31 - Alexander - Journeyman:

The journey to Anvil was indeed long, although I stopped at the Imperial City on the way, hoping to talk again with Brother Andrew. Unfortunately the temple was deserted, and none would admit to know anyone by his name. I left slightly bemused, but with nothing else to occupy me in the city I simply continued onwards.

The roads cannot be considered safe - certainly for simple citizens - for I suffered from several bandit attacks en route. Fortunately none seemed particularly capable at combat, and I am left with the feeling that perhaps the residents of Cyrodiil (or at least the low life’s I have encountered) are relatively unskilled at combat; at least compared to the Redguards of Hammerfell. I killed the bandits, finding I could now put aside my former inhibitions relatively easily – it helped that none chose to speak (beyond demanding my money).

Anvil is ringed by a tall stone wall, as indeed it seems are all such towns in Cyrodiil – a testament to its military past. The roads were quiet, with many having chosen to dwell in the safety of the towns in these unsettled times – the Emperors assassination had left many distinctly unnerved. Perhaps it was the scarcity of travellers that caused the bandits to resort to me as a target despite my clear combat abilities.

Aside from the presence of the guards, I suspect the imposing Fighters Guild building also allays civilian fears – the tall, smooth stone walls once again adorned by red banners. Azzan, the Guild head, was easy to find – the Redguard appeared to spend his days in the office on the top floor. I was issued my contract swiftly (for which I was thankful considering my long journey) – the job being to clear up a problem involving rats for one “Arvena Thelas”.

Killing rats would be a simple (if demeaning) task, but it transpired that I should protect them rather than kill them. Thelas - a Dunmar lady - appeared to keep them as pets in her basement, but something was killing them. Immediately upon entering the basement I encountered the problem – a mountain lion. It was already in the process of attacking one of the rats (a rather one sided battle), but while it was thus distracted I killed it easily - a single blow to the neck ending its life. Unfortunately the rat now appeared wild from its injuries - immediately attacking me, and leaving me with no option but to kill it.

Thelas appeared shocked to learn of the lion (I admit I was surprised myself, although I know little of the native wildlife), and tasked me with hunting down any in the area, pointing me in the direction of a local woodsman who would assist me in tracking them down.

We encountered the pride in a clearing just outside the city walls, but even after killing them it remained unclear what had drawn them into the city. Thelas, however, had a theory; her neighbour – Quill-Weave. Initially it seemed mere paranoia to me, but never the less I was duty bound to fulfil my contract, and I therefore followed Quill-Weave for much of the day. A tedious task, made all the more tiresome (albeit easier) by the fact that she spent much of her day in the Mages Guild. Despite my formidable skills in healing, I felt I could not tail her there without attracting notice, and therefore compromised by following her only after she left the building. Fortunately this proved enough, for as night fell I observed her creep behind Thelas’ house with a piece of stinking meat in her hand, which she laid behind the house.

It was obvious that this must be what had drawn the lions to Thelas’ house – perhaps the rats had been dragging the meat into the basement, and then the lions had been attracted by the scent. As Quill-Weave began to make her way back out of the garden I stepped out of the shadows to confront her, a shocked hissing exclamation accompanying the Argonian sighting me.

She explained (reluctantly) that she had been leaving the meat to draw the rats out, apparently so that the town residents would deal with them, but claimed to have had no knowledge of the mountain lions – and asked that I not mention my discovery to Thelas.

Returning to the Thelas household, I was duty bound to inform her of my finding. She was angry, but fortunately my contract was now over – although I was fairly certain it would not have allowed her to order me to attack civilians, it was never the less a relief to leave.

Returning to the Fighters Guild, I was rewarded not with promotion, but instead with a new task – to guard a shop from robbers. This task, although more dangerous than the last, proved considerably shorter - I remained in the shop until finally (at around mid-night) the thieves entered - and upon seeing me, attacked.

There were three; a Bosner, a Dunmar and a Nord. Initially I took few chances, backing up the stairway so they could not assail me simultaneously. However it swiftly became apparent that they were outclassed, and after dealing a deadly blow to the Nord I pressed my advantage, killing the remaining two in the same minute. I had no regrets – Brother Andrew was right, these three had given up their rights the moment they became criminals.

This time I was finally rewarded with promotion, to the rank of Journeyman, but unfortunately there was no further work for me here. Apparently my next guild task would be assigned in Chorrol, however I decided I would first return to the Imperial City – perhaps the Temple would now be occupied.