Private The Darkness of Old

[Kir the Silent]

Prolouge

"Such pathetic creatures...ignorant and frail...they are naught but dust and dessipated just as easily..." The Dark Stranger stood high upon the mountain, his crimson eyes surveying the land called Skyrim. His pitch black robe stirred in the wind silently. To anyone looking on they would have just though him a simple traveler or hermit. And for now...that suited his needs. "They are a disease... a pestilence clinging desperately to the one true achievement of the gods...tainting it..."

He drew the weapon from within his robes and studied for the hundreth time. Such a small thing, yet it contained incredible power. Incredible and terrible. His eyes surveyed the land once more. As they had for years, but what he searched for was still hidden from even his unrelenting gaze. "Very clever old friend...but you won't prolong the inevitable...not forever..." He was getting closer. Soon the prize would be his and the infernal fires would rain upon these unsuspecting insects. Of course there was that one...annoyance to deal with. He didn't fear him, but it's better to err on the side of caution.He turned to the mortal worm that had stood silently in fear of his master. "When he leaves the city...I don't want to be able to recognize his corpse..."

 

[Kir the Silent]

An older redguard sat in a dark corner slowly examining the patrons. His black-brown hair was peppered with grey. The old scimitar on his hip had lost its shine, but not its edge. Much like its weilder. Daran Dyash sat back and muttered to himself, "I know he can't do it alone, but gods did we really have to look all the way in Solitude?" He ordered venison chop and water, none of that nord swill would pass his lips. He opened the knapsack on the ground next to him and pulled out a bottle, "I wish I had brought more Stros M'kai Rum. If he doesn't hurry back I'll drink it all myself." He sighed thinking about the future and past, he loved the boy as his own but he missed Hammerfell. Hard to believe he had been back there less than two years ago. It felt like an era. His eyes wandered back to the crowd. Yet no one looked promising, and this was a delicate situation after all. They couldn't just hire anyone. "A few more hours," he muttered. "Then we may have to try elsewhere, take a carriage Whiterun maybe." His food arrived and he ate slowly, praying for a sign. "We need reliable assistance, after all. I'm too old to help as much as I'd wish."

He sat back in his seat and once more surveyed the tavern. For an hour he listened to the bard and the patrons. As with all the inns and taverns they had stopped at he listen especially for information about...him...the dark one. He could almost feel the evil...and the laugh...gods, the laugh! Now heard the bard singing "The Dovahkiin's Saga" and people still talked about what had to be the most boring gossip in all of Tamriel. When one conversation caught his ear. "Did you hear?" one patron said to another. "Someone actually robbed the Dragonborn's home in Whiterun!" The other leaned forward, "Really!?" The first nodded, "But they only stole some old dwarven dagger or some such. Whoever they were, they're lucky the Dovahkiin retired to High Hrothgar." The old redguard raised an eyebrow, but after that the conversation grew rather dull. He had heard the door open several times during it and turn to observe several new faces. "Hmm, interesting..."

(Daran isn't my character, but rather has a minor role and provides intro into the story)

 

[Uther Pundragon]

​

Sorrow, loves to follow;​

No matter where I go.​

Delaying, while slaying;​

A seed it loves to sow.​

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The young imperial opened his eyes as he finished singing. He was sitting off to the side, by himself, holding a strangely glowing stone in his hand and was unconsciously running it along the blade of his sword as it rested atop the table. Although his hood was up over his head and partially obstructing his view, he could feel several sets of eyes watching him. Had he been singing loud enough for people to hear? Strange. He had a beautiful voice, he knew, but the words he sang were not meant for the ears of others. What possessed him to sing that of all things anyway?​

​

Darius coughed, pretending to clear his throat while casually sliding the small stone back into a pouch that hung tied around his waist. He let out a long sigh as he leaned back in his chair, propping one leg up on the corner of the table in the process, and began to hum a different song under his breath. He had been drawn here, to Skryim, and had arrived a few days ago. He had a feeling he would find out why soon enough. It wouldn't take long. It never did. Sorrow would see to that.​

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(OOC - I apologize if that was rather short and lacking. It has been a while since I've done any role playing like this. I'm sure I'll get better as the story moves along. Fingers crossed and all that.)​

 

[Kir the Silent]

"An Imperial?" he muttered to himself. "And a singer besides? Intresting combonation. Perhaps he-" Daran was cut short by a loud noise coming from the corner of the tavern, where it looked like a fight seemed to be breaking out.

 

[caravan guard]

Lyle was fighting the nord who insulted him. punch after punch Lyle was starting to black out. He quickly punched the man in his windpipe stunning him for a second. He then released his claws and was standing in a Feral stance waiting for the next strike. Lyle was ready to end this man's life now. The nord regained his posture and drew his axe. " Die Milk drinker" yelled the nord rushing Lyle. Lyle sidestepped the man and brought his hands across the man's neck. He pulled himself closer and continued trying to put the man asleep. The nord swung his axe scraping Lyle's shoulder. Lyle hissed and released his claws pulling both hands across the man's neck. The man hit the floor choking on his own blood. Lyle merely let his claws slide back in place and stood with his hands in the air as the guards entered the room, He knew no one would believe a khajiit.

 

[AtomicDonut]

Olaf sat in the corner with his hood on, concealing his identity. He leaned back and drank his mead as he watched the fight. His bow leaned up against the wall behind him, his dagger hidden under his belt. The Nord pulled an axe on the Khajiit he was fighting, "Bad move." Olaf thought. The Khajiit ripped the mans neck open, blood spewed onto the ground as the man fell backwards onto the floor. Olaf put his mead on the table and put his hand on his belt, just in-case something bad happened and he could pull a knife. "Those damn guards won't listen to the Khajiit, the Nord started it." Olaf thought as guards walked in.

(OOC: What city are we in?)

 

[caravan guard]

OOC Solitude

 

[Kir the Silent]

Daran smiled, "A Khajiit that fights when he musts and talks only when necessary. He knows the guards won't listen. And then there's the Imperial singer and silent bosmer, very interesting indeed." He drank the last of his rum and then casually got up, approaching the Guard Captain. The Captain eyed him quizzically. Daran said nothing, simply grabbing his coin purse which contained 5,000 septims. He placed it in the Captain's hand and nodded. "Men! What are you doing?" He yelled, "Release that innocent man! The Nord is the one who caused all this trouble, arrest him!" As the guards dragged him away, Daran signalled subtly to the three men to come ait at his table. He knew he was acting mysterious, but this was a delicate situation.

 

[Hermaeus_Mora]

Harrold entered the inn as a Nord was escorted away by some guards. He saw a man sitting at the table, he looked sinister. Harrold decided it would be good to keep an eye on him. His blade needed more blood anyways. He ordered a flagon of wine, and sat at a table so that his back was at the man's.

 

[AtomicDonut]

Olaf got up towards the man, picking up his bow on the way. He sat down at the table with the man, silent.

 

[Arthur Swift-Sword]

Kestrel sat in the Inn, keeping his face hidden by his hood. He observed the Nord as he was escorted out. *So much blood in him.* he thought. It made his fangs tingle. He held himself back though, and continued drinking his mead.

 

[Kir the Silent]

Daran sat down with the three men, but did manage to notice the other Imperial wearing a falcon on his armor sit behind them. Daran thought, "I'm middle-aged dammit not old. I'm still pretty sharp. You'll have to do better than that kid." He then turned to the other three men and stared. Purposefully making them feel uncomfortable. Lets see what they do or say.

 

[caravan guard]

Lyle walked towards the man. " How did you stop those guards?" " Are you in power at this city?" Lyle asked curiously knowing that his curousity will one day get the best of him.

 

[Uther Pundragon]

Darius remained seated throughout the commotion, contently humming to himself. If anyone had bothered to look his way during the fight, they may have seen him leaning forward a couple of times, whispering something to his sword.

The fight was over now and things seemed to be returning to normal. The music began playing again and the tavern patrons returned to talking amongst themselves. The gathering of several people around an older Redguard did not escape his attention either, but his focus was on the khajiit. Darius removed his leg form the table and leaned forward, placing a hand under the table and pulling a small satchel out from under it.

After a few moments of digging into the satchel he managed to find what he was looking for; a small vial filled with a thick, dark liquid. Satisfied, he stood up and hooked the satchel to his belt and then grabbed his sword from the table before walking toward the khajiit.

The khajiit seemed to be talking to the Redguard, asking him a question it seemed, based on the expressions being used. It didn't take long to reach the small group that had formed.

"Here... drink this... for your shoulder." Darius spoke to the khajiit as he held out the small vial, "The taste is not pleasant, but it does its job."

 

[caravan guard]

Lyle turned to give the man his full attention. He was taught to give men respect by looking them in the eye, he did so. Lyle nodded and took the vial.He unscrew the cap and took a wiff. This scent is not familiar, thought Lyle. He eyed the man " Can I trust you?" Asked Lyle waiting for the answer while trying to figure out what the vial was. His curiosity got the best of him, Before his new found Ally could answer he took a swig of the vial. He frowned at the taste. He couldn't feel anything but his wound stopped hurting. Oh no my curiosity has gotten the best of me, I drank a vial without knowing the contents. Lyle couldn't believe his mistake, he really hoped the vial was a healing potion not a numbing poison.

 

[Kir the Silent]

"That should take care of your shoulder and to answer your question, no. I'm not the power in this or any town. I'm but a humble older man." Daran bite his tongue not to laugh at his own words. "But on to other matters I called you all over here for a reason. You seem more competent and reliable than most of the rabble that passes for adventurers and mercenaries these days." Daran looked at each of them in turn. "Now, I have a missive of great importance. My employer has need of individuals such as you. But before I go any further, I-" The tavern door burst open and a figure in black, runed leather stood in the doorway. Eyes, glinting from the hooded face, honed in on the group. The figure strode towards the group of men, nodding to the barkeep on his way past. The barkeep shouted, "We're closing early! Everyone out except the group in the corner!" Daran looked to the Khajiit, "There's the one with the power." The figure looked upon the gathered men almost as if daring one of them to ask or speak.

 

[caravan guard]

" Thank you stranger" Said Lyle looking at the man who gave him the medicine.Lyle looked upon the man who had entered. " Who is he?" Asked Lyle trying to figure out what he did for a living. Lyle assessed the man. He saw no weakness. HMMMM no weakness that will be difficult thought Lyle not wanting to ever come across the man.

 

[Kir the Silent]

The figure ignore Lyle and turned his hooded face towards Daran, "Are these the ones you've decided upon? If so give them the details quickly. We cannot waste anymore time then we already have, who knows what he is up to." Daran raised an eyebrow. "So, the rumors we heard are true?" The figure looked ready to go into details, then he turned towards the gathered men and hesitated. "Later Daran. For now, give them the mission. I'll meet you back at the keep." Then he left as swiftly as he came.

 

[Hermaeus_Mora]

Harrold stood up. He looked at the man who had come and entered in less than a minute. The man must have thought Harrold was part of the group, not a look was given to him.

 

[AtomicDonut]

"Why did you gather us here?" Olaf asked Daran. He was very nervous, the man that had just walked in looked very different than most people. When the man said "he" in a suspicious way, Olaf knew something was up.

OOC: Good thing its in Solitude, Olaf is wanted in Whiterun for his "differences"