CHAPTER THREE

Sweat was pouring down my neck and slipping inside my armor and down my overworked spine. If it wasn't for the fact that it was blistering hot in the cavern, I probably wouldn't have liked the feeling too much. But of course that wasn't the case and the cavern actually felt like one big room full of steam. That of course is a dramatization, but I'm sure you get the picture…

It had only been one hour since we started working in the Raven Rock mine, and already I was feeling work-fatigue settling in. And it's strange because usually I can work and only feel tired towards the end of the day, but that's simply not the situation with this particular mine. Perhaps there was something in the air?

Also, it appeared that I was not the only one feeling the effects. Melvin was leaning against a rock wall, panting like a mad man and wiping dirt from his hairy face. Teemee and J'Dato were already going at it with one another and were also complaining about working as well. They seemed to do that a lot.

Madila was the only one who wasn't on the verge of fainting on the spot. She just kept digging and digging without tiring or hesitation. She was the weirdest Dunmer…no…weirdest being that I had ever come across in my entire life. And believe me; I've seen some strange people. She never talked, never showed emotion. She simply did her work and never gave an attitude. I just couldn't figure her out.

"This is ridiculous! One hour and I'm already sweating like a damn hog!" Melvin through his shovel to the ground and walked over to a rock, where he sat down and leaned against the wall behind him.

"Come on, Melvin. Get up before somebody sees you resting on the job."

"So what; you think I care what those jerks think, Erick? Ha, this is how much I care for them." He then balled up a tight fist and swung a punch through the air. That was Melvin alright…tough man.

I rolled my eyes and continued to work, and not even two minutes later I witnessed Teemee and J'Dato copy Melvin and they too were now resting. I slammed my shovel into the ground and titled my head in disgust.

"And what do you two think [iyou're[/i doing?"

"Well, you always brag on how smart Melvin is, right? Why not do as he does?" Teemee said with a sarcastic tone. J'Dato then busted out with laughter. It was amazing what heat could do to people, even bitter enemies.

"Why don't you go find us some water? I'm not moving until I get a drink," Teemee gasped. He was a stubborn little bastard, but he knew how to get his way.

"Fine, if I get you some water will you get back to work?"

Teemee and J'Dato both nodded enthusiastically. Then, as I was walking away, Melvin asked me, "Where are you going to get water?"

"I don't know, I guess I'll just ask one of the workers here…"

"Are you crazy? They won't give you any water!"

"I have to get you guys some water somehow. How else are we going to get anything done around here?"

"Well wait up; I'm not letting you go alone."

The two of us left the room and looked around. There didn't really appear to be any water, but I guess we'd have to walk deeper into the cave. We walked not even thirty seconds until we came to the end of the hallway, and then entered a little square area. There were three other passages into hallways, and it looked like the area was used to store supplies. Many boxes were strewn about the place.

In the center was a small group of three other miners, who at the time were laughing and talking loudly, sitting around seemingly doing nothing. But when my and Melvin's presence was known, the group immediately stopped their chatter and glared in our direction. But I wasn't afraid, and I sure the hell knew Mel wasn't.

We walked all the way to the three men, two Imperials and the Redguard that had criticized us earlier. The Redguard spit just mere inches from my boot, and then wiped the excess saliva from his mouth. I stood my ground and didn't flinch a bit. I could sense anger building inside Melvin, but I wasn't looking for a fight.

"Excuse me, but is there any water around here?"

The Redguard simply looked me in the eyes without saying a word. And then he said, "Water? Yeah, sure, there's water over there. Let me get it for you."

He got up from his small wooden stool and walked over to a large box. Then he dumped the box on its side and water poured onto the rocky floor.

"There 'ya go…drink up."

The Redguard's Imperial buddies were now rolling on the floor with laughter. I was angrier than I had ever been in my life, but I continued to keep my cool. This Redguard wasn't worth my time. I didn't feel like spending a night in The Can for a low-life such as him. Unfortunately Melvin didn't feel the same way.

He walked past me and I thought he was going to attack the Redguard. I grabbed his arm to stop him, but he shrugged me and stopped right in front of the Redguard, just inches away from his face.

"Is there a problem, pretty boy?" The Redguard said rudely.

Even if Melvin was one that was easy to anger, he still wasn't about to be outsmarted. The Redguard was playing a psychological game; trying to get Melvin to strike him first. Melvin was smarter than that. He simply stood as still as statue, glaring fiercely into the Redguard's eyes.

"What are you mental or something? Is there somethin' wrong with your head? I asked if you had a problem. Please tell me you do. I'd love to fix that for ya'…"

I could sense something was about to happen, as the other two Imperials came around to the Redguard's side. A small crowd had now appeared from the other miners hearing the commotion. They were all whispering with one another, and I could then begin to feel sweat fall down my face, and it wasn't from the heat this time.

"Come on, Melvin, let's go. He's not worth it," I said, grabbing his shoulder. We were about to walk away when the Redguard stopped us.

"Excuse me, boy? Worthless? WORTHLESS? You don't know who I am, do you?"

The crowd laughed a little bit, and I had not a clue why. Then the crowd began to close in on us and we were trapped, forced to turn around and answer the Redguard's calling. And I also didn't really like being called a boy. I was twenty-eight years old. I wasn't some child!

"You ain't in your little prison no more, boy. You're in my territory now."

"[iYour territory[/i?" Melvin asked defiantly.

"Yeah, pretty boy[imy[/i territory. What's wrong, you don't like being called pretty boy? Too bad, Bruno doesn't give a damn about you!"

'Bruno' then punched Melvin right in the nose. Blood spurted onto the floor and Mel went down hard. But before he could retaliate the other miners had taken hold of him. Soon afterwards Falco entered the scene and demanded to know what happened.

"What's going on here? What happened to your nose, Melvin?"

The miners let go of Melvin and he said, "That scum hit me!"

Then Falco turned to Bruno and said, "Did you do this?"

"Me? Hell no. He came here asking for a bandage because a rock hit him in the nose or something."

"You bastard, that's a lie and you know it!"

Melvin attempted to go after Bruno but the miners and Falco kept him from attacking.

"Settle down! Get out of here, Bruno!"

Bruno merely laughed and walked away.

"And what are you all looking at? Get back to work!"

The other miners dispersed and I was left alone with Falco and Melvin.

"That means you two as well!"

"You're not going to do anything about it?" Melvin screamed.

"I didn't see anything. It's your word against his. Just get back to work and stay out of trouble."

Falco stormed off, not looking very happy. And of course Melvin was furious with what just happened.

"I can't believe that jerk," He said as we entered our dig site.

"Hey, where's the…Whoa. What happened to you, Melvin?"

I told Teemee about the small scuffle, and then, being the trouble-making Argonian he was, responded with, "Melvin got beat up!"

Melvin gave him the finger and continued to work. He didn't speak for the rest of the day…