Ahnaressu's Travels Ch. 8 Options

[Dantrag]

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Chapter 8

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A dunmer of about nineteen years stared at the Odai River as the wind blew his long, thin, black hair across his face. His arms were thin, but taut with muscles, a trait gained from years at the forge. He had worn black leather boots, brown pants, and a black overcoat covering his light grey shirt. His fierce red eyes took in everything around him. he watched the dazzling reflections of the trees on the surface of the water, the movements of a scrib, and he felt the presence of the mer walking towards him.

"Hello there. young lad." the elderly dunmer began. "Would you happen to know where to find a young dunmer by the name of Ahnaressu?"
"Actually, I do." said the young elf. "But might I ask why you want to know?"
The elderly mer continued. "I have need of his services. I am old, I will need help getting to my annual pilgrimage to Ghostgate."
"When do you need to get there?"
"Tomorrow."
"Meet you here at dawn. I will escort you to ghostgate then."
The old priest laughed. You had me fooled for a moment, but I knew who you were all along."
Ahnaressu began to walk back towards town and yelled behind him, "Remember. First light."

Ahnaressu had started a mercenary-like business about two months ago, having quit his old smithing job at the Razor Hole. When he started the business, he had hoped for exciting jobs from collectors of artifacts, great houses, guilds and the like, but being based out of Balmora, he usually got jobs escorting priests wanting to go to various shrines. He chuckled to himself whenevr he thought of the time he escorted a priest to the House of Earthly Delights in Suran - without revealing the priest's identity. He made more money than he did working for Thorek, and he had the added bonus of getting out of the monotony of "civilized" life.

When he had saved up enough money, he rented the top half of a house on the west side of the river. He, Cali and Relgar all shared the little house and it was a large improvement from the room in the temple, and less pressure on Ahnaressu to join the ranks of the temple doctrines.

Ahnaressu walked into the house he rented. Having only rented the top half, he always ended up carrying things up the steps for Cali.
"Ahnaressu!" Relgar yelled happily when he saw his older brother walk through the door.
Ahnaressu suddenly became a young child again when he yelled, "Relgar!" and ran towards his brother.
They ended up wrestling, the seven year old Relgar emerging triumphant while Ahnaressu played dead.
Cali laughed, just as she did every time she saw the two brothers together. She turned away from the brawl for a moment to check on the soup, tasting a sip before deciding if it was ready or not.
"Okay, boys, time for dinner."
Relgar jumped off Ahnaressu and quickly sat down at the table. Ahnaressu slowly got up and brushed himself off before seating himself.
The two males in the house rubed their hands together in anticipation of the food. Cali served them and sat down herself.

After dinner Ahnaressu went to sleep in preparation for the next day's short trek to ghostgate.

[Dantrag]

The long ignored "Ahnaressu's Travels" now continues!!!

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Ahnaressu walked down the streets of Sadrith Mora early in the morning. He had left Cali and Relgar sleeping in the Gateway Inn. As the mushroom tower of Tel Naga appeared in front of him, Ahnaressu was amazed. The houses and shops in Telvanni towns were amazing, but a tower this size, made of mushrooms, was beyond words. Believing the rumors, Ahnaressu brought along a few levitation potions he concocted from his mother's worn recipe journal. He opened the small round door and walked inside.

He knew he was looking for a Telvanni counselor named Neloth. He used his levitation potion to reach a ledge, and then continued through an upwards-leading tunnel. He drank another while in midair, not wanting the magic to expire and go tumbling down that shute. He reached the top of the tower where Neloth's quarters were.

Neloth had a few guards, but all kept a safe distance away.

"Councilor Neloth." Ahnaressu said respectfully.
"What do you want?" Neloth replied, a scowl appearing on his face.
"A special favor."
"One you will repay, I hope - If I even grant your favor."
Ahnaressu ignored the man's obvious arrogance. "I would like this enchanted." Ahnaressu continued while unwrapping his blade.
Neloth picked up the blade. "I'm no warrior and I can see that this is a fine blade. Where did you find it? In some ancient hero's tomb?"
"I made it." Ahnaressu replied flatly.
"A lie, no doubt." Neloth began. "But that is not the point. Why should I even use my glorious talents to enchant a blade for you?"
Ahnaressu decided to use the wizard's pride against him. "You're stalling."
"What?" Neloth asked incredulously.
"You can't give this blade a powerful enchantment without wasting many valuable soulgems. Apparently, you aren't as skilled an enchanter as I had heard - I guess I'll have to go visit Councilor Fyr. Maybe he is talented enough." Ahnaressu said mockingly.
"You will wish you had never insulted me, boy." Neloth said. "I will enchant your blade...on one condition."
"And that is...?"
"You will have to do me a favor...which I will decide when you return to pick up your sword."
Ahanressu turned to leave.
"Wait!" Neloth said, turning Ahnaressu around. "What would you like your blade's enchantment to be?"
"Surprise me." Ahnaressu replied.

Ahnaressu walked back to his room in the inn to see his companions still snoring contentedly. He went to the inn's common area and bought a small breakfast. A dirty imperial woman sat down beside him. She had obviously been traveling for some time, her netch leather armor had a layer of dust on it.
"Flin, please." She said to the server.
Ahnaressu cocked an eyebrow. "This early?"
"What's wrong with a little intoxication to start the day?" she asked with a smile.
"Whatever makes you happy." Ahnaressu muttered. "If you want to spend your life drinking, have fun."
"Look," the woman began. "I don't know who you are, thinking you can judge me! If you knew what I did yesterday, you would drink too."
Ahnaressu glared back. "Try me."
"Have you ever killed an innocent ashlander child because a man named Eno Hlaalu told you to?" the woman asked, her voice cracking.
Ahnaressu grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Ashlander? What tribe?"
"Urlishak...no, Urshu.." she began, obviously struggling.
"Urshilaku?"
"Yes! That's it!" The woman exclaimed. "How did you know?"
"I am of that tribe." Ahnaressu answered.
"I-I'm sorry. I feel so -" the woman started.
"I think what you did was horrible. But so do you." Ahnaressu began. "A younger me would have tried to cut you down where you sit. Now I make you suffer by letting you live with it." Ahnaressu got up, leaving his unfinished breakfast.

Ahnaressu went back down to his room to check on Cali and Relgar.
He was greeted with a loud, "Ahnaressu!" as Relgar slammed into his leg, knocking him over.
"I guess you're awake." Ahnaressu said dryly. his statement was unheard, for Cali's hysterical laughter overcame every noise in the inn.
"I suddenly feel like going back to sleep." Ahnaressu muttered to himself, crawling back into bed.

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