บท 123: Building Alliances II

It is a mix of ebony chest pieces, grieves, shoulder pads, gauntlets, and unique helmets, over dark padded clothing with deep purple accents, and a purple emblem of an open dragon's skull painted on a couple of simple wooden shields and embroidered on black cloaks with a standard with a dragon-shaped topper being carried by Erik.

(Armor Art Here)

"By Talos! What happened to my rag-tag group of ruffians?" I ask in shock.

"Greetings, Blüdtoth, I thought it would be good to put that ebony you gathered to good use, so I had Grelka work with Eorland to create a cheap but protective armor for the company. I hope you do not mind my use of your spoils?" Gringar says rubbing the back of his neck hoping he didn't overstep his bounds.

"Mind? I fucking love it! I just wish I had a set!" I tell him, clasping his back with a smile.

"I am very jealous too, my friend! Why yes, Mr. Dragonfly, I do think I would look rather fetching in that armor, especially with an eye patch and pirate's hate… What do you mean the eyepatch is meaningless, it completes the look? Bah, what do you know of fashion." Inigo says, going off into a tangent with Mr. Dragonfly.

"Actually, we made sure to bring you two a set of armor, but we thought it best to hold onto yours until after the mission." Lokir says, speaking up.

"Good, I'll join Falco and Ceiling, I mean Cienna, and start this mission, if you guys hear fighting, you have my permission to head in," I say, leaving behind my orders as I join the two of Valerius' men to begin our mission.

As the 'captain' I walk in the lead as we enter the prison, much to the surprise of a Thalmor agent by the name of Oronar.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" Oronar asks with suspicion.

"Prisoner transfer to cell block 1138 in the Embassy. Here are your orders." I tell him with my no-nonsense military facade at full show.

"What? We'll see about this." Oronar says snatching the orders from my hand and I give a dissatisfied grimace.

"I haven't been notified of any such orders. I'll have to clear this with my superior. Wait here." Oronar says, dismissing my look as he runs over to another room.

"I'm sorry. I haven't been given any orders concerning any transfer. I'm not able to release the prisoner at this time." The Thalmor mage named, Halindil says rather cordially, though he pauses slightly as he gets a better look at my face beneath the helmet.

"Look, we're both officers, and we know how the higher-ups can be. I'm on special assignment from the embassy and I probably want to be here as little as you want me here. So can you just help me out?" I ask him, throwing on the most pleasant smile I can muster while trying to convince him to let the prisoner go.

Though Halindil's cordial facade cracks as disgust fills his gaze, all pretenses are gone as he says through clenched teeth, "Do not compare our stations, you impudent welp! The only reason I didn't kill you on sight is because you're a legionnaire. But know that your time will come soon enough. The reign of man will soon be over."

With that, the smile falls from my face as well as I show a similar level of disdain for him, "Hmmm, I may need to get my ears checked because I think I heard a bug buzzing. You only get one warning..." I say as I lower my hand to my blade, the room becomes tense.

Though Halindil pays my threat no mind, "Or what? You suggest I comply? Yes, yes, I know. Very well then, this place seems to be a revolving door of transfers anyway. Prisoners coming in, prisoners going back out. Could make a lesser being crazy. And I'm sure Aerandil will not be happy when he returns. But he will just have to take that up with Elenwen, won't he." Giving me a look before continuing.

"Very well, Oronar will escort you to your prisoner. But you had better not tarry. Get your prisoner and leave. I hope you enjoy your stay." Halindil says with a wave of his hand, giving Oronar a look before returning to his office.

Oronar silently leads me to the lower level of the prison, where I begin taking note of the guards and their strange half-glass, half-elven armor.

We pass two guards at the entrance before passing another waiting at a small landing before traveling even deeper.

Going further in, we come to an intersection where we take the rightmost path. Noticing some healing potions left on a cob-web-ridden shelf I quickly swipe them when no one's looking as we travel deeper in.

Going through an empty chamber, we then take the first left at the exiting hallway down another flight of stairs.

This chamber has some sturdy cages that are empty while another guard is patrolling.

I see a man, who I assume to be Korst, cuffed to the wall shouting at his torturer.

"Come on you bastard. What are you waiting for? Kill me! Do it now! Come on, kill me now!" Korst shouts in a rage.

"No, I'm not going to kill you... I'm going to slice you open, bit by bit, and make you eat your own flesh. Then I'm going to put you on my rack over there for a nice little stretch, HA HA HA!" The torturer says with a deranged laugh pulling out a sharpened dagger as they draw closer to Korst.

"Gaenor, stop that immediately and back away. This is being transferred to the Embassy." Oronar says pulling Gaenor away from Korst.

"Back away? I'm finally making some progress, and he's just about to break and you tell me to back away! Have you gone mad?! I will do no such thing!" Gaenor vehemently opposes.