Deserter - Chapter Three: Impressions

  • 'To unite Skyrim against its true enemies. To protect our citizens, that they may live in peace. To honour my brothers-and-sisters-in-arms and the Empire; and to gladly embrace death in the name of the greater good.' 

    The Hold Guard observed his recruit listlessly. She was a wood-elf; brown-skinned, pointy-eared and scrawny. Auburn hair was cut short and tied in a practical bun above her head. Hardly an imposing figure, but her face caught his eye - her fair complexion was flecked with dirt and new scars, and laugh lines lay dormant on hardened features. A certain determination was evident in her eyes. She was young. Very young. The Hold Guard paused for a long while following her speech.

    'Bullshit.' He responded. The elf blinked. 'I'll ask again. Why do you want to join the guard?' 

    The elf blinked again, then sighed, ditched her obvious "disciplined" guise, and met the Guard's gaze. 'The very generous Empire gave me a choice,' she said, and her eyes narrowed in spite. 'Join the guard, or be sent "back home", as they put it. So I decided.' 

    The Hold Guard cursed inwardly at the depths the Imperials had sunken to, but turned his attention back to the elf that he was supposed to be preparing for her death. Her orderliness had dissolved, but the same intensity still burned bright in her eyes. She'd clearly adopted a grim acceptance of her situation. He doubted, however, that she knew about the impending battle.

    'Ever used a sword, elf?' The Guard asked, and his protégé shook her head. 'A bow?' He hoped that the 'Bosmer archer' stereotype included this particular wood-elf. She shook her head again. The full-faced Guard Helmet wouldn't give away his disappointment, but the Hold Guard closed his eyes nonetheless. His apprentice was going to die, regardless of his efforts. So why bother trying to train her at all? 

    He surveyed the elven girl a final time, the girl he had just condemned. He wanted a name to call her, before she donned the guard attire and those fierce eyes were hidden. Something to differentiate the girl from the other nameless guards. The other guards are trained, he thought bitterly. But he needed a name - he owed her that much at least. 'What's your name?' The Guard asked quietly.

    The elf looked up, ready to retort spiritedly, but her anger faltered at the gentle tone. 'Kyr.' She answered instead. 'My name is Kyr.' 

    The Hold Guard nodded and turned away, beginning to walk. Kyr followed, an energy evident in each of her steps. Deep in thought, her eyes were fixed on the Guard in front as they walked through Whiterun city in the morning sunlight. 

    ----------------

    The Hold Guard stood at his post with the Wood-elf; they both were stationed either side of Whiterun's city gate. The Guard was engaged in an argument with a khajiit. 

    'You know the rules,' he said wearily, 'no Khajiit in the cities.'

    The Khajiit was asking for medicine, for a sick relative. The Hold Guard did as he always had, and followed his orders. He drew his sword, took a step forward, and the cat backed off swiftly. The Guard unemotionally returned to his post and sheathed his sword. He stole a glance at Kyr to find her head turned in his direction.

    'Why'd you turn her away?' She asked, clearly irate.

    'Orders.' He grunted simply. He doubted the elf would challenge him further - recruits were rarely questioning. It surprised him, therefore, when Kyr removed her helmet and strode over to confront him. 

    'She needed help. Is there an Imperial rule against aiding sick people?' The Hold Guard turned to face Kyr. He was easily a head taller, but her persistence was oddly chastising.

    'You're part of the Guard now, and you have to realise that everything, everything we do is dictated by our higher-ups.' More than a touch of disdain was evident in the Hold Guard's voice. The exchange between Balgruuf and his council the previous night still ate at him. 

    'So there is a rule?' Pressed the elf in mock surprise, 'Is it possible the Empire isn't the noble, moral organisation I've always thought of it as? Has it ever occurred to you that, by allowing this kind of crap to go on, you're no better than your superiors?' Kyr shook her head in disgust, pulled on her helmet and walked back to her post. The Hold Guard willed himself, with all the self-control he had, to disregard the accusation and remain silent. It wasn't enough.

    'Do you think I enjoy doing this?' The Guard's voice was barely audible, but it was near deafening during the morning's silence. The wind had halted abruptly, and a chill lingered in the air. The phrase, though hushed, brimmed with emotion - emotion that, until that moment, the Guard had kept suppressed, and it conveyed a danger the Hold Guard hadn't thought himself capable of. 'Do you think I want to be forced into killing against my better judgement? To train children like you, only to have you sent to your death by my superiors?'

    Kyr was facing him, but her guard helmet masked all emotion, like it was meant to. The outburst had left the Guard winded and jaded. He abandoned his post, wearily opened the gate and, having notified the child of her approaching death, walked numbly, aimlessly, through the city. 

     

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Comments

8 Comments
  • Exuro
    Exuro   ·  October 25, 2015
    The pebble has been cast, now the ripple effect begins.
  • The Wing
    The Wing   ·  August 23, 2015
    But honestly, it matters not.
  • The Wing
    The Wing   ·  August 23, 2015
    I actually like using apostrophes (or single speech marks) more. I used to use double speech marks until my keyboard broke and I got a British one as a replacement, so the speech mark key is now Shift + 2. A confusing location. But Tolkien used apostrophe...  more
  • Raid
    Raid   ·  June 26, 2015
    I've noticed a lot of authors actually use single quotes for speech too. So it shouldn't matter all that much. Great chapter! Nice to get to know some other characters. It's weird because it's almost like you've been intentionally ignoring talking about t...  more
  • Idesto
    Idesto   ·  June 26, 2015
    Hello. I haven't read this yet although I plan to, but I thought I'd just throw my tupenny's worth in. I totally agree with Lissette, and I would always use double quotes for dialogue. I have noticed however that Pratchett, probably my favourite author, u...  more
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  June 26, 2015
    If it's a style choice then, I am not one to begrudge you. I personally didn't have issues following it. If others don't say anything, don't worry about it then. 
  • FishDout
    FishDout   ·  June 26, 2015
    I know I should be using double quotes, but I just like the look of those single ones better! I'll definitely change them if they're causing confusion, though. I'm using the Game of Thrones book I'm currently reading as a structure guide, but I do agree t...  more
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  June 26, 2015
    I liked this entry, but a few nitpicks on mechanics. Double quotes should be used for all dialogue. The single quotes are used usually for a quote within a double quote. If you use single quotes, it makes it harder to distinguish dialogue from narrative a...  more