Modryn waited the appropriate week before he went to the guild hall to see if he could obtain a contract. While he did not fancy a meeting between him and Razconza again, he was extremely eager to get another contract, for more than one reason.

Eronor had spent the last week drilling letters and words into Modryn's mind, making sure that he could recognize any letter and pronounce it perfectly before giving him simple sentences to read. He had appealed to Modryn's Dunmer pride to encourage him to learn faster. In other words, he had kept attacking Modryn's ego to force him to get it perfect. Oddly enough, it worked. At the end of the week Modryn was reading as well as any middle or upper class citizen. It was surely enough to read a contract.

It was early morning when Modryn walked into the guild hall. It was quiet and mostly empty except for Razconza, who Modryn didn't think slept at all if ever. However something told him that today was different. Razconza was fully suited up in armor and a few packs were sitting on the table. Upon seeing Modryn, Razconza threw one of the packs to him and motioned for him to follow him out of the hall, the usual sneer on his face. Modryn didn't ask the burning questions that were on the tip of his tongue, but waited to see if the answers would present themselves.

They went out of the city and towards the stables were 2 horses stood, fully saddled, waiting. Razconza mounted the big bay and waited while Modryn scrambled into the saddle of the other smaller dark horse. Now Modryn was feeling distinctly uncomfortable. There hadn't been many horses in Morrowind so as a result, Modryn had never gotten much experience with horses. In fact, this was the first time he had ever been on a horse. The horse looked back at him with one dark eye and Modryn silently pleaded that it wouldn't give him any trouble. Much to his relief, it followed Razconza's horse on its own. His relief was short lived as he watched Razconza dig his heels into the big bay, sending him flying down the path. Modryn's horse, like the good horse he was, flew after him, never minding his rider who grabbed his mane and held on tighter than any flea ever could.

Modryn's torturous ride ended at the end of the day at Black Waterside Stables. Razconza slid off his horse without a word. Modryn followed suit, nearly falling flat on his face as his knees tried to buckle underneath him. He forced himself upright, patted the horse on the neck for putting up with a incompetent rider, and started to run after Razconza but nearly collided with a tall Dunmer woman who had been standing behind him.

"Ah, oh, I'm sorry ma'am." He quickly apologized.

He danced around her and took off after his superior who had nearly disappeared through the gates.

Modryn couldn't help but admire the city as he walked along. He had thought that all cities were like Chorrol but Cheydinhal showed a lot of Dunmer influence, making him feel perfectly at home. His stomach growled but he ignored it and his dry throat and other needs that his body was screaming at him to take care of. He would find out why Razconza had dragged him all the way out here for, and then take care of himself.

They started up a long path towards a high stone building. Modryn's heart jumped in his chest. They were heading for the castle! Modryn realized that his mouth was hanging open and quickly closed it. A guard who was watching him gave him a rueful smile and a glance toward Razconza. Apparently the Redguard's notoriety spread beyond Chorrol.

Before they entered the great hall, Razconza spun around and pinned Modryn with his eyes.

"Ok, listen up darky." He said with the ever-present sneer. Modryn suppressed a sneer of his own. "We have a contract from the count of Cheydinhal but we needed to get it ourselves. Reason why I'm here is to make sure you don't screw up, so I'm going to talk to the count and you are going to stand still and not make a sound unless spoken to, understand?"

"Perfectly." Modryn ground out. He was getting sick of this man. He was sore, tired, hungry, and thirsty and hadn't been given a chance all day to relieve himself. He just wanted this to over with so he could get his contract and rest. He didn't think it was necessary to put up with insults.

Still, he kept his face expressionless as he followed the Redguard but couldn't keep his red eyes from smoldering with anger.

As they entered the great hall, Modryn forgot his anger as he took in the castle. Not even the noble's houses or mansions he had been in on rare occasions were as extravagant as this. Rich carpets muffled his footsteps and tapestries covered the walls. Expensive furniture and items decorated the hall. Modryn needed 20 eyes to see it all as he swung his head back and forth trying to look at everything. All too soon they reached the throne and Razconza's heavy hand on his back made him remember to bow. Then he took a step back and allowed Razconza to talk, keeping to his end of the bargain. He looked around a little bit more before letting his eyes settle on the count. He almost broke his word.

The count, Andel Indarys, was a Dunmer! Modryn shut his eyes tight for a moment before opening them again. No, is eyes hadn't deceived him; the count was indeed a Dunmer. Modryn didn't know whether to be relived or wary of this. He might be easy, giving a kinsman a contract, but Modryn knew too well how his people could make a deal.

Modryn knew he should but he didn't pay real close attention to what they were saying. Another matter was demanding his full attention. He needed to relieve himself, badly, and he was trying not to move around too much. He rubbed his tongue back and forth along the back of his clenched teeth, willing the conversation to hurry.

Finally, just when he thought he was going to explode, Razconza handed him a scroll and nodded. Modryn took off like a shot. He had noticed a city gate not far from the castle on the way up and it was there that he flew. Most of the guards had seen his fidgets and had figured his problem, so none questioned him as he ran like a nut out the gates and to the nearest bush.

When he finished he pulled out the scroll Razconza had handed him and moved closer to the torches outside the gates to read it;

Dear Fighters Guild member,

You have been contracted by the city of Cheydinhal, under the guidance of count Andel Indarys, to render a great service. We are in desperate need of help in ridding the area along the Blue Road of bandits, as it is destroying commerce. These bandits call themselves the "Blue Brigands" and are very dangerous to unsuspecting merchants and travelers but should prove inadequate against your skill. Please return when all have been eradicated (in any means you see fit) and bring the ring of the leader, a Breton woman, as an indication of their departure. The city of Cheydinhal will forever be grateful should you complete this task.

It took Modryn only 10 minutes to decipher the note but when he did, he felt decidedly relieved. He had been expecting the worst; his mind had conjured up massive trolls and ogres in small tight caves. Bandits should be easy.

"Do not be fooled, young one." A silvery voice spoke to him from the shadows.

Modryn wheeled around, his mace in his hands before he was all the way around and faced his stalker. The Dunmer woman he had almost run into at the stable emerged from the shadowy trees. Modryn felt his face heat as he realized she had been there the whole time he had. She either didn't notice the reddening of his face or didn't care, but went on with her speech.

"Do not be fooled by taking on a "simple bandit.'" She said, "Even a great hero or warrior can fall by even the most humble of means. You are young and strong, but don't let that get to your head. Be on your guard."

"Who are you?" Modryn asked, finding his voice again.

"I am Mivryna Arano. You, Modryn Oreyn, are an associate for the Fighters Guild."

"How…?" Modryn started to ask, thunderstruck.

"No time for that now. Go get something to eat and drink and rest a little, then take care of the brigands. If you'll excuse me…" Mivryna walked around him and through the gates, leaving a confused Modryn behind.

XxXxXx

Mivryna picked up her pace as soon as she got through the gates, her stride becoming more purposeful and aggressive. She was utterly furious that the young male Dunmer had gotten this particular contract. It wasn't that she didn't think he could do it; in fact she had a lot of faith in him that he could, but her orders had been deliberately disobeyed. That made her blood boil.

As she passed the guards on duty she caught snatches of conversation. None of it was to her likeing.

"…no idea why he would take on a Dunmer apprentice especially since…"

"…I swear he just wants to see that boy dead…"

"…Blue Brigands…don't know why they sent out the apprentice…"

"…murder, Mivryna will undoubtedly have something to say about this…"

That last bit made her smile. Oh, she would have something to say about it all right.

She stalked right up to the Newslands Lodge and all but kicked the door off its hinges. The few patrons inside looked up briefly before returning to their drinks. Her target, she knew, was upstairs. As she passed one of the tables, a hardy Bosmer stood and said respectfully,

"Yes, master? You need me?"

"Yes, Acado, where's Razconza?" She gritted the name out through clenched teeth.

"Upstairs in his usual room. May I ask…where's the new associate? We wanted to meet him." He indicated the 2 other Fighters Guild members who also stood and bowed respectfully.

"Razconza gave him the contract for the Blue Brigands. For that, I'm going to mount his head on the wall in the Chorrol guild hall. For doing what he did to that poor associate, his hide is going to decorate the floor." Mivryna turned on continued on but not before she heard one of them mutter,

"I hope she doesn't…Scare away all potential recruits and clients."

She smiled as she heard the others laugh. Maybe she would simply put it in a backroom…out of sight, out of mind.

XxXxXx

Modryn made his way back to the stables, going around the city walls. He didn't really feel like winding his way through the city and the quiet gave him opportunity to think. He didn't know why the Dunmer woman, Mivryna, had given him such a warning. Surely a handful of semi-organized bandits were mere practice dummies.

But her words nagged him. Finally he decided not to let it scare him, but to be cautious anyway.

He saw the small dark horse he had ridden all day in the back of the pen. It looked up at him with grass sticking out of the corners of his mouth and waited patiently as Modryn went up to him.

"Sorry I didn't get a chance to thank you. At least you didn't try to throw me off. I would have, were I you." The horse blinked and lowered his head to resume grazing.

Modryn went back to the shelter outside the pen and searched around for his tack and bag. He pulled it and opened it to find some dried beef, a few apples and a blanket. As he ate, his horse wandered up to the fence and watched him eat the apple. Modryn knew horses ate grass, but apples? He held the other out to the horse and to his surprise, it chomped happily on it. Ah, well, it was the least Modryn could do for it. He pushed the saddle up against the wall and lay back against it, pulling the blanket over him. He only wanted to get a few hours of sleep before starting his contract.

XxXxXx

"What part of 'do NOT put the new recruit on this contract' did you not understand?!?!" Mivryna unloaded on Razconza.

"The kid can do it. If not, well…proves he can't fight, doesn't it?" Razconza didn't look concerned as he munched on a pear, leaning back in his chair. Suddenly, a slim dagger caught the pear just as he was about to take another bite and pinned it to the wall. Mivryna kicked the chair out from underneath him and held a silver longsword to Razconza's throat, her face clear of emotion.

"You listen to me and you listen good." Her voice quivered with anger, "If anything happens to that boy, you are going to pay in blood. You may be the so-called Champion, but I am the Master. You obey me and only me. Understand?"

Pinned as he was on the floor with a sword pointed at his face, Razconza could do nothing else but agree. Mivryna let him up.

"On another note; I don't care what you have against Dunmer or the boy in particular, but the insults and the torture have got to stop." She drew her sword again and backed Razconza into a corner, the sword held much, much lower this time, "And if I ever hear you called a Dunmer "darky" again, you will pay with these" She snarled, giving his groin a warning poke with her sword. She backed off, sheathed her sword and left. Razconza breathed a sigh of relief and sank down to the floor. She could be a bat from hell that woman could…

XxXxXx

"Acado!" Mivryna called out as she descended the stairs, feeling much better now that she had vented her frustration.

"Yes, master!" Acado jumped up, ready for orders.

"How soon can you and your men be ready?"

"Ready for what?"

"The contract…the Blue Brigand contract."

"But I thought you said that the new associate was going to handle it?" Acado frowned.

"I don't like the feel of this. He's young and hot-headed, not unlike yourself, but he's alone and apparently new to Cyrodiil. I don't want to lose one with as good potential as he does. Go with him and explain that the master ordered it so because he might protest. How soon can you be ready to go?"

"Since we were under the impression we weren't going to go, it might take us till morning."

"Then hurry…I really don't want anything to happen to this new recruit…especially not what happened to Thia." Mivryna's face fell slightly when she remembered the last new associate and the horrible death she had suffered at a botched contract.

"Yes Master!" Acado jumped up and ran off.

Mivryna watched him go. She really hoped that Acado could get there in time to make sure nothing happened to this new recruit…though it might give her a reason to lynch Razconza from the guild permanently. The only reason he was around was because he was a superb fighter…if nothing else.

XxXxXx TBC….

Author's note; I just decided to throw Mivryna in as a former Master of the Fighters Guild because I almost got my butt kicked by her when I accidentally mounted the wrong black horse in the game. R&R!!

-vanillathunder215