Skyrim: Orebane

I slowed the approach of my toad as I moved along the road towards this town. I was naturally spotted and the workers watched me warily while the two guards at the gate tensed in place.

"Cease your approach! State your name, affiliation and purpose!" One of the guards commanded as his spear was lowered towards me threateningly.

"Cergio Belantris, adventuring mage. I was pointed this way by a caravan with an Orc and Bosmer at their heads. My affiliation is with the College of Winterhold in Skyrim." I say as I dismount and send my toad back to oblivion.

The guard lowered his spear but didn't fully relax.

"That caravan is known to me, spell-slinger. What is your opinion on the Thalmor?" the guard said testing me further.

"The only good Thalmor is a dead one." I said seriously.

He finally relaxed "Well spoken! Karghistan is firmly opposed to the Thalmor that seek to subjugate Hammerfell and offer no quarter to their allies and shelter to their enemies. The rules of the town are the standard sort so behave and there'll be no trouble. Break the law and you will face swift justice. Am I understood?" he said firmly.

"Absolutely. I might not seem it from my appearance but I have goods to trade as well if you can point me towards those that might handle such things." I say with a friendly smile.

"You'll be wanting Shifting-sands then. White scaled Argonian near the oasis in the center of the town, she can't be missed." the second guard said casually.

"An argonian is in charge of your towns trading?" I asked surprised.

"Expected a Redguard did you? Most strangers in our land make the mistake of thinking we judge someone by their race and keep the positions of influence from those not like us but this is not true. Hammerfell is a place where merit alone determine the heights one might rise to. Unless you are of the forebears that is but they are the exception, not the rule." He said with an amused expression.

"Then I am amongst good company. I travel the land in search of power, knowledge and glory. Place by merit serves that purpose well." I said appreciatively.

"Time shall tell. Proceed in." The first guard said as he banged his fist on the gate in a very specific rhythm.

The large wooden reinforced gate that had the image of a fountain on it rumbled and began to slide to the side. I stepped into the gap opened and then stopped in my tracks as no less than ten razor pointed spears were pointed at me and a large muscled Orc with a similar red armor stood at their center.

"You lied twice to the Jergal. Your name and the reason you are traveling. If you had lied about anything else we wouldn't be having this conversation. We're civilized people here though so we'll give you one more chance to identify yourself and what your purpose is." The Orc said with a deep rumble growl of a voice.

"How did you know I lied?" I asked not actually all that worried.

The Orc snorted "Jergal has an amulet of truth around his neck. Any lie told in it's presence makes it buzz." he said with a smug look.

"I assume then that this place has no spies for the Thalmor?" I asked calmly.

"Everyone is screened once a week in case anyone turns traitor during that time. We cut off any fingers they send to infiltrate." he said with a savage grin.

I nod before flexing my magic to dispel my disguise. The guards with their spears pointed at me retreat in confused caution as my form fills out and grows almost an entire foot. I roll my shoulders and crack my neck as I assumed my real form once again.

"I am Alexan, wanted enemy of the Thalmor and displaced to this land by the whim of the Madgod." I reintroduced myself.

The Orc glanced behind me where the guard known as Jergal no doubt stood.

"He's not lying." I heard the Redguard say seriously.

"What form of magic was that?" the Orc asked much more relaxed now.

"[Disguise self] a high adept level alteration spell that allows the caster to, well disguise themselves. My appearance is rather conspicuous as you can see and the Thalmor would absolutely love to know I was in Hammerfell. Makes attempting to kill me much easier." I say frankly.

The Orc glanced behind me again before raising his right hand "At ease." he barked and all the weapons pointed at me were withdrawn with the discipline of well trained soldiers. "Sorry about that, better to be cautious than caught flatfooted." he said holding out a beefy green skinned hand "Morghul Gra-nolob, Just Morghul is fine." he said considerably more friendly.

I took the offered hand "Alexan." I said matching his firm grip with ease.

"You sure you're a mage with a grip like that?" he asked with a raised eyebrow as he let my hand go.

"I know my way around a blade and forge." I say with a chuckle.

"Shame you aren't an Orc then, I'd kill a legion of Thalmor for a proper Orc smith in this town. Shezzra's good but Orcs worship the forge, make the best weapons." he said shaking his head.

"Nothing wrong with being proud of your people. Might start some fights if the wrong people heard it though. Smithings a competitive skill." I said with a laugh.

"Aye, Shezzra would shave me bald if she heard me." he said with a loud bark of laughter.

"So can I go trade now or are there any more unpleasant surprises waiting for me?" I asked casually.

"You're all set, that bit about Shifting-sands was true. Just keep out of trouble or we'll be having another not so friendly chat." He said patting my shoulder firmly as he walked off.

'Not bad for just a town.' I thought genuinely impressed.

I could see how the Thalmor would have so much trouble dealing with the province if everywhere else was even a fraction as well organized as this place. Hospitality was something you earned here, not something given because you were a traveler. This town in particular had anti-spy measures in place that took no chances at all. I was dead certain in fact that if I hadn't fully told the truth the second time things would have turned bloody. You could see it in all of the guards eyes, that glint that said they were only waiting for the order to strike.

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