Where the Roots Lie; Chapter 2

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    Chapter 2


    The two weeks travel on foot wore Ciel’nn out because he didn’t want to buy a guar. He didn’t have a lot of things with him and traveling lightly was usually a smart choice. He had slept in safe enough shelter outside, only to wake up to stare at a s’wit of a reaver, who had tried to take his backpack. Being tired from traveling, Ciel’nn ended the reaver’s life rather savagely with a growl.



    In other nights he slept in Redoran cities like Ald’Silgrad and bought more supplies for the rest of the journey. Ciel’nn was rather disgusted when he noticed the Inn keeper selling guar foods. The mer never eat guars - they were either pets or pack animals to him. Knowing his trip was in half way before he’d arrive at Mournhold put him in better mood. The next stop would be at Mournhold, before that he wouldn’t take major pauses.



    Ciel’nn realized how much he had missed Mournhold as the walls of the city came into his view. The mer took a deep breath. He had scratches and minor cuts from fights with the reavers, his face was covered in dirt, to his annoyance his hair was a mess and rough and his whole body was aching and tired from the travel. It was a wonder how he was still standing. Still, he had to go on just a little while, he told himself, before he could rest.



    The city hadn’t changed a lot, if at all, when Ciel’nn walked through the gateway, but he wasn’t going to look around. The hostel, as he remembered it, was on the other side of the city and the mer slowly shifted to walk across the city.  He got some shocked if not disgusted looks from the other mer who passed by him. “Must have been in a tomb, or something.” They said. S’wits. Ciel’nn sighed.



    He stared in disbelief at the hostel which was actually a brothel. Somehow he always had thought it was a hostel, or maybe it was his childhood memory - he wasn’t sure. Whatever the case was, he still needed to go in and look for his friend. If he still works in there that is. Ciel’nn shrugged his shoulders and opened the door, marching in. The lobby was still the same to his memory; he really couldn’t tell if anything had changed or not.



    There was a fancy styled female Dunmer behind the counter. She eyed the mer. “You look quite young, boy. How I may help you?”



    Ciel’nn stepped closer the counter. “Sera… Does Maros still work here?” He asked in a tired tone. His own voice sounded rough as Oblivion to his own ears, but he suppressed his grimace by biting his lower lip.



    The female Dunmer seemed to think a while before she replied. “Oh, you fancy Maros! He’s our star these days. I bet you can’t afford him.” She flashed a coy smile.



    N’chow… I need to rest.  The mer stared for a second. “I bet you don’t remember me, do you? Loliah was it?” Ciel’nn snarled. “I just came to see my friend if you don’t mind.” He observed Loliah gasping in mild shock as she recalled him from a long time ago, then she bloomed into a warm smile.



    “You’re… the boy, whose face was bruised and took shelter from here! You’re Ciel’nn!” Loliah beamed in joy as she finally remembered the scene. “I’m sorry, it’s been a life time for me. I was a dancer back then and now I’m the manager.”



    “Whatever.  Is Maros still in the same room?” Ciel’nn snapped. He remembered the woman vaguely, and she was becoming annoying — he couldn’t care less if she was the manager, or not.



    “Yes, Maros. He’s on the second floor, last room. It’s nice to see you’re still doing well.” Loliah nodded with a smile.



    You have no idea.



    The mer just nodded tiredly and headed for the stairs. It was a relief his friend was still around, and that thought made him nervous as he climbed the stairs while taking his sweet time. He had left without a word, nor sent a word to Maros before he left to look for his cousin. It’s been a while and Ciel’nn wondered how Maros might react for seeing him like this. Maros was older than him after all. Finally he reached the end of the corridor and stopped for a brief moment before knocking on the door. Hopefully he lets me rest here because I can’t walk anymore.



    “Better have a damn good reason to come at this time of day!” A familiar voice snapped, then there were foot steps before the door opened. A still beautiful Dunmer male with short reddish hair and dressed in relaxed clothing, stared at the younger mer, who was leaning against the door frame. Maros’ expression softened as he realized who was looking at him. “Well, I’ll be damned. Ciel’nn Sarion - you look like a kwama shit, daeljuhn.” The older mer crossed his arms on his chest while Ciel’nn burst into a laugh.



    Ciel’nn was relieved - Maros hadn’t changed at all. Still the same old snappy mer. “Daeljuhn, it’s good to see you, too.” He smiled after his laugh and was barely standing. “Maros, can I stay over a day or two?” After he’d said that, Ciel’nn collapsed and Maros had to catch him in his arms before the younger mer hit the floor. “Where in Oblivion have you been, hm? Let’s get you inside. By Azura, you stink too!”


    After a bath and some good sleep, Ciel’nn was somewhat back to his normal-self, but he was still tired. Maros had been a good friend and had bought some food for them. The young mer was sitting and sipping some imported honey tea while he listened to his friend’s rant.



    “I still can’t believe you left without a word. Nearly 5 years! I was worried!” Maros scolded as he glanced at Ciel’nn. “Are you alright at all? And, what happened to your face?” He frowned and sipped his own tea.



    “Where to begin?” Ciel’nn sighed. He really didn’t want think back in time, but he owed Maros an explanation. “My cousin went missing and I had to try and find him.” He tried to explain how things went, even how much it hurt him.



    “You wanted a Nord? You, Ciel’nn Sarion wanted a Nord. Tell me he was handsome at least.” Maros shook his head slightly in disbelief. “I thought you was into our own kind, even it’s not looked at a good way.”



    “I’m still! I just… uh…” The younger mer had to think a bit. “He was a handsome Nord.” He fought back the bitter feeling and tears that threatened to spill out. “Calm down, I was joking.” He heard Maros comforting him.  “I guess I was feeling lonely after I didn’t have anyone familiar around me.”



    The older Dunmer set down his cup on a tea table and came to hug the younger mer. “It’s alright. I think we all are sometimes lost and confused.” Maros brushed the black silken hair of Ciel’nn. He pulled the younger mer closer to him as Ciel’nn started sobbing. “You’re at home now. You need time to recover and do whatever you need to find yourself again.” The older mer knew he was stating the obvious, but it was better to keep talking than let Ciel’nn cry in silence. “That Dremora Lord, is he gone now?” The older mer asked in a gentle tone.



    “I don’t know. I haven’t had nightmares for a while, but then my dreams are unclear.” Ciel’nn replied while he took a deep breath. “The whole Oblivion visit was a blur.” He added while he traced Maros’ ring. Silver and a few tiny gems…hmm. “Do you still have my apartment key?” His apartment probably needed some cleaning before he’d set up in there for the time he’d stay and plan what to do next.

    “Let’s hope it stays away then. If it comes here, I’ll kill it for you.” Maros promised. “And, of course I have your key. How long do you plan to stay at the city?”



    “Maybe a week until I figure out what to do. I have some things to set right, too.” Ciel’nn replied while he had calmed down, but Maros didn’t let go of him. He could only smile about the remark of killing the Dremora Lord. “I’ve missed you.”



    “Me too. Let’s go out and have some dinner. I still have a lot to ask from you.” Maros planted a soft kiss on Ciel’nn’s forehead before standing up. He helped the mer up before they headed towards the door.

     

     

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    Note: "daeljuhn" means friend

    http://casualscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Dunmeri_language

Comments

4 Comments   |   Karver the Lorc and 4 others like this.
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  July 11, 2018
    Yeah I use that website for Albee's dunmeri dialogue in Chasing Aetherius. Good site. Seems like he and Maros are old buddies. 
  • GailOlm
    GailOlm   ·  February 6, 2018
    I'm glad that Ciel'nn was able to reconnect with an old friend. Hopefully he was able to find some comfort as he expressed grief over some of the things he had been through. 
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  February 6, 2018
    Old friends reunited, old feelings rekindled. This could be the perfect place for Ciel to grief, or at least work through it, because it seems to me that so far he's been holding it inside him, letting it build. So, yeah, it's good he now has the chance t...  more
    • Caladran
      Caladran
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Old friends reunited, old feelings rekindled. This could be the perfect place for Ciel to grief, or at least work through it, because it seems to me that so far he's been holding it inside him, letting it build. So, yeah, it's good he now has the chance t...  more
        ·  February 6, 2018
      Yes, Ciel'nn has habit to build things up inside him and Maros will help him to heal. He was there when Ciel's father was mean, too.