Ajum-Dar: Chapter I

So this is the first chapter of Ajum-Dar's storyline. As you can see I took a painting-like image again. I think it fits well to a story and also - I have to admit it - I became a huge fanboy of that kind of style xD Of course I would like to hear your opinions again and get some feedback, also about the painting style. Anyway, I hope you like it! :)

 

Prologue: www.flickr.com/photos/93647928@N04/10401817095/

 

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After renting a room, Ajum-Dar made his way upstairs cowering himself in front of the fireplace. The warmth slowly began to fill his body and his cloths soon were dry again. When the Argonian felt comfortable again, he sat down on one of the chairs in front of the fireplace, thinking of what he should do now as he couldn't go back to his old life anymore, even if he wanted to. Maybe he could work as a sellsword, but he did not have any armor or weapon, so being a mercenary was not possible. Maybe a headhunter or adventure, but he soon realized that his possibilities were quite limited. Ajum-Dar had no property except from his clothing, a few Septims and a wooden club. He was no thief or cutthroat, so joining a group of outlaws was definitely not an option. Soon the idea of seeking his fortune somewhere else, out side of Skyrim, began to grow in his mind. When he worked as a dock worker he learned about a captain, whose longboat was anchoring at the dock at the moment, who sailed to Solstheim every now and then. Probably he could ask him for passage. But Ajum-Dar knew it would cost him. A crossing from Windhelm to Solstheim was not something he would call cheap. He had to obtain the coin somehow.

It was already late afternoon, when he rose from the chair again and made his way to one of the tables. Out of the corner of his eye he saw some old Nords sitting on a table a little aback looking at him derogatory. The intolerance and ignorance of those boneheaded Nords was incredible. Especially in Windhelm. Foreign races were treated very bad here, especially Argonians and Dark Elves. Ajum-Dar ordered an ale and sat provocatively down at a table near the Nords. In the end they just were two old men and if they got rough he was sure he could handle them in a fight. As the day got older and it began to dawn the inn was filling. That was when he saw a Vigilant entering the lounge; surprisingly not an old and ugly man but a young and pretty Nord girl. Her blonde almost white hair was arranged in a braid falling down her left shoulder. After some talking with the innkeeper she went downstairs, probably to move into her room. Ajum-Dar ordered another mug of ale and a soup since he got really hungry now. After a while the innkeeper brought him his ale and the soup with a loaf of bread. “It's on the house.” she said pointing on the bread. “My thanks!” Ajum-Dar replied friendly. While he was eating the soup that hit the point, the young Vigilant made her way upstairs again, sat down at a table near the Argonian and ordered a drink. When the innkeeper made an sarcastic joke about the mead-drinking Vigilant, she drank off the mug in one go, Ajum-Dar had to laugh. That's the spirit, he thought. The girl turned around looking at the laughing Argonian and Ajum-Dar raised his glass to her. She tried to hide it, but Ajum-Dar could see how a little smile scurried over her face.

He turned towards his meal again. While eating he was able to pick up some snippets of the conversation between the Vigilant and the innkeeper. They were talking about some kind of events in or around Helgen, Obviously the Vigilants of Stendarr were investigating something. At first Ajum-Dar thought about finding out what all of this was about, but then he discarded the idea again. First of all he ahd to gain some coin from somewhere. Probably he should head to the docks tomorrow again and find out what price the captain demands. When he finished eating he decided to stay for a little bit more and enjoy the atmosphere of a filled tavern. It turned out that a little bit easily can become several hours, if the mead or ale and stories are good. It was already deep into the night when Ajum-Dar went downstairs and took his rest.

When he woke up again, it was already midday. A slight headache stung beneath his forehead. Slowly he got up and sat on the edge of the bed for a while. Finally he stood up and got into his cloths, Afterwards he went to the counter, giving the innkeeper her fee for the room and meal and in the end leaving Candlehearth Hall. Ajum-Dar walked out of the gates leading to the docks and went down the long stone stairs. Luckily the ship of the captain he worked for the day before, was not anchoring in Windhelm anymore, so he could visit the docks without fearing to be attacked or arrested by that man and his crew. He just had to be careful to not encounter his former chief. Looking around he carefully approached the ship to Solstheim and walked up to the captain. “Good day, captain!” he said “I heard you and your crew are sailing to Solstheim Every now and then?” “Yes we do, Are you interested in a passage?” “Well, I am. I would like to leave Skyrim for a while.” “I see, your are that scaleskin from yesterday, aren't you? The one that jumped into the water.” “Of what matter would that be?” “Of none. Not for me at least. I can see why people would get sick of that work, especially when they are surrounded by boneheads like those guys from yesterday. You were lucky though, that the guards did not find you, they were looking for you on the farms and in the wilds. I am Gjalund Salt-Sage. A passage would cost you 250 Septims. We are setting sail in three days.” the Nord held his hand out to Ajum-Dar. The Argonian took his hand. “Alright, I will be here.”

As Ajum-Dar was about to leave the captain of another ship approached him. “Hey you there, Argonian. You look pretty strong. Maybe you could help me with something.” Wondering Ajum-Dar looked at him. “I need someone who can fight, someone who is strong and take something stolen back to his rightful owner. I would pay you well for this. I am Captain Kjar.” “Yeah, what is it?” Ajum-Dar asked now interested. “One of my crew members. He stole some important and valuable nautical maps. I would be very thankful if you could bring them back to me and teach him a lesson. As I said, it shall not be to your disadvantage. “Alright. So, where can I find him?” “As far as we know he and some other outlaws set their camp I a cave to the South. It is called the Stony Creek Cave. I will give you a map and mark it for you.´ A few moments later Captain Kjar came back giving Ajum-Dar a map of Skyrim where he marked the area of Stony Creek Cave. “Alright.” Ajum-Dar said determined. “I will be back in about a day, with your maps.” Then he left the docks, walking through Windhelm and leaving it through the main gates, making his way to the South.

 

 

Done