Elder Scrolls: Arena - Tenyin Mariner

Chapter 4

 I've always been an early riser, my 'previous' profession requiring a start to the day before the sun rose too far over the horizon. Although there were no windows or any sort of opening in my room whatsoever, I could tell without a doubt that it was far too early for most others to be moving around. I couldn't hear movement outside my door, meaning not even the Innkeeper caring too much to open his doors quite yet. More importantly, though, there were no noises coming from outside like with what I went to sleep with as my background noise. The Afterdark Society did their deed for the night but all I cared about was that I was not harmed. I didn't find anyone else I could protect yet except for Ria but she didn't need protecting, as she was only a spirit that attached herself to me to get Tharn off the throne.

It was certainly an uncomfortable night, the bed being only slightly more comfortable than the stone alcoves in the dungeons. The only advantage the Inn had was that there was a cover to keep warm. I wasn't sure how much I moved while sleeping though since when I was up, the cover was not entirely over me like when I had fallen asleep.

I sat on the edge of the bed with the light illuminating what area of the room a candle could brighten. I wasn't sure what my next move would be especially since I wasn't one to plan forward without knowing exactly what would happen. That would never happen on this quest, no matter what is said or given to me. All I could do was plan the day the best I could and hope nothing too bad happened.

The bar had no patrons but both the Innkeeper and his assistant Sader were at attention to my surprise. Either they were especially quiet or I was very deep in thought but that was common no matter the time or place. The Innkeeper waved me when I came into the main room and Sader gave a simple nod. That Redguard was plainly not around the Inn for conversation but was meant to be the muscle in case things got out of hand.

"Good Morning! Even with regulars, you are up much earlier than anyone else. I hope you slept at least a little well, your face not really giving me much hope." The Innkeeper was writing in a book, probably a ledger of some sort when he beckoned me over. I put a hand on my pants pocket, holding what was in it in place while I walked over to him. The purpose of the conversation was not an entirely pleasant subject, that was for sure.

"It wasn't bad. I wasn't expecting exquisite linen sheets or gold chandeliers, that's for sure. This isn't an Imperial City Inn, after all." I didn't want to sound condescending but the way the speech came out, it probably sounded that way. I couldn't see the Innkeeper's face but his writing slowed down for a moment.

"You know what the high-end Inn's look like but those are extremely expensive and I couldn't imagine running something that flashy." The Innkeeper closed his book and turned to face me. He didn't have a smile anymore but he also didn't have a frown either.

"This is about my payment, isn't it? I didn't forget, if that is what this is about." I wasn't going to wait for him to bring it up, instead starting off with my own question before he was about to speak.

"I'm sorry to say that this is about that exact thing. Do you have anything? I'll see what I can do with anything you can give me." I reached into my pocket and the Innkeeper's eyes bolted straight to my hand. He could keep his cool when it came to speaking but his financial greed betrayed him instantly. He was knowing I was going to pull out coin or some sort of extremely valuable item. If the mage was telling the truth, what he gave me was valuable enough to someone like the Innkeeper. I presented the bottled blue liquid to the man, who didn't seem entirely pleased.