Chapter 2: Argonian Blood-Wine
AN: And we'ree back. Eso is not canon in this timeline, because I say so :) Mwuhahaha haha! Also, we're reducing the chapter count from 85 to 70. So, this story will be 70 chapters long.
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The crow-masked man haunted his dreams once more. "What do you see, child?"
"I see sadness and lies. I see a veil that needs to be lifted." Stesha rubbed his eyes. "What are you trying to show me?"
"The truth that's been obscured by a history full of lies," the crow-masked man replied.
Stesha woke up briefly and noticed Hroct slip out of the hall when no one was looking.
What's he up to? Stesha yawned dreamily, before deeming the Nord adviser too unimportant to care about and choosing to go back to dreaming about Moon Sugar and Aetherius. The courtroom was still bustling in debate. Food platters being taken back by maids and butlers.
I wish the Divines were real and they loved me.
Stesha finally awoke around an hour later when he knew the morning debates ended. His face fell when he saw it was still going on; though now it was about taxes and thus, Sebastien's face looked close to a tomato in redness. Beaucourt was there too, yelling at Sebastien from across the room about how the rich should be taxed more. Sebastien shouting back that they shouldn't.
By Charlamagne, Stesha exhaled.
He noted that Hroct had returned to his place next to the Queen as well. "Why's this crud not ended yet?" He gave a pointed look towards Gwendal and Hadvar.
That Hroct guy, something's off about him.
"Come on, let's get some air," Hadvar suggested warily.
They bowed their heads in agreement and stepped out of the chateaux. The bright daylight was an attack on Stesha's vision as he had to struggle to reorient himself among the crowd of people descending the chateau steps into the greater city of Wayrest. Stesha inhaled the fresh air fruitfully and relished its cold feeling as it made its descent to his stomach, before exhaling thoroughly and peeling open his eyelids. — Wayrest remained beautiful throughout summer, with magical trees that refused to let their leaves fall to the succinct silver armor of the members of the Knightly-Order marching through the streets. A clocktower ringing its bell as people entered and exited the library beneath it.
"Hear ye, hear ye!" Cried a town crier, ringing a bell. "The Aetheriucs Competition will start in one week in The Imperial City. Get ye tickets now and don't miss out on the festivities! Celebrate High Rock's champions as they make their debut."
"It would be fun to watch but personally I don't want to trek all the way there. Too bad there's no Dwemer locomotives in High Rock like there are in Skyrim, Hammerfell, and Morrowind. Would certainly make traveling a lot easier." Gwendal rubbed his hands together.
"Yeah," Hadvar agreed.
"How many of those court residents do you think dabble in nefarious under-the-table dealings?" Gwendal queried curiously, watching the last of the traffic spill out onto the streets.
"Only Kyne knows," Hadvar breathed out.
They descended the steps and strolled across the large, bustling city, to the southeast edge of town, where the temple of the Divines resided. Passing by the tents of the central marketplace, and the house of Cloudy Dregs Inn on their way to the central clock tower. Stesha saw Charlamagne Guice's University of Arithmetic and Literature as well on their way.
"Tell me more about Saint Charlamagne, I know next to nothing about him." Stesha gazed up at Hadvar questionably. Stesha and Gwendal stood a few inches shorter than the handsome Nord. They both were five-nine while Hadvar stood at six feet tall.
"Saint Charlamagne Guice was the most recent Dragonborn in history, he was gifted supernatural powers such as flight and super strength by the Divines. He united Tamriel peacefully through diplomacy under one Empire back in the second era and harkened in the third era. He was the lastborn son of Akatosh and Mara, after his death he rose to divinity and became the Ninth Divine. Two hundred years ago his descendent Martin Guice sacrificed himself to save the world from the Oblivion Crisis." Hadvar glanced around. "They say Saint Guice was the descendant of Reman and Alessia. The Chosen One by the Divines."
"Hmm, I see." Stesha postured up. "I don't believe in the Divines though. I want to, but I just think there's nothing after death and that the Divines aren't real. Guice was likely real but him being a super powered god is probably all propaganda."
"You think we're here by accident?" Gwendal poised. "There's proof all around."
"Yeah. If the Divines were real why is this world so devoid of their love," Stesha challenged almost angrily. "I've been ignored my whole life. When I pray to them, they never answer. It's because they don't exist. They have no plan for me. This world is just a meaningless existence and it's a chance coincidence we exist."
"Don't say that aloud. Don't want to get burned on the stake." Gwendal giggled. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding," he added when Stesha scowled.
"Let's head back, we need to deliver this letter to the queen." Hadvar crossed his arms together. "I pray Akatosh guides you though, Stesha."
Sure, whatever.
"Agreed," agreed Gwendal.
So, the boys headed back into the castle, making their way through the sea of people, dodging, and weaving through the crowd as they exited the courtrooms. A crystal chandelier swayed above them, swinging side to side. Stesha saw the Queen discussing with her circle as they approached. She was a pale sight, braided black hair and green eyes. A tiara perched on her brow.
"Aah! My couriers! What a delight to see you young gentlemen!" Queen Barynia clasped her hands together. "How may I be of service."
The trio bowed and Hadvar rifled through his satchel, pulling out a scroll and handing it over to her. "My Queen." He nodded gracefully.
"Why thank you." She gave Hadvar a little wink and the Nord blushed profusely.
"Lover boy back at it again," Gwendal whispered into Stesha's ear, causing the latter to stifle a snicker.
Afterwards they headed back out of the city again towards the winery. Stesha could make out the darkening skyline over the horizon from which Hammerfell sat under. The Iliac bay twinkling under the encroaching sunset. – The winery was a wooden building with grapes from the vineyard lined up outside. Breton girls pressed on the grapes with their feet, squeezing the juices out into another wooden pot. Stesha, Hadvar, and Gwendal came out around towards the market stall posted at the forefront.
"You buy it." Stesha edged around the dirt patch.
"No, you buy it," Gwendal nudged him.
"I'll do it you big babies." Hadvar shook his head. His gold eyes shining like rubies.
The person posted at the stall seemed an old witch, wearing a worn, grey dress. Stesha sighed a breath of relief. He wasn't exactly the wealthiest mailman.
"Whaddya you young boys want?" The witch asked.
"Two bottles of your finest." Hadvar fished through his satchel in search of some guice.
The old Breton handed him two bottles from under the desk. The surface had a bramble covering which covered the stall. The wine was a deep red from what Stesha could glimpse through the case. They walked toward the shoreline and picked up some rogue cups that were on the edges of the wine yard. Together they sat down and poured each of them a cup, filling it to the brim with a beautiful red liquid.
Stesha grimaced initially but the aftertaste wasn't bad, and he was drinking his glass down in no time, followed by Gwendal and Hadvar. The sun had set, and the moons sat in the sky. Stesha laid back on the white pebbles and ate the scenery. He could just make out the dunes of Hammerfell across the sea. A heat passed from the neighboring province, warming them all up as if being wrapped in a nature-made blanket.
"Stesha, if you don't believe in the Divines, why do you always swear by Akatosh?" Hadvar took a long sip of the alcoholic beverage.
"It's ingrained in me," burped Stesha.
"This is the life," Gwendal commented, laying back as well.
Stesha laughed himself to sleep, the wine watering its way into Vaemina's realm with him on a whim.
The crow-masked man was there again, this time conspiring in dark corners, whispering, and making plans. Stesha tried to follow him around the bends, but he disappeared whenever Stesha got too close.
"WHO ARE YOU?" Stesha grabbed the crow-mask and tried to rip it off his adversary's face.
"Who says it matters who I am? I'm merely a messenger, trying to help the lost ones reclaim what was once theirs," the crow-masked man enunciated. "Soon all of Skyrim shall pay for their transgressions."
Skyrim?
"When you take what doesn't belong to you, you pay the consequences." Blackness surrounded them as the crow man's beak curved into a grin. "Isn't that right, Stesha?"
"Stesha. Stesha. STESHA!"
Stesha shot up on the white shore of the beach, looking around wildly. Hadvar was shaking him while a passed-out Gwendal lay next to them. The sun was dancing in the clear blue sky and the evergreen trees chittered in the wind and light flecks of rain. A rainbow parading the firmament.
"You were moaning in your sleep." Hadvar rubbed his eyes and glanced around as a few seagulls flew overhead. "Seems we all passed out last night. I checked our belongings, nothing was taken."
"Well, this is a safe neighborhood," yawned Stesha.
"Let's wake up this moron and go eat at a café then head back to Wind Keep." Hadvar squatted over Gwendal and started knocking the Breton on the head to get him to wake up.
"Ughh, five more minutes dad." Gwendal turned over on his side, hugging a cute little mudcrab.
"This dolt." Hadvar facepalmed. He cupped some water from the bay in his hands and poured it over Gwendal's face.
"HEY WHAT THE HELL!" Gwendal jumped upright, yelling in Hadvar's face.
The Nord smiled. "Good morning to you too."
"You know Hadvar I think Gwendal was waiting for you to kiss him. Everyone knows a kiss wakes up the princess." Stesha smothered a smirk.
"Shut up Stesha, you look like a sissy with that hair." Gwendal flipped him off.
A short while later they were sitting in a corner café inside Wayrest, sipping coffee and scarfing down scones. It had a make of dark spruce and was ledged in the corner of the square. The tables made of stone connected to the wall with lanterns on top.
"We should shower in the bathhouses after this," Gwendal suggested as Stesha eye-spied with his little eye.
Hroct was watching him from across the marketplace. Red and white striped tents near town criers ringing their bells next to stands with food and produce and other wares. Stesha swallowed the remainder of his breakfast pastry hard.
"Yeah, let's get going soon." Stesha stood up, grabbing his satchel, and dusting off his clothes.
"Why the rush?" Hadvar's eyebrows did a little dance in confusion.
Sweat perspired from Stesha's temple. "Let's just go, please."
The trio made their way through the neighborhoods of tall houses, curving around the smithy and black tarp training grounds where the Knights practiced and battled. Two of them were fencing each other. Quite a cringy sight to see. Eventually they arrived at the stone doors to the underground water house. – Inside it was all marble made with candles resting on the ledges, perfumed air wafting through and the scent of aromatic oils all around. The boys grabbed some towels and stripped themselves of their clothing, feeding it to the laundry basket. They left on their loin cloths, however. Stesha relaxed into the hot tub near a tall, lanky Argonian as his friends joined him shortly thereafter.
"Aah, my muscles needed this." Hadvar put his hands around Stesha and Gwendal as the lizard man eyed them with a creepy eye.
"Hmmmmmmm," began the Saxhleel. "You young men seem to be enjoying yourselves. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jaree-Ra Blackblood. And you areee?"
"I'm Gwendal Opal, this here is Hadvar Liox and Stesha Jade." Gwendal gesticulated to each of them in turn.
"I seeee." Jaree-Ra scratched his chin with an overly long nail. "Sayy, you lot seem a smart sort. What say ye join me in a… shall we say, 'business venture'?"
The hot water warmed Stesha's body and helped his senses relax. "Are you saying you'll pay us?"
Jaree's eyes moved around the room smoothly. "Not only will I pay you, but I'll give you a share of the merchandise."
"So, what are we talking." Hadvar rubbed his chin.
Jaree smiled slightly. "I need a group of men to move some skooma I've housed in the sewers beneath the city. Get the skooma out of the city and not only will you be paid well in guice, but I shall also allow you to take some of the skooma for yourself."
"Done, it's a deal." Stesha shook Jaree's claw.
I need some skooma.
"Excellent." Jaree-Ra laid back a bit into the jacuzzi.
"Wait, Stesha. Shouldn't we discuss this?" Hadvar frowned.
"What's there to discuss, we get free skooma."
"Now listen up, here's what to do: go through the sewer entrance outside of town. Make sure no guards spot you. A ways into the dungeon you'll find the contraband, sneak it out and over the hill and you'll receive your paydayyy." The Argonian clicked his nails together.
After laundering their clothes and heading back out of the city, the boys found their destination. A circular arched entrance with an open grate, sewage and plumbing pouring out. A few frogs hopping on the lily pads planted there.
"You guys sure about this?" Hadvar questioned.
"Yeah, easy payday," Gwendal annunciated, hopping into the small mote followed by Stesha.
The three of them traversed through the opening into the dark passageways, a few sconces held torches giving barely enough light to see the way through. Stone encasement in the sidewalk. Skeevers and mudcrabs scuttling their way through the muck.
The sewers had water rushing through them with small ladders lodged in the side. Stesha saw a few beggars loitering around and some Halflings squatting. They traveled for a few minutes down the dark sewer way until finally coming upon a waterway clearing shaped like a four square. The contraband was in barrels, tucked cleverly in the side. Hadvar opened the lid and peaked in.
"It's all here," he said.
They each hoisted a barrel and scooched back down the underground hallway, passing a palisaded brown-walled room. Stesha's muscles contracted and his heart beat rapidly carrying the heavy barrel while Hadvar carried his with ease.
Gods, I'm so weak.
Finally he foisted it outside and it made a resounding splash in the puddle with small stalks of reeds sticking out.
"Well, well, well," said Hroct. Jaree-Ra grinning near him.
"I knew it was too good to be true," Hadvar grunted, throwing his hands up in the air.
Hroct whispered something to Jaree-Ra but Stesha heard clearly enough, "now we have our scapegoats. I'll make sure my boys on the inside get this skooma out of the city." The Nord, a scar decorating his face, called for his knights.
The Knights of Wayrest marshalled in, grabbing each of the boys and dragging them away. They took them to the castle and stood them in front of the Queen. Queen Barynia wore a royal garb embroidered with small jewels. Hroct nabbed Stesha by the collar and stood him up near his friends while Jaree-Ra grabbed Gwendal.
The outline of the throne room was lit as the sunshine poured in, diffusing through the windowing of the chateaux. Knights in royal, plated armor stood all around, guarding the entrance and perimeter. Leaving no avenue for escape.
"What is the meaning of this, Hroct." Barynia's features molded into something horrified. "Why have you captured my couriers."
"Your highness, these three boys were seen moving skooma out of the sewers," Hroct exclaimed. Stesha could smell the lies coming off the ugly brute.
"So." The Queen's expression became sturdy, her eyebrows struggling. "So, these little filchers are responsible for the rampant skooma trade in the city. I'll make sure you all will rot in the dungeons for eternity."
Sweat poured down Hadvar's face, getting lost in his slight stubble.
"No this can't be happening, this isn't happening." Gwendal shook around, starting to cry. "I'm only nineteen, I have my whole life ahead of me. So many plans!"
A sign of sympathy flickered across Barynia's face, but she looked away. "Take them away. They'll be trialed in the morn."
"Now, come this way." Hroct dragged Stesha and his friends toward the corridor.
They took the boys to the far side of the château, to a four-paneled room with no furniture. The scenery of Wayrest's towers and houses rising and falling over the hills was something to behold from way up here.
"Why're you doing this to us. Why're you setting us up, Hroct?" Hadvar questioned the Nord. "This some part of a court intrigue?"
"I'll take it from here. Boys, you know what to do." Hroct nodded for his knights to leave the room. "All you need to know, boy is that you're going to rot in jail for the rest of your miserable life. Maybe don't accept requests from strangers' next time."
Gwendal kept on crying. Streams of tears poured from his visage down his neck. Hadvar knocked a hard punch straight into Hroct's jaw, dropping the Nord to the floor.
"RUN!" He yelled.
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AN: That's all for now. Please leave a review, have a good day!