JoS/Kanna/22nd Journal - Catching Up

First Seed, 7th, 3E 428

Oh my word, does it feel good to be back home! Granted, I've only been living in Balmora for less than a year, but for me, home is more than just a physical place. It's more like a… feeling? Kinda like a sense of peace and belonging? Oh, who am I kidding! It's my brother! He's where my home is!

Our reunitement wasn't accompanied by tears this time around because, let's be honest, we both knew we were going to come home safe eventually. All we did was laugh as he picked me up and gave me a fun little spin-around while hugging me tight. If anything, instead of being worried for me, he was excited to hear about what we had been up to, and boy, was I happy to tell him! Well, it was actually Aliya talking, as she is the reason we spent so much time on the east coast, but still, I had a lot to chime in with.

Karim also told us tales of his own adventures, the most surprising of which was his latest one. He's actually been working with the Thieves Guild! Supposedly, there's some internal drama going on with them and the Fighters Guild because of the latter's shady dealings with Camonna Tong, which has soured his opinion of them and made him want to rethink his allegiances. However, it's not really so much of a "fuck the Fighters Guild" kinda situation as it is about him wanting to work to make the institution better, and as luck would have it, he's not alone inside the Fighters Guild with this.

One of his new friends in the Thieves Guild supposedly came by this morning, inviting him to join a little secret talk, or a "mediation summit" between Sugar-Lips Habasi and an Imperial lad called Percius Mercius, the former Guildmaster of the Fighters Guild in Vvardenfell. He had heard of my brother's exploits in Ald'ruhn, and safe to say, he was impressed. The word around the town is that Percius, like Karim, isn't too happy about the rot inside the guild he represents either, and is willing to work with the Thieves Guild against Camonna Tong.

Aliya and I should also tag along, as we're both pretty deeply entrenched in this drama. Still haven't forgotten what Camonna Tong did to me, and I never quite got my revenge against them. My friends saved me back then, so maybe this time, I get to spill their blood personally.

Now, though, it's time to clean, and my stupid big brother's gonna help me because he's been taking absolutely awful care of this house! There's dust and dirt everywhere! I guess I should also think about cooking something up. Wait, wait, how about something extra special? Karim turned fifteen two days ago, so we'll definitely need something to celebrate with! Maybe a steak dinner with the finest Sujamma I can get my hands on and lots of cheese? I mean, we've just GOT to have a lot of cheese!

Actually, now that I think of it… do they even sell steaks here in Vvardenfell? I don't think I've seen a single cow since coming here… but I did see some horse meat at the butcher's shop the other day… so maybe that'd make for an extra special main dish? Serve it with a creamy mushroom sauce on the side! Yum!

I'm gonna send Aliya shopping for ingredients as soon as she's done flirting with my brother. I think she's also gonna visit the Hlaalu Council manor to fish for clues about how to become their Hortator, but I'm not sure how that business will play out. Hahaha, I don't think she knows either! But I doubt they'll throw her in the clink for being a heretic even though the Tribunal does have an arrest warrant on her plump juicy ass. Seriously, it'll be fine! I hope…

First Seed, 8th, 3E 428

Three exciting developments to report from today, with Aliya's visit to the council manor being the most straightforward news to go through.

Being a somewhat high-ranking member of the House Telvanni and dressed to match, the Hlaalu were naturally suspicious of her. Still, the secretary of the manor, Nileno Dorvayn, being the smart woman she is, gave recognition to her Moon-and-Star and promised to arrange a meeting with a member of the Hlaalu council to discuss the matter further. Aliya still doesn't know who this someone is, but she'll be receiving a letter in the coming days, notifying her of when and where she can meet the elusive councilor. So, progress!

In other news, the meeting between Habasi and Percius went swimmingly. Even though there are some obvious moral differences between the guilds, that Imperial has promised to be a valuable ally to the Thieves Guild and wants to see these guilds working together against Camonna Tong rather than seeing them wage a fruitless war against each other.

Before that can happen, though, the Fighters Guild must be cleansed of corruption, starting with the stewards of Balmora and Vivec City branches, Eydis Fire-Eye and Lorbumol gro-Aglakh. Sheogorath's beard, these Orc names… I'll be calling him "Lord Bumol" to make things easier. Or perhaps "Bum Lord" would be better?

Anyway, while killing those two would be the easiest path forward, Habasi insists we try to do this non-violently, which Percius does not object to. However, we're kind of directionless regarding how to accomplish this goal. Like, should we frame them for a crime they haven't committed, blackmail them, or try to win them over? No clue! Or, at least, that's the impression Habasi gave us all during the meeting. After it was over and Percius went his own merry way back to Ald'ruhn, Habasi pulled Aliya and me to the side for a private chat.

"Khajiit still isn't sure if she can trust the Imperial", she said, glancing out of the window with her hands crossed behind her back. "But you two, she can trust. They've been doing good work for the guild, and they should finally meet the boss. He can help us deal with the corrupt stewards the "Thieves Guild way", so go meet him as soon as possible, yes?"

She was referring to the so-called "Gentleman" Jim Stacey, a man whom I hadn't even heard of until today. Supposedly, he's the local "Doyen", meaning that he reports directly to the Grey Fox, so while he's the leader of the Thieves Guild here in Vvardenfell, he's not the Guildmaster. The organizational structure of this guild as a whole is a bit confusing if you ask me, but I guess it shouldn't matter to me. Jim's also… let's just say, a bit paranoid. He's a wanted man with a sky-high bounty on his head, and as such, he only surrounds himself with people he knows he can trust. That list has only a handful of names, and if Habasi is to be believed, it now includes us as well! Habasi also suggested Jim might have other work for us as well, so it's probably a good idea to go see what this man's all about as soon as possible!

The last interesting development happened later in the evening, long after we got home.

To set a scene, I was half-naked and in the middle of preparing to take a bath when I suddenly caught a glimpse of a naughty little girl spying on our tranquil little home from the window. Despite feeling a little startled, I had a hunch she wasn't anyone dangerous, which is why I chose not to notify my brother or Aliya. Instead, sensing an opportunity to get a little playful with her, I decided to teach that peeping Tom a lesson for intruding on our private property.

I quickly found that little brunette girl in a bright red summer dress, about the same age as me, and I swear, she was utterly oblivious to her surroundings! She was trying to get a better view of what was happening inside our home, this time through the kitchen window, and I was sure she hadn't noticed me yet. Perfect for me and my perverted little idea! I snuck up on that brunette from behind, placed the edge of my dagger on her neck, and groped her pussy through the skirt like a real pervert. I wasn't even wearing anything since I was supposed to be taking a bath by the river!

She was petrified by fear and told me to hold on, saying she wasn't up to anything nefarious, but I just couldn't stop myself and behave! I was so excited, and far from done having fun with her! More than anything, I wanted to give her a little scare, so I lifted her skirt up to touch her pussy directly, and with the most lustful voice I could muster, I whispered: "If you wanted to see my naked body that badly, all you had to do was ask politely, babe…"

"No, no, that's not it", she whimpered, trying to explain herself. "I was just looking for - "

"I'll treat you real good", I said, interrupting her and giving her ear a playful nibble, moving my mouth toward her lips as she resisted. "I'll fawck you until you can't take it anymore…"

"K-Kanna, please", she whimpered again, putting an end to everything I was doing. I didn't let go of her, but I just kind of held her in place, quiet and curious about how she knew my name. Like, I'm pretty sure I'd never met this girl before! "Severa Magia sent me, and… please, just… put that dagger away…"

Now I was properly confused! "Who… are you?"

"Name's Babette, and… h-here, just read it…" she said and produced a letter from underneath her dress.

"Why not just knock?" I asked and sighed, taking the letter from her hands as I put distance between the two of us. The letter really was from Severa Magia, and she was looking for me. It was a simple and short letter, all things considered. I asked this "Babette" - who I assume is also with the Dark Brotherhood? - if she knew what Severa wanted from me, and she just nodded and smiled.

"A special contract for you, straight from the Night Mother herself", she said and plucked a couple of rings from her fingers, handing them over to me. Based on their appearance, I think they were part of the Threads of the Webspinner set, and Babette sort of hinted toward that as well when she continued. "I know you're already on a special mission, but we kinda have our hands full with contracts. Besides, we thought you might be starving for some proper work, considering how bloody lazy you've been with your letters recently…"

I turned apologetic, insisting the reason I hadn't written letters was actually because I'd been busy, but thankfully, Babette reassured me Severa wasn't mad. "Still, you should probably meet up with her at your earliest convenience", she insisted. "You'd better not keep the Night Mother waiting…"

I thanked her for informing me, after which she said she had to get going. She would've loved to stay a little longer to get to know me better - a sentiment I did share - but she also told me she's a busy girl. We bid each other adieu, I headed inside, and she turned around to leave.

Or, so I thought.

She had one more little gift ready for me, and threw herself at me just as I was about to open the front door, kissing me straight on the lips! Absolutely ate me out! And she bit my lip too! Seriously! As she removed herself from me, I could see a little bit of my blood on her lips and felt it dripping down my jaw as well. "You should get that checked out", she said and flashed her vampire teeth, "lest you wanna end up like me, an eternal, undead little girl…"

Well, I definitely don't wanna become a vampire! Why did she have to pull a stunt like that on me!? As an act of revenge for playing a sexual prank on her? If so, I guess I might deserve it, but… fuck's sake, to purposely infect someone with Porphyric Hemophilia! That's fucking demented! Seriously messed up! I need to get this checked out before it, err… "kills" me. I wish I could do it on my own, but I'm not talented enough to cure diseases like this by myself…

Karim says he knows someone who can help me, but that's gotta wait until tomorrow. I suppose that'll have to do. It's not like the vampire transformations happen overnight, so I have nothing to worry about… I hope…

First Seed, 9th, 3E 428

In addition to getting cozy with the Thieves Guild, Karim had also been making other new friends while Aliya and I were away. One of these friends is a young Breton called Liliana, and she's such a sweet girl! We have a lot in common and clicked almost immediately because of it, and she seems to enjoy Aliya's company quite a lot as well. I'm sure we'll become good friends in no time! And yeah, she could cure me! That girl's an incredibly talented healer, so I really have nothing to worry about!

Still, next time I see Babette, I'll give that bitch a piece of my mind for trying to turn me into a vampire…

After Karim went out on a work-related errand, Liliana expressed interest in getting to know the two of us better and hung out with us for a couple of hours, which both Aliya and I were honestly thrilled about. We sat down by a river, chatting for quite a long time, mostly talking about our background and upbringing, our adventures up until now, and our plans for the future. However, the juiciest of all the discussions we had involved boys, all because of how different Liliana is from us in that regard.

Liliana is… let's just say, a very normal twelve-year-old girl. That's to say, she doesn't have a lot of experience. No, no, even that's an understatement. She's a kissless virgin, which… I mean, there's nothing wrong with that, right? After all, that's how most youngsters are. Aliya and I, we're the real outliers here because chicks our age typically aren't all that interested in sex, and forget about having actual experience! That's why, when she learned that neither of us were virgins, she just couldn't believe it! Two girls, both younger than her, already leagues ahead of her in terms of sexual experience? She was shocked, I tell you! Shocked!

However, that shock wasn't coming from a place of judgment. In fact, it seemed to me like it made her feel both jealous and inferior. "Must be nice", she mumbled, clutching her knees against her chest with a cute, bright blush on her face. "Wish I had a boyfriend like you two…"

At this point, Aliya and I just looked at each other nervously, as neither of us wanted to correct her on the misunderstanding. I mean, we didn't want to shock her even more! So, instead, I asked her: "Do you have anyone you like then?"

She nodded, getting more embarrassed by the second. I didn't actually expect her to give me an answer, but that's exactly what she did. "Your brother…"

"You… have a crush on my brother?"

She nodded again, this time daring to flash a bright smile. "He's so handsome and brave", she said with a dreamy gleam in her eyes, but the shine only lasted for a little while before melancholy took over her. "…But I fear he might not be interested in me since I'm so young… and not pretty at all… not like her…"

Aliya wanted to let her know that wasn't true at all, saying she was incredibly pretty, but I was more interested in who in Oblivion Liliana was talking about when she said "her"!

"On the night we returned from our last trip, I followed him home", she said, blushing from ear to ear. "I was too shy to approach him, but… I wanted to confess my feelings for him so bad… maybe even… k-kiss him… but I… I saw him with Sottilde… h-his girlfriend, and… that woman… they… I watched them have sex through the window…"

I wasn't sure what to say. I wasn't even sure if I should've said anything. I just felt bad for her. I mean, I'm not sure who that woman is, but she for sure couldn't have been his girlfriend. No, no, no way. But still, to see a boy you're in love with having sex with someone else… it must've devastated her young and naïve virgin heart.

She wasn't done explaining, though. "I know I shouldn't have spied on them, but… I couldn't stop looking. It was, like… by the Nine, it was so amazing. I… I was just so jealous! I wanted him to do those things to me! It should've been me!"

I was a little shocked to hear her put it like that. Like, I kind of got the impression that this girl was about as chastised and innocent as any ordinary girl her age is… but I guess Dibella's little Knight-Initiate might have trouble controlling her young hormonal self after all! She sounded so fired up! Still, she quieted down quickly, and she was even sobbing a little as she continued.

"But I… I just… can't compare to her…"

"You don't need to compare yourself to anyone", Aliya said, leaning closer to Liliana to dry some of her tears up with her thumb. "You're perfect as you are…"

"But it's like he doesn't even notice me…"

"Then make him notice you", Aliya said, putting on the brightest smile she could muster. "Seriously, you should ask him out on a date."

Liliana brightened up a little, but only for a little while. All of a sudden, she almost looked afraid. "B-but… what if he rejects me?"

"So what if he does? What do you have to lose by asking?"

"Nothing, I guess… but I'm still scared…"

"I could also help you", Aliya suggested, "and tell him how you feel about him."

Liliana's response was loud and instantaneous. "No!" she shouted, looking like she even shocked herself by her shift reply. Fear and shame took over her, and she quieted down as she continued. "N-no, I-I mean… I… don't need help… so don't tell him anything…"

Aliya looked a little surprised, but nodded anyway. "If you say so."

"Thanks, though", Liliana said and stood up, getting ready to leave. "I feel better already", she continued, profusely thanking us both for lending her an ear. It really was no problem at all! I hope it works out for her! However, at the same time, I have to admit to feeling a little jealous about the idea…

I mean, that's my brother she's in love with! I have feelings for him too! Granted, I sleep around with other people as well - as does Karim - but he's the only person in all of Tamriel I can confidently say I love! Well, besides Aliya, maybe, but not as a friend, or as a brother. I mean love in a purely romantic way! Ain't nobody in this world who I love more than him! Besides, it's not like she only wants to have a one-off date with my brother. If she did, I would be happy to push her into his arms for a date, but she wants commitment! She wants him to be her boyfriend!

I honestly doubt my brother's interested in a long-term relationship, but… what if? If she were to get her way, and get between us… how would that affect my relationship with my brother? Would Karim even have time for me anymore if he started going out with her? Ahhh, I get jealous just thinking about it! Then again, that's probably how she also felt when she saw him having sex with someone else…

I hope I'm just worried for nothing, and I really should be supportive like Aliya was. Besides, I totally could've misread Liliana's intentions. I mean, I don't mean to stereotype Dibella's worshippers as promiscuous or anything, but she could just be looking for something casual and recreational. At least, I really hope that's the case…

Still, I should talk to my brother once he comes home. No, I don't mean to sabotage Liliana by betraying her wishes or anything like that, but like… I just want some reassurance that we're both on the same page, you know? Nobody loves him like I do, and I just want to make sure the feeling's mutual…

I'm sure to also have a talk with Aliya about this, just so I can set my head straight and make sure I'm not blowing this shit out of proportion. We'll have plenty of time tomorrow for more girls' chat when we get back on the road. That's right, we've got some out-of-town business to attend to! Just a little road trip around the Ascadian Isles, that's all! Don't plan on going on a months-long excursion like last time around!

Time to put the pen away and start thinking about what we'll have for dinner.

First Seed, 10th, 3E 428

The more I think about what I wrote yesterday, the more I feel like I have nothing to worry about. The bond Karim and I share is unbreakable, and nothing's ever going to change that! Aliya thinks so as well, although she also admitted that she wasn't really taking my feelings into consideration when she egged Liliana on to ask my brother out. "I just thought they'd make a cute couple", she said and giggled. "Besides, even if she does win him over", she continued with a sexy, lustful tone in her voice, "I'm sure we can convince her to share…"

Yeah, I sure hope so! In fact, I've decided that I'll allow Liliana to romance my brother, but ONLY on the condition that there will be threesome! And loads of it!

Regardless, that's about as much as we talked about it, or at least the condensed gist of our chat. As we left Suran - where we stopped by to enjoy a quick lunch - we set our focus on business. Our first stop was Ald Sotha, conveniently on our road to Vivec City.

Severa seemed unusually sour when we met, but she didn't comment on my long absence. In fact, she even said she was glad to see me safe and sound, so… I guess she's not mad at me? One of the reasons she could've been on the edge was actually because of Morag Tong. They've really been upping their efforts in their war against the Dark Brotherhood and even gotten away with assassinating two of our sleeper agents: one within the Mages Guild and another one within Morag Tong itself. "We will have our revenge", she vowed, and I will play a part, but for now, all I need to worry about is being extra careful to not leave any paper trails that could connect me to the Brotherhood. That, and continuing to double and triple check any and all contracts I will be assigned by Eno Hlaalu, just in case he sends me on a mission to execute a dark brother or sister.

In other words, business as usual!

As for my contract from the Night Mother, I was sent to meet a man named Haj-Ei inside the Argonian Mission in Ebonheart, which, according to Savile, was going to be a bit of a challenge in and of itself, as the Argonians don't just let anyone walk freely inside their embassy. Luckily, though, a man called Im-Kilaya recognized Aliya, which played greatly in my favor. He's a high-ranking official within the embassy and a member of the Twin Lamps, and he was willing to escort me to the embassy's infirmary for a chat with the man I was looking for. Even though Haj-Ei was wrapped up in bandages and barely even able to sit up, his tired eyes perked up when he saw me and recognized me for who I was. We got our privacy, and he told me everything.

To cut a long story short, Haj-Ei is an escaped slave, and he's actively being hunted down by a man named Daric Bielle, a bounty hunter employed by his former oppressor, a plantation owner called Tedril Llervu. The reason he's injured is because he almost got caught a week ago, after he foolishly tried to take Daric on by himself. "I had this genius idea of offering him help under a fake persona", he explained. "Called myself "Hides His Eyes", posed as a bounty hunter on my own right, thought I'd get cozy with him so I could assassinate him, or maybe lead him astray or something… but how was I supposed to know he could read and translate Jel? Haj-Ei, Hides His Eyes, same name, different language. I felt so stupid for not thinking of a better alias. After he figured it out, he tried to take me back…"

Haj-Ei would've rather died than returned to slavery, which is why he fought back. While he had no hope of beating Daric in a duel, fighting back gave him an opportunity to escape, sadly within an inch of his life. It's a miracle that he even made it to Castle Ebonheart safely. "I should've just escaped quietly while I had a chance", he admitted, "but what's done is done. Now, all I care about is revenge, and for that, I need professional help."

In short, there are two contracts - one for the slaver and one for the bounty hunter - and while he trusts me in being a "professional murderer", as he put it, he warned me of a direct confrontation. Daric Bielle is not just smart, but also an elite fighter who would handily beat me in a duel, which I don't doubt for a second. Worse yet, if given a chance, he will gladly capture me to be sold into slavery, or maybe even kill me personally. That's why, regardless of how I decide to assassinate him, I've got to do it fast and clean to ensure he won't be able to fight back.

Meanwhile, Tedril will not pose a threat to me, but he's always accompanied by his two bodyguards. Assassinating him in his sleep might be a good idea, provided I can break into his villa. On that note, the Llervu Plantation is located very close to Suran, just two miles to the west on the opposite side of the nearby Lake Masobi, and I also have a good chance of finding Daric in that same general area.

Haj-Ei also suggested I should help some of the other slaves escape the plantation, but regrettably, there will be no extra reward. Being an escaped slave, he doesn't have a lot to his name, and he's already giving me pretty much all the wealth that he owns. That's fine, I guess. I promised to not let him down.

So begins a contract bound in blood.

Now, though, it's time to get some rest at the Six Fishes Inn, in which Aliya rented a room for us while I was having my little chat with Haj-Ei. It's been a long day, and tomorrow will be just as long. I will be meeting up with Eno Hlaalu to hand over some of the "Threads" I've collected, and we've also got a date with Jim Stacey, so the day's gonna be busy for sure!

Aliya reckons we should also work on a little disguise for her since she'll be entering Vivec City with me, and we don't want her catching the attention of the Tribunal Temple. Keeping the Moon-and-Star in the pocket definitely won't be enough, as she's probably the only blonde Altmer child in a hundred-mile radius! Okay, that's probably a gross exaggeration, but you get the point! I'll probably just loan her one of my dresses to see if we can make her look like an unassuming little daughter of an immigrant, or maybe buying her a hooded cloak would be enough to conceal her identity? Oh, that actually gives me an idea! She can take my armor and cloak, while I'll wear my favorite civilian dress! Sure, she's a little bit taller, and, errr… still a bit more endowed than I am, but we should be almost the same size, no?

We're not sure if this'll be enough, but even if all fails, at least we'll have a scroll of Divine Intervention ready so she can teleport to safety!

First Seed, 11th, 3E 428

In and out of Vivec City, safe and sound. The Ordinators barely even paid attention to us, even when they should have had. Seriously, Aliya looks stunning dressed in skimpy black leather!

To start off, my meeting with Eno Hlaalu was really brief, and I was lucky to even get to meet him today. He apparently had somewhere he needed to be as soon as possible, but fortunately, he had a couple of minutes to spare for me. I managed to impress him with the collection of Artifacts I brought him, so much so that he praised me for my abilities, calling my work amazing. "We're only missing eight pieces now", he said, admitting that the work will only get more difficult from here.

Still, I have to wonder, could he actually be suspicious of how fast I've been collecting them? I mean, yeah, I AM amazing, but I also could have never found them alone, and he has to realize this too…

While he urged me to keep looking for them, he also handed me a couple of writs to honorably execute two no-good ruffians. They're a pair of simple bandits, or more accurately, grave robbers, and while taking them out sounds easy on paper, they're unlikely to operate alone, which will be a problem. Finding them might also prove to be a bit of an issue, as they might not be home when I come knocking. Still, their suspected base of operations is located in a seaside cave west of Gnisis, an area that is a hotbed for all kinds of smuggling. I'll see what I can do!

After that piece of business, it was time for Aliya and I to seek out the legendary "Gentleman" Jim Stacey.

Before we could even meet up with him, we had to find his right-hand man, Crazy-Legs Arantamo. A strange nickname if you ask me since his legs didn't seem particularly crazy to me. In fact, where do so many of these thieves get their quirky nicknames from? I bet there are funny stories tied up to some of them! Anyway, we were told he frequents the Black Shalk Cornerclub, and as luck would have it, we found him there on our first try. Then, after explaining our business and proving to him we were who we claimed we were, he showed us all the way down to Jim's hideout in the Canalworks, hidden inside an unassuming little bookshop owned by Simine Fralinie, a close friend and a trusted ally to the guild. The secret entrance could be opened by turning a decorative statue of Nocturnal on one of the bookshelves.

To say Jim lives up to his "Gentleman" moniker would be an understatement. From his velvety-smooth voice and his manners to the extravagant suit he wore and his luxurious office, this middle-aged Redguard was like the very embodiment of class. He was SO polite to us too, treated us like a couple of little princesses, and even though he had already heard a lot about us and our work, he was also curious about getting to know us on a more personal level. More than anything, he was very excited to start working with us directly, and truth be told, we felt the same about him.

After Simine brewed and poured us some tea, we finally got to talking business, talking about what to do with the leaders of the Fighters Guild, starting with Eydis Fire-Eye. According to Jim, winning that woman over to our side shouldn't be too difficult, provided we can offer her something better than what she's currently getting by being on Orvas Dren's payroll. Trying to outbid Camonna Tong isn't an option, though, even if we might be able to afford it. Instead, we will have to offer her something that can't be valued in gold, something that she really, really wants.

"I happen to have in good authority that Eydis worships Clavicus Vile", he explained. "The Bitter Cup is one of his most priced artifacts, coveted by all of his most devout and faithful followers, Eydis included. If we can find this artifact, we might be able to use it as leverage to get her to our side."

And so, the task falls on Aliya and me to acquire it, and lucky for us, Jim knows exactly where to start looking. Every now and then, you hear whispers and ruminations in the wind about the artifact appearing on Nirn, and one of these rumors leads to the island of Tel Branora. Unfortunately, we're talking about a decades-old rumor, but it's still the best clue we've got. Besides, even if we can't find the Bitter Cup on that island, we might be able to pick up a new lead!

Jim also has a plan for how we're going to deal with Bum Lord - you know, the Orc - but for now, our focus will be on Eydis, and only Eydis. We'll take this one problem at a time, or maybe he'll assign that task to someone else! I guess we'll have to wait and see!

That's not all we talked about, though. Like Habasi suggested, Jim also had some other work for us.

He let us in with a little secret project he's been working on with the ol' Arantamo here, as assigned to him by the Grey Fox himself, and wanted us to also take part. Without going into too much detail about the local history, there used to be a small group of thieves called "Bal Malogmer" - which translates to "Stone Fire Men" in common Tamrielic - that had made it their personal mission to fight injustice by stealing from other, "worse" criminals. The name takes inspiration from their outfit of choice, a pair of purple gloves with a unique insignia, woven from special silk so resistant to fire they can even withstand the heat emanating from the fiery stones of the Red Mountain. Easy to take off, easy to hide, but also easy to recognize.

Bal Malogmer was a small gang of phantom thieves who especially liked to target powerful and influential people like corrupt politicians, slave owners, and wealthy businessmen, and they did this all for the good of the people, not for personal profit. They gave all their earnings to the community, especially those less fortunate. Basically, they lived the modern Thieves Guild ideal of "never steal from the poor" and took it to a whole another level.

Since nobody knew of their true identities, not much is publicly known about what happened to them, but Jim happens to know for a fact that the Bal Malogmer didn't cease to exist willingly. They were seen as a threat and wiped out by Camonna Tong some four hundred years ago, never to be seen or heard of again. Now, they only live in legends, in children's stories, and in songs sung by bards in taverns all across Morrowind… but does it need to be that way? Jim says it doesn't.

The Grey Fox supposedly wants to, and I quote, "rekindle the fires of the Bal Malogmer", and bring the legend back to life. As I wrote, the Thieves Guild partially holds the same ideals, and that's what this ultimately is about. Ideals. Bal Malogmer represents the unfortunate; the farmer who lost their lands, the youngster who got sent to work in some rice farm or a brothel against their will, and those who can't even afford to keep a roof over their heads. Meanwhile, who does Camonna Tong represent? The profiteer, the slave owner, and the statesman who got rich by receiving dirty, blood-soaked bribes. In other words, Bal Malogmer represents the many, while Camonna Tong represents the few.

"One boot keeps one man down while nine others watch in terror", Jim said. "They refuse to take action because they fear they could be next, but what if they were to realize they have the power to turn the tables? What if they were to lose their fear? What if someone were to show that the man with a whip and a heavy boot isn't as scary and invincible as they think he is? That's what those scum fear the most, and that's coincidentally where you lovely ladies come in."

He pulled two matching pairs of gloves from his desk's drawers, offered them to Aliya and me, and urged us to try them on. After seeing they were a perfect fit for our little fingers, he went on to explain our mission in detail.

"Seek out and help those regular folk wronged by our enemy. Do this while wearing the gloves and spread the good word of our cause, but do not let your identities be known. The Bal Malogmer were phantom thieves, both nameless and faceless, as shall you be."

While that's our mission as the newest members of the revived Bal Malogmer, we'll also occasionally receive special tasks and missions, most likely sent to us by a courier. Our first special job is retrieving a gem-encrusted golden locket and returning it to its owner. They say a tax man in service to House Redoran has stolen a priceless family heirloom from a beggar called Braynas Hlervu in Ald'ruhn, and that's simply unacceptable. We'll definitely get it back to him!

That was the end of our long chat. Now, we're back at the Six Fishes, and it's getting late. Safe to say, we've got a lot of work on our plate and lots of places to visit! I reckon it's going to take at least two more nights on the road before we can return to our home in Balmora! Aliya thinks we should start off by heading to Tel Branora, and I'm inclined to agree. The ship will take us there early in the morning, and if everything goes well, we'll be able to take the ship back to Ebonheart the very same day!

• 23rd Journal - The Bitter Cup (By Kanna)