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"What is a Great Welkynd Stone?" |
"The pinnacle of Ayleid magic. Once, every Ayleid city had its Great Stone but they’re all been plundered over the centuries. As far as I have been able to discern, the Great Welkynd Stones acted like the city’s heart, allowing the Ayleids to charge and recharge Varla and Welkynd stones. They used these stones for alm... |
I nodded. "I can believe that. Some of the cities are easily four thousand years old and are in better condition that buildings made a decade ago." |
"Exactly. Now, the biggest issue we have with the Great Welkynd Stone is that they are exceedingly rare and it’s almost easier to get our hands on a Daedric Artefact than one. They have been plundered one by one over the centuries due to their great value to mages and occultists but there is one place that is rumoured... |
Still puffing away calmly on his pipe, Jauffre looked relaxed but appearances were extremely deceptive. "The ruins of Miscarcand. We’re currently organising an expedition to that ancient city." |
"How do you know that one of these stones is still there?" |
Martin shrugged again in Viconia’s direction. "We’re not entirely certain. The Great Stone of Miscarcand is reputed still to shine in the deep darkness of its ruined halls, but no one has done more than glimpse it from a distance. It is said to be guarded by the ghosts of its last king and his subjects. Miscarcand is ... |
"Let me guess though... No one who has entered the city has ever returned?" |
"There’s been a few who have made it back alive over the years." Jauffre replied with a billowing cloud of tobacco smoke. "But it’s been confirmed that the city is still almost entirely intact even despite the best efforts of Imperial archaeological teams and assorted scavengers. This is why we want you both as part o... |
"Not hunting for Aedric or Daedric Artefacts?" |
There was a joint shaking of heads from them both. "No." Martin said a second before Jauffre could. "The expedition to Sancre Tor departed last week although it might be some time before they are successful in their quest and we have several agents already seeking out Shrines and Daedra worshippers. Your skills and ex... |
I turned and looked at Viconia and felt my unease and anxiety grow. |
Viconia beat me to it. "We’re not going to be able to help." |
Silence fell between us and for the most part Jauffre and Martin looked confused and amused in equal ways. |
"We have other commitments now." I added, seeing Jauffre’s expression of bemusement through the slight haze of smoke. |
"Oh? Other commitments? Are they more important that stopping the end of the world?" |
Jauffre’s sarcasm was almost a physical slap to the face but I continued on. "You would’ve heard of how there has been a call for a crusade to recover the Divine Crusader’s Relics?" I said carefully, watching as Jauffre’s expression became thunderous and Martin merely nodded. |
"We’ve both decided to join the crusade." |
Jauffre snorted, coughing as he choked on Viconia’s words and a lungful of smoke. "You’ve what?" |
"We’ve decided to search for the Relics of the Crusader. It’s something that we both must do." |
Jauffre laughed, anger burning in the pit of his stomach and I struggled not to flinch away from his rising choler. "Neither of you have ever stuck me as being overly pious, or the types to be taken on wild flights of fancy. You would turn away from your duty to the Empire, to the Emperor, and to every living being in... |
"The relics have been lost for hundreds of years, if not longer." Martin’s voice was the sound of calm and reason to Jauffre’s building anger. "You both have done miraculous things, and performed such extraordinary feats that you will have songs sung about you for decades to come, but what makes you think that this is... |
Fumbling with the traveller’s pack and ignoring them both, Viconia reached in and withdrew the gleaming helm and placed it on the table in between all of us. The effect upon the room and both Martin and Jauffre was instantaneous and a silence fell, broken only by the crackling and spitting of the fire. |
"Impossible." Jauffre breathed after several moments of silence, his features framed by the roaring fire and eyes reflecting the light sparkling off the gleaming silver helm. |
Martin was completely lost for words, his eyes never wavering from the helmet as its empty eye slits absorbed the burning light from the fire in pools of darkness. His mouth opened and closed for several moments as he struggled to form words, eventually breaking her gaze from the Helm and looking me square in the eye.... |
"You wouldn’t believe us." I said to him. "But it is important that we find the other relics." |
"Could this be used in the ritual?" Jauffre asked, directing the question at Martin and receiving a shake of the head in response. |
"No. As miraculous as it is, the armour of Tiber Septim is still our best hope. I will run a few magical tests just to be sure but I know that it’ll be the same as the Gauntlets." |
He looked between us, his expression equal parts amazed and incredulous. "You do realise that Dibella’s Helm hasn’t ever been discovered before?" |
"We’re aware." Viconia leaned back in her chair, crossing her thighs as she did so. "We’re also aware that the barriers are weakening each time a house of worship is attacked." |
I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable at the expression that consumed Martin’s face. "We still have time, a year or two at the very most but it is quickening. You aren’t the first to have said such." |
"Umaril the Unfeathered is returning." |
He nodded to me. "Yes. The word that has reached us points to that fact despite the Cardinals of the Nine fervently denying it. Too many chapels and cathedrals have been attacked across Tamriel and for one of the lost relics to be found only adds to the weight of evidence." |
"The Relics need to be reunited and Pelinal’s "heir’ or "reincarnation’ or however you describe them needs to be found." |
"Are you sure that you or Viconia aren’t that person?" |
Shaking my head, I gestured to the Helm. "It’s not us and we have that fact on good authority. I’m also fairly confident that only the person chosen by the Divines is going to be able to wield the artefacts and defeat Umaril. It’s probably very similar to how the Amulet of Kings can only be worn by certain individuals... |
"You tried to wear the Amulet of Kings?" Jauffre spluttered, trying to decide whether he was upset or amused at my confession. |
"One of the most famous and unique artefacts in the entire Empire and one that shows whether you are worthy to rule or not by wearing it? I carried the damn thing for over a week so of course I tried it on." |
"And... What happened?" |
I shrugged. "It fell right off me almost like the chain broke." |
He seemed to visibly relax although I could feel Viconia’s amusement. "Anyway," I continued. "Umaril’s returning and only the person who is blessed by the gods and wielding Pelinal’s relics can defeat him. The longer it takes for him to be defeated, the sooner the Daedric Invasion will occur." |
Jauffre looked at Martin and saw the nod in agreement. "It’s true. Both the Arcane University and the Telvanni have confirmed that the barriers are perceptibly weakening." |
"You seem to have made some friends." Viconia added. |
The sigh was audible and revealed some of the weight that was on his shoulders. "I would have never been able to translate the Mysterium Xarxes on my own but I have been lucky in securing help from several sources. The College of Winterhold, the Council of Mages, Hannibal Traven at the Arcane University and even Maste... |
Finishing the last of the tobacco, Jauffre tapped the ash out of his pipe into the tiny ashtray on his table. "What do you intend to do?" |
"Travel to Skingrad and track down the old Priory of the Order of the Nine. We’re hoping to find the Cuirass there and clues on where to find the other Relics. Hopefully we can find the relics and whoever is supposed to fight Umaril before the invasion." |
"You have until the end of the year." Martin looked despondent at the fact and we all shared similar feelings. |
"Nine months? That soon?" |
He nodded. "Things will soon begin to advance quickly and it will not take much for the balance to shift away from us. The Mythic Dawn is almost entirely smashed but those that remain could be enough to bring about the end. It is imperative that we complete this ritual and retrieve the Amulet of Kings." |
"Then we will try to buy us all some time." Viconia said simply. "And, if time and fortune permits we will return once Umaril has been defeated." |
"You seem extremely confident." |
Sharing a glance between Viconia and myself, I shrugged and turned back to Martin. "We were told that our choices and decisions hold a considerable amount of weight." |
The silence that fell between Jauffre and Martin did not go unnoticed, nor did their sudden dark expressions. |
"You both know something..." |
It was Jauffre that broke the silence this time, coughing into his fist and leaning forward in his chair. "As part of my role as Grandmaster and to assist in the investigation into the Mythic Dawn, I contacted the Elder Moth Temple for assistance." |
"You had them read the Elder Scrolls in regards to us?" |
He nodded. "Although, I found out that I didn’t need to order them to do so. The Cult of the Ancestor Moth apparently have known of you both for quite some time." |
"How long is quite some time..." |
"Almost a thousand years. Give or take a century or two." He again paused as he let that fact sink in before starting to refill his pipe. "Among other things they like to keep track of individuals whose fate is tied to certain events or prophecies. My understanding is that there is only a handful of these individuals ... |
"So we’re going to vanish?" Viconia asked, looking somewhat alarmed. "What are the Elder Scrolls anyway?" |
"Pieces of creation from outside of time and existence as we know it." We all watched as Jauffre snapped his fingers together and created the tiniest flicker of magical flame to light his pipe instead of a match. "They are impossible, incomprehensible and unknowable but can be used to divine prophecies despite holding... |
"And if someone without the right training reads them?" |
"They either can’t read or understand them at all in the best case." I added. "Or in the worst case they are rendered entirely blind. We feature in one of these prophecies?" |
Puffing away like a chimney on his pipe Jauffre nodded. "The current events involving Uriel’s death and the coming invasion were recorded in the eighth century of the 2nd Era. The Moth Priests have been expecting this for a long time although as you can expect readings are extremely lacking in specifics. The correspon... |
"Did they say anything else?" |
"That this isn’t the only prophecy that you are both potentially involved in. The other prophecies are all dependant and stem from this crisis of sorts." |
Closing his eyes, Martin took a breath and began to recite a simple rhyme. |
The towers will fall; a hero stands tall. |
Mortal men - the Mer shall fool. |
Those without eyes, shall gaze upon skies. |
The Empress and the Dragon shall rule. |
"Where in Oblivion did that come from?" |
He looked at me directly. "Jauffre showed me the correspondence from the Priests. That was one of the few fragments of a prophecy that directly involves you both. The meaning as such is elusive but there is something about it that disturbs me." |
"It disturbs you? How do you think it makes me feel?" |
"Terrified." Viconia said under her breath in such a way that only I could hear her. Unbidden, our hands came together briefly for a tight squeeze, a motion that was not lost to either of the men sitting before us. |
"So what will you do now?" |
I rubbed at the stubble on my jaw and tapped my fingers against my flesh. "We will leave for Skingrad as soon as possible. This evening or tomorrow morning at the latest. If our actions do have such effects on the world, then I guess tarrying isn’t going to be the greatest of ideas." |
"Well, it makes me feel better at how the two of you can accomplish so much is such a short space of time." Martin smiled but it was somehow hollow. "I guess an explanation as such is better than no explanation at all." |
"I guess, although I think that I prefer the idea of the world ending rather than every action we take having untold consequences." |
More smoke began spreading through the air and partially masking Jauffre’s stern expression. "I’m confident in your victory my friends. The Blades stand by your side and if you need assistance you know where to look." |
"Thanks." Viconia gave me a tiny smile as I looked over to her. "I hope that we find success in Skingrad; otherwise it’s going to be a long journey for nought." |
We left Cloud Ruler shortly before the evening meal, choosing to travel the last few hours south and stay the night in the first of several coaching Inns over the coming days. Martin and Jauffre were sorry to see us leave, but they were understanding of our reasons. We left with a handful of supplies, and another pair ... |
The two books that Martin had provided us were filled with details and stories of the Divine Crusader and the Order of the Nine. From his time as a priest of Akatosh, he had his own knowledge and experiences regarding one of the most famed heroes of mankind and had specifically chosen these pair of books for the infor... |
Pelinal Whitestrake was perhaps one of the most written and spoken about individuals throughout history but the enormous length of time that had passed since the years that he had walked the bounds of Tamriel left more fiction than fact. Over the course of three thousand years, little had truly managed to survive as h... |
Of what had managed to survive the ravages of time was very simplistic and precise. He was clad in, and wielding the armour and weapons of the Eight Divines themselves, each piece as such being gifted directly from an individual god. The Helm of Dibella, the Boots of Kynareth, the Curiass of Akatosh, the Gauntlets of ... |
Martin had performed a few tests on the Helm before our departure to test whether it was the same as the Gauntlets and was proven that they too were unsuitable for the ritual. While powerful in a way that made the Light of Dawn appear little more than a dagger of sparks, they were in his opinion "not true Aedric artef... |
It was during our third night’s stay while Viconia had been looking over my shoulder that she had brought something else to my attention regarding Pelinal. As I had been reading my way through a section of the Song of Pelinal she had idly noted that "It is extremely difficult to cut someone into eight equal pieces unl... |
The journey between Cloud Ruler and Skingrad went without incident, and it proved most fortuitous that we had purchased a home within the city in the previous months. Rosethorn Hall was something that I could have only dreamed about during my time in the Legion, but now one of the most expensive houses, in one of the ... |
In a way our fame was proving to be of even greater worth than the treasures that seemed to simply fall into our hands. Our subsequent journeys through Skingrad had allowed us to invest the other spoils of our adventures with the Bankers’ Guild, spoils that included the vampiric treasures from Nornalhorst, and the thr... |
Although, I still struggled to comprehend we were some of the richest individuals within the Empire, comparable to counts and the Septim Emperors themselves. Between our swords, armours, horses, house, collection of jewels and coins we carried in our saddlebags and the amount invested into the Guilds, we could easily ... |
All of this wealth, our reputations and our skill at arms were proving to be entirely useless in the search of the home of the Knights of the Nine. They were proving elusive in ways that were equal parts confounding and infuriating but unlike the Relics of the Crusader, the Order of the Nine should have been easier to... |
The difficulties lay in a combination of reasons. Firstly, unlike almost every other Order, the Knights of the Nine had been few in number. Most orders easily contained dozens, if not hundreds of fully fledged knights and just as many, if not more squires and men-at-arms. Fittingly enough the Order of the Nine only co... |
Within the city archives, one of the few gems of knowledge I had discovered was a fairly concise list of their achievements during the two decades that the order had been in existence. First and foremost, several members of the Order had successfully recovered five of the Eight relics of the Crusader. The Order’s foun... |
Sir Berich would be destined to become the most infamous of the Knights of the Nine. Even before joining the order there were records of his victories in various tournaments and jousts but his fame exploded when he retrieved not one, but two Relics of the Crusader from the Necromancers of the Rotting Eye in County Bru... |
Champions of their generation, if not the entire 3rd Era the list of their accomplishments and victories was contained on a scroll the length of my arm. Even Viconia and myself with our wreath of victories under our belts, including retrieving a relic and saving entire cities couldn’t hope to match the Knights of the ... |
But, they also seemed destined to prove that the brightest candles burned twice as quickly. After a decade of travelling the lands, their fame and renown growing with every impossible victory the War of the Red Diamond broke out. Queen Potema of Solitude brought war to the Tamriel and several of the knights followed t... |
Some of the knights died during the war, others simply disappeared. Sir Berich returned from the war a hero and upon inheriting his father’s barony earned a seat on the Elder Council and became a prominent politician. His untimely death in 159 was attributed to a bout of illness but there was apparently rumours of poi... |
The relics too vanished like they had over the centuries previously. The greaves and sword were buried with Sir Berich in his family tomb, a tomb that subsequently got lost almost a hundred and fifty years after his death when his last surviving heir died in a horse riding accident. Without heirs the Vlindrel Barony w... |
Sir Henrik left and with his home still under the influence of the Wolf Queen established ties with the Knights Mentor. His story was one of the few successes during the fall of the Order. Retrieving the Shield of the Crusader from an unknown location and from unknown foes he vanished from the pages of history shortly... |
Casimir’s B’olden’s story was one of the most well-known of all the tales, as is the location of the gauntlets. After publicly disgracing himself by accidently murdering one of the cathedral’s worshippers, the gauntlets had fallen to the floor of the Cathedral of Stendarr where they had been impossible to lift ever si... |
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