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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
- 17
- 18
- 19
Chapter
18: Redeeming Relations
Alyssa awoke one morning to a loud
crash from downstairs.� She threw on a robe and hurried downstairs.� Anarenen
was sitting in a chair at a table, surrounded by scrap metal which spilled out
onto the floor.� His alchemical equipment was out, but his calcinator had
shattered and was lying in three huge pieces on the table in front of him.� He
put his hand to his forehead and sighed, picking up the pieces one by one.
�What happened?� asked Alyssa.
�I wasn�t paying enough attention
and apparently overheated the calcinator.� It was only journeyman�s quality to
begin with, and it shattered.� It was my own fault.� I�ve been meaning to
upgrade for some time now.� I guess now is as good a time as any.� Of course,
now I�m going to have to sort through all of this scrap metal again,� he
stooped down to pick up a glistening golden piece of metal from the floor,
examined it, and set it aside.� Looking perplexed, he picked up another.� Some
of the pieces had melted together.
�What a mess!� exclaimed Orrent,
peering down the stairs, �Don�t worry though, we won�t tell anyone.�� He
disappeared back to his post.
�Thanks,� grumbled Anarenen under
his breath.
�Are you alright?� asked Alyssa,
picking up a few more pieces from the ground.� She dropped one as she tried to
stand, causing another crash as it fell to the floor.� The pieces were heavier
than she had imagined.
�Don�t worry about it.� I�ll get
those.� I had them all separated out based on the type of construct they were
originally a part of, but now they all look like golden brown pieces of� scrap
metal I guess.� I can�t tell them apart.� I was supposed to analyze these
pieces for minute differences in alchemical properties for one of Edwinna�s
projects.� I�m not sure how I�m going to get it done now,� he said as he picked
up another piece, scrutinizing it as he set it back on the table.
�Edwinna took all of her books on
the Dwemer with her, didn�t she?� he asked.
�I think so � do you want me to
check?� asked Alyssa.
�No, thank you, I�ll do it myself.�
If there isn�t a book around here which can help me label these pieces, it
won�t matter what alchemical tests I perform on them.� Of course, I�m also
going to have to replace that calcinator,� he laughed bitterly, �This is going
to be a long day� several long days most likely.�
�I was planning on going to Balmora
today anyway, would you like me to see if I can pick up another calcinator for
you there?� she asked.
�Would you mind?� If it isn�t too
much trouble, that would be really helpful.� I�ll pay you back for whatever
costs you incur of course,� he said, looking up with a smile.
�Certainly.� I�ll bring it back as
quickly as possible,� she said, turning to run upstairs.� He laughed.
�Don�t worry about it � it will be
a long time before I manage to get all of this sorted out� if I manage
to get all of this sorted out�� he said with a smile.� But underneath his good
humor, Alyssa could read the hurt in his eyes.� There was more bothering him
than just the broken calcinator and jumbled scrap metal.� She had never seen
Anarenen mess up an experiment, even a complicated one.� It didn�t take much to
guess what was bothering him.� She bit her lip as she watched him pick up the
pieces one by one and lay them down on the table.
�Anarenen, I can talk to Edwinna
for you when she gets back,� she said.� He looked surprised.
�Oh no.� No, you don�t need to
concern yourself with that.� I really appreciate everyone�s concern but I think
this matter is really just between Edwinna and myself.� Thank you for the offer
though.� I do appreciate it,� he smiled gratefully.� Alyssa shifted.
�It�s just� I mean, everyone says��
she started, trailing off.� She wasn�t sure how to express what she was
feeling.� She wished the two of them could just be happy together, and didn�t
see what was blocking that from happening.
�Everyone?� he said, �What is
everyone saying?� Oh never mind.� I know what everyone�s saying.� That�s really
the worst part of the matter.�� He crossed his arms, looking away as he sighed
deeply.
�Tell me, Alyssa, and I trust you
to be honest, am I really that big of a joke?� he asked quietly.� This time it
was Alyssa who was surprised.� She didn�t know exactly how to answer.
�Well, everyone talks, if that is
what you mean,� she started, �But not everyone thinks as badly of you and
Edwinna being together as Erranil does.� I think you two are a wonderful
couple.� You treat her better than anyone ever could.� However, I do think that
Edwinna herself needs to be more open about your relationship together.� I
mean, you never really know what she�s thinking, do you?� I don�t, and I�ve
known her all my life.� However, she�s always been somewhat oblivious, and I
can tell you that I�ve never seen nor heard of her being in another
relationship at all, of any sort.� As a result, I don�t think she means to
leave you in the dark all the time; I think it�s simply never occurred to her
that she�s doing so.�� Anarenen smiled.
�That is my opinion exactly,� he
said, �Thank you Alyssa.� It�s nice to know someone around here understands.�
As for the rest, well, I doubt there is much I can do other than smile in the
face of the constant stares and whispering.�� He smiled at her as he turned
back to his work.� Alyssa hoped he would be alright.� This was the closest she
had seen to her friend being in a bad mood.� Anarenen was always so jovial.�
She hurried to get dressed and collect her things together, hoping that a new
calcinator would alleviate at least some of his problems.
~*~
�Ajira was wondering when Alyssa
would come visit,� purred Ajira, �Ajira has too many things to do today, but
wanted to tell Alyssa that Malcus is next door.� Alyssa should go visit Malcus
at Ra�vir�s.�� Alyssa laughed.� Ajira�s obvious attempts at playing matchmaker
were more than a little misplaced, in her opinion.� She still had mixed
feelings about Malcus.� Although she had to admit, he had been more than
gentlemanly during their past few encounters.� She seriously doubted that she
had any more to fear from him, and this lifted a huge weight from her chest.� However,
she still wasn�t ready to be entirely alone with him.
�Well, I would go visiting next
door, but I have too many things to do today as well,� she replied.� Ajira
growled.� Alyssa laughed.
�I have to go pick up a new
calcinator for Anarenen,� she replied.� In truth, she had come to visit Ajira.�
She�d hoped that the little Kajiit would want to work on restoration magic with
her � it was always more fun to learn with a friend than on her own.� Since the
incident with the slave camp, Alyssa had felt a burning desire to learn more
powerful healing techniques.� Even if it turned out that Ajira had another
agenda for the day, at least Ajira�s plans were rarely boring.
�Buying one calcinator only takes a
minute,� growled Ajira, �Ajira can sell one to Alyssa right here if she likes,
then Alyssa can go over to visit Malcus now.�� Alyssa paused.� She�d forgotten
that Ajira sold alchemical equipment.
�Oh.� Do you have a master�s
calcinator?� she asked quietly.� Ajira growled again.
�No.� Ajira has a journeyman�s
calcinator though,� said Ajira.
�Well, I�m supposed to get
something a little stronger this time � he just broke the journeyman�s
calcinator he was using.� Do you have any idea where I can find one of those?�
asked Alyssa.� Ajira flattened her ears.
�Ajira will help you locate a
master�s calcinator if Alyssa visits next door with her,� she offered.� Alyssa
laughed out loud.
�Alright.� It�s a deal,� she
smiled.� Ajira smiled back, then bounded up the stairs.
�Wait!� called Alyssa, hurrying to
catch up.
�Visit first!� she called, opening
the door to Balmora.� Alyssa couldn�t help but giggle.� What in Oblivion did
Ajira think she was doing?
When they entered Ra�vir�s shop,
Alyssa grabbed onto the countertop to catch her breath.� Did Ajira have
to run everywhere?� Ra�vir laughed from behind the counter, and Alyssa smiled
up at him as she straightened herself out.� Looking around, she did not see
Malcus anywhere.� Ajira had bound up the stairs, and let out a happy squeal
from above.� She bounded back down the stairs with Malcus in tow, and nearly
pounced on Alyssa.
�You�re hyper today,� said Malcus
to Ajira, crossing his arms.� Ajira laughed.
�Ajira has many things to do today,
but wanted to come visit,� she purred.
�Well, Ajira was just here this
morning,� said Malcus.� He smiled at Alyssa.
�How are you doing today?� he asked
her.� She blushed.� Ajira was making this even more awkward than if she had
agreed to go on her own.
�I�m alright.� I just have to find
a master�s calcinator somewhere before I head back home,� she said, feeling
nervous.� Malcus laughed.
�Why not a grandmaster�s
calcinator?� They�re easy enough to come by.� I could bring you one later on if
you like,� he offered.
�No, no thank you, I think I�d just
better buy one somewhere and be on my way,� she said, stepping back.� Ajira
growled.
�Ra�vir does not sell these, but Nalcarya
of White Haven should have a few in her shop,� offered Ra�vir.
�Thank you,� said Alyssa, turning
to excuse herself.
�Suit yourself.� Would you mind
some company?� I think this little Kajiit is going to claw me up if I stick
around here,� he said, winking at Ajira.� Ajira nodded happily in agreement.�
Alyssa rolled her eyes, but couldn�t resist a smile.
�Sure, you�re welcome to come with
me,� she said, doing her best to shoot a glare at Ajira.� She must have failed,
because Ajira burst out laughing.� Alyssa ignored her and headed out the door
with Malcus in tow.� She stopped when they were outside.
�Where is this shop anyway?� she
asked, trying to avoid eye contact.
�Not too far.� I�ll take you
there,� said Malcus, heading towards the northwestern edge of town, �I�m sorry
about Ajira.� I get the impression she�s trying to play matchmaker.� As I told
you before, she doesn�t know the whole story.� I�m sorry if the situation is uncomfortable.��
Alyssa smiled.
�Yes, I get that impression from
her also.� She obviously thinks very highly of you,� said Alyssa, �So I guess I
can�t blame her for trying to set us up.�� He sighed.
�Well, you�re much too good for
me,� he said with a wink, �Here we are.�� He opened the door to a dimly lit
room illuminated with blue light.� Alyssa could feel the magical energy of the room,
it made the air so thick she could almost see it.� In a corner stood a tall,
white-haired Altmer woman, her hair pulled back into a bun on the top of her
head.� She appeared to be getting along in years but still held an aura of
elegance about her.� She could see what Erranil meant about the lack of aging
in elves.� The woman�s green eyes held no amusement as she looked down at her
two human customers.
�What may I do for you?� she asked
coldly.
�I�m looking for a master�s
calcinator,� said Alyssa.� She nodded.
�That will be 800 gold,� she
replied.� Alyssa stifled a gasp.
�Would 500 do?� she asked.� It was
all she had brought with her, and she figured it would be more than enough.
�No.� 800 is my best offer,� she
replied.� Malcus laughed.� Alyssa thought a moment.
�Would you be willing to take 500
now if I brought you 300 tomorrow?� she asked hesitantly.
�Certainly not.� I require all
payment upfront,� she said sternly.� Alyssa gulped.
�Well then� I don�t suppose you
know of any other shops which might be selling what I need?� she asked.� The
woman glowered.
�I certainly do not.� No one on the
west coast has alchemical equipment nearly as fine as mine.� As a result I
charge a premium for it,� she stated haughtily.
�Come on Alyssa.� I know somewhere
else we can try,� suggested Malcus with a smile.
�If you find anything at all, it
will almost certainly be of substandard make.� You can expect it to break
within the first year you use it.� When you want real quality, you come back
here to my shop,� she said.� Alyssa nodded, tearing her eyes away from the
stern figure as she headed out the door and back into the sunlight.� Malcus
laughed out loud.
�Now where do we go?� she asked, �I
only brought 500 gold with me, I wasn�t bluffing about that.�� He smiled.
�We can go anywhere you want to.� I
have your calcinator right here.� It�s grandmaster�s quality � I hope you don�t
mind the upgrade,� he said with a wink.� Alyssa gasped.
�I� I can�t accept this,� she said,
looking wide eyed at the instrument in his hands.� It was of very fine quality
indeed.� He laughed.
�Nalcarya overcharges everyone �
she always has.� She�ll make up the loss in a day or so, not that it will hurt
her.� She�s filthy rich.� I seriously doubt she�ll even notice.� Unfortunately
I can�t think of another place around here from which to buy your goods.� So
unless you want to show up empty handed, this will have to do.� Is this alright,
or do you really want me to return it?� he asked, looking amused at her stunned
reaction.� Finally, she nodded and took the instrument from his hands.
�Thank you,� she replied politely,
still a little confused.� He laughed.
�See, I told you I�m not good
enough for you,� he smiled with a wink.� She looked up.
�Oh, you�re not so bad.� I mean,
you saved my life after all.� And I can�t even imagine how many others you�ve
saved.� Slaves and such I mean,� she said, lowering her voice, �Everything I�ve
seen you do has some good to it.�� He smiled sadly.
�Not everything,� he replied,
�Unfortunately when one fights monsters, one must be very careful not to become
a monster oneself.� In your case, I�d say I failed miserably.� I�m not likely
to forget that any sooner than you are.�� Alyssa blushed, looking away.�
Getting to know Malcus made it easier to forget the transgressions he had
forced upon her so many months ago.� He did not seem to be the same person at
all.
�If I�m making you uncomfortable,
just say so,� he offered.
�No, it�s just that� I spent so
much time hating you, but now that I�ve come to know you a little better I
can�t keep it up,� she replied quietly, �I would even say that I�m starting to
like you.�� He smiled, stepping closer.
�Over the past few months since
I�ve been watching you, I can safely say that I like you as well.� You are
kind, caring, strong, graceful, determined, intelligent� and more than a little
beautiful.� The way you put everyone around you instantly at ease is a rare
gift.� When you walk into a room, it lights up with your presence.� And when I
see you I can�t help but be moved by your grace and charisma,� he said quietly,
�You�ve triumphed so much in the face of adversity.� I�ve seen you persevere
where others would crumble.� I can�t believe I was the force which nearly
destroyed you.� That day will be a stain on my soul for the rest of my life.��
Alyssa was speechless.� Somehow Malcus� words seemed to make the pain inside of
her melt away � pain she had nearly forgotten she possessed.
�You could have had me killed for
what I�ve done.� I would have made no move to stop you and you would have been
well within your rights.� To be honest, it�s what I would have done in your
shoes.� But you are a better person than I am, I suppose.� You�ve made that
clear time and time again,� he continued softly, taking another step towards
her.� She shivered.
�I don�t think you are as bad as
you make yourself out to be.� In fact, in these past few days, you�ve been
making me feel a lot better.� I feel like I had all of this pain bottled up
inside me, but nothing could really take it away so I just got used to it.� I
think that maybe, with that kind of pain, only the one who gives it can take it
away.� Does that make any sense?� she asked.� He smiled.
�I�ve never heard it put that way,
but perhaps.� At any rate, I�m glad to do whatever I can.� If I�m helping, I�ll
stay.� If I�m hurting, I�ll leave.� Just be sure and let me know which it is,�
he smiled softly, looking straight into her eyes.
�I� find I am enjoying your company
at the moment.� You are kind, despite what you say.� And despite what you did.�
It does not take much to see that.� You cannot put yourself in the same
category as those horrid slavers� they had no mercy for what they did to that
poor boy back in the caves,� she sighed, cringing as she remembered watching
the men torture poor Edmund.
�I like to think you�re right.� It
helps me sleep at night, at any rate.� But as for your friend Edmund, you
should be pleased to know he�s doing quite well thanks to your efforts,� he
said with a smile.� Alyssa�s words did more to ease his own internal suffering
than she could have imagined.� Perhaps her assessment regarding the nature of
pain was correct, he thought, in some form or another.
�Really? What happened to Edmund?�
Where is he now?� she asked, her eyes lighting up.� He laughed.
�I can take you to see him if you
like.� He�s here in Balmora actually.� I don�t entirely know if you�ll approve
of the whole setup, but we�ve actually found quite the perfect little
arrangement for him right here.�� Malcus started walking, and Alyssa hurried to
keep up, eager to hear more.
�I was right about his background �
he was an orphan like myself who got picked up for petty theft.� I sat him down
myself soon after he recovered from his wounds and we had a nice little heart
to heart chat about what he wanted to do with his life now that he was free and
all.� He had no home to return to, so we found a place for him here.� He�s at
the South Wall Cornerclub.� It�s where I started out when I first came to the
island, actually.� He�s in great hands.� Now, the Cornerclub isn�t fancy and
you might hear a lot of big talk � but just keep in mind that that�s all it is
� big talk.� Well, for the most part anyway.� Here we are now,� he said as they
crossed the bridge to the eastern side of the city.� As they approached a
doorway, Alyssa could hear the sounds of laughter and bawdy music spilling
forth from behind the door.� There were no windows which she could peer into, but
she guessed that the establishment was a tavern of some sort.� Malcus opened
the door and motioned for Alyssa to come inside.� She hurried to obey.
�Ah!� Malcus is back!� And who is
the pretty little Breton who follows him?� If Malcus has come to take away Habasi�s
newest apprentice, Malcus cannot have him back.� See the pretty diamond Edmund
brought Habasi today?� a smiling female Kajiit beamed, dangling a glistening
gem in Malcus� face.� Standing next to the Kajiit, beaming just as proudly, was
Edmund.� Malcus laughed.
�No, no, I�m not going to steal
your new apprentice,� smiled Malcus, �I�m just here to check up on him and see
how things are working out.� How are you doing, kid?�
�Great!� Thanks to you guys that
is,� he smiled at Alyssa gratefully, �I love it here!�� Malcus and Habasi
laughed.� Malcus turned to Alyssa to explain.
�Sugar-Lips Habasi has taken a real
liking to Edmund, as you can see.� She�s basically adopted him outright.� He�s
in great hands now � the guild really takes care of its own.� Isn�t that
right?� he asked Habasi.� She purred happily and nodded.
�We do.� Habasi is very pleased.�
Edmund has a flare for illusion magic � Habasi thinks this is a most useful
skill,� she purred, pulling Edmund towards her.� The boy practically radiated delight.�
Alyssa couldn�t help but smile.
�I take things and create the
illusion that they are still there � at least for a little while.� And I can
sneak around without anyone seeing me!� he smiled.� Habasi laughed.
�Habasi thinks that Edmund needs to
be a little quieter when he sneaks, but it is good that no one sees him,� she
smiled.� Malcus laughed.
�Don�t worry, that will all come
with practice,� he said to Edmund, �And around here, you�ll get lots of
practice.� You�re a lot further along than I was at your age!�
�Habasi thinks that Edmund is a
natural.� Best new thief we�ve had!� she exclaimed happily.
�I�m going to get some fine Cyrodiilic
brandy next so we can celebrate!� he said.� Habasi laughed, her tail swishing
pleasantly.� Despite his interesting choice of careers, Alyssa felt her heart
warm at seeing Edmund so well and happy.� It was quite a contrast from the
state she�d last seen him.
�I�m so glad to see that you are
doing well,� she smiled sincerely.� Edmund smiled.
�I am, thank you.� Oh, thank you so
much!� he ran out and hugged her, nearly knocking Alyssa off her feet.� For
some reason, feeling the young boy in her arms once again brought a wave of
emotion through her soul, and she felt tears come to her eyes.� He pulled back
as she turned away with a smile.
�You don�t need to thank me.� I
don�t see how anyone could have done any differently,� she said softly, wiping
away the tears that she couldn�t stop from filling her eyes.� Malcus took her
softly by the shoulders and pulled her closer.
�Malcus did not introduce pretty
Breton girl to Sugar-Lips Habasi,� said Habasi playfully.� Malcus laughed.
�I�m so sorry Habasi.� This is
Alyssa Elbert.� She�s seen the Twin Lamps,� he said with a wink.� Habasi
purred.
�Good girl then.� Habasi is pleased
to meet you, pretty Alyssa,� smiled Habasi.� Alyssa couldn�t help but smile.
�I�m pleased to meet you too Habasi,�
she replied.
�Well, I�d love to stay and chat
some more, but I think my friend Alyssa here has had enough to think about for
one day.� I�ll be back soon though.� You two both stay out of trouble,
alright?� he said.� Edmund and Habasi both laughed.
�You know we will not.� But we will
not be caught either,� smiled Habasi.� Malcus laughed.
�Good enough then.� Happy hunting!�
he smiled as he pulled Alyssa towards the door.� She waved back at them as she
left the tavern.
�See?� Thanks to your help, you�ve
already changed that kid�s whole life for the better,� he smiled.� Alyssa felt
a lump come to her throat.� She tried to look up at Malcus, but as soon as she
met his bright blue eyes her emotions swelled and she could not stop the tears
from falling.� But this time, they were tears of happiness.
�It�s alright,� Malcus said,
pulling her close to him.� She made no move to resist, resting her head against
his shoulder as her tears drenched his white shirt.
~*~
�A grandmaster�s calcinator?� My,
you went all out.� This is a fine piece.� Now I feel I should upgrade all of my
equipment,� laughed Anarenen when Alyssa gave him the apparatus.� It was
nightfall when she returned.� She wished the day had lasted even longer, but
when the sun began to set she knew she needed to be returning home.� Her heart
was soaring.
�So how much do I owe you?� I�m
almost afraid to ask,� he joked.� Alyssa smiled.
�Oh, you don�t owe me anything.�
One of Ajira�s friends had one he didn�t want anymore.� They�re too big to just
lug around,� she explained, biting her lip.� He looked up at her perplexed.
�Even so, they fetch a decent price
at the market when you resell them.� I find it hard to believe that Ajira�s
friend had one just laying around,� he said, looking puzzled.� She suddenly
became very nervous.� She didn�t want to tell him the real story.
�Well� he did.� I don�t know.� I
didn�t ask him,� she replied.
�Who is this friend of Ajira�s?�
Anyone I know?� asked Anarenen skeptically.
�I don�t think so,� she said.�
Anarenen raised his eyebrows.
�His name is Malcus,� she said
quickly.� There, she�d said it.� That wasn�t too much information, was it?� She
hoped not.� Anarenen just shrugged.� The name clearly meant nothing to him.
�Well, ok then.� I guess I can�t
complain.� Unfortunately my day was much less productive.� Not only did Edwinna
take all of her books on the Dwemer with her, but I couldn�t locate a single
person in the area from which to borrow a copy.� I�m not even sure if there is
a book out there which can help me.� So I still have no idea how to identify
which piece belongs to which automaton.� I think my project is going to have to
wait until Edwinna gets back,� he sighed, �And to be honest I have no idea how
long that�s going to be.�� Alyssa smiled sadly.� It was clear that he missed
her.� She just hoped Edwinna wouldn�t be too upset with his botched research
project when she did return.
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Fall from High Rock