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Post by DEATH97 on Sept 23, 2006 10:50:17 GMT -5
This was my CYOA on gamefaqs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [shadow=red,left,300][glow=red,2,300]MARKED: A tale of Oblivion[/glow][/shadow] “ ARE YOU GONNA TELL US WHERE IT IS?!?” …..” “ He’s not going to talk.” He’s right. I’m not going to tell them anything. Not because, I’m honorable, and not because I’m too tough. It’s just because at this point I’m not sure if I can talk at all. I try to tell them I don’t know what their talking about, but all I accomplish is the gurgling noise of blood in my lungs. I gather my strength. Just enough to spit it out. My eyes are swollen to the point that I’m not sure if I hit anyone, but I soon get my answer. WHAM.. An Armored Fist hits me with enough force that if I wasn’t chained to this wooden post, I’d drop like a stone. I don’t have to see to know who threw it. Goran.. A fowl, hot tempered Orc. Strong as a Daedroth, and just as stupid. Goran’s only been the muscle for Balin’s crew for the last year or so, but he’s already made quite an impression, and now he’s trying to make one on me. Doing a hell of a job too. I’m not sure what will kill me first, the internal bleeding or his rancid breath. “ I told you, he’s not going to talk… Are you Duric?” The reasonable voice behind me is J’veer. Reasonable, and deadly. Yeah, J’veer and I go way back. I’ve known a lot of Khajiit in my line of work. Smugglers, Thieves, good people. But J’veer was a heartless assassin. His blood runs so cold you’d think he was an Argonian. I could picture him behind me right now, just waiting for Balin to give him permission to slit my throat with that dagger he loves so much. I can see the large unfocused blur that could only be Goran approaching me again. No doubt to deliver another message. I’m not sure how much more of this I can take.
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Post by Inquisitor Loki on Sept 23, 2006 10:59:00 GMT -5
Okay
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Post by DEATH97 on Sept 25, 2006 17:46:50 GMT -5
^ [glow=red,2,300]Updated[/glow] ^
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Valgaera
Inactive Member
I am the Light within the Darkness
Je suis le Lumi?re dans l'Obscurit
Posts: 124
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Post by Valgaera on Sept 26, 2006 21:12:09 GMT -5
Wow....I love your writing style!
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Post by DEATH97 on Sept 26, 2006 21:35:27 GMT -5
Thanks I'll be posting more here tonight.
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Post by BloodMoonWolf on Sept 27, 2006 6:00:09 GMT -5
I don't have time to read it now but I'll read it tonight if I can
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Post by Maliku on Sept 27, 2006 14:49:09 GMT -5
I remember reading it. When are you going to post more?
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Post by DEATH97 on Sept 27, 2006 16:44:27 GMT -5
Goran brings his arm back and throws it towards me again. I wait till just before impact and throw my head downwards. CRACK.. Goran misses me, slamming his fist into the wooden pillar behind me. He turns, gripping his hand in pain.
Balin and J’veer get a good laugh at Goran’s expense. I’m still in too much pain to find it funny. Goran isn’t happy at all. “SHUT UP!!” Seems were not the only ones not amused. The shadowed figure to Balin’s right doesn’t make a sound, but then again, he never does. I don’t know his name. As far as I know he doesn’t have one. Everyone just calls him Balin’s Shadow. The cloaked figure has been with Balin since the beginning. Sure J’veer and Goran do most of Balin’s dirty work, but Balin’s shadow is what keeps Balin feared around Bravil.
Balin takes a step forward. “Duric, my friend. Just tell me where she hid the artifact, and we’ll get you all fixed up, and on your way.” Friend… Ha. If this is how Balin treated his friends, I guess I’ll never meet one of his enemies. Balin was an odd looking sort. He had the height of the average wood elf, but I’d just never seen a fat Bosmer before. His appearance is deceiving. Inside that short round exterior lives a ruthless monster. I once watched as Balin tried to collect on a debt. The man couldn’t pay Balin the 50 Septims he owed him. So Balin took his wife and daughter 50 miles off the coast of Elsweyr, Bound them, strapped steel boots to their feet, and tossed them into the Topal Sea.
I try to make it a point to steer clear of people like him. Sure I worked for him once. Not something I’m particularly proud of. I needed a ship, and a crew, and Balin had the connections I needed to make it happen. If I’d known then what I know now. I would have continued on to Anvil. Balin speaks again, I can tell by his voice he’s becoming frustrated…. Good. “You disappoint me Duric. I take you into my home, allow you to hang around in my basement, and give you the proper respect a filthy traitor pirate deserves.”
Big talk. I’m no pirate. Smuggler? Yes, Scavenger? Sure, but I’m a hell of a lot more respectable then Balin. He thinks he’s big time, but he doesn’t have any Idea what he’s gotten himself into this time. I’ve got worse things after me then him… And they’re not the sharing type.
“Fine have it your way.” Balin makes a motion with his hands that’s hard to make out, but I think I get the general Idea. “If he’s not going to talk, he’s no use to us.” I feel the cold sharp steel against my neck, and then… Darkness
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Post by DEATH97 on Sept 27, 2006 16:46:13 GMT -5
I'm breaking up the story in hopes its easier to read in sections.
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Post by DEATH97 on Sept 27, 2006 16:46:41 GMT -5
The pain is gone now, just the darkness is left, It surrounds me and pulls me in all directions at once. Finally… Death. Then again… My minds wandering pretty good for a dead man. Doesn’t matter now. Might as well go back and see if I can figure all this out. What else do I have to do?
Guess it really began about four weeks ago…
“LAND AHEAD!!” A sigh of relief passed over me. How good it was to hear those words. For two months we’d been at sea now, stopping only briefly at ports for supplies. I had to get home to my Syilvia. I’ve been gone from her for almost a year, and it has been heavy on my heart. I have written to her every chance I could get, telling her of our destinations. How wonderful it was to arrive at each port with a letter in return, waiting for me. But the last two ports… nothing
Something is wrong. Somethings happened to my sweet Syilvia, my blue skinned goddess. I’ll do whatever it takes now to get home. I should have been there weeks ago. We had one last delivery. Eight crates of Silverware leaving Windhelm bound for Gnisis. Eight crates keeping me from my love. Simple enough, we weren’t carrying anything illegal. At least… not this time.
But that’s when the storm came. Pulled my ship deep into sea and spun us off course. Barely afloat, we landed on a large frozen Island. At first I thought we were back in Skyrim, but this place was differen’t. We found enough supplies at Fort Frostmoth to get the ship seaworthy again. I only remember pieces after that. We took on a passenger who was also stranded at the fort. He failed to mention that he was ill. A sickness started to spread through my ship, and I was no exception.
I spent many hours below deck in a delirious state. The frost fever we called it. It came and went over the next several days, but me and my crew wouldn’t give in. Are health returned to us, as did our strength. We found port in Gnisis and unloaded the cargo. Then as if fate was on our side, we sailed home on the smoothest waves, and wind that traveled in only our direction.
Now our homeland was in sight. Cyrodiil. We’d make port in Leyawiin, and then it’s just a short horse ride to Bravil. Shame.. things are never that simple….
We no sooner roped down the ship to the dock, and made anchor, when two Leyawiin soldiers approach the ship. “Welcome to Leyawiin Imperial. From where did you set sail?” I hate guards. Comes with the territory I guess. Besides I think the feelings mutual. “We made birth from Windhelm.” The Soldiers glance across the ship. “Cargo?” Relieved I don’t have to lie this time. “Just my crew and a drifter were giving passage too." I point towards the Nord stepping off the ship.
The Guards look at the man, and then at each other. They turn towards the drifter drawing their swords swiftly. “YOU THERE! YOUR UNDER ARREST!!” Surprised, if anything because they weren’t after me this time. From looking at the drifters face I'd say he's not going quietly. Still I really didn’t need this right now.
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Post by DEATH97 on Sept 27, 2006 16:48:21 GMT -5
Oh man… This goes against all my better instincts. I never really talked to the drifter much, in fact… I can’t seem to recall his name. I don’t know what he’s done, if anything, and he’s not a member of my crew, but I did promise him safe passage. To be honest I did get him here safely, and he’s no longer on my ship. Still… I don’t need any bad luck now where I’m headed.
I step between the guards and the drifter. “Whoa, Whoa.. Come on now guys. We just came in from a long journey. We’re tired, we’re hungry, and we’re not looking for trouble. So what do you say huh? Lets just all calm down here, I’ll buy you both a beer on me, and just let whatever it is slide this time.”
“Stand Aside Imperial! This is an order from the Count himself.” Well this wasn’t going too well. The guards step forward swords raised. I stand my ground. “What does he owe? I’m willing to pay the bounty on this man.”
One of the guards points his sword in my direction “This is none of your affair Imperial. I suggest you go about your business unless you’d like to share in this ones fate.” Well I tried doing it the civilized way. Now I’ll have to do it…. My way.
I pause a moment, I look the Guards in the eyes… waiting. Then… It happens. One of them blinks. It happens fast; in less then a second my Dagger of Mourning is in my hand. The first guard didn’t have a chance; before he even opens his eyes I’ve disarmed him. He’ll get to keep the hand, but I’ve cut him in a way that he’ll never be able to point a sword at me again. I drop, spinning quickly placing my blade into the back of his right ankle. He doesn’t have a choice… he goes down.
I spin back around to face the second guard, and give him a look that lets him know I mean business. It gives him a second to react, and he’s lucky I’m giving him that. He was caught off guard, stunned. His move now. He should have dropped his sword. He should have run. He didn’t. Mistake number one. I watch closely as his hands tighten around the hilt of his blade, getting a better grip. Mistake number 2. His eyes narrow as he lowers his brow. Mistake number 3. That’s all I give him…Now he’s mine.
I dive forward throwing my shoulder into him. He’s a big one, but I manage to take him down. Unfortunately he managed to keep his sword in hand. The guard swings his blade in a desperate attempt, missing me narrowly as I roll to my feet. I’m to agile for this one. His bulky armor gives him problems just rolling over, as he struggles to stand. I take advantage of this opportunity. I place the blade of the dagger between my teeth and lung forward once again. This time he’s not prepared.
The guard hits the ground with enough force he loses not only his sword but his helmet as well. I kneel over his body and look him in the eye. He doesn’t speak and he’s on the verge on blacking out, but I can see his request for mercy in his eyes. I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a murderer…. But I feel almost as if I’m losing control. I must be careful.
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Post by DEATH97 on Sept 27, 2006 16:49:33 GMT -5
My heart races, my breathing becomes heavy, and for a moment it seems I can feel my very blood coursing through my veins. This wasn’t like me. I was close to giving in to the adrenaline. Just for a moment… I craved the kill.
I take a moment to calm myself, and get my head straight. There, that’s better. This guy doesn’t know how lucky he is. I pick up the guards shield and swing it across his face. “Good night sweetheart.” I do not envy the headache he will have when he awakens. Still, I think he’s better off then his companion. I glance at the other guard. He’s either fainted, or he’s finally wising up and faking death.
Now I decide I should deal with my drifter friend, caused a lot of trouble for me. I turn around and just in time to catch him fleeing out towards the swamp. Well…that’s one hell of a way to show his gratitude. I just get ready to shout out to him, when something cuts me off.
“HALT!!” I turn around slowly, sheathing my dagger. “Great” I say aloud. Four of them. Four more of Leyawiin’s finest. Talk about bad timing. There’s no way these guys were all stationed outside on a regular basis. Had to be some type of patrol or something. Well at least the drifter got away. I have to get back to Bravil to find out what happened to Syilvia. These guards are one thing, but if this keeps up I’ll have the whole Imperial legion on me. “LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS IMPERIAL! YOUR UNDER ARREST!”They caught me standing over one of their own with a dagger in hand. Its obvious I’m not talking my way out of this one… But I can try.
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Post by DEATH97 on Sept 27, 2006 16:51:05 GMT -5
I think I could handle the guards. Speed would be the factor in this encounter, but I don’t really have the time for that. Which of course means a visit to local cell isn’t going to do me any good either. I decide to take my chances. I prepare for one of my best performances. “Sir’s.. Thank the Nine you’re here. I saw the whole thing! A rogue was stowed away on my ship. These guards discovered the scoundrel, and, Well… As you can see, they put up a good effort, but he was just too much for them.” Well, it wasn’t all a lie. I did see the whole thing, and this scoundrel was too much for them.
So far I’m not faring so well. I have them questioning their selves, but I can tell they are reluctant to my word. Perhaps my reputation precedes me. “You there!” One of the guards point to a member of my crew. “Yes sir?” “What happened here?” My worries begin to slip away. Sure the crew didn’t step in during the fight with the other two guards, but they have orders not too. I can handle myself, but breaking one person out of jail, is a lot easier then breaking out 12. But they have no problem lying for me. Honor amongst thieves I guess.
“Its like he said sir. He attacked these two here and took off towards the swamp.” I look the soldiers in the eye… Their buying it. There is what feels like a long pause, before one of the guards speaks. “You two head out for the swamp, Janik you return to the castle and inform the count. We need a search party and ready the alchemist, These men will need tending too.”
And just like that my odds have improved immensely. I turn around and give my men a quick victory grin, as the remaining lone officer approaches his downed men. When I hear it. Something so quiet. Something so vague I can’t even make it out, yet still. I know what was said. I turn around to see the remaining guard kneeling over one of the injured soldiers. He stands up Quickly drawing his sword. Well son of lich. Guess he was faking dead after all. Looks like lies aren’t going to save me this time. At least there is only one.
The guard wastes no time and rushes me. I sidestep, using his own momentum against him, I give him a little push to keep him going. The guard retaliates swiftly still moving forward he spins with his sword. I barely manage to escape the tip of his blade, but my vest is not as lucky. This one had some skill to him. Guess that’s why he was the one giving orders.
I decide not to play with this one. I draw my Cutlass and stand ready. The guard stands motionless, but not afraid. I can’t help but ask him. “Are… Are you taunting me?” He gives a sly grin. Oh man I’m going to enjoy this. I pull back my blade to attack and find it no longer in my hand. Then something hits me hard in the side, as I find myself landing a good distance face down on the dock.
I turn quickly to find a huge mammoth dressed in full daedric armor. He has my sword in one hand and a large war hammer on his back. I get to my feet and dust myself off. As the behemoth throws my sword to the ground. I unsheathe my dagger, no longer feeling as confident. The guards grin becomes larger, and now I think I see what he was so happy about. I take a deep breath pondering my next move. "Not so big now, are you imperial? Like I said, your under arre…” Before the guard can finish his sentence the Armored one spins around and pounds the guards face in with his fist, knocking him out cold.
Speechless and confused I stand, as the Armored one turns around removing the helmet. “Always getting into trouble, aren’t you my friend?” I can’t help but smile, as I give a sigh of relief. “Mazoga… Can’t tell you how glad I am to see you. And perfect timing as usual I might add.” Mazoga was an old friend of mine. I knew her in her more questionable days. She always wanted to go respectable though. Personally I never understood it, but she left for Leyawiin, bound and determined to become a knight.
She didn’t cut off all ties too her roots though. I remained her friend as well as an Informant. I was glad to hear she reached her goal. A knight, and a knight errant at that. Mazoga had a lot of pull in Leyawiin, and a lot of respect from the count himself. Ever since a few years ago, When I slipped her a tip about the location of an old competitor of one of my suppliers, who went by the name of Black Brugo. I heard she even gained aid from the champion of Cyrodiil. There’s no doubt she can square things with me and the count in Leyawiin.
“So Duric? What brings you to Leyawiin?” “Syilvia… I think somethings happened to her. I’ve got to get back to Bravil” Mazoga was a friend of my wifes too. I could see she was concerned but she hid it behind a smile. “Say no more, I’ll have a horse waiting for you at the stables. I’m afraid I can’t accompany you at the moment for if I don’t clean up this mess, we’ll both be outlaws.” “I understand, and Mazoga… Thank you, my friend.”
A few minutes later I reach the stables. Mazoga didn’t let me down. She let me use her personal horse. It was a rare beauty, a white stallion. I climb up on the saddle and situate myself. Finally I can get back to Bravil. Yet still… I can't help but wonder where that drifter ran off too.
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Post by DEATH97 on Sept 27, 2006 16:52:14 GMT -5
There’s something funny about that drifter. How did he wind up on that frozen rock in the first place? How convenient we were heading for the same destination. What could he be wanted for that would get him spotted the second he stepped into Leyawiin. All these question stir in my mind and haunt my thoughts until I can no longer think straight. Could he be connected to what happened to my Syilvia? No.. That’s ridiculous. How could that be?
My minds playing tricks on me, as I wander deeper into the marshlands. There is a strange stagnant odor in the wind that turns my stomach. I’ve been to worse places, but that fact didn’t make this trip any more enjoyable. The ground is moist and I have to be careful, Steering my horse away from spots that look unstable. Puddles of water appear to bubble and boil, as the ground its self seems to shift and sink around me. Some of it is real. Some of it is my imagination perhaps, but mostly it’s the swamp air. There are many diseases that reside in the Marsh lands. None of which I’m immune too. Yet this is not one of them… It’s.. Something else.
The pain in my stomach worsens, as I become unsteady on the saddle. I’ve been following these three muddy footprints for what seems like hours. The sun begins to fade behind the murky swamplands, as a thick mists wraps itself around me like an old blanket. Its becoming harder to follow the tracks, and to make matters worse, In my haste It seems, I’ve forgotten to bring a torch. I push forward, and grit my teeth in a desperate attempt to overcome the pain.
Its not working. My insides are twisting and cracking, I slump over the horse, further, and further, until I find myself doubled over on the ground. I had once been stabbed in the back by a burning blade, that was twisted before it left me for dead. That could not compare to the agony I find myself in at this moment. My horse stands faithfully at my side. Suddenly she rears up on her back legs and goes into a panic, and just before I black out…. I sense it too…. Something is coming.
It seems like I was only out for a second or two, but its pitch black out now. At least an hour has gone by. I get to my feet, and scrape the mud off my arm. Whatever was coming before I passed out, must not of been interested in me. The good news is I’m still in one piece and my pain has completely vanished. Unfortunately my horse was gone too. She was a magnificent creature that, I’d hoped to return to Mazoga safely. Mazoga appreciated fine animals, not like most Orcs, that just eat them.
I take a moment to look at my surroundings. It doesn’t take long for my eyes to focus, adjusting to the darkness. Still it would be nice to have a torch, and I’ll be regretting that mistake for days to come. Immediately I come to a conclusion. I don’t know where I am. One things for sure, I’m not where I landed on the ground. Did someone move me?
For a brief moment the fog clears just enough to see a faint light just beyond the trees ahead. I make my way forward guarding my face from the thorns of the thick brush, and after a few minutes, and a few scratches later I arrive at the source of the light. A lamp hangs by a chain over an entrance to a cave. It sways ever so slightly as if beckoning me to enter. I use the light to my advantage and kneel over removing several thorns from my now tattered clothing. I have blood on my hands, that I wipe off on some nearby grass, as I spot it….. The tracks.
Three separate tracks passed by this cave. The drifter and two Leyawiin guards from the look of them. I take a look at the lamp, and notice its a little loose on the chain. I could probably remove it.
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Valgaera
Inactive Member
I am the Light within the Darkness
Je suis le Lumi?re dans l'Obscurit
Posts: 124
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Post by Valgaera on Sept 27, 2006 17:18:59 GMT -5
Nice so far. Thats pretty cool, working in Magoza. Oh, and by lamp you mean like torch, right?
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