A New way of Thinking pg 19

Akemmi


With the smell of smoke still strong in my nose, I woke the men the next morning with breakfast already cooked. Venison steak's and Pine-thrush eggs, with toasted bread and a snowberry spread. I had found enough food in the sanctuary that we would not have to hunt on our way to Riverwood. There was even a steak for Tex, though he wasn't partial to eggs or toast. As I ate some toast and berry spread while cooking. I groomed all three horses and fed them some of the grain that I had found.

As the men ate, I decided to go over our tack again,  as we had been putting in some hard riding.

The martingale on my saddle was wearing thin and would need to be replaced before we did any serious climbing. I rubbed some of the fragrant oil over all the leather pieces thinly, as the weather had gone from one extreme to the next since the going over I had given it all in the cabin. I wasn't as sure of Signar's horse armor, but none of the metal was jagged, nor any of the cloth stiff or frayed. Nelthas's gear was as supple as the leathers he wore.

The men started packing up the tents and other gear as I cleaned the plates and such and got them packed. I would love to say that the ride to Riverwood was quiet and calm, but it was anything but. Not too far out, we ran into some Spriggins, I used my strongest calming spells and we made it past them, but then a dragon decided that we would be a challenging foe.

I conjured a Flame Atronach and Signar still having my staff summoned another Golden Saint,  with three bows the dragon soon resembled a pincushion, when it landed I started casting fire spells at it, the two men closing in with swords, Tex snapping at its wings and heels. I absorbed it's soul and felt less at his loss of life than wolves that choose to attack us.

We made it to Riverwood in the late afternoon, with rain on the wind. We bedded the horses down in the small paddock behind the Inn and stowed the saddles and other gear in the shed. I grabbed the thin Martingale and my pack so that I might use it as a template and just add the bright-work to it. Nelthas and Tex hurried into the Inn, as the wind brought dampness that said rain was soon to follow. I told Signar to please get us a room and tell Orgnar that I would sing a song or two. Then I hurried over to the forge before the rain started.

I traded some nice pelts for some tanned hides of a length that I would need, Alvor looked at the bright-work and said it was fine, but I might think about ordering some new, as it was starting to thin and warp slightly. So I asked him if he wouldn't mind doing that for me, but to make it all matte instead of shiny. He said as how he had a couple orders that would have to come before mine, but I told him that was fine, what I had would do. He looked to the sky and decided to call it a day, I could hear the thunder in the distance, but I wanted to at least get the shape cut and the holes punched.

I set to work on that and was almost done when the rain started. It was nothing but a mist, so I kept going as I had only a little to go. I was about finished when I thought I heard boards creek, but as the Guards had been walking back and forth I paid it no attention. I was just finishing the last of the holes and getting ready to pack up my leatherworking gear when the bottom fell out and the rain came down in sheets so hard that it almost sounded like hail. I turned and looked out over the river and down in the direction the rain was coming from when the water started sheeting off the roof like miniature waterfalls.

I leaned against the center pole and thought it figured. The heat of the forge felt good with the chill wind blowing. I was just about to look around and see if Alvor had left a cloak or piece of canvas lying around that I could use to get to the Inn when two arms snaked around my waist and I felt the heat off a large male body behind me. I squeaked indigently and heard the chuckle in my ear as Signar leaned down. I leaned my body back into his and tipped my head so that I could look up at him.

" I don't suppose you brought our cloaks?" His blue eye's narrowed as he smiled.

"Why, My Lady, would I do something like that?" Still laughing he kissed the tip of my nose and then sat down on the edge of the forge, pulling me with him. It wasn't the most comfortable position with my butt barely on the forge, but we sat that way for a moment. After a bit he opened the pouch on my hip and pulled out the necklace that was inside and draped it around my neck, fumbling with the clasp. When he finally got it closed, he kissed the back of my neck, sending goosebumps down my spine.

" You wore that once for me, yet we never really talked about marriage." I shifted so that my back was against the pole, my butt on his lap and I was looking up into his face. " I would have you for my wife, your life here may be short, but I would that you called me Husband for that time. I love you Akemmi."

He stopped at that and I looked up into his face, his blue eyes searching mine for an answer. I smiled at him and then pulled his head to mine. Against his lips, I said, " I would have you for my husband, for now, and the rest of eternity if the Divines would allow it.  But I will take today and the tomorrows that we have and cherish them." With that, I deepened our kiss and when our lip's parted, I laid my head on his shoulder, listening to his heartbeat and feeling the slow steady rise and fall of his chest. His chin resting on my head, arm's wrapped around me, I basked in the warmth of his body as the rain continued its relentless pounding.

When the rain slackened enough we took off our boots and put on our cloaks, as one of the Guards slogged his way across the street through the fast moving water. Signar and I both realized the water would be over my knee's and I might easily be swept off my feet.

He bent at the knees and patted his shoulder, "come on, hop up, arm's around my neck, leg's around my waist", when I did, he handed me his boot's so that I was holding both pairs. His arm's free he used them to keep his balance in the swift water, even with that he had to walk crossways, not strait across so that we were further down the street than the Inn.

He bent slightly forward and moved a bit quicker as the rain started getting heavier and that is how we went through the door of the Inn. He was bent almost double to keep from hitting my head on the door frame, the two of us laughing like fools. As he went to stand, I must have shifted or he hit a wet spot, cause I few right over his head and he ended up on his face. I rolled over and looked at him and had a complete fit of giggles at the look on his face.

By the time I quit laughing and wiped the tear's from my eyes, he was sitting against the fire pit, staring at me. Nelthas and Delphine were standing off to the side looking at both of us like we were crazy, even Tex had his head cocked sideways, which threw me right back into a fit of laughter. I had almost stopped laughing when I started hiccuping,  at which I started laughing again.

Delphine threw her arms up and said that she was headed to bed, as it was obvious their was no way we were going to have a serious conversation tonight. Nelthas looked at Tex and said that if he wanted to hog the blanket's he was more than welcome to share his room. Tex walked over to me, nudged at my shoulder, and then licked the side of my face. I stopped laughing long enough to kiss him on top of his head and bust out giggling again when I hiccuped again, though it sounded more like I was choking.

Signar stood up and told Orgnar that we would like a couple bowls of stew and mug's of mead in our room if he pleased. Then he came over and scooped me off the floor. Orgnar was just putting a tray on the table in our room when Signar got there. He set me down on the bed and then went to shut the door, unbuckling his armor on the way back. He pulled the cuirass off over his head and placed it on the chest at the foot of the bed. When he was down to just his underclothing, he came over and sat beside me.

I was hiccuping and gulping air, but I stood up and stripped down to my under-cloths also. He took my chin in his hands and looked deep into my eyes...then kissed me on the tip of my nose and said that we both needed some sleep.  He laid down and pulled me up against him, his arm wrapped around me, the other under my head. He held me like that all night, when I woke in the middle of the night,  from a nightmare and started to shake, he was awake and we talked for hours. When I again drifted into sleep, it was with the thought that I did not want to live another life, unless he was there to hold me. I felt safe and content for the first time in hundreds of years,

Nelthas had caught Delphine up on all the information that we had got, including that Malborn was now a wanted man as well. He had explained all the dossiers and given them to her, except the one on himself and me, those I had and didn't plan on sharing them. So with breakfast, we went over our plans to go to Riften and look around and see if we couldn't find Esbern, under the guise that Signar and I were planning our wedding, which we were.

We left Riverwood in the rain, as it didn't look like there was an end to the storms.  The Mill owner in Iverstead was correct, the bears were getting out of hand, but I had my own thoughts on that. Dragon's had to eat, Alduin may eat the souls of mortals, but the rest needed meat. Deer and Elk were easy prey, so the predators were safe, for a little while.  We made quick time to Riften, even given, the fights we had with predators.

The first thing I did was go and get rooms at the Inn and then give the Argonian male the Amethyst's that he needed for his wedding ring. Nelthas said he had a person he wanted to talk to and Tex trailed behind him as he went.

"Have you noticed that Tex never goes anywhere near a shrine or Temple?"  Signar's voice was dry with humor. I thought about it for a moment.

" Not all, he's has no issue going up to a Shrine to Talos or Akatosh."  I had noticed, but as he was my first real protector and friend here, I wasn't going to rock the boat.

We walked to the Temple of Mara and asked about having a wedding. The Priest was more than happy to plan it for us and asked when we would like our wedding. We looked at each other and I told him tomorrow wouldn't be soon enough. He smiled and winked at Signar, thinking he was the only one eager for our wedding. Of course, he might have been thinking that Signar was the only one eager for the wedding night, he would be wrong.

I snorted mentally, we had already made love, but, married... would that make it different, or was it really just a word? As we walked back to the Inn, I was thinking and paused to look out over the lake and mountains. Yes, it mattered, it mattered in the promise that we would be making to each other.

"Sweetie, why don't you wander off to the Inn, I want to buy something pretty for tomorrow. I'll get you something also." He leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek and I said I wouldn't be too long, the market wasn't that large.

I watched him walk away, the sun came out in a ray that landed right on him, the refection off his armor was blinding. I laughed, my Knight in shining armor. I went around to the few stalls and found a decent outfit for Signar, but other than a pair of earrings, there was nothing in any of the other stalls. I felt my shoulders sag a little, it really didn't make a difference, except I wanted to look pretty. Signar was used to me in armor, I wanted a nice dress. The meat vendor walked over and asked what I was looking for, cause I looked like I had lost something. I laughed and told her I wanted a dress to get married in tomorrow, but none of the vendors had one.  She smiled at me and pointed down a side alley and said their was a shop there, they often had pre-made dresses.

I thanked the woman and asked her if I could help her in any way, she said she needed some Ice wraith teeth and if I could get her some, she would be in my debt. I walked into the shop and the man behind the counter asked how he could help me. I told him I was looking for a dress for my wedding tomorrow and did he have anything that I could wear or alter in one night?

He took a good look at me and said he had two dresses that might suit and a third that wasn't a wedding dress but would fit like a glove with no alteration at all.  He showed me all three of the outfits and while I really liked one of them, it was the largest and I would have to do more needlework that I was comfortable with in one night.  I said I would like to try on the last one, it looked more like a Temple robe of one kind or the other, but it fit beautifully and was rather nice. So I bought that dress and some slippers to go along with it. We wrapped the dress up putting it in a box and I headed back to the Inn.

Signar and Nelthas we sitting at a table and I plopped myself into the third chair. We had a pleasant night Listening to the patrons of the Inn chat to each other. I yawned and told the men if they wanted to stay up all night drinking that was up to them, I was headed to bed.

I asked which room was mine? Signar got up and said he would show me to our room. I followed him up the stairs and to a room with a double-sized bed. I turned back to the door and smiled as Signar closed it behind him. I barely had time to put my packages down before he tackled me, we hit the bed and bounced, hard and all the air went out of me in one big ooof.

"You know My Lady that we won't have much of a Honeymoon? What with getting Esbern back to Delphine and lord knows what she will want to do after that. So I figured....." I shut him up in the best way I could think, kissing him deeply and pulling at the buckles of his armor, he laughed and stood up and started undressing himself, I wasn't backward in getting undressed myself and then sitting on the bed watching him. It was a long night,  I was a tired happy woman when I woke the next morning.

Signar was gone and so was the outfit I had bought for him. There was a flower on top of the box the dress came in so I put it aside, meaning to carry it with me. I put my dress on and fixed my hair, leaving it down, for today. As I left the room, Signar caught me in his arms and swung me around, giving me a hug and a kiss.

" My Lady, you look beautiful." He pulled me close, in another hug and then engulfed my hands in one of his and we went to the Temple. I was told it was a beautiful ceremony, but really I don't remember it. I remember how happy Signar looked as we put our rings on each other's fingers. How his eye's danced with happiness, the stupid grin he got on his face when we said now and forever. I  might have had the same stupid grin, everyone was too polite to tell me.

We spent the day in our room, with some sliced meat, cheeses, and fruits, along with mead and juice, we talked about our childhoods. It was actually rather surprising to learn that I had a better childhood, his family had been poor and he had done odd jobs to feed his mother and sister. While I had gone to school and played with friends, hunting, and fishing.  His hunting and fishing were done for food and hides for clothing and money. We learned more about each other on that day, than perhaps all the rest of the time we had been together, all I learned made me love the man even more.

We fell asleep that night, hands, bodies, and hearts entwined.

Diplomatic Nightmares pg 18

Akemmi......

 "Well, that might be something of a problem Delphine, Elenwyn knows me by sight. I'm pretty sure any invitation with my name on it would end up with me in iron's or dead. "

I looked at the two men, Nelthas shook his head, "I had a contract that she paid for, in person, my former master was only too happy to parade me in front of her". All three of us looked at Signar.

"What...Oh no, not me, I'm not the sneaky type of person. Why can't she do it?" he said pointing at Delphine.

"Because as a member of the Blades she has a full description of me and I have a price on my head." Delphine didn't mince her words. His shoulders slumped and he gave one last look around, but the only other being in the room sure wasn't going to get an invite to a party. Tex just sat there panting with his tongue hanging out of his mouth with a stupid look on his face.

" Not like they were going to suggest it dog..." Tex whined and laid down. " Alright, tell me what I need to do and I'll do it." I walked over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Delphine outlined what the plan was, but suggested that no absolute firm plans be made until we had talked to Melborn, her contact at the embassy. We decided to take the carriage to Solitude, but with the horses tethered to the back. It wasn't the quickest of trips, horseback overland would have been, but we got to Solitude full of energy.

We talked to Melborn and as he was going to sneak items into the embassy for Signar, the first thing we had to do was go get him some other clothing. He wasn't thrilled at the idea of not having his arm's and armor at the embassy party but understood that unless they hired him as a guard, that wasn't going to happen.

As he gave everything over to Melborn, I handed the Bosmer my staff and some potions that Signar might need. I had completely recharged the staff, I now explained to Signar how to use it. He didn't look happy about that, summoning a creature from Oblivion, but I told him in a pinch, if you needed the extra help, he would have it. Nelthas took off a ring and handed it to Signar and asked if it fit, it did, but on his last finger. He asked what it was and Nelthas said it was enchanted with a muffling spell, he might not be the best at sneaking, but he would not be heard. Signar handed that over to Melborn as well, with a dire look from Nelthas.

He stood there in a store-bought outfit and looked very uncomfortable, I had told him that he should bring his hunting leathers, as you never know when you might want that change of outfit. I patted his arm as we watched Melborn leave the Tavern, let's get something to eat. He would not be leaving until tomorrow morning, as the party wasn't until the evening. Delphine would meet us at the stables first thing in the morning.

We rented two room's and I told Tex he could share with Nelthas for the night, then shut him out. Signar didn't get as much sleep as he would have thought that night, but neither did I. We were up early the next morning, already at breakfast when Nelthas and Tex came down. We walked down to the stables and there was Delphine, talking to a carriage driver.

I watched him leave with my heart in my throat, I would rather it was me walking into a Thalmor den or I would if Elenwyn didn't know who I was by sight.  Tex leaned against my leg and Nelthas put his hand on my shoulder and said everything would be alright, he would be back.

"Muthsera?" Nelthas sounded a little hesitant, which wasn't at all like him.

" Yes, Nelthas, ask... I can't give you an answer unless I know the question."

"Muthsera, There is a man in Dragon bridge that would very much like the Dark Brotherhood to fall, perhaps if we go and speak to him, he may have a way. Only they know who you are by sight, so once they are gone, you have no one that can find you."

"I suppose we can go talk to him at that, but I won't do anything until Signar gets back."

" Oh no, I just thought to spare him the hope that no more assassins would be after you if the man could not help. I know he worries about you."

And that is how we came to speak to the commander of the Penitus Oculatis, Commander Maro. He had heard that someone had killed Astrid, the leader of the Dark Brotherhood, and asked if that was me, I told him no, it wasn't.  Nelthas said not a word, so he was holding a secret about her death.

Commander Maro gave us the password to the magic door of their hideout, saying that we should go right away so that it wouldn't be changed. I nodded but did not say anything. We left with plenty of time to get back to Solitude before the evening meal. We took our leave of the Commander and got back on our horses.

As we left Dragonbridge behind, I had an idea and put Rodgeir on a ground-eating lope.  I was glad I had decided to bring Signar's horse and all our gear. When we got to the cross road's I turned up the road and headed towards the Thalmor Embassy, but stopped well short of where anyone would be able to see us. I circled around and found a nice overhand and then built a small camp with a fire. I asked Tex to wander around and look for signs of Signar, if he came out, he might need help. I sat on my bedroll to wait, as I watched Tex run off through the woods.


~Signar~

The Carriage ride was cold and lonely, I had not realized how much I had come to lean on Akemmi and Tex for company, even Nelthas would have been a welcome addition to this trip. When we made it to the Embassy the first person I ran into was a Redguard that was half drunk already. I talked to him as we walked into the Embassy, giving the guards our invitations.

I was greeted by none other than the Ambassador herself. I wandered the rooms talking to all of the other quests until such a time as it looked like no one else was going to arrive. I walked over to Melborn and ordered a drink and he told me to see if I couldn't make some kind of distraction so that we could sneak away. The Redguard was more than happy to provide that distraction with the advent of a bottle of Colovian brandy.

Melborn and I snuck away and I got my gear, dressed, and put on the ring that Nelthas had given me. I didn't know if it worked or not, but the few guards that I ran into I easily dispatched with my bow or sword, though I used Akemmi's staff once and a Golden Saint helped me a lot with her bow. I left the first building and went out into the courtyard, where I ran out of luck on the sneaking part. The guards there saw me, the bright shiny plate armor, glinting in the sun probably had something to do with that. Out of nowhere, Tex took a flying leap onto the back of one of the mages as she was hitting me with a lightning spell, he was a welcome sight.

We made it into the second building and I summoned another creature, this time getting a Flame Atronach, which was very helpful. I found some dossier's on quite a few of Skyrim's most Notable, including the woman  I wanted as my wife. We also ran into a prisoner shackled to a wall and Melborn being taken to a cell. Tex and I got rid of those guards and all four of us made our way outside. The unknown prisoner told me that the only thing they really wanted to know was about a man named Esbern and where in Riften he might be. The man said he never told them and I thought Delphine might make use of this information.

As soon as we made it out of a cave Tex took off and I started the long walk back to solitude. It wasn't long though before I heard the thunder of hooves and I dove off the road into some bushes and then turned around and drew my sword as I hear the horses skid to a stop.

I almost skewered the small black blur that launched herself at me, but at the last moment, I dropped my sword and wrapped both arms around her. I fell back into the snow bank and laughed as she rained kisses all over my face. I put my hand behind her head and deepened the kiss and then sat back up and just held her to me for a moment.

" I think I have all the information that we need, but we really need to get out of here. Our exit wasn't quiet."

She nodded and we went to where Nelthas was talking to Melborn. He would also need to lay low for a while and Akemmi told him to ride her horse and she would ride double with me. We would spend the night in Dragonbridge and then be off very early in the morning. I got on my horse and pulled Akemmi up behind me.

She brought me up to speed on what she had learned of the Dark Brotherhood and said that is where we would be heading, before we talked to Delphine, who might have other priorities.  We rented the room at the Inn and Akemmi and Nelthas spent a good portion of the evening reading the notebook's that had various peoples names on them. Reading was not something that came easy to me, so I picked the one with Ulfric's name on it, as the one least likely to hold information that we actually needed now. I told them about the Thalmor wanting to know about the man named Esbern and that was the first notebook that Akemmi started to read.

It was late when we got to bed, with only one room, Akemmi and I shared one small bed, with Nelthas on the other, Tex made due with our bedrolls.  I was simply happy to hold her.

The three days it took to make it to Falkreath hold and make a small camp not to far from the Dark Brotherhood's hide out, we spent making plan's. Nelthas knew the exact layout of the place, as he had been their more than once, when Astrid had tried to get him to join with them. Akemmi had picked up a new focus stone, one that she could use and was storing as much power as she could in it, without depleting herself to much on the trip.

It was infact an anti-climatic fight, the three of us took them out one by one, had they gathered together they might have been more of a challenge. Tex did not join us, but Akemmi did not seem to think this was strange, so I thought nothing of it either.  Nelthas stayed to the shadows with his bow, while I used my sword and Akemmi threw firebolts and iceshards at them.  Once they were all dead, we gathered some items of use and Akemmi went to a word wall that was there.   Akemmi  trailed some oil throughout the hide-out then set it on fire, the place burned, we are told for days after, but we were long gone.

The Trip to Riverwood was a quiet one.

Akemmi
I fingered the necklace in my pocket, I wondered if I put it on, would he ask for marriage. Their was only one way to find out and when we got to Riverwood, in a room to ourselves, I would find out. I wanted what time we had together to be as special as I could make it. I knew Delphine would want us to go to Riften to find Esbern and there was a temple to Mara there.

Revelations from an Assassin pg 17

Nelthas

 I saw the horses come up the road, along with a large black dog. When they made it to where I stood in the middle of the road, she stopped and got off her horse, walking right up to me. She was a small woman, young-looking and beautiful, but I knew she had an old and deadly soul.

"Akemmi? That is your name?"

"Yes Nelthas, it is. This is Signar and Tex" I  nodded at the two of them but turned back to her.

"We need to get out of the open and talk. I rented a cabin not far from here, it will be much safer"

"My Lady, how do we know we can trust this man?" He didn't sound angry,  just unsure.

"Because my Love, had he wanted us dead, we would be....isn't that right Master Assassin?"

I nodded but didn't say a word,  just got on my horse and rode towards the cabin, but not straight to it.


Akemmi

We rode to the cabin, which was a good way off the road, and with the coming of a snowstorm, no one would likely be able to follow us. I asked Tex to check our back trail and then high tail it back, that way his tracks would be covered by the falling snow.

Signar and I  bedded the horses down in a lean-to and made sure there was enough fodder for them to eat, the water we would have to bring out, though the trough was against the chimney it still might freeze. Nelthas went inside to start a fire and get the place warm.

Signar moved the hay bales so that they made a wall,  on the open sides of the lean-to, they were older bales and not what we really wanted to feed the horses if it could be helped. We could still get the horses out, but the wind wasn't blowing in as hard. I put blankets over each of the horses and checked their hooves for stones.

"My Lady, you do have some explaining to do.", we stood between the horses and he was speaking soft enough not to be heard over the wind.

" I know, once we get inside, I will explain as much as I can, as much as I know. I think Nelthas will have some answers to questions that I need." With that I looked around and then put my fur cloak back on, it wasn't far, but it was bitter cold.

Tex was just coming up to the cabin himself, so our timing was good, we would only have to open the door once. Nelthas had the fire going and was just taking off his cloak and fur gloves. I  took off my cloak and hurried over to the fire, my new armor was not really meant for the cold weather.  I sat down on the hearth and felt the fire getting warmer.

I looked around the cabin and saw wood stacked along the walls in the kitchen and crafting areas. There were baskets of vegetables and fruits in both area's and I would guess the iron box outside the door with the latch lock probably had meat in it. I changed my position a little bit and leaned back against the side of the hearth, where the stones were warm, but not hot. Tex laid out flat in front of the fire, with his nose only inches from my foot.

Neither man seemed inclined to relax, Signar leaning against the wall between the kitchen and crafting areas, Nelthas pacing the breadth of the cabin. I watched him pace around for a minute or so, his grace and fluidity made Signar look clumsy by comparison. His aura didn't say dangerous, it said lethal, at the same time I could see a quirkiness in his face, the kind that said his sense of humor would love to get the best of him. I knew the feeling, as mine often did me.

When he finally sat down against the far wall, his feet almost touching Tex's tail, I looked at Signar, who was staring at me. I sighed and looked back toward Nelthas.

"So, Nelthas, exactly what do you know of me?"

"I know your family name, those things that any Assassin would have to know to fulfill a contract a couple hundred years on the books. You and all the females of your line are cursed, that, of course, is not generally known, most think that a new daughter has come of age. The lady Azura showed me much in dreams of you, though at first, I did not know who you were. I know in this time, they call you Dragonborn".

I closed my eyes and thought for a moment, then opened them back up and told Signar he might want to pull up a chair, as the telling of my history wouldn't exactly be short and it was easier starting at the beginning than to try and ask what either man didn't know. I started with my ancestor, the one that started this whole curse, then I started my story, at my childhood and gave a sketchy history, hitting the highlights. The day was gone and the night was late when I finally paused.

..... "and so that is where we are now. I am hoping Nelthas that you can answer a few  questions also."

"Well, a question to you first," I nodded and he got an odd half-angry look on his face, " Why do you make yourself a target?"

" I'm sorry I don't understand, I really don't go out of the way to put myself in line for assassins."

"Muthsera, that necklace is as good as a target and it does you no good anyway does it?"

I picked up the necklace I had worn since puberty, my blood staining the stone red, though it was blue now, I could still feel the power coming from it.

"It's a focus stone, that also allows me to track others of my family and to store magic. That's all, how can anyone track me with it?"

"The blood that is spilled on it," he dug into his pocket and pulled out an identical necklace, " Long, long ago your families enemies found a way to track you, using these and each hired assassin goes out with that knowledge and a description of the woman they are after."

I looked down at the necklace and pulled it from around my neck. " We'll get rid of it then." He shook his head.

"You may if you choose or give it to your man to hold. Many a male in your family has one from a lost wife or daughter, so no none would think twice about it."

"You said it does me no good anyway, what do you mean?"

"Muthsera,  you have not noticed your magic is not as strong as it was in past lives? You were born into this time as Dragonborn, thus not of the same blood as your sisters. The necklace is nothing but a power sink for you, one that you can no longer tap, though I think it is still pulling power while you sleep, as the spell means it to do."

I looked down into the stone, it still swirled with the contained power it had been leeching from me for months. Nelthas was wrong, though, I could still use it, once, in desperate need. I handed it to Signar to hold, he hung it around his neck but tucked it under his gambeson.

"You mentioned sisters? I have family yet left alive?" He shook his head in an odd way.

"A few of your sisters figured out something that you now have, I cannot say by accident, by Divine intervention? To change the blood is to make the tracking of you impossible, by blood. A few, have gone vampire, they take their chances with vampire hunters. Though I know of one who has been around for hundreds of years but is very discrete. Quite a few have gone the way of Wer, werewolves, werebears, they live mostly normal lives with normal lengths, so died at their appointed time or perhaps were reborn somewhere else." He stopped for a moment and looked very reluctant to go on, but then squared his shoulders and continued.

"Some gave up Muthsera, they got tired of living. They turned themselves into the Morag Tog or the Dark Brotherhood or another faction and their head was removed from their body, necklace taken as proof of death."


I stood and said thank you and then went over to the beds and picked one, stripped down to my under-cloths,  I rolled up in it, and stared at the wall for a while, thinking. I heard the men talking but didn't listen. I soon fell asleep and dreamed not.

Over the next few days, the three of us talked and learned more about each other.

Akemmi....... " I mean seriously, you should have seen its face, the vampire popped out from under the ice, was staring The Commander right in the face, but the two thousand soldiers' behind him, were something of a surprise.... We took the Fort with no problems. Some said by magic, it was nothing of the sort, good planning, and a mad servant, one should not treat servants badly.......

Nelthas......" The contract was very specific and my master would have punished me for not following it to the letter. So the only place I could catch the man without half a dozen armed bodyguards was in the steam house. I hid my knives the day before and then had to figure out how to hide them with only a towel as cover. I almost cut off a very important part of my own anatomy when I slipped on the slick floor"....


"Muthsera, Their is one thing. the Dark Brotherhood knows what you look like, they don't need the necklace to find you, just enough assassins or informants out and about."

I nodded and told him we had already run into an assassin with a letter from someone named Astrid saying that the contract had already been paid. He looked up in surprise, but then over at Signar with new appreciation.

"Well, we will figure something out about the assassin contracts. For now, Signar, Tex, and I need to head for Riverwood and see what Delphine has come up with."

"Muthsera,  I will travel with you. I am tired of hiding out at the Inn, I need a purpose in my life, and keeping you in this world seems like a good enough one for now. Lady Azura has sent me enough dreams about you"

"Be thankful you only had dreams of me, mine of you were all nightmares. "

He looked at me and asked what made me think all the dreams he had been given were pleasant? His life was messy, so he just hadn't mentioned all the bad ones Azura had given him.

I shrugged and said I understood.... we set about getting ready to depart on the morrow. Any food that we couldn't take, we placed well away from the cabin where the wild animals could benefit from a mid-winter meal. I took a look around the cabin, it was very homey, I liked it very much and wondered if the Inn Keeper would be willing to sell it. Well, if I had a future, I would look into it, for now, Signar and I might rent it out one day soon, just to get away.

The day was cold and clear when we set out for Riverwood. We found that Nelthas was a master bowman, he often had two arrows in an attacking creature before Signar or I could even draw our bows. All in all, it was a pleasant trip. Nelthas would shoot a couple of Pheasants for our dinners and Tex brought in rabbits, so, we never went hungry for a night.  The men were much happier than I was, our supply of pastries, fruit, and cheese was thin, but a couple stop's at Inn's allowed for good hot meals, baths, and pastries for me.

A Blade....In the Dark Pg 16

I was up and across the room, spell in one hand, dagger in the other, before the echoes of the scream died. Signar was up with a sword in his hand, both of us looking around for a reason. We heard voices from the room across the hall from mine. I dissipated the spell and put the dagger on the dresser and grabbed the linen shirt that Signar had worn the day before, it hung to my knees. Signar was putting on pants, then he walked out of the bedroom door and across the hall to see what was wrong, I was right behind him.

We heard our regular guard talking to a female guard, it seems she was assigned here and he had been moved to Rorikstead where he had family that could put him up. A misunderstanding had put them both in the same bed and she wasn't happy about it. It seemed Tex was back and sleeping in the room downstairs, so she thought to use the smaller room.

Signar went down to answer the knock at the door, I was right behind him, as I figured the guard would want to see me before they would leave us be. As Signar explained to the guard what was wrong, I peeked from behind his back at the guard, he laughed and said have a good rest of the night.

I grabbed a jug of fruit juice and some breakfast rolls and headed upstairs,  I stopped long enough to put on some loose pants and then took everything out to the balcony. I knew Signar would join me once the issue with the guards was taken care of.

I heard our bedroom door close so knew he would be out in a minute,  which he was, with a clean shirt on. He sat down and propped his feet up on the lower balcony rail. We sat in silence, for a while and I got to think some of my problems through. I was enjoying the quiet chill of the morning, the sun wasn't even a glow on the horizon yet, an aurora was putting on a dim show.

"My Lady? You're not going to eat that are you?" I paused with one of the pastries almost to my lips and looked at it, then grimaced... ick... sausage roll, Hulda made them for Signar and Tex, I much preferred the fruit pastries, but it appeared that I had already eaten all of those. I put it down and Signar laughed then picked it up and popped it in his mouth. I picked up my mug and took a sip.

"I've finished my armor, so I think we will head over to Riverwood and see what Delphine wants. Even though it's only a day's ride, I think a couple days' travel rations and the tents might be a good idea. "

"You have in mind to go somewhere after seeing Delphine?"

"I don't really know, I doubt she said urgent and just wants our company. I would prefer to be prepared. Plus we might go to Windhelm, the court wizard there is pretty old and may have an answer to why my magic is so much less than it was before." This worried me more than some of the other problems, as I relied on my magic in battle. I would be careful, not just because I hated the feeling of being weak and flat on my back, but because Signar and Tex also relied on my magics.

I stood up and walked to the door, looking back over my shoulder I told Signar that it was going to be dark for a couple hours yet and the bed did look rather inviting.

The trip to Riverwood was rather uneventful, the guards having finally gotten rid of the wolf pack that had been attacking travelers. Another would move in to take their place, but today at least the way was clear. Orgnar greeted me,  with a grin which was for him as good as a smile and a hug, and asked if I was going to sing and teach Sven a couple new songs. Seems he was playing the same couple of melancholy song's over and over again.

I laughed and said no I was here to speak with Delphine. The Lady herself choose that moment to come up out of the cellar. She motioned for me to follow her then went to shut her bedroom door once we were inside.  Signar closed the door, she looked at me then at him, and frowned.

"Where I go he goes", at which I got growled at, " Correction, where I go they go."

"Fine, follow me down, so that no one can overhear".  I gave Signar that 'see I told you look', he just shrugged. The only person in the Inn at that time was Ognar.

"So, I heard you are Dragonborn, is that correct?"

" One of the Guards at the Western Watchtower named me so after defeating the dragon that was attacking there. The Jarl agreed when I told him I had absorbed some kind of power from the Dragon when he died. The Greybeards named me so after several tests."  She snorted and looked back down at the table.

"You'll forgive me if I don't believe everything the Greybeards say, to be true".

"Your prerogative of course. So,  what.. you want to follow me around until a dragon attacks and then help me slay it so that I can absorb it's soul upon its death?"  when Signar shifted from his apparently relaxed position, I looked and saw the angry expression on his face. "Peace Signar."

"No, I know where one might be resurrecting if the pattern holds. You gave me the key to that pattern."

"The Dragonstone?" She nodded, "Why so much interest in dragons and Dragonborns?"

" I'm a member of the Blades," I startled when she said that, but quickly thought it figured, " We remember what few other people do. The Blades started as Dragonslayers and The Dragonborn is the ultimate dragonslayer, by absorbing it's soul, they won't come back. Which is what is happening now, something is bringing the dragons back to life."

"So where are we heading?"

"Kynesgrove, if the pattern holds that is where the next dragon will be resurrected at". I nodded

"Fine then let's get going"

We got to Kynesgrove three days later, Delphine didn't have a horse and wouldn't let us buy her one. If one discounts bandit attacks, wild animals, crappy weather, and un-social companion, it was a pleasant trip. We arrived in time to meet a woman running from the town saying that a dragon was attacking, but after questioning her, it seems it had just flown over towards the dragon mound.

We raced up the hill, for once Tex was not the first one there. The others crouched behind a rock, but I didn't bother, what point when the Black dragon knew I was there. I did not catch all the words that he said to the dragon mound, but another dragon crawled out of the dust and dirt, bones at first then flesh and skin. He gave his name to the Black Dragon, Alduin, firstborn of Akatosh.

The others did not catch the name, though when I looked at Tex, he was hugging so close to the boulder, that it looked like he was trying to be part of it. I frowned at him, it wasn't like he was scared, more like he didn't want to be seen.

I looked back when Alduin started speaking again, he was looking right at me, but speaking in the Dragon language, so I didn't understand most of it. He started berating me for calling myself Dovah and not knowing how to speak the language. I snorted, I never called myself dragon, everyone else was, but I said not a word, it didn't really matter. He gave another mighty flap to his wings and told the other dragon to "kill her".

"OK, guy's and gal's, fights on...kill the dragons". I used my staff to summon and got a Winged Twilight and then summoned my bound bow. My first two shots were for Alduin, but he didn't even flinch in his flight, which did not bode well for killing him when next we met.

It wasn't as long a fight as I had thought it would be, but Sahloknir was not as strong as he would have thought either. He did say we were putting up a good fight, for mortals. When he crash-landed and Signar went to do battle with his sword in hand, he even said that mortals had become arrogant while he slept. When Tex came into view I thought he was going to say something to the hound, but Signar put his sword through the underside of his throat at the moment.

Delphine came up to me right after I absorbed Sahlokir's soul, as his memories became mine, I felt the loneliness of one who called himself Sky's Phantom Hunter, never to be seen, by any, prey or friend, Alduin had been the only one who ever managed to find him.

"So, it is true, you can absorb a dragon's soul. I owe you answers. We have been looking for a purpose, for well, since we failed in our job to protect Uriel Septim VII. With the return of the dragons, I think I have found our purpose. That black dragon, he was resurrecting the other, we need to find out who is behind that." I snorted and she looked at me sharply.

" I saw him in Helgen," laughing weakly I continued, " You could say he saved my life."

She started going on about Ulfirc and The Empire and Thalmor, conspiracies and while I thought that the Thalmor might be a good source of information, I knew they were not conspiring with Alduin, let alone controlling him. But I didn't need to divulge all my secrets to her, so I kept my mouth shut.

"That's all good and well Delphine, but exactly how would we get the information from the Thalmor?"

" I don't know, I just don't know... damn, we are stumbling around in the dark. I have a couple of ideas, meet me back in Riverwood, it'll be a couple days to a week, I need to get in touch with some contacts". With that, she went back down the road.

I watched her go and then walked over to the dragon mound and sat on its edge. I stared brooding at Sahlokir's bones for a couple minutes, watching Signar and Tex walk around the field. Ulfric, he had a court wizard, an older man if I remembered what Ralof had said correctly. I didn't know him, but most wizards welcome a trade in magical items and as all I wanted was some information, he might be open to the idea.

When Signar started walking back to me, I got up and motioned in the direction of Kynesgrove. I told him that I wanted to speak with Ulfric's court wizard, he frowned a bit and scratched his chin, but shrugged and said fine, we could head to Windhelm, it was very close, only made sense to stop there for the night.

When we neared the Windhelm stables, my sight went blurry and I saw his face and Azura's... as I got dizzier, I saw the two of us standing in the snow on a road. I sighed and shouted "fine I'll go" in my head. My sight restored, the dizziness passed, I turned my horse up the road that would lead us to The Nightgate Inn and a Dunmer that I hoped would have some answers.

"Change of plans, I need to go meet a man".

~~~~~~
She was coming, I packed my things and got the Inn Keeper to fill another pack with food. I had already arranged to rent his grandfather's hunting cabin, had checked it out, and put some other supplies in it.  I sat down to some hot stew and then went out to the road to wait for her.

Learning to Live...again pg 15

I arranged for Maurice, the pilgrim, to meet us at the stable at the crack of dawn. As Signar and I left the house a courier stopped me and handed me another letter,  saying I was one popular woman to get so many letters. I opened the note and blinked, wondering why Delphine would be sending me a letter that said she needed to see me urgently. I handed the note to Signar and asked what he thought, he shook his head and said he was pretty clueless on that account too.

He asked if we were going to go there, I shook my head but said, yes, but not till after we take care of the tree for Danica. We put our packs on the horses, along with the camping gear, it would take a few days to get to Darkwater Crossing. Tex took the lead and Signar trailed at the end, leading the horses.

After the second pack of wolves attacked us and Maurice looked unhappy at their deaths, I started using a calming spell on the animals that decided to attack. Thankfully there were no large packs and I could handle the creatures one or two at a time. We made it to Darkwater Crossing late the next afternoon, right in time to help the guards with a dragon that was attacking.

My magic's near exhausted, from the last fight with a bear and her cubs, I used my staff to summon a deadra and got lucky with the Golden Saint that answered. She pulled her bow and let arrows fly, I was not far behind her with a summoned bow. Maurice and Tex were both under a rocky overhang, which was a good thing as this dragon was spitting fire.

It was a long and arduous fight, but when the dragon finally crashed onto the ground behind the Inn, Signar and the guards had it dispatched before I could get there. I did absorb the soul of the dragon and might have felt slightly sorry for the creature if he had not attacked us.

We helped with putting out the fires, even Tex carried buckets of water for people to throw on the burning thatch. My one and only attempt at using magic to put out the fire, a snowstorm spell, worked but had me flat on my back with a bleeding nose that let me know I had overextended myself.  I lay there on the ground with Tex watching over me, until Signar came and picked me up, to carry me to the tent that he had just pitched.

He knelt down on my bedroll but did not set me down completely. "My Lady, I".. I did not let him finish but placed the fingers of the hand not holding the bloody rag to my nose, against his lips.

This time he kissed my fingers and then pulled my hand away, looking down into my eyes.

"My Lady, memories are only what you make of them and for you, they are almost all that you have. I might end up a bitter-sweet memory in your next life, but it is a memory that you would have. Would you trade the memories of the love you and Martin shared for no memory at all? " I felt my heart contract, to not have those memories, to not have the deep friendship, the love, even the pain of losing him, I could not imagine. He must have seen something in my eye's for he continued.

"I too would have memories, My Lady, I would not for all the pain that came later, have wished not to know my wife. The day I found her broken body, my heart was ripped from my chest. But I would not change a minute of the time we had,  those memories of her in happier times. As much as the thought of losing you pains me and I know it will come sooner or later,  once your task is done. I already cherish the memories of our time together. If you have no feelings for me other than those of friendship, I can understand and I will live with  that, but if you find your feelings run as deep as mine, then do not hide them."

I turned my cheek against the cold plate steel of his armor, it felt good against my overheated skin. I raised my hand back up to his face, this time running my fingers along his jawline, a week's growth of beard tickling my fingertips.  I tipped my head back up so that I could look into his eyes again. I felt ridiculous holding the bloody rag to my nose and trying to have a serious conversation.

He shifted both of us to a more comfortable position, he sitting propped up against a saddle, me with my back against his upraised leg, my side against his chest.. I was not even holding my own head up really, I felt weak as a newborn.  He put his hand over mine and turned his head to kiss the palm of my hand, my heart melted and I parted my lips to speak when.

There was a disturbance at the tent entrance and Tex walked in, followed by a "Are you decent?" from Maurice. He and a woman walked into the tent. " I thought you might need a healer, so when the worst of the injured were taken care of I brought her here."

The woman walked over and knelt next to the two of us. "You overextended your magic?" at my nod she continued, " Your head is pounding, eyes won't focus, feel weak and boneless?" I again nodded and she dug into her bag. "Ok, I'm going to use a small healing spell that will help with the pounding in your head and make up a tea that will help with everything else. You won't be up and around today, maybe not even tomorrow, but your nose will stop bleeding and you can heal over a couple of days. If you gentlemen would go outside, fetch some hot water, I will get the Lady cleaned up and into something more comfortable than charred leathers. "   Signar got up and gently laid me back against the saddle that he had been propped upon.

He said he would be right back with some hot water, though I am not sure where he had planned on getting it from. He was back fairly quickly and had a kettle that was steaming and a bucket that sloshed when he bent to come through the tent opening. Maurice did not come back in with him, nor as it happens did Tex. He looked at the healer and told her he would be right outside if she needed any help and with that grabbed a pack and left the tent.

After using the spell, the Healer waited a moment or two and then took the bloody rag from my nose. She tipped my head toward the light, I winced but didn't turn my head away. She nodded to herself and said that the bleeding had stopped and was the thumping going away? I nodded yes again and she bustled about fixing the tea. She asked which was my pack and then picked mine as if my name was written on it. Before she opened it, she brought it over and placed it on the ground where I would see what she was doing.

She helped me clean up, well really she bathed me like I was an infant, I could barely move my own body. Then dressed me in a loose shift that I generally wore under another dress. She tsk'd and got the tea and helped me down part of it. She covered me with a blanket and then called for Signar to come back in.

He walked through the opening and looked at me quickly then back at her. I lay there with my eyes closed, listening to the directions she was giving him. I felt a complete fool, all those calming spells when I would have been much better off, using a bow. I sure wouldn't be in this predicament. I opened my eyes and watched him walk around the tent, without the heavy plate steal, he had the grace of a large cat stalking its prey. He came over and settled on the ground next to me, staring at me with brooding eyes.

I tried lifting my hand so that I could grab his, I wanted to tell him how I felt. My hand barely fluttered and I made an effort to move my legs and found that I could not. I started panicking, had the healer given me a poison that I could not move, I knew I was weak, but I had never been this weak before. I made a strangled sound in my throat and Signar must have seen the panicked expression on my face because he picked me back up and held me tight in his arms.

"Shh My Lady, the healer said that the tea she gave you would relax your body and make you more umm woozy. I won't let anything happen to you."  He tucked my head under his chin and covered us with a blanket. His hand rubbing my back in a soothing way, I allowed myself to drift with the medicines that she had given me, into a dreamless sleep.


The next morning I woke, feeling the rise and fall of Signar's chest, hearing his steady breathing, the slow steady beat of his heart. I lay there relaxed, thinking about what I would say to him. He was right, the only things I really had are my memories and my necklace. But how did I really feel about him, was it love or just need. I heaved a sigh and then felt my pillow rumble with laughter.

"Deep thoughts My Lady?" I looked up at his laughing blue eyes and felt whimsy take me.

"Oh I was just wondering how my bed would feel as a blanket, I mean it's awfully warm but rather hard and lumpy". He blinked, then a wide smile split his face, as he moved the hand that had been holding mine on his chest to the center of my back. The next thing I knew I was staring up into his eye's as I lay flat on my back.

"Lumpy huh?" He lowered his face to mine until his nose was touching mine, I knew most of his weight was resting on his arms and knees, but he was much heavier than I had thought. "So, do I make a good blanket?"

I tipped my head slightly so that our lips met and said, " No, you're too damn heavy".  He deepened the kiss for a moment and then levered himself up and stood beside our makeshift bed.

"Drink your tea and get some more rest, Maurice and I are going to help make repairs to the village" He turned to walk away, then stopped, " We will speak later, My Lady". With that, he ducked out of the tent.

I picked up the tea that was next to my bed and took a sip... gah! The stuff was even nastier cold.  Nothing for it though, I took a huge breath then downed it all in one gulp, then stuffed a couple of the snowberries that had been left on a plate into my mouth, biting into them one by one till they covered the flavor of the tea.

I lay there staring at the top of the tent, I wasn't particularly thinking of anything, just letting my thoughts drift. I never could make good decisions when drinking or taking medications, so other than letting the thoughts flit through my head and looking at them, I didn't make any choices that I might regret later.

Two days later we were on our way to the Eldergleam, Signar insisted I ride and not fight if something showed up. I grimaced but knew he was right, I still didn't have the strength. It was very odd, I had never overused my magic in this way before.

It was a beautiful cavern with waterfalls and the tree inside outlined by the rays of the sun coming through holes in the roof of the cavern.  Many pilgrims were sitting in various places around. I could feel how special this place was, and why the followers of Kynareth found it holy. I asked Maurice if there wasn't a better way than using a profane weapon on a Holy symbol to a Divine to help the tree back in Whiterun.

He managed to get the Eldergleam to give us a new sapling to replace the tree. I thought this was a much better idea and thanked him. We headed back to Whiterun that day. I was deep in thought most of the day, unfortunately probably not on the topic most on Signar's mind. It was important of course, to both of us, but I was troubled by the thought that my magic seemed to be weaker than it used to be in the past.

When we got to Whiterun I paid the stableman to care for the horses and have his son deliver our bags to the house. Signar just looked at me, as I picked up the sapling and headed to speak to Danica. I needed to think, but I was so confused. I turned back around and walked up to him, stopping only when the sapling made it impossible to get any closer.  I shifted the plant to my hip and put my hand on his cheek, then inched it behind his head,  drawing his face down to mine. I kissed his lips softly, saying " I had not forgotten that we need to talk about us. I... there is something, something .. I have this pressure in my head saying that a storm is coming, but it's not the weather. I need you with me, I can't tackle this by myself. But there is something else, something I know, but it's like standing too close to a tree and not being able to see the forest around me."

He looked at me and kissed me back, taking the sapling from me, and said. " As long I can stay by your side, I am happy to let things be for a short time. Just do not say or do anything that you don't mean. " he leaned back down and put his lips to my ear. "You have my heart in your hands, My Lady, have care of it." With that, he strode up to the gate. I stood there stunned for a moment and then wondered why cause it wasn't like he had been overly subtle about his feelings. I guess hearing the words, was different than just presuming.

Danica thanked us nicely and went off to care for the new tree. I would inquire of her if she might ask the Lady Kynareth of a cure for my curse when she was less busy.  I also thought for a moment to go and speak with Farengar, but wizard though he was, he was not really old enough to have felt the ebb and wane of his magic over the course of years. What I really needed was a Dunmer or Altmer mage, either might know the answer to my problem, but I did not know any well enough to ask though.

Heading back to Breezehome I looked around for Tex and didn't see him. I looked over my shoulder at Signar and asked him had he seen the hound. He shook his head and said that Tex had run off across the tundra once we had turned on the road into Whiterun. I shrugged he would be back when he had his fill of chasing rabbits.

I had looked at my armor but it was complete toast, nothing was really salvageable. So I would need something more durable than simple leather if I were to continue fighting dragons.  I had some old armor that I might be able to work into something stronger, but I really didn't have the strength to smith, something like what I really needed.  A set of leathers and a  steel plate cuirass, that I might be able to combine into an armor that would work for my style.

I worked on my armor and watched for Tex to come back over the next few days. I had a new bedmate, though Signar did nothing more than hold me. I was thankful for that, but even I started to want more but knew that it would be unfair until such a time as I could come to a decision about our relationship. Too many things were flitting through my mind, too many problems with no answers.

Then I woke in the middle of the night and at least one of my questions was answered. It didn't really matter, what would happen, the here and now is what really mattered. I had really been very obtuse, not thinking, I had a man that genuinely loved me and my feelings for him were just as strong.  He was right, any pain that might be felt in the future was not worth not having good memories now.

I stood up and went to the small jewelry box that sat on the night table, most were trinkets and other things that I kept for presents to friends... an old habit. But I felt around for the distinct filigree work on one of the necklaces. When I found it, I put it on and then lit a couple candles with a small magic spell, took off my gown, and then crawled back onto the bed, sitting with my lower legs under me. I leaned forward and put my lips next to Signar's ear.  I ran my fingernail right down the middle of his spine and blew softly in his ear at the same time. It had the desired effect, only more so, I was again flat on my back, with his chest crushing my breasts.  He must have caught a glint of gold in the candlelight because he leaned back and picked up the necklace and then dropped it back on my chest with a wide smile... no words were necessary or used the rest of the night.

~~~~~~~~~
The black hound lay in the dappled sunlight near the Shrine, he had an air as if waiting,  had already been there for a day. When a man in antiquated armor walked out of the deepest shadows, he stood. The man glanced around then his gaze settled on the place the hound had been and a huge man with a battle-scared body stood instead.

"So what are our chances? "  The huge man rubbed a scar on his chest, and rolled his wide shoulders, getting a distant look on his face.

"Better than even now, she is making better choices, plus she has found something to live for." The other man looked sharply at him.

"That was in doubt? "

"The human mind is a frail thing, some of her sisters gave up, she was close.  Having her come back again and again and placing her head on a chopping block might not be the best way to keep her sane. She has thought more than once of volunteering for the block first."

"Would she do that now, you said she has something to live for."

"No, I think not. She has a high sense of duty. As long as there are people she thinks are dependent on her, she will do the job we push her towards."

The armor-clad man looked towards Whiterun,  "So much on so frail a woman"

"It's not the first time and the last she had no help". He rubbed the scar on his neck and indicated himself and others.

"That's a rather ironic form you chose".

The huge man snorted and then laughed. " Do they not call me your guard dog?".

"Among other things, yes. " With that, he turned and walked into the deepest shadows and was no longer there.  Crystal blue eyes had watched him depart, then turned to lope back to Whiterun,  catching a rabbit along the way. It was, after all, expected.

A Missing Piece pg 14

I awoke the next morning with something pushing on my back and the distinct panting snore that belonged to Tex. I heaved a sigh and rolled onto my stomach burring my head under the pillow. I was completely shocked to hear a deep male voice tell me to get my tail outa bed, breakfast was ready. I pulled my head out from under the pillow and looked at Tex, his crystal blue eyes were open and his tail was thumping the bed.

"What did you say?" It came out just a little bit squeakier than I would have liked.

" I said get your tail out of bed.. of course, I was referring to the dog", came Signar's voice from behind me and I rolled back over to look in his direction.  "But since your up, you might as well come down and have breakfast as well." He walked out of the bathing room and headed across my bedroom to the door. All I could think of was.. Holy mother of Mara,  as ten acres of bronzed muscle that was barely covered by the towel draped around his middle, disappeared through my doorway.

I felt the bed shake and looked down at Tex, he was making the oddest sounds, if one didn't know better you would think he was laughing. "What do you think is so funny?" He whined and licked me on the side of the face again. "Ick... ok so the look on my face probably was funny, " I put my head down on his and ruffled his hair, " Don't tell him ok?" Tex snorted and I grimace and then said, "Yeah your probably right, he probably saw the silly look on my face."

I got up and went into the bathing room and washed the sleep out of my face. I looked at my reflection in the silvered mirror and laughed to myself, I was dammed either way. I stood there with my eyes closed for a moment and heard the sounds of Whiterun outside the balcony door. The children's laughter tore a hole in my heart but also gave me a new resolve. I could not knowingly abandon a family and with this damn curse, I might not have a choice, death being the equalizer. Their had to be some way of curing it or getting rid of it, perhaps the favor of one divine would override the curse of another.

At that moment, I knew what we would do next. Danica had said she needed a special knife to get some sap to help the tree here to grow again, so perhaps Kynareth would answer a question in return for such a favor. With that resolve in mind, I got dressed and went down to breakfast and let Singar and Tex know what our plans were, if not why.

I ate a very hearty breakfast and then gathered some items up that I knew I could sell so that we could buy our travel rations. With Riverwood along the way, we could stay there on our way to the Orphan Rock place that Danica had described and head to Iverstead from there.  I gave the Items to Signar and told him to go to the general store, as Belethor would still not speak to me. I headed up to Dragonsreach and talked to the court wizard.

We talked a minute or so on dragons and I gave him my notes. I traded out some of the magical items that we had found in the barrow, buying some soul gems to recharge my staff with. I explained a couple thing's as he skimmed my notes, but told him I would be back in a few days, as I had things to do.

We left Whiterun mid-morning and made it to Riverwood before dark. I got us a room at the Inn and was speaking to Ognar when Signar walked in with Faendal. I walked over and gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek. When I asked Faendal what's new's, he had much to tell.

It seemed Camilla had agreed to marry him as soon as he completed the house on his homestead. Oh, she would help him build it, as much as she could and start a garden and of course decorate it to her liking. I almost choked on the last part, but I kept a straight face. We chatted well into the night, Signar relaxing more and more as the evening wore on.

Signar put his tankard down and suggested that we get some sleep if I wanted to make an early start of it. I smiled and said fine and watched as he walked to his room. As I took the last sip of my mead, Faendal gave me an odd look and said, " You know you'd be much warmer of a night if you curled up in that Nord's bed and I'm sure he wouldn't object".

I choked on my mead as it went down the wrong way. When I could finally breathe again without coughing, I told him that Tex kept me warm enough. I looked around for the big hound and didn't see him, shrugging I told Faendal good night.  I figured Tex was off chasing rabbits again and I would have a foot warmer by morning.

I was wrong though, It wasn't until we were back in Whiterun that I saw Tex again, I missed his warmth at night. Other than the Hargraven at Orphan's Rock, the trip was very uneventful. I gave the Horn to the Greybeards and they gave me a small ceremony to formally say I was Dragonborn.  I'm not sure if it really mattered in the long run, having open access to High Hrothgar was very nice, but it wasn't like I could stay there the rest of my life.

I did appreciate that I could come and go as I pleased and they would give advice as I asked, but all of it would be slanted towards a peaceful solution, which was nice, but not always the best way. Danica thanked me, but then asked if I wouldn't go get the sap myself as she didn't wish to touch such a profane weapon. I understood that completely and said we would. I had not planned on going right away, but a pilgrim asked if he could travel with us and as he looked the type that could barely defend himself, I figured a trip straight there would be best. I did tell him if we ran into any dragons to run... hide, we would take care of it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With the passing of the last blizzard, I sat outside and enjoyed my lunch in the cold crisp air. It would be a day or so before I had to worry overmuch about my fellow assassins getting up here. Any that had been caught out would be dead and it was a day or so from the nearest towns. I heard an unfamiliar roar and looked out over the pond towards the mountains and saw a large shape flying at an angle towards me.

As it got closer and closer, I realized just how massive the beast was. As it angled to the left I got a very good view of it's underbelly and talons, as it spit fire at something in the distance, I had a new appreciation for the woman that was fighting these beasts.

A Turn of Events pg 13

The morning was foggy and chill, I wanted to be out of the swamp as quickly as possible before it decided to snow or worse spit ice. We followed a game path out and eventually found the trail into Morthal. I pulled the saddle bag's out of my pack and placed them on my horse, taking the pack itself into the Inn with us, Signar did the same with his pack.

I had a berry tart for breakfast, Signar had a much heartier breakfast with sausage, eggs, toasted bread, and some mead. Tex had what looked like a very thick stew, it had been pretty funny when the barmaid had asked what we wanted and then started to leave, Tex had made a growl-bark sound and Signar had told her that Tex wanted something also. Funnier still after she brought our food and went to leave he stopped her by walking in front and nudging her till she was forced to put out her hand like she was going to pet him.... and he dropped a gold coin into said hand. Signar laughed and said, "Breakfast is on him".

Sometimes I wondered if that dog wasn't more human than some people I knew. I ate my tart with an appreciation for the heat of the berries in the middle and watched as Signar plowed through his food as if he had not eaten in a week. As I finished the last bite of my dinner a woman in a low-cut dress came over and started chatting Signar up, because of the way she was standing he was staring straight at her two best assets. His cheeks went red and he looked back down at his food. I shook my head, but as she leaned over to whisper in his ear, I had had enough and spoke up.

"Lady, I beg you to keep those fangs to yourself or we might have to face each other at noon with our favorite weapons." She looked and me, and I stared back, with raised eyebrows. I knew what she was and I was letting her know I knew. Tex was standing behind her with his hackles up and growling low in his throat. How the people of this town didn't see what she is, was beyond me, but each to their own.

 I got up and went to get the food that the Inn Keeper had promised me, putting it in both of our packs. The woman winked and said that there were a couple of frozen venison steaks,  potatoes, and tarts in the packs. They would last at least until tonight and if we were headed to higher regions maybe longer. I thanked her and went out to saddle the horses, Tex followed along with me, but I paused to tell Signar to take his time with breakfast, it would be a few days before we would get to Rorikstead and at least a day after that to Whiterun.

As we neared the Whiterun stables a courier came up and handed me a letter from the Jarl of Falkreath Hold. I gave the man a few gold and said thank you, then put the letter in my pack. As I started to unsaddle my horse, Tex flopped down and whined, I looked down into those big blue eyes and told him if he wanted to go see Hulda and get a bowl of her stew to go ahead, it wasn't like he would help unsaddle the horses or carry gear to the house. He jumped up and ran a few steps then came back and reared up on his hind leg's almost knocking me down and licked the side of my face once and then bolted. I shook my head as I watched him go.

Signar was laughing so I asked him if he wanted to give me a hug, a lick, and then run. That got the stable man laughing. Signar just paused in the grooming of his horse and looked over her back at me. I blinked at the intense stare he gave me and went beat red when he said.

"My Lady if I wanted to hug and lick you, I would not be running away after:", To which the stable man fell out of his chair laughing. I balled up the cloth I was using and threw it at him, it landed on top of his blond head. He just pulled it off and kept rubbing his horse down.

 When we ended up on the same side, between the horses, he caught me by the shoulder and leaned down... "My Lady, I but tease, I know you do not look upon me in such a way."  I looked at our feet and heaved a huge sigh. I looked back up and saw the concern on his face.

"No, Signar, I think of you as a good friend, not just my housecarl. I do not know that I want my heart entangled with another, so long as this curse is on me. Martin was bad enough and I only lost him once, though I have a lifetime of memories from each of my resurrections. It is bad enough when I begin to care for someone only to lose them again and again until I give up our friendship and make events happen in a different way. I remember that friendship, but they have no knowledge of the depth it goes to."

He nodded and said he understood, I wondered though. It had been a long time since his wife died, but I could not and would not let those types of thoughts interfere with our friendship, it was too rare that I had anyone that I could count on.

When we reached the house, the guard that was assigned handed me a stack of towels and said that as soon as he had seen the black hound dart past, he had started filling the bath with hot water. I thanked him calmly and politely, even though I wanted to squeal and give him a great big hug... a hot bath...hot!! I hurried upstairs to my bath and soaked until the water turned cool. I crawled into bed and slept the clock around.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was walking back from the baths when my door opened before I touched the handle, the Lady of the house was standing there,  she beckoned me inside. When my eye's adjusted to the dimmer light of the bedroom, I saw that she and her daughters were standing there in gowns so sheer they might as well not have been wearing them. She walked up to me and started unbuttoning my shirt, "Your master will be home tomorrow, we wish to have some fun tonight" I knew the kind of fun they wanted, I had avoided them as much as possible, but it wasn't always possible. Well all three of them at once, this would piss the master off if he knew. And really isn't that what my life had come down to, pissing him off without going so far that he would have his favored assassin killed... punished, oh yes, I had the whip scar's to prove that he would punish.

 I was laying at my ease, after having satisfied all three of the ladies..two of them curled one on either side, with their mother half draped over my thighs, when I heard the heavy click of The Master's footsteps. I did not even bother to move, other than to place my hand's on the headboard behind me. As he stepped into the room two men went around him one on either side.

He bellowed in rage and all three of the ladies jerked awake and screamed, it is not like they could yell rape when they were in my room. He yelled for them to leave and slapped his wife as she passed him. Me he threatened to kill, telling the men to take me to the courtyard.

As they neared, took a step closer to the bed, I pulled two daggers from the sheaths behind the headboard and threw one at each man. They both hit the floor as the slow-acting paralytic poison took effect. The master yelled and drew his sword and I came off the bed with the sword I drew from the scabbard that was hanging on the bedpost.

It was not a fair fight, I was young and the best assassin that he had ever trained, he was old and had slowed much more than he thought. As I held my sword against his throat, I told him that all he had ever had to do was treat me with respect and kindness and I probably would have been his dog until death. Inch by inch, I pressed the blade into his throat until the main artery was severed and pumping his lifeblood out.

I turned around and quickly got dressed, as I was sure that the ladies had hysterically told the guards some false story about what was happening. That night those three ladies and I were the only things left alive in the villa. I had almost forgotten my name, almost, but I said it out loud now..."Nelthas Dareathys, I am Nelthas Dareathys, I am no longer the Crimson Raven, I am my own man." I knew at that time that I would not be able to quit being an assassin, but I would only take those jobs that I wanted to take.

I awoke with a start, covered in sweat, with the smell of blood strong in my nose. I had not thought of those days in a very long time. Was I still that cold-blooded assassin that rarely ever thought beyond pleasing his Master? That is until his Master got crueler and crueler as he got older and slower.