Ignem Tristitia (An Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Prequel) [ON HOLD]

Chapter Twenty Eight - Chaos in Waiting

"You are going to bleed to death unless you cover that wound," Ahnassi averred.

"What will I cover it with? There are no bandages in this stairwell," I said in reply.

"Well," she said. "We are almost out of the stairwell. I hope."

"We are, I can see a torch," I confirmed quietly.

"Right," she agreed.

I slowed my pace up the stairs and raised the tool I killed Matrandil with. Upon exit of the stairs, I saw a very small, cramped, dark room with rain leaking through the roof. Ahnassi stepped out behind me, and we entered the room.

"Where is the door?" I whispered.

"Over there, it seems," she whispered in reply.

"I wonder," I said, approaching the dusty wooden door. "If it's locked."

I fumbled around blindly for the doorknob, then found it. My hand wrapped around the cold brass knob, then I twisted and pushed. The door opened but it didn't move. I tried again, pushing the door forcedly. The door budged but was still stuck. I backed away from the door, then ran up to it and slammed my body weight into it, breaking it down and falling outside.

The light rain fell onto my body, washing away the clouds of dust erupting from the door's fall. Dust found its way into my lungs; I coughed it all out in disgust. I stood up and stepped to the side of the door.

"C'mon," I said, gesturing my hand forward. "Let's find the rest of the group."

"The group?" Ahnassi asked, stepping over the door on the ground. "I have never met anyone in your group besides Kharjo."

"Yeah, there are more," I said, starting down the road.

"What are they like?" Ahnassi intrigued.

"They're, uh," I said in reply. "You'll have to meet them."

"Interesting," Ahnassi trailed off.

The constant drumbeat of rain tapped the roads, roofs, and residents of Elden Root, creating a misty vapor blown around by the wind. The clear smell of rain against the dampened dirt and slick pavement felt as if it cleansed my spirit. The city was larger than I had previously thought. I noticed the graht-oak had glowing yellow lanterns swirling down against the dark brown bark.

As I was caught up examining the graht-oak, I could've sworn I saw... houses. People, bustling around along the branches. I thought I was seeing things, then turned around, only to have someone ram into me, sending us both sprawling out onto the road.

"Oof!" I grunted, falling backwards onto my back.

The person who'd bumped into me was thrown down into a sitting position. He stood up and approached me; I was gradually trying to stand up.

He extended his hand down to me. "Here."

I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up. "Thanks," I said.

"Welcome," he said. "My name is Maurdesh."

Maurdesh was a tall, tan-skinned altmer. He had shoulder-length pale white hair, and his eyes were even whiter. He had a straight nose and wore a deep purple tunic with swirly white patterns embroidering the neck, bottom, and sleeves. He wore trousers of a slightly darker shade. His leather black boots extended up to mid-shin, and his gloves mid-forearm.

"I am S'Drassa," I greeted.

"S'Drassa... I have heard of you, you know," he said, lowering an eyebrow.

"Heard of me?" I intrigued. "How?"

"Come with me," he said after hesitating. "I've got to show you to someone. She'll help you."