Chapter II of Ajiho-Zhago's Tale

  • "I'm not alone out here,” I say out loud though the wind distorted my words so I hear “I'm not lonely here.” Which is of course a lie. The warmth of the fire rejuvenated my mind. My bones though young and vital, ached with more pain each passing moment. I momentarily think of the warm plains of Whiterun just a day’s walk from here. My determination is far from infinite; but I must go on. It occurs to me that the Nords of Skyrim are practically bred for these blizzards but my scaly skin is less suited for this weather. The voice of my grandfather passed through my head, he always used to talk about the swampland rain forests of Black Marsh. It was always one of my dreams to where my ancestors lived, perhaps one day after my journey is complete, just maybe. I think back, a few days ago I had been nothing but a lonely drunk now there is blood of a Dovakiin in me. Me, Dovakiin ha I doubt it. My mind returns to one of the many great questions of my life, why do I still live? Ufric chased me to the far corners of Skyrim yet what stopped him? Perhaps there are some things not even a King can do. I had him, he was sitting next to me, if only... The dragon, Alduin why had he chose that moment to attack. What did he hope to gain? General Tullius maybe. Why bail Ufric out, his head would have been a nice snack for a dragon.

     

    Then my thoughts ponder Dovakiin, they call me Dragonborn. I must have answers but I fear this mystery might be bigger then me, bigger then any mere mortal even a Dovakiin. After my realization, I proceed to the only real home I have ever known. I need answers, even if it means returning to my death. I must lurk in the shadows both for my safety and desire for knowledge.

     

     

    Within the day Windhelm is in sight, the massive walls visible for miles. It’s funny when I was a child the very same walls always made me feel so safe. I hide in he bushes, this next move must be well planned or it could be my last. I think back to that tragic night, we rushed through a tunnel coming out in front of the western wall. With a little skill and a whole lot of luck I find the secret entrance, stupid Stormcloaks I doubt they even stopped to think that us Argonians can breath underwater. Leaving my pack outside I enter the tunnel, after a few silent minutes I reach the cistern, diving in to the water I feel a rush of adrenaline slowly I proceed with only shards of memories to guide me. After navigating an unfathomable maze I reach the end of the waterway and proceed to hoist myself up onto the deck. I seek answers in the only place I think to find them, the hidden library. On a particularly nasty day I was forced to stay inside, I took to exploring our house Hjerim, and I happened on a whole room I had never been in before, a secret room hidden from view known only to a select few people of Argonian heritage. This is the very same room I am seeking; inside I hope to find answers to even some, of the many questions I still have. I come to realize that someone could be in Hjerim, I must tread carefully or risk being exposed.

     

    I manage to enter the house but the tunnel has caved in on itself I will need to find a different way to leave. At this moment, the darkest of the whole night memories overtake me, growing up all the many adventures I had with my family. The many nights when are family would have a traditional Argonian meal just like I was in Black Marsh. After a few minutes revisiting the past I realize that I must hurry as dawn is approaching and if I’m not gone I’m dead. I enter the secret library “wow” I say to myself there must be hundreds of books here, after sifting through the bulk of the literature I come across something different, not a leather bound book like the rest but a letter with the highest of seals. I sit down and dive in I’m astonished at what I find.

     

    The following orders are for your eyes only.

    By no means are they to fall into the hands of any of the Sarpa name.

    You must carry your orders out to the letter.

    You are to follow your target through their travels once they leave Windhelm.

    You are to contact us if anything out of the ordinary happens or

    If you suspect that they found out that they are being followed.

    I am not expecting any problems you have not failed me yet which is something to be proud of.

    When I deem it appropriate you are to approach and terminate the target: Leader of The Sarpas

    And anyone else even remotely connected to the situation.

    If you fail I will have to take matters into my own hands and I myself, or one of my better students will bring an army to slaughter the petty Lizards.

    These people must not be allowed to give what they have learned to all of Skyrim and ruin us thus failure, which I doubt I need say, is not an option.

                                                                                                 

    With Best Regards,

    King

    Ufric Stormcloak

     

    What was my father mixed up in? I never really knew anything did I? Everything I thought I knew has turned out to be false. There was a conspiracy against our family? My father must have gotten wind of this maybe he killed the person that the letter was addressed to? I needed answers instead I find out there is even more of a mystery then I had even known. I stow the letter in my pocket and decide I will ponder the exact words later now I have to escape Windhelm. Unfortunately the sun has risen and the only way I know to leave besides the front gate is a smaller gate on the opposite of town. I trust that the guards won’t recognize me and expose me or else things could get ugly. I keep my sword sheathed but inch my dagger out, you can never be too careful. As I turn the corner someone grabs me and covers my mouth, he proceeds to drag me down the ally till we are completely invisible from the street. My first thought is that a guard has discovered me but I quickly dismiss that because a guard would call for help and remain in the open not hide in the shadows. “Scream and you’ll never have any answers” the man whispers. I slowly nod my head and he releases me. I turn around and for the first time get a good look at the man, he is old, older then many people in this city though you would have a hard time telling because of his scales. He is rather short only coming up to my shoulders yet he has a certain gleam in his eyes, the look that you get when you have no reason to doubt yourself, when you have unmatched skills yet you don’t go around boasting.

     

    I quickly ask, “Who are you and what do you want with me?” He begins to say something then quickly rethinks

     

    “My name is unimportant but what is important is that I know who you are.  I worked with your father for many years in an effort to uncover the truth. No doubt you come here to seek answers, a very noble cause one I thought you would pursue many years ago but what’s done is done right my friend.”

     

    “I always thought my father worked at the docks unloading the cargo of the ships?” I ask meekly

     

    “Well you do have a lot to learn that is blatantly obvious, he lied to protect you. What he did is much more dangerous then lift a few crates, he was in the business of knowledge. Knowledge for survival, we worked together to bring understanding to the people in Windhelm. We were going to take our knowledge to all of Skyrim but Ufric couldn’t let that happen it would ruin his entire plan. I see you have the letter that I intercepted for your father. You see he was the man that the public knew my ties to the organization were almost invisible. We preach freedom my friend. Freedom before all else. When everything fails, when hope falters, when the world burns, when we all fall, I hope we do so as free men. As enlightened beings of this planet. Let us not just blindly walk out of this world none the wiser or richer then we were born. Let's change it for the better, while we still draw breath. You are young there is much time left for you even if you don’t see it. Now I know you have little reason to trust me but you have little choice, I could simply kill you if you refuse or have the guards haul you away. We must pick up where your father and I left off, I tell you go to Winterhold there you will find a man named Enthir he is a tad shady but has a good heart. He has knowledge, knowledge that we seek he will give you this information. While your there you might as well join the College of Winterhold they are Skyrim's leading school on magic and there library has more books than imaginable. You think you can complete the tasks before you? I slowly nod my head in agreement. Good, then make haste for Winterhold and Godspeed Ajiho-Zhago.

     

Comments

6 Comments
  • Joseph Carrino
    Joseph Carrino   ·  April 15, 2012
    Thanks, honestly I didn't have particular guidelines for my character I just wanted to experiment and have fun
  • ricardo maia
    ricardo maia   ·  April 15, 2012
    Good sequel. I thought first you were telling a revenge/adventure story, with an assassin character, but I see now this is a kind of thriller, and you're playing with a spy/detective character. His burning desire to uncover truth behind secrets an lies ma...  more
  • Joseph Carrino
    Joseph Carrino   ·  April 15, 2012
    Thanks,There is a sort of higher level meaning that I was trying to touch upon. Also there is a big mystery but some things will become clearer in the next chapter
  • Arnen
    Arnen   ·  April 15, 2012
    I particularly enjoyed your disdainful portrayal of the Stormcloaks by mentioning how they probably never knew Argonians could breathe underwater.  I find their racism rather distasteful, so it was pleasing for me to read.  Keep going with this
  • Joseph Carrino
    Joseph Carrino   ·  April 15, 2012
    Thanks, I try.
  • Piper Jo
    Piper Jo   ·  April 15, 2012
    Your opening line is my favorite. "I'm not lonely here." Perfect to set the mood.