Fjorkvar and Antonio made their way back down from Tamriel's tallest mountain, heading towards Lakeview Manor, Fjorkvar hadn't checked in with his family for three days now, and he knew that his wife would be somewhat worried. Though she would be more concerned with the house guest he was brining home.
After four straight hours of walking they reached Fjorkvar's home. He turned to Antonio.
"So here it is, it's not much but I call it home. Well one of my homes. Just want to warn you my family may question you about you know."
Fjorkvar pointed in circles to the scars on Antonio's face which lit up as the front door opened up, and his two children ran out hugging their father. Standing behind them was Ysolda
"Come along now children, give your father some room."
The children unlatched themselves from Fjorkvar. He walked up to his wife, grabbing her, and they embraced. Though she was more focused on Antonio who immersed himself in the shadows
"And who is this dear?" she asked
Fjorvkar turned and called Antonio over. He stepped out of the shadows, his scars out on display Ysolda let out a gasp at the horrific injuries.
"This is Antonio, Antonio is this my lovely wife Ysolda. He's going to be staying with us for a few nights." Fjorkvar told his wife.
Antonio held his hand out; Ysolda tentative at first quickly shook his hand to lessen the awkwardness of the moment. Fjorkvar invited Antonio into his home, walking in he felt strange. With all his experiences in Tamriel and across the Padomaic Ocean in the land to the east of Akavir, he never felt this strong feeling of warmth. This house was built for the purpose of raising a family, not like Antonio's former home Rethan Manor, that stronghold was built for business nothing more.
Antonio walked into the main hall taking a sit at the table opposite Fjorkvar and Ysolda's daughter Sofie. Sofie took one look at Antonio's face and her eyes widened. She didn't know whether to cry or ask a question so she just sat there and glared. Antonio feeling quite uncomfortable asked Fjorkvar if he could take his leave and spend a few moments at the top of his tower to which Fjorkvar nodded.
The snow slowly began to fall from the night sky; Antonio began reminiscing of his venture to Solstheim so long ago. Hearing the howling of werewolves travelling through the wind once more made him for a brief moment miss the transformation he once undertook every night. His eyes opened as the hatch opened and the unfamiliar smell of horker stew poured out. Fjorkvar carrying a bowl of his new friend stood beside him, handing it down before turning to look at the mountains across the way.
"I'm sorry about Sofie, she didn't mean any offence nor did her mother for that matter." He said with a tone of exhaustion.
"There is no need to apologise Dragonborn. There are moments in my long life that have come to haunt me and the stare of a child is one of them." Antonio said
Fjorkvar continued to just look out while Antonio continued.
"We heroes have done many grand deeds in our life times. I walked into Red Mountain, destroyed the Heart of Lorkhan and with that killing my old general and friend Dagoth Ur. You travelled to the land of the dead and rid the world of Alduin. Yet with all our greatest achievements there is always one moment or incident that defines us. In Morrowind I considered myself to be the best. Best warrior, best mage, best thief, best assassin, best businessman, you name it I felt cocky enough to call myself the best at it. One night however after drinking too much Cyrodilic Brandy I decided to rescue a lord's daughter from the clutches of evil. Arriving at the kidnappers cave I took cover in a pile of rocks directly across from it. I waited for the kidnappers to come out, a few minutes later they revealed themselves I took my bow and fired twice killing two henchmen and when the leader brought out the girl I got sloppy and…I left for Akavir. I would see so many horrific images in that land but none would ever keep me wake like my greatest fail."
Fjorkvar sensed the feeling of shame in Antonio's voice. He looked down to see this god-like figure holding his head in his hands, 200 years later this one moment still plagued his mind. For the first time he felt some sort of similarity to Antonio.
"There was a female bard I knew, her name was Svidi. I was contracted to find her and kill her by the psychotic son of Maven Black-Briar, a very powerful person here in Skyrim. Her son Sibbi ordered me to kill his ex-fiancé. I located her and couldn't bring myself to kill this girl; she witnessed her brothers' death at the hands of this fiend so I lied about her whereabouts. Many months passed and I received a not, from Wilhelm the owner of Vilemyr Inn where Svidi worked."
Fjorkvar's filled with a lump as if he was to cry though he continued
"The note informed me that she had been found murdered. I threw the note into the waterway in Rifton, upon looking up I saw Sibbi standing not so far away with a smirk on his face. The rage I felt could not be described; I spent the rest of the day in my home waiting for night fall. When darkness fell on Rifton I crept into Black-Briar Manor, I knew Maven wouldn't be there she moved into the Jarls house soon after the defeat of the Stormcloaks. I got upstairs into Sibbis room to find everything gone. Only a note remained which indicated that Maven get Sibbi out of Rifton that night. I had failed, but I could not deny that lust for blood."
His speech became more aggressive
"As daylight broke, I awoke the sounds of the townsfolk screaming and shouting. I opened my door to see my work on show for everyone, Maven's other son Hemming was hanging naked from the house, his insides ripped out. Ingun, Mavens daughter, her head was found in the Black-Briar brewery, the rest of her body was located in the Jarls throne. That night I became an animal. Maven knew who did it and she knew what I wanted. A few days later, I found myself standing above her son Sibbi in a cave not too far from Rifton. What I did too him,"
Fjorkvar's mouth watered, his hands started to rub together, he was salivating at reliving this memory.
"Let's say they didn't bury him. I exited the cave to be greeted by some Thalmor agents. They were strong by they too met their end, Maven was accustom to double crossing people but she picked the wrong person this time. I delivered the heads of agents to Maven while she ate her breakfast. I gave her time to run. During that time she had a few Dark Brotherhood assassins try to slow me down. I applauded their courage, I harboured no ill feelings to my underlings and I didn't enjoy killing them either. She barley made it to Whiterun when I caught up with her and put her down. I wrapped her body up and took it to the Thalmor embassy, dropping it off. From that day forward the people of Skyrim discovered that no one was exempt from death. The Thalmor never bothered me after that; however it was also the last time I would pick up my sword. Uncontrollable rage like that is no good. Maybe it is time to let that beast out once more."
Fjorkvar finished his retelling just like Antonio the tone of shame pouring out. Antonio removed his head from his hands Fjorkvar followed up with a friendly sarcastic remark
"Though being over 200 years old and the oldest being alive it really must haunt you more."
Antonio stood up placing his hand on Fjorkvar shoulder.
"Dragonborn, thank you. Though I must inform you there are four others that are either of equal age or older than myself. The ancient Dunmer sorcerer Divayth Fyr, his 'pet' Dwemer Yagrum Bagarn, Lord Vivec, though I hear most believe that he was taken in the Oblivion crises, but he is still around and a Redguard named Saladin Musashi."
Fjorkvar seemed somewhat annoyed by this information but he understood that he never asked Antonio about other age old beings.
"I must ask you for a favour Dragonborn" Antonio continued. "While I am grateful of your hospitality here, I wish to live in a more secluded area. Your home in The Pale would be more than sufficient."
Fjorkvar took a few moments to think this over, he understood that if Antonio was alone he could work on strategies and it would be less explaining to his wife. So he nodded in agreement. One more Antonio cracked a smile.