I sat in a foxhole just off the road along the south bank of lake Amaya and to the east of Pelagiad. A net, covered in foliage laid over the top of me. I waited for the sound of horse hooves. Considering the fact that only the Dren family owned horses in this area of the province, it was a sure indicator of our targets approach. Across the road, there were two other thieves guild members who were at least somewhat competent at combat. Naturally, the thieves guild didn't have a lot of combatants which put them at a disadvantage when it came to raiding a Cammona Tong caravan.

The first sound that preceded their coming wasn't horse hooves, however. It was the rattle of chains. It became louder and louder until I could hear it right next to me on the road. Behind that sound, I could hear the clop clop of horses.

A piercing whistle cut over the noise of the travelers and I flung the cover off the top of my hole. I raised my new crossbow, ignoring the rain that immediately drenched me and acquired the nearest target on horseback. The crossbow bucked against my shoulder, sending a quarrel to thunk heavily into a Dunmer's chest. He fell off his horse as did another rider who was watching from the rear of a column of slaves with their legs chained together in a single file line.

At the back of the convoy, a wagon pulled by two horses jolted ahead, it's driver whipping the reins, yelling, "Yah yah!" The two riderless horses in front of him pranced away nervously, but the line of panicked slaves pulled every which way, trying to escape the barreling wagon. One of the other ambushers heaved on a rope that was tied to a tree on my side of the road and wrapped around the trunk of a giant mushroom on the other. The rope tightened, picking up the slack and raising out of the mud where we'd hidden it. The horse team tripped on the rope and tumbled forward, their legs pulled out from under them.

The snapping of horse bones stood out in the cacophony of the crash. The crunching of the tumbling wagon soon followed as the driver was thrown from his perch and the rear two slaves were completely crushed. I left the crossbow aside, deciding against taking the time to reload it. I jumped out of the hole with a grunt and drew my now clean orcish sword, running up to the dazed driver.

The balding Dunmer rolled onto his back, holding an arm that was bent at an unnatural angle. He saw me coming and held up a hand to stop me. "No, no, no, don't... " I cut him off quite literally with a two handed chop, lodging the blade in his spine at the neck. I held his body down with a boot so I could yank the blade out. The other Thieves guild fighters emerged, both of them wearing hooded cloaks and a mask over their face. One was obviously an Argonian, as a mask didn't hide his voice and the other was human, I assumed a Nord by his stature and the double bladed axe he carried.

The slaves watched us hopefully, one of them looking at their crushed companions, so tired and beaten down that there were no tears to cry. I looked to the Argonian guildsman and spoke over the sound of the dying horses. "Am I done here?"

"So eager to be rid of your debt," he hissed. "Hmm, perhaps you will slay those two horses that are still on their feet so Dren's retainers cannot reclaim them. Then you may go."

I returned to retrieve my crossbow while the Argonian and the Nord worked to open the slaves locks. I slipped my boot through the stirrup of the crossbow, grabbed the heavy, waxed string, and heaved it until it locked into place. I took a quarrel from a small quiver that fit on my belt and slid it into the groove in front of the string.

Each horse had run to one side of the road until they felt safely away from the distressing scene. I leveled the crossbow at one of them, slowly walking into range. I got close enough that I was sure I could be accurate and put a bolt in the horse's skull. The animal fell over and began spasming in its death throes.

I turned to the other beast and hesitated. "I think I'm going to ride this one."

The Argonian shrugged. "It's on your shoulders if you are caught."

"Everything else is on my shoulders, adding a horse won't hurt anything," I muttered.

I shouldered the crossbow with a leather sling and slowly approached the beast, my soft soled boots quiet on the grass and soil. "Hey buddy. Any chance you want to come with me? I'm going to a wonderful place called Cyrodiil. There's lots of other horses there. If you'll let me ride you, I'll bring you along."

Of course, the horse didn't acknowledge my offer, but the calming tone I used kept it relaxed while I approached its side. It was a brown pinto mare with a cream colored mane and white spots down her neck and back. She was docile enough to allow me near. I stroked her neck fondly while she grazed and I noticed the Dren family crest embossed on a very expensive saddle.

"Why thank you Lord Orvas. I accept your fine gift." I mounted the horse in one smooth motion and with the reigns, I directed the animal west toward Seyda Neen. Instead of following the roads, I hugged the ocean coast to avoid being seen. Just as a precaution, I left my mask on until I reached the outskirts of Seyda Neen. I tied up the horse on the northwest outskirt in the marsh where the foliage would hide it.

The village was just as I remembered it. Small and soggy. The rain wasn't heavy, but it was constant. By the light of torches, I could see the few guards who doggedly patrolled the streets. I approached Arrille's tradehouse from the rear, avoiding the Imperials entirely. Being seen by any of the Emperor's servants at this point was not an option.

I crouched my way to the back porch of the tradehouse and pulled myself up and slinking to the door. I opened it carefully, watching for any guards or legionnaires. None occupied the first floor. I closed the door behind me and found Arrille taking stock of his shelves.

"Pardon Muthsera," I walked up to the counter and placed a ten septim gold piece on it. "Any Imperials upstairs?"

The Altmer took the piece. "They don't come in here unless they're shopping. Their commander makes them do their drinking at the Census office."

I nodded my thanks and headed upstairs to the bar. The Redguard woman tending it eyed me. "What's your name Dunmer?"

"Han lu, sera," I answered.

"Mmm hmm. Your friend wants to see you. Room three."

I gritted my teeth in worry, but stood and went straight to the inn area and knocked on door three. "Ajira, it's me. Are you okay?"

The door opened slowly to reveal my friend, one eye swollen shut. She pursed her lips, looking torn between fear and anger. "Han lu sad Ajira would be safe here. He said he would protect Ajira."

Eyes wide, I drew my sword and whirled into the room, shutting the door behind me. Once I was sure no one else was in the room, I let the sword clatter to the floor and took her face in my hands, examining the damage. "What happened? Did the mages guild find you?"

Ajira spat out a humorless laugh. "No, it was just some Nord brute. He picked the lock to Ajira's room and robbed Ajira. When this one tried to protect her money, he punched Ajira in the face."

Tears built up in my eyes. "Ajira, I'm so sorry."

She laid into me, shoving me with what little mass she had. "You said Ajira would be safe!" I let her hit me, pounding my chest. I didn't have the heart to stop her. "You lied and Ajira was so scared! Her money is gone. How will she pay the smugglers?"

I puller her in close to me, trapping her clenched fists between us. Both of us were crying. "I'm so sorry Ajira. I'm sorry." I said it again and again, unable to think of anything else. I rocked her back and forth and she cried into my shoulder.

"Don't worry about the money. The cost of the smuggler is covered in the deal I made. I won't leave you alone again. I promise, we're so close to getting home."

It was a long time before Ajira pulled away. I just held her. I wanted more than anything to be there for her and to make her feel better and if she wanted to stand with her face buried in my shoulder, I'd let her. Eventually, she pulled back.

"Take Ajira home Han lu." I nodded and threw my cloak around her. The Nord who'd robbed her had taken her trunk, so she only had her clothes and a small satchel of possessions.

We went straight to the marsh where I'd left the horse and mounted riding double. Night overcame us, but the clouds were so thick that it hardly got any darker. The rain was cold, but I didn't dare complain after what I'd put Ajira through. Clothes soaked, I kept an eye on the dark wilderness, never flinching. We rode through the night. The marsh creatures dared not approach something as big as two travelers on horseback.

I felt Ajira fall asleep against my back. She was snoozing peacefully when I found the ship. There was a rickety looking, makeshift dock on the beach of the marshes. As I approached, a Nord and an Argonian guard stopped me, one with a spear and the other with a hand axe.

"Halt, what's your business here?"

I reigned the horse in. "We're your passengers."

"What's with the horse," he asked with a raised eyebrow which was lost in the early morning darkness.

"Stolen. Do you have room for it?"

"That was not a part of the bargain," the Nord argued.

"How much?" I knew what these types were after.

"Two thousand, no less."

I laughed. "If you have the room, it's no skin off your teeth. One thousand or nothing."

"Deal." He finalized.

I nodded and dismounted, conscious of the fact that I was waking Ajira.

"What's happening," she yawned?

"We're here," I said. Rather than making her walk, I took her in my arms and carried her. I looked to the Nord. "You'll handle my cargo, won't you?"

The Nord huffed and looked to the Argonian. "Get it loaded, will you Blue."

"Aye Captain."

I left them and boarded across the gangplank. It being a smuggler ship, there were only enough quarters for the crew, in order to have extra room for cargo. So I sat out of the way, against a rail and held the again sleeping Khajiit close to me. I felt lower than low that I'd brought harm to her. I squeezed her tight as if somehow I could make up for leaving her in such a position.

I watched as the Argonian, Blue, struggled to get the horse to board. To my surprise, he never lost patience, but rather, offered soft voiced encouragement. Once on the deck, they laid a plank over the stairs into the hold and gently led it down where I was sure it was well secured.

I slowly nodded off myself, the long cold night having taken its toll. I wasn't cold. I was snuggled up with a warm cat. The gentle rocking and the sounds of the ship combined to put my mind at ease. I was going home.