'Go to my bedroom and open the closet on the left. At the bottom is a large drawer. Open that and take out one of the bottles. Bring it back here tonight at...seven o'clock.' Aleximus said the words slowly and carefully. He hoped the zombie didn't smash the bottle as he gripped it. They usually broke any equipment that wasn't made of metal. The zombie shuffled through the portal again, and Aleximus closed it behind him.
**********
'It's ok. The guards never come by here.' Shady Sam said. Glancing around with Detect Life just in case, Aleximus proceeded with the details.
'Have you got the all ingredients on you right now? I can get some from the City if you don't.' Aleximus offered.
'Nah I got them. Hard to find though, some of them. A couple I never even heard of before, had to get them from some supplier from Skyrim.' Shady Sam replied.
Aleximus nodded. He was aware of Shady Sam's excellent connections; he got all his ingredients from him. He handed over a small sheet of parchment, folded neatly across. 'Those are the instructions. Remember to use the exact amounts of each ingredient, because if it's too weak it won't last long enough, and if it's too strong it might make them suspect something.' Aleximus said. 'I want to make it look like they fell asleep.'
Shady Sam nodded. 'I burn everything when I'm finished?' Aleximus had ordered him to procure a several ingredients and equipment but told him to hold on to them rather than send them to the fort. Sam had guessed it was so everything could be destroyed on the spot when he was done.
'Yes.' Aleximus said. 'Leave no trace, in case they mount an investigation. If they think to test for tampering they'll realize what we did, and I don't fancy being tracked down.'
Shady Sam nodded. Aleximus pulled out of a pocket a cheque. 'You can claim your payment from this account at the Imperial Construction Bank.'
**********
His business with Shady Sam done Aleximus had finally entered the Imperial City. It was about eight, and he was eager to get as much done as he could. He also had some appointments to keep.
His first stop was at King and Queen's, where he reserved a table for day. He hadn't eaten breakfast yet, and was famished after his long walk to the City. He didn't like the idea of discovering that all the good places to eat at were already full. It was expensive but Aleximus preferred to have a table to himself and available whenever he needed it.
His first stop was the bank. He withdrew a few thousand septims worth of sovereigns. He hated carrying small change around.
Second was Calindil's store, Mystic Emporium. Aleximus filled out a large order for soul gems to be sent to an address on the waterfront, a weathered shack he had bought solely for the purpose of having an address to give to suppliers. It would not be wise to give out the location of Fort Phalanx.
Calindil was by now familiar with the man he thought must be a researcher at the Arcane University, and asked no questions.
Third was The Main Ingredient. It was the last Alchemy store in the city. Aleximus hoped it stocked Cyrodiilic Brandy, for he had not found it in the others. He was ecstatic to discover that the owner did, and told him to keep the change.
Fourth was the Feed Bag. He arranged for food to be sent to his Imperial City address. His supply at Fort Phalanx had finally begun to dwindle.
It was now three in the afternoon, and Aleximus was starving.
Returning to the King and Queen's Tavern he sat himself at the round wooden table and ordered some Surilie Brother's to drink, steak with mushrooms and black pepper and salad on the side and goat's milk yoghurt for desert.
Presently a tall Nord in a black shirt and tan pants walked in. Aleximus caught Agamir's eye, and the Nord walked over to his table. Aleximus called the waiter over and ordered a flask of mead for his friend.
'I got your letter. The goods are in my house if you want to look at them.' The Nord said. 'That won't be necessary. I trust you, Agamir!' Aleximus said lightly.
Agamir grinned and sipped from his flask.
**********
The bell tinkled as the door opened. Thoronir looked up at his latest customer. Aleximus walked over to the counter and looked down at the Wood Elf.
'Might you have any Khajiiti chocolates, by any chance?' the Necromancer inquired. 'Why of course! Spiced or plain?' the Bosmer replied happily.
'Oh, plain please. Do you also have any honey ones? They're my favourite.' Aleximus said. The Bosmer replied in the affirmative. He smiled. 'Wonderful! I'll take four boxes of the plain ones and three boxes of the honey ones, please.'
**********
Aleximus hurried along with all the dignity two handfuls of shopping bags allowed. He walked around the walls of the Imperial City before finally spotting Shady Sam.
'You moved!' he said accusingly. Shady Sam merely shrugged. 'It's ready.' He said, trying to change the subject. It worked.
Let me see it.' Aleximus commanded. Shady Sam handed over the small green phial. Aleximus opened it and peered inside. The poison was colourless. He wafted the scent into his nostrils. It was odourless. Just as it was supposed to be.
Aleximus pocketed the green glass phial and arranged for a shipment of various ingredients, tranquilizers and poisons.
Glancing down at his time-keeper he saw that it was very close to seven. He would have to hurry. If anyone saw that zombie...
**********
The zombie stepped out of the violet pillar of light, wine bottle in hand. Aleximus took it and dismissed the creature. As the zombie disappeared Aleximus once again thought about how convenient it could be if he could travel anywhere by magic.
Alas, as it stood he could only summon creatures from his home or the Soul Cairne to himself. He had however heard of mages in Morrowind being able to teleport to fixed locations.
Sighing, he turned to make his way to Wawnet Inn. As he turned, however, he saw a balding man staring at him, mouth open. Aleximus' heart skipped a beat.
The two men stood staring at each other for the briefest of moments. The man turned to run. Cursing, Aleximus brought his hand up and cast a Paralysis spell at him. The spell missed, hitting the ground near the man's foot.
Running after him Aleximus cast a large frost bolt at him. The frost spell surprised the man as it surrounded him, and he fell down. As he got up Aleximus' second Paralysis spell struck him in the back.
Aleximus caught up to him, and began to drag the man down to the shore of Lake Rumare, near where he had summoned the zombie.
He held the man's head and put it in the water. When the Paralysis spell wore off a few minutes later Aleximus released the man's body. It half-floated in the water, the man having drowned a minute ago.
A tragic accident, Aleximus thought to himself. That's what happened here.
