Chapter Two
Sadryn, Seldus, and Nilvel were long past Gnisis now. Nilvel was looking for every little sign that would indicate Captain Ralvas' soldiers had passed through, makeshift rest stops, widened trails, a chip of bonemold on the road. Sadryn was curious about Nilvel. When they first met, he knew Nilvel as a courier. Now the odd little man was showing skills in stealth, tracking, even combat. Sadryn could only guess where Nilvel picked up those skills. The three elves decided to rest in a grove surrounded by burnt trees. Seldus never liked stopping, and always insisted on watching the roads, and patrolling around the camps they made.
"Seldus, you've been staring at that road for hours." Nilvel said.
"Not just the road old man," Seldus pointed, "Do you see that?"
Nilvel squinted into the darkness ahead. "Wait, are those torches?"
"Yes. I guarantee that's the House Redoran army. It's only a mile or so out. If we get off our rears, we could be there in an hour."
"I'll let Sadryn know," said Nilvel as he rushed over towards Sadryn.
Sadryn was shining his sword when Nilvel came running over, hands waving like a madman. Nilvel told Sadryn the news, and Sadryn's eyes lit up with excitement. The three Dunmer got up and practically sprinted the entire length between themselves and House Redoran's army.
House Redoran had set up quite the outpost in order to keep the Argonians at bay. More soldiers than Sadryn or Seldus had ever seen in one spot. Nilvel looked somewhat uneasy, and kept his head down. Sadryn was looking for any familiar face, hoping to reconnect with his unit from Gnisis. It would be mad to look for Captain Ralvas in this sea of Dunmer and Bonemold. Sadryn and Seldus approached a desk with some busybody writing in a record book. Nilvel followed close behind them.
"Hail brother," said Sadryn, "We were separated from our unit on the way here. We are looking for Captain Ralvas."
"Captain Ralvas? Ralvas..Ralvas," The elf's finger went up and down the record book. His eyes widened. "I'm sorry sir. Captain Ralvas was sent behind enemy lines to Mournhold. His group was selected to scout out the city, seeing what was salvageable. Nobody sent to Mournhold has come back. My deepest sympathies."
Sadryn bowed his head. Captain Ralvas was a good man, and the thought of him dying in the ruins of Morrowind's former capital was too much.
"Send us out to Mournhold." Sadryn said firmly. "We'll scout the city, and bring back word of Captain Ralvas' fate."
"Are you insane?! Did you not hear me? Mournhold is a death sentence! How do you expect two soldiers and what, a citizen to survive? Any unit we send out there is slaughtered!"
"Exactly. The Argonians seek out units. They are loud, and thus easy to find. With just the three of us we can slip by the Argonian patrols unnoticed." Sadryn said confidently.
The elf behind the desk glanced over Seldus and Nilvel. "Meet General Virith in the tower. Show him this." The elf handed Sadryn a pass bearing the mark of House Redoran.
Sadryn gathered Seldus and Nilvel and entered the General's office in the outpost's tower. General Virith looked up immediately from his books and notes.
General Virith pointed. "Who in Mephala's name are you three?! My tower is closed unless you have been called here by me!"
Sadryn handed The General the pass, and told him his idea to scout Mournhold.
"You got an ash yam for a brain boy?" Asked General Virith. "That plan is going to get you killed." The General paused in thought. "Yet, if it works, I can win me another medal, and you three will be honored as heroes of House Redoran. And if it doesn't I'm only out two soldiers and a citizen. That isn't bad at all."
"So you're allowing it?" Asked Seldus.
"Yes. I'll send out men to fight the Argonians head on. During that time, you have to slip past their main army. From there, it should be a short hike to Mournhold. Be careful though, as its probably swimming with scale-skins."
The men left General Virith's tower, and rested in the barracks. Nilvel was outfitted with some light chitin armor, and given an elven dagger. At dawn, General Virith sent out a large fighting force to distract the Argonians. Sadryn, Seldus, and Nilvel were taking a path that avoided the fighting. They were well past the main skirmish, and were nearing the outskirts of the battlefield. It was there they encountered the biggest Argonian they had ever seen. He towered over them, carrying a warhammer the size of Nilvel.
Nilvel chuckled nervously. "By Sheogorath's beard, what are they feedin' you?"
The Argonian giant bellowed. "I am J'ram-Na! I will crush the Dark Elf armies, and lead my people to victory!"
Sadryn noticed the Dunmer ears that hung off J'ram's belt. This must've been the Argonian's secret weapon.
"The Hist has foretold my victory!" Roared J'ram. "None shall oppose my might!"
Seldus drew his sword. "I don't need some tree to tell me whats going to happen here. Your blood will make a welcome decoration on my sword you scaly bastard!"
Seldus charged and aimed his sword at the Argonians gullet. However, Seldus' blade never met it's target. With one swing of his hammer J'ram-Na's had sent Seldus into the dirt. Sadryn came at the Argonian giant and managed to stab the Argonian's thigh. It mattered not. The Argonian crushed Seldus' head like a grape under the weight of his foot.
"Seldus!" cried Nilvel.
J'ram turned his attention towards Sadryn and Nilvel. Sadryn was the Argonian's next target. Sadryn managed to block the Argonian's hammer with his shield. Nilvel jumped onto J'ram's back and stabbed his dagger into the giant lizard's neck. J'ram-Na screamed in agony. He shook off Nilvel and attempted to smash him with his hammer. Sadryn pierced the lizard's right arm with the tip of his sword. The Argonian dropped his hammer, and fell to his knees. Sadryn charged from his position and ran through the Argonian with his blade. J'ram-Na coughed up blood and collapsed.
Nilvel got up off the ground. "By Azura, what was that?!"
"An abomination. Had that thing made it to the battlefield, House Redoran's army would have suffered heavy losses," replied Sadryn.
The two elves turned their attention towards Seldus' lifeless body. They gave him a moment of silence, and uttered a prayer to The Reclamations. Nilvel took Seldus' sword and swore that he would avenge Seldus' death and honor his memory. Sadryn and Nilvel spat on the body of J'ram-Na. The two walked along the path they started on, keeping a watchful lookout for more Argonians.
"You think we'll ever make it to Mournhold, Veleth?"
"I can't say. I know one thing though."
"And what's that?" Asked Nilvel.
"I'm going to kill as many Argonians as I can on our way there."
Nilvel chuckled grimly.
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