The Ancient Prisoner II - Quest

Tenaka opened his eyes slowly. He knew that it was but moments before dawn and as he looked across the room, he saw the first rays shine through the window. Moving Kriella’s arm from where it lay across his body, he rose from the bed and walked over to the window. For a few minutes, he simply stood and watched as the sun rose over the sky and a dozen roosters called out with the joy of this bright new day.

And a new day it would be. For the first time in ten years he would be leaving Geddon, for his home of Tamriel no less. It would be good to return home. But was it really returning home? He had not left Geddon for the past decade – surely this was his home now. His homes consisted of a burnt out farm in the north of Morrowind, scores upon scores of inns and this room in Geddon. And ridiculous as it may sound, this room felt more like home than any of the other places he had been in.

Hearing movement, he turned and saw Kriella sit up in their bed. She smiled at him and he knew she was having similar thoughts. Despite being Dark Elven, like himself, she had been born in High Rock, where, as far as they knew, her parents still lived. Of course, she would not be able to visit them – she had sworn to give up all ties to family and race; only the cause mattered now. She had also been in her fair share of inns, but if he asked her he knew the answer she would give, for she had given it before. If he asked about her home, she would say to look around, for home was wherever he was.

"What are you thinking about, my love?" asked Kriella.

"You," replied Tenaka, simply.

"Oh," Kriella exclaimed. "Would you care to elaborate?"

"I was merely thinking about how beautiful you are and how much I love you."

"I doubt you will have time to think of such things when we leave."

"We shall not have much time for anything after we leave. We shall be in the company of Dreadmaster Contor and Vanshoone. Little chance of privacy."

"Well, perhaps we had best make the most of the time we have left to us?"

Tenaka’s smile became a grin as he walked over to his wife and climbed back into the bed.

-- -- -- --

A few hours later the three Dreadknights and Dreadmaster stood at the base of Ebonarm’s tower. Tenaka looked at the sun and saw that only a few minutes lay between the present moment and the time that they were waiting for – the time when the Great Lord would explain the quest to them fully. Tenaka looked at the faces of his companions. Kriella looked excited, but also nervous and the Dreadmaster curious. Vanshoone confused the Dark Elf; he seemed both exultant and sorry at the same time. Tenaka briefly wondered what inspired these two conflicting emotions, but there was not time enough to dwell on it for long.

Dreadmaster Contor spoke. "My Dreadknights," he said. "The time is upon us. Please, be seated, and the Great Lord shall honour us with his presence." The two men and woman needed no encouragement. To speak with the Great Lord was an honour generally given only to the Dreadlord and the Keeper of the Chronicles. The four of them sat in a circle at the base of the tower and waited. Suddenly, and quite without warning, smoke rose from the centre of the circle, blowing in the breeze into their eyes.

Tenaka started as the image of Ebonarm’s helm came before his eyes. It was a strange sensation – while the image of that Ebony helm took up the whole range of his vision, he could still see the other three before him, though behind his Great Lord. Looking at the others, he saw a similar expression to that which must have been on his own face. Ebonarm was clearly speaking to each of them privately.

"Dreadknight Tenaka Khan." Tenaka heard the voice in his mind. "First among my Knights. Know now that I know all and that I know exactly what is to occur on thy quest. You four have been specially chosen because you each have something different to offer to the group. I leave the task of discovering what it is that thou dost offer, Tenaka, to you. Know that great changes will come of this quest, and thou must be prepared to embrace them. And now, I shall tell thee of the quest.

"Five centuries ago, a foolish mage of Tamriel did manage to summon a powerful Daedra. Unfortunately, as if often the case, the mage was powerful enough to summon the monstrosity, but lacked the ability to control or banish it. In those times the Dreadarmies were not a secret and the Dreadlord did not conceal himself in mystery. He was called upon to deal with the Daedra and he contacted me. I, in turn, sent a Fist to hunt down the creature.

"Eventually it was cornered and defeated. However, it had used some obscene ritual to anchor itself to Tamriel. The four remaining men, the Dreadmaster and three Dreadknights, realised that they could banish it, but it would be able to return independently. It was decided that it would be held within a Soul Gem. The four men completed the ritual to bind it within the crystal. Unfortunately, the creature had accounted for this possibility also. It was so tightly anchored to Tamriel that it could not be fully bound. Every quarter of a century, the binding magic weakens, and it becomes possible for the creature to escape. For four hours on that particular day, it can escape.

"That day is in three days time. Thy task is to journey to the site of the Soul Gem and guard it until the time is expired. Good luck." With these final words, the image of Ebonarm disappeared from Tenaka’s view. Looking at the other three questers, he saw that the Great Lord of War had also completed speaking with them. Which left the question as to why each of their instructions had been given privately – surely they all had the same task. He looked at the other people in the group again. Dreadmaster Contor no longer had his look of curiosity – now it was one of resignation. Vanshoone had a look of panic and worry – the exultation had disappeared. Kriella seemed anxious.

"Dreadknights," said Contor. "It is time to leave. The Great Lord shall open a Window for us imminently." With those words, a Window did open before them. Through it could be seen green fields with great mountains in the distance. A blue sky could be seen overhead, with almost no cloud. At least the walk would be pleasant. Dreadmaster Contor stepped through the Window, followed by Vanshoone, Kriella, and finally, Tenaka. Soundlessly, the Window closed behind them. The quest had begun.