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The Commander of Elites
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"Eh, a bit of both." Hiritus answered. "Talented people can earn a lot of wealth and influence from the Daedric Prince of wishes, which, as a sidenote, is not that intimidating of a title said out loud. Regardless, someone like me, an orphaned street rat from the slums of Dune, can get more than he ever could on his own. I don't know how I ever survived my childhood in that place. Nearly didn't, if I'm being honest. It took me a while to actually become a decent thief. I figure after this is all over, I'll be able to get a small manor by the ocean, maybe hire some hands to farm the land for moon sugar, maybe some lovely servants, and live the rest of my days comfortably. And I'll even have helped wipe out a disease that's been threatening Tamriel for all of recorded history. It's not often that someone can earn a fortune and still feel good about themselves afterwards."
Hiritus' walking pace has settled to a steady, if slightly slowed pace, and he was not longer showing as many signs of weakness. Of course, unless he remained well-fed and received frequent care from healers, it could be weeks before he was back to normal. "Of course, I would hardly call Clavicus Vile one of the 'good' Daedra. I doubt he's doing this out of charity. He wants something out of it, and I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't told even the General himself. My guess is he wants to take some of Hircine's power, so he needs to weaken him first by killing his followers. But, I don't know. I don't know why he's doing it, or how we're actually going to finish the culling, but I know there is a plan in place."
Hiritus' walking pace has settled to a steady, if slightly slowed pace, and he was not longer showing as many signs of weakness. Of course, unless he remained well-fed and received frequent care from healers, it could be weeks before he was back to normal. "Of course, I would hardly call Clavicus Vile one of the 'good' Daedra. I doubt he's doing this out of charity. He wants something out of it, and I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't told even the General himself. My guess is he wants to take some of Hircine's power, so he needs to weaken him first by killing his followers. But, I don't know. I don't know why he's doing it, or how we're actually going to finish the culling, but I know there is a plan in place."
Hiritus gave a brief shrug. "Well, the goal has always been to wipe Tamriel free of lycanthropy, presumably to cripple Hircine's hold in Tamriel. Once we cull them all, Vile will be satisfied. Immunity just means you'll be spared that fate, with some limitations. You're, uh, strongly encouraged to get cured after it's all over. If not, you have to ensure that you will never have children, and will never spread the disease in any other way."
There was a short pause as Hiritus looked away for a moment, contemplating. He curled his lips and turned back, speaking more quietly by habit, as if there was someone out in the middle of the wastes to overhear them. "But, uh, between you and me, I don't think that's going to happen. The higher-ups have been giving those deals, but I don't think Vile ever made that offer. Get cured and you'll be fine, but I think Vile is going to tie off any loose ends after the culling, if you get my meaning. He wants all of the lycans gone, as many of their souls harvested as possible, with no possibility of return. Don't worry though, if you're as useful as I think, you'll live like a king after this is over. That'll more than make up for losing that beast living in your body." He explained.
There was a short pause as Hiritus looked away for a moment, contemplating. He curled his lips and turned back, speaking more quietly by habit, as if there was someone out in the middle of the wastes to overhear them. "But, uh, between you and me, I don't think that's going to happen. The higher-ups have been giving those deals, but I don't think Vile ever made that offer. Get cured and you'll be fine, but I think Vile is going to tie off any loose ends after the culling, if you get my meaning. He wants all of the lycans gone, as many of their souls harvested as possible, with no possibility of return. Don't worry though, if you're as useful as I think, you'll live like a king after this is over. That'll more than make up for losing that beast living in your body." He explained.
This time, Hiritus did not regard Gallus with near as much suspicion. He relaxed slightly from his elevated state of awareness, though now that his suspicion had been created, further mistakes were likely to generate more of a reaction from him. They were moving on at a more reasonable pace than before, but he was still slower than Gallus, and with the route they were taking, it was becoming less likely that they would reach Orcrest in a day.
"There are some, yes. Obviously, I don't know how many there are in all of Tamriel, but I've seen a few. Some of them weren't lycans, and were just former worshipers of the Daedra. But, I've seen two or three lycans make the switch over the years. From what I've heard, most of the lycans come seeking a cure. Those beasts you served certainly weren't going to give them one. Of course, the only defectors we actually accept are the ones willing to make themselves useful. Lord Vile is not a priest looking to give charity. He and his followers demand something in return. Of course, the lycans wanting cures usually are the new ones, so they also don't have that much information. I don't know if you want to purify your blood or not, but you're an exception in that regard. You'll definitely have an easier time than most of the others. You've already done a great service for us, so sharing that information would just solidify your place among us. If you actually want to remain one of those monsters, you can be granted immunity from the culling." Hiritus explained.
"There are some, yes. Obviously, I don't know how many there are in all of Tamriel, but I've seen a few. Some of them weren't lycans, and were just former worshipers of the Daedra. But, I've seen two or three lycans make the switch over the years. From what I've heard, most of the lycans come seeking a cure. Those beasts you served certainly weren't going to give them one. Of course, the only defectors we actually accept are the ones willing to make themselves useful. Lord Vile is not a priest looking to give charity. He and his followers demand something in return. Of course, the lycans wanting cures usually are the new ones, so they also don't have that much information. I don't know if you want to purify your blood or not, but you're an exception in that regard. You'll definitely have an easier time than most of the others. You've already done a great service for us, so sharing that information would just solidify your place among us. If you actually want to remain one of those monsters, you can be granted immunity from the culling." Hiritus explained.
Hiritus shrugged his shoulders. "Probably would have infected him. She just cared that he is alive and well. She was a sweet woman, to be honest. Not at all suited for what we do; she was just completely dedicated to her son. Of course, by the time she had been infected, she couldn't really turn back from the mission. She had already struck her deal with Vile, so betraying him really wouldn't have worked out well for either of them."
When Gallus started asking about the fortress, Hiritus gave him a strange look briefly before looking back ahead and answering. "I haven't been there, actually. I just know its reputation. And it's also not that close to Corinthe. Not nearly as close as this stronghold is to Orcrest. It's pretty far into the forest, away from any locations important to the Dominion. There aren't any major mines or trade routes near it, just forest. It wouldn't make for a good staging post against Corinthe, or any other city, and Dominion patrols don't have a reason to go there. We expect to be able to keep out of their sight; it's the lycans that they anticipated would find it. You're always out in the wilds hunting, or whatever else. It's a stronghold against the werebeasts."
"Anyway, how privy were you to information about the rest of Tamriel? If the Champion was directing your operations like we think, then...well you were close to her. The closest defector we've had to date. What kind of plans does she have in other parts of the world?"
When Gallus started asking about the fortress, Hiritus gave him a strange look briefly before looking back ahead and answering. "I haven't been there, actually. I just know its reputation. And it's also not that close to Corinthe. Not nearly as close as this stronghold is to Orcrest. It's pretty far into the forest, away from any locations important to the Dominion. There aren't any major mines or trade routes near it, just forest. It wouldn't make for a good staging post against Corinthe, or any other city, and Dominion patrols don't have a reason to go there. We expect to be able to keep out of their sight; it's the lycans that they anticipated would find it. You're always out in the wilds hunting, or whatever else. It's a stronghold against the werebeasts."
"Anyway, how privy were you to information about the rest of Tamriel? If the Champion was directing your operations like we think, then...well you were close to her. The closest defector we've had to date. What kind of plans does she have in other parts of the world?"
Ssarak Dyreackthanose - Catacombs
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Though his wing gusts did exactly what Ssarak intended them to do, they were nevertheless ineffective at keeping the shapeshifter in place. Grey, being that he had to protect the Naga from the bone shards, was not in a position to immediately follow up to attack, and even if he had been, the shapeshifter could change forms far faster than even Lidda. It seemed as if it was the most powerful vitamancer Ssarak had ever encountered. It briefly made him wonder how they had managed to have any success against it, but his attention was quickly taken by an even greater threat: Tyrael.
The master Demonmancer had arrived far sooner than Ssarak had hoped. The ridge hounds and shapeshifter had delayed them for too long. Fighting was, of course, not an option, and if they could not find a way to talk him down, they would need help. Ssarak had intended to use Colette’s bat to send a message to Khan quickly, but even that would not be fast enough now. It would have to be able to fly straight to him…which was a thought that provoked an idea within Ssarak’s mind. The catacombs were beneath the college, so the straight-line distance between them was not terribly far. One would have to pass straight through the ground, and the college’s stonework, but that was only an issue for corporeal beings. An illusion, if it was not attempting to be convincing, did not have to obey any natural laws. Ssarak recalled that his friend Annabeth had instructed her doppelgangers to attend classes in her stead on a few occasions. They could work at range, and he could instruct it to speak, so it could deliver a message.
Making no attempt to hide which version of himself was genuine, Ssarak had his doppelganger fly up in the direction of the college, straight through the catacombs. It was going to warn Khan, to tell him that the students, and Naga survivors, were in danger from Tyrael. As long as Ssarak was alive and conscious, his messenger would not be stopped.
Meanwhile, Ssarak and the others had to do what they could to calm Tyrael, or at least delay him. Telepathically, Ssarak sent a message to each of the Naga. We have to persuade him to let you live. He is a master demonmancer and could kill us all with ease; fighting is not an option. Lower your weapons; they will not be useful anyway.
Ssarak did not bother to raise his weapon against Tyrael, though he did stay in a position where he could protect the Naga. ”Why do this, Tyrael? Why kill the Naga? Baulder…he needs healing. We need to get him back to the college, instead of fighting over what to do with the Naga. If you believe they are a threat, then we can detain them. Lock them away, let Khan, or the Archmage judge them. They could not stand against us if they wanted to, especially with one as powerful as you among us. There would be no danger in capturing them.”
---
Though his wing gusts did exactly what Ssarak intended them to do, they were nevertheless ineffective at keeping the shapeshifter in place. Grey, being that he had to protect the Naga from the bone shards, was not in a position to immediately follow up to attack, and even if he had been, the shapeshifter could change forms far faster than even Lidda. It seemed as if it was the most powerful vitamancer Ssarak had ever encountered. It briefly made him wonder how they had managed to have any success against it, but his attention was quickly taken by an even greater threat: Tyrael.
The master Demonmancer had arrived far sooner than Ssarak had hoped. The ridge hounds and shapeshifter had delayed them for too long. Fighting was, of course, not an option, and if they could not find a way to talk him down, they would need help. Ssarak had intended to use Colette’s bat to send a message to Khan quickly, but even that would not be fast enough now. It would have to be able to fly straight to him…which was a thought that provoked an idea within Ssarak’s mind. The catacombs were beneath the college, so the straight-line distance between them was not terribly far. One would have to pass straight through the ground, and the college’s stonework, but that was only an issue for corporeal beings. An illusion, if it was not attempting to be convincing, did not have to obey any natural laws. Ssarak recalled that his friend Annabeth had instructed her doppelgangers to attend classes in her stead on a few occasions. They could work at range, and he could instruct it to speak, so it could deliver a message.
Making no attempt to hide which version of himself was genuine, Ssarak had his doppelganger fly up in the direction of the college, straight through the catacombs. It was going to warn Khan, to tell him that the students, and Naga survivors, were in danger from Tyrael. As long as Ssarak was alive and conscious, his messenger would not be stopped.
Meanwhile, Ssarak and the others had to do what they could to calm Tyrael, or at least delay him. Telepathically, Ssarak sent a message to each of the Naga. We have to persuade him to let you live. He is a master demonmancer and could kill us all with ease; fighting is not an option. Lower your weapons; they will not be useful anyway.
Ssarak did not bother to raise his weapon against Tyrael, though he did stay in a position where he could protect the Naga. ”Why do this, Tyrael? Why kill the Naga? Baulder…he needs healing. We need to get him back to the college, instead of fighting over what to do with the Naga. If you believe they are a threat, then we can detain them. Lock them away, let Khan, or the Archmage judge them. They could not stand against us if they wanted to, especially with one as powerful as you among us. There would be no danger in capturing them.”
Hiritus raised his brow at Gallus curiously. "Hmm, so you actually know about that place? Well, that had to come eventually. It wasn't really meant to be a secret hideout forever. That place is a fortress, no question. Granted, a lot of its soldiers are probably preparing for the ambush we were supposed to set up, but since we've probably delayed their attack by killing the Champion, that won't be a problem. Probably wouldn't be a problem anyway, with Do'rhajul heading the defense."
After he had his fill of water, Hiritus stood back up, a bit less shakily than before. The healing potion was steadily giving him strength, and was making it easier for him to keep up a quicker pace. He was still slow for the moment, but he was willing to motion for Gallus to keep moving. "The General is a Cathay-raht, and if the reputation is accurate, he is actually a werewolf. I don't know how long he's been a lycan, though. Some among our organization will infect themselves to better be able to complete their missions. Cures are very difficult to make or obtain, even for us, but they do exist. I've seen people get cured myself. Personally, the last thing I want to do is corrupt my blood with that infection. I just take on the scent, which works well enough. A few of my partners on this mission became beasts; I know Dar-tzesa didn't even hesitate when asked. She'd do anything for that son of hers, which I can understand. Apparently, he has some disease that's making his muscles deteriorate; can't even stand anymore. It's a shame those savages are probably going to kill her, especially after this escape."
After he had his fill of water, Hiritus stood back up, a bit less shakily than before. The healing potion was steadily giving him strength, and was making it easier for him to keep up a quicker pace. He was still slow for the moment, but he was willing to motion for Gallus to keep moving. "The General is a Cathay-raht, and if the reputation is accurate, he is actually a werewolf. I don't know how long he's been a lycan, though. Some among our organization will infect themselves to better be able to complete their missions. Cures are very difficult to make or obtain, even for us, but they do exist. I've seen people get cured myself. Personally, the last thing I want to do is corrupt my blood with that infection. I just take on the scent, which works well enough. A few of my partners on this mission became beasts; I know Dar-tzesa didn't even hesitate when asked. She'd do anything for that son of hers, which I can understand. Apparently, he has some disease that's making his muscles deteriorate; can't even stand anymore. It's a shame those savages are probably going to kill her, especially after this escape."
Speaking of activity, I think I should nudge Fallen to perhaps go back to the current scene with Fa. I don't think I've received a response since my last one.
Hiritus shook his head at Gallus. "You're pretty new to the desert, aren't you? Out here, you don't just take a sip. You drink what you need, when you need it. More efficient that way. Don't be wasteful, obviously, but don't catch yourself trying to ration too much. There are people who end up dehydrating while still having water with them. And while we're sitting here, cut the attitude. We're not trying to fool your friends anymore, and I'm the one that's gonna be making sure you have a place to go after all that, got it?"
Returning to his waterskin, Hiritus looked out over the sands as he continued. "Anyway, like I was saying, I don't really know the details. All I know are the people I was directly involved in finding. Two alchemists, and a shipping clerk, of all people. That last one was confusing to pretty much everyone involved. He seemed to be just some regular clerk, and a bit of a coward. I just have to assume there was a reason for it. I know that other teams have sought out other people, but nothing more than that. What about your people? Or, former people. You were close to the Champion, so I'm guessing you've picked up on some useful information. Granted, once they learn that you defected, a lot of those plans will probably change, but is there anything we could take advantage of right now?"
Returning to his waterskin, Hiritus looked out over the sands as he continued. "Anyway, like I was saying, I don't really know the details. All I know are the people I was directly involved in finding. Two alchemists, and a shipping clerk, of all people. That last one was confusing to pretty much everyone involved. He seemed to be just some regular clerk, and a bit of a coward. I just have to assume there was a reason for it. I know that other teams have sought out other people, but nothing more than that. What about your people? Or, former people. You were close to the Champion, so I'm guessing you've picked up on some useful information. Granted, once they learn that you defected, a lot of those plans will probably change, but is there anything we could take advantage of right now?"
I didn't mention him being there, so you can if you wish.
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