Author's note. Okay my friends. This is chapter nine. If you are this far, you are obviously somewhat interested in it. Any feedback would be appreciated. Leave a brief comment or ask me a question. I'll answer anything from what my motivations are to what is my favorite Elder scrolls race is to where babies come from. Shout out to Ja'keem for being the first to follow my story. Hope you enjoy.
Arbiterssword.
Seyda neen was nothing short of a swamp. As we glided slowly along the coast, I saw that most of the town was made of small wooden shacks among the bogs. A handful of small fishing boats were scattered on the water. We anchored at the only small dock in town which stood in front of the largest building in town.
Without a fuss, the soldiers laid down a plank for me to cross to the dock. I'd regained enough strength to stand on my own feet, but I was tiring quickly. More Imperial soldiers met me on the dock and withdrew the plank. One of them held out a large canvas mail bag which the sailors retrieved with a hooked pole. Before letting it touch the deck, a soldier cast some sort of magic on the bag, probably to cleanse it.
I watched as if I were just a spectator until a legionnaire ordered me to come with him. Slowly, as if in a trance, I followed him down the dock. I hugged my arms to my chest. Despite the warm humidity, I felt cold. Who knows what skooma and that coma could do to an elf?
The soldier led me to the building. It was two stories high and made of stone. A stark contrast to the fisherman's hovels surrounding it. I was sent inside to a comfortable office. A single soldier casually stood guard while an old clerk rattled off numbers to a scribe at a heavy wooden desk. The gray haired clerk paused as I entered.
"Are you Han-lu?" I nodded reluctantly. If I could hide my identity from Imperial subjects for the time being, I would prefer it, but he didn't seem afraid or angry. He didn't realize what I had done. To him, Han-lu was just a name. "Right," the old Breton mused as he enthusiastically dove into one of his drawers and pulled out a letter. "I'm sure you have questions. After all, this is quite a unique situation, but I know little about your case. This should uh, bring you up to speed as they say." He chuckled at his attempt at wit and continued dictating to the scribe at the table.
Instead of reading the letter, I let my eyes linger on the envelope. This was all very wrong. I'd never been civil with people like this unless there was something in it for me. I looked down at my hands. Goosebumps crawled along my arms and I wanted to climb out a window. I could feel the guards eyes boring into me from behind. The clerk noticed my inaction and addressed me. "Don't mind me. Just have a seat and read."
I looked him in the eye, assuring myself that there was no malice before doing as he said. The dry envelope was stamped shut with a wax seal. The symbol was a dragon with wings spread to make a diamond shape. The seal of the Emperor. I broke the seal and took the single piece of paper out.
"My dearest assasin," it read. "For all intents and purposes, Han-lu Urshar is dead to the world. I had a mock execution with other prisoners taking the place of you and your mother on the chopping block. This is a greater gift to you two than any pardon, for you can now live among my subjects again without repercussions for the attempt on my life. As long as your mother doesn't attempt any more crimes, she will be granted this courtesy as well. I would suggest changing your name, but in all reality, the chances of somebody recognizing you or connecting your name with your crime are nearly nonexistent.
I have my reasons for taking this extreme action and eventually, they will become clear to you. All I ask is that you obey the orders I've sent ahead of you. If you do not, you will become a wanted man and mark my words, I will have you executed.
Don't waste any time trying to return to Cyrodiil. My navy patrols the seas between Vvardenfell and the mainland of Morrowind.
Yours truly, Emperor Uriel Septim VII.
My weakened body shook slightly as I set the letter down. Not with exhaustion, but with rage. This man has the audacity to think I'd do as he says. I wanted to show him what's what. He ought to know who he's dealing with by now.
With my hand under the desk, I reached for my magic and cast the spell to summon my sword. Nothing happened. In horror, I realized that just as my body had atrophied, so had my magic. The rage disappeared, leaving me feeling deflated. It was a few moments before the clerk caught my attention by placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Are you alright?" He asked it awkwardly, almost like he was afraid I'd bite.
Looking miserably up at him, I answered, "What are my orders?" The dejection really sunk in. I thought I'd been low in the prison when I drank that vial of skooma, but at least that had been my choice. Now, because of my weakened state, my only options were execution or obedience.
The clerk kept his worried expression, but withdrew a pace. "Well, you just need to be recorded before you're officially released."
"Of course," I replied, muttering, "Empire loves its lists," under my breath.
"Right, we already know your name. When were you born?"
"The 20th of Hearthfire 408 third era."
"Which would make you nineteen," he once again dictated while the young scribe boy filled out the form. "Do you have a former profession? Simply for our records of course."
"Debt collector." It was close enough to the truth.
"Your place of birth?"
"The city of Anvil in Cyrodiil." Mom had made dad move there when she became pregnant because it was on the coast, like her home growing up.
"Your parents names?"
It took me a minute to swallow past the lump in my throat before answering. Taking a hint, the clerk didn't press my family history any further.
"Okay, that's everything I need for my records." The scribe stamped the papers and handed them to me. "Give those to the Captain for your release fee and may the nine guide you."
Eager to have me leave, the guard escorted me through a courtyard and into the next building. I was dumped into a chair in another office, this time across the desk from a high ranking soldier. As soon as I was put in front of him, he scooted his paperwork aside. He was clean shaven, with neat brown hair, and a strong face to match a strong physique. His armor seemed to fit him perfectly. If I were measuring him up, I might assume he hadn't had a desk job for long because of the shape he was in. As it was however, I didn't care very much.
He looked at me expectantly until I remembered my papers. After handing them over, he scanned them and filed them away. He then clasped his hands and leaned forward, resting his weight on his arms. "I am Captain Sellus Gravius, Knight Errant of the Imperial legion. I received a surprising letter yesterday from the Emperor himself, warning me of your arrival. According to my orders, I am to give you these." He retrieved a leather satchel from under his desk and slid it across to me.
"There is a dispersal of 87 septims to be given you on release and a package to deliver. Your orders are to find one Caius Cosades in the town of Balmora and deliver the package. You will report to him for further orders."
Reluctantly, I met his gaze. "Is there anything else?"
Sellus pursed his lips. "I should tell you that I've never heard of this man. He's not a part of the Legion and he's no diplomat. There was no address provided. My letter just said that you could ask at the South Wall cornerclub to find him."
I nodded. "Am I free to go?"
"Free as a bird."
I stayed still for a moment and stared him down until he squirmed uncomfortably. "What?"
"Nothing." I swiped the bag off the desk, slung it around my shoulder, and staggered weakly out the door. I did this too quickly and I became dizzy, weakly falling on my rear. There were Imperial guards in the town, but none of them paid any attention to me.
I didn't get up right away. I was still trying to wrap my head around this turn of events. "Okay, what do I need to do," I queried? Glancing at the satchel, I decided to have a look at the documents. The letter was sealed with the wax signet of the Emperor and it was certainly not meant for my eyes. Had the guards known who I was, they probably would have given more specific instructions on handling the package. I tore the seal open and looked over the papers to find everything encoded. I couldn't read any of it.
There was no way I was going to Caius Cosades. Best to steer clear of the Empire altogether if I could. What I needed to do was get back to Cyrodiil and find mom, but the Emperor had tried to dissuade me of that option. So now my problem was, how do I get through the blockade?
I came up with two options. One, I could find a smuggler and buy my way onto his boat. Two, I could steal a ship and put together a crew of my own and fight any Imperial ships that got in my way. Either way I'd need money, so that would be my priority for now.
My thoughts were interrupted by a hand being offered to me. "You fall over friend?" The hand was being offered by a short, curly haired wood elf.
"Yeah," I took his hand and he pulled me to my feet. "Thanks."
"You new here in Seyda neen?"
"Actually I'm new in Morrowind altogether."
"You do look it," he mentioned, scanning my dirty prison clothes. "I'll tell you what. There's a river that flows through the north end of town. If you walk upstream a ways, there's a spot sheltered by bushes where you can get cleaned up."
I laughed at myself. "Thanks, I guess I could use it. Is there somewhere in town I could replace these old rags?"
The elf smiled. "Yes, there's a trader named Arrille." He pointed to a narrow three story building. "He's a High elf so be extra polite and he might help you out. Also, tell him Fargoth sent you."
I cocked my head at him. "Your name is Fargoth?"
"Yes I know. Such a common name for a Wood elf. It seems everyone I meet knows a Fargoth already."
"Well thank you Fargoth."
