Where the Roots Lie; Chapter 1

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    Chapter 1

     

    The trade ship arrived at the harbor of Blacklight in the late evening. The journey had been uneventful which to the Dunmer was thankful. Traveling by ship should make one refreshed, but it made the mer tired.

    His plans were to rent a room for the next couple of days before heading to Mournhold which was a two week trip. Ciel’nn tried to remember where the nearest Inn was while he pulled his hood on and strolled towards the stairs to second level of the city. He avoided bumping into other mer since he wasn’t in the mood to talk with anybody, but an Inn keeper.

    It felt strange to be back among his own kind. It felt like he had been gone for a longer time than three and a half years. The mer doubted anything had changed; the Great House Redoran and House Hlaalu kept bickering no doubt. But, in truth he wasn’t interested in house wars or their politics.

    “The Gawking Cliff Racer” it read on the sign as the mer stopped by the door. Briefly he wondered what kind of people there might be in there before Ciel’nn opened the door. There wasn’t a lot of people as far as Ciel’nn could see; the majority was Dunmer, a few Nords and a Redguard.  Only the Dunmer glanced in his direction. The mer shrugged slightly before he proceeded towards the counter.

    “One room, please.” Ciel’nn said in a rough tone.

    The Inn keeper, Dathus, nodded, and turned to pick up the key from a box. “Here you go, Sera. Third room from the left.” He frowned after the mer, who picked up his room key and strolled slowly towards the corridor. But, whatever bothered the mer wasn’t his business so he went back to his job. Thankfully the evening was peaceful.

    Ciel’nn dropped his backpack and satchel on the floor once he had closed the door. He let out a deep sigh when he sat on the bed. The weariness of the travels came over him like a heavy blanket and he needed sleep. I forgot to eat, but I can eat in the morning. His eyes wandered around the small room until he saw a book ‘A lusty Argonian Maiden Volume two.’ Ciel’nn stared at it in disbelief and picked it up from the nightstand, browsing through the pages. Can’t believe they still read this crap, he thought while a sweet yawn escaped from his lips. He put it down and settled down to sleep. I need a bath, too. Azura guard my sleep.

    The mer took a deep breath as the loss of the young warrior still stung him. He guessed he should have known it wouldn’t last long with the Thalmor and all. He’d need time, a lot of time to recover from everything. Knowing himself, Ciel’nn hadn’t recovered from the Celani’s death - the mer still felt guilty about it. He snuggled against his pillow as tears rolled out as he cried himself to sleep.

    In the morning, Ciel’nn had a bath and now he was having some mud-crab soup and water along with a sweetbread and stoneflower tea. He was eating with a good appetite while he listened to the gossip about the arena event that was said to happen in the evening. It seems Redoran and Hlaalu were up and at it again. House Hlaalu was losing the events lately.  Ciel’nn rolled his eyes for the news as he took a sip from his tea and scowled - it tasted odd! It had been a long time since he had it. He had forgotten how good those sweet bread tasted, heavenly.

    Ciel’nn eyed the daggers and swords on the display. While he had no idea of blacksmithing in general, he knew quality when he saw it. The mer shook his head. “No, how much is it if you make me one special chitin dagger - your best?” He asked from Grendis Rolovo, the smith of Blacklight.

    Grendis grinned. “What’s this? Everyone want Grendis’ best these days.”
    Ciel’nn frowned a tiny bit. “What do you mean?”
    “Just that, there was one Dunmer, who also wanted my best chitin armor.” The smith replied, “But, I can make you the best dagger. What do you do plan to do with it?”
    Ciel’nn leaned closer to the mer and flashed a dark smirk. “Now, how much does it cost?”
    “You have that dark look about you. Let’s say one thousand five hundred Azura's silver.” Grendis replied thoughtfully.
    “Add a new set of chitin armor with the price, too. When would they be ready?” Ciel’nn tilted his head while he put a stray hair behind his ear.
    “Tomorrow evening. I’ll start working as soon as possible if you’re planning not to stay for long.”
    “Alright, I’ll pick them up tomorrow, then.” Ciel’nn nodded with a smile and strolled away to look at the other stores.

    The crowd wasn’t very excited as previously four House Hlaalu fighters had lost to four Great House Redoran Knights. They were taking a formation and prepared for the battle. Ciel’nn idly watched the fight breaking to furious clashing between the two houses from his place, at the middle ring of seats. The way Redoran Knights fought peaked his interest and the mer found himself watching them intensely.  The fighting style was immediate and unforgiving. I wonder if I can mix those moves into my style of fighting. Ciel’nn noted every move and blade twist that he could commit to memory.

    “This arena could use a change.” Someone said from the upper row while everyone saw House Hlaalu was losing again.
    “Really. This is getting boring. Why don’t they bring Nords to fight?” Another voice replied.
    “We need new blood for sure. For excitement.” Third voice said in an approving tone.

    Ciel’nn heard the talk even he was focused on the battle below. He had seen how the Redoran fight now and the mer pondered if he had any chance against them. Of course he’d had a partner. Alone he wouldn’t have a chance against the Redoran Elites.  To join the event was an exciting and daunting idea. I wonder if they accept duels? He watched the event ending with the Redoran Knights being victorious. It had been nearly boring, but Ciel’nn had learned something and he left the arena in deep thoughts.

    The Temple was beautiful and well kept. Ciel’nn bit his lower lip as he walked further into the room where the Shrines of Azura, Mephala and Boethiah were. Slowly he walked in front of the Shrine of Azura and knelt down with a deep breath. His intention was to find the link back to his Daedric Prince he’d lost and meditate at Mephala’s Shrine since he had something to ask, lastly was Boethiah to root him back where he was before. It felt an eternity since he’d felt anything like home.

     

     

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    Note: Yes, chapters will be shorter than usual.

Comments

10 Comments   |   GailOlm and 4 others like this.
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  July 11, 2018
    Nice to get back to your work Caladran. Hopefully Ciel will finds what he needs in Morrowind. 
    • Caladran
      Caladran
      The Long-Chapper
      The Long-Chapper
      The Long-Chapper
      Nice to get back to your work Caladran. Hopefully Ciel will finds what he needs in Morrowind. 
        ·  July 11, 2018
      I'm glad you decided to continue Ciel's story. :)
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  July 4, 2018
    I am begining to think it is universal to drop backpacks on the floor. :)
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  February 6, 2018
    Good to see Ciel back so soon. This reads sort of like a vacation, which is so fitting since I'm on one too currently. It is also interesting to see Hlaalu still popping up, but guess they never accept they're not at the steering wheel anymore, right? :) ...  more
    • Caladran
      Caladran
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Good to see Ciel back so soon. This reads sort of like a vacation, which is so fitting since I'm on one too currently. It is also interesting to see Hlaalu still popping up, but guess they never accept they're not at the steering wheel anymore, right? :) ...  more
        ·  February 6, 2018
      Thanks! Yeah, Hlaalu is struggling and bickering with Redoran. I thought it would be funny.

      Oh, right. I'll fix that price, but what's Morrowind currency? Drakes?  I'm not sure.
      • Karver the Lorc
        Karver the Lorc
        Caladran
        Caladran
        Caladran
        Thanks! Yeah, Hlaalu is struggling and bickering with Redoran. I thought it would be funny.

        Oh, right. I'll fix that price, but what's Morrowind currency? Drakes?  I'm not sure.
          ·  February 6, 2018
        Drakes and Septims is the same currency. Because ne one side is Tiber Septim's head and on the other is the Dragon symbol of Empire. And it's ironic, but the Lore never actually talks about any other currency than Septims, but can you imagine Aldmeri Domi...  more
        • Caladran
          Caladran
          Karver the Lorc
          Karver the Lorc
          Karver the Lorc
          Drakes and Septims is the same currency. Because ne one side is Tiber Septim's head and on the other is the Dragon symbol of Empire. And it's ironic, but the Lore never actually talks about any other currency than Septims, but can you imagine Aldmeri Domi...  more
            ·  February 6, 2018
          Alright, I'll think of something. :) Maybe Azura's silvers, or something.
          • Karver the Lorc
            Karver the Lorc
            Caladran
            Caladran
            Caladran
            Alright, I'll think of something. :) Maybe Azura's silvers, or something.
              ·  February 6, 2018
            That sounds good :)
  • GailOlm
    GailOlm   ·  February 2, 2018
    This seems like a fitting transition chapter between 'Protected, no longer' and the next stage of Ciel'nn's adventures, especially considering the intensity of the closing chapters of that story. I'm sure that Ciel'nn needs time to process what happened a...  more
    • Caladran
      Caladran
      GailOlm
      GailOlm
      GailOlm
      This seems like a fitting transition chapter between 'Protected, no longer' and the next stage of Ciel'nn's adventures, especially considering the intensity of the closing chapters of that story. I'm sure that Ciel'nn needs time to process what happened a...  more
        ·  February 6, 2018
      Thanks! I'll try to bring details with each chapter. And, we know who is the another Dunmer with Chitin armor. xD