Introductions

Teldryn had just settled back into his favorite chair by the fire with a fresh mug of sujamma, his back to the wall and an eye to the door, as he stretched his legs and considered his options. He had been spending more time at the Retching Netch of late, ostensibly to get word out that he was up for hire again, but even Geldis hadn't had any leads. In truth he was hanging around the bar as much out of boredom as he was for networking purposes. He was by no means the only one. While the tavern was next to deserted; Drovis cleaning still empty tables for the third or fourth time in as many hours, there were still a few patrons deep in their cups and depression at separate dark corners about the place.

Solsteim had fallen on hard times, with the mine closing and folks out of work. The merchants had been the first to leave. Now the air smelled of desperation as much as any volcanic fallout. Whole families were scraping up savings for their boat tickets back to the mainland. Walking through town this evening, he had noticed more boards up over doors and darkened windows, the streets and market were thinning out earlier every evening.

Raven Rock was no longer a place anyone went to earn or spend money and even the long term residents were talking about clearing out.

Teldryn was planning on doing the same. His last 'job' had been to guard a group of prospectors scouting around the north side of the island and into Reikling territory. The trip had been a bust and they hadn't been able to pay him upon their return. Not that he was exactly hurting for money. Yet. But that had been weeks ago and one did not survive as a freelance mercenary by failing to plan ahead.

Glover Mallory came through the door, nodding to him as he headed down the stairs to the bar, unwrapping his facecloth as he went. The breeze must have picked up for the night if he felt he needed to cover up just to cross the market plaza from his forge. Teldryn felt the sympathetic itch in his chest and resisted the urge to start coughing.

A group of the Redoran guard came in a few moments later, pulling helmets off and heading down for a round after working their shift. No prospects there, but his sharp ears picked up on their conversation as they headed down the stairs.

"Did ya get a look at that stranger came off the boat this afternoon?" The first guard sounded scandalized.

"Hard to miss. S'wit won't last a day here dressed like that." Second guard sounded bored.

"Bloody Altmer. What is he doing here, did he say? Better not be trouble." This one sounded suspicious, probably a by- the- book type who detested any excitement. That described too many to Teldryn's way of thinking.

The conversation faded out of earshot as they headed down to the bar but it hardly mattered. He had heard all he needed.

His eyes narrowed behind the goggles he was still wearing out of habit. He took a long slow sip of his drink and considered this new information. A stranger had come in, an altmer, and unprepared for Raven Rock. Could be an opportunity for work. Could also be all kinds of trouble. Most Altmer this far from the Summerset Isles were bureaucrats or soldiers for the Aldmeri Dominion. What were they called again? The-something…?

What in Oblivion would one of them be doing here?

He had never had any problems with them, personally, but he had never lived anywhere where they had kept a heavy presence before either. He'd heard the stories, though. People disappearing. That was something to stay clear of. On the other hand, if it got him off this ash cursed island, maybe it would be worth the risk to negotiate a contract? Strictly short term, of course.

His musing was interrupted when the door swung open again to admit a gust of wind borne ash and a tall figure who paused silhouetted for a moment by the lanterns outside before stepping into the firelight inside and dusting himself off.

This had to be him.

The stranger wore a weathered heavy coat of dark ankle length leather of the sort favored by highwaymen or experienced travelers. It hung from a broad shouldered frame with the casual ease of a garment that was both comfortable and familiar from long ownership. Beneath this he wore a loose shirt and dark pants, both travel stained and nondescript. He sported numerous pockets, pouches and straps, as well as a pack slung carelessly over one shoulder. Not a bureaucrat or a soldier then. Adventurer, maybe? Although bandit was still a possibility. The ash wastes out past the bulwark were already crawling with the sort.

Fingerless gloves over long fingered hands mussed through his hair in an attempt to dislodge the ash. A silver amulet gleamed at his throat. Teldryn didn't recognize the design. Something with magic? Blades hung easily at his belt. Longsword and dagger in scuffed battered scabbards. They'd seen a lot of use. Nothing too noteworthy about that. Except…Teldryn sat up straight. Was that…ebony?!

Now that was something!

Teldryn continued his scan of the stranger's appearance from behind his mask and goggles, staring without being seen. The details weren't adding up. His clothes, pack, and bearing all said adventurer. The ebony blade said successful adventurer.

Successful adventurers didn't come to places like Raven Rock.

The overgrown mop of hair, sandy brown and still bearing a visible dusting of ash, fell around the telltale pointed ears and the high slant of mer cheekbones. The face beneath the cloth he had tied makeshift around his nose and mouth appeared young, although with mer it could be hard to tell. Even being one himself, Teldryn could do no more than hazard a guess sometimes. Good looking. Tawny olive skin and an elegant sloping brow over an unsettlingly keen gaze, now that he had stopped squinting and adjusted to the interior lighting.

Staring right back at him.

That gave Teldryn a start. Usually he sat here unnoticed, blending in, one of the reasons he had staked out this very spot. Behind his mask and goggles no one could tell what he was looking at, or even if his eyes were open. Well, this fellow must either have a great instinct for when someone was watching him, or he'd screwed up somehow and given himself away, and Teldryn didn't think he'd screwed up.

Unless…the stranger had noticed him noticing the blade he carried. Which was possible. Ebony was quite expensive and carrying a blade like that if you didn't know what you were doing was just begging someone to try and take it off you.

The stranger, still staring, started forward and Teldryn felt a prickle of alarm up the back of his neck, dropped one hand under the table, closer to his sword. Adrenaline started to slide through his belly and he shifted his weight forward over his feet in preparation to stand, but the stranger simply descended the stairs without a word.

Feeling a bit foolish and shaken up, Teldryn let out a deep breath and sat back, chiding himself for the out of practice reaction. Still, this fellow was an interesting puzzle.

And, maybe, an even more interesting opportunity. He would have to make sure he found a way to make introductions before the stranger headed back out.