Chapter XVI: Shadow over Rorikstead (Part 3)

(General pov)

A Dunmer shrouded in light armor and a hooded cloak skulks through the streets of the now quiet town of Rorikstead, the rings of muffling and stealth bought from his employer for a pittance ensuring he isn't seen or heard by any who might still be awake at this hour.

He approaches an unassuming house in a corner just below the wooden palisade and notices a dim light coming from inside.

Slowly, he tiptoes closer to the window and starts hearing a quiet conversation going on inside.

At first, he is unable to discern what is being said, but after sticking his ear to the wall the conversation becomes much clearer.

"I don't like it Rorik." An old man hisses out quietly "They should have been gone already."

"Balgruuf and I have always had our disagreements, I think he is just trying to make me remember my place by staying longer." The other person responds with bitterness lacing his voice.

The older man grunts "Maybe we should just get rid of them. Perhaps people won't bother us then."

"Don't be an idiot Jouane." Rorik scoffs.

"I know, but an old man can dream." The old man grumbles.

"What about the mage?" Rorik asks "Are you sure you managed to stop him from snooping?"

Jouane scoffs "Of course I did, the spell I hit him with could never be noticed by someone so young. He has probably forgotten whatever he was curious about and will leave soon."

"Good" Rorik sighs "Good..." He shakes his head "We can't have them interrupting the contract, we need them gone tomorrow at the latest or we will all be cursed."

"I Know old friend" Jouane says remorsefully. "I will go to the shrine soon to make sure no one stumbles upon it, you should make sure that Balgruuf is not suspicious and leaves soon."

Rorik voices his agreement and after a bit more chatting leaves the hut.

Davos waits in the shadows for half an hour before he sees the village healer leave the town while gathering a couple of other people to follow him.

He checks the entrance for traps and almost laughs at the complete lack of even a lock, were they arrogant or merely never expecting to be found out?

He skulks into the hut and takes a good look around. It is mostly what one would expect from a town healer's home, herbs, bones, and the like hanging on the walls with different potions scattered on a shelf.

What catches his attention is a small table in the corner with what looks like drained black soul gems stacked on top of it, and a blackened book giving him an ominous feeling.

He blanches at this, his superstition and fear of the Daedra once again trying to worm its way into his mind, but he manages to force himself to move on with gritted teeth.

'Should have asked for more money' He grumbles.

The book has no title on the covers, but as he needed at least something he takes out a knife and opens the first page with it, not daring to touch the thing himself.

A moment later he wishes he hadn't opened the damned thing as he is greeted by Daedric characters emitting a cold and cruel aura. He quickly closes the book and using the same knife pushes it into a small sack alongside the soul gems.

He searches the house again in case there are any clues left, but quickly leaves again after finding nothing.

(Reyvin's pov)

We are all sitting in the room trying to relax as best we can, but the tension in the room is palpable.

Soon I slowly close the little booklet I was reading and stand up, everyone turns to me and I point at the window. Not long after Davos slides inside once again.

One might wonder how I knew he was coming, and the answer is rather simple: I make it so that I can feel if any of my enchantments is nearby, just in case.

Balgruuf perks up and asks "So, what have you found?"

Davos takes a seat and grabs a drink, after he catches his breath he quickly relays the entire conversation and explains what he heard and found.

I open my hand "Give me the book."

He does so without complaint, already used to my 'foolish' behavior.

After making sure there are no traps hidden inside I take the book and open it up.

Suddenly the room once again shifts into a web-covered mess and I feel two hands on my shoulders with someone leaning a head on my left.

I do not even blink at the interruption and ask "So, anything you can enlighten me about with this one? Unfortunately, I don't speak Daedra."

"How very uncultured" Mephala tuts and after taking a short look at the book she says "This here is a contract binding the one I wish dead to the land. As long as it exists he will continue reforming after a period of time."

"This isn't the first time he was hunted down is it?" I ask.

"Oh, not at all" She laughs daintily "I dare say it has happened a hundred times over."

I frown "It won't be as simple as merely killing him will it?"

"Unfortunately not, or I wouldn't have needed your services for this."

"What do I need to do?"

She hums "First you must destroy him, then you must slay the cursed lord and his companion. Finally, you must burn the contract and he will be destroyed completely, not even returning to oblivion."

"That sounds incredibly convoluted" I scoff.

"Unfortunately not everything can be solved with a big enough fireball" She purrs.

I turn to her with a raised eyebrow and she chuckles "Well yes, theoretically you could solve this with one, but let's not play with semantics."

I snort "Right. So what did the fool do to you if you want him dead so bad?"

She removes her hands from my shoulders and pretends to clutch at her heart "Oh it was such a tragedy... We were so in love and he chose to leave me all alone." Before slumping onto the ground dramatically.

I give her the most dead look I can muster and she breaks into laughter.

"Oh, it is rather simple really. He was one of mine that chose to serve another instead so he must die." She explains after getting up.

"Now that I can understand" I nod sagely but after a moment frown "You say that the lord of this town is cursed..." After a long pause, my eyes are alight with realization "This isn't the first time Rorik founded this place is it?"

Mephala claps slowly "Bravo Reyvin, indeed he has been founding this town over and over again for millennia."

"That is cruel even for Daedra..." I mumble.

She shrugs "Such are the wiles of Clavicus Vile and his servants."

So I was right then...

I give her a small bow "Well, thank you very much for this information and no I do not wish to have fun, please send me back."

She pouts and I am suddenly back in the real world.

Everyone is staring at me as I must have zoned out, Davos on the other hand has moved as far from me as he can the moment I took the book.

"And?" Hrongar asks "Did you learn anything?"

I nod "Quite a bit more than what I was expecting. Merely killing the Daedra will not be enough."

They urge me to explain and I do so, telling them the whole tale with the exception of Mephala's involvement.

Hrongar stares at me dumbfounded "That is..."

"Incredibly convoluted" a frowning Balgruuf finishes for him.

"Tell me about it" I mumble.

They are all still looking at me and I raise an eyebrow "You want me to choose our plan forward?"

Balgruuf scratches his head "Well... you are the only one who is experienced with these things, so I will listen to your advice on this."

I shrug "As you wish." After a bit of thought, I come up with a simple plan "We will have to split into two groups, one to search their 'shrine' and one to apprehend Rorik and pacify the people."

"I will naturally be going to the shrine while you two nobles do your best to make sure everything is in order. Those that follow me need to be your best, as the usual guard will be mere cannon fodder in front of a Daedra."

Hrongar frowns "You want me to sit by while you battle a literal demon?"

I shake my head "I want you to make sure that no more of your people are hurt than necessary. After I return with the captured Jouane, we must execute him and Rorik and destroy the book."

Balgruuf sighs "And how am I to explain to the people that their leader needs to die and their fields wilt?"

I pick up a soul gem Davos brought and show it to the Jarl "Do you know what this is?"

"A soul gem" He deadpans at me.

"Not any soul gem, a black one." I say.

Balgruuf frowns in thought but quickly shakes his head "I think I have heard of them but I have no idea of their significance."

"Well better get ready for this then." I then proceed to explain everything I know about the black soul gems and what happens to the souls captured into them.

"-Making them extremely attractive for enchanters and ritualists." I finish my mini-lecture.

Everyone but Davos is looking like I just went from ruining their day to ruining their year.

"So, you are telling me..." Balgruuf frowns "That they have been capturing young women's souls into these gems and presumably sacrificing them to the Daedra for years under my nose?!" He barely holds himself from shouting.

I nod "Indeed, explaining this to the people might make them rather rowdy so you will have to watch your words with them."

"Yes, yes I will make sure to not go too far" Balgruuf nods tiredly.

Irileth cuts in "You say that these gems are very attractive to enchanters, almost as if you used some yourself."

"I would never do something so disgusting!" I lied as naturally as I breathed.

And through the ridiculous powers of Daedric fuckery she believes me.

"So, who are you sending with me?" I ask.

The Jarl quickly responds "Irilieth and the other three housecarls will go with you."

"But my Ja-" The Dunmer woman goes to protest but a stern look from her lord stops any further disagreement.

"I will be safe with the guard and my brother. You are needed to protect far more than merely myself, do you understand Irileth?" He asks.

She seems conflicted but nods slowly.

"Davos can also watch your back here, he isn't good at dealing with Daedra" I add.

Irileth frowns, but she has accepted his presence and usefulness over time so she doesn't complain.

Davos himself seems rather jubilant at this "Sure thing boss" He turns to the Jarl "I will be around in case someone tries to off you, your back is safe."

"Right..." Balgruuf accepts his words with some confusion.

I clap my hands "Well, good luck to all of you. It is time for Irileth and I to be on our way if we want to finish this quickly."

"I will gather the others and wait at the gate while you get your guide" The housecarl says and leaves through the window with barely any sound.

I let out a low whistle "Looks like you have competition Davos."

My retainer scoffs "She is an amateur at best."

We share a chuckle and I turn to the Jarl "You should apprehend Rorik and pacify the town quickly after we leave, it's best we make sure there is no space for accidents to happen."

He nods "Good luck Reyvin."

"You as well Balgruuf" I say and quickly skulk out of the window while using a muffle spell.

Seriously, imagine having to actually sneak...

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