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Chapter 2: The city, the priest, and the amulet

The sewers were dimly lighted, filled with nauseous odors, it's stone walls old, wet, and slippery. Stone platforms at least two feet high prevented anyone from being forced to walk in the murky waters filled with waste. Pathways and grate-like walkways filled most of the sewers, serving as a bridge from the foul waters below. The sewers themselves were home to vampires, goblins, and hundreds of rats. Dragon entered into the dark underground, with only a torch Baurus gave him and the steel short-sword. Goblins and rats proved no challenge for Dragon as he cut them down easily. However it was the vampires that worried Dragon. He saw campfires in some rooms as he searched for the exit, but knew better then to go in there to see who was there. Eventually he found the exit blocked by a metal grate. Pulling on a nearby lever, the grate soon was out of the way. He exited the sewer only to be greeted by the blinding light of the sun. I must have been in that prison for at least a day, thought Dragon. When he was captured the time was dawn now morning.

It felt good to Dragon, feeling once again the fresh air. There were few trees around all healthy as they were near the water. Junk littered the area around the sewer entrance. From broken barrels to empty beers. He looked at the shoreline in front of him, then the crystal clear waters. I guess I can take a break; haven't swam in water for sometime, thought Dragon. Taking off his clothes save for only the thick cloth at his groin, Dragon dived into the water. He spun around, swam, greeted the fish, and saw some junk under the water. Ah... this is so relaxing, said Dragon in his mind. He wanted to stay for maybe an hour or two but he had a job to do. Swimming back to shore he picked up his prison clothes and dressed himself back. Giving one look at what he was wearing he knew he needed something else to wear or else everyone and even his Argonian brethren would think him a beggar. Looking around for anything to wear amongst the broken barrels he couldn't find a single piece of clothing. But then something caught his eye, a shiny silver padlock of a small chest. Walking to the chest he tried to open it but the lock had long been broken. So what better thing to do than throw it on the ground. Dragon raised it up high and with all his might cast it down unto the ground. The chest smashed into pieces and the only thing in there was a pair of plain red silk pants. A note came along with it as well. ''Dear myself, don't forget to bring these pants to the shrine! I mustn't forget cheese as well. Sincerely, myself. P.S. Gotta bring a bone to that lizard dog of ours. P.S.S. I really miss eating khajiit, haven't had them since yesterday with their warm soft fur and delicious meat...'' Dragon put aside the note thinking that some crazy cannibal that escaped the prison had written it. He took off his clothes and put the pants on. They were perfect. Dragon didn't mind going around without a shirt; people would probably think he was working at the waterfront or someone from that port city called Anvil. Plus he loved it when the young Argonian women looked at him shirtless.

Dragon walked around the island that contained the Imperial City until he reached the main entrance; he had something to do first before going to Chorrol. The guards let him in, thankfully this time they didn't shoot him in the back. From what he remembered from that book called ''The guide to the Imperial City'' this was the Talos Plaza District where the city's wealthiest of citizens resided in their grand houses. It wasn't that great. All there was were white stoned buildings; some two stories high to four stories high. All of them were like squares when you looked at them. The streets were nothing much, just lined at both sides with sidewalks and a pair of stairs up to the central plaza. Some streetlights were already lit as night approached. A few archways surrounding the paths into the central plaza and a statue of the dragon god of time and chief deity of the Nine Divines, Akatosh at the center. Perhaps the only thing beautiful in this dull place was the small garden at the statue's feet. ''Dull isn't it?'' Said one of the guards next to Dragon.

''I guess... not really what I was expecting. You know the big city and all that.'' Dragon replied.

''Don't worry it's much better in the market, elven gardens, arcane university, arboretum, and arena district. It's just that the nobles here didn't want any sort of buildings on top of their homes. Most of the districts besides here are pretty dense. Just head to the market district you'll see.'' The guard pointed to the large door ahead of the statue.

''Thanks.'' Complied Dragon. While he walked to the door, he saw some of the nobles in the streets looking at him with mean eyes. He heard whispers between some.

''Swamp drudge.''

''Damn lizards; they're going to stink up this place with their smell.''

''Great, another dirty Argonian comes to ruin my day with their presence here.''

''Hmph, must be too poor to afford a shirt.''

''If only Cyrodiil allowed slaves, he would make a handsome one for me...''

All of these comments were made from Imperial, Breton, High Elven, and Dark Elf. Dragon ignored them and entered the market district. It amazed him. Like the guard said it was dense. Buildings on top of another, stone bridges or archways connected some rooftop buildings together. All the stores and restaurants were pretty compact and tight. Balconies for the restaurants on top. Banners stretched from one side of a roof to another. As Dragon walked to the district center he saw on both sides, lots of market stands with most selling food and miscellaneous things. It was a bit loud even before the coming dark. The apparent weekly ''night market'' opened tonight. Security for the most was tight as most thieves would want to steal many goods during the night market. Many people at least a few hundred walked the streets, all were from many different races. Dragon went to some of the empty stands and sold his loot from the sewers, giving him at least 300 septims thanks to that goblin staff he found. He looked around until he saw the sign saying ''The Best Defense.'' It was definitely a armor shop. As Dragon entered their were two men, one Redguard and the other Imperial. The Redguard wore steel armor while the other wore chain mail. The shop was decorated with pieces of armor and a few weapons on tables. ''Finally someone arrives.'' The Imperial gestured toward me. ''Hey if your an Argonian then you must come to buy my light armor!''

''Actually I'm a heavy armor person, could you tell me where can I find heavy armor.'' Dragon said.

''What?... But if you insist, Varnado sells them.'' Pointing to the Redguard.

''Ah yes what can I do for you today?'' Varnado said.

''Well do you have any good steel armor?''

''Pfft. But of course! Here have these they just came in from our partner in Leyawiin.'' Varnado picked up some pieces of steel armor and set them on the table.

''Um... how bout the full set? Dragon asked.

''Oh sorry, hang on a sec.'' Varnado went into the closet behind him and pulled out a steel set of armor on a stand.

An hour later Dragon came out of the shop with a full set of steel armor. It was a good deal but after some convincing and bartering he was able to buy the set with only 300 septims. Now he had to get to the arcane university. Passing through the palace grounds he saw the enormous tower that was said to be seen from all corners of Cyrodiil, the White Gold Tower. The grounds were surrounded by a peaceful cemetery of past emperors and filled with beautiful flowers.

He arrived at the university grounds, greeted by two purples flamed stone braziers. The university area was shaped as a perfect circle, with it's walls lined with either magic shops, supplies, or homes. A small tower stood at the middle of the university grounds with a somewhat big dome behind it. It was on a small ringed platform a few feet higher from the ground. At the platforms base were plants and trees. Gates blocked the way into the student grounds. ''Hey can you tell me where I can find a mage's guild guide around here?'' Dragon asked the battlemage next to one of the gates.

''Guild guides are only for members only. Sorry rules here are different that those in Morrowind.'' The battlemage responded.

''You sure?''

''Well there is that Midas man.''

''Midas?''

''Yes Midas, he's a high elf. You'll find him at his store behind you. I could tell you more but it's against the rules to talk about him'' The guard pointed to the shop with the golden sign hanging out saying Midas Magic Spells of Aurum. Dragon entered the store. It was a bit messy with balls of scrap paper on the ground and a few scrolls. The nearby desk against the staircase was piled with a number of books. Dragon then heard something. He looked over the counter to see who it was only to find a high elf foraging through the garbage. He was wearing a white mage robe, and his hair was on the rim of his head leaving his top visible. The elf looked up in surprise. His face was a bit thin but he had a certain look that meant he was someone determined to prove something.

''Oh! Hi there! I' am Midas.''

''I know your name, I just came here to get a guild guide.''

''Ah... I see my reputation precedes me. Well if your looking for arcane transportation you've come to the right place.'' Midas then pulled something out of his pocket. It was a small mound of yellow dust. ''Here eat this.''

''Um... How is this magical transportation? I just wanted a guild guide.''

''No no no! This is the future of magic transportation, you must eat it. Once consumed it will grant you the power of teleporting to another dimension called the Astral Realm. Once there you'll find five portals with gems on top of them. You must have marked your position in this world first before going to the Astral Realm using the spell that comes with eating this dust. Your mark will go on whatever gem you said when you cast the marking spell. Then you have to go through the door with the correct gem of the area you marked and viola! Your back to the place you needed to be without having to walk a great distance from it.''

''Well in case you haven't noticed I'm trying to get to a place that I've never been before so I don't have a marking spell on it.''

''Just eat the damn thing it's free.''

''All right you better be right about this stuff.'' Dragon took the yellow dust and ate it. It was a horrible taste. ''ACK! What the hell! This stuff tastes like a damn rotten sweetroll with Olroy cheese!''

''Yes I know the stuff tastes terrible but...''

''Alright I'm out.''

''Wait! Okay okay, I'll teleport you to where ever you need to go. Its free of charge!'' Midas then drew an arcane circle on the ground with chalk. ''Alright where is it you want to go?''

''Chorrol, Weynon Priory.''

''Okay give me a minute. Stand on the circle.'' He grabbed out a red tome from out of his desk reading it while he opened his hand at Dragon. He soon spoke words unintelligible to Dragon probably Daedric. But he understood one word, Chorrol. The circle under Dragon began to glow brightly. ''Well it was nice chatting with ya, see ya later and please come again!'' With a smile Midas unleashed a invisible force from his hand that blew back Dragon. His vision of Midas disintegrated into a small hole and a whole new landscape revealed itself to him. Dragon landed on a cold hard stone road.

''Ouch'' Dragon rubbed his tail to sooth the small pain received from the landing. Looking around he guessed he was somewhere in the forest at the bottom of a ditch at night. He hoped that the spell had brought him near Chorrol. He heard the people running nearby.

''Stop! Murderer!'' Looking up and hiding in a nearby bush he saw two guards wearing blue surcoats that had a symbol of an oak, chasing after someone. The one who was being chased was wearing what seemed to be an all black leather suit. Looking at the person a little more he saw a green tail. But before he could see anything else the person ran off, escaping the two guards. Judging from tail color it was probably an Argonian female alright. Dragon came up with a whole bunch of questions but he had to focus on heading to Weynon Priory. One of the guards heard Dragon rustling through the bushes and instantly pointed his spear at the ditch on high alert.

''Hey! Who's there?!''

''What? You see something in there?''

''Ya someones in there I know it.''

''Alright, we'll check it out.'' The guard poked his spear into the bushes.

''OW! Don't you Imperials know any manners?!''

''Got it!'' The guard dragged Dragon out of the bushes.

''What are you doing in a ditch Argonian?''

''Sorry, a stupid mage teleported me to the wrong place. By the way do you know where Chorrol is?'' The guard laughed at the question.

''Why you are at Chorrol!'' He helped Dragon stand up and pointed to the gates of the town. The gray stone walls showed some archers up top, wearing the same uniform as the guards who found Dragon. A stable and a priory were the only ones vulnerable from attack.

''Hey is that Weynon Priory over there?'' Dragon questioned, pointing at the nearby priory.

''Yes it is, are you here for business there?''

''Yes I' am.''

''Very well I see no problem here your free to go.'' The guard let Dragon go and continued their way back to the town. But Dragon heard some of their whispers as they talked.

''Damn shame. The Motierre fellow seemed to be such a nice guy.

''I know, but I wonder what that man did to get the Dark Brotherhood on him.''

''We shouldn't worry about that right now. First priority is to talk to that Argonian who reported to us about the murder. He looked like he knew more than what he was telling us.''

Dark Brotherhood? Thought Dragon. But he had no time to spare, he needed to talk to Jauffre. The priory was just only a small stone chapel, the priory building, stables, and a small farm house. Dragon knocked on the priory door. He heard quick footsteps from inside. The door opened and light poured from the entrance. At it stood a monk with the top of his head shaved wearing brown robes. He seemed pretty young.

''Can I help you?''

''Yes, I'm looking for Jauffre. I'm delivering something to him.''

''Hmm.''

''Please this is urgent.''

''Very well come in.''

Dragon entered and the priory insides revealed themselves to him. The place seemed to calm your spirits. Candle stands lit the room with life, along with a small fireplace in a corner. A window at the top of the stairs showed a old man with a dragon head holding an hourglass. Book shelves could be seen upstairs from the bottom floor through the wooden railings on top. The rest was just a small kitchen in the back, a sleeping area for the other monks upstairs to the left, and the library upstairs to the right. ''He's upstairs reading.'' The monk walked upstairs and entered the sleeping area. As Dragon peeked into the library area he spotted at the end of the small collection of books was a old man.

''Jauffre?'' Dragon asked curiously.

''Yes?'' He replied. The old man had small wrinkles in his face. He had a pale face looking as if he had a fever. His hair was shaved off, but he left some hair around his head. His eyes showed a man who had been through many battles and hardships. He wasn't extremely old but seemed to be starting his older years. His body was somewhat skinny. Judging by these characteristics the monk was a Breton.

''The Emperor told me to find you and give you this.'' Dragon held out the amulet of kings out of his pocket under his armor.

''What are you doing with that?!'' Jauffre snatched it from Dragon's hands before he could react. ''Who are you?! And what do you know about that the Emperor's death?''

''Please he told me to deliver the amulet that was all. I was at the Emperor's death, but I did not murder him the assassins' did!'' Dragon defended himself and Jauffre saw it in his eyes that this Argonian had nothing to do with the Emperor's death.

''Very well but let us introduce ourselves, I' am Jauffre. Tell me your name.''

''Dragon...''

''An unusual name for an Argonian.''

''Yes I know I had no parents. I was given to a Argonian mission when I was a baby. I found out later in my teen years by a local shaman that my birth star was the rare Dragon, so I gave myself that name.''

''Interesting. But you probably know what I do already.''

''Yes, Baurus told me about you. So what's the grandmaster of the Blades doing at a priory?''

''I serve here in retirement but I will become a part of the Blades again when the need arises. But now tell me why did the Emperor send you to me?''

''Actually he told me to find you. All he said you knew where his last son, he also mentioned that I had to 'Close shut the jaws of Oblivion' do you know anything about that?''

''Hmm. Yes I know about his son but his last words obviously state that he perceived some sort of threat from demonic world of Oblivion.'' Dragon knew about the world of Oblivion. The words echoed in his head as if it were a bad memory every time it was mentioned.

''So the amulet has something to do with it?''

''Yes, perhaps. Every time a new emperor is crowned he goes to the Temple of the One in the Imperial City and lights the Dragon fires. But with no new emperor and the Dragon fires dark for the first time in history it maybe that they may have protected Tamriel from Oblivion. But all scholars agree that Tamriel is protected from the forces of Oblivion.'' Jauffre was in deep thought, not knowing what to do now. Then as if he was recalling a old memory he spoke about the last son of Uriel Septim. ''When I was still a Blade captain, I was Uriel's bodyguard at the Imperial Palace. One night he called me into his room, revealing to me a baby cradled in his hands. He told me to keep the son a secret for what reason I do not know but today perhaps that reason has revealed itself to me.''

''So where is this long lost son?''

''I was told to give the baby away to someone, so I found one. A farmer. He took the baby and went back to his farmhouse nearby the city of Kvatch. I believe the baby's name was Martin. From latest news I heard he was a popular priest among the public in the city. Your first priority now is to go find him at Kvatch. The city is somewhat south of here. You'll see it on a large hilltop''

''Alright but is there anything you could but I'm gonna a horse.''

''Its fine, you can take one of the stable horses. But give me the amulet it's best safe here at the priory. Now go with Talos' blessing, do not fail.''

Dragon exited the priory and found a good horse in the stables at the back. He rode swiftly to the south as rain began to pour down. The horse seemed to tire carrying someone wearing full steel armor but Dragon forced it to keep going.

For what seemed to be hours he saw a huge hilltop covered with rocks. On top was the walls. However when he reached the feet of the hill he smelled burning and looked up top to see the sky turning red with cracks of yellow in it. The sky rumbled with what seemed to be the sound of thunder.

To Be Continued...