10. Where the shadows dance.
It was a short walk to the village, Sophie could see and feel strong magic covering the few people who were left. Keeping them safe from the trance that affected the rest of the island. While Bo spoke to the shaman she looked around, it felt to her like most of the dark magic covering the island was focused in this place. It would seem that Miraak either really wanted the Skaal, or he thought they were a threat to his plans.
Storn told Bo about a shout that may help against Miraak, it was on the north side of the island. Sophie went with Bo to the word-wall, she wanted to watch him learn a new shout and see if she could somehow gain that knowledge through the blood bond. While she did get a chance to try out her new dagger, unfortunately she could only watch as he absorbed the word and it's meaning.
She was quiet while they travel back to the Skaal village, only getting excited when they free the people entranced to work on the wind stone. Sophie was most alive in battle, especially when she didn't have to hide what she was. Her excited yells made Bo and Faendal smile while she danced around the large creature that appear near the stone. The disgusting thing fell to her rather quickly, it's venom having no effect on her. Much to everyone's surprise.
After speaking with Storn, it was decided that Bo needed to release the other sacred stones from Miraak's influence. He, Sophie, and Faendal left for Raven rock at once. The shaman's daughter Frea came along, planning to help Bo free her home from the threat that loomed over it.
Sophie had told her father about helping the pack of wolves, and the strange, sudden desire to feed on the attackers. He simply smile and hugged her, letting her know that he loved her no matter what happens. They were almost to the town when she felt a strong presence and heard a commanding voice. "You need to go to the temple and visit my shrine, young one. Let your father continue his quest, you have your own destiny."
Bo saw her hesitate. "Are you alright?" The concern in his voice put Sophie at ease instantly.
"Someone just told me I have to visit their shrine ." Sophie looked slightly worried when she spoke.
Bo scowled in the direction of the temple, a hard look in his eyes. "You don't have to do anything unless you want to." He turned Sophie to face him, his large calloused hands lay gently on her small shoulders. "If you wish to go, take Faendal, he can watch your back from the shadows."
Sophie managed a smile. "I want to know who's been watching over me, and this'll be the easiest way to find out." She studied Faendal for a few heartbeats then hugged her father and motioned the elf to follow.
Faendal looked at Bo. "Rules?"
Gold eyes flashed in the darkness before he answer. "Weapons free." Faendal gave a nod of understanding then caught up with Sophie, a wicked grin spreading cross his face when he thought of being allowed to kill anyone who interferes with her. He was no stranger to slaughter, but it had been over forty years since he even thought about murdering a whole town. Which would probably be necessary if anyone discover what the young girl truly was.
Sophie quickly made her way through the darkened streets but paused at the temple door when the town tremble from her father's shout. "He'll be ok by himself, right?" Getting a nod and chuckle from Faendal she enter the temple. It didn't take long to find the correct shrine, it was almost like she knew at first sight which Daedra had spoken.
Sophie approach Boethia's statue and paused, not sure what she was supposed to do. But she wasn't waiting long before the voice spoke to her again. "Relax granddaughter, I mean you no harm. I only wish to set you on the path to your future."
"Why did you call me granddaughter and why have you been watching over me?" Sophie asked respectfully, though there was a hint of mistrust in her voice.
"I look after all whom my daughter has interest in, young lady." Boethia stated sternly. "She first took notice of you when you murdered your birth father." There was a short pause when Sophie gasped in shock. "But don't mistake it for disapproval, he earned his fate. He should have known better than to sell his wife and then daughter to pay for his gambling habit."
"But no one knows about that..." Sophie whispered, her mind running through every possible time she could have let slip it was her who made sure the abusive bastard never took another breath.
The statue glow from within as a darkly ominous chuckle was heard throughout the temple. "Oh dearest, we know. Even my brother knows, though he would never say a word against you hiding that fact from him and your sister. I believe you have found a family that suits you far better than the one you were born to."
Sophie smile and nod in agreement. She watched in wonder as a small pendant appear before the shrine. It was Boethia's symbol with a small black hand print on the back. "Now take this boon and wear it always. It will protect you while you work."
Sophie put the pendant on without hesitation, admiring the way the candle light seem to refuse to touch it. "Now listen closely if you wish to continue down this path." Boethia spoke for several minutes to her, laying out what she needed to do in the next few days to secure her place in the mysterious dark brotherhood. A shadowy guild of assassin's that had fallen from memory as of late.
"And my companion?" Sophie asked the only question she had, just to make sure Faendal would be safe to follow. She didn't want to get him killed, but felt that having someone to watch her back was a must for the tasks ahead.
Boethia chuckled, as did Faendal. "I am quite familiar with the Raven and his work. He has been a follower of mine for nearly every one of his seventy years. He is a good choice for a silent guardian, though I have faith that you will not need any help. Go now if you wish to fulfill your destiny, granddaughter. As patience and timing will be critical for the rest of your career."
"Thank you... grandmother." Sophie said with reverence before she and Faendal left the temple. They stuck to the shadows along the stairs leading down to the street, pausing when they spot someone leaving the tomb to the south of them. Sophie made mental note of everything she could about the woman. It was just as Boethia had said. After it was safe to leave their hiding spot, they stopped by the Inn to check on everyone. Finding that the nightmares were only an annoyance now that the nearest stone had been cleansed. Sophie explained to Lucia about needing to take care of some things having to do with her new power, she got a tear filled goodbye hug from her sister and they head out to perform her first task.
"Sis?" Lucia asked before they reached the top of the stairs, she wait till Sophie was facing her before giving her a bright smile. "I'm happy for you and really proud to be your sister, just so you know."
Sophie ran back and gave her a hug before leaving and heading east. Her first task was in a dwemer ruin on the way to the Skaal village, and they needed to be there by sun rise. Once inside the ruin they didn't have to wait long before the bandits show. Sophie listened as the leader explained how they had to put some special crystals in the plinth at the center of the room, then fight off the waves of enemies to pass the test. Once that was over they would be able to reach the treasure hidden deeper inside. She looked around the room, noticing the pattern on the first gate and then the very high observation area on the far wall. Sophie laughed to herself, shaking her head. "Remember what dad was saying on the way over here? How no matter which dwemer ruin he's gone into, they always put the final room overlooking the entrance." She pointed to the seating area atop the high wall and got a nod from Faendal.
They crept round the room, making sure to stay hidden from the bandits. When she got to the wall she was sure was the exit from the treasure room, Sophie extended her claws and swiftly climbed the stone. She darted down into the room to get out of sight, then around the corner she found a room full of dwemer artifacts and a very strange bow. It was made of dwemer metal, but black as night and had a dull red glow to the frame. As soon as she put her hand on it, she knew this was the best bow she would ever own and no person on nirn had one like it. Grabbing up all the arrows she could and a few other trinkets that caught her eye, Sophie quickly crept back out to the observation area. Knocking an arrow, she managed to kill four of the five bandits before they could even figure out they were under attack.
The bandit mage dropped from Faendal's arrow as she land beside him. "The black bow of fate..." His eyes held a look of wonder when he saw how natural the bow looked in her hand, like it had been made for her all those thousands of years ago. He smiled at her. "Your dad would say it's too heavy." They both bust out laughing at the fact that Bo could probably pick up a mammoth and yet complain about the weight of a bow.
Her next step was a short hike through the foothills to an abandoned looking shack, where she was to introduce herself to the Dunmer selling his goods. Aside from selling stolen wares, he was an agent of the Dark Brotherhood's competition, the Morag Tong. One look at the black dress stained red and he tensed up. "The brotherhood has no business here, it is an illegal guild and we have standing orders to kill anyone we confirm as a member."
Sophie stopped being polite, her expression growing hard as she stepped forward. "I am member to no guild, and I strongly suggest you take care not to threaten me ever again."
He looked from her to Faendal and back to Sophie. "Very well, but you will be watched while you're here. If we prove you are a member, the council of elders will not hesitate to issue a death decree."
"I understand, but know that I will kill anyone who threatens my family." The sky grew dark with her words before Sophie smiled sweetly at him. "Now that the mutual threats are done can we do business, or should I just take my gold elsewhere?"
The Dunmer glared at her for a moment then shook his head and pulled his coat tighter. "Actually I was just leaving, come see me tomorrow after midnight if you wish to barter."
She gave him a false smile and bow. "Until we meet again." Sophie led Faendal back to town, knowing that the Second Councilor would be waiting to speak with her in her fathers absence.
Faendal chuckled softly to himself as they walked. "That was by far the easiest I have ever seen someone lay a trap." They were descending the hill into town, careful not to slip on the ash covered path. "By now he's ran to his cohorts and has told them all about you."
Sophie's grin would have given any normal person a bad feeling. "Which is what we needed him to do. If we're lucky, by noon I'll have a few of them watching me and we can get on with that part of the plan." She took a few more steps before adding. "Besides, taking them out before they interfere with Lucia and what she's trying to do is a good thing." The sky grew darker with her words, as if the morning sun had hidden itself behind a mountain.
Faendal chuckled darkly causing Sophie to look over at him. "None of us would allow them to hurt your sister, but if they tried..." A cold breeze blew past them making the townspeople nearby shiver. "Bo would kill the ones that tried, and anyone who so much as looked at her. Then he would kill their family, friends, and everyone they know. Until the whole island was nothing but a mass grave."
Sophie looked around the market, searching for the Councilor. "You think so?" She glanced at Faendal. "I mean would he really kill everyone, even if some didn't have anything to do with it?"
Faendal gave her his own vicious grin. "I asked him what rules he wanted me to follow while watching your back. He told me weapons free, which means if one of these people tried to attack you I am to leave no witnesses." He saw her jerk to a halt and stare at the ground, biting her lip. So he put a calming hand on her shoulder. "He meant what he said, no one will ever harm you or your sister. Aside from Lydia, everyone of the people who have worked for or with him are known for being less than honorable."
Sophie shook her head. "Killing don't have nuthin to do with honor. Neither does what god you worship."
Faendal laughed, slapping her on the back. "My girl, wait till you meet the rest of the family! You'll fit right in with the Reachmen." He paused for a heartbeat to let the shock fade from her eyes, then leaned in close to whisper. "Your great grandmother is a Forsworn Matriarch... most call them Hagravens."
Sophie's eyes went wide, though she was smiling brightly. "So she can teach me magic... that's... " Deciding to not get so excited she couldn't focus on her current task, she shook her head. "You better not be messin with me, Raven."
"Grandmother Malta, ask him when he gets back." Faendal told her with a grin. She nod to him before the second councilor approach with captain Veloth at his side.
"I wished to ask your father for help, but captain Veloth has assured me that you are more than capable of handling this on your own." Adril told her with a respectful nod to Sophie. He lay out the problem facing him, how he was unable to find the assassins they knew were in their midst and he feared for councilor Morvayn's life. The trap they set to catch one of them in the Ullen's tomb was always thwarted by no one showing up when they tried. Sophie smiled deviously, the look making the two Dunmer stare at her in wonder. "You already know don't you?"
Sophie laughed. "I didn't know the details, but we saw Lady Severin leaving the tomb this morning." She glanced over toward Severin Manor, a cruel gleam in her eyes. "What do we need?"
It wasn't very long after talking to Adril and captain Veloth that Sophie dissapear from the market without anyone noticing. Most of the merchants were busy chattering about the trade deal and how nice it would be to no longer be in debt to Mogrul. She hadn't seen any of the Severin family all morning so she assumed they were at home, though it did little to deter her after being told she was allowed to kill if necessary with no repercussions from the law. The front door was locked, so she used the key Adril gave her and slipped in quietly.
Once inside she stay still until her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, listening to the mother and daughter speaking of the cursed dragonborn's daughter and what she meant for their plans. She crept down the stairs taking care not to make a sound, barely noticing the weight of her pendant and how the shadows clung to her form. Casting her in an impenetrable darkness. She heard the voices coming down the steps so she ducked into the darkened room off to the side where the forge lay, its fire having long been out. Sophie stay out of sight while the two women changed clothes, wondering what they were up to but knowing there was no way to enter the room without being spotted.
They left the house dressed in strange armor she had never seen, though it looked similar to some of the Reaver bandits they had dealt with on the way back from Skaal village. Sophie felt an irresistible pull toward the bookshelf in the master bedroom, she approach it curiously. Wondering what it was her grandmother wished her to find. It didn't take but a few heartbeats for her to notice the spell tomes and start to read them, adding several versions of destruction magic as well as some spells useful for her new line of work. She noticed the safe in the far corner as soon as she finished learning the muffle spell, deciding to rifle through the pouch left by the Lady Severin before even trying to open the steel box.
"Patience and timing, my dear." Came to her in Boethia's voice as she pulled the key and moved to the safe. Sophie put a hand up and caressed the pendant with a smile. "You're welcome, granddaughter." Boethia told her with a chuckle as she pulled all the letters from the safe, she ignore the gold since she had no need to steal to survive now.
Sophie made her way back to the Second Councilor, proudly holding the evidence she had gathered. It was a moment of triumph when she was congratulated for her abilities by Adril and the few guards present. She was offered the task of joining the guards in taking care of the assassins at their hideout, she gladly accepted only pausing to explain she will leave within the hour as she wanted to check up on Lucia first. "Just tell your men not to move until I get there." She told Captain Veloth sternly, getting a nod of understanding in return.
It was about two hours later that she and Faendal approach the abandoned fort where the Morag Tong had been hiding. From where they were hidden in the trees they could see the bodies of two guards dead on the path leading to the fort, they had been ambushed before ever reaching sight of the tower. "Both shot in the neck, only gap in their armor, and from that distance... We'd better be careful." Sophie whisper to Faendal getting a nod of agreement before they line up their own shots at the two assassin's hiding by the entrance.
Once the assassin's lay dead they started forward, but Sophie quickly pull Faendal back into cover when a large black dragon flew over heading east. "I..." Faendal began, but his voice failed him until Sophie nudged him. He looked in her eyes with a look of fear in his own. "I hope I'm wrong, but that looked just like what your dad described from Helgen."
Sophie nod to him. "The eldest, Alduin has come... I just hope dad is strong enough to face him." She reached up and held the pendant for a few heartbeats before Boethia spoke to the worried girl.
"Do not fret granddaughter, your father has his own destiny to contend with." The voice calmed her slightly but not enough to completely forget her worries as they slipped up to the tower. Faendal opened the door and was looking inside the gloom for threats when Sophie slumped forward clutching her chest and clenching her teeth as a furious hiss escaped her. Faendal rushed to her side thinking she had been hit by an assassin they must have missed, but there was no arrow in her chest where she was clutching it. When he pulled her back to ask her what happened he saw her eyes. Black voids with a dull red glow to them stared off distantly. Then a thunderous voice shook the entire island, though none but the dragonborn (and his daughter who just happened to have eaten the soul of someone who spoke it fluently) could understand what the eldest dragon said.
Sophie cocked her head for a heartbeat, her own words coming out just a few seconds after the dragons voice. ("Our destiny waits at the end of all things brother, and yet here I find you losing a battle of wills with this traitorous mortal. There is no other strong enough to face me, for you were born to surpass us all. Tell me brother, why do you shrink from your birthright now? This world and all its inhabitants are but playthings to us, you could win this battle with a whisper if only you would accept what you truly are. Do not fail me by letting this traitor get the upper hand... remember who you are... remember your blood... remember your promise!") The last sound the dragon roared seemed like just a loud noise, but the entire sky lit up with dragonfire brighter than the sun.
Sophie froze in place, the glow coming from her eyes flaring brighter as the shadowy shape of her dress took form and solidified into something that resembled the finest satin shaped into armor. Wisps of black smoke drifting gently away from the dress as if it were searching for something. There was the unmistakable creak of a bow being drawn from inside the fort, and the black smoke responded. Crawling its way through the air to wrap around the assassin, a disturbing hissing sound the only thing heard as his body dissolved until nothing but bones remained. "My Champions armor, though I did modify it to fit you better granddaughter." Boethia's voice told Sophie calmly as they entered the fort. They crept down the steps of the tower, both silent as a shadow. Only pausing to dispatch the assassin's they came across. Sophie led them deeper into the fort, coming upon a long hallway blocked off every so often by steel bars. She crept down the hall to find the release as Faendal covered her from the shadows. She had little trouble clearing the first two areas, the six Morag Tong she kill clearly out matched. Faendal was right, Sophie was a born assassin.
He caught up with her at the final gate, listening to the assassin's talk about their plans for the town after they kill the councilor. It would seem they only had interest in councilor Morvayn, no one else was to be harmed aside from the guard captain and any who opposed them. But first they planned to kill Lucia and everyone else the dragonborn had brought to the island.
"No one threatens my family." Sophie hissed through clenched teeth as the smoke from her dress started to flow out toward the assassins. She looked the room over from where she was hidden, not seeing any way to open the bars from the other side she decided to use them to her advantage. She took aim at the head assassin Vendel Severin, her arrow piercing his unarmored neck and dropping him instantly. Two more assassins dropped from her arrows before the others had a chance to fire back, though it did them little good. The gap between the bars were narrow and hard to hit from that distance, especially while someone is firing at you.
"I am the trusted daughter, the black hand of fate, the void given form..." Sophie stepped toward the bars, exploding into a cloud of smoke when she reached them. Her voice came from the shadows all around them as if the entirety of darkness bent to her will. "I am the Listener, the very will of Sithis and you have no right to kill without the Dread Father's permission." She stepped out of the wall behind her and caught Lady Severin by the neck, tearing the old Dunmer's throat out and taking her soul before locking her eyes onto the only remaining person in the room. Mirri Severin was backed against the wall and praying to every deity she could think of, though none would come to save her from the creature approaching. "You should have left my family out of this, I may have let you live a little longer." Sophie stated coldly as she stepped forward, grinning like a madwoman.
In the end it didn't take long for her to kill the young woman and take her soul, then Sophie then took the souls of the rest of the assassins as well. She and Faendal searching the dead for everything of value. "So you are the new listener, well I'm glad I'm on your side." Faendal joked, getting her to stick her tongue out at him in response. He shook his head. "So Alduin show up to make sure Bo didn't lose the battle against Miraak... never woulda guessed that dragons could be so honorable."
Sophie shook her head in disagreement. "Greedy, he did it so dad can face him in their fated battle. He don't think anyone else has the ability to even reach where the battle is supposed to happen." She saw the confused look on his face so she explain. "Sovengard, it's where they're s'posed to fight for the worlds right to live." She shrugged, answering before he asked. "Learned a lot from the blood, stuff that I don't even think dad knows... or maybe just don't talk about." She sighed heavily. "Don't rightly blame him, most of it's pretty messed up. Likely to give Lucia... and most other people nightmares."
Faendal grimaced at the thought of what kind of darkness she was talking about after 'Voidwalking' not but a few moments ago. "That bad?"
They were heading back up to the entrance when she spoke once more. "I don't think I've ever even heard of the level hate I felt after Alduin spoke, but it wasn't from him. Whatever Miraak did was enough to make dad lose himself to the dragon... no he didn't lose himself to the dragon... he gave himself completely and willingly and I'm not sure exactly what he did to the fool that angered him but it made the dragon laugh."
Faendal shook his head as his eyes went distant. "Then it's probably a good thing none of us were there to see it." He held the door open for her. "When the dragon side takes over, it doesn't seem to care about the people around it." He saw the look on her face and gave her a smile. "You and your sister would be fine, but the rest of us would be in danger."
She gave him a nod of agreement before heading off back toward town. "Well, Alduin left just after dad got back from fighting Miraak, so I think everyone's safe for now." She spoke again as they were gathering the bodies of the slain guards. "I could feel his confusion at Alduin not attacking, then frustration when he flew off. Seems like he only came to make sure dad didn't lose the fight to Miraak."
"Aedra." Faendal said with a sigh, getting a chuckle from Sophie. His eyes narrowed when he saw Captain Veloth approaching, readying himself for the kill...
But her voice stayed his hand. "It's alright, he already knows."
Captain Veloth jogged over to take the guard from her. "Here, don't want any of the townspeople to see this and cause problems." Once he had the body slung over his shoulder he asked. "What happened?"
Sophie's eyes darkened for a heartbeat. "Ambushed by Morag Tong before they ever reached the fort, musta been waiting for em."
"Damn, so they were Morag Tong. I honestly didn't expect that." Veloth said with disgust.
"The girls were, don't know about Vendel. He had on different armor than the rest of em." Sophie told him while pulling the letters she found out of her satchel.
They carry the bodies to the temple then head for Councilor Morvayn's house. Once her report was complete Sophie was awarded Severin Manor for all that she and her family had done for the town. The Councilor and his wife both telling her that they wish the Shinsai family to consider themselves part of the community. "I'll make sure they know, and be sure to behave themselves. I won't have no drunken foolishness destroy my sister's plans or our reputation."
Councilor Morvayn chuckled. "Dear, there is not much that could blacken the deeds you have done for our town." He motioned to the pendant she wore. "Why you even worship as we do, so I would not worry about sullying your name here." He saw her raised eyebrow and gave her a smile. "Your father saved the entire Island, you just saved my life and have saved the town from vile creatures before that and your sister has possibly saved the townspeople... or their sanity at least. By getting them out of debt with that loan agent."
His wife stepped forward and hugged her, happy tears running down her face. "There are no words to thank you for protecting my husband, but if you ever need motherly advice don't hesitate to call on me." She saw the shock on Sophie's face and gave her a warm smile. "Well I gathered that you and your sister don't have a mother yet, though I think that is due to your father's destiny and not his quality. Should you ever need to get advice on things that a Dragon doesn't know about then I will help in any way I can. That goes for your sister as well."
Sophie hugged her back, trying her best to look appreciative. "Thank you Ma'am, I know that Lucia still misses her mother something terrible. I will let her know that we have someone to help with the girly things that dad won't understand." She looked around the room at all the happy grins and shook her head with a chuckle. "He does try, was raised by Khajiit and Reachmen and both a them hold women in high regard. So we don't have to worry bout anyone treating us bad, cause... well you saw how he reacted to that idiot that scared her."
Councilor Morvayn laughed. "Yes, well no one here blames him. They should have known better than to treat young ladies that way, we don't tolerate that here or back home." He seemed to think on something for a moment, then looked into her eyes. "Besides, he struck you. I would think that would be more important to most young women than someone scaring your sister." He had a puzzled look on his face as he studied her, trying to figure out what made her different.
Sophie shook her head as she and Faendal laughed. "My birth father hit harder en that just to get my attention." The look in her eyes darkened as the whole room grew colder. "But no one gets to threaten my family, specially my little sister. Who ain't been nothing but nice to everyone we've met."
"If anyone tries that again while you're here, they will have to answer to the guard." Captain Veloth said sternly. "We wouldn't stand for it before, but you are all members of this town and have done more in a few days than most have in their whole lives." He knelt down on one knee in front of Sophie. "Please accept my apologies for not stopping it sooner when it happened, but I was hoping he would attack you so you could defend yourself." Veloth saw the sly grin tugging at the corners of her lips and gave her a nod. "I know how you would have handled it and was hoping you would get the chance, your father showing up when he did was just a hair sooner than I could give the guards the order to leave and let you deal with it." He laughed deeply. "Though the beating he gave Slitter will certainly get the point across, I don't think he'll be able to move from his cell in the Bulwark for a while." He gave Sophie a wink before standing.
People screaming and a loud thud that shook the town caused everyone to run outside. Bo was standing next to a sleek green/blue dragon and speaking softly with it, though his tattoo's were glowing brighter than the fading sunlight. The dragon didn't look like the ones back in Skyrim, it looked like it was meant to live underwater. Sophie caught the last of the dragons words as she watched, translating for those around her without even realizing she was doing it. "..t would be honorable, my prince. Far more honorable than I deserve, but you asked and I know I can not live without my mate and she was slain thousands of years ago before I was trapped in that wretched place by Miraak." The dragon closed its eyes and bow its head. "So if you please..."
Bo nod in agreement. "She still calls for you, even now." His voice was soft and caring, like speaking to family about the loss of a loved one. Sophie saw and felt the sadness and utter devastation Bo was feeling at the dragons request, but she understood why. Here was an honorable dragon that wasn't trying to kill him and now it was asking for... well she could only guess he wanted to be with his mate wherever dragons go when they die. Bo took the dragons head in his hands, looking into its eyes deeply. "Sahrotar, brother... I release you from these bonds, your soul is now free. I bid you to join your love in eternity." Bo's gold slitted eyes flared brighter, his wings snapping out to cover the dragon. When they folded back up the dragon was gone and he was glowing with the last of the souls light.
Sophie started toward him as soon as she knew it would be safe to not interrupt. Taking his hand she noticed that he now seemed even taller than he was when he left, he also had a few more scars on his chest and back. "Father, let me take you home. You need to rest and I don't think the drunken rabble at the Inn will make that easy." Bo looked over at her, then nod. Not even taking the time to question what home she meant.
She led him into Severin Manor and down to the large master bed. "I will go fetch everyone else as soon as I know your alright." Sophie noticed as she helped him into the bed that his skin was hard as stone, she doubted she could even scratch it with her claws.
"Miraak had taken hundreds of souls, dragons used to fuel his deranged desires. After the battle I took his soul and in turn I took them all in as well." Bo told her as if he knew what she was thinking, though with the blood-bond it was possible he did. He looked his hands over as if he didn't recognize them. "I do not know how this has changed me, though I doubt it will be in a good way."
Sophie grimaced, she didn't like hearing her dad sound this heartbroken. "Don't worry bout it dad, we can figure it out later. I'll go get Lucia and let everyone know about the house. Town's safe now, so I imagine there's gonna be a party."
He nod to her, his eyes fixed on the ceiling distantly. "Aye, be safe. Take Faendal, he don't need to sit here watching me sleep."
Sophie quietly left the room, still worried for his mental state as she and Faendal left for the Inn. "He'll be okay, it's just gonna take a little time to adjust to that many souls taken in at once." Faendal told her as he put a caring hand on her shoulder, mentally noting how much taller she was.
Sophie shook her head. "No he ain't just gonna be okay after all that, and gods help anyone who pisses him till he's dealt with it." She saw the worried look on his face and how he was chewing his lip. "One soul can take a few days to calm down, three took weeks. He took five the day they came to Windhelm and now he's got hundreds to deal with on top of them." She looked over her shoulder back toward the house. "Normal? Shit he ain't even human right now. His skin was like stone when I helped him ta bed, so what's layin' in tha' house is a very pissed off dragon that only looks like a man."
"So what do we do?" Faendal asked worriedly. "It's not like anyone but you and Lucia stand a chance if he loses hi..."
Sophie spun on him so fast he almost didn't see her move, her deadly claws already wrapped around his throat. She leaned in close, her black eyes staring into his red. "He ain't losing his mind and don't ever say that again if you wanna keep livin."
Faendal cocked his head at her as much as he was able. "I was going to say lose his temper, not mind." He visibly relaxed when she released his throat. When she started to walk off he stepped in front of her, meeting her glare with one of his own. "He saved my life twice, so don't think I'd ever insult him." He let out a heavy sigh, stealing a glance over her shoulder toward the house. "I just know how bad his temper can get, I've seen it a few times. He doesn't do it on purpose, but the dragon can kill without meaning to. It's how Lydia got the scars, he lost his temper and nearly burned her and his girlfriend to death in his rage." Seeing the raised eyebrow from Sophie, he nod. "Njadia is a Companion of Jorvaskr, she dumped him after he burned Helgen to the ground with her and Lydia inside... and it broke his heart. Then when his Housecarl Rayya was killed by a dragon, he tore it apart with his bare hands... then used a whole camp of Stormcloaks as her pyre. They didn't even have a chance to draw their blades before the fire killed them all."
"Then there's what he did to tha' bastard Aedra that took sis." Sophie stated while waving her hand off to the west. "Fucker deserved it, but yeah I can see your point. Good thing Illia's an ice mage." They both burst out laughing at the thought of anything the mage could do to stop the dragonfire, even as powerful as she was Sophie didn't think it would do much more than slow down the death of someone caught in the flames.
It was near midnight though the partying was still going strong, when Bo jumped from the bed and came running out of the house. His glowing eyes and scars making everyone outside pause, waiting for the dragonborn to explain the look of fury in his glowing serpents eyes. They didn't have to wait long before he shouted something, then ran forward and slammed his fist into one of the Reaver bandits that were preparing to attack the townspeople. He didn't even pause before he moved on to the next bandit, crushing armor and bones with brutal punches. He killed seven of them with his bare hands, leaving only two of them alive when it was all over. He told them they were to go and tell everyone they met that this town was off limits, anyone attacking had better pray to their gods beforehand for they were going to meet them. No mercy, no jail time, only death awaits anyone who attacks. "Do you understand me mortal?" His voice came out rolling, draconic, and caused the whole town to tremble.
Once the two living bandits had ran off, he threw the bodies into a pile on the beach and burned them to ash with dragonfire. As he was walking back into town the music started back up at Sophie's nod, letting everyone know that this was normal for the Shinsai family. Bo walked into the market and looked around at everyone, his eyes paused on Sophie where she was dancing with one of the merchants daughters. A bright smile spread cross his face as he nod to her, then walked over to where Lucia was speaking with the Captain of the Northern Maiden, Illia by her side ever watchful. "How are you doing young one?" He was making an effort to control his voice, though the ground still trembled slightly.
Lucia jumped up and gave him a hug as he pulled her up into his arms, starting to tell him all about how many people had signed contracts and how often the shipments would be sent. He sat and listened to her and the captain explain all the details to him, it would seem that the captain enjoyed the idea of regular work instead of waiting for someone to need passage or the town could afford to buy their supplies from the racist merchants in Windhelm.
Over the next few weeks they had fixed a fair amount of problems that affected the town. Reopening the Ebony mine, giving the town back its livelihood. Chasing down a few lost or stolen items for the townspeople, as well as finding more of the black books Bo used to learn Miraak's secrets.
They were set to depart as soon as the tide was right and Sophie almost couldn't stop chuckling to herself. The plan she and her father had come up with for Slitter was devious and made it look like some kind of freak accident. Bo wait till the ship was pulling out of the dock, then swam under the Bulwark to a cave he discovered which led right up into the cell block. He caught one of the Netch pups that was living in the cave and took it with him when he climbed up into Slitter's cell. He used the stinging tentacles on the over-sized jellyfish to sting the man to death, which Bo felt was more than fair punishment for the man slapping his daughter after threatening them. He left the Netch there to make sure it all looked believable, though he didn't really care if he had to pay for the murder. The idiot didn't get to keep living after insulting his girls.
Then Bo swam back out and climb back aboard the ship as it was heading for deep water, no one in the town the wiser to what just happened. He thought that Sophie might just end up smiling all the way back to Windhelm, and that was perfectly alright with him.