"What's wrong?" the housekeeper asked hurriedly.
"It's...the murderous aura from the Black Swamp." The dragon-slaying demon sword Irelles seemed to feel the aura of a former companion.
"Everyone, be careful." Spirit Dragon Knight Ashtaret jumped directly from the deck. The power of the void released by the fleeting magic ring protected her and landed safely.
With his right hand held empty, the Divine Light Titan Warhammer appeared out of thin air along with the rapidly extending arcane lines: "Come out, you crawler on the mud."
"Assistant, I don't mean any harm." Just as the Divine Light Titan's war hammer was about to fall heavily, a dull voice sounded from the excavated mound. Following closely, an Argonian wearing a Dark Brotherhood assassin suit quickly emerged from the mound.
"Good day Lady. I am Veezara. A member of the Dark Brotherhood from the day I hatched, and the last Shadowscale of Black Marsh. You see, I was born under the sign of the Shadow. I am Serving Astrid and the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, life is so simple and beautiful." While patting the dirt on his body, he introduced himself nonstop.
Shadowscales is a subordinate organization of the Dark Brotherhood. Its members are all Argonians and their training base is in Black Marsh. Shadowscale members who have completed all training and survived to adulthood can join the Dark Brotherhood.
They also worship Thetis, the Father of Terror. According to some unproven sources, the decline of the ancient Argonians was due to their "scales darkening at the touch of Sithis". Shadowscale is also a means of law enforcement in the Black Swamp, enforcing "swamp laws" against unruly outsiders and locals alike.
In many cases, Shadowscale does not strictly adhere to the Five Dark Laws traditionally followed by Brotherhood members. They have a different set of Black Swamp Laws. Shadowscales, for example, cannot kill companions, even if they are not members of the Brotherhood. However, violating the Brotherhood's tenets would bring about the wrath of Sithis, but if Shadowscale and his family survived the bloody punishment Sithis meted out, forgiveness was a possible outcome. But if Shadowscale breaks the creed of Black Marsh, it will be regarded as treason and punished with death, and there will be no mercy. This is usually carried out by the Argonian royal family of Blackmarsh sending a Shadowscale Assassin with no ties to the traitor. Even during the assassination contract, Shadow Scale will generally kill the target in the most humane way. Torture and killing that have nothing to do with the contract are usually not welcomed by Shadow Scale. Unless there is a torture clause specifically stated in the contract, Shadow Scale will reluctantly implement it.
Shadowscales are highly respected among common Argonian tribes, especially the Black-Tongues. Although all tribes in Black Marsh participate in the cultivation of shadowscales, the Blacktongue tribe values this tradition the most and spends a lot of energy cultivating shadowscales. Another well-known fact is that some Shadowscales opposed the Ebonheart Pact signed in the Second Age out of hatred for their former slave owners, and some even rebelled and fled Blackmarsh. Scattered throughout Tamriel.
Shadowscales are called "Ku-Vastei" by the inhabitants of Black Marsh, meaning "the catalyst of needed change". Argonians believe that death is more than just the end of everything. It is a form of change. It can be a "loop and turn again" start. This is the so-called "reincarnation".
As Assassins, they are called upon to spark social change by sowing death. Those Shadowscales who are lucky enough to live to a ripe old age learn to serve as Kuvastai when not killing, sharing their wisdom with the denizens of Blackmarsh. The people of Blackmarsh also like to believe that Shadowscale will maintain the natural order of things.
As for the "Astrid" Shadow Scale talks about, she is the female leader of the currently feared Dark Brotherhood. Rumor has it that she is still a cruel, scheming, ungrateful, and jealous femme fatale, and she even tried to assassinate Emperor Titus Mede II.
She joined the Dark Brotherhood at a young age. It is said that she discovered her talent in this area when she killed her uncle who was molesting her. She was often teased by men because of her beauty, so she fought her way into the Dark Brotherhood, and eventually became the female leader.
"You said you serve Astrid." Ashtaret, the dragon knight, discovered the hidden meaning in his words: "So, do you also serve the Night Mother?"
"Of course not, ma'am." The Argonian assassin Vesala shook her head quickly: "I only serve Astrid."
"So, it was Astrid who asked you to excavate this ancient ruins." Ashtaret, the spirit dragon knight, took the warhammer back into the void.
"Wow... He is indeed the last Deep Elf Dragon Knight in Skyrim." Ashtaret's casual use of the power of the void amazed the Argonian assassin Vaisala: "As you can see, these days it is indeed... I was digging a hole. Although the hard frozen soil polished my claws, it did not delay the construction period."
"Okay, Vaisala." As the last deep elf in Skyrim, Ashtaret is also full of goodwill towards the last Shadowscale in Skyrim: "The master will be here soon, what do you have to say?"
"My mistress is waiting for Baron Ximu in the underground hall." As expected, the Argonian assassin Vaisala, who only serves the female leader of the Dark Brotherhood, has another mission: "Please rest assured, madam. There are thieves nearby and corpses underground. All rest in peace.”
"Wait a moment, Vaisala." Ashtaret used necromancy to send the message back.
The Storm Outlook, flying over the ruins, dropped its anchor and plunged heavily into the frozen soil. Driven by steam gears, it slowly descends. The air bag also begins to vent excess steam outward.
Soon, the airship landed steadily next to the ruins.
The boat plank was put down, and Mrs. Gisei Siying walked to the ground surrounded by Lord Ximu. Crouching on the hard frozen soil, the airship looks like a war bunker armed to the teeth. Whether it is the brass ballistas arrayed on the deck or the Breton marksmen on the watchtower, they are powerful combat forces to defend against attacks. It is not an exaggeration to describe it as a powerful ship and a powerful gun. Just imagine, a small group of enemies is simply difficult to capture. Even if you are trapped in a tight siege, you can rise up and escape as long as you inflate your airbag.
What's more, the magic ring engraved on the ship's hull already has powerful protection. Especially after the Collapse Day, when the sky was torn apart by annihilation, the Dwemer airship added great help to the lord's expeditions.
Wu Chen walked down the simple wooden ladder built by the Shadow Scale Assassin to the lowest level of the tomb door. The black iron door has also been pried open by the Argonian assassin Vesala first. The two skills of lock picking and stealth are essential specialization skills for assassins and thieves. Many seemingly intact ancient tombs have long been robbed and are the work of these people.
When the lord walked into the warm and bright tomb hall, beside a bonfire filled with firewood, a stranger stood up with a smile.
"Long time no see, Lord."
Wu Chen's memory copy related to it then appeared: "Long time no see, Astrid."
"I'm honored that you haven't forgotten me, a little assassin." Astrid complimented the lord for not forgetting his former identity as a brave man.
"I remember you once said that Skyrim belongs to the Nords." Wu Chen's implication was that as the head of the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim Province, Astrid has never been willing to be inferior to others. Not even under the Night Mother.
"Ah, you remember. These were indeed my words. As you can see, the Night Mother, as a chapter in the history of the Dark Brotherhood, has long since passed. Today we live as we wish. Our sanctum is also the whole of Tyme The last refuge of the Dark Brotherhood in the Riel continent. You see, 'Only by giving up the old ways can we survive for a long time.' The only thing I worry about is the 'guardians' around her who are immortal. Especially not sure about the 'clown' 'What do you want to do by bringing the Night Mother from Cyrodiil to Skyrim all the way, but no matter what, they will soon know that this is my sanctuary.' Astrid's words are full of information. The Night Mother's coffin, which is far away in the imperial capital of Cyrodiil, is coming to the Skyrim Province under the protection of the guardian nicknamed "The Clown".
Obviously, there is a deep and irreconcilable conflict between Astrid, the actual leader of the Dark Brotherhood, and the Night Mother, the nominal leader of darkness. Therefore, it can be foreseen that in the near future, there will be a bloody life-and-death battle between the external forces headed by the Night Mother and the Guardians, and the local factions headed by Astrid. Just like the saying "Skyrim is the Nord's skyrim". But in this overt and covert battle with the Night Mother, Astrid may not have a perfect chance of winning.
Thinking of this, the Lord sincerely extended an invitation: "Ximu will always open the door to you."
"I salute you, my lord." This is also the purpose of Astrid's trip.
