DISCLAIMER: I Don't own the Elder Scroll Series.
Nightshade
Ania sighed and chased after her young daughter, again. Old habits died hard and because of Sofie's past she had a tendency to collect any thing that resembled a flower. Including poisonous flowers like Nightshade.
"Look Mama! Pretty flowers!"
"Those are not 'pretty flowers' Sofie. For the 23rd time, that is Nightshade. It will hurt you. You will die. Stop picking it."
Sofie smiled innocently and Ania wondered, not for the first time, if she was being played by the little girl. Sofie dropped the deadly ingredient and skipped back to the path.
Ania slumped and drug her feet the follow the child who seemed to have boundless energy. When Iona had said she was busy with orders from the Jarl and couldn't watch Blaise or Sofie Ania knew she was in for an exhausting trip. Surprisingly Blaise had behaved on the way from Riften to Falkreath.
For once Sofie was the problem.
Usually Ania tired to keep the kids in a holds major city and always tired to bring someone to help watch them but everyone had been busy and she didn't trust mercenaries to watch over her adopted kids. So she was stuck dragging along Blaise and Sofie on the journey for an audience with the Jarl Siddgeir of Falkreath.
It was torture.
"Sofie! For the last time! That is Nightshade and if you try to eat it you will die. No amount of magic will bring you back, that's it. No more Blaise, no more Mama, no more adventures. You got it?"
Ania knew she was being harsh but she was at the end of her rope. Sofie's eyes got wide and she nodded slowly.
"But Mama...what would happen if I gave one as a present to Mr. Jarl?"
Ania face palmed and knelt down on Sofie's level.
"Honey, if you gave one to Siddgeir then we would get arrested. It's like an assassination attempt. Like Mama does for Astrid. Understand?"
Sofie didn't respond and instead pointed over to Blaise. Ania looked over her should where she saw Blaise's pants and pockets full of Nightshade.
He smiled and she realized why her son had been so well-behaved.
"I don't like Mr. Siddgeir, and Festus told me to kill the people I don't like."
Ania made an mental note to kick Festus next time she stopped by the Dark Brotherhood. Oh, and to avoid Nightshade at all costs.
