28th of Last Seed 427 3E
Rey is turning out to be quite the hunting partner. We went to the wilderness surrounding Seyda Neen this morning and found the area to be crawling (no pun intended) with mud crabs, many of which are larger than the ones around Hla Oad. One has to aim the arrow very carefully to make sure to hit the crab's vulnerable places rather than having the arrow just bounce off the shell.
When I would select my prey, Rey went down into a play bow and remained absolutely still until I let my arrow fly. At that point he would bound around and yip happily. Amused, I looked down at him and said, "You might want to hold off cheering until we're sure that our prey is down."

Once I had made my quota of twenty pounds of crab meat and sold my catch, we returned to Pelagiad, a place that is already feeling like home. Leaving Rey at the hut to chew on a meaty beef bone I had gotten for him from the butcher, I went to the Halfway for some lunch. Usually I like preparing my own meals, but the savory pies at the Halfway are quite delicious.
As I approached the bar, Drelasa smiled and asked, "How are things, Aeronwen?"
"I'm not dead yet," I answered with a small smile.
With a soft laugh, Drelasa replied, "Always a good thing. What would you like for lunch?"
"One of your chicken pot pies and some comberry juice if you have any."
Drelasa assured me, "I have some that are just about ready to come out of the oven. Have a seat and I'll bring one to you."
After serving the pie and a cup of comberry juice that I had ordered, Dresala continued to work behind the bar and made pleasant conversation with me. When I asked her about her background, Drelasa said, "Well, I haven't always lived in Pelagiad, you know. I traveled a great deal before coming to this village, and gained knowledge to which few others are privy." Leaning toward me, she gestured towards the back corner of the room and added as she lowered her voice, "Take him, for instance. Still speaks like a savage, unlike some of us, who have tried to better ourselves."
Glancing in the direction she had indicated, I saw a male Dunmer who was dressed in chiton armor and had a large tattoo covering a portion of his face. Turning back to Drelasa, I asked, "Savage?"
She explained, "He's an Ashlander, or so he claims. By the way, if you ever find yourself among an Ashlander tribe, be sure you don't do anything to upset them. They have certain 'sensibilities' and woe betide you if you offend them. Nothing more than a bunch of stupid rules and regulations, I say. There are things that matter more than saying things the right way and having proper behavior, you know!"
Just as I was about to get up from the table where I had eaten my lunch, a young male Dunmer suddenly sat down beside me in one of the vacent chairs. He ordered a drink, then turned his attention to me as he said cheerfully, "Ah, so you are the newcomer I've been hearing about; Aeronwen. The pleasure is truly mine. Beauty such as yours should not go unremarked; to gaze in your eyes is to see the divine." Extending his wrist toward me, he added with his red eyes sparkling, "See for yourself. Is my pulse not pounding?"

Finding myself more amused than alarmed, I looked at him and asked, "Do the females around here usually fall for that line?"
He tilted his head back and laughed before replying, "Do not be offended, sera. I could not help myself. Alas, I am being rude." Pushing the brim of his hat up slightly, he continued, "Nelos Onmar is my name. Welcome to Pelagiad. This is a lovely little village, isn't it? So quiet and peaceful. That is, if you can ignore the Imperials running around up there at the fort. Their voices are so loud, and painful to my ears."

As Dresala rolled her eyes and continued working behind the bar, I laughed softly and replied, "I suppose they can't help it. I tend to avoid the fort, although I'm sure I'll have to go there sooner or later for potions if I can't find enough ingredients to make my own. Normally I would go to the Temple for such things, but there isn't one here."
Turning toward me a bit more in his chair, Nelos said, "You can find a Temple in most of the bigger towns. But be sure to watch yourself; holy mers don't take it kindly when their artifacts are defaced." Seeing my surprised reaction, he asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Unable to keep from smiling in amusement, I explained, "It's just that you sounded as though you speak from personal experience, and defacing Temple artifacts isn't something I would expect a Dunmer to do."
He grinned and replied, "Not all Dunmer are stiff and stilted, you know! Some of us are more...open-minded toward outlanders than others. Great House Hlaalu, for example, will accept pretty much anyone into their ranks. None of the Houses are for me,though."
I assured him, "Oh, I know that not all Dunmer are as gloomy as most of the other races seem to think. Most of my relatives are Dunmer and I am very proud to have that connection."
Turning his head to the side so that I had a view of his profile, Nelos remarked cheerfully, "We do have a charm all our own, wouldn't you say? Of course, you see before you a particularly dazzling specimen of our race. I marvel each time I see myself in a pool of water."
Drelasa, who was filling wine bottles from one of the kegs, glanced over and exclaimed, "The poor girl is going to need her boots if you keep that up, Nelos!"
Finding Nelos to be rather comical, I asked, "Have you always lived on Vvardenfell?"

He answered, "I grew up in Vivec, in the St. Olms canton. I lived and...worked there most of my life. After a bit of misfortune, I decided to come to Pelagiad for a visit. Vivec is such a noisy, crowded place. In a small town like this, away from prying eyes, a fellow can just live in peace. I'm feeling so much better after resting."
Lightly clasping my hands and resting them on the table, I told him, "I haven't been to Vivec yet. While I was still living in Mournhold I got a letter from my uncle who came here a few years ago. He said Vivec the city was almost as confusing as Vivec the god's sermons."
Nelos widened his eyes slightly as he replied, "Let me tell you, if you ever find yourself in possession of Indoril armor, don't wear it in Vivec! Not that I would know personally. I heard this from a friend of mine. It seems he had found, innocently enough, an Indoril cuirass. He didn't think anything about it and was strolling along the plaza in the Foreign Quarter. About nineteen Ordinators came as if from nowhere and actually tried to kill him! And the language they used! He said he's never heard such things from so-called holy people."
Giving in to my curiosity, I asked, "Exactly what sort of 'work' did you do while you were living in Vivec?"
He grinned and answered with a wink, "You are an inquisitive one, my friend. Just let me say that the Ordinators have no love for me. It's not that I'm rebellious, mind you. They simply didn't believe me when I tried to explain that awful business in the Quarter. Someone actually screamed out 'you rogue!' when the Ordiantors hauled me off, if you can believe it."
Rather surprised at how relaxed I felt speaking with him, I said in jest, "I cannot imagine why anyone would have said such a thing."
Nelos abruptly became somber for a moment, then stated, "I think I can trust you. You see, an associate of mine had an important package for me. I was not in the tavern when he came in, and instead of waiting quietly for me, he ended up getting into a brawl. He was detained and is now incarcerated at the fort." His smile returned as he added, "For reasons I can't mention, I am unable to go to the fort. Perhaps you might be able to help me with this?"
No longer quite at ease, I responded warily, "That depends on what it is that you want me to do."
He quickly assured me, "Oh, nothing unsavory. I just need you to ask my associate what he did with my package. I'm certain the guards won't give you any trouble."
That sounded harmless enough, so I agreed, "All right. I'll go and speak with him."
Grinning brightly, Nelos exclaimed, "Wonderful. I'll stay here and eagerly await your return. My associate is an Orc by the name of Morbash gro-Shagdub."
Hoping I had not just gotten myself involved in anything unsavory, I left the tavern and walked into the fort. As I passed through the corridors that led to the prison, I noticed that Nelos was right; the guards didn't ask who I was or what I was doing there. Apparently there is nothing unusual about civilians coming to the prison to speak with a prisoner.

One of the Imperial guards directed me to Morbash's cell. Just as I was about to speak with the orc, I was startled by a shrill voice from the cell at the end of the row which shrieked, "We didn't do it!"
Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw that the end cell contained the bearded, shaggy haired male Breton and the scruffy looking male Khajiit who I saw in Hla Oad. Peering between the bars, the Breton again wailed, "We didn't do it! We were...collecting donations for the Imperial Cult! Yeah, that's it! We were collecting donations for the Imperial Cult!" Glancing at the Khajiit, he asked, "Right RiData?"
Rather than agreeing with his Breton friend's story, the Khajiit lazily draped his arm around his cellmate's shoulders and purred out, "Moooooon sugarrrrrr."

Remembering why I was there, I returned my attention to questioning Morbash. As I stood outside the locked door and looked between the bars, the green-skinned Orc asked, "Yes? What do you want?"

I explained, "A friend of yours at the Halfway asked me to come and inquire about a package that he was waiting for."
Morbash grumbled under his breath, then replied, "I'm not surprised he didn't come himself. We're going to have quite a few words as soon as I get to him. Alright, fine. I know you don't care about any of that. Just go look behind a broken wagon wheel behind the fort and you'll find what you're looking for. Now, since I've helped you, will you get me out?"

Shaking my head, I answered, "I'm sorry. I don't have that authority."
The Orc sighed, then said, "I'm being honest here. I really didn't start that fight! That scruffy Breton came into the tavern yammering about some 'Sanguine' something or other. He started asking a lot of questions and kept looking at me like he thought I knew something. When I said I didn't know anything, he started poking me in the chest and demanded that I tell him. I got tired of it so I threw him and his stupid Khajiit friend out the window. Wouldn't you do the same?"

I admitted, "I would be less than happy with anyone who was poking me in the chest."

Shaking his head in disgust, he remarked gruffly, "I can't wait to get out of this cramped little town. I have never understood why people wanted to gather together and live in one place. The stench of them packed in is enough to make your head swim. Me, I'm much happier out in the wilderness. If you ever decide to travel out in the plains, be sure to take a lot of healing potions with you. Food, too. And, don't let anyone talk you into coming into town to 'do them a favor'. Even if they say the pay is good."
He was somewhat pleasant for an Osimer. With a sympathetic smile, I said, "I hope the Imperials release you before too much longer."
After leaving the prison, I went around the back of the fort and spotted a broken wagon wheel that was leaning against some barrels. Kneeling down, I found a burlap sack that had been set between the wheel and the barrels. Inside the sack was a book that appeared to be a journal.

When I returned to the Halfway, Nelos looked at me hopefully and asked, "You have it?"
Handing the journal to him, I answered, "Here you are."
His fingers were practically shaking as he quickly opened the journal and scanned a few pages. Then, after glancing at Drelase, he grinned at me and said, "My friend, truly you have done a great service for me here! Now I'll never have to pay for a drink or bed in this place again!"
Oh my, what have I done? I wondered as Nelos broke out into gleeful laughter. It had never occurred to me to actually read the journal, nor did I consider the possibility that Nelos may have been trying to blackmail someone; that someone obviously being the tavern's publican.
After a few minutes, he quieted down, looked around, then offered an enchanted ring to me as he said, "I don't have a lot of gold, but this ring has helped me out a few times. Maybe you can find a use for it? It has a constant effect Feather enchantment. When you wear the ring, it can make whatever you're carrying feel up to twenty pounds lighter."
Accepting the ring and sliding it my finger, I replied, "Now this really will come in handy when I am out hunting."
I feel guilty for whatever information Nelos now has on Drelasa but it's too late for me to do anything about it. Even without the journal, Nelos wouldn't "unlearn" whatever it is that the journal has told him. And since he claimed he would never had to pay for a room or a drink at the Halfway again, I figured at any moment Nelos would tell Drelasa what he knew about her. I didn't want to be around to see it, so I left the Halfway and headed over to my hut to get out of my ranger leathers and put on comfortable everyday clothes. There was still plenty of hours left in the afternoon for me to work on a painting at the Art Barn.
It's nice to have a place to spent my time instead of just sitting in the tiny hut. My new life appears to be falling into place here. So far the residents of Pelagiad seem to like me, and there's no reason to hide myself away.
*~*~*
Rey is turning out to be quite the hunting partner. We went to the wilderness surrounding Seyda Neen this morning and found the area to be crawling (no pun intended) with mud crabs, many of which are larger than the ones around Hla Oad. One has to aim the arrow very carefully to make sure to hit the crab's vulnerable places rather than having the arrow just bounce off the shell.
When I would select my prey, Rey went down into a play bow and remained absolutely still until I let my arrow fly. At that point he would bound around and yip happily. Amused, I looked down at him and said, "You might want to hold off cheering until we're sure that our prey is down."

Once I had made my quota of twenty pounds of crab meat and sold my catch, we returned to Pelagiad, a place that is already feeling like home. Leaving Rey at the hut to chew on a meaty beef bone I had gotten for him from the butcher, I went to the Halfway for some lunch. Usually I like preparing my own meals, but the savory pies at the Halfway are quite delicious.
As I approached the bar, Drelasa smiled and asked, "How are things, Aeronwen?"
"I'm not dead yet," I answered with a small smile.
With a soft laugh, Drelasa replied, "Always a good thing. What would you like for lunch?"
"One of your chicken pot pies and some comberry juice if you have any."
Drelasa assured me, "I have some that are just about ready to come out of the oven. Have a seat and I'll bring one to you."
After serving the pie and a cup of comberry juice that I had ordered, Dresala continued to work behind the bar and made pleasant conversation with me. When I asked her about her background, Drelasa said, "Well, I haven't always lived in Pelagiad, you know. I traveled a great deal before coming to this village, and gained knowledge to which few others are privy." Leaning toward me, she gestured towards the back corner of the room and added as she lowered her voice, "Take him, for instance. Still speaks like a savage, unlike some of us, who have tried to better ourselves."
Glancing in the direction she had indicated, I saw a male Dunmer who was dressed in chiton armor and had a large tattoo covering a portion of his face. Turning back to Drelasa, I asked, "Savage?"
She explained, "He's an Ashlander, or so he claims. By the way, if you ever find yourself among an Ashlander tribe, be sure you don't do anything to upset them. They have certain 'sensibilities' and woe betide you if you offend them. Nothing more than a bunch of stupid rules and regulations, I say. There are things that matter more than saying things the right way and having proper behavior, you know!"
Just as I was about to get up from the table where I had eaten my lunch, a young male Dunmer suddenly sat down beside me in one of the vacent chairs. He ordered a drink, then turned his attention to me as he said cheerfully, "Ah, so you are the newcomer I've been hearing about; Aeronwen. The pleasure is truly mine. Beauty such as yours should not go unremarked; to gaze in your eyes is to see the divine." Extending his wrist toward me, he added with his red eyes sparkling, "See for yourself. Is my pulse not pounding?"

Finding myself more amused than alarmed, I looked at him and asked, "Do the females around here usually fall for that line?"
He tilted his head back and laughed before replying, "Do not be offended, sera. I could not help myself. Alas, I am being rude." Pushing the brim of his hat up slightly, he continued, "Nelos Onmar is my name. Welcome to Pelagiad. This is a lovely little village, isn't it? So quiet and peaceful. That is, if you can ignore the Imperials running around up there at the fort. Their voices are so loud, and painful to my ears."

As Dresala rolled her eyes and continued working behind the bar, I laughed softly and replied, "I suppose they can't help it. I tend to avoid the fort, although I'm sure I'll have to go there sooner or later for potions if I can't find enough ingredients to make my own. Normally I would go to the Temple for such things, but there isn't one here."
Turning toward me a bit more in his chair, Nelos said, "You can find a Temple in most of the bigger towns. But be sure to watch yourself; holy mers don't take it kindly when their artifacts are defaced." Seeing my surprised reaction, he asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Unable to keep from smiling in amusement, I explained, "It's just that you sounded as though you speak from personal experience, and defacing Temple artifacts isn't something I would expect a Dunmer to do."
He grinned and replied, "Not all Dunmer are stiff and stilted, you know! Some of us are more...open-minded toward outlanders than others. Great House Hlaalu, for example, will accept pretty much anyone into their ranks. None of the Houses are for me,though."
I assured him, "Oh, I know that not all Dunmer are as gloomy as most of the other races seem to think. Most of my relatives are Dunmer and I am very proud to have that connection."
Turning his head to the side so that I had a view of his profile, Nelos remarked cheerfully, "We do have a charm all our own, wouldn't you say? Of course, you see before you a particularly dazzling specimen of our race. I marvel each time I see myself in a pool of water."
Drelasa, who was filling wine bottles from one of the kegs, glanced over and exclaimed, "The poor girl is going to need her boots if you keep that up, Nelos!"
Finding Nelos to be rather comical, I asked, "Have you always lived on Vvardenfell?"

He answered, "I grew up in Vivec, in the St. Olms canton. I lived and...worked there most of my life. After a bit of misfortune, I decided to come to Pelagiad for a visit. Vivec is such a noisy, crowded place. In a small town like this, away from prying eyes, a fellow can just live in peace. I'm feeling so much better after resting."
Lightly clasping my hands and resting them on the table, I told him, "I haven't been to Vivec yet. While I was still living in Mournhold I got a letter from my uncle who came here a few years ago. He said Vivec the city was almost as confusing as Vivec the god's sermons."
Nelos widened his eyes slightly as he replied, "Let me tell you, if you ever find yourself in possession of Indoril armor, don't wear it in Vivec! Not that I would know personally. I heard this from a friend of mine. It seems he had found, innocently enough, an Indoril cuirass. He didn't think anything about it and was strolling along the plaza in the Foreign Quarter. About nineteen Ordinators came as if from nowhere and actually tried to kill him! And the language they used! He said he's never heard such things from so-called holy people."
Giving in to my curiosity, I asked, "Exactly what sort of 'work' did you do while you were living in Vivec?"
He grinned and answered with a wink, "You are an inquisitive one, my friend. Just let me say that the Ordinators have no love for me. It's not that I'm rebellious, mind you. They simply didn't believe me when I tried to explain that awful business in the Quarter. Someone actually screamed out 'you rogue!' when the Ordiantors hauled me off, if you can believe it."
Rather surprised at how relaxed I felt speaking with him, I said in jest, "I cannot imagine why anyone would have said such a thing."
Nelos abruptly became somber for a moment, then stated, "I think I can trust you. You see, an associate of mine had an important package for me. I was not in the tavern when he came in, and instead of waiting quietly for me, he ended up getting into a brawl. He was detained and is now incarcerated at the fort." His smile returned as he added, "For reasons I can't mention, I am unable to go to the fort. Perhaps you might be able to help me with this?"
No longer quite at ease, I responded warily, "That depends on what it is that you want me to do."
He quickly assured me, "Oh, nothing unsavory. I just need you to ask my associate what he did with my package. I'm certain the guards won't give you any trouble."
That sounded harmless enough, so I agreed, "All right. I'll go and speak with him."
Grinning brightly, Nelos exclaimed, "Wonderful. I'll stay here and eagerly await your return. My associate is an Orc by the name of Morbash gro-Shagdub."
Hoping I had not just gotten myself involved in anything unsavory, I left the tavern and walked into the fort. As I passed through the corridors that led to the prison, I noticed that Nelos was right; the guards didn't ask who I was or what I was doing there. Apparently there is nothing unusual about civilians coming to the prison to speak with a prisoner.

One of the Imperial guards directed me to Morbash's cell. Just as I was about to speak with the orc, I was startled by a shrill voice from the cell at the end of the row which shrieked, "We didn't do it!"
Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw that the end cell contained the bearded, shaggy haired male Breton and the scruffy looking male Khajiit who I saw in Hla Oad. Peering between the bars, the Breton again wailed, "We didn't do it! We were...collecting donations for the Imperial Cult! Yeah, that's it! We were collecting donations for the Imperial Cult!" Glancing at the Khajiit, he asked, "Right RiData?"
Rather than agreeing with his Breton friend's story, the Khajiit lazily draped his arm around his cellmate's shoulders and purred out, "Moooooon sugarrrrrr."

Remembering why I was there, I returned my attention to questioning Morbash. As I stood outside the locked door and looked between the bars, the green-skinned Orc asked, "Yes? What do you want?"

I explained, "A friend of yours at the Halfway asked me to come and inquire about a package that he was waiting for."
Morbash grumbled under his breath, then replied, "I'm not surprised he didn't come himself. We're going to have quite a few words as soon as I get to him. Alright, fine. I know you don't care about any of that. Just go look behind a broken wagon wheel behind the fort and you'll find what you're looking for. Now, since I've helped you, will you get me out?"

Shaking my head, I answered, "I'm sorry. I don't have that authority."
The Orc sighed, then said, "I'm being honest here. I really didn't start that fight! That scruffy Breton came into the tavern yammering about some 'Sanguine' something or other. He started asking a lot of questions and kept looking at me like he thought I knew something. When I said I didn't know anything, he started poking me in the chest and demanded that I tell him. I got tired of it so I threw him and his stupid Khajiit friend out the window. Wouldn't you do the same?"

I admitted, "I would be less than happy with anyone who was poking me in the chest."

Shaking his head in disgust, he remarked gruffly, "I can't wait to get out of this cramped little town. I have never understood why people wanted to gather together and live in one place. The stench of them packed in is enough to make your head swim. Me, I'm much happier out in the wilderness. If you ever decide to travel out in the plains, be sure to take a lot of healing potions with you. Food, too. And, don't let anyone talk you into coming into town to 'do them a favor'. Even if they say the pay is good."
He was somewhat pleasant for an Osimer. With a sympathetic smile, I said, "I hope the Imperials release you before too much longer."
After leaving the prison, I went around the back of the fort and spotted a broken wagon wheel that was leaning against some barrels. Kneeling down, I found a burlap sack that had been set between the wheel and the barrels. Inside the sack was a book that appeared to be a journal.

When I returned to the Halfway, Nelos looked at me hopefully and asked, "You have it?"
Handing the journal to him, I answered, "Here you are."
His fingers were practically shaking as he quickly opened the journal and scanned a few pages. Then, after glancing at Drelase, he grinned at me and said, "My friend, truly you have done a great service for me here! Now I'll never have to pay for a drink or bed in this place again!"
Oh my, what have I done? I wondered as Nelos broke out into gleeful laughter. It had never occurred to me to actually read the journal, nor did I consider the possibility that Nelos may have been trying to blackmail someone; that someone obviously being the tavern's publican.
After a few minutes, he quieted down, looked around, then offered an enchanted ring to me as he said, "I don't have a lot of gold, but this ring has helped me out a few times. Maybe you can find a use for it? It has a constant effect Feather enchantment. When you wear the ring, it can make whatever you're carrying feel up to twenty pounds lighter."
Accepting the ring and sliding it my finger, I replied, "Now this really will come in handy when I am out hunting."
I feel guilty for whatever information Nelos now has on Drelasa but it's too late for me to do anything about it. Even without the journal, Nelos wouldn't "unlearn" whatever it is that the journal has told him. And since he claimed he would never had to pay for a room or a drink at the Halfway again, I figured at any moment Nelos would tell Drelasa what he knew about her. I didn't want to be around to see it, so I left the Halfway and headed over to my hut to get out of my ranger leathers and put on comfortable everyday clothes. There was still plenty of hours left in the afternoon for me to work on a painting at the Art Barn.
It's nice to have a place to spent my time instead of just sitting in the tiny hut. My new life appears to be falling into place here. So far the residents of Pelagiad seem to like me, and there's no reason to hide myself away.
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Date: 2024-11-03 06:09 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2024-11-03 08:41 pm (UTC)From: