Chapter Fourteen
Do it... Do it!
The redguard stood at the door, her nose pressed into the wood as she tried so hard to bring her fist up and knock on the simple oak wood frame. A brunet nord stood an arms length away, arms crossed with determination as she watched and waited. Yosa'Min gave a frustrated sigh, and stepped back. "I can't Lydia!" She growled.
"Yes you can!" Urged back the housecarl. "Now knock!"
"Damn you to Oblivion!" Hissed the thane as she turned back to face the door. Her heart was racing, she was here to tell the truth and dispel the lies between the two of them. But she was afraid, absolutely terrified. Having faced down the world-eater Alduin one would imagine nothing scared the woman. But this, this she was scared to death of. Of the rejection, and the hate that would be aimed her way. "She'll hate me!" Yosa'Min restated for the hundredth time.
Lydia promptly gave the same answer back each time. "And she'll hate you even more If you don't."
"I can't do it Lydia." Yosa'Min snarled, and was about to turn and run when the door opened and there stood the breath-taking nord.
"Yosa!" She smiled wide, crutch tucked under her arm as she stood there basked in a warm light. "You're back so soon, it's just been three days. I would have thought you'd be gone longer." Mjoll said, already hobbling to the side to let them both enter. "Do come in! It's late, you could stay the night if you wish. The Bee and Barb is known for its drinks, not its beds. Who's your friend?"
The pair walked in, Yosa'Min doing her best not to seem awkward or stare at the nord's eyes. She couldn't allow herself to. Crossing over to a chair, Lydia just plopped down and smiled warmly at the fellow nord. "This is Lydia, my housecarl from Whiterun. Lydia this is Mjoll the Lioness." Yosa'Min introduced the pair.
"Nice to meet you." Mjoll smiled.
"The pleasure is mine. I've heard quite a bit about you from Yosa'Min here." Lydia said, a devilish smile on her face. Instantly Yosa'Min frowned and shook her head, standing behind the Lioness so she could not see her.
Instantly Mjoll perked up, her smile widening at the words. "Oh? All good I hope." She looked back at Yosa'Min who plastered on a smile.
"Oh certainly all good. In fact-"
"How's your ankle?" Yosa'Min cut Lydia off with a rush. "Better any?"
Mjoll nodded her head, shaking the ankle in question for show. "Yeah, just a few more days and I can walk on it again. Life in Riften is so dull when you're stuck in your home. Getting an itch to go exploring again but Aerin won't let me out of his sight." She sighed, the imperial as mentioned walking down the stairs at that moment.
His eyes narrowed at the sight of women in his home, zeroing in on the redguard instantly. "Oh, guests?" Aerin asked and protectively walked over to Mjoll. "You should sit."
"I'm fine." Mjoll replied firmly. "I've rested enough, I can stand for a little while my friend." She stared down at him until he relented, hands up in the air and took a step back. "So, what did you have to do up in Whiterun?" Mjoll asked, the friendliness seeping back into her voice as she looked at the arrivals.
Lydia remained silent, looking up at her thane expectantly. She was supposed to tell her. Then and now. Yosa'Min's heart started racing, and she felt her mouth go dry. "I-" The redguard blinked, her hand was shaking. "It was a long trip, could I have something to drink?" She deflected. Aerin nodded, and headed into the basement to retrieve some mead.
Mjoll was still smiling warmly, and it was making the redguard's stomach clench and tangle into knots. "I couldn't help but wonder what sort of fun you were up to." The nord confessed.
Aerin returned with a bottle of black-briar mead for the pair, handing one to Yosa'Min and another to Lydia who accepted it with a smile. "Well there was a lot of skeevers." Yosa'Min said as she drank from the mead, the stuff wasn't exactly the best but it would have to do. "And a lunatic who was breeding the things to attack the surface."
"Really?" Mjoll laughed wistfully.
A grin spread across the redguard as she regained some of her confidence. "Oh yeah, I've got his journal here if you want to see it."
"Sure, I'd love to have something to read while I'm stuck in the home like this." Mjoll replied with gratitude. "It's been boring honestly."
Chuckling as she imagined the adventurous nord stuck in the tight home, bored out of her mind and getting all sorts of stir crazy. "I would think so." They smiled at each other for a moment, and then the redguard shook a rise of curious thoughts of what Mjoll's lips would taste like against hers. If they'd be sweet or spicy, soft and giving or possessive. Clearing her throat, the redguard continued. "He was a mage too, tried to set me on fire. I don't get what is with all these mages and flames!"
Mjoll gave an earnest laugh, Lydia joining some from where she sat. Yosa'Min leaned against the wall, content to let them chuckle some. Aerin however, was pulling on the fakest smile the redguard had ever seen. She stifled a snort at the expression. "You seem to have a bad habit of running into these pyromaniacs." Mjoll chuckled.
"You should have seen it when we were hunting down Alduin." Lydia added, instantly the nord had her fellow's attention in whole. "All sorts of creatures we'd have to face down, including mages and necromancers and some absolutely hideous draugr." The brunet chuckled.
"There was one time from my exploring days that I went into a dwemer ruin called Mzinchaleft. I went rather far in in truth, those blasted traps and machines doing little to stop my lust for adventure. I was adventuring in the depths of the ruins when I was attacked by a massive construct... like nothing I had ever seen. When the colossus struck, Grimsever was knocked from my grasp and I was wounded badly. I managed to crawl into the lift there in the room and it took me to the surface before the monster could finish me off. When I came to, I was here in Riften being tended to by Aerin."
The imperial smiled for real at the words, standing a little straighter where he stood besides Mjoll. "I was stunned to say the least to have found such a woman as Mjoll so badly hurt out in the snow." He stated.
"I'm glad you did." Mjoll smiled at him, and the look she gave him made the redguard's hands twitch towards her bow. The housecarl did not miss the motion, and just shook her head.
"My thane..." She whispered to Yosa'Min who turned to her.
"No. I have an idea." Yosa'Min replied with an equally hushed tone before she cleared her throat and raised her voice. "So where was this ruin Mzinchaleft?"
"Oh, it was southwest of Dawnstar and east of a nordic tomb called Ustengrav." Mjoll replied, curiosity making an eyebrow raise. "You aren't planning on going there are you?"
The redguard gave her a sly grin. "I'm familiar with the area. Maybe if I'm ever passing by..."
But her words had the opposite effect the redguard had been wanting. "Yosa that place was dangerous, it nearly killed me. Don't risk yourself for my sword. It's gone, and while I miss it I'd miss you more." The nord was firm with her words, arms crossing best they could without losing the crutch.
Yosa'Min waved the nord's concern aside however. "Remember I hunted down Alduin and killed him in Sovrngarde. I'm certain a dwemer ruin won't get the best of me Kitten."
Still the nord frowned. "Oh so you're just that much better then me?" She challenged, and Yosa'Min blinked.
"What? No I didn't mean to offend you Mjoll!" Yosa'Min said quickly, shaking her head wildly. "I swear it I was just trying to reassure you!" She flung her hands about for extra measure.
Mjoll glared at her for a moment, and then sighed. "Right sorry... I'm just concerned is all."
"There's no need I promise." Yosa'Min gave her a gentle smile. "So have you lot had dinner? I can treat us all to a meal at the Bee and Barb otherwise."
"That sounds nice." Lydia agreed, looking at the actual residents expectantly.
Aerin gave a gruff response when Mjoll gave a warm smile. "Yes please. You still haven't given me that meal after all." The Lioness started hobbling towards the door, Yosa'Min cutting her off to open it for the crutch-wielding woman. "Thanks." Mjoll blushed lightly and made her way outside with Aerin and Lydia close behind. The imperial locked it while the trio started towards the inn.
Once they'd arrived, the place filled with late night drinkers, the four of them chose a table suited to their needs and Yosa'Min pulled a chair out for the injured nord who blushed at the gesture. A fifth chair was pulled up by the redguard as well, allowing her to rest her ankle to the side. Aerin was fuming from behind as she stalked up. "I'll go order some us food." He offered.
"Some warm venison stew please." Lydia politely put in.
"Think they'll have seared slaughterfish and potatoes?" Yosa'Min asked, and Mjoll nodded her head with agreement at the choice. "Two then please Aerin." Requested the redguard, sitting next to Mjoll and finding a hand idly moving towards the nord's hand on the top of the table. She stopped it before it got too close. Yosa'Min spotted Lydia arch an eyebrow. 'Shush' The redguard mouthed with narrowed eyes at the nord.
They sat there for a moment while Aerin walked off towards where Keerava was waiting at the bar. The exchanged looks, and then before anyone could predict it Mjoll was grinning like a fool. "Mjoll?" Yosa'Min asked. "What's with the look?"
"Oh nothing." The Lioness chuckled. "Just thinking about what you said to me. I can't believe I hadn't realized it before." She shook her head in disbelief.
"What?" Lydia asked, sitting forward in the chair across from Mjoll. "What did Yosa'Min say to you?"
The redguard laughed. "You mean about Aerin? Wanting to be more then your friend?" She smiled.
"Yes. I've been looking at him a little differently these past few days while you were gone." Mjoll admitted, not noticing the redguard tense a little as she took in one of the several meanings from that sentence. Just how differently? In what way? Yosa'Min's eyes widened as she thought deeper. "Your little kindness just made it all the more clear. I feel so dense." Mjoll laughed, hiding her face in her hands as she blushed. "I've lived here for years and it took you to open my eyes."
"In what way?" Yosa'Min's voice rose in its octaves twice, the hand she'd been reaching out idly towards Mjoll almost grasping the nord's pale and slender hand. "I think I recall you saying something about him when I was drunk and over at your home." She was pleading for reassurance of what she thought the nord felt. Mjoll however, wasn't picking up on everything the redguard was sending.
"Did I?" The golden haired nord asked.
Taking it as her chance, the redguard nodded her head wildly. "I believe so. Something about... family? Yeah seeing him as family." Her fingers were inches from the nord's, just barely keeping them from taking the hand. Mjoll was looking over at where Aerin was waiting on their meals. The object of her gaze was making the redguard panic.
"Well yeah, he's like a brother to me. But it feels slightly weird now to think he's romantically interested in me." Mjoll at last said, and the redguard's hand pulled back with relief. Lydia was silently watching the exchange. "I'll confess I've been rather snappy with him as of late because of it. I can't wait for my ankle to heal so I can get out into the open woods once more. Hunting always clears my head."
"Well I'll take you once your ankle is healed." Offered Yosa'Min.
Mjoll smiled. "Will it just be us two, or is your housecarl coming along with?"
Yosa'Min turned to Lydia, eyeing her for a long moment before the nord answered for herself. "I think my thane would prefer to have you all to herself." A knowing look crossed her face, eyes full of mirth. She hadn't had this much fun since training. "I'll find plenty to busy myself with here in Riften. I hear the city is full of thieves?"
Instantly the golden haired nord scowled. "Oh it's horrid is what it is. So rotten and corrupted, it makes me sick. You can see thieves running about in the streets sometimes, and the whole city turns on them thankfully. I'm afraid that more of them get gutted before they can be detained however." She shook her head, Yosa'Min shooting daggers at the brunet who politely watched Mjoll. "The poor are left to suffer and countless times over those who could make a difference refuse to out of fur of Maven Black-Briar. It's her and her family that are the source of this corruption. The Guild couldn't survive without her and her backing." She sneered with anger.
Yosa'Min was fighting the urge to split at that moment, outraged that her housecarl would dare bring up the topic to Mjoll at the moment. Not if she was wanting Yosa'Min to confess. The pair would certainly be having a talk afterwards. "You ever meet one of those thieves?"
"Oh yes, Vex." Mjoll laughed with a cold tone. "She tried to steal from Aerin's home, and I caught her. The blasted imperial isn't all bluff though, even in close quarter combat she was hard to pin, and that's my preferred way to fight. Ended up in the basement with my blade against her throat when she socked me in the temple. It was actually a good blow, stunned me long enough for her to make a clean brake. Didn't see her again until I met Yosa here out on the road." The nord paused for a second, brow furrowing. "Why were you two traveling together Yosa?"
The redguard's mind had slipped into various images of the two women she was attracted to tumbling about on the ground locked in combat, sweaty and angry before they ended up slipping into actions they obviously didn't take. A typed that involved a lack of clothes. The redguard blinked. "What?" She was certain she'd been asked a question.
Mjoll laughed a bit. "I asked why you were traveling with Vex when we meet out in Eastmarch. You never did tell me Yosa."
Blue eyes widened, realization dawning on her as to just why Lydia had brought up the Guild. Trying to get her to speak about her affiliation to them and get it out in the open. But the redguard had her own plan now, and a few more lies would be well worth it. "I was traveling to Riften in search of myself. As you know, I lost my brother and I've been struggling with my purpose since then. I heard some stories about the game here in Riften, and I'd long since picked every species there was out in Whiterun so I figured why not?" She gave a shrug. "Along the way I found her and I like to consider myself compassionate so I offered her a ride. It honestly was that simple."
The nord with the golden locks nodded her head. "Well I hope you checked your coin purse afterwards."
"Not a single coin gone I assure you." The redguard smiled. Lydia was peering at her thane with narrowed brown eyes. "Ah, our meals." She smiled as Aerin and Keerava crossed over, the plates and bowls being placed down with a bottle of mead for them each. Aerin took his seat besides Mjoll and across from Yosa'Min, trying his best to appear not too scowly to the women.
"I should consider myself lucky." He laughed. "Eating dinner with such beautiful women." Yosa'Min rolled her eyes, the imperial looking across at her with narrowed eyes. "And then the Dragonborn. Not many can boast to that now can they?"
"Don't call me that." Yosa'Min growled sullenly.
"But you are the Dragonborn are you not?" He pressed, a self-content grin spreading across his face as he seemed to just grow more annoying to the redguard.
Her teeth gritted and her knuckles paled as she clutched the armrests of the chair she sat in. "I am. I do not go by that title however."
Aerin snorted. "What did you do Dragonborn to make you hate it?"
"Aerin-" Mjoll started only to be cut off by the imperial's laugh. "Aerin! Lay off!" The nord shouted.
"I want to find out Mjoll. I want to know why I shouldn't say it." He laughed maniacally.
Yosa'Min narrowed her eyes as words sprung to the forefront of her mind. Words of Power. Lydia picked up on the way the redguard was taking in larger breaths, preparing something mighty nasty for the sneering imperial if he didn't stop. "Aerin, I suggest you stop there." The brunet advised with a warning tone.
"You know don't you Lydia? Why she hates being called what she is? The Dragonborn!"
"I'm warning you, she is not one to patronize Aerin." Lydia stated lowly, about to restrain him before her thane did something far more drastic. The entire inn had stopped their conversations, looking at the table with wide eyes and stunned faces. The air was growing hot as the redguard's face tensed, her blue eyes darkening with her rage. "You have one chance to walk away." Hissed the housecarl.
"Is it because you abandoned your brother?" Aerin asked.
Yosa'Min blinked. How could he know that? She snapped, her words spilling out of her mouth with such power the ground shook. "Fus Ro Dah!" Aerin was thrown along with the chair across the inn, slamming into the other pair of doors leading outside. The force behind the shout was so great that he went through them, a gaping hole left in the wood as a furious redguard stormed after him. Aerin was laying out in the night street, groaning in pain where he was stunned, the world swirling around him.
Gripping his shirt with a sneer, Yosa'Min hauled the dazed imperial over to the bridge where he was promptly hung by his feet over. "You want to say that again!" She shouted, shaking him violently as her fingers curled into his ankles painfully. He yelped in pain, screaming out in fear.
"No! No! I'm sorry!"
"How the hell did you know about Vastin huh? Tell me!" Her words were laced with the thu'um, earth shaking around them.
He started crying, head swirling where he was hanging. Mjoll was struggling to her feet and trying to cross over and stop the raging redguard. Lydia was standing a bit away, the whole inn was crowding around them as people emerged from their homes if they were nearby. Even the guard stood a safe distance away, uncertain if they should get involved. "I heard you talking with Mjoll and I asked around okay! I just knew that you had one and that he was dead okay!" Aerin cried out painfully.
Yosa'Min pulled an arrow from her quiver, pressing it against his throat. "Are you sure that's all milk-drinker?" Hissed the furious redguard. Mjoll was there then, grabbing her wrist and pulling the arrow away from the crying man's throat.
"Yosa'Min! Stop this! What he did was uncalled for but you don't need to be so violent!" She pleaded, worry and concern dashed across her face. "I told you he was my oldest friend, I refuse to let him be treated like this."
Fury swept up the redguard who looked at her with outrage. "And what of me huh? He's allowed to talk to me like that? He's allowed to slander my brother! I didn't abandon him, I was captured and caught up in this damn province's problems and you want to know what happened when I got back? He was dead! The last thing I said to him was a lie! I made my brother a promise and was unable to keep it because of your fucking civil war!"
Pain filled the nord who's grasp on the redguard's wrist lightened, choking back words. "I'm sorry." She whispered in the silent night despite nearly every single citizen of the city being present and watching. "Please let him go."
Yosa'Min stared at her, trying to calm herself, and then let go of the whimpering imperial's ankles, sending him falling into the canal with a splash. Hot tears streamed down the redguard's face, white sunbursts smearing with the river that flowed from pained blue eyes. Before anyone could stop her the redguard was running. "Wuld Nah Kest!" Shouted the Dragonborn, sending her to the gates before a single soul could dare to stop her.
"Yosa!" Mjoll shouted.
"It's better to let her cool off when she's like this." Lydia advised.
"I don't care! Yosa!" Mjoll hobbled after her, Lydia ran to retrieve the flailing man from the waters, and the crowd was simply standing there.
"Yosa'Min!" Mjoll shouted after her, exiting the gates and making her way to the stables. Archer was still in his pen, meaning the redguard was on foot. Squinting the nord could spot Yosa'Min fleeing form. Rushed, Mjoll mounted a horse with a cry of pain, spurring it into action to give chase of the redguard. "Yosa! Wait!" Her words were lost in the wind.