The Forgotten Tales

"No, nothing. I heard the bushes rustling a bit but it was just a rabbit. We've just been sitting here." I replied.

"I thought I saw something strange near Falkreath though...as we went over a small bridge there was a figure. Hard to make out but it was dressed in red and black. Gave me the chills but when I looked back there was nothing there. Felt like we were being watched, but nothing came of it." Micael absent mindedly checks the rabbits for doneness as he's talking eyes far off before seeming to come back to himself. "I take it your walk wasn't too strenuous?"

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"Saw a few deer, couldn't get close enough or we wouldn't be having rabbit." I laugh. "A red and black hooded figure you say? Possibly the Brotherhood... Could any of you men have reason for a contract to be put on you?" Looking down I notice the rabbits are done and hand one each to the men before me.

Micael thanks Ash for the rabbit and mutters a short prayer to Julianos, "Come to me, Julianos, for without you, my wit is weak to sort the wheat from the chaff, and my eyes should neither know the true from the false, nor sense from folly, nor justice from prejudice and interest." He then begins ravaging his rabbit appreciatively. "I'd heard that the Brotherhood was long dead. They still have a hold in this province? Thats worrisome but I haven't done anything worthy of a contract from them...well at least not yet. Most who want me dead would rather just pay a sellsword than wander so far for some possibly extinct assassins.

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Perhaps it's me their after then... As I begin to think of what someone could want me dead for, my leg of rabbit long forgotten. The rest having been thrown to the wolf. It couldn't be Michael their after, sneaking a quick glance at the man before me only exacting my claim he seems nothing more than someone looking to find his way in the world. But he seems a kind soul... He's probably worked honestly for everything he has, never had to steal in his life. Or else I would feel some sort of bad omen from looking into his eyes. My instincts have are too sharp to not notice. How could I not remember what evil looks like, I've seen it too many times before... Way too many to count. My soul is corrupt, when sitting next to this man. Looking over at our other companion I notice he aswell seem completely sure that he'll be fine no matter if someone is after him or not almost as if he knows something... I'll have to keep a sharp eye out for him, he's also quite large and could suffocate me quite easily, and there I've gone and talked myself out of sleeping tonight being suspicious. Looking down at the untouched rabbit leg I throw it aswell down to the wolf. I just hope my newest companion will survive our journey... He seems to be much smarter than other wolves I've encountered, and that's been many. As if knowing I'm thinking about him, the growing pup looks up at me and tilts his head.

"We should get some sleep." Micael licks his fingers. "We have a long way to go tomorrow, especially if we want to make Markarth quickly. I can take first watch." Micael walks off and casts a rune on the floor outside of the fire light and turns back to watch the other direction.

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"If that's how you want it. It's already been dark for a while so it's shouldn't take too long for it to become light again. I'll take the second watch." Climbing into my bedroll, almost as soon as my head touches the pillow I'm fast asleep.

~a few hours later

Yawning I open my eyes and look to the sky. The light should be here soon... Better to let Micael sleep a while before setting off though. Walking up to said man, I notice he's started to doze off. I chuckle alerting him if my presence. "You seem to be tired, Why don't you let me relieve you, I'll take watch now. Climbing up into a tree I look at the man below wondering what his response will be.

Micael's eyes are beginning to show deep bags beneath them as Micael watches the dark, an open book in his lap. He jerks alert at Ashs laugh. "I think I could use a little sleep." He lays back and puts the book behind his head as he drifts off to sleep.

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Just as the sun starts to rise, Wolf who'd been peacefully asleep under my tree, perked his ears up. He looks back towards Falkreath, and does a combination of a growl and a whine. His eyes gleaming with danger. "Wolf!" I whisper yell "Go get Micael, wake him up. I'll go see what's up."

~wolf pov
Looking up at the strange two leg female, I feel as if I'm in some sort of spell as she looks into my silver eyes. Looking over at the nicer looking male, I walk over and nudge him. He just lays there. I growl. Nudging him three or four more times, I run out of ideas. Looking back to see the female gone! By her scent she's been gone for a while, when will this human wake up?! Barking at the man to wake him, seems to work a little. But biting him on the ear should work?

~Ash's pov
(Meanwhile)

Looking over in the direction I shudder 'The pup seemed very afraid of whatever was over there. It must not be good..' Suddenly I see smoke over the trees. 'What?! How did I not see this before?! Could this be someone from the Brotherhood?' Making my footsteps silent I walk towards the small camp. Sighing in relief when I notice it's just normal people 'but why are they so well armored? They must have some reason to be out here' Deciding to get a little closer I can finally hear them. "I can't believe the Boss thinks these people have something of worth on them, they seem useless." Says a small Mage looking man. "You don't know what the Boss is planning," says another, this one with an evil smirk "he says we need one of them, probably have to kill the others to get to her though. And that mutt too." A shiver runs up my spine as I realize they definitely mean me and my companions. "He say she has to be alive when she get to the base, but he never said we couldn't have some fun before then." He smirks again, 'These men are bad news, I'll have to dispatch them quickly... Nocking and arrow, I sent it through the Mage's neck. Killing him instantly. "What the hell?!" The other bandit says looking around blindly. I draw my sword, and step into the light. "It was you!" He yells and charges, I sidestep his attack and trip him sending the handle of my sword into his head, he lands in a heap on the ground. He rolls over and thanks when I place my foot on his chest, conjuring a familiar, my sabrecat growls menacingly. He looks up into my eyes "You bitch." "WOAH now language my friend. Wouldn't wanna lose some fingers now would we?" I wink. "You just killed my friend." He says sadly, but I can still see him looking for a way to kill me. "Well that kinda how this goes sometimes, but let's be honest here." Looking him in the eyes menacingly. "Your 'Boss' killed one of mine first, all of MINE. Playtime is over, hope it was 'Fun'. What does your Boss want with me? Speak quickly. When the sun rises I will be gone." "I won't tell your a damn thing!" He yells. "Ah ah ah, what did I say about language" stomping on his wrist, my familiar taking my place keeping him still. He cries out in pain. I drive my sword through mans ring finger. He screams in pain. "Now are you going to give me the answers I need right? Or do I need to keep chopping? Because I like doing this about as much as you do." "F-fine, your crazy. He d-didn't tell me much..." He winces when I glare at him to keep talking. "Just that you were important to a buyer-that someone wanted to pay a good price for you..." "For WHAT!" "I don't know lady I swear! Please don't kill me!" I look in his eyes for any deceit, or lie. Finding none, I look down at the man. "I won't kill you-" he sighs in relief "IF you deliver a message to the buyer." "A-anything lady! Just don't kill me!" I pick a small branch up off the ground. "But I can't let you follow me." I raise the branch up and bring it down with enough force to snap it in half in the mans head. Nudging him with my foot, making sure he's out, when suddenly a dagger is pressed to my throat. 'A THIRD bandit?' "So your the one eh lass?" He breathes against my skin, I shudder. "Ha, afraid now lassy? Good you should be" "Let go of me, NOW." I mutter darkly. "Nah I don't think so, I've got a few questions myself." He ties my wrists and led with rope after throwing my weapons on the other side of the fire, away from me. "Now where should we begin?"

Just as the sun starts to rise, Wolf who'd been peacefully asleep under my tree, perked his ears up. He looks back towards Falkreath, and does a combination of a growl and a whine. His eyes gleaming with danger. "Wolf!" I whisper yell "Go get Micael, wake him up. I'll go see what's up."

~wolf pov
Looking up at the strange two leg female, I feel as if I'm in some sort of spell as she looks into my silver eyes. Looking over at the nicer looking male, I walk over and nudge him. He just lays there. I growl. Nudging him three or four more times, I run out of ideas. Looking back to see the female gone! By her scent she's been gone for a while, when will this human wake up?! Barking at the man to wake him, seems to work a little. But biting him on the ear should work?

~Ash's pov
(Meanwhile)

Looking over in the direction I shudder 'The pup seemed very afraid of whatever was over there. It must not be good..' Suddenly I see smoke over the trees. 'What?! How did I not see this before?! Could this be someone from the Brotherhood?' Making my footsteps silent I walk towards the small camp. Sighing in relief when I notice it's just normal people 'but why are they so well armored? They must have some reason to be out here' Deciding to get a little closer I can finally hear them. "I can't believe the Boss thinks these people have something of worth on them, they seem useless." Says a small Mage looking man. "You don't know what the Boss is planning," says another, this one with an evil smirk "he says we need one of them, probably have to kill the others to get to her though. And that mutt too." A shiver runs up my spine as I realize they definitely mean me and my companions. "He say she has to be alive when she get to the base, but he never said we couldn't have some fun before then." He smirks again, 'These men are bad news, I'll have to dispatch them quickly... Nocking and arrow, I sent it through the Mage's neck. Killing him instantly. "What the hell?!" The other bandit says looking around blindly. I draw my sword, and step into the light. "It was you!" He yells and charges, I sidestep his attack and trip him sending the handle of my sword into his head, he lands in a heap on the ground. He rolls over and thanks when I place my foot on his chest, conjuring a familiar, my sabrecat growls menacingly. He looks up into my eyes "You bitch." "WOAH now language my friend. Wouldn't wanna lose some fingers now would we?" I wink. "You just killed my friend." He says sadly, but I can still see him looking for a way to kill me. "Well that kinda how this goes sometimes, but let's be honest here." Looking him in the eyes menacingly. "Your 'Boss' killed one of mine first, all of MINE. Playtime is over, hope it was 'Fun'. What does your Boss want with me? Speak quickly. When the sun rises I will be gone." "I won't tell your a damn thing!" He yells. "Ah ah ah, what did I say about language" stomping on his wrist, my familiar taking my place keeping him still. He cries out in pain. I drive my sword through mans ring finger. He screams in pain. "Now are you going to give me the answers I need right? Or do I need to keep chopping? Because I like doing this about as much as you do." "F-fine, your crazy. He d-didn't tell me much..." He winces when I glare at him to keep talking. "Just that you were important to a buyer-that someone wanted to pay a good price for you..." "For WHAT!" "I don't know lady I swear! Please don't kill me!" I look in his eyes for any deceit, or lie. Finding none, I look down at the man. "I won't kill you-" he sighs in relief "IF you deliver a message to the buyer." "A-anything lady! Just don't kill me!" I pick a small branch up off the ground. "But I can't let you follow me." I raise the branch up and bring it down with enough force to snap it in half in the mans head. Nudging him with my foot, making sure he's out, when suddenly a dagger is pressed to my throat. 'A THIRD bandit?' "So your the one eh lass?" He breathes against my skin, I shudder. "Ha, afraid now lassy? Good you should be" "Let go of me, NOW." I mutter darkly. "Nah I don't think so, I've got a few questions myself." He ties my wrists and led with rope after throwing my weapons on the other side of the fire, away from me. "Now where should we begin?"

Just as the sun starts to rise, Wolf who'd been peacefully asleep under my tree, perked his ears up. He looks back towards Falkreath, and does a combination of a growl and a whine. His eyes gleaming with danger. "Wolf!" I whisper yell "Go get Micael, wake him up. I'll go see what's up."

~wolf pov
Looking up at the strange two leg female, I feel as if I'm in some sort of spell as she looks into my silver eyes. Looking over at the nicer looking male, I walk over and nudge him. He just lays there. I growl. Nudging him three or four more times, I run out of ideas. Looking back to see the female gone! By her scent she's been gone for a while, when will this human wake up?! Barking at the man to wake him, seems to work a little. But biting him on the ear should work?

~Ash's pov
(Meanwhile)

Looking over in the direction I shudder 'The pup seemed very afraid of whatever was over there. It must not be good..' Suddenly I see smoke over the trees. 'What?! How did I not see this before?! Could this be someone from the Brotherhood?' Making my footsteps silent I walk towards the small camp. Sighing in relief when I notice it's just normal people 'but why are they so well armored? They must have some reason to be out here' Deciding to get a little closer I can finally hear them. "I can't believe the Boss thinks these people have something of worth on them, they seem useless." Says a small Mage looking man. "You don't know what the Boss is planning," says another, this one with an evil smirk "he says we need one of them, probably have to kill the others to get to her though. And that mutt too." A shiver runs up my spine as I realize they definitely mean me and my companions. "He say she has to be alive when she get to the base, but he never said we couldn't have some fun before then." He smirks again, 'These men are bad news, I'll have to dispatch them quickly... Nocking and arrow, I sent it through the Mage's neck. Killing him instantly. "What the hell?!" The other bandit says looking around blindly. I draw my sword, and step into the light. "It was you!" He yells and charges, I sidestep his attack and trip him sending the handle of my sword into his head, he lands in a heap on the ground. He rolls over and thanks when I place my foot on his chest, conjuring a familiar, my sabrecat growls menacingly. He looks up into my eyes "You bitch." "WOAH now language my friend. Wouldn't wanna lose some fingers now would we?" I wink. "You just killed my friend." He says sadly, but I can still see him looking for a way to kill me. "Well that kinda how this goes sometimes, but let's be honest here." Looking him in the eyes menacingly. "Your 'Boss' killed one of mine first, all of MINE. Playtime is over, hope it was 'Fun'. What does your Boss want with me? Speak quickly. When the sun rises I will be gone." "I won't tell your a damn thing!" He yells. "Ah ah ah, what did I say about language" stomping on his wrist, my familiar taking my place keeping him still. He cries out in pain. I drive my sword through mans ring finger. He screams in pain. "Now are you going to give me the answers I need right? Or do I need to keep chopping? Because I like doing this about as much as you do." "F-fine, your crazy. He d-didn't tell me much..." He winces when I glare at him to keep talking. "Just that you were important to a buyer-that someone wanted to pay a good price for you..." "For WHAT!" "I don't know lady I swear! Please don't kill me!" I look in his eyes for any deceit, or lie. Finding none, I look down at the man. "I won't kill you-" he sighs in relief "IF you deliver a message to the buyer." "A-anything lady! Just don't kill me!" I pick a small branch up off the ground. "But I can't let you follow me." I raise the branch up and bring it down with enough force to snap it in half in the mans head. Nudging him with my foot, making sure he's out, when suddenly a dagger is pressed to my throat. 'A THIRD bandit?' "So your the one eh lass?" He breathes against my skin, I shudder. "Ha, afraid now lassy? Good you should be" "Let go of me, NOW." I mutter darkly. "Nah I don't think so, I've got a few questions myself." He ties my wrists and led with rope after throwing my weapons on the other side of the fire, away from me. "Now where should we begin?"

Micael is deep asleep when he is awoken by something pulling on his ear and growling. He wakes up blinking sleep from his eyes "What in oblivion." He sees the wolf pup that woke him and looks around the campfire and Ash is no where to be seen. His stomach sinks for a moment, "Not again..."

His thought is cut off be a scream in the distance. He looks in its direction and sees a small pillar of smoke rising up from the tree line. "Oh no." He hastily grabs his Dwarven Shield and gives Soridius a sharp kick with his boot before he begins running in the direction of the smoke. Shouting over his shoulder to the rudely awakened Redgard, "Grab you gear quick! Ash is gone again but it sounds like she found trouble!"

Micael sprints as fast as he can through the forest but slows down to a jog as he approaches the campfire. Summoning his will and magika he casts a fire rune onto the face of his shield. One of his favorite offensive tactics this turns his first shield bash into a high powered elemental battering ram. And most never see it coming. Now just yards away Micael crouches cautiously approaching the campsite and looks around.

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"With you cutting these binds quickly before I get upset." I say coldly. "Well bitch, that's not how this is going to work." The smack come quick and hard to my left cheek, throwing my head to the right. "Now now lassy no need to cry-" "Cry? CRY?! Over a slap?! Your 'boss' must've not told you much about me, anyone who knows me knows that a meager slap won't do a damn thing to me. Go ahead slap me again, see i it works." He looks down at me and chuckles. "Well then, there are 'many' different thing I can do to get a WOMAN to talk. I think you know just what I mean." My blood runs cold as I realize this will not be good if I don't get outta here soon. "What does your bosses 'buyer' want with me-and who is it?" "Now little lady I don't think your in any place to ask questions. You MUST know who wants.... YOU." He smirks darkly, "it's someone you know-an old friend of yours?" I shudder, only one image popping into my head. He smiles at my reaction, "Well if you don't you will soon, we'll be leaving shortly, just waiting for the sun to rise more. Still too damn dark out here..." He settled at the other side of the fire by my weapons., when I hear a twig snap to my right. Trying to keep a normal face I look over to see, 2 figures creeping slowly closer, with... Wolf! Micael and Soridius! I have to distract the 'guard' so they can get closer. "What exactly did you have in mind when you said 'different thing I can do to get a woman to talk'" I ask trying to seem as afraid as I can, just for looks of course. I wasn't terrified or anything. He looks to me and smirks, slowly standing up and walking towards me. He grabs the bindings on my wrists, causing the rope to dig into my skin. He pulls me to my feet, "I think you know exactly what I mean." He licks his lips. I try hard not to gag.
Hopefully this will have given the others enough time to creep up to the fire to save me.

My life is now in their hands...

Micael watches this from the bushes. Ash gives them the distraction but now he is too close to her. The only thing I have to get him from range will light them both up like a tinderbox. And I'm not exactly quiet...Micael turns and whispers to Soridius, "Alright I'm either about to scare him off or keep him very well distracted. I need you to flank him and get close. I'm willing to bet he won't be a problem when you get your hands on him." Micael takes a moment to gather his magika. This will be a gamble between this and the rune I will need to rest a bit before I can cast much more than simple fire spells. He straightens up and walks forward as the spell he was forming takes hold. His entire body is sheathed in a flaming cloak. The flames don't scorch him as he strides forward radiating confidence, and danger.

His voice comes out as a deep growl, any of the humor and light heartedness usually there is long gone. "Tell me, how much did your master pay for your lives? Can't have been much considering how inconsiderately he's thrown them away. Release her. Now." The flaming aura seems to pulse larger seeming to punctuate the final word.

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The rather large Bandit turns around and laughs "Well a Mage eh? Come to save the poor damsel in distress." I seeth, 'Damsel?! Did he really not see what I did to his friends?! UGH! Men!' "Well why don't you come and get her" he says darkly. Throwing me to the ground he charges Micael, luckily he wasn't paying too much attention to where he threw me, and I cut the ropes with my sword laying by my side. I quickly start to pick up my weapons.

As the man charges Micael raises his shield. He may have been more cautious if he saw the smile it hid. As the distance is closed Micael slams his shield forward in a powerful bash and as the shield slams into the man's chest, the rune is set off.

An explosion of flames throws the man backwards through the air where he lands in the fire pit. He rolls and thrashed trying to stand up, the hot embers further burning and blistering any exposed skin. He jumps out of the fire taking a defensive stance for the moment but he is hurting badly. Smoke curls up around him and the air is filled with the smells of burnt hair and bacon fat.

Playing his bluff to the end Micael strides forward his shield arm at ease but ready. Looking the very picture of carefree confidence. In reality He had no magic left besides the fire cloak, and he wasn't reaching for his sword unless the man called his bluff.

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Having finally freed my arms and legs, the man climbs out of the fire and is distracted by Micael. I charge and shove my sword through his back, he coughs up blood. And slumps forward dead. My sword slips out of my hand, still embedded in the mans back. A faint, tired smile crosses my lips as I look at my companions "I knew you'd come," As I start to walk forward, the man leaps up not fully dead with a dagger in his hand stabbing it into my side, I scream as I punch him in the face. He slumps back down and I fall to my knees as my vision starts to blurr, I faintly hear my name, "Damned poisoned blades-" and my vision goes black.

~Dream
Creeping through the trees slowly, nocking an arrow as I go. The deer raises its head and I go still, breathing quietly and slowly. The deer looks over its shoulder at me and before I can even let my arrow fly, is shot. Crumpling to the ground as a man walks through the brush and notices me right away. "You there!" I stiffen, and stay still. No telling if I can trust this man. "Come on out!" I walking out into the clearing to see a Nord man no later than in his Twenties. He looks at me and smiles, a small, sweet smile. "Sorry lass," he remarks "was this one yours?" He gestures to the deer. Finally having found my voice I respond "You made the killing blow, so that means it's yours..." I say sadly, this was to be breakfast lunch and dinner for the next three days until I could find some more food. "Ah, I see. Well I was just going to butcher it and sell the hides and meat, but you look rather hungry-why don't you have it?" My mouth hangs open in shock "B-but you shot it!" "So? And I'm also giving it to you," my mouth waters at the thought of so much meat "on one condition-you must help me butcher it and give me a bit of the meat once it's cooked for my dinner." He smirks. "Well, I suppose that's fair... Well let's get to work then"

~Present

Groaning I wake up in a stone bed-stone bed?! Soon the grogginess fades forms my mind and I can see, I seem to be in one of the rooms at the Markarth Inn, where else would have a stone bed? The bedside table had a note and a tankard of water, I drink it then open the letter.

Ash
You fell unconscious and I didn't know what else to do, I ran carrying you all the way to Markarth. The healer said you were fine, that it was a weak poison and you needed rest. As I'm new to Skyrim and have never been to a Dwmer City before, felt the need to explore. The wolf is waiting outside your door, 'on guard'.
Get some rest, I'll be back soon
-Micael

Closing the letter I let out a soft whimper and the door opens a bit. Wolf sticks his head in, and upon seeing me awake runs into the room. Jumping onto the bed he licks my face. "Calm down you" I say rubbing his ears "you didn't possibly think a little paralysis poison would kill me did you?" He settles down by my side and watches the door. Soon his small body heat lulls me back to sleep

The sky is over cast overhead as Micael wanders the city of stone. "I hope Ash is going to be ok. The alchemist claimed it wasn't serious and that the poison was intended to disable, not kill. But still...If I had been more prepared." When the poison had taken Ash out of commission Ro'o frantically looked through the potions he had bought but had some how overlooked buying even simple antidotes. "Its a good thing Soridius was there, I'm not sure I could have carried her to Markarth on my own."

Micael takes a deep breath and buries his doubts for the time being. He was in Markarth! The city of stone built upon the legacy of the Dwemer, not to mention the Bretons long standing claim to the city. Although now seeing what may have once been his people reduced to pillaging savages soured the thought.

After eating at the Silver-blood in and a few drinks to lift his spirits he determines the next thing to be done is to take in the sights and wonders of the Dwemer museum. The collection of working artifacts and ancient knowledge was one of the few places anyone could see the wonder of the ancient people in relative safety.

And so with a full warm belly Micael climbs the carved steps upward. "At least until Ash is back on her feet, why not?"

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~A few hours later
Waking up, I see that the pup is still cuddled up into my side. Slowly moving off the bed, I stand to my feet and almost fall. Stupid poison, still... I'm lucky it was only paralysis, and that Micael and Soridius were there...
Deciding I must thank them somehow. I stand and walk out of the room at the Inn. An old couple were arguing, and to be honest it was quite cute, because you could tell they still loved eachother. "Excuse me," they stop to look at me "Oh!" The woman says "You finally awake! Good, those men that brought you were quite worried Miss-" "Please just call me Ash mam." I say politely "Oh! And such nice manners, is there anything we can get you dear?" "Well if it wouldn't be a bother could I make some breakfast? I'd like to cook it myself, to thank my companions... They, saved my life..." She looks at me and smiles sweetly "Why not, that seems a very sweet way to thank them dearie. I'm sure they'd appreciate it, they haven't eaten since they brought you here. Nerves I'd reckon. " They couldn't eat? Because they were worried about me? "Thank you mam, I'll need." After telling the old man my order, and some herbs I'd need aswell, I sit at the cooking pot. Waiting for when Micael would come back to check on me.