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    Flint firestorm

    The leading man, who else?
    Crow was at sabrina's side in an instant, checking her vitals. Crow breathed a sigh of relief "It's ok, she just fainted." not that he could blame her, such a sight could make even the strongest warriors weak in the knees. Crow prepared to lift Sabrina over his shoulder when he noticed the shadowy figure standing next to him, "Im not looking for a fight stranger, but if your the one that did this, I suggest you leave now""if I wanted a fight, I wouldnt be askin' you permission for it." Crow turned to face the stranger, only to see the sorrowful eyes of a short dark elf women. Crow knew then it wasn't her who had done this and he immediately felt sorry for her. "Sorry, didn't mean to jump to conclusions. You should get out of here, it's not safe."
     

    FlickerWick

    El. Psy. Congroo.
    The door to the inn shut behind the pair. "Shriekwind Bastion, huh?" he thought to himself. It certainly did sound like an adventure. The last time Alphonse had had any drama in his life, the positive kind, that is, was.a long time ago. Nordic ruins had always had a profound impression on him, ever since he was a child - the history, the ceremonial carvings, the tales of ancient Nordic heroes and treasure, the faint flicker of the torch against the stone walls as the brave adventurer walks around the corner; it was a subject that he could ramble aimlessly about for hours on end. Although he had not personally been inside of one himself, he had read countless books and heard countless tales from those who had, for the most part, the pleasure to do so. Just thinking about possibly doing that himself kindled a little flame of excitement in his belly. He kept the idea in the forefront of his racing mind as he proceeded to devour what little remained of his breakfast.

    "What can you tell me about Shriekwind Bastion?" Alphonse quizzed the barmaid. Over the last half an hour, his simple curiosity had grown and grown, to the point where he simply had to know more. What harm would finding out a little more information cause? The barmaid, who was once again cleaning a dirty mug, turned to face him.

    "I'd stay away from that place if I were you." she smirked, putting the mug down behind the counter. "There are...stories that have been told. Bad ones. People have gone in there and failed to come back out. Let me tell you, friend:" she said, as she leaned in closer, her mouth inches away from his tilted head. Rising her hand to her mouth and lowering her tone, she continued. "You know the recent murders? I'm wagering they something to do with those ruins. There was a shifty character in here the other day, talking to this Imperial woman. He mumbled something about the barrow." she finished, before she glanced around and returned to some scrubbing. "There are greater powers at work here. Trouble's brewing, I can smell it. Keep your wits..."

    "...about you, friend." Alphonse sighed, after having come to the realization that the very same woman who had helped him just yesterday was now in danger herself. The barmaid flashed him a puzzled look, confused as to how he finished her sentence. What should he do? Should he rush after them? Should he stay? After all, he didn't really know this woman. Yet after her actions, he felt as if he owed a debt of gratitude. Eventually, he decided to go, yet not without preparing beforehand. "May I use your alchemy lab in the back for an hour or so? I'll pay." he inquired as he reached into his pocket.

    "It's fine, go right on in. Just be careful up there - nobody's been inside for years, so there's no way of telling what awaits you on the inside." she replied, sounding concerned. Alphonse smiled before thanking her and heading for the alchemy room at the back of the inn. The door shut behind him. For the next hour or so, lots of mysterious noises could be heard emanating from there - fizzing, bubbling, hissing and even an explosion or too. When he was finished, Alphonse headed towards the main door, his satchel replenished with an array of potions and poisons that would surely come in handy.

    * * * * *
    After brushing his way through countless shrubs and clambering his was over countless rocks, Alphonse arrived at the entrance to Shriekwind Bastion. He found it funny how such a beautifully designed place could have such an eerie name. The stone archway which stood before him was utterly magnificent. Reaching high into the sky, like a hand reaching for the sun , it was decorated with countless swirls and inscriptions. Parts of the main arch were crumbling, yet this served only to enhance the inspiration and ancient awe that was coursing through his veins. As the trees swayed, the wind weaved its way in through the holes, cracks and grates like a needle, creating the occasional whistling sound. He had never seen anything like this before. To the oblivious outsider, it would just seem like a hunk of rock, yet it was so much more. The view from the main platform were pretty spectacular, too. Forests and fog spread out for miles beneath his feet. Smoke rose in mighty columns from the chimneys of the occasional farm and, as ironic as it sounded, the area appeared peaceful from here. Remembering why he came here, Alphonse headed inside to catch up with the others, but not before taking a few rubbings and sketching. He opened the rusty iron gate, wandered down the rickety stone path and opened the door.
     

    Ilya

    Article Writer
    She heard their approach, but stood perfectly still, as if she were paralized. The scene in front of her was almost too much for her to bare. Her head was spinning out of control. Shade could feel herself slipping back to that place she despised the most...the place she avoided at all cost! The putrid smell of charred flesh assaulted her senses. Memories of her father's last few moments of life consumed her in a tremendous wave of emotion. His agonizing screams reverberating through every inch of her body. She was weakened and could feel herself starting to sweat, ultimitly slipping from reality. There it was, the wall of rage; her most deadly defense. Just as she was about to lose herself, a voice pulled her from the Abyss.

    "I'm not looking for a fight stranger, but if you're the one that did this, I suggest you leave now." said a tall and intimidating Wood Elf.

    She turned and looked him in the eye "If I wanted a fight, I wouldn't be askin' you for your permission.", she sneered. She immediately wished she would've bitten her tongue for she could tell by the expression painted on the elf's handsome face that it wasn't his intention to come across as abraisive.

    "Sorry, didn't mean to jump to conclusions. You should get out of here, it's not safe."

    Shade looked down at the motionless Imperial woman, almost going wide eyed before remembering she was not alone. She gave a slight chuckle and said, "I can handle my own, besides, it looks like you could use an extra set of blades, no?"
     

    FlickerWick

    El. Psy. Congroo.
    The decorative door slammed shut behind him with an air of authority. As Alphonse turned around, a wave of relief washed over him - no more than a few feet away were the people who he was sat by this very morning. The Imperial, Dunmer and Bosmer. They were sat around a small yet strong fire, whose flickering flames illuminated the stone walls around the corridor. The smoke spiralled up through a hole in the roof like a gentle whirlwind. A smile forced its way across his face, despite his efforts. The Imperial looked over - "Alphonse! So you decided to come after all. I had a feeling you would." she grinned, somewhat boastfully. "Come, take a seat by the fire. We're planning on lining our stomachs with food before our pockets with gold."

    Alphonse duly obliged and sat down. The rocky floor was hardly comfortable, but he was just glad that no harm had come to them. Crow threw him a bottle of mead and he plucked it out of the air with more skill than he intended. Cracking open the lid, he took a sip before glancing around. Everybody had a bottle of mead and a wooden platter, laden with pieces of meat and bread. It was hardly a meal fit for a king yet it was better than nothing - what better way is there to prepare for a dangerous expedition than to enjoy food and drink with friends? "Where did you get these platters from?" Alphonse asked, simply out of curiosity. Not everybody carried a whole dinner set around with them nowadays.

    "We found a whole stack of them near the doorway." replied Crow. "They probably belonged to some of the unlucky buggers who are buried down here, but what use are they now?" he added, letting off a mighty laugh, before taking another swig of mead and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Shade's eyes rolled and Alphonse could clearly tell that he was the only one who found this funny. "What? We might be in a burial place, b-" he defensively mumbled, before Sabrina's hand darted over to cover his mouth. Lowering her hand, she raised the index finger on her other to her lips as her eyes burned into Crow's. Meekly, he backed down before gingerly taking a sip of his mead.

    "Be quiet. We don't want to attract any unsavoury customers now, do we?" she commanded. The foursome sat in silence for a few minutes, before Alphonse broke the silence.

    "Sabrina, there are six platters around this fire. Are the other two spares? If so, why is there food on them?" he asked, inquisitively. This had bothered him for some time and now seemed like the perfect opportunity to find out more, seeing as nobody else was saying anything.

    "Very well spotted." she answered, letting the edge of a smile creep onto the side of her mouth. "Those belong to Mum-Mra and Qa'Cleddau, two travellers we met just before we came here. They went to scout ahead and should be back any minute. Once they are, we'll set off." she stated, before tilting her head back and devouring the last of her mead. She slammed the bottle down on the floor with a sense of accomplishment and the sound of shuttering glass echoed through the corridor. Crow flashed her an amusingly hypocritical look as her cheeks turned a bright shade of red. Shade and Alphonse both laughed.

    It was then that the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard. Two figures came into view out of the corner of his eye, their distorted shadows filling the walls behind them.[/color]
     

    Shew

    Account closed (at sincere request).
    (Silverblood Inn : Markarth)

    As Cleddau is enjoying his food and drink finally warming-up thanks to the fireplace, a non-discript man enters looks around and makes a beeline for Cleddau's table. Seats himself and below the table top signs to Cleddau in blades script..

    "Master I have sealed orders for you" Cleddau signs back "Leave them and go" the blades courier leaves and in his seat is a sealed parchment.

    Cleddau finishes his meal, sits back and prepares a pipe. makes a scene of dropping his pouch and picks it and the parchment up so noone is the wiser. And as if by cue Klepper calls out "That if the khajiit wants to smoke he will have to go outside" standing and making a show of his disgust, Cleddau heads outside. Lights his pipe in the door way shielding his eyes and using night eye wanders the streets as he unseals the parchment satisfied he is not followed he opens the letter and reads.

    You are to head to Falkreath, the Deadman's Drink with all due haste and meet with a rumored agent of the Dragonguard. Find out his mission he has been sending the following note to all holds,
    "Dear adventurer,
    You are reading this letter because you are presumably one of the
    bravest, boldest, brightest and best in your hold. Your respective
    Jarl has chosen you for a very important job.
    You see, I am feeble
    and unable to dive into the caves and ruins of this land anymore.
    So, I am requesting the assistance of the most skilled people in
    all of Skyrim to do a job for me.
    Please come see me in The Dead Man's Drink in Falkreath for
    details.
    The Tiger's Paw"
    infiltrate and assist or if the danger is too high sabotage the mission. There is a dead letter drop in a small overgrown cairn north and west of the village back toward Riverwood. Your first report is in two days.
    E.
    Til the day of the Dragonborn...
    Blades always.

    now on the same level as the abandoned temple of Talos, Cleddau summons a flame and destroys the letter. Then as he winds his way back to the tavern, he looks over the walls to make sure a carriage is near the stables. Thinks to himself..."Good thing I never unpacked, bet Klepper keeps the money for the room." sigh "The odds against are at least 99-1. And still no payment. Great another oversight. Hope I have enough for the ride." as he reenters and walks to the counter "Tiger'sPaw.... has the advance landed? Or could it be my relief? Or is it something else? Well get yourself to Falkreath and find out Cleddau."

    "Well cat what do you want?

    Cleddau thinks very seriously about taking his sword and scaring this disrespectful man. "Sir Klepper, Cleddau has no need for your room, and Cleddau respectfully asks for a return." He bares his teeth in a semblence of a grin and his paw goes and fingers the top of his hilt.

    Klepper while watching Cleddau's face and glancing nervously at his paws counts out 10 septims then as Cleddau pockets them and turns to leave states "Sleep your mangy carcass in the streets for all I care."

    Cleddau continues into the night and a date with a far off hold. Thinking "Someday Klepper someone is gonna teach you manners."
     

    Shew

    Account closed (at sincere request).
    having met with the Tigerpaw's agents but not Tigerpaw himself. Cleddau agreed to a scouting mission in the Bastion. Cleddau thinks to himself "You, get your self in and the big guy doesn't even know your face... that might work or backfire. Plus side he would be able to tell your not true Khajiit in 3 seconds if he too is Akavirian. But that begs a question, what if he is, what is his mission." Everywhere accessible now cleared he heads back to the entryway smells a fire and hunches into the shadows and carefully susses out its location. The smoke issues from the cracks and crevices above the doorway, Cleddau cautiously approaches the doors and opens them silently enters and is nearly blinded by the light and is surprised to see a group in front of him. "Cleddau is here friends... The party can now commence."
     

    Gemini Sierra

    Pre-emptive Salvage Specialist
    [Solitude - Winking Skeever Inn]
    Antoine Strongknot had been watching the Bard lady singing and dancing around the tables. So lithe, so pretty, such a wonderful voice, as she lingered near his table and sang shanties from the sea, the lure of the ruby ring sitting on the table was working. His smile charming, the out of town well dressed sailor with bright eyes probably helped. As she finished her set, the songstress went over to the bar and he thought his hopes were dashed, but a moment later she sauntered over to his table, setting her lute on another and sat down, casually palming the ruby ring as she did so. "That's for me I take it. You like my singing?" "Aye, I did, and much more lass, much much more," he replied with a smile. "It's getting late, maybe you can tell me more about what you liked, somewhere, more private perhaps?" "Yes, I think that would be most splendid and I just so happen to have a private room upstairs that the Innkeeper assured me was the best room." He stood up, picked up her lute, offered his hand and they walked down the hall towards the stairs. As the past a bulletin board full of job offers and job searchers and miscellaneous things for sale, one particular notice caught his attention and he stopped and pulled it from the board, almost knocking the lass to the ground. "Hey! Watch it, you'll smash the lute if you keep doing that!" "My apologies lass, but that note caught my eye and I had to have it." He smiled and gave her a mischievous smile and a peck on the cheek, "Come on my songbird, we've got some details to discuss." They headed up to his room and a short time later there could be heard giggling and other enthusiastic sounds to the rhythm of a headboard bouncing off a wall.
    Later on in the very early hours of the morning, Antoine got up kissing the lass on cheek eliciting a sleepy smile. He got quietly got dressed and then re-read the note that he pulled off the boards:

    "Dear adventurer,
    If you are reading this letter it is because you are presumably one of the bravest, boldest, brightest and best in your hold. Your respective Jarl has chosen you for a very important job. You see, I am feeble and unable to dive into the caves and ruins of this land anymore. So, I am requesting the assistance of the most skilled people in all of Skyrim to do a job for me.

    Please come see me in The Dead Man's Drink in Falkreath for details.

    The Tiger's Paw"

    This message was obviously intended for someone specific and either the Jarl was to lazy to find the person it was sent to or didn't know of anyone that was the "bravest, boldest, etc" to be the willing recipient of the note.

    However, seeing as how he was wanted in this city by the Empire and its navy, he decided it might be interesting to take up the job and find this mysterious "Tiger's Paw" of a person. What a pretentious name! I wonder what could be so important to this person that he's sent out requests to all of Skyrim. He shrugged, and finished pulling on his boots. Adjusting his sword belts and satchels and then pulling on his coat. He was probably being a bit pretentious too with this flamboyant coat, but he loved its look and well, what better way to spend some of his loot.

    Speaking of which, he leaned over and squeezed the pretty songbird one more time and kissed her again, before leaving a fine golden amulet of Kynareth on the nightstand. He quickly jotted out a note to her also, telling her that he had a wonderful night and that he hoped to see her when he returned.

    With that he picked up his duffel bag, left the room, left the tavern and made his way through the night to the stables where he found the carriage and driver waiting. "Take me to Falkreath at best speed driver!" "That'll be 50 septims," replied the driver. "Make it there before sunrise and you'll have this," he flashed a flawless sapphire for a moment. "You'll not get a wink of rest in before we're there, although... have you heard the rumors of the place?" Antoine boarded the carriage just barely sitting down and they were off, the horses kicking up dirt and the carriages slewing around the road.

    "What rumors?" He yelled to the driver, who looked over his shoulder and replied, "there's rumors of something foul and deadly there. A fog has been over the place for weeks now and people are leaving the town for fear of what is going to happen or what has happened." "Like what?" Antoine asked. "Like mysterious deaths, a mysterious man, someone drawing all the adventures like yourself there. That reminds me, I'm not going into that town... there's no place to turn around. I have to drop you off at the end of the road leading into town. It's only another hundred yards or so to the town from the intersection."

    They flew over the bridge at Dragon's Bridge, nearly getting airborne in the process. Antoine was smiling as he hadn't had this much fun since chasing down merchant ships and running from the Navy. He wished he had a halyard to hold onto with out stretched arms. They raced passed the river and through an obvious trap by bandits that the driver shouted at, Robber's Gorge he called it. They were soon racing out onto the open plains and up a long road. They stopped briefly in a small hamlet called Rorikstead and changed horses. Antoine was surprised there was a team of horses waiting and they were swapped out really quickly. "Do you do this kind of travel often?" He asked the driver as they cleared the town heading east. "Not a lot, but when they hear the carriages racing up the hills they get the standby teams ready. I'll pick up another team in Riverwood before heading north to Whiterun where I can rest, usually, and pick up another fare."

    The carriage flashed passed Gjukar's Monument, the site of some ancient battle, at least that's what Antoine thought he heard the driver say over the rattle of the carriage and the galloping horses.They passed by a fort, Sungard the driver yelled as the flew threw an intersection and started up a hill into the mountain pass. What seemed like minutes later they were passing by a lumber mill and then barely slowed down to make turn by an old tower. "That's Falkreath Watchtower, we've entered the towns northern border! It'll be another minute or so to reach the town and the drop off point," shouted the driver. He saw a small domed ruin just off the road as they went passed the tower, then down a slight hill and around a corner. Off to the west, as they rounded another corner he could see through the woods the ruins of another fort, but the driver was to busy to shout its name out as he started slowing the horses. They reached the intersection as the sun was just coming over the mountains to the east, highlighting the smoke of villages further east. Just to the north at the top of the mountains he could make out an old Nordic ruin looking like a crooked finger sticking out of the mountain. Antoine got down from the carriage and with a laugh looked at the driver whose wind blown hair seemed to stick out in every direction, handed the man the sapphire and thanked him for such a fun ride. The carriage driver laughed, thanked him for the payment and was gone, just as quick as he arrived.

    No sooner did the carriage disappear up the road when a fog so thick he could not make out the Falkreath gate anymore closed in, worse than some of the weather he'd seen on the coasts of the Abecean Sea. The sun had just risen and yet the fog was thick it was almost like late evening already. Antoine shivered and wondered what had he gotten himself into, but walked on towards the gates of the town. A guard stepped out of nowhere, at least it seemed like that and stopped him, "where do you think you're going mister?" "I'm here on business with the Jarl, if you must know," Antoine replied. "Well, you watch yourself, we don't take kindly to strangers around here as of late, to many townsfolk gone missing as such. Go on then." Antoine walked up to the Dead Man's Drink, the towns tavern and entered.

    The fire was low and he didn't see anyone around. He stepped up to the bar and was about to help himself to the coin purse someone absently left on the counter when a "tsk tsk" came from a dark corner that was behind the door. "Damn, didn't think to look behind the door. You're getting old Toine" he thought. Turning towards the voice, he saw a figure that wore hooded robes and his face and hands were wrapped in bandages as if he had been badly burned. "If you've come for the job offer, you're a little late friend. Who might you be?" said the figure. "Well, that depends on who you might be friend, because I am looking for someone in reference to a job, but they've got a rather interesting signature." "That signature would be the Tiger's Paw, and I am the one you are looking for then, so, will you tell me you name?" With a flourish of his hand Antoine replied, "I am, Captain Antoine Strongknot, of Breton, seeking some adventure in these parts to further his reputation. What then is this job offer?"

    The bandaged fellow, this Tiger's Paw, laughed, "Captain Antoine Strongknot you say? Are you sure you're not Captain Hawksley, scourge of the Abecean Sea, wanted by both the Aldmeri and Empire Navies?" With a dismissive hand he continued, "No need to reply, we know who you are sir and your reputation proceeds you. As for the job, I'm sending you to Shriekwind Bastion. You know this place? No? It is just north-east of here. I need you to retrieve something for me, an artifact, it used to belong to my ancestors, you see, and it was thought to have been lost in this land two Eras ago." He paused then continued, "I see you're skeptical and need to know what the artifact looks like. Just like the others that have failed before you." He sighed and slid a piece of paper forward with a bandaged hand. "This is a rough drawing of the object. Now, please go, and try to stay alive." He laughed, or more closely snarled and hissed.

    Antoine took the paper drawing and studied it before asking, "How much for completing the job?" "There's a substantial reward for retrieving the artifact, don't you worry about that!" snarled the bandaged man. "Oh I'm not worried," said Antoine,"because you're going to give me 200 gold now, just for expenses and WHEN I get back, you'll pay me ten times that amount if you want your artifact returned safely. Otherwise, I might take it back to Solitude or maybe HighRock and sell it to an antiques dealer." The bandaged man hissed, "YOU make demands of me now? Before you've even started the search?!" "You betcha," replied Antoine, "I've not made my wealth by waiting to get paid nor by accepting the pitiful *reward* usually offered for a dangerous task. You seem to know who I am, you should know this." He tossed the drawing back on the table and was about to leave when the bandage man spoke up again, "Very well! You drive a hard bargain, and yes we know about your tactics. Here," the man replied tossing a coin purse on the table atop the drawing. "There's your gold, now do we have a deal." Not surprised at all, Antoine smiled broadly and said, "Sure, Don't try and cross me again, or you'll be needing more than bandages to hide your face." He picked up the coin purse and the drawing, stuffing them in his satchel and turned to leave. "Hey, Taverns not opened yet, you shouldn't be in here," cried the tavern owner as the came out of a back room all groggy with sleep. "Sorry, didn't realize you weren't open yet, I'm just leaving anyways," replied Antione.

    With that he stepped outside into the fog again. He had just taken a step off the tavern porch when he knocked over guard, who he then helped up while relieving him of his coin purse. "Hey! Don't I know you?" said the guard. "Nope! just passing through, speaking of which do you know where the Shriekwind Bastion is?" The guard looked at him funny and said, "I'm sure I remember your face... maybe on a poster... " Antoine didn't want to have to deal with the guard and only wanted directions so he palmed the guards coin purse as if he'd reached into his vest and pulled it out, then handed it to the guard, "Here, take this and just forget about me and give me directions to the ruins, okay?" The guard hesitated a moment, then weighing the coin purse he shrugged and said, "Sure, sure, it probably wasn't you anyways. Those ruins are, uhm... lets see, oh yeah, go out the west gate and follow the road north, take a right at the intersection and the trail to it will be on the right. Good luck finding it in this fog though, and watch yourself out there. Strange things have been happening lately."

    Antoine didn't waste time waiting on the guard to think about where the coins came from and left Falkreath's western gate. After a few minutes in the thick fog and almost losing the road twice, he broke a branch off a tree and popped magelight onto the stick, holding it up like a torch he wandered up the road and found the intersection and then the trail. The light went out just as he was approaching the large arched entrance of the ruins. The flickering light of a campfire could be seen under the heavy wooden doors. He approached the doors and pushed on them. The doors slowly creaked open and he saw several other adventures sitting around the campfire. With his hands ready to draw his cutlass' he approached the group and with a smile said, "Ah, I see I am not the only one sent on this errand of the bandaged man it seems. For what else would we be doing in this dismal place but to search for some ancient artifact." He strolled over to a barrel with a block of cheese on it, the edges turning brown with age and maybe mold. Picking up the chunk of cheese, he pulled a dagger from his belt and carved off the brown and moldy edges and took a bite, "Eidar Cheese, tastey!" He hopped up onto the barrel and took a bottle of mead from another. "So, why you all waiting here?"
     
    Sabrina stood, brushing the dust from her armor. She was still a bit dazed from her blackout earlier and couldn't remember much of the past couple hours. "Ah, well I suppose the waiting part is my fault. I got a weak stomach a bit earlier and passed out. Everyone has been kind enough to give me time to recover." She half smiled, half glared at the newcomer, not sure what to think. She began to cirle him defensively but stopped when she realized what she was doing.

    "I'm Sabrina, and yes I am here for the same reason you are." Sabrina couldn't help but feel distrust toward this man; mostly becuase she wanted to be the one to claim the prize. "But if you are willing to join our team, then we would be happy to take you." She paused and looked down at the hilt of her sword, "If not, we are going to have a problem." She looked around the room at her companions as she reached out her armored hand to see if he would return the gesture.
     

    Flint firestorm

    The leading man, who else?
    Crow could not believe his eyes, Captain Hawksley, scourge of the Abecean sea and murderer of thousands stood right before him. It took all of crows willpower not to leap forward and kill him where he stands. Crow hated this man for what he had done to his family, for the murder of his brother.
    Crows brother, wolf had served in the thalmor navy for years and was first mate on his ship.During a routine escort mission of some valuable cargo his convoy was ambushed by a pirate ship, led by none other then captain hawkley himself. Only one ship survived the ambush to tell the tale. Wolf was not among the survivors. After crow had finished his training in hammerfall he spent sometime looking for the infamous captain, eager to bring him to justice. After some time crow was ready to give up when a high ranking friend of his in the thalmor navy told him that they had set a trap for the captain and that crow could accompany then. Crow was there at layawiin when the trap was sprung and he was so excited that it would be the end of this criminal. Alas the captain and his crew managed to escape, fleeing north east into fog. The imperial and thalmor navy admirals were convinced that he would never make it though the fog and did not give chase. After that crow gave up on ever catching the captain.

    Until now. Crow knew of the captains battle prowess and was not sure if his friends would back him if he attacked this man suddenly. He would bide his time and wait for the right moment and what better time then in a deserted bastion. Accidents do happen. "I think it would be great to get a new companion. The more the merrier !" said crow with a fake smile.
     

    Gemini Sierra

    Pre-emptive Salvage Specialist
    Antoine Strongknot sat on the barrel slowly whittling chunks of cheese, eating them and watching the young Imperila lass stand in her heavy armor. It seemed a little cumbersom for her, she was after all a young lady, no more than 20 by his guess. She tried to circle him before realizing that she couldn't. She glared and smiled at him the entire time she explained why her group was waiting in the entrance way to the Bastion. Probably trying to decide whether he was a friend or a foe.
    Antoine looked at the offered hand and smiled, with a hint of mischeviousness. He set the dagger and block of cheese down on the barrel and grasped her hand in his, feeling the slender hand encased in the guantlet. He continued to smile as he held onto her hand and then hopped down from th barrel. Standing to his full 6feet, he bowed at the hip and introduced himself, "I am Captain Antoine Strongknot, of High Rock, formerly a sailor and now an adventurer like yourself. I would be honoured to join your band of adventurers in the search for the prize." He made as if he were going to kiss her hand, but stopped just short as he looked into her pretty brown eyes. He let her hand slide from his as he stood back up with a smile. "I'm pleased to meet you all." He made a deep sweeping bow towards the others and then hopped back up on the barrel and took a swig of the mead bottle before continuing to carve chunks of cheese.
    He looked over the group, always with his charming smile as he chewed cheese. There was the young Imperial lass, that appeared to be their leader, a male teen Bosmer that was looking at him so hard that Antoine almost thought there was something behind him, "Does he know me? There's now way in Oblivion that would be possible". There was another young lad of a Breton, a surprising attractive young Dunmer lass that kept to the shadows, and then the two sort of odd characters, an adult female Argonian with dark olive colored scales, a row of horns encasing a plumage of feather, a unique feature, that were shimmering reddish color. The last individual was a Khajiit, looked to be about 30ish in their age, young male, mostly white/grey with dark stripes and very bright blue eyes. He too seemed to want to lurk in the shadows.
    "What an interesting group! This should undoubtedly be fun!"
     

    Ilya

    Article Writer
    Shade sat in silence with a slight smirk on her face as she eyed the group of strangers. This aught to be interesting! She thought; for she had never seen a more unlikely group in her life! She knew without a doubt that each person would serve as a valuable companion. However, there were two in particular that she felt she'd have to be extra cautious around; the Khajiit that calls himself Cleddau, and Captain Strongknot. They both exerted the utmost confidence, and she knew all too well that none but a fool walked around Skyrim with their heads that high without substantial backing! A challenge, perhaps? Intriguing...She let her thoughts trail off.
     

    Shew

    Account closed (at sincere request).
    Cleddau started forward, the arrival of the "Captain", throwing his entrance a little off. "Well-met then to all. Cleddau is unsure of every ones names... but I hope you and Cleddau become fast friends." Moves in the direction of the newest member Captain Strongknot with a easy swagger. "Capt'n Strongknot you say..." then leaning in and hushed "I think the youngling, doesn't like you... could be because Cleddau has seen posters of you too. Master Hawksley." takes a bit of cheese, eats it and grimaces "Don't worry Cleddau has no quarrel with you, in fact any that make it harder for the Thalmor are friends to me, and Cleddau also has no love of Imperials either." Turns to the group his back to Antoine "Who cooked this fine meal? Its aroma has had Cleddau's mouth watering!" Moves to a empty spot near the middle of the table, and sits himself down.
     

    FlickerWick

    El. Psy. Congroo.
    Alphonse looked up at the burly man who stood before them. The flickering embers of the campfire were reflected in his eyes - this was a man of adventure and passion - somebody who had experienced many a danger and yet lived to tell many a tale. He was slightly taken aback by the sheer weight of his presence, before a speck of Eidar Cheese flew from his neatly bearded mouth and landed on his shoulder. Alphonse gingerly brushed it off as a look of repulse creeped across his face. The man, whose name was Antoine Strongnot, unleashed out a hearty laugh from the depths of his belly before apologising to the bewildered Breton. They both smiled and soon, the entire group burst into a random fit of laughter. As Alphonse took down the last swig of his mead, he remembered something.

    "Here, I prepared these beforehand. Given how many people there are now I'm not sure there are enough to go around, but here..." said the young alchemist, as he opened his satchel and duly revealed a large variety of colourful potions. There were health potions, stamina potions, magicka potions and a myriad of potent poisons - enough for everybody to have a couple. "Take your pick." he added, awaiting everybody's choices.
     
    Sabrina skipped forward and looked at the glimmering glass bottles eagerly. She couldn't exactly tell what each one was. The whole lot just looked like a mess of colors in bottles. She eyed them and pointed at each one, trying to determine what it was, "Hmmmmmm." She picked a health and a magicka potion from the group; just in case.

    "As long as everyone is ready," She looked at the group, each one pouring over the jumble of vials, "can we get moving? This place gives me an uneasy feeling."
     

    Shew

    Account closed (at sincere request).
    Cleddau thinks to himself I wonder at the skills of this fine assembly the young ones, might be skilled but surely they are inexperienced. Maybe a group building little wager, the capt'n looks like a wagering man. "I, Cleddau thanks you for your offer of potions, but Cleddau wishs to make a proposition. A wager of sorts, Cleddau would like to test your skills. Cleddau wagers one gold coin each if you best Cleddau with your chosen skill. Cleddau promises no unrepairable injuries, as long as you do the same" Looks to each face around the room and table.
     
    Sabrina was suprised by Cleddau's boldness. She decided to pretend not to hear his challenge to see what everyone else's reaction would be. This was mostly because Cleddau intimidated her for some reason. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something different about this Khajiit.
     

    Ilya

    Article Writer
    Typical man, always looking for an opportunity to show off! She shook her head and rolled her eyes, thinking. There is way too much testoserone in this room. Approachs where Alphonse laid out the potions. While giving Cleddau a heads to tail once over. "But I'll definitly take a few health potions if you have them to spare, Alphonse." The room was still, and she wondered if anyone would take the ever confident Khajiit up on his challenge!
     

    Gemini Sierra

    Pre-emptive Salvage Specialist
    Antoine eyed the Khajiit who called himself Cleddau as he mentioned the posters and his real name but then said he had no quarrel with someone who made life difficult for the Thalmor and the Imperials. "I don't really have a quarrel per se, they just don't seem to like me preemptively salvaging their goods." The Khajiit probably didn't hear him say that a he was suddenly distracted by the smell of food and went and took a seat.
    "A young alchemist hey? Excellent, it's always a good thing to know your potions and be able to make 'em. What might your name be lad?" He rummaged through the satchel and snagged out a healing potion which he stashed in his own satchel.

    Before the young Breton could answer though Sabrina queried if the group was ready to move on but was upstaged by Cleddau's wager and test of skills which she kept silent and seemed to shy away from the Khajiit. The Dunmer silently approached the Breton and his stash taking a few of the healing potions. The popular choice.

    Everyone stared at the Khajiit, the wager was tempting to the pirate Captain, however... he hopped off the barrel, making a show of adjusting his sword belts and tucking his coat behind the hilts of his cutlass', a sign he was ready to draw them quickly and then paused, he slowly looked at the Khajiit, but then quickly stepped over to the Khajiit before he could react and threw an arm around his shoulder, "My friend, I hope I can call you that cat," he said with a broad smile, "I've no doubt you're a very capable swordsman and can wield the Katana with both the grace and finesse borne of the Khajiit finest warriors, but, is this the time for showing off such skill? Is there really time to have a duel and then mend the inevitable wounds before we even start this adventure?" He looked at the Khajiit still smiling and then each of the adventurers arrayed around the table.
    "What say you and I let the lovely lass, Sabrina, lead us into these ruins to find this so called artifact and guide them with our experience?"

    He released the Khajiits shoulder and snatched up a bottle of mead from the table. Popping the cork he raised the bottle, "A toast to this adventure, may it be a grand one and bring us lots of gold!"
     

    Shew

    Account closed (at sincere request).
    Strongknot makes a show of getting down from the barrel, and move his coat, out from in front of his hilts. they are slung low and in a manner that speaks volumes as to the nature of their owner. If i had never heard of him I would not want to meet this man in battle yet here I am betting he will draw... Antoine rushes forward and time slows for Cleddau waiting til the last sec as he draws I will counter and side step... he isn't drawing... Hahaha good this is perfect... "Cleddau is actually pleased that no one needed to prove their worth, that makes you more worthy." nuzzles in and accepts a drink and says "A toast! Cleddau says may it bring us honor too. but... I will not drink after all, the same reason not to fight is not to drink either." tips to the crowd and then sets it back on the table.
     

    Ilya

    Article Writer
    Shade held her breath as Antoine approached Cleddau. It was as if he was going to take him up on his challenge. Who was this man, and how had she never heard of him before this day? Her eyes narrowed as the tension grew. She expected him to draw his weapons, but to her suprise he put his arm around his shoulder.

    "My friend, I hope I can call you that cat," he said with a broad smile, "I've no doubt you're a very capable swordsman and can wield the Katana with both the grace and finesse borne of the Khajiit finest warriors, but, is this the time for showing off such skill? Is there really time to have a duel and then mend the inevitable wounds before we even start this adventure?" He looked at the Khajiit still smiling and then each of the adventurers arrayed around the table.

    As Captain Strongknot met her gaze she lifted her bottle and replied, "Well said! I have no doubt in anyone's battle prowess, except for you, Alphonse...." she paused and smiled at him warmly, thinking of the cheese crumb incident. "For you my friend, I am a little worried!". She said with a chuckle.

    "What say you and I let the lovely lass, Sabrina, lead us into these ruins to find this so called artifact and guide them with our experience?" He released the Khajiits shoulder and snatched up a bottle of mead from the table. Popping the cork he raised the bottle, "A toast to this adventure, may it be a grand one and bring us lots of gold!"
    She nodded her agreement and started to ready herself for the adventure that awaited. Shade couldn't wait to see what horrid things were lurking deep within the bastion!
     

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