-1The Illuminated Order

Chapter 2 - In The Name of Order

After the induction was complete, Thuvien Demnevanni directed Cavortius to a nearby table that had two chairs set up. "Please, have a seat. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Also, I want to get to know you a little bit."

Cavortius nodded and the two men walked to the table and each took a seat facing each other.

"First, before we begin the questions and answers," Thuvien said, "tell me about yourself."

And so Cavortius spoke. He talked about growing up as a noble in High Rock, migrating between Wayrest and Daggerfall, and about the training he had received in Wayrest. He talked at length about his interest in the dark arts and his love for magic. When he began describing how he came into contact with Mannimarco, the Dark Elf began very interested in him, giving the Imperial his full attention by leaning forward.

He talked of some of the spells he had learned and then how the group was researching on how to become a Lich, then how it all fell apart when Scourge Barrow was raided by the guards of Daggerfall and then how he made his escape. When he mentioned the Barrow, a strange expression briefly appeared on Demnevanni's face--one that he could not understand, but soon dismissed it as an odd quirk. Then he explained how he still desired to be a Lich and that upon hearing of Senzani Na's crazed ramblings, he investigated. His apprehension towards the letter he discovered was also brought up.

When Cavortius was finished, Thuvien was genuinely surprised with the young man's tale. "Well, Cavortius, that's quite the story. I'll be honest with you--it's been years since we've had a new member join the Order, but from what you just told me, you could be very essential to our order indeed. For as long as we've been around, we've never had anyone who served Mannimarco."

"Is that good or bad?" Cavortius asked, noticeably worried.

Thuvien stared at the table and tapped his fingers. Then he looked back up at the human and said, "Although normally the Order considers servants of the King of Worms as a threat, the fact that you ran instead of staying to rebuild seems to prove otherwise. But on the whole, it is a very good thing."

Cavortius nodded. "It's a part of my past I wish to forget…I mean, it took nearly six months on my friend's ship to get here. I just wanted to be as far away from High Rock as possible. But, you said I could ask some questions?"

The old Dunmer nodded rapidly. "Yes, yes. But remember, I can only answer so much."

For a few minutes, Cavortius remained silently as he thought of a series of questions to ask. Then the first one came: "I have a vague idea of what the Order does, but can you make it clearer for me?"

Again, Demnevanni nodded. "We in the Illuminated Order are secretive group that study various esoteric subjects that are…actively discouraged by the Temple. Our uniting purpose is the research into the subjects that fascinate us, however dark or forbidden."

"Tell me more of these 'esoteric subjects.'"

"Very well. I mean by that the study of vampires, lycanthropes, liches, and my own personal specialty, necromancy. Those are only our main subjects of inquiry, however. We do not limit ourselves to just these four topics, and quite a bit of effort goes into the research of other subjects as well."

He paused to reach over toward a chest and pulled out a bottle of liquor. He popped the cork and took a sip before continuing.

"My own particular field is that of the necromantic arts, as I mention. Others of our Order have more varied interests, of course."

Cavortius nodded three times. This Order sounded very interesting and he was glad that he had found all of this out. Nevertheless, he had to ask something that he felt the old Dunmer would find stupid.

"This may sound kind of dumb," Cavortius said slowly, trying to get the words out, "but, the activities the Order does…have you ever been discovered?"

"Of course," Thuvien replied. "And it's not dumb. Numerous times over the past couple of centuries, there have been a number of isolated incidents where the Temple came close to executing some of us. These individuals were dealt with, but in ways that weren't harmful.

"However, do understand, while to an outsider our research seems to be rooted in evil, it truly isn't. Our purpose is not to take over the world or kill off the entire population of Tamriel. That wouldn't benefit us or the world. In a way, we are like scientists, albeit in a different sense. Our research, while illegal, is helping us understand how some factors of nature work."

Cavortius nodded his approval; this sounded exactly like this type of guild. Guild…is that even the right word? he pondered. But ultimately, this Illuminated Order seemed to be just like himself--he wanted to learn the dark arts, but in a way that would be beneficial to himself and others. However, even he couldn't understand how becoming a Lich would be a good thing. The Imperial figured that that answer would come in due time.

"So what exactly does the Order do to safeguard against outside threats?" Pelelius asked, leaning back in his chair and balancing on the legs.

Thuvien Demnevanni took another sip of his drink and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his robe. "You are already familiar with the tests we subject potential recruits to in order to determine the seriousness of their desire to seek out the forbidden mysteries. But we maintain an elaborate web of secrecy within our members' ranks as well. This is to ensure that even if individual members fall afoul of the Temple, the Order as a whole will survive. Until you have established yourself further with us, I am the only member of the Order whose existence will be made known."

"Very well, Thuvien," the Imperial replied. "Now tell me…how can I establish myself?"

"You will be assisting me in my research," the elder Dunmer replied. "This serves two purposes. First, I will provide training and background information as you perform tasks for me, which I'll get to in a moment. Second, it demonstrates your reliability to the Order and, in time, we will open further secrets to you. Assuming you're ready, I have two tasks for you."

Demnevanni stood from his seat and walked over to the dresser near his bedroll and pulled out a rolled up scroll from one of the drawers. He returned to his seat and handed it across the table to the new recruit.

"Your first task is to deliver a letter to M'aiq the Liar."

Cavortius wasn't sure if he was permitted to look over the letter, but he just had to know. "What does this letter contain?"

"As you know, we are a secretive Order. One way we maintain our secrecy is to spread deliberate misinformation, such as what is found in the letter. M'aiq will spread these lies to the unsuspecting, who will investigate--" The Dunmer smiled. "--and be disappointed in what they find.

"Having been disappointed once, they are far less likely to attempt to track down any other, possibly accurate, rumors that they hear. You may want to read the letter before delivering it, if only for a proper laugh. Let no one say necromancy is a humorless trade."

Cavortius grinned. "Alright. Where can I find this M'aiq?"

The Dunmer described at length where he could find the Khajiit: on an island east-southeast of Dagon Fel and a fair bit west of Ald Daedroth. When Thuvien asked for a map, Cavortius pulled his out and the Dark Elf marked the rough location of the man.

"This may be a simple errand, but an important one," Thuvien said before the two parted ways. "When you complete this task, report back here."

Cavortius nodded. "Will do." He then made his way out of the chamber and back up into the manor proper. Judging from his map, Dagon Fel was way the hell north in a region named Sheogorad. He shook his head--walking was out of the picture, so he made his way to the Silt Strider.

00000000000000

The Imperial soon learned that he couldn't go everywhere in a Silt Strider, so he had to bounce between cities--first to Ald'ruhn, then Mar Gaan, then Khuul--before the shipmaster in Khuul took Cavortius to Dagon Fel. He had paid nearly two-hundred drakes for the trip.

While he was in transit to Mar Gaan, he took the time to read the letter he'd be delivering, and it was quite a hilarious read.

Para-Anatometaphysical Order of Esoteric Etheria, Cavortius had thought with a smile and shake of his head. How ridiculous.

Now standing on a small mountain east of Dagon Fel, he invoked a powerful water walking spell and slid down the slope on the balls of his feet into--onto--the water. He pulled out his map, scanning for Ald Daedroth. When he found it, he traced his finger west of the Daedric ruin toward a small island, then traced another finger east-southeast and the two fingers met. He replaced the map and began running on the surface of the water.

After getting lost once and many recasting of the spell, Cavortius finally spotted a Khajiit on an island wearing a Colovian Fur Helm who was looking pretty foolish.

Right as he reached the island, his water walking spell died and he stepped onto the island. The Khajiit must've been M'Aiq.

"Greetings!" the cat said as the Imperial approached. "M'Aiq knows many things. Some of it verified by actual facts!"

Resisting the urge to smile, the Imperial produced the letter. "I have something for you."

"You have something for me?" Excitement was in the Khajiit's voice.

"Yes, a letter." The exchange was mad and M'Aiq pulled out a pair of reading glasses.

"Thank you," he said. "I'd been expecting this for awhile, been some time since the last one came. I was starting to think they didn't trust me."

Cavortius shrugged. "Seems they still do."

One spell he had learned early on was Divine Intervention, which had gotten him out of a few tight spots. Recalling the words for the spell, he closed his eyes, said the words, and disappeared in a blinding flash.

As his body felt as though it were being pieced back together, he opened his eyes and found himself standing under a grey stone arch. A flag rippled in the wind nearby and the characters spelled "Gnisis."

Cavortius pulled out his map and found that he was in northwestern Vvardenfell. But even from this distance, he could hear the sounds of a Silt Strider calling out, and he followed the source of the noises until he reached the port.

00000000000000

Upon returning to the bottom of the Demnevanni Manor, Thuvien seemed to be cursing at something behind the altar.

"Blasted ring! Always falling off while I'm preparing a corpse--"

The Imperial loudly cleared his throat and Thuvien whirled around. "You there! Come over here and find my ring in this thing's intestines."

"I delivered the letter," the Imperial said, approaching the altar and spying a ring on it. "Found your ring."

Demnevanni walked toward the altar and took the ring from Cavortius, placing it on his left ring finger. "Thanks. I hate when I lose this damned thing. I always forget where I put it. And good job on the delivery. It will keep our enemies lost and confused."

The Dunmer began to search beneath the altar and placed a purple object with a few protrusions on top, followed by two scrolls.

"Cavortius, are you familiar with interrogating the dead?" When Pelelius shook his head, Thuvien continued. "By subjecting trapped souls to a lengthy ritual, we are able to force knowledge from them. Often we learn nothing of interest. Sometimes, however, we learn a great deal. Often enough, we learn things of interest that we engage in these interrogations regularly."

Thuvien pointed to the scrolls and purple object, which Cavortius realized was a Greater Soul Gem.

"Take the soul gem and scrolls of Fphyggi's Gem-Feeder. Use them to trap the soul of an ancestor ghost and return it to me. I care not where you find it, but don't summon it. Summoned ghosts are useless for our purposes."

Cavortius put the soul gem in his travel bag, as well as the scrolls, and left. As he emerged outside into the town, he tried to recall where the closest tomb was. It took him a few minutes, but then he remembered one being fairly close to Pelagiad.

As he left Balmora's south gate, he hoped that his luck would hold and the Legion would not catch up with him.

00000000000000

Darko Valinus was about to go on duty, but Legion Commander Precarius Malo had called all the guards in for a meeting--most unusual, to say the least.

"We've just gotten word from Ebonheart that an Imperial named Cavortius Pelelius is on the run from High Rock authorities. Stop and arrest anyone who has a medium build, a height of five feet-eight inches, and wearing a black robe. As of now, we do not have a face for this man, but we aren't taking any chances. You're dismissed."

All the guards began filing out of the room--some for city patrol, others for perimeter patrol. In this case, Darko and his Nord friend Hawkeye were assigned to patrol the road that led from Seyda Neen to Fort Moonmoth. Perimeter patrol were always done in pairs because if one died or was injured, the other could go fetch help. The pair left out of Pelagiad towards Seyda Neen.

"Say, what would the chances be of us catching this Cavortius?" Hawkeye asked, scratching his thick beard.

Darko shrugged. "I doubt we will run into anyone matching his description. You know how this duty is…slow and dull."

"You have a point," the Nord conceded. "Cavortius Pelelius…you think he's related to Cunius Pelelius?"

"Who's that?" For some reason, that name sounded very familiar.

"He's a Lawman for House Hlaalu," Hawkeye continued. "Resides at the Governor's Hall in Caldera? Remember we met him once?"

"Ah, yes, him," Darko muttered, remembering the man very clearly. "If they are related, I feel sorry for Cavortius. Cunius is a real asshole."

They both barked hearty laughs. "Agreed, comrade!" Hawkeye exclaimed as Pelagiad disappeared behind them.

00000000000000

As the Imperial Legion pair disappeared around the mountains, Cavortius entered the Andrano Ancestral Tomb, drawing his dwarven short-sword. He heard the pitter-patter of feet at the bottom of the stairs before him, so he approached slowly. The interior was barely lit, but enough that Night Eye wasn't required.

When he reached the bottom, Cavortius saw a dead, half-decayed body laying face down on the floor. Behind it was a patch of darkness that he couldn't see into. As he stared at the body, his attention was so focused that only the hair-curling screech of a skeleton jumping at him from the darkness brought him to reality. Thing was, the skeleton was attacking with its…fists?

Are you serious? Cavortius thought as a blow hit his chest, barely hurting him. Are you that stupid?

With that last thought, the Imperial chopped the skeleton's head off and proceeded to a room off to his right as the boney minion collapsed. He now had the sense to cast Night-Eye, and would do so from now on no matter how lit an area may be. If something larger and stronger had attacked him, he'd be dead. When he opened the door, a spectral form at the end of the hallway began flying toward him at a very fast pace, howling a demonic scream. This caused the young man to slam the door shut--mainly out of being startled, and also to prepare himself.

He pulled out one of the scrolls Demnevanni had given him, looked it over, and hoped he read the scripture right.

With the ancestor ghost howling on the other side of the door, Pelelius took a deep breath and kicked in the door with all his strength, which had actually pushed the ghost back a little. This provided him enough time to shout the words on the scroll, and drop to his back as the scroll disappeared. The ghost flew over his body, slashing at him and leaving a gash on his left shoulder.

How the undead could cause harm to him, he didn't know, but he ignored the pain. Cavortius kip-upped to his feet and spun on his heel, slashing at the ghost, but it dodged the strike as well as the next few blows. Finally, though, one solid blow sent the ghost reeling into a pile of ectoplasm and the Imperial felt the soul gem shake in his bag--the soul was trapped,

Collapsing against a nearby wall, Cavortius opened a healing potion and dribbled it on his wound. He groaned, for it stung really bad, but he could feel the blood starting to clot. After a few more minutes of rest, he got to his feet.

00000000000000

"So when it's all said and done, a cliff racer swoops by and shits all over him!"

Darko was nearly dying from laughter from Hawkeye's story. He had to give the blonde Nord credit: he could tell a story. It wasn't just the words, but the way he told it and the gestures he made. This was being told to him on the return trip from Seyda Neen.

"Let's sit down for a bit," Darko said, as they approached the cowl of the Andrano Tomb and sat down against a rock. "I'll tell you, Hawkeye, you tell a great--"

A rattling noise was coming from the tomb's door and the pair immediately stood. What in Oblivion is it? Hawkeye thought. What greeted them was most unexpected.

A man, an Imperial at first glance, walked out of the tomb cloaked in a black robe with the hood up and carrying a sack over his shoulder. The Imperial stopped in his tracks and stared at Valinus and Hawkeye, who also stared back in a disbelieving stupor.

Finally, the Imperial Legionnaire managed to come to his senses, as did Hawkeye. "You're not in any trouble, sir, but please come with us back to--"

00000000000000

The Imperial trooper never got to finish his sentence, as Cavortius too regained his senses. He cast a small area-effect Blind spell at the two Legion soldiers, then cast a spell on himself so he could run really fast. It didn't help that he couldn't go around the pair (there was very little room to maneuver), so he barreled between them and knocked them to the ground. The element of surprise had worked for him.

It seems word has finally arrived, Cavortius thought as he sprinted at blinding speed down the road toward Balmora. This adds a whole new spin to things.

But now, he was also a fugitive, for he had just assaulted two Imperial soldiers and resisted arrest. Things weren't looking so good. He would have to be more vigilant from this point forward…and a wardrobe change would also take place.

With any luck, only the Imperial forts and settlements would know of his presence and it would take time before the Dunmer towns caught wind. It was the best he could hope for.