JoS/Kanna/3rd Journal - Trip to Suran

Last Seed, 25th, 3E 427

It's been some time since I arrived at this cursed backwater island of Vvardenfell, here in the province of Morrowind. I haven't been writing because work has been keeping me busy. The money is good, but people are wary of outsiders, which makes me feel unwelcome. To top it all off, I'm stuck here. I'll get to why later.

Even though I arrived here as an agent for the Blades, I haven't been really doing work for them, as there isn't much to work on. Caius Cosades, the Spymaster of the region, is happy with me just keeping my eye out for strange occurrences and the work I put out for the Imperial Legion along with the Fighter's Guild. So far, nothing I've seen has raised my eyebrows enough to report to him.

On that note, I've got to say, I never believed I would be actually working with the Legion, not after all that I've gone through with them. To summarize why I joined, it was recommended to me both in the Ebonheart castle when I arrived here by ship and by Caius himself. The Imperial-led forces here consider us Redguards brothers more so than in Cyrodiil, because we're all men living in the land of the elves. Besides, they told me this kind of work would suit me and that I would without a doubt be a valuable asset. I have many reservations about the Empire, so working for them directly was something I had to think about for a long time, but ultimately I joined because my chances of making this organization better are better from the inside than they are from the outside.

I spent my first week on this island just traveling all the way from the south to the village of Gnisis in the north, which is the place where I officially joined the Legion. It's where I was garrisoned for a long time and where I spent time training and performing duties. The work mainly involved upholding the law and taking patrols along the Bitter Coast and West Weald regions, where criminal activity is rampant due to smugglers - namely Camonna Tong - using the inner sea as a quick route between the island and the mainland.

As a man used to traveling, my time in that little village was miserable. The most exciting thing that happened to me was contracting the blight disease. Not just once, but twice. I'm sure you can imagine me being very thrilled about it. At one point, I even wondered if I was going to even survive, but luckily, I was healed on both occasions. That disease is some scary shit based on what I've been hearing. Worst of all, I couldn't get laid while there to make my stay at least somewhat bearable. Never ran into any other problems though, and never had any trouble at work. I climbed ranks quickly all the way to being a Trooper.

As for specific jobs, there was some land dispute, a need for an experienced soldier to delve into a Kwama mine to cure their queen who had contracted blight, and rescuing a hostage from a camp of outlaw Ashlanders.

Besides that, I've recently done plenty of work around Balmora, Ald-Ruhn, and the surrounding regions. I enjoyed my time traveling and doing work on the road more. It was interesting, and I got to see more places than just that one village. I felt I was accomplishing so much more than in Cyrodiil, but regrettably, I still have nobody on this island I could really call a friend. Sure, I have colleagues, some of which I could share alcohol and banter with, but not real friends. That changed a few days ago when I met her.

It happened in Seyda Neen when I was there on the job regarding increased bandit activity and rumors about a small band of smugglers operating from a nearby cave. To touch a little on that story, it was the first time I had ever encountered slave traders, and the conditions in which these poor people were kept horrified me. One of them was just a child too. Fortunately, they've been freed now. I ended up extending my visit due to a murder mystery, which was coincidentally when I met Aliya. She took me on a crazy little adventure that involved delving into some ancient Dwemer ruin to retrieve some treasured puzzle box.

Aliya is a child, but at the same time, she has a certain kind of maturity to her. She's way brighter than your average kid, cunning and charming, but she's also naïve and docile like a child. Being a High Elf, she's naturally taller than many girls her age but shorter than any adult and most teens. She's got a babyface for sure, but her body, while immature, is also not as childish-looking as some other girls her age, as she's started to blossom as a woman. She's got some subtle curves on her waist, and her breasts have started to grow a little, and that ass… Damn, that ass. She's so pretty.

As for her skills, how could I say this accurately without dismissing her abilities…

She's green. Very, very green. She only became an adventurer when she was brought to this island, and she hasn't even been here as long as I am. That's how much of a newbie she is. Still, she is a talented mage, so I don't want to be too harsh on her.

I love spending time with her, and more importantly, I feel like she's the kind of girl I should protect and hold close to me. She told me her story, how she got here, her experiences, and it's some sad shit. She and I may be very different on the outside, with her being a pale and fair High Elf, and me being a tall and muscular Redguard, a young black man, but at the same time, we share so much in common regarding our past and our values.

I think I might like her a little too much, but I'm not sure yet what to make of those emotions. It's a little embarrassing to admit it out loud, but I don't mind writing it. She might even share the feeling, as we ended up even having sex. And let me just tell you, it's the best sex I've had in a long time. Granted, I haven't gotten laid in a long while, but damn, did she make my little big magic staff feel lucky that night.

However, as much as I would love to be with her right now, there's someone I feel like I have to be with, and that's my little sister. Aliya told me that she knew my sister and that they shared a similar fate. That nightmare of a jail where Aliya was in, my baby sister still is in. It has to be her from the way Aliya described her. She just has to. I feel just so much sadness and hate. I felt like I needed to save her and get to her no matter what. That's why Aliya and I split up in Balmora, after which I traveled alone to Ebonheart. That brings me to what I talked about earlier; me being stuck here.

Here's the problem you see, the biggest problem. This god-forsaken island is under quarantine and lockdown. Getting here is a long and complicated process, and getting out? Well, that's even harder. The blight disease, the mysterious and highly dangerous disease originating from the Red Mountain, has the whole mainland spooked, especially the Empire. I've seen first-hand why they're scared because, like I said, I contracted the disease twice already. It was by far the sickest I've ever been, and I never even got the "bad" symptoms, which include the growth of cancerous tumors. No ordinary healer can cure it, and there are reports of it even being incurable in some rare cases.

This was made very clear to me when I spoke with Varus Vantinius, or as I like to call him, the "Big Fish". His actual rank is "Knight of the Imperial Dragon", and he's the leader of the whole Imperial Legion on this island, the dude in charge of pretty much everything. Getting to talk to him was a difficult enough task as it was, but eventually, I was led to him because he was the only person who could even authorize my departure from this island.

I stood in front of his desk and pleaded my case to him as he listened with interest. Then, it was time for us to have an honest discussion.

"I am well aware of the reports regarding the conduct that took place in that branch of the Imperial City prison", he began. "In fact, I believe that the investigation should be concluded by now. The rumor is it's put under new, better leadership, with the previous leader and his associates facing heavy punitive measures. What puzzles me greatly though, is how you have acquired this information? We're talking about highly classified information here, and there's no way it should've reached all the way here."

"Sir, I met with someone who had been recently released from that place. She was brought here upon her release."

"Who is this someone, if I may ask?"

"Her name is Aliya, sir. She's a young Altmer, maybe like ten or eleven years old."

"That sounds highly suspicious to me", Varus said, with a doubtful look in his eyes. "I know better than anyone who's been brought here because the prisoners are brought to this port, and I'm rather sure that there haven't been any preadolescent Altmer women on the list of prisoners being returned to this province. Could she be here illegally?"

I didn't know how to reply because I didn't think that was the case. "She knew the old man at the Seyda Neen's Census office, sir", I said. "She's also aligned with the Blades, so her presence here might be obscured to the Legion because of that. That's all I can say."

"Prisoner? Aligned with the Blades? Sounds strange… But at the same time… Hmmm, something about this rubs me the wrong way… I'll have my secretary look through the prisoner records later, but let's move on. Now then, what is this about your sister?"

"I believe that she's in that prison, sir."

"How sure are you?"

"Sir, based on the descriptions given to me, I'm fairly sure."

"But not completely sure?"

I hung my head and stood quietly for a moment. "Sir, I know she's been imprisoned for a long time despite being innocent. It's the only place she could be in."

Seeming irritated, Varus sighed. "Well, I'm sorry if you're telling the truth, but I cannot let you leave this place under these conditions."

"Sir, I need to reach my sister somehow! I've been looking for her for so long, and I only want to meet her!"

"Don't raise your voice at me, soldier. I understand that this is an emotional subject for you, but this is precisely the reason why. Besides, you have your own duties on this island, and you could be infected with the blight. We can't risk that foul disease spreading to the rest of the Empire."

"Is there truly no way for me to reach out to her?"

"Well, you can write a letter. If she indeed is being kept there, I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to contact her as her immediate family member. Criminally convicted or not, she does deserve some contact with the outside world and her family. Would that suffice for you, soldier?"

It wasn't the answer I was hoping for, but at the same time, it was the answer I feared and the answer that was perhaps the most likely from the get-go. I knew it was pointless to even try returning to Cyrodiil, but I had to try. I suppose I will just write her a letter then. It will take a long for it to reach Cyrodiil, maybe even a week, and who knows how long I will have to wait for a reply, but for now, this is what I will have to settle for. "Yes, sir, that would suffice", I said as I bowed my head down deep.

"Don't look so sad, soldier", he said as he cracked a friendly smile. "I feel for you, I really do. It's just that the situation here on this island is dire right now, and the blight is a real threat to the Empire, more so than any war or insurrection. Things will return to normal soon enough, but until then, we'll have to keep this island on lockdown."

"I understand completely", I said and prepared to leave the office.

That brings me to now. I just finished writing the letter to my sister, and it'll depart Vvardenfell in the following days, but I'm not sure if that's tomorrow or two days from now. I'm staying for the night at the Six Fishes Inn writing this. I actually picked up writing a journal again because of Aliya. She inspired me to write because she's been keeping an extensive journal on her stay here. It's mostly just notes and scribbles about people and places so she wouldn't get lost and forget things, but I think she's also written some actual sentences and paragraphs, kind of like this. I'm not sure. She's ashamed of showing me everything she's written.

Well, tomorrow I'll travel back to Balmora and reunite with her. It's gonna be a long walk.

Actually, I think I'll just ride a Silt Strider.

Last Seed, 26th, 3E 427

Although I arrived in low spirits today, I spent my day in Balmora in high spirits. Aliya was glad to see me again but also felt sad for me, considering I couldn't leave after all. She said she has been busy studying at the Mages Guild, reading some books and learning new spells, but I don't think that's enough. I also insisted that she should learn to use that little blade of hers and promised to teach her some moves. Don't mean to brag, but she couldn't hope for a better teacher.

I also visited the Fighters Guild for work and chatted extensively with Eydis Fire-Eye, the battle-hardened Nordic battle-maiden who serves as the guild steward here in Balmora. She admitted that there hasn't been much work available in a while, although she had one little job which involved collecting some debts from a lass named Helviane Desele in Suran. She said it was more of a personal request but promised that I'd be paid nonetheless.

Eydis also asked me if I was interested in the local Great Houses, to which I didn't really know how to answer. She suggested they might have some work for me, especially recommending seeking out the stewards of Hlaalu here in the city. They have an excellent working relationship with our guild and would appreciate me seeking them out. Lastly, she told me to go talk to Wayn and said that I deserved an extra reward for my efforts and a promotion to a "Swordsman" rank.

Wayn, who's this friendly and old bald Redguard, was meant to gift me a new sword, saying that my old sword looks like it has seen better days, but I told him that my blade actually means a lot to me, and that I'm not looking to replace it. After hearing my story, he wanted to take a look at my father's sword properly. Yeah, I'll admit, it was a rusty-ass sword that I had not taken good care of, but I'm just stubborn, and I'd rather not part with it.

Lucky for me, he had some good words to say about my father's blade, saying whoever made it must've been a master craftsman. There's no reason to discard it, he said, but it'll require some sweet, gentle love to hone it back to its former glory. I'd never had any problems with it, but then again, I'm not the master craftsman here like Wayn is, so I'll trust his judgment. It'll take him some days to finish though, so I'll have to travel with a loaned blade. I think I'll be able to work with the steel sabre he provided me with.

Tomorrow I'll visit Suran, and I'm taking Aliya with me. Gonna take an old-fashioned walk there, as there's something Aliya wants to do on the way, something regarding helping her friend with alchemical research and retrieving samples. It'll give us a good chance to also train her moves a little bit.

Last Seed, 27th, 3E 427

Lake Amaya, the largest body of fresh water on this island, marks the halfway point between Balmora and Suran. Our trip there was peaceful in the sense that we didn't run into anyone, but not at all quiet because we just love to talk about inconsequential stuff. I went over the exercise I planned to put her through, and despite seeming a little anxious and questioning if she could handle it, she also seemed excited.

I taught her a basic stance she could use for combat, a stance suited for light weaponry, and then we went through how to use her dagger effectively. It was damn fun, and although I did take honing her into a killer seriously, I made sure to make some light-hearted comments and tease her by being sarcastic and belittling her every time she fucked something up. Nothing harsh was said though, just crap like: "Your stance requires you to be standing, not sitting on your ass".

She's getting the hang of it, and I think she's more than capable of defending herself with that weapon, although I'm not expecting her to win any close-quarters duels with anyone quite yet. I feel like the biggest issue with her is her fitness. She can't handle running very well, getting out of breath even from the most basic exercise. I made her jog for thirty minutes; is that really impossible for her? For fuck sake. She was practically in tears, complaining about how she couldn't do it when I told her that she should do this every day to get in shape. She's such a whiny baby, but she'll come along.

This brings me to what happened in Suran. For your information, it's a beautiful little village surrounded by greenery, with a very similar architecture to Balmora, as the buildings are mainly constructed from mudbricks. Houses here are painted white to give them more character though. It's also famous - or infamous - for a little establishment it houses called "Desele's House of Earthly Delights", a brothel that's coincidentally run by the very same lady I was supposed to be collecting money from.

You had people drinking there and having a good time, as well as topless ladies dancing on the stage, but the one I was interested in was the owner Helviane, the busty Breton behind the main counter. Oh, and by busty I mean those tits must've been at least G-cup, and they were barely contained by the black, elegant bra. She welcomed me with a smile and asked me what kind of service I was looking for. Meanwhile, Aliya was enamored by the beautiful dancers on the stage and too shy to utter a word. She was blushing like a ripe tomato.

When I inquired about the debt, she turned evasive, saying this was probably not the time or the place to talk about that. I told her that I wouldn't leave without the money, to which she simply sighed and told me to follow her to the back. I also asked her if it was fine for Aliya to be here as well, being the naïve little girl she was. Helviane didn't mind but said it might be better for her to come along, so she wouldn't be mistaken for a worker here. I guess even children can work here. Wouldn't surprise me, considering how the laws of Dunmer are very lax and laissez-faire compared to those of the rule-and-regulation-loving Imperials, but we're still talking about minors working in a brothel.

As soon as we were in private, Helviane admitted to being behind in the payments but also insisted that there was nothing she could do. "Our business has taken a hit due to competition", she said. "Smugglers operate a slave brothel to the north from here. I'm not sure who they work for, but it isn't Camonna Tong."

She also said the enemy has even gone as far as to kidnap two of Helviane's girls, Runa and Caminda. Helviane prides her business on being slave-free, so it pains her to see some of her girls being reduced into servitude against their will. Aliya seemed especially disgusted by the whole situation and said we must help them. I agreed, as it upset me too.

Helviane then said that the biggest problem here is that even if we did rescue those girls and put the slave brothel out of business, it wouldn't just magically make Septims appear from thin air. She would be able to turn a profit again with two of her most popular workers being back and not being constantly understaffed anymore, but it would still take time for her to be able to pay her debt. I asked her, how much she owed, and after she said five hundred gold Septims, I suggested I could pay her debt so she would be indebted only to me. She didn't understand why I was willing to go that far - and honestly, I don't know why I suggested that either - but she said that she'd be eternally grateful and said that the workers would appreciate the gesture as well. "If you keep to your word, I think I might also be able to give you lifetime access to our services", she added with a wink. That's an attractive prospect, I'm not going to lie. Helviane, at the very least, is smoking hot. I would love to fuck her silly.

We'll see to our job tomorrow. There's no way we've got the energy to do it this night. We have to formulate a good battle plan too, as we can't just blindly rush into enemy territory.

Last Seed, 28th, 3E 427

We slept for the night, and the following day we attacked. We thought it would be best to attack when the sun was out, as the slave brothel operates during the night hours, and the security is a lot laxer during the daytime.

Their compound was a typical Hlaalu-style mansion located in the woods north of Suran, off the road on a foot of a small mountain, and it was run collectively by three Orcs and two Dunmer. Three bandits were stationed outside as guards and bouncers, but that was the only security they had. Regardless, we had to take them out quietly and peacefully to not alert people on the inside. I have to admit, I'm not very good at that, but luckily, Aliya is. She's light with her steps, and her shoes don't make as much noise as my heavy boots do. She was able to take two of the guards out silently, which allowed me to challenge and attack the remaining one. He was no match for me and my superior swordsmanship. All that was left for us was to infiltrate the building. Luckily, the guards had keys.

They had four slaves, all humans, aged from mid-teens to late twenties. Runa was receiving slave training, which was a punitive measure thanks to her misbehaving at work. Two of the remaining slavers were raping the spunky and energetic Nord with their green orc cocks, who was chained in expensive slave gear, with a collar and a pair of bracelets enchanted to suppress the slave's magical capabilities to absolute zero. They had even tattooed her shoulder with some kind of crest to mark their ownership over her. That was a custom for these slavers, as this semi-permanent tattoo was placed on all four girls.

We were able to liberate them all and bring them back to Suran. Runa and Caminda were reunited with Helviane, who is like a motherly figure to these two young girls, while the other two, who we only introduced ourselves to briefly, were taken into Hlaalu's care keeping, from where they'll be able to return home. Hopefully. One of them was crying about being from Skyrim, so getting her home is gonna be a long and difficult progress.

These two girls, Runa the Nord and Caminda the Redguard, are good friends and a pair of young adventurers. In fact, I think they're around my age. They grew up together, did everything together, and even became adventurers together. Runa wears chainmail and wields a longsword in her right hand with magic in her left hand, while Caminda prefers lighter armor and to strike her enemies from a distance with arrows. They started off as a pair of highway bandits who used their beauty and charm to cheat unwary travelers out of their belongings, but after getting caught one too many times and punished harshly for their petty misdemeanor, they settled down for honest work… if you can call being a hooker in a brothel honest work. They do enjoy it though, so who am I to judge?

As thanks for what my friend and I had done to them, they suggested we should engage in some threesome. Being bi-sexual perverts that they are, they suggested that Aliya should join as well, for being there to save them, but she declined the offer, looking visibly embarrassed by the situation. Regardless, she encouraged me to have a blast with a whisper in my ear. I suppose she isn't a jealous type, and doesn't actually care about me sleeping around, despite our own sexual past. I mean, I have feelings for her, and she might share the sentiment, but it's not like she's my girlfriend, and probably never will be.

It was the first time in my life that I could bed two beautiful ladies at once, and oh boy, did I have a lot of fun. Runa and Caminda are absolute treasures, and they sucked my balls dry. In fact, sucking was the first thing they did, playing around with my cock together, trading it from mouth to mouth, and licking its shaft at the same time. I couldn't take it for long and nut all over their pretty little faces, which only made them hungrier for love.

Without giving me time to rest, Caminda pushed me on my back while Runa saddled my cock. Caminda sat on my face and offered her pussy for me to be licked while Runa rode my dick like possessed. They themselves, being faced towards each other, ate each other out like lovers, not that I had the pleasure to witness it with Caminda's hot caramel ass smothered all over my face. I was getting a little uneasy about finishing off inside, but considering how Runa moaned about needing me to cum inside her, I stopped caring about possible consequences. I don't think she's in a risk of becoming pregnant.

Caminda also wanted to have some more of my cock. I had barely gotten over blasting my cum into Runa's pussy, when Caminda already grabbed it between her B-cup breasts, stroking it up and down her chest, begging for me to fuck her too. How could I resist? Runa's kisses helped revitalize me as well. She was all over my body and face while I fucked Caminda from behind.

Still, those girls were mad! They were being kept as sex slaves just last night, yet they didn't hesitate at all to do all that dirty shit with me. Even when I asked Caminda about that tattoo and how she should probably look into getting rid of it, she just shrugged and said it didn't bother her. Runa even joked about it, saying she considers it a battle scar. I swear…

Tomorrow we'll return to Balmora. I guess I really have to pay Helviane's debt from my own pocket. Oh well, whatever. I can afford it tenfold.

Hearthfire, 3rd, 3E 427

It's good to take time off every now and then. I've devoted time to helping Aliya train and doing mundane jobs in Balmora.

Wayn at the Fighters Guild had finished restoring my father's sword. He handed it back to me, telling me that working on it had simultaneously been a pleasure and a privilege, as well as an infuriating shame. He called it such an incredible piece of art, better than anything he could ever hope to produce, but complained about how it clearly had not been given the gentle, loving touch of a master smith in a long time. He said he was happy to work with it for free, but only for this once. He also warned that if I ever brought that sword in such a rusty-ass shape back to him again, he would not only charge me a double rate for restoration work, but also beat my ass for being lousy.

Luckily, he gave me some tips and showed me some tricks about repair and maintenance, so I can continue to keep my father's sword in shape. My biggest pet piece has always been with those grinding stone wheel thingies, as finding the right angle to sharpen a blade can be difficult sometimes, but it seems easy enough with all the tips and tricks he's been giving me about how to maintain the proper angle and whatnot. I think I'll be able to keep this sword in its current shape now and show it the respect it deserves.

Yesterday I had a little chat with Hasphat, who's been working with that Dwemer puzzle box Aliya and I brought to him. On that note, his information didn't end up being that useful to Aliya and Caius in the end, but that's fine, as Caius seems to have an excellent idea of where to go from here. Anyway, Hasphat said he finally solved the puzzle and got a key out of it, which isn't exactly what he had been hoping for. He gave the key to me, suggesting I could go back to that place to see if the key fits anywhere.

That reminds me, those bandits who kept it in their possession talked about using it to open some door that leads deeper into the ruins. Maybe there's some treasure left to be found? Those Dwemer ruins are said to be full of riches.

So, I approached Aliya and suggested she should accompany me. There will be no bandits to worry about this time, and considering that Aliya has gotten a lot better in this short amount of time, she honestly could use a little adventure to boost her self-confidence.

We'll save that fun for tomorrow, as it's already getting late. Aliya can't leave today either, as she's helping her friend out in the Mage's Guild with some kind of alchemical research.

Hearthfire, 4th, 3E 427

Today was the time for our trip, and sure enough, no bandits or criminals were to be found anywhere. Arkngthand was left for us to be looted. We found a door to the lower levels of the ruin, and the key fit like a glove. With the dwarves long gone, only its guardian spiders and spheres were left to roam its treasures. They're relatively easy foes to deal with, although not so much with a sword. I ended up wielding an old hammer I found on my trip there, and Aliya's magic works wonders against them as well.

Considering no one had been to these lower levels since the disappearance of the dwarves, there was a lot of loot to be had. It wasn't a rich or famous city or anything, just some outpost a little bit to the south of their dwellings under the Red Mountain, which was supposedly their capital city some four thousand years ago. Still, there were plenty of old Dwemer coins and pottery lying around, with some precious gemstones as well. We're gonna make so much money off this old junk! The money we'll make will ease our lives here a lot for a long time!

The only problem is that the Empire doesn't really like it when these artifacts are being traded freely, as they technically own it all according to some dumbshit regulation. I think it's a fucking dumb law that just goes to show how greedy the Empire can be. Many local merchants rebel against this law, but we've still got to be careful about who we try to sell them to, especially here in the Imperialized Hlaalu-controlled southwest.

Hearthfire, 14th, 3E 427

I was summoned to Fort Moonmoth, a Legion outpost just east of Balmora. It came out of nowhere, but never in a million years was I expecting the reception I got.

I met up with Radd Hard-Heart, the Knight Protector and the commanding officer of this post, who was standing there waiting for me at the main hall of the keep. We stood there quietly for a moment, and I just had this nasty feeling in my stomach that something wasn't right. He then asked me about a letter I had sent to the Imperial City prison not so long ago, a letter meant for my sister. After confirming with him I had indeed sent such a letter, my heart sank as he slowly said there had been "an incident". I asked him about it, worried for my sister's safety, especially since she's been tortured and sexually abused. Sadly, he couldn't give me a clear answer. Instead, he started talking about the demons of my past.

"There's a price on your head, a price you must pay with your blood", he said calmly and coldly. "I know that you are what remains of the Blackhawk Bandits. It's a good thing you sent that little letter because it helped reveal your true identity."

I should've known. Gods, I'm so fucking stupid. Why didn't I think of this when I sent the letter? I was so clouded by the idea of being able to meet my sister again that I didn't think it could jeopardize my own safety. Despite being angry, despite feeling rage boiling up within me, I tried to act as calm and collected as possible. I asked him if there would be any way for him to hear me out, hear my side of the story, and then I laid my fingers on my sword's hilt, just in case things were gonna get bloody. I'll be honest, his reply surprised me.

"I will hear you out, but be warned. My men have surrounded the office, ready to arrest you at a moment's notice, just waiting for my command, so don't even think about doing anything stupid, like drawing that sword of yours."

I relaxed my hand and told him my story, telling how I was orphaned along with my sister when we were young and taken captive by the bandits. I did admit to joining them, although reluctantly, basically forced to against my own will. You know, the same story I've already written down, told to Captain Steffan, and recently to Aliya too. To Radd, however, it wasn't the only thing I said. I asked him, man to man, does he sincerely believe I'm just some criminal scum when I'm working so hard to serve the Empire, to serve the Imperial law? I know it won't correct the wrongs I've done in the past, but I also reminded them that I was forced into joining as a kid and felt immense pressure back then.

He kept quiet for a long while again, thinking about my question. Then, he finally sighed. "I would love nothing more than to arrest you where you stand, but lucky for you, Varys Valentius thinks highly of you, and he is willing to give you a chance to prove your commitment to the Empire. Maybe in due time, you can clear your name that way for good." He had one more order ready for me before he would dismiss me and order me to return to Balmora, or should I say, an ultimatum.

"You will continue to be stationed here in Vvardenfell, obey orders given to you and not even think about leaving this place. You're going to keep serving the Empire here for as long as you're told. If you even think about leaving this island and deserting your post, you will face the executioner's block."

All of this would've been fine, but Radd still wasn't willing to share details about what it was that went down in that prison recently. It was pissing me off, but there was nothing I could do without him telling his men to arrest me, so I simply returned to Balmora.

On the road there, feeling defeated and depressed about the whole thing, wondering how in Oblivion I could reach out to my sister anymore, I came across a hooded figure leaning her back against the foot of a giant mushroom. She was a Bosmer woman wearing dark leather armor, a mix of dark ashen grey, black, and sanguine red. "You must be Karim", she said and held a letter in her hands. I asked her who she was, but she didn't introduce herself as anything other than "a friend". I certainly didn't recognize her as anyone I've ever come across, but I digress. "Follow its instructions carefully", she said, and then she simply left, clouding herself in a cloak of invisibility.

Sitting here in Balmora, I've taken a good glance at the letter. The letter was sent to me by "Mutton", but that couldn't possibly be right. I felt dumb for a little while, but I figured out quickly that it had to be my little sister. It just has to! Mutton was the name of the dog our family had!

I was expecting a reply to the letter I sent her, but sadly it only had two sentences on it, both being instructions. "Travel to Kragenmoor and seek out a boorish lion in a tavern up the road approaching the dragon", it said. "Show this letter to him, and he will tell you how to find me". I'm not a fan of riddles, nor am I sure what this is supposed to mean, but it's highly suspicious that this kind of letter would come from my sister. Still, this must be from her. It can't be anyone else, I'm sure of it.

I just want to know if she's safe or not.

• 4th Journal - Apprentice's Duties (Aliya)