By Mantrid Brizon
Episode 10: Affliction
Ra kanishu walks through the plains, his hands skimming the tops of the tall grasses. He feels the warm breeze on his skin as he slows his pace. He stands still for a moment, smelling the sweet air. He turns his head to a nearby landmark, a familiar boulder that he would often sit atop. He walks to the boulder and climbs up, sitting and facing the distant horizon. He admires the view for a moment, before a familiar voice calls out to him. He turns to face her, but as his eyes focus on her form, a strong wind rushes by. He shields his eyes to protect them from the dust, and when he looks for her, she is gone, seemingly eroded by the wind.
As his heart aches for her, he opens his eyes. Roused from his sleep by a cacophony of noise in the main hall, he rubs his eyelids. He lies in the bed of the inn, where he had been confined since his injury. It had been eight days since he had first awoken, and thirteen since they came to the inn. Another fight must have broken out. In order to save their drakes, Jo dehki and Fjorn had volunteered their services as sellswords, acting as doormen and bouncers for the innkeeper. In exchange for these services, they stay at the inn for free while Ra kanishu recovers, and do not pay for food or drinks.
The Imperial slowly sits up on the bed. He s struggled to find the strength to leave the room since he had first awoken. Each day he grows stronger, though he hasn t yet been able to do so; since the fifth day he has been able to reach the chamber pot without aid. As he rests his feet on the hardwood floor, Jo dehki enters the room. The Cathay-Raht looks to the Imperial and grins happily.
Good morning, my friend. Feeling better, yes? Indeed Perhaps we can leave today? Nish replies.
Only if you are able. Do not push yourself too hard; you have nothing to prove. Jo dehki says, stepping up to Nish.
He turns, taking a seat beside the Imperial on the bed. They sit there in silence for a moment as Ra kanishu stretches his back.
It seems as though the fights are starting earlier than before. Nish comments.
Yes. A few caravans have come through, heading for the Imperial City and Anvil. They often travel all night, and like to release their stress early in the morning. Jo dehki says.
It doesn t matter anyway This I wasn t sleeping very well Nish murmurs.
Jo dehki tilts his head slightly, looking over the Imperial. He seems quite sad, and the curious cat can t help himself.
What troubles you, my friend? He asks.
You ve done a great deal for me; you ve earned my trust and loyalty. We re friends, Jo dehki In fact, you are the only real friend I have made since I left my home so many years ago. Ra kanishu begins.
Jo dehki is flattered. Jo dehki interjects.
And because you re my friend, I m going to share something with you
The Imperial turns his head to Jo dehki. He stares at him for a moment before turning back to look at the floor. He inhales deeply through his nose before releasing a melancholy sigh.
There was someone I had left behind when I first began my journey, and she haunts me in my dreams. To be honest, she always has, but they aren t pleasant anymore. I suppose that s why I liked Daro veera so much; she reminded me of her in more than a few ways. When I really think about it, her betrayal hurt as much as it did because I had forgotten that Daro veera was not her. The Imperial continues.
Jo dehki had no idea The Khajiit says softly.
No, you wouldn t. I don t often like talking about myself, or my past failures. Nish mutters.
Jo dehki rests a hand reassuringly on his friend s shoulder.
Ra kanishu does not need to be so sad. He is still alive Jo dehki continues.
Nish turns to look at the Cathay-Raht.
You can still return home and see her. I don t want to wander around Tamriel anymore I want to go back to Reaper s March. Nish remarks.
Then you should. Would you like to travel with me? Nish asks.
Oh This one does not think- I m sure you d like it there; you could make it your home. You deserve one. Nish interrupts.
Jo dehki removes his hand from Nish s shoulder, resting it on his own leg. He looks at his clawed feet that sit firmly on the hardwood floor. He closes his eyes and sighs.
You are Jo dehki s friend; perhaps the only one he has left, and the only one to ever do anything for him in a very long time This one must confess to you that he had lived in Reaper s March, and he left it for a reason
The Khajiit takes another deep breath, clearly bothered by whatever it is he wishes to tell him. The Imperial waits patiently for Jo dehki to continue, not wanting to prod into his personal affairs. After a moment, Jo dehki opens his eyes and looks back at Nish, a solemn look on his face.
Jo dehki murdered someone in a village in Reaper s March. He left because he felt he had no choice. This one does not know if he can ever return home. The Khajiit confides.
Ra kanishu returns the favor, resting his hand reassuringly on Jo dehki s shoulder.
It wasn t my choice to leave either. If it were up to me, I don t think I would have ever left Reaper s March on my own. Nish retorts.
Did Ra kanishu kill someone? Jo dehki asks.
Not exactly, but I doubt I ll be welcome any more than you will. Nish answers.
Jo dehki rises from the bed, pulling away from his Imperial friend. He walks towards the door, stopping only to glance at Nish from over his shoulder.
Jo dehki will think about it Continue to rest, my friend.
As Jo dehki leaves the room, closing the door behind him, Nish turns and stretches out on the bed. Though he tries to stay awake, he soon feels himself becoming drowsy. Perhaps it s a side effect of the magic that s still mending his wounds, or cabin fever from never leaving his room? As he falls into a deep sleep, his subconscious mind wanders. He returns to the grassy plains near his old home, feeling the warm breeze on his skin, and seeing the girl in the distance. No matter how hard he tries, he can t catch up to her.
As evening approaches, Fjorn and Jo dehki sit at a table with several plates in front of them. As they eat their dinner and attempt to maintain a civil conversation, something the two can rarely achieve, Fjorn suddenly seems surprised; his gaze is fixed upon the hallway. Jo dehki turns in his chair, looking over his shoulder. As he turns, Ra kanishu passes him, walking somewhat slowly as he sits in a chair between the two. Jo dehki promptly orders Nish a plate of grilled fish and a mug of wine.
Jo dehki is surprised to see you up. Yeah. Weren t you dying or something? Oh right! We paid for your mistake, so you ve been sleeping for two weeks. Fjorn snidely comments.
Thanks for caring. Nish mutters.
Mind your tongue, Nord. Jo dehki growls.
Apologies. Fjorn lifts up his hands. I didn t mean to insult your lover. He chuckles.
Jo dehki slams his palm down onto the wooden table, quickly rising to his feet.
Hey, calm down! Nish says to Jo dehki, grabbing his wrist. And you aren t being paid to be such a bastard, so knock it off. He points at Fjorn with his other hand.
Sorry, father. Fjorn mutters sarcastically.
Jo dehki sits back down in his seat, glaring at the indignant Nord. The innkeeper soon brings the extra plate of food and the mug of wine. Nish eats in silence for a moment, as do his companions.
I think after tomorrow I ll be well enough to travel. Nish suddenly says in between bites.
Finally! Fjorn exclaims, sitting back in his chair.
Are you sure? Jo dehki asks, a look of concern on his face.
Yes. It s time we left. I m getting sick of looking at the same cheap painting, and my bed isn t near a window. Nish grins.
So where do you think we can make the next batch of drakes? Fjorn asks.
The Imperial looks up at the Nord, his eyes quickly glancing over to the Khajiit beside him.
Yeah About that Nish murmurs.
That doesn t sound good Fjorn grumbles.
I ve been walking Tamriel for years. We ve spent two of them together on these roads. I m done adventuring. Nish continues.
So one little brush with death and you re ready to give up and go home? I thought you Imperials were stronger than that. Fjorn chuckles.
I never left Reaper s March by choice. I m not going to allow the few loved ones I have to never know what became of me, dying on some road or in a cheap inn. Nish explains.
Hey! The innkeeper remarks.
No offense. Nish waves to the innkeeper.
I m out to make drakes and a name for myself. Fjorn snaps.
You can do that in Reaper s March! Nish retorts.
What? Fjorn raises an eyebrow.
Ra kanishu is going back to Reaper s March. He wants both of you to come with him. You can find battles and earn drakes; your skills are in high demand there, and they always will be. Jo dehki too. Nish adds.
Fjorn sits back in his chair, a stunned look on his face. Jo dehki clears his throat and leans onto the table. He looks back and forth between the Imperial and the Nord.
Jo dehki dislikes bearing bad news, but he is not welcome in Reaper s March because of an Indiscretion You ve been on the road probably longer than we have. Do you really think anyone still remembers whatever it is you did? Will they even still recognize you? Nish asks the Cathay-Raht.
Yes, because no one would ever remember a maneless Nord-sized Khajiit with black and orange stripes. Fjorn quips.
We can travel around whatever village might cause you problems. Nish adds.
Jo dehki sits back in his chair, tapping his claws on the table as he looks to Nish. He silently chuckles, grinning at the persistent Imperial. He shrugs his shoulders and lifts his hands up, locking his fingers behind his head as he leans back in his chair.
Why not! He exclaims.
So, you ll come with me? Nish asks.
Yes. Jo dehki would hate to split up such an entertaining partnership so soon. He adds.
That just leaves you, Fjorn. What do you say?
The Imperial and Khajiit both turn toward the Nord, looking expectantly at him. He sits in silence for a moment, his arms crossed in front of his chest. He lets out a sigh and shakes his head.
Seriously? After two years, you re going to walk away? Nish asks in surprise.
We re travel companions, Nish. You won t be traveling once we get there; you ll be staying. That aside, I would feel very out of place among so many Khajiit. I already feel strange with Jo dehki around. I always have. We can hardly maintain a polite conversation for more than a minute. You can live alongside the beast-folk, but I cannot. Fjorn replies.
That s very disappointing. Nish murmurs.
Eh Jo dehki shrugs.
I ll stay with you until we reach the Imperial City, and then I m going to try joining the Fighters Guild. Fjorn adds.
They finish their meals and return to their rooms to sleep. The next morning, Ra kanishu surprises his companions by waiting for them in the hall, his pack loaded and his weapon belt around his waist. Though he moves a bit slower than he did before, they are finally able to leave Cheydinhal. Jo dehki can t help but notice the sweat on Nish s brow, and the pained look that he struggles to hide as he slowly and methodically hikes along the road. He doesn t believe that the Imperial is truly healed enough to travel, but Nish isn t a cub.
As they walk slowly along the road toward the Imperial City, they hear a commotion in the distance. It is the familiar sound of swords, shields and axes clanging together, of people grunting and yelling in combat. It s music to Fjorn s ears. He rushes ahead as Nish struggles to keep up. Jo dehki stays close to the Imperial s side. As they round a bend in the road, they see a rather large group of Imperial soldiers fighting with an even larger group of bandits.
Fjorn takes his sword and shield, prepping for battle as he rushes in to help the soldiers. He roars loudly as he charges enthusiastically into the fray, though it soon morphs into an excited cackle. Jo dehki removes his bow and draws an arrow from his quiver. He turns to Nish, but stops in his tracks when he sees the Imperial refusing to act. Nish turns his eyes to the Khajiit and slowly shakes his head. Jo dehki is stunned; Nish had always stepped in for others, including Jo dehki, but now no longer.
Are you not going to fight the bandits? Jo dehki asks.
Leave them. This isn t our problem. Nish replies.
Jo dehki turns back to the battle. Fjorn hacks, slashes and bashes at several bandits. The soldiers fall back, forming into a square as the bandits surround them. The Khajiit looks back at the Imperial and steps up to the man, standing before him.
What happened to your heart, my friend? Jo dehki asks.
Daro veera stabbed it. Nish mutters.
She did not. But apparently you have done it for her. What do you mean? Nish asks.
She betrayed you but Jo dehki did not, and neither did the others you have helped. By allowing her betrayal to change you, you have done for her what she had failed to do herself; kill who you are. You are stronger than that. Jo dehki replies.
Nish looks over, past the large cat. He watches as Fjorn backs up from the bandits, joining the soldier s formation. He sighs and holds up a hand.
I don t have the strength to wield my sword yet, but my magic is as strong as it ever was. Nish says.
Jo dehki grins, turning back to the skirmish as he draws an arrow. He fires a well-placed shot into a bandit s throat. The Imperial walks towards the fighters while the Khajiit stays right beside him, firing arrow after arrow. He shoots several fireballs and bolts of lightning from his palms. Ra kanishu engulfs a bandit in flames. She runs into her own ranks, frightening many of them and igniting a few others. The soldiers open their formation, pushing through the bandits as the archer and wizard break the line for them. The bandits soon lose ground, routed by the trained soldiers and their rescuers. They are killed to a man.
Ra kanishu and Jo dehki look over the bodies of the fallen. They notice that alongside the armored soldiers and the ragtag bandits are over a dozen corpses that appear to be civilians. Nish takes a seat on an old log as the remaining soldiers slash the throats and pierce the chests of the still living but wounded bandits. Fjorn sits on the same log beside Nish, using his restoration magic to treat the cuts he had sustained in the fight. Once he is healed, he begins treating the soldiers as well, first treating a wounded female soldier wearing more elaborate armor.
So Who are you three? The woman asks.
Your welcome Nish mutters.
Just some humble travelers, miss. Fjorn answers.
Well I m Arientia, the Captain of this company. She continues.
I m Fjorn. Nord, swordsman, healer, and a part-time bard. And who are those two nefarious looking men behind you? Arientia asks.
Oh, them These are my companions, Nish, the Imperial spellsword, and Jo dehki. I m not entirely sure what he does, if anything at all. Fjorn remarks.
Hmm Are you a Cathay-Raht? She asks the Khajiit.
Indeed. Jo dehki nods.
I ve never seen one of your kind before. A few Suthay-Raht and plenty of Cathay. Arientia begins.
She approaches the Khajiit, eying him slowly with a strange grin spread across her face. Jo dehki raises a brow and takes a step back. She reaches out, placing a hand on his forearm. Her eyes narrow and the Khajiit s lips curl into a faint grin.
Those were very impressive shots. I only wish my own archers were so skilled. Arientia says softly.
Thank you, miss. Jo dehki tries his best At all times. I certainly hope so She coos.