Aryon almost choked when he suggested that they were miners uniforms but eventually decided to agree.

"Fine, I suppose that maybe it would help but I want it over and done with as soon as possible. Those miner uniforms are awfuly uncomfortable and an eye sore"

He was beginning to reconsider being partnered with this man, he had hoped that he would be partnered up with that fetching Dunmer gal back at the council hall and couldn't keep his mind off her for the whole journey. Eventually the Silt Strider pilot shouted to them

"Hitting Seyda Neen in 5 minutes, yous better get ready"

Yuri wasn't happy. Discontent with himself and the woman but not enough to confront her. He gripped his flask and made an attempt to guzzle the entire glass. he succeeded and began to feel his mind turn over.

"Is the room available for the night?" Yuri tended to be polite in conversation. The woman flashed him a smile, knowing her regulars from the common rabble she granted him access the the suite upstairs.

"The room is your's for the night sweetie." she smiled again, the addictive smile that charmed people. Yuri dropped forty drakes onto the counter and made his way upstairs, or attempted to at least. As he reached the first stair, the door opened from behind and in came Belladona, his employer and the amoral witchhunter.
She made his way over and played the routine of a lover, embracing him and whispering into his ear.

"I am leaving for Caldera tonight, and will be staying in the abode of several orcs who will serve me while I'm there. I want you to stay here and wait for my return."
the woman was certainly talented, and her beauty obviously helped.

"Going to raid the mines there?" Yuri knew of the vast wealth Caldera could process from their ebony mines.

"Indeed, inquisitive one. Stay safe for me dear?" again, her voice caressed his insides.

Yuri nodded and she planted a small kiss on his cheek before turning about and exiting the establishment. His weary legs dragged him up the stairs and into the luxurious bedroom where he collapsed into the sheets, savoring their embrace.

Balmora

Beslyn assumed a position next to the breton woman, she was pretty but if things some how went wrong he would not want to grow attatched. He turned to the petite breton and spoke in an almost too buisnesslike tone. " Shurdan-Raplay Egg Mine,...that's only a few miles south west of the south gate, we could walk there in the better part of the day, and with the river boats and caravans to the Odai Plateau, I doubt we'll run into any trouble. I have an extravagant idea, though I doubt you'd follow through with it."

Smiling, Beslyn folded up some notes and stuffed them in his guar-leather bound journal. His clothes would be adequate for the journey they would take, Beslyn would rather take the money for the supplies his plan required than a short passage by boat to a location they could walk to with ease. Smiling his large grin he stuck out his hand, in imperial fashion," Beslyn Dreloth, House Retainer,...my profession is for my own knowledge however, and my skills are to be asessed by those looking over me."

(I suppose there isn't much choice.) Soryna wanted to say that but knew she couldn't. Well she could but it would have no gain to it. She placed her hands against the table and slowly rose up. Side stepping the seat behind her she pushed it away with her hip. "Do you know how to get there? I'm not familiar with Vvardenfel." She wasn't lying but she would have said the same thing even if she did know where it was. It was best to make him think he was in charge, thinking his idea was what was getting them places, he'd run in to catch the first spell, or to set off the first trap, or to pay for whatever she may want. Some may consider her attitude typical of a female, especially a Dunmer one, but really all she was doing was playing off people's arrogance. "A bit ironic, that you an outlander is to help a Dunmeress such as myself find places, no?" Her voice was charming but maintained a depth coupled with a sweetness reassuring whatever notion Richard had in his mind. She tilted her head slightly as if awaiting a reply.

Mervs, Coordinator

"Excellent, that's the sort of attitude we are looking for," Mervs said to Vel. "She's bound to be in one of the inns in Suran, go asking around a bit. I've heard she's quite the charmer, no doubt that's how the little s'wit lures her followers in, so she'll be well-known to the locals. But be careful with that, if she gets wind that someone is looking for her, she might leave town, a result none of us want."

The Coordinator produced a small bag of gold, with some fifty drakes inside. He tossed it to Beniamus, "A small taste of what you'll get once the job is finished." He smiled and then walked off, leaving them to their task.

Character Sheet


General Information

Name: Artenell
Alias: Night Walker
Gender: Male
Race: Dunmer
Age: 99
Birthsign: Thief

Class Information

Class Name and Description: Night Blade- Spell and shadow are their friends. By darkness they move with haste, casting magic to benefit their circumstances. Nightblades are spellcasters who use their magics to enhance mobility, concealment, and stealthy close combat. They have a sinister reputation, since many nightblades are thieves, enforcers, assassins, or covert agents.

Specialization: Sneak

Skills Major: Long Blade, Light Armor, Sneak, Alteration, Destruction
Skills Minor: Mysticism, Restoration, Short Blade, Mercantile, Speachcraft

Appearance

Height: 5' 10" - 152cm
Weight: 190lbs - 86kg
Apparent Age: 33
Apparent Gender: Male
General Appearance: Long grey hair, Red eyes, muscular, gotee stuble, dark grey skin color.
Standard Attire: Dark Blue Cloak goes down to his feet with hood, dark brown button vest with black under shirt, light tan pants, Tall Brown boots.

Equipment: Hourglass, Spyglass, Three books

Armor: leather armor under his Dark Blue Cloak
Weapon(s): Silver Short Sword, Steel Long Sword, Steel Daggar
Enchanted items: Magical Potions, Creature Summoning Spells, Magical pipe to call creatures.

Disposition

General Disposition: He doesnt get along with people who are rich and have an arrogant look to themselfs. He thinks of himself as a man just trying to get around in the world. He will do any kind of job whether it be killing a mage or killing a lord, either way he get paid. He has some sympathy for the weak, but would also kill them if he was hired to do so.
Disposition towards the Empire: The Empire and him dont see eye to eye on most subjects or actions that are taken. He has done jobs in the past for the Empire, but not with good intensions.
Disposition towards the law: When ever he's in the public in some town or large Metropolitain City, he follows the basic laws that each town has. But during the night or evening hours, he holds no bounds, and would steal and kill. As for outside of town, he believes that there are no laws, only the laws that each man governs himself by.
Religion: None
Past Associations: Fighters Guild, Mages Guild, Theives Guild, Assains Guild, Empire, Rich Lords (He usually kills them after the job is done).

For Non-Hlaalu

Name: Artenell
Gender: Male
Race: Dunmer
Birthsign: Thief
Age: 99
Place of birth: Small Settelment in Morrowind called Ashenvalle.
Current Residence: Ashenvalle
House Hlaalu Sponsor: Dunmer by the name of Kartrell

Describe your skills: I'am a very skilled in the ways of the Night Blade, I can cast spells of destruction and also cast spells summoning Great Creatures of the Forrests and Beyond. My skills with a Blade, are masterfull, ever since I was a young lad, I trained in the ways of the blade. I can Heal my associates or myselft with a spell. I can also sneak through the night, without even a sound to be heard from myself.


List any other organization you belong to (and current rank): I belong to no organization. I work for those who will pay me a fair amount of gold or other valuable gems and stones.


Please list any persons who can speak for your good character and abilities: Kartrell has known me since we were young, he can speak good of me, all the others are dead.


Are you willing to carry out tasks that could be potentially dangerous?
[ /] Yes [ ] No

Do you agree to abide by all House Hlaalu laws?
[ /] Yes [ ] No

Do you agree to follow all lawful orders of your superiors in House Hlaalu?
[ /] Yes [ ] No

By signing below, you indicate that all above information is accurate and swear allegiance to the Great House Hlaalu.

___Artenell___________________________


-Three Days before-

The cloaked figure stood over the man in the bed, only his red deathly eyes showed. The tip of the figures daggar dripped with blood, as the sound of a mans voice echoed up the stairway. "M'lord, is everything ok?", the sound of footsteps approaching made the figure look to the door as the footsteps stopped outside the door. Once again the voice came, "M'lord is everything ok in there, do you need anything?", the figure looked to the nearby window, that was partially opened. The door knob began to twist, as another pair of footsteps stopped at the door. The figure quickly lurched to the window, opening it just enough to get through, as one of the guards walked in looking at the figure in the window sill, "STOP INTRUDER!", the figure jumped out of the window, landing on a few empty wooden crates on the ground. The guard rushed to the window, looking out and quickly turned his attension to the other guard, "Summon some Redoran Bounty Hunters to the manor immediatly!", the other guard knoded and rushed down the stairs, as the other guard checked on the man in the bed. The cloaked figure ran through the tree's as the sound of guards yelling to each other could be heard.

-Present Day-

The cloaked figure sat near his small campfire, cooking his meal, as the sudden sound of dogs could be heard coming from the west. The figure doused his fire and gathered his gear, as the sound of the dogs grew closer. The dogs begain to bark as they got closer to the figures postion. The figure finished gathering his gear and ran towards where he knew he could get some sort of sacturary, The House of Hlaalu.
The figure continued to run through the tree's and bushes, quickly losing the sound of the dogs. As he approached the great door of the house, he entered the hall of Hlaalu catching his breath. A man in some robe, possibly some high ranked Hlaalu follower, approached him...

Balmora, Hlaalu Council Manor
Nileno Dorvayn, Kinsman

"Hello, sera, is there something I can help you with?" the Dunmer woman asked, noticing the hurried look about him. She hoped this wasn't another one of HIHR's goons, but it seemed almost unavoidable that it would be. The least that pompous opportunist could do is keep his toadies contained to one place she thought to herself.

Artenell caught his breath as the woman approached him and asked who he was. He looked at her for a moment, "I need some refuge from a group of Redoran Bounty Hunters who have been after me for three days, I thought I had lost them, but just a while ago, I heard their dogs...", artenell said in his deep voice, as he took another breath, "I new I was close to here, and thought that I may get some refuge", artenell quieted down, and stood straight as he checked himself and his gear...

Nileno Dorvayn, Kinsman

What a strange fellow, delusional, perhaps? Nileno wondered silently. "I can assure you, no Redoran, uh, bounty hunters will trouble you here in Balmora," she assured him, matter-of-factly. The man looked genuinely worried, however, so she couldn't help but ask, "I do wonder, if you don't mind my asking, why are you concerned with Redoran bounty hunters?"

Artenell looked at the woman for a moment, some what insulted by the question, "Its not that I'm worried about the bounty hunters, I just need a break before I go and kill them", artenell pulled his daggar from is sheath cleaning the rest of the dried blood off, then looked back up at the woman, "Well since I'm here... Got any need doing of anykind, I heard that The House of Hlaalu gives some good contracts?", artenell stood hoping that the woman would give him a job...

Balmora, Hlervu's Common Goods

The traveling pilgrim idea was perfect, Elissandre would be the lady in distress and seek shelter in the Egg Mine, meanwhile inspecting the locations of the rooms of each suspect. The Plan was gold, she would learn the names and faces of the suspects and relay all the information to Beslyn. In turn
Beslyn would enter as a miner, with fake papers from the Rethan Manor, and investigate each suspect accordingly. Beslyn knew that there was a good chance he could be caught, and that was not a situation a lady, in particular a healer should be caught in, Orcs were nasty, and he was ready to deal with an angry orc accordingly.

The miner outfit and gear was relatively cheap, after the subtle use of a charm spell and straightforward bargaining. The coarse imperial linen and durable iron pick axe were quite heavy and carrying the equipment back to the Eight Plates was quite the workout.

Balmora, Eight Plates Inn
When he returned, he had apparantly ran his errand quicker than Elissandre could get there, and he started with writing his papers. Anyone could forge documents if they had the right signature and anyone with an ash yam and a knife could forge a seal.

He pulled out a sheaf of letters from a small drawer in the rickety dresser, one was a letter from Lady Raynasa Rethan, Beslyn had been denied the service of a personal agent. The noble had use of her own agents, and could afford them with no hurt to the pocket. Beslyn almost loathed the Morag Tong for their skills, and any agent who didn't was a fool.

The signature was easy to copy, and the papers would have to be aquired back from the guards once the job was over; unless of course Beslyn and Elissandre could manage to arrest the suspects. The guards wouldn't prove too difficult, it was the miners that Beslyn had to worry about, they would all have sleeping quarters dug in somewhere in the complex, most Hlaalu mines were quite organized, Beslyn's father owned one back home.

Overseer Verin Omasi,

Another worker has been hired, Beslyn Dreloth, see to it he is given proper hospitality upon reaching the mine. He is a rather lanky subject, but a good worker. He is no doubt addle brained, I suspect he may be a skooma addict but only close investigation would prove it, however that is of no use of yours. He will bring his own equipment and will be dressed for the ocassion. There is no need for him to dig a new sleeping quarter until the end of the month, bed him with another worker, I need production increased at the end of the month to further fund the mine.

Signed,
Lady Raynasa Hlaalu Rethan
Lady of Rethan Manor, Odai Plateau

Finishing, Beslyn didn't mark it with a seal, only because his letter had the lack of one. Hopefully this whole thing would work,...

Vel gave a bow as Mels walked away. "Alright lets get this over with." He turned around and walkeddown the stairs. "We will make a little stop at the council club I hope you don't mind, I need to pick up my equipment, then we can take the silt strider to Suran." He gave a jesture with his hand for his partner to follow and headed out the front doors.

"One can wonder why a lady of any kind of repute would seek shelter in an eggmine, especially with Balmora nearby - I suppose I'll have to make myself enough of an airhead that nobody will wonder how I came to be lost.". She changed her attitude, her expression turning to a smile as grateful as it was desperately empty-brained, speaking with a rather thick breton accent "Please sir could you give me some shelter. I was out there admiring the scenery and all those pretty wild flowers when that horrible creature came out. I'm sure it would have eaten me, but it ran after my servant...."

Resuming her usual voice "That should be about the right air-headedness. We bretons aren't exactly reputed for being level-headed. I might have to dye my hairs too. My natural color tends to stand out, and someone might recognize me from the Temple. Some makeup too, no true noble lady would be caught up without proper makeup - overdoing it should hide my features enough. Some flimsy but flashy looking enough clothes and that should complete the trick.

I'm going to end up looking like some no-brainer nouveau riche who married money and has learned neither taste nor common sense, getting ripped of by her taylor. Looking as harmless as possible, and hare-brainend enough that curiosity into the workings of the mine can pas off as genuine - ooh that's how they're living.. how do they do that ? my dog couldn't the poor thing would catch a cold."

Does that sound like an effective way for the 'damsel in distress part' ?"

"I suppose it is quite ironic." Richard replied absent-mindedly. Looks like the 'aloof' thing may just work. I'll keep it up for the meantime, and I doubt it'll be hard to do that, what with the task at hand. Gildii, Alusan, and Llaalam Mandas, those are the people suspected of smuggling... Alusan sounds familiar. I'd bet he was one of the fellows I used to work with before the things with the Legion got hairy and I was pressed into aiding them instead of smugglers. That makes sneaking in a bit complicated, although I can always act the part of intending to smuggle some goodies out myself... Yes, that might work, although he may suspect me as a Legion agent, and he wouldn't be far off, really. He was already rolling up a plan. His apperance would work with him this time instead of against him, as from what he knew it was usually people like him that worked in the mines - young, low on money opportunists that just got to Vvardenfell and have no money to get about.

"I don't know about you, but I'm not a Mages Guild member, and the only way besides that to get to Caldera is on foot. So unless you're a Mages' Guild member and could sneak a passage in for me, I'd suggest you gather whatever things you need for the journey, since I've got some things to pick up before leaving that relate to this task. I'll meet you at the northern gate." Richard turned to face his companion, waiting for her to agree or propose an alternative.

He was throwing heavy risks like that, but he had never yet attempted to get in with a Dunmer, so charting the waters would come in handy later, if he wasn't succesful with Soryna. A tiny part of him was wishing that'd be the case - he had a feeling this woman could be more dangerous than any other he had yet met (even the ones that tried to stab him at one point or another), although he didn't pay any attention to that feeling yet.

Arriving in Sedya Neen, Renis was the first to get off the Silt Strider. He looked around, slight disgust evident on his face. "Sedya Neen. It's been a few years since I've been here. I'm sorry to say nothing has changed. Okay, if I remember correctly there should be a tradehouse in town we can get some supplies from. They might have miners uniforms, it's not like they're all that hard to get after all. I think we should go take a look. If that's alright with you of course Aryon." Renis says this last line with some level of sarcasm, but not enough to display an obvious intention of disrespect.

Not waiting for the man's answer, Ren heads off to the tradehouse, which he finds in a few minutes. Inside he is greeted by its Altmer owner, which causes Ren to clutch his gold tighter. He knew the greed of the so called "High Elves." Browsing the man's stock, Ren was in luck and found two used miners uniforms. Picking out the cleaner one for himself, Ren argues with the owner for awhile before the two agree on a price of 10 drakes. This was still more then the dark elf would normally pay, but he was feeling generous today, and he was anxious to get along with the mission.

Heading outside, Renis gives one miner uniform to Aryon, sure the man is disgusted by its poor condition. "Well, that's that. Hopefully the rest of the mission goes this well, don't you agree?"

Nileno Dorvayn, Kinsman

"Ah, are you looking to join House Hlaalu?" she asked, then quickly adding, "It would give you an excellent opportunity to tweak those Redorans..."

Just then, Coordinator Mervs came walking down to the lobby. "Who's this, Nileno?"

"That's Kinsman Dorvayn, to you, Mervs. You still don't outrank me," Nileno replied, with obvious hostility.

"Yes, of course, Serjo Dorvayn," Mervs mocked.

Nileno ignored the affront, she'd rather not speak with that weasel any longer than necessary. "This is... well, I haven't quite caught his name, but he claims to be seeking refuge from Redoran bounty hunters. I was just speaking to him about joining House Hlaalu."

"Oh, really?" Mervs replied. "Well, sera," he said, now speaking to Artenell, "If you've done so much as to warrant the Redoran risking a battle in Balmora, then I may have use for you in the Hlaalu Inter-House Relations taskforce. After all, it seems that you already have experience dealing with those barbarians."

"Oh, no you don't Me-" Nileno began before being cut off by the Coordinator.

"Tut, tut, Serjo Dorvayn, you know as well as I do that House Father Llethri himself gave me explicit permission to recruit any one of sufficient skill and character into the taskforce," Mervs reminded her, with a grin. "And I have no choice but to go over your head on this matter."

Nileno did not reply, but merely sulked back to the second floor, leaving Mervs and the new fellow alone. "So, what say you?" Mervs asked Artenell, "Would you be interested in working for House Hlaalu?"

Artenell looked on as the two Hlaalu followers, argued amoungst each other. The hall of the house, was amazing, it ceiling was very high, and the interior was sertainly breath taking. As the two stopped arguing, and Serjo Dorvayn walked off in defeat, the man named Mervs stood there, "Sure I'll help out, but on not big on joining guilds or things like that, but I'll help", artenell walked off with the man, as he showed him to some room...

Holding the dirty and scruffy uniform in his hand, Aryon almost felt sick and wanted to throw it on the floor but he knew he had a mission to do. If the mission continued this smoothly then it shoudn't be too difficult.

"Well then, you look like you have been to this little dung hole yourself so you must know the way around. Where can we be expected to change that is comfortable, clean and safe? Is there perhaps an inn somewhere where we can leave our extra gear while we do the mission?"

Looking around the place he didn't expect much. It was small, poor and a huge swamp bordered it on nearly all sides, even the huts were built around a patch of swampland. He was actually glad that he was going to wear something different as he didn't want to get his clothes and armor messy in all of the swamp water. The sooner the mission was complete the better, perhaps he would get a different partner next time as the sarcasm and disrespect of this man was beginning to get on his nerves.

"If I remember correctly, the trade house rents out a few rooms. Nothing fancy and the roof leaks, but we should be able to stash our stuff their for a night. Be careful though. Place is owned by high elf scum." Renis cautioned. Much as he may have disliked Aryon, the fact that his partner was a Dunmer instantly guaranteed that when push comes to shove Ren greatly preferred him to the outlanders.

"I've only been out this way once. Had to deal with a Wood elf who owed some money to my employer. That was a fun one." Ren laughed, recalling fonder times. "But I did not get a chance to do much sightseeing, not that theirs much to see here anyway. If you've seen one backwater swamp village you've seen them all."

Aryon nodded as Ren was talking. He wasn't particularly listening to what he was saying but as he finsihed he looked at him and said

"Okay let's go. We'll rent our own seperate rooms and stash our stuff there, get changed and head for the mines. When we are done we will come back, get them and instantly head back to Balmora. I have no intention of spending the night in this place"

At that Aryon immediatly headed to Arilles tradehouse and entered through the front door. Not bothered on whether his partner was following. Looking around he held his nose up at the slight stench coming from upstairs and walked over to the Altmer.

"Ahem, yes i'm looking for a room to rent out for just the night. I will take the best room you have with a secure lock on the door please" Even if he wasn't staying here he didn't want a small room with rats crawling about.

"Ah, I have the perfect room for you Dunmer. Top of the tradehouse, luxury, just for you for 100 gold peices for the night!" the Altmer said with a greedy look in his eye

"Very well, heres 100 gold peices then. Good day" handing over the gold he took the key and headed upstairs to stash his armor, clothes and changed into the miner uniform, all the while sneering at the horrid stench that filled the building. The room wasn't all that bad as it had a clean bed, sturdy wardrobe and even a wooden table and chair. Once he had finished and locked the door he headed downstairs and out of the building waiting for his partner. he kept thinking how he would have prefered it if they just barged into the mine and demanded to know where the stolen good were and whole was responsible instead of all of the hassle to get uniforms and such.

Balmora, Eight Plates Inn

Elissandre had quite the act going on, her ideas for her "costume" went quite far, including make-up and a thick Breton accent to attribute to her upbringing. A lady lost on a lengthy walk and chased by bandits would prove to be a good enough story, most Hlaalu guards were not so intelligent, as well as the miners. How a person gets a job like that defeated Beslyn.

" That was actually quite what I was hoping, and expecting of you" he offered Elissandre a warm smile. " Those miners are going to let their guard down, especially to some beautiful woman with a high upbringing. It'll give me adequate time to rifle through their papers. I doubt they'll even know what happened. Elissandre, there is a bonus if we can arrest them, and I'm going to try and manage just that." Beslyn calmed down and inspected his boots, he was wearing his brown clothes, along with browner boots. His shortsword loosely buckled to his belt and his miner's pick was hefted over his shoulder.

" Shall we go? The river boat is waiting for us." Grabbing his fake papers, Beslyn smiled and prepared to leave, he ran his fingers through his long dark hair and prepared himself for the worst. Now,...he was waiting on Elissandre.

Mervs, Coordinator

The two went to a briefing room, where Mervs saw to the proper documentation being filled out and an application tendered and approved. When they were finished, he said, "Welcome to House Hlaalu, sera."

"Your first task is here in Balmora," Mervs explained. "I've heard rumors of some 'master of security' who is living in the city and causing problems with his skills. Doors that oughtn't be opened are found unlocked, places where our Operatives desire to go are closed off to all but the most skilled. I need you to find out who this 'master of security' is - where he lives, where he works, everything."

"I want a detailed report of this, and the sooner the better. Ask around in the South Wall Corner Club, information of this nature tends to flow through there."

Artenell looked for a moment thinking of the job, and what it could bring.

A 'Master of Security', what kind of stupid name is that?

Artenell looked back up at Merv, "Ok I'll do it, but how much do I get paid, I dont want some pitance!", artenell looked around this room also, it was as stunning as the hall...

Elissandre, Eight Plates, Balmora

"The other solution would have been for me to show up there as a real Temple novice, to provide them with healing and counsel. Playing the terminally dumb lost nobility will keep the Temple out of an investigation it don't belongs to. And also let me have the guards drooling and hopping through hoops." - resuming her breton accent "It's so nice to be speaking with you.. you know, my husband and his firends, they're just so old and boring, they only speak about gaining money. You're faaar nicer and strong and all, that way more nice a company."
She shrugged with a grimace "And if I really need to, I can play that act to the end. Don't ask, just know that before joining the Temple, I've stumbled through... questionable situations."

As Beslyn mentionned arresting the smugglers, Elissandre replied "I can be of some help for that. I'm good enough with Illusion magic to paralyze someone for more than enough time to let you knock him out. Or mix you a decent fatigue-draining poison, blade or ingestion. An if they're.. let's say somewhat damaged, I can patch them up for delivery."

While speaking, she finished dressing up, her skirt wide enough to completely hide her shortsword once it was tied to her thigh. With the heavy makeup and some fancy haidressing, she now looked just as a woman with far more money than taste and common sense. As she came out of her room, she commentend "Her am I, Lady Florence is ready to go."

Balmora, River Port

The boat that had been arranged for them was rather drab with little embellishments, the smooth native wood with a gnarled point marked it an Odai River barge, inquisitively named The Rusty Guar. The Dunmeri script etched into the stern as opposed to the fore of the ship. The boat master, a grizzled old dunmer by the name of Manarus Ules, greeted them with a suprisingly warm welcome, unbefitting of his appearance.

Beslyn and Elissandre were quite an odd sight in Balmora, most of the locals hated outlanders and a Breton Lady with an apparant Dunmeri servant no doubt angered them. The odd stares given by pockets of local dark elves, most probably egged on by Commona Tong. Beslyn wasn't worried however, Vvardenfell was an extremely dangerous place by Tamrielic standards, but no one would harm them in the heavily guarded and watched Balmora port.

Beslyn assisted Elissandre onto the ship, the dress no doubt hampering her movement from the usual. There were no rooms, only open deck and the twelve rowers were unusally quiet. This boat was no doubt used often by Hlaalu buisness, and it was probably in their wages they not say a word.

Soon, The Rusty Guar, was off and it's rowers had no need to work tediously, the current pulled them south at a sufficient speed, their destination no doubt already known by Shipmaster Ules, the grizzled old man overlooked his rowers with obvious pleasure, yellow teeth smiling in the moonlight.

Beslyn approached, leaving Elissandre on her own, the old mer was humming a tune Beslyn had heard in Suran before. " Master Ules, I was wondering, as a man of Hlaalu how much money do you make in terms of transportation?"
The mer shrugged, Hlaalu always talked buisness, the interest of the house one could say.

" Not enough unfortunately, the crates of salt rice and barrels of Greef and Mazte do sell well amongst the corner clubs and inn owners, but buying them on the Plateau or in Hla Oad is almost as costly. I make most of my money doing transportation during buisness trips, helps pay my workers and pay my taxes. I live a comfortable, modest life." Ules was well spoken for his apparant social class, not that Beslyn had worked to do much better.

" I see." Beslyn replied, the remaining gold in the small pouch wouldn't be enough to further any offer Beslyn may make but he continued " Say I was to run into some sort of,...trouble in the city. Not with the law of course, how many drakes would you say I would be paying to see passage south?"

The mer grinned, talking Hlaalu was talking buisness, and as member of the House, Beslyn expected a warm agreement. " Beslyn is it?" the Mer asked. " It is true that I have had enough adventure in my life, but I would wish for it when I am bored, and loathe it when I am tired. Aye, I will take you up on your offer for little more than fifty. My rowers are basically homeless and spend their nights in bars, I can have them to the docks in half an hour, if they're not already sleeping amongst the oars."

Handing the pouch of gold to the man he smiled. Beslyn then turned, and the cold night air blew his hair into his face. Retrieving a leather cord, Beslyn retied his ponytail, and returned to Elissandre.