Well, there's nothing like a little mage drama to give a guy something to think about on the long trip back to Seyda Neen. As I just found out, the silt striders have been moved to safe cover, so I can't use one of them. And since the closest Mage's Guild to Seyda Neen is in Balmora, it wouldn't help to use a guild guide. This means I get the opportunity to walk there. Huzzah!

For the most part I'm prepared. I have everything that I need, and it's not a terribly long journey, so I should be just fine. As I head out though, I notice a big problem; the Odai River flooded and took out the bridges. This means I'll have to swim across. I sure love my luck. So I get in, and it's freezing cold. Naturally. I swim across about halfway when I notice something at the river bottom. Intrigued, I dive down to fetch it. As I come back to the surface, I notice it's an amulet. A very rare one. Figuring it'll sell for some good cash, I pocket it for later trading.

I get across the river, and continue to make my way to Seyda Neen. As I pass Fort Moonmoth I noticed the champion, Larrius Varro, outside swinging his blade at a tree. He was always an odd fellow. Ignoring him, I go through the Foyada, killing a couple annoying rats, and head out on the Ascadian Isles toward Seyda Neen. I really love this road. It's always so beautiful, and well-kept, and peaceful. And now with the rain, it looks even more beautiful, even calming in a sense. That is, as long as I keep my eye off of the skeletons and guars guarding the tombs and egg mines around here.

After walking some distance I run into Pelagiad, a town off to the side that I remember visiting once in my travels. It's a relatively peaceful town, thanks to the fort built right behind the settlement. However, I smell something odd, something gross, something...burning...

Once I actually think things through and realize it's a fire, I run down to where I caught the smell. I look at every house on the way. The Halfway Tavern: it's alright. The Armorer's: it's fine. But then I see it, way behind the other buildings. Ahnassi's house! She's a friend of mine from here who told me to look into some things for her. I never did though, mainly because she offered no payment. I'm not an errand boy, for Almsivi's sake.

I have no clue how to put out the fire. And for some reason, the rain only fuels it further, making everything ten times more dangerous. Even the guards of the town, who seem to have immunity to the storm as well, are dashing around the house doing anything possible to put it out. I catch a resident of the place, Ra'Kasha, hiding under some kind of shelter outside, and ask him what happened.

"Ra'Kasha does not know. Poor Ahnassi, poor Khajiit. Starts fire when she cooks, I think. Someone must save poor Ahnassi!"

Eugh. I never liked having to figure out what the hell Khajiits were talking about. All I understand is that Ahnassi is definitely inside. Looks like I'll have to save her, since everyone else is either cowering in fear, running around screaming their heads off, or (in the Imperial guards' case) trying to fight the flames with their swords. Come now, even I'm not that foolish.

I step closer, trying to plan out how I'm going to save Ahnassi, when a flame licks up and strikes me in the face! I get knocked back, but as I find out a second later it was only out of shock that I fell down! The flames didn't harm me at all! This armor must be immune to all the elements then. I really should thank Danrys for this.

Alright, time to move. I charge in, not stopping for a second, and notice Ahnassi in a corner. She instantly lights up when she sees me and calls out for my help. I scream, "Don't worry, Ahnassi! I'll get you out of here!" I rush over to grab her, but stop when I realize I can't get her past the flames. Hmm. That's when I notice that the corner she's huddled in is quite weathered down from the fire. I walk over there.

A few good whacks with my sword, and CRASH! The corner quickly becomes a pile of burning rubble. I grab Ahnassi and head outside. As I do, I'm greeted by the champion of Fort Pelagiad, Arnius Belarus.

"You've saved her! Tremendous job, fellow Imperial!" he shouts with a highly professional tone of voice.

"It was no problem, sir." I reply modestly.

"Haha, as if! You're a hero, son! We could use a good warrior like you in the Imperial Legion!"

"No thanks," I decline. "Your Legion wouldn't agree with my rules."

"I see. You're a mercenary, then. At any rate, thank you for saving Ahnassi. Is there anything you want, anything at all?"

"I'd just like to stop this dreaded rainstorm. Don't worry though, I'm working on it."

And that's when it hit me: Ahnassi! She has no protection against the storm! I whip around wildly, trying to find where she went.

"Ah, do not worry about young Ahnassi. We have taken her to shelter. She will not be harmed by the foul storm. And don't you worry about putting out that fire; I shall have my troops do that. Farewell, and thanks again." Belarus gives me a rough grin and heads back to the fort. Well, that was a bit exciting, but it's about time I found that ring.