Chapter Twenty-Three: Delayed Arrivals
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Bethesda Studios except my OC's. No profit has been made. Copyright peeps please spare me.
As always, comments and constructive criticism are welcome!
A/N: And we meet some more OCs!
24th of Sun's Dawn, 4E 202, Middas
"Ho, there, Justin! Didn't expect to see you up so soon! We only pulled you out of the water yesterday! And already working on the sails, too!"
The older man grinned down to the newcomer. "It would be a waste to wait idly when the pirates might still be near."
The bright smile dimmed. "I can agree with you on that. Did you want some help with the mast there?"
"Oh, no. I have it handled." The man frowned down at the newcomer. He gestured toward the horizon, obscured in places by fierce sea spray and clouds. "Been on the seas for a while. See - just finished shaking the mainsail out." A wave toward the billowing sail. "No need for you to mess up my handiwork when I only just finished." The man grumbled to himself, but kept a wary eye on the newcomer.
The young sailor raised an eyebrow but backed off. Getting between a crazy sea dog and their self-sufficiency was not a good idea even on the best of days, let alone on days when everyone was tense under the threat of pirates. He raised a hand to placate the man. "Very well, I'll just head back down now." He shook his head as he clumb down to the deck.
After he was out of sight, the castaway sagged against the wooden beam behind him.
He let out a shaky breath and tucked his knife back into his belt.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Nivene walked into the market square, scanning the vendors and customers for her target.
There!
She resisted the urge to grin and walked up to a nearby stall - not the closest one, that would be too obvious.
The man had red hair, a pouch of unusually pale potions, and was in the process of lifting a woman's purse while giving her directions - it had to be the 'Brynjolf' her brother wrote about.
I'll go below to meet up with Niruin soon, but what fun is a surprise visit if you can't surprise anyone on the way? And, my plan is foolproof! I even grabbed a little trinket off those traders, to add authenticity!
Smiling now, she gestured that she wanted to buy one of Riften's famed honey-nut treats. She exchanged the coins - making sure that they audibly 'clinked' when she dropped them into the stall-owner's hand.
The imperial winced at the noise and quickly shooed her away - no one wanted any more attention from the thieves' guild than was necessary, it seemed.
She waved as she left and meandered toward a jewelry stall. Once there, she pulled out her bait - a silver locket - and began asking the argonian what he thought it was worth. It had been in her family for 'ages,' of course, and her grandmother was 'quite fond' of it.
All of that was a lie, but the khajiit she had 'borrowed' it from had been extremely alarmed once he realized it was gone, so it had to be worth something.
She smiled when she heard the wooden planks creak behind her. Then a smooth voice.
"Why hello, lass. You looking to sell that?"
"Oh no, sir. I wanted to know what it was worth. You see, I can't see anything really... interesting about it, but it was obviously important." To the khajiit.
"Hmm... I might be able to help you with that. May I see it?"
"Sure!"
She watched closely as he examined the necklace, turning it this way and that. She ignored it when she felt a subtle lightening of her purse, focusing on keeping a serious look on her face as he spouted jewelry nonsense. People bustled by them on their way, but none ever dared get too close to the man.
After a few more moments, in which the weight by her side completely disappeared, she thanked him and took back the necklace, putting it on around her neck. She walked off slowly, stopping every now and then to see another stall.
After all, all that was left of her plans for the day was to disappear and find the 'Ragged Flagon' in the 'Cistern.'
She fell in step behind a few people before ducking into an alleyway. Laughing to herself, she climbed down to the lower levels of Riften.
I hope Brynjolf isn't too annoyed at my purse of iron 'coins' and rocks.
Grinning like a fool, she opened the grated door.
Same goes for that merchant once the illusion spell wears off.
xXxXxXxXxXx
This was not like Kaladil - failing to send a message of his progress. His falcon-letter was well past overdue.
Ondolemar held his hands stiffly behind his back. His face was neutral as he paced the room.
I could always trust Kaladil to report on time. And, out of my newest recruits, Larethorin and Quarrennen were the most responsible.
They should have reported.
He stopped in front of the central table of the room. The map table.
Something has likely happened.
He stared at the little red and blue flags in front of him. Traced the path the justiciars were assigned to follow.
Just as it had with Sanyon, Undrim, Athmir, and Taniel.
This makes the fifth patrol to be lost in the past year.
He clenched his teeth. Unacceptable.
A door opened and closed nearby, and Ondolemar calmed himself. Smoothing over his face until it was perfectly blank.
He needed to alert Elenwen. Surely she will give her approval for extermination patrols along the most heavily-traveled roads.
We have been passive long enough in this land of dishonorable goblins.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Nivene was feeling quite proud of herself. She had tracked down some of Niruin's old buddies, found a couple old letters, and snuck her way to Skyrim. Right out from under the noses of her mother and father.
They didn't really expect her to sit still while her brother was off doing things, did they?
Shaking her head, she continued climbing.
She had made good time sneaking past the beggars and lowlifes of the slums. Though that one fellow with the bow kept me cornered for longer than I'd like. Niruin doesn't need to hear about that. She pulled herself onto the ledge and packed away her hand wrappings. She could wash them later.
She stared at the lever to her right in confusion.
Seriously, how is a raised wooden bridge supposed to discourage people? It's like a sign saying 'something is up here!' Anyone determined enough could have climbed the ledge - how is it supposed to keep people out?
She snuck her way to the door. A quick peek through a crack showed that Niruin was nowhere in sight.
All clear.
She pulled out a thick bottle - the glass was milky with age and use, but she had bought the potion from a trusted family friend. And with real money.
That she had found through various means, of course.
She shook the potion. It should last long enough.
Now for a short detour.
She snuck over to the nearest occupied room - where a woman in rags sat inside, muttering to herself. She was talking about cheese and cabbages, but all Nivene could see was a molded bread crust.
One step in the room. Nivene tossed her uneaten sweetroll over to the woman.
"Hello, would you mind opening the door over there for me?"
The woman didn't respond, only picked up her moldy bread and took a large bite, still mumbling at the empty space ahead of her. Nivene winced. Ick. She has no teeth.
She tried again. "...Hello?"
The woman stopped eating. Looked directly at her. Then lunged.
"It's rude to interrupt conversations!"
Nivene scrambled backward, fumbling with the bottle. She sprinted away with the woman hot on her heels. Eyes wide, she readied her potion. She was thankfully faster than the woman. This is still going to be close though. But just wait until I tell Niruin about it!
A quick turn into the Cistern doorway and she started chugging.
It tasted awful, like desert sand mixed with bug-juice, but she could already see her skin fading from view. The very next moment, the woman rounded the corner, face contorted in rage.
"You will learn proper manners!"
The woman slammed into the Cistern door and fumbled with the handle. Nivene froze. They were only a few feet apart, and she could smell the woman's stench.
The woman froze too, and turned in place. She stared directly at where Nivene stood. But she did nothing.
Nivene glanced down to see that her armor wasn't completely invisible yet - if she moved, there were changes in the disguise. They were subtle, but they were there. The woman was dead silent as she stared.
But then she grinned. And started cackling.
And, still laughing, the woman kicked open the door to the Cistern and ran away into the sewers, leaving Nivene alone with her half-petrified heart. A shout of alarm went off from inside the Cistern.
I need to move quickly.
Still shaking, the bosmer finished the rest of the potion.
Nivene pocketed the bottle and slipped through the doorway. Her first order of business was to - carefully - make her way to the edge of the Cistern, where she could hang onto the stonework without disturbing the water. She latched onto the wall, watching from her perch as a bulky Imperial approached. That must be Dirge, the Guild bouncer. He slammed the door shut with a scowl before stalking back to the wooden deck, muttering to himself and utterly disregarding the area where she was hiding.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Nivene began the long process of inching her way around to the Ragged Flagon proper.
A half-hour later and she finally had room to breathe.
She had made it.
It wasn't a glorious hiding spot, but wedged between large barrels was about as good as she could get for the time being. She'd have to drink another invisibility potion to get to a better location. She kept as still as possible as she shifted, only moving to rifle through her bags and pockets.
Then an arm dropped into view - right on top of one of the barrels she was hiding under. It was a fellow bosmer, but not Niruin. She cursed her luck.
"Care to explain yourself?"
It was said calmly, but that wasn't fooling her. She would be in deep trouble if he decided to kick her out of the Cistern.
She fumbled and nearly dropped the bottle in her hand. It was a muffling potion - not the one she needed. She cringed and looked up.
"I'm waiting for someone."
"Waiting for someone." His eyes narrowed. But he hasn't given away my hiding spot to the bouncers yet.
"Yes. ...It was going to be a surprise?"
He was silent. Suspicious. She stopped rifling through her pouches.
"Do you know... my brother? Niruin?"
xXxXxXxXxXx
"Excuse me, miss Valwe?"
The altmer narrowed her eyes slighty. "Where did you learn my name?"
Kaladil pressed on.
"Miss Valwe, I have need of one of your horses. I am on urgent business that must be taken care of." He couldn't stop himself from coughing roughly.
She opened the door further. "Urgent business where?"
"It is regarding dangerous militants east of here."
An eyebrow rose. "You mean the rebels. Yes, I already know about them."
And she wasn't arming herself?! Or concerned at the threat of war?!
"No, you obviously don't understand how dangerous they are. The humans are wild and attack without provocation! The Aldmeri Dominion-"
The altmer held up her hand. "Let me stop you right there."
Something had changed - she was glaring at him from her porch.
"Leave my land. I am not going to give you any horse of mine - they are worth far more to me than your empty promises and lies. Go. Be on your way."
He sputtered.
"Ah yes, and you would do well to call me by my full name - Valwe Loreius."
After night fell, he found a suitable horse and left, riding away in silence.
That... Shrew! She had ignored that it was of the utmost importance that he deliver his news to Ondolemar, and as soon as possible. She had not even let him finish talking! All the farmers had barred him entry except her. But none had evicted him so jarringly.
He rode on, looking back at the small hut only once.
Her refusal could be overlooked considering her... donation, of sorts.
Kaladil nudged his new horse onward.
He was already far too late.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Niruin shifted in her new -and improved!- hiding space.
There were more voices outside in the Cistern, but she could recognize her brother's anywhere. He was getting closer. She shifted in the crate that she was hidden inside. Heh. The perks of being short.
And meeting a willing accomplice. I need to thank Corinnir again when this is all over.
"Do you want me to tell you exactly what I think?"
"Well, yes! Please!" Ooh, Niruin's excited! And saying please! And mother and father aren't here to hear it - the horror!
"I think that if Brynjolf catches wind of it, he'll boot you right out of here... so drop it already!"
Sounds interesting... And they're finally close enough.
She made her dramatic entrance, popping out of her spot beneath the bar. She leaned over the edge as casually as she could and grinned. "So, what trouble are you up to now, Niruin?"
Her grin widened at their reactions.
The Imperial walking with him had jumped, but her brother's face was priceless.
She wished she knew how to paint - then she could record it for eternity. Show it to her little cousins, too.
Niruin sputtered, eyes wide, making a few aborted motions with his hands. He got himself under control, but couldn't quite get rid of his shocked appearance.
She considered for a moment. He looks rather pale, actually.
"Is something wrong, brother?"
At that, she noticed the imperial relax and - did he just smirk? At Niruin?
What does he know that I don't?!
She glared at Niruin. "Is there something here that I should know?"
It was the imperial that stepped forward first.
"Well, actually-"
Niruin, suddenly more alert, lunged forward, grabbing his... friend? Are they friends? Is this what friends do in Skyrim?
She blinked suspiciously at the two as Niruin got the imperial in a headlock. He was whispering something, then the imperial was whispering back. But she couldn't hear anything being said!
Then, just as quickly as it had started, Niruin was standing upright, side to side with the -now grinning- imperial.
She raised an eyebrow. "You were saying?"
"Yes, we were discussing one of Niruin's newest business plans." Her brother paled even more. She nodded for the imperial to go on.
"Training younger members of the guild in archery, of course. He's been very excited about all our new recruits, especially since we've been building up a name for ourselves again." Her brother nodded weakly.
This still smells fishy.
She gave her brother a look before turning back to the imperial, smiling sweetly. "That sounds lovely, but can someone point me to the guild leader? I'd like to join."
The imperial grinned while Nivene spared a quick glance around the rest of the Cistern.
Dirge was tomato-red and glaring, the man behind the counter -Delvin- was watching her warily, and the woman in the corner -was it Vex or Sapphire?- was staring, slowly sheathing her daggers. A few shady characters were ignoring the whole affair, but she saw that Corinnir was grinning at her from the front of the Cistern.
I'm definitely thanking him later.
xXxXxXxXxXx
"Hey Cap'n? You think we'll ever make it back?"
The man stared into the dimming light.
"Yes, we only need to follow our orders... So get to it."
A quick nod. "Aye aye. I'll be off then, sir."
After the young man - barely more than a boy, his mind supplied - left, he turned back to the horizon.
The breeze was like an icy dagger to his loose clothes, and the ocean was darker than he had ever seen. The waters were angry and frothing. He had seen long shapes drifting in the deep, and there were no birds in sight. There was evidence everywhere that this place was unnatural.
The captain held his hand up to his heart and, with only a slight moistening of his eyes, began to pray.
Hell was far colder than he had expected.
xXxXxXxXxXx
"I don't understand it! Urag won't leave me alone! I used to be able to read peacefully in the Arcanaeum, but now he suddenly notices me whenever I so much as breathe in the same room as him! I have not done anything! Why do you think-" He gestured behind him in exasperation as his companion hummed along, her robes floating over the courtyard snow.
Orthorn sighed. He simply had no idea what he had done to alarm Urag! It couldn't have been his newfound connections among his peers - the college professors were always encouraging teamwork. Or at least most of them were. The outlier, Arniel, had always been a bit off anyway.
But either way, he was learning so much - she was amazing at conjuration and willing to give less-experienced students hints and demonstrations outside of classes. The others down there were all so incredibly talented and helpful - it made him feel less like the useless novice he'd been all through childhood.
He frowned at the snow.
His camaraderie with the other students couldn't be the issue.
But why has Urag become so paranoid all of the sudden?