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19th of Frostfall, 427 3E
Today was exhausting, mentally and emotionally if not physically. For most of the night Neldor and I were awake and on guard, fearful that at any moment Ragnar and his men would show up to seize Sigrid and Laurenna and take revenge for the death of his shaman.
Shortly after dawn we saw a man approaching the ranger station. When he reached the gate I saw he was none other than Erik, the man who had been unjustly imprisoned for over a year. As Neldor and I walked out to meet him near the horse paddock, I said, "Good morning. I would have thought that you and Hellena had left Lokken by now."
Erik explained, "We are leaving this morning. Our ship departs in a little over an hour, but I came out here because I keep thinking about the murder I witnessed. A man was killed and his murderer is still free." Removing a rolled up sheet of parchment from his jerkin and offering it to us, he explained, "I wanted to leave this with you; I've written down my stated evidence. You helped me and so I feel you should be the one to take care of this. Do with it what you feel is suitable. My only wish is to leave this place with Hellena and I don't ever want to come back here again."
Accepting the scroll, I said appreciatively, "Thank you. This will in fact help clear the name of an innocent man. We'll make sure that the right people see it."
Neldor nodded in agreement before saying, "We're sorry that you had such a terrible experience here and we wish you and your wife a safe journey home."
Obviously eager to get to the Lokken docks, Erik replied, "I appreciate that. Thank you again for your help. Now I better get back to Hellena. I wish you both all the best."
After Erik had departed, I said as I placed the scroll inside my satchel, "Now we have a way to clear Wulfren's name, but even with this evidence I doubt that Ragnar will step down quietly. Wulfren will still have to face him."
"Which leads me to something I've been thinking about," Neldor replied. After glancing at the ranger station where Laurenna and Sigrid were hiding, he said in a soft, grim tone, "Ragnar likely knows that we are behind the death of his shaman, which means we're not in his good graces anymore. Not that he was overly fond of us in the first place."
Shivering a bit, and not from the cold air, I agreed, "He likely either wants to imprison or kill us."
Stepping closer to me, Neldor stated, "If Wulfren is killed, you and I are going to have to jump on our horses, make a mad dash home to get our other animals, and then teleport back to Vvardenfell and take our chances there. We won't be able to stay here."
I admitted, "I've been thinking the same thing. I would hate to leave Sigrid and Laurenna here with Ragnar, but it wouldn't do them or anyone else any good if we're locked up or killed."
It was only a few minutes after this conversation that Wulfren finally showed up. Clad in a suit of iron armor, he apologized for taking so long to get there before formally introducing himself and inquiring about his mother and sister.
I told him, "They are safe inside the station. We have had advised them to remain there until everything is resolved." Showing him Erik's written testimony, I told him, "The man who witnessed the murder of your father left this with us. He fully describes the killer as being middle aged with a full beard and long bright red hair."
With a small smile, Neldor commented to Wulfren, "And that certainly doesn't sound like you."
Skimming over the deposition, Wulfren sighed with relief before saying, "Finally; proof that I am innocent. Now the people of Lokken will accept me as their chieftain, but first I must deal with Ragnar."
Neldor suggested, "Perhaps you should go inside and see your mother and sister first. I know they are anxious to see you."
Wulfren nodded before saying, "Yes, I will do that. However, before I go inside I would like to ask both of you to accompany me to the castle. You have done so much to help my family that I would like you to witness the removal of my father's killer."
Neldor and I, as we discussed later, had mixed feelings about going to the castle. If Wulfren fell in battle it could be difficult for us to escape from the castle and ride home. We could easily become trapped. On the other hand, we would know the instant that we needed to leave Lokken instead of waiting for news at the ranger station.
Reminding ourselves that it was our duty to serve the hopefully soon-to-be chieftain, Neldor and I somberly agreed to accompany Wulfren and said we would saddle the horses while was visiting with Laurenna and Sigrid (Laurenna immediately offered Wulfren the use of her horse to ride to the castle).
As for what happened a little while later, again I don't like to get into grim details of battle. Even if you dislike any of the people involved, there is nothing pleasant about seeing a person mangled. Death is ugly. All I will take the time to write is that the three of us went to the castle and stormed into the throne room. There, Neldor and I stood back (near a door) and watched as Wulfren confronted Ragnar. For what seemed like a long time, the pair of Nords circled around each other and swung their blades, each man intending to kill the other.
I have to admit that I was amazed at Ragnar's strength. Most people would have been killed instantly after being hit only once with the Greatsword of Thorjan Borg. Ragnar not only managed to remain on his feet after a couple of blows, but he was able to strike Wulfren quite a few times with his own blade. As Neldor and I watched these two men battle for the right to sit on Lokken's throne, I wasn't entirely certain which of them would be the last one standing.
In the end Wulfren, the rightful heir, stood over Ragnar's lifeless body which sprawled at the foot of the stolen throne. In fact Rangar fell in almost the same place as his evil shaman. Ragnar will never again oppress the people of Lokken.
As Wulfren wearily stepped toward us, obviously out of breath, I commented, "All of Morrowind's Great House Redoran would be impressed by your fighting skills. What you just did was no easy thing."
When he had caught his breath, Wulfren said gratefully, "Taking on the two of you as forest rangers is the one thing that Ragnar did that I agree with. I can never ever thank you enough for helping me and my family. This day was only possible because of you."
Neldor smiled and replied, "We're happy to see you restored to your rightful place."
I then told him, "The people of Lokken were unable to do anything about Ragnar, but in their hearts they remained loyal to you and your family. They never considered Ragnar their rightful chieftain."
Having recovered more of his strength, Wulfren turned to Kielreen and said cheerfully, "Send a messenger to the ranger station to tell my mother and sister that it's now safe for them to come home. And send another to the brewery saying that the first thing I'm doing as chieftain is lower the prices of mead. Inform the villagers that they can purchase as much as they want."
"Gladly, m'lord!" Kielreen replied happily as she hurried off to pass his message on to a couple of couriers.
Returning his attention to us, Wulfren said, "Please feel free to stay here a while if you like. There will likely be a lot of celebrating now that Ragnar has been removed."
Neldor replied, "We appreciate the offer, but I'm sure you and your family would like to spend some time together. Plus to be honest, Aeronwen and I are quite tired."
With a sheepish smile, I agreed, "We are. We're glad we could protect Laurenna and Sigrid, but...it was a long night."
Wulfren smiled and replied, "I understand. Go rest. You have certainly earned it. Please know that I want you both to stay on here. I can already tell that the Lokken forests are doing well in your care."
"We appreciate that, truly, "I assured him, relieved to hear that we still had our jobs. I figured Wulfren would want us to stay, but we couldn't be sure until we heard it from his own mouth.
Neldor and I returned to our horses and headed home a short time later, beyond grateful that we could ride at a leisurely pace instead of at a full gallop so we could grab Oliver, Casper, and Ivy before teleporting back to the little barn house on Vvardenfell. We're also glad that our home is tucked away in the forest next to Silverwood Lake where it is peaceful and quiet. Lokken will no doubt be a rowdy place today and tonight, with a lot of singing, dancing, and of course mead drinking.
It's the start of a new chapter for Lokken Island.
*~*~*
Today was exhausting, mentally and emotionally if not physically. For most of the night Neldor and I were awake and on guard, fearful that at any moment Ragnar and his men would show up to seize Sigrid and Laurenna and take revenge for the death of his shaman.
Shortly after dawn we saw a man approaching the ranger station. When he reached the gate I saw he was none other than Erik, the man who had been unjustly imprisoned for over a year. As Neldor and I walked out to meet him near the horse paddock, I said, "Good morning. I would have thought that you and Hellena had left Lokken by now."
Erik explained, "We are leaving this morning. Our ship departs in a little over an hour, but I came out here because I keep thinking about the murder I witnessed. A man was killed and his murderer is still free." Removing a rolled up sheet of parchment from his jerkin and offering it to us, he explained, "I wanted to leave this with you; I've written down my stated evidence. You helped me and so I feel you should be the one to take care of this. Do with it what you feel is suitable. My only wish is to leave this place with Hellena and I don't ever want to come back here again."
Accepting the scroll, I said appreciatively, "Thank you. This will in fact help clear the name of an innocent man. We'll make sure that the right people see it."
Neldor nodded in agreement before saying, "We're sorry that you had such a terrible experience here and we wish you and your wife a safe journey home."
Obviously eager to get to the Lokken docks, Erik replied, "I appreciate that. Thank you again for your help. Now I better get back to Hellena. I wish you both all the best."
After Erik had departed, I said as I placed the scroll inside my satchel, "Now we have a way to clear Wulfren's name, but even with this evidence I doubt that Ragnar will step down quietly. Wulfren will still have to face him."
"Which leads me to something I've been thinking about," Neldor replied. After glancing at the ranger station where Laurenna and Sigrid were hiding, he said in a soft, grim tone, "Ragnar likely knows that we are behind the death of his shaman, which means we're not in his good graces anymore. Not that he was overly fond of us in the first place."
Shivering a bit, and not from the cold air, I agreed, "He likely either wants to imprison or kill us."
Stepping closer to me, Neldor stated, "If Wulfren is killed, you and I are going to have to jump on our horses, make a mad dash home to get our other animals, and then teleport back to Vvardenfell and take our chances there. We won't be able to stay here."
I admitted, "I've been thinking the same thing. I would hate to leave Sigrid and Laurenna here with Ragnar, but it wouldn't do them or anyone else any good if we're locked up or killed."
It was only a few minutes after this conversation that Wulfren finally showed up. Clad in a suit of iron armor, he apologized for taking so long to get there before formally introducing himself and inquiring about his mother and sister.
I told him, "They are safe inside the station. We have had advised them to remain there until everything is resolved." Showing him Erik's written testimony, I told him, "The man who witnessed the murder of your father left this with us. He fully describes the killer as being middle aged with a full beard and long bright red hair."
With a small smile, Neldor commented to Wulfren, "And that certainly doesn't sound like you."
Skimming over the deposition, Wulfren sighed with relief before saying, "Finally; proof that I am innocent. Now the people of Lokken will accept me as their chieftain, but first I must deal with Ragnar."
Neldor suggested, "Perhaps you should go inside and see your mother and sister first. I know they are anxious to see you."
Wulfren nodded before saying, "Yes, I will do that. However, before I go inside I would like to ask both of you to accompany me to the castle. You have done so much to help my family that I would like you to witness the removal of my father's killer."
Neldor and I, as we discussed later, had mixed feelings about going to the castle. If Wulfren fell in battle it could be difficult for us to escape from the castle and ride home. We could easily become trapped. On the other hand, we would know the instant that we needed to leave Lokken instead of waiting for news at the ranger station.
Reminding ourselves that it was our duty to serve the hopefully soon-to-be chieftain, Neldor and I somberly agreed to accompany Wulfren and said we would saddle the horses while was visiting with Laurenna and Sigrid (Laurenna immediately offered Wulfren the use of her horse to ride to the castle).
As for what happened a little while later, again I don't like to get into grim details of battle. Even if you dislike any of the people involved, there is nothing pleasant about seeing a person mangled. Death is ugly. All I will take the time to write is that the three of us went to the castle and stormed into the throne room. There, Neldor and I stood back (near a door) and watched as Wulfren confronted Ragnar. For what seemed like a long time, the pair of Nords circled around each other and swung their blades, each man intending to kill the other.
I have to admit that I was amazed at Ragnar's strength. Most people would have been killed instantly after being hit only once with the Greatsword of Thorjan Borg. Ragnar not only managed to remain on his feet after a couple of blows, but he was able to strike Wulfren quite a few times with his own blade. As Neldor and I watched these two men battle for the right to sit on Lokken's throne, I wasn't entirely certain which of them would be the last one standing.
In the end Wulfren, the rightful heir, stood over Ragnar's lifeless body which sprawled at the foot of the stolen throne. In fact Rangar fell in almost the same place as his evil shaman. Ragnar will never again oppress the people of Lokken.
As Wulfren wearily stepped toward us, obviously out of breath, I commented, "All of Morrowind's Great House Redoran would be impressed by your fighting skills. What you just did was no easy thing."
When he had caught his breath, Wulfren said gratefully, "Taking on the two of you as forest rangers is the one thing that Ragnar did that I agree with. I can never ever thank you enough for helping me and my family. This day was only possible because of you."
Neldor smiled and replied, "We're happy to see you restored to your rightful place."
I then told him, "The people of Lokken were unable to do anything about Ragnar, but in their hearts they remained loyal to you and your family. They never considered Ragnar their rightful chieftain."
Having recovered more of his strength, Wulfren turned to Kielreen and said cheerfully, "Send a messenger to the ranger station to tell my mother and sister that it's now safe for them to come home. And send another to the brewery saying that the first thing I'm doing as chieftain is lower the prices of mead. Inform the villagers that they can purchase as much as they want."
"Gladly, m'lord!" Kielreen replied happily as she hurried off to pass his message on to a couple of couriers.
Returning his attention to us, Wulfren said, "Please feel free to stay here a while if you like. There will likely be a lot of celebrating now that Ragnar has been removed."
Neldor replied, "We appreciate the offer, but I'm sure you and your family would like to spend some time together. Plus to be honest, Aeronwen and I are quite tired."
With a sheepish smile, I agreed, "We are. We're glad we could protect Laurenna and Sigrid, but...it was a long night."
Wulfren smiled and replied, "I understand. Go rest. You have certainly earned it. Please know that I want you both to stay on here. I can already tell that the Lokken forests are doing well in your care."
"We appreciate that, truly, "I assured him, relieved to hear that we still had our jobs. I figured Wulfren would want us to stay, but we couldn't be sure until we heard it from his own mouth.
Neldor and I returned to our horses and headed home a short time later, beyond grateful that we could ride at a leisurely pace instead of at a full gallop so we could grab Oliver, Casper, and Ivy before teleporting back to the little barn house on Vvardenfell. We're also glad that our home is tucked away in the forest next to Silverwood Lake where it is peaceful and quiet. Lokken will no doubt be a rowdy place today and tonight, with a lot of singing, dancing, and of course mead drinking.
It's the start of a new chapter for Lokken Island.
