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

[conjuredskies]

Out they come into the brisk evening air of a shadowed alley, tinged with the taste of salt and smoke. There are grimy cobbles underfoot, and echoing off the stone walls come the cries of gulls and toll of dock bells and the shouts of tavern-bound workers. Felix takes a deep gulp of air, getting his senses straight and glancing around to check they’re alone before he finally laughs in delight.

“I think we’re really here! …Best keep out of sight, though.”

[ixis]

He stops short from emerging from the shadows properly, giving himself only a brief moment to peek out and look around at their surroundings before slipping inside again. All that can be seen of him is his glinting eyes and teeth catching whatever lingering light there is.

"What would your people even make of me, I wonder? Do your best to keep to shadows so I can follow." Another glance around before adding, "And how do we find our target?"

[conjuredskies]

"I'm afraid you do resemble some of the more dangerous daedric beings... or, er, a gargoyle statue. Not that I think that's bad, but appearing unexpectedly..." He shrugs very slightly, still scanning the alley as if he's thinking to himself. "It could be very useful should we need to alarm someone."

The chapel bells start to toll not far off, marking the hour of six and an early evening service. Felix picks the other direction to head in, and not merely because of his company. He's trying his best to remember the layout of the city.

"I want to find a bookshop before they shut for the night," he says quietly. He's strolling quietly, not to run out of shadows before they're done plotting. "We can find a city guide with a map, and probably more useful information besides. Then- well, I've no doubt we can find a nice shadowy tavern to comb for gossip."

He's grinning gleefully at that - how easy will this be, when not only can he ask directly for information, but his hidden accomplice can sit in the very shadows and overhear the most secretive conversations?

[ixis]

As Felix walks, Naugus slithers along from shadow to shadow, keeping close as he can manage, sometimes moving to travel in the younger mage's own shade when the pickings are slim. "A map? I thought you knew the area well enough! Why don't we just roam and find the first unseemly tavern that attracts the sort we're hunting for?" Hunting is a thrilling word in this context. He giggles to himself, the sound not seeming to have a proper source as he slips from one shadow to the next.

"A good idea, that. Someone so bold to steal from this Prince is one who'll be just as bold to brag about the act. And from there...?" How much carnage is Felix willing to either enact or witness?

[conjuredskies]

Oh, that is decidedly eerie. Felix resists the urge to look around, merely glancing aside at the nearest shadows from time to time. He's very glad to know the lurking being within is on his side.

All right, a little smug. This is fun! Just the sort of thing he hoped for, in dealing with Nexus denizens. Part of his love for conjuration comes down to the pleasure of having such unique allies.

"The map's not for them," he says mildly. "It's for afterward. Who knows what details our prey- sorry, informants will give us? And afterwards - I think a thief deserves to be stolen from, don't you? A reminder of who's the master of his trade."

[ixis]

"Oh! Clever. Lead on, then. I've got the ears for eavesdropping, so might as well make the most of it." As much as Felix is excited to have such a bizarre ally, Naugus is equally excited to show off. People who value his talents and powers are people he loves to keep around.

"I've been in the Nexus so long, I've nearly begun to take the anti-violence field for granted." Is that observation just an idle thought or a call to playing rough when the time comes? Another dry snicker makes that kinda hard to say.

[conjuredskies]

Felix pauses for a moment at the mouth of the alley, before he steps out into the bustling street. "Let's not clutter things up with any unnecessary bodies. But if you spy, say, any cutpurses with their sights on me, I'd be obliged if you prevented them from making a scene."

Among other things, it would be inconvenient to misplace the portal key...

With that, it's out into the crowd of people hurrying variously to homes, inns, chapel, or the last chance to visit the shops. It's a mixed crowd of sailors, tradespeople, adventurers and artists belonging to every race in the Empire. There's a slight predominance of humans - mainly Imperials, of course - but also many Argonians, Khajiit and elves. (Very few High Elves, to Felix's eyes, but he understands that.)

Naugus needn't worry about any delays; Felix assumes they'll find a bookshop easily and so they do, a well-appointed little place where the Orcish owner is just lighting the lamps. He's only too happy to supply a customer who already knows what he wants and isn't going to rib him about his choice of trade.

[ixis]

Naugus flits with ease through the hustle and bustle, many forms lending a great deal of shadow for him to scurry through. He may impishly reach his claw to tweak a leg or tail here and there, Felix likely hearing surprised yelps from passerby, followed by that usual wheezing giggle.

Once in the bookstore, Naugus peers from his hiding place at the collection of tomes, peeking at titles, skimming the selection. Should Felix be watching, a hand sneaks out from the darkness to filch a book on the Daedric Princes, a few silver coins soon tossed out to replace it. This is all done behind the Orsimer's back, of course, and conducted in silence.

New conversation topic: Ghostly mudcrabs

[conjuredskies]

Felix tries not to smirk at the mischief he can hear in his wake. The good people of Anvil can surely survive the horror. And maybe some restraint would technically be better, but it does distract everyone's attention from one extra adventurer in the crowd.

He notices Naugus making a surreptitious purchase, too. Outside again, he leans under the lantern beside the shop door, casting a long dark shadow as he flips open the guidebook. The map inside the front pages may be a few years old but nothing significant is likely to have changed since then.

"Come across anything interesting?" he asks curiously.

Saw a ghostcrab the other day, dreadful creatures.

[ixis]

He pops up like a ghastly jack-in-the-box from that shadow, just up to his waist, already thumbing through his sneaky purchase. "Might as well get some material on these Princes of yours, I figured. The fact there are more and equally powerful as the one we're currently running errands for, well! Seems like some knowledge one such as myself can put to good use. May ask you to fact check it, though."

He tucks the book into his belt to surge upwards, creeping onto the wall behind Felix to look over his shoulder, peering at the other mage's purchase.

"And you and your map? Acceptable for the task?"

I try to avoid them. ):

[conjuredskies]

"That would be best - common knowledge about daedra tends to be just common, in my experience. I've had to become rather practiced in hunting out information of real use."

He traces the main streets and the important buildings on the page - customs houses, gate guards, chapel of Dibella... and of course, the Thalmor Consulate and local Hall of the Vigilant.

"Yes, I think this shows the local hazards well enough. We should find ourselves a tavern. One closer to the docks, perhaps."

[ixis]

"Onwards! To the seediest tavern available!" He declares that way too loud for someone who's supposed to be lurking and keeping an eye out. He even points with his one normal hand as if leading the charge. For god's sake, Naugus.

[conjuredskies]

Felix shuffles sideways and drops the hand holding his book in alarm, trying to both cover Naugus and push him back into the shadow. The noise draws more than a few looks with varying levels of interest, nonetheless. Felix is obliged to adopt a silly grin as he stuffs away the map, hissing "Shhh!" through his teeth. Yup, just a silly tourist, probably fresh out of some college or other. Don't mind him!

There is that one poor fellow doing a double-take before he feels his forehead anxiously. Better move on fast.

He hastens into the crowd, but he's caught the attention of a cutpurse; there's a pretty young Imperial woman shadowing him in her own way, and moving closer as he heads for the docks.

[ixis]

Naugus sputters as he's shoved back into the shadows, which he goes back into with minimal resistance. He also wasn't expecting to be pushed around, so. "Rude," is the only response from the darkness before he follows along, keeping himself proper covered now.

The figurative shadow that Felix has gained hasn't escaped his notice, however. Naugus hangs back a few paces, observing the woman, watching as she clearly is tailing his young companion. And getting closer.

That is until a hand and claw dart up from the darkness under her boots, both grabbing hold of her ankles and yanking her into the shadows with him. The sound of it (not including any cry the pickpocket might have managed before vanishing) is like a dark sigh before silence smothers it.

Then he's back to following Felix in his own way.

[conjuredskies]

He'll apologize and shamelessly flatter Naugus to make it up when he has the chance. For now, he's focused on getting them to a tavern.

He thinks he hears a half-squeal from behind him, but with the shouts and laughter and general hubbub it could be anything. A few kids are out and about trying to sell off the last food of the day, and Felix skirts a couple before he spots a likely place within sight of the gate to the docks.

It's actually not that seedy-looking: busy, yes, but the building's newer than the others around it and when Felix steps inside, it's fairly clean and comfortable. The seats have unstained cushions! There are latticed windows and clean pewter! And even so, there's an abundance of view-blocking pillars and closed-off booths and shadowy spots, especially on the upper level where people gather to talk business with a good view of the other patrons.

Felix's stance has shifted inside the door: there's a quiet ease of motion as he heads for the counter. He reaches up to tug his hood down and give the innkeeper a charming smile, but the used armor and confident bearing give observers some pointed clues about his profession. He'll interrogate the bartender and trust Naugus to sift through the whispered gossip, scheming and grumbling about various perceived injustices from the local authorities. The guards are holding up every shipment to Skyrim, the Thalmor consul's trying to dip his fingers in the local smuggling game, bloody Domitianus Lex won't shut up bragging about his thief-catching...

[ixis]

He follows dutifully into the tavern, grinning secretly to himself at the setting, the banter, the smells and sounds. There's something familiar and welcoming about this. The sort of places he used to travel to in Mercia abroad, to speak with other magi, to council with other sneaks. He slithers from the shadows on the floor up onto the wall, the glint of red eyes muted in the flickering candlelight. Naugus peers over shoulders, lurks beneath tables, impishly tips over a cup to splash onto papers that were probably important.

The moment someone mentions thievery, he pauses and lingers, keen ears tilted to catch the gossip. Trophies are much the same; anyone who looks to be bragging about a haul is going to have a hidden observer soaking up the banter.

Enter Left: A gange of scoundreles.

[conjuredskies]

More than a few squeaks, paranoid double-takes and sharp oaths follow in Ixis Naugus' passing. Civilized airs notwithstanding this is the kind of place where nobody wants to be caught jumping at (aha) shadows, so the few victims who think they saw something swiftly pretend otherwise. One could wreak all manner of havoc in a place like this. But in the meantime (while Felix is making his own discoveries) the shadowbound sorcerer may catch a trio of low-voiced individuals mentioning the name of Lex in downright predatory tones.

"...can't we take it?" asks a well-dressed Bosmer man.

"Silencing such a braggart, surely that’s a- what you call it, a public service?” This suggestion comes from a raspy-voiced Argonian woman. "Who would care?"

The male Argonian with them shakes his head. “No, no, think about the risk. He gave it to the Vigilants for safekeeping. Do you know the kind of protection they have in there? And that’s if he even found the thing. Does anyone believe he caught the Grey Fox? Has anyone seen this cursed cowl?”

“For that prize, it’s worth gambling,” the Bosmer says. “Besides - if nobody believes he had it, who’ll believe we took it?”

The woman nods. “Yes, yes. The Vigilants won’t admit anything was ever taken from their Vaults, I expect. If no-one will say a thing has been taken, and none can be sure it was ever there, has there truly been a theft?” The more cautious Argonian beside her sighs, knowing he's going to lose this argument.

[ixis]

Oh look! Shade-Seekers! He's already crept closer to look curiously at the pair of Argonians before realizing their conversation might be of some interest. He listens with rapt interest, only spiriting away again when he's sure he's gotten the gist of it all. An Argonian tail gets a tug before he goes, though.

Felix is going to have to brace himself for the hissing whisper that comes from a shadow close to his ear. "The Vigilants. Who are they?"

[conjuredskies]

Felix has ordered himself a nice local ale and settled into a corner so that he won't draw attention by muttering into the shadows.

Instead he nearly draws it by jumping suddenly and splashing ale down his cuirass. Great.

He grabs a cloth napkin from the next table and answers under the cover of drying himself down. "Militant religious order. They hunt down 'unholy creatures' in the name of the god Stendarr. Vampires, daedra, werewolves..." He sniffs. "I try to avoid them. Why?"

[ixis]

"The Mobian lizards yonder speak of a fox's cowl and a braggart who took something and left it with these Vigilants for safekeeping. Could that be our target? And if so, do we head for the vaults or do we hunt down the man before the trio over there do it first?"

[conjuredskies]

"Ah! It has to be," he murmurs. "I've been hearing a similar story, but the Vigil part is new..." Felix casts a glance toward the trio (currently arguing over who pulled whose tail).

He pulls out the guidebook and opens it to the map, pointing out the Hall of the Vigilant where it faces the Great Chapel. "The man sounds about as stubborn as an ogre- and as smart. Tough to persuade. And we have Ixis Naugus on our side. I say we go straight for the prize."

[ixis]

He giggles at the blatant flattery, the sound seeming to go in circles around Felix's own shadow at his feet. Like he's swimming in excited circles in that darkness like an eager fish.

"Let us be on our way, then! We can speak more on these Vigilants as we go. Do they employ magicks? Weaponry? Wards?" He just expects Felix to know this right off the top of his head, of course. It's HIS world, after all.

[conjuredskies]

Felix sighs at having to move along so soon. He wonders if they could slow the other thieves down, but can’t think of any means on the fly save a quick prayer to Nocturnal. “Suppose most of them would have to be at evening prayers now...”

Time to act responsibly. He finishes off the bit of ale in his mug and stoppers the bottle to take along with him. It might be useful, but mostly it just looks less suspicious than abandoning a good drink. He wedges it in with the guide-book and checks everything’s too padded to clink before he heads out the door again. The crowds have started to thin, and he ducks into the backstreets so he and Naugus can talk in relative peace.

“To answer your question, they'll have all three – healing and protective magic, a fondness for swinging maces… and given how much they like confiscating even slightly daedric artifacts, I have to assume they’ve invested in some formidable wards.” For avoiding their company, he’s certainly made some study of their abilities. Felix hums thoughtfully as they walk. “They’re not exceptionally good mages, though. Not in my opinion.”

[ixis]

"What...sort of magic? Nothing tied to holy or light works, I hope?" Not that he's worried! Why would he ever be worried? He's the amazing Ixis Naugus, what could ever ruffle his feathers or stand as a threat!

[conjuredskies]

"...Hmm. Well, they're devout in their way. They may have blessed amulets or even weapons, or know spells meant to drive away the undead. But their spells aren't meant for offense - they're ordinary shield or regeneration spells. Usually self-directed."

It would be untrue to say he isn't glancing at the shadows, trying to get some sense of how concerned the sorcerer within might be. Because that's... interesting.