Chapter 3: Chapter 2: Lost and Loss
I decided to visit the Northern Arms for some new equipment. I entered, and Hulgard and his apprentice, Eddvia, greeted me. “Welcome to the… wait aren’t you a little young to be in here kid, how old are you?” said Eddvia. “I’m 13,” I replied. “Wait a minute, a 13-year-old boy with bright red hair and a guard’s uniform. I read about you in the paper; you’re the one who caught that thief Atienne and returned Count Carvain’s artifacts!” Hulgard said ecstatically. “Really? But he’s just a boy.” Eddvia questioned. “This boy took on a cave of bandits and caught that thief all by himself; I say he is a man,” Hulgard responded. “It was nothing. I was just doing my duty,” I said. “Duty my eye! You went above and beyond, my friend. Now, what can I do for you?” I told Hulgard that Captain Adius has relieved me of my duties as a guard and that my dream is to become a Great Knight who is strong enough to protect everyone. “That’s one ambitious goal you got there, son. Let me guess; you need armor befitting a Knight.” “Yes, sir!” I replied. “I’ve never made armor for someone your age and size before, but I should be able to whip something up.”
Hulgard got to work on the forge, and you can tell he is a man with great skill. After a few hours of hard work, the armor was ready. “ I call this set the Wandering Knight,” he said. “It’s perfect!” I exclaimed. It even came with a shield. “Now, about that weapon of yours.” “What, you mean my sword?” Hulgard took my old steel sword and gave me a Cyrodilic Steel Sword instead. “There, and know you’re all set.” “Thanks a bunch; how much is this going to cost me?” “It’s on the house; consider it a thank you for helping out the Count.” “Wow! I can’t thank you enough!” “No need, you just become an excellent knight and keep helping the people of Bruma.” “Can do.”
I left the smithy feeling like a whole new person. I decided to go on patrol around the city and see if there was anyone who needed help. I met a girl who looked about a year or two younger than me. Her name was Ellina, and she asked me if I’ve seen her dad. I told her that I haven’t and asked if she can tell me more about him. His name is Harran, and he is a soldier in the Imperial Legion, just like my dad. I felt terrible for her; I wouldn’t know what to do if my dad went missing. I offered to look for him, and after she thanked me, she said I could ask her mom, who works at the Jerall View Inn, and her grandpa Sellus Prellius for more information about her dad. Her grandpa was nearby, so I decided to talk to him first. He didn’t seem too fond of Harran, and according to what he said, it sounded like Harran was a Nord who betrayed the Legion. I didn’t put too much stalk into what the man said, but I considered it. After, I stopped by the Jerall View Inn and spoke with Ellina’s mom, Lassinia. She was outside chopping wood. Lassinia was very concerned about her husband. She told me that she sent multiple letters to Fort Pale Pass, but no one responded. I can tell she was distraught.
I remember Fort Pale Pass. My dad was stationed there when we lived in the Imperial city. I used to come up and visit him, and he would train me in the yard while the other soldiers watched. Now my dad has been transferred to Skyrim because of the civil war. I hope he is doing alright. On my way up the pass, I came across a little inn called Snowstone Rest. The owner was an older man named Erlus. He seemed friendly but lonely. The Inn used to be a hotspot for people traveling between Skyrim and Cyrodiil, but the border is on tight lockdown because of the Civil War. The order came from the Empire, but it was no doubt the Thalmor’s idea. The man told me a story about how his dog Barnius passed away and how lonely things have been without him. I kind of feel bad for the guy. I decided to stay for the night and head for the Fort in the morning.
When I arrived at Fort Pale Pass, I questioned the soldiers to see if any of them knew where Harran might have gone. Some of them remembered me from back when my dad was stationed here and are more than willing to cooperate. One of them told me that they saw Harran patrolling near Serpent’s Pass and that there was a rumor that the exit leads to Skyrim. I decided to check it out. When I got to Serpent’s pass, there was no one around, so I went inside. To the left of the entrance, I found a body, and upon further inspection, it was Harran’s. I read his journal, and he told a horrific story about how the Thalmor had lied about a prison transport. The Thalmor told the Legion soldiers that the prisoners were going to the Imperial City for questioning but hung them instead. Harran and his troop found them dangling under a tree after a pack of wolves took their legs. “How disgusting!” I thought. After that, Harran and the other soldiers left the Legion and joined the Stormcloaks, led by Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, to take down the Thalmor. Sadly, things didn’t end well for Harran. I brought his journal back to his wife, Lassinia. I couldn’t bear to tell Ellina what I found and didn’t feel it was my place to break the news. Lassinia rewarded me for my efforts, and when I asked what’s next for her, she said she was going to grieve with her family. I don’t blame her. If something happened to my dad, I don’t know what I would do.
After resting up at the inn, I returned to my patrol when I ran into a Jucanis family member, a boy with red hair like me. He said that their dog Scruffy ran away and asked me if I could look for him. Scruffy was out in the wilderness all by himself. I had to rescue him before something terrible happened. On my way out, I passed the stables and decided that it was time for this knight in training to have a steed. I went up to the hostler and asked if I could buy a paint horse. Paint horses are native to Bruma here in Cyrodiil. I named her Alicia after my mom. I hopped on my new companion and rode off to find Scruffy.
I yelled his name for what seemed like hours. “Scruffy! Scruffy! Where are you, boy!” Eventually, I heard barking. I found a dog alone in the mountains. I dismounted Alicia and ran up to him. “You’re Scruffy, aren’t you? I’m here to rescue you,” I said. He seemed very frightened. At first, I thought it was because he saw something out in the wilderness, but when I looked closer, he had patches of missing fur, bruises, and cuts that look like a knife caused them. “Did the Jucanis Family do this to you, boy?” Scruffy whimpered in response. “I’m so sorry, Scruffy, don’t worry, I’ll find you a new home!” I exclaimed. Scruffy barked and licked my face, “Easy boy!” I laughed. I remembered the owner of Snowstone Rest mentioned losing a dog, so I decided to take Scruffy there.
When we got there, I introduced Erlus to Scruffy and asked if he would like to take care of him. I omitted the part about Scruffy’s original abusive owners, though. Erlus was so excited. I think his heart nearly gave out, “You’re a good boy, aren’t you, Scruffy!” I was so happy for him. He thanked me and even paid me a few Septims. I told him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted. Helping people sure does feel good.
A few days ago, I met a beggar. His name was Serulius, and he is a veteran who fought in the Great War against the Dominion many years ago. My dad told me stories about that war, and they were all very gruesome. Serulius had fallen on hard times and struggled to get back on his feet on a count of being blind in one eye. I gave him a gold piece to help out, and he told me about how bandits stole his possessions, one in particular, being his journal. Dad gave me my journal as a gift when I became a Bruma Guard trainee, and I have been writing my thoughts and experiences down in it ever since. I couldn’t imagine being without it. I told Serulius not to worry, that I would get his journal back from the bandits that stole it. He thanked me and told me to be careful. “Those bandits are at Plump Rat Camp, and there are a lot of them.” “I’ll keep my eyes open,” I said as I departed.
Plump Rat Camp is in Greenwood, a lush area filled with plants and wildlife. Much different from the cold mountains of the Jeralls. Along the way, I encountered Trolls, a cave filled with Goblins and two minotaurs guarding a chest. I didn’t look inside, though; I don’t care about treasure. The thrill of conquering these beasts and the satisfaction of knowing that I made the world safer is enough payment for me. As I drew closer to the camp, I came upon a small homestead on the side of the road. I couldn’t believe that anyone lived out here in the middle of nowhere, although the scenery was breathtaking.
Flora and fauna everywhere, a riverbed close by, and lush trees as far as the eye can see. When I talked to the residents, it turns out that this is where they make Greenwood Mead. It’s popular among the adults, but I’m much too young to drink, plus I never really cared for it anyway. They pointed me in the direction of Plump Rat Camp and told me to be very careful. I mounted my horse Alicia and went up the path. Then I came across a group of three men surrounding a woman. She begged me to save her, but I was too late, the men killed her in cold blood! I couldn’t believe my eyes. Then they came after me. They were tough to deal with, but they all got burned, which was more than they deserved. It turned out that they were part of Thorina’s Cutters. I paid my respects to the women and apologized for not being able to save her. I also prayed to Akatosh that she find peace.
When I turned around to get back on Alicia, she was gone. The battle must have spooked her. I went looking for her and couldn’t believe what I found. I came over a small hill that overlooked the river, and there she was dead and surrounded by Ogres. “THEY KILLED HER! OGRES KILLED MY ALICIA!” I shouted. The Ogres heard my voice and came charging at me. I was so angry that I channeled all my energy into a single attack, “SOL INVICTUS!” I yelled and launched a miniature sun at the Ogres, which exploded in a massive wave of fire. It was amazing. I descended to the riverbed and ran up to Alicia’s unsettling corpse. She was the only companion I had, and even though I was with her for a short time, I cared about her very much. “I can’t believe my Alicia is gone!” I cried. I couldn’t save the women on the road, and now I let Alicia die. How am I going to be a brave knight who keeps people safe? I wiped away my tears, “I have to get stronger, much stronger,” I said to myself. When I arrived at Plump Rat Camp, I was furious. I could feel the anger boiling up inside, begging to be released. Both my sword and my body became engulfed in flames as I ruthlessly killed one bandit after enough. When I reached the camp center, I unleashed an enormous firestorm from my body that engulfed the entire area, incinerating every bandit caught in the blast.
There was only one left standing, the bandit who robbed Serulius. He was scared, but he tried to put up a fight. I dispatched him quickly and took the journal off of his corpse. In the end, there was nothing left but ash. I told myself I would never lose my temper like that again. I made the trip back to Bruma and returned Serulius’ journal to him. He was very thankful, and in return, he taught me a sword and shield technique he learned back in the day. “I’ll be sure to make this useful, thank you, sir,” I said before attempting to walk away. He noticed the discontent in my voice and stopped me. “Is everything alright son, you seem disheartened?” he asked. I couldn’t tell him about how I failed to save that woman and let my horse die or how I slaughtered the bandits at Plump Rat Camp in response. It was too much. “I’m doing just fine, sir, no need to worry!” I responded, trying to smile the pain away. “You seem like a young man who has the weight of the world on his shoulders, but you shouldn’t carry that burden alone. It’s always good to have friends you can rely on.”
Serulius’ advice stuck with me. I took on the responsibility of keeping my city safe and protecting the people of Bruma from those who would do it harm, but I’ve been doing it alone. Of course, I always have Captain Adius in my corner, but he is too tied up with his duties to leave the city. For now, I’ll just carry on like always.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone