"So, you need the guild to protect them?" Modryn looked at Aderyn, who innocently nodded in return. Modryn rolled his eyes, rules were rules. The guild was not meant for baby-sitting.

Aderyn's gaze dropped. "Look, Modryn…" he pointed to the child, "they need help. Assassins are out to get them, and I need time to think. Please, can they at least stay here with you?"

"What, no!" Modryn adamantly shook his head, pointing to his single roomed house with his only single person bed. "Do you really think they could possibly stay here?"

"Fine, I'll get them a house close by. Could you at least check up on them periodically? C'mon cousin." It'd been a long time since Aderyn had called Modryn that, and it felt just a little awkward to use now. Modryn just raised an eyebrow. Their father's were cousins through their parents. Modryn's father, Boryn Oreyn, was the son of Cadoc Oreyn, who was in turn brother to Aderyn's grandmother, Lania Oreyn on his father's side, Gandrelius Aneureyn – also son to Aderyn's grandfather Syndelius Aneureyn (married to Lania). It was somewhat confusing trying to say how they were related, so they eventually settled on the fact that they were simply cousins by way of their Dunmer blood – a true enough fact.

"Aderyn," Romiskeld interjected, "you do know we're here in the room? We'll be fine. Maybe I could join the guild and we could stay there."

"No. That won't do. I can't risk your name being mentioned while in the guild. If you join, you'll have work to do. You can't just stay there without doing at least some work. And doing work will spread your name around… trust me." He was right. Guild regulations state that the beds are only for the use of active members. And new names always spread around.

Modryn paced back and forth. He didn't like the idea of people staying in the guild hall for long periods of time. Though, an idea came to mind that could bypass the rules and allow them to stay. A sly smile curled on Modryn's lip. "I've an idea, but I doubt you'll like it any more than the previously mentioned one." Aderyn glared, knowing precisely where the devious mer was headed.

Aderyn growled in reply, "Fine."

--

"Give me a break!" Aderyn wouldn't have done this in a hundred years. Though, his friends meant more to him than silly missions. But it was absurd that Modryn dare ask him to acquire a recommendation from each of the guilds to allow him to continue. "That kind of Kagouti dung is for the Mages guild. Why do I need them? You know my skills!"

"Listen. I need all of the guild halls to pull their weight around, and I need your assistance in doing this. Work is tight and we need someone to show each city that it can be accomplished by us."Modryn gave him a wide toothy grin, clearly amused at Aderyn's disquieted form.

"You and your scheming ways, cousin" Aderyn hissed beneath clenched teeth, a furious glare daring to incinerate the inscrutable mer. After a lengthy pause he continued, finally calmed, an eyebrow still defiantly raised in disapproval. "What would you have me do then?"

"Start out in Anvil. I'm sure Azzan would like to see you in the guild… again." Modryn showed another of his malicious grins. Aderyn scowled all the more.

Turning his gaze back to Romiskeld and Vigdis, deliberately refocusing his temperament away from Modryn, Aderyn reassured them he'd be back as soon as possible. They nodded, stifled chuckles hidden behind their thankful smiles. He huffed at them and stamped off, needing time to think away from all of the frustration. Where was that blasted inn? Talasma's, right? He needed a drink as well, his mind requiring a decent loosened atmosphere to let the thoughts flow freely. Aderyn didn't like to think when he felt so tense.

A chill breeze rushed past him as he made his way over towards the town common – the stalwart Oak tree of Chorrol, the town's magnanimous icon, swayed ever so gently in the drifting current. Aderyn sighed at the familiar scene and gazed up to the stars. What was it the gods' wanted from him? Sure, he'd devoted himself to them – their cause made his all those years ago. But why exactly had they led him here? He felt certain their ethereal presence rang throughout his mind. Though, as for their intention for him to rejoin the guild, he knew not the purpose of this worthless venture. Had they even prompted this? Whatever they wanted it must be for the best.

A faint chatter scattered his thoughts. His gaze dropped down to a door granting free flowing traffic in and out of the establishment. Finally. Drunken louts, bamboozlers, and ne'er do wells – amidst the more generous and kindly faces of town – stirred about within the structure.

The Oak and Crosier, undoubtedly the second best inn and tavern in Cyrodiil – next to the Count's Arms Inn hosted by Wilbur, of course – seemed rather packed for an otherwise calm Middas night. Mayhap the conglomerated body heat within an appeaser to all those who sought a comfortable and friendly environment. Aderyn shrugged, noticing the mass of people shouting for drinks, the Khajiiti hostess' fur covered appearance barely visible as it weaved in an out of the other pelt swathed beings. And, after several moments of trying to flag her down, Aderyn managed to secure himself a bottle of his favorite entrepreneur's delicacy – Tamika's wines. The magically chilled amethyst liquid coating his throat, he took several swigs, the sensation of his mind loosening the release he'd been yearning for.

Aderyn settled back in his chair, noticing his lips involuntarily curl up into a pleasurable smile. He didn't try to stop them. Now, after all the trouble of brining Romiskeld and Vigdis here, being attacked by a few bandits one of his lesser enjoyable moments during their journey to Chorrol, Aderyn felt relaxed. Though, why did it have to end so soon?

"Aderyn?" came a shrill voice, an all too familiar ache in his mind arising. He dared not react to the call. He didn't want to ruin this comfort. Sliding down further into his chair, Aderyn pretended not to notice as he smiled and guzzled down another mouthful of wine. Maybe she'd leave him be.

"Aderyn!" the voice came louder, this time bringing with it her appearance. Her flaming red eyes, not in the good way mind you, seemed to bore into his. A snarl formed on her lips as she shouted his name again.

"Oh, Nardhil…" Aderyn fumbled his drink, nearly tipping it over as she startled him with a hard punch to his arm. She appeared the same as when he'd last seen her. Those unusually large, red eyes mounted into her oblong face. Her bluish, reddish… nay, purplish skin, giving the appearance of a rotting ash yam, each and every time made his flesh creep. Aderyn always disliked her… her voice… her appearance… her everything! Why couldn't she just leave him alone for a change? What did she want? What did she always want?

"Oh, Nardhil? Is that all you can say?" She punched him again and growled, grimacing as he silenced her with a swift hand covering her mouth.

"Won't you just stay quiet, for once…?" Her eyes slightly softened, only to return once again with a fiery stare and a bite to his hand. Yelping rather loudly, the sudden outburst drawing all eyes to him and the furious Dunmer female, Aderyn recoiled from the attack.

With a final yell of her hate for 'what he did', Nardhil stormed out of the tavern, a trail of bewildered guests switching their stares towards Aderyn. What was her problem? Never had she displayed such anger towards him. And what did she mean by 'How dare he'? Aderyn shrugged and went back to his drink. She'll get over it – or would she? Apparently she'd been keeping whatever it was in over the past nine years. Wow, it's been nine years.