Traveling through The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim

According to the story we finally decided on, Rocker, the baron of Whiterun and the knight of Falkreath, disguised himself as a hunter and sneaked into the borderland of Ar, which was controlled by the Imperial Legion, in order to steal a secret treasure lost there for one of his friends. In the process of treasure hunting, he accidentally discovered the lair of the vampire king Movarth, and teamed up with the local wizard Falion to kill him. Of course, when facing Lord Igrod, Falion would throw out the version of the hunter Lund, and this "truth" must be hidden, and time must be delayed as much as possible. It will only be brought out when being constantly questioned by someone with ulterior motives. The specific details are left to Falion to play freely. The effect I want to achieve is to connect Cindy's treasure hunt with my appearance in the borderland of Ar as much as possible, creating the illusion that I may return to Falkreath immediately after the treasure hunt.

I estimated the itinerary and it will take at least a month and a half before we can leave the sphere of influence of the Empire. Although I have been as low-key as possible, as Falion said, it is impossible to completely block the news. My action to Morningstar City is public, and if Willers arrives in Loristed Town, he will immediately find out that "Lund" is not a hunter, has no sister, and can't use magic. If there are really enemies tracking me, they can judge from these news that I have entered the city of Mosal. So I decided to use Falion's mouth to release some half-true and half-false news to make the water more muddy.

I pushed all the jewelry and coins in front of me to Falion.

"Mr. Falion, please accept these."

The wizard was very displeased.

"What do you mean? We killed Movarth together, and these are what you deserve. Since I promised to keep it a secret for you, I will definitely keep my promise. Why should I ask you for a bribe?"

"Sir, you misunderstood. It is inconvenient for us to carry these valuables with us when we go out."

Falion thought about it and put everything into the sheepskin bag.

"Since you said so, I can't refuse. But I don't like to take advantage of others. How about this: you all must go with me to meet the lord, so why not delay for one more day while I sort out some notes. I see that you two brothers and sisters have good magical talents, and I think you can learn something new from them."

In the game, Falion is a master summoner trainer. Even without considering this, the fact that he summoned demons in battle is enough to show how high his magical attainments are. To be able to obtain the study notes of such a great wizard and to comprehend them from time to time is an opportunity that all wizard apprentices would envy. However, I have a bigger appetite.

"Sir, you already know my identity. I wonder if you are willing to go to Falkreath to pick me up. It would be a blessing for my sister if she could receive your guidance."

Falion smiled and waved his hand.

"I really want to take this girl as my apprentice! But I have people and things to protect in Mosal City, and I think you are worried about leaving Helgi here alone, so let's take care of our own things first. When the sky is peaceful, we will have a chance to meet again. Well, everyone has rested enough, so we should hurry back. Donniel's body is still on the roadside."

While the blood was still warm, Toriel sucked the blood of several slaves. He was no different from an ordinary person at this moment. Falion prepared an excuse that he was just bewitched by Movarth and has now returned to normal. The wizard will cast a purification spell for him as soon as possible after dealing with the matter at hand.

Everyone cleaned up the battlefield. The enemy's bodies were burned, and the bone powder and vampire ashes were packed separately. Aigis walked happily in his new boots, carrying two bags, at the front of the team. Falion cut off Movarth's head, and Cindy took the left hand of the vampire king as a token of their respective merits and rewards. Hayou followed absent-mindedly at the end, imitating the moves while walking, as if he was recalling Movarth's boxing skills. Falion casually instructed Helgi and me on magic. According to him, I only need to adjust a few syllables of the spell and the corresponding gestures to reduce the mana consumption of summoning by 20% to 50%.

Although our battle with Movarth was fierce, it did not last very long. It should still be morning now, but the swamp is filled with fog, making it difficult to judge accurately.

"Not good!"

Agis shouted and rushed forward. Three of the spells left by Falion were triggered, and Donniel's body was blown away, and the tree he was resting on was blown down to a stump. A giant spider with only three legs left was crawling on the ground. It seemed that this thing wanted to eat Donniel, but it lost its life in vain. Falion and Helgi stayed behind to guard, and Hayou and I carried the felling axe back to Movarth's nest, dismantled some beds, made a simple stretcher, and then pulled Donniel's body on the way home. The corpse was ruined by the frost spiders and spells, which made us depressed. Agni was about to reunite with his brother, but there was another orphan in the city of Mosal.

"Stop! Who is it?"

We were stopped by soldiers at the bridgehead in the north of the city. They looked tired but alert. The leader still refused to let us go after seeing the vampire king's head in Falion's hand. He asked our names one by one and questioned us separately about the process of killing Movarth. Fortunately, we had coordinated our statements and gave the same answer to the soldiers.

"You keep an eye on these people. I will report to the Lord."

Several soldiers surrounded us, and their captain, holding Movas's head, hurriedly crossed the stone bridge and ran into the city.

"What happened in the city?"

Helgi was bewildered, she had thought we would be treated as heroes and welcomed by the lord.

"Tsk! What else could it be? You don't think that our respected lord really believes that Movarth has been dead for more than a hundred years?"

Falion made no effort to conceal his disdain.

We waited outside the city for several hours. Donniel's body was carried away for burial. Lord Igrod sent alchemist Lamy, his husband Asfer, and adjutant of the Imperial Legion, Taolinus. These three people questioned us about our identities and experiences again, and checked whether we were vampires based on their shallow knowledge, such as opening our mouths to check our teeth. After they left, Falion, as an expert, ridiculed their actions. But at least Toriel, who was traveling with us, passed the test of all three groups of people, which was enough to prove that they were indeed trash.

We finally entered the city in the afternoon, and our stomachs were growling with hunger. A group of soldiers led us to the lord's residence like prisoners. There were at least twenty people standing guard here, and there were snipers aiming with bows on the roof and behind the nearby trees. Asfer congratulated us on our achievement with a stiff fake smile on his face.

"Lord Igrod has heard about the heroic deeds of the warriors. She is waiting for your audience in the Hanging Moon Hall."

The Lord of Mosal City is a middle-aged woman with a slightly out-of-shape figure. Her pale face is engraved with a pair of phoenix eyes, like two moons just after the new moon. She has a high nose bridge and a square chin, and it can be seen that she must have been quite beautiful when she was young. Unfortunately, time has taken away her youthful vitality, and now only a tired body is left, continuing to endure the double torture of illusion and reality. She leaned lazily on the seat, looking back and forth at our group, and finally stopped her eyes on me.

"So, you are Lund from the town of Hofdiersted, the hero who killed the vampire king Movarth?"

"I am Lund, but Mr. Falion and Mr. Donnelly worked together to kill Movarth. I didn't contribute much, and I can't be called a hero."

Igrod's thin lips parted, letting out a chuckle that was hard to tell whether it was approval or mockery.

"Falion, how many years have you been in my city?"

"Eight years, my Lord."

"Yes, eight years. Young man, you see, Falion has been unable to find Movars's hiding place for eight years, but you killed him overnight. It can't be said that Movars just arrived here yesterday, right? What do you think, Mr. Falion?"

She deliberately emphasized the word "sir". The mage still looked respectful and peaceful.

"According to my guess, Movas has been operating here for at least three years."

"Oh, you don't have to excuse yourself. I think it's been more than three years. Maybe he has been hiding here since the Fourth Era!"

Falion bowed lightly and made no excuses.

"In short, you, Lund, are a hero of the city of Mosal. Tell me, young man, what kind of reward do you want?"

I was disgusted by Igrod's attitude. She knew that Movarth was very powerful, but she used her precious troops to protect herself. When we returned victorious, she treated us as if we were facing a great enemy and questioned us in every way. Besides, she was so cold to Falion and Donniel who lived in the local area, how could she be open to me, a foreigner?

"My Lord, I do not need any reward. I only have one request, and I hope you will grant it."

"Oh? Tell me."

"Yes, sir. We were lucky enough to kill Mois, and Mr. Donnier contributed the most, but unfortunately he was killed. I heard that he has a son. Please give him more care, sir."

Igrod was silent for a while.

"That's it? No more?"

"That's all."

"Do I need you to tell me this? Don't worry, I will personally write a letter to the orphanage in Riften and send someone to escort Vikmond there. Poor child..."

For a moment, I thought I had heard wrongly.

"My lord, Donniel sacrificed himself to protect Mosal!"

"You can't say that, can you?"

Igrod picked up Alva's diary and shook it.

"It's clearly written in this diary. Donnelly's wife, Lailete, was Alva's accomplice and the main culprit in setting fire to Hruga's wife and daughter. Donnelly obviously knew the crimes his wife had committed, so he wanted to atone for them. But he executed Hruga on his own, which was strictly speaking illegal. I am not pursuing the matter any further because both he and his wife have died. This is already a lenient decision. Do you want me to treat him as a hero, too?"

How can you say that? I was not the only one who was angry. Helgi and Hayu could not stand it either. However, Falion was very well-mannered and waved his hand calmly.

"My Lord, there is no need to send the child to Riften. I can adopt him."

"No! Vikmond's parents are both sinners, he can't stay in Mosal City!"

I thought the meeting with the lord would be a happy business exchange, but I didn't expect it to be such a tense scene. If it weren't for a tall Nord with a group of soldiers surrounding us, Hayou might have scratched the fucking old woman to death.

"My Lord, the soldiers have been assembled and are ready to set off."

Igrod nodded. She remained silent on purpose, watching us look at each other with satisfaction. Movarth had been killed, so why was she sending troops at this time? I looked at Falion. The mage's face was calm, as if he had expected the lord's behavior, but I couldn't read any information from it.

"Then, the matter of Vikmond is settled. Gorm, you take the people and follow Lund to search the den of thieves in Movarth thoroughly to make sure there are no fish that slip through the net. Asfer, you lead the other people who participated in the extermination of vampires to rest in the barracks. Falion, you can go home now."

God damn, let's go to the barracks and rest! Isn't this just imprisoning Helgi and the others and letting me lead the way to plunder the spoils? This is intolerable! Hayou and I looked at each other. Our recent adventures have cultivated a tacit understanding between us. We immediately understood each other's thoughts: I will hold the lord hostage, and Hayou will take down the guard captain Gorm.

"My Lord, please wait a moment."

Falion calmly grabbed my and Hayu's wrists and squeezed them. He took a step forward and blocked us behind him.

"If you insist on sending Vikmond away, then I suggest that Lund adopt him. Lund has already refused your reward, and he will leave Morsal soon. Vikmond can go with him. What do you think, sir?"

Falion's aura was fully revealed. His words were still respectful, but his tone was full of unquestionable majesty. I suddenly understood why Igrod was so afraid of this man. What was ridiculous and infuriating was that she was obviously extremely afraid of this wizard, but she just kept humiliating him. Isn't it courting death to provoke such a powerful person for no reason?

Igrod slumped back in his chair and nodded calmly.

"Let's do as you say. However, Lund must lead the way to Gorm first. I won't release him until I get a reliable report."

Falion bowed and turned to me and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Brother Lund."

It was then that I suddenly realized that I could not do any other movement except nodding.

This wizard is so terrifying...

Ten soldiers followed me, holding swords and axes, as if they were facing a great enemy. I walked briskly in front of the team, pretending not to hear their whispers about the legend of Movarth. Gorm nodded at me at the entrance of the cave, indicating that I should go in first to explore the way.

I ignored these people along the way, and reviewed the whole incident in my mind. This is a habit I developed after I gained a foothold in Falkreath. After all, games can be reloaded, but life cannot, so summarizing experiences and lessons afterwards is always useful. So, now I am standing in the hall of Movarth, watching those soldiers carrying various items back and forth. Those tableware, tables and chairs are not in Falion's eyes, but these people treat them as treasures. Gorm shouted loudly, asking them to handle them with care, while walking around and inspecting each room.

Suddenly, I figured out something. It struck me like a thunderbolt. The figures in front of me became blurry, and their voices were like the buzzing of mosquitoes.

Only one voice was particularly clear, and it hit me hard on the head like Rigel's hammer. For a moment, self-blame, regret, annoyance, and guilt all surged into my heart.

"Luo Ke! You damned bastard! Look what you have done!"