Chapter 3

For the next few hours he got to know Hadvar and Sigrid. He even spent a half hour using the grind stone to sharpen his new swords while Alvor watched. By the time it turned dark Alvor had retired indoors with the others while he remained on the bench outside drinking a hot cup of tea, closing his eyes he lost himself for a time until he heard voices behind the house. Curious he slowly made his way to the side of the house and witnessed Sigrid and Alvor having an argument, how they had passed him without alerting him to their presence unless there was a back door to the house was impressive. The argument was heated and it was clear Alvor and Sigrid were not in a happy place in their marriage. It seemed Sigrid wanted another child, but Alvor was not too keen on the idea and this disagreement had caused discord to grow between them. He watched as finally the argument hit boiling point and Sigrid ended up slapping Alvor and then stormed off heading towards the exit of the village. Kane quickly backed off and moved to follow her from the opposite direction so he would not be seen by Alvor.

He knew what he was about to attempt was a risky thing, but it had been far too long since he'd had any female companionship, and Sigrid was a beautiful woman he just could not refuse an attempt at and seen as she was currently in a low mood he knew he had a better than average chance at seducing her. He found her down by the river hidden from the village by a small hill and a group of trees. A perfect place for a midnight fling if he was successful. He approached slowly and Sigrid quickly took note of his presence turning to face him with tears in her eyes. He sat close to her but not too close so as to make her uncomfortable.

"Are you alright Sigrid?" he inquired quietly.

"You heard us didn't you? We thought you were asleep as you didn´t seem to hear us as we exited the house," Sigrid responded without answering and it was clear she wasn't alright.

"I didn't mean to listen in I just got curious, which has always been a flaw of mine," Kane admitted with a sheepish smile.

"It's alright, and to answer your question no I´m not alright as my husband and I are having quite a bad period as of late," Sigrid told him wiping at her eyes. "I want another child before my child bearing days are over, but Alvor keeps refusing me. He believes we are not ready for having another baby or that we can ever support one," she explains. "Each argument has gotten progressively worse in the last month, now it has gotten so bad I've even slapped my husband," she added with a shuddering breath showing part anger and part upset.

"Sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better. It's something I learned back in Cyrodil," Kane offered unsure what to really say. "Your husband either fears having another child or truly doesn´t wish one, but it isn't just his desires that matter here, yours matter too and seeing as you would be the one carrying the child and giving life to it. Then your desires matter even more I believe," he added trying to sound as confidently as he could. "I also feel that you will be doing much of the child bearing while your husband works the smithy so that matters also. I think what you need to do is make Alvor realise this," he told her.

Sigrid nodded in agreement as it was true, she had carried and given birth to Dorthe and done the majority of the raising of their daughter while Alvor worked endlessly at his forge making weapons and amour for the Legion and for the everyday sell sword and adventurer. Why should her desires for another child matter less than his when she did most of the hard work raising their child? Oh clearly Dorthe loved her father and he her, but he spent more time at his forge than he did inside their home being a proper father and husband. Sometimes she briefly felt regret for marrying him, but those were always brief moments that never lasted or held real feelings to them. She suddenly felt Kane pull her into a comforting embrace and even though she had only just met him she easily allowed herself to fall against him, resting her head against his shoulder. This was wrong she knew, but her heart was already beating rapidly. She could already guess what Kane wanted and strangely enough she was willing to give it to him if he made a move. She just wanted to feel something right now that made her feel good. Slowly Kane bent down and kissed her and she eagerly returned the kiss. Feeling herself falling onto the grass the kiss got steamier before he broke it and began to trail kisses down her neck making her moan a little. She felt one of Kane's hands trail up her leg pulling her skirt up thus allowing him to run his hand over her naked skin. She eagerly undid the clasps on his armour and helped him pull it off showing his toned stomach, even as she kissed him again briefly she helped him remove his undershorts allowing her to view him in all his naked glory.

Her own hands trailed up over his shoulder and pulled him back up so she could kiss him again, suddenly she groaned as his other hands groped one of her breasts through the top half of her dress. His hand plunged under her skirts and she gasped aloud as she felt his finger push up against her sex through her underwear. She could feel herself getting wet and she knew there would be no stopping this because she wanted this and had to have it. Pushing him backwards so he was on the grass she reached up and unhooked the clasp of her dress and pealed it off her shoulders revealing her breasts covered in a black bra. Kane instantly sat up and again groped one of her breasts while the other reached behind her and unhooked her bra giving him access to her body. Nipping and suckling at her nipples and breasts he quickly got her worked up and she couldn't help but moan and groan as her arousal grew. Removing her dress completely she lay back down and beckoned Kane to her with her finger. He didn´t refuse but caught her by surprise by attacking her centre with his tongue sending her close to release. She found her hands clasping into his hair and pulling at his head as his tongue lashed against her clitoris keeping her close to the brink, but he didn´t allow her to orgasm. His hands reached up and groped and played with her breasts pulling and tweaking her nipples.

Sigrid moaned as the pleasure continued to build within her. She wanted to scream, but knew she couldn't as that would bring people to them and they would be discovered and that would be a disaster thus she but her lip hard preventing the worst of her moans. Kane stopped finally his attack on her core and began to kiss her way up her body, pausing briefly to suck and nip at her breasts with such eagerness that she couldn't stop herself letting out a short brief moan of pleasure. She felt him line himself up with her core and with a short pause pushed himself inside her making her gasp, crushing her mouth to his she closed her legs around Kane as he began to thrust inside her making her bite down hard into his shoulder to stop from crying out. She held on as he rolled them over thus ensuring she was on top and now had to do some of the work. Kane's hands worked up to her breasts and hers soon joined them as she bounced up and down his shaft. She could feel the sweat roll down her body as their lovemaking continued even as they rolled over again kissing and biting one another as they went. She had lost track of the time, but that thought quickly fled her mind as the build-up of pleasure reached its peak and then with a groan the threshold was broken and a joined orgasm ripped through them. She could feel Kane eject his warm seed into her even as her own flush of fluids met it. Her eyes rolled in her head as the aftershocks hit her, finally her body calmed and she allowed her legs to limply release him as he rolled off her. Breathing deeply, she closed her eyes and wondered at what she had just one. She had cheated on her husband and yet she couldn't regret it because the pleasure had helped her forget her troubles if even for a short while.

"We'd better wash ourselves and head back before Alvor and Hadvar come looking for us," Sigrid finally said after a few minutes.
"Agreed, you best go back first while I circle around over to the other side of the village and make it seem I´m coming back from the inn," Kane said in total agreement as getting caught was the last thing he wanted or needed.

Silently they waded into the river and quickly washed themselves off ensuring no one would be able to tell what they had just done. Sigrid walked back onto the shore and quickly used her underwear to dry herself as best as she could and then put her dress back on and then without a word to Kane headed back home hiding her wet underwear under her skirt. Kane watched her go and had to admire her beauty and pose. He walked back onshore and dressed himself after using his undershorts to dry of just as Sigrid had done and then put his armour back on. He then waded over through the river thankful it was dark and the river was shallow close to the village.

Making it to the other side he climbed up the bank and slowly walked back towards the house, but paused near the inn for a while. Finally, after a good ten minutes, he headed back and entered the house to find Hadvar and Alvor talking quietly at the table while Sigrid and Dorthe were asleep on the beds, although Kane doubted that Sigrid was actually asleep just yet.

"Ah you're back, I trust you had fun at the Inn?" Alvor greeted him.

"I did actually, didn't see the harm in checking it out while there were still a few hours until true night time," Kane responded as he sat down with them. "Nice place, very lively," he concluded easily.

"It is, although sometimes the noise can get a little bit too loud for my tastes," Alvor said. "Now you are back I can lock up and show you to your beds," he added.

"I'll head off to Whiterun tomorrow, the sooner the better I think so Riverwood will be better protected should that dragon come back," Kane told them. "I already got supplies from the local store so I´m set, all I need is directions," he mused.

"Head over the bridge and continue down the winding path which will lead you to Whiterun, it is not a long journey Kane, believe me," Hadvar informed him. "I would go with you, but I need a good rest and time with my family before I head back to Solitude and the war. I think I've earned a little rest after that nightmare," he concluded with a grin.

"I'm sure they can do without you for a short while boy, and we are always glad to see you," Alvor told him as he led them downstairs and showed them two makeshift bunks. "Here we go, best we can do for now as we only have two beds," he added.

"That's fine Alvor, it's basically what I've been sleeping in during my journey home," Kane assured him as he lay down. "And somehow I doubt the Legion gave all their soldiers solid beds to sleep in," he added.

"To true Kane, we usually slept in sleeping bags or make shift beds with just blankets to keep us warm," Hadvar agreed with a nod of his head as he climbed into his own bed.

Alvor blew out the candles before retreating upstairs and locking the house down for the night. Kane closed his eyes and couldn't but help, but recall every single moment of his encounter with Sigrid. It would be a moment that would stay with him and help keep him warm for the next couple of weeks.
Hopefully his life would turn around now that his neck was not on the line. He quickly drifted off into a deep sleep. When he woke up the next morning he was shocked how fast the night had gone. Groaning he awoke with a stretch before getting up and joining Hadvar and his family for breakfast.

"Well I can't thank you for your hospitality enough. I see now why Hadvar was willing to question Rikke and Tulius's orders if you had any help in his growing up," Kane said gratefully.

"We did actually as Hadvar's parents died when he was still young. Sigrid and I were still dating at that time, but we did the best we could to always ensure he did what he felt was right in his heart and not just what people told him do" Alvor admitted.

"I best head out, hopefully I will see you all again when I return as I have promised to do a favour for the owner of the store which will bring me back this way," Kane told them as he stood up and began equipping his weapons.

"I'll show Kane to the bridge before heading off to my garden. I will see you later dear," Sigrid said as she headed for the door and Kane followed once his picked up his backpack.

"I'll see you again I´m sure Hadvar, good luck and may the divines keep watch over you," Kane said as he shook Hadvar's hand before doing the same to Alvor and then followed Sigrid out.

They walked quietly through the village and soon came to the bridge that connected the two banks. Kane paused and turned to look at Sigrid as she laid a hand on his arm.

"If you ever come this way again Kane I would not be opposed to another liaison," Sigrid whispered with a smile feeling no guilt in her admission having come to the conclusion that while she was cheating on Alvor it did him no harm as long as he didn´t learn about it. Plus, there was always the chance Kane would grant her wish of getting her pregnant. Then she would just claim the child as Alvor's which it might just be as before meeting Kane she had slept with Alvor a week ago hence the timing would not seem wrong.

"I would look forward to such an encounter with great pleasure Sigrid, may the divines grant your wish of another child and I will hopefully see you soon," Kane responded just as quietly before he turned and walked away feeling like his journey had just begun.

+DSATC+

(Winking Skeever, morning)

Kane awoke feeling slightly groggy and yet oddly wired, but then again after dreaming of his time with Sigrid he guessed he shouldn't be too surprised. Their bout of lovemaking was one hell of a memory that even now made him feel warm inside. His second trip to Riverwood had sadly not produced a second encounter as Sigrid had been in Whiterun when he returned the stolen Golden Claw to Lucan and Camilla, and when he had headed back to Whiterun he hadn´t run into Sigrid at all. From there things had taken a dark and disturbing trend after the dragon attack and his summons by the Greybeards. He'd not been back since and he doubted he would any time soon either. Getting up he washed before equipping his weapons then grabbing his backpack and heading down for a quick breakfast. He found his three sell swords already at a table eating and clearly discussing the mission they had agreed to aide him in.

Joining them at the table he ordered some soup and a cup of hot tea which he quickly tucked into once it was delivered. The three sell swords didn´t bother to interrupt him as they were still eating their own breakfast. Once he finished eating he slowly drank his tea, wondering just what they would find in Wolfskull Cave. What kind of threat would they face? Bandits, mages or something worse? He wondered.

"So what exactly do you think we are up against in this cave?" Leah inquired as she finished her own breakfast and sat back in her seat.

"I don't know exactly, the Steward didn't give me much to go on just that there have been strange lights around the cave and that people had disappeared near the entrance," Kane answered with a shrug as he finished his tea.

"Could be mages up to some sort of ritual if there are strange lights involved," Brivan mused aloud.

"Even if it is mages that doesn´t narrow it down as there are different types of mages all up to their own type of trouble," Orion stated as he downed the last of his own drink whatever it had been.

"To damn true. Guess we'll have to just be as prepared as we can be," Kane finally said. "So are you guys ready?" he asked to which he received nods from all three.

Once they had all gathered their gears they headed out of the inn and to the gates where they were allowed to leave once they explained what they were doing.