Chapter Three
Rohan had mixed feelings about moving all the way to Whiterun. At first he was thrilled to be going on the road for roughly a week but when he realised he wouldn't be able to see Elisif as much, let's just say Avyanna was exhausted.
"But Aunt Elisif will be lonely." Rohan complained as Avyanna stacked the last sack full of personal items onto the carriage.
"We'll visit from time to time," Avyanna informed him, hands on her hips as she looked at the pouting eleven year old Nord. "Besides, Whiterun is less dangerous."
Rohan just pouted, crossing his arms over his chest as he climbed onto the back of the wooden carriage. Avyanna glanced at the horse at the front and shivered, climbing onto the back along with him. If she had it her way, they'd be walking all the way to Whiterun but because Jarl Balgruff the Greater sent a courier with the offer of a house for sale, she decided it would be quicker.
"Anna, are you okay?" Rohan asked carefully, seeing his sister's hard look as she stared at the floor.
"Let's just get off of this as soon as we can," she muttered before turning her attention to the driver. "Everything is set."
The driver, a simple Bosmer male, nodded before setting the carriage off. As the carriage began to move out and far away from the gates of Solitude, Avyanna watched with a hard gaze.
Goodbye mother, father. Roran. We'll return one day, when Rohan is safe. Avyanna prayed in her mind, closing her eyes.
Rohan was sound asleep on the fur sleeping bag, his chest rising and falling with each breath as he eyes twitched a bit. Avyanna watched from next to him, her hand running through his curls.
They had been on the road for two days and were halfway there. Only two more before the gates of Whiterun would be in sight…
While her fingers played with her brother's hair, Avyanna's eyes wandered to the note in her hand. The smooth paper was filled with black writing on the inside. She knew what it said, having read it over ten times during the trip. Sighing, she opened it again, her eyes scanning the paper hoping for answers.
Avyanna Halliwell of Solitude,
Jarl Elisif the Fair has informed me that you and your younger brother shall be arriving into my city shortly. I have taken it upon myself to welcome you into the hold.
The house that you have request, Sparkshire, has been furnished and ready, a gift from Jarl Elisif. The esteemed Jarl was also careful to inform me of your skills. I am aware of what occurred in Solitude and your reason for moving but would like to offer you a place as one of my guards.
You do not have to respond immediately, but I hope you make the right decision, for your brother's sake.
Jarl Balgruff the Greater.
Avyanna closed the letter, placing it close to her lips as she stared into the fire. Her mind was filled with a million thoughts, all revolving around the same question:
Was she going to accept?
Being a warrior was in her blood, protecting others was part of who she was. That was who she was raised to be, all of the training her father gave her for that purpose. There was a certain thrill that came with a sword, a dagger, and the skills. Knowing she could protect herself and those around her set her heart at peace.
A soft snore came from beside her, Rohan letting out a content sigh from his slumber. Avyanna gave a small smile, withdrawing her hand away from his hair and tucking him in before leaving a soft kiss to his forehead.
Rohan needed her. As much of a warrior she was, it was her brother that came first above all. He always had and always will until the time for him to leave on his own. It was the promise Avyanna made to her mother before she died.
Carefully, she killed the fire before hoping into her own fur sleeping bag, staying close and alert to the surrounding area as the stars above beamed in the black sky.
"Talos, please guide me." Avyanna whispered before closing her eyes.
Avyanna directed the couriers and gave them instructions to the house before grabbing Rohan's hand and walking up towards Dragonsreach. As soon as she entered the city, a courier had greeted her and informed her that Jarl Balgruff was waiting for her and her brother.
"Are we meeting the Jarl?" Rohan asked with excitement, his eyes twinkling and she gave him a small smile.
"Aye, so be on your best behaviour." She told him firmly just as the guards opened the double wooden doors. Walking past, Avyanna felt stares on her but she ignored them, walking up the small stairs until she found a fair haired Nord on a throne.
"You must be Avyanna," Jarl Balgruff grunted as they walked closer, bowing slightly. The Jarl took notice of the striking scarlet hair from both of the siblings, taking the time to wonder if the young lad was her son and not her brother. "Who's the young lad?"
Rohan smiled shyly. "I'm Rohan, this is my sister Anna." Rohan answered and Jarl Balgruff smiled. The air around him was warm and brought a smile to his face.
"Avyanna Halliwell of Solitude." Jarl Balgruff acknowledged and Avyanna gave him a firm nod in greeting.
"Of Whiterun now," Avyanna replied. "I had received your message before we left Solitude."
Jarl Balgruff leaned forward, seeming interested in the answer. "What have you decided?"
"I have to decline your offer."
The entire room was silent for a moment before Jarl Balgruff threw his head back and laughed. His steward also laughed while the Dark Elf woman kept a hard face. Rohan looked up at his sister in confusion but she continued to stare at the older Nord.
Jarl Balgruff wiped away the tears before calming down. "I owe Elisif twenty septims. She was right when she claimed how stubborn you would be."
"Then we understand each other," Avyanna stated and he nodded. "Am I correct to assume she sent you instructions?"
"Yes, your stand is in the market, already prepared." He waved it off, deeming it unimportant.
Avyanna bowed slightly. "Then I thank you for your time and kindness my Jarl." She said before turning on her heel and walking down the stairs. Rohan wasn't far behind her, curious to know what was happening. As soon as the doors opened and the two siblings were walking down the three flights of stairs, a small smile appeared on Avyanna's lips.
"Anna, what did Jarl Balgruff mean? What was so funny?" Rohan asked and Avyanna ruffled his hair, much to the younger lad's protest.
"I'm hanging up my sword and becoming a florist," Avyanna informed him, a smile creeping onto her face and reaching her eyes. "Just like mother was."
Rohan's eyes widened as he came to a realisation. "Does that mean you'll be home more?" he asked and when Avyanna nodded, he cheer, throwing his fist into the air. Avyanna directed them towards their new home; another house similar to hers was right next door. Avyanna grabbed the sacks and pulled out her key, handing it to Rohan who unlocked it.
When they opened the door, the house was furnished and warm. Rohan ran up the stairs, finding his room while Avyanna closed the door and followed him. As Avyanna turned into the doorway that led to Rohan's room, she found him jumping on his bed in joy.
"Here, put everything in your draws. Then you're helping out with the shop." She informed him, placing the sack that was filled with his things on the doorway and turning to her room, directly across from his.
She was still exhausted from the trip and the idea of setting up the stand wasn't very appealing, but Avyanna knew it was important. Dumping her sack on her bed, Avyanna closed the door and quickly changed out of her hunting gear, into the simple dress her mother used to wear.
It was a lime green with a brown leather corset that for some reason, made her breasts seem bigger and long sleeves. A simple amulet of Kynareth hung around her neck and she just brushed her long curls back slightly.
Avyanna opened her door just as Rohan came out of his, noticing the change in his elder sister's outfit. Tilting his head to the side, Rohan studied her for a bit. "You look more girly now."
Avyanna raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you saying I wasn't a girl earlier?" she teased, tickling Rohan's sides and he yelped at the sudden attack. Avyanna laughed as she released him, Rohan bolting downstairs and away from his sister's hands. She followed after him, locking the door to Sparkshire Manor before directing Rohan towards the market.
An empty wooden stall sat in between one selling meat and the others all kinds of food. An Imperial woman was watching curiously at the sight of the two scarlet haired Nords. As they approached the empty stall, Avyanna noticed her standing there.
"Hello." Avyanna smiled in greeting as Rohan looked at the stall in boredom.
"So that's who the stall is for," she replied with a small smirk. "Carlotta Valentia, I'm your neighbour."
Avyanna shook her hand politely. "I'm Avyanna Halliwell and this is my younger brother Rohan."
Rohan, at the mention of his name, turned to Carlotta and offered her a shy smile and mumbled 'hello', standing closer to his sister. Carlotta chuckled at his shy behaviour, finding it adorable.
"My daughter is around your age, her name is Mila," Carlotta frowned, scanning the area with her eyes. "Which reminds me, she should be here with Kiraya…"
"Mother!" a small child's voice called from behind, all three of them turning around and finding a young Imperial girl running towards them with another trailing behind her. Avyanna's eyes widened in surprise, the young girl had the face of a Nord, fair brown hair but there were also obvious Khajiit qualities to her. A pair of Khajiit ears poked out of her head, a tail behind her. Her eyes were striking blue but also feline, sharp fingernails and a pair of fangs too.
Carlotta smiled warmly at her daughter. "Mila, come and meet out new stall neighbours. This is Avyanna and her brother Rohan." Carlotta introduced, gesturing to the two of them. Well, more to Avyanna since Rohan and decided to hide behind her dress.
"Hello," Mila said politely and poked her head around Avyanna. "Where's your brother?"
Avyanna pulled her gaze away from the half Nord half Khajiit child and glanced down at her brother. "Don't be rude, say hello." She murmured to him, gently pushing his back until he was in front of her.
Rohan swallowed and awkwardly waved to them. "Hi…"
"Why is your hair so red?" the half Nord half Khajiit child asked curiously, titling her head to the side in question.
"Because my father was a warrior," Rohan answered, slowly becoming confident. "Why do you have cat ears?"
Avyanna shot him a warning look as she smiled. "Because my mother was Khajiit."
Both children smiled and Rohan turned to Avyanna, his eyes pleading the silent question and she sighed tiredly.
"You may, but remember to come straight here after the sun has gone down." She warned him and he nodded, running off with Mila and the other child. Carlotta chuckled lightly as Avyanna turned to her.
"That was Kiraya, her father and aunt are Companions," she explained to her. "She's a lovely girl."
Avyanna smiled to herself, watching them in the distance. "I'm glad; my brother didn't have many friends back in Solitude. Hence why he's shy to strangers."
Carlotta gave her a soft smile. "It's obvious the bond you two share is strong."
Avyanna blushed in embarrassment and cleared her throat, turning her attention to the stall. Tomorrow she'd have to go and collect merchandise to sell, shouldn't be too hard considering the different types of flowers she spotted on their way here.
"Hey Carlotta," A male Nord's voice snapped her back into the present as Avyanna looked over, finding a man leaning against Carlotta's stall and smirking at her. By the look of disgust on Carlotta's face, it was obvious he wasn't a friend to hers. "May I say you are looking radiant today."
"Can it, Mikael, if you're not going to buy something then please leave." Carlotta said coolly, her obvious distain for Mikael failed to hit the man.
"Is there a problem here Carlotta?" Avyanna asked, her instincts screaming at her to interfere before something escalated. Carlotta looked relieved for her to step in while Mikael turned to look annoyed, but as soon as his eyes fell on Avyanna, a look of lust hit him.
"Carlotta, you should introduce me to your friend here," Mikael smirked, walking over and bowing politely. "Name's Mikael, singer of songs and lover of women."
Avyanna gave Carlotta a look that said: 'Is he for real?' and she nodded sadly. Avyanna placed her hands on her hips, staring down at him and wishing she had her sword on her.
"Charmed," Avyanna replied dryly. "I'm sure you have better things to do than bother us, so if you don't mind we should get back to our work."
Mikael smiled. "Anything for the pretty lass. I will return though, you shall become my newest conquest," he caught himself and gave Carlotta an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry Carlotta, but we must end our relationship here. I know how hard this will be on you but it's for the best."
Carlotta snorted, crossing her arms over her chest in response as Mikael sauntered off. As soon as he was out of sight, Avyanna rolled her eyes and gave Carlotta a questioning look.
"The man was convinced that if he courted me I'd be in his bed. He's been trying for five months," Carlotta smirked in amusement. "Thanks for taking him off of my hands."
Avyanna just groaned, shaking her head.
I love how Mikael just says his piece and then leaves. Creep.
Anywho, another chapter done! Yay!
Disclaimer: I do not own Kiraya as Mirage159 owns that little cutie. So if you want go on over to her page and read all about little Kiraya :)