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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
- 22
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Chapter
23: Sadrith Mora
�I won�t pay good money just to walk
around your damn overgrown city,� Malcus glared, narrowing his eyes at the
Dunmer in fine robes standing before him.
�Well then, have it your way � but
you won�t get past the Gateway Inn without a guard stopping you.� We like to
know who it is who walks amongst us,� the innkeeper shot back.� Malcus clenched
his fists.� He could wait.� As soon as the man turned his back� but he just
crossed his arms and stared.� This was going nowhere.� Months of solitude in
the Ashlands� and now he couldn�t even gain entrance to one city.� Great hero
indeed.� For a moment, he considered paying up.� It wasn�t expensive� but it
was the principle of the thing.� There were slaves being kept within this very
inn � he would not give a penny to this man to buy more.� Were there not so
many patrons watching, he would consider slitting this man�s throat.
�And I prefer to walk in the
shadows.� But I give you my word that I will just take a quick look around and
leave.� You will never know I was here,� Malcus assured, trying to disguise the
venom in his voice.�
�Oh my!� Yes, yes we will!� an
excited voice called from down the hall.� The sound of footsteps grew more
rapid and Malcus peered behind the innkeeper to spy their source.� His eyes
widened in shock.� It was Alyssa, dressed in an iridescent blue gown.
�Malcus!� Oh, don�t worry Angaredhel
� he�s a friend.� Oh Malcus, I was beginning to wonder when I�d ever see you
again!� she cried, throwing her arms around his neck.� The innkeeper shot them
a confused look, then shrugged his shoulders.
�Alright Alyssa, if it makes you
happy then I don�t see how I could say no, especially after all you�ve done for
the inn.� I�ll just give him a copy of the hospitality papers and you can be on
your way,� Angaredhel sighed, picking up a quill to sign off on the official
release, �And you know you are welcome here anytime, my dear.� My doors are
always open to you.�
�Thank you so very much!� I think
we WILL stay here tonight,� Alyssa grinned, giving Malcus a quick kiss as she
took him by the hand and lead him to the South Turret.� Malcus could feel his
head spinning already.� He had come here to find Alyssa but�
�Alyssa, what�s going on?� Why did
that man just let me though?� he asked, trying to hide the suspicion in his
voice, �I couldn�t get him to take his eyes off me a second ago.�
�Oh, I just did him a little favor
a while back � banished a ghost that was scaring away all of his customers,�
she replied, �It was nothing really � just a harmless joke by one of the local
mage�s guild members.�
�Ah,� he said, biting his lip.�
This wasn�t as bad as he had thought.� The two neared a narrow door leading to
a well-furnished bedchamber.� As soon as Malcus carefully shut the door, Alyssa
nearly pounced on him, showering him with kisses.
�I was so worried about you!� I
hope you never have to go back to the ashlands again!� she cried, leaning
against him lovingly.� Smiling, he ran his hands through her silky auburn-brown
hair.
�I hope you�re right,� he whispered
softly.� How could he explain to her the things he had seen, the things he
feared he still had to do?
�I see you are still good at
tracking me down, even all the way across the island,� she said with a grin, �I
was worried you wouldn�t know where to look.�
�I didn�t, actually.� When I
returned to Ald�ruhn neither you nor your sister was anywhere to be found.� I
feared the worst � that the dark brotherhood had returned while I was away.� I�d
been gone much longer than I had anticipated.� But as luck would have it, when
I stopped by the Rat in the Pot for a drink that afternoon, I found your old guildmate
Anarenen,� Malcus explained.
�Anarenen?� What in Oblivion was he
doing there?� He should have been on duty during the afternoon,� Alyssa
started, furrowing her brow in confusion.
�I got the impression that he had
different things on his mind, especially after I bought him a few rounds of
drinks,� Malcus said.� When he noticed Alyssa�s curious stare, he continued,
�It seems that your sister is away on another research collaboration with
Baladas Dwemnevanni and he�s been asked to� relocate for a while.�� Alyssa�s
eyes widened and she stifled a gasp.
�She fired him?!� But he was so
good to her!� Someone has to talk some sense into her!� This isn�t right at
all!� Alyssa protested, her breath quickening.� How could her sister do this?�
It was� unprofessional!
�I don�t think it�s quite like
that.� It�s just� well, people move on.� He saw it coming for a long time, or
so he said.� It didn�t sound like it was the best situation anyway.� He�s
staying with Orrent at in Ald-Skar for the time being, but he�s still working
for your sister.� He claims she�s in a better mood than ever,� Malcus said, �Of
course, he says he�s happy for her, but anyone can see that he�s in pain.� It
didn�t take four rounds of drinks to piece that one together.�
�Four rounds?!� I�ve never even
heard of Anarenen drinking at all!� I suppose I should go home and help him
through this, and maybe talk some sense into Edwinna.� Oh, this is just horrid.�
I feel simply terrible that I ever found that stupid book in Nchuleftingth.� And then I�m the one who
tracked down Baladas too.� I�m so sorry that I ever did!� I should have told
her that he didn�t exist!� Alyssa cried.� Malcus smiled sadly.
�No, it isn�t your fault.� Things like this just� well, they just
happen.� You�re young and� I�ll try to protect you from it as much as possible
but I don�t even know how much longer I�m going to have to keep up this
prophesy charade,� Malcus said, kissing her softly on the forehead.

�I don�t care about your secret orders, as long as you always come home safe,�
Alyssa told him, her tone calming.� Malcus smiled sadly.� He didn�t know what
to think of any of this.� But the affairs of the Ald�ruhn mage�s guild were the
least of his concern.� Lately he�d been having strange dreams and was beginning
to fear that he was losing his mind.� Bloody figures, men in masks� death� He
hoped he was not walking to his doom.� He knew he would fail.� He could feel
it.� But he would delay it as long as possible.� For now, he was here.� And
that was all that mattered.� But how long would it be until he was called away
again?
�Alyssa, I love you.� I don�t want
to see you hurt by any of this.� It was funny: When I spoke to Anarenen, at
first he wouldn�t tell me where you were.� Said he didn�t know me.� So what did
I want with you?� Of course he had all sorts of things to say about the
location of your sister � that�s ironic.� It took a lot of persuasion, and a
lot of alcohol, to tear the information I needed out of him.� You�re lucky to
have such friends looking out for you.� Really,� he said, �But he didn�t tell
me WHY you were here.�� Alyssa sighed.
�Yes, he�s really a very sweet
man.� I should have said something to Edwinna.� I�m horrible, aren�t I?� I was
so worried about you, about when I would see you again, that I forgot all about
him.� What is going to happen to him now?� Alyssa asked.
�I think that�s up to him.� He
still has a job.� However, when he asked me, I suggested he start looking for a
new one.� I don�t think it�s in his best interest to stay so close to the
source of his pain.� He should get away and let it heal.� That�s what I told
him at least.� I�ve been through this situation once or twice, and it�s never
pleasant, but he�ll survive.� Don�t worry about that,� Malcus assured.� He
thanked the gods he had never taken on a conventional career.� When he wanted
to leave a place, he left.� When he wanted to stay, he stayed.� It was never
more complicated than that.� But now� things were changing.� He could feel it.�
He pulled Alyssa closer.
�Oh I�ll miss him so much!� I don�t
think I�ll ever want to go back to Ald�ruhn now!� I have choice words to say to
this Baladas Demnevanni.� But now� now I suppose I�ll lose my rank if I offend
him,� Alyssa said sadly.� Malcus� eyes widened in surprise, and then narrowed
coolly.� He looked down at her, studying her features intently.
�What do you mean, �lose your
rank?�� Your sister surely won�t demote you for talking down to her lover,� he
suggested cautiously.
�Oh no � not in the mage�s guild.�
Baladas isn�t even a member.� But after staying here a while I inquired about
Great House Telvanni.� I had grown to love Sadrith Mora: the fungal
architecture, the vine-covered archways, the quiet intellectual inhabitants,
the stormy waterways, and the beautiful freedom with which everyone was set on
pursuing exactly his or her interest.� And oh, I had heard so much about Great
House Telvanni, but when I joined I found that it was even better than I could
possibly have imagined!� Alyssa sighed happily.� Malcus closed his eyes slowly,
clenching his fists.
�Alyssa� you are telling me that
you are a hireling of Great House Telvanni?� he said coolly, trying to keep his
rage in check.
�Oh no.� No, I�ve advanced a bit
since then.� I�m still just a retainer but in a few more months I might qualify
to be an oathman � if I keep up my chores, that is.� I swear: I get sent on the
most futile missions you�ve ever heard of!� That�s the downside.� One time I
was asked to fill a silver pitcher with rainwater, in the dry season!� It took
me forever just to find rain, and then the drops seemed to want to fall
anywhere BUT in the pitcher.� It was a nightmare.� Then when I returned, the
mouth who had assigned me the task no longer needed the rainwater, so told me
to just go dump it out and hurry back for another task!� Can you believe it?
What nonsense!� Alyssa said with a laugh, shaking her head.� She tried to lean
in closer, but Malcus backed away.
�Nonsense indeed.� And here I
believed you were someone who you are clearly not.� House Telvanni after all.�
What I fool I am.� If you will excuse me, I suppose I should be going,� Malcus
replied coldly, �I have� some duties to attend to.�� His heart was breaking
but� how could she?� She had been initiated into the Twin Lamps.� He had been
with her on so many of their journeys together.� He had seen the tender, loving
way she dealt with the victims of this horrible injustice.� How could she
betray them all, and then act so casual about it?� The expression on Alyssa�s
face turned to concern.
�What are you talking about?� I am
the same girl you left, the same girl you loved.� I dreamed of taking you here
to this magical city.� I�ve thought of no one but you since you left,� she said,
clinging to his arm.� Malcus kept his fists clenched.� He would not lose his
temper.� Not this time.� She had already suffered enough of that.
�That much is clear,� he muttered,
trying to keep the venom from his voice.� When she only stared in confusion,
suddenly he couldn�t take it anymore.� How could she be so na�ve?
�Alyssa, what in Oblivion were you
thinking?!� You were a member of the Twin Lamps!� You helped us, time and time
again, to rid the world of slavery, to create freedom for everyone!� You nursed
so many back to health in your arms.� I could not resist loving you.� But how
could you betray us by joining our greatest enemy?!� How many will die now, all
because of you?� How many will lead lives of misery to serve your foul wizards�
house� I refuse to call it �Great�?!� Malcus shouted angrily.� Alyssa blinked,
biting her lip.
�Malcus, why would you accuse me of
this?� No one is required to keep slaves as a member of any Great House!� And
the Telvanni aren�t the only slavers on Vvardenfell.� Really, they don�t care
what I do, so long as I don�t get in the way of their research,� she tried to
explain.
�And how many of those slaves are
USED for research?� �Let�s see how long it takes an Argonian to die with a
minor fire spell?� A minor frost spell?� Interesting.� Watch how they writhe on
the ground in agony until the very last, then go catatonic just before their
breathing stops.� The heart stops a little later.� Fascinating!� Let�s increase
the intensity and repeat the experiment with a new round of slaves.� Oh� we�re
out?� What about those ones we were breeding in the dungeon?� What do you mean
you forgot to feed them all year?� We could have had three litters by now!� Ah
well.� Just go down to the market and pick up a fresh batch, and make sure to hold
some of the healthiest looking females back for breeding this time.� After the
males have inseminated them, bring them back up here so we can continue with
the experiment � males are useless after that,�� Malcus paused, waiting for
Alyssa�s reaction, �Have you read The Horror of Castle Xyr?� You know
it�s based on a true story, right?� I hear they are making it into a play � you
might just enjoy it.�� The look on Alyssa�s face spelled sheer horror.
�Malcus I would NEVER do anything
like that!� You know this!� And I would never condone or defend anyone who
did!� But everyone I�ve met is� well, they�re a little eccentric perhaps but�
even Baladas doesn�t keep slaves.� In fact, the only slaves I�ve seen are the
common house slaves who run around doing domestic chores.� Like in this inn,
for example,� Alyssa replied quickly.� Malcus glared.
�And I suppose they enjoy their
lives of servitude?� Only being thrown scraps of food and clothing not fit for
proper disposal?� Having their masters beat them when they spill their mazte?�
Having no control over their own bodies so that they cannot defend themselves
when they are violated again and again? Alyssa, you of all people should be
sympathetic to their plight!� And yet, you ignore them.� No, they may not die
by your hands,� Malcus scoffed, �They will die by your indifference.� And you
are as guilty as their masters.� Alyssa bit her lip, trying to fight back her
tears.
�But Ajira� Ajira and Ra�vir�� she
started, her voice cracking.� Suddenly she burst into tears.� She covered her
eyes, turning her head as she tried to fight off her emotions.
�Ajira and Ra-viir WHAT?!� asked
Malcus, glaring down at the sobbing girl.� She looked pitiful, pathetic.� He
didn�t care.
�Ajira and Ra-viir told me that it
was a good thing that I was in House Telvanni so they would have a contact on
the inside.� I have been keeping them informed of the slavery situations here.�
I haven�t been able to do anything about it yet, but neither have they.� If I
just go around freeing all of the house slaves now, they will have nowhere to
go and I will be caught right along with them.� We have nothing set up nearby,
you know that,� Alyssa sobbed.
�Yes, and while you are trying to
figure out how to do something, you can just sit here and do nothing while kajiit
slave girls press your fine clothes and prepare you fine food, only to be
beaten savagely because you don�t like the cut of your meat,� Malcus scoffed.�
His tone was softening though.� She did have a point.� He hadn�t looked at the
situation quite like that.� Alyssa was still weeping heavily though.
�Malcus, what do you want me to
do?� I only came here to study the arcane arts.� There is so much more
available here than there is in the mages� guild.� The knowledge is a little
harder to come by but� I think I�m learning the customs of this culture well
enough.� You know I want to help � you know I WILL help but� I just don�t know
what to do!� Do you?!� she cried, �What do you want me to do!� Tell me and I�ll
do it!�� Malcus closed his eyes again, his mind racing.� He didn�t see how
Alyssa doing chores for House Telvanni was going to help any of them.� But he
could also see that she had not turned traitor, and that she had also not
entered into this arrangement as blindly as he had feared.� Could the Twin
Lamps set up a base nearby?� Where?� It was a good idea� if Alyssa didn�t get
caught.� He didn�t want to put her in harm�s way either.� He certainly didn�t
want her to wind up captive to an ancient wizard.� As soon as the thought
materialized he realized that he was more afraid of this possibility than he
had imagined.� Silently, he put out his arms to her and she rushed to him.
�I don�t know either,� he finally
admitted.� He didn�t know anything.� And how was he any better than she was?�
He wasn�t helping the Twin Lamps either, running around the ashlands pretending
to be some long-lost Dunmer hero just to keep himself out of prison again.� To
tell the truth, her information regarding the locations of Telvanni slaves was
probably a more valuable contribution than he�d made over the past few months.�
As much as he wanted to, he knew he couldn�t even free the slaves in this inn
without some degree of help.� Where would they go?� What ship would transport
them?� How would they get by unnoticed?� They wouldn�t even let him though the
city�
�Alyssa?� he asked finally, �Can
you get some more of those hospitality papers?�
�Perhaps,� she replied skeptically,
�I can try, anyway.�� Malcus breathed a sigh of relief.
�We should go back to the Bitter Coast
together.� Get away from all of this nonsense,� Malcus told her soothingly,
running his hands through her hair.� He could feel her warm breath against his
chest, and her tears were soaking though his shirt.� He brushed them away.
�I�m sorry Alyssa.�� I didn�t mean
to accuse you of this.� It isn�t your fault.� I know you meant well.� You want
to study � and this seems to be the place to do it.� It�s just� this place
makes my skin crawl.� But I guess I�m just on edge.� I�ve seen a lot of weird
stuff in the past few months,� Malcus sighed, �You�re probably right about the
inside contact theory.� Who knows?� Maybe you�ll be the one to end slavery once
and for all on this wretched little island.� Stranger things have happened.�
You�re with me, right?� That�s strange enough in and of itself.� You�re a
pretty unique girl, Alyssa Elbert.�� He was trying to brush her tears away, but
they kept falling faster and faster.� Holding her close, he sat down with her
on the nearby bed, brushing her wavy hair back on her silky dress.� He felt
awful.� Here he�d been away for months, leaving her to wonder if he was alive
or dead, and now that he had returned the first thing he had done was make her
cry.� Some hero.
�Stop, Alyssa� I just want to be
with you right now.� House Telvanni can wait.� My ridiculous assignment can
wait.� Heck, the Twin Lamps can even wait.� It�s not like I�ve been doing
anything to help anyone out in the ashlands.� �Go get a dead guy�s bow from a
massive tomb while he tries to kill you� yes, you can see that we loved this
dead guy very much and are completely opposed to the practice of necromancy, we
just thought this might be fun� oh wait, we don�t really want the bow, we just
wanted to see if you were dumb enough to go get it.� You keep it.� Now that
you�ve passed our stupidity test, you�re an honorary Dunmer,�� Malcus
complained, �It�s even more pointless than your rainwater chore.� Worst thing
is, this bow isn�t even worth much on the market. Months lost!�� Alyssa
couldn�t help but giggle.� Malcus let out a long sigh.
�Do you really hate it so much
here?� she asked, a hint of sadness in her voice.
�Well, I actually haven�t been to
many of the Telvanni provinces, for obvious reasons.� I�ve heard that most of
it is inaccessible anyway,� Malcus explained soothingly.
�Oh, you need to be able to
levitate to get around in some of the mushroom towers, but that�s easy enough.�
I�ve gotten pretty good at alteration magic, but I still have a bunch of
ingredients stocked up from Ald�ruhn so I can just make you some potions.� Its
great fun, really!� Alyssa replied hopefully.� Malcus chuckled softly.
�Come here then.� I have to leave
tomorrow to check in with my� boss� but after that we can meet up in Balmora.�
But as for tonight� well, I�ve never slept in a mushroom before so this is
already a new experience,� Malcus said, pulling Alyssa effortlessly down onto
the bed beside him.
�You know, I�ve been having the
strangest dreams lately,� Alyssa whispered, snuggling against her lover�s
chest.� Malcus laughed out loud.
�You�re telling me.� I can hardly
sleep anymore,� he confessed.
�Really?� And here I was thinking
it was just me,� Alyssa laughed, �We�ll have to compare dreams.�
�Or�� Malcus winked, �Perhaps we
should find some other activities to occupy the night.� I�ve had my fill of
nightmares, but I�m starving for your touch.� I�ve been waiting months to see
you.� I have a few ideas of my own on how to� infiltrate House Telvanni.�
~*~
The night passed blissfully, but in
the morning the dream was shattered when an Argonian slave arrived to serve
them breakfast.
�For misstresss Alysssa, complementss
of the Gateway Inn,� he hissed, bowing softly as he handed her a tray filled
with sweet-roles and salted nixhound.� Malcus shot Alyssa an evil glare as she
took the tray and thanked him politely.
�No,� Malcus said, �Stay here.��
The slave turned, his eyes widening as he slowly returned, his breathing
becoming more rapid, creating a hissing sound.
�Please, share some of this food
with us.� No doubt you�ve worked very hard to create it,� he offered.� The
slave hesitated, looking to Alyssa for help.
�No, ssera, another preparess the mealss.�
I only sserve them,� he replied, �They are for the misstresss and her guesst,
not for one ssuch ass me.�
�Nonsense.� I insist,� Malcus told
him.
�Pleasse, ssera, I cannot.� The Masster
will be very disspleassed with me if I do not return ssoon,� he replied
politely, a hint fear creeping into his voice.� Malcus looked at him sadly, his
face awash with emotion.
�Things won�t always be like this.�
Have a bite, then, and return to your duties if you must.� I have no desire to
get you into trouble,� Malcus replied, handing him a sweet-role and chunk of nixhound.�
The Argonian bowed, thanking him profusely as he left.� For a moment, the pair
was silent.
�How could you?� Malcus finally
whispered, �I could never endure this torture.�
�You don�t have to,� Alyssa assured
him, �I won�t make you come here any more.� We can meet in Balmora from now on
� or wherever you choose.�� Malcus sighed.
�I really should return.� I guess
I�ll need to make a stop in Suran on the way back to see about setting up a
base here.� Maybe you�re right and we can get an operation going.� I guess I
should be grateful that it�s you over here and not me.� I think I�d kill
everyone within a week � or at least I�d die trying.� But in the meantime� just
try not to get yourself into any more trouble than you already have.� I�ll meet
you in Balmora in a few days, I promise.� I love you Alyssa.� You had damn well
better watch your back around here or I�ll never forgive either of us.�
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Fall from High Rock