Author's note: After spending far too long cruising the internet in search of long legged bugs to base Velgath on, I finally gave it up as a bad job and started looking instead for bugs whose bodies reminded me of a silt strider. Bonus points to anyone who can figure out what critter I settled on.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own Morrowind, or any of the other wondrous creations of Bethesda Softworks, however I certainly lay claim to misspellings, mistakes, tweaks, spells and characters of my own creation.

The sun was sparkling across the bay waters when heavy footfalls along the walk pier announced the arrival of Vodunius Nuccius.

"Am I too early to presume on your company?"

He was carrying a rolled up quilt, and a large satchel that smelled like some of Arrillee's best culinary handiwork had gone into it. Out of one corner of the leather satchel, Darvame could see what looked like the top of a bottle of shein. Well, wasn't that interesting?

She stepped forward, and in her most genially formal caravaner style, asked. "Where would you like to go?"

He stepped close so that his body obscured the unlikely possibility of anyone trying to observe the transaction. "A diversion if you would. I'm looking to become more educated on the ways of Morrowind, and I would cure my outlander's ignorance with a lesson."

In his hand, centered in a gold cloth surely dyed by Kanet pollen, sat a teardrop shaped pearl with a green-blue sheen. It was softly radiant in the sunlight, and it was at least half the size of a man's thumb.

He added softly. "I think we both value discretion."

"Indeed." She said. This one peal could have purchased him the price of passage on a ship out of Morrowind several times over. Which begged the question of what he really wanted in Seyda Neen.

Perhaps the privacy, the blanket and the shein pointed to a pleasantly diverting potential answer.

"Let us start with a journey to Vivec." She said mildly. "Perhaps I can teach you a thing or two about Morrowind, oh outlander."

He smiled. "I would be pleased."

"Pray be seated. Our travels will begin shortly."

He settled himself carefully on a low bench, and let the bundle rest beside him. He looked to each side, and frowned slightly. A very slightly rhythmic rocking motion began.

Darvame raised an eyebrow at the Imperial's consternation. "You were hoping for more of a view?" It wasn't entirely a question, because it was such a common reaction.

"I admit I was."

She perched on the bench across from him, her left hand resting casually on Velgrath's inside antennae. "Early on in the trip, that wouldn't be wise. Velgrath might think you were going to fall out of her pouch. If she gets too excited, she'll try to grab you."

"And that would be bad?"

"Compared to Silt Strider offspring, mer and men are fragile creatures."

"Offspring." He spoke musingly.

They sat in companionable silence for a time. Visible above the edges of Velgrath's pouch were the tops of ferntrees. Though the gentle rocking motion hadn't really changed, the tree tops were passing at a rate faster than most could run.

Vodunius sat back, watching the passage of the branches. "With the speed we are making, I wouldn't expect to take very long to get to Vivec."

Darvame smiled. "And how easy was it to note changes in speed?"

Before he could answer, the passage of the treetops abruptly slowed, and yet there was no apparent difference in the rocking motion of the strider.

The Imperial's right eyebrow rose inquiringly.

Darvame stood and gestured for him to do the same. "It's safe to look now."

Peering over the edge, they could see that Velgrath had stopped quite closely to one of the ferntrees. She was shifting her legs, and rocking a bit, but she was oriented so that she appeared to be nuzzling the fork of the ferntree's branches.

"What?" Voldunius began, and then his comment trailed off.

The strider slowly backed a bit away from the ferntree, and as she did so, a long proboscis became visible, clearly being pulled back from where it had been thrust deep into the crown of the ferntree. It was almost as wide as one of her legs, and as she finally retracted all the way, the Imperial could see that it was hollow. The very tip was edged with what appeared to be a cupped blade.

"She was hungry." The caravaner commented. "Silt striders don't generally care for seawater."

Voldunius watched the last of the proboscis retreat out of sight.

Without any change of the gentle rocking motion, Velgrath reoriented herself and continued past the ferntree. She hooned a rippling song, which Darvame, hands on the strider's inner antenna, answered with a brief whistled counter melody.

The Imperial sat himself down onto the passenger area again. Waiting politely until the musical interchange faded, he said. "All is well?"

The Dunmer nodded. "She'll let me know if anything interesting turns up."

"Is this a good time to ask about any interesting things that have happened in the past?"

Darvame paused and then spoke musingly. "A Telvanni never gives away anything for free, but on the other hand, you have been overly generous in your hire."

Voldunius settled back. "We could trade questions." After a moment he added. "This is a surprisingly comfortable mode of travel."

"Is that your first question?" The corner of her mouth curved in a slight smile.