Shinbira: Journal of a Survivor, Chapter 17

• Posted by Idesto June 25, 2015 - 1,056 views

  4E 201, Last Seed 19th

  In our room at The Bannered Mare we take our time starting the new day, both still nursing sore heads but at least feeling rested. There's plenty of food and drink in the room so I take my fill. Whether or not it's free? Probably not: I don't care. That'll be Hideous Hulda's problem when I leave. Faendal however refuses to join in and insists instead on consuming what we have left in our packs.

  When we feel ready we go downstairs back into the drinking hall; trying to avoid making eye contact with the remaining patrons we quickly head outside. 

  We find Brenuin the drunk loitering in the market, as he seems wont to do, and I discreetly slip him the stolen Argonian ale he asked for. He's very pleased! He gives me a powerful healing potion he 'found' in return. This man may be a beggar but he could be useful: he knows these streets, and probably the people too.

  I make a note...

  "Faendal, I think it's time for more archery training! What do you say?"

  We find a little alleyway just off the marketplace, where hopefully there's less likelihood of any locals getting skewered. The Bosmer yet again insists on my paying then taking the gold back.

  "It's for tax, Shinbira! Something you probably wouldn't understand."

  "You're right: I don't. And I don't see any paperwork, Faendal."

  "Yes, but I still have to do it: it's just right, it's what you do! I'll do the paperwork later."

  "Yeah, right. You're such a n'wah, Faendal!"

  " 'Slave'? Careful, brother. I may obey the rules but I'm still free. And I'm not a miramer!"

  "It's a time-honoured profession! Taking from these indulgent, privileged rich people is better than they deserve, especially these Nords! You need to relax, brother."

  Luckily for him he didn't call me a fetcher. I'd have sent him back to Riverwood with at least a bruise or two, then gone to see my new friend at the Inn. 'Ithgurd', I think her name was.

  We shoot some arrows in the alley. Faendal is a good teacher; I'll give him that. And once again with my new knowledge seems to come new strength!*

  Back in the market I see a married couple arguing. After last night I feel more kindly disposed to the people here & their little problems, so I ask the man what it was all about.

  They're Redguards: Amren & Sapphir. Bandits have stolen Amren's family sword and he's desperate to get it back. If he does, she won't be here when he returns!

  I know what's going on here!

  "I can get it for you. Don't tell me: Bleak Falls Barrow, right?"

  "No, actually: Valtheim Keep."

  "Oh."

  A rash promise, perhaps. 

  "Well, if you can get it I will be grateful."

  "How grateful, exactly?"

  "Grateful enough!"

  "Alright then, I'll see what I can do."

  We leave it at that.

  There's now just one more stop before we leave: Arcadia's Cauldron.

  Arcadia the alchemist is very annoying! She never stops talking, and keeps trying to convince me I'm sick just so she can sell me her potions! That's the price I pay for using her alchemy lab, I suppose. I brew a few potions, sell her what I don't need then go to leave.

  "Haven't you forgotten something, Shinbira?" Faendal says.

  "Right, yes.

  "Arcadia, I have some frost salts for you from Farengar."

  "Ah, splendid! It's for a special brew I'm working on: a love elixir like no other. Maybe I'll test it on Farengar first!"

  Suddenly I feel sick.

  Her - and that pompous Nord wizard?! Maybe they deserve each other. I suppose...

  "Have you got anything for nausea, Arcadia?"

  "Actually, yes! I have potions for just about all your needs. I have..."

  "Great. Can I have it please?"

  "Right: here you are then, and thank you!"

  She gives me a variety of her brews. I have to admit, they're good potions.

  Quickly quaffing the one marked "For Upset Stomachs" I find the door and head back outside the city, stopping only to pickpocket some well-dressed man, a farm owner I think.

  Faendal gives me a look. I ignore it, and we head off over the tundra, on our way to Bleak Falls Barrow!

                 *Level 4, + Health, Barbarian 1/5

   

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