The screams and curses filled the reaver camp before the dawn. Dandera hadn’t gotten much sleep since the patrol came back – well, what’s left of it. Her reaver band were veterans. Still, most of the patrol had died in the paws of the beast. The few survivors were injured and in pain.
Dandera looked to the young wounded reaver, who was in a bad way. He had no clear bite marks, but dozens of cuts and few were deep. Maybe the beast spared him out of pity? She shook her head and frowned as she had no idea if the boy was going to survive. The wounds they had tried to clean and patch up, but still the young mer seemed to be in pain.
Dandera gritted her teeth together, then she felt the energy fleeing from her. The reavers that were under her command were her family. She cared for them even when they bickered with each other. Having lost so many over one night was a hard one to take for her. Maybe she should have become a farmer? Dandera shook her head inwardly. I’d never farm myself. She let out a light gasp as the boy grabbed her hand and looked at her.
“Dan… Will Azura come to guide my way when I die?” the boy asked in a shaky voice. His were eyes reddened and he took slow breaths that ended up in a wince.
The band leader’s chin trembled, but she forced herself to nod. “I’m sure she’ll guide your way to your ancestors.” I’m so sorry, little one. Dandera watched the boy smiling weakly as his eyes closed, as his head turned aside and the grip on her hand loosened. Azura guide you. She took a deep breath and blinked the tears away. Her shoulders drooped as the world seemed to slow down.
The screaming had stopped by dawn, but Dandera had no idea when, nor did she hear the footsteps coming toward her tent. Getting up on her feet was bothersome for she had no energy. Everything seemed pointless. This big plan of Sildras would get them all killed, she thought. Or, maybe she should blame the beast? Dandera frowned in her thoughts. What was becoming of her band?
A male Dunmer pushed the flap aside and entered the band leader’s tent. “Dandera?” he inquired and waited for her response. He frowned at her posture, all collapsed on her bedroll. Yet, he didn’t dare to step closer even he was her mate. His chosen woman had a temper after when she had been sad or otherwise had a difficult time, and Kura had learned to keep his distance. “Dandera? Are you awake?”
“We should band together with Vermith’s band.” Dandera said quietly. “What is it this time, Kura?” She turned her head to see her mate. Kura had been beside her before the bands were formed, before Mogrul came into the picture. They were both veteran reavers and their bond was stronger than a Nord’s craving for mead.
Kura’s lips twitched but he kept the neutral look. “Three of the five survived their wounds, but they aren’t in any condition to fight for a while.” He stepped closer as Dandera beckoned to him to. “Pity, the kid died though. He was a good archer.” He caressed his love’s cheek as he knew it would ease the sadness away. Not completely, but it’s a start. “I can send a messenger to Vermith’s camp if you want to?” Kura whispered. “And, if you’re serious about it?”
With their eyes locked in a tender gaze, Dandera nodded with a hint of a smile. It is a necessary action, to survive. She knew Vermith, who was a veteran also. A strong band leader. “It will be good for our band, my love.”
Kura leaned in to kiss his love’s forehead before he straightened up. “I’ll let the others know, too.” He flashed a smile before he left the tent.
Leaving the ruins of Kagrumez behind, Ciel’nn narrowed his eyes as he caught the sight of two pirates fighting over a shovel in a short distance away. He exchanged an amused glance with his partner upon their approach.
They were certainly pirates, by judging their clothing. The Argonian had fur clothing and some kind of bone fetish hanging around his neck. The Imperial had proper red and black pirate colors. He also had a face a tattoo on his face. They were so focused on fighting over the shovel that they didn’t notice the two mer.
“What’s so special about that shovel?” The young mer asked, taking a confident stance and his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
The pirates gasped in surprise and looked to the two mer. The Argonian swallowed as he nervously glanced at the Imperial.
“Don’t tell them!” The man snarled, keeping his eyes on the older mer.
“Tell about the treasure?” The Argonian grunted.
“You idiot! Now they know about it too!” The Imperial growled, taking his sword out.
“What about the treasure?” Ciel’nn asked, tilting his head. Curious, he hadn’t had a clue of a treasure. Now he needed to know more. The treasure, it must be worth something as these pirates were after it and the Imperial clearly didn’t want to share a bit of it.
“We’ll tell you nothing!” The Imperial snarled, still keeping his eyes on Teldryn. The mer was watching him as if he’d make the first move. He wouldn’t make that mistake. The Dunmer were tricky folk as if they were constantly scheming.
The Argonian twitched and his tongue darted out to lick his lower lip. If he moved, the fellow pirate in red and black would kill him. So he kept his eyes on the young mer, who still hadn’t drawn his sword out. If only he knew what the mer was thinking, but his gaze was more observing than threatening. “Haknir’s Shoal. The tre—“
“You moron!” The Imperial bellowed and slashed his sword at the scaled pirate. His blade went through from the Argonian’s side to his stomach. He didn’t watch his fellow pirate collapsing on the ash. Instead he felt another blade piercing his middle back. He groaned, then cursed, spluttering blood before falling down.
“Not the brightest of pirates.” Teldryn grunted while he cleaned his sword. “The scaly clearly didn’t want to him to get the treasure.” He eyed the pirates for a moment. The Imperial might have been experienced according to his scars and tattoos. And, probably the most violent one, too.
“Curious.” Ciel’nn mused as he checked if the Argonian had anything with him. “Do you know where this Haknir’s Shoal is? I haven’t heard of it.” His head lowered as he closed his eyes. “This one didn’t even have a map. Disappointing.” His voice was mimicking sadness, but then the young mer stood up, holding a few Septims in his hand and tucked them into his backpack.
Teldryn looked to his partner. The mimicked sadness didn’t escape him. “Cheer up. Maybe Geldis knows something of this treasure. If it exists.” He grabbed the shovel from the ground and broke it with his knee. It was an old and fragile one. Easily broken. The older mer checked the Imperial for valuables, finding nothing but an old and oval shaped signet ring. The emerald gemstone was worn and nearly broken, but perhaps it could be fixed. He put it away into his belt pouch.
“We would have needed the shovel ourselves.” Ciel’nn said when he saw his partner had broken the tool. He wouldn’t not dig anything by his hands. He caught sight of the ring that Teldryn put away. “That is a topaz ring. Do you know how much they cost at the market?” He looked to Teldryn with a smirk.
He’s trying to impress me, Teldryn thought. He flashed a grin. “I’m sure it’ll fetch you a grand dinner at Blacklight.” He kept the eye contact as he said it. His partner’s skin flushed and his lips parted ever so slightly. The older mer took a delight from the sight until his own mind began fantasizing about them both. He wanted to touch the other mer, but Ciel’nn took a step away from him.
“We better go to Raven Rock and ask Geldis about the treasure.” The young mer said cheerfully as he walked toward the old reaver camp. He still tried to calm his racing heart. It was as if his partner knew what exactly to say. Ciel’nn bit his lower lip. Damn him. He bit his lower lip, then a smile spread on his face. Ciel’nn glanced over his shoulder. “You coming, Teldryn?”
The day was turning into early evening when Tenaru was preparing to close her stall. She played with her hair while she stared at a bundle of Trama roots and took deep breaths to calm herself. The growl that was heard the other night had been horrifying! She hoped the young mer was alright, and his terrible partner, too. Her ex-love, Brivan, kept checking in on her on his shifts. They’ll be fine. They’re mercenaries. You shouldn’t worry about them, Brivan had told her, but it hadn’t eased her mind at all. In her thoughts, Tenaru dropped a vial. “Damn it!”
After she stood up from cleaning the mess, Tenaru’s heart leaped to her throat. The young mer and his terrible companion arrived at Raven Rock. Ciel’nn seemed to be unharmed, but to her dismay, the young mer had a sparkling smirk when he exchanged some words with the Captain. Then, the older mer had that certain look. Did they…? No! Ciel’nn was hers, and hers alone. Yet, she had to find a way to win him over. He likes the poisons, so what if I make a wonderful poison in an expensive vial? But, I’m out of certain ingredients! The alchemist let out a soft groan as she watched the two mer walking to the Retching Netch. Her expression soured even more when Brivan strolled toward her stall.
The Inn wasn’t full and the patrons were chatting in a relaxed way when Ciel’nn and Teldryn walked down the stairs. Ondren and Ravyn were having a drink at one side table. Ciel’nn exchanged nods with the young Redoran guard while Teldryn went to talk with Geldis.
“Nice to see you’re not shredded into pieces.” Ondren gave a slight smile when Ciel’nn came to greet him. “We were worried.”
“You were?” Ciel’nn lifted a brow. “That’s touching, Redoran.” He was aware of him teasing the mer. Ondren was cute for a Redoran. “There’s a werebear on the loose. Slaughtered the rieklings at Thirsk Mead Hall. A bloody sight.”
“Rieklings? Why don’t the Skaal do anything about the beast? Aren’t they the hunters and all?” Ondren asked, ignoring the tease. A werebear and reavers, what is this island coming to? He hoped the beast wouldn’t come down into the town. As a young guard, he wasn’t ready to deal with big and stinky furry creatures.
“Beats me. I heard they’re afraid of the beast, too.” Ciel’nn said and glanced at his partner. He’s ordering food. Good, I’m getting hungry. ”It was good to see you again, Redoran. I’ll see you around.” He patted the young guard’s shoulder before leaving to join with Teldryn.
Teldryn took the plates from the counter when Ciel’nn came to his side. “Did you ask Geldis about it?” He heard his partner asking him. “Not yet. We need to—“
“Ask me what?” The Inn keeper looked to Ciel’nn, then Teldryn.
“Do you know about this treasure around Haknir’s Shoal?” Ciel’nn asked, his eyes shining in curiosity and hope. Tell me, you know of it! The Inn keeper frowned at first, but then nodded. The young mer leaned a bit closer, awaiting his reply. “Well?”
“I’ll tell you after you two have eaten.” Geldis smiled at the young mer’s reaction.
Teldryn laughed. “We need to eat first before doing anything else. Get to your chair.” He headed towards a free table in the pillar’s shadow and set the plates down.
Ciel’nn glared at the Inn keeper. “You’re no fun!” He marched towards the table that his partner had taken for them. “I swear you two are against me.” He sat down and took the cup when Teldryn looked at him.
“And, I swear I don’t know what you are talking about.” The older mer smiled. “Try to enjoy your meal.” He watched Ciel’nn sighing, then digging into the food that was poached kwama egg and crab meat along with some wine.
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