Chapter One
Despite all the soldier's predictions, the camp was running efficiently as it could. Sadryn Veleth and his fellow guards were making regular patrols around the ruins of Gnisis. The occasional reaver was sighted, but the only real problem was supply shortages and roaming Nix-Hounds, forced to move farther from the bitter coast to search for food. The woman Sadryn had found by the river was conscious, however she still couldn't, or wouldn't speak. Every other week or so, a supply cart would make its way up to Gnisis. Today was the day it was to arrive. Captain Ralvas had assigned Sadryn Veleth and another guard, Seldus to meet with the cart at what used to be the entrance to Gnisis.
"So," said Seldus, "You think we'll ever get outta here, Veleth?"
"I don't see it happening anytime soon. If we do, it will probably be a post at some other destroyed town."
Seldus muttered to himself, and the two continued down the road to meet the Cart. They had met the driver, Nilvel, many times and he was becoming quite the familiar face.
"Alright boys, I got some healing potions, few boxes of meat, fresh water, and some Sujamma for the fine soldiers of House Redoran," said Nilvel, as he handed Veleth a crate and Seldus a few sacks.
"Thanks Nilvel. Say, how are the roads and other towns lookin?" asked Seldus.
"I'd say Gnisis is the worst I've seen, but the roads are in disrepair. Gotta look out for Reavers. They've been spotted on roads."
Veleth shook his head. "Well, thank you Nilvel. May the Reclamations guide you."
Sadryn Veleth and Seldus turned and made way to the camp. However, Nilvel cried out behind them. The two soldiers turned around. They saw a Reaver Lord, that had a dagger over Nilvel's throat. Sadryn was about to draw his sword when he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head. He only remained conscious long enough to see Seldus collapse as well.
When the men awoke, they still had their armor which came as a shock. However their coin purses were missing, and their weapons gone as well. Nilvel was in the cage with them.
Nilvel looked over. "Hey. You two alright? Took quite a blow to the head you did."
Seldus groaned. "Yeah..I think I'm ok. What..What about you Veleth?"
"Besides an urge to behead some Reavers I'm alright," said Veleth, rubbing the back of his head.
Nilvel stroked his beard. "You guys any good at sneaking?"
Veleth and Seldus replied in unison, "No."
"Damn it. Alright. You two stay in here then, while I get your gear. I picked this lock hours ago, I've just been waitin' for you two to get up."
Sadryn did not like the idea of letting Nilvel go out alone, but something told him Nilvel wasn't just a simple courier. Seldus and Sadryn watched Nilvel creep out of the cage, and disappear into the shadows. It felt like ages had past. Sadryn wondered if Nilvel had been caught. Seldus was busy trying to sharpen stake he found on his armor. Finally they saw Nilvel with their swords and shields slung on his back. They opened the cage door and retrieved their gear.
Seldus spoke first. "Well Nilvel, how is it lookin' out there? What are we up against?
"I'd say its your ordinary Reaver band. Didn't see the Reaver lord from before, but I'm bettin' he's out raiding."
"How many are in this cave with us?" asked Sadryn.
"From what I saw there were three. One archer, and two of 'em luggin greatswords."
Seldus came up with a plan. "Nilvel you sneak up on the archer. He shouldn't be too strong, otherwise he wouldn't be an archer. Veleth and I will take on the other two."
Sadryn and Nilvel both nodded in agreement. Once again Nilvel crouched down and faded away into the darkness. Veleth and Seldus drew their swords, and waited for Nilvel to start fighting the archer. Nilvel got up on the archer's perch within minutes. Seldus and Veleth took that as their signal to charge the other two reavers. Seldus got the first swing on his target. He stabbed the reaver's arm. The reaver wasted what little energy he had hacking away had Seldus' shield. Seldus bashed him with his shield and dug his sword into the reaver's gullet. Sadryn did not have the same luck. The reaver had managed to connect his greatsword with Sadryn's shoulder. Sadryn dropped his shield and fell onto his back. The reaver was about to plunge his sword into Sadryn's chest, but Sadryn managed to roll over just in time. The reaver swung again, missing Sadryn's head. Sadryn pierced through the reaver's fur armor and drove his sword right through the reaver. Nilvel was watching them from the archer's ledge.
"Good show boys! You really showed those reavers who you were! By Sheogorath's beard that was some damn good fighting!" shouted Nilvel.
Seldus chuckled. "You seemed to dispose of that archer pretty quickly, old man. You're more spry than you look!"
Nilvel shouted back. "Watch your tongue boy! I may be old, but I got us outta this mess."
Sadryn found a healing potion to assist in mending his shoulder. He drank it and sat down on a rock.
"Hey Veleth you good over there?" asked Seldus.
"Fine," said Sadryn, "Pauldron blocked most of the blow anyways."
"Well, if you two are ready, let's get out of this stinking cave," said Nilvel.
The trio gathered some gold from the reaver hoard, some potions, and went on their way. It was broad daylight outside the cave. However, the men had no idea where they were. Nilvel was not familiar with the area, and Seldus and Sadryn weren't sure which way to go in order to get back to Gnisis. They all agreed they should find their way to the northern coast and from there finding Gnisis wouldn't be too hard. They used the position of Red Mountain to find out their general location. The three Dunmer headed on their way, figuring they would reach camp tomorrow, or perhaps even late tonight. Seldus and Sadryn kept a watchful eye ahead to make sure they wouldn't encounter anymore reavers, while Nilvel hummed a merry tune.
It had to have been four hours past noon of the next day when they finally reached camp. However, to their surprise it was deserted. No healers, no soldiers, nobody. The first tent they checked was Captain Ralvas'. Entirely deserted except for the small side table and on top of that a letter with the House Redoran seal. The letter explained that Argonians had sacked Mournhold and were moving north towards Red Mountain. All of Gnisis' refugees were to be sailed to Blacklight's refugee camp, and all the soldier's under Ralvas' command should make their way towards the frontline, in order to push back the Argonians. Nilvel's jolly tune stopped when he read the letter.
Nilvel's voice shook. "By..By Azura, they struck Mournhold? An army of Argonian slaves?"
"Not slaves Nilvel," replied Sadryn, "This is a trained army sent straight from Black Marsh."
Seldus said not a word. Sadryn didn't know much about Seldus, but he knew Seldus had family in Mournhold. For the next hour or so they sat in silence, drinking the spare water that had been forgotten by the refugees.
"Veleth, we had better get moving. The Captain needs us," said Seldus.
"You're right," replied Sadryn, "But what of Nilvel?"
Seldus looked off into space. "He's got experience. He can find his own way to Blacklight. It's not far off."
Nilvel protested. "I've proven myself to you two. I'm not going to no Blacklight camp. I'm going with you."
"Look, this is war. You're a courier, not a soldier," said Seldus.
Nilvel raised his voice. "Boy, I was a courier. When you've lived as long as I have, you have been many things. I can hold my own in combat, and I can be as quiet as shadow if need be. Like it or not, I'm going."
"He has gotten us out of the mess with the reavers," said Sadryn, "I say he's a welcome addition."
Seldus finally nodded in agreement, and the three elves decided that they'd camp here for the night, and try to find Captain Ralvas and their partners tomorrow.
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