Dovahkiin POV:
The carriage slowly comes to a halt, the horse snorting and tearing up the ground in frustration. I can't blame the poor beast, we had to take the long way to Whiterun due to some bandits. I quickly pay the man the fee, pick up my belongings, and hop off the carriage. Aealynn slowly trails after me, her eyes darting everywhere. A small ember of pity is smoldering in my heart. The Breton is still thinking of me as an enemy, and attempting to escape from my sights. I took her to where she awoke, but she still hasn't fully come to terms with what happened. I'll just have to be patient with her. I know the heavy news she got can't be easy to take, but eventually she'll come to terms with what has occurred to her.
She'll just have to do it in her own time. I'll have to respect that. The guards at the gate open the doors for us, but I can see them eyeing Aealynn with distrust. Oh by the gods I hope the Nords don't give Aealynn a hard time. It's hard being a Breton in Skyrim, but at least we aren't in Markarth. If I had taken her to The Reach everything would have been a thousand times harder. My arm suddenly shakes at the weight of the trunk in my grasp, so I begin walking a little bit faster. I start to head to my home in Whiterun, then remember a crucial fact. It's completely unfurnished. Damn, I'll have to take Aealynn to the inn. I quickly head in that direction.
I carefully place my trunk down by the door and go over to the bar. The innkeeper is busy cleaning a filthy mug with a filthier rag, but puts her items down and focuses on me. I pull some coins from my purse and hand them to her. "Enough for five days. I'll give you more when the time is up.". The Nord nods and pockets the gold, then motions to the second floor as she tells me, "Don't mess anything up too badly.". I go back to Aealynn, pick up my trunk, and tell her, "Follow me to our room.". The Breton nods and trails after me, the entire bar slowly quieting down as they eye the new woman.
Damn, the Nords are really making it difficult for me to put trust in them. I know Ysolda and Hulda won't give the woman a hard time, but what about the other bar patrons? I don't want my lessons to be interrupted by a screaming Nord or a sudden bar brawl. But I'm out of options at the moment, so I just continue carrying my trunk up to my room. Once I'm inside I allow Aealynn in, then close the door behind her. I consider locking it for safety, but decide that might make the Breton on edge. And, calmness is a key in most of the lessons I teach. You can't learn anything if your blood is pumping with fury or passion. I slowly put my trunk on the floor, then walk over to the second door in our room. It opens onto a small balcony, the entire bar visible.
On the balcony is a cupboard against the south wall and a low table and two low chairs to the north. I might have to do some lessons out here. Eventually, and if the Breton ever feels like it. I turn back into the room, Aealynn awkwardly standing beside my trunk near the door. I look around the room once, taking in everything in the place. There is a large double bed against the west wall, with an end table to the right and I'm standing in the doorway to the left of it. A second end table is to the left of the doorway to the balcony and opposite against the east wall is a dresser, with a washbasin to the left. Everything seems to be in order, so I walk back into the room.
I consider leaving the door to the balcony open, but too much noise is coming up from the bar. I go ahead and close the door, then turn back to the room. I go over and pick up my chest, putting it in a corner. I turn back and see Aealynn sitting on the bed. I'd planned on starting a late lesson today, but a sharp pain in my stomach stops me. I'm starving, and I need to go get a early dinner. However, that would require leaving Aealynn alone. Can I really trust her after what she did at the college? I really need to get something to eat, but the safety of the Breton should come before a little pang in my stomach. Should I tie her hands so she can't get away?
No, I should have at least a little faith in her. I clear my throat and ask the woman, "Do you want anything to eat.". She blinks and calmly mumbles, "Bread.". I nod and leave the room, making sure to keep an ear open for footsteps following me. She doesn't follow me, so I can assume I'm relatively safe from the threat of her running away. Now all I have to do is get some food, and think of a decent plan for her lesson. Where do I even start? Right after she disappeared, or do the most important stuff first? Maybe I can tell her about the Nerevarine and the Hero of Kvatch, two of the most important people in history. But I don't think she'd care about either of those.
The Dunmer were working against her, and the Imperials never had any particular alliance. The Breton would have no pity for the plights their people went through, and probably just brush off the lesson. A brilliant idea hits me. I'll teach her about The Forsworn of The Reach! The next second I'm nearly slapping myself for how stupid that idea is. It'll get her pissed at the Nords, and she'll loose all respect for Ulfric Stormcloak. I don't have any particular alliance in the civil war in Skyrim, but if Ulfric becomes king I don't want her trying to kill him. But what is there left to teach her? I like my own provinces's history. Would she like learning about the Khajiits?
They actually might be a horrible idea. Actually, I know it's a horrible idea. Another brilliant idea hits me, and this one sticks. I'll teach her about her own history! Damn, sometimes it surprised me how long it takes me to realize things. With my new idea I happily buy some food, gather it in my arms, and rush back to my room. The Breton jumps up a little when I come in the room, but calms down when she sees it's me. I hand her the food I brought for her, then begin tearing into my own meal. When we're both done I happily ask her, "Would you like to learn about the Bretons' history?".
The woman looks completely shocked, but regains her composer and nods. I smile and grab a book from my trunk, sitting down by the woman. I'm on the floor, but she's sitting on the bed. This slight height difference might put her at ease, and allow her to learn easier. I stretch my hands and ask her, "Would you like me to begin?". She nods and I tell her, "I'm just going to start at the beginning of the book and read from there, and I'll elaborate later. Sound good to you?". When she nods I truly start telling her about her own history.
"There is evidence of human settlements in High Rock dating back at least a thousand years before recorded history. Before or soon after the start of the First Era, Aldmer came to High Rock from the Summerset Isles and interbred with Nedes, eventually creating the Breton race. The Aldmer were believe to be accompanied by Alyied Elves that were cast to after a change of leadership in Cyrodiil, after the slave rebellion. We might hit on that later. Anyway, moving on. Sometimes there was conflict, but also long periods of coexistence in a multiracial society. While the Aldmer maintained control of Tamriel, the Man lived as lower-class citizens, supporting their elven brethren. Notably, this subservience and general harmony meant they were spared during the Night of Tears (an Aldmer attack of Saarthal). The elves that attacked Saarthal were the ancestors of the Falmer. I don't know if you had Falmer in your time, but we'll hit on them later. Moving on.".
"The Skyrim Conquests brought much of High Rock under the control of the Nords around 1E 246, though they would lose control around 1E 369 as a result of Skyrim's War of Succession. They apparently never controlled Wayrest, which likely wasn't founded until several hundred years later. Around the same time, the Alessian Order would make campaigns against the Direnni, weakening them enough for the locals to rebel against them. Most of High Rock would be free from elven control by 1E 498, though they would remain in the province for most of the First Era. Other historical enemies of Bretons, besides each other, include Orcs and various supernatural creatures that roam High Rock.".
I look up at her and ask, "Am I going to fast?". I've made sure to go at a slower pace, but even that might be too fast for some people. However, the woman nods and assures me, "It's fine.". I nod and go back to reading.
"Over time, the emerging Bretons absorbed the remaining Nordic and Imperial population in High Rock, and the land would be definitively Breton by the end of the First Era. Tiber Septim's- I'll teach you about him later- Empire would later easily conquer the squabbling kingdoms that emerged during the Interregnum, but would find it impossible to truly squash the sectarian conflicts between them that hampered trade and prosperity. Since most Emperors in the Third Era were Bretons, or had spent their youth in High Rock, Bretons were generally supportive of Imperial rule, but were often disgruntled by its inefficacy at protecting them from violent conflicts.".
"It wasn't until the Miracle of Peace (some king died and an upheaval in Hammerfell and High Rock started) that the problem would at least be reduced: the roughly two dozen fiefdoms dotting southern High Rock (where the great majority of the people are located), were united into three kingdoms: Daggerfall, Wayrest, and Orsinium (the Orc's newer homeland). To my current knowledge Wayrest is destroyed, but Daggerfall and Orsinium still stand.".
I close the book and tell her, "That finishes the main part of the history, but I'm sure I can find a more detailed book. Eventually. Anyway, do you want to hear what the book has to say about Breton architecture?".
She nods again and I restart, "The word most often used to describe Breton villages is "quaint". Function is valued over form, resulting in earthern, hand-crafted dwellings free from ornament. Most people in High Rock live in small cottages; only the nobility and their servants stay in large castles. Despite efforts under Tiber Septim to demilitarize the province by demolishing defensive structures, many villages are still surrounded by high walls, and fortresses dot the landscape. Not much architecture wise has changed since the Bretons first started building, and it's unlikely it'll change anytime soon.". I continue speaking, our lesson stretching on into the night.
