Feryl heard the door open and lifted his head off of the pillow. He'd fallen asleep as the day had grown to a close. The day's events had worn him out but not so much due to the physical work, but the drain on his emotions. Feelings were not something he pondered until coming to this place, and he found the whole process exhausting.

Merthisan's body framed the open doorway, still dressed in simple tunic and breeches. The tension he had shown before was now gone, even the lines in his face had softened. The boy, however, knew all too well how quickly moods could change, and that he did something wrong. Doing something wrong meant punishment. He scrambled off the bed to stand in the center of the room. There, with head bowed, he waited.

Master Kendari frowned at his behavior, not understanding. "At ease." He told him, thinking the boy behaved as a solider in the Legion. When he approached Feryl, he couldn't help but notice the closing of his eyes behind a fall of unkempt hair, the stiff posture, and the subtle tension of his slim figure lost in the clothes too big for him. Dawning realization made him gasp. He thinks I'm going to hit him?

"I'm not here to beat you, Feryl." He said softly. He rested a hand on the boy's shoulder and felt him flinch. "We don't beat our students here."

Feryl turned slightly, daring to look up at the Imperial and was startled to see the man was serious. What's more, the man had no intention of harming him. "But you were …very angry." He said.

"Fighting in the hallways of the school is unacceptable, for whatever reason." Merthisan motioned for him to sit on the bed as he explained. "If you had a problem with them, you should've challenged them-"

"But I-" The boy shut his mouth, realizing he interrupted and braced for a strike that never came. Merthisan simply waited for him to finish. "I didn't want to fight…"

"I know." The swordsman nodded. He moved to sit next to him, blowing out a weary sigh. "Lyra told me what happened earlier today. Those two cubs are a bit too eager for a fight, and I'm afraid I am to fault for that."

Feryl couldn't believe the swordmaster was admitting to a responsibility for the confrontation.

"We do not teach our students to behave in such a manner." The older Imperial continued. "And we certainly do not condone intolerance against another due to their race. Their prejudices are pretty ingrained however."

"Prejudice…." Feryl had never heard of the word before. "What does that mean?"

"It means to hold pre-conceived beliefs over someone because of race, or their religion. Some prejudice is over being poor or rich, or even man or woman." Merthisan tried to give the short version, but the boy looked confused. "Its like saying all Khajiits are thieves, or all Nords are drunk."

"Khajiits are thieves?"

"No Feryl, but that is my point. Of course not all of them are, but someone who is prejudice would think so. "

"So not all Dunmer keep slaves?"

"Not even in Morrowind." Merthisan assured him. "The Dunmer are a proud race and wish to uphold their own laws to maintain their identity. When the Empire sought to invade Morrowind, their leaders agreed to an Armistice. This allowed them the right to conduct laws outside of Imperial's governing. But laws change. People change. Even in Morrowind, I hear, some people are hoping to see the end of enslavement. Dunmer, who do not support, nor own slaves."

The words settled some of Feryl's doubts, but he had so many more questions and yet not the words to ask. He sat quiet, ruminating on what was told to him. After a few moments, he spoke in a soft, almost timid voice. "Are you angry with me for what I did?"

Merthisan gave another soft sigh, rubbing the stubble on his chin. "No Feryl…no. I'm not angry with you. You defended yourself. I'm angry with Ma'dat and Jo'rak though. I'm afraid I must expel them now, and Renis is not happy about losing students." He shook his head, "I knew he didn't press upon them a sense of honor or duty, but hopefully we can all learn from this."

The elfling swallowed back fear, but had to know. "So you're not sending me away?"

Blue eyes widened as the swordmaster blustered in surprise. "Send you-? No lad, of course not!" The man shook his head vigorously. "You can stay here. This is your home now."

Something tightened in the elfling's throat. Home…such a small word but held so much in meaning. Most of which, he knew so little about.

"And you are not angry with me?" Feryl wondered why cared, but he did.

"No…no of course not. I was angry about the fight. Fighting outside the practice room is not allowed. Understand? You have problems with the students, you let me know."

The boy nodded, and felt a wave of relief spread over him. He was staying. Furthermore, Master Kendari wanted him to stay. He never had sense of belonging before.

His stomach rumbled noisily from missing dinner.

The swordmaster gave a chuckle. "I trust you can find your way down to the kitchen and get something to eat?" He continued at another nod. "I have to walk little Miss Lyra home before her mother worries." Blue eyes twinkled with unknown emotion to the elfling. "And she tells me you've done a great job in my room. Now I can stretch my feet. She also tells me you can read?"

The chin lowered in another tentative nod, unsure if such things were allowed.

"Help yourself to the books whenever you want." Merthisan stood up to get ready to leave. "And if you can read to Lyra, I would appreciate that. The girl never gives me a moment's peace about stories."

Lyra's enthusiasm for the stories jumped in his mind, and Feryl gave a light laugh to what the man meant. She was a very insistent girl for something she wanted. "I think I would like that."

"Good. Now be sure to get some rest. You have lessons in the morning." The swordmaster gave a warm smile before he left, leaving Feryl feeling better than he had in a long time.

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Finding leftover bread and cold meat, Feryl ate the sparse meal quickly. The meal was not to the extent of what Lyra had made him for the past few weeks, but the simple fare was something he was more accustomed to. He cleaned up the mess he'd made, taking dishes to the sink. Washing the knife, he felt odd being alone in the large school, or what he thought was alone. When a sudden sense of presence came up from behind, he nearly jumped out of skin.

Spinning, Feryl drew up the knife he was washing, splashing water on the floor and facing a stoic master Renis. He stood no more than a foot away. The man didn't flinch, pointedly staring at the blade then back to him.

"Cat-like reflexes." An eyebrow rose up in question. "Impressive."

"I thought you had left…" Feryl stammered, feeling embarrassed for having almost knifed the teacher. Something about the man's behavior was disconcerting however, and he refused to unarm himself. He wasn't certain to what it was exactly.

Renis had approached without announcing himself. The unblinking stare was unsettling, as was the tight expression on his face. For one needing to read body language quickly and accurately for his survival, the elfling recognized the man was very angry.

"Ah, that's right." The man commented dryly. His temper was tightly controlled, like an arrow knocked and ready to fly. "You know all about our schedules, don't you, little thief?"

"I'm not stealing anything." Feryl affirmed. The kitchen felt suddenly very closed in, and he took a step away from the Imperial.

"I didn't say you were." Countered Renis. The eyes narrowed, flittered down and up as if giving a quick and thorough assessment. The gaze remained a bit longer on the knife still in his hand. "You move very fast….for a thief. Not many pickpockets can take on two trained Khajiits."

The elf was abruptly reminded this behavior was very much like Nekros. The assassin would speak words, yet have something else on his mind. Renis was searching for something, perhaps a confession? Feryl refused to respond. He wasn't even sure how.

"I feel that Master Kendari's trust in you is….misplaced." Renis persistent. "And that little stunt you pulled today cost me two of my best students."

"I didn't want to fight them."

"You could've walked away." The man reasoned, firm in his belief the cubs would allow him to do so. Arms folded over his chest as he sneered openly at the boy. "You steal a highly prized sword, nearly kill master Kendari, and are welcomed into the school. Impressive. But then, all master Kendari sees is a poor street urchin lost in the world."

"I didn't-" Feryl defended the truth, hoping to explain he never meant to hurt anyone, but stopped when the man's darkened like a storm. His anger was barely contained now.

"Merthisan is a forgiving man. I, however, am not." He lifted a hand to point a threatening finger to his face. "I'm watching you. You don't belong here. I can tell you're going to be nothing but a problem to this school. You walk out of line, take one step towards trouble, and I report you to the guards. Understand?"

Uncertain of the threat, Feryl nodded. The city guards would arrest him, regardless of what Kendari would say. The law was the law.

"Very good." Renis straightened. "Now I think its best you return to your room."

Glad to be released, Feryl practically threw the knife in the sink and bolted out of the door. His heart fluttered in his chest. Why did the man hate him so much? Did he have prejudices likes the Khajiits? Did all he see was the dark skin and red eyes? Feet carried him to his room, where he shut the door and crawled into bed.

For a time, the boy felt Renis was only an assistant to Merthisan and of no consideration. Now he knew better. The battle line was marked, and he knew he'd have to watch his step with him. Fear of being reported loomed over his head, and even curling up under blankets did nothing to provide him any comfort.

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Lyra arrived in the early morning hours before the school opened. Her chores were always the same she could do them in her sleep. Stoking the hearth, setting water to boil, and preparing breakfast was always top on her list. She also carried clothes the students sweated through to be washed in the courtyard, to be later hung up to dry. Today she would also have to go to market to buy supplies.

As the girl carried the basket of clothing past the practice room, she heard the distinct sound of dulled blades hitting against one another in mock battle. Pausing in her work, she remained to watch Master Kendari show the elf boy some impressive blocking moves.

Feryl had his hair tied back from his face, with a grim set to his jaw as he parried an attack. The dark gray of his skin contrasted against the light blue of the tunic he wore. Weight filled out his slim frame, with the definition of newly formed muscle taking shape in arms and chest. There was also the slight kindling of self-assurance now that wasn't there before.

He was so different from anyone she'd met. For the past few weeks she recognized his distinctness was just as much his race as was his presence. He was quiet for a boy his age, eager to learn, and the world was so new to him. Lyra smiled as she watched him attempt to slide beneath master Kendari's defenses. The sword had feinted however, clearly showing him that he was an experienced swordsman. He was knocked off his feet and landed in a graceful roll.

When he returned to his feet, he red eyes found hers. Lyra felt she saw a smile, but he soon had to block another strike from his teacher.

"Keep your mind on the blade, boy." Merthisan warned him, "You can't let a pretty girl distract you." He added a series of forceful swings of his blade, beating the elfling further back from the center of the practice area. The consecutive strikes caused him to lose ground, backing him into a corner. "You're letting me tie you up, Feryl."

The dark elf looked frustrated now, dropping to the floor to roll quickly to the right. He bowled himself to his feet once again, spinning to block another slice of the blade, and returning to the center of the mat.

"Better." Merthisan smiled. "Now take the offense."

Feryl knew Master Kendari was giving him a deliberate opening, and took advantage. A quick thrust was blocked, so he spun to find his opponent parry that strike as well. He simply couldn't find an opening the man couldn't deflect.

"What am I doing wrong?" He gritted words through his teeth.

"Your letting me anticipate your moves." Came the answer. Merthisan stabbed fingers to point at his eyes. "I can see every move in your face. Guard yourself, but this time let your body decide the right move."

He had to admit, he knew he was telegraphing moves to show Kendari he knew how to do them right. The sword also felt heavy and sluggish compared to the grace of a knife, and he was getting tired. He also wasn't using any of the underhanded tricks Nekros had taught him. This training exempted such methods as Merthisan had told him the first day of training.

Unsure of this tactic to guard his moves, Feryl sucked in a deep breath. He calmed his frustration, and readied his stance. He slipped his face into a mask of no emotion he had learned with facing Nekros. Ignoring the weariness of muscle, the boy flashed forward and swung high. As soon as the blade was blocked, he dropped the point low, then to the side in quick succession. Each blow expectantly averted. He then used his body and spun low, twisting the sword to slash high.

The move was a surprise to Merthisan, who barely caught the blade in time. A wide smile spread over his face, and he backed up to indicate the end of the lesson. "Very good" He said with a pleased nod. "You learn quickly."

Gratification swept over Feryl like a drug, and he couldn't help but smile. He gave a respectful bow. "Thank you, Master Kendari."

"That will be all today." The Imperial slapped him good-naturedly on the back. "I'm sure Lyra has things for you to do now."

She gave him a thumbs up sign and grinned. "Maybe today you'll dare to venture out to the market with me?"

Feryl lost all semblance of guarding at mention of leaving the school. He sucked in a breath and looked nervously to Merthisan. "I'm…not sure."

The swordsman looked reprovingly. "You can't stay in here forever." He told him, "But I will tell you what. I have to stop by the alchemist's today, and you should meet him anyway. Go change, and I will go with you pups to market." Merthisan flashed Lyra a wink. "Maybe we can find some sweetcakes for the both of you?"

She clapped her hands in glee and gave the elf a playful shove to get moving. "Hurry up, Feryl."

Only a moment's consideration had him move towards the bathing room. Inwardly, he had to admit that he was curious to going out into the world during the day. He reasoned that Merthisan Kendari would be with him, in broad daylight, in a public place. Nekros wouldn't dare try anything…right?

This story seems to be taking longer than I expected, but I suppose the readers won't complain…right? Lol This chapter I wanted to further extend into Feryl's psyche, and to stir up a bit of possible trouble ahead. While playing Morrowind, I was surprised at the amount of bigotry all the races had for one another. Some of them I can understand, such as Khajiits and Argonions might have a dislike of Dunmer for the reasons of slavery. And we all know that Khajiits are all thieves, and Nords are all drunks…right?