Cearbhail:

This chapter doesn't have much going on in it. That surprised me but I guess it has its moments. It's really short compared to the previous chapter. It's mostly emotional fluff. Enjoy.


[Samuel]

Log 4, continuing

We made it off the ship and past customs. Ariel pretended to be my girlfriend so that the Dominion agents wouldn't suspect me of being some Imperial spy of some sort. Shortly after that, we ended up meeting some Orcish clan that gave us custom armor. My armor looks pretty wicked. Wicked as in stylishly cool. Not as sadistic as their armor looks. It looks more or less just like regular steel armor, but less edgy, simplistic, but with a better maneuverability. Well, anyway, we all have our own set of armor now. But, what to do from here? Maleek is getting impatient and wants to start his search. Urag and his wife, Narogh, insist that the Khajiit we're looking for won't be here in Stros M'kai. But Maleek wants to look anyway. So, now that our armor is finished, we're continuing our search.

Samuel, Scribe.

I closed my journal and looked at everyone. Ariel already looked beautiful in her mage clothes, but with that armor that was placed over them made her look oddly cuter, especially since her pigtails were replaced with a single braid that Orc women wore a lot. They called it a dragon knot. I shook the thought away, but the image and the feeling of Ariel kissing me on the cheek popped into my head. It made my stomach knot up and my knees weak. What was going on with me? I shook the thought away, but it kept pushing back. Whatever it was, I wanted it to go away. I liked Nisha…well, no, I couldn't like Nisha. She was Maleek's. She was my inspiration to become a better bard. She was a hero to us younger hopefuls. She was more like my idol than some love interest. But Ariel? I never thought of her like that. Then again, I've only known her for about a month or so. And this was the most time we've spent together yet.

I looked over to Jessie. He was twisting his back; testing his flexibility in his new armor. Ariel liked him. I know she did. When she got drunk, she kissed him, not me. And I know he liked her back. If I started having feelings for Ariel…it would only get in the way of them. I wasn't here to find some girlfriend; I was here to help Maleek find his. Ariel may have some vague notion of finding someone to love here while we quested, and Jessie just wanted to help Maleek because he just does stuff like that. He's a good guy. What were my reasons? Adventure. I wanted to see the land, see new places. I wanted to experience my first combat. I wanted the action, the adventure, the story. I wanted to go back to the college with my first bardic tale. I wanted to say that I did something important; that I mattered. That Pantea did not pick a loser for her son. She adopted me; she was the strongest bard ever known. Even the High King didn't hold a candle to her in terms of bardic strength. And she chose me. I had to show her that I had it in me to be great too. I owed it to her for choosing me.

High King and Maleek both stored their armor away in Ruby's everbag. High King brought it with him when he came to find us. He regularly tried to talk to Ruby's spirits, but her spirits couldn't find her any more than we could.

"So, where should we begin looking?" Maleek asked Urag, the old Orc who was currently securing his own traditional Orcish armor.

Urag, strapping on his shoulder guards, closed his eye in concentration. "Hmm. Khajiits are usually in the southern district of the town. The newest ones are usually being inspected before being purchased. After that process is complete, they attend a week long crash course in basic slave etiquette. All these are in the central plaza, while we are in the northern." He nodded to us. "I shall show you to school. She is most likely there…if she is even on this island."

Maleek nodded. "Thank you, Urag."

"Father!" One of the little girls screamed as she ran into the tent. "I saw Dominion agents coming down here."

Urag nodded to her, looking at High King. "Your majesty. It seems I'm not the only one that can see through your Illusion. You've drawn a bit of a crowd."

High King smiled. "That's fine. I need to blow off some steam."

Urag chuckled, sliding his helmet on. "High King. Allow me. I'll meet up with you on our ship."

"You have a ship?" I asked.

Urag nodded. "Yes." He looked down at his children. "Kids. Go with the High King." He looked to his eldest son in the bunch; he was as old as Jessie, 15. "Voluung, show them to our ship when they're done."

Voluung bowed to his father, pounding his chest. "Yes, father."

Urag turned to face his wife and his two other sons, the adults. "Don your armor." He looked back at the kids. "You too."

That's when we heard the bell sitting outside ding a few times. "Orc smith, the Dominion has some questions for you."

Urag smirked, chuckling as he headed for the exit to the tent. "I'll be right out." He screamed as he grabbed a massive battleaxe twice as tall as him. He lifted it with one arm, smiling as he ducked out through the exit. "Now…what can I help you with?" We could hear him through the tent.

"We have received reports that you are supplying armor to a group of travelers; a group including two slaves…Khajiit and Argonian. Normally, we do not care who you give your barbaric armor too, but must we remind you of Dominion international law regarding the regulations against arming slaves with violent instruments?"

"Let me see if I can remember. Dominion article 41: subparagraph G.3, subsection 12, part C…right?" Urag stated so calmly like he didn't have a doubt he was right. "Let me see if I can recall the whole section. Um…Oh yes. Under the accordance of International Dominion Rule, slaves are prohibited from purchasing or carrying any form of weapon, improvised or otherwise. The use of armor beyond basic leather or fur is also prohibited. The practice of combative magics is also prohibited. Any slaves caught carrying a weapon, practicing magic, or wearing metallic armor will be seen as a direct affront to the Dominion and her interests. The slave and their master, as well as the supplier of the spells or weapons, will be punished to the fullest under the crime of high treason and shall be stoned to death unless otherwise stated."

There was a long pause before the same agent stammered, "Well…yes. That's it exactly."

"Oh, I see. Just because I'm an Orc, you think I'm some stupid lawless beast. I served in the Legion, you know. I was a general for 30 years." Urag started combating with the agent.

"We really did not come here to discuss your life story. May we look in the back for the slaves we suspect you are supplying with armor and weapons, or will we have to force our way back there?"

"Let me ask you a question first. Now…I may be blind in one eye, but I see other shop owners breaking your international law every single day…some of the time in front of your agents. Last time I checked, international law article 23 covered all forms of illegal animals from foreign lands. Something about wildlife being unbalanced by unnatural predators. Last I checked, that market just across the lane was selling Histlings, a sentient tree that comes from Black Marsh. They're illegal in Hammerfell. And someone just walked in with a pair of baby Sload. While they make great summoners, they make horrible slaves. It's illegal to sell them in our market. And yet, that man just sold two Sload to some Aldmeri necromancers. Article 11 covers all illegal substances. That same shop selling Histlings, baby Hist, is selling Hist sap from these Histlings, while another shop few lanes further down sells skooma. I've seen you shopping there every week. You seem to have no trouble with it before, plus you seem to have a real liking for skooma. And if that's not enough, how about I bring up something relevant to this situation. I see Khajiits slaves all the time carrying weapons. Attending your death squad assassin schools too. So, don't tell me you're here because you saw me showing armor to people transporting slaves. You're here for something else. Now what is it?"

The Dominion agent scoffed. "Sir, I will not warn you again. You are interfering with Dominion interests. Move aside or face the consequences."

"Ok, twinkle toes. You want to dance? We'll dance." Urag said.

I swallowed as I brought up my new Orcish sword. High King walked in front of me, pushing Jessie and Ariel behind him as well. "Do not worry, J'Arkin will handle this." He hissed to us comically.

Maleek shook his head. "You know that only older Khajiits and monks still talk like that, right? The majority of Khajiits use first person perspective nowadays."

High King turned to look at him. "He understands. Shall we…sneak out the back?"

One of the daughters stuck her head out the back of the tent. "Hmm, no good. More Thalmor, all armed."

"You, little Orc child. Step aside." A deep Thalmor voice called from behind me. I turned around. The little girl, about 11 I'd say, stood by the back exit. She was suddenly pushed away from the flap where three black-clad Thalmor rushed into the tent.

"You leave Tuva alone." Voluung shouted as he charged into the Thalmor. The Thalmor stretched their hands out, blasting him with lightning so thick and powerful that I was certain that he'd been cooked alive. The area where he was standing was nothing but a giant ball of lightning mana. Voluung was thrown off his feet by the sheer force of the impact, thrown through the tent as he was lifted away.

The Thalmor leading the rear team smirked as he walked up to us. His eyes glowed for a second, and he smirked as he walked up to us. "Well, well. Our suspicions were correct. Welcome to Stros M'kai, High King Asger Stonearm. Councilor Fiirnar is expecting you. And…" He looked over at Maleek. "The last Shadowscale, Listener of the Dark Brotherhood, Maleek Frazviani. Our sources were correct. If we kill you here and now, Black Marsh will stay under our control."

What were they talking about? I looked over at Maleek. He looked slightly confused, but then he smiled. "Your sources seem to be able to predict the future. Am I to guess that I take back Black Marsh then?"

The Thalmor's smirk vanished and his eyes became focused. He looked back at the other two Thalmor. "You handle the High King; I'll take the Argonian."

"You have to get through me first." Voluung said as he walked back into the tent. He didn't look hurt at all. "And my brothers and sisters."

Tuva, dressed up in her own armor, grabbed two of her own Orcish short swords. She took a deep breath and ran up to the Thalmor on our right side. She moved so quickly that no one could react. She was suddenly underneath the Thalmor, thrusting two short swords through his kneecaps. The Thalmor cried out in pain as he folded under. Tuva hurried underneath him, pulling out her dagger and sticking it straight into his throat. In that same second, Voluung was in front of the other two. With two snaps of his wrists, he grabbed them by their necks. He bashed their heads together, knocking them both out, and then brought their heads down onto his knees, snapping their necks as if he was cracking nuts.

Voluung looked back at us, smiling as he grabbed a few Orcish daggers and two swords. He slipped all six of them into the sheath links built into his armor, looking back at us. "We hurry now. We will find your Khajiit and then we'll leave on our ship."

[Ruby]

Man, I was so glad I wasn't in Stros M'kai or even in Hammerfell at all. I was in my room, again. Not my room in Skyrim; my room in Ysolda's house. I'm not sure how long I've been here. The last few hours have passed in a blur. But I've spent every minute lying in what remained of my bed. Ranjier did a good job cutting it up with his sword, but it mostly remained.

My floor and walls were stained with Ralof's blood, but it didn't bother me…too much at least. I wasn't really comfortable no matter how hard I tried. This bed could be made from clouds and I would still feel like crap. I couldn't get the image of Ranjier out of my head. I knew he was dead, but my heart continued to race from it. He was dead…finally. And yet, I still didn't feel safe. It felt like something worse was going to happen now. And no matter what I did, no matter who I surrounded myself with, I just didn't feel safe anymore.

After Ksaan showed me the disembodied head of Ranjier and threw it in the river, he told me he was taking me home. And I mechanically followed him back to Ysolda's house. I didn't think of much, but I followed Ksaan. He talked about his sister, but I wasn't really paying attention. I was so tired of fighting, so tired of being chased, so tired of getting everyone hurt or killed that I fell into a state of emptiness, emotionlessness. I don't know how long we walked for, I don't know what Ksaan told me about his sister, or M'aiq. But he led me back to Ysolda's house. I walked right into my room and fell right on my bed. I noticed I was still wet from the blood on my clothes, the blood in my fur. I didn't shower; I didn't change my clothes. I just closed my eyes and lied on my bed motionlessly for gods know how long. Soon after, I grabbed my knees and curled into a ball. I was so done with this crap.

Ksaan opened my bedroom door. I looked over to him. He looked fine. He didn't seem like he was in danger, or expressing fear in his face. That was good. When he walked in, Pantu and Zaliika walked in behind him. Pantu was rubbing some slime onto some wound on his shoulder. "Shab. That archer got me pretty good."

"At least you weren't paralyzed for two hours." Zaliika responded. "You know how long I had to pee for?" She saw me lying in my bed and smiled. "Hey, Ruby. The ship's ready for you."

I didn't leave my spot. Heck, I don't think my body and my brain are on good relations at the minute. Instead, I pulled the covers over my head. It felt so warm that I might fall back asleep. I was so tired that I could sleep for a year. And I started dozing off. But as I started falling asleep, I felt a hand clamp over my throat. Ranjier popped into my head and my body jolted. I flew out of my sheets, looking around for him. But my room was empty. I don't know how long I had fallen asleep, but Ksaan and the others had left. My heart was racing, my breath heavy, my body aching. I groaned as I fell straight back down to my pillow. I closed my eyes, but the image of Ranjier staring down at me while he choked me with his one arm wouldn't go away. Sure, I was blinded by sand while he did that, but I could feel his glare. It was enough to get through me. Ranjier may have been dead, but I could feel his spirit haunting me. I wonder if he became some sort of specter. He would do something like that; haunt me for the rest of my life.

I opened my eyes, looking up at the pink ceiling. Ysolda did a good job painting this room. Too bad I could see drops of blood sitting on the ceiling. Blood? Oh no. I jumped out of the bed as fast as I could. I had forgotten that I was covered in it when I crawled in. The bed sheets…the pillows, and the covers were thickly covered in the blood that had covered my body. I singlehandedly destroyed this bed. I looked down at my own clothes. They were crusty and beyond saving. Oh well, clothes can be replaced. My fur was also crunchy and just yucky. I wouldn't dare clean this fur by licking it. I would take a shower instead. So, I took off my clothes and climbed into the shower room. I had the first hot shower I've had in possibly six hours, maybe longer. By the time I was done cleaning my fur, the entire room was filled with nothing but steam.

Since my clothes were ruined, I had to use some of the other clothes Ysolda bought me when I came here. Another rabi top, this one bright green, and one of those really weird skirts covered in frills, black. When I left the shower room, I could hear Zaliika talking downstairs.

"Do you think she'll be ok?" I could barely hear her voice through the floor.

"I don't know." Pantu replied. "She never struck me as the type to break. But we all have our demons. And this entire situation has been hers. She has two paths. One is break; the other is to come out pure. And it seems she's on the tipping side."

"I may not have known my sister for long, but I won't let her break." Ksaan stated. "She's just in shock. Give her some time to rest."

"We can't wait for long." Zaliika sounded impatient. "Captain Morgan will wait because it's Ruby we're talking about. But the longer we wait, the sooner whoever hired Ranjier finds us."

I never thought of that. I just wanted to hide and disappear. But, my wanting to do that would only allow my enemies to find me. They were right; I had to get back to Skyrim. That was the only way I'd get to sleep again. I needed to get away from this place, once and for all.

"Whoever comes here will meet my axe." Ralof said. I paused as I started walking down the stairs. Ralof was back? That was good news.

"Honey, they won't need to meet any axe if we're not here in the first place." Ysolda responded. "Did you see the look in her eyes?" She asked. "She's not mentally ready yet. She needs to rest more."

"Oh, you mean leave her in those bloody clothes, curled up in her bloody sheets? You think that's better for her mental health?" Ralof questioned.

"She'll get out of bed when she's ready." Ysolda responded.

"And I'm out of bed." I yelled down the stairs as I started walking down them. Everyone rushed to the bottom of staircase to see me walk down. They scanned me for a second, and Pantu was the first one to cross his arms and smirk in his usual fashion.

"Well, Princess. You missed a spot." He gestured to my left ear.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll deal with it later." I told him back. "So, Captain Morgan is the one taking me back to Skyrim? Who would have guessed?" I half-laughed to myself, shaking my head in disbelief.

Ralof smirked as he looked over at Ysolda. "Well, would you look at that? She managed to pull herself out of bed, wash up, and dress herself. I guess I was wrong."

I shook my head. "Ok, everyone. We're moving on. No more talking about this…" I waved around the house. "stuff. Got it?"

They all nodded, which was good. I didn't want to remember any of this. "Um…I know I don't say this much but…can I have some moon sugar?" I had it once before, enough of it that I didn't think. I felt great and I was able to space out. Maybe if I took enough of it, I would be able to sleep.

Ralof squinted his eyes at me. "No."

I paused on the bottom step. "What? Why not?"

Zaliika and Pantu exchanged a look with each other. Ysolda was holding her mouth, and Ksaan's tail was flicking. I looked between all of them. Ralof grabbed me by my shoulder. "Ruby…you need to rest more. Your eyes are turning red. You need to rest."

"Red? My eyes never turn red." I said to him.

Ksaan walked up to Ralof, pulling his arm from me gently. "She's just tired, sir. My sister needs her rest."

"I'm not your sister!" I screamed to him. "I know Khajiits love throwing sibling names around like its skooma, but stop calling me that!"

He looked at me, frowning. "You really don't know, do you?" He shrugged. "Fine then. I won't call you sister anymore. That doesn't change who you are to me, though."

What did that even mean? Thoughts of Ranjier's head in his hand returned to me. I shook the image away. "Can I please have some moon sugar, please?"

Ysolda looked at Ralof. "Maybe we should…"

He held up his hand. "No, I forbid it." He glared daggers into me. "Ruby, you're weak, you're scared, you're in shock; I understand all that. But you will not turn to drugs to solve your problems. I've seen too many soldiers take that path, and it leads nowhere good. You're better than that; you're stronger than that. If you take moon sugar now to make yourself feel happier, it will only have that much more control over you in the future. So…if you need to rest, if you need to let yourself sleep…I have a solution that does not involve drugs."

"Really?" I asked. Of course Ralof would have an answer. He was a Stormcloak. He'd seen it all. I bet he had some miracle way of letting me rest for a minute or two. That's when Ralof cocked his hand back. Before I could put up my guard, he slammed me in the face. He was right…I slept. He knocked me right out.


Cearbhail:

Wow, Ruby requesting Moon Sugar? who would have guessed after sleeping in the blood of her enemy and seeing his ghost haunt her every second would force her to turn to a substance designed to numb her mind and let her 'chase the purple dragon'. It's not like this person has experience with things that haunt your every move. Nope. Anyway, I know things can get bad, things can get so bad that you'll do anything to escape them, but running is not a very long term solution, unfortunately. And running away doesn't make you feel better either. Ruby will have to learn this the hard way. We all do, unfortunately. So, anyway, another chapter comes to a close. And the story has only just begun.