Chapter 2: Old Friends

Journal Entry 81, 15th of Sun's Dusk

I can't relax. No matter how hard I try, there's always that feeling, like something isn't right. Almost like… something is missing. No, not something. Someone. Avalyn. Two years to the day, and still no word of her. It's almost as if she has vanished off the face of Nirn. There are rumors, of course. Rumors that soon prove to be false. I want to give up, to just let my friend go. So many people think she's dead, why not me?

Journal Entry 82, 18th of Sun's Dusk

No. I can't stop looking. I swore I would wait for you. I promised Brynjolf I'd keep you safe. You're alive. You have to be. I just… I haven't looked hard enough. I'll walk the whole of Tamriel if I need to, but I refuse to let my friend down. Sorry, Lyn. I can't wait for you anymore. You used to tell me that if I wanted something to happen, I'd have to make it happen myself. Well today, I'm taking those words to heart. One way or another, I'll find you.

19th of Sun's Dusk, Riften

Iona wandered around the streets of Riften aimlessly. Her Thane was gone, and had been so for two years now. Jarl Laila had offered multiple times to re-assign her to a lesser noble of the court, but she had refused. If there was any chance of her friend returning, she would stay. Avalyn might have been young, but she was still one of the best fighters Iona had ever seen. No matter what the others may say, she was still alive. And she's bound to come back sometime, right?

Master Jakev certainly thought so. She felt so sorry for the man. He had been so hopeful at first, and had planned a massive celebration for his friend's return. But soon, his optimism wavered. Days passed, then weeks and months at a time went by without a sign of the girl.

He had soon turned to drink, spending most of his nights slumped over the bar in the Bee and Barb. Any attempt to rouse him from his stupor was met with drunken swearing and, in one extreme scenario, a dagger against your throat. In the span of one year, a friendly, outgoing man had become cold and grim, his closest friend gone.

The housecarl hadn't seen him much lately. He left early, sometimes before the sun had risen, returning in the dead of night with his clothes reeking of alcohol. It was never long before she heard him mumbling to himself, almost as if he believed his companion was there with him. Slurred whispers soon devolved into quiet prayer, then finally heartbroken sobs. He screamed at the sky, cursed the gods. All he wanted was for Avalyn to be safe, he said. Why must fate be so cruel?

But today was different. There had been no slammed door, no feverish muttering. Iona came home to find Jakev seated at the table, hunched over his journal with quill in hand. His robes were spotless, his blonde hair trimmed and unruly beard shaved. As she turned to lock the door, he peered up at her, his piercing green eyes clear and steady. "Good evening, Iona," he said, his eyes returning to the book in his hands. "Was wondering where you had gone."

"I, uh… Oh. I'm sorry, sir. I didn't expect to see you back so soon." She fiddled with her gauntlets, unsure of what to say next. "M-my lord?"

"Iona, we've been over this. My name is Jakev, not 'lord' or 'master.' You don't hear me calling you 'housecarl,' do you? No, you have a name and that is what I call you." He glanced at her, smiling faintly. "Now, what was it that you wanted?"

She blinked. That was different. "Well, mi-Jakev. I was just wondering how you were feeling." His shoulders stiffened. "If you don't mind my asking, that is!" she added hurriedly. There was a moment of stillness, save for the soft crackling of the fire and the flickering shadows it cast.

Sighing, Jakev closed his journal. "I'm better than I was. Decided it was high time I stopped feeling sorry for myself and get back into it." With a wry smile, he said, "That, and Keerava threatened to ban me from the inn if I didn't sober up." He laughed without humor, eyes dull. "I'm sorry for the way I've been acting recently. Without Lyn it's… it's been hard."

"I can only imagine. We all thought Avalyn a friend, but you… It must be torture. How long have you known her?"

"Almost fifteen years. For eight of those, she fought by my side. Not once did she show fear, nor run from a challenge. She was like a daughter to me. But that last day. That final, fateful day… she was terrified." His voice cracked. "And I couldn't be there to help her."

Once again, an uncomfortable silence blanketed the small room. After a few awkward condolences, Jakev pushed back his chair and made for the door. "I'm going to see the Jarl. If I'm lucky, she'll have a few bounties I can take."

"Of course. And, might I say one more thing?"

"I don't see why not."

"My lord, I'm so sorry for what you've had to go through. No man should ever have to suffer such grief. If it's any comfort to you, I'll be on the lookout for any new leads in your absence. And… good luck, my lord. Remember, your friends are here for you. If you need anything, you have but to ask."

"Name's still Jakev, but… thanks. See you soon."

"May the gods be with you."