The Crazy One- Chapter 1: The Black Book

  • After running from the dragon attack, me and Ulfric found ourselves in the outskirts of Falkreath. It was getting dark so I asked Ulfric if we could proceed to the inn and drink some wine or ale. He paused for a moment, looked at me and spoke.

    "No, I have to look for my soldiers. I'm going back to Helgen."

    "What!? Are you serious? Didn't you see the dragon? The big winged lizard that terrorized the place?"

    "It's probably gone now. I think I saw it fly northward."

    "Well, don't let me keep you." "This guy must really care for his men. I can see it in his eyes." I whispered to myself

    "Thank you again, Piero Ludovico, for that theatrics you managed to pull off which led our escape."

    "Leondeiu Vici.That's my real name."

    "Lying even at the face of death? You are really something, Vici."

    With that said, Ulfric nod and went on towards Helgen. I proceed to go to the inn. I entered Dead Man's Drink which is the only inn in town. I sat in the bar and asked for some Cyrodilic Brandy. I felt empty as I take a sip of the fine wine. I think I need to return to my teacher's hut south of Ivarstead. She must be worried sick.

    While I was drinking, I overheard a bald Dunmer in brown robe talking to what it seems as a female Thalmor agent. Oh, those High Elves. I had to leave Cyrodiil because of them. I just can't take their presence and now their in Skyrim?

    "I found a note when I snuck into the Hall of the Dead. It says that a Black Book was buried in the graveyard by a local." said the Dunmer

    "Alright. You should start digging for the book at night fall. We will be waiting for the book in the embassy. You know how to find us."

    The Thalmor agent left the inn and the Dunmer approached the owner to rent a room. After he payed and got escorted to the room, he then locked himself in there. Wow, that does not look suspicious. Can this Dunmer be more obvious?

    So, they were talking about a Black Book. I remember when I was a child, a crazy Breton came into Bravil and started asking around for a Black Book. He was speaking different languages but I can clearly recall that he was referring to the Black Book. He shouted that it was some kind of medium to travel from Nirn into Apocrypha and he needs to get his hands on one.

    Maybe I should look for it too. My pretty alchemist teacher, Hydrid Soothbringer, told me once that she would give anything just to find a Black Book. She never said why she want such a thing but it's the least I can do for her. After all, she has taught me much about alchemy.

    So I decided to pay for the brandy and prepare for my search. Then I realized that I had no money in me. Damn, I was just taken prisoner by the Imperial Legion and all my things were confiscated. What was I thinking? Why does this happen to me all the time?

    So knowing myself, I made a run for it. As I reach the inn's door, someone shouted "halt!" then an arrow flew straight through my right arm and into the inn's door, leaving my arm stuck on the door by an arrow. I decided to submit and face my fate rather than take more arrows.

    The inn keeper's hired thug, a big nord woman with half her hair shaved took me to the guards.

    "Hey, madam. What's your name, do you like my dreads?" I said mockingly.

    "Shut up scum!"

    "How rude."

    Then we reach the barracks. I was handed to the guards. Before I was put to jail, they dressed my wound, which I highly appreciate. They search me for items but failed to find any. I was then put behind bars and was told that I'm gonna be spending 3 days in here and then I'm gonna be working in the inn to compensate for the Cyrodilic brandy.

    Before I was thrown in my cell, I saw a nord with long blonde hair. I felt strange just by looking at him. It was as if he is hiding a monster inside. His eyes were furious and his breathing was heavy. I feel like he can just bend the iron bars and lunge at me. I'll definitely stay away from that guy.

    After few seconds the guard pushed me behind bars and shut the door lock behind me. I lay down here, in my cell, and took a quick nap.

    I know that I have been here for just a couple of hours but it feels like forever. I need my freedom. I need to see the skies and the landscapes.

    So I decided to think of an escape plan. I just love thinking about escapes. It makes my mind work and gives me a chance to show my creativity. I mean, what is art if there is no one to see it?

    So here we go.

    There is only one guard in the room and I can deduce that he is new from the way he walks. He stands too stiff and keeps checking on us prisoners like we can just vanish into thin air. He keeps walking in circle murmuring to himself "left, left, right, left, right, left, left," and so on. He appears to be anxious about something, probably about that guy in the other cell. So I used my acting skills to work for me.

    "Ouch, ouch!!!" I screamed loudly as I raise my wounded arm.

    "What's the matter, sir?" the newbie asked. Really? He called me "Sir"? This guy is definitely new.

    "My wound is burning. I t hurts like oblivion. I think its infected."

    "Hold on sir, I'm going to call my superior."

    "No, no. I can't take it. Just take a look at it for me." I reach my right arm out to him.

    He then began to examine my wound. As he was undressing my wound, I moved my body against the iron cell door preparing for my attack.

    "Ow, ouch!" I said this as I reach his right shoulder with my left hand.

    He didn't seem to think that I am planning an escape. This guy is a terrible guard. So I grabbed his neck and pulled it towards the cell door. I adjust my hand to the back of his head and kept bashing his head against the door until he's knocked out. Good thing I'm ambidextrous, so I was able to put enough force to take him out.

    I quickly took the keys from his belt and liberated myself. As for the other guy, I threw the keys in front of his cell. He just stared at me. He didn't move there. He was just leaning on the wall opposite to the cell door with his arms crossed.

    I first took a peek outside. It was night time and the guards seems to have left their post except for a few. I was able to snuck away and head into the graveyard.

    I am so proud of myself. Who could plan an escape such as that? I'm truly brilliant! Oh, how I love myself.

    I saw the Dunmer in brown robes digging. He's probably looking for the Black Book. I settled behind a bush while waiting for him to find the book.

    After an hour of waiting, I was getting sleepy and impatient. Man, this Dunmer is not cut out for this job. So I decided to knock him out and do the digging myself. As I slowly rise up to my feet, I heard him laugh. He found the book! He was jumping and giggling all over the place.

    He then quickly ran back to the inn. Man, he left the graveyard in a mess. The caretaker is gonna be pissed.

    I can't go back to the inn right now, that hired thug is probably going kill me. I need to get in without being seen. I can't delay much more because the guards would eventually figure out that I'm gone and would start looking for me.

    I snuck into the barracks and found all the guards deep in slumber. I found a chest near the entrance where a Falkreath Guard Armor set was kept. Damn, I am so lucky. The Nine Divines must be in my favor. I even found an Imperial Sword and Steel Dagger beside the chest. 

    I equipped the armor set and the sword and dagger. I bet they won't recognize me in this outfit. Plus, my acting skills is legendary.

    So I entered the inn. I stood straight, my stomach in, chest out and walked with authority. I approach the inn keeper and asked:

    "Good evening madam, Do you happen to see a bald Dunmer  probably wearing brown robes?" I say this with a deep voice.

    "Yes, I did. He's staying in that room." she pointed to the door on her left. "May I ask why you are looking for this man?"

    "I have no authority to tell you that madam."  

    I proceed to knock at the door. He was not responding to my knocks. I then step back and prepared to kick the door open when the inn keeper stopped me. She showed me her keys with a look in his eyes that is saying something like "really?" and proceed to open the door.

    I entered the room and in my surprise I found the Elf, dead, nailed to the wall, hands nailed horizontally from his body and the Black Book lying on the bed. I examined the body and found a note in his mouth saying:

    "Leondeiu Vici, I have been watching you for some time now. You give me joy by just watching you perform your theatrics. Take the book as a gift. I will be watching."

    Who is this man or woman? Is this why I kept being lucky? Is someone helping me? Well, atleast I've got the Black Book.

    I took the book and told the inn keeper that I will call the other guards to help me with the body. Of course, I didn't. I left Falkreath and headed to my teacher's hut south of Ivarstead. Oh, she will be so happy when she sees this.

Comments

2 Comments
  • Mikz
    Mikz   ·  December 26, 2015
    Thanks for the advice. I didn't thought of using italics. I'll use it on my next chapter if needed.
    And yeah, I take criticism with open heart. I see it as a way to learn. Thanks again. 
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  December 26, 2015
    Two pieces of advice I can give you are these.
    Don’t take criticism to heart. There are a few of us who point out errors to each other so don’t take offence if we do.
    The second piece of advice is to consider using Italics. They are great when...  more