Redemption., Cause being evil sucks. Options

[jack cloudy]

Ok, another start. I was going to hold off on this one for a few months but the point is, if I don't switch my focus around regularly, I'll go nuts. And letting it rot on my harddisk feels like a waste. I'm also a bit worried for spoilers regarding my other stories but hey, this might actually serve to keep my interest in other stories fresh. A spoiler here leads me to ask myself 'then how did it exactly happen?'.

So umm, yeah. Let's get going.

part 2

Redemption

Chapter 1: End of the wait.

Drip….drip…..drip. Cold water dripped down between the bars and along the rough stone. The crackle of thunder roared through the chamber, the flash of lightning erased the darkness for a brief moment.
,,Bloody bad weather today.” The Dunmer who inhabited the cell mumbled. He glanced at the cell opposite his and sneered. He then walked up to the bars and gripped them with his hands.
,,I said, bad weather today.” He repeated. For a few seconds, he waited. Then he scoffed and walked to the dirty rag that was his bed.
,,Not very talkative today, are we? Well, I envy you. All that water coming in through that peekhole. Fresh water! I haven’t had fresh water in months!” He spun around and faced the bars again.
,,In months, you hear me?! Then why don’t you take advantage of the circumstances and enjoy this luxury your cell provides but mine doesn’t?!”

The man in the other cell lay on his back in a corner of the cell, hands folded under his head, legs slightly spread, feet almost lying in the pool that spread on the floor. The window of his cell lay at the bottom of a slope, which allowed a steady stream of muddy water to enter. To any casual observer, it would seem that he was asleep, comfortable despite the Spartan conditions of his surroundings.
,,Don’t get over-excited. Water isn’t the most important thing in the world.” He replied softly without opening his eyes. The Dunmer grit his teeth.
,,You and your self-righteous proclaimants. Then what is the most important thing in the world, wiseguy? Well, out with it. Show us the great wisdom of the Altmer.” He spat.
,,That is a different thing for each individual. What is the most important thing for you?” The Altmer answered calmly.

The Dunmer kicked one of the walls in his cell.
,,Answering a question with a question of your own? Well then, listen carefully. I don’t know why but I’m just going to tell you! The most important thing for me is a woman! I haven’t had my fun with a woman in five years, I’m telling you. Five years! That’s horrible!” He said.
,,But at least I’ll be out of here soon. And when I do, I’m going to enjoy it all the way. I’ve always been popular with the ladies, unlike you. A different girl each night, and then some. Makes you jealous, doesn’t it?” He gloated. The Altmer shrugged, the only motion he’d made in the last two days.
,,I don’t see any need to be jealous.” He said.

The Dunmer cocked an eyebrow and stalked back to the bars.
,,No need? The Altmer says there is no need to be jealous! Oh, but now I remember. You don’t feel the need to be jealous because your blood is so pure and there is a lass waiting back home who was born just to suit you. Born just to suit you, all thanks to the breeding program you High Elves have. All thanks to your quest for purity.” He snickered and watched his fellow prisoner intently. If he’d been expecting a sign of anger or any other emotion, he would be disappointed.
,,Believe what you will.” Was all the Altmer said.

Thunder roared again. Then, silence, safe for the soft clatter of the rain. The Dunmer had returned to his bed and watched the dark sky outside his window.
,,Believe what you will. He’s got issues. I bet his mother always beat him whenever he had impure thoughts.” He muttered to himself hatefully. He then rose.
,,Believe what you will?” He repeated, louder this time.
,,Well, I know what I believe. I believe I’ll use the cache of money I’ve stored under the loose rock in the wall. I was going to save it for later, but this place and you have gotten on my nerves, so there. I’m going to have some fun in this place, even if it kills me!” He decided and pried loose the brick he’d mentioned.
,,Be carefull what you wish for.” The Altmer warned. The pool had now crept up to his bare toes, but he did not move them. Even though the water was near freezing, he did not seem to be bothered at all by it. Meanwhile, the Dunmer scooped up the coins he’d hidden and counted them. He chose to ignore the other.
,,Fifty-four Septims. That’s enough for the guards to buy themselves a couple of bottles.” He spoke, got up and raked one of the coins across the bars.

,,What are you making all that racket for, prisoner?!” A guard inquired in a gruff tone. He’d come to investigate the cause of the noise. The Dunmer looked the man up from head to toe.
,,Tell me, friend? Have you been doing well at your card-games?” He then chuckled. The Imperial’s brow furrowed.
,,None of your bussines, Dark Elf scum! Now keep it quiet down here!” He spat. He waved his arm across, pointing at the Altmer in the other cell.
,,Take an example from him. He’s been here since before I was born, and not even once did he cause trouble.” He added. The Dunmer smiled, revealing two incomplete rows of yellow-brownish teeth. Perhaps he’d once been popular with the ladies but in his current state, popularity would need some help.
,,Just as I thought. You’ve been losing badly, haven’t you? Well, I just happen to have the solution to that particular little problem of yours.” He whispered and flashed a coin. Instantly, the guard became twice as attentive.

,,How much do you have?” He asked in a coarse whisper of his own.
,,Twenty-seven in total.” The Dunmer lied. He then leaned in as close as he could without hitting the bars with his forehead. Thunder echoed through the prison complex.
,,Twenty-seven perfectly legitimate Septims. Twenty-seven shiny bits of gold and copper. They could be yours, so very easily….for a small favour, of course.” He offered. The guard licked his lips and let his eyes slip to the coins the Dunmer now held up in his hand, yet still out of his reach. He thought of going back to the barracks and taking the keys to the Dunmer’s cell, so he could take the money by force. But if he did that, his commander would have him fired and thrown into a cell instantly on the charge of accepting bribes. He would be better off listening to what the man had to offer.
,,I’m listening.”

The Dunmer leaned in even closer, resting his forehead against the bars.
,,Good, good. You see, I’m feeling rather…lonely. While he doesn’t cause any trouble, our friend over there is a poor conversationalist. A man of few words. So I was thinking, if you could help me out, perhaps provide me with….suitable company? I would be more than willing to help out a friend who is in need of a financial boost. Rub my back, rub yours?” He whispered. The guard looked into the crimson eyes of the prisoner, glanced at the Altmer, the coins and weighed the risk. If the Altmer talked, he would still be in trouble. But the gold-skinned fellow appeared to be sound asleep, impossible as it might sound with the thunder and lightning playing outside. The Imperial grinned, a greedy grin.
,,For a friend, why certainly. It would be a pleasure, no, an honour to help. In fact, I just seem to remember that prisonblock C is undergoing renovations. We need to relocate the current occupants. I was just wondering where to move some of them anyway. I’ll see if I can send over a…better conversationalist.” He said and held out his hand. The Dunmer grinned and handed over some of the coins.
,,Half now, half upon delivery.”

This post has been edited by jack cloudy: Mar 6 2012, 08:29 PM

[jack cloudy]

You're right, Griff. I might not have screwed up too badly yet, but I will if I continue this way.

Point is, both characters are rather mysterious in their backgrounds. Only I have to decide which one gets third and the most mystery. The Altmer probably wouldn't work anymore if I go through his work in first person. The Bosmer would loose some in first person herself, but she would be a better choice. So from now on, it's the Altmer that gets third person.

Oh, and we get our first name! Finally, one of the main characters got a name! Wooh! Bring out the fireworks!


Chapter 3.2


Cyrodiil, Waterfront.

The Redguard sailors were entertaining themselves with a song while unloading a shipment of crates. The song went about a sailor whose ship crashed. He was saved by a nymph who succumbed to the man’s charms and the story proceeded in a predictable manner.
,,Excuse me!” A voice shouted from the dock. The cargomaster signalled the crew to keep working before he leaned on the handrails flanking the deck. Belwo him, he saw an Altmer in a blue robe standing next to the unloaded crates. For a moment the Redguard worried about his cargo, but he saw to his satisfaction that a Legionnaire patrol was nearby. There was no risk.

,,Yes, can I help you, sir?!” He shouted back. The Altmer waved and gestured at the crates.
,,I just noticed that sleeve sticking out from under the lid. Would you happen to be shipping clothes?” He asked. The Redguard nodded.
,,Hold on, I’m coming down.” He shouted, waited for a pair of sailors carrying a crate to pass, then walked over the plank himself.
,,Yes, we are shipping clothes. May I ask you for the reason of this interest?” He asked at a more conventional volume now that he was standing right next to the Altmer.
,,Always be polite to people in robes. You never know if he’s a fireball-happy mage.” He thought to himself.

The Altmer touched the sleeve sticking out of one of the crates.
,,Yes. My master, who works at the university, has run into a slight problem. He was conducting some experiments in his lab, with unfortunate results. I have been sent to aquire a new garb for him.” He explained as he inspected the silk. The cargomaster scratched the stubble on his chin.
,,Ah, right. Did you check the market? This shipment is meant for a clothesstore there.” He commented.
,,I already tried, yet the store is still closed at this hour. My master prefers to have his new garb before breakfast, when he must show himself to the apprentices. In his hurry, he sent me off without the means for a monetary compensation.” The Altmer said.

,,I see. That’s a bit of a shame. Now I suppose you want a set of clothes from these crates?” The Redguard asked.
,,That would be correct.” The Altmer replied with a nod.
,,Hmm, now don’t get me wrong. I would be pleased to help you out, but I can’t just do it without getting anything in return. I’m sorry, but I’m not the captain of this ship, only the cargomaster. That, and there is still a quota we must reach.” The cargomaster answered.

The Altmer thought it over for a moment.
,,Then perhaps, may I present you an offer?” He inquired. The Redguard shrugged.
,,Please, go ahead.”
,,Beyond being the master’s servant, I am also an advanced apprentice at the university. While I cannot vouch for my talents to be as sophisticated as that of a master, I am willing to give this ship my protection, in exchange for a single set of garb. I am quite certain that rarely does the actual number of items shipped equal the number of items in the quota.” It didn’t take long for the Redguard to make up his mind. He was almost surprised himself at how quickly he accepted the offer. Almost.
,,A fine deal. We always carry extras in case we lose a crate during a storm. Agreed.”

The Altmer waved his hands into a multitude of aracane gestures as magicka whizzed about him in a mad storm. Then the particles streamed off and seeped into the hull, the sails, the ropes, the mast, even the lanterns at the bow and stern. Visibly, the ship rose at least half a metre out of the waves.
,,I have lightened your vessel. With this, it will sail faster than before, and be able to carry more cargo before sinking.” The Altmer spoke. The Redguard gestured at the crates.
,,Please, all yours. Let me pop the lid.” He said.

The Altmer selected an exquisite robe of white linen, with a matching said sash and decorated by sewn in figures of golden threads. He then gave his thanks and walked away in the direction of the university with his precious load.

Lake Rumare, fisherman’s shack.

,,And who might you be?” I opened my eyes with a snap. The shack’s owner stood bent over me. He was a guy, which would have worried me after the last few days. Only he was old where the others were not. The fire in his blood had been extinguished by the years.
,,Ah, I’m really sorry! You see, I was really wet and so I thought I would go in and ask if I could borrow a towel. Only, you were asleep and I figured it would be rude to wake you up. Really sorry!” I apologized. I looked down at the blanket I’d wrapped myself in. It wasn’t wet, more like moist. The old man smiled friendly.

,,No need to fear, my dear. If you’re wet, nothing’s better than a warm blanket, a crackling fire and a good old bowl of fish-soup. It’s a shame you had to miss out on two of these things.” He said. I gave him a smile of my own and cast off the blanket.
,,Thank you! If there’s anything I can do to help, just ask! I can cook, I can clean, and do various other household chores!” I offered. His face paled and his smile fell.
,,Excuse me?” I mumbled. The old man recomposed himself but he’d taken his distance, and his voice was a lot more collected when he talked to me again.
,,Say, you wouldn’t be willing to tell me where you got those manacles, would you?”

I didn’t answer immediately, instead choosing to stare at the wooden boards that made up the floor.
,,I’d rather not. It’s kinda embarrassing.” I whispered. I then realized why he was so interested. He thought I was a murderer! Why else would I be wearing those things, I did got chained to the wall with them once. I blamed my lack of experience with prisons and criminals in general for not picking up the context in a heartbeat.
,,You see, I was in this garden up in the big city. Nobody was around, it was late and it looked like a nice soft place to sleep. Next thing I know, this walking collection of Iron shows up and drags me to this cold place under the ground. It was really creepy there!” I nearly tripped over my tongue in my rush to explain.

,,Vagrancy? Is that all? You got arrested for vagrancy?” The old man seemed positively relieved.
,,Err, is that the word for sleeping in the wrong place? If so, that’s it.” I answered.
,,I see. Bloody Legionnaires, never had much love for them. Now don’t get me wrong, they keep all the real scum off of our streets, but sometimes they’re just a bit too eager to serve and protect, if you know what I mean. And they threw you out without giving your own clothes back and taking off those manacles, crazy. They’re really slipping. Back in my days….Oh my, now I really sound as if I’m some old coot with half a foot in his grave. Nevermind that.” He said.
,,Anyway, why don’t you stick around for a while? I’ve got some bread in the cupboard. Why don’t we have breakfast first? I’m sure you must be hungry. I’ve heard that prison meals are not very nutritious.”
,,Oh, thank you!” I answered. When I saw the bread, I was not so thankfull anymore. It was stale, very salty and it looked like green moss was beginning to grow out of places.

,,This sure isn’t how the baker makes them at home. Oh well, it would be rude to refuse now.” I thought and forced myself to eat a loaf and actually look as if I enjoyed it.
,,Ugh, this thing’s harder than a rock. Brings a whole new aspect to the etiquette lessons the teachers stamped into me. Never thought I would apply them while eating bread while alone some guy in a shack. Never thought I would be alone with a guy for that matter. If dad found out, he would raise a navy just to chop off his head. So I’m not going to tell him or anyone.” I thought while eating. The thinking was the real thing that kept me focussed. I barely tasted the bread. That was probably a good thing.

Once we were done, we sat down outside the door to warm up in the morning sun. The old man tied a line with a hook to a fishingrod and shoved the leftover crumbs into a bucket to use as bait.
,,You’re a fisherman?” I asked. The man had regained his smile. It was a good smile, made me feel all warm inside. Not in a romantic way, but in the same way I felt when my father smiled at me.
,,It’s what I do. It’s easy and I make enough money out of it to make a living. I won’t be a rich man, but there’s little I need to buy anyway.” He said. I shielded my eyes from the sun and gazed across the lake at the hills.
,,Need help?” I inquired after a while. He looked up from his fishingrod.

,,You’d like to fish? I only have one rod.” He replied.
,,Well, I learned how to fish back home. But I don’t need a rod for it.” I answered. Again he smiled.
,,Then what do you use? A spear?” I shook my head.
,,A net? They’re good if you’re after big loads, bigger than my boat can handle.” Again I shook my head.
,,With your bare hands?” This time, I nodded. He laughed.

For a moment, I felt insulted but I soon realized he wasn’t mocking me.
,,Ah, that brings back memories. I used to fish with my hands. Now, I can’t keep up with them and have to rely on a rod. So you want to fish?” He said. Again I nodded.
,,Well then, let’s get onboard and push off. I know a rich spot.”

He was stronger than he looked. The rowboat wasn’t exactly the lightest or the most streamlined affair and the paddles weren’t much to speak about either. But he still managed to push that, himself, the fishing equipment and me, all at a decent pace.
,,It occurred to me that we haven’t made the introductions yet. I’m Delmar Tunius, fisherman.” He said with that fatherly tone. My, I was really beginning to like him. Now that was a first for this continent. Oh, there was that gold-skinned one, but he was too cold to really like. And after he just slaughtered…I sighed and shook off the thought. I didn’t want to think about it. I smiled at him before he could read my thoughts.
,,Maorlatta Orgnum, merchant.” I answered and then bit my tongue. I wasn’t much of a merchant. No money, no decent clothes, no company or goods.
,,Though I guess I’m reduced to begging now.” I added.

Delmar shook a finger.
,,Let me give you a bit of advice, Maorlatta….mind if I call you that?” He stopped himself. I giggled.
,,Sure. Why not?” He resumed rowing again.
,,Never resort to begging. A septim a day can keep you alive, but without dignity, you’re nothing. Look at me, I’m barely better than a beggar, but I don’t beg. I fish, I make my living through that. I don’t sit in a corner and ask passersby for money. If you want to get anywhere in this live, you have to do it yourself. Don’t be a parasite. I’ve seen many beggars who could be fine workers, if they weren’t too lazy….Ah, look at me, going on and on. I think you got my point after the first four words.”

This post has been edited by jack cloudy: Dec 30 2012, 10:25 PM