[h3][b]Of Loyalties[/b][/h3] [i]Brought to you by yours truly and [@Mortarion][/i] I am what I am... [i]15th Midyear 4E208, late-night, Oasis Camp.[/i] The news of the alliance Daro’Vasora and Latro had struck with Sevari and Zaveed had been a surprise to the Argonian assassin, albeit he had adapted quickly to the news and had made no fuss when Sevari, Zaveed, and the Imperial woman, Sirine, that had been accompanying them joined up with the rest of the group. It was, in Jaraleet’s mind, a good decision for them to combine forces, they had enough enemies in Hammerfell after all; it wouldn’t be beneficial to add any more foes to their list. It also gave him a chance to speak with Sevari about certain matters that had been on his mind for a while now. And, as such, the Argonian found himself approaching the Ohmes-Raht inside of the little camp that their group had set inside of the oasis found in the cave that Shakti had led them to. He had decided to approach the Khajiit during the night, when most people had gone to sleep and wouldn’t be milling around and potentially prying in their conversation; what he wanted to discuss with the former Penitus Occulatus agent was best kept between the two of them in Jaraleet’s mind. “Sevari, we have much to talk don’t you think?” The Argonian began as he sat in front of the Ohmes. While his tone was questioning, and somewhat forceful, there was no malice nor resentment in the Argonian’s voice. “But, first of all, let me say that it is good to see you again.” He added after a moment of consideration. “I wondered what had happened when you didn’t contact us after we had returned to Gilane and parted ways after that meeting.” “It wasn’t my intention to cut ties.” Sevari spoke through a cloud of cigar smoke, letting it hang limp from his fingers at his side, “What is it you need to speak to me about, An-Xileel?” “Haj-Eix, not An-Xileel.” He corrected the Ohmes. “And I never said it was your intention to cut ties. I just said that I had wondered what had happened.” He continued on, dispersing the cloud of cigar smoke with a swipe of his hand. “As to what I need to speak with you about….well, there’s a lot of things.” Jaraleet began, lacing his fingers as he rested his elbows on his thighs. “But let’s start with ‘Janelle’, I take it she isn’t just a mere acquaintance of yours. Not after the way she barged into the meeting and talked to you.” “Mm.” Sevari decided to tackle the issue with loyalties [i]some[/i] might have, he looked to Latro and Sora’s tent. The former seemed to be harboring a resentment that annoyed him to admit hurt him, in a way, “Some might think my absence from the rescue was intentional. I’m glad to know you aren’t one of them. I think you know who I’m talking about.” He sighed as he moved on to the next, “It is no secret to you, Haj-Eix. I was sent to Hammerfell on a mission that… it was…” he cursed under his breath, “I failed. You were there to see the fallout of that, and I am forever thankful that you and Latro had enough loyalty to me to answer when I called. It doesn’t erase the fact that some might think me a treasoner, if not only incompetent.” “Janelle, she is a valuable asset to the Imperial mission in Hammerfell, pre and post-Dwemer. That is all I am going to say.” He frowned a bit apologetically to his friend, but knowing where his loyalties belonged, he couldn’t exactly speak freely, “You know the game all too well, I’m sure, Haj-Eix. To let slip the wrong word could undue plans made years ago by men far away from here.” “I know your skills and your people. The Bhaanu Sasra polices their borders in an uneasy truce with you and yours. I know for a fact that Argonians in odd places aren’t always there by coincidence.” Sevari smirked, “You don’t get skills like that for no reason.” His smirk faded some as he took another drag, “I’m sorry if you were expecting something more. Until I am given official notice of my termination from service, I am still beholden to the Penitus Oculatus.” He sniffled, spitting off to the side and away from Jaraleet, “A few renegade Inspectors in a burned town coming at me with blades drawn isn’t exactly official. Even if there’s no one for me to report to, my activation is indefinite until I hear otherwise.” Jaraleet chuckled softly at Sevari’s words. “You are right, I do know the game all too well and I understand the reason for your silence. Do not worry, I won’t fault you for your loyalty, misplaced as I think it might be.” The Argonian said. Even if the Ohmes hadn’t given him all the answers that he wanted, his silence still spoke to Jaraleet more than Sevari might have wanted. He now knew for a fact that ‘Janelle’ was linked to the Penitus Oculatus and, after seeing her skills during their assault on the governor’s palace, he had no doubt that the woman was dangerous in the extreme. He’d have to watch her carefully and be more careful himself in turn. “As for my skills….well, you would be correct in your assumption.” Jaraleet said with a light shrug. “Those of us birthed under the Shadow have always had a duty towards Argonia.” Sevari nodded knowingly, “We don’t recruit from your people for a reason. I heard it myself once, that an Argonian’s loyalties run deeper than their blood.” Sevari dropped the stub of his cigar, crunching it flat under his heel, “Of loyalties, Jaraleet. You’re my friend. So is Janelle, in a way.” The words couldn’t come easily, but he wrenched them out anyway, voice flat and colder than he wanted. But a warning, a plea it was, “We all have enough enemies. She is a very capable woman and I am still what I am,” he yanked the collar of his shirt down to reveal the tattoo of the red diamond, dark-lined upon his skin. It wasn’t gotten for the purpose of waving his loyalty about, but the message was appropriate, he fixed his collar, “You and I know the game all too well. Friends today, loose ends tomorrow. But let’s keep being friends today, eh?” The only reaction that Jaraleet gave in response to Sevari’s words was the subtle way in which his body tensed, as if the Argonian was ready to defend himself at a moments notice, before he relaxed again as Sevari finished. “Lets.” He replied, shaking his head slightly as he let out a sigh. He remembered well enough the way that Janelle’s gaze had lingered upon him all those days ago back when they were planning how to rescue Daro’Vasora or how the Breton woman had spoken of his ‘history of unsound decisions’ as she had put it. “Whatever happens in the future doesn’t matters now. The river’s currents will take us there eventually and then we will see what will happen.” “Let’s move from this unpleasant topic, why don’t we?” The Argonian said, not wanting to linger all too much on the subject. After the way that he had reacted, he guessed that Sevari would welcome the opportunity to change topic. “This woman...Sirine, how did she come to be with you and your brother?” He asked the Ohmes. “Is she another former servant of the Dwemer’s secret police?” Sevari shook his head, words flowing more readily now they had changed topic, “No. My brother owes whatever he thinks he owes to her. And something else. She is an ally, as far as her goals line neatly with mine and my brother’s. A good sort, useful in a scrap.” He shrugged, “As it stands, I like her.” “Tell me, what happened back there, in Gilane? Latro seems… different. Disturbed by something, he’s sharper-tongued than I’ve known him to be.” Sevari asked, a part of him hoping the man was doing well. “Hmmm, I see, I see.” Jaraleet replied to what Sevari had said about Sirine, nodding slightly. When the Ohmes asked him about what happened back in Gilane, the Argonian let out a sigh. “I do not know all the details but….from what Latro has told me of his past, it seems that Pale-Feather the Forsworn is returning.” He replied, frowning slightly. “Maybe it was because of the pressure put on him by the rescue attempt, maybe it was Irranhu’s betrayal. I couldn’t rightly say what triggered this, but I’m worried.” Jaraleet admitted, remembering all too well the way Latro had seemed to abhor the thought of bloodying his hands with torture all those nights ago when he had met Sevari for the first time. Sevari nodded, sighing. It wasn’t a secret that Latro could kill. Anyone could, if given enough reason. It was just how they did it and from what Jaraleet told him, Latro was very much unlike Latro during the rescue. “Anyone is a killer,” he said, “You just have to push them to the limits.” His face screwed up then, “Irranhu’s betrayal?” Jaraleet frowned at the mention of Irranhu, his eyes briefly blazing with fury as he remembered the insurgents before he calmed once again. “Yes, Irranhu betrayed us.” The Argonian spoke, almost spatting the name of the cell as if it was a curse. “They attacked the governor’s palace after assaulting the weapons depot and, from the look on their faces, we were next in line to be butchered.” He said with a sigh, shaking his head. “May Sithis take the bastards to the Void. I might have an idea or two about why they attacked us, but nothing concrete.” Sevari’s brow cocked. He wondered what the Haj-Eix could have guessed as to why Irranhu was there. There was no way he could know of Irranhu cell’s relationship with him and Aries. He didn’t let those thoughts change his face more than a look of curiosity, “Please, tell me.” “For one, they mentioned that they were looking for your friend Janelle. But that’s not the main reason why we were put on the chopping block, at least not in my mind.” The Argonian spoke, shaking his head slightly. “They were looking for two in our group as well, and I think I know who they might be. I would need to talk with them first to make sure I’m correct in my suspicions though.” He mentally sighed with relief. He could play up those other two Jaraleet was talking of, and he might know who he was alluding to. He wasn’t going to jump to a conclusion that didn’t match Jaraleet’s though, “Who?” Jaraleet chuckled mirthlessly at Sevari’s question. “Ah, I think you know who I’m talking about Sevari.” The Argonian said, shaking his head slightly. “No reason to play dumb. I’m talking about Raelynn and Gregor. Aside from Alim, Brynja, and Rhona they were the only two who weren’t with us on the rescue attempt. And the other three who I mentioned were in the [i]Three Crowns[/i] were the Poncy Man could have easily taken them.” He said with a light shrug. “That only leaves those two, wouldn’t you agree? But, I’d appreciate it if you let me deal with them.” The assassin spoke before looking at Sevari. “If I am not asking for much, of course.” Good. Very good. Sevari frowned appreciatively though, he nodded, “Of course.” He said, “They’re your friends. I hope you find out what you need to.” Like Gregor is a necromantic piece of shit. He left that unsaid. He had his own feelings of it, seeing as the man almost ruined his brother’s afterlife. Or ruined it more, as it were. But how could his brother even hope to become a better man if he was dead, and worse? He was finally starting to get the good from this person who stood where his brother had been. Gregor would’ve ruined it all, even if in a lot of ways, Zaveed would’ve deserved it. But people don’t always get what they deserve. Sevari frowned, “My brother,” he said, “I know you might not trust him. Just give him a chance. Once we all have the same enemies he’s a good man to have at your side.” “Oh, don’t worry Sevari.” Jaraleet replied, smiling at the Ohmes. “I know it might be difficult to believe, but I’m more than willing to give your brother a chance. I am a flexible man when it comes to that.” The argonian said with a light shrug. “Way I see things is that we have enough enemies as it stands. Why should I try and add more to the list when I can make allies instead?” He continued on, pausing for a second as he thought some more. “Of course not everyone might see it that way but, well, I’ll try to smooth things over to some degree. I might not be the most well liked in the group but, ah, I’m sure that I can do something to make sure that we all can work together.” “Thank you,” Sevari smiled for the first time in a while. He was glad he at least had one friend who was willing to give his brother a chance, “That means more than you would know. I’ve waited years to be as close with that man as I used to be. This is my best chance at getting at least some of my family back. Latro might come around in time, would you think?” “Hmmm, potentially. The last day was stressful for us all, Latro especially, he needs time to calm down.” The Argonian said after a moment of silence. “Yes, I think that with time he might come around to accept your brother. It might not be easy, and it might not happen soon, but I think there’s a chance that he’ll come around in time.” “Hopefully he won’t be the only one though, or it’ll be a little awkward for the lot of us.” Sevari said, chewing his lip, “I’m pulled in a hundred directions, Jaraleet. Janelle, you and Latro, Zaveed. I don’t know which one is right.” Jaraleet was silent for a long moment as he pondered Sevari’s words. “I understand how you feel.” He finally said, letting out a soft sigh. “I couldn’t give you a true answer, not when I face the same dilemma as you and don’t know the answer either.” Jaraleet admitted, shaking his head slightly. “What will come, will come. No matter what we do.” Sevari cocked a brow at that, looking sidelong at his companion, “How do you mean? Pulled in different directions?” Jaraleet nodded in response before chuckling mirthlessly. “Maybe not as many as you. But, yes, I understand you.” He said, his thoughts briefly turning to Meg and then to Gregor or, more accurately, his secret before he shook his head. “For what it’s worth, you have my sympathies.” Sevari nodded at that, “I hope I gave you enough of answer to your questions. As to our loyalties,” he clapped Jaraleet on the shoulder, “I’ll never forget what you and Latro helped me with. For the Empire and for me.” His footsteps echoed in the stillness of the cavern as he walked back to his bedroll, leaving Jaraleet to contemplate in silence, the moonlight making rippling lights across the cavern walls from the Oasis.