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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
- 8
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Chapter
9: Revelation and Confusion
Alyssa was fuming when she got back
to the Ald�ruhn Mages Guild.� She shot Orrent an evil glare when he asked,
�Didn�t you just leave?� Why are you back so early?�� She stormed off to her
room and slammed the door behind her.� Her thoughts were full of conflicting
emotion.� She had left because she was afraid, no doubt about it.� It was an
instantaneous reaction.� She felt it was the right one.� However, she was sick
and tired of being afraid.� She was sick and tired of being on the run.� When
would it ever end?� The emotion that washed over her now could more accurately
be described as anger.� She didn�t deserve her harsh fate.� She had done
nothing to anyone that would warrant such treatment.� There was nothing she had
ever done in all the days of her existence, as far back as she could tell, that
would cause her to deserve such a miserable life.
A few minutes later, Edwinna opened
the door, crossing her arms as she watched her younger sister�s eyes fill with
a mixture of hatred and sadness.
�What happened now, dear?� she
asked quietly, unable to hide the note of agitation that crept into her voice
at seeing her sister return once again in a state of panic.
�I don�t want to talk about it,�
Alyssa retorted angrily.
�Fine.� But if you have no good
reason for neglecting your duties in Balmora, then I insist that you return
immediately.� If you continue at this rate you are going to fall so far behind
in your studies that you�ll never catch up,� she replied coldly.� Alyssa looked
surprised.� She couldn�t just return.� That man might be there.� Suddenly she
burst into tears.
�I�m sick and tired of having
terrible things happen to me, Edwinna!� I can�t stand it anymore!� Every time I
walk out of this guild something happens to me, and judging from the attack a
few nights ago, I�m not even safe here!� I feel like my entire life is going to
be spent running!� It�s just a matter of time before I trip up and I�m killed
off by the jaws of fate.� Why do I even bother!� she yelled.� Edwinna looked
surprised, then a tiny smile slowly crept onto her face.
�Good.� Very good.� Morrowind is a
harsh place, and you are going to have to get used to dealing with it one way
or another.� I had similar thoughts myself when I arrived, but of course I had
considerably more time to prepare myself.� Now, I realize that restoration and
alteration were useful specialties back on the mainland, but if you want to
survive here, the best defense is a good offense.� You�re going to need to take
some quality training in destruction magic,� Edwinna said, looking deep into
Alyssa�s eyes.� Alyssa gasped.� Destruction?� But it made sense.� And for some
reason the thought of destroying those who came to destroy her was� intriguing
� even appealing in a way.� Slowly she nodded her head in agreement.� Edwinna
smiled.
�Good.� I�ll go downstairs and make
the arrangements.� It isn�t going to be easy, mind you, but you�ll feel a lot
better when you don�t have to worry so much about being constantly attacked.� I
know I certainly do.� And while you�re at it I�ll see if I can�t arrange for
Anarenen to train you in some conjuration skills as well.� Having assistance to
call upon in a fight is often invaluable, but it can be quite draining as
well.� Learning to fight yourself is always the best way to deter your
attackers.� And when you�re done, perhaps you can even manage to safely resume
your alchemical studies,� she said with a smile as she turned to exit the
room.� She closed the door softly as she left.� Alyssa�s thoughts were swimming
once again.� It was a good idea.� But could she really kill someone?� If they
attacked her first, she couldn�t see any other way.� What would training
consist of?� And� who was that man in Ra�vir�s shop, and why was he there?�
Could she really take him on if she had the proper training?� What about his
silence spell?
As she poured over these thoughts,
a small knock sounded at her door.� At first she ignored it; certain it was one
of her guildmates come to ask how she was.� She didn�t want to discuss it.� She
just wanted to be alone.� The knock came again, louder this time.
�Go away!� she called, frustrated
that they had not taken the hint.� The door slowly opened, and she saw a
familiar face peer through.
�Ajira wants to know why Alyssa did
not come back to the Balmora Mages Guild.� We were going to collect mushrooms,
yes?� Why is Alyssa here instead?� Ajira purred as she slipped inside of the
room and closed the door.� Alyssa was speechless in her surprise.� She had
almost forgotten about Ajira and their plans to collect mushrooms.
�Ajira went to look for Alyssa at Ra�vir�s
tradehouse,� Ajira said quietly, shifting her eyes to make certain she was
indeed alone, �Ra�vir told Ajira that Alyssa disappeared suddenly for no
reason, without a word.�� Suddenly Alyssa felt embarrassed.
�Oh Ajira.� I�m so sorry.� It�s
just that� well� Ra�vir wasn�t the only person in the tradehouse.� I saw� well�
I saw the Imperial man who� who� only he wasn�t dressed as a bandit this time,�
Alyssa broke off.� Ajira growled in surprise, her eyes widening as her ears
flattened.
�Alyssa is talking about friend
Malcus?� Ajira inquired.
�You� you know him?� asked Alyssa
incredulously.
�Yes, Ajira knows Malcus,� answered
Ajira slowly.
�But he�s the man who� who took
advantage of me, I�m certain of it!� Alyssa replied in surprise.� Ajira�s eyed
opened wider.
�No, no, Alyssa must be wrong.�
Malcus is an Imperial, but a good Imperial.� Malcus helps many people, does not
hurt them.� Alyssa must have mistaken Malcus for an Imperial bandit.� Malcus is
not a bandit, or a rapist.� Malcus is a good man,� Ajira growled, her hair
standing on end.� Now Alyssa was really confused.� Had she been so paranoid
that she had mistaken an innocent Imperial man for her attacker, simply because
of his race? �Silently, she thanked the gods that she had not mentioned the
meeting to Edwinna, otherwise this man might be dead.� After all, what would a
bandit be doing in Balmora?� But still� she had been so sure.� She couldn�t
forget that face, those piercing blue eyes, and the way he glared at her when
he saw her� how could it not be the same man?� Every fiber of her being told
her it was � that was why she fled so rapidly.� But Ajira wouldn�t lie to her,
would she?� How could Ajira call such a man �friend�?� It must have been a
mistake.� Her mind was playing tricks on her.
�I� don�t know what to say.� I
could have sworn that it was him.� I guess I just got so terrified that I left
without really getting a good look at him.� After all that has happened to me��
she trailed off.� Ajira�s stance relaxed and she took a step forward, pulling
Alyssa into her arms in an embrace.
�Ajira is sorry for what has
happened to Alyssa.� Very, very sorry.� But Ajira will take good care of
Alyssa.� Alyssa need not worry about that,� she purred, �Would Alyssa like to
return to Balmora to pick mushrooms?� Ajira promises that Alyssa will be safe,
and Ajira will not send her anywhere, even next door to friends, alone.� Alyssa
is a good friend.� Alyssa helped Ajira get her journal back from Galbedir and
save an innocent slave.�� Alyssa smiled.� Her thoughts were still jumbled, but
she could see no reason to decline Ajira�s offer.� After all, she could not
simply stay in her bedroom forever.� Taking Ajira�s paw in hers, the pair
headed down the hall to Erranil, who transported them both back to Balmora in a
flash of white light.
~*~
�Did Malcus and Ra�vir find the
runaway slave?� asked Ajira later that night.� She and Alyssa had enjoyed an
uneventful but productive day traveling down the Bitter Coast collecting
mushrooms and other interesting alchemical ingredients.� They had both gone
home with full bags, and now Ajira could sneak next door to check on how things
were progressing in the Twin Lamps.
�Yes, we escorted her to Stendarr�s
Retreat. �Someone there is going to get her to the Argonian mission in Ebonheart
� they are arranging a trip back to the Black Marsh and Elswyr soon to return
the runaway slaves we�ve liberated.� She�s a little shaken up, but she�s safe
now.� You did a good job in getting us that letter.� Did you ever find your
little Breton friend?� asked Malcus, trying to disguise his interest.
�Yes, Alyssa got scared and went
home, poor thing.� Alyssa has been through so many troubles lately, she thought
you were the bandit who raped her because you are Imperial,� answered Ajira.�
Malcus� blood ran cold, but he kept his face straight.� So, she had recognized
him.� He was half hoping he had mistaken her and there was another explanation
for her sudden disappearance.� Ra�vir laughed, twitching his tail.
�Malcus has many females in many
cities, he does not need to force pretty young mages gathering flowers on the
road,� joked Ra�vir, nudging him.� Malcus managed a smile.� He felt absolutely
sick.
�Not so many females,� Malcus said
with a wink.� Ra�vir laughed.� Ajira giggled.
�Ajira told Alyssa that Alyssa was
mistaken.� Malcus is a good man.� Malcus helps people, does not hurt them.�
Malcus is Ajira�s friend,� Ajira purred, smiling up at him.� Malcus closed his
eyes even as he managed to force a smile, afraid that she would read in them
his guilt and horror.� Yes, they would hate him forever if they knew, or even
suspected.� The fact that they did not suspect only made things worse.� This
was something he would have to burry deep inside of himself and try to forget.�
If anyone ever found out� he was almost certainly dead.� As terrible as the
guilt was that boiled inside of him, it was not worth the executioner�s block.�
Regaining his composure, he opened his eyes to see the two beaming Kajiit
looking lovingly in his direction.� They had no idea.
�Good,� he managed to say, his
voice calm despite the inner turmoil he felt, �You are both very good friends
to me, too.� I hope your little friend is going to be alright.� He meant it.�
Ye gods, he really did hope that she would be alright.� He would have to visit
the Imperial Cult shrine tonight and give a large donation to the gods.� He
knew he could not expect forgiveness, but with any luck, hopefully they would
take mercy on the girl and watch over her.� A lump came to his throat and he
found he had to choke back tears.� He couldn�t cry now, he mustn�t let anyone
else suspect�� He cleared his throat as he maintained his composure.
�Malcus is good to worry about
friend Alyssa.� Do not worry, Alyssa is very strong.� Alyssa is stronger than
she knows.� Alyssa will be alright,� Ajira purred.� Malcus smiled.� He hoped
so.� Ye gods, he really hoped so.
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Fall from High Rock