Chapter 2 - Arrival at the docks
I had a vivid dream on the boat. The sky was red and there where terrible sand storms. A
woman spoke with to me, as if the voice came from inside my head. The voice was calming
and even though the horrifying views in my dream I wasn't afraid. She told me of the
journey from the Imperial City to Morrowind. The dream ended with the words.
“Fear not, for I am watchful. You have been chosen."
“Wake up. We’re here. Why are you shaking? Are you okay? Wake up!” I heard a voice
say. This time from outside of my head.
I woke up. Still giddy from the dream.
“We’re where?”
“I heard we reached Vvardenfell. I’m sure they’ll let us go.”
Now reality came back to me. Let us go? You poor bastard. The only place we’ll be going is
to another prison. I tried to stand up but the male Dunmer wouldn't let me.
“I’m okay!” I said irritated due to my bad morning mood. I tried to stand up but only got
halfway before falling and bumping into the the keel of the ship.
“Let me help you.” He reached his arm towards me.
I thought he’d be rolling his eyes and giving me sarcastic comments but he was very
friendly. He helped me up to my feet and held my arm lightly to make sure I wouldn't fall
again. After a couple of seconds he let go.
“My name is Jiub. What’s your name?”
“I’m Aldayl.”
“We’re just about to arrive at Vvardenfell.”
Vvardenfell, the homeland of my people. My parents had moved from there to Cyrodiil
before I was born in search for a better life. Although finding none. I stood there silent. I
couldn’t think of anything to say.
“Are you okay?” Jiub asked kindly.
Before I had time to answer a guard came to me.
“This is where you get off. Follow me.”
They left Jiub in the boat and I followed the guard. Perhaps they would let him go after all?
I followed the guard up to the upper deck and he told me to go out of the ship. I could feel
the smell salt water and fish as I came outside. I held my eyes closed and took a deep
breath. The first thing I noticed when opening them was all the vegetation. Trees, birds and
grass everywhere. This place had as mush life as Cyrodiil. I’ve only heard about desolate
places with dead trees and ash storms. But my surprise was quickly changed to amazement
as I saw a giant shelled bug with long legs. It was at least 6 meters tall and seemed to have
some kind of cavity in the shell. It was just standing there. Still, as if waiting for something. It
obviously wasn't hostile since it didn’t attack and the residents didn’t seem to even look at it.
Truly a sight to behold!
I met up with a guard at the docks.
“State your name, race and six.” He wasn’t much for greetings this one.
“Aldayl Saryoth, Dunmer, male.” I said in the same flat voice as him.
“Great. I’m sure you’ll fit right in. Follow me up to the office and they’ll finish your release.”
Release? I was shocked. I could barely breathe. I felt like dizzy and wanted to sit down. But I
held my posture as good as I could. I knew this was some kind of mix up. I should not be
released for any reason. They probably mistook me for Jiub in the boat. He was talking about
being released. I felt sorry for him but really didn’t have a second thought of pointing out this
mistake. I followed the guard to the office and opened the door. I entered an Imperial office of
high standard. Banners were hanging on the walls. Expensive plates, goblets and books
decorated the room. It looked as if the building was built yesterday. It was spotless.
A slightly older man sat by the table writing on a parchment. The hair he had left was white
but his skin wasn’t wrinkly which gave him an oddly youthful appearance. There was a guard
by the door to my left. He smiled towards me. But I could see he was a real professional. He
looked at me as if to calculate every move I made in advance. I looked back at the guard and
he and nodded towards the man by the table. He was still sitting there writing and hadn't
noticed me. I cleared my throat to make him aware of my presence.
“Oh, excuse me. I can be a little absent when I’m writing. You must be the new arrival am I
correct?”
“Yes, sir. My name is Aldayl Saryoth.”
I decided it was best not to lie about my name in case they find out. Besides, I didn’t know
Jiub’s last name.
“I’m Socucius Ergalla. Is this your first time in Vvardenfell?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You can skip the formalities. Then allow me to welcome you.”
“Thank you, s...”
I stopped myself just before saying sir and only a small hiss came out. Socucius smiled.
“Well let’s get down to business then. You’ll have to be recorded before you are officially
released. Please fill these papers.” He handed me a parchment.
I looked at the table for a quill and ink and just as I reached for them he stopped me.
“No, no, those are mine. I have another set here.” He pointed at another set on the table.
I dipped the quill in the ink and began filling the forms. As soon as I was ready I handed the
papers to Socucius and he looked them over.
“Show these to the captain.”
I did as he told me to and the captain told me to continue to the next building and talk to a
man named Sellus Gravius. As I entered the next room a saw a knife lying over a note. The
note read.
“Hrisskar, don’t think I’ve forgotten our wager. I want this dagger sharp as a scamp’s claw
by the morning. Ganciele”
I decided to take the dagger. If it was gone maybe this Hrisskar fellow would get the blame
instead of me. I peeked over my shoulder to make sure no one was seeing me and took the
dagger and put it in my pocket. I went out the door towards the next building. As I went
outside I saw something gleaming in the grass. I crouched to get a better look at it. It was a
ring and it seemed to be enchanted. As I had some minor skills in enchanting I could see this
was a ring to cure wounds. I was no thief, but I could get away with this even easier than with
the dagger and I was in desperate need for some money for a new set of clothes. No one
would even dare to approach me in these stinky prison garments.
I entered the other building and was met by a man in golden shining armor sitting at a desk
reading some papers. He was an Imperial in his early forties and very well built. He looked up
at me with an expression that said “Who are you?”.
“Are you Sellus Gravius?” I asked politely.
“Yes...?”
“My name is Aldayl Saryoth. I was to give these papers to you."
“Let's see." He skimmed through the papers fast. He had obviously done this before. “Let me
take these identification papers. I'm here to welcome you to Morrowind. I don’t know why you
where set free but the orders came from the Emperor Uriel Septim VII. When you leave this
office you are free. But I have some instructions for your duties.” He paused for a short moment,
turned to his desk and leafed through his papers. “Here they are. It’s from the Emperor himself.
So pay close attention This package came the same day as the news of your arrival. You are to
take it to a man named Caius Cosades, in the town of Balmora. Go to the South Wall cornerclub
and ask for him. They’ll know where to find him. I also have a letter for you, it contains your
orders and directions to Balmora. I also have a disbursal to your name.”
He handed me the letter, the package and some gold. I said farewell and exited the building.
I was now a free man...
» Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:09 am 
