Challenges

Returning to Balmora seemed a shorter journey than leaving to Saber. Perhaps it was because this time he knew exactly where they were, or perhaps fighting some his own demons and all the undead had stiffened his courage against riding the ‘bugs’. They even took the Stilt Strider from Maar Gan all the back to Balmora, and he only found his stomach getting a bit queasy, but not incapacitating as before.
Eiryn, meanwhile, was clearly happy that he made it back in one piece. Saber had feared she’d be furious at him, and the way he slipped out in the middle of the night in order to prevent her from going. He strongly suspected she would’ve followed if she could, and knowing all the dangers he’d face in the tomb, he was glad he forced the issue. Pleased even more still she’d forgiven him for it.
As the strider made its way closer to the city of Balmora, Eiryn’s expression turned pensive, her body tense. She felt Saber’s hand cover her own, and when she looked up, saw his knowing smile. They were both filthy from the trip, and dirt streaked across his face, hair came loose from his hair tied back, falling over eyes.
“Worried about facing Caius?” He murmured, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
“He’s probably still very angry with me.” She told him. In all her years Eiryn had never so openly rebelled against her father’s wishes, and now she had to face him again. It was difficult being she still wanted his approval, but seemed to always fall short.
“You’ll do fine.” Saber replied with conviction. His faith in her strengthened her resolve. “Me…on the other hand.”
Eiryn almost laughed, totally forgetting that he had to face the spymaster as well. They hadn’t parted in the best of terms, but at least now he had this news from the Urshilaku wisewoman. Their journey had been a success, hadn’t it? Caius had to be happy with that at least.
Stepping off the strider port, they entered the city of Balmora in the late afternoon. By now clouds had gathered to cause a steady drizzle of warm rain. Saber didn’t mind at all. It felt clean, refreshing, not at all the horrid storms of the Ashlands. He felt grimy and exhausted, and wanted nothing more to find a public bathhouse somewhere to soak in a large tub and massaged by some beautiful women-
Stopping short, he glanced at Eiryn, who looked equally filthy and travel worn. Maybe no to the beautiful women. He had one right beside him that was more than enough. The thought stunned him, almost causing him to pause mid step. Only now did he realize how attached he’d grown to the young woman, and why not? She’d more than proven herself a valuable friend and companion.
Still…he chided himself. Being he was a thief, a loner, and with the words from Enril still tugging at his conscious, he wasn’t sure it was a good thing. He’d always told himself that such attachments were a weakness, and such weakness dulled your edge. The very reason Caius kept his relationship with his daughter secret was much the same reason Saber had remained a loner. It made one vulnerable, and in many ways, that was exactly what Saber felt with Eiryn. Perhaps she’d never realize the power she had over him, how so very easily he felt he could now break if something should happen to her. All because of these feelings he’d somehow developed for her…feeling of what? Of love?
This time his stride did falter, and a wave of fear spread over him. No, not love. Can’t be! Affection definitely, a level of friendship, certainly, but love? To the Saber, he’d grown very fond of various women through his life, even to the point of feeling vulnerable even then. However, with Eiryn, it seemed different somehow. In a way, he felt she was an equal, a companion that watched his back. The consideration of his feeling being something more baffled him-
“What’s wrong?” Eiryn asked, noticing the waver in his step.
So keen she was to know things about him, Saber smiled at her. “Just tired.” He lied.
They reached Caius’ apartment and exchanged foreboding glances before rapping knuckles on the wooden door. A familiar voice called out. “Enter-“
”Here goes nothing.” Eiryn murmured.
The room was as it always was, cluttered with debris and the spymaster wearing his ragged shirt and hair unkempt. A day’s growth of beard threatened to actually cover his face now, as he hadn’t shaved for days. “Ah you’ve both returned.” He said, folding arms across his chest defensively. “And what did the wisewoman say?”
The question was directed to the Dark Elf, keeping the meeting all business. “I have to find something called the lost prophecies for the wisewoman to be sure.” He then added a summery of what transpired, of the visions and words of what Nibani had told him.
Caius sat down on his tiny cot, looking stunned. “That’s incredible.” He murmured, absently scratching a day’s growth of beard. “I will try to get word to my contact in Vivec. Maybe she can find out more whether the Dissident Priests have any lost prophecies.”
Eiryn cringed, noticing he was ignoring her. She wanted to say something to discern how Caius felt of her decision, or if he was still angry with her. He was oddly distracted, not even looking at her or acknowledging her presence. Unable to speak for fear of his antagonism, she remained feeling small, as if she was a little girl all over again.
The spymaster tossed Saber a small bag of coin, nearly catching him off guard. The Dunmer’s quick hands instinctively snatched the bag mid-air. This gold meant another trip of course, the money to be used for training and supplies. “While I find out what I can on those Lost Prophecies, I have a tough assignment for you. Think you’re up to it?”
It felt oddly like a dare. Saber gave a swaggering smirk. “Ready for anything.” He said.
Caius snorted in distain. “Don’t get so cocky. I think this is going to be a tough one.” He shuffled through some papers, drawing out a map to hand over to him. “I need you to go to Fort Buckmoth. They had sent a patrol near Gnaar Mok, hunting smugglers with Sixth House connections. They found a base, a shrine, and a priest named Dagoth Gares. Speak to Champion Raesa Pullia at the fort, she’ll tell you more about the patrol’s encounter. Your orders are to find that base, kill Dagoth Gares and bring me a report on the everything you find there.”
His attention finally turned to his daughter. She cringed at the cold stare, knowing he was still furious with her decision with going to the Urshilaku camp. “Take your scout as far as Gnaar Mok. I wouldn’t recommend taking her into the base however.”
Saber frowned, seeing the tension between them. The hurt in Eiryn’s eyes was apparent even in the dim light of the little room. Surely Caius must see that? How could he treat her so? “She’s been invaluable to me, Caius.” He said sharply, daring the man to provoke another fight.
“I’m sure she is.” Caius said with a blank expression.
Eiryn swallowed hard, her eyes blinking too much.
Saber bristled. “She did the right thing coming with me. I wouldn’t have gotten that far so quickly without her. Her skills as a scout are unsurpassed-”
Caius’ jaw twitched, his cold stare finally breaking away. He cast that cold stare to the Dark Elf. “She’s quit the Blades. She’s your problem now.”
The words stung hard, and Eiryn could bear no more, simply walking out, leaving the door swinging wide. Hot tears now flowed down her cheeks as she headed to…where? No longer caring, she simply moved into the street.

Saber was furious and spun on the spymaster, this time he was barely able to control his temper. He gave the old man a quick shove, and when Caius reached for his blade, Saber was faster, drawing his dagger out to press the razor’s edge dangerously close to the mans’ jugular. No, he wouldn’t hurt the man, but he wanted to make sure he had his full attention.
The spymaster was stunned the elf got the better of him, pinning him against the wall with the edge of his blade at his throat. He was fast, faster even than what he assumed. Only now, Caius realized his attacking the elf before had been permitted, that Saber had all along carried enough ability to fend the spymaster off. Such news was not easy to take to the seasoned fighter.
“Is this how Nekros met his end, Feryl?” Caius sneered, lifting his chin as if daring him to use the blade at his throat. He somehow wanted Saber to screw up and be sent back to prison. But for all rational reasoning, the spymaster knew he could not fail the Emperor’s wishes for the Incarnate, and such knowledge only fueled his frustration more.
Red eyes narrowed dangerously. “You are a fool, Cosades.” Saber told him in a low controlled tone. “Hate me if you want. I care little for you opinion, but Eiryn doesn’t deserve your anger. She did what she thought was right, and if you could step back from your holier-than-thou attitude, you’d see she was right.”
“I would advise you to take your hands off of me.” Caius said too calmly.
Frustrated with his obstinacy, Saber stepped back, sheathing his dagger. “You will lose her, Caius.” He warned, shaking his head in disbelief at the man’s stubbornness. “All because you can’t see her for what she is.”
“And you think you do?” Caius’s anger flared anew, “You’ve only known her for a few weeks. Please tell me then, you who are enlightened…what is Eiryn?”
Straightening, Saber glared. “A very capable woman with an incredible depth to her sense of right and wrong. You underestimate her, Cosades. I might have only known her a few weeks, but even I can see that. You humans do not have centuries to make amends to your mistakes. You would do well to keep that in mind.” He turned to leave but felt the old man pull his arm to keep him there.
“But you do.” Caius snapped, glaring with venom. “You’re Dunmer, and will see centuries…she will see only one if she’s lucky. Are you even thinking of her?”
Saber knew what his meaning, as well as the change of topic. This wasn’t about the relationship with his daughter; it was his anger towards the Dunmer and his ‘insinuating’ with Eiryn. Caius had disgust for the thief, despised what he represented even moreso that he was being with his daughter.
“Do I have centuries?” Saber bared teeth this time, feeling his temper getting the better of him. “I’ll be lucky to see the next week let alone centuries. You know as well as I do. Don’t throw this on me. Your problem is between Eiryn and yourself, and you know what? Your words and actions will drive her away, and permanently. Be a stubborn fool and keep your pride, but in the end you’ll lose –“ He caught himself before using the term daughter. He promised himself never to even speak of their relationship. “You’ll lose Eiryn.”
Finally something seemed to get thru to the old man. The grip on Saber’s arm released, and Caius stepped back in shock. “I did what I had to do to keep her safe-“ The words were spoken out loud, but Saber had the odd sense, the man was trying to justify his actions to himself.
“She doesn’t want to be safe.” Saber told him. Eiryn loved challenges. Couldn’t Caius see that? “She doesn’t need to be safe. If you’d step back and take a good look at her, you’d see that.”
“I know she’s able-“ Caius began to say in a softer tone, but Saber had enough of this.
“Then maybe you should tell her that!” He snapped, this time leaving without letting the man say anther word.

Eiryn felt her cheeks hot with anger, and tears that refused to remain in check. Stomping with a steady gait, she walked along one of the streets of Balmora, not certain where to go, but knowing she needed to get away from her father. She’s your problem now…Those words had cut like a knife.
Wiping a tear angrily with her cheek, she continued past the shallow river that separated the city, pausing to look at the drops of water causing ripples on the rivers’ surface. The rain was a faint drizzle, hardly enough to soak anything, but a constant reminder of the forces of nature. The moisture was thick in the late afternoon air, causing a light fog to cast over the city of Balmora.
She turned, heading west to enter into the nearly vacant marketplace. On a day like today, shopkeepers kept within the dry interiors. Even the pickpockets might avoid the steady drizzle of rain. As she entered the usually bustling marketplace, the open place was devoid of everyone. Not a day to shop, she thought glumly.
“Eiryn.” Saber’s voice said behind her. He strode up with purpose, concerned with her sudden departure. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” She said not able to look at him. She turned to head to the western hill, where a set of stone steps led up to the shops that were built in the past year. For several minutes, the elf followed quietly behind her, respecting her silence. Only after she sniffled did he speak again.
“You want to go to the bathhouse?” Saber finally asked. “You look as though you could wash up.”
Eiryn paused, realizing they stood outside the public bathhouse of Balmora. She wondered why he said nothing of what just happened, and then she knew he was trying to cheer her up, to find a pleasant distraction. “I thought you had your orders-“
He blew air in disgust. “Not until I get a bath. I’m filthy.” Eiryn felt a smile tug her mouth at his dramatic rubbing of his face, smearing the fine layer of ash that had been there now streaked with rain. “Might get a massage as well-“ Her gaze sharpened with jealousy. He laughed. “Unless you want to do it.”
“I charge ten gold pieces.” Eiryn told him, feeling her mood begin to brighten.
“Done!” He said, taking her arm to lead her up the stairs. “And I want you to be thorough.” A quick wink and leering gaze told her all she needed to know to what he had in mind.
“S’wit…” Eiryn muttered but found the corners of her mouth begin to curl.
“You keep calling me that.” He laughed.
“You keep acting like that.” She retorted.

Hours later, Eiryn sighed happily, all troubles forgotten, as strong fingers ran up and down her spine. Lying face down on a long table, the scent of floral oils rubbed into her skin, the young scout felt this what Paradise must feel like. The effects of a few goblets of expensive brandy helped a bit as well, warming her belly and easing the tension in her muscles.
“This feels wonderful.” She breathed. The scout had given Saber his back massage before she took her turn, and now enjoyed his attention.
Saber chuckled low, enjoying the smooth feel of her skin now slick in scented oils. There was a certain level of power one felt with providing such pleasure in a woman like this. Now relaxed, he’d spent an excessive amount of gold to rent out the bathhouse room for the two of them. By the smile on her face, and her relaxed body laid out before him, it was worth every coin.
The room itself consisted of a long table, and a stone tub carved smooth that was big enough to hold up to five adults. A goodly amount of Imperial brandy, with some candlelight, and Saber felt satisfied that it was enough to ease the woman’s sorrows…even for a short time.
“Always eager to please.” Saber murmured next to her ear. Her long hair was and damp from enjoying time in the steam room, but she was soon to take another soak in the tub, already cleared of the their previous bath and filling again with hot water from hot springs. “And I expect a good tip.”
Eiryn giggled at his remark, adding a pleasant moan when he pressed a spot on her back. “Where did you learn how to do this?” She asked him, giving a soft grunt when he pressed harder.
“The Blue Lady.” He told her. His hands were slick, moving to concentrate on her legs.
“Who?”
He chuckled. “It was a high class brothel in the Imperial City.” He explained, running palms down the length of her thigh. “The ladies there were very knowledgeable in massage and other delightful practices.”
”They taught a client how to do massage?” She frowned, not understanding.
“I wasn’t a client.” He explained.
She tensed, turned her head to give him an odd look. “You worked at a brothel?” That would certainly explain his talents in bed-
He laughed at the idea, shaking his head. “I owned the Blue Lady.”
”You owned a brothel?” Eiryn wasn’t sure what to think of that.
Another light laugh. “Surprised?” He asked, and then continued at her light shrug of the shoulders. “I actually won it for a friend of mine. She worked there, and the previous owner was rather cruel. I gave her the Blue Lady to give her freedom.”
“How-“
”-did I come to own a brothel?” Saber finished for her. He’d been asked these same questions before every time he mentioned he once owned an establishment of ill repute. “I won it a card game.”
Eiryn giggled at the thought of his gambling for a brothel only to give it away to someone else. “That’s a lot of work to own a brothel.”
“Well, I suppose I wanted something of a home.” He explained, fingers trailing down to her feet to give her shivers up her spine. “I got free room and board, and anything else I wanted, and whenever I wanted. My friend, Lyra, got to be Madam, and a safe place to live, as well as providing a haven for many of the girls there.”
Eiryn bit her lower lip in thought. “Did the women stay, even after you took ownership?”
“Of course.” Saber told her, moving lower to begin rubbing her feet. “They made good money, and this time could keep most of their earnings. I also left the brothel in Lyra’s charge, and it was surprisingly profitable.”
She looked down at him, watching him expertly rub the balls of her feet. “You got free room and board?”
“And anything else I wanted.” He winked at her.
“So why did you keep stealing?”
Saber felt a wave of uncomfortable scrutiny spread over him. Now they touched on the ‘right and wrong’ of it. Wanting her to understand, Saber spoke slowly and with careful thought. “I suppose I should’ve retired then…” He said, “But I liked the thrill of the work.”
“The challenge.” Eiryn smiled, knowing exactly what he meant.
His smile widened, “Yes, I suppose so. The danger too.”
”Then you were caught.” Eiryn stated, knowing the rest of the story.
He shrugged, “My luck ran out, I got sloppy.”
“But you continue to steal, even now, don’t you?”
Her question sounded terribly close to being judgmental. Lifting his chin, he looked her straight in the eye. “If you want the truth…yes. Now and then. I’ve joined the thieves’ guild, and have the skills for it. Would you ask me to stop?”
Eiryn stared back, startled that this man might consider giving up what was important to him…for her? Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She sat up; drawing feet away from him, knowing now the conversation had become serious. He looked suddenly concerned as a slight frown drew brows together. She reached down, trailed fingers across his forehead. “No,” She told him, looking deeply into those wondrous wine-red eyes of his. “I’d never ask you to do something you don’t want to do.”
Oddly she thought saw a pained expression sweep over him, but perhaps it was a trick of the light. In the candle glow, his stormy-gray skin gleamed with oil and sweat, glossy hair slicked back from his face to the middle of his back, and those eyes of his, glowed orange-red when he looked down. Wounds he’d received were nearly healed, returning him to the smooth skinned god he was-
She saw his throat work when he swallowed hard, his chin lowered as he looked down at the floor. “I need to tell you something.” He murmured, his voice almost a whisper.
“What is it?”
“About us….” He said, the humor drained from his face. Something close to fear or despair now seemed to exude from his very pores.
“What?” Eiryn pulled the towel around her.
He looked away, then back. “I think its fair to tell you that there is no future with me.” She grew very still, staring at him without blinking. He wet his lips nervously. “I cannot offer you anything. No home, no children, no marriage.” He drew in a slow breath. “I cannot even promise that I’d be alive in the near future. It seems only fair to tell you these things. I wouldn’t want to lead you on.”
Eiryn stared at him, truly beyond caring about anything more than what he was here and now. “No children?” It was odd he brought it up, he spoke so confidently and how could a man be so certain?
Again, he fidgeted. “Years ago, I took a substance called Shadowbane. It renders one immune to poison. Its an old assassin’s trick.” He explained. He’d taken the substance as a desperate hope of using poisoning against Nekros. The plan worked, almost seeming too simple to the young elf at the time. “You slowly build up resistances to most poisons by taking it in small amounts, but the side effect causes…sterility.”
“No children.” Eiryn spoke, seeing him in a new light now. No wonder there was such abandon to his lovemaking, he’d never be concerned with getting a woman with child. She had assumed he was like this just because he was a scoundrel.
“No marriage.” He reiterated in earnest, wanting her to know where he stood now.
“Marriage?” Eiryn said. Who was asking him to do that? In light of what the Emperor expected of him, Saber could hardly consider anything of the sort anyway. The thought never even occurred until now that what she wanted outside of moving up through the ranks of the guild. “Who said anything of marriage?”
Saber blinked. Well, naturally he’d known other women who felt the same, or consider somewhere in their future of having a family.
A soft laugh bubbled up from the young scout. She trailed fingers down the side of his face, admiring his honesty. “Because you can’t have children, you don’t want to stay together?”
He blinked, sitting back on his heels. “You’d want to stay together?” The concept thrilled him, perhaps even scared him. At this point, when he would admit to the woman in his life how there could be no future, they tended to move on, or he did. “Don’t you want a family someday?”
Eiryn blew out the breath of air she’d been holding. Was that it? He thought no children meant they couldn’t have a future together? “I think the real question here is how you feel about me now?”
Apprehension reared up abruptly, stirring a pool of emotion he had for this woman before him. It was such a frightening prospect, the thief never considered he’d face. Who would’ve guessed he’d actually fall for anyone, let alone to wish to settle down with just one woman? For years he’d used the Shadowbane, his lifestyle, almost anything as an excuse to why he couldn’t remain with any one person, but this one still wanted him, wanted him despite everything. And she knew of his past! Well, not everything…He wouldn’t have to tell her everything…
His silence, to Eiryn, was deafening, and she felt hands tremble. She clenched fists to still them, holding her breath for his answer, and dreading what his reply would be. His hand reached out, touched hers, to draw up to his lips.
“You are dear to me.” He whispered, holding her palm against his cheek. “More than any other woman has even come close.”
A breeze could’ve knocked her over at this point. She felt the slick oil on his skin, the soft breath against her palm when he kissed it. “And you want to be together?”
“If you’ll have me.” He whispered, and only then she could tell how much effort it took him to come to this point. How terrified he must have been to reveal so much to her. “For however long I have.”
And that was it, she knew. They both knew he might not have long, or he could even have centuries, despite his grim outlook, but for now she was more than content to take him however much he could provide. Smiling, she slid off the table to kneel beside him on the floor, cupping his face in oiled hands. “I’ll take what I can get.” She murmured, covering his mouth with her own.
She was soon lost in the sensation of oiled skin against her own, the feel of hands sliding up her back to snake around the nape of her neck to hold her there. His kisses were deep and passionate, a tongue parrying against her own astounded her. She leaned back to the floor mats, overcome with need.
A sheet was all that covered her, but pulled away with a light seductive laugh and another kiss. His tongue coaxed her to arousal once more. Already they had enjoyed one another in the bath, but his stamina seemed to be relentless. Not that she minded. He had magick in his lovemaking, using lips and fingers to bring her to delight again and again.
Eiryn raked nails across his shoulders, inviting a moan from the Dunmer before muffling it in another drawn out kiss. She could feel his hardness against her thigh, heard the urgency in his breath as he gasped for air. Fingers slid between her legs only to find her ready for him. Instead of taking her right there, he remained to torture her with slow stroking motions.
How he could hold back for so long, she had no idea.
“Please…” She breathed against his pointed ear. “I want you.”
He chuckled softly, moving to smile down at her. In the glow of candlelight, his burgundy eyes cast into flames an orange red. “How much?” He murmured.
“What?” She blinked, feeling light headed as she arched her back against him. Fingers continued to tease her mercilessly.
“How much do you want me?” He asked her with a leer. “Enough to beg?”
“Beg?” Eiryn knew he wanted to play a game. “I already said please.”
His lips were so close against her mouth she could smell the wine on his breath, feel the heat off his body. “What do you want, Eiryn?” He whispered in a husky voice.
She gave a light whimper, squirming from his attentions. “Please…”
“Please what?” His tone was controlled, so very casual.
Damn him! “Gods Saber, please!” Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as she clasped against him. “Please…gods…”
Finally relenting he pulled fingers away and shifted his weight to insert his hard member against her entrance. He meant to move slowly, enjoying the sweet agony he gave her, but she wrapped legs around his waist, and rose up to meet him. Unable to control himself, the Dunmer moaned and yielded to her, thrusting hard and fast until she cried out in climax. He soon followed.
Catching her breath, Eiryn grasped a handful of his hair to draw his head up to force him to look her in the eye. The self-satisfied smirk on his face was almost infuriating, except she had enjoyed his game.
“You just wait until turn, you s’wit.” She growled in mock anger.
Laughing he snuggled against her, nearly sliding off from the oil on their skin. “I can’t wait.”