Disclaimer: I don't own Oblivion, just my own made up characters.
Okay everyone sorry this took so long! But I had other things to do and I was getting a little tired of this so I had to take a break, at any rate here is chapter seven enjoy.
Mirisa's POV
"Hey look Jackaava! There's Anvil!" I say pointing to the city walls just peeking over the top of the next hill.
"Hmmm? Oh, yes looks like we've finally arrived," Jackaava says staring at the walls.
"Something wrong Jackaava?" I say leaning around to look up at his face.
"Nothing just thinking," he says still looking at the walls.
"Wait a minute, when you were talking to that Khajiit you said something about a mission. It's here in Anvil isn't it?"
"Yes, yes it is."
"Your supposed to kill someone aren't you?"
"Not necessarily, I'm supposed to bring someone back alive if possible."
"Who are you kidnapping then? You know that is almost just as bad as murder," I say as we pass the stables.
"Sorry can't tell you who it is Mirisa, it wouldn't be safe," Jackaava says stopping WindFlame in the stable yard.
"Safe for who?" I say jumping down from WindFlame.
"For anyone really, you could end up jeopardizing the mission if you knew who it was by trying to save them and if you did my boss would send someone to kill you, possibly me and of course I wouldn't do that, then I would be the one being punished. Either way I would be punished because I wouldn't let someone kill you," Jackaava says taking the gear of WindFlame.
"Well thank you but still Jackaava… do you really have to harm this person?" I say as we enter the city.
""We've been through this Mirisa, if that is what it takes to get what I want I will. Again it's what I do Mirisa," Jackaava says as we walk across the plaza.
"Yea I know it is, why couldn't you join something good hmm? What about the Mages Guild? Now that is a good idea, we could be associates together!"
"No I don't think so, bandits don't join guilds."
"Oh really what a shame with your amazing abilities you could easily be the Arch-Mage."
"Now why would I do that? Then I would have to follow the rules and that's no fun."
"It's a very powerful position though, no one would bother you."
"No I am a bandit and always will be okay?"
"Fine," I say as we reach the Mages Guild doors, "will you at least some inside with me?"
"Okay, I guess I can do that," Jackaava says looking slightly worried.
"Oh, don't worry! No one is going to bite let's go!"
I give Jackaava a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek before reaching over and opening the big stone doors into the room beyond.
Jackaava's POV
Mirisa opens the door to the guild and we walk in. Right in front of us there is a large desk behind which a High Elf stands, she looks at us critically waiting for us to approach her. Mirisa just stands there looking nervous and I feel the same but at least I have a reason to be nervous. I'm a bandit and not apart of this guild but she is, so I give her a tiny push forward and we walk forwards. Mirisa opens her mouth to speak but before she can even get the words out the Altmer interrupts her. "Hello Associate. To earn a recommendation from me, you need simply prove you are able-bodied and prepared to learn something in the process."
"Yes I'm prepared to learn," Mirisa says.
"Unlike some frivolous tasks you may be given at other guild halls, this is a serious matter, and has consequences. Are you prepared?" the Altmer says.
"Yep I'm prepared," Mirisa says.
"Then allow me to explain the task. The Council of Mages has entrusted me with resolving a situation along the Gold Road. Several traveling merchants have been found dead along the Gold Road recently, with even more missing. The Council has asked that I put a stop to it. You are going to help me do so," the Altmer says.
"Isn't that dangerous?" Mirisa says with a worried look on her face.
"Indeed, it may well be. I see no reason to shelter you from situations the guild deals with on a daily basis. This is the important work that matters. I have no time for guild recruits that are useless in the field. This will be an excellent way for you to prove yourself."
"Go on then."
"We believe the killing are the actions of a rogue made. Battlemages have been sent to the Brina Cross Inn, the only common link between the victims. You are to travel north to the Brina Cross Inn, and speak with Arielle Juard. She will give you further instructions."
For this whole conversation I had stood to the side, nervously looking around and hoping to Arkay that nothing goes wrong, but I soon realize what this High Elf is suggesting that Mirisa take on a rogue mage by herself! It's not that she can't take care of herself, but she hasn't ever killed anyone before and I don't think she could even if the person is bad. No she can't kill like I can so I will not let this Elf make her. "Hold on, you got to let me help her, she is my friend and although good with most magic, she knows next to nothing about destruction magic," I say.
"Oh and I suppose you do?" The Altmer says.
"Yes, yes I do. I know a lot about magic and will not let her go into this alone."
"I'm sorry but I cannot allow anyone outside the guild to help another on a recommendation."
"Then sign me up," I say without hesitation.
"Jackaava! You said you didn't want to join the Mages Guild when I asked you earlier!" Mirisa says shocked.
"Well now I'm saying I am okay? I don't want you to do this alone and this way no one gets in trouble," I say.
"If you are serious in joining then you are welcome to help your friend. As long as you are not a wanted criminal, there's a place for you in the guild. Are you interested?" The Altmer says.
"Yes, as I said before and you should have heard me unless you're death, I want to join your guild.
"Alright, then. You're now a Associate of the Mages Guild. Congratulations! You'll need to receive a recommendation from each local guildhall in Cyrodill to advance in the guild, and be given any sort of reasonability. They can be done in any order, but they all must be sent to the council before you can enter the Arcane University."
"Yes, I know that already."
"One more thing, here is a Mages Guild Charter and since you are helping your friend on this task, I will count it as your recommendation too."
"Super, anything else?"
"This is a harsh, dangerous task for you, I realize. Your unfamiliar faces make you most useful however. And what better way to learn the many uses of Restoration Practical application is often the best educator. Even in life or death situations," The Altmer says.
"Well not in this case because we won't be needing it, come on Mirisa were burning daylight here," I say grabbing the shocked Mirisa's arm and dragging her out the door.
I get her half way across the plaza before she yanks her arm out of my grip and stands there with her arms folded. I go a few more steps before I realize she isn't with me, and then I turn around and walk back. I tug on her arm but she refuses to budge, I sigh and shake my head standing before her I ask, "what now? What's wrong now?"
"Why did you do that?" Mirisa says arms still folded.
"Do what? What did I do now?" I say confused.
"Well you said you wouldn't join the guild and yet here you are, an associate of the Mages Guild! Why is what I want to know, why."
"Weren't you listening? I did it for you, so you wouldn't have to do anything you would regret; besides I plan to quit later on."
"And what exactly would I regret?"
"Well I know for a fact you would regret killing someone, even if that someone was bad you regret it," I say looking over my shoulder and checking to see if anyone was listening.
"Who says we have to kill anyone?" Mirisa says giving me a confused look.
"By the Nine Divines Mirisa! Did you hear that Altmer at all? We are talking about a rogue mage who can't clean up after himself properly and kills people for their stuff; we are going to have to kill this mage even if it's just in self-defense. Trust me this is my area of expertise, I know what I'm doing," I say.
"Really? Well I suppose you're right," Mirisa says slowly.
"Of course I am, now any other questions? I did say we were burning daylight."
"Yes, let's get this over with."
At The Brina Cross Inn
"Okay Mirisa, the woman with the brown hair must be Arielle. Remember what we discussed on the way here, to everyone here we are a couple," I say looking around.
"R-Really? I-I don't remember you ever saying we were a couple officially," Mirisa blushes.
"Yes you did, I can tell by the way your cheeks went red just like they are now."
"Well maybe…"
"Come on, we can't stand around forever, someone will get suspicious, let's move!" I say moving father into the inn.
"Oh, and Mirisa I believe that the notion that we are a couple is implied in us telling each other how we feel. That and the kissing, unless you just randomly kiss people," I say looking behind me briefly.
Mirisa's answer to this is to blush even more and giggle girlishly; I roll my eyes and continue up to Arielle Juard but before I can even speak she says. "Hello strangers, what can I do for you?" she begins then looking around she whispers, "Carahil has sent you, has she not? Go and speak with Christophe. Rent a room for the night. Once you have your room, I will meet you there."
Carahil? So that's what the Altmer's name was! I've heard of her before and her battles against necromancy, especially one against a necromancer right here in Anvil. "No, friends. I'm afraid I don't know the way to Cheydinhal, but good to you two lovebirds please excuse me," Arielle continues loudly before walking away and talk to some other person (who I assume is the other battlemage).
Wasting no time looking after her I move up to the counter behind which a Redguard I now know is Christophe stands. "Welcome to the Brina Cross Inn, can I interest you two in something to eat or perhaps a bed for the night?" Christophe asks without really looking up from the tankard he is wiping.
"A bed would be nice, thank you," I say nicely as it is always best to start off nice or violence that works too.
"Let me guess, traveling on business? You don't look like you're out for a stroll," he says actually looking at us.
"We're merchants."
"Ah, yes. Thought so, we get many of them traveling through here, well, we usest to. Haven't seen as many lately, what with the… well, you know. The murders. I don't like to talk about it much, as it's bad for business. At any rate, would you care for a bed for the night?"
"We'll take it," Mirisa interrupts me before I can be rude.
"Right then. The bed is just upstairs at the back of the inn. Sleep well," Christophe, says looking down at the tankard again.
"Thank you!" Mirisa smiles.
Christophe nods and continues to wipe the now overly clean tankard; I pull Mirisa away towards the stairs when we are stopped by some, kind of wrinkly, blond lady in a blue dress. "Pardon me, my name is Caminalda, but did I hear you say that you're traveling merchants?" Caminalda asks.
"Yes, that's right," both Mirisa and I say.
"Don't you worry, what with the recent killings and all? I'd be ever so scared, if it were me. I haven't left the inn in days, just in case! Well, you two take care of yourselves; I'd hate to hear about another two senseless deaths. Good luck to you!" Caminalda says.
"Thank you for the advice, but personally I think this is all a hoax. Anyways thank you and good bye," I say steering Mirisa away and up the stairs.
We go down the rather small hallway and into our room, Mirisa sits on the bed and I lean up against the wall listening to the murmurs of the people below. "Not the best accommodations around but it will do for now," I say to no one in particular, looking around the room.
"At least it's better than the Gray Mare, that is one bad inn if you want decent sleeping accommodations but they do have excellent mead," Mirisa says yawning.
"I don't drink mead."
"What, why? Mead is delicious and it has honey! Honey is the most heavenly substance I know, what could you possibly have against mead?"
"It's not just mead, but wine and all those other drinks. I don't like having my mind clouded, it slows my reflexes, and seriously affects my reasoning abilities, and I hate the feeling of lethargy and the pounding headache you get the next day. Plus it is very disorienting to wake up at the bottom of Lake Rumare in just your underwear, holding a chunk of cheese in one hand and a dead rat in the other with several empty bottles of mead and various wines around you," I say holding back a yawn.
"Don't ask," I add when I see Mirisa's raised eyebrows, "at any rate I don't drink, got it?"
"Alright I suppose those are good reasons not to drink, not that I will ever take them up. Sad to say I don't think I could survive without mead," Mirisa says lying down on the bed.
"Hmmm," is my only answer as we settle in and wait for Arielle.
For several minutes we wait in silence, Mirisa on the bed me still leaning against the wall. I am just starting to nod of when I hear footsteps coming down the hall, moments later someone knocks on the door and Mirisa sits up smoothing down her dress. I walk over and open the door to reveal Arielle; she steps inside and quietly closes the door before turning to speak. "Alright it should be safe to speak here," Arielle begins looking at us, "once you've rested here, you two need to continue along the Gold Road heading east towards Kvatch."
"And where will you be?" Mirisa asks.
"I shall be following out of sight, along with a fellow Battlemage. Make no attempts to speak to us, trust that we will protect you," Arielle replies.
I snort loudly and Arielle and Mirisa turn to look at me. Ya right like I'm going to put my life in some Battlemage's hands, I'd sooner jump off the top of White Gold Tower than do that. "What is it you find so funny?" Arielle says slightly annoyed.
"What I find so funny my dear Arielle is that you would think I'd entrust my life to a couple of Battlemages."
"Fine then don't trust us," Arielle huffs, "but should you be confronted by this cowardly mage, do not hesitate to protect yourself by whatever means possible."
"Oh, don't worry I most certainly will," I say.
"Once the mage has revealed himself, we will step in and settle," Arielle continues turning to speak to only Mirisa.
"Not if I have my way you won't," I say to her back.
"You should sleep, you will need to be well-rested," Arielle says ignoring me.
"I sleep when I want to sleep Battlemage."
"Ignore him Arielle, he's like this every day," Mirisa says shooting me a look, "thanks for your advice, you should sleep too see you tomorrow!"
Arielle nods and strides for the door still ignoring me, she stops and turns in the doorway to glare at me before saying to Mirisa. "Oh, and I'd like to say I feel sorry you have to deal with this cretin on a daily basis when just a few minutes is more than I can handle, good luck to you."
"Oh, you know you love me Battlemage," I call as she closes the door as hard as she can without slamming it.
I laugh to myself but stop when I turn and see the look on Mirisa's face. "What?" I say cautiously, "What I do now?"
"Nothing," Mirisa sighs, "you're just being your usual rude self, and nothing can be done about that."
"Damn right you are, now why don't you get some sleep? You look really tired," I say sitting on the floor.
"Aren't you tired Jackaava?" Mirisa frowns.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"So you are tires then, well why don't you come sleep?"
"I'm fine thanks," I say with a slight cough.
"It's awfully cold in here though," Mirisa says shivering unconvincingly.
"The blankets will keep you warm," I sigh shaking my head.
"Well… there's plenty of room," she mumbles.
"Single bed Mirisa," I say closing my eyes.
I can't see her but I can hear the annoyed sigh she lets out as the bed creaks as she lies down and gets comfortable. A few minutes later I hear her sleepy whisper. "Jackaava? Are you still awake?"
"Yes… what do you want?"
"Are you going to kill that rogue mage tomorrow? Or are you going to let the Battlemages get him?"
"No I don't trust them, I will do it Mirisa."
A minute of silence, "I just can't see someone killing another even if that person is bad, I don't get it," Mirisa says.
"You don't have to watch Mirisa, you can turn around when I do it," I say.
"Thanks Jackaava but I can't have everyone protecting me for the rest of my life, I got to learn to handle things on my own so don't worry I can handle it," Mirisa says yawning.
"Okay, if you say so, just don't say I didn't warn you," I say crossing my arms.
"I'll be okay Jackaava, good night."
"Night Mirisa."
For another few minutes' silence and then the room fills with the noise of Mirisa's snores, Mirisa. She is getting way to involved with what I do and I can't have that it's too dangerous. Yes I like her but I'm not sure I like her in that way I am still so confused. Well we will be splitting up soon anyway, after tomorrow she will go off to Leyawiin for her next recommendation and I will be heading home, hopefully with Daven Strawk in tow. Which reminds me I have to track him down and somehow abduct him too tomorrow, hopefully this all goes smoothly. Well no use worrying over it better sleep now, so I roll over and soon drift off into la-la land.
Okay everyone this chapter is done again I'm sorry for the delay but if I'm lucky I will be able to write and type up my next chapter next week if not… well we will just have to wait until after next week, finger crossed people! Oh, and remember to review peoples, reviews are wonderful things meant to be shared.
