Eno Arval
"Oh, she's an Ashlander. Well that explains the unusual customs." Eno thought to himself.
"Eh, thank you. You're too kind. My name is Eno Arval, from Ald-ruhn." He said as he was offered the scrib-jerky.
"What did I do to deserve this? All I told her was that yes, she might consider asking for a Guar there. Wait, I know just the thing."
He dug into his pockets and retrieved the flute he'd been working on till yesterday.
"Why don't I give you this in return? She's still a bit crude, but as I always say...A piece just isn't complete till someone has given her her first song." He said as he held it out on an open palm.
"Giving flutes for scrib-jerky. I'm not going to turn a profit like this. But then again, I guess that profit isn't really why I make these." The thought made him smile.
Full Version: The Ghostfence rp: Playground 1
Rianne, Balmora
Rianne gasped, the man offered her a flute! A musical instrument, she was stunned, his gift was worth so much more than hers...she realised she would be in debt to this man for a long time. Now that wasn't all unpleasant, she could offer to do things for him. Since he obviously was joining the caravan there would be opportunities for sure.
"Thank you Serjo, I very much like music" Rianne smiled. She didn't wait to use the instrument, and soon the air filled with a sad hymn, so typical for her kind...
Still playing she headed towards the guar rental and waited for her turn.
eventually she turned towards the dunmer and smiled...
Rianne gasped, the man offered her a flute! A musical instrument, she was stunned, his gift was worth so much more than hers...she realised she would be in debt to this man for a long time. Now that wasn't all unpleasant, she could offer to do things for him. Since he obviously was joining the caravan there would be opportunities for sure.
"Thank you Serjo, I very much like music" Rianne smiled. She didn't wait to use the instrument, and soon the air filled with a sad hymn, so typical for her kind...
Still playing she headed towards the guar rental and waited for her turn.
eventually she turned towards the dunmer and smiled...
Rothan
Rothan had watched people arrive all morning, the merchant district was thronged with both locals buying and selling and with other caravanners. He stretched, the stair was cold and there were too many people going to the shop for him to stay there anyway so he wandered into the crowd. Perhaps he could get some supplies, or maybe luxuries, for the journey. Either way shopping would pass the time before the caravan left, he might meet some of his fellow travellers too.
OOC: Not sure whose where/planing what, approach him if you want
Rothan had watched people arrive all morning, the merchant district was thronged with both locals buying and selling and with other caravanners. He stretched, the stair was cold and there were too many people going to the shop for him to stay there anyway so he wandered into the crowd. Perhaps he could get some supplies, or maybe luxuries, for the journey. Either way shopping would pass the time before the caravan left, he might meet some of his fellow travellers too.
OOC: Not sure whose where/planing what, approach him if you want
Dranas Heleran, Balmora
Dranas was quite content. He had breakfast in his belly (from The Lucky Lockup) and two cooperative guars laden with illicit goods (carefully concealed, of course) and the Temple's construction supplies (which he eventually hoped to make his own). He easily made his way to the South Gate, where the caravan was assembling. Everything had gone smoothly.
Dranas was quite content. He had breakfast in his belly (from The Lucky Lockup) and two cooperative guars laden with illicit goods (carefully concealed, of course) and the Temple's construction supplies (which he eventually hoped to make his own). He easily made his way to the South Gate, where the caravan was assembling. Everything had gone smoothly.
Apelles Velvus, Balmora
"...with the almoners' money stuck between him and the cart! So I said 'Pull him out of that dung pile and arrest him.' And then Thadas said, 'To hell with the money - I ain't touching him!'"
Apelles and Salms both laughed.
"Sounds like you and your men have quite a long history together," Apelles remarked.
"Yes...yes, we've been through a lot," Salms said. "We've fought many battles, and even made some raids within the heart of the Red Mountain region itself. But...most of my friends are dead now, or were reassigned after...what happened at the last caravan. They're almost all replacements now. This is the first time in over twenty years I've had to work without Thadas."
"It's always sad when you lose one of your own. I've...had to go through it before, too."
"Yes, well...best not to dwell on it."
"Yes...'count only the happy hours,' as they say." There was a short, awkward pause for a moment before Apelles continued. "You know, that story you were telling me reminds me a lot of this one expedition about eight years ago, when..." Apelles trailed off as he noticed something in the corner of his eye.
He turned his head to ensure his eyes weren't deceiving him. No...there he was, leading a pair of fully-laden guars up toward the center of the assembly area. Dranas Heleran wasn't just in town - he was coming with the caravan!
"What is it?" Salms asked worriedly. "What's wrong?"
"I'm about to get up and approach somebody. I want two of your men to follow me. I believe I've spotted an unwanted guest."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you trust my judgment, sera?"
"Yes, I suppose I do."
"Then you'll do this favor for me. Suffice to say that this mer is a dangerous criminal whom I've encountered in the past."
"Well, if that's the case, then I'll be happy to oblige you." He turned to two of his subordinates and made a few hand signals.
"Thank you, sera. Tell them to follow about fifteen feet behind me."
"Of course."
Apelles got up, picked up his shield, and put on his helmet. He then proceeded to quickly close the distance between himself and Heleran.
He caught up with him and loudly cleared his throat to announce his presence.
"Dranas Heleran..." he said, pretending to be surprised. "Fancy seeing you here. You must be lost. After all, why would good, temple-going folk want to do business with you? I'll tell you what - how about giving me those bags of yours to lighten your load a little? After all, it's not like you'll be going anywhere."
"...with the almoners' money stuck between him and the cart! So I said 'Pull him out of that dung pile and arrest him.' And then Thadas said, 'To hell with the money - I ain't touching him!'"
Apelles and Salms both laughed.
"Sounds like you and your men have quite a long history together," Apelles remarked.
"Yes...yes, we've been through a lot," Salms said. "We've fought many battles, and even made some raids within the heart of the Red Mountain region itself. But...most of my friends are dead now, or were reassigned after...what happened at the last caravan. They're almost all replacements now. This is the first time in over twenty years I've had to work without Thadas."
"It's always sad when you lose one of your own. I've...had to go through it before, too."
"Yes, well...best not to dwell on it."
"Yes...'count only the happy hours,' as they say." There was a short, awkward pause for a moment before Apelles continued. "You know, that story you were telling me reminds me a lot of this one expedition about eight years ago, when..." Apelles trailed off as he noticed something in the corner of his eye.
He turned his head to ensure his eyes weren't deceiving him. No...there he was, leading a pair of fully-laden guars up toward the center of the assembly area. Dranas Heleran wasn't just in town - he was coming with the caravan!
"What is it?" Salms asked worriedly. "What's wrong?"
"I'm about to get up and approach somebody. I want two of your men to follow me. I believe I've spotted an unwanted guest."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you trust my judgment, sera?"
"Yes, I suppose I do."
"Then you'll do this favor for me. Suffice to say that this mer is a dangerous criminal whom I've encountered in the past."
"Well, if that's the case, then I'll be happy to oblige you." He turned to two of his subordinates and made a few hand signals.
"Thank you, sera. Tell them to follow about fifteen feet behind me."
"Of course."
Apelles got up, picked up his shield, and put on his helmet. He then proceeded to quickly close the distance between himself and Heleran.
He caught up with him and loudly cleared his throat to announce his presence.
"Dranas Heleran..." he said, pretending to be surprised. "Fancy seeing you here. You must be lost. After all, why would good, temple-going folk want to do business with you? I'll tell you what - how about giving me those bags of yours to lighten your load a little? After all, it's not like you'll be going anywhere."
Dranas Heleran, Balmora
So much for things going smoothly.
Still, Dranas was only mildly alarmed. Staving off confusion, he searched his memory and finally found a name and a leathery, wind-burned face to match the voice booming from behind the helm. Apelles Velvus. Dranas could play this to his advantage. He put on his most serene grin.
"Here now Apelles, why would you want what I have in my baggage, I wonder? I am, after all, but a simple merchant."
So much for things going smoothly.
Still, Dranas was only mildly alarmed. Staving off confusion, he searched his memory and finally found a name and a leathery, wind-burned face to match the voice booming from behind the helm. Apelles Velvus. Dranas could play this to his advantage. He put on his most serene grin.
"Here now Apelles, why would you want what I have in my baggage, I wonder? I am, after all, but a simple merchant."
Apelles Velvus, Balmora
"Don't play dumb with me, Heleran. I know why you're really here."
Apelles called back to the two Armigers following him. "You two! Would you be so kind as to help me unload these guars and search the bags for contraband, please?"
He knew it was best not to be barking orders to men who weren't under his direct command - far better to ask politely.
The Armigers complied, and began taking the sacks off the loaded guars.
As they did so, Apelles leaned in close to Heleran, and spoke quietly, almost whispering.
"As I said before, Sera Heleran, most of these caravaners are good, Temple-going folk - strict adherents to tradition and law. The Armigers are good men, too, and they act in accordance with these laws and traditions. I, on the other hand, am neither good nor Temple-going, and I have no patience for foolish games. I've more than half a mind to smash your kneecaps in and DRAG your sorry ass to prison.
"But really, I can be quite an agreeable fellow if you're willing to cooperate. Why don't you tell me where the skooma is and where you got it from and save us the trouble? You may even get a couple years taken off your sentence if you give us some information. Unless you WANT to spend the rest of your life staring at the inside of a jail cell."
"Don't play dumb with me, Heleran. I know why you're really here."
Apelles called back to the two Armigers following him. "You two! Would you be so kind as to help me unload these guars and search the bags for contraband, please?"
He knew it was best not to be barking orders to men who weren't under his direct command - far better to ask politely.
The Armigers complied, and began taking the sacks off the loaded guars.
As they did so, Apelles leaned in close to Heleran, and spoke quietly, almost whispering.
"As I said before, Sera Heleran, most of these caravaners are good, Temple-going folk - strict adherents to tradition and law. The Armigers are good men, too, and they act in accordance with these laws and traditions. I, on the other hand, am neither good nor Temple-going, and I have no patience for foolish games. I've more than half a mind to smash your kneecaps in and DRAG your sorry ass to prison.
"But really, I can be quite an agreeable fellow if you're willing to cooperate. Why don't you tell me where the skooma is and where you got it from and save us the trouble? You may even get a couple years taken off your sentence if you give us some information. Unless you WANT to spend the rest of your life staring at the inside of a jail cell."
Dranas Heleran, Balmora
Dranas answered Velvus' whispers a bit more loudly.
"Oh, you would want skooma, wouldn't you? Are you looking for something to put a little pep in your step?"
He looked his guars over.
"You can search all you like, but I'm afraid you won't find what you're looking for. All I've got are some construction supplies, some clothing, a few books, alchemical necessities, a weapon or three, and a little bit of drink that you'll find is perfectly legal. Oh, and my Census and Excise documentation. Would never forget that."
Dranas answered Velvus' whispers a bit more loudly.
"Oh, you would want skooma, wouldn't you? Are you looking for something to put a little pep in your step?"
He looked his guars over.
"You can search all you like, but I'm afraid you won't find what you're looking for. All I've got are some construction supplies, some clothing, a few books, alchemical necessities, a weapon or three, and a little bit of drink that you'll find is perfectly legal. Oh, and my Census and Excise documentation. Would never forget that."
Apelles Velvus, Balmora
"Well, we'll see about that."
They both stood there silently for a couple of minutes while the Armigers searched through the bags. Finally, after all the materials in them had been examined, one of them spoke.
"Well, we've searched everything, but we didn't find anything illegal."
Apelles's eyes widened with shock. "WHAT!? That's impossible!"
The Armiger shrugged. "All we found was exactly what he said was in there."
"Let me see..." He stormed over to the guars and took one of the bags. Desperately, he rummaged through it, taking things out and searching for interior pockets. He got down on his hands and knees and searched the guar itself for hidden bags. But he was a scout, not a customs agent. He found nothing.
"Impossible..." he gasped, his face flushed with anger and embarrassment. Then, he got to his feet and turned back toward Heleran, who had an ill-concealed smug grin plastered across his face. "You...you won't get away with this! I'll be watching you!"
One of the Armigers brushed him aside, apologizing profusely for the inconvenience. Meanwhile, Apelles stormed back toward the south wall clearance, to an area away from the other escorts, who were now staring at him with looks of suspicion and puzzlement on their faces.
"Well, we'll see about that."
They both stood there silently for a couple of minutes while the Armigers searched through the bags. Finally, after all the materials in them had been examined, one of them spoke.
"Well, we've searched everything, but we didn't find anything illegal."
Apelles's eyes widened with shock. "WHAT!? That's impossible!"
The Armiger shrugged. "All we found was exactly what he said was in there."
"Let me see..." He stormed over to the guars and took one of the bags. Desperately, he rummaged through it, taking things out and searching for interior pockets. He got down on his hands and knees and searched the guar itself for hidden bags. But he was a scout, not a customs agent. He found nothing.
"Impossible..." he gasped, his face flushed with anger and embarrassment. Then, he got to his feet and turned back toward Heleran, who had an ill-concealed smug grin plastered across his face. "You...you won't get away with this! I'll be watching you!"
One of the Armigers brushed him aside, apologizing profusely for the inconvenience. Meanwhile, Apelles stormed back toward the south wall clearance, to an area away from the other escorts, who were now staring at him with looks of suspicion and puzzlement on their faces.
Dranas Heleran, Balmora
Dranas smiled, allowed himself a little chuckle, and began to re-pack, re-secure, and re-balance his cargo.
It was a chore, but with a little help from one of the armigers he managed to get his load squared away and cinched back down within fifteen minutes. Afterwards he sat down upon a convenient crate and chewed on a bit of hackle-lo to decompress, coming down from the high of deception, the only high he really needed. He laughed once more, louder.
Investing in those swords with the hollowed-out hilts and the big ebony mace with the screw-on head, he thought, had been an excellent decision.
Dranas smiled, allowed himself a little chuckle, and began to re-pack, re-secure, and re-balance his cargo.
It was a chore, but with a little help from one of the armigers he managed to get his load squared away and cinched back down within fifteen minutes. Afterwards he sat down upon a convenient crate and chewed on a bit of hackle-lo to decompress, coming down from the high of deception, the only high he really needed. He laughed once more, louder.
Investing in those swords with the hollowed-out hilts and the big ebony mace with the screw-on head, he thought, had been an excellent decision.
Haz Andrethi.
"Ah, the pilgrim." Haz said nothing, as was his custom, while the clerk made broad gestures towards a tired looking Guar.
"I swear, that thing looks as if its days are numbered already. Just look at its toes, all dry and withered, not strong like the others." The Argonian thought and realized that the clerk had just ripped him off just because he wouldn't be able to complain with his vow of silence. It gave him a distinct and unpleasant taste in the back of his throat. Dunmer, such despicable creatures.
"And I'm supposed to accept this?" Haz hissed angrily. The clerk looked at him with a mixture of surprise and disgust at the casual breaking of a vow of silence.
"Excuse me? Weren't you travelling under a vow of..." The 'pilgrim' interupted the man's words by stepping forward, tearing away the scarf covering his face in the process.
"Look at me, you pest! See the face of your ancient enemy! You thought you were dealing with a dimwitted, overly polite pilgrim who couldn't talk? Hah, I am a proud child of Argonia! I don't accept foul play from anyone, especially a Dunmer. You have just given me a Guar that will die before the end of the third day, unless we walk so slow, the caravan won't arrive within a month! I should kill you for this..."
His hand shot out and clenched around the Dunmer's throat.
"And in fact, I think I will." He licked his lips and watched with sick pleasure how the man twitched in his grasp, breathing out his last breath.
"It's already made the journey twice before and is so docile, even a baby could handle it! There is no Guar friendlier than this one in all of Vvardenfell, I assure you. As is our custom, everything you've requested has already been packed. Well then, it was a pleasure serving you." Haz was pulled away from his pleasant fantasy. While he had been daydreaming, the clerk had rambled on about the qualities of his new pet.
"If that Guar dies, I'll just write a letter of complaint. I may not be able to kill you without endangering your mission, but at least I can destroy your career, from beyond the grave."
He didn't say a word in reply, just nodded and took the reins. True to the clerk's words, the Guar didn't struggle. But then again, it didn't exactly help either. It just let itself be dragged wherever its handler wanted to go, apparantly without even perceiving its surroundings. The Argonian waved a hand in front of its eyes and it didn't even blink.
"Great, this beast is blind! Docile or not, if I have to lead it around every single pebble on the road, it's a pure rip-off."
Fortunately for his strained patience, the people of Balmora gave him and his Guar a wide berth, as they did with everyone else handling a Guar. Probably to avoid a sudden stampede, stepping in a Guar's dung or simply the smell. The only thing remotely interesting that Haz noticed on his way to the caravan was a pair of Armigers, under the lead of an impossibly pale Dunmer, who were searching the goods of a traveller.
"A routine investigation?" He thought, realizing that it could be trouble. His disguise was as perfect as could be, but it would not stand up to any investigation where he would be searched physically.
However, as luck would have it, the pale one began to throw a tantrum, distracting his comrades. Haz merely walked passed, showing as little interest as everyone else. No one searched him.
OOC: In case I was a bit confusing. The bit where Haz starts ranting and murders the clerk was his daydream. In reality, he just silently listened while the clerk was holding his sales-speech.
"Ah, the pilgrim." Haz said nothing, as was his custom, while the clerk made broad gestures towards a tired looking Guar.
"I swear, that thing looks as if its days are numbered already. Just look at its toes, all dry and withered, not strong like the others." The Argonian thought and realized that the clerk had just ripped him off just because he wouldn't be able to complain with his vow of silence. It gave him a distinct and unpleasant taste in the back of his throat. Dunmer, such despicable creatures.
"And I'm supposed to accept this?" Haz hissed angrily. The clerk looked at him with a mixture of surprise and disgust at the casual breaking of a vow of silence.
"Excuse me? Weren't you travelling under a vow of..." The 'pilgrim' interupted the man's words by stepping forward, tearing away the scarf covering his face in the process.
"Look at me, you pest! See the face of your ancient enemy! You thought you were dealing with a dimwitted, overly polite pilgrim who couldn't talk? Hah, I am a proud child of Argonia! I don't accept foul play from anyone, especially a Dunmer. You have just given me a Guar that will die before the end of the third day, unless we walk so slow, the caravan won't arrive within a month! I should kill you for this..."
His hand shot out and clenched around the Dunmer's throat.
"And in fact, I think I will." He licked his lips and watched with sick pleasure how the man twitched in his grasp, breathing out his last breath.
"It's already made the journey twice before and is so docile, even a baby could handle it! There is no Guar friendlier than this one in all of Vvardenfell, I assure you. As is our custom, everything you've requested has already been packed. Well then, it was a pleasure serving you." Haz was pulled away from his pleasant fantasy. While he had been daydreaming, the clerk had rambled on about the qualities of his new pet.
"If that Guar dies, I'll just write a letter of complaint. I may not be able to kill you without endangering your mission, but at least I can destroy your career, from beyond the grave."
He didn't say a word in reply, just nodded and took the reins. True to the clerk's words, the Guar didn't struggle. But then again, it didn't exactly help either. It just let itself be dragged wherever its handler wanted to go, apparantly without even perceiving its surroundings. The Argonian waved a hand in front of its eyes and it didn't even blink.
"Great, this beast is blind! Docile or not, if I have to lead it around every single pebble on the road, it's a pure rip-off."
Fortunately for his strained patience, the people of Balmora gave him and his Guar a wide berth, as they did with everyone else handling a Guar. Probably to avoid a sudden stampede, stepping in a Guar's dung or simply the smell. The only thing remotely interesting that Haz noticed on his way to the caravan was a pair of Armigers, under the lead of an impossibly pale Dunmer, who were searching the goods of a traveller.
"A routine investigation?" He thought, realizing that it could be trouble. His disguise was as perfect as could be, but it would not stand up to any investigation where he would be searched physically.
However, as luck would have it, the pale one began to throw a tantrum, distracting his comrades. Haz merely walked passed, showing as little interest as everyone else. No one searched him.
OOC: In case I was a bit confusing. The bit where Haz starts ranting and murders the clerk was his daydream. In reality, he just silently listened while the clerk was holding his sales-speech.
Rianne, at the Guar-rental site, Balmora
It was finally her turn.
"I would like to rent a Pack-guar" she said politely to the attendant, a grumpy elderly dunmer who didn't even look at her.
"hrrmmpff" he grunted, then he looked up at her face and a smiled scornfully at her
"Pah, you're not joining the caravan, are you? No women allowed I heard"
"In fact that is just what I'm doing, so would you please let me rent one" Rianne answered, getting a tad annoyed of his rudeness.
"Hm...let's see" he scratched his head and studied the ledger in from of him, then an evil grin emerged on his face and he addresed her:
"Ok, then, you can have Morrie, that's the one to the far left" he said pointing at a group of four Guars standing a bit to the side. He laughed, and it was not a kind laugh
"Morrie, is that it's name? Rianne asked
"Hehe, nah, it's Morgiah really, but we call her Morrie, she will be perfect for ya, that will be 10 goldpieces"
Rianne nodded, gave the man the gold and went towards the animals. She was convinced there would be something weird about this, but decided to remain her low profile and not cause any scene.
The Guar gave her a mean look and shook her big head vigorously as Rianne approached. It looked angry and somewhat scared.
Rianne stopped a few yards in front of her and stood absolutely still. Then she started to sing, not loud but rather suggestive. The Guar stopped her violent movements after a couple of minutes and stared at the young Ashlander woman.
Rianne approached slowly, still singing, and stretched out her hand. The Guar stood absolutely still. After another while Rianne could touch her and so she did.
"Why Morrie, don't be scared, I wish you no harm, I just need you to help me with these sacks you know, hmm, it's not so bad is it? We will be friends you know, I will take care of you"
She offered Morrie a heap of green leaves, and she took them out of her hands. It was no problems for Rianne to gently place her two sacks on the animal's back.
"Come on Morrie, let's get out of this crowd" she whispered to the animal and both of them wandered away, nice and slow.
"Well I'll be damned!" The guar rental man outburst, dropping his jaw.
Rianne didn't answer, she just looked back at him with a faint smile
You thought you had me there old dirty scum, but I have powers you can't imagine
Rianne and Morrie went over to where the other caravaners were waiting, hoping Dralas wouls soon show up, she was getting pretty hungry by now.
It was finally her turn.
"I would like to rent a Pack-guar" she said politely to the attendant, a grumpy elderly dunmer who didn't even look at her.
"hrrmmpff" he grunted, then he looked up at her face and a smiled scornfully at her
"Pah, you're not joining the caravan, are you? No women allowed I heard"
"In fact that is just what I'm doing, so would you please let me rent one" Rianne answered, getting a tad annoyed of his rudeness.
"Hm...let's see" he scratched his head and studied the ledger in from of him, then an evil grin emerged on his face and he addresed her:
"Ok, then, you can have Morrie, that's the one to the far left" he said pointing at a group of four Guars standing a bit to the side. He laughed, and it was not a kind laugh
"Morrie, is that it's name? Rianne asked
"Hehe, nah, it's Morgiah really, but we call her Morrie, she will be perfect for ya, that will be 10 goldpieces"
Rianne nodded, gave the man the gold and went towards the animals. She was convinced there would be something weird about this, but decided to remain her low profile and not cause any scene.
The Guar gave her a mean look and shook her big head vigorously as Rianne approached. It looked angry and somewhat scared.
Rianne stopped a few yards in front of her and stood absolutely still. Then she started to sing, not loud but rather suggestive. The Guar stopped her violent movements after a couple of minutes and stared at the young Ashlander woman.
Rianne approached slowly, still singing, and stretched out her hand. The Guar stood absolutely still. After another while Rianne could touch her and so she did.
"Why Morrie, don't be scared, I wish you no harm, I just need you to help me with these sacks you know, hmm, it's not so bad is it? We will be friends you know, I will take care of you"
She offered Morrie a heap of green leaves, and she took them out of her hands. It was no problems for Rianne to gently place her two sacks on the animal's back.
"Come on Morrie, let's get out of this crowd" she whispered to the animal and both of them wandered away, nice and slow.
"Well I'll be damned!" The guar rental man outburst, dropping his jaw.
Rianne didn't answer, she just looked back at him with a faint smile
You thought you had me there old dirty scum, but I have powers you can't imagine
Rianne and Morrie went over to where the other caravaners were waiting, hoping Dralas wouls soon show up, she was getting pretty hungry by now.
Erna Rahnis
Erna's victim struggled against him, but the hand clamped against his mouth was relentlessly strong, the knife's point still aimed expertly at the man's side.
"Just be quiet, and you might live," Erna hissed. "What I want you do is to get your papers, slowly. Any sudden moves and you'll be a corpse."
The dark elf mutely nodded and reached into his pocket, withdrawing a few papers with shaking hands.
"Anything else?" Erna asked.
Practically weeping, the dark elf shook his head.
"Good, good," Erna said. "You know that I said you might live?"
A nod.
"I lied."
Erna's victim struggled against him, but the hand clamped against his mouth was relentlessly strong, the knife's point still aimed expertly at the man's side.
"Just be quiet, and you might live," Erna hissed. "What I want you do is to get your papers, slowly. Any sudden moves and you'll be a corpse."
The dark elf mutely nodded and reached into his pocket, withdrawing a few papers with shaking hands.
"Anything else?" Erna asked.
Practically weeping, the dark elf shook his head.
"Good, good," Erna said. "You know that I said you might live?"
A nod.
"I lied."
Naaro had woken up early after he went back to the cornerclub for sleep.
Being one of the first to get his supplies and the single Guar he needed, which turned out to be a very obedient one. The grumpy old Dunmer that had helped him was seemingly a bit reluctant to hand it over to Naaro after the sharp eyes of the younger Dunmer had picked it out - to him, it seemed like the best Guar of the bunch. Healthy, young, strong. Nothing wrong with it's behavior either.
The two sacks of supplies hung on the Guar's side, one on each, along with one bag of Naaro's own clothes and other artifacts he would be taking along. Naaro had settled down for the time being at the edge of the other waiting caravanners, just to be sure.
He had been balancing the bags as best as he could when he heard the old Dunmer exclaim something. He turned his head to see the wrinkled face express disbelief, so Naaro followed his gaze and ended up at a young Dunmer woman, walking towards the group.
Naaro chuckled under his breath and shifted one bag further up. His Guar grunted in relief - finally, the balance was good. Naaro patted the creature on it's large head, absent minded, searching for the young woman again. He spotted her with relative ease, eyeing her for a few seconds before sitting down on the hard ground, looking around, waiting for the caravan to leave.
Being one of the first to get his supplies and the single Guar he needed, which turned out to be a very obedient one. The grumpy old Dunmer that had helped him was seemingly a bit reluctant to hand it over to Naaro after the sharp eyes of the younger Dunmer had picked it out - to him, it seemed like the best Guar of the bunch. Healthy, young, strong. Nothing wrong with it's behavior either.
The two sacks of supplies hung on the Guar's side, one on each, along with one bag of Naaro's own clothes and other artifacts he would be taking along. Naaro had settled down for the time being at the edge of the other waiting caravanners, just to be sure.
He had been balancing the bags as best as he could when he heard the old Dunmer exclaim something. He turned his head to see the wrinkled face express disbelief, so Naaro followed his gaze and ended up at a young Dunmer woman, walking towards the group.
Naaro chuckled under his breath and shifted one bag further up. His Guar grunted in relief - finally, the balance was good. Naaro patted the creature on it's large head, absent minded, searching for the young woman again. He spotted her with relative ease, eyeing her for a few seconds before sitting down on the hard ground, looking around, waiting for the caravan to leave.
Eno Arval, meeting point
As he moved closer to the convoy, he noticed that a flock of Armigers were buzzing about telling people where to go.
"You there!" One called and waved the Dunmer over.
"Yes, how can I help you?" Eno asked politely.
"Let's see...we'll put you in the rear, on the left flank for today. Which is over there. Please get your Guar into position and then wait for further instructions." The Armiger said after a short silence. He then instantly ran off to stop a Guar from biting another's tail. Eno chuckled at the scene and gently pushed his own beast to the designated spot.
As he moved closer to the convoy, he noticed that a flock of Armigers were buzzing about telling people where to go.
"You there!" One called and waved the Dunmer over.
"Yes, how can I help you?" Eno asked politely.
"Let's see...we'll put you in the rear, on the left flank for today. Which is over there. Please get your Guar into position and then wait for further instructions." The Armiger said after a short silence. He then instantly ran off to stop a Guar from biting another's tail. Eno chuckled at the scene and gently pushed his own beast to the designated spot.
Rothan
Rothan gave the seller a couple of coins and added the sticky sweetmeats to his pack. The caravan was taking longer than he'd expected to get itself organised and he'd looked at what the various hawkers were selling. Most of it was rubbish and he didn't want to add much weight to his pack so other than food he'd not bought anything. He wandered back towards the meeting point and was pleased to see some form of order among the crowds of milling people and stinking guar.
Near the back he spotted the mer, Eno if he remembered right, who he'd sat with in the bar the previous evening. He hurried through the throng towards him.
"Morning," he called.
Rothan gave the seller a couple of coins and added the sticky sweetmeats to his pack. The caravan was taking longer than he'd expected to get itself organised and he'd looked at what the various hawkers were selling. Most of it was rubbish and he didn't want to add much weight to his pack so other than food he'd not bought anything. He wandered back towards the meeting point and was pleased to see some form of order among the crowds of milling people and stinking guar.
Near the back he spotted the mer, Eno if he remembered right, who he'd sat with in the bar the previous evening. He hurried through the throng towards him.
"Morning," he called.
Erna Rahnis
Erna wiped the blood off his knife, disposed of the body quickly and quietly and left the alley, his newly acquired Guar in tow. Whistling happily, he headed towards the gathering point.
It was already busy, a few officials trying to get everyone together and in some semblance of order. Erna stood there for a moment, revelling in the sheer disorganised chaos of the place, before a rather harassed looking clerk ordered him to the back of the column. Taking his guar with him, Erna headed over at a nonchalant pace, not really caring whether he made a nuisance of himself or not.
He reached his place next to a young woman, dressed in what seemed to be ashlander clothes. He'd encountered ashlanders before, and found them disappointingly resistant to his own ideals. But still, it would be nice to have some conversation with somebody on the journey.
"Morning," he said. "Good one for travelling, isn't it?"
OOC: He's talking to Rianne, by the way.
Erna wiped the blood off his knife, disposed of the body quickly and quietly and left the alley, his newly acquired Guar in tow. Whistling happily, he headed towards the gathering point.
It was already busy, a few officials trying to get everyone together and in some semblance of order. Erna stood there for a moment, revelling in the sheer disorganised chaos of the place, before a rather harassed looking clerk ordered him to the back of the column. Taking his guar with him, Erna headed over at a nonchalant pace, not really caring whether he made a nuisance of himself or not.
He reached his place next to a young woman, dressed in what seemed to be ashlander clothes. He'd encountered ashlanders before, and found them disappointingly resistant to his own ideals. But still, it would be nice to have some conversation with somebody on the journey.
"Morning," he said. "Good one for travelling, isn't it?"
OOC: He's talking to Rianne, by the way.
Rianne, Balmora
When Rianne finally got to the waiting-area there were quite a few people there, their looks were merely curious, not hostile as she almost have anticipated. Ashlandes were not so poular and she was aware of that she couldn't hide what she was despite the big shirt she wore. It was quite warm and nice and with a broad leather belt wrapped around her waist it almost looked good on her.
A man greeted her good morning and being a well brought-up woman she smiled at him and nodded.
"Good morning to you Sera"
She then was aware how hungry she was and took out bread and cheese for breakfast, looking at the man beside her she offered him of her food, in fact hoping he wouldn't take all, because she really was starving
"Can I offer you something to eat?" she asked politely, whe she noticed another man giving her rather friendly looks so she gave him a smile as well
Where the hell is Dralas???
OOC: She's trying to be as friendly as she can to both Erna and Naaro...
When Rianne finally got to the waiting-area there were quite a few people there, their looks were merely curious, not hostile as she almost have anticipated. Ashlandes were not so poular and she was aware of that she couldn't hide what she was despite the big shirt she wore. It was quite warm and nice and with a broad leather belt wrapped around her waist it almost looked good on her.
A man greeted her good morning and being a well brought-up woman she smiled at him and nodded.
"Good morning to you Sera"
She then was aware how hungry she was and took out bread and cheese for breakfast, looking at the man beside her she offered him of her food, in fact hoping he wouldn't take all, because she really was starving
"Can I offer you something to eat?" she asked politely, whe she noticed another man giving her rather friendly looks so she gave him a smile as well
Where the hell is Dralas???
OOC: She's trying to be as friendly as she can to both Erna and Naaro...
Eno Arval, ya know the place
Eno was slightly surprised upon seeing Rothan. Oh, not because of him being in the caravan, but to see him here with him in the back. He'd thought that a priest would be admitted to the forward ranks, where all the official people were...as well as the largest group of armigers to protect it.
"Ah well, it is not my place to question things like that. Besides, I don't mind the company." He mentally shrugged.
"Ah, morning. Had a good rest, I hope?"
Eno was slightly surprised upon seeing Rothan. Oh, not because of him being in the caravan, but to see him here with him in the back. He'd thought that a priest would be admitted to the forward ranks, where all the official people were...as well as the largest group of armigers to protect it.
"Ah well, it is not my place to question things like that. Besides, I don't mind the company." He mentally shrugged.
"Ah, morning. Had a good rest, I hope?"
Erna Rahnis
"I'll be fine, thanks," Erna said after the ashlander girl offered him some food-he didn't usually need to eat much. He extended a hand in greeting. "Erna Rahnis."
"Rianne," she replied shaking it.
"I must say," Erna said. "I don't see many ashlanders in the towns around these parts. "What brings you here?"
"I'll be fine, thanks," Erna said after the ashlander girl offered him some food-he didn't usually need to eat much. He extended a hand in greeting. "Erna Rahnis."
"Rianne," she replied shaking it.
"I must say," Erna said. "I don't see many ashlanders in the towns around these parts. "What brings you here?"
OOC: Rianne doesn't usually mention her last name, not to unknown ppl anyway, so I took the liberty of editing it out in your post Beanie!
Rianne, Balmora, waiting for departure
She looked at Erna, trying to figure out if she could trust him, and decided to keep a low profile, just for security reasons
Smiling she responded:
"Well, I'm on a kind of pilgrimage" she said vaguely, "it's a tribal custom, I'm trying to figure out who I am and what my destination will be"
She took a sip from her water-bottle and stared thoughtfully out in the air
Who is he? it's something about him that worries me And where is Dralas? I think I'll have to go and look for him if he doesn't show up soon
"Excuse me , Sera but what brings you here?"
Rianne, Balmora, waiting for departure
She looked at Erna, trying to figure out if she could trust him, and decided to keep a low profile, just for security reasons
Smiling she responded:
"Well, I'm on a kind of pilgrimage" she said vaguely, "it's a tribal custom, I'm trying to figure out who I am and what my destination will be"
She took a sip from her water-bottle and stared thoughtfully out in the air
Who is he? it's something about him that worries me And where is Dralas? I think I'll have to go and look for him if he doesn't show up soon
"Excuse me , Sera but what brings you here?"
Rothan, Departure Area, with Eno
"Good enough, good enough," replied Rothan, "I wouldn't mind being off sooner rather than later, but such are things with so many people. How was your rest?" If the wreckage around the Eight Plates was anything to go by he doubted it had been great.
He put his pack on the ground as he spoke and pulled out a strip of scrib jerky and began to chew the salty, if slightly bitter, meat. Eno's guar shuffled at its smell.
"Good enough, good enough," replied Rothan, "I wouldn't mind being off sooner rather than later, but such are things with so many people. How was your rest?" If the wreckage around the Eight Plates was anything to go by he doubted it had been great.
He put his pack on the ground as he spoke and pulled out a strip of scrib jerky and began to chew the salty, if slightly bitter, meat. Eno's guar shuffled at its smell.
Erna Rahnis
"Me?" Erna said nonchalantly. "I'm a merchant myself. Seeing if there's a market for my goods at the construction site."
"What do you sell?" Rianne asked. "I can't see any goods on you?"
"Answers," Erna elusively replied.
"What does that mean?"
"I'm a fortune teller," Erna replied.
"So you tell a gullible fool what they want to hear?" Rianne said, frowning in dissaproval.
"For five gold coins, yes," Erna said. "For fifty, I tell them what really will happen. You want a freebie? You Ahemmusa always love to share?"
"How did you...?" Rianne began to ask, before being cut off.
"Knack of mine," Erna replied. He placed his finger's on Rianne's temples before she could stop him, and closed his eyes. "Now let's begin."
OOC: I'm leaving the prophecy down to you Minque. Give me something good.
"Me?" Erna said nonchalantly. "I'm a merchant myself. Seeing if there's a market for my goods at the construction site."
"What do you sell?" Rianne asked. "I can't see any goods on you?"
"Answers," Erna elusively replied.
"What does that mean?"
"I'm a fortune teller," Erna replied.
"So you tell a gullible fool what they want to hear?" Rianne said, frowning in dissaproval.
"For five gold coins, yes," Erna said. "For fifty, I tell them what really will happen. You want a freebie? You Ahemmusa always love to share?"
"How did you...?" Rianne began to ask, before being cut off.
"Knack of mine," Erna replied. He placed his finger's on Rianne's temples before she could stop him, and closed his eyes. "Now let's begin."
OOC: I'm leaving the prophecy down to you Minque. Give me something good.
OOC: it's no big deal or anything, but its a rule of thumb here to avoid speaking/acting for other PCs
Dralas
After dunking his head in cold water and dressing himself, Dralas left the inn with his belongings. The streets were even busier now than the day before, but he had no trouble walking; most people avoided him and made a path. He assumed by their stares that they weren't used to ashlanders. It made him uneasy, but he couldn't complain since he was in a hurry.
He picked up his two sacks of Temple-owned materials. They were heavy, but not impossible to carry. Dralas was glad for that, since he had no money for a guar.
He waited on the bench for the caravan to leave while he chewed hackle-lo and kept an eye out for Rianne.
Dralas
After dunking his head in cold water and dressing himself, Dralas left the inn with his belongings. The streets were even busier now than the day before, but he had no trouble walking; most people avoided him and made a path. He assumed by their stares that they weren't used to ashlanders. It made him uneasy, but he couldn't complain since he was in a hurry.
He picked up his two sacks of Temple-owned materials. They were heavy, but not impossible to carry. Dralas was glad for that, since he had no money for a guar.
He waited on the bench for the caravan to leave while he chewed hackle-lo and kept an eye out for Rianne.
Eno Arval
"I have experienced better nights and worse ones. Let's just say last night was leaning towards the worse end of the scale and leave it at that." Eno replied casually and with a wry grin. He noticed his Guar's response to the meat Rothan was holding and patted the beast's bulbous head.
"Hungry, aren't you? Which reminds me that I haven't had breakfast yet myself. But nevermind, a good handler always treats his animal before he treats himself, that's what mother always said. So let's see if there's anything for you in one of these bags, alright?" Saying that, Eno opened a random bag and took out what appeared to be a sort of large bisquit wrapped in paper.
"Err...I believe this is for me. Maybe another bag? What do they feed you anyway?"
OOC: Yeah, I have no idea whether or not Guar's are herbivores or carnivores. I'm leaning herbivore though.
"I have experienced better nights and worse ones. Let's just say last night was leaning towards the worse end of the scale and leave it at that." Eno replied casually and with a wry grin. He noticed his Guar's response to the meat Rothan was holding and patted the beast's bulbous head.
"Hungry, aren't you? Which reminds me that I haven't had breakfast yet myself. But nevermind, a good handler always treats his animal before he treats himself, that's what mother always said. So let's see if there's anything for you in one of these bags, alright?" Saying that, Eno opened a random bag and took out what appeared to be a sort of large bisquit wrapped in paper.
"Err...I believe this is for me. Maybe another bag? What do they feed you anyway?"
OOC: Yeah, I have no idea whether or not Guar's are herbivores or carnivores. I'm leaning herbivore though.
Rothan
"Sorry, I should have offered you something," said Rothan, "I bought more food than I can eat this morning and some of it will go off. Do you like..." he raked though his bag, "devilled hound meat? Or... some sort of cake I think." He pulled out a slice of something rather squashed.
He looked at the guar which grunted at him but didn't make any move this time.
OOC: I'd say guar's are omnivorous, they seem quite keen to make a meal of any passing Nerevarines in game but as tame pack animals must be fairly herbivorous.
"Sorry, I should have offered you something," said Rothan, "I bought more food than I can eat this morning and some of it will go off. Do you like..." he raked though his bag, "devilled hound meat? Or... some sort of cake I think." He pulled out a slice of something rather squashed.
He looked at the guar which grunted at him but didn't make any move this time.
OOC: I'd say guar's are omnivorous, they seem quite keen to make a meal of any passing Nerevarines in game but as tame pack animals must be fairly herbivorous.
QUOTE(Dantrag @ Feb 1 2009, 09:35 PM) 
OOC: it's no big deal or anything, but its a rule of thumb here to avoid speaking/acting for other PCs
[
OOC: Yes, it's like Danny says....now in this case it's ok because Rianne could have said something like that, but I would like to speak for her myself, m'kay? No offense!
Rianne, Balmora
She looked at Erna shaking her head...then she spotted a familiar figure and a broad smile emerged on her face..
"I think the answer I was looking for just arrived!!" she said happily. The she jumped on her feet, in a not very Ashlandish way and started waving her hands at a tall figure who just slumped himself on a bench on the other side of the aquare
"Dralas!!! Over here! Where the heck have you been?
Jeez Ree, think about your manners, Sinnamu Mirpal wouldn't have approved of you shouting out loud in public
But Rianne didn't actually care...Dralas was one of the few which she had no uneasy premonitions about...so far
OOC: Sorry about that then Minque. This is my very first RP, so I'm still a little unfamiliar with all the protocol involved. I'll make note of that for future reference.
Erna glanced at the figure approaching him and Rianne. So, the ashlander girl had a boy in tow. He was disappointed that he couldn't ply his 'trade,' and scare the girl a little, but he could live.
Erna nodded a nonchalant greeting to the boy on the other side of the square.
"So," he asked. "Who's this then?"
Erna glanced at the figure approaching him and Rianne. So, the ashlander girl had a boy in tow. He was disappointed that he couldn't ply his 'trade,' and scare the girl a little, but he could live.
Erna nodded a nonchalant greeting to the boy on the other side of the square.
"So," he asked. "Who's this then?"
Eno Arval, yada yada
"Ah, there we go. This looks like grass to me. That should do it." Eno muttered and held a handfull in front of the Guar's mouth. The animal sniffed at it and then began to eat from the Dunmer's hand.
"Ah well, truth be said. I was planning on trying out my own rations for breakfast. It's all we're going to eat for the next few days, so I thought I might as well get used to it. Anyway, half a bisquit for half a cake? They're about the same size." He said, half-turning to the priest.
OOC: I'll do Haz later. Either tonight or tomorrow.
"Ah, there we go. This looks like grass to me. That should do it." Eno muttered and held a handfull in front of the Guar's mouth. The animal sniffed at it and then began to eat from the Dunmer's hand.
"Ah well, truth be said. I was planning on trying out my own rations for breakfast. It's all we're going to eat for the next few days, so I thought I might as well get used to it. Anyway, half a bisquit for half a cake? They're about the same size." He said, half-turning to the priest.
OOC: I'll do Haz later. Either tonight or tomorrow.
Rothan
Rothan nodded and tore the cake in two. He gave Eno the less squashed half and took half the biscuit in return. It was fairly hard and like most traveller's biscuits it was very dry, he put a bit of the scrib jerky on it and took a bite.
"Mmmm," he said then swallowed, "These are nice and fresh, I can't imagine they'll be so good once we get there though." He put the cake back in his bag, the mixture of sweet and savoury didn't appeal. "How long are you planning on staying at the outpost for?"
Closer to the gate other travellers were almost in place, a knot of armigers still sat to one side but they looked like they were gathering their weapons ready to go to whatever point they were to guard.
OOC: I took the liberty of assuming it was a tack biscuit. I can edit if you wanted it to be a different type.
Rothan nodded and tore the cake in two. He gave Eno the less squashed half and took half the biscuit in return. It was fairly hard and like most traveller's biscuits it was very dry, he put a bit of the scrib jerky on it and took a bite.
"Mmmm," he said then swallowed, "These are nice and fresh, I can't imagine they'll be so good once we get there though." He put the cake back in his bag, the mixture of sweet and savoury didn't appeal. "How long are you planning on staying at the outpost for?"
Closer to the gate other travellers were almost in place, a knot of armigers still sat to one side but they looked like they were gathering their weapons ready to go to whatever point they were to guard.
OOC: I took the liberty of assuming it was a tack biscuit. I can edit if you wanted it to be a different type.
Haz, same place as everyone.
"By the Tribunal, look who it is!" The Armiger in charge of lining up the Guars laughed. Instinctively, Haz shifted into a more alert state, evidenced by a nearly imperceptible lifting of his head.
"I can't believe it, they managed to dump old eyeless on someone again!" The Armiger continued.
"Well, it wasn't by choice. But it's not exactly easy to protest if you're not allowed to talk...or break things." Haz thought.
"Alright, pilgrim. We'll place you all the way at the back. Then at least we won't get a massive pile-up if that old beast trips over a pebble." The man decided once he'd finished laughing. Haz shrugged and dragged the blind nuisance to its place in the convoy.
Eno Arval
"Thank you." Eno said as he took the cake and tried it.
"Hmm, not bad at all, as far as travel rations go. Anyway, I haven't really thought about it that much yet. Long enough to ply my trade and look around, so I'll be there for the better part of a week at least. Then, I won't be able to leave unless it is with a convoy, so in part my time of departure relies on others." He said after a moment.
"I mean, going to Ghostgate on my own is foolish, coming back from it alone would naturally be foolish as well."
Seemingly without warning, one of the Armigers burst out in laughter. Eno looked at the scene over his shoulder and then shook his head.
"Oh dear, we haven't left yet and already there are complications. A blind Guar? Still, it's rather rude to laugh about it."
OOC: I hadn't thought further than 'it's a biscuit', so whatever you say is fine with me.
"By the Tribunal, look who it is!" The Armiger in charge of lining up the Guars laughed. Instinctively, Haz shifted into a more alert state, evidenced by a nearly imperceptible lifting of his head.
"I can't believe it, they managed to dump old eyeless on someone again!" The Armiger continued.
"Well, it wasn't by choice. But it's not exactly easy to protest if you're not allowed to talk...or break things." Haz thought.
"Alright, pilgrim. We'll place you all the way at the back. Then at least we won't get a massive pile-up if that old beast trips over a pebble." The man decided once he'd finished laughing. Haz shrugged and dragged the blind nuisance to its place in the convoy.
Eno Arval
"Thank you." Eno said as he took the cake and tried it.
"Hmm, not bad at all, as far as travel rations go. Anyway, I haven't really thought about it that much yet. Long enough to ply my trade and look around, so I'll be there for the better part of a week at least. Then, I won't be able to leave unless it is with a convoy, so in part my time of departure relies on others." He said after a moment.
"I mean, going to Ghostgate on my own is foolish, coming back from it alone would naturally be foolish as well."
Seemingly without warning, one of the Armigers burst out in laughter. Eno looked at the scene over his shoulder and then shook his head.
"Oh dear, we haven't left yet and already there are complications. A blind Guar? Still, it's rather rude to laugh about it."
OOC: I hadn't thought further than 'it's a biscuit', so whatever you say is fine with me.
Dranas Heleran, Balmora
Drana idly chewed on a tough strip of scrib jerky as he waited near the front of the pack train with his two guars. He kept an eye out for Apelles Velvius--certainly Velvius would be keeping an eye on him. It was, he thought, an unfortunate situation. Were it not for the Cyrodiil his troubles would be limited to keeping an eye on his stuff and sniffing out potential customers.
There was a bit of commotion at the back of line. Dranas noticed an armiger pointing at laughing at some shrouded fellow leading a blind guar. Dranas wasn't nearly as amused--shroud often meant pilgrim, and pilgrims were bad for business. Hopefully, he thought, there wouldn't be too many of the devout in camp.
Drana idly chewed on a tough strip of scrib jerky as he waited near the front of the pack train with his two guars. He kept an eye out for Apelles Velvius--certainly Velvius would be keeping an eye on him. It was, he thought, an unfortunate situation. Were it not for the Cyrodiil his troubles would be limited to keeping an eye on his stuff and sniffing out potential customers.
There was a bit of commotion at the back of line. Dranas noticed an armiger pointing at laughing at some shrouded fellow leading a blind guar. Dranas wasn't nearly as amused--shroud often meant pilgrim, and pilgrims were bad for business. Hopefully, he thought, there wouldn't be too many of the devout in camp.
Dralas, Balmora
After Rianne caught his attention, he headed that way with Temple supplies in hand. He stopped in his tracks, however, when an Armiger stood on a stack of crates and shouted.
"Attention all travellers! The caravan heading to Ghostgate will be leaving momentarily. I am to remind you that you are ultimately responsible for the Temple's materials that you carry, and you may be fined for their loss. You are to obey all Armigers and other escorts on the journey, and I don't want to see any trouble from any of you. There is enough of that in the wilderness. All that said, wrap up any business you may have right now and make your way to the city gate. We are leaving in five."
Dralas went over to Rianne when the Armiger stepped down.
"I guess that's it then," he said, just now realizing that someone else was there too.
He extended his hand like he'd seen other people do when introducing themselves, "Dralas," he said to the stranger.
OOC: tried to speed things up a lil
After Rianne caught his attention, he headed that way with Temple supplies in hand. He stopped in his tracks, however, when an Armiger stood on a stack of crates and shouted.
"Attention all travellers! The caravan heading to Ghostgate will be leaving momentarily. I am to remind you that you are ultimately responsible for the Temple's materials that you carry, and you may be fined for their loss. You are to obey all Armigers and other escorts on the journey, and I don't want to see any trouble from any of you. There is enough of that in the wilderness. All that said, wrap up any business you may have right now and make your way to the city gate. We are leaving in five."
Dralas went over to Rianne when the Armiger stepped down.
"I guess that's it then," he said, just now realizing that someone else was there too.
He extended his hand like he'd seen other people do when introducing themselves, "Dralas," he said to the stranger.
OOC: tried to speed things up a lil
Rianne
She heard the Armiger's proclamation with a slight twist in her stomach. Ok so now it was time, al last they would be on their way...soon. Good...she smiled, not so much at the fact that they were off, no she smiled when seeing Dralas beside her.
"Hey, put your things on Morrie here, she's strong, she can carry four of those" she pointed at his sacks.
"we could as well share a guar...besides I've got some breakfast for you if you like, nothing fancy just bread and scrib-jerky, but it's too much for me anyway"
Rianne smiled again at both men standing next to her, and handed Dralas a package wrapped in paper
Why do I have this strange premonition....why??
She heard the Armiger's proclamation with a slight twist in her stomach. Ok so now it was time, al last they would be on their way...soon. Good...she smiled, not so much at the fact that they were off, no she smiled when seeing Dralas beside her.
"Hey, put your things on Morrie here, she's strong, she can carry four of those" she pointed at his sacks.
"we could as well share a guar...besides I've got some breakfast for you if you like, nothing fancy just bread and scrib-jerky, but it's too much for me anyway"
Rianne smiled again at both men standing next to her, and handed Dralas a package wrapped in paper
Why do I have this strange premonition....why??
Erna Rahnis
"Well, about time!" Erna proclaimed to no one in particular-the waiting had been getting dull. With a tug, his pulled his guar along behind him, the creature grunting as it started walking.
He noticed Rianne the ashlander looked slightly uncomfortable for some reason, but shrugged it off. Sometimes he had that effect on people. He glanced around, seeing who else was in the crowd, but it was just a mix of merchants, workers and guards. Nothing interesting. Hopefully, however, there would be something to do soon enough. Until then, he would have to make do without any entertainment.
"Well, about time!" Erna proclaimed to no one in particular-the waiting had been getting dull. With a tug, his pulled his guar along behind him, the creature grunting as it started walking.
He noticed Rianne the ashlander looked slightly uncomfortable for some reason, but shrugged it off. Sometimes he had that effect on people. He glanced around, seeing who else was in the crowd, but it was just a mix of merchants, workers and guards. Nothing interesting. Hopefully, however, there would be something to do soon enough. Until then, he would have to make do without any entertainment.
Rothan
"Eventually," muttered Rothan, "I thought we were going to stand here all day." He took a bite of cake, "I suppose I should go and see if that pilgrim is alright later, I know the hlaalu are bad but shifting a blind guar onto a pilgrim is a bit rough, though he's an idiot for accepting it."
He watched a group of armigers bustle away towards the gate followed by the first few pack guar and their handlers.
"Eventually," muttered Rothan, "I thought we were going to stand here all day." He took a bite of cake, "I suppose I should go and see if that pilgrim is alright later, I know the hlaalu are bad but shifting a blind guar onto a pilgrim is a bit rough, though he's an idiot for accepting it."
He watched a group of armigers bustle away towards the gate followed by the first few pack guar and their handlers.
Eno arval
Eno shrugged.
"Well, or maybe he just doesn't like to cause a fuss. Besides, if he knows how to lead it, things might end up being just fine. I imagine it would have been worse if the Guar was rabid." He said and then bowed to pluck the big lump of grass from his own Guar's mouth. The creature grunted in protest and he patted it on the head.
"Sorry, my friend. But we must get moving and people would complain if you left part of your meal all over the place. I'll make it up to you later, ok?" Eno told it. When it was their turn to move, he gave a light tug on the leash and they walked towards the gate.
Haz
Haz sniffed when he heard the proclamation.
"Good. The sooner we move, the sooner we get there and the sooner I can stop playing this charade and make these filthy boneheads rue the day they set foot on our lands." He thought and looked over at the old decrepit collection of meat and bones beside him. They hadn't even left Balmora yet and already the Guar was trembling on its legs.
"Oh, for the love of...You stupid clerk! I'll get you for this somehow!" With an audible sigh, Haz unceremoniously heaved the pack of construction materials off its back, harnass and all. He then tied the belts and straps around himself.
"Now I'm the packanimal myself. This might have actually been amusing if I were anywhere else. Ah well, what do I do with this worthless piece of meat now?" The Argonian thought while he struggled to control his silent rage. Every fibre in his being right now begged to lash out at someone, anyone.
After a second of thought, he came to a decision and actually smiled behind the rags that covered his face.
"Meat, that's right. I'll just use you as a walking food resource. After all, if you end up dying along the way, and I bet you will, no one will have any right to complain if I turn your corpse into travel rations."
The Guar didn't protest when the Argonian dragged it along after the rest of the caravan. Perhaps it didn't know it was moving towards its doom, perhaps it didn't care. Perhaps both. Or, as Haz reasoned, most likely it just wasn't in its nature to think or care about anything.
Eno shrugged.
"Well, or maybe he just doesn't like to cause a fuss. Besides, if he knows how to lead it, things might end up being just fine. I imagine it would have been worse if the Guar was rabid." He said and then bowed to pluck the big lump of grass from his own Guar's mouth. The creature grunted in protest and he patted it on the head.
"Sorry, my friend. But we must get moving and people would complain if you left part of your meal all over the place. I'll make it up to you later, ok?" Eno told it. When it was their turn to move, he gave a light tug on the leash and they walked towards the gate.
Haz
Haz sniffed when he heard the proclamation.
"Good. The sooner we move, the sooner we get there and the sooner I can stop playing this charade and make these filthy boneheads rue the day they set foot on our lands." He thought and looked over at the old decrepit collection of meat and bones beside him. They hadn't even left Balmora yet and already the Guar was trembling on its legs.
"Oh, for the love of...You stupid clerk! I'll get you for this somehow!" With an audible sigh, Haz unceremoniously heaved the pack of construction materials off its back, harnass and all. He then tied the belts and straps around himself.
"Now I'm the packanimal myself. This might have actually been amusing if I were anywhere else. Ah well, what do I do with this worthless piece of meat now?" The Argonian thought while he struggled to control his silent rage. Every fibre in his being right now begged to lash out at someone, anyone.
After a second of thought, he came to a decision and actually smiled behind the rags that covered his face.
"Meat, that's right. I'll just use you as a walking food resource. After all, if you end up dying along the way, and I bet you will, no one will have any right to complain if I turn your corpse into travel rations."
The Guar didn't protest when the Argonian dragged it along after the rest of the caravan. Perhaps it didn't know it was moving towards its doom, perhaps it didn't care. Perhaps both. Or, as Haz reasoned, most likely it just wasn't in its nature to think or care about anything.
Falen Ienith
"You will be responsible for carrying two bags of supplies to the site. I also must tell you that you will be held responsible for said items," the clerk had been conveying the same message to everyone, "You will not need to pay for them unless you lose them. Do you understand sir?" The clerk looked up at Falen.
"Yes. Is that all?" he snapped.
The clerk began to look cross and spoke with less respect, "Will you need a guar?"
Falen wrinkled his nose at the thought of the animal. "Yes, give me one of the filthy beasts." The clerk scribbled something on the form in front of him.
"Here's your supplies," he said as he pointed his quill at the freight-moving Orc. Falen snatched up his bags and approached the guar the had been appointed to him.
His guar was old.
It smelled.
Falen did not like the guar.
He kicked the guar's foot as if to make sure it was still among the living. The guar did nothing. It simply eyed Falen with the one bulging eye on the right side of its head. He spat at it and hauled his luggage on its back. He did not secure it well and obviously showed no knowledge of how to balance supplies on a pack animal--the majority of the sacks were on one side of the beast.
Falen tugged the guar along to the tavern and left it outside as he went in.
The tavern was a mess; it looked like an outburst had happened sometime earlier. Falen paced quickly through the mess and the few patrons there. His crimson cloak glittered designs of gold and trailed behind him. It revealed the conservative black outfit he wore underneath. He dressed proudly and symmetrically; indeed, his apparel had the personality of a uniform.
"Four jugs of Mazte," he announced before he reached the bar. Falen didn't bother to address the bartender as he sifted through his satchel. He placed a jewel-sized ruby on the bar as the tender did the same with four ceramic jugs. "I don't have any coin. This will do," he instructed as he secured a cord to the bottles and slung them over his shoulder.
Falen strode out as proudly as he entered. The barkeep said nothing.
"You will be responsible for carrying two bags of supplies to the site. I also must tell you that you will be held responsible for said items," the clerk had been conveying the same message to everyone, "You will not need to pay for them unless you lose them. Do you understand sir?" The clerk looked up at Falen.
"Yes. Is that all?" he snapped.
The clerk began to look cross and spoke with less respect, "Will you need a guar?"
Falen wrinkled his nose at the thought of the animal. "Yes, give me one of the filthy beasts." The clerk scribbled something on the form in front of him.
"Here's your supplies," he said as he pointed his quill at the freight-moving Orc. Falen snatched up his bags and approached the guar the had been appointed to him.
His guar was old.
It smelled.
Falen did not like the guar.
He kicked the guar's foot as if to make sure it was still among the living. The guar did nothing. It simply eyed Falen with the one bulging eye on the right side of its head. He spat at it and hauled his luggage on its back. He did not secure it well and obviously showed no knowledge of how to balance supplies on a pack animal--the majority of the sacks were on one side of the beast.
Falen tugged the guar along to the tavern and left it outside as he went in.
The tavern was a mess; it looked like an outburst had happened sometime earlier. Falen paced quickly through the mess and the few patrons there. His crimson cloak glittered designs of gold and trailed behind him. It revealed the conservative black outfit he wore underneath. He dressed proudly and symmetrically; indeed, his apparel had the personality of a uniform.
"Four jugs of Mazte," he announced before he reached the bar. Falen didn't bother to address the bartender as he sifted through his satchel. He placed a jewel-sized ruby on the bar as the tender did the same with four ceramic jugs. "I don't have any coin. This will do," he instructed as he secured a cord to the bottles and slung them over his shoulder.
Falen strode out as proudly as he entered. The barkeep said nothing.
I'll move us along a few steps. Don't know anything to do with my characters though, so I'll just slip in a temporary narrator.
narrator, nowhere in particular (not that it matters)
And so the caravan set off on its journey towards the place known as Ghostgate. The morale on average was good. The weather, so far, was reasonable. The Guars, led by their handlers, trudged down the tiled road, which was meticously brushed clean of all dust and sand every mourning by members of the temple as part of their humility.
Yet, if among the travelers there was one, who could peer into the hearts of his or her fellows, he or she would notice a disturbing fact. The caravan in fact, was threatened, both from without, and from within. Behind those honest faces, some hid their criminal intent. And behind their sunny optimism, some hid an anxiety fueled by knowledge or rumour of what lay ahead.
Yes, what was to be a routine journey along a path that had already been taken by many already, would be a challenge no one could truly expect.
And so it was that, not long after leaving Balmora, the caravan entered the Foyada Mamaea, which was like a deep wound upon the land. A dry expanse of ash, rocks and withered trees.
OOC: Falen should still have the chance to catch up, or he could have caught up and joined the caravan before they even left. It's your choice, Shogunsniper.
narrator, nowhere in particular (not that it matters)
And so the caravan set off on its journey towards the place known as Ghostgate. The morale on average was good. The weather, so far, was reasonable. The Guars, led by their handlers, trudged down the tiled road, which was meticously brushed clean of all dust and sand every mourning by members of the temple as part of their humility.
Yet, if among the travelers there was one, who could peer into the hearts of his or her fellows, he or she would notice a disturbing fact. The caravan in fact, was threatened, both from without, and from within. Behind those honest faces, some hid their criminal intent. And behind their sunny optimism, some hid an anxiety fueled by knowledge or rumour of what lay ahead.
Yes, what was to be a routine journey along a path that had already been taken by many already, would be a challenge no one could truly expect.
And so it was that, not long after leaving Balmora, the caravan entered the Foyada Mamaea, which was like a deep wound upon the land. A dry expanse of ash, rocks and withered trees.
OOC: Falen should still have the chance to catch up, or he could have caught up and joined the caravan before they even left. It's your choice, Shogunsniper.
Dranas Heleran
"You ready to move?"
The question came from a Buoyant Armiger arrayed in armor of green glass. Some kind of big hero, Dranas surmised... and some kind of armor. What would that fetch in Anvil? Dranas started to do some internal calculations--... the tariff on the cuirass would be at least 1000 drakes, wouldn't it?, he thought... before remembering that he had been asked a question.
"Oh, of course. Yes, my guars and I are set."
Dranas couldn't catch the armiger's expression from behind the gleaming helm, but the answer suggested that the mer wasn't put off by the delayed response: "Very good. You'll be near the head of the caravan. Follow this fellow here"--he pointed to another armiger, this one wearing chitin--"out the city gate. We are leaving now."
After nodding his agreement Dranas grabbed hold of his guars' lead ropes and made his way out of Balmora.
"You ready to move?"
The question came from a Buoyant Armiger arrayed in armor of green glass. Some kind of big hero, Dranas surmised... and some kind of armor. What would that fetch in Anvil? Dranas started to do some internal calculations--... the tariff on the cuirass would be at least 1000 drakes, wouldn't it?, he thought... before remembering that he had been asked a question.
"Oh, of course. Yes, my guars and I are set."
Dranas couldn't catch the armiger's expression from behind the gleaming helm, but the answer suggested that the mer wasn't put off by the delayed response: "Very good. You'll be near the head of the caravan. Follow this fellow here"--he pointed to another armiger, this one wearing chitin--"out the city gate. We are leaving now."
After nodding his agreement Dranas grabbed hold of his guars' lead ropes and made his way out of Balmora.
Rothan
The caravan ground into motion, its vanguard was out the gate by the time the back began to move. Rothan made a face as they walked though the leavings of the guar further forward in the caravan. Perhaps I'll take a spot further forward tomorrow, he thought. It wasn't long before they passed though the gates leaving Balmora behind.
He glanced back. A couple of Armigers hurried the stragglers along. There was the pilgrim too, to Rothan his guar looked ready for the knackers, not that Rothan knew much about them. He would have to visit the pilgrim that night. Clearly the pilgrim had a vow of silence but some would still write, it depended on their sect.
"Off we go then," he said to Eno, "I hope we don't run into too much trouble on the way."
The caravan ground into motion, its vanguard was out the gate by the time the back began to move. Rothan made a face as they walked though the leavings of the guar further forward in the caravan. Perhaps I'll take a spot further forward tomorrow, he thought. It wasn't long before they passed though the gates leaving Balmora behind.
He glanced back. A couple of Armigers hurried the stragglers along. There was the pilgrim too, to Rothan his guar looked ready for the knackers, not that Rothan knew much about them. He would have to visit the pilgrim that night. Clearly the pilgrim had a vow of silence but some would still write, it depended on their sect.
"Off we go then," he said to Eno, "I hope we don't run into too much trouble on the way."
OOC: Presuming Dralas is following and accepted Rianne's offer to share Guar with her (If not I'll edit)
Rianne
"Ookay, Morrie, we're off, my girl" Rianne stroke the head of her guar and urged her to start moving. Four sacks was nothing for a big creature as Morrie, the animal grunted a bit, swayed her big head and followed the ashlander-woman like a pet-dog.
"We get along good, right? You're a good girl" Rianne whispered in her ear.
The sun was already high in the sky and she could feel the heat on her back.
She started singing in a low voice as she slowly followed the others. She gave Dralas a quick glance...he didn't respond to it....
Rianne
"Ookay, Morrie, we're off, my girl" Rianne stroke the head of her guar and urged her to start moving. Four sacks was nothing for a big creature as Morrie, the animal grunted a bit, swayed her big head and followed the ashlander-woman like a pet-dog.
"We get along good, right? You're a good girl" Rianne whispered in her ear.
The sun was already high in the sky and she could feel the heat on her back.
She started singing in a low voice as she slowly followed the others. She gave Dralas a quick glance...he didn't respond to it....
Dralas
Dralas was keeping an eye out for any Temple folk, and he didn't have to look far. They had fallen into step next to a priest and what he thought was a bard, judging by the amount of instruments his guar held.
Dralas listened to Rianne's song as they walked, taking in the greenery of the Bitter Coast while he still could. The sand was slowly getting grayer and the grass was becoming slightly yet notably more sparse. The wind would start to carry sand soon, and Dralas just knew that many of these people were in for a surprise.
Dralas was keeping an eye out for any Temple folk, and he didn't have to look far. They had fallen into step next to a priest and what he thought was a bard, judging by the amount of instruments his guar held.
Dralas listened to Rianne's song as they walked, taking in the greenery of the Bitter Coast while he still could. The sand was slowly getting grayer and the grass was becoming slightly yet notably more sparse. The wind would start to carry sand soon, and Dralas just knew that many of these people were in for a surprise.
Rianne
That was a good thing walking with one of her own kind, Rianne thought. She didn't have to be very social, she could take in the changes of the land they were passing through.
They ground was becoming dryer, more grey. She stopped for a short while, there was something in the wind, the wind that slowly became colder, she sighed...
"Sand" she muttered, taking out a piece of cloth from her shoulder bag, and wrapped it around her neck. When the sand storm came she would cover her nose and mouth.
Sand storms were familiar to her...and Dralas, but what about the others?
She turned to Dralas and noticed he was looking at some priest followed by some people who looked like they were from a Temple. The look of his face made her a bit worried....
Why is he really joining this caravan? Why is he looking that way?
She said nothing, if he wanted to tell her, he would do it...besides it was really not her business anyway.
Though it was a nice feeling to have one of her own beside her...it really was.
She then smiled and took out her flute and started playing...
He'll recognize this, he'll just have to!
OOC: Rianne knows a lot of hymns from other tribes, the one she's playing now is an ancient hymn from the Erabenimsun...a hymn to honor the ancestors
That was a good thing walking with one of her own kind, Rianne thought. She didn't have to be very social, she could take in the changes of the land they were passing through.
They ground was becoming dryer, more grey. She stopped for a short while, there was something in the wind, the wind that slowly became colder, she sighed...
"Sand" she muttered, taking out a piece of cloth from her shoulder bag, and wrapped it around her neck. When the sand storm came she would cover her nose and mouth.
Sand storms were familiar to her...and Dralas, but what about the others?
She turned to Dralas and noticed he was looking at some priest followed by some people who looked like they were from a Temple. The look of his face made her a bit worried....
Why is he really joining this caravan? Why is he looking that way?
She said nothing, if he wanted to tell her, he would do it...besides it was really not her business anyway.
Though it was a nice feeling to have one of her own beside her...it really was.
She then smiled and took out her flute and started playing...
He'll recognize this, he'll just have to!
OOC: Rianne knows a lot of hymns from other tribes, the one she's playing now is an ancient hymn from the Erabenimsun...a hymn to honor the ancestors
Eno Arval
"Oh my, most unpleasant. I'll never get these cleaned now." Eno complained upon being forced to walk right through a pile of Guar waste products. He would have preferred to swerve to the side an avoid it, but that would mean bumping into Rothan. Though, as the instrument maker reflected, it wouldn't have made any difference. Rothan had been forced to walk through the same pile as well.
"Just what do they feed their Guars up ahead? At least give them a bit less of it." He then muttered and tried his best to scrape off what he could on the sand and ash. He wasn't having much luck.
"I hope we don't run into too much trouble on the way." The priest said a short time later.
"Likewise. But look at all the protection we have. You would need a small army to seriously threaten us. That, or a really large and vicious ash storm." Eno replied cheerfully.
"But having this many swords...does that imply that the Armigers are expecting a small army worth of trouble?" He frowned as the thought rose up in his mind.
"I have to forget about that. I'm probably just imagining things."
Fortunately for him, the woman he'd met earlier decided this was the perfect time to play some music.
"Ah, just what we needed to make this trip enjoyable. That's a nice tune, I wonder where its from." The old man said to no one in particular and promptly forgot most of his worries.
"It looks like the flute I made is in good hands as well. That makes giving it away for free completely worth it."
"Oh my, most unpleasant. I'll never get these cleaned now." Eno complained upon being forced to walk right through a pile of Guar waste products. He would have preferred to swerve to the side an avoid it, but that would mean bumping into Rothan. Though, as the instrument maker reflected, it wouldn't have made any difference. Rothan had been forced to walk through the same pile as well.
"Just what do they feed their Guars up ahead? At least give them a bit less of it." He then muttered and tried his best to scrape off what he could on the sand and ash. He wasn't having much luck.
"I hope we don't run into too much trouble on the way." The priest said a short time later.
"Likewise. But look at all the protection we have. You would need a small army to seriously threaten us. That, or a really large and vicious ash storm." Eno replied cheerfully.
"But having this many swords...does that imply that the Armigers are expecting a small army worth of trouble?" He frowned as the thought rose up in his mind.
"I have to forget about that. I'm probably just imagining things."
Fortunately for him, the woman he'd met earlier decided this was the perfect time to play some music.
"Ah, just what we needed to make this trip enjoyable. That's a nice tune, I wonder where its from." The old man said to no one in particular and promptly forgot most of his worries.
"It looks like the flute I made is in good hands as well. That makes giving it away for free completely worth it."
OOC: I wanted to do this conversation while we were still in town, but real life got in the way.
Apelles Velvus
Apelles walked alongside the caravan, his eyes ostensibly scanning the horizon. The sound of pleasant music filled the air, but he barely even noticed. Right now, all he could focus on was Dranas Heleran.
He knew exactly what he was up to. He had been in perfect position to stop him. And yet, he had failed to uncover any illicit merchandise. He had been publicly humiliated in front of a group of devout Armigers who likely already resented him to begin with.
Dranas had to be hiding the skooma somewhere. He knew this even before he searched him. But where?
His thoughts were interrupted, however, by a stern, familiar voice. "I'd like a word with you, Cyrodil."
Apelles swiveled his head around. It was Salms Ralas. He had pulled up alongside him, and the look on his face showed that he was not at all pleased with him.
Apelles measured his response carefully, making an effort to seem as respectful as possible. "Of course, muthsera. What is it that you wish to know?"
"I'd like to know what was going on with that Dunmer back at the square. You seemed to know each other." Ralas leaned in, eyes narrowed, and voice lowered to an accusatory, almost threatening whisper. "Quite frankly, I think there's something you're not telling me."
Apelles looked down at the ground beneath the Armiger's feet and scratched his head nervously. "I ran into him in a smuggler's den on an expedition a few years back. We were -"
"Guardung!" Ralas snapped. "I may not know you very well, but I'm not an idiot. You are far more familiar with him than that. At the very least, come up with a more convincing lie, or I'll have you marching right back to wherever the hell it is you came from."
Apelles looked at his surroundings. There were dozens of people within earshot. Their conversation had not attracted anyone's attention yet, but he wasn't willing to take that chance.
"It's a private matter," he said in a low voice. "One that I cannot discuss with you in public right now. Suffice to say that it concerns old business - a problem from days long past. I can assure you, sera, that it does not pose a significant threat to this caravan apart from a moral one. I can tell you about it in private, once we've made camp...if that's alright with you, of course."
"Hmph. Very well," Ralas grunted. "But if this is a private matter, as you claim it to be, my advice to you would be to keep it private. You weren't hired to capture criminals or settle old grudges - you are here to protect the caravan. Anything else is a dereliction of duty. You're endangering lives by pursuing such a trivial matter. I will NOT have any more of my men dying under my command - ESPECIALLY not to incompetence and inattentiveness! This is my caravan! I won't have anyone dying under me! I'd sooner die first! Do you understand!?" His voice grew louder and faster as he spoke. A few people even turned their heads to look at what was happening (though most still ignored them). There was something wild in his eyes - something more than mere anger. It had a tinge of madness to it.
Apelles was silent for a moment, momentarily stunned by the outburst of the previously stoic Armiger leader. Then, he finally responded. "Yes...yes, sera. I understand."
"Well, good. Carry on."
Ralas slipped back to his proper place on the perimeter. No one was the wiser, it seemed.
In the meantime, Apelles once again affixed his gaze to the area around him. This time, he made an effort to focus on the mission. However, deep in the corner of his mind, he still remembered Dranas Heleran. But there was something new as well - a feeling of dread that he could not place. And with every step they made toward Ghostgate, the feeling got stronger. He ignored it and kept onward.
Apelles Velvus
Apelles walked alongside the caravan, his eyes ostensibly scanning the horizon. The sound of pleasant music filled the air, but he barely even noticed. Right now, all he could focus on was Dranas Heleran.
He knew exactly what he was up to. He had been in perfect position to stop him. And yet, he had failed to uncover any illicit merchandise. He had been publicly humiliated in front of a group of devout Armigers who likely already resented him to begin with.
Dranas had to be hiding the skooma somewhere. He knew this even before he searched him. But where?
His thoughts were interrupted, however, by a stern, familiar voice. "I'd like a word with you, Cyrodil."
Apelles swiveled his head around. It was Salms Ralas. He had pulled up alongside him, and the look on his face showed that he was not at all pleased with him.
Apelles measured his response carefully, making an effort to seem as respectful as possible. "Of course, muthsera. What is it that you wish to know?"
"I'd like to know what was going on with that Dunmer back at the square. You seemed to know each other." Ralas leaned in, eyes narrowed, and voice lowered to an accusatory, almost threatening whisper. "Quite frankly, I think there's something you're not telling me."
Apelles looked down at the ground beneath the Armiger's feet and scratched his head nervously. "I ran into him in a smuggler's den on an expedition a few years back. We were -"
"Guardung!" Ralas snapped. "I may not know you very well, but I'm not an idiot. You are far more familiar with him than that. At the very least, come up with a more convincing lie, or I'll have you marching right back to wherever the hell it is you came from."
Apelles looked at his surroundings. There were dozens of people within earshot. Their conversation had not attracted anyone's attention yet, but he wasn't willing to take that chance.
"It's a private matter," he said in a low voice. "One that I cannot discuss with you in public right now. Suffice to say that it concerns old business - a problem from days long past. I can assure you, sera, that it does not pose a significant threat to this caravan apart from a moral one. I can tell you about it in private, once we've made camp...if that's alright with you, of course."
"Hmph. Very well," Ralas grunted. "But if this is a private matter, as you claim it to be, my advice to you would be to keep it private. You weren't hired to capture criminals or settle old grudges - you are here to protect the caravan. Anything else is a dereliction of duty. You're endangering lives by pursuing such a trivial matter. I will NOT have any more of my men dying under my command - ESPECIALLY not to incompetence and inattentiveness! This is my caravan! I won't have anyone dying under me! I'd sooner die first! Do you understand!?" His voice grew louder and faster as he spoke. A few people even turned their heads to look at what was happening (though most still ignored them). There was something wild in his eyes - something more than mere anger. It had a tinge of madness to it.
Apelles was silent for a moment, momentarily stunned by the outburst of the previously stoic Armiger leader. Then, he finally responded. "Yes...yes, sera. I understand."
"Well, good. Carry on."
Ralas slipped back to his proper place on the perimeter. No one was the wiser, it seemed.
In the meantime, Apelles once again affixed his gaze to the area around him. This time, he made an effort to focus on the mission. However, deep in the corner of his mind, he still remembered Dranas Heleran. But there was something new as well - a feeling of dread that he could not place. And with every step they made toward Ghostgate, the feeling got stronger. He ignored it and kept onward.
Dranas Heleran, Foyda Mamaea
It was good, Dranas thought, that he was in the front of the caravan. Most of solid basalt basement rock of the foyada was overlain by a thin layer of fine ash blown in by the last storm, and he knew that the rest of the caravan was eating his dust, so to speak. With nothing but a few armigers in front of him, it was a problem that Dranas did not share. He was free merely to walk, enjoying the warmth of late afternoon.
He knew it wouldn't last. Soon the steep walls of Foyada Mamaea would cut off light from the setting sun, and the armigers would want to make camp. Dranas personally had no problem with leading guars at night (it was a critical skill for any smuggler worth his salt) but most folk in the caravan would lack that sort of experience. Probably they would want to set up camp at the ancient dwemer bridge they were approaching. The thought lead Dranas to briefly consider the value of dwarven metalwork at Firsthold harbor (answer: a lot) before he noticed movement at the base of the enormous bridge--kagouti.
"Hold here for a moment," an armiger commanded. "I need to consult with Salms Ralas. We might want to just drive these kagouti off, or we might want to capture a couple for food."
It was good, Dranas thought, that he was in the front of the caravan. Most of solid basalt basement rock of the foyada was overlain by a thin layer of fine ash blown in by the last storm, and he knew that the rest of the caravan was eating his dust, so to speak. With nothing but a few armigers in front of him, it was a problem that Dranas did not share. He was free merely to walk, enjoying the warmth of late afternoon.
He knew it wouldn't last. Soon the steep walls of Foyada Mamaea would cut off light from the setting sun, and the armigers would want to make camp. Dranas personally had no problem with leading guars at night (it was a critical skill for any smuggler worth his salt) but most folk in the caravan would lack that sort of experience. Probably they would want to set up camp at the ancient dwemer bridge they were approaching. The thought lead Dranas to briefly consider the value of dwarven metalwork at Firsthold harbor (answer: a lot) before he noticed movement at the base of the enormous bridge--kagouti.
"Hold here for a moment," an armiger commanded. "I need to consult with Salms Ralas. We might want to just drive these kagouti off, or we might want to capture a couple for food."
Apelles Velvus
"Hmm..." Apelles muttered to himself. "That's going to be a bit of a problem." He could see the kagouti congregated near the base of the bridge - about ten of them, by his count. He noted the men who were gathering near Salms Ralas, and quickly did the same.
One of the Armigers spoke. "What do you suppose we should do, sera?"
Ralas stood there, continuing to stare at the creatures. "How many do you count? Eight?"
"Nine by my count, sera."
"Hmm...nine..."
Another Armiger spoke up. "Perhaps we could try to scare them away."
"No," Apelles interjected. "That won't work. It's mating season - they don't congregate in groups at any other time."
"Guardung - it's too late in the summer!"
"Only by a few weeks - it's not unheard of for it to happen this late."
"Might I remind you, gentlemen, that this is my decision and not yours?" Ralas snapped. "In any case, I agree with Sera Velvus. These creatures are too dangerous for us to use anything less than lethal force against them. Bring the marksmen up front, and shoot to kill. Approach slowly. Wait for my signal."
"Yes, sera." Apelles unslung his bow, and crept alongside the archers, across the barren, ashen ground between the caravan and the bridge, taking care to make as little noise as possible. They were still fairly far away, and kagouti weren't known for their terrific sense of hearing, but there was no harm in being cautious. They kept their heads low, slinking across the flat, dusty ground, until they got into range. He notched a bonemold arrow on his bow and primed it to fire. He aimed at one of the kagouti near the center. It was a female (he could tell by its larger size, and the markings on its frill). It was staring at a male and swiping one of its legs against the ground - a sign of aggression (the males were the submissive ones).
The entire contingent of marksmen now had their bows trained to targets, awaiting only the order of Salms Ralas.
Ralas held his hand up in the air and gave the signal. "Open fire!"
OOC: I'm willing to change this around a bit to include more people if it makes things more interesting. However, I think this is the way a sensible leader would deal with this. After all, if our escorts can't take care of a few kagouti by themselves, what good are they?
If everyone's okay with this, I'll post a continuation of this confrontation later.
"Hmm..." Apelles muttered to himself. "That's going to be a bit of a problem." He could see the kagouti congregated near the base of the bridge - about ten of them, by his count. He noted the men who were gathering near Salms Ralas, and quickly did the same.
One of the Armigers spoke. "What do you suppose we should do, sera?"
Ralas stood there, continuing to stare at the creatures. "How many do you count? Eight?"
"Nine by my count, sera."
"Hmm...nine..."
Another Armiger spoke up. "Perhaps we could try to scare them away."
"No," Apelles interjected. "That won't work. It's mating season - they don't congregate in groups at any other time."
"Guardung - it's too late in the summer!"
"Only by a few weeks - it's not unheard of for it to happen this late."
"Might I remind you, gentlemen, that this is my decision and not yours?" Ralas snapped. "In any case, I agree with Sera Velvus. These creatures are too dangerous for us to use anything less than lethal force against them. Bring the marksmen up front, and shoot to kill. Approach slowly. Wait for my signal."
"Yes, sera." Apelles unslung his bow, and crept alongside the archers, across the barren, ashen ground between the caravan and the bridge, taking care to make as little noise as possible. They were still fairly far away, and kagouti weren't known for their terrific sense of hearing, but there was no harm in being cautious. They kept their heads low, slinking across the flat, dusty ground, until they got into range. He notched a bonemold arrow on his bow and primed it to fire. He aimed at one of the kagouti near the center. It was a female (he could tell by its larger size, and the markings on its frill). It was staring at a male and swiping one of its legs against the ground - a sign of aggression (the males were the submissive ones).
The entire contingent of marksmen now had their bows trained to targets, awaiting only the order of Salms Ralas.
Ralas held his hand up in the air and gave the signal. "Open fire!"
OOC: I'm willing to change this around a bit to include more people if it makes things more interesting. However, I think this is the way a sensible leader would deal with this. After all, if our escorts can't take care of a few kagouti by themselves, what good are they?
If everyone's okay with this, I'll post a continuation of this confrontation later.
OOC: Sounds fine by me. I'm going to have Dranas comment on the impending action and maybe try to account for the whereabouts of the rest of the caravan.
Dranas Heleran
Dranas watched the armigers and escorts consult with mild interest. Men such as these, he thought, should have little trouble with a few kagouti. He turned his attention to the rest of the caravan. The kagouti-enforced delay had allowed even the stragglers to catch up, and the smuggler amused himself by watching them mill about anxiously.
Finally it appeared that the lead armiger came to a decision. Several men, including Apelles Velvius, drew bows and advanced slowly forward. They were going to slay the kagouti herd. A sensible decision, Dranas thought, even as his right hand involuntarily found his steel katana. Any kagouti that survived the initial volley of arrows would be just as likely to charge the archers as it would be to run away--he would be ready, just in case.
Dranas Heleran
Dranas watched the armigers and escorts consult with mild interest. Men such as these, he thought, should have little trouble with a few kagouti. He turned his attention to the rest of the caravan. The kagouti-enforced delay had allowed even the stragglers to catch up, and the smuggler amused himself by watching them mill about anxiously.
Finally it appeared that the lead armiger came to a decision. Several men, including Apelles Velvius, drew bows and advanced slowly forward. They were going to slay the kagouti herd. A sensible decision, Dranas thought, even as his right hand involuntarily found his steel katana. Any kagouti that survived the initial volley of arrows would be just as likely to charge the archers as it would be to run away--he would be ready, just in case.
Dralas
Dralas' head was somewhere else while Rianne played her song. His eyes roamed the countryside and his mind wandered until he almost ran into a mer in front of him.
The caravan had stopped. Being at the rear and unable to see the reason over each others' heads, a loud murmur erupted amongst the travelers as they asked each other what the delay was about. Some people assumed that it was time to stop for the evening and began pitching shelters. Others kept their belongings on their guars and rested for a bit, but stayed ready to move. Dralas rolled up some hackle-lo and puffed on it.
He offered some to Rianne, who'd stopped playing now.
"What do you think is going on?"
Dralas' head was somewhere else while Rianne played her song. His eyes roamed the countryside and his mind wandered until he almost ran into a mer in front of him.
The caravan had stopped. Being at the rear and unable to see the reason over each others' heads, a loud murmur erupted amongst the travelers as they asked each other what the delay was about. Some people assumed that it was time to stop for the evening and began pitching shelters. Others kept their belongings on their guars and rested for a bit, but stayed ready to move. Dralas rolled up some hackle-lo and puffed on it.
He offered some to Rianne, who'd stopped playing now.
"What do you think is going on?"
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