Memoires of Rales Sarethi, A Morrowind fanfic Options

[Remko]

Dear readers, I posted this in the unnamed forum but since you were so kind to invite me here, I thought I'd "grace" you with my drivel. Without further adue, I present you the adventures of Rales Sarethi.

Part I Homecoming

Chapter 1: Seyda Neen.

Day 1

Over thirty-five years ago, I think I was about nineteen, maybe twenty, I got pulled from my bunk in the cell in Imperial City and was told I was to be deported to Vvardenfell immediately. First by carriage and then by boat.
Gods, even up to this day I resent carriage rides, they’re bumpy, dusty and tiresome, I prefer a horseback ride anyday.

The seajourney is pretty much a blur in my recollection, the gentle relaxing motion of the boat made me drift into a careless and refreshing slumber.
I briefly opened my eyes at times the sea was exceptionally rough and I remember a gentle yet compelling voice speaking to me. Can’t remember the words though, just the sound of the voice that stuck with me.

I woke up when a fellow Dunmer, one donning a huge scar across his face, told me we had arrived and that I needed to get off the boat. He called himself Jiub and asked what my name was. I politely answered my name was Rales. I didn’t bother telling him my last name, after all, he hadn’t told his either.
I never saw the guy again after I disembarked. A shame really, he was kind of like-able.

A grumpy Redguard legionnaire ordered me to report in at the Census and Excise office outside. Like I had a choice. On the boardwalk towards the offices, an Imperial officer asked me several random questions, like my race. Like he couldn’t see for himself. Sjeezzz…. I had to refrain myself from rolling my eyes and possibly insulting or upsetting the guy. Instead, I acted like the good Dunmer they wanted me to be, I played along and answered his questions.

After I had satisfied his curiosity he ordered me to report in at the office for my release form. ‘Release form? I was going to be released?’
I could hardly believe my pointy ears at that time. Let me tell you; looking back on what they had me go through, sometimes I wished they had left me to rot in prison. With a straight face I walked towards the rickety wooden structure that was the consensus and excise office. I couldn’t be showing surprise about my release, what if they had made a mistake and changed their mind?

Quickly I proceeded into the building. An elderly Imperial was sitting behind a desk, going through piles and piles of documents. Pre-occupied as he seemed to be, he hadn’t noticed me yet or maybe he was just ignoring me. Perhaps it had been my body-odour? Figuring that was hardly my fault, they were the ones that had plucked me from my cell, dropped me on a boat and had me report into an office without the chance to clean myself up. I shrugged and softly cleared my throat to get his attention, I didn’t want to startle the old man lest he would die from a heart-attack. Knowing my luck, they’d probably blame me and I’d be back where I started, in jail.

The following conversation with the old git almost felt like a job-interview. Socusius Ergalla, the census and excise officer, asked me all sorts of questions; like my starsign, my skills and whatnot. I didn’t have a clue what they wanted with the info but since it was hardly a secret, I just answered them while the Imperial wrote it all down on some sort of form. After the interview, Socusius told me to take my release form (that’s what the form turned out to be) to Selles Gravius where I’d receive orders. I was almost speechless - almost. ‘Orders? Whatfor?’ I remember exclaiming. He just shrugged. Apparantly he hadn’t a clue either. Well, that made two of us so I went to Gravius, hoping he would tell me more.

Halfway to Selles Gravius I got distracted by a hallway behind a sturdy looking wooden door that led to some sort of a basement where I found a variety of items. Some silverware, some bottles containing local booze, an iron dagger and a bag to put in the items I had “found”.
Ofcourse, only then I realised I still had to see that Gravius guy. He would notice me carrying a bag, suspiciously tingling with all sorts of gear a newly released prisoner shouldn’t have yet. I put the bag next to the table where I had found the dagger, checked my release form was still in my pocket and went to see Selles Gravius.

Gravius wasn’t much of a talker and looked like a formidable warrior. In fact; it made me wonder what in Sheogorath’s name he was doing here in this lousy office. When I asked him while handing him the form he almost bit off my head saying it was none of my busines and unpatiently snatched the release form from my hands. He glimpsed me over for a while with one eyebrow raised and ordered me to wait for a moment while he looked up some documents I was going to need. A few moments later he handed me a letter, some gold I quickly pocketed and a mysterious package for a certain Caius Cosades in Balmora, who-ever that may be. I figured I’d find out soon enough and didn’t ask any more questions.

Having been through that, - what I still consider a bureaucratical ordeal - as I went to retrieve my bag, I suddenly remembered there was a rainbarrel outside I hadn’t looked into. I had little gold and a dagger but no water, no food, no nothing so anything I could find would be useful and most of all; for free.
Turned out it only contained a ring with some engraving. Unfortunately I couldn’t make out what it was saying so I put it in my pocket, again wandered through the offices with an air like nothing was out of the ordinary, fetched the bag and made my way into Seyda Neen.
I was my own man again. I was free to go where I wanted.

***

My first steps outside were, well, quite frankly, disappointing. You’d expect a town with the main docks into Vvardenfell would be a big, prospering town. Suffice to say it wasn’t.
As a matter of fact, it was just the opposite. Most of the houses were run-down, shabby shacks, trading was limited to one tradinghouse and a swamp surrounded it so flies swarmed the town.
I won’t even mention the smell.

Still, I was in Morrowind, I could finally look up relatives I knew to still live here. My mother had told me plenty of stories of her and her cousin Athyn playing together. I couldn’t remember which town though, but from what I’ve been taught, the Sarethi family is well-known and shouldn’t be too hard to track down.

My sense of pride prevented me running off to find them right away, I could hardly arrive wearing nothing but the raggedy clothes, looking like a bum. I wanted to make a name for myself first. I wanted them to be proud to hail back a long-lost relative
For now, my pride would have to wait, I had more pressing matters, like finding somewhere to stay the night.

While looking around and - metaphorically speaking - sniffing up the atmosphere a Woodelf came upto me grinning child-like. The chap introduced himself as Fargoth and extended his hand which I grabbed. From moment one I knew I was going to like this friendly little fellow. Turned out he had been bullied and his family heirloom, a ring, had been taken from him. He told me it was magical and allowed the wearer to heal himself.

‘Would it have engraving, like this?’ I remember asking him while pulling the ring I had found in the barrel outside the office from my pocket and held it in front of his nose. Fargoth frantically shook his head and told me that was the one.
I was happy to give it back to him. Trinkets are easier to find than good friends and the gods know I could use some friends being a stranger in a strange land.
Singing happily he wandered off but not before he told me he was going to tell his friend Arrille a kind Darkelf had returned his ring to him and how happy he was to have it back.
I simply smiled.

My rumbling stomach made me aware that I needed to find something to eat as well. After some asking around I soon found out Arrille’s establishment was the only tradehouse around. If I wanted to survive any trip outside of town, I needed some sort of protection, I needed armour and a weapon and some supplies so I headed off to Arrille’s.

Politely the High Elf, Arille, greeted me and was quick to realize I must have been the stranger that had given Fargoth his ring back. He confirmed what I suspected, Fargoth was slightly retarded, he had the mind of a child and was almost chronically happy.

I removed the items from the bag I wanted to sell and displayed them on the counter in front of Arrille. We came to an agreement, he would gladly take all the items from my hands and I would buy the chitin cuirass, pauldrons and gauntlets, some food, a couple of useful spells and some scrolls. Even with those purchases I had more gold in my pocket than when I had entered the tradehouse. I had kept the dagger.
Then it hit me, I still didn’t have a real weapon, the iron dagger I had kept was hardly any more use than as a butterknife.
In the excitement I had forgotten to buy a real weapon. I double backed into Arrille’s and bought a chitin bow and some arrows.
Now I was set to face whatever was coming to me in the wild, or at least, that’s what I thought at that time.

I nibbled on a Kwama egg on a loaf of bread and adressed some inhabitants. Some locals mentioned Ergalla Socucius was looking for a missing tax collector, Processus Vitellius.
I wasn’t really feeling like heading back into the Census and Excise office, I had just left the damn thing, I decided to do some looking around myself. How hard would it be to find an Imperial tax collector?

Since it is always a good idea getting at least an idea where someone missing could hang out, I asked around for him. Ofcourse, blabbermouth Fargoth had heard rumours the Dunmer in the watchtower, Thavere Vedrano, was the only being able to stomach him. Apparantly, the guy was somewhat obnoxious. It was a start so I headed off to the lighthouse when in the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of something shiny – a weapon perhaps? – in a hollow stump. It cost me a pair of wet feet and trousers getting the item from the stump but it was well worth it. The enchanted axe would get me quite some gold, I never cared for axes, they are too heavy and too encumbring, so I intended on selling it but it would have to wait until I solved this mystery.

[Remko]

@SubRosa: Thank you for the editorial insight. Of course you were right on all accounts.
I felt I had to express my own sentiment about certain aspects of religion I.... well, let's say I don't agree upon. The Tribunal Temple allowed me hidden criticism. Gotta love writing!
@Hauteecole Rider: You're welcome to it! You couldn't do me a bigger honour!


Chapter 8: Zerina

Day 97

‘You’re leaving, aren’t you,’ Zerina said matter-of-factly from behind me while putting her arms around my waist. I nodded slowly, broke my gaze from nowhere in particular outside and turned around.
Gently I kissed her forehead. ‘I don’t want to but I have to. But believe me; I will come back for you.’
She smiled, her eyes filled with sadness and looked into my eyes. A wry smile formed around her lips. ‘You better. When?’
‘Soon.’ I just wasn’t sure when. Events had been spinning out of control; I had a feeling it was about to get worse but didn’t want to worry Zerina.
I think she felt my inner struggle. She clenched my hands in her hands and took me upstairs.

Zerina was still asleep when I carefully slipped from underneath the covers so she wouldn’t wake up. For a minute I remained utterly silent and just watched her. I had to pinch myself to make sure this wasn’t some dream I’d wake up from any moment.
Dawn was breaking just when I had packed my gear and headed to Gnisis on foot. My heart was heavy and I felt my eyes burning as I turned around and looked at the house where I had been nursed back to health and where the woman I loved lived. I made a vow to come true to my promise I had made to Widow Vabdas and Zerina. I would return when I had a safe place for us to stay. It would have to wait until I had de-briefed with General Darius and told him the dirty job was done.

Of course the General already knew what had taken place in the mine. Even though I hadn’t been the one that had ended the Orc’s life, Darius congratulated me on a job well done, promoted me to spearman and gave me an Imperial shield. I thought the congratulation was rather unappropriate but didn't say anything about it.
My next orders were to cure the Kwama Queen in the egg-mine. To cure the queen from a blight disease I could buy a scroll from Hetman Abelmawia.
He didn’t tell me those things were very expensive! I knew no spell of my own with the same effect so I had no choice.
To make sure I didn’t have to walk all the way back should the spell miss, I bought two and went up the trail leading to the mine. Hopefully for the last time.

Like with Lugrub, I knew exactly where to go. The mine’s production had been halted due to the Kwama Queen being sick so there were no distractions. I raced down the mine, drank one of my home-made healing potions just in case and went to where I thought the Queen’s lair was located. I had a faint idea where it would be. I assumed the Queen would be guarded by Kwama warriors, the ill-tempered ones I had encountered weeks ago. Logic dictated the Queen wasn't far away from her gaurdians, the Kwama warriors.

My assumption was dead on. As soon as I entered the part of the mine where Lugrub and I had fought, I was attacked by Kwama warriors. Behind them, I could see the gigantic Kwama Queen. With the healing potion still active, anything the warriors threw at me was healed instantly. I ignored the warriors and headed straight for the Queen. The moment I cast the spell to heal her, a warrior struck me in my back, causing the spell to miss the Queen by a fraction of an inch. Annoyed, I downed an invisibility potion, temporarily confusing the Kwama warriors and allowing me to cast the spell on the second scroll. This time I didn’t miss. Having completed my mission, I felt much better. At least now I was doing some good and was actually helping people. The kind of thing I had joined up for.

Darius thanked me for curing the Queen. Now the mining operations could be continued and bring some good to Gnisis. The mine was the only real income for the
town. Many residents counted on it to make their living from mining the eggs.
‘I need you to rescue someone,’ Darius replied when I asked what my next assignment was. This sounded just like something for me.
‘A pilgrim called Madura Seran has gone missing nearby Ald Velothi, see if you can locate and rescue her.’
I saluted and headed north, to Ald Velothi.

***

Since there were no travel accomodations leading to Ald Velothi, I got to stretch my legs a bit. A small trail leading through the mountains was the quickest way getting there.
The scenery was stunning, I couldn’t help thinking I should take Zerina here once. From the high cliffs you could see the sea to the north and west and steep, white-tipped mountains, reflecting the last light of the day, dotted the area. I was sure she’d be delighted.
Several hours later, I had ran most of the way, I arrived at the Ald Velothi outpost.
Almost everyone had heard of Madura gone missing but strangely enough no-one had any idea where she could be. After running around in circles for what seemed like hours and having asked nearly every villager I ended up back at the outpost.
I realised this was the only place where I hadn’t inquired yet.

And, of course, this was the place I got directions to where she might be.
Often you hear someone saying: ’It’s always on the last place you look.’ That’s a pretty dumb statement if you think about it. Of course it’s on the last place you look. There’s not really a point in keep looking if you already found what you’re looking for, right?
Orero Omothan suspected she had been captured by Ashlanders in a camp nearby.
He told me I could find the camp south-west of Velothi, just past a hill with a lighted tree. I remember distinctly raising a brow. ‘Lighted tree? What’s that supposed to mean?’
Orero shrugged and said I’d know what he meant as soon as I saw it. Couldn’t miss it, he assured me.
I thanked him and headed south-west.

Shortly after I had left from the outpost, I saw what Omothan had meant; a tree with some kind of travel-lantern in its branches lit the way.
The small camp was easy to find. Outside two Ashlanders looked at me with suspicion.
In an effort to break the ice, I approached them and asked them politely about the pilgrim. They simply pointed towards the biggest tent in the camp.
The hint was obvious. I pulled away the hide that functioned as a door and entered the yurt. Inside were two people; a proud looking Ashlander, holding a fearsome looking axe, I preferred not to get into a fight with and a Dunmer woman. In broken Dunmeri the Ashlander asked me what I was doing inside. I explained him I had come to take Madura Seran back home, to Ald Velothi. The Ashlander shook his head and said he needed a tribute before he’d release her. I sighed and dug up several hundred gold Drakes and handed them over. I could see the common language - greed - glistening in his yes.
‘That will get you somewhere, Outlander. You can take her.’ I couldn’t help noticing the gold had a educational value as well. Suddenly he could speak accentless Dunmeri.
Madura nearly sprinted out of the yurt, I had to chase her just to catch up.
We arrived safely back to the Ald Velothi outpost shortly after.

‘Did you find the missing pilgrim?’ General Darius inquired after I had returned to Gnisis from my mission.
‘Yes Sir, she was captured by some Ashlanders.’
‘You didn’t wipe them all out, did you,’ General Darius asked with a wink.
‘No Sir,’ I said with a toothy grin. ‘All it took was some gold to persuade them to let her go. My gold to be precise.’
Darius cocked his head. ‘You’ll be wanting a refund then, I guess?’
‘That would be nice.’
‘Fair enough, report with the Drillmaster and he’ll repay you your professional expenses. I don’t have any orders for you at the moment. Return to me in a few weeks, maybe I’ll have work for you then. Meanwhile, enjoy your new rank, I am honoured to call you Trooper Sarethi from now on. The Drillmaster will also give you the armour belonging to your new rank, don’t forget to ask him about it.’
I saluted and went to the Legion Barracks to retrieve my gold and new armour.

Since I had nothing on my hands for a while, a return to Balmora and finishing the task Caius had given me, would be in order. I had another, more selfish, reason to return to Balmora. Rumours of a recent assassination of a prominent Hlaalu member had reached me and had given me an idea.
Puuting words to deeds, I took a stiltstrider to Balmora and started with the investigation. I was getting quite proficient in investigating murders. This was going to be the third one. The thought of starting a business crossed my mind but soon cast it to the side, dead people can’t reward you. Besides, my alchemy trading was lucrative enough.

This post has been edited by Remko: Apr 2 2010, 11:20 AM