#a little bit elven inspired shape wise I think

[matchamiko]

I think I - do maybe kind of potentially one day might want to get married

[forged-through-trials]

A few hours later, and we’d arrived back in the Imperial City. It was good to have that mess behind me. Ormil woke me once we’d arrived, and offered me the reward for Selene’s arrest. Another day of risking my hide, another payday that puts my honest delivery work to shame. If not for the whole ‘constant risk of death’ angle, this would be pretty sweet. Ruin: “Do you get into this kind of trouble often, my new friend?” Trials: “Well, I don’t get Akiviri’d every day, but... honestly, yeah, I end up nearly dying and having to fight for my life with distressing frequency.” Ruin: “Interesting. You don’t seem like you enjoy the danger, so why do you choose such a life?” Trials: “It’s not exactly a choice, Ruin. Until recently, I couldn’t find any safer work. Now that I have, it turns out ‘safe work’ doesn’t pay very well. There’s only one thing I’m especially good at, and... well, let’s just say that I’m working on finding a position in that field. “But sometimes, much like today, the dangerous work finds me. At least this time I had a friend to help save my skin.” Ruin: He cupped his chin in his hand and gave a nod. “I see. And when that happens, you have no choice and must either sink or swim? You are an interesting person to travel with. I may need to observe you further, but I’m starting to get an idea of the kind of person you are, Trials.” Trials: I blushed and scratched behind my neck anxiously. “Oh, and what kind is that?” Ruin: “I will tell you once I am certain.” After listening to my story, I mentioned to him my current case, with Roland, Seridur, and the Order the Virtuous Blood. Ruin advised against pursuing that case as I was now. Dealing with vampires was not for novice, and I shouldn’t even follow up on Roland’s lead until I was ready, lest Seridur get wise to someone being after him and prepares. Another cold case. And... again, it has to do with vampires. They’re really shaping up to be the bane of my life. But like always, I plan to return to this case, even if it’s too late and trail goes cold. I told Ruin as much, and he smiled and said that he admired my drive to finish what I start.

So we saw about getting me ready to pick up those cases again. First up, speaking to Rohssan about some training. Expensive though it may be, I could use some help learning to repair my gear. And every smith I’ve ever seen was a beefcake, so swinging a hammer around must do wonders for my pythons! Rohssan: “Lesson 1; hold this molten piece of metal for me.” She pointed to her glowing-hot forge. Trials: “...” I tilted my head curiously. “...do I use some tongs?” Rohssan: “Ah, you knew enough not to grab it with your bare hands. I have an advanced student on my hands!” Trials: “...students of yours try to do that bare-handed?” Rohssan: “With disturbing frequency! I’ve learned to use it as a test to see who’s worth my time.” Trials: “...the chapel healers must love all the business you send them.”

After my lessons with Rohssan, I went seeking further knowledge, and stumbled upon a note posted to a wall. The short version of it was it was a warning about the various dangerous fauna of the province, and reassurances that the roads are well patrolled and protected so stay on them and out of the wilderness. I’m torn on that matter. On the one hand, yes, the roads are well patrolled. On the other, they’re also thick with bandits, marauders, and highwaymen. Granted, so far, every time I’ve run into one, there was a Patrolmen around the the next bend to help me, but you’d think with such heavy patrols, they’d have cleared the brigands off by now.

My next teacher was Varnado at the shop called “The Best Defense.” While I usually prefer lighter armor, I figure it couldn’t hurt to get some lessons in wearing the heavier stuff. Again, it’ll do my ol’ spaghetti arms some good. Varnado: “Alright, lesson one; do you know how to wear gloves?” Trials: “...” I’m currently wearing gloves. “Is that a trick question, or is it really something you have to teach people?” Varnado: “Most people just need help telling their right hand from their left, but I did meet a Wood Elf who tried to wear gloves on his feet, boots on his head, and you don’t even wanna know where he put his helmet!” Trials: “...” I groaned and rubbed my temples. “I think your training has just made me a little dumber.” Ruin: “...Cyrodiil truly is an ‘interesting’ place.”

After that, I returned to the Gold Horse Courier offices to pick up a job. While my salary from GHC is disappointing, I’m going to need to head out of the city anyway, and I might as well get paid for my travel time. And, well, if you think about it, having a regular job like this is a good cover for a thief. I have an excuse to travel, I have an excuse to approach people’s houses to check them out, and while claiming to be a delivery girl won’t get me out of trouble for trespassing, one should never underestimate the power of being able to cop to a lesser offense! By the Nine, did I just say something clever and insightful? My, I might actually make a decent thief yet! For right now, I haven’t told Ruin anything about being a member of the Thieves Guild. I’m not sure how he might react to that, and I’d miss his company if he were to leave me over it.

Ruin and I rested for the rest of that day. I’d just been through many lessons with Rohssan and Varnado, after all. The following morning, we hit the road once more, traveling north from the city toward Bruma. I recall Armand Christophe telling me that Ongar the World-Weary, of Bruma, could move my hot property, and I’d stockpiled quite a bit, so our next stop will be to see him. While it was a shame to leave the safety and splendor of the Imperial City, it was nice to have one last example of the stunning architecture of the city in this bridge. And so conveniently placed, too, allowing us to cross toward the Red Ring Road so we could connect to the Silver Road, and embark on our way toward the northern city.

As we passed, I recalled Luther Broad from his Boarding House in the Elven Gardens District. After I’d sweet talked him for a bit, he mentioned a Shrine to Mephala near here, and there it was on my map, just to the East of the road. While I’ve never been particularly devout, I knew a bit about Daedra Worship from my old master, who was a devotay of Vivec, and consequently, Mephala, as well. He tried to inspire me to adopt his faith, but it never really took. I was curious about the shrine, however, recognizing the name. Mephala was revered by the Dunmer of Morrowind, and I decided it was worth the risk to investigate and learn more about why Mephala was so revered.

Just a quick trip off of the beaten path, and we spotted the shrine in a lightly wooded area just behind a big rock. We drew in closer, finding a few worshipers before the shrine. None seemed too pleased to meet us.

Dredena Hlavel: “You approach the shrine of Mephala. The Webspinner watches you, stranger.” Trials: “...like, in the bath, too?” Dredena Hlavel: “Especially in the bath.” Trials: “Eww...” Ruin: “I’m sure Mephala only watches you for the articles.” Dredena Hlavel : “Do you dare approach the shrine?” Trials: I shrugged. “Sure, why not?” Dredena Hlavel: “Then leave Mephala an offering of Nightshade at the shrine between midnight and dawn, and the Webspinner may grant you an audience.“ Well, I hadn’t any Nightshade, nor was I prepared to wait here until Midnight, so Ruin and I agreed to move on for now, and maybe come back to this later.