Author's note: This chapter hints at some mild sexual themes. Han Ei is Slays-Many-Elves's name in Jel and as such he is referred to under both names depending on if he is speaking to another Argonian or not.
Chapter 3: Riften
“He is not welcome. If he has business it must be conducted outside the city walls” objected one of the guards flanking Riften's southern gate.
“Come on now, would I let a known thief into the city?” Slays-Many-Elves asked. “This Khajiit here is wanting to see the Jarl herself. She has asked to see him personally” he lied.
“Am I?” I whispered. “no, keep your mouth shut” came the curt reply.
I sensibly remained quiet.
“No Khajiit” emphasising his earlier statement.
“I don't want to argue but it would be your heads if Ji'Arsha is not seen immediately.”
One of the guards nodded to a 3rd guard standing by the gatehouse hut and he promptly marched to his superior and saluted. Words were exchanged and he disappeared into the city through a small side gate. “Wait here for confirmation” he barked.
Great I thought. We were both probably in it now and I'd unintentionally dropped my new found friend into the crap too. The Jarl would know he lied and at best his services would no longer be required and at worst he could be executed. Twenty tense moments passed with awkward silences when the guard returned.
“All is clear, let them both through” he ordered.
Once we were inside six guards escorted us to Mistveil keep where the Jarl takes up residence but we didn't make it to the front door. Two of the guards grabbed me and dragged me away from my companion who shrugged and then as he turned away gestured with his hand that he wanted me to wait. I took this as a sign that he would be back. I didn't get chance to find out what he meant as I was manhandled into the city jail and thrown into a prison cell.
My first impressions of Skyrim were not great. Racist Nords, a psychotic argonian who has forced his friendship upon me, Khajiit refused entry to almost all towns and cities and now this. The cell was dark and damp. Mould covered the dirty straw on the floor and there was a strong smell of stale sweat and excrement. I couldn't see anywhere to sleep apart from the straw. Nor anywhere to relieve myself. Judging by the stench it looked like the previous occupant had used the corner of the cell. I sat on the only wooden bench which was also rotting and pondered my fate.
Slays-Many-Elves stood before Jarl Laila Law-Giver with his hands together resting on his stomach his head slightly bowed.
“Now slays, what is all this fuss about? I didn't ask to see a Khajiit.” She questioned.
The red argonian looked up and said carefully. “My apologies but I thought it would be the only way to get him into the city. I think he may be useful to us. Uh, you.” he corrected.
Before she could reply Laila's steward Anuriel interupted and nodded walking towards them. “Yes a Khajiit would be useful. They make good spies. Ideal to deal with our little problem with the Black-Briars. See what they are up to as I'm sure they are planning something that does not bode well.”
Laila sat back into her throne and thought for a moment. She knew her city was already full of thieves; after all the thieves guild made their home in the sewers of the city but she had them under control. Unbeknownst to her, the steward was actually a thieves guild member put in place by the Jarl's rival Maven Black-Briar. She was to influence the Jarl so the thieves guild could operate freely. She would see that Ji'Arsha would be caught if he attempted to spy on Maven or her allies.
“Very well, I want to know more about this Khajiit. Watch him, get to know him and report back to me” she instructed. She turned to her steward. “let him out of jail and have the guards keep an eye on him. In slays's drunken state on a night he cannot always be relied upon.” With that she bowed and left.
Slays-Many-Elves coughed and stifled a grin when he heard about his late evening drinking mentioned by the Jarl.
“As for you” she said turning back to the Argonian. I want to see what you have brought me then you can have your payment. Then you can show the Khajiit around and see he does not cause trouble.”
The argonian bowed and removed his pack containing his requested merchandise from Morrowind for the Jarl and handed it over in return for 500 septims.
For what seemed like an eternity I was finally let out of the cell and led outside to the waiting red argonian. He quickly apologised for been thrown in jail and offered to take me to the inn where I could find food and rest. I gladly accepted.
The Bee and Barb looked very lively as I walked through the door but it fell silent as soon as I stepped through with some openly looking aghast and one spitting out his ale.
“What in oblivion are you doing in here cat” one of the patrons exclaimed. “We don't want you or your scaled beast race bethren kind around here. Get out unless you would like me to make a coat out of you!”
I was about to open my mouth when he saw the massive argonian stood behind me and promptly shut up. The inn was run by two argonians, Talen-Jai & his partner Keerava who were subject to racial abuse and rarley said anything as many of the patrons, particuarly the Black-Briars had powerful enemies and it was in their best interests to keep quiet. My companion glared at the man who stumbled in fear inclining his head slightly to indicate submission and went back to his seat. He didn't want to see the bad side of Slays-Many-Elves that evening or induce the wrath of the Jarl.
“Why do you tolerate this from them” I said to Talen-Jai who was pouring sawdust on to a pile of vomit on the floor and holding a brush in the other hand. His green shin shone in the light from the firepit but he continued to sweep the sawdust covered vomit as if he hadn't heard me. Eventually he replied. “Just biding my time he smiled. As soon as I have saved enough money we are leaving for Black Marsh. Until then I say yes my lord, yes my lady, grovel, clear up puke and bite my tongue. You should do the same, well, except for clean up puke if you want to stay alive. Riften is no place for either of our races. I don't even know why we bothered to come here in the first place. If you want anything see Keerava at the bar.”
I took his advice and but before I could open my mouth Keerava looked at me in disgust and said “if you're here to cause trouble, take a hike. Otherwise what can I get you?”
“I'd watch that one shouted someone. She is a nasty little lizard with a fiery temper and is surprisingly strong. She's the one that usually throws out the drunks.” She snarled at the man and made a rude gesture with her hand so I frowned then put on my best smile and answered. “I'm not here to cause trouble. I need food, drink and a bed for the night.”
“Hold that” Slays-Many-Elves interrupted. He won't be needing the bed, I will show him something far better.” he laughed again clapping my back with his hand. “No really, I will be staying here tonight” I refused. Ill come with you to 'your place' but I won't be staying long.”
“Hey sweetie I suppose he could use your rented room tonight if you are going elsewhere” she said to my friend. “No love, I may still need it as I don't know how my evening will pan out. You have plenty of others, yes?”
“Oh yes, plenty. Mine if you wish. Then the Khajiit can have yours” she said with a slight sexual tone and gesture.
Talen-Jai looked up and frowned at Han-Ei / Slays-Many-Elves's flirting with his partner and even more so her response. “Just stop that” he exclaimed. He didn't know if Han-Ei had ever slept with his wife to be and he wanted to keep him away from her. He had been a nuisance since the day he arrived two months ago and if Talen-Jai ever found out he had slept with her he would slit his throat as he slept. He had a way with women though regardless of race. The sooner he leaves town or gets his own property the better he thought.
Talen-Jai put aside his brush and said “this way to your room sir” I got up and left Han-Ei sitting at the table on his own and followed the green argonian upstairs. He showed me to a small room containing nothing but a single bed, a wardrobe and a bucket. There were no windows in the room – a blessing really as it was warmer without the window. I placed my backpack onto the bed and looked up at Talen-Jai who was about to walk away.
“Are you and Keerava married? I asked. The argonian frowned and said “That's none of your business but no. I do plan to marry her eventually but we are deciding if the wedding should come first or me and her leaving for Black Marsh. Depends on how much money I've got. The thieves guild are always round here extorting money from me. Trouble is there's little I can do about it.”
“Do they cause a lot of problems around here?”
“An understatement, yes. They are nothing but trouble.” He looked at me. “Take some advice from me; do yourself a favour and do not join them no matter how tempting their offer may be. Forgive me for appearing rude but as a Khajiit in Skyrim I figured you would either join them or the Dark Brotherhood.”
“It's fine. Everyone assumes Khajjit are either thieves or assassins. To be honest I'm not really sure what I am at the moment or where I belong. It certainly does not appear to be here.”
“Well I'm sorry to hear that” Talen-Jai continued. “Ill leave you be.”
As he left I shut the door and got changed out of my armour into the spare clothes I had brought in my backpack and returned to the table downstairs where my meal was waiting for me.
After a good meal and several mugs of ale Ji'Arsha's argonian companion stood up. “Come, Ill show you Haelga's Bunkhouse. Where our kind can drink and have a good time without too much trouble from the Nords.” With that I followed him outside.
Haelgas bunkhouse at the opposite end of town was just an inn really but it was a craphole compared to the bee and barb. There were badly patched holes in the roof and the place was run down and decrepit. Two benches were in one of the small rooms and a fighting ring in the other where two Nords where boxing to loud cheers from the gathered spectators. Steps led up to another floor with multiple doorways into small rooms. Several argonians and elves of various races sat around the tables but we didn't get the frosty reception received at the previous inn.
It didn't take long before there was trouble though. The argonian, Madesi made some remark to which one of the elves took a dislike to and she quickly told him to crawl back into the swamp in which he came. Angry words were exchanged for a few minutes but then all hell broke loose with bottles being thrown around and tables overturned. Slays-Many-Elves went ballistic and hurled himself into the fray pulling two dark elves away from the feuding argonians and bashing their heads into each other. He spat in one of their faces and punched the elf to the ground his companion quickly following. Then it went quiet as quickly as it had become violent. My jaw dropped as I just stood there and stared open mouthed at Slays-Many-Elves's sheer strength and brutality. Some had unwisely fought back mainly in self defence only to be beaten into submission.
Slays-Many-Elves stood glaring around at the other patrons daring anyone to challenge him. A large Nord man began to advance forward and looked as if he might but the argonian snarled at him letting out a menacing hiss. The man looked him up and down and wisely backed down returning to his seat and picking it up off the floor.
I felt very uncomfortable and calmly sat between Madesi and Slays-Many-Elves after we had put the tables back. Madesi just looked at me and shrugged as if this sort of thing happens every day. The awkward silence soon began to turn into noisy chatter. More drink followed and I was talking to Madesi for an hour or so. He seemed a quiet fellow who seemed very downtrodden and subdued. He was actually raised by Dark Elves who took pity on him after his parents were murdered by a dark elf raid. He had no racist views about anyone and believed that every race is capable of great evil but not all of the same race are like that. I liked that in him.
A pair of giggling very drunk Nord whores were flirting with Slays-Many-Elves arguing who should he have first. One sat beside him; I noticed her putting her hand under the table then subsequently down his pants whilst the other massaged his shoulders. Slays became suddenly quiet and looked like he was struggling to keep a calm face and control his breathing. Eventually he bared his teeth letting out a low hiss then seemed to relax.
The whore whispered something in his ear as she removed her hand from under the table. Slays looked at her and grumbled “there's not much point now is there?” but she simply kissed him on the side of his face and grabbed his arm. “Now handsome, don't be so ungrateful” she whispered as she tugged on his arm indicating she wanted to go to bed. The other woman smiled at me and said “How about you? You up for a good time?”
I stuttered and answered “err, no. I think I'm OK here at the moment.”
“Suit yourself. Another time maybe?” she asked. I just shrugged. With that she joined Slays-Many-Elves and the other whore and they headed upstairs. “I think I might be a while. Don't wait up” Slays called over his shoulder as he left.
I raised my jug to him and gave a weak smile. “Uh, did that just happen?” I asked the others when he was out of earshot. Madesi nodded and got up to leave. The others just ignored my question and continued drinking and talking. I decided to follow Madesi out and headed for the Bee and Barb looking forward to my bath and bed. Tomorrow would be to find some new clothes and armour from whatever this dump of a town passed as shops. I was told that the prices were the lowest in Skyrim - given my current financial situation that would do me fine.
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Slays is a bit of a player isn't he...
It might pay for you to have a look at this line.
At the other side six guards escorted us to Mistveil keep where the Jarl takes up residence but we didn't make it to the front door... more