Forward

You will see the return of spells, spell effects, and enchantments from the game Morrowind and Oblivion. A note on Armor. When A Knight had a full set of plate armor made for him. The armor was for him. Carefully measured and carefully fitted to him. As such, every suit would need re adjusted and refitted. Magical armor would resize itself. So in reality, if the games were based on real life before you could say put on that newly found suit of Daedric or Ebony Armor. You would need to go to an experienced Armorsmith, and have the suit of armor adjusted to suit your body.

Inheritance of Skyrim

Chapter 9

The Journey Begins

by R. Reichelderfer

It had taken a few days but thanks to the Jarl's Saddlemakers. To make a Saddle for Thorn, one that could be adjusted for years of growth. Hard and molded, it would fit and be comfortable to ride in for days if needed. The saddle had straps and buckles that would allow Murtagh to strap his arms and legs in. Based on the saddle Eragon had for Saphira. But more comfortable. Buckles and strap to accommodate years of growth. Given the length of the journey Murtagh had kept some additional supplies with such as his bedroll, tent, arrows, and some food. Thorn was not laden down, but could carry the weight adequately. Fly with ease and not be weighted down. It also freed Murtagh up to carry more essentials such as his base gear that he needed to fight. As he moved along the road Thorn was flying well over head, higher than any arrow could fly. Keeping an eye on the road as Murtagh rode on his Horse, thankfully the trip to Ivarstead on foot would be a month. It might be two weeks.

Riding his stallion at a canter Murtagh could see Thorn up high in the sky with a smile. The roads were surprisingly well maintained as he moved up, Something had caught Murtagh's attention when he saw someone behind a tree with a Bow taking aim. The arrow was let loose as it landed into the throat of his horse. The animal reared up throwing Murtagh off before it landed on it's side. Massive amounts of blood spewed from the animal as the armored figure lunged at Murtagh screaming

"At last a worthy challenge!" The man was in black armor and gold armor with a black and gold sword. As Murtagh stood up, the figure lunged at him and impacted his shield. "For Boethiah!" Murtagh managed to draw his sword. Exchanging blows, Murtagh could hear Thorn's thoughts as Thorn had swung around, and was now on approach. Parrying and deflecting the blow coming for his head Murtagh managed to cross his sword with the man who said with insane glee, "I will gut you like a Horker!" And then came Thorn's roar of anger as the young red dragon landed with a massive thud. This distracted the man allowing Murtagh to take a step back swing his shield impacting his face knocking his head to the side, and with a slash to his knees. Murtagh brought him to his knees. With out any hesitation or regret. Murtagh spun around and with his sword took the man's armor head off his shoulders in one clean swoop.

Panting as Thorn snarled and growled at the tree line as if to warn others away from Murtagh. Thorn On guard allowed Murtagh to catch his breath before he could figure out what was going on.

-

Murtagh had checked his horse, The arrow had been intended to kill the stallion the horse had bled out after a few moments killing what had been a stalwart companion until now.. He began unpacking his saddle, and bit his companion farewell. Going through the man's clothes he had found a book called, Boethiah's Proving. Reading it proved interesting none the least. And with it, Murtagh made a mental note of it for later investigation. He didn't want to deal with any sort of powers or demons or devils. Spirits or otherwise. But if these Cultists were counting him as an enemy. He was at least considering utterly destroying the cultists if only to send a message to those who dare threaten him. As for the the gear. it was Exquisite. Learning how to Smith his own weapons and armor certainly had taught him not only how to improve his own equipment, but forge new ones. But this armor. He had read about it, Ebony. The armor was strong, a bit on the heavy side. Good Quality, The sword and style of the armor from the books he had seen reminded him of pictures Cyrodiilic Ebony Armor. However all he could see were the boots, Greaves and cuirass. he was missing the shield and helmet. The Ebony Sword was wonderful. He could wield it one handed or two. A perfectly balanced hand and a half sword. All it needed was to be red as Thorn's Scales, with a Ruby at the pommel. And it might make a perfect Rider's sword.

The edge was sharp, far sharper than that of his steel longsword, lifting it he brought it down onto the severed head of the man who attacked him. The blade cut deeply into the bare head as Murtagh set to get things together. Once the sword scabbard was strapped to his belt and this new sword inside. Murtagh and Thorn looked around as the ebony armor while not a complete set was better than what he was wearing. Steel armor plate armor. But that would mean heading to Whiterun and getting to resized. Of course if he took a chance to enchant it, the armor would simply resize it's self. The armor was black and gold, and then he thought, he could always learn to forge Ebony armor, or perhaps the more mythical Daedric armor to serve as his Rider Armor.

-

Returning from Whiterun, Murtagh had planed on the Ebony Armor one enchantment he knew would serve him for a long time. A shield spell. Not fairly powerful, but on all three pieces, a Black steel helm, black steel plate gauntlets a pair of rings and an amulet it added up to a bit of serious protection. He knew that as time when on he would be able to weave stronger deadlier enchantments. He even enchanted the longsword so that when he struck someone he would absorb some of their vitality to heal himself. His bow had been enchanted with some electrical damage. Returning the way he came Murtagh was on foot. As much as he had wanted to buy a new horse. Thorn had said it would be better to go on foot then having a silly deer creature carry him. Thorn was in the sky once more flying high as he walked by the road to to Ivarsted.

Moving on foot was slow, going, Murtagh would half the time alternate between jogging and running. The Ebony Armor was a bit heavier. But thanks to the magic it fit him far better than he expected. He liked how the armor magically adjusted and reshaped it's self to fit him. Before he had left Whiterun he had put in an order at Warmaidens to acquire a Cyrodillic Ebony Helmet and Shield. The cost for shipping was paid, as was the cost of the helm and shield. That depleted his reserves of coin for the time being. At least until he could find more iron ore and transmute it into silver. The vast majority of the coins used were copper and silver. He couldn't simply keep pumping gold coin into the economy without problems.

As the pair moved up the road Thorn noted some type of Tower at the bend north in the river. /~There are two towers near the north side of the river and from what I can see there are people wondering about. They are not in any sort of uniform armor. Could be bandits.~/ In a reply Murtagh asked.

/~Have they seen you?~/

/~No They seem to be looking for travelers along the road. If they attack, I will swoop down and snatch them off the bridge.~/

/~Drop them on the road, I don't want to have to head down river to loot their corpses.~/

/~Picky picky.~/ As Thorn flew around in the air he maintained a constant vigil and kept on the look out for other dragons. Some of the dragons he had seen on the hunts had avoided him, and he them. Not sure how their behaviors or mentality worked. But apparently some of the dragons knew that Thorn was protecting Whiterun. Even a small dragon with the might of the city guards was a serious threat to any dragon. As he looked around he could see Murtagh clearly, he could also see up on the ridge one of the many standing stones and alerted Murtagh to the fact there was someone up on the ridge. He was surprised to see Murtagh move on by rather than investigate.

With his rider moving on past a tree that had fallen, Thorn could see a Giant camp, in the distance up the hill as he gained altitude. He smiled inwardly, and recalled how he would make the occasional raid on a giant camp diving down and grabbing large chunks of meat and taking off. He had done it three different times to a different camp each time. He didn't want to make them too annoyed. reaching the bottom of the hill Thorn relayed the information that the bandits had seen him as he listened in on Murtaghs thoughts and what he heard as Murtagh approached the Valtheim Towers.

His boots on the stone as he watched the figure on the road take notice of him. A woman in what looked like fur and hide armor, took notice of him, and started to approach him as she spoke, "Halt, This here's a told road, you wanna use our road, your gonna pay, say two hundred silver."

Murtagh was taken aback as he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. "How about you let me pass for free and I won't kill you and your companions."

That set her off, "Brave talk for someone about to be gutted like a fish!" And she drew a steel sword as Murtagh unleashed magic from his left hand. Flames erupted spraying out at her as he drew his new sword to attack. Thorn watching the bandits on the bridge start to cross Thorn dove down at the bridge extending his claws and talons, as he impacted one of the bandits on the side of the bridge closest to the side Murtagh was on. the guard never saw Thorn as he roared out as his claws tore through the man's armor, the sharp claws cut the man's chest to ribbons. Blood sprayed and oozed around Thorn's claws as he was carried into the air and was thrown through the air when Thorn released him. He had been killed on impact. As Thorn dropped on to the road below, his hide and fur armor had offered him as much protection as a deer hide would have. Now he began to swing around avoiding archer fire.

The flames that Murtagh unleashed made her scream, as she said, "Fight me fair, no magic, you coward!" She lunged at Murtagh who was able to direct the fire into her face. It wasn't particularly hot but it was enough to set her off balance. Drawing his blade he lashed and stabbed at her. The Ebony sword burst into flame as he impacted her own hide armor cutting deeply into. She creamed out, as blood baked onto the blade. Drawing the blade from the wound he made, Murtagh stopped casting magic as he could hear Thorn attack on the bridge. the fire in his hand turned into a vapor of ice as he channeled the magic into his hand and then cast a spell at the woman. A spike of ice not unlike a spear formed and flew from his hand impacting her shoulder knocking her back.

Realizing she was going to Die, She screamed, "I yield I yield, Death is highly over rated!" Murtagh took no pity. As he charged a second Ice Spike he flung the ice cold projectile at her hitting her in the back as it went through her body and out her chest in a bloody spurt. She dropped to her knees and fell over. He could feel a shot of Pain as Thorn had taken an arrow hit from an archer. Thorn did not seem too badly hurt but Murtagh listened as Thorn told him.

/~There are at least three archers on top of the roofs. I can't get closer!~/ The fact that Thorn was hurt enraged Murtagh as he burst into the door to the lower tower. He could tell others had gotten out their bows as well as Thorn Relayed information to Murtagh. Looking down as Murtagh burst open the door, into the tower and began looking around, he found stone steps as he raced up them and to the outside door. He saw Thorn flying around evading arrows, before he looked up hearing someone's voice. "I'll use your teeth for Daggers!" he said, seeing a wooded rampart up to the bridge he raced up it getting to the bridge he wanted to deal with the Archers on the bridge but needed to deal with the one up on the top of this tower first. Moving back inside on the upper level Thorn made several mock dives to keep the fire on him.

Running up a Second set of stairs Murtagh turned a Corner as the bandit saw him. Turning to fire his arrow at Murtagh it hit him in the left shoulder. Murtagh could feel the stabbing pain of the arrow as it penetrated the ebony chain under his armored plates. He continued up the stairs as the Bandit drew and nocked another arrow. Already in the man's face. Murtagh just gave him a Shove. That knocked him back and he fell over the wall. Murtagh heard a scream and a few moments later a loud thump and splash. Grabbing the arrow from his shoulder he pulled out the head of the shaped with a grunt, and with his left hand despite the pain used a healing spell to mend the wound. It was not as serious as he had expected, the shield spell had worked. It did not stop attacks, but softened blows and physical attacks. Making it a potent enchantment. If he could pair it with a Resist Magic enchantment it would be highly effective at protecting him. Also more experience in enchanting would make them stronger, so he could make himself highly resistant to both harm and Magic, but also immune to fire. When Thorn could breath fire, he would need not worry about Thorn hurting him.

/~Murtagh focus!~/ Came Thorn's thoughts as he began to rush down the stairs and out the bridge. Running as fast as he could he took the First guy by surprise as Murtagh summoned the power in his Throat.

FUS!

The Force of the wave was enough to Knock him off balance as Murtagh came in hacking and slashing with his sword. Spinning around from the left to the right, Murtagh knocked his axe from his hand and then Plunged the sword into the man's gut. Murtagh used his boot to kick him off the bridge. Plunging him into the water, the other guy on the Bridge took notice of Murtagh and aimed his bow at him just as Thorn swooped down to snatch him up making him scream in pain and terror. Running across the bridge Murtagh knocked shoulders into someone knocking them both back some. "You move like a pregnant cow!" Came a deep gutteral voice as he hefted a massive two handed axe over his head. Stumbling backwards onto the bridge Murtagh managed to avoid the downward swing as he took up a fighting stance.

"No one Bests an ORC!" He roared out as Murtagh unleashed a stream of Ice at him. Fighting on such a narrow ledge was not ideal, as the Orc had swung down so hard he had embedded his greataxe in the Stone of the bridge. Pushing forward Murtagh couldn't use his shout again as the power rebuilt in him. Focusing the Ice stream at his face, Murtagh could see him grunt against the bite of the cold. Thrusting his blade forward it was deflected off the armor he had, and Murtagh kept backing up as Ice started to cover his body. The Orcish armor was strong and sturdy, but the Ice was wearing him down.

Finally he dropped to one knee as Murtagh lifted his sword up and brought it down on his neck severing his head on one massive swing. Looking to his right, Murtagh could see Thorn had landed and suddenly bit the archer's head and shoulders as he lifted him up tossed him around and threw him against the hard rock wall of the mountain. With him not moving, Thorn roared in triumph. Collecting himself he cleaned his sword off and began to take stock of his situation.

-

Going through the two towers on both sides of the River Murtagh had found a small fortune in silver coins. The bandits had been busy, Magic items, armor, weapons. Potions. Also Murtagh had noticed that the armor he had had repaired the damage to it, from the arrow that had penetrated the shoulder mail. At least he didn't need to worry about that. In the end Murtagh was able to pick through some of the better gear for Looting. He left the armors like fur and leather. They were of minimal value, unless he improved them, and would simply weigh him down. The common weapons like Steel long swords iron arrows and such. The enchanter here allowed Murtagh to learn some enchantments and avoid hoisting additional weight back with him. He had nearly three thousand silver coins thanks to what the bandits carried, and a few dozen gold coins. heading back to Whiterun to sell his goods seemed like a good idea, he had at least a hundred pounds of armor and weapons to sell. He pointed out that a Horse would be good to carry it to Thorn.

Thorn turned his nose up at that and wondered why Murtagh would concern himself with such lowly creatures. A counter point was there were areas where a Horse could go easily that Thorn couldn't. As Thorn and Murtagh were about to set off again the sound of Thunder ripped through the sky, and rain began to pour down on them. Not wanting to travel in the Rain the Two decided to use the Tower on the south side of the river as a shelter until it passed.