A/N: What?! A chapter?! It's the end of the world!
Ok, on a more serious and less melodramatic note, here it is. I had issues getting dialog, and then I forgot, and suddenly I wanted to continue with this. So here it is. Firstly, a huge thank you to CheySkywalker with Ormil's dialog – without that, this chapter would have waited another two or more weeks. Also, she has some really awesome Oblivion stories, go check it out. Secondly, to the last guest reviewer – you are sharp! And thanks also to everyone who has reviewed so far – I really appreciate that. Onwards, companions!
Chapter 10: Let the Adventures Begin
I took Faith out in the dead of night, stopping over at Bruma to spend the last few hours of dark. It was time I found out more about what I needed to do, and I planned on staying as far from the Gates as I could for as long as I could, should I find any. I still dreamed of what I had found inside some nights, along with some other, older dreams I had had a long time ago.
I was stiff from all the training with Daniéll, and stretched languorously before donning my leather armor later that morning. Again. I was starting to think I'd ever only sleep in normal clothes…. There were whispers in the common room of the Tap and Tack, of murdering innocents and assassins and a mysterious guild known only by name and operation: the Dark Brotherhood was a slippery, precise and elite guild of assassins; prayers were made to a woman called 'The Night Mother', and arrangements were made with the guild accordingly. I managed to acquire a copy of The Black Horse Courier on the subject. I'll read it later, I thought, rolling it into a cylinder as I paid the innkeeper for a loaf of bread and cheese wedge. My breath frosted in the icy morning, and I was eager to leave for the warmer areas of Cyrodiil again. I would never survive in Skyrim.
Two weeks later found me back in the Imperial City. In the Waterfront District, to be exact. I had been caught for petty thievery again, a mere five gold bounty – although it was a precious five gold to me – which I refused to pay, so I was arrested to spend the night in jail. Once I had been released, and my goods, minus the shoes I had stolen, were returned to me, a shady-looking Dunmer gave me a note, detailing vague directions and instructions to attend a meeting in the Gardens of Dareloth at midnight. Since I had already taken my sweet time to meander down to this district after wandering through shops, stalls and much of the sameness, I was impatient for midnight at a little after midday. And so, I ended up standing on the docks, gazing out at the ships. One was an inn, The Bloated Float; but others were large merchant ships, from what I could tell. I might have been very wrong. One in particular, caught my eye. It was a magnificent galleon, with snowy white sails and smooth, clean curves and carvings to the stern and bow. It was a proud and elegant ship; fast, too, from the whispers I caught as I walked closer. "There once was hardy young lad of the sea... A Redguard of courage and honor was he... Sail on, my Cyrus, sail on..." a lithe, lean Dunmer woman sang softly as she paced close to the ship. She stopped when she saw me stare at the ship. "Beautiful, isn't she?" the elf said, drawing my attention to her. The Dunmer had always looked especially otherworldly to me with their blue skin and red eyes. They were a strange race, steeped in mystery, rituals and traditions only they knew of, and they most certainly were not a race I would easily trust. The Dunmer gestured at the ship as her hand rested on the cutlass at her hip. "The Marie Elena. Damn fine ship, with a damn fine crew. I should know, I'm her first mate. Malvulis is the name," she boasted, proud of her vessel. She turned to face me squarely, her red eyes smoldering with… anger, threat. I tried not to look intimidated; Dark Elves at their best were… frightening to me. "So believe me when I tell you we don't like it when people snoop around in our affairs. You get near that ship, and my men will run you through."
Several seamen looked up at us, pausing in their work. "I had no intention of going where I wasn't wanted," I said, my voice surprisingly even. Malvulis grunted, and turned back to her men, humming her song. I looked back at the ship, silently admiring one last time, then set off to find a beggar who could direct me to the Garden the note had spoken of.
I was grumbling and in a thoroughly foul mood by late afternoon. I hadn't found a beggar with a decent mind to say something useful. And why did everyone always make secret meetings at midnight? Did no-one ever sleep? Or have a need to do something – anything – immediately? I headed into The Bloated Float, a ship which had been renovated and refurbished to become an inn. Apparently, it was still able to sail, although the owner and publican, an Altmer by the name Ormil, hadn't allowed the ship to leave the docks since he had bought it. I sat down at one of the round tables, and the Altmer I presumed was Ormil came over. "Ormil's the name, and welcome to the Bloated Float, the only inn on the water!" he bragged, smiling. "Can I get you anything? Food, drink perhaps?" I blinked several times when I looked up at him. He wore an open, almost innocent and surprised expression, and his auburn hair stood straight up, as if a Lightning Bolt spell had gone horribly wrong. "Uhm…" I stammered, my foul mood dissolving under the sight in front of me. "Some ale, for starters," I said, the edges of my lips curling into a smile. He nodded to an Imperial-looking woman with black hair curling around her face; she had shifty-looking brown eyes. She brought over my drink, and Ormil wandered about the room, talking to other customers and patrons in the Bloated Float. I slowly wasted the afternoon by nursing another two mugs of ale, and ordered some food after dusk. The Imperial woman left the inn to buy something for Ormil, but the food and drink had tampered with my senses, numbing them. The Altmer came over when I called, arranging a room for me. I was feeling horridly drowsy, and dizzy, feeling the ship rock wildly underneath me. I needed to sleep this off.
Wood creaked and groaned, the ship gently rocking from side to side. And I had a gods-forsaken headache. It felt as if my head was throbbing, and splitting into two while every sound and movement sent sharp needles of pain through my head. I can't possibly have a hangover, I didn't drink enough for this…. Slowly, I worked my way upright to sit on the bunk, massaging my head to something more bearable. There was a basin in the corner behind me. I stood up, and fell right over to the other wall as the ship lurched to the side. That wave was far too big for us to still be in the Waterfront District, but where else could we be? Illusion and Mysticism spells couldn't do that without at least a few hundred of the best Altmer mages… could they? Either way, it cleared my head a little more to cast a healing spell, which fixed my headache properly. I sighed in relief, and strapped on my katana, loosening it in its sheath. I carefully opened my door: something about this was wrong. I saw a broad, dark-haired man dressed in specially crafted leather armor in the hallway. Nord, perhaps? I wondered, figuring that I might be able to pass him without incident. Probably another tenant, right? The ship rocked again, not as bad as the first, but it assured me that we weren't inland anywhere. The man turned around, shock on his face as he drew his iron longsword warily. "Hey! Who in Oblivion are you? You don't look like one of the Blackwater Brigands!" he exclaimed. Blackwater Brigands?! I stressed, keeping my face blank. "Just a passenger," I said slowly.
"What?" he asked, confused. "I was told that there are only two others on board. I locked the bouncer in the storage room and she has the owner. So that leaves you. Now, I'll ask again. Who. Are. You?" he finished with a snarl, his longsword raised and inching closer to me. Think fast, Arya! I thought, replying with: "I'm a member of your gang."
The man snorted, lowering his blade. Perfect for me. "There's no-one else in our group except the four of us. The Blackwater Brigands don't just take on new members out of the clear blue sky. When we formed the Brigands three months ago, I was told no more than a four-way split on all the profits! So stop telling lies and tell me what you're doing here!"
Idiot, I reprimanded in my head, both to myself and to the brigand. I needed to remember this information when I met with the other three…. "I honestly don't know what you want me to say," I eventually settled with.
He snarled. "Then perhaps my sword can find the words you mouth cannot!"
I whipped out my katana, almost losing it with the speed, and used surprise to catch him, drive him against the wall far inside his reach and gutted him. I watched his skin pale, blood pooling as organs spilled out and heard him gurgle as he died. I searched him for any interesting items, but only found that two gold pieces were worth taking; and a note, saying Lynch – presumably the body in front of me – was not to disturb Minx at all, signed by 'S' and a key. I loved keys, never mind that I might need them later. I headed on to the main deck, opening and closing the door slowly and listening to the pacing and searching of another thief. A woman, this time, by the lightness of her stride. "Ho there!" a Dunmer woman exclaimed, jumping when I appeared at the top of the stairs to the main deck. "Where do you think you're going?! Selene's not going to like this one bit… I wasn't to be disturbed!" she cried, stamping her feet. She looked like a spoiled child throwing a temper tantrum. I just raised a brow. I couldn't take her seriously after that, and her blue skin with her dyed, sharply contrasting red hair was just…. It looked comical. She returned to her frantic searching. I supposed she was Minx, and I breathed deep. "Lynch sent me up here," I said, thinking of the dead brigand, and feeling a little sick. Minx stopped her searching, puzzled just as Lynch had been. "Lynch sent you up here? Why? Did he send you to talk to Selene?"
Selene must lead this group, I realized, thinking of the 'S' on the note. "Yes. I'm to assist her."
The Dunmer straightened to face me, still halfway across the room but clearly frowning. "What does she need assistance with? She had Ormil under her own watchful eye in his cabin. Something isn't right here. What happened to Lynch?"
Damn… maybe I can frighten her. "He's dead."
She stared at me incredulously, as if sizing me up, slowly drawing her blade as I drew mine. "You? You bested Lynch? I always knew he was out of practice. Oh well, I suppose it's up to me to do his job for him as usual!" she sneered, charging at me. I stood, defensive, the stairs behind me. Three, two, one… I sidestepped, and she crashed down the stairs into the door. I swung my katana round, and steel met steel. Dammit! I cursed: if the other two made their way here now, I would surely lose. I pulled away, using my height in the stairs as an advantage. I lifted my blade above my head, jumping down to Minx before she could react, slicing through her. I grunted: as she had fallen, her blade had nicked my cuirass, cutting through it enough to leave a bruise. I almost hated bruises more than cuts. Then I heard banging from the lower deck. I was curious, but Minx's possible possessions were far more interesting right now. I kept my blade out this time, placing it on the floor next to me as I searched the Dunmer. She had a key on her, and some more gold. I started when I heard knocking and banging from the lower deck again, along with muffled grunts and shouts. I picked up my sword, keeping it in front of me as I went back the way I came. I stood before the door, suddenly remembering the bouncer had been locked in the storage room. I searched my growing collection of keys for the one Lynch had carried and unlocked the door, sword still in hand. A large, broad Orcish man stood on the other side, surprised that the door had opened. "I'm going to stop the thieves," I greeted by manner of explanation.
The Orc gave a relieved sigh. "About time someone showed up," he said, stepping gingerly past me and my drawn sword. "Thank you for freeing me. I'm Graman gro-Marad, the Bloated Float's bouncer and helmsman. I've been locked in that storage room for hours. I don't know exactly what's going on, but not long ago, a gang of thieves calling themselves The Blackwater Brigands stormed the ship. They took myself and Ormil, the Float's owner, hostage and put the ship to sea. I have no idea what they're after. If you can get me safely to the top deck, I can steer the Float home. But I'm not budging until the coast is clear. I'm used to dealing with drunken louts, not a gang of well-armed thieves," he muttered angrily when he reached the last bit, and I found him incredibly friendly for a bouncer. I nodded, and sheathed my blade as we started for the main deck. "What can you tell me about them?" I asked.
Graman shook his head. "All I know is there seems to be four of them. They blindfolded me before they put me in here, so I didn't see much." He really seemed apologetic; he was really far too nice to be a bouncer, despite his enormous size. "What can you tell me about the lay of the ship? I need to know where to find the other two."
Graman stared when he saw Lynch's drained and gutted body behind me. I stood directly in front of Graman, blocking the body from his line of sight. He paled slightly, apparently at my movement, and a slight shiver entering his deep breath, though I couldn't tell of it was from fear or excitement. Orcs were a strange nation to me: but then, any not of my race were strange to me. "The Float has three decks. This deck is the inn deck, the next level up is the tavern deck and then there's the top deck," he explained. I nodded, leading him to the main deck. He turned almost directly to the Dunmer when he saw Minx's body, but stayed still by the inn deck door. "Nice work," he complimented.
I nodded again, heading up to the last flight of stairs to deal with the second last of the Brigands. "I'll be back soon," I said.
"Good luck... you'll need it," he said, then added as an afterthought, "I'll wait here on the tavern deck until you clear the top deck. That's where the ship's wheel is located."
I didn't reply, steadying myself by the final door with my blade drawn again and at the ready. I opened the door, stepping out into salty air, and surrounded by water. I didn't have time to look for Cyrodiil's coast, because I saw another broad, blonde Nord-looking man standing by the ship's wheel. Damn! I swore mentally. I hoped I could sweet talk my way out of this one….
Salt water was a strangely soothing scent in my nostrils when I stood on the top deck. The Nordic, blonde man stood with his back to me, and I was grateful that I hadn't been noticed. I sheathed my blade again. I grimaced as metal scraped against metal. I hadn't done it quietly enough. He spun around. "Wha-? What are you doing up here? They find the Gooden Galleon yet?" he demanded. Golden Galleon? Why do I never know about these things?! "I'm awaiting orders," I said, hoping that he wasn't more intelligent than he looked. I was also hoping to fish for information on this 'Golden Galleon'. He looked really confused now. I hoped the gods favored me today, especially now. "Orders? Selene didn't tell me about this, and I don't remember her taking on someone else to help us find the Golden Galleon…" he paused, his beady eyes narrowing. "When did all this happen?"
"Three days ago," I said, hoping that I was right. I rested my left hand on my blade, trying to look self-assured.
"Damn that woman!" he cussed, turning away for a second. "She promised a four-part split when we recover the Golden Galleon. She never said anything about splitting it five ways! She said when we got back to the safe house in Bravil, we would divide the loot after she fenced the damn thing…" he paused, a greedy, sly look on his face. I tried to steady my racing heart. "Do Lynch and Minx know about this?"
I ground my teeth. "Lynch and Minx are dead."
"Well, since they're out of the way," the Nord growled, drawing a steel longsword, "if I kill you, that means Selene and I split the take two ways. This heist is getting better and better!"
I drew my blade, barely blocking in time. I would have no advantage in this fight. I stepped forwards, ducking under his raised blade to strike his legs. I was flung away from the door, close to the ship's wheel. My katana clattered to a side. The Nord growled, grabbing his hilt with both hands and bringing it down. I rolled out of the way; the blade stuck in the planks. I leapt up, kicked at his wrists and heard a snap, and his howl. I swore mentally, wishing I had a dagger with me. I had sold the one I owned. I punched his face, and recoiled. My fist hurt in ways I didn't want to describe. "Ow," I subconsciously whined, ducking under a punch and diving for my sword. "HAAA!"
The Nord was suspended above me, and something wet and warm dripped and trickled onto my hands. He sighed, and slid closer, down my katana. I panted, adrenaline making me shiver as I threw – or rather, wriggled – the brigand off my blade, wiping his blood on his cuirass. I cast my healing spell several times over, thinking of a healing potion in my pack and making a mental note to buy a stronger spell from the Mage's Guild.
"Top deck clear yet?" Graman asked when I came back to the tavern. I nodded, leaning on the back of a chair. The Orc looked me over. "I'll make my way up to the ship's wheel. But I'm not moving this hulk an inch until Ormil is safe," he added, defiant. I nodded again, surprisingly detached as the adrenaline started wearing off.
"Graman," I started, "tell me everything you know about Selene."
He paused on the stairs, a hand on the rail. "I thought I heard an Imperial woman's voice while I was blindfolded. Other than that, I don't know much more about her. Be cautious… their leader sounds dangerous."
Gods, I thought, heading behind the counter to the only door I hadn't yet opened. I tried the keys I had, but none opened the door, let alone fit into the keyhole. I turned and placed my palms on the counter, trying not to cry from frustration. What had I missed? "Hey, you might need this," a gruff, Orcish voice called from above. I looked up, and saw Graman dangle a key from his fingers. I sighed in relief, smiling. He must have found it on the Nord. "Thank you," I held out my hands to catch it as it dropped. The bouncer disappeared again, and I unlocked the cabin door. The Imperial woman pacing before me was the one who had been working here when I had boarded, and the Altmer proprietor was tied to a chair. Somewhat comical, but I didn't really feel like smiling, let alone laughing. Selene stopped her pacing. "How'd you get in here?"
"I got the key from the Nord," I replied, pointing up. Saying that I took it wasn't entirely true, and this wasn't entirely false….
She looked puzzled, but angry. "Wrath? I told him to guard the wheel and not to talk to anybody. Who are you?"
"I'm here to join the gang." It seemed logical to keep that up; I didn't feel like fighting her, and if I could get her to come quietly, I would be happy.
"Hahaha!" she laughed, cold and wry. "We made a solemn pact not to let anyone else join the gang. I remember it clearly even though it was –"
"Three months ago?" I interrupted.
Selene blinked. "What?!" she fumed. "Can no-one in this gang keep things secret? I suppose you 'know' why we've taken over The Bloated Float as well!"
I nodded. "To find the Golden Galleon." I still don't know that is!
"H-how did you know that? No matter. Once I've taken care of you, we'll scuttle the ship and be off to our safehouse. No-one will find us there," her voice sounded sure, and her stance was proudly determined, but uncertainty tainted her brown eyes. "You mean in Bravil?"
Selene gaped at me, but insisted on another question. "A-again you have surprised me with your knowledge of our operation. I suspect Lynch didn't check all the inn rooms before we departed. You must have been hiding down there and made you way up here. How did you get past Minx, Wrath and Lynch?"
I looked away, but lifted a shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. "I've killed all of them."
Selene stumbled over to a wall, and leaned against it. "Impossible! You defeated the three of them alone?" her eyes widened. "I – I'm humbled by your skill, and fear that assaulting you would lead to my own quick demise. Please accept my surrender. Here's my blade. Please, no treasure is worth my life. The Bloated Float is yours," she finished, her bottom lip quivering slightly as she undid the belt her blade hung on, handing it to me. I nodded, admiring the craftsmanship of the hilt. "I'm going to bind your hands, and take you down to one of the inn rooms," I explained, putting her blade on a table in the tiny room. Selene nodded, and I quickly untied Ormil and used the rope on Selene. The Altmer gave a visible sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing. I almost smirked. Almost. "Thank goodness you arrived when you did! I feared I would be thrown to the slaughterfish!" Ormil exclaimed. It looked like he wanted to explain things to me, but I held up a hand. "Let me take her down first, then we can talk."
Ormil nodded solemnly. "Alright. Here's the key you'll need. Please escort her to the last room on the inn deck. We'll keep her locked in there until we arrive at port," he finished, fishing out a key from his belt and eyeing Selene cautiously. I dipped my head in reply, and walked Selene down to another inn room, nodding at Graman who stood on the stairs to take us home. Selene seemed lost in her own thoughts when I guided her into the room, so I left her to them. When I returned to the tavern deck, I barely had time to wonder where Ormil was when he walked through the door to the top deck, Graman close behind. The Altmer man smiled tightly, although it was sincere enough. Minx's body was nowhere to be seen. "We – well, Graman – moved the Dunmer up…" Ormil explained, blanching a little.
"There's another down below…."
Graman nodded, heading down and past me. I followed, and together we managed to wrap Lynch in canvas and haul him up to the top deck, where another two similar shapes lay. I had asked Selene if she had wanted to join us when we sent her fellows to their sailor's funerals, but she barely shook her head, staring at her hands. The thought of her sitting so broken in the deck below was startling. I hoped it would never happen to me.
Later that day, Graman, Ormil and I all sat around a table, a pint of ale in front of each of us. "We should be home in a few days," Graman said. I nodded, glad that there was someone who knew how to get me back to solid ground. This constant rocking wasn't right, and I prayed we wouldn't have to go through a storm. "So, do explain to me why a gang called 'The Blackwater Brigands' was on this ship, hijacked it, and was looking for something called 'The Golden Galleon'," I said, looking at the ear of the mug I was fiddling with before glancing between my companions. Graman raised a brow, leaning back into his chair and drinking deeply. Ormil sighed sheepishly. "Well, I'm afraid all of this was my fault. They hijacked The Bloated Float because of me," he started, looking up at me. "Business had been waning of late, so I invented a story –"
Gods, I thought. This is where all troubles start.
"– I fashioned a tale about a 'Golden Galleon' that the previous owner hid within this very vessel. It was to be a statuette made completely of gold."
"So that was all the fuss…. And then?"
Ormil nodded. "At the time, the idea was quite clever, I thought. I figured the lore would draw more curiosity seekers and adventurers looking for the treasure." The Altmer smiled. "What could the harm be if while they were here, they bought a drink or two? My business has increased quite a bit since I leaked the story," he paused to drink some ale, a dark look crossing over his face. "Well, obviously, I was mistaken." He took another draught, then continued. "It was a terrible idea. I'm just glad that no innocents were hurt: I wouldn't want to have their blood on my hands…" he trailed off, and we sat in silence until Graman excused himself to the ship's wheel. I left Ormil at the tavern deck for a bed, all the while keeping an ear out for Selene.