Chapter 4, slow in beginning (character development) but we get through it. If Marcurio seems off, it's because this would be his third "employer". By the time the dragonborn finds him, he's a lot more sour.

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The ragtag group had reached Haemar's Shame a week later. Lack of proper sleep (and on the case if the humans, lack of a proper bath) had forced them on a detour into the caldera and hot springs. Back at the vampires' lair Siofra was complaining about the snow again.

"It's even inside the cave! What the Hell!" She moaned. Only Barbas and Marcurio could hear, though, and good thing, too. They had managed to get through most if the cave, killing vampires and thralls. The Skull of Corruption was used by Siofra for this, mostly out of annoyance.

"I can't get close enough for daggers and they resist magic!" She had complained after killing the first vampire. Marcurio had had a close call; he'd almost been scratched by the vampire then brained by its thrall. It was here when the other use of the Skull of Corruption was found: it doubled as an excellent hammer.

"We're to the shrine anyway, no more vampires." Barbas woofed, trotting over to the giant statue. Clavicus stood above them holding a mask, half the shrine strangely empty.

Siofra knelt in front of the statue and spoke, "Clavicus Vile, I have a request."

"By all means, I'll grant a wish for you who granted the last wish of my followers. They wanted a cure, so you killed them. Now, what do you want?"

"Take Barbas back."

"No, absolutely not!"

"Oh come on, take him back. You won't be at your full power without him."

"You're right...hmmm...there's an axe. The Rueful Axe, bring it to me and we can talk about letting the mutt back in."

"Thank you, Vile." Siofra bowed and set off, Barbas and Marcurio scampering behind her. They quickly looted a large chest on the ledge behind the statue, only some coins and a circlet.

"I'll be taking that." Marcurio plucked the crown from the girl's hands, "I need some kind if payment for this misadventure."

"Whatever, you chose to stick around." They filed out of the cave, close to each other.

"Ok, at least tell me your name." Marcurio begged as he grabbed the back of Siofra's cloak; apparently smart building is putting a drop directly at an exit. He pulled her back from the edge, the usual "fucking snow" lost in the wind.

"Siofra."
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"The Rueful Axe is in Rimerock Burrow. Vile gave it to a warlock named Sebastian Lort when Lort asked for a cure to Lycanthropy; Lort's daughter was infected, and so Vile gave him the Axe." Barbas chattered away happily as they walked through the pine forest. Barbas had agreed to help track the great beast of Hircine and was claiming it had been around the south side of Lake Illinalta.

"Oh, I should visit home and Anise while we're here." Siofra said; everyone was happier to be out of the snow and in the shade of the pines.

"Who's Anise?" Marcurio asked, biting into an apple.

"Just an old woman I was living with; even though I have a house in Falkreath, I'm Thane here."

"Really? Then allow me to apologize for my actions, my Thane." Marcurio laughed, taking another crunching bite.

"Call me Thane again and I'll shove that apple down your throat." Siofra snapped back, whacking him with the Skull.

"Hey you two, pay attention!" Barbas growled. They were at Pinewatch; a small logging cabin and two men were staring at them intensely.

"Hello Rhorlak, hello Roras." Siofra waved, walking North past the cabin. About a minute after passing Pinewatch a large house appeared, complete with smelter, stable, and an apiary.

"Whoa, this is your house?" Marcurio gasped, "How did you...? Did you build this...?"

"I'm Thane, and I got bribed well to become Thane. I built this place over two years and I just leave it to my housecarl." Siofra sighed, walking in the front door. Barbas trotted in behind her, Marcurio trailing behind slowly.

"Sister! You're home!" A little girl and boy ran up to Siofra, grabbing her hands and jumping up and down.

"Hi guys, where's Sissel and Britte?"

"Outside past Mr. Rholark's house, they said they saw a huge white deer run by!" The little girl yelled.

"Really? I'll find them later. Anyway, Sofie, Blaise, this is Marcurio and the dog is Barbas." Leaving the boys with the kids, Siofra proceeded to say hello to her housecarl, Rayya, giving her instructions about two other children who needed a home, then unloaded herself of unnecessary items.

Marcurio detached himself from the kids eventually; they had been begging him to turn them invisible, and found Siofra searching through a cupboard full of weapons.

"Um, you have kids?" He asked awkwardly.

"No, technically I just provide a roof over their heads, Rayya is their mother, she adopts them, I'm just the older sister." She pulled out some arrows and closed the cupboard. Marcurio frowned and tapped his fingers on the wall. Siofra gave him a questioning look.

"See, you have these moments when you're so cold hearted, evil almost, then you just melt." He said, still tapping, "It's scary, you're like a new spell; you don't know if it'll blow up in your face or not."

"I have a soft spot for kids." Siofra pushed past Marcurio. Marcurio just shrugged and smiled to himself.

/./././././././

They left a short while later, quickly tracking Sissel and Britte down and sending them home. South of Pinewatch, Siofra pulled her bow out and notched an arrow.

"Do you see the beast?" Barbas asked. Siofra didn't even nod, she released the arrow and watched it sink into the beast's heart. As the great stag died, a silvery form of it appeared.

"Ah, another for the hunt? Hmm, yes, kill the thief Sinding and I will reward you. Huntress, I have been asked to warn you that you will not win against the werewolf without the proper tool..."

"Hircine? What do you mean warn me?" Siofra asked, frowning loudly.

"Hermaeus Mora wishes that you choose the path that will keep you alive, allow you to reach your full usefulness. I will delay the hunt for a month, but hurry, others vie for my favor. The thief hides in Bloated Man's Grotto, hurry!" With that, the ghostly aspect disappeared, leaving Siofra to kick at the deer's corpse in frustration.

"What does he mean 'proper tool'? A weapon?" She yelled.

"I think he means the Rueful Axe," Marcurio said, sitting on a tree stump, "Vile gave it to Lort to take care of his werewolf daughter, so it must be useful against the creatures."

"You're probably right," Barbas interjected, pacing back and forth, "But even so, neither of you could wield the Axe; Siofra is too small, and Marcurio, you're a mage, no arm strength there." Marcurio looked offended; but nodded anyway.

"We need to get the Axe before worrying about using it." Siofra muttered. "I don't really feel like walking up to Haafingar then back down; so we'll charter a cart..." Siofra yawned and started to walk back home.

"Why do you keep trudging relentlessly? We haven't gotten a good rest, Sia! C'mon we have a month!" Marcurio moaned at her retreating back.

"Exactly, we have a month...and don't call me Sia! I'm not a child!"

"You look and act like one!"

"I'm twenty-three! And I can't help it if I'm not lined and grey like you!"

"I'm not grey! I'm twenty-nine, I'm just in my prime!"

"Will you two please stop arguing."
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"Hello? Anise?" Siofra knocked on the side of the cabin. A clatter told her that Anise was coming up from the cellar.

"Finally come back for an old woman? What took so long?" Anise asked, wiping stained hands on an apron.

"I don't get along with your sister too well." Siofra shrugged. Anise frowned then looked behind Siofra.

"You brought a friend." Anise pointed to Marcurio. "I'll give you a minute to get out of my sight, both of you! I told you to never bring anyone here! They'll tell!" Anise was shrieking; magic playing across her fingers. Siofra held up her hands; backing away quickly, them turning to run. She grabbed Marcuiro's arm and pulled him along, all the way to Whiterun.
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"Are you going to kill that old woman?" Marcurio whispered. They were in a cart, headed to Solitude.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"..."

"Why, Siofra?"

"I worked for her, I never spilt her secret; paranoid old hag threatens me?" Siofra gazed off North. "It'll be snowy, won't it? We'll be near the Reach's border, too." She sighed and absentmindedly scratched Barbas behind the ears. Marcurio stared at her and steeled himself for the ride.
/,/,/,/,/,/,/,

"We should have walked along the coast! The road went through a troll den! Who the hell thought that was a good idea!?" Siofra was back to complaining about the snow, but she was edgier, constantly gazing towards the Reach, and taking on said trolls without fear; or a scratch.

"We're almost there!" Barbas replied, racing ahead towards a narrow ledge. There was a bridge and cave at the end of the ledge, presumably Rimerock Burrow. Siofra clung to the rock wall and scooted to the cave. Inside they were attacked by a flame antronach. Marcurio dispatched it quickly, his arm slightly singed. The next room held Sebastian Lort; he fought gallantly, but Siofra was quick to stab him in the heart.

"There's the Axe!" Barbas exclaimed, loping over to a table. Marcurio lifted the axe with a grunt.

"It's huge!" He gasped, latching it to his back, stooping slightly. Siofra handed him some strength potions and rummaged through Lort's chests. "What are you looking for?"

"Anything...hey!" Siofra lifted up a white orb; it's dimpled surface reflecting torchlight.

"A new hand touches the Beacon. Listen. Hear me and obey. A foul darkness has seeped into my temple. A darkness that you will destroy." A woman's voice; imperious and sharp, rang in Siofra's head. Shaking slightly, Siofra stood and looked at Barbas.

"Meridia just spoke to me." She frowned, tossing the beacon up and catching it. "Her temple is near Solitude I think, right?" Barbas nodded.