Chapter 2: Search for Sultan

After a day of rest I had a chat with the Guildmaster about another mission, he told me that a Dunmer called Sultan was hiding somewhere in Vivec. Sultan was one of Jiubs personal assistants, and knew the location of a cache of weapons.

"That would help the guild a lot." he said, "The other members of the guild could use some better weapons."

"Ok, I'll do my best to find him."

I turned to leave.

"Nem, watch out for other ASP members. There's no telling how many are in Vivec. I'm sure they know what you look like now too, thanks to your little liberation of Sadrith Mora."

"Thanks for the warning, see you later."

"Good luck."

The Silt Strider traveled across the landscape as I pondered my new mission. Finding someone in a city as massive and confusing as Vivec was not going to be easy, what was I thinking when I signed up for this? I sighed as the Strider came to a stop just outside the Foreign Quarter of Vivec, the sky turned to a soothing shade of pink as the sun began to set, I should have left earlier. I glanced up at the canton that towered before me.

"Nine of these." I muttered to myself, wondering once again what I had gotten myself into.

I climbed up the path to the entrance of the Foreign Quarter, wondering where the best place to get information would be. I entered the canton, the stone halls had an orange glow from the lights, I never really liked this city, the interior always looked so gloomy to me. I walked the hallways, looking at the different rooms. An Apothecary, an Alchemist, a rare book shop, I made a mental note to come back to the bookstore once I finished my mission. Down the hall opposite was the Black Shalk Cornerclub, I figured someone in there might know something about this Sultan guy.

The Cornerclub was quite crowded, this explains why I only saw Ordinators walking the halls. I took a seat at the end of the bar, next to an Altmer. After ordering some Greef I asked the bartender about a Dunmer called Sultan and the ASP, he seemed a bit nervous after I asked, saying he hadn't heard of the ASP or anyone called Sultan, and quickly walked away. I took a sip of Greef, feeling a bit tired.

"Excuse me." I heard someone whisper, I turned and realized it was the Altmer next to me. "You said you're looking for Sultan?" he asked.

"Yes, do you know where I can find him?"

"Why do you want to find him?"

"Why else? I want to join the ASP."

"I see." he glanced around the room to see if anyone was listening, "Meet me at the Telvanni Canalworks around noon tomorrow, if you need a place to spend the night this place has rooms for rent." he said before standing up and walking out of the Cornerclub.

"That was odd, I must be becoming a better liar or I keep running into idiots." I thought, finishing off my drink.

I inquired about renting a room for the night, and took the cheapest one. It was a tiny room with a single bed and a chest in the corner, the candle on a table by the bedside provided the only light, it was just as dreary as the rest of this city. I removed my robe and armor, placing it in the chest, and set my bow and quiver against the wall by the table. As I laid in the bed I thought about todays events and what tomorrow could bring, the Altmer that said he would help me, it just seemed fishy.

"Probably a trap, but it's not like I have any other leads." I thought aloud, talking to myself when I'm thinking is a habit, probably a bad one. "Why the Telvanni Canalworks anyway? Could they be involved with the ASP somehow?" I rolled over, trying to clear my head "Nah, it's probably just a coincidence." I was too tired to really bother thinking about it.

Morning came and nearly went before I woke up, I got dressed, grabbed Magebane and my quiver. I bought some crab meat at the bar for a late breakfast before heading out of the Foreign Quarter and dashing off to the Telvanni canton. I glanced up at the sun, it looked to be about 11:30. As I passed the Redoran and Arena cantons I noticed dark clouds gathering overhead, it was going to rain soon. I went inside the Telvanni canton just as the rain started coming down, it looked like it was going to be quite a storm.

I went down the stairs into the Canalworks, the Altmer I met in the bar was leaning against the wall near the trapdoor to the Underworks, waiting for me.

"Glad you came, and forgive me for not properly introducing myself earlier, my name is Anaren."

"Oh, my name's Nem. Can I ask you something Anaren?"

"Of course, although I cannot promise an answer."

"Why are you helping me meet Sultan?"

"Such a simple question. I am part of the ASP, a recruiter to be specific. I find promising warriors and mages and, after an evaluation of their skills, take them to meet Sultan and make them an official part of the ASP."

"I see, but what made you think I would be a good choice?"

"I know these things, it comes with age and experience. I saw potential in you, and you said you were interesting in joining us."

"Potential? Um, thank you. But what is this evaluation I need to take?"

"It's a simple test of skill, in your case, your skill with the bow you carry."

"Ok, where do I take this test?"

"An eager one aren't you? Follow me." He opened the trapdoor and climbed down into the Underworks.

"It's just down here." he said, leading me to a wooden door into the center of the Underworks. As I entered I looked around, it was empty, just a foul smell in the air and a light hanging in the center of the room.

"Anaren wha-" the door slammed behind me and the lock clicked, I was trapped. "Anaren! What're you doing!" I yelled through the door.

"Don't act like a fool, I know you're with Forlorn."

"So you're just going to lock me up and leave me to die!"

"No, a friend of ours is in there with you."

I looked back at the room after hearing this, there was a something in the corner. I took a closer look, it was a pile of bones and shattered skulls. I turned to go back to the door and realized there was now someone standing in the light, looking at me. It was an Orc wearing rusted and bloodstained armor, he held a warhammer in his right hand. "Food." is all I heard him mutter before he charged at me. I leapt out of the way and his hammer struck the wall, sending shards of stone flying in all directions.

"Such strength, I'm glad he doesn't have the speed to back it up." I thought to myself as I avoided another swing. "I can't get enough distance to use Magebane in this room, what can I do? If he hits me it's over!" I ran in front of the door, if I could get him to hit it... he rushed me again, I felt the warhammer nick the armor beneath my robe as I dodged. The wooden door cracked and the hinges gave way when the warhammer struck it. The Orc seemed to pause as the door fell over, I ran out not giving it much thought, the only thing going through my mind was "Run!"

I sprinted along the canal to the ladder, and skidded to a stop after I saw Anaren standing near it.

"You!" I yelled, forgetting about the Orc and grabbing Magebane and an arrow. Anaren jumped when he heard my voice,

"H-how did you get out?"

I just glared at him "Shut up and answer my questions!" I fired an arrow, striking his right leg. I walked up to him, firing another arrow through his left arm. I stood over him as he lay on the ground bleeding, nocking an arrow and aiming at his face. I hesitated, remembering my mission. "Tell me where Sultan is and I won't kill you."

"H-he's staying at St. Olms canton, South-two of the Canal."

"Thanks." I lowered my aim let go of the bowstring, letting the third arrow pierce his left leg. "Now, if that was a lie I'll know you can't go too far." I said, climbing up the ladder.

As I climbed the staircase to the Telvanni Waistworks, there was a scream followed by a loud smash. I ran back down the stairs and opened the trapdoor, at the bottom of the ladder I saw what must have been Anaren. His head had been crushed and his right arm was torn off, the Orc that nearly killed me was sitting a few feet from the remains, gnawing on Anarens severed arm. I quietly shut the trapdoor and went back up the stairs.

"I hope my next mission isn't as bloody as these first two have been... I feel sick." I mumbled, leaving the Telvanni canton.