Chapter 10. The Talking Mudcrab
A/n: I can only guess that you people are waiting in suspense for Larka to show up here, but I'm sorry to say that she won't be here for another six chapters, but when she does get here she'll be here for a while, and SilverSunflower, thanks again for that authors note about my story, I'm tying to update a lot so I don't keep you guys waiting!
"Um…I…I was sent here by Azura, well, by prophecy. Are you the one I seek?" She asked, still feeling rather stupid.
"You got Skooma? Maybe I answer question. Give Skooma!" It shouted, walking up to her threateningly. Vvardenfell was surprised at the speed of which it could move, and stepped back, she still needed this things' "Insight."
"I don't have Skooma, but I do have questions." Trying not to anger the unstable creature.
"Answer, then Skooma?" It asked hopefully.
"Sure. Now, where do I need to go next?" She asked, not fuller believing that that was the right question.
"Solsthiem!" The crab said, running up and smelling her hand, obviously searching for Skooma.
This was the first time that she had the chance to get a good look at it. It was slightly a darker brown then you would see in a normal mudcrab, and it's legs were a little longer.
"Thanks." Vvardenfell said, drawing her hand back.
As she walked toward the crystal water, she heard an inhuman shriek come from the island. She turned quickly and saw that a cliffracer with a hurt wing was attaking the mudcrab! The shriek was coming from the Mudcrab, and it had retreated into it's shell miserably.
"N'wah!" She shouted, once more casting her dagger. The cliffracer plunged it's pointed tail towards her arm, just barely reopening her old wound. Vvardenfell's aim was true and she was able to insert her dagger into it's stomach. It fell with a blood-curtling cry to the ground.
"You save?" Asked the mudcrab, slowly peeking it's head out of it's shell.
"Why, I think I did!" Said Vvardenfell, reconsidering the question she was about to ask. "Maybe you should come with me, I'll keep you safe!" Vvardenfell said hurridly.
"Yes, I go." It said, clearly still shaken, as it kept looking back warily.
Vvardenfell helped the animal up onto her back and set back through the freezing water.
As she groped towards Suran's shore she saw Nels running up to her with his dagger drawn in a fighting stance. His eyes looked like he had gone insane and he was running up to slit her throat. She had forgotten the Mudcrab on her back and when she finally remembered it it was almost too late.
"Nels, it's friend!" She shouted taking off her back and cradling it in her arms.
"WHAT?" He asked, stopping just short.
"Ungh, I'll explain later." She said, climbing out of the water, her wet hair covering the scar over her left eye.
As the two walked back into the Tavern everyone stopped what they were doing and stared. An awkward silence filled the room and Vvardenfell held the Mudcrab protectively. It was rare enough to see a Nord and a Dunmer in a companionship, but with a 'friendly' Mudcrab? The tavern people began to think that they were going insane.
Nels, ignoring their stares, walked up to the bartender.
"One room, two beds please." He said between clenched teeth, desperately trying to withhold the urge to decapitate every man in the room for staring at Vvardenfell, who was looking around the dimly-lit tavern holding the Mudcrab like a baby.
"Tat'll be 15 gold." The Bartender said dryly. Nels gave him the money, took the rusted old key, and ascended up the stairs with Vvardenfell trailing behind him. They reached their room and closed the door.
"Okay, what's going on here?" Nels asked in a hurried tone.
"Nels, your going to think I'm insane but this Mudcrab can talk!" She said, knowing that se probably did sound insane.
Nels exhaled loudly, ran is fingers through his well-kept orange air, and plopped down on one of the beds.
"Lets hear it." He said, clearly not having any hope in the fact that this strange creature could 'Talk.'
"Mudcrab, what do you want?" She asked it, hoping that it would respond in some way.
"Me want Skooma. Where it? You promise Skooma." It said angerly as it began to thrash in her arms.
"Nels, go to the bar and buy some Skooma, the poor creature's right, I did promise to get it some." She said, giggling at the awestruck look on Nels' face as he headed out of the door.
A/n: I hope you guys will review and tell me what you think of the Mudcrab and the whole story overall, remember, I appreciate any review!