Milos Rajkovic
Leader of the Temptress
[SPOILER ALERT]
Although this story does not have spoilers related to quests and people you can meet in Skyrim,(Only a few NPCs that you can actually find in Skyrim are mentioned, but there are no spoilers involved with them) it is highly advised to consider leaving this story for after you've visited and got to know Markarth.
Prologue
Even at a very young age, Theodore showed great potential. His uncle was a very famous mage that taught Theodore how to use and master alteration and conjuration spells. The little Breton learned and mastered most of these spells with ease, but he never showed much affection towards these two schools of magic.
Growing up, Theodore tried to convince his parents and his uncle that alteration and conjuration simply weren't the type of magic he'd like to further improve. While both his uncle and his father disagreed, his mother convinced them to give Theodore a chance. They found him the best mages in all of High Rock. One of them, Elyzona, a fairly young priestess, taught Theodore everything he needed to know about the restoration school of magic. The other, Bedoryan, an old mage that lived in an underground ruin, taught Theodore the illusion school of magic, but only if Theodore came to the cave himself. Bedoryan was a very strange person that didn't like to have contact with other humans. As for the destruction school of magic, Theodore's parents were afraid this school was far too dangerous for the young Breton, and since he himself didn't show much affection to this school of magic, he never found a mage to teach him this kind of magic.
Slowly becoming an adult, Theodore decided that he will master the illusion and the conjuration school of magic. As years passed, he became a true master of these schools. He could become invisible and stay that way for a long amount of time with ease, while conjuring a flaming familiar to distract or harm his opponents. However, mastering conjuration was a dangerous thing. Most people in Tamriel find this school of magic morbid, since it allows the caster to command the dead to walk the earth one more time. His father, Perastyr, a not so successful merchant, needed to find ways to make more money. When Theodore turned 25, his father left High Rock and traveled to Skyrim to sell his goods in Markarth. He promised that he would return once all of the goods are sold, which was supposed to last a few months, or half a year in a worst case scenario. However, a year and a half later, his father was nowhere to be seen.
Afraid for the health of his father, Theodore decided to travel to Skyrim, find his father, and return with him to High Rock. His mother, too old to be alone, moved to the house where Theodore's uncle lived, to stay there until Theodore comes back.
Chapter 1
Sitting in the carriage, Theodore thought of his mother and friends he was leaving behind. He didn't know much about Skyrim, nor the people who live there. All he knew was that the carriage was going to take him to one of the nine holds on the territory of Skyrim, namely Markarth, in which his father should be. Thinking he was not prepared to go to Markarth with so little knowledge, he asked the carriage driver about Markarth.
-Well, you see, Markarth is a city supposedly built by the Dwemer.
-The Dwemer?
-The dwarves or the deep elves, you can call them any of those. They are the ancient people that disappeared a long time ago.
-Oh, I think I heard of them. My uncle used to explore the ruins of dwarven cities in High Rock and Hamerfell.
-Yes, they had a strong presence in Skyrim, Hamerfell and High Rock.
-Okay, but I was more interested in the.. how do I put it... description of the city in the present...
-Well, Markarth is a strange city, to say the least. The Forsworn claim that the city is theirs, and the Nords claim it's theirs. The city is, as most say, corrupt and most of the guards are either paid to keep their mouth shut, or help the Forsworn on their own initiative. There is also the Cidhna Mine, where most of the rule breakers, murderers, thieves and people that disrupt the secret business of the city end up, digging ores for the rulers of Markarth.
-Markarth sounds dangerous.
-It is. I wouldn't go there at all if I were you. Being a Breton can put you in a very strange situation in this city.
-What do you mean?
-Well, the Forsworn... Do you know how they are also called? ... The witchmen of High Rock.
-The Forsworn are Bretons?
-Yes, my boy. And some say they control most of the city, while others say Nords control most of the city. Either way, be extremely careful.
-...
Theodore was scared. He was afraid his father could have been mistaken for a Forsworn and killed. He was afraid he might also be in danger by going to that city. Not knowing much about Skyrim, he didn't know who he should trust once he arrives to Markarth. Should he turn to the Nords, or the Forsworn? Too tired to think about it anymore, Theodore fell asleep.
Chapter 2
Upon waking up, Theodore got up to see where they were. The landscape was no longer known or familiar to him. He looked around, trying to realize whether they were still in High Rock, or in Skyrim.-Oh, you're awake, my boy. Finally. You've slept for over five hours. We'll be arriving to Markarth soon.
Theodore opened his backpack, to check if all his things were still there. Three books, "The Doors of Oblivion", "The Warrior's Charge", and "Before the Ages of Men" were still there. His alchemy ingredients were also there. A nice amount of wheat, a few fire salts and frost salts, and a large amount of white cap. Digging a bit deeper he found a little bit of blisterwort left from his last trip. That was enough to make a few decent potions. His clothes were also there. He wasn't planning on staying long, so the robes on him and the fine clothes in the backpack were more than enough for him. He also brought a steel dagger that he hid from his mother even since he found it exploring a cave with his uncle. After hearing all these descriptions of Markarth, he was glad he did. Even though magic can help him a lot, he can't risk not having any weapons with him. He never learned any destruction spells anyway.
While he was looking at the dagger, thinking about all the possible situations that could occur in Markarth, his thoughts were interrupted.
-We've arrived. Welcome to Markarth.
-How much do I owe you?
-70 septims.
Theodore gave him the money, having only 230 septims left to spend. Bringing more could have been a good idea. He didn't think that a carriage from High Rock to Markarth would be that expensive. The carriage left, and he was preparing to enterthe hold.
Looking at Markarth, Theodore was shocked that such beauty could hold such corruption. Every guard seemed corrupt, mysterious and threatening, mostly because of the stories he heard from the carriage driver. He slowly approached the gate, only to get interrogated by the guard.
-Hey, you. Come over here.
-Me?
-Yes, you. Come over here!
-Yes?
-I hope you aren't planning on making any trouble?
-No, sir, I'm not.
-Good. Just know I have my eyes on you. Don't get involved.
-Get involved in what?
-I told you NOT to get involved!
-Sorry, sir.
-Just enter the city and be careful. I'm watching you.
Theodore was confused. He wanted to find his father and leave as soon as possible. Seeing Markarth, Theodore started hating Skyrim, and wanted to escape from it immediately. Upon entering the city, the first thing he noticed was the river running through the middle of the city. The silver color of it amazed him. He came closer and crouched to have a better view. He noticed the strange smell the city was filled with. The smell of silver, iron and many other ores all mixed together gave Markarth a rather disgusting atmosphere. You could almost feel ores getting smelted in this area. As soon as the river stopped being interesting and Theodore lifted his head up, he saw all the floors of the city, and all of the houses carved into the mountain. The view was astonishing. Once again, Theodore found himself feeling disappointed that such a hold could be so corrupt. Walking through the city, the first thing he ran into was the market, which was also his destination. Walking around, scouting for his father, he attracted a lot of attention. Being a Breton made every Nord in the market place feel uneasy. After quite some time of searching for his father at the market, a man approached him. Old, with long grey hair, small, recently shaved beard, brown, tired looking eyes, old dirty clothes and a skinny body, he looked at Theodore for a few seconds, and then spoke.
-You, stranger. What are you doing here?
-I'm looking for my father.
-Bretons aren't very welcome here. I doubt that your father works at the market.
-He left High Rock to come and sell his goods in Markarth, but he hasn't returned for quite some time.
-What's your father's name, boy?
-Perastyr
-Perastyr what?
-Perastyr Sylbrose.
-And you are?
-Theodore Sylbrose.
The old man looked at the floor for a few moments, turned around and slowly left the hold, apologizing.
-Sorry, I haven't seen or heard anyone called Perastyr. You should check at the stables. People there usually know if someone came to the city.
Theodore continued to walk through the town, searching for his father until it got dark. Too tired to continue, and way too dark to see anyone anyway, he decided to rent a room for one night. Upon entering the Inn, a Nord, dressed in iron armor, got up and took out his axe.
-Get out of here Breton. This hold belongs to the nord. People of High Rock are not welcome here.
-I just want to rent the room for one night.. N-.. Nothing else.
-I said get out of here! Get out of here or these walls will be covered with your blood!
-Sir, please. I have nowhere to go and it's getting dark outside. I won't cause any trouble, I just need one room for one night.
-Suit yourself!
The Nord swung his axe at Theodore, missing him by only a few inches. Theodore, frightened and scared started dodging the swings while preparing a spectral arrow. He casted the spectral arrow, penetrating the Nord's stomach. As much as he disliked conjuration, he was glad he decided to master conjuration and illusion, for the specrtal arrow is the only spell that inflicts direct-damage and does not fall under the destruction school of magic. In just a matter of few seconds, the Nord fell down to the ground, dead. In complete mayhem, Theodore noticed the other people in the Inn taking out their weapons. In panic, he threw a calm spell, making all of the people sheathe their weapons and go back to their drinking. While the innkeeper was under the effect of the calm spell, Theodore took three venison steaks and two bottles of wine, leaving the inn in panic.
After committing a murder, Theodore felt lost. The calm spell was about the break and the people would start chasing me soon after. Knowing that he had nowhere to go in the city, he left as fast as possible.
Chapter 3
Upon opening the city gates, Theodore saw the stable and remembered what the old man in the marked told him. Since the spell will last only a few more moments, Theodore ran into the stable. He knew he couldn't wait for a carriage in front of Markarth, since the carriage arrives in the morning, and he also knew he wasn't ready to face the wilderness alone. Entering the stable, he woke up two Bretons that were inside. They both took out their daggers as soon as they got up on their feet.
-Whoah, whoah, I don't want any trouble. I'm here to ask if you've seen my father, Perastyr Sylbrose.
They look at each other, and take away their daggers.
-You're looking for Perastyr?
-Yes.
-And you claim to be his son?
-Yes. Where is he?
-Come, sit.
Theodore sits down, but full of suspicion and ready to cast an invisibility spell if things go wrong. As he sits down, the men bring some wine and introduce themselves.
-My name is Banning, and he's Cedran. We sell war hounds and horses. We knew your father. He came here a year and a half ago, claiming to be a merchant from High Rock. He needed a place to stay, and since he wasn't welcome in Markarth during the night, he slept at our place. Last time we saw him was a few months ago. He bought a horse from Cedran, claiming to be in great danger. He left his things behind, only carrying the money he had left in his pockets, riding the horse down the road.
-Do you know where he went?
-I'm not sure... Your father was a strange man. He didn't speak much. All he cared about was selling his goods and getting out of here as fast as possible. He mentioned Whiterun and Riften in our conversations on a few occasions, but that's the only information I have.
-Thank you very much. You see, I am in a similar problem now. Just like my father, I wasn't welcome here. I didn't know that however, so things got bad.
-What did you do?
-I...I killed someone.
-You k-..killed someone?! Are you out of your mind? They'll think you're a Forsworn and they'll lock you up in Cidhna Mine or kill you! Get out of here, or you'll make us all end up in Cidhna Mine!
-I just need a horse, please!
-A horse costs 1000 septims.
-Do you have any cheaper ones?
-I'm afraid not.
-Please, I only have 230 septims left...
-Hah, we have nothing to talk about then.
As Banning gets up to kick out Theodore, Cedran whispers something to Banning.
-Actually, boy, I might have a horse for you. We have an old horse in the back of the stables. She's weak and underfed, but she could carry you for some time. However, 230 septims is not enough.
-Would you accept books? I have three books I'd give you...
-I'm listening...
Theodore takes out his books and hands it to Banning.
-Now give me the 230 septims and you've got yourself a deal. Take the horse and leave.
Theodore mounts the horse, leaving his money and books behind.
-Good luck finding your father. Be careful in the wilderness.
And so Theodore left Markarth behind, trying to find Whiterun or Riften in hope of finding his father.
After riding for over an hour, avoiding hills, lakes, caves and camps, Theodore arrived to Rorikstead. Too tired to continue riding, Theodore took the chance and entered the village. Upon entering the village, he fell from the horse, and his horse fell on the ground soon afterwards.
Chapter 4
Theodore woke up on a bed in a darkened room. The doors were closed but sounds of laughter and music could be heard from inside the room. He tried to get up, quickly giving up due to the pain in his right leg. Lying on the bed, Theodore tried to remember what happened when he entered the village. Trying to find a comfortable pose, he rolled around on the bed, and noticed a note on an end table to his left. Picking it up, the note said:
"I hope you're feeling better. Come join us when you're able. You have some wine and water to your right, and there's a vegetable soup on the table. If you dislike soup, I'm sure I have some vegetables, fruits and meat in some of these barrels."
He felt confused, but at the same time safer then he felt the last few days. He could finally just relax. He drank some wine and ate some meat. As he was about to make a second attempt at getting up, a girl entered a room. It was a very young, brown haired girl with blue eyes dressed in red robes. As she slowly opened the door, and saw Theodore awake, she yelled.
-Mom! Our guest is awake!
You could hear a voice from a distance.
-I'm coming sweetie.
A few moments later, a woman entered the room, telling her daughter to go play outside. She was relatively young and beautiful with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was tall and dressed in long fine clothes. She had a golden ring on her hand and a golden diamond necklace around her neck.
-So.. Who are you?
-My name is Theodore. Theodore Sylbrose.
-Perastyr's son?
-You know my father?! Where is he?
-Not here anymore. But he passed through Rorikstead a few months back. Said he was in a hurry, rented a room here, slept, and left before we even woke up. Said he was heading to one of the holds.
-Yeah, I'm trying to trace him down.
-Well good luck with that. He could be anywhere. You've caused a great deal of trouble in Rorikstead though. What happened in Markarth?
-You... know I was in Markarth?
-Don't you remember anything?
-No.. I-..I fainted I guess...
-You got shot. So did your horse. Three guards from Markarth were following you. They shot you in the leg, and you fell from your horse. Our guards protected you. You're lucky Rorikstead is in a bad relationship with Markarth for the last couple of years, or you'd be dead, or taken away by those guards.
-T-..Thank you.
-Oh, don't thank me yet. People are demanding explanations. Where are you from? What brought you to Skyrim? What did you do in Markarth? You might have avoided the wrath of Markarth, but the people of Rorikstead are just getting to know you.
Theodore knew he had to be careful now, for telling a thing he shouldn't could get him in trouble, and being wounded, without money or a horse, he wouldn't get far. Non the less, he felt safer here. He decided to tell the complete truth.
-My name is Theodore Sylbrose, as I already mentioned. I am a Breton and I came from High Rock in search of my father, Perastyr Sylbrose, who came to Skyrim a year and a half ago to sell his goods to people in Skyrim. He was a merchant back in High Rock. My task is to find my father and bring him back to High Rock. I am 26 years old, soon to be 27. I am a mage, specialized in the illusion and conjuration schools of magic. I came to Markarth, for that is the place my father was supposed to be at. When I arrived, I wasn't really welcome, which ended in a Nord attacking me with an axe. Long story short, I killed the man and calmed everyone around me with sorcery, but since that couldn't last long, I fled. I bought the cheapest horse I could, lost all my money and most of my things and fled as fast as I could.
-...T-...Tha-..That's quite a story you've got there. I've decided to believe you, but most people of Rorikstead won't. It appears to me that you haven't hidden anything from me, and I appreciate that. But since you're into necromancy, it'll be hard from keeping my people from ripping you apart. And killing a Nord doesn't help. I'll do what's in my power to protect you. You get some rest, here are some medical supplies and some more food. You need to sleep if you plan on getting some strength back and walking again. Good night.
-Good night..... And... Thanks.
More chapters in the comment section
This is one of my very first fan-fiction stories, that I really want to work on as hard as I can. 
