Chapter Text
Chapter 6
Twists of Fate
Vivec Silt Strider Depot; Vvardenfel, Morrowind
Standing up after riding the Silt Strider and stretching, Maldrid looked upon the grand city that is Vivec not knowing what to do once he was inside. Though he figured that he couldn’t exactly mess this up right?
Stepping away from the massive depot of goods and boxes with workers all around loading and unloading Silt Striders from all over Vvardenfell. Those large beasts were still... strange to Sees-the-Stars. Not focusing on that, he got moving once more into the unknown city of Vivec.
The site from the back of one of the Siltstriders hadn’t prepared Sees-The-Stars for this, the ziggurat shapes of Vivec’s districts were huge and teaming with people. Despite being from a large city himself this was on a whole other scale. And trying to get one of the local guards to talk to him was proving to be difficult. Eventually he was able to track down someone willing to talk to him and get directions in this city.
Finding himself already in the Foreign Quarter Maldrid began to search for this Huleeya. It was again only a matter of time but after needing to push through the crowds of the city he was able to squeeze into the Black Shalk Cornerclub.
Inside was predominantly Dunmer, but that wasn’t a shocker by any stretch, a few imperials and bretons, and a single argonian other than himself.
With a slight sigh of relief Maldrid worked his way, clanking all the way, to this other argonian. “Hey, you wouldn’t happen to be Huleeya would you?”
The other Argonian gave Sees-the-Stars a side eye before going back to drinking, “I’m sorry, I can’t speak with you. I’m preoccupied with my own affairs.”
Sees-the-Stars is taken aback slightly at that and gives a look around the room for a second, in that brief pass he catches sight of three Dunmer looking at both himself and the other Argonian. Turning back to the one he figured is Huleeya, he leans down to speak in more hushed tones. “Are those guys bothering you?”
Huleeya gave Maldrid a glare but under their breath after taking a sip of their drink they finally spoke up "The sight of a free Argonian offends those racist thugs. It would tarnish my Morag Tong honor to slay them, and I don't want to trouble my friend Saralis Golmis by fighting in his club. But I must go to my friend's bookstore, where we can talk in peace. If you have a way with words, perhaps you can talk to them. Or if you have a way with money, they might be bought. Otherwise, I fear there must be bloodshed."
“Well if those [Argonian curse here] try anything I can deal with it. As I doubt that they would be willing to speak to me if they’re willing to potentially assault you. Let’s try to get you to that book shop.”
Nodding, Huleeya finishes off their drink, putting a few coins on the table as they get up. “Well, let us see what you can do then. Maybe they’ll be too cowardly to face the two of us, yes?”
The two Argonians begin to make their way out of the Cornerclub and they can hear the sound of some of the people behind them. Maldrid can’t help but chuckle “Looks like they are more foolish than anticipated.”
Exiting out of the club with the dunmer coming out behind the two of them Maldrid waited until they were at the end of the hallway leading out into the main plaza where a few people were milling around, talking to each other, or doing business. Thinking to himself that the idiots wouldn’t be stupid enough to attack him with so many witnesses around he was proven wrong as he felt the edge of a throwing knife hit him in the shoulder.
Not waiting for any more provocation, Maldrid drew his greatsword and shouted over his shoulder to Huleeya. “Get to your friend’s bookshop, I’ll deal with these idiots.”
Focusing on his opponents Maldrid could hear the other people in the plaza rushing away to avoid becoming collateral in the fight, he thought he could hear the sound of someone calling for the Ordinators, but his thoughts were strictly on the three dunmer men in front of him.
One had a steel dagger, another a steel tanto in one hand and a set of throwing knives, and the last in the back was holding a steel shortsword with his own set of throwing daggers. However all of them were not wearing anything more than a set of netch leather cuirass and boots. Dagger shouted something that sounded like filthy lizard and charged Maldrid who, not wanting to attempt to swing his much longer weapon in these tight confines, thrust forward.
The thrust was met by the body of the man holding the dagger, the iron of Maldrid’s greatsword almost too easily cutting through the cheap leather of the man’s cuirass, unfortunately the weapon got tangled up in the body effectively disarming Maldrid for the moment.
As the way becomes more clear the other two assailants begin to toss their throwing knives at Maldrid. Purring an arm up in front of his face to keep them from hitting his eyes Maldrid leaned down to pick up the dropped dagger from the dunmer and he rushed the other two. He could feel small cuts forming on any unarmored part of his body that the two of them could manage to hit, but the majority of throws had the daggers skidding off his breastplate.
Once Maldrid had closed the distance and the other two assailants cursed and attempted to swing their swords at him, Maldrid did his best to trust in his piece of crap armor as he thrust more expertly at the man with the tanto.
Though it wasn’t Maldrid’s best thrust and with a much shorter weapon the man just... simply didn’t bother to try to dodge or block the attack and it landed solidly in the man’s throat choking off anything more the man had to say.
Shortsword’s blow never seemed to land and in the rush of air Maldird could have sworn he caught the strong whiff of Sccuma and Moon Sugar which partially answered the question as to why these idiots were attacking a much more well armored opponent as Maldird first punched the Dunmer man in the gut with an armored fist allowing him to get a clean blow to the side of the man’s boiled netch leather cuirass hitting him in the armpit to avoid getting tangled up in the armor.
In such a short span of time Maldrid had felled the three assailants and scooping up the decent quality swords he turned around seeing the Plaza mostly cleared, he thought he caught the sight of a grey haired man wearing some dark leather armor leaving the area. But other than a quick glimpse, Sees-The-Stars didn’t see much more of them. Taking a moment to wince at all the minor cuts over his scaled skin he began to make his way towards the opposite hall leading to the bookshop when ahead of him he saw a pool of blood.
Rushing forward Maldird turned the corner next to the door that had been Huleeya’s goal only to find the Argonian laying against the wall, a dart of Ebony protruding out of his chest, the tip having broken off in the wound, and what Maldrid thought was a crushed throat.
Cursing to himself Maldrid tried to see if there was anything he could do but the dull blank look in Huleeya’s eyes was a clear sign that they were dead, a cold dreadful feeling rushed through Maldrid’s body as he stood up and began to make his way out of the Plaza. As he left he could hear the armored forms of the Ordinators arriving, he really didn’t want to get tied to what happened here.
Sadrith Mora, Vvardenfell, Morrowind
Mai’Istar hopped off the boat carefully, finally off the rocking thing she gave a genial wave goodbye to the captain and crew before making her way up the path towards some kind of gatehouse. Figuring with a closed door she walked up the stairway to the side of the main door and was able to find a smaller door above it. Inside instead of some kind of guard barracks that she expected, Mai found that it was more like a pub and just had some people milling around.
Taking in the room she found someone that looked like they would know where she could go get answers. Walking up to the Redguard behind the bar she nodded to them trying to give a reassuring smile. “Hello, I am looking to enter the city and found the entrance closed. Is there someone I need to talk to?”
The Redguard chuckles a little, “Well, you could talk to one of the guards about that. Or you may want to try the Dunmer downstairs that goes by the name Angaredhel, He is the Prefect of Hospitality and he’ll give you a pitch to buy some of this Hospitality Papers. Supposedly you need those to do anything of substance in this city. Unless you are a House Member or Kin to one technically you can’t do trade or business with anyone outside of the Gateway Inn.”
The Redguard shrugs, “Either way will get you into Sadrith Mora.”
Nodding along Mai’Istar thinks for a moment, “Well I guess I’m off to talk to this Angaredhel. I wouldn’t want to step on anyone’s toes... Thank you for the information.”
As she was about to leave the bar and head downstairs though she catches sight of a beautiful sight, on one of the shelves she could see a bottle of Cyrodil Brandy. Now that was going to be a reason to come here again at the very least. But, later. She did not want to be inebriated when meeting with Telvani House members.
Going down the stairs Mai found this supposed Angaredhel standing near another door leading outside. He looked to be reading a book of some kind and he only game Mai’Istar a cursory glance before going back to reading.
After a moment, as Mai got closer, Andgaredhel glanced up again. This time registering something about Mai’s appearance that caused him to stand up fully.
“I'm Angaredhel, the Prefect of Hospitality here at the Gateway Inn. Shall I tell you about my trade? Or do you need Hospitality Papers? Or perhaps you are open to an offer of work?"
Taken back only for a brief second Mai’Istar nods, “I am Mai’Istar Dess, And I was told I might need some hospitality papers to do anything in Sadrith Mora?”
Angaredhel nods, "According to the Collective Articles of the Council of the Great House Telvanni, out-house and outlander guests in Sadrith Mora may not travel in town or speak to or conduct business with citizens, tradesmen, or publicans unless they have Hospitality Papers. This is for the comfort and safety of our guests. As Prefect of Hospitality for Sadrith Mora, I can provide you with these papers for 25 gold. Would you care to purchase these Hospitality Papers?"
“Twenty five gold!? That seems like a bit much to just allow me into the city. I’m trying to get in contact with someone in the House to join as a Member
The Dunmer male stops and looks Mai’Istar up and down disapprovingly, “You want to join House Telvani. Looking like something the Scribs dragged through the mud and left out to dry? I would suggest that you first go get yourself cleaned up and looking like a proper supplicant before going to the Council House and asking to join the esteemed House Telvanni.”
Taking a breath Mai’Istar was trying to keep herself calm as she looks directly into Angaredhel’s eyes, “And to do that I would need to buy some Hospitality Papers aren’t I.”
“That would be the beginning of the chain of events, yes.”
With a deep sigh Mai’Istar reached into her coin pouch and produced the required coinage. “There, take it. Before I decide otherwise that this is a scam and to just walk out of here.”
It took another hour or so to get the paperwork all filled out but Mai’Istar was already feeling drained from the experience, going into the actual town sitting in the center of a crater it was actually quite beautiful, the mushroom plant life thriving in this island city.
Before Mai’Istar could get caught up to much in the scenery she shook herself back into motion and started heading towards what looked to be a market. Once there she was able to see a few people selling some clothing, but she also saw some cages hanging off to the side of the Market with people inside. At first thinking they were criminals she had scene some imperial cities back in Cyrodil she was mildly shocked to see someone paying to buy one of them. It was a slave market stall!
Grinding her teeth Mai’Istar was almost about to rush over there and do something about it but... could she really do anything? This place was ruled by the Telvanni, in Morrowind, which is an almost completely autonomous province of the Empire. She... really coudln’t do anything... So she had to force her back to the slave market and turned and bought some clothing, something better than the travelers garbs she had been wearing.
Once changed into her clean and decent clothing she focused once more and began to make her way to the Council House just past the Market. She needed to join House Telvanni, outside of the guild they were going to be the only ones to help her with learning Magic and to stay out of danger as much as possible.
Things were looking up for Mai’Istar after all.
Hla Oad; Vvardenfell, Morrowind
“I’m still not sure that Scary-Teeth didn’t just want me out of town for a few hours...” Cera trudged through the wilderness between Balmora and her destination, geared up with some actually decent armor, she isn’t really worried about any creatures she might find along the way. And as she moved through the swamps and hills around the small hamlet she began to see the murky shapes of huts near the road with some signposts. She was about ready to walk right on by the ‘buildings’ only to find out that this was indeed Hla Oad.
Looking around quizzically Cera shrugged as she moved amongst the huts... shacks? That sounded better, she moved in amongst the shacks and asked where she could find a certain Ra'Zhid.
Just asking around she quickly found out that they usually hung around the Fatleg’s Drop Off, and drank quite heavily. The man never seemed to do anything and yet he always had a supply of alcohol on hand. That was some useful information to have on hand if Cera was being honest with herself.
The shack that had the terrible honor of being called Fateg’s Drop Off was tiny compared to even the smallest shop in Balmora. Stepping inside just revealed just how shaky it really was. Though it did have a trap door off to her left, the amount of boxes, barrels and three people barely had room for even the dingy table and bench with poor food laying in bowls that would probably give anyone using the splinters.
The two other occupants other than Cera was a Khajit and a Redguard. From taking around and simply from the fact that she was sent here to find him, Cera knew that the Khajit was Ra’Zhid. The man was slumped over the table with a bottle of booze in his hand while the Redguard was busy looking through one of the boxes inside this sad place.
While she knew the Redguard was busy Cera produced one of the bottles she had prepared from the ingredients she had ‘acquired’ from Nalcarya’s shop and some light harvesting along the way to the town.
Tipping the concoction in was simple enough and it was quiet too which was useful. Then once the concoction was in the drink and Cera was certain it wasn’t going to go anywhere she kicked Ra’Zhid’s chair leg startling him awake.
“Gah! Who disturbs Ra’Zhid!?” The drunk Khajit turned to look at Cera who had her arms crossed and looking down at him with disdain.
“Sugar-Lips sent me for the Dwemer Artifacts, where are they?”
Blinking Ra’Zhid glanced behind Cera and she turned to see the Redguard looking over at the two of them. As he did Cera noticed that he moved in front of a chest. Well that was simple enough...
“Ra’Zhid knows not where Outlander thinks I could get my hand on Dwemer Artifacts, now go away.” The Khajit turned back to his drink, picking up a bottle of cheap alcohol and pour some more into the cup before taking a long drink
“You know exactly what I’m talking about, and you know that Sugar-Lips would be quite livid with you if you don’t cough them up.”
Finishing his chugging, Ra’Zhid turned around to look more fully at Cera and trying to gesture for her to go away, “Fine! They aren’t here yet, now get out of here and leave Ra’Zhid to Ra’Zhid’s drink.”
Cera slapped her hand down on the table jostling the wooden plates and food, “And I’m supposed to trust you?”
The Khajit turned a furious glare on her and as they stood up from their seat, wobbling a bit along the way, they pushed forward to muscle the comparatively Cera out of the way. “Get out of my way Outlander, or Ra’Zhid will be your end.”
Cera gave a half hearted glare back before taking a half step back and to the side letting the Khajit leave, brushing past her as he did so. His wobbly gait only seemed to exaggerate as he left the building.
Turning to give the Redguard a look she shrugged and sighed before running a hand through her hair. “You wouldn’t happen to sell anything would you? I’m looking for more arrows, and possibly a better bow. This is barely passable.” She unslings her Short Bow, the redguard just shakes his head
“No bows, I’ve got plenty of arrows but no bows.”
“I think I’m good on that account, guess I’ll just have to make do.” Cera shrugs and begins to move towards the door.
Stepping outside she notices Ra’Zhid slumped against the shack wall with his eyes wide open and a bit of drink still on his lips.
That brew seemed to have kicked in faster than she had anticipated, *’Or my dear girl you just lost track of the day, who knows’*, going down on one knee she closes Ra’zhid’s eyes before rummaging around in his pockets, coming out with a key and a paper with some directions on it.
East of Vivec, South East of Suran. Small rocky island next to dwemer ruin, best supplier in all of Vvardenfell, remember, do not attack the Mudcrab
Cera folds that away, this sounds mostly like gibberish, but hey. If the artifacts aren’t in the chest he looked at earlier than she might be able to get some stuff from near this ‘supplier’.
With key in hand, even if it is cheating to use a key she probably didn’t have the time to attempt to pick it with the Redguard in there watching the chest.
Looking around the small village for anyone looking her way she crouches down and listens to the door, tracking where the Redguard most likely is. It takes a few minutes but when she’s sure he’s not looking directly at the door she slowly forces the door open as quietly as she can.
It was a simple matter to slip in and out of the shack again, the Redguard was practically deaf from moving stuff around in one of the boxes that Cera could get in and out and with the artifacts in her bag she was already moving out of this mess of a village. As she began leaving the town though she pulls out the note again. Curiosity slowly creeping up on her she nods and begins making her way towards a boat at dock, a single Dunmer putting some sacks of supplies into it as she gets close. When the Dunmer male spotted her they grined wide. “Well hello Outlander, looking for passage? I can take you from Hla Oad to Vivec, Ebonheart, Molag Mar, and Tel Branora. This is my Ship, the Frost-Ghost.”
Cera nods, “I’d like passage to Vivec please, Would you mind if we go a bit off course or is this just a straight shot there?”
The Dunmer still smiing shrugs, “Depends on how far off from you intend to take me, but we can talk about that once we set sail. Hop aboard, I was about the set the sail.”
Doing just that Cera easily steps onto the small boat and they sail off in a matter of moments. Heading towards Vivec and this ‘Supplier’ of Ra’Zhid’s.