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Fall from High Rock	By : mistressarachnia Category: +A through F > Elder Scrolls - Morrowind Views: 4940 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: The Elder Scrolls universe belongs to Bethesda. Alyssa Elbert belongs to me. I make no money from writing about her adventures.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Chapter
13: A Visit in the Night
When Alyssa opened her eyes she was
surrounded by darkness.� She tried to move, but her body screamed at her to lie
still.� She collapsed back down on the� bed?� Where was she?� Reaching out, she
could feel hard cold stone surrounding her.� The mattress she was on was placed
directly on the ground.� She could smell moist air and heard the faint dripping
of water in the distance.� She blinked.
�Lie still,� a voice whispered.�
Somehow, it sounded strangely familiar and sent chills down her spine.� She had
little time to contemplate it as she fell once again into unconsciousness.
~*~
When she awoke again her vision was
clearer.� The area was still dark, but she could make out plots of mushrooms
growing along the walls, and a faint glow emanated somewhere from the
distance.� A cave � she was in a cave.� What was she doing here?� She tried to
sit up.
�Good, you�re awake.� Drink this,�
commanded the voice she had heard earlier.� She saw no one.� Suddenly a figure
emerged from the shadows, hooded in a black robe.� She could not see his face.�
Obeying, she took the concoction he gave her and pressed it to her parched
lips.� Just as the fluid hit her tongue, she began to feel some strength
returning to her limbs.� She drank more eagerly.
�I have little in the way of food,
but I hope you don�t mind bread and scrib jerky.� I wasn�t really planning on
company,� the voice mused.� She cringed.� She hated scrib jerky.� But she was
famished.� She took the meat and bread and ate it quickly, trying not to think
about where it had come from.
�Who are you?� she asked.� The
figure was silent for a while.
�Believe me, you are better off not
knowing,� was his reply.
�What happened?� she asked.
�You were attacked, obviously.�
Three flame atronachs.� You�re lucky.� This is vampire territory you know �
things could have been much worse.� I tore you from the clutches of the daedra
and brought you here as quickly as I could.� It has been three days since then;
I was beginning to think that despite all of my best medicine you were never
going to wake up.� I thank the gods that you did,� he replied, his voice cold.
�Why� why did you save me?� she
asked.
�How could I not?� he replied
simply.� She swallowed.� Something about his voice�
�Will you� take off your hood?� she
asked.
�No.� Believe me, it is better for
us both if I do not,� he replied.� Her eyes narrowed.
�Why?� she asked suspiciously.
�I beg of you not to ask too many
questions.� Lie still now,� he replied.� Alyssa glared at him.� She did not
like being kept in the dark.� And there was something strange about this man.�
She was getting a little tired of secrets.
That�s when she spied them: coda
flowers � lots of them.� They were growing in a pool further down in the cave.�
That�s where the light was coming from.� A small waterfall fell from the walls
on two sides down the cave walls and into the pool.� She looked back up in
surprise, only to realize that the hooded figure had vanished.
So, this was her mysterious
admirer.� And now not only had he given her gifts, but he had given her back
her life.� Why was he doing this?� Why would he not show his face?� And what
was it about his voice that bothered her so?
She tried to sit up, but her flesh
still felt hot from the burn of the flame atronachs.� Looking down she realized
with a start that she was naked.� Panicking, she pulled the covers up over her
bare body.� What was this man doing with her?� Why had he taken her clothes?�
She was suddenly afraid, and opened her mouth to recall back home.� But her
magical abilities had been badly damaged in the fight and she found that she
could muster no strength at all to transport herself over such great a
distance.� Her eyes filled with tears.� It had been a long time since she had
felt this helpless.� Still� this man had saved her, right?� He had apparently
been watching over her for a long time� why was she so afraid now that he was
here?
The hooded figure reemerged from
the shadows, handing Alyssa a stone goblet filled with water.� She stared up at
him, refusing to take it.� He pulled his hand back and sighed.
�I would send you home if I could,
but you�ve been in such poor condition that you would have certainly died by
the time I got you to a hospital,� he replied.
�What have you done with my
clothes?� she asked wide-eyed, still trying to peer under the hood.
�Nothing, in fact.� Those atronachs
who attacked you burnt them to a crisp, along with much of your flesh I might
add.� Don�t worry; you�re healing up so nicely now that you shouldn�t have so
much as a scar.� I have a spare robe I was going to give you, but at the time I
needed to tend to your wounds, if you understand.� I did nothing to violate
your person while you slept, nor will I now,� he said with a sigh.� Alyssa
nodded slowly.� Surely if he had intended to do such a thing he could have long
ago � as he seemed to have no trouble at all sneaking into her bedroom late at
night � not only in Ald�ruhn, but Suran� and now here?� In the middle of
nowhere?� Why was he following her?
�I know you�re the one who has been
giving me all the gifts these past few months,� she replied, �And I would thank
you, but I�ve never known who to thank.�
�You�ve an astute mind.� I will not
tell you that you are wrong.� I do hope they have been useful,� he said.
�Yes, I do look forward to them
but� it really bothers me that you have such easy access to my quarters.� Even
if your intentions are good I did not invite you,� she said, �Why do you hide?�
Something about you is familiar somehow�� A small laugh escaped his lips, but
was quickly cut short.
�Currently, I have appointed myself
your guardian, as you seemed to be needing one.� At this point, I�m rather glad
I did, although I can�t say I was really planning on meeting you face to face
again,� he said.
�Again?� she asked, �If you have
an, interest, in me, why would you never expect to meet me face to face�
again?�
�You misunderstand my interest.� My
interest is to keep you safe, nothing more,� he replied.
�But why?� Who are you?� asked
Alyssa, �Did someone hire you?�
�I hired myself, in a way.� I owe
it to you.� I owe you more than I can ever repay, unfortunately.� Thus, if it
works for you, I would rather our relationship continue exactly as it is, and
hopefully we will not need to meet face to face again,� he replied coldly, a
hint of sadness in his voice.
�It does *not* work for me.� I
would know the man who follows me,� she replied sternly, �Especially if my life
is in his debt.�� He was silent.� Slowly he slipped back into the shadows.
�Wait!� she called, �I have another
question. �Where did you find all of my guild member�s stolen and missing
goods?� Some of them had been missing for years before you returned them.�
Anarenen�s missing Devil Tanto caused him grief for months; it was a present
from my sister.�
�Clearly, the answer to that is
obvious.� I am a thief - a good one.� That is why neither you nor your guild
members ever detect my presence.� I know what things I myself have stolen, and
I have ways of finding out which of your possessions have been stolen by my
companions.� Does that answer your question?� he replied coldly.� She gasped.�
She recalled her guildmates contemplating such a possibility.
�So you are a reformed thief then,
and you are atoning for the error of your ways by returning the things you
stole?� she asked.� Another short laugh followed, but was immediately cut off.
�Not exactly.� I am still a thief.�
I will always be a thief.� But I have stolen enough from you and yours, so it
eases my conscience to return what I can,� he replied, slowly stepping back
into the light.
�The rest is not for you to concern
yourself with.� Sleep now,� he said, laying a hand on her arm.� Suddenly,
Alyssa felt what little strength she had dissipate.� She had little choice but
to obey.
~*~
Alyssa was unsure of how much time
had passed, but when she awoke she was famished.� Her strength had returned.�
She noticed ash yams and bread in an earthenware pot next to her pillow.�
Sitting up, she stretched, suddenly aware once more of her nudity.� She wrapped
her blanket around her torso, and ate her fill of the ash yams near her bed.�
The bread was fresh and still warm from baking.� Where had he gotten it?� This
man had many secrets.� She slowly stood up, tucking the plain brown blanket
around her to make a makeshift dress.� She felt strong enough to return to
Ald�ruhn now� but she wanted a few questions answered first.� And where were
her belongings?� Surely she had something left?� If she didn�t at least have
the excavation report for Edwinna then the whole trip would have been for
nothing!� She searched high and low.� There was a small dagger in a corner near
the wall where she had slept, but that was not hers.� She picked it up anyway
to examine it.� As she stood, she found herself once again face to face with
the hooded figure.� She could just make out light skin under the hood, full
lips, and a strong jaw.� He appeared young.
�Your belongings were scattered
when you fell the first time.� You report was unharmed, as were the ingredients
you so carefully collected.� I have your gold and most of your potions and
scrolls as well.� The ring was melted, unfortunately, as you were wearing it at
the time, but I�ve replaced it with another of the same make.� I�ve taken the
liberty of collecting them all together here,� he handed her a bag.� She grabbed
it.� His hands were strong, light like his face.� She tried to peer closer but
he backed away.
�You say your mission is to protect
me, correct?� To be my guardian?� she inquired.� He was silent for a moment, then
lowered his head to a bow.
�That is correct,� he said.� Her
eyes glistened as an idea formed.
�By keeping your identity secret
and following me around, you are causing me a great deal of mental and
emotional harm.� Don�t you feel any need to protect me from that?� she asked.�
He was silent for a moment before he replied.
�Yes.� But it is unavoidable,
unfortunately.� You have to understand.� Trust me, you do not want to know who
I am,� he replied coldly.
�But I do!� she insisted, �In fact,
if I do not find out I will� um� I will kill myself!�� He laughed, taking a
step back.
�You will not.� You are more
intelligent than that,� he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.� He was
calling her bluff.� Not for long though.� Alyssa took out the dagger.� He did
not move to stop her.
�If I am going to spend all of my
days followed my some mysterious man who sneaks into my bedroom at night to
give my lavish gifts and steals me from death�s jaws without even letting me
thank him, I would rather die.� I like to know who my enemies are, and likewise
I prefer to know my friends.� Which are you?� she asked, drawing the blade
across her skin.
�I am not sure how to answer that,�
he replied with a note of caution as he watched her.� Bracing herself, she cut
deep across her chest.� He reached out and grabbed her hand, wrenching the
bloody blade from her grasp.
�Alright!� he said as he turned to
grab a potion, pouring the contents over her wound as he pushed her back
towards her bed, �Have it your way then!�� The sharpness of the motion caused
the plain brown blanket she was using as a covering to slip, and she let out a
gasp as she attempted to cover herself.� He laughed.
�You are a strange girl.� You have
no apparent fear of death, yet you fear deeply being seen by me undressed,� he
said, �It�s a shame.� One for which, I fear, I am largely to blame.�� He pulled
back his hood.� Alyssa stifled a scream.� The man was a young Imperial, with
long light brown hair tied back with a black ribbon in a rogue�s knot.� His
piercing blue eyes bore into Alyssa�s soul.� But this time, they were not
filled with hate, but rather pity� and just a hint of fear.� He turned his
head.� He couldn�t look at the shaking woman in front of him.
�My name is Malcus Esdric,� he said
cautiously, �And judging by your reaction I know that you know me.� I hope you
can see now why I chose to keep my identity a secret.�
�Malcus� but you�re Ajira�s
friend!� It�s just that you look, so much, like someone else�� she started,
breaking into sobs.� It was him.� And she knew it.
�No.� Well, yes, I am Ajira�s friend.�
But I would be wrong to tell you that I am not also the man who so brutally
took advantage of you all those months ago.� You were correct in identifying me
the last time we met, unfortunately,� he said, turning back to face her, �I
would tell you that I am innocent, but I am not.� You and I both know that all
too well.�� Alyssa didn�t know what to say.� That horrible man, Ajira�s friend,
her guardian, her savior� were all the same person?� She broke into sobs.
�Why?!� she shouted, �Ajira told me
it couldn�t be you, that I was wrong in accusing you.� She said you were a good
man, who helped people.� You didn�t help me.� I�d never been so hurt and
humiliated in my life!� Why did you do it?!� Why me?!� What did I ever do to
anyone to deserve that?!� she shouted.� He looked pained.
�You did nothing,� he whispered,
unable to look at her, �But at the time, I thought you had.� I thought you had
done enough to deserve death.� To be completely honest you were lucky I did not
deliver on that threat.�
�What on earth could you possibly have
thought I had done?!� It was only my second day on the island!� she
cried.
�I can�t possibly expect you to
understand.� Any way you look at it I was wrong.� If it eases your mind I�ll
try though.� I had just slain a cave full of smugglers carrying human cargo �
the same cave you were sitting so pleasantly in front of.� The slaves were in
bad condition, beaten, shaking, many of them sexually mutilated.� One of them
died in my arms despite my attempts to save her.� Her mate went crazy when she
died, refusing to leave the body.� I could not pry him away without him
attacking me.� I was shaken from what I had seen, and done, and when I left the
cavern I saw you there, looking so content with your book and flowers�� he
trailed off.
�So you thought you�d do the same
thing to me as those slavers you killed did to the slaves?� Why on earth would
you do such a thing?!� It makes no sense!� she cried.
�I told you that my actions were
inexcusable.� However, let me try to continue.� The slaves were headed for the
Telvanni slave market.� I overheard that the slavers were supposed to
rendezvous with a Telvanni noblewoman.� When I saw you sitting right outside
the compound reading Telvanni propaganda, I assumed you were the contact.� You
fit what little description I had.� You were in the wrong place at the wrong
time, and I realized it much too late.� I was filled with rage for what I
thought you had done to these people.� I wanted to give you a taste of your own
medicine,� he said, his eyes lowered and his voice soft, �It was wrong.� It was
inexcusably wrong.� I became the same as the monsters I fought.� When Ajira
told me who you really were, I panicked.� I didn�t want to believe it.� I told
myself that you would have said something � but I remembered that I had quickly
silenced you.� You had no chance to talk back, no chance to plead.� I tortured
and raped you in cold blood, and I nearly left you dead.� There is no
forgiveness for that.� No misunderstanding justifies it.�� Alyssa was silent as
she let it sink in.� A mistake?� She hadn�t expected that.� It was too much.
�And I suppose you make a regular
habit of violating girls who get into your way?� she asked angrily, studying
his features.
�No, actually.� You were the only
one.� It was a heat of the moment decision, but one which I was fully aware
of.� As though that�s any comfort,� he scoffed.
�And now you trap me here with you
once again, naked and unable to escape!� she yelled.
�I never laid a hand on you once I
brought you here except to tend to your wounds.� Did this involve uncovering
you?� Most certainly.� It was unavoidable though, or you would be dead now.�
You left me little alternative,� he said.
�Oh, but you�ve already done your
damage.� Do you know you�re the only man I�ve known?� The only one?!� she
yelled.� She was angry, yet at the same time she could feel her fear
dissipating.
�I know it,� he replied, �And I am
sorry.� I know returning stolen trinkets, bestowing gifts, and following you in
an effort to protect you cannot atone for what I have done but at the same
time�� he paused, �I am not ready to face the executioners block.� The guilt is
too much to bear, but I am not ready to lose my life for it.� Too many others
would perish if I were to die now � people who cannot fight for themselves.� Slaves.�
Commoners.� Thieves even.� There are greater things at work in the universe.� I
can feel it.� I know not what they are, but I have a feeling somehow that I am
a part of it.� I stand now at your mercy.� If I valued my life I should let you
die, to silence my deeds once and for all.� But I could not live with myself if
further harm befell you, particularly at my hands.� You know who I am.� If you
tell your friends, or your family, they will surely hunt me down and destroy
me.� And if that is the price I must pay, I cannot say I do not deserve it.� I
am guilty as charged.� I cannot deny it.�
Alyssa was speechless.� She had no
words for the emotions she felt.� She wasn�t sure she could name them if she
tried.� She lay back on the bedroll, letting out a sharp sigh.� What should she
do?� Neither one of them could undo the past.� But she understood his position,
even if she did not agree with it.� So many nights had she fantasized about
ending this evil man�s life.� But now that his fate was thrust into her hands,
she was not sure she wanted him dead.� Ajira said he was a good man.� Did Ajira
know?
�Does Ajira know about this?� she
asked slowly.
�No, she does not.� No one but you
and I know this dark secret.� At least, that is the state of things at the
moment.� Ajira believes I am not capable of doing such things to anyone.� She
is a good friend.� She has done a lot of good for a lot of people, and I have
helped her with some of it.� But she thinks too highly of me, at least in this
case.� To confess, to anyone, would be a sure way to end my life,� he sighed,
�Thus I have kept the secret locked in my heart, and have vowed to watch over
you to atone for some of my guilt.� He looked directly into the Breton�s eyes
as he spoke, keeping his composure calm.� Alyssa studied him.� Under his cool
poise, she could sense a flood of emotion trying hard not to break the surface.
�I think you are right,� she said
slowly, �And I cannot let my emotions cloud my judgment either, or I am no
better... than you, I suppose.�� He stared at her, his eyes widening for an
instant as he inhaled sharply.� She returned his gaze, looking deep into his
eyes.
�I will not betray your secret, at
least not for now,� she said, �But� I cannot abide all of the sneaking around
and secrecy.� I understand why you did it, why you did everything, but in the
future, I should like to know you better.�� She managed a small smile.� Malcus
broke the gaze, looking away as a single tear fell from his impossibly blue
eyes.
�It�s more than I deserve,� he said
quietly.
�We�ll see about that,� she
answered.� She wasn�t sure herself.
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Fall from High Rock