The smell of freedom was better than Idruug had expected. The people within the Census and Excise office had recorded him and told him what he was to do. Apparently, someone named Caius Cosades knew why Idruug was released from prison. Idruug had asked around Seyda Neen about him and discovered that he didn't have the best reputation.

While in the offices, Idruug had found some useful tools including a dagger, a lockpick, food and rations, and some extra gold in a small chest. He was lucky, Idruug knew next to nothing about picking locks. He also had no use for the dagger. Idruug had told an elderly man that he specialized with bows and darts instead of spears like most people of the Marsh.

Now he lay on a bed within a small tradehouse in Seyda Neen. He couldn't stop thinking. Why had he been released? Why was he so special that th emperor himself would order his release? And if he was so special, wouldn't the emperor send for him? Too many things were going unanswered, and even though Idruug was a patient Argonian, he liked to be aware of what was going on.

He looked over to the package that was meant for Caius. The Census Guard said that he was not to break the seal, so he had heated up his dagger over the candle. Using the hot blade, he lifted up the seal without breaking it. It didn't really matter though, the entire package was just scrambled letters making no sense at all. After trying to figure out the code, he gave up and had replaced the seal. The seal itself had an intricate design resembling a crown. Idruug had never been so confused in his life.

Idruug decided he had waited here long enough. He stood up and walked out of the room. He noticed that he was the only Argonian in Seyda Neen. That would explain some of the looks from most of the locals. For some reason, they didn't like anyone not from Vvardenfell. Outlanders they called them. This was not the first time he had been treated differently because of his origin, the people of the Marsh were often captured and taken to Morrowind to be sold as slaves.

Outside of the door, many people were staring at him again. Idruug walked over to a Redguard standing behind a counter.

"Do you know the way to," he looked over the papers again, "Balmora?" This was awkward for Idruug, as he had never spoken to a Redguard before.

She looked up at Idruug for a moment, studied him, and spoke. "Why would you want to be going there for?"

"I was ordered to meet someone by the name of Caius Cosades there," he answered. He had never liked being questioned.

The Redguard woman looked at him with suprise and disbelief. She looked down at her desk of scattered papers. It appeared to Idruug that she was very busy so he turned and left, not worrying about the woman any longer.

Obviously, no one would help him. He, like many of his kind were shunned for even existing, so why would anyone within Vvardenfell even listen to him. At first he thought that Vvardenfell would be atleast something like the Marsh. But the only thing that resembled his homeland was the sun.

While he had been in the tradehouse, it had begun to rain. Many of the townsfolk had retreated to their houses, except for one fellow. Idruug hadn't noticed him before. Only half of him was visable, seeing as how he was submerged for the most part in water. He seemed to be moving so Idruug jumped off the platform on which he stood, and made his way to the odd person.

Why would anyone swim in the rain?

This thought made him stop where he was and think. Looking at the person, Idruug realized that he was no argonian. Only they would swim in the rain, and that was only to feed on the local fish. Immediatly Idruug's stomach growled. Placing a hand on it, he realized that he had not eaten since he was released. Now he would have to get his own food.

He continued walking over to the odd fellow. Idruug thought that maybe he was spear fishing or something, that would explain why he was submerged. As he got closer he noticed that the man had an oddly shaped head. Idruug thought that it must be a race that he had not seen in prison. Either way, he had to be friendly, especially if he wanted to eat tonight. As he closed the distance even further, he heard some kind of screeching noise but took it as the local aquatic life, "Argonian! Get away from it!"

Idruug turned around to see the redguard woman running towards him, sword drawn. He had no time to think, as she pulled out a throwing star and threw it at him.

Idruug fell to his knees, hoping that this crazy woman had terrible aim. The star whizzed past the left side of his head, striking the man behind him.

A horrible screech lept into the air from behind Idruug. He turned around to see what had made the noise, and was struck dumb. What he had thought was a man was sqirming in the water. It had four arms, each with what looked like the claw of a mudcrab on it's end. The bottom of the creature was four octopus-like tentacles, lashing around, trying to get back in the water. The star had been planted firmly in it's abdomen, but it wasn't dead, and Idruug had only a dagger. He quickly glanced back to see the girl still running to him. She would be here in less than a minute, but that was not enough time. Just as Idruug had finished thinking this, the creature lit up with what looked like electricity. Idruug had thought this a good thing until the monster's arm collided with his chest, launching him into the water.

While in the air, his thought of danger was nulled when he saw a person. A man was standing between two trees looking at Idruug. He was holding his hands out towards the creature, a sparkle of blue light had made his hands glow.

The sight quickly changed as Idruug was submerged in the icy water. As soon as he sufaced, the battle was over, and the creatures carcass lay at the feet of the Redguard woman. Idruug swam to shore, shool himself off, and headed over to the woman.

"I guess you've never seen a dreugh before, have you?" she said as he approached. She had pulled out a dagger, and was cutting into the dreugh's hide, apparently not caring that it's insides were gushing all over her hands.

"No," Idruug answered. He remembered the electricity. "What did you do to it anyways?" The woman stopped cutting the dreugh and turned to face him.

"I didn't do anything to it," she said, "and judging by the look on your face, I'm guessing that you didn't do it either?" She was right. Idruug had a questionable look on his face.

But if she didn't do it, then who... the man! He looked over towards the trees, but no one was there. I know what I saw, but she will probably think that I'm crazy. Can't afford to lose my first friend here.

"What is your name anyways?" Idruug asked her. This woman had possibly saved his life and he didn't even know her name. "I'm Idruug."

"Well Idruug," she answered, standing up, "I'm Elone." She thrusted out her hand and Idruug shook it. So far, this was going well. "Are you sure you don't know what happened?"

Idruug shook his head, "I couldn't of done this."

But I have an hunch that the person who did is watching us right now.