Delirium - A Skyrim Story

Act I Chapter II - Awakening

"The pursuit of truth has stripped me bare, leaving nothing but shadows in my wake. Knowledge is no salvation---It is a slow poison, seeping into every corner of the mind, unrelenting and all-consuming."- Battle-Mage Alistair - 4E 180

"One day I will go to Hammerfell, and maybe I can even take you with me, brother." Echoes of his brother's voice lingered in his sleep, however it wasn't enough to wake him up. He tossed and turned in his sleep. The echoes called out to his name; "Thorian...Thorian..." It gradually became louder, loud enough to wake him up, and he saw Infront of him, a Khajiit travelling salesman that was kind enough to let Thorian stay in the temporary camp. "My friend, Ma'zhid heard you groan and whimper, that is why I woke you up." The khajiit was named Ma'zhid, a friendly salesperson that focuses on hand made jewellery, it seemed like he was accompanied by a warrior and another saleswoman.

Thorian sat up and moved his hair to the side "My dreams have been weighing on my mind in recent days." His voice was raspy due to him waking up, luckily it was a summer breeze he slept through. Ma'zhid let out a chuckle and pat the boy's head "We live in dark days, my friend...But here..You must be hungry." The Khajiit offered Thorian a stew consisting of potato and tomatoes, in which the boy took it and ate it with fresh bread the other Khajiit salesperson made. While he ate, the boy looked at Ma'zhid and gave him a nod "Thank you..." He added "Where is your platoon stopping next?"-The Khajiit responded; "We will be stopping by Markarth...Kerah, the jeweller will be Khajiit's next stop."

The boy gave him a final nod before he sat the bowl down; "I have to get going...I hope to find answers about my father's secret in Karthwasten.." to which Ma'zhid responded "Ma'zhid wishes you safe travels, friend..." He added which made Thorian tilt his head; "Broken Tower Redoubt...Avoid it.." Thorian responded with "Why?" The Khajiit then said to him with a hand on his shoulder; "Forsworn guard outside and inside, they will brutally kill you if you pass the road. So go around it South-side....After that, when you see a river, go up to where the bridge is...The Forsworn won't see you that way. That is where we will go to avoid confrontation."

Thorian gave Ma'zhid a nod and put a hand on the Khajiit's shoulder "I will keep it in mind..."- Ma'zhid had written down what to do on Thorian's journal and he gave it back to him "I hope to see you around Skyrim, even in Markarth, take the time to visit...Khajiit will be staying there until Second Seed.." (Two months from now.). Thorian responded with a nod and headed West, giving the trio of nice Khajiit a wave to bid farewell.

The boy thought about the dream he had, forgetting to write it in his journal due to the hospitality of Ma'Zhid, he hopes that one day he could repay him back...But much more important things are ahead of him.- He continued heading West along the road for a few minutes before looking at a large fort next to him. At this moment Thorian became guilty for forgetting to heed to Ma'Zhid's words about avoiding the Fort. He was then greeted by some of the Forsworn, those matching the description told to him by the Khajiit.

He froze, his heart hammering, eyes darting to the wild figures adorned with antlers and bones. Their faces were painted, their eyes hungry and feral. Thorian swallowed hard, unsheathing his iron sword, but doubt crept in. He'd never fought against anything like them before.

The Forsworn seemed to notice him simultaneously. One, a woman with a snarling face, pointed, shouting something guttural. The others joined her, advancing toward him, their footsteps slow and deliberate, like wolves circling prey.

"Stay back!" Thorian warned, trying to keep the tremor from his voice.-

But the Forsworn answered with a war cry, charging forward. The first one lunged, wielding a jagged blade. Thorian barely dodged, his foot slipping on the loose gravel as he stumbled back. He felt a sudden rush, an instinctual pull from within, as if something deep inside him awakened. His hands tingled with an unfamiliar energy. The Forsworn came at him again, and this time, his reaction was almost automatic.