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]

Ahnaressu hammered yet another flaw from the heated glass blade. He Turned it around, and hammered the other side to even it out. The dunmer inspected the piece while he held up the blade with his prongs. He made sure it was straight before letting it cool down for the night. He gathered his shirt, put it on, and began the walk back to his small house.

Cali sat in her favorite chair after not being able to catch any sleep. Her mind was too restless. Thoughts of Ahnaressu's departure and what could happen on that journey filled her head, along with the question of how she would find work in Balmora to support Relgar, made her dread the day when Ahnaressu finished his sword. She felt like Ahnaressu was abandoning her and Relgar and letting fate grab them by the throats. But she had decided a different course - It didn;t matter if Ahnaressu agreed or not.
Ahnaressu walked in, shutting the door behind him.
"Why are you up this late?" Ahanressu asked.
"I couldn't sleep."
"Because of me isn't it?" Ahnaressu guessed.
"Yes, because of you! You want to leave your brother and me to fend for oursleves while you hunt down some...some..."
"Killer? Murderer? Rapist? Plunderer?" Ahanressu finished for her, his voice dripping with anger.
"Yes. Exactly." Cali answered. Taking the bait.
"And how many other will he rape and kill before I even get to him?" Ahnaressu argued. "I am not only avenging my family, but my tribe and any other person who has gone through the torment that Valnor so often dishes out to others."
"I know, but..." Cali continued, not quite sure of how to disprove his logic. "It's just that you are leaving me and your brother - your own flesh and blood! - to fend for oursleves. What will we do? I can't work and take care of your brother!"
"Well, what do you propose I do?" Ahanressu asked.
"Let us come with you." Cali said.
"Wh-What?" Ahnaressu stumbled over his words.
"You would obviously have to track down the Urshilaku or some other ashlander tribe's camp, and we could stay there while you hunt Valnor."
Ahnaressu could tell by her tone of voice that he couldn't talk her out of it, so he shrugged his shoulders.
"You may come. But you will also have to let me teach you how to defend yourself. the enemies we will face do not slow their blades for women."

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Next part will come soon. enjoy.