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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
- 35
- 36
- 37
Chapter 36: Tel
Mora
�Welcome to Tel Mora,� the
tired-looking Dunmer boatmistress greeted Alyssa when she arrived.� She yawned,
looking somewhat unenthusiastic as she stretched her arms over her head.� It
was already early evening, and the sun was just setting over the cool waters,
casting colorful lights along the surface.
�Thank you,� replied Alyssa
politely, glancing about the island.� Across the water, she could see the town
of Vos, and beyond it, Master Aryon�s tower.� Considering the preference of the
Telvanni for solitude, it seemed strange that the two Masters had built their
respective towers in such close proximity.
�Planning to get out already?� I
can take you across the water if you don�t want to swim.� For only one coin,
too � it�s a great deal,� the boatmistress grinned.
�Oh no� I was planning on staying
here for a while,� Alyssa replied.� The boatmistress shrugged.
�Suit yourself.� I hope you like
women.� That�s all we�ve got around here,� she smirked.� Alyssa smiled.
�Oh of course I do!� Why wouldn�t
I?� she responded politely.� The Dunmer laughed.
�Well, then, I guess you�ll be
fine.� I�m going absolutely crazy myself, but what can you do?� This is where
the work is, so this is where I stay.� Fortunately my position allows for a bit
of travel but in the end, I always wind up back here,� she sighed longingly,
�Anyway, I�m Tonas Telvani.� Let me know if there�s anything I can do for you.�
�Charmed, I�m sure.� My name is
Alyssa Elbert,� Alyssa replied politely, �Can you tell me a little about this
town?� It�s my first time here.�
�Alright.� We�ve got the usual
shops: smiths, clothiers, apothecaries, pawnshops, traders� Tel Mora is really
best known for its elegant clothing shops.� We get day shoppers all the time.�
Of course, they are primarily women too.� If you�re looking to relax and chat
with the locals, our local tavern is The Covenant.� It�s not really my cup of
tea but� well, they do serve a lot of tea, actually.� I mean, what�s the point
of getting drunk around here?� Tonas sighed, crossing her arms.
�Can you tell me anything about
Mistress Dratha?� Alyssa asked curiously.
�She�s a nice enough Mistress, for
a Telvanni, I guess.� I mean, it could be worse.� She takes good care of all
her girls on the island for the most part.� Most of them love her.� But really�
banning ALL men from the island?� It�s just a recipe for disaster.� I was
raised in Tel Mora, and as a result I�ve never had a decent relationship.� It�s
enough to drive a girl crazy,� Tonas complained.� Alyssa giggled, thinking of
her own experiences with men.� She wasn�t sure her own experiences were quite
normal either.
�Anyway, I hope you enjoy yourself
here.� Are you a Telvanni looking to serve under Mistress Dratha?� Tonas asked.
�Yes, something like that,� Alyssa
smiled.
�Ah, well� good luck to you then.�
We don�t have any other Bretons, as far as I know,� she replied lazily,
swatting an insect from her arm.
Alyssa wandered leisurely up the
vine-like pathways leading to small pods above the sparking clear water which
surrounded the island.� The breeze was cool and pleasant in the warm summer
air.� She could hear the hum of brightly colored insects faintly above the
soothing sound of the sea water lapping against the island shore.� The shops
appeared fairly typical, as Tonas had told her.� There were the usual amnesties
interspersed with individual dwellings.� She could see a spiraling vine-like
stairway just across the water on a tiny earthen platform.� There were stepping
stones leading across the water towards it.� Alyssa hopped onto one, striding
easily across the stones until she came to the spiral staircase.� A sign below
read �The Covenant.�� Surely this must be the tavern.� This might be a good
place to gather additional information about the island�s mistress prior to
meeting her, Alyssa decided.� She didn�t want to appear as unprepared as she
felt she had been with the other Telvanni Councilors � and after all, neither
Tiram nor Baladas seemed to know much at all about Mistress Dratha.
As soon as she opened the door,
Alyssa was greeted with the pleasant smell of warm meat roasting over an open
fire.� The entryway was brightly lit, and Alyssa could hear the sounds of
excited laughter from above.� There was a desk before her, and behind it sat a
young Bosmer girl, filing her nails leisurely.
�Oh hello there!� she called when
she spotted Alyssa, �You�re new here, aren�t you?� I�m Natesse!� Very pleased
to meet you!�
�I�m Alyssa.� Very pleased to meet
you as well,� she replied politely.
�So what brings you to this part of
the woods?� Or this part of the island, I guess I should say � we don�t really
have any woods around here unfortunately.� But mushrooms are almost as good!�
Almost, that is,� Natesse responded with a giggle.
�I was hoping to do some work for
Mistress Dratha,� Alyssa replied.
�Oh!� Another Telvanni!� I guess
you�ll probably be around here for a while then, huh?� How exciting!� We�re
always getting visitors, but it seems most don�t want to stay for the long
term.� It�s too bad, really.� It�s so pleasant here � I don�t see why anyone
would leave!� Mistress Dratha is really nice � you�ll like her,� Natesse
grinned.
�I hope so.� I haven�t had much
luck with the other Telvanni councilors so far,� Alyssa confessed, feeling
suddenly more at ease.� Natesse laughed.
�Well then, you and Dratha ought to
get along just fine!� She doesn�t like most of them either.� I can�t say I ever
pay that much attention to it all though� see, I�m not really a member of House
Telvanni.� But Dratha doesn�t mind.� She�ll let any women come and stay here if
they really want to.� She�s so sweet!� Natesse giggled.� Alyssa smiled.� She
was starting to relax a little.� So far, Mistress Dratha didn�t sound half bad.
�Anyway, most of the girls are
upstairs.� Thaeril should be about done with dinner � she�s always got the best
food and drink in Vvardenfell.� I�m not much of a drinker, but on a cold day,
her warm spiced shein always hits the spot.� On a cool summer day like today�
hmm� maybe iced stoneflower tea?� Natesse suggested, looking thoughtful, �Oh� that
sounds so good I think I�m going to head upstairs with you!� If anyone else
wants training, they�ll have to wait until I�m done with dinner!�
Alyssa followed the Bosmer
upstairs, glancing around at the patrons seated at the tavern.� The all
appeared to be having a good time, laughing and joking as they sat around large
tables enjoying their food and drink.
�We�ve got a new girl in town!�
exclaimed Natesse as she approached the bar, �Her name�s Alyssa.� She�s a
Telvanni who�s come to help out Mistress Dratha in her research efforts.�
�Oh!� Well met then, Miss Alyssa!��
the bartender smiled, taking out a knife and slicing off two large portions of
meat, �I�m Thaeril.� Your first meal is on the house!� I�ve baked some bread to
go with it � would you like some?� Or something to drink?� There are different
sauces and jams along the edge of the bar � I just set them out and let the
girls help themselves to whatever they like.�
�Ech!� No offense, but I hate
bread!� Natesse exclaimed.� Thaeril laughed.
�It�s not so bad if you give it a
chance!� The Dunmer and Redguards seem to love it.� I�ve even started to like
it myself.� Besides, you know I always wait for the saltrice to fall on its own
before I grind it into flour.� No plants are ever harmed in the making of my
meals!� Thaeril remarked with a grin.� Alyssa looked perplexed, eyeing her
bread and meat skeptically.
�What�s the matter?� Oh� I�m
sorry!� Would you like it cooked a little longer?� Thaeril asked, taking
Alyssa�s meat and tossing it back on the grill before Alyssa could even reply.�
It did smell good, she had to admit, but she did prefer her meat well-done.�
Natesse giggled.
�To each their own,� she shrugged,
picking up a fork and plate and heading downstairs.
�Sorry about that!� I don�t get too
many Bretons in my tavern.� Most only stop over at Elegnan�s shop and hurry
back on their way without saying hello.� It gets kind of hard trying to please
such a diverse crowd � I only have time to prepare one large meal at a time, so
I try to make it something everyone can enjoy,� Thaeril explained
apologetically.
�It smells great.� Is it
nix-hound?� Alyssa asked.� Thaeril smiled.
�Oh, I just cook up whatever I�m
given.� We Bosmer are connoisseurs of meat so I trust my girls wholeheartedly.�
You�ll find this a little more tender and juicy than your typical young
nix-hound.� Meat is practically all we eat back in Valenwood.� Trees are
sacred, so we never harm them.� We can easily live our entire lives up in the
trees.� They give us everything � right down to the air we breathe.� But here,
well� mushrooms are a pretty good second choice, I suppose.� I think that�s why
we�ve attracted so many Bosmer over the years.� Some of the other races prefer
taking vegetables and fruits with their meat though � so I try to please
everyone.� I only take what the plants themselves offer me, however.� I�ve
found it tastes better that way too!� I have a wide variety of teas now too �
would you care to try one?� Thaeril asked hopefully.� Alyssa nodded eagerly.�
It had been a long time since she had tried tea.
�Your iced stoneflower tea came
highly recommended,� she replied.
�Oh good!� I see word has gotten
around.� I�ll have to heat it up to a boil before I ice it down though, so
it�ll just take a few moments.� In the meantime� I think your meat is done!�
Mmmm, is this well-done enough for you?� Thaeril asked.� Alyssa nodded, noting
that the insides were still a little pink.� But otherwise� well, she supposed
it would do.� And the bread smelled delicious!� There were hints of sweet spices
embedded inside.� She took a bite, savoring the flavor on her tongue.� It was
good, she had to admit, especially for such a simple fare.
�Oh, try the comberry jam!� It goes
splendidly with the heather-bread,� Thaeril called out.� Alyssa smiled, adding
a bit of the mixture to her plate, along with a variety of sauces for
dipping.�� She turned around, unsure where she should sit as she stepped
cautiously down the stairs.
�Come here, Alyssa!� I�ll introduce
you to everyone!� Natesse called.� Alyssa hurried over to join her.
�Alright, now Elphiron, Gelduin,
and Nathien are all sisters.� That�s Radras, our local smith.� She doesn�t get
too much business from male adventurers, so everything she makes is custom made
with the female body in mind.� It�s great, really!� And there is Nona, she just
moved here not long ago too.� Do you know where Elegnan and Berwen are?�
Natesse asked, looking around.
�I think Elegnan still isn�t
feeling well,� Elphiron replied, �We�ll have to ask Celria how she�s doing.� Or
Jolda� she�s just sitting right over there.�� Elphiron pointed towards a tall
redguard woman who was eating quietly towards the end of another table with two
young girls seated next to her.� Natesse leaned in.
�Jolda is our apocathary,� Natesse
explained quietly, �She�s had a rough life.� Her husband beat her and her three
daughters� one of them didn�t make it.� And she�s a healer too� I can�t even
imagine the pain of spending your life saving people and then having to watch
one of your own daughters die right before your eyes.� She�s such a sweet woman
too.�
�Oh my!� That�s awful!� Alyssa
exclaimed.� The girls all nodded gravely.
�She�s safe here at least.�
Mistress Dratha won�t let anyone hurt her,� Gelduin replied grimly, �And
neither will I, for that matter.�
�Yeah, she and her daughters have a
chance for a second life here in Tel Mora,� Nathien agreed.
�Anyway, we should ask her if she�s
seen Elegnan lately.� I�m getting worried about her,� Natesse replied.� The
other girls nodded as Natesse stood up to whisper something to Jolda.� She
returned quickly.
�Well,� said Natesse, �It looks
like everything is going to be alright.� She just caught Collywobbles from one
of her customers a week back, but she�s on the mend and should be up and about
in just a few days.�
�What about Berwen?� Nona asked.�
The other girls stared blankly.
�Oh, who knows?� She was always a
little strange,� Elphiron replied haughtily.
�You�re just bitter because she
turned you down all those years ago,� Nathien giggled.� Elphiron crossed her
arms, her face turning slightly red.
�Am not!� Come on, you all think so
too.� Everyone does,� Elphiron replied angrily, shooting her sisters menacing
glares.� Alyssa tried to ignore them, instead taking a bite of her meat.� Her
eyes widened in surprise.� It was indeed quite tender and juicy.� The Bosmer
did appear to know their cooking.� It paired perfectly with the spiced bread
too.
�Alright� what�s for dinner
tonight?� Lemme guess� more meat?� a familiar voice shot from above.� Alyssa
looked up to see the shipmaster, leaning over the bar with a bored expression
on her face as she tossed a coin at Thaeril.
�I�m afraid so,� Thaeril replied.
�Good lord.� Couldn�t we have
hackle-lo soup at least one night a month?� Tonas complained.
�Eech!� exclaimed Nona, making a
gagging sound.� The other girls laughed.� Thaeril shrugged.
�If you want to come back here and
make it yourself, I suppose that would be alright,� she offered helpfully.
�No.� Fine, whatever.� I�ll take
the damn meat.� Hmm, at least we get some bread with it this time,� Tonas
remarked, scooping up as many sauces as she could onto her plate before sitting
down at one of the tables, as far away from the others as she could manage.
�Tonas still misses men.� She
doesn�t realize how lucky she is not to have them around,� None explained, �She
never had them to begin with, so she has this strange idea in her head that
she�s missing something great.�� Alyssa nodded.� She imagined that many things
would be a lot simpler with no men on the island.
�I was supposed to get married � to
a mean old man my parents picked out for me.� When I refused, they disowned me
and I eventually made my way here, penniless,� Nona continued, �But it�s better
than the alternative.� He made me move out here to Vvardenfell, away from Valenwood.�
I don�t have enough money to go back, but at least I live clear across the
island now.� He won�t find me here.�
�I thought Fargoth took up with
some other girl when you moved here?� Nathien asked.� Nona scowled.
�Yeah that too.� Said I wasn�t good
enough for him, and if I wanted to keep eating I�d have to keep my mouth shut
about his affairs.� Men are slimier than scrib jelly, I tell you,� Nona
scowled.
�We all ran away together as soon
as out parents suggested marriage.� We�ve never needed men.� We�re
adventurers!� We go where the winds take us, and we refuse to be tied down by
anyone,� Elphiron explained.� Her sisters nodded eagerly in agreement.
�Well, I see you already met the
locals,� Tonas complained, tipping her head back as she swallowed a glass of
mazte.
�Alyssa�s great!� Don�t you go
trying to corrupt her,� Gelduin warned.� Tonas laughed.
�Eh, she said she liked women.� So
she�s probably fine here,� Tonas smirked.� The girls grinned at her
approvingly.
�You do?� Elphiron asked.� Alyssa
shrugged.
�Well, why shouldn�t I?� she
replied, feeling a little confused.
�Oh goody!� Women are so much more
pleasant to be around than men are.� They are much kinder, and more intelligent
too.� There�s nothing a man can do that a woman cannot do better, isn�t that
right girls?� Elphiron smirked.� The others nodded in agreement.
�Oh, you�ll get along just fine
here!� Galerion replied, smoothing back her hair.
�Yeah well, I don�t know about that
�nothing a man can do� part,� Tonas replied with a smirk, �Cause I can think of
one or two things right off the top of my head that I�d LOVE to have a man do
to me right about now�� The three sisters glared at her.
�What?� Like tie you up and rape
you?� Nathien asked.� Tonas grinned.
�Now THERE�S a thought!� she mused
happily, settling back in her chair.
�Oh, you only say that because
you�ve never been raped,� Gelduin replied, �I have, and I can tell you that
it�s one of the most horrible experiences a woman can have.�
�Yeah, well, at least he�s dead
now,� Nathien replied, �I think I�ve still got his skull in my room somewhere.�
�Yeah� you�re the best sisters
anyone could ask for!� Gelduin grinned.
�And I wouldn�t say Jolda�s
daughters particularly enjoyed it either,� Natesse reminded her.
�I was raped once,� Alyssa admitted
quietly.� The girls looked at her with surprise and sympathy.
�Poor girl!� I�m sorry.� I hope
he�s dead now.� Otherwise, I�d be more than happy to do it for you,� Elphiron
offered sincerely.� Alyssa smiled.� She felt it would be unwise to mention the
rest of the story.� After all, she was lovers with her rapist now� although he
very well might he dead, for all she knew.� Tonas shrugged.
�Eh, you can�t rape the willing
anyway, right?� she grinned, �Honestly though, what I wouldn�t give for a nice
big man between my legs��
�Oh that�s foul!� replied Nona,
crinkling her nose in disgust, �I mean, have you seen those things they�ve got
to work with?!� They�re horrid!�� The other girls giggled.
�Yeah, you know women are better
stimulated from the outside anyway.� It�s how our physiology works,� Elphiron
explained, �We aren�t even designed to be stimulated by men!�� Tonas shook her
head disapprovingly.
�Yeah, well, I know that�s what
Dratha�s been preaching, but frankly, I don�t believe it.� �Cause every night I
have the same dream over and over� and it isn�t going to be satisfied with a
little fingering either,� Tonas replied.
�You should see Radras then.� She�s
got all kinds of things to fill you up in her shop!� And she knows how to use
them too,� Elphiron replied with a wink.
�Yeah, but there you go, proving my
point.� If we weren�t designed to be stimulated that way� what�s with all the
toys?� And I mean, come on� they can�t be half as good as the real thing.�
Hardened leather isn�t half as supple as elven flesh� or human flesh� or heck,
I�d take Kajiit or Argonian flesh over those silly things any day!� Tonas
complained, crossing her arms.
�Eew!� You know that Kajiit have
barbs on their penises, right?� They tear up their females when they penetrate
them � poor girls.� Another very good reason to stay well away from men,�
Gelduin replied, crinkling her nose.� Tonas sighed.
�What I wouldn�t do for a nice man
to tear me up at the moment,� she mused.
�Oh for crying out loud!� Here,
I�ve got a present for you,� Nathien replied, throwing a hardened leather
phallus in the direction of Tonas.� It landed in her plate, and she picked it
up, admiring it inquisitively.
�I hate you guys � you know that
right?� she finally replied.� The girls laughed.
�And I�m, um� yeah, I�m going back
to my ship�s cabin now.� See you all tomorrow,� Tonas grinned, pocketing the
large toy and nearly rushing down the stairs.� Howls of laughter followed her.
�She�ll come around, just you
wait,� Natesse bet, said, watching her go.
�I don�t see how. �She won�t let
anyone touch her,� Gelduin replied, �How are we supposed to teach her the
pleasures of the flesh when she won�t let anyone near her?�
�Eh, she probably just hasn�t met
the right girl yet.� Katie and Nina are always fighting, so maybe during one of
their break-up periods one of them ought to lock themselves in Tonas� cabin and
screw her silly.� That�d shut her up.� Seriously, those girls go at it for
HOURS.� I swear they only break up so they can make up again,� Natesse
replied.� The others giggled.
�Why wait until they break up?�
Have them double-team her, I say!� That�ll quiet her down some!� Eldphiron
giggled.� Alyssa stared at her plate, feeling slightly dizzy.� She was nearly
done with her delicious meal, and still hadn�t found out much about Mistress
Dratha� although the rest of the conversation had been� well, interesting, to
say the least.
�Hello, darling� would you mind if
I took our meals to go?� an elegant voice rung out from above where the girls
were seated.� Alyssa looked up to spy a tall Altmer standing at the bar before
Thaeril.
�Not a problem at all.� I take it
Elegnan still isn�t feeling well?� Thaeril asked.� Alyssa could only stare.�
The Altmer�s fine robes shimmered in the flickering light, flowing in soft
rivulets to the floor.� The colors played and danced about in the light,
highlighting elegant yet delicate embroidery that seemed to shift in color as
she made even the smallest of movements.� Her white hair was tied up in an
elegant bun atop her head, adorned with ornate jewels.
�That�s Celria,� Natesse whispered,
spying Alyssa�s stares.
�Her dress is beautiful,� Alyssa
replied, still finding her eyes fixated.� The girls giggled.
�Well it ought to be!� She helps
run Elegnan�s shop now.� Did you check it out yet?� You look like the type who
would be into trying on new clothes,� Gelduin replied.� Alyssa smiled.� All
five of the wood elves seated at the table appeared to be dressed in relatively
modest, simple attire.� But this Altmer� well, she nearly lit up the room when
she moved.
�Oh, and if it�s not too much
trouble, could I get some iced stoneflower tea to go with today�s meal?� It
should help sooth Elegnan�s nerves some, the poor dear,� Celria mused.
�Of course!� I already have a pot
on to boil.� It should only be a moment more,� Thaeril replied.
�Hey, Celria,� Nathien called.�
Alyssa watched as the Altmer spun around to face them.� Her face was ageless,
and her pale green eyes glistened in the candlelight.
�Yes, Nathien?� she replied.
�We have a new girl here I want you
to meet.� Her name is� Alyssa?� Nathien asked.� Alyssa nodded to confirm this.
�How charming!� Such a lovely
little Breton too.� And what a beautiful garment you are wearing!� Do you know
who the seamstress was, by chance?� Celria asked.� Alyssa smiled, but shook her
head politely.
�I�m afraid I don�t.� I think I
bought this back when I was living in High Rock,� she replied politely, �But
your dress is simply exquisite!�� Celria laughed, spinning around to let Alyssa
admire it.
�Do you like it?� I had it imported
all the way from Summerset.� It�s one of Princess Ellanwe�s signature designs.�
We sell similar items in our shop, custom tailored of course� but this one is
unique.� I simply cannot bear to go outside wearing virtually the same thing as
everyone else!� Celria gushed.� The other girls raised their eyebrows, eyeing
one another intently before they burst out laughing.� Most of them were
similarly dressed, but it did not seem to bother them.
�Style is the one thing we can
change about our appearance,� Celria explained.� Alyssa nodded.
�Oh I agree!� she replied.� The
Altmer smiled.
�You�ll simply have to come visit
us in our shop then!� Will you be staying for a while then?� she asked.
�I hope so!� I�m hoping to be of
help to Mistress Dratha in her research efforts,� Alyssa explained
enthusiastically.� Celria raised an eyebrow.
�How quaint.� Mistress Dratha is a
wonderful woman, mind you� but her work tends to be a little� how shall I say?�
Messy?� Celria explained, crossing her arms skeptically, �Do you have much
experience with necromancy?�� Alyssa shook her head.
�No, but my uncle was a
necromancer,� she replied.� Celria sighed.
�Well don�t be discouraged.� If you
find that it isn�t for you, we could always use another hand in our shop,�
Celria added with a wink.� The other girls giggled.
�Oh Alyssa will be fine!� It isn�t
that bad.� I mean� the stuff we work on is already dead.� It�s not like we�re
going to hurt it!� It�s all just meat waiting to be cooked by the time we get
it.� The enforcers are the ones with the tougher jobs, isn�t that right
Emelin?� Elphiron replied, smiling over at one of the wood elves at the next
table, who laughed.
�I�d say you have your fair share
of battles too, my little warrior princess!� Emelin grinned.� Elphiron laughed.
�Here, I�ve packaged up your food
for you Celria.� There is a lot of it.� Are you going to be able to carry it
all?� Thaeril asked, walking up to the table with a large plate of food under a
platter.
�Goodness, darling!� You went all
out!� Celria exclaimed, taking the platter as it was offered, �I might need to
make a second trip to pick up the stoneflower tea though.�
�I can help,� Alyssa offered.
�That would be most kind,� Celria
smiled gratefully.
�Alright, I�ll just put all three
of your drinks in one pitcher then.� Do you have a third cup at your house, or
should I lend you another?� Thaeril asked.
�Oh I think we�ll manage, darling,
but thank you very much for offering,� Celria replied, balancing the platter as
Alyssa took the pitcher and followed her out into the starry night.� The air
was crystal clear and beautiful.� And so far the inhabitants seemed to be more
pleasant than she had expected them to be.
�Do you live far?� Alyssa asked.�
Celria laughed.
�Oh no dear!� Most of us who have
permanent homes here live right along this one strip.� We�re a very close
community.� We�re nearly there already.� See, this is it,� Celria replied with
a grin, �Now, would you be a dear and open that door for me?� I seem to have my
hands full.�
�Of course,� Alyssa replied, opening
the door wide for Celria to pass through.
�Thank you, darling,� she said
politely, slipping into the small pod.
�You are quite welcome,� Alyssa
replied.� Pink light greeted her, as though the room was lit by magical
energy.� There were candles all around, giving off the pink luminescence.� She
could see shimmering fabric everywhere she looked, and glistening shoes and
hats to match.� At the front was a display case where jewelry was showcased,
but it appeared to be empty.� Alyssa followed her host upstairs, where a white
haired Bosmer lounged in bed under elegant threads.
�Elegnan, this is Alyssa.� She is
new here, and offered to help me to carry back your food.� Are you feeling any
better, dear?� Celria asked.� The Bosmer looked up and smiled.
�It�s always nice to see new faces
here.� Please excuse my condition � I do not normally greet visitors in bed,�
Elegnan replied with a warm smile.
�Here, I have your dinner ready.�
Yours is the rare piece, since I know you like it that way.� I just worry for your
health is all!� Celria gushed.� Elegnan smiled.
�Oh, don�t you worry about little
old me.� It may appear gruesome to outsiders, but we Bosmer have evolved to be
carnivores.� Plant foods just don�t agree with us as well,� Elegnan smiled,
slicing her meat gracefully.� Celria moved about the room, searching for
something to drink from.� Finally she collected three matching jewel-encrusted
goblets, and poured the cold beverage into them, handing Alyssa a glass.
�So from where do you hail,
Alyssa?� asked Elegnan.
�I am originally from High Rock,
but most recently I�ve been living in Ald�ruhn,� Alyssa explained.
�Oh how dreadful!� That�s out in
the ashlands, isn�t it?� Elegnan asked.� Alyssa smiled.
�It is, yes.� My sister runs the
Mages Guild out there, but I try not to venture outdoors too frequently,�
Alyssa explained.� Elegnan nodded.
�I don�t blame you.� Celria, is
Ald�ruhn near where Borwen the Ashlander is from?� Elegnan asked.� Celria shook
her head.
�No, not really.� Borwen is from
the Urshulaku camp on the northernmost part of the island.� Ald�rhun is more
western, about mid-latitude,� Celria explained.
�Ah, too bad.� I was hoping she
might know something about Peakstar.� Poor Borwen.� I just feel so sorry for
her!� Elegnan replied.
�I know dear.� You just care so
much about everyone.� You should learn to take care of yourself.� Rest now,�
Celria replied soothingly, leaning down to kiss Elegnan tenderly on the lips.�
Alyssa�s eyes widened in surprise.� She had never seen two women kiss like
this.
�Peakstar was Borwen�s Ashlander
lover.� She joined the tribe just to be with her, forsaking her own Bosmer
heritage.� Peakstar was prophesized to be the Nerevarine but� no one has seen
nor heard from her since she left to fulfill the prophesies.� Poor Borwen!� She
doesn�t even know if Peakstar is alive or dead,� Elegnan mused, wiping a tear
from her eye as Celria bent down to take her hand.� Alyssa�s eyes widened.� The
Nerevarine prophesies?� Weren�t those the same prophesies that Malcus had left
to fulfill?� Alyssa didn�t know if he was alive or dead either.� The thought
brought tears to her own eyes.
�Oh, don�t you worry about it now
too!� I�m sorry I brought it up.� Are you enjoying your stay so far?� Elegnan
asked, taking a sip of her iced stoneflower tea.� Alyssa nodded.
�And what brought a pretty thing
like you to this island?� Elegnan continued.
�Well� I have been a member of
Great House Telvanni for a few months now, and I just thought this might be a
good time to come and visit.� I haven�t chosen a patron yet, but I�ve heard
wonderful things about Mistress Dratha so far,� Alyssa explained.� The two mer
nodded.
�Of course.� Neither of us are
officially members of Great House Telvanni, but since we live here on Dratha�s
island we are quite familiar with her.� She�s a wonderful woman: a rare mixture
of brilliance and beauty.� I am hoping to market some of her skin creams next
month, provided she allows me the privilege.� You see, she�s found a way to
extend life.� And this has the wonderful side effect of extending beauty as
well.� Imagine if one were to bottle this concoction!� Elegnan gushed
enthusiastically, her black eyes gazing admiringly at her Altmer companion.
�Oh darling, but you hardly need
such a thing,� Celria smiled soothingly, �Although if it would keep you in
better health as well, perhaps we both ought to use it!� I cherish the thought
of having more time to spend with you, my love.�� She bent down and kissed
Elegnan gently again, the little Bosmer pressing against her gracefully.�
Alyssa blinked.� So, she hadn�t imagined it, after all.
�Celria used to be one of my best
customers,� Elegnan explained, �And then she started bringing me presents back
from Summerset.� She�s an incredible seamstress as well.� After a while� well�
let�s just say the partnership became more formal.�� Celria laughed.
�I just couldn�t stay away from
you!� We two crave elegance and beauty, and you, my darling, possess both in
abundance.� All life should be so beautiful,� Celria mused.
�Ah, but to give up Summerset!�
From the stories you tell, I find it hard to believe that you were not
surrounded by beauty and elegance everywhere you went!� Elegnan mused.�
Suddenly she coughed, clearing her throat and looking up at Alyssa in
embarrassment.
�I�m terribly sorry.� I just
haven�t been feeling myself lately.� Don�t worry though.� I�ve seen Jolda, and
she assures me that I�m not contagious.� I should be back on my feet in another
day or so,� she explained apologetically.� Alyssa nodded.
�I�m just sorry to hear that you
are not feeling well,� Alyssa replied knowingly.� Elegnan smiled.
�You are a sweet girl.� I hope to
see you in my shop more often,� she replied.
�Oh I�m sure you will!� Alyssa
replied with a grin.� Celria laughed.
�We just got in a new shipment of
n�glig�s from High Rock, actually.� Quite stunning, really.� You would look
breathtakingly beautiful in them!� Celria exclaimed, �Oh, wouldn�t you just
love to get Alyssa to model for you, Elegnan?�� Eelgnan grinned.
�What a delightful idea!� Elegnan
exclaimed happily, looking Alyssa up and down.� Alyssa blinked, feeling a
little embarrassed.� High Rock fashions tended to run a little on the revealing
side� especially lingerie.� Of course she didn�t mind but� she had just met
these people, after all.� She didn�t want to earn herself a bad reputation.� On
the other hand� she did like to wear fine clothing.� And she never had a
problem with wearing anything revealing before, so why start now with the false
pretense?� She giggled.
�Oh yes, you have a beautiful
figure!� Sometime when I�m feeling better, would you mind running through a
little fashion show for us?� Don�t worry, we�re all girls here!� Elegnan
exclaimed excitedly, �And I�ll give you your pick from my stash, for free of
course!�� Alyssa giggled.� It sounded like fun, actually.
�Alright,� she replied, �When
should I come by?�
�Oh, don�t worry, darling.� I�ll
send for you when Elegnan is back on her feet and we�re ready to open this new
line for our paying customers,� Celria replied with a warm smile, �You�ll look
absolutely ravishing, darling!�
�Yes, I bet Berwen would love this
new line.� Have you seen her lately, by chance?� asked Elegnan, looking up at
Celria, who shook her head.
�I�ve only heard a few rumors.�
Perhaps someone ought to go and check up on her?� Celria suggested.
�Oh, they are all so cruel to
Berwen, just because she raised her prices.� I don�t see why she shouldn�t be
charging for quality � she just doesn�t like to offer substandard fare,�
Elegnan replied.� Celria nodded.
�Yes, but it isn�t like her to stay
locked up in her shop like this.� I haven�t seen anyone go in or out in over a
week!� Celria exclaimed.
�Where is her shop?� Alyssa asked,
feeling suddenly concerned.� None of the other girls had even mentioned Berwen.
�It�s just down the strip, there is
a sign on the door,� Celria replied, �Would you mind checking up on her when
you leave?�� Alyssa nodded.
�I�ll go right now, if it makes you
feel better.� I would kind of like to meet the other merchants in town, since I
plan to stay for a while,� Alyssa replied.
�Oh wonderful!� You are such a
little darling.� Do come back anytime!� Celria replied happily.
�Oh yes!� It was wonderful meeting
you, Alyssa!� Elegnan added, turning her head slightly as she coughed again,
her face reddening slightly in shame.
�A lady should not discuss her
ailments, much less showcase them as I am doing,� Elegnan explained bitterly.
�Don�t worry about it.� We all get
sick,� Alyssa replied sympathetically, �Goodbye!� It was wonderful meeting
you!�
As she hurried out the door, she smiled to herself.� It was
nice seeing two partners so well matched to one another.� She wondered what was
going on at Berwen�s shop. So far though, everything in Tel Mora seemed
pleasant enough. She took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh sea air, and
strode leisurely towards the bulbous mushroom pod the trader Berwen called
home.
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Fall from High Rock