Jedra's Library, Chapter 1

"Hello, Jedra!"
Jedra Kayan smiled and nodded to the peasant, one he did not recognize, from his perch on his small cart. He was well known in this city of Wayrest, the capital city of Wayrest Country, for his books, knowledge, and ability with the staff.
Pulled by his horse, Page, Jedra's cart was not very elaborate. It had no top, only sides that held in it's contents. The small cart was filled with books, of several sizes and shapes and topics. Few people were rich enough to own a cart at all, let alone a horse and so many books. Jedra considered himself lucky. And because of all the books he had, whether found through adventuring, or bought, acted like a library. Many people came to look at Jedra's books. His cart was nicknamed 'The Library' by those who read from it. Though he allowed people to borrow books, and read them, he gave and sold none away. Jedra was proud of his books.
Jedra was dressed in his usual attire. He had on a dark beige pair of breeches, and a lighter shade shirt. The tips of the long sleeved shirt were covered by Jedra's leather gloves. His cloak, of the same color, was wrapped around him for mild warmth. It was a bit chilly. On the cart, next to where Jedra sat, was his choice of weapon, a long staff. It was two inches long, and a foot taller than Jedra's 5'11". Four inches off each tip was cast in mithril, for added effect.
"Greetings, Jedra!" said another peasant, a woman beating rugs. Jedra said "hello" and waved back, trying desperately to remember the woman's name. As he passed by, he just dropped the issue.
Most people were heavily dressed in warm clothing, much heavier than Jedra's. Because they felt more than his 'mild' chill. Jedra was a Nord, a species of man born and raised in the northern mountains, and naturally resistant to the cold. Jedra was proud to be a Nord, but hated living up to their expectations. Nords were known as very skilled masters of weaponary. Jedra was excellent with his staff, but at his age, should be known as an indestructable fighter, not a seeker of knowledge. Therefore, Jedra spent most of his time away from his fellow Nords.
Jedra's blond ponytail bounced up onto his face, and he pushed it away, annoyed. Then his face instantly turned cheerful again as he reached his destination: The Castle Wayrest.
The King himself had asked to buy some books, and when Jedra had declined, the man was very surprised. But, instead of calling for the gaurds and taking his books by force (which Jedra was ready to fight for), the King's messenger had a very surprising note; one stating that the King was amused and would 'borrow' Jedra's books for a few weeks, for a very nice profit. Jedra could not refuse.
Whistling for Page to stop, Jedra picked up an empty sack and his staff and leapt off the cart. Humming a small tune, he walked to the back of the cart and opened the small gate that kept the books from falling out the back. The King had been very specific in what books he wanted.
Jedra examined all his books before either setting them in back or carefully placing them in a sack. Guide to Lycanthropy. Nope. King Edward, Part III, King Edward, Part VIII. Two of Jedra's set of the King Edward series... A Guide to Nymphs. The last one made Jedra laugh as he wonded what the King wanted with THAT. Jedra added a few more books, then realized he was missing one. The Ebonarm. Where was it? After a few moments, Jedra remembered that it was in the front seat, where he had been reading it. With a long face, Jedra went around and picked it up, then placed it in the sack. He had wanted to finish it, but the King should not be kept waiting.
With all the King's books in place, Jedra closed the small gate in the back of his cart and locked it. Though it was really useless; if there was a theif he could grab the books from the top. But no one hated Jedra, they would leave his books alone. Jedra made his way up the stairs of the castle entrance, staff in one hand and books in the other.
"Knock, knock," said Jedra, as he rapped on the castle gate. It was more like a mansion that a normal fortlike stone castle, but no less magnificent with its pale yellow bricks and red roof.
Jedra frowned when there was no answer. He knocked again, this time with the mithril casing on his staff. Nothing.
"H-Hello?" asked Jedra. Feeling a bit like a thief, he pushed open the front door. "Is anyone there"
Jedra looked around. It was dark inside. Then a sight caused his stomach to heave, and he was glad he decided to skip lunch. Along the floors, in the fountains, and even splattered against the walls were bodies of men, the royal gaurd no doubt. Blood and mutilated body parts everywhere. The nauseating smell crept up to Jedra, and his stomach heaved even though he had nothing to throw up.
"What... happened?!" he demanded to no one. It was his last rational thought as something hit his head, and the dim light faded into darkness.

* * *

Jedra awoke slowly, blinking. The bright light flooded his vision and caused him to blink unvoluntarily. He moved his hands to rub his eyes, but they were tied behind his back. Jedra was propped up against a wall, sitting down, unable to move much because of his binds.
Five people other than Jedra occupied the room, which Jedra soon found out was the throne room. One, a fat man in rich flowing robes, occupied the corner of the room. He was in the same condition as Jedra, bound and propped up against a wall. As was the woman and the younger woman next to him. The prisoners were the King, Queen, and Princess of Wayrest, the names of which escaped Jedra. The other two men sat in the two thrones in the center of the room. One of them was black, very black skin that Jedra knew had to be natural. He didn't need to see the pointed ears or the glowing, pupiless red eyes to know that it was a dark elf. The elf was dressed all in black, with a black cloak and pants and shirt. He wore ebony armor, from head to toe, but no mask. Strapped to the elf's back was a large sword, which Jedra noticed to be a Dai-katana. He would bet a dozen books it was ebony, too. The other man, also sitting in the throne, did not use the lazy slouch the elf did. This man was an Argonian-a lizard man. He was dressed in armor of orchish make, metal with a dark green tint to it. The Argonian wore less than the Dark Elf did, merely a cloak and pair of breeches the same color as his armor. Sitting on his knees was a massive warhammer, the end a large block of orchic metal. A very destructive weapon.
Neither man noticed Jedra's awakening. They were both engrossed in books. Both of them. Were neither one afraid Jedra could escape? He seriously thought about trying to escape, until he saw the pile of books and the empty sack at the two men's feet. The books looked like they were roughly dumped, and several pages were ruffled and in bad shape. Jedra growled.
Pulling against his binds, Jedra tried to stand, but failed. "Hey! If you are going to read, then do it with decency! Those are expensive books!"
The Argonian glanced up from his book to look at Jedra, then ignored him and went back to his reading. The Dark Elf laughed and stood up-tossing a book carelessly aside as he did so. Jedra winced.
"You precious books..." sneered the Dark Elf. He picked up another one, and held it above the palm of his other hand. "Expensive, are they?"
A small flame popped onto the elves hand and danced back and forth until the book caught on fire. Jedra yelled wordlessly as the book began to burn. The elf laughed.
"You... you bastard!" yelled Jedra, struggling with his bonds. Jedra was strong, but he could not break free of his binds, no matter how hard he tried. Blood began to trickled from where the frayed rope rubbed his wrists, but he ignored it.
The Dark Elf laughed and walked over to Jedra. Then he kicked him in the stomach. With his ebony plate boots on, Jedra felt the pain three-fold. He doubled over, trying hard to get his breath back in random gasps. The elf laughed again and sat back down in the throne.
"The Kingdom of Wayrest... ours!" said a new voice. Jedra and the two men on the thrones looked up to see another man enter from a door that Jedra hadn't seen.
The new man was tall and had a powerful build. His brown hair came down in it's sideburns to form a beard that covered the mans chin and upperlip. He wore, unlike his peers, no armor. Instead, he wore an elegant shirt and vest, and expensive boots and pants. Despite how much Jedra knew they must have cost, there was still blood splattered on it. In each hand, the man carried a staff, one that Jedra recognized as his own.
Tossing Jedra's staff to the side, the newcomer leaned on his own staff. Ignoring the captives, the man looked to the Dark Elf and Argonian. "There is still some fighting in the eastern side of the castle. They brought in an elite battlemage. Kendar, I'll need your help. Sistyk'yl, stay here and gaurd the prisoners."
The Dark Elf just nodded and walked to the other man's side. Sistyk'yl stood up and said, "Yessss... I sssshall do assss you sssay, Ssssshalam." The Argonian hissed it's 'S's terribly, but was still understandable.
Shalam reach down among the pile of books. He picked on up and dusted off the front. "The Ebonarm..." he said. "I've always wanted to read this." Shalam gave Jedra his first look, a triumphant grin, tucking the book away in a concealed pouch. "These are yours, no? Well, thank you, fellow Nord! They should do well to create my new library when I rule this castle! Kendar, let's go." With that, the Nord and Dark Elf walked away, readying their weapons.
Ignoring Jedra once again, the Argononian sat down, still reading his book. Jedra decided that now would be the best time to try and escape. He inched over to where his staff was thrown-thankfully BEHIND Sistyk'yl-and tried breaking through his ropes. But they would not snap.
"Psst... Jedra!" hissed someone behind him. Jedra looked behind to see the Princess. She had scooted over to him and was trying to cut through his ropes with a sharp rock. Jedra nodded a silent thanks and got ready to get up and fight in a second's notice. He was still thinking of the right choice of action when Sistyk'yl noticed the commotion.
Standing up with a hiss, the Argonian made his way over to Jedra. He roughly kicked the Princess away and said, "SSSssstay like that! Move again, and I will mosssst ssssssurley killed you! There isssss no reassssson to keep you alive!"
The Princess was paralyzed with fear as the Argonian made his way back to the throne. But Jedra knew that the rope was frayed enough to break. Exerting all his strength, Jedra pulled, and the rope snapped.
Before either he or the Argonian could even think, Jedra picked up his staff and launched himself at the back of the throne. The royal chair, and it's holder, toppled. Jedra gave the Argonian no time to get up before smacking his staff against the lizard man's head. It connected with a sickening crunch that told Jedra what he had done. But he had killed before, it didn't do too much to him.
Jedra had his priorities set. Ignoring the families protests to free them, and even their orders, Jedra made his way carefully to his books. Meticulously he began placing his books back in the sack, carefully as to not damage them any further. Finally, when all his books were put away, he went over to untie the Royal Family.