"My Head…" Said the staggering Olfand, having just got out of bed. Teranin was waiting patiently at the table for him.

Olfand sat down, "I'm not quite ready… it's super loud in here!"

"Some of the Restoration magic I've learned can help you… if you would let me."

Olfand nodded, then Teranin put her hands beside his head and used some of her magic. With one hand she was using a heal spell, with the other a fatigue spell. She didn't know if it would work but knew that neither one would work individually, because that was what she'd been told.

Olfand exhaled slowly, "That does help…"

She pushed a glass of warm milk to him.

"What is this goat's piss?"

"Close, it came from a goat, but it's not piss. Drink it. I also got a plate of eggs…" Suddenly Nerussa placed a plate of eggs in front of him. "Eat up Olfand."

They slowly ate breakfast, the combination of food, milk, and spells helped get Olfand out of his morning difficulties. Finally, they left for the Imperial City.

Olfand said, "My dealer is a man living in the Talos Plaza District. He's a collector of the sort, or so I've been told. We agreed by courier to meet today, and I can get that Cuirass from him."

Teranin nodded, "When we're done, I would like to stop in the Market District, there is someone I want to talk to."

"Ok. Sounds good."

They both walked towards the Imperial City, and for the first time ever Teranin was entering perhaps the biggest city in all Tamriel. Once inside, Teranin took in the view of the Talos Plaza District. Large grand houses, statues, ready to do wealthy people everywhere. This section of the town was designed with one thing in mind. To awe people, to impress them. These were some of the wealthiest people in the entire empire.

She followed Olfand until they reached the dragon statue in the center, once there a Nord in wealthy attire approached. "Are you Olfand?"

"Yes. I am."

Behind him, a man rolled up with a small cart, "I am Aeimner, and this is Dondoran's Juggernaut. It is worth for our deal, 4000 septims."

Teranin studied the man, something about him that she didn't like. Nevertheless, it wasn't her concern. Olfand examined the Cuirass, "This is fantastic." Olfand handed over the septims. Olfand took over the cart, and the two men bid Olfand goodbye. With that, as agreed, they went to the Imperial market, while Olfand walked around and explored the market, Teranin found her way to divine elegance.

The Elf behind the desk, stated, "You've come to Divine Elegance because you care about what you wear. And Palonirya has what you want... or no one has."

Teranin responded, "I was hoping to talk to you."

She told her story about how she came to be, and what it would mean if she learned more about her people. Palonirya listened intently. Finally, after Teranin was finished, she said, "That's such a sad story. I've seen others disjointed from their race, but not an Altmer before. There is only so much I can really tell you though. I've been to what you called, the Summerset Isles before, but many of us prefer to call it Alinor. But others take the Imperial Term as you mentioned."

Teranin listened intently, as Palonirya continued, "We're an old culture, oldest on this continent, despite some claims by the Nords. But, there isn't a lot I really know, in regards to history or politics. I'm a fashion designer, I can tell you that the aristocrats of Alinor, wear some of the finest outfits you'll ever see. That grace and elegance I've tried to pass on to my customers. You really should go see Alinor. Go to the book store, First Edition, see if you can get some books about Altmer, or Alinor. It will give you an idea of where to start. Also, Umbacano knows much about our culture, and heritage, and the culture and heritage of other Elven Races. You know… You said you don't know your parents' names. When you visit Summerset, there are records. Almost every Altmer who lived on Alinor has a genealogical record. You could find out about them."

Teranin gave a warm smile and dropped a few coins as thanks. It wasn't much, but it was the most she'd been told about her people in all her life. Another day she would come back to the Imperial City and explore. But for now, she met up with Olfand and they left the Imperial City and headed home.

8

On the road, just north of the Imperial City, the pair walked with their horses, giving them a break, Teranin raised her hand to call a halt. "Something is wrong."

"What?"

"Everything is…" Teranin just barely turned her head, dodging a single arrow. Three men dressed up in leather armor came from the bushes. Teranin drew her sword. The first one struck at her, but she deflected his sword, and slashed him across the back, killing him. The second charged as well, but she stabbed him in the throat, killing him.

The third man… "You?" asked Teranin.

Olfand responded, "I bought this Cuirass from you. What is the meaning of this?"

Aiemner responded, "You paid me 4000 septims, an honorable deal. But here's the new deal. I kill you both, take the Cuirass, and sell it again."

Teranin glared at the Nord, "So, you set people up to buy a major collectible, get paid, and then rob them on the road?"

"That's correct. Usually, and I always double-check… my marks intend to spend time in the city after I'm done, while I leave. Thanks to your couriers, I knew exactly what route you would take, and even knew you would come with help. Unfortunately, these two corpses, represent people, of whom I overestimated my ability of. But for me… Hey, you're a merc. Olfand paid me 4000 gold… I'll give you 1500 if you just walk away."

"No. That is not how I do business."

Aiemner pulled out a long steel sword, "I doubt you've faced anyone of real skill until now. Elf, your story ends here." He charged sword in hand.

Teranin barely got her sword up, just in time to block a killing blow. But she fell back several steps at the onslaught. He struck left, and again, she barely dodged it. She tried to strike towards his neck, but he parried her with no problem.

"Oh my gods, this is too fun… C'mon… take a swing at me."

Teranin took a stab at the ribs, but he deflected the sword and slapped her in the face with his free hand. "Again, you dirty elf!"

Teranin charged but was kicked aside. "You useless elf. You are fighting a Nord, while you played with your spells, we were bred for war!"

She thought of Right-Wind's lessons. Sometimes an enemy of greater skill, allows the ego to build. Fight them, but don't fight too hard… You might be their lesser in battle, but if they believe you are worse than you actually are… you can win."

She swung wildly, she saw Ofland's face grow deeper in concern. She swung again, wildly. "You can't even hit a tree!" Shouted Aiemner. He kicked her in the gut and punched her in the face.

"I'm playing with you, you're my plaything. You live, because I haven't decided to kill you." He kicked her sword out of her hand. "You're useless and unarmed. You should have taken the money… Let's be fair, 1500 was too much. I'll give 150 gold, and you can run away, with your life… and never pick up a sword again."

She picked up her sword. "This is where I stand… and I'll die here if I have to."

"You're a child! A useless prattling child. That sword is not a toy, it's a weapon. But you treat it like a plaything. What have you killed? Weaklings? Drunks? Fools?"

"This is where I stand. Kill me if you must."

"FINE! I'll grant your wish!"

He charged furiously; he was going to have an easy victory. This was just to be another corpse on the ground. He swung once for her head with all his might, to remove her head in one fell blow. But right when he swung, she ducked back. The force of the sword swing jerked him off to her right side, just a matter of couple inches, and she stabbed him in the left side of the ribs, with the sword exiting out the other side.

Splitting blood now, he turned back with his eyes dimming, with one last blast of the sword. She wasn't ready for this, and only just managed to pull away, but below her rib catch she felt the sword cut through her flesh, but after that… Aiemner was dead.

She dropped her sword as Ofland ran to her. He caught her as she stumbled. The spasm of pain, made her right arm tremble in pain, "Steady my arm." As her hand went on the wound… blue magic latched on to the wound, and sewed it up, stopping the bleeding. "My Restoration magic isn't that good, I've stopped the bleeding… I've… I've saved my life. But I need to get to Cirroc. His skills are better than mine, he'll be able to repair the damage."

"How… did you know that guy was going to attack like that?"

"Right-Wind said that when your opponent is better than you, but also arrogant… if you can provoke him, he may forget the lessons he has learned and foolishly lunge at you like an idiot. At which point, you only need to strike." Teranin fainted.