The carriage crossed the ancient stone bridge that gave the town on the other side its name. Dragonbridge. The carriage had a single occupant, wearing heavy plate armour, though the man who wore it looked young and fit, more than capable of trudging about in the gear if he needed to. Beside him, within easy reach, was a long hafted steel warhammer, with symbols of Arkay etched into it,similar to the mans' armour. The man, Alainne Renier, just so happened to be a paladin of Arkay, sent by the order to investigate the strange disappearances throughout Skyrim.
It was a bleak day, with thick grey clouds slowly drifting across the sky, blocking out the weak rays of the sun. 'Bleak weather for a bleak business' Alainne thought as the carriage came to a stop. Standing, the paladin grabbed his weapon and dropped to the hard, frozen earth, and walked around to the driver, handing him a large sack of coin. The ride from High Rock to Skyrim had been long and uneventful, but they had made good time. The driver murmured his thanks and stepped down himself, beginning to unharness his team of horses, and speaking with the local stable master to arrange lodgings for his team.
fro
Alainne left them behind, traveling along the main path into the town. He was aware of the looks directed at him, many were cautious, and a few were outright hostile. They didn't trust him, that much was obvious. Even if he was there to help. The breton glanced at the handful of buildings that made up the town center. A small smithy, an inn, a general store, and a two story building with imperial banners fluttering in a light, cool breeze.
Further along, was the stable, and houses for the citizens. To his left were a couple of farm houses, but both seemed deserted. A wooden wall had been erected, complete with stakes and a gatehouse. He wasn't sure if it was the war or the disappearances that had prompted the inhabitants to put up such defences. His initial survey of the area complete, Alainne nodded to himself. It was time to collect information from the people. The inn tempted him with warm food and cold drink, but he shook off the temptation, instead making his way towards the building festooned with imperial flags.
He pushed the door open, and was immediately aware of a half dozen set of eyes on him. Hands lingered near sword hilts, but the blades remained sheathed. For now. 'Paranoia, or caution?' Alainne wondered, lowering his hammer and holding out his free hand to show he meant no harm. One of the men started to speak "Think you might be lost, friend. The tavern's-"
"Paladin? Paladin Renier, yes?" An older imperial, with an officers' marking on his breast plate stepped forwards. Alainne nodded, turning towards the man. "I am he. You requested the aid of my order, did you not?"
"We did, sir. That is, jarl Elisif and general Tullius did. They sent a courier to tell me of your coming. Cassian Morius. I'm to fill you in on our investigation so far." The imperial shook Alainnes' hand.
The paladin nodded, "tell me what you have."
"It started a few months ago. At first, nobody paid any attention. People are declaring their intention to fight for one side or the other or they go hunting and are killed by some monster."
"But you've disproved that already."
"Yes. The hold guards aren't investigators, but they know the best hunting spots, and they hear gossip. But they found no blood, no bodies. It's only gotten worse, since."
"How so?"
Commander Morius sighed and rubbed at his face. "The Lylvieve family, here in Dragonbridge. Nice family, worked the farm on the north side of town. One night, a couple of weeks ago, they all go to sleep. Wake up the next day, both children, gone. From their own house, and no signs of a struggle. The parents were insane with grief. The man, Azzada, I think his name was, bought a sword from the smithy. Went out looking, against the guards advice and mine. Came back two days later, all bent out of shape. Rambling about 'things in the fog'. That night he butchers his wife and disappears, same as the kids. Tragic."
"You didn't think to search around the farm for the missing children? Perhaps the mother was not Azzada's first victim." Alainne suggested.
" 'course we did. Dug near every square metre of that farm. Even sent men up and down the Karth, in case he tried to dispose of the bodies that way. Nothing. Of course, now the citizens are up in arms, demanding we protect them. From what? We don't even know what's going on ourselves!" The frustration in the mans' face verged on despair. The paladin placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
" You did the right thing in contacting my order. I will find the ones responsible, and if those children still live, I'll do my utmost to rescue them. I swear it by Arkay."
"I appreciate it, but even a paladin of Arkay can't do this by himself. Wait at the inn for a time. Some are bound to have been drawn by the notice the jarls are sending out. If not out of a desire to help, surely the reward will draw them in."
Reluctantly, Alainne nodded. He would have preferred to start his search immediately, but more bodies meant better odds of success. "Very well. I shall wait at the tavern, for a time. But not over long- the longer we wait, the less chance we will find the children or Azzada alive, for that matter." He stood and shook hands with the commander one last time before turning for the door. Stepping outside, he found that the weather hadn't improved much, and the sky was beginning to darken. He trudged over to the Four Shields tavern, and pushed open the door, immediately aware that the bard in the corner had stopped playing, and every set of eyes in the place had fixed upon him. Quietly as his armour would allow, he sat alone in a table in the corner, where he could keep an eye on the door. "Something to eat or drink, sir?" The serving girl asked. "Water and grilled chicken, if you please." He handed over the payment, and settled back to wait for his food, and ponder the mystery laid before him.