A/N: This is one of my favourite chapters. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing this.

Chapter 7: Caius explains

Day 64

‘I assume you are here to discuss orders?’ Caius asked. He didn’t ask what had taken me so long.
I nodded in agreement.
‘You better sit down, this might take some time.’
Obeying, I sat myself down on a grubby seat and awaited what the Spymaster had to say.

The next hour he briefed me on what was expected from me. He explained the Emperor had taken an interest in the rumours that kept getting stronger about what he called The Sixth House. The Emperor wanted to know if there was any truth to the rumours of it returning and wanted me to investigate. I had the sneaky suspicion he knew more than he was telling but figured he must have had his reasons not to tell me.

When I asked him why he needed me and why Caius couldn’t take care of it himself, he simply said he was too old and too high-profile. Everyone knew who he was. I was a stranger so I could get into places he was denied access to.

Recognising the simple truth in that I asked what the first thing was that he wanted me to do. Caius ordered me to look up an informant, Hasphat Antabolis, more clued up on Sixth House cultists and the legend of the Nerevarine (again that name).
Since Caius asked me to investigate upon Nerevarine I didn’t bother asking him about it. It was highly likely Caius was as clueless about that as I was.
Locating Hasphat was easy, I could find him in the local Guild of Fighters hall, just across the river Odai that divided Balmora.

Hasphat wanted a favour in return for the information. To be more specific; he wanted me to retrieve a puzzlebox from a Dwemer ruin, called Arkngthand, southeast from Balmora. According to Hasphat the ruin was easy to find - the entrance would be concealed but all I had to do is pull a crank nearby to reveal it - which turned out to be more than true. Especially when you have found out a combination of some rather common ingredients - including the flying rats’ tailfeathers - make a very convenient flying potion.

I flew across the Balmora city walls and the surrounding mountains, straight to the Dwemer ruin.
Some people in Balmora were pointing upwards when they saw me passing by.
Except for being able to go straight to my goal, another advantage was that I was moving too fast for the Cliffracers - or flying rats as I call them - to be able to get to me. My flight was uneventful, I arrived at the ruin effortlessly about an hour later. If I had been on foot it would’ve taken me three to four hours easily because of the mountains I would’ve had to circumvent.

The flying potion wore off a bit too soon for my liking; I landed a small distance from the ruin on a huge steel bridge leading to the ruin.
As soon as I set foot towards the ruin, a spell hit me full on and a skeleton attacked me. A set of carriages with crates on it on the far end of the bridge had distracted me so I overlooked a bandit, probably smuggling contraband from the ruin.
The conjured skeleton disappeared with one hit from the ebony blade.

Shouting to him I didn’t mean him harm - as far as I was converned; his business was his business - proved useless. He snarled something undistinctive and threw another spell at me which I dodged easily.
This really wouldn’t do; I gave him a fair chance to surrender. But no…. he had to do it the hard way. I guess his associates were going to have a bigger cut with him out of the way.

As Antabolis had mentioned, an unpenetrable stone cover concealed the entrance. The crank was nearby, as soon as I moved it, the stone cover moved out of the way with a mighty rumble, revealing a heavy steel door, which opened without trouble. Those Dwemer – whatever they had been - sure knew how to make hinges.
I entered into a hall where more, probably smugglers as well, bandits took offence in my presence. Let’s just say my arguments for being there were stronger than theirs.

The ruin was enormous. It took me almost a day to go through all of the lower levels and to realise that’s not where the puzzlebox was. I did find several Dwemer artifacts, convenient ingedients, books and some rare weapons. I couldn’t carry it all out so I had to be selective with what I took with me. I left the heavier items behind.
Eventually, I got back into the entrance hall, still without the puzzlebox. Frustrated I sat myself down on a stairway, rested a while and had a quick bite while thinking what I was missing. There had to be something I had overlooked.

Carefully I looked around for a door I might have missed when my gaze caught another stairway I somehow managed to have overlooked. Feeling kind of embarrassed I followed it upwards and found a door into a chamber I hadn’t been into yet.
Two more smugglers were between me and my goal: behind them was a cupboard with a small, square item I never saw before. One smuggler went down quick, he was badly armoured; my ebony blade made short work of the Breton bandit.

The second bandit, an Imperial, was armoured far better than any bandit I had come across throughout all my travels. This must have been the boss of the smuggling operation they had going on. He was more clever than the rest as well; he kept well out of reach of my terrible sword and flung one spell after the other at me. How could I have been so stupid? I remembered a magical amulet I had found with which I could silence spellcasters, rendering them nearly harmless. It took me some time to find it; of course it was entirely on the bottom of my bag. I had to swallow some more spells which were really starting to hurt.

Together with the amulet I also dug up a healing potion from my bag. I sidestepped when another spell was hurled towards me, downed the potion and activated the amulet. The Imperial tried to cast more spells but soon realised it to be futile, drew his sword and attacked me. Needless to say; that was a bad move from his side. He payed dearly.

The item in the cupboard I had spotted behind him indeed turned out to be the puzzlebox, just as I had assumed. Finally I could leave this wretched ruin and report back with Hasphat to receive the information Caius requested. Returning the way I had arrived, I got back in Balmora in the middle of the night. Rather than disturbing Hasphat, I rented a room at The Eight Plates and went to see him the next morning.

Day 66

Hasphat Antabolis was pleased with my efforts. He told me everything he knew about Sixth House cultists and its re-ascension. Unfortunately, he knew nothing about the Nerevarine legend I didn’t already know, which was basically nothing at all.
When I asked him what he wanted with a toy he scowled and said it was a key to… well something else. It appeared he didn’t want to share his little secret.
He did give me a a set of notes he made to give to Caius.

‘How did you know I came from Caius,’ I asked him. ‘I am sure I didn’t mention him.’
He sighed in a way making me feel like it was pretty obvious. ‘He still owed me favour, now we’re even.’
So that’s how it is being a spy? Doing somebody else’s dirty work? I wasn’t amused at all.

Still angry I stamped into Caius’s house and threw the notes in front of his feet.
‘Here’s your favour,’ I snarled. ‘Anything else I can do for his royal Imperial Spymaster?’ and made a mock-bow.
The sarcasm wasn’t wasted on him. Caius excused himself for using me but also put me back in my place at the same time.

‘Look, I needed to know what you’re capable of. I know it may seem as though you were doing it for me but don’t forget; you are serving the Emperor, and do so without questioning. You owe him that much for releasing you from prison and allowing you to make a life for yourself once more.’
I realised I had been out of order and looked down on my worn-out shoes in shame.
A lesson in humility I guess. With having that ouf the way I proceeded to ask him what would be next.

‘I need you to look up another informant. I hoped Hasphat could provide all the info we need but I guess you noticed there is no information about the Nerevarine in Hasphat’s notes?’
I nodded; I had indeed noticed that.
‘There is a mage in the local Mages Guild hall-‘
‘Who you owe a favour as well?’
Caius smiled. ‘You are quick to comprehend the situation. Good. That means I won’t have to repeat myself. Anyway; I would like you to look up the Orc alchemist Sharn gra-Muzgob and ask her if she knows anything about the Nerevarine.’

A realisation to the whole situation came to me as I made towards the Guild of Mages. From what I gathered, spying was all about politics. And if you said politics in Morrowind, you also said Tribunal – the living gods of Morrowind. If I was to spy on the proceedings in Vvardenfell, I needed to come close to the Tribunal. I could see no easier way to create a viable reason to be in their presence than as a representative of the Temple of the Tribunal. But first, I needed new shoes.

This chapter is revealing so much about Morrowind to me, the descriptions of Balmora, the explanation of the Tribunal - things someone who has never played the game can grasp onto and feel. Really love this chapter!

"Flyyyin'... flyyin' in the skyyyy.... Rales flys so high.... flyinnn..."

Sorry, I just love that Cliffracer song of Aldos Othran...

Thanks to Rales, I have started playing Morrowind.

This is so Rales:
I guess his associates were going to have a bigger cut with him out of the way.

nits:
I need to you look up another informant.
I think this was supposed to be:
I need you to look up another informant.

I love the description of Arkngthand, who didn't go through the whole ruin before finding that silly side room... Yes this is so Morrowind, and I love it.

I can't quite imagine how Rales will fit into the Temple though

Typical Rales, in the middle of a chewing out he notices the condition of his shoes. This leads to a final line that is both memorable and appropriate.

Something I think that is missing from Oblivion is the sheer exhilaration of being a part of the Blades. You get to be a Blade in Oblivion, you even get to wear Blades armor and wield an Akaviri katana, but you never really feel like one of the Emperor’s spies the way that you do in Morrowind. I am glad that you are able to capture that feeling so well through Rales.

One can really tell that you enjoyed writing this chapter. Know that this reader enjoyed reading it just as much.

You said that you enjoyed writing this chapter.

I can see that it's true. You have captured the exchange between Caius and Rales so beautifully, I could see it clearly in my mind's eye.

And like Destri said, Rales's preoccupation with his shoes in the midst of a figurative storm is priceless and so clearly defines Rales's character.

This whole chapter made me smile.

The way you write combat scenes and humor is amazing.


These two lines are priceless.

Thanks everyone! I don't consider myself a comedy writer like Rachel (the Breton) or Helena but I have my moments.
Pleased to announce this is the chapter before he meets Zerina.


The temple hailed me with open arms. Too few were joining the temple nowadays the priests said. Rumours of the failing of the Tribunal were becoming more prevelant. It was said it was their fault the Blight was claiming more and more victims every day.
Their power was obviously waning, people were losing faith in them and turned to the Imperial cult instead.

The situation suited me just fine. All I had to do to become a member was make a pilgimage to seven Tribunal shrines scattered all around Vvardenfell. I was given the book “The Pilgrim’s path” to help me on my way which I stuck in my bag and didn’t bother looking into untill I really needed it.

The first pilgrimage was easy; The Fields of Kummu shrine was due east from Balmora.
On my way there I encountered a kind old lady who had lost her way going there as well. Together we continued and reached the shrine without serious trouble. Nothing I couldn’t handle anyway.
Nevrasa wanted to give me some gold for escorting her. Initially I declined but she insisted so I promised her to donate it to the temple. A smile on her face told me I couldn’t have made her happier.

After having donated a piece of muck to the shrine - I wouldn’t have known I had to if Nevrasa hadn’t told me - I felt a weird, elevating sensation. Everything I was carrying felt lighter. The first part of my initiation into the Temple was complete. One down, six to go.

The next two shrines were easy to reach; they were both located in Vivec. I took the Stiltstrider to Vivec, then took a gondola to the Temple where the first of my two destinations was. I was glad I was handed the book. Otherwise I would’ve never guessed I needed to donate a potion of rising force to receive a blessing. Not that I had one with me; a home-made potion wouldn’t do. I needed to buy one from the Temple. Now I understand why everyone wanting to join the temple needs to go through the pilgrimages. The Temple probably makes a decent income from selling these potions.

I flew to my next destination, - after having donated a potion of rising force to the shrine I was blessed with a long-lasting levitation spell - the palace of Vicec.
Outside the temple I quickly found the Grace of Generosity shrine and donated some gold to receive a blessing. Pay to pray I guess.

On the pilgrimages I had plenty time to think over what had happened to me the last few weeks. I had been pulled into Blades and I dove headlong into becoming an Imperial legion but so far had neglected my order to investigate the murder of Zabdas. Maybe now was a good time to follow up on these.
I had learned two shrines were nearby Gnisis; I could kill two birds with one stone. Settling the business with the murderous Orc Legionnaire and getting two more pilgrimages out of the way.

Day 68

They day I arrived in Gnisis by stiltstrider an awful storm was blowing. Most people had sought shelter in local inns or inside their homes. It almost appeared to be a ghost-town.
Again, I took the trail upwards to the egg-mine and made my way inside.
Remembering the General wanted me to find out why Lugrub had so brutally murdered the miner Zabdas, I started with talking to the miners to try to find out what they had seen or maybe had heard.

Most were still refusing to talk to me. Either they were oblivious to what had happened or just wanted to stay out of the whole deal. Or more commonly said: they were covering their own precious hides.
This wasn’t working at all, I needed another approach. Rather than investigating as a Legionnaire, I took off my armour and dressed down as a regular Dunmer. If Darius would see me I’d probably get in trouble but they way I saw it, I had no choice. If I wanted to find out the motive I would have to act sympathetic to the harsh circumstances the miners were working in.

My new approach reaped its reward. Soon, I found out most miners were scared out of their wits of Lugrub. Apparantly he acted far different than as the honourable Legionnaire Darius knew him to be. One miner let slip that Vabdas had been the only one brave enough to voice his dismay about the miners having to work their butts off in the dangerous mines while the guards do nothing to make it easier on them, which was their - our - job. According to the loose-lipped miner, Vabdas had gotten in a serious argument with Lugrub where Vabdas had threatened to take his complaints to the General just before his unfortunate accident.

In the light of this new evidence, it was convincing enough, I was sure Darius couldn’t allow this to stand in his precious Legion. I knew what was next. I was going to have to confront the Orc about his mis-behaviour. There was no doubt in my mind about the truthfulness of the miner’s story. I had been confronted with the Orc’s hideous behaviour myself weeks earlier and really doubted he would’ve changed his attitude in so little time.

At least, I didn’t have to look for him, I knew exactly where to find my soon to be ex-collegue, Lugrug gro-Ogdum.
I made my way deeper into the mine and changed into my armour. I didn’t don my usual robe to make it very clear I was on official Legion business. After having checked my weapons - the ebony blade was as sharp as ever, it appeared it never needed sharpening - I opened the door and hollered: ’Lugrub, time to face justice! General Darius has ordered you to put down your weapons and surrender!’

‘I’m never surrendering to a whelp like you,’ he barked while running in my direction with a menacing grin on his ugly green face and his axe raised high above his head.
I swallowed hard. An Orc coming at you swinging his huge axe is a very intimidating sight, I wasn’t unsensitive to his posture at all. I didn’t intend on under-estimating him. That would have been a deadly mistake on my side. I readied my sword and braced for impact.

The fight was long, hard and sweaty. I kept darting away from the swing of his axe as soon as I recognised it and blocked the blows I couldn’t get away from. Every hit I blocked send a spur of pain throughout my entire body.
Sweat was pouring down my neck, across my arms and straight into my handpalms. The feel on my sword wasn’t what I was used to and a sensation – fear – made me feel most uneasy. I had to change the course of this fight or it would end with a very bloody - and very dead - Dunmer on the ground.

Swing after swing crashed into the rocks underneath our boots, barely missing me. It was getting harder to dodge his swings, I was getting tired. I had hoped swinging the heavy weapon would fatigue the Orc before I was fatigued by dodging it but I had been wrong. The Orc had a strength and stamina unsurpassed. A frightening thought rattled my existence- I was going to lose this battle if I didn’t act fast.
I jumped out of the way of another swing of the axe and jabbed my sword to where I had been a split second ago. The blade cut deep into the Orc’s left arm but he didn’t as much as flinch even though blood was pouring out of the wound staining his bracers crimson.

Then, I made a mistake. For a brief moment I blinked the sweat from my eyes and was too late dodging the flat of the axe aiming towards my head. All I saw was a flash and then everything went black. It could’ve been a second, it could’ve been an hour, I don’t remember. What I do remember was a load of screams from behind the Orc just before I was hit and went unconscious.

When I came around, the proud warrior was reduced to a pile of green and red all-over with several miners standing around him with all sorts of sharp objects; pick-axes, chisels, anything they could their hands on. I guess they finally had found the courage to stand up to the lazy guard who had killed one of them and to save the man who had defended their rights and the honour of their murdered collegue.
He had been maimed to the point of being unrecognisable. I turned and retched up my stomach’s contents. My head was still ringing with the blow and I had severe difficulty focusing. Suddenly I felt my knees getting weak and I collapsed into a helpless heap on the ground.

Good update. The miners joining in is a particuarly nice touch, adds a realism and interaction with the environment which the game lacked. Just what i like in a fanfic

a home-made potions wouldn’t do - a typo, I don't normally bother pointing them out (or notice them unless I'm looking) but this one was quite distracting.

"Pay to pray I guess" - catches the temple exactly. So morowind.

I had noticed the same thing as Olen:

It's not unique to Morrowind. I've seen that IRL as well.

It's great that Rales knows he's not über, but still goes ahead and confronts a guy that is twice his size. He does it because he has to do it, because it's the right thing to do.

Rales’ pragmatism just sings in this chapter. I doubt that there are many Temple initiates who ruminate on the Temples profit earning ventures during their pilgrimage.


I think the word you are looking for is reduced here.

Okay, one more, a short one, for today


‘Wha?- where am I?’ I mumbled when I opened my eyes. A severe throb in my head remembered me of the fight that had almost been my undoing. Gently I brought my hand up to the offending place on my head. A huge bump had manifested itself where the flat of the axe had hit me.
‘You should be resting,’ a gentle female voice ordered me. It sounded faintly familiar but I couldn’t quite place it.
I tried to look around to see who it was that had adressed me but I couldn’t see anything. Briefly I panicked – I was blind – but then my hand drifted off lower and I found I had been blindfolded.
‘You have a terrible concussion so we blindfolded you,’ the gentle voice said.
‘Don’t take it off, lest you want a splitting headache. We blinded your eyes to save you the pain of light into your eyes.’

I tried to speak but only managed to blurt out unrecognisable grunts. My mouth felt as though I had been chewing on a dead Cliffracer. Luckily for me, my caretaker understood as I felt a cup being brought up to my lips. I almost choked when I quenched my thirst a bit too enthusiastically drawing a giggle from the nurse.
Having wetted my mouth, I was able to form sentences. ‘How long have I been out?’ I was sure it had been several days, I felt my stomach rumbling but I wasn’t hungry at all. A side-effect of the concussion I figured.
‘Almost a week,’ was the reply. I was astounded. I had been out a week?
‘The miners brought you here; they said you confronted my late husband’s murderer and almost lost your life protecting his honour.’

So that’s why the voice sounded familiar, I was in widow Vabdas’ house again.
I directed my face to where I thought she was standing and smiled.
‘Thank you,’ I said simply.
‘That’s okay,’ she replied. ‘You should try to rest some more, no more talking.’
I had no problem with that, the short conversation had drained me of all my energy. I lowered my head into the castle of pillows and drifted off in a dreamless sleep.

‘Rales, wake up,’ a gentle hand, belonging to a even gentler voice I didn’t recognise, softly shook my shoulder. ‘Time for your medicine.’
‘Medicine? What medicine,’ I thought but didn’t ask. I felt much better so it must do me good. I could hear her pouring liquid in a cup and then offered it to me. With unsteady hands I tried to take it from her, splashing half of the contents into my lap.
Gently she took the cup from me and held it in front of me so I could drink from it. It tasted slightly bitter but I could feel the healing effect coursing through my body.
The question must have been evident on my face.
‘It’s a mixture my mother made. She used it for when father got home from the mine with minor wounds, like broken fingers and such,’ Vabdas’ daughter explained in a pained tone. ‘It’s simple but effective; ground marshmerrow mixed into some water.’
After having emptied the cup she gently pushed me down on the bed.
‘Rest now, we will wake you again soon.’

Day 89

Almost two weeks later, I was allowed to leave my sick-bed for the first time.
Widow Vabdas’ daughter, Zerina, had been at my side tirelessly. I honestly believed I had died and gone to heaven when she took the blindfold away. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. Her eyes were perfectly almond shaped and long, red hair draping onto her back crowned her delicate face.
She helped me get out of bed, onto my shaky legs, guided me through my first steps and caught me when I almost collapsed again.
I had never met a more caring and tender person ever. In the weeks of my recovery she became my heaven, my moon, my sun and stars.

Initially, Zerina and I took short walks around the house and to the river-bank and back to get the strength back in my legs.
Soon, we took longer walks and talked about everything that came to mind. I told her things I hadn’t told anyone before and about my adventures. I don’t think she was very interested in hearing tales of bloody battles but she did laugh heartily when I told her about the feathers and the ring I had dove up for a seriously misled Breton girl.

It was the most care-free time in my life. We went from long walks to long walks hand-in-hand and had long picnics alongside the river. I taught her how to swim and she taught me how to ride a Guar. She would mount first and I would chase the Guar with her on its back until I could hop on behind her. Of course, the Guar wouldn’t cooperate and we both ended up rolling through the pastures, laughing until we couldn’t breathe and our stomachs hurt.

One such afternoon, as we rolled downhill up and over each other, Zerina’s warm breath caressed my face. Impulsively I threw my arms around her, our lips connected and my world went spinning.

Widow Vabdas frowned when it became apparent to her what was happening between us.
One evening when Zerina was out for supplies, her mother asked me what my intentions were. Quite frankly, I had no idea. It had just happened. She, nor I had given it any thought. ‘It’s not that I don’t like or trust you but one day you will disappear, like all adventurers and leave her heart-broken.’
I bit my lip, she had struck a point. I had duties to attend to. Dangers I wouldn’t want her to face. If she was to come with me, I had to be sure Zerina was safe somewhere.
‘I promise you, I will not break her heart. There are some duties I have to attend to and then I will return for her.’
‘Don’t tell me. Tell my daughter.’

ahh poor Zerina, she'll be crushed ='(

I know it is a way over-played statement, but I think Zerina completes Rales.

Introducing Zerina lets us see another side of Rales, and adds even more dimension to an already well-rounded character.

This made me chuckle:

If I ever write a Morrowind story, I might steal this!

A nit:

It's spelled medicine. While spelling can be altered to reflect accents (i.e. ya ain't seen nuffink yet! instead of you have seen nothing yet!), the e in medicine is silent and its presence or absence does not alter its pronunciation (in English, anyway), so it's better to leave the e in place.


Music to every romantic's ears!

I'm really enjoying re-reading this at a more leisurely pace. Good job!

Pay to pray I guess.
Welcome to organized religion.

This is so Rales!
’Lugrub, time to face justice! General Darius has ordered you to put down your weapons and surrender!’
you missed a space just before this however.

I liked Lugrug's fate. He discovered the Angry Peasant Law. Namely that a big enough mob of incensed regular folks will always rip apart their tormentors, no matter how big, strong, or well trained they might be.

Here is something Teresa would envy Rales for:
After having emptied the cup she gently pushed me down on the bed.

And yay for Zerina! I have been looking forward to seeing her appearance.


nits:
I could catch two birds with one stone.
usually this is kill two birds in English.

It almost appeared as a ghost-town.
This reads a bit awkwardly, perhaps something like:
It almost appeared to be a ghost-town.


Rather than investigating as a Legionnaire, I took off my armour and dressed down as a regular Dunmer – if Darius would see me I’d probably get in trouble but they way I saw it, I had no choice if I wanted to find out the motive - and acted as a sympathiser to the harsh circumstances the miners were working in.
this is really long. It would read smoother if you broke it up into multiple sentences.

Rather than investigating as a Legionnaire, I took off my armour and dressed down as a regular Dunmer. If Darius could see me I’d probably get in trouble. But they way I saw it, I had no choice. If I wanted to find out the motive I would have to appear sympathetic to the harsh circumstances the miners were working in.


chizels
That is chisels


‘Wha?- where am I,’ I stumbled unhearable when I opened my eyes.
This is awkward at best. First ought to put a second question mark at the end of the dialogue rather than a comma, as it ends with another question. Second, I am not sure what you mean by stumbled unhearable. Stumbling means to almost fall, but it can apply to speech as a metahpor, as in "stumbling over your words". Unhearable is not an English word, it sounds like you want deaf? Did you perhaps mean something like:
‘Wha?- where am I?’ I mumbled quietly when I opened my eyes.


I tried to speak but only managed to blur out unrecognisable grunts.
I think you want blurt here.


I almost choked when I quenched my thirst a bit too enthusiastic drawing a giggle from the nurse.
I think you meant:
I almost choked when I quenched my thirst a bit too enthusiastically, drawing a giggle from the nurse.


ground marshmarrow
I believe that is marshmerrow you want.

@SubRosa: Thank you for the editorial insight. Of course you were right on all accounts.
I felt I had to express my own sentiment about certain aspects of religion I.... well, let's say I don't agree upon. The Tribunal Temple allowed me hidden criticism. Gotta love writing!
@Hauteecole Rider: You're welcome to it! You couldn't do me a bigger honour!


Chapter 8: Zerina

Day 97

‘You’re leaving, aren’t you,’ Zerina said matter-of-factly from behind me while putting her arms around my waist. I nodded slowly, broke my gaze from nowhere in particular outside and turned around.
Gently I kissed her forehead. ‘I don’t want to but I have to. But believe me; I will come back for you.’
She smiled, her eyes filled with sadness and looked into my eyes. A wry smile formed around her lips. ‘You better. When?’
‘Soon.’ I just wasn’t sure when. Events had been spinning out of control; I had a feeling it was about to get worse but didn’t want to worry Zerina.
I think she felt my inner struggle. She clenched my hands in her hands and took me upstairs.

Zerina was still asleep when I carefully slipped from underneath the covers so she wouldn’t wake up. For a minute I remained utterly silent and just watched her. I had to pinch myself to make sure this wasn’t some dream I’d wake up from any moment.
Dawn was breaking just when I had packed my gear and headed to Gnisis on foot. My heart was heavy and I felt my eyes burning as I turned around and looked at the house where I had been nursed back to health and where the woman I loved lived. I made a vow to come true to my promise I had made to Widow Vabdas and Zerina. I would return when I had a safe place for us to stay. It would have to wait until I had de-briefed with General Darius and told him the dirty job was done.

Of course the General already knew what had taken place in the mine. Even though I hadn’t been the one that had ended the Orc’s life, Darius congratulated me on a job well done, promoted me to spearman and gave me an Imperial shield. I thought the congratulation was rather unappropriate but didn't say anything about it.
My next orders were to cure the Kwama Queen in the egg-mine. To cure the queen from a blight disease I could buy a scroll from Hetman Abelmawia.
He didn’t tell me those things were very expensive! I knew no spell of my own with the same effect so I had no choice.
To make sure I didn’t have to walk all the way back should the spell miss, I bought two and went up the trail leading to the mine. Hopefully for the last time.

Like with Lugrub, I knew exactly where to go. The mine’s production had been halted due to the Kwama Queen being sick so there were no distractions. I raced down the mine, drank one of my home-made healing potions just in case and went to where I thought the Queen’s lair was located. I had a faint idea where it would be. I assumed the Queen would be guarded by Kwama warriors, the ill-tempered ones I had encountered weeks ago. Logic dictated the Queen wasn't far away from her gaurdians, the Kwama warriors.

My assumption was dead on. As soon as I entered the part of the mine where Lugrub and I had fought, I was attacked by Kwama warriors. Behind them, I could see the gigantic Kwama Queen. With the healing potion still active, anything the warriors threw at me was healed instantly. I ignored the warriors and headed straight for the Queen. The moment I cast the spell to heal her, a warrior struck me in my back, causing the spell to miss the Queen by a fraction of an inch. Annoyed, I downed an invisibility potion, temporarily confusing the Kwama warriors and allowing me to cast the spell on the second scroll. This time I didn’t miss. Having completed my mission, I felt much better. At least now I was doing some good and was actually helping people. The kind of thing I had joined up for.

Darius thanked me for curing the Queen. Now the mining operations could be continued and bring some good to Gnisis. The mine was the only real income for the
town. Many residents counted on it to make their living from mining the eggs.
‘I need you to rescue someone,’ Darius replied when I asked what my next assignment was. This sounded just like something for me.
‘A pilgrim called Madura Seran has gone missing nearby Ald Velothi, see if you can locate and rescue her.’
I saluted and headed north, to Ald Velothi.

***

Since there were no travel accomodations leading to Ald Velothi, I got to stretch my legs a bit. A small trail leading through the mountains was the quickest way getting there.
The scenery was stunning, I couldn’t help thinking I should take Zerina here once. From the high cliffs you could see the sea to the north and west and steep, white-tipped mountains, reflecting the last light of the day, dotted the area. I was sure she’d be delighted.
Several hours later, I had ran most of the way, I arrived at the Ald Velothi outpost.
Almost everyone had heard of Madura gone missing but strangely enough no-one had any idea where she could be. After running around in circles for what seemed like hours and having asked nearly every villager I ended up back at the outpost.
I realised this was the only place where I hadn’t inquired yet.

And, of course, this was the place I got directions to where she might be.
Often you hear someone saying: ’It’s always on the last place you look.’ That’s a pretty dumb statement if you think about it. Of course it’s on the last place you look. There’s not really a point in keep looking if you already found what you’re looking for, right?
Orero Omothan suspected she had been captured by Ashlanders in a camp nearby.
He told me I could find the camp south-west of Velothi, just past a hill with a lighted tree. I remember distinctly raising a brow. ‘Lighted tree? What’s that supposed to mean?’
Orero shrugged and said I’d know what he meant as soon as I saw it. Couldn’t miss it, he assured me.
I thanked him and headed south-west.

Shortly after I had left from the outpost, I saw what Omothan had meant; a tree with some kind of travel-lantern in its branches lit the way.
The small camp was easy to find. Outside two Ashlanders looked at me with suspicion.
In an effort to break the ice, I approached them and asked them politely about the pilgrim. They simply pointed towards the biggest tent in the camp.
The hint was obvious. I pulled away the hide that functioned as a door and entered the yurt. Inside were two people; a proud looking Ashlander, holding a fearsome looking axe, I preferred not to get into a fight with and a Dunmer woman. In broken Dunmeri the Ashlander asked me what I was doing inside. I explained him I had come to take Madura Seran back home, to Ald Velothi. The Ashlander shook his head and said he needed a tribute before he’d release her. I sighed and dug up several hundred gold Drakes and handed them over. I could see the common language - greed - glistening in his yes.
‘That will get you somewhere, Outlander. You can take her.’ I couldn’t help noticing the gold had a educational value as well. Suddenly he could speak accentless Dunmeri.
Madura nearly sprinted out of the yurt, I had to chase her just to catch up.
We arrived safely back to the Ald Velothi outpost shortly after.

‘Did you find the missing pilgrim?’ General Darius inquired after I had returned to Gnisis from my mission.
‘Yes Sir, she was captured by some Ashlanders.’
‘You didn’t wipe them all out, did you,’ General Darius asked with a wink.
‘No Sir,’ I said with a toothy grin. ‘All it took was some gold to persuade them to let her go. My gold to be precise.’
Darius cocked his head. ‘You’ll be wanting a refund then, I guess?’
‘That would be nice.’
‘Fair enough, report with the Drillmaster and he’ll repay you your professional expenses. I don’t have any orders for you at the moment. Return to me in a few weeks, maybe I’ll have work for you then. Meanwhile, enjoy your new rank, I am honoured to call you Trooper Sarethi from now on. The Drillmaster will also give you the armour belonging to your new rank, don’t forget to ask him about it.’
I saluted and went to the Legion Barracks to retrieve my gold and new armour.

Since I had nothing on my hands for a while, a return to Balmora and finishing the task Caius had given me, would be in order. I had another, more selfish, reason to return to Balmora. Rumours of a recent assassination of a prominent Hlaalu member had reached me and had given me an idea.
Puuting words to deeds, I took a stiltstrider to Balmora and started with the investigation. I was getting quite proficient in investigating murders. This was going to be the third one. The thought of starting a business crossed my mind but soon cast it to the side, dead people can’t reward you. Besides, my alchemy trading was lucrative enough.

Now that had to be one of the most tactful sex scenes I have ever read. A very gentle way of avoiding forum filters.

I couldn’t help noticing the gold had a educational value as well. Suddenly he could speak accentless Dunmeri.
Funny how money can do that!

She's Baaaaack !!!

@SubRosa: Yeah, I figured I'd just hint at it and leave the rest open for imagination. Treading into details is hard without making it vulgar. You get away with it somehow (credit to your skill!) but then again, you're a sensitive woman
@mALX1: Yep, do you think this would be the appropriate time to launch her background as well?

I made small change to the next chapter, something I wanted to put in initially but forgot. I got the chance to rectify that here. I felt that although the explanation of the tight confines was some explanation why Rales previaled over five enemies was alright but inadequate. I elaborated. I hope you agree and like it.


Day 99

The first thing I did when I arrived in Balmora was to proceed to the scene of the crime, Hlaalo manor in the north-west of town, nearby the White Haven alchemy shop. Unfortunately, the door into the manor was locked. Breaking into a house in broad day light wasn’t the best course of action – especially considering the area was crawling with Hlaalu guards – so I started asking around if anyone had heard anything.

Most ignored me, some said they didn’t even know Ralen. I found that rather hard to believe, some had been standing next to his house while stating that. To me it felt like the crime was being covered up. Apparantly, I had to dig deeper to get to the bottom of this. Soon, I had asked practically every citizen in Balmora. It wasn’t until I asked Caius about it that I was starting to get somewhere. The Spymaster pointed out there was only one organisation capable of such a major scale cover-up, the Camonna Tong.
‘I thought you told me the Camonna Tong are on the Hlaalu payroll? Why would they murder one of their beneficiaries?’
Caius shrugged. ‘Beats me. You could try with the Thieves’ Guild. The Tong and the Thieves’ Guild have been in a blood-feud for years. Most of the members will be in the South Wall Cornerclub. Just be careful Rales! The Camonna Tong are a ruthless bunch.’
Just before I left, Caius suddenly remembered an old friend of his, Larrius Varro, was looking for me. I could find him in the nearby Legion fort, fort Moonmoth.

The South Wall Cornerclub was nearby Caius’ house so it didn’t take me long to find it. A Khajiit called Sugar-Lips Habasi greeted me. After having introduced myself I came straight to business and asked her if there was anything she knew about the murder of Ralen Hlaalo and about the Camonna Tong. As soon as I brought up the Tong, Sugar-Lips refused to answer more questions. It seemed I was getting close but no further either.
It was the same with every one else I asked about it. When I brought up the Tong, everyone acutely lost their tongue. An Argonian had mentioned “bad people” before he realised he had said too much.
Putting one and one together, bad people could only refer to the Camonna Tong.
I had found a suspect, now I needed proof.

Later that day, well after dark, I returned to the Hlaalo manor, waited for the few guards - who were still patrolling the area - to be out of sight and picked the lock.
The victim was lying on his face in a huge pool of his own blood. A familiar looking wound – you can hardly mistake the awful wounds axes make for anything else – covered most of his back. He had not just been murdered, he had been struck down cowardly from behind. Disgusted I looked around for clues. I could tell it hadn’t been a professional job, red foot prints led from the victim to the door. I couldn’t imagine a professional assassin would have stamped through his victim’s blood, leaving such an obvious trail.

Upon inspection, I noticed something weird with the trail, the prints of the right shoe showed a discrepency compared to the prints from the left shoe. It seemed as though there was a part missing from the sole from the right shoe. All I needed to do was to find the footwear that had the same strange flaw and I had found the killer.
How I was going to pull of that feat was a different story. It wasn’t like I could ask every single person in Balmora to show me the sole of their right shoe.

***

Instead of simply following that single clue, I continued searching the house for more.
The only additional clue I found confirmed my suspicion about it not having been a professional hit. I actually found a witness, Ralen Hlaalo’s servant had seen everything through the keyhole of her door. She told me she had seen a red-headed Dunmer with a very peculiar hairdo and a huge axe. Unfortunately, she hadn’t seen his face but at least now I had some descriptions I could follow. For a brief moment I wondered why she hadn't done anything but then again; what could a frail old woman have done except getting killed herself?
How many red-head Dunmer men with a very peculiar hairdo could there be? I was considering paying a visit to the Council-Club the next day to see if my suspect hung out there. I had to start somewhere. Why not at the most likely place for my suspect to be?

Day 100

Finding a suspect is one thing; confronting a suspected murderer who is presumed innocent until proven otherwise is something else. Especially when the suspect is an aggressive Camonna Tong member. How was I going to subtly interrogate him while not directly making accusations?
Let me start at the beginning: as soon as I walked into the Council Club top floor entrance a Dunmer exactly fitting the description was banging away at some armour with a hammer. Apparantly Thanelen Valas was a smith. That would certainly explain how he was able to handle the gigantic axe strapped to his back. Until now, the only ones I’ve seen being able to, were Nords and Orcs, not a relatively - compared to Orcs and Nords - small Dunmer, even though he was huge for one.
Instead of being blunt I decided to show interest in his profession and admire his handywork. I even bought a dagger from him to get in his good grace. I, on purpose, overpayed Valas for it.

After some small talk, about politics and such, I asked him what he knew about Ralen Hlaalo’s murder. Surprisingly, he said he had heard about it and that Nine Toes, a local Argonian - one I knew to be a fellow Blade - had done it. I couldn’t believe it. He actually denied being the murderer. I couldn’t be blowing Nine Toes’ cover by saying I knew for a fact he wasn’t the murderer and how I knew that. Even if I hadn’t known him, Argonians weren’t very likely to be mistaken for a Dunmer - unless you’re blind as a bat.
My patience had run out. ‘You’re a liar,’ I blurted out. ‘There was a witness to the murder. You are the only one in whole Balmora fitting the descriptions the witness gave.’
‘Alright, I killed him!’ he growled. ‘So what? People get killed all the time.’
‘Not if I can help it,’ I retorted.

He made an insult directed to my mother, I refuse to repeat, and drew his axe. I think he should’ve stayed at his smithy. He was useless as a warrior. Sure, his hands were as big as spades and he swung his axe like it was a feather – albeit a heavy one – he wouldn’t have been able to hit a Stiltstrider if it had been in front of his nose. I couldn’t resist taunting him. ‘A lot harder to kill someone when he’s fighting back isn’t it?’ I growled in contempt.
He wasn’t able to form decent words in between his panting. I soon had enough of this facade and made a move he never saw coming. With a resounding thud his severed head dropped on the wooden floor. Bloody justice but justice none-the-less.
His right shoe’s sole had the exact pattern cut out I had seen in the bloody trail in the Hlaalo manor. The only two regrets I had were that I hadn’t been able to extract his motives and having bought the dagger from him. What a useless piece of scrapmetal that was!

***

A second chance to learn of his motive arose soon. His friends downstairs had heard the unmistakable sounds of combat. Two of them came upstairs to see what it was all about.
They asked me what the reason was their friend had lost his head. I explained the situation. Strangely enough, they completely understood. They even revealed to me it had been about a petty squable concerning a payment the Hlaalu noble had refused to make. Valas hadn’t been much of a smith either, Ralen Hlaalo had refused to pay because the repairs were far below standard.
After having explained the circumstances of the murder, they said that even though it was perfectly understandable I had killed Valas, they couldn’t allow some Outlander to get away with killing their friend – a Camonna Tong member.

The consequential battle drew in two more Camonna Tong members from downstairs. After I was done basically tearing them apart, five maimed bodies and several body parts were strewn around the club, its walls painted red with their blood. They hadn’t posed a much bigger threat to me than Valas alone had posed - as a matter of fact; the fights had been fairly easy because we had been inside a building with narrow corridors. Had we been fighting outside they would’ve been able to surround me and I wouldn’t have stood a chance. All the swordtraining in my youth payed off there. I was used to fighting right-handed swordsmen. Most right-handed swordsmen don't know how to handle rare left-handed swordsmen, like me. Then, there was the fact that they were dumb enough attacking an enemy higher than them. Any tactician will tell you: 'Be extra careful when attacking an enemy above you.' Another lesson they hadn't been taught. The Council Club ended up without customers of the criminal kind.
A turn for the better in my, slightly prejudiced, opinion.

Ralen’s servant, Uryne Nirith, had entrusted me with the knowledge the other Hlaalu nobles offered a reward for finding the murderer and bringing him or her to justice when I went to inform her she needn’t be afraid of the murderer anymore. I assured her he wouldn’t come back to get rid of loose ends.

Finding the local Hlaalu noble was easy for a change. The council manor was right across the street. The noble I needed to speak to receive the reward, Nileno Dorvayn, was thankful I had solved the most foul murder and had put the murderer to justice. She was puzzled why someone not belonging to the same great house would go through so much trouble. I explained I had a problem with people getting killed for no good reason. (I wondered what a good reason would be, except self-defense, to kill someone anyway)

The reward was a thousand gold Drakes but I offered Nileno an alternative.
Ralen Hlaalo wouldn’t be needing his house anymore and I could do with a roof over my head. I suggested she’d keep the reward. Instead, I asked her to allow me renting or buying the house. I promised I’d get the place cleaned up and keep the servant employed. She could use the reward for a decent burial for the victim.
Nileno acted as though she had to give my proposition some thought but her eyes betrayed her true emotions. I could clearly see the thought not having to give me the reward appealed to her. After some – obviously faked – consideration she agreed on letting me rent the place. Selling a Hlaalu house to a Redoran wouldn’t be appropriate she said but making a profit is something the Hlaalu always strive for. We agreed on a rent of five hundred gold Drakes per month, six months to be payed in advance. It was a lot of gold to hand over at once but I could easily afford it.

This is our Rales!
My patience had run out. ‘You’re a liar,’ I blurted out.

I thought Rales' victory over the five Tongs was completely believable, given the circumstances. As long as he kept them in a hallway only one or two would have been able to get at him at most, and if he was at the top of the stair you are quite right about the advantage of height.

The First Siege of Rhodes was decided in exactly that manner. The Turks attacked the city with a huge force (supposedly 100,000) and eventually were able to break into one of the towers. 2,500 Knights Hospitallers defended the city. The entire battle came down to a struggle on the narrow tower stair, men fighting chest to chest. Given the circumstances the overwhelming numbers of the Turks were completely nullified, and they were driven off.

nits:
I think you have gotten Hlaalu and Haalo mixed up in a few places, such as mention of the manor and guards being Haalo instead of Hlaalu. The game makes it confusing, given the similarities of the names.

In stead of simply following that single clue
Instead is one word in English.

I confused Hlaalu and Hlaalo somewhere? Mind pointing it out 'cause I checked but didn't see anything wrong.

It was places like here:

The first thing I did when I arrived in Balmora was to proceed to the scene of the crime, Haalo manor in the north-west of town,
That should be Hlaalo.

‘I thought you told me the Camonna Tong are on the Haalu payroll?
and that Hlaalu

I asked him what he knew about Ralen Haalo’s murder.
That should be Hlaalo.

They even revealed to me it had been about a petty squable concerning a payment the Haalu noble had refused to make
and probably Hlaalu here, although you could use his family name instead. And that should be squabble.

Ralen Haalo had refused to pay because the repairs were far below standard.
That should be Hlaalo.

He had not just been murdered, he had been struck down cowardly from behind. Disgusted I looked around for clues.

Spoken like a true Redoran.

The battle scene was well-described, and your explanation for Rales’ (apparently) easy victory was both interesting and believable. Sometimes I have a hard time reconciling the incredibly fierce and skilled Rales depicted in this fight with the Rales who relies so much on Zerina later. Love must make him weaker.

I use that same trick in Rock Milk Cave when you have to attack roomfuls of bandits/marauders at the same time - it is the only way to survive when it is one against a roomfull. Good going on this!

Sorry it's been so long, Rales. School>Forums. I do like your recent chapters. You're vastly improving!

yay..another one which I haven't posted about. Ahhhrg, you guys are sheer post-machines, a hard working woman has no chance to comment as much as she'd like to...

Aaaanyway, I really like this story, (yeah, yeah, I've said that about mostly all the new exciting stories that popped up here the last few weeks, but since it's true!....)

I can relate very well to this because I've played MW so much...And I enjoy it everytime..

So this adds another one to my "must-read-list" Oh aye, it's so relaxing and enjoyable to take the time and sit down and read...and the nine Divines know there's a lot to read here nowadays

More Remko, ya hear!

Why, thank you Minque! Always makes me happy to read I amused someone.

@SubRosa: Now I understand why I couldn't find anything wrong... I was looking for Hlaalu / Hlaalo-mix-ups rather than looking for the missing "l".... OOps....

@Destri: I see where you're coming from. I like to think he had it easy so far. The only "hard" parts he faced before he met Zerina was the Dremora Lord but that was one-on-one, his specialty. You agree?
I really like your opionion on this 'cause if it in fact a point I goofed up, I should find a way to make it more realistic. Thanks for pointing it out!


Day 102

Uryne and I spent nearly two days cleaning and redecorating the manor. While she was getting rid of the awful stains on the floor the blood had made, I took several trips to Seyda Neen and back to retrieve all my goods from the shack I had been living in for the last months. A spell that enabled me to instantly teleport myself from the shack to the house in Balmora cut the travel time in half and made it possible for me to take far more items in one trip.
After my third and final trip, I had just got back to the manor, a Hlaalu messenger brought an invitiation to Ralen’s burial ceremony. Uryne told me it was a rare honour for someone not belonging to the same house to receive such an invitation.
I told the messenger to inform the Hlaalu nobles I’d be more than honoured to attend and gave him some gold for his effort.

Wasting no time, I ran to the Stilstrider port and payed for a trip to Ald’ruhn and from there to Gnisis. There was nothing I wanted more than having Zerina at my side with the ceremony. My heart was beating in my throat when I finally arrived at the Vabdas house nearly one and a half day later. Not from running but from pure anxiety. What if Zerina wasn’t ready or even unwilling to leave Gnisis to come live with me? With soaking wet hands I knocked on the door.

Widow Vabdas opened the door and let me in. Zerina was out, feeding the Guar but would soon be back she informed me. I respectfully greeted Widow Vabdas and went outside to find Zerina.
Knowing the area well because of all the walks we had made, it didn’t take me long to find her. I knew all the spots where she could likely be. Zerina was feeding a Guar, I was certain it had been the exact same one we used to try to mount. From the moment she spotted me, I knew my doubts and fears had been unfounded. She ran towards me and threw herself in my welcoming arms. ‘You came back,’ she breathed.
For several minutes words were obsolete to express the feelings we had for eachother.

‘How would you like to live in Balmora with me? If she wants, your mother can come too. The house I’ve rented is big enough.’
‘I don’t think mother will leave this place. It’s where she has lived her whole life. Gnisis is her home. I would love to though,’ she said and kissed me on my cheek.
I was ecstatic as we walked back to the house to ask her mother for permission.

Widow Vabdas made no objections. It was more than clear I could provide for her. The sparkle in Zerina’s eyes was reason enough for her to grant us her blessing.
All she wanted was for Zerina to be happy. She wouldn’t join us for the exact reasons Zerina had indicated but she did promise to come visit us soon.
Quickly we gathered all her clothing and typical woman things I didn’t recognise.
There wasn’t much to pack, half an hour later we were ready to walk to Gnisis if it hadn’t been for the long farewell between daughter and mother. Tears and laughter were shed while I kept myself to the side.

‘Who’s the pretty lady at your side?’ the Stiltstrider pilot in Gnisis asked. With all the trips I had taken recently I had gotten quite familiar with several pilots.
Zerina was blushing as I took a glimpse to my right.
He saw it too. Discretely he mumbled something like he understood and took us to Ald’ruhn and Balmora.

Day 109

We arrived in Balmora in the early evening. The sun had just began to set, bathing the town in a orange and yellow haze. Rather than head straight for the manor, we stopped at the Eight Plates and had a drink outside watching the sun go under the mountainridges. After we finished our refreshments we proceded to the manor to drop off Zerina’s belongings. I had promised her to show her around town afterwards.
Sometimes, an expression can say more than words. The expression on Zerina’s face when we arrived at the manor made my heart jump in my chest. She couldn’t believe how pretty the manor was and that I had been able to afford to rent a big house like that.

Her belongings were far less than the cupboards I had installed could ever fill.
After having put her belongings away in a cupboard, we ventured outside so I could show her around. Some men sent glimpses I recognised for jealousy, the beauty by my side didn’t notice but I gloated in the attention.
Several stops were made at various shops. After several hours, we arrived back at the manor holding more than we first arrived. The cupboards would be full in no time at this rate.

For the second time that day Zerina made my heart leap after she had changed into an absolutely stunning dress we had bought for her. The colour of it complimented her fiery red hair that was held up by sticks. She didn’t wear it for very long, that night we celebrated life and drank its pleasurable aspects with great thirst.


Day 110

The morning after, I awoke unexpectedly early with Zerina’s delicate body entangled with mine. In the back of my mind I knew there were duties I should attend to but I just couldn’t bring myself getting out of bed and to get dressed. The images of the night before made a mess of my determination, I was uttely intoxicated by the woman lying next to me. Duties would have to wait until another day. Distraction was a deadly flaw in my line of work, I needed to have a clear head first.
For hours I simply watched her mumbling in her sleep. The words were not understable but they soothed me until I too drifted back to sleep.

Clear-headedness was not something I was going to be granted. When I awoke for the second time that day, Zerina was yawning and leisurely stretching herself next to the bed.
I think she noticed I was admiring the cat-like nimbleness of her naked, slender body. She turned to me and smiled in a way that made my heart race and my ears glow.
Aroused, I grabbed her around the waist playfully. Giggling girlishly, she allowed herself to be dragged back into bed and the game started anew.

Afterwards, we were starving. We got dressed, headed downstairs and asked Uryne to make us something up. The amused look in her eyes and faint smile told me she might have heard us during the night but she was discrete enough not to mention it. When I was giving Uryne the rest of the day off after our lunch, Zerine poked me in my side with her elbow. Our servant ended up getting the rest of the week off and plenty of gold to spend so we had the house entirely to ourselves.

Day 111

Zerina wanted to go swimming. Ever since I had taught her it had become one of her favourite pass-times. Besides that, we both could do with a bath. She smelled wonderful as always – in my opinion anyway – but I certainly didn’t.
With something to eat and drink stowed away in a basket I found in the house, we took the path south out of Balmora passed the Stiltstrider port and followed the river to the Odai plateau.

Zerina was still in the river, washing her hair while I was already ashore reading a book I had meant to study for weeks but never got around to it when a bone-chilling scream tore me out of my concentration. I tossed the book carelessly to the side, drew a dagger I had taken along as a safety measure from the basket and ran to the river as fast as I could.

Zerina was jumping hysterically on a boulder. I would’ve burst out in laughter hadn’t it been for the grave expression on my love’s face that turned my blood to ice. When I asked her what was wrong she answered with a little voice there had been something below that had brushed her feet.
I drank a waterbreathing potion and submerged, dagger in hand.
A creature, I quickly recognised as a Dreugh, was lingering several feet below the surface. I smirked as it attacked and wished I had brought my long-sword in stead. Dreughs are slow but have a thick, hard to penetrate, insectlike, exoskeleton. Experience had taught me they were exceptionally vunerable beneath their arms, slightly below the armpit. I dove deeper and came up below the Dreugh for a surprise attack. Before it knew what happened, I stabbed my dagger several times in the spot where its armour was the thinnest. Wailing, it sank deeper while its lifeblood briefly stained the river red.

The rescued lady was keen on thanking her “brave hero” for rescuing her from the awful predicament. Of course I was most reluctant holding the shaking Zerina and comforting her. While I was whispering re-assuring words into her ear everything was alright, I made a decision to teach her to defend herself. What if I hadn’t been there to slay the Dreugh?
I didn’t leave her out of my sight for a second after the attack.

An hour later, the business with the Dreugh practically forgotten, we were back in the river, carelessly playing like children and chasing each other through the warm, wet sand.
‘Look what I found,’ I said when I emerged after a long dive.
‘What?’
I showed her the pearl. ‘Maybe I can have it made into a necklace for you. Want to see if we can find anymore?’
Her eyes sparkled with the anticipation. She pressed her wet frame to mine, whispered a thank you and gave me a quick kiss. The thankyou-kiss in the river soon became a series of kisses, then a passionate embrace, our wet, naked bodies entwined almost inseparately. Gently, I lifter her of her feet and carried her to a soft patch in the grass as we lost ourselves in eachother. Time held no significance, no substance what-so-ever. For hours we remained on that same spot, in turn snoozing and making love, far into the late afternoon, the pearl-diving entirely forgotten.

Rales is complete now, his woman by his side! I love how feminine Zerina is here, screaming and jumping over a creature - when I know she is a mage of no minor talent, lol.

So Rales is not officially hooked up! I have been looking forward to this ever since starting over reading again. Once again, you portrayed the romantic aspects with a very gentle touch, telling us everything, without having to tell us everything. That is nicely done.

I loved Rales' nervousness at going meeting Zerina, and wondering what she would do when he asked her to accompany him. I think you wrote that rather nicely, showing us his anxiety, which is all too natural given the circumstances.


nits:
Uryne and I spend nearly two days cleaning and redecorating the manor.
Spend is present tense, I believe you want spent, which is past tense here.


‘You came back,’ she exasperated.
Exasperated means irritated or annoyed. I think you wanted something like overjoyed?


I was extatic as we walked back to the house to ask her mother for permission.
That is ecstatic.


Some men send glimpses I recognised for jealousy
Another present tense with send, past tense would be sent.

@SubRosa: I always struggle with past tense / present tense when it ends with -d. Thanks for catching that. I thought exasperated indicated a positive disbelief, Y'know? Eyes wide spread, breathless, that kinda of thing. I changed it into breathed. Seen you use that on more than once occassion. Maybe exuberantly is more appropriate?

I sense the editor’s quill has been pressed into service in this chapter. The whole thing reads smoother, fresher. Maybe it’s just a sense of nostalgia in this reader, returning to a time when Zerina still acted like the ‘damsel in distress’. As always, you are able to show two people falling in love that captivates and entrances. I fell into this from the first word and let it carry me like the gentle currents of the Odai River.

This installment was just chock-full of ‘Ralesian’ insight:







Just great!

Exuberant is a good word choice. It means full of energy, excited.

Dictionary.com is an excellent resource for both checking spelling and definitions in English. I use it so much I have it as one of my search engines.

To be honest, it amazes me how well you write in English, considering it is not your native language.

I always had a feel for foreign languages. Besides that, I had English on school from when I was 13 so it isn't really a surprise I'm quite capable of writing in English.

@Destri: I made some minor changes that shouldn't have made a big impact. Some inconsistancies I overlooked (like usage of spells and shields) and some spelling. (like the first 'l' I missed several times in Hlaalo/Hlaalu) Glad it's amusing enough to warrant a second read-through. Thank you!


Chapter 10: Vivec

Day 118

Before going to bed, Zerina and I discussed the mission to Vivec the following day. Going alone and leaving Zerina for days in a row didn’t appeal to me at all. In fact; the thought alone almost made me feel queasy to my stomach. We decided to walk to Vivec rather than taking a Stiltstrider or a guild guide. That way, I could teach her some basic combat skills and meanwhile show her the lush, green Ascadian Isles region. And then there was the bonus of being able to spend lots of time together – something we both really appreciated..

Zerina only knew Vvardenfell as a desolate ashen wasteland. She was delighted to see the green hills roll on one after the other and huge pastures with Guar grazing.
Since we had hugely overslept the first morning, we made camp not long after we passed Seyda Neen. We dropped in briefly for some supplies with Arrille and an additional sleeping bag. Arrille insisted that we stayed for coffee. Fargoth couldn’t keep his eyes away from Zerina.

After having pitched the tent, we got to sorting out some dinner. Zerina insisted to go hunting. Briefly I instructed her on the use of a bow but to my surprise, she was almost as capable with a bow as I was. She couldn’t pull full tension on my long-bow but a light Chitin short-bow I had brought along as well was perfectly suitable for her frail frame. She was far more able fending for herself than I would have given her credit for.
Smiling, I let her go hunting while I made a cooking hole in the earth.
With not having much else to do, I let my mind wander back over the last few weeks and wondered if Zerina had maybe feigned her hysteria when we went swimming several days ago. I realised there was still so much I didn’t know about her.

Imagine my surprise when she returned to camp without a prey.
‘I couldn’t carry it, I need your help,’ she excused herself. ‘It’s just over that ridge,’ and pointed south. A small walk later, a fully grown adult Alit with a single arrow through its throat was awaiting our attention. I grabbed its legs, tied a rope around it and dragged the creature back to camp where we skinned it, cut it up in pieces and cooked it. Throughout the gruesome job, Zerina didn’t flinch once. In my admiration and adoration of her I ignored a crucial point: she had been taking care of such things together with her mother long before I even knew her. I was getting more and more certain her hysteria had indeed been an act.

Over dinner I decided to ask her about it. Smiling innocently, she replied:’I was naked. Besides, how else was I going to get your attention away from that book?’
I blinked, not knowing what to say and burst out in laughter. ‘Women,’ I sighed, bringing a mischievous smile to Zerina’s face.
That night, the second sleeping bag proved unnecessary, we shared one, it was rather cramped. But then again, we didn’t sleep. Much.

Day 119

Making up for the lost time from the day before, we got up early and had a simple breakfast. In hindsight, we might as well have slept in because we didn’t get very far that day anyway. Being mid-summer, a blistering sun high in the sky, accompanied us so we stopped several times a day for a brief swim in the clear blue rivers as well as in small to medium sized lakes we came across and cuddled often in the soft, tall grass. Our love was a roaring fire I was more than willing to burn myself on – it still is.

Several days later, by the end of the day, we reached the shores of the huge lake Vivec was built in. Cantons stretched as far as the eye could see. I had thought Balmora was big but Vivec truly dwarfed it. Guards were patrolling the various levels of all the cantons. Just the sheer amount of guards alone gave me an impression on how mindboggling many people would be living there. I couldn’t wait to enter Vivec. Zerina’s eyes were shining mirrors of my own eager anticipation.

Grinning like an idiot, I took Zerina’s hand. Together we walked across the bridge leading to what was known as the Foreign Quarter. Zerina looked at me with , what I had got to know as her mischievous smile and joked I should remain here with the other outlanders while she would explore the city. I reprimanded her by giving her a playful slap on her behind and chased her when she ran off laughing.

We realised soon that we would need to prepare for a several-day mission so we needed a place to spend the night. We were informed there were three taverns throughout the city that provided rooms to weary travellers. In the Foreign Quarter was the “Black Shalk Cornerclub”, actually just around the corner, an Ordinator – a holy guard - enlightened us.
Then; there was the “Lizard’s Head” in the Telvanni canton and last; “The Flowers of Gold” inn, located in the Redoran canton.
I had business with a certain Argonian in the “Black Shalk” but since it was already quite late, we decided to get ourselves installed into an inn first. A gondola took us to the Redoran canton with a small touristical de-tour and after some inquiring, we soon arrived at “The Flowers of Gold” inn. I was glad we had chosen this inn rather than the ropey club in the Foreign Quarter.

The room we rented wasn’t cheap but it was worth every gold Drake. The bed was hardly smaller than the one we had at home, the matrass soft and the sheets were spotless.

We booked the room for four nights, I was sure we would find ways to amuse ourselves in case I was going to be done sooner with my mission than anticipated. Zerina had already noticed there were lots of shops selling jewelry and clothing that were only available in the holy city of the living God – Vivec.
At least; she wouldn’t get bored while I looked up my contacts. Something I wasn’t really looking forward to.

Day 123

For a change, Zerina was already up and gone when I woke up. A note, carrying her scent, on the pillow said that she had gone shopping and that she hoped I could make it for dinner.
The first one I was was going to look up was the Argonian. Relying on the intel I had gotten from Caius, I headed straight for the “Black Shalk”.
The moment I walked into the club I could see Huleeya was in what you might call a tight spot. Three angry Dunmer were looking at him with the unmistakeble fire of pure hatred burning in their eyes. Throughout my travels I had encountered several cases of unfounded hatred towards the beast-races but none as severe as with these guys. If looks could kill, Huleeya would have been a smouldering pile of ash at their feet.

‘Blending in is part of being a succesful spy,’ Caius had told me. ‘Act as though you belong where you are, better yet; believe that you do.’ What better way to blend in at a bar, than by ordering a drink? Who said you can’t mix pleasure with business?
After having ordered a drink, I discretely asked him about it and whether or not he needed help, he shook his head and said they were hardly more than pests but annoying pests none-the-less. He was confident that they couldn’t hurt him. Rather; it was the exact opposite. The Argonian was afraid they would attack if he would turn his back and leave the inn, forcing him into hurting them. If I’d join him to his friend’s bookstore, the chance of the three of them attacking the two of us would be negligible. Surely, they wouldn’t be that stupid, especially with you wearing that?' he said while winking and briefly redirected his gaze on Wretched. His perception and reason were undeniably sound. The way he moved told me his self-confidence wasn’t misplaced at all; he moved with the grace of an experienced martial-artist. Not a muscle or limb flexed more or less than absolutely necessary.

The walk to Jobasha’s rare bookstore was short and un-eventful. The bookstore was across the hallway on the other side of the Foreign Quarter Lower Waistworks. Huleeya was grateful for my assistence and taught me all he knew all about Ashlanders and the Nerevarine Cult. When he was finished, he gave me his notes, summarizing what he had just discussed, to hand over to Caius.
As a side-note, he advised me talk to Jobasha, he might have some books about the same subject for sale I might find interesting.
A good shop-keeper knows exactly what he has for sale. Jobasha was an outstanding shop-keeper.

Jobasha first said he had no idea what I was talking about, mentioning Huleeya had told me he might have useful books about the Nerevarine Cult in his shop's inventory helped a lot. After a lot of persuasion and assurance I wasn't a Temple Agent (It was sort of the truth, I was only a Layman), finally he sold me an illegal book called “The progress of truth”.
When I briefly flipped some pages and read some short passages, I could see why the Temple wasn't happy with its existance.
Two worrying words were ominously prominent:"Dissident Priests" I wondered what it meant.
‘It’s officially been banned by the Temple so don’t go waving it around or tell anyone who sold it to you, alright?’
Huleeya warned me that if anything happened to Jobasha, he'd take it out on me.
I believed him.

Next on my list was the priestess Mehra Milo in the Halls of Wisdom. The Khajiit was going to be last. I knew from experience – from playing hide and seek when I was still a kid – that if a Khajiit doesn’t want to be found, you would have a hard, if not impossible, task finding her.
Since I was a member of the Temple I didn’t need to make up some false pretence for being there and entered the Halls of Wisdom inconspiciously by late afternoon.
So far, the mission itself was easy; it was getting to the right location that was the time-consuming part. I had wandered for hours through the various cantons and lost my way several times, so entering the Halls of Wisdom was a big relief; finally I had reached my destination. Now all that was left was finding the right priestess among all the others.

Secrecy wasn’t really asked for. As I mentioned earlier, I had every reason for being where I was. Several people hadn’t a clue where I could find Mehra.
It took six or seven inquiries with various people before I finally learned that she would most likely be in the library, which was down the hall on the righthand-side.
I was just about to give up asking and just barge into all the rooms out of frustration.
Following the precise directions I had received, it was a matter of mere minutes until I had found the library where only one priestess among many priests was present.

This time, I took my role as an Imperial Spy more serious. Directly asking her about legends and obscurities that were highly frowned upon and regarded with disdain by the Tribunal Temple seemed rather unwise. In stead, I engaged a discussion with her by asking about the pilgrimage I still hadn’t fulfilled – that was the thing I had forgotten; the pilgrimage to the shrines in and around Gnisis, I suddenly realised. Gladly she told me all about them. Where to find the shrines and what to donate. All this information could also be found in the “The Pilgrim’s path.” I faked a cough to hide I almost burst out in laughter because of the irony in that.

I've been enjoying the last few chapters of Rale's story. The meeting with Zerina, the anxiety he felt when he went back to ask her to go with him, the growing relationship between the two of them, has been a very enjoyable interlude.

In this last chapter, this phrase is quoted for truth:

My own Siberian Forest cat is very skilled in invisibility and sneak as well!

I agree with Hauty, the story takes on a whole new life when Zerina gracefully emerges on the scene! She brings a whole side of Rales out we would never have seen otherwise! Great Write !!!!!!

A nice chapter that shows us the deepening relationship between Rales and Zerina. My kind of stuff.

This is definitely most female:
Besides, how else was I going to get your attention away from that book?’


This was my experience with Vivec as well:
I had wandered for hours through the various cantons and lost my way several times
It does not help they all look the same from outside.


nits:
the matrass soft and the sheets were spotless
that is mattress.

I could see why the Temple wasn't happy with its existance
This is one that often gets me too. it is existence.

I love it, Rales!

I have already told you how much I enjoyed Vivec Informants when I went through Morrowind. Reliving it with Rales and Zerina is almost as much fun as playing it myself. As usual, you make me want to pull the Morrowind out of the cabinet and fire it up again. I can’t think of a better compliment than that.


I love this line.

Awww... shucks.... Thanks everyone!

While she told me about the shrines, I slipped her a clue Caius had sent me. Her voice changed from slightly pedantic to a whisper and told me to follow her to a more secluded area where we could talk freely. Nodding, I followed her lead to the back of the library, between several bookcases.
Frantically - I don’t think she had much sense of discretion - she looked around to check if no-one had followed us and told me all she knew about the Sixth House cult. From what I understood, this cult worshipped the unmourned, lost House Dagoth and its evil leader; Dagoth Ur in the Red Mountain at the heart of Vvardenfell.

Like Huleeya, she handed me a summary of everything we had just discussed and advised me to read the book called:”Progress of Truth.” Good thing I had already bought it with Jobasha.
‘Thank you, I’ll go see about that shrine,’ I said, slightly louder than normal speaking volume. Much to her credit, she picked up on it and wished me good luck with my pilgrimage.

Longing to get back to Zerina and our rented suite, I took a gondola to the Redoran canton and tipped the gondolier to make haste. Halfway I got annoyed with the slow pace and shoved the gondolier aside, stating I’d row myself. The poor guy almost fell into the canal. All in all, the day had been a good day; I had visited two out of three of my informants in a single day. If I’d be able to locate Addhirannir – the Khajiit informant - just as quick the next day, I’d manage to finish my mission in two days rather than three, leaving one day for Zerina and me to have some fun. The thought alone brought an ear-to-ear smile to my face. I even managed to get back in time to have dinner together.

***

Passing by a vendor on my way back to “The Flowers of Gold”, I couldn’t resist buying Zerina a present. A truly gorgeous silver necklace with a highly detailed pendant and a flawless ruby in the center, matching the colour of her hair, caught my eye. The seller tried to convince me it was an antiquity, almost as old as the Tribunal. I had my own thoughts about that but didn’t insult him by arguing. It probably would’ve only raised the price - it was expensive enough as it was. A delicate, black mahogany box with gold lining around the edges came with the necklace. Cautiously, he placed the necklace on the red silk cushion in the small box. I could swear the box alone was worth half the value of the necklace. I couldn’t wait to see Zerina’s face when she would open the giftwrap and the box inside, after dinner.

With the gift hidden in my sleeve, I entered the suite only to find Zerina wasn’t there. Some personal belongings, she’d never leave behind for long, were evidence she had been back to the room, if only briefly. I hid the present among my other belongings, hoping she wouldn’t find it and spoil the surprise for herself.

‘Have you seen Zerina?’ I asked Sorosi Radobar, the proprietor of the tavern.
‘Who? Oooh, you mean the kind lady that was with you yesterday? She’s downstairs, taking a bath.’
‘A what? Ah, never mind, thanks.’
‘Would you like a towel?’ Gladly I took the incredibly soft towel she handed me, bought a bottle of wine and headed downstairs. Apparantly, they had a room especially for bathing. Something I had never seen before.

Of course, the door was locked.
‘Is that you, Rales?’ Zerina asked after I knocked.
‘Yeah, open the door will you?’
Several moments later, Zerina opened the door with a towel wrapped around her upper body. Her wet hair, heavy with the weight of the water, reached all the way to her waist. I gasped with the sight.
To keep the heat inside the room, I hastily took off my boots, stepped carefully inside the room so I wouldn’t slip on the wet tiles and locked the door behind me.

Zerina had already got back inside the gigantic bathtub - it could easily be used by five people at the same time.
‘Be a dear and channel some heat through those pipes,’ she asked me and pointed at pipes that ran underneath the bath.
The cleverness of the heating installation looked familiar. ‘Its designer must have taken a good look at some of the constructs inside Dwemer ruins,’ I mused.
I focused my will and channeled a firespell through the pipes. I made sure not to overdo it so the water wouldn’t get blistering hot all of a sudden.
A satisfied ‘Aah…’ confirmed I had got it just right.
After I had undressed, I filled two glasses and joined Zerina in the bathtub.
‘What took you so long?’ Zerina jested.
I scoffed and stuck out my tongue. She laughed, peddled over and nested herself in my arms.

***

My muscles relaxed and little pains that ached me, evaporated in the steaming water and underneath Zerina’s soft, yet firm hands.
The bath was such a delight, I immediately made up my mind to have one constructed in our house as well, although not as big as this one. The water was lightly scented - I think it was lavender - but thankfully not too femine. We soaked in the calming bath, enjoying each other’s company until our skin was wrinkled and the bottle of wine was empty.

Back in our room, still dripping and wrapped in a moist towel, Zerina insisted I donned my best clothes for the night; she had planned a dinner in a nice tavern she had come across while shopping.
‘Do you think you’re gonna need that?’ she asked with a smile when I strapped Wretched - my sword - around my waist.
‘Good habits die hard,’ I retorted and unbuckled the scabbard. When she turned around, facing the life-size mirror to do her hair, I slipped the gift into my left sleeve.

I had no idea where Zerina had bought my new robe, a dark green one with gold thread stitched in intricate patterns, but somehow she managed to find a better looking one every single time.
Not to mention the absolutely divine dress she was wearing that night; it almost seemed alive as the dark purple silk swirled around her legs when she moved. She appeared to be floating rather than walking.
I resisted getting down on my knees and thanking the gods for the happiness they had bestowed upon me.

The chique tavern Zerina had seen was in the Redoran Plaza, the level above the Waistworks, where “The Flowers of Gold” was located.
I was glad it was in the area, I had wandered through Vivec more than enough that day.
Half an hour later, we were seated at a table for two and each ordered a glass of expensive, imported wine. I never really acquired a taste for the local beverages, I retained my taste for Cyrodyliic wine and brandy.
The service was terrific. As soon as either of us emptied our glass, a waiter would be standing ready to re-fill it - if so desired.

We both ordered the same, a crabcocktail as an appetiser and roasted Netchmeat with fresh vegetables on the side as the main-course. I wasn’t sure what to expect but the cocktail was a lot more tasteful than what I called a “Rales Special”, which basically was a Mudcrab I cast a fireball - just big enough to kill it – at it so it was cooked while still in its shell. The first time had been an accident, I had meant to roast - proverbally speaking - a cursed flying rat behind it but my aim had been off so I hit the crab instead. Since I was starving, I still ate it even though I thought it had been burned to a crisp. I had been wrong; it turned out to be delicious. Even better than raw.

The Netch meat was very different from what I expected. To be quite frank, I would have chosen a different main course because floating Jelly Fish doesn’t sound tasteful at all, but Zerina insisted I’d try it. The texture was similar to beef but it tasted sweeter, almost like venison. The dish came with a sauce that reminded me of the sauce that is usually served with game but slightly more bitter. When I inquired about the sauce, I learned it was made from Gomberries and sweetened with a dash of Moon-Sugar. The cook sure knew what he was doing.

During coffee after dinner, I took the gift from my sleeve. When she opened the box her eyes were positively beaming and asked me where I had gotten it from. I made some vague remark about having taken it off the dead. With her toes she kicked me underneath the table while acting insulted. Some other customers looked at us in dismay when I suddenly let out an honest laugh in reaction to her act. The purple dress looked like it was made to be worn together with the necklace; a match made in heaven. Of course she persuaded me into telling the truth eventually. Her persuasion methods - involving plenty of kisses - had been worth the kick a thousand-fold.

The walk back to the suite took twice as long as it took to get to the restaurant. After our dinner, we had ordered a second bottle of wine- and a third.
Zerina fell on the bed face-first and slept almost instantly. I gently undressed her, taking care not to wake her up or to ruin her dress in the process, and tucked her in. With a semi-amused grin seeing her passed out like that I snuck into bed next to her. I remember thinking she was in for a rough night just before I dozed off into an alcohol-induced haze of blurryness.

Halfway the night, my final thought proved prophecy. I woke up to familiar noises coming from the privvy. Knowing exactly how miserable she must have felt, I only poured her a big cup of lukewarm water, put it on her bed-side table and left her alone. I stayed awake to comfort her once she’d return. I was no stranger to the symptoms and knew all too well what one usually wanted most after just having spewed one’s guts out; a drink of water and warmth. But mostly sleep.
Pale as a sheet, she slumped back into the bedroom shivering, with a look on her face that had an accusing ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ written all over it.
Once back in bed she was glad to crawl snug-close to me to benefit from my body-heat and, luckily for her, slept through the rest of the night undisturbed.

My hat's off to you.

I don't know how you can do it - write such sweet romance without it being smarmy. Just enough classic Rales tongue-in-cheek to keep it from being too treacly.

Loved the little scene where he kicked the gondolier out of the boat for being too slow.

Enjoyed the interest he showed in the bath's plumbing.

Licked my lips at the description of the wonderful dinner.

Stifled a chuckle at Zerina's suffering after too much imbibing.

Wonderfully done!

This one was on my favorites list when I first read it, and it still is! Really well done Remko!

Pictures Rales shoving the gondolier aside and rowing himself... That is so Ralesian!

A very sweet romantic interlude. It makes my estrogen tingle. With good touches of detail, from heating the pipes, to the dinner of jellyfish, to Zerina's drinking too much. All around nicely done!

Thanks for the support my friends!! I promise I will make an effort reading yours and properly comment on it. As you know, this is just a re-cap from the other forum with some minor editing. Quite frankly, I haven't written anything recently but I just finished reading Minque's story and now know where it should be heading.

Expect a new chapter somewhere end of next week.

Day 124

As was to be expected, the next morning Zerina didn’t feel her regular self. While I prepared my expedition to find an elusive Khajiit, she mumbled something about taking a bath and remaining there throughout the entire day. The day before I had already learned that even though the city looked beautiful from afar, there were filthy parts underneath - much like pretty flowers that grow best on manure. Underneath my armour I wore the oldest pair of trousers and shirt I had brought so the green robe wouldn’t be reduced to a dirty rag.

Caius already informed me she would most likely be in the St. Olms canton so that narrowed down my search drastically. Especially if she would really be still there.
From the Redoran canton I took a gondola to the Temple, my feet still hurt from the day before. Zerina would be pleased I left my good robe in the suite; rain was pouring down in bucketloads. Within seconds after having gotten into the little vessel, I was soaked to my skin. From the Temple area I had to walk a little distance to the St. Olms Canton.
Looking back I had better could have gone walking, it would have been quicker. The bright side was that I got to see the splendour of Vivec’s palace and the High Fane. The pearls of the city.

From a book I once read, I knew Saint Olms the Just to be the one to have conceived and articulated the principles of testing, ordeal and and repentence. Two of those principles reflected my state of mind during my visit to the canton. I repented being put through the ordeal of the Saint Olms canton. It was far dirtier than any other part of the city I had been. Probably because the Hlaalu that mainly lived there were too cheap to maintain it.

Hours in a row I meandered through the decrepit canton, looking for traces of the Khajiit when I came across an apothecary. Thinking that maybe I could concoct something against Zerina’s inevitable headache and nausea I bought some basic apparatuses - I hadn’t brought my own - and some ingedients for making a very special healing spell. Throughout my experiments I had learned by adding a very tiny part of an ingredient usually not used for that specific effect, the potion’s effect would increase exponentially. Of course under the risk of creating a highly potent poison that would kill you instantly. Experience had taught me to recognise the colour and to be most wary of important details - like temperature - to brew it on to create something different altogether.

When I started putting ingredients together in the little workshop in his establishment, Vaval Selas almost interrupted by warning me about what I was doing but soon realised he wasn’t talking to a novice but to a master. Intrigued, he grabbed a seat and watched me closely mashing, grinding, mixing and regulating temperatures.
With the heat of the boiling concoction and the heightened concentration that was absolutely vital with the brewing of the potentially lethal potion, I was bathing in sweat. I almost made the mistake of letting my mind wander off to the warm bath Zerina would now probably be in.
About two hours later, I was finally satisfied with the colour, viscosity and smell of the potion and thanked Vaval for the usage of his workshop. I had no space to take the tools I had bought with me so I left them behind. Vaval asked me if I could return some day to teach him what he just witnessed, the tools would be right here waiting for me. I didn’t promise him anything but kept the possibility open.

The concentration had cleared up the fog from my mind of last night’s debauchery. Determined I put myself back on the task of finding Addhirannir. I found lots of things in the canton; a wandering Skooma addict I gave some coins, lots and lots of rats and even a secret Daedric shrine to Mehrunes Dagon. I drew Wretched and almost found myself heading to the innards of the shrine to wipe out the evil Daedric Prince worshippers when I realised I had a different mission - one that could no longer wait. Besides, who was I to decide the worshippers were evil and needed to die?

Working my way up in the canton, inquiring with everyone I came across, I ran into an Imperial who seemed very out of place. How much out of place he was became apparent when he informed me of his profession: taxman. No wonder he was looking lost and had a hint of desperation in his eyes. An Imperial and a taxman. In Vicec. I held no personal grudge to him but it was obvious he was being massively ignored and looked at with contempt by the locals.

‘Have you seen Addhirannir?’ he asked me. So I wasn’t the only one looking for her. Something I found rather inconvenient so I made up a story that I had seen her the day before, heading ashore. Probably to Ebonheart..
‘I was heading for mainland anyway, I’ll look for her there,’ Duvianus said.
I wished him good luck but damn well knew that even if the Khajiit had indeed left for mainland he was never going to find her. Ever. I hoped she was still somewhere in Vivec or I’d have a serious problem.

***

It took me several hours before I found a substantial clue. Once I had worked my way up to the Plaza and still hadn’t found any trace, I started over outside.
Several tiny, what looked like former storages to me, rooms only accessible from the outside of the canton, were turned into small single-room homes so the poorest of the poorest had a roof over their head as well. In one of those pauper homes I encountered a Khajiit who was actually a friend of Addhirannir.
He wasn’t keen on informing me where he had befriended her or what their exact relationship was but after some persuasion - the gold kind - he finally let slip I could find her in the Underworks, beneath the Redoran Waistworks. In a generous mood - and most relieved I might add - I gave him some more coins and wished him a good day.

Scouring every nook and cranny of the shadowy, dimly lit Underworks I finally found my mark behind a pillar. No wonder I had missed her the first time.
‘You are Addhirannir,’ I assume?’
Apprehensively she looked over my shoulder. ‘Don’t worry,’ I said. ‘The Census and Excise officer has left for the mainland.’
‘In that case; yes, this one’s name is Addhirannir,’ she purred. ‘What can she do for you?’
‘Well,’ I started and continued with explaining the reason for me looking for her and why and how I had got rid of the taxman.
She in her turn, told me she knew very little of the Sixth House itself but had heard rumours about smuggling operations for them but that it was all very hush-hush.

In her opinion, that was the really strange thing about the whole situation. She said smugglers usually bragged about large scale operations but about this one no-one had. Almost as though they were afraid. Afraid of what she couldn’t say.
As soon as she finished I immediately realised this was the kind of thing Caius would find interesting. Tired and dirty, but succesful, I headed back to the Redoran canton.

Suspiciously Zerina sniffed the fluid after having swirled it around in the vial and uncorking it. ‘I’m not sure I can stomach this, Rales,’ she commented whille wrinkling her nose.
‘Trust me, it’ll do you good.’
She looked me into my eyes intensely to check if there was a sparkle of amusement about her state, shrugged and gulped down the content. ‘Tastes just as it reeks,’ she said with a disgusted look on her, still quite pale, face. I grinned and said that’s how you know it’ll work. She feigned an angry look but I could tell the potion had taken effect. Slowly, the colour was returning to her face, her eyes lost the watery look and her usual smile brightened up her face - and my day.

After Zerina already had gone to bed, I was still wide awake, overthinking today’s mission and about how experienced Zerina had seemed with the concoction I had given her. The way she had held the vial and had swirled the fluid around made it clear she had done that before. Had she spoken the truth about “the simple potion” she had given me when I was recovering? I wished I had been more clearheaded when I had drank it so I could’ve recognised the effect and the ingredients. The two questions that haunted me throughout the night were simple: Should I just ask her or wait until she’d tell me herself? The second questions was: Why would she hide the truth from me?

When I first read this chapter I kept thinking, "What is Zerina up to?" - I had to keep going back to that line where you said, "And we still are" to realize she wasn't up to any mischief, ROFL !!!!!

Once more I liked your description of alchemy. You gave it much more depth than just "mix these and drink". I had this picture in my head of Rales as this mad scientist, like Dr. Frankenstein working in his lab.

I grinned and said that’s how you know it’ll work.
quoted for truth!

nits:
Looking back I had better could have gone walking, it would have been quicker.
The beginning of this is disjointed. I think you meant:
Looking back, it would have been quicker to just walk.

Rales is a master alchemist now, eh? His description of the craft certainly shows his facility and passion for it, but it seems a bit early for him to be a master already, doesn’t it? It almost seems like a slap in the face to those who have spent years unsuccessfully trying to attain a level of skill that Rales has achieved in just a few months. Of course, it might just be that ‘Rales self-confidence’ that we have all come to know asserting itself. He might be overestimating his own abilities. If that is the case, I hope you take the opportunity to show that to us (Rales’ near-death experience from mixing a poison instead of a potion still stands as one of my favorite parts of the early chapters). Hubris is always entertaining, ask the Greeks.

Great stuff, seems I haven't commented here for a while but I've been reading and enjoying Reles's development.

I enjoyed his disgust at the St Olm's canton.

the next morning Zerina didn’t feel her regular self - I can imagine not

Well done Remko. Zerina is such a treat and I am so glad to see her join Rales.