-1Chapter 3: The Hope of a Nation
Weynon Priory didn't look like much. And on any map it was just a dot of a church, if it showed up at all. She did however notice the battle mace on a dark elf's hip as he attended to some chore. This was the thief in her of course. Surveying before she ran into action. Other than that it was very peaceful looking and she figured if something went wrong she could take these guys. She went into the main house, inside was cozy and filled with books. It was then she was approached by a monk, he looked cheerful enough but he was also weary... Maybe she should have knocked first. Despite that he smiled, "Hello, traveler, I'm Prior Maborel. May I be of assistance to you, young lady." She never got tired of how nicely men treated her despite that she could rob them of their shoes without them even looking down.
"Can you tell me where I may find Jauffre?"
He huffed and mumbled something about another 'mysterious visitor'. "He's upstairs at his desk. He doesn't like to be disturbed."
"Please, I must speak to him." She put just enough distress into her expression that he caved like a goblin trap.
"Alright. But be quick about-" But she was already up the stairs. She was almost struck down by the man's humble appearance. He really did live as a monk here. He didn't look up but something told her he knew she was there. She approached quickly and cautiously, having seen the varying degrees of reactions to her, she wanted to gauge it and behave accordingly.
"May I help you, madam?" He said with a charming smile. Yes! A nice one, thank the gods, she had some luck left in her.
"Sir, the Emperor is dead!" She blurted out.
He stood, "Dead?"
"Yes, he and his son's. But he told me, before he died, that there was another. He gave me this and told me to find you." She pulled out the Amulet and he gasped. As it shown with light. "It behaves very oddly sometimes."
"It knows the spirit of a dragon when it senses one." He said quietly, in a voice that made it sound almost automatic. "But it only will work for the Royal family. Those of the Septim line." He held out his hand and she placed the Amulet in it. He looked back up at her. "The Emperor entrusted you with this?" She nodded. "His last son lives in Kvatch, as a priest. Uriel brought him to me one night. Looking very sad, and scared. He asked me to look after the boy, so I did. He asked of his progress from time to time."
"As in every chance he got?"
He smiled and nodded, "Yes, now, tell me your name, young lady."
"Tsamusa."
"Surely you have more of a name than that."
"No, I was raised by a Khajiit. She gave me that name. If you'll excuse my vagueness, it is a long story we do not have time for." She wasn't about to spout out her life story. It wasn't something she felt comfortable talking about, with anyone.
"Alright then. Tsamusa, I need you to go and get Martin from the chapel in Kvatch. He's in grave danger if they find out who he is."
"Yes, sir."
"If you need any assistance, the people of this priory will help. A horse perhaps? Or some weaponry-"
"I'll be faster on foot. I won't need to take the roads. As for weapons... I'm best without them. All I need is the dagger I've already brought."
"Alright then. Go. And l please be hasty. The fate of the Empire is in your hands." She winced.
"I wish everyone would stop that. I'm a thief not a warrior! My magic skills are crappy at best, despite my mother's Breton blood! I'm... I'm unsure whether I'm ready for this-"
"Well you're going to have to be." his voice was calm but assertive. "The Emperor told me that at the end of his time, he would send me Akatosh's chosen. The person who the god's have molded to help us. It IS you. It must be or he wouldn't have sent you to me with this." He held up the now subdued amulet. It didn't sparkle as much then. She touched it and it flared to life. "You have the Dragon's spirit."
"Would you look at that." She said in awe.
"Akatosh save us." He let out a sigh. "If you'd like, we can train you some when you return. But you must go. Now!" She turned and ran. Looking around and picking a direction. South would do. It would take her to Skingrad then it was just a quick shot over to Kvatch. She ran like the hounds of hell chase her. She was frightened of the doom on the horizon and that everyone was looking at her with such hope in their eyes. At least in the forest, she could avoid the eyes of any who knew. What if she failed? What would her guild mates do with out her? Or if she never talked with S'krivva again? Or ever saw that Baurus again? That made her smile. Oh gods, she liked that Baurus fellow. She'd always like older men and Redguards, Imperials too. She'd had a thing with an Orc once, but that another story all together and it made her sad to think about it. She hated this. Everything felt so rushed, so fast paced. It was then she saw the pillar of smoke and ash rising from the south east.
"Kvatch! No! Damn it, be alive Martin!." She changed course heading straight for Kvatch.
She came to the base of the hill Kvatch was settled upon to find an encampment, "You can all stay but I'm saving myself! Run! Run while you can!" That was a tall Altamer running toward her.
"Run from what?" She side stepped in front of him and he skidded to a halt.
"Daedra! It happened last night. They've over run Kvatch! There were portals outside the walls and this HUGE creature! All the smoke and flames and the..." He gulped, "The killing... It was terrible."
"Are there more survivors?"
"Not many, these you see here, myself... I hear there's some still left in the city. We only survived because of Savlian Matius. He and some of the town guard are holding off the Daerda still coming from the gate."
"Is there a priest among you all by the name of Martin?"
"I don't know, he isn't here. And I won't be for much longer either. This place is to dangerous." Then he turned and fled. "I'm not a coward!" He cried as he disappeared in the distance.
She looked up at the hill, fighting the urge to run herself. With a deep breath up the hill she went, not looking back. If she looked back she wouldn't be able to go on. The gods were going to owe her big time if she could pull this crazy stunk off.