khajiit answered. Two Bretons walked into the tent, both wearing blue mage's robes. Cassius and Arlia watched as the Khajiit knelt down next to Ilend and rolled out a belt of medical tools. The mages turned and closed the flaps of the tent as Ilend began to grunt and groan in pain.
"He'll be alright," said Savlian, "I can't believe you actually did it. I thought for sure I'd sent you to your deaths."
"Just as you did Ilend and his men?" Cassius said angrily, balling his hands into fists. "Why didn't you tell us about them?"
"I didn't think it mattered. I'd believed them dead already."
"You bastard," said Cassius a fire burning in his eyes, "Ilend wholeheartedly believes he's to blame for their deaths."
"Some captain you are," said Arlia, "You abandoned them. Their blood is on your hands."
"What else was I supposed to do?!" He shouted, looking between the two frantically. "My job is to protect the city! Petty thugs and thieves are what I'm used to dealing with! Not demons and monsters!" Cassius scoffed as he turned to walk back up the hill. "Where are you going?" Asked Savlian.
"To find Martin." He replied, Arlia turning and following behind him, Savlian lingering slightly behind. The pair walked back up the hill, passed the barricades and the ruined gate. They walked through the small courtyard and up to the doors of the chapel. Cassius raised his hand and pounded on the door, only to hear fearful shouts and screams from the other side.
"Don't worry," said Cassius, "We're not here to hurt you. We're looking for Brother Martin." No answer from the other side. Simply the sounds of swords being drawn from their sheaths.
"It's all right," said Savlian. Arlia and Cassius had nearly forgotten he was following them, his men behind him. "Let them in."
"That was the captain's voice," someone on the other side muttered. They heard shuffling and the scraping of metal on metal as the door bar was lifted. The door creaked open and one of the guards peeked out, the young Nord that Arlia had spoken with earlier.
"It's you!" He exclaimed, "The crazed Wood Elf that busted out of here!" Arlia furrowed her brow and quietly growled at him.
"She's fine," said Savlian, wedging himself between her and Cassius. "She's with me."
"Captain!" The door fully opened and the people within the chapel all lit up with excitement at the sight of Matius. They all entered the chapel and the guards closed and barred the door behind them.
"Where is Brother Martin?" Cassius' voice boomed throughout the large hall. Silence fell over the chapel, nobody spoke or stepped forward. Several people whispered to each other and looked around the room.
"I'm here," a voice familiar to Arlia called out. Martin emerged from behind one of the large pillars and locked eyes with Cassius. Cassius strode across the room and approached Martin, Arlia behind him all the way.
"Good to see you again," he smiled at Arlia, "Glad to see you're safe." Arlia nodded at the priest. "Who's your friend?"
"My name is Cassius Sestius," he said, reaching to shake the young priest's hand. "And I've been sent to get you out of here."
"Sent by whom?"
"Jauffre of Weynon Priory."
"The name is familiar to me, but I've never had the pleasure of making his acquaintance." Martin squinted his eyes in suspicion. "So why? Why were you sent to rescue me?"
"Jauffre needs to speak with you about a very urgent matter. That's all I can say here."
"Well, Cassius, as much as I would like to, I'm afraid I can't go with you."
"And why not?"
"Kvatch is burning. These people need help, Daedra still wander these streets and I fear that they've taken the castle."
"Definitely," Savlian interrupted, "As long as they've got that foothold, Kvatch will not be safe. The gate may be shut, but the threat remains."
"The gate's been shut?" Said Martin his eyes wide with shock, "Then surely you two can be of assistance."
"Oh no, your majesty," said Arlia mockingly, "This has already been more than I bargained for." Arlia turned from Martin and began walking towards the door. Cassius quickly ran and got in her path.
"Arlia, please," he said desperately. If she didn't know any better, she would have expected hin to fall on his knees and beg. "You know how to take them down. I need your help on this one." He paused, staring at Arlia's blank expression. "Arlia, look at these people. They're scared and they need our help."
"I don't give a damn about them!" She shouted. An awkward silence fell over the chapel. Arlia looked over her shoulder into the throngs of citizens around the room. People of every race, clinging to one another in fear. Arlia scanned the room, her gaze stopping on a young Wood Elf child. No more than ten years old, she was holding on tightly to her mother's hand, her dark eyes filled with grief.
"Arlia," Cassius' voice once again grabbed her attention. She spun back around and locked eyes with him. "Please." She furrowed her brow and shot another glance over at the young Wood Elf.
"Whatever you were planning on paying me before," she said, "Double it."
"And you'll have it," said Cassius, "Three thousand Septims at least."
"What are you?" Asked Martin, stepping forward and examining Arlia. "A mercenary?"
"Something of the sort," she replied.
"Regardless," he said, "The captain could definitely use your help."
"Indeed," said Savlian, "You're pretty handy with that bow." Arlia sighed in frustration.
"If I was looking for praise, I would have asked, captain." She said, sneering at the taller man. "Right now; we just need to come up with a plan."
"It's simple enough," he said, "We storm the keep and drive those bastards out."
"You expect to take the castle with these numbers?" Asked Arlia, glancing behind the captain. Behind Savlian stood a dozen guardsmen, all visibly frightened and inexperienced. "You'll be leading them to a slaughter."
"We have no other choice," said Savlian.
"I don't think you understand," said Arlia, "These are Dremora we're fighting; the demonic foot soldiers of the Daedra. Their strength trumps that of your average man two or three fold. You can't hope to take them head on. Not with these numbers."
"She's right," said Cassius, "We can only assume that they've gathered in force in the keep, so we're looking at about 30 strong at least."
"Then what do you propose we do?" Asked Savlian, clearly irritated.
"They aren't stupid," said Arlia, "They surely know an assault is coming and have closed the main gate. Is there any other way into the castle?"
"Yes. There's a small underground tunnel from the guard house that leads into the keep."
"So we send a small team through that passage to infiltrate the keep," said Cassius, "Proceed as quietly as possible and open the gates. With that, the rest of the forces can charge in and the infiltration team can join the battle."
"There's still an issue of numbers," said Arlia, "Fifteen of us can't take down thirty of them. No way."
"So we send a messenger to Anvil," said Cassius, "Surely they would send a contingent of their guard force to aid us."
"But that would take several hours at least," said Savlian.
"Well, it's the best we've got," said Cassius. At that moment there was more pounding upon the door and everyone in the chapel froze.
"Imperial Legion," a voice called out, "We're here to help." Almost simultaneously, everyone in the chapel sighed in relief and the guards opened the door. Five Legionnaires, in full plate armor, strode into the room and looked around at the startled civilians. Savlian moved to greet them.
"Savlian Matius, captain of the guard," he said.
"We saw the smoke from the Grey Road," one of the Legionnaires said, "What's going on here, captain?"
"Where do I begin?" He chuckled, "One moment, it's a normal, peaceful night in Kvatch, and the next all hell is breaking loose." One of the Legionnaires shot a glance over at Cassius and furrowed his brow.
"You," he pointed his finger angrily, "I know you! You're Cassius Sestius!" The chapel fell silent as the Legionnaires glared at Cassius, their hands upon the hilts of their swords.
"You're lucky," He continued, lowering his hand from his hilt. "The Legion received word from The Blades that you'd received a pardon from Emperor Uriel Septim himself. We were told to neither hinder nor arrest you." Cassis smirked, and Arlia gave the Imperial a sidelong glance.
"So Baurus kept his word," he muttered.
"Look," said Savlian, "I don't know what's going on here, nor do I care. There's more pressing matters at hand."
"Indeed," one of the Legionnaires said, "What is it that needs to be done, captain?"
"A portal to Oblivion was opened just outside Kvatch. I'm sure you saw the smoldering remains of it. However, there are still Dremora in the city, holed up in the castle. We need to take it back."
"Dremora?" One of the Legionnaires said, "The fabled foot soldiers of the Daedra?"
"More than just fables," Arlia said, "They're all too real. Vicious and bloodthirsty, each one is worth three men on its own."
"Could one of you possibly ride for Anvil and ask Countess Umbranox for assistance?"
"Certainly, we left the horses down at the refugee camp." The Legionnaire turned and nodded to his comrade, who nodded back and jogged briskly out of the chapel.
"It'll be at least two hours before he returns with help," said Cassius, "What do we do in the meantime?"
"We prepare and send out the infiltration team," Savlian answered, "I need about six of you." The chapel once again fell silent and Cassius shot a glance over at Arlia.
"Could you lead it?" He asked.
"Me?" She chuckled. "You're certainly getting your money's worth aren't you?"
"You've already shown me that you're a capable scout," he said, "We need someone like you to lead that part of this operation." She sighed heavily.
"I suppose," she said.
"Excellent," said Savlian as he reached into a small pouch on his belt. He pulled out a small key and handed it to Arlia. "That's the key for the guard house. That's where you'll find the passage into the castle." She nodded and reached into her cloak, putting the key in a small pocket on her armor.
"Who will be coming with me then?" She asked. She glanced over at the Legionnaires and then over at the Kvatch guards. Three of the guards stepped forward, two armed with war axes and the other armed with a bow. Two of the Legionnaires also stepped forward, one wielding a sword and shield with the other carrying a large broadsword. Arlia nodded and turned to face Savlian.
"There's my team, captain."
"Alright," he said, turning to face the small group, "Arlia here will be leading you through the catacombs of the chapel and out into the city. From there, proceed into the guard house and then into the underground passage. That will lead you into one of the watchtowers. From there, make your way to the gatehouse and wait for our signal. When we're ready, we'll fire a volley of flaming arrows in the air. Watch for it." The group all nodded and glanced at each other.
"Good luck," said Cassius, placing a hand upon Arlia's shoulder.
"Luck has nothing to do with it," she said sternly and peeled off Cassius' hand. Savlian gestured for her to follow and he led her to a door on the other side of the room.
"This is the door into the catacombs," he said, "The buildings around this chapel have collapsed and blocked off the streets, so this is the fastest way through town. My men will show you the way." The Kvatch guards stepped forward and stood at attention.
"Very well," said Arlia. Savlian nodded and opened the door, revealing a dimly lit staircase.
"I can't tell what you'll find down there," he said, "I'm not sure if the Dremora have found their way down there or not." Arlia reached over and pulled a torch from a nearby wall sconce and started down the stairs, her companions following closely behind with weapons at the ready. She gave a small thought of how many would make it back, and quickly decided that it was a pointless thought. Chances were, none of them would.