(ESO FanFic: Templar of Shezarr – Part 1)

Cloak & Stagger – Standalone Story (Rusia Cassiana)
Location: Cloak & Stagger Inn, Whitehawke, Stormhaven

After days without a decent meal, Rusia wanted nothing more than a hot bowl of Olien’s stew and a mug of ale at the Cloak and Stagger before she collapsed into exhausted unconsciousness. Depressed, worn out, and angry after another fruitless search for information about what had happened to her mother, Rusia was just in a foul mood all around.

Before she cared for herself, of course, Rusia attended to Sayvil, rubbing the ghost pale mare down and leaving her with a warm oat mash and fresh water. Feeling a bit of a chill in the stables tonight, Rusia fitted a snug blanket across Sayvil’s back to keep her muscles from stiffening up after a night out in the cold.

Poor Sayvil, loyal war horse that she was, Rusia felt bad for constantly keeping her running day and night. Still, if her mother was alive out there, she had to keep looking, even if it was a hopeless cause. Her guild mates were at least understanding of her desire to go out searching every time she had a break in training, but that meant Sayvil rarely got any time off either.

The corner of Rusia’s mouth crooked up as she remembered winning Sayvil in a card game against a wealthy horse dealer who passed through two years ago. She was severely disciplined by one of the captains afterward for underage gambling, but it was worth it.

Flipping a coin to Callac to remind him to bring hay down for Sayvil from the loft, Rusia headed to the barracks to drop off her muck-covered armor and near-empty packs. She had been on the road much longer than she had expected following what turned out to be a fruitless lead. Her supplies had run out days ago and there had been no time to hunt.

Throwing her packs on her bunk and carefully laying out her armor to be scrubbed in a sand barrel in the morning, Rusia grabbed her great sword — always cleaned and sharpened before being sheathed — and draped it across her back. She knew it was relatively safe in Whitehawke with a whole company of mercenaries protecting the town, but Rusia had been caught without a weapon once… and it would never happen again.

Yawning hugely, Rusia trudged through the streets to the Cloak and Stagger, her mouth watering and stomach grumbling at the thought of getting her hands on Oli’s latest culinary creation. Her step quickened as she saw the sign for the inn and tavern ahead. Oli might have fresh bread too, and there was nothing in the world that made Rusia crazy with happiness than his fresh, crusty on the outside, soft in the middle bread.

Stepping through the door of the Cloak and Stagger, Rusia immediately spotted Captain Cromgrup and Commander Sias conversing with a strange orc at one of the tables. Over by the bar counter, Commander Kazya stood with her black wolf by her side and a ferret poking its nose out of her hair. Rusia didn’t recognize anyone else in the main area of the tavern except a few local residents. All the others of her rank were probably still out merrymaking elsewhere or visiting family during their break.

Tired, hungry and cranky, Rusia wasn’t sure if she should join her fellow guild mates or retire to a table of her own. She’d only just graduated to being a full member of the mercenary guild after her time in the academy. She had not yet fought with the company on campaign and wasn’t even sure the Commanders or Captain Kazya even knew her name.

Stalling her choice, Rusia sidled up to the counter as far away from Captain Kazya as possible and caught Bertrand’s eye. She wiggled her eyebrows at him and pointed at her mouth to indicate a begging need for her usual supper. He smiled in acknowledgement as he continued to pour out mead for several townies seated at the bar.

A few minutes later, with ale in one hand and a bowl of stew topped by a fresh quarter loaf of bread in the other, Rusia decided to step up and be brave. She raised her head and walked purposefully to the table where Crom, Sias and the orc she didn’t recognize were chatting over a keg.

“Mind if I take a seat gentlemen?” She tried to smile, get a grip on her anxiety, and not appear like she was about to run away as fast as possible.

“Ah, Rusia. Yes, please join us.” Well, Commander Sias at least did remember her name. Rusia almost actually smiled for real, but that urge quickly left her at the Commander’s next words. Suddenly, the smell of that beloved fresh bread went from heavenly to nauseating as he continued.

“I’m sorry to tell you this, as I know you have only just returned, but I’m afraid we have received what may be distressing news for you. I know you have been holding out hope, but we have confirmation from a reliable source that your mother did indeed perish several years ago. From what we know, it was mercifully quick. I hope this can bring you some peace. I have the letter, along with evidence of her death, back at headquarters. When you are feeling up to seeing them.”

Rusia slowly set down her bowl of stew and bread, and nodded stiffly at the Commander before quickly turning and walking out of the tavern. Her walk quickly became a jog, and then a full out run, and soon her tears were lost in the whipping wind against her face as she fled away from those who would comfort her if she would let them and back into the loneliness that had consumed her for so long.

LOST HAWKE