PAYING DUES
From the Journal of Lutherus Sotasius. Date of Entry: Last Seed, 20th, 4E, 201.
The hunting that ensued in the morning of the 20th of Last Seed, had instilled some confidence in Lutherus that he had what it took to defend himself, at least from a distance that is. At Faendal's advice, Lutherus would need to acquire a weapon, much more preferable over his woodcutting axe to face a foe in close combat. Alvor was the local Blacksmith, and since Lutherus owed a debt to him for his hospitality after Helgen, Lutherus made to his forge after an extended lunch. At the Forge, Lutherus could see Alvor sharpening blades at the Grindstone. The roaring heat of the forge during the early hours of the morning, had been doused down as Alvor prepared for another end of a working day.
"Ah, Lutherus. Good to see you again lad." Welcomed Alvor. "How was your hunt?"
"Inspiring." Replied Lutherus. "Alvor, I am still in your debt for your hospitality. I want to pay you back." He said, as he drew his coin satchel out.
"Hey! Easy lad!" Chuckled Alvor. "I don't want your money, you keep it. But, since you have a debt to pay, there is something you can do for me."
"Anything." Replied Lutherus.
"Works been rather slow recently. I would normally fetch my ores from the Embershard Mine, but those rotten bandits have taken over the place." Informed Alvor, as he brought another blade to the Grindstone. "You clear out the mine, and we'll be square on the debt."
Lutherus was uncertain. He had never been in contact with Bandits before, and aside from today's encounter with the wolf in the wilderness, he had no prior combat experience. "I guess i'll have to recruit Faendal again."
"Yes, that would be best. Those bandits are tough!" Mentioned Alvor, as he packed his day's work of blades and maces into a weapons rack.
"Alright, I'll do it. Where is this mine?"
Alvor stood, and came out with Lutherus to the road running through Riverwood.
"Go out of here, and head down the road that way, toward Helgen." Alvor said, pointing South-West. "The mine is on that road, North-East of Helgen."
Alvor guided Lutherus back to the forge, and drew out a helmet and Dagger from his supply. "I was going to wait until you left Riverwood to give you these, but considering your current objective I felt, now would be more appropriate. Don't worry about paying me back, just get the mine open again and we'll be okay."
Lutherus contemplated for a moment. "...Very well. Thank you." He finally said, taking the helmet, which fitted perfectly, as well as the crafted dagger from Alvor.
"Great! Come find me when you've got the mine open again." Replied Alvor, as Lutherus went to go find Faendal. He found him at the Mill, sharpening his axe for the wood piled in front of him.
"Hello, Lutherus!" Greeted Faendal. "Don't tell me you've come for another training session?" He chuckled, only teasing.
"No, I have a request from Alvor and wanted to ask for your assistance in the matter."
Faendal stopped sharpening his axe and stood. "Aye? And that might be?"
"Well, I was wondering if you'd be so kind to accompany me to the Embershard Mine. I'll pay you 100 Septim for collateral."
"Really?" Inquired Faendal. "Alvor's finally going to go back to mining eh?"
"Yes, it would seem so. Plus in doing this I'll be free of his debt."
"Hmm. Alright then, lead the way!" Replied Faendal, as Lutherus handed him his money. "We should strike at night, catch those brigands off guard whilst they're sleeping."
"Yes, wouldn't be a bad idea." Said Lutherus, as they walked off to Embershard Mine. The Sun was already going down, so they would not have long to wait until it got dark.
The pair walked down the road adjacent to the White River, when they noticed a large Elk on the other side. Lutherus, in an attempt to inspire some confidence in his shot, drew his bow. Faendal however, interceded.
"Don't." He said. "Save your arrows for the mine. We'll come back tomorrow to hunt it." Disappointed, but accepting of Faendal's point, Lutherus sheathed his bow. The pair continued to walk.
"Any idea where this mine is?" Lutherus asked.
"I believe it's nearest to the Guardian Stones. I think..." Replied Faendal, though uncertain. They continued up the road until they saw a beaten path, leading away from the Stones ahead. Faendal moved in for a closer inspection. "Yes, this is definitely it. Come, Lutherus." He said, confirming the path was going to lead them to the mine. The pair meandered up the path and came to a clearing, with an entrance to the mine in view. In front of the entrance, stood a Redguard, one of the foreign visitors to these Nord lands. Both Lutherus and Faendal didn't expect the bandits to post a guard, so it came as a huge surprise to them when the Redguard charged at them, sword in hand.
"Quick!" Shouted Faendal. "Get your bow out!"
Lutherus, in a panic, dropped his bow as he fumbled for it. Faendal on the other hand, wasn't so clumsy and grabbed his, and an arrow, and lodged a kill shot into the Bandit, striking him in his left eye, killing him instantly.
After checking his target was dead, Faendal checked that the entrance to ensure no other bandits were alerted. He turned to Lutherus. "Grab his sword, and shield. You're going to need it a lot more than that flimsy dagger." Lutherus took to grabbing the recently departed's weaponry, despit both being quite heavy for the flimsy Imperial. He tried as much as he could, but he couldn't carry them properly. Faendal intervened. "Tell you what, give me the sword, and shield. Take my arrows and cover me. Okay?"
"Okay, thank you." Replied Lutherus, handing over the equipment. Faendal's bows were made of Steel, a far more sturdier arrow build than the Iron counterparts Lutherus was training on. Ready for battle, the two entered the mine. The Embershard Mine inside was dimly lit, with only sparse lighting offered by the burning torches throughout. Lutherus took a torch from one of the holders on the side of the mine, so the pair would have no trouble in extinguishing the Bandit threat. Thankfully, they weren't alerted to their friends death just moments ago.
"Alright." Whispered Faendal. "Stay close. I don't like the looks of this place."
"No, nor do I. Replied Lutherus. They moved down into the mine, ever so slightly cautious of their surroundings. The mine was quiet - too quiet for Lutherus and Faendal. But, as Lutherus would find, the silence would be shattered after he stepped on a wire, causing a trapped set of rocks to come crashing down. Lutherus gasped and jumped back, just inches away from being crushed. The rocks caused the cavern to shake, and the impact echoed through the mine.
"Are you alright?" Said Faendal.
"I'm fine. Just a bit shaken up."
"Be careful next time!" He warned, as they carried on. The two came to a crossing, over a pool of water that hanged under a wooden bridge. On their right, was a Bandit, fast asleep. "Stay here." Said Faendal. "I'll get the one sleeping. You keep an eye out."
"Okay." Said Lutherus, standing guard as Faendal ever so discreetly crossed the bridge and down the stairs. He was just about ready to drive his sword into the sleeping foe, when Lutherus noticed, from the corner of his eye, another patrolling Bandit.
"Who's that?!" Inquired the Bandit, drawing his sword to investigate. The noise disturbed the sleeping one too, who rose to see Faendal drive his sword into his stomach.
"Bastard Elf!" Shouted the other Bandit, and charged at him with his two handed sword. Faendal just turned in time to block the attack with his shield. He called to Lutherus.
"SHOOT!" He yelled, as he blocked another strike. Lutherus fired a shot from his bow, landing in the Bandit's side. The Bandit writhed in pain, giving Faendal the upper hand. He drew his sword to the Bandit, and decapitated him with a single blow. Lutherus came to check on him.
"Are you alright?" He asked. Checking him for wounds.
"I'm fine." Responded Faendal, sheathing his bloodied sword. "Come on, there's bound to be more here." Having dislodged the arrow from the Bandits side, Lutherus followed. The two came to an overlook, where part of the bridge, suspended vertically hanged. There was a lever in the room, Lutherus believing that it controlled the drawbridge in front of them. He pulled on the lever, dropping the bridge but also inadvertently alerting the Bandits behind it as well. "Quick! Fire!" Shouted Faendal, as he charged down to attack. Lutherus, having no means to hesitate, drew his bow and an arrow, and fired on the encroaching bandits. Striking one in the head, he watched as the bandit tumbled off the bridge, smacking his head on the rocky waters below. He turned to see Faendal, mercilessly bury his sword into the chest of the other bandit several times over.
"Are you okay?" Called Lutherus.
"I'm fine! Bastards didn't see that coming did they? Ha ha!" Came the reply from Faendal. "See if they have anything of use in there."
Referring to the shelving in the overwatch that he was in, Lutherus investigated. He came back empty handed.
"No. Nothing here but potatoes." He replied.
"Alright. Come on down, we'll continue this way." The two continued across the drawbridge, deeper into the mine. They came to another clearing, with a lot of light emerging from a room built within the cavern. Lutherus peered in through a gap in the wall, noticing a chest in the room.
"Look, a stockpile!" He said to Faendal.
"Who's there?!" Came a distant voice. Faendal, knowing they weren't alone ran around the corner and did battle with a Nord Bandit.
"Your kind does not belong here, Elf scum!" Taunted the Bandit. Faendal, unphased by the comments, punched his shield into the Nord's face, dazing him.
The Bandit doubled back, giving Faendal time to swing his shield, whilst Lutherus stood in amazement, with enough force to break the Nord's neck, and sending him to the floor.
"That was amazing!" Said Lutherus.
"It's nothing, really." Replied Faendal. "Go have a look in there, see what you find."
Lutherus made his way to the stock room, only to find the door to the room locked. "Does that Bandit have a key, Faendal?"
"I'll check." He replied, and searched the Nord's body. "Here, try this." He said, as he threw a key to Lutherus. He put the key in the door and turned it, opening the stock room.
Inside was a myriad of weapons, spell books and enough food to supply a small force of Bandits. Inside the chest was plentiful of loot, most likely stolen from the surrounding villages of Riverwood or Helgen.
"Take all the food you want from there. No use keeping the Bandit's marching on a full stomach." Said Faendal, as he kept guard outside. "I say, do you see a Golden Claw anywhere?"
"A what?" Replied Lutherus.
"A Golden Claw. Dragon's claw with markings on it. Lucan at the Trader in Riverwood had one stolen recently. i was hoping it was going to be here."
"Hmm...no...no sign of one as far as I can see." Replied Lutherus, as he stashed his bag full of the Bandit's food.
"Nevermind then." Finished Faendal, as they continued into the depths. They came to another clearing not soon after, another pool of water suspended below a rope bridge, connecting two sides of the canyon together. Faendal took cover behind a rock pillar. "Take that one out with your bow. Quietly if possible." He said, pointing to a lone bandit on the opposite side of the cavern. Lutherus, with much confidence drew his bow, and fired an arrow. The arrow missed completely, and now alerted four Bandits from every side of the cavern to their position.
"Heads up!" Cried Faendal, as a Bandit charged Lutherus from the side, with a two handed sword. He just avoided behind cut down underneath the sword, but by mere inches.
"Help!" Cried Lutherus, as he desperately avoided the Bandit's swings. All he had was a Dagger to defend himself with, which would of been no use against the might two handed sword the Bandit had. Faendal broke from engaging another Bandit to deliver a quick strike against the one hitting Lutherus. With a thrust into his neck, Faendal slayed the Bandit, before dispatching the others.
"Phew! Thank you, Faendal."
"It's alright. But you need to be more patient, or there won't be a next time!" Warned Faendal. "Come on, grab that Mace and let's go!"
Lutherus picked up the dead Bandit's mace, a far more trustworthy weapon than his flimsy Dagger, and carried on. At the bottom of the cavern they found a forge, along with surprisingly, a woodcutters bench.
"They must be smuggling their loot down here to make weapons." Mentioned Faendal. "That explains why they wanted to occupy this mine in the first place. It's right on the doorstep of Riverwood."
"Yeah, who knows how many other outposts they have in the valley." Replied Lutherus, as he looted the Bandit's inventory of ores and ingots around the makeshift forge. Travelling back up the cavern, Lutherus found more of the Bandit's stockpile of food. Looting it all, as well as a few coin in the same spot, Lutherus and Faendal found themselves coming to an exit on the other side.
"Of course!" Said Faendal in a moment of genius. "This must of been how they got in. Let's turn back and make sure none of them are still alive. Good job today, Lutherus."
"Thank you for accompanying me, Faendal. I couldn't of done this without you. Here is your bow and steel arrows back." He replied, handing over his weaponry at the same time. "Now, lets get back to Riverwood." And dumping their weapons sourced from the Bandit's, the two headed back through the mine to home. It was dark by the time the two had emerged from the now cleared mine. Lutherus was feeling very pleased with himself.
"I'll see about getting some Surile Brother's Wine at the Sleeping Giant. We've earned it after that!" Said Lutherus cheerfully.
"Yes, well done. You've done a good service to the Jarl, and to the people of Riverwood. I'll head to Whiterun to let the Jarl know the mine is back in operation. I'll also inform him of our find. See you tomorrow at the mill." Finished Faendal, as he left for Whiterun.
Table of Contents
Comments
New segment for chapter 2 is up
A E L A + R E D
First, Last, Forever.
Anyways, chapter length. This is really down to the individual writer. Now I try my best to make sure each chapter is less than 5,000 words as I read my chapters to Aela The Huntress(The Wif... more
Faendal... Never used him as a follower. Always had someone else.