After reading many of these stories for the last few months, I thought I would try... though, it didn't work out very well. This next read is very choppy and not so smooth to read. But, I still thought I'd put it up. This would be the only first segment of the story and in fact, if anyone who actually reads it thinks it's terrible. I might continue putting up the continuation for the sake of doing it!
Mostly, I hope you like in a little! Enjoy?



It was a cool morning in the Imperial City. A few clouds here and there as well but, not too much to ruin the feeling of excitement for three travelers walking across the Imperial City Bridge to enter the fair city. Why they are so excited we do not know but, we can imagine it is something inside the city.

“Tell me, WHY DID SOMEONE PUT THE CITY ON A HILL ” the traveler already on top of the hill replied, “because they don’t like fat lazy merchants my friend And you are quite the fat one.”
The traveler carrying most of the stuff had to put in, “you are also very lazy.” At this point, the fat one finally joined his two companions on top of the hill and said, “aye, but I’m also the richer one .” “Only if you could sell all that fat,” replied the fat ones companion who continued, “shouldn’t there be a guard to open this gate for us?” ‘Possibly two?’, “maybe even three?”

“No, just one unfortunately.” said an Imperial Guard who started walking towards them, “I had to go to the bathroom you see and well... There isn’t one out here.” The travelers expressed their sympathy with the guard and the fat one couldn’t help but point out that if he were a guard. He would command a latrine be built for myself “Well... I actually did and I then spent the next month afterwards in the sewers killing rats...” replied the guard who after saying that didn’t look so well.

“I guess we’ll just go in then,” said the traveler with the most equipment who began staring at the guard, “soon I suppose...” ‘Oh yes ’ said the guard, ‘but I first have to check your stuff.’ He admediately began examining them and looking for something dangerous. “Wait, aren’t we allowed to bring weapons in?’ asked the traveler carrying not as much. “Oh, I wasn’t looking for weapons but, uhh, some food...” answered the guard who then quickly said, ‘to make sure it’s not poisoned ”

The fattest of the travelers couldn’t take it anymore. He turned to the gate and pushed it open, which to his surprise was actually possible “I thought it’d be heavier than that?” he said in a little disbelief. The travelers entered the city and found a rather nice looking city. “It’s been years since I’ve been here” and “is that real stone” were the common sayings when travelers entered the Imperial City and these three were more than happy to continue the tradition.

“Which way to the uhh... um, place?” asked the most fat of the traveling three. “It’s the Merchants Inn we’re looking for,” replied his companion who then said, “I’ll go talk to a guard.” He walked over to a guard by the gate and asked, “Where could I find the Merchants Inn?” The Guard turned to him and said, “You can find the Merchants Inn in the Imperial Market District which is in the Imperial City.” ‘Oh, where is the’ but before he could finish, “Oh, you don’t know where the Imperial City is? That’s simple enough to solve, it’s in the province Cyrodiil but, in the center about. It’s surrounded by a waterway of sorts. Now, the province of Cyrodiil is on the continent of Tamriel which is west of the continent Akavir and south of Atmora. You shouldn’t miss it.”

“Thank you but...,” is all the traveler could get out for the guard began, “Oh, don’t thank me, thank Justice And the pursuit of Justice and the son of Justice, Charity ” he continued to ramble on for quite some time but, the new come traveler to the city walked away and led his companions himself to the Imperial Palace. The traveler among them who was the fattest couldn’t help but notice it was tall, “Wow, I wonder how high it is...” But at this point a very loud cheer went up from another area of the city. And the travelers followed that sound to the arena district. “I seriously don’t think that is what we’re looking for,” the traveler with all the stuff admitted but found that no one was listening to him.

His companions were now walking, for the fat one couldn’t run very well, to the arena. They walked in and wouldn’t come out for another two and a half hours... “Had enough?” he asked as they walked back. “That was great ” ‘One of a kind ’ was his answer. The companion of his who had the largest appetite then said, “I’m starving, let’s head over to that Inn and get some food before the meeting.” The other two agreed but, only finally got to the Inn after several hours of walking around in circles.

Finally entering the Inn, the one carrying all of the equipment exclaimed, “WHO MAKES A CITY THAT IS IN A GIANT CIRCLE” He was at this point very tired and dropped everything he was carrying and sat down at a table. If you know the layout of the Imperial City, you will realize that they could’ve entered the Market District in no time at all. But they unfortunately went the opposite direction and walked around the entire city.

Velus Hosidius, owner of the Merchants Inn, thought all of this very funny. Once the three travelers began staring at him and mighty angry at that, he finally snapped out of the fog he had created for himself and said, “now, how might I help you sirs?” The traveler who needed a very large pants size replied, “You, my fine sir, can get us drink and food And of course sleeping arrangements. Also, you can tell us when the meeting is.” His companions couldn’t believe what they were hearing The fat one was hungry, and he wasn’t hurting anybody Another customer of Velus’s noticed however, that the fat traveler was clutching a knife very strongly underneath the table he was sitting at.

“Yes, that can be done,” Velus replied who then got together some food and drinks. “This is a very nice Inn,” said the most tired traveler, “has a lot of warmth to it.” The third traveler who really has not much to say about replies, “Oh yes, I do believe it is quite warm in here. However, I have seen better Inns. My family owns an Inn I” but that’s all he gets out before, “I STABBED MYSELF! THAT KNIFE! THING!!!” The fat ones companions went to him and laughed, “the knife is barely in there...”
‘DO YOU WANT TO SEE HOW IT FEELS!’ replied the fat one with the knife raised above his head! “No, that’s quite alright...” his companions replied in unison.

Velus came with the drinks and food, much to their relief.
“Enjoy sirs! But I need to tell you that there is not enough room here for all three of you. Some other travelers have come for the meeting and have the rooms... You could always try the Tiber Septim Hotel” ‘ARE YOU CRAZY!!!’ was his answer.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll find something... anyway, the meeting is here in a few hours”

“Here in a few hours? Wow, we got here just in time!” said the traveler who’s family owned an inn, “do we know what this meeting is about?”

“I’m not sure but, I do believe it has something to do with the prices of Leather Armor. And the problems with selling steel armor...” replied the fat one while he was eating... and drinking.
“No, that was two months ago; you really should remember these things...”
‘I AM NEWT GURWIN ALD!’ was the fat ones reply. “Don’t talk with your mouth full...”
‘Don’t talk like an idiot!’ was his answer.

Velus heard all of this while he was preparing food for another customer. What is the meeting about? He wondered to himself. At that moment, another customer came in and he wanted food pretty badly. “I want food pretty badly sir!” the new customer said. “I suppose I see that...?” was his answer. “Then get me some food, and while you’re at it, some drink. And a telling me where the meeting is!”
‘Oh, that’s simple enough to answer, the meeting is here. And drink and food are right in front of you. Now, how you doing... WILBUR!!!” Velus ran around the bar and hugged the new customer who we could now see was a redguard and getting up their in age. “Oh Wilbur! It’s been too long! You haven’t come to visit any of these last many months.” ‘My friend, I was very busy.’ replied Wilbur, ‘You see, I have done it my friend! I MADE MY OWN BATCH OF WINE!!!’ he yelled in excitement.

The three travelers continued to watch the friendly exchange, the getting of cups, and the pouring of what must be Wilbur’s wine. “That looks pretty good,” said the merchant who was quite the fat and lazy one and who was actually walking over to get some of it. He walked up to Wilbur and embraced saying, “congratulations!” and “Nice job!” Wilbur was only to happy to give him a whole bottle of his wine.

The other two looked at each other and laughed. But not for long, because the meeting would start in one hour! For that hour, some other travelers came in but, the Inn was still not that crowded.


That's it so far, if you read the whole thing, Then I've accomplished something!!! Oh, and if you're wandering why the title is Wandering Merchants because they aren't wandering yet; they will wander! Eventually...

Certainly has potential, I will wait to see what this meetings about.

A couple of pointers on writing:

we do not know but, we can and If you know. IMO second person is best avoided completely. Its awkward and breaks the flow and immersion for the reader. This is just my opinion though.

said the traveler with the most equipment and The traveler who needed a very large pants size replied,. Again this became clumsy, the first couple of uses of these descriptions are fine but I found they wore a little. You might consider giving them names to streamline things.

My final pointer is just one of formatting. Its much easier to read dialouge if everytime you have a new speaker you take a new paragraph, especially on screen.

So theres just a few comments on what could, in my view, be improved. It certainly has a solid base and is ready for interesting things to happen. Keep going

Thanks for reading it!

When it came to the names, I just didn't know when and how to do it. Hopefully soon...
I'll try the formatting thing hopefully as well!

It appeared to start as a parody, with the guard and the light gate and all. But now, it has more turned into one of those comedy-shows.

While enjoyable, I believe you fire off too many jokes right after another. That seriously lowers the effect each individual joke has.

Anyway, I found the fat guy funny and am wondering just what that meeting is about.

Yeah..good start Stevie! hope you´ll continue!

Well, here is the next part. It is still pretty bad to read but, I hope any of you finds it a little nice!
I can hope... lol! good luck!


Then, at the time which the meeting was supposed to start, the front door of the Merchants Inn was opened by all the Merchants of the Imperial City. Some of them were wearing their formal Merchant Garments and others decided to wear what they wore that day... typical of merchants.

The people arriving walked around the room and greeted everyone they knew and introduced themselves to those who didn’t. It was a merry Merchant Meeting but, those wearing the formal wear thought it a good time to start. A lady out of the group stepped in the center and called the meeting to order, “Excuse Me Excuse Me The meeting of the Society of Concerned Merchants shall now begin.” She looked around a bit and since she was a taller woman then most, she could see most of the room.
She then said to Velus, “bring some extra chairs from the basement and get some drinks ready.”

As all the people in the room got seats and organized everything, those wearing formal garments made a line of chairs where they all sat. It was obvious to the three travelers that they were the head of the Society. “Usually the whole society doesn’t meet like this” was what they all were thinking. Well... the fat one actually was thinking how comfortable those chairs they were sitting on looked. So, in all due accordance, he walked over and sat on the last chair in the line. Allowing him to sit through a whole meeting unnoticed...
“Are we all settled? Excellent” the lady said, “as you may all have noticed, this meeting will be quite different from our previous ones.” She looks to her left and right waiting for her formally dressed for her peers to nod their head or anything of that sort of thing.
She continues, “For you shall see, we merchants getting in some troubled times. I will let Phintias Continue.” She nods to the right of her at Phintias who continues,
“We have come to a crisis for the Market that could cause the end of several year period of growth. So far, we merchants have become extremely more wealthy and powerful and this has been due to the fact that we need less mercenaries to protect our shipments and our influence with the government.” He looks at his companions as if nervous to continue but he is encourage to do so. He looks out at them all and says,

“My fellow merchants, I fear that one of these factors might be changed by what our recent reports are telling us. The Society has collected data from the past few months on our merchant convoys and have found a decrease in successful shipments by 8.36%.”
‘OH MY LORD ’, ‘PLEASE, LET IT NOT BE SO ’, ‘WE’RE DOOMED ’, ‘Is that bad?’
Were the majority of the reactions to the statement.
The merchants started getting angry. Failed shipments meant their money going to other people. And merchants above all else hate that

The three travelers were just as angry Furious in fact, the fat one yelled, “HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?”
Phintias continued, “my fellow merchants, evidence shows that an increase in bandit activity is the cause of this All of our failed shipments have been attacked by bandits. But, unlike before, they took everything ” A gasp follows this from all the merchants.
He then motions for a merchant near the bar counter to come forward.
Phintias introduces him as, “Treou Ilinarus was a merchant on one of those convoys. He unfortunately was the only survivor. You may now tell us what happened.”

Treou Ilinarus walked forward and began his story, “I was part of a merchant transport group heading from Bruma. Our cargo consisted of mostly materials we got in Skyrim in the city of Whiterun. Cheap weapons and armor are made there. We traveled with a few other people heading toward Leyawiin, which is where we were heading too. We were fine until we reached Bravil. That is where the trouble started. On the road south...., we passed by many travelers. We were nearing Leyawiin on the second day when a three bandits stopped us. Our convoy leader gave them 25 Septims and said ‘that should be enough.’”

“Unfortunately, they said no, and that we should all leave everything we have including our two horses and leave. Our leader couldn’t believe what we had heard and told them to leave before he kills them. I knew we could probably win because of numbers but, a lot of us would definitely be wounded... We weren’t trained you see...
We were then surrounded by Bandits. Out of bushes and behind trees they came. So many I could hardly believe it Twenty about in total and we were completely surrounded....”

The traveler sitting with the hierarchy of the society noticed Treou’s face changed. He seemed to still be surprised about the number of bandits. ‘That many bandits is impossible,’ he thought, ‘in all my career, this has never happened. This could be a problem’ but he was cut off by Treou’s story.

“My leader was then shot in the head by a well placed arrow. I believe they wanted to sell his traveling cloak and they didn’t want to rip it by an arrow and stain it by blood. Anyway...
I quickly pulled my leader off his horse and used a summoning scroll. I forget what it was but, it got the bandits busy. I took the horse and rode out. I had to ram the horse into some bandits and the horse would die later from that. I don’t know what happened to my partners but, I do believe that they were killed or taken prisoner. The cargo in total was about 5000 Septims.” He looked towards the ground, sad for his loss.

Phintias comforted him and led him to a drink. The lady who led the meeting before stood up and said, “The Society for Concerned Merchants must act now Before this problem gets out of a possible control. The head council has been formulating some ideas and, the best I believe is to talk to the Imperium and ask for help ” She was interrupted by the cries of many of the merchants in the room. The loudest happened to be Rohssan, owner of a Fighting Chance.
“We cannot ask the Imperial Government for anything They will use this as an excuse to take more control of the market away from us ” she exclaimed.
“We have to deal with this ourselves ” Many merchants in the room stood up and joined her cause. This included the traveler who’s mother owned an Inn.

The lady heading the council replied, “What And hire some mercenaries We cannot afford that; They are too expensive and require a lot of pay ” Many merchants in the room stood up and sided with her. Now, there were two factions, one who wanted Imperial Help, and the other who wanted to fight with mercenaries. The fat one and the other traveler not standing formed the third faction, those who didn’t care as long as they weren’t involved.

Rohssan continued, “No Imperial Soldier is going to risk his life fighting bandits just so we can make money. That is why mercenaries are the only way to go ” Her faction applauded and agreed.

The lady heading the council laughed at that and said, “And no mercenary is going to accept this job without being paid an emperor’s salary ” Her faction applauded.

The fat one wasn’t going to take any of these and he said, without standing up of course, “We could send some merchants over to deal with the problem ”
No one knew who said that but many agreed and they all said, “Aye ”. The lady disputed, “But who among us will actually go?” No merchant said they would until, the traveler who joined Rohssan’s faction in the first place said, “I will go ”

The fat one and his other companion stared at him in disbelief. In fact, the other traveler couldn’t believe what he had just said
“And you would be?” the lady asked him who at the moment was panicking. He replied, “Claude Perrick”...
She stared at him for several seconds, “You must be Claudette’s younger brother... And how would you be able to do this?”
He looked from side to side hoping for some help, none came....
“well,” he replied, “With my two companions, Giovillo Ventis and the fat one over there, we could do it”
The lady was surprised and wondered, could they do it. They seem like the most unlikely of people to do it but, this could appease the Society and give her time to get the Imperial Guard to help
“Alright, you will go and deal with the bandits as you seem fit Anyone else wish to go?”
No one stood up but, everyone was applauding the three travelers courage. The fat one was in disbelief, I am going to kill him... he thought to himself.
Giovillo was thinking the same thing but, the killing involved more torture...

The merchants in the room were happy thinking their problem was solved and they bought drinks and had a merry time. The three travelers on the other hand were in the middle of an argument...
“HOW COULD YOU!!!” the fat one yelled at his companion. “ARE YOU AN IDIOT!!!?” Gio yelled as well. “I’m sorry,” was his reply, “I wasn’t thinking straight. All that money... gone, I had to do something!”
“YOU HAD TO DO SOMETHING!!!” the fat one yelled once again, and he then stormed off outside. Quite slowly however...

Claude begged Gio, “Please, I know I made a mistake but, we could always ask to not do this quest...”
‘No, I’m afraid we must do it now.’ Gio replied. He lifted the equipment onto his back, ‘we are going to need more supplies.’ and walked out to join the fat one.
Claude looked back at his fellow merchants who noticed he was leaving and then once again went to thank him and congratulate him. He got a few bottles of wine and some gave him a few septims but, nothing much. He joined his companions outside.

That's the end of this section. You will find the next part continues right off of this so... it's not really in chapters per say unfortunately.

Yes, once again I thought about my poor merchants and I realized their story must go on!
Either that or they could stay at the same place forever.
But that's a sad existence is it not?


He joined his companions outside who were debating where the best place to sleep is.
“I tell you, the Tiber Septim Hotel seems to be the only choice ”
“And I tell you that is too exspensive.”

Claude thought too of the many Inns in the Imperial City.
Wait I know where we can stay! he realized.
“There is an abandoned house on the water district that we could stay in. Some beggers sleep there and that’s all.” he told them.

The fat one pondered this. It could be dangerous, we could be robbed, killed, OR MURDERED
“Or all three” he muttered under his breath, unnoticed by the other two.
Gio agreed with Claude and they went to the Water District.

They walked into the area with a few houses and a realization hit the Fat One in his big round belly. We’re going to be robbed most definitely... This is the poorest area in the Imperial City and I am a wealthy merchant

Claude asked a beggar where the abandoned house was.
The beggar pointed toward a house in the middle... but not before being given a Gold Coin.

They entered the house and found two other people there. It was well lit and they could tell that they weren’t the best in shape when it came to finance. The group decided to have a guard to make sure their wealth stayed the same during their sleep. Claude volunteered himself as first guard..

Hopefully they will forgive me if I do this kind act he thought. Then we can finish this quest quickly.
As the other two slept, he stayed awake. As they slept soundly, he grew more tired until, he finally put his head down for just a few minuets he thought.


________


Just outside their very house, five men dressed in cloaks of various color woke the same beggar.

“Tell me,” one of them asked the beggar, “Have you seen three merchants come by this way.” He passed the beggar several Septims, “That should help you remember.”

The beggar looked back at him sleepily and pointed to the abandoned house. “They’re in there...” he replied and took a moment to fix his pillow and then fell back asleep.

“Thank you” replied the man. He motioned his fellows to follow his lead. He walked to the house and brought forth his knife. He opened the door while his men were getting various swords, knives and one mace out. They walked inside and silently surrounded the three merchants.

Claude had been asleep for just ten minuets when the men woke him up He jerked up and was quickly silenced by one of them before being dragged out. Gio woke with a start and saw Claude being dragged away. Gio put up a losing battle punching at whoever came near him until he was tackled by two of the men.

The fat one had been awake since Claude was attacked and he watched as Gio was defeated. “Maybe they don’t want me?” he asked himself, “Maybe they don’t want to deal with a rich merchants as myself...”

The leader of the group looked at the fat one with a questioning look. He the other two companions of his, “Do you think we could lift him?” They shook their heads. “Well then, we will get their help” he said while he motioned to the two other bystanders. “We’ll give you each 5 Septims if you help us lift him up...” but he was interrupted by the fat one.

“There is no need my good fellow. I just need help getting up and your men to carry the equipment and I’ll gladly go where you wish ”
“You wish to come freely?” the man asked back.
“No, but I really want to kill someone you’re with....” he said bluntly.
The man thought of this and replied, “Alright, we can’t let you do that but you can try anyway.”
The two men took the belongings of the three and took them outside. The leader helped the fat one up.
“I know you’re taking my hostage but, I think manners should still apply.”
The leader answered back, “Ahh yes, my name is Oliv Iranus. And yours?”
The fat one gave him a look which shut him up.

They stepped outside. Oliv led the fat one toward the lake side where three boats were waiting. All of them had a two men in each and two of the three had a hostage as well.
Oliv gestured to the last boat on the left and said, “If you please sir.”

The fat one nodded and with the dignity of a Royal Hound about to be kicked by the bratty prince, he stepped into the boat. Admediately, the boat started to sink and the other two men leapt out to keep it afloat.
“Tie the boat to the other two, we’ll have to pull him like this.” Oliv ordered.

The little fleet set off toward the opposite shore.
The fat one looked up and knew the sun would rise in a few hours.
“I’m in a bad position....” he thought to himself, “If I could just strangle Claude ”
He noted that both his companions were tied up on the two ships in front of him.

The ships landed after 15 minuets on the southern shore of the lake. Waiting for them was several men handling five horses and a cart. They helped the men out of the boats while Oliv turned to the one handling the cart and said, “We got them, now we better hurry.” The man was about to reply but a fight had broken out on the boats.

Claude had broken free of his bindings and had taken the mace of one of the men. He was now fighting three men in an effort to escape. The fat one was unnoticed because of this and he untied Gio’s bindings which were also very easily rid of. The fat one whispered to him, “we’ll never get out of this We need to play along for now. Follow my lead.”

The fat one walked to the cart and before he could be put down, he got into it and made himself comfortable. Gio followed thereafter. Oliv looked at them and ordered Claude be placed with him. Claude had been disarmed by now and was being dragged to the cart where he was placed next to Gio. Several of the men got in with them and the rest took the horses.

Oliv led the group on a Bay Horse for several hours as the traveled on a road.
Gio noted the land they were traveling in and realized they were traveling south toward Bravil. For that time, no one talked but, all of them were thinking.
The fat one thought he was hungry and it was time for breakfast as the sun rose above the landscape.
Claude realized he made a bad mistake sleeping...
Gio knew he was dead and so he sat thinking about his life.
“If I ever get out of this, I’m becoming a blacksmith...”

It does seem that blacksmiths lead the best lives. Sure their job is dirty at some points but, how hard is it to make a big fire and bend mettle? And the Blacksmith Guild keeps their pay very high.