The gatekeeper at the Imperial City was sitting in a chair by the main gate. In his hand was a piece of wood he was whittling into whatever shape the wood decided to become. In his absent-minded state he didn't notice the two argonian travelers coming up the road till they were almost at the gate.

One was male, not very tall barely an inch below six feet, his scales were as dark green as pine needles. His eyes were a deep brown. He had small bone-spikes projecting along his jaws on either side numbering eight in total. The smallest was only an inch or two above the skin, while the longest at the rear of his jaw was easily four inches in length. Other that that his head was bare. On his back was a recurve bow out of a wood he didn't recognize. Probably some swamp tree, the guard decided without questioning. He also had a quiver of arrows that was nearly full,, the arrow shafts seemed to be made of the same wood and they were fletched with some material the gatekeeper didn't recognize right off. He wore simple clothing, pants of soft leather and boots to match. His shirt, a similar soft leather, was slung over his right shoulder, something the gatekeeper wished he could do since it was a hot summer's day and the sun was beating high over-head, revealing a well muscled chest and stomach. He also had a strange knife belted to his waist and a pack of design he had never seen before. It was a dark green, same as the argonian's scales, barely large enough for a change of clothes and a bed-roll, and had tight loops of cloth covering the front and side pockets.

The other was female, she was only an inch or two shorter than he was and she carried herself with great dignity. Her scales were smaller than her companions and almost the same shade. Her eyes were a bright, lively green. She walked close to him even though the road was empty except for them. She wore a simple dress and soft leather boots, similar to her companion's and she had a golden necklace with a pendant etched with interlacing lines forming an intricate design resembling many roots all leading from a single flawless amethyst in the center. She carried a pack much like the ones the gatekeeper was used to seeing, full of wares it seemed, and she had a simple steel dagger belted at her waist.

"What's your business here?" The gatekeeper said setting aside his carving and standing to his feet.

"We come to sell a few wares and see about finding work on a supply ship bound for Skyrim." the male argonian spoke.

The gatekeeper studied them for a minute. "Fair enough, good luck at the market."

He opened the gate and waited till they had gone through before he remembered, "Hold on a minute! I just remembered! The IceRunner is looking for two or three new hands, a kajhit stole almost all of the cargo before he was caught and he injured a few of the deckhands before they got him. The captain has recovered almost all of the cargo, but he needs a few more crew to make the journey safely. He's down by the docks, an older nord man."

"Thank you, gatekeeper I'll be sure to go there immediately and see about work." the male argonian replied, turning to catch up to his companion who had kept walking towards the market district.

Once they had gone their way the gatekeeper shut the gates once more and took to his whittling again.

"So, think they'll let us on the boat?" the female argonian asked once her companion caught up to her

"I think so, sounds like that kahjit did a number on them. I'll go talk to him while you're in the market. Hopefully he won't ask to much to let us on, those nords aren't exactly kind to us." he replied

They reached the market district, which smelled of fish, fruits, vegetables, and was filled with vendors all trying to get potential customers' attention.

"Looks like you'll have plenty of people to sell to, Armed-with-Lightening. Maybe I'll have good luck down there." he said as they walked to the center of the market

"Aye, I'm sure you will. Your strong and smart, make sure you make him see you as a valuable asset to his crew and not another person desperate for work. And put your shirt on! I don't mind at all but I doubt he will hire you for being handsome." Armed-with-Lightening said turning to face her companion. "I'll be waiting for you at the inn over there, Mist, I look forward to the good news you bring."

"I'll bring what news I have. If it is good then I'll treat us to a good meal." Hides-in-Mist (as his proper name is) said, tying up the neck of his shirt.

"Good, now off with you, I have things to sell and many vendors to haggle."

He bowed slightly, "As you say my lady" he said smiling. Then he put on his pack again and headed to the docks.

Armed-with-Lightening looked around the market for a bit and decided to try her luck selling the mud-crab legs Hides-in-Mist had gotten that morning to a vendor in the corner that had one or two crab legs on his stand.

"Well, lets get some gold." she mumbled to herself

Mist set foot on the dock and noticed a large ship at the end of the dock with the name ICERUNNER carved into the bow. An angry nord man was yelling at two men carrying a box onto the ship from a stack along the dock.

"Lovely, that must be the captain." he said to himself as he walked down the dock.

Two guards were blocking the branch of the dock leading to the IceRunner, they had been put there to stop anyone from stealing the now unloaded goods again.

"Hold it right there, lizard. Whats your business here?" The smaller of the two guards said as Mist-Walker neared.

"I was told the IceRunner could use some help on her next voyage to skyrim. I was wanting to help."

"Sorry you were told wrong."

"Your gatekeeper is the one who told me this, wasn't the ship robbed last night?"

"I'm warning you, argonian don't push your luck. We don't want your kind working here." the smaller guard said putting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Hides-in-Mist stared him down for a minute then let out a sigh. He turned to walk away, deciding to circumvent the guards by swimming out to the dock's edge.

"Hey! You! Argonian! Where are you goin'?" A heavily accented nord's voice called from the dock.

"Your guards turned me away, sir. They say you need no help getting ready to set sail. If that is the case then i have no business here." Mist-Walker said turning back to the dock

"They did, did they?" getting to the guards, "What in the name of Oblivion is wrong with you two?! You turn away the only healthy, able body that has come here today! And You expect me to pay you! Ha you two lumps are lucky I don't knock both of you out and toss you in the water. Argonian if you are still willing I could use your help loading the cargo and checking the hull before we set sail tomorrow."

"I am sir, or should I say captain?"

"Aye, captain is more like it. Ignore these two idiots and follow me."

Hides-in-Mist walked between the two guards with a not very well hidden smirk on his face. The captain showed him to the crew quarters below.

"Captain, do you have room for another?" he said while locking his pack and quiver in a chest.

"Aye, two more actually. If you need to bring someone with you your work today will pay their way on the ship." the captain said.

Mist followed the captain back on deck and began carrying the sacks of food and flour back on board. It was evening when the last of the cargo was finally tied down and ready for departure. The sun was setting in the hills to the east and reflected beautifully on the water's surface.

"Alright, boys that'll do it. and here is a little advanced pay. Go get yourselves a drink on me tonight." The captain said smiling. He pulled a coin purse out and gave each person twenty gold, enough for a night in town.

"Hey, argonian, here. I took the fare out already." the captain said as he handed Mist ten gold. "I don't usually take passengers, but if they work like you then we won't have a problem."

"Thank you, captain. You are too kind." Mist said bowing slightly as he accepted the gold.

"Ha! Your mind might change after a week on the ocean with me." he said and turned to go below deck.

"Are you not going to the tavern?" Mist called after him

"No, we leave early tomorrow morning. I want to make it out of here in one piece, but I would appreciate it if you brought a bottle of mead back. For once we hit the open sea." he added ducking into the captain's quarters.

Mist headed back up the dock, pausing at the gate to look on the beautiful sunset once more.

"Hey, Mist! You comin' or what?" on of the sailors, named Marcus, called.

"You all go on ahead, I have a date!" Mist replied, receiving a chorus of hoots, hollers, and unwanted advice from the sailors.

Mist laughed to himself as he walked down the emptying market district. He came to the door of the inn and made sure he had the coin to pay for a good dinner for him and Lightening then pushed the door open. The inside of the inn smelled of burning wood, cooking food, and mead, ale, and wine. He spotted Armed-with-Lightening across the room sitting at a table near the fire by herself. The inn-keeper/bar tender was waiting behind the counter washing a tankard.

"Hello, sir." Mist said walking over to the bar.

"Hello, master! What can I get for you?" He said happy to have another customer.

"I need a good meal for myself, and the lovely argonian lady next to the fire. Also two or three bottles of your best mead."

"Very good, sir. Anything in particular you would be craving tonight?"

"What ever your best dish is, friend." Mist said pulling out his coin purse.

"That'll be forty gold, sir, and i'll have it to your table in a matter of minutes."

Mist counted out the forty gold and handed it over to the barkeep. He handed Mist two bottles of mead and bustled into the kitchen. Taking the mead, Mist headed to the table passing a few of the city's residence and noticed a kajhit at a table near the far wall, half in the shadows which obscured most of his features. Deciding more important things than a single shady character were at hand he sat down with Lightening at the table and opened up both bottles of mead.

"Well how was your day?" Mist asked taking a swig and handing the other to Lightening.

"It went well! I made a decent amount of gold, more than i could have gotten back home. I helped the barkeep here with serving the tables till about an hour ago, got us a room for the night." She replied tasting the mead before taking a full swallow.

"Excellent! I have news of the IceRunner as well."

"Oh? Did you manage to get us a spot on board?"

"I did, the captain was more than glad at having another able body helping. He was more than willing to let me work off the fares." Mist replied after another swallow, almost half the bottle by now.

"Good, we leave in the morning then?"

"We do, and as promised here is our dinner."

The barkeep was making his way through the tables as Mist was saying this. He carried a tray with two plates with venison steak and a variety of grilled vegetables including potatoes and leek that were practically swimming in butter. He set the tray down on the table, bowed, and went back to the bar for another bottle of mead which he brought back quickly.

"I can't believe you bought this! and before we set sail too."

"All the more reason if you ask me."

They began eating their meal, taking their time and enjoying every bite. The bard in the inn got up and began to strum a tune on his lute. Other patrons arrived and left as the evening wore on, the inn was filled with merrymaking as the other patrons would sing along with the bard at times or brag about the deals they had struck or game they killed that day. Hides-in-Mist and Armed-with-Lightening sat contently watching the fire, drinking mead, and listening to the bard. On occasion Mist would join in the chorus singing softly to himself. Lightening had always thought he was a good singer, but he was shy to sing in front of a crowd, no matter how much he drank. She would listen to him, tuning out the drunken verses, hypnotized by the soft melody he added to the music of the lute and song.

It was near midnight when they decided to go to their room. They made their way through the tables and over to where the kahjit was sitting by the stairs. Lightening was halfway up the stairs when the kahjit made his move. He got up and pretended to trip on a chair, stumbling into Mist.

"You alright?" Mist said catching him.

"Yes, yes. Kharn is alright, thank you stranger." Kharn, the kajhit, said standing back to his feet. "Just a little to much to drink. I'll be on my way now."

Mist held Kharn's left wrist, he hadn't seen the kajhit take even a sip of anything since he had gotten there that day.

"Give me my coins purse and my knife back, or we're gonna have a problem." Mist said, in a kind but stern tone.

"Kharn doesn't know what your talking about, Khar-"

He was cut off by Mist taking his wrist and bending it behind his back, immobilizing him.

"I was mistaken, my pouch on my right hip. Take it."

Mist reached into the pouch, not letting go, and retrieved his things as well as a bottle of something that was next to his coin purse.

"There, not so hard now was it. One more question though. Where did you get the vile of sand around your neck?"

Mist released him and took a step back. Kharn rubbed his wrist.

"Oh this? I gathered it from the heart of the desert in Elswyer. Most of my kind consider it... less than respectable, but Kharn likes to have a piece of home with him."

"Well I had a friend that I met in Elswyer when i was being dragged through there by the Thalmor. I helped him escape, even though i had to stay behind myself."

He paused to let his words seep in. Kharn shifted his weight uncomfortable being cornered like he was. He met Mist's eyes and starred him down trying to size him up and decide how to take him down. Suddenly Mist's expression changed from anger and accusation to realization.

"It is the same Kharn I remember! How did you wind up here?" He said in disbelief

"Mist?! Is that really you? I thought you dead!" Kharn said relaxing.

"Yes its me!" Mist grabbed him in bear hug and lifted him off the ground, popping his back.

"Mist, you alright?" Lightening said at the top of the stairs.

"Yes, I'm great! This is an old friend from another life. I can't believe we ran into him here. Oh, Kharn this is my partner Armed-with-Lightening." Mist said taking a step onto the stairs.

"Another life, eh?" Lightening said looking cross-ways at Mist. "Well it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Kharn. Mist, I'll be in our room, third on the left. We have to get an early start tomorrow."

"The pleasure is mine, lady." Kharn said bowing in typical kajhit fashion.

Lightening held Mist's gaze for a few second before departing, looking back occasionally. The rest of the patrons had been too busy in song to notice what was going on. Kharn and Mist sat down at the table where Kharn had been most of the evening.

Kharn sat with his arms crossed smiling. Mist knew what he was thinking, he was about to make a smart comment about his and Lightening's relationship.

"Before you get the opportunity, say anything and I knock you out, shave you, and tie you upside down on the mast of the ship."

"Fair enough but Kharn must say one thing related to that. You could have done much worse."

Mist smiled and nodded. "So tell me, Kharn, how did you end up here?"

"Tried to make a living traveling with a trade caravan as their... acquisition specialist. When we came here i was able to get the more valuable items sold to them before i was caught. Used the money to pay off my bail. What about you?"

"That is a long story but I'll give you a condensed version now. You remember why they were hauling me off to the Summerset Isles, right?"

"Some kind of assassin training? You seemed to have learned a thing or two."

"Yes, they got the idea to train up their own shadowscale group loyal to the thalmor, anyways, thats where I met Lightening. We broke out of there after going through several months of training along with the other three argonians they had deemed fit to serve them. We escaped and scattered. Lightening and I grew close and stuck together, we decided to head to Skyrim, aid in the civil war as best we can."

They sat there for a minute remembering what had happened to them and what life was like before.

"Why rush into a war?" Kharn said breaking the pause in conversation.

"What better way to get back at them than to aid their enemies with the skills they honed to be used against them."

"It just so happen I need to get to Skyrim as well, how do you plan on getting there?"

Mist was glad that he didn't press questions.

"Well I just secured passage on the IceRunner for myself, Lightening, and one other person."

"Did i ever mention how much I've missed you since you sprung me free?" Kharn said jokingly

"Yes, you are welcome to join us old friend."

"There is just one problem with that." Kharn started cautiously.

"And that is?"

"Well you know how the IceRunner was robbed last night?"

"Your the one who robbed them."

"Well, yes and I've already paid my debt and told them where to find the cargo, but i'm afraid that the captain won't be so forgiving."

"Tell you what, bring a barrel of mead tomorrow morning and I'll take cares of the captain. We leavesh around five-thirty." Mist said rising to his feet, the mead taking affect.

"Five-thirty?!"

"Aye, be there."

"If I can sleep because of you two making all sorts of noise in your room, mine is right next door."

Mist landed a good punch on Kharn's arm laughing and walked up the stairs. Kharn stood there a moment with his fist clenched rubbing his arm. opening his fist, he started counting the coins from Mist's coin purse. Mist had snuck up behind him and reached around, taking back his coin purse.

"Nice try, Kharn."

"Go to your woman, I'll get the mead."

Mist walked up the stairs and found Lightening sleeping soundly on the bed. He carefully undressed and got in bed next to her, not waking her, and fell asleep quickly.