Chapter 2

The night is cool and slightly damp as a storm moves in over the village of Seyda Neen. Occasionally, the sound of distant thunder rolls over the trees, echoing between the structures that make up the tattered town. At least, that was true for the outside. Here within the circular walls of the lighthouse, the sound of clattering armored feet and the grunts of angry men resonated through the tower. The body of the former occupant of this tower had been found, as was I, despite my shadowy form hidden in the shadow of the stairwell. I probably shouldn't have moved the table; she didn't do much to keep the place clean and that rendered my attempt at legerdemain flawed. Well, that and the torch that nearly set fire to my wing.

A rather burly guard pulled me from my hiding place as several more smothered me in an attempt – a rather successful attempt – to keep me subdued. Shackles are fastened to my limbs and a rope is tied around my body, probably to keep me from flying away. Not that I could fly for very long anyway – our wings are not as strong as here as on the Demiplane.

"Evidence," one of the guards announced as he lifted my sword to inspect it. The blood was still slightly moist against the steel. I can imagine how it would look with the fool's entrails decorating the blade. What a wonderful sight that would be! Alas, as tied up as I am, I will have to wait. "Take him away."

The guards take me back to the Census Office where another guard waits patiently for our little group. I immediately recognize him. "I told you I'd sssee you again."

"Insolent, wretched, creature. I'll teach you to respect authority!" he cries as he backhands my head. Ouch! Yeah, he's definitely on the list now. What a wonderful necklace his skull and backbone will make. "Take him inside. I'll inform Socucius," he tells them as he opens the door to the Census Office.

Now they lead me through the reception room and to a small enclosure located near the room where I found the dagger. Inside are a couple of kegs, some crates, and a bedroll. All that and a door, which they promptly shut and lock. Outside, I can hear them whispering to one another, though I do not understand what they are saying. Nothing good, no doubt. I bide my time until I'm sure there is only a guard or two, then I make my move. With a swift kick, the door breaks off its hinges and I am free of my little prison. The two guards by the door immediately react, drawing their blades to defend themselves against what is essentially the end of their miserable lives. I grab the first guard and force him between the other guard and me, using him as a shield against the second guard's thrust. Even as my little friend gurgles from the blood welling up in his throat – the other must have punctured a lung – I force his sword arm against his partner, slashing at his chest with the blade that was meant for me. I drop my dying shield and reach towards the throat of the stumbling guard, ensuring I'm still holding onto it as the rest of his body falls to the floor. That's when my friend from earlier bursts into the room. I drop the trachea from my hand and breathe my wretched breath upon him, enveloping the unsuspecting human in a cloud of icy darkness, thus draining his life and healing me with his essence as I breathe it back in. He slumps over, and then all is silent.

I start to leave when I realize that my friend may be of some use. I strip him of his gear, don his armor, and grab his sword. Ah, such a fine blade! Much better than the one I acquired earlier. After checking for some loose change, and helping myself to the same in the office proper, I remove his head and tear his vertebrae from his back and ribs. After stuffing my trophy into his pack, I exit through the back door where they had only hours before led me through and look around. No one could be seen by the docks, nor did I hear anyone. Looking up, I spy a balcony that I hadn't quite noticed before when I first arrived. I jump up towards it, using my wings to give me an extra boost and land safely on the balcony floor. A locked door bars my entrance, but another kick soon remedies that minor inconvenience. Inside, a large number of gold coins sit atop a table. I pocket the coins and look around some more. A large chest sits next to the door, but it is locked. It is obvious that any attempt to force the lock would be futile, at least without lockpicks. Besides, I don't have time for such nonsense, so I exit into the hall and descend a flight of stairs, leading me to another door and what appears to be a warehouse. Crates are stacked against the wall, and barrels are stacked against the crates. Another stairwell spirals upward into a tower, where there are no doubt more barrels or crates to be found. I start searching the crates, finding some armor pieces that are slightly superior to my own and a weapon or two that I find more desirable to what I'm holding now. Discarding what I no longer need or desire and donning he rest, I climb the flight of stairs.

Atop the stairwell are a couple of barrels and some sacks. Opening one of the sacks I discover the blessed ambrosia of the Gods, moon sugar. Ah, the small petals melt in my mouth as I feel a rush of strength and euphoria wash over me. Looking through the barrels I find more herbs, though none as desirable as the white petals of moon sugar, a worthless trinket or two, and a vial of skooma, which I immediately pour down my throat. The euphoria from the moon sugar is immediately magnified by the addictive effects of the pale liquid, couple with a subdued sense of rage. I jump down the center of the spiral believing myself invincible and crash to the floor. Oops! I probably should have at least used my wings to float down! Oh well, the skooma seems to have dulled the pain to a minor nuisance anyway, so I brush myself off and return to the door I found earlier, not paying any mind to the small trail of blood dripping from my body somewhere. I unlock the door – a simple latch, nothing more – and walk outside. There is no activity in the immediate vicinity, though torchlight from the opposite building – no doubt the Census Office – tells me a guard or two are investigating my departure. I immediately run towards the opposite side of town, near where the tavern – what the hell was that? - is, and cross a bridge there, leading me out of town and into a small swamp nearby, where I am greeted my pesky mosquitoes bent on bleeding me to death. Looking around, I notice the large flea-like creature I glanced at earlier. I walk towards it, finding a set of stairs and a platform leading beyond its long legs towards its body. I climb the stairs slowly, still high from the skooma.

"Wh-where would you like to go? We offer transport to a number of locations at very little cost to you," a Dunmer female offers. Just as most of the people I have encountered, she seems a little tense before me, as if frightened by my presence. Why shouldn't she be? After all – was that a butterfly just now? – I'm a scary guy. Especially considering what I'm capable of…Nah, I probably just startled her, as she might have seen me in the darkness until I was practically in her face.

Ah, now I remember. Silt striders. The Dunmer hollow out their bodies and use them as transport. They manipulate their organs to move them wherever they wish, thus saving valuable time in travel. The Dunmer – dark elves, by the way – looked at me somewhat impatiently. "Balmora," is all I say to her as I hand her a small amount of gold. Judging from her reaction, it mustn't have been enough, but she wasn't about to argue the point. I think that if I was to look at her menacingly enough, she'd probably wet herself from fear and anxiety. Then I'd have to smell the wretched odor of her urine all the way to Balmora, and, not knowing exactly where that was or how long it would take to get there, I'm not willing to endure that. We both climb inside the belly of the beast, where she places her hands upon some of the exposed tissue, forcing the strider to move forward. I lean back, intent on – there it is again! Is that a butterfly? – getting some rest after such a busy day.

Meanwhile, the sound of guards rushing about in their rusted armor pieces and their shouts of confusion and accusation slowly fade into the night.