AnotherGuest: Yup.
Disclaimer: What's Bethesda's is theirs, etc. Stories may not be in chronological order.
HOUSECALLS
"Can I help you, serjo?" Revyn relaxed against the left doorframe as he regarded the glass-armored warrior who had come knocking on the door of Severin Manor on this particuarly fine, ash-free midmorning.
The warrior removed his helmet. The friendly, disarming smile seemed genuine enough. "Revyn Sadri?"
"I am indeed."
"Greetings, serjo. I am Armiger Pellin Telemo, Cindiri Arano's cousin. I came here to Raven Rock in hopes of meeting Helsette Faro. I know she's not here on the island at the moment, but I was delighted to hear you were. I wish to learn more about her. Perhaps even offer my services to her if she'll have me."
"An Armiger? I'd wondered if any survived the Red Year and Lord Vivec's disappearance," Revyn kept his tone soft and non-challenging.
The bright smile dimmed. "Many lost faith and retired but enough remained to take on young believers like me. We believe the Lord is somewhere. Diminished, perhaps, but around in spirit. And even if the Lord is no longer present in physical form, the spirit and purpose of the Bouyant Armigers is still a force to carry through." The conviction in the young mer's voice made Revyn smile.
"With song in heart, blades in hand, and eyes shining for the glory of life. Come in, serjo." Revyn stepped inside and invited the Armiger in with a sweep of his arm.
"Pillan, please, serjo."
"Revyn."
"Your words are fair — is that a quote from somewhere?"
"I was describing my wife. I'm afraid my sad attempts at poetry are inspired only by her, and she's kind enough to accept them. She's far better at verses."
"Nerevar's Return' is known in Morrowind. Redoran Guards rotating out from Red Rock have brought tales of her exploits and copies of her songs that she sings at the Retching Netch. And many still wishing to leave Morrowind by the direct route through Eastmarch grasp at the rumors of the protection of the Bouyant Armiger of Windhelm. We — we of the order — know she is not actually one of us, but we can see the same spirit, the same soul."
Revyn smiled again at the other's enthusiasm and showed him the table and chairs set by the hearth. He soon had sujamma, tea, sweetened ash yam treats, and salty seaweed chips on the table. The Armiger selected the tea and picked up one of the chips which he eyed before taking a small sample bite.
"I acquired a taste for it from the Argonian dock workers at Windhelm. They harvest it from the thick kelp beds in the Sea of Ghosts, coat them in a spicy seed oil from Elsewyr, and hang them to dry over smoking applewood."
Pellin's eyes flicked over him, doubtlessly noting his age and wondering at an older generation's hatred of the Argonians after their invasion into Morrowind. Revyn replied to the unspoken question, saying, "Dunmer and Argonians, all refugees to the Nords of Windhelm. We refugee invaders are either properly grateful and get along or get thrown out with only the clothes on our back if we're not killed by the guards for disturbing the peace. Many of the dockworkers are descended from escaped Dres plantation slaves. They have little or no tribal ties in Black Marsh so come to Skyrim to make a new life. My wife is one of the few non-Argonians welcome into their home. Shavree, a sweet and cheerful Argonian lady, has this delicious mash dip she makes from kwama eggs that go well with those chips. Haven't managed to charm her into giving me the recipe yet, but I'm working on it."
Pellan nodded thoughtfully, licking the spicy oil and salt from his lips. "I think I could develop quite a taste for these myself."
They spend a few moments discussing Argonian flavor twists on Dunmer cuisine. "So your interest in my wife, is this your own initiative or that of your order?"
"A little of both, but primarily mine. My cousin wrote such glowing tales of Hlaalu Faro — her bravery, skills, songs, and especially how her actions revived Raven Rock. She knew Adril and Councilor Morvayn would stick with Raven Rock to the bitter end an it killed them. Now Adril is crazy busy with all new businesses and wealth, and while he publicly curses all the new responsibilities he's actually very happy. And his renewed energies haven't just been to this town either; he's also making my dear cousin very happy too."
"Which explains the old, dusty book my wife had me rebound for the Councilor's birthday gift," Revyn murmured.
"A book?" For a moment the Armiger looked puzzled.
"A rare edition of The Sultry Argonian Bard by Ellya Erdain."
The Armiger blushed. "Oh, I suppose it's a match to Cindiri's, uh, folio signed by the author himself." He seemed to shudder slightly. "Hard to believe that stick-in-the-mud has it in him."
"Yes, it demonstrates interesting new fingering techniques."
"Oh, no. Please, serjo. I prefer my image of Cousin Adril as a humorless political hack with no imagination."
"If by 'imagination' you mean a dreamer, yes, Councilor Arano is no dreamer," Revyn in dry tones. "The Councilor deals quite competently with potential realities — which led him to sacrifice his dignity to ask help from an outlander who drifted in from Windhelm of all places."
"Indeed. He and Councilor Morvayn are the picture books of ideal Redoran nobility; willing to give all for the greater good." Pellin cleared his throat. "We seemed to have strayed from your dear lady," he said.
"How unfaithful we are."
"Shameful. But your lady — I've been actively gathering stories, reports, rumors. I wish to meet her and, if permitted, travel with her."
"There are many who offer to travel with her without compensation. Glory seekers, a few who wish to learn and better their skills, some who think they understand the crusade they imagine she's on, and some who just want someone to lead them and give their life meaning. Even some who imagine themselves in love with her. No insult, Pellin, but which kind of fool are you?"
Pellin's answering half-smile was a twist of humor and light self-mockery. "I strive for the glory of Lord Vivec, that his people know he ever watches over them. I'm always looking to improve and learn new skills. She's doing good for people she doesn't know and to whom she owes nothing to; I need not know her reason, only that she does it. And perhaps traveling with her for a time I might find my own answers to reinforce the purpose for which the Bouyant Armigers were created and to carry it onward even as our creator has passed from this world. As for love, I have already confessed to you my admiration of her works."
Revyn suddenly felt tired and rubbed his eyes. "And there's a new one every day. All right, Pellin, I need to travel to the Skaal Village, but on my way I need to pay a courtesy visit to Tel Mythryn. I've already engaged Teldryn as escort, but as you say, an extra blade may be useful. Will you come?"
+—+—+—+—+
Kolbjorn excavation. The expedition leader, Ralis Sedarys, was out recruiting miners and mercenaries to guard the site, according to the harried looking miner left in charge.
"So what have you found worth angering the draugr?"
The miner shrugged and waved a hand towards largest tent with two guards. "Stuff's in there, serjo. Ain't much from what I see, but the boss keeps saying the biggest payoff is at the lowest level. He keeps reading that book there," he pointed to an outside table that held a book and some pottery pieces, "that talks about who's buried down there. Now, if you don't mind, gotta get back to work."
Revyn went and picked up the book, Ahzidal's Descent, the tale of an ancient Atmoran/Nord enchanter. He could see the appeal for his wife who practiced that same craft. He'd seen the pieces she'd brought back from this dig. She loved Ahzidal's waterwalking boots and it frustrated her no end that so far she could tease out the spell's secrets. According to her masters at Winterhold rules and aspects of magic had changed over various times since the creation of Nirn, every time the "dragon breaks," an event (real or mythological, depending on whom one talks to) that changes time, space, reality. So now she had uniquely enchanted pieces that according to current magic rules, should not exist and cannot be duplicated. And there was more below, at least two more armor pieces, a helmet and body armor.
Revyn didn't much care about the armor. He was concerned about the 11,000 drakes Ralis had conned from his wife and the two draugr attacks his wife had been obliged to deal with after two crews of were slaughtered. This lot was what remained of the second and they were occupied in retrieving the bodies of their comrades and burning the twice-dead draugr.
Teldryn didn't have much information on Ralis except to say that the mer had tried to hire him for this dig but couldn't meet Teldryn's asking price. And not many miners from Raven Rock wanted to work out here when there was the ebony mine and a Retching Netch nearby. But he did find it strange that the mer was having so much trouble with the draugr that he needed to call in a young girl to handle the danger. He'd seen the other fight off reavers and his combat skills should have been sufficient.
Revyn decided that when he returned to Raven Rock he'd ask Arano to investigate Sedarys.
+—+—+—+—+
A broken shell of a small house southeast of the dig. The court wizard of Solitude had asked him to inquire about her apprentice to who had ran off some months ago in a tizzy about his lover on Solstheim. Revyn had said he'd make inquiries while gathering her order for unique Solstheim alchemic ingredients and a few pounds of heartstones.
Ash spawn. Of course. He stayed out of Teldryn's and Pellin's way. He shoveled the remains of the ash spawn into a bag for sale and mined some heartstones from a deposit right at the back of the house. When he came to inspect the interior he smelled roasting meat and soon found the door to the cellar. Pellin went down first. They heard him issue a challenge then Teldrin went down after him. It didn't take long and then Revyn went down. Some gold, gems, love letters and books, one a diary of the house owner. Yes, they heard the thrumming the diary mentioned and Revyn found the secret doorway behind the bookcase.
Dwemer machines. Of course. And the body of the missing apprentice wizard with the bloodstained, last letter that had sent him running to Solstheim. He bagged what Dwemer items he could for sale while the other two went and located the missing lover's body which they found by the shoreline. The bodies were placed in the house and Pellin said a traditional prayer invoking the presence of their Nord ancestors while Revyn drew the symbol of Arkey on a blanket and then covered them with it. Then they burned the house down. A report would be filed with the Redoran Guard when they got back.
+—+—+—+—+
Drovas Nelvi, the steward of Tel Mithryn, was happy to be of service to Revyn, introducing him to the chief alchemist, Elynea, who sold Revyn unique wellness potions with a merchant's discount, and promising to ask around among the new Telvanni settlers for anyone of magic skill interested in helping Revyn the rest of the month to sort his collection of magical items. He'd also let it be known the newest Telvanni of Neloth's House was looking for a steward/guard for Severin Manor in Raven Rock, magical abilities preferred but not required.
The Telvanni settlement was growing, not as fast as Raven Rock, but growing nevertheless. A ring of solid Morrowind cement houses forming around the mushroom towers and someone had enough daring to bring a small herd of pack guars. None for sale at this time, but maybe in the future if they took to Solstheim well enough to breed. Revyn recalled his childhood perched atop a guar in his father's caravans. His job like all the other younglings was to sit high atop the packs during travel and yell or blow on their little horns if they saw anything suspicious approaching the caravan.
There were no slaves per se in the settlement as the Redorans forbade that practice and enforced it. However, if captured reavers were put to work, that was allowable.
Drovas was also immediately able to recommend a master mason willing to relocate to Skyrim as soon as his contract with Tel Mithryn was up. Raven Rock already had all they needed and could afford while Neloth wasnt going to pay enough to pursuade him to stay any longer.
The Telvanni Mage-Lord Neloth was not in a good mood, but aside from loud, verbal abuse, he was surprisingly courteous for one of his station and reputation. He permitted Revyn to collected the gear and treasure stored in Helsette's trunk, and graciously allowed Revyn not only to clean and comb out the furs of Helsette's bedroll but to "assist" around the tower as well, assuming that Revyn's living with Helsette's sort made him marginally competent in recognizing and keeping clear of dangerous items while cleaning. Teldryn and Pellin were sent off to gather some items that hero types were good for since it involved a lot of physical danger, tedious fighting, and rooting through dirt, ash, and other muck that was beneath a wizard of his stature.
Teldryn and Pellin came back with the quest items and a sizeable sack of loot. Revyn had a long shopping list of items Neloth wanted from various parts of Skyrim and a hefty starting purse to use for shopping. He also had a modest-sized chest enchanted with security spells only a paranoid Telvanni master could create.
Drosta had easily rounded up over a dozen hopeful would-be stewards. Revyn gave them a quick outline of expected duties and promised more in-depth interviews on his way back from the Skaal village.
+—+—+—+—+
Skaal village. The village leader, Finari Strong-Voice, was pleased to guest them in the longhouse and Shaman Storn Crag-Strider was willing to tell the husband of the Skaal Friend of how Helsette was quick to take on the dragon of the northwest coast to find the power word to break the spell of the tainted earthstones. Pellin was especially interested. The tales of Sleepers working on building temples around the earthstones hit hard to one whose order dedicated itself to fighting the Sixth House and all its monstrosities. He wanted to rush to the Temple of Miraak where there was still an active stone and working Sleepers. The shaman pointed them in the direction but cautioned him to go nowhere near the stone itself or even touch it. Storn's daughter, Frea, was there, trying to wake the Sleepers and worked hard at discouraging the curious from coming any closer.
The three went to the Temple, grimly observed the Sleepers, and listened to the dull, droning chants. Skaal Frea found them and gave them a sad account of how many she witnessed dropping dead from exhaustion or suffered horrific construction injuries and continued working until they bled to death; how many she had to chase away; and idiot mages who came thinking to use the power of the stone, were captured, and later emerged from the depths of the Temple wearing the robes and masks of Miraak's priests. She was quite the talker, repeatedly stating so much that was obvious. But they forgave that because she was obviously suffering from an extended lack of sleep and saying things aloud as if to remind her own fogged brain of why she was here and what she was supposed to be doing.
Pellin also cautioned her that magic mind-protecting charm or no, she had to take time away from the Temple. "Rest and take the time to resharpen your weapons, foremost which are your mind, spirit, and body," he cautioned her. "I mean no insult, but as champion to champion, I can see your weapons are dangerously dulled from overuse." Pellin kept talking to her while they led her back to the village, his voice soothing and his words simply repeating his message.
"Because Miraak's in Appocrypha," said Revyn. The three were relaxing by the firepit in the longhouse. Finari had left them to attend to business, Frea was sleeping at home under her father's watchful eye, and Pellin wanted to know why Helsette was not here battling this menace.
"The Black Book she found in that temple was the gateway Miraak used to escape when the dragons finally succeeded in levelling his temple. The prince has given him servants and the power to enslave dragons, and right now he's clearly more powerful than she. She's going to need a lot more words and experiences before she can take him down. She's done what she can for now but it's an uphill battle all the way. Part of it is the battles must take place in Appocrypha. With a mind as curious as hers, the knowledge there is tempting, but that's how Hermaus Mora traps fools and twists them to become creatures called "seekers." She might show you one if you travel with her. One of the tricks she picked up there was how to conjure one. Besides, the prince has expressed interest in her. He's even trickier than his sister, Mephala, who at least is honest about her games with our lives. He's obviously setting her up to fight Miraak for the position of his champion."
Pellin and Teldryn again went off for a while to do hero things with Frea, intercepting new Sleepers and bringing them to Storn to gently free their minds, and to stand guard in case some Sleepers turned out to be ungrateful, violent-minded reavers that needed killing. Revyn, in the meanwhile, worked out a tentative agreement with Finari for trades between Raven Rock and the Skaal, general goods and exchange of information. The Skaal may have been here first, but since the High King of Skyrim formally gave Solstheim over to Morrowind, there was nothing to stop the Dunmer from eventually pushing them out unless boundaries of respect were set now. And of the two houses, Redoran was far better to work with than Telvanni.
They returned to Raven Rock with some of the woken Sleepers, a mix of civilians and Guards, escorted by Skaal hunters that could be spared from the village. The Guards reported to Captain Veleth, the civilians were seen to by Alchemist Milore, Healer Aphia, and Aphia's husband Crescius, the ebony mine foreman who knew about mining/heavy construction injuries. Revyn went to Councilors Morvayn and Arano to discuss agreements he'd made on their behalf with the Skaal. Morvayn was willing to work with the Skaal seeing as they were the one advising Helsette on the All-Maker Stones and Miraak and not the Telvanni. Arano and Captain Veleth would travel out there immediately to formalize agreements with the Skaal. It was an opportunity that had never been present before.
Revyn and Teldryn, this time with Arano and Veleth with them, again traveled out. Revyn was dropped off at Tel Mithryn to conduct his interviews while the other three went to the Skaal.
There was a lot of eager would-be stewards for Severin Manor. He was paranoid enough to believe that some were spies for Neloth. To be expected of a House where killing one's superior is the most common way to advance in rank. He would naturally want to keep track of what tricks and toys his new House spellsword had in her possession. Revyn ended up hiring a two to help with inventory and sorting with an additional three he was considering for steward and would make a decision on before the end of the month. A temporary position until Helsette herself had time to travel back to Raven Rock and evaluate the steward.
+—+—+—+—+
Kolbjorn Barrow. Ralis was occupied solving something in the excavation and didn't have time to see him, according to the guard Revyn had asked to deliver his message.
When asked, Arano had promptly written letters of inquiry to be sent along on the next bi-monthly courier ship that brought letters and small packages to Raven Rock and Tel Mithryn from Blacklight. The councilors had heard about the death of the miners at Kolbjorn, but only superficially. Digging through unstable ash and with the island subjected to occasional tremors was dangerous business. Not every mine could afford to have people like Crescius Caerellius overseeing the dig and handling safety concerns. There was a lot of independent operations and many casualties. The Guards could only act on those reported, and even then usually by the time they got there there wasn't anyone around or alive to take an account from.
Kolbjorn had been reviewed and Sedarys had been honest about digging into an ancient Nord tomb. This was a treasure hunt and subject to different rules than a mining operation. By signing onto this job, the miners were more or less operating under a mercenary contract and willingly putting themselves in harm's way. By hiring guards, Ralis was fulfilling his part by providing reasonable safety measures.
Helsette's investment in this had not been known. Had it been the councilors assured Revyn that they would have looked deeper much sooner.
+—+—+—+—+
"I've decided that I'm needed here," said Pellin. He'd returned the day before to Raven Rock to apprise Revyn of his decision. "I still hope to meet your lady in the future, but I believe I can better serve here. I'm sending word to other Armigers. I'm sure at least two or three will show." He tapped a stone amulet of Skaal design. "Frea and her father made this for me. And, here, they asked me to deliver this to you for your lady. Can't fight effectively if you can't get any sleep." Revyn took it to later store in the safe.
"Setting up a guard post there then?" he asked.
Pellin helped him carry a heavy tub of fresh ash to the secondary bedroom below which had an ash garden. The room was being cleared to create an office and a small ancestral shrine to invoke the old magic of ancestor guardians as a ward against Miraak's influence.
"The Skaal have offered to let us bed down temporarily in the longhouse until the Redorans build a small barracks. Three Guards will be on rotation there, plus myself and any other Armigers that come. The Skaal are building a guest house for six to eight people. It's one of an open, longhouse design. No separate rooms but a clean floorspace to put a bedroll down and chests to keep things and a hearth with shelves for cooking supplies. It will serve those of us guarding who need a break away from the Temple and room for other foreign guests. A Skaal lad, Nikulas, will be running the house. Bright lad. Curious about the outside world. His mother, Edla, will help him with guests."
Revyn handed him a tray of ash yam cutting for planting in the newly laid ash.
"And so much for the simple life," Revyn sighed. "And life moves on."