Fredas 2 Heartfire 201 4E 6:00 PM
The next sixteen days flew by. I would get up at the crack of dawn to start up the forge and work the bellows all day with Adrianne. I don't remember sweating so much and wondered how much of my perspiration was used to cool the metal when it was time to temper the blades. I constantly stopped to gulp down gallons of water before passing the ladle to a grateful Adrianne.
I found that Skyrim was much cooler than temperate Cyrodiil, but the heat of the forge chased away any autumn chill. Any breaks were spent with my arms wrapped around me as a cool breeze already promising snow blew through my thin blacksmith clothes drying the rivets of sweat that had poured down my body.
The first several days' work would end around six in the evening when Adrianne and I would drag ourselves into Warmaiden's. Sitting behind the counter while Ulfberth took last minute orders and cleaned up the shop, we would eat our dinners quietly feeling the tension drain out of our tired muscles. Then I would crawl into my cot and fall into a sleep so deep that I couldn't remember any dreams. It felt like I had barely closed my eyes before Adrianne was calling for me to get up for a fast breakfast before starting all over again.
Skyrim didn't have indoor plumbing and even in the autumn, it was too cold to really bathe often, since the most common method was to use the local rivers or streams. It was just too inconvenient to draw up the water needed into a pot and boil the amount needed to properly wash up. I usually managed to drag a wet cloth over my body a few times, but usually I fell into the bed covered in grime, soot, and sweat which left me feeling gross most days.
My waist length hair was problematic. When I had been a blacksmith's apprentice, my hairstyle had been a short, chin-length bob, which had been easily bound back by a handkerchief. Now, my hair was too heavy to pull back easily and it trapped heat and sweat. I thought about cutting it, but my hair was my pride and I couldn't convince myself to lose it. I finally figured out a way to braid it and wound it like a crown while I worked.
"Stopping time," I announced, stretching with my hands high above my head. "Gods, how many more do we have to do?"
"We finished today, actually," Adrianne said with a smile as she stood up from the grindstone. "Other than finishing sharping the most recent blades, which can wait until Morndas, we are done." She laughed. "If I had known I'd have such a wonderful assistant, I would have told Idolaf that I'd work his miracle and might have gotten a higher fee for it."
"Sorry," I said shrugging. I flushed with pride from the praise.
"Don't be," Adrianne mocked hit me. "You really helped me out and I thank the Divines for sending you to me."
"Talos be praised," I said jokingly.
"I'd be careful about saying that, even in jest," Adrianne said suddenly frowning.
The worship of Talos was a tender subject in Skyrim. The White-Gold Concordat agreement, the treaty that had ended the Great War between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion, had rendered worship of the man turned god illegal. The Thalmor, the ruling council of the Altmer, very vigorously hunted down any one who violated the agreement and death was the most common punishment. It was one of the points of contention that Ulfric rallied under and since many Nords still honored Talos, it made Ulfric look like a local, patriotic hero.
I had been five years old when the agreement was signed, so I had never personally thought of Talos, or Tiber Septim as we Imperials called him, as a god of worship. Like many of the other forgotten and abandoned gods of mythology, he was just a figure who had been important at one point and now no longer was.
Whiterun was odd in that despite being an Imperial friendly city, it was also Talos friendly. There was a priest of Talos named Heimskr who stood in front of a shrine of Talos yelling praises for his god. I wasn't completely certain, but I wondered if he was a self-appointed priest or if the church actually approved the man's actions. Standing in the square all days screaming "We are but maggots, writhing in the filth of our own corruption," didn't seem like very good public relations.
Since Heimskr's small home was literally in the same square as the shrine, he rarely was found away from his heavenly calling. It made me wonder what it would be like to live every hour of your life dedicated to a god who never gave any sign of appreciating your devotion. It seemed kind of sad and lonely, so the few times I passed Heimskr, I would listen to him for a few minutes. Maybe it was crueler to give him the illusion of acceptance, but he did seem to appreciate having an audience and I found him fairly amusing.
"Don't worry, Adrianne, I trust you. I wouldn't say that around just anyone," I assured my boss. As Imperials, there was still some concern about prejudice for us. There were plenty of Nords who lived in Whiterun who believed that Nord lands should belong to the Nords. Being married to Ulfberth helped Adrianne be accepted, but she still was desperate to earn her reputation as a master blacksmith on her own merit and not depend on others' compassion.
"How are you feeling?" Adrianne asked, changing the topic. "Feel tired?"
"Hm, not really. I actually feel really good. Not having work is going to be more of a downer tomorrow since it means you won't need me anymore, but right now I feel like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders," I said.
"Good," Adrianne nodded. She reached into her belt pouch and pulled out a handful of coins. "Why don't you take these and go have a good time? You earned them."
"Oh, Divines bless you!" I squealed. It wasn't much, but it was a sight more than I had currently for spending. The few meager coins I had earned from selling my armor to Adrianne had disappeared quickly when I went to Belethor's general store to buy some necessities. It was easy to forget all the little things we use every day until they're gone. I needed a hairbrush, toiletries, and personal items like small clothes.
It had not been a fun trip, and not just because I didn't have much coin. Belethor, the owner, was a stocky built Breton who just exuded sliminess. His eyes would follow me as I looked at his wares, he would make odd jokes about selling family members, and the tone of his voice was just suggestive. I felt like ants were crawling up my back while in that store, and the thought of him mentally undressing me would just not leave my mind. After that, I tried to trade with Ysolda who wasn't an official merchant, but she was definitely interested in learning the trade and didn't mind Belethor.
"I tell you what," she suggested. "I'll get your items for you at no extra charge if you promise to keep an eye out for a mammoth tusk."
"Why in the world would you want a mammoth tusk?" I asked, not sure I wanted to know the answer. I had heard stories of perverts and horker tusks, and I didn't particularly want to have such images about sweet faced Ysolda.
"I have an arrangement with a Khajiit caravaneer that if I can find a mammoth tusk, then he'll start providing trade with me. It will help me save up to buy the Mare from Hulda that much sooner!" Ysolda's dream was to own the inn someday. Hulda seemed agreeable enough to sell the franchise to the eager girl, but not without a profit.
"Okay, that's a fair deal," I had said and we had shook hands over it.
Now I had some coins with no immediate need attached to them. A night up at the Bannered Mare with a few cups of wine, if I was lucky since wine was a rarity in Skyrim. The Nords preferred their mead – thick, disgusting stuff that it was. Still, if I could push through a few tankards, my mouth numbed enough to not care how it tasted while enjoying the mellow relaxation alcohol provided. A night to celebrate was definitely on the schedule after more than two weeks of working nonstop one way or another.
"If you plan on going out, I had Ulfberth draw up and heat some water for a bath," Adrianne said, her eyes sparkling. It was like she had read my mind. "Go have some fun!"
"Oh, Adrianne, you're the best!" I hugged the blacksmith and planted a kiss on her cheek.
"I promise that it's not completely altruistic," Adrianne winked. "I wouldn't mind if you stay out late so I can have some alone time with my husband."
"Consider it done!" I mock saluted before running into the house.
Fredas 2 Heartfire 201 4E 9:00 PM
As I had feared, Hulda only had mead, but that was probably for the best. Wine, especially Cyrodilic wine, was expensive compared to the local brewery's stock, and I should conserve my coin. After working the forge with Adrianne all day, I would sometimes go out into the city and see what miscellaneous chores there were available for a few coins. I had done everything from run potions for Farengar Secret-Fire to help a priest find his amulet of Arkay. I had carefully hidden it all away in my mattress so I wouldn't be tempted to spend it frivolously. Soon I could buy a new horse, and maybe explore Skyrim a bit. Get to see a bit of these Holds Hadvar had told me about.
I was sitting alone in a corner listening to the local bard and Hulda's son, Mikael, singing a war propaganda song called "The Age of Aggression."
Down with Ulfric, the killer of kings,
On the day of your death we will drink and we'll sing.
There were days I wondered how in Oblivion I ended up in the same wagon with who had to be the most notorious person in all of Skyrim. It felt like everyone had a strong opinion of Ulfric Stormcloak and his army, one way or another. People either loved him as a local hero who finally stood up to the tyranny of foreign dictators who didn't care or understand Skyrim's way of life or hated him as a villain for ripping Skyrim apart by encouraging brothers to fight and kill each other instead of trying to rally with the Empire to rid us of the Thalmor influence. I think if I had truly comprehended the fact that Ulfric was the closest thing Skyrim had to a celebrity, I wouldn't have jammed my tongue down his throat.
It was very likely that once I had enough coin I would travel to Solitude and Windhelm to get firsthand accounts of what happened and why in regards to the Stormcloak Rebellion. Normally, I didn't get involved in politics, but it was on everyone's lips and having met one of the key players in person had roused my curiosity.
"I finally found you." I looked up from my contemplations, surprised by the irritated tone. A Nord woman who looked vaguely familiar was glaring at me. "I thought I told you to stay at the inn in case Jarl Balgruuf wanted you," she said crossly.
"Rydia?" I asked, not certain if that was the right name.
"No, it's Lydia," she sighed as she placed one hand on her forehead and rubbed it as if she had a headache. "I'm one of Jarl Balgruuf's housecarls. We met when you gave your report about the dragon attacking Helgen."
"Oh, yeah!" I exclaimed. "I remember you now." I'm usually pretty good at remembering such details, but we hadn't been formally introduced and it had been a couple of weeks since I last met the woman.
"And do you recall me telling you to stay at the Bannered Mare in case we had need for you?" she muttered as she took a seat uninvited.
"I did," I said wrinkling my nose at her action. I pulled my mug close to my chest and sniffed disdainfully at the mead before grimacing and drinking it. "I didn't have any coin since the Legion didn't deem it fit to leave me any before trying to kill me. Made it a bit hard to rent a room."
"You should have said something to the jarl," Lydia frowned. "He would have given you something, I am sure."
"I probably would have if he and the rest of his court hadn't run off leaving me alone with a housecarl who promptly threw me out," I retorted. "Whatever a housecarl is."
"A housecarl is a bodyguard, usually assigned to someone of great import whether he is a jarl or thane," Lydia sniffed.
"A thane? Gods, I swear it feels like you people speak a completely different language at times," I snorted. I was only on my second mug of mead, but the thick drink was stronger than I was used to, and honestly I'm a cheap drunk. Normally only one glass of wine would be enough to cause my tongue to waggle uncontrollably. "I could have sworn Skyrim spoke the official Imperial language just like the rest of the Empire."
Lydia stiffened angrily at my jibe. "We Nords have a fine and proud culture."
"I'm not denying that," I said which caused Lydia to relax a bit. Unfortunately, my mouth kept moving. "I'm just saying why don't you use real words like 'lord' or 'bodyguard' instead of 'jarl' and 'housecarl'? I swear, housecarl sounds too much like housecat." I laughed suddenly at the mental image that created. "Meow, meow! I have no clue what a thane could be."
Lydia got to her feet, her face flushed red in anger. "For your information, a thane is a hero officially recognized by the jarl. Something I am sure you'll never know anything about!" Having gotten in the last word, the Nord turned quickly on her heel and left the inn, making sure to slam the door loudly as she exited.
My smile fell off my face after Lydia left. I felt bad for teasing her. I hadn't meant to make her upset, I was just being silly, a flaw that I had my whole life. It was easy to forget how prideful these Nords were, especially in regards to their culture.
It would have been nice to have someone I could have talked to. Although I had been pretty friendly, I hadn't made any friends other than Adrianne, and I think that was only because we worked so close to each other all day, every day. Ulfberth was kind, but I didn't really have much in common with the big man other than blacksmithing and you can only talk about different forging techniques for so long.
I sighed, looking into my mug. That was the ultimate problem with my way of life. I got to meet lots of interesting people and everything felt new and fresh when I got to a new region or town, but I didn't have any real friends. I didn't even have family back home in Bravil anymore. I had probably done Ulfric a favor when I escaped his group, since he wouldn't have been forced to feed and give me a bed while he found out there was no money to be gotten from his hostage.
I got up and left a few coins for Saadia, one of the barmaids, on the table and stood up. I might as well go back to Warmaiden's and get some rest. As I pushed open the door and felt the cold night air hit my face, I briefly wished that I could say I was going home.
Loredas 3 Heartfire 201 4E 7:00 AM
"Adrianne, why are you upside-down?" I asked groggily. "And why is it so bright?" The storage room that I slept in had no windows which normally made getting up hellish. I was one of those people who woke better with natural light streaming in. Today, that was in abundance. It was so bright that I could barely open my eyes.
"I'm not upside-down," the blacksmith said, her tone worried. "I'm standing over you. And it's bright because you fell asleep outside last night. Divines, woman, you could have frozen to death. Whatever were you thinking?"
"It was kind of pleasantly warm last night," I said as I gladly took Adrianne's offered hand. That wasn't a complete truth. It had been warmer than most nights, but Skyrim felt perpetually cold. I had curled up next to the forge since its fires are never properly extinguished and fallen asleep while watching the stars and moons. The sky had been beautiful last night and I enjoyed looking up into the Void of night.
Sometimes when I felt lonely, I liked to stand as straight as I can and stare straight up into the night sky. I would look for a faraway point and then try to look past it until it felt like I could see forever. It made me feel terribly small and insignificant, but there was also a power there. To be alive and in this world despite how tiny I was and how big reality was just meant there would always be something new and exciting for me to discover!
"Besides," I continued as I dusted my dress, "I forgot my key and didn't want to interrupt any private time between you and Ulfberth." In truth, I could have gotten back into the house even without the key, but I had absolutely no desire to be somewhere downstairs under those two listening to their sexual exertions.
"I appreciate it," Adrianne blushed prettily. "It has been a while since I've had any energy to sleep with my husband. Let me tell you, Ulfberth knows how to temper his metal in my forge, if you know what I mean." I made a sound of disgust, but Adrianne ignored it as she continued, "Even before the order came from Idolaf, I was working the forge all day long trying to catch up to Eorlund. It would be easy to say that his Skyforge steel is only as legendary as it is because of his forge, but I refuse to believe that. I just need an edge of my own!"
"I'm sure you will," I said smiling thinly.
"What's wrong? You're not sick, are you?" Adrianne placed a motherly hand on my forehead. "You should have come in regardless of how late it was or anything else. I wouldn't forgive myself if you got deathly sick."
"I'm fine," I insisted as I pushed her hand away. "I'm just a little worried. Now that the shipment is finished I cannot expect you to keep me on as an apprentice and I'm not sure what else I can do for work. I've saved up some, but not enough for a horse or other traveling supplies."
"You're always welcome to my forge," Adrianne offered, "I hope you know that. And as far as work goes, have you tried bounty work? My father is the jarl's steward. You could ask him if there is anything available. I have never known a lack of reward for ridding the Hold of bandits or giants."
"Proventus is your father?" I asked impressed. I had noticed the man the few times I had been up at the keep running potions from Arcadia to Farengar.
Adrianne grinned wickedly. "You didn't know? Let me tell you that not all of his advice to the jarl is his. I've given him some good ideas over the years."
"I'll head up as soon as I've had some food and changed clothes," I said. I had made a set of leather armor at Adrianne's encouragement when I started working at Warmaiden's. She had wanted a demonstration of my skill, and when I had finished she had allowed me to keep it. I would wear it to Dragonsreach in the hopes of impressing Proventus when I applied for possible work.
"If you don't mind, since you're headed that way, would you take a sword I've been making for the jarl? It's a gift, but I hope to gain his attention with it. You could give it to my father and he'll present it to Jarl Balgruuf when the opportunity arises." Adrianne paused, uncertain how to offer. "I could pay you for the trip."
I scoffed, "Nonsense, I don't mind to do it for you. You already offered me future use of your forge. I think that's more than fair enough for some courier work."
The sword Adrianne gave me was a huge, steel great sword. The pommel had the Whiterun heraldry of a proud horse head etched into it. "Oh, he's going to love this!" I exclaimed. "And if he doesn't, then he's a fool."
Loredas 3 Heartfire 201 4E 9:00 AM
"It is lovely work," Proventus said as he examined the great sword I had handed him. "Please be sure to tell Adrianne that she does outstanding work and this is her best piece yet."
"I will, sir," I said formally. I noticed I was standing in a military pose, hands behind the back with legs spread slightly at attention. One of the signs of nervousness for me is that I act really proper. I tried to shift to a more natural stance, but I was only left with wondering where to put my arms while I stood. Proventus stared at me expectedly. "I, uh, I was wondering if you have any work available? Adrianne mentioned to me that you usually do."
I felt so awkward. I hate asking for favors, especially from strangers. It felt like I was putting myself out there for someone to judge. Oddly enough, I didn't mind the reverse when people asked me to do something for them.
"Actually, there is a giant who lives at Bleakwind Basin, the plains west of Whiterun, who has been causing trouble for travelers lately. I have gotten reports that it has killed merchants passing by," Proventus said. "Jarl Balgruuf has issued a bounty for anyone willing to slay it."
Giants were large, primitive humanoids who lived throughout Skyrim. I had never seen one, but I had heard of locals talking about them. They live on the plains as nomads, moving from one encampment to the next from Skyrim to High Rock. Most giants kept peacefully to themselves herding their mammoths, but sometimes one went rogue or they became agitated if their mammoths are harassed. Mikael claimed he knew of a guy whose friend had been hit so hard by a giant's club that he flew fifty feet into the air, but I suspected that was just bardic exaggeration.
"Okay, I can do that," I said wondering if I could kill something that looked human and wasn't trying to kill me. I had fought in the Imperial Army, but always as an archer so if any of my arrows found its mark, I never personally knew. Still, if this creature was killing innocent people, it was probably best to get rid of it. "What do I need to do for proof? I assume you don't want just my word?"
"You can harvest a toe off it and present that," Proventus said nonchalantly. "No sense trying to bring back its head, they're too large, and when you're done you can sell the toe to Arcadia. She uses them for alchemical ingredients."
Mental note to self, don't drink any of Arcadia's potions. Ever.
Loredas 3 Heartfire 201 4E 10:00 AM
"The horse is seven years old, but I'm willing to sell her for one thousand septims," Skulvar Sable-Hilt, the owner of the stables told me.
"One thousand septims for a seven year old horse?" I squawked. "That's robbery!"
"Take it or leave it," the Nord shrugged. "Makes no difference to me. She comes with a bridle and saddle if that appeases you any." I wished I could tell if he was gouging me because I was an Imperial or if that was his typical offer.
I growled as I double checked my coin that I had retrieved from its hiding place. I had decided that if I could that I should buy a horse. Not only would it get me to Bleakwind Basin faster, but Proventus told me that if I found anything of value in the encampment, then I was allowed by law to keep for my own. I had no idea what giants might or might not have, but it didn't hurt to have extra carrying capacity. Plus, I hoped that there would be some mammoth tusks to be found so I could give one to Ysolda. I hated being in debt and it would be nice to repay her.
I had enough coin, but just barely. "I want two weeks of stabling included," I haggled.
"One week and nothing more," Skulvar said, sounding bored. I nodded and handed him the money before he went off to get the saddle.
I waited by the stall with my new horse in it. She was as black as midnight, and although a bit older than I liked for my mounts, she seemed to be lively enough. "What should I call you, I wonder?" I pondered out loud. "Blacky? Kinda boring, don't you think? Maybe Charcoal? Give me some time to get to know you, and I'll find a name that is just perfect for you!" The mare nickered in response to the sound of my voice, but it felt like she was responding to my commentary and that made me smile.
Riding again felt good. Moving quickly across the plains with the mountains on the horizon just felt right in a way that being stuck in one location didn't. Maybe one day I would find that one place, or maybe even that one person, I would want to stay with forever and grow old with, but for today galloping across a flower filled field was my life and I couldn't be happier!
Bleakwind Basin was only about thirty minutes away from Whiterun. I crouched at a hill top and watched the giant in his camp down below. I had left my horse safely behind me to not alert the giant to our presence. Horses are notoriously loud creatures due to their skittish nature, which can make them excellent guards for a lone traveler sleeping in her camp, but not so great when you're trying to sneak up on someone.
I watched the creature for a few moments, fascinated by what I saw. The giant was probably about twelve feet tall; it was difficult to tell exactly from so far away, but it was obvious that he was much bigger than your typical humanoid. His entire body was covered in ritualized tattooing and scars, which indicated a much more civilized mentality than his crude camp indicated. On one shoulder, he carried a large bone, possible from a mammoth, as he wandered around his camp.
I crouched on one knee, pulled out my bow which was another product from Adrianne's forge, and drew in a deep breath. Find the target, eliminate everything else, remove all distractions, find the void, fall into it. It was the old mantra my archery master had taught me and what I always chanted whenever I had to shoot my bow. Breathe in, pull the string, breathe out.
Although the giant was at least five hundred feet away, it felt like he was next to me once I honed my sight. I released the arrow and death flew on the wind. One second the giant was standing there alive, and the next he was lying dead on the ground with an arrow jutting from his neck.
I sighed and sat back on my haunches. That was the first thinking thing I had ever killed and I wondered if I should feel something, but honestly I felt nothing. It had been a problem and I had killed it. Story over.
I mounted my horse and rode down to the camp. I studied the dead giant before cutting off the trophy toe for Proventus. The creature's features were definitely humanoid, but more mer than man. There were the hint of tusks on its jaw and the slope of the forehead was more similar to orc than anything else.
I was about to leave when I noticed a chest next to the bonfire. I tried to open it, but found that it was locked. Instead of being frustrated, I smiled. I loved opening locks. The challenge of moving the gears and finding the right amount of pressure to pop one open appealed to me. I had learned how to open locks during one of my many careers with a locksmith. Sometimes people got locked out of their homes or lost the key to a personal chest, which meant someone was needed to get them back in.
"Tiber Septim! This is a really good lock," I said astonished when I examined the chest. How did creatures known for their primitive lifestyles have such good security? Maybe he had found one from one of the travelers he had harassed and kept it? I checked the giant and found no key, which lent credit to my theory.
I knelt by the chest, curious to what was inside, and started working on the lock. My focus was completely on the mechanism and I probably would have died if not for my horse.
The mare's scream of panic alerted me to the second giant who was coming back to his camp after herding his pack of mammoths. The black horse reared up as the lumbering man neared her. The giant swung his huge, bone club and hit her square in her torso. She flew up into the air, and I promised myself I would never doubt anything Mikael said ever again, because I'd be damned to Oblivion if she didn't crest a hundred feet in the air.
I grabbed up my bow and started shooting erratically at the creature as he came towards me. My arrows merely bounced off him; apparently giants have tough skin. My first shot must have gotten lucky to have been instantly fatal. That and I had time to concentrate and aim. It's much easier to shoot accurately when you have all the time in the world instead of mere seconds as your foe comes crashing down on you.
I screamed in terror and decided that retreat was better than valor. I ran away leaving behind the enraged giant and the unopened chest far behind. The bounty better damn well be worth all this.
Loredas 3 Heartfire 201 4E 1:00 PM
"Excellent work," Proventus said as he handed me a small pouch. "I'll let you know when there is more work."
"You've got to be kidding me," I grumbled when I looked into the pouch. It was a mere one hundred septims, one tenth of what I paid for my poor, dead horse. I was further in the hole than I started. And still not mammoth tusk for Ysolda.
I turned to leave, deep in thought of what I was going to do next, when Jarl Balgruuf saw me. "Ah, there you are!" he said cheerfully. "I thought Lydia said you had left the city."
"Oh, no, Lord, um, I mean Jarl Balgruuf," I stammered. "It was a misunderstanding. I was living with Adrianne and Lydia thought I was at the Mare…" I trailed off not sure whether Balgruuf wanted to hear about my financial troubles.
"No matter, here you are now," he smiled in a way that made me appreciate why he was such a well-loved ruler. "I have something I wanted to discuss with you."
"Yes, sir?" I asked politely.
"I was impressed that a stranger came all the way to Whiterun to let us know about the dragon attack in Helgen. I was further impressed when no local rumors came drifting into Dragonsreach. It told me you knew better than to go waggling your tongue to people and frighten them." I blushed at the compliment. Truth was I had been so wrapped up trying to eke out a living that I had pushed out that horrific day from my mind. Balgruuf threw a companionable arm around my shoulders. "Now I hear that you've been a real boon to the locals. Helping out people at any and every opportunity. You're a good example of your race, Diana, and I think we need that image right now. The people don't need to be feeding into Ulfric's propaganda of how cowardly and useless the Empire is when the truth is that unity is what gives us strength.
"And now I find you here doing work to help keep the Hold safe for her people!" Balgruuf laughed loudly. "I knew my decision was right before, but this just seals it!"
"What decision, sir?" I asked feeling like I had come in halfway through a conversation.
"To make you a thane of my court!" Balgruuf declared. "It's mostly an honorary title, so you won't be expected to have any real responsibilities, but there are certain rights and privileges included. For example, there is a house called Breezehome down in the Plains district near the blacksmith's. I believe you know her; Adrianne is Proventus' daughter after all. Anyway, I will assign that residence to you and a housecarl for all your work here in Whiterun."
"Sir, look, I don't want to mislead you," I stammered. This whole conversation had left me dizzy. "I don't even know if I did that bounty assignment correctly since there were two giants. I might have killed the wrong one. And I am sure any reports of my helpfulness were greatly exaggerated. I don't think I did anything special."
"Ah, humble and honest! By the Nine, you are a find!" Balgruuf looked around his court. "Ah, there's your new housecarl. Don't worry; I picked one you had met before to make you more comfortable. Diana, may I present your housecarl, Lydia."
I mentally groaned as Lydia walked up to us. Her light blue eyes were as cold as ice as she eyed me. I don't think either of us had forgotten her final words to me from the night before. "Hi," I said simply trying to grin and failing.
"I am your sword and your shield," Lydia said formally.
"I'm sure you're unfamiliar with the duties of a housecarl," Balgruuf continued, completely oblivious to the awkwardness between Lydia and me. "Lydia here will inform you of all that. Now, Breezehome has been unoccupied for a while now. If you want to decorate it, Proventus will provide the materials if you pay the fee. I'll leave the two of you to get better acquainted."
And just as quickly, Balgruuf left calling to Irileth for something. The Dunmer noted my presence and scowled. She held up one hand, had two fingers extended so they pointed to her face and then to me. The message was clear; she had her eyes on me. I was just making friends left and right here.
Loredas 3 Heartfire 201 4E 1:30 PM
"Well, it has four walls and a roof," I said lamely as I dropped my bow on the ground. Lydia and I were standing in the doorway to Breezehome, the tiny house next to Adrianne's.
When Balgruuf said it had been unoccupied for a while, he wasn't exaggerating. The place was practically empty. Other than an ancient cooking pot on the first floor and a double bed in what could only fleetingly be called the master bedroom on the second, there was no furniture. Cobwebs were everywhere and part of me was vaguely surprised there weren't skeevers lurking in a corner.
The house was pathetic in its abandoned nature and I couldn't help but think that it fit me pretty well.
"We'll get it cleaned up and it'll look better in no time, right?" I asked trying to sound cheerful.
"Let's get one thing straight," Lydia snapped. She had remained silent the whole walk down here despite my attempts at conversation. "I am here as your appointed servant from Jarl Balgruuf. I am not your friend! Since it looks like I don't get to sleep in my bed up at Dragonsreach, I suppose I should go get my bedroll to sleep in until you buy real furniture." The Nord turned and stormed back up the hill towards the Cloud district.
I slumped to my knees. No horse, no money, and now an angry housecarl and a rundown house.
"Welcome home," I muttered.