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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
- 28
- 29
- 30
Chapter
29: Neloth and Gothren
Alyssa awoke the next morning to
find her sister wandering about the guest quarters in which she slept, looking
through the closets and chests.� She yawned.
�Good morning,� she said sleepily.�
Edwinna startled, closing the closet she was examining and turning towards her
little sister.
�Good morning.� I was wondering
when you were going to wake up.� Gods, it looks like this room hasn�t been used
for centuries!� Baladas is such a tidy sort: I can�t believe he would have let
these rooms fall into such a state.� I found another bedroom too � looks like
old servant�s quarters?� But I can�t imagine Baladas ever kept servants
around.� Of course there were just rats living there now.� When I asked him
about it he just stared at me blankly and smiled.� He�s so strange sometimes,�
Edwinna complained, �I�ll have to clean this place up in case you ever come
back and visit us again.�
�Oh, don�t worry about it,� said
Alyssa, sitting up to find her shoes, �I didn�t mind.� Really.�� She hid an
amused smirk as she glanced down at her bedsheets.� The simple act of sleeping
on them had worn them through completely.
�Anyway, Baladas is upstairs.� He
scrambled some kwama eggs earlier if you�re hungry.� They�re pretty good,�
Edwinna said cheerfully, �Though I should warn you that he doesn�t appear to be
in a very talkative mood today.�
�I�m really glad that everything is
working out for you here, but� if you don�t mind my asking� when exactly are
you planning on returning to the Guild?� asked Alyssa. �She didn�t mean to be
so forward, but she knew things were really starting to fall apart in
Ald�ruhn.� Edwinna paused, looking contemplative.
�Hmm.� Soon enough, I suppose.� I
wanted to try a few more things with that spider centurion before I went back to
the Guild,� she replied, looking thoughtful, �Why? Is everything all right
there, or is there something I should know?�
�Well, I don�t entirely know
myself� I mean, you are their guildmaster after all� I think everyone is just
sort of concerned that you�ve abandoned them.� But then at the same time I
think they�re still bitter about Anarenen,� replied Alyssa, feeling a little
foolish.
�Oh yes, I know that.� But really,
I haven�t done anything to him that he didn�t want.� He still has his job and
he�s a well-respected member of the Guild.� The rest of it is all in their
heads.� I don�t know what you all want me to say.� I don�t love him, and I
never said I did.� He was the one who came on to me, after all � it wasn�t like
I seduced him.� I�m sorry he got so attached, but I can�t do much about that,
now can I?� With any luck, he�ll settle down with some new girl � like Erranil,
for all I care � and live happily ever after.� He�ll forget all about me in
just a little while � you just wait.� But at the same time,� she paused, �I
can�t say I�m over-eager to return to the Guild just yet when I know they are
all scrutinizing every move I make.� I find my mind is much clearer when I�m
here.� And in terms of getting work done, Baladas is simply a much better
research partner than the rest of my Guild combined.�� Alyssa smirked.� She was
pretty sure that Baladas� research efforts were not all that her sister had
taken note of in the Dunmer mage.
�Oh, don�t you look at me like
that!� You know it�s true,� Edwinna insisted, turning in a huff towards the
winding corridors that lead up to Baladas� study.� Alyssa hurried to catch up.
�And if you�re really so worried,
I�ll just go back to Ald�ruhn tomorrow and set everyone straight on their
research tasks.� Hopefully they�ve accomplished SOMETHING in my absence�
although it wouldn�t surprise me if they had all done nothing but gossip,� she
said with a sigh.� Suddenly she stopped and turned to her sister.
�What do you think of Baladas,
anyway?� she asked.� Alyssa blinked.
�Well, he seems nice enough, I
guess.� Although I have to admit that I liked Anarenen better.� I mean, Baladas
isn�t bad, he�s just� strange.� You know?� Alyssa said, shifting her weight
uncomfortably.� Edwinna glared.
�He�s Telvanni, Alyssa.� And so are
you, now.� From the stories I�ve heard I really expected him to be far
stranger.� But he�s a good researcher, and a good mer besides.� If you really
want to rise in House Telvanni, you�d be wise to heed his advice, or you�re
soon going to find yourself in with a much stranger crowd than you can possibly
imagine,� replied Edwinna testily.� Alyssa bit her lip.� She was probably
right.� But then, her sister wasn�t involved with any of the other Telvanni.�
It was different, somehow.� But she didn�t know how to explain it.
The top of the tower was bathed in
a soft emerald light flowing down in iridescent streams.� Baladas was seated at
his desk, as usual, pouring over a design schematic of some sort.� He had
several books laid out on his desk and was leisurely scribbling notes on a
parchment in front of him.� He had a glass of flin next to him and did not look
up when the sisters entered.
�Good morning,� said Edwinna.� He
glanced up and nodded to her, but said nothing, seemingly engrossed in his
studies.� Edwinna set about to serving Alyssa some breakfast.
The kwama eggs were good, Alyssa
decided, if just a little bit spicy.� She wondered how he had prepared them,
but it seemed impolite to interrupt him to ask.� She watched as he turned
another page in one of the books in front of him, taking a sip of flin from his
goblet.� Alyssa stared.� It was still the early morning, and already he was
drinking?
�Can I get you something to drink?�
asked Edwinna.
�Um� well� isn�t it a little early
for alcohol?� asked Alyssa, gesturing towards Baladas� open bottle sitting out
on the table.� He looked up at her, raising an eyebrow.� But still he said
nothing.
�You can have water, or I think
there is some comberry juice around here.� If not, I can always make some.�
There are certainly enough comberries stocked in this tower,� she replied.� She
turned around and noticed what her sister was referring to.� She shot Alyssa an
icy glare.
�It helps clear his mind,� she
explained.� Baladas smiled, looking a bit amused.� Alyssa nodded, her face turning
red.� She hoped she had not offended her host.
�So what are your plans for the
day?� Edwinna asked.
�Well, I figured I should probably
head back to Sadrith Mora and try to find out what I can about seeking out a
patron,� she replied.� At this, Baladas laughed.
�Well then, I recommend you
actually make a visit to meet these masters in person before you officially
choose one,� he said, �You should see what you�re getting yourself into before
you resign yourself to serving under one of them.�
�Well, I suppose I could meet Aryon
and Dratha,� Alyssa replied.
�Oh no.� No, go meet them all.�
Even if you have no intention of serving under them it�s a good idea to see who
it is you are dealing with.� The worst that will happen is that you will come
back with some very interesting stories to tell.� Well,� he paused, looking
thoughtful, �That isn�t really the worst that could happen� but I assume you
know how to take care of yourself.� Just don�t stay too long or you will wear
out your welcome.�� Alyssa looked perplexed.� Baladas smiled.� For a moment
they were silent.
�Why exactly did you leave the
council?� asked Alyssa finally.
�That is another story for another
time,� he replied, �Although I�m sure that if you ask around, you�ll get all
sorts of interesting theories.� The bottom line is that I�m simply not
interested in what the House has become� or rather the House no longer
interests what I have become.� But really, go see for yourself.� Form your own
theories and ideas.� After all, you can never really trust anything but your
own mind.� And at times, even that can deceive you.�
�I�ll keep that in mind, thank
you,� said Alyssa politely, glancing at her sister for reassurance.� Edwinna
did not notice, however, as she appeared busy attempting to crush comberries into
juice.
�For what?� he asked, cocking his
head to the side, �I�ve done little other than state the perfectly obvious.�
However, if you find yourself in need of additional advice, you seem to know
well enough where I live.� And if you�d like, I may have more chores for you
later.� Provided you are interested, of course.�� Alyssa nodded in agreement.�
Perhaps her sister�s new lover was not as bad as she had imagined� flin,
skeletons, and all.� He certainly seemed amiable enough.� But she had a feeling
there was more to his story.� Something about him still seemed� not quite
right.� But she couldn�t place it.� Perhaps her mind was playing tricks on her
after all.
~*~
It was nearly mid-afternoon when
Alyssa reached Sadrith Mora.� She could see the looming tower of Tel Naga as
soon as she left Wolverine Hall.� She had been inside several times before, but
she had never met the master of the tower, Neloth.� She remembered that Tiram
had mentioned that he was ill-tempered.� Perhaps she should make a stop by the
Council Chambers first to check with his mouth.� After all, she did not wish to
offend him.
�Excuse me, sera,� she said when
she reached the inner Council Chambers, �I was wondering if it might be
possible to arrange a meeting with Master Neloth?�
�Hmm,� said Arara Uvulas, looking
thoughtful, �A meeting with my patron?� Pardon me for asking, but why on earth
would you care to do such a thing?�
�I was advised by Baladas
Demnevanni that I should meet the masters of House Telvanni in person before
deciding on a patron,� Alyssa replied, feeling her face flush with
embarrassment.� Why was she bothering?� She was sure they had more chores for
her.� This wasn�t going to advance her rank.� The room was silent for a moment.
�Baladas Demnevanni?� asked Mallam
Ryon, the mouth of Archmagister Gothren.
�Yes,� replied Alyssa, biting her
lip.� There was another long pause.� Alyssa could feel eyes watching her from
all around.
�Baladas left the council centuries
ago,� said Mallam skeptically.
�Yes, he told me that,� she replied.�
Why this sudden interest in Baladas?� She had only asked about Neloth.
�When did you last see him?� asked
another voice, this time from Galos Mathendis, the mouth of Master Aryon.
�Well, this morning, actually.� He
asked me to deliver some books to him at his tower in Gnisis,� Alyssa replied.�
The stares around her became more intense.
�We have found you worthy to
advance in rank.� You are now Alyssa Elbert, Oathman of Great House Telvanni,�
said Galos, �I have another task for you, when you are ready.�� Alyssa stared
in confusion.
�But would it be possible to
arrange a meeting with your patrons?� she asked, feeling a strange mixture of
excitement and puzzlement.� She was happy to have finally advanced, but why so
suddenly?
�Certainly.� Master Aryon has asked
someone to deliver a daedra skin to him at his tower in Tel Vos.� I think you
will find him to be the most hospitable and open-minded of the Telvanni
masters,� said Galos.� Alyssa bit her lip.
�And Neloth?� I mean, I�m here in
Sadrith Mora now, I might as well stop by,� she said.� Arara laughed.
�Oh, I don�t think you would care
to meet with my patron.� The only reason I chose him was because my family
lives in Sadrith Mora and it would be difficult for me to travel elsewhere for
extended periods of time,� she said, �However, if you care to do chores for
him, he generally has a great number that need doing.� It is best to come
through either myself or one of his other high ranking taskmasters though.�
Master Neloth himself can be rather� ah, unpleasant.� He is old and has little
time or patience for being interrupted from his work.� Even with an interest in
enchantment you are unlikely to earn his respect or attention.� However, you
are welcome to try.� It is true that he is nearby.� I warn you though: should
anything unusual happen, leave quickly.� Do not try to stay and explain
yourself or your intentions.� He will not be interested.�
�Gothren may be interested in you,�
Mallam said, �His tower is nearby at Tel Aruhn.� However, he is just as likely
to ignore you completely.� Sometimes he is� not quite there.� But I have a
feeling��
�You are female, so you should have
no trouble speaking with Dratha,� Raven Omayn cut in with a laugh.
�I wouldn�t bother with Therana at
all though,� warned Felisa Ulessen, �Unless you are a follower of Sheogorath I
doubt she will hold much interest for you.� We all have to do our best to
govern around her.� But if you decide to go � make sure to take some
intervention scrolls with you� just in case.� Her tower is the most isolated of
all the Telvanni masters for a reason.�
�Thank you,� Alyssa smiled.� A
strange encounter� but then she was beginning to become accustomed to such
things.
~*~
�Excuse me, sera,� said Alyssa
politely, curtsying as she entered the upper tower where Master Neloth sat with
a scroll in hand.� He had a dark glowing gem of some sort in the other and was
rolling it idly between his fingertips.� Perhaps it was a soul gem, but it was
unlike any Alyssa had ever seen before.� The old Dunmer didn�t even look up.
�Whatever you want, the answer is
no,� he replied, still pouring over the scroll in front of him.
�I�m sorry, sera.� I just wanted to
introduce myself and ask if there might be anything I could do�� she managed
before he cut her off.� Neloth looked up angrily.
�Did I ASK who you were?� he
glared.� Alyssa bit her lip.� But she had been warned that he was foul tempered
so she held her ground silently.
�No answer, hm?� Yeah, didn�t think
so.� If you want to make yourself useful, go ask one of my other retainers to
give you something to do.� Or go collect some souls and throw them in that
basket over there.� Just don�t bother me,� he replied, turning back to his
scroll.
�I�m sorry sera, I just�� Alyssa
started, lowering her eyes and cutsying again in an attempt to sooth his
temper.� In an instant, Neloth flicked his fingers and she felt a strange
sensation wash over her.� At first it just tingled, but then it seemed to be
consuming her, sucking out her very breath, turning her body�s energies inside
out.� Yet when she looked down there was nothing but a glowing white light
encircling her waist.� Suddenly her heart caught in her throat.� She was soul
trapped.� She looked up in horror at the Dunmer mage-lord seated before her.
�GET OUT!� he yelled suddenly as a
streak of lighning flashed from his fingertips.� Alyssa dodged it, but it
barely missed her head.� She turned and fled, casting a levetation spell
quickly as she made her way to the tower shaft.� Baladas might not have been
the most friendly sort, but he was a perfect gentleman compared to this
nightmare of a man.� She wondered why she was even bothering with this foolish
plan.� But next on her list was Gothren, and Mallam had mentioned that he might
actually be interested in her.� She wondered why.� She just hoped he wasn�t as
hostile as Neloth had been.
~*~
The island of Tel Aruhn made Alyssa
uncomfortable immediately.� There were slave markets here, just as there were
in Sadrith Mora, but many of these slaves were of the more �exotic� variety.�
She had been prepared for that, but not for the manner in which they were
kept.� Malcus would surely have started a riot if he saw the things her eyes
beheld.
When she walked into the lower
tower, the first thing she noticed was a pair of orcs guarding a pit.� Curious,
she stepped closer.� She gasped, grabbing onto the nearest wall for support as
her eyes widened in shock.� There were humans and elves down there, half-naked
and sobbing.� As she watched, a guard in a cephalopod helm walked past her down
into the pit and grabbed one of the slave girls roughly by her hair, a pretty
young Breton woman with long dark hair not unlike her own.� She had been
wearing a flimsy skirt, but he stripped it off quickly and pulled her up out of
the pit away from the others.� As they passed by Alyssa, the woman looked at
her pleadingly with tear-stained eyes.�
Alyssa felt helpless as she watched
the woman forced to her knees before a pair of Dunmer men.� They examined her
for a moment, then handed the guard a sack of coins.� One of them took out a
knife and grabbed the woman�s hair roughly, causing her to cry out as her head
was forced downwards and her neck was exposed.� Alyssa had to cover her mouth
to stifile a scream, but in an instant the man had severed through her long
hair, leaving her flesh intact.� He threw it aside.� The woman cried audibly,
looking more vulnerable now, more exposed.� She was just an object to them, her
beautiful hair mearly an inconvienience.� Alyssa could not help but run her own
hands though her own long dark hair.� The Dunmer just laughed, pulling her to
her feet as she was lead outside, nothing more than common property to do with
as they pleased.� Alyssa turned and fled.� She did not want to meet the master
of this tower.� She couldn�t.
�Going somewhere?� a deep voice
asked mockingly.� Alyssa tried to choke back her tears.� It was the same
Telvanni guard.
�No sera� I mean, yes�� she
started.� Her heart was racing.� The mer laughed.
�Outlanders,� he muttered, shaking
his head, �Your kind is not welcome on Tel Aruhn.� You should leave while you
can.�
�I�m sorry sera� I am an Oathman of
Great House Telvanni and I have business here,� she replied, not sure why she
was explaining herself to this mer.
�Business, hmm?� he replied,
�Archmagister Gothren is upstairs, if you have business with him.� But try to
pull yourself together first.� You�ll be mistaken for a Twin Lamps spy if you
stay down here staring like you are.�� Alyssa nodded, swallowing hard as she
attempted to stand up straighter.
�Of course,� she replied, �Now if
you�ll excuse me, I really must be going.�� The Dunmer laughed under his
breath.
�Very well.� But I�ll be watching
you.� Member of the House or not, Outlanders can never be trusted,� he said
with a sly smile.� Alyssa took a deep breath, trying her best to look indignant
as she sauntered casually away.� She didn�t want to meet Gothren, but if she
traveled anywhere now but the upper tower, she knew it would arouse suspicion.
Levitating her way up the winding
mazelike passageways, she soon found herself in a dark upper chamber.� She
could see a wood elf polishing a sword in a room on the end.� A stern-looking
Dunmer woman examined her closely.
�Is there something I can do for
you?� she asked suspiciously.
�Yes, sera� I am looking for the
Archmagister,� said Alyssa, trying to appear indifferent, although her heart
was still pounding in her chest.� The woman glared menacingly.
�Has he sent for you?� she asked.
�His mouth, Mallam, said that he
might be interested in taking me on as one of his pupils,� she said.
�I don�t see why he would be
interested in YOU,� she replied hautilly.� Alyssa glared back.� This woman
clearly thought of her as competition.
�Nonetheless, I was told to meet
him.� Perhaps he can be the judge of that,� Alyssa replied.� She hoped this
woman didn�t challenge her, but just in case, she kept her finger on an amulet
of recall that she had stored in her pocket for just such an emergency.
�He�s upstairs,� the woman scoffed,
turning her back in a huff as she stormed off.� Alyssa wished she could
reassure her that she had no intention of staying here � she didn�t even wish
to meet Gothren, actually.� But here she was, and if that man downstairs
already suspected her of being a Twin Lamps spy� well, she didn�t want to
arouse any more suspicion than she already had.� She tried to wipe the memory
of the crying woman from her mind.� She made a mental note of this slave
market, and that woman in particular.� Perhaps later, there would be something
she could do to help her.� But for now, it was futile� and she knew it.
Upstairs was even more dimly lit.�
Although it was a clear and sunny day, there was virtually no natural light
penetrating the upper chambers.� Candles flickered from odd corners, casting
errie light around the room.� There were bookshelves, and off in a corner stood
a white haired man whom Alyssa assumed to be the Archmagister.� He was standing
idly, seemingly lost in thought.� Although his gaze was fixed in her direction,
he did not appear to see her.� Rather, he seemed to be gazing through her.� As
she got closer, she caught sight of two dremora standing on either side of
him.� As she approached, they stepped forward, blocking Alyssa�s path.
�What is your business here,
mortal?� one of them hissed.
�I� I am simply looking to meet the
great Archmagister of House Telvanni,� she replied, �I was advised by his mouth
that I may be useful to him in some way.�� Gothren still said nothing,
seemingly oblivious to her presence.� His eyes were glazed over and he looked
like his mind was far away.
�What use would Mallam see in you,
fleshling?� the other dremora hissed, his voice full of venom.� He grinned,
allowing Alyssa to see a full set of white fangs.
�I� I am not sure�� she confessed,
her breath quickening rapidly.� She wanted to run.� This tower� this island� it
was terrifying.
�Foolish mortal.� Even you do not
know your own use,� the dremora scoffed.� Alyssa blinked back tears, her mind
racing.� What was it she had said that made them all suddenly take notice in
the council chambers?
�I think it may have to do with
Baladas Demnevanni, perhaps?� she asked.� The dremora hissed, but another voice
rose from behind.
�Baladas� yes,� Gothren said,
finally, his voice raspy and distant.
�It seems our master may be
interested in you after all, little meat-sack,� the dremora scoffed, backing
away, but making sure Alyssa caught another glimpse of his sharp fangs.� Alyssa
stared at the man before her.� Although his long hair and beard were white, he
did not appear as old as many of the other Dunmer she had seen.� He turned, not
even looking in her direction anymore, his head cocked leasurely to the side.
�Ask Baladas�� he said, his
expression vacant.� For a moment he stood, silently.� His robes had an eerie
sheen to them and he wore a glowing amulet about his neck.� Alyssa tried to be
patient, tried to ignore the dremoras� bared teeth and swords and menacing
glares, tried to fight the urge to run.� Something about this man made her
blood run cold.
�Yes?� she asked finally, trying to
calm her voice even as she found herself shaking in terror.� One of the dremora
laughed and whispered something to the other.� She couldn�t make it out.� She
wasn�t sure she wanted to.
�About the dwarves,� Gothren said
finally.� Alyssa was now truly perplexed.� She cleared her throat.
�What about the dwarves,
specifically?� she asked, �He knows a great deal about many aspects of dwemer
culture, as does my sister Edwinna.�� Gothren was silent, and touched the
amulet at his chest.
�It doesn�t matter,� he said
quietly, �Their disappearance, their artifacts, their language� it doesn�t
matter.� Baladas� may not answer.� It matters not.�� Alyssa took a deep breath
and held it.� There was something wrong here � something terribly wrong.� She
backed away slowly, still shaking.
�Yes, yes sera,� she replied,
unable to keep her voice from cracking.� She wanted to leave.� She wanted to
leave� now.� Gothren only stared.� Was this man... alive?� One of the dremora
licked his lips invitingly, winking at the other in an almost seductive
fashion.� She couldn�t stay here.
Alyssa backed her way down the
stares, unable to tear her eyes from the strange lifeless expression on
Gothren�s face.� She passed the Dunmer woman she had met earlier, but was
unable to do anything more than nod in her general direction as she fumbled
with the door.� This woman could have Gothren and his dremora all to herself,
for all she cared.� In her eagerness to leave she nearly fell, causing the
daedra skin she had collected earlier for Master Aryon to fall from her robes.�
She scooped it up quickly, nearly running from the tower.� She sincerely hoped
that Aryon was of a different sort than the two masters she had met today,
because if she had met either of them earlier it is almost certain that she
would never have joined Great House Telvanni in the first place.� She
shuddered, her body still shaking despite the warm sunny evening weather on the
seacoast of Tel Aruhn.
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Fall from High Rock