Conspiracy 2

At night, I met up with Eltrys in the Shrine of Talos once more.

"It was Nepos the Nose? Are you sure?"

"That's what he said."

"Well, this makes things a lot more complicated. But first, here." He gave me another pouch full of septims.

"Thanks."

"If it truly was Nepo-" He was about to continue but he was interrupted by the doors to the shrine suddenly opening.

"Outsider, didn't I tell you before to mind your own business? Somebody doesn't like you two rat snooping around where you don't belong. Come quietly with us criminal scum, you are under arrest for murder."

Through the door, entered three guards I saw in the market.

"Murder? Murder for who?"

"Who else? You murdered Eltrys in the Shrine of Talos." He said smirking.

Aahh understood. They are gonna kill Eltrys and put the blame on me. That way, the people investigating them will be silenced.

"Guess, we won't be able to reach a compromise?" I said while taking out my new blades.

They fit snugly in my hands, as if they were custom made for me.

Meanwhile, the guards also drew their swords.

"Eltrys, can you protect yourself?"

As I said that, I saw hime pull an axe from behind the statue.

"Don't underestimate a Breton living amongst the Nords."

I smiled at his words and rushed towards the guards.

[The worst action executed with vigor is superior to the best action executed timidly.]

The first guard hid behind his shield, so I kicked him in the legs while blocking second guards sword with my right.

The first guard fell down giving me a chance to attack but it was blocked by the second guard's shield.

We continued our back and forth for a while. With me trying to get a chance to deliver a finishing strike and them protecting each other.

But it was slowly getting easier. They were starting to get slower from fatigue.

Me? I could do this all day.

With exhaustion slowly building up, the first guard couldn't put up his shield on time, giving me a chance to plunge my blade right in his shoulder blades.

With a cry of agony he dropped his shield. The second guard tried to take advantage of my opening but I swiftly pulled away leaving him stumbling. With a kick, he fell down and couldn't get up.

After I put them out of their misery, I turned towards Eltrys only to find him dead.

"Shit."

Now I was in deep trouble. Especially if I was seen in the crime scene.

I offered the gods a prayer for Eltrys or whoever he was believing in and put the corpses in my storage to bury them later. Then left the shrine in the dead of the night.

Luckily there were no other guards stationed outside. Those bastards were acting out of order.

I headed outside towards the stables and found a carriage still yet to leave.

"Need a ride?"

"Yeah. Rorikstead."

"Got 70 septims on ya?"

"Here."

"Hop in. Giddy up!" And with a lash of the reins, the carriage started moving towards Rorikstead.

The travel passed safely thanks to the coachman sticking to main roads. But because of that we had to stay on the road for another week. In three weeks, we finally reached Rorikstead.

It was a small village, much like Riverwood but it didn't have its beauty.

I found an inn to spend the night and wash away my fatigue.

'Inns rake in the money huh?' This one was full to the brim too. Hopefully I can find a room.

I found the innkeeper behind the counter arguing with a young man.

"Father, how old were you when you left home?"

"I know where this is going, son. As I've said many a time. the world is a dangerous place. You're much safer here at the farm, with me."

"But I don't want to be safe! I'm not afraid of the dangers out there. The only thing I'm afraid of is wasting my life on this farm."

"Yes, that's your mother's side of the family talking. Just stay on for one more season, that's all I ask."

"Excuse me, I was looking for a room."

"Ah, yes. There is one available."

"I'll take it."

"This conversation is not over father. I will find you later." Then the young man left.

"Having troubles with your son?" I asked.

"Sigh. Indeed. He wants to be an adventurer, but he is… too dumb, I wonder if it is the right word, for going on adventures. He is strong for his age alright but he doesn't understand the risks. Here we are, this is your room."

"Thanks."

After the innkeeper left, I went straight to sleep.

The next day, I woke up at the first light. Then went downstairs.

Father and son were arguing once more.

"I heard you sneaking around downstairs last night. Were you trying to break into my chest again, son? I've told you to leave it alone."

"I just wanted to try on your old armor, from back when you were a soldier. I thought I might be old enough to wear it."

"I've told you a hundred times, I lock that chest for a reason. I don't want you getting a head full of ideas about adventure and glory."

"I'm old enough to decide how to live my life, and I'd be honored to wear your armor, if you'd just let me. I'm strong enough to handle it."

"Strong, yes, but how clever are you? I'll tell you what, if you can open the lock on my chest, you can have everything in it."

"I'll take your challenge, but if I win I get to start a new life as an adventurer, and with no objections from you."

"That's fine, but only if you can manage to pick the lock."

"Hmph you will see." Then he left towards a room, where the the chest was I assume.

After that, I approached the innkeeper.

"Ah, customer, how can I help you?"

"Can I get something to eat please?"

"Right away. Fresh out of the oven."

"Thank you." I took the plate from his and sat down on a table.

I ate slowly as I contemplated what to do from now on.

'The priest told me that I spoke of Rorikstead while I was drunk but what am I gonna do here?… I should just forget it and focus on getting to Whiterun I guess. Joining the Companions should be a good step towards reaching second rank of my Shehai.'

While I was thinking, the young man returned with dropped shoulders and sat on the table right next to me.

He sighed as he took a sip from his ale.

"Didn't go well I assume?" I asked.

"Huh what? Oh, you must have heard us. Sorry if I disturbed you. It's just…" He took another sip. "I want to be an adventurer but father doesn't allow me. He says that he needs me to stay here and work the farm, and even if he did let me be an adventurer, we couldn't afford to buy armor. But it's just an excuse. We can easily afford an armor with all the guests we are having."

"Have you lived here all your life?" I asked to keep the conversation going. It was good to have someone to talk to while eating.

"Born and raised right here in Rorikstead. My father was a soldier. He fought in the great war and when it was over, he retired here to raise a family. My mother passed away when I was just a babe, so he did his best to raise me on his own. It's not the most exciting place in the world, but the people here work hard and don't cause trouble for anyone. But it is just not for me. I want to go out and see the world, I want to go on adventures, legendary conquests and such."

"Well, I get where you are coming from."

Then he gave a look over with interest.

"Hey actually, you look like you've seen your share of adventure. I envy you that. In fact, maybe you can help me with something?" He asking with shining eyes.

I raised an eyebrow at his question. "What do you need?"

"You look young, even younger than me. But you are an adventurer right?"

"I guess you can say so?"

"Then, could you help me convince my father? Maybe if he sees a young adventurer like you asking him of that, he might change his mind."

"Uhh, I don't know if he would agree tho?"

"It's okay, I just want you to try. Look, I really want to be an adventurer, please, can you do me this favor?"

"I guess I can ask him then. But don't get your hopes up."

"Thank you! That's all I can ask."

I quickly finished my meal and headed to counter to talk to the innkeeper.

"I hope my son wasn't disturbing you."

"No no he wasn't. He is a good guy."

"That he is. But too naive."

"Maybe, but if you don't let him spread his wings he will continue being naive. Maybe you could let him experience the world if you want him to grow up?"

"Sigh he asked you to convince me didn't he?"

"He did. But there is truth in my words too." He looked to be in deep thoughts at my words. "How long are you going to keep him under your protection? He is a grown man already. Let him make his own decisions."

"Yes, there is indeed truth in your words but outside is full of danger. I fear what would befall him if he goes out as he is."

"But, if you don't give him permission, sooner or later, he will go on his own without anything to protect himself."

"Sigh you are right. I'm being too stubborn. It is time for him to stand on his own feet. Could you help him if you come across him in your travels?"

"Sure, why not."

"Thank you."

Then I headed towards the young man.

"Your father changed his mind."

He jumped up from his seat. "Really?!"

"Really."

"Really truly?!"

"Yeah."

Then he gave me a bear hug with excitement. "Thank you so much! I can't believe this is real! Thank you so much friend!"

"It's okay, I didn't do much anyways."

"No no it is thanks to you that he changed his mind. I can't thank you enough." Then, he finally calmed down and pulled away from the hug.

"Now that I think of it, I didn't get your name friend."

"Alaric."

"Alaric, that's a good name. I can already imagine the name being spoken through out the Tamriel as a great adventurer. Alaric the Great, the best adventurer there is, right next to Erik, uhh Erik the… Right! Erik the Slayer!" He put a hand around my shoulder and made motion with his arm as if showing a landscape. Our faces were almost touching.

"It is good to have dreams but don't push your luck to much alright?" I said while pushing him away.

"Oh right right, sorry about that I got too excited. I'm gonna talk to my father now, got to go. I hope to see you in the future Alaric. If we meet, I'll be sure to tell you of my adventures!" He said while almost skipping steps.

"Heh." A chuckle left my mouth at his antics. Then, I left the inn to look around for anything I would need for the journey ahead.

********

Any interesting quests and items that comes to your mind? Anywhere is fine. But should be doable at low levels lore-wise, not a dragon priest level and such. Could be from mods and creation club too.