(Music soundtrack: Tick Tock Mr. Wick | John Wick 3: Parabellum OST - YouTube)
It was late afternoon as the sun set, covered by dark clouds with heavy rain. The harsh weather did not deter Corvus Rem, and his faithful dog as they run along the road of Haafingar. The ex-assassin has not stopped running since exiting Solitude and his dog barely keeps up with him. They arrive at Dragon Bridge, with most of the residents standing away from the heavy rain or running with their hands covering their heads. As they enter the town, two Khajiits sitting in the corner of a house glance at the two as they run by. Corvus and his dog stop right outside of Four Shields Tavern. He looks around for a moment and catches his breath before the two runs to the back of the tavern. He leans against the wall and reaches for his pocket and only finds a small pouch with a mere 150 septims. As he desperately looks at the meagre pouch, he hears a beggar mumbling as he walks by.
“The Great War was a farce! But I know who really started it, but no one believes me! Those filthy elves are being controlled by none other than…” the beggar’s mumbling suddenly stops as he looks at Corvus. “Well, well, if it isn’t the most famous man in all the province! Time is ticking, Corvus…tick tock,” the beggar gleefully said. Corvus and his dog began to run again as the beggar called out, “No time to lose!”. The two quickly cross the stone bridge and find a carriage driver on the other side. Corvus quickly approaches the driver,
“I need you to take me to Markarth. Can you get me there under 2 hours?”
“Sure, I’ll try,” the driver casually remarked. “Hop on.” Corvus and his dog quickly get onto the back of the carriage and the driver immediately sets off. Unfortunately, the carriage took almost an hour to arrive halfway at the region of the reach. Corvus looks up at the still dark cloud. Estimating that he has only one hour left, he pulls out his 25 gold from the pouch.
“Change of plan. Can you take him to the Violet Rift in Riften and see that the concierge receives him.” The driver looks back at him and takes his coins.
“I’ll make sure to get to Riften as fast as I can.”
“Good boy,” as Corvus pets his dog before jumping off the carriage and makes his way to Markarth on foot.
In the Violet Rift, Brynjolf and Nazir arrives and stable their horse at their stable and the two men walks into the building.
“Corvus got himself quite into pickle,” Nazir remarked.
“Aye. He knew the rules, Nazir. Thalmor or not, he killed someone on the ground of Shadow Continental.”
“And now we are letting him fend for himself. You think he’ll make it?”
“50000 gold bounty on his head and just about every interested party in Skyrim wants a piece of it, I’d say the odds are about even.”
After 45 minutes of running through the Reach, he arrives at Markarth and immediately runs into The Keep. He looks around and sees the entrance to the Dwemer Museum and immediately blends himself into a crowd entering the museum. Once he enters, he splits off from the crowd and goes into a smaller room within the museum that contains books. As he perused the bookshelf, he finds the book and pulls it off the shelf, “Sithis.” An unusual book choice in a museum about the dwemer. He opens the book to the page with a picture of a depiction of the dread father. He peels the picture open, revealing a hidden compartment within the book. In it, it contains a small brass token with a black-briar flower symbol another marker. The marker has the same depiction of a hooded skull with coins dropping from its mouth, but the metal is made of brass with green colored engravings. Corvus takes the two items out of the book and sticks the page back.
“The Dwemers are truly a fascinating race, aren’t they?” a voice calls out. Corvus turns to his right and sees a tall nord in simple leather armor walk into the room. “Masters of so many achievements. The Numidium, the Orrery, their machines. You look rather worn down,” the nord remarked at Corvus’ state.
“Erarke,” he cordially greeted him as he puts the book back. “I still have time…”
“That is about to be up,” the tall nord interrupted. “Who’s going to know the difference?”
“You really want to do this?”
“50000 gold. It’s a lot of money.”
“Not if you can’t spend it.” The tall assassin quickly pulls out a small steel knife and attempts to use both hands to stab Corvus, who manages to pull the book out again uses it to block the attack. Erarke easily stabs Corvus in his right shoulder with his heigh and long arms, but Corvus manages to disarm him. Corvus then uses his book to hit the tall nord in the crotch and presses the book against his chin while hitting it to push him back. Erarke quickly uses his long arm to grab Corvus’ face and repeatedly smashes him against the bookshelves. He throws Corvus into the main room of the museum, which is now devoid of people and guards. Corvus then quickly crawls away and uses the book to hit him in the crotch again and in the head multiple times. Erarke tries to grab his face again, but Corvus quickly grabs his arm and hits it with his book before breaking his middle finger, to which the tall nord groans in pain. He then hits the nord in the chest and presses him against a wall before violently pushing the book in the mouth and repeatedly hits it. He then pulls the book sideway effectively breaking Erarke’s jaw. He then pulls his head onto a table and lays his neck on the book’s side and violently hits his head against it, with a loud cracking sound. The tall nord slumps to the floor lifeless as Corvus return the book to the bookshelf. He then touches his right shoulder on the wound he sustained and notices its bleeding. He quickly runs out of the museum and soon out of Markarth’s keep with his hand pressing against his wound. He makes a right turn and runs to The Hag’s Cure and knocks on the door.
(Music soundtrack: Excomunicado | John Wick 3: Parabellum OST - YouTube)
“Hello? Doctor, are you in there?” Corvus asked and bangs on the door urgently. Suddenly, the door opens, and he is greeted by an elderly Breton. The same Breton who treated his wound during his hunt for Nerus Trasius.
“Corvus? You shouldn’t be here! You’re banished…”
“Not yet…I still have time.”
“No! I can’t!”
“I still have 5 minutes or more! Please!” Corvus insisted as he pulled out his remaining 125 gold pouch. The doctor reluctantly lets him in before looking around outside and closes the door behind him.
“You’re lucky that I’m here today. Ever since the previous owner is dead, I have been running The Hag’s Cure. Here take a seat and let’s have a look,” the doctor said as he pointed at a chair. Corvus quickly takes off his cuirass with his chest exposed. The doctor sits next to him as he pulls out his surgical tools.
“Puncture wounds. It seems it also nicked your artery,” as the doctor applies some alcohol to disinfect the wound, causing Corvus to wince a little. He then pulls out his tools and begins to stitch his wound.
“Doctor,” Corvus urgently asked.
“Halfway there…” the doctor said calmly. The doctor continued to stitch the wound and was about to do finish the stitching, he stopped.
“Doctor?”
“Times up…” the doctor solemnly said.
“The banishment.”
“Sorry Corvus…” as the doctor slowly sets down his tool.
“Rules.”
“Yeah…rules.” Corvus then takes the tool and turns to a nearby mirror. He begins to stitch his shoulder wound himself and bites the sewing line once he finishes and spits it out. He quickly stands up and goes to a nearby shelf to scavenge for potions. The doctor remains unfazed by his actions.
“Bottom shelf, on the left,” the doctor casually pointed out. Corvus grabs a few healing potions. “Take four. And a stamina potion.” as Corvus takes the potions. The doctor goes to the counter and takes out 2 scrolls of health damage and approaches the assassin. “Corvus. They’ll never believe that I stopped at the hour.”
“But you did.”
“They’ll know.”
“About what?”
“I told you where the potions were.” The doctor then gives Corvus the two scrolls and he immediately equip them. He turns to the doctor as he takes a seat on the chair.
“How do you want me to do it?”
“Use the scroll. The spell should do enough damage to my…” but he was quickly interrupted when Corvus unleashes the spell. The doctor groans in pain. Corvus then quickly dons his cuirass back on.
“Oh wait! One may not be enough!” the doctor said while in pain. “Use the second one to make it…” but Corvus interrupts him once again as he unleashes the spell without hesitation, causing the doctor to lean back in more pain and near death. Corvus proceeded to head to the exit. “Good luck Corvus.”
(Music soundtrack: Rain Chase (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
“Thanks…” as he turns back at the doctor who is still writhing in pain before leaving. Corvus exits The Hag’s Cure and puts on his mask before he runs to the main city gate of. He exits Markarth and continues to run as he looks around to check the coast. As he runs by the stable, four dunmers in dark colored chitin armor spot him. The four of them quickly stand up.
“Look, that’s him. Let’s go,” one of them said.
“For the glory of the Morag Tong,” said a bald dunmer. The three assassins begin to stalk Corvus from behind. As Corvus runs to the small settlement near Left Hand Mine, he sees four more Morag Tong assassins running towards him. He quickly runs to the small settlement and makes a quick left into the direction of a nearby large warehouse. He runs to the side of the building and goes in through the back door, which was fortunately unlocked. He finds himself in a stairwell and runs to the second floor, enters through another door. He bars the door behind him with a wooden bar and finds himself in a large room with dwarven antiquities and decorated like a maze. He walks around as he passes by display models of dwarven automatons and various other antiquities that are typically found in dwarven ruins. He makes a left turn and finds himself in the weapon section. He looks around and sees a set of crossbows inside display cases. He tries to open it, but quickly decides to smash it when he finds it locked. He takes out a wooden crossbow and grabs a nearby bolt. As he attempted to load the bolt onto the crossbow, the string was pulled back too easily. Realizing the string is too loose, he puts the bolt aside and disassembles the crossbow’s string from its limb. He grabs a dwarven crossbow from the displays and takes off its string. As he is reassembling the crossbow, he hears loud kicks from the door he came in and speeds up his process. He quickly attaches the dwarven crossbow’s string onto the wooden crossbow. As he pulls the crossbow again, he feels its pressure as he pulls it back and tests the capability by pulling the trigger. The trigger lets out a loud sound. Suddenly, he hears footsteps getting louder in the room and he quickly loads the bolt onto the crossbow. A Morag Assassin appears, but Corvus turns just in time and shoots the crossbow at the tong in the forehead. He quickly drops the crossbow and runs into another display areas.
He runs into a narrow hall with display cases and hides behind a corner and quickly attacks as two more assassins rush in. Corvus quickly tosses one to the floor and begins to wrestle with the leader as he disarms his sword. The second assassin gets up and attacks Corvus with a short blade, but he disarms as well and attempts to use it against him, only to be countered by several punches. The assassin pushes Corvus against different display cases, causing them to shatter and Corvus retaliates by doing the same. As incapacitate the assassin, the bald dunmer quickly gets back up and punches him in the stomach and grabs him and proceeds to smash his head against more display cases. Corvus manages to break free and the two stumble off to opposite sides of the hall. The dunmer stops as he looks at Corvus. Corvus looks at him too with confusion before realizing what he is looking at. The two quickly turn their heads behind them at the display cases. Small knives and throwing stars. Without hesitation, the dunmer smashes the glass case with his elbow and Corvus does the same. Both grab a knife and attempt to slash each other. As they struggle to stab each other, a female dunmer enters with a sword. Corvus throws his knife at her, causing her to drop the sword. As Corvus manages to stab the bald dunmer in the stomach with his knife, the female dunmer does a spinning air side kick at Corvus, causing him to fly across the hall. As she recovers, she grabs a knife from the floor and throws it at Corvus, only to land between his thighs. He picks up the knife and throws it back, but the dunmer dodges and causes it to land on another assassin rushing in. As they recover, they quickly smash another nearby glass cases and grab more throwing knives. Corvus starts throwing knives with deadly precision, while the female dunmer blocks them and throws knives as well. The other Morag Tong breaks another display case and lunges at Corvus, but he quickly counters it and uses a throwing knife to puncture his stomach. The female assassin throws two more knives, but Corvus uses her comrade to shield himself, causing them to land on his back. Corvus knocks the assassin on the ground before grabbing two more knives and throws each one at one of the assassins. Corvus turns around as he sees yet another Morag Tong assassin with a crossbow about to take aim. He quickly grabs two nearby throwing stars and throws both at the assassin, causing him to fall to the floor. He then breaks another display to his left and turns his attention back to the female assassin, just as she is grabbing more throwing knives. Before she could throw one, Corvus throws five at her, with two at each arm, one on the leg, one on the chest and the last one on the forehead. Corvus looks back at the one on the floor, who is reaching for his crossbow, and he grabs three throwing stars and throws one at his right arm to disrupt his aim, causing him to miss. Corvus throws another one to his chest and the last one on his forehead as well. He looks around at the bodies of the Morag Tong assassins he just killed and takes a breath. His break is unfortunately cut short as two more Morag Tong rushes at him and attacks. Another masked female tong attacks him with a dagger, but he disarms her, and she grabs a dwarven axe. The other assassin attacks him with an axe as well and Corvus was forced to dodge their attacks. He manages to grab the second assassin’s arm to disarm him and breaks it in the process before pushing him back. The female dunmer attacks again, but he breaks her right arm and smashes her against another glass display case before disarming her and throws her down on the floor. He then walks up the previous assassin’s corpse and picks up a throwing knife and uses it to counter the second assassin by slashing him in the ribs. Corvus breaks left arm and forcibly stabs him in the forehead, causing the blade to penetrate the skull. The female assassin picks up a throwing knife and tries to attack him, but Corvus manages grab the knife out of her hand. He then turns her around proceeds to press the blade to her right eye while his left hand grabs her head. The assassin’s struggle was in vain as she tried to push back the blade with her right hand, but Corvus slowly pushed the knife into her eye, before letting her slump to the floor. Corvus then takes a breath again, with no interruption this time. He then hears coughing. He looks up and sees the same bald dunmer still alive, despite the knife in his stomach. The dunmer pulls the blade out, but his survival is quickly cut short as Corvus throws a dwarven axe to his head.
Corvus slowly walks out of the warehouse and looks around to check the surroundings. He decides to walk out of the town of Left Hand Mine, but he suddenly stops dead on the track when he hears someone shouting behind him.
“That’s Corvus Rem! Its payday!” Corvus turns around and sees four rugged bandits looking at him. Two of them rush towards and one swings his mace. Corvus dodges and punches him in the throat and throws him on the ground while the second one comes swinging with aa battleaxe. Corvus dodges the attack and manages to disarm him and uses the axe against the two bandits. He severs one of their arms while he slashes the other one in the chest. As he looks up, the last two charges at him and proceeds to run. As he is running, he sees four horses right outside the mining town. He then turns around and barely dodges an attack with a sword and he temporarily stuns him by hitting him in the throat. Corvus rushes to a horse’s right side and waits for the bandit to get up. Just as he is about to attack again, Corvus slaps at the horse’s side, causing it to kick the bandit in the head and effectively breaking his neck. The fourth and last bandit comes to Corvus with a short sword and a wooden shield, but Corvus breaks his guard with ease and takes his blade. He then trips him to the ground and grabs a rope from one of the horse’s saddles and wraps it around the bandit’s neck. He gets on the horse and proceeds to ride it while dragging the bandit by the neck. As he rides to cross a stone bridge, the bandit’s head crashes onto the stone structure while severing the ropes from the saddle.
Just as he thought he managed to lose his pursuers; two horsemen suddenly are heard galloping behind him. They quickly catch up with Corvus, as one rider attempts to grab him at the right side. Corvus breaks free from the grapple without effort and grabs the rider’s shorts word and uses it against him by slashing him in the neck. As he dispatches the first rider, the second rider catches up to his right side as well and Corvus quickly slashes the horse’s left leg, causing it to collapse and crushes the rider. He then continues to ride all the way to Whiterun.
Outside of the Violet Rift, a carriage arrives and stops in front of the building. The door opens with Nazir coming out to greet the driver.
“Some man paid me to bring this mutt to you,” the driver pointed back at the carriage. Nazir walks to the back and sees the dog, laying on its stomach. The dog looks up at Nazir as he raises his arm at it. The dog immediately gets off the carriage and rushes into the Violet Rift.
Sometimes later, Corvus arrives at a large playhouse east of Whiterun and gets off the horse. The sign next to the entrance depicts a black-briar flower and a guard standing next to the door. Corvus slowly approaches the guard.
“Sorry, theater is closed. Get lost,” the guard bluntly told him off. Corvus instead pulls out his token. The guard takes a closer look and then nods. He pulls out a key and unlocks the entrance and gestures Corvus to go in. He does so and enters a large room with several guards sitting at a table. All are wearing steel armor. Amongst the guards is a nord with a long ponytail. As Corvus approached him, he immediately recognized him. Maul. Maven Black-Briar’s right-hand man and former member of the Thieves Guild.
“Been a long time Corvus,” he said with a surprised face. “Thought you retired.”
“I have. You’re here now?”
“Oh yeah, Maven has asked me to run this place while she is not here. Ain’t easy I tell ya.”
“Is she here?”
“You’re in luck. She is. But why?” Corvus takes out his token and presents it to Maul. “I see. I’ll show you the way. But don’t try anything funny. She may trust you, but that doesn’t mean you get to mess with her.” Maul stands up and takes Corvus to another set of doors that leads to a large auditorium. The auditorium is dimly lit with some lights shining on the stage with a dancer showing off her skill to what seems to be two people sitting amongst the empty seats. The dancer gracefully dances on the stage and does a twirl with one foot in an elegant movement. But as she is dancing, she trips and falls on the ground.
“Get up and again,” a man shouted in from the seat. The dancer picks herself up and starts to dance again. She does another form of elegant dancing as she moves around the stage with grace, but once again trips and falls as she returns to the center. “Ugh, get up and start over!” the man said with a visible frustration.
“Arrinis, you assured me that my dancers are perfect and flawless. So far, this is a dismal display.”
“Lady Maven, I assure you that all of your dancers are the finest performers and the most beautiful,” the man stammered. “They will be the success of the Black-Briar Theater.”
“You better be right. Or else you’ll be very sorry if this place suffers because of your incompetence,” she said with an intimidating, but calm tone. As the two continue to watch the dancer, Corvus walks down the aisle and approaches her. She then looks up at Corvus.
“Well now… Corvus Rem. This is certainly a surprise, after all these years. So, what brings you here?” Corvus reaches for his pocket and shows her the Black-Briar token. “You assume that I know what you want by presenting this as your answer?”
“I still have my favor,” he said while holding the token.
“You have a lot of nerve to come to me after the trails of bodies you have left in the last few weeks. You forget that I have powerful connections with the Thalmor, that I have powerful friends among them? You are putting my position in jeopardy just by simply talking to you. You are either very stupid or desperate by bringing death in my front door. What has become of you, Corvus?”
“You have extended your trust and your respect to me by giving me this token. You gave me this token because I’m one of the few that you believe that I’ve earned your respect. Honningbrew Meadery, the restoration of the Thieves Guild many years ago, and countless jobs that I’ve done for you. This token means I get to gain a favor from you one day. You are bound and I am owed,” Corvus said with confident composure. Maven looks at him for a moment before turning to the dancer.
“Siri, enough!” she shouted. The dancer promptly stops and drops to the floor. “Arinnis, you may take her. She is done for the night. And you, come with me,” as she stands up. Corvus follows her as they walk to the stage and make a left to a door near the stage. As he walks by, Corvus sees the dancer’s fatigue, as she lays on the ground breathing with sweat visible all over her body. They walk into another room, with more dancers in the backroom, stretching and practicing.
“You’re owed. You’re owed nothing Corvus. Ever since I’ve made this place as a front for my own little guild, it has become a place for people seeking purpose. And I grant them purpose. But they eventually all learn the ugly truth. That with purpose can come with pain.” They stop for a moment as they see one dancer put her left foot on a pillow and peel off her toenail. The dancer briefly looks at them before turning back to her foot. “With purpose, comes suffering,” Maven said nonchalantly. As they walked, they went down a set of stairs that lead them to a basement level that reveals a larger room with more dancers.
“I’m surprised you somehow managed to get out. And yet, you found your way back to square one. Tell me. All the rampage you’ve left, for what? Because of stupid a dog?” she asked callously before continuing to walk.
“It wasn’t just a dog,” he responded bluntly. The two passes through a training room with more dancers, including male ones, training in with different weapons while others are sparring with each other.
“I figured that I would come up with my own guild and I would not have to solely rely on either the Thieves Guild or the Dark Brotherhood. Impressive, isn’t it?” They two then walked into a small room elegant room as two guards opened the door to let them in. In the center of the room is a large table. Maven sits down first while Corvus looks around for a second before pulling a chair and sits opposite of her.
“Now even if I wanted to, which I think is still think is stupid, I can’t help you. The Thalmor wants your head. And how exactly do you intend to fight them? Right now, you’re one-man waging a war against an empire. If not that, how do you try to hide from them? I don’t see you can do that because you’re their most wanted right now. Now then, what is it you want, Corvus?”
“Passage.”
“To where exactly?”
“Abah’s Landing.”
“I have no idea where that gets you by going to the Jewel of Khefrem, but very well.” Corvus pulls out the token and extends his hand towards her. “Alright Corvus, if this is how you want my help, so be it.” He then lets Maven take his token and she takes out a small book. She presses the token on an inkling and then presses the token on one of the book’s pages. “There, you have spent my token. You’ll never get another one from me again. Maul will take you to a one of my boats.” The two then stand from the table. “One more thing Corvus. Don’t come back to me. Ever,” she impatiently demanded before leaving.
“Farewell…” he mumbled.
Nazir stands at the reception desk as usual. He diligently looks through the ledgers to keep track of the guests in the Violet Rift. While he is flipping the page, he looks up and sees an Altmer woman in dark blue robes approaching him. Even for a veteran assassin, he can’t but help feel uneasy as the Altmer approaches him with a cold composure.
“Welcome to the Violet Rift, how can I help?” Nazir asked in his usual charming self while maintaining his composure. The Altmer instead pulled out a small brass medallion and placed it on the reception desk. Nazir examines it and sees an eagle spreading its wing.
“I’m an adjudicator, representing the Thalmor. I would like to speak with the owner of this place.”
“Ah yes…” Nazir said with some hesitation. “Please follow me.” Nazir promptly leads the Altmer to the second floor and into Brynjolf’s office. Brynjolf looks up as he is reading a letter, sitting on his desk.
“You have a guest, who claims to be with the Thalmor. It appears she has some business with you.”
“Thank you, Nazir,” Brynjolf said as he stood up. Nazir leaves and closes the door behind the Altmer. “I have some idea on why you’re here. If you’re here about Corvus Rem, we can make this quick. I tried to stop him, but he refused.”
“According to your little organization, you have a set of rules, correct?”
“Yes, we do.”
“One of them being not allowed to kill while on this ground?”
“Aye.”
“And he broke this very rule?”
“He did. In fact, the body grows colder in this very establishment.”
“I would like to see it.”
Brynjolf and the adjudicator leave his office and the two go to the Ratway, where they enter one of the rooms that act as a crematorium. The two passes by several dead bodies either on tables or laid next to each other on the ground. They approach the body of the Thalmor Corvus killed, laying on a table. The two looks at the corpse.
“Aerandil Caemaire. Grand spymaster of the Thalmor and recently appointed High Chancellor of the Elder Council, assassinated by Corvus Rem while seeking refuge in your little squalid haven.” The Adjudicator then leans closer to the wide-open wound on the throat. “It appears he was slashed by a crude blade. An orcish dagger.”
“He did kill him. But like I said, I couldn’t stop his action.”
“And yet, he lives because of you.”
“Yes.”
“If my intel is correct, the consequence of breaking the rule is death.”
“On certain occasions, yes.”
“It is also believed that you have been friends with Corvus for a long time, correct? One might think that you helped him because of your friendship?”
“We ruled that death is not warranted and banishment from our guild and stripping him the services provided is the most appropriate consequences.”
“Yet you chose to continue to help him by informing him of our bounty on him, three hours before it was distributed. Your insignificant circle’s decisions do not matter either, as this is an act of defiance against the Thalmor by helping a dangerous man. Under normal circumstances, punishment against those who stand against the Thalmor is severe. Fortunately for you, the Thalmor is willing to be generous and I’m here to pass down the judgment. You have one week to get your business in order.”
“Excuse me?”
“You have seven days to cease the operation of your kingdom and leave Skryim. Be grateful that we are not burning this place down instead,” the Thalmor adjudicator coldly passed the warning. She leaves and turns back to Brynjolf, “In the meantime, should you have further questions about the offer, I will stay here in one of the rooms.”
“Enjoy your stay at the Violet Rift,” Brynjolf said with a slight hint of anger as the adjudicator leaves.
The King of Beggars looks at the map in an intelligence chamber with other beggars managing information. The map remains visibly the same with the same information on Aerandil’s information and an outdated bounty poster for Corvus Rem. As he is looking at the map, a beggar comes into his chamber and approaches him.
“Sir, there’s a Thalmor here in our base.”
“Who is this Thalmor?”
“She claims to be an adjudicator?”
“What does she want?”
“She wants to speak to you.” Upon hearing this, the King sighs.
“Bring this Thalmor to the pigeon coop.” The king walks out of his room and goes to the pigeon coop outside of the cave overlooking the Reach. The King stands and looks over the Reach before a beggar arrives with the Thalmor Adjudicator.
“Welcome to our humble abode, where we’re a family blessed by Lady Namira,” the casually said with carefree tone.
“A cannibalistic cult who also happens to be Skyrim’s spy network for the rogues of the criminal underworld.”
“Impressive how you found our little home.”
“Your filthy little guild is not so secretive. The Thalmor always finds who they look.”
“Ah, you see my “filthy guild” with wretched and disgusting beggars. I see, information. Nobody pays attention to us, and they reveal their personal information. And that information is delivered through pigeons. The best part is that they are untraceable.”
“Yet you can catch disease from it?”
“Not unless you want to eat one. Now why are you here?”
“It has come to the Thalmor’s attention that you helped Corvus Rem.”
“And how is that your concern, exactly?”
“You willingly helped him by providing him an enchanted orcish dagger, knowing well that he has full intention to stand against the Thalmor,” she said she approached a rotten wooden table. She reaches for her pocket and pulls out a crude orcish dagger. She holds the grip in her hand and shows it to the king. “This orcish dagger to be precise,” she said and places it on the table. “You are fortunate that the Thalmor are willing to be merciful to you and your ragged beggars. You have seven days.”
“Seven days? To do what?”
“To cease your operation and leave Skyrim. And find a new home for your beggars and birds.” Upon hearing the offer, the King slowly bursts into laughter at what he deems an absurd offer.
“My dear, you are in way over your head if you think you and your stuck-up elves make me leave. Mark my words, Adjudicator, the King of Beggars bends to no one! I’m what you avoid looking at when you pass by. The Reach belongs to me and me alone.”
“You overestimate yourself thinking that you can defy the Thalmor. This is my last warning. You have seven days.”
(Music soundtrack: Wick In Morocco (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
After a few days in the sea, Corvus finally arrives at Abah’s Landing. The harbor is bustling with many people walking through the harbors. Many Redguards wear their signature hood and even other races fill the street as well. Corvus walks through the harbor and up the stairwells that lead him to the main street of the settlement. As he is walking, he warily looks around his surroundings, knowing he cannot be too careful. He makes a left turn to a small alleyway between two buildings while looking back, noticing someone is following him. Suddenly, two Redguard mercenaries in chainmail armor step out of the shadows and stand in Corvus’ way. He attempts to turn back, but finds the way blocked by the stalker behind him. The three men unsheathes their small knives, and one immediately lunges at Corvus. He quickly counters his attack by grabbing and breaking his hand. The two other mercenaries quickly attack, but Corvus manages to incapacitate the second one by breaking his left leg with a violent kick before grabbing his knife. He attacks the third one and the two quickly find themselves struggling to push each other’s blades to their throat.
“Enough!” a scaly voice calls out. Corvus turns his head and sees an argonion in dark red robes coming from the main street into the alleyway. “You will cease your business now,” the argonion calmly demanded.
“The rules don’t apply to him! He’s banished!” the mercenary insisted, still struggling to push his knife into Corvus’ throat. The Argonion does not acknowledge his insistence.
“It appears our lady has granted him safe haven,” the argonion said with a smile and poise. Corvus lets go of the mercenary and gives the blade back to the other one, still laying on the ground from the broken leg. The argonion gestures at Corvus to follow him, but the mercenary quickly pulls his knife back out to throw it at Corvus. His attempts quickly fail when the argonion turns around and unleashes a paralysis spell on him. His body becomes stiff, still stuck in the throwing position, and falls to the ground. Corvus slowly turns around and sees the paralyzed mercenary.
“Welcome to Abah’s Landing, Corvus,” the Argonion said casually as he puts away the spell.
(Music soundtrack: Continental Morocco (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
“Thanks,” Corvus responded. The two walks to the northwestern corner of Abah’s Landing and arrive at a blue colored dome.
“It has been many years since the city has been graced by your presence,” the argonion remarked as he opens the door, and they walk down a spiraling staircase.
“I need to talk to…”
“Lady al-Saran, yes she is expecting you.” The argonion leads him to a larger set of doors being opened by two guards. Upon entering, Corvus is greeted by a den decorated like a bazaar. The place is surprisingly filled with many people mingling while there are many stands and shops in the bazaar.
“Welcome to the Crimson Oasis. I do hope you like our scenery,” the argonion enthusiastically exclaimed. “Right this way, Lady al-Saran is not known for her patience. They went deeper within the den, and he led him to a private chamber. The argonion opens the door and lets Corvus in. “Good luck to you, Corvus,” the argonion eerily remarked before closing the door behind Corvus. Corvus walks into the private chamber that is elegantly decorated Hammerfell style. He walks deeper into the chamber and stops at a small table. He notices a doll on the table and picks it up. It was dressed in a red colored dress with a redguard hood on it. As he is examining it, he looks to the side and sees a dog standing two feet away from him. But the dog is colored black as night with red glowing eyes and razor-sharp teeth. The skin on the dog is noticeably rotted and wearing a large metallic collar. The dog growls fiercely at Corvus with icy mists coming out of its jaws. Corvus hears a bark from behind and turns around. A second dog standing right behind him, just like the first one, ready to pounce at him.
“How do you like my death hounds, Corvus?” a voice called out to him. He looks around the chamber, but does not see anyone, nor does he hear any movement sound.
“Sabirah,” he said still looking around, certain that she is here as he puts the doll down. Suddenly, the sound of a bow firing an arrow is heard. He reacts too late as the arrow found its way onto his right shoulder, hitting his armor shoulder pad. He falls to the ground, groaning from the pain. A figure reveals itself as the invisibility spell wears off. A Redguard woman in a black dress with red engravings is holding a bow with another arrow at the ready approaches him. Upon a closer look, Corvus sees red glowing eyes with no pupils, staring at him with blood boiling anger.
“Sabirah, you can’t kill the bearer of your marker!”
“Oh, I didn’t kill you. Just put an arrow into you,” she nonchalantly responded, with the bow still aiming at him. “Hmm, nice armor.”
“Good to see you too,” Corvus struggled as he pulls the arrow off from his shoulder.
“I should put an arrow between your eyes right now,” she hissed, showing her fangs.
“I know,” he said calmly as he slowly sits up and reaches for his pocket.
“Don’t you dare,” Sabirah said, gnashing her teeth. Corvus does not heed her warning as he pulls out the marker and shows it to her. “You’re banished, Corvus. And that marker…can go to Oblivion for all I care!” Corvus continues to ignore her anger and opens the middle, revealing a bloody thumbprint on the right side of the divided surface. He turns the opened surface towards her.
“This is your blood, your oath. When you needed help, I was there.” Sabirah closes her eyes out of frustration and slowly lowers her bow.
“Sit,” she said with anger still in her voice. The two Death Hounds then sits, no longer hostile towards Corvus. “I was talking to you, Corvus,” as she turns around and places her bow down. The two sit on cushioned chairs around a small round table.
(Music soundtrack: Kill What You Love (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
“You realize that manage this place now? I don’t go on jobs anymore. I don’t go around stealing shiny jewels, stabbing people in the throat, or drink their blood.”
“I’m not asking you to kill anyone or steal important valuables. I just need you to take me to him.”
“To whom?”
“Your former employer.”
“So…you want to kill Bedistyr?”
“No, I just want to talk.”
“What could he possibly give you?” she asked. Corvus pauses for a moment.
“Guidance.”
“Look, I made a deal when I agreed to run this place. And I took a risk. That means, I must follow the rules of the Shadow Continental. If you’re not planning to kill him, that means he’s gonna kill you and probably me too by just taking you to him. One mistake, one enemy, is probably all it takes…for some to go looking for my daughter. I know what you did, to ensure her safety. But I can’t take that risk. Sorry.”
“Do you want to know where she is?” he asks her.
“No. And I don’t want to ever know. Because I don’t trust myself to keep her safe by going to find her. Do you know that I miss her? Every single day. My maternal side tells me to be with her, yet I must kill that part of me…just to keep her safe. Do you know why? Because sometimes, you must kill that part of yourself that makes you love. That is why I gave you that marker. That is why I’m sitting here in this cursed position!” she said with tears visible in her eyes.
“Consequences,” Corvus responded looking at the marker.
“Yeah…consequences.”
“I’m asking you to try. But after this, we’ll be even.” He places the marker on the table and pushes it towards her. She looks at the marker for a moment, but then stares back at him with seething frustration.
“No. Because after this, we are less than even!” she growled at him and pushed the marker back to him. “We ride for Sentinel in 10 minutes,” before she turns around and walks to her bedroom. Corvus is left alone with the Death Hounds, as both sits by Corvus looking at him.
Replies