Tes3Mod:Tamriel Rebuilt/At River's End, Vol. I

Book Information
Added by Mod	Tamriel Rebuilt
ID	TR_bk_RiverEnd1_EL
	55		3
Locations
Found in the following locations: Firewatch Library, First Floor Firewatch, Grazgob gro-Muzbog's House Telvanni Library, Eastern Tower: Lower Level

At River's End, Vol. I

by Orill Duthnist

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Chapter I: Why We Are

I have seen the forest swell with life before us as we marched through them. As if it knew who we were. I gazed at the mountains as they rose; As if beckoning us to climb. The danger and excitement of it all quenched our fear of the approaching death. Eight remained from the company of 60(including myself) men and 4 slaves. We had been on station for 22 months hiding when we could and fighting when we had to. We had survived; the final eight.

Chapter II: Duty

We had sailed from Fort Frosthmoth (hoping we would see it again) heading east to Khuul then due north along the east coast of our homeland. Our orders were such that once we had reached the northern peak our captain was to open the third scroll of our mission. I had been awoken by my ship mate. "It's your watch, get up. Come on... up, my turn for the pillow." What a nasty berth this was—sleeping in the sweat of two other men, eating slaughter fish whenever we could catch them;they're revolting, but they keep you breathing. Perhaps to only hold out for something better I suppose. We weren't allowed to take any supplies except what we could carry for this some-five and a half month wake.

I said my curses to the man and got out of his bed; I resumed my duties. It was about three in the morning, maybe a few minutes after when I took my lookout post on the bow. The rain showed me no mercy, despite my complaints. Ah why should it. The sea had claimed 43 of our crew, chiefly our and navigator and 3 slaves before we had reached Khuul. At least we claimed it was the sea and secretly hoped it as well. I stood now where the first mate should have stood, if only he were still on board. Captain Drok Melhornm had been replaced by my good friend, Othril, and he by a man named Ruevkane; a man whom, at that time, I knew nothing about.

It rained on me such every night for the next 56 days. "I am honored still to serve my lord." This phrase had been my strength through thus far and had not yet failed me.

Chapter III: The Sea of Ghosts

Solitude, I had heard it called that many times. Never really gave it much thought, at least not until we lost our sail some 70 days into the sea. I mentioned that I was standing watch....well, really I was bait. For what, I had no idea—something horrific though. We had been drifting for a long time now; no idea where we were. North is all we knew.

The rain tore the warmth away from me as I balanced myself to tune of storm. This watch was way too long; far too long. It seemed better than what the others were doing though, I suppose. That was part of being the bait—I never had to row. At least my death would be quick. They were my shipmates though; all except the slave...How I despise slaves.

I had offered to row down in the belly of the ship, but Ruevkane decided it would be better if I were given the opportunity to ?Catch? this phantom of the deep; he is my captain, so I obey.

So here there I was, basking in fury and thunder of the night. I'm not sure what it was that held me, but it did so before I knew my heart had skipped a beat. I hurled all my rage at it. A beast not unlike my own visage, however shrouded by the blanket of rain and shadow. I missed and it sunk its claws deep into my ribs, as it covered my mouth to stop my screams. I had always prayed over my dagger that my father passed down to me.I guess it paid off. I was surprised at my quickness. It fell over the life line and back into the dark waters from where it spawned.

I am a soldier; a servant of my house. Never have I feared a foe—but this I feared.

Chapter IV: Aftermath

To be aboard a vessel in the sea knowing not where, one is in a dreadful predicament, especially when you're being hunted by some—thing. This thought had passed through the fibers of my imagination several times. I kept it at bay and took my place on the bow of the Silver Drake yet again. The sun cut through the clouds and warmed my frigid skin as we plowed ever north. All things seemed overwhelming, save for the fact that I still lived.

No hauntings today. It seemed, whatever it was that was hunting us, shunned the light, luckily for me. My watches had increased over the past two weeks, as we had lost 6 more of our crew. It's not that we're careless or foolhardy; this thing was just smarter than us. That left me standing watch, the slave cooking, and the other ten for rowing. I tied myself off on the bow. Not a real great idea of what else could I do.

The clouds began to cover the sun as night called it home. We sailed for several hours before I heard it. This was one of the most distinct sounds I have ever heard. It was like a thousand men splitting wood all at one time. We had run aground. Needless to say, that lifeline didn't hold me; or should I say it didn't hold me to the ship. However, it did hold me to the deck plank it was tied to. Most of us found each other that night, the rest we found with the day, along with our destroyed ship. I, the slave, and six other soldiers is all that remained of our crew.