Alda'hirakam ghar Ara; Chapter 15

  • ...Ash yam, Ash Spawn, Ash yam, Ash Spawn, Ash yam, Ash Spawn…

    Ciel’nn stared at his ash yam soup while he tried to decide which was worse. The ash yams weren’t his favorite food, but he still would eat them even if he knew how bland they were. He still missed the steamed mudcrab legs with the wine. And, not to forget the succulent mudcrab soup which was delicious. The young mer sighed as he picked a piece of ash yam and ate it. Guess I should go hunting mudcrabs myself and tell Geldis to put them on the menu. He nodded to himself. Perhaps I should cook myself when we’re going out of town.

    His arm still ached, but it wasn’t so bad. Milore’s potions and the netch jelly did their job, and Ciel’nn’s arm was healing well.

    “An Azura’s silver for your thoughts?” Teldryn asked in a low tone as he sat down at the table, opposite the young mer. He had fried saltrice and an ash yam bread on his plate, along with a cup of Sujamma. Glancing at his partner, it seemed he hadn’t heard him - the older mer frowned. “Ciel’nn? He poked the mer on the shoulder, hoping to get his attention.

    Feeling the gentle poke, Ciel’nn shifted his head to look at his partner. “Have you ever tasted steamed mudcrab legs, Teldryn?” He asked before he took another spoonful of his soup, wondering if his partner would like his cooking. A smile crept on his lips as the older mer seemed to be thinking.

    Taking a bite of his bread, Teldryn thought for a moment. He couldn’t remember if he had tasted steamed mudcrab legs that his partner seemed to be pondering about. “Can’t say I have. Do you fancy them?” The older mer replied, taking a sip of his cup. His partner’s face lightened up as glanced at him.

    “No? Well, I mean, we could go grab a few when it’s possible. I can cook a few dishes with the mudcrabs.” It was a curious suggestion. Ciel’nn discovered he’d never offered to cook anything to someone before, not even to Celani. There was never time for it. “I still haven’t tried steamed mudcrab legs with Sujamma.” I’m going to make sure we have time for it.

    Nobody had cooked for the older mer before as far as Teldryn was concerned. It would be good to try. “Sounds good to me. I haven’t had a dish like that before.” He replied and paused for a moment. “Then, we can eat on the road as well.” The older mer flashed a grin before he finished his food. The older mer was aware of his words having a multi-meaning, but he’d let the young mer think whatever he would. For now, his partner only smiled.

    It was hard to not show too much excitement, but Ciel’nn still flashed an excited smirk. “I wonder if they sell spears here. We might need one when we go to get a mudcrab.” He only needed to know a good spot for harpooning the crabs.

    The patrolling Redoran Guard walked slightly wobbly as he passed the young mer. Ciel’nn raised a dark brow as he watched the guard casually strolling toward the other end of the town. It’s like he’s nearly drunk. His turned to the guard near the Inn. That one is tipsy the way he’s nodding to the Captain. And, it seems he’s not happy. The young mer was having a walk since Milore had said, “No hard labor for several days.” Ciel’nn had been amused because he’d never done any hard labor work in his entire life. What he was willing to try was gardening some deathbells and nightshades. That’d be a great garden to keep. He mused to himself and looked up when Captain Veleth walked towards him.

    “You did a great job with the Ash — “ the Captain began, but the young mer cut him short.

    “Not a word of the Ash Spawn, Captain.” Ciel’nn warned in a low tone as he pointed a finger at the Captain while he leaned against a barrel - his favorite spot to observe. The young mer had enough of the ash creatures long a long and he didn’t want to hear about them either. It was like a bad omen for the creatures to appear. He didn’t want to ask what was wrong this time either. Instead of asking, he just kept his neutral look at the Captain. Something is troubling you, eh, Captain?

    The Captain sighed, frowning as if to consider what to say next. “I just wish I’d find the stash my men has for Emberbrand wine.” He finally said. His men had been having sips of the wine and got themselves addicted to it. It would be bad if they were in that state when the Redoran Official would arrive - it wouldn’t be long now, he assumed.

    Ciel’nn brushed his stray hair behind his ear. “And, how does this concern me?” He asked and noticed his partner coming out of the Retching Netch. The young mer gestured for Teldryn to come over, making the Captain look toward the older mer. I hope Teldryn can persuade him not to ask us.

    The bladesman strode to his partner and glanced at the Captain. “Harassing my partner, Captain? Can’t you see he’s trying to recover?” He asked the mer. Haven’t we done enough for your Redoran Guard? The older mer looked to the young mer, who held his hand carefully. “What did he ask this time? I sure wish the change happens soon.”

    “There’s a reward to anyone who finds the stash of Emberbrand wine. It causing my men to do their job dishonorably.” Captain Veleth said before Ciel’nn got to say anything. The young mer scowled at him.

    “Emberbrand wine?” Teldryn rubbed his chin for brief moment. “Can we keep them if we find the stash?” he asked and noted the look he got from his partner. Relax, Ciel’nn. “Sure, keep or sell them - I don’t care. Just make sure they’ll disappear! And, thanks, Teldryn.” He heard the Captain replying to him.

    Teldryn, no!

    “And, one thing, Captain.” Teldryn waited until he got the mer’s full attention. “Maybe your men would do better job if you didn’t chase that girl over there.” Teldryn remarked with a snarl. The Captain stared at him with his eyes flaring in a deep red before he strolled away hastily. He looked to his partner, who was staring at him. “What’s wrong now?”

    “I was thinking that we’d not help him this time.” The young mer replied. “They should deal with the problem by themselves! Besides, we’re still recovering!” Ciel’nn pointed out. He had thought they’d rest as Milore had suggestion, but apparently his partner had another idea.

    “It’s free liquor.” Teldryn said with a grin. “Come on, let’s find them. Must be in one of the barrels or urns. It’s where I’d hide them.” He continued as he began to walk away.

    Free liquor? Ciel’nn bit his lower lips. He has a thing for that stuff, huh? I hope it’s not an addiction. “Fine! But, we’re selling them!” the young mer groaned as he followed his partner. He was determined to sell them even if Teldryn would go against it. “Why would you change it to Sujamma, anyway?”

    “It’s as sweet as the Lusty Argonian Maiden’s honey.” Teldryn replied casually as he glanced at his partner with a grin. He wanted to see how long Ciel’nn could tolerate his jokes. The young mer brushed a stray hair off his face, and tucked it behind his ear while he shot a carefree look at the older mer. Teldryn blinked and looked away. It’s not going to work, kid. You say that now, but you have to admit he’s…enticing.  “Sell them? I’ll keep one bottle, then.” He sighed.

    The young mer had noted the shift on his partner’s face. Tease me with your jokes and I’ll counter it with something of mine! At least he gets to think something else now. Ciel’nn smirked. I wonder how long he can resist it. He followed the old mer towards the barrels. “I’d hide the bottles in the ash if it were me.” The young mer said as they began to search the barrels. “You’d forget the spot then if you hide them in there?” Teldryn asked him. “It’s possible, but it’s not like I need them anyway.” Ciel’nn replied.

    They searched a while until Teldryn opened the barrel opposite of the Severin Manor. “I think I have found them. Four bottles in total. Are you still selling them?” he said before looking to his partner. It would be a shame, though. He took the bottles from the barrel. “How much you drink liquors anyway?”

    “We split them; you can keep two and I take the other two, and sell them. Happy?”  Ciel’nn replied with a smirk while he took two bottles from the older mer. “I don’t drink that often. Only on an occasion. Do you drink on every opportunity then?” He knew he was teasing, but he discovered it was fun. “I heard the mercenaries do that quite often.”

    “Do you think I’m some common mercenary, then?” The older mer asked while he followed Ciel’nn to the smith.

    “If you were one, I wouldn’t have asked of you. No, Teldryn Sero, you’re something different entirely.” The young mer glanced at his partner. At least for me. He smiled and strode over to talk with Glover. “Hey, Glover!” Ciel’nn wasn’t sure if the Breton would buy the wine from him, but he was working hard every day, repairing the Redoran Guard equipment. He also had considered to sell it to the mine workers, but it could cause accidents. So, it left Glover and the Nord Captain at his boat.

    Fixing their armor and weapons since early morning, Glover wished he had something to drink. Since the Orc was dead, the Redoran Guard had the balls to ask him for repairs again. They were dependent on him as he was the only smith at the town. The second smith was at the Skaal settlement. Glover frowned, he hadn’t had heard of them for a long while. I wonder if they’re alright. He paused the hammering for a moment to look at the young mer, who walked towards him. Aren’t those bottles of the Emberbrand wine? “Hey yourself, kid. What’s brings you to my smith?” He nodded to Teldryn, as he followed the kid.

    The older mer settled to lean against a pillar at the smith while his partner struck a deal with the blacksmith. He eyed the market to his left and took a deep breath. The people of the town seemed to be recovering faster than he’d expected, but it was a nice change with the mines open, the hogger dead and gone, and there was his partner. Discovering his thoughts trailed back to Ciel’nn made the older mer grunt. At least he’s doing better for now. Better keep an eye on him. Whatever was troubling him before - he’s trying to keep it away and that’s not good if you ask me.

    “So, this Redoran officer is coming soon?” Glover asked the young mer while taking a sip of the wine. “Any ideas of what day?” He’d like to be prepared, but it wasn’t easy as the Redorans kept him busy. I’ll have to assume things are going to change, but I’m more worried if they let me stay here.

    “I wish I knew, but I could ask Ondren if he’s heard anything.” Ciel’nn replied. “The Captain is getting nervous. How tough are the Redoran officials, I wonder?” He added, tilting his head slightly. The Redoran Officer would make a change at Raven Rock, or so the young mer thought. That’d be interesting to see.  “Alright. Glover, hide the bottles or you’ll have the Redoran Guard wanting it, too.” He said and turned to his partner. “I’m going to see if Fethis has some paper. I need to write a letter to my friend in Mournhold.” Ciel’nn waited until Teldryn nodded.

    Fethis Alor was talking with Adril Arano about something important matter, so Ciel’nn waited for them to finish. He still remembered, vividly, the hogger walking around the market. It had been a stain in the picture, but it had been taken care of. The young mer smiled while he glanced around the market area —  the Dunmer of Raven Rock seemed to be back to themselves and the air was clean from the Orc. Ciel’nn took a deep breath. Everything is as it should be.

    “Hey, kid!” Fethis called out, “You want to buy something from me, or are you just window-shopping?” A slight snarl, but it didn’t seemed to bother the kid. Fethis waited for a moment before the young mer looked to him.

    “Yes, I’m buying a few scrolls of paper if you have any.” Ciel’nn replied, smiling. “Do you have something interesting to look at, too? Like trinkets? My friend in Mournhold likes them.”

    Fethis took a  box that contained the paper scrolls. “I used to have the East Empire Pendants. Nice little trinkets, very popular back in the day.”

     

     

     

     

     

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Comments

4 Comments   |   Karver the Lorc and 4 others like this.
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  July 15, 2018
    Hehe, Teldryn likes his drink, there is nothing wrong with that. 
  • The Sunflower Manual
    The Sunflower Manual   ·  May 29, 2018
    The bit at the beginning about the mudcrab legs has got me wanting to make crab myself... it's been ages since I last had good seafood x.x


    Also, geez, Teldryn, you can masturbate to more things than just the Lusty Argonian Maid, y'know?
  • GailOlm
    GailOlm   ·  April 14, 2018
    I love the seemingly mundane conversations between Ciel'nn and Teldryn, such as them discussing steamed mudcrab legs. It really brings the characters to life.  (L)
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  April 12, 2018
    Heh, it almost sounds like Teldryn might have a drinking problem. But on the other hand, a tankard here and there gets people... compliant. To all kinds of stuff :D