Verick in Morrowind Options

[redsrock]

While writing The Connivers, I am also going to be writing this as well. I'm getting back into Morrowind once more, so I want to keep track of a story of what I do in-game, as well as throwing in some personal touches as well. Don't expect the chapters to be too long, and don't be surprised if I don't post a chapter every day.

The inspiration comes from the story, "Trey in Mournhold", written by Treydog. He is a wonderful author, and truly an inspiration to my writing. I've been reading his stories for some time now, but unfortunately have yet to give him the feedback that he deserves.

Chapter One

They shouldn’t have let me out. Despite the good that I’ve done, I’m really not sure if that justifies the evils I’ve accomplished along the way. I’m sure the historians will look back at me as a hero, but I’ll never see that. I am not a Dunmer, and I never wish to be a Dunmer. I dealt with them simply because I thought I had to. Thinking about it now, though, I’m not sure if I still agree with that. It doesn’t matter of course. What’s done is done, some thirty years later, and now I lie in a crypt of my own desire. Departed, but not quite dead…at least not in a physical standpoint. I apologize, though, for now I am rambling, and no one enjoys a rambler. So let me tell you my story and then perhaps you call tell me what I am. The angel or the monster.

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The day was still young when I woke up, and I knew this because there was no light shining through my cabin’s barred window, save for the moonlight of course, but to me that didn’t really count. The sun and moons are related, yes, but not quite the same. Resting next to my right on his own dirty bedroll was a Dunmer named Jiub. Over the years he’s gathered his own bit of fame, having driven out some pesky bird-like creature from Vvardenfell. The difference between he and I is that he’s actually been able to enjoy his prominence.

Rather than wake him from his slumber to ask him if he know how close we were to Vvardenfell, I instead grabbed a bucket to my left and checked for water. There was none at all, but I knew there had been before I had gone to bed. This meant Jiub had drunk the rest during the night, but ironically I was not even the least bit angry. I could not stand the Dunmer and their proud, arrogant ways back then and I can’t stand them to this day, but Jiub I was actually able to call my friend. There were others of course, but they’ve either passed on their mortal life and on to whatever else awaits them, or they forgot about me. The latter could probably be switched around as well, these days I couldn’t really tell you.

“It’s gone, my friend,” Jiub said. I jumped out of fright and looked at him, his crimson red eyes staring directly into my own pair of eyes, though mine are a pleasant blue. “Many apologies to you, but last night my cough was worse than usual. I’m surprised it did not stir you. It was rather loud, and violent.”

And another reason why I didn’t mind that he drank the water was that he definitely needed it. He had been sick for I don’t know how long. To this day I can’t fathom how I had not contracted whatever he had, even if it had simply been a lengthy cold. “There’s no need for an apology, Jiub. You need it more than I. Besides, the guards will be bring us a fresh bucket come sunrise.”

Jiub sat up cross-legged style and leaned against the wall of our cramped cabin. He stretched his back and I heard nasty pops, revolting sounds that I’ve never been able to forget. “I’m not so sure about that. Before I finally fell asleep last night I heard the guards outside talking; something about having passed the magical city of Vivec, home to the legendary Warrior-Poet himself. I doubt we’ll be on board this rickety ship much longer.”

“So you think we’ll be released?” I asked hopefully.

“It’s hard to tell. Releases seem to be more random than anything. I’ve been imprisoned for several years now, and I’ve seen other prisoners be released sporadically at random intervals. I’ve got a feeling I won’t be in luck, but perhaps you’ll fare better. I suppose we shall simply have to wait. As a matter of fact, I don’t even think this ship is moving.”

Minutes later, or maybe it was seconds, the door to our dark cabin opened, and a fat guard stood in the door way grasping tightly his silver Imperial-issued longsword in one hand. You would have thought he’d cut me some slack, being an Imperial as well, but that wasn’t how it was. I think he saw me lower than him because I was imprisoned. But if he knew that I knew most of his secrets he wouldn’t have thought that, that’s for sure.

“Stand up, scum!” he yelled my way, paying no attention to Jiub. “You’re getting off the ship now by the orders of his majesty himself! I do hope you realize how much an honor it is for the Emperor to even think your name. Get on deck, now!”

I looked at Jiub and simply nodded, not really knowing what else to do. Everything had happened so fast, it was surreal. I never would have thought they’d let me out so soon, if at all. Honestly, I probably deserved to be hanged myself. Lucky for me I come from a rich family with an even richer history. It’s too bad that richness isn’t alive today.

Jiub nodded back and I left the cabin, heading up a set of stairs to my right, and then out the hatch leading to the deck. Just as I had assumed, it was still nightfall. The hatch closed behind me, and a Redguard in Imperial uniform stood on the deck holding an iron spear and a gentle smile. Thankfully he was much nicer than the other guard. “You’re supposed to get off here, but why I don’t know. Just be lucky you’re even getting off. Not many other prisoners can say they have.”

“Where are we?” I asked him, rubbing the sleepiness out of my eyes.

“Seyda Neen, one of the few Imperial-owned ports in the entire Bitter Coast Region. Head on off the ship and speak with the next guard. He’ll take you to the Census offices where they’ll give you your release papers.”

After sixteen months, perhaps even more, I was getting off the boat. The thought was so wonderful, yet I was still having such a difficult time believing it was all true. It was like I was stuck in a dream. I sure wish that dream was still intact. Instead it’s been transformed into the eternal nightmare that is my life. But all of that will come later.