JoS/Kanna/6th Journal - Undercover
Hearthfire, 20th, 3E 427
I haven't been writing in the past two weeks since I've been busy absorbing all the knowledge I can muster from my new seniors. My training's primarily focused on handling daggers and swords, as there's no dedicated trainer for arcane arts here. M'raaj-Dar knows some useful spells, but not in the schools I'm good at. Besides, he's not present anyway, so… yeah…
Apart from that, I've been helping where I can, mostly cleaning and cooking. Everyone here loves my food, or at least they say they do. Sure, I love my own food, but maybe I'm just being biased. Maybe they're being genuine, or maybe they're just being kind.
I've also gotten interested in Alchemy. I wonder if I could overcome some of my shortcomings in more difficult schools of magic with poisons and such? That would be cool. Would I even be good at that? My senses of smell and taste are great, which translates well into cooking, but does that logic work for Alchemy? Doesn't hurt to try.
For honing my spellcraft, I've had to rely exclusively on books, and I've tried two summon spells already. I can bind a ghost to my will, which isn't anything special. They're amongst the most obedient servants you can summon, but also weak. They can only cast weak spells, which is fine enough. I can see them being useful in some situations.
Then, I received a calling when figuring out what kind of weak, lesser Daedra to summon. Dealing with them is much more dangerous, but I thought it might be fun to take that first step regardless of any possible dangers and summoned a Scamp, binding it to my will. They're characterized as small and dumb, but also as vermin, but the one I had the pleasure of summoning is all but dumb. In fact, he was a pesky prankster and also a pervert to a fault.
This scrawny little pink-skinned, black-eyed, hairy-legged bugger with massive rat ears, roughly the same height as me, couldn't utter a word, but he seemed excited about being summoned by someone. What did he see in me, I wasn't sure at first. He appeared strangely obedient and did almost anything I asked of him. I got tired of watching him run naked though, so I gave him shorts to wear.
He almost got himself killed when Gogron wanted to slice him in two with his battle axe, only to apologize dearly to me later when I got mad at him for bullying my minion. That little Scamp hugged me as thanks, which is also how I made a friend of out him. I decided to name him "Snoopy" after that. If I ever need Scamp's services, I'll summon Snoopy.
Of course, if that was the end of that story, it would be awfully boring, now wouldn't it? Being a trickster is in Scamp's nature, so of course, Snoopy played a prank on me for the high crime of taking a bath. That little bastard took all my clothes and towels, carrying them away from my room, and hiding them across the sanctuary, probably thinking it would be funny. Did anyone in the sanctuary even think about what my newly acquired minion was up to? Hahaha, nope!
When I finally got out of the bath and figured out what he had done, going to my closet to find even my spares and laundry stolen from me, he snuck up on me. He placed his palms on my chest while joking about how there was nothing to squeeze, all while dry-humping his hip against my butt. I could feel his penis pocking through the clothes, and obviously, I got mad at him, scolding him for daring to be such a pervert and defying his mistress. He seemed apologetic at first, and even offered to show me where he had hidden some of my clothes, but all of this was just a ruse to make me let my guard down.
Now, if there's anything you should know about summoning and dealing with Daedra, it's to never accept freely-given gifts from them. Accepting a gift from Daedra counts as it having completed its task, which breaks the conjuration, and unbinds it from the summoner's control. I wasn't really thinking about this at the time - not that I even considered finding my own damn clothes to be a "gift" - so obviously, I ended up making this grave mistake. And, of course, now that I had shown vulnerability, he wasn't going to respond to anything I told him to do.
I wasn't in danger of being killed or anything because while Snoopy is malicious and a prankster, he had taken a liking to me. In fact, the sight of my naked body just made him want to shag me, and he wasn't going to stop without trying.
When he showed me he had hidden my socks underneath my pillow, I crawled onto the bed and grabbed my sock, and that's when the little bastard jumped on the bed and put his fingers on top of my crotch, rubbing me furiously while holding my hip with his other hand. I felt an intense rush run up my spine and my entire body, and my legs felt weak, so I couldn't muster any strength to resist. I tried to punch and push him away, but he took hold of my hands too, and pushed my face down against the bed. I wondered if I should scream for help? I didn't want to be seen in such an embarrassing position, so I yielded to his will, hoping he would be satisfied after having his bit of fun.
I then realized he had displaced his pants, and that Scamp's cock was poking me straight between my thighs. He stopped me from uttering a word in response by placing his hand over my mouth as he stuffed that cock into me, fucking me hard from behind. I never put it beside him to try to do that, but it did shock me a little at the time, not that I could do anything about it. He started thrusting vigorously from the get-go, probably excited beyond any reason about raping a human, and raping his own summoner nonetheless. The whole situation just drained my strength away completely.
Instead of holding me by my hip or waist, he grabbed onto my wrists and pushed them down while continuing to pump deep into me. What's the most confusing about the whole thing was that any human would've surely cummed by now, but he just continued slapping against my butt. My body just couldn't handle being treated like that, and he unbelievably made me come. Hard. All of it was just further encouragement for him. I mean, his rape victim was feeling pleasure, so he obviously understood that as consent. I wasn't making a convincing argument either to be honest, as I was way past the point of telling him to stop. All I could do was wait for him to be done.
Eventually, he stopped, and he let out a beastly moan. I couldn't believe the first Daedra I'd ever bound to this mortal world nutted inside me. He came so much too, and my pussy was left aching, wet, and satisfied, sticky with his white goo. I thought this was it, but the fact that his hands still were pushing my wrists to the bedsheets made it impossible for me to resist.
What he did next surprised me even more. That bastard tied my wrists together with a pair of damn socks. Fucking socks! Of course it was still too much for me to struggle against those bindings, especially after he tied them with a tight knot, but how embarrassing was that!? He finally pulled out of me and flipped me on my back. I stared at his still rock-hard cock and realized he was far from done.
Having been soiled by him once already, he had no trouble inserting again. I glared at him and told him to stop with this nonsense already, but he didn't take any of my threats or talk seriously. All he cared about was sex, and him forcing moans out of me wasn't helping my case much either. My body felt just so weak. It was infuriating. Like, I didn't want him to continue, but my body just gave up and reacted to everything he did with approval. The position I was in also made it impossible to struggle to get my hands free, especially with how tight that knot was tied. I just kind of gave up after the second orgasm he put me through.
His mistake was getting overconfident and wanting to finish in my mouth. Standing on my bed, he grabbed me by my shoulders and hair and pulled my head toward his groin. I've got to say, his dick didn't taste all that different from a human's, but I digress. Having the pressure off my back made struggling a hell of a lot easier. I couldn't stop him from cumming inside me, but once I slid my wrists out from the tied-up package, as he was relishing in the afterglow and me sucking him off to distract him, I got a chance to banish him back to Oblivion to wander the Deadlands.
I was left coughing and spitting cum on my hands, and cursing too. I wasn't so much angry at that little bastard as I was angry at myself for being careless and letting a beast get the better of me. Besides, I was going to need another bath, which inconvenienced and annoyed me so much more. I should've known better than to show weakness around a Daedra… but at least it felt good, so I'm not gonna mope about it…
As a side note, I did summon him later to force him to apologize and warned him to never do it again unless he wants to be trapped inside a Soul Gem. An idle threat, considering that I still lack training in Mysticism, but whatever, he doesn't need to know that. With weapons in my hands, he seemed to take me more seriously. "I can find myself a new Snoopy", I just said while I pointed the dagger at him. "Do as you're told from now on, or you'll regret it". I think he understood that I'm not to be messed with, no matter how weak and defenseless I may seem at times.
Retrieving my clothes was easy enough, as he hadn't gotten them far. Didn't have to worry about anyone catching me sneaking around naked like some pervert. Snoopy had delivered my panties to Teinaava, which I have to say was a little embarrassing! He joked about me not being able to dominate my little pet properly, but also said he's rooting for me to improve. "Not every nine-year-old girl can summon and control a lesser Daedra", he said.
Summon? Yes. Control? Still debatable. I'll get better, and I think I'll stick to Scamps. No way in Oblivion I could handle anything more powerful than that yet.
Anyway, I'm getting tired of not receiving any news about my brother, but I have to be patient. Communication between regions can be slow, after all.
Hearthfire, 23rd, 3E 427
Telaendril has found my brother, but my excitement is on temporary hold because it seems that I won't be able to reunite with him quite just yet. M'raaj-Dar came to me as grumpy as ever, commenting on how this was the most pointless and annoying mission he's ever had the displeasure of partaking in, and told me that I had someone to meet. This someone wasn't Karim but someone he had sent in his stead.
The amazing news is that Karim's actually working with the law now, and has been given a second chance despite his past crimes, but that doesn't mean he's been forgiven completely. In order for me to meet him, I need to go to Morrowind. This is understandable and something I'm very much okay with.
So, who did he send? Well, she's a girl, and coincidentally I've already met her in the past, in that very same prison I was in. Her name is Aliya, and while I did recognize her immediately, that was the first time we'd ever been able to have a proper chat.
You see, when we first met in that prison, we were both naked and bound in chains, and during our time there, we weren't allowed to befriend or even talk to each other. Still, considering that the jailors really enjoyed prisoners making out by themselves, we have shared some kisses, and I would never forget the face of a girl I've kissed on the lips. We've also got other history, as we've taken part in the same gangbangs on more than one occasion. We kinda know each other well in that regard.
Now, how is she here now, sent to me in Karim's stead? Well, by coincidence, she and Karim met in Morrowind, becoming friends. Thanks to Aliya, Karim learned where I was, and now it's thanks to her that I'll be able to reunite with him! That's one unlikely coincidence after another! Fate sure works in mysterious ways!
We only talked for about an hour, as I had to return to the sanctuary to pack things before we leave tomorrow. She obviously can't enter or even find out where this sanctuary is, as she's not a member, but she's okay with staying at the local inn. She also isn't too interested in being a member, saying she doesn't like murdering people. It's not a moral problem, but rather a personal one, and she says she won't judge me for my "profession" of choice, being happy to be a friend and an ally.
That brings me to what I've discussed with Lucien, which could be either good or bad. He said that since I'm leaving, I should look into doing work on Vvardenfell, but he also warned me that I need to be very, very careful. The local leader and Lucien's fellow Speaker, Severa Magia, is known to ally herself with some people that even the Dark Brotherhood here in Cyrodiil has reservations about. Their hideout in Vvardenfell is inside a Daedric ruin named Ald Sotha, which is a shrine devoted to Mehrunes Dagon, meaning they're allied with "Dagonists". Everyone in Cyrodiil trusts her judgment, although they are quite open with their suspicions about her allies of choice. Lucien can't really comment on what kind of work I'll be doing there but said that it'll probably be alright.
Tomorrow's going to be a big day, as I will have a long journey ahead of me with Aliya. She already knows how we can get to that island and said we have to "smuggle" ourselves in since there aren't many legal ways to enter.
Lastly, I'm excited to learn more about her, and she already said she shares the sentiment. I'm most interested in hearing about how she got out of that place.
Hearthfire, 25th, 3E 427
A long two-day journey is behind us. First, we crossed the Valus Mountains to Kragenmoor, where we spent a night, and then we rode a long road through Stonefalls, a forested and mountainous volcanic region on the shores of the inner sea. Now, we're gonna stay in Old Ebonheart for the night.
This city is like a piece of Cyrodiil right at the heart of Morrowind. A lot is crammed inside its walls with boutiques and such, and the Cyrodiil-based Guilds also have a strong presence here. I wasn't expecting it to feel so familiar at all, not after being introduced to the mudbrick houses of Kragenmoor. Ebonheart has been around longer than the Septim Empire, and it's always been an influential cosmopolitan city that has been under the leadership of many different houses and families. These days, the Empire holds this as its heart here in Morrowind.
Now, regarding Aliya: she got away from that prison under circumstances that not even she understands well. Because she managed to get some influential friends here in Morrowind, it was partially thanks to her that the Legion investigated the prison and later reformed it. She insists that she's not the one I should thank but rather the people who listened to her and believed her, but she's not gonna stop me from being grateful to her. No way. It also felt so, so liberating to actually talk so freely and honestly about what I, no… What WE experienced. There's just this mutual understanding of sympathy between us.
Aliya and I have a lot in common, in fact. We're both young, share similar experiences, handle the same kinds of weapons, and are talented casters. Our personalities are a bit different - and so are our skin color and races - and she seems interested in completely different schools of magic than me, but other than that, we're basically like two peas from the same pod. She's also a thief, while I'm an assassin, so we're different in that regard too. But hey, maybe that's good, as we complete each other! I at least hope I can make a good friend out of her? She's already good friends with my brother, so that alone makes her dear to me.
Thieves are who will help us get to that island, by the way. There's this tavern called "the Empress Katariah" in the eastern half of the city right by the docks, and it's so lovely! This room we've got for ourselves? Easily the most luxurious room I've ever been in! I feel like a princess! This whole place is secretly owned by the Thieves Guild, and Captain Fentus, the local Guild Steward, promised that we would have a safe trip to the small town of Seyda Neen, and it's even been paid in advance.
Aliya suggested that I should also join and make friends out of the local Thieves Guild. Considering that I'm "LEGALLY" a prisoner on the run, that would make sense. The headquarters of the Thieves Guild here in this old city, at the very least, are very welcoming towards me and said they'd gladly accept me as a member. I still have to think a little though. The perks seem good, but they don't come without a price. That price is the acquisition and trade of illegal and stolen goods. Makes sense, but I might not want to attract too much attention while on that island.
Regardless, I hope to be finally reunited with Karim tomorrow. Meeting him will have to take priority over everything else.
Hearthfire, 27th, 3E 427
Every single step from Seyda Neen to Balmora felt so long. I couldn't wait to get there, and must've asked Aliya at least a hundred times how much longer we would have to walk. All I had on my mind was my brother, and I was shaking with excitement.
It was by a coincidence that we found him in a poorer area where Aliya seems to have some kind of residence, and the moment I saw him, I cried out to him, all while running as fast as I could. The nightmare of being apart from him was finally over when he picked me up and hugged me tightly. He's grown so much! I was so happy I was crying, and he was crying too. He didn't even cry when we lost our parents, but just like I cried for him, he cried for me, all out of pure joy. It was the first time I'd ever seen him get that emotional over anything, and it touched me. He really had missed me just as much as I had missed him.
He apologized for not being there for me when I needed him the most, and explained in detail what went wrong at his end and why he wasn't able to save me. He was worried if I'd forgive him for his shortcomings, for failing me, and for making me wait so long for him… and of course, I do. I mean, it wasn't really even his fault to begin with. He did all he could, but sometimes evil wins, and sometimes heroes can't overcome the odds. Sometimes, life just fucking sucks, but none of that matters anymore. All that matters is that we made it! We're both here, stronger than ever, and will be together for the foreseeable future. Life for us won't be easy going forward, with the Legion probably still wanting to throw me back in jail, but as long as we continue to have each other, nothing can ever separate us! Not even an army!
Speaking of being together, he then reminded me of the promise he had made to me on the day he took my virginity and said it was time to deliver on that promise. I almost wanted to bring up having sex with him again, but I bit my tongue because I knew what he really meant. This is our chance to begin our life anew somewhere far away, just the two of us. He has already brought us a tiny house by the river to the north of the city, a safe haven for me to sleep peacefully in. He brought me there as soon as we got back to our feet from hugging, and I've got to say, it's a lovely house! But there's a lot of work to be done here to make this feel like a proper home.
Having calmed down a little, we had the whole evening to go over our experiences and tell each other what happened after that fateful night.
While I've been locked away, he's been devoting time to being a lawful mercenary, trying to use his abilities for good, and even aligned himself with the Blades. He was actually sent here after the Blades found out about his past, thinking that the Legion may not be as forgiving and understanding as they are. He has also aligned himself with the Legion here on this island, although he admitted to it being a mistake, but hey, at least it has given him a chance to also prove himself to them!
The only remaining problem with the relationship between Karim and Legion is now yours truly, as I'm not supposed to be here. I'm supposed to be in jail. We're both willing to take this risk though. We're ready to risk EVERYTHING just to be together. That's how much we love each other; we're more than just a brother and sister. Besides, he's confident the Legion won't be able to find out about me. I hope he's right, as I don't want to be the reason he gets into trouble again.
When we got to talking about me, he was shocked to hear what truly happened in that prison the day I was freed, and even more shocked when I said that I'm going to be a member of the Dark Brotherhood going forward. As an outcast, I kind of need to ally myself with other outcasts of the society. Karim says he's worried about them being evil, and I keep telling him they're actually nice people. He finds it hard to believe… I suppose I can't blame him for being a little paranoid and worried for me, but I'm confident his worries are misplaced this time.
As for everything else that happened in that prison… yeah, he knows, as he learned it from Aliya. I told him that I'm fine now, and he seems to believe me, but he also said that if there's ever anything I want to talk to him regarding my experiences in prison, he'll be sure to lend me an ear.
We then slept for the night, all three of us. Aliya is welcome to sleep here too, as we've got two beds. Yeah, only two. We could maybe fit a large bed in one of the bedrooms, but this house isn't spacious, so having three separate bedrooms isn't possible. Besides, it's not a problem for me, as I'm more than happy to share a bed with my beloved big brother. I can also sleep with Aliya, no problem.
I can't deny my undying love for my brother, so I of course took the opportunity to sleep naked with him. We didn't have sex, but I must've kissed him at least a hundred times while we cuddled for hours, just exchanging pleasantries and talking about how amazing it is to be reunited once again. I fear that Aliya might find out about my romantic feelings towards my brother though. Would she judge us? She doesn't seem like the kind of person who would, but I also see how she looks at my brother. No, I'm not jealous, though. I'm just worried she might be… I hope not…
Then, today, I cooked for my brother and promised to keep this house in top shape. I'll gladly be his pretty little housewife! I said this to him jokingly with Aliya still present, and he just looked embarrassed while she just giggled. She went her own way after the dinner, saying she had somewhere to be, meaning it's just Karim and me now.
I'll stay put here for a few days, but I have to meet with Severa Magia soon. I told this to Karim too, and he said he's happy to accompany me on this trip, so there's that to look forward to. I kind of want to cut my hair too, as it's gotten long, unruly, and messy. I'm looking forward to getting my shoulder-length bangs back!
Tonight, I think Karim and I are going to get a little farther. I wanna fuck him so badly. I wanna suck his dick too because I've never gotten a chance to do it… I wonder if he'll like it? Am I even good at it? I just want to do so much with him right now…
Hearthfire, 30th, 3E 427
With Aliya gone on a business trip, Karim and I have had a lot of time just for ourselves. Every morning I make him breakfast before he visits Balmora Fighter's Guild for work, and then Fort Moonmoth to the east of here, and I have dinner ready for him by the time he gets home. He's the breadwinner who brings money home, while I'm his housekeeper. It's like we're playing husband and wife!
Between these two meals, I do pretty much anything that needs to be done. I want this house to be tidy at all times, so I mostly just clean. I've also forced Snoopy to help me. He clearly hates cleaning, but he's pretty obedient these days, and such an excellent companion to have around. I think I'm also going to put together a little garden in my spare time. I wanna grow salads, herbs, and root vegetables, maybe even something extra, like a flowerbed, and perhaps something poisonous too…
Finally, from afternoon to evening, we spend time together. With no interruptions, it's mostly dirty stuff.
On our first night alone, I insisted on giving him a blowjob. He was hesitant, saying something about not wanting to put me through something like that considering all that had happened to me recently, but I made myself quite clear about not being happy if we weren't going to be making love! Besides, I just really, really want to put all those bad memories behind me and remind myself of how sex can be fun and full of love instead of being one-sided abuse. I wanted to remember how it feels to experience it with someone I love and care about.
I've tasted and touched many dicks in my life, but never before had I actually felt joy in holding one. Yet, when I felt his warmth, smelled his unique odor, and tasted him, I blushed, giggled, and smiled. I ran my tongue up and down it, caressed it, rubbed it gently, and kissed it before going on to take it into my mouth. He couldn't believe how hard I was going down on him, but when he questioned me about it, I just told him it was because I love him so much. He joked and teased me about it, but that just made it fun because it gave me ample opportunity to tease him back. Like, isn't it my wifely duty to take care of ALL his needs, even the sexual ones? He laughed when I said that and called me the best wife he could ever hope for, but I still wasn't done showing him what I could do to make him feel even more incredible.
I took his cock deep enough for it to actually go down my throat, but only for a little while. I can't hold it deep too long, but just showing him I could do that and suck on it all the way through while pulling my head back made him compliment me like never before. He called me incredible and warned me he could cum soon at this rate. I urged him on because, honestly, his cum was just what I wanted anyway. I wanted him to blow his load, and I wanted to swallow every single drop of it. I did my best to the bitter end, and I even got sound out of him. He moaned from pleasure as he instinctively pushed his hip forward, and there was just so, so much of it. It was way more than I had anticipated, and I had to pull away before he was even done, but no matter, I think I got most of it.
Oh, but I wasn't done. I was still all over his cock, and said that I want, no… I need another load. I was keen on trying new things too, so I pushed my measly weight down on his shoulders, telling him to just lay down and let me do the heavy lifting. I wasn't gonna let him even think about going limp and pushed my pussy down on his shaft, gliding my hip back and forth while giggling. I joked about "accidentally" letting it slip in, but as much fun as teasing his cock like that was, I didn't want to keep myself waiting.
I guided his tip to my vagina, and while I could take it in a little by myself, I couldn't position myself to insert it properly. Noticing my struggle with his dick, he helped me out by taking hold of my hip and waist, lifting me up a little, and thrusting forward, straight into me. I swear, it was so good I came almost instantly! After all that time, after countless nights fantasizing about him, his dick was finally, once again, connected with me. It made me so happy I could cry, but a simple insertion was never gonna be enough. I bounced and jumped down on my brother's dick, wanting to feel it all the way down to its base, to the deepest spot of my folds.
I kept calling him by his name and talked about how amazing it was, and I must've told him "I love you" at least two dozen times throughout him pounding me silly. I must've reached climax half a dozen times too, with every new one being just as fulfilling as the last. I didn't even think sex could feel that good! All that loveless sex and one-sided lust I'd been forced to endure could not compare to what my body and mind were experiencing with my brother. It's like, and this feels a little embarrassing to write down, but my body and mind were in harmony with each other, since they both wanted the same thing. I wanted more and more of my brother, and I couldn't even think of anything or anyone else. Making love to him was pure bliss.
Karim tried to slow me down by saying he shouldn't finish inside, but I couldn't stop myself from indulging in his cock. Rather, I didn't want to stop! I practically begged him to please finish inside because I wanted to feel it, and I wanted it to feel even better for him! I told him openly that I'd even become a mother to his children if that's what he wants. I genuinely and honestly meant that. I would gladly bear his baby, even though my body isn't really fit for raising one. It's a good thing I don't have to worry about it yet. I still haven't had my first period yet, but honestly, at this point… I wouldn't even care if I got my first one in the near future… I'm slowly getting to that age, so who knows…
Still, he stopped to care about consequences too, and just as I rode him to the very end, he helped himself a lot at my expense too, thrusting and jamming his cock into me as hard as he could until he finally came. Of course, I'm no stranger to being cummed inside, but just as there was this extra "something" to everything I was experiencing, it just felt a thousand times better. It wasn't just that I wanted to feel good, but I was thinking about him too, and I wanted my brother to feel just as much pleasure as I was feeling, hoping that what we did made him feel better than anything else in his entire life up until now. I guess that's what true love is; wanting to make your partner happy and feel good.
We fell asleep after that but continued in the morning. He just couldn't help himself, so he pushed himself down on me and fucked me gently. I was happy to spread my legs for him, and I said I'd be free for him to use whenever he wanted. After that, he had to go to work, but that was fine because I knew it wouldn't be the only time we did something dirty that day.
When he came home, we fucked for hours in almost every part of the house, from the bath to the kitchen, all the way to both bedrooms, trying all kinds of different positions too. And yeah, that was just one day. He's really making all of my incestuous fantasies come true. Just today, for example, I was wearing nothing but an apron, not even underwear, tossing up some spicy egg-fried Saltrice with fresh veggies, when he bent me over the dining table to shag me from behind straight after coming home from work.
I think we need to slow down a little now though. We both agree on that. Karim and I both have duties on this island, and once Aliya returns, we need to show some restraint anyway. Oh, and speaking of duties, I think we're gonna go traveling the first chance we get. He'll have some days off soon, so we're just waiting for that so he can accompany me. He also promised to take me to town to buy me some new, proper equipment. I can't wait!
Frostfall, 3rd, 3E 427
Today it was time to put on my brand-new armor and wield my killing toys. Karim bought me a lot of gear like he promised, and now I'm fully stacked in cute black leather and steel. Sure, the Dark Brotherhood has its armor too, but they didn't have my size. Besides, I'm not sure I would want to travel with that dreaded armor on. I'd just make myself a target for the guards!
You might not think this armor is protective, considering I'm leaving my belly and thighs open, with this chest armor and those pants being on the skimpier side… I mean, these shorts are really, really short! But defenses aren't the point. The point is to prioritize movement, and I've got plenty of room for all kinds of throwable gadgets and little poisons and potions too. It's incredible how many accessories I can carry around even in an armor this skimpy!
Anyway, today I traveled to meet up with Severa Magia. We were supposed to walk, but instead, Karim wanted me to experience a bit of local culture by riding a Silt Strider with me to Suran. I had no idea what they were before today. At first, I was a little scared, but honestly, after getting to sit down and admire the landscape and how far I could see, I was in awe. I'll be sure to rely on those giant bugs in the future too! What an amazing and comfortable method of transport! Cheap too!
Ald Sotha, our destination, was directly to the south of Suran, and Karim could escort me only so far because I wasn't allowed to bring anybody with me, no exceptions. As soon as the coast was clear to walk to Ald Sotha, I had to continue alone.
There was a single man outside, saying that they'd been expecting me, saying that I must be that little Redguard girl from Cyrodiil Lucien sent a letter about. He told me I should stick close to him and not wander off, as the guards here are a little hostile. They've summoned a bunch of Dremora as guards, you see. It's simultaneously both fantastic and terrifying because I can't even imagine summoning a powerful creature like that.
Severa was happy to finally meet me, although she admitted that I don't look too impressive, complained about me being weak, and said something about how children should just stay home playing with dolls. I'm glad I have Lucien vouching for me though, as she says she believes in his judgment. In fact, she has something very special in store for me.
"Our work here is still in progress, and our mission is difficult", she explained. "I'll also be honest in saying that we're on the losing side. Getting work is near impossible on this island, thanks to intense competition, and not even criminal organizations like Camonna Tong trust us."
Her plan is to condition me for the future by having me infiltrate the "rivals", as she calls them. Morag Tong, to be specific. They're bitter enemies with the Dark Brotherhood and a band of assassins exclusive to this region. Their values differ quite a lot from our tenets, and to top it off, their work is considered legal. Yes, really, this region has a legal institution of assassins operating inside its borders. How does that even work? How can you legally get away with murdering someone on the streets or in their home?
According to her, infiltrating them has proven complicated in the past, but it should be easy for someone like me. "They're wary of outsiders and newcomers, but I highly doubt they'll suspect a pretty little face like yourself", she said. "Work they'll give you also will be easier than what I have in store for you, so it'll be adequate training. Think about it. You'll receive training from the enemy, all while gathering information and secrets from them, which we can use to our advantage…"
"Okay, but what should I do there in specific?"
"Just do what they tell you to do", she said. "In addition, I want you to write about jobs given to you. In fact, write about everything, even the most inconsequential things, like what they serve for dinner. Every bit of information helps. Nothing should be considered unnecessary. Send me these reports as often as possible. They will, without a doubt, also give you jobs that go against our plans here. If it comes to it, if you have doubts about your targets, seek me out directly. Otherwise, just sit tight and wait for me to contact you. Oh, and don't worry, you'll be compensated handsomely… as long as you don't get yourself killed. Morag Tong pays well, and I'll have something in store for you as well for every bit of important information that's revealed to me."
This sounds fair enough: a special duty fit for me! Severa lastly gave me instructions on how to find their hideout in Vivec City and told me where I can find local Dark Brotherhood members. We've got merchants and trainers all around the south-western coasts of Vvardenfell. Our "dealers" - as she calls them - don't deal with stolen goods and rarely buy anything, but they offer lots of useful stuff, from poisons to exotic weapons and even torture devices. A full list of members and their names is critical for me to have stored somewhere since there are active Morag Tong writs for nearly all of them. Wouldn't want to accidentally be sent to assassinate my dark brother or sister, now wouldn't I?
I returned to Karim and told him what's next, so now we'll rest in the Vivec City for the night. It's a pretty large city, built entirely on water, and it's made of multiple districts or "Cantons", with each one being as large as a normal-sized town on this island. The Cantons resemble large ziggurats, with every apartment and service built inside one building, and I've got to say, the sights from the uppermost levels of these structures are stunning! The city was a little confusing to navigate at first, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. Every Canton follows the same pattern, and there are banners too, so if you learn one Canton's layout, you shouldn't lose your way.
There's a nice little place for lodging here in the Redoran Canton called "The Flowers of Gold". According to Karim, it's probably the most expensive inn in this city, but also the safest. I'm a little sad about the lack of windows because this place is in the middle of this massive block of bricks. Then again, every tavern, apartment, and shop here looks the same, so there's not much to marvel at anyway. Dunmeri architecture is so weird…
Frostfall, 4th, 3E 427
Being told to infiltrate the Morag Tong, I did as I was ordered.
Their Grandmaster on Vvardenfell is Eno Hlaalu, who resides in their headquarters underneath the Arena Canton. Yeah, these guys have an arena similar to that of the Imperial City, but they don't fight for sports there. Honorable duels only. I would've never found this hidden place had it not been for the instructions given to me by Severa, but Eno didn't question how I knew where to find him. All he did was congratulate me on my initiative and say that by finding them, I had passed their first initiation test. That alone meant he was willing to give me a chance to join, but he had two questions to pose me before he would go on with the usual proceedings.
"Why would you, a small, young child, and an outlander nonetheless, want to join a group of assassins, and more importantly, what can you offer us?" This is where I had to lie, but the story I told him isn't too far from the truth.
"I was orphaned in a bandit raid", I told him. "Ever since then, my life has been a struggle. I've been abused, raped, and hurt on many occasions. However, these experiences have made me strong, and I don't want to just be bitter about it all. I don't want to live in misery and regret or cry about being weak and useless. You execute bad people, right? You're employed to honorably execute criminals? I want to be part of that because I want to help people not suffer through experiences similar to what I went through." Eno looked at me with doubt in his eyes. Perhaps he wondered if I was truly suited for this, so that's what I told him. "I'm skilled, I know it, and I'm willing to use my skills for good. I know I'll be worth your while."
"Perhaps you will", he said, "but a child or not, you must pass the same test as any other."
He handed me a writ of execution, which gave me the identity of a man marked for death, Feruren Oran, and said I would be judged based on my performance. For example, the writ allows me to escape trouble if I get caught, as the guards won't arrest me if I present them with the legal writ. Still, this isn't what we want. Sometimes, the assassination may have to be public to send a message, but I DON'T want to get caught. Not today. The writ is only the last-resort option.
That was my mission, a test of my skills as an assassin to kill a target without the murder being pinned back to me. That was my criteria for joining Morag Tong, and the only way he would accept me. He asked me if I could handle this, and I replied that I'd do my very best. "It remains to be seen if your best is enough", he said. "Just don't die on your first mission, young one."
I was told where to find my target but given no instructions beyond that. In the Hlaalu Canton, there's a corner club named "Elven Nations", and my mark frequents that place. I found the guy, but he must've realized I was eyeing him. After two hours of drinking Sujamma with his friends, he walked past me, intending to leave, and told me he doesn't like being stared at. I was a little spooked because he knew I was on his tail, but I followed him regardless, keeping a safe distance.
He was heading towards waterworks underneath the Canton, which was fine by me as there would be no witnesses in those quiet, empty sewers… but he knew he was being followed. He confronted me about it, asking what my problem was. He warned me how easy it would be for him to make me disappear from civil society to serve some rich douchebag as a slave on some plantation, and told me to fuck off before he would make it a reality.
"Is that a threat?" I asked as I flashed my ebony dagger at him, all while summoning a bound one in my other hand. He suddenly looked distressed and started backing off. He said he was just kidding and looking to scare me so I would stop bothering him. He clearly wasn't any kind of fighter, so even though he was much bigger than me, he looked scared at the sight of my weapons. He tried to run away, but couldn't escape. Killing him wasn't even a challenge. It was so much easier than killing Rufio, and that guy was a weakling too. These techniques passed down to me by the members of the Brotherhood have proved quite effective.
Guards don't really come down to these waterworks, and there aren't any stores in the underbelly of this Canton either, so I didn't worry too much about getting caught. Despite this, Eno Hlaalu didn't believe me instantly when I said the deed was done, saying he'd have to confirm it himself. I told him where the body was, and after that, he was grateful enough to offer me a bed, as it was getting late.
Still, I've got to wonder, did that guy really deserve to die? What even was his crime? I was never told it. He didn't look like the same kind of criminal as the previous two I killed, but he did "threaten" me with kidnapping and slavery, which makes me wonder…
In the end, I'm not sure if I should even worry about it too much. An assassin isn't supposed to get attached to or feel remorse over her victims or take sides. Should I though? I mean, just for curiosity's sake, it would be nice to hear what that guy did…
Frostfall, 5th, 3E 427
Eno was out when I woke up, so I ended up wandering their hideout instead. There was only one person present at the time: a Dunmer man named Minnibi, a magister who specializes in Illusion and Mysticism, but even though I wanted to make small talk, he wasn't too interested and simply wished for me to leave him be at his work. Does he not like me, or does he just dislike people in general?
The only room I really got interested in was this small enclave with nothing but an altar in it. Altar to whom, I didn't know at the time, for there was no statue, no symbol, nothing like that. I could hear her voice though, and I knew instantly I was dealing with some kind of Daedric entity when she spoke to me.
"It's not often that a stranger approaches my shrine", she said in a whisper, and I could just hear the smile on her face. "You're brave to have come here, little girl, playing that dangerous game of yours. You play with death itself with your lies and deception, and it amuses me greatly. Yes, I see through your lies, and I know why you're really here…"
My heart began to race, and I wasn't even sure what my response should be. Like, should I have confirmed it, tried to deny it, or just run? I feared I had made her mad, but that didn't seem to be the case.
"Oh, but don't worry", she continued. "I don't care about your petty, superficial mortal allegiances… I only care about actions and being amused… and your game is amusing enough for me to have a proposition to you… I want you to kill someone in my name…"
It felt strange speaking out loud when nobody was present when the voice speaking to me was coming from beyond this mortal realm, but it was clear that she wanted me to respond. She had a task for me, so I asked her, "Who do I have to kill?"
Her quest to me is to assassinate a man called Balyn Omavel, a fellow assassin of Morag Tong. This goddess I was talking to knows what others don't, and she knows that this man has betrayed his organization, but most importantly, betrayed his mistress. Now she wants to test me personally by seeing if I can kill him according to rules she has set, rules that are even more rigorous than the ones Eno Hlaalu set for me.
In short, I must infiltrate his home quietly, then leave just as quietly, and I must poison him to death. At no point during this quest can he see me, hear me, or even suspect he's being targeted for assassination. I'll get a good opportunity when he's making food, but his house is also tiny, being just a small one-room apartment in Balmora. This will make this task incredibly difficult, as infiltrating his home while he's there cooking is impossible.
For the poison, I first needed petals from a Bittergreen plant, which I was quick to acquire without even leaving the hideout. It's a medicinal herb, not poisonous by itself, but by treating it, you can turn it into a weapon that does not leave any trace of poison behind. Of course, treating a herb like that is beyond the capabilities of an ordinary mortal, but this Daedra promised to "bless" this herb for me. All I had to do was dip it in that bowl of water standing on top of her altar, and the poison would be complete. This little herb will surely put some extra kick to whatever stew Balyn might be brewing…
Then, as she told me to get on my way to complete this task, I was interrupted by Eno standing behind me. "Praying to Mephala, I see", he said.
I wanted to learn more, so I enquired him about it. He was happy to teach an outlander interested in learning about the Dunmeri culture and said it's important for me to know anyway.
Mephala has been worshipped and venerated by the Dunmeri people since ancient times as one of the "good" Daedra alongside Boethiah and Azura. However, these days they're not really seen as gods but rather as powerful ancestor spirits. The only gods the Dunmer have these days are AlmSiVi - Almalexia, Sotha Sil, and Vivec - and Eno Hlaalu made this quite clear to me. Regardless, I will refer to these Daedra as gods myself because I don't follow the local faith.
The reason why the Dark Elves pray to these particular deities is a rather complicated one. Their ancient belief system is mostly about their mortal lives being a test, and the gods are the ones who test them. Some gods like Molag Bal and Mehrunes Dagon are seen as evil beings who test mortals in a negative manner, being considered "obstacles" that don't have our best interest in mind, while others like Sheogorath have motives that are harder to understand. The three good Daedra, "the Anticipations" are viewed in a more positive light than others, hence why Mephala is considered a goddess to be worshipped, being the anticipation of Vivec according to the Tribunal Temple, for example. These three "good" Daedra are beings for the mortals to learn from or something. As I said, it's complicated. I don't understand these things completely.
Mephala is also important to Morag Tong for being their patron goddess, and this guild gets its values of secrecy and deception directly from her. According to Eno though, this is mostly just a tradition. While he and his colleagues "worship" their goddess in the same way they worship their other ancestor spirits, it can't really be called worship in a similar way humans worship the nine divines.
I don't get it though. If Morag Tong and Dark Brotherhood are sworn enemies, why would Mephala reach out to me like that? Is it because she wants me to kill in her name, not in the name of Night Mother or Sithis? There's just something about this that rubs me the wrong way… or maybe I'm just overthinking things! She also said that she doesn't care about my mortal allegiances. I'm happy to do this task. Perhaps she'll even reward me for my loyalty?
Anyway, Eno did indeed confirm to me that I succeeded in doing what I was told. Assassinate the target, and don't get caught. He called me worthy and said he'd be honored to welcome me to their ranks. For additional work, I'll have to seek out other Morag Tong leaders, who I can find in Balmora, Ald'ruhn, and Sadrith Mora. They work a lot with the Great Houses, so it's only logical that they also have bases in the cities where these Houses have their councils. Eno also said he might have some work for me in the future, but not yet. He also told me that there's no rush. "Take one job at a time, and take it slow", he instructed. "You may be legally permitted to execute your targets, but even in the future, try not to get caught unless the assassination demands it. Dealing with guards is always a bother, so you won't be paid if you do."
Roger that.
I met up with Karim after that, and we traveled back to Balmora. I can settle down for a while now. I don't know what my future will bring, but for now, I'll just write my first report to Severa.
- 7th Journal - Trip to Vivec (By Aliya)