C.o.t.D: Chapter 10 - The Cold Hard Truth

• Posted by A-Pocky-Hah! February 10, 2016 - 1,158 views

  Chapter 10: The Cold Hard Truth

  

  “He’s all yours Orc.” The guard said as he ordered his boys to let go of Axius.

  They forced him to kneel down on the dirt floor and put a foot on his back to keep him down if he tried to get up. An Orc and two Nords came forwards, clad in steel armor and faces stone cold like the mines they guarded.

  “Perfect, fresh meat.” The Orc grinned. She ordered the Nords to seize Axius after the guards left. Their beefy, muscled arms dragged him up and held both his arms to keep him restrained.

  The Orc stood tall in front of him, hands behind and chest forward. She made herself few inches taller than the Imperial to intimidate him but he didn’t fall for it.

  She eyed down like a sentry and spoke with full authority. “All right prisoner! Eyes front.” Her voice nearly made Axius recoilled, that or it was her breath. “You’re in Cidhna Mine, now. And we expect you to earn your keep. There’s no resting your hide in a cell in this prison. You’ll mine ore until you start throwing up silver bars. You got it!?”

  “You got it all wrong. I’m innocent, I swear. I was framed.” Axius pleaded.                

  The guards laughed at his plea yet they still kept their grip on his arms.

  “Yeah, yeah. We heard this story everytime. Doesn’t matter if you made it up or just high on skooma, the only way to pay your debt is to mine.” And I’m guessing that’s not gonna happen anytime soon. The Orc then threw a pair of roughspun clothes at his feet. “Strip him of his belongings.” She ordered.

  They pushed him into a wall and removed his dagger, clothes and satchel that held Nepos’s journal as well as his notes on the investigation. When they tried to remove his signet ring, it wouldn’t budge.

  “Urzoga.” Called out one of the Nords. “His ring is stuck. What do we do?”

  “Cut off his finger.” She said without hesitation.

  “Wait, wait! You’re making a big mistake.” Axius blurted just when the Nord pulled out his knife. His naked chest was covered in dust and dirt. He felt exposed, literally.

  “And why’s that?”

  “How am I gonna mine if I don’t have a finger?”

  “You got nine more fingers, milk drinker. I’m sure that’s enough to hold a pickaxe.” She then ordered the Nord to continue.

  He pinned Axius’s hand onto a wooden support beam, separating his ring finger from the rest. He aimed his dagger just above the ring finger and pushed it downwards.

  “Wait!!” Urzoga shouted which caused the dagger to miss his finger, hitting the support beam instead.

  “Let the puny man keep his little ring.” She grinned. “It’s not like its gonna help him escape.”

  They left Axius in a corner where he would put on his new clothes. The fabric was so rough, it was like a hundred needles prickling over his skin as he slid it over his body. The real pain was when he wore the trousers. Gods, these trousers are making my balls itch like crazy. When he was finally finished changing, they hauled him into the mines and closed the iron grated door, leaving him there with his new neighbors.

  “Welcome to Cidhna Mine, prisoner. Hope you’ll enjoy your stay here.” The Nord laughed behind the grated door. It was more like reminder than a welcome.

  Axius picked up a pickaxe and headed down the wooden platform. The only way I’m gonna escape this place is to find Madanach. He thought as he gaze up the ceiling, looking for an opening to escape. He soon glanced at a small stone object at the center of the ceiling. It was emitting some kind of blue aura around it. He couldn’t see what’s inside the stone but he felt something strange, something that’s blocking him but he didn't know what.

  Another thing he realised was that the mines had no guards other than the three he just met. Sounds of rocks being chipped away echoed through the caves. Axius could count the number of prisoners based on the times the pickaxes struck. Around five once he finished counted.

  A lone prisoner sat near a firepit. He resembled a pale draugr with rough grey hair. He seemed to be in here for a long time due to the condition of his health, his sunken, lifeless eyes and his foul odor.

  “Ah, new blood. Welcome.” He greeted Axius just as he stepped down the platform. “So, what are you in for?”

  “Framed for killing a man.” Axius answered.

  The prisoner soon lifted a smile from his barren face. “It seems we both have something in common then.” He said. “My name’s Uraccen. I used to serve a Nord nobleman before he was stabbed one night. They accused me of the murder. So, I ran and joined the Forsworn.” His smile soon faded. “Then, I got caught and now I’m here.”

  “I’m not like you.” Axius claimed. “Unlike you, I’m here to clear my name.”

  “And how are you supposed to do that if you’re in here?” Uraccen asked, frowning.

  “I need to find Madanach.”

  Uraccen sniggered at the Imperial’s answer. “You’ll have to get pass Borkul the Beast, if you want to meet him.” He pointed towards the towering green Orc standing near a cell door behind them. “But best not too or you’ll end up with a shiv in your guts.”

  “A shiv?” Axius asked, perplexed.

  “Guess you really are a new lifer.” The Forsworn sighed before elaborating. “It’s a small blade. Easy to hide. Sure you could swing your pickaxe into someone’s face but people tend to see that coming. I hear Grisvar has one if you want it.”

  “Why can’t I just use magic?” Axius asked again.

  Uraccen let out a wheezy laugh that made Borkul glance at them for a moment. “If that was the case, we would of bust out of here years ago. See that stone object above the ceiling.” He pointed.

  “That thing emits a spell that constantly drains our magicka the moment we step in. It’s powered by a soul gem but its placed too high for us to knock down. The spell echoes throughout the caves so don’t think you can just go further inside the mines to remove the effect. Before that thing showed up, we had shock guards zapping us if we tried to use our spells. Most of the times, they only sting than kill... well, most of the times.”

  “Well, that’s all your questions answered. Now, it’s best you start mining or we won’t be having dinner.” Uraccen stood up and left, heading towards the western tunnel, pickaxe in hand.

  So all I need to do to talk to Madanach is get past the Orc? Axius thought. That should be simple.

  However when he approach Borkul, all his optimism was gone as he looked at the Beast. The Orc was more fierce than the warden. He had a skull-shaped tattoo painted on his face and two rows of small horns above his brow which further implies his name.

  Borkul sniffed the human like a well prepared meal. “Ah, new meat. So soft. Tender. So, what was it like killing your first one?”

  “I didn’t kill anyone. I was framed.” Axius replied. Why does everyone here think I’m a murderer? Do I even look like one?

  “Liar.” The Orc put it plainly. “But don’t worry, once you spend a few days here, you might end up like Uraccen. He didn’t regret killing the others.” He laughed sadisticly.

  “I need to see Madanach.” The sudden change of subject cut Borkul’s laugh short.

  “Everyone wants to see Madanach. But only a few get to meet him in person. Those who are to hard-headed to listen get a big crack in their heads.” He said, grinning his rotten yellow teeth. “But for you, I’ll make an exception. How about you bring me a shiv. Just in case if I need a shave.”

  “I’ll get you your shiv.” Axius reluctantly said, kicking the dust off his bare feet.

  What would be a simple errand turned into a needle in a haystack situation. Uraccen told Axius that Grisvar was somewhere in the tunnels, mining. He was nearly exhausted when he found him. But the thief wouldn’t let go of his shiv without a few bottles of skooma.

  He ran through what seem to be an endless row of tunnels just to find Duach, the skooma dealer. He was tired physical and mentally as both his stamina and magicka had been drained. His feet were sore and bruised after traversing through dirt and rocks. The roughspun clothes he wore were now soaked in sweat.

  “I... heard... you have... skooma.” He huffed upon approaching the skooma dealer.

  “Look at you, already getting the shakes, huh?” Duach mistaken Axius for an addict by the way he looked and didn’t even knew he was a new blood. “Here. This one’s on me.” He gave the Imperial a bottle of skooma and he quickly sped away as if he was re-energized.

  Finding Grisvar again, he traded the skooma for his shiv and ran towards Borkul without even hearing the thief’s thanks.

  “Hah! Not even one day in here and you already look like a dying pig. All naked and sweating.” Borkul commented when the Imperial arrived.

  “Here’s... your... shiv.” Axius handed the shiv to him. The Orc snatch it from the Imperial’s hand. His hand was strong enough to rip apart his arm if he didn’t let go of it in time.

  “Nice and sharp. Just the way I like it.” The Orc commented as he trail down the edge of the blade with his rough fingers. “I think you deserve a meeting with Madanach.” He opened the cell door and invited Axius in. “Just don’t try anything stupid or...” He made a “slit” motion at his throat with his shiv to warn the Imperial.

  “Yeah, I think I get it.”

  Madanach was sitting at the table located just near his bed, writing a note. It was actually the first and perhaps only bed Axius saw in this prison. The table had a few wine bottles and beside it, were two food barrels. Obviously, gifts from Thonar.

  “Well, well. Look at you. The Nords have turned you into an animal. A wild beast caged up and left to go mad.” Madanach greeted as he put down his quill.

  The King of Rags did live up to his name. His hair had grown long and grey and scruff. He had a moustache instead of a beard and wore the same prisoner clothes as Axius, only more ragged and torn. The old man didn’t wore any tattooes that label him as “Forsworn” but he was still a Forsworn nonetheless. And a dangerous one.

  “So, my fellow beast, what do you want? Answers about the Forsworn? Revenge for trying to have you killed?” He stood up with ease for a man at his age. His darkened eyes were filled of decades old hatred that didn’t seem to extinguish when he was locked up.

  “You have alot to answer for.” Axius claimed. Although revenge was the first thing in his mind, he wouldn’t dare make a move on Madanach, not without attracting all the prisoners and the guards at the entrance.

  “Do I? And what about you?” The King pointed at Axius, pressing his finger at the man’s chest. “What right did you have to meddle in my affairs? Kill my people? Was it worth it? How many people died to discover your truth?

  Axius was shot with sudden sense of realization. Madanach was right. How many people had died for the truth. Weylin, Magret, Nepos and his servants, Thonar’s wife and his servants and Eltrys. His sense of justice brought with him more death than Thonar or Madanach would of done in a single week.

  The King of Rags studied the Imperial’s face and knew what he was thinking. “See? You’re no better than the savages you’re locked up with. You’re one of us now. A slave. The boot of the Nord stepping down of your throat. Maybe if you realized that earlier, I could help you.”

  “I don’t need your help.” Axius snapped. “And the only Nord that deserves to pay is Thonar Silver-Blood but not by your hands.”

  “You talk as if Thonar is the only bad Nord in this city. If you want the full picture, go talk to Braig. He’s the one who spent the longest here. He’ll enlighten you on the real truth.”

  Axius asked Uraccen where Braig was. He directed him towards the eastern tunnels. Braig looked similar to Madanach except the grey of his hair had turned almost white. His tattoo had faded into pale ash on his face. He didn’t have a talkative mood when Axius greeted him but it soon changed when the Imperial said Madanach sent him.

  “Madanach sent you to tell my story, eh?” Braig sighed. “Well, everyone in Cidhna Mine has a tale. I heard Uraccen told you his. So, let’s hear yours first. When was the first time you felt chains around your wrists?”

  Axius couldn’t remember the last time he committed a crime. The closest thing to a crime in his life was running away from the boarding school at the Imperial City. So, he decided to make one up.

  “I once bedded a Count’s daughter one night. When her father found out, I got thrown in jail where I rotted for 5 years.” He lied, trying to hide the embarrassment of saying it. Can’t believe I would thank that Dunmer for this.

  Braig didn’t show the slightest hint of laughter or even a smile. “Hmm, dunno if that counts as sexual assault or thievery because you...”

  “Could we just skip it and tell me your story.” Axius ended it, his face reddened like a ripe tomato.

  “Fine. I had a daugther, once. She’d be 25 this year. Married to some hot-headed silver worker or maybe on her own, learning the herb trade.” He continued with a bitter tone. “The Nords didn’t care who was or who wasn’t involved in the Forsworn Uprising. I had spoken to Madanach once, that was enough.”

  He started to weep that made Axius curious on what happened next. “But my little Aethra didn’t want to see her papa leave. She pleaded to the Jarl to take her instead. And they made me watch as her head rolled off the block. They threw me in here anyway, to dig up their silver.”

  “I’m.. I’m sorry for your loss.” Axius expressed his pity. All this time, he only saw Thonar being the thorn in this city. Instead, the city itself was a single rose in a bush of thorns. “But does that justify your killings?”

  Braig wiped off his tears and his sadness turned to anger. “I’m not Madanach. I was never a leader of the Forsworn. The only anger I can justify is my own. But every family in the Reach has a story like mine. There are no innocent onlookers in this struggle. Just the guilty, and the dead. Now, leave me be.”

  When Axius returned to Madanach, he could see the look on the Imperial’s face after hearing Braig’s story. “Imagine hearing a different family. Each time a different injustice.” He remarked, sorrowfully.

  “Your meddling above ground reminded me of how removed I’ve been from the struggle. My men and I should be in the hills, fighting.”

  Somehow Axius felt touched and disgusted at the same time. I’m not one of them. But their tales are true. There are no heroes in this place, just different shades of evil. I just wonder, which one is darker? He took a stab in the dark and decided to side with the Forsworn... for a while.

  “So, does that mean you’ll help me escape?” He asked.

  “Yes, but I need a show of loyalty from you. I don’t want a shiv in the back while we break out. Have you met Grisvar the Unlucky?”

  “Yeah, he’s thief who can make a shiv, right?” Axius guessed.

  “Correct, he’s rightly named and also a snitch. He’s outlived his minor usefulness. Take care of him, and then we can leave Cidhna Mine for good.”

  He wants me to stab a guy in the back so he won’t get stabbed in back? Axius thought. He already had enough killings for this week. But what’s the harm of killing one last time? A thief’s life for your freedom? He asked himself over and over again as Madanach watched him with those dark eyes, tempting him with freedom.

  “I’ll do it.” He finally said with a bit of reluctancy. “But I need a shiv.”

  “Ah, Borkul muscled one on your way in? Fine, take this one.” Madanach gave him his shiv. His was more crude and a bit rough on the handles but it would suffice.

  Grisvar was resting near one of the mine shafts in the western tunnels, the bottle of skooma Axius gave him along with a few others, laid beside him, empty.

  “Oh, look. It’s the skooma cat.” He said, smiling. His mind was high in distilled moon sugar. First, he would talk about the skooma cat and how he was swimming in skooma. After a while, he would start shivering and speak in broken sentences as the effects started to wear off.

  Poor guy. Axius thought as he saw the unlucky thief’s condition. Not only that he’s about to die. But he would die partially insane and as an addict. This guy is really unlucky.

  He took a moment for the thief to enjoy his final moments, whether if its in his hallucinations or in reality. A prisoner came by but after seeing Axius with his shiv and how close he was to Grisvar, he turned back, seemingly knowing on what would happen next.

  “It’s so.. cold. But everything looks bright and warm.” Grisvar said, shivering.

  There’s no turning back. I have to kill him if I want to escape. He pulled out his shiv and tried to figure out a way to make it as painless as possible while praying to the Divines for forgiveness. He moved his lips closer to Grisvar’s ear. “I’m sorry. But it’s the only way.” He whispered to him.

  Suddenly, Grisvar abruptly pushed Axius away after seeing his shiv and shouted, “Give me my skooma!!” as he reached for his own.

  Damn the Daedras, now I have to fight a half-crazed addict. He cursed himself but soon realized the advantage of this situation. Julianos’s wisdom, atleast now I have a good reason to kill him.

  Grisvar attacked savagely, slashing the air like hot knife through butter. But in his intoxicated state, he missed Axius by a long shot. He snarled and rushed at him like a madman. He dropped his shiv and leaped at him, incapacitating him.

  “Skooma! Give me my skooma!” Grisvar shouted repeatedly in Axius’s face as he tried to choke him. For thin and frail man, he had quite an iron grip around his neck. Axius was grasping for air as he tried to reach for his shiv.

  He finally grabbed the handle using the edges of his fingers, dragging it closer to his reach. Grisvar’s drool speckled Axius’s face before he finally stabbed the crazed thief in the waist. He let go of his grip and squealled like a pig in a slaugtherhouse.

  Axius coughed, catching his breath as the scream echoed through the tunnels. He quickly grabbed Grivsvar’s shiv and stabbed him in chest to silence his scream. His mouth oozed out blood and white foam as the other prisoners rushed to the scene. Axius left and returned to Madanach who had the look of approval when he saw the Imperial’s shiv dripping with blood of the thief.

  “You've finally become one of us.” Madanach said. He didn’t care if Axius killed him in self defense or no. The only important thing to him is that the snitch is dead. “Come with me. I think it's time I announced my plans to you and your new brothers.”

  They’re not my brothers. Axius reminded himself. I have my own brothers.

  The Forsworn prisoners gathered around the firepit in front of Madanach’s cell. Borkul stood beside his King, he towered all of them yet still obeyed the old Reachman.

  “What's going on, Madanach? You wouldn't have old Grisvar killed unless you weren't planning on needing him.” Uraccen asked. He was at the scene when the thief died.

  “My brothers, we have been here long enough. It's time to leave Cidhna Mine and continue our fight against the Nords.” He then showed them a gate, just beside his quarters and opened it with a makeshift key. “Through this gate, is a tunnel. A tunnel that leads right through the old Dwarven ruins of Markarth, into the city. Well, what do you say, my brothers?”

  Madanach’s men raised their pickaxes and cried for their freedom. Borkul went down the tunnel first, followed by Uraccen, then Braig, then the other prisoners.

  “I say you've earned an early pardon. Let's go.” Madanach declared as he pat Axius’s back and went down.

  They went further down the tunnel, encountering a few Dwemer architecture and spiders. Axius could feel his magicka regenerating now that he was away from the mines. He could hear the gears turning and pipes pumping out steam from above as well as the faint sound of footsteps and chatter. They were moving under the city and the people didn’t even realised it.

  The group soon approached a platform where two dwarven spheres emerged from their holes. They raised up from their spherical shells in unison, revealing their solid metal faces and blades.

  Borkul charge forwards, followed by Uraccen and the other prisoners. Madanach conjured a flame atronach and fired ice spikes from behind the platform. When the first sphere was down, Borkul ripped apart its blade arm and used it to impale the other sphere. Its black blood squirted out like a leaked pipe.

  Axius was amazed and horrified at the same time. If they could do this without any weapons, imagine what would happen if they’re out there in the hills.

  When they reached the end of the twisting tunnel, a Reachwoman was standing in front of the door that held their freedom. Behind her were two sacks, one had bones weapons and the tribal armors of the Forsworn while the other one had what seem to be Axius’s equipment he’d left at the inn.

  “Madanach. I've brought what you asked for.” She addressed Madanach with recognition.

  “Good work. Get ready while I have a word with our favorite outsider.”

  “I had Kaie recover all the things the Nords stole from you. You better get ready before we break out into the city.” He told Axius as Kaie dragged the sack towards them.

  Axius donned his steel cuffed armor which looked odd amongst the fur, feathers and boiled leather the Forsworns wore. Even, Borkul resembled a Forsworn, albeit more green, bigger, and taller. He gave his mace a light twirl to see if it was in good condition. After he was finished, Madanach presented him an armor set made out of the same materials used to make the Forsworn’s armor.

  “Take this. It's blessed with the old magicks. Something to remember me by.” He said. The last thing anyone expected from a Forsworn was a gift. Axius was hesitant to take it but took it anyways for the sake of generosity.

  “What happens now?” Axius asked.

  “Now?” Madanach raised an eyebrow, smirking below his grey, scruffy moustache. “Now, I announce to all of Markarth that I have returned. Don't worry about your name. They'll know who to blame and fear after today.”

  “It’ll take years, but I'll organize the Forsworn again. We'll reclaim our land, and then, when power is ours, we'll have peace. A kingdom.” He promised to Axius which made him shudder at the thought.

  “We both want peace for this land.” Axius said firmly. “But that’s where our similarities end,   I do not support the path you and your people are following. Killing the Nords isn’t the way to reclaim your land or win the affection of the citizens.”

  Madanach was disappointed at the Imperial’s belief but respected it. “We are two different sides of the same coin, Imperial. If you think you can bring justice and peace to this land, then prove it. Until then, let me heed you a warning.” He said in a tone that’s half hostile and half sincere.

  “Beware the Forsworn. No place in the Reach is safe from us now.” Madanach ended as he ordered his men to push open the large bronze door open. The rays of pre-dawn light shined upon them, encouraging the prisoners to push the door harder until they were finally free.

  “Praise the old gods.” and “We’re free.” they shouted as the Sun slowly started its ascend, turning the starless black sky into a rising orange horizon that brings new hope for the prisoners.

  Finally some fresh air. Axius smiled at the rising horizon. Momentarily forgetting all the troubles around him. The prisoners rejoice was brought to a halt when Thonar Silver-Blood arrived with six city guards, three on each side.

  “Madanach! Think you can escape my prison do you? You'll pay for what you've done to my family!” Thonar roared. His anger from early that afternoon didn’t cooled down. Who wouldn’t if their wife was killed by someone who they trusted.

  “Your family? You've poisoned the Reach with your tainted silver for long enough, Thonar!” Madanach barked back before ordering his men to kill them.

  The former prisoners soon lash out all the rage and fury they had held so long to the guards. A whirlwind of blade, magic and blood erupt in the area as Axius stood back. Uraccen slashed a guard at his arm, separating it from his body with one single sweep, screaming “For the Forsworn!”

  Braig freezed two more guards with his ice spells. When they’re frozen solid, Kaie smashed them with her clubs, shattering their bodies into pieces of frozen flesh. After a while, the last guard tried to flee but Borkul stopped him. He grabbed the guard’s head and squeezed his head. The Nord’s cries of pain were music to the Orc’s ears as his palm pressed harder on the helmet, crushing the thin metal and the man’s skull. His head popped under the pressure as blood dripped down his crushed helmet.

  Thonar, now alone, was backed into a wall by the growing shadows of his prisoners. He tried to pull out his sword but his sword hand was freezed by Braig. Terrified, he tried one last option he had.

  “You, Imperial!” He called out, jittering. “I’ll pay you four times a guard’s wage if you kill these wild beasts.”

  “Wild beasts?” Axius retorted as he stood behind the group of Forsworns converging at Thonar. “What makes you think you’re more human than these wild beasts?” He walked slowly towards the Nord, the Forsworns clearing a way for him. He moved his face closer to his. The eyes of disgust gaze upon the eyes of fear and selfishness.

  “Every man has a wild beast within him, Thonar. And I think we already know what kind of wild beast you are.” Axius removed himself from Thonar’s sight. Somehow he felt it was wrong to kill him without a fair trial. But after everything he heard and saw, there’s nothing fair in this city.

  “I would prefer to let the Jarl decide his punishment, Madanach.” He said to the King of Rags. “But, I couldn’t trust the Jarl as much as I trust his guards. So, I’ll let you be judge, jury and executioner.”

  “Oh, I would be my pleasure.” Madanach had a smile that would make him look 25 years younger.

  “You should of chopped my head years ago, Thonar.” He berated the Nord. “Now, I’m free and no longer your lap dog.” He sharpened his sword with a whetstone. The stone hissed as it touched the white blades, sparks flying.

  “Now, let’s see how you feel being at the end of the headsman’s axe.” He forced Thonar to kneel down before him.

  “You’ll pay for this!! My brother will send every sellsword in Tamriel after you!” Thonar shouted until Borkul kicked him in the groin. His body went up from the force.

  “He talks to much. Why don’t we just cut his tongue.” The Orc grunted.

  “Now, now, Borkul. If you want to live with us, you have to know our customs.” Madanach raised his sword above Thonar’s head. The sunrise coated the white bony blade in orange as the Nord looked up at his executioner.

  “Mark... my words, Madanach. The Silver-Bloods.. will have your head.” He spat the blood from his mouth at the Reachman’s cuirass.

  “Indeed they will. But for now, we will have yours.” Madanach replied as blade fell down to his neck. The bones cut through the thick flesh and the spinal cord with ease. His men cheered as Thonar’s head dropped down to the stone floor, along with the blood that sprinkled down from his collar.

  When the Sun finally appeared from behind the mountains, the city became alive with footsteps marching. A green flood rushed towards them, all armed and armoured.

  “That’s our cue to leave this place.” Madanach commented as his group ran for the city gates, preparing to fight their way to it.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to join us?” He asked Axius.

  “No, I need to let the people know about the truth, about the Silver-Bloods and their injustice.”

  “Suit yourself. But if your ever in the Reach, come find me. I’m sure my men will tell you where I am. If they don’t kill you first.” He laughed as he joined up with the rest.

  As Madanach and his men ran out of the city gates, leaving behind three dead guards, Axius picked up Thonar’s journal and slid it in his satchel. Three guards approached him, baring hostility.

  “Halt, in the name of the Jarl!” One of the guards ordered.

  Axius dropped everything and raised his hands and surrendered himself to the guards (again).

  Hopefully I can talk my way out of this.

  The sunlight soon reached Axius, where it revealed the blood splatters and dead bodies surrounding him as well as the green cloaks of the guards and their swords glinting.

  Hopefully.

  Table of Contents

  

  Author's Note:

  Yeah, this chapter is a bit challenging due to the moral dilemma. I thought of the constant drain magicka effect and the stone object through my brief playthrough of Oblivion. Shock guards were inspired by Dragonborn's Wars of The Bear, Chapter 2, where he'd introduced Orc shock troopers.