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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
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Chapter
22: Great House Telvanni
Alyssa breathed in the cool sea air.�
She had been in Sadrith Mora for only a few days, but already she was in love
with the place.� It was so breathtakingly foreign, so alive� it was almost
surreal.� It was a universe in and unto itself.� The people, in their little
mushroom pods, had their own views on life untainted by the mainstream politics
of the rest of Vvardenfell.� In fact, it seemed as though they had very little
use for politics of any sort.� They were quaint, perhaps a bit aloof, but the
stories she heard from passers-by on the streets and from patrons in the
taverns enraptured her mind and captured her heart.� It seemed almost as those
these people had transcended the mortal realm into� well, she hardly knew.� But
she was dying to find out.
Back at Wolverine Hall, the mages
had been quite hospitable towards her.� Skink-in-Tree�s-Shade had the potions
she needed already brewed and waiting, but assured her that a few more days
wouldn�t spoil them if she cared to look around the city.� But when she asked
about the Great House, most of them simply shrugged.
�We mind our business, and they
mind theirs,� Iniel, the local guild guide told her matter-of-factly when she
asked.
�More than one guild member has
held duel allegiances,� Skink confided, his voice strangely absent of any
discernable Argonian accent, �But the factions are generally not compatible in
their goals and desires.� There is a long standing animosity between us.� We
are Imperial after all, and the Telvanni resent above all anyone telling them
what to do � even if it is in their own best interest.� It is best that you
keep to your studies.� Do not concern yourself with this.�
But Alyssa wasn�t satisfied.� She
wanted to know more, but no one seemed to be willing, or able, to give her the
answers she sought.� Suddenly, she remembered back to her early days on the
island.� A fellow mage had given her the book, On the Affairs of Wizards.�
What was his name?� Tiram� yes, Tiram Gadar in Vivic.� Perhaps she should pay
him a visit.
~*~
�Excuse me� sera?� Alyssa asked,
trying to catch the attention of the archmage.� He was humming a tune, clearly
lost in thought and oblivious to the young girl standing before him, �Muth-sera?�
I�m sorry to bother you, but I�m looking for someone.��
�Oh! Yes, um� what may I do for
you, young lady?� Archmage Trebonius replied, clearly startled from his
daydream, �I�m afraid I don�t have any tasks for one of your rank at the
moment, but just� go bother one of the other guildmembers around here � they
all have plenty to keep them busy and I�m sure they could use the help!�
�Yes, sera, I will certainly do so
but� I just wanted to know if perhaps Tiram Gadar was around this afternoon?�
Alyssa asked politely.
�Huh.� Um� Yeah, he�s probably around
here somewhere.� Great fellow!� I couldn�t run this guild without him!�
Trebonius replied happily.� Alyssa smiled, still a little confused, �Did you
know we had a spy in here a while back?� Tiram helped me catch her � good thing
too � I had no idea the Balmora Mages Guild was in the hands of a Telvanni
infiltrator!� Ranis Athrys� who would have thought?� What a disaster that could
have been!� Good thing Tiram figured it all out.� Ah well� I sent one of the
new recruits to go and kill all of the Telvanni councilors.� A promising fellow
� came highly recommended from the Fighters Guild.� That ought to take care of
the problem for good.� But there�s much work to be done!� Go on now � I�m very
busy� but I�m sure any one of the guildmembers here would be happy for your
assistance!�
Alyssa smiled and curtseyed
politely as she left, her mind spinning.� She had wondered why Ranis hadn�t
been in Balmora the last time she stopped by� although she had to admit that
she hadn�t missed seeing her.� But this wasn�t the worst of it and she was
suddenly very concerned.� Kill all of the Telvanni councilors?� Spies among the
factions?� This could mean all out war between House Telvanni and the Imperial
Mages Guild!� She knew the two factions were often involved in petty squabbles
but� this could be disastrous!� How could she ask about the Great House now?�
Someone might think she was a spy!� And� her sister had recently been in Gnisis
with Baladas� what if Trebonious mistook Edwinna�s research collaboration as
spying for House Telvanni?� She had to warn Edwinna.
She was so upset that she didn�t
notice the mer in front of her as she rounded the corner of the front
staircase.� They collided, sending the papers the mer was carrying flying.�
Alyssa gasped, bending down immediately to pick them up.
�You should watch where you are
going,� a deep, gruff voice said crossly from above.� Alyssa blushed, quickly
gathering the papers as she stood to return them, bowing her head slightly in
shame.
�I�m so sorry, sera, I promise it
will never happen again,� she replied, her face turning crimson.� Before her
stood an older Dunmer: the same Tiram Gadar she had come to find.
�Hmm.� Make sure that it doesn�t,�
he replied, gathering his papers as he looked her over closely.� Alyssa�s
heartbeat increased as she felt his gaze upon her, �I remember you: the young
woman who had questions about Great House Telvanni.�� Alyssa bit her lip,
unsure what she should say, in light of recent information.
�I am loyal to the Imperial Mages
Guild,� she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.� Tiram laughed softly.
�Have you come to return the book I
gave you then?� he asked, cocking his head to one side leisurely as he kept his
gaze fixed steadily on her form.� Alyssa�s face flushed crimson.� She hadn�t
even thought to bring it.
�I� I�m so sorry sera, I don�t have
it with me.� I can bring it, if you would like�� she started, but Tiram cut her
off quickly.
�Not necessary, my dear.� It was a
gift.� I told you that if you had any questions, you should come and find me.�
But�� he continued� �You should be careful.� You must always watch where you
are going.� It is an important skill � one which you appear to lack.� It will
get you into much trouble if you are not more cautious.�
�I�m sorry sera.� I will try to be
more careful in the future.� I�� she paused, unsure if she should continue, �I
did have some questions, actually.�� Tiram�s lips turned up into a quick
half-smile, which quickly vanished.
�Very well.� But we can�t talk
here.� I wouldn�t want to� disrupt the others from their studies.�� Meet me
downstairs at the Black Shalk Cornerclub in the Lower Canton, later tonight.�
And�� he added, his voice smoother, �Wear something� alluring.�
~*~
Alyssa had no idea why her heart
was racing so fast.� She had retrieved the book Tiram had given to her when she
went home to change.� She didn�t want to give the wrong impression to the aging
Dunmer, but she also didn�t want to appear impolite.� A slender black dress
with red trim and a matching ruby amulet � that should be sufficient for a
night out while still keeping things formal.� She could hear bawdy music
playing from behind the tavern door.� Taking a deep breath, she opened it and
stepped inside.� There were many Dunmer men seated around the bar, and whistles
and cat calls greeted her from every corner.� She felt suddenly ashamed.� What
was she doing here?� How could she stay here?� She turned quickly, her hands
trembling as she reached for the door.� Suddenly, a strong hand caught her
wrist.
�Don�t worry, my dear.� They are
perfectly harmless.� They are simply admiring your beauty.� Come, sit.� I will
answer any questions you might have,� Tiram assured her, guiding her to a table
in one corner of the room.� Alyssa glanced around nervously, aware that all
eyes were on her.� With a quick gesture, Tiram signaled the bartender to bring
them some drinks.
�Now then, what would you like to
know?� Tiram asked, running one hand through his long black hair.
�Well, um� you told me that you
knew something about Great House Telvanni?� Do you know if it is possible��
Alyssa started, leaning forward as the bartender brought a jug of sujamma and
two goblets.
�Shh!� he warned, �Keep your voice
down.� There are too many ears, even here.� You don�t want someone accusing you
of being a spy, now do you?� There is paranoia all around.� Come, follow me.��
He stood, grabbing the sujamma and goblets as he headed downstairs.� At the
bottom of the stairwell he turned a key, leading her to a small room.� There
was a bed in the corner, and a small table. �Tiram poured the drinks and sat
down, gesturing for her to do the same.
�Now then� what may I tell you
about Great House Telvanni?� he asked, watching her reactions carefully.� He
could see that she was breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling with
every breath.� He smiled.
�I� I hardly know where to begin��
she confessed, �I�ve spent the past few days in Sadrith Mora and I��
�Good,� Tiram interrupted, �How do
you like it?�
�I like it very much,� she
continued, �But no one in the Sadrith Mora Mages Guild really wanted to talk
much about Great House Telvanni.�
�No one anywhere in the Imperial
Mages Guild will tell you much about Great House Telvanni, and most of the
information you will get is false,� he replied quickly, �What would you like to
know?�
�Well, I just� I mean, when I got
here I heard that Trebonius recently caught a spy from House Telvanni who had
infiltrated the Mages Guild�� she continued.
�Ah yes.� Ranis Athrys.� She was a
most unpopular choice for guildmaster anyway,� he replied, �I doubt very much
that anyone will miss her.�
�But Trebonius said that you helped
to expose her,� Alyssa asked, a little confused, �Yet you seem to be
sympathetic to the Great House.�� Tiram chuckled.
�This is true.� She simply stood in
the way of the two factions getting along peacefully,� he smiled, taking a sip
of the beverage in front of him.
�Alright, I think I understand,
but� Trebonius also said that he had just sent someone out to go and kill all
of the Telvanni councilors!� Won�t that start a war?� Alyssa asked.� Tiram set
down his drink, an amused look on his face.
�Archmage Trebonius rarely knows
what is best for the guild.� I�m sure you have gathered that from listening to
the other council members discussing him behind his back.� As his chief advisor,
it is my job to reinterpret his orders in the best interest of the guild.�
Don�t worry� I�ve taken care of that matter.� There will be no war.� I can
assure you of that,� he said with a smile.
�Are there more spies in the
guild?� Ranis was fairly high ranking.� Why do the factions spy on one another
anyway?� she asked curiously.
�There should not be any others, or
I would hear word of them.� Our factions are often involved in petty squabbles
for land, resources, and the rights to alchemical goods and magical resources.�
But�� he continued leaning closer, �The truth is that the Mages Guild needs
House Telvanni.� There would be very little magical research conducted on the
island, at least of any importance, if it were not for the great masters of
House Telvanni and their underlings.� There is more knowledge in that House,
more freedom of expression, more resources available, than there ever was in
the Imperial Mages Guild.� And why do the two factions fight?� Jealousy.�
Jealousy accumulated over many lifespans.� The Mages Guild wants what House
Telvanni already has, and is frustrated that it cannot accomplish in a few
years what the Great House has spent millennia gathering and creating.� And so
petty squabbles erupt.� But� I find it interesting that most of the political
squabbling appears to take place on this end.� The Great House has matters of
much higher importance to attend to � matters generally beyond the
comprehension of most of our� more worldly� scholars here.� They would be wise
to emulate House Telvanni and stick to their own affairs and research.�� Alyssa
smiled.
�Well, my sister doesn�t seem to
mind them too much,� Alyssa confessed, �And to tell the truth I�ve become
fascinated by the Great House.�
�Hmm.� Fascinated, you say?� You
are Edwinna Elbert�s younger sister, yes?� A good scholar.� But there is even
more scholarly research going on in the Great House,� he told her plainly.
�Wonderful!� But� Mages Guild
members don�t typically join the Great House, do they?� she asked.� Tiram
chuckled softly, bringing his hand to his chin and stroking it gently.
�Many members have held duel
allegiances between the two factions.� But it takes care to do so.� You must
emulate the ways of Great House Telvanni and be careful to stay out of matters
that do not concern you.� You will not be protected and coddled like you are in
the Imperial Mages Guild.� You are free to do as you please, so long as you do
not unwisely cross the path of a fellow Telvanni and trample on his own
pursuits.� It is wise to note that the penalty for doing so is often death.�
Few are those who have crossed a Telvanni mage-lord and lived to tell the
tale,� he explained carefully, watching her reaction intently.� She appeared to
be letting her guard down.
�What about slavery?� I�ve heard that
the Telvanni are terrible with their slaves,� she asked.� Tiram smiled.
�House Telvanni is not the only
Great House to keep slaves, and there are plenty of other, non-allied
individuals who keep slaves as well.� It is the birthright of every Dunmer � it
is a part of our culture, and it is no different there than it is anywhere else
in Morrowind.� It is a grave crime to say otherwise, punishable to the full
extent of the law,� Tiram noted, the tone of his voice containing a hint of
warning, �But don�t worry.� There are many Telvanni who do not keep slaves.� No
one will force you to participate in something you do not agree with, provided
you do not interfere with their affairs either.� Use discretion.�
�If I join, what will happen to my
standing here in the Mages Guild?� she asked.� Tiram shrugged.
�Only you can decide that.� It
depends on how you act.� Keep the two factions separate and remain professional
in your research collaborations and few will care.� Start spreading lies and
secrecy between the factions and you are liable to be attacked by both sides �
woe to you if House Telvanni catches you first,� Tiram said.� Alyssa nodded
gravely, causing the old man to laugh.
�Really, my dear, it is not as
terrible as it sounds.� A bit of common sense will take you far.� You should
think carefully on your decision, of course.� I cannot make it for you.� But�
someone as young and attractive as yourself is sure to win support quickly.�
You can go far if you are willing to play the cards you have been dealt,� he smiled,
�Is the sujamma not to your liking?�� Alyssa�s eyes widened and she grabbed the
cup in front of her with both hands, taking a big sip.� She had nearly
forgotten about the drink in front of her.� As the strong taste hit her tongue
she tried not to cringe, but the effect soon dulled and a left a pleasant
aftertaste.
�Yes, it�s very good,� she assured
him, �Thank you so very much.� Really.� You�ve been so kind indulging all of my
silly questions.�� Tiram smiled.
�Anytime, my dear,� he assured,
�Let me know if anything further comes up.� I would be more than happy to serve
as a resource for you here, should you decide to pursue this matter further.�
We can even make these little meetings� more regular.� I should warn that it is
not to be taken lightly, but the rewards are great should you decide to� make
the logical decision.�
�Alyssa took another swig of her
drink, suddenly feeling a little dizzy.� Visions of towers, of ancient cities
and forbidden knowledge� it was intoxicating.� She knew in her heart what she
wanted to do.� Edwinna would approve.� This man would be supportive as well.�
Many people held duel allegiances?� She wondered who the others were.
~*~
Alyssa was still dizzy as she stood
before the Telvanni council house in Sadrith Mora later that night.� It was all
so much to take in.� She had nearly collapsed when she tried to stand at the
bar, but Tiram had helped her back up to the guild.� She was grateful for the
help, and excited to start a new chapter of her life.� She couldn�t wait to get
to Sadrith Mora, and so wasted no time at all in getting there, ignoring the
confused stares of her fellow guild members when she transported to the guild
in the dead of night, leaving quickly before they had a chance to ask her any
questions.
Eyes watched her from every angle.�
She could feel them studying her, analyzing her as they explained the rules of
the Great House.
�If you steal from another
Telvanni, but still live, then clearly you deserve whatever you stole.
Murdering your opponents by magic or treachery is the traditional way of
settling disputes. If you win, then clearly your argument has more merit. You
may be expelled as in any other Great House, but most Telvanni will not care or
even know about it.� Do you still wish to join?�
�Yes,� said Alyssa, biting her lip,
�Yes I do.�
�Good.� Welcome then, Alyssa
Elbert, hireling of Great House Telvanni.�
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Fall from High Rock