New story time! I decided over my College break to try and write a longer story than usual and what better universe to do this in the Elder Scrolls series? Please give me feedback on this stories - I don't have a solid plan for this one unlike the other stories I write so it will be open for reader suggestions, which I will readily consider for the story.
I watched the first Hobbit film again recently (how good is it though?!) and this inspired to try and widen the Elder Scrolls universe a little bit more, to include a few more songs than are included in Skyrim (I've rewritten many Irish and Scottish folk songs which I grew up listening to, so they sound a little bit more Tamrielic than Celtic) as well as a few more quirks that I would expect in this sort of world.
Please note that this story starts just after the end of the Civil War. The Imperials are victorious and the Stormcloaks defeated. I have a solid idea for the massacre that Jordis talks about (it is also the one mentioned in the blurb of the story) and I will be writing it later so just go with it for now!
Until then, enjoy!
Jordis stood in the reception room of Proudspire Manor. She had lived in this house and served the previous owner since she was ten. Then, when that Thane had died in the civil war, the city reclaimed the house and removed all the furniture from it. Jordis looked round and sighed. She had never seen it this bare. It had always been full of furniture, of people, or life. And now somebody new was going to come along and change all of that.
She heard a key scrabbling in the lock. She smiled slightly. I might keep quiet about that lock being quite stiff, she thought. She was snapped back to reality by the sound of a dog barking. A dog? Jordis began to panic. What would Lady Kirste say if she knew that dog was running riot around the carpets and tapestries? I haven't even met the new Thane and already I don't like them!
The door opened.
Jordis' stomach dropped.
An Imperial officer stood in the doorway, two huskies sitting patiently by his side.
"A very good morning to you," he smiled, extending his hand, "my name is-"
"No! No no no! I will not be a servant of someone who had a helping hand in ruining my life!"
Jordis shoved her way past the bemused Nord in the doorway and walked purposefully toward the Blue Palace, sending citizens scattering. She climbed the stairs in the palace and stopped just in front of Jarl Elisif and Falk Firebeard.
"Uncle," she said respectfully, stepping towards Falk, "a word, if you please."
"Certainly," he said. He led Jordis out of the throne room and down a small flight of stairs into the basement. He motioned to Jordis to wait where she was while he looked round the small room, making sure they were alone. When he was sure that no-one else was there, he turned to Jordis.
"Now, I fear I will not like what you have to say to me, but as I am a patient man, please, speak your mind."
"I don't want to be a Housecarl to an Imperial Officer. I can't be a Housecarl to an Imperial officer."
Confusion spread across Falk Firebeard's face.
"What do you mean you can't be his Housecarl? You are the perfect candidate for him!"
"Excuse me?" Jordis hissed, "I'm not sure if you are aware of our family's history, but there is a manor house north of here that used to belong to my father, who is also your brother, killed by Legionnaires acting on Thalmor orders!"
"I am well aware of what has happened to our family," Falk calmly replied, "which is why I recommended you be his Housecarl. Alarik is a decorated hero of the civil war, the man who slew Ulfric and secured Skyrim's place in the Empire. If you turned down the chance to be his Housecarl then it will seem like you thought you were too good for him. He is a Legate in the Imperial army – a man with access to all sorts of reports. He may be your best option for getting the names of all the soldiers on that patrol. And finally, he's a damn good fighter and if you intend to make as many enemies as you do by avenging the family name then a damn good fighter should be by your side.
"Now, I'll hear no further arguments. You'll thank your Uncle Falk, go back to Alarik and give him this-" Falk gave Jordis a note. Jordis took it sullenly.
"What is it?" She asked. Falk turned and headed back to the throne room as he spoke.
"A chance for you to see your Thane's fighting prowess. Bandits have been harassing travellers on the road to the city again. I want him to go and clear it out. The location is indicated on the page."
They reached the door out to Solitude. Falk stopped and faced Jordis. He kissed her on the top of her head.
"Oh Jordis, I'm sure your parents despair of you sometimes, as they look down from Sovngarde." He smiled softly. "Now go. These bandits have to be dealt with by tonight."
Back in Proudspire manor, Alarik thanked the two Imperial soldiers that had brought all of his equipment from his room in Castle Dour and sat down in one of the chairs. The Imperial soldiers shut the door behind them and Alark took this as a chance to look round his new house.
A bit plain, he thought, but the steward has given me a list of furnishings available for the house. I'll have to start buying them soon. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the huskies barking as they ran around the house, chasing each other up and down the stairs. Alarik got up out of his seat.
"Bran! Sceolang! Here!" He shouted. The two huskies immediately stopped running and walked over to Alarik where they sat and looked up at him patiently. Alarik rolled his eyes and went into the kitchen area. He found two chicken breasts and threw one to Bran and one to Sceolang. They barked their approval and tore into them. Alarik laughed.
"Trust you two to clear out all the meat!" He exclaimed, "I'll have to try and get some from the market at some point."
Alarik went up to the master bedroom while the huskies went and settled themselves down by the fire. He opened up the single chest in the room and pulled out a set of steel plate armour. He took off his Imperial armour and cast it onto the bed, before starting to put on the steel plate armour.
Jordis knocked tentatively on the front door, holding the note. She heard no response, so she took her own key out and unlocked the door, making sure to lift the key in the way that meant it didn't stick. She opened the door and found the two huskies sleeping by the fire.
Useless dogs they are, she thought, good thing I'm not a thief. She heard scuffling upstairs and figure it was coming from the master bedroom. She went up the stairs and saw that the door was half opened. She went to knock but thought twice and instead had a quick peek round the door. She saw Alarik midway through changing into his armour – he had the steel plate boots and greaves on but his top was bare. Though he was turned away from Jordis she could tell that he was strong – his arms were broad, no doubt from the close fighting he had had to endure. His back muscles were strong as well – something obtained from countless hours of heavy bows. As well as the muscles, his back was also covered in scars – the hidden souvenirs from the civil war. Jordis took a breath and was about to knock when –
"Feel free to come in any time," Alarik said, without turning round.
Jordis opened the door all the way. Alarik reached for his undershirt on the bed and put it on before turning round.
"How did you know I was standing there?" Jordis asked.
"Please," Alarik smiled as he slipped the steel plate curaiss on, "sneaking? In steel boots? I heard you the moment you started climbing the stairs." He reached behind his head for a leather strap and winced when his arm stretched. He dropped it quickly to his side and looked at Jordis.
"I don't suppose you could do the strap up on the back of this armour, could you?" Alarik said, "it's been difficult to reach it since I was injured there."
Jordis went over to him and gave him the note. As Alarik opened it up and read it Jordis slipped the strap through the buckle and tightened it.
"Fort Hraggstad," Alarik mused, reading the sheet. He turned to face Jordis. "Do you know where that is?"
"Yes, my Thane," Jordis said cordially, "the city has always had problems with bandits there. This could be a good source of income if they keep coming ba-"
"I don't care about money!" Alarik exclaimed, storming out of the bedroom, "if there are bandits terrorising the good people of Solitude then I will do my utmost to annihilate them and ensure that there are no more threats!
"Now," he said, turning round and facing Jordis who had followed him into the entrance room, "if we are going to do this together, there must be no animosity between us. So, I am sorry for whatever I did that caused you to storm out of Proudspire. And seeing as we have not been properly introduced, my name is Alarik, Alarik of Clan Seven-Swords."
"I am sorry for storming out on you, my Thane," Jordis said quietly, "I was still quite emotional over the demise of my previous Thane during the civil war and to see someone who had survived it was too much for me. It will not happen again. And my name is Jordis, Jordis the Sword-Maiden, of Clan Blackthorn."
Alarik's eyes widened.
"A real Sword-Maiden? From Clan Blackthorn? Well, I am blessed by the Divines!" He opened the door for Jordis.
"Let's go hunting!"