A More Profitable Venture: Qa'han's Decision

Qa'han sat alone at his desk, mulling over the ledgers. His mind raced making swift calculations, his hand moved swiftly but carefully, insuring the ink from the quill did not splatter. It's not like they are hard, they always end up the same way: in the negatives. Everything these past moons have been in the negative. Between bribes to officials, lose of product, compensation to the dead (however minimal it is), and Ri'sari's deductions, there has been zero profit, and what profit there has been has been out of Qa'han's personal cache.

Frustration finally takes hold of the Argonian as he pushes the parchments off the table. How did Qa'han end up in this position? He once headed the Black Marsh Trading Caravans, but now he's an exile in a foreign land, peddling Skooma to make money. All because he was made an Eye of the Queen from a misunderstanding. Now his exploits are known far and wide, and those of the Black Marsh know him as a traitor.

"Traitor". Qa'han chuckles at the thought. To be a traitor means to betray that who he's loyal to, and he's only loyal to one thing: Coin. He never identified himself to any of the alliances, he only did what he enjoyed, trading. Just because he based his caravan in the Black Marsh, didn't make him loyal. He would have started in Cyrodiil, but that was Ri'fava's territory.

Mother. Qa'han nearly forgot her. Ever since Qa'han returned from Coldharbor the first time, they haven't spoken with each other. Getting up from the desk, Qa'han sighs deeply. She's going to be quite worried, since it has been thought much of the expedition. Walking across the room to his bed, he pulls off a Ring he himself enchanted, and squeezes it, and waits for a response. Seconds later, the ring glows. She's ready. Putting the ring back on and pulling off his armor, he climbs into the bed and falls asleep. In an instant, Qa'han reawakens in front of a bonfire, with a Khajiit in with black fur and long red hair stoking the flames.

"Ri'fava is very disappointed in you, my son." she says, eyes not leaving the flames "She thought she would be the first one you would contact upon your return."

"This one apologizes mother." Qa'han says with a sigh. "With everything that had happened to him, everything he has been through..."

"You think helping save Nirn from Oblivion is any excuse to forget of your mother." Ri'fava shouts, head snapping from the fire to meet Qa'han's eyes. "The least one would do is tell her 'Qa'han's still alive.'"

Qa'han sighs. "Qa'han's still alive."

As Qa'han finishes, Ri'fava embraces Qa'han in a loving embrace which Qa'han returns. "This one only kids. She is extremely proud of her adopted son." she says, tears streaming from her eyes. "You have made this one proud. And all of Tamerial."

"No, Qa'han hasn't." Qa'han responds, gently pushing away Ri'fava. "This one has not made himself proud. Saving Tamerial was not of Qa'han's own will. He only wished to do trade, not make himself an idol."

Ri'fava stepped back, listening to Qa'han. Crossing her arms, she lets out a sigh. "Perhaps Ri'fava overstepped her boundaries." she said with a sigh. "Perhaps we should of left you lying out there in the ocean. You did seem happy."

Qa'han looks up questioningly. He tilts his head and begins to open his mouth, but Ri'fava takes one of her furry claws and hushes Qa'han. "Ri'fava believes its time that his son knows the truth of his mother." she says with a grin. "Long story made short, Ri'fava is an Eye, though she was forbidden to ever tell Qa'han. Now ask the hundreds of questions that are racing through that Argonian mind of yours."

And so Qa'han asked, 34 questions in all to be exact, all which Ri'fava answered fully and in a serious mater. Qa'han learned why he was made an Eye so quickly (the Queen was already aware of his existance). Why Ri'fava raised him instead of returning him to the Black Marsh (being born under the Shadow, he was destined to be an assassin, plus she was so cute at the time) and so many more.

After he was finished, the two embraced as son and mother. "Despite everything, you will always be this ones son." she said. "But as your mother, she is quite angry with you."

Qa'han knew what was coming. If she is an Eye of the Queen, then more then likely she is aware of his involvement with Blue Skooma. "This one has lost everything that had made Qa'han, Qa'han" he explain. "He doesn't know what to do anymore. He wishes to go back to his former life, but he has been forbidden from returning to the Black Marsh, and none take this one serious enough to start his own Caravan." Qa'han's eyes turn to the bonfire. "So Qa'han is stuck with what he's got."

Ri'fava sighs at Qa'han "My son, you are most talented at thinking outside the box, but you must see whats in the box occasionally." Sbe turns towards the fire. "You claim none in he Dominion will take an Argonian seriously, but what of those who work under you?" She reaches inside he vest and pulls out a scrolls. Clearing her throat, she begins listing names. "Qa'han Sandscales, Mojiha Ice-Eyes, Anira, Slvyaswift. Do you wish for this one to continue? After the scene your Co-Broker caused on Kynarthi's Roost, we have quite a list."

"Yes, well, Qa'han is dealing with that himself." he said, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. Ice-Eyes has been drawing many eyes to the Merchants, but the Eyes of the Queen were certainly not the ones he prefer.

"Either way, you have Merchants under you, use them." Ri'fava says sternly. "You would do the Dominion good to take them from the company."

Qa'han sighs, more frustrated than ever. "Firstly, then what? Secondly, how will this help the Dominion?"

"Ri'fava believes Qa'han will come up with those answers himself. Remember there is a war raging on. Skooma is truly profitable in times of war." she says, giving a toothy grin. She turns towards the bonfire, which are now near embers. "Remember, despite everything, Ri'fava will always love you, as does your father, despite him never revealing himself. And keep that nose clean."

Qa'han gasps, his father? Before he can ask, the bonfire dies, and Qa'han suddenly awakens back inn his tower. Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he begins work, writing letters to everyone in the guild he trusts.

If he is to take advantage of this golden opportunity, he needs to act fast, and quietly. If Ri'sari learns of what Qa'han plans, he may need some help from "home" to protect him.

Nice :)