Dawnstar, just before boarding [i]The Courtesan[/i] [hr] Everything seemed to be in order: he had given Edith everything he wanted to send off to Solitude and beyond. Sagax also requisitioned a new shirt, two healing potions, a potion of frost resistance, and a potion of magicka. Sagax explained to a slightly-confused Edith that he had no intention of using the potion himself, as he knew no magic, but he knew that there were several magic users in the company, and he wanted to keep a vial handy in the future in case any of them needed an emergency pick-me-up. Sagax may have been one impulsive sod, but he knew how to plan for the future...sometimes. The next order of business was getting some new armor. His current attire would not be carrying him any further; the gaping holes would make sure of that. Thankfully, the local blacksmith was out working the forge, and he acknowledged Sagax with a look and a wave as the Imperial approached. The man looked Sagax's tattered armor over quickly and set his hammer down on the workbench next to him. "Mornin'. Guessing ya need some new leathers? Or maybe you're looking to expand your arsenal? Whatever is, I've got it, friend! Got all my stock laid out on those tables there. Everything's marked down a'plenty today, too, so no need to be thrifty!" He said, pointing to three wooden tables lined up behind the forge. There were daggers, gauntlets, even a full steel breastplate...the man was clearly quite good at his craft and had every reason to be proud of his wares. Sagax crossed the creaking floorboards below over to one table and, after browsing for a few minutes, dug out a leather cuirass, buried below a set of chainmail armor. It seemed to be made out of harder leather than most of Sagax's Cyrodiil-made gear, more along the lines of what his boots were made out of, and it was constructed of layers of leather instead of a single piece stitched together. Dangling from the bottom hem of the cuirass was a draping length of chainmail that would probably reach just above his knees. "Ah, a fine piece, is it not? Just made it. Hey, you're with that mercenary company, right? Well, you're gonna need a bit more protection than just those little kneeguards ya got there, lad!" After clearing a few swords away, the smith brought out a pair of long greaves, no doubt made of the same leather as the cuirass. "Why not throw in a few more septims for these, eh? I'll give ya some pauldrons, too, half off! What'dya say, lad? You're gonna need good quality gear in your line of work, no matter how fast ya are!" It was hard to argue with the man. He wouldn't be able to rely on his speed forever; he'd take some hits eventually, and why not settle for just a large gash instead of missing a leg? The pauldrons would also no doubt be helpful in the long run, and it was all lined lined with fur on the inside to boot. Deciding it would all be worth the money, Sagax nodded his head in agreement. "Sure, you've got a deal." The smith's eyes brightened at these words as he shook Sagax's hand. "Aha, I knew you were a sensible man! Alright, come here and let's get this all fitted right..." After getting his new gear to fit and paying the smith what was owed, Sagax approached the docks, his bag of coins being a bit lighter than before, though he was able to dock a few coins off of the greaves after trading in his old armor. Oh well, not like he was spending it on any thing else except for the odd bit of bread anyway. Besides, if he lived long enough he'd get all that money back, and the new gear would definitely help with that to be sure. As he got closer to where [i]The Courtesan[/i] was docked, Sagax was intercepted by none other than Vori, a fur cloak draped around her shoulders and holding a small bundle in her arms. Behind her were Frald and Alarik, dressed in furs of their own and with traveling packs rested on their backs. "Finally! Been looking all over for you, Psycho Rogue!" Psycho Rogue? What kind of a name was that? "Here, I got somethin' for ya." Handing over the bundle, Sagax found that it was a hooded fur cloak of medium length, reaching down below his hips. Wrapped up in the cloak were two flexible leather gauntlets with rough, bumpy palms and fingers. "Since ya like to climb around and all that stuff, I thought I'd give ya my sister's old climbing gloves. She was a lot like you, but she used her skills to do more...ah, unsavory work. But that doesn't matter, I just wanted to give them to ya because you'd make more use out of'em than I would ever would, and honestly, I only brought them with me out of Windhelm because...well, us Nords can get sentimental too. They'll only make me mad every time I see'em, so just keep the things, I don't want'em." Vori's usual coy grin was slowly replaced by a forlorn grimace, and her eyes went further and further away from Sagax and towards the ground. Just exactly what kind of "unsavory work" did she mean? Sagax hoped it was simple thievery, but Vori's expression and tone hinted otherwise. "Oh...well, uh...thanks, Vori." He couldn't think of anything else to say. The topic of Vori's sister was clearly off limits, and he still wasn't used to strangers just gifting him things like that. It was just awkward all around, and Vori was about to make it even more awkward for him. "Ah, don't worry about it...Frald pitched the most in for the cloak anyway." Crossing her arms and rocking back and forth on her foot slightly, Vori looked from side to side in silence for a few moments before muttering something that sounded like "To hell with it" and leaning in close to Sagax and kissing him on the cheek. Alarik rolled his eyes at the sight, and Frald wore a bored expression and sighed audibly; he was used to this sort of thing with Vori, obviously. "Another one, Vori? Whatever happened to Wilhelm? Or Igmund? Or even that pretty young lass you liked to drink with? Sofie, right?" The only response that Vori would dignify Frald's wry quip with was an angry hiss and glare before turning back to Sagax, who had been struck into silence. "I'd like ya to do one thing for me, Sagax. Just remember this: Being a little crazy can get ya places, but you'll get to even more by being strong. So remember your strengths...'cause I'd like to see you again." She finished with a wink and turned and walked towards her compatriots, nodding her head to the road out of Dawnstar. Waving their goodbyes, both parties turned and continued on to their respective destinations. Next stop: Winterhold. 12th of Sun's Height, aboard [i]The Courtesan[/i] [hr] Sagax was enjoying his time on board [i]The Courtesan[/i]. He didn't experience any of the...issues that plagued some of his comrades. He did try to stay far away from poor Sevine and Keegan though, both hurling nonstop over the side of the ship. The sounds they made were none too pleasant to Sagax, and very nearly caused a small chain reaction several times. Thankfully he could successfully drown them out with the sounds of the waves smacking the sides of the hull, though these very same waves kept him from spacing out completely as they caused the ship to rock back and forth. His new armor and cloak made braving the cold on the top deck much easier, and he would often stay out far into the night to stargaze. The current situation contrasted heavily with what the company was dealing with hardly three days ago, and was much more pleasant overall. Well, for some people, anyway. Do'Karth was never even seen on the top deck, and Sevine was a little too busy disposing of her breakfast to chat. He didn't know where Roze was, though that was par for the course, really, and Jorwen was doing...something, somewhere on the ship. Hopefully he was having a better time than the others. The sailors aboard made decent enough conversation, and a few even had really good stories. Some sounded rather far fetched, to be certain, but they were entertaining little tales nonetheless. One or two of the men poked fun at Sagax, asking him what grand adventures he had been on. They were taken aback by the tiny Imperial rogue going into great detail about how he nearly sunk a Kamal warship; he even had the burn scars to prove it. Many "Well I'll be damned"s were heard, to Sagax's great amusement. 14th of Sun's Height, the coast of Winterhold [hr] It was an eerie sight to behold: an entire town, gone below the waves, though it was hard to tell it was ever there at all. The only thing still intact was the College, sitting precariously an a large stone spire. The bridge connecting the College to the mainland had crumbled and fallen into the gorge, leaving the inhabitants stranded. The company's insertion point was apparently some kind of secret entrance around the base of the spire. He noticed that climbing gear was being loaded onto one of the smaller boats and decided to volunteer himself for the rescue, climbing was his specialty after all. Stowing away his bag and cloak under the hammock he claimed for himself aboard the main ship, Sagax hopped onto the smaller boat commandeered by Keegan and the new Khajit, because no way in hell was he going to be sitting with Farid. Hearing another thud behind him, he saw Do'Karth take a seat, glaring at the waters below as if the ocean itself was his sworn enemy. "Ah we'll be fine, Do'Karth, don't worry about it. Besides, a short swim never hurt anyone right?" Sagax was in high spirits to be sure, though he had a feeling his furry friend didn't take to well to his jests...