How Darak Shadowblade met the Crimson Blades

*Writers's note: this story is a mixture of real and imaginary events, people and places and should be taken as such; no offense is intended to anybody and everything everyone says here is absolutely fictional *

I was wandering through the countryside in the province of Daggerfall when, at a crossroad, I came upon a sign; looking at the directions I read one I had never  heard of before: "to Crimson Blades' Castle"; I followed that path, curious to find out more about it. It did not take me long to arrive to another sign: "Welcome, traveller, to the castle of the noble Crimson Blades. Come as a friend and we will offer you our friendship and hospitality. Come as an enemy and we will offer you a chance to redeem". In the distance I could make out the shape of a manor. I was determined to learn more about this guild so I advanced. It was dusk, so I arrived at the castle when the sun had already set; the main gate was closed, but the keep was surrounded by many smaller buildings; my eyes fell upon a sign that read "HeXeR's Tavern"

"Fine" I thought "an inn was the place I was looking for": I could have a meal and, moreover, I might obtain some gossip about those so-called "Crimson Blades". I tied my horse in the stables and hid my dark-elven features with my hood: I was not sure about how people could react. I entered the tavern, ordered the supper and a room and found a seat in a dark corner; some minutes later a waitress brought me my meal, but my attention was drawn more to the villagers' conversations rather than to the food. I was beginning to gather some pieces of information when the door opened and a tall figure made his entrance; soon many people greeted him and I made out the name "Thunderbird". I paused to examine him carefully: he was wrapped in a scarlet cloak and a long staff hung from his back: a sudden red gleam from it caught my attention: it was daedric, the same material of my dai-katana: this reminded me of all the troubles I had to pass through to obtain my exceptional weapon... and the newcomer had such a valuable item too! This and his clothing made me wonder if he could be one of those Crimson Blades. I was so lost in my toughts that I couldn't help staring at him; of course, it did not take him long to notice it. He strode towards my table and I realized I had looked at him too much...

"Hey, stranger. You're new of this parts, aren't you?" he began, taking a seat in front of me. I was about to invent some excuses when I became aware of his eyes: they were gleaming of a cold red fire as they was staring deep within my soul.

"You don't seem very much human, right?" he added in a low voice.

I regained my temper and replied "And you don't seem very much ALIVE!"

He burst in a laugh: "Hah! We are touchy, aren't we? Listen, everybody here will treat you with due respect, no matter who you are or where you come from... and you come from Morrowind, am I right?"

I didn't expect my hood to conceal my identity for a long time, anyway I was startled a bit when he made clear he had understood I was a Dark Elf.

"There's a person I'd like you to meet," he continued "and if I'm not wrong he will soon be here..."

From the outside came a sound like that of a fight and less than a minute later another person made his entrance rubbing his hands on his vest. He gave a look around and my strange companion waved at him to catch his attention

"Aqua!" he called "This way"

The other came forward and I realized he too was a Dark Elf!

"Hey T-bird! How's life?"

"Fine, thanks. And you? Had a good time with those rubble-rousers out there?"

"Yep, but I bet none of them could tell the same... hehehe." then he paused and turned to me: "Hail to thee. My name is Aquaricat. And you?"

Seeing I was not answering, Thunderbird intervened with an ironic grin: "Our friend here is a man of few words. Maybe he will at least say his name to a fellow Dark Elf like you."

I was fed up of this situation, so I cast aside my hood and replied: "He's not my fellow, for I'm no fellow, of anybody. I am an outcast and this silver skull on my forehead is the symbol of my shame!"

They remained surprised of my reaction, and the one called Aquaricat said: "Hey, calm down, will you? We have nothing against you. I don't know what you did in Morrowind and why they cast you away, but here, as long as you behave honourably, you will be treated with the utmost friendship and respect. We are Crimson Blades and our motto is: "We will help"

He noticed I was quietening down and he asked: "So, will you please tell us your name?"

"I am Darak... Darak Shadowblade" then I added "What is this motto you were talking about? Who do you help and in which way?"

Thunderbird answered: "We are devoted to aid whoever is in need with our skills and knowledge. Are you looking for help in some way?"

"Actually not... but, what I really can't understand is what you do this for?"

"Why!" intervened Aquaricat "For nothing, of course! Is there always need of a reward?"

"Well, I never did nothing for nothing" I simply declared

"Helping someone is a reward in itself" objected Thunderbird "If you never tried it, you cannot understand what I mean. We Crimson Blades are bound to an oath of dedication to the needs of others, for we know that this is the only way we can build something greater than us all."

I don't know what these words stirred in me: since I had been exiled from Morrowind, my life had never had a purpose; maybe this commitment of helping other would have given me a direction: I felt like I had finally found a home...

"Say, how can I join your guild? I happen to know some tricks and I think they could be useful to other people as well..."

* Thus Darak Shadowblade met and joined the noble Crimson Blades. He was indeed helpful in many ways... but, as they say, that's another story... *