Memoirs of Larz D'Ovakine ~ The Towers in the Mist pt.2

• Posted by Guy Corbett March 21, 2012 - 731 views

  We crept our way up the wide, stone, spiralling and dark steps occasionally broken by a small landing around the inside of the Tower. The air was dank and rancid. That sulphurous stink still seeped in from outside and didn't improve the fragrance. We met little resistance. A couple of bandits patrolled the stairway but our arrows silenced them. Reaching the top flight of steps, the light from a chamber atop the Tower poured down the steps. Pausing for a moment, my hearing crept into the room and picked up the soft whimper of a women, a sound of fear and exhaustion. I didn't recognise it so presumed it would be Christer's wife. 

  Peering round the corner I first spotted the Mage leant over the table of food with his back to us. A few sets of Shelves and furniture ran round the curved walls of the chamber. On the far side a women lay on a straw mattress in a iron barred cell. I signalled Hadvar to get on the other side of the doorway. As he silently darted across the opening he accidentally knocked a broom hidden by the shadows. It clattered to the ground and the Mage spun round spotting Hadvar as he fumbled with fallen broom. The Mage's reactions were impressive he had a bolt of Lighting away before I could fire my shot. Hadvar took the hit to his shield but still got knocked backwards juddering as the blue fire coursed through his body. I let my arrow go, it flew piercing right through the Mage's hand, as he brought it up to cast another bolt I hit and it pinned his hand to the wooden upright of the shelves behind him.

  Howling with pain the Mage tore his hand free but I was already on the move, unleashing my shout, he catapulted against the Shelving sending it's contents flying and I brought my blade down carving him from Neck to Navel. The commotion of the fight had roused the women and she now screamed at the sight of the Mage's entrails now littering the floor. I threw the key for the cell over to Hadvar. Unlocking it the women leapt out throwing herself at Hadvar in a burst of emotion. He reassured her that she was safe and told her to head down the stairs and she would find her husband waiting. With a huge hug and smile for both of us she hobbled off down the staircase.

  In a small alcove to one side, a set of wooden ladders led up to a trapdoor in the ceiling. On the roof of the Tower walkways lead over to a door in the base of the West Tower. The Key Christer had given me unlocked the door and opened onto a familiar face. The Stalker from the Imperial City, arm still in a sling from Aela's arrow and the same expression of panic and surprise. My shock of finding him gave him the split second to turn and bolt back into the Tower. He was too quick and sprinted off shouting for the other Bandits. I cursed my hesitation and moved into the small barracks in the base of the West Tower.

  The Bandits were already up a moving away from their bunks lining the walls of the tower. The odd bit of furniture and equipment positioned between the bunks. The one advantage we had was that the tight space restricted movement. Hadvar used his bow to target the men further back as I stunned them with my burst of voice and went about slicing a path through. The adrenaline was already coursing through my body and the battle became a blur of metal and blood. The patience and hard work to locate my family had built up within me and now spilled out as rage with the knowledge they were now so close. I only came to my senses as Hadvar grabbed my arm to stop me hitting the dead body of the Bandit I had pinned to the wall.

  "Larz! Larz! They're all dead! Calm down."

  I let the man fall to the ground, turning to face Hadvar, I saw the look of concern on his face and saw the wreckage that was left of the barracks over his shoulder. Broken furniture and Bandits lay strewn everywhere.

  "I'm ok Hadvar, it's just that we are so close I know it."

  "It's fine Sir, I was just a bit worried for a second, forget Dragonborn you were a man possessed."

  "I'm sorry, I lost control for a minute. Lets keep moving."

  We headed up another spiralling set of stairs leading up to another chamber only this time it was a row of cells down the outside edge. Only the middle cell was occupied and as we got closer I recognised the still body lying face down in the straw. Scrabbling to pick the lock I yanked the cage door open and dropped to my knees turning the women onto her back. Brushing the hair from her bruised face, it was my darling wife. Her cracked lips were blue and once Rosie skin cold. I hugged her, kissing her forehead as tears rolled from my eyes. I felt Hadvar place his hand on my shoulder and softly murmured

  "Larz, she's gone but you found her. You will see her again one day my friend don't worry. Come on, you go find your daughter and I will move your wife outside and wait for you."

  I reluctantly lowered my wife back to the ground and kissed her once more on the forehead.

  "Be careful with her, I won't be long." through clenched teeth I opened the door at the far end of the small prison back out into the sulphurous night air. As before a walkway led over to the door in the base of the final tower. The air was fresher now that I was higher up from the valley floor.I took a deep breath of the fresh air trying to compose myself. An image of my beloved appeared in my mind, smiling and mouthing I love you. I stepped forward into the Tower. 

  This tower was well lit and the aromas of a well stoked fire, roasting meats and spices wafted down the spiral stairs from above. Other than the crackle of the torches it was deathly silent. I crept up the stairs sword drawn. Still nothing as I reached the top of the Tower. Surely he hadn't got away again he couldn't. Peeping round the corner of the door to the chamber I got my answer.

  "Ahhhh Larz at last...please come in your more than welcome." Altan spotted me.

  I walked into his personal chamber. A grand table and dining set sat surrounded by a pristine set of books lining shelves. In a small room off to the side were his bed chambers. Plush upholstery and animal skins adorned the walls and floor. A large fireplace with a spit boar roasting roared on one wall. But on the far side he still had a iron cage. In front of the cage Altan stood with my wriggling daughter in his grip holding a dagger to her throat. The stalker stood just behind Altan smirking over his shoulder with a look what I did expression on his face. Altans last guard stood between us, the four men grimacing, with weapons drawn and eyes fixed on me.

  "Dad! You came!" My daughter called out

  "Shut up whore! one more word from you and I'll slit your throat!" Altan sneered pushing the dagger closer so that a thin red line appeared.

  "Let her go Altan! It's over. You have ruined my life, murdered my wife and lived in luxury at the expense of me and my daughter. I caught you! Killed all your men! It's time to hand her over and you will maybe spend the rest of your days in a Skeever hole of cell!" I roared at him.

  "Hehehee! You old fool these are my best men and you look a whiskers breadth from collapsing! Your right it is over but for you! Men!"

  The four remaining bandits stepped forward. I quickly grabbed Sanguine's Rose and held out in front of me. As Altan and his men all began burst into fits of laughter I summoned the Dremora. As the flash of blue from the portal closed the Deadric creature snarled at the Bandits. In the split second they panicked and dove for cover I saw Altan drop his dagger from my daughters neck with his mouth agape  at the appearance of the Dremora. 

  "FUS!!!"

  The shock wave blasted Altan in the face, knocking him backwards stunned my daughter dropped to the floor as he stumbled into the Stalker. I lunged forward, leaping through the parting Bandits, I aimed my blade at his heart and thrust. To his downfall the Stalker pushed Altan away from himself. Altan flopped to the ground still stunned and my blade struck straight through the Stalkers chest. For the final time I saw the look of panic and surprise on his face as blood gurgled up and ran from his mouth. I pulled my blade free and turned to find the Dremora causing carnage as it tore through the bandits. They scrabbled over each other and the furniture in desperate attempts at avoiding getting mauled. I spied Altan making for the stairs, a tankard rolled across the floor as a bandit sent a set of shelves tumbling to the ground spilling its contents, grabbing it I launched it across the room connecting with the back of Altan's head sending him tumbling down the stairs. The Dremora was busy feasting on the corpses of the Bandits as it was summoned back into it's own realm. I picked up my daughter and headed down the stairs after Altan. 

  I switched to my bow as we got to the bottom of the stairs. Altan was just gathering himself up and heading out the door as we caught up with him. Hobbling ahead along the walkway connecting to the lower towers Altan looked worse for wear. Constantly looking back over his shoulder whilst he dragged his broken ankle he let out a small yelp as he tried to put more distance between us. I drew the arrow back and let it fly striking him through the knee of his good leg. In a scream more reminiscent of a school girl he toppled over the edge of the tower and plummeted head first into the courtyard below.

  My daughter jumped at me and I hugged her as we both started to cry.

  "I'm sorry I took so long. I didn't get here in time for your Mother." I whispered to her. She broke our embrace smiling through her tear stained face.

  "I knew you would come, so did Mum. We both love you and I know she will be smiling down on us. Come on lets get out of here for good."

  "Your not wrong there lets go."