Chapter 24
… should have done it like you were told… … a simple contract and you took it. You said you’d do it.
Ciel’nn was standing in a dimly lit cavern and held the dark scroll, with a black seal on it, in his hands. The place was in an isolated location. Slowly he opened the scroll— it shouldn’t be a problem. Not really. As he read the contract he narrowed his eyes, and his hand turned into a fist, crushing the fragile paper in his hand.
It should have been a simple task to do, and yet it wasn’t. Ciel’nn gritted his teeth together — he had hoped it wouldn’t be a known target, and yet he knew. He damn well knew who it was. There wasn’t a name on the paper, but he knew it by the description. He damn well knew… the person had a seat in the council.
They had given him a time range to do it. He wasn’t sure if he could do it anymore.
He shouldn’t have taken the contract, but it was too late.
The scent of lavenders filled the quiet Sleeping Giant Inn room. Ciel’nn was in a deep sleep between the warm fur blankets, thanks to Camilla’s tea— it had worked like a miracle. He’d been stressed out since the barrow and he was worn out. If only his nightmares would change to something better, but there was only hoping for him. Ciel’nn really didn’t know what he’d have done without the Nord. Facing the necromancer was the scariest thing he knew, and killing him didn’t clear the fear of them. For now, he felt exhausted, but safe.
The events of Bleak Falls Barrow lingered in Rangalen’s mind as he was sitting on the chair, watching the slumbering Dunmer. He tried to wrap his mind around what had happened with the necromancer. Something about Ciel’nn’s father— that much he’d gathered and he was punishing the mer for hurting him. Rangalen sighed as he sipped his tea. He wasn’t sure how to deal with it. How to deal with someone who was your friend and had killed someone in cold blood? His mother would have said, “Follow your guts.” The young warrior knew what his damned father would have said. What am I going to do with you, Ciel’nn? His attention turned to Camilla and Sven— they were arguing about Sven sending them to the Barrow and endangering them.
Camilla was worried about Ciel’nn and Sven was certain he’d get over it. Rangalen wasn’t sure of that. He wasn’t sure of how the trip to Falkreath would go. In truth, the young warrior dreaded it.
They had passed the Standing Stones and still the Nord hadn’t said much. Ciel’nn had noticed that they had shared a few words before departing from Riverwood. He himself was a bit in thoughtful state and didn’t want to think about the barrow events at all. The Nord seemed to be distant a bit from him; no more warm smiles or gentle gestures. He bit his lower lip, thinking about what to say. The silence had started to bother him. “No ‘how did you sleep? Or ‘what’s on your mind?’” Ciel’nn said out of the blue.
A part of Rangalen wanted to respond, but he had chosen to say nothing. He tried to avoid direct eye contact. The latest events had made him distant and anxious. Talking was the last thing he wanted to do. Keeping his face neutral or blank was difficult to do, too.
Silence. So you’re not talking to me? Ciel’nn wasn’t used to his companion staying quiet. He’d need someone to talk to, but the Nord was quiet. He cast his eyes down, up to the trees and the sky. He’d need the Nord for comfort, but it felt he wasn’t there. Ciel’nn stopped and turned to face the young man. “Alright, Rang. What’s wrong?” he demanded to know. Talk to me, damn it!
The young warrior swallowed. He hadn’t expected this to happen yet. Rangalen stood there uncomfortable while the Dunmer demanded an explanation. Damn it! He had no idea how to begin to explain, his father never had time for teaching him the aches of life. Better be honest though. “I’m… shocked by what you did inside the barrow. You…” he stammered. “It.. It was horrible, and wrong!”
The red eyes narrowed as Ciel’nn shifted in his place. The Nord had no idea of what he has been through, or how he felt. How could he? Rangalen was a Nord after all. Killing the… His hands formed fists. “Wrong?!” he nearly shouted. “You would be dead if.. If I didn’t do anything!” Ciel’nn started to cough. “I was scared to Oblivion that you’d die, and all the memories at the same time. Do you have any idea what that feels like?” He stopped to take a breath.
“But, it was your call to go there.” Rangalen breathed, not sure how this would end.
“Because I was under pressure by two Nords!” Ciel’nn shot back, his eyes nearly flashing red like the lava in the Red Mountain. “That’s the worst thing in this world I know!” He saw Rangalen shifting under his red gaze.”I’m not sorry that I saved your damn life. But, if that doesn’t mean anything to you, then I’ll be off on my own!” He shouted top of his lungs. Ciel’nn turned away and coughed again. “I’m not feeling well, if you hadn’t noticed, stupid Nord!” With that he dashed off as felt tears in his eyes.
Rangalen was dumbstruck and his mouth was half open as he stared after the Dunmer. That was something he wasn’t prepared for. Ciel’nn was afraid of his death? That didn’t explain why he tortured the necromancer before setting him ablaze alive - he’d see nightmares for his lifetime! “Damn!” Rangalen cursed aloud. I need to know what you have been through, Ciel’nn. He couldn’t let the Dunmer go on alone, his honor forbade it. He’d follow the Dunmer, even if it would be difficult to talk with him. He also had been afraid of the necromancer. The young warrior took a deep breath before he ran after his friend.
“N’wahs!” Ciel’nn cursed as he tried to move on. The cut wound he’d gotten from the bandits he’d killed a few moments ago, had reduced his speed to a walking pace. He gritted his teeth together as he tried to walk on. He was certain it hadn’t been a poisoned blade, or he’d feel it already. He leaned against a pine tree that stood beside the road. He frowned for a moment. He didn’t understand why men said “It’s just a scratch” when the would could be deadly. His wounds were real and they damn hurt, every time. Stupid men playing the brave fetcher in the face of death! I need to sit down somewhere.
Deciding to look for some aid from his backpack, Ciel’nn saw a Thalmor patrol coming his way from the edge of his sight. They hadn’t seen him yet. He felt his heart skipping a beat as he tried to look for a place where he’d hide. His leg was burning. There wasn’t any other choice than go to hiding in the woods. He slid himself against the tree and shifted behind it. His eyes caught a small twig on the ground, which he picked up when he went on to his belly. Putting the twig between his teeth, Ciel’nn started crawling away from the path. Slowly, he crawled while sweat drops formed on his forehead. He paused a little while to breathe properly and continued. If I could reach that rock, maybe its enough off the road.
The young warrior stared at the bloody scene on the road and tried to make sense of it. Clearly it had been a furious battle from the side of the bandits. The archer had a dagger stuck in her throat. As for the other two… Rangalen never had been good at measuring battle wounds. He frowned as he saw the slashes - they were familiar. Ciel’nn did this? His eyes followed the blood trail away from the bandits. Did he get injured? And where is he now? He scanned the area, but Ciel’nn wasn’t anywhere to be seen. He felt a sting in his chest and he frowned as he stepped over the dead bandits as he continued his way on the road.
Rangalen didn’t get far away from the bandits when he saw a Thalmor patrol coming down the road. It seemed they hadn’t been in a fight, but now he was worried for the Dunmer. Maybe he had managed go to Falkreath already? He wasn’t sure, but decided to walk calmly past the Thalmor as casually as he could.
“Stop there! There’s the one who kills our soldiers!” The Thalmor agent shouted at the young warrior and to his men. “You come with us quietly, understood?” he continued, looking stern. His soldiers drew their weapons and prepared to take the Nord.
Frowning at his odds, Rangalen drew his sword and readied his shield arm. He sketched a quick strategy plan in his mind, if all went well - this would be over soon. “Talos break you, Thalmor bastards!” he shouted at them, waiting for who might attack him first. The two Thalmor soldiers charged at him, shouting something in Auri-El’s name. Must be their god, or something. Rangalen took a step to avoid the charge attack of the first solider and slammed the edge of his shield at him. The sharp edge clanged against the elven armor and the high elf grunted in the impact and staggered, his hand reaching the impact area.
The battle lasted some time before Rangalen had his slash at the Thalmor agent, who was now gurgling on the ground and tried to stop the bleeding from his chest. He had gotten lightning spells on him, but he’d gone through it with gritted teeth and die-hard determination. The young warrior shook his head at the dying high elf. “Go. Meet your god, bastard!” With that he raised his sword and struck it through the Thalmor agent. He watched his last twitch of life fading away before he pulled his sword out. For a moment he felt triumphant - he’d killed a Thalmor patrol on his own, but his thoughts returned to the Dunmer. It made his mood grim while he cleaned his sword and drank a health potion before he proceeded to Falkreath.
Ciel’nn leaned against the moss covered stone and winced in pain. By Azura! What I have to go through just to survive! He groaned as he reached into his backpack to take an advanced health potion and chug it down his throat. Another groan - he dropped the bottle next to him. Ciel’nn closed his eyes for a moment. It hurt so much that he thought he’d pass out at any second now. His hand found its way to the chitin dagger - the one his cousin had given him. “I miss you, Ce’vale. What ever happened to you?” he whispered softly and took a deep breath. It would take time for the potion to work, so he would wait, but after a while he passed out, holding the chitin dagger in his hand.
The guards had their torches out as nightfall had fallen upon the Falkreath region. Rangalen hadn’t seen a glimpse of the Dunmer, so he hoped to find him at Runil’s house, or at the Dead Man’s Inn. He asked the guards if they had seen Ciel’nn coming into the town, and they shook their heads. “Haven’t seen anyone today, lad. Sorry,” they replied. At this Rangalen thanked them, and frowned. Maybe he went the other way around. He headed to the Inn, hoping to get good news.
Walking towards the counter, Rangalen nodded to Valga, “Hey, have you seen a Dunmer with black, flowing hair? He’s this tall,” he gestured with his hand to the airy space next to him. “He has a set of scars on his face,” he asked.
“That handsome fellow, Ciel’nn, was it? No, I haven’t seen him tonight.” Valga shook her head and thought a moment. “Weren’t you with him? There’s a rumor about you two.”
“We got separated. Thank you anyway.” the young warrior said and stormed out of the Inn. He must be at Runil’s then. Rangalen marched down the road to the graveyard. He was getting tired and wanted to rest, but not before he’d seen the Dunmer first.
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