The Duties Continue, Split Between Two Masters

Kiseena asked around about the whereabouts of Caius Cosades. An argonian with the interesting name Only-He-Stands-There told Kiseena that whatever this one's business with Caius is, that Kiseena should be careful. Apparently Caius looks as an old man, but when underestimated in the past has been more than able to handle himself. Kiseena would later find out that this was quite true.

A lady khajiit named Chirranirr told Kiseena that Vvardenfell had many dwarven ruins, but that the imperials had decided to make looting them against the law. This one is not certain why the fellow khajiit offered this information; perhaps this one looks more the adventurer than Kiseena realized, or perhaps Chirranirr was as warm-bellied as Kiseena was after the short snack of food and booze. She also mentioned that Caius has a taste for moon sugar that might rival that of Sheggorath himself.

The man behind bar suggested that Kiseena speak to the owner of the South Wall, named Bacola. On the way up toward this man, Kiseena met the lovely and mysterious Sugar-Lips Habasi and her compatriots, Arathor and Sottilde. They kept to themselves in a back hallway, and their talking dried up soon after Kiseena neared. Something prompted this one to speak to Habasi, but before long, Kiseena was being offered a position in a guild of thieves. She said Kiseena looked as if to have some skill, and gave this one a short speech on the honor her guild holds. No stealing from brother thieves, no attacking brother thieves. Where to find those that might help remove a bounty from this one's head. Kiseena asked for time to think over the proposition. There were more pressing matters at-hand such as "imperial duties."

Finally, Bacola was found, and directions to Caius were given. By now the angry clouds had gone away, and so Kiseena went to deliver the package and hopefully be done with the post-prison duties this one was thrust upon. The hopes were not founded in fate's wishes, sadly.

The home of Caius Cosades was messy, to say the least. Bottles and bed-things laying about, books pages-down on the floor. An old skooma-pipe, almost an antique, in an attempt at being hidden under the bed. Caius looked every bit the old addict that Chirranirr suggested, but Kiseena was wary. He was quite confused to hear that not only was Kiseena looking for him, but that Kiseena was doing so on imperial order. The package was given, but Caius asked this one not to leave quite yet. Sadly, the package mentioned that Kiseena was to become one of the Blades - the secret spies of the Emperor himself -  and that as such would now be working for this Caius for a time.

Caius already had orders for Kiseena, as well. He gave this one some money and suggested that Kiseena take on a cover identity and see about joining a guild. Of the former, Kiseena chose mother's old title of "traveling acrobat." Of the latter, this one need only return to Sugar-Lips Habasi and relay her decision to join. It is for this guild that Kiseena should do some work, Caius said, so that the locals of Balmora might get used to seeing Kiseena and so be able to hide in the open.

Perhaps Only-He-Stands-There was right, and this Caius is more than meets the eye.