Morrowind: 4E166

[Crepe the Ashlander]

Denemus turned to Nalen, having no reason to dislike her, he immediately offered his hand, "I hope it isn't too cold up here for you, I was born and raised here, yet it took me several years to get used to this climate", he was hoping the small joke about her origin would be a little ice-breaker for conversations in the future, "I'm Denemus, House Brother of Sathil, Owner of Hard-Arm Claim", he chuckled lightly, then shut his mouth, "I should stop though i'm making myself out to be a braggart".

[JVElEven]

Nalen took his hadn hesitantly.

"Nalen Hawk-Eye. Independent mercenary and problem solver."

[Crepe the Ashlander]

Denemus laughed, "Independent? Problem Solver? I fear the worst here!", he chuckled while firmly shaking Nalen's hand.

[JVElEven]

"People want something fetched, I handle it. No criminal stuff, though. I have reason to stay on the outside of dungeons."

[Crepe the Ashlander]

"I see, I see", Denemus pulled his hand away then smiled, "But no dungeons? That's where all the fun is", Denemus was not a typical dunmer, the harsh nord blood that flowed through his body gave him a sort of attraction to combat.

[JVElEven]

"Jails, you idiot!" Nalen said, rolling her eyes.

[Crepe the Ashlander]

"Oh, I should've made the link", Denemus looked at the floor, "There was certainly no need to call me an idiot though, a man who charges into combat with a blade, a blade of grass, is an idiot, but I? I am no idiot", he pointed at his chest, then lowered his arms.

[JVElEven]

"I claim otherwise," Nalen said, crossing her arms.

[Crepe the Ashlander]

"I could just as easily claim you are a coward, with that bow on your back you prefer to take down foes from a distance, not even honouring them by allowing them to see your face", his expression was calm again, "A mercenary doesn't 'fetch' items, they escort people, they hunt down those that endanger others, 'fetching' is for couriers and petty workers".

[JVElEven]

"So you'd send a lowly worker in to fetch ingrdients in a undead-riddled cave? How wise of you. Besides, it takes more skill to fire a bow than to swing a sword, so I'm already ahead on anti-idiocy," Nalen said. "Besides, I'm not here to be nice to you. I'm here because I'm being paid, and for no reason other than that."

[Crepe the Ashlander]

"If I were to know there were undead in there I wouldn't send a worker would I?", he breathed deeply, "Albeit bows take more skill, but there is no honour in shooting a foe dead, when they can't even see you".

[JVElEven]

"Who cares about honour but fools who wants their name to be bigger than their life?" Nalen asked.

[Crepe the Ashlander]

"I'm not relating it to wanting to be better known, I wouldn't even be able to sleep at night if I knew I had shot a bandit in the back", Denemus was enjoying the verbal sparring, he did not manage to do it often, most of the time his thanes acted like blithering yes-men, although her idea of honour gave him chills.

[JVElEven]

Nalen glared at Denemus.

"If it was a bandit, he deserved it."

[Crepe the Ashlander]

"Even one who commits their life to crime, deserves an honourable ending, how else are they to get to Sovngarde? Only milk-drinkers and necromancers deserve what you give them", Denemus retorted.

[JVElEven]

"Bah, Sovngarde. We die, we turn to dirt or are recycled by some mad Breton in a goofy outfit. End of story," Nalen said.

[Crepe the Ashlander]

"Your opinion is narrow, you need to experience the world, live cultures other than the high-class whimsies of Cheydinhal", Denemus leaned in close then pulled back, "How are you to know that is what happens? Have you lived beyond the veil of life and death? Have you visited Herma Mora, and learnt the very secrets of Nirn? For this you are an idiot, you claim I am foolish for a mere mix up of words, but you live a life where you dare not question why others follow who they follow, do you not know why I should go to Sovngarde when I die, do you not know why the priest frees the ashes to appease Arkay?".

[Leyyuce]

"Please, let this argument cease," Lei-Ru pleaded, having remained silent only given his surprise as to the pair's audacity.

[JVElEven]

"I just questioned your beliefs, if you didn't notice."

Nalen sighed.

"And I haven't been in Cheydinhal for a very long time. 10 years at least."

[Crepe the Ashlander]

"Yes, you did", Denemus had calmed now that the argonian felt like he had to intervene, "I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot, i'm glad to have you here", he smiled, "You can stand your ground, I like that".

[Chaos the N'wah]

K'yor put his hand on Lei-Ru's shoulder, giving it a friendly squeeze, "It is good some of us can keep their heads level," he said with a toothy grin
"But I am anxious to get on with our task, so let us save..." he paused, giving Denemus and Nalen an amused glance, "...sparring for our time on the path."
He turned back towards Andril, "So, what is it we'll be doing so far south?"

[OblivionDuruza]

"The Khajiit speaks true," Andril declared, then turning to Danasi, "With your leave, I would like to begin without further delay."

Danasi rose once more and nodded, her arms outstretched, "May Nerevar guide you," she said sombrely, letting her hands fall to her sides, "Do not fail me."

Andril led the others back out through the atrium and out of the Council Halls. "We shall be leaving Solstheim by boat for the Isle of Vvardenfell," he announced. "I cannot reveal more at this point in time, but we are in the pursuit of a certain artefact at the will of the Council, and our search begins in the old Telvanni Isles of the city of Sadrith Mora."

[Eltee]

"Sorcerer's City." Maera said sombrely. "A haunted place, according to my father. An evil place."

[JVElEven]

"All of us?" Nalen asked disbelievingly. "Really?"

[Gideon Dragontongue]

"Funny, my father said the same thing," said Ralos. "Two Ashlanders can't be wrong about anything."