Watching as people began to take seats around the fire, Claudius yawned and walked over to a table with bottles of mead scatter atop it. All he really wanted to do was to lie down and allow his dreams to take him away.

I'm certainly not as young as I used to be he thought to himself as he walked over to the crowd around the fire and took a seat by the logs. He spent a few minutes watching the flames flicker and dance before he decided to speak up.

" So...what about those stories then? Who wants to go first? " he said out loud as he looked at everyones faces, hoping somebody would answer him.

Slings-His-Knives sat back down in time for Lucien to speak out. it was the time of night Slings-His-Knives was looking forward to. Learn about his companions and there use of tatics.

I shall have to speak first, to get everybody going.

"I have a story," He spoke allowed, asif answering Lucien, but speaking generally to anybody who was bothering to listen. "I remember it like yesterday, a very exciting day."
"I was 14 years of age, and the chief had just notice my use as a scout. I was sent on a simple mission, with a more senior scout. He was very skilled, and watched my back for me. He supplied me withmy first equipment. Three daggers and a longsword. I had them hid at various places around my body. Up my left sleeve, in my right boot, and one straqed to my left upper thigh, for emergencies.
"I was given my horse, Walks-On-Air," He motioned to his horse, tied to the tree "And I followed my senior everywhere, trying to learn everything i could. So as we walked up an old abandoned road, where we would set up a camp while we did or reconassiance mission. A bandit camp was spotted up ahead, so my senior stopped me dead. Webacktracked to a safe place, and tied the horses up.
"We walked back, quietly. Senior let me stay back, and watch him in action. He stayed in ym vision at all time. I watched him approach the camp from the trees. He came back after studying it for a few minutes. 'Okay,' He said 'There is three at the camp right now, but I'm sure there are others. When we have cleared it, we can inhabit it for oursleves, as it is set up nicley.' I nodded to him, to encourage him to continue the story 'So follow me to the camp, and be careful of fallen twigs on the ground. Anyway, when i let loose the first arrow, I shall watch the road, and its up to you to finish the other two bandits. I'm sure your a capable swordsman, most people in our clan are.'
"I nodded, and then followed him around the back of the camp, and he drew his bow. He let loose the arrown, and it hit a Kahjiit in the neck. He collapsed, coughing and spurting blood everywhere. I emerged from the tree to see an orc and reguard. The orc advanced on me first. I reached for my longsword at my side, but it was jammed. I slammed my boot into the orc's chest. and grabbed the handle of the longsword with both hands, and ripped it out. As it came out at such great speed, I swung it round, and it cut the Orc's head clean off. I pushed his body over with the foot i had jammed into his stomach, and watched him drop.
"The redguard moved forward, and so did I. I drew my sword in the air, and slammed it hard down onto the redguard's sword, which he had raised to block my attack. I lifted it back up, and slammed it down again, and again. I placed my boot into his stomache, making him recoil. I switched hands with the sword, so i was now using it left-handed. I reached into my boot and pulled my dagger out. I kept swinging with my sword, aiming for his legs, making him weave and jump. I made precise stabs with my dagger, but the redguard blocked them all. I slid my sword along the floor, aiming for his foot. 'Why won't you die!?' I yelled at him. The redguard paniced. I threw my sword at him, which made him step back. I lifted my arm in the air, and slammed it towards the earth. The dagger flew out, and i grabbed it with my hand. I swirled the blades in ym hand for a while, before i got into a stance i liked. I leapt at the reguard, slashing as quickly as i could, stabbing at every opening. Before long, the redguard had toppled over, gasping for death. I dropped the dagger in my right hand, and knealt down behind him. I lifted his head, and drew my dagger to his throat. I slit it, without a chance for him to speak.
"So the rest is, everything just went to plan, and that was one of the most exciting fights of my life."

Slings-His-Knives looked down, and started downing his mead, not looking at anyone else. He just hoped he'd get them in the mood for stories.

As the Argonian told him the story, Claudius nodded as it went along and smiled when it finished.

" You must be a capable warrior then Argonian however there was one flaw in your fight " he paused as if waiting for a response and took a sip of his mead " you let anger take control of you, if that redguard knew anything about true combat and didn't panic...you would be dead by now ".

It was time for him to tell a tale to the group around the fire about a previous adventure he had in Morrowind. Although it was partly true he would have to change some of the details around to fit with the mercenary theme which meant that much of it was lies.

" Well, I think that maybe it is time I tell you all my tale, a tale of treachery, backstabbing and sweet sweet revenge. It begins in Morrowind or more precisely Vvardenfell provence, Balmora about 10 or more years ago. I don't know if any of you have been there before in the past but it is a most beutiful place full of many strange things and people. But anyways allow me to get on with my story. I was hired by a man to fulfull a simple task, get a ring from a tomb. Now he would do it himself but apparently it is illegal to do such things over there so he wanted me to do it. I accepted his offer and immediatly headed over the the tomb with the correct equipment. When I found it hidden behind lots of vegetation in the West Gash region I had to lockpick the door open and kill a skeleton. Simple. I finally reached the room with the ring which looked to be on some sort of pedestal guarded by a most angry looking Bonelord. Now I was lucky to have brought a powerful flame scroll from a shop in Balmora and found it most helpful here as it killed the creature almost immediatly. After it was dispatched and my prize was aquired, I left the tomb only to be greeted by the man who had hired me.
' Thank you for finding me this little prize but I am afriad this is where we part. Goodbye mercenary...' he said as he grabbed it from me and walked away as 2 angry orcs jumped out of the bushes with huge axes. Now my reactions saved me from my head being cleaved off as I side swiped the creature and cut him in two. The other one however wasn't so easy and our duel was most brutal. Now my memory may be fading me but I am sure it ended with his head departing from the rest of the body and rolling into a small puddle. After my little encounter I decided to find the Dunmer for my payment which consisted of lots of panicing, begging and a sword through his stomach on his part and the ring and 11,000 Septims on mine. Basically the moral of the story was that no one double crosses me without dying. Next please... "

After finishing the story he looked around to whomever would carry on next and took another sip from his half empty flask.

This is too easy, I hope it stays this way he thought

Listening intently was Nero's strong point. It was always easier to listen. He cleared his throat, noticing it was slightly sore. He felt a cold coming onto him.
"I have a story for you all."

He stood up, and began to speak eloquently, resuming his haughty tone.

"Now, unlike you Mercenary, my 'blade' has not taken me far from Cyrodiil on many occasions and certainly many of those places weren't the epitome of beautiful, however I have had in my time, moments of intrigue and treachery."

He lifted the flask containing the petals of nightshade, and cheap wine to his lips and drank deeply.

"Sometimes, as this mercenary has shown, your employer can betray you. And in other cases, its just the same."

A smile began to dance in tune with the flickering flames.

"I was in Elsweyr at the time, one of my first trips outside of the Imperial province and I was quite wary. However, I began to seek out my target. You see, a friend of mine tasked me with finding a Khajiit named 'Hides-his mane' who lived with a group of others in a moon sugar den. Now, what I saw when I entered the cave where the addicts dwelled to this day sticks to my mind. I was sure at this point my employer was truthful in his judgment but times had changed. Necromancers were now lurking within. The addicts hung from the walls in several pieces and to this day I'm not really sure who my target was but shortly thereafter I blacked out. A necromancer had come up from behind me and whacked my across my skull with his glass mace. I assure you - it hurt. Now I awoke on a table with a scalpel by my head and other instruments lined up around my body, seemingly anxious to poke, prod and slice me. I cried out from someone to grant me an audience but I ended up with the man who hired me placing a gag over my mouth..."

He took another sip and let the story begin to lay on the people's minds.

"...At this point, I resigned all feelings but fear. And to this day I wonder if things would have gone differently if my companion hadn't come along at that instant, would my future by oh so much different. Eternally bound to the decrepit coven of necromancers far east of Leyawiin. Now, at this point in my life, I was feeble. Weak. Mentally, physically, even metaphysically. I wasn't just yet a conjurer, nor a successful mage. My greatest feat was summoning a runty scamp. Not exactly effective against a coven, I assure you."

A small chuckle escaped from his lips before continuing.

"Now, my friend, a witchhunter and battlemage, and adept with a halberd, easily sliced halfway through the entire body of the employer, from the head of his scalp to his lower stomach, the halberd sunk deeply into the now corpse. I was splashed with blood, and other raw ingredients before closing my eyes and listening to the screams, smelling the burning flesh and feeling cold, skeletal fingers undo my clasps binding me to the altar. I opened my eyes to a skeleton standing above me, who immediately turned and ran to it's masters aid. That day I decided to unearth the magicks of conjuration more thoroughly, and now... I believe I'm quite learned of its essence."

A grin replaced the smile as purple mists coalesced through Nero's fist, but not gathering like before, merely setting and waiting.

"Anymore stories?" Nero asked, politely but in a way expecting.

Listening intentivly to the story until it finished Claudius took one final sip of the mead until his flask was drained.

"I have another story for anyone who may be interest but i'm afraid you will have to wait a minute while I refill my flask " he spoke out the the group as he stood up to grab another bottle. As he walked away he thought in his mind how he would tell them this particular story and played it out in his head as he poured the bottles contents into the flask until it reached the top. He sat back down in his space by the fire and took a heavy drink of the mead and began.

"Well it all began within the city of Tear which was in Morrowind, Dres district and was sometime after my last story as I was making my way to Argonia. You won't believe much of what I saw there. Images that would scar your mind as I seen hundreds of Argonian and Khajiit slaves among other races there being herded and sold in large marketplaces" he here stopped for a second and looked at Lie-In-Shadows. He wondered what he was thinking at the moment as he knew Argonians didn't exactly like how the Dunmer treated them.

He carried on "Well while I was walking through one of the marketplaces an Argonian slave beckoned me over to him and...I think he mentioned something about a slave raid on his tribe. Now I'm not sure if this is right but it was called....Rajazar or Rajavarz or something like that. Anyways he mentioned that if I ever found an Argonian called Slings-His-Knives then I should tell him what happened. Thus far however I have never met him and probably never will I think. Tamriel is a big place after all, even after all of my travels here..." once again he stopped and looked at Lie-In-Shadows for a second who looked a little distraught.

Must make him angry i suppose me talking about all of this, perhaps I should change the story

" Well anyways, I was stopped by a Dunmer who asked me if I could do him a favour. Well really all he wanted me to do was murder a high ranking house noble. Now i'm not too fussy about the jobs I do so long as I get paid for it. Well he offered me 15,000 septims to do it and I happly obliged to do the deed..." Claudius went on to talk about how he fought his way through the guards of his estate and made his way to the grand office and fought a spectacular duel with the noble and barely left the place alive but with the nobles head.

"...I showed the Dunmer the head and he happly presented me with the heavy bag of gold and mentioned how that guy I just killed was head of finances of the house and now that he was dead it was going to be passed on to him. Strange isn't it that even a mere mercenary can change politics without even realising it. Well...anyone else got any stories then or am I going to be telling them all night?"

The only truth in what Claudius had actually said was about the slaves and the Rajavarz, everything else about the Dres was all lies he made up in order to change the subject. When he was still a soldier in the legion he was stationed in a small fort garrison near Tear and had often visited the city when he was given free time. As much as it disgusted him to see all of the grand slave markets he had to put up with it until he finally decided to ask if he could be posted somewhere else, anywhere else as it did not matter to him where he was put. Even Fort Frostmoth would do so long as he got out of there.

I knew. Almost felt it. I could sense the wishing well doing its work.

Slings-His-Knives looked at Lucien, then at Nero, wondering if he'd picked up on his name being called out in the story. He had to learn more about this raid, who was responsible, but he didn't want to give to much away about myself.

"Lucien," Slings-His-Knives called out, "I've always taken intrest in fellow argoinians, do you think you could tell me more about the raid that happened on the... The..." He paused for dramatic affect, pretending he'd forgotten. Truth was, he'd never forget. And he'd never sleep well until he found those responsible. He continued, "What did you call them again? Thats it!" He pretended he'd remebered, "The Rajavarz."

Slings-His-Knives knew that his act was poor, but he had to know more.

Even if it kills me...

Name: Allerleirauh (Aller for short)
Race: Bosmer
Age: 89
Class: Scout/ Thief
Faction: Autocracy
Rank: Autocracy: Deviant

Equipment: Long Bow, 3x Quivers, Short Sword, Silver Daggar, 3x Healing potion
General Description: Long fair brown hair, Hazel eyes, dirt on his face to have some sort of cammo, 5' 2", moderatly muscular. A Elven Tattoo wrapped around his left bisept, with some kind of lost language (Only Allerleirauh can read it)

Mental Description: Allerleirauh or Aller, mostly keeps to himself. He will randomly go out alone and hunt for Soldiers of the Empire. He is known to attack supply wagons and other merchants heading to Legionnaire Camps along the forrest. He is very brutal to any Legionnaire that is caught out in the open with out armor. He sometimes enters Legionnaire camps and cuts the throats some, before returning to the trees.

Major Skills: Blade, Marksman, Light Armor, Sneak

Minor Skills: Blunt, Aleration, Acrobatics

-somewhere between skingrad and the camp-

Aller looked around checking for any danger from legionnaire's. He quickly but quietly stalked through the night, constantly checking for danger. Aller's had not faired well during the day, he was attacked by a small contingent of legionnaire's that were on their way to Skingrad. Aller had taken a dagger strike in between his third and fourth rib, which had wrapped up later in the day. He had heard of some strange movement some where near Skingrad, and decided to see what it was.

These damn Legionnaires, and their armor, I should have pierced that armor with two hit from my arrows

Aller continued on checking behind him, as he made his way to a little opening in the forrest growth. Aller quickly and also painfully climbed a nearby tree, as he saw some figure's walking around. Aller decided checking out who they were, and painfully jumped to a nearby tree branch, hardly making the jump, Aller realized that it was a group of soldiers from the Autocracy. Aller was'nt so sure of them either, but at least they were better than the Empire.

"Hello there..." aller yelled to the tall man who seemed to be somekind of wizard or mage?

"I'm from Skingrad, I need help..." aller thought for a moment, as the man approached him(Nero). It was a first that Aller had ever asked for help, but he was wounded and with no where to go or anyone to go to, he need the strangers help...

Claudius looked at Lie-In-Shadows and listened to what he said.

Why is he so interested in this? he pondered Perhaps he just wants to help?

"Well, like I said, my memory fades me a bit. It was so long ago you see but I do remember some things about it. The Argonian mentioned something about a House Dres slaver raid on his clan as they burned down the village and killed those who fought back and captured those who were injured or hid. They then took them away to Tear back in Morrowind and tried to sell them as slaves, others were spread across to plantations all around the Dres lands. The Argonian asked me to tell someone named Slings-His-Knives I believe about what happened but like I said, I have never seen him yet. That's as much as I know I'm afraid..."

Just as he finished he heard some noises from the trees behind him and stood up and unholstered his sword from his side. He looked up to see what looked like a wounded Bosmer asking for help. It looked like it was pointed towards Faust so Claudius kept quite and waited to see what would happen next...

Skingrad?

Nero creased his brow into a frown and made his way to the bosmer.

"Come, wood elf. Explain yourself and let our soldiers redress your wounds."

Nero's head began to reel.

If Skingrad was taken... Flavian is... No. We must hurry!

Slings-His-Knives sat there, and let the scene lay out in front of him.
he thought about what Lucien had told him.

House Dres were responsible... I don't know how i should take on a whole organisation but I shall

Slings-His-Knives didn't take much notice of the bosmer in the tree, until the penny dropped.

Skingrad! A wounded soldier from Skingrad!

Slings-His-Knives stood up, "We will need to rise early tomorrow, if Skingrad is endanger. Wood elf, you must tell us more of what happened."

Aller looked at the man who showed him to a group of soldiers, that seemed to be sitting around with bandages and other medical supplies. He looked around the camp, seeing two men over near a tent stairing at him with a curious look.

Aller sat on a tree stump as one of the soldiers studied his wound. The camp seemed to have some sort of buisness being here, but that did'nt distract aller from the tall man standing infront of him.

"M'Lord, I was going to Skingrad from the forrest after a "hunting trip", when I saw a group of Legionnaire's traveling to Skingrad. I followed through the tree's for a bit, before the Legionnaire's spotted me, and began to fire arrows at me. Luckly I still had some arrows and took three of them out, but the rest seemed to have some kind of mystical armor, which my arrows could not pierce. I fled after trying once more to pierce the armor, but to no avail. I was struck by a sword when I got up close, but still my weapons were useless against their armor. I fled into a grouping of shrubs and finally found this camp, all by accident mind you", aller shut his mouth looking at the soldier who proded his wound. Aller winced at the pain, as he looked up at the tall man standing before him(Nero)...

He stood there and listened to everything that was being said.

Legionaires as far as Skingrad? It must be a scouting party for the main assault force then. If we are going to Skingrad we will be in the middle of a warzone

The Bosmer who had just arrived was dressing his wounds and talking to Faust about It all. Claudius decided he would introduce himself to the newcomer, perhaps he could find out more from him for his mission. Putting his flask down on a table he walked over and held out his hand

"Greetings Bosmer, my name is Lucien, mercenary for the Autocracy. I heard what happened and by the sounds and looks of it you just barely escaped with your life"

Aller looked at the man that had approached, "It was just luck really, the name's Allerleirauh, but I go by Aller for short.", the bosmer stood up, to greet the man as the soldier finished wrapping his wound, "I thought that this camp was a Autocracy camp, but what are you all doing this far, I thought you were all still near Bravil and Cheydinhal?"....

Damn Bosmer he scorned in his mind

"Well those mercenarys obviously are missing out on good money then aren't they?" he laughed "I don't act like others in my buisness you see. I prefer to go where the money is highest and competition is least. Buisness sense" at this he tapped his head and laughed again. This quick thinking was beginning to get to him and hurt his brain. If it kept up like this then his cover was bound to get blown. He was going to need to finish his mission sooner rather than later and get out of there before it was too late.

"Anyways I came out here to look for work, just got back..."

Wait...this guy is a Bosmer. He is bound to know what's going on in Valenwood

"...into Cyrodiil after a few jobs you see. Anyways you must be tough to survive an ecounter with a Legionaire group. What were you doing out there stalking Legion soldiers near Skingrad?"

Slings-His-Knives decided to stay away from the bosmer for the moment, thinking he was swamped enough. He'd finished his homemade mead, but it had little effect on him.

I've got to stop drinking so much...

He walked away from the campfire, embracing the cold and dark. He walked to his horse, stopping at his bag and taking another homemade mead. he continued walking to his horse, enjoying the solitude.

This camp is getting more intresting by the minute, A tree climbing Bosmer form nowhere, a powerful mage commander, disguising himself as a deviant, a mercenry, a simple scout deviant pretending to be a commander, and eight horseman, two of which are missing. Such diversity.

He stroked Walks-On-Air, who was lying down next to the tree. He knealt down and layed next to his horse, leaning against its back. He layed his head back and closed his eyes. He pulled the cap off his mead and took a long deep drink.

House Dres...

House Dres...

Revenge...

Aller looked at the mercenary with a mysterious look, he saw that a Argonian was in the camp as well. Aller placed his attension back onto the mercenary, who seemed to troubled with something, aller knew that this mercenary was not on the level.

Wonder what he's hiding in that brain of his?, aller thought as he spoke to the mercenary.

"Your logic does'nt make sense, why would mercenaries work where the pay is low, I though mercenaries liked to challenge eachother?", aller said in a insultive tone. He knew that the mercenary was up to something, but he did'nt know what. Aller turned his attension back to the man who looked like a mage.

"Well I can tell you this, the Legion's in Valenwood are cold hearted and savage, every town, city and settlement they enter, is burned to the ground after they leave. ", aller looked to the mercenary once more, "And as for me "Stalking" the legionnaire's, thats my buisness, NOT yours", aller sat back down and surveyed the camp, and the land around it...

OCC: Where the hell is Panzerfluch?

OOC: He should be on soon. In his local its only about 04:00 PM

IC: Slings-His-Knives raised his head suddenly at the loud voices.

That bosmer is already raising trouble?

Slings-His-Knives looked in the general direction of the group.

And at the mercenry? Bosmer's homeland is Valenwood, and the mercenry did say thats where he was working before. Somethigns up...

He stood up, looking at his horse. Still fast asleep. He walked towards the group. "Whats going on over here?" Slings-His-Knives called out. He raised the mead bottle to his lips and drank more. It was finally taking effect.

OOC: I apoligize for my recent inactivity, I was hit with a a dastardly cold recently and combined with a trip to the dentist it hasn't been a great weekend.

IC:

Nero thrived in tension and this was his area of expertise. Always calm while others brooded, and seethed. He looked out the horizon and smirked, the sun had been out for a long time. It was sure to rise sooner than naught.

"...And Aller, that is why We, the Autocracy of Demios fight the sordid Empire! They allow the beasts to be enslaved freely! The Woods to burn as their stone towers rise as visages of their corrupt heirarchy. An oligarchy of utter in-decadence. With their approaching forces, we must make haste. We cannot, under any circumstances, lose Skingrad!"

A grim face came over the pseudo-deviant, knowing his cover was about to be placed in jeopardy, reflecting on the next phrase.

"Mercenary, as much as I hate to put it this bluntly, you are a soldier of fortune, one I don't trust nor believe, and a liability. At the flip of a drake, the signing of a higher bid and you will turn on your previous employer. So I give you this ultimatum. I will pledge you into our brotherhood of Demios, and swear you to our corps, so that you may dance with us in the flames of the Empire. Or you can walk away, here and now in Autocracy territory and wait for one like this Bosmer to pick you off from a tree-top."

He made sure his words were quick, and to the point. Clearly he was the true authority in this camp, not the argonian and he regretted his cover was now gone but it was a necessary step, and the act was over.

"Either way Mercenary, my name is Nero Faustus, and one way or another, you will remember the name, in death, or service."

He turned and began to walk back towards his tent, giving the impression that if the mercenary was going to stay, come see him. As he walked he shouted towards the entire camp.

"Get some rest... we're going to have a long day tomorrow."

Aller looked at the argonian who had walked over, wondering what was going on. The Autocracy of Demios seemed to be a fine place for aller, he never was one for orginized solidarity, but aller thought that if they wanted to take down the Empire as much as him, they were worth hanging around with.

Aller also liked how they treated mercenaries, he never did trust mercenaries and this one just something seemed wrong about him. Aller walked around the camp exsploring the camp...

Slings-His-Knives walked over to the mercenry. By the time he got there, everything was over.

"So I guess Nero gave you a choice Lucien." He grinned, "My name is not 'Lies-In-Shadows, but it is Slings-His-Knives. I am but a simple deviant following our commander Nero. For a trained mercenry you sure fell for the tricks easy."
He looked at Lucien straight in the eye. Slings-His-Knives let his blade slide down into his hand, before raising it to upwards to Lucien. "Talk to the commander when you make your desicion, and by the Nine, I hope you choose the right one."
Slings-His-Knives let the blade slide down into his hand. Even when drunk he could still control his daggers better than anything else. He took a long swig from his bottle, still looking at Lucien. "If you find out anything more about those House Dres slave traders, then let me know, if you please."
Slings-His-Knives staggered off. The mead was finally having an affect. Not a good choice knowing that he was going to marching long and hard to Skingrad tomorrow. It could not fall.

Mercenry, You named the House Dres as my tribe's destoryer. I hope you live, as I need all the help I can get finding out who did it, and you seem to know a lot more than me

As he was walking back to his tent, he stopped at the Bosmer. "Hello, I am Slings-His-Knives. You joined us at a bad time Im afraid." The words were slured as he spoke them. "I must go, I am not in the best of conditions."

Slings-His-Knives made his way back to his tent, finished off his mead, and collapsed inside.

It'll be a hell of a day tomorrow...

While aller walked around looking at the camp, he saw the little confrontation between the mercenary and the argonian, it did'nt bother him that blood could be spilled right there but it was very unlikely to happen. The confrontation ended quickly, with the argonian saying something while the mercenary stood there. Aller decided to check out the tree's, a good spot in a tree would serve useful for a place to rest, while he waited for the rest to move out to Skingrad. The argonian walked over to him somewhat drunk, the argonian mentioned his name, but it was a little slured, all aller could make out was Slings-His-Wives?

The argonian walked off to his tent, while aller swiftly crawled up a tree, and sat on nice sturdy branch...

IC:

to come,...

In those past five minutes a hell of a lot more was found out than in the whole day. His suspicions had come true and it indeed wasn't Lie-In-Shadows or Slings-His-Knives rather who was commander but Faustus, or rather Nero. He knew it the moment he seen him near Anvil that this man was one of power, not that Argonian scout who probably knew only how to command his knives by the looks of it. Yet now was a difficult time for Claudius as an ultimatum was offered to him which would seriously change his mission depedning on which he picked. Either he carried on his mission yet be turned into one of their own, a Deviant in the service of that madman Flavian or walk away and most likely get stabbed in the back by that Bosmer. He could complete his mission now and run, much of the information he was after he had aquire now but he would not get far with that Bosmer constantly watching him from the trees. If he could find a Legion patrol near Skingrad then he would be home free and back to commanding his own men. If only, he hoped.

However the chances of escaping were slim and he wasn't prepared to die for the empire just yet. The army was going to march towards Skingrad and that would be the perfect time to escape in the midst of battle and siege. Forget that oath he would take, he had already swore an oath to Talos and the Empire and he was not about to break it. He would have to keep his cover for just a little longer but soon....soon he would slip awa just as smoothly as he slipped in. He would accept Neros offer.

After much consideration it was decided and so Claudius headed towards Neros tent after watching him and opened it and stepped in.

"After much consideration Commander Nero I have decided, although I have not had much of a choice as if I declined your new found Bosmer friend will have mostly likely shot me in the back. I will take your offer and join the Autocracy in taking down the empire. You must understand that it is not so easy laying down my sword for profit and instead taking one anew and fighting for a cause but it is one I am willing to take. You see the empire has done nothing for me and so I would have no reason to fight or join them. You may swear me into the Brotherhood of Demios"

He hoped his little speech would convince the man enough to allow him to join him for the time being. It was necessary for this soldier of the empire in order to complete what could possibly be his greatest mission of his life...

Nero didn't turn around, didn't sigh, didn't smirk, smile or grin. For the cold weather outside didn't agitate Nero anymore than the difficult decision before him.

"No."

He was constantly becoming more precise with his words. He was learning how to speak again. Always relearning how to speak. In battle, and dance Nero danced and cried and sung with joy and fear, completely entwined with his beautiful Standartes regiment and their flamboyantly dressed deviant. He longed to see their battle colours as they approached Skingrad. Their trousers, one leg striped with blue and yellow, the other leg resembled diamonds with red and green. Their tunic mocked casual aesthetics, valiantly exclaiming the black and white checkers across their back and stomach, they dazzled their foes and smiled as they bled. Not fanatical, but whimsical. Jovial. He couldn't wait.

"No."

His mind forged a new pathway for this mercenary, and one that would test more of his mettle than merely swearing him into the ranks of the Standartes now. Claudius could be a traitor, could be a fool, and possibly a friend, but of all things, Nero wasn't sure.

"I will resign my offer for now Lucian. You will travel with us to Skingrad, and when our business is finished there, I shall summon the offer once again. We'll see your plebeian decision then."

Nero had an idea, and that is what made him unique among rabbles. The ability to computate idea's, manage tactica, and feel more than the static emotions. Beyond empathy and apathy; transmoral.
At least, that was what he liked to believe.

"Your armor is on the desk there. It should fit nicely."

What's up with this guy? he thought He asked me to come in here and make a decision yet now he suddenly he reconsiders. At least it makes things a little bit easier for me I suppose

"Very well then Commander Nero, if that is what you wish. I will take my armor and will be outside should you need me"

Looking at the armor on the table he picked it up and left without taking much notice of it till he got outside to examine it by the fire. By the looks and feel of it it was made of some sort of strong material and when Claudius swung at it with his sword it barely made a dent. It wasn't until a few minutes later he realised what it was made of.

Bone

Was all he could think in his mind

Human Bone

Claudius could only think that Nero was attempting to play mind games on him. Was this a joke or was it an insult to craft this armor for him and expect him to wear it. It was only then that he realised what happened to those two soldiers who went missing, they were right in front of him. Or at least what was possibly left of them. However he had a strong stomach and had seen much worse than this in his history and it was all he possibly had for protection for the time being. He way aswell use it.

He stood up by the fire and tryed the armor on over his clothing, it was a perfect fit and surprisingly felt quite light yet it was strong. Slipping the helmet on over his head gave him great vision and didn't weigh anything nearly, despite the intimidating looks, it was great. Now was the perfect time to practice his technique with the new armor on and see how fluent it felt.

Unsheathing his sword from its holster slowly with his right hand he looked into the heart of the fire . He held his left hand just underneath his right and assumed his standard position. Immediatly he swung his sword and jumped back before striking at the air again, almost poeticly as he moved with such ease and swiftness. In this armor he felt free to do what he wished, he felt invincible once again and believed that he could take this camp down single handedly as he struck again and again at the air all around him. He did this for a good 15 minutes, dancing around the fire with his sword held high, swinging and slicing at the air all around him, not once feeling tired or out of breath. Finally he stopped and seathed his sword, he was done for the night and perhaps he could test it in real combat tomorrow or the day after. He hoped however that it would not come to that. He did not want to stike against his fellow Legionaires.