Sexlivion

To distance myself from sweet Augusta for a while, I decided to go about the farmlands and coasts outside the Imperial City walls to see what alchemical plants I could harvest. I had brewed up a few useful potions for the Imperial City's premier potions store, The Gilded Carafe ("I have everything for the budding alchemist under one roof" was the proprietress's motto), and was low on ingredients. The Main Ingredient in the Market District offered ingredients, but the prices were daunting and in any case I thought I might be able to do without their pricier exotic ones. The proprietress, a lovely Breton red-head named Claudette Perrick, suggested we make the final negotiations for price and future orders in the early morning. She was looking for a particular plant for a special customer in Skingrad, and could use the help. In exchange, she promised to take me to some of the better spots for harvesting around the Imperial Isle (knowing fully I was the itinerant so

Vinicia and I had a late breakfast at the Merchant's Inn before we parted ways, her to the Office to catch up on paperwork, probably piled to monstrous proportions. And me back to the Tiber Septim Hotel. One of the first things I noticed when I stepped into the lobby was that the bouquet I had bought for Augusta had mysteriously vanished. They were certainly fresh enough for a few days at least. Augusta was very professional when she showed me to my room--Which wasn't necessary at all as I certainly knew the way by now. When we arrived, she quickly looked down both sides of the corridor and, seeing no one, turned back to me. Her face darkened and she gave me the most terrific slap. "You make me so jealous!" she cried. She grabbed me and kissed me desperately. * In the privacy of my room, we sat close, side by side on the king-sized bed (or "emperor-sized" as the hotel brochure had it). Augusta was of course still cross with me, but there was a

It seemed my fortunes were finally looking up. All thoughts of my hectic days past had vanished, melting away every time I saw Augusta smile. She was busy in the hotel, of course, which was probably a handy thing because it nudged me out of procrastination. First thing in the morning, I splurged for an enormous bouquet of flowers for my dear lovely Augusta, guaranteed to pleasantly embarrass her whenever anyone asked about it, then went about my day. I dropped by the Office of Imperial Commerce to deliver the Anvil Well Crystals and received a second assignment to sort out the water wells in Cheydinhal, which water had for some reason become foul-tasting. There was a Mages Guildhall in Cheydinhal as well, and if I ever wanted to access the Arcane University in full I'd have to go there for a recommendation , so I agreed. Hopefully there wouldn't be any more crazy, murderous, Argonians. Some inquiries into local businesses and opportunities brought up the topic of real

Out of Skingrad I headed east to the Imperial City . The capital city of the Empire is very different from every other city in that the huge marble slabs are Ayleid. Overall, the architecture is of that ancient elven race, but repurposed into contemporary living spaces. It is situated on the drably named "City Isle" in the vast Lake Rumare. On the eastern and side the Isle is close enough to the mainland to not inconveniently swim, but the only way to and from the mainland that doesn't require getting wet is from the west, past the village of Weye and into the affluent Talos Plaza. Even from far away I could see the tall, narrow White Tower of the Imperial Palace. By night, the lights from the tower gave the capital city a beacon, like some sort of lighthouse of civilization. The roads around the lake shore were well patrolled, and for the first time since setting foot on Tamriel did I feel safe, and, though cautiously a first, let my guard down. It was a profoun