Forbidden Love Options

[drakkenfan]

Here's a romance/action fanfic I've been working on. It takes place during the time of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, but on the Altmer province of Summerset Isle and the Bosmer province of Valenwood. The story is now complete.

Rated: T

ILLUSTRATIONS:
Forbidden Love Characters: http://drakkenfan.deviantart.com/art/quot-...acters-65386020
Chapter 17 illustration: http://genocidalsmasher.deviantart.com/art...n-Love-83994359
Chapter 22 illustration: http://drakkenfan.deviantart.com/art/Into-Valenwood-85833761


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"Forbidden Love"

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Chapter 1
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The clip-clop sound of the horse's hoofs filled Loac's ears as the carriage made it's way through the Summerset Isle capital city of Alinor. Multicolored beams of light filtered down from the colored glass windows of the stone towers above, draping the cobblestone street in a thousand vibrant colors. Loac relaxed in her silk-lined seat and glanced out the open carriage window. As the horse carriage slowly pulled to a stop she looked upward at the large gray building in front of her. She'd never seen the Valenwood embassy before. In fact her father, the High Wizard warlord of the city, had been shocked that out of all the government jobs he offered her she chose to work at the embassy of the Bosmer people.

The day she first heard of the job opening, her father had introduced yet another young aristocrat as a suitor to her. Just like every other traditional Altmer of Summerset Isle, the young man was snobbish and simply wanted to marry Loac because of her wealth and high position in society. The suitors cared only about their status in society and cared nothing for her. That was simply the way life was in Altmeri culture. The Altmer race, also known as the High-Elves, or "the beautiful people" considered themselves to be the only truely perfect race in the world. Everything the members of her race did was an effort to gain status, superiority, and boasting rights. In every house and every street was perfection, etiquette, and order. Loac had always been taught to use the strict manners and orderly snobbish way of life her culture was known for. Over the years, however, she'd grown disillusioned with her people. She longed to meet people of other races despite the fact she had always been told they were inferior. Loac kept these feelings a secret, because such deviant thoughts were viewed as "mental illness" and a sign of inferiority by her race.

Aside from the fact that the suitors were snobs who didn't care about her, the main reason she didn't want to marry was the practice of culling. In Altmer society, when a woman gave birth, a woman called a "culler" would be present to measure and examine the newborn child. If the child wasn't perfect in every way, the culler would use destruction magic to kill it. Over half of all newborn Altmer were killed in that fashion. It was the way the Altmer maintained perfection among their race, and how they managed to gain such beauty and healthy longevity. Loac secretly thought that the practice of culling was horrible, and she knew that if she married it would lead to pregnancy. She didn't want to bear children and watch them die, but rebelling against culling could lead to exile. All she could do was to tactically postpone marriage for as long as possible.

When faced with the prospect of snobbish suitors following her around, Loac finally asked her father to let her work. Working could at least postpone the fact that she would eventually have to marry. Her father pulled out various documents listing government job openings, and there it was- Personal Assistant to the Bosmer Ambassador of Valenwood. Loac immediately grabbed the paper and read over the job description eagerly.

"You must be joking", her father sneered, "Why would you want to work alongside those unsophisticated barbaric tree-huggers?"

"Father, shouldn't I be allowed to choose my own place of employment?" said Loac.

High Wizard Warundil's face grew stern, "They shouldn't even have an embassy at all. Their so-called 'province' of Valenwood is nothing but a wasteland of trees with only one good road. And the only reason why they have that road at all, is because our people graciously built it for them and continue to maintain it. The Bosmer can hardly even be considered people, with the way they live in huts and practice cannibalism. I don't want my daughter to be infected by their bizarre culture. Why don't you find work in the treasury instead?"

But Loac wouldn't back down, and her father finally acquiesced halfheartedly into letting her work at the Bosmer embassy.

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Chapter 2
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The doorman promptly swung open the door of the carriage and Loac stepped out. The wind whipped at her long brown hair as she tied it up into a traditional folded bun. Scents of a nearby fancy restaurant wafted through the air, and gray birds scurried around the ground at Loac's feet. She briskly walked up the steps to the embassy, and with an air of faked professionalism, showed her official working papers to the Altmer door guard. The armored guard swung open the great oaken door and gestured politely for her to enter.

Upon entering the embassy, Loac paused in the doorway replacing her stoic professional face with a slight look of surprise. Sitting behind a wooden table in the entry hall was unmistakably a Bosmeri man. It was the first time Loac had ever seen a member of another race. He had ponytailed straight blonde hair and the longest elven ears she had ever seen. Upon his back was a small bone bow and a quiver of green glass arrows. He greeted her with a friendly smile.

"Ah... you must be Loac, the honorable High Wizard's daughter, " spoke the Bosmer clerk.

"Yes, I...", Loac paused as the Bosmer stood up to greet her. She once heard that Bosmer were short, but never in her life had she imagined a man could be nearly two feet shorter than her. She was 6 feet 8 inches, which was standard for her tall race. The Bosmer clerk looked to be under 5 feet tall.

When Loac didn't finish what she started to say, the Bosmer broke the silence and said, "Come, I'll take you to meet the ambassador. You'll be working in his office."

They walked up the winding wooden flight of stairs to the second storey of the building. A long hallway lined with offices led to a wooden door that the clerk softly knocked on.

"Please come in", gently spoke a man's voice from inside.

The clerk swung open the door, and Loac was greeted by the ambassador.

He firmly shook her hand and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Loac. I'm Ambassador Falinir."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mister Ambassador", replied Loac.

The ambassador was an older middle-aged man in his late forties. He was shorter than the already short Bosmer clerk by at least two inches. His thick wavy black hair was slightly thinning at the crown, and he was also fairly overweight, a trait strongly frowned upon by Loac's Altmer culture. In fact, he was the living embodiment of all the physical and cultural traits her people looked down upon. Loac smiled. She had finally met someone who didn't follow the strict rules of Altmer society.

After the clerk left, Ambassador Falinir showed Loac to her desk. Log books detailing trades and building contracts between Valenwood and Summerset Isle were neatly stacked on the desk. There was a leather-bound book listing all Bosmer travelers to the island over the past 10 years. Another book listed immigration procedures for Valenwood. Finally, at the bottom of the pile was a book listing Bosmer permanent immigrants to Summerset Isle and their locations. That book held only one page, no doubt due to the Altmer intolerance towards other races. In fact, the capital city did not even allow other races to enter past the port for fear of them "infecting" the perfect Altmer society. Only those working in the foreign embassies were allowed entrance into the city. Even then the embassies had to submit to having several Altmer employees to keep an eye on them. Loac was thankful that at least she wasn't sent to the embassy as one of the spies for the city government.

"When I asked for a secretary to help with my paperwork, I never imagined the daughter of the great High Wizard of Alinor would take on the job," said the ambassador, "It is truely an honor."

"Please just treat me as you would treat any other employee", said Loac.

Falinir smiled at Loac's humble demeanor. Any other Altmer noblewoman would have used their status with arrogant pride. He could tell right away that Loac was different.

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Chapter 3
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Throughout Loac's first morning at the embassy she was shown around the building and introduced to the other employees. There were two other male Bosmer clerks working in the second storey offices, as well as an Altmer named Henantil in charge of supplies and the stock room. Henantil had access to every office as he brought them their daily mail, lunch, and occasional supplies. It was obvious, to Loac at least, that his real purpose there was to keep an eye on the Bosmeri as a spy. She immediately recognized him as one of the people her father spoke with regularly.

Midday approached and Henantil brought lunch to Loac and Ambassador Falinir. Falinir had a fine cut of unspiced mutton and a side of cheese. On Loac's plate was a smaller cut of mutton with a side of leek and onion soup.

"The restaurant across the street makes all our meals", said Falinir as he cut into his mutton.

"It's quite good", said Loac sipping her soup.

Silence ensued for a few moments until Falinir said, "You have a very unique sounding name, Loac. Does it have a meaning?"

"It means 'thirty' in the old Altmer tongue", said Loac, "When my parents named me, they followed the old tradition of using a number for my name, though hardly anyone does that anymore. Just another example of how traditional and old-fashioned my father is."

"Ah well, my name has no meaning at all", said Falinir, who was somewhat surprised to hear Loac openly speak ill of her very powerful father.

"You come from Valenwood, yes? What is it like there?", said Loac, unable to hide her curiosity about the Bosmer any longer.

"Well, it's very different from here. I grew up in the old capital city of Falinesti. It's built up in the branches of a giant tree that used to slowly move about the upper region of Valenwood."

"A city built in a giant moving tree?", Loac said. She could hardly imagine such an amazing thing.

"Well, it doesn't move any more. In fact it stopped moving before I was ever born. However, it still is quite a marvelous sight to see. It's a bit overwhelming to foreigners who didn't grow up there, though. They look terrified when they ride the basket up and walk along the wooden streets in branches 200 feet above the forest below. But the beauty and uniqueness of the city is truely worth the visit. The houses are all covered with moss roofs, and everything looks green and full of life. We have music festivals there every year, with some of the best musicians in all Valenwood", said Falinir, happy to reminisce about his homeland.

Loac smiled and said, "That sounds wonderful."

Falinir continued, "I also lived in the city of Silvenar, when I was a young adult. I worked in the palace of the silvenar, who's a government official with different duties than the clan chiefs in Falinesti. It was my work there that eventually trained me to become an ambassador. Silvenar is truely a unique place. The luminescent sap from the overhanging treetops makes the whole city look like it was built out of a rainbow. It's not like the reflections in the stained glass towers here in Alinor. In Silvenar, the houses themselves are carved out of the colorful sap. And the palace is built out of the spiraling petals of the largest flower in all Tamriel. It's a flower nearly four times the size of this building."

Loac gasped in amazement. Falinir's description of Valenwood was exotic and amazing. It sounded nothing at all like the "little huts for houses" her father spoke of. She wondered if the cannibalism comment her father made was a lie as well, but didn't want to insult Falinir by asking if his people ate eachother.

That evening as Loac rode the carriage home from her first day at work, she imagined the Bosmer people living freely in beautiful villages throughout Valenwood, not bound by the restrictions of Altmer society. Surrounded by free-growing nature and beauty, with friendly cheerful neighbors seemed an ideal life. She knew that someday, somehow, she would travel to Valenwood and experience it for herself, even if only for a short while.

The carriage pulled up to her father's grand estate and let Loac out. She strode into her house and joined her father at the dinner table.

"So, how was your first day at the embassy", asked her father.

"I'm very happy with my work there", replied Loac.

Her father looked displeased.

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Chapter 4
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Weeks passed, and everyday Loac and Ambassador Falinir shared discussions about his homeland, her dislike of Altmer arrogance, and other topics that she could never discuss with her own people. He genuinely listened to what she had to say, and she felt that for once in her life she finally had someone whom she could have a real conversation with. Around Falinir, she could be herself, and not have to worry about acting like a proper Altmer noblewoman. He accepted her for who she really was. That acceptance and connection she felt with Falinir made her long to become closer to him. When he talked, she found herself looking at his lips wishing she could kiss him. She looked at his shoulder-length hair longing to caress it with her fingers. It's true he was far shorter than her, twice her age, slightly overweight, and didn't have the perfection of her own race. And it was exactly these imperfections she loved the most about him. He was real. Nothing he said was an act, or a way of showing off status. He was different and exciting, and best of all he truely cared about other people more than himself.

These new feelings were a bit of a surprise for Loac. Although she was twenty she had never experienced feelings like this for anybody, and did not know how to tell if he felt the same way about her. Interracial relationships were strictly against the law in all of Summerset Isle, and punished by permanent banishment and exile. Even mentioning attraction towards another race was cause enough for banishment, and would bring shame upon her father and everyone else in her family. The interracial children of Altmer women were considered deformed and killed to keep the Altmer race pure. Loac held her feelings inside, told no one, and wondered if anything would or should ever happen between her and Falinir.

About a month after Loac had been working in the embassy, Falinir left on a trip to the nearby city of Sunhold to arrange a trade agreement between Valenwood and Summerset Isle. Summerset Isle was suffering a shortage of livestock after a flood struck the northern plains, and needed to import vast shipments of new livestock to increase their herds. The Orcs also fiercly sought the trade contract, and Falinir would have to use his good negotiation skills to win it for Valenwood. Loac organized papers in Falinir's empty office and wondered how he was doing in the negotiations. A good trade contract could bring alot of wealth to the people of Valenwood.

The next afternoon when Falinir walked into the embassy with a smile and a bottle of celebratory drink, Loac knew he had succeeded.

"The Orcs never stood a chance of winning that contract", laughed one of the Bosmer clerks while he sipped his drink.

"Congratulations to Ambassador Falinir!", said another clerk as he lifted his glass.

Falinir held out a glass to Loac and said, "Would you like to try some warm Rotmeth? It's a bit strong, but I thought you might like to try a real traditional Bosmeri drink. One of the Valenwood trading company representatives at the meeting gave it to me after I won the contract for them."

Loac lifted the silver glass to her lips and sipped the warm brown drink. It tasted like meat juice mixed with hard liquor. It wasn't delicious, but she finished her glass. She felt a little bit drunk after drinking it, and hoped her father wouldn't notice when she went home after the celebration.

The next day, Loac and Falinir were working on paperwork in Falinir's office as normal. They did not even hear the sound of the large oaken door in the front of the building being kicked down. Nor did they hear the sound of the blonde Bosmer clerk in the entry hall being strangled to death, and his bow stolen. It was only when the Orc assassin pounded open the door to Falinir's office that Loac realized their lives were in danger.

"I lost my job because of you taking that trading contract away from me!", shouted the angry drunken Orc.

The Orc stood in the doorway, raised his stolen bow and aimed the glass arrow at Falinir's head.

"No!" shouted Loac, as she jumped in front of the Bosmer she secretly loved. The arrow struck her hard in the stomach and blood trickled down the front of her dress.

The Orc didn't have time to string another shot before both of the Bosmer clerks who worked in the second storey offices had riddled him full of arrows of their own.

Falinir caught Loac as she fell to the ground. He layed her down on the rug and ordered his clerks to bring the healers. She silently slipped into unconsciousness from the blood loss before she could say a word.
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Chapter 5
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When Loac awoke she looked around at her strange surroundings. Falinir was sitting next to her in one of the rooms provided by the healers at the Alinor's chapel to Stendarr.

"Are you alright?" asked Loac weakly.

Falinir was startled and delighted to hear her speak.

"You were the one struck by an arrow, and you're asking me if I'm alright?", chuckled Falinir, "You really had me worried. You've been unconscious for almost three days."

Loac smiled shyly as she looked at Falinir's cheerful face. She was happy to see she had saved him, and even happier to see he cared enough to be there by her bedside during her injury.

"You're a very courageous young woman, Loac", said Ambassador Falinir, "I can't thank you enough for what you did. You saved my life by risking your own."

"It was nothing", said Loac bashfully.

"Nothing?! By the Nine! I've never seen anyone brave enough to jump in front of an arrow like that. Why did you do it? You could have died," said Falinir.

"Well..." said Loac in a weak voice.

She reached out and held his hand, caressing his fingers.

"Oh", said Falinir nervously with the sudden realization of what she meant.

Suddenly footsteps approached the door. Loac quickly let go of Falinir's hand before the door opened. High Wizard Warundil stepped into the small room. He gave Falinir a look of contempt and asked him to leave.

"Yes, High Wizard," said Falinir obediantly. He left and closed the door behind him.

"Loac, I'm so happy to see you're awake", said Warundil, "I ordered the best healers in Summerset Isle to assist in your recovery."

"Thank you, Father," said Loac.

He set a new book and a vase of yellow flowers on the table by her bedside.

"Is it true you jumped in front of an arrow to save the ambassador?" asked Warundil.

"Yes, I...", began Loac.

"What were you thinking?! Risking your life to save a Bosmer! Have you gone mad?!" said Warundil, "Has working with those damned Wood-Elves affected your mind? You are a bright girl with a bright future. You almost lost all of that."

"Father...", said Loac.

"I don't want you working there any more", said Warundil sternly.

"For once in my life I've found something I enjoy, and you would take my work away from me?" said Loac, "The Bosmer have not affected my mind. I'm the same person I've always been! Please allow me to return to my work. I beg of you, Father, please."

Loac's father contemplated his daughter's words. He did want her to be happy, yet, at the same time he felt she was in real danger. After a pause of silence, he decided on his answer.

"Very well. Once you've recovered, you can return to your work at the embassy. But I will place three guards at the door to ensure it is safe," said Warundil reluctantly.

"Oh thank you, Father", said Loac with a smile returning to her face.

"But it's not just your safety that concerns me", said Warundil, "I don't want you to start acting like those unsophisticated Bosmer you work with. If I see any sign of that happening at all, you will quit. Is that understood?"

"Of course", said Loac.

After her father left, Loac could hear him tell the healers not to allow any guests to visit her.

Over the next two weeks, Loac stayed in the recovery room at the chapel while the healers treated her wound with daily regimens of restoration magic and healing potions. Loac's father visited her for a short while every day, but no other guests came. During her lonely recovery, Loac's could think of only one thing. She wondered what Falinir thought of her. His ambiguous "Oh" after she caressed his hand didn't really tell her anything. She longed to see him again more than anything.

After 17 long days of treatment, the day finally came when her wound was completely healed. She went back home with her father that afternoon, content to know that she would see Falinir again when she went to the embassy the next morning.

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Chapter 6
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Loac felt nervous during the carriage ride to the embassy. She didn't know what she was going to say to Falinir. After all the time she'd spent wishing to see him, she now felt overwhelmed by the fear of rejection. The morning sun shone bright into her eyes as she walked up the stairs to the embassy. Just as her father said, there were now three guards at the front door. This time the guards were fully armed with swords, and equipped with sturdy elven armor. It was a vast improvement over the chainmail wearing unarmed guard they had earlier.

Loac stepped inside, and was greeted by a new unfamiliar face. A young Altmer man had been hired to work as the new clerk in the entry hall.

"It's nice to meet you", said Loac, "If you don't mind my asking, where is the blonde Bosmer clerk who used to work here?"

"You're refering to Shinlorn? He's dead", said the Altmer matter-of-factly, "An Orc killed him. It was the same Orc that injured you."

Loac gasped. No one had even told her. She felt sorry for the young Bosmer clerk, and wondered if his family back in Valenwood knew of his death yet. She solemnly walked up the stairs and was greeted by the two Bosmer clerks who had killed the Orc.

"Welcome back!", one of them said.

"Glad to see you're well again!", said the other with a cheerful smile.

"I never got a chance to thank you two for killing that Orc", said Loac, "You saved both me and the ambassador."

"I only wish we had stopped the Orc before he injured you", said the brown-haired clerk.

Henantil the spy walked into the hallway carrying the mail. He had a dour expression as usual, but smiled as he welcomed Loac back to the office.

Loac reached the end of the hallway and finally stepped inside Ambassador Falinir's office. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him.

"Loac! Welcome back!", said Falinir with a grin, "It's so good to see you again."

Loac smiled and said, "It's a pleasure to be back."

"Here, I got you a little welcome back gift", said Falinir, and he handed her a box of rare imported cheeses.

"Thank you", said Loac, "It looks wonderful."

As Loac began her paperwork, she occasionally glanced at Falinir, and noticed he was looking at her too.

When lunchtime came around Falinir asked, "I was wondering if you'd like to go to the restaurant instead of eating in the office."

"I'd love to", said Loac.

They stepped outside of the office together and walked across the crowded street. Falinir was carrying paperwork, and Loac wondered if he intended to work during lunch, or if it was just his was of looking professional to the restaurant employees. When they got to the restaurant, a sign hanging above the door said "Altmer only".

"Ah, I suppose this wasn't such a good idea", said Falinir.

Loac felt embarrassed for Falinir and ashamed that her people would post such a sign.

"You know, there's an outdoor cafe down the street. The food there is also quite nice," said Falinir.

When they arrived at the cafe and sat down, the waiter looked at Falinir with an arrogant sneer.

"What's on your menu today, good sir?", asked Falinir.

"Nothing a cannibal would be interested in, I'm certain", replied the waiter.

Falinir didn't seem to be bothered by the waiter's rude comment. He continued to smile pleasantly, and said, "I'd never think to ask for such a thing. Do you have any venison on the menu today?"

"We have roast boar today, with apples on the side", said the waiter.

"That will do then. Two plates of roast boar. Leave the apples and spices off mine", said Falinir.

"Very well", said the waiter reluctantly.

After the waiter stepped away Loac said, "That's the second time I've heard someone say that Bosmer are cannibals! I can't believe they actually think you would ever do such a thing."

"Of course I have", replied Falinir, "On several occasions."

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Chapter 7
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Loac's jaw dropped open in a state of shock.

Falinir said, "All Bosmer are cannibals. I'm surprised you didn't know that. You know, I think Henantil gossiped to the waiters around here, and that's why the restaurants are giving me such a hard time. The day Shinlorn was killed by that Orc, Henantil walked into the entry hall and saw him cooking over the fireplace. All of the Bosmer in the embassy were gathered around with plates and silverware. Suffice it to say, Henantil was not pleased at all."

"You ate the blonde Bosmer clerk?" said Loac in even more of a state of shock.

Falinir calmly explained, "We ate the Orc as well. It's part of our religious beliefs to eat the dead. It's done out of respect, and out of our belief to not waste meat. Normally, Shinlorn's family would have eaten him, but in his case, it would've taken too long to ship him back to Valenwood. So Renlir, Harlorn, and I carried out the traditional funural rites in the embassy entrance hall."

"But doesn't it bother you... to eat a dead person?" asked Loac.

"Not at all. It actually tastes quite good. I've really never understood why other cultures are so bothered by it. I know most people find it odd that Bosmer eat their dead, but I think that the way other races bury their dead is a useless waste of the body. My people have faced famines on many occasions, and we were saved only by our willingness to eat the dead. And like I said, it is part of our religion. It's in the Green Pact, which was written for us by our patron god Y'ffre. We use the bones too for carvings, musical instruments, magical charms, and a variety of things. We Bosmer don't want our bodies to go to waste after our death, and out of respect for the dead and religious duty we find a use for every part of the body. When a Bosmer dies, he can be content in knowing that his body and bones will still serve a purpose for his family for years to come. It's a noble and honorable thing, even if other cultures don't view it that way," explained Falinir.

"Well I suppose it doesn't seem so strange to me now that you explained it," said Loac, "I'd never be able to eat a dead person, but I can understand the reasons why your people do it."

Falinir smiled. He hadn't expected an upperclass Altmer noblewoman like Loac to accept his culture's cannibalism, when even the Beastfolk races looked down upon it as barbaric. Yet again, she had surprised him with her open-minded personality. He looked across the table at her as they continued to talk. Everything about her was beautiful and elegant. Her eyes were a radiant shade of green, and her fair skin had not a single blemish. Her silky brown hair shimmered in the sunlight. She was kind, honest, and humble. The fact that she had been willing to be hit by an arrow to save Falinir's life stuck in his mind as the most selfless and courageous act he had ever witnessed. She could have her choice of any Altmer nobleman, and yet she was smitten with him. He longed to return her affections, but he felt held back by fear. The law assured they could never marry. If they became lovers and were caught, he shuddered to think of what her father would do to him. It could cost him his life. It was a very dangerous path to take, and he wasn't entirely sure of what he was doing.

While the waiter brought out their lunch, Falinir looked over the paperwork he brought with him and began discussing a recent treaty with Loac. He didn't want the waiter to think he was having lunch with Loac for any reason other than two co-workers discussing business.

After lunch, as they walked back to the embassy Loac continued to think about Falinir. The fact that his people had the funeral practice of cannibalism hadn't changed the way she felt about him. It was odd, but she could learn to accept it. She was overjoyed that he'd invited her to a cafe for lunch. He seemed to be showing subtle signs that he was interested in her. She felt happier today than any time she could ever remember.

While they walked up the stairs to the embassy, the wind blew some of Loac's hair loose from her bun. When she entered Falinir's office and stood by her desk, she began trying to fix her hair.

"I wonder what you'd look like with your hair down", said Falinir.

Loac released the tie that held her hair bun, and let her long hair fall naturally down to her upper back. Her hair was straight and shiny.

"Beautiful", said Falinir, gently touching her hair.

Loac was unable to resist her feelings any longer. She leaned downward and passionately kissed Falinir on the lips. He wrapped his arms around her, fervently returning the kiss. Their kiss lasted for several minutes, growing in passion with each passing moment. Falinir kissed up and down Loac's slender neck, and she arched her head back in pleasure.

"You know it's dangerous, what we're doing", whispered Falinir, "You could be exiled."

Loac gently licked Falinir's long pointed ears and whispered back, "It's worth it."
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Chapter 8
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Weeks of pure bliss went by for Loac and Falinir. They made a habit of kissing occasionally, and found it easy to act normal if there was a knock on the door by one of the clerks. They never dared to do more than kiss, because such a thing could be easily noticed by the other people in the embassy. Falinir often wrote unsigned love letters to Loac for her to read when she was alone at home. Nearly everyday he had a new letter or poem for her, eloquently declaring his love. She kept them safely hidden in a locked chest, and read them over again before she went to bed each night. Falinir felt amazed that such a beautiful and kind-hearted woman loved him, and Loac was happy to finally have a man love her for who she was rather than her position in society.

One month after their first kiss, Loac went to the embassy and stepped into Falinir's office as usual. She closed the door behind her and greeted Falinir, before starting on her work. She had to write out copies of several documents to be sent to Valenwood. She carefully copied the documents in her best handwriting, while Falinir read over some new trade laws. Soon lunch approached and Henantil brought in plates of crab meat with butter from the "Altmer only" restaurant across the street. The crab was freshly brought in from the eastern coast of Summerset Isle, and was one of Loac's favorite dishes. After they finished their lunch, Loac walked over to Falinir and began giving him a back massage.

"I love it when you do that", said Falinir with a smile, as she slowly massaged his shoulders.

He turned to her and their lips met in a loving kiss. They held eachother in a tight embrace as Falinir deepened the kiss. Suddenly the door opened without a knock. Loac and Falinir parted their lips and turned to see Henantil standing speechless in the doorway. Henantil had an expression like he had just witnessed the most disgusting thing he had ever seen in his life. A silent look of guilt and embarrassment crossed Loac's face as she stepped away from Falinir.

"Come in Henantil, and close the door behind you", ordered Falinir.

Henantil hesitated and then entered the room. He looked back and forth at Falinir and Loac with continued disgust.

"I cannot believe it", Henantil said as he closed the door, "Such filthy utter disregard for..."

"What do you want?" interrupted Falinir, "Look, I'll pay you..."

"I'll accept no bribe", sneered Henantil, "The High Wizard has a right to know that his daughter is illegally doing repulsive acts with a Bosmer."

Loac looked through her purse and pulled out 70 gold septims which Henatil sneered at and refused. At the same time, Falinir walked over to the corner of the room and opened a secret corner of the floor. Inside the hidden compartment was a sturdy locked wooden chest. He procured a small silver key from his back pocket and quickly unlocked the chest. It was filled to the brim with nearly 12,000 gold septims. Falinir gathered them by the handful and put about a third of the gold coins into a blue woolen sack. Henantil's eyes widened with greed at the sight of that much gold. Falinir handed the sack to Henantil who eagerly accepted it.

"I saw nothing", said Henantil stepping out of the room. As he was about to leave, Henantil turned around and said, "Oh yes, I almost forgot. This is an urgent letter from the High Wizard of Skywatch."

Falinir accepted the letter and closed the door as Henantil left. On the envelope were the words "To Ambassador Falinir of Valenwood. Open Immediately". He took a bone-carved letter opener and broke the seal on the envelope. The letter read:

As the Ambassador of Valenwood, your immediate presence is required at the palace of the High Wizard of Skywatch for the writing of a new treaty regarding sea borders and the joined effort to end piracy on the seas between the provinces of Summerset Isle, Cyrodill, and Valenwood. You may bring a clerk to accompany you to this important event, for note taking purposes. I have personally sent a horse-drawn coach to escort you and your clerk to Skywatch, and accomodations have been arranged for the duration of your stay.

Sincerely,
His Supreme Lordship the High Wizard Canato of Skywatch

Falinir set down the letter and looked at Loac. She still seemed troubled over Henantil.

"I can't believe he took so much money", said Loac angrily. She hesitated, then added, "There's something you should know about Henantil."

"What is that?" asked Falinir.

"He's a spy. He works for my father", confessed Loac, "I've seen him meeting with my father on several occasions."

"I know that already", said Falinir, "I've seen his hidden notebooks in the stock room. I've known for years, but if I had fired Henantil, the High Wizard would've grown suspicious of me and that wasn't in my best interest. I've never had anything to hide until now. But let's forget about Henantil for the moment. I have a wonderful surprise for you."

"What?" asked Loac with an eager smile.

Falinir held out the letter to her and said, "How would you like to travel with me to the beautiful town of Skywatch?"

-------------------
Chapter 9
-------------------

Loac excitedly read the letter. She could be the clerk to accompany Falinir to Skywatch! She'd heard that Skywatch had the most beautiful beaches in all Summerset Isle. It was a popular vacation destination for people from all over Tamriel. Traveling there with Falinir sounded simply wonderful.

"I'll have to get permission from my father first, of course," said Loac excitedly, "But I think he'll be pleased that I have the opportunity to be present during the forming of a treaty."

"The coach is already here, so we should leave first thing in the morning," said Falinir, "I hope you'll be able to go."

Loac finished her work for the day, and her horse carriage arrived as usual to take her home. When she reached her manor she saw a brand new Cheydinhal thoroughbred black horse tied outside. It looked very expensive, and she wondered if her father had just purchased it, or if there was a very wealthy guest in his house.

"I hope it's not a new aristocrat suitor here to court me," she thought to herself as she stepped up the marble stairs to her front door. When she swung the door open, she saw her father seated by the fireplace chatting with a man. It was Henantil. He looked at her with a grin.

Loac froze with fear. Why was Henantil here all of a sudden? She didn't know whether he had told her father about today's events or not.

"Loac," said her father as he noticed her at the door, "How was work today? Anything interesting happen?"

"Y-Yes, actually. I was invited by the ambassador to be his clerk at the signing of a new treaty in Skywatch," said Loac. She handed the letter from High Wizard Canato to her father.

"Well, congratulations. You'll get a first-hand look at how a treaty is formed. Give my regards to High Wizard Canato while you're there. I haven't seen him in decades," said High Wizard Warundil.

Loac smiled and said, "Thank you."

"Good evening, Loac," said Henantil with a smile, "I was just showing your father my new horse. It's a Cheydinhal Black. I'm sure you know it's the finest horse money can buy."

"It's beautiful," said Loac with a feigned smile. She felt angry knowing that Henantil had just bought it with Falinir's hard-earned savings. Henantil was also wearing expensive new red silk clothing with gold embroidery. Like any other typical Altmer, he had squandered his money on something overly luxurious to arrogantly show off his status. Loac was annoyed by his presence, but relieved that at least he hadn't told her father anything.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed. I have to be to the embassy early tomorrow to leave for Skywatch," said Loac.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to have a word with you in private before you go to sleep," said Henantil suddenly.

Loac's father looked at Henantil with a surprised expression. Suddenly it all made sense to Warundil. Henantil's expensive new horse and new suit were simply ways of impressing Loac. Henantil had to be secretly courting her, and that's why Loac loved going to her work so much. Warundil smiled at the thought of it. Though Henantil was older than Loac by about 120 years, that wasn't much considering the 900 year average lifespan of the Altmer race. He had known Henantil for many years, and had grown to trust him. Yes, Warundil decided in his thoughts, he would allow them to marry.

"You may talk to me in my room," said Loac as she walked up the stairs with Henantil trailing behind her. Loac shut the door to her room and looked at Henantil impatiently.

"What is it you want to discuss?" asked Loac.

"Do you realize the grave mistake you're making by having a relationship with Ambassador Falinir?" asked Henantil, "I don't think you know what you've gotten yourself into."

"I don't need you to lecture me. You've already received more money than you deserve to remain quiet," said Loac.

"Just six or seven weeks ago I saw Ambassador Falinir and the other two Bosmer in the embassy eating that clerk who was killed by the Orc. They're cannibals," said Henantil, "The things I saw that day will haunt me for the rest of my life."

"I already know about that", said Loac, "Falinir told me."

"You know?" asked Henantil in surprise, "And it doesn't disgust you?"

"No," Loac said. In truth it did bother her a little bit, but she didn't want to encourage Henantil's argument.

Henantil stepped close to Loac and said, "You can't honestly tell me you think cannibalism is normal. You deserve better than a savage inferior like him. There are better men out there, sophisticated men, like myself, who would love to be with a woman like you. You know, the day you came to work at the embassy, my heart leapt with joy knowing that I would be working with you. I've worked for your father for over 80 years, and I've had my eyes on you since you were a child."

"You've had your eyes on me since I was a child? That's disgusting!" said Loac.

"What I meant to say is, I've always wanted to marry the daughter of the High Wizard," said Henantil.

"Just like every other Altmer man out there," said Loac, "I'm not interested. I'm in love with Falinir."

"You can never marry him, and having a secret illegal relationship with him will never bring you happiness. When you finally come to your senses and decide you want to be with a proper man, know that I'll be waiting for you. I always have been waiting for you," said Henantil.

Henantil tried to touch Loac's cheek and she shoved his arm away.

"Get out," she said bluntly.

"Be careful. The life of your precious little ambassador rests in my hands. If I breathe one word about your relationship to your father, he won't hesitate to kill Ambassador Falinir," said Henantil with a malicious smile.

"My father would never do that," said Loac defensively.

"I've known your father longer than you have, and believe me, he's had people killed for lesser crimes than what Falinir has done. I know this for a fact because I'm the one who carried out the executions. However, I have faith that you'll come to your senses eventually, and it won't have to come to that. I know in your heart you are a proper Altmer woman. Look, I'm not here to blackmail you..." said Henantil.

"It sure sounds like you are," said Loac.

"Just give it some thought. I'm handsome, I have a nice home, fine clothing, a thoroughbred horse, and when I marry you it will allow me to someday become the next High Wizard. I'm any woman's dream come true," bragged Henantil, "Just think about me, and know that I'll be thinking about you. You'll come to me eventually, I know you will. I'm a patient man. I can wait for you to realize your mistakes on your own."

"Goodnight," said Loac impatiently opening her door.

"Goodnight, my dear," said Henantil with an arrogant smile as he left.

I can't believe the nerve of that man! Disgusting!, thought Loac to herself. She closed the door and layed on her bed. She felt afraid. If he really was a secret executioner who worked for her father that made him even more dangerous than she had previously thought. She hoped he would never turn Falinir into her father, but now she wasn't so sure. "I'm a patient man. I can wait", he had told her. She wondered just how patient he really was. It seemed like he meant he would let her continue her relationship with Falinir as long as she wanted to. Perhaps he didn't really want to kill Falinir, because then she would hold a grudge against him. If Henantil wanted to marry Loac, it made sense that he wouldn't want to do anything that would anger her. However, she feared what Henantil would do if he realized the truth that she would never marry him. As Loac fell asleep that night she hoped for the best, but in the back of her mind she feared the worst.

--------------------
Chapter 10
--------------------

Falinir and Loac boarded the coach, while the driver strapped their leather luggage satchels onto the roof. The sun was barely rising in the early morning hour, and they were already on their way to Skywatch for the treaty signing. Loac's heart filled with excitement as they passed outside Alinor's city walls, and the road slowly changed from cobblestone to dirt. The straight dirt road made it's way past pastures and farms. Loac turned to face Falinir, who was sitting across from her.

"This is my first time outside of Alinor", said Loac with a giddy smile.

"Oh, you'll love Skywatch. I've been there twice myself. The city draws a lot of vacationers, so you'll see all sorts of people there. It's filled with inns and restaurants all along the beaches. Near Canato's castle, there's an incredible restaurant you simply must try," said Falinir, "I'd like to take you there sometime during our stay."

"I'd love to," said Loac.

She looked out the window at the passing countryside. There were rolling green hills dotted with herds of sheep. They passed through a small wooded forest, and Loac saw a wild timber wolf running freely through the foliage. After an hour of travel they eventually reached the ferry that would take them to the smaller of the two main islands of Summerset Isle. The coach stood still upon the creaking wooden dock as the large ferry slowly approached from the sea. When the ferry boat finally docked, two Altmer sailers lowered a long wooden boarding platform. The coach went up the steep loading ramp, causing Loac to suddenly fall out of her seat and land on top of Falinir. Her tall height caused her chest to be pressed hard against his face. Only when the coach pulled onto the even ground of the ship thirty seconds later, was Loac able to pull back. She saw that Falinir was laughing.

"It wasn't funny", she said. Her cheeks were blushing red with embarassment.

"I'm just laughing because for a moment there I thought I was going to be smothered to death by your... your..." Falinir was unable to finish his sentence because he was laughing so hard, "I'm sorry. I know it's not proper to joke about such things."

Falinir began to feel embarrassed about his impolite joke, then to his surprise, Loac started laughing too. They laughed about it together as the ferry pulled away from the dock and began heading towards Skywatch. Loac listened to the sea birds and the creaking of the wooden boat. The way the ferry moved smoothly up and down the ocean waves, made the coach roll forward and back. It was fun at first, but after awhile it made her feel somewhat nauseous. When she caught sight of the dock of Skywatch she smiled gleefully. Skywatch really was beautiful.

The coach disembarked from the ferry and entered the town. All of the stone houses around them were painted different colors, and the whole town was much more lively than Alinor. Loac was amazed at how many different people were walking along the streets. There were Altmer of course, several Dunmer, some humans, and she gasped as she saw an Argonian for the first time. The Altmer in Skywatch didn't seem to mind the presence of other races at all.

"I wonder if some of the Altmer in Skywatch ever get into interracial relationships with the travelers that come here," said Loac inquisitively.

"Ah, well it probably happens occasionally, but they'd get exiled for it. It's illegal in all of Summerset Isle, even in places where there are a lot of foreigners," said Falinir.

The coach suddenly pulled to a stop in front of a large inn. The carved sign above the door read "The Seadragon Lodge". The driver of the coach opened the door for them, and carried the luggage up to their rooms. Their rooms were right next to eachother. Loac and Falinir unpacked their luggage satchels in their seperate rooms and met again in the hallway.

"There's a note in my room with the schedule for the treaty signing," said Falinir, "We don't have to be there until this afternoon. It's not even noon yet, so why don't we go enjoy the beach?"

They walked along the white sand on the beach, and looked out at the sparkling clear blue ocean. The water was so clear, Loac could see pink coral and colorful fish swimming around. Several Dunmer children were playing and splashing in the water, while adults relaxed in the sunshine along the beach. It's no wonder why this was the most popular beach in all of Tamriel. The sun felt warm on her face, and there was a slight breeze blowing through her hair. Despite Loac's enjoyment of her new surroundings, at the back of her mind she was still upset about Henantil. She decided to wait to tell Falinir about it until after they got back to Alinor, so that he could at least enjoy their vacation in Skywatch without any troubles on his mind.

"Time sure flies by in a place like this. It's already passing noon. We should walk over to the castle now for the treaty signing," said Falinir.

"This treaty signing we're going to, it's to get everyone to work together in stopping the pirates, right?" asked Loac.

"Quite the opposite I'm afraid," said Falinir, "Did you see the news article about the little skirmish that happened in Skywatch while you were recovering from your arrow wound?"

"No, I didn't," said Loac.

Falinir replied, "Well a ship full of pirates attacked a small fishing village in Valenwood. They ransacked the village and burned it to the ground. They even killed children. The few surviving villagers ran to the nearby Valenwood town of Greenheart and convinced the town guard and soldiers to help them hunt down and kill the pirates who had attacked them. So, the whole lot of them got on a large ship, and it wasn't long before they spotted the pirates who had attacked the village. The pirates could see the angry mob outnumbered them, and they fled west. Those cowardly pirates finally docked at Skywatch and ran, but the Bosmer soldiers followed them. It ended with a massive bloody battle between the two, right on this very beach. All the vacationers and local Altmer here ran for their lives or looked on in horror at the battle. The soldiers from Greenheart eventually won and all of the pirates were slain, but suffice it to say the people of Skywatch were not pleased. When a boat full of armed soldiers from another province storms upon their beach it could be considered an act of war. I think they were terrified with the thought that Valenwood had suddenly declared war on Summerset Isle, before they realized the soldiers were only attacking pirates. The soldiers from Greenheart had good intentions, but storming upon a Summerset Isle beach like that was foolish. Now High Wizard Canato wants to write this treaty to make it clear that sea borders cannot be crossed by foreign soldiers even if they are pursuing pirates. Technically that is already the law, but this treaty is just a show to make sure everyone will behave. In the end, it's the pirates who will win."

"Can't you oppose the treaty then?" asked Loac.

"No, I won't be the main person representing Valenwood there. The Chieftain of Greenheart will personally be there to sign the treaty, and he supports it fully. It's a gesture to apologize for the actions of his guardsmen. He already wrote me a letter regarding it over a week ago and I have to follow his orders. He's been in correspondance with High Wizard Canato ever since the incident, and they both decided on forming this treaty as a way of reconciling what happened. Even if the representative from Cyrodiil refuses to sign it, which I doubt, it will still become a treaty between Summerset Isle and Valenwood. I'll follow my orders from the Chieftain and sign it, then we can enjoy the rest of our time here," said Falinir.

Loac nodded in acceptance, and they stepped up the walkway to High Wizard Canato's castle.

This post has been edited by drakkenfan: Oct 5 2010, 08:37 PM

[drakkenfan]

----------------
Chapter 16
----------------

Henantil mounted his horse and rode as fast as he could up to Warundil's stately manor. The guards let him pass into the flower-filled courtyard, and the doorman let him inside the house. Henantil walked noisily across the shiny marble floor and saw Warundil seated at his formal dining table eating lunch.

"High Wizard..." said Henantil with a slight bow.

"Don't tell me that Bosmer is already dead. I told you to take your time with it," said Warundil annoyed.

"I'm sorry to inform you of this Your Highness, but Ambassador Falinir has escaped. He was somehow immune to my magical attack and used some sort of invisibility spell to run away," confessed Henantil.

"Well find him, you fool!" shouted Warundil standing up, "Go to the docks before he escapes!"

"I already searched the only Valenwood ship at the dock, but he wasn't there," said Henantil, "I now wonder if he might be on his way here, to retrieve Loac."

"Perhaps I should check on her," said Warundil scratching his chin.

Warundil walked up the winding staircase, closely followed by Henantil. He knocked on Loac's door and called out her name. There was only silence. Warundil sighed impatiently and unlocked the door. When he opened to door and looked inside he gasped from shock. Loac wasn't there! How could that Bosmer have freed her? The door hadn't been unlocked, and there were no windows. The fire was still roaring in the fireplace.

"She's gone?" asked Henantil in surprise.

"That damned Bosmer must be a powerful mage. I don't know how he did it! Come, let's go to the docks before it's too late. If word of my daughter's illegal pregnancy gets out, my reputation will be ruined!" said Warundil in anger.

They ran down the stairs and out the front door. Within seconds they were in Warundil's horse carriage and on their way to the docks. When they arrived, people there seemed surprised to see the High Wizard step out of the carriage. He normally avoided the docks, due to all the foreign races that traded wares there. Warundil and Henantil split up and began questioning people if they had seen Loac or Falinir. Henantil approached a gray-haired Altmer woman and asked her about them.

"How could I forget?" laughed the elderly Altmer woman, "The High Wizard's daughter was covered in black soot! Most bizarre! And the Bosmer man walking next to her had no shoes on. He sold his jacket to board a ship to Anvil. They left about half an hour ago."

"They're headed to Anvil!" shouted Henantil to Warundil, "They left only half an hour ago."

"Alright, my city guard ship should catch up to them in no time. I'll gather some of the city guardsmen and you can command them onboard the ship," said Warundil.

"What about you, sir?" asked Henantil.

"I don't want to draw too much attention to the matter. I leaving you in charge of this. Do not disappoint me, Henantil," said High Wizard Warundil, "Don't return until you've succeeded."

"I promise I will bring back your daughter safely, and see that the criminal Falinir is killed," said Henantil obediantly.

"Good," said Warundil.

Together they rallied several city guardsmen to the massive city guard ship and Henantil ordered the ship out to sea. Henantil told the ship's captain to chart a course in the direction of Anvil, and he knew that they would catch up to Loac and Falinir's ship within only an hour or two. It was just a matter of time.

Onboard the merchant ship to Anvil, Loac continued looking out at the sea. It seemed to go on forever. The dark waters were like a blanket stretching across the land as far as she could see. She couldn't even see the coast of Cyrodiil yet, let alone the docks of Anvil.

"What are we going to do when we get to Anvil? We don't have any money," said Loac, "How will we eat? Where will we sleep?"

"I don't know," replied Falinir, "If we can eventually get to the city of Falinesti in Valenwood, I have an old savings in the Bank of Valenwood that will be enough to pay for our wedding and a small house until I can find work. I remember two old friends of mine moved to Anvil years ago. If they're still there, perhaps we can find them and have a place to stay for the night. Maybe I can even borrow a pair of shoes for our journey on-foot to Valenwood."

"What if we can't find your old friends?" asked Loac.

Falinir sighed and said, "Then I suppose we'd have no choice but to join the Mage's Guild for a free place to stay, and perform some menial tasks for them to earn gold. Don't worry though. Once we get to Falinesti we'll have my savings and my family there. I shouldn't have any trouble finding work. My father became the Chieftain of Falinesti two years ago. With my experience in political work I shouldn't have any trouble getting a position on his council once one becomes available. Everything will work out fine for us financially. I know it won't exactly be the luxurious life you're used to in your father's manor, but we'll live comfortably and be able to raise our child in peace. You'll get used to life in Falinesti eventually."

Suddenly a dark ship appeared on the horizon, just barely visable to Falinir's eyes. It was closing in fast towards them. Falinir grabbed a small silver telescope laying on a crate and looked out at the approaching ship. His face paled with fear.

"Oh no..." said Falinir.

"What is it?" asked Loac frantically.

"Pirates," he replied.

------------
Chapter 17
------------

"Arm yourselves men!" shouted the Redguard captain from the bow of the ship, "We're not giving up our wares without a fight!"

The human sailors drew their swords, and a few of them donned light armor. Loac saw a young frightened Altmer woman crawl into a wooden crate on deck and hide. The woman's travelling companion, an Altmer man, nervously held out a magical staff in preparation for battle. He looked to be just a simple merchant passenger without any battle experience. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his hands quivered in fear.

"Quick! We should hide below deck," said Falinir to Loac.

As Falinir and Loac ran for the open door to go below deck, a barrage of arrows darted through the sky from the pirate vessel. One struck the Redguard captain in the neck, and blood spurted down his shirt to his feet. As he fell dying, another arrow struck him in the chest. Sailor after sailor fell to his death from the arrows before the pirates had even boarded the ship.

Loac and Falinir rushed down the stairs and into one of the small rooms below deck. They hid in the cramped dark space behind a pile of wooden barrels and storage crates. Above them they could hear the muffled sounds of people fighting and shouting. Loac clung tightly to Falinir. Suddenly the door to their room burst open. A Bosmer pirate clad in torn leather armor entered and began rifling through the crates. As he pulled down a barrel, he revealed Falinir's face from behind it.

"Get out of there!" said the pirate, "Give me your money or your life."

Falinir knew his pockets were empty except for his letter opener. He drew out the letter opener like a dagger and began slashing wildly at the air in front him.

"You stay away from me!" said Falinir.

The pirate laughed at the little letter opener and drew his longsword. As he was about to strike down Falinir, suddenly the pirate was hit by shock magic and knocked to the floor. Falinir turned around and saw Loac peering out from behind the crates in a magical attack stance. She had saved him. The pirate began to stand up and Loac knocked down again with another blast of magic.

"You're as good as dead, Woman! I'm going to gut you like a fish!" shouted the pirate from the ground as Loac knocked him down again and again. Her magic was too weak to cause him any serious harm, but it was enough to keep him on the ground. Falinir grabbed Loac's hand and ran past the slightly injured pirate. They began sprinting for the stairs.

"You know a spell that will allow us to breathe underwater, right?" asked Falinir with urgency.

"Yes, but I don't know how to swim," said Loac, "And we must be two miles from the coast!"

"I'll swim us there, and you cast," said Falinir, as he bounded up the stairs.

"We'll never make it!" said Loac, "No one can swim for two miles!"

"If we remain here we'll never make it. As long as we can breathe underwater, then it won't matter if I rest along the way," said Falinir.

He swung open the door and they ran out on deck. Loac gasped at the bloodbath before her. Sailors were dead everywhere, and the pirates were looting the bodies. She noticed the Altmer man who had seemed so nervous before was now lying dead in a pool of blood. A pirate was carrying the man's magical staff like a trophy. Another Bosmer pirate was holding up the dress skirt of the Altmer woman who had hidden in a crate. As he raped the woman, she cried out for her dead husband. The whole scene was too much for Loac to bear. She looked out at the vast sea in tears, and saw another ship approaching.

"That's a Summerset Isle guard ship! They're coming to save us from the pirates!" said Loac as she waved her arms at the distant ship, "But why are they stopping?"

"It's that foolish treaty! We've crossed the border into Cyrodiil waters. There's nothing the Summerset Isle guards can do," said Falinir as he pulled Loac to the edge of the ship in preparation to jump.

Meanwhile, onboard the guard ship Henantil angrily scowled at the captain and said, "What is this? Why are we turning around? Don't tell me you're afraid of pirates!"

"Not in the least," said the captain, "See that rock jutting out of the water there? That marks the sea border of Cyrodiil. Their ship has crossed over into Cyrodiil waters. There's a new treaty in effect that punishes soldiers with jail time if they try to pursue criminals across sea borders. If you still want to chase them into Cyrodiil, you'll have to go back to Summerset Isle and board a merchant ship by yourself. I'm not going to get my whole crew thrown into a jail for breaking interprovincial law."

"This is ridiculous! We're so close!" shouted Henantil, "Wait! I see them! They're... By the Nine! They're jumping into the sea! They're swimming for Anvil!"

Henantil aimed his hands to send a magical attack at Falinir, but soon decided it was too risky. He might accidentally hit Loac from such a vast distance. He would have no choice but to go back to Summerset Isle and board a common merchant ship to Anvil. Perhaps if Loac and Falinir stayed the night in Anvil, he might still have a chance of catching up to them. He bared his teeth in anger, and watched Loac and Falinir grow farther and farther away as his guard ship headed back to Alinor in defeat.

Loac gasped for breath and held on tightly as Falinir dragged her through the cold sea waters. The waves lifted them back and forth while Falinir struggled against the awkward currents to keep moving in the direction of Anvil. After an hour of swimming hard, Falinir began dropping under the surface of water in weakness. Loac cast the underwater breathing spell on Falinir and then herself. As they fell deeper and deeper into the dark depths of the sea Loac opened her eyes in the salty water. Below her, it was like a whole other world. Pink and orange coral covered the sea floor like a forest, and schools of rainbow colored fish swam around her without fear. Two male crabs were wrestling on the sand below, while a lighter colored female crab stood aside. In the distance, Loac saw the unmistakable dark shape of a massive whale.

"This is astounding," she said to Falinir with a smile.

He was still out of breath from his arduous swim, and just nodded his head in silent agreement. As the spell began to wear off, Loac cast it again repeatedly, until Falinir regained the strength to swim onward. While Loac held on, he swam back up to the surface and continued with all of his strength in the direction of Anvil. By the time they finally dragged themselves onto the beach it was sunset. Every muscle in Falinir's body ached and burned. He layed on the sand and looked up at the pink dusk sky, letting his aching body feel the relief of finally being on land. He wondered if he'd even be able to stand up. Loac stood effortlessly and looked at the nearby dock of Anvil.

"We made it!" she said excitedly.

"Yes..." said Falinir with a cough, "We made it."

Chapter 18

Loac helped Falinir stand up and they slowly began walking towards the town. They treaded along the wooden dock past groups of sailors, and through the large oaken city gate. Loac marveled at the sight of the city of Anvil. Chipped white plaster covered the old stone buildings all around her. Every building looked similar, with the same turquoise painted doors and clay-colored ceramic tile roofs. She could hear the cries of sea birds overhead, and the whole town had the faint salty odor of the sea. Loac reached out to hold Falinir's hand, and he winced from the pain of his broken finger.

"You should really go see a healer," said Loac with concern, "It looks like it's getting worse."

"I think that's the Chapel of Dibella over there," said Falinir pointing to a large building that towered above the others.

They walked together to the front of the chapel and entered inside. There were rows of empty wooden benches on either side of the large room, and tall ornate stained glass windows along the stone walls showed a picture of each of the Nine Divines. At the very end of the chapel hall was a cylindrical white altar. A Redguard woman with long wiry gray hair stood by the altar with a friendly smile.

"Hello, pilgrims. I'm Trevaia, Priestess of Dibella and Chapel Healer. Is there anything I can help you with?" said the Redguard with a soothing monotone voice. She sounded as if she was rehearsing a line she said to everyone throughout the day.

Falinir held out his broken finger. It was now swollen and purple with bruising.

"Oh my, you poor dear," said Trevaia, "I'll fix that right up."

She waved her hand, casting a powerful restoration spell over Falinir. The blue light of her spell slowly encircled his whole body with a spiral. As the magical light faded away he felt as good as new. He wasn't even aching anymore from his long swim.

"Thank you muchly, Priestess", said Falinir, "I'd normally give a donation to the chapel for your kind help, but I unfortunately lost all of my money today."

"Don't worry about it. My services are free to all, including beggars," said Trevaia looking at Falinir's bare feet, messy hair, and tattered wet clothing. Loac didn't look much better in her filthy soot-stained wet dress.

Falinir ignored the "beggar" remark and asked, "I was wondering... I'm looking for two old friends of mine. They're brothers named Maenlorn and Caenlorn. I believe they moved up to Anvil sixteen years ago to open a business."

"Yes, I know of them. They have a tavern at the docks called The Flowing Bowl. Great food there," said Trevaia.

"Thank you again, Priestess!" said Falinir with a smile, "Oh, and one more thing. If any Altmer come here looking for me or my lady friend, could you please tell them you haven't seen us?"

"My lips are sealed," said Trevaia waving goodbye, "May the Nine Divines guide you safely on your travels."

As they walked through the Anvil streets back towards the dock, Loac looked at the wide variety of townsfolk. It seemed members of every race lived there together in harmony.

"Is being in a interracial relationship considered normal here?" asked Loac, "We could hold hands in public without any problem?"

"It might turn a few heads and give people something to gossip about, but it's perfectly legal," said Falinir.

He suddenly stopped in his tracks and held Loac's face, pulling her lips to meet his in a kiss. They stood in the center of town, basking in their new-found freedom. Passersby turned their heads and stopped to stare at the odd couple kissing. One man walked right into a wall as he was staring, and Loac could hear someone giggling in the distance. Falinir slowly pulled back and looked into Loac's green eyes. Then he took her arm in his and they continued walking together toward the dock.

They finally reached The Flowing Bowl, and stepped inside. The small tavern had a slight odor of stale beer, and smoke from the fireplace. Falinir immediately recognized his old friend Maenlorn behind the small bar. He was pouring a glass of cheap wine for a shirtless Argonian sailor. He hadn't changed much in the past 16 years since Falinir had last seen him. The only noticable difference was his shiny gray hair. Falinir approached his old friend.

"By the Nine! Falinir?! Is that you?" asked Maenlorn in shock.

"It certainly is. How have you been, old friend?" said Falinir.

"The Gods have been good to me, but what's become of you? It looks like you just washed up from a shipwreck! Last I heard from you, you were moving to Silvenar as an advisor to the Silvenar," said Maenlorn.

"Well, it's a long story..." said Falinir. Sailors gathered around as he recounted his tale of becoming ambassador, meeting Loac, escaping from Henantil's torture chamber, being attacked by pirates, and finally swimming to Anvil.

"That's quite an adventure you've been through! How about a drink and a nice hot meal for you and your lady friend? Don't worry, it's on the house," said Maenlorn as he uncorked a bottle of Jagga.

"Thank you, brother Bosmer," said Falinir, "I hate to suddenly ask for a favor like this, but we also have no where to stay for the night."

"You can stay in my room upstairs," said Maenlorn, "I'll sleep on a blanket down here in the bar. After what you've just been through, you should have a bed to sleep in."

"Thank you so much," said Loac, "We're truely indebted to you."

Maenlorn served them two large cuts of beef, and they ate amongst the noisy banter of the sailors and drunkards in the dark tavern. After eating, their fatigue from the long day caught up with them, and they went upstairs and entered Maenlorn's room. It was exceedingly small, no larger than a closet. The wooden walls were windowless and bare, and the only furniture was a tiny bed with a storage chest at the foot of it. An old stitched-up brown blanket was neatly laying on top of the bed, and served as the only bedding for the hard straw mattress. Loac noticed a roach crawling along the floor and she jumped. Falinir seemed unfazed by the roach, and layed down on the bed with a yawn. He held out his open arms to Loac, and she reluctantly layed down on the dirty bed as well. The only way they both fit was to hold eachother tightly. The ruckus and drunken talking from the tavern below sounded as if it was happening right next to Loac's ears. She closed her eyes, but doubted that she'd ever be able to fall asleep in such a place.

Meanwhile, an Altmer merchant ship pulled into the dock, and Henantil hastily deboarded. He walked right past The Flowing Bowl and into town. He held his nose up and sneered at any humans or beggars who tried to greet him as he briskly made his way to the Chapel of Dibella. Upon entering the chapel, he noticed there was a lone woman standing there.

"Excuse me, but I'm looking for my, uh... friends...perhaps you've seen them today?" asked Henantil, "One is a young brunette Altmer woman in a blue dress, the other is a black-haired Bosmer with no shoes on. He may have come in here to cure a broken finger and a burned foot. It's urgent that I know where they are."

"I'm sorry, but they're not here," said Trevaia in her slow monotonous voice.

Henantil pursed his lips in anger, and dropped a large 100-gold coin into the donation box. He held out another coin in his hand.

"Are you quite certain you didn't see them?" said Henantil, "I'm sure my friend would have gotten his broken finger healed today."

"Thank you for your donation," said Trevaia without another word.

Henantil lost his patience with the woman and grabbed her by the throat, "Listen Human, I'm not here to play your games! I know they came in here today, now tell me where they are!"

Trevaia choked and gagged as he lifted her off the ground by her neck. She barely managed to whisper out, "I'll... tell...you..."

Henantil dropped her and she fell onto the floor in a slump. She rubbed her neck and gasped for air. Henantil glared down at her and she looked up at him with fear in her dark eyes.

"Alright... They were in here a few hours ago. The Bosmer was looking for Maenlorn and Caenlorn, and asked me where they were. I told him to go to The Flowing Bowl at the docks," said Trevaia.

"Thank you," said Henantil as he retrieved his 100-gold coin back out of the donation box and silently left the chapel.

After Henantil left, Trevaia stood up to call the guards, then quickly changed her mind. The man who attacked her could easily be an assassin working for the Dark Brotherhood, and if that was the case she wanted nothing to do with it. She decided it was best to simply stay out of the matter. She knelt down at side of the altar and whispered a heartfelt prayer for the two travellers whose lives were now in danger.

Chapter 19

Henantil swiftly walked through the dark moonlit streets of Anvil. Within moments he arrived at the docks and spotted a small wooden sign that read "The Flowing Bowl". Without hesitation, he entered the noisy candlelit tavern and surveyed the room surrounding him. The bartender was wiping a plate with a dirty rag while shabby-looking sailors sat at the old wooden tables drinking. The conversation grew quiet and several heads turned to look at Henantil. A fancy-dressed Altmer entering a paltry sailors' tavern wasn't a sight they saw everyday. A beautiful Nord woman particularly took notice of Henantil and eyed his fancy clothing with a look of lust. She seductively sauntered over to him.

The woman playfully stroked Henantil's chest and said, "I haven't seen you here before. Aww, and you're all alone too. How sad. I'm Signy. Me and my friend Faustina are lonely too, and we've been looking for someone. We have a cozy farmhouse with a nice soft bed not far from here, where we could get to know each other much, much better."

Henantil shoved her hand away, "You honestly think a man of my race and status would want to go to bed with a couple of lowly human harlots? The very idea of it makes me want to vomit!"

She looked embarrassed by his response.

Henantil curled his lips into a smile and added, "Pitiful creature. I suppose I can't blame you for trying. It must be every human woman's dream to bed a sophisticated Altmer man."

Signy seductively replied, "Well, if you change your mind, and I hope you will, meet us in the farmhouse just outside of town at eleven o'clock. I promise you a night of fun you won't soon forget."

Henantil sneered at the desperate woman's offer and walked towards the bartender. Perhaps the bartender knew where Loac and Falinir were.

"It's a good thing you rejected Signy over there. I have a feeling she would've robbed you blind," said Maenlorn, "So what can I get for you, my good man?"

"Oh, yes... I'm looking for my friends," said Henantil with a smile.

Up in the tiny bedroom above the tavern, Loac tossed and turned uncomfortably in the small Bosmer-sized bed. She finally stood up and walked towards the door. Falinir glanced at her with a puzzled look.

"I can't sleep. I'm going downstairs for a glass of water," said Loac.

"I'll be here waiting for you," said Falinir. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep again.

As Loac reached the bottom of the staircase she froze in fear. Turning around, she tried to quietly walk back up to her room, but it was too late. Henantil had his green eyes fixed upon her.

"Loac, I'd like to have a word with you," said Henantil.

Loac reluctantly walked over and stood in front of him.

"I've chosen exile," said Loac, "There's nothing you can say to convince me otherwise. Please, Henantil, just leave me here in peace. Tell my father I drowned at sea."

"You're speaking nonsense. Who in their right mind would choose to live among inferiors like these people? Come back to Summerset Isle with me, Loac. You don't want to be stuck in exile from proper civilization for the rest of your life. Why throw your life away for that little Bosmer? Everyone in this tavern would say I'm better looking than him. I'm more handsome than any man in this entire city! Women have been throwing themselves at me here..." bragged Henantil.

"It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, Henantil. On the inside, you're an ugly horrible man and I will never love you," said Loac bluntly.

"Then I suppose we're going to have to do this the hard way," said Henantil angrily raising his fist at Loac, "I made a promise to the High Wizard. You're coming back with me, whether you like it or not. I might have allowed Falinir to live, had you agreed to come back with me willingly. Now I see it's going to take killing him to get you to come to your senses."

"No!" said Loac, as Henantil tightly grabbed her arm.

Suddenly Henantil felt something uncomfortably poking his lower back. Maenlorn held his sharp dinner knife steady, almost piercing Henantil's skin. Across the room Caenlorn and a Bosmer sailor grabbed knives from their tables and pointed them at Henantil.

"No one is killing any innocent person in my tavern. Let her go now, or I'll put this knife into your back," said Maenlorn sternly.

Henantil released his grip on Loac's arm, and slowly stepped towards the door. He pretended to reach for the door handle, then suddenly swung his arm forward and launched a magical fire attack on Maenlorn. Maenlorn instantly collapsed to the ground in excruciating pain. Another fire spell from Henantil killed him on the spot. His corpse burned black in the magical flames.

"Brother! No!!!" shouted Caenlorn in anguish. He screamed in fury and rushed at Henantil with his knife. Henantil struggled with him and finally managed to aim a close range magical attack, knocking him to the ground.

"You cut my finest suit! Little b@stard!" said Henantil kicking the unconscious Caenlorn.

The Bosmer sailor across the room lowered his knife and decided it wasn't worth dying to get in a barfight with a powerful mage. Everyone else in the tavern stared at the scene before them in horror, but did nothing. While Henantil looked angrily at his slashed jacket sleeve, Loac ran up the stairs to her room and opened her door. Falinir was softly snoring in the little bed.

Loac shook him awake and whispered, "Quick! Turn invisible and jump out the window in the hall. Henantil is here!"

Falinir jumped out of bed and immediately turned himself invisible. As he stepped out into the hall and opened the window, Loac heard his voice whisper, "What about you?"

Loac didn't have a chance to reply. Henantil ran past her and looked into the small bedroom.

"Where's Falinir?" asked Henantil.

"He drowned trying to swim to Anvil. I'm alone here," said Loac unconvincingly.

"Don't lie to me, Loac. A Redguard already told me she saw him," said Henantil as he searched.

Henantil noticed the open hall window and looked outside.

"Falinir! Where are you, you coward?!" he shouted as he fired magical attacks out the window. The fire hit nothing but the empty dock.

In frustration, Henantil turned to Loac and said, "Well, at least I still have you. That coward of a Bosmer seems to have abandoned you. Just stick to that story about him drowning, when your father asks what happened."

Henantil grabbed her arm and forcefully began dragging Loac down the stairs. Falinir stood silent and invisible in the hallway. He would never allow Henantil to take Loac back to Summerset Isle, but he wasn't sure what to do. If he tried to attack Henantil, his invisibility spell would immediately stop working and he would be killed for certain. He quietly followed them down to the tavern, and tried to hold back from muttering a sound as his eyes were drawn to the burnt corpse of his old friend Maenlorn. Beside Maenlorn, laid his brother Caenlorn with a knife still grasped in his hand. Falinir was not sure if Caenlorn was dead as well, or simply unconscious.

Suddenly three heavily-armed town guards burst through the door and shouted to Henantil, "Stop! You violated the law! Pay the court a fine or serve your sentence, murderer!"

Henantil noticed the tavern was now empty. One of the sailors must have snitched to the town guard.

"How much of a fine?" sighed Henantil as he released Loac's arm to dig through his coinpurse. Loac seized the moment of freedom and fled out of the tavern. She raced along the dock, toward the dark forest at the edge of town. Henantil angrily watched her leave, knowing he couldn't follow her until he paid the hefty fine for the murder he had commited.

"Wait for me!" shouted Falinir running behind Loac. His invisibility spell wore off and he joined her side, sprinting through the dark forest at night.

Henantil paid the guards 1000 gold septims and ran out of the tavern. In the distance he saw Loac and Falinir disappear into the shadows of the adjacent forest. He darted after them, running as swiftly as he could, but when he reached the forest they were no where in sight. They had escaped him, yet again. He stood against a tree and thought hard about the situation, desperate for a solution. Returning to High Wizard Warundil empty-handed was definitely not an option. Perhaps a dog could follow their trail? he thought to himself. But for that to work, he'd need something that belonged to either Loac or Falinir for the dog to get the proper scent. Then he remembered, Falinir's shoes were still in his basement! If he went back to Summerset Isle and retrieved the shoes, he could purchase a dog to follow their trail in the morning. It would be a minor setback, but he was certain he would catch up to them eventually.

Deep within the forest, Loac and Falinir had slowed down to a walking pace. Falinir led the way southward, in the direction of Valenwood. He seemed to have a natural sense of direction and comfort with being in a forest setting, even in the darkness of night. The howling of nearby wolves and other nocturnal beasts frightened Loac. As something scurried along the forest floor nearby she screamed.

"You have nothing to worry about, my love. Henantil will never find us out here," said Falinir.

"I can hear the beasts of the forest," whispered Loac.

Suddenly, from out of the shadows leapt a massive brown bear. It snarled menacingly, baring it's large white fangs. Sharp black claws slashed through the air as it barreled towards Loac.

This post has been edited by drakkenfan: Apr 29 2008, 09:39 PM