Well, that was interesting. And quite odd. And very, very profitable. Time to find the Tavern. And a bath!
Upon arriving nearby to Fort Sutch, Newt had been met by an Orc named Ulmug-gro-Cromgog and told to hobble Ogan and his two mules in a cul-de-sac behind some large wall remnants. Jazz had taken off immediately when the Orc showed up, proving once again he was a very smart cat.
Newt had taken the precaution of rising the previous night at approximately 2 a.m. and burying his four kegs of powder and various other items some distance from his campsite. He had kept a small amount in a tanned boar stomach he used for items that couldn't stand the wet.
There had been a marauder supposedly watching his camp, but he had been fast asleep and snoring like an Ogre when Newt had crept up on him.
Wonder how he is feeling today. Bet he is staring at the fire, drooling, and scratching his rump. IF he can remember how to build a fire and IF he can remember where his rump is. Good job,Chips, that was a brilliant idea to coat the inside of his pewter mug with that coda flower, heather, and dreugh wax infusion. He will be so stupid and disgusting that for the next three days even his Orc buddies won't come within a mile of him! Gotta make sure to put that in my book someday.
Nearby was a trap-door in the foundation of a destroyed building. Drawing some small comfort from the fact he had been allowed to keep his weapons, he went over to it as he was told. Still, he had gone down into the tunnels beneath it with a heightened sense of dread. He hated the underground with a passion. Once he left the sky behind, his natural optimism vanished almost instantly. His hands began to shake, and his voice climbed in timbre to almost a squeak. It irritated him immensely, but he had never been able to make the slightest progress in ridding himself of his subterranean dread.
The Dwemer had lived underground, and their entire race had vanished!
Following the smelly, armor-plated Orc away from the ladder and deeper into the tunnels had taken almost all the courage he possessed. Newt was scared, but he didn't see any specific danger at the moment, so his resolve to see this mystery through drove him on. Ahead was some knee-deep water. He hated underground water worse than underground dirt. Then the passage slanted upwards, and his spirits also began to rise with the increase in elevation.
Soon to find out what this is about, I reckon.
After many turns that he committed to memory, they finally arrived in a large, better lit, multi-level area. On a small ledge in the distance was a Redguard woman waving impatiently. Ulmog pointed to go to her. Newt made a right and the next left up some stairs to where she was waiting. On a raised stone platform there was a red upperclass bed and on it was a huge Orc that appeared to be dead. After a quick examination, Newt decided he was not deceased, but in some sort of suspended animation. Having heard of a Dark Brotherhood poison that could induce those effects, he hoped the bottle he had brought here would prove to be the correct antidote. Going back to the closest cooking fire, he began to prepare a pot of Willow Anther and Corkbulb tea.
The province of Morrowind was a highly dangerous place, but the Gods in their wisdom had provided it with a bounty of extremely useful herbs.
Mixing the unknown medicine with his tea, he went back upstairs. Using a hollow reed, he gave the comatose Orc small draughts until it was all gone.
Suddenly drained by his hopes; and his fears, he went to the nearest bedroll and fell almost instantly asleep.
He awoke when he realized the huge Orc was dragging him to his feet.....and hugging him!
The smell of 400 pounds of long-comatose Orc and the strength of the bearhug almost ended his life right then, but he survived. That night many marauders from miles around showed up and they had a huge feast. Newt returned to his buried supplies and contributed 12 bottles of cheap wine to the festivities..... They lasted about half that many minutes.
The Redguard woman, who turned out to be very attractive seemed to find Newt irrestible. Taking his hand late in the night as the snores and belches rose in intensity in the main hall, she showed him to a small room she had furnished and maintained for herself.
Waking the next morning, Newt felt so content he completely forgot (for a few minutes) that he was still below gound. Speaking of smells, I always seem to come out smelling like a rose, he thought with a satisfied grin.
Bagamol-gro-Lorbgurnol was the huge Orc's name , and when he saw Newt later that day he proceeded to try to pound him on the back with delight. (Blows that would have broken his spine and every rib he owned).
Crooking his finger, and smiling an evil Orcish smile, he motioned for Newt to follow him. Arriving at an ancient-looking chest in a side tunnel, he lifted the lid and moved aside. Peering into the chest, Newt smiled a very similiar smile and shook the Orc's huge green hand fiercely.