Of Zombies and Vikings and Other Oddities of Magic

[Female Genestealer]

Up high in the mountains of Skyrim lies a prison. A place of 'rehabilitation' really. All those who oppose the law and those who govern over the lands are clinically insane, and as such are sentenced to rehabilitation at the Mines of the Goblin King. The Goblin King has it pretty good. A small creature who obsesses over semi precious stone, the law keepers send him their 'patients' as workers in exchange for his help in 'rehabilitating' them. This prison is a large stone fortress of sorts with no connection to the outside. The only way to enter or leave is through a single narrow tunnel. A separate tunnel leads into the mines, of which there is no exit to the outside world either. Patients have to mine for their food and they have to recreation time or other niceties. There are also ancient wards in place to stop anyone from using magic, no one has ever escaped.

 

[wickmachine18]

It had been a bother getting Bernard into the mountain prison. The bother had been literal and physical, rather than the big man's lack of compliance. If Bernard chosen not to comply; he could probably cause a minor earthquake. But Bernie, though big, was placid; as most big men often are. The large man of Nord descent had been squeezed down the narrow passageway into the depths of the mountain by numerous prodding and poking knives, along with the occasional yank of a chain - Which was probably intended to make the jailer look as though he were working awfully hard more than it was to prompt his movements. But ever obedient, Bernie shuffled along after the wicked, little man until they reached their underground destination.


Fergus was a wicked little bastard. He loved the dark, the violence, the opportunity that arisen in prisoners in result of their desperation... Yes, he was born to do this. Jailor. Master of the keys. King of his underground world. He stole Bernard's furr cloak from around his shoulders before the large dullard stepped through the final gate. He locked it hastily behind him; Fergus, safe upon his side away from the sad shadows and violent mad men that dwelt within. With cold, blue eyes, Bernard stared expectantly through the gloom to the little man upon the other side - the light from the wall torches flickered upon his cruel face. Bernard's furr cloak swamped Fergus's shoulders twice over and trailed onto the ground.


"Pick! Dig!" Fergus hissed through the bars; gesturing to a rack of mining picks and accompanying his order with a semi-helpful gesture.

 

[Female Genestealer]

Ah, a new recruit. This was a Nord man, nice and strong. He didn't seem overly frightened as most are, maybe a little confused, but still fairly calm. An Argonian approached the large man standing near the racks of mining picks, her dust covered scales glistening even in the dankness of the mines. She pushed her pick towards the man's chest, pushing against his body, "Here, take thisss and thisss." She then handed him another pick from the rack, holding it out to him as she said, "I'll give you the grand tour and help you out here, my name is Steps-On-Toes and don't make fun of it!" Steps-On-Toes trod away down the mine entrance, leading the way to her previous spot, standing and pointing to the wall expectantly. He blue and green spotted skin barely distinguishing her from the similarly colored walls.

 

[wickmachine18]

Bernard remained silent. The pick shoved into his chest may have pained a smaller man, but to him, it was a flea bite. Unsure why, but he continued with his stance of compliance; following the Argonian deeper into his new, underground home, with a pick hanging in each of his large, calloused hands. It was difficult for Bernard not to stare: Born and raised out in the wilderness that is The Pale, Steps-On-Toes was the first example of her kind that he had seen. Truth be told, it had come as a surprise to him that she could speak. Or that she had a gender, even! Weren't all lizard-folk quite the same? Apparently not, and it was time to stop gawking at his guide. Bernard's first mighy swing bitten a chunk into the stone wall, and it crumbled off in a large hunk as he pulled it away.

 

[Female Genestealer]

Steps-On-Toes like this man, he's a keeper. "They don't care if you mine or not, as long as your ssshare getsss done. If you do my ssshare of the labor, I'll make sssure you get the good ssstuff, food, blanketsss, the worksss!" She spoke as though the man knew how things worked here, though she knew he probably didn't. "What'sss your name anywaysss?" While the large man was busy chipping away at the wall Steps-On-Toes was busy scouting the area, looking for her next opportunity. She gets all the good stuff because she's an excellent thief. In a place like this, befriending a thief isn't a bad idea, and most of the more experienced prisoners were part of a group with at least one thief.


A light flickers and dies in the distance, it probably wouldn't be fixed until productivity dropped. Fixing things costs money, and that's not something goblins let go of easily. "You can call me Toes for ssshort if you'd like." Steps-On-Toes got her fairly ridiculous name because her parents were drunk on her birth night. They meant to name her Hides-Her-Heart instead. Steps-On-Toes didn't mind the mines, it was usually easy to pawn her work on someone else. At least they let you talk down here, it would be awfully boring if you had to stay silent. She watched as a few other prisoners eyed her jealously, having her own worker, but she just stared back smirking.

 

[wickmachine18]

Bernard listens as he works. His appearance is decidedly fleecy; which was beneficial while living up the in the bitter cold of The Pale. Though, down here, Bernard's unshorn hair and beard were quickly gathering dust and small fragments of rock from his digging.


"Name's Bernard," Bernard grunts; realizing in that moment that this is the first occasion that he has used his voice in days. "Well met, Steps," He pauses briefly in his work to nod in acknowledgement to the Argonian. Apparently a man of few words, Bernard is soon again with his back turned and swinging his picks. He remains quiet for a long while; expression drawn and mulling over Steps-On-Toes' words, and then randomly, he speaks again, "I'm warm blooded: I won't need to blankets. A meal would be good, though."

 

[Female Genestealer]

Steps-On-Toes frowned at being called Steps, she preferred Toes. She also frowned at not wanting a blanket. Who doesn't want a blanket? Regardless, it was time to leaves the mines for the night. The watch guards blew their whistle and began poking and prodding. Steps-On-Toes broke away from the pack and sneaked past the guards, somehow unnoticed. By the time Bernard would have made it to his cell, which apparently, Steps-On-Toes learned, would be shared with her, he would have a bed made with a pillow and blanket, as well as practically having a buffet, turkey and potatoes, rice and beans. There was even wine and a few sweet rolls for good measure. While Steps-On-Toes was out and about, gathering her supplies, she noticed a few of the higher ranked guards speaking in a panicked voice, though she didn't have the time to listen before hustling back to her cell awaiting her new friend.

 

[wickmachine18]

Were prisoners always so well fed? The thought only entered Bernard's head by the time he had made his way through half of the food on offer. Aside from not using his voice in days, it occurred to him that he had not eaten, either. And a man of Bernie's stature required much 'fuel'. The beds didn't look all that bad - better than he had imagined. Hm. Apparently being underground had not gotten to him yet; but he believed that it would. He was not a great lover of the dark and shadowy. Bernard refrained from eating anymore and, bottle of wine in hand, made his way over toward his cot. He sat upon it tentatively at first; ensuring that the structure could accommodate his gargantuan weight, before finally laying down entirely. His hooded, blue eyes watched the door for the Argonian's return. Where had she gotten to?

 

[Female Genestealer]

Steps-On-Toes made her way back to her cell, seeing that her new friend had enjoyed his meal and drink. She used a pair of keys she had stolen from some sleeping guards to get back in her cell. A few people gave her strange looks. One high elf from the cell in opposite hers even whispered across to her, "Hey, why don't you break us all out of here"


Ha! New guys. "These cells aren't built to last, a little strength and you can break free, no need for a key. Though if you escape, don't blame me for your bad fortunes." Toes gave a chuckle at the thought. Goblins aren't known for their structures, which is why they make their homes in caverns. Though their strange magic is enough to drive anyone mad.


"I see you like the food I provided?" Toes motioned towards the leftover food her cell mates were fighting over now. Normally you'd be lucky to get a bowl of soup. They don't even provide water, most get it off the cavernous walls as the moisture gathers and drips down the walls. "The guards were in a panic earlier, so fun stuff might be happening soon." Toes gave a smirk at the thought, to long has the place been boring. Watching the water form and drip down the walls is even less fun than watching paint dry.

 

[wickmachine18]

Bernard was gently disturbed from his snoozes by the reappearance of Toes. The large man heaved in a breath and itched his stomach were he laid. He has serious reservations by what Toes classed as 'fun'. He doubted the guards were to be carting ale down here and a singing bard for their mutual amusement. "Aye?" he grumbled at last, "What's going on then?"


His head was fuzzy and sort from the wine The feeling was pleasant, and Bernie wanted nothing more than to slip back into his pleasant slumber.

 

[Female Genestealer]

As if by fate, shortly after Bernard asked what was going on, three guards, two wood elves and a khajiit came running by, panicking. One of the elves stopped and looked into the cage opposite Toes before turning to face her cell. A moral decision plaguing him. "Hey, what's going on?" Toes asked calmly.


The elf replied with horror in his voice, as though he'd seen a ghost, "The undead have risen and they won't go back down, no matter how hard we try!" The elf pats himself down, whitely cursing himself, "I'm sorry my friend, I have forgotten my keys, I wish I could help. Everyone's leaving, hopefully those bars will keep you safe." The elf ran away as if his life depended on it.


Well, Toes still had her keys, so she unlocked her door. "Well Bernard, are you ready to leave this dump?" The rest of her cell mates ran by, cheering for their freedom as Toes waited, beckoning to Bernard. On her way out, Toes unlocked all the other cells, occasionally hearing screaming in the distance.

 

[wickmachine18]

Bernard winces at the riot of noise made by their fellow cellmates; echoing and loud off the hard stone walls of the mine. The noise will surely travel far. Outwardly, the big man appears calm. There is no rush in his large body as he moves from his sleeping cot and gets to his feet.


"Toes, do you know the way out?"


It was looking as though Bernard's stay in the mines was going to be a short one, providing that he managed to get out. He wasn't fast, or nimble, and he would be a large target for attack. Most likely, he would have to rely upon brute strength (as he most often did) to see him through this ordeal. Already outside the elated cries of escaped inmates and guards alike were changing and mingling to sound all the more frenzied. By the sounds of things, there wasn't much time.

 

[Female Genestealer]

"Of course I know how to get out!" Steps-On-Toes scoffed, almost insulted. She was a thief, and you can't steal if you don't know your way around the area. "Now, there is only one way out, but there are multiple ways to get there. The screams sounded the worst in that direction," Toes pointed to the right of their cell, the direction the guards and cell mates were running in, "so we'll go this way. Oh, and don't worry, I'll keep us safe, just stay quiet, like a little Nord mouse." Toes turned and walked on, smirking at herself for her silly joke, despite the deathly screams in the background, as she led Bernard towards the exit. The path they took also lead to the equipment room, which is where she intended on going to pick up her possessions, as well as hopefully Bernard's.