Accident and Destiny
Greg J Miller
~O~
Chapter 14
Sundas the 23rd of Sun's Height 4E48
The morning arrived and Alex awoke to find that Monika had returned to bed at some point since he had last woken. She was still sleeping, so he tried not to wake her. However, she had woken about the same time anyway. Since there was no great rush, they were slow to rise.
In due course, they gathered their belongings and dressed for the day. As they would be remaining in the city for the day, they had again dressed only casually. Alex wore the same plain clothes as the day before. Monika also wore the same trousers as before, but with a different shirt. Everything else remained jammed into their bulging packs.
Monika and Alex left The Merchant's Inn and stepped out into the main street of the Market District. It was still fairly early and there were not so many people on the street. Being a Sundas, it was usually a little quieter during the early part of the morning. Some people tended to visit the Temple early on Sundas. Others might visit the Temple at other times. Many not at all. In any case, the marketplace would remain a just little quieter until mid-morning.
Monika had suggested that they go to the Temple District. Alex had easily agreed. He had developed enough of a mental image of the general city layout to realise that it was directly across the other side The Green Emperor Way from their current location. He said as much to Monika. However, she was uncomfortable with going near the tower after their experiences of the previous day. Instead, they went around a longer way, back through the Arena District and the Arboretum District.
The Arena District seemed almost empty at that earlier time of the day. The arena itself was not yet open. The arboretum area was also fairly quiet. Alex had asked about the Arcane University as they passed the gated doors that led from the arboretum. At that time, it was still too early for public access. They continued across the open arboretum area toward the Temple District.
They entered the Temple District through the eastern gates. At first glance it seemed vaguely similar to either the Elven Gardens District or the Talos Plaza District. Looking the down main street, a familiar style of buildings lined the paved road. They all appeared to be residential homes. The only obvious difference in view was at the centre of the district. Instead of the open square of some of the other districts, or even the central plaza of the Talos Plaza District, there was a large circular structure of stone with a domed roof. The main street split and circled around that central structure.
As they approached the building that dominated the middle of the district, Monika had informed Alex that it was called the Temple of the One. The previous temple had been destroyed during the battle with the forces from Oblivion. During Ocato's brief rule, the temple had been rebuilt around the stone dragon that was once Martin Septim. More recently, Emperor Mede had commissioned further refurbishment of the temple in honour of the man who had saved Cyrodiil, Tamriel, and indeed all of their world of Nirn from the invading hordes from the realm of Oblivion.
There were easily far more people upon the streets of the Temple District than they had seen during their walk to that location. Several people had entered or left through the open doors of the temple during the time that Alex and Monika had approached the building.
The temple seemed to be constructed from the same stone as many of the larger buildings of the city. That domed roof marked it as something different. A number of stained glass windows were set into its high walls.
Monika had suggested that they actually visit the temple. Alex seemed a little apprehensive, but agreed. He had never actually been inside a temple like that before. There was a small structure in Falkreath that served as a temple with a shrine to Arkay, but it was nothing at all like the Temple of the One.
Alex and Monika passed through the opened doors into the temple. It was quite crowded with people shuffling through this way and that. Monika had guided Alex over to one side near a support column by the wall.
Away from the front door, it was a little dark inside. The light that came through the stained glass windows above seemed mostly to serve to illuminate the central feature of the temple. Alex was a little astounded by the figure dominating the inside the temple. It was a full sized dragon composed of stone, standing upright in the centre of the space. The figure stood with wings spread out. It seemed frozen in the throes of battle. Frozen for all time.
Alex had heard Monika speak quietly in his ear. "Martin Septim." That was all she had said. It was enough.
Alex knew the story well enough. Martin Septim had arrived with his small force to defend against the daedric hordes from Oblivion. As the last known member of the Septim line, he had reignited the sacred Dragon Fires of the temple to close the gateways to Oblivion. He had then used the Amulet of Kings to transform himself into the avatar of Akatosh. In that form, he had defeated the invaders to the realm. In the process, the amulet was destroyed and Martin had been turned to stone in the form of the dragon. He had sacrificed himself to save everyone else.
Alex watched the procession of citizens. They moved slowly around the stone dragon. He could just see the flames of the Dragon Fires that burned below the form of the avatar. As each person came about to the front of the dragon, they kneeled and offered a silent prayer to their saviour.
Away from the centre of the temple, there were lesser shines to each of the other divines placed at equal spacing along the walls. People attended each of those other shrines in more sporadic fashion.
Monika had asked Alex whether he wanted to visit any of the shrines directly. Alex just shook his head in a distracted manner. It would have been quite difficult and time consuming with the great many people already doing so. He had really found it all a little overwhelming. After a short while, they made their way back outside.
Once outside the temple, they proceeded to casually walk the rest of that district. As it was with the other residential districts, a lesser path formed a full circuit that skirted the outer edge of the district. There were a few small green spaces at the back areas of the residential buildings. Not far from the entrance to the Talos Plaza District, they passed the only tavern of that district. The sign marked it as The All-Saints Inn. Aside from the guard barracks at the corner towers, there were just a few doors in the outer city wall that appeared to lead into residences. Just one door in the outer wall indicated something different. It was marked as the Nine Divines Boarding House. Alex found it difficult to imagine that that the place could have been very large inside.
After they had fully lapped the area of the Temple District, they headed for the gated doors in the southern wall that led to the Imperial Waterfront District.
Leaving the Temple District behind, they passed down some stairs inside a fully enclosed stone tunnel. With the spacing of the wall torches, the lighting remained a bit dim. The passage was fairly broad. However, the ceiling seemed a little low. Despite the apparent length of the tunnel, it felt oddly confined.
A pair of city guards stood by the base of the stairs just below the main doors. They both appeared relatively relaxed.
One guard was leaning against the wall. He had briefly moved from the wall as Monika and Alex had come through the doors, then returned to leaning after a brief moment.
The other guard had been looking away down the tunnel. He gave them a glance and a short nod as they approached, but otherwise seemed disinterested.
Looking further ahead, the tunnel proceeded downward quite steeply for a lengthy distance. In fact, the far end of the passage remained out of view, obscured by the low stone ceiling over the length of the descent.
There were two wooden doors in the tunnel wall just a short way from where they had entered. The one on the right indicated an entrance to the Nine Divines Boarding House. The one on the left had no clear signage, but the symbol on the door indicated that it had something to do with the Imperial Legion.
A little further down the passage, they had passed some beggars. Before they had reached those beggars, Monika had advised Alex to ignore them. She had suggested that some of them were most likely not as they appeared. Alex was not exactly sure what she had meant, but accepted her word without question.
They had travelled almost half way down the tunnel before they could actually see the far end. At about that point, they needed to step aside to the wall to make way for a group of men pushing a loaded cart up the incline. Alex was curious as to why the men were pushing the cart by hand. Monika had told him that horses were not permitted in the tunnel.
There were just a few more side doors near the bottom of the passage. As they approached the exit to the tunnel, a group of soldiers had come through the main doors. Their armour appeared different from either the Imperial City Guards or any of the Legion Soldiers that Alex had seen before. Alex had indicated a silent question with his expression. Monika had told him they were Imperial Navy.
Alex and Monika passed out of the poorly lit tunnel into the daylight outside.
The Imperial Waterfront District lay directly ahead. Almost immediately in front of them, a short flight of steps led up to a circular platform. A tall lighthouse rose up from that base. The path to the main docks circled around the base of the lighthouse tower, connecting to a stone bridge that crossed the small harbour area.
As they were passing the lighthouse, Alex had turned and looked back at the tunnel entrance. The stone structure at the entrance was quite prominent with a large tower rising high above. It looked just like one of the main support structures of the big bridge over near Weye. However, he was just a little surprised at how the rest of the tunnel structure was almost completely buried beneath the hillside below the main city walls.
Over to the west of the tunnel entrance, he had noticed a horse drawn wagon headed along a path in the direction of the main bridge to the city. Evidently, it had just departed the dock area not long before.
Returning his view ahead, Alex had counted just four ships at dock. Two of them were docked on the lighthouse side of the bridge. Two others berthed over the other side along the longer dock. Another two vessels were anchored in the harbour area, but not actually at a dock. Both had markings indicating they were ships of the Imperial Navy.
Monika and Alex continued across the low bridge to the main waterfront area. The curved stone dock extended along either side of the bridge. A paved road followed that curve between the dock and the tall structure that dominated that area.
The style of that structure reflected that of the walls of the Imperial City. It had obviously been there just as long as the city, from before the time of Alessia.
There were stairs directly ahead leading to an archway that passed through to the other side of the tall structure.
Monika had guided Alex over to the right, toward the closest door into the structure. The sign above the door marked it as The Imperial Trading Company Office.
"Are we going in there?" Alex spoke up.
"Yeah." Monika replied. "I just want to send that letter."
Alex just nodded his understanding.
They went through the doorway to the office inside. The place seemed rather messy. There were crates and boxes here and there. A few rows of shelves stacked with loose items. Behind what seemed to pass for a front desk, there was rugged looking Colovian man issuing instructions to a scruffy male Khajiit and a Dunmer man.
Monika and Alex waited for the exchange to pass. The Khajiit and Dark Elf finally stepped away and headed out the front door. Monika headed over to the man at the front desk.
"Alright then?" The man said in his rough north-western accent.
"Hello." Monika responded neutrally. "I'd like to send a letter to High Rock." She produced the letter and placed it upon the desk.
"No problem." The man said. "Just lemme check the address."
He read the outside of the folded letter. It said, Elwyn Northwind, Northwind Traders, Wayrest, High Rock.
"Looks good to me." He continued. "I can get this on the next ship to High Rock. It'll take a few weeks to get there."
"That should be fine." Monika agreed.
The man worked out the cost and sealed the letter with an Imperial stamp. Monika paid the price of shipping, concluding their business.
Monika and Alex departed the Imperial Trading Company office and stepped back out onto the waterfront docks.
Alex looked out along the docks. "I thought there was more here…"
"There is." Monika responded. "Come on." She smiled and took Alex by the arm.
They headed along the dock as it curved toward the north-west. Just ahead, several dock workers were busy loading crates and barrels onto the merchant vessel at the dock.
Just past the ship, there was another set of stairs leading to an archway in the main structure that towered over the docks. They took the stairs through the short passage to the other side.
About the southern side of the main structure, there were several wooden houses of rather run-down appearance. There were no paved streets. Just well worn dirt paths. Alex looked about as they walked the path through the houses, heading back toward the east. He counted only twelve or thirteen houses. None of them particularly large. There were two children playing by a tree. Other than that, the place seemed almost deserted.
Once they had passed that cluster of houses, the path led around the curve of the taller structure. It was there that the strip of land grew narrow with the open shores of Lake Rumare encroaching upon the island.
They passed the archway that marked the mid-point of the curved structure and continued on toward the far end. At the south-eastern end of the island, there were more wooden houses. About another ten or so. None of them appeared any better than the houses at the other end of the island. It certainly looked like the poorest part of the city.
An elderly Bosmer woman sat upon the small porch in front of one of the houses. The old Wood Elf woman had barely taken note of Monika and Alex as they walked by.
Nearing that far end of the island, Alex had been gazing out along the Niben toward the wider bay further south. He could see the tall bridge in the distance that crossed the waters. He had been considering the great volume of the water. Before that time, the greatest body of water that he ever seen was the shallow lake just north of his home at Pinewatch. He thought it was probably almost as large as Lake Rumare, but nowhere near as deep. His mind reeled as he looked upon the great body of water leading to the south. He understood that the Niben eventually led to the southern sea. However, he had never before seen any sea. He found it difficult to imagine.
They passed around the end of the island and back up onto the docks. Just near that end of the main structure of the waterfront, they passed the only tavern of that district. The sign identified it as the Waterfront Inn. The only other doors along that stretch were identified as warehouses of the Imperial Trading Company.
Having made a full circuit of the district, they headed back over the bridge. They had seen all that there was to see about the waterfront, such as it was.
Alex had expressed his interest in visiting the Arcane University. Monika had agreed that it should be accessible by the time that they arrived there.
With that destination in mind, they headed back past the lighthouse and into the tunnel that led back up to the Temple District.
Returning to the streets of the Temple District, Monika and Alex had not gone far when something drew their attention. A man who had been standing by the temple had suddenly started briskly toward them. He was dressed casually, but his stride and general demeanour had indicated otherwise. Monika's posture had tensed. Alex had noticed and tried to remain on alert.
The man came straight up to them. "Northwind and Pinewatch." He indicated that he knew who they were. He was not asking.
"I don't know you." Monika responded sharply. "Who are you?"
"That's not important." The man responded. "My superior requires another word with you at the tower."
Alex had glanced at Monika. She continued to stare into the face of the man. He seemed a typically ordinary looking Imperial. There was nothing particularly notable about his appearance. That was probably a perfect quality for an agent of the Penitus Oculatus.
"Why." Monika challenged.
"That's not my concern." The man responded. "My instructions require me to escort you to meet with him."
Monika had continued to stare at the agent. Alex had glanced about. He had noted that other people upon the street had altered course to avoid them. A city guard had stopped his patrol to observe the exchange from a distance.
The stranger broke the silence. "We're not going to have any trouble. Are we?"
Alex spoke up. "No trouble."
After another moment, Monika spoke. "No. No trouble."
With a forced grin, the man reframed his request. "Come along then. Follow me."
Alex and Monika followed the agent across the Temple District and into the central district. They crossed the open area of The Green Emperor Way to the White-Gold Tower. He led them around to the front doors into the tower and then upward along the path they had followed the previous day. He had conscripted a guard along the way to accompany them. Eventually they stopped at a door. It seemed to be the same room they had previously attended.
"If you will wait in here, you will be attended shortly." The agent advised. He then closed the door and departed.
Monika and Alex already knew what to expect. A lengthy wait. They lowered their gear to the floor and took seats at the table. They did not need to wonder whether the guard remained outside the door.
"What do you think they want?" Alex asked quietly.
"I don't know." Monika said flatly. "Nothing good, I should think."
"You do not think that there was something wrong with the documents we delivered?"
"No. Nothing we did, anyway."
"Do you think that we might be in some sort of trouble?"
"I think we were in trouble from the moment we accepted that contract."
They both fell silent as they waited.
Several lengthy moments passed. As the time passed, footsteps were heard passing outside the door at sporadic intervals. Eventually, the door had finally opened to reveal the same older inspector they had spoken with the previous day.
The inspector shuffled over to the far side of the desk to take a seat as he set his bag down upon the table. He glanced up briefly at Monika and Alex. "Thank you both for coming to see me."
Monika's expression indicated her displeasure. "I wasn't aware that we had any choice in the matter."
The inspector looked up at her again. "Hmph. Well, perhaps not." He proceeded to take his book from his bag. Along with his pen and inkwell. Placing each of those items upon the table in front of him.
Alex interrupted the prolonged delay. "Are we in some kind of trouble?"
"Hmm? Oh, no, no. Nothing like that." The inspector responded. His expression seemed to indicate pleasantry, but seemed false nonetheless. "In fact, I am quite pleased with your performance."
Alex felt relieved. He had glanced at Monika. She did not appear relieved at all.
"What do you want?" Monika asked.
The inspector stopped flicking though the pages of his book to look up. "Straight to the point then. Very good." He paused just a moment. "I would like to offer you another contract."
"For the Penitus Oculatus?" Monika prompted.
"Hmm? A Fighter's Guild contract, of course." The Inspector clarified. "Obviously, we would be acting as the client. The same level of discretion as before would be required."
Monika had hardly waited before responding. "And if we choose not to take this contract?"
The inspector gazed at Monika for a moment with his pale blue eyes. He shifted briefly to observe Alex. The inspector's own expression remained unreadable throughout. "Of course, that is your choice to make. However, I would hope that you hear me out before making any hasty decision."
A brief silence passed.
The inspector continued. He spoke slowly. "The contract involves the retrieval of a certain artefact. I already have two other guild members. I think that four would be the ideal number." He paused to glance at notes in his book. "My information indicates some expected resistance. A small group of bandits at the location."
"Why Fighter's Guild?" Monika questioned. "Why not send Imperial Legion?"
"Hmph. Well, there are other parties interested in acquiring the artefact. It is apparent to us that those other parties are not aware of its current location. Since said parties are opposed to the interests of the Empire, we are hoping to avoid drawing any attention."
Monika summarised. "So, your contract requires taking out a group of bandits… at some location, and retrieving an artefact. And it should all be done quietly."
"In short, yes." The inspector confirmed. "Of course, further details are dependent upon acceptance of the contract."
Monika said nothing. Of course, Alex had deferred to her silence.
The inspector broke the silence. "As the success of this mission is of great importance to the well-being of the Empire, the payment for this contract will be appropriately generous. The sum of four-thousand."
Monika had firstly raised her eyebrows in surprise. Then quickly narrowed her eyes in an expression of suspicion. "Four-thousand." She repeated.
"Yes, that's right." The inspector confirmed. "Four-thousand for each Guild member involved. Five-hundred to secure involvement. The rest upon completion of the task."
"Four thousand." Monika repeated it again.
Alex had his mouth open for the past several moments. Not because he intended to say anything, but out of surprise. He was actually just as surprised when he heard himself give voice to what he was thinking. "That is a lot of gold. It must be dangerous."
Both Monika and the inspector had shifted to look at Alex. He closed his mouth.
Monika passed comment. "I'm thinking that it might be too dangerous. Far more dangerous than it sounds."
The inspector looked from Monika to Alex. "I can assure you both that any danger involved in this task is far outweighed by the greater danger to the Empire." He paused to check the pages of his book. "I have not called upon either of you without due consideration."
Alex was surprised to hear that he was included in that statement, but said nothing.
Finding a particular page in his book, the inspector continued. "Monika Northwind. Born in the Imperial City. Raised in the far north, then in High Rock. Returned to Cyrodiil some eight years ago. I have examined your record over the past few years with the Fighter's Guild. It appears perfectly adequate, with the exception of a single incident. A Skingrad contract. Aside from that misstep, loyal service to the Fighter's Guild and the interests of the Empire."
After a short pause. "Alexander Pinewatch. Only recently arrived in Cyrodiil from Falkreath in Skyrim. Officially joining the Fighter's Guild after assisting with the removal of a group of bandits causing trouble in County Chorrol. Reported proficiency as a combat archer and acceptable skill observed during training in other combat methods. Although only fresh to the Guild, expected to work well in partnership with Northwind. You are the grandson of Erik Pinewatch. According to our records, he was known as a loyal citizen of the Empire during his younger days. Records indicate that he had assisted The Blades in service of the previous Emperor upon more than one occasion." He paused to look up at Alex. "Furthermore, just this morning I have received a received a message of character reference from the Crown Prince."
"From Treb?" Alex blurted.
"Hmm, yes." The inspector confirmed. "It seems that Prince Attrebus has insinuated himself in the business of our people at Chorrol. He had learned of your activities after your meeting at… a tavern… at the Fort Ash settlement. It seems that you had made some kind of impression."
Alex's expression indicated a measure of surprise. He also seemed somewhat pleased with himself.
Monika still appeared notably guarded. "I don't know." She said.
Alex spoke quietly. "Perhaps, we should consider…"
Monika glanced at Alex sharply, then returned her gaze toward the inspector. "Just how important is this?"
"Of the greatest importance." The inspector stated. "If this artefact falls into the hands of… the other party, they may well gain the power to bring down the Empire."
Monika considered in silence. Her brow furrowed in concern.
The inspector seemed to wait patiently. His expression remained unreadable.
Finally, Monika shifted her gaze toward Alex.
He had tried to read her expression before speaking. "If it is that important…"
Monika had nodded almost imperceptibly. She returned to her gaze to the inspector sitting across the table. After another pause, she spoke. "Okay. We'll accept the contract." She released a breath. "I only hope we live to regret it."
"Very good." The inspector responded. He produced the necessary paperwork and had both Monika and Alex sign in the appropriate places.
Monika wasted no time in pressing for further details. "Okay, then. Tell us everything we need to know. Starting with this object we're meant to retrieve."
The inspector composed himself. "Very well. The artefact is an Ayleid Crown."
"This crown is dangerous?" Monika queried.
"No, not on its own." The inspector answered. "It is said to possess an enchantment of a sort. However, it is believed that particular enchantment could only become fully active within the chambers of the specific Ayleid King that last owned that crown."
"Is that going to be a concern?" Monika asked.
"No, not in this case." The inspector said.
"Are you sure? Monika pressed.
Alex interjected. "You said, not in this case."
The inspector appeared a little annoyed. However, Monika's expression indicated that she wanted to hear a response to Alex's observation.
"Very well." The inspector conceded. "There was an incident involving another Ayleid crown several years ago. A wealthy Altmer living in the Imperial City had sought to use that particular crown to resurrect the rule of the Ayleid. It had proved to be his undoing. This one is different. It is also nowhere near to its place of origin."
Monika had made a mental note of that information, then pressed further. "Okay, so how is this particular crown so dangerous?"
The inspector paused, reluctant to elaborate.
Monika continued. "If we need to get this thing, we need to know just how dangerous it is. We need to know why others are after it and how they might try to use it. Especially so, if they happen to get in our way or beat us to it."
The inspector seemed concerned. "Very well, but, I will only tell you so much." He paused briefly. "As it is understood, before the fall of the Ayleids, at any given time there were three specific kings that held the power to dissolve the rule of the tower. The magic was imbued within the crowns. It is understood that a ritual requiring a scroll and those three specific crowns could be performed to bring about the dissolution."
The inspector paused another moment. "We have reason to believe they may already have the other two crowns."
"Understood." Monika responded. "So, the quicker we can secure this crown, the better. Where do we need to go?"
"This particular crown had passed through several hands, before coming into the possession of a mage at the Arcane University. Unfortunately, the specific danger related to the object was not understood at the time. The crown was later hidden at a location near Bravil. It has remained there since that time."
"Okay, so how do we find it?" Monika asked.
"That information is in the hands of one of the other Guild members you will be meeting with. He will share the full details once you are all together."
"Who are these other Guild members? Alex asked.
The inspector continued. "One is a former battlemage of the Synod. He now serves the Fighter's Guild. The other man is an Orsimer of the Bravil Fighter's Guild." He paused to reach into his bag. "Passage will be secured for you both on a merchant vessel headed to Bravil. You will meet with the others at the tavern by the north entrance to the city. The Silverhome of the Water." He held out his hand, revealing two rings. "Wear these rings. They possess an enchantment. They will vibrate briefly in the presence of the other rings."
Monika and Alex each took a ring. Each ring had vibrated momentarily as they placed it upon a finger.
The inspector continued further. "You should return to the Merchant's Inn for another evening and rise early. The ship to Bravil will depart tomorrow morning at seven. Once you arrive at Bravil, go directly to the tavern and meet with the others."
"Understood." Monika affirmed. Alex nodded his agreement.
"One more thing." The inspector again reached into his bag. "As per the contract, your retainer." He produced two bags of gold and passed them across the table.
Monika and Alex each accepted their payments with a nod.
The inspector packed away each of his items and rose from his seat. "The guard will escort you from the tower." After a pause. "You understand the importance of this task. Good luck. To all of us."
The inspector left the room and headed off up the hall to the left.
Alex and Monika gathered up their belongings and then followed the guard all the way down to the front entrance of the tower.
Monika and Alex made their way across The Green Emperor Way toward the gated door that led directly to the Market District. Monika had remained quiet as they walked. In fact, she had not spoken at all since leaving the room in the tower. She had just started walking in that direction and Alex had followed her lead. Alex had presumed that she had been lost in deep thought. He had also been thinking about the job they had just taken and remained just as quiet.
By the time that they had entered the streets of the Market District, the sun was high in the sky. In fact, it was probably about an hour past midday. The streets were markedly different from when they had left earlier that morning. The crowds were back on the streets in similar numbers to that of the previous afternoon. All the street vendors were again actively trading.
Alex has just noted that he was a little hungry as he caught the smell of food. Before he had a chance to say anything, Monika had already suggested that they get something to eat. It was the first thing she had said since they started walking.
They purchased something light from a street vendor and walked slowly through the Market District as they ate.
Alex had just about finished when he spoke up. "I suppose that we will not be going to the Arcane University now."
Monika grimaced. "No. I don't think so."
After a pause. "What should we do next?" Alex asked.
Monika stared off into the distance for a moment. "We should restock supplies."
Alex looked back at her. His expression indicated a silent question.
Monika responded. "Most of our supplies are fine, but I think we should restock preserved food items. Just in case. I'd also like to get some more potions. That shop over there should have what we need." She indicated an alchemy shop over behind the open vendors.
They made their way over the alchemist's and went inside. Monika had selected potions for both of them. They had acquired more healing potions. Alex was not all that surprised that they might need some more. However, he did not think that they needed quite so many. With what he already had, he thought he was now carrying at least eight.
Monika had also selected some other potions of various kinds. Alex was curious what they were for, but Monika had told him that she would explain later.
They departed the alchemy store after Alex had parted with far more gold than he had expected. Not that the cost was any kind of problem. Only that he was surprised by the total expense of the items.
Monika had guided Alex back down along the street to one of the general stores along the north-eastern side of the market. They restocked their supply of cheese, dried meats and some vegetables that kept reasonably well.
They then returned to the streets.
"Do we need anything else?" Alex inquired.
"No, that should do it." Monika settled.
"So, what now?"
Monika sighed. "I suppose we should we make sure that we can get a room at the Merchant's Inn. It's still early, but we might as well get settled. We should check over our equipment and prepare for tomorrow."
"Sounds good to me." Alex agreed.
They headed over to the Merchant's Inn and secured lodgings for the evening. They managed to acquire the same room as before. Leaving the main tavern behind, they went straight up to their room.
They laid out their leather armour for the next day and went through the rest of their equipment. Part of that involved rearranging the content of their packs and ensuring that certain items were readily available when needed.
Alex had been examining the potions that Monika had made him purchase. "So, what are these for?" He held up a vial with markings that he did not recognise.
Monika looked over at Alex. "That's an endurance potion. It fortifies stamina and relieves fatigue. Might need that if we get into anything that wears us down too much in a long fight."
"And this one?" Alex held up another vial.
"A strength potion. It can also give you a boost in a bad situation."
"Should we be using these kinds of things?" Alex seemed a little concerned.
Monika looked at Alex for a moment. "Well, ordinarily I wouldn't suggest it. It's easy to start relying on those types of potions way too much. I've seen that before. I'd say we don't use them unless things look like getting out of hand. And I'll be much happier if it doesn't come to that." After a pause. "Still, in this case, it might be better to have them and not need them."
Alex just nodded his agreement. He was looking at the third type of potion. He had just the one vial. "What is this one?"
Monika didn't even bother to look over. She knew what he was asking about. "That's Nighteye."
"Nighteye?" Alex repeated.
"It helps to see in the dark or in low lighting."
Alex had furrowed his brow. "Yes, I have heard of it. I had heard that it is supposed to be dangerous."
"Only if you use it all the time." Monika responded. "Some people end up with night blindness, or they can't handle bright sunlight any more. But you have to use it a lot to end up like that. We've only got one potion each. Just in case we need it on this mission."
"Okay, then." Alex accepted, though he was still not comfortable with the matter. He had no problem with healing potions, but those other potions made him uneasy.
After sorting their gear, they discussed various tactics that Monika felt that Alex should consider. Especially since she expected that they were likely to be tackling an unknown number of bandits. She also considered that it might take place in an enclosed space, rather than an open area. She described various considerations for that type of fighting.
Monika elaborated further with regard to the larger size of their party. "Look, we don't know these other fighters yet, but we can make a few reasonable assumptions. The Orc will probably be big with a preference for big weapons. You need to stay out of his way in close quarters. Let him do what he's good at. He'll probably hang back if we're using stealth tactics or firing ranged attacks. Once things switch to melee, he'll most likely rush to the front. You need to anticipate that."
Alex listened carefully to Monika's advice and tried to absorb it all.
Monika continued. "The battlemage could be harder to predict. I don't know what he'll be likely to use. He might rely upon enchanted weapons, or ranged magic, or area magic… or some combination. Hopefully, we'll find out before we find ourselves in battle. Your best bet is to avoid getting between him and any targets. Stay to his side, or behind him if you have to."
Alex continued to listen as Monika imparted further advice and described various likelihoods and possibilities. Since they weren't able to physically train, she wanted to train his mind as much as possible for the upcoming task.
Most of the afternoon had passed by as they discussed strategies in that upstairs room of the inn. Just before the rush of the evening crowds, they had gone downstairs to get a hot meal in the tavern. Afterward, they made use of the bathroom facilities downstairs and then returned to their upstairs room for an early night.
The distant noises of the tavern were well muffled by the stone of the building. Still, they had both remained somewhat restless as they tried to get to sleep. In part, it was because it was still rather early. Another cause was likely too much thinking about what lay ahead. A fitful sleep eventually came to both at some point.
~O~