Tsunar could feel Heffald and Agnarr's eyes upon him every time he turned away. When he checked a corner, when he looked through a chest, when he led them back out. He could always feel their judgement.
"How about instead of staring and making things up about me in your heads, you ask me? Might put some fears to rest."
The guards questioned nearly every facet of Tsunar's lycanthropy. When he got it, how he got it, can he control it, are the moons really what controls the timing. He answered them all. He told them of the time he was attacked by a werewolf. About how the scars on his face are the wounds that carried the curse. He told them of his weeks in the wilds learning to tame himself. How he now had full control over where and when he changed, barring one of the moons being full, in which case he changed at their mercy. How he had control of his actions in his bestial form. When the guards were out of questions, the three men headed back to the village. Tsunar was sure that they still feared him, but he had a feeling his secret would be safe with them.
Morthal was tense when the three arrived back. The guards all looked exhausted, barely any citizens were out side and there was an air of fear and anxiety. When the guards spotted the three men, Falion was called to examine them. He saw no signs of Sanguinaire Vampiris and gave his word to the other guards that the warriors were as alive as the rest of them, though he glanced at Tsunar once or twice as he returned home.
As night fell, word of the trio's victory spread through the small town and Jarl Idgrod called for a celebration. The first time one of her decisions faced no push back from the villagers in several weeks. The inn keep, Jonna, seemed unused to dealing with so much business, but she eventually got used to it. Before engaging in any celebrations however, Tsunar had to make sure of one thing: He had to get Lurbuk passed out drunk before he could start "singing." Thankfully, the "bard" seemed to be a lightweight and passed out in no time. An event that seemed to relieve everyone present. By the time the Sun had began to rise, the whole village was unconscious, be it in their homes or in the tavern.
Were it not for his hangover, Tsunar may have left to continue west. But with his head the way it was, he likely wouldn't make it fifty feet from the village. Deciding to stay, the whole village came and offered thanks at some point or another. Lurbuk said that Tsunar would be made Blood Kin, whatever that meant. The Jarl offered Heffald, Agnarr and Tsunar a handsome sum of gold and positions as thanes. The guards declined the title, preferring to stick to their humble lives. Tsunar wasn't sure if he'd be around enough to truly make use of the title, but promised to keep it in mind should he ever choose to settle down and stop wandering.
The next day, Tsunar chose to leave. The life of a wanderer was the last thing he'd expected to enjoy when he first came to Skyrim. He'd arrived hoping to find an isolated spot in the wilderness of his ancestral home and settle down, maybe start a small farm. At most he thought he'd do a mercenary job or two. Instead, one event led to another, and he had found a life on the road far more appealing than anticipated.
The village was more than happy to provide a week's worth of supplies for the journey. Tsunar could see the city of Solitude after a few hours of heading west. Deciding against swimming in the inlet, Tsunar headed for the forest south west of the city, looking for a way to cross the river. Besides, nothing wrong with taking the scenic route.
The low marshes quickly gave way to the forest, which led higher into hills and plateaus. It wasn't long before Tsunar heard barking, not long after he could smell the dog in question. Tsunar quickly found the dog along the road. It looked half starved and afraid. When it saw Tsunar, it headed back into the woods before stopping and looking back, seemingly gesturing Tsunar to follow. Following the dog, Tsunar soon caught the smell of death and the sight of a small cabin. Following the dog inside, Tsunar found an old nord laying in a bed. Tsunar could tell from the lack of movement that this man had died, somewhat recently based on the smell. Reading a nearby journal, Tsunar learned of the dog's name: Meeko.
"You've been living out here all by your self?" Tsunar asked the hound. Meeko whimpered in response. Looking to the dead nord, Tsunar thought aloud "I think he deserves a proper burial."
Tsunar spent the better part of the day digging a hole and saying a quick prayer for Meeko's owner. Leaving some dried meat for the poor hound, Tsunar set back on the road. He quickly noticed that Meeko was shadowing him, trying to stay hidden in bushes. Tsunar dropped to one knee and held his hand out to the dog, who shyly approached. "Don't feel like going it alone boy?" Tsunar said, petting the animal. "I suppose it can get lonely out here. How about you come with me?" Meeko's ears perked up at Tsunar's suggestion.
The two set off in search of the nearest place for Meeko to rest, poor thing could barely walk straight. An hour or two of walking and the pair came to an enormous and ancient bridge crossing a ravine. Tsunar could see a town on the other side. "Fancy resting for a bit?" Tsunar asked. Meeko seemed to get more tired from the suggestion. "Thought so. Come on. I'll get you some fresh beef or something."
