MISUNDERSTANDINGS

After spending the night at Six Fishes Inn, Narin travelled from Ebonheart to Vivec on the back of a guar cart. The huge city looked tempting but horribly complicated. Narin decided to let it be – for the time being. There were no carts going north to Pelagiad at the time, so he decided to walk. He had heard there were lots of farmhouses along the way, so he would not starve to death on the road and could probably find shelter too if he did  not make it in one day.

After he had walked a couple of hours he was not sure whether he had taken a wrong turn somewhere. He had met nobody on the road so far. He was relieved when he caught up with a brown-robed figure who walked at a slow pace using a wooden staff.

“Excuse me, old woman!” Narin called and jogged the last ten meters. The figure stopped and turned to look at him, throwing back the hood to reveal a wide, grey face, that was definitely male, and a sparkling mass or red hair that made the red eyes even more brilliant.

Narin drew a sharp breath. “Sorry, sir. Anyway, is this the road to Pelagiad?”

The Dunmer nodded and continued with his slow walk, hardly using the staff at all.

“Do you mind if I walk with you, if that's where you're going?” The Dunmer smiled and made a gesture that looked like agreement. Narin started to suspect the locals weren't that talkative. “I'm Narin,” he introduced himself, trying to break the ice. He only received another smile and a single nod. The Altmer was losing his temper rather quickly. “What is your name?”

The Dunmer made a sorry face and gestured a line across his mouth while pointing north with his staff.

Narin arched his eyebrow. “Sorry for asking, but are you a mute?”

The Dunmer frowned and shook his head, pointing north once again while holding up three fingers. Narin suspected it was some sort of rude gesture.

“You just don't feel like talking to an ignorant outlander, is that it?” Narin murmured loud enough for him to hear.  The Dunmer rolled his eyes as response and quickened his pace. Narin took longer strides to keep up. “I was right! And it's even below you to speak to me, telling me to bugger off to my own country!”

Now the Dunmer was scowling into mid air while rubbing his temple as if a headache was on its way. Then he sighed and walked to the roadside. Narin watched him put down the staff and kneel in front of a smooth rock. Leaning his elbows against it, he formed a triangle with his hands and closed his eyes. Narin walked around him, shaking his head in disbelief. When the Dunmer had not moved for five minutes he decided to continue alone.

The rudeness of some people!