The Nord laid dead, his eyes turned upward toward the heavens, his chest obviously crushed. In fact, many of those that came to help destroy the Coldharbour Gate were dead now, with only the most seasoned of fighters and one sorcerer remaining.
"Keep them back a little longer," the sorcerer declared, working on releasing the final anchor holding Molag Bal's portal to Nirn.
Krist watched as two Redguards dispatched some lesser Daedra, but stayed close to the sorcerer. The two Redguards seemed to work well together, and were probably comrades of sorts. Krist had bloodied his own sword over and over defending the mage, and refused to let the man get killed, now that they were so close.
He would stay near the sorcerer.
A large creature seemed to drop from the portal, landing hard by Krist and the mage, knocking them both back. The knight was dazed but for a moment, and looking around, saw that the sorcerer would be okay. The creature was looking about as well, probably a bit dazed from it's own ordeal of passing through. It stood near 8 feet tall, was large, pink, and very fleshy. It had spiked metal attached to it's great fists that hung almost to the ground.
The Daedra's squinty eyes fell on the sorcerer.
It was sent on a mission.
"Break that anchor," Krist called to the sorcerer as he grabbed his sword back up. He did not wait for a reply.

Krist rushed the creature, dodging it's long powerful swings. He jabbed his Imperial sword deep into it's flesh, but gained only a roar of anger from the creature. The large beast stomped the ground, creating a shock wave that knocked Krist back. He would have kept his balance had he not tripped over one of the dead. It was only sheer luck that a shield lay within his grasp, and he hefted it up to block the spikes that would crush him.
Even though the shield held, the force from the blow beat down on Krist all the same. He rolled away from the pounding, and lifted the shield to his arm. Krist chanced a glance to the sorcerer, who was now having to defend himself against some scamps that were trying to surround him. The way the mage was striking with his staff and not with magic, Krist could only assume he was running out.
Krist could feel the man's pain, as he was running out of strength and energy as well.
The knight ducked another swing, letting the shield take the glancing blow, and emerged behind the creature. He drove his sword deep into it's back. That apparently did something, as the creature stumbled, knocking Krist off balance and down to a knee. Krist was planning to regain his foot and strike again when he felt weight on his shoulder, and saw a blur of a shadow cross over his head. One of the Redguards used him as a springboard, and was now on the shoulders of the large Daedra. Krist looked to the sorcerer, but the other Redguard was now defending him, slicing the scamps to pieces with his curved sword.
Krist drove his sword again and again into the back of the beast, while the Redguard began slicing it's head open, chopping over and over. The Redguard suddenly leaped from the beast's shoulders, and both he and Krist backed away.
The creature hit the ground, apparently dead.
With a smile, the Redguard nodded to Krist, then ran to help his comrade and the mage. It was unnecessary, as the sorcerer was releasing the final anchor. A loud sound deafened the area as dust and blood and things Krist did not wish to think about in the battle area began to spin about in a vortex that the closing portal created.
Worse still were the great chains and spikes that anchored the portal. They began to spin about as well, crushing anything they hit. Krist layed flat to the ground, covering his own head. He could see nothing now, as the sound of the wind and chains and the anchor became almost unbearable.

Then silence.

Krist looked about to see the two Redguard heading away, one was assisting the other. They never looked back.
He saw the sorcerer laying still on the ground, a few yards from where one of the anchors had been. Krist got up easy, feeling the aches and pains from the battle now. He limped over to the sorcerer to help him up, and tell him what a great job he did saving the day.
The sorcerer was staring to the sky, no emotion on his face.
A closer look revealed that he was dead, apparently crushed by the flailing anchors that he released.
Krist sat down, catching his breath, taking a moment to rest. He looked about at the bodies strewn, then he looked to the only other two survivors. One was helping the other onto their horse, but was having trouble. Krist thought to get up and assist, but his own wounds and fatigue would not allow it.
Finally, the Redguards were both mounted, though the injured one leaned heavy over his saddle. Krist watched as they rode over the hill.

Krist would rest for a moment longer, then find his own steed. This battle was over.

"Daddy, got another one coming in," Leah said, looking out the window that faced the mud road coming into their little village. It wasn't much of a place, but it was, at one time, a good community where Nords could settle.

Jodun walked to the widow and looked over his daughter's shoulders. The rider was a tall man with broad shoulders, and he had a hood covering his face, with a cloak protecting him from the stinging rain coming down. He was apparently a Nord as well. Most people here were, among the few that remained. Judging by the armor and gear the man was probably another outlaw coming to find out if Big Red needed another sword.

Red had moved into town only a few weeks before. The Tribune did not see the village as a priority during this time of war, even though only a couple of years ago this rag tag group of criminals would never be allowed to set up shop.

"Get away from the window," Jodun said to his daughter, as the man road up to their inn.

The heavy boots of the stranger made the steps creek, and clomped loudly as he walked in. He pulled back his hood, the rain still dripping and making a puddle under him. He looked to the inn keeper, his blue eyes seeming to gauge the man. He then offered a smile, and a nod.

"Hello, my name is Krist," he said simply.

"Jodun," the inn keeper said, nodding back. "Did you need a room?"

"I am looking for the one they call Red," Krist said, this bringing a frown to the inn keeper. Of course he was looking for Red, because Big Red needed another sword. He always wanted and needed another sword.

"His people dont stay here. Red has taken over the old church up a ways. Way I hear he has plenty of beds," the inn keeper said, then went back to cleaning, and preparing for in case someone actually came to stay at the inn.

Krist approached the counter, and pulled a folded scroll from under his cloak. He rolled it out in front of the inn keeper, and set it on the small bar. Jodun looked down to see a sketch of a face resembling the mean looking outlaw leader. The scar was over exaggerated, but it was apparently him. It had "Wanted" written on it, and a bounty of 500 gold.

Jodun looked up to Krist, then back to the scroll. "That is him."

"Send someone to him, let him know a single fighter is here to bring him in. Tell him I said he was a coward of a man, and would probably not come after me, so I would have to send word for the Tribunal guard to come meet me to gut him out of the church," Krist said.

Jodun looked Krist over, his eyes wide. Jodun was no coward, but it was a fools errand to challenge Big Red. Red had killed many a men, one on one , in fair enough fights to make Jodun a very dangerous man.

"Sir, he will kill you," Jodun said matter of factly. These knights did not know what they were up against when it came to the outlaw. Jodun saw others die trying to claim the reward. Red actually enjoyed meeting them.

Krist smiled and nodded. "Just send word."

"There's a knight waitin' on me in town," Red said, as he looked to the wood elf he knew only as Sweet Honey. She probably did not even have any other name. Many that he took into his gang were either orphans or wanted people running from who they were, and what they did.
Honey laid on the bed naked, watching the big man as he put his trousers on. They had made a makeshift room in the church of the village they were in. Weak people occupied the village, and had Red and the gang not taken it over, someone else would have. Red chose the priest's quarters for their "master bedroom", as he called it. The sun shown into it in the morning, where Honey liked to watch the dust flakes dance in the rays of light.
"You going to kill him," she asked.
"If he stays, I guess I have to. He sent word to call me out," the big man shrugged, then looked down to the naked elf.
"Maybe it is time to move on anyway. The gang is getting restless here," she offered.
Red shrugged it off.
"Whether we leave or not, I have to kill him, so it really makes little difference."
Honey looked at his back as he grabbed his shirt. The scars were obviously the stripes of a whip, though Red never spoke of it.
"I suppose. More will come though," she said.
Red nodded.
"I will give him a chance to leave first, but if he does not, I will have to deal with him. In the meantime, get me some breakfast," he grinned, kicking the bed.
Honey looked him over with a smirk, one of her eyebrows lifting.
"Okay," she finally said while nodding slow.
Red watched her as she walked out of the room, still as naked as she was in the bed. As the door closed, he heard the whoops and hollers of the gang, some men and some women, showing their amusement.
It didn't bother Red none. She was his, and only his. It simply brought out a chuckle, as he finished dressing. One show was enough for those rowdy rats he called brethren.

Krist walked through the village, looking the place over. It was built more in Nord style, though some dark elf influence could be seen throughout. It made for a nice mixture though. The streets were muddy from the rain the day before, obviously not built up properly.
The people looked miserable. They eyed him, most not knowing why he was there. He offered no smiles to them. He was not there to make friends. He was not there to be their savior. It was pretty simple. There was a criminal there that he needed to bring to justice. It wasn't justice for them, nor justice for anyone, except Big Red.

Krist heard the clank of metal as he knew he was drawing near the smith.
"Whatcha need," the smith asked, never looking up from his work. He was bending steal, but Krist could not tell what he was making. The smithing station was an opened air covered shop. There was a small building by it that he must have done business in.
"I need my sword sharpened," he said. "If you are too busy I can come back, or if you would allow, edge it myself."
The smith looked up this time, his bearded face dark and grubby from his work. He was stocky man, though not very tall. He was well built from the years working his trade.
'"You are here for the leader of the gang. I think they call him Red," the man said, not asking.
Krist nodded, and removed his long sword from the sheath on his back.
"I want pay first then," the man said, nodding to a clear spot on the table. "You got a back up to keep with you?"
"I do," he said, motioning to the gladius at his side.
"Imperial crap," the smith snorted, but nodded anyway. "20 gold to edge it."
Krist paid him. The smith told him to return in an hour or so.
"Do you have a provisioner here," Krist asked, looking about.
"That way," the smith nodded to the south. "Meril's"
"Thanks," Krist replied, and left walking towards Meril's.

Now.
The knight stood on the north end of the street. On his back was a shield, on his hip was an imperial sword. He held a long sword, of imperial fashion, in his hands. His armor was also imperial, and heavy as knights usually wore. He seemed almost unhindered by it's weight though, as if he had worn it many times over. It was made of blue steel, with a lion carved and outlined in gold on the chest plate. He came ready for combat.

Earlier.
"Do you have to fight him," Sweet Honey asked, as her and Red looked out over the town from the top balcony of the old church. Shadows were starting to get long, as mid day had already passed and the afternoon had set in. It was Tardes, if Red remembered correct.
"You know I do. What has gotten into you, Honey? You have seemed on edge since this guy came into town."
"I dont know. Nothing I guess. Something just feels strange about this guy. I can't quite place it though," she said with concern.
"Just another knight," Red said, dismissing the idea that something was different.
Honey checked all of the leather straps that kept Red's armor together. It was a hard leather armor, fit for movement, but strategically laced with iron for better protection. It also had inserted runes that offered him vitality, and some protection from physical harm. He had other magical armor, but he felt this set was best suited for this knight, who seemed to be less about magic or god power.
"After he is dead, I want us to leave this place. Not the gang. Just us. You have enough wealth now that we can get out of this life," she said, braiding his long hair back out of his face.
Red seemed to ponder the idea a moment, then nodded.
"Not a bad plan, Sweet Honey," he offered her a smile, then a kiss. "Mishken is ready to run the gang, and he will let us leave with no problems. I will talk to him after the celebration tonight."
"I am glad you said that Red," she patted his chest. "Now kill this knight that stands between us and our new life."
Red grinned, then simply nodded.

Now.
The warrior stood at the south end of the street, his long hair now braided out of his eyes. His armor was leather, but offered him good support and good mobility. It all appeared of Nord making. He carried a long serrated *** sword in his hand, with two short swords hung on his side. There were no carvings in his armor, nothing to show any kind of loyalty. His banner was the long red hair, that gave him his name.

Earlier.
"Hey mister, are you leaving soon," the little girl asked from the door of his room, drawing Krist's attention away from his armor. It was polished and in good shape, but he always checked it before going into a battle.
"Soon," Krist said, then offered something of a smile. "You are Leah, correct?"
The little girl nodded.
"My daddy owns this place," she said. It was something she seemed to enjoy reminding people of.
"Your daddy is a good man, " Krist said.
"Why you doing that," she asked, entering the room now.
"Good to keep armor in shape. This will protect me from bad people."
"Daddy says Red will kill you soon, I heard him tell the baker that yesterday," Leah offered.
Krist didn't say anything at first, looking the little girl over.
"What do you think? Do you think he will beat me, or will I beat him?"
"He will beat you. Red always win," she shrugged. "He is nice to me too. He gives me candy and sometimes he gives me bracelets. Daddy dont let me keep them though."
"Your daddy is smart," Krist said. Leah nodded to that, but did not know why. It just seemed right.
Krist watched the little girl leave the room, then went back to polishing his armor.