My PC had crashing and reset issues and I lost half of my ideas trying to fix it. Again, please let me know of what you think I could do better for any future chapters. This is a "Meanwhile in..." like chapter.
Fredas, 15th of Morning Star 3E 422
Over the past month Lantrius has been growing curious of the Dunmer, Atheron, which had warned him about Rona arriving in Morrowind. He asked how to get in touch with him through Dorvayn and she said," Atheron doesn't like talking to non-council members and is usually kept in secret. If you really want to talk to him, I'll set up a meeting between you two at Eight Plates in the afternoon tomorrow."
The next day Lantrius waited for him in the Tavern. The old man is late.
Lantrius took a sip from his pint
"Is there something you want Kinsman?" Atheron said suddenly appearing next to him, sitting on a stool, without the slightest of noise.
"How the hell did you do that?" Lantrius said looking at him quite surprised
"Like I said, 'I kill, steal, and perform espionage.' Is there something I can help you with?"
"Not exactly. I was hoping I could get to know more about yourself. You know, so I know who to contact for any…" he paused for a few seconds, "special services."
"I'm not wasting my time here." He said standing up.
"Hold on." Lantrius grabbed Atheron's arm. "Is there something I can do to earn the favor?"
Atheron jerk his arm out of Lantrius' grasp. "If you really would like to acquire my services for the near future, I request that you complete one of my assigned missions successfully. Upon the successful completion, you get a quarter of the reward including a one-time use of my services."
"Seems fair. What would you like for me to do?"
"I need you to get special documents from House Telvanni without being detected and no casualties."
"How much is the reward?"
"A quarter of two thousand Drakes."
"Deal. When do I start?"
"Whenever possible until the next month. Your objective is located at Sadrith Mora, in the Telvanni's Council Hall."
"Understood. How will I contact you again?"
"Through Dorvayn obviously. Farwell."
This time Lantrius still had his eyes on Atheron. His body was completely engulfed in a dark like shroud and he disappeared becoming completely silent. The door opened and closed without a sound. That was so cool! Aside from that, the Telvanni? Maybe I can use Cornelius to infiltrate his House's headquarters. I really hope he doesn't find out about his.
Four days later he arrived at the town and had high hopes to find Cornelius nearby. Suddenly two people rolling down some steps leading up into one of the giant mushroom dwellings. It was an Imperial and Dunmer. The two were fighting hand-to-hand and the Dunmer had his wind pipe crushed from a devastating elbow strike into the neck and suffocated.
The Imperial slowly stood up breathing heavily from the quick brawl and looked around for anymore challengers, but found Lantrius standing by with his arms crossed and an impressed look on his face. "Hey! It's been a while." Lantrius said.
"It sure has." He said breathing heavily. "I'm real fucking done with this House. Three times in two days, I've been attacked by Hirelings just so they could rank up."
This could luckily be the easiest, yet hardest, mission I've done. He thought to himself. "Do you think you could help me find some secret documents belonging to Telvanni?"
"Of course I will. Screw these guys. You know one assailant announced, before he attacked me, was that only Dunmer belonged in the Great Houses. I'm starting assume they are all racists."
"I really doubt that. Now I need to get them without killing anyone and being detected. I'm starting to think that the 'without killing anyone' part is going to be nearly impossible."
"You never know. Let's do this shit"
They walked into the Council Hall and searched everywhere with Cornelius keeping watch. They were almost caught, but Cornelius said they got lost looking for the recruiter and the Telvanni member bought it. Eventually they found the documents and Lantrius carefully put everything back to look as if no one had rummaged through their belongings.
Another four days had passed while escaping back to Balmora with his Telvanni-fugitive best friend. Lantrius waited a whole day in Eight Plates to wait for Atheron to reappear. He hadn't even entered his house yet. Lantrius scouted everywhere for Atheron to pop up out of nowhere as he did the first few times. Atheron uncloaked himself and said, "We're not playing 'Hide and Seek' you know."
"Never mind that. Here's you're documents." Lantrius said while handing them to him.
"Very Good. I was watching you the entire time you performed my tasked mission and I'll have to forfeit your pay for not meeting the two conditions."
"My friend declared himself a deserter before I actually started my mission. That shouldn't count."
"You've made a point. I'll change the forfeit to a deduction of three-hundred-seventy drakes."
"It's better than nothing, I suppose." He sighed
"Here. Take this." He handed Lantrius an unusual looking coin. "You can use this almost anywhere in Tamriel." He also handed him a list with various names and locations on it. "That is a list of who and where you can give that coin to. Make sure to provide your meeting location and reach it in time as well. If you are late, I will not wait no longer than one minuet of your arrival."
"Does it expire?"
"No. Use it wisely Kinsman. Good day." And he disappeared again.
Cornelius walked into the tavern, looking back at the door that had opened by its self.
"Am I drunk already or did that door just open by its self?" he asked confusedly
"I don't know." Lantrius shrugged. " Are you done with House Telvanni?"
"Yes sir. Killing somebody just to rise in the ranks of a House is below my standards."
"What're you going to do now?"
"I'm going back to Cyrodiil and joining the Mage's Guild."
"That doesn't sound too bad. I hope you didn't you get a House tattoo."
"Fuck no, thank the gods." He said with scorn and spotted his friend closely inspecting a coin. "That's a weird looking coin you got there."
"I know. It was given as a quest reward." He shoved it into his pocket. "Drinks are on me this time."
"It's about time. I'd like to make a toast for a long friendship and safe travels back to the Homeland." He said raising his mug.
"Praise the Nine!" Lantrius too raised his mug and they chugged their drinks.
"So, how's your sister doing?"
"The usual. Prancing around like a bumbling nuisance; causing trouble here and there. As a matter of fact, I haven't even spoken to her for eleven days now. Not to mention that I also haven't seen her since we got back. I wonder what she's up to."
"Hopefully, it's nothing too serious."
Tirdas, 19th of Morning Star 3E 422
It's been a few days since her brother left home and became bored of lazing around. What to do. What to do. Join that House called, Hall-you? Eh, I could probably do that later. I wonder why he doesn't have any wizard-y like stuff around here. An idea eventually popped into her head. That's what I'll do. I'll buy him some wizardly equipment. First, I need to get some money. But where…
She looked at her brother's money chest across the room, walked towards it, and took most of the money he had in it. Figuring she had enough, she walked out the door wondering where she should go to first. Her first decision was the Mages' Guild.
"Excuse me sir." The merchant looked at her without a response and waited to see what she wanted. "I need some wizardly like objects."
The merchant raised an eyebrow and said, "You don't look like the mage type. Is this for practice, a gift, what?"
"It's for my brother, Lantrius Trovicci."
"Are you talking about that Imperial who looks so serious when he's walking around?"
"I guess. So, do you have wizard equipment or not?"
"I've got everything from enchanting stations to all kinds of souls gems."
Rona thought for a moment and asked, "Do you have any staff materials?"
"The only thing I have is the wood from Cyrodiil's, 'Wellspring Cave' in Cyrodiil. The staff enchantments, power, and design are up to the mage themselves."
"You've got yourself a deal. I'll take everything." She handed him a giant bag of drakes. "Now, will it be delivered to the house or do I have to bring it there all by myself?"
"The enchanting station, twenty spell tomes, portal stands, and Well-Spring Wood will be delivered. You carry the box of soul gems, enchanting candles, and scrolls."
"Okay. Thank you and good day." She said shaking his hand and walked home dropping the supplies off.
On to that house I suppose. After dropping off the merchandise, she made her way to the Council Manor and spoke to Dorvayn.
"Excuse me, Miss Nileno Dorvayn?"
"How can I help you young one?"
"I would like to join your House please."
"Are you Trovicci's sister?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Oh! Well welcome to House Hlaalu! For being a relative of one our prominent members, you instantly bear the rank of Oathman and are officially a Noble. Now there is a catch though to this. You're pay is the same as a Hireling and to get any raises, you have to do various quests and tasks given to you. Understood?"
"Loud and clear ma'am!" she stood at attention
"Off you go then." She turned rolling her eyes.
Well that was easy! I can't wait to tell Lantrius the news! Before she could walk out the door, a House member grabbed her attention.
"Hey, new girl. Do you want your first assignment?"
"I don't see why not." She shrugged
Fredas, 21st of Morning Star 3E 422
Rona was hiking on the road to Shulk Egg Mine. Two weeks of this boringness and I'll get paid. I'm a Noble now and shouldn't be doing petty guard duty for some miners. When she reached the campsite a majority of them walked up to her greeting with various compliments of her looks and thanks for coming to guard them during as they worked. The large commotion was beginning to make her feel uncomfortable.
A voice was heard behind them, "Okay boys. Give the lady some room."
To Rona's relief, they all stopped and left her alone. A Dunmer squeezed through the wall of workers and gave her a proper welcome.
"Welcome to the mine. Don't mind them very much. They haven't seen a woman for quite a while now. In a few days we'll get some woman miners around here." He turned to everyone behind him, "AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BEHAVE THEMSELVES." He held out his hand to Rona, "I'm the manager here."
"Hi." She suspiciously shook his hand. "I'm Rona Trovicci and please address me by my last name. I was sent here because you needed some sort of guard?"
"Yes of course. I've arranged a private barracks for your current stay. Enjoy it while you can before our female miners arrive. One more thing, we've been having constant animal attacks recently and that's all the trouble we have at the moment. Be prepared for anything." He turned to his workers. "Back to work gentlemen. She's got it covered." He said shooing them off
The crowd murmured and returned to their stations. Rona entered the barracks and unpacked her equipment: An old and rusty straight sword, a couple of health potions, and food rations for the entire stay. She fell into her bunk, finally feeling the pain drain from her feet after a long walk. She sat up and looked around. Better make sure there aren't any peep holes around. After searching for a good ten minutes she returned to the bunk.
Fredas, 11th of Sun's Dawn 3E 422
Over the course of her guard duty she had encountered many creatures: Alits, Kagouti, Nix-Hounds, and Rats. She was wounded twice and thankfully had the two healing potions she had brought with her. Now today is her last day at Shalk Egg Mine and the entire crew had a well-deserved lunch break.
One of the workers sat next to her and began and said between bites of food, "I would like to give my thanks, Ms. Trovicci. Lucky for you, and us, there wasn't a Cliff Racer attack."
"What in the world is a Cliff Racer?"
"You really don't know?" he said raising a brow, "They are fierce creatures that have the ability of flight. That's mainly what makes them so dangerous unless you've had enough combat experience fighting them to know the tactics."
"Cliff Racer!" a miner shouted and pointed at the sky.
It was indeed a Cliff Racer and everyone scattered in a panic while finding shelter. Everyone fled except for Rona. She readied herself and right when she was spotted, it dove down for an attack. Rona ducked down low with the creature's beak nearly snatching her up into the air. It quickly turned around and flew in low. It had caught her blade and pulled it out of her hands. It flew over the hill top, dropped her sword, and flew in low again. The creature had ran straight into Rona pinning her into the ground with her hand on its neck and right wing.
The scaly creature snapped it jaw and tried to peck her face along with trying to use its tail for a stabbing weapon. Rona was able to hold it off and kicked it off her after struggling to get her foot under its bottom fin. Once it began to fly off, Rona pulled it back onto the ground by tugging on the tail with all her might. The single talon on the tail had cut her hand but she didn't notice. She then broke its wing by violently bending it in sharp angles and stomping on those bends, preventing its ability to fly away. While it tried to helplessly flee with one wing, Rona found a nearby rock and used it as a blunt weapon bashing it's skull in.
Once dead, she sat on the carcass breathing heavily from one of the toughest fights she has ever been in. All the workers came out of their hiding places and cheered for their savior. She ignored most of the praises because of the pain that had begun to emerge from the deep cut on her hand. One of the female workers took her hand and wrapped it up.
"Thank you." Said Rona
"Don't mention it."
"Those things are smart as hell! Not to mention quick!"
"I guess that's what makes them dangerous. Now you should find a healer before that becomes a scar or infected."
One of the miners cut off the single talon on the Cliff Racer's tail, wrapped it up in a cloth, and handed it to her. "A souvenir from a fierce battle between a brave, and strong, woman and a ferocious beast that soars though the skies." He announced
"Thank you. I should get going then."
After Rona had packed up, she was confronted by the manager one last time.
"Thank you for all you have done, ma'am. Here's something extra for you before you return to the city." He handed her a small chest. It was a little heavy, but not too much so that she was able to carry it even with a wounded hand. She looked inside and found three large ebony ores, a small stash of gold drakes, and a silver dagger.
"This seems a little too much for a reward."
"I insist. Three weeks of defending the mine against savage beasts and getting a wound from fighting a Cliff Racer, with a victory no less, on your last day here. I think it's enough to express our gratitude."
"Farwell, Mr. Manager."
"Likewise. Oh yes, I'll send a good word about you to the House."
Rona left the mine and returned to the city before dusk, hurrying her pace to beat the coldness that grew into the air. She walked into the house and found her brother fast asleep in a chair by the door. She accidently closed the door to hard and startled him enough to quickly stand up with fists raised looking for any enemies.
Once he realized it was his sister he let his guard down and stretched with a yawn. He asked, "Where the hell have you been?"
"Well, I joined House Hlaalu and was sent on guard duty at the Shalk Egg Mine." She put the chest down and looked for a potion to heal her hand which was still hurting. Lantrius noticed the bloody cloth wrapped around her hand.
"What happened to your hand?" he asked walking over to her to inspect it. He grabbed her hand and she jerked it back.
"Ow!" she squealed. Her brother grabbed it again but this time gently and used a novice heal spell on it.
"How does it feel now?" he asked
"Better than it did for the past few hours. Thanks." She took off the bandage and the wound was gone, only leaving a scare in its place.
She told him of what happened with the Cliff Racer and that she bought him new magical equipment.
"I figured you bought me that stuff. But my question is, 'where did you get that money from?"
Rona's face changed from a smile into guilt with eyes looking only at the ground. Lantrius leaned forward and his attitude turned serious with a hint of disappointment. "So you DID use all my money."
"I'm sorry." She whimpered quietly
He got up and inhaled deeply trying to calm himself. He quickly went upstairs to his money chest opening the lid. Let's give her a little scare… Meanwhile downstairs, Rona felt the unpleasantness and hard hitting wave of deep guilt. She heard a loud bang upstairs causing her to flinch and built even more pressure into her chest and stomach. Her eyes grew teary and she put her head on the table covering her face, softly sobbing. Tired and finally home, her brother is now furious with her adolescent actions shortly after returning from the assignment.
As Lantrius walked down the steps carrying the chest, he heard Rona sobbing. He stopped halfway down the flight of stairs. Great. Now I feel guilty. He sighed and continued downwards. Outing the chest down, he sat next to her and apologized. She kept her head down.
"Rona, I'm sorry for getting that mad at you. Yes, you shouldn't have done what you did, but after a few weeks of a relatively tough assignment and hurting your hand, you didn't need that kind of attitude from me." He put his arm around her shoulder. "I'll forgive you as long as you can pay me back with no set deadline. Deal?"
His sister raised her head and nodded this time looking at him. Lantrius gave her a comforting smile. "Good. Now get some sleep. You've defiantly earned yourself a good and long rest."
She got up and slowly walked into her room, crawled into her bed, and fell asleep in a snap. That went better than I had anticipated. Lantrius thought to himself, She did get me everything I needed for my lair. I'll give her a proper thank you later.
Lantrius went to bed as well and dreamed of his new plans for the near future.