Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-3293219-20151201230232/@comment-5543592-20151202235931

(I don't know why there is a white background.  If anyone can figure out how to remove this, that'd be great.)

“ ♪ My Bonnie lies over the ocean ♪  ♪ My Bonnie lies over the sea ♪  ♪ My Bonnie lies over the ocean ♪  ♪ Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me...  <span style="font-size: 14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol"; color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#252525"> <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Bring back, bring back <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525"> <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">O,Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525"> <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Bring back, bring back <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525"> <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">O,Bring back my Bonnie to me <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">”

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“By Shor, Scire, keep quiet.”   Ragnar replied, not wanting the soldiers to come in. The legionnaires had chained Scire upside down from the ceiling (probably because he’d struggled and told them he’d kill them all with their own fingers nails whilst blindfolded), and had Ragnar bound by his ankles, knees, arms, and, oddly enough, neck in the corner. They’d cuffed his wrists.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Ragnar, I don’t mean to be a pessimist, but my plan right now is the best we’ve got. Let’s face it, this cave was not a good place to come to. So, I keep singing, until they decide I’m better sold to the circus than transported to Tharn.”

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Ragnar glanced around the cave… and then down to his binds… he needed something sharp…

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Keep singing.”   Ragnar suddenly said.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Well, we all know my voice is beautiful. I think its part of the reason Hawke finds me so attractive.”

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Don’t overdo it.”   Ragnar muttered.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin">Scire grinned and then continued to belt out lines.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin">“ <span style="font-size: 14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#252525; background:white">Last night as I lay on my pillow! <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525"> Last night as I lay on my bed! Last night as I lay on my pillow! I dreamt that my Bonnie was dead! <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Oh blow the winds o'er the ocean <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525"> <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">And blow the winds o'er the sea <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525"> <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Oh blow the winds o'er the ocean <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525"> <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">And bring back my Bonnie to me! <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">”

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">The door to the room they’d been shoved into, an old storage room of shorts, flew open and five Legionnaires filled in.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Keep it down!”   The first into the room barked at Scire.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Bring back, bring back, o’bring back my Bonnie, to me, to me! <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol";color:#252525;background:white">♪ <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">”

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">The Legionnaire stepped forward and struck Scire in the stomach, causing the Dunmer to cough, sputter, and gasp for air. Ragnar picked up the verse, his deep voice reverberating off the stone walls.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“The winds have blown over the ocean <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525">. The winds have blown over the sea. The winds…”   A legionnaire was advancing on Ragnar now, sword out, probably so he could whack the Nord with the flat side of it.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Ragnar shuffled forward a bit, so that he was perched on his knees, the perfect target. The soldier brought back his weapon…

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">The Nord ducked under the sword swing, and launched himself forward solely by the strength of his knees. His head shot outward like the point of missile- the top of which crashed right into the Legionnaire’s crotch. The exchange was unnoticeable and silent, everyone else still too focused on Scire, who was making a nuisance of himself, and the Imperial’s sword clattered to the ground. The Legionnaire bent over, cupping his private place, a reaction to the 200+ pounds of force that had just slammed into his groin.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Ragnar rolled to the sword, and fiercely dragged ankle-binds over the well-oiled edge. The taut ropes snapped. The knees and arms went next- since his wrists were cuffed he’d have to worry about them later. He simply pulled the rope around his neck over his head.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">The remaining four Imperials turned on Ragnar now and came forward, swords drawn.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">He jerked back, avoiding a slash, and then dodged to the side away from a stab, before sending his own upward slice in reply. The Legionnaires simply retreated back, one came forward to test his defense, but Ragnar knocked the blow away with his captured sword.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">They’d get help, sooner or later, if they thought they were in any danger. He’d have to end this fast…

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Ragnar’s sword clattered to the ground. The legionnaires hesitated in confusion, as they thought he was surrendering, and that was their fatal mistake. Ragnar lunged forward, his hands clasping around one Imperials throat. He would’ve stabbed the Nord in the stomach, had Ragnar not smashed his head against the cave wall.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">The Thane wheeled on the other three Imperials. A slash came down towards him, and he pulled the chain of his cuffs taunt to intercept it. He then locked the blade between his wrists, and yanked it out of his attacker’s grip. The weapon soared into the air, and Ragnar punched forward now with conjoined fists. There was a crunch when they collided with the attacker’s teeth, and the Imperial fell like a chopped tree.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Two soldiers left. They came at him in unison, blades flashing, and Ragnar had to skirt back in retreat. They came at him again, going for the outside, as that’s where he was defenseless, for his chained arms could not reach. A legionnaire surged forward in a violent slash, and Ragnar moved to disarm him, but received a gash in the side from the second Legionnaire in response. The Nord retreated, back around the wall of the cave, on the defensive. Suddenly there was an audible pause in the air, before one of the Legionnaire’s chest exploded with a burst of blood, as Scire buried a sword in the man’s back from behind. The final soldier turned, but Ragnar came up behind him, brought a taunt chain down on top of the man’s had. There were two cracks- one of the Imperial’s skull shatter, and one of Ragnar’s cuffs snapping apart.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Yeah, I just saved your ass, don’t mention it.”   Scire noted as the last man fell. He’d managed to work himself free using a sword that had fallen near his dangling hands.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Let’s go.”   Ragnar said, nodding to the door. The Imperials hadn’t even bothered to lock it behind them.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“We’ll need our weapons.”   Scire said as they exited the cell. The aforementioned weapons were sitting in a wheel barrow just to their right.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Wow, did they even try to hide them?”   Scire muttered as he sheathed his Daedric Dagger and shouldered Black Bow and its quiver.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Ragnar hefted his giant’s club, the two headed out into the cave. The Legionnaires weren’t quiet, so they could easily determine where their enemy was. Unfortunately, the cave was rather straight forward. They’d have to pass through the large cavern again.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">As they entered it’ precipice, peeking into the cave turned war camp, Scire took a deep breath.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Alright. Let’s skirt around the wall.”   Ragnar stated. “Stay to the shadows, they may not notice us.”

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“You do realize how hefty you are, right?”   Was Scire’s reply.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">The two crept into the cavern, skirting around the side as Ragnar had said, sticking to the wall. There were plenty of crates to hide behind, probably full of supplies, and they largely could escape fairly easily.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Hey!”   There was a shout, both of the adventurers froze. “Caelius!”   The voice was talking to another Legionnaires. “Get us some more ale!”

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Right away, sir!”   A second voice replied, and soon a short, wiry, young Imperial man strode into view, headed straight for the crate Scire was hidden behind.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Fucker always having me get his shit…”   Caelius muttered to himself as he stood over Scire’s crate. Ragnar watched silently from his own crate, several feet off, having made more progress.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“I’ll show him, one day, when I make Tribune…”   The Imperial mumbled, searching for the crow bar.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">It was sitting at Scire’s feet.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Caelius peaked around the sides of the crate, and Scire shrunk further into the shadows, wishing he was invisible.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Caelius leaned forward, reached over the brim of the cart, towards Scire…

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Caelius!”   The Imperial paused, still mid-reach, and turned his head away. The voice was a new one, and friendlier too.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“You up for Iron-Hearts tomorrow?”

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“With you?”   Caelius groped for the crowbar, his hand reaching dangerously close to Scire. The Dunmer held his breath, picked up the crowbar, and shoved it into the Imperial’s hand. “Not after you cheated me last game!”   Caelius called in sudden retort, and pulled back with the crowbar.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Scire exhaled.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“What do you mean cheating?” The 2nd voice replied.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">The crate cracked as Caelius worked at it. “I know you were pocketing cards!”

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Me? You’re calling me a cheater? What happened between you and that Praefect’s wife?”   Caelius froze, bristling with anger (voice #2 had hit a soft spot, apparently), and left with the crowbar in hand.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Keep moving.”   Ragnar whispered to Scire, just before the Legionnaires roared. Apparently a brawl had started.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">The two crept along toward the cave’s entrance, tucked away behind the backs of crates.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“We’re here!”   Ragnar declared to Scire in a low whisper, having reached the exit back into the first corridor, and crept up to it. Just as they’d passed through into the corridor, there was a cry from the other end of the cavern, where they’d come from.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“The prisoners have escaped!”   The voice was higher pitched than one would expect from a man. He sounded like someone had whacked him in the dick with a hammer and the attack was having lasting effects.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">In that moment, though, it was like time froze. Silence followed, and all eyes quickly scanned the rather empty cavern (aside from those crates!) ending up on Scire and Ragnar, standing in the dimly light entrance.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Let’s run.”   Scire decided and the two took off at a dash. There was a collective roar as the army of Legionnaires clattered to their feet and took off after them. Arrows and bolts flew through the air behind them, and Ragnar let out a grunt of surprise. After rushing through several bends, the pair managed to get to iron door, which Ragnar had locked behind them.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“I told you it was a shit idea to lock this gate!”   Scire shouted.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Ragnar calmly withdrew the key from his armor, and unlocked it.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“They’re still going to catch us.”   Scire said as he ran through. “They outnumber us a hundred to one. We’re fucked!”

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“I know.”   Ragnar replied calmly, having not budged from the door. Instead, he shut it behind Scire, and relocked it. Not to keep the Legionnaires from coming through, this door wouldn’t hold them, but from keeping Scire from coming back in.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Ragnar! What the-” Scire rushed back to the door, but Ragnar had already withdrawn the key.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Torches shone down the corridor. The legionnaires were being cautious, approaching slowly, in formation. Cave fighting was nasty, and they had to be wary of surprises, unlike Scire and Ragnar who had known it was clear up ahead. Still, they covered ground fast.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Ragnar, you can just come through, we have time!”   Scire said, pulling at the door. Ragnar bent the key, determined to make sure no one could get through when there was a Nord berserker guarding that door.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“No.”   Was Ragnar’s only reply. He reached into his armor, and pulled a different thing out- an envelope, and passed it through the bars, into Scire’s hands. As Scire glanced down at Ragnar’s hands, he noticed there was blood draining down the Nord’s side, a crossbow bolt embedded in the flesh just above his hip. It had punctured the armor, dangerously close to the spin, and had gone through Ragnar’s back, poking out of his gut. There was no way he was making an escape anyway. It was a miracle he was still standing.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">   “What- what do I do with this?”   Scire asked, staring at the envelope.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Ragnar withdrew his hands, still ignoring the Dunmer.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Ragnar!”   Scire protested again, desperately. “This is pointless! Stupid! Suicidal!”

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">“Good-bye, Scire.”   Ragnar turned away from the door, dropped his club from his shoulder so that it was in both hands, and then marched down the dark corridor, out of sight.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">The sounds of battle erupted later. Metal against metal. Cries of rage. Screams.

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#252525;background:white">Scire watched the darkness for a moment, before sprinting out of the cave.