There are some tales that have layers to them. They carry the weight of the world from the very decisions people make. And so everyone, I will tell you my tale. It all began with a bard...
The Bard strums his loot smiles at all the patrons around him. His blonde van dyke goatee wrinkes with his smile as he reflects upon something darker. If only they knew. The weight that bears on my heart and soul. The one story I cannot tell. The one tale that incriminates me.
Unable to finish this thought the bar exploded in a commotion. Two Nordic thugs approach Ashi and reach out to grab him, knocking over a Redguard barkeep in the process.
"Oh by the Nines." Ashi says dryly as he figures out that he has been discovered.
"You're coming with us." exclaims one of the brutes. The largest of the two reaches forward violently to pin both of the bard's shoulders.
"Not today." Ashi replies dryly as he turns his torso slightly. He grabs on the largest brutes wrist and pulls as hard as he can as he dives between the brutes leg.
The sudden and fluid movement causes the largest brute to flip over on himself as he becomes dazed and watches Ashi dash out of the tavern.
The other thug follows.
The brute catches up to him as there is a line of armored Imperial guards lined up with crossbows all aimed in at Ashi.
The bard stops in his tracks, smiling meekly and raises his hands in submission.
"I guess you win, I turn myself in."
The thugs eyes narrow as the guards approach the bard, arrest him, and haul him off.
Thus our bard was taken away, knocked out by some herbs in the crowded carriage ride. When he awoke...
Water splashes on the bards face as he is sitting in a stone chair in a dark underground room, only lit by a few torches. His eyes adjust and he tries to focus in on a female voice ahead of him.
"Well, we finally caught you Ashi. After many years you have always eluded us and had stayed one step ahead of us."
He strains his eyes as her form comes into focus. He is astonished at her regal beauty. She has brown hair with a reddish hue, seems to be young, and shouldn't be underestimated. Her Imperial heavy armor is like that of Maro's yet with a longer cloak. It has a strange symbol on her breastplate and a embroidered tabard underneath, connected with a hood. She seems to have some kind of magic experience. And deadly too.
"Do not waste my time. I am Lauriel Von Grier. I am with the Imperial army and you are being charged with high treason for the murder of the Emperor, manipulating Imperial officer's for self gain, and a long line of death that seems to be traced back to you." Lauriel commands.
The bard smiles and looks her over patiently, finally able to tell his tale.
"Well, Lauriel, what a lovely name might I add."
She is caught off guard, but scowls.
He speaks again, "you mistake me for some other man."
Lauriel replies, "and you mistake me for a fool. I have had my best trackers in the world sniff you out."
He sighs, "there's absolutely no way around this from the looks of things. I will tell you everything you know, only if you answer a single question."
"What would that be?" She responds with caution, aware of his sly tongue.
"All the things I have ever done, I have left trails of gold to cover my tracks. I created networks here and there as safe-nets and fail-safes. My work has been precise and immaculate. In addition, to all my vile deeds, I have redeemed with even greater acts of good...which has also increased my safety webs.So what artifact is it you are looking for?"Â He calmly inquires with a slight smile forming at the corners of his mouth.
She is stunned for but a moment before her discipline and power takes control. "You are an intelligent and sly man, and I want to know everything up until you found the 'Mask.' In addition, I want to know where you have put the Elder Scroll" She demanded.
He shakes his head and smiles, "Oh is that all?"
She looks at his submission quizzically.
"Well it all started when I was arrested and brought to Helgen along with the Dragonborn for execution...."
Her alarming surprise is painted on her face at the mention of him, a murderer, and the Dragonborn at the same place.
And so the tale begins with Ashi, our accused Bard, about to tell his foreboding dark past. A past with intrigue and 'webs'. Long connections with people and even redemption. And what about the Dragonborn, what of the connection? I guess we will find out in the morrow.
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