Two people sat in the Green Grog, discussing Dark Eyes's recent win in the arena over two pints of Ale.
"'E's a god 'e is!" Stated the first, a rough, unrefined looking Nord with a pair of torn pants and long sleeve shirt; coupled with small holes. His stubby, unshaven chin helped to cast an irregular shadow on the bar in the low candle light.
The other was a more elegant looking fellow who sported a long blue robe which was trimmed lightly with green around the neck of his hood; which at that moment rested on his back. The hood usually obscured the upper half of his face, but since he had it down, both his black eyes and hair could be seen. He gazed at the other with half closed eyes, as if bored by the conversation."If he was a god, then he would have escaped by now, don't you think? Why wouldn't he want freedom?"
The Nord took a quick swig of his Ale, retorting, "'Cus, 'e's jus' wantin' a reason to fight 'e is!"
The other shook his head softly, his ale untouched. "That's a stupid assumption. Just like all assumptions you make when you're drunk."
The Nord laughed hysterically as he took a final drink from his Ale, leaving it empty. "Say there mate, I..." He swayed a bit on his stool. "I... I'm not drunk, I'm just happy!" Suddenly, his head fell to the bar, with loud snoring following suit. But about a minute later, he opened his eyes and looked up at his companion, then at the ale situated in front of him. "You gona drink that?"
For the first time, the caped man chuckled. "Nah." He pushed the ale to his friend, and looked away, closing his eyes as if in deep meditation.
"Hello, Drake the Mask."
His concentration marred, the hooded figure's eyes instantly snapped open, and he glanced behind him at an Argonian. Judging from the size and slenderness of the Argonian, it was a female. He glared contemptuously at her. "Who are you, how do you know my name, and what are you doing out of your cage, slave?"
The Argonian laughed heartily at Drake, as if she was so used to that response, she didn't care for insults. "My name is Jalanza, but you may call me Jenna. I'm one of the few free Argonian slaves in this continent, and I was lucky to be born that way. Oh yes, and you may stop wearing that silly human disguise. I know your true race; it is a race of slaves, just like mine... you're a Khajiit.
Drake smirked, turning both himself and attention to the Argonian. "You're not short of wit are you? What do you want with me."
"I require both you and your furry friend over there's service," She pointed to the drunkard Nord who had already gulped down the ale and was snoring loudly on the bar. "I know what you do... you use your powers to rob the rich."
"I won't take any more companions than I already have." replied Drake laconically.
Jenna shook her head. "Don't insult me. I'm not planning to rob a bank. I'm planning to liberate a trapped soul."
Drake was beginning to become annoyed. He interrupted. "And why should I help you?"
Jenna kept her expression calm and stately; tersely put unreadable. "Of course your incentive won't be to help out someone else. I came prepared," She pulled out a large cloth bag that jingled a bit when she let it aloft. " Two-Thousand drakes and," She then pulled out a massive book and held it up for him to see. " 'The Selvisis' Seven Shapeshifting Secrets, straight from the banned Magical arts section in the Arcane Libraries. I assume you haven't read it? After all, there's only one copy."
For the smallest moment, Drake appeared uninterested in the stately offer, but his expression quickly rematerialized into a thin side smirk... one a cocky Imperial might procure. "You sure know how to convince another of your endeavors. I'm sold, but your problem'll be my furry friend over there."
Jenna addressed Drake's friend, who appeared asleep, but she was convinced otherwise. "I can offer you an equal amount of shillings as your friend here. But the little extra gift, I'm not sure of. I don't know what your kind could profit from, but you can make a reasonable offer, and if I can follow through with it, I will. Otherwise, I'm not sure.
Upon being provoked, Drake's snoring companion instantly woke from his drunken slumber. He looked around coolly at Jenna with bloodshot eyes, and in a deep voice stated, "I can tell you're an intelligent beast. I think you're the smartest Argonian I've ever met; knowing I wasn't asleep like that. But I digress. The drakes will do fine, but that little extra gift... would be the objective of the job. You see, I've been helping Drake here steal for so long, that I'm in need of a refreshment in the form of something original. So if you have a convincing job, I'll help... plus the drakes."
"Well, I'll tell you this," began Jenna. She moved in closer to the two, lowering her inherently raspy voice to the best whisper she could. "It's a jail break, and yes, there will be many guards around this particular prisoner."
The Nord seemed interested, and Drake's face began to grow serious as he lost his smile.
"So, what prisoner is it? I can't recall an enemy of great importance enough coming into the Imperial city recently." said the Nord.
"I can't state anything further until you agree to join me."
"Fine then, I'm in." Declared Drake.
The Nord sat up, and for the first time Jenna saw his true height. His head was level with hers, and she was standing up. She felt uncomfortable around him, but her expression remained as unreadable as ever. He addressed her. "Will we be able to shed the blood of those Imperial bastards?"
Jenna nodded. "You both can change in someway, whereas I cannot. So you'll be able to, while I'll be confined to sneaking around them. But I have no problem with that; I'm used to it."
"Then count me in as well. My reward, as I said, will be the experience."
"Where are we going to meet?" asked Drake.
"Day before the next full moon; two days," Jenna glanced at the Nord. "Here, if you will. But in a rented room. I've found that what's said here, stays here, and that's very cardinal to this job as a whole. I'm planning to find a few more helpers, so don't be surprised when you see them."
Drake snorted contemptuously. "I hate working in groups. The other mercenaries in this area are idiots. And if you bring a single idiot here, I'm out. I'd much rather survive."
Jenna nodded again. "Don't worry. The prisoner is important to me. Important enough for me to check out who I'm dealing with before I hire them. So, I'm only hiring the best, and quite frankly, you two are among them."
Drake chuckled. "As far as I'm concerned, I am the best. So please, save your complements for others. I don't take to them kindly."
Jenna opened her mouth to protest, but then looked outside and saw that night was approaching. She looked hesitantly at Drake, and threw on a fake, although convincing smile. "Fine then, I will. Just be there, and I'll brief you and the rest. I've got to go, farewell Khajiit." She stuck out a scaly hand. Drake studied her hand for a moment, and then returned the handshake.
Without another word, she turned to leave. As she opened the door, the sun shown it's deep crimson face over the ramparts. And as she walked down the irregular stone road that was littered with grime and debris, she pulled out a small crumpled piece of paper from somewhere in her robe, reading out loud it's contents. "To those who require my service, meet me at the harbor, in it's slums, immediately after sunset. No sooner, no later. Signed Jacques. P.S. Don't run from or attack the Atronach, she is precious to me. If you hurt her, I'll be forced to do the same to you. Worse even."
The sun was just about to reach the end of it's descent when she reached the colossal twin doors that led out of the city and into the harbor. Taking one last glance in the direction of the arena, she held out her hands to the massive spires that poked their heads over the city's walls. "I'll save you yet, I promise."
With that, she signaled to the guard to open the gate, and walked calmly into the harbor.
Short Chapters Quick Bursts, There, That's The Ticket!
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