The Thorn-Tail Chronicles - Tale Three

• Posted by Tae-Rai August 1, 2014 - 425 views

  The Thorn-Tail Chronicles - Tale Three

  Stendarr’s Mercy

   

  Violent winds whipped across snow-capped peaks of Skyrim's mountains underneath a dark sea of storm clouds, sent by Kyne herself possibly, to remind the citizens of Skyrim that is indeed the Mistress of the North. Only a single dark figure could be seen below in the blizzard, upon a jet black mare with her rider covered head to toe in a thick dark fur cloak, a colourful-plated golden shield held by leather straps across his back.

  He urged his mount to move ever onwards through the thick snow covering the ground. He glanced over his shoulder, but all he could see were the shadows of a lone stone building complex, high Iron Gate barring entry, and a pair of guards in shimmering green and gold armor guarding the road into the building.

  The pair came to a path between two rocky mountains, and the rider ordered his horse to slow down to a walk. The harsh weather did not reach them here, the trees and tall cliffs providing some adequate cover from the storm. The figure dismounted under a large pine tree and brushed the snow off his cloak. His horse snorted at him when a bit touched her nose, causing the rider to chuckle quietly.

  He took off his cloak, revealing his shining golden armour with a plated chest-piece that resembled open bird wings, and golden-brown scales that were almost clashing with said armor. Piercing green eyes with snake-like pupils scanned the area from underneath a dark cloth hood, his eyes apparently searching for someone. But there was little movement amongst the scarcely vegetated road, apart from a snow fox dashing through the scrub, only stopping to gaze at the black horse and her rider, before fleeing the scene.

  This Argonian, whose name was Leads-The-Way, shook his head and sighed, before throwing the cloak over his horse. The black coloured mare gave him an appreciative look with her ruby-like eyes, and gave a quiet nicker.

  “I'll be back soon, girl,” he murmured to her, reaching up to scratch her cheek. “Be good, okay?”

  The mare stomped her foot once before lowering her head down to graze on what grass remained free of the snow. Leads-The-Way chuckled quietly and took this as an appropriate response, before he turned and walked down the road.

  A short ways away from where he left his horse, Leads found what he was looking for. Hidden amongst jutting rocks and shrubs was a small opening in the mountain face. He took a torch from his knapsack and lit it with a flame flickering from his fingers, before he stepped inside.

  It was cold and bleak inside the cave, with snow covering most of the ground. A few holes in the stone ceiling let light in while a log formed a make-shift bridge between two large mounds of stone. A ledge was jutting out over the far side, providing cover to the only bit of ground below it that not covered in snow.

  Leads-The-Way walked in, his torch in hand and his long golden sword drawn. But this sword was not just any sword. Dawnbreaker seemed to be shining brightly on its own as he inched forever onward, his eyes sweeping each dark corner.

  A movement to the side of the dark ledge caught his eye and he turned, suddenly aware of another presence in the cave. An icy projectile whizzed past his face, narrowly missing slicing his cheek, and he threw his torch down onto the snow. It went out immediately and he pulled his shield from his back holding Spellbreaker in front of him, its ward enchantment making the air around his front ripple like water in a disturbed pond.

  A tall figure stepped out then, clad in dark robes with a gold trim. Her face was extremely pretty, with high cheekbones and pointed ears, a horizontal smear of ice-blue war paint under one eye and across a messy network of scars on her cheek. Her pale gold eyes were fixated on the Argonian and he too was frozen, staring at the Altmer.

  A second had barely passed before they charged at one another, but the end result was not in battle. Leads-The-Way's weapons had been tossed aside and he encased the Altmer woman into his arms, his reptilian lips crushing against her soft ones. The kiss was returned with eagerness, her hands caressing his shoulders, before they toppled down onto he snowy ground.

  “I've missed you,” the lizard whispered in her ear, nuzzling the back of her neck and planting another kiss. “It's been too long since I have felt your warmth, Raielle.”

  The elf reached up and cupped his red-stained cheek with her slender hand, a simple gold ring resting on one finger. “That is because you are a simple beast, while I am a superiorly bred mer,” she replied in a serious voice, but her eyes were alight with mischief.

  “You missed me with that spell though,” Leads-The-Way teased back, before he turned and pulled his legs up to sit cross legged because her, as she reached up and took his hand in her own, winding her fingers through his. “Not so superior now, eh?” He laughed as the mer smacked him playfully on the shoulder.

  An odder couple could never be found in all of Tamriel. On one side, there was Leads-The-Way, a half-vampire, the second son of a powerful and cruel undead vampire lord, and a proud Vigilant of Stendarr. On the other, there was Raielle, an unusually kind and young Thalmor general, whose father had inducted her and advanced her through the ranks early, but she had no desire to purge Talos worshippers from the world.

  They had met each other after a fateful accident left Leads dying in the snow after a Frost Troll gravely wounded him. He managed to crawl to this very cave, while Raielle sheltered inside from the storm after getting lost on her way to Solitude. Taking pity on the Argonian, she nursed him back to full health and when she had, he promised to visit her, as a thank you. While reluctant and unwilling at first, something sparked between them, and they fell in love. Only the Divines could explain how, but it happened.

  The pair sat there for a while, sometimes cuddling and other times simply talking. The subject of their families came up once, a touchy topic, for both mer and beast knew that neither of their fathers would approve of this union. After seeing Raielle's face go grey after speaking about her Justiciar father, Leads-The-Way hastily wracked his brains for anything new he had not yet told her.

  “I have been promoted again,” Leads-The-Way finally admitted softly, gazing across the cave. “I am now taking over Jakel's role as Lore-Keeper.” His hand reached inside his armor, pulling out an Amulet of Stendarr. He ran a scaled finger over it, stopping briefly to touch the crack that almost cleaved right through it.

  Raielle smiled and squeezed his hand. “That is excellent news, my love. What made Azog give you that role?”

  “Jakel died,” admitted Leads with a wry smile and Raielle's face fell. “Don't worry; he died doing what he loved, fighting off Daedra; even taking some of them down with him.”

  He took a breath and began to tell his story, shushing Raielle when she went to speak. “We got hit by a bunch of bunch of Mehrunes Dagon worshippers. They were after the Razor, which is weird because we never recovered it... Pretty sure Father has it in that damn collection of his.” He barked an unamused laugh.
  
  “They came in the night and there were so many of them, but we had the upper hand thanks to a warning from a scout. Some of the Dawnguard were fending them off from above with crossbows while we laid down low in the Fort Dawnguard barracks, getting groups ready. The other half of the Dawnguard was scouting around the canyon, to close in behind them.”

  The Argonian paused, his head cocked slightly to the side as he remembered that day, but he went on, a sound of proud accomplishment leaking into his voice.

  “I lead the first charge, with my group consisting of those knew how to use weapons. Spellbreaker and Dawnbreaker were my best friends that day against the daedra, ironically, and we hit them pretty damn hard. There must have been over forty of the bastard daedra-worshippers, and each had at least either an atronach or a Dremora with them. Some had both.”

  “Jakel led the second charge and was going after the stragglers to the side. They were doing well with their magic but then this one big bruiser, we think he was an over-sized Nord, well, he summoned the biggest Dremora Lord I had ever seen behind Jakal. He never saw it coming.”

  “How horrible,” Raielle breathed. “I am proud of you though. You are a brave man, my love.”

  Leads-The-Way touched his forehead to hers, taking care to avoid impaling her with the small horns on top of his head. “I just try to do my duty... I love you so much.”

  The elf smiled and kissed his nose. “And I love you. One day we can stay together. Forever”

  Leads nodded and leant back from her, before standing and stretching his arms back behind his spine. “Would you like to see Shadestep?” he asked his wife, referring to his horse, who so happened to be the daughter of his father's stallion, Shadowmere.

  “Does she still get jealous that she is not the only woman in your life anymore?” Raielle asked seriously, but a smile twitched at her pale lips.

  Leads-The-Way cracked a smile and offered her his hand, helping her up like the gentleman he is. They walked hand in hand to the exit, only stopping to pick up the Argonian's weapons, before they stepped out into the chilly night.

  It had stopped snowing, but the wind was still blowing hard, sending flakes of icy snow into the couple's faces. Leads-The-Way whistled two sharp bursts and Shadestep came trotting towards him, her dark coat a stark contrast to the snow.

  She shook herself, sending the cloak and snow on her back flying, before snorting out an icy breath and stomping once. She was not happy.

  Leads took the cloak and wrapped it around Raielle, kissing her neck after he had done so. She smiled and pulled her hood up, watching her husband. “Behave yourself, Shadestep,” the Vigilant told the mare, waggling a finger at her. “You know you'll always be my number one girl.”

  The horse snorted again and tossed her head, clearly not amused, before butting her nose into Leads head. He laughed, before reaching up to scratch her cheek and Raielle reached around to scratch her other. Shadestep's eyes closed and she emitted a quiet nicker.

  “I think she likes that,” Raielle observed, moving her hand to pat Shadestep's nose.

  But the mare suddenly stiffened, and gave a loud whinny, a warning, and reared back, raising her forelegs a foot off the ground as Raielle shrunk back, covering her ears at the harsh noise. Leads-The-Way grabbed at her reins, pulling Shadestep back down, before looking over his shoulder. In the distance, his eyes saw a glint of sunlight off a helmet, one that was distinctively curved with an eagle head carved into the top. And he knew immediately what to do.

  “Get back in there!” he hissed at Raielle. “If these foot soldiers catch us together...”

  He needn't finish his sentence. If any Thalmor soldiers caught a glimpse of the high chancolier's daughter with a simple Argonian, questions would be asked. Not to mention that he was on strictly prohibited ground -- Since the time that the embassy was broken into, the land and roads around it was prohibited to trespass on unless given written permission by High Queen Elisif... Which he did not have.

  “Go!” Leads-The-Way whispered again to his wife. “Hide!” She went to move but then he grabbed her waist and twisted her around, kissing her passionately.

  She returned it eagerly before she gave his chest a gentle push and pulled away, “I love you, Leads-The-Way. We'll meet again soon...” The fur cloak dropped from her shoulders and she casted an invisibility spell, before slipping inside the cave.

  Looking further up the path, Leads-The-Way could see that the soldiers have come into view. Two were the typical High Elves, both female, wearing golden armour with eagle carvings and expressions of disdain. The third, however, was a Bosmer, as far as Leads could tell. His armor was made of fine-crafted dark leather, covering the majority of his body, with pauldrons and plates of bone covering his vital areas. His headpiece was a hooded helmet, with a black mask concealing his identity, and had ornate metal guards protecting his cheeks and forehead. Only a fool could not see that he was not to be trifled with.

  One of the Altmer called out then as they approached the Argonian, who was fumbling with the stirrup of his saddle. “You there, halt!” As she yelled the order, her hand slipped to her sword, grasping the hilt firmly.

  Leads-The-Way looked up at them and put on his biggest fake smile. “Tidings.”

  The second female eyed him with uneasy suspicion and exchanged a glance with the other Altmer. The Bosmer looked away, fingering the tip of his bone blade, looking rather bored.

  “State your business, Argonian,” the Thalmor foot solider ordered. “These grounds are off limits for civilians.”

  “I-I know, ma'am,” stammered Leads-The-Way, mentally rolling his eyes at this stupid charade he had to put on. “But... But I have a letter! A letter of permission from High Queen Elisif! I'm h-h-here on official Vigilant of Stendarr business.” He fumbled around underneath his armor, patting his hands in it, as if searching for something.

  He looked up at the impatient Altmer who raised her eyebrows. “Well? Where is it then, lizard?”

  “It... It must be in my saddlebag... L-L-Let me grab it now!” He went around to the side of Shadestep and pretended to rifle through her bag. “Ah, here it is!” he called, giving his mare a prod with a clawed finger. “Do you mind coming here? Everything’s a mess right now in here… Tsk tsk.”

  One of the Thalmor solider rolled her eyes and mumbled as she stepped forward to come around Shadestep from behind. But the horse was not happy with that.

  She bucked and threw her hind legs back with a vicious kick into the foot soldier's chest while whinnying loudly. The elf barely had time to react, but shock crossed her face as she was flung against the opposite cliff before falling down to the ground, where she moved no more. The snow near her helm stained red as blood trickled from her ear.

  The other solider exclaimed in fury, before she summoned a Bound Sword, the blue weapon shimmering from nowhere into her hand. The Bosmer looked slightly alarmed, but only drew a second bone short sword and armed himself.

  Shadestep cantered down the road behind Leads, no longer blocking his form. He had his shield up and his sword drawn, a smirk across his golden face. “Stendarr have mercy, for I have none to spare!” he called at the Thalmor. “And let Talos crush your bones!”

  At this statement, the Thalmor soldier began to shriek. “Kill him! Kill the heretic! “

  From her free hand, she lobbed a fireball, but Spellbreaker absorbed it, its ward rippling in the air. Leads laughed at the Thalmor's bewildered expression. “Father told me this was useless... Well, I say it's pretty good for humiliating your asses!”

  The elf gritted her teeth and sprinted through the snow towards the Argonian. He too charged forward and their weapons from Oblivion met, the light from Dawnbreaker bathing them in golden auras and the glow of the Bound Sword mixing in with that, creating a strange but beautiful mix of radiance. She swung her sword in a wide arch towards his midriff, but it was a poor move. He shifted his shield up and parried the blow away, as simple as if he was swatting a fly.

  The Thalmor dipped around the Argonian's left and sliced her sword upwards, which he dodged, the tip of the bound sword narrowly missing his throat. He spun counter-clockwise as she lobbed and firebolt, bashing just as the magic hit the ward. It bounced off and struck her chest, catching alight for a brief second.

  Leads crouched low, watching the Altmer put the fire out with a blast of her ice magic, and readjusted his grip on his shield. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, he charged at the Altmer and smashed into her, his shield pushing her against the face of the mountain. Dawnbreaker was thrust forward, impaling the Altmer, the tip slipping into the weak point of her armour. Blood spurted from her mouth as the blade was twisted by the vigilant before being pulled viciously from her torso.

  An arrow zipped through the air with a quick TWIP noise and imbedded itself deep into the Thalmor's chest, ending her suffering. Leads turned and saw the Bosmer, his bow drawn with another arrow already loaded. He fired again, this time at the Argonian, eyes fixed on him with malicious fury.
  
  The Vigilant threw up his shield and felt the arrow imbedded deep in Spellbreaker, but not go right through. He ducked his scaled head down and felt another do the same, noting the Bosmer’s superior reloading speed. He inched forward, staggering a little when the Bosmer fired a particularly hard shot, and he risked a peek out from behind the shield.
  
  The Bosmer had dropped his bow and now had his blades drawn, curved weapons of bone with carved wood handles, slightly worn. He held them loosely at his sides, almost touching the snow, but it was not a state of relaxation. It was an invitation… An invitation to duel.
  
  The Argonian charged in and held his shield up, but the Bosmer side-stepped is easily. The elf swung his sword at Leads back, only for the Argonian to turn and parry them with his blade. Leads smirked and ducked, throwing his arm and trying to use Spellbreaker to knock the Bosmer off his footing.
  
  But like the Bosmer was not a whelp and he leapt, letting out a war cry in his native tongue. His strikes came quickly and deadly, two almost coming close to striking the Argonian’s unarmoured head. Leads-The-Way parried and blocked, keeping his guard up, but frustration was showing. When the hell did the Bosmer warriors come to Skyrim?! He thought, teeth bared at the elf.

  Both warriors began to grow weary as they went on. Lead’s shield arm fell and Dawnbreaker felt like a block of stone. He could see the Bosmer had ditched one sword to use only one, holding it in both hand and panting hard. They circled, eyeing each other off, before they did one final charge at one another.
  
  “For Stendarr!” roared Leads-The-Way, with a fiery vengeance in his eyes and heart, before Dawnbreaker broke through the Bosmer’s gut, piercing his vital organs and erupting from his back. The elf’s eyes went wide, before he spluttered in disbelief and fell from the blade, dead. Blood stained the snow, red beneath him as Leads-The-Way watched, panting too.
  
  The Argonian did nothing for a bit, dropping his shield and sword, leaning on his knees and gasping the cold air for breath, watching the corpses of the Thalmor. The face of his love raced through his mind and he wondered… Why love someone like him? Why love a killer of her people? Why love… A monster?
  
  He had so many questions and no answers, but he pushed them away, into the back of his mind, as he had always done. There was nothing he could do now. He mounted Shadestep, grasping him amulet and looked back at the corpses of the elves. He cast a look upwards, perhaps toward Stendarr himself, before he disappeared into the blizzard.

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