"Come at me Astrid, I can handle it!" Dodging another swipe from her blade I flipped on my hands, landing in a near by tree, wetness trickling down my arm I looked over. A knife wound was bleeding on my armor; I jumped down from the tree, healing myself as I dodged more harsh slices. My foot making contact with my discarded dagger I swept it up, blocking her blade as I backed up towards my other dagger. Astrid managed to shove me to the ground, holding her blade steadily I swept up my other dagger and crossed them, just in time for her blade to become stuck between them. "Draw?" I panted not relenting my hold just yet, Astrid nodded "Draw… not bad Vail… but you need to make sure you're ready before lunging, it could mean life or death if the target strikes out…" "Thanks Astrid, where did Arbnjorn run off to?" "He had to go into town; Gabriella had heard that there was a courier there that had a message for us"
"I can't wait to meet The Keeper!" "Why would you want someone with a pet corpse to be here?" I looked at the man blankly "Arb! I want to have more people in the Sanctuary, since I came back everything here has been dead as it is, I don't think an actual corpse of our 'Mother' is going to change anything…" "Like you said you being Dovahkiin wouldn't change anything, next thing you know there is a dragon at every mission!" I stuck my tongue out at the werewolf "Yeah and you smell like wet dog!" "Ooh! Great come back cousin-in-law…" Arbnjorn rolled his eyes and turn to look at his wife; I looked at my frustrated cousin "What's wrong Astrid?" "Cicero… he's wants to have someone from our sanctuary come to Dawnstar…" I raised my hand like an excited school girl "Can I go!?" Astrid looked at me nervously then sighed "Are you sure you're up to it Vail?" I nodded vigorously "Why wouldn't I be?" "Well you remember your last contract… I know you have a fear of men and-" I looked at her miserably "Astrid… I don't think he would… violate me, like that man did…" She stood and gave me a squeeze, she remembers when she had found me lying on the floor bleeding out after my father had raped me when I was just a small child, she remembers no one believing her when she accused him of raping me, she also remembers the time we got revenge as he tried to do the same to her, she was a teenager then… I was but a child.
"Don't worry, I'm better now, besides that man got close, I slit his throat before he… touched me." A shiver ran down my spine as I thought of the Nord beating me senseless, releasing me, Astrid looked me in the eyes "Fine… but take my blade and Shadowmere, they will both help you to stay safe…" I nodded, taking the Blade of Woe from Astrid's hand, she held my hand close to her "Be safe my friend" "Thank you cousin… keep the pups from getting hurt…" With a nod she let me go, I went to my room to pack "Babette, I need some potions for a long trip, could you make me as many as my bin of plants will allow?" "Of course as long as you bring me back some dragon scales, they're really useful!" I nodded, before going over to my nightstand and pulling out a leather bag, dropping it in her hands before getting the bin "I thought you were going to make dragon armor out of these?" I opened my wardrobe and signaled to the already made dragon armor "I already did, those were the extra ones that I was gonna give you anyway…" "So where are you going?" I handed the letter to her and she read it "So you're going to meet The Keeper? I thought Astrid wouldn't let you around men that you weren't going to murder or that didn't live in this sanctuary?" I shrugged and tucked the letter inside my bag before sitting on my bed, removing my armor slowly I tried to stretch my aching muscles before pulling on an over sized men's shirt, one of Arbnjorn's that was to small for him but yet to big for my small frame "Damn Nords and their over sized bodies, why was I born a Breton?" I asked no one in particular "The least I could have been was Imperial… they always seem to have more coin and find it every where they go!" I sighed in frustration and laid back on my bed "Babette?" "Hmm?" She answered as she started grinding up the dried ingredients to make healing potions "Will you yell to Arbnjorn, I want to be tucked in tonight…" I yawned, scooting up in the bed before resting against the pillows comfortably "Arbnjorn!" She yelled and then continued to work, he strode in casually and looked over at me "What's wrong Tidbit?" "Can you… yawn… tuck me in?" he nodded coming over to the bed and pulling the blankets up before tucking them around me, Arbnjorn was like a Father to me, Astrid a mother they were both something I never really had, my mother died giving birth to me and my Father beating me every chance he had. Arbnjorn kissed my forehead, one of the few soft things he did "G'night pup…" "Night Arbn…" I fell asleep, dreaming about our little family. Babette had understood long ago what I had thought of Astrid and Arbnjorn and they were my only family, I craved their love and attention, going as far as to kill for their honor. Babette was like the big sister, Veezara the over protected big brother, Astrid mother, Arbnjorn father, Gabriella the shy sister and Festus the grumpy grand father… now there was going to be to more family members, even though the Night Mother was not really new and I was only just meeting Cicero, hopefully he would be another piece of the family. Right now I was the glue that held us all together.
"You'd better be safe Vail" Veezara held me close his hand running through my hair "I will V, don't get into any trouble with the law while I'm gone okay?" I squeezed the Shadowscale hard, resting my head on his chest "I will try, if this… Keeper does anything to you I'll gut him like a fish." "He'll have to get through Astrid and Arbn first, since their room is first… then it would be Nazir, Gabriella, You and Festus… then Babette" "Of course you had to go in the order of beds…" He laughed softly, still holding me tight to him, I chuckled and snuggled into his chest "Am I interrupting something?" I snapped my head over to the doorway, in which Arbnjorn was standing "Come on love birds, Vail needs to get going…" of course it had to be Arbnjorn that had to interrupt our good bye, he knew we were close, what he didn't know was we were best friends and more like siblings then anything. Snapping apart we rubbed our necks "Eh… coming…" the three of us walked to the Black door.
Hugging everyone I got up on Shadowmere, his back already packed with my bags "Be safe while I'm gone and don't go near any Dragon Burial sights okay? While except the ones that I cleared on the map… you can get more dragon bones if you want… I'll be back soon!" I rode off waving to everyone until they were out of sight "Come on boy lets find the Keeper…" I patted the horse on neck as he whinnied his response, smiling I continued our journey.
Journal Entry # 78
I'm on the road to Dawnstar, I can't wait to meet the Keeper, our Sanctuary is lucky to get him and the Night Mother, maybe he will find the Listener here, I don't think it would be me… I want someone else to get it, maybe Veezara? Hmm, I know Astrid is threatened by power so I would be torn, I know the old ways are important but… I don't know…
Shadowmere and I had a good ride, we found a few large deer and an elk, I didn't know that Shadowmere liked meat… good thing to know, right now he's eating some carrots though, he really likes them… On the other hand I've been spoiling myself, Arbnjorn surprised me with getting a bag of sweets, he's the best Cousin-In-Law ever! Right now I'm pigging out on Venison and a Honey Nut Treat, they work well together, maybe I can make venison and season it with the ingredients to make the treats… let's leave that as a note to self… Hmm… I found another Guardian Stone, the Steed though I'm sticking with The Shadow… even though I was born under the sign of the Thief; I think the two work well together! I wonder if I have enough time to make a trip to Solitude and sell some of the extra objects I've collected from a group of bandits that attacked this afternoon, heh I'm sure Shadowmere would appreciate the lose of 20 or so pounds on his back! Well I have to go; I have about a four day trip ahead of me and need to get some sleep, no sense traveling at night.
End Entry
"Good Morning Shadowmere! Ready to go?" He stamped his hoof while shaking his head, with a smile I mounted him and we continued down the road, stopping once and a while to kill of some wolves "Come along children and I'll tell you a tale of Shadowmere and his fighting gale, they fought and they fought and never gave up for the two were always great pals!" Laughing I heard him whiny in approval "You like that Shadowmere? I'm happy I'm traveling with you, you're a great friend and listener!" Patting his mane I stopped by a lake for him to drink. Stretching I looked at the sun, it was only noon and we traveled a great distance, I could sense the Night Mother. I decided to bathe in the water, first making sure there wasn't any Mud Crabs or Slaughterfish before stripping down, Shadowmere kept watch, turning to give me privacy. Resting in the water I began washing my body, making sure to wash my hair out with some shampoo, scrubbing my body until I was red I rinsed off. Once I was dressed I hopped back on Shadowmere headed off once more.
"Shadowmere! You are pretty fast, thank you old pal!" Some of the residents of Dawnstar looked at me strangely as I walked him towards the stables, paying the man extra to take really good care of him. I walked back to the edge of town "Hello! I was wondering if we could do business." I asked the Khajiit Trader as I sat down in front of him "Of Course! What do you have?" We began bartering over the items I had and I couldn't help but get some of the things he had too, ending up with some Moon Sugar, a new pair of boots, a new cloak and a golden ring with three rubies. Marveling over the ring I noticed it was enchanted "What enchantment does this ring have?" I asked the Trader curiously "It will help you heal in a time of great need, it belonged to my wife before she passed on" "I… I'm sorry… If you don't want to-" He shook his head vigorously "No, no, no! In fact I want you to have it, with everything you have been doing for our people I am giving it to you as a gift…" I blushed as he slipped the ring onto my finger, holding my hand tightly before releasing it "Thank you sir… If you ever need any help just send a Courier and I'll come right away." So the Whiterun traders had told the other Khajiit about how I helped them get everyone to let them trade inside the walls. Well I more of guilt tripped them in, after all it wasn't fair that they would be murdered outside by any dragon's that passed by while the citizens inside were safer. It worked well, I thought as I went back into town, shivering at the cold as I put on my newly bought cloak on over my armor. Yawning I opened the door to the inn, getting some dinner and renting a room. Crashing, after I had a few bottles of Spiced wine that I had saved up, I fell into a dream of the Night Mother and wondering what Cicero looked like.
Yawning I walked out of the inn with my pack, looking around for anyone nearby, shrugging I just decided to head to the Jarl's and ask there.
"Hmm… Oh! You mean that strange imperial man that came by? He headed over to the Black Door; here I'll mark it on your map… What would you want with that man anyways?" I had to make up an excuse and quick "Well I am here to help him move his mother to a new burial site, he's my cousin you see… I promised him that after he came here from Bruma that we would give her a proper burial…" lied in a sad tone. "I… am sorry to hear that…" I smiled softly and nodded "Thank you my Jarl" I bowed before turning on my heels and walking out the door, heading towards the new marker on Shadowmere's back. Patting the horse's neck I stood near the Black Door, after it asked me its question I slumped my shoulders "Damn… I'm going to have to wait it out… might as well make camp and fish while I wait…" Stabbing a sword into the ground with a piece of paper attached.
Sighing I gutted the last fish, washing my hands in the salt water before shaking them, little cuts I had on my hands stinging as I began spreading salt over the fish meat. Once I was done I looked over the Black Door again, no movement. Groaning I fell back into my bed, "what was taking The Keeper so long?" I thought before drifting off to sleep.
Waking with a start I jumped up, butting foreheads with someone I looked over at the figure, getting ready to shout them to Oblivion I took a deep breath "Wait wait! Cicero means you no harm; you're the one sent from the sanctuary yes? Heeheehee!" Looking confused I nodded "Yeeesss…. Astrid has sent me to help… My name is Vail" "Ah! You're the famous Shadow Vail… The one who is said to be touched by Sithis himself! Haha!" The man before me began dancing and I used Magelight to see him better, before me was an Imperial Jester, clad in black, white and a trim of gold. Red shoulder length hair and deep brown eyes, he carried an ebony dagger on his hip and I absentmindedly felt for the Blade of Woe. "Well it's nice to finally meet the Keeper! I'm so excited to finally have the Night Mother coming to our sanctuary!" I grinned happily and laughed "I'm Die-ing to meet her…" Cicero burst out laughing and I was proud of myself "Cicero thinks that you are quite funny Vail! Cicero is glad to have met you!" I nodded "Same to you Cicero!"
"Cicero, are you ready?" "Of Course… Of Course! Cicero is ready! But why is Vail in such a hurry?" I sighed and turned on Shadowmere's saddle to look at Cicero who was feeding his horse a carrot "Well if I'm gone longer then I said I would be Astrid tends to um… over react…" "What do you mean?" "Well last time I said I was going to be gone for a week I ran into a bad snow storm and she sent her husband out after me… along with everyone else in the sanctuary… She doesn't like me being in trouble… but she really should re-think that…" With a grin I turned back in the saddle and yelled "Get em up! Move em out!" we began moving, that is until the wheel on Cicero's wagon broke off, of course I wasn't there when it happened, I was off picking some nightshade for the ladies of the Sanctuary.
"What happened?" "This Damned Wheel! It broke!" Nodding I pointed up at the farm "Did you ask them about it?" "They won't help poor Cicero!" I nodded once more "I'll go talk to them…" walking up the hill I held the nightshade in my fist "Sir! You need to help Cicero! He maybe insane but he is only trying to bring our mother to a resting place, I am sorry for my over active brother… please help us?" I gave my best innocent and sexy smile and he caved "sigh… tell Cicero I'll be right down to fix his wheel…" I nodded, turning around before he cleared his throat "Those flowers you have are highly poisonous, what's a girl like you doing with them?" "Isn't that the point? I know Nightshade is poisonous, that's why I'm collecting it, and it's for my potions silly!" I giggled and skipped down the hill to Cicero and the wagon "He said he'd be right down… I have to leave you for a while, I'm going to mark the sanctuary on you're map alright? I'll meet you back there!" I marked the map then handed it back to him "Where are you going?" "Oh! I have a few contracts I need to finish, well four more contracts… Astrid wanted me to do them before I came back… So I'll take my leave… I should arrive just after you Cicero… Good Bye and Sithis be with you…" Getting on Shadowmere I killed the three people for Nazir and then did the Muiri contract, killing the bandit leader and the girl before galloping back to the Sanctuary, eager to get to know Cicero better.
I heard yelling from down stairs and headed right down, Cicero and Arbnjorn were fighting over alpha maleness. Getting in between the two, I put my hands against both of their chests, pushing them back from each other; I felt my eyes flash yellow as I glared at the two "Stop fighting… Now." I demanded Cicero was the first to give up, I think the way I was acting startled him a bit, him not seeing this side of me and all. "Fine Pup…" "She's right… husband. You to will not fight… Cicero as the Keeper I we will give you the highest care for you're title… but don't think for a second that, that means this is you're sanctuary… I'm still in charge and what I say goes." "Yes Mistress!" Everyone began to part and I heard Cicero mumble "For now…" I shook my head, going over to Nazir to tell him I completed the contracts "Good work, here's you're cut" I smiled tiredly and went up to Astrid's room.
"Astrid… I did the Muiri contract, even the bonus… anything else?" She shook her head "No… but could you keep an eye on Cicero, something about him doesn't feel right…" "Astrid… Stop being so paranoid… He's fine, just a little bit crazy is all" She took a deep breath "Alright… for now I'll trust you're word… but if he does something suspicious then I'm making you investigate." I nodded, falling back onto her bed and onto Arbnjorn "Hey Tidbit…" he mumbled rubbing my head lightly, Astrid wasn't jealous of Arbnjorn and I, she knew I didn't like him that way and thought of him as a Father figure, even though I was ten times as strong as him "Hey Arbnjorn?" "Yeah?" "Can we go on a hunt soon? My beast blood has been ornery lately…" "Sure… why was it that you decide to become a Werewolf in the companions anyway?" "I liked the Circle… with Kodlak gone I became the new Harbinger and the hunts I go on with Aela are fun and we usually take down the Silverhand so it's win, win for the Dark Brotherhood and Companions… yawn so… night" I fell asleep as Astrid laid down and snuggled up to us, protecting me from the outside world.
