I just thought 'hey, I got to make it up to you guys somehow.' And so, the next chapter, made before the last, is here. It is shorter, though and a lot more crap than the last.
Again, leave reviews if you are able. Again, a 1-10 would suffice.
About one and a half weeks have passed since the incident at Candlehearth Hall. A messenger arrived two days ago, saying that Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak was returning from Helgen. Of course, the news swept through Windhelm like a plague. The Nords celebrated while the Dark Elves and Argonians were in a rage. However, Haj-Jah couldn't care less, or more for that matter. He was on a mission.
Another girl has been murdered in Windhelm and the guards said that they were too busy looking for Imperial spies and being stretched thin with the Civil War. This time, Susanna The Wicked, the bartender to Candlehearth Hall, was the one killed just last night. Unfortunately, Haj has to work on his own. He has already talked to the witnesses that were crowding around Susanna's mangled corpse, but they didn't see anything. He remembered the second talk with Helgird quite clearly.
"Large diagonal cut from left shoulder." Helgird mumbled, but the sound was amplified in the Hall of the Dead.
"Helgird, have you found anything unusual?" Haj asked, slightly startling Helgird.
"Well..." Helgird said, "she's dead, but I don't think that's unusual."
Helgird laughed a little, but stopped when Haj didn't laugh.
"Sorry for that. Going off track." Helgird apologised.
"It's alright. So, the body..." Haj asked.
"The only thing that is unusual is the shape of the cuts. It looks like the tools that the ancient Nords used to prepare their dead for burial. I'm not sure who would have those tools." Helgird said.
Haj just stared at Helgird, on a train of thought that meant that she was the killer. Helgird must've sensed his accusations.
"O-other than me, of course." She added in.
"Ok. Thank you for your time." Haj said, beginning to walk out.
"Good. I have to keep preparing her for her burial." Helgird said, returning to her observations.
Haj-Jah had already followed the trial of blood to a lodge known as Hjerim. From what he could gather from Jorleif, the house once belonged to Friga Shatter-Shield, the very first victim of the Butcher. He had to ask her mother, Tova Shatter-Shield, for the key to the house. He was standing outside the Shatter-Shield's manor. He knew that someone should be awake at this hour, so he politely knocked on the door.
About ten seconds later, a lock was heard being undone. The door opened inwards, revealing a female Dark Elf.
"Good morning, my lord. What gives us the pleasure?" She asked, keeping the door open.
"I want to have a talk with Tova Shatter-Shield." Haj answered, keeping as respectful as possible.
"Oh, well. Come in then." The Dark Elf said, allowing Haj-Jah to enter.
"My thanks."
Haj carefully climbed the stairs, not wanting to break anything. When he reached the top, a young female Nord in expensive clothes begun to walk towards the stairs. She stopped Haj in his tracks.
"Are you here for work? If you are, see my father." She asked.
"No. I am, in fact, here to see Tova Shatter-Shield. On the accounts of Hjerim." Haj answered humbly, knowing how stuck up nobility can be if you address them incorrectly.
"Come this way, then." She said, waving Haj to follow her.
She lead him to an expanse, where a fireplace was situated. An old Nordic woman in equally as expensive clothing was sitting, staring into the fire.
"Mother." The woman in front of Haj said softly.
"Yes, Nilsine?" The woman asked, slightly turning her head away from the fire.
"There is someone here to talk to you. For... Friga." Nilsine answered.
Haj walked towards the spare seat, being respectful for the delicate state in which Tova is in.
"Tova Shatter-Shield. I'm Haj-Jah Cadorees. I'm currently investigating the latest kill of the Butcher." Haj introduced.
"Why did you need to see me for?"
"I need to get into Hjerim."
"Why?"
"Blood splatters were found leading into your daughter's house."
Tova remained silent, slightly clenching her fists on her laps.
"I know that this is hard for you to talk about. I am trying to catch the killer. But I need your cooperation. And I promise to return the key to you when I am finished." Haj said, saying it softly to not cause offence.
Tova sighed, contemplating. She dug into one of her pockets and pulled out a key. It was kept in good condition and obviously never saw much use. Tova took one of Haj's hands, laid the key inside the palm and closed the fingers to surround the key. She was looking into Haj's eyes with a stronger determination.
"Please, allow the soul of my daughter some closure by finding her killer and bringing them to justice. Please." Tova pleaded.
"I will and I promise." Haj said, standing up.
He made it to the doorway before turning back around.
"Tova Shatter-Shield, thank you." Haj said.
Haj walked out of the house and onto the streets. He kept to the Stone Quarter, where it was most visibly pleasing for now. Banners of the Bear of Eastmarch were hung up high and the streets were now regularly swept for the arrival of the Jarl. He was deep in thought, thinking about what he would do if he found the Butcher. Will he kill him outright? Or will he try to turn him in to the guards? He must've been in thought for longer than he should've, because now he has wandered towards the docks gates.
'I promised to see them. Maybe I will now.' Haj thought.
He approached the gates, where the guards kindly opened it for him. He begun to descend down the steps, and heard the gates slam shut behind him. He paid no mind to it, as gates slam shut all the time, Haj just hoped that it wouldn't interfere with his independent investigation. The stone steps that were leading down to the docks were visibly showing signs of wear and tear. Haj made it to the bottom, where the surprisingly few ships were docked. He saw Neetrenaza sharpening a blade on a grindstone, Scouts-Many-Marshes making runs to and from the ships unloading cargo but he couldn't find Shahvee. He finally spotted her, slaving away at almost completely frozen pelts. He walked through the docks, receiving a hiss from Neetrenaza on the way past.
Haj-Jah kept walking towards Shahvee. That's when he noticed a bandage wrapped around her left palm, a small bloody patch around the centre. Haj also noticed that Shahvee looked a bit saddened about something. He made his footfalls just a little bit louder, so her attention could be caught. She stopped for a second to look at whoever was coming. Upon seeing Haj coming, she looked back towards the pelt and instantly put on a happier face. But she didn't know that Haj saw her sad expression. Haj walked past the tanning rack and leant against the stone. He pulled the hood down, revealing more of his features to Shahvee, including the scars.
"Hello Haj-Jah. Finally thought to visit us?" Shahvee asked, still cutting at the pelt.
"Yes, Shahvee. Sorry about that. I have been busy with training and something else." Haj answered.
"Oh, and what is that, I wonder?"
"The Butcher."
Shahvee stopped slicing the pelt for a few seconds, contemplating. She knew of the Butcher, but she had no reason to be afraid. Whoever the Butcher is, they only hunt for Nord females only.
"I also saw that you are saddened by something. What is it?" Haj asked.
"My amulet of Zenithar. My most prized possession." Shahvee said, becoming more morose.
"What happened to it?"
"Thieves came and stole it. I believe they went to Lost Knife Cave."
"Ok."
Shahvee hissed in pain again, clutching her left hand which started to bleed profusely. Haj pulled off of the wall and knelt down to Shahvee's height.
"How did this happen?"
"The knife slipped."
Haj nodded slightly. He began to remove the bandage, but kept the palm up. He used his magic once again to heal it. But it was a large cut and drained Haj of his magicka stores quite quickly. He did manage to heal it, but left a sizeable scar across the palm.
"If you keep doing that, we have to repay you somehow." Shahvee said, remembering what happened one week and a half ago.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't fully heal it, Shahvee. But the bleeding will stop. And don't cut yourself again, or the debt may get bigger." Haj said jokingly.
Shahvee laughed. "Ok, Haj. I will keep a good grip on the blade." Shahvee said, picking up the fallen knife and continued to work at the pelt.
Haj walked away with a smile on his face. He walked past Neetrenaza once again. He hissed, as per usual, but Haj hissed back. Haj climbed up the steps leading up to the gate. The guards at the gate looked down and, upon seeing the scars that only Haj had, opened the gates. The little girl was there, holding the basket of flowers that she would sell frequently. Haj-Jah wished he knew why she did that, if her parents worked. But, he kept walking past her and up the steps. The city was like a warren, but Haj found himself wandering up to Hjerim.
The blood stain in front of the door was dry, but still visible. Haj put the key given to him into the lock and twisted it. The deadbolt moved and unlocked, allowing Haj to enter the lodge. To say it was dark was an understatement. Dust was thick in the air, making Haj cough by the amount. Every corner of the house was covered in thick cobwebs, what was left of the furniture was rotten from termites and covered in layers of dust. A pile of pots in an adjacent room were full of skeever droppings. Haj lit the inside of the pots on fire to burn the contents. He spotted a chest on the far wall. He walked over to it and opened it up to see the contents. A whole bunch of papers were inside, all reading the same thing.
Beware The Butcher.
Taking them all, he carried on. He also took the journal in the chest as well. The stuff on the other side of the lodge looked in good condition, but the house hasn't been lived in for months. The cabinet on Haj's left was fine but the contents were ruined, most likely from skeevers. The small set of ledges were filled with the "Beware The Butcher" posters but a discovery under the pile made an amulet become found. Eight-sided and jade. A worn depiction of a skull's face was seen in the middle of the amulet. Haj pocketed it, but felt uneasy having it there for some reason. He saw the second cabinet and, when he tried to move it, it stayed where it was.
'It's nailed to the wall.' Haj thought.
He opened the doors. There was nothing inside, not even a speck of dust. He pushed against the back wall of the cabinet. It moved backwards a bit and made a soft click. Haj pushed it to the left, revealing the worst room to him. A huge stone altar was the main feature. Bones, some white while others were brown, were either strewn across the wooden floor or placed neatly on the altar. Blood was splattered on the altar and on the floor. A set of bound books were seen on a bookshelf, all displaying a skull on the front cover. One caught Haj's eye, one that was similar to the journal from the chest. He put that in the small case he kept for books along with the other journal. With that, he left the house and walked towards the Palace of the Kings. He went inside and searched for Jorleif, which wasn't difficult.
"Hey, Jorleif. Do you know anything about these?" Haj asked, showing the steward one of the "Beware the Butcher" posters.
"Ugh. Have you been talking to Viola Giordano?" Jorleif asked. Haj shook his head side to side.
"She posts those all throughout the city. But someone keeps taking them down. Go and talk to her if you want an earful."
"And do you know what this amulet is?" Haj asked, taking the strange amulet out and holding it up.
Jorleif squinted, looking at it carefully. He shook his head. "Don't know. Talk to Calixto, he may give you a bit of gold for it."
"Ok." Haj said, putting the amulet into his pocket. "Thank you, Jorleif."
He walked out of the Palace and walked through the streets to Calixto's House of Curiosities. He entered the house and Calixto greeted him kindly, like every shopkeeper would.
'Or should.' Haj thought.
He made his way over to Calixto. The Imperial was sitting down.
"What can I do for you?" Calixto asked.
"I would like you to identify something for me." Haj answered, placing the amulet on the desk in front of Calixto.
"Oh, that. That is the Wheelstone. It is usually held by the court mage of Windhelm. I would pay you..." Calixto said, looking at the amulet for its worth. "500 gold for it."
Haj-Jah was not convinced. He knew the history and the look of the Wheelstone. Even Wuunferth has it but tucked away in a drawer under lock and key. But, for all purposes to satisfy Calixto's collection, Haj played along.
"Alright, Calixto. You got yourself a deal." Haj said, shaking hands with the Imperial.
"Pleasure doing business with you." Calixto said, taking the amulet and replacing it with a pouch of the five hundred gold that Calixto promised.
Haj took the pouch and, bowing slightly, walked out of the house. He looked at the pouch again and tied it to his waist. He was about to walk back to the Palace when a war horn sounded. More war horns followed the initial one, signalling that some one important has come to the city. Everyone who was everyone started to run towards the gates, so Haj followed them. Luckily, he was able to make his way to the front of the crowd that gathered.
The gates were opening, and rather quickly. A person on horseback came through, covered with furs and followed by soldiers garbed in blue. Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak has returned to Windhelm, his loyal Stormcloak soldiers following him from the harsh journey from Helgen to Windhelm. When Ulfric rode through the gates, all of the inhabitants cheered for him and the return of loved ones.
Haj-Jah remained silent, since the Nords and Imperials were cheering and the Dark Elves were cursing and yelling obscenities like the ever classic "n-wah" and "swit" to Ulfric. Suddenly, there was a clap of thunder, one that might've echoed across all of Tamriel.
"DO-VAH-KIIN!"
'So similar to what happened a few days ago.' Haj thought. The exact same yell and clap was heard echoing throughout the sky the day before at some ungodly hour in the morning.
All of the Nords stopped celebrating. Even the group of returning soldiers stopped and looked to the southern sky. Haj walked away from the gates and hurried to the Palace, where it would take some time for Ulfric to get to.
When he did reach the inside, he immediately took off his hood and dashed towards the side room where Wuunferth's quarters were located. He ran in and closed the door sharply.
"Haj, what is the meaning of this?" Wuunferth asked.
"Master Wuunferth, you've taught me a few things from Restoration, Illusion and Alteration schools. But, with me trying to find the Butcher, I need some more training in Destruction and Conjuration." Haj requested.
Wuunferth sighed. He dug through the bookshelves and pulled out one book. While it bore the sign of Oblivion on the cover, all mages knew that it was the sign for the school of Conjuration. Wuunferth handed it to the young Argonian.
"Bound Sword. You may need some training in the sword to use it effectively." Wuunferth said.
"Thank you, master Wuunferth." Haj said, bowing slightly and leaving the room.
However, when he opened the door, the sight of Jarl Ulfric met the two mages. Shocked for a few seconds, they bowed in response to his presence.
"No need for that, you two. Let's make this casual." Ulfric said.
Haj moved out of the way to allow the Jarl to walk through. He closed the door when Ulfric sat down in one of the chairs. Wuunferth sat on the bed while Haj kept standing.
"Now, Haj-Jah. I've heard that you gave Galmar quite the beating." Ulfric said.
"Ummmmmm..." Haj mumbled, scratching the tough scales on the nape of the neck.
Ulfric laughed heartily while Wuunferth looked on in shock. "Galmar and I are impressed. Even though in self-defence for your own people but Galmar has recommended you for the Stormcloak army."
Haj's and Wuunferth's eyes widened even more.
"I..I'm sorry, Jarl Ulfric but... I can't. I promised my parents and sister that I wouldn't go into war." Haj said.
"Which one?" Ulfric asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"My only one, Beekah." Haj replied.
The door opened again, this time a courier was behind it, followed by Galmar Stone-Fist.
"A letter for you, sir." The courier said, holding a letter out to Haj-Jah.
Haj pulled out a few gold coins and swapped the letter for the gold. "For services rendered." Haj said while making the swap.
The door closed, hearing the muffled voice of Galmar behind it. Haj looked at the letter, fingering the edge slightly. Silence was heard in the room, becoming deafening. Haj-Jah opened the letter and read the contents. His reptilian lips mouthed the words written on the page. His eyes went through many stages, shock, anger and some degree of happiness.
"I need to leave for Ivarstead in a weeks time. Beekah and the sister I never knew would come here to Windhelm before us three leave."
"But, Haj, weren't you looking for the Butcher? You've asked for the Conjuration school of magic to be taught, and now you would just leave us?" Wuunferth asked.
"You're searching for the Butcher, Haj-Jah?" Ulfric asked.
Haj, not wanting to speak anymore, nodded.
"I'll make the guards more vigilant for the Butcher, don't you worry." Ulfric said, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
"I have a week! I may catch him!" Haj reassured, yelling through the door.
"Ok. Let's hope that no more women are killed now." Wuunferth mumbled.
Giving Wuunferth some space to think, Haj left the room and the Palace as a whole. He was walking through the streets when he saw a lady posting a "Beware the Butcher" poster on a wall. Haj walked up to her, careful to not startle her.
"Viola Giordano." Haj said quietly. It successfully caught her attention. "I suppose you could help me look for the Butcher?"
Viola sighed heavily. "Yes, I can." She answered.
Haj pulled the two diaries out of the book pouch and handed them to Viola, who looked at him quizzically.
"I found these two diaries in Hjerim, both written from the Butcher. There's necromancy happening in that lodge." Haj explained.
Viola was at a loss for words. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. "Thank you. Give me a few days and I'll tell you what I've found."
She walked away, leaving Haj-Jah out in the cold. He turned and walked out to the docks. The scenery hasn't changed much, a few extra boxes were set up and a few more boats were docked. Scouts-Many-Marshes and Neetrenaza were ferrying back and forth to the boats, unpacking them of their cargo. Deciding that watching them work wasn't helping, Haj-Jah walked down and assisted Scouts in lifting up a particularly heavy box of cargo.
"My thanks, Marsh-Friend." Scouts said, lifting up the box.
"Least I can do." Haj replied, lifting up his end of the box at the same time as Scouts-Many-Marshes.
They carefully manoeuvred the box off of the ship and onto the stones of the docks. From there, they carried it back to the piles of boxes, where employees from the currently failing East Empire Company were taking stock. Scouts-Many-Marshes and Haj-Jah, when they let go, were panting from the exhaustion. Scouts looked at the sun's position.
"Time for rest. Once again, thank you." Scouts said, standing back up to straight.
"That is the worst labour I had to do in my life." Haj said.
"I'm sure you have to leave for the Palace now. The guards lock the gates at a certain time."
"Alright. Goodbye then."
