The Story of Trey- Chapter 5 Options

[treydog]

How do we forgive our Fathers?
Maybe in a dream
Do we forgive our Fathers for leaving us too often or forever
When we were little?
…
If we forgive our Fathers, what is left?

Dick Lourie, from How Do We Forgrive Our Fathers in Ghost Radio

The only reason I knew that I had been born during Frostfall was an entry at the local Temple of Kynareth having to do with my mother's burial. Under 3E 408, the chronicle stated: "Riassa, Breton hedge witch. Died in childbed, Frostfall. Male child, healthy. Father unknown. Child placed with Greldig and wife, at Foaming Flagon Inn." I only learned that much after I had learned to read and do simple sums. Then, when I turned 15 (as I was able to determine from the dates in the chronicle), the powers of my birthsign began to manifest themselves. I was able to open locked doors with a touch and to sense the locations of creatures, keys, and enchanted items. The alchemist who taught me my letters explained the significance of these abilities and confirmed that my sign was The Tower. There were no "official" celebrations of my birthdays, of course. After I learned the proper month, I would treat myself to a gift - usually a potion made from local plants, or a book if the peddler happened to have one I hadn't read- bartered for some of those same potions. It was not until much later that I was to find that the exact date of my birth, precise even to the hour, was known. In fact, it was known to none other than Uriel Septim VII, himself. As for information about my (probable) father, that came from the inn-keeper, usually when he referred to me as, "You bastard son of a thieving bard." Apparently, I was following in my father's footsteps when I took the contents of the cash-box and disappeared into the night.

Once I learned of my birth month, it became my habit to spend part of my "birthdays" planning, dreaming, considering my past and future. So, as the first day of Frostfall dawned, I considered the past year, particularly the last couple of months. I had come far since I took that nap in the park in the Imperial City- both geographically and in terms of professional advancement. I was in good standing in a couple of guilds; I had joined the Tribunal Temple; and had been "volunteered" into the Blades. Somehow, it wasn't enough. Even if I had friends in those factions, I was mostly just another worker. And with advancement in the guilds would come responsibility. If I advanced too far, I would rarely be able to get out in the world. Thieving was a game for a young man- I could continue for many years, but my reflexes and eyesight would betray me some day. It was also clear to me that I should expect to be in Morrowind for a long time to come. When I was first hustled off the boat in Seyda Neen, I had assumed that I would be able to go home in a few years. But where was home, now? Certainly not the inn in High Rock. Perhaps I could become one of those eccentric old alchemists who lived in a tower in the wilderness and blew things up about once a week. But that sounded awfully lonely. Home was supposed to be the place where you had family, where people were sorry to see you go and happy to see you return. As I reviewed all the bits and pieces I had heard about Morrowind, I remembered that the Great Houses sometime adopted "outlanders" and considered them the same as blood-kin. The idea of being part of a family brought a strange lump to my throat- I had been many things in my short life, but "family" had never been one of them.

If I were to join a Great House, I would need to think it through carefully. You could only ever have your name entered in the lists of one House; even if you were later expelled, the others were forever closed to you. Through conversations with Caius and others, I had gleaned this much- Hlaalu was the House most closely associated with the Empire. They valued many of the skills that I possessed. House Redoran was the most traditional and most honorable. They were considered a "warrior" house. House Telvanni was composed of ancient wizards, and was considered elitist. Only highly skilled mages should consider attempting membership or advancement. The first thing I decided to do was to narrow it down to two- it would be easier to decide. Although I enjoyed Alchemy, and my Illusion and Mysticism were improving; I was not really a wizard. Also, as I understood it, the Telvanni were mostly based on the eastern side of Morrowind. I had grown somewhat fond of the area around Balmora and Vivec. So- that left Hlaalu and Redoran. Besides their interest in commerce, Hlaalu was reputed to be highly corrupt. In fact, some whispered that House Hlaalu was the real power behind the Camonna Tong. Redoran took their ideas of honor very seriously and applied them rigorously- I had to wonder how an unreformed and unrepentant thief would fit in. As I understood it, to get very far in a Great House, an outlander needed the support of a councilor. The only answer was research- I would find the names of the councilors for the two Houses and talk to them.

The seat of House Hlaalu was Balmora; I had already spoken with Nileno Dorvayn after I had "avenged" Ralen Hlaalo's murder. With that in mind, I recalled back to Balmora and went to the Hlaalu Council Hall to ask about the Great House. Nileno gave me a copy of the Yellow Book of House Hlaalu, which listed the names of the councilors. She also offered to give me the "inside scoop" for a bribe of 50 drakes. I had sold a few excess ingredients to raise money after my book-buying spree, so I paid the graft. My 50 gold bought me the information that Crassius Curio was the councilor to see if I wanted anything. He was located in Vivec, with a manor house at the top of the Hlaalu enclave. House Redoran was based in Ald'ruhn, so I had Masilinie teleport me there. A Redoran guard explained that all the councilors maintained homes or quarters in the Manor District "under Skar." It turned out that Skar was the hollow shell of an absolutely huge "Emperor crab," and that it housed the Redoran Council Hall as well as most of the councilors' manors and the finer shops in Ald'ruhn. The person to talk to was someone named Neminda, who could be found in the Council Hall. She turned out to be a Redguard, who identified herself as a Drillmaster and Recruiter for Redoran. Her manner was somewhat abrupt until I complimented her eyes, after which she warmed up nicely. Perhaps those romance novels were good for something, after all. She gave me a copy of the Red Book of House Redoran, which listed the councilors and their residences. She didn't request a bribe, but did say that Athyn Sarethi would be the best person to talk to about House Redoran. I followed her advice and visited Sarethi Manor. The Redorans were a stiff-necked bunch, but polite and informative. I still wasn't sure how well I would get along with a bunch of warriors and crusaders, so I went to Vivec to see Crassius Curio.

He may have been a powerful councilor in a powerful House, but Crassius was a peculiar fellow. The first thing he said to me was,

"Call me Uncle Crassius."

Odd, but I supposed I could put up with odd. Then he called me "sweetie" and "dumpling." That went beyond odd, straight past peculiar, and over to the extreme side of weird. I had met a few people who I wished would call me pet names- this heavyset Imperial with a beard was not one of them. Although my skills were far more suited to Hlaalu, I just couldn't bring myself to join them. It went beyond Crassius- their association with the Camonna Tong also made me nervous. Then there was their attitude that it was acceptable to do anything to achieve an advantage or make money- including being involved in the slave trade. Even though I was a thief, I had some scruples. For one thing, I wouldn't steal from or plot against my own people. The same couldn't be said for House Hlaalu- I wondered which Hlaalu councilor Ralen Hlaalo had crossed. The avarice and backstabbing of Hlaalu reminded me painfully of the “foster family” I had abandoned in High Rock. After due consideration, I chose House Redoran, even though it would be the harder path. Their concept of honor made more sense to me and I would work to learn the skills they valued. I wanted a chance to prove that not all "outlanders" were Imperial oppressors. Most of all, I wanted a chance to become part of a family for the first time.

[treydog]

As I made my way along the road to Ald Velothi, I noticed that Khuul lay in the same direction. That was where there was a boat to that terrible island called Solstheim. I wondered if I should go there. I wondered how it could be any more terrible than where I was now. And finally, I wondered why Synette and her friend were dead and I was still alive. Was it because I was better, kinder, more honest? Or was it because of a voice that had given me a split-second warning, a chance to dodge the arrow that should have killed me? And whose voice had it been? I had heard that voice before, on the night that I was brought to Morrowind in a magicka-induced stupor. It was female voice- filled with wisdom, comfort, and compassion- yet powerful. I had not so much "heard" it as felt it vibrating through my whole being. Who, or what, had taken such an interest in me, in making certain that I survived? All I had were questions without answers. Finally, I decided to do what I always did- push on. The answers would be revealed or they wouldn't- meanwhile I had obligations.

When I reached the Redoran outpost of Ald Velothi, I nearly laughed. It seemed to consist of nothing more than a guard tower and one of the crab-shell style houses they favored. What could justify maintaining a settlement there? As I got closer, I realized that there was also a Daedric shrine uncomfortably close to the outpost. I had to wonder if the information I had been given about House Redoran was all wrong- were they actually Daedra-worshippers? My questions were partially answered as I got closer and saw the dock and fishing shacks on the shore below the outpost. I realized that this was probably Redoran's only port; of course they would guard it. Not that any of that mattered- I needed to find Virith and deliver the potion, then see if he needed any work done. I found the "Hetman," as he called himself, in the tower section of the outpost- he thanked me for the potion, noting that the Arvel family would be grateful. When I asked if he needed anything else, Virith politely declined and reminded me to let Neminda know that I had delivered the potion. He also asked me to check back in a few days- he might have need of some assistance later.

Thinking that this had been a rather long walk for nothing, I stepped outside to see what there was of the little collection of shacks. As I breathed the sea air and wondered about the course my life had taken, Orero Omathan asked me if I could look into a problem for her. The Redoran smith explained that a pilgrim named Madura Seran had been kidnapped by some outcast Ashlanders who were camped nearby. They were demanding a ransom before they would release her. I really didn't want to deal with another "lady in distress"- the last several times had not turned out very well. Still, this was a pilgrim; perhaps it was a chance for atonement. I promised I would go and see what could be done.

The Ashlanders' yurt, or small skin tent, was on a little rise just south of town. The first person I met was Rawia Ashirbibi, who identified herself as the "Wise Woman" of the group. What little I knew of the Ashlanders indicated that the Wise Women were the true power of most tribes. With that in mind, I decided to try to win over Rawia as a means of convincing them to release their hostage. Although a small gift of gold made the Wise Woman more kindly disposed toward me, all she would say about the hostage was, "Talk to Abassel."

With no other choice, I entered the yurt to find a muscular Dunmer with tribal face tattoos guarding a frightened woman. I asked the Dunmer if I might speak with Madura briefly, to make sure she was in good health. With a contemptuous sneer, Abassel told me, "Talk all you like. But the woman stays here unless you wish to buy her freedom."

I hadn't known this fellow for five seconds, and I already hated him. Madura assured me that she was all right- she was afraid to leave, because Abassel had threatened to kill her if she did. Turning to the Ashlander leader, I asked him what he hoped to gain by this act.

"Obviously, the woman is important. For 500 drakes, you may have her," he responded.

No amount of persuasion or reasoning would get the stubborn Ashlander to change his mind. I imagine that I could have handled things better- although I didn't have the 500 gold, I could have sold a few potions at the outpost and raised it. But I didn't want to. A rage had been building inside of me almost from the moment I was dumped into this place and told, "You're in the Blades- deal with it." The attacks I had endured, particularly the attack by Synette, had fueled that rage. Now, this rogue Ashlander's arrogant demands caused my temper to boil over. I pulled my sword and said, "I don't have any gold for you, but I can give you three feet of silver. Where do you want it? Or do you only make war on women, you gutless wonder?"

With a scream of fury, Abassel grabbed an axe and swung wildly. I had hoped to enrage him into a mindless attack and had succeeded. Now I simply needed to continue to provoke him into more uncoordinated swings.
"My granny could hit harder than that," I jeered, skipping back out of the way. "No wonder you only pick on girls."

His next swing was so powerful that it spun him completely around when I dodged. In an instant, I thrust my sword into his vulnerable back. As I kicked him off the blade and he slid to the ground, I added, "I prefer to fight bullies, myself."

The only problem now was to get out of the camp. I hoped that, with their leader dead, the others would decide that kidnapping was a bad business decision and let us leave in peace. That was not to be- we knocked the Wise Woman and another rogue Ashlander sprawling as we burst from the tent. The resulting tangle prevented a clean escape, but I was impressed by Madura as she used her fists and feet to good effect. Somehow, fighting to protect someone else was easier, and I didn't feel any regret as the Wise Woman and the tribesman fell to my blade. Madura had managed to avoid injury, so we made our way to the outpost, where she thanked me for my help. Not wishing to face the wilderness (or the silt strider) again, I Recalled to Balmora and made my way to Ald'ruhn from there. I reported my success to Neminda, who promoted me to Oathman. After all that had happened, I decided it was time to practice my alchemy and think about what I needed to do next.

After a session of alchemy, I decided that I should first take care of Edwinna's request that I sneak the Chimarvamidium back into the Vivec Mages Guild. With that task accomplished, I could consider my next step. Returning the book was even easier than taking it had been, since the chest was no longer locked. Edwinna was so pleased with my discretion that she actually gave me a useful reward- Amulets of Divine and Almsivi Intervention. Those could be life-savers if I found myself trapped somewhere without magicka or scrolls. She also promoted me to Magician, a nice recognition of my efforts. On my return to Balmora, I decided to check in with Sugar-Lips; the Thieves Guild usually had the latest information about significant events. Besides, it was a good idea to keep them happy- I might need help with a bounty some day. And maybe after I saw Sugar-Lips, I should go to the Temple. I had completed the original pilgrimages, but not gone any further. Even if I couldn't talk to them about the strange dreams I had been having or the voices in my head, staying on the good side of the Temple would be wise. The protection of the gods might have been open to question, but the power of the Temple itself was well-known.