Chapter Nine

After saying my goodbyes, I headed down the stairs on foot and never looked back as Danders left. I tried to distract myself from the ache within my chest with the view, but to no avail. I went past the Aylied ruins and could see more coming into view. I kept the setting sun on my right and admired the beautiful waterfall it was lazily hanging over. Once I was completely free of the first ruin, I had to cross a long, wooden rope bridge in order to get to the other side the river that flowed from the waterfall. I then turn to the east through the other ruins. In the center of the ruins - which were the most intact Aylied ruins I had ever encountered – I found a large statue of a bird clawing at the head of a soldier.

I continue on and walk up a large hill. Once I crest the hill, I take in the view of a large valley littered with boulders with mountains past it. I take a moment and pray at the Wayshirine of Akatosh, feeling the cold marble under my knees. Feeling rejuvenated, I cross through the valley. Halfway across, I take a break and lean against a boulder. I nibble on the food from my pack and let the tall grass tickle my skin as it blows in the wind. I can see light purple lady smock flowers and yellow flax flowers scattered around.

As I stood up to resume my hike, I spot some night shade flowers and carefully harvest them in order to make a poison to dip my arrows in later. By this point there is barely enough light to see by, but I promise myself that I will not stop for rest until I can't walk without bumping into a tree.

Suddenly, I can feel the heat of a flame as I see an orange light fly by. As another ball of fire is being formed, I can see the shrunken form of an imp flapping in front of me. I dodge the next fireball and use the momentum of my roll to grab and notch an arrow. I let it lose and by luck hit the imp in the head. I watch it fall and stay crouched until I'm sure it's not going to get back up. I slowly go over to its corpse and then retrieve my arrows. I can't help but cringe as I see its shriveled male body and bat-like, fleshy wings.

Once I was able to stand up and look around, it was pitch black and I couldn't distinguish north from south. Luckily, I was able to see a couple torchlights at the edge of the forest. I decide to check it out, hoping that it's an inn. However, what I find is an abandoned Priory of the Nine. I pry the rusty lock off with my dagger and let myself inside. I couldn't help but sigh with relief as I find a dirty cot strewn on the floor. I take a broken chair and wedge it under the doorknob in order to get a sense of security. I throw my bags and weapons down next to the bedroll and settle in despite the cobwebs and the smell of rotting wood.

When I woke the next morning, I felt a chill of remorse for the forgotten brothers. I gathered my things and headed out to greet the pink morning light. I closed the door behind me, though all it would take was a good gust of wind to knock it back open, and took a deep breath of the chilly, foggy air that engulfed me. I noticed a garden by the side of the priory and took advantage of it by harvesting some carrots. I oriented myself by the sun and began to head east-southeast through the fog, trekking up a large, steep hill.

At the top of the hill, I finally found the road that leads to the Elsweyr border. I double check my map and turn right onto the road. As I approached the crossing, I saw two guards with torches at the head of a stone bridge. Thanking the gods for the dark morning and gloomy fog, I slide into the woods and continue to walk horizontal to the road until I was far away from them, passing another guarded bridge in the process. Reminding myself to breath, I slide down a steep hill and back onto the path. It was all easier than I thought. Hopefully, now that I was pass the border all I would need to do is simply keep my head down and go further inland.

The fog began to clear and I hesitantly crossed a wooden hanging bridge that lay over blue crisp water that fell into waterfalls in several places. With every step I could feel how open I was to the world and how I had no place to hide if someone came my way. On the other side of the bridge the road forked into two paths. The sign post by the bridge indicates that the left path lead to a town called Riverhold. I stood awkwardly for a moment, weighing my options. Finally, I decide to follow Alyssa's orders and go into the town. I go up two flights of wooden steps and find myself face to face with two Khajiit guards, one of which was an Ohmes-raht. I keep my head down as the guards give me a vague grunt. Once I am passed them, I look up to see a huge waterfall with hanging bridges crossing in front of it to connect tall building to taller building. I continue along the wooden walkway, passing buildings of wood with some stone, until I encounter a very steep flight of stairs with dense shrubbery lining each side.

I stood for a while staring up at the blinding sun in order to look at the layers of houses. I felt as if I were going to faint from shock when a voice suddenly said behind me, "This is an odd one to see in Riverhold."

"P-pardon me?" I stammered to the female Khajiit.

"The only High Elves this one sees in Riverhold are Thalmor ambassadors and guards. This Altmer is no such person. Zaynabi cannot help but wonder what elf is doing in Riverhold when border is closed."

"I…I…I am here to deliver a message. I'm…I'm a courier," I felt rather proud of my lie.

Zaynabi let out a slight purr and I could see her jowls rise slightly into what I could only assume was a Khajiit smile. "Could this message contain a jewel? Or maybe something of equal importance?"

I couldn't help but gape at the dark brown Khajiit. By the gods, I had no idea what she was talking about. "I…it's a package for…" I began, but before I could finish the cat snatched part of my cloak into her paw. I could feel the panic flow through my blood and I quickly put my hand onto my dagger.

"No need for such things, elf. This one is friend," she smiled as me again. She had the piece of my cloak laid out onto her palm to reveal the symbol of a dragon. This was the symbol of the Septim Dynasty; this was the symbol of Talos.

"Alyssa!" I gasped, thanking the gods for her. I gently ran a finger for the embroidered gray dragon.

"This friend has sent the message for you," Zaynabi purred. "Follow this one. This one show you to shelter."

I followed Zaynabi up the staircase, and up-up-up even higher. Once we were on one of the highest levels, she stopped and we entered one of the larger buildings. The entryway is wooden and arched in the top corners, reminding me of the boats I would see in Anvil's docks.

"This one has brought you to the Mages' Guild," Zaynabi informed me. I glanced around the room we were standing in and I could see into the main room. The walls and ceiling are rough rock and there are benches, low bookshelves, tables, and chairs lining the walls. Scattered about were tomes, journals, potions, ingredients, and alchemy tools.

I followed my Khajiit guide wordlessly through the building. In the main room there was a door and then a hallway leading further into the rock. The first door to the right has one bed and a chest for the guild magister, according to Zaynabi. Then to the left was the small, cave-like hallway leading to a larger room. This room has a wooden plank floor with a stone fire-pit in the middle. To the left of the fire pit is a column of stone that the boards are laid awkwardly around. At the far end of the room, a small rectangular hole has been carved out of the wall where Zaynabi and the rest of the mages had candles and favors for the nine. There was another door to the left of the room that had more beds in it.

"The elf must rest now. In the morning this one will explain all." Without another word Zaynabi leaves me in the room with the extra beds. I expected there to be more mages in the guild hall, though I couldn't see any around. I didn't have it in me to argue or question anything, though, so I threw all of my things in a chest and fell into bed without even covering up with the rough cloth blankets.