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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
- 43
- 44
- 45
Chapter 44: Doubt
Alyssa could hear the faint sounds
of chirping insects outside the cavern and the lapping of waves along the
shore.� Moonlight spilled into the room through the old wooden door, and a gust
of wind rattled its hinges.� Alyssa shivered, pulling her legs in close to her
body as she sat against the cold stone wall.� The fire was dying.� She would
need to collect more driftwood from outside.� She yawned, watching Vosaras�
chest rise and fall rhythmically as he slept on the bedroll covered in soft
blankets.� It was far from luxury, but surely it was better than the hard stone
floor.� The body restores itself during sleep, someone had once told her.� She
sighed.� She hoped it was true.� She was terribly afraid that at any moment he
might stop breathing, and feared that she might not be around when it happened.
Her shoes were still soaked, and
made a squishing sound when she slid them back onto her feet.� Cringing a
little, she stood up.� She was a mess.� Carefully she crept to the door,
opening it softly.� Fortunately she didn�t have to go far, as the tide was low
and thus the shore was littered with driftwood.� It took a little longer to
find pieces that were dry, and the sand was getting into her wet shoes.� When
she returned, she slid them off, trying to shake the sand from their wet
crevices to little avail.� Sighing, she set them down just inside the cavern
and tiptoed barefoot to the fire at the center of the room.
A short spell later and the fire
blazed once more.� Alyssa crept back to her spot by the wall, sliding down into
a crouched position.� It wasn�t comfortable, but at least it would keep her
awake through the night.
The sound of coughing drew her
attention immediately.� Vosaras� breathing was shallower now, and he brought
his hand instinctively to his chest.� His burgundy eyes were wide, and glowing
in the firelight as he gasped softly.� Clearly the motion hurt.
Alyssa ran to his side, ignoring
the stone cutting into her feet as she knelt down and opened one of the
restoration potions she had stored nearby.
�I couldn't assess all of the
internal damage earlier� how deep is the pain?� she asked him, running her free
hand over his abdomen to cast another restoration spell on the injured area.�
He grimaced.
�It� isn�t that bad anymore.� I� I
will be fine,� he told her.� His voice was returning to a healthy depth and she
noted that his skin had warmed some.� She smiled softly.� At least his
circulation was returning.� He was watching her quietly, taking deep deliberate
breaths and exhaling slowly after each one.� Suddenly his eyes made her
nervous, but still she continued examining the wound under his robes more
carefully, trying to examine it in the firelight now that most of the blood had
been wiped away.
�That's good, but you should rest a
bit longer... I have some more potions � they should help a bit,� Alyssa
offered, handing him the open bottle.
�Soon I will have more potion in my
body than blood,� Vosaras replied, smiling thinly.� He took the bottle with
shaking hands, drinking only a small portion before setting it down again.
�I can get you more blood too if
you need it� but the potions should help your body regenerate your own blood
cells more rapidly as well,� she offered, tracing the scars from the wound with
her fingertips, �How did this happen to you?� she mused.� He watched her,
bringing his own hand down as well.� She withdrew her hand, watching him.� He
found the scar and winced slightly, drawing back his fingertips.
�A severe injury, I suppose� under
those circumstances scarring was inevitable,� he sighed, his spirits darkening.
�I�m sorry� I� can�t see so well in
the firelight, but I�m sure the scarring isn�t that bad�� Alyssa offered,
feeling guilty for bringing attention to the wound.
��It will mostly fade, after a
while,� he continued, �Perhaps I may even help it...�� He chuckled weakly, but
his laughter was cut short as he winced in pain.
�I was merely jesting� It should be
fine as it is.� I thank you,� he sighed, closing his eyes as he rested against
the pillows, �If not for you� well, know that you have my gratitude, Alyssa
Elbert.� I shall not forget what you did.�� Alyssa smiled, watching him rest,
his breathing becoming less labored.
�Just live and we�ll call it even,�
she replied with a smile.
�I most certainly wasn�t planning
on dying� if that is what concerns you, you may rest easily,� he said, a small
smile crossing his lips.� Alyssa sighed with relief.
�I have some hackle-lo soup, but it's
cold by now... I'll warm it up on the fire if you are feeling up to eating. I
know some of the locals use it as a remedy when they are feeling sick,� she
offered.
�Ah, no� Thank you, but no.� I
don't think eating anything today is a very good idea.� Nor drinking, for that
matter,� he replied, opening his eyes and looking into hers, �Still, I wish I
could wet my lips� If that isn�t too much of a problem?�
�No, of course not.� I have some
water here and I�m sure I have some cloth somewhere,� she replied, standing and
walking across the room to her supplies.� She winced in pain at the sharpness
of the rock on her bare feet.� She should put her shoes back on, she supposed.�
She slipped them onto her feet as she grabbed the flask, annoyed that the wet
grains of sand now cut into her open wounds with every step.� Hmm� now for some
cloth�� She picked up her discarded petticoats.� They were mostly clean, but
completely ruined.� �Ah well,� she sighed, tearing a small piece from them
before returning.
�You should keep the water by your
side,� she suggested, opening the flask and offering it to him with the black
cloth.� He nodded lightly, reaching for the flask with a slightly shaking
hand.� As he took the cloth his hands lightly grazed her own.� Her eyes widened
in surprise and she drew back slightly.� His hands and skin were soft as silk�
almost too soft for someone who had clearly seen battle.� She smiled, watching
him lightly wet the cloth to his lips.� When he had finished he handed her back
the bottle, thanking her politely as he laid back against the bedroll with a
tired sigh.
�If� if you don�t mind my asking�
who did this to you?� Alyssa asked, biting her lip as she set the bottle next
to his bed, �You don�t have to tell me if you don�t want to.�� His eyes
remained closed and his breath was soft.
�I don�t know,� he whispered, �I
can only speculate.�
�I see,� said Alyssa.� She was
still curious, and more than a bit concerned, but decided not to press the
matter.� It wasn�t her concern if he didn�t feel like sharing� it was her job
to make sure that he lived, and his job to live.� She sighed, biting her lip.
Reaching down with shaky hands, he
tried to pull the blankets up to his chin.� She noted that he was trembling
slightly, and wondered if it was from cold or blood loss� or perhaps a bit of
both.� Taking the blankets in her hands, she pulled them up over him, tucking
them in at his shoulders to shield him from the cold drafts of the night air.
�Just rest.� You�re safe now,� she
whispered, touching his cheek lightly.� He was still warm� or warmer than he
had been earlier, at any rate.� She stood and returned to the fire, throwing a
few more logs onto the pyre to keep it burning brightly.� When they didn�t
catch immediately, she helped them along with a small fireball spell before
slinking back against the walls.
Vosaras had already drifted to sleep.�
He was still a mystery to her, in more ways than one.� His features were
graceful and delicate and his skin had a noticeably darker hue than she had
seen on other Dunmer, but perhaps that shade was more common on the mainland.�
She wouldn�t know.� His eyes were darker too, more the deep dark burgundy of comberries
in the height of midsummer than the lighter red shade the same fruits possessed
in the springtime.� His long hair was as jet black as his torn robes, and fell
straight to his midback.� For now the silky strands fell about his pillow in midnight hues.� He was a bit taller than the average Dunmer and had a gracefully slender
frame.� She sighed.� For whatever strange reason, the gods had thrown him out
of the sky and into her life.� She was only glad she had been around at the
time.� His lips were parted slightly and his chest rose and fell rhythmically.�
She sighed as she watched him.� She would stay awake all night, watching him
sleep peacefully and praying that in the morning he would still be breathing.
~*~
�Wow� you stayed at Dratha�s tower
all night dressed like THAT?� Berwen asked incredulously, �No offence but
really� not your most seductive attire, even if you�re just going for an old
lesbian necromancer.�
�No� I� um� I changed into a nightgown,
but I couldn�t very well wear it home!� Alyssa insisted.� Berwen snorted.
�Yeah� that�d have been quite the
walk of shame.� Seriously, I didn�t think you were going to go through with
it!� she exclaimed incredulously, �I mean � I was sure you were like me!� Guess
I�m just a freak of nature�� Oh well.� There are worse things to be.� Like�
like a corprus stalker or something.�� She giggled.
�You�re not a freak of nature, Berwen.�
Most women like men,� Alyssa replied.
�Nope!� No they don�t!� Well, yes they
do.� They like them in stew, and roasted over an open fire!� she giggled,
�They�re pretty good like that, but I don�t see why we can�t have fun with them
first, before we cook them.�� Alyssa sighed, shaking her head.
�Do you mind if I borrow some more equipment?�
she asked.� Berwen eyed her skeptically.
�Well, are you ever gonna bring any
of it back?� I mean, what in Oblivion did you need a bedroll for to go over to Dratha�s
place?� Don�t tell me she makes you sleep on the floor in a cage!� I hate that kinky
stuff.� Okay, I�m lying.� I don�t really hate it, it just makes me laugh.� What
did she make you do?!� Berwen exclaimed excitedly, �Did she make you pretend to
be a nix hound and ride you?� And make you eat corkbulb?� Is that why you
needed more food later?� I hate corkbulb.�� Alyssa looked at her in both horror
and confusion.
�No!� Where in Oblivion did you get
THAT idea?!� No� never mind� I don�t even want to know�� Alyssa sighed, �I just
needed the bedroll to hold the other supplies� it was the only thing I saw that
was big enough.�
�Um� so why didn�t you just grab a
sack?� Berwen asked, �I�ve got them all over my shop you know.�
�Because� because I was in a hurry
and I didn�t see one!� Alyssa exclaimed.
�Huh�� replied Berwen, looking
confused.� There were indeed sacks all over the pod.� Alyssa sighed, grabbing
one.
�Well� do you mind if I take a bit
of food?� I can pay you,� Alyssa offered, �I brought back that grandmaster
mortar and pestle � it�s as good as new.�
�Yeah all that other stuff was pretty
cheap anyway, except the potions but� I guess that�s what happens when you jump
in the ocean with slaughterfish.� Oh well.� You can just make me some more
later if you feel like it.� It�s not like it�s a big loss or anything, and
besides, you�re like, my only friend here,� Berwen smiled, �So sure you can
have some food.� I told you, my pod is your pod.� Do you wanna have some late
breakfast before my shop opens?� I can scramble some kwama eggs.�
�No� I mean� I would but� I have to
get back to Dratha, you know?� I sort of said I�d be there early�� Alyssa
replied.� Berwen looked at her in horror.
�She kept you up all night doing Mephala
knows what, and now she�s going to make you come in early and work?!� Berwen
asked incredulously, �If she really loves you, she should let you sleep!��
Alyssa sighed.
�I didn�t say I was up all night,�
she replied.
�You slept over, and you look dead
tired,� Berwen retorted, �C�mon, you already practically told me you were
lovers with her!�
�Well� so what if I am!� Alyssa
retorted, biting her lip.� Berwen looked amused.
�Okay then, you HAVE to tell me
what she did with you.� I�ve always wondered what she does to those girls up
there.� I mean, when you�re as old as she is, you gotta be into some weird
stuff, �cause you get bored of everything else,� Berwen smirked, crossing her
arms.� Alyssa glared, gathering supplies quickly as Berwen watched.
�We didn�t do anything too
nefarious, okay?� Just� you know� the usual things that girls do when they are
together�� Alyssa replied, hoping Berwen wouldn�t ask any more questions.� She
wasn�t surprised when she was wrong.
�Oh yeah?� And what would those
be?� the little wood elf asked suspiciously.
�I thought you�d been with women
before!� Alyssa exclaimed in exacerbation.
�Yeah, but you haven�t.� So, what
did you do?� she asked again.
�Oh come on.� You know the drill,�
Alyssa sighed.
�Pretend I don�t!� Berwen giggled.
�Come on, Berwen, please?� I really
need to get back or I�m going to be in trouble!� Alyssa sighed, heading down
the stairs. �Berwen followed her.
�Still dressed like THAT?� Sheogorath,
you�ve gone native overnight!� I mean, no offense but� you really need a bath
and a change of clothes!� You smell TERRIBLE!� she giggled, holding her nose.�
Alyssa glared at no one in particular.� It was probably true.
�It�s kinda funny because some of
the other girls complain that men have no hygiene or manners, but you know,
neither do they, so� it�s like, hypocritical, right?� Might as well keep a man
if you�re going to stink up the pod that much yourself, who would notice the
smell?� she complained.� Alyssa giggled.
�You�re right, I definitely need a
change of clothes,� she replied, �And not all men smell you know.� Some of them
actually smell pretty good.�
�Well mine smelled pretty bad in
the end, but I guess that was probably �cause he was rotting and stuff,� Berwen
giggled, following Alyssa back up the stairs.� Alyssa sorted through her
dresses, finally settling on a deep crimson one.� At least� if there was any
more blood, it should camouflage.� She grabbed a matching pair of shoes and
some lacy undergarments and started to change.
�You gotta bathe first too you
know, otherwise you�ll look better but still smell bad,� Berwen giggled.
�Oh for Azura�s sake!� I�ll just
grab some sload soap and jump in the ocean again before I come home, so you
don�t have to smell me!� Alyssa retorted.
�Okay good.� I was beginning to
worry that you�d suddenly taken to worshipping Sheogorath.� I mean, you ARE
acting a little weird�� Berwen giggled.
�Yeah, and you�re one to talk,�
Alyssa shot back.
�You know, everybody says that� but
as far as I can tell, at least I look and smell just fine!� she smirked, trying
to smell herself, �And I�m not the one tongue bathing a centuries old
necromancer, either.�� Alyssa�s eyes widened.� What?!� No� she didn�t even want
to know.
�Alright, thank you Berwen.� Have a
nice day selling bug musk to desperate podwives,� Alyssa smiled, running down
the stairs.� She was wasting too much time as it was.
�Yeah, and you have fun cutting off
males� reproductive parts and thinking about how that�s the closest you�ll ever
get to them now that you decided to get �cured� all of a sudden like the other
girls here except for me,� Berwen sulked.� Alyssa sighed.
�One of these days I�m going to
take you for a little vacation off of this island, and you�re going to realize
just how normal liking men really is,� Alyssa smiled.
�Can I get an Altmer one?� Like, a
living one?� Because they look really pretty when they�re dead, but most things
look even better when they�re alive,� Berwen asked hopefully.� Alyssa sighed.
�Yes, Altmer do indeed look better
when alive� I�ll have to teach you a few things first, but after that I think
you�ll have a lot of fun,� Alyssa smiled.� Berwen nearly pounced on her.
�I love you � even if you love Dratha
now instead of me!� But really� you need a bath!� she giggled, backing away
quickly as she wiped the sand from her shirt.
~*~
Alyssa made short work of jumping
into the ocean to clean off, slipping on her new clean clothes on a rocky
outcrop so as to avoid becoming instantly covered in sand again.� She nearly
ran back to the cavern with her supplies, fearing for the worst, but hoping for
the best.� Vosaras was awake when she returned, staring idly at the ceiling.
�You�re back,� he said simply when
she returned.
�I�m sorry!� I just needed to
gather a few supplies� I promise I won�t leave you for long�� Alyssa replied,
�So how are you today?� Can I get you anything?�
�Better� I think I may take the
next dose of potion now,� he replied.� Alyssa felt a little flustered as she
set her things down and opened another potion bottle carefully.� Vosaras turned
his head to watch her and shifted slightly to the side, smiling a tired but
amused smile when he eyed her change of clothes.
�It�s alright, you had to go,� he
said closing his eyes and rubbing his brow with slow, circular motions, �I am
sorry� for ruining your dress.� And your day� I am quite sure that taking care
of me wasn�t how you were planning to spend the evening.�� Alyssa knelt beside
him, trying not to spill the potion as she brought him a small dose.� He
swallowed it and nodded his thanks.
�No, don�t be, you didn�t do
anything wrong� at any rate, I�m quite sure you didn�t intend to come here at
all,� she smiled, putting the bottle back and returning to sit beside him,
feeling his skin to check his temperature.� He had turned to his side and was
observing her intently, pressing his cheek against the pillow.
�It was an old dress anyway,� she
continued, sighing softly.� She was still sad to lose it, for it was from her
homeland and with it carried grief and heartache she was not sure she was ready
to let go of.� Not just yet.� But at least� it was a small price to pay to save
another�s life.
�Black... It is the color of
mourning for your people, is it not?� he asked.
�Yes... In High Rock... It seems no
one does these things here...� she sighed.� Not even her sister, it seemed.� Vosaras
chuckled mirthlessly.
�Black is a common coloring in Morrowind...�
he said, looking at his hand, lying by the pillow, seemingly admiring his own
dark smoky complexion.� Alyssa noted that his own torn robes were also black as
midnight.
�We are used to perceiving the
world in dark colors...� You may say we suck it with our mother�s milk... and
the history of this land is dark as well,� he paused for a moment, �I think we
stopped mourning centuries ago.�
�Well, it seems that my mourning
period has been ended prematurely, but... there is only a set time for these
things amongst my people.� Perhaps it was meant to be over,� Alyssa replied.�
In an odd way, she was pleased with the strange way in which her symbolic
mourning period was halted by the infusion of life from near-death.� It had a
delicious irony to it.� But whether her heart could stop mourning was another
matter entirely.
�We are born, and then we die.� It
is the way of the universe.� When our ancestors shed their immortality to
inhibit the Mundus they choose this fate for us,� Vosaras continued, almost
absent-mindedly, �Some, like the Altmer, still can�t come to terms with it.�
We� we Dunmer accepted it long ago.� It is the way of nature.� The circle of
life...� he trailed away for a moment, �And our ancestors never really fade
away.� They keep watching over us, from the void between the stars...� Alyssa
was watching him intently now and she sighed.� He looked over at her for a
moment with a little smile.
�Or so some of us believe,� he
continued.
�Oh, I wish it were true,� she
sighed, thinking with conflicted interests on the deaths of both her family and
those they had murdered as well as on the strange fate of Malcus.� She
wondered� were the souls of corprus victims ever truly set free or did they
remain captive in their decaying bodies?� Was the rotting flesh as much a
prison as any soul gem?
�I don�t know what I believe
anymore,� she confessed.� He kept silent for a moment, studying her.
�What do you want to believe?� he
finally asked, watching her intently.
�That the dead watch over us...
that there is some paradise beyond this mortal life... but how could any of us
know that?� So many souls are trapped, unable to escape... what becomes of
them?� she asked.
�And what stops you from believing
what you want to believe?� he asked.� She sighed.
�Oh... it doesn't matter really.�
You don't have to listen to me talk about this...� she sighed, �It's just the
ramblings of a young girl... you are the one who is injured; I should not be
bothering you with my problems.�
�Hmm...� No, I suppose I don't have
to listen.� I could� Let�s see...� stare at the ceiling some more.� Wouldn't
that be fascinating?� he replied sarcastically, �Ramblings CAN be very
interesting, you know... unlike ceilings.� So I take it you been studying
enchantment lately?�
�Not really� but in High Rock
necromancy is considered normal. Most of us have some experience with it,� she
sighed. �Here it is looked down upon...� I never understood why... until now.�
�Hmm� most young mages ask these
questions when they start to work with trapped souls...� he replied, �Some find
answers that satisfy them.� Others don't.� It could be beneficial for you to
discuss it over with a member of the former persuasion.� I fear I myself will
be useless to you in that regard...� I've never been particularly interested in
enchantment, and I wouldn't call my skill in it one of my stronger ones.�
�Enchantment, hmm�� You don�t even
want to know what we do here,� she murmured, gazing off into space.
�Oh believe me, I can imagine,� he
said, with a dry smile.
�Here no one cares, because the
souls we use are male.� And other people don't care because the souls are
poor.� But... does it matter really?� They are still souls; you can hold them
in your hands like any other: male, female, rich, poor, weak, powerful...� she
sighed, �I won't let the enforcers find you here... I swear on my life.� But...
you don't want to stay here.� It isn't safe.�� He laughed softly at her words.
�I trust you,� he replied, �What
you are speaking of is using souls of intelligent, humanoid races.� It is a...
controversial problem. �Some mages, myself included, prefer to not dabble in
that...� The souls of daedra and other otherworldly creatures are typically
used far more frequently in both enchantment and experimentations.�
�Well... here we use... black
souls...� she replied, trailing off.
�Hmm, yes, I would imagine you do.�
It is no secret Mistress Dratha specializes in necromancy,� he said, gazing at
her with curiosity, �Does it bother you?�
�I don't take the souls but...� I
do...� other things...� It didn't bother me until recently.� I mean, the corpses
were already dead, what could they care?� But the bodies we reanimate...� and
the souls she collects...� well, I guess they serve a higher purpose.� But
those specimens have to be killed before they are harvested and processed...�
and Dratha doesn't tend to wait for them to die of natural causes.� I'm just...
I'm not sure I can do it anymore. I've seen too much death. I don't want any
more of it. Least of all I don't want to be responsible for it...�
�Hmm...� he mused, gazing at her
inquisitively for a moment before changing the subject, �I see. I happen to
know Mistress Dratha is not the only member of the Telvanni council who is
living in the vicinity...�� Alyssa laughed dryly.
�No, but the other councilors are
evil or insane... or both.� Dratha isn't bad... if you are a woman at least,�
she replied.� Vosaras chucked, seemingly amused.
�Well... as you have surely noticed
I am not a woman,� he smirked, �So I will take my chances with the Master of
the neighboring tower...� Aryon?� I must say I haven't heard anything
particularly �evil� about him.� And I am quite sure he will be more welcoming
than Mistress Dratha...� he moved slightly, wincing in pain, �But for now I
have to rest.�
~*~
�You�re staying with Dratha
AGAIN?!� You can�t be serious!� I can see the circles under your eyes already!�
You look like a blighted kagouti!� She�ll never let you sleep!� Ever!� Berwen
cried.
�I�m sure she will let me sleep.�
She has a very comfortable bed, and the most silky sheets.� Why don�t you have
sheets like that, Berwen?� Alyssa asked.
�Because they�re made out of a
sacred plant that takes centuries to grow and mature!� Sacrificing them to make
bedsheets is just� too horrible to comprehend!� Berwen replied with a shudder,
�Mine are made out of scrib silk� and they were good enough for you before!��
Alyssa sighed.� She was too tired to argue.
�Listen, I just need to make some
hackle-lo soup.� I picked a bunch of ingredients for you to restock your
potions.� If you let me borrow your mortar and pestle again in a few days, just
for just an hour or so, I�ll have everything back even better than it was
before!�
�Yeah well� it was BETTER before
you started spending all your time with Dratha!� Berwen protested, �She�s gonna
kill you!� And then raise your corpse and keep screwing you until you rot!�
�For Sheogorath�s sake Berwen, she
isn�t CRAZY!� She doesn�t kill her girls � I mean, have you ever met a single
one of them who was badly treated?� Alyssa asked.
�You,� she pouted, �You look like a
zombie already.� And earlier you smelled like one too.�
�Well I�m all cleaned up now,
alright?� And it�s just for the night!� When you wake up I�ll be right back
here with you again,� she smiled.
�Then you�ll run off again!� What
if I told you that I suddenly loved women� but not all women, only you!� Berwen
complained, seeming to contemplate the idea, ��Yup, you fixed me!� Yay!� But
now I truly know what heartache is, because as soon as I realized my true
feelings for you, you�ve already left me for another.� Just because she knows
more tricks than I do!�� Berwen looked genuinely upset.
�Oh Berwen.� You�re not in love
with me.� You�re just unhappy because I�m the only one besides Tonas who
doesn�t think you�re crazy for being attracted to men,� Alyssa smiled.
�Don�t you belittle my feelings!�
It�s bad enough that you�ve ripped my heart out with your bloody scalpel�
thingy� but now you�re making fun of my emotions!� We were living together
Alyssa!� I let you sleep in my bed!� SLEEP!� Which you are NOT doing now!� Berwen
cried, nearly bursting into tears.� Alyssa raised her eyebrow.� She was pretty
sure that the little elf was making all of this up to keep her here.� Still,
she had to admire her genuine concern for her health and well-being.� It was
touching, really.
�Berwen, I�m going to be home again
in the morning,� Alyssa protested.
�I�ll DIE!!!� I can�t live another
night knowing that you don�t love me!� Berwen protested, �I�ll buy those nasty
evil sheets and make love to you all night!� Well, not all night� because you
need to go to SLEEP!�� Alyssa sighed.
�Berwen, you�re being ridiculous,�
she replied skeptically.
�Is it just because you like black
hair and dark skin better than blonde hair and light skin?!� It isn�t my fault
I�m Bosmer!� I was born like that � but I�m sure if I took as many potions as Dratha
does I could look like anybody I wanted to!� �Fine!� I wasn�t ever going to do
this again, but just for you, I will!� Berwen continued, standing on her toes
to pin Alyssa against the wall.� She wrapped her arms around her and kissed her
passionately.� Alyssa�s eyes widened and she broke away.
�Now come to bed and I�ll make you
forget all about Dratha and her evil �not� letting you take a bath or wear nice
clothes or go to sleep�!� Berwen whispered as seductively as possible.� Alyssa
almost laughed.
�Come on Berwen� I�ve got to go!�
she protested, rushing down the stairs.
�How will I make it through the
night without you?!� Berwen cried.
�Um� just have nice dreams about Mollimo
of Cloudrest, I guess,� Alyssa suggested with a shrug.
�Oooo!�You mean the hot Altmer
guard captain in Tel Branora?!� We�re still going there, right?� Berwen asked,
forgetting her phony crying and perking up.� Alyssa sighed.
�See Berwen, you�re still
perfectly� you.� And I�ll be home in the morning, I promise,� Alyssa said,
hurrying out the door before she was assaulted by more nonsense.
�Hey!� You tricked me!� Bringing up
hot Altmer males is cheating!� You know my weaknesses, so it isn�t fair!� Berwen
protested.� Alyssa laughed softly, shutting the door to the pod and hurrying
back to the cave.� She would be back soon enough.
~*~
Vosaras had propped himself up on
his pillows when she returned, half sitting as he watched her refill his water
flask.� He thanked her, sipping it slowly as he gazed at her in silence.
�So� I remember you said you were
from the mainland� what brings you to Vvardenfell?� she asked.� He began to
speak, then seemingly reconsidered.� After a moment he composed himself and
began again.
�The Dwemer.� Or what is left of
them, rather.� Red Mountain used to be their capital, before the War of The
First Council.� There are more Dwemer ruins left on Vvardenfell than anywhere
else in the world,� he replied.
�Oh!� How interesting!� My sister
is a Dwemer researcher.� In the Mages Guild I mean...� But so is her Telvanni
research partner, Baladas Demnevanni...� See, she doesn't care much about
affiliations, so long as people share her research interests.� Anything else is
irrelevant to her.�� Vosaras perked up a bit at her words.
�I don�t know of your sister but� Baladas?�
I have heard of him...� I didn't know he started a collaboration with the Mages
Guild, though.� From what my informers have told me it rather appeared that he
isolated himself from the world, loath to admit anyone into his retreat,� he replied.
�Yes, it seems everyone has heard
of Baladas...� Apparently the mere fact that I know him was enough to grant me
a promotion in the Great House...� she sighed, looking a bit embarrassed, �He's
always hospitable enough to me, but then... well, I think that's because of my
sister...�
�Well, let�s just say he was
rumored to be knowledgeable about the Dwemer ages ago... and he always used to
be generous when it came to sharing that knowledge.� That in itself gave him a
certain fame...� he folded his arms, �Also, he comes from the mainland as
well.� The Northern Reaches, I think...� I am not certain, though. You would
have to ask him that yourself.�� Alyssa only smiled in reply, staring hungrily
at her hacklo-soup.� Vosaras may be refusing to eat, but she was starving.� She
would have to wait until he slept though � it would be rude to eat in front of
a guest.
�If you don't mind me asking... how
is it that you have come to work under Dratha?� he asked.
�Very simple.� I talked to a few
people, met with the councilors, and determined that she was the only one I
could potentially trust. And she's been relatively good to me... so far...� she
sighed, not really wanting to bring up the subject again.� Vosaras raised an
eyebrow.
�I take it that murdering every man
who has the misfortune to come anywhere near this place while committing their
soul to eternal torment is not �corrupt� then,� he replied.
�Oh... it is evil... I agree...�
she sighed.
�One has to wonder then... what did
the other councilors do to make you think them WORSE than that?� he asked
curiously.
�Hmm. Well, Neloth tried to soul
trap me himself just for speaking with him. Gothren... well, he and his dremora
made my blood run cold...� He's... he's not really there I think... Therana is
clearly insane and hurled a fireball in my direction.� And Aryon... well... I
almost believed he was a legitimate possibility for a patron, until I realized
I'd been played for a fool by one of his spies,� she sighed heavily.� Vosaras
raised his eyebrow at the last comment.
�But what did he himself do to make
you consider THIS,� he made a vague gesture with his hand around the room, �A
better option?� Not that I am complaining,� he chuckled darkly, �Quite the
opposite... I am grateful for the twist of fate that put you where you were...
was it only a day ago?� he asked, closing his eyes, �It already feels like a
lifetime��
�Well whatever brought me here...
I'm glad I was around even if... I could only save one,� she smiled.� Vosaras
made a slight bow.
�And this one is grateful to be
saved...� he smiled wryly, �But this one would also like to point out that a
person who tortures and kills people based on their gender hardly seems like an
appropriate patron� Especially for such a kind-hearted individual as yourself,�
he took one final sip and closed the water flask, �Merely an observation you
may wish to reflect on some day.�
�You are right of course... some of
the girls here have good reasons to hate men... but specific men, and for
specific reasons, you know?� Not all of them.� If they blamed all of us as a
whole... well, I myself would be burned as a witch in some places for being
Breton � and guilty of necromancy at that.� And I should have been killed along
with the rest of my family...� Alyssa sighed, �I don't know who you are, or
anything about you really but... I don't think that being born male is a
crime.�� Vosaras observed her carefully, smiling slightly at her final
statement.
�Well, I should think not...� he
said lightly, �I had little choice in the matter, as you surely realize.�� He
shot her an amused but charming smile.
�No I don't blame males for being
what they are, even if they have different brains and skulls and other
anatomy... I don't see how they can be a subspecies exactly though... I mean,
we interbreed just fine... women by themselves wouldn't be able to do that...�
Alyssa mused.� Vosaras was smirking noticeably, but made no comment.
�So, your family was killed?� Yet
didn't you just say your sister is safe and sound, a Dwemer researcher in the
Guild?� he asked.� Alyssa nodded.
�She is.� She left before the
massacre � years before � to study the Dwemer.� I was studying at the Arcane University
when it happened,� Alyssa replied.
�The massacre?� Vosaras asked.
�My parents were killed in our
family castle, and their guildhall burnt to the ground...� I barely escaped
even in the Imperial City � I had to come here to live with my sister Edwinna.�
She's the only family I have left,� Alyssa sighed.
�I am sorry for your loss... Do you
need help with bringing justice to the ones responsible?� Vosaras asked,
inclining his head softly.
�Sometimes but� I should not wish
for such things... too many others would cry out and the cycle of vengeance
would continue until the corpses filled the Mundus...� she trailed off, �Apparently
I have a longer history of necromancy than I thought I did...�
�How so?� he asked.
�I don�t know why I�m telling you
this... I just met you� And I only just found out the reasons myself,� she
sighed.
�Hmm� Could it be my impeccable
manners and my natural charm?� Or is it my natural Dunmer beauty?� he smiled
charmingly.� Alyssa giggled.
�A lady shouldn't hoard her secrets
to herself as a dragon hoards her treasures, though. Talking about your
problems may help...� And sometimes speaking your thoughts aloud makes you
realize things you haven't thought of before.�� Alyssa sighed.� Why not?� What
harm could it do?� He had been understanding so far.� She smiled sadly at him.
�It seems my family created a
paradise... they loved me and I was so happy when I was with them... but
underneath it all... were those little black flickering soul gems, haunting
us,� she sighed, clutching her legs tighter, �We didn't have poverty in my
parents fiefdom, and we were relatively safe. I heard talk once and a while,
and I knew my uncle had joined with... someone named Mannimarco... and I heard
whispers from time to time... but my family all loved me and treated me so well
I couldn't imagine that they would do any less to anyone else...� she trailed
off for a moment, then looked him in the eye, �They were killing them: killing
the peasants for their souls.� Not the servants, or the workers: just the
beggars, the insane, the prostitutes whom they felt spread disease and
corruption...� She paused, noting that his eyebrows raised at the name of Mannimarco.�
He gestured her to continue.� Sighing, she obeyed.
�One of the girls, a prostitute,
had a lover...� It seems he swore vengeance on us, and on all necromancers...� But
as much as I hate him...� I wish it had been in cold blood...� I wish I didn't
have these lives on my hands...� It was better not knowing.� Just like here, in
Tel Mora.� If you don't think about it, it's easy to do.� The corpses are
plentiful and there is always work do be done.� But they are PEOPLE, you know?�
They don't come from nowhere.� They have families... somewhere... wondering
about them... loving them... missing them... and if they don�t: I pity them,
because they are no different than me.�
�That... is a sad story, coming
from your lips, sera.� Still... it should help you live your life well. As you
can see looking at your very own family... life is hardly ever simple.� Things
are not black or white... You will need to get used to being immersed in grays
since you joined our House,� he said.
�I think... I am starting to
understand that...� she whispered.� Vosaras smiled cheerfully in an attempt to
brighten her mood.
�But don't think about it now, muthsera.
You must be tired... it is not a good time to be thinking troubling thoughts...
although...� I must admit I have been pondering over a difficulty myself.�� He
outstretched a hand into her direction and picked at the sleeve of his robe
with the other, looking somewhat disgusted at the tattered fabric of his once
ornate robe.
�This will definitely need a replacement
if I am to go anywhere without causing a sensation...� Is it possible you may
find a replacement for me here?� I will pay...� My pouches, at least, appear to
be untouched.� he continued.� Alyssa smiled.� She could relate to that.
�Hmm... I am not certain where to
find male clothing around Tel Mora but... I can try... I don't need your money
� if I can find anything I will gladly bring it to you.� I imagine you will
need what coin you have to continue your travels, or to get home again... it
seems like you may have had enough adventure as it is,� she offered.
�I may have encountered some
difficulties, yes, but only faint-hearted turn from their path at the sight of
a mere shadow... and I assure you, whatever difficulties yet await me, poverty
is not one of them,� Alyssa giggled.
�I'll try to find something
quickly... I know how it is, being in tattered, unclean clothes... I'll bring
some water when you are better, so at least you can bathe... I tried to get
most of the blood off but still... everything feels better when you are clean,�
she offered with a smile.
�Blood... but also grime.� Lying here with no chance at
hygiene hasn't exactly helped my condition, no,� he sighed �Any kind of bath
sounds extremely appealing in the moment.� But you are right... We should
probably wait a day longer...� Once more...� thank you for your assistance,� he
smiled, inclining his head as he sunk once more into his pillows.� The night
was well into the deepest hours, and Alyssa herself was exhausted.� She stood,
finding her cold soup and tasting it as she set about to relighting the fire.�
She cringed, but ate quickly.� Cold soup was better than an empty belly.� She
finished, setting her bowl aside and slinking down against the hard stone.� She
tried to curl into a small ball, her body aching from the stone slabs.� But Vosaras�
rhythmic breathing soothed her, and she found herself once more watching him in
fascination.� He was still something of a mystery.� She wondered how much more
of it she would discover before he left the island for Vos.
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Fall from High Rock