Councilor Morvayn had come forth with the up front payment Ciel’nn demanded for dealing with General Falx Carius and his Ash spawn. It was all for the safety of the people of Raven Rock. The young mer was satisfied even as he heard the Councilor had something against him as to how he dealt with Mogrul.
“Not the way he’d prefer”, The Captain had said when he handed the money to the young mer.
Ciel’nn had frowned at the news and rolled his eyes. This was why he didn’t like the politics; people had their preferences of how to deal with things. Redorans were honorable and they couldn’t act against the Orc even if they wanted to. Their honor code stopped them for acting even if it would have been for their own good. Ciel’nn shook his head. He should be thankful, but why should I even care what he thinks? I’m not Redoran. Thank Azura!
The two Redoran guards nodded to Ciel’nn when he walked through the smaller gate with Teldryn. He had heard there was a fellow mer at Kolbjorn Barrow, so it would be good to have a look. The young mer didn’t want to go inside the barrow - the events at the Bleakfalls Barrow still haunted him as the shiver went through his body. No, Ciel’nn only wanted to hear what the dig was all about.
Or, if there’s a treasure that’s worthy to find.
While the older mer was watching their surroundings, he noticed his partner tilting his head as if something was off. “You alright, Ciel’nn?” Teldryn asked as he took a step closer to Ciel’nn. Perhaps it’s what the Captain Incompetent had said. I also hope he’s in a better mood. He flashed a smile when the young mer looked to him.
“Yeah, it’s just the memories. I went into a barrow with a friend once.” Ciel’nn replied in a calm tone. “It didn’t go well.” Although he remembered vaguely the Nord protecting him through the whole barrow until the necromancer appeared in the main chamber. He scowled at the memory while a new realization came. He wasn’t sure if he was still afraid of dark barrows. Maybe they would find another barrow and see if he could enter without fear. He acknowledged that some things had changed since his ‘visit’ into Oblivion. “When we have time to explore this rock, find a barrow for ourselves and see if there’s anything interesting to grab?”
It didn’t go well? I wonder what happened. It sounds like it’s a bad memory in all. “Sure, once we’re free from the clutches of the Redoran House.” Teldryn paused for a moment. “Are you sure of that, thought? Your memory didn’t sound good.” He didn’t want to go into places that would have a bad effect on his partner, especially if they brought distressful memories. The old mer was ready to defend the younger mer if he needed to. “Yes, I need to find out a thing about myself and for that we need a barrow.” He heard the young mer saying, giving him an adventurous glance.
A frustrated Dunmer paced back and for as he muttered under his breath when Ciel’nn and Teldryn approached the dig site. The barrow was covered in ash in a way that the higher points of it rose from the ash. “Damn, this is troublesome!” Ralis Sedarys groaned, rubbing his forehead and his attention turned to the two mer close to him. “What do you want?” The mer narrowed his eyes briefly at the young mer as if he was trying to remember a detail from his memories. I’ve seen him before. Back at Mournhold. What was his name?
“Curious. I heard this here’s a dig site for the barrow.” Ciel’nn said while his partner settled to stand nearby. He eyed the dig site with a so-curious look. “Doesn’t look like much to me.” He seems to lack of some miners, that’s obvious. Or, he didn’t came prepared. I wonder what’s so important to dig here anyway.
“You’re Ciel’nn Sarion! A Hlaalu from Mournhold.” Ralis blurted out as his face lightened up in hope. The raised brow told him that the young mer didn’t expect everyone to know him. But, Ralis knew him - he had seen the kid several times, about five years back. “So what?” The young mer shot at him. Ralis rubbed at the back of his neck. “As you see, I’ve run into a problem and you look mostly honest. I’ve got a financier waiting for me back at the mainland. Sent me to fetch some rare antiques - “The Relics of Ahzidal”. Ralis spread his arms to make it more interesting. “If you’re interested in it, we could be partners— “
Ahzidal… Ahzidal… Maybe he was some wizard? Ciel’nn’s gaze shifted into a dark stare. “I already have a partner.” A cold reply as if he’d taken an offensive. He shifted in his place as if thinking as he pulled a Hlaalu trader face. “I may have wealth,” he paused for a brief moment just to see Ralis’ hopeful look, “but there’s no way I’m going to give money for an old relic dig.”
“But Ahzidal was the first great Nord Enchanter!” Ralis pleaded in panic now. “Most of his treasures are buried in this barrow.” He took a step closer to the young mer while the bladesman took a step closer to Ralis.”Think about the wealth we could get from them!”
Ciel’nn could feel his partner right behind him, maybe a step to the sideways while he scowled at Ralis. “I don’t care even if he’s the first amazing Altmer frog trainer! You won’t get an Azura’s silver from me.” He gestured for Teldryn to follow him. “Dead should stay buried anyway.” With that, the young mer left hopeless Ralis and the barrow behind.
Fort Frostmoth looked like a quiet place from the outside as they approached it slowly. Teldryn let out a deep sigh. “The Ash spawn probably appear as soon as we step closer to the walls.” He said while observing the walls. “Better be careful about this. Who knows how many Ash spawns may crawl up? Stay close just in case, alright?” The older mer looked to his partner.
“What if I want to stay close to you anyway?” Ciel’nn flashed a controlled smirk, but became serious afterward. “This place, something feels wrong about it.” He frowned while he checked his blades. He had the feeling he’d end up hating the Ash spawn as much as Teldryn — they were hard to kill. The young mer guessed they were also poison resistant which was annoying. A part of him wasn’t sure how the battle was going to play out, but it had to be done.
“If something is wrong it’d be the General.” Teldryn said, keeping his gaze on his partner. He flashed a brief smile. “You ready to beat the shit out of them? Don’t worry, I have fought them before.” The old mer knew his eyes reflected the worry he had for the young mer. It’s going to be a rough battle. Teldryn frowned as he stretched his arms and cracked his neck. The young mer took a deep breath and nodded to him. “More or less. Let’s get it done.”
As they set out towards the fort, a mysterious imperial voice shouted, “Men, an invader has entered the fort! Prepare yourselves for an ambush!” And, then Several Ash spawns raised from the ash and readied their molten clunky weapons.
Ciel’nn bit his lower lip. Boethiah guide me. He followed the older mer into battle as they faced the first three Ash spawns. His partner pulled his flame atronach from Oblivion to aid them. It seemed to be a straight forward fight between them, and he slashed out at the Ash spawn that had its attention solely on him. When a chance presented itself, the young mer backed his partner up. Teldryn’s grunts let Ciel’nn knew his partner was having some difficulties, but they were beating them down.
It was going well enough, until Ciel’nn felt a light heat on his back and turned around to search where it had came from. He narrowed his eyes when he saw an Ash spawn on the top of a small tower. “I have to take care of that spell using n’wah.” The young mer said as he sheathed his blades and took his bow in a fluid motion. “Alright.” He heard Teldryn saying when he notched an arrow and aimed. The Ash spawn sent another fire bolt at him while Ciel’nn dodged it and shot another arrow and another one until the Ash spawn was a pile of smoldering ash.
Before the last two ash spawns were down, several more raised up to attack the two mer. “There’s, n’chow, more coming!” Ciel’nn hissed as he looked around - five ash spawn in total and he was getting tired already. It would be so much easier to kill things that bleed! He already had several bruises. Brooding now, he tried to think of something while Teldryn came to his side. “How are you holding up? Think we can handle those five?” The older mer asked him. “I’m going to be exhausted before this ends.” He replied, frowning at their dire situation. Didn’t he have a few scrolls in his backpack? “I’m going to try something else.”
The older mer cocked a dark brow. “Be quick, then. They’re getting closer.” In fact, the Ash spawn were going to surround them at a steady pace, and Teldryn had a bad feeling about it. This really should be job for the Redoran Guard. He observed the young mer taking off his backpack and searching for something. It was a scroll. “You can read those?” Teldryn asked as Ciel’nn opened the scroll.
“I’m not a mage, but I can try.” Ciel’nn’s voice carried a hint of excitement. His eyes scanned the scroll and his free hand traced the surface of the scroll. An excited smile spread across his lips. It’s a storm atronach one! “I need some space, Teldryn. Get behind me.” The young mer then, cleared his throat. “Come forth, Lord of storms!” He called out and made a flamboyant gesture toward an empty space between him and the coming Ash spawns. First Ciel’nn wasn’t sure if it worked, but soon he felt a strange sensation going through his frame as the scroll vaporised into nothing. In front of him, with a rumbling noise, formed a storm atronach ready to do his will. “Destroy the Ash spawn!” Ciel’nn commanded it and watched the storm atronach assaulting the damned Ash spawn.
Is this what a Telvanni feels like? I need to get more scrolls.
“You did it! Now, let’s get the ones on the sides while they’re distracted.” Teldryn breathed. He’s full of surprises; first the darker side of him, now the scrolls, I wonder what’s next? He waited until the younger mer had drawn his blades again, and together they went to finish the Ash Spawn while the storm atronach did its command.
It took a bit longer than the young mer had expected, but he let out a sigh of relief when the last Ash spawn was defeated. His scroll-summoned storm atronach had disappeared when its time had ran out. Ciel’nn collapsed against the fort wall and took a deep breath. “That took forever!” he complained while he placed his hand on the arm that was bruised. The ache was mild and he winced at it. The only comfort for him was that he had seen how Teldryn had fought. It brought a smile to his mouth. He’s a…breathtaking bladesman… And he’s all mine! It was a self-declaration and the young mer intended to make it happen.
The battle against the Ash spawn had been tough on the older mer, but he was just getting started. Teldryn was ready to go inside and deal with the general, but he frowned as he looked to his sitting partner. He’s not doing well - the way he holds his arm. “I think we need to rest a while before going after the general.” He sat down nearby Ciel’nn and pondered a moment before he grabbed a red potion from his backpack. “Here, take it.” He offered the potion to Ciel’nn, who took it without muttering and drank it down.
The healing liquid felt renewing as he poured it down his throat. The young mer sighed and shook his head slightly. It felt different from the other potion he had used before. “What potion is it? It feels energizing.” Ciel’nn asked, looking to his partner. “It’s one of Milore Ienith’s Well-Being potions. Good stuff, isn’t it?” The older mer replied to him. “Hmm..” Ciel’nn closed his eyes for a moment and opened them again. “I think I’m going to hate the Ash spawn.”
Teldryn chuckled. “So do I, Ciel’nn. Rest now, we’re going in when you’re ready.”
Back to ToC
Comments
“I don’t care even if he’s the first amazing Altmer frog trainer! You won’t get an Azura’s silver from me.”
Now I... more
'Is this what a Telvanni feels like?' Ohohohohohoho, youngster, you have no idea.