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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
- 24
- 25
- 26
Chapter
25: Arvs-Drelen
The hallways of the Velothi tower
were dark and silent. Alyssa could hear her footsteps echo with every
step she took. The torches cast eerie shadows across the halls and
chambers.
�Edwinna?� she asked, her voice
resounding in the empty corridors. A low growl answered her from further
down the chambers. She shuddered. She remembered that Baladas kept
a pet daedroth, and reassured herself that it was friendly. Still, when
she found herself face to face with the beast, she could not help but gasp with
fright. Its huge reptilian jaws were lined with rows of sharp teeth and
it seemed to glare at her, its beady eyes fixed on her as though hungry for its
next meal.
�Do you make a regular habit of
appearing uninvited in people�s homes?� a deep voice echoed. Alyssa
turned her head to find herself face to face with Baladas, standing beside the
beast dressed in ornate crimson robes with his long red and white hair pulled
back in a braid. The daedroth growled again, moving closer to Alyssa.
The creature began to sniff her, licking its jaws hungrily. Alyssa held
her breath, her heart beating in her throat. Surely it would not attack?
�He hasn�t been fed today.
But I was just about to take care of that,� Baladas assured her, walking briskly
over to one of the crates in the corner, which he opened carefully.
Alyssa could not see the contents, but she heard the squeak when the daedroth
moved in rapidly to devour the creature inside. Alyssa turned her head in
horror, afraid to look at its blood-stained jaws. Edwinna really chose to
come back here? Alyssa found it so much more pleasant in the guildhall at
Ald�ruhn.
�Is� is Edwinna here?� Alyssa
managed, her voice shaking.
�Yes, she is quite comfortable for
the moment. But I don�t think she was expecting any guests either.
We have a lot of work to get done, you see,� Baladas answered, �I rarely
entertain visitors, so I sincerely hope you didn�t bring anyone else.�
�I�m sorry� I� I just wanted to
check up on her before I left,� Alyssa confessed, clearly embarrassed.
Suddenly all of the choice words she had intended to use against this man
vanished into thin air. She was clearly in over her head.
�Hmm. Very well � she�s
upstairs resting. But I don�t know that it would be appropriate to disturb
her,� Baladas warned, stepping past Alyssa and disappearing down the long
corridor. Alyssa watched him go, strangely perplexed. The daedroth
growled again in her direction, but ultimately wandered away. As he
passed the large golden ball in the corner, it suddenly sprang to life and
began rolling around the summoning chamber idly. Alyssa stared fixated
for a moment before making an escape up the stairs.
�Edwinna?� she called again.
The light was dim, but she could make out a table laden with alchemical
equipment in a corner � high grade gear from the looks of it. Bookshelves
lined the walls, and another table was clearly set aside for reading.
Beside it Alyssa could make out a hunk of golden metal: a partially assembled
spider centurion, she guessed. There was a large bed along one of the
walls and she could see her sister�s form under the red velvet covers.
She walked closer.
�Edwinna?� she whispered. It
was nearly mid-afternoon, although the tower was still dark. Her sister
opened her eyes, turning her head towards the voice. Her grey eyes
widened in shock.
�Alyssa? What are you doing
here?� she asked curiously.
�I just wanted to check up
on you before I left. I�m heading to Balmora for a short while, but then
I�m going back to Sadrith Mora. I just didn�t know when I�d be in the
area again, and wanted to make sure everything was going well for everyone
before I headed off. It looks like a lot has changed in the past few
months�� she mused, �Wait, why does Baladas have a bed up here anyway?
That seems a bit... forward.�
�Oh, you know. Saves a lot of
time when you are researching late into the night. It�s a lot more
convenient, really,� Edwinna yawned, stretching before she sat up in her fitted
blue robes to find her shoes. Suddenly Alyssa gasped. Her sister�s
flesh was laced with red scratch marks and she could see hints of bruising
around her neck.
�What� what happened to you?�
Alyssa asked in horror, unable to take her eyes from the wounds, �Did you go
back down to the ruins?� Edwinna looked at her in confusion for a moment,
then the realization hit her and she glared menacingly.
�Oh Alyssa, you really don�t know
anything, do you? Just close your eyes for a moment,� Edwinna
insisted. Alyssa obeyed, and could hear her sister whisper a short
restoration spell. When she opened her eyes, the marks were gone.
Alyssa stared at her sister quizzically.
�Never mind, dear. Just
forget about it. So� you wanted to know how I was doing, is that
correct?� Edwinna asked. Alyssa nodded, still confused.
�Well, I�m doing wonderfully, thank
you for asking. It�s so relaxing here! I almost forget where the
time goes. I admit I�m a bit envious of my host � this is the perfect
research set-up! We�re trying to figure out why spider centurions stop
working once they leave the Sea of Ghosts � Baladas has a few theories
regarding the ability of the Dwemer to harness the supernatural powers of the
Divines into their mechanical technology. However, it�s still debatable
as to what degree the Dwemer incorporated spirituality into the construction of
their automatons,� Edwinna gushed, �I, for one, can�t wait to see what comes of
our little project there,� she added happily as she gestured towards the
partially dismantled spider centurion on the floor nearby. Alyssa smiled.
�Well that sounds wonderful.
I just got back from the guild in Ald�ruhn and was a little worried after I
talked to everyone,� confessed Alyssa.
�Worried? About what?� asked Edwinna,
�My guild just has a flare for gossip, that�s all. To be honest, I�m glad
to get away from it. It seems that my love life is simply of more
interest to all of them than their work is. They should learn to mind
their own business. For gods sakes, I certainly don�t keep such close
tabs on them! For example, practically everyone suspects that Orrent is
the lover of Garisa Llethri � a married man, I might add, in addition to a Redoran
councilman � yet no one bothers him! I�ve never even brought it up.
Why? Because it doesn�t really matter, so long as he keeps doing his job
and bringing money into the Guild. And it was plain as daylight that Erranil
was after Anarenen even when I was involved with him. But of course, none
of that is as interesting as what is happening in MY life. Oh Alyssa, I
do hope you�ve come here for some reason other than just to gossip. I
have much too much to do without wasting time thinking about petty things like
that.� Alyssa bit her lips, feeling a little embarrassed. Just then
Baladas reappeared, carrying a tray of food, which he set down on the
alchemical table nearby and set to rearranging.
�And how is Great House Telvanni
treating you?� asked Edwinna.
�Oh it�s lovely � so far at
least. I�ve been running a lot of petty errands so far, nothing too
important. I�m a little worried about keeping my image in the Mages Guild
in good standing. Since Ranis was expelled for spying on the guild for
the Telvanni, I don�t want to be accused of the same,� Alyssa confessed.
�Ranis was Telvanni? Hmm, I
didn�t know that. I always thought she was just expelled for immoral
behavior. That one seemed a long time in coming. I can�t say I was
very saddened by Trebonius� decision to remove her,� Edwinna mused
thoughtfully.
�Fortunately Tiram Gadar has been
helping me to manage the two factions peacefully,� added Alyssa, �He�s been a
huge help.�
�Yes, I have a feeling the Guild
wouldn�t be running at all without him. It�s nice to know we have someone
with some common sense behind the head of this operation. And if Tiram
can see past the end of his nose to recognize the merits of the Telvanni then
perhaps all of this petty infighting between our two factions will finally come
to an end so we can get some real collaborative research done,� Edwinna said
hopefully. It was subtle, but Alyssa thought she caught the hint of an
amused smile on Baladas� face. But it was only for an instant.
�There is infighting amongst every
faction. House Telvanni is no different,� Baladas told them, his voice
smooth and deep, �It is inevitable. Any time there is a hierarchy there
will be bids for power. Those with any sense remove themselves from the
struggle completely. That�s why I left the council centuries ago.�
�You were on the Telvanni council?�
Alyssa asked incredulously. Baladas stared at her silently for a moment,
his glowing red eyes unreadable.
�Centuries ago,� he said finally,
�I find it is preferable to conduct my research in solitude.�
�Centuries? How old are you?�
asked Alyssa curiously. Baladas only smiled in reply. Although not
young, he didn't look old enough to have seen the passing of centuries � at
least to Alyssa. She had to admit he was vaguely attractive for an older mer,
in a dark and unusual sort of way, the deep crimson of his regal robes matching
that of his red eyes. His long red and white hair was pulled back neatly
and offset his dark skin. She couldn�t guess his age.
�Alyssa!� scolded Edwinna, �You
know that mer live for centuries longer than we do. It isn�t fair,
really, but I suppose that�s just the way things work. We have to make
the best use of the time we have.� She looked saddened suddenly, and
Alyssa could guess the reason why. Even if she spent every waking moment
of her life on her research projects, she had no hope of matching those of
equally determined elves.
�Yes, speaking of time, we have a
lot to do if we want to finish this centurion on schedule,� replied Baladas.
At this, Edwinna�s face lit up.
�Oh Alyssa, that report you brought
back from Nchuleftingth has been so immensely helpful! I don�t know how I�m
ever going to thank you!� Edwinna replied. At this, Baladas turned to
Alyssa, his interest suddenly renewed.
�You are interested in the Dwemer?�
he asked her.
�A little,� she lied, afraid to
insult their beloved research endeavors.
�Ah, then I take it you are
familiar with Kagrenac and his architectural masterpieces. Kagrenac was
the foremost arcane philosopher and magecrafter of the Dwemer, and devised
tools to shape mythopoeic forces, intending to transcend the limits of Dwemer
mortality,� replied Baladas. Alyssa stared blankly, trying to hide her
confusion. Fortunately her sister saved her.
�Oh, of course she does!� replied Edwinna,
�Everyone knows about Kagrenac. He was the Dwemer's chief tonal architect
at the time of the War of the First Council.� Alyssa smiled
politely. In fact, she had no idea what either of them was talking about.
�I see. And what rank are you
in the House?� he inquired.
�Retainer,� Alyssa replied
respectfully. He nodded.
�Good. You will be interested
to know then that I may have discovered the location of the workshop of Kagrenac�s
smith Dahrk Mezalf,� he told her.
�You did?!� asked Edwinna
excitedly. He turned and smiled at her, seemingly pleased by her
enthusiasm.
�However, I need a few more books
to attempt to confirm my theories before I send anyone out looking for the
ruin. It�s likely to be a dangerous mission. Since you�re here,
would you do a small chore for me?� he asked.
�I suppose,� answered Alyssa
hesitantly, shooting a confused look at her sister. She hadn�t intended
to come here to run errands for Baladas. But Edwinna hardly noticed her
sister.
�Oh of course she will!� answered Edwinna
for her. Alyssa stifled a giggle. She had never seen her sister so
enraptured.
�Excellent. I need copies of
three rare books: Chronicles of Nchuleft, Nchunak's Fire and Faith,
and Antecedants of Dwemer Law. I�ll write them down for you.
You should be able to rely on rare book sellers, but if you have trouble
finding the first you can always try the ruins of Nchuleft itself,� Baladas
responded, picking up a scroll and quill to write down the names of the books
for her.
�I have Chronicles of Nchuleft!�
said Edwinna excitedly, �While you�re out, Alyssa, could you stop by the
guildhall and bring my copy?�
�Very well. That will also
work,� replied Baladas approvingly, �Please return when you have all
three. This task is of the utmost urgency.�
�Alright,� answered Alyssa
skeptically.
�Oh this is wonderful! It was
delightful getting to see you again, Alyssa. Please do hurry � we might
even be done with this centurion by the time you return!� replied Edwinna
cheerfully. Alyssa smiled, sighing softly to herself as she stood to
leave. As she walked down the staircase and was nearing the chamber exit,
she turned around to ask Edwinna what her timeframe for finishing the centurion
was, since she needed to go to Balmora soon anyway and wasn�t sure how long she
would be staying.
But when she turned around her jaw
nearly dropped and the words were instantly lost. To her surprise she
found herself confronted by the image of her sister lying gracefully back in
the arms of the Telvanni master, locked in a passionate embrace. They
hadn't even waited for her to leave. So, the rumors were true after all.
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Fall from High Rock