BLUE

A narrow barge slowly pushed its way up the Odai river. Two lines of crewmen propelled the craft upriver with long poles by walking to the front of the ship on either side, lodging poles in the mud on the bottom and pushing the boat forward with their feet. It was an odd sight from the shore as the men looked as though they were walking, but unable to get anywhere.

I was among the crew made up mostly of various humans, working myself into a trance, thinking of nothing but each step I must take to propel the barge forward. 'I miss Gildee's banter,' I thought to myself. She was quite a pleasant girl. My reverie was broken when I reached the rear of the boat, withdrew my pole, and returned to the front of the barge. As I turned to look up river I saw the walls of the city of Balmora, arching over the water.

"Yes," I whispered to myself. "Another step closer to my Neesha."

We pulled the boat up to a small dock. Dunmer dockworkers tossed ropes on deck and the ship was quickly moored. As the Captain stepped off to speak with the dockmaster, it started drizzling. The humans muttered and shied away from the water, but I took a deep breath, comfortable with the damp. The regular crewmen set about unloading goods from the ship's hold. As soon as the Captain was done haggling over the mooring price, I was waiting for him.

"These dockmasters are as cut throat as any pirate out on the seas Argonian and you'd do well to remember it," the scruffy Imperial muttered.

"Aye captain, I'll do that." I had little interest in shipping and mercantile, but the Captain always lectured when he got frustrated as a coping mechanism. I found it was easier just to go along with it.

"I suppose you're after your pay? Well, let's get you squared away lad. If you wanted to help us unload, I'd throw in ten septims for you."

"I'd rather get a move on Captain."

"So be it," he muttered again, counting out a small pile of coins. "Far be it from me to delay a lizard in a hurry."

"Much thanks Captain." I tipped my head to the man, ruffling my blue plumage and then I leapt over the side of the boat, clawed feet landing on the stone dock. I proceeded up to street level, adjusting my hand axes in their belt loops and straightening my Imperial scale cuirass. It was mid afternoon and the light rain had cleared much of the foot traffic from the streets. I avoided making eye contact with the Dunmer and especially the guards. I was already drawing enough dirty looks just walking the street.

In lieu of asking directions, I figured the South wall cornerclub would be somewhere near the South wall. It only took a little wandering to find the building with the name I was looking for on a sign swinging from a chain. I let myself in out of the rain. To my surprise, there were few Dunmer to be found in the place. A well dressed Imperial nodded politely.

"Welcome sir, are you looking for a room?"

"Maybe later." I explained, "I'm looking for Habasi. Sugar lips Habasi."

The man eyed me curiously. "What for?"

"A friend said she could help me."

He nodded. "Perhaps. She should be in the taproom."

I nodded in deference, offering a, "Thanks sir," before following a hall to a stairway. The space seemed warm and comfortable after the cold and wet outside. The taproom held maybe a dozen people and would surely become more crowded as evening approached. I found the single Khajiit woman in the room leaning over the bar and quietly talking to an Imperial man. As I approached, they glanced at me and the Khajiit leaned back, ending their conversation.

"What can I get for you sir," asked the Imperial?

"Oh, how about the head of a boar on a silver platter," I joked.

"Fresh out of boar I'm afraid," chuckled the Imperial, "but for a gentleman such as yourself, I can offer seared slaughterfish with honey and apple glaze."

"That's quite alright my good man, I wasn't all that hungry anyway. I'm actually looking for a Khajiit named Habasi. May I presume that'd be you?" I gave an exaggerated bow to the calico cat woman at the bar stool.

"Hmmm," she sensually purred, resting a cheek on a furry fist. "It's not everyday a charming stranger comes asking for this one. What can Habasi do for you."

"I have a problem and my friend Han lu said you were the one to talk to."

"Hrmmm," she purred again, more enthusiastically. "He is a good one. Habasi hopes he found his way home safely."

"Not so I'm afraid. There was a complication. He's still on Vvardenfell and here to stay as far as I know."

"Truly? You bring much interesting news. Perhaps we could find a more private venue to speak further."

"I'd be flattered," I smirked.

Habasi shot the bartender a smile. "Habasi thinks she likes this one." She stood and led the way to a hallway with doors to what I assume were rooms for rent. She unlocked a door and held it open for me revealing what seemed an ordinary inn room with a small bed and various furniture, including a desk.

"Please, seat yourself friend," Habasi said as she locked the door behind us. "Habasi is most interested in anything you might know about the ship we put Han lu on. She received word that it never arrived at its destination."

I stroked my head, raking my claw tipped fingers through my blue plumage to smooth them down flat. "Well, I was a crewman on that ill fated vessel. The Imperial navy found us and sank us. Han lu and I were the only survivors that we know made it out for sure. There was also a Khajiit traveling with Han lu who was not among the dead, but she is yet unaccounted for. Han lu believes it may be his fault the Empire found us. He was careful not to be followed, but… let's just say they were employing significant resources to track him."

Habasi's eyes flashed with an air of slyness and cunning. "This brings mixed feelings for Habasi. Losing a smuggler means losing profit, but at the same time, perhaps she can use this to her advantage. Han lu owes the guild a ship and he has proven to be most resourceful in the past. Can you tell Habasi where the Dunmer is?"

I cleared my throat. "In the Ashlands, but I'd wait a while before contacting him. He may still be under close watch from the Empire and he has business that cannot wait."

The Khajiit nodded, "This one thanks you for your stories. Habasi loves to hear good stories." She adjusted herself in her seat, curling her legs underneath her and leaning to one side in the chair like a house cat would when they were getting comfortable. "Now, why don't you tell Habasi what brought you here? Surely it wasn't just for her benefit."

"No, it wasn't," I said, becoming serious. "I'm an escaped slave from the Dren plantation. I am trying to find a way to free another slave."

"Someone special," Habasi teased? "After you go and get her hopes up?" The Khajiit sighed in faux disappointment. "Why are the handsome ones always taken?"

For once, I ignored the chance to return the jest and spoke in a straightforward manner. "Han lu said you might be willing to trade favors. I may not have much skill as a thief, but I am able bodied and well motivated. Can you free my Neesha in exchange for my services?"

Habasi eyed the hand axes at my hips. "She is sure the guild can free any one slave from any one plantation, but you may not like what is needed of you."

I scooted forward eagerly. "Try me."

The cat smiled cunningly. "This one hopes you aren't afraid of your old masters."