The Hlaalu Prophecy IC

[Whisket]

It was nearly six A.M. at the Hlaalu council house in Balmora.
Ano Novor sat at his desk writing something on a piece of paper with quick, defined strokes by candlelight.
Vando Ules was behind him with a medium sized pack open putting various food items and other small supplies in its various pouches.

"You know, it's practically six A.M. Ano-" Vando said holding up a small brass ring with indets on the inside of it looking at it carefully.
"-And you said that they would be here by now, you know I dislike things behind schedule." Vando said, placing the ring down and looking over a small book deciding weather to bring it or not.

"They'll be here, you know they're not an organized group of diggers, Vando." Ano said while putting the wax mark on the letter he was writing, sealing it.
Handing it to Vando. "You'll need to give this to him, he'll tell you what do to from there, and he may have something for you." Ano said as Vando took the letter and placed it in his pack.

"Now be patient Vando, they know what time they were supposed to be here, and I made sure they knew the gravity of the situation."

"I trust you, I'm just anxious is all." Vando said closing up his pack and looking towards the door out of the corner of his eye.

[Rinn]

Rinn wandered around the clay buildings for what seemed like hours fully geared up in his dusty old armor, cleaned up all sheen and oily looking with his large shield strapped to his arm with a small hastily drawn map in his other hand on a small piece of parchment. "Okay so go up the stairs, turn left at the two lamps, dodge the giant... er bug... thing. How do they ride those? Er anyway! Where was I?" Rinn looked around himself, everything looked so similar it was hard to tell one house from another. "Ahhhh damn it all!" He screamed in a reptillian hiss. Crumpling up the paper and tossing it at the nearest banner.

Taking a closer look at the banner he just let his frustration out on he slowly read the dunmer writings that still sometimes escaped his knowledge. "Hla-alu house... well I guess the map worked!" He muttered sarcastically. How he wished he was home in the familliar marshlands where no two places looked similar, here was all just ugly lumps of clay and giant bugs. You could tell some subtle differences in craftmanship that shown the wealth and power the house contained was much more significant than its surroundings. He stood at the doorway and decided what to do. "Should I just walk in and introduce myself? Or just knock? I've never seen Dunmer knock before.... hmm no manners." Rinn balled up his fist and knocked on the door with three hard thumps. "Sir Avo, this is Rinn Aziel, I have come at your request. May I come in?" Rinn stood patiently by the door for someone to open it. In his homeland, it was custom to wait for the owner to greet his guest before he entered, but he was unsure if Elves had that custom. He started to grow impatient, unsure on what to do next. He just wanted to do this small favor and find his kin so he can return home with dignity. "I wonder what these elves want with an old Argonian anyway?" He mumbled to himself in a questioning way. "I swear if I hear one more joke about scales or horns I will...."

[dk123]

Ignis wiped his mouth on a soft napkin and set it down beside his silver ware. "I must say, though I've never eaten in the home of another Duke, I can assume that none of them can put on a feast like you." He spoke looking across the table at his host, it wasn't thee first time he'd joined the Duke of Ebonheart for dinner but this was the first time he'd been invited for no apparent reason. The mage did feel a little guilty that he was running late for his appointment with an elf, one didn't refuse the Duke. "Now forgive me for being so unconventional but I must leave presently, I have several appointments that must be kept." The duke simply waved a servant over who carried a bottle of wine. "Come now Ignis," He said in a deep voice. "Can't you stay for another bottle of wine?" Ignis bit his lip, wine was so uncommon in Morrowind. "It's imported from High Rock?" He asked taking the bottle and inspecting it. "Indeed, only the best that the Empire has to offer." As much as the wine tempted him he disciplined himself and graciously refused. "Very well then, if there's no convincing you to stay then I bid you farewell." With that Ignis rose from his seat and swiftly left the grand structure that was the Duke's home, soon enough he had made his way to the mages guild and was standing on the transport pedestal. "Balmora is it?" One of the mage assistants asked. "Yes, I'm already late." He answered.

In a flash of light Ignis was standing in Balmora and was instantly approached by another mage. "Oh Amalric, why are you here? Did you leave your hat behind again?" Ignis reached up to touch his grey hair and realised that he'd left his had at the Duke's manor, with a shake of his head the man stepped around and hurried up the stairs and out of the door. Opposite him were the stairs that led to the council houses that he had visited on numerous occasions, after rushing up the stairs he spotted an Argonian waiting at the door. "Excuse me but I'm being expected, Ignis Amalric." He shouted as he made his way over, he assumed the Argonian was a slave something Ignis personally disagreed with but if seemed to be the norm in Morrowind, but why a slave would be wearing armour and carrying weapons eluded him, perhaps he was a guard instead.

[Whisket]

Ano heard knocking, followed by shouting.
"You see, there was no need to be worried" Ano said, confidently as he looked over to Vano before getting up and opening the door
Upon opening it, Ano smiled slighlty "You know you could have just come in, if Dunmer are expecting guests we'd like for them to be as comfortable as possible."
Ano said whilist opening the door wider and stepping aside to allow them in.

Vando stared for a moment before getting off the ground and picking his pack up, the sun was just coming up and it put a glare behind the two arrivals, he could hardly make them out, but he could tell one of them was an Argonian, He'd never worked with one before.

[Werther]

2 days earlier at Ald'ruhn.

Drath was attending Tribunal temple ceremony at the Ald'ruhn. He was approached by a stranger who whispered something in his ear and that made him to stand up and leave ceremony with haste. His orcish armor coupled with his blue glowing blade made his reputation around the town as a loyal house Redoran member and he was known to be skillful bladesman. He was also known for his grim attitude and cruelty towards his enemies. Story circulated that he doesn't let old grudges away, like most Dunmer. What they didn't know was that he liked to take off his heavier armor and change it to lighter, leather armor and dress in cloak and perform assassinations and spy missions. Heavy blight storm made his way no easy one. He was headed towards the Under-Skar ; a great mudcrab skeleton carved out for buildings and Redoran headquarters and other districts, mostly consisting of manors and noble houses and occasional trader. Local Dunmer covered their faces with clothing bits and went towards their closest buildings as no one wanted catch blight or get their eyes covered with sand. When he had made his way at Under-Skar he quickly walked to Lords Manos manor. Lord Manos was powerful Redoran lord who owned some plantations and worked with House Dres. He was shrewd business man and also a great warrior, but somewhat strange to a house Redoran member, liked to get into dirty deals when it came to business. Drath was under patronage of Lord Manos and Drath could rightfully call himself the left arm of the Lord Manos. Drath has long history with Lord Manos and Drath considers him to be a rarity - a friend. When he had made to manor house he was greeted by a Argonian servant Black-Tongue. Drath liked Black-Tongue because he had helped him to gather some information as Black-Tongue was ex-slave and knew many slavers and other underground figures. Manos manor was filled with guards and they had a good reason to be here - these great halls were filled with expensive pottery, Altmer woodworks and other precious items. Lord Manos even had his own treasury. Drath said goodbye to the Argonian after he had taken him to Lord Manos study. Drath proceeded inside was given warm welcome by Manos. There were no guards in this room; Lord Manos could protect himself as he was one of the most experienced members of House Redoran and legendary duelist.
- Drath, I have a mission to you. This is no usual one. Sit down please, and I'll get into details. - spoke Lord Manos gesturing towards the chair.
Drath sat down and took a bottle and poured some Imperial Brandy in his mug. He hated westerners, but he liked their drink. It had a strange taste when compared to native beverages. He took a sip and Lord Manos started to debrief Drath.
- My insider in House Hlaalu has found out that certain member of Hlaalu has decided to call upon expedition. His current whereabouts are Balmora. I will not get into details; I know you can find their names yourself. What I want you to is stop this expedition. There will be four members. They are lead by a scholar. - He stopped for a moment and took up a paper and read out a name.
- I want you to assassinate Ano Novor. You got your details. Leave and may you be successful. I left 1000 gold coins at your house. Black-Tongue left them inside the biggest pot you've got. -
Drath stood up and went back to home and prepared for expedition. He had a mission and that meant it could be said that it is already done.

This night.

Drath left his home wearing dark robes and put up his hood to cover his face. Excitement grew as he slowly walked towards the Mages Guild. He had spoken with one their members to secretly teleport him to Balmora guild halls. Drath above all valued secrecy. He wanted to disappear from Ald'ruhn without being seen. His dark eyes set the gaze towards the darkness and he threaded carefully. He walked like a shadow and his gait was nothing like the gait he had when wearing heavy armor. Almost like a professional thief, he opened the Mages Guild door silently and slipped inside. Now, he must make sure that he doesn't wake up the whole guild. Telena should be somewhere around here... there she is. Drath crept towards her and whispered into her ear. She wasn't even startled. She knew Drath and she also knew that he liked to sneak upon people in most unpleasant way. As a Bosmer, she had very beautiful face, but above all, she was skilled mage. They silently walked towards the teleportation ring and he stepped inside.
- Farawell. - Drath spoke coldly.
Light flashed and he was gone. He crept out of the Balmora guild hall and let the darkness around him engulf him.

[Hunkat]

On a rooftop just across the street from the house of the Hlaalu council a figure sat in the shadows that still prevailed this early in the morning. Soon the rising sun would give away the slender bosmer's position when her shadow reached the ground but for now it was safe, few people had the instinct to look up whenever they went somewhere.
She was running a bit late for this job she had been discreetly offered but that was normal for her, she liked to take her precautions and observe before going into any house. What she was seeing puzzled her so, an argonian, as odd as that was and a mage, making quite an entrance. Was these people part of the job? It seemed to be a reasonable assumption, a brute and a fire-wielder to keep whatever they were stealing from occupied so she could slip by. But that kind of back-up meant that this was not a stealth mission, it would require fighting something presumably big and lethal. It would be wise to keep that in mind.

The man opening the door to the house was Dunmer, as to be expected, though these were the people Nael spited the most, even as employers. Altmer for arrogance, Dunmer for hatred, Bosmer for ferociousness, her father had always said when she had asked what the difference between the elven races was. So far she had only known him to be right.
With a shrug she grabbed the small pack with her things next to her and strapped it onto her back, tightening the leather strap across her chest. That left both her hands free as she jumped off the building, bounding off the wall till her feet almost completely silently hit the street. A few steps across was all she had to take to slip up behind the mage, as he seemed to be the most unaware of the two guests. In a minute the would all realize that she was there but not be able to tell when or how she had joined them.

[dk123]

"We'll I don't think either of us wanted to intrude, even though I've lived here for many years I'm still not familiar with every tradition." Ignis answered the Dunmer before stepping inside and extending a hand for him to shake. "Ignis Amalric at your service."

[Whisket]

Ano smiled politely and shook the Breton's Hand "I'm sure you'll get used to them all someday, until then come in and make yourself at home, The man you'll be traveling with is up stairs he should be down in a moment, I'll allow him to introduce himself." Ano said before Looking at the Argonian, as Ignis walked by in "Mr. Aziel feel free to come in we have much to discuss."

[Rinn]

Rinn watched as a breton approached and assumed he was the guard or something of the sort. He gave hiss followed by an amused smile just before the Dunmer opened the door for them. "My apologies, I'm still not used to Elven customs." Rinn said extending his arm out as the other did before him. The Dunmers hand felt so soft a squishy... skin so easily tearable must be why most wear so much armor. "Please just call me Rinn, I am not your superior, no need for Kin-names." He picked up his shield and placed it near the doorway, but out of the way of others when he felt something pinch his tail.
Quickly spinning around and seeing a woman dressed in black. Rinn took his tower shield and pinned the woman against the wall. "I don't like being suprised... so tell me your name before you become a wall painting." He said calmly but stern.

[Whisket]

As Ano finished shaking the Argonian's hand he finally noticed the Bosmer standing behind him, and before he could introduce her aswell greet her Rinn had her pinned against the wall, despite Rinn's protest he began to refer to him formally "Mr. Aziel! please she is here for the job, to work with you." Ano assured him
before he could finish Vando stepped down the stairs and interrupted "Well it seems everyone is here annnd, it looks like they're all getting along quite well." He said bluntly while finishing walking into the room and looking at the group of what seemed like sellswords.