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Recap:
"She's amazing. The fact that she can still smile after everything that's happened to her." Merrik frowned.
"She clearly has a lot of faith in you. I'm certain it's well deserved. Besides, twice as fast, right?" I gave a reassuring smile and successfully perked him up.
"Right."
Chapter Start:
"The main camp is Northwatch Keep, but they have small detachments littered all over the place. I think that we should prioritize Hjaalmarch hold first. That seems to be where people are going missing and where they are most active. Once we weaken their forces, we can plan our move on the Keep." Merrik said, motioning towards the map.
I stepped forward for a closer look and saw multiple red markings, in the same place that Desmond's map had them. They marked where people went missing. For a moment, I stared at one in particular; Ysara's. Surrounding that were small metal flags that were engraved with the Thalmor sigil. There were more than I expected.
"These are all detachments?" I asked and Merrik nodded.
"Those are the ones that we know of. Your friend must be important. The Thalmor have gone through a lot of trouble to find her." He said.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course." Merrik responded.
"If you know where the Thalmor are, why not call upon your soldiers? You have an entire army. You have more resources, more men, and full power over Skyrim. Why aren't we fighting for it?" I realized that my words were a bit harsh, but it was true. It was infuriating that people were disappearing and the King hadn't taken full measures to prevent it or find them.
"I agree with you, but the Army is not what it was. It hasn't been for decades now." He replied. I waited for him to explain. "We haven't been at war for nearly a century and my father wants to keep it that way. If we needed, we could call for more recruits, but he's trying to avoid another war at all costs."
Maybe I was being biased, but I didn't agree. The Thalmor are arrogant and aggressive. If they push, they need to be pushed back. On the other hand, I shouldn't be in a hurry to involve myself in another war. For me, that war happened quite recently.
"So Hjaalmarch first? I guess that means I'm going here." I said, moving the flag. The location was one that I was very familiar with. It was where Astrid had extended an invitation to join her family of assassins.
"Alright. I'll grab my gear." Merrik said.
"Your gear?"
"For your first mission, I will accompany you."
"You don't have to do that. I'll be fine." I smiled.
"I insist. Besides, as the General, I need to know what you're capable of if I'm going to send you out in the field." He said.
"Is that so?" I replied, lifting my brow.
Merrik chuckled and gathered his things.
After a quick dinner with Gemma, we headed out of the gates. I frowned and my grip tightened on the bowstring that spanned across my torso.
"Merrik, I have a request."
"What is it?" His brows furrowed in concern.
"After we're done with this mission, could we make a stop? I would like to make sure that Kari is alright and I should probably tell the others that I accepted this position."
"Of course. I actually need to make a stop at Fort Snowhawk to check on my men. We can see your friends and then stay at the Fort for the night."
"Perfect. Thank you." I smiled.
"So we have a long trip ahead of us. Why don't you tell me more about yourself?"
"What did you want to know?" I replied, ready to lie my ass off.
"Well for starters, where are you from?"
"I'm actually from Skyrim. I just returned a few days ago."
"Is that so? I've never seen you around before."
"I've been on the road for a long time."
"Where has that road led you?"
"Wherever there's trouble." I chuckled.
"Ah, a thrill seeker." Merrik smirked.
"No, it's not like that. I just feel a responsibility to help people."
"Why's that?"
"Because I can. I fight for those who can't fight for themselves."
"That's very gracious. If that's how you feel, why haven't you joined the Imperial Army?"
"I'm not a fan of politics."
"I can't argue with that." Merrik chuckled. "Do you have family out here? Kids? A husband?"
"Well I never knew my parents and I don't have any kids. As far as marriage...well I'm not really wife material."
"I see." He playfully pretended that he was judging me and cleared his throat.
"Oh please. I don't have six toes or anything, I'm just not the type of person that could stay at home all day, waiting for someone." I intoned, pursing my lips and lifting my brows. Merrik snickered.
"I'm just giving you a hard time. I actually know what you mean. My father has tried to push me into it, but I couldn't give a wife the time that she deserved. There's always battles going on whether they're with my father or out in the field. Rarely do I find time to sit down by a fire or have a meal with a beautiful woman. In fact, earlier was the first time that I had done so in years." He gave a small flirtatious smirk.
"Very charming." I smiled.
"Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all night." He bowed and I laughed.
We crouched down as we approached the abandoned shack. Faint candlelight escaped through the breaks in the wood. Someone was definitely in there.
"Are you completely sure that it's occupied by Thalmor?" I whispered, pulling an arrow from my quiver.
"Yes. My men have reported that they've seen…"
"Don't move."
A cold blade rested against my neck and we both froze. Another blade rested against Merrik.
"Drop your weapons." The other man demanded. "Stand to your feet with your hands skyward."
Merrik and I obeyed and two Thalmor soldiers walked to the front of us with their swords extended. I had to act fast before they alerted the others. The Thalmor in front of me looked over to Merrik for a split second and it was all the time I needed.
I moved left and grabbed his wrist, extending his arm. My left hand blew out his elbow and then moved up to strike him hard in the throat, preventing his screams. I took his sword from his hand and drove it into his chest. On his way down, I unsheathed the dagger from his belt. With a quick turn, I flung the dagger at the other man and it connected in the side of his head.
"Let's go before someone finds the bodies." I whispered, grabbing my bow.
Merrik grabbed his sword from the ground and followed my lead. My eyes scanned the darkness, looking for any other signs of life as we approached the door.
I motioned towards Merrik with hand signals and instructed him to take the left after we entered. He nodded. After a deep breath, I kicked the door down and moved right. The Thalmor began to scramble.
On the right side, three Thalmor soldiers turned to look at me. Two charged with their swords and the other shot an ice spike at me. I spun to dodge the projectile and shot him in the heart. Then I nocked two arrows, kneeled, and took the other two soldiers down simultaneously. When I turned, Merrik stood over two bodies as well.
"Clear." I put my bow away.
"You know, you're not like any mercenary I've ever seen." Merrik sheathed his long sword and looked at the bodies behind me.
"Yeah, I get that a lot…"
"Would you be interested in joining the Imperial Army? I could really use a combat instructor." Merrik joked and I chuckled.
Per his request, we gathered and burned the bodies.
"Alright, lead the way." Merrik said, putting the fire out.
I nodded and we headed towards the cabin.
I knocked on the door and Desmond answered. He looked exhausted and upset. It appeared that Kari broke the news to everyone.
"Ashe, is everything alright?" Desmond asked, looking over at Merrik.
"I should be asking you that question. This is my friend Merrik. Can we come in? There's something I need tell all of you."
Desmond nodded and we walked in. Kari was sitting in a chair and Ryne stood to his feet, with his hand on his hilt.
"Merrik? What the hell do you want?"
"Ryne. Shouldn't you be in a cell somewhere?" Merrik glared.
"I take it you two have history." I muttered.
"Ashe, what is he doing here?" Ryne asked, returning the glare.
"There's no need to be hostile. Merrik is with me."
"I can see that, but why is he with you?"
"Well, that's what I came to talk to you about. Merrik and I just got back from the shack north of Morthal. We wiped out one of many Thalmor detachments." Ryne kept his eyes on Merrik and waited for a further explanation. "The High King hired me to eliminate the Thalmor threat. Merrik and I are going to be working together to find the missing locals. This will help us stay one step ahead of them and keep them off of Kari's trail. If I hear any news about Ysara..."
Ryne's eyes darted to me.
"Ashe, can I talk to you outside...alone?" Ryne interrupted.
My stomach turned. This was not going to go well. Ryne walked towards us, bumping Merrik's shoulder on the way out the door. I followed close behind and then he stopped and turned.
"Why did you bring him here?" Ryne asked, raising his voice.
"Obviously I didn't know the two of you hated each other."
"Not only did you bring him here, but you're going to be working with him?! What happened to helping us?"
"Are you serious? I'm not doing this for sport. The Imperials know where the Thalmor are hiding out and…"
"And they've done nothing this whole time!" He interrupted.
"Well now I'm involved and I'm going to take care of it. I thought you'd be happy about this."
"Why would I be happy?" He yelled.
"Because I'm leaving!" I yelled back. "I won't be your fucking problem anymore." Ryne expression softened ever-so-slightly but he continued to glare. "If I find out anything about Ysara, I'll let you know."
I walked passed Ryne and back into the cabin.
"We should get going." I said to Merrik. He frowned when he saw how flustered I was. "If I hear anything about Ysara, I'll let you guys know immediately. Kari, lay low for now."
When I turned to face Merrik, he took the hint and walked out the door. Before I exited, I turned to the others.
"Thank you...for everything. I'll talk to you soon." I said softly.
I walked out before the pit in my stomach could grow any more.