An Argonian's Account, Haa-Rei's adventures in Cyrodiil Options

[hazmick]

Chapter 1

The room was furnished as most high ranking Imperial offices were – dragons everywhere. Dragon curtains (red), dragon floor mat (red), dragon banners (red). I wouldn't be surprised if the guards outside were wearing socks (red) with little dragons on them.

“So we just need to go over a few things here,” the clerk’s piping voice interrupted my thoughts. He studied the notes in front of him “you were born 3E 408?”

“Yes.” I wasn't half as nervous as I thought I’d be, but my mouth was almost too dry to speak.

“Our first official record of you is not until 19 years later. An Imperial prison transport fished you out of the Inner Sea of Morrowind and took you to the port of Seyda Neen. Yes?”

He didn’t look up from his notes, instead arching an enormous grey eyebrow. There was more hair on those brows than on the rest of his head.

“Yes.” Though my mouth was still dry my hands were now clammy. Please gods don’t make him go in for a handshake when this is done.

“Your occupation is listed here as ‘adventurer’. You also seem to have aided the Twin Lamps organisation, among others.” He licked a bony fingertip and turned the page. “This is around the time that you officially joined the Imperial Legion, rising to the rank of Agent.”

“That’s right.” My face reddened slightly when he looked up at me. Apparently a ‘yes’ would suffice.

He took a sip of his drink, a dark gold substance, and winced slightly as it went down. How anybody can enjoy that sort of thing was beyond me. I much prefer tea.

Looking back to his notes, the clerk continued listing various people I’d met who were considered important enough to have an opinion. Mainly guild leaders and Imperials.

I managed to steal a glance at the page, most of which was concealed with black ink.

“Well this seems to be in order. On account of your previous work for the Empire and the skills you have at your disposal, I have no doubt that you will do some good with us.” He stamped my file for approval with an official looking dragon stamp (red).

I grinned widely (any display of emotion towards humans must be greatly exaggerated) and thanked him as he shook my hand firmly.

“Welcome to the Blades, Agent Haa-Rei.”

This post has been edited by hazmick: Jul 9 2016, 01:03 AM

[hazmick]

ghastley - Anvils are often the best place to find swords, so who knows what we'll find there.

Acadian - A good heart and a sweet tooth

Grits - Yep, I think one Oblivion Gate is enough for Haa-Rei at the moment.




Previously - Haa-Rei arrived at Kvatch to learn that the city had been attacked by Daedra. Thanks to the valiant efforts of the city guard, many people were saved. Two such people have hired Haa-Rei to accompany them to Anvil...

Chapter 29


“Haa-Rei?” A small voice spoke up beside me.

“Yes, Marie?” I replied, turning to address the child.

We’d been walking for almost an hour, and aside from introducing themselves my companions had been silent. Ordinarily I would have been more than happy to walk in peace, but the young girl (who was called Marie) had been staring at me for the entire journey so far. Her mother, Lynette, was focused purely on the road ahead – keen to see Anvil, and her wife.

“Can I ride on your shoulders?” Asked Marie. Apparently she’d been deciding whether or not I would be a comfortable seat.

“Marie, you can’t jus-“ Her mother began, but stopped when I raised my hand to show I didn't mind.

“Well, I don’t suppose you can see much of anything from down here,” I said, crouching down so I was at Marie’s eye level. “climb aboard.”

“Thanks!” huffed the child as she clambered up onto my shoulders. Her mother smiled and also thanked me. I was just happy to be able to pick up the pace now that it was just us two adults on foot.

It wasn’t long before I found my head turning of its own accord, or rather of Marie’s accord. Her tiny hands were using my horns as one would use reins, steering me this way and that every time she saw something of interest. Things of interest primarily included flowers, insects, and various leaves which I was asked to identify. The child found this entire experience to be utterly hilarious, and giggled throughout my informative talk on the leaves of coastal Cyrodiil. Her mother also laughed, and for the first time she seemed to smile properly, without her usual hint of sadness.

“Have you ever been to Anvil?” Marie asked, tapping me on the head with her new favourite leaf.

“I have not. Why do you ask?”

“We’re going to be living there, so I wondered what it was like.”

“Well, I hear it’s always nice and warm. Lots of people from all over Tamriel visit the port for trade and travel.” I tried to think of things that she might find interesting about a city, but this was the first time I’d ever spent time with a human child and I was at a loss for ideas.

“Is there a beach?”

“I expect so. It’s right next to the sea, after all.”

“I don’t like the sea…but I like the beach.” Truth be told I didn’t like either, but I kept quiet as my passenger began to chatter happily about the pros and cons of the seaside.

Any initial worries I might have had about this journey were all but forgotten. The weather was warm, and there was no sign at all of any Daedra in the area. The guards of Kvatch had done a good job to keep anything from getting past their line.

The only issue arose when we arrived at an inn towards the end of the day. A large sign hung on the door which proclaimed that no more rooms were available, likely full of refugees and other travelers. If I had been alone I could have made the journey to Anvil at night, but I didn’t want to risk it with my two companions.

Marie had fallen asleep, still on my shoulders, so I asked Lynette what she wanted to do.

“Do you think we could make it to Anvil now?” She asked, though she likely knew what my answer would be. Her thoughts had been entirely focused on being reunited with her wife, and being so close must be frustrating to say the least.

“Personally I think it would be a bad idea to continue tonight. Marie is already asleep, so we should set up camp for the night.” I tried my best to be firm but fair, and Lynette nodded in agreement.

I found a suitable spot just off the road, sheltered by a small group of trees. After Lynette removed my sleeping passenger, she fished some blankets from her pack and wrapped Marie in one, and herself in the other. By this time I’d got a modest fire going, though the evening air was warm enough without it.

I almost regretted giving my food to the Kvatch refugees, as I had nothing to give Lynette. I’d eaten only a day ago, and as such didn’t need anything myself. Humans need to eat several times a day of course.

Fortunately I still had my bow, and it wasn’t long before the Breton woman was deftly plucking a partridge. It was mesmerising to watch as she prepared and cooked the bird with the skill and speed of a professional.

“I used to work in the kitchens of a Lord’s house in High Rock.” She explained. “That’s where I met Ailinwe.”

“How come you and Marie are travelling alone?” I asked, trying to distract her from the momentary gloom that appeared on her face at the mention of her wife’s name.

“Ailinwe traveled ahead. We’ve bought a house in Anvil and she wanted to make sure it was all in order by the time we get there.”

“Well you shouldn’t be waiting much longer. If we set off at first light we should make it by noon.”

“Thank you…and thank you for being so kind to Marie. She can be very…forward.”

“No problem. She’s a fine young lady, though I’m not sure how effective my lesson on leaves was.” To illustrate my point about how interesting leaves were, I produced my tea equipment from my pack and got to work. “If you’d care for some tea, I have a delicious blend that I brought from Morrowind. It’s called ‘Ash Tea’, though it has a very minimal ash content.”

I began a thorough talk on the foods of Morrowind and their high ash content (which Dunmer seem to have a thing for) while Lynette ate and drank her fill. A sleepy Marie joined us to eat her own share, then went almost immediately back to sleep. Her mother soon followed her example, and I was left to stand guard.

I took the opportunity to read a fascinating book about Oblivion Gates, which used lots of complicated mage words. I was still unable to summon Eithne, but now I had some ideas about possible solutions to the problem.

These ideas would have to wait, as we set off for Anvil shortly after dawn. Marie sleepily resumed her position atop my shoulders, still partially wrapped in a blanket which gave the impression that she was wearing a cape.

“Are we nearly there?” Lady Marie asked.

“Almost.” I replied.

This post has been edited by hazmick: Jul 9 2016, 01:19 AM