ESRP Chapter One

I yawn and wave away his comment. I pull a chair away from one of the tables and turn it backwards, sitting on it with my legs on either side of the back and stare at the Old Wizard.

So what do you already know, before you send us off?

Ai- Well, at least Vera will tell her to get lost in a ditch somewhere.

=The Master-Wizard smiled=

Ve- Another companion. Good. The more the better.

Ai- SONOFABITCH!

=Aije looked very grumpy at this=

Ve- Now, what we know so far is that these two Towers

=He points to the two on the map=

Ve- have recently been lost. No trace of anyone ever being there, and most of the insides either burned or sacked. But, the Libraries were left completely unscathed. Somebody was looking for something, and we need to know what, and if at all possible, who they are and what they are capable of, before they can strike again.

Alright. Did you check for previous occurrences of this event happening to any place of importance to your...er... select

I made a few wild circles with my hands while i think

Group....In the last 50 years?

=The master wizard shook his head=

Ve- This is the first time this has ever happened.

Ai- Not only that, but it seems to have come completely from nowhere.

The cart had been filled. Svori and Jorling had tossed their ore into the cart, and I hauled it back to the surface. The wheels turned slowly, and squeaked as they turned. I took the ascent one step at a time, slowly bringing my charge to the entrance.

Hmm. What about thefts? Borrowings? Any object of importance that might have left your group. Take a look through your records. The object this individual or group would appear to be looking for might have left your possession a long time ago without even you giving it a second blink.

I shrug. More to myself than anyone else

We should be off i suppose. If you do find anything in your records, it would be nice to know.

Aren't those libraries full of important information? Whatever they took, it must have been pretty important to leave behind something of such value...

Cocius looked down at the map, analyzing the location.

Ve- If we discover anything, I shall send word for you to the Mages now stationed at Bauruk-Gûr.

=He paused=

Ve- Oh, and one last thing. It has come to my attention that there is a certain Altmer, a healer and very strong worker, who resides in this town. Im sure that if you could employ his aid, it would be worth your while. Good luck to you.

=Aije nodded and stood before going over to the door, waiting for the others=

=He stood on the porch-area of the inn and watched the assassin go off up the North road. He decided to wait a while to see if she would return=

I pushed open the mine entrance with my load, only to nearly run over two guards. I was stunned at first, but quickly came over it. I couldn't say the same for them, they seemed stunned. I walked past them putting the ore near the smelter. As I turned around to face them, one drew his blade.

Bandits...

"We're here for the gold!"

He said, trying to seem as threatening as possible. I neither reacted nor spoke. He said again, "Where is the gold!" My lack of response irritated him. He was a nord, and a short tempered one. I began to walk back into the mine, his thieving comrade stepped in front of me. I stopped. The other chuckled, nervously. I turned around to face him, but as I did so the other one kicked the back of my leg, putting me on one knee.

Cocius went to follow the mage to the Porch.

Will we attempt to get the Altmer's aid?

=He nodded, looking off at the river across the street=

I think it would be wise.

Cocius nods to him.

And what of the assassin? What's your take on her?

I walk into the nearby blacksmiths.

Rolaf! My friend!

Rolaf-Ahhh! I'm guessing you're here for some more arrows?

Not today. I'm calling in that debt for that Khajit contract. I need poisons, And lots of them. My usual supply is running low, and well. I'd rather get them for free than pay.

She may get on my nerves, but I have the feeling that she will be useful to us on this journey...

The bandit who drew his sword was breathing heavily.

"Where do you keep the gold."

No gold is kept here.

Not that he would ever know that. My continuing silence irked him. His fuse was growing short. The other one was looking around, probably for any real guards that could be patrolling the area. A twig snapped, the bandit with the sword looked away, and I stood up and lifted him off his feet by the neck. The sword clanged as it hit the ground. Both his hands went around mine, as I gripped his throat. With my free hand I bewitched the accomplice into fleeing, leaving his friend to his fate. He ran off in the direction of town.

Rolaf- I'm afraid i cant get many on such short notice.

Whatever you can get is appreciated.

He leaves the house and i sit myself down in one of the chairs, taking a roll of bread off of the table and chewing a piece off while i wait

I am not sure. But I am sure that my gut feeling has never lead me astray. Besides this, I'm sure she has some sort of skills that will be useful to us in the future that we cannot foresee.

Cocius nods.

Speaking of the unforeseeable future.... What do you think these towers hold for us?

Who knows. But, our main mission is not the the towers themselves, but to the area. We are in search of clues.

I tightened my grip and then threw the Nord to the ground. I did not care for violence. The Nord got up, his arms shaking, I could not tell his intent. He looked familiar. He backed away, and ran towards Riverwood, same as his friend. They were probably friends from riverwood, their sudden turn to crime was, disheartening. Neither of them had serious injuries.

=I stopped running somewhere in the woods, I was hopelessly lost though. I scanned the trees, fearful of anything that could attack me at any moment.

I'd stolen a peculiar amulet, and it was valuable by the way the owner had reacted when he'd walked in. I looked at the little gemstone, running a finger along it.=

You should fetch me a nice sum of gold...