» Fri May 27, 2011 6:24 pm I contacted L@zarus with he idea, and he approved of me writing a fanfiction based on his mod. So, without further ado, I give you Chapter 1 of the Dungeons of Ivellon!
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Chapter 1
It was a cold, dark night in Bruma. The pitch-black sky was letting down a thin layer of snow, most of which disappeared as soon as it hit the ground. A chilled wind blew down from the higher Jeralls, making its way down to the valley that was the rest of Cyrodiil. Nobody dared go outside in weather this cold, not even the native Nords.
In other words, a perfectly normal Bruma night.
Since everybody was inside, nobody saw the small, nimble Bosmer moving swiftly through the streets, keeping away from the few street lamps that were still burning. The cloud cover made sure that the stars and moons weren't shining as she slipped through the castle gates and into the keep.
The inner halls of the castle were only sparsely guarded, and only a quarter of the torches were even lit. It was child's play to stay out of the flickering lights and she didn't even have to put any thought to walking silently. The guards were sparsely posted, mostly just so that they would be able to hear each other if anybody called for help. Then she came to the Countess' room, and that was when the tricky part began. She didn't have much information as to whether Countess Carvain was a heavy or light sleeper, so she took extra care to pick the lock on her room quietly. It was with equal care that she slowly, silently pushed the door open, stepping inside.
Narina Carvain was asleep in her luxurious bed, her large room heavily furnished with bookshelves, display cases, and a work desk, all the finest quality. It was in one of the display cases that she found her quarry.
Apparently, her intel had been correct. The amulet that stared back at her from under that glass was none other than the Draconian Madstone, an Akaviri artifact of great renown. An enormous piece of green jade stone was set into a golden amulet, a finely crafted golden chain to go around the wearer's neck.
The lock on the case was easily twice as difficult as the one on the Countess' door, but she managed to open it with nearly as little sound. She stared back at Carvain after every click though, just to make sure she was still asleep. She turned to leave, the precious Madstone in her possession, when another display case caught her eye. The case was sitting off in a secluded corner of the room, away from everything else. Inside of it was a book.
Books had always been Emhredel's weakness. Many a day and night had been spent pouring over the text of a book, whether little-known or well respected. She had read every one of the major series in Cyrodiil, and even a few from the other provinces. The book that stood before her was a dark, dark brown, with no title on the cover.
Curiosity got the better of the Bosmer, and she quickly picked the lock, which was much easier than any of the others in the castle, and quietly pulled the book out of the case. She resisted the urge to pull it open and read it right there, instead tucking it under her arm. She slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her and silently sneaking her way back out of the castle. It was slightly more difficult with the book under her arm and the amulet in her hand, but she managed.
Once out, she calmly made her way to Olav's Tap and Tack, where her employer was waiting. On the way, she pulled the book out and started reading, her eyes having little trouble reading with the light from the occasional street lamp.
She hadn't gotten very far by the time she got to the tavern. All she knew was that it was called "The Dungeons of Ivellon," and it was by Marcus Scribonia. Something about an old, hidden fortress, abundant with treasure. She quickly dismissed the book as a work of fiction, tucking it back under her arm.
Even though her employer looked like any other patron, she spotted him instantly, traveling across the room and sitting across from him at the small table he was at.
Antonius Marcus was a middle-aged man, slowly weathering into his late thirties. When he was younger his hair was completely black and down to his shoulders, but now it was cropped short and was beginning to go grey. His eyes were a faded blue color, almost grey, and ever so faint wrinkles were becoming visible on his face. "Did you acquire it?" he asked in a low voice.
Emhredel nodded, looking around to make sure nobody was watching before she set the Draconian Madstone on the table in front of her. Antonius took out a small bag of gold Septims, placing it on the table beside the amulet. The two slowly took their items, the Madstone to Antonius and the gold to Emhredel. The Bosmer smiled at the man, who simply nodded back. "A pleasure doing business with you, as usual."
Emhredel made a sort of mock salute in return. "Anytime, Tony."
As she got up to leave, Antonius noticed the book she was carrying. "What have you got there?"
"Oh, this?" She held up the book. "Just a piece of fiction I found in Carvain's room. I didn't think she liked her fantasy novels enough to lock them up." She smiled.
Antonius made a low humming sound, then held his hand out. "May I?"
"Of course, you can have it." The Bosmer laughed, freely handing him the book. "I've never liked fiction much. More for history books, myself."
Antonius didn't respond, he was already reading the first page. Unlike Emhredel, Ivellon was a name he had heard before.
Much of the book was just telling things had had already heard form stories about the legendary fortress. That it was built and abandoned by the ancient Ayleids. That Alessia had used it as a sort of prison camp for troublemakers. And, of course, that the vaults were filled from bottom to top with all manner of treasures.
The author? Marcus Scribonia, huh? He had heard of a Casta Scribonia, the well-known author living in Chorrol. When he looked up, he found that Emhredel was still there, staring at him. She knew him well enough to know that he didn't like fiction either.
"What is it?" she asked, intrigued and curious.
Antonius took in a deep breath, then sat back and let it out, a smile forming on his mouth. "I think I've got another job for you. What would you say to coming with me to Chorrol?"
