Gronack groaned as he heaved the firewood he was carrying off his powerful shoulders and onto the ground with a thump. The dark forest made distant sounds of animals around his head as he walked over to the campfire he and Baron had created in a small cave. Gronack figured that the high tall ceiling of the cave would keep the slavers away from their smoke. Slowly he looked up from his logs and walked over to where Baron was sitting. The Dark Elf was dabbing a wet cloth on the head of the woman.
"It seems this woman has vexed you my friend." Gronack exclaimed, He was still excited about the escape but both the men were nervous about the repercussions of their actions. They knew that the hunters would be on the prowl and it was only a matter of time before they were struck down.
Baron looked up from the Elf and peered back at his Orc partner who was now proceeding to belch into the night air. He could never understand the passion that Baron was feeling right now and though he had contempt for Gronack's misunderstanding, he himself did not know why he had saved this woman. Was it fate that brought him together with such a gorgeous young elf? He had the thought of the wood elf in the slave courters from his childhood. Once she woke she would never understand Barons feelings for her, truly Baron couldn't even understand his own feeling, and he just knew one thing. He had to protect this woman at all costs. He needed her.
The night sky shown through the cave opening, flooding light on the strange group. Gronack moved his log closer to the fire. The light from the flame flickered in his face as he stared deeply into the dark elf's eyes.
"Do you think we are here for a reason dark elf?" Gronack breathed out, his voice pushed the fire forward only slightly before it reformed its shape.
"I don't know for certain, so many lives are wasted I doubt one man could make a difference through and through." Baron replied his voice cool and unmoving.
"I would like to think so," Gronack said his hefty body lurching with a sigh, "I have done so many evils, I hope a difference can be made." Gronack said as his gaze broke from Baron and back to the blaze in the center.
"I didn't know you wished to tred that path my friend."
"I don't know what I believe anymore, Turin has shown me much pain and suffering, I have caused pain." The Orc paused considering his next words carefully. "Maybe I don't deserve to live, but I want to do something while I am here." The words sunk in among the two as they sat and pondered, minutes dragged away as the flame amused them with tumbles and flickers.
"STOP!" shouted a nearby voice. It was cracked and the life seemed to drag away from the syllables. Baron looked down on the elf that was now wailing her arms and trying desperately to escape. Baron took his hands off of her and she rose from the spot backing away into the corner of the cave. The two rose from the fire and advanced toward her. Baron could see the craze in her eyes and fear struck at her delicate features. She was speaking in native Valenwood Elvish, It sounded like a prayer of sorts, Baron's elvish was rusty but he could pick a few words out. Her eyes darted from side to side as the silhouettes of the warriors played tricks on her in the small lit cave. She bolted before any of them could grab her, making her way to the mouth of the cave. The two darted after her trying desperately to grab her before she got away. Baron reached out to grab her, his fingers just brushing her raggedy slave clothing.
It was too late; she cleared the threshold and sprinted out into the forest night. Baron shuddered at the doorway and looked back at Gronack who was now standing near the fire.
"We must retrieve her!" Baron yelled back at Gronack, "We must protect her."
"And just how you suppose we do that, "Gronack growled back his voice full of anger," Turin no doubt has the rest of the slavers out there waiting for us elf or have you forgotten how good of trackers they are, you used to be one of them. No it is better to stay, she is being loud and if we go after her we might as well be dead." He paused and looked downwards. "I am not going to let you put my life at risk for some woman you don't even know."
"So that's it." Baron exclaimed before turning and running into the forest. Gronack watched as the dark elf disappeared from sight.
Lynia Ran. She did not look back, it seemed like a terrible dream to her. One she could not stop. The forest swirled around her as she dodged through the trees. Sharp branches clawed out and struck at her face leaving cut and scrapes as she ran along. She did not remember why she was here or what exactly was happening to her but she knew that whoever those men in the cave were they were not about to help her. Her head was thumping in pain and she could not remember how she got outside or where she even was before. All she could do is run.
She came to a large clearing and stumbled out of the underbrush and onto the fairly short grass. A large pine stood in the middle of the giant clearing like a statue would on the plaza of an important building. She ran along across the grass to the giant tree. A root tripped her up and dirt flew on her face as she was brought to her knees in front of the tree. She climbed to her feet yelling at the top of her lungs.
"Please Somebody Help ME!" Hot tears streamed down her face and hit the soil with small pats. All was quiet for a second as she backed up against the tree. The night sounds that emulated around her stopped and the entire world was still. She suddenly felt something touch her back. She let out a breath and slowly turned around just in time to see a crimson scaled Argonian sink his teeth into her neck. She watched as her throat was torn out and she fell to the ground with a thump. The last thing she saw was the beautiful moon in the night sky before Lynia breathed her last delicate breath.
Baron stumbled through the underbrush his senses carrying him forward. No matter how much he refused to believe it Gronack was right. She was drawing to much attention toward the camp, but Baron didn't care. He had to look upon her beautiful face one more time. If that meant dying then so be it.
He came across a clearing where the air was stiff. He smelt the flowers that were growing on the outside of the clearing and he continued on to the field. A giant Pine stood in the center of it. He walked toward it and continued to watch the sides listening intently to the sound of footsteps. Then suddenly he heard whistling he looked to the source as a dark elf slowly poked his head out from behind the tree and came into full view. Baron could see it clearly. It was Hadil, his cocky gait indentified him and as he came into the light Baron could see a bloody bandage covering his head. He was carrying a small sack with him. A large smile was spread across his face, his clothes defiled and his hair was messy. Baron could just barely make out the crimson flecks in his eyes.
Baron immediately drew his sword and stepped forward ready to attack. Hadil continued his humming and then finished the tune. His face curled up in a smile.
"Lovely tune isn't it." Hadil said his crisp tone curt and piercing. "Turin used to sing it when his was on those blasted ships in Hammerfell." He looked up at the moon and then back to Baron's face that was still unmoving staring back at him. "Unfortunately, he won't be singing it anymore it seems." Hadil said as he threw the sack he was carrying to Baron's feet. The sack tumbled in the dirt and its contents were spilled out for Baron to view. It was the head of Turin. The Reguard's milky eyes looked down, unmoving, unchanging like they were resting forever. Hadil let out a laugh, one so sharp and hateful that it hung in the breeze. "He just happened to have an unfortunate accident in his bed tonight" Hadil said.
Baron stared back into Hadil's hate filled eyes. "I think it is time for you to die."
"Hadil laughed once more."O No. my old friend we are just warming up." He pointed to the top of the Tree that was standing ever silent. Baron's followed his finger to the top of the tree where he saw what he feared most. A noose held the delicate neck of the half elf. She was naked and stripped of her clothes; large streaks of blood had dribbled from her split open neck and down her front. Her naked pale skin held in contrast to the dark colors of the tree. Her eyes too were milky and glazed as she stared down on Baron. It seemed as though her dead eyes were looking straight into his. The Argonian Twitch could be seen perched on a branch above her and was licking her bloody neck as he let out sounds of voracious pleasure from the blood he had spilled. He leapt from the tree to the ground, the dirt kicked up from the force around him. The Argonian cracked his neck as he stared back at the elf and everything was silent for a few seconds.
Twitch made the first move leaping and clawing for Baron's throat. The skilled dodger moved to the side however and countered with a swing of his own. Baron's blade found flesh as it dragged across Twitch's arm. A bloody gash appeared in the aftermath. By this time Hadil had already drew two daggers from the side of his belt. He lunged next, his blade twirling and flipping in his hands. Baron brought his own blade up stopping two of them. Sparks flew and fell to the ground like an electric snow as the two drow danced around each other. Their blades singing in joy and lust for blood. Twitch had recoiled by now and maneuvered behind Baron charging for his back.
Suddenly a giant hulking figure smashed into Twitches side. It muzzled the creature with unbelievable force as it tried to contain the slippery lizard. Baron noticed that it was the body of Gronack. His giant body was a good match for the drugged Argonian and their wrestle had begun. Baron and Turin stopped for a second to notice the two blood lusting fighters then resumed their stance staring deeply into each other's eyes.
"It seems you have brought friends." Hadil seethed as they circled around each other. The fight then resumed as the two continued their dance of death. Baron moved higher striking toward Hadil's throat. He was attempting to end the fight early so that he could help Gronack with Twitch. Hadil was faster however and predicted this. He dodged down low rolling to Baron's left and slicing his left knee. Baron cringed as his leg crippled a little, the pain was excruciating.
Gronack had gotten the upper hand, holding the beast by the neck and the tail. Hurling him over his head he smashed the creature into a nearby tree at the edge of the clearing. The force would have killed any normal creature. Gronack took a second to look over to Baron. His battle with Hadil was not going well. He charged at the two as he watched Hadil roll to the side of Baron and gash his knee. Gronack would have to move fast. As Hadil turned to get the kill with his other dagger Gronack slammed into Hadil with all his might. The Drow was completely off guard as he was smashed into the tree. The shock tore all over Hadil's body and he had just enough time to look up and see Gronack take the giant axe from his back and swing it into his stomach.
Pain shot through Hadil's body and it sent fire through his veins. The protruding axe from his stomach splattered blood all over and it started to gush from his wound.
Baron watched in horror as Twitch sprinted through the grass and leapt on to the Orc's back. He then proceeded to sink his teeth into Gronack's neck a rip a piece of it out in extreme fashion. A chunk of flesh flew through the air trailing blood with it. The giant green skinned orc fell to the ground gurgling.
"NOO!" Baron screamed as he dug into the ground toward Twitch. The lizard turned around, blood rage flecking his eyes with crazed passion. He was no longer sane; his anger had turned him into an animal. He charged at Baron making a large wide arch with his clawed bloody hand. Baron was too quick with one motion he brought his sword around slicing off the Argonian's hand. The creature staggered back crouching to his injured hand. Baron advanced with extreme speed bringing the end of his sword down on Twitches head. A cracking sound reverberated around the forest as the blunt end of the sword cracked the argonian's skull. The creature, stunned and confused dropped to his knees. Baron stepped back and watched as Twitch whimpered.
The creature looked up in his pain and snarled at Baron, rage still pumping threw his veins. Baron could see the end of his sword was bloody and a large chunk of Twitches head was concaved and gored. Baron took a step forward and brought the end of his sword on the lizard again this time on the side of his face. Another crack as the creature doubled over in pain once again. Baron watched as Twitch looked up again, staring into Baron's crimson eyes. Twitch's jaw was loosed and hanging on his face. A single strip of flesh held in its place. He gurgled and spat as he attempted to still fight Baron. His arm flailed about seeking Baron's skin. Baron shook his head as he brought a swing around to the Argonian's neck. The head of Twitch was cleaved with one swing and it landed on the ground with a thump followed secondly by his still squirming body.
Baron wasted no more time but ran to his friend's side sliding to his knees beside him. Gronacks eyes darted around until it found Baron's; a look of calm was on his face as he realized that Baron had won. Baron ripped off his undershirt and pushed it against Gronack's throat tried in desperation to put pressure on the gushing wound. Gronack moved his hand up and pushed Baron away. Gronack had lost his ability to speak but Baron could see it in his eyes, he did not want to be saved. He looked down on the Orc as a tear rolled down his cheek. Gronack nodded before his eyes moved away from Baron's and became still. Baron could tell that he was dead. The Drow moved his hand up and closed Gronacks eyelids carefully whispering a quiet "Thank You"
He stood and walked over to Hadil who was now laughing as he coughed up blood. The Axe that had torn through his body had tethered him to the tree and his life was beginning to leave him. He spoke, his words rocky and broken.
"There will always be Septim's to be made Drow, You have done nothing but delayed the inevitable. This world will be seduced eventually and you will fall with it." He stopped and coughed more blood. Baron stood above him anger filling his heart once again.
"No. I will not." Baron replied his voice seething with anger. Hadil had let out another laugh coughing and wheezing the whole way.
"You will. You cannot escape your past."
"You may be right about that, but I can change the world one corrupt bastard at a time, starting with the slavers." The bloody smile that was on Hadil's face faded as he watched Baron pick up his sword and slowly walk away. Turin tried to yell after the Drow but blood had clogged his throat. He watched in horror as a raven landed on the other blade of the axe protruding from his stomach. The raven came closer and closer. Hadil let out a scream as more and more birds landed around him and started plucking at his eyes.