Chapter 4 – A Warrior's Departure
"Close up left. Protect the Emperor!" Captain Renault cried out, drawing her sword as the assassins fell from the shadows. The older Redguard, Glenroy drew his weapon as swiftly as a shooting arrow, leaping into action. The younger, Baurus also drew his sword quickly, but unlike his counterpart he did not go rushing for blood. The Emperor drew his silver sword, and by the way he held it Ragnar could tell he had a reasonable idea how to use it. The attackers had balls of dark magic in their hands, from which they conjured Daedric weapons. Their armor was ebony, yet it was conjured as well with red hoods and loin cloths showing among the dark armor.
Renault reached out as one of the warriors struck out at the Emperor, lifting her blade up and spinning the assassin's blade away from Uriel. The assassin abandoned the Emperor, instead striking out at Renault. He struck with an overhead blow, throwing his full power behind the attack. Renault ducked, stepping past the man and driving her elbow into his back. The assassin stumbled forwards with a grunt, finding his feet as Renault swung. He lifted his blade behind him, catching hers. He then yanked her blade up, stepping backwards and under so the blade was in front of him. He then elbowed her in the face. Renault lifted a hand to her nose, holding it as she fought with one hand. They traded blows, parrying and ducking as they fought. Eventually the assassin lunged at her, weapon outstretched. She stepped to the side, bringing the blade down in a huge slash across his back. The Assassin screamed and fell forwards, landing on his knees. Renault then looked up and saw the Emperor bested, blade aside and an assassin about to attack. She leapt into action, slicing his blade aside with all her might. This left her back open, and a third assassin shoved his blade through her chest. She gaped for a moment, blood filling her mouth before the Assassin tore his blade from her body. She fell to her knees, eyes wide and skin pale. The second assassin stepped up in front of her, and then planted his foot in her chest as a ferocious kick that sent her body rolling down the stairs.
"Captain Renault!" Glenroy cried out loudly, running towards his commander. He raised his shield to block an overhead strike from one of the assassins, flicking his blade down to block the blow from the second. The first growled, lunging in with the point. Glenroy spun quickly, bringing his shield down into one of their blades and whipping the other aside with his own blade. With his back to them he was vulnerable, and they struck at him. He leapt forwards, almost losing his footing as he landed on the edge of the stairs. Baurus came rushing to the rescue, striking one of the Assassins with a massive overhead strike. The assassin barely raised his blade in time to defend from the blow. Baurus smelt blood, and threw his shoulder into the man. At the same time Glenroy threw his shield into the assassin and together they knocked the assassins into one another.
"Are you alright, Sire? We need to clear out" Baurus yelled to the Emperor, who nodded and rushed to his side. The Blade went down the stairs first, with the Emperor close on his heels. Glenroy defended the rear, using his shield to block from overhead strikes while he knocked blades aimed at his gut aside with his blade. They made their way to the door. The Emperor had retrieved his blade, and was doing a reasonable job of appearing collected as they walked past Renault's body.
"Captain Renault?" He asked. She was still twitching, and Ragnar could see her clinging to life. She was waiting to see her Emperor get to safety. Instantly he swallowed a lump of emotion. He had never known a woman could be so loyal and true, even in the face of death. He instantly respected the woman, and he silently vowed to aid her, or to avenge her if need be.
"She's dead. I'm sorry, Sire, but we must keep moving" Baurus answered without hesitation. They thought she was dead. Perhaps the Blade knew she lived, but thought he couldn't help her. They were dedicated but outnumbered and out skilled. The assassins had the edge, and the Blades had to protect their emperor. They couldn't afford to drag her out… But Ragnar could.
"Unlock the door!" Glenroy cried out, deflecting another blow. He lashed out with his blade, slashing the assassin's throat. He gasped and clutched at a pulsing neck, trying to keep his blood within his neck as he fell to the ground. The Blade kicked the body aside, lifting his shield to block yet another attack. He jabbed out with his shield, attempting to disarm the attackers. More assassins dropped in, hunting the king with such fury the Blade's gawked. The door was open, and instantly the Blades ushered the Emperor through. As the door was closing Ragnar noticed an archer standing at the top of the stairs, aiming straight at the Emperor. In a few seconds The Large Nord crossed the room and thoughtlessly tackled the archer from behind, sending them both bouncing down the stairs in a flurry of limbs.
Every time a limb landed on the stone stairs it was a fresh world of agony he lived in. Ragnar wasn't afraid of pain like others, but he was no Gladiator. He winced as his ribs, sides and arms were beaten by the ancient white stone. When they hit the bottom they broke apart, rolling along the ground. Ragnar shook his head as he placed his hands on the ground, feeling a mix of the cold ancient stone and the hot blood that stained his hands. He pushed up, getting to his feet and rushing thoughtlessly at the Assassin, who mirrored his movements. Ragnar lowered himself into the tackle, driving his shoulder into the man's gut with all his weight and power behind him. He winced as the armor dug into his shoulder, but he still pushed the man back into the wall. The Assassin groaned as Ragnar straightened, instantly punching the man's face in a steady rhythm. He winced each time as his bare knuckles collided with the metal faceplate, but the way the mask moved unnaturally aside and hung revealed he had hit hard enough to destroy the armor. He pushed the assassin forwards only to shove his arm out and knock the assassin down. He then lifted the man to his feet and wrapped his arm around the man's neck.
"You prevent what must be done. You dare stand in the way of a new dawn?" The assassin growled, struggling in Ragnar's arms.
"I don't give a damn about your gods, or what religious cult makes you think this is what must be done. All I care about it getting them and me out of here alive" Ragnar spoke. His voice was gruff and worn, the voice of a man who had spent too much time drinking and shouting. There was also a certain quality to it that made every other assassin pause. It was the voice of a warrior. It was fearless. Selfish. It was the voice of a survivor. At the same time there was humanity in his voice. Something that suggested he was not as selfish as he seemed at a first glance.
"Blasphemy! This land belongs to the dawn!" The Assassin cried, trying to step on the Nord's toes. Ragnar moved his foot out of range, jerking his arm up around the Assassin's neck. The man gagged as he was held up by a single arm of the Nord. With his other hand he gathered a fist, waiting a second before bringing it down into the Assassin's throat. The assassin choked again, as if his windpipe had been crushed. It was then Ragnar took mercy and snapped the Assassin's neck, letting the body hit the ground as countless others had beneath his blade.
"This land is Cyrodiil!"
His cry was strong and true, the pride of his homeland and of his people echoing in his words. The assassins were silent for a moment, looking to one another as if asking who should strike first. Their heads moved as they looked between Ragnar and the dead assassin at his feet. He had defeated one of their men with nothing but his bare hands. Renault groaned softly as she stretched her hand out, grasping her blade weakly. Using the last of her strength she threw the blade up to Ragnar, collapsing the moment after.
Ragnar caught the blade by the hilt, feeling its weight settle in his hand. It was light and flimsy compared to what he was used to, but facing down the remaining assassins he was not about to complain. The First assassin rushed at him, wielding a club that looked rather deadly. Ragnar didn't wait, he gripped the hilt in a single hand, pretending to hold more of a hilt with the other. The assassin drew closer, launching into the air as he tried to bring his club down on Ragnar's head. The Nord simply sidestepped and swung the blade up with all his might, aiming for the midriff. The Assassin screamed as he realised his face was sealed and he came down on the blade, hid body being cut in half. Ragnar continued with the motion of his spin, driving the weaker blade through the armor. He was impressed by how deceptively strong the blade was, and quickly rushed at the remaining assassins. The first one struck for his side, forcing Ragnar to move the blade to be level with his body to catch it. He let go with one hand, spinning and driving his fist into the face of a second enemy. The first killer swung his blade again, hoping to cut Ragnar in half. The Nord blocked over his back, not pausing before he brought his blade up over his head, dragging the blade of the other man along with him through sheer power. The First assassin gaped as Ragnar forced him to behead his own companion with just a single move, blood sprouting over the Nord's body and soaking into his clothes. The assassin was so stunned that he did not move to block Ragnar as the Nord thrust his blade forwards, sticking it directly through the Assassin's chest.
When the weight fell heavy on his Sword Ragnar tore it back, for once enjoying the sense of blood all over his body. It had been so long since he had fought, yet his body remembered the moves as if it had only been a couple of days. He was slower, his moves more basic and less powerful but he had made the best of it with what he had. He quickly turned his attention to Renault, the woman he had considered a poser. He was beyond stunned by her actions, by her power. She had given her life to arm a complete stranger. A disrespectful stranger. She had died for her Emperor without a second thought, and he knew by the look of peace on her face that she did not regret a single thing. He knelt beside her, bowing his head in respect as he placed his thumb and pointer finger on each eyelid. He silently pulled her eyes closed, granting her the peace he could never know.
He got to his feet, keeping a respectful silence for the first woman to ever have gained his respect. It was a strange feeling, to respect something weaker. He always respected foes that could wield a weapon like he could, that could rage as only a true barbarian could. Yet this woman had shown such courage in the face of death. She had sacrificed herself. He brought closed fist over his chest in a salute as he held her blade in his left hand, hanging and dripping with blood. It would avenge its mistress before the day was over, Ragnar silently swore it. With one more look to her face he set out, but not before he honoured her once more.
"Talos guide you"
AN: Sorry for not rushing the prison escape. I feel there are a lot of details that could be covered there not just because I have a different twist on it. If Nobody but Baurus knows you're working for the Emperor then it makes sense there would be a bounty on your head. I am also wanting to make the chapters shorter, instead of throwing out my usual 4000 words and done.