Teresa of the Faint Smile, Adventures of a Stringy Bosmer Options

[haute ecole rider]

"You're going to have to watch the front door while I go look for Aleron," Teresa told the youthful porter after he appeared. "Just tell anyone who comes that we'll be back this afternoon."

Ya think?

I love how you presented the beginning of one of the more controversial (yet realistic, in my estimation) quests. Knowing what happens next only makes this all the more bittersweet. I look forward to how Teresa handles the Hunter's Run.

[Acadian]

Of course we know that Teresa did fine handling Morghak, but it was delightful to realize that Teresa gave herself passing marks on that account during her time in charge of her guild branch.

And how wonderful to see Ursanne! Now. . . I wonder who could have inspired the dear Breton to become a blonde?

We have known for a long time that Aleron was keen on getting sword training from the guild. How delightful that here, you finally tie it to a purpose and let us see that Aleron has likely been working on ‘setting things square’ for a long time. Loved the references to the Tournament of Archers.

That Teresa quickly offers to help and cares not about payment for it does not surprise me. Although Acting Guild Commander Teresa did not likely make a choice as creative as Pappy would have, I don’t believe Pappy would have sent Ursanne away without help either. That Teresa suspects he will disapprove of her choice is absolutely in character for her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this quest and look forward to reading Teresa's impressions!

[Grits]

Even if Pappy doesn’t mind that Teresa promoted Tavian to acting commander, I doubt that he will let her negotiate contracts any time soon. Twenty percent of zero is, let’s see, carry the zero…

I like that Ursanne called Teresa “milady.” It takes me right to that moment in the game. Aleron’s swordsmanship lessons bring some interesting possibilities to this quest. I’m looking forward to it!

[Olen]

Ah, this quest. One of the better ones from in game - it certainly deserves a place in TotFS. The background you've given it adds a lot, right back to their taking the boat there was his lessons and his gambling. Now Teresa is going to rescue him. I suspect I know how this goes, but equally the details... I wonder how she'll find out where he is, and how many more enemies she will have in Bravil afterward. The fallout could be quite exciting.

As ever this piece is very well planned. I look forward to seeing what happens.

[Thomas Kaira]

Whew! Teresa's been through quite an ordeal while I've been away!

First trolls, then her Shadow, and now dear ol' Aleron's gone missing. Quite a way to spend your days.

Watching Teresa evolve as she came to grips with herself after Marius's death drove home why I enjoy reading this tale so much. It's all about the characters. Each and every one is as distinct and unique as Tamriel is diverse. There is no greater concern looming over anyone's heads, it is just their lives, and how they react to the other lives, or loss of, around them.

After Teresa hugged Barenziah, I just wanted to jump through my monitor and give her the same. She found herself after finding her conscience in turmoil for so long over the unfortunate death of Marius. Survivor's Guilt mixed with PTSD, that chapter of Teresa's life was hard, and you communicated that to me clear as day.

And Teresa and Tadrose have finally discovered each other! A very touching and heartwarming moment.

Unfortunately, it looks like Mr. Gro-Zaroff has whisked poor Aleron away to his little island. I wonder how Teresa will fare?

[SubRosa]

haute ecole rider: I never liked how Bethesda worked this quest in the game. It is a good idea, but is filled with things that do not make sense. So expect the TF version to be very different.


Acadian: Now the fruit of Aleron's sword-training bears fruit indeed. As well as his gambling. I am sure Pappy would have done as suggested. Found some creative way that the Loche's could pay them. Either that or he would have turned her down outright. Then gone out and rescued Aleron on the sly.


Grits: You are right, I don't think Teresa will be negotiating any contracts in the future! Actually 'milady' and 'milord' are terms I hem and haw about using. Given the environment, it should only be used for an actual aristocrat. But I suspect that it might be used by commoners to butter other commoners up, at least when there is no real noble in earshot.


Olen: Expect a lot of changes from the game, including the aftermath! This chapter will affect more than just Teresa and the Loches.


Thomas Kaira: See, Derelas is not the only unhappy Bosmer in Cyrodiil. You hit the nail on the head about what I focus on: characterization. I would rather write about people than events. The latter can be fun as well, but feels academic without good characters being caught up in them.


Previously on Teresa of the Faint Smile: In our last episode, Ursanne Loche came to the guild hall, looking for help to find her husband Aleron. She explained to Teresa that Aleron has a gambling problem, and has driven them into debt. He took his sword the previous night to 'set things square', and did not return. Next Teresa does some snooping to find out just what Aleron has gotten himself into.


Chapter 40.3 – The Hunter

"Can ya spare a coin beautiful lady? I's got nothin' ta eat."

The thin voice came to Teresa's ears the moment she stepped off the far end of the bridge that connected Bravil's two main islands together. South Street ran straight ahead, to the very end of the city. The Lonely Suitor Lodge rose up along it her right, and to her left Elm Street hugged the southern edge of the inner river. There was not a single elm along the road, so Teresa had no idea how it had gotten that name. The Archer's Paradox lay in that direction, the archer knew, for she passed by it every morning during her jog after all.

It was from the edge of Elm Street that the voice emanated. Sitting beside the bridge, with his back against the railing, was a thin, middle-aged Imperial clad in ragged flax and sackcloth. His long grey hair was held back from his face by a ponytail, his eyes were bloodshot, and his nose blossomed with the tiny red dots that came from too much love of alcohol.

"I don't have any coins," Teresa said as she looked down at him. "I can spare something to eat though."

Teresa sat beside him without making a sound. She reached into the Thieves Bag slung over Aldariel, at the opposite hip from her gorytos. She drew forth a loaf of warm bread and passed it to the Imperial. She followed it with a jar of olive oil, and a sealed bottle of milk. The beggar stared blankly at the food, as if surprised that someone would actually give him food rather than spare change.

"You're Cosmus," Teresa said producing a wheel of cheese next. "Aia told me that you know what goes on in the harbor better than anyone."

"Aia sent you did she?" A look of recognition lit in the Imperial's eyes. "Was it she told you to bring this spread?"

"And who warned me not give you any money," Teresa said bluntly. Because you will just spend it all on drink, the forester thought.

The beggar took a bite of the bread, and Teresa saw that his hand shook when he reached for the milk. After taking a swallow, he nearly spat it out.

"Sure you ain't got no wine in there Teresa?" the older man grimaced. "Or at least beer? How people can drink this cow piss is beyond me."

"You should be thankful to drink something that's good for you for a change," Teresa insisted. "That comes from Old Verona, in Silverbridge. She's the finest cow in all Bravil County. Besides, from the smell of it, you've already had plenty to drink today already."

"Aye, got me a good stake yesterday, from a rich fella coming out 'o the Suitor," Cosmus patted his stomach. "Drank the last of it this morn. You're just like she said though, fiery as that hair."

"So Aia told you about me then?" It had not escaped Teresa's attention that he had called her by name, without an introduction.

"Everyone in Bravil knows Teresa of the Faint Smile," the beggar said around a mouthful of soft bread. "'Specially with that Valenwood rig you wear, and the way you killed them trolls with your bare hands. Bet your boss couldn't ha' even done that."

"I was not alone," Teresa said softly. The face of Marius Helvius rose in her memory, dead eyes staring into her soul. Would he approve of what she was doing now? She could only hope so.

"So what is it ye be wantin' ta know 'bout tha' harbor?" Cosmus asked. He gave Teresa an appraising stare. Clearly he knew that this was no social call.

The wood elf remembered what Aia had told her about him. "Smarter than he looks, Cosmus is," the old woman had said. "Sees he does, and puts things together in his mind. Could'a been an investigator in the watch. But ruined it all he did, 'cause of the wine, and cheatin' at cards. Stealin' he does too. Even when needin' them he isn't, taking things he is. Canna' help himself, is what he says."

"Did you see Aleron Loche yesterday?" Teresa asked.

"Aye, that I did," Cosmus said. "'Bout a few hours after noon, he went in the Suitor with a sword at his hip. Thought he was going to try to kill Kurdan I did! But he come out a few minutes later, with all his parts still attached. His face was all pale though, and his hands shakin'. Went straight to his boat and took it out. Ain't seen 'em since, but I spent most of the day after that drinkin' inside the Suitor. So if he come back, I never would'a seen it."

"What did you mean about Kurdan? Did Aleron owe him money?" Teresa knew from Gaius Prentus that Kurdan gro-Dragol was the crimelord that ran the South Island. The guardsman's words came to her mind: "…gambling, loan-sharking, extortion, robbery… Anything violent that happens, you can bet his fingers are behind it, and his gold is in the Captain's pocket."

"Aye," Cosmus nodded. "Aleron's been borrowing money from Kurdan for months, and losing it all on card games in the Suitor, or the Arena. Last time he went in there was during the tournament. I hear Kurdan cut him off after that. Won't let him gamble no more in Bravil. Wants his money back I'm sure, before he floats him any more."

So Aleron is in deep to a gangster, Teresa thought. She had hoped he was just going to make a ridiculous attempt at piracy with his fishing boat. But this just looked worse and worse. A usurer like Kurdan could not afford to let his other customers know that they could get away with defaulting. He would have to make an example out of the Breton fisherman.

Clearly he had had not done that yet however. But Teresa knew it was only a matter of time. Where had Aleron gone, after talking to Kurdan? Had he done something for the crimelord to pay off his debt? Even with no money, Aleron was still a skilled sailor, and possessed his own boat. Could he be smuggling something for Kurdan, like skooma?

Gaius Prentus had also said that Kurdan was not in the skooma trade. But maybe the orc was planning on changing that? Aleron would be the perfect tool for him to use as a mule. Someone he knew could not afford to talk, and was completely expendable.

"Thank you Cosmus." Teresa rose to her feet, and stared across South Street to the Lonely Suitor Lodge. "When all this is over, I'll take you out to eat for a proper meal. But no wine!"

[haute ecole rider]

I knew you were going to put your own twist on this quest. I agree that there is much that makes no sense here. So I look forward to seeing how you write this story.

So Teresa has done her own intelligence-gathering before going to Cosmus? Wise girl! I remember from Buffy that he has little self control when it comes to the booze, and he's mighty proud of it, too.

Bread, olive oil, milk and cheese? Yum! Plain and very simple, but very filling nonetheless. And I loved the nod to the source of the white stuff:

"That comes from Old Verona, in Silverbridge.

Would she be black and white and shaped like a coatrack? I met plenty of Old V's in vet school, and even developed friendships with one or two.

[Thomas Kaira]

One can wonder. I enjoyed Teresa's pondering over what Mr. Orsimer Mobster might have in mind.

I sense a visit to Kingpin gro-Zaroff is looming.

Oh, by the way... I always visualize this bread is what everyone is eating in your tale. It's a great bread for olive oil dipping.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Oct 11 2011, 01:28 AM

[Acadian]

I'm scared of Kurdan already!

"Sure you ain't got no wine in there Teresa?" the older man grimaced. "Or at least beer? How people can drink this cow piss is beyond me."
That is our dear Cosmus! And consulting him about Aleron was brilliant.

’It had not escaped Teresa's attention that he had called her by name, without an introduction.’
Nor mine. In fact I paused when Cosmus called Teresa by name without introduction to ponder it, wondering whether it was on oversight by the authoress, then deciding you probably did it intentionally for the reasons that you revealed to me here. I'm quite proud of myself for getting it right!

I am so enjoying the TF version of this fun quest. I recall the humorous and creative touches Rider applied as Julian dealt with Kurdan to smooth out the quest’s details and rough edges. I also remember incorporating some BF changes into it to help some parts make a little more sense for Buffy. Already I can see your impeccable reasoning and logic at work as you help Teresa weave her own twists and solution.

[Grits]

"Can ya spare a coin beautiful lady? I's got nothin' ta eat."
Cosmus and Ursanne must have gone to the same school of kissing up.

"That comes from Old Verona, in Silverbridge. She's the finest cow in all Bravil County.
Yay, cows. With all of the olive oil and goats’ milk at the FG, I couldn’t remember if there were cows in Teresa’s Cyrodiil.

So now we have Aleron in the boat with a sword, at least that’s where he was yesterday. And Teresa is on his trail. This quest is already very interesting.

[liliandra nadiar]

And finally caught up after finding this excellent story 2 weeks ago.

Ahh... now I recognize Aleron's name. I don't spend much time in the Nibenay basin area in my two active games. Though I recognize the quest now, and Kurdan. Though the anticipation for this part comes more from how you've developed the story thus far.

Teresa's really not going to be popular with the 'City Guard' at the end of this. I'm still certain the arrow was aimed at her an not the troll in the first place.

[SubRosa]

haute ecole rider: Cosmus was fun to write here, as he is quite the different fish from Aia. Acadian's portrayal of him was first and foremost in my mind when I wrote him. A long time ago the two of us threw around ideas about the past histories of both beggars, in order to make them unique.


Thomas Kaira: Teresa may not be a big game hunter, but she is going to meet Zaroff next in any case. Ciabatta is a good choice. But it seems really modern. I was thinking of Cyrodiil having breads more like these.


Acadian: I just wished I could have worked in a line as brilliant as your: "Water? Don't you know what fish do in that!" Cosmus gave me a perfect opportunity to show Teresa's growing fame in Bravil. Thanks to all the notable things she has done lately, like the skooma-smugglers, calling out the city guard, fighting the trolls, and of course the tourney, her name is definitely well-known in Bravil. Not to mention her dyed hair.


Grits: I actually got the beautiful lady line from the game. As far as I can recall, it is one of the things beggars will say to a female character. And yes, they definitely went to the same school of kissing up! Unlike the game (which only has beef), there are indeed cows in the TF. I figure Bruma being a major cattle area, like Montana and Wyoming IRL.


liliandra nadiar: Hi lil! Welcome to the TF. You are certainly not the only one who suspects that guard arrow may have not been an accident. Teresa certainly has not made many friends there! The funny thing is that Teresa spent most of her life hating and fearing the law, because of being on the other side of it. Now she is hated by the law for being honest!


Previously on Teresa of the Faint Smile: Our last episode found Teresa looking of Cosmus the Cheat for information. The beggar told her that Aleron was deeply in debt to the local crimelord: Kurdan gro-Dragol. The last time he saw Aleron, it was after meeting with Kurdan, and the Breton took out his boat immediately afterward. Deducing that Aleron is performing some sort of mission for Kurdan, Teresa goes to visit the orc mobster.

Something to listen to while reading Kurdan's part


Chapter 40.4 – The Hunter

Teresa strung her bow before walking across the street to the Lonely Suitor Lodge. Pausing on the doorstep, she drank a combination shield and magicka restoration potion. "When in doubt, drink the stout," Pappy always said about potions. She only hoped that she would not need it, nor the Burning Hand spell whose symbol she next fixed into her mind.

More than a few stares turned her way as the wood elf stepped through the front door. It was little different than when she had been on the street however. Wearing a full panoply of armor always attracted attention, let alone Aldariel, with its unusual miran-talurn leaves. In other places her Fighters Guild medallion doubtlessly put others at ease. Here, she imagined it had the opposite effect.

The common room of the inn took up most of the ground floor. To the left a stair ran up to the second floor. The bar ran out from beside it to the center of the room, then curled back upon itself in a 'U' shape. Surrounding it was a sea of tables and chairs of stained and chipped wood. Even at mid-morning, there were plenty of seedy-looking individuals hunched over clay cups of cheap wine and tankards of cheaper ale. The smell of it, and their unwashed bodies, made Teresa's nose wrinkle in disgust.

She noted a large table in one corner where half a dozen men were playing cards. They held some in their hands, while others were laid out on the table before them. She imagined that was Elsweyr hold 'em. She had seen Pappy and the others playing it often enough. Four men sat at another table playing a different card game. She guessed it might be whist, given the way the play moved around the table.

Teresa found Kurdan sitting in the back of the room. There was no mistaking him. How many other orcs wore red brocade? Ancondil was the only one Teresa could think of, and he had far too much self-respect to ever be caught dead in a dreckhole like the Lonely Suitor Lodge. The crimelord sat with his back to the wall. A Daedric battle axe was propped up next to him, and a plate of shrimp scampi was set out before him, along with a silver goblet.

To one side of him stood a golden Khajiit wearing an elvish saber. He wore the fur and leather armor that seemed to be preferred by bandits. An unstrung bow was slung over his back, along with a quiver of arrows. To his other side sat an Altmer dressed in soft blue silk. His long blond hair was swept back from his face like the wings of an eagle, creating a pronounced widow's peak atop his forehead. Like most of his race, his age was indeterminate, but his amber eyes were as cold as Skyrim ice. Could he be a mage?

Teresa's eyes flicked to the table next to the three. Two more men sat there, Nibeneans from their olive skin and black hair. Both were clad in mail, and had hand axes laid out on the table before them. They were clearly more bodyguards. Kurdan certainly took his safety seriously. That made Teresa wonder how many people must want him dead?

The two Nibeneans rose as Teresa approached, and stepped between her and Kurdan. Their axes were now in their hands, and their eyes leveled upon the wood elf. All conversations in the common room fell silent as the forester stared them down. Then the Altmer rose from Kurdan's table, and stepped forward.

"Teresa of the Faint Smile," he said in an soft, easy-going voice. "Once again you grace the Lonely Suitor Lodge with your presence."

Teresa frowned. Obviously he remembered her from her one and only previous visit, the night after Marius had died. She did not remember the elf. But much of that night that had blessedly vanished in a haze of cheap shein.

"I am here to see Kurdan," she said.

"And now you have twig." Kurdan's voice was exactly as Teresa imagined it would be: a low boom that was a cross between the rumble of thunder and the grating of stone against stone. "Now begone with you, before I decide to have you for breakfast."

Teresa's heart raced. All of her life she had lived in the shadow of monsters such as Kurdan. Whether it was on the backstreets of the Market District, or the winding paths of the Chamber Pot, there had always been thugs like him. In the past she had always scampered away before such ominous giants could take notice of her. But no longer.

"Aleron Loche," she said through gritted teeth. "I'm here for him."

"I am afraid you have been misinformed," the Altmer said. "There is no one here by that name. You had best look elsewhere for this individual."

"I know he's not here," Teresa did not look at the high elf, but rather at Kurdan. "But I know he was yesterday. Just like I know he owes you money. Where did you send him?"

The floorboards creaked as the Orisimer rose to his feet. Teresa stared up at him, far up. He was easily the tallest orc she had ever seen, and that was saying quite a bit. He grinned at her, like a wolf sizing up an elk. Intertwining his fingers, he stretched out both of his hands. His knuckles popped loudly in the silence. Then the orc leapt forward, and before Teresa knew it, he was upon her.

His hand wrapped around her throat, and she felt herself being pushed back against the bar. Her shield enchantment flashed under the giant's paw, but it could not resist the force of his thick fingers. They pressed tightly into her neck, no matter how much Teresa tensed her muscles against them. His face pressed in close to her own, and the forester could smell the garlic on his breath.

"Why shouldn't I just snap your scrawny neck right now tree-hugger?"

Teresa could force no words from her throat. She merely tapped her fingers between his legs. The orc stared down at her hand, which now glowed with red light and trailed wisps of smoke.

"Ha!" Kurdan let go of her with a laugh, and stepped away. "Your guild is hiring a better class of scum these days! Morandil, tell her whatever she wants to know."

"But Kurdan-" The high elf stared at the orc in surprise.

"Just do it!" The orc sat once more and picked up his fork. "Handle the arrangements, like you always do. Or I'll find someone else who can. Now if any other fetcher interrupts my breakfast, there'll be Oblivion to pay for it!"

The high elf led Teresa away, to a storeroom behind the common area. The large room was packed with casks of ale, wine, and other drinks, along with sacks of flour and barrels of other foodstuffs. Teresa wondered if they always conducted their secret meetings in a pantry? She had to admit that it was private though.

"Aleron does indeed owe us a significant amount of tender," Morandil said. There was no sign of his previous resistance to speak to her in his voice. Rather he sounded so at ease that an eavesdropper might think they were old friends. "An offer was extended to him, by which he might annul his deficit. A most gracious offer in fact. Aleron accepted this charge the day previous, yet we remain in wait of his return."

Standing as close as he now was, Teresa could feel the strength of the magicka within the high elf's clothing. Likewise in the mithril dagger that hung at his hip, and the opal ring upon one of his fingers. She could not tell exactly what the enchantments upon each were. But she knew that they were strong. Clearly, Morandil was not someone to take lightly.

"How much does he owe you?" Teresa asked. She did not like the high elf's manner one bit. He was too formal and polished to be a simple thug. Not even a thug like Kurdan's right hand. Then there was his magical clothing. Either he was rich, or he had done the enchanting himself. Given his race's fame for wizardry, she imagined it was the latter.

"Financial records are confidential," the Altmer said smoothly. "For the protection of our clients of course."

While his words were as precise as any of Ancondil's, Teresa now thought she detected a trace of an accent in them. Not an elvish accent, but rather one she knew well enough, from the Chamber Pot. In spite of how he now dressed himself, and what airs he put on, Morandil was a gutter-spawn, just like herself!

"So what is he doing for you?" Teresa began to grow impatient, and wondered if she was being given the run around? Did she really think that a crimelord was going to be honest about his dirty dealings after all?

"He was sent to Castle Grief," Morandil's direct answer surprised her. "There he is to procure an item of rare value. It is a meteoric axe named Inga, once owned by Audmund the Bald."

"Inga?" Teresa blinked. Was he just making this all up as he went?

"Apparently an ex-wife." The Altmer's smile was something Teresa would expect to see on a slaughterfish. "Inga is an object of singular value. The axe of course, not the wife. It was lost when the colony vanished a century ago. If Aleron can procure Inga, then his debt shall be discharged."

"And that place hasn't been picked clean in the last hundred years?" Teresa eyed the high elf suspiciously.

"It has been," Morandil again surprised her by agreeing so quickly. "Yet nothing of value - nor the former inhabitants - were ever discovered. Castle Grief's treasures lay well hidden. The individual daring and cunning enough to unravel the castle's secrets will come away quite wealthy."

"Where is this castle?" Teresa asked. She could not recall its name on any map of the county that she had seen.

"It is located upon an island in the center of Niben Bay," the Altmer explained. "It is a barren piece of rock, whose only notable feature is a safe anchorage for large vessels. Ask any of the sailors, they will know it."

Teresa nodded. She was going to do exactly that. Not to mention ask about this Audmund the Bald and his Inga.

"Now I believe I have answered all of your questions," the high elf continued. "If I might, I have a query of my own."

Teresa nodded warily. Kurdan made sense to her. He was a brute. But this Altmer was a mystery.

"What is your interest in Aleron Loche?" he asked. "He is but a simple fisherman with a fondness for losing money that he does not possess. How is it that the Fighters Guild seeks him out?"

"I know him," Teresa said. She was not about to mention Ursanne, or her son. If Morandil already knew about them, there was little she could do. But if not, she was not going to give the Altmer any more leverage against Aleron than he already had. "He was supposed to take me across the Niben today. But he never showed up."

"So you took it upon yourself to locate the delinquent sailor?" the Altmer said. "Very noble of you. He must be a friend of yours then, for you to inconvenience yourself so."

"Like I said," Teresa replied, "I know him."

"Do I judge your intent well enough, to venture that you would hazard the castle for Aleron's sake?" Morandil asked. He must have seen the question rising in Teresa's eyes, and continued before she could reply. "Given your performance in the common room, it seems like no great leap."

"You seem very interested in what I am going to do," Teresa said plainly.

"Of course I am," Morandil said. "I shall be honest with you. If Aleron does not return with either the axe or the money he owes, Kurdan will be forced to make an example of him. You know what that means. However, the worth of the axe far exceeds his debt. As this was my inspiration, I shall receive a finder's fee of no inconsequential amount upon its deliverance. So as you see, I have a financial incentive to see Aleron return in success. You clearly have a sentimental incentive to do the same, as I know that fisherman's wife cannot pay you."

Teresa tried to hide it, but her breath still caught in her throat at the mention of Ursanne. Of course he knew about her! He had probably threatened her safety to ensure Aleron's compliance with his scheme. The forester stared at the taller elf with barely contained revulsion. He was a Daedra laying in the grass, profiting from the misfortune of others.

"If your axe is there, you'll have it," Teresa murmured sourly. There was little she could do. She had to go after Aleron. She turned to the door, but Morandil's voice stopped her after only a step.

"At this time of day, you will be hard pressed to find a fisherman still in port to ferry you out to the castle," he said. "They are already out on the bay. The ferries are all gone as well, and you know the galleon in port is not going to lend you one of its boats. You will have to wait until this afternoon, when the fishermen all return with their catches."

Teresa turned to face the Altmer. "Why do I hear a 'but' coming?"

The Altmer smiled. "But I know someone who might be of assistance," he said. "For a modest finder's fee of course."

Teresa blinked. He was demanding a bribe so that she could help Aleron get his cursed axe? How greedy was the fetcher, and how much was that blasted thing worth? Still, what choice did she have?

"Who is it?" Teresa asked, and reached into the coin purse that hung from her hip.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Oct 13 2011, 10:54 PM

[haute ecole rider]

Clancy Brown! I always think of Kurgan every time I play this quest and talk to Kurdan. Several times I caught myself typing 'Kurgan' instead of 'Kurdan' when I was writing that chapter!

A nit:

The two Nibenean's rose as Teresa approached,

Looks like the atmosphere in the tavern was so intimidating that apostrophe didn't want to leave its shelter!

Of course, if Kurgan Kurdan is such a hotshot crime boss, he wouldn't be dealing with noobs and strangers off the street like he does in the game.

So it's an axe named after Inga? Would this be Inga (aka Gertrude) that I know so well? An an ex-wife to boot? Wonder if the axe was involved in the separation.

[Grits]

Wearing a full panoply of armor always attracted attention, let alone Aldariel, with its unusual miran-talurn leaves.

I like this so much. It’s a good reminder of how things are (not so many folks strolling around in full daedric armor), and it shows how far Teresa has come up in the world.

In the past she had always scampered away before such ominous giants could take notice of her. But no longer.

Woo hoo! Go Teresa.

Teresa could force no words from her throat. She merely tapped her fingers between his legs. The orc stared down at her hand, which now glowed with red light and trailed wisps of smoke.

No matter how the rest of this chapter goes, I will always remember the smoking crotch tap.

Morandil is an interesting character. I enjoy smiling villains. It makes great sense that a crime lord would surround himself with brains as well as muscle. I love it!!

[Thomas Kaira]

That Altmer is mighty slick, and mighty crooked! Perhaps Teresa will be required to "remind" him of where he came from at some point?

While his words were as precise as any of Ancondil's, Teresa now thought she detected a trace of an accent in them. Not an elvish accent, but rather one she knew well enough, from the Chamber Pot. In spite of how he now dressed himself, and what airs he put on, Morandil was a gutter-spawn, just like herself!

Now THAT's a spot of character there!

This Altmer seems to be everything Teresa is not. The Yang of Teresa's Yin, to be horribly cliche. Instead of embracing his past, he ran from it. His fear of poverty molded him into the cold, cruel robber and extortionist he now is. It's quite obvious he is not the kind of guy to do something if there isn't a Septim involved, nor would he ever pass the opportunity to snatch it from someone else. He lives eloquently and lavishly, and no doubt cringes away from poverty. Why else would he be working for Kurdan, the richest man in town save the Count?

Or am I over-analyzing things again?

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Oct 13 2011, 11:01 PM

[Acadian]

Wow, Teresa really stepped into the Suitor loaded for bear! Oh. . . wait, scratch that. If Teresa were expecting bear, she would have simply brought a towel to dry off the wet licks and kisses.

"Now begone with you, before I decide to have you for breakfast."
Kurdan certainly likes to snack on wood elves. Or try to.

You really popped me out of my chair when Kurdan suddenly grabbed Teresa’s throat!

I’m with Grits on the soon to be patented ‘Teresa Smokin’ Crotch Tap’.

’The Altmer's smile was something Teresa would expect to see on a slaughterfish. "Inga is an object of singular value. The axe of course, not the wife.’
Loved your characterizations and grim humor here. You really brought this Altmeri piece of. . . work to life. What a smooth, oily and polished creature he is. In some ways he reminds me a touch of Ungarion – except that Ungarion is actually likable.

I noticed Teresa’s destination is an old castle, not a fort. This should be interesting.

It’s a pleasure to see you and Teresa working through the fair number of ‘why is that?’ questions that this quests raises – and doing a wonderful job of juggling and tweaking things around into sound logic.

[liliandra nadiar]

Teresa found Kurdan sitting in the back of the room. There was no mistaking him. How many other orcs wore red brocade?
She did? Lucky girl, I had to search all over then employ a detect life spell to find him in his chameleon armor.

"Teresa of the Faint Smile," he said in an soft, easy-going voice. "Once again you grace the Lonely Suitor Lodge with your presence."
Hmm.. Tamrielian lawyer?
"Financial records are confidential," the Altmer said smoothly. "For the protection of our clients of course.
Yep. He's a lawyer, Kurdan's slimier then I thought.

Few changes from the game's version, but it lends a more 'credible' feel to the 'job' and not something that was all but waving a neon sign of Admiral Akbar yelling "It's a trap!"

[D.Foxy]

Rosa my girl - you are a very, very good writer.

The essence of a good writer is to 'do great things with little expenditure' and you have succeeded beyond all expectations.

You have taken a 'generic' thug and made him even more thuggish than the 'beefcake blackguard' orc - then you have made him much more dangerous than the original version, because he has surrounded himself with not only bodyguards, but a 'mouthpiece' as well. Smart. As Al Capone remarked 'a good mouthpiece is worth all the dough he wants'.

And by the way - may I congratulate Teresa on her excellent situational awareness? Her estimation of Kurdan's bodyguards and their capabilities are very good, almost exactly what I would have done in the same place. Only I'd have had Cosmus go in first, take a good look before he was kicked out, and then sat down to think up a plan first - but then, that's old, super cautious 'Mr Justin Case' me...

It must be said again. Excellent writing!!!

[Olen]

Hmmm detective work. Depending on how much you've changed things I think she might be in for a surprise though. Talking to Cosmus was a nice touch, almost immediatly you had a character who was far richer than a begger might have been. I suspect there might be quite a bit of background to him, and that he might appear again. That she went straight to the beggers for information works - it draws the TF world back towards the game one with the thieve's guild line and serves as a reminder of Teresa's origins.

Then Kurdan, again you've taken the cardboard generic criminal from the game and fleshed him into so much more. He's a bit different than I imagined, I always saw him a smaller fry working for someone higher up but I like your version and I imagine it will stick now. The bodyguards make sense, I doubt he's well liked but it's Morandil who's the jewel in this piece. I agree with the similarities with other altmer in this piece (Ungarion to an extent) but their smoothness seems slimey on him somehow, he makes a good speaker though, and likes to line his pockets. I suspect we'll see him again.

I'm fascinated to see how the boatman she's directed to turns out, and how this quest goes.

[SubRosa]

haute ecole rider: It probably was that Inga! Although Kurdan does not look (or act!) anything like Benson. When I was trying to come up with a name for the axe, I thought to myself, why not name it after a battle-axe?


Grits: The armor in the street is actually a carryover from my pen and paper RPG days. It would look kind of strange to see people walking around the street in full armor. I mean, who would bother putting all that gear on, unless it they are going to kill someone? That is the kind of thing that gets the attention of the police real quick.

The smoking crotch tap was inspired by so many hidden knife to the groin scenes in films. I just put a Teresa twist on it, using her Burning Hand instead.


Thomas Kaira: I would say you are spot on concerning Morandil. He is indeed the opposite of Teresa in so many ways, in spite of having similar beginnings.


Acadian: I loved the remark about being loaded for bear. It is so true! Morandil was fun to write. I wanted him to come across as an interesting character. I am glad it is working.


liliandra nadiar: A lawyer indeed! Morandil never has to worry about being attacked by slaughterfish when he goes swimming. They won't bite him out of professional courtesy. Your remark about Ackbar had me laughing. That is so the case in the game!


D.Foxy: I wanted to really make Kurdan seem menacing. He is a crimeboss, and from what I know of RL organized criminals from documentaries, they are not really smarter than anyone else, just more ruthless and brutal. The bunch here in Detroit that introduced crack to the city (and whom the movie New Jack City was based on) actually videotaped themselves with their crack, and counting out the cash they were making from selling it.


Olen: Acadian and I (really mostly Acadian) worked on the backgrounds for Cosmus and Aia back when we collaborated on the Tournament of Archers. I was glad to finally get the chance to use Cosmus in the TF, especially given the wonderful portrayal that Acadian gave him. I am glad to see another vote for Morandil. He is a character I would like to do more with in the future.


Previously on Teresa of the Faint Smile: In our last episode Teresa had a showdown with Kurdan, and impressed him enough to make him cooperate. His lieutenant Morandil told Teresa that Aleron does indeed owe them money, and that he was sent to Castle Grief to retrieve an enchanted axe named Inga. He also suggested a fisherman who could ferry Teresa to the island the castle is situated on, as all the regular fishermen were already out on the bay. Next, Teresa meets the boatman.


Chapter 40.5 – The Hunter

Teresa climbed the steps to the upper dwelling of a two-story building. Like all the other homes along the narrow street, its wooden boards were old, worn, and unpainted. Teresa imagined that it might have been among the first buildings to go up during Bravil's boomtown phase, fifty years ago. She suspected that it had changed little since then, except to get older, and more worn, with every year.

Stepping across the narrow porch, she stared at the door in front of her. Was she really going to do this? Was she going to trust the word of a gangster that this fisherman was reliable? For all she knew, he was an assassin paid to finish off any who asked too many questions about Kurdan's dealings.

If he was, he kept it a good secret. Not even Aia knew anything untoward about him, and the beggar seemed to know everyone in the city. "Was married, that Dakarai was," the old woman had told Teresa. "Until that wife of his up and left him, she did. Taking their two kids with her she was too. For not another man it was neither, but 'nother woman! Lost in his cups he's been ever since. Most of the time never even goes on the bay. Money he owes to that Kurdan too they say. Borrow he does just to pay the rent."

Teresa's knuckles rapped against the door, and she felt it rattle underneath her hand. She imagined that it would not take much to simply knock it down. When there was no answer she knocked more forcefully, and the entire door nearly shook off its hinges. When it finally did swing open, she realized that no burglar would bother with breaking in. For there was nothing within of any value, except furniture one step away from being firewood, and empty jugs of cheap wine.

Standing in the doorway was a Redguard. He was dressed in dirty, threadbare flax. A line of dried vomit decorated one side of his tunic, and his trousers were stained with what she could only hope was dirt. His tightly curled hair rose from his head in a dried, frizzy mess, and he sported the bristles of a beard several days old. His cheeks were sunken, and the rest of his frame little better. He seemed hollow, like the shell of man whose insides had been beaten out.

"What do you want elf," the Redguard spat. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

Teresa's eyes glanced past him, to the low table in the center of the room. A braid-wrapped jug sat there, along with a chipped redware cup. Her eyes went back to the Redguard. "Dakarai?" she asked. When he nodded, she continued. "Morandil sent me. I need your boat."

"Come back tomorrow," he murmured. "I don't feel like it today."

The door swung shut in Teresa's face. Without thinking, she swept her hand forward, and thrust it back at the Redguard. He stumbled back into the room, and shook his head in surprise. Teresa took advantage of the moment to stride within. Those strength enchantments really did work, she thought as she glanced down at her gauntlets, and the thumb ring one concealed on her right hand.

"Now," Teresa growled. She threw a small bag of coins on the table, beside the jug of what she could now smell was shein. She knew exactly where the money would go. But she no longer had time to waste. There was no telling what sort of trouble Aleron might have gotten himself into on the island. "That's for your trouble. Now get what you need, and move."

He shot her a glare though his bloodshot eyes. But the Redguard offered no further resistance. Instead he hefted the pouch of coins in his hand, then tucked it away in a trouser pocket. Teresa was thankful for the fresh air when he led her outside a moment later, and followed the fisherman down to the docks. She saw Cosmus along the way, and gave the beggar a welcome nod.

The Redguard said nothing as they clambered aboard his dory and cast off. He rowed them out into the bay, and then shipped the oars. He seemed surprised when Teresa moved to help him with the uneven, four-cornered sail. She was not sure if it was because she knew what she was doing, or simply that she made an effort to assist him.

"So where are we going to?" Dakarai finally asked. The Redguard changed places with Teresa, and sat down in the stern of the ship, where he could man the tiller.

"Castle Grief," Teresa answered. "As soon as you can get us there."

The Redguard's eyes flashed at the mention of the castle. "You sure you want to be doin' that?" he said. "Nothing good ever comes to them that go there."

"I have to go," Teresa said. "A friend of mine is there."

"I'd give up on him if I were you, and turn around." The Redguard spat in the water to one side for emphasis.

"Why?" Teresa asked. "What is wrong with the castle?"

"Bad luck it is." The Redguard looked away from her gaze. "Them that go there, don't come back. Haunted some say it is, by those folk that vanished there a hundred year ago."

"I've heard the tale," Teresa said. Aia had given her the entire story of the castle. "Built it was for the fleet back in the Second Age," the old woman had said around a mouthful of chicken dumplings. "But abandoned it they did after Tiber Septim's reign. Not needin' it no more then, what with the peace and all. That Audmund the Bald, he took over a hundred good folk out there to settle it back in the day of Empress Morihatha. But vanished they all did, just a week later, with no sign of where they went. Still at the docks were their boats, out drying was their laundry, and on the tables was the food. What happened to them, to this day no one knows. Ever since then, Castle Grief people have named it."

The old Imperial had even confirmed the story of Audmund, his axe, and his former wife Inga. So at least Morandil had not been lying, Teresa mused. She watched Bravil fade into the distance, and wondered if the unnamed doom that had befallen the colonists might have also taken Aleron? Why else would he be gone for so long? Unless the castle was so large that it took days to search?

"Don't listen to me then," Dakarai grumbled. "It's to your own grave yer sailin' to, not mine."

The rest of the trip passed in silence. The time seemed to drag as Teresa continually looked over her shoulder, waiting for the castle to rise over the horizon. The more time she had to think about it, the more and more she did not like any of it. Why would a crimelord send Aleron of all people after an enchanted axe that no one else had been able to find in a century? How could Aleron be expected to do better? He was just a fisherman, not a treasure hunter.

The empty horizon gave Teresa no answers however. She knew that only Castle Grief held those. If Aleron was dead. If he was alive and trapped. If he had never been there at all, and Morandil had lied about everything. Only it could say.

It was none too soon when the grey stones of the fortress rose above the waves on the horizon. First it was only the upper towers, then as they came nearer, the rest of the castle. Then finally the rocky spit of land upon which the fortress sat came into view. There was not much to the island. As Morandil had said, it was just a barren patch of rock in the expanse of Niben Bay. Yet Teresa instantly saw why the Empire had put a castle there. The northern end of the island was shaped like a pair of crescents reaching out into the bay, sheltering a wide cove between them.

When they neared the lagoon, Dakarai took down the sail and broke out the oars once more. As he pulled them into the inlet, Teresa noted lines of stone pilings running from the shore out into the water. There were enough to support at least a dozen long quays, that might have once hosted two or perhaps even three galleons to a side. The wooden boards that had filled the space between the pilings were long gone however. Teresa imagined that they must have rotted away in the centuries since the castle had been first abandoned.

The dark form of a dory rose up from the pebbles of the beach that lined the cove. "That's Aleron's boat!" Teresa cried out. She pointed out the craft to Dakarai, and the Redguard brought his own dory past the ancient docks and onto the strand beside it.

Teresa leapt from the boat the moment it touched shore. The beach under her feet was comprised of many small, smoothly-worn stones, and shifted uncomfortably under her feet. Still, she made her way over it as silently as ever, and stepped to the side of Aleron's dory. She found nothing within however. No blood, no signs of a struggle, and no body of Aleron Loche.

Teresa looked up from the dory, and cast her gaze farther south. Just a dozen paces from the water's edge rose the stone blocks of the castle. Its main gateway yawned wide, and there was no sign of the doors that must have once shut it off. The walls were still intact however, and stretched off to either side as far as the eastern and western edges of the island. There they turned south, and out of sight. Teresa imagined that they might hug the water's edge around the rest of the island.

She glanced back, and found that Dakarai was still in his dory. "I'll not set one foot on this cursed ground," the Redguard murmured. "If you're smart, you won't either. Get in the boat, and I'll take you back. You can tell them you looked all day, and found naught. I'll not gainsay a word of it."

Teresa shook her head. What had the fisherman so spooked? Did he know something that he was not saying? If so, she would find out soon enough. "Just wait here," she finally said. "It might take me a few hours to search this place, but I'll be back."

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Oct 17 2011, 07:22 PM