Joyous voices reached their ears when they descended the stairs to the Retching Netch. The miners and a few traders talked about the new changes and how the Redoran had brought more safety into the town. They discussed how the high ranking officer had dealt with the corrupt soldiers. Geldis seemed to be ever-joyous tending his Inn.
Teldryn spotted a few new Redoran guards on a break. They had serious faces as if they were observing something. A smirk crept on the older mer’s lips as he walked with his normal attitude towards a free table. His partner, Ciel’nn followed in suit with his own style; carefree, one hand on his left hip, close to his dagger. The Redoran guards watched them walk across the floor and settling around one corner table.
“They are like the hogger was never here.” Ciel’nn murmured while they for waited Geldis to bring their Sujamma. He felt a bit weary and irritated by the officer’s questioning. It had been a rough and strict one. The officer didn’t like him even when Teldryn had backed him up. Maybe Ondren was right? It’s lucky I don’t know the officer by reputation. The young mer turned his head and noticed one of the guards still looking at them.
Several faces turned, when Geldis brought their cups. “You’re staring at the mer who freed our precious town from Mogrul’s tyranny.” It was pointed at the guards and the innkeeper set the cups down, smiling at Ciel’nn. “It’s on the house.” The miners clapped shortly and offered their praise, but the young mer did nothing.
“Thanks, Geldis.” Teldryn said, taking his cup. “Can’t you be quiet about the hogger? I don’t think they need a reminder of what happened.” He scowled.
“I agree. I don’t want a hero’s reputation.” Ciel’nn interjected and sipped his Sujamma. Who would need a reminder of their oppressor anyway? “What about the Saviour of Raven Rock?” he heard the innkeeper asking. “No!” He glanced at the guard who had kept his eyes on him, only to find the mer scowled before he looked away. “Say, Geldis, do you know anyone who would work for a crazy Telvanni Wizard as a Steward?” Ciel’nn asked after a while. “He pays well, too.”
The old innkeeper frowned. “What happened to Varona?”
“We found her dead. At the Ramshackle Trading Post.” Teldryn said in a low tone and looked to Geldis. “It looked like she was meeting with someone. In secret.” He shook his head slightly as he had no idea if the Telvanni woman was liked in the town.
A sigh escaped from the innkeeper lips. “That’s sad news. She visited here when picking up some supplies.”
“She called us thugs.” Ciel’nn muttered.
“But you’re a thug, Ciel’nn.” Geldis sneered in a playful manner.
The young mer narrowed his eyes. “What did you just say?” It was a low snarl. A warning He wouldn’t let an insult fly even if it was a joke. Some standards must be kept. Ciel’nn stared at Geldis, who offered a smile. “I need to tend the bar. Be seeing you, thug.” He watched the innkeeper leaving their table with a hand wave. “S’wit!” The young mer uttered, then he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Ciel’nn. You’re our own thug.” Teldryn teased in a soft tone, but his partner shot a look at him, hurt. “Where are you going now?” He asked as he watched Ciel’nn standing up, rather less elegantly, and storming up the stairs. The older mer sighed deeply. He doesn’t make this easy, huh?
At the door the young mer faced the Officer Aroa, again. He looked up to the Redoran Officer, annoyed. “Did you steal something— ” He heard him asking in a sneer. “Fuck you, too!” Ciel’nn barked in Dunmeri and shoved the officer aside even if it needed some effort. The officer was fit, the young mer noted as he finally able to go through the door. If someone else would try to stop him going, he’d grab his dagger. He’d need a quiet place to be alone.
The Temple offered him a quiet place where Ciel’nn would be alone with his own thoughts. He looked at the shrine of Mephala with a frown. Somehow it had been calling him. Usually he’d follow the whispering of the Webspinner, but now Ciel’nn hesitated. Was coming to the Temple a mistake? Was he changing because of meditating? Should he embrace the whisper of darkness? The dark moments he had before — they scared him. Being uncertain of what would follow if he chose to resist. Ciel’nn wished Maros was there with him. To tell him that it’d be alright.
“Do I look like a baby-sitter to you?” the Redoran guard snapped at Teldryn. The older mer sighed — he had been looking around for his partner, who seemed to be hiding. The new Redoran guards were bothersome as they didn’t bother to answer. He had been to the strange stone and the beach, but Ciel’nn wasn’t there either. Teldryn frowned and walked towards the smith.
“Hey, Mallory! Have you seen Ciel’nn by any chance?” The older mer asked as settled to lean against the pillar. I hope he hasn’t done anything stupid.
The smith looked up from the forge and lowered his hammer, resting on the anvil. “You two fighting again, or something?” Glover asked, a brow lifted up. He pondered a while rubbing his chin as if it itched. “Geldis called him a thug as a joke.” He heard the mer saying. “And, he took offense?” A slight head shake. “Am I the only one who sees him as a…” The Breton frowned.
“Fragile?” Teldryn offered.
“Do you think he’s?” Glover shot back and the mer was quiet. “I’ve been too busy all morning.”
“Alright, if you didn’t see him why didn’t you say so?” The mer snarled and pushed himself off the pillar. Teldryn walked towards the well and noticed an old woman in a worn cloak, who was slowly walking towards him. A strange sensation overwhelmed him as he wasn’t able to move, but stare at the woman. How old is she?
The old woman looked into the bladesman’s eyes as she took his arm. “Teldryn Sero,” The old woman began with a mysterious tone. “Please take care of Ciel’nn. I’m growing weary, and I can’t rest before I have warned you.” She saw the older mer’s bewildered eyes as she held him in place. “Tempest is coming, attracting certain parties into a clash. Ciel’nn will be drawn into it. You must be extremely attentive, Teldryn. Keep him safe.” The old woman then let go of the mer’s arm. “He’s at the Temple.” She added in a whisper before she turned to walk towards the other side of the town, and to the strange stone.
The older mer let out a suspended breath as he watched the woman walking away. He blinked and then she was gone. What in Oblivion was that? Teldryn cursed under his breath. He had the strangest feeling when the woman had took his arm and uttered the warning. Frankly, it wasn’t a clear warning, but ominous. Certain parties into a clash. That could mean a few things. By Azura, I hope it’s not what I think it is. He stepped away from the alchemy stand and turned to stride toward the Temple.
Shit! Whatever is going to happen, we aren’t ready! Also, I don’t like puzzles!
Meditating there for Gods knew how long, Ciel’nn had lost track of time. He hadn’t even realized that Teldryn was sitting on the bench close by and watching him. Slowly the meditation broke as he blinked as if he had been in the darkness. The awareness took place in him and the young mer felt better. “How long have you been here?” Ciel’nn asked as he turned to Teldryn.
“Long enough.” The older mer replied as stood up. He looked to Ciel’nn. He doesn’t know what’s coming, but neither do I. I don’t know how to be prepared for this Tempest, but I’ll do my best to keep him safe. His partner tilted his head. “You alright?” He heard the young mer asking in a soft tone. Teldryn frowned. “I met an old woman at the market.” His partner nodded. “She told me a puzzling warning.”
Ciel’nn tilted his head. “Really? What did she look like?” A puzzling warning? Why does it sounds so familiar?
“She had a worn cloak with beads and feathers. An ivory mask on her head and she had a marked face. The ones you see when you go to the Reach on Skyrim I think.” The older mer described the old woman. “She also had amber eyes.”
The young mer stared at his partner as if he was stunned. It all came back to him. The uneasiness and the feeling to flee. He was back in the Old Hroldan inn, staring the old Reach witch before she’d heal the Nord. Ciel’nn blinked the flashback away which had left him anxious. “No… Gormva.” He whispered.
“Talk to me, Ciel’nn.” Teldryn pleaded, placing his hands on the young mer’s shoulders.
Ciel’nn looked to his partner. “Gormva. She’s… some kind of Reach Witch. I’ve met her once before…” He paused to lean into Teldryn. “I’m afraid to ask, but… what did she say this time?” He listened carefully as Teldryn repeated the warning for him. “It’s worse than the last one!” The young mer groaned. “N’chow! Every time she shows up things go shit! Now, I’ll never leave this temple!” Ciel’nn lowered his gaze. Why can’t they leave me alone?
Teldryn frowned and wrapped his arm around his partner to pull him close to him. He lifted Ciel’nn’s chin up with his two fingers, looking into his eyes. “I don’t know what’s coming for us, but know this, Ciel’nn, I’ll stand with you through any storm. I’ll never leave you if it’s up to me.” And, that was the truth. He’d do everything that was within his power to ensure Ciel’nn’s safety. His partner smiled slightly. “Just don’t go dying on me. I can’t handle that now.” The older mer heard Ciel’nn saying. “I don’t plan to, but I think it’s time to train your sword arm.”
“So, one day I can duel you then?” Ciel’nn dared to smirk. It was a tempting thought. He versus the bladesman, but he had a feeling he’d get his ass kicked in matter of seconds. Maybe they would be as equal fighters, but he’d never reach the same level of fighting as Teldryn. The older mer was something so much more in his eyes. Ciel’nn saw himself as a nobody. Just a mer from Deshaan.
If things weren’t so gloomy, Teldryn would have laughed. Instead he brushed a stray hair of Ciel’nn’s behind his ear. “Perhaps, but there will be scenarios when you run out of poison and you have to rely on your sword and your instincts.” He paused briefly. The young mer was listening to him with a frown. “I’ll train you to be my mirror image, depending on how well you’re learning. We’ll endure this, Ciel’nn.”
A mirror image? Is that even possible? Could he learn to fight like his partner? Ciel’nn would be more than happy to learn the new ways. It’ll be their thing. It was enough to cheer him up. He wondered what his cousin would say to this. Another trainer. “As for the duel, Ciel’nn.” He heard Teldryn saying in a lower tone and the young mer smiled.
“You have a long way before you can even think of besting me.” Teldryn grinned seeing his partner in a better mood.
“I’m pretty confident in my skills, Teldryn. I won my last duel.” Ciel’nn joked and to that the older mer laughed.
They headed out only to see Milore coming toward them. She was relieved to see them.
“Good that I was able to catch up with you.” The alchemist said to Ciel’nn. “I heard it was you who put Slitter behind bars.” The young mer nodded to her. “He won’t harm you anymore.” Milore smiled. “And, he can’t for I’m leaving Raven Rock with the next trade ship.” There was a new determination in her tone. “There’s nothing left for me here since my husband died in the hands of that ugly pig.”
Ciel’nn nodded quietly as he reached out to touch the alchemist’s hand. “I understand, Milore. Though, I’m going to miss a fellow alchemist.”
“Ah, don’t sulk, Ciel’nn.” Milore touched his cheek gently. “My replacer is going to be something different. Who knows if she’ll have better selection of ingredients. Oh, speaking of them.” She browsed her shoulder bag and took out a small notebook. “This is for you. May it help you during your journeys. Be well.” She handed the book to the young mer and looked to Teldryn. “You watch over him, will you?”
“You have my word on that, Milore. Safe journey home.” Teldryn replied as he put his hand on Ciel’nn’s shoulder. “May Azura watch over your journey.”
Ciel’nn stared at the notebook in his hands, biting his lower lip. He understood why Milore was leaving Solstheim - not only because of Slitter, but also because the ash was still shifting.
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Comments
Crossing... swords...
Lunges and thrusts~
Intense~ sweaty~ sparring~
(this is what you're doing to me Caladran-ko, I blame you, I blame yoouuu)
Okay, now I´m curious about Ciel learning from Teldryn. That could be interesting. He might need it once the tempest hits. He might sorely need it...
Okay, now I´m curious about Ciel learning from Teldryn. That could be interesting. He might need it once the tempest hits. He might sorely need it...