Random VT Shorts

Before the Tale Part 1

(WARNING: UNFINISHED! Sorry. -/////-)

The sun's reflection rippled across the waves, drawing golden, wavy snakes of light. Water lapped against the side of an old, creaking vessel, creating the only sounds that could be heard. Through the mist, the ship slowly made it's way through the black, inky waters of the secret waterway. It seemed to groan a little, as it rocked back and forth against the waves.

Boots knocking on the wood, a small man with dark skin, and narrow eyes, made his way to the bow of the ship. Leaning against the railings, he stared out into the dark waters. The smell of salt filled the air, and the man sighed happily. He was at home. He began to whistle a short tune, an old song that his grandfather had taught him. It was a steady march, a song of bravery and adventure. Peering over the railing, he could faintly see the Imperial City in the distance. They were close to their destination.

"I see it!", he called over his shoulder, "Land ho!" Behind him, a Khajiit sailor heard.

"So you do, Asylum," he said in a thick accent. "Good work. I will go tell your father we've arrived." Asylum Weaver listened as the feline's feet padded softly on the wooden planks of the deck. He heard a door open, and then close.

A few seconds later, the door opened again, this time, revealing a large figure. He was tall, muscular, bold, and wielded great strength. His long, black hair came down to his shoulders, while a thick beard hung from his chin. Like Asylum's, his golden-brown eyes seemed to sparkle in the morning light. He wore tattered leather armor, and a large battle axe was strapped to his back. A long, white scar streaked across his brown face, a memory of previous battles. Slowly, he stepped up beside his son.

"The Imperial City," he muttered. "You have a sharp eye, Asylum. It tends to be a little tricky to spot through all that mist." He patted the youth's shoulder in praise. Asylum smiled at his father.

"Well, I have a great teacher, who helped me learn to see like the eagle," he replied. His father laughed, his belly jiggling.

"Well then, let's put our eagle eyes to good use, shall we?", he declared. "It's time to take on those damned Imperials!" Everyone on deck cheered. Asylum could feel his heart pounding with excitement. He was going on his first raid! Captain Weaver was one of the most feared pirates west of Morrowind. For 21 years he had raised his only son, Asylum, to follow in his footsteps. Asylum had spent most of his life at sea, sailing boats, catching fish, helping gather all the loot the grownups had collected. But now, he was finally old enough to join the rest of the pirates on their raids.

As the ship drew closer, the crew quieted down. To sneak into the city, they would have to be as silent as humanly possible. Asylum watched eagerly, as the ship finally lowered the anchor. Beside him, his father put a finger to his lips, signaling for them to be quiet. Then, very cautiously, he signaled for them to follow him. The boat creaked a little as Captain Weaver swung from the side of the railing into the murky water. After wading to the muddy bank, he gestured for the others to come down. Very quietly, Asylum leaped from the bowsprit, landing softly, beside his father. The others followed.

The air was as still as the dead. Carefully, the crew tiptoed up the bank, slowly coming closer and closer to the great, towering walls of the city. Asylum stared at them in wonder and amazement. How could little human hands build something so marvellous? It truly was a mystery.

They finally came face to face with a wall, and Asylum turned to see the captain searching in his pack for something. Finally, the middle-aged man drew a long rope and grappling hook from it. He began swinging it in his arm, like a boomerang, as it whirls through the air. Asylum and the others stepped back as he finally let the rope go, the hook locking onto the edge of the wall. After testing its strength, Asylum's old man began to climb the rope, like a bear. There was a slight creaking noise, as Captain Weaver swung his way up to the top of the towering barrier, where he perched like a monkey. Asylum could barely see his small silhouette from where he stood. He could faintly see tiny arms wave, signaling for the others to join him on top as well. Asylum gulped. He was going to have to climb that thing? In all his life, he'd never had to swing so high!

With a deep breath, the young lad began climbing the coarse, twisted line. His calloused hands gripped it tightly, but the boy was still a little uneasy. He could feel the cold breeze run through him, like the blood pumping steadily in his heart. He shivered.

Soon, he was so high that his short, black hair began to get a little moist. He looked down at the other members of the crew, who climbed below him. Panting from the exertion, Asylum moved onward. With a few slips on the rope, the boy finally scrambled to the top of the great city wall.

It was still very early in the morning, and not many people were out. Only the guards, and a few travelers, wandered the streets. Asylum looked down over the city, at the gardens, houses, shops, and towers. It was all so big, but there were hardly any people! He looked up at his father, who gazed spoon the city with a strange grin. It wasn't a happy grin, nor a solemn one, but rather, the mischievous one that pirates show when they're off to get treasure. As the bearded man looked over the area, Asylum could see a faint glint of excitement in his golden eye.

After scanning the scene, and waiting for the others to climb the rope, Captain Weaver grabbed the grappling hook, and tossed it over the wall. The rope now dangled into some bushes below them. With surprising agility, he slid down it, landing in the shrubbery. Asylum followed. As the crew hid in the bushes, the captain began plotting their course.

"We'll take out the guards first," he whispered, "Jack and Gregory will sneak behind the guards at each of the entrances, and kill them as quietly as possible. The others will then put on their armor, and make their way into the guardhouse.We'll launch a surprise attack on them from there."

"Aye-aye, Captain," the others muttered. All of them hushed instantly, as an Imperial guard strolled past them. When the coast was clear, they scattered. Asylum quickly scrambled out of the bushes. He slowed his pace, and began whistling.

'I am a completely average citizen,' He repeated in his mind. He pretended to be an ordinary traveler, perhaps wandering to find a store to sell his treasure. Just a few feet away, he could see the woman in the blue dress. Man, she was pretty. She had long, flowing, white hair. Green eyes sparked in the morning sun. Asylum couldn't help but stare. But then he shook his head. Right now was no time to flirt with girls. He had to concentrate on keeping a low profile. The young pirate made his way to one of the entrances. Apparently, Gregory and Jack had done their job well. The two guards lay motionless on the cobblestones. Slowly, Asylum slid the heavy armor off of the bodies, making sure to make as little noise as possible. Cautiously, he dropped the metal into his pack. After making sure no one had seen him, the small man darted into the bushes once again, where he switched out his own clothes for the Imperial armor. It smelled like sweat, and old cheese. Asylum wrinkled his nose in disgust. He didn't like his new coverings. It was hot inside the heavy suit, and he could hardly move. Sighing, he stood up, his boots clanking on the city cobbles. Slowly, he trudged his way toward the guardhouse. It was time to start up some action...