Chapter Two: Safieya

The infant came into the world on the cusp of two moon phases. When she arrived her eyes opened, shining as brightly as the great moons themselves. They gazed into those of Zan'ir, her father, with the wisdom of a thousand-year-old Mer. He loved her the second he saw her and every moment after. Her skin was smooth, her hair shiny and her eyes were big and beautiful. His daughter became his whole life, everything he lived for. She took after her mother in every sense, and Zan'ir knew her life was one blessed by the Gods, the Ja-Kha'jay, and their very universe. Her parents decided to give her a human-inspired name: Safieya. Neera, her mother, said that it reminded her of a beautiful moon chant in Ta'agra, the language of the Khajiit. As she grew up, Safieya looked like a beautiful Breton with strong elven ancestry, and her magical abilities reflected this. She was adored by everyone with whom she came into contact, men, mer, and beast alike. Some of her many cousins and siblings envied her, but others doted on her just as much as her parents. While she was still a child, Safieya's youngest sister Tiira was killed by a Terror Bird, one of the many dangers stalking Anequina's harsh desert wilderness. Safieya's elder siblings, twins, witnessed their youngest sister being dragged off by the predator and were never the same again. After Tiira's death, not wanting to return to Southern Elsweyr, Zan'ir and Neera decided to leave for a new life in Reaper's March…

4th of Sun's Dawn, 4E05

Safieya

I mopped the deck with a frustrated efficiency. I was slight of figure but tall, and stronger than I looked. I was an Ohmes, although no one would've guessed. I was currently passing for a Breton aboard a ship bound for Windhelm. I had been in fact passing for one since my parents enrolled me in The Imperial City's Arcane University several years ago, and I pulled it off without any trouble. I had been banned from using magic to do my chores by the ship's captain, a Nord. His name was Ulran the Fair, which was laughable to me because he was anything but. Like most Nords he had an unhealthy disdain for magic, banning me and everyone else from using it on his ship. I grumbled and pushed the mop back and forth. I knew that I could get things done much quicker if I could only use my innate magical abilities. But alas, I didn't want to get thrown off the ship. Especially since we were now in Morrowind waters. Suraria, my older sister and one of my Khajiiti companions, nervously shuffled through some papers in the candlelight behind me. My other companion, Shasinn, sharpened a curved blade in the corner. Being a Khajiit in Morrowind was mostly cause for concern due to the Dunmer's former nasty habit of taking the beast races, us and Argonians, as slaves. This had been supposedly outlawed but I wasn't so sure all the elves were on board with that. We had gone past many would-be slaver vessels during our journey, mostly around the northern coasts of Black Marsh.

"Ah! This one smells the putrid scent of slavers," Suraria would hiss and lower herself to the deck. "Do not let them see us!"

My companions and I were Baandari spies. We were aboard The Blue Ghost, a Nordic privateer ship under the guise of a merchant's vessel. It had seen its fair share of bloodshed no doubt and, as of late, had cut into the profits of the Baandari. I had been convinced by Suraria, who'd been more or less estranged from me up until that point, to join their ranks when I was at a loose end. We met up in Leyawiin when I had completed my studies at The Arcane University. After getting quite drunk on mead at an inn, we decided to go for a walk. As we sat under the stars along the banks of the Niben, I confided in Suraria my desire to travel the world. I had mostly grown up in Cyrodiil, raised by a homely Imperial couple named Ysabel and Adamus. They were not my parents, but they were kind, always supporting my dreams and nurturing my magical talents.

Suraria told me about the Baandari, a group of mostly Khajiiti merchants who traveled all over Tamriel. They offer their faction members a wealth of amazing opportunities as well as a tight, friendly comradeship. She said that the Baandari would appreciate my gift in the arts of magic and that we would be welcomed with open arms into their ranks. With that, it was decided that we would travel to a Baandari outpost in Black Marsh and ask their leader about joining them. Before leaving, Suraria enlisted the help of Shasinn, who was a childhood friend of our brother and a mercenary. He never said much, but I felt much safer with him around. The dangers lurking in Black Marsh were too numerous to count.

One Week Earlier.

28th of Morning Star, 4E05

When we arrived at the Baandari Outpost, the man in charge, a Khajiit named Azaril, was arguing with someone about privateers interrupting Baandari activities along Cyrodiil's borders.

"This is an outrage! These privateers can't think for themselves for a single second, yet our profits have been down for close to a month since they've arrived. If things were to continue like this, I just might… What do you want?" Azaril turned to face the trio. "If this is about the goods ordered for the University then I'm sorry, but you'll be waiting a while. The merchant ship from High Rock has been delayed thanks to some no-good, opportunistic, half-witted sea snakes." Azaril spat the sentence out with great disdain, crossing his arms and stamping his foot.

"Oh, this one apologizes, we've caught you at a bad time it seems," Suraria bowed her head and shuffled nervously.

Azaril's face softened. "No need to apologize, cub." He looked from Suraria to Shasinn, and finally, his gaze rested on me. He studied me carefully, his eyes narrowing as he angled his head to the side. "Who are you?"

"My name is Safieya, sir," I clasped my hands and bowed my hooded head.

Azaril's eyes narrowed further and he opened his mouth slightly, revealing his shiny, sharp teeth. "Lower your hood, if you please. I'm having trouble discerning what you are."

I looked at Suraria, who widened her eyes and nodded earnestly. I wasn't sure that it was the right time to reveal everything to Azaril, but I decided to let Suraria take the lead. I lowered my hood, pulling my dark brown, reddish-gold hair out from underneath it, letting it tumble down my shoulders. I looked at Azaril, who seemed to be getting more and more puzzled by the minute. "I'm sorry I have to ask this, but… are you a man or an elf?"

"Neither," I said, smiling faintly. "I am Khajiit, an Ohmes to be precise."

Azaril's jaw dropped. "Khajiit? Truly? You're very tall for Ohmes, and your mannerisms… I've never seen anything like it. I thought you were those Mages College lackeys, Breton perhaps."

I looked at my companions nervously, and Shasinn gave me an encouraging smile.

"Well, I did graduate from Arcane University. But I've left now, and I can assure you that I'm not on University business."

"Oh, my!" Azaril exclaimed, laughing and letting his arms fall to his side. "Where are my manners, my sense of hospitality? Take a seat, and allow one of my assistants to bring you some refreshments. Just through that door, I'll be with you in a minute."

We went and sat down in the room he directed us to, which was surprisingly luxurious. It was adorned with comfortable pillows, expensive paintings, and complex yet elegant furniture. The floor was embellished with soft rugs and silk carpets, the walls with papyrus scrolls depicting all sorts of astrological and heavenly phenomena, from star cycles to moon phases. Oil lamps were suspended from the ceiling on glittery golden chains, throwing off warm, yellow light throughout the room. We sat down around a low, glossy ebony table that held bowls of shiny stones, a tray of adorable cakes, and decadent red candles. The room smelled of sweet, fruity incense. A maid walked in with a tray bearing an assortment of drinks and dishes. There was a pot of tea and some delicate, pink crystal flutes which were filled to the brim with some delicious-looking sparkling liquid. The tray also held plates of fruits, pastries, and sweetmeats, and in its center was an elegant jug with a bejeweled stopper shaped like a selkie. The maid, a pretty Suthay girl with gray fur, placed the tray on the table in front of me.

"Thank you," I said enthusiastically, looking at all the delights on the table before me. The girl looked at Shasinn and smiled flirtatiously. When he returned it, I felt a pang of jealousy. I attempted to brush it off, looking away and staring out the window. Outside I saw some alien-looking plants which made me feel equally uncomfortable, so I brought my gaze down to my lap and sighed. Suraria looked at me with a concerned expression and put her hand on mine. When the maid had finished pouring the tea into 4 mugs she performed a strange little curtsey and gave Shasinn one final look before departing.

A few moments after she left, Azaril entered the room. "Thank you for waiting! I assume everything is to your liking? Oh now, do try some cakes!"

I was quite hungry, so I obliged. I took a plate and served myself a cake as our exuberant host sat down opposite me. I took a bite out of it, and it filled my mouth with a strange, spicy-sour yet sweet flavor… one which was familiar. My stomach dropped.

"These are lovely, what's in them?" I asked, coughing nervously.

"Why, they contain the finest Moon Sugar Tenmar Forest has to offer!"

Oh no. I coughed again and took one of the flutes in an attempt to wash it down… but the drink also contained Moon Sugar. Don't know why I was surprised. I put both hands on the table, looking down and blinking a few times.

Azaril had his elbow on the table. He rested his head on his fist and watched me closely.

"Is she okay?" he asked, nodding his head at me.

"She is… she just doesn't eat much Moon Sugar," Suraria replied, putting her hand on my shoulder and looking at me with concern.

"She doesn't?" he said, laughing with mirth. "Never met a Khajiit with an intolerance to our very own Sugar! Are you sure she's Khajiit? No need to trick me, no need at all."

"She is this one's sister!" Suraria said with exasperation. "She's used to being around men and mer, but this one promises you she's as much a Khajiit as we are."

I leaned forward, taking a mug of tea. "Does this…?" I began, pointing at the mug.

"No, you're alright."

"Thank you." I took a sip of tea, thoroughly enjoying its sweet, creamy texture. I enthusiastically drained it and went straight to pour myself another.

Azaril watched me with raised eyebrows, nodding in humorous acceptance and surprise. "Okay, well… What brings you fine people to a Baandari Outpost?"

"We wish to join the Baandari!" Suraria said with gusto.

Azaril nodded slowly. "Right. Well, I… I guess we could maybe—"

"We are the capable sort, I assure you!" Suraria cried, wringing her hands.

"By Jone and Jode kitten, still your paws. Relax, don't stress yourself. Let's start with some background information, tell me who you are."

"Okay." Suraria took a deep breath. "This one's name is Suraria, and this is Shasinn and Safieya."

"The three S's! I like that. Alright, tell me why you want to join the Baandari. This life isn't for everyone."

Suraria nodded. "We hail from Cyrodiil, and we dream of travel and adventure."

"You can get that without becoming a Baandari Peddler."

"Yes, but… we've felt like outcasts our whole lives, square pegs, black sheep. We want a place where we feel acceptance and belonging, a community of like-minded individuals."

As Suraria spoke, the maid returned with another tray and stood near the door.

"If it's acceptance you seek, well, much of Tamriel doesn't trust the Baandari and we certainly are treated as outcasts depending on where we go. Hammerfell, for example." Azaril examined his claws. "Most of our business comes from the Iliac Bay, Summerset Isles, and Skyrim. You need to have a thick skin while visiting those places, and you'd do well to keep your wits about you. Many romanticize the idea of being a traveling merchant. But it isn't the easiest life, let me tell you… especially for young, inexperienced ja-Khajiits such as yourselves."

"No, b-but we… You see, we…"

"Tell me Suraria, what experience do you have selling and trading? How about pushing wares? Have you interned under a merchant, perhaps worked at a market stall?"

Beside me, Suraria started to panic and Shasinn crossed his arms, shaking his head and smiling wryly with amusement.

"Well, you see, we don't… this one doesn't—"

Things weren't going well. Still in a bit of a sugar haze, I cleared my throat and the whole room fell silent and looked at me.

"Azaril," I began. "I can see that we aren't exactly putting our best foot forward here, but please allow me to attest to our capabilities. We have no experience buying, selling, or trading. But we're smart and quick learners. Suraria is a talented agent and a fine scout, and she's even carried out contracts for the Fighter's Guild. Not the fighting part, mind you, but she's helped out their intelligence network. Shasinn, well, he's not really… he's only here to protect us, but he's a skilled mercenary as well as a former assassin. As for myself, I am very learned in the magical arts, especially in alchemy, restoration, and mysticism. At present time we're at a crossroads of sorts. We know that our skills don't necessarily lend themselves well to merchant work, but the truth is, we want to be around our own kind. We want to see the world, and maybe not just Tamriel either. We have a calling. We want to join you, help in any way we can. Our paths have led us here for a reason, please give us a chance."

I looked down and took a deep breath, closing my eyes and silently praying for strength. Suraria clapped me on the shoulder and beamed at me. I smiled at her and shifted my gaze back to Azaril, who was staring at me.

"Well, I'll be damned. Mysticism, hey? That's one of the less understood schools of magic, even by those pompous elves sitting on their haunches up in Alinor."

"I was born with an affinity for it. Speaking of Summerset, my thesis for the university was on the Psijic Order, which greatly contributed to my knowledge of all things Mysticism. They fascinate me."

"So smart and eloquent. I'd think you were an elf if I didn't know better, Safieya."

There was a knock at the door, and an elderly male Khajiit with fading orange fur entered the room holding a sheet of parchment. He strode over to Azaril, who was eying me carefully. They had a hushed conversation while the maid stacked a few dishes, refilled the teapot (which I was thankful for), and continued to flirt with Shasinn. I ignored it, electing to sip some tea while watching how the bubbles danced in one of the flutes as the sunset streamed in through the window and bathed the shimmering crystal glass in soft, red sunlight. As quickly as he came in, the elderly Khajiit left, closing the door behind him.

"Alright!" exclaimed Azaril, as he slammed his open hand on the table, making us jump. "You lot have definitely intrigued me! Especially you, Safieya. I have a few more questions to ask before we proceed, but I may have just the assignment for you three."

There was a loud clanging sound as the Suthay girl dropped a spoon onto one of the trays.

"Rita, what are you doing? Leave my company in peace, please, and go about your work."

Embarrassed, the maid quickly picked up a tray and exited the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

Azaril glanced at all three of them before continuing. "So, you want to join the Baandari, hey? Fine. I think Safieya here has done a good job of telling me what you all can do for us, so I'll ask each of you this. What do you hope to get out of joining our faction? Suraria, you first."

"This one wants companionship, adventure. She only wants to do what she loves, which is agent work, and have fine drink and good food."

Azaril nodded. "We can use your skills for many things. Of course, it's our job to find the finest drinks and food Tamriel has to offer, and you can bet Rajhin's blade we sample it ourselves. How about you, Safieya?"

"Well, to be honest, I'm hoping my experiences traveling with the Baandari will inspire me. I really want to become an author. I'm writing a book right now actually, on the healing and other alchemical properties of non-plant life. Seeing as a great deal of Tamriel thinks alchemy is nothing but gross plants or fungi, including some of my fellow mages, I thought I'd prove otherwise."

"A writer! Is there anything you can't do? Well, would you be interested in writing an epic, swashbuckling tale of Azaril the Pirate?" Azaril said with a laugh.

"Well, I… I've never written fiction. I only write scientific journals and studies, technical things. Stories aren't really my thing."

"Who says it's fiction, now?" Azaril tried to sound serious, but his smile betrayed him. "Well, then. Hopefully, you can have an adventure so great that it inspires you to write about it."

Azaril turned at last to Shasinn. "My dangerous friend, who has yet to say a word. How about you?"

Shasinn cocked an eyebrow and glanced at Suraria before looking back at Azaril. "Sorry, I'm not here to join your merchant group. I'm here to keep the girls safe as they travel through the Marsh."

"Ah, I see. For how long will you be with them?"

"Well, the agreement was until they were comfortable enough to be without me, ergo when they've joined you. But there's no formal contract."

"So you can speak, and speak quite well. Much like Safieya. You two would make a fine couple. That is if you aren't one already."

Shasinn shot a glance at me, but I avoided his intense gaze as I felt my cheeks go warm.

"Very well, thank you for your time. You three are a motley crew if I ever saw one, and definitely not the type I would usually recruit for the Baandari."

Suraria sat up, gripping the edge of the table with her hand as I turned to look at her. "But, Azaril! We—"

"Peace, ja! I'm not turning you away. I'll allow you to join, pending how you handle the assignment I'm about to give you. You scratch my back, I scratch yours, yes? Now, details. Tomorrow evening a ship will be docking in Soulrest, which is a few days' march south of Gideon but less than 5 hours from here. This ship is known as The Blue Ghost," he said the name of the ship in a slow drawl, his voice riddled with contempt. "It is a rogue privateer vessel, a sore on the horizon, and a flaming thorn in my backside. They've taken down several of my ships, stolen our cargo to then sell themselves, and yet its crew grows bolder still. The activities of the Blue Ghost are illegal at best, but they're good at covering their tracks. Real good. All we need is some damning evidence against them, something that proves they're not the innocent merchants they're fronting as. Sailing with them, you'll eventually end up in Windhelm. Now, the Windelm Guard, I know them well. Captain Ivar and his men are always itching to get someone arrested. Bring the evidence to him, and they'll have the Ghost off of the waters by day's end. Any questions?"

"You want us to perform vigilante justice?" I asked quizzically. "I don't think we're the right ones to be dealing with this. We'll end up dead."

Suraria whizzed around to face me, a comical expression of shock on her face.

Azaril clasped his hands in front of him. "No, you won't. Look, we've intercepted some crew members who are supposed to be joining them. New recruits, people they're expecting. All you have to do is impersonate them… simple! They won't expect a thing, yes?"

"Are they expecting three Khajiits?" I said, fluttering my eyes and smiling wryly.

"You don't have the look of the Baandari because you are not Baandari, no? Not yet. You're a mage, surely you can think of something?"

I frowned, considering what to do. "I may be able to brew us something, sure, and Illusion magic isn't exactly my forte but I can probably trick people into thinking we're not Khajiit, providing they don't look too close. It's risky though, not to mention we don't know the first thing about sailing or privateering."

"I'll pay you handsomely, give you some land, and you can join us. Not at the bottom, either, I can assure you." Azaril pulled a swollen bag out of… somewhere. He put a handful of its contents, precious gems, on the table before us. Suraria's eyes lit up when she saw them. "Whatever you want. I just need this dealt with, and you three are perfect for the job. I'll give you some time to discuss, I'll be back in five minutes. Please, help yourself to more food."

After he left, Suraria tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned to her.

"Fee! This is perfect!"

I sighed. "This isn't exactly the kind of thing we were aiming for. We wanted to join the Baandari, sell goods, and travel. Not bring down a crew of criminals."

"We wanted adventure! This is so much better than getting paid a pittance pushing wares to stuffy elves and stuck-up men who think they're better than us."

"Suraria!"

"You don't have to deal with their racism as this one does, you look like them, and are half Breton to boot. Trying to make it in their lands is tough for Suraria."

I heard a noise from outside the door but quickly dismissed it.

"I thought you wanted to travel," I said, sighing again and cradling my head in my hand. "If you're that bothered by racism, we can return to Elsweyr. I'll start my alchemy book by traveling through our home province and in a few years, I'll see if I can do some work for The College of Whispers or AU and travel that way."

"Saffy, don't be boring," Suraria said with a purr.

"Hey!"

"Don't you want to take risks, live a little? Make some money, real money?" Suraria waved a gem in my face, and I swatted her hand away.

"Oh, so that's what this is about. Fine. Let's go. But don't say I didn't warn you. Before long you'll remember what a house cat you are, and you'll beg me to do something to get us out of there." I straightened my robe and flicked her side-eye, before reaching across for a sweet which I put down carefully in front of me, and poured myself another cup of tea.

Suraria hissed at me and crossed her arms.

"Watch your tongue, man-cat. You won't be able to fight this one full of sweets and tea. Your weakness always was your love of food."

I looked at her hard, trying my best not to show how hurt I was.

"You may be stronger than I, but what's brawn against brains?"

"Are you calling this one dumb?" Suraria said, hissing again. "You're smart but you're even more of a house cat than Suraria is. You're not much more than a naive little girl."

Shasinn made a tsking sound as I leaned away from Suraria holding my mug. "I don't miss having to deal with sisters," he said.

Suraria then turned on him. "Ah yes, and you. All you're good for is flirting with women, you haven't done a thing to help us here today. Why don't you run off with that maid Rita, or whatever her name is, this one is sure we'll do fine without you."

Shasinn stared at her in silence before looking away without responding.

I shook my head, putting the mug I was holding down and tucking my hair behind my ear.

"Come now, let's not argue. I'm sorry Suraria, I shouldn't have insinuated you were dumb. We need to put our heads together and be on the same page, we cannot be at odds right now. We also need Shasinn. We can't part ways with him yet, you know that."

"Hardly. You just want him around because you like him. But he doesn't like you, nor has he done anything to help us."

A wave of nausea hit my insides as they both stared at me. I could've died from embarrassment at that moment, but I forced myself to recover quickly and composed myself.

"We haven't run into any danger," I said simply. "Lucky for us. Let's not tempt the forces of Oblivion to change that." I stared at Suraria as she widened her eyes in fear.

"You're right. This one is sorry," said Suraria, bowing her head. I knew that'd work, Suraria was a superstitious woman.

I smiled in acceptance. "It's fine. I have some ingredients I can use to make a potion that can make us invisible if need be, as well as an Illusion spell to disguise you two as men. We can do this." I nodded in affirmation, trying to convince myself as much as them. "We can do this."

"So, it's decided then? We're going?"

I sighed, smiling. "All aboard the Blue Ghost. Windhelm, here we come me hearties."

Suraria broke out in a fit of laughter as Azaril entered the room, still giggling as he sat down.

"Glad to see you're enjoying yourselves," he said, watching Suraria as she wiped tears from her eyes and failed to compose herself. I clasped my hands in front of me on the table and sat up straight.

"We accept this assignment. Once we've concluded business in Windhelm, we'll—"

"Meet me in Winterhold," Azaril interjected, clapping his hands happily. "Where we'll sort out your payment and formally welcome you into the Baandari."

"I'll be leaving at that point," said Shasinn, looking up. "I'll return to Cyrodiil from Windhelm. Don't worry about paying me, I'll do this as a favor to your brother. After all, I've apparently done so little it doesn't warrant a payment anyway." He glared harshly at Suraria, whose ears drooped as she look at him with sad guilt. My heart fell at his words. I had secretly hoped that he'd stay with us.

"Well, I look forward to seeing you in Skyrim soon! You may stay in the dormitories here tonight, and take as many supplies as you need in the morning. Thank you for doing this. Rita will show you to your room," said Azaril warmly.

As we got up to leave, Azaril got my attention. "Hopefully this little escapade will inspire you to write a great epic tale of adventure, love, and misfortune! The greatest tales are meant to be told, and the greatest of those yet are those based on truth, not fiction."

I smiled at his enthusiasm. "Maybe one day."

29th of Morning Star, 4E05

The next morning we were hurried out the door by Azaril, who didn't want us to miss our chance to board the Ghost.

"I hope you have all you need, but not too much! You don't want to be weighed down. Stick to the roads, travel quickly and quietly. The beasts of Black Marsh aren't the friendly sort let me tell you."

Suraria looked back uneasily as we walked away from the outpost and a grinning Azaril, who was waving at us enthusiastically.

"Tsk, this one wishes Azaril would keep his fun facts to himself," she said.

"Don't worry. We'll be sticking to the coast, most of the Marsh's dangerous wildlife is further inland. Please keep an eye out for interesting fauna, fungi and flowers though, I need to start collecting and documenting them for my book," I said as I readjusted what I was holding.

"Ah yes, this one wi—… wait, you said most dangerous wildlife. Is there anything we might come across on the beach?"

I bit my lip and leaned my head back in thought. "Well, Wamasu have been known to hang out in coastal areas, but I'm sure it's fine."

"What's a Wamasu?" Suraria's voice quivered, and she looked over at me in concern.

"It's just a lizard, no big deal."

"How big is it?"

"Big enough to see it coming."

"Argonians are lizards and they're as big as Suraria. Is Wamasu bigger than Suraria?"

I grimaced. "I mean, kind of…"

"Safieya!"

"He, you wanted adventure! What could be more adventurous than a giant electric lizard?"

"A what?!"

"Well, if we kill one we could harvest its organs which are luminescent and have a variety of uses. Oh if you happen to see a nest actually, let me know. I can use their eggs to make a very potent levitation potion."

As we made our way along the coast, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being followed. I looked back often but never saw anything.

"What's wrong?" asked Shasinn after a while. "You seem on edge."

"I feel like we're being watched."

Shasinn looked behind us before scanning the thick branches of the nearby marshland. "We probably are."

"What? By who?" I asked, panic rising in my voice.

"Black Marsh is full of assassins and agents. Shadowscales and Morag Tong have eyes everywhere in these parts. You're new to the Marsh, they'd be interested in you."

"Are they a threat to us?"

Shasinn's piercing blue eyes locked with mine before he closed them nonchalantly and shrugged. "I don't believe so… unless someone wants us dead. We'll reach Soulrest in a few hours, don't stress out about it."

I nodded, but then frowned. "Wait, you said I'm new to the Marsh. Aren't you as well?"

He pulled at one of the beads adorning his short, black dreadlocks. "What, Suraria never told you?"

"Suraria never told you what?" called out Suraria, who'd strode ahead after learning about the Wamasu. She tossed her head over her shoulder upon hearing her name and stood there with a hand on her hip.

"That I was part of the Morag Tong."

"Ah. These details are not important, Suraria told her you were an assassin. Why does this matter?"

I thought carefully. "I guess it doesn't. But we promised full transparency. You said he was a former assassin, and you don't just leave the Morag Tong."

"I didn't leave. I was kicked out," Shasinn snorted. He turned away from us and continued walking along the beach.

Suraria and I stared at him.

"Did you know this?" I asked Suraria.

"This one knew he had left, but not that he was expelled."

"Looks like we know about as much about him as we did about Vijarad. Our brother certainly had his fair share of secrets, most of which he takes with him to his grave."

Suraria nodded solemnly as we began to follow Shasinn, continuing our journey along the beach.

It was early evening by the time we arrived in Soulrest. The Blue Ghost wasn't set to arrive until after nightfall, so we had a few hours to kill. The port town was a bustling place full of activity. Argonians walked past, glaring at them as they carried and pushed cargo. The breeze had a humid thickness to it and a heavy mist hung low in the air. I looked out across the waters of Topal Bay to see if I could see Elsweyr, my heart fluttering with excitement at the prospect. I squinted my eyes against the setting sun, and I made out the Quin'rawl Peninsula some way off in the distance. I smiled when I saw it. When I was an infant, my father had taken me there. Even though I was very young I could still remember the colors and the opulence. Suraria elbowed my arm and cleared her throat, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"We should get indoors, let's not loiter around here. Shasinn tells this one there's an inn nearby," she said.

Shasinn nodded and gestured with his arm. "This way."

Not far from the port was a small tavern. Above the door hung a rusty sign which read "The Silver Albatross". It swayed heavily in the cold wind, creaking ominously. I felt nervous about going in, so I stayed close to Shasinn. But once he opened the door and we walked in, all my fears were dissolved. Inside was warm and cozy, a stark difference to what the tavern looked like on the outside. People crowded around the bar and sat at tables, laughing, talking, and drinking. The patrons were mostly Argonians, but there were also Khajiit and Dunmer. To my shock, they all seemed to be getting along. I looked at Shasinn questioningly, who smiled at my bemusement. "These are sea folk, a different breed to what you're used to. The only problem these people have with each other is which one of them's going to buy the next drink. Take a seat, I'll bring you something to eat."

I watched him as he walked over to the barkeep, who definitely seemed to recognize him. I sat down at a table next to a window with Sura. As we sat down, another person entered the tavern. They had their hood up so I couldn't discern who it was, but there was something familiar about how they moved. I brushed it off and readjusted my own hood as the strange person sat down at the bar. I turned my attention to the window, which gave us a view of the below port as well as thick, twisted trees which led off into the Marsh. I thought I saw something move on one of the gnarled tree branches and shuddered. I really didn't like these lands. I took out the notes I'd made on all the plantlife we'd seen so far as well as a small, personal mortar & pestle to distract myself, and started on the invisibility potion I was sure we'd somehow need.

"Tsk, this one hates Black Marsh, it is not a place for Suraria. Too many bugs," said Suraria as she watched what I was doing, slapping a flying insect off her arm. "The sooner we get on the waters, the better."

"At least we can see when the boat arrives from here," I replied.

"Oh yes, we… what does the ship look like?"

"Well, I… wait." I looked up at her and narrowed my eyes.

We stared at each other for a few seconds before slamming our fists on the table in unison.

"Dammit Azaril!" hissed Sura.

"Shasinn!" I called out over the din of the tavern, as two of the men from a nearby table approached us.

"You ladies look like you need a drink," one of them, a bulky Argionian, said silkily. He sat down next to me and leaned in as I tried to shift away. "Oh, you're pretty."

"We don't need a drink, thank you though. We're not staying long."

"You sound educated. Smart and pretty, what a combination," he said, sliding his tongue across his upper teeth.

I grimaced at him as Shasinn was approaching. He looked from me to the Argonian as he put the two dishes he was holding down on the table.

"Is this guy giving you trouble?" Shasinn asked gruffly.

"This doesn't concern you, cat. Get your own woman."

Shasinn's sharp, blue eyes narrowed. "She is my woman, did you not see us come in together?"

My heart skipped a beat as I heard him say that, and I smiled at him. Shasinn avoided my eyes as I tried to search his.

The Argonian snorted and turned his attention to Suraria, who glared at him. "So this one is second choice, eh? Tsk. Don't even try it."

"Leave them both alone," Shasinn said. "Now move away from the table, we don't have time for this."

"You can't have both of them, don't be greedy," said the Argonian, as he stood up to square off against Shasinn.

"Oh no," I squeaked, knocking my quill and notes off the table as I leaned away. I looked around for my mortar and pestle, and gasped as my elbow collided with something hard. It crashed to the ground, catching the attention of everyone nearby. The Argonian took advantage of Shasinn's momentary distraction, pulling his fist back and punching Shasinn hard. Shasinn recoiled, falling to the ground. He glared up at the Argonain, wiping blood from his face. Leaning on his arm, he returned to his feet.

"Walk away. I assure you, you won't win this fight," he said darkly, addressing the Argonian.

The Argonian grinned. "No?" He took another swing at Shasinn, who reached up and stopped his arm with ease. The Argonian tried to break free but squirmed when Shasinn tightened his grip around his wrist, falling to his knees and crying out in pain.

"Hey!" yelled out someone from the bar. "I know that Cathay."

"Tong," hissed a man next to him. "You idiot, Claw. You just picked a fight with an exiled assassin."

The color seemed to drain from Claw's face as a Dunmer, one I thought to be a male, stood up. "Bar fight!" she screeched happily, holding up a beer high.

"No!" yelled the bartender as the whole tavern exploded with the sound of cheering.

"Dark moons," said Suraria, hissing at a nearby Bosmer, who put his hands up defensively, and grabbing a hold of me as I struggled to pack away my parchments and quills. "We need to get out of here, Saf."

As we made our way to the door, I tried to see Shasinn but everyone had crowded around him.

"Shasinn!" I called his name and struggled against Suraria's hold on me.

"Ziss! This one has seen Shasinn fight, he can handle himself."

We waited outside for a few minutes. I sat on the ground and watched the door worriedly and Suraria leaned against a post on the deck, shaking her head the whole time. The door flung open suddenly and the barkeep had both Claw and Shasinn by the collars of their tunics. The huge Nord pushed them both out, glowering and dusting off his hands.

"Don't you two think about coming back here, unless it's to pay me for all those broken glasses, ya hear?" he said, nodding curtly and going back inside.

Claw, who was very badly beaten up, quickly fled the scene while looking back at Shasinn in fear.

"Well," snapped Suraria. "That was well done."

"What was I—"

"It doesn't matter, we've got bigger problems. One of them being we need to board a ship, a ship we've never seen before or have any clue what it looks like because we weren't told! Ziss!" Suraria sat down on the deck and covered her head with her hand.

Shasinn looked down at her with narrowed eyes. "Well, it can't be—"

At that moment, the door to the tavern swung open and the strange figure I noticed earlier walked out and stood over Suraria.

"So," they said in a low, gravelly voice. "You're wanting to board The Ghost?"