CHAPTER TWO

I went back to sleep shortly afterwards, though I'm not exactly sure why. I finally dozed off by around three o'clock, but unfortunately I wasn't able to get as much shuteye as I would have liked. At six o'clock a heavy knock at the bedroom door woke my roommate and I up.

This was our daily morning ritual. We woke up at six, bath, ate a light breakfast, and then went to work until six in the evening. Then we bathe again, eat dinner, and the rest of the night is ours. Lunch is mixed in somewhere in between, but that varies with what activities are going on during the day.

"Ugh!"

Melvin tossed the pillow violently at the door, just as he did every morning. I guess you could say the pillow-tossing was his is own little ritual. I sat at the edge of my and rubbed my medium length brown hair. I had a terrible headache, no doubt caused by the nightmare.

"You alright, Erick?"

"Yeah…just another headache," I said as I slowly rose from my bed to get a couple of towels for bathing.

"Your bath will probably help. Just hurry up so I can get in myself!"

I took my towels and clothes outside the hall. I walked all the way down and entered the bathing area and entered my rooms bathing area. Every room had their own 'stall' sort of speak. Even with being here for threes years now, I was still getting used to bathing in front of other men. I understand it's a 'manly' type of thing, but I don't know. Melvin always made sure to poke around at my 'bathing shyness'.

As I bathed I thought about the nightmare I had last night. Surely it was a sign of things to come. It just had to be; why else would I have the same visions over and over? It was really irritating me that I could figure it out, but I guess it really didn't matter. Life would of course go on.

When I entered my bedroom Melvin was reading over a letter. That was one thing that really got me. Melvin, being the heavy drinker he was, still found time to read; and he did it constantly!

"What are you reading?"

"Just a letter I'm sending home to Winona."

Winona was Melvin's girlfriend from Balmora. He loved his girlfriend dearly and always wrote her at the end of every week, informing her of what was going on here at Fort Frostmoth. It was nice to see Melvin have a soft side, because most of the time he was somewhat of a smartellic. Though I don't think he means to come off as cocky; it's just his confident and intelligent nature.

"How's she doing, Mel?"

"Alright, she says she wants to move to Chorrol, in Cheydinhal. I don't know about that. I mean…she has family there, but I still don't know if that's a good decision."

"Don't worry, buddy. By the way, the bathing room is yours now."

"Thanks, Erick. It took you long enough," he smiled. Then he jabbed me on the left shoulder and took off with his clothes and towels.

I walked over to my tall cabinet and opened it up, revealing my Imperial uniform. It consisted of an Imperial chain mail cuirass, chain main greaves, with pauldrons and bracers to match. Then of course I had a pair of heavy black leather boots. I also had an Imperial helmet, but Captain Falx didn't make us wear it fortunately. I simply wore a dark green hood to keep the snowfall off of my neck.

When I was dressed and ready, Melvin had made his way back from bathing. I waited outside for him to get dressed, and then we walked outside to meet the other inmates. Every morning Captain Falx would make a small little speech about the previous days, and then he'd send us to our duties.

There were several different jobs, and usually you stayed on the same job until it was finished. Melvin and I have been part of a mining group of five inmates for the past couple of days. I cave just to the northeast has signs of ebony and we've been digging feverishly since we found the cavern.

"All right, alright, gather around and keep quiet…quiet….SHUT UP!"

The Captain's patience was already wearing thin and it was only seven o'clock in the morning. So we all quieted down and met around him; all twenty-six of us. Just a week ago there were thirty of us, but four died in a cave collapse not too far from here.

"Yesterday didn't go as well as it should around here. We really didn't get much accomplished, and I think it's because all you people want to do is loaf around! Stop the chatter and get some work done! I want a full report on today's activities at the end of the day. Now, everyone step up and I'll give you your orders."

We walked up to the platform Captain was standing on, and he gave us the usual, "Head over to the cavern. I want some of that ebony found today!" He yelled, waving a figure in our faces and handing us a set of keys that unlocked the cavern entrance.

"What does he expect; that the damned orbs will just magically show up?" Melvin said quietly as we walked away from Falx.

"Simmer down, Melvin, he just doesn't want Empire brass showing up and seeing nothing getting accomplished," I said laughing.

"But we're prisoners? How much work ethic can we possibly have?"

Melvin and I walked along the path to the cavern, and when we arrived our other three mining-partners were waiting for us: The Khajiit male, J'Dato; the Argonian male, Teemee; and the Dunmer female, Madila Eraleth. All three workers have been with Melvin and me since we started about a week ago.

The Argonian and the Khajiit were the ones that slowed us down, but not because they were lazy. In fact, the two were actually very useful workers, but the two hated each other more than anything. It was the Argonian and Khajiit rivalry that's been going on for centuries. I still don't know why Falx assigned them to the same project, but I didn't have the nerve to ask him why.

"It's about time, you two. We've been waited for nearly ten minutes!" Teemee hissed teasingly.

"Shut up 'ya smelly lizard, we were the lasts in line!" Melvin said while jokingly shoving the Argonian out of the way.

It was a good thing Teemee had a nice sense of humor, because Melvin was constantly pounding out joke after joke. It's like he had a big book of Argonian jokes or something. And I have to admit, they were rather funny.

But J'Dato on the other hand, well…he wasn't the same. His attitude was tolerant at best. He was always complaining about having to work with us, but I just shrugged it off since he was a good worker. Melvin never spoke to J'Dato if he didn't have to, and well I guess that's the way with all of us as well. J'Dato was simply too standoffish to have a conversation with.

Melvin unlocked the man-made door to the cavern with a set of keys that we received from Falx and then we all walked in with our picks, shovels and barrels. The torch's lights were getting a bit dull and Melvin relit them, all twenty of them. The cavern wasn't really that large, it was only a long hallway as of now; roughly fifty yards long. Most of the torches were set up to where the digging took place, which was at the end of the tunnel.

"Let's go to work, boys…and girls," Melvin said looking at Madila. The Dunmer elf was very confusing. She's never really spoken besides saying things like 'okay' and simple words like that. She didn't seem to have an attitude or anything like that, but she also didn't seem to even want to talk to begin with.

So we started our digging with the picks and shovels. The rock was very hard and we had to use all of our strength to even break the surface. We've been digging hard now for about three straight days and we've barely cleared ten feet of this rock. Falx wants up to pick up the pace, but it was a lot harder than it looked.

As I was chipping away I thought I saw something gleaming in the mess. As I looked closer the object appeared to be purple, a darkish color. After digging more and more I pried it from the rocks and sure enough, it was ebony!

"Hey, look what Erick found!"

I held the heavy mineral in my hand, fascinated by what I was looking out. The piece of ebony was very pretty, and looked to be rather expensive. It was of course still in its raw form, and soon it would be shaped into something useful, probably jewelry.

"Hurry and take that to Captain Falx, Erick! We'll stay here and keep digging."

I waved goodbye to Melvin and hurried out of the cave, actually sprinting in fact. I ran all the way back to the fort, and Falx was talking to another Imperial man dressed in Imperial silver armor. When I stopped near Falx and the Imperial man I was panting heavily. Holding that piece of ebony and running at the same time wasn't an easy task.

"Erick, what are you…by Talos, you've found it! Ha! Excellent my boy, is there any more of it?"

"Not…yet sir, but we're…still digging," barely breathed.

"Well that's wonderful! It's about time you found some!" He said while putting his armored arm around my shoulder.

"I was just talking to Falco Galenus here, you know, the man in charge of running the settlement Rave Rock? Well, he says he'd like to borrow a few of my men, and I think I'll send you to help him out. How's that sound?"

I didn't really know what to say, so I just nodded.

"Very good, Erick. From now on you and the other four will report to Raven Rock. There is no need to speak with me in the morning, though I do wish for you to stick around for my little speeches. Don't worry about the cave; I'll put another group on it. Now, here is Falco. He will show you to the colony."

Falx introduced me to the man and then walked inside the fort to do whatever he was going to do.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. My name is Erick."

I stuck my hand out in front of him and we shook.

"That's some very nice manners, Erick, especially coming from an inmate. I'm very impressed. Shall you take me to your cave?"

I nodded and led the way.

"Captain Falx speaks very high of you, Erick. Did you know that?"

"No, I did not, sir."

"Oh yes, he has nothing but good things to say about you. And you friend…Melvin I think?"

"Yes, his name is Melvin."

"He says you are hard workers, and in fact he says your whole unit is made up of hard workers. I came to Falx asking for assistance at my colony and he did not hesitate to mention you and your group."

I felt very proud of myself at that moment. I never knew Captain Falx felt that way about us.

"What you'll be doing in very similar to what you've been doing for the past week. I have my own ebony mine in Raven Rock and I fear I do not have enough workers as of now. But with you five I think I'll have enough."

We continued walking towards the cave, and when we made it inside I saw a barrel that was full of ebony.

"Erick, as soon as you left we kept finding the stuff!"

Melvin was very enthusiastic, but also curious as to whom I had brought with me to the cave. Falco cleared his throat loudly, trying to get everyone's attention. When all of the shovels and picks had been dropped to the floor, and all eyes were on him, we spoke.

"My name is Falco Galenus. Captain Falx Carius is lending me you five to help at the settlement, Raven Rock. I have my own ebony mine there and young five are going to be digging for ebony."

"But aren't we doing that right now?" Melvin asked.

"Yes, but I needed more workers for my mine and Falx chose the five of you. Now, come with me and I'll show you to the colony."

We left all of our stuff and joined Falco as he walked along a dirt path towards the colony. It didn't take us long to get there, only about twenty minutes or so. When arrived I was simply astonished by the settlement. It was thriving with people everywhere. I never would have guessed it to be so populated. That last I heard of Raven Rock it was still in its construction stages. Obviously that stage ended long ago.

"What do you think?" Falco asked us.

"Absolutely magnificent…" Teemee said, almost as if he were in a trance.

"Well, we've worked very hard and now look at it. Isn't wonderful? We have housing for all the inhabitants, a general goods store, an armory, a clothing store, a food store, a bar and inn, even a small tower where our five Imperial guards stay! It's an honor to be the ruler of this colony. I couldn't ask for more."

He then took us to the mine itself. Through the first set of double doors we came to what looked like a lobby area of some sort. There were all kinds of equipment lying about, and around that stood about thirty men, all Imperials, Nords, Bretons and Redguards. They eyed us suspiciously, almost questionably in a way. Then Falco said, "Here are our new workers!"

There was no applause from the crowd. They just continued to stand and stare at us like we were freaks. Then one of them, a Redguard, said, "You mean to tell me that you got a group of criminals to work? Why, they'll steal the ebony and keep it for themselves!"

The place erupted into chatter, with fingers and whispers being shot towards us.

"Now, now, settle down. They will not cause a problem. Captain Carius assured me that these five are his best workers. There is nothing to worry about, I promise you."

They continued to talk loudly and shout, and then Falco yelled, "QUIET! Get to work now, it's already noon and we've yet to start digging."

Falco was scratching his head as his men walked into the mine with shovels and picks in hand. Clearly he was not expecting his men to act so rude.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. They…just have to get used to the changes, that's all. I swear to you they are all good men."

Then Melvin stepped up. "I'm sure they are, sir. I don't blame them for being critical of us. It's only normal. I mean, hell, we [iare[/i criminals after all."

Falco patted Melvin on the shoulders and then showed us to the mine. It consisted of what looked like one extremely long tunnel. And on the sides of the walls were large holes that led to rooms. I took it that was where the digging took place. And sure enough I was right, as Falco led us into the first room on our left.

"Here you are. Picks and shovels are over there, and the barrels are aright there. I here this particular room is ripe with ebony, so get digging!" He said cheerfully.

Falco left the room and we were by ourselves. At that moment I wished we were back at Fort Frostmoth.

"Great, now we have to put up with all of them," Melvin said, pointing out into the hall towards the other rooms.

"It won't be as bad as you think, Melvin. It's not like we're living here or anything."

"Yeah…thank Talos for that!"