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…

[Zalphon]

Chapter Two: The Witch-Hunter

Mira was sitting at the foot of my bed with her legs in a meditation stance. She glanced at me as I managed to open my eyes. “Good morning, Sera,” the young apprentice greeted warmly. Her eyes followed me as I dressed myself in the Redoran Clothing.

Mira gazed into my eyes and whispered, “If I may—perhaps we should meet up with the Hlaalu. If we could get the Duke indebted to us, we’d have both House Hlaalu and the Imperials at our service.” Her suggestion was a good one. If we had Dren on our side, we could probably get the Camonna Tong destroyed by the Imperial Legion in one fell swoop.

I walked up the stairs to find Relam sipping Flin and enjoying a bowl of seasoned saltrice. “Naïlo,” he greeted. “The client, who bought the first book on vampires, seeks the second. He’s willing to pay a thousand drakes and you’ll receive a ten percent commission.”

“I’m afraid I can’t, I have other matters to attend to. They’re guild matters, but I can’t handle any ‘procurement duties’ right now,” I replied. “I give you my most sincere apologies, Muthsera.”

“This isn’t a request, Naïlo.”

“I can’t take care of it, Arinith.”

“You’ll do it, or I’ll slit your throat. Do I make myself clear, N’wah?” he barked at me. Rage was in his tone, it was obvious. Everyone stopped drinking and stared at us. When I shook my head no, he grabbed me by my throat and lifted me up.

Behind him, a Dunmer in black clothing with the hood of his cloak pulled up grabbed his crossbow and scowled, “Put the kid down or you can try to bully me.” I felt Relam drop me and he turned around.

“You want to fight me? Let’s dance.” The Dunmer that saved me put back his crossbow and muttered under his breath. Out of nowhere, a scamp appeared and scratched at the flesh of Relam.

Arinith kicked the thing across the bar and pulled out his polished, glass short sword. “Taste this, Fetcher,” he hissed as his blade lunged for the challenger. The mysterious Mer dodged and then pulled out a silver short sword of his own and slashed with it. It connected and a spray of blood flew across the tavern.

“S-stop, please,” Relam struggled to say as he coughed blood. “No more, I give. I won’t hurt the kid.”

Mira looked at me and shrugged. I walked over to the stranger and asked, “Who are you and why do you care about my well-being?” The Dark Elf just kept walking, as if he didn’t even care about me anymore. As he reached the door, I strafed in front of him and asked again.

“Raynil Myrth,” he responded after much goading. “And I helped you for my own reasons.” His voice was deep and scratchy, typical for a male. He put his sword in its sheathe and stood there for a moment.

“You summoned a daedroth,” I said. “How did you do it? I thought only powerful wizards could do that.”

“I’ll tell you…eventually,” the Dunmer replied as he walked out the door. When I opened it he was gone. Raynil Myrth could definitely be a powerful ally, if only I knew where to look to find him.