Movement II: An Eight of Dwemer

I.

“This sort of behavior,” Alduwae said in disgust. “Is just an immoral waste of time, unfitting for Aldmer.”

Vaaj-na gave a hearty laugh. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you weren’t losing.”

“This one seems to recall Alduwae waxing poetical about the game not twenty minutes ago,” Mith’rohas observed.

“Don’t be a spoil-sport, Aldie,” Yaldunir chided, knowing the nickname would drive the Altmer red with anger. “It’s not our fault you’re better at milk-drink than cards.”

Alduwae did indeed turn red, throw his cards down, and storm from the room.

Vaaj-na turned to watch him go. “This one thinks you may have gone a bit far. Alduwae is not known for his sense of humor.”

“What do I care,” Yaldunir smirked, presenting his cards all in Red Royals. “When I’m walking out with everyone’s gold?” A chorus of groans met the Bosmer’s revelation.

A Khajiit claw stopped his avaricious hands. “Not so fast, tree-hugger,” the Khajiit’s face was lit by a krin. “Four Sharpers…and a Queen,” he laid the cards out for all to see.

“Who’s the milk-drinker now, eh?” hooted Mith’rohas.

Yaldunir watched bitterly as Vaaj-na claimed his week’s pay.

*

He found Alduwae where he knew he would be: standing at the docks looking out over the expanse of the Eltheric Sea. Secunda had not risen yet and Masser was barely a sliver against the dark of Oblivion; the shadows lay deep on the quays. Vaaj-na stood beside his friend and handed him a bag of gold. Alduwae looked at it, hefted it, shrugged and put it in his purse. “Hardly seems sporting,” he observed.

“The point of sportsmanship,” said the Khajiit. “Is to learn to lose gracefully.” He chuckled softly, “This one is happy to help his brothers achieve transcendence.”

Even Alduwae smiled at that.

After a long moment the Altmer said seriously, “Think of it brother. Out there, tens of thousands of us are achieving glory, bringing the New World to light...while we are stuck here on guard duty.”

“Someone has to keep the Psijics at bay.”

“Perhaps.”

“Vaaj-na!” a voiced sounded behind them.

They turned to see three Thalmor guards approaching. They looked very serious.

“You have found him,” Vaaj-na ceded.

“Vaaj-na you have been accused of Frivolous Behavior, Subverting the Morals of a Thalmor, and Theft of Personal Finances. The punishment for these crimes is Severe Flogging, Imprisonment, and Re-Education. How do you Plead?”

“You can’t be serious!” Alduwae objected. “It was a friendly game!”

“Are you, Alduwae,” said one of the Thalmor. “Confessing to being an Accessory to these Crimes?”

The Altmer became very quiet.

“So, Vaaj-na…how do you plead?”

But Vaaj-na was not looking at them anymore. A curious light was playing behind the guards, casting long shadows across the quays, spilling like black ink into the darkness of the Eltheric Sea. “This one thinks maybe running is most important now.”

The Thalmor guards turned as the first of the Numidium Walkers landed in Alinor.