The birds flew by in the twilight, as Skywatch faded over the horizon. I grinned as I looked around, once again admiring the beauty of Auridon. I looked back at the group, briefly studying them. Elereth was downtrodden, as was her wont these days, Lilinastre seemed cheerful, whistling some unfamiliar song, and Suhr seemed pensive, leading Kismet. I slowed my pace, walking next to the former sailor.
“How's it going, Suhr?” I asked him.
He smiled. “Ah, it is nothing, Ardolan. This one is simply thinking of times long gone. Don't fret about it.”
I hummed. “Well, if you say so.” Kismet suddenly let out a soft growl—I had learned this was his way of expressing hunger. I sighed. “We should probably rest anyways. We've been traveling all day.”
“We still have supplies from Skywatch, right?” Lili asked.
“We should.” Elereth said. “After all, I—“
I held up a hand to silence her, noting a lone figure watching us under the shadow of a tree. Immediately suspicious, I called out to it. “Who goes there?” I asked warily.
“I mean you no harm.” the Argonian said in a deep voice, emerging from the shade. He was tall and muscular, abnormally so by the standards of his kind. On his back was an impressive warhammer, dark with glowing runes, which complemented his ebony armor nicely. Finally, his face was obscured by a hood. He continued, “But one must be cautious, yes? Never know where the river will take you.”
I nodded slowly, not sure if I trusted him yet. Suddenly, Suhr stepped forward. “Where did you get that hammer?” he asked calmly.
The Argonian sounded confused as he said, “I found it in a Nordic ruin. Why do you ask?”
“Was that ruin, by chance, named Skorald Barrow?” Suhr asked, smiling again.
The Argonian paused, then lifted his hood, revealing his blue-scaled face. He chuckled. “Hah, I didn't recognize you!” He strode forward, and bear-hugged Suhr. Noting our inquisitive glances, he broke off and said: “Forgive me. I am Keethul, adventurer and warrior. And an old friend of Suhr's.”
Suhr looked at me. “It appears the time has come to tell you this one's tale, yes? Come, let us set up camp, he will tell you.”
Later, the fire crackled softly as we all sat around it. Keethul had his own supplies, and so we could all eat a good amount. “Now then,” Suhr started, sipping at some moon-sugar rum he'd brought, “The story begins when Suhr is but a cub. He was mostly raised a slave, in Morrowind.” I was shocked at how casually he said that, though I did not his grip on the mug slightly harden. “Those were not good days.” he continued, “But Suhr did make a friend—Keethul. It was his idea to escape. Of course, in those days he was very timid, but Keethul helped him overcome it.”
Keethul nodded. “Afterwards, we began our adventuring career in Skyrim, having escaped the Dark Elves. Made a fair bit of coin, drank too much, the usual really.” he added.
Suhr grinned. “But Suhr realized he was holding his friend back. Keethul was always the better fighter, and this one had to be rescued many times. We parted on friendly terms, then, and Suhr left for Windhelm. There, he met a fellow Khajiit, who had just bought a ship.”
“Captain Jimila?” Elereth asked.
“Aye. And from there, the rest is history.” Suhr replied. “You know we eventually became Dominion privateers, got stranded on the Roost, and then Suhr met you folk, and decided to travel with you.”
“To be honest, I never thought of you fighting for any great cause.” Keethul said. “But now, you're traveling with Dominion soldiers!” He chuckled, then added, “It's a good thing I have no love for the Pact. Otherwise this wouldn't be such a civil reunion.”
“What brings you to Auridon?” I asked, curious.
“Ah, well, I hitched a ride with another Khajiiti sailor. Sugar-Claws or something.” he replied. “I figure it's a good chance to see at least part of the Summerset Isles for myself… Actually, there's an abandoned mine nearby. Entila's Folly, which I want to explore. Would you like to join?”
“It's a tempting offer, but I'm pretty sure we can't.” Lili replied. “We have to make for Dawnbreak, a town over in the Vafe region.”
Keethul hummed. “I know the one. Ah well. Do you mind if I stay with you all for a while? It's been too long since I've really relaxed.”
“By all means.” I said with a smile. “Any friend of Suhr's is a friend of mine.”
Afterwards, we had quite the pleasant time. Keethul had procured a good supply of rather fine wine, and after the bottle was passed around a few times, even Elereth seemed more content. Eventually, the conversation shifted to Suhr's time on the Prowler, and then to the journey to Auridon. “So, let me get this straight.” Keethul said, “This Mastengwe person found an artifact of Sheogorath's?”
“Yep. That was quite the ordeal, let me tell you.” Elereth said, grinning. “And I wasn't even part of her experiment!”
“Ah, yes. This one will never quite forget being a talking mudcrab.” Suhr added, to general laughter.
“Talking mudcrab? Oh dear.” Keethul replied. “Who else was affected?”
I felt myself redden slightly as Elereth cheerfully said: “Well, Mastengwe herself became an Argonian, and Ardolan here changed gender.”
“I'd appreciate it if you didn't bring that up again, Elereth.” I managed to say, as Keethul burst out laughing. “Not quite an experience I'd like others to know about.”
“To be honest, I think you wasted that opportunity.” Lili piped up. “Stars know how… Unique, that would feel.”
I looked at my sister disapprovingly. “Auri-El save us if you somehow become male.” I said, sipping my drink. “It'd be a miracle to get you to wear pants at all.”
Keethul laughed heartily again. "Ah, leave her be. She's young, even by human or Argonian standards."
"Oh, speaking of which." Lili said, "Is it true that Argonians change gender as they age? Seem to remember reading that somewhere."
Keethul hummed, before responding: "Perhaps certain tribes? I myself haven't heard of it, much less had it happen to me."
Suhr snorted. "This one believes he'd notice if that were to happen. He and Keethul grew up together, after all."
The Argonian chuckled, and then sighed, standing up. "Well, on that note, I should probably get going. I was headed to Skywatch, and I want to get there soon." He pulled up his hood, and inclined his head. "Good luck on the road, all of you. And nice seeing you again, Suhr."
Suhr stood up as well, and clasped arms with Keethul. "Warm sands, friend."
After he had left, Elereth smiled. "Well, that was nice."
"I noticed you had a good time." I said happily.
She nodded. "Yeah. Got me thinking, too." Her smile transformed into a smirk. "Some time, I want you to become Synia again."
"What? Why?" I asked, surprised.
"Well, no offence, but you make a great-looking woman. I just think it'd be fun to be with you like that." she replied. "Besides, I swing both ways, so you could... Experience, what it's like. You know what I mean."
"I have no desire to experience that." I said quickly, going red again.
Lili snorted. "I'm not buying it."
Elereth winked at me. "Trust me, you won't regret it." she said seductively.
I groaned, inwardly cursing my attraction to my Bosmeri partner. "Fine. I'll do it for you, Elereth. But later, not now."
Suhr grinned. "Now that we've settled that, we should probably rest. There will be much walking ahead of us before we can reach Dawnbreak, and then who knows what will happen."
"Yeah, you're right. Sweet dreams, everyone." Elereth said, settling into her bedroll.
I believe that will do for this entry. I will write again when we've reached Dawnbreak. Until then...
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