The Connivers of Bosmora, (a redo) Options

[redsrock]

The following will be a remake of the last one. The previous story was rushed and I just hated it. This one will be much better. Expect the first chapter to either come out tonight, or tomorrow.

[redsrock]

CHAPTER THREE


“Yes, my lord, the target has taken the bait and is currently on his way to Vivec on foot. My men are already in position at the specified location. Is there anything else you’d like me to do?”

Sirius was indeed already on his way to Vivec, and Helseth is now closer to having the Imperial right where he wanted him. He felt a bit remorseful that he was tricking his once best friend, but it’s the only way. Plus, he’s getting desperate. Another member of House Hlaalu in Balmora had disappeared that day, this time a young Dunmer female, a mother of three young elves.

“Yes, trail Sirius and make sure he makes it to Vivec, but stay in the shadows. If he wises up and heads back to Caldera, make sure he never gets there.”

“Of course, my lord,” the agent bowed, and then left the room.

This is getting ridiculous, Helseth thought to himself while sitting at his desk. What the hell is happening in Balmora?


++++++++++++++++


While Sirius walked the dirt path to Vivec, he came up with his own plan. He wasn’t at all sold on this deal, for there were just too many holes throughout. Sirius decided that as soon he stepped foot in the Foreign Quarter he’d immediately ask around and see who this ‘Catolino Balvicci’ is. If he came up with nothing he’d turn right around and sprint back to Caldera, and then would bang on Sabatha’s door demanding an explanation.

And if this man was real, well, then all of his problems will soon be solved. It all sounded nice, but Sirius had learned a long time ago that not everything is always what it seems. In fact, it rarely ever is.

Sometime late in the evening that day Sirius decided to stop for the night and rest. He was now in the city of Pelagiad, a small town just northwest of Vivec. He entered the local inn and purchased a room from the bartender for ten septims. He was about to enter his room when he thought he saw someone staring at him from across the room. He turned around and looked again but no one was there, so he went upstairs to his room and fell right asleep.

He woke up at around six o’clock the next morning, and immediately left the city and walked to Vivec. Once there he headed straight for the upper level of the Foreign Canton, and then walked around looking for a guard. He found one, an Ordinator, patrolling the halls, and he calmly walked over to the guard and asked, “Excuse me, but could I ask you a quick question?”

There Ordinator looked at Sirius and said rudely, “Be quick, Imperial, I have not the time for idle chit-chat.”

“I am looking for a man by the name of Catolino Balvicci. Do you know where I can find him?”

The Ordinator just stared at Sirius for a couple of seconds, but of course it was impossible to see his expression because his face was hidden behind the ancient mask.

“I’ve never heard of him. Are you sure you’re in the right canton?”

“Yes, I was supposed to meet with him today. He’s a merchant from Cyrodiil, and has only been in Morrowind for a few weeks.”

“What does he look like, then?” The Ordinator asked impatiently.

“I don’t know, I’ve never met the man. I received a letter from him yesterday, requesting my appearance.”

The Ordinator sighed and then called for one of his buddies to help out. “Hey, have you ever heard of a ‘Catolino Balvicci’?’ he asked to his friend.

“Nope, never heard of him. Are you sure it’s the right name?” he asked me.

I sighed this time and responded, “Yes, I am positive. Here is the letter he sent me yesterday.”

I handed the Ordinators my letter and they looked it over for several seconds. “I’m afraid you’ve been tricked,” the first one said while handing me the letter.

“What? What are you talking about?”

The Ordinator grumbled a bit and said, “There is no Catolino Balvicci, that’s what I mean. Now if you’ll excuse us, there are more important matters to attend to.”

The two guards walked off, and Sirius was left standing by himself. Dammit, something’s up. Sabatha must be involved as well, or else she wouldn’t have lied. But what the hell is going on?

He then left the city entirely and headed back to Caldera.

About half way to his home he heard rustling in the bushes to his right. Suddenly a Dunmer appeared, carrying a silver longsword. Then he heard footsteps behind him, turned around, and saw three more Dunmer, each carrying similar weapons.

“Excuse me, Sirius, but I’m afraid you’ll have to come with me,” said the Dunmer from the bushes. He had a long beard and many tribal tats across his blue face.

Sirius immediately pulled out his iron dagger and asked angrily, “And just who the hell are you? You don’t by chance have anything to do with sending me to Vivec, do you?”

The elf smiled and said, “Why yes, in fact I do. The plan was for you to enter the inn in Vivec, and then my agents were going to sweep you away after slipping something in your drink, for I know how fond you are of alcohol,” he said with a wink. “Unfortunately it appears you were too smart for us. But it matters not, we are here now and you are to follow me to my superior’s home.”

“And what I don’t want to come with you? Obviously this is about something that is not to my liking. Why else would you try and trick me so foolishly. I should have smelled the lie all the way in Caldera. What did you do, pay Sabatha to lie?”

The Dunmer chuckled loudly and said, “Why, you are the smart little Imperial, aren’t you? None of that matters, Mr. Vero. Why don’t you simply come with me and all of your questions will be answered by someone who can answer them? I promise that your life will not be threatened.”

“Then what’s with the weapon?” Sirius asked.

“It’s here just incase you decide not to cooperate.”

“Then I suggest you use it!”

Suddenly Sirius charged at the Dunmer and went straight for his throat with his dagger. Sirius used to be quite the blade-master in his earlier years while working for House Hlaalu. But that was a long time ago, and since then the Imperial hadn’t been involved in any skirmishes whatsoever. And it certainly showed now.

The Dunmer merely grinned at Sirius, and grabbed his right arm. He twisted it violently and Sirius went spinning through the air, landing hard on his back, knocking the wind right out of him. He looked up and the four elves were looking down at him. Then the ring-leader said, “I am sorry, Mr. Vero, but you made me do it.”

Then a streak of light came from the elf’s hand and suddenly Sirius’s vision went blank.