Teryn Meru sat nursing his second cup of sujama that morning. While it tasted more like guar piss, it was the closest thing to a proper Morrowind drink that Ambarys sold. The shein and ashfire came in a close second, but Teryn wasn't looking to get too drunk just yet. The way things were going, though, he might start soon.

"All I'm saying is that if we want to earn the Nords' respect, we need to work together. Maybe help ourselves a little more so they see we're not trying to be freeloaders," Belyn Hlaalu said for the thirtieth time since Teryn took up a bed at the Gnisis.

"When they start providing the basic services they do for the rest of the city and stop overlooking the crimes against us, then maybe I'll give a damn," Ambarys said, putting the mug he wiped on a shelf under the counter and picking up another one.

"You act as if crime is rampant," Suvaris interjected. "Look around you. Even Rolff has cut back on his screaming at all hours of the night since Rendarion joined the guard. We get more patrols now, a guard posted at the dock doors. Even the Argonians come and go now."

"You only say that because you work for the Shatter-Shields. You have to kiss their asses if you want to keep up your luxurious lifestyle," Malthyr quipped. "Took someone else complaining to them to even get the Argonians better pay. What was it that Torbjorn told you, Scouts-Many-Marches, you boots weren't worth what he did pay you?"

Scouts-Many-Marches set his drink down with a sigh. He never liked it when the others brought him into their arguments. Teryn noticed that the Argonian tended to avoid giving opinions on the matter.

"I wish we could all get along. We have enough problems without ripping each other apart," Scouts-Many-Marshes said, putting a few septims on the counter.

"Problems that the Nords cause," Ambarys said, sliding the coins into his pocket. "I tell you what, when the Empire comes marching on Windhelm, I'll gladly open the gates for them."

Teryn chuckled. He had seen the Imperial banners that Ambarys hung outside his door. Back in Morrowind, that kind of attitude would have gotten his throat slit.

"Mind your tongue," Suvaris hissed, lowering her voice. "Do you want to be dragged down to the Blood Works?"

"Let them. It will only serve to prove my point. Many of you rely on that half-breed runt when he's in league with them. Don't forget who his father was and who his uncle is," Ambarys said, grabbing his broom and sweeping aggressively.

Teryn wasn't sure what he was sweeping up; he never seemed to scoot any of the dirt outside, and there were no rugs on the first floor to speak of to hide it under. He drank down the last of his drink. For the past week, he had spent most of his time in the Gnisis doing nothing but drinking, eating, and sleeping. A couple of times he made his way over to the Candlehearth Inn, if only to pay Susanna for a couple of hours of her time and see if anyone needed a bodyguard.

The latter usually turned out to be a bust since Stenvar grabbed most of the contracts like his life depended on it. Not that Teryn cared much. Too often, the person looking for muscle was a whiny noble or merchant who expected to be shielded. Teryn preferred people who pulled their weight a little.

The bell over the door jingled.

"Come on in and pull up a seat, get out of the cold," Ambarys said stiffly, his grip on the broom tightening. "Are you lost?" The question dripped with venom.

Teryn turned slightly in his seat to see a human male standing awkwardly in the doorway. His eyes darted about nervously before he came inside fully.

"Hi, yes, my name is Lucien Flavious. I was told that there may be someone here who could be hired to escort me through Skyrim," the man said, licking his lips. His entire body jittered with nervous energy. "Sorry, I don't mean to be taking up anyone's time."

Ambarys rolled his eyes so far back that Teryn found it funny they didn't get stuck. He resumed aggressively sweeping the floor. "There's nothing here for you, Nord. The only mercenary for hire in town is Stenvar."

"Oh," Lucien's face fell. "I was told about him, but the innkeeper said he wouldn't be back for at least two weeks since he was escorting a merchant caravan to Solitude."

"Khajiit caravans come by once in a while. You may be able to travel wherever you want with them. Now, if you'll excuse me," Ambarys said, leaving little indication that the human man wasn't welcome to stay for a drink.

Teryn found that Ambarys's disregard for the human irked him. Not that he liked humans all that much himself. Besides, wasn't a little adventure something he had been looking for the last couple of days? Anywhere would be a pleasant change of scenery from the stink of Windhelm. He lifted a hand.

"Sera, come have a seat, buy me a drink. Maybe we can work out a deal," Teryn said, smirking inwardly at the glare Ambarys gave him.

Relief flowed across Lucien's face. He moved to sit at the bar with Teryn, who stood, shaking his head. "Let's move to the table in the corner, speak more privately. Ambarys, I'll take another sujama."

"I'll have... I'll have some water," Lucien stammered.

They moved to the small table in the corner. Ambarys brought their drinks over, setting them down on the table harder than needed, causing some of the water in the mug to slosh over. "Just let me know if you need anything else," he growled out.

"I get the feeling that he means don't ask him for anything," Lucien whispered after Ambarys left.

Teryn chuckled. "Pay him no mind, sera. He has a chip on his shoulder the size of Nirn itself." He took a sip of his drink. "So, tell me about yourself. Where are you heading?"

"Oh, nowhere in particular. My name is Lucien Flavious, but I said that already," Lucien laughed nervously. "I'm an Imperial scholar, amateur wizard, and bard. I'm here researching the flora and fauna of Skyrim, its rich culture and background." He gripped the mug. "I've been to a few places already, but... well, Skyrim is no place for a milk drinker like me, at least that's what the locals keep telling me."

Teryn's smile fell. He took a drink, steeling himself for the blowback that was to come when he turned the man down. "I'm not in the business of babysitting."

"Oh, no!" Lucien raised his hands, shaking his head earnestly. "I don't expect you to guard my every move. I do know how to swing a sword, sort of. And as I said, I know how to cast a few basic spells. All I'm looking for is someone to keep me alive. Plus, I will pay you generously for putting up with me. Please, I really wouldn't be a burden on you. I'll carry my own supplies and cook my own meals. I'll even cook yours."

Teryn knew that he was going to regret this decision. "How much are we talking?"

"Oh, say, 300 septims up front, and then I'll top you off every once in a while. At your discretion, of course."

Three hundred septims was a lot of gold. It wasn't nearly as much as some of the mercs charged, but way more than most paid him. He mulled it over.

"Do you have a starting destination in mind?"

Lucien beamed. "Well, not a particular one, but I'm very much interested in the Hall of the Companions. I wanted to talk with them about how their fellowship differs from the original companions that Ysgramor came to Skyrim with."

Teryn knew a few ways that they were different. He polished off his drink. "Then consider me hired until we get to Whiterun, at the very least. Beyond that, we shall see, sera."

Lucien jumped with excitement, knocking over his glass. He fumbled after it, trying to stop the water with his hands first. When that proved futile, he settled for mopping up the liquid with his tunic. "Oh, that is great. I'm so pleased. Shall we leave today? No, wait, I need to make sure I have enough supplies. I take it we are going by foot. I hope you don't mind that. I can't ride, you see, and wagons make me ill. Oh, your gold. Right, hold on." Lucien felt around in his pockets.

Teryn held up a hand. "Pay me in the morning, sera. I will meet you when the sun rises at the horse stables. I have no problem with walking."

Lucien paused mid-pat. His cheeks warmed a little. "Yes, that makes sense. I'll meet you outside, right on time. You'll find there is no one as punctual as me." Lucien put down a few septims to cover the drinks. He looked over his shoulder at Ambarys. "Should I return this, or..." He held up the glass.

"Leave it," Ambarys growled.

Lucien fumbled to set the glass back down. "Right. Right." He turned back to Teryn. "Right, see you tomorrow then, ready to march." He gave a mock salute.

Teryn watched him leave and let out a heavy breath. He drained the last of his drink. "I think I'll need a few more of these for the road, Ambarys."

Ambarys collected the glass and wiped away the remaining water. "I never saw the two of you talking."

Teryn laughed.