Chapter 66: A dark bandit camp
[23rd – 24th of Sun's Height 4E 202]
On the day before we had arrived outside of the main city of Eastmarch from the direction of Riften. We, that was Agmaer from the Dawnguard, Tolan the Vigilant of Stendarr, my housecarl Jordis, my friend Inigo, my saber cats Hanni and Nanni and myself. We were on a mission to explore a place called 'Dimhollow Crypt', and in Shor's Stone we had decided to travel together with the Khajiit caravan headed by Ahkari.
Rather than entering the city of Windhelm, the caravan had found a shed outside, close to the stables, and had also setup some of their tents next to it. This was likely far from the warm sands of Elsweyr, but at least we were in summer season.
The next day indeed generated quite some business for Ahkari and his fellow Khajiit, and I was happy to see that. I had thought about going into the city and meet some people I knew from earlier visits; Tolan, Agmaer and Inigo had already left in that direction. I did not get that chance, though; I was just about to end my conversation with Kharjo and turn towards the bridge and the main gate, when some people actually came out to see me – Brunwulf Free-Winter and Dinaria Hlaalu. I was happy to see them, and we found a nice spot to talk. One of my questions was:
"Has the treatment Dunmer experience in the city improved further or have there been setbacks?"
"Unfortunately, the progress in the war has made it difficult for the city officials to spend many resources on the 'Dunmer home improvement project', as we have started to call it" Brunwulf explained. "However, they do try, and at least we get enough wooden boards, nails and other stuff to work on some of the buildings in the Grey Quarter."
"So, there is enough lumber available?"
"Fortunately, yes. They have been able to get some helpers for Mixwater Mill and Anga's Mill, and that helps. A lot of material goes into weapons and armor, of course, but a sword can't repair damaged buildings or feed hungry people."
"As you mention that, how are food supplies?"
"Improving, fortunately. It helps that some of the farms are owned or operated by Dunmer, of course."
"What about the way people talk?"
"At least since several of us are Stormcloaks now, other citizens can't complain any longer that we don't fight" Dinaria replied. "For many of us, this is our home now, and while the situation is not ideal, working towards getting the war ended seems to be the best way forward. The sooner this war ends, the sooner we can all get on with our lives."
We spent quite some time talking, and suddenly it was time for lunch. The two visitors left, I enjoyed a nice meal with my fellow Khajiit, and for the afternoon I just rested and walked around a little bit. When I returned from my walk, an Argonian lady approached me and offered a greeting:
"Shahvee is happy to see you again, honored friend."
I needed a few seconds before I remembered who she was; right, I had met her in Windhelm before and managed to retrieve her amulet. I smiled and greeted back:
"And I am happy to see you as well, Shahvee. Are you faring well?"
"I know life on the docks isn't easy. Sometimes life puts you in difficult circumstances you didn't choose. But being happy or unhappy is a choice you make, and I've chosen to make the best of things that I can. Besides, since you talked to our employer, work conditions and payment for us Argonians have improved somewhat, and we are grateful for that."
"I am glad to hear this."
We chatted some more time, and when my other companions were back before dusk, she left again. We got to bed early, so that we could start the next day before or around sunrise and get on the road. During the night I had another odd dream:
We had started to venture inside of Dimhollow Crypt and managed to defeat the vampires in the first section. Toland, the Vigilant, had been somewhat overeager, but at least he had not perished right here. Later on, we had found Adalvald dead; we had been too late to safe him, and not only that, but the vampires in the central area had apparently managed to do something about the special area where Serana had been hidden. When we slowly got down the stairs, we heard some rumbling, and in the distance we could see the obelisk like structure in the center being raised, surrounded by purple lights from the braziers. There were maybe half a dozen vampires around there, and we could not dare to approach. I got my crossbow ready, but before I could make a decision on attacking from the distance or not, there was some movement on the other side, and some big creatures got involved and started to fight the vampires. With my Khajiit ears I could understand some of what was said over there:
"You have no business in here – this is Shapeshifter territory!"
"No, it is not! This area is claimed by the Cullen clan!"
Cullen clan? Shapeshifter? The big creatures looked like werewolves, indeed, but the names were from 'Twilight', right?
"Bella is ours to take and raise, untainted from bloodsucker influence!"
There was more fighting, and more confusion on my side. Maybe I wasn't in Skyrim after all?
"This can't be good" someone whispered close to my side; my housecarl Jordis was apparently as confused as I was. I turned towards Hanni and Nanni, my two wonderful saber cats, but they weren't saber cats any longer; they had turned into werewolves and raced ahead to join their comrades. Why hadn't I realized earlier that saber cats could turn into werewolves as well?
The vampires ahead were under a lot of pressure now, and I could hear someone shout:
"Those with injuries report to the hospital later, and I will treat you!"
This had likely been Dr. Cullen, the surgeon, but could he also do something about vampire injuries? Actually, was there really a hospital in the area? What else had I missed? All of a sudden, the fighting subsided, and I could hear more talking:
"You are right, you are not really our enemies. It's the Dawnguard, and we have to work together against them."
"True – let's join forces and eradicate the Dawnguard, our true enemy!"
What? No! That was so wrong! Alas, both vampires and werewolves turned in our direction now, and immediately we started to run, towards the exit. We had a head start, but we would not be able to outrun vampires and werewolves.
Two giant werewolves jumped ahead of us and blocked the way, and I recognized Hanni and Nanni. They growled and did not allow us to proceed, and only seconds later I was lifted up into the air, and a dark voice announced:
"You will be one of us soon; hold still so that I can drink from your blood!"
My resistance was futile; even with my strength, I could not stop the vampire from getting close to my neck, and now I could feel teeth there piercing the skin and…
Almost screaming I woke up, and there were indeed teeth at my neck. One of my girls had likely noticed that I was suffering from a nightmare, and she had started to nibble at my neck and shoulder. Phew; another one of those evil dreams – what was going on with me? I was happy that it had been only a dream, though, and I wrapped my arms around the saber cat and hugged her closely.
While pondering the events in the dream, likely triggered by my reading of many fantasy novels in my earlier life, of course including the Twilight books, I managed to get back to sleep again, and having the warm and breathing body of one of my girls in my arms certainly helped a lot.
Early on the next day, when we were just having breakfast, a female Stormcloak soldier approached us and asked:
"Hello there, I am Nathon, and Commander Ralof has ordered me to join the group of people heading west, searching for the bandits who have frequently robbed caravans."
"Good morning, soldier" I replied. "You have found the right group; we will be leaving soon."
Half an hour later we followed the road westward, and when the rising sun indicated late morning, we were already approaching Anga's Mill. Akhari stopped there briefly, so that the few people around had a chance to buy something, and about twenty minutes later we were on the road again.
"So, where are we supposed to find those bandits again?" Agmaer asked.
"They usually show up close to the big road branch where the road to Winterhold branches off; they must have a hideout close to Fort Kastav, this one assumes" Akhari explained.
"Who owns this fort?" I was curious.
"This one does not know, but there are rumors that necromancers and conjurers frequently use it for some evil purposes."
"Shouldn't the Stormcloaks claim it for themselves?"
"You know how it is, my friend. Too many places, too few soldiers; they probably need to focus on the fortifications closer to the holds under Imperial control."
"That is, unfortunately, true" Nathon, the Stormcloak, chimed in. "I also believe that we should occupy the fort, but General Stone-Fist insists that all troops are needed somewhere else."
"But how can travelers get to Winterhold safely, with the fort claimed by evil people?"
Akhari took this one again:
"Oh, that's not a problem, as this one has heard; it appears that the people who control the fort have little interest on what happens outside, and usually people can pass without being attacked if they keep quiet and stay on the far side or the road."
"That might not easily work for carts and carriages."
"True, but we do not service Winterhold on a regular basis; not sure about the carriages, but it has been said that carriage drivers hesitate to accept fares to Winterhold anyway."
We passed a dragon mound, one which was apparently still occupied, and Nathon suggested:
"From here on, we better keep our eyes open for potential ambushes."
"Good idea" Inigo agreed. "Ambushes are the most dangerous type of bushes by far."
"What? Is that so?"
"Of course!"
That was Inigo's humor, but despite him making fun of the statement, we did pay attention. We were now approaching the road branch, and without anybody mentioning that, we kept quiet; we did not know how many enemies we'd have to face and how alert they were going to be. We found a proper niche between the rocks to our right to keep the cart and mules there, and Agmaer and Zaynabi were staying to protect wares and animals, while the rest of us proceeded slowly and cautiously. We turned onto the road towards Winterhold and walked northeast for a few minutes, before we noticed something; my sensitive ears picked up some loud talking in the distance, and soon I could also see some people further to the right. Inigo cast a spell on us to make us harder to see, and we decided to split up; Inigo, Jordis, my saber cats and I were going to proceed around the next group of rocks and see if we could get to the camp from there, while Tolan, the Stormcloak and the three Khajiit from the caravan were going to wait and attack from right here, as soon as the first sounds of combat were heard, triggered likely by a crossbow bolt from me.
So, I led the small group uphill, and although a little bit of climbing was needed, we managed to get to a small platform on the rocks overlooking the camp with the supposed bandits. Our location was in easy reach for bolts and arrows, and I could understand some of the conversation down there. While I did not get everything, I heard them boasting about merchants and 'lightening their load', and the word 'Saints' was also used in a derogative way; were they actually some kind of competitors? Anyway, the conversation snippets together with recognizing the leader based on the description I had received from Ahkari earlier were good enough, and with a nod between myself and Inigo we opened the fight by sending a bolt and an arrow into the camp, resulting in a few angry shouts of pain and two of the bandits now injured and out of the fight at least temporarily; right away I could see the other group approaching from their side.
I had thought that we'd be mostly safe up here on the small platform on the rocks, but one of the bandits seemed to be a good archer, and I could hear and feel an arrow just barely missing my head. I ducked to avoid further threats, but Hanni and Nanni raced ahead and down to the camp now; with their speed, hitting them with an arrow should be next to impossible. From a crouched position I managed to score another hit with my crossbow, and then I was just about to follow my saber cats down to the bandit camp, when I heard Jordis shouting:
"My Thane! Behind you!"
I didn't have time to turn and look when I felt a very strong shove against my back, making me tumble downhill, right where I wanted to get to, but in a rather undignified way, half way between rolling and flying. With a less robust body I might have been braking a few bones and maybe even cracked my skull when my movement was abruptly stopped by something hard, and for a few moments at least I felt quite dizzy and disoriented, and I also heard some odd noises, like chirping or so. When I was able to open my eyes again, the first impression I got was a person raising a dark looking axe, with the apparent purpose to use it on me, and with my dizziness my body was not yet ready to evade. However, right when the bandit had the axe high above his head before bringing it down on me, an arrow embedded itself in the stretched arm, so that the man dropped the axe and hurt himself with it; I registered that the arrow was an ebony one, and I knew that I had to thank Inigo for that. I still did not trust myself to get up, but when I looked around I saw that my companions seemed to have the situation under control now. Hanni and Nanni kept the injured bandits away, and Tolan and Agmaer were engaged in close combat, whereas Inigo still delivered arrows from his outlook position. Jordis was not yet here, and I could not see what she was doing. Kharjo found me, handed me a potion of healing and suggested:
"This one saw your tumble and believes that drinking that potion might be beneficial for your health!"
"Indeed, thank you."
I drank, and soon I felt much less dizzy; the odd chirping sounds were still there, though, and I wondered if I suffered from a concussion and hallucinations. However, after observing that only two of the bandits were still fighting and were soon to be defeated, I looked around again from my seated position and noticed that I was right next to some kind of metal cage, with a weird looking animal inside. It looked like a large insect, and suddenly I recalled the elytra nymph we had found at the Saints' camp; this one here looked similar, just with darker and less vibrant colors, more purple than yellow. Was it also an elytra nymph? Wait, the other one had been a 'manic elytra nymph', right? As in being at home in the 'Mania' part of the Shivering Isles, likely. So, as we had found the Seducers' camp, related to the 'Dementia' part of the Shivering Isles, was this the counterpart, like a 'demented elytra nymph' or so?
Jordis was now at my side as well, and she looked exhausted and also injured. She checked on me, helped herself to another potion of healing, and then reported:
"My Thane, you really need to learn to be more aware of your environment. Your were so focused on the camp that you didn't noticed the frost troll approaching from behind you."
"And you did?"
"Yes, I did, but a little bit late. I had just time for a shout before it pushed into you, but fortunately Inigo stopped it with an arrow, giving me a chance to attack with my sword. The troll was already injured when it found us, so that Inigo and I were able to defeat it quickly, but still I got a few minor injuries; those beasts are formidable opponents."
"Oh yes, they are."
"But what do we have here? Doesn't this look like the odd insect Ferwen took as pet?"
"Yes, it does, indeed, and I believe that it was taken from the same region."
"The Shivering Isles?"
"You know about that?"
"Well, yes, in vague terms; it is known to be Lord Sheogorath's realm, but I don't know of anyone who has actually been there."
The fight was now over, and I finally managed to get on my feet again. We all treated our injuries, made sure that the few surviving bandits were properly bound, and checked the area for loot and information. As expected, some of the bandits had weapons and pieces of armor fitting the seducer theme, and one of them had some kind of journal on him:
Dark work, this, but does it ever pay well. Once every few days, a merchant comes galloping through, defenseless as a babe. We Seducers always do our good deed, and lighten their load before we let them pass. It's the least we can do. Moving north was the best thing we ever did. Leave Ri'saad to the milk drinkers of Whiterun, or as they call themselves, the Saints. They're probably still hounding him on the road to Markarth. Svarig is behind on his visit. I wonder if his path from the west was more treacherous than usual. We need a change in our fortunes. If we don't get paid soon, I fear the others might not stay much longer. Hopefully this new lead pans out.
Ahkari snorted when he read that and stated:
"We sure did not normally come 'galloping through'; that would be tough for our mules with the loaded cart, and we also were not quite totally defenseless either. Lighten our load they sure did, though."
"Do you know who Svarig is?"
"No; this one has never heard the name before."
"Something else also catches my attention here. They are worried about payment, but the writer admits that they are stealing from passing merchants on a regular basis. So, why need payment above and beyond that, and why would somebody pay them for their activities?"
The Khajiit had no answer for me, and I was getting more and more curious about all that; I really wanted to find out more. If there was a way to travel to the Shivering Isles, I would want to learn about it and visit the area, if possible. The strange door on an isolated island in the river not far from Bravil was probably no longer there, I assumed. While the Khajiit collected various loot, which they considered fair compensation for the losses they had suffered from those bandits before, Tolan went to get the cart and I talked to Jordis:
"See, west of Whiterun we found the Saints' bandit camp, here we located the Seducers' bandit camp; both had weapons and armor alien to here and there are the two elytras; this kind of indicates that they somehow either trade with people from the Shivering Isles or even have a way to travel there. Isn't that fascinating?"
"Well" Jordis replied cautiously, "I'm not so sure about it. Fascinating maybe, but not necessarily something I'd want to get involved with. Sheogorath is known for odd and erratic behavior, and this might just be one of his pranks."
"True."
"By the way, I found another note – look here:"
Can't believe we carried this bug the whole way here, cage and all.
Always afraid it's going to find a way through the bars and eat me in my sleep.
The note did not provide any additional information, and I did not get any time to think about it either, as Agmaer and Zaynabi now arrived with the mules and the cart, and Dro'marash brought one of the few surviving bandits into our midst, saying:
"This lady here claims that she is not a bandit, but was captured by them and forced to be part of the group."
I had a look and saw a blond Nord woman, maybe a few years older than Jordis; she looked around and claimed:
"Please, believe me! I am Tikrid; I ran away from Dawnstar and wanted to become an adventurer, but this was not what I had in mind!"
"Why did you run away?" I asked her.
"When I was younger, I trained in the barracks as a sword-maiden; many believed and I expected that I would eventually serve Skald the Elder as his housecarl or at least be trained and prepared to be a housecarl to a future Thane of the hold. But no – Taniah, a Redguard girl who looks like she isn't even fully grown yet made it into housecarl training instead of me, joining Gregor, who has already been training for several years, and the position of the Jarl's housecarl was filled by a man, Jod. Sure, many years ago he fought against the Thalmor and is considered like a local hero. On the other hand, I am already a better fighter than Jod. He may have been a great warrior in his time, but now he gets by on reputation and myth mostly."
"So, a better fighter?"
"I know that I look awkward in battle. It might look like I've never swung a sword, or my shield is too heavy for my arm; but my speed is deceptive. My knowledge on magic is limited, contrary to that Taniah girl, who is amazingly good with it, but I can fight. If you'd just give me a chance?"
We took her to the side, to be guarded by Hanni and Nanni, while the rest of us discussed what to do with he, as none of us, including Nathon, knew her. After some talking, we decided to give her the chance she asked for and take her with us, to out next stop at least, which was going to be Heljarchen; maybe some of the hold guards stationed there could help us to reach a final decision. The other two bandits who had survived had to follow us, tied to the cart with a rope, and half an hour later we were on the road again. The elytra nymph had been freed, but decided to follow us, or Tikrid in particular. The Nord explained:
"I had been the one feeding that insect since I was caught; I'm not surprised it tries to stay with me, and to be honest, this elytra has been my best friend during my captivity."
"Do you know anything about it?"
"Not really, but one of those seducers called it a 'Demented Elytra Nymph', I think."
Another interesting hint – a 'Demented Elytra Nymph', just as I had speculated. Where had it come from, and how did it get here? What was the connection between Skyrim and the Shivering Isles? I really wanted to find out about that.
[Author's Notes: I always enjoy doing the Saints and Seducers quest line when playing, but I'm not good enough to fight the bandits without followers.]
