Cloak and Dagger, A Fan-Fiction Options

[Zalphon]

Prologue

3E 420

“Naïlo,” the Hlaalu Guard asked. “Did Stacey give you the package?” I opened the satchel at my hip and pulled out the box of drakes. I handed it to the Dunmer in Bonemold Armor. He reached for it and nodded.

“Now then, the Hlaalu Guards will turn a blind eye to the Thieves’ Guild activities in Balmora?” I asked. “That is the deal.” The deal had been in place for five years, ever since the Raynil Orayn became the leader of local Hlaalu in Balmora. The truth was simple: he was like every other Hlaalu, a corrupt, greedy thug.

I walked towards the bridge to the South Wall Corner Club. In the alleys, Skooma-addicts smoked away their money. This was Balmora, the real Balmora. It wasn’t uncommon for an outlander to disappear or a Skooma-addict to sell everything he owned down to the clothes off his back for another bottle of those precious crystals.

Habasi smiled as I crossed the bridge. “Did they receive the ‘package’?” she asked inquisitively. With a nod, I saw that smile grow from ear to ear. She patted me on the back and opened the door for me.

“Good job, Naïlo.”

“Sugar-Lips, it’s my duty to the Guild.”

“Sugar-Lips thinks you’re a good kid, Naïlo,” the Khajiit stated as we walked down the stairs. “Stacey would like you to see you, Ashborn.”

I strode over to the door with a sign: “Private Room” and knocked. When the door opened, a Redguard in exquisite clothes answered the door. He had light brown hair that was combed back. “Naïlo, you’ve been with the Guild for a few years now.”

“Y-yes, S-sera,” I stuttered. “I-I have been with the G-guild for some time.” This was the first time I had ever seen Gentleman Jim Stacey in the flesh. I had once received orders from him to deliver a package to the Hlaalu Council House, but only once.

“Relax, kid. I’ve got some good news for you. I’m officially promoting you to Wet Ear.”

“W-what are you serious?” I asked.

“Yes and with your new rank, I’ll need you to travel to Ald’ruhn to take orders from Relam Arinith, our ranking member there. He has needed someone to help him out with a few jobs,” Stacey grinned. “You think you can handle it, Kid?”

“Y-yes I can,” I nodded like an obedient child. “Can you pay for me to take a silt strider to Ald’ruhn?”

The human looked around for a moment then he finally came to a conclusion. “Tell him Stacey said if he gives you free passage to Ald’ruhn we’re even,” he ordered. “The next silt strider to Ald’ruhn is in the morning, so rest up.”

I walked out and the bartender tossed me a loaf of bread. “Have a good trip, Naïlo.” I had to walk forward to grab it; the Imperial never was a good judge of distance. With a hefty bite out of it, I made my way towards my room. The room had a cloth rug, a pillow and a blanket.

I lied down on the rug and put my head on the pillow. “Finally a member of the guild,” I whispered to myself proudly…

[mALX]

I got the biggest kick out of these two passages:

I noticed myself slide back as the shell tilted downward. Suddenly, it hopped into the air; the blood drained from my face. Then I felt the crashing against the ground as I was lifted from the bottom of the shell up a few feet and then back down. The Argonian walked over to me and grabbed my hand while it was still. He put my hand on some of the hairs of the Silt Strider and sat back down.

The next hop wasn’t near as frightening, because I didn’t move so much. It was one hop after another, over and over for what felt like a quarter of an hour. Then it stopped and the beast moaned.

“Welcome to Ald’ruhn, Sera,” the Dunmeri Woman stated. “How may I help you?” She had mannequins in tan and silver face-wraps, linen tunics, thick, silk skirts, gloves that were made from weaved strips of cloth and wrapped boots.

“Do you have anything to protect me from the storm?”

She pointed to the mannequins. “Sera, I’m a male,” I alerted her because maybe her eyes were bad. “I don’t wear feminine clothing. Especially considering I am associated with many Western People”

“House Redoran wears these items to keep them safe from the storms,” she explained. “You can wear them or be eaten away by the storm. Here, we can trade. I get people leaving willing to buy exotic clothes like yours all the time.”

What awesome detail you used in these, really conjures up imagery of each scene !!! Awesome Write !!! And so glad you are back !!!