Agents of the Queen Part 22- An Elder Scrolls Online tale

  • The Invasion of Dawnbreak 

     

     

    Ian S. McClure 

     

     

    “Well, that can't be good.” Lilinastre said sarcastically, as Dawnbreak came into view, flaming. “Wonder if the Canonreeve made it out?” 

     

     

    I sighed, went to my pack, and got my helm. “Stars. This has to be the Heritance. To Oblivion with Estre!” 

     

     

    “You have that right.” a disgruntled voice said. Turning, I saw a middle-aged, black-haired Altmer dressed in finery. “Canonreeve Sinyon, at your service.” 

     

     

    “What in Yff're's name happened here?” Elereth asked. “Is the Veiled Heritance responsible?” 

     

     

    “If by 'Heritance' you mean Estre, then yes.” Sinyon said, before sighing. “I didn't know, when I let her in, that she was the Veiled Queen. Word arrived just as the Daedra attacked.” 

     

     

    “Daedra!?” Suhr asked, appalled. 

     

     

    “What, she's a damned cultist too?” I asked, outraged. “Next you'll tell me she kills puppies and shares drinks with the Dark Brotherhood.” 

     

     

    “Apparently. She's definitely responsible for the Daedra.” the Canonreeve said. “Luckily, we managed to push back the bulk of them, and most of the townsfolk made it out… Actually, you all look like adventurous types. Would you go speak to Captain Landare? She's organizing the rescue of those left in the town.” 

     

     

    “Of course.” Elereth said, putting on her helmet. “We'll help any way we can.” 

     

     

    As Sinyon left, I snorted. “Really, how did nobody realize Estre was evil?” I said. “I mean, organizing a terrorist group and cavorting with Oblivion at the same time?” 

     

     

    “Well, I imagine nobody really investigated her.” Lili said thoughtfully. “Imagine the scandal that would surface if word got out that Ayrenn's Eyes were looking into her own advisers. Especially considering how… Dramatic, our people are. And also seeing as how Estre is—was, probably—the wife of Prince Naemon.” 

     

     

    “But the Eyes have been investigating the court for a while now, in secret. Razum-dar told this one.” Suhr said. “Ah well. Perhaps her position fostered a certain false trust.” 

     

     

    Elereth frowned. “Or maybe Estre manipulated the Eyes somehow… We should mention this to Raz when we see him.” 

     

     

    “Later.” I replied. “For now, we've got people to save.” I adjusted my helm. “Right. Let's find this Landare person." 

     

     

     

     

    "Hold there." Landare, a tall, stern mage said. "'The town is under evacuation. You'd best keep going to Firsthold." 

     

     

    "Actually, we're here to help." Elereth said. "We met the Canonreeve on the road." 

     

     

    "Oh. Well. Alright then." Landare replied, taken aback but pleased. "The main assault was crushed, but we still have civilians stuck in thetown. We need to get them out of there. Their names are Elannie, Pirtar, Almion, Fasaran, and Mirkalinde." 

     

     

    "Got it." I said, turning to the group. "If we split up, we'll cover more ground. But the Daedra are dangerous enemies... We'll go in groups of two. Elereth with me, Suhr with Lili." 

     

     

    Lili nodded. "Alright. Should be pretty easy." 

     

     

    We went our separate ways then, as Elereth and I went to Elannie's home. Finding the door was unlocked, we quickly entered, seeing the woman weeping softly. She looked hopefully in our direction, saying: "You have to help me! My father, Almion, is somewhere in the town. I'm not leaving without him!" 

     

     

    "Almion will be fine, but you can't wait for him." I replied quickly. "The Daedra might attack again at any point." 

     

     

    When Elannie did not answer, Elereth added: "He wouldn't want you to die here waiting for him, would he? We'll find him." 

     

     

    Elannie sighed. "Stars looks after him... Fine, I'll go." 

     

     

    We all left the house, Elereth and I advancing warily into the town. The streets were littered with Daedric bodies, and Marines walking about vigilantly. Eventually, we came across one of the Marines, looking at the body of a middle-aged villager. He looked at us, downtrodden, and said, "Hey. Tell the Captain that Almion didn't make it." 

     

     

    I sighed, trying not to think about the poor girl's reaction to the news. "Do you have any idea where Pirtar could be?" 

     

     

    "Uh, we got him already. Poor sap got buried by his house, but he'll be alright." the Marine said, scratching his stubbled chin. "You might want to see the Captain, tell her everyone's out. Stars keep you safe." 

     

     

    I nodded, setting off for the large, ruined manor. As we walked, Elereth said: "So. If Estre was a cultist, does that mean she'll try a larger ritual? Dawnbreak's a pretty small town, but there's a city further up. It could be in danger." 

     

     

    I hummed. "Firsthold could be endangered, yes. We'll have to mention it to Captain Landare." 

     

     

    Just then, Lilinastre and Suhr appeared, walking towards us. "Hey! We found Fasaran and—whatever the other woman's name was." Lili said. 

     

     

    "Good, good. We were just reporting to the Captain." I replied. 

     

     

     

    At that moment, suddenly, the ground shook. "What in Y'ffre's beard?" Elereth said, losing her balance. As I helped her up, the first sounds of battle resounded, as the sky slowly began to shift from it's normal blue to a terrible blood-red. 

     

     

    "Dark Moons." Suhr said gravely, looking up before drawing his daggers. "The Daedra, they have returned. The Marines will need help." 

     

     

    I nodded, drawing my own blade. "Stick together, people. We need to find Captain Landare—she'll have a plan, I hope."  

     

     

    Just then, a fireball nearly hit me! As I dodged, I saw what had fired it—a Flame Atronach, which I recognized from an old text I'd read. Elereth wasted no time in firing one of her arrows, which hit the Daedra in the shoulder. It responded by flingling more fireballs, until Suhr aimed and threw one of his daggers. It pierced the creature's chest, and it collapsed, promptly exploding into a ball of fire magic. 

     

     

    "Nice work." I said, as Suhr retrieved his slightly charred dagger. "Come on, we need to find Landare." 

     

     

    "There's a cave near here, one of the Marines told me." Lili said. "Seems as good a place to find the Captain as any." 

     

     

    And so, we ran. Everywhere we looked, the Marines were dueling with the denizens of Oblivion—banekin, scamps and the like. Constantly, we had to dodge fireballs, bolts of lightning, and impossibly-sharp arrows fired by Dremora. We all received some wounds from the flying projectiles, but nothing too serious. Eventually, on the outskirts of town, we saw the cave. "Everyone in! Go!" I roared, above the clamor of battle. As we ran inside, I looked around, noting no Daedra. "Alright, I think we're safe for now." I said, fatigued. "Suhr, watch the entrance, give a yell if the Daedra are coming." 

     

     

    As Suhr nodded, doing as I asked, Elereth called out from further within: "Ardolan! Found the Captain!" 

     

     

    Lili and I advanced as well, finding Landare seeing to a wounded Marine. "Captain, the Marines can't hold off the Daedra for much longer." Lilinastre said. 

     

     

    " I know, I know." Landare responded, not looking away from her healing. "Luckily, I know how to stop the beasts. Spotted a few Daedric mages, Dremora I think, further in, talking to a projection of Estre. That bitch. They're prepping for another mass summoning! But I reckon they aren't immune to good steel or a proper spell." 

     

     

    "So, kill the Dremora, stop the ritual. Easier said than done." I said. "Still, we can take them." 

     

     

    "Yeah. Wish the former High Kinlady were still here, so that we could off her too." Landare said, disgruntled. "Still, you can save the town. Go, I'll see to this poor fellow." 

     

     

    Warily, we advanced into the cave. Every shadow could hold some Daedric beast, so we had to look everywhere to not be ambushed. Despite our vigilance, however, no Daedra could be found. However, when we reached the innermost cavern, we saw a brilliant red light, and two humanoid figures chanting. "Right. I'll fire off the first shot." Elereth whispered, aiming her arrow. I nodded, and she fired! With a shout and a snarl, the figures turned, launching an electrical storm at us. 

     

     

    "Scatter!" I cried, as we all dodged the lightning. I charged the enemies as Lili launched shards of ice over me. But the Dremora were surprisingly agile, and could dodge both the magic and my blade. Elereth fired another volley of arrows, one of which hit a target. With another snarl, it turned and began charging a spell! I dashed to it, plunging my sword through it's throat. As it collapsed, my shoulder received a jolt of massive pain—one of the thunderbolts has struck true. As I gritted my teeth and got to my feet, a strange gurgling sound came from the Dremora. Turning, I saw an arrow jutting from its neck. It promptly collapsed, dying—ableit in the temporary way Daedra die. But without a mortal summoner, there could be no way for them to return to Tamriel. We'd won. 

     

     

     

    "It's not serious." I told the healer, who was examining my shoulder. The town was in ruins, but the Marines had been successful in killing off the invaders. Elereth was still in the cave, seeing if any were hiding out there, but apart from that we were safe. 

     

     

    The healer nodded eventually, leaving to attend other patients. Just then, Elereth appeared, looking oddly excited. "Are you alright, Ardolan?" she asked. 

     

     

    "Fine, fine. What is it?" I responded, noting her look. 

     

     

    "Well..." Elereth began, before lowering her voice. "Found a book in the cave. Apparently, there's a holy site near here—Torinaan. You know it?" 

     

     

    "Of course." I responded, equally low-voiced but confused. "It's the most important site for Altmeri religion in the Isles. I went there in my youth. Why?" 

     

     

    Elereth smiled. "Because, according to Estre's notes, they have a special pool—the Font Aequiius. It's said to purge Daedric corruption... And according to Estre's research, this can include vampirism." 

     

     

    I hummed. "I imagine we'll need to do some form of favor for the gods, or the clergy, to benefit from the Font. But if it's true, and this can cure you, I will do everything possible to go to Torinaan." 

     

     

    She squeezed my hand, bloodied eyes watering. "Thank you." she said, before giving me a quick kiss and walking away. I smiled as she left, as hopeful as she was that this Font could cure her. 

     

     

    Then, Landare came over. "Nice work there, with the Dremora." she said, smiling. "I actually need you to do something for me." 

     

     

    "Just name it." I said, sitting up a bit straighter. 

     

     

    "We need to get word to Firsthold, tell them to not let Estre in. Simple stuff, really, but I can't spare anyone else." the Captain replied. "Would you send word?" 

     

     

    "Of course." I replied. "I have some business to take care of, first, but I’ll make haste to Firsthold after that." 

     

     

    And so, tomorrow we'll be off—first for Torinaan, then for Firsthold. I'm hopeful that Elereth's condition can be cured, and after that we have a Kinlady to kill. Until then... 

     

     

    -Ardolan Larethbinder 

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Comments

6 Comments   |   DeltaFox and 2 others like this.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  April 3, 2017
    I have to ask: did the events in Kvatch play any part in influencing your chapter?
    Loved this from the beginning where there was confusion all through to the end. 
    • Tenebrous
      Tenebrous
      Sotek
      Sotek
      Sotek
      I have to ask: did the events in Kvatch play any part in influencing your chapter?
      Loved this from the beginning where there was confusion all through to the end. 
        ·  April 3, 2017
      Thanks, Sotek! Most of the inspiration came from the actual ESO Dawnbreak quest, though I can't fully deny Oblivion Kvatch's influence.
  • Tenebrous
    Tenebrous   ·  March 21, 2017
    Whoopsies, put this is the wrong category! All fixed now.
  • DeltaFox
    DeltaFox   ·  March 18, 2017
    Your writing helped me improve my writing of battle sequences
    • Tenebrous
      Tenebrous
      DeltaFox
      DeltaFox
      DeltaFox
      Your writing helped me improve my writing of battle sequences
        ·  March 18, 2017
      Glad I could help! And glad you liked it!
  • DeltaFox
    DeltaFox   ·  March 18, 2017
    One word - AMAZING!