» Fri Feb 18, 2011 10:55 pm Chapter 1- Tavern Time
Night falls on Anvil’s port district. Merchant sailors leave the ships for an evening of drinking, feasting and friendly fist fighting. Serge Arcole; Breton first mate of the “Kara Marie”, briskly walks from the docks to the shore side tavern “Sea Shanty” to meet his lovely fiancé Haley Shaw. On his walk, Serge passes by a few shipmates brawling in an alleyway with some sailors from another ship.
“Come on! Beat his khajiit ass!” an argonian yells to the fighter.
Serge just laughs and shakes his head as he knows that by morning those two will be pals again.
Mean while at the tavern, Haley is busy bringing the patrons their beer and food.
“It’s so damn busy tonight; I hope Serge will get here soon…”
Before she can finish her thought, a burly nord calls out to her stating that he wants more mead.
“Stupid, self centered nords” she says to herself.
Some time passes and Serge finally arrives at the tavern. Stepping through the door, everyone knows who he is and lets out a hearty cheer!
As usual, they idolize me like I am a hero. I am no different from them, he says to himself.
Serge spots Haley and starts making his way over to her. Both have a glow about them and sweet smiles on their faces. Serge wants this night to be special.
“Hey Serge!” shouts a half drunk orc, “Tell us about the time you saved the Kara Marie from those damn black water bandits”
Serge just stands there and sighs, he hates having to tell this story every time he walks into a tavern.
Ok ok, I’m really surprised this story has not gotten old yet... It was about 3 years ago off the shores of the Gold Coast. We were sailing as an Imperial merchant ship at the time and had a hull full of gold, goods and weapons from Summerset Isle when a huge ship flying a black and red flag approached was seen in the distance. Captain Hides-his-eyes was standing up at the helm of the attacking ship. He was a very large argonian; towering over the others on his ship. Dressed in a black and gold suit with a black hooded cloak, he resembled a figure of myth.
“Full speeds ahead, ready the port side guns! Prepare for firing and boarding!!” Exclaimed the opposing captain.
On our ship, our first timer captain quickly lost his sea legs and cowered in his cabin. Knowing that we would be sunk if we had no orders, I took charge and readied the sailors as well as the guns. All hands on the quarterdeck! Make ready the guns!
“Turn to port! Heave around line one!” Yelled Serge’s friend Nightbreed.
The distance between the ships closed quickly. The sailors were anxious and scared; holding their fire until the last possible second. Nightbreed and I were standing on the bridge. What do you think? Alternate firing or a mass gunning…
“I think fire at will would be best. Tell them to fire anything and everything that will cause mass damage”
That is true; we are outnumbered 3 to 1… It will truly test our skills as sailors and gunners.
Looking up to the sails to check the wind, Serge sees a ball and chain shot rip through the sail. Quickly looking down, he sees the argonian ship closing fast. Giving the order to fire at will, he moves the ship into place for the best possible shot. Aim the round shot at the waterline! The rest of you aim for the pirates and hope for the best!
Across the water, Captain Hides-his-eyes shouts out his orders and in an instant both ships erupt into a barrage of cannon fire, yelling and explosions.
A few tense minutes pass by when an injured wood elf approached me stating that we were running short of shot and the other ship was moving closer and was getting ready to board.
[censored]! We need to take down their sails to buy us some time… do we still have those flame arrows in the store room?
“I’ll go check” says the wood elf.
I suggest you ready your cutlass Nightbreed. We’re going to have a hell of a fight on our hands.
“Ha ha, I hope you’re ready. It’s been a long time since we were last boarded.” Says Nightbreed as he unsheathes his cutlass.
Well friend, it has been a while but that doesn’t make a difference on way or another; it’s second nature to us by now… Perhaps we should rally the men as well?
“Aye sir!” Exclaims Nightbreed as he runs down the stairs from the bridge to the quarterdeck. “Let’s go boys, arm your selves! Prepare to be boarded!”
It’s a good thing we have a smaller ship than them. They all won’t be able to fit onboard and we can try to counter board.
As the enemies begin boarding; Serge, Nightbreed and a few other sailors climb the highest mast and prepare a counter boarding.
Aim for their bridge, there is no one there and it will give us a good chance to land without being noticed right away.
One by one they swing on their ropes from the mast to the bridge. Landing as softly as they can, they reach the other ships bridge.
Nightbreed, get on the helm! Break the ships apart and have the ship sail to its weak side. The rest of you, take out as many argonians as you can. I’m going after Hides-his-eyes.
The sailors ran into the fray, swinging their weapons wildly. Nightbreed begins navigating the ships away from each other. Serge quickly moves from the bridge to the captain’s quarters.
Sitting at his table; surrounded by 3 of his most trusted officers, Hides-his eyes is planning out an attack on a coastal town in the mouth of the Brena River.
“Well what do we have here; A lone Brenton with an attitude and a sword.”
This is the end of your sinful acts Hides-his-eyes. By order of Emperor Septum, you and your men are to surrender or die!
“Ha! Do you really think you can defeat us?” He states, leaning back in his chair. “Men, do your worst to this intruder. I want his heart on a platter!”
The 3 officers rushed Serge, but he kept his cool. In a few quick moves, the 3 officers were disarmed and dead. Serge knew that his skills with a sword were far more superior to the skills of these argonian pirates. Thinking to himself that this captain will be no challenge, he walks up the stairs to the table and stares at the hooded captain.
“Do you want to know why they call me Hides-his-eyes?” He asked, slowly looking up at the Brenton. “It’s because of this.”
Hides-his-eyes removed his hood to expose that he had only one eye… half grey and half red. The other was gone.
“I gave this eye as a sacrifice to a deadric prince in exchange for an all seeing eye. There is no chance for you to win this fight; I already know your moves.”
I always love a challenge, so ready yourself. Serge says with a grin.
The two cross swords violently. Slashes and parries with every strike. Both are equally as good as the other but serge is able to gain the upper hand and slashes this opponent knocking him to the deck. Stepping back, serge makes his way to the quarterdeck to see how his ship mates are faring. Upon opening the door, he is shot with an arrow in the shoulder and falls to his knees. Looking up, he sees that Nightbreed has been captured and the others were killed. The rest of the argonian crew has circled him and then Hides-his-eyes emerged from the door behind him. Serge could still here the fighting in the distance so he knew that all hope wasn’t lost. He had to think fast.
“I told you that you couldn’t win this Brenton. You are outnumbered and injured. You are not a hero, nor do you deserve to die like one. I will have your head and your body thrown over the side. Your friend here will share a similar fate…”
Captain Hides-his-eyes raises his cutlass and says “Prepare for your doom Brenton…” and swings it down towards his target.
Quickly blocking the attack, Serge spins and slices both of the captain’s legs and knocking him to his knees.
Not if I have yours first! And in a flash, the argonian captain is beheaded and flops to the deck.
Serge slowly turns to face a stunned crew. All of them dropped their weapons and surrendered. Nightbreed was released and ordered to bring the ship into port so that these pirates would be locked up. Serge signaled for the other ship to follow them to Anvil.
Upon docking, Serge is met by the Captain of the Anvil city guard as well as a large number of guards.
“Excellent, more outlaws will face judgment thanks to you Serge. The countess wishes for you and Nightbreed to join her in her court as soon as possible.”
Serge and Nightbreed start making their way to the castle.
Some time passes when Nightbreed asks “I wonder if well get some kind of reward for this?”
As the two reach the doors of the castle, they are met by a group of guards and the Countess.
“You two have sure earned the highest possible honor that I can give you for your acts today: Killing a notorious outlaw, bringing in over 100 pirates to be jailed and managing to save all of the goods on both ships to be brought here to help the cities market. You both should be knighted for your services to Anvil as well as proving your loyalty to our emperor. I will have a messenger sent to the imperial city tomorrow morning to deliver a recognition letter to the emperor.”…
More time passes and the stories continue. Serge grows tired of telling his high seas stories and attempts to pass the attention to someone else.
Nightbreed! Why don’t you share some of your stories? He suggests.
A successful distraction as the entire tavern diverts their ears too Serge’s dark elf friend. Finally, a moment for me he says and slips behind the crowd to meet Haley.
“Those are some pretty impressive stories you tell good sir” states Haley as Serge walks up and kisses her.
Would you like to see something more impressive? He asks with a smirk.
“Give me ten minutes to clean myself up and meet me up stairs and you can” Haley replies with a wink and starts heading towards the stairs. Excited for this night, Serge turns to walk towards the door to have a quick smoke. Then, a startling sound is heard from outside…
Chapter 2- The Attack
“All hands to the docks!!” Yells the Captain of the Anvil City Guard. “We need more men! Quickly, tell the Countess to dispatch the castle guard as well!”
Serge walks outside to see what all of the noise is about when a shell explodes in front of him. What in the hell was that?! He thinks to himself. Anvil is being attacked by Pirates? Why now? Several large ships flying tattered sigil flags were gathered in the harbor; firing off rounds of shrapnel shells, graqe shot and ten pound iron and chain balls at everything in the port district.
Sigil flags… it can’t be?! The Remoras!
These Remoras are a very large group of churls that had been exiled from the planes of Oblivion. They are also highly skilled fighters in the arts of magic and combat. What makes this situation even worse is that the leader of these Remora Pirates is an evil conjurer referred to only as “Xivilai”. Serge knows all too well of this group and knows that the city and castle guards are heavily outnumbered and the only way to save the port was to rally the sailors for the fight of their lives.
Xivilai is a mean, cold hearted son of the most sinister dremora lord in all of Oblivion. Fueled only by rage, he kills and manes his was to the tavern. Upon entering, what few patrons that are still there are killed near instantly. Haley quickly tries to hide in a secret cabinet under the bar but Xivilai knows that she is there. Paying no immediate attention to her, he stalks the bar with a bottle in his hand, waiting for her to attempt to flee. A few tense moments pass and when Haley thinks that he has left, she slowly emerges from beneath the bar. Suddenly, a huge black hand grabs her neck from behind and she is pulled out and into the air! Now staring her in the face was the captain himself; Old, beaten, scared and ugly. His glowing red eyes stare at her and slowly start to roll up and down her slender body.
“I am really going to enjoy this…” he tells her and squeezes her neck a little tighter.
Haley starts to feel short of breath, and everything quickly begins getting dark. She knows that this is the end for her unless Serge comes to her rescue… but where is he she wonders.
Outside, the battle rages between the people of Anvil and the Remoras. Serge and Nightbreed are fighting side by side once again, watching each other’s back.
“Just like old times aye friend?” Nightbreed yells over the crowd.
Sure as hell is!! Serge replies.
Both men have amazing skills with a sword and most of the attackers are easily killed with one or two blows.
Do you know if Haley got out of the tavern ok? Serge asks Nightbreed.
“Honestly I’m not sure, maybe you should check to see if she has or not.” He replied.
Just then, a blood curdling scream is heard over the clanging sounds of swords and firing of cannons. Instantly Serge knows that is his love is in danger and he rushes to the tavern.
Running through the crowds of fighting men, he busts through the door of the tavern. There, lying on the ground is the twisted naked body of his beloved fiancé. Horrified at the sight before him, he feels the tears build up behind his eyes and he rushes over to her. Dropping to his knees the tears flow and he holds her. A deep, evil voice from behind is heard.
“Ha Ha, She was a feisty one. Didn’t think she would have given herself up that quickly though.”
Serge turns around to see that Xivilai is blocking the doorway. A mountain of a creature he is but Serge was not scared.
You rotting bastard! He shouts.
Without wasting a moment’s time, he grabs his cutlass and charges towards the Xivilai, swinging wildly.
Easily blocking the attack, the Xivilai laughs at Serge’s attempt to cut him down.
“Ha you’re a feisty one too huh? Still you will die just like your powerless love did.”
Serge’s impressive sword skills were no match for his opponent and with a few swings from the Xivilai; Serge is disarmed and sliced across the chest. Laughing at his failure, the Xivilai stares him down and walks out of the tavern. Serge can only think of one thing…
This is how we die? Attacked by Remora pirates…
He crawls across the floor of the tavern towards Haley’s body. Using what is left of his strength; he grabs a cloth and covers her body. Kissing her head he whispers,
I will always love you and by the Nine Divines, I will see you again in the heavens…
And then, everything goes silent. The sounds of fighting stopped and the tavern goes black.
The next morning, Serge is woke by Nightbreed.
How… how am I alive? He asks his friend.
“I found you on the floor of the tavern and had to get you back to the ship. You could have died with those wounds.”
Nightbreed gestures to Serge’s chest. His cuts are deep and infected. The gash across his chest will take many weeks to properly heal. Sitting up, Serge asks
Where are we? What happened last night?
Nightbreed gets serious and explains.
“After we found you, we had to escape the port. The Remora pirates had taken almost complete control of everything and killed off most of the guards and towns people. We had no choice but to set sail and wait for the attack to subside.”
Where is the captain taking us…? When will we return to Anvil…? What happened to Haley’s body; these where just a few questions that were going through Serge’s head.
“Don’t try to stress about things right now friend. Your body needs to rest and you need to recover.” Nightbreed explains.
A few minutes go by and then the ship’s doctor enters Serge’s cabin.
“Here Serge, drink this. It will help with the pain and infection.”
Serge drinks the remedy and thanks the doctor. Looking back at Nightbreed and opening his mouth to ask more questions, Serge’s words fall short of coming out and he drifts off into a trance and passes out.
Chapter 3- Returning to Anvil
After a day at sea and countless moments spent thinking about Haley, Serge starts wishing that he had died in the tavern with her.
Why did she die and I didn’t? He keeps asking himself.
Hours are spent having mixed thoughts about the attack and what had happened. Finally, Serge gets tired of tossing thoughts around and says in his head.
I need to go back… we all need to... Our families need us… the town needs us… I must see Haley one more time…
Rolling his beaten body out of his bunk, he attempts to make his way to the captain’s quarters.
Slowly crawling up the ladder to the next deck, Serge’s whole body aches. Stretching out his had to grab the hatch; he is startled by Nightbreed coming down.
“Whoa Serge! What are you doing out of bed huh?” He asks.
Well, I just wanted to get some fresh air. You know how stale it gets down here. Serge replies.
“Just take it easy, ok? We don’t need your condition getting worse.” Nightbreed states with a smirk.
He helps his friend up the ladder and out onto the main deck. After a few minutes of waiting, Serge makes sure that Nightbreed isn’t around and starts making his way to the captain’s quarters once again.
Upon entering the captain’s quarters, he is greeted by the temporary first mate; Burg gro-Khash, who hastily meets Serge at the door.
“What business do you have with the captain at such a late hour?” The orc demands.
As first mate, I order you to stand down and let me talk to the captain. It is a private matter that doesn’t concern you! Scowls Serge
The two argue back and forth for a few minutes. Orcs are just big and stupid creatures. They think that their size and power can scare anyone into doing what they want, but Serge knows better than to take a verbal beating from someone who temporarily holds a position of power.
Knowing how little Orcs think, Serge uses a few “big” words and it shuts the orc up. Burg; feeling insulted and stupid, allows serge into the captain’s quarters.
“Don’t take too much time in there. It’s late and he probably wants to go to sleep soon” Mumbles the Orc.
Serge pays no attention to Burg and makes his way into the cabin area. Captain Bernardo is at his desk studying some costal maps when he is startled by a large shadow looming in the candles surrounding him.
“Oh! By the Nine… Serge, you scared me. What are you doing here? Its late and you’re not in the condition to be walking around.”
There’s something on my mind Bernard. It’s of great importance and I need answers…
“It has to do with Haley right?”
Well, yes it does. What happened that night? Why did we leave port? What happened to her body? I need answers…
“Serge, the entire harbor was overrun. I was more worried about the safety of my ship and crew rather than the harbor and those damn guards. Worthless fighters they were… couldn’t even drive the Remora back, so we fled.”
What about Haley? Is she still at the tavern?
“I’m not sure; the tavern was nearly destroyed after Xivilai left it. We had to dig you out from under a pile of stone and wood.”
YOU DIDN’T TAKE HER TOO?! WHY??
“Serge, she was already dead…”
I KNOW SHE WAS!!
“Now just calm down, don’t forget who you’re speaking to”
I don’t give a [censored]! You turn this ship around. Take us back to Anvil so I can get her and give her a proper burial. She deserves to have one like everyone else! You just can’t leave her lying on the floor of a ruined tavern, covered in who knows what!
“I will not take, nor will I follow such orders; especially from an individual of lower rank and class than myself… I order you to return to your cabin and remain there for the duration of this voyage!”
Serge’s face grew red and his muscles tightened. His anger grew to such a point that his blood could boil. In an uncontrollable instant, he leapt over the desk and both men fell to the deck. Serge grabbed the neck of Bernardo and started to squeeze with all of the strength that he had. With one hand on his neck, the other was clenched and ready to strike. Watching the captain struggle, Serge let loose his anger in a storm of fierce punches. Captain Bernardo’s face turned a deep red and a pool of blood started to form under his head and then, as quickly as it had started it was over. Bernardo’s body went limp and his eyes glazed over. The struggle was over and Serge realized that he had committed the worst crime at sea that could be committed. The captain was dead and Serge was to blame.
Having reopened the gash across his chest; Serge was in a great deal of pain, but there was no time to lose. Now was the time to take control, before the crew found out about the death of the captain. Moving as quickly as he could, Serge left the cabin and went up to the bridge.
Helmsman! Turn the ship around and take us back to Anvil. Those are captain’s orders!
“Yes sir!” Replied the helmsman.
Some time passed and Serge makes it back down to his bed. He tries to calm himself by thinking about the fact that he’s on his way back to Anvil but the horrifying scenes of his beloved Haley and Captain Bernardo keep playing over and over in his head. Also knowing that it’s going to be light soon, Serge doesn’t get much sleep.
The following morning, Serge wakes up to the sounds of men arguing up on the quarterdeck. Slowly rolling out of bed, he dreads going topside to see what it’s all about. Making his way through the ship and up to the deck, the argument becomes clearer to hear.
“Someone murdered the captain last night!” Yells one sailor.
“I think it was that Orc Burg!” Yells another.
Knowing that he will most likely be killed if the crew finds out it was him, Serge decides to keep him mouth shut and find Nightbreed.
In the galley, Nightbreed is having breakfast when he spots Serge wandering around.
“Hey Serge, come in here and have some chow. You need to start getting your strength back.”
Serge makes his way to the table and sits down in front of a big plate of meat and vegetables.
“I take it all that ruckus topside woke you up eh?” Nightbreed chucked.
Yes, kind of. Do you have any ideas of what it’s about?
“All I know is that the captain was murdered and the crew is blaming that Orc. I also believe that they have him tied to center mast and they are waiting for your disciplinary orders.”
Why are they waiting for me? Serge asks, taking a big bite of rat meat.
“Because you are the first mate, he’s not. So technically, that makes you stand in captain until we get to port.”
Just then, an argonian sailor comes into the galley.
“Sirs, the crew requests that you come topside as soon as you can. It’s very important.”
Not wanting to cause a scene, Serge and Nightbreed follow the sailor up to the quarterdeck. Upon reaching it, the entire crew is in an uproar.
Burg gro-Khash is chained to the center mast and a crew of 50 argonians, imperials and dunmers has surrounded him. All of them yelling and throwing things.
“Attention on deck!” Yells a sailor when noticing Serge and Nightbreed emerge from the cabin hatch.
The crew quickly grew silent and all eyes focused on Serge.
Nightbreed, why don’t you take control here? I’m not exactly sure how to address this issue.
“All right men, what’s the problem here?” Roars Nightbreed
The crew erupts into senseless arguing and incoherent jabbering.
Nightbreed turns to Serge, “I don’t even think they know what’s going on”
Well, that’s a bit of a problem then. How far are we from Anvil?
“Probably about a half day at full sail sir” states an argonian navigator.
Half day huh? Well set course for Anvil then, and try to be there by dusk. As for the rest of you, resume your duties and leave the Orc tied to the mast. Well let the city guard take him once we arrive.
Serge thought to himself; the longer the orc was isolated the better and the quicker the ship could get back, the safer he would be. Choosing not isolate himself, Serge chooses to sit up on the bridge and stare out into the sea. The endless horizon and multicolored sunset seemed to calm his nerves some and once again, he started thinking about Haley. Not thinking about her death, but remembering all of the good times that they shared together over the 3 years that they were together. A small smile grows and a tear rolls down his face as the sun sets quicker into the water.
Nightbreed walks up behind Serge and lays a hand on his shoulder. “Were almost to Anvil, the lighthouse is in sight.”
Good… Serge says to himself, but when he turns to look at the harbor, he can hardly recognize it.
Anvil’s port district is practically in ruins. Every building is burned and the outer wall crumbling. The docks are crushed and the ship is forced to land on the beach. The bodies of guards, sailors and Remoras are scattered around the district and floating in the harbor. Serge climbs over the rail of the ship and down a rope to the beach. Nightbreed quickly follows him and the two make their way through the hundreds of bodies and burnt structures to get to the tavern.
When they arrive, Serge feels an overwhelming feeling of sadness and hatred come over him.
She must be here; she has to be… he says
“Well let’s start looking, daylight is fading fast” Says Nightbreed.
It takes a good hour before Serge finds Haley’s body in the rubble. Calling Nightbreed over to help him, they both lift the debris off of her and carry her out and into the grass.
“I’ll leave you be. If you need me, I’ll be on the ship” Nightbreed says and starts to walk away.
I have to give her a proper burial, he says to himself.
Thinking of where to bury her, Serge picks up Haley and carries her to their special spot on a hill overlooking the sea. This spot was very special to the both of them. It was where they shared their first kiss and where they made love for the first time. It was where he shared stories with her that the patrons at the tavern never heard. It was also where he proposed to her a few nights before the attack on the harbor.
I have to bury her there. I know how much she loved going there and I know it is where she would want to be laid to rest.
Serge worked through the night digging her grave and at first light; when the sun just started to come up over the horizon, he laid her down to rest. For the remainder of the day, he sat next to her and carved a headstone. Many times, Nightbreed had come to visit him, bring him food and try to comfort his friend but Serge was all but shutting down.
The sun started to set and daylight was running out once again but Serge had finished her grave site. Not wanting to leave, he stayed next to the flower bed he had planted for her and watched the sun go down. Knowing that he needs to get some amount of sleep, Serge gathers a bunch of moss and grass to build a bed and also gets some wood together for a fire. The warmth of the fire and the softness of the moss quickly caused Serge to fall asleep, but little did he know that a long restless night was ahead of him.
