The Path to Tanzelwil
Ian S. McClure
The cool morning breeze blew through Vulkhel Guard, mostly unnoticed by the sleeping people within. It was quite early, and yet I wished to be off as soon as possible, hence why Elereth and I had awoken at the crack of dawn to leave to Tanzelwil. I was donned in my armor, my blade at my hip and my pack on my back, ready for whatever happened on the roads of Auridon. I looked around, somewhat impatiently, waiting for Elereth.
She finally appeared, walking towards me. She was clad in her marine leathers, though she had dyed it black (for better stealth, she told me). Her bow, made of bone and sinew, was on her back. And yet, as I saw her coming, I realized she was not alone. Lilinastre accompanied her, dressed in robes, with her staff on her back. She looked quite excited.
“Lili,” I said, curiously. “Come to see us off?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m coming with you, if you don’t mind. Suhr wants to come as well.”
I blinked, then frowned. “Do Mother and Father know about this?” I asked, stern.
My sister nodded. “Contacted them via a Psijic projection last night. I convinced them and Curinure that I’d learn more actually doing things in the field than I would cooped up at the Guild hall. Besides, I know you two could use a mage,” she said.
I sighed, then nodded. Though I had my misgivings, I knew my sister would follow us regardless of what I said. “Very well… You mentioned Suhr wants to come as well? You know why?”
It was Elereth who responded. “I don’t know for sure, but I think he wants to work on his cowardice issues—he feels guilty about being so afraid all the time. Captain Jimila let him come with us, at least,” she said, shrugging. She then turned to Lili. “Actually, you know where he is? Thought he’d be with Ardolan by now.”
Lili hummed. “Good point. I don’t know where he is. I—”
We were interrupted. “Hail!” Suhr said merrily, approaching us, dressed in the hide armor of his people. He, too, was accompanied—for he was leading a massive, black-furred feline, with a saddle and various bags on it.
“Is that a panther?” Elereth asked, impressed.
Suhr grinned. “Aye. We Khajiit have tamed the great senche of our lands for untold generations. The black senche-panther is used mostly by traders, or those who wish to go unnoticed in the night,” he explained, petting the panther’s large head. It purred loudly as Suhr continued, “This particular panther is called Kismet. He is a gift to Suhr from his uncle, a Baandari Peddler. Kismet and Suhr have much history together—this one found it fitting he join us.”
“If Kismet can carry our stuff,” I said, “that’d be great. Less of a load on us… Sure, you two can come with us as well.” I looked over the group, then smiled and clapped my hands. “Now then! Let us be off. Tanzelwil awaits.”
The roads were mostly quiet—a far cry from the bustling port city. I was content to remain silent; the splendor of Auridon reminded me of my youth, and I basked in the trees, the flowers, and the tropical birds. Lilinastre was more talkative, eager to point out the various flora and fauna of the island to Elereth and Suhr, who continued to lead the surprisingly passive Kismet. We walked for hours as the sun climbed its way through the sky, until Suhr spoke up.
“This one could use a rest,” he said. I glanced at the others. Elereth seemed fine, though Lili looked fatigued as well.
I nodded. “Very well. We can rest a bit,” I said. I checked my map—which I had bought at Vulkhel Guard prior to our departure—and looked at where we were. We had made progress, but we could not be considered close to our destination.
“There should be a lake nearby,” I said, pointing it out to the group. “I think we should go there to rest.”
Lili sighed. “Well, if it’s not too far, then sure.”
Upon arriving at the lake, Lili immediately sat on the grass with a huff. Suhr went over to Kismet, removing a book from one of the many bags, and likewise sat.
“What are you reading?” Elereth asked.
Suhr replied, “A book on a Redguard fighting style. ‘Glinting Talons’, it is called. This one highly doubts that one could use two swords at once like the book claims, but Suhr finds it interesting nonetheless.”
I scoffed. “Two swords? How would you be able to do any harm like that? Daggers I understand, but full swords are impractical to dual-wield.”
Suhr chuckled. “That is why Suhr finds the book doubtful.”
Elereth shrugged. “Eh. I’m no expert on swords,” she said. “I much prefer to keep my distance and pelt the enemy with arrows.” She hummed a bit, then. “Speaking of which, you guys want to eat? Saw some deer nearby I could hunt.”
I shook my head. “In my experience, I find that such large meals make it difficult to keep walking afterwards. Best wait until nightfall, when we camp, to eat,” I explained.
“I don’t know, I could go for a good meal right about now,” Lili said.
I chuckled. “Lili, you were the one that wanted to come with us, no? The life of an adventurer is not as glamorous as the tales would have you believe. You’d best get used to life on the road.”
Elereth grinned. “Well, Lili, if you want, we could go for a swim in a little bit, once you’ve recovered. Water looks good, and it’d a good way to refresh yourself,” she said.
Lili looked between Suhr and I. “Elereth!” she said, more surprised than anything. “There are men here!”
Elereth looked at me, her grin widening. “Ardolan, at least, I wouldn’t mind joining me…” she said, with a hint of coquettishness.
I felt myself redden. Immediately, I recalled the night we had gone drinking rotmeth at the Salted Wings—the night Elereth said she was attracted to me. We hadn’t talked about her feelings towards me—and mine to her—since then, but it seemed clear that she still felt the same way without the influence of drink. Once again, I found myself focusing on her short, attractive figure; even in her armor, she was pleasing to look at.
Attempting to maintain some sense of decency, I said, “Well. Though it’s an… interesting proposition, I, ah, should really check my blade, make sure it’s battle-ready.”
Lili snorted. “Ardolan, that’s a half-assed excuse if I ever heard one,” she said, rolling her eyes exaggeratedly. “If you want to go mess around with Elereth, you should do it while you have the chance.”
Now it was Elereth’s turn to redden. “Lili, it would just be swimming. No touching or anything,” she said, rubbing the back of her head.
“Are you sure about that?” Suhr replied with a chuckle.
“Yes! Pretty sure,” Elereth said, loudly.
“Oh, come now, Elereth,” Suhr said, grinning. “This one—and Lili as well—have seen how you look at your Altmeri companion. You like him! And from his reaction, Ardolan seems to think the same about you. What is a bit of fun between friends, hrm?”
I stammered. “Sleeping with someone—or even ‘touching’ them like you seem to be suggesting—is more than just a bit of fun,” I managed to say, abashed.
Lili smirked. “I’m no expert—I’m still young, and I haven’t had any experience with this—but I agree with Suhr. I mean, granted, you shouldn’t go sleeping with everyone, but you two seem close enough to be able to, as I say, mess around.”
“We would, of course, leave you in privacy,” Suhr added.
Elereth and I looked at each other awkwardly. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t eager to ‘mess around’ with her. She was extremely pretty, in a way different than any of the Altmer I’d eyed before—exotic, perhaps, is the word I’m looking for. And yet, how would that affect our friendship? Especially if it blossomed into a full romantic relationship, it would place our camaraderie in jeopardy. But I knew that, eventually, we would give in to our feelings—such things tend to be inevitable.
“I… I don’t think I’ll be joining Elereth, no,” I finally said nonetheless.
Elereth sighed. “Don’t worry, Ardolan. I’m not going swimming after all; I changed my mind.”
Suhr sighed, then got to his feet, closing the book in his hands. “In that case, shall we be off again?”
Lili got to her feet as well, glancing at the two of us. “Yeah. We’ll let them sort things out in their heads, or whatever,” she said, shrugging.
The rest of the day passed, Elereth and I avoiding talking to each other throughout. Finally, as the sun began to set, I spotted an abandoned building in the distance. Though damaged in some parts, it would serve well as a shelter. The group decided, without words, that it would be the best place to spend the night.
The building, it soon transpired, was swarming with monkeys, but they seemed content to leave us be. Suhr left to gather firewood, taking Kismet with him as he did. Elereth stepped out as well, claiming she was going to hunt a deer like she intended earlier. I sat, drinking from a waterskin the fading light dimly showed through the holes in the ceiling, until Lilinastre spoke up.
“So, Ardolan,” she said, uncharacteristically serious. “When we first met up, back when you were still under the spell… you mentioned you lost your soul to Molag Bal. How does it feel?”
I sighed, placing the waterskin beside me. “It feels… strange. You constantly know something is missing, but you never can place your finger on what, precisely,” I explained. “And you can never die; soul gems can bring you back to life, or so I’ve heard.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? Not having to fear death?” she asked.
“No. I am lucky; I still remain physically whole. But when I was in Coldharbor, the majority of us stared to atrophy, both in body and in mind. Soul Shriven, the Daedra called us, as they subjected us to untold tortures… Also, when you’ve lost your soul, you belong to Molag Bal no matter what you do. Unless I can recover it, I am doomed to one day return to that horrible place,” I said.
“Do you remember it? What they did to you?” Lili asked, sounding, for the first time, afraid.
“I don’t. I blocked out their tortures,” I said briefly.
Lili nodded, falling silent. Just then, Suhr returned, Kismet laying down to sleep outside. He was carrying a pile of logs.
“This should serve us well,” he said, depositing them on the floor. Lili stood, wordlessly igniting them with a spell. “Elereth should be back soon, no?” Suhr asked, looking at us.
“Hopefully, yes,” I said.
Suhr looked between us, probably noting our grimness. He hummed. “This one won’t ask of what you spoke,” he said, “but he knows something to lift your spirits.”
I snorted. “Please don’t say, ‘moon sugar’,” I said sarcastically.
Suhr laughed. “No, no! This one does not pretend you partake of the holy sugar. No, this one will sing a song.”
Elereth returned then, emerging from the shadows, carrying a deer carcass. “A song?” she asked, intrigued. “Didn’t know you sang.”
“Aye,” Suhr said. “Suhr sings, and plays the drum. He was taught by his father as a young cub. Sit down, this one will play as you cook the meat.”
The time passed, as I watched the meat be cooked on our simple fire, hearing the crackling of the flames mix with Suhr’s drum and voice. I didn’t understand the lyrics, for the song was in Ta’agra, but the melody was pleasant, at least. When the food was ready, I handed out knives to everyone. Suhr finished his playing, grabbing a knife with a smile.
“And now, we eat,” he said cheerfully.
Elereth nodded, cutting off a piece and eating it happily. Lili fumbled with her knife, but managed to get a piece as well. Grinning, she ate it.
“Hrm. Tastes different. Bit bland,” she remarked.
“Of course,” I said. “This isn’t spiced at all. But it’ll sustain you.”
Lili hummed contentedly. “You know? So far, I like life on the road. It may not be like the books described, but it’s nice in its own way,” she said, cutting herself another piece.
“Before I joined the Dominion, I lived out in the Green wilderness,” Elereth explained. “Spent my days hunting with my father Sometimes, I wouldn’t be home for days. So, I guess I’m pretty used to living like this.”
We fell silent after that, focused on our eating. Eventually, we had all eaten our fill. Lili quickly set up her bedroll, and was soon asleep. Thankfully, she did not snore when she was sober. Suhr put his drum aside.
“This one will go check on Kismet,” he said, rising to his feet. “He will return shortly.”
He left then, leaving me alone with Elereth. I looked at her as she sat next to me; she was staring at the fading fire. Suddenly, she asked, “Ardolan. Do you really… like me, like the others think you do?”
I hesitated, then nodded. “Aye, I think I do. To be honest, you’re the first Bosmer I’ve really been attracted to,” I admitted.
Elereth nodded, still staring at the fire. “And what will you do about it?” she asked. “I know you were tempted to join me at the lake.”
“Was it that obvious?” I asked, chuckling dryly.
“This is serious, Ardolan,” she said, finally looking at me. “We’ve been througha lot together already. But I don’t know if we’re right for each other—if things would work out between us. I mean—you’re a nice guy. But you’re an Altmer noble. I’m just some Bosmer archer…”
I interrupted her. “And? I know my parents would disagree, but I don’t think who you spend time with should be dictated by race or social stature. I care not that you’re Bosmeri; I care that you’re a beautiful person. And not physically, either, but mentally as well.”
Elereth fell silent for a while. “Does that mean you’re willing to try it? Being with me?” she finally asked, her voice low.
“In the end? Yes, I think I am,” I said, smiling at her.
She smiled back. “You’re so sweet,” she said, before surprising me by leaning in for a kiss! I kissed back, passionately, embracing her as I did.
“Er-hem,” came Suhr’s voice from the entrance. Immediately embarrassed, we broke contact with each other.
“Suhr!” Elereth cried. “How long have you been there?”
Suhr shrugged. “He just walked in. Saw you two kissing. Suhr considered leaving you two to your own devices, but he thought it unwise to do so while Lili is here.”
I looked to my sister. “He’s right. This is hardly the place, or time, for this,” I told Elereth.
She sighed, then smirked. “Fine. But the first inn or town we get to, we’re renting a room. Deal?”
I chuckled, fully this time, amused by her eagerness. “It’s a deal.” I said, ignoring Suhr’s wide grin.
And so, that’s that. I am now in a relationship with Elereth. Though I am nervous about the future, part of me is sure, somehow, that things will work between us… I will write when we reach Tanzelwil. Until then…
-Ardolan Larethbinder
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