Better Cities:Jherick's Story

Book Information Jherick's Story
ID	xx179358
	10		1.0
Locations
Found in the following locations: In an alcove on the lower floor of the Breucombe Family's House
Note
This Elder Scrolls Book Club selection was written by Big Head.

Jherick's Story

---

he following was scribbled into the side of the book for clarification)

A Dark Elf was found along the shoreline of Argonia by an Argonian tribe, circa 3E290 - shortly after the remainder of the Imperial Fleet returned bearing news that the Emperor had fallen at Ionith. They noted a Dunmer criminal bearing top-secret information had escaped...

"Sir, look! The slavers are about to attempt a nighttime assault!"

"Those self-righteous dogs never quit, do they? Ring the town bell, alert everyone else!"

The lookout for the Phoriid tribe rang the town bell, warning the people to ready for battle, or hide. Screams and shouts rang out as the defenders found their gear and readied for battle. The leaders amongst them were two Argonians and, oddly, a Dark Elf. The Argonians had hunter's gear and polearms, but the Dark Elf wore naught but some tattered pants and was armed with an extremely tough chitin longsword.

The defenders readied themselves inside the sturdy wooden town wall, hoping that this would not be their last day. Some snipers and stealthy mages made themselves ready behind or in the thick trees of the Argonian brush.

The Dark Elves lit their arrows on fire before sending them through the night. The defenders sent their arrows at the attackers, after witnessing some fatal blows to nearby people, or buildings set aflame. At that moment, the attackers sent an enormous fireball into the wall, setting it aflame. The hidden fighters and mages began sending arrows at the attackers, killing a good sized group.

The wall burnt, the defenders stood behind the rubble, awaiting for the attackers to charge them. One of the leaders nudged the Dark Elf, then said: "I hope this will not be our last day, for I still have not had the chance to defeat you in a duel."

The Dark Elf, somewhat quizically [sic] and sadly, noted: "Had I known that this would happen, I would have gladly let you win. You and your tribe have been like... kin to me since I've been here."

The Dark Elf readied himself as he heard the attackers approaching the wall. Just at the moment that they had arrived, looking forward, wondering where the defenders went, they found speartips and other weapons impaling through them, or cutting into them. The survivors of that attack had replied with their own blades, wounding or killing many hardy defenders. There was an instant of melee, where no one could tell what was happening, then the Dark Elf had found himself covered in blood, and fell over, light headed...

It was day time, the smell of smoke was great in the air. The Dark Elf rose, finding himself above some of the dead. He looked around him, seeing many dead Argonians and Dunmer. He had faintly remembered a battle, though it seemed so near, that he could almost see it... He looked around, to find it seemed the town was abandoned, and the dead still there. He was shocked and scared, as he looked around he could see smouldering [sic] ruin amongst the jungle. It seemed that even a handful of the innocents fled, to his unfortune.

He went back into what remained of his hut; retrieving a bow and a small quiver, and a dai-katana. He drew the sword, only to find the handle and a very small portion of the blade there. He peered into the sheath, but it was empty. He sighed and put the blade back in. He could see some Argonians in elaborate robes walking toward the rubble of the now-ruined town. They were led by one of the hunters, who had apparently escaped the battle. As they walked closer, they saw the Elf and the men in robes drew their weapons. The hunter explained his presence, so they put their weapons away. One approached and asked the Mer:

"What...eh...who are you?"

"I have no name," said the Elf.

The Argonian looked quizically [sic] at him, and asked, "Are there any survivors?"

The Dark Elf sadly sighed and told the man what happened. The Argonian looked at him, then leapt back, saying, "Wuh-we need you to come with us, sir."

The Elf sighed wearily and said, "Okay. I'd just like to know what is going on."

The men followed the hunter to a massive city, very well fortified and patrolled by men wearing strong armor and equipped with sturdy bows and adamantium blades - common in this province. After walking for some time, Jherick was shown the room he was to stay in, and one of the men told him politely, "I know you must be very confused, so one of us will attempt to explain what is going on as soon as we can."

Some of the other Argonians in the room began murmuring things to each other and looking at the Elf. He could not help feeling burdened by many things, and the loss of his near-brethren. He was almost weeping by this point, and went into his new room. He set down his equipment, sat down on his bed, and drifted to sleep...

The Elf found himself awake, he was in a very small room. He saw a man in front of him. The man was also a Dark Elf. He was slightly more muscular, had shorter hair, a headband tied around his head, a clean shave, his eyes were indeed like that of a Dunmer, but with almost half less tint. He wore a black robe, buckled shoes, and he carried a sword...wait...that was his sword! The Elf looked at him, and asked, "Who are you?"

The man, shifting his eyes toward the Elf, replied, "I am known as Jherick. I was once you... long ago. You lost your memory after washing up the shoreline, hence, we are one and the same."

The Elf, confused, said, "I do not understand. You mean to say that you were me before I washed up on shore?"

Jherick, nodded, saying, "We shall unite, once again, my body. You have just been preserved this whole time...but soon...soon we shall be together."

The Elf asked, "So, my real name is Jherick?"

Jherick, nodded again, but this time said, "For now, I will place my mark on you. That way, I can begin to come back. Otherwise, it may be a bit diffucult [sic]."

The Elf said, "Um..sure...I guess I have no choice."

Just after the Elf said that, Jherick took his blade and nicked himself. He sheathed his blade, took one finger, and poked it in the wound, taking some of the blood before it healed, far too quickly to be natural. Jherick then poked the Elf in the forehead, causing the blood to somehow instantly disappear into him...

Jherick awoke to see a shadowy figure leaning over his neck, feeling two holes in his neck. He broke into a cold sweat, realizing there was nothing there.