Hey, it's me, Destana.  Last time I took a few days helping the Keepers of Haatu (Imperial independent freedom fighters hunting Thalmor) get some support from the Stormcloaks, my old boys.  Marcus Jannus is set to start hiring builders to rebuild Helgen as soon as I finish mustering forces.  I'm on a timetable for my next Dark Brotherhood mission - kill the Gourmet then kill the Emperor.  This is probably going to shake up the whole province a lot and potentially the whole continent.  Get ready!

 

The couple of days after the Falmer Pit, the Stormcloaks needed time to get the message and then get down to Helgen.  So I went to Helgen and relaxed, bringing me to 5 of 12 days until the Assassination.  When they showed up, they also brought some nice new armor for the existing men, and I could tell more civilians were beginning to show up.  Already some men were clearing away the rubble left in the dragon's wake.

 

The next few days after that had me welcoming the new men and taking them on training missions.  Made me feel kinda like a low-level helper guy, but I guess I am skilled in many forms of combat, so why not.  Of course, there was a lot of hand-holding, as not even a lot of adventuring types could handle this level of challenge.  And I brought Shirley, Inigo and Sofia, because some of these ruins were particularly bad and they really made it quicker and smoother.  Also, I figured it would be better to give each individual a taste of fighting in a group.

 

First, I took a guy on a vampire and draugr-infested ruin. 

"Yeah, let's destroy the vampire scum!"

"I hate vampires!"

And a couple of lever puzzles.  And a lot of explosions.  I picked up some fire bolts and arrows, and a couple new destruction spells from the Manantis vendor when I got the teleport tome.

Just the highlights.  

 

Next, a warlock.  The first room had two necromancers, entirely stealth killed my me. The second room had a group of necromancer corpses and some undead.  I can only guess they bit off more than they could chew.  Next room had an arch necromancer on a pedestal with a bunch of cronies and enthralled undead.  I focused bow fire on the arch while my guys fought the others.  We continued fighting our way through until the end.  

6 days gone, when we got back to Helgen I roused Korst from his bed at 3 am.  I turned in the quest and got ready for the next guy.  It would be so helpful if I didn't have to sleep.  As little as I already do, if I could keep going 24 hours a day it'd be nice.

 

Next, bandits!  It was close, so we just went on foot.  Caught a cave bear on the way there.  I was worried it would be a large group of bandits, but they were sleeping.  And they were legit idiots, so we picked off about half of them before they even came after us.  Also, I noticed Shirley was dual-wielding skull-tipped goblin staves instead of her normal greatsword.  I thought that was peculiar.

 

After that, ghosts in a cave!  Well, it was actually a Dremora Warlock summoning shades.  But there was a ghostly little girl involved.

I returned and got some sleep.  Now it was day 7.  

 

"What you got next, Korst?"

"Some archaeologists dug too deep and they need help with what they found.  They rawwawwawwn for their lives!  Hahaha!"  

I raised an eyebrow, "This is more and more random.  Okay.  How many more of these guys do you have that need me to go on individual sessions to toughen them up?"

"One more after this one," he replied.  So I hurried off with my group.

 

Archaeology guys.  Yep, I don't remember this one.

 

Last one was supposedly draugr, but the place was almost entirely filled with strong bandits.  My guess was that the bandits cleared out the ruin so they'd have a base of operations.  But we cleared them out.  And they had quite the trove of treasure.  They had a few captains and two chiefs!  One of the chiefs was wearing Ebony Plate, which I handed to Shirley.  

 

Anyway, I slept and it was day 7. We were finally done with guard training. 

 

"Korst," I said, "These guys could hold off an Imperial assault while being attacked by dragons.  I'm done with this.  Marcus around?"

"Yeah, he wanted to see you," he replied.

I walked up to the ground level of the Keep to find him sitting at a table.

"Friend!" He said, "Good news.  We found one of the towers that had been blocked by rubble is entirely intact.  It's an old guard station, with an armory below that opens up to a cavern.  I know you like dungeon exploring, so I figured I'd offer the tower to you."

I nodded, "Sure.  It can be a home while I'm here.  A good safehouse.  Need my help with anything else?"

 

"Well, there is a shipment of lumber we were going to use to start the buildout that's way overdue," Marcus replied.

"Alright, got a few more days to kill," I said, heading over.  I walked into the Dead Man's Drink and said to Reinhardt, "What's with this lumber shipment?"

"Got a guy injured who's convalescing on your job.  It'll be a little bit," he replied, "If you did want to saw it yourself, though..."

"You want me to saw the lumber I ordered?"

"I only got a deposit.  I can deduct the cost from your manual labor," he replied.

I walked up to the machine and pulled the lever.  But nothing happened.

I looked at my group, "What?  I'm not a lumberjack.  I dunno how these work."

"So Reinhardt finally found someone willing to saw the logs for free," a man said, "Man has no shame."

"What do you mean free?"

"Since my cousin Bolund's had his back problems, I came in to fill in for him and he hasn't paid me a septim."

"Why hasn't he paid you?" I asked.

"I have an idea, but I've said too much already."

"How about this, I'll pay you 1000 gold to saw these logs.  You deserve to eat," I said, "Criminal is what this is."

 

"I'll do it and more for that!" He replied, "I can tell you that Bolund isn't hurt.  He just refuses to work for free.  Reinhardt is gambling away all the money!  It's the damned Fight Cave.  He's addicted."

Reinhardt strolled out of the inn at about this time and I accosted him.

"What's with this I hear you not paying your workers?" I asked, "I know about the fight cave."

"Damn!  Caught!  Those damn workers can't keep their mouths shut. Well, is there any way you can help me with this?" He asked.

"Why should I help you, liar?"

"It'll be weeks before you get your lumber unless you do."

"Alright.  What do I need to do?"

"I bet my last bit of money on you in the fight cave, and you win!" Reinhardt said, "It's like an underground arena.  No need to tell you the rules, since there are none!  Except that it's only men and mer."

"Couldn't I just pay off your debt?  I'm swimming in gold at this point," I folded my arms.

"Nah, c'mon.  It'll be fun!  Besides, if you give me money, I owe you.  And if you contribute your hard work I won't owe you anything!"

"That sounds a lot like the rationale you used on those guys working for you," I replied, "But actually, I think I want to fight in an arena.  Test my skills a little."

"That's the spirit!  And don't talk to me if you see me in there.  I'll deny everything.  Here's a pass," he handed me the paper.  I dashed off... and noticed it was like, just across the road from the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary.  I should let those guys know about that.

I ventured in and told my group to wait for me in the crowd.  They immediately realized I wasn't who the pass was meant for, but didn't have any qualms with sticking me on the blue team.  

 

My first match, an Orc, decked out in Orcish armor with a sword and shield.  I want to say it was an epic battle, but I decided I was going to win.  As the announcer hyped up the crowd, I readied two new spell acquisitions:  Crying Eye and Invisibility.  At the drop of the flag, I cast crying eye on the orc, partially blinding him.  Then, Invisibility.  I walked around behind him and slit his throat.  He was dead before he hit the ground.

"Sorry, not a big hype competitor.  I'm more of a straight-up murderer," I chuckled. 

The crowd heckled me.  I was definitely a heel.  I collected 250 gold from winning then returned to Wiglaf to get my next fight.

"You impressed out there.  What do you want your Pit Fighter name to be?" He asked, then gave me a few suggestions.

"I think, Widow Maker is a good one."

"Next fight?" He asked.

"Next fight," I replied, then we returned to the pit.

 

My next challenge was a man in dwemer armor with closed helm named Vald the Impaler.  Sounds... familiar?  Anyway, I decided I would give the crowd more of a show this time and not immediately murder the guy.  

I sized him up as Wiglaf hyped up the crowd.  One-handed sword and no offhand.  Maybe a half-caster.  I put a ward in my offhand and went with Dawnfang.  I put up the ward and his immediate response was to use some kind of drain spell.  He swung his sword and I side-stepped.  I slashed him in the back a couple times, then took out my shield.  Between bashing his drain away and slashing him up, I had him down in a couple minutes.  I'm sure the crowd liked it a little more, though they booed again.  I collected my winnings and sat down with the group to a meal.  It was evening now and I'd been fighting and cutting wood and traveling all day, and I wasn't sure if I'd slept enough the past few days.  

 

"Are you feeling tired, friend?" Inigo asked.

"So you can tell?" I asked, "I am beat.  But I think I want to finish when I'm doing now before I go back and rest."

"There're beds downstairs," Shirley said.

"I'm alright.  Next battle!" I said. 

 

My next fight was a spellcaster named Ulnaril.  I figured I might beat him at his own game and readied my spells.

Strangely, as Wiglaf was announcing, I could FEEL the sun setting.  Like it really mattered to me.

First, Pride of Hirstaang, which summons a bear.  Because I have the very basic study of conjuration that makes their spells use less magicka, I can cast it.  

Then, Elemental Bolts, although the bear did most of the work.

 

I collected my winnings and pressed on.  Brutus, a heavily armored two-handed fighter.  I considered the approach I would take this time.  Probably going head on wasn't the best.  This time, I got into sneak and got to the farthest corner of the arena while Wiglaf spoke.  I got out my bow and racked an Ice Arrow.  

"Begin!" Wiglaf shouted, and I sniped Brutus with an Ice Arrow to the face.  He slowly struggled, walking towards me.  The second hit him in the body and laid him out, but he downed a potion that restored him to full health.  I licked my lips, nocking another arrow.  He just couldn't catch a break, as I shot him in the neck.  He was mere feet from me now as I got another shot and he fell to his knees.  So I dropped the bow and made it a good show for the crowd.  I pulled out Dawnfang and slit the guy's throat.  I win.  

 

Finally, a Breton with skills of magic and blade.  What to do...?  I decided I would go with my strongest skill.  At the beginning of the match I casted Invisibility and fired an arrow to get a good sneak attack in to a vital point.  Unfortunately, I only had one Ice Arrow left, so I switched to regular arrows.  He put up a ward, and answered my volley with Elemental Bolts.  It was a damage race, and he was chugging potions between blasts.  But at one point he lost sight of me and I got a lucky sneak attack headshot and finished him off.

 

I got my winnings, again, and returned to Wiglaf.  

"Geez!  You're going through all our best guys in one day!" He said, "If you want to fight one last one, it's our grand champion.  He specifically asked for you.  Make no mistake - this Khajit is one tough opponent."

And we were back in the pit.

Since he was so tough, I figured I'd go for a cheap win again.  Crying Eye, Invis, throat cut.  

It didn't work.  He resisted my crying eye.  He saw right through my Invisibility and took little damage.  I booked it out of his reach, to which he summoned a sabre cat.  So I summoned the Pride of Hirstaang.  I took down the Sabre Cat with a well placed stab to the back while my bear fought him.  Just when he was about to go down, he downed an Ultimate Potion.  During this time I was getting behind him and he downed my bear!  I saw my opportunity and took it, slitting his throat for real this time.  Whew.  That one was actually difficult.  And I'm glad I didn't engage him.  When I checked the body I realized he was carrying a sword of paralyze.  Good thing my bear was extra tough.

 

I got back to Reinhardt at around midnight, having fought all day, and he was hanging out by the waterfall at the edge of town for some reason.  The first two shipments were free, the rest heavily discounted, and I made a boatload of money (about 5k) on pit fighting.  I went back to Marcus and told him all about it.  He thanked me and sent me back to Val.  Time to sleep. 

 

Okay, Day 8.  You know those days when the sun just sucks and you don't want to get out of bed?  This was that day.  But I was determined to finish getting rid of this slave outfit soon.  I talked to Val, who confirmed the Thalmor are selling slaves here in Skyrim.  He told me I should go see the whore Korst had been talking about at the Tall Mast Tavern.  Geez, great detective work.  I could've told you that a week ago.  I rode over on Shadowmere.  It was south of Solitude and west of Morthal, but we were able to make it by noon.  

 

I approached Dianna, literally the first whore I saw.

"Hey there, what can I do for you?"

"I'm looking for a man named Aerendil," I said.

"C'mon, that can't be all you're here for.  How about we spend a little time alone?" She asked.

Strangely enough, I wasn't really feeling like it.  Maybe it was how tired I was.

"I'll give you double your normal rate if you just tell me what I want to know," I folded my arms.

"Alright.  One of the other girls is his regular.  She told me one of his associates (Maenan) is staying at the Winking Skeever in Solitude," she said, "Sure that's all you need?"

"Yep.  Thanks," I said.

"What a shame," she replied.

And we were on our way to Solitude... always Solitude.

 

I approached Maenan in the Skeever.  

"Looking for a man named Aerendil."

"You must have me mistaken for someone else," he replied.

"Word is you're involved in the slave trade," I said back.

"Preposterous!"

"You can talk or I can gut you, right here.  In the Inn."

"Yes, yes.  I'm probably no match for you.  You wouldn't hurt a defenseless man, would you?" He said flatly.

"Talk."

"Very well.  But only if you don't hurt me," he was pleading like a coward, but his voice was very even toned, "I've never actually met Aerendil.  I only met Guunlaug, one of his associates.  He smuggles the product out of Skyrim."

"Where can I find him?" I asked. 

"I don't know exactly, but I do know they have a base out of an old shipwreck northwest of here."

"No 'product' shipments today," I said, walking away, "Oh, and, get the hell out of Skyrim or you're a dead man."

 

We cruised up to the shipwreck and steamrolled the few slavers and bandits there, then we headed up to Orphan's Tear mine.  What a sad name.  There we were from room-to-room, slaughtering the bandits and slavers until we came upon some captives.  We'd finished off their entire operation, including Guunlaug.

"Will you make sure the coast is clear so my family and I can escape?"

I nodded, walking back outside while the others undid their restraints.  

Aerendil was waiting for me with a paralysis spell.  It was much like the Jailer's paralysis, but even stronger.  They carried me, stiff as a board, onto a ship of some kind, leaving the captives and my allies without a clue where I was.  

 

I finally regained feeling and got to my feet in the hold of a ship.

"Good to see you're finally coming around," Aerendil's voice was the snootiest I had ever heard, even for an Altmer.  He was wearing Thalmor robes, with a glass armored guard next to him.

"What do you want?" I folded my arms.  Villains always like to try to make deals, and this guy was starting to sound like a capital 'V.'

 

"I just want to talk.  You're caused me quite a bit of trouble, you know," he replied, "Did you think slaughtering a whole dispatch of Thalmor, and Justicars would go unnoticed by the Dominion?  Were it not for me, this fetid little town you operate out of would've been razed to the ground by now.  Do you realize that I could've killed you while you were paralyzed?  This is a very powerful paralysis that took me years to master.  Even I can only use it ever so often, lest it tire me out."

I stood there, waiting for him to continue monologuing.

"I know everything.  Marcus Jannus and Valerius Artora, and the remnants of the Keepers of Haatu have been a thorn in my side before.  Their time and yours is about to end."

"Well you did kill Val's family.  What did you expect?"

"Expect?  I expect them to die," Aerendil laughed, "Same as any who don't serve the Dominion.  The era of men has come and gone.  You know, we were once a very patient people.  But that patience has worn thin."

"So, again.  What do you want?" I said, getting annoyed, "You must not have killed me for some reason."

"Yes,  yes, good.  We're not so different, you and I," he sneered.  HE IS A SUPERVILLAIN!  

"I killed the man's family.  You killed my men," he explained, "We're both murderers.  It's all a matter of perspective."

"Look, I never said I wasn't a murderer.  You can't moral high-ground me, because I don't care what you have to say.  Tell me what you want."

"You will go get Valerius Tiberius Artora and hand him over to me at the prison where you killed my men."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because if you don't, Marcus Jannus will die," he explained.

"So you kidnapped him too?" I sighed.

"You just can't be too careful these days.  Out for a stroll, who's to say if you get kidnapped?  Anyway," he blasted me with the paralysis spell again, "Think about it.  Either Marcus or Valerius dies.  Either way, it's a win for me."

They carried me back out to the shore and dumped me there.  I booked it on Shadowmere and was there by nightfall.  

"Val!" I shouted, "Aerendil captured Marcus!"

"Godsdammit!" He said back.  He turned to Falco, who'd been training near him, "What do you know about this?"

"I swear, I don't know anything!" Falco said.

"He reacted awfully violently to that," I said flatly.

"You and I are the only ones who knew where Marcus was going.  How did they know everything we were doing?  How did they know where Korst was hiding before?  All very convenient."

"I don't know anything, I swear!"

"Tie him up, Korst!" Korst grappled him while the other soldiers stripped him of his armor and threw some burlap rags on him, dragging him down to the deep levels of the keep.

"Alright, Falco," Val said, "You're a liar and a traitor.  Aerendil knew what we were planning every step of the way!  I saw you, two nights ago when you met with that messenger.  I should kill you right now!"

He was silent.

"How could you betray me and all your brothers??" Val yelled, "Tell me!"

"They... they have my sister and her children.  They're all I have left," Falco responded finally.

"You're a fool.  Your sister and her family are dead or slaves by now," he shook his head, "Korst, lock him up downstairs.  We'll deal with him later."

Val turned to me, "What does Aerendil want us to do?"

"The million septim question," I said, "You and I are to go alone to the Thalmor prison."

Val stood there for a moment, then he said, "I guess today is a good day to die."

Between the interrogation and the travel, we were there just about by sunrise.  Day 9.

"Godsdammit," I said, despondently, "Does the sun seem unusually bright to you?"

Val raised an eyebrow, "No, not really."

We headed inside.  

"Aerendil!  We came!  Let Marcus go!" Val shouted as he ran into the room to the right.

"What are you doing?" Marcus asked.

"It's the only way, Marcus," Val said back, hand on his blade, "This ends here and now."

"So we finally meet at last," Aerendil smirked, "I must say, you fall short of your legends."

"Let him go!" Val growled.

"All in due time.  You know, I still remember the look on your son's face from all those years ago.  I remember my men saying he squealed like a girl when they beat him," he pontificated.

Val looked at me, then back at Aerendil.  I could tell the look of pure, unholy rage in his eyes.

"... and your wife and daughter moaned like whores as my men ravaged them again, and again, and again," he continued.

"I'll kill you!" Val shouted, and went for his sword, but Aerendil was too quick, blasting him with the advanced paralyze spell.

But I'd already drawn a dagger covertly behind my back while he was talking.  And he didn't have men in the room with him.  Foolish.  I stepped toward while his arms were still raised, finishing the cast of the paralysis spell on Val, and I sent my blade directly into his heart.  He was already dead when the two guards rushed in.  I charged to Val, blades slashing over his paralyzed form to protect him.  One after one, the guards poured in and I cut them down.  I knew there were more Thalmor here and I rushed after them, destroying the last few with my bow.  

 

When I got back to Marcus and Val, I opened the cell.

"What did Aerendil do to him?"

"Some kind of paralysis spell.  But this one is even stronger than the one that affected me," I explained.

Marcus kneeled down Val, who could squeeze out words now.

"That... bastard..." Val said.

"We're going to find a way to get you out of here," Marcus said.

I felt his chest, then his neck, "His heart is slowing.  Is this paralysis meant to stop everything, even the heart?  Surely there's something we can do!"

"Hang on!" Marcus shouted.

"No... no.... I think... my journey has come to an end," Val said, "I can see Sabrina... my children.  They're grown now..."

"Go to them, old friend," Marcus said.

I could feel myself beginning to tear up.  

Korst rushed in, "No!  Commander!" 

But he was already gone, his heart stopped. 

Then the other soldiers followed.

Marcus shook his head, "I'm sorry, friend.  I think we need some time alone with him.  We'll transport him back to Helgen."

"I understand," I replied.

"We'll wait until tomorrow morning.  Then we'll have a service, if you'd like to come," Marcus said.I nodded.  I decided it was time to go to my private tower and sleep.  I know it was daytime, but I felt very weak.  I slept all day, then studied new spells all night, and stored some of my junk in the tower. 

 

Day 10, I went outside to the funeral.  

"Most likely if this were a proper military funeral, there would be music," Marcus said, "A war ballad.  Or a lullaby, to put a warrior to rest."

I pulled out my lute and started to play a somber song from Morrowind.

They all said a few words, then Cienna set fire to the funeral pyre.  After it was over, Marcus and I went down to the prison.  Now to deal with Falco.

As I passed Manara, a new civilian, an older lady, she said, "Are you feeling alright dear?  You look a bit ill."

I shook my head, "I'm alright."

When we reached the prison, Korst already had the man out for us.

"Well, you succeeded in getting Valerius killed.  I hope you're proud of yourself," Marcus said.

"I'm sorry... my sister," Falco said.

"You actually thought you could negotiate with those maggots?" Marcus said humorlessly.

"What should I do with you?" Marcus asked.

"He is a traitor.  He should die a traitor's death," Korst said.

"What do you think?" Marcus asked me.

"I'm inclined to agree," I folded my arms, "He almost got me killed.  I can do it if you want."

And, of course, I used my signature move and slit his throat.

 

Marcus sighed, but whether from having to have a comrade killed or from relief, I wasn't sure.  Another high ranking Thalmor had been dealt in, but there would be more. 

"Friend, it seems all I'm doing lately is thanking you," Marcus said.

"No problem.  You guys are good people, especially Valerius," I replied, "Any updates on the build?"

"Good news so far.  Patsy will be running the Inn.  Cienna and Balfring will be retiring and taking up jobs in the town.  And we'll have an alchemy shop too.  Korst will never retire.  An old soldier at heart."

"How about you?" I asked.

"Think I'll set up a shop here.  We have a lot of new people asking to live here.  I'm not going to be mayor or anything though.  We're going town council.  And none of this would be possible without you."
"Damn right," I smirked.

He chuckled, "Come by anytime."

"Have you considered..." I thought, "The extended families of the people who lived here might want their kinsman's land?"

Marcus smiled, "I hadn't thought about it.  But this place wouldn't be livable if not for us.  So they are welcome to live here, if they want."

It was afternoon on day 10, and I decided it was probably time to check back in to the Sanctuary.  We had two days left, but it seemed like I really needed a rest.  As soon as I stepped through the black door, my heart started pounding.  I could feel my blood boiling, like a beast was screaming in my ears.  After a few seconds, the feeling passed.  

 

Was this... another similar situation to the word walls and the shouting?  I took a deep breath and let it out.  I seemed fine for the time being.  Maybe... maybe sleep would help me.

So I slept until day 11.  And when I woke, I was hungry.  As hell.  I ran outside.

"There she is!" A man yelled to his two companions.  Three hired thugs rushed at me. Evidently they'd been tracking me for some time. 

"I unsheathed my sword and immediately beheaded the first one," I looked at the sword.  Wha...?

"Shor's bones!  Look at her!" One of the others yelled, and they both ran.  I found myself chasing after them.  The first one I seemed to move really fast towards, which I slit his throat.  The second one, I impaled from the front and he collapsed, a burned corpse.  I looked at the dead men.  Godsdamn I was hungry or... thirsty.  I needed something.  Something felt... very wrong.  I ate a cheese from my pack, but it seemed useless, as did the waterskin I'd been drinking from and refilling for years.  Nothing could sate me.  Unless.... I looked down at the one man whose corpse I hadn't completely destroyed.  

 

It looked... appetizing.  I crept over and bit into him, drinking his blood.  It felt good.  I was sated.  I crawled over and looked at myself in the black pool. My form was darkened, but I could see my eyes were glowing like fire.  I was a vampire. 

 

Gods... what to do now.  I'm a vampire.  That damned arena guy infected me.  I mean, it could've been Hern, or maybe the vampires we killed in the cave while I was training soldiers, but the timing was right for Vald.  I decided, I had one more day before it was time to assassinate the Emperor.  For the time being, I was stuck like this.  I would go see the Dawnguard and see if they knew more than the general public.  And I would kill the Gourmet myself.