The Fires of Mercy: Apostate

• Posted by Radansour January 7, 2013 - 387 views

  Well.

  I suppose I shan't return.

  

  It is for the best. I've not been comfortable with the Vigil's laxity in pursuing the daedra cultists and other abominations: we patrol the roads, but when are we allowed to burn the scum out of their lairs? And Keeper Carcette has the most ridiculously restrictive views on the summoning of Atronachs (what better way, I reason, to bring the sinners screaming into the light than an elemental embodiment of cleansing flame?). It is safe to say that we have had our differences. 

  Not to mention her promise to have me executed if I ever show my face in the Hall again. Who knew that a library would be so flammable?

  No matter. The Vigil and its suffocating bureaucracy has held me back long enough, and it is clear that I shall serve Stendarr better on my own. Time to turn my thoughts to the future.

  

  It's bitterly cold, the sky is a scowling grey, the snow is a pallid white, the pines march dejectedly into the frosty distance. The urge to set fire to the thatch (it would add a dash of colour to the scene, if nothing else) is nearly overpowering, but sadly I must control myself.

  No goodbyes to say here, not to these stuffy incompetents- instead, I leave my gauntlets and amulet on the porch. Good luck to you, Vigil; I won't be needing the uniform any more.

  

  Then I start walking, trusting Stendarr to guide my steps towards something He wants killed.

  Perhaps not the most impressive opponent, but the enormous, poisonous spiders of this land pose a legitimate threat to pilgrims and traders. Hopefully Stendarr will send me something more impressive to destroy?

  

  A bandit surprises me, suddenly charging at me from the shadowed arches of an ancient stone structure. Perhaps she has mistaken me for a travelling healer? No matter.

  

  I quickly assert the foolishness of bringing a knife to a firefight. What was she thinking?

  Did Stendarr guide me to her so that I could rid the road of her? Or, in His mercy, so that she could be freed from her frozen, starving existence as a destitute robber? I leave the philosophy to the scholars. Instead I investigate the ruin she emerged from.

  

  Inside, there are bedrolls, cooking pots, blankts, and several dead bandits. Perhaps a fight broke out, and they killed one another?

  Whatever may have happened, there is little for me to do here, seeing as those I am sworn to destroy have apparently done the job for me. The cads. How am I to rid the land of evil if evil destroys itself?

  Clearly wandering the roads is ineffective. I will find one of the dank piles of wood that passes for a city in here, and make the inhabitants tell me where I can find a more reputable enemy to vanquish.