Memoirs of Larz D'Ovakine ~ The Hunt for Altan pt. 1(spoilers)

• Posted by Guy Corbett February 23, 2012 - 797 views

  Strolling back into the entrance hall of Castle Dour once more I could hear Tullius and Rikke arguing. Only this time Rikke was trying to convince Tullius how important a Nordic artefact, The Jagged Crown, was to the cause. If they had it, Elisif's claim to the crown would be more credible once Ulfric had been taken out of the picture. I could tell by Tullius's responses that he still had little faith in the Nordic traditions. He was here to do a job which I knew he would accomplish. If there was one thing Tullius has always had it was his pure tenacity. Even as a guild whelp he was sure of his strength and ability. No doubt how he got to the position he was in now.

  As before they both stood facing off over the large table covered in the documents of war. Interrupting their argument I stopped at the table standing to attention and saluting

  "Larz D'Ovakine reporting for duty Sir, Maam." Nodding to both as I went. This time both smiled back at me. Rikke spoke first

  "Okay, okay our scouts told us of your success at Hraggstad. I'm impressed. I apologize for my previous reluctance to allow you to join. Speak with Tullius he will give you the oath." With that she turned her attention back to the dusty scroll of a map of a ruin.

  Tullius had sat himself down at a small table in the corner as I approached him

  "Sir, I have returned successful. Am I eligible for the mighty legion now?" Smirking my old friend passed me a tankard of mead as I joined him.

  "Larz, you know all that was for her benefit. These damn Nords and their traditions, I tell you know I will be glad to be back in Cryodill. Now to business, lets get this done, repeat after me." Tullius recited the Imperial Legion Oath, I repeated each section back and Tullius congratulated me in becoming his Shield Brother once more

  "Now I'm not going to throw you in with all the other recruits, I know your capabilities Larz, if any of your tale is true I believe you to be just as fierce some and lethal as you always have been. So I'm making you my Imperial Agent. You will be free to move as you wish through Skyrim, to bring your own style of punishment on these Stormcloak Rebels and get this war over and done with."

  "Of course Tullius, thank you, To be honest I don't think I could handle the drills anymore no matter how fierce some I still may be. But I must ask do you have any information on my cause? Have you anything on Altan?" He obviously saw my eagerness at the possibility of any news.

  "We have heard mention of his name but all we have up to now is that he is in Stormcloak territory. Until we take control of more of their strategic positions we won't get much more information on him. I'm sorry it's not much but I know now we have you on side we can start pushing our front forward across Skyrim. First things first though, would you give Rikke a hand retrieving The Jagged Crown. She's heading out to Korvanjund with a small contingent, go meet with her."

  I hadn't noticed that Rikke had already left as I had distracted Tullius from their argument. I gave my friend a pat on the shoulder as I rose to leave

  "Don't worry General that Crown is as good as ours" With a smile and another salute I marched out of the Castle. 

  I took the opportunity to press the flesh with some coin and made the rounds of the various merchants. I had built a good rapport with most except those hoity toity Clothes Merchants. Beirand, the Smithy and I had begun to be good friends and he gave me some ore to help forge a new Elven Great Sword. The final stop was to get stocked up on potions. 

  I don't know if it was the time of year but I could get used to stepping out in to the glorious sun glaring down from the vibrant blue sky. Other than biting cold in the wind it was another good day for riding. Drago could handle it I knew that it was only a benefit to me that it was sunny and not snowing. This delusion only lasted through the morning. As I passed Whiterun and headed north it wasn't long till the air began to crisp and the ground turned white. Dragos massive breath fogged my vision each time he exhaled and gulped down the heavy with snow air. 

  I spotted Rikke and her troops on a snow covered slope that led up the mountain side from the road. Tying Drago to a tree I reached them as Rikke finished raising the morale of her men. She nodded an acknowledgement to me spawning a few glances and whispers from the men. My reputation had obviously already started to spread through the Imperial ranks. A scout had spotted that the Stormcloaks had already seized the entrance to Korvanjund. Drawing her sword as she rounded up her speech she turned and led the charge up the hill to the ruin. In the din of the battle cries we reached the steps leading down to the entrance.

  Korvanjund looked very much like the entrance to Bleak Falls only this ruin was sunk into the ground. A huge pit housed stairs leading down to the iron doorway. Stormcloaks patrolled the area in front, guarding the stairways and walkways. Rikke and her men charged headlong into the Rebels in blur of swords, red and blue armour flashing around each other causing them to blur in a purple haze. I hung back on the lip of the hole firing arrows into Stormcloaks that were spat from the malestrom. The Imperials made short work of the defending Stormcloaks. In moments we all stood readying ourselves as we entered the ancient crypt.

  The interior was similar again to the ruins of Bleakfall. Old Nordic stonework aged by aeons of stale air. The large room we entered led back to a large set of steps. A couple of guards patrolling the landing on top. A fallen pillar provided us with cover to crouch behind in the shadows. Rikke whispered for us to charge on her order. Leaping over the pillar she bellowed the order as we rushed up the steps. The melee drew the attention of more Stormcloaks but Rikke's men were like a well oiled machine they sliced threw like a hot knife through butter. I did save a couple of men with a well placed arrow. I was smart enough to know to let the young bucks deal with chaff of Stormcloaks. 

  Further on we pressed deeper into the ruin. Rikke posted guards in places to make sure we didn't get flanked. Bodies of Stormcloaks laid side by side with the Draugr of Korvanjund. Many of the men were spooked by the sight of the undead defenders until Rikke pulled them back to the task at hand. Our progress was halted as we came upon a pinch point. One door led the way and both Rikke and myself smelt an ambush

  "I'll find another way through and distract them." I said to Rikke as I scanned the chamber spotting a wooden gangplank leading up to a mezzanine level. The upper level had a doorway that brought me out on a high walkway in the next room. We were right Stormcloaks stood poised for us to enter in the lower doorway. Foolishly they stood under one of the leaky oil lamps hung across the ceiling. A well placed arrow sent them to Sovengarde in a explosion of burning oil. Screaming in pain the chorus of death gave the cue to Rikke as she stormed in and finished off the remaining Stormcloaks before I could rejoin them. Our path was blocked by a gated arch way in the next big chamber. Tombs lined the walls and a small embalmers station stood on a raised plinth in the far corner. Another walkway ran across the room above. Rikke ordered her men to fan out and find a switch for the door. I found my way up onto the walkway which led to small alcove, tucked away on one wall I located the switch and activated it. 

  The gate screeched open but some of the tombs also cracked open. The Imperials broke ranks, panicked they lashed out at the raising dead. Rikke was an impressive commander she steeled the men's nerves and regrouped them focussing their attack. With my elevated position I rained Orc metal on them from bow. A little shaken but still buoyed with courage we traversed the final tunnels which directed us into a Story chamber with another of the big Dragon claw doorways. I sighed knowing I hadn't seen the required claw as we had progressed through the ruin. Rikke and her men wandered the length of the ancient artwork in awe whilst I took more care to look at the Stormcloaks marinating in their own ruby glaze. One of them lay up against the door, turning him over in the torch light the sound of the claw clattering on the stone floor drew everyone's attention 

  "What are you doing Larz?" Rikke questioned as I picked up the claw and showed it to her. I matched the symbols on the claw to the door and it rumbled open to the slack jawed amazement of my companions. The tunnel opened on a huge chamber. Three pillars stood round a raised plinth, a throne with a dessicated corpse stood facing us in front of another set of steps with two tombs either side. Nordic artwork was carved into the stonework and sculptures adorned the high cavern walls. Rikke ordered the search again as her men fanned out. Moments later one of the soldiers called out pointing to the black skinned corpse sat slumped over in the the throne. On the head was the crown, the soldier moved closer reaching his hand out for the prize. A bowstring from touching the crown the Draugr came to life rising from the throne. The two tombs cracked open before the men could draw their swords and the Kingly Draugr surprised even me unleashing a shout sending the soldiers flying across the room in a bone crunching collision with the wall leaving Rikke, myself and one of the soldiers.

  I charged forward drawing my Elven blade retorting with my own shout so that I only stunned the Draugr and not my allies. Targeting the weaker undead I slew through the leather and bone as Rikke and the soldier engaged the other. The crowned Draugr was a fearsome foe it took the combined effort of all three of us dancing round him, dodging his still sharp ebony axe and frequent blasts of his shout. Rikke scored the final blow smashing the jaw from the Deathlord before kicking him to the ground on his back all three of us skewered him to the ground where he lay.

  Rikke looked over the devastation of the encounter bending low to remove the crown. It looked like it was made of the teeth of dragons arranged to make any wearer seem lordly. She handed it to me

  "Please Larz will you take this back to Tullius, once we get out of here I need to head to the Pale Camp for the next stage of our attacks. You have been invaluable once again Larz thank you." With that she ordered her remaining soldier back up to the entrance. I decided to head to the back of the chamber up the second flight of stairs. Another of the curved walls covered in runes impressed its ancient knowledge onto my mind. I still had no understanding of what they meant but once the darkness and swirling light returned me to reality I found the passageway leading back out into the fresh cold air.

  I made quick work riding directly back to Castle Dour. I spent the night in the Winking Skeever before heading to meet up with Tullius. He welcomed me with a hearty breakfast as I told him what happened at Korvanjund handing him the crown

  "Excellent Larz well done I knew you would be the turning of the tide my friend. Did you gather any new information on Altan?"

  "No, the only thing in that tomb was death. We were lucky we got there before they found the crown."

  "Indeed, indeed hopefully it will smooth the transition once we catch up with Ulfric. On that note I need you to take a message to the Jarl of Whiterun. He has danced around the decision for long enough we need him on our side Larz, Whiterun is far too strategic."

  "That shouldn't be too much of a problem, he made me Thane for slaying that Dragon. It's the least he could do in return." Tullius nodded as he shovelled more bacon and eggs into his mouth smiling as yolk ran down his chin

  "You know once we get Whiterun tied down we can really start forging a path into Stormcloak territory. I just hope it turns over Altan's stone in the process for you." 

  After we had finished our meal Tullius excused himself and wished me a safe journey leaving me to saddle up Drago and head off back to Whiterun.