บท 6: The Dungeon (Part 3)
As disgusting as it was I knew I had to bite the bullet and take his clothes the enchanments on them were just too useful.
So reluctantly I placed a hand on his body and opened his inventory taking everything. His clothes vanished revealing the grotesque body underneath making me retreat.
Aside from his clothes the mage also had another Magika Potion on him, but that was secondary. What I really cared about was the Apprentice Hood which increased total Magika by 40 which was nearly half of my entire Mana pool, and the robes which were the Apprentice Robes of Destruction which was one of the best types of enchantment in the game.
It made Destruction spells take 15% less mana to cast and increases Magika regen by 75%!
The Hood and the Robes together practically doubled the my combat effectiveness! But, that wasn't really all that much considering I was only level 1 and had no Perks.
Getting behind some cover I equipped the set finally getting rid of that ratty tunic I was wearing since it was starting to itch. Once the clothes flashed onto me I felt a sense of power flowing into my body through them.
I smiled at the incredible feeling, but calmed myself down since I knew I wasn't anywhere close to being powerful.
"Is everyone ready" Hadvar asked as I walked back out to join the group "We've spent enough time here?"
"I'm good" Luna answered fastening a new shield to her back and playing with the twin swords on her hip
"Yeah" I nodded looking back at the mages corpse "It's a bit gross wearing a dead man's clothes, but I'll manage."
"Let's get going then."
"Wait a moment" the Assistant spoke up "I would like to come with you it's not safe here anymore."
"Oh, sure abandon me here by myself" the Torturer humphed! "And after all I've done for you."
"Won't say no to more help" Hadvar nodded to him.
Ignoring the Torturer who was still grumbling by himself we continued down deeper into the dungeon passing cages full of half dead prisoners and rotting skeletons. I made sure to keep my eyes forward to avoid seeing anything I might regret, but that did nothing to stop the damp rotting smell that filled the area.
"An underground spring passes through the room just up ahead" the Assistant spoke "If there's a way out it's through there."
Gulping I resummoned my familiar in preparation knowing a big battle was about to start.
We turned a corner and came face to face with a large room filled with Stormcloaks. The room had a series of small connected bridges on the edges of the room surrounding a small manmade spring in the center.
"Form a wall" Hadvar shouted when he saw the half dozen Stormcloaks!
Luna sheathed one of her swords and grabbed the shield from her back and fell in line next to Hadvar and the Assistant forming a shield wall.
Fortunately for us the Stormcloaks were spread out and couldn't attack us instantly giving us time to prepare.
Unfortunately for us the Stormcloaks weren't stupid and didn't charge at us one at a time like in game. They regrouped into a battle formation with their shieldbearers in front and the heavy weapon users in back while their pair of archers positioned themselves on the opposite side of the room.
The two groups clashed and the Stormcloaks started slowly pushing us back. Individually we probably had the better fighters at least as far as Hadvar and Luna went since I didn't really know how strong the Torturer's Assistant was. And even I could probably beat them one on one if that guy I burned to death earlier was anything to go by.
The problem was that this wasn't a one on one fight it was a group fight and the Stormcloak clearly had the better teamwork.
Their shieldbearers were at the front blocking any attacks that our side made while the heavy weapon users were at the back using their sheer power to try and force their way passed out guard when they saw an opening. And that wasn't even mentioning the fact that the archers were constantly harassing us with arrows.
I knew I had to do something to turn the tides or they'd eventually overtake us.
I couldn't just have my familiar rush in because it wouldn't be able to do enough damage before getting destroyed and even with my new enchantments I wouldn't have enough Magika to summon him a second time.
Destruction magic wouldn't work either since everyone was so close together and constantly moving about I was worried I might hit my allies with friendly fire!
"Whoosh" an arrow flew at me clanking off Hadvar's shield as he blocked it.
"That's it" I thought! "It's the archers! If I could take them out we would have a chance!"
The Stormcloaks main advantage in this fight aside from their numbers was their teamwork, so the best way to take them down was to seperate them! But, we couldn't do that because if our group split up we'd be sniped by their archers. The reason that wasn't already the case was because the archers were worried about friendly fire just like I was and holding their shots until they were sure they wouldn't hit an ally.
So if I could take down the archers not only would it make our sides more even in numbers it would also take away one of their biggest advantages!
And looking at the floating lanterns above the archers and the slick floor below them I knew exactly how I was going to do that.
Taking a deep breath I readied myself, it was now or never!
Sprinting out from behind the others I passed the Stormcloaks who were too caught up in their fight and didn't notice me until it was too late. After who would ever expect a squishy mage to rush out into the battlefield?
They wanted to chase after me, but the others were too skilled and even with their numbers and teamwork they were barely winning. So if any of them left the situation would have completely changed.
Crossing the first bridge I was halfway to my destination when the first archer fired at me, but I was ready! I'd been watching them the entire time and when I saw one ready to fire I took control of my familiar and had it leap in front of me to take the arrow.
"Awoo" it let out a sad howl as it faded away.
"Sorry" I apologized "I'll give you a big steak later."
I was almost there when a second arrow whizzed by my head missing by inches and scaring the crap out of me, but I didn't stop. As I came around the final corner I was right on top of the archer and ready to light it up, but realized a problem when the first archer had his bow notched and pointing right at me.
I was out of defenses and he was far too close for me to even think of dodging. All I could do was watch as his arrow flew out and lodged itself in my shoulder.
I fell to the ground in agony and blood spirted from my arm, I'd never been in so much pain in my entire life!
But, they were still too late, I was within range!
Forcing myself to ignore the pain I shot a blast of flames from my hands igniting the layer of oil that was coating the floors. And in an instant the entire back half of the room was engulfed in flames.
The two archers screamed in pain dropping their bows and leaping over the edge and into the pool of water below.
They weren't dead, but I doubted they were going to be a problem anymore going by their pained screams and thrashing.
"Damn you" one of the Stormcloaks shouted when he realized their ranged support was gone!
"Excellent Breton" Hadvar laughed as he and Luna split up to outflank and separated the remaining four Stormcloaks.
I let out a sigh of relief when I realized that my plan actually worked, but winced when a surge of pain came from the arrow in my shoulder.
Cursing I switched to my Healing spell and instinctively held it up to my wound.
"Ouch" I screamed as my shoulder spasmed and tried to heal itself with the arrow still lodged in my shoulder. "Oh, right I have to pull it out first" I mocked myself before grabbing the arrow and ripping it out in one quick motion. Normally I'd never be brave enough to do something like that, but I figured that since I was already in agonizing pain there was no way it could get any worse.
Well I was wrong and the pain in my wound exploded even more as I ripped the arrow out along with several bits of my flesh.
Not waiting any longer I instantly started casting Healing and watched in fascination as the pain slowly faded away and my flesh starting to knit back together.
Glancing at my Magicka I saw that I only had a sliver of it left summoning my familiar, lighting the oil on fire, and healing my wound had completely drained it.
Now that I was healed I got back up and looked towards the fighting just in time so see Hadvar pulling his sword from the chest of one of the Stormcloaks. While Luna had chased after two others who were trying to save their fallen brothers in the water, dodging and blocking their combined attacks with ease, but was having a bit of trouble finishing them off.
Everything seemed to be going well Luna could definitely hold those two Stormcloaks off long enough for Hadvar to arrive. But, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
It only took me a moment to realize what. Where were the Torturer's Assistant and the final Stormcloak!?
Scanning around I saw the Assistant laying face down in a pool of blood and shook my head. That guy always died in my playthroughs and I'd hoped he'd be able to survive this time, but I guess this was just his destiny.
That still left the question of where the final Stormcloak was.
"Rah" I paled as a roar came from beside me.
Acting on instinct I summoned the Iron Sword I took when we enter the keep into my hand and raised it just in time to block a powerful strike that would have taken my head off. But, I didn't have a good enough grip on the sword and it was knocked out of my hand.
"I'll kill you" the Stormcloak swung his sword again trying to finish me off.
I could see the rage and fear in his eyes behind the Iron Helmet he was wearing and realized that unlike the other Stormcloaks in game he wasn't a 40 year old man. He couldn't have been that much older than I was, making me feel even more awful for what I was about to do.
"Whoosh" I used the last of my magic to send a small blast of flame at his face to blind him as I ducked under his slash. But, I knew that wasn't enough since the tiny bit of magic I had left was barely enough to singe his hairs.
Knowing it was do or die I instantly drank the two Magicka Potions out of my inventory restoring 50 points of magic.
The man roared again pushing past my flames and swinging his sword at me one final final time.
The moment before he hit me I switched to the Sparks spell and fired a stream of lightning at him.
"Bzzt" Time seemed to freeze as he siezed up and started shaking violently bubbles foaming out from his mouth. And he only stopped shaking once I finally ran out of Magica again breaking the spell.
He fell flat on his back twitching slightly as smoke wafted from his body.
"Great" I sighed before looking towards the others to avoid seeing what I'd done "That was even more horrifying than the fire!"
With the others Luna and Hadvar had teamed up already taking down one of the remaining Stormcloaks leaving only one combat capable enemy left who was desperately fighting for his life.
"For Sovngarde" he cried tears streaming down his face as his sword was deflected by Hadvar finally giving Luna the chance to strike and end it.
I silently shook my head at the mans pitiful death, but felt nothing. I was burnt out by all of the horrific things I'd seen today and only felt numb.
"Almost done" I looked towards the dim tunnel leading towards the exit.
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