"Didya have to burn everything?" the commander groused, leaning back against the rock face with a stern expression that almost concealed his apprehension. The sun was beginning to hang low, casting long, cool shadows in the nook where he and Fethis had started out the previous morning.
Teldryn shrugged, crossing his arms as he rested his pauldron on the wall next to the man. "Perhaps not."
"Can you send that thing back now?" he gestured toward Foyagah, who was floating nearby, her heat melting the snow in a circle around her and making the ice weep. The commander glanced up at the top of the cliff where his scouting group stood hostage at the edge, surrounded by the Redoran soldiers. "I'd like to keep as many of my men as I can at this point. With Hert dead, I got no one to pay me so my priority is to get back to Solitude and knock on Aeresius' door. How the fuck am I to do that when you burned the whole damn harbor?"
Teldryn pursed his lips. He had to admit, he also slightly regretted the outcome. Any pertinent missives or evidence that would have shed some light on the real aims of the East Empire Company were now ash along with everything else. "I wonder..." Teldryn studied the man thoughtfully. "What were you told of this enterprise."
"Eh? To keep an eye out for your Aedra-forsaken arses, that's what."
"Nothing else?" Excellent interrogative skills. He might be able to think more quickly if he was not also mentally wrangling Foyagah's pulsing hatred. Should have dragged Fethis down here. He sighed. There was nothing to be done for it now so he pressed on. "Not why they hired your entire company to protect a relatively small operation?"
The commander's eyes flashed, piqued. "You ask me that, after all you've done?" Teldryn resisted the urge to rub the scruff on his chin that was beginning to itch. He would have normally shaved by now but his wrist was still quite tender and he didn't quite trust is off-hand for the whole job. "Maybe I oughtta be asking you what you sneaky elves are protecting? Hm?"
This was going nowhere. Teldryn eased his control over Foyagah, watching the man's eyes widen as the flames of her whip singed the air. "You aren't in a position to be asking questions."
The commander wiped his forehead. "I swear it, elf, I don't know anything beyond that we were to try and keep things quiet and push back any attempts to take the mine from them. Heh, with the job we've done I won't be surprised if Aeresius turns me right out."
It was apparent he wasn't going to get any information so Teldryn subdued the atronach, which took a good bit of effort but he managed to do it without fidgeting. "With the magnitude of your failure, you might be better off cutting your losses." He probably shouldn't needle the man, but the annoyed look he received did succeed in improving his mood slightly. The commander's shoulders sagged as he breathed out the indignance.
"I got nothin' to gain on this rock," he said bitterly. "If I bring my company to the port in Raven Rock can we secure passage to Windhelm?"
"I don't see why not, though it's not my call." Not to mention there was already going to be a flurry of activity with the impending wedding. And he could only imagine how scandalized the council members would be to step off their boat to be welcomed by a band of nord mercenaries. Before his mind could try and process all the ways that could go wrong he refocused and gave the simplest answer he could. "I'm heading back with the old man in the morning, I'll bring your request to Captain Veleth."
"So you'll be leaving your soldiers then?" The commander's eyes traveled up to the ridge behind Teldryn.
"Yes, I think so," Teldryn replied as he cast a glance over his shoulder at the party awaiting the outcome of this little parlay. "They won't be in your way. In the meantime, should you remember anything relevant, the Captain is likely to be more accommodating."
"Aye."
Teldryn raised a hand to signal for the mercenary hostages to be freed. As he watched the first of them descend the rope, he wondered idly if the fires had burnt out in the harbor or if they still fed the dense cloud of smoke that had been encroaching southward. He was going to be accosted with questions when he returned.
"I always wondered what it would take to send Heifnir to Sovngarde."
Teldryn rolled his wrist as he assessed the commander's expression, sensing a hint of condemnation in his voice but unable to tell whether it was for him or the nord. Probably both.
As if it mattered.
Gently...gently... Vanya helped her foot along the stoop, making as little noise as possible as she closed the door behind her. She had guessed right, it was near dawn, the first ripples of light appearing in the distance. If she hurried she might make it to the beach to watch the sunrise- and hopefully before anyone saw her since she was only clad in her sleeping gown. Milore would probably skin her for this but she'd been cooped up for days and it was driving her bananas.
Her mouth watered. She could really go for a banana right now. She whimpered. A banana split.
She focused on Milore's worktable, wincing at the twinge in her back as she put some weight on her leg to complete a rather ungraceful limp. One goal at a time. She inched forward, decidedly not thinking about chocolate-covered pretzels, cherry cordials, gummy bears...
She collapsed onto the worktable with a whine, and not because of her leg. Cheesecake.
Of all things, the main side effect of her weird dreams- aside from avoiding sleep like the plague- was cravings for Earth foods so intense it almost made her sick. Yesterday it had been pizza, cheeseburgers, eggrolls- all things savory and covered in grease. Apparently, today was going to be dessert.
Someone cleared their throat, a distinctive tone that she recognized immediately. Vanya let her head fall to the side to see Bralsa standing nearby with a small basket hung on her folded arms, squinting at her.
"Hey..." Vanya groaned.
"What on Nirn are you doing?"
Vanya propped herself up on her arms. "Absconding." She eyed the basket, the contents covered with a cloth. "What are you doing?"
Bralsa flipped the cloth back to reveal an assortment of foods. "How do you think Rirns survives? Someone has to feed that old fetcher."
Vanya snorted. "He probably doesn't tell you that Niyya drops off leftovers sometimes, I know Milore does, too"
Bralsa tutted irritably. "I thought he was looking a little portly. I almost didn't pack a sweetroll."
"Ooh!" Vanya reached out, flexing her fingers expectantly. "Then let's pretend you didn't."
"Alright," Bralsa chuckled as she handed over the pastry that Vanya eyed like prey. "While you're busy with that I'll drop this off then I'll come back and help you in your escape." Bralsa headed in the direction of the shack while Vanya leaned on her elbows as she licked the icing of the sweetroll, closing her eyes in ecstasy as the sugar melted over her wanton tastebuds. This would do for now. Though I really wish I had some cinnamon.
By the time they made it to the beach, the sun was well on its way over the horizon, a coral diffusion chasing away the lingering twilight. Vanya had her right arm over Bralsa's shoulder as the dunmer led her to the rock they usually occupied, but Vanya halted their progress when she came to a couple of realizations. First, the rock would not be comfortable to sit on and second...
"I need to wash my hands," she said, pressing her sticky fingers together.
"Kinda need to wash your face, too." Bralsa added, licking her thumb trying to swipe it along Vanya's chin.
"Ugh!" Vanya craned her neck to try and get out of reach, but the risk of falling over foiled her attempts and the wet thumb caught her eventually. "Fine," she said, sputtering. "You want to 'mom' me?" She leaned over and rubbed her face liberally on Bralsa's shirt, making it her napkin. Bralsa cackled as her hands made to push away, but unable to do so unless she wanted to send Vanya sprawling in the ash.
"Alright, alright! You win!" Bralsa croaked through her giggles and Vanya relented, laughing triumphantly. After they'd both calmed, they stood smiling at each other for a few moments. A peculiar look crept over Bralsa's features and before Vanya could react, she was pulled into a tight hug. She wrapped her arms around her friend and they stood embraced, speaking through the silence with fervent clinging.
Bralsa relaxed her grip, resuming her position under Vanya's arm, her voice slightly choked as she scolded, "No more sneaking off on your own, alright?"
Vanya could have corrected her in saying she hadn't exactly snuck off into the Hirstaang but she knew what she meant, so she nodded in agreement. "I'll try."
Bralsa helped her to the water, which was a considerable distance since the tide was so low. With some difficulty, Vanya managed to get onto her knees, sinking into the soft ground a little. When the gentle waves drew closer she dipped her hands in, spreading her fingers flat against the cool sand as the undulation of the water pushed and pulled, eerie in its rhythm with her breathing. The roar of the ocean surrounded her as her eyes followed the dappled light on the surface back to the brilliant source, having now completed its ascent to preside over yet another day. The sleeplessness crept over her limbs like a heavy blanket while her heart fluttered from the sugar in her veins. Was it too much to ask, really? To have a moment of true peace?
Her eyes darted to the disturbance in the water a few feet away only a second before the dark silhouette formed underneath. Her hands slipped as she tried to push herself back, luckily being kept from falling in face first as Bralsa hooked around her chest and yanked her back just when whatever it was broke through the surface with a splash.
"That's it!" Bralsa cried, dragging her up the shore. "I'm finding a way to put you inside of a ward!"
Vanya dug in her heel. "Bralsa, wait!"
"Even if you hadn't just nearly had your face bitten off by a slaughterfish..."
She tried to loosen the dunmer's grip on her, squealing, "Wait!"
"If I hadn't been here...what if there was a mudcrab?"
God-dammit Bralsa was not being careful of her leg. "Stop!" The edge of annoyance in her voice finally got Bralsa to listen and look back.
Teeba- Ei was staring at them blankly from the water, still crouched down so that only his head and part of his scaled shoulders were visible.
"Gah, Oblivion take you!" Bralsa spun and put her hands on her hips, releasing Vanya so quickly she had to catch herself on her elbows with an 'oof'. "Just what did you think you were doing?"
He blinked a few times. "Swimming."
"Azura, help me," Bralsa sighed as she slid down to the sand next to Vanya. "I hope you're wearing smalls at least."
"Erm..." He pointed behind them to the rock and they both followed the gesture, seeing a stack of clothes on top that they had not previously noticed.
Vanya flattened out on the ground, throwing her arm over her eyes as she laughed.
"Go on, then," Bralsa said with a grin in her voice. "We won't look."
The dampness of the beach soaked through her nightgown and into the back of her hair as she heard Teeba-Ei leaving the water, followed by squelching under his heavy feet as he made his way to his clothes.
"Tell me you're fighting the urge to peek, as well," Bralsa whispered.
Vanya snorted. "Uh, can't say that I am." Although now that Bralsa mentioned it, she found she was maybe a tiny bit curious.
"Well, he'd better hurry it up or I might just give in."
He really was taking his time. Surely he couldn't have slipped away in embarrassment without them knowing. Vanya nudged her arm down a little, keeping her eyes squinted enough that her lashes would blur out anything if she happened to see something she shouldn't.
"You little liar," Bralsa scolded, taking Vanya's cue and turning to look as well.
He was still there, wearing only his pants and fully absorbed in fiddling with the laces.
"Xuth," he muttered under his breath, shaking out one hand almost violently.
"Really?" Bralsa pushed up to her feet with huff. "Apparently I'm everyone's mother today," she groused as she headed toward the argonian. He eyed her warily as she stood in front of him with her hands opened expectantly.
Bralsa smirked. "There's nothing to be afraid of, Godzilla."
He handed the laces over. "Godzilla is not afraid of small women."
"Alright, fine," Bralsa drawled while she looped the laces around her fingers. "So, I have to ask..." She completed her knot with an exaggerated tug and stepped back, crossing her arms. "Who ties these for you every day anyway?"
"Teeba-Ei does," he said, raising his shaking hands. "It gets worse when Teeba-Ei is..." He looked between them. "...unfocused."
In an instant she saw him in a new light, all the pieces clicking together; the distant looks, chipped scales, the tremors that they'd mistaken for nervousness. Gods, she felt foolish. She'd treated him as if he were some simpleton, a slow gentle giant, completely overlooking that he was a living manifestation of a tortured history that filled the gap somewhere between the Somnalius fern hut and now. If she could get out of her own head for once, she might have picked up on the signs. The change in Bralsa's expression indicated she was coming to a similar kind of conclusion, her posture stiffening as she curled her arms tighter as if to hug herself.
"Where did you say you came from?" she asked, a strange agitation in her voice. Not quite defensive, but that was the closest Vanya could place it.
"Bogwater, on the Topal Bay."
"So nowhere near Morrowind. I would have thought you far too young anyway." Bralsa's shoulders drooped in relief. "Though I've heard of some who still practice the old ways."
"Grandmother spoke of the old ways," he nodded as if the two of them had just come to an agreement, then the edges of his mouth stretched into a slight grin. "But Teeba-Ei has never met a dunmer who needed to be feared."
Bralsa huffed, "Not for you, I bet." She stepped back from him, motioning to her recent handiwork. "And if you ever need help again..." She even had the gall to wink. "You know who to ask."
Bralsa picked up Teeba-Ei's shirt and tossed it to him and Vanya shifted on the ground, completely confounded by that tense exchange that somehow ended up with...flirting? With Teeba-Ei? Fine, she could admit that if she disregarded his- lizard qualities- he had a pleasing physique. If one were into towering beefcakes, that is. Covered in scales. Do those go everywhere? She averted her eyes as he pulled his shirt on, the irony of it not lost on her that she'd been staring at him half-naked for who knows how long. As she wondered where the madness would end, a new discomfort made itself known in the form of wet sand creeping up her gown. It had really been a stellar sunrise.
She grimaced when she heard her name in a shrill tone coming from the direction of Milore's house. The elder woman was charging toward them, still in her own nightgown with bare feet slapping on the ground.
"What is going through your mind? You're filthy!" Milore shrieked. "You!" She pointed at Bralsa. "You should know better than to let her come out here. What if there were mudcrabs?"
Bralsa scoffed, "When's the last time you saw a-"
"And you!" She rounded on Teeba-Ei, after a moment her accusing finger beginning to wag slowly, her eyes narrowing inquisitively. "What's your name, again?"
Vanya stared up at Milore in disbelief. He seriously says it every other word...
"Godzi- ehm" He caught himself. "Teeba-Ei."
"Right, Teeba-Ei. I need you to carry her back to my house."
Vanya started to roll over to push up onto her knees. "He doesn't need-
"Hush!" Milore barked. Okay, she's mad. "You shouldn't have walked this far to begin with!"
The elder woman's icy glare darted between, freezing them in place until Bralsa nudged Teeba- Ei. "Go on."
Under Milore's imperious gaze, Bralsa helped Vanya stand and climb into Teeba-Ei's arms, tucking in the edges of her nightgown to save at least a little bit of dignity. His hands were still trembling but the rest of him was solid enough, feeling more like being carried by a walking tree than a person.
She cringed upon seeing people out and about who were eyeing the curious group on their approach. Ugh, Milore is right. What was I thinking? Her skin prickled and she squeezed her eyes shut to pretend she wasn't being absolutely humiliated. Teeba-Ei smelled like the ocean and seaweed. Mossy, damp, slightly sour. Green. A sudden terror gripped her stomach and her body demanded that she squirm away from him, the feeling of his solid mass making her want to peel off the parts of her that touched him. She couldn't, it was a long fall down and she would not be able to catch herself. And what would she do then? She couldn't run.
She opened her eyes, suppressing panic. Snap out of it! She stared at the brown scales of his neck, willing herself into the present. Bralsa was right next to her and Milore on the other side. She sucked in a deep breath to try and relax. And Teeba- Ei, she knew she had nothing to fear from him, surely not with the way he coddled that fern more tenderly than a cooing grandmother. Still, her heart raced so erratically she was becoming light-headed. She looked up at the sky, listening to the noise in the market as they neared Milore's house. It's just a sugar rush. Calm down. Keep breathing.
A strange halo around Hvitkald caught her attention, a faint vignette that wasn't the right color to be storm clouds. She blinked a few times, craning her neck over Teeba-Ei's shoulder to see better. Cold dread washed over her, laced with worry. Is that smoke?
