Memoirs of Larz D'Ovakine ~ Homecoming pt. 3(spoilers)

• Posted by Guy Corbett February 6, 2012 - 794 views

  Farkas and Aela disappeared out the door in the blink of an eye. As I burst out into the bustling wide street of the Market District I looked to my left spotting the cowled Stalker already vanishing into the shadows of a side street. My two Companions were on them though barging a clear path through the mid morning shoppers.

  The Imperial City was easy to navigate. Its white stone buildings and streets were flanked by mirroring back alleys all laid out in a circular grid around the Gold Tower District in the centre of the walled city. Rather than follow the Stalker, Aela and Farkas I sped past to a different alley knowing full well I could catch up. Reaching the end of the alley panting, that dry mouth and funny taste when you push yourself a bit to far rising in my throat I picked out the Stalker closely followed by Farkas scything his way through the much more crowded main street. Waiting for the right moment I rushed out and tackled the Mysterious Watcher. The two of us crashed through the throng of shoppers and into a stack of wooden cages filled with chickens. In a burst of startled squawks and feathers I rolled pinning the eavesdropper on their back. In a flash they brought their masked face up butting me before getting their knees up propelling me backwards into the crowd and Farkas.  

  They got back to their feet and sprinted off towards the main gate. The chase continued, whoever they were they could run. All my snicks and cut through's round the city never gained us any ground. Luckily it happened at such a pace that no sooner had we run in, we were gone so the guards didn't notice a thing. Other than the flock of Hens now causing havoc. Storming back out to the stables the assailant was already galloping off along the high, white, stone bridge that led away from the city and back out into Cyrodill. I thanked Aela for suggesting we tie our horses for a quick get away as I launched myself onto Drago's back, unhitching the loose knot and galloping after the plume of dust now speeding back towards the Jerral Mountains.

  The Rider seemed to make an error in their panic to escape and slowed as they came to a junction hesitating before making a decision. Aela didn't need me to bark the order as her Bow twanged before I finished it. Her skill with the bow was outstanding. On horse back she scored a hit, I couldn't hazard a guess at the distance but the Rider took the shot to the right shoulder but stayed in their saddle. We started to close the gap as we began to rise back up the mountains towards the Pale Pass. 

  Farkas shouted over the thunder of the horse's hooves

  "He's heading back to Skyrim, the filthy Mudcrab! He must work for Altan we have to stop him. Aela can you not reach him?!" Aela drew her bow but each shot she tried fell short. The gradient was against her but that didn't stop us catching him. Urging Drago on the valiant steed reached into his reserve's powering us up the slopes. In a brief moment of clarity the wind blew so that I could see the Rider perfectly through the swirling snow. They were waving? Who at? As it dawned on me I yanked back on Drago's reigns yelling at the top of my lungs

  "AMBUSHHHHHH!"

  Aela, Farkas and myself managed to stop, but the two Guild fighters didn't react quick enough through the confusion and galloped past us as the arrows flew in from two sides felling rider and steed instantly. The charge order bellowed over the wind and 10 Stormcloak soldier's appeared through the trees either side of the road blocking any further progress. The three of us stood facing the wall of Nords in a stale mate. Farkas leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear

  "Listen close, In a moment I'm going to break for the tree line and try to draw as many as I can into the woods, you two stay here do not follow me. Larz you get that, Do not Follow me." As I went to argue back the Tall man who I had only known for a few days smiled at me before shouting in defiance at the Stormcloaks

  "Come on then you Stormcloak Skeevers!!! Drawing his sword he charged at the line with the speed of a Sabre cat demolishing their ranks before darting in to the thick woodland. The stormcloaks a bit dazed and confused by the sudden onslaught took their orders from the officer. 5 of them followed the path punched into the under growth by Farkas. I smirked shaking my head, the fool didn't have to sacrifice himself for me. I looked over to Aela who simply nodded as she drew her bow string back. Unsheathing my sword I charged at the remaining Stormcloaks, arrows flew either side of me, feeling the air move as Aela opened fire a little to close for my liking but the arrows struck out along my line of charge weakening my first targets. The 5 men closed ranks as if to surround my charge. Taking a deep breath I let go my Shout stunning all five in a pulse of sound and air. My lunge pierced not one but two of the guards like a kebab. My sword was stuck as I yanked on it to free it. The Stormcloak Officer closed on me raising their sword, as they went to swipe in down their arm was caught mid swing by another of Aelas lethal arrows. The Officer howled out with pain as the two other soldiers returned to their side backing awaying. Obviously our onslaught had shook their morale. Raising my sword to charge them down a noise from the woods stopped all combat. The blood curdling screams of man after man. Echoing through the dark trunks the screams made the Stormcloaks jump and frantically scan the tree line. After the fifth tortured death note the world fell silent again until a rustle in the bushes caught everyone's attention. Covered in blood dripping over his Wolf Armour Farkas strolled back out onto the road, sword drawn and wild eyed. The Stormcloaks looked at one another and turned tail. We all drew an arrow and made sure the Masked Stalker was the only one to escape. 

  In the aftermath of the skirmish my heart began to steady but my mind still raced. So Altan was in league with the Stormcloaks. No doubt how he acquired the forgeries for my shop. His plan had probably failed but he had done his utmost to benefit from the failure. If it wasn't for that Imperial Ambush in the rift I would now be regularly supplying the Stormcloaks unknowingly. I had to find out where he was now hiding my family. I turned to my fellow companions

  "I think we should take these two back to the guild at let Augustus know. We rest up there and head back to Skyrim in the morning." Aela nodded her agreement. She was a women of few words but my respect for her as a warrior and companion had soared. Farkas still seemed to be buzzing from the battle

  "What about that snake who got away? He will tell Altan your alive and you know what he's done!" I put my hand on his shoulder to try to pacify and calm him

  "Exactly my friend, Exactly. He will know I'm alive. He will know I know he has my family. He may of managed to ruin and steal my life but I know a coward when I see one. Come on lets get these honourable brothers back to the guild and some rest."

  Bravil wasn't far away. Augustus couldn't believe it when I told him what happened but he promised he would speak to the Empire and tell them about the Stormcloak incursion. I apologized for the loss of the Guild members but he waved it away reassuring me they knew what they had signed up for. In the morning Augustus loaded us up with supplies as we mounted our horses for Skyrim. As we cantered away from the guild I shouted back to Augustus

  "Don't worry Friend, I will write!" With that I turned my back to Cryodill and headed into the Pale Pass and more unsettling my unavoidable destiny.