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Leaving us with a grin on his bearded features, Viconia and I were left to our own devices and we began settling in for a short stay within the Stallion Lodge. Our rooms had been left untouched barring some mild cleaning by the Order’s servants and we were quickly able to change out of our armour and travelling clothe... |
After we were Knighted and before we left, Sir Ramauld had made mention that he had sent recall notices to every member of the Order. I don’t think that I really considered the numbers that were contained within the Order’s ranks until they all began assembling for the evening meals. A dozen or more roasting spits and... |
Almost all entered the dining hall, and to my surprise especially there was enough space for every member to sit at the dozens of tables arranged in an enormous double-U shape. Sir Ramauld and the other commanders sat at very head of the table with Viconia and myself taking our places to his right and the rest of the ... |
As the food was served and the Order began the evening meal, there was an obvious stirring amongst the members, especially due to the fact that the Boots of the Crusader were sitting at the place of honour on the head table where they, and their unique nature were clearly visible. Heads would turn almost in waves of m... |
Sir Ramauld gave everyone time to finish their meals but the word had gone around that an announcement would be made and there was an obvious air of expectation through the enormous hall. He almost didn’t even need to rise to his feet, grasp one of his gauntlets he had purposely left on the table for just this purpose... |
"My brothers and sisters. Tonight, for the first time since our founding we can truly say that the Order of the White Stallion have been gathered under one roof. Tonight not only do we acknowledge the return of the two newest members of the Order and raise toasts to their deeds, but we will also be looking forward to ... |
There was not an overly boisterous applause or shouting, instead a rolling thunder and clapping as the members of the Order either brought their hands together or slapped their palms on the surface of the tables to acknowledge us. there were quite a few flagons, mugs and glasses raised in toast to us and the Boots and... |
Sir Ramauld nodded in our direction and I silently cursed to myself as I hoped that he would have spoken for longer and bought me more time before it was our turn to speak. Carefully, I raised myself from the bench where Viconia and I sat alongside the Nordic Knight Commander and looked over the hundreds of pairs of e... |
"My greetings to you all." I said simply, projecting my voice as I had when I still served the legion and had to train some of the Hastatii. As I tried my best not to look at any of the assembled men and women of the Order, I couldn’t help but notice that not all present belonged to the Knights of the White Stallion. ... |
"Madame Devir and I have joined the Crusade to recover Pelinal’s Relics and we have been incredibly successful in our quest thus far. The Boots are but our latest, public success as over the past two months we have also retrieved the Helm and the Cuirass." |
The ripple of excitement and surprise washed through the room and it prickled at the back of my neck to hear that there were some who doubted our claims and voiced their displeasure openly. Some would have been speaking out of hurt pride having failed their own attempts in retrieving some of the Relics, but for the mo... |
"The Helm and Cuirass are safe for the moment and while we intend on re-establishing the Order of the Nine to safeguard the relics we currently seek the others. The Mace, Shield, Greaves, Gauntlets and Sword are yet to be recovered and we both know of the Shield’s whereabouts." |
"You do not seek the Mace?" called out one of the knights seated closer to our table and I shook my head. |
"The Mace has been within the Cathedral of Zenithar in the City for thousands of years. How many of you have attempted and failed these past days, even past years in some cases and have been unsuccessful?" Judging by the way that many of those present; Knights and servants alike lowered their gazes or looked otherwise... |
While I had the appearance of looking each and every person present in the eye, I was using an old trick and looking just above everyone’s heads, seemingly looking everywhere and at everyone at the same time. I would also turn and look at those seated at my own table, looking over Sir Ramauld and his senior commanders... |
"We will instead seek out the Shield. We know roughly where it is but it is not a simple journey. So far we may have been successful in claiming three of the eight Relics but we will need help finding the others. In the coming days Viconia and I intend on journeying towards the East and seeking the Shield in the weste... |
This particular statement had all the effect that I expected it to have. The room would have fallen into a crashing silence if not for the crackling of cooking fires arrayed the far end of the hall. Every being before me had long since lived in County Leyawiin and there was not a single one of them who didn’t understa... |
Many of who sat before me knew this better than most. The Order of the White Stallion, in its geographical proximity to the boundless marshes, swamps and mangroves that consumed the land to the East was well versed in the region. It had been these men and mer sitting at their tables who had scoured the lands free of b... |
As such it wasn’t a surprise when no one moved at my announcement. There was the shuffling and the series of uncomfortable coughs as many turned and spoke to their companions or outright refused to look in my direction but neither Viconia and I were truly surprised. To anyone in the Empire, the mere mention of such an... |
What Viconia and I didn’t expect was the loud smack of a flagon on a polished wood surface as one of the hundreds present rose to his feet. Short but well built, one of the travelling Knights wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and turned to face me. "I’ll go." |
My grin was heartfelt and I nodded my thanks to the man as felt his scrutiny. "Your name Sir?" |
"Detane Acqunax." He said simply, and I heard the way his words flowed with an obvious accent from far away Highrock as he pronounced his name as De-tan-ay. "I will journey with you on this quest." |
The shuffling to my side opposite Sir Ramauld caught my attention and I felt my jaw drop as Sir Alexi rose to his feet. Ever since the Knight Commander had sat down to allow me to speak, the sword champion had been whispering in his commander’s ear and the smile on the red head’s face was enormous. |
"I will also join you. The gods know that you will need someone of skill and grace to make up for your obvious shortcomings." There was no mistaking the ripple of amusement throughout the hall as Alexi did an elaborate and theatrical bow. "My sword is yours Sir Desin." |
"As is mine." |
The deep, baritone voice cut through the air as effective as a thunderclap and as one the hall stiffened and turned to the enormous armoured figure striding from the main hall. Everyone within the dining hall, barring the two senior Knights tasked with guarding the Boots were dressed in little more than pants and tuni... |
"The Sacred Order of Talos’ Black Knights will assist you in this quest Sir Desin." He said and I struggled not to feel as small as an ant even with more than ten metres separating me from the titanic Redguard warrior. "Together we will retrieve the Shield." |
"I... Ah. I thank you Sir Gaz’Kern." I stuttered, hearing not only the series of muttered exclamations through the entire hall at his appearance and announcement but also the way that Viconia sucked in a breath through clenched teeth at the sheer intimidating quality of the Knight before us. "We welcome your aid." |
Thudding a fist almost the size of my head to his chest with jarring force, he bowed again and turned and strode off as quickly and decisively as he had appeared. His presence and announcement had dulled all conversation and murmurings from the rest of the dining hall and despite asking if there were any more voluntee... |
It was difficult not to feel confident with the likes of Sir Gaz’Kern and Alexi choosing to join us on our trip to Blackmarsh. Viconia especially seemed amazed that not only had we gained the assistance of such a warrior as the towering Redguard, but also one of, if not the greatest swordsman in the Empire. Detane was... |
When morning came we found ourselves within Leyawiin itself and meeting the two individuals who had been recommended by Sir Ramauld as our guides. Weebam-Na and Bejeen were a pair of locally born Argonians who had made their living as hunters and trackers throughout the swamps and mangroves to the east of the City and... |
Weebam-Na especially was a twitchy, but likeable fellow. The appearance of Viconia and myself at his door had originally sparked a strange kind of concern from the lizards but they were also equally as quick in relaxing and getting to the point of our meeting. Within a few minutes and turning down a somewhat cooked me... |
"You certainly weren’t kidding when you said you needed to go deep into the Black, that area is as remote as they come." |
The Argonian hunter shrugged, his muscles coiling under his scales and I could see the various scarring where some... thing had left its mark in the past. He didn’t have the build to be an archer, but judging by the rack of various spears arrayed against the wall and the fact that the environment to the east wasn’t su... |
"Not really. A few scattered tribes and maybe the odd marsh village or two but otherwise that region is deserted. And for good reason." |
"Dangerous is it?" Viconia asked simply. |
Bejeen hissed softly to herself in amusement and I immediately thought of a pot coming to boil. "No. At least no more dangerous than the rest of the marshes. No one really lives there because there is nothing there of any worth." |
"Might be the odd few escaped slaves or other outcasts but nothing that should give us any troubles." Weebam-Na’s grin was almost crocodilian as he bit down hard on the meat covered bone that he had been gnawing on since our arrival and worried a strip off. "How many are coming?" |
"The four of us, and three others." some kind of sick curiosity made me watch him eat the chunk of meat by simply tearing off a strip and swallowing it whole. Despite my few experiences with Argonians I couldn’t get used to how they couldn’t chew. "I don’t think that we will have any more." |
"Good. Simpler for food and water. Also cheaper for passage to Rockguard." |
"We’re going to need to catch a boat from here to a settlement closer to this fort of yours." A scaled finger tipped in a short claw tapped at the nearest major settlement marked in the region we intended to travel. "It’ll be a month’s or more journey otherwise just to get there. The two of us scalies would get there ... |
"Fair enough. How much for your services?" |
Another chunk of meat was peeled away from a bone and he made the act of thinking it over. "Four hundred gold for a month’s passage. This doesn’t include supplies though; those you will have to get yourselves. Where you want to go is too dangerous for anything less." |
Inwardly I grinned as I had guessed the amount he was going to suggest and had already prepared for it. Several more of our gems had been evaluated and exchanged in the city before we had arrived and the solid thump-jingle caught both their attentions as I dropped it in front of him. |
"Two hundred and fifty gold. You’ll receive the other two hundred and fifty once we get back." |
A clawed handed plucked the pouch full of coins and felt its weight. While inhuman there was a gleam of satisfaction in the both expressions of the two Argonian hunters and Weebam-Na grinned even wider with pieces of flesh dangling from between teeth. "You know how to bargain smoothskin." |
"I used to be a forester in the Legion. I know better than anyone that good guides are worth their weight in gold and only a fool doesn’t listen to those who know the area. Sir Ramauld recommended you both and I trust his judgement." |
"Gailer has always been an agreeable employer." He replied simply, rolling a few of the coins in the palm of his hand. "Very well, you have your guides. How soon are we leaving?" |
"How soon can you be ready?" |
"Ha! For five hundred septims we could start walking there right now, but for a group of landstriders we will not leave until we know that you are all prepared. Pack light but remain armoured, and bring as many spare waterskins as you can carry as I’m uncertain how we’ll go for fresh water once we leave the cities. Fo... |
"And I’d certainly be happier being alive to pay it." |
We shook hands again and this time I felt the way that his scaled fingers clenched harder than before as he subtly tested me. "Unless you have any objections we will leave the day after next. It will give you time to acquire supplies. We will make arrangements for the boat." |
Allowing the vampire to rise to the surface slightly, I found it amusing the way that he kept his face carefully blank in the attempt to keep his surprise at the way that my hand felt as solid and unyielding as steel. After a moment’s pause, I nodded, letting him go and allowing him to salvage something from our littl... |
But other than the few sarcastic quips about proving the girth of my manhood, our return to the Stallion Lodge was short and noon was almost upon us. before we had all retired for the evening Viconia and I had arranged to meet the other members of our party to organise the journey ahead of us. By the time we walked th... |
"Success?" Alexi said as he watched us walk over to them from his position leaning against the stone walls. |
"Indeed. Weebam-Na and his mate agreed to take us. The day after tomorrow we’ll leave by boat to Rockguard and make our own way from there." |
His grin was contagious. "Excellent. I love it when a plan comes together." |
Returning his smile I looked over the other two members of our party. Falid was dressed in his armour that he never seemed to take off, towering over us all and emphasising just how short the last member of our group really was. While anyone appeared tiny to the enormous Redguard, Detane was by far the shortest of the... |
There were several things that were extremely striking about his appearance, and while Falid’s presence drew the eye, it was Detane’s that truly kept it. His face was hard boned and almost reaching the point of malnourishment with well-defined cheeks that looked permanently sucked in as though everything around him di... |
His armour too was an oddity. Between Falid’s enormous ebony plate and Viconia’s and my unique armours his was a shambles. A cheap brigandine covered his torso, the leather layers sandwiching a layer of steel bars as wide and as thick as my finger woven throughout and for the most part it was tattered and rusting. In ... |
"We are travelling to Blackmarsh very soon indeed." Detane muttered, scratching at his jaw where several days of stubble grew. Everything about him appeared ill-kempt except for his waxed moustache and sword at his hip. |
"We all have the rest of today and tomorrow to prepare. Viconia and I will source most of the food and other supplies for the journey but it will be several weeks before we will return." |
"I have everything I need right here." A gloved hand tapped on the moth-eaten bag that was attached to his back and Datane shrugged. "I travel light these days." |
"I also have everything I need Sir Desin." Growled Falid as I turned to look at Alexi. |
His grin remained as large as ever as though he was joking at the entire world’s expense. "I suppose I better throw a few things into a sack and drag it along. Should I bring my nightwear?" |
"You are in an awfully good mood." The growing smile on Viconia’s face was also one of hidden amusement and for most people it would have left their blood running cold. |
"Of course. To tell you the truth I was getting bored being cooped up in the lodge. You can only go so long looking at the same four walls before you begin worshipping Sheogorath. If Gailer kept me here for any longer, I would have thrown my lot in with some daedra worshippers just to find a nice Oblivion portal for e... |
"That sounds like you." I replied. "Good thing you’re with us so we can keep a good eye on you." |
Behind me and Viconia, the voice cut through our small talk and drew the attention of all five of us. It wasn’t a subtle yell either, but a few decibels softer than a battle cry to cut through the noise of a group of knights moving towards the gatehouse to take their steeds for a ride. |
The sight of the orc strolling into the Lodge grounds wasn’t an unusual sight as such. Several members of the Order and a large number of the Men-at-Arms were greenskins but this one didn’t belong to the Knights of the White Stallion. Sauntering across the cobblestoned square in front of the main doors, the appearance... |
It was Viconia that picked up the crucial detail that I had initially missed, as her eyes widened and jaw clenched in an effort to keep her reaction hidden. "By Shar... It’s female." |
I had never met anyone before who was as tall as the Black Knight of Talos standing just to my rear, but I was used to most orcs towering over me. This one was no different and I had to tilt my head back slightly to look her in the eye. Like any decent armour, the orichalcum plate she was wore was sexless and mostly h... |
"Youse those knights headin’ to Blackmarsh on that fancy holy quest thingy?" |
"Yes. We are." Alexi said carefully, giving the orc a quick look up and down and chuckling to himself. While not small man himself, she was well over a hundred and fifty kilograms of muscle and out weighted all of us bar Falid. |
"Good. I’m comin’ with ya." |
The silence that fell between all of us was only for a moment as I shared an expression with Viconia and Alexi. |
"Well. This is unexpected." Laughed Alexi. "Why do you want to come with us to Blackmarsh?" |
"I have business to the east. I heard youse lot were headin’ there so I thought I would come along. |
I looked over the way that her armour was heavily battered and had seen a significant amount of fighting. The mace at her hip and the shield slung over her back were also well used and while well looked after there was no doubt that there was only so much cleaning could be done before the blood and stains were permane... |
"Mazoga gra-Ornim." |
Viconia looked confusingly at the way that Alexi, Detane and I fell silent at her name and I carefully licked my lips. Although I didn’t know much about the orcs outside of the few I had served with during the legion, I knew enough of their native tongue to translate. |
"Mazoga... the-Orc?" |
At my query she simply sighed loudly, put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. "Yes, I’m an Orc. I was born under a rock and I have no parents so I don’t need a family name. Is that going to be a problem?" |
"Yes." Detane’s sneer was as sharp as the sword at his hip. "We don’t need a daedra worshipping pig with us." |
The temperature of the courtyard dropped by several degrees and I saw the flush of anger rise up from Mazoga’s collar and darken her features. Detane’s expression remained unchanged except for the fact that it became noticeably more challenging. |
"Careful little man." Mazoga’s voice lowered itself almost to a whisper that threatened the worst kind of death imaginable. "I’ve dropped turds larger than ya..." |
"Really?" Detane stepped forward and before any of us could react or understand what he was doing, his sword had appeared in his hand like magic and the very tip of it was pressed into Mazoga’s cheek. Even Alexi was stunned at how quick the diminutive Breton was and the overwhelming control that he had with his blade.... |
The surprise at his actions was absolute. While both I and Alexi had reacted swiftly there was several seconds before our brains reacted the to the way that Detane had drawn his weapon against a being he had only just met. We were both slow in comparison to Falid as a midnight black gauntlet suddenly clasped itself sh... |
"I believe that there are laws disallowing violence and assaulting others Sir Acqunax." The Black Knight growled. There was silence between us all and other than the sudden paling of Detane’s face at the overwhelming pressure being exerted on his wrist. I was the only one with hearing sufficient to hear the way that h... |
Mazoga for her part remained still, grinning and staring at Detane with an expression positively oozing challenge despite the way a trickle of blood began making its way down her cheek. The show of his skill was impressive, as was her determination not to give an inch. |
"Release me." The rasp in his voice was the only sign of Falid’s grip on his arm. Even if he wanted to, he sword wasn’t budging a millimetre and it may as well have been entrapped in a boulder. |
"Not if you are going to continue assaulting every person we encounter." For a moment Detane’s eyes moved to mine as I addressed him directly, before they returned to the amused expression on Mazoga’s face. "Which is even if we let you come with us after a stunt like this. You are meant to be a knight Sir Acqunax. Jus... |
"I’m not a knight. I’m a chevalier." |
Alexi snorted loud enough for everyone to hear and his customary grin had returned. "Disenfranchised eh? Let me guess; it was because of your wonderful people skills and unyielding spirit of cooperation?" |
Detane’s face became flushed with anger and I stepped forward, spearing everyone with an expression I had last used against a group of fresh legion recruits. "That’s enough from everyone. Detane, whether you belong to an order or not doesn’t matter to me. You pledged yourself to Viconia and I and in doing so pledged y... |
Carefully, I turned and looked between Dartane, Mazoga and the towering Falid. "Do we have an understanding?" |
Detane’s expression soured as though he had bitten into something rotten before carefully nodding. Alexi and Falid did the same as the Black Knight released his grip on the batted vambraces on the Breton Chevalier’s arm. As the blade lowered itself from where the point had dug into green flesh, Mazoga was grinning ear... |
"Not even a knight. Pah! Even I’m a knight!" |
"The same goes for you Madame Mazoga." I said, rounding on her with a snap in my voice. She started at the sound of my voice and the way that I had taken a few steps towards her, looking over her armour for any traces of heraldry or markings. "What Order do you belong to?" |
The silence that fell was deafening and I squinted in confusion as I looked at her. A tenseness that filled her and for those few seconds her eyes were moving everywhere but meeting anyone’s gaze. |
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