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Chapter 4: Marked for Death

The priory was not ruined or destroyed but bodies of people clothed in red were strewn across the area. Dragon and Martin investigated the area including the priory insides. The tables were overturned, the window broken, bookshelves destroyed, junk all over the place. They came upon a secret room behind pretty convincing closet doors. This room was in ruins. The nearby wall was completely destroyed, the bed burnt from fire, and a chest on top of a small table was ripped apart. This was definitely where Jauffre may have put the amulet, thought Dragon. ''Follow me we need to find a friend of mine.'' With Martin behind him they checked the only place they hadn't been to... the small church next to the priory. As they entered they found two more bodies of red clothed men and Jauffre alive with an Akaviri dai-katana. He lowered his weapon and talked in a exhausted voice.

''Your alive, thank Talos. I presume this is Martin yes. I'am Jauffre.'' Martin shook hands with Jauffre.

''Yes I'm Martin, the so called heir as what your friend says.''

''Jauffre what happened?'' Dragon asked.

''The assassins, the same ones that killed the emperor came here for the amulet. I lost one of my monks but luckily most were on pilgrimages. We need to go see if the amulet is safe first.''

''The amulet is gone Jauffre I found the room that you kept it in and the container destroyed.''

''Then it is just as I feared. Ironic, we lost the Amulet of Kings but we gained an Heir to the emperor.''

''What do we do now?''

''For now we head to the next step of the plan without the amulet. We head for Cloud Ruler Temple, sanctuary and headquarters of the Blades. It is from there I will discuss with you some of the things I've learned.''

''Alright I suggest we head there now while it is still noon.''

''What about the priory? The priests and friars will be quite shocked finding their priory desecrated with bodies everywhere.'' Martin said.

''Don't worry I have my sources.'' Jauffre replied. Dragon, Martin, and Jauffre mounted their horses from the priory stables and left for the temple. Within atleast two hours they passed the city of Bruma and followed Jauffre toward a snowy mountain. At the top was a fortified hilltop fortress with Akaviri designs overlooking Bruma. They came upon the entrance, a large wooden door. Hurrying footsteps could be heard beyond the doors and soon enough they opened. At the door was none other than Baurus, the Redguard Blade that protected the emperor when Dragon got out of jail. He looked at Dragon and smiled giving him a hug. Then he looked toward Martin with a surprised face.

''Grandmaster is this?''

''Yes Baurus this is the emperor's son.''

''My lord! It is an honor. Only a few emperors have ever came to Cloud Ruler Temple. Welcome!''

''Ah yes well... Thank you. The honor is mine actually.'' Jauffre then climbed the steps and motioned for Martin to come.

''Come... your Blades are waiting to greet you.'' At the top of the stairs stood the Blades. All of them wearing identical armor. They stood side by side as Martin and Jauffre came through. Both stopped at the entrance to the temple doors. Jauffre began a short speech with Dragon watching from behind. ''Blades! Dark times are upon us! The Emperor and his sons were slain on our watch. The empire is in chaos! But there is still yet hope! Here is Martin Septim, son of Uriel Septim.'' The Blades raised up their katanas in response.

''Hail Dragonborn! Hail! Hail!''

''Your majesty the Blades are at your disposal.'' It was now Martin's turn for the speech.

''Thank you Jauffre, but listen all of you! I was raised by a farmer and started my career as a local priest. I don't know anything about being an Emperor or how it feels like. But I want to let you know that I'll do my best and I hope to prove myself worthy of your loyalty in the coming days... that's it thank you.''

''Well then, thank you Martin. We all best get back to our duties eh captain.'' The Blades dispersed. Jauffre walked away with the Blades captain while Dragon talked with Martin.

''Not much of a speech wasn't it?''

''No Martin it was perfectly fine.''

''Still... this is happening so fast. The Blades saluting me as emperor, the amulet of kings, all of it. Maybe it's too much.''

''Don't put yourself down Martin that's not what your ancestor Tiber Septim would've done. If he did then do you think the empire would be what it is today?''

''No it wouldn't. I wonder if this is really all part of a divine plan put together by Akatosh.''

''Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Still we got a job to do.''

''That's right the amulet of kings. Jauffre would know what to do next. Now if you'll excuse me I need to find some rest.'' Martin entered the temple with a weary mind. Dragon searched for Jauffre inside the left wing of the temple, finding him in the smithy talking to the captain.

''So has Baurus uncovered anything else from his mission besides the books.?''

''No Grandmaster that's all there is.'' Dragon listened nearby as the two continued their conversation.

''What about the books themselves do they carry any significance?''

''Well it seems nothing more than Mankar Camoran's ramblings about some sort of Paradise and his teachings.''

''Very well but I think we should let Martin see them. Perhaps he can see something that we can't.'' As the captain left Dragon revealed himself to Jauffre.

''So what did Baurus do while we were busy?''

''Ah yes I assume you heard our conversation. While you were in Kvatch I sent a message to the Blades to research about the assassins that killed the emperor. Well Baurus was sent by captain Steffan to investigate the assassins. They're called the Mythic Dawn a cult that worships the Daedric Prince of destruction, Mehrunes Dagon. Baurus tracked down one of their agents in the Imperial City. Once the agent was dead Baurus searched the room of the inn he was staying in, finding four large books in it. They're called Mankar Camoran's Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes. Besides that theres nothing else Baurus uncovered.''

''Who's Mankar Camoran?''

''I've done some research on him when Baurus came back with the books. He was apparently the son of the Camoran Usurper who lived atleast 200 years ago. He conquered Valenwood and almost Highrock until divine intervention and a great navy defeated his armies of undead. Now this son of his seems to be the leader of the Mythic Dawn. Beyond that his life is shrouded in mystery.'''

''What about this Mysterium Xarxes?''

''I've heard about it before. It's an evil book that was written by Mehrunes Dagon himself. I was sketchy about it's existence but now that these books have been found, it'll be likely that it was given to the Mythic Dawn.''

''So what about the amulet?''

''I don't know. We're trying to have Martin see if he can find any sort of code in there. But besides that you have some free time. Come back within two days and we may have something for you. I'll be in my room upstairs if you need anything.'' As Jauffre walked away Dragon gave a sigh of relief. Finally a break from all that has happened. He thought about getting some young Argonian women and having themselves a night of fun. It was a good idea but he just wanted to lay down and relax. Dragon walked outside of the temple making for the fortress exit. Baurus on the wall yelled at Dragon.

''Hey where are you going my friend?''

''Sorry Baurus I'm just gonna head down to that city called Bruma.''

''You sure? Theres fun around here at times!''

''Thanks but I'm just gonna look around Bruma and spend the night there.''

''Well if you are then take this.'' Baurus thew a bag down at Dragon. As he opened it, inside contained about 1000 septims.

''Thanks Baurus!'' It was a long walk down the mountain with Dragon occasionally tripping over rocks. He reached the city northern entrance with its walls looming over him. The city was completely Nord themed. A number of poor and beggars lined the streets. The only things that didn't look poor in the city were the castle, shops, and the cabin houses. He then just remembered that he forgot to repair his armor at Cloud Ruler Temple; though his sword was fine, probably the sigil's magic keeping it intact. He found the nearest blacksmith shop called Hammer and Axe, but the damage to his armor was so great that it would take a day to repair. But the Nord did suggest to sell the armor to him and to buy a set of orcish armor that he had ordered. The cost was a lot less than repairing the steel armor so Dragon accepted. The order would take one more day to arrive. Dragon spent the rest of the day in the local inn, resting in his rented room. When he woke up he looked out the window and guessed it was night time already. He was pretty thirsty as he didn't even drink anything from his time in Kvatch and to Cloud Ruler Temple.

As he walked down the hallway to the inn's dining area he noticed it was eerily quiet and not even snoring noises from some of the guests below. He put his hand on his sword ready for anything as he came down to the dining area. Then he had found his explanation for the silence in the inn. Bodies of people staying at the inn were all over the floor or on the table. Dragon checked their heartbeats which were beating. Someone had knocked out the guests but not physically. The guests were slumped to the floor or their faces on their plates. Dragon noticed a small green mechanical contraption on the floor which seemed to be the cause for the sudden collapse of the guests. He checked the other rooms which also contained unconscious people. A small muffled scream was heard and Dragon traced the sound to a hidden trap door behind the barkeeps table.

The sound intensified as Dragon removed the cover and entered the room, lit by only a few candles. Inside he saw a female Argonian naked on the ground, and being bitten at the neck by someone clothed in complete black. She was alive, though it ended when her assailant opened his mouth wide and to Dragon's horror began cannibalizing her at the neck. She screamed but it ended as blood began to pour from both her neck and a little at the mouth. Dragon noticed that the murderer was an Argonian thought he couldn't make out much details since he was in the dark side of the room. Slowly Dragon approached the Argonian with sword raised about to run him through. As he was about to deliver the death blow the Argonian instantly stopped and held Dragon's sword with his hand, stopping the attack. ''It's rude to interrupt me when I'm eating.'' The Argonian spoke in a handsome but evil voice. As he turned around Dragon saw the Argonian's maw covered in the blood of his victim but could not see the rest of his face as it was darkened by his hood.

The leather armor the Argonian wore was somewhat tight and pitch black as the void. Then Dragon noticed the black hand print on the armor's leather pauldron. This murderer was a member of the Dark Brotherhood. ''What luck. I was going to search the rooms upstairs for you after my dinner but you've saved me the trouble.''

''What the hell did you do to her.'' Dragon answered fiercely ignoring the assassin's previous statement.

''Oh... well I raped her, I always have a little fun with my food before... devouring them.'' The assassin licked his lips at his statement.

''So whats with the guests upstairs.''

''Oh that well I learned a thing or two from an elf called Midas. Taught me some neat spells.'' Midas?! I guess he's willing to train anyway if they got the septims for it, Dragon thought.

''So your looking for me?''

''Yes... yes I have. You see I need to carry out my contract. You are Dragon yes? Well I'am Lurks-In-The-Shadows or you can call me by my Argonian name Rakeem. My contract is to eliminate you in secrecy and thankfully I get to eat you after I'm done. You do smell tasty after all.''

''Who arranged the contract?''

''Some people who want you dead. Sorry but your not getting more infomation from me than that. Now lets begin shall we. I look forward to have you reside in my stomach.'' Rakeem let go of the sword and Dragon slashed at him but suddenly he couldn't move. ''I would love a good fight but I'm hungry. Talar hold him.'' Apparently another Argonian assassin called Talar came from behind and used some sort of magic on Dragon. Rakeem laughed. Dragon was locked in place and Rakeem approached with a ebony dagger. He whispered in Dragon's ear. ''Goodbye. Don't worry it'll be all over soon enough, now then its dinner time.'' He licked Dragon's neck, biting it and then he stabbed him in the heart. Dragon felt cold and felt death's dark fingers reaching out to get him as he closed his eyes. Rakeem stood over the body of Dragon and lowered himself down. He bit Dragon's neck sucking the blood from Dragon, drinking it. ''Ah... sweet delicious Argonian blood.'' Talar came forth from the shadows cloaked in his black robes.

''Why do you want to suck his blood anyway? Your not a vampire.'' Talar questioned.

''I've always had a craving for blood and Argonian blood only ever since my sister... You know that already.'' Talar chuckled.

''Your first murder always interested me. So young and yet so bloodthirsty. No wonder they accepted you into the ranks of the Shadowscales. Well finish the job so we can get back to Ocheeva.'' Done with his blood drinking, Rakeem prepared to cannibalize Dragon but stopped. ''Well Rakeem you gonna do it or not? Rakeem? Rakeem!'' Talar shook Rakeem but to no avail, the assassin was frozen. In his mind Rakem received a vision, that he would become a lord of an empire filled with Argonians. It was perfect, he had all the women he wanted and one of the greatest military powers in all of Tamriel. He also had a family, the vision did not reveal the face of the Argonian wife but only the children. All of it then disappeared and was replaced by Daedra roaming the land. Burning and pillaging. They all came from a demonic gate. Then he saw to his horror, Argonia invaded by the Daedra. They overwhelmed Argonia's defenses and burned the land to the ground. Tamriel burned. But he saw something else. The very person he was to kill, Dragon. The Argonian dived into the demonic gates and destroyed them. Rakeem then saw a peaceful Tamriel with him creating his empire in some sort of Dwemer city. ''RAKEEM!'' Rakeem awoke from his trance surprised and looked at Dragon. He tasted his blood and it was delicious but from what he had seen, he would let the Argonian go.

''Come on Talar lets go.''

''What?! Are you insane we have to finish the job!''

''If I ate this Argonian I would have the taste of a lifetime. But... lets just tell Ocheeva we killed him.''

''Well we need proof don't we?''

''Cut off his tail, that'll be our evidence to convince Ocheeva. It'll grow back and if it doesn't work, I have other ways of convincing her.'' Talar cut off half of Dragon's tail and handed it to Rakeem.

''Really? Let's hope that she doesn't moan so loud with pleasure that the whole sanctuary will hear it. Anyway we'll talk about this later at the sanctuary.'' Both Talar and Rakeem left, leaving Dragon with the body of the dead Argonian. As they were leaving the inn Rakeem looked at the severed tail and began licking it with ectasty. He began sucking on it with lust and began swallowing it but not before Talar stopped him. ''We're going to need that as evidence you know. Something troubling you?''

''No its nothing Talar its just... that Argonian Dragon ever since I tasted his blood I feel a desire to devour him, to... I just don't know...'' Rakeem said embarresed. Talar laughed a bit bringing his arm around Rakeem.

''Well if you wanted to eat him then you could've done it just then. But I shouldn't talk about it right now. Why don't we have some fun once we get back to the sanctuary in your room eh? Maybe that'll help cheer you up.'' Rakeem smiled.

''Well lets hope that it'll be better than the times we did it before.'' Both Rakeem and Talar exited the inn cloaked in black. They climbed over the city walls and left for Cheydinhal.

Dragon slowly opened his eyes and saw he survived. Luckily it seemed that whatever enchantment that dagger had didn't kill him thought he wondered why he wasn't already food for the cannibal assassin yet. He looked around and saw the bright light of the sun in the sky. He noticed that he was next to the dead Argonian he saw last night lying next to him. Looking around he recognized that he was behind the inn with guards blocking the way to him. ''So no one knows who did it? I mean come on a whole inn full of people and two Argonians end up dead in the basement.'' One of the guards was chatting with another unknown man.

''I told you already all the people in there were knocked out by some sort of nauseous gas. We ruled out vampires since they drink blood rather than eat others.''

''Any evidence?''

''None. Whoever did this was pretty clever.''

''Hey I'm not dead.'' Dragon came up on the guard scaring him.

''YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO BE DEAD! IF YOUR ALIVE THEN YOU ARE UNDEAD!''

''No you idiot. If he was undead he wouldn't have spoken to you like that. Still, how are you alive?''

''I have a special... 'condition' that allows me to heal my wounds quickly but only if I'm not hit by spells or anything magical.''

''Hmm... well anyway do you mind telling us what happened in there? I've been investigating this case ever since it started.''

''I was just staying at the inn, nothing special until I found the guests in the state they were in. I heard a sound in the basement and saw the murderer killing that Argonian woman.''

''How did he kill her exactly?''

''He was biting her neck at first and then began to eat her but I stopped him before he consumed more of the neck.''

''Very well. Another question, we had reports that two Argonians in black were seen coming out the inn late at night, were they involved?''

''Yes.''

''You know anyone who would want to kill you?''

''No, those were hired assassins from the Dark Brotherhood someone hired them but I don't know.'' Dragon was actually lying lest he get the word out that a Daedric cult assassinated the Emperor.

''Damn, if they're from the Dark Brotherhood then they'll be hard to find. Anyway your free to go.''

''Thanks and by the way did you see a sword down there by my body?''

''Yes we did, it was broken in two.''

Dammit, Dragon thought as he walked to the black smithy. Now that his sword was gone, he no longer had an advantage over armored enemies. Still the only thing to cheer him was the apparent good deal he would get from the blacksmith at the shop. Thankfully he still had his septims in his pockets and paid around 800 septims for just an orcish armor set! Strange that the Nord would set the price so low when in truth the set would cost atleast 5000 septims. But he had more things at mind than just the armor price. If the Mythic Dawn had sent assassins to kill him, what next? More of them? It was uncertain but for now he was marked for death. The next day Dragon relaxed with alert senses for anyone who seemed suspicious and then later in the afternoon he would return back to Cloud Ruler Temple. How Dragon became so alert reminded him of the Dagoth Ur crisis, when he and his old friend were hunting down sleeper agents in Vvardenfell.

To Be Continued...