The smell of moist grass, and a river nearby, was the first smell that hit me as I pushed open the last gate that led from the sewers to my freedom. I took in deep breaths of the fresh air that spilled into my lungs. I took a few steps away from the gate and looked around to see where I was. There was a creek directly in front of me with mountains beyond it. To my left was forest that led to... somewhere. To my right was a small, hidden path that led to the towering walls of a large city. Something deep down inside my mind told me that the city is called The Imperial City, that it is the capital of Cyrodill. As I started along the path I hoped that my amnesia was only temporary and come back to me before I got too far on my new journey. What if I had a family and I had left them, abandoned them and had been sent to prison? Surely if that were the case I would feel it deep down inside of me. Shaking those depressing thoughts I quickened my pace.
It was still raining as I entered The Imperial City. Raindrops slipped over my hood, the wind sending water streaming down my face. As I wiped them away trying to see beyond two feet in front of me. Of course it would be a downpour once I freed myself from the never ending sewers, I thought.
After searching the markets for a good five minutes I came across a market that seemed to have what I was looking for. Basically just a simple shop to sell all of my stuff to make a little bit of coin. I had to eat somehow.
I entered the Three Brothers Trade Goods and walked up to the first brother, Tertullian Verus. He mentioned how I must be new to the area, and made a comment about another merchant causing problems. Was he trying to give me hints to inquire about this other merchant? After selling my extra goods, getting plenty of coin to last me a few days, I started to walk out the door when Tertullian said that things would be better if someone would take care of the troublesome merchant. I paused, my hand resting on the door handle. I could leave, it would be easy to just leave, or I could make a bit more coin by helping them. They seemed nice, I thought. Turning around I looked at Tertullian and asked him to give me a little more information on this other merchant. He told me that Jensine would have more information and would be willing to pay some good gold if I were to solve the problem. I told him I would go speak with her. He seemed elated that I agreed to help.
I found Jensine's shop a few doors down from Three Brothers Trade. I entered timidly, unaware of what I was digging myself into. Jensine turned around as I walked through the door. Jensine, the Nord, told me that her prices were not going to be changing any time soon, even if others thought they could get away with lower prices. She muttered something about stolen goods, and about the city being overrun by thieves. Her voice had a pitch to it that surprised me considering her race.
I did not mention the mutterings, but asked her about the troublesome merchant.
"You must be talking about Thoronir, the little creep," she stated bitterly.
I told her that if he was the one Tertullian discussed with me, that it must be him.
"Damn right it is. The little woodelf..." Pausing, she did not finish that statement when she realized that a woodelf is exactly what I am. I acted like I did not hear her soon-to-be racist statement, and I asked her where I could find this Thoronir. She told me to go a little bit further up in the square, the name of his shop is Copious Coinpurse. She said the last bit with a sneer on her face, these people clearly did not like this man. As I was leaving I told her that I would not be back until I had substantial evidence proving Thoronir's guilt.
I left Jensine's shop and looked around. Before continuing my Thoronir mission, I needed to find a shop with a better bow that I could purchase. I quickly found A Fighting Chance where I purchased a steel sword and a steel bow, with an extra quiver of arrows to add to my collection. I did not get anything too expensive as I did not have much coin to spare.
Carrying my new shiny purchases I walked around the corner of the square to find Thoronir's shop, Copious Coinpurse. Seemed to suit his supposed illicit items. I entered the shop with an open mind. I found racks, shelves, and barrels overflowing with merchandise. There was so much stuff that I almost did not see Thoronir standing behind his counter near the back of the store. He greeted me cheerfully, happy to see yet another customer.
"Welcome, welcome!" he said to me cheerfully with a toothy grin on his face.
I greeted him back with much less enthusiasm. He asked me what I was looking for and ensured me that he would have it. I told him that I was investigating the allegations against him regarding him as thief. He blanched and said, "Stolen goods? They think my goods are stolen? How dare they!"
Thoronir did not react the way that a thief would act. Instead he was clearly offended that he was being accused in such a way. I apologized and told him it must have been a mistake.
I left the shop quickly, leaving Thoronir to get over his anger.
The accusations must have come from somewhere for the other shop keepers to believe it so strongly. With this in mind I waited near his shop to keep an eye on when he left it.
Being small had its advantages when I needed to go about unnoticed.
A memory came to me in a flash of me following townspeople around the town I grew up in. I would hide in the shadows, and go whole days completely hidden out of anyone's sight.
Shaking the memory from my mind, I set off shadowing Thoronir. I stalked him through the marketplace, and then to a well hidden garden between two buildings. I watched him from behind a stone wall that separated the garden from everything else.
Soon after we arrived at the garden a tall man with blonde hair showed up. Him and Thoronir greeted each other; this man must be his source for all of his merchandise. They spoke softly, but I could pick up bits and pieces of what they were saying. I heard mention of a "schedule" and "items." So maybe Thoronir did acquire stolen merchandise. I knew I had to follow the blonde haired guy in order to figure out what was really going on.
Once they were done conversing, each of them went a different direction to exit the garden. I followed the tall blonde out of the garden area. I was close enough at one point, as we were entering the middle part of the city, to pickpocket him. I was curious to see what such a mysterious character would have on him. Interestingly enough he had a magic short sword tucked away where the guards could not see it and inquire upon it.
I followed him until we came to what appeared to be his home. I watched from afar as he entered and searched around for a good spot to camp out, hidden, while I waited for him to leave. I knew I needed to search his house to get a better idea of whom I was dealing with.
After waiting for hours he finally exited his home, and walked off. I was half tempted to chase after him and confront him, but my gut told me that I would learn all that I needed to learn from inside his home. After he was out of my sight I ventured over to the door, pondering how I would get inside. When I tried the handle it moved and turned underneath my hand. Why would he leave his home unlocked? I wondered. Unless he knew I was following him and wanted me to find out what was inside. I knew it was a trap from that moment, but I had to see what was inside. I pushed open the door and went inside. The house was small with a table in the corner, a few chairs along the wall, stairs leading to the bedroom upstairs, and a door leading down into the basement. I knew that if I were someone with something to hide than it would be hidden where the light does not touch it. I timidly went over to the basement door, this one was also unlocked. I stepped down the stairs eager to see what was being hidden down there. I turned the corner to see pools of blood on the floor, bone meal, shovels, and a manifest. The man's name was Argamir. The manifest had the names of the recently deceased inscribed on the pages, where they were buried, and what they had been buried for. My heart racing as I realized that those items must have been what was lining Thoronir's shop, and he had no idea. I looked to find the last detailed name in the manifest. I was going to stop Argamir from stealing any more items from the dead. I hastily left the basement and headed toward the next burial site, hoping to catch Argamir in the act.
I went to the cemetery and found an unsealed tomb. At that moment I was happy that I had pickpocketed Argamir earlier, at least he would be somewhat unarmed. I pushed open the tomb door and slipped inside. I got far enough down the tomb to hear a commotion of digging and voices. I came across Argamir and a man he must have recruited to help him dig up the filthy merchandise. Argamir must have heard me come inside because he started talking, addressing me with what he was saying. He told me he knew that I would find out what he was doing sooner or later. That is why he left those clues in his basement and all the doors unlocked. He told me that this next grave was currently empty, but that it wouldn't be for long.
My heart raced. Adrenaline began to pump through my veins and I became more aware of my surroundings than I ever thought I could be. I reached over my shoulder to grab an arrow from the quiver on my back. As Argamir and his friend ran towards me, I lined up my bow and arrow to shoot his friend in the heart. Once I had the shot lined up I let the arrow fly. It spun through the air and with a slight squish and a shot of blood from his chest, it found its home. The man fell to floor with a stunned look on his face.
My first kill.
Argamir paid no attention to what had happened to his friend, but continued to rush me. I had enough time to pull out the dagger I had stolen from him before he reached me. He lunged towards me with a short sword in his hand, taking swipes at my face. I ducked his first attack, but was not fast enough when he came back around. His blade slashed through my thin armor and connected with my skin. The pain shot through my arm and felt like it had seared itself throughout my entire body. I let a scream rush out of my mouth as I tried to get away from him. I knew he had far more strength than me. I had to get a grip and use my small stature to gain the upper hand on him. With blood pouring down my arm I waited for him to come at me again. When he did I stood my ground. I crouched low enough to bring my blade around me and thrust it into his gut as he loomed above me attempting to stab me from up high. Once the blade made purchase with his organs, blood came rushing out of the wound, and Argamir stopped in his tracks. I took a step back to watch as he hunched over the blade, looked at me with shocked eyes, and fell to the floor. Once I knew he was dead I let my body topple to the floor, my head resting on the cool ground. The walls and floor were spinning out of control as I rolled over and emptied the contents of my stomach. I had never seen so much blood, nor killed a man before. Was that who I am? I killer? A fighter?
I lay on the cool ground until my body felt like it had recovered from the shock of the fight. I knew I needed to get my wound checked and cleaned, but I had to speak with Thoronir about what had happened, and let Jensine know that Thoronir was innocent.
I went to Thoronir first and showed him the manifest. He was shocked and devastated. He had no idea that Argamir was doing that and he told me he would dispose of the items at once.
My next stop was at Jensine's. I had picked up a shovel with the grave's dirt on it to show her as some sort of proof of Argamirs sick game. I told her about the manifest and how Thoronir was not behind the diggings. She believed me and was happy to hear about Thoronir being innocent. She thanked, and paid me.
I left Jensine's with a full heart. I knew I had done something worthwhile. My head felt dizzy and light from the adrenaline finally easing itself out of my blood stream, or lack of blood may have been making me feel that way. I wondered around until I found a place to rent a room for the night and get myself cleaned up. As I was laying in bed that night I felt a sense of connection to the mystery and the fight that had occurred to me that day. I knew I was good with weapons and fighting. Maybe it was something I had done before the prison. Whatever it may have been I knew I needed more coin for my main priority; getting to Weynon Priory. I decided that the following morning I would head over to The Arena and become a contestant. I drifted off as I thought about what it may feel like to become the Grand Champion.
