Chapter 489 - The Ansei Wards (1)
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*Three Days Earlier - 17th Rain's Hand (April), 4E 200*
When Beth informed Jon of the prophecy getting clearer, she said that they only have three days to prepare. In Jon's book, that's enough time to raise an army but an army wasn't enough.
What happens in three days? What happens in the 20th of Rain's Hand?
According to the System's Calendar, it is the "Day of Shame", a day in which the people of the seaside villages and cities of Hammerfell do not leave their homes. It is said that the Crimson Ship, a vessel filled with victims of the Knahaten Plague who were refused refuge hundreds of years ago, will return on this day. This plague was one of the deadliest diseases to infect the populace of Tamriel, lasting for 43 years, from the year 2E 560 to 2E 603.
The aftermath of the plague was the destruction of the non-Argonian population of Black Marsh and instilled outsiders with a fear of the province for centuries. Still, the most devastating effect was the extinction of a certain race of men called the Kothringi.
The Kothringi, much like the Atmorans and the Yukodans, were an original race of humans with a very distinctive silver skin. They are considered the only human race indigenous to Tamriel. According to the books of history, the last patch of Kothringi escaped from Black Marsh in a ship with crimson sails and tried to land in multiple docks seeking asylum and cure. Elsweyr, Valenwood, and Summerset refused the human refugees until they reached their human cousins, the Redguards of Hammerfell. By that time, the Plague was known to be very deadly and Hammerfell refused to take them in. It was the last thing known of the Crimson Ship and of the Kothringi race and a mark of shame in the Redguard history.
Regarding the prophecy of Beth, it marked the day of the return of the ship, the day to be there days from this day, the Day of Shame.
To the HoonDing Alliance, this was a very important piece of news that none was prepared for. It means that not only they have a Worm Cult to worry about but also a fleet of avenging wraiths that are holding a very nasty grudge.
"It is very nasty for them to return now of all times." Jon exclaimed.
"You are going to deal with it?"
"Of course, do you see any other Labourer around who is willing to deal with a disastrous plague… hold up a minute! I've dealt with the Mutated Disease in Morrowind, the Cursed Disease in Elsweyr, and now… a Sailing Disease… I like this development. What am I? A Laborer or a Doctor without Borders?"
"You are still doing very well." Beth said.
"Very well my ass!" Jon flicked her forehead, "Thank Goodness I have an Eternal Body else I wouldn't have lasted this long."
"Ouch! Abuser!"
"Cheeky brat!"
The two had to fight it out as if there was no ship carrying a deadly grave coming in three days.
"And these swords, you said they are the [Ansei Wards]?"
"Yes."
Despite being ancient, the [Ansei Wards] are the most important three relics in Hammerfell. When Hammerfell faced a great threat from a group of powerful elven necromancers, the Ansei heroes Majah, Radan, and Halelah sacrificed themselves to protect the people from the risen dead. As part of a covenant with Tu'whacca, each Ansei channeled their spirit into the blade they wielded in life. These swords became known as the [Ansei Wards] and would protect the land from even the most powerful necromancy.
"So, you think I am worthy enough to wield an Ansei Ward?" Jon asked.
"You are doubting yourself?" Beth was taken aback.
"I'm not overestimating myself. I'm not sure if I am a match to a real Ansei without the Voice and the is no living Ansei to proof the fact so…"
"You are right. You are not worthy to wield and Ansei. It won't accept you." Beth acknowledged what Jon said.
"Next time, sugarcoat it." Jon flicked her forehead again.
"Ouch!"
"What about Mirren and Miranda? Why did you choose them?"
"They are not worthy as well but they have a better chance than you." She added.
Jon was about to flick her forehead again but she dodged it cleanly.
"Nice one."
"Thank you."
"And what do you mean by that?"
"The two have a special bloodline, a strong magical bond, and a powerful blessing, you are not the only one with all that, you know."
"Then…"
"They have their own powers so don't be offended."
"Okay, that solves the problem. Three of us and three Ansei Wards, this should be…" Jon was about to conclude it but Beth cut his words.
"Actually, that only covers two Ansei Wards." She said.
"Do I have to teach you math as well?"
"The Altmer Twins will share a sword."
"Oh… okay. Who is the last swordsman by the by?"
"The only available candidate is the Prince of Stros M'kai."
"Kareem?"
"He is the most likely candidate at the moment even more than you and the Altmer Twins."
"You've got to be kidding me."
"He is gaining power by using the [Soul Sword] of Prince Ator. Given time, he will be able to wield an Ansei Ward."
So the situation looked like this, Kareem as the best candidate, Mirren and Miranda as the rising candidates, then finally Jon as the unlikely candidate.
"I'm not used to being on the wrong side of history." Jon said.
"Yeah, in your face." Beth acted smug like him.
Jon looked at her and flicked her forehead faster than she could ever react to.
"Ouch!"
"How do I solve this then? How can I wield an Ansei Ward?"
"Why would I help you…"
Beth was about to retort but when she saw Jon raising his hand, she cleared her voice and replied properly.
"You need to fully awaken the [Ebony Blade] and draw power from it similar to the way Kareem is doing with the [Soul Sword]." She said.
"You can't be serious… Do you know how long it took me just to awaken it eight times out of ten? Almost a year by now."
"Then, I would hurry up if I were you. You only have three days."
Jon felt like a rock crushing into his head as he felt the task he has for the coming three days.
Currently, the Necromancers on the Western front of the Alik'r Desert were stopped for now and the Citadel of Ebonarm regained its Masters and experts. The Southern and Eastern fronts were covered by the HoonDing Alliance and the North was taken care of by the King of Sentinel and the Imperial Legion.
"I need to head to Sentinal to recover the Wards." Jon made his mind to move.
"What about the awakening of the Ebony Blade?" She asked.
"One thing at a time."
Awakening the Blade means sacrifice. Jon was comfortable with sacrificing his enemies but for the bond between them was actually fake, these sacrifices barely feed the blade. It took almost a year to awaken the blade this far and now he needs to magically finish the awakening in three days. It was absurd and impossible.
He understands that he needs the Blade to fully awaken for the enchantment that can make his Swordsmanship Skill reaches the peak of its potential but the sacrifice's value needs to be good enough to feed the blade's hunger.
"Or maybe… I wonder."
***
Jon had to act fast from this point on. He made sure that the others don't need him for anything at the moment. The War Chief of the Citadel was being healed and in a better state compared to before, she also gave a speech and inspired the disciples of the citadel the moment she arrived. Isha was also busy as she was promoted into a full-fledged Battlelord in the most hasted ceremony ever.
Finally, he took Mirren and Miranda into a portal and traveled to where the Alliance is, thankfully, it was less than a day away from the Citadel.
"High Wizard of the Alliance reports to the Lord."
In public, Jon reported the achievements of the force that went ahead and hinted to Kareem what moves he should make next. Kareem put on airs before deciding to go aid the Citadel in the west. Later, Jon joined Kareem privately and briefed him of the prophecy.
"The Day of Shame? You surely jest."
"No."
"There is no way that is true! The Crimson Ship returns… not of all times?"
"Yes."
"Then we must… we should… I don't know what to do!"
"Obviously."
Kareem was freaking out all over the place while Jon was acting rather calm.
"Lord Krilon, what do you suggest?" Kareem asked.
"I was looking forward to the fact that you have some connections with the Royal family in Sentinel."
"… For the [Ansei Wards]? Forget it, the Royal Family won't give up on them." Kareem said.
"There are many ways to deal with that, just make the meeting happen."
Jon didn't take no for an answer and gave Kareem a few minutes to leave orders for the Alliance on how to move and make an excuse for his disappearance. He then dragged Kareem into a portal and took him north to Iliac Bay near the City of Sentinel, the glorious Capital of Hammerfell.
***
Sentinel is a great city of the Redguards and the capital of the kingdom of Sentinel. It is located in the northwestern hills of Hammerfell, overlooking the Iliac Bay. Its population is relatively low due to the inhospitable nature of the surrounding Alik'r Desert. However, some fertile fields can be found along the coast near the city.
The main street of the city of Sentinel is a great market between the docks and front gates. The city is an exotic retreat for the nobility of Daggerfall and Wayrest, who delight in the cooking, craftsmanship, and plays that can be found there, one of the reasons why the city was called the Desert Jewel and the Golden Pearl of Iliac Bay. Many great and famous people throughout history have called Sentinel their home including the renowned poet Weltan and the famous Redguard hero Cyrus.
During this night, the situation in Sentinel was dire and the mood was cold. Four days ago when the city was fending off the Necromancers, the opposite side of Iliac Bay in Daggerfall was having the "Day of the Dead", an annual holiday when people fortify their homes with candles and salt for the dead the ghosts of the dead rise that day to take vengeance on the living as the ghost of King Lysandus who would appear to haunt people on that day.
The thing was that the Necromancer used this to their own advantage and summoned the Ghost of King Lysandus and his army of ghosts in the middle of Sentinel to wreck havoc. If not for the fact that Prince Yazid was present in Sentinel and managed to stop the ghost of King Lysandus long enough till the Imperial General Cassia came to help, things would have taken a worse turn.
Right now, the Imperials were welcomed in Hammerfell as long as the undead are dealt with. If all goes well, this will improve the relationship between the Empire and Hammerfell to a certain degree. The Forebears of Sentinel would surely love that.
Putting all this and that aside, the Imperial came with an unexpected ally from Skyrim. A team of the Nordic Companions led by Vilkas and Aela, two famed Nord Heroes.
"Look at those soft guts, they saw some ghosts for one day and already hit the gutter. Bunch of snowberries!" Said a red-haired girl wearing light clothes.
"You can't blame them, Aela. Not everyone can handle those magic dead things walking around their homes." Vilkas replied to her.
The two represented two different opinions of the companions, Aela was the wild and brash version of the Companions while Vilkas was a quiet and calculative warrior.
Those two were on an expedition to hunt a large beast near Dragonstar. It was said to be a Bear with the size of a Mammoth. Such a beast killed many people and terrorized the region for months before it was put down by a special arrow crafted in Winterhold and shot by Aela.
It was a glorious hunt that Aela offered its hide in the name of Prince of the Hunt, Hircine and prayed to meet her lover in the near future. Luck smiled on her and fate worked on her favor for at the same time she was mocking the refugees that were flooding Sentinel near the city gate, a certain mage waltzed into the city through a portal and made the guards call for all manner of help.
The Companions charged into the city to meet the rogue wizard who happens to be a very familiar man with the tendency to do things at his own pace. Jon has arrived at Sentinel.
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