The unwelcome foreigner from the south - Chapter 1

  • Chapter 1 – arrival in Skyrim

     

    I could see the border gate ahead of me as I climbed the snowy path leading towards Skyrim. I turned around to have one last look towards my homeland which was nothing more than a blur on the horizon. Cyrodiil, the largest of the imperial provinces stretched out below me; the mountains giving way to flat grassy plains then the imperial city and finally towards my homeland Elsweyr. To my right beyond the mountains was the province of Morrowind.

    I'd passed the border gate to that hell hole ash strewn land yesterday and carried on walking. I knew I wouldn't be able to call that place home even though the Thalmor largely ignored it for it is nothing but a land of poverty, war and famine. I didn't particularly like Elves anyway no matter if they are dark, high or whatever they want to call themselves. No, I thought Skyrim would be my best destination. At least the empire still ruled there and I would be welcome. At least that's what I thought.

    “Halt!” Called out the border guard. “Papers please”

    I stared at him wearily. I was in no mood for arguments and wanted to be on my way and pulled my torn, soggy identity documents and handed them to the guard who ripped them even more. “oops sorry. Looks like your clothes are a little worse for wear – they're letting the water in” he remarked, carefully placing the documents back in their wallet. “You should take more care of them” he added. I took them and silently put them back into my shirt pocket under my armour.

    “Soggy documents are not acceptable” the other guard commented as he observed me putting the away. He came over to me, felt my leather armour and grabbed my upper arm. “Looks good quality. Maybe its just dirty Khajiit sweat that's ruined them” he laughed. “Where did you get that armour”?

    “I've had a bad journey.” I answered. “My horse died on the mountain trail several miles back and I have had to leave most of my belongings behind as they were too heavy to carry. This pack is all I have.”

    “Really. You are not having much luck today are you cat?” He mocked walking back to his post leaning up against the wooden beams of the gate.

    “My documents are in order and I seek refuge in Skyrim” I said to the first guard. Please let me through. “You can see that I am no threat.”

    He nodded in agreement deciding that I wasn't worth the effort. However his companion didn't seem to agree as he knew Khajiit were either traders, thieves or assassins and I didn't look like a trader. That made me a thief or assassin in his eyes. “You are quite well built. You have strong arm muscles for a cat. You have clearly seen battle. Once again explain where you got the armour as I don't think it looks like nothing a refugee would wear. Your demeanour and physique would suggest you are more of a mercenary.”

    I looked at him and thought I'd better tell the truth. “I have come from Elsweyr to escape the Thalmor. Friends and family were lost and our nation, as you know have allied with the elves but many of my people still resist their rule. I have lived in Cyrodiil for a few months down in Leyawin taking any work I could find so I could gain enough money to get to Skyrim. I helped fend of bandits and drug dealers hence the armour was made for me. As for my physique, I like to keep myself fit so I can fight if need be. And to add Khajiits do not sweat. This armour is in need of replacement.”

    “OK, OK don't bore me. I'm not interested in petty politics of far away lands Ill never visit. However we will send word that you came to our superiors. Just to be on the safe side if you understand.” He paused and sighed pondering whether to refuse me entry or not. Just go through” he eventually continued.

    And it was as simple as that. The gate was opened and I was soon over the border and in what would hopefully be my new home. As the gate closed the first guard called out “Follow the road all the way to Riften. You should find refuge there.”

    The cold mountain air was thick with the smell of pine. The snow had stopped giving way to crystal blue sky. I could not see much of the land of Skyrim from this height due to the trees but I figured I would find out sooner or later. I knew of the city of Riften and it would have been my destination anyway. Like Leyawin it was a city full of mixed races where I would most probably fit in as I'd heard the Nords were racist but in certain cities other races were tolerated more. I'd just have to hope they would accept me.

    I was getting hungry. I hadn't eaten for nearly 12 hours now and there was nothing left in my backpack but stale bread. As a carnivore I needed meat not a few bits of stale bread I'd rescued from my belongings in my horse's saddle bags. Perhaps I should have cut off some meat from my horse. I sat on a nearby rock to take a break. “Poor beast” I thought out loud. He had succumbed to his injuries sustained in a bear attack 4 days ago. I was hoping he would last out till I'd got to Riften but the cold and hard toll up the mountain had finished him off.

    As I was pondering my situation I could hear boots crunching in the snow the way I'd just come. I didn't notice that I was been followed. I slid my dagger out of it's sheath and concealed it down the inside of my boot. Just in case.

    A tall, red argonian came round the corner dressed in heavy ebony armour and carrying a longsword across his back. He looked hard, mean and unforgiving with his bone horns on the top of his head, the scar down his face and cruel pale yellow eyes glinting in the sun. He stopped, sniffed the air and snarled softly. I readied my blade then he saw me.

    We stared at each other for a while then he looked round scanning the area hand on his sword. He then seemed to relax and held up his hands. “Greetings Khajiit” he said in a voice I didn't expect to come from such a brutal looking argonian. His voice was gravelly but yet soft and gentle. I put my dagger away carefully. “Greetings. I didn't see you behind me. Have you come from Cyrodiil?”

    The argonian came closer and stood beside me. “Mind if I join you” he said as he sat down beside me. I didn't really have a choice in the matter anyway but I thought I'd better not say no. “Of course. Be my guest.”

    There was an awkward silence and he didn't answer my question. “where are you heading? The college of Winterhold?”

    I hadn't thought of that. Since the mages guild was disbanded the only school of magic was the Mages College in the northern city of Winterhold. A well respected college and many travel to be educated by some of the best mages in all of Tamriel. It could be a possibility but I wasn't really interested in improving my skills. My simple healing spell and flame spell were enough to get by.

    “No” I mumbled through my bread swallowing it with difficulty. “I haven't really got anywhere in mind yet. I wanted to get away from the Thalmor and figured Skyrim would be my best chance.”

    The argonian laughed hard and turned to me. “You don't have much of an idea do you?” He asked as I looked back at him with surprise and a bit of anger. “Let me tell you something. Nords are the most racist towards the beast races. Neither of us are particularly welcome in Skyrim unless you make yourself known and make a place for yourself. Not easy I know. I live in Riften, well, sort of. I rent a room at the local inn but I'm hoping to obtain a permanent home once I have done enough of the Jarl's dirty work. I mean by that I'm a mercenary for hire. I work mainly for the Jarl but I will work for anyone if the pay is good enough. I've just returned from Morrowind but came via Cyrodiil to answer your earlier question. Just one of my 'errands.”

    “As for the Thalmor, you should have done some research. Despite the empire they still run Skyrim imposing their rules and regulations upon us. You will find their justicars everywhere – some not so obvious so you have to be careful who you trust. The empire are merely allowed to exist because of compromises which I assume you are aware of the white-gold concordat?” He laughed to himself at my apparent stupidity and belief the empire would welcome me with open arms.

    “Huh, yeah.” I mumbled wondering if I should just turn around now.

    He smiled revealing rows of razor sharp teeth. “Name's Slays-Many-Elves” he said welcoming me by a slap on the back knocking me forward causing me to slide off the rock. His strength was evident in those huge muscular arms. He offered his hand helping me up. I took it and muttered “Ji' Arsha.”

    He looked at me for a moment. “Ah you not married either. I know a bit about Khajiit names. The Ji prefix indicates a bachelor, yes?”

    “Yes” I answered. “I have never married. Not found anyone suitable yet.”

    “Huh. Well there may not be any Khajiit in Riften but there's plenty of ale and women. That's all I care about besides killing as you can guess by my name I don't favour elves.”

    “Seems we have something in common then.” After a short pause I added “Slays-Many-Elves isn't your real name is it?”

    The argonian seemed to look annoyed at that question but he answered anyway. “No, not really. It's my Cyrodiilic name and I didn't even think of it as it was given to me after a battle with those grey-skins whilst I was in Argonian controlled Morrowind. My real name would be unpronounceable to you. It's Han-Ei Nefelures anyway.”

    I ran the name over in my mind and decided that I would probably be unable to reproduce those hisses as he spoke his name.

    “I think I'll stick with Slays-Many-Elves. Or just Slays if that's okay?” I asked getting to my feet with Han-Ei joining me. “Come” he offered not answering my question. “Riften is a good 20 miles. We need to get moving if we want to make it there before dark. I will persuade the guards to let you in to the city. You won't stand a chance on your own. Khajiit are not normally permitted to enter cities of Skyrim without prior arrangement. They think your kind are all thieves.”

    Startled by this I decided to ask for more information. “What do you mean. Khajiit are 'not allowed' inside cities?

    “As I said” Came the sarcastic reply. “I would have thought you would have checked before coming here. The Nords do not allow any into the city as you are all branded thieves. The only exception is Winterhold due to the college but even then go to the local tavern you won't be welcome.”

    I looked down dumbfounded. Maybe Hammerfell would have been a better destination.

    “Don't look so miserable. Ill get you into the city then Ill show you the bunkhouse and brothel. Plenty of ale and dirty women to be had in there Ill tell you.”

    I frowned at his suggestion of the brothel. “I thought you said there are no Khajiit in the city? I queried.

    Slays-Many-Elves grinned. “There isn't. Likewise for Argonians. Females anyway.” There was a brief pause. “I tell a lie actually. There's two but one is so addled on Skooma and the other married to the innkeeper so that's them out.”

    I began to wonder and my throat went dry. Would this explain why he was so friendly earlier?

    He read the look on my face and laughed. “don't worry about that. I did say women.”

    “You mean humans?” I said shocked.

    “Yes, Nords to be precise. There's three of them that are willing to entertain an argonian for an evening – or a whole night if I so choose. I'm not fussy. Ill bed anything that moves as long as I'm satisfied if you get my meaning. Huh Huh” He looked down at me. “Don't know if you're interested or not but you can come for the ale and company if anything. There's other argonians there. For example Madesi. He's a market trader who just comes to drink himself into a stupor but he's a decent guy. He will pay you well for any good quality gems should you shall we say, accidentally find some?”

    “No I think Ill give that a miss, thanks. But I would welcome your company to the city” I said carefully. I didn't want to offend him as I wouldn't stand a chance against him.

    We started walking but his pace was much faster than mine and I had to run to keep up. Our friendship was never going to work. Once inside the city I would either look for employment and go our separate ways or perhaps make my way to Winterhold. My options were still open yet.

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Comments

4 Comments
  • Teekus
    Teekus   ·  January 1, 2016
    Thanks!
    I have some more written so the first few chapters will be released at daily intervals. As for the Argonian, well the story is based around my 3rd character the Khajiit. Slays-Many-Elves / Han-Ei Nefelures was my second (non dragonborn) char...  more
  • Andrew Shepherd
    Andrew Shepherd   ·  January 1, 2016
    This is an interesting start Teekus. :)
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  January 1, 2016
    Great to see this up. Nice to see Sotek and Aela aren't the only 'interspecies' about.
  • ShyGuyWolf
    ShyGuyWolf   ·  January 1, 2016
    Great Tale so far. Glad your Argonian is in it.