There were no comments on my choice of bed partner the night before, which I was both surprised about and grateful for. Camilla was a sweet girl and did not deserve to have these men disparage her. We made good time along the road north, and bore east just south of Whiterun. Eight armed travelers drew enough attention as it were, and there was no need to purposely draw more. No bandits were brave enough to trouble us, and we encountered a handful of wolves as well as a troll and a bear. It was rather an uneventful journey, all in all. When we reached Windhelm, Ulfric and his men went to the Palace of the Kings, and I went about my own business. My first destination was the marketplace, to procure a map of the province. The one I had originally purchased had been in the bag confiscated by the Legionnaires. After asking around, I went to Sadri's Used Wares to procure a black robe and hood to make my Brotherhood calls in. From the name, I expected a Dunmer, and I was not disappointed.
"Welcome, welcome! It's always good to see a new face. Absolutely nothing in here is stolen, not a thing! Feel free to purchase anything you like."
"For one so insistent that nothing here is stolen, Sera Sadri, you seem rather nervous." I commented.
"Of course nothing in here is stolen! Only a careless, shameful, idiotic fetcher would do something as stupid as buy pilfered goods." I raised a brow and he groaned, putting his elbows on the counter and his face in his hands. "Oh, by Azura, I've made a terrible mistake! I bought a gold ring, and Viola Giordano has been missing a ring that looks just like it!" I smirked to myself.
"I may be able to assist you." I offered.
"It's not that easy." He argued, but he raised his head out of his hands. "She'd go to the Jarl if she knew I was even remotely involved."
"Then I need only sneak into her home, and place it somewhere inside." I shrugged.
"You're serious? You'd do that for me?" He looked shocked, his eyes wide and his mouth open. "I would make it worth your while."
"Give me the ring. Your name shall not pass my lips, I swear it." I held out a hand, and he dropped the ring into it. "While I am out, I would like you to find a black robe and hood. I would be most grateful."
"Of course. Absolutely." He nodded, smiling.
"Where is her home?" I asked, and he gave me directions. "I should not be long." I informed him, then slipped outside. I tugged my hood further forward to help block the wind before heading to the western side of the city. Sadri's directions were accurate, and I swiftly found Viola's home. I waited for the guard to complete his pass of the home before I crouched into the shadows and snuck up to her door. I was rather impressed with the quality of her lock, but it was no match for my nigh-infinite patience. Once I was inside, I looked around for a place to hide the ring. There was a cabinet off to my left, but once I ventured further I saw a dresser immediately to my right. I opened the top drawer and dropped the ring inside. I flicked the switch that would lock the door from the inside, then stepped out of the house. All together, I had only taken three-quarters of an hour. I was much faster returning to Sadri's store.
"Have you taken care of that… little problem?" He asked, almost as soon as I was through the door.
"Yes. It is taken care of." He heaved a sigh.
"Thank you, thank you! Azura's prophecy always guide you to fortune. Speaking of fortune… here. Everything from my last shipment. It's yours." He tried to press a large coin purse upon me but I shook my head.
"I'll not take every coin you have. I looked through this so-called 'Grey Quarter'. Ulfric should be ashamed that any of his citizenry live in such squalor."
"We're better off than the Argonians. They're not even allowed inside the walls." Sadri scoffed.
"Where are they housed?" I asked.
"They live out on the docks. I wouldn't call it a 'house', though." Sadri shook his head.
"Why do you not leave? I do not think that any other Jarl would treat you thusly."
"Most of us barely have the coin to make rent each month, never mind actually leaving." Sadri confessed.
"If you pooled your coin and traveled together you would have an easier time of it." I replied. "Yes, I know my history. You would not get on well with the Argonians. But the argument still stands for your people, Sera."
"Where would we go? Nearly every other town and city in the province has a store like mine." He frowned.
"I know not. But would not anywhere else be better than this?" I pointed out.
"I'll think on what you've said. Oh, before I forget, here's the robe you asked for. I found a hood with a scarf, so that should help." I smiled as he passed them to me.
"I am grateful, Sera." I reached for my coin purse.
"If you won't take my coin as reward, at least take that. Please."
"As you wish." I nodded my head and pulled the robe over my armor. "What can you tell me about recent events within the city?" He spoke of a few mundane things before he mentioned something that made my ears twitch.
"…and that poor Aretino boy. It's so sad what happened to him."
"Speak to Aventus Aretino, in the city of Windhelm, in the province of Skyrim." Those had been my orders.
"What is so sad?" I asked.
"His mother died earlier in the year. He was at the orphanage in Riften, but he ran away. He's locked up in his old home. The rumour is that he's been performing the Black Sacrament ever since."
"The Black Sacrament?" I pressed, feigning ignorance.
"It's supposed to be a ritual to summon an assassin from the Dark Brotherhood. I wouldn't put any stock in it, if he's really been performing it for this long."
"Where is the boy's home? Someone should look in on him, at the very least."
"I wouldn't recommend it. The boy might be half-mad by now." He gave me directions nonetheless, and I purchased some food before leaving once more. Again, Sadri's directions were more than accurate and I soon came upon the Aretino residence. I waited for the Dunmeri nursemaid and her charge to move on before crouching and picking the lock. This one was far simpler than the Giordano woman's had been. I opened the door and slipped inside.
"Sweet Mother, sweet Mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear." It had been ages since I had happened upon someone performing the Sacrament. I felt myself relaxing as the boy chanted the words over and over. A parchment fluttered to the ground as I passed the table in the dining area and I picked it up.
Master Aventus Aretino,
Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak wishes to express his deepest sympathies at the passing of your mother, Naalia.
Unfortunately, because you are fatherless, and have no other known relations, the Jarl cannot allow you to remain in your home unsupervised. Therefore, in no more than a week's time, you are to report to Honorhall Orphanage in Riften, where you will reside until your sixteenth birthday.
The Aretino family home in Windhelm will, of course, remain your property. The building will be securely locked and ready for your return six years hence.
Note that I am unsure of the education provided to you by your recently deceased mother, or if you possess the ability to read the letter I am currently composing. Therefore, a member of the city guard will call upon you in one week, at your home, and provide escort to the orphanage. Hopefully, his arrival will not come as a complete shock.
With greatest respect,
Jorleif
Steward to our most noble Jarl, Ulfric Stormcloak
I scoffed and shook my head. At the very least, he could have ensured that the courier read the letter to the boy if he did not possess the skills himself. I pocketed the letter and ventured further into the house.
"So… tired…" I felt a stirring of remorse at having taken so long to reach the boy. I had not known he was a child, or I would have come much sooner. There should be no reason for a child to wish someone dead, or to perform the Sacrament. The boy had set up the ritual in a side room, and was stabbing at the effigy.
"Aventus Aretino." I called out. The boy jumped, then broke into a smile as he laid eyes upon me. He looked half-starved.
"I knew you would come!" He crowed, climbing to his feet. "I performed the Black Sacrament, with all the… things…" he looked askance at the effigy, "and then you came! An assassin from the Dark Brotherhood!"
"I will hear no talk of contracts until you have some food in you. Come along, boy." I walked away and laid out the food I had purchased on the table.
"Are you sure you're an assassin?" He asked, looking up at me. "You don't seem like one."
"I came, did I not?" I sat down then gestured toward the food. "Eat. Then we shall talk." He sat down and began to scarf down the food. "Not so quickly! You will make yourself ill!" I reprimanded, and he shrunk down in his seat. I found a metal pot and quickly stepped outside to fill it with snow. The sun was setting, and no one saw me. I went back in the house and resumed my place at the table, balancing the pot on my left hand. I summoned a flame in my left hand.
"Wow! Are you a wizard?" He gaped at the display.
"A mage." I corrected. "When was the last time you ate, child?"
"There's some food still left here, but I think some of it had gone bad. I ate some of it, and it made me a bit sick. I thought about getting more, but I didn't want to leave." I closed my eyes and sighed.
"I… apologize, for the delay. The Brotherhood is short-handed, of late." The snow had melted into water and was boiling. I set the pot down and sent some Restoration magick into my burnt fingers.
"That's okay. You're here now, and you can accept my contract!"
"Food first. Then we may commence with business." He sighed and nibbled on the bread he held in his hands. I poured him some water and shot an ice spell onto the glass to help the water cool. "You will need to drink a lot of water over the next few days. Cook it over the fire, and do not drink until it has boiled for fifty heartbeats. Can you count that high?"
"Yes." He rolled his eyes, which I ignored.
"Your night soil will be runny for a time, but that is to be expected."
"My what?" He asked.
"Your… shit." I replied. "You will need to wear warm clothes, even inside. Keep a fire going all hours of the day. Do you know how to light it?"
"Yes, I can do that." He nodded.
"I will need you to prove it to me before I leave. I will bring you warm clothes and food so you need not eat what may be left here, nor will you have much need to venture out of doors."
"You talk funny." He commented, and I smiled.
"I am old." He finished his bread and looked up at me expectantly, so I gestured for him to speak.
"My mother, she… she died. I… I'm all alone now. So they sent me to that terrible orphanage in Riften. Honorhall." He spat the last word, and I was taken aback at such vitriol. "The headmistress is an evil, cruel woman. They call her Grelod the Kind. But she's not kind. She's terrible, to all of us!" His brow furrowed and he glared angrily towards the wall. I leaned forward and pushed his cup towards him. He took a sip and held it in his hands as he continued. "So I ran away, and came home. And performed the Black Sacrament. Now you're here! And you can kill Grelod the Kind!" He sat back in his seat with a smug expression. I questioned him, nigh interrogated him, and he would not budge. He wished this woman dead. I sighed.
"It is far too late this evening to collect what I had wanted. You get to bed and I will clean this up." I gestured towards the effigy.
"I can help!" He protested.
"Not unless you are a secret mage, child." I rose to my feet and collected the nightshade flower and the book before setting the effigy aflame. They burned for a time before disintegrating into ash. I found a broom and swept them into a pile. Aventus fetched the pan and I swept the ashes into it. "Bed." I repeated. I dumped the ashes outside the door before returning.
"There's only one bed." He stated.
"I need not stay here. I will go to the inn."
"No!" He waved his hands. "I mean, I was offering to share."
"If I stay," I raised a hand for silence, "you must promise not to divulge my identity to anyone."
"I what?" He tilted his head.
"You cannot tell anyone who I am. You must promise me this."
"Oh! Of course I promise!" He replied gleefully. I sighed internally at the boy's desire for living company and berated myself for having taken so long to arrive.
"Very well. I am Lycoris." He extended his hand and I shook it, smirking.
"I'm Aventus, but you already know that." He smiled. "The bed's in this room." He showed me a room in the back that I had not seen earlier, the door closed. The bed inside had a thick quilt on it. I removed my robe and outer layer of armor, leaving my leathers on. "You're an elf!"
"I am. Does that offend you?"
"No! I haven't seen many in your colour. Almost all the elves in Windhelm are dark elves. There's a few wood elves in Riften, though." He tilted his head again. "Are you gonna sleep in that?"
"It is cold." I answered. "Now, to bed with you." He climbed into the bed fully dressed and I wrinkled my nose. I would need to get him a few sets of clothes, as well as ensure he bathed. "Come morn, I may not be here. I will collect what you need. If you wake while I am gone, you will bathe. I will ensure that there is warm water for you."
"You don't sound like an assassin. Are you sure you're not a mother?" Aventus asked. I smirked as I joined him in the bed.
"I have never borne a child. I do not believe that I am capable of such."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"You need not apologize. I came to terms with it many years ago. Now, rest."
Some time in the night Aventus had drawn close to me, and when I woke he was draped across me. I carefully extricated myself from him and searched the house for a bath tub. I was pleased to see that it was a metal one, which would make my work easier. I placed a fire rune on the bottom to keep the water warm while I was gone. I filled the tub with snow and melted it, adding more snow as necessary. Once I deemed it full enough I went to Sadri's Used Wares to acquire what I needed for the boy.
"You're back!" Sadri seemed pleased to see me.
"Yes, and I shall need three changes of boys' clothes, blankets, and food." I would need to chop wood for him before I left, I reminded myself. "And some books, as well."
"So you did go and see him." He commented, gathering what I required.
"The boy was half-starved and is ill. I only hope that he will continue to care for himself while I am not here." I played the weak-willed, soft-hearted woman, and Sadri bought it.
"I don't know what to tell you. I'm sorry he didn't take proper care of himself. What about the… Dark Brotherhood?"
"He left the orphanage simply because he did not like the headmistress. I found no signs of anything amiss." Well, naught that I would find amiss. I paid for my purchases and returned the Aretino residence. Aventus was still abed, so I laid my purchases down and left again to chop wood. It was near noon before I felt I had enough to last a fair amount of time, and Aventus should have risen by then, so I carried it back into town.
"You come here where you're not wanted, you eat our food, you pollute our city with your stink, and you refuse to help the Stormcloaks." I heard a man speaking as I entered the city.
"But we haven't taken a side because it's not our fight." A Dunmeri woman was saying.
"Hey, maybe the reason these gray-skins don't help in the war is because they're Imperial spies!" Another man spat.
"Imperial spies? You can't be serious!" The woman shot back.
"Maybe we'll pay you a visit tonight, little spy. We got ways of finding out what you really are." The first man sneered.
The woman shook her head as the two men departed and laid her eyes on me.
"Do you hate the dark elves, too? Are you here to bully us and tell us to leave?"
"I have no issue with Dunmer, Sera, lest they have issue with me." I replied. Her brows rose at the title.
"You've come to the wrong city, then. Windhelm's a haven of prejudice and narrow thinking, unworthy of one such as you." We were not alone in the street, and thus I slipped into the Aldmeri tongue common to all elves.
"Why do you remain?" I asked her. "I asked the same of Sadri last night, and he did not have a proper answer for me." The woman sighed.
"There are difficulties to leaving, just as there are to remaining."
"Would not anywhere else be better than a place where you are not wanted?" I pressed. "I do not understand it." I shook my head.
"My people are stubborn. Some do leave, looking for better lives than they are offered here." She admitted. "My thanks for your concern. I am SuvarisAtheron." She offered her arm and I clasped her wrist.
"Lycoris. Azura watch over you." It was a traditional Dunmer blessing.
"And you as well." I returned to the Aretino residence, and was pleased to see that Aventus had bathed, as per my instructions.
"I figured you must have magicked it to stay warm, so I didn't want to try emptying it." He gestured towards the tub.
"It would not have harmed you had you tried, but I suspect you would have needed to make many trips. You will need to bathe regularly and wash your clothes as best you can. You can empty and fill the tub on your own. The fire rune will melt any snow you put within, and will not hurt you lest you touch it." He looked at the tub warily. "It is on the bottom. I have brought you more clothes, food, and blankets, as well as a few books. Before I take my leave I wish for you to show me you can start a fire on your own." He collected the necessary materials, and though it took a few tries he managed to light it.
"I told you I could do it." He told me, a smile on his lips.
"You did. I cannot say how long I will be gone, but there should be more than enough wood here for you. If all else fails, you may need to purchase some." I put a bag of coin on the table. "You must not spend this foolishly. It must last until I return."
"I thought that I was supposed to pay you." Aventus frowned at the bag.
"I will consider your improved health upon my return payment enough." I informed him. "I must be off."
"You're leaving already? You haven't eaten yet!" He protested.
"I have another contract besides yours. I have not yet paid a visit to him." I strapped on my armor. "You must not make any mention of performing the Sacrament, or that I am an assassin. You understand this, yes?"
"Of course I do. I'm not stupid." He groused.
"I did not say that you were. I would rather ask than assume." I performed some mental math and came to the conclusion that I was nearly three hundred septims shy of purchasing a horse. "I will see you another time, child." Aventus nodded and I left.
I made the journey to Riften on foot. There were numerous bandit dens along the way, which served to expand my income significantly. I sold what I could at the village of Shor's Stone, as well as clearing out the spiders from their mine, before I carried on to Riften. It was a beautiful Hold, but odd creatures lurked there. I encountered many Spriggans, I was not pleased to see. I reached the city less than a day after leaving Shor's Stone.
"Hold there." One of the guards called out. "Before I let you into Riften, you need to pay the visitor's tax."
"What is this 'tax' for?" I queried, playing along.
"For the privilege of entering the city. What does it matter?" He asked in turn. I rose a brow.
"This is extortion. Do you take me for a fool?" I snapped, and he looked about.
"All right, keep your voice down… you want everyone to hear you? I'll let you in, just let me unlock the gate." He raised his hands with his palms facing me before unlocking the gate. "There. Go on in." I did not reply as I brushed past him. It was late afternoon, and I wished to wait until night fell before carrying out my contract.
"Fine! If you won't listen to me, I'll find someone who will!" A guardsman was driving off an older man – at sword point – from the gate. The man shook his head and stormed off. I followed him, moving further into the town, only to be stopped once more.
"I don't know you. You in Riften lookin' for trouble?" He was a typical Nord – large, brash, and in dire need of a bath.
"My business is my own." I told him, then continued on my way.
"Don't say something you'll regret." He called after me, and I ignored him. I crossed the bridge that lead to the inn, passing by a woman and a Redguard man. There was a priest of Mara castigating those occupying the inn. I ignored him and sat down at a table. Once the priest left, a Saxhleel man wearing an apron approached me.
"Welcome to the Bee and Barb, milady." He bobbed his head. "I am Talen-Jei. Is there anything that I can get for you?"
"What do you have?" I asked.
"We serve meals throughout the day. We have beef stew and fresh bread, or you can have roast beef with gravy and vegetables, also with bread, if you like. We also have specialty drinks that I brew myself."
"Such as?" I pressed.
"First is the Velvet LeChance, which is a mixture of blackberry, honey, spiced wine, and a touch of nightshade… perfectly safe, I assure you." He added, seeing my raised brow. "Secondly, we have the White-Gold Tower, which is heavy cream with a layer of blended mead, lavender, and a dragon's tongue on top. Last, and only for the bravest of souls, we have the Cliff Racer, which is Firebrand Wine, Cyrodiilic Brandy, Flin, and Sujamma." He folded his hands in front of him.
"I will try the Velvet LeChance. I would also like a bowl of stew." I had no need to partake of food or drink, but it was best to keep up appearances.
"At once, milady. Would you like some bread with it?"
"No, thank you." He bowed his head once more and left. I pulled one of the books I had purchased from Sadri and began to read as I waited. I longed for my personal library in Cyrodiil, in Frostcrag Spire, just outside of Bruma. I had stopped there just before I came to Skyrim, and I had been surprised to see that it yet stood. There was some slight damage to the outside, from the Thalmor's assault on Bruma, which was easily repaired. It had been the first time I was there since the Thalmor desecrated the city. I paid a visit to the Night Mother's crypt, which had been destroyed. I knew that somewhere, someone had escaped. The Night Mother yet survived, but I knew not how to find any remaining members of the Dark Brotherhood. I had stopped by at all the Sanctuaries and found no one. There had always been little to no contact with those outside our own Sanctuaries, not counting the members of the Black Hand. Whether the Thalmor knew as much or not, it had been used against us. There was no warning when the Thalmor rushed into the Cheydinhal Sanctuary. I still do not know if we were played or betrayed, but I hoped for the former. I would rather that someone had been foolish enough to try and induct a member of the Thalmor than have another Mathieu Bellamont. Arquen and I held them off at the front door whilst the others escaped through the ladder in the well. As much as Arquen and I had never gotten along, she gained my respect that day. She stood in front of me as I fired arrows around her. I cannot recall how long we fought, but she gained a grievous injury that she had not mentioned. We killed the last of the Thalmor and she collapsed. I healed the wound, but she had lost too much blood.
"Listener… I am sorry." Arquen breathed, her eyes unfocused.
"It is no fault of yours." I soothed her. I held her in my arms, kneeling on the ground.
"You have to leave. They cannot find you, I will not allow it." I could hear footsteps overhead. "Flee, Listener, so that the Dark Brotherhood may survive."
"Here's your drink, and your meal." I shook myself out of my reverie and looked up at Talen-Jei.
"Thank you." He placed the bowl and mug upon the table.
"Is there anything else I can get for you?" He folded his hands behind his back once more.
"What can you tell me about Riften? This is my first time in the city." I put my book down on the table and fished a handful of septims out of my coin purse, laying them on the table.
"There isn't much here. We have the Black-Briar Meadery, Bolli's fishery, a blacksmith, a general store, and the main market. Elgrim's Elixirs, the alchemical shop, is on the lower level. Mistveil Keep is where the Jarl lives, the Temple of Mara is here, and we have the only orphanage in Skyrim. Of course, there's also the Thieves Guild." He shrugged, scooping up the coins.
"I did not know that there was a Thieves Guild." I commented. I could get around to the orphanage later.
"They're not much. A bunch of thugs hiding out in the Ratway, the sewers beneath the city. If you go down to the lower levels, be careful."
"I thank you for the warning." I nodded. "You mentioned an orphanage, earlier."
"It and the Temple of Mara would be this city's redeeming qualities, if it weren't for the old hag who runs the place. She's called 'Grelod the Kind' as a joke. She's one of the nastiest people I've ever laid my eyes on."
"Why does no one do anything?" I asked, frowning.
"I guess no one else wants to run the orphanage. Poor kids." He shook his head. "I heard that the old lady doesn't even let people adopt the kids anymore. One of them ran away a while back, and that's apparently made her even worse." I heard the door open behind me, and Talen-Jei looked up. "I'm sorry, but I can't talk any longer. Just about anyone in here could probably answer any questions that you might have." I sat up to the table and opened the book up as I began to eat. The stew seemed good enough, but I was a poor judge of such things. The drink, however, was delicious. I ordered a second one once my stew was gone and I had finished the first. I paid for my meal and drinks, then headed out into the marketplace through the door that Talen-Jei had pointed out. The canal that ran below the city carried an ungodly stench, but it seemed that the people of Riften had grown used to it. The Jarl's keep was spotted easily enough, and the orphanage was right beside it. That might make things… interesting, to say the least. There was a stone wall with spikes running along the top, I saw. That might be a yard of sorts for the children. Some of the merchants at their stalls were beginning to pack up their wares, which meant it was a bit later than I had previously thought. That also meant that within an hour, the square would be empty save for the guards.
"Vampire!" I heard the shout and spun about, summoning a Bound Bow. I saw that it was not towards me that people were looking, but the main gates. A few people ran off the streets, taking shelter indoors. Everyone was distracted, I saw, so I took the chance to slip into the orphanage. I crouched as soon as I entered the building.
"Those who shirk their duties will get an extra beating!" I heard a voice say. I quietly closed the door behind me as the voice continued. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Grelod." A chorus of voices – the children, it sounded like – replied.
"And one more thing – I will hear no more talk of adoptions. None of you riff-raff is getting adopted, ever. Nobody needs you, nobody wants you. That, my little darlings, is why you're here. Why you'll always be here, 'til the say you come of age and get thrown into that wide, horrible world! Now, what do you all say?"
"We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness."
"That's better. Now scurry off, my little guttersnipes." There were footsteps, and I could hear the children climbing into their beds. They must not have heard all the noise outside. I cast an Invisibility spell and slunk into the room. There was another woman there, as Aventus had told me there would be. I cast a sleeping spell first upon her, as she climbed into her bed, and then on each of the children as I passed them. I knew that I would have little magicka left for some time afterwards, but it was worth it, in my opinion. The last thing I wanted was for one of the children to see me. Once my spells were cast I pushed open the doors to Grelod's chambers. She was awake, and reading. She did not hear me enter, nor as I snuck up behind her.
"Aventus asked that I pay you a visit." I whispered. She made to leap out of her chair and I wrapped my hands about her throat before twisting sharply. There was a loud snap, and the woman slumped over in the chair. The deed was done. However, my 'distraction' outside was likely dead by this point, so I would need to be careful. I slipped out of Grelod's chambers, closing the door behind me. I left through another door, which led out into the yard I had seen earlier. I leapt upwards, catching the lip of the wall. I pulled myself upwards and crouched atop it. There were no guards nearby, so I jumped down the other side, rolling once I hit the ground. I hit the wall outside the Jarl's keep and looked about once more. There were still no guards. I smiled to myself and headed back to the inn. No one had seen me enter or leave the orphanage, and I only needed a few hours to sleep. I would be up with the dawn, unless I found myself a bed partner. Upon entering the inn, Talen-Jei approached me.
"I didn't know if you were still in town or if you had left. Are you all right?" I raised a brow.
"I am well. Why do you ask?" I brought up the beginning of a Frenzy spell in the palms of my hands.
"There was a vampire attack. There were two of them this time, and a handful of thralls."
"I heard the warning, but I saw nothing." I replied, shaking my head. "Was anyone injured?" The more I seemed to care, the more 'normal' I would appear. It was an act that I had perfected a long, long time ago.
"Three guardsmen died, and Shadr was injured. He didn't quite make it indoors in time."
"Who is he, and how was he injured?" I pressed.
"He got struck by an arrow. He was taken to the Temple of Mara, but I don't know if they can do anything for him."
"Was it a thrall or a vampire who struck him?" I frowned, folding my arms across my chest. "And do you know if the alchemical store is still open?"
"I don't know which it was." He admitted. "Elgrim is open nearly all hours of the day. If you go out the door, there's a set of stairs near the bridge. Head downwards, and it's the last door on the left." I nodded, turned on my heel, and left the inn. My first stop was at the pile of vampire corpses still in the street. Funnily enough, vampire dust is a key ingredient in a potion to cure diseases. I collected what dust I could and then headed down to Elgrim's Elixirs. After browsing his wares, I saw that he did have what I needed – a mudcrab chitin, and a skeever hide.
"What's this about, then?" Elgrim asked. "I don't usually get customers this time of night."
"Might I use your alchemy table and your cooking pot?" I asked in turn.
"Yes, go ahead. But what is this all for?" He pressed.
"There was a vampire attack. A young man was injured, and no one can tell me who injured him." Elgrim whistled softly. If anyone knew the dangers of vampiric weaponry, it would be the alchemist.
"Was anyone else…?" I cooked the hide and shrugged my shoulders.
"I know that some guardsmen died. That is all." Once the hide had finished I approached the alchemy table and ground the ingredients together. Alchemy could be difficult for those who did not enjoy it, but I took pleasure in crafting potions and poisons. Elgrim handed me a pot containing boiling water as well as a bottle to put the potion in. I poured the ground ingredients into the bottle first and then a small amount of water. I stoppered it and shook it in a circle, counting to thirty. Once I finished I cast a Magelight spell and inspected the bottle's contents. They were a dark blood red, which meant it needed more water.
"I wondered why you only wanted a cure disease potion." Elgrim commented.
"I can take care of any other injuries with magick." I agreed, and began to carefully add water to the bottle until the contents were pale red. "Still a little strong, but it will do."
"With something like that, strong is better anyway." Elgrim pointed out.
"This is true." I nodded. "Thank you for allowing me the use of your equipment."
"Not a problem, girl. You know how to get to the Temple?" I nodded once more. "You're welcome here any time you like." Elgrim stated. Not knowing what to say, I simply thanked him once more and left. I made my way to the Temple and pushed open the door. There was a hushed conversation that stopped as the door closed loudly behind me. A Dunmeri woman came from the back of the Temple, a strained smile on her lips.
"Hello, and welcome to the Temple of Mara. I'm Dinya Balu. Is there something that I can help you with?"
"No, Sera, but there is something that I can help you with." I gestured towards the back, where she had come from. "Is that where Shadr is?" Her smile became less strained upon hearing the Aldmeri tongue, but she became more guarded as I spoke.
"He was injured tonight, yes. He is not able to receive visitors." I shook my head and showed her the potion I had crafted.
"I know not what skills you or the other priests have, so I crafted a potion for him. I wish only to aid him." The boy's injuries were partly my fault. If I had not had the perfect chance to slip into the orphanage unawares, I would have helped the guards. If a vampire was feral enough to attack a city it deserved to be put out of its misery. Dinya narrowed her eyes at me.
"In these troubled times it is hard to tell friend from foe." I nodded and opened the bottle, taking a sip to prove it was not dangerous.
"I say again: I wish only to help. I crafted this with the assistance of Elgrim, the alchemist. I also know an assortment of healing spells." She relaxed once she saw that I had not taken any ill effects from the potion.
"I apologize for my mistrust. He is a Redguard, and while there is not as much hatred towards them as towards other races, it is still there." She led me to a room in the back of the Temple. I could smell blood in the air, which reminded me that I had not yet fed that day. I could feed later, I reminded myself. I recognized the young man from when I had entered Riften. He was conscious at the moment, which was good. I knelt down beside him and inspected him. Someone had wrapped his injury rather poorly, and I frowned at the make-shift bandages.
"Do none of you know how to dress a wound?" I asked, mainly to myself. I saw Dinya stiffen out of the corner of my eye. The arrow had sunk into his shoulder. I placed a hand on his forehead, and he felt far too warm. "He may be running a fever." I spoke in Common, so that they could all understand. "You should not have removed the arrow, but in light of the fact that you did not know help was coming…" I sighed and looked around. "Where is the arrow?" One of the acolytes handed it to me and I cursed.
"What's wrong?" Dinya asked.
"Part of it is still inside him. See this?" I pointed to a corner of the arrow. "They should both look the same." I unwrapped the wound and Shadr hissed in pain. "Look at me." I tapped his chin, and he rolled his head to look at me. "I am going to help you, but it is going to hurt. First I need you to drink this." I showed him the potion. "This will not heal you. This is to cure you, in case you were infected by one of the vampires. If you do not drink this, and you were infected, you will turn into a vampire in three days' time. Do you understand me?"
"…yes, I understand." He nodded.
"Good. After you drink this, I will cast two spells on you. The first will put you to sleep, and the second one will be a Paralysis spell. I need to remove the part of the arrowhead that is still in your shoulder, and I may need to open the wound further. Once that is removed I will heal you. Do you still understand?"
"I think so." He nodded once more.
"Very good. I will help you sit up and you will drink the potion." I took him by the uninjured arm and helped him sit upright. "It will not taste very good." I cautioned him, handing over the potion.
"My mother always said that if potions tasted good they wouldn't be doing their jobs." Shadr smirked. I uncorked the bottle and he raised it to his lips. Once it was gone he made a face and shook his head. I handed him a cup of water and he drank it as well.
"Now on to the next step." I laid him back down and cast first the sleeping spell, then the Paralysis spell. I cast a Candlelight spell and then inspected the wound once more. "I need a pot of water." I removed my gauntlets as one of the acolytes collected the water. I heated the pot in much the same way as I had for Aventus, waiting for it to boil. Once it was boiling I rinsed off and dried my hands. Someone made an odd noise when I placed my hands in the water, but I ignored it. I shook the water from my hands and then leaned over Shadr's chest. I sent a small amount of Alteration magick into the wound to find the arrow shard. It was lodged behind his bone, where it must have caught when the arrow was removed. I shook my head and sighed. "The arrow should have been pushed through and then the head snapped off. By pulling it straight out the arrow caught on a bone and a piece snapped off." I explained. "My work would have already been done. He would only have needed to drink the potion and be healed." I wrapped the strands of magick around the arrow shard and tugged. It must have looked a bit odd to the onlookers, however, since all they could see was my finger drawing a circle in the air and then pulling. I coaxed the shard out of the wound slowly, not wanting to cause any more damage.
"What's taking so long?" I heard someone whisper, and then a woman shushed them. I saw the shard exit the wound and brought it into my hand with the strands of magick still around it before dispelling them. I tossed it into the pot of water then placed both hands over the wound and pouring Restoration magick into it. I tugged the torn flesh together, starting from inside. Black liquid seeped out of the wound, and I was glad I had made the potion before coming to the Temple.
"What is that?" Someone asked.
"He was struck by an arrow shot from a vampire's bow. He caught Sanguinare Vampiris. Vampirism." I informed them. "That is why I had him drink the potion first. Had I healed him first it would have been more difficult to remove the disease, because I would have been encouraging it to remain with magick." Once the wound was healed I used the make-shift bandages to wipe away the blood and ichor before dispelling the spells he was under. Shadr's eyes opened and he looked around.
"That didn't take long." He commented.
"To you, perhaps." I replied, drawing his attention. "Your shoulder will be weak for a time. Do not overexert yourself, and if you must carry something, do not lift it above your head. Your muscles need time to rebuild." I rose to my feet.
"Thank you." Shadr said. "You didn't need to help me, but you did. I'm sorry that I can't give you anything in return." I waved a hand.
"It was nothing." I turned and left the Temple, returning to the inn. When I asked after renting a room, Talen-Jei directed me towards Keerava, the Saxhleel woman at the bar. I procured a room for the night then headed up the stairs. It was a small, plain room, but I did not much care. I undressed and climbed into the bed, and it was not long before I was asleep.
I slept quite a bit later than I had intended to. When I woke it was a few hours past dawn, and I cursed under my breath as I climbed out of bed. After dressing, I descended the stairs and slipped out the door before I could be halted. I tugged my hood further over my face, but was stopped not fifty paces from the gates.
"You're the girl who saved Shadr, aren't you?" I stifled a sigh and turned towards the voice. I recognized the man I had seen being driven away from the gates as I entered Riften.
"What of it?" I asked tersely. Just because I had helped did not mean that no one would point a finger at me when Grelod's death was discovered. The spells I had cast the night before would dissipate soon.
"You've got to help me. The guards refuse to do anything about it, and someone needs to look into it!" He fumed.
"I will not do anything if you do not tell me what it is you wish me to do. Even then there is no guarantee." I stated, folding my arms across my chest. He sighed and shook his head.
"I'm sorry. My name is Jalamar. I was taking a walk the other night, as I do, and I saw some men outside the Echo Deep Mine. The thing is, they looked like mercenaries, up to no good."
"What would make you think that? The place is a mine, perhaps they are simply mining." I commented.
"I've never seen them around before, and they looked real tough. In addition, the Echo Deep Mines are not a place that people go. There are myths about it." His voice dropped on the last sentence, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"Such as?" The myths might not be true, but they might also give me an idea of what to expect should I venture inside.
"All sorts of stories. Some say it's haunted by ghosts. Some say a wealthy bandit lord hides out in it, quietly contributing to the crime in Riften. Some people even say that deep within the mines there are Dwemer ruins. Full of all sorts of Dwarven automatons, just waiting to slay whoever enters."
"And what is it that the guards are unwilling to do?" I asked.
"On my way back from my walk, I passed the mine entrance again. I heard all sorts of horrific noises. I reckon something happened to those men. Anyone going into those mines is up to no good. I've asked the guards to take a look, but they just ignore me. I need someone to see what's happened." I sighed and rubbed my brow.
"And you wish for me to go and look into this on your behalf." I surmised.
"Please, if they are planning something, the city guard needs to know. Please, go check for me." He took a half step toward me, reaching out his hand. I slapped his hand away before he could touch me.
"I cannot look into this immediately, as I have urgent business that takes priority." I warned him.
"I suppose that's better than nothing." He grumbled. "I'll mark it on your map, and keep trying to get the guards to look into it."
"From what I saw yesterday, continuing to harass the guards does not seem to be a sound plan." I commented.
"Sound or not, someone needs to look into it. If you do go in, be careful. We still don't know what's in there." I handed Jalamar my map and he pointed out where the mine was.
"Now, if there is nothing else that you need, I must be on my way." I informed him, taking back the map. I turned on my heel and exited the city.
Jalamar, his dialogue, and anything else that you don't recognize (or maybe you will, I don't know) is content from the Falskaar mod. I have permission from the mod's author to include his content. If you have a PC and you haven't played it yet, I encourage you to check it out.