Windhelm
Scouts-Many-Marshes walked out onto the docks that morning not expecting the day to be any different than the days before. In fact, he had every reason to expect that today was going to be exactly like yesterday, full of backbreaking labor and discrimination from the locals. Nothing new. As Scouts stretched and rolled his neck he heard the sound of Gjalund Salt-Sage's bell, the signal that told Scouts that Gjalund was approaching the docks. Making his way towards the Northern Maiden, Scouts breathed in the salty sea air that the ship brought with it and smiled, for he wished often for a sailor's life, but then again Scouts wished for many things that he did not have.
"How's Solstheim been lately?" Scouts asked warmly as he made his way to the starboard side.
Gjalund shrugged as he sat down a piece of ship rope he was holding lazily on the deck. Gjalund's hair, both on his head and what he maintained on his face, was beginning to grey, the years having been kind to him in terms of appearances.
"As good as they can be Scouts" Gjalund said as he stepped onto the dock, extending a hearty handshake, "With Miraak and Hermaeus gone things are finally looking up over there. I'm not sure how long it will last though."
Scouts raised his eyebrows curiously, "What do you mean?" he continued, "Is something wrong?"
Gjalund shook his head pitifully at the notion, for something was always wrong on Solstheim, even in times of peace.
"Just the same old thing that's been going on for years" Gjalund answered, "The Dark Elves in Raven Rock are expanded ever northward, the Skaal are getting anxious, I've even heard that they're preparing for war."
Scouts sighed deeply, the very mentioning of war bringing back memories of the Battle of Windhelm five years before, a Stormcloak victory that was enough of a firebrand to rekindle the flame of the civil war. The Stormcloaks had pushed the Empire out of Windhelm within the first week, out of Winterhold soon after, at present Ulfric was currently putting pressure on Riften. Scouts however, cared little about Ulfric Stormcloak and his military pursuits or his desire for High King. The only thing Scouts cared about was peace, which was slowly dwindling in supply.
"I don't think I can remember a time when there wasn't a war" Scouts declared, "Even in youth it seemed there were always battles to be won."
Gjalund nodded in painful understanding, "That's just the way things are my friend. War is an inevitability, especially in Skyrim."
Scouts huffed, "Then maybe we should leave. Form our own country, make our own rules."
"You're talking out of your ass Scouts" Gjalund said a hint of warning in his voice, "Besides it's not there's real estate anywhere. Where would you go to start this country of yours?"
Scouts laughed at this, amused that Gjalund took his statement literally when in truth it was entirely figurative. Scouts was in almost every sense of the word, a realist, save for one. Scouts was a firm believer in legends and fairy tales, it was almost a requirement, especially given his standard of living that he believe at least a little bit of the impossible. When dragons and vampires crossed his ears, Scouts became giddy, almost hopeful, that something miraculous would happen that would lead to Windhelm's destruction and consequently his freedom. But for the time being, Scouts worked on the docks and simply dreamed of life somewhere else.
It wasn't long before Shahvee, Neertrenaza and Stands-in-Shallows appeared from the Assemblage. Shahvee gently brushed her hair back as she prepared to tan leather, Neertrenaza grumbled to himself as he thought about how many swords he had to sharpen and how many nails needed bending. Stands-in-Shallows said and did nothing, having lost the ability to care what happened to him, simply deciding to passively wait for death.
Scouts slowly made his way over to Shahvee and Neertrenaza, Shahvee smiling as he approached, Neertrenaza being almost as indifferent as Stands was.
"Let's make the best of today shall we?" Shahvee said encouragingly
"That is if the Nords don't beat us down again" Neertrenaza pointed out, "Hard to be happy when you've got a boot kicking your face in."
Shahvee rolled her eyes, "Why do you always have to be so negative Neertrenaza? Look at the bright side."
Neertrenaza laughed sarcastically and shook his head pitifully.
"Bright side!" he exclaimed, "What bright side? We're living outside the city walls. Even the Dark Elves have it better than we do and they're loathed in this city!"
Scouts smiled, for his day never seemed to be complete without Neertrenaza's opinion being known. Surprisingly, it made life a little easier, it reminded Scouts of two things- that the world still turned and that things never really changed. It was sad, but it was the truth and it was something that he was slowly learning to live with.
"We'll make do" Scouts replied, "We've always made do and we will continue to make do. We're survivors Neertrenaza."
Neertrenaza scoffed and only made his way towards his workbench. Scouts meanwhile, walked with Shahvee towards her tanning rack.
"He has a point Scouts" Shahvee said as she pulled out her knife and casually cleaned it, "This isn't life."
Scouts, at risk of repeating himself, said nothing and casually stopped Shahvee in her tracks by placing his hand on her shoulder, causing her to turn around.
"We have to think about what's best for us now" Scouts began, his voice carrying endearment and all the sentiment he could muster at the moment.
Shahvee looked down, obviously uncomfortable in the situation.
"I'm sorry" Shahvee replied, her voice cracking a little bit, "But I can't. I can't think about-"
Scouts shook his head softly, refusing to allow her the satisfaction of crying.
"That's enough of that don't you think?" Scouts said warmly, "It's time for you to be happy. Truly happy. With me. What do you say about starting our lives together?"
Shahvee slowly looked up, her eyes, which were wet with tears at this point, met his. Scouts laughed playfully as soon as he saw them, for they only seemed to shine more than usual when wet. Shahvee in response, wiped her eyes with her sleeve out of embarrassment and reverted her gaze downwards. She was immediately denied this by Scouts, who softly touched her chin and redirected it back towards his face.
"Never look down again" Scouts pleaded, "Always, no matter what, hold your head up high. You see the world better that way."
At this Shahvee allowed herself a subtle smile, before anything else could be said or done a guard walked over, his mace drawn, to break them apart. Shahvee immediately turned towards the tanning rack, having no interest in a confrontation.
"Alright, alright" Scouts said as he walked away, not even bothering to give the guard the satisfaction, "A guy can't even properly propose anymore."
The guard slowly relaxed, "I'm sorry, did I ruin something?" he asked admitting that he did not understand the situation and at the same giving a partial apology.
"Yeah" Scouts answered simply "But what does it matter now? I can't afford a ring, and even if I could it wouldn't be good enough."
Scouts walked towards the Assemblage, the guard, for one reason or another, followed him, having taken an interest in the dock worker.
"Do you love her?" the guard asked, mostly for the sake of himself, despite the fact that he witnessed the scene moments before.
Scouts laughed as if the question was the stupidest thing he had heard all day.
"More than life itself" Scouts replied, "I only wish that I could take her away from all this. Take us all away."
The guard sighed guiltily, "I don't make the rules sir. I just enforce them. Jarl says you stay outside, you stay outside."
Scouts said nothing as he opened the door to the Assemblage, before he could go inside, the guard stopped him, his mace blocking the door.
"My name's Odin" the guard replied, "What's yours?"
Scouts shook his pitifully, his saw little reason to give his name when it was likely that Odin wouldn't remember him come tomorrow, still for the sake of first meetings Scouts did the polite thing.
"Scouts-Many-Marshes" Scouts exclaimed, "Why do you ask?"
Odin shrugged and casually pulled out a coin purse and handed it to Scouts as if he were settling a lost bet.
"Meet me by the gate tomorrow at noon" Odin continued, "I'll escort you through the city so you can buy a ring."
Scouts, although moved by the gesture, declined it.
"Thank you for the offer but I'll have to decline" Scouts declared, "Besides, I don't think it's best, me walking around the city with a bunch of Nords that would rather have me dead."
Odin nodded in understanding and sheathed his mace once again.
"If you change your mind" Odin said as he walked away, "The offer still stands."
Odin was just about to walk away and return to his post when Scouts stopped him, causing Odin to turn around.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Scouts asked curiously
Odin shrugged and let out a casual laugh, "I took a chance" he answered honestly, "Looks like I was wrong."
"Wrong about what?" Scouts pressed.
He didn't get an answer.