Alda'hirakam ghar Ara; Chapter 5

  •  

    In his large and comfy bed of fine canvas, in the middle of the soft cushion pillows Mogrul slept. Next to him slept his lover, chained. He liked her that way - not able to escape. On his nightstand was a heavy leather pouch, full of coins of azura’s silver. Mogrul was satisfied and happy - Raven Rock had been made his rule of Kingdom and he was its Kingpin. The dark skins were forced to serve him and the reavers who visited the town. Things couldn’t be better.

    Mogrul sat up and glanced at his chained lover as he slid his hand under the cover with a grin. His lover shivered under his touch and the Orc looked towards the door. “Slitter!” He called for his loyal guard dog, but no answer came. “Curse him if he’s drunk again.” He rumbled as he slid from the bed, grabbing his Kingpin tunic before heading outside, in the sunny day.


    A content grunt escaped Mogrul’s lips when he woke up from his blissful dream of the happier days. It had put him in a great mood, and he felt nothing could ruin his day. The Orc hoped his guard was up and ready to go.

    Outside of his room, Mogrul found his guard sleeping with a few bottles of Sujamma. As if he’d been drinking his worries away. The Orc rubbed his chin. Unbelievable. If Slitter was like this now, his future in Mogrul’s vision didn’t look promising.

    “Slitter! Get up! We got work to do!” The Orc bellowed. A sound caught his attention and Mogrul turned his head towards the bar. The sound had melody as if someone was humming a tune that he didn’t recognize. With narrowed eyes, the future Kingpin of Raven Rock walked to the bar, finding Geldis humming while cleaning his mugs.

    The inn keeper became quiet when Mogrul approached the bar, his face was grim. The Orc stared at him for a long moment. The inn was quiet apart from Slitter’s drunken moans as he was slowly getting up. “Has something good happened here?” Geldis heard the Orc growling and he shook his head. “Nothing.”

    “I thought so.” Mogrul grunted and looked at Slitter, who now was walking unsteadily towards him. The mer had a face like he was drowning in troubles. “What’s the matter with you? Fighting with the reavers again?” he chuckled, but frowned when his guard cast his eyes on the floor. “Did you find out anything?” His tone was even.

    “No, they haven’t seen him.” Slitter muttered, rubbing his neck. He still remembered the pain in his arm and dreadful words that promised his death. He hadn’t experienced being so helpless as back then. But, he hadn’t died, yet. It was a warning. Slitter nodded inwardly to himself. A fist smacked the side of his face, sending him to the floor.

    “I want him found!” Mogrul barked, then he thought a moment and smiled. “I have a better idea. Outside. Now.”



    With his hood on his head and  the Emberbrand wine bottle in his hand, Ciel’nn observed the reavers. He didn’t know how loyal they were to hogger and Slitter. Befriending them was a gamble at the Hlaalu table; they might not believe him and kill him. But, if they were thirsty he might have a chance to bend them - after all the wine he had was sweet as the strawberries from the Summerset Isles. The young mer took a deep breath and approached the camp, steadily.

    The reaver on watch sprang on his feet and looked at the new comer. “What do you want? This is Mogrul’s camp, so shove off unless you want to die, s’wit.” He said loudly that it so got the others’ attention, and they started to draw their weapons.

    Ciel’nn frowned, but smiled then. “This the right camp then. I was looking for you. I thought if you are willing to give some details on the situation in exchange for this.” He raised the wine bottle in the air so every reaver in the camp saw it. “I know Slitter left you to die of thirst.” He added. The reaver closest to him was drooling. “Emberbrand wine.” Ciel’nn heard him mumbling.

    “Do you have more of that?” Sildras asked behind his drooling mate. “And, which one of the situations because we have several. Are you looking to join us?” the leading reaver asked curiously.

    “Perhaps.” The young mer replied, lowering the wine. At least they’re talking now. “You’ll have this sweet bottle if you tell me about Mogrul.”

    “We’re thirsty as fuck, but going against Mogrul is suicide!” another reaver said near the campfire.

    “Shut up, Geron. Let’s listen to the kid. Maybe he’s up to something.” Sildras snapped and looked to Ciel’nn. “Alright, I’m willing to trade. I think most of us are fed up with the Orc.” He gazed around the camp, getting nods. “Come on kid, let’s talk then.”

    Ciel’nn watched them drink the wine with heavy sighs as if they were tasting the sweet nectar for the first time. It looked like they had forgotten him, but then Sildras turned to him. “This bottle is a life savior, kid. It’ll keep them sane at least for a while.” He paused for a moment. “I don’t know what you are up to with the Orc, but he’s been on this island for a year and things have been shit ever since. He controls the gangs with Slitter, who is twisted as fuck, so I don’t know if it’s worth to join now.” Another pause as Sildras sighed. “How many gangs does he control?” he heard the youngling asking him. The reaver rubbed his forehead. “Around eight. Some of them are assholes, true loyalists.”

    “Aren’t you then?” Ciel’nn asked as he eyed the camp. The reavers were telling stories of lust and laughing. He still knew the situation was unsafe to let down his guard. The reaver was giving hints of how they lived under Mogrul’s iron grip, and they hated it.

    “Like I said, kid, we’re fed up being bossed around. Wish the green skin would break his neck and die. Would fix many issues. Why would you want to join? I know you’re the one Slitter seeks.” Sildras’ voice was calm, but neutral. In fact, he was curious about this youngling - he had the nerve into walk to their camp and ask details. Sweet Azura, time changes…

    Ciel’nn hadn’t expected to be anonymous for long. He a had hard time not to move or show any signs of panic. Instead, he flashed a dark smirk at the reaver, although the mer wasn’t sure if he should trust them. “Let’s just say, his time is up. Raven Rock is a Dunmeri town, and I can’t watch his ugly face while he ruins everyone’s life there and here. Someone needs to pull the rug out of off his feet.”

    “You’re planning something dangerous.” Sildras mused as a smile crept on the corner of his mouth. “I’d like to see him dead, too.” The reaver thought a bit. “Tell you what, kid. If you bring more wine, I’ll have a chat with my boys and stay out of your way.”

    “How I can trust you?” Ciel’nn asked in a neutral tone. “I want a proof that you won’t go back  on your words.” He knew he was pulling strings dangerously. “You’ll get Sujamma in a trade for a proof or a contract.” He added seriously like a Hlaalu trader in the market.

    Sildras chuckled. “You sweeten the deal like a Hlaalu.”

    “Ex-Hlaalu.” Ciel’nn fixed.

    “Oh, that so? I’m ex-Dres.” Sildras grinned. “But, as you wish, ex-Hlaalu, a contract you’ll get and I’ll get the sujamma.” He turned to grab a bit parchment paper and charcoal. “Now then…”




    Ciel’nn left the reavers with their bottle and a contract in his hands. He was thrilled about the prospect of the first contract he’d ever made! Even if they were reavers, he’d gotten valuable information he’d use against the hogger’s tiny Kingdom. He’d learned the trading business from his mother when she had gone to the market to sell the potions and cures. Ciel’nn had watched for hours how his mother bargained with buyers and other merchants. He always thought it was boring, being Hlaalu and all, but he never thought he’d need it like he did now. Thank you mother for dragging me into the market. Still, he hated the shit-house Hlaalu, for allying with the Empire and all.

    The three guards at the other gate eyed Ciel’nn as he approached them. He had an odd feeling about them as he walked through the gate once they opened it. It was a sensation he couldn’t figure out. It wasn’t close to the feel of dread he used to feel around the Dremora Lord. The mer shrugged it off and strolled down the path to the market area and noticed Mirri Severin coming towards him with a smile.

    “There you are, handsome.” She began as she blocked the young mer’s path. “I’ve been looking for you, sweetling. I’m bored, would you offer a girl a drink?” She murmured with a hopeful spark in her eyes and taking the mer’s hand into her own.

    Ciel’nn wanted to withdraw his hand, but thought a moment. It would be good to know the locals, too. “Why not?” he smiled and let Mirri lead him to the Retching Netch. He caught the look of the alchemist, who frowned at him. Ciel’nn frowned back at her and put on a neutral mask. I hope it’s not politics, anything but politics!

    Mirri led him through the Retching Netch door and her grip on Ciel’nn’s hand was firm. Ciel’nn winced at the pressure - going to leave a bruise at that rate! Why does she hold my hand so firmly? When they stepped down the stairs, he heard the hogger talking to someone, and then it hit him - a trap! His entire being screamed for a trap and he wanted to escape, but Mirri was determined to bring him downstairs. The mer didn’t want to face the Orc yet while he didn’t have any allies inside the town. Ciel’nn bit his lower lip as they reached the bottom floor.

    Mogrul was talking to the bladesman about hiring him, when Mirri said “I have him”, but the Orc ignored her. The others were talking quietly. Ciel’nn’s heart raced. N’chow! What to do? He noted the bladesman looking at him with a neutral expression, but he flashed a smirk at the young mer.

    On the moment when Mogrul said, “About the payment…”, Ciel’nn broke free from Mirri’s grip, sending her to the floor with a stunned face, and he put on a smirk as he walked towards the bladesman. He kept his eyes on the mer and said in Dunmeri. “Sera,” he began as sat in the bladesman’s lap, wrapping his hands around his neck and whispered, “if you become my partner, Teldryn Sero, we can share the wealth and dangers.” His tone was soft and the way he said the bladesman’s name was melodic. “Play along, if you agree.” Ciel’nn added in the softest tone, still in Dunmeri.

    Teldryn was a bit surprised when the youngling had sat straight into his lap, but he recovered quickly. He glanced at Mogrul for a second, then put his hand around the young mer. “Sorry, Orc, looks like someone already got me.” He grinned, tilting his head slightly when the younger mer laid his head on his shoulder. Is he scared of the Orc now? The bladesman looked to Mirri, who was getting up from the floor. Figures, are they working for the Orc, too? Or, forced to?

    Mogrul wasn’t sure how to feel about the sudden change in the events. He was certain the mercenary could see his way as he was already going to pay the sum, even double it. Then the kid arrived out of the shadows and had the nerve to snatch the mercenary right from his palm, like a runt steals candy from the another runt. The fucking nerve! And, he dared to talk in Dunmeri so Mogrul couldn’t understand. The Orc slammed his fist onto the table next to the bladesman, sending the items on it into the air. Mogrul grunted in a low tone and turned away. “Slitter!” he bellowed in such fury that put the Dunmer cowering in their seats - all, but the mercenary.  The fucking kid is now protected… Maybe I can beat a bit sense into Slitter so he can do his job properly. He let out a drastic growl and stormed up the stair, Slitter emerging from the shadows after his boss.

    Mirri had moved to a nearby table and got questionable looks from the others. Even the blacksmith was looking at her disapprovingly. She looked down and pretended she wasn’t there. Mirri hated this whole island, why she was forced to work here. She’d rather be at Morrowind, back in Mournhold.

    Once the Orc was gone, Ciel’nn dared to shift his head up from the bladesman’s shoulder. For a moment he was sure the hogger would crush them both when he heard the table nearly shattering. It was frightening at first, but the bladesman hadn’t moved an inch - Ciel’nn knew he was safe at least for the moment. He wasn’t scared of the hogger, no, he just didn’t want to face him - not now when he had the disadvantage. The young mer let out a sigh and looked to Teldryn before he slid away from him.

    “That was one hell of a way to dance me over, kid. Were you serious?” The bladesman asked, slightly amused at the whole event. The kid had something going on, he could sense it and Teldryn wanted to know more of it.

    Ciel’nn tilted his head and smiled. “I never play with my offers. Yes, I am still serious if you’re a competent mer, sera. I’m Ciel’nn Sarion.” He extended his hand.

    Teldryn stood up and grabbed the youngling’s hand in a firm handshake. “Teldryn Sero - the best bladesman of all Morrowind.” Interesting kid.

    The young mer cocked up a dark brow. “You can’t be the best because I haven’t heard of you.” He flashed a doubting look. But, in truth Ciel’nn wanted to know more.

    The bladesman laughed. “Now you have. Wait when we get to fighting. You’ll see; I won’t let you down.” He paused to see Ciel’nn’s face brightening up into a smile. “Let’s have a drink for our partnership then.”

    Ciel’nn was pleased at his own results, even the last part of it he had to improvise by doing what he did best, charm. By offering a partnership for Teldryn, he avoided paid a coin. He didn’t want to pay for a mercenary because there was always others who pays the higher price if they must, and the partnership was more a solid contract based on two persons in agreement, and both would benefit from it.

    They sat at the bar where Geldis was smirking at them. “Sujamma as before, Ciel’nn?” he asked, and the mer nodded. The inn keeper took out the cups and poured the liquid into them.
    Ciel’nn looked to his new companion, who flashed a smirk. “So, what’s our plan, Ciel’nn?” He heard Teldryn asking. The young mer smiled. His voice is so damn tantalizing! I could listen to it all night. I took him from the hogger and he’s all mine!

     

     

    Back to ToC

     

Comments

9 Comments   |   Wulfhedinn and 5 others like this.
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  July 12, 2018
    Hehe, lovers in chains. That's interesting and hahaha at Ciel scoring Teldryn. 
  • The Sunflower Manual
    The Sunflower Manual   ·  May 29, 2018
    Mogrul's got some nasty kinks...


    And Teldryn just sat there and let Ciel put his hands on him, didn't he? Bet he enjoyed it too. Meow.
  • HaggisHunter
    HaggisHunter   ·  March 23, 2018
    I'm glad that Ciel'nn is slowly getting allies to help him in his camaign against Mogrul. It's not easy doing all this alone and especially getting Teldryn right from under Mogrul's nose.
    Having a chained lover reminds me of the Red Mages of Thay fr...  more
  • GailOlm
    GailOlm   ·  March 21, 2018
    It was great to see Teldryn enter the story. (L) You've captured his temperament perfectly. As a fan of your "Shared Wealth" series, I loved Ciel'nn's line, " if you become my partner, Teldryn Sero, we can share the wealth and dangers.”   (L)
    • Caladran
      Caladran
      GailOlm
      GailOlm
      GailOlm
      It was great to see Teldryn enter the story. (L) You've captured his temperament perfectly. As a fan of your "Shared Wealth" series, I loved Ciel'nn's line, " if you become my partner, Teldryn Sero, we can share the wealth and dangers.”   (L)
        ·  March 21, 2018
      Yay! I knew you'd like it. :)  I had such a blast writing that scene.
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  March 20, 2018
    Hehehe. The hogger be pissed. Ciel just strolls in and takes Teldryn right from under Mogrul's hand. Well played. Bet Ciel just wanted a... piece of Teldryn for himself. :D
    • Caladran
      Caladran
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Hehehe. The hogger be pissed. Ciel just strolls in and takes Teldryn right from under Mogrul's hand. Well played. Bet Ciel just wanted a... piece of Teldryn for himself. :D
        ·  March 20, 2018
      I had another idea for that scene, but it wasn't as fun as this one. Yes, Ciel'nn can't allow Mog to have Teldryn at all because he has other plans!  :D
    • Wulfhedinn
      Wulfhedinn
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Hehehe. The hogger be pissed. Ciel just strolls in and takes Teldryn right from under Mogrul's hand. Well played. Bet Ciel just wanted a... piece of Teldryn for himself. :D
        ·  March 20, 2018
      I can see that happening ;)
  • Wulfhedinn
    Wulfhedinn   ·  March 19, 2018
    This was awesome! Loved the bit about Mogrul's lover, that was dark as shit! Really cool, trevan!