Agents of the Queen Part 3- An Elder Scrolls Online tale

  • Cats, Rats, and Thunderbugs

     

    Ian S. McClure

     

    I know I had previously written that the next entry would be after our arrival at the Shattered Shoals, but today's events are important enough to warrant a place in this journal. After leaving the fort of Eagle's Strand, Elereth and I traveled for three days and two nights, following the unpaved roads of Khenarthi's Roost. We would have traveled quicker, but we felt no need to travel quickly, preferring instead to walk and enjoy the sights. Also, I still carried my armor, and its weight prevented me from going too fast.

     

    The first night we camped beside the road, taking turns to watch for bandits or other hostiles throughout the night. Our dinner was meager- merely some provisions Elereth had gotten at the fort. We would've hunted for food, but we saw no animals in the area apart from the torchbugs, which are far too small to be truly considered a meal. Despite- or because of- our vigilance, we passed the night without incident. The second night was much better, for we found a roadside inn, “The Luck of Rahjin”. It was run by an elderly, kind Khajiit couple. We were not the only patrons at the inn- an Orcish woman, aged and scarred by countless battles, was also present. She was clad in crude yet effective plate armor, and wielded a mighty battleaxe. She looked at us suspiciously while we ate our food, a recipe of jugged rabbit the innkeeper's wife learned in Bruma, many years ago. The Orc eventually left the inn during the early hours of the night.

     

    We left The Luck of Rahjin early in the morning, before the sun had truly risen. We continued to follow the roads at our leisurely pace, talking idly. Then, on a post, we saw a notice. It was written crudely, and read:

     

    “Looking for resourceful adventurers to end rat infestation at a nearby farm. Laughing Moons Plantation is the biggest supplier of the holy moon-sugar on the island. Do not leave it to outsiders and skooma peddlers to sell the most precious ingredient in the Khajiiti cookbook! Anybody who helps shall receive no less than 40 gold pieces and a free meal. Ask Juranda-ra at the Plantation for more details.”.

     

    At this Elereth looked excited, strangely enough. “We have to help them out.” she explained. “Moon-sugar isn't just for skooma. It's an important part of their culture.”.

     

    I sighed, thinking about it. “Every moment we aren't at the Shattered Shoals, soldiers are dying.”, I finally said.

     

    Elereth looked pensive as well. “True... But then, they more or less knew what they signed up for. The locals, on the other hand, will view a lack of the sugar as a crisis. I think we can't afford not to help.”. Defeated, I sighed again. “Very well. We'll go to the farm. Let's just hope it's quick.”.

     

    Laughing Moons Plantation, despite their supposed rat problem, was actually quite prosperous. We spied a dozen workers in the fields of moon-sugar cane, toiling in the heat of the sun to bring in the crops. We looked around, seeing all of the commotion, until a man came to us. He was a Dunmer, oddly. Despite the sweat drenching his dark gray body, he grinned when he saw us. “Hail there!” he cried, lifting an arm in greeting. “How can we help ya?”.

     

    Elereth piped up, “Actually, we want to help out you folks. We saw the notice on the road.”.

     

    His grin widened. “Beautiful. Yer lookin' for Juranda-ra, then? Hopefully you two can solve things 'fore them Thalmor show up.”.

     

    Elereth suddenly looked nervous. “Thalmor? Why is the Dominion interested in a moon-sugar business?” she asked. “Damned if I know, miss. I'm just a worker. Juranda can tell ya more.”.

     

    “Let us go to her, then.” I said.

     

    “First the hurricane, then rats from the sea. What next, flying mudcrabs!?”. Needless to say, the Khajiit woman was visibly frustrated. “S'rendarr's mercy. We need more time before the inspection!”. She finally turned to us, offering a slight nod. “I imagine you're here to help out with that problem, no?” she asked.

     

    “Yes. My name is Ardolan and my companion is Ereleth.” I said. I omitted my last name on purpose- too many recognize the name Larethbinder.

     

    “Well met. Dominion inspectors are coming. The Headwoman of the island, a good Khajiit named Harrani, requested their aid to stop the skooma trade.”.

     

    Elereth asked: “You don't know anything about the skooma trade on Khenarthi's Roost then?”.

     

    Juranda looked indignant. “We're farmers with good customers. Our sugar is used to spice food, not brew skooma! But when the inspectors see we can't protect our fields, we're finished.”.

     

    “From the rats?” I asked.

     

    Juranda nodded. “Hairy, squirmy, squeaky little rats. They've infested the plantation since the storm… The Thalmor will ask, if we can't protect our fields from rats, how will we protect them against smugglers? Find Cinder-Tail, one of my workers. Find out why his senche-tigers roll on their backs instead of eating rats. Does one expect to keep his job if the inspectors find vermin in our fields?”.

     

    I nodded. “Well, off we go then.”.

     

     

    “You let the rats get the better of you!? And you call yourselves warriors!”, the thin yet muscular Khajiit man said, facing three huge orange cats with black stripes-clearly the senche-tigers.

     

    Cinder-Tail turned to face us, saying: “Want to buy a carpet? How about three? They aren't good for much else.”. At this, one of the three tigers growled lazily. “Yes, Afeh, even you!” Cinder-Tail snapped. “May we ask, what is wrong with them?” I asked politely.

     

    “Do not eat the rats, this one says. Do they listen? No! Stupid senche, lazy senche!”.

     

    Elereth and I looked at each other baffled. She said: “Wait. They're supposed to eat the rats. That's what Juranda-ra hired them- and you- for. You need to get them moving.”.

     

    “Not with sugerbellies. These useless senche could only kill a rat if they fell on it. From a great height!”.

     

    “But then,” I asked, “What will you do about the inspectors?”.

     

    At this, Cinder-Tail thought for a bit. “Go inside, lock the doors, wait until they leave? No, no, let this one think. Without senche…Thunderbugs? No, heh, that would never work...”.

     

    “Thunderbugs? What in Auri-El's name is a thunderbug?” I inquired.

     

    Elereth looked at me. “Kind of like giant beetles that can harness lightning. Very common on this island.”.

     

    Cinder-Tail nodded. “Thunderbug nest nearby. They defend their delicious eggs from intruders, yes? Grab an armload of eggs, and crack one in each rat nest. Thunderbugs will then kill rats with electric frenzy before the Thalmor arrive! You're sturdy, yes? A little shock won't hurt you.”.

     

    We remained dumbfounded for a few moments. “That… is clearly the craziest idea I've ever heard.” Elereth finally said.

     

    Still, I responded: “Do you have any other ideas? This seems to be our best bet.”.

     

    Elereth nodded. “Alright then. You'll have to face them unarmored, though. No time to suit up. Luckily, I'm already in my armor. Thank the gods for leather.”.

     

    I nodded. “Then let's get this over with. I'll try not to get electrocuted.”.

     

    We went to the nest. There, I saw a thunderbug in person- it's carapace was purple and gold. There were four of the giant insects near the mound of eggs. Elereth crouched, drawing her bone bow. Meanwhile, I drew my sword from my hip, relishing the metallic sound it made. I am not a bloodthirsty man, but I do admit I enjoy that sound. I sneaked closer as Elereth readied an arrow. I raised my hand… and signaled.

     

    The arrow struck true, puncturing a thunderbug's skull. As it collapsed, lifeless, I stood upright and slashed at another one nearby, first disabling it's legs before stabbing it through the eye. The other two scuttled towards me, mandibles crackling with lightning. Elereth's second arrow hit one in the leg, forcing it to limp, but it was not yet dead. I dodged to the side as the other attempted to attack, slashing at its side. It screeched, a strange sound, as it died. The final one advanced slowly towards me. I raised my sword- and Elereth killed it.

     

    When we grabbed the eggs, we suffered no more attacks from the creatures- they were hesitant to harm their unborn offspring. Then we ran across the plantation, cracking eggs in nests as we went. It felt silly, yet it was morbidly amusing to watch the poor rats be electrocuted by rabid thunderbugs. This took most of the remaining day, so by the time that we returned to Juranda-ra it was twilight. But there, we saw that unfortunately, we were too late. The Thalmor were already here.

     

    So it was with great surprise that we overheard one say, “There's no question, Juranda-ra. Your specialists certainly showed the vermin their place.”.

     

    Juranda turned to us, showing a most jovial smile. The inspector turned to his fellow. “Make a note. 'Unorthodox methods- but vermin free'.”.

     

    The Khajiit then uttered a line in her tongue, before switching back to common Tamrielic to tell us: “Clever, luring thunderbugs like that. A scheme worthy of Baan Dar himself. Our gracious inspector has been most patient with us… Jone and Jode dance kindly with you, walkers. We're in your debt.”.

     

    That night, we stayed at the Plantation, alongside the inspectors, at the invitation of Juranda-ra. The two Altmer politely refused to eat the Khajjiti food however- I will admit I found it far, far too sweet, but it wasn't that bad. If Elereth had any problem with the food, she did not show it. After the meal, as we were going to bed in the guest house, I stopped her.

     

    “That was some fancy shooting back there.” I told her.

     

    She smiled, somewhat embarrassed but clearly pleased at the praise. “Well, I'm a Bosmer. We're good at it. But I've never seen an Altmer wield a sword like that.”.

     

    Now I was the one that felt embarrassed. “Well, I've had plenty of practice.” was all I could say.

     

    She smiled. “Maybe. Doesn't mean you're not good.”. I smiled. “Thank you, Elereth.” I said after a bit. She looked at me for a while longer, then said: “Well, I'm off to bed. See you tomorrow, Ardolan.”.

     

    I am also going to sleep. Tomorrow, we'll set out for the Shoals again. It's fairly close to here. I'll write when anything else happens.

     

    -Ardolan Larethbinder 

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Comments

5 Comments   |   Caladran likes this.
  • Caladran
    Caladran   ·  July 11, 2017
    " I am not a bloodthirsty man, but I do admit I enjoy that sound." This made me grin like an idiot, I don't know why though. Loved this chapter. :)
    • Tenebrous
      Tenebrous
      Caladran
      Caladran
      Caladran
      " I am not a bloodthirsty man, but I do admit I enjoy that sound." This made me grin like an idiot, I don't know why though. Loved this chapter. :)
        ·  July 11, 2017
      Nothing like that metallic sound of imminent death, huh? Thanks for reading!
  • Tenebrous
    Tenebrous   ·  January 9, 2016
    Yet another spacing edit.
  • Tenebrous
    Tenebrous   ·  December 18, 2015
    Yep. Khajiit have a pretty big sugar tooth. And people think moon sugar's only in skooma! 
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  December 18, 2015
    Khajiit food is very sweet. LOL