The Thalmor Adjudicator arrives right outside of Falkreath with another altmer servant accompanying her on a rainy evening. They stop and get off their horses to approach three tents set up right outside of the small city. The tents are exotically decorated with foreign decorations, most notably from Elsweyr, and three khajiits are near the tent. One of them is brown furred khajjit and the two others are white colored, all sitting on tent carpets legs crossed.
“May the sand warm your feet!” the brown furred khajiit called out to an old nord leaving their shop. The two Thalmor approaches the tents and the brown furred khajiit immediately greets them. “Welcome to our shops! We have many exotic wares to offer! Carpets, spices, alcohol, weapons, and even pets!” the khajiit said as he looked to his left at what seemed like a household cat dressed in green clothing with red headdress.
“Oh Zah’jir, you jest,” the cat suddenly spoke in a high-pitched voice, much to the adjudicator’s surprise. “You’ll never get rid of good and loyal Aahni even if you wanted to!”
“Ah, you need not fret. This one will always take care of you,” Zah’jir reassured the alfiq before turning his attention back to the Adjudicator. “Now then, how can this one of service?” the khajiit asked, eager to know what she wants to buy. But rather than looking at the wares, the adjudicator pulls out her medallion and places it in front of the khajiit. His smile quickly fades as looks closely at the medallion. As he looks back at her, the adjicdator looks at him with her cold and emotionless composure. “Zah’jir is not expecting the Thalmor so soon.”
“I have a task. Multiple to be exact. It involves a man, from Tamriel’s criminal underworld, who defied and stood against the Thalmor.”
“Corvus Rem. Yes, this one’s apprentices has been tracking him,” the khajiit responded as he reached for a fish from a small glass tank near the tent, still alive and flailing. He pulls out a small knife and starts cutting it.
“Corvus Rem and those who helped him. I assume you’re familiar with his story. Left a bloody trail of bodies in the last few weeks all for…”
“A dog. And a sword. This one is aware. And Zah’jir is interested. Very,” the khajiit responded with slight hints of enthusiasm. He finishes cutting the fish and uses a knife to pick a small piece up and places it on a small wooden plate. He puts the plate in front of the Adjudicator where she is standing. “Trodh. Raw and alive. Poisonous if cooked. No pressure,” he grinned. The Adjudicator remains undeterred as she bends to pick up the fish piece with her hand and eats it without hesitation. Zah’jir stands up as the two white kahjiit stands by his side. “Zah’jir has served. The Black Moon Cats will be of service,” as they bowed in front of the adjudicator. She picks up her medallion and leaves with her accompanying servant.
(Music soundtrack: Dance Of The Two Wolves (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
The guards stood still in their position, guarding Maven’s precious playhouse. Most of them outside had to endure the rain that was pouring on them. One guard watches the balcony in the playhouse, looking over the horizon of Whiterun, covered in darkness and downpour. The guard turns around when he hears what sounds like a loud footstep right behind him. His reacts too late as a dark figure in khajiit mask cuts him down mercilessly before tossing his body over the balcony. The body drops to the ground floor, alerting a nearby patrolling guard. Just as he draws his steel mace, two more Black Moon assassins ambush the guard by cutting him down with their tantos effortlessly, without letting him defend himself. They quickly separate themselves from the body before another Black Moon assassin reveals himself, who camouflaged himself from the shadow by the wall, and starts climbing on the building. Inside the playhouse, a guard patrolling a hallway on the first floor without a care in the world before two khajiit assassins silently rushes towards him and slashes him in the chest and stabs him two times with their wakizashi. The khajiit assassins makes their way to the doorway leading to the auditorium where they silently dispatch two guards guarding the door, without even letting them hear them coming.
Maven watches seven dancers doing a practice performance with the dance choreographer. Six female dancers all dressed in beautifully colored and elegant costumes and one male dancer doing the dance along with female dancers. They moved their bodies with grace and elegance that enraptured someone as cold and condescending as Maven Black-Briar.
“I must say, Arrinis, you outdid yourself training your dancers. This is going to make profit for my playhouse.”
“Oh, you’re too kind, Lady Maven. They know that they must perform to absolute perfection! To your standard,” Arrinis joyfully exclaimed at Maven’s compliment. Maven continues to watch as the dancers move around the stage elegantly and spread their arms in grace. As the dancers move to dance in pairs, three shadowy figures emerge from the back of the stage as they slowly walk towards the ledge without being noticed and bumping into any of the dancers. Zah’jir stands in the center while his two white apprentices are at his sides, completely covered in shadow. Maven’s smile suddenly fades and quickly replaced with dread.
“Stop!” she shouted, causing all dancers to stop dancing and look up at the three khajiits on the stage. As Maven is slowly panting in fear, she looks up to her side and finds the Thalmor Adjudicator approaching her and looking at her with a cold blank expression. “Take the dancers and go!” she urgently said.
“Dancers!” Arrinis shouted as he stood up and all of them scurried off the stage before he quickly left as well.
Maven stands on the stage with the Adjudicator and the khajiit assassins as well. The two white assassins stand at her side, watching her carefully like predators entrapping a prey.
“I have always maintained a good standing relationship with the Thalmor. I respected the powers that the Thalmor possess, and I stay out of your politics.”
“Yet you chose to help a wanted man, Corvus Rem. A serious enemy and wanted by the Thalmor.”
“Corvus Rem had a token I gave him. I owed him…a favor. And he came to collect.”
“Your precious “tokens” does not excuse you of the fact that you helped him. That is an act of standing against the Thalmor, even you. But the Thalmor is willing to forgive you for this transgression and continue your long-standing relationship. All you need to do, is pay the penance…in blood. Now, hold out your hands.”
“Very well…” Maven sighed as she held her hands, clasped to each other. “I will pay your penance, as long as we can continue our mutual relationship,” she said trying to hide her fear. Zah’jir suddenly pulls out his wakizashi and swiftly stabs through her hands. Maven stands in shock as he quickly pulls the blade out and blood drips from her hands. The Adjudicator approaches and quickly glances at the wound before leaving, quickly followed by the Black Moon Assassins. Maven continues to breathe heavily, looking at the two wounds on her hands.
Sabirah returns to the living room, fully dressed in her light rogue armor, with hints of designs from Skyrim’s Thieves guild. She is carrying two small blades and an ornate elven bow on her back.
“We’re not going in like the old days. This time, it’s just a conversation,” Corvus said, still sitting on the couch with the death hounds watching.
“Nothing ever is just a conversation with you, Corvus,” she said as she sheathes one dagger insider her left boot and the other one her waist. She then pulls out and puts on her golden Ordinator mask before pulling her grey hood up. “Let’s go,” she said, with Corvus and the death hounds following. They walk to the stable outside of Abah’s Landing and gets two horses before riding off to Sentinel with the death hounds following. They rode for a few hours on horseback through Hammerfell and eventually arrived at the stable outside the city.
“What can you tell me about Bedistyr’s organization?” Corvus asked as they got off the horses.
“A usual crime lord that you have met so many times in your career as assassin and thief, only he recently managed to kill the last king and took over the city. Now he rules Sentinel with fear and an iron fist. His men constantly harass the locals of the city without impunity. Not even rich are safe from them.” The two walked their way to the palace entrance and stopped in front of two guards. A few seconds later, the entrance door opens with a Breton in royal garments walking out and greets them.
“Sabirah! It has been a long time, and always a pleasure. I see you brought your dogs with you. May I pet one?”
“Certainly. Lukille,” she firmly commanded one of the hounds and it approached Bedistyr. He kneels and starts rubbing the hound’s head.
“Oh, I always love these kinds of dog. Fierce, intimidating, and loyal. And you…Corvus Rem. I had heard you made your way to the province,” he said as he stood and approaches him. “Follow me now. I’m certain we have much to discuss,” as he patted him on the shoulder and led them into the palace. They walked through the large interior of the palace, filled with lavish decorations, with many members standing guard or drinking. “I must say, your arrival has aroused my curiosity. What brings you to my domain? Tell me, are you here to kill me?”
“No,” Corvus responded in a deadpan manner. They exited the palace courtyard and walked to a small, decorated corner in the center of the courtyard with a few tables and drinks on it.
“Corvus, you’re aware of the origin of the Shadow Continental, correct? Two infamous guilds of Tamriel came together as one under the ambitious vision of one speaker of the Brotherhood,” Bedistyr said as he poured two glasses of wine. He offers one to Corvus and goes to offer the other one to Sabirah.
“No thank you,” she calmly rejected. Bedistyr keeps it for himself.
“The speaker believed that by uniting the two guilds, it can take hold of Tamriel. Every province will be at its mercy. But to achieve this feat, rules are created, especially if both parties get the chance to work together and keep us from turning into common bandits. You see that?” he pointed to a marker, being held on a small display next to his table. “The very first marker. I bought it years ago from a very hard to get individual. And you know what septims are? An everyday monetary currency that has been used since its creation. Sure, everyone in Tamriel uses this as a means of commerce in various ways, but to us it means much more. It symbolizes the commerce of relationships, a social contract if I may. Something that you have agreed to be part of. Order and rules. You have broken the rules, the Shadow Continental has seen fit to kick you out. And now, the Thalmor wants your head. Why would I let you leave here alive, when I can turn you in for the bounty AND that your life is forfeited by none other your own hand?”
“I intend to convince them,” Corvus responded as he put down the cup on the floor. “I seek to clear my bounty. I seek the one who rules above the Thalmor. You are one of the very few in Tamriel who met her,” he said. Bedistyr ignores him and instead approaches one of Sabirah’s hounds.
“This dog,” as he attempts to pet it, but it growls at his hand. “Tell me, do they follow a strict diet?”
“Mostly,” Sabirah hesitantly responded.
“When I leave, you can tell the Queen of the Aldmeri Dominion I’m coming. And if she wants me dead…”
“She’ll make sure you are dying a slow painful death, at the hands of her most powerful mages,” he interrupted without batting an eye. “I see. And I would have provided her a choice,” he walks to his desk and picks up an apple from a fruit bowl. He takes a bite and sits behind the desk. “I am sorry, Corvus. I cannot tell you where to find the Queen of the Aldmeri Dominion. You fail to understand, she’s not in Tamriel. She is safely tucked away in her little pocket realm. And she can only choose to find you… if you go to the right place. There are a few spots in Tamriel where you can find her, and even fewer who know of such spots. Fortunately for you, I know one such spot here in Hammerfell. You wish to speak to her? Go to the edge of the Alik’r Desert and look up. Masser and Secunda. Follow the direction where the two moons meet at midnight. Walk until you are almost dead. And then, keep walking. When you are on the verge of death, she will find you…or maybe not.”
“I thank you,” Corvus said as he stands up and puts the drink on the side on another table, without drinking the wine.
“Thank you, sir,” Sabirah said as well. The two proceed to walk back to the palace backdoor.
“I don’t think either of you are listening before,” he interrupted, causing Corvus and Sabirah to stop. He stands up from his chair, with the apple still in hands. “The social contracts. The commerce of relationships. Sabirah, you received a great gift. I granted an audience to your friend here. The question now, is what do you offer me in return?” He approaches the death hound again and attempts pet it. The hound growls as he reaches for it, causing it to back away. Corvus looks at Sabirah, who is looking at Bedistyr with rising tension. “Your hound, so powerful. It would be a fitting gift.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“This will be your offering. This is how you will show your commitment to the social contracts.”
“No.”
“Surely it’s the least you can do…”
“No, you cannot have my dog!”
“Fine…fine. If I can’t have it, then I’ll kill it,” as Bedistyr reaches for a steel crossbow on his table and shoots at the death hound. The hound collapses on the floor immediately, causing Sabirah to rush to its side.
“No! Lukille! What did you do!?” she cried out.
“This is your punishment. Let it serve as a reminder when you refuse to follow the commerce of relationship,” Bedistyr coldly said to her. She ignores him as she takes a closer look at the crossbow bolt wound. She pulls the bolt out and quickly notices the hound’s wound quickly heals. She slowly looks back at Corvus, with seething anger and hatred in her red eyes behind her golden mask.
“Don’t…” Corvus begged, only for his words to fall on deaf ears. She slowly pulls out her dagger from her left boot and quickly vanishes in black mist. She immediately reappears beside Bedistyr and slashes him in the shin, causing him to fall to the ground. The guards immediately draw their weapons and proceed to attack Corvus. Sabirah rushes at a guard with inhuman speed and savagely kills him with her dual-wielding daggers while Corvus disarms one of the guard’s scimitars and uses it to swiftly cut down two guards. As a third guard draws aim with his bow, Sabirah jumps at him and stabs him in the head. As the chaos ensues, Bedistyr attempts to stand up and run, only for him to be intercepted by one of the death hounds by biting him in the crotch. Corvus kills a third guard while the second death hound saves Sabirah from the last guard by rushing at him and biting him in the arm. Corvus approaches and finishes off the guard with a stab in the chest. Sabirah sheathes her blades and pulls out her elven bow and an arrow. She approaches Bedistyr, who is groaning from the injuries he sustained, and aims at his head with the arrow at the ready.
“Sabirah, don’t,” Corvus pleaded. In a split-second decision, she changes the aim and fires the arrow at Bedistyr’s knee, causing him to scream in more pain.
“He shot my dog!”
“I get it,” Corvus responded casually.
“We need to leave, now” as she turned around without wasting a second longer, leaving a still screaming Bedistyr. Corvus and the death hounds quickly follow her.
Corvus, Sabirah, and the two death hounds slowly walks to the palace backdoor and are met with several guards rushing at them. Sabirah starts firing with her elven bow while Corvus kills one guard with the scimitar and grabs a Hammerfell styled dagger. Corvus cuts down the 3 guards with his blades while Sabirah unleashes a barrage of arrows at the guards in different directions. One guard grabs her before she can fire another arrow, but she quickly uses her bow to drag the guard onto the floor and pulls out her dagger to stab him in the skull.
(Music soundtrack: He Shot My Dog (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
“Boris!” she shouted as one death hound quickly rushes at another guard who burst out from the palace backdoor and sinks it teeth into the chest. Corvus and Sabirah finish off the guard while the hound takes a bite from the chest. They open the door into the palace and slowly walk to the main hall with the death hounds closely following behind Sabirah. Suddenly, a barrage of arrows flies by them, barely missing them as they quickly take cover behind two pillars. Sabirah fires two arrows at two archers, giving Corvus an opening as he rushes at three guards running towards him. She quickly dashes cover to cover while loosing more elven arrows at the guards and the death hounds pounces at them with their icy jaws. She quickly sheathes her bow on her back and pulls out her daggers again when a guard rushes at her with an axe and rapidly slashes him. She makes her way into the main hall and engages in five more guards starts slaughtering them effortlessly with her daggers while her death hounds take out a few guards themselves and chews on their flesh. Corvus continues his fight at the other side of the main hall as stabs two guards with his dagger and scimitar. As he turns around, another barrage of arrows flies towards, forcing him to dodge and take cover behind a table. He looks and sees several archers on the second floor firing at him. Sabirah looks up as well just as she stabs another guard in the eye socket.
“Boris! Lukille!” Sabirah shouted pointing up to the second floor with the archers. The death hounds quickly run to a spiraling stairwell leading to the second floor. She turns into black mist and reappears just as she jumps onto an archer, plunging her daggers into his shoulders. The other archers turn around and takes aim at her, but two are quickly devoured by the death hounds behind them while Sabirah rushes at the remaining three and makes short work on them. Corvus continues to fight off the guards on the first floor as he slowly gets close to the main entrance. Two guards rush at him and disarm him, but Corvus swiftly disarms them as well and drags one to the floor with his arms. The three suddenly stop fighting and quickly glance at the closest weapons on the floor. Corvus lets go of the guard and stands up as all three get closer to their weapons and stop once again, not taking their eyes off each other. One guard attempt to grab the sword on the floor, but Corvus swiftly reaches for the dagger near him and quickly kills the two guards before they get a chance to grab the weapons. Meanwhile, Sabirah continues to cut down the guards at the dining hall next to the main hall and continue to effortlessly kills six the guards. Just as she finishes off the last one, a hulking guard rushes at her and grabs her. He slams her against the wall as she attempts to break free. She tries stabbing him, but he barely flinches and knocks her dagger out of her hand.
“Lukille!” she commanded, and the death hound bites his at his leg and drags him to the floor. Sabirah picks up her dagger and quickly plunges the dagger into his temple. She regroups with Corvus at the main hall by the palace entrance with her hounds as they breathe heavily from the slaughter. They look back and see bodies and blood splattered all over the palace ground. The two open the entrance and proceed to leave the palace. They slowly walked back to the streets of Sentinel before they were quickly intercepted by four horse riders. The riders get off their horses and brandish their weapons and rush at them. Corvus and Sabirah quickly kills two while the hounds rushes at the other two riders and ruthlessly takes their heads off with their jaws. Corvus and Sabirah quickly cast a calm spell on the horses before stealing them.
“Follow!” she commanded, and the death hounds follows behind Sabirah as they ride out of Sentinel.
A few hours in, they ride into the Alik’r Desert as the sun rises beyond the horizon. They galloped into the vast scorching desert and passed by many dunes. They come to a stop before a large dune, and they get off the horses. Corvus looks beyond the horizon while Sabirah reaches for the horse saddle and finds a small bowl and a canteen filled with water. She places the bowl on the sand and pours the water in it and lets the death hounds drink from it. Corvus approaches Sabirah as he reaches for his pocket and takes out the marker.
“You’re going to die, Corvus. If the desert heat doesn’t take you, then somewhere down the road. But you are going to die.” Corvus does not respond to her as he opens the marker with a small pin protruding on the marker. He presses his thumb on the pin and imprints it on the left side of the marker, leaving a bloodied thumbprint.
“Consequences…” as he closes the marker and gives it to Sabirah.
“Consequences,” she responds with slight hint of regret and resentment as she takes the marker. She raises the canteen in hand to Corvus, but quickly moves away as he reaches for it. She proceeds to drink all the water from the canteen as Corvus looks away in annoyance. She gulps down the water before completely emptying the canteen. She does not swallow the last bit of water and begins to rinse inside her mouth. She spits the remaining water back in and gives it to Corvus.
“Better get going,” she said. He takes the canteen from her hand.
“Sabirah,” he responded to bid her farewell, but she does not give him the same courtesy. Corvus walks towards the dunes as Sabirah takes the horses and rides off with her death hounds following.
(Music Soundtrack: Desert Walk (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
He walks through the treacherous desert as he walks uphill on the dunes. He walked for several hours until midnight. He reaches to the top of a large dune and looks up at the night sky. Masser and Secunda both meet close to each other at midnight. Corvus follows the direction towards where the two moon meets and proceeds to walk through the desert in a straight line. He walks in the same direction until the next day, still holding the unopened canteen in his hand. He slowly stumbles as he begins to succumb to heatstroke and his visions begin to blur. But then, he sees the heat rippling violently in front of his eyes and sees a small canyon partially begin to form itself. Before he can determine whether he is seeing a mirage, he collapses on the sand and passes out.
Zah’jir and his Black Moon assassins swiftly storm into the beggar’s coven and the beggars attempts to fend them off but are quickly cut down and incapacitated. One beggars rushes at the khajiit assassin with a sword, but Zah’jir quickly disarms him and slams him onto a table before slicing him with his wakizashi. The other feline assassins make quick work at the other beggars with their blades while another beggar attempts to swing his axe at Zah’jir, but he swiftly dodges the attack and performs a roundhouse kick, effectively knocking out the beggar. He leads his followers deeper into the cave and into the dining hall. More beggars attempt to fend them off, as one takes cover behind a stone wall, but was quickly stabbed in the back by a hidden khajiit assassin from the shadow. Zah’jir’s two white furred assassins slash another beggar in the knees with their clawed gauntlets before Zah’jir finishes him off by stabbing his blade through his mouth. The three khajiits follow Zah’jir into the armory of the cave where the rest of the assassins are fighting the beggars. Zah’jir stands back as he let his followers rush into the fray. One beggar attempt to swing a battle-axe at one assassin, but he misses and was quickly incapacitated while another one attempts to use a sword and shield, only to be stabbed in the back of the head. One of the white khajiit furiously counters a beggar’s dual-wielding daggers attack and rapidly slashes him multiple times with his claw gauntlet before throwing him to the ground and another assassin stabs him in the head with a wakizashi. The Black Moon cats look around the armory full of dead beggars as Zah’jir walks by without blinking and they quickly follow behind him.
The King of Beggars sits outside of the cave overlooking the Reach under the rain while gently holding and caressing a pigeon. As he is petting the pigeon, he slowly looks over to his left shoulder, knowing one of the masked Black Moon assassins is standing 4 feet away from him. He then glances over his right shoulder, acknowledging another khajiit assassin standing behind him at his right side. He knew they were coming for him, that the Thalmor would carry through with their threat.
“Alright then. You win!” he said with his solemn expression slowly turned into a smile. The Thalmor adjudicator walks out of the cave with her assistant, passing by the two khajiit assassins. He turns and faces the adjudicator, with the pigeon still in his hands. “You’ve made your point. You have my submission. So much so, that I’m going to shove so much submission right up your arse that’s going to come out of your mouth!”
“I gave you a chance. And in your hubris, you saw fit to squander it,” the Adjudicator coldly rebutted.
“That’s rich coming from you. I guess I should tell you, to climb down from your mighty dominion tower and damn yourself to Oblivion!”
“Duly noted. I’am here to pass your penance, which is going to be seven cuts.”
“Heh, guess you gotta cut an ugly bastard sometime,” the orc nonchalantly responded as turns away from the Thalmor. He quickly sees Zah’jir standing behind him, with his wakizashi in hand. “Turn your eyes away my pretty. The king is dead,” as he sets the pigeon free from his hand. “Long live the king!” he unwaveringly declared. Suddenly, Zah’jir rapidly slashes him multiple times, spilling on the floor before delivering the final cut. The orc falls to the ground from the sustained wounds. The Thalmor adjudicator promptly leaves, followed by Zah’jir and his disciples.
(Music soundtrack: Elder Tent Offering (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
An altmer in green Hammerfell robes rides out of the small canyon on his horse. The canyon fully unveils itself, hidden behind illusory magic. He finds Corvus lying on the sand right in front of the canyon. He rides towards him and picks him up before putting his unconscious body on the horses’ back. He slowly leads the horse deeper into the canyon before coming to a dead end, with a few altmer in elven and glass armors standing guard tending to a few horses. The rider pulls out a small blue colored stone and raises it in the air. A portal suddenly appears and puts away the stone. He takes Corvus off from the horse and carries him into the portal. They enter a palace, decorated in Ayleid style and floating in a bottomless chasm. The altmer promptly drops Corvus onto the ground next to a staircase leading into the throne room.
A few hours later, Corvus wakes up and finds himself on a red carpet with a pillow on his head. As he slowly leans up, he sees an altmer woman in turquoise colored dress wearing a golden elven crown with emeralds socketed. She is sitting on an Ayleid styled throne with its signature white stone, with two other altmers in an elegant blue robe sitting beside her.
“Drink,” the altmer woman on the throne said, pointing to a small cup in front of Corvus. But instead, he reaches for the dagger on his waist. “Do not worry, your weapon is still there. Now please…drink,” she insisted. Corvus accepts her hospitality by taking the cup and drinking the water from it. “Now tell me, what manner of such unfortunate events led you here? To me.”
“Looking for you actually,” he muttered weakly.
“You have a lot of nerve to find me, after everything you have caused to the Dominion. I am aware of your history, Corvus Rem. I’ve never seen a human fought so hard, only to end up back at the beginning.” Corvus sets the cup down as the queen stands up and approaches him. She kneels before the tired assassin, “So tell me Corvus, why do you wish to live?”
“For my wife. Haki. To remember her. To remember us.”
“So…you wish to live with the memory…of love?”
“Perhaps…at least a chance to earn it.”
“I see. You humans can be so…emotional. Very well. I can give you a chance to earn a life. But I warn you, it might not be the life you want. Complete a contract for me and the bounty on your head will be nullified. You will be allowed to continue to live, but in return you will serve the Thalmor. Serve me. Doing what you do best for the rest of your days.” Corvus looks down for a moment upon hearing this proposal. The Queen stands up and slowly walks back to her throne. “This is the choice I present to you. Die here and now. Or continue to live and remember through death.” She then sits down on the throne, crossing her leg. Corvus considers the choice for a moment. He then looks up and stands up on the carpet.
“What must I do?”
“A life for a life. Yours in exchange for another called Brynjolf.”
“What?”
“He is unwilling to show fealty and cooperation with the Thalmor. Your bounty will not be removed until you complete this task. This is your choice. If wish to live, if you wish to remember, this is the choice you must make,” the Queen said. Corvus then looks down on the floor about the choice presented. If he wishes to live and remember Haki, he must kill a friend he has known for a long time. Otherwise, he dies here. After a moment of consideration, he kneels before the Queen.
“I will serve. I will be of service.”
“Very well. But there is one more thing. Prove your fealty to me, by severing your ties to that which serves as your ties to your past life,” the Queen declared as two of her servants moved a small table and placed it in front of Corvus. The table has a small elven knife and a small hammer. Looking at the tools he knew what he must do. “Corvus Rem. I want to see it. Show me,” the Queen said with a cold blank expression. Corvus takes off his left-hand glove and places his hand on the table, with his Bond of Matrimony on his ring finger. He looks up at the Queen, seeing her eyes squint a little. He quickly grabs the elven knife and swiftly jams it onto his ring finger, effectively severing it. He screams in pain for a second as blood slowly pours out of his wound. He sets down his knife and then picks up his severed finger with the ring on it. He slowly takes the ring off with his trembling hands. He painfully looks at his Bond of Matrimony and clenches it in his hand before turning his wrist upward and opening his hand to make the offer. The Queen approaches him and takes the ring from his hand.
“Fine craftsmanship…for human standards. I accept your offering…and your fealty” the Queen calmly said. She returns to her throne and one of the servants approaches Corvus with a small fire in her fingertips. She extends her fingers at Corvus and he presses his wound on her fiery fingers. He groans from the burn and pulls away. The Queen examines the ring before putting it away in her pocket. “I bid you safe travel. Garrick will help you prepare for your departure. I’ve also taken the liberty of getting you a new set of armor from your organization. And Corvus…” she said as he turns away heading to the entrance and turning back to her. “Welcome to the Aldmeri Dominion,” she said with a grin. The altmer servant takes Corvus out of the throne room and leads him into a guest room. He goes into the room and finds himself looking at a newly crafted set of his signature light black colored armor.
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