Challenges

Ch. 27 Darkness Comes

Something was wrong. Something just didn’t feel right. Saber entered the stronghold with a sense of trepidation, almost as if being watched. Yet, he found nothing in the way of Corprus beasts or even creatures in the empty halls. Only briefly while outside, he thought he had spotted movement on the roof, yet could see no evidence upon a second glance. Once inside, he found torches burning on the walls and rooms that seemed to have been occupied, and quite recently.
Pausing to inspect some items on a table, the thief noted nothing of value, mostly dishes and junk. Then, a sound; voices or cloth rustling? He grew still, trying to hear more, but the sound- whatever it was- had faded. Perhaps the beasts were further down the levels of the great fortress. Still…it seemed odd that nothing and no one was here. Another sound was almost as if footsteps were running…No one could live among Corprus beasts…could they? Saber doubted that and considered it possible someone had already cleared out the wretched things.
Gripping the sword’s hilt, he cautiously headed at what was the outer vestibule. Here, in days of old, warriors would open the thin windows to send volleys of arrows to the enemies outside, and this ran along the perimeter of the structure. A few rooms were spaced apart, most likely being chambers used for planning battle or used to bring the wounded. Now they seemed scattered with junk, and a few bedrolls.
Saber sniffed the air, catching the faint scent of incense. It masked ever so lightly further smells of leather and steel. Bandits? This might be the hideout of a group of smugglers. There was no sign of smuggled goods. Besides, how could bandits fend off Sixth House cultists?
Strange…. very strange…
He discovered two doors on this level and the one clearly would take him to the roof. No reason to go there, he thought, opting to take the lower levels. Sat-Matuul had said the shield token was beneath Kogoruhn. He had yet to find a cup or a Corprus beast.
Listening to the door, he found no sound beyond and slowly opened the portal to sneak in. He readied his Chameleon spell. Such magic worked for only a short time and he would cast the spell once he found some danger. He had no wish to drain mana here of all places. Ears listened, and eyes darted to all directions. The narrow hallway further on had one other door with no sound from within. Another entrance led straight ahead and seemed the most likely route to where he needed to go. Opening the door as quietly as he could, he discovered it led to a vast room, where a stone bridge connected to ramps guiding down into the spacious chamber. Thick pillars lined the room in two rows, guiding in either direction to yet another set of doors.
Saber stepped out, realizing too late a large form looming up from below. A Flame Atronach! The Daedric creature was an elemental. Atronachs also took form as the elements of Stone or Frost, and were formidable opponents indeed. Fortunately for a quick and nimble thief, he often could use speed against their bulk. Saber knew little about the creatures, except who had nagging thought continued to distract him. They were summoned beings! Who summoned this?!
The creature hissed like steam off a stove. The thing moved slowly with deliberate intention towards him. Saber keyed the Manos Blade, invoking the soul trap magick within as he drew out a small soul gem. There was some skill for a fighter to soul trap beings such as this. One had to simultaneously concentrate on the spell to draw forth the soul into the crystal, while fending the thing off and hopefully not getting killed in the process.
Soul gems earned him considerable gold when sold to enchanters, and worth the risks. They were essential to enchanting items with powerful spells, and any enchanter would pay top price for a Flame Atronach. Saber fell into a semi-crouch ready to spring as the beast neared him. It stood nearly ten feet tall, with fire aglow on his red skin. Arms and legs were spindly, with torso and thighs in a casing like armor, and reeking of brimstone.
The elemental heaved with arms raising, readying a spell to throw fire when Saber finally darted forward and struck a blow in the vulnerable mid-section. The beast reeled, slashing out with hands and claws. Saber managed to duck from the blow. Smoke drifted off the heated skin, and a long drawn out sound reminded Saber of bellows to a forge. It reminded Saber of one taking a deep breath.
Arms rose once again, and with lightning fast speed, he once again darted forward to slash viciously at its vulnerable stomach. Timing was essential here. He had to attack and dodge as a misty glow swirled around the beast. The soul trap had taken effect. Now all Saber had to do is kill the Atronach before the spell ran out.
Muttering the incantation, he focused on duck and deflect. His race was a benefit here, having a very high resistance to fire. The heat of the creature didn’t bother him, and as the claws came a bit too close a few times, Saber knew they’d not trouble him as much if he were human. The Manos blade sang against the air each time he swung or thrust, easily shifting aside to avert deadly claws. Finally, the creature gave a shrill scream before falling backwards dead.
Catching his breath, Saber inspected the soul gem and found the pale blue crystal now sparkled with orange light. It even felt warm to the touch. He smiled inwardly, pleased that the next time he reached civilization he could either gain a powerful magick item, or have gold enough to travel anywhere he wanted.
A low snarl caught his attention, startling him. He looked behind to the only way out, finding it blocked by a woman…Saber blinked. No, not a woman. She was once human however, a Nord by the looks of it with waves of golden blond hair. Eyes that were once blue were now a bright yellow, glowing back an inhuman hunger for blood. The face may have been pretty at one point, except now ghastly pale and veined with shadows around the eyes.
The Vampire bared fangs in a caricature of a smile.
Vampires? Sat-Matuul said nothing of vampires!
Another growl came from behind, and Saber turned to find more of the undead coming up the ramps. While fighting the Atronach, he hadn’t seen them emerge from rooms below. He came to realize the trouble he found himself in when he counted as many as ten. Somehow, he must have stumbled into a vampire’s den.
Ten against one were not fair odds, not in the least!
Focusing on the way out, Saber turned to the female vampire and threw his hand in her direction. A burst of orange-red sparks took formed from fingertips, rolling into a ball of fire. She hissed angrily, jumping high to clear the blast. He nearly opted to use the Chameleon spell but remembered they could just as easily smell him. He also couldn’t paralyze them. Not wishing to waste the mana needed for spell work, he opted for techniques that are more basic. Throwing another fireball, he watched the vampire leap out of the way, opening just enough space to make a break for the door. Racing forward, something hit him from behind.
At first, he had no idea what it was, but soon discovered a weakness caused him to stumble, and slam into the wooden portal. What the-? Not wishing to find out more, Saber yanked open the door, in the hopes of making a hasty retreat. However, he hadn’t expected to run into a body blocking his escape. It was warm. It was human, however he soon realized the Redguard fighter he now faced was not an ally.
A fist slammed into Saber’s jaw nearly knocking him out before he lashed back with a swipe towards the man’s head. The Redguard raised his sword just in time to block the blow, following by a kick that sent the Dunmer flying back into the cavernous room.
The fool! What was he thinking? The Vampires will kill them both now! Lurching back to his feet, Saber found the undead creatures rushing up at him. He struck wildly, hitting three as they moved forward, opening grievous wounds. Now desperate, he jumped off the bridge. Using his levitation, he floated down into a run, hoping to keep a respectful distance between himself and these creatures. Using the throwing daggers, he threw with deadly precision and brought two more down, watching them combust into ash.
The Vampires fell into pursuit, and an odd game of cat and mouse soon ensued. Saber kept ahead, focusing on the edge of the pack to try to thin the numbers. Realizing his tactic, they began to spread out, trying to outflank him.
Damn it…He cast another levitation, shooting upwards to reach the stone bridge above and, with luck, fight his way out of this place. Just as his feet touched the bridge, he felt another wave of weakness that drove him to his knees. He looked up from his kneeling position, perplexed and confused that vampires would know such spells as this, and instead, found he was staring into the icy gaze of an Imperial smiling in triumph.
What the-? Another human? Where did he come from? He seemed to have appeared from nowhere. The only explanation was the man had shrouded himself in magic. Now even more desperate, he cast a recall spell that would teleport him from this mess into a marked location- the Ashlander camp- posthaste…Except nothing happened.
He tried again, only to have no results. The Imperial must have cast some sort of dispel on him!
Saber felt the Vampires swarm up behind him and lunged forward to roll onto his back and slash upwards. He managed to open the stomachs of two more before they burst into ash, while the others descended upon him like a pack of Nix Hounds. He fought like a weasel, kicking and squirming, and trying to swing the blade. Too many hands reached for him, and the sword fell from his grasp.
Growling in growing desperation and anger, the Dunmer brutally kicked legs and twisted his body in the hopes of falling over the edge of the bridge. Too many hands held him firmly however, and he knew he was finished. They hauled him to his feet, pulling him in too many directions as he tried to gain his bearings. Whatever spell had hit him, left him dizzy and feeling nauseous. Gasping for breath, he heard an odd voice amid the din of vampires delighting in his capture.
“Very good Valos.” The voice hissed at the smug Imperial. “You’ve delivered him, as promised.”
Saber looked up, seeing a robed figure step forward, clapping hands as if he enjoyed the spectacle. Was this the one who wanted me captured?
“It’s been a long time…” The voice rasped in a low guttural tone. “A good fight, Feryl, but then, I expected nothing less.”
Saber felt blood turn into ice. He looked in horror as the Shadow pulled back his hood, revealing the pale and familiar face of Nekros. The face was nearly white from lack of sun. Once his eyes had been a shade of coal, they now glowed an otherworldly gleam of the undead.
“No…” The Dunmer breathed, instinctively drawing back. Held tight by the mob of vampires, he had no choice but to face his worst fear. “You’re dead-“
“Yes.” Nekros smiled, baring fangs. His chin lifted to reveal the scarred throat that ruined his voice. “I know.”

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“Bartender!” Eiryn barked at the publican of the Eight Plates. She slid her tankard down the stretch of countertop to the Dunmer woman wiping her hands on a cloth. “Another drink!”
The woman scowled, barely snatching the cup in time before it reached the precarious edge. Red eyes narrowed dangerously as she headed back to Eiryn’s end of the bar. “I think you’ve had yerself enough of drink for one night, Sera.”
Enough? Eiryn twisted her face into a frown. I’m not sufficiently numb enough to have had enough! Standing to her full height and discovering she was shorter by five inches, Eiryn decided a loud voice would more than make up for her stature. “I’m paying in gold, Dunmer, so get me another drink!”
A heavy hand rested on her shoulder, which she promptly yanked away. She’d all but forgotten Master Kendari was there. He insisted on joining her for a drink or two upon arriving in Balmora. She hadn’t said a word further on Saber and his abandoning the quest, nor of anything else for that matter. Why did he feel it necessary to follow her around? “C’mon Eiryn. I’ll walk you home.”
“I don’t want to go home.” She pouted, shaking him off. Home? What home? Her father's stark apartment? What home was that? Earlier, she found her father’s single room apartment too empty yet also too full of memories to stay the night. “Besides, I thought I was staying here!”
“Then let me walk you to your room-“ Merthisan began.
His tone pushed her near the edge, and anger boiled. “I don’t need a nursemaid.” She snapped, trying to sit back on the low stool. Unfortunately, she found she was too unbalanced. Missing the chair, she fell to the floor and ended up looking at pairs of feet to the assembled patrons watching her debacle.
“Come on, Eiryn.” Merthisan smiled, helping her to her feet. She staggered a few feet before catching herself, and mustered as much dignity as she could before she headed for the door. “Your room is that way.”
“I want to go for a walk.” Eiryn announced dramatically. “The air will do me good.”
“If you don’t end up falling over on the street.” Merthisan told her, dutifully following behind.
The cool night air lifted her spirits by a tad, and she fought the urge to simply keep going until she didn’t feel the emptiness inside of her any longer. He’s gone…her mind grasped the reality that Saber was actually gone. Why should she be surprised? Hadn’t he left before when she found him in Suran? What do I do now?
Without a destination, she walked along the torch-lit streets of Balmora, with Merthisan in tow. He remained silent, taking the role of protector as they wandered the empty streets. They passed by a few suspicious Hlaalu guards, which gave passing glances or what seemed to be glances. Who could see their expressions thru the helms of their armor?
“Eiryn.” Merthisan finally spoke, breaking the awful quiet. The sound jarred her senses. “Look-“
She blinked a few times to clear her vision to note a handful of rough looking men heading towards the West end of town. They were just crossing the short bridges that separated Balmora by a shallow river, heading under the archway of the West end of the city. Normally Eiryn wouldn’t give them a second thought, except they held weapons in their hands. They also moved with purpose, eyes forward, chins down, even casting cautious glances over their shoulders. They reminded her how Nix Hounds moved when they hunted. They are looking for someone…and for trouble…
Merthisan tugged her sleeve to draw her into a shadowed crevice between buildings. “Shhh.” He whispered, frowning.
“Do you know them?” She whispered back.
He gave a quick shake of the head. Lips pressed into a firm line. “No, but my gut tells me that we best stay out of sight.”
Eiryn had to agree. She couldn’t quite describe how she knew. Instinct she supposed, somehow these men had something to do with her. Perhaps it was due to the fact so few houses were at that end of town, or they were heading like a Kwaama line straight to the corner of town where her father’s house resided. Maybe it had something to do with paranoia. Either case, there was no harm in laying low for the time being.
Time passed quickly as the men emerged from the streets, moving like a pack that lost the scent.
“Now what?” One of the men muttered in frustration. The group of men numbered five, which seemed a bit excessive to be seeking someone. They must be looking for more than one, or a single, powerful person.
The leader, a well-muscled Orc gave a grunt. “We’ll check the taverns. The strider caravaner said they arrived today. They couldn’t have gone far-“
“Unless they teleported through the mage guild.” Another man voiced.
The idea paced their walking to the market square to see if the mage guild was open. This led them closer to where Merthisan and Eiryn hid in the shadows, and she could now see faces clearly. All were humans save the one Orc; of Nords, Bretons, and an Imperial bearing short swords and axes. Dangerous men…by the eager look in their eye. Yes, these were men hunting for someone. Eiryn nearly shivered.
Another man ran up almost out of breath. “The Eight Plates. She’s staying at the Eight Plates.” He gasped, motioning to the direction he came from. The men followed him back.
Eiryn swallowed and gave Merthisan a quick glance. He tensed at their words, instinctively drawing her closer to him with a protective arm. She was the only ‘she’ staying at the Eight Plates. They were seeking her out!
What could they want with me? She thought with growing trepidation.