Chapter 8: Hui

The Halfway Tavern bar was full of patrons, from opening to closing, for a solid month after its reopening. They came in both continued celebration of Drelasa and to, furthermore, support Ahnassi in her new endeavor. The Khajiit was similarly known as a friendly soul throughout Pelagiad. They seemed to help her out whenever they could and, much to Zayden's relief, most of the inn's staff eventually returned to work there. Nevertheless Zayden jumped in head first and did any job available to help things along. Ahnassi had already observed and learned much of what she needed to know already and her transition to proprietor was an easy one. This busy time was a struggle but she poured her heart into her work and pushed through it all. And as the days passed it seemed happiness returned to Ahnassi as well.

Slowly, inevitably, patronage fell over the next few months until they reached their previous, much more manageable norm. During this time Zayden continued to live with Ahnassi in her home, sharing their bed when they slept. Tappius as well stayed in Pelagiad during that time under the guise of "security," sleeping in the smallest upstairs room of the inn. Every week or two he would send correspondence back to Sugar-Lips with reports. He never divulged he was doing this to Zayden but Zayden easily enough figured out.

Also during this time the question of Drelasa's house came into debate amongst the town. Hers was in size only a step above a shack. It had been built near the northern outskirts and was furnished with only the bare essentials. Drelasa had lived alone there but Zayden thought, with a bit of work, could comfortably house two and, with even more, possibly a family. With Ahnassi's help he was able to get the property signed over him.

Ahnassi was sad to have Zayden live in another house. Zayden had to remind her that they were but a short walk away and saw each other everyday in either case. It was of greater sorrow to be constantly reminded of Zayden's promise to Zeela. The she-elf was an undeniable wedge between the two. Ahnassi felt it unfair that she must give up Zayden for Zeela's possible return. This unjust felt more justified whenever the other possibility was brought up to Zayden, that Zeela may never return. He would explode with anger every time but Ahnassi persisted undeterred.

"Ahnassi loves you!" she would tell him, "And she knows you love her! Ahnassi wants to spend her life with you! But she never will so long as Zeela might be alive and may come back. Will Ahnassi have no choice but to hold on forever? How long will Ahnassi wait!?"

It became harder and harder for Zayden to deny that Zeela could never return. The more he thought about it the more stupid it seemed to keep to his promise. He kept getting pushed to give up on Zeela, to accept the love before him and move on. But he simply could not. Pulled between these choices Zayden eventually broke down and locked himself up in his home. For three days he answered the door for no one and spoke to no one. He knew it was a selfish thing to do, but the strain of keeping to his word had finally become too much. Perhaps in a few days he would be of clearer mind.

-o0o-

The silence of one night was suddenly broken. A flurry of frantic bangs and scratches came from the door of Zayden's house. He scrambled to light an oil lamp before stepping out of bed and approaching the door. "Who's there?" he called out.

"Please, let me in!" a man sounded from the other side. "I am being chased by bandits! I managed to outrun them but they will catch up with me if I'm not able to hide somewhere! Please, I'm unarmed, I promise you! Please!"

Zayden unsheathed his sword, his sword belt hanging from a bed post. "I am armed," he warned the stranger. "I'll open the door, but I'm willing to kill if I suspect any trickery."

"Yes, very well. Just please let me in!"

Zayden unlatched the door and brought his sword to ready. In from the night came a naked Argonian, dirty and gleaming with sweat and scarred in various places. Zayden shut and latched the door behind him, bringing the light of his lantern closer to the other's face. It seemed just as hurt and damaged. His skin was primarily a faded brick red and an oblong, evergreen blotch ran along each side of the bridge of his nose, two more across his forehead. This one had a half crown of short, stubby horns along the back of his head.

"Who is chasing you?" Zayden asked the Argonian.

"Bandits," he replied though an exhausted breath. "I was traveling north, from Vivec. I was sleeping when they attacked. They stripped me of my clothes and while they were looking through my bags I fled." Zayden walked over to a small eastward window and peeked through, seeing nothing. "I ran as fast as I could for as long and I could. But they're probably not that far behind."

"You look pretty beaten up. They must have had their way with you before robbing you."

"Yes…" he whispered. "They had their fun alright."

Zayden poured the Argonian a tall mug of water and let him drink. "What do you think they wanted?" Zayden asked. "Your muggers, I mean."

"Probably money," the Argonian guessed. "I didn't have much on me at the time."

"Nothing of value to steal?"

"No, not really. Does it matter?"

"It might… Apart from scuff marks on your hands and feet, none of your injuries are less than a month old. Those bandits never put a hand on you, did they?" The lizard said nothing. "Let's start from the beginning then… Tell me what you are really doing running naked and in the middle of the night for." Again nothing was said. "Tell me or I throw you back outside."

"I'm an escapee," he finally answered. "I escaped from Dren Plantation. I'm a slave."

Zayden snatched the mug back and refilled it. "Lie to me again and I'll send you back… What's your name, then?"

"I was given the name 'Hui' by my masters. My Jel name was 'Fek-Nushmekko.' In Tamrielic it means 'Plant Lizard.' I was an alchemist."

"You were not born a slave?"

"N-No… I came here, to Vvarenfell, maybe two years ago. I was part of the Mages Guild in Black Marsh. Came here to study, but the master I was assigned to was Dunmer and rejected me. He organized my kidnapping, I swear it, and I was sold to the plantation. I have no idea how long I have been there for…"

Something about the Argonian's story struck as incredibly familiar. Zayden bent back down and examined Hui's face with lantern light. Slowly it dawned on him. "We've met before, Argonian. On a silt strider, inbound to Balmora. It was there we parted ways. Do you remember me?"

It took Hui a few moments but he eventually remembered as well. "Yes… I do remember!" Hui got back up to his feet as Zayden looked for something for Hui to wear. "It is the blessing of the Hist that reunites me in this desperate hour to you! I can feel it now. It cannot by mere coincidence that this has happened!"

Zayden rummaged a pair of loose fitting pants and a plain white shirt. "You make it sound as if it were destiny," Zayden replied. He began to get dressed as well. "I'm not so sure I'm ready to believe that. But in either case it would be wrong of me to send you back to Dren Plantation. I have no great love of the slavery practice. Until I can get reassurance from my friends, I recommend you stay here. Don't go outside, hide under the bed if anyone knocks on the door."

Hui profusely thanked Zayden as he finished getting dressed and set off into the crisp night. He headed back south toward the town and toward the tavern. When he reached the main boulevard he spotted a block away a pair of Dunmer, both armed with swords and whips, speaking with some guards. People from the plantation had already come to Pelagiad. The possibility of keeping Hui safe was shrinking by the moment.

For the first time in days Zayden stepped foot in the Halfway Tavern. He was met at first by the hollars of a few familiar regulars, then by the glaring eyes of a Khajiit from behind the bar. He approached Ahnassi and before she could speak a word insisted that they meet upstairs, in Tappius's room. She thought this an odd request but accepted it.

Tappius, if only for having been woken up at such a late hour, was similarly not pleased to meet Zayden either. He let the two into his narrow and cramped room, quarters that vaguely reminded him of Zayden's back in Balmora. Once the door was locked and secure did Zayden begin.

"There is no better way to explain what has just happened than to just say it," he began. "I have an escaped Argonian slave from Dren Plantation hiding under the bed in my house and people from Dren are already in town looking for him. I could have mere minutes to spare to keep him from being found. What should I do?"

The unloading of this information seemed to take everyone by surprise. Tappius at length was finally the first to say something. "I'm going to guess giving him back to the plantation is out of the question, then?" Ahsanni shot Tappius a death glare but Zayden gave an affirming nod. "I only ask because, well, why is this either of our concern? No offence to the free kitten in the room but slavery is legal in Vvardenfell. It's enforced by Dunmer tradition and, for the moment, Empire swords. Why are we risking out necks?"

"This Argonian was a free man of status in Black Marsh. A member of the Mages Guild! And he was rejected and sold into slavery by his guild master. I know this because he told me as much before. We had met before, on my first free day in Vvardenfell since arriving. We spoke at length on the silt strider to Balmora. I believe his story and I trust him. And now he needs our help."

Tappius remained indifferent but ultimately accepting of the response he received. Ahnassi, meanwhile, seemed much more ready to believe Zayden. But even still she voiced doubt. "Plantation owners will not easily give up search on escaped property," she advised Zayden. "You can not keep Argonian in your house forever. Ahnassi recommends, if possible, bribing plantation people for slave's worth." Zayden could tell it pained her to talk about slavery in such a matter-of-fact manner. Given her race's history alongside the Argonians with the practice, Zayden could completely understand.

"Seems our best possibility," Zayden agreed. "Does, uh, anyone know the going rate for slaves these days?"

"A thousand gold," Tappius answered. "And if we're going to bride this lizard's masters while they're out actively hunting him down, we'll need it to be worth their while. If I were them, I'd ask for double. One slave for the price of two. They'd be fools to refuse."

Two thousand gold was a hefty sum from any walk of life. Ahnassi audibly groaned at the amount. Before Zayden could ask she answered the yet unspoken question. "Ahnassi does have amount," she relented. "Ahnassi had coin put aside for future expansion and emergencies. If Zayden thinks it is better spent on Argonian…"

"It's your choice," Zayden answered. Ahnassi glared at Zayden. She knew that he knew that she could not refuse such a request. She stood up and voiced another growl, rubbing her tired eyes. She stood like a statue for a long moment before finally lifting her gaze and turning not to Zayden, but to Tappius.

"Leave us," she told him.

"You sure you don't want me to stay?" Tappius asked.

"Ahnassi will be fine. Please, special friend. Go."

Zayden blinked. Ahnassi had only ever call him "special friend." Tappius shrugged and made for the door. Zayden watched him leave and could have sworn seeing a smirk on the Imperial's face as he left from sight. Zayden turned back to Ahnassi once the door shut.

"Let Ahnassi assume," she said, "she gives helps you free the Argonian. Pays two thousand gold. What will Zayden do?"

"I… I would bring him back to the South Wall, in Balmora. Sugar-Lips is sympathetic to Twin Lamps and would harbor him for a time, I know it. I'd return, I promise-"

"Stop! Come here, Zayden… Come closer!"

Zayden slowly stepped to Ahnassi and, once within her arm's reach she lunged forward and pulled him in by the clasp of his cloak. The pupils of her now enraged eyes turned to razor slits. The Eye of Fear.

"You will not speak any further! You will only listen to Ahnassi!" she commanded. "You've toyed with Ahnassi's feelings for too long! Ahnassi saw your smooth moves and she fell in love. She heard your plan and imagined a future together. She kept hearing the name 'Zeela' but prayed Zayden would abandon dreams of her and choose Ahnassi instead. Ahnassi was comforted by Zayden for loss of good friend Drelasa. Zayden helped Ahnassi run tavern like she wanted to for many years. Zayden made Ahnassi very happy woman." Tears began to well in her large eyes.

"But still 'Zeela' returned again and again! Ahnassi waited and waited but she can not wait anymore! If Zayden desires Zeela so much Ahnassi suggests go and find her! Ahnassi still loves you, Zayden. Ahnassi will always love you. But if Ahnassi can not have you than Ahnassi wants you to leave.

Leave Pelagiad with your Argonian friend. Ahnassi will negotiate with Dren people and give enough time for you two to escape town. That will be her final gift to you. After that, Ahnassi does not want to see you ever again."

Ahnassi released her grip of Zayden and pushed him away. She groomed the wet fur around her eyes and held back her sobs. Zayden attempted to say something more but she immediate puffed up her fur in warning. And so he said nothing. He turned, left the room, and shut the door behind him. Her sobs began to flow forth as he slowly stepped toward the stairs.

Tappius was standing at the foot of the stairs waiting. "I overheard," he stated. "To be frank I think you're getting off light. I personally would have clawed your face off, were I her."

"It already feels like she ripped my heart out," said Zayden when he reached the bottom. "So you think me a monster as well?"

"Your loyalty to Zeela, though in our minds foolish, is still are no monster, Zayden. But let's be fair. You built Ahnassi up and led her on for months only to push her aside. I'm a hired killer and even I find that cold…"

"Fair enough."

"While I have you here, Zayden, there is something I should confess. I've… I've been sort of spying on you. I've been sending progress reports back to Habasi in Balmora. Per her order."

"I know. I figured out as much several weeks ago."

Tappius attempted to mask his surprise with a scoff. "Yes, of course… But you'll be pleased to hear she is not disappointed with how things have gone. Quite pleased, even in spite of Drelasa's death. She never thought presence in Pelagiad could be strengthened, and you managed to pull it off. If it makes you feel any better I think she hinted at some reward waiting for you upon your return. Also…" Tappius patted a pocket of his pants. "Received a new letter this morning. Ahnassi has been offered a position in the Thieves Guild. She starts off a Toad, like everyone else, but because she basically runs a new bureau location, things will be a bit different for her. I think she'll do just fine."

A smile cracked through Zayden's broken heart. "I think she will too," he agreed. "What about you? Will you return to Balmora with us?"

"No," he replied. "I sent a letter to Habasi yesterday about just that. I kind of like it here, in Pelagiad. Working in the tavern isn't too hard, I get to drink for free, and- sorry to put it this way- but while you were held up in your house like a hermit, not here to help Ahnassi, I was. I can be here for her in ways you can't. I won't rub your face in it but I think you know what I mean. You already caught a hint of this upstairs."

"She called you her 'special friend.' Does that mean…?"

"Precisely. Honestly, I never imagined myself with a Khajiit before. Ever. But I admit, she has a charm to her. It's not hard to see how she could tempt your loyalties. Yes, I'm going to stay here, with Ahnassi. My correspondence to Habasi basically stated I'm canceling her contract. She can keep the money. I don't really need it anymore. I'll take care of Ahnassi. You have my word."

"Thanks," said Zayden with a grin. He reached out and shook hands with Tappius who then pulled him in for a hug. "Take care of yourself, too."

Zayden stepped out of the Halfway tavern and followed the boulevard toward the fort for a moment before ducking into an alleyway. The same men from Dren Plantation were out in the streets accompanied by a handful of guards. Zayden watched them and waited for Ahnassi to spring into action. As the group passed by she emerged from the tavern and called out to them, claiming she had the escaped slave inside. Once they headed inside Zayden ran back to his house.

He rushed in and found everything undisturbed. Hui poked his head out from beneath the bed. "The men came here," he said, crawling out and back onto his feet. "They banged on the door but quickly gave up. Were you successful?"

"More or less," Zayden answered. He grabbed a cloth sack and began throwing a few supplies and sundries into it. "The men are currently being held up in the tavern. I arranged for them to be bribed into dropping their chase. Whether or not it works it will give us enough time to head off onto the road and, if lucky, hail a late strider to take us to Balmora."

"Balmora?!" Hui exclaimed. "What are you taking me back there for?"

"I'm taking you to the Thieves Guild bureau there. They will hold and keep you safe there." Zayden tossed Hui the bag once it was filled and then tossed him a dark colored blanket and told him to wear it like a cloak. Zayden gathered all his things and then the two set off into the night in a jog, heading north. They cut through the wilderness and followed the coast of Lake Amaya for a little under an hour before reconnecting to the main road. There they slowed their pace to a walk and within two more hours they were able to hail a silt strider to take them the rest of the way.

-o0o-

It was still before the first hint of dawn when the strider arrived to the city. Zayden kept Hui close and stuck to lesser traveled streets and walkways to get across the Odai River and to the South Wall. The first familiar face he saw upon entering the club was Sottilde who was presently manning her usual spot by the door.

"Zayden?" she blurted. "You're back?! We hadn't heard from Tappius that you were returning."

"Things have changed," he quickly replied. "Is Sugar-Lips here?" No sooner had he asked did the Khajiit appear rounding the corner. She quickly began asking similar questions of his appearance but then quickly shifted to the Argonian he was leading inside. Zayden asked her to follow her back to his quarters, where everything would be explained.

Zayden's quarters were vacant, unlocked, and just as barren as they had always been, but for the first time ever it felt like returning home. Hui and Sugar-Lips were led in and Zayden left brieflt to come back and serve everyone food and ale. One everyone had a few bites in he began by asking what Tappius's last letter left off on. Sugar-Lips explained that it had said he and Ahnassi had had their falling out and while the tavern was still financially in the black tensions between the owners had boiled over. Zayden took over from there and recounted the events of just that night, his escape with Hui, and also explaining Tappius's decision on staying before his other letter arrived.

Sugar-Lips seemed oddly more interested in the turn events regarding the Halfway Tavern. She seemed to want to ask more but first took a moment to greet Hui personally. She assured him that he would have protection within the South Wall Cornerclub. She then offered him to return to the cantina and eat and drink his fill as an honored guest. Hui thank her and Zayden before making his leave. Once he had left Sugar-Lips locked the door to the quarters and turned her concerns back to Zayden.

"Firstly," she began, "Khajiit must ask. Did Tappius not mention a personal message to me? Did he give it?"

"Message?" Zayden repeated, think back for a moment. "He did initially mention a message, but by that time he had become too drunk to remember."

"Then allow Khajiit to give it personally." Sugar-Lips took a step forward and with lightning quickness swiped her claws across Zayden's face. Three bloody lines marked his entire left cheek reaching from his ear down to his nose, mouth, and chin. "Do not seek healer for this!" she screamed in a loud hissing voice. "Let them scar as permanent reminder of your failure! That is for going off on own and disrespecting Khajiit's orders! You took massive risk going to Pelagaid! Plan was half-cocked and risked getting too close to Cammona Tong. Guild might be at risk now with escaped Argonian! Khajiit should send Zayden back to home province in chained box!"

Zayden touched his cheek, looked at the blood on his fingers, and said nothing. He was too terrified to do anything but await his fate. He half expected her at any second to bite down on his throat and rip it out with her teeth. "Khajiit should punish Zayden most harshly, and Khajiit will… But as it is, plan was success. Bureau in Pelagiad established. Influence and impact in region will grow. Safe haven for thieves run by good Khajiit. Khajiit is pleased with results.

This, Khajiit thinks, deserves reward. If Zayden is finally going to act like thief, he should look like thief. Khajiit thinks new 'sneaking suit' is in order."

The pain in Zayden's face vanished. Sneak suits were specially designs and tailored suits of light armor made for stealthy operations. Thieves guild, Cammona Tong, and the Dark Brotherhood all had their variations on the concept and only members of higher rank or noted skill could have one made for them. Zeela had one, though Zayden never saw a thread of it, and Sugar-Lips's incomplete set of chitin armor was hers. To have a sneaking suit was a mark of status and honor in any respective guild.

"Thank you, Sugar-Lips," Zayden nearly whispered. "I'm truly grateful. But I am confused. Am I to be rewarded or punished for what I've done?"

"Spare Khajiit your thanks," she hissed once more. "Khajiit will do both. Khajiit rewards good behavior and punishes bad. Your sneaking suit will also be a punishment. Zayden will see soon enough. Khajiit will punish Zayden by other means."

"Yes, ma'am," Zayden relented.

"Good. Now, what of Agonian? Will we make him a brother?"

"I-I have my doubts. He originally came to Vvardefell to join the Mages Guild. He's a nature lover and an alchemist. Not exactly thief material. Although he might know a thing or two about poisons and nerve agents. Materials for making smoke bombs? Brewing our own potions of invisibility?"

"Whatever he can do," Habasi interrupted, "Zayden best figure out. Khajiit will put lizard to work, but make him feel at home. Khajiit can not turn away escaped slave, but Zayden put this burden on South Wall. Khajiit will figure out way to make it our while. Is this also clear?" Zayden nodded. "Khajiit grows tired of looking at your face already. Khajiit needs drink."

Sugar-Lips left Zayden's quarters promptly, leaving the Imperial shook from the simultaneous scolding and reward he received. It all seemed to flow so quickly it was hard for him to grasp just how to feel. His position in the guild was saved and a sneaking suit was now in his future, but a feeling of dread within told him that this suit was going to be a type of poisoned chalice. What else did the Khajiit have in store…?

Zayden eventually returned to the bar and was immediately met with the sight of a drinking contest between Hui and an old Imperial. "Caius!" Zayden exclaimed.

Caius, already half plastered, turned to meet Zaydan and nearly dropped his glass in glee. "By the Divines!" he exclaimed back. "You've returned! Sugar-Lips said you had gone away on permanent assignment, more or less. And what in Oblivion happened to your face?"

"That can be explained later. What is going on here, though?"

"Your friend tells me you helped him escape slavery?! We're celebrating his first free day! But he's still cocky and thinks he can best me and I intend to put him in his place." Zayden glanced at Sugar-Lips and she was glaring back, as if to say "End this nonsense right now."

"It's barely morning, you crazy old bastard!" Zayden laughed. "Same to you, lizard! You should be eating more and getting your scars healed. This contest is over." Zayden split the two competitors apart and brought Hui back to his quarters. Sugar-Lips, meanwhile, was politely leading Caius toward the stairs, urging him to go home. Hui slept until late that even while Zayden was ordered back into the familiar streets of Balmora in search of a healer unaffiliated with the Mages Guild. That task turned out to be slightly harder than expected but nonetheless doable. Hui was healed of all his scars by that evening, they being only surface level burns and whip lacerations. By the next day Hui looked like a new person.

One that same day Zayden with Sugar-Lips's guidance began work on his sneaking suit. The first step was the quickest and easiest: getting measured from head to toe. Next came outlines and sketching of its design. While every sneaking suit was uniquely built to its wearer there existed basic fundamental design themes throughout. They were built primary with mobility, utility, and stealth in mind, with armor and protection being of secondary importance. Zayden studied sketches of other suits for reference.

Zayden spent two full days in pure study of what and how to make his new uniform and, along the way, learned so much. For example, it is common misconception that metal armor is made very heavy and with limited mobility and that one must wear it to have any chance of protecting oneself in a fight. In truth, for the average man living their daily lives, if they even needed armor, one could easily afford padded cloth armor that would cost half as much and protect just as well for the few hits it took to save your life.

It was through this realization that Zayden tossed aside his preconceived notions of bandits in full leather in lue of cloth. He discovered formulas for mixtures of various waxes that could harden when absorbed into the cloth for more protection as well as give shielding from the natural elements, all whilst providing mobility and quiet movement.

It was during this time off study that the aforementioned letter from Pelagaid arrived along with a second one. The new letter was brief, stating Zayden's plan to bribe the Dren Plantation workers had succeeded. The price had to be raised to 2500 gold but in the end the matter was deemed settled and Hui's record would be purged. Hui was now once again a free man.

That night he and Zayden, with Suga-Lips's permission, drank themselves stupid in celebration, stating this would be his last day of fun in a long, long while. The next day Zayen set off with a pocket full of commission slips to give to the various armours, leather workers, seamstresses, and weapons makers in Balmora. All together the task of completing the fully equipped sneaking suit took two weeks and thirteen hundred more gold out of the Balmora bureau coffers. Zayden was put slightly aback by the final amount and wanted so much to feel guilty about so much being spent on him once again. Sugar-Lips, however, seemed oddly nonchalant about the cost. This didn't make Zayden feel any better and would find out soon enough why.

The finalized design of the sneaking suit began with simple black pants and long sleeve shirt, absorbed with a light, soft wax that could repel water, along with a new hooded cloak similarly treated. For armor there was a layered, padded gambeson for the chest and back, padded vambraces for the forearms and elbows that connected to streamline pauldrons for the shoulders, and padded greaves that extended over the knees, all waxed in a thicker solution that both resisted water but hardened to a strength of hard mahogany.

Boiled leather was employed, in largest amounts, to construct a pair of boots that reached three quarters up the calf. A new bandolier and sword belt and sheaths were made by similar fashion to house a new set of steel weapons to replace the old iron: messer short sword, dagger, dagger club, and small and large utility knives. New pouches were affixed to both belts to allow more storage of small items: lock picks, potions, smoke bombs, and caltrops among other items and supplies.

All put together, Zayden's new uniform was something to be admired. "Among the better Khajiit has ever seen," Sugar-Lips had commented, adding that "It should prove useful in days to come." The suit, when finished, was hung up on hangers and on a nail in the wall of Zayden's quarters. Zayden was then promptly informed that he was, until future notice, only to wear his new suit when Sugar-Lips allowed it.

Thus began the hardest, most humiliating months of Zayden's life. Sugar-Lips's punishment "by other means" was indeed harsh and cruel. Zayden was never officially demoted in rank, but was nonetheless told he was, until otherwise said, less than a Toad. Zayden was now a slave to the guild and Sugar-Lips's demands in everything but name. He was made to call her "Mistress," and nothing else. His diet was restricted to only dried scrib jerky, unwashed greens, hard bread and water. No alcohol, no smoking.

But that was not the end of it, nor was it the worst. She intended to work Zayden to the bone and milk his continued labor for every coin possible. Any personal profit he made would go completely to the guild. Protection runs had been made more frequent in Balmora during Zayden's time in Pelagiad and Zayden was put on every single one of them, usually resulting in him doing three or four full days of work a week.

When Zayden wasn't doing guild work he was made to work for South Wall directly as the cantina's new "drink wench," complete with a humiliating pink apron to wear. He waited and served patrons and thieves alike at all hours not spent on guild business. It was made clear by Sugar-Lips that Zayden, specifically, was bound not to refuse any request. If a customer asked him to jump, Zayden asked "How high?" If they wanted their feet scrubbed, "With or without soap?" If they wanted entertainment, he sung and danced. Nothing but the most perverse and extreme request could be refused and people were quick to take advantage.

Zayden every day would return exhausted to his quarters at midnight for his strictly limited six hours of sleep. This was made worse by the sight of an angry Argonian upon his return. Not even Hui, in spite of his otherwise comfortable treatment by Sugar-Lips, was spared from her schemes. She took advantage of Hui's knowledge of plants, herbs, and alchemy to make tools and items for the guild. Smoke bombs, flash bombs, paralyzing agents, mind poisons, and more. He worked for no money and, like Zayden, could not refuse any requests. His only solace was that he was getting practice in and steadily getting better.

This battering of labor went on for months without a day of letting up. All other thieves were ordered to participate in the punishment and for a long while they complied. But as four full months came to an end it became consensus between the other thieves that the lesson had been learned and the man had suffered enough. The period ended one evening when Sugar-Lips, with no warning, served Zayden a thick, bloody steak and cigar and ordered him to put on better attire for dinner. He knew she referred to the sneaking suit.

Zayden left and returned to the cantina, dressed in sneaking suit, to the jeers and cheers of patrons and thieves, who both welcomed the return of their thief and mourned the loss of their wench. A few jeered further for a "speech" and Zayden accepted. He lit his cigar, took up a drink, and with a giant smile on his face announced to the room. "Woe be upon you when the Empire hears about your treatment of me, one of their people! If they ever take hold in Morrowind I hope they burn this place to the ground with all of you in it!" The room laughed and Zayden's punishment was over.

From then forward the days resumed their normal course and Zayden was able to return his mind to the lingering worry of the situation in Vivec. Still not a word of the heist had returned to Balmora or the other guild bureaus. And so Zayden was forced once more to wait for Zeela's return. The days turned to weeks, then once again into months. Three more long, newsless months would pass until finally, at absolute long last, word came from Vivec.

It came abruptly, on an unassuming evening in South Wall. Zayden and Hui, along with the other guild members, were all eating and drinking in the cantina. At one point Habasi descended from upstairs and began to walk about the room, speaking into the guild members' ears. When she got to Zayden she repeated the message. "Bacola about to make announcement. Meet behind club. Hui not allowed."

She went to a few more people before the South Wall's owner, an Imperial named Bacola Closcius, headed to the bar and got the entire room's attention by tapping a metal platter with a spoon. The cantina fell into silence. "Cantina's closing early today," he announced. "Everyone finish your drinks and please leave. We'll open an hour early tomorrow for your troubles."

The patrons reacted to this with confusion, compounded by the further lack of explanation. Nevertheless they slowly began to file out up the stairs, Thieves Guild members along with them. Hui asked Zayden if he knew what this was about and got nothing in response. Eventually he and Zayden left as well, Zayden handing the other ten coins for a night in an inn, telling him he could return tomorrow.

Hui left for the center of the city and Zayden regrouped with the other thieves behind the South Wall. They all sat together leaning against a wall. Zayden lit a cigar and joined them and awaited a new sign. It came half an hour later when Habasi rejoined the others and told them to return to the cantina. Once everyone had gone back downstairs she took a place at the head of the room and presented an open letter.

"Khajiit has received news from Vivec," she began. Already an excited murmur filled the room. "As of eight days ago the height on the bank vault was executed. Khajiit is happy to report operation was success." The excitement grew, a few cheers escaping some. "A grand sum was taken and is to be split amongst four main bureaus, small portion also allocated to new branch in Pelagaid. Amount sent to South Wall will be in amount of fifteen thousand." The room then exploded into cheers and applause. Ale was quickly passed out and people began drinking. But Sugar-Lips raised a hand and brought the room back down.

"Khajiit must, unfortunately, temper good news with bad. Over twenty worked together to make heist possible. Three were caught and killed by guard. Another two are missing. Remaining group returned to rendezvous point after heist. Remaining thieves waited three days before splitting up. Zeela remains one of the missing. Other bureaus have promised to keep eye out for missing thieves. Portion of heist sum will come to South Wall by tomorrow.

Tonight let us drink! To great success and to Zeela's safe return!"

The room held up their drinks and gave a cheer. In spite of the ill news the rest of the evening in the cantina was full of merriment. Food and drink was served in abundance and everyone ate twice their full. All but Zayden, who only drank thrice his. Habasi attempted throughout the night to console him and promise him that Zeela would soon return. But Zayden was beside himself and nothing said to him seemed to matter. He now had in the deepest pit of his core a crippling feeling that Zeela was dead. He was now convinced of this and nothing could change his mind.

His despair grew and grew as the days went by. For nearly three days he rarely left his quarters, spending most hours of the day drinking. Habasi and Hui checked up on him from time to time but soon surmised that he would remain there, safe until he worked through his grief on his own. That would prove to be their mistake for it was during that time, five days after the news broke, that Zayden managed to escape into the night in his broken state.

It was during that escape that Zayden drudged himself across the city to another bar and began drinking with a stranger. Had he not been so broken Zayden would have been able to pick up the stranger's ill demeanor and could have prevented his capture.