Mebestian's Mother

[aeronwen]

12th of Heartfire, 427 3E

I wouldn't have thought it possible, but working for Mebestian has become even stranger. And potentially dangerous. It's now getting late as I write this, but I know that it's going to be a while before I can sleep, so I may as well record the details while everything is fresh in my mind. Of course that's easier said than done. I tend to jump every time I see a bat fly by outside the windows. The reason for this will be obvious at the end of this entry.

The day started out as perfectly ordinary. While I was having breakfast, the little Altmer girl who delivers the newspaper dropped off a note from Mebestian that said I could have today off due to the fact that he needed to take an inventory of his stock and would need me to come by the shop to assist after business hours. So much for meeting Neldor for dinner.

I looked through this morning's edition of the Tattler before heading over to Neldor's home and was surprised to see a blurb that involved Pelagiad's blacksmith;

The Bike strikes again! A tryst involving Ciralinde was found out recently by newly named ex-spouse Uulernil, and in the heat of the moment Uulernil decided to end the relationship!

"I don't know how her husband put up with her," commented a nosy neighbor. "That Ciralinde is always carousing about with other mers like Arrille. That slut just doesn't seem to care who she hurts!"

Granted I don't really know Uulernil, but I got the impression that he'll be more upset about his personal business appearing in the Tattler rather than the fact that his wife was carrying on with other mers. But again, I don't really know Uulernil. This whole thing might bother him far more than he would ever let on.

After breakfast Rey and I headed out of town and walked over to the converted barn to let Neldor know that I had to work this evening. I immediately noticed Gloria grazing in the paddock alongside Garland and smiled when she raised her head and uttered a welcoming neigh.



Neldor, who has made no secret of the fact that he doesn't think much of Mebestian, furrowed his brow a bit when I told him about the change in plans. I could tell that he didn't want to seem pushy, but there was no missing the concern in his expression. Since we had the day free we decided to spend the time playing chess and simply conversing and getting to know each other better.



I like the mer. There's no point in denying it; I like Neldor quite a bit and I'm surprised at how easy it is for us to spend time together. It's as though we've known each other far longer than just a few days.

While we were in the garden watching the horses Neldor said, "Since our dinner is postponed I'm going to be playing my lute at the Halfway this evening, so I can walk you to the shop. While I'm there, I can make it clear to Mebestian that I'll be right across the street and that my hearing is sharper than most daggers."

Surprised by his concern, I stated gently, "I really don't think you need to threaten Mebestian."

The muscles in Neldor's angular face tightened as he replied, "The man is shady! And trying to trick you into smuggling a Dwemer artifact was beyond low! If he tried that once, he might try it again!" Calming down a bit, he added, "The thing is, I really want to make it clear to Mebestian that if he were to trick you into smuggling illegal items and you were arrested for it, someone...meaning me...would make a very big stink about it and make sure that Mebestian was the one who ended up behind bars!"

Unsure of how to take his level of concern over this, I inquired, "Are you always this ready to defend people who meet on the road?"

Suddenly appearing sheepish, he answered, "Let's just say I have a soft-spot for people who are unjustly arrested and given a prison sentence that they don't deserve. I'll tell you about it sometime."

Being the head-strong mer that he is, Neldor did indeed accompany me to Mebestian's shop when it was time for me to assist with taking inventory. Clad soft brown leather trousers, a leather vest, and a clean white shirt, he looked very handsome and impressive for the evening's performance at the Halfway. Once again I found it difficult to believe that he doesn't have a harem of female admirers in every town.

Seeing Neldor, Mebestian said politely, "I'm sorry, sir, but the shop is now closed. You're welcome to return in the morning."

Neldor explained, "I'm not here to buy anything. I just wanted to escort the lady here. I'll be performing right across the street at the Halfway tonight, but I'll still be able to hear should anything in this shop go...amiss."



Not appearing to pick up on Neldor's hint, Mebestian stated, "Ah, it's a shame that I won't be able to listen to your fine performance, but this business doesn't run itself. By the way, that is a very impressive guitar you have. You didn't buy that here, did you?"



With a soft laugh, Neldor answered, "No. My brother made this for me. This guitar is made of very strong oak. In fact, I think I could hit a man over the head with it and it wouldn't break. The guitar, that is. I'm sure the man's head would be more than a little damaged."

Still not getting the message, Mebestian replied cheerfully, "Ah, well durability is very important in an item." Glancing around, he continued, "I do so hate to seem rude, but there is a lot of inventory to go through, plus I'm sure the dinner crowd at the Halfway is eager to listen to your fine forest music."

With a smile that didn't entirely reach his eyes, Neldor said, "Indeed. Well, don't keep Aeronwen here too late, or I'll have to come back here looking for her." His expression softened as he looked at me and continued, "I'll see you in a couple of hours, Gorgeous."

After Neldor left the shop, Mebestian sighed tiredly before saying, "Now to get to work. I'm going to sort out the crockery. While I'm doing that, I'd like you to carry all these bolts of fabric upstairs and put it in the basket in the far corner of the room. I've run out of storage space down here."

And this was when the evening took an unexpected and frightening turn. When I reached the top of the staircase and turned the corner into the storage area, I froze in mid-step. Standing in front of the wardrobe was an extremely pale Breton woman. Noticing that her eyes glowed and that she had fangs, I took a step backward, for it was not difficult to guess that I was face to face with a vampire.

In a soft hissy voice, the pale woman said, "Halt, mortal. Fear not. I mean you no harm."



Taking another step back I replied warily, "That may be true, but you are still sneaking about in another person's shop."

"Where is Mebestian Ence?" she demanded sharply.

Aware that my heart was pounding in my chest from fear, I blurted in response, "I think he just went to the outhouse. He had some bad tarpan roast from the Halfway."



The vampire sighed, then stated, "I tire of this. Give this ring to Mebestian and tell him of my coming. Now I must leave."

I don't recall extending my hand for the ring that she offered, yet somehow it ended up in my palm. Then in the blink of an eye, the Breton vampire had disappeared.

When I went back downstairs, Mebestian asked through a wide yawn, "Have you finished putting the bolts of fabric away?"

"They're upstairs, but there is something I need to tell you." I answered. Handing him the ring, I continued, "There was a...strange lady up there. She asked me where you were and then gave me this ring to give to you."

Mebestian's pale blue eyes widened and all color drained from his face as he looked at the ring. Sinking into a nearby chair, he whispered hoarsely, "Oh...no...This can't be. This ring...it belonged to my mother! She was buried wearing this ring!"



To that I suggested, "Perhaps it just looks like your mother's ring."

Shaking his head, Mebestian stammered, "No, I'm certain of it. Look, it's even engraved with her initals. J.E." He paused a moment, then gave a start before looking toward the ceiling and exclaimed, "Hey, I hear something upstairs!"

I had heard the noise that he spoke of; it made one think of giant bat wings disturbing the air. Turning toward the Legion guard who was by the door, I asked, "Isn't it your job to check when an intruder enters the building?"



The guard replied without looking at me directly, "I am here to guard the shop. The shop is down here."

For a moment all I could do was stare at the guard in disbelief. I looked back and forth between him and Mebestian before clenching my jaw and heading upstairs, all the way grumbling to myself, "Two grown men are in the building and they expect me to go up and deal with whatever undead things that come flying through the windows. And people say chivalry is dead!"

Sure enough, the vampire woman had returned. Seeing me, she said, "There was something I forgot to tell you; I'm Jernelle, Mebestian's mother. Many years ago I was attacked by a vampire. I became sick. Very sick, and soon people thought I had died. I hadn't died, in fact...I had only just begin to live! Yes, I had contracted Porphyric Hemophilia, and I became one of the living dead; a vampire."



I replied, "That is sad."

Jernelle continued, "And there is one other thing; the vampire that attacked me was my daughter...Mebestian's long-lost sister. Sadly, the villagers killed her when they came to rescue me."

"That's even more sad."

She agreed with a wistful look in her glowing eyes, "It is. Anyway, the important thing is that I have returned at last and finally Mebestian will be able to join his family again...forever...I will return once Mebestian has come to grips with all this information. It is a lot for him to absorb in one night. Farewell."

Before I could respond, she once again disappeared. As soon as I went back downstairs, Mebestian asked, "Did you find out what that noise was?"

Hoping he wouldn't come unraveled, I said gently, "Mebestian, I have something to tell you... It's about your mother..."

Raising his eyebrows, he asked, "About my mother? What have you found out?"

After hesitating a moment, I decided to cut to the chase and answered, "Your mother is a vampire, as was your sister."

For what seemed like a long time, he didn't respond. Finally he got up, turned toward the window and said softly, "I...I need some time to think this over."



A little concerned for him, I asked, "Are you sure?"

He replied, "Yes. You may as well go home. I need some time alone...to think."

Leaving him to his thoughts, I left the shop and found Neldor near the well in the market center. As I approached, he said, "I'm glad to see you're done for the night, but...what's wrong? You look rattled. What did Mebestian do this time?"

"Mebestian didn't do anything," I answered. Keeping my voice down, I asked, "Do you have any means of teleportation that will allow you to instantly go back to your home rather than having to walk there?"

Appearing puzzled, he answered warily, "Yes."

Still speaking in hushed tones, I told him about Mebestian's mother showing up at the shop, the fact that she was a vampire and wanted to speak to her son. When I finished my account of the evening's events, Neldor widened his eyes and exclaimed softly, "This is insane! Now there's a vampire showing up in that man's shop?! What's next? Will his father turn up as a werewolf during the next full moons?"



I replied, "I know this is scary. Believe me, I was so surprised that at first I couldn't believe what I was seeing. But what's important now is that you don't walk home. Jernelle didn't seem like she wanted to harm anyone, but vampires aren't exactly trust worthy."

Looking at the windows, Neldor said, "I don't suppose I can persuade you and Rey to come and stay with me at the barn. There are empty farmhand quarters on the premises that I could sleep in while you're there."

I assured him, "Don't worry, the sleeping hut is secure."

He replied, "Is is, but it's going to be difficult for me to go home and leave you here knowing that there is a vampire fluttering around Pelagiad."

I wasn't surprised that he insisted on walking me to the sleeping hut and did not use his Amulet of Recall until Rey and I were safely locked inside. As disturbing as this night has been, I can at least be assured that Neldor teleported directly into his barn-house during this time when a vampire might be lurking about. Now to try to get some rest. Rey is sleeping peacefully on the bed, so if he isn't sensing anything wrong, then all is well in Pelagiad for the time being. Who knows how long that will last?

*~*~*