Aralin woke early, doing her cleaning duties swiftly. Hetmanil was still sleeping, so she decided to use some of her magic to help out. She used Telekinesis to lift things while she cleaned under them, and Magelight to light the areas which were not covered by the few candles lit around the shop. Once she had finished, she found some parchment and a quill and scrawled "Gone to market" for her father to see once he awoke.
She closed the door silently behind her, then made her way to the market to get fresh food. They didn't have much gold to spare on food this time, likely because the Khajiit had been camped outside the city the past few days. Not many would come to the Grey Quarter when they could simply see the Khajiit traders on their way out or into the city. Especially when so many hated the Dunmer in Windhelm.
It looked like it was going to rain, clouds filling the sky and blotting out the sun. Aralin made her purchases, filling up the basket she'd brought, and decided she had enough time to take a stroll around the city. Her father did not like her walking outside of the Grey Quarter, but she didn't think it could really be as dangerous as he made it out to be.
Just as she was passing the Palace of the Kings, a loud thunderous sound shook the ground beneath her feet. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked to the sky, even the wind seeming to stop to listen. The sound quieted and everyone looked from one person to the other, commenting about a bad storm brewing. Aralin decided maybe strolling could wait until a sunny day and made her way back to the slums she lived in.
"I'm glad you have returned; I didn't want you to get caught out in the storm." Her father greeted her with a smile, unpacking some goods he'd gotten in a few days ago and placing them on their appropriate shelves.
She placed the basket on the small table in the back, taking the gold from her small satchel and returning it to the safe. "Father, do you think maybe we should return to Morrowind?" Aralin stood before her father, searching his face for some answer.
"Aralin, why would you ask such a thing?" Hetmanil frowned, shaking his head at her before returning to the merchandise. "We came here to get a fresh start, to ensure our safety. Going back would be pointless. Besides, we have good business here."
Aralin looked down, fidgeting with an invisible stain on her dress. "I understand you want to protect us, but we cannot hide forever. The living conditions here, the ways the people look at us and whisper as we pass, or the drunkards who harass us at night…" She let her voice trail off, her mind going back to the nights she could hear pounding on the door, ale bottles being thrown with insults.
"Would you rather end up like your mother then? Would you rather lose more than your pride? We are of the House Hlaalu, and we will maintain our stay here to strengthen the trade. If you want so badly to return to Morrowind, then you are free to do so. But you know the consequences of doing such; you know you will never be welcome with your family again. In times like these, family is all you have."
Aralin bit her lip, knowing she'd crossed a line with her father. The mention of her mother brought back fresh pain, as though it was the first day she'd been lost. Her mother, taken from them by a stranger. The memory was so vivid and yet, so distant to her. She would never be able to forget the sight, her mother laying there, her dress bloodstained and ripped from the lacerations, the deep knife wounds that spotted her skin like oversized freckles.
She silently went back to her typical spot, sitting by the fireplace with her hands folded in her lap. She understood her father's reasoning, but it was still unfair. Couldn't they find another hold, another city where people would be friendlier? Who was to say that stranger who had targeted their mother hadn't tracked them to this city? The thoughts consumed her like that for an hour, putting her in a sour mood.
"I'm going to the docks to meet Vulyn." She stood at the door, waiting for consent. Her father just nodded, not bothering to look at her. She quickly left and made her way to the docks, the sky still clouded. Something felt different about the air, but she couldn't tell what. She decided it was likely just her mood, and tried to cheer up.
When she reached the docks, her brother had just arrived. "Ah, I'm glad to see you here, sister!" He greeted her with a hug and led her over to the ship. "I got you something, a souvenir, if you will. Close your eyes and hold out your arms." Aralin looked at him questioningly, but she did as she was told. She heard him scourging for something in a trunk, then felt something cool and heavy in her outstretched arms.
When she opened her eyes, a beautiful bow was laying in her hands. It was made of ebony, and was probably the most expensive thing she had seen in a long time. She looked to her brother, who stood smiling. "How…how did you get this? This must have cost you a fortune!" She held the grip, loving the familiar pull in her muscles as she pulled the string back. The joy that danced in her heart couldn't be matched by anything at this moment.
"It was nothing. I actually received it at a discount from a friend, so don't worry about it. Now you won't have to go to the market and waste gold on meat, you can get it yourself, not to mention you'll have something other than magic to defend yourself." He grinned at her, handing her a quiver full of arrows. She threw her arms around him in a thankful hug, unable to keep the smile from playing on her lips.
"I would love to test it out, but Father…" She looked down, the happiness beginning to fade.
"Don't worry about him; I can make up an excuse for you. Just go out and have fun!" He hurried Aralin off the ship, waving as she turned back with one last hesitant glance. Then she was off, ready to begin an adventure of her own.