The strange rock came in to view as they approached Raven Rock. Ciel’nn was relieved to get away from the colder beaches. A nice warm bath would be better. It was a pity the Retching Netch didn’t have a bathing room. Ciel’nn wondered if he should give a suggestion to Geldis. He knew that the lady folk would be thankful for it as he would be too. We need a bathing room.
First thing upon arriving at the market Ciel’nn noticed Tenaru looking at them with a smile from her stall, but her eyes were shadowed by doubt. He gave a small nod to her and followed Teldryn to the smithy. I wonder what’s she’s worried about now? The young mer glanced around the market - everyone and everything seemed normal to him. He listened to his instinct and found nothing odd. He looked to Teldryn. “I’ll talk to Tenaru. Be right back.” The older mer nodded to him and focused to discuss with Glover.
“Ciel’nn.” Tenaru greeted the young mer as he walked close to the alchemy table. He seemed to be fine for the moment. She looked carefully around the Market and then at the Bulwark. “Tenaru. Is something wrong?” She heard him asking her. Is it so obvious? The Alchemist sighed and stopped what she was doing, sorting the ingredients. The young mer waited patiently for her to gather her thoughts. Tenaru looked to Ciel’nn. “I’ll put it plainly. There has been an Altmer woman in town. She had put a charm on two Redoran guards and Geldis the Inn keeper.”
An Altmer woman? Charming people? Ciel’nn frowned. He still remembered the tale of Elante - the Altmer woman who had used Teldryn. “Are they still charmed?” He asked her and the Alchemist shook her head.
“I dispelled them.” She replied. To this Ciel’nn’s brow rose questionably. “It’s a side hobby, really.” Tenaru added seriously.
Ciel’nn changed his stance and smirked as if he just figured out a secret. “Do you know where she is now? Is she alone?” He glanced at his partner who was finishing the trade with Glover, then he looked back to Tenaru.
“She left with Ralis and she had two other Altmer acting as guards.” Tenaru replied with a sigh. “Ciel’nn, I have a bad feeling about this. We don’t know why she charmed them. I’d suggest to be cautious.” She’d hate to see something happen to the young mer, or anyone in the town. Oh, my friend ,Milore, something is brewing here. I can feel it.
Ralis and an Altmer Lady at the barrow. What in Oblivion is going on here?
Teldryn walked to them. “Caution for what?” He asked, looking at them. He noticed the Alchemist biting her lower lip and his partner’s thoughtful frown. “Spill it!” He prompted, looking to Ciel’nn and crossed his arms on his chest. Ciel’nn told him about the Altmer woman who had been charming people while they were away. Teldryn had seen many Altmer ladies during his journeys and got to know a few. It could be anyone. With luck, he wouldn’t know this Altmer woman. “What did she look like?” He heard him asking Tenaru.
“She had hazel brown hair and blazing golden eyes like Sheogorath’s cheese! Her gaze is demanding, but also bitchy.” Tenaru replied while tapping her chin lightly. She glanced at Ciel’nn, who had a neutral expression.
“I don’t know any Altmer woman like that.” Ciel’nn said as he brushed off a stray hair behind his ear. I hope it’s not her though. A soft curse from Teldryn made him look at his partner.
Teldryn frowned. It sounds like her. I didn’t want to see her ever again. He knew he was over her, but something about her made him uneasy and irritated. He shook his head while he kept his arms crossed. “What in Oblivion she is doing here?” He spoke his thought aloud.
“Elante? Perhaps it’s nothing, daelha.” Ciel’nn tried soothe to his partner, but he felt the waves of uncertainty that came from Teldryn. Tell me what to do, Teldryn. He only knew what the older mer had told about Elante. If it wasn’t for Tenaru’s frown and her warning for caution Ciel’nn would have waved it off. Maybe it has nothing to do with his partner. But for now he would remain observant.
The young mer looked to Tenaru. “Thanks, Tenaru. I’ll be watchful.” The Alchemist smiled slightly and nodded to him. Ciel’nn then took gently Teldryn’s hand. “Come, let’s go to have a snack. Maybe that’ll takes your mind off of her.” He guided Teldryn to the Retching Netch.
Once they were seated Ciel’nn observed the Inn. Just the regulars. His partner had fallen quiet and it made him concerned. “I wish you would talk to me, Teldryn.” Ciel’nn said in a quiet tone. Is this how it feels when I don’t talk? He wished he knew how to make Teldryn feel better, or rather remove the problem. But so far there wasn’t anything that threatened their lives.
Teldryn sighed deeply. Maybe his partner was right. Maybe it was nothing, but the Alchemist’s description of the Altmer woman matched his memory of Elante. He didn’t want to face her, not here and not anywhere else in Tamriel. Yet, she might be here on Solstheim. For what? Maybe she’s after another artifact like back then. Why should I even care? He looked to his partner. “I’m sorry, Ciel’nn. I know I’m over it, but I can’t help but to wonder what she’s doing here? It makes me irritated.”
Tell me what I can do, Teldryn?
The young mer nodded when Geldis came with their tea, and some of sweat bread. “There you go.” The Inn keeper said, putting the tray on the table. He then looked to Teldryn. “Ah, Teldryn, someone asked about you in other day.”
“Who asked?” Ciel’nn cut in before Teldryn managed to ask the same.
“Not sure. I remember the person sounded like an Altmer, though.” Geldis shrugged and strolled back to the counter.
The older mer looked more irritated. And what possibly could she want from me?
Geldis was charmed too, Tenaru said. So the Altmer had asked Geldis for some information about Teldryn. Suddenly Ciel’nn wasn’t hungry anymore. He felt he had to something. “Teldryn, if it’s her… I’m going to find out what’s she’s planning.” He said in a low tone.
“You said it’s probably nothing.” Teldryn said after he took a sip of his tea and looked to his partner. “I’m not sure if it’s her.” But I have a gut feeling it’s her anyway. “And, there’s one thing, Ciel’nn. I’m afraid that that she can use her charm on me, too.” He wasn’t sure if he was charmed when they met for the first time. It had been a blur and lusty.
Ciel’nn studied his partner, then put his hand on Teldryn’s own. “I won’t let that happen, Teldryn. Maybe you can wait here when —”
“You’re seriously going to…?” The older mer asked in softer tone. And Ciel’nn nodded, his eyes serious. He’s already decided on that. Azura bless him.
I could kill her for you if you asked me to, Teldryn.
“I want to see you feel better and be more yourself, Teldryn.” Ciel’nn smiled. “But since there’s something about her that bothers you, I’m going to find out what’s what.” He shifted his hand to caress his partner’s cheek. “If you’re certain it’s her?” He looked into Teldryn’s eyes for any solid statement that it was the Elante in question.
“It’s a gut feeling, Ciel’nn. I am quite certain.” Teldryn said quietly. “When will you be going?” He didn’t like the idea of Ciel’nn going alone, but since he was already decided he wasn’t going persuade his partner otherwise. There was something in his partner’s touch that made him calmer. The tension in his muscles faded. Teldryn realized he wouldn’t know what to do if Ciel’nn wasn’t with him.
“Alright. I’m planning to go tomorrow night.” Ciel’nn replied, settling back in his chair. His eyes never left Teldryn’s.
That night Ciel’nn waited for his Teldryn to fall asleep. When Teldryn finally fell asleep his arm was over the young mer. Ciel’nn listened to his partner’s breathing for another while. Azura bless him.
Ciel’nn didn’t have any doubt about his plan. He was doing it for the mer he was with and loved. It’s just gathering information. He was aware of the danger of getting caught, but he had an escape plan. Unless they’ll use magic. According to Tenaru, the Altmer woman is some sort of a mage. I wonder about her acting guards.
Well, I’ll get to know it tomorrow. Ciel’nn shifted slightly closer to his partner and closed his eyes. He imagined a starry sky and wished for calm dreams.
The raider camp stirred up upon the nearing arrival of Folms and Vother. Folms’ twenty and Vother’s fifteen was about to reach the camp. And, the camp was getting too small for them all. They all knew it.
Dandera, Kura and Vermith watched with mixed emotions as the two reaver bands marched in to the camp. They were a weathered bunch. All of them veterans. Some of them wore helmets and bloodied chitin armors. It was like they’ve been to the war. The newly arrived reavers settled in where ever they found an empty place to sit in.
“They look like they’ve been marching on non-stop for days.” Kura noted quietly, in a slight frown.
Dandera nodded as she watched the reavers settling around the great campfire. They had weary looks. “They’re tired form the march from the North. I wonder if we have enough food everyone?” She was willing to cook if someone else brought the meat. Otherwise there would be problems. And problems led to fights and… Azura! I hope we have enough food!
“Here comes the beast.” Vermith muttered as Vother and Folms walked into the camp. Folms was shorter and smaller than Vother. He had a Stalhrim bow on his back. Is he even a veteran? He looks like a pup. Obviously he’s following the giant of a Dunmer. We’ll see what he’s made of.
Vermith’s gaze shifted to Vother, who was older than Folms. He was bigger than any other Dunmer she had ever seen. He had a weathered face and had scars. His right eye was blind. The seeing eye was calculated and cold. He carried a Daedric war axe with confidence. That’s some kind of a monster. Vermith scowled as she realized something in the huge mer irritated her. Could this mer cause some problems in the camp? The veteran lady reaver wouldn’t take shit from anyone, especially from men.
“He resembles a raving cave bear.” Kura mused on Vother as he and Folms marched to find the Reaver Lord. Vother was shooting glances around the camp. Kura looked to his companion, Dandera, who had a frown. I’ll protect you if this bear causes problems. I wonder if the others are feeling this too?
“Of blood and war is this band. They are loyal to the one who wields the strength. They know each other’s weaknesses and are bound by the blood. They would follow this giant mer to their dying breath.” Dram paused for a moment, letting out a sigh and shook his head. He was sitting in a secluded part of the camp, in front of a small campfire. He didn’t need to see them, he sensed it. He sensed them all.
Close by was Selvura, who observed the main camp. She glanced at Dram, but didn’t say anything. Soon the meeting would take place and she would have to go there with Sildras, but she also needed to hear what Dram wanted her to listen to. His even voice was still chilly as ever, but she had heard something else. It was like the young mer was under swirl of emotions. Go on, Dram. She didn’t have much time.
Dram shifted his head as if he had heard the thought. “He believes he’s still unrivaled, but his strength is fading. Age is his mortal enemy and he denies it.” He stopped briefly to catch a breath, then his voice changed. “There.. will be conflict. Blood will be spilled.” The young mer fell silent and stared at the fire.
Selvura stared at the young mer with a deep frown. What had Sildras invited to their camp? She was about to say something when Sildras appeared from the hidden path.
“Selvura, it’s time.” The Reaver Lord said and glanced at Dram. He wanted his son to stay away from the others and safe, seeing that Casseth haven’t returned yet. Sildras would have needed him too. His second in command nodded to him and they turned to leave.
“Sildras.” Dram said in an even tone, stopping them.
The Reaver Lord looked over his shoulder at Dram.
“You better deliver.” Dram said without looking.
Sildras stared at his son for a moment, then he and Selvura left.
Dram was left alone and he stared at the flames. You’d better deliver, father, or we’ll have a blood bath on our hands.
In your hands.
The young mer missed his brother. He felt much better when Casseth was around, and now he wasn’t sure if he’d ever see him again. He was alone even if there was Dandera, Vermith and the others. But they weren’t his family.
Dram wasn’t sure about the meeting, about how would it go. He sighed. I wonder if Selvura is going to tell him about it.
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And new reavers! Getting more and more interesting there.