Ch. 18 Lurking in the Shadows
Eiryn led Merthisan into the west end of Balmora late that night, under the veil of darkness where fewer eyes and ears could watch them. He was a bit reserved to the idea of being guided into the dimly lit streets of Balmora, where fewer city guards patrolled the roads and the citizens here were not as well dressed, nor as welcoming.
When told he'd meet someone who could tell him more about Saber's whereabouts, however, Merthisan knew he'd have little choice but to trust her. Keeping his guard up, he remained one step behind her, ready for trouble, his cloak brushed back to keep his sword arm free. Even as he walked, his hand remained on the hilt of sword.
The young Breton could hardly blame him. He was on edge, perhaps a bit paranoid, and now and then would pause in his walking to glance behind him. "I see your cities here in Morrowind nearly empty of street beggars." He commented to fill the silence.
"The Temple takes care of them." She explained, having since changed into new trousers of a finer material, with a blouse and snug bodice. She wore her sword against her hip, and finding the night warm enough to go without a cloak. Hair was in its practical braid for the time being.
"I've heard of the Temple and the living gods." Merthisan said with awe in his voice. "Living gods one could actually speak to…" He shook his head. "They were mortal once?"
"So the stories say." Eiryn replied. "I've never met them myself."
"I thought you were from the holy city of Vivec?"
She glanced over her shoulder back at him. "Vivec is a big city." She told him; not wishing to tell him she'd lied of her own origins. "Lord Vivec's palace is virtually impossible to get in, and you normally meet with the High Fane if you have business there."
Merthisan gave a small chortle of laughter. "Ah yes, still the gods remain out of our reach."
"But their reach can be long, so the Temple says." Eiryn added, as she turned down the narrow street that led to the spymaster's apartment. His place was at the end, and Merthisan seemed hesitant to follow. "What's wrong?"
"Who is this man that wishes to speak to me?" He asked her, which was the third time he'd asked her since she arranged this meeting.
"I told you. We're meeting with Caius." She said, for the third time. Eiryn wasn't able to explain anymore more than that, knowing the spymaster would want that privilege. No doubt the swordmaster felt he was being led into a trap.
"No, I meant…who is he? You've referred to him as a 'sugartooth', but who is he to know Feryl?"
Eiryn hesitated before answering; again looking behind her, when something caught her eye. Something dark flitted out of sight just down the street atop one of the squat houses. At first she thought it was a trick of the light, but realized someone didn't want to be seen. She'd only caught a glimpse, but her companion had already noticed the shadow long before she had.
Merthisan's hand touched the hilt of his sword. "You saw it too?" He whispered softly. "He's been following us since we left the Council Club."
Remaining on the rooftops, the shadow would not have been discovered until too late, and with its superior position. He, or she, could move anywhere in the city, even avoiding the city guards. Whoever this was, knew the art of stealth and remaining silent. She couldn't hear a sound from where she knew this person must be. Could this be one of the assassin's guilds or a member of the thieves' guild prepared to rob them?
Merthisan moved a step closer to her. "You should continue on." He spoke in a whisper, his half lit face grave with concern. "I may be able to circle around, to try to deter him-" Merthisan suggested, but a low, menacing chuckle came from behind them. The sound revealed the dark figure had already moved around them, cutting off any means of escape or call for help and had done so without alerting them to movement. Merthisan drew out his blade with one fluid motion, falling into a rigid fighter's stance.
From what Eiryn could tell, this ominous fellow was shrouded in near all uninterrupted black, with mostly his dark cloak concealing his identity. The hood he wore covered his face in shadow, and when he moved in a gentle pacing back and forth manner, it was as if strolling for an evening walk, nothing made a sound. Nor a scuff of a boot against the dirt street, not even a whisper of his clothes interrupted the quiet.
"Merthisan Kendari…" The man's voice spoke low, ominous. Eiryn detected a slight Imperial accent. "What brings you to fair Morrowind?"
"That is none of your concern, miscreant!" Merthisan snapped angrily, swinging the sword in an impressive flourish to illustrate his skill. "Stand down and surrender!"
Unimpressed, the unknown man remained in the half-shadows of the unlit street. His stance paused sideways, the head faced forward, chin tilted low, as if measuring his opponent for weakness. Eiryn could see the glint of steel but little else. The length of the cloak obscured any definition of his weapon or if his other hand might bear a dagger.
"Surrender? Ah, what honor would that be for me to surrender to the infamous Kendari master!" Another low chuckle mocked the offer. "I think not."
"What do you want?" Eiryn barked back.
The shadow chuckled once more, "This does not concern you, woman. My fight is only with this gentleman." The cloak swept back from arms to clear the way for a fight. With all the grace of a dancer, his blade hissed through the air as the man moved into a fighter's stance adding an impressive flourish of his own letting his sword speak of his skills. The blade came to life in his hands, becoming nothing but a blur of steel as it twirled in an intricate spiral. This was no common thief-
Merthisan stiffened at first, frowned, then completely fell out of his fighting position. Eiryn was stunned. Was he forfeiting? Instead of answering the challenge, the point of his sword fell. "Feryl?" He said in incredulity.
A lighter laugh answered him, and the stranger pulled back the hood to reveal Saber's familiar grin. Eiryn gasped, covering her mouth with her hand as if she'd seen a ghost. He was the last person she was expecting to see in the darkened street "Saber-?" Alive? With no sign of Corpus upon him! It couldn't be! She stared in alarm thinking this an apparition. "The potion worked?"
He wore as he'd always worn, but the darkness of the street made everything appear almost black. The darker, more ominous tone shifted to his usual light-hearted voice. It was unsettling how easy he transformed from one person so dark and menacing back to the roguish thief she knew.
Splaying hands, the cocky thief gave a shrug. Before he could give any swaggering comment, she nearly knocked him over in a fierce hug. Laughing, he staggered a few steps before catching their balance. Gods it was wonderful to feel the warmth of his arms around her!
"I've missed you too." He murmured in her ear, just as happy to see her healed from her wounds. After a moment, he turned his attention to the swordsman who was still staring at the both of them, the sword-master's mouth set into a grim line. "What in all the sacred names are you doing in Morrowind, Merth?"
"Trying to find you, you taffer!" Unable to maintain his air of stern warrior, he brightened to extend a hand to clasp forearms in friendship. "I nearly took your head off, you damned fool."
Saber snorted in disgust. "Not likely! Took you long enough to realize it was me."
"I knew we were followed me from the start!" The Imperial retorted. "I just didn't think it was you."
Saber laughed. "How was I to know you've grown so old in just three short years?" He had to jerk back from the playful swipe at his face, having to pull away from Eiryn unless he wanted to be cuffed. "Slowing down as well-" Another swipe, this time closer.
Merthisan gave a warning glare, "We'll see how slow I am after we spar later, you whelp." He promised, determined to beat the smug grin off the elf. "But first, we need to talk. I've come a long way to find you."
The tone abruptly switched to something more ominous, one Saber couldn't ignore. "Now?"
"As soon as possible." He turned to Eiryn. "If you excuse us, I must speak words with Feryl, alone."
She eyed the two, wanting very much to listen to this news, but felt Saber might want to talk to his friend alone first. Master Kendari's tone also indicated his news was of importance. Now that she knew Saber was safe, she could wait. She'd pester him for details later.
"Could you wait at Caius' home? I will be there when I'm finished." Saber told her. He smiled softly, leaned over to touch lips to hers.
"Very well." She reluctantly conceded.
A bit annoyed with his being suddenly secretive, Eiryn knew she had to respect his privacy. Giving him one last hug, just to make sure it was him, she released her grip, to watch the two men disappear into the dark night.
"What is it that you've traveled so far to tell me?" Saber asked his old swordmaster. He hadn't seen his mentor for nearly three years, and the man had changed little. His silver-gray hair fell to his shoulders, matching his gray beard that was kept trimmed close to the jawline. His light eyes still carried the years of knowledge and training he'd accumulated, as well a level of self-righteousness that seemed to focus too often on saving the soul of a particular Dark Elf thief.
Master Kendari had the kind of looks women swooned over, despite his age and what's more, he was so gracious that the ladies would literally fawn over the man. All hand kissing, and manners this one was. Saber had often teased him of how different the two of them were. He was the outlaw thief, whilst Merthisan was the noble paladin. You couldn't get any more comparison, and yet somehow they remained the best of friends.
Merthisan was never considered a fool, nor arbitrary with his decisions. The very fact the man journeyed into Morrowind, already rife with disease, plague, storm, and evil, assured something was terribly amiss back home.
"What's wrong?"
Merthisan said, shifting his gaze around the darkened streets, "I've come to warn you that you're in danger."
Saber had to hold back a laugh, and felt relieved. He started to turn back to Cosades' house. "Merth, when am I ever not in danger?"
"Its Nekros-."
Saber stopped mid step, feeling something grip his heart, shaking him to his soul. "What of him?" Nekros, dead now for ...how long was it…almost twenty years now?
"I believe he's returned."
Merthisan might as well as punched him the face. The solid blow of those words took Saber's senses off track, until he vehemently shook his head. "He's dead." Flashes of memory passed through him of those terrible lifeless eyes staring at the elf boy, the body sinking below the surface of the murky river- "He's dead, Merth."
"Are you sure-?"
"Yes I'm sure." Saber stared at his old friend hard. He'd never told the details of Nekros' death. In fact, Saber had never told anyone, but those who knew him best had a pretty good idea it was the young dark elf that did the assasin in. "Tell me why you think that Nekros is back."
"A man had been tortured…left for dead. He rambled on and on about the man who attacked him." Merthisan wet suddenly dry lips. "He described Nekros."
Not sure what to think of that, Saber stepped back. "Described him?" Anger rose up, no- fear…horrible dread. "Nekros…big man? …Throat gaping open? You mean that Nekros?" Saber could hear the anger and fear mounting in his own voice. "The one I watched sink to the bottom of the king's river? The Nekros that left blood stains from Bower Street all the way to the docks? You mean that Nekros?"
"Feryl!" Merthisan snapped, pulling the Dark Elf into a short ally to lower his voice. "I know what you must think, but the dying man also described his attackers as having a scar on his throat! Isn't that how you'd killed him? He even recognized the tattoo on his hand, by pity's sake!"
"Pity' sake indeed." Saber muttered in agitation, fending off old demons. "Are you suggested a dead man's come back to life? It's not Nekros. An imposter, maybe, or someone trying to imitate him-"
"Perhaps he wasn't dead-"
Saber glared now, not believing…refusing to believe, that Nekros was anything but dead. "Very unlikely." His tone warned the swordmaster his lack of doubt. "The Imperial Guard found his body, Merth. He was cold dead. I dumped the body myself."
The swordmaster nodded, resting his hand on the younger man's shoulder. He had known through the years only part of what the young dark elf had to endure with his old master. Any subject concerning his past often riled the younger man to the point of temper. "Enough, Feryl. I believe you. But I still think whoever this is, may very well be after you. I've come to warn you, that is all." He let his mouth pull into a gentle smile. "And offer my help if you need it."
"Help? Help to keep me out of trouble?" Saber asked him. Wasn't the swordsman always trying to do that? "Or save me from myself?"
"Whatever help you need." Merth patted his shoulder. "How many times have I had to pull your hide from the fires?"
"It hasn't been that many!" Saber rolled eyes. "And I've saved your hide just as many times if not more."
"That you did…" The Imperial eyes glittered in amusement, as if recalling those very times as fond memories.
"And trying to save me from myself doesn't count." The elf added, with a smirk.
"Don't be so sure of that, lad." The man said. His pitch of his voice remained stern. The stance grew stiff and authoritive.
Oh no, here it comes. Saber recognized the tone of his voice, and the auspicious beginnings of a lecture coming full force. The master swordsman set thumbs within his wide belt and rocked on his heels. "Almost five months you've been gone, and no word to us…"
Us… he meant Lyra as well. Memories of the beautiful woman with red-gold hair, and eyes of the deepest blue flashed thru his mind. It struck him hard, conflicting with feelings of the new woman in his life now. They were both exotic, but while Lyra was curves and softness, Eiryn was strength and humor. Lyra had been his first lover, and knew him more than anyone alive. Even more than Eiryn to a certain extent, for the young Imperial woman had met Nekros and knew him for the monster he was. She'd seen the damage inflicted on the elf too often, and knew exactly what that beast had done.
They had been children when he first met Lyra, and now she was grown woman owning the Blue Lady, guiding other women and protecting them from the horrors of the streets, the very horrors Saber had pulled her from by giving her the brothel. She was the one that 'civilized' the wild elf he was back then, even teaching him the nobles' manners, dance, and conduct. Lyra also taught him the finer aspects of lovemaking, but oddly enough their relationship was only that of very good friends. They both knew she wanted to follow the life of a courtesan, and he was a thief. It was enough she was always there for him, and he'd help her whenever she need him.
"How is Lyra?" Saber dared asked.
"Well enough, considering the last she saw of you was being dragged off to prison." Ah there it was, the chiding tone and the lecture soon to come. This time, the thief knew he deserved it. "And its fortunate the Blue Lady was in her name for she'd lost everything with your imprisonment otherwise. The other girls were understandably upset as well. I myself was furious with you. How stupid can you get-"
Saber wasn't listening, having heard this all before. Yes, it was incredibly stupid for him to get caught, and for all Merthisan's lecturing and trying to make the Dark Elf into something of an honorable man, they both knew the thief could've retired. The gods knew he didn't need the money. He had profit enough from the Blue Lady, and always a home there. Why couldn't he just settle down? He had everything a man could want, and then some.
"…and then I learn you're given a full pardon and shipped off to Morrowind of all places, and still no word from you." The Imperial was still spouting. "We inquired of you, but the officials would say nothing. Do you have any idea how much trouble I went through to find you?"
"Why do you suppose that is?" Saber replied in a sarcastic tone. What's more, how was he to even get word to old companions with his trouble here? He couldn't look at the man now, to see the disappointment in his face.
"You tell me." Merthisan grunted in disgust.
Because I'm an old Dunmer hero reborn to save all of Morrowind, that's why! Naturally, he couldn't speak the words. No doubt there was still this veil of secrecy he needed to uphold. How could he explain this to Merthisan? Would he even believe him?
The swordmaster folded arms to throw a very firm glare at his former student. "No answer then? I suppose I deserve no better." He frowned, the brows coming together in a firm scowl. "You owe me nothing-"
"Merth-" Saber began, sick and tired of the endless rhetoric the man so loved to hinder upon him. Guilt was almost choking. He owed this man so much, for training him, offering him friendship. Merthisan was the man that had given him the courage to end his misery with Nekros.
"Neither does Lyra, for all that she'd done for you over the years." The man added.
How this man could smother him with guilt so easily? "Alright!" Saber threw up his hands, and laughed off his unease. "What would you have me do? Tell me now, and I'll do it if it will shut you up!"
An odd smirk curled up one side of the Imperial's mouth, with a twinkle in his eyes. "Feryl, I knew when we first met that you've a good heart. You'd never intentionally hurt what you consider your friends, but you must start taking responsibility-"
What in the name of all that was holy did he spout about now? Saber stared at him hard, "I'm not responsible for anyone but myself."
"And that is my very point-"
"Oh gods…not this again." Saber moaned, rolling his eyes. "Would you have take up the oath of a paladin now?" He made a face, "I carry a lifetime of crime behind me that is not so easily forgiven, and it's just not my nature-"
"I know I know." Merth drawled, waving a dismissive hand "You're not a hero, as you so often told me, yet somehow you end up doing the right thing…most of the time at any rate."
Defeated, the Dunmer shook his head. "What is it, then? What do want me to do?"
"Don't run off." Merth told him. Did the man now read minds? Had he heard how he ran off to Suran, how close he came to losing himself in the back lands of Morrowind? "Finish what you started."
Saber snorted a rueful laugh. If only this man knew what had been started! Perhaps then, he might not be so eager for the thief to remain. "You have no idea what's started here, do you?"
"If it's for the greater good, then you must complete the task set upon you." Merth told him with force. His unshakeable belief in all that was right never wavered. An amused grin spread over his face. "What sort of mischief have you been up to now, anyway? And how in the Nine Hells did you get cured of Corpus?"
Pushing concerns of Nekros...or whoever this was, aside, Saber shrugged. "I'm not exactly cured." He told him, "As for the rest of this mess I'm in, that is a very long story best told over a very large mug of beer."
"Well then you're buying." Merth grinned, accepting the offer.
"I must speak to someone first." Saber explained.
"Ah yes, this Caius fellow." The man smiled. "I was being led by that lovely young woman to meet with him before you interrupted us."
Saber frowned. What the-? Why would she be taking him to see Caius for? "Then you might as well come with me then." He muttered, curious what the spymaster had in mind for Merthisan.