The young Altmer brushed a silver strand of hair from his face, frowning as he rapidly paged through an open tome on the ancient desk in front of him. “Where is it?” He muttered, flipping the pages back and forth, scanning each one quickly. “I know I saw it here yesterday!” His eyes lit up as his finger ceased its descent down a weathered page. “Two quantities of bonemeal! I knew it!” He smiled to himself as he leaned back and rubbed his eyes. He stood stiffly and brushed off his robe of black silk, silver runes glinted faintly in the candle light. He stretched and carefully picked up the bug lamp, his only light in the tomb he placed his study. The cold, stale air shifted slightly as if insulted by his presence, but he ignored it as he gathered up the ancient tome he was perusing. He left the tomb and locked the heavy door behind him, taking a deep breath of fresh air. Altmer were not meant to be underground, he thought, unlike the Dunmer, but he knew this tomb, miles away from the nearest town, was the perfect place for his study and experiments. With only ghosts to keep him company, he felt sure his secrets were safe. After all, even the dead can tell their tales if properly coaxed.

He looked around the desolate landscape underneath the night sky. Why the Dunmer lived in such a place, he didn’t know. Ashlands indeed! Everywhere he looked there was ash, and where there wasn’t, looked like it should have some. Oh how he missed the Summerset Isles with its misty forests and lush greenery, a sharp contrast to the barren soil here. He grimaced and chided himself for spending so much time in the tomb, but it couldn’t have been helped. He was so close! He silently thanked whatever God had led him to that book; though he was certain he didn’t want to know which one did. Gripping his staff tight and tucking the book underneath his arm, he set out towards Maar Gan, once again glad he found this small town. Sure there was a Temple and a Redoran outpost, but the former was run by a fool of a Dunmer who only cared what happened in “his” town and the guards of the later were too busy keeping the wild animals at bay to pay much attention to those entering and leaving.

The Altmer steadily traveled across the wastes, careful to keep the twin moons from reflecting off of his golden skin. Though well trained to use the staff in his hand, he preferred to not tussle with the many creatures about who might mistake him for prey. As he walked, his thoughts drifted towards his mission. Soon he would raise his father and learn the truth! His stepfather killed his father to marry his mother, he just knew it! All he lacked was proof, but that would be soon in coming. But first he would need an experiment to ensure that his technique was right. After all, his previous attempts to raise the dead failed because he was missing an important ingredient. What was that Dunmer’s name? Rothan something? Not that it mattered, he wasn’t anybody important and it was unlikely his family would bother trying to raise him.

The moons had nearly reached their zenith as the Altmer saw the tower of Maar Gan over the mountains. He stopped and set his burden down before concentrating and weaving his hands in a complex pattern. A moment later his form disappeared from sight. Smiling to himself, the Altmer retrieved his book and staff and quietly continued on. He looked in disgust at the Dunmer Ashlanders settled around a campfire just outside the city. Guards, he thought to himself, useless beings. They claim to keep the peace, yet let these savages camp right outside their door. Still, they may prove useful…he would have to convince that idiot, Listien, to help, but he was sure the Breton would agree to his plan if properly asked. He was sure he could play on Listien’s hunger for power – after all, the fool thought he could summon the very Daedra and control them. Most conjurers spent years perfecting their craft, yet this Breton wanted it all right now. Well, the Altmer would give it to him right now, just not exactly how he expected…

He continued his musings as he came to the door to the hut he and Listien shared. He rapped on the door three times, paused, twice more, then three times again after another pause. He dispelled the magic shielding him from sight as he waited for the door to open. As the last of the spell wore off, the door creaked slowly open and a young, severe face peeked out into the moonlight. “You’re late!” the Breton scolded him.

I would recommend doing a new paragraph after each thing of dialogue, but very well written over-all, Jac. I am impressed by your talent.

Thanks. I did the new paragraph when there was dialog, but I didn't feel the bit the Breton first said to Torgefin required one. Something to think about though.

---

“I’m sorry; I didn’t realize I had a curfew.”

“Never you mind, Torgefin. Get in here before somebody sees you!”

The Altmer smirked before replying, “And who’s going to see me, Listien? The Ashlanders over yonder? They’re all sleeping and none noticed my passage. The guards? They’re all either sleeping or having a drink in the tavern. No, no one shall see me. But, if you continue to block my way, that may change.”

The Breton frowned, but moved aside so the tall Altmer could enter the hut and quickly shut the door behind him. He brushed a lock of dark hair from his face and rubbed a beardless chin. “So, how went your experiment?”

A shrug. “I am closer than I once was. A few more trials and I should be successful. I don’t know how the Dunmer do it, but their shades are rather…uncooperative when it comes to summoning them. But soon I shall break their spirit, so to speak. How go your...trials?”
The Breton snorted. “Aye, trials they are. My master is holding back from me, Torgefin, I just know it! Why else would she not teach me how to summon the servants of the Daedra?”

Why indeed, Torgefin thought. Could it be because you are a fool and she does not feel you have the ability to control what you summon? Out loud he replied, “I do not know, Listien. Could it be because she feels threatened by your potential power? It would not be the first time that the master has felt intimidated by the potential of the pupil. Still, if I am to be successful, I shall need your help in summoning an ancestor ghost. Mayhap the two of us shall have greater success where the one has only failure.”

Listien rubbed his chin. “Huh. You may have a point there, Torgefin. While I’d rather summon Daedric servants, one does have to start somewhere. A ghost should be easy enough, that was the first spell I learned. I’m having trouble with it, though. Maybe you can help me with it.”

“Of course, my dear friend. Together we shall achieve more. Do you, by chance, have any ancestors buried nearby?”

“No, I don’t. Why? Do I need one?”

“It does help with the focus, yes. But, since you have no ancestors and neither do I, what shall we do? Oh, I know. We shall procure a…specimen for our experiment.”

“What? Are you insane, Torgefin? Do you mean to murder someone?”

A shocked looked. “Murder? Why no, dear Listien. Do you know of those Ashlanders outside the city? If we were to capture one of those, certainly the guard would not gainsay us. After all, do they not harass passing travelers?”

“You have a point, Torgefin. So, how are we going to do this?”

“That, my friend, is a study in simplicity. We ensure that they are well and fast asleep and then take one. The others may well wonder where their comrade went, but who would they turn to? If they came into the city, the guards would try to arrest them and they are rogues; they are outcasts, no tribe will render them aid. Likely they would blame the beasts that wander the land. None-the-less, we must be quick and quiet, less they awake and attempt to defend themselves. We cannot afford undue attention.”

“Ok, I’m willing. When should we do this?”

“Now is a perfect time, my friend. Gather the rope and I shall prepare the bed.”

The Breton nodded. “I hope this works, Torgefin.”

Torgefin smiled. “Of course it will, my friend. Now let us prepare.” Yes, fool, let us prepare, Torgefin thought. I hope you’re ready. Because if you are not, you shall be my next experiment. He mentally ran through his known spells; sleep and invisibility should do the trick. The first to ensure that they were well and truly asleep and the later to prevent unwanted attention. They would have to be quick and quiet, though, it would not do to have the guards asking uncomfortable questions.

I am really liking this story

Thanks. I'm glad you are. I'm enjoying writing it..when I get around to it. I have about nine pages written so far and will likely be adding more soon.

---

He went into one of the back bedrooms and stripped the bed. He then cut open a cloth sack and spread it across the bed, tucking in the sides. That should do it, he thought. Listien will have to tolerate having an unconscious Dunmer in his bed; at least the filth from its skin won’t soil his sheets. He smiled slightly at that thought and went to retrieve his staff. As he entered the main room, he saw Listien standing by the door covered in black. Torgefin shook his head slightly and arched an eyebrow. “Are we members of the Dark Brotherhood now, Listien? I mean, the head to toe black is a bit much.”

“I thought you didn’t want to be seen? It’s night, I’m wearing black, I should blend right in.”

“Don’t be a fool, Listien. That...technique only works in stories told to young children to excite their imagination. You would not blend in. Quite the contrary, you would appear as a hole in the sky walking along the ground and that, my friend, would cause you to be noticed far quicker than if you were to run naked through the city in broad daylight. Regardless, I intend to hide us from site, so your choice of clothing is unnecessary.”

“Dark Brotherhood? What do you mean? I’m not an assassin, I’m a sorcerer!”

“Yet you dress like a fool. No matter, we must leave soon before the moons set and the sun rises. Do you have the rope?”

The Breton glared and held out the rope, saying nothing.

Torgefin nodded and led the way out of the house. After both were outside, he concentrated and waved his hands in an intricate pattern as he spoke the words of the spell. A few moments later, they vanished from site. He nodded to himself and reached out to grasp the sleeve of the other’s shirt. “Come, Listien. My spell will not last overly long and so we must be quick.” He ignored the other’s reply and set off towards the camp without another word.

As they approached the camp, Torgefin released his hold on the fabric and grasped the Breton’s arm instead to stop him. He squeezed the muscle hard once before letting the arm fall. He waited a few moments for a sound and satisfied none was forth coming, he raised his hands again and weaved them in a complex gesture as he silently mouthed the words to another spell. He smiled as he saw soft sparkling lights fall amongst the sleeping Dunmer, disappearing as they landed on skin and clothing. He reached out and grabbed the Breton’s arm again. “Now!” he hissed as he drug the other towards the sleeping bodies. He gazed over the four of them before settling on one of the younger males. Yes, he’ll do nicely, he thought to himself. Young, strong and full of spirit. Yes, he should survive the summoning just fine. He waved his fingers between him and the Breton, smiling as they both appeared.
“This one will do.”

Listien pointed at the sole woman of the tribe. “Why not her?”

Torgefin arched an eyebrow. “Can you not visit Suran if you require the…services of a woman? No, this male is perfect. We need one strong of body and spirit. That one will likely not survive the process.”

The Breton glared before responding. “I know you like to play with the dead, Elf, but not me! I only want someone that will clean up the house, which is why I want the woman.”

The other smiled complacently. “I meant no offense, my friend. If you require a maid, we shall hire one. No, for what we must do, we require someone of sturdier stock. Now, tie this one up; my spell will not last overly long and I do not enjoy the idea of being exposed.”

The Breton snorted, but set to tying up the sleeping Dunmer tightly, making sure to weave hoops for dragging the body back to their hut. He took out a piece of cloth and bound the Dunmer’s mouth. “Okay, let’s get out of here. I’d rather his friends not wake up to see us like this.”

“Oh, do not worry about that, my friend. They’re likely to sleep well into morning. Still, we must return before morning. Grab a hold of him while I render us from sight again.”He waited while the Breton grasped the loops and recast the spell of invisibility. After they both vanished, he reached down and took hold of a free strap. He grunted slightly as they started dragging the sleeping Dunmer back to their hut. Dead weight is a very appropriate term, he thought to himself. At least he had the fool of a Breton to help him; he could not have done this on his own.

He stopped as they reached the hut and opened the door, looking around as Listien drug the body inside. He quickly shut the door and dispelled the magic surrounding them, but not on the Dunmer. He bent down and grasped the Dunmer’s legs, helping Listien carry him to the bed. After they deposited the body, he straightened and stretched his back. This had better work, he thought to himself. This is a lot of trouble to go through for a failed experiment.

Echoing his thoughts, the Breton said, “This had better work, Torgefin. We went through a lot of trouble for something that might not work.”

Torgefin patted him on the shoulder, smiling. “Oh it will, my friend! Don’t forget, I have the book.”

“Yes, yes, I know about your book. Why haven’t you shown it to me? Is it that much of a secret?”

“I am afraid it is, my friend. The knowledge is not for those…unprepared for its gifts. Maybe someday you will be prepared, but you are not at this moment.” No, my friend, you shall only know the power of this book when I use it on you. One such as yourself is too stupid to understand the intricacies of it and would only soil it with your touch. Torgefin smiled at that thought as he reached into his robe and extracted a long, curved dagger and approached the sleeping form with the dagger poised to strike.

A look of horror crossed Listien’s face as he grabbed Torgefin’s wrist. “What are you doing? Are you mad? We can’t kill this man!”

Torgefin looked at the Breton calmly. “Release my hand, Listien.”

“Only if you promise not to kill this man!”

The Altmer studied the other for a few moments before shrugging slightly. “If that is your wish, I shall spare his life.” He regarded the unconscious Ashlander. “I shall spare his life, but he shall still be my servant.” He relaxed his hand and let the dagger fall to the floor, not needing it for what he had planned. After Listien released his wrist, he bent over the unconscious body and wove an arcane blanket in the air. Once satisfied, he broke the spell keeping the Ashlander asleep. The Dunmer woke with a start and looked around before settling on Torgefin. In a rough voice he asked, “Yes, master?”

Listien looked at Torgefin and the Ashlander still lying on the bed. “What did you do, Torgefin? Did you steal his mind?”

“Don’t be foolish, Listien. I merely used a Command Humanoid on him. Now he is my slave until such a time as I release him.” He rubbed his fingers and stretched his back. “Now that that little bit of unpleasantness has passed, we will have to procure another specimen for our experiment. Oh, do not worry, my friend, we shall utilize a more…prepared subject next time. There is a tomb not far from here that would be perfect.”

Author's note: This is the last I have of the story currently but I am planning on working on it again shortly.

---

Listien held up his hands. “Oh no, Torgefin. This is too much for me. I never wanted to summon dead people, I want to summon Daedra! You can talk to the dead all you want, but leave me out of it.”

“If you cannot summon the merest of ghosts, Listien, how do you expect to summon a Daedra? They are far more dangerous than a spirit, I assure you.”

“You’re just like my master! I’ll tell you what I told her! I am ready and I will summon a Daedra! If you’re not going to help me, then you can find another place to hold your experiments! I have work to do.”

The Altmer inclined his head. “Of course, my friend. My servant and I will trouble you no more. Slave, get up and gather my things, we’re going on a trip.” The Ashlander sat up without a word and started to pack the Altmer’s things. Torgefin smiled at how quickly his new pet was performing his duties and turned to the Breton. “Because you have provided much needed assistance, I shall leave you with this warning: do not take the Daedra or their servants lightly. To do so is folly.” Though I know you’ll do such a thing, he thought to himself.

“Pfft. I can handle myself, Torgefin. Just grab your…servant and be gone! I still need to prepare.”

“Of course. I wish you luck” for you’re surely to need it, fool. He gathered up his staff and swept out into the night, his new servant in tow. He looked up at the night sky and glanced around before turning towards the tomb. The two walked in silence, careful not to be seen.

This story is quite interesting. I can't wait to continue reading it.



:rofl: I like this character.

Thanks, Logorouge.

---

As they came upon the tomb, Torgefin stopped and scanned the area. Satisfied that no-one had seen them, he dug out a heavy key and opened the lock. “Put my things over by my desk and stand in the corner, slave. I shall call you if I require anything else” he directed to the Ashlander as he gestured towards his desk. He looked out the door before closing it and locking it, the sound of the lock falling into place echoed in the still tomb, the thud of the last nail driven into a coffin.

He dropped the key back into a pocket sewn on the inside of his robe and went to his desk ignoring the silent Ashlander in the corner. He lit a candle and opened the heavy tome he was studying, quickly loosing himself in the ancient texts. Time passed swiftly and his eyes grew droopy. He suddenly felt strong fingers wrap themselves tightly around his neck as a presence loomed behind him. Hot breath bathed his ear as a gravelly voiced spoke to him: “Where am I, s’wit? Speak quickly or die where you sit.”

Torgefin jerked awake as he felt the fingers tighten themselves, but then forced himself to relax. He scanned the desk looking for a weapon before smiling. “You are west of Maar Gan, my friend. I brought you here because I found you near death. Is this any way to repay a stranger’s kindness?”

“Do you take me for a fool, fetcher? I know you brought me here, but why? Speak quickly!”

Torgefin sighed heavily. “Fine, I shall tell you. I required a servant and you seemed worthy. I will happily reward you for your services. Surely this would be a better life than living a barbaric existence, every day death looming in the form of a guard or something…nastier. Will you not consider it?”

The fingers tightened as the voice grew menacing. “You outlanders know nothing of us, fool! For this, you will die!”

Torgefin threw his hands on the wrists of the Ashlander as the later tightened his grip. They struggled briefly before Torgefin was able to work a small, sharp needle from the hem of his sleeve and jab it into his attacker’s flesh. He bent over in his chair, holding his throat and coughing as the Ashlander’s lifeless body fell backwards and hit the floor with a heavy thud. Torgefin put the needle on the desk and poured himself a glass of mazte from the pitcher on his desk to help clear his throat. He held the cool glass to his forehead before swallowing it with a single gulp. He placed the glass back on the desk and stood on wobbly legs, steadying himself with the back of his chair. He turned around and examined the lifeless husk before him. “A pity. You would have been well rewarded. But you will still serve me.” He straightened and turned back to the book, carefully turning the pages until he found the section he sought. “Ah, here it is: corpse preparation. Let’s see. First the body must be left to the wild animals so that it may be picked clean. Positively gruesome, isn’t it? Be thankful that you will not feel that process.” He laughed softly as he prepared the body for moving.

End Chapter One

Javin muttered as he was shaken awake. He opened bleary eyes and stared into a face much like his own: a thin face covered in golden grey skin with piercing almond eyes settled above a narrow nose. A tight mouth frowned at him before speaking, “Wake up, brother. Or do you wish to sleep the morning away?”

Javin raised a hand and rubbed his face while pushing the other away. “I’m awake, Garin. There’s no need to shout.”

“Hmph. As if you would wake up quicker if I did? Not that I could if I wanted to. The last thing we need is for that cadre of Mehrunes Dagon worshipers to know we’re out here.”

Javin glared at his brother before sitting up. “Fine, fine. What’s for breakfast? Or are you going to tell me we’re eating cold nix hound meat again?”

“I’m afraid so, brother. You know Elam won’t allow fires this close to the shrine.”

Javin scowled at the mention of the Ordinator’s name. He wondered again why he and his brother agreed to guide the group to this shrine. But the money was right and their father insisted. It would look good for them in the eyes of the order, he said. Maybe the Temple would accept them as recruits. He didn’t have the heart to tell his father that the Ordinators didn’t accept half-breeds. He and his brother were scouts and that was fine for them. But they had to keep their father happy, if only for their mother’s sake. She had already lost one husband and loosing another could crush her. Still, their father was a fair if stern man and only wanted the best for his children. Javin just wished he could see that what he wanted was not going to happen.

He was startled out of his revelry by his brother’s hand on his shoulder. “Javin, are you thinking about father again? If so, you need to stop because I need you focused. Those cultists are likely well fortified and we need to scout their defenses, less we lose someone.”

Javin waved a hand. “Don’t worry, brother. Mother has told us often enough of how she lost her first husband. I won’t let any of our charges die on our watch.”

Garin smiled at his older brother. “Now that’s what I wanted to hear. Get something to eat; I’d like to get started before the sun rises too high.”

Javin snorted before rising and looking for some water to wash up with before breakfast. “Yeah, yeah. The sun won’t be up for long before I’m ready.”

After a cold breakfast, Javin quickly donned his netch leather armor. He tried to ignore the looks the Ordinators threw his way and walked over to where his brother was waiting. He glanced back at the others before turning to the shrine. “Arrogant Ordinators, just because they look like golden eggshells doesn’t mean that everybody has to.”

Garin chuckled before replying: “They probably wonder how we can walk around in animal skins like the ‘barbaric’ Ashlanders in the north. But we’re being paid to scout, not make friends, brother.”

“I know, but the looks…”

Garin slapped his brother on the back. “What about them, brother? Looks don’t kill. It’s the shiny blades we carry that do. Besides, if they didn’t need us, we wouldn’t be here.”

“You don’t think this could be about mother and father, do you?”

A shrug. “It could very well be. The Dunmer here don’t particularly like outsiders, especially half-breeds like us. But they need us more than we need them, right? So stop your worrying and let’s get going before they wonder if we’re stalling.”

“You’re probably right, brother. Let’s go.”

Garin grinned as he lead the way down the path from their camp. They picked their way slowly and stealthily, keeping both eyes peeled for cultists and other creatures. They both heard the stories of how those cultists liked summoning the servants of their Gods and neither wanted to be ambushed. Garin halted and held up a hand as the air was pierced by a high screeching sound.

Javin crept up behind his brother and leaned close to his ear. “What was that?”

Garin frowned. “I don’t know. Whatever it was, I don’t like the sound of it. Let’s be on our guard.”

Javin nodded and checked the string on his bow to ensure it was taut. He followed his brother as they rounded a boulder and heard the scream again. He stopped in his tracks as a small, bipedal form rushed towards them, claws extended.
“What is that thing?”

“I don’t know, but shoot it!”

Javin drew back the string and let loose an arrow, staring in wonder as it harmlessly bounced off of the skin of the creature bearing down on him. He dropped the bow and drew his sword, the silver metal gleaming in the sunlight. He positioned himself with his sword in a high guard position as the half-naked creature came close, its long ears flapping behind it as it ran. At the last moment, he side-stepped out of the creature’s path, slicing down with his sword as he did so and sliced off part of its ear. The creature howled again before gurgling on its blood as Garin’s sword sliced through its throat.

Javin stared at the creature as his brother withdrew his sword, and tried to catch his breath. He shook his head to clear it and withdrew a cloth to clean his sword. He sheathed it and turned to his brother, who was also cleaning his blade. “What was that thing?”

“I don’t know, but I would rather not see the likes again. You were right in that these silver swords would come in handy. We’ll need to have them repaired, though, before they chip and break. I still think we should have gone with good enchanted steel.”

Javin frowned. “You know that enchanted steel isn’t reliable, brother. Besides, with what it would have cost us, we could have bought two silver blades. Maybe after this job is over we can look at them again.”

Garin shrugged. “I was only thinking aloud, brother. Come; let’s see if there are any more of these…creatures about. If there are, I say we let those back at camp deal with them.”

“Good idea. Lead the way.”