Shadow Contracts (for Ixis Naugus)

[conjuredskies]

Deep in the Parkland woods, twilight holds sway despite the early hour. The crumbling grey walls rise high and forbidding from the outside, but the heavy door stands ajar and swings open noiselessly when pushed – there’s fresh oil on the hinges.

Inside lies a great courtyard surrounded by a columned portico, with narrow doorways leading off into more dark corners. In the center, however, is a wide well with a low stone edge. Off to one side, its hooded summoner waits. Felix has spread a mat over the cracked paving stones, and now sits cross-legged beside his knapsack, picking over a few implements and books, checking the edge of a steel dagger. Aside from his hood, the conjurer has abandoned the legionary uniform for plainer leather armor, worn and mended from long use.

It’s been very quiet for some time. Just the skittering of breeze-blown leaves and birdsong drifting over the walls. Felix is quick to look up at a new presence.

Comments

[ixis]

Ixis Naugus' expression softens slightly at the mention of her domain and his refuge there. "...Were it your work that gave me the power to enter the shadows, I...thank you. It gave me safety and solace in times where my own mind was treacherous and I was the plaything of another. Darkness was my companion and my keeper in those times, accepting me and cradling me in its embrace, giving me passage to where ever it touched. Again, if it was your blessing reaching across realms, you have my gratitude."

While he's not extremely excited to admit something so candid and personal in front of Felix, it is something that needs to be said. It's rare that he feels a twinge of anything resembling gratefulness, so it needs to be expressed now if ever.

With that said, he simply nods along with Felix's explanation of his calling on Nocturnal, letting the boy do the talking. He's the summoner here, after all.

[courtofmurk]

It's difficult to read the Prince of Shadows moreso than any other; Nocturnal gives no confirmation, no certain revelations. But she bestows a smile on Naugus for a moment, a strange hint of gentleness as rare as the gratitude he offers. “Your nature belongs to the shadows. I wonder if even you know how many trail at your heels.”

Felix’s head has turned a little toward Naugus in his surprise at these revelations. He has no time to dwell on them, however, for Nocturnal’s eyes are on him once more. “You hope it will please me to see this cruel curse ended.”

The conjurer doesn’t deny that, rather cocks his head a little and says, “We hope that you know some means to alleviate it, at the least. And that some service can be offered in payment for your aid.”

“This is all you ask? Interesting.” Nocturnal’s tone doesn’t betray if that’s sarcasm, and in a way that may be worse than straining to tell if she’s pleased or not. “But very well. You shall have the chance to earn this mercy.”

[ixis]

The more she speaks, the more Ixis Naugus likes her. Nocturnal is certainly a Daedra that he feels a connection to and nearly finds himself wishing that it really was her grace that had given him the gift of shadowslipping. It would be a fine gift, a better comfort, in what sounds like a very trying time in his life.

"I'm certain whatever task or test you put before us, it will be done with aplomb."

[courtofmurk]

“Show me, then. In the streets of Anvil struts a man who fancies himself my enemy. He has gained possession of an item stolen from me long ago, and uses it to feed his swollen pride. Return it to me, and you shall have your reward.”

Felix’s head snaps up at that. “My Lady, I would gladly satisfy your terms, but for us Anvil is a very long journey from here. I… know that mortal time is not always of consequence for the Daedra, but I fear such a precious artifact will be lost to more thieves long before we reach it.”

Nocturnal tsks. “My, you mages have forgotten your craft. How fortunate that your friend knows his way among my paths. When you are prepared to face your task, step through the gate you so thoughtfully provided me. My servants will show you the way.”

[ixis]

Naugus nods and pats Felix on the back vigourously. "He forgets so easily, doesn't he? And the shadows will serve me well either way, if this means a journey into your world. I assume one like me would stand out, so I will keep to the darkness and work from there. Come! It will be a simple task, dealing with some petty thief."

[courtofmurk]

Felix rather feels like a child being tutted at for a silly question (and in this company, he kind of is). But it's a small price for clearing up the matter of their route, without being made to raise his real concerns in Naugus' hearing. So he bows his head to the Prince.

"Of course. Thank you, my Lady." There is an elegant simplicity to it. Naugus can go unseen, Felix can do any talking...

"Come to me again when the prize is in your hands." Something like amusement plays about her eyes for a moment. But the Prince is already folding her arms across her chest, sinking once more into the shadows. Her languid voice resounds through the courtyard regardless: "Fear not. You'll know when you come across it."

[ixis]

He watches her fade before he turns his attention fully to Felix again, giving him another pat on the back. "A vast lady indeed. Now come! We have a quest to attend to! Direct me and we shall make haste." When's the last time he's been on a quest? Feels like ages! The mobian mage is eager to get started.

[conjuredskies]

Felix grins back at him in return. Now that Nocturnal has departed, his tension has eased. True, there's the task ahead and who knows what kind of challenges lie in store for them- but that's overridden by the high thrill of success. He just spoke with a Greater Daedra. He can still feel her power around him- and she's even granted them passage through her realm of Oblivion!

He's glad that Naugus is similarly enthusiastic. Despite his private uncertainties, the sorcerer handled their encounter very well, and Felix really is glad to have his skills to count on.

"Through the gate, I suppose." He's brisk about fetching his satchel and glancing through the contents. There's a spring in his step and delight in his voice. "I'm as prepared as I'm likely to get- and keen to proceed. I've never been able to find more than rumors about the Evergloam, so I can't say what we'll find in there, but the Prince herself just granted us passage. As trips to Oblivion go we couldn't be much safer."

And then there'll be Cyrodiil. His own homeland. That's a pleasant prospect for entirely different reasons.

[ixis]

Naugus feeds off Felix's own excitement in turn, glad to see his young companion is just as eager to begin and isn't shrinking back from this opportunity. "Let us see if it's anything like the shadows I've come to know and travel. I am indeed intrigued now that this blessing of mine could have come from her all along." It answers a lot of questions, both of a personal nature and philosophical. The wizard has often wondered if gods were able to reach past the boundaries of zones and worlds and do their work there, and this would be a pleasing bit of proof towards the positive.

[conjuredskies]

"It's quite possible. The daedra aren't bound to the mortal realm the way the Divines and other spirits are. That's precisely what makes them daedra. It means that they're free to travel between planes and act more directly than the gods most of my people worship." He does enjoy talking about his pet subject. Though he's also curious about the personal details Naugus has shared so far: Felix wonders if he can draw more from him in the course of conversation.

This is so much better than tending a desk no-one visits.

He tightens the straps on his armor and satchel, then remembers to look for the lockpick-turned-key. He'll want that in hand before they go through.

[ixis]

"Good thinking," Naugus agrees when the lockpick is retrieved. "Always wise to keep the keystone on your person. In the event retreat must be done." How fast can Naugus open a portal under duress? Hopefully they won't have to test that.

Only after Felix has stepped through does the other mage follow, looking about the gloomy landscape with keen interest. One ear is pricked upright, listening, while his eyes scan left and right as well as up. What awaits them in this realm?

[conjuredskies]

Felix nods to that concern: he makes a note to ask Naugus later if there's any sign of Nocturnal influencing the portal, but that's another question and he doesn't want to ask what might seem a second silly question in short order.

He's willing to step through first, into the night of Nocturnal's realm. It's a relief to find find solid stone and grass under his feet. Around them lies a rolling woodland of sparse grass and barren, blackened trees. The only light comes from a diffuse glow in the clouded purple sky, and small beds of glowing blooms around the roots of the trees.

The half-light here seems almost normal, but when Felix kneels down to brush a cautious hand over the unfamiliar flowers, their light drains the color from his gauntlets once more.

"Now this is strange," he mutters, but he sounds quite delighted. "Not what I expected at all."

[ixis]

"I rather like it," he answers, a smile pulling at one corner of his mouth. "Whimsical, but still dark. Dark being at the core of things always suits me fine."

With that said, Ixis Naugus strides ahead with purpose, even if he has absolutely zero idea where they're headed to! Felix can try to direct him, but if he has no clue either, then the Mobian is just going to forge onward and assume he's on the right track. He also avoids any source of light, going in whatever direction has the least of it.

"Are your eyes suitable for this?" he asks, not bothering to look back at Felix. "I recall Overlanders not faring well in poor lighting."

[conjuredskies]

Felix scampers after him hastily - he's not averse to exploration here, but he doesn't want to get separated. He's keeping much closer to the patches of light - unlight? Who knows, but he can see by it. That might be a stony path, ahead, wending off among the trees and hillocks.

"Not especially, no." Which is why another reason to stick close behind Naugus' tail. "I'll summon a light if necessary, though... Nocturnal said we'd have a guide."

"Ah, but you do." Was that figure there before, lurking in the dancing shadows beneath a pole-mounted torch?

[ixis]

"Light would seem offensive in a place like this." And the way Naugus charges ahead full of confidence, he seems to have little issue with making his way through the gloom.

However, the voice piping up gets him to stop in his tracks, tail curling upwards in shock. "Eh? Who goes?"

[conjuredskies]

"My thought exactly." Though Felix is increasingly prepared to compromise on manners the more he hops over tree roots and weaves round suspicious shadows. When Naugus halts he almost skips right into the Mobian's back, and has to sidle around him to study the speaker.

Who appears to be a ghost, as he steps into clearer view: a transparent shade whose outline glimmers softly. He seems to be wearing some kind of sleek armor, and a hooded cloak draped elegantly behind him. His face is covered by a smooth, softly angled mask, but Felix notes the throaty Khajiit purr to his voice when he speaks again.

"Why, I am but a harmless Nightingale; a Sentinel of Nocturnal bid to lead you through her realm." He takes the torch and its white flame down and beckons them. "Come, strangers. I shall guide you."

"Ah," Felix says softly, "so perhaps they are real."

[ixis]

If only the feline face was visible, Naugus would be put immediately at ease with this spectral arrival. As is, he eyes the guide with suspicion, his tail curling closer around his ankles defensively.

"Real? Is the presence of shadowfolk up to debate?" All the same, he follows where the Khajiit leads, staff held tight in hand.

[conjuredskies]

The Sentinel's tail is visible when he turns to lead them through the gloom, curling out from under his cloak. Perhaps that's why he's pure grace and silence as he moves at their head. Hopefully it will help Naugus feel a little better.

"Shadowfolk, I'm not sure of," Felix says quietly, able to follow with a little more decorum now that torch lights their way. "But even scholars think the Nightingales of Nocturnal are just a legend. Thieves who've made some kind of pact to serve her cause. Of course, this would be where they'd end up. A Daedric Prince usually lays claim to the souls of their followers after death..."

[ixis]

Naugus nods and grunts softly in understanding. A mysterious caste of warrior now revealed. Rather exciting, really.

Speaking of exciting, the tail is noticed in a moment's time, Naugus' brows going up and a small smile appears briefly. He also points at it and asks frankly, "Are you Mobian, shadow? Are you from my zone?" All of these little things that are piecing into his origins and history are...curiously heartening. Here's a man who's lived decades unconcerned with his missing past. And now here's an answer for his shadowslipping, a kindred form in a world removed from his.

[conjuredskies]

"I am Khajiit," the Sentinel answers with a backward glance. "Once I hunted the moonlit sands of Elsweyr under the name of Hizan-dar, and I would have known nothing of the name you speak."

"And now?" Felix prompts, watching the feline shade's tail closely. "Do you know his realm?"

A purring chuckle at that. "The shadows of all the realms are home to a Nightingale."

[ixis]

Naugus' eyes widen. "This is...heartening to hear, shade. My world is undone. Worse than displaced or destroyed. Simply erased. Hearing of anyone else who remembers Mobius is kind news indeed."

He glances to Felix now. "This evening is becoming one of personal revelations. I feel I owe you thanks for involving me."

[conjuredskies]

"What the shadows take, they keep." Who knows how many teeth are in the smile behind that mask?

Felix inclines his head at the look he's given, lifting his eyes to peer at Naugus' expression. "And I thank you for accompanying me. I've already learned much more than I expected." He sweeps a hand around at the darkened wood, as if that's all he's been focused on. "I'm truly pleased that our endeavor should prove as valuable to you."

This could be a fine foundation to a working relationship with Naugus; Felix hopes by the end of this quest he'll have thoroughly proven his worth and ensured himself a powerful and willing accomplice for next time.

[ixis]

"I've babbled a great deal about myself since the start of this, haven't I? About Mobius' fate, about the mysterious circumstances of my shadow travel. I trust you'll keep these matters to yourself for the most part?" Because no matter how shady a mage you may be, secrets (personal and trade alike) are always something very serious.

"But then again, secrets are a part of this realm, aren't they? Is this your first time seeing this place? Is there documentation of it back in your home?" He casts an appreciative look around once more at the looming black trees, the starless night.

[conjuredskies]

"You have my word on that. I try to ensure that discretion is one of my virtues." He smiles slightly. "Besides, I know better than to squander secrets without a very good cause." Or, you know, the promise of great profit.

As for Naugus' observations, he nods quite enthusiastically. "I've never even glimpsed this realm before. I doubt many have. The realms of other Princes are much better documented, but the only half-reliable information I could find on this one spoke of endless murk and something about a court."

A wolf howls, not far to their left, the sound swiftly picked up by a whole pack. Felix sidesteps automatically, scanning the trees and trying to look less at the torch. "...Nothing was mentioned about wolves."

"This is one small part of the Evergloam," the Sentinel says. His pace doesn't alter, though he's turning off the stone path and onto a trail marked only by deeper shadows on the ground.

[ixis]

Naugus looks to the sound of the baying as well, ears turning first before his neck ever does. Perhaps not worried just yet, but wondering what it could mean in an place as mysterious as this. Still watching it, he nearly misses the change in direction. He hurries to resume pace next to Felix.

"And what of this Anvil? Where's that?" Might as well clear things up before they get there and ruin whatever stride or stealth they'll have to employ to carry out the task.