Chapter 3: Clouded Intentions

[Zennshi Dormu]

Another goblin crashed into the floor, was then picked up and slammed back down multiple times. The remaining guards in the chamber retreated back down a deeper tunnel, hoping to keep their attacker at bay. One let fly an arrow, which narrowly whisked past the head of the looming figure before them.

The creatures were smashed against the wooden door of the final chamber, and its hinges were snapped off. The bodies and the door crashed into a heap in front of the cowering vestiges of the goblin hideout. Xa-raku had scoured the entire cave, for no reason other than to claim some form of sanctuary for himself. In one swift motion, he dodged their primitive strikes and reduced their numbers to mostly-ash with a few well-placed spells.

He stood still, drinking in the peace of his newly-created haven. Then, hearing some kind of disturbance, he quickly spun around to see what it was that had interrupted.

[Onstarr]

The entrance to the large cave gave way to a second intruder. A female Dunmer who looked no older than twenty three stepped into the shadows with a goblin made longsword drawn. But this dark elf was different, she was blind, wearing a thick cloth over her eyes.

The tanned leather armor she wore bent and curved as she knelt down and examined one of the many corpses littering the ground. "Goblin. Middle aged. Still slightly warm." Ayluva Tamast muttered, pulling herself up to face any immediate threats. Though her blindness she had developed her other senses to paranormal standards. She could hear the silent paws of rats charging her, feel the distortion in the air as a sword was swung at her, and even smell a distinct denizen a mile out. She could tell that there was something other than mere goblins in this cave still. "Fish?"

"No..."

"Lizard?"

"Not quite."

"Argonian..."

She readied her blade and quickly summoned a small scamp to follow her deeper into the cave.

[Zennshi Dormu]

Xa-raku waited in anticipation of the newcomer. He knew it was not goblins, but whether or not it was hostile remained to be seen. His goal at the moment was to keep a low profile, so unnecessary murder would not yet be his aim.

[Onstarr]

A step. Two. The beast folk was further into the cave. It shouldn't be able to notice her... Not yet anyways. Hurriedly she continued though the cave, scouring nothing but the path afore her.

Finally she came to a small room that she could tell was just adjacent to the Argonian's. Her sword rose once more as she stepped around the corner, her glazed eye store though the lizard from behind a mask. Tensing her stance she readied for a battle.

[Zennshi Dormu]

Whatever it was, he didn't really care anymore. He was mostly recovered from his last battle. All that remained was to stay in hiding. Xa-raku walked down the tunnel to "greet" the visitor.

[Onstarr]

Ayluva had lost the beast's position for a moment, quickly regaining it when she heard a small twig crack. It was coming closer.

"Argonian!" She called out, "Friend or foe!"

[Zennshi Dormu]

Xa-raku didn't respond, he didn't even seem to be looking at her directly. He approached nearer. She tensed, preparing for an attack. Xa-raku clenched his fist, but was no longer in the mood for bloodshed. He dismissively shoved her aside as he walked past down the narrow tunnel. He had no manners to be seen, but for the moment he did not appear hostile.

[Onstarr]

Ayluva let herself be pushed out of the way as the stranger walked past. As soon as her was though the broken gateway however she spun around with her sword still leveled, "Who do you think you are?"

[Zennshi Dormu]

Xa-raku finally stopped, sandals scraping against the gravel of the tunnel floor. He said simply over his shoulder, "Busy." He was silent again for a moment, still deciding whether or not to simply kill her and be on with his journey, but decided a blind girl was even less of a threat than the goblins, and moved on.