Elessar's Story, My first fiction Options

[Elidor]

OKay this is my first attempt at a fan fiction so be gentle

Prologue

I was not in a good mood. My luck really wasnt that bad, usually in a night I could at least pull off one successful excursion into a local shop for a meal. But tonight it was most unfortunate the owner of the nearest tavern had decided now was the day to install a set of bars to his window.

"Hmm must have caught on to the fact he was constantly robbed blind by yours truly through that opening every other week" I mused to myself, strolling through the damp, well-trodden cobblestone streets.

I recounted in my head the, now I thought about it, quite strange fact my favorite target,the local tavern, slowly receeding into the darkness of the failing moons, had finally had the the crumbling lower corner of its storeroom outback fixed too.

Ohwell another cold, hungry night I thought, sidling through the crack of a rundown shack I had claimed as my own. The now lit, small guttering light of the only candle in my room gently revealed an old inch thick matress on the floor beside a pile of crumbled clothing. There wasnt much room beacuase of the half caved-in wall but it was something of a sanctuary for me, safe from prying eyes and other hopeful thieves.

Lying back on my matress I slowly allowed sleep to come, uttering a small prayer to any god that helped poor thieves, blowing out the candle and closing my eyes.

~~~

Sunlight beamed in through the opening of my little haunt and brought me slowly to my senses.
Yawning lightly and getting up, I pulled on my cleanest set of clothes (pilfered from a commoners house, stupidly unlocked and unfortunately devoid of anything more useful) and hid my knife in the sole of my shoe.

As I emerged into the street, passed by folks of the less pleasant sort, I stopped to decide on what to do. Hunger was again gnawing at me and food seemed a great idea.

So decided, I padded off after the tavern, folks at the Green Tunic were hardly as watchful as they should have been and many the unguarded purse was easily accessible; upon slipping into the dank old building I carefully looked around, drunks and haughty nobles were easy, especially the latter as they considered themselves above the menial complication of being robbed and rarely expected it for some reason.

Peering through the gloom with the ease an altmers eyes provided, I spotted the ideal prey: an unshaven, glum looking merchant sitting next to a large tankard of sujamma.

Now, his drink was something of a kicker and by the looks of him he was rather entoxicated. I made my move.
Sneaking over and sitting beside him quitely, I casually eyed his plump black moneybag with something of astonishment, this man had quite a purse half hidden at the edge of his waist. Sidling closer still the drunken git barely noticed anyhing letalone my careful advance.
Reaching down as I stared ahead, I casually removed my boot-knife and easily cut the purse open at the seams filling my own leather satchel as the unlucky fellow downed a mouthful more of sujamma.

Getting up and moving too soon was my terrible mistake, the fellow noticed this movement and turned around, squinting suspiciously
"wsho rre yooh?" he said, slurring his words horribly,
"Why I am merely a fellow come for a drink." I replied cautiosly. He looked at my satchel of money and began something which I drowned out, thinking quickly,
"Might I night drunk, black as blue and filled with guars?"

He stopped, and tried to comprehend my words as I took off barely containing my mirth to the door of the tavern warranting some suspicious stares from other patrons, eyes on my back as I raced away.

Back in the street I sped around a few buildings and along a lane. I then found the place I was looking for, a ladder leading up to the top of an old closed apocathary, in amongst the damp squalid slums of the city.

Once safely hidden behind the chimney on the roof I caught my breath and let out the contents of my now bulging purse.
"Three hundered septims!" I burst out, unable to stop myself as the fat gold coins tumbled into my lap, laying there glittering serenely.

Oh now this was more like my customary luck! I almost cried with joy, there was enough for a hot meal, new clothes, even a few books to keep me interested during every other night plus spare!

Then came the clattering of the ladder I just climbed and the angry grunting noises as someone ran to the climb the ladder I had raced up previously. I decided now was not a good time to celebrate and jumped up, leaping and racing over the rooftops.

Glancing back I saw something truly frightening. A fast Khajitti bounding after me, dagger drawn and staring hungrily at my purse which was jumping around at my thighs and jangling loudly.

Apparently someone had heard my foolish exclamation.

~~~

Thats it for now, please comment as id love to know what you think of the start of my story.

cheers, elidor.

This post has been edited by Elidor: Feb 7 2006, 12:12 PM

[Elidor]

Starting on my first chapter..

Chapter 1

The heavy sun was surprisingly hot for late afternoon I thought to myself as I walked through the dingy port town. "Bloody humid" I muttered wiping sweat away from my face and stopping to get my bearings.

The town I was in was a far cry from the Imperial City I was used to and the overwhelming smell of rotten, damp swamp gases did nothing to welcome me.

The sooner the better to get out of here I thought and the hand instinctively went to my belt. The purse was drooping now with around half my previous amount but still a tidy sum.

'Now first to get some food and a weapon, then its time to observe the security placed on some of these squalid little huts.'
"Excuse me my good woman" I called to an elderly Altmer like myself, hitching on a smile and waving her over.
"Yes, outlander, can I help you?" She replied and gave me a glance over.
"Most certainly, you see I seek some services around here."
"Arilles Tradehouse outlander, its the only place to go around here except the siltstrider up top."
"Stilp rider?" I asked, quite bemused.
"Not Stilp, Siltstrider and its basically the easiest way to travel between towns, its the gigantic creature to the north of the town. Darvame Hleren will be able to negotiate a price to about four of the closest towns."
"Thankyou very much for your help" I said turning to leave when she told me I was welcome.

Seemed like the best idea was to go to Arilles then get some gear and then a nice stroll would be fine to innocently check house protection, perhaps there were some easy pickings around the dingy place.

I picked my way through the old damp mossy buildings finally finding the trade house and entering expectantly.

Inside the store was fairly quiet but from an upper landing glass cups could be heard clinking around and a low burble of voices clearly told it was somewhere folks bought drinks.

Around the lower floor however were a table, some sacks and a shelf filled with things ranging from arrows to fine liquors to robes. An old Dunmeri woman quietly browsed while a hawkeyed Altmer in the corner of the store watched me.

"Can I help you High Elf?" Called the storekeeper, obviously Arille.
" Yes, may I simply browse your wares, in particular I am in need of some food and equipment." I replied as he hurried over.

~~~

Two short hours later I was outside the tradehouse hefting a neat silver short sword and some nice solid chitin armour.
What Arrille didn’t know was his fancy stone chest on the counter was now empty of the fifty gold coins inside and he fine locket he had been wearing was nice and comfy in the folds of my shirt.

While I didn’t consider myself a pessimistic sort of person, the personalities around this town were giving me a particularly unlawful urge to do something bad. The Innkeeper Arrille was a snooty, self-serving jerk; the stupid little elf running around badgering everyone for some trinket and the aggravating stares from guards was enough to send a person mad.

Regardless it was time to hitch up the usual smile and go about geting more money to leave this bleak view of Vvardenfell. A large burly Nord who was calling after me cut my musings at that point short.
"High elf! You High elf!"
That was usually my cue to run but something about his roguish and hardy demeanour stopped me, would he really be after me for an dislikeable oaf like Arrille?
"Yes?" I called unable to keep a note of weariness from my voice.
"I was wondering if someone sneaky such as yourself could help me out"
Sneaky? Whos he callin sneaky?
"Excuse me?" I said, staring hard at him.
"Oho I saw that bit of fanciness with that lock pick! A right sneakthief you are, which is why you can help me. The elf Fargoth has been holding out on me with his er...protection money. Might you see if he’s hiding it somewhere? The Watchtower gives a great looksee over the town, and I’m willing to split the money with you should you find it."
Idiot, stupid great oaf! How could he be so stupid as to miss the biggest flaw in his 'plan'? Easy pickings!
"Why of course, Id love to help!" I said, the brute had sharp eyes to see me working that chest behind Arrilles back but still he wasn’t smart enough to see he could have held it against me for all the elf was hiding.
"I'll find you as soon as I catch the runt." I said again and dismissing the Nord with a wave.

As the Nord went back into the Trade house I made straight for the Tower, I was more than likely to catch this annoying fellow when it was dark, and light was receding quickly.

The lady inside paid me no heed as I walked past her and up the stairs, a well placed book and jug of alcohol pleased me only a little more than the beautiful sunset sight over the entire town of Seyda Neen.

A good hour into the book and on my last rounds of ale saw Fargoth emerge from some bushes snakily and creep along towards my position. He soon doubled back and began advancing on a muck pond behind Arrilles Tradehouse.

Fargoth bent down and fiddled with the stump roughly in the middle of the pool for roughly ten minutes before bending up and walking quite normally away. Lying down behind the large fire atop the tower was quite warm and I decided here better than anywhere to spend the night.


Thats it for now folks.