Shadows of Darkest Soul (An Elder Scrolls RP)

[SoulofChrysamere]

Lecuaro Sulnair Marczon - Fort Floodgate, Lecuaro's Office

 

"Well, the first one is not a head to head challenge. You'll both be running the stealth obstacle course set up in the basement. Speed, although important, isn't what I'm looking for the most. What I want to see is how professional you can be. Me and one of my Ashlander operatives will be monitoring you." Lecuaro stated. "Are you up for this?"

[AurianaValoria1]

Velanya Therys, Fort Buckmoth Interior

 

She strode up to her bunk, took her pack, donned it, and whirled on her heels to go back up to the courtyard - all without stopping or skipping a beat. There was no need to check the contents of her pack...she had not removed anything the previous night. She hoped that the small amount of potions and scrolls it contained were enough to last them until they reached Fort Floodgate. There was only one thing she wished it had: food.

 

Her stomach growled again as she stepped out of the Fort and into the courtyard. She stared daggers through the waiting Caius.

 

"That was quick," he remarked.

 

"You said we had to leave now, so we're leaving now," she replied sharply.

 

They said nothing to each other as they followed the road around Ald'ruhn, turning northwards toward Maar Gan. By the grace of the Nine, the sky was clear blue - no ash storms to wade through, today. There was no sound but the crunch of their feet as they walked. The two went at a brisk pace, boots kicking up ash in small puffs. At this rate, they would reach Bal Isra in a matter of hours...

[nethgros]

Dar'krinji. Fort Floodgate, Lecuaro's Office

 

"sure"

[darkedge42392]

Garila Indarys, Bal Isra

 

Garila smiled softly as she knocked on Edward's door. "Edward, breakfast is ready whenever you are. Don't wait for it to get cold!" she said playfully. Smiling again, she went back into the underground dining hall and set out a plate of freshly made food for Adrynn's newest recruit on the bar where he had sat last night. Making her way up the stairs, she nodded to a couple of the other women who were busy straightening up the main lobby. Not because they had been ordered to, but because Adrynn was a good landlord and they wanted to make sure he came home to a clean manor.

 

Stepping outside, Garila went to the Manor Services hut and asked Gilyne to work on Edward's sheath. She thought about how uncomfortable it must be to carry a naked blade on your shoulder all the time and not have a place to put it. Heading outside once again, she stepped into the watchtower and climbed the ladder to the top, pushing open the trapdoor so she could stand on the landing and get a good look around. Looking north, she saw dark trails of smoke rising from where she guessed Fort Floodgate to be. Frowing, she wondered what in Azura's name had happened there . . . Knowing that Adrynn is probably fine, she scanned the horizon, looking from north to west to south. Seeing nothing on the first pass but a couple cliff racers and a kwama forager, she did a scan again. This time she saw two distant figures come around the bend to the south. Her sharp elven eyes squinted as they tried to make out some detail on these two travelers. She immediately dismissed it as a Redoran scouting party, as there were not enough people and they weren't in the correct armor for that. No . . . Two Imperials, it seemed. One was in Legion armor and the other was bald and slightly taller than his companion.

 

She climbed down the ladder as quickly as she could. "Arvs! We have Imperial visitors!" she yelled to the resident Redoran Master at Arms. He nodded and stood up, strapping his sword to his waist without a word. Garila was already outside and across the courtyard to the manor. Practically kicking the door in, she ordered the two women to get some plates of food ready for their guests. She glanced briefly for Edward and not seeing him, ran back outside. She stepped up to the gate and stood there, her hands clasped behind her back as she waited for the two Imperials to arrive.

[AurianaValoria1]

Velanya Therys, Bal Isra

 

Finally, the walls of Bal Isra came into view. Velanya had come by here on occasion, on her way to check in with troopers at the Maar Gan outpost. The Redoran stronghold had grown in the past few years. Now, two tall guard towers offered a birds-eye view of the surrounding Ashlands, and she had no doubt they were being watched by some of Redoran's finest.

 

"I'll need a different name to go by while we're not around other Blades. You'll need to use it here, and around the soldiers of Floodgate when we're not in the safehouse. After my last novice, I have no doubt word has gotten around about ol' Caius Cosades's profession," the Spymaster remarked as they closed in on the stronghold.

 

"I can think of a couple of things to call you," Velanya muttered as she felt a pain in the pit of her stomach. It had ceased growling an hour ago, and now it just hurt.

 

He smirked, "We'll go with Cassius, that's close enough."

 

Velanya snorted in response.

 

Before long, they began to climb the steep incline that led to the gate. There, a Dunmer woman stood, her hands behind her back, with an armed and armored guard at her side.

 

Caius took the lead, "Hail, seras! Might a pair of travelers find rest and respite here?"

[darkedge42392]

Garila Indarys, Bal Isra

 

Garila looked over the two travelers, noticing now that the one in Legion Armor was in fact a Dunmer woman, and her companion, the bald one, was an Imperial. Smiling, she bowed slightly to the two and grinned.

 

"Greetings Muthseras. I welcome you to Bal Isra. I am Garila Indarys. You are welcome to rest and replenish your supplies here and then continue on your way," she said turning towards the manor and making her way to the door. Opening it, she turned back. "Please, come in and eat. I just made breakfast and it's still hot."

 

She nodded to Arvs, who went back to his tower. Glancing at the Dunmer and Imperial, she asked. "What are your names seras?"

[AurianaValoria1]

Velanya Therys, Bal Isra

 

Velanya saluted, "I am Lady Knight Errant Velanya Therys of Fort Buckmoth. This is Cassius, my traveling companion," she gestured Caius.

 

"We thank you for your generosity, Lady Indarys," Caius continued, "We have along trek ahead of us. But worry not - we will not burden you with our presence for long."

 

The two then followed the Lady into the soothing coolness of the manor.

[darkedge42392]

Garila Indarys, Bal Isra, Indarys Manor

 

Garila led the two downstairs and and into the dining hall. She glanced around for Edward again, but didn't see him. He was probably still asleep. Mentally shrugging, she laid out two plates of food for the Legionnaire and her companion.

 

"You must forgive my husband for not being here and greeting you himself. He always loves visitors. But he's gone north to that new Fort to help it's commander with some sort of Ashlander problem. I haven't heard anything from him, but I'm sure he's fine," Garila said, half to herself and half to the visiting Velayna and Cassius. She was worried now. Adrynn never let her worry, but something deep within her quietly whispered troubling thoughts and doubts . . . Adrynn was in trouble and needed help somehow. She frowned, lost in thought.

[SoulofChrysamere]

Lecuaro Sulnair Marczon - Fort Floodgate, Lecuaro's Office

 

Kriak's silence was not surprising. Lecuaro had considered him to be the strong, silent type. Still, the seven-foot huntsman's eyes stared at him with an eagerness to begin.

 

 

"Very well. If you two will please follow me to the basement, we'll get started." Lecuaro said as he rose and headed out of the office.

[AurianaValoria1]

Velanya Therys, Bal Isra, Indarys Manor

 

Caius wordlessly tucked into his food, and so did Velanya for a time. But before long, her curiosity got the better of her. After finishing half of her plate, she looked up at Garila, who had silently sat down beside her, worry evident on her face.

 

"Your husband...what is his name?"