Chapter 4 - Siddgeir's Offense

29 First Seed, 5E 3

Right after Yssha's rescue, Balgruuf scheduled a welcome-home party for her, with all the Jarls invited. She wasn't really sure she wanted that, but she'd managed the post-surrender reception with no unpleasantness, so she accepted the invitation. As soon as the courier with her response left, she turned to Marcurio. "I do not wish to attend in my armor, and I have little else suitable for ... the way I am expected to dress. I should probably visit the new seamstress in Helgen, but I am confident of Taarie's work, and she wished to design some outfits for me. I am going to Solitude to talk to her - would you want to come along, or would it bore you?"

He chuckled. "Both - so while you're in the shop, I'll visit the Winking Skeever."

X

Both Taarie and Endarie greeted her when she entered the Radiant Raiment. "What can we do for you today, Majesty?" Taarie asked.

Yssha sighed. "Go back to calling me something less pretentious in private, to begin with. Then I need to know how long it will take you to make me some outfits that will actually fit that title."

Both of them laughed, and Endarie actually smiled at her. "Taarie's been doing designs, and since we have your measurements, we've actually worked several of them up." She turned to Taarie. "It doesn't look like she was starved or anything while she was in those damn Thalmor's hands, does it?"

While Taarie studied her, Yssha shook her head. "I was never starved. The Nerissa wanted my pelts in the best possible condition, so I was fed very well. However, I have had no proper exercise for two months, so you are more likely to have to let things out than take them in."

"Then it's a good thing we only baste items we make just hoping a client likes them," Taarie said. "If you'll come to the back room, you can get out of that armor while I get the possibles and my other designs."

Yssha chose two of the speculative designs - "For now; the others are lovely, but hold them until I get back into condition -", then added, "I will also need some everyday outfits, and one or two formal ones, with 'waistlines' only a bit below my breasts. But that must not be revealed for another week or so."

Taarie squealed, there was no other word for it. "You're pregnant?"

Yssha chuckle-purred. "By the grace of Auri-El, yes. And I must tell you that my taste in clothing construction changed during my captivity, because I spent all of it totally unclad. So you might wish to consider that I now strongly dislike restrictive clothing other than armor. And am not terribly fond of that, as you saw from the battle-kilt."

Taarie looked thoughtful. "You'd rather do without smalls? Even a breastband?"

"Whenever possible, yes. I am not particularly well-endowed in that region, to Marcurio's disappointment, but when my pregnancy is more advanced, I will probably need it."

"But in the meantime, and afterward ... " Yssha smiled at Taarie's near-predatory expression. "You do know royals set style, I'm sure. Going from current styles to what I think you're going to want ... I'll sketch up a few designs and get them out to you by courier in a day or two. And ... um. Maybe a gift, if I can find the right robe."

Yssha hid a smile at that. A change in styles could be very profitable for these friends of hers! "There is no rush ... I need something appropriate for a party in a week, and I am sure the dark blue will do very nicely. Send it to Dragonsreach, please."

X

Yssha was more than a little worried about talking to Balgruuf the first time she entered Dragonsreach after her rescue, but she approached his throne as normally as possible, and bowed. "It is good to see you again, High King."

He rose, smiling and returning the bow. "And you, Stormcrown. What may I do for Your Majesty?"

"Stop calling me that, if you would, fahdoni. Or if you feel you must in public, a private audience."

"Private audience, then." Balgruuf gestured toward the stairs. "My office?"

"That would be fine, Highness." She followed him upstairs, settling into her usual chair beside his desk.

"Now, what can I do for you, Ysmir?" he asked, smiling.

"I do not really know," she admitted. "You know what was done to me, and that I enjoyed it. That Thalmor flyer was accurate. And Talos has told me, as if I did not know from remembered experience, that promiscuity is normal for a dov."

"For anyone powerful," Balgruuf said, and grinned. "It's fun getting propositioned, at least for a man. What would you think if I asked you to share a bed with me?"

"Ah ... " Yssha smiled. She liked Balgruuf, and considered him one of her oldest Skyrim friends. "He told me that men I had never seen would be claiming to have bedded me, and that I should flaunt my willingness, to get the scandal over with more quickly. I ... do not like that. I would happily bed a number of men I can think of, but ... I would rather the word not get out." She hesitated. "That is the vodov side dov side would wish the word of her exploits, especially with her more powerful partners, to spread."

"So my question? And Marcurio's reaction?"

"That I would do so happily," she replied. "We have been friends since shortly after I arrived in Skyrim, and you are a geat warrior. I would be quite happy to take you to bed." she paused. "Marcurio realized on his own that to deny my nature would be harmful, and told me to indulge myself. Also, Talos promised me Marcurio would be shielded from hurt at my dragon nature, and I trust him and Father Akatosh."

"Then shall we?"

X

It was an ... interesting party, Yssha thought. She took Jarls Brunwulf Free-Winter and Kraldar up on their propositions, using an empty apartment for the purpose, and was starting to relax and enjoy herself when Siddgeir approached.

"So the advertisements were right, Dovahkiin?" His tone made his words a sneer, and Marcurio approached, alerting.

"I have not denied them, Jarl Siddgeir," she replied. "Yes, the Thalmor made me a slave-whore, and being dovah let me enjoy many, perhaps even most, of my clients. Though I did find some repugnant."

"Then come upstairs, and I'll show you what a real man's like." He grabbed her wrist, and she stiffened.

"Release me."

"Come on, whore. You know you want me - and I've paid enough for you. Part of my Hold, an entire town - " He yanked her wrist. "Upstairs!"

She twisted her wrist against his thumb in a release the Knights had taught her years ago. "I think not. Are you drunk?" She didn't think so; he didn't smell of alcohol.

"Come on!" He grabbed her again, this time with both hands, and she used the stronger form of the against-the-thumb release.

"No more, Siddgeir," she warned. "I am grateful for your help with Lakeview, but you are dangerously close to lese-majesty."

"Lese-majesty, whore?" He might not be drunk, Yssha thought, but he wasn't his normal self, either, obnoxious as that was. Sheogorath, perhaps? Or some other Daedric Prince?

And he grabbed her again, pulling her to him for a rough embrace.

"Gaar zey!"

"Release you? I think not." He sneered. "You take on all comers, don't you, Whore of Alinor? So take me on, here and now!"

Yssha glanced at Balgruuf, who was looking horrified, and decided to defer to him. "High King, this one is your subject before he is mine. Will you stop him, or shall I?"

Balgruuf sighed. "Siddgeir, stop it!" He signalled two of the guards. "Take him to a cell until he comes to his senses."

Before they could do so, Siddgeir spat in her face, and she reacted with, "Fus!"

That threw him the length of the Great Hall, and he landed against the base of a pillar near the entry door. The guards got to him before he could stand, and hauled him in front of Balgruuf, who had taken his throne.

"I don't know what got into you, Siddgeir," Balgruuf growled, "but I cannot overlook such blatant lese majesty. The penalty is forfeiture of all positions and property, followed by death. You will be executed in the morning, and I will name a new Jarl of Falkreath." He turned his attention to the guards. "Take him to the dungeon."

When Siddgeir had been dragged from the hall, Balgruuf sighed. "My apologies, Ysmir. I knew he resented you - he made that clear enough at Serana and Nevan's wedding - but as I said then, I hadn't expected him to act on it. And that was far from explainable by simple resentment."

"I would tend to agree," Yssha said. "It is almost as if he went insane with hatred." She sighed. "May I ask what you plan to do with Falkreath? His steward and housecarl were running it for him, essentially. And to the best of my knowledge, he had no heir."

"He didn't - and if he had, there'd be nothing to inherit. The loss of position and property comes first for precisely that reason." Balgruuf thought for a few moments. "As the offended party, you may take any part of his property you wish, you know."

"I know, but I prefer not to disrupt a functional hold. I would prefer you reward Nenya, who has been doing most of the work anyway."

"That sounds reasonable, Majesty; it will be so."

"Thank you, fahdoni." She sighed. "I would like to remain at your party, but I feel I ought to inform the Emperor of this attack. Divines willing, I will be able to return before too long."

X

Since her Voice had gotten so much stronger, Yssha decided to see if her magica reserves had grown as well. So she tried teleporting to the Emperor's working office. As co-ruler, she was reasonably sure she had that right, especially since Grams did.

He was there, and exclaimed when she appeared. "Stormcrown! It's good to see you, and you're even more lovely than usual in that dress. But you startled me."

"Thank you, and I am sorry for startling you, but I was testing ... it seems I can now 'port this far. But would you mind, please, using a name in private?"

"If you will. Which would you prefer?"

"My birth-name of Yssha, if you can keep me and Grams separate. Though I would hardly be offended if you get it wrong."

He smiled. "All right, Yssha. Then I'm Titus. Are you here for any particular reason?"

"Two, actually." She described the confrontation with Siddgeir, adding that Balgruuf had carried out the law, confiscating Falkreath and condemning Siddgeir to death, and was planning to have Siddgeir executed in the morning. "His former steward, who was the one primarily running the Hold, will become the new Jarl."

Titus nodded. "Reasonable, and if it's appealed, we can back him. What's your other news?"

Yssha smiled. "This is much more pleasant, at least for me. I am pregnant, by my husband, thanks to Akatosh's intervention. So Skyhold is guaranteed an heir."

"That's wonderful - congratulations to both of you!" Titus was grinning broadly. "Does anyone else know?"

"Marcurio, of course. Also Grams and Priestess Danica," Yssha replied. "Grams smelled it, and she wished Danica to monitor the pregnancy in case of any other inter-species pregnancies, which I agreed was wise. Oh, and since I will need new clothes moderately soon, the proprietors of the Radiant Raiment in Solitude. Perhaps one or two others."

"Then I'd suggest you let everyone know, before it gets around as a rumor. Or I'll make the announcement for you in the morning. Unless you have a specific reason to keep it secret as long as possible, of course."

"I have asked those who do know not to speak of it, but ... hmm. That may be difficult for them, and I suppose there is no real reason, other than personal preference, to maintain secrecy. So I will return to the party and inform the High King and Jarls, and ask that you tell the rest of the Empire tomorrow."

The Emperor smiled. "I'll be happy to. Oh, you might like to know that Imiril decided to take your advice; he and his party will be leaving for Whiterun tomorrow."

"That is good to know," Yssha said. "I will tell Balgruuf that, as well." She paused briefly. "I did promise to return as soon as I could, so if you will excuse me, I will do so."

"Certainly. I'll see you again shortly, I'm sure."

X

Yssha materialized in her and Marcurio's Dragonsreach apartment, and went downstairs to rejoin the party, which had resumed, but more quietly than before Siddgeir's offense. Well, perhaps her announcement would improve the mood.

Balgruuf was mingling with his guests again, so she stood in front of his throne and, when she caught Marcurio's eye, beckoned him up beside her. He gave her an inquiring look, and she nodded, then pitched her voice to carry. "Your Highness, Your Graces, may I have your attention, please?"

Everyone turned to face her, all but Idgrod Raven-Crone looking curious; the Jarl of Hjaalmarch winked and smiled at her. She returned the smile, then put her arm around Marcurio's waist, felt his arm go around her shoulders.

"My friends - and I count all of you here as that - I hope you will share my joy. By the grace of Bormah Akatosh, Marcurio and I will become parents in ... however long a Khajiit-human pregnancy takes."

That got a commotion going, with all the women guests heading for her, and they were surrounded by hugging, chattering women congratulating her and asking questions, some of which she could answer, but many she couldn't, like when, what the baby would look like, would he have a tail - "Boy or girl?" had been one of the questions she could answer.

Finally Marcurio laughed. "Ladies, ladies - this is the very first confirmed Khajiit-human mix, so we know almost nothing, really. And no, we haven't decided on a name yet, since we want to see if a Khajiit or Imperial name will be more appropriate."

"And we men want a chance to congratulate them, too," Balgruuf said. "Give us a turn, will you?"

The party went well after that, and Balgruuf accepted Marcurio's suggestion that Farengar check out Siddgeir to see if there were any magical clues to why Siddgeir had done what he had. Farengar by preference, since Marcurio's skills were primarily in the Destruction school, with some skill in Restoration. Since Fusmulgar was still brooding her eggs, Farengar shouldn't miss anything by returning to Dragonsreach for a while.

X

Author's Note: Actually, Siddgeir committed lese-majesty when he first grabbed and insulted Yssha. She tried to let him off easy, but no such luck.