Night fell over Topal Bay. It was one of many for Hainat, on his watch duty.
The Khajiit yawned, his eyes scanning the inky horizon. Watch work was boring work, as always. Thankfully, Honeycat had a platter of his candied chestnuts beside him, to pad his suffering with some well-deserved pleasure. As he reached for another, the dim candlelight flickered on his golden coat of fur that earned him his nickname.
Watch work was boring work, but at least it saved him from an early rise. Thank the Divines for a Khajiit's sharp eyes, to be granted a reprieve from an Irregular's daily drills.
He blinked as his attention returned to the Topal Sea and the stars in the sky… and another speck of light awfully close to the horizon. He blinked again, and once more. It was getting closer, and it was no star at all.
It looked exactly like a lantern.
Hainat's fingers released a chestnut, letting it fall back onto the platter. He scrambled through the day's ship registry, his claws tracing the records of ships to come. The Khajiit scowled. There were no arrivals registered for tonight.
He ran down the stairs and through the covered walkway that connected the port watchtower to the main fortress. The bright-eyed Khajiit found nobody in his path – the guards gave him a wide berth, and by the time he reached the commander's seat, he was out of breath. "There's a– a ship," he gasped between gulps of air. "It– it isn't registered. Not registered with us."
"Anything else you can see, Honeycat?" Commander Synard asked. He was a gruff man, his hair white with age, but his hands were still strong, as Hainat's head once found out.
"Yes," answered the Khajiit. "It's approaching slowly. Doesn't look Dominion. An Argonian ship would be from the south. Probably from Cyrodiil."
The Commander turned to the Breton next to him. "Rossin, prepare a welcoming party."
"Yes, Commander." The other Irregular nodded and left the room.
"Hainat!" said the tall Imperial. "Follow me. We'll make use of your eyes down there, so stay sharp."
Hainat nodded in agreement and trailed the commander down the stairs and outside the tower. The strange light still hovered over the water, and Hainat could feel his paws curl up as it floated closer and closer, its purpose unknown to the islanders. He took a deep breath and felt his apprehension subside. He was trained for this.
As they rushed towards the pier/docks. the Suthay-Raht felt the cool summer wind ruffle against his fur, and he frowned. Almost a year ago that same wind had brought him to Topal on another ship to become a Topal Irregular. He lifted up his yellow paw, and wondered if keeping it was worth fifteen years on this blasted island. He looked at the ever-closer light, the outline of a ship emerging, and shook his head. Either way, he had disgraced the Khajiit of Leyawiin. Most of them would have never committed a crime that could be traced back to them.
The vessel slowly emerged from the night, baring itself to the lights of the harbour. A carrack, of three masts, unblazoned white sails hoisted on them. This is no military craft. The ship was too wide and short, more accustomed to carry cargo from one end of Tamriel to the other, than to have soldiers leap from its deck to board an enemy craft.
Hainat's whiskers twitched as he felt gazes upon him and his comrades. Having grown up in Leyawiin, the Khajiit could never grasp how those who lived in small towns could be excited by a moderately sized vessel, until he was sent on his first town patrol mission. The lives Hainat had to protect were filled with talk about the smallest of matters, like how Miss Sakin's oysters cost two Septims more than they used to. Talk of trade used to excite the Suthay-raht when he was younger, but the last months on this island had all but destroyed him.
Ropes flew down from the larboard towards the pier, while the waves gently crashed against the vessel, now no longer in motion. A ladder rolled down its hull, and soon two cloaked figures got off the craft. Though hoods obscured their faces, by sheer stature and movement alone, Hainat could tell that they were of his kind. One was a Pahmar-raht, whose towering, mighty stature put to shame even the denizens of Orsinium. The other was also taller than Hainat, but of what furstock he did not know.
A pair of soldiers approached the alien duo, and after a short exchange, Hainat saw the Pahmar-raht reach into his pocket and offer something to one of them. One of the welcoming Irregulars gave a signal, and Commander Synard joined them to welcome the pair. as the Pahmar-raht reached for something in his pocket and handed it over to Synard. More words were traded and after a look at what now appeared to be a sealed missive, the Imperial took a step back, and gestured to his soldiers to stand down.
Hainat began to relax his stance, but his grip once again tightened on his sword as the Commander signalled to him once, then twice. Nods followed from both hooded Khajiit, and Synard beckoned him forth. The small Khajiit leapt from his position to join the three in conversation.
"He's the one you two are looking for," announced Synard.
The Pahmar-raht nodded, while the other Khajiit opened her mouth. "Thank you. This one and her comrade would like to speak with him."
"Have it your way then." Synard gave Hainat a nudge. "Honeycat. Take our esteemed guests indoors, give them any refreshments they ask, and obey every single order they issue."
"Understood, Commander."
Hainat's heart quickened in his chest, as he led the guests into the fortress, to the waiting room. Me? What do unknown Khajiit from the mainland have to do with me? There was only a single reason the Suthay-raht could conceive of, and it did not bode well.
While the massive Pahmar-raht carefully sat down on one of the three couches surrounding the table in the middle of the room, the female Khajiit took her hood off, revealing large round ears and sand-coloured fur. Her brown hair was tucked away into a braid, and she smirked as she noticed his stare. While smaller than her companion, the Tojay-raht still towered over Hainat, her shining green eyes staring down at him until she too sat down.
Silence engulfed the room before she decided to speak. "Sit down and don't worry, Khajiit will explain," said the Tojay-raht.
Hainat sat on the last of the couches and kept worrying.
"Ah good. This one had a look into the registries of the Topal Irregulars, and she knew she would find you quickly. Hainat jori Fa'bil, sent here for, hm, financial misdemeanors? Getting caught like that? Us Khajiit can do much better than this, Bilarra thinks. You aren't making our kind look too impressive – the Count of Leyawiin has many reasons to view the Khajiit of his city with suspicion and disdain."
"I thought everything was decided at the trial – it was just the standard Leyawiin Khajiit accounting policy! You can say that I got a bit creative in a few places, but the punishment was clearly harsh… and now I'm here. If the Count was more lenient towards us, then perhaps things could be different."
"Calm down. You are here for another reason, Hainat. One much more important than a few documents that you tampered with."
"I understand," said Hainat. That had almost been a year ago.
"Good." The Tojay-raht smiled. "Back in your merchant days you travelled far and wide, I assume. Surely you've been to Elsweyr before?"
"Many times. I've been all around the coast – Alabaster, Senchal, Khenarthi's Roost, Torval…"
"Then this one is filled with confidence. The seas around the Quin'rawl Peninsula are teeming with storms this season, and this one would like a navigator to take us there."
"But I'm with the Legion." Hainat shuddered as he continued, "Wouldn't the Dominion–"
"Don't worry, we won't tell them," said the Pahmar-raht.
Bilarra chuckled. "Merchants sail from one port to another, and it will not be amiss for one ship to be in Senchal in search of profit."
"You two don't look like merchants to me."
"You are no stranger to sailor's outfits – surely you'll know that this one will look dashing in one. Khajiit's partner will be our big and burly mercenary, hired for our protection."
"I'm still puzzled," said Hainat, "of why you two want to go to such lengths? It's just a trip to Senchal and back again, you don't need an Irregular for that. Why not just take one of those many ships sailing the Topal Sea?"
"That's of no matter to you. You are to follow our orders, as your commander said," answered the other Khajiit.
Hainat dipped his head, hesitant. "I know."
"Be that as may be, he needs to be in on the basics, at least," surmised the Tojay-raht.
"Very well," agreed the big cat. "Mission is secret, but you are to take us there and back safely, and if we succeed, you will be discharged honourably from Irregulars, free to return home, your record clean," he said and stood up. "Free to return to Leyawiin and resume your old life, or whatever you please."
Reunion... with his family, his city... his ship. Hainat felt his throat clenching in a pang of longing. "Do you... really have the authority to do that?"
"We waltzed in here in the middle of the night and your commander told you to bend over backwards to make sure we're pleased with hospitality. What do you think?" Asked the hooded mountain of a Khajiit.
"Right." Freedom. Hainat took a breath to steady himself. "Tell me what I have to do."
"That's what I like to hear!" The Tojay-raht beamed. "There's something in Senchal, we should like to retrieve, by Emperor's will. With much haste and little attention drawn. Be our eyes and ears at the sea, take us to Senchal and back and... well, don't screw things up in the city, if we call for your aid. You do know how to swing a sword?"
"Topal Irregular for eleven months now."
"That will do."
"You will also find it wise to leave any questions to yourself," added the other Khajiit, rubbing two claws together. "The secrecy of the mission remains paramount. Should it be placed in jeopardy by factors without or within, Bilarra and I will not hesitate to dispatch them."
"Do not scare him!" snapped Bilarra. "It will be dangerous, and if we lose our navigator we're going to be trapped in Senchal. We both know what the Thalmor can do to us if they–"
"These are the risks, he needs to know," scoffed the Pahmar-raht and turned his hidden gaze to Hainat "If only not to try anything amusing."
"I promise I will do as ordered," said Hainat. "It's an opportunity to get out of the island. Forever, Kynareth willing. And I must say this – I miss the sea. The smell of salt upon my nose, the breeze rustling against my fur, the sound of waves in my ears – they are freedom to me, and no Khajiit can do without freedom for long. I have you to thank for this opportunity, and I swear on my reputation, damaged it may be, that I will not fail you."
The smaller Khajiit chuckled. "A simple 'yes' would do, but this one applauds you for your sincerity. And having this dealt with, I think proper introductions are in order," She reached out a paw. "Bilarra of Border Watch, at your service."
Hainat shook it. "My name is Hainat. My friends call me Honeycat."
"Then I'll stick with Hainat, if it's all the same." The tall Pahmar-raht rumbled, his hood still covering his visage.
"Oh, will you stop with the intimidation game? Take off that hood and behave," Bilarra berated her companion.
"It was fun." The Pahmar-raht grunted as one of his large, gloved paws reached for his hood and pulled it down, revealing pointed ears, golden eyes and a muzzle dyed blue. His short white hair only served to highlight a serious frown plastered upon his face, and Hainat knew that the Pahmar-raht was nothing but implacable. "You may call me Var'shad."
"Ah... my pleasure."
"He does not get to hear that often." Chuckled Bilarra.
"Now things are settled," said Var'shad, ignoring her jibe. "Tomorrow we shall depart, when sunlight returns to the world."
Hainat shook his head. "Later. Not at dawn."
"But the mission is urgent," hissed Bilarra. "We need to be in Senchal in three days, but this one knows the journey can be done in two – especially with you leading us!"
"The tide will take its time," explained Hainat. "We won't be able to set off until hours later. Your vessel – a trading ship with all its goods – will be stuck in the harbour until the water gets high enough. So unless you want to show off the renowned strength of a Pahmar-raht and drag the ship away from the seabed, we will be stuck here."
"I trust in your expertise, Hainat," said Var'shad. "We shall see each other tomorrow no matter what, and I will claw you out of your bed if I need to."
Bilarra concurred. "So we shall. This one thanks you for your cooperation, and prays that our journey be successful and smooth. You would do well with some rest too, Hainat. For the next couple of days, Kynareth will test your strength."
The two strangers left, leaving Hainat alone in the guest hall. He wondered about the sea, and Senchal, and the Khajiit who he had promised to serve, before taking a deep breath and pushing the door open. "All I have to do is take stuff from Senchal back to Imperial shores," he muttered. "Like the good old days. And then I'll be free."