I got Skyrim Legendary Edition for my PC today... I also downloaded CamStudios... Know what that means? Imma make Walkthrough videos! Featuring none other than... Einarr and Lassarina! Once I make a few, I'll let you all know my Youtube channel!
Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter. Please Fave/Follow/Review. I've also noticed that some people are following me, and haven't followed the prequel. People, you might really want to consider reading Two Halves: Full Moon before you read this one. Some of this will make more sense if you do that first.
If you want to follow me socially, I have a Twitter account: NikkiNicole159 and I also have a Deviant Art account: Nicky-Nightmare
Chapter Twenty-One
Mercer's house had a hidden escape route, one that led right into the Ratway, just a few steps away from the Flagon's door. Stepping into the tavern, Lassarina received several confused looks from Delvin and Vex, wondering how she went from Mercer's place to the Ratway.
"Bastard had a hidden chamber," she growled. "There's a way into it right back there, in the ceiling."
"Must be how he transferred everythin' from the vault," Delvin muttered.
"Now I really want to kill him," Vex hissed.
"Best get back to Brynjolf," Delvin told Lassarina.
Lassarina nodded and turned towards the door to the Cistern, but right before she did, she turned back to Delvin and dropped the satchel full of loot on the table in front of him.
"Here," she said. "These are all the lighter valuables. He has more in his house though, so we should probably send a few thieves in to clear the joint."
Delvin opened up the satchel and gave her a satisfied grin, one that Vex shared. "Well, this is a start. I do like the bust of the Gray Fox."
"Hoarding all that to himself," Vex spat. "I'll probably go to that house myself."
"Fair warning, I completely destroyed the interior," Lassarina chuckled slightly, backing away from the table. "I pulled up floor boards and even sliced open the mattress."
She walked into the Cistern and saw Brynjolf standing at Mercer's desk, going through some papers with a scowl on his face. Lassarina could only imagine how stressed he was right now and walked over to him, giving him a sympathetic look.
"Learn anything?" she asked him.
"We've searched all of Riften and I've spoken to every contact we have," he sighed. "But there's no sign of Mercer. Any luck on your end?"
"He wasn't there," she answered. "But I found these plans."
Brynjolf smirked and took the plans from her, eying the blade at her hip. "Is that Chillrend?"
Lassarina looked down at the blade. "I don't know, it might be. I just took it from a display case in Mercer's hidden room. Thought it would be a fitting form of justice to kill him with his own blade."
"Can I have it once you're done with it?" he asked, his green eyes eying Chillrend as if it were the most beautiful tavern wench.
Lassarina smiled fondly at him and took the blade from her belt, handing it to Brynjolf. "You can have it now. Karliah gave me Gallus's blade, so I'll kill Mercer with that."
"Thank you, lass," Brynjolf smiled, leaning forward and dropping a kiss on her cheek, just like he would do when she was a little girl.
Placing Chillrend on his belt, Brynjolf turned his attention to the plans that Lassarina had brought and scanned them quickly, his smile turning into a frown.
"Shor's beard!" he cursed.
Lassarina stiffened. "What? What's he planning?"
"He's going after the Eyes of the Falmer," he told her. Seeing the confused look in her eyes, he elaborated. "That was Gallus's pet project."
"So what does this mean?"
Brynjolf leaned forward, completely serious. "If Mercer gets his hands on the Eyes, he'll be set for life and we'll never see him again."
Rage threatened to overwhelm her. "Then we have to stop him!"
"Agreed. It's bad enough that he took everything the Guild had left. Going after one of the last, greatest heists is just insulting."
"Well then, let's not waste any more time and go after the bastard!"
Brynjolf held up his hand. "Wait, lass. I spoke to Karliah, made amends for how the Guild's treated her. She wishes to speak to both of us."
He nodded over her shoulder, and Lassarina turned to see Karliah standing in the center of the walkway, the light from above shining down on her. Lassarina started to walk over to the Dunmer with Brynjolf at her side, curious as to what she wanted to speak to them about.
"Brynjolf," Karliah nodded to him, "it's time to decide Mercer's fate. Until a new Guildmaster is chosen, the decision falls to you."
"Aye, lass," he dipped his head, staring at the ground. "...and I've come to a decision. Mercer Frey tried to kill you both, he betrayed the Guild, murdered Gallus, and made us question our future." He took a deep breath, as if struggling to speak his next words. "He needs to die."
Lassarina instinctively reached over and grabbed Brynjolf's hand, squeezing it lightly, knowing how hard this all must be for him. Mercer had been someone Brynjolf trusted for many years. He had been a mentor and someone to look up to. Having been told that it was all a clever ruse to screw them all over was a lot to take in.
"We have to be very careful, Brynjolf," Karliah warned. "Mercer is a Nightingale, an Agent of Nocturnal."
He gave Karliah a hardened stare. "Then it's all true...everything I heard in the stories. The Nightingales, their allegiance to Nocturnal and the Twilight Sepulcher?"
Karliah hesitated, but nodded. "Yes, and that's why we need to prepare ourselves to meet Mercer on equal footing. Just outside of Riften, beyond the southeast gate is a small path cut up the mountainside. At the end of that path is a clearing and an old standing stone. I'd ask you both to meet me there."
Lassarina nodded and moved away from them, walking over to her bed and chest. She wanted to sort through her belongings before she went anywhere. Inside her chest was a spare set of Thieves Guild armor, in case something should happen to her first, and she decided to change into it. But before she could even move towards the screen the other girls had set up to change behind, a few of the thieves walked over to her, their faces holding a mixture of shame and curiosity.
"Can I help you?" she asked them with a glare.
They all flinched a bit, but Thrynn was the one to step forward and speak for them. "We wanted to apologize for buying into Mercer's lies."
"Aye, we shouldn't have believed him," Vipir added.
Lassarina looked at each one of them and smiled a bit. "Apology accepted."
"It didn't make any sense anyway," Rune scoffed. "She looks nothing like Ulfric Stormcloak; how could they be related?"
"Actually, that was true," Lassarina told them, tired of hiding it. Odds were the rumor was going to be flitting around for months. "Ulfric Stormcloak is my half-brother, but I'm not an informant for him. In fact, Jarl Ulfric can go fuck himself for all I care."
They all looked at her in shock, their mouths hanging open from her admitting the truth, and she shook her head in amusement as she walked over to the screen. She quickly changed into her Thieves Guild armor and stepped out from behind the screen to see Thrynn, Vipir and Rune flitting about the Cistern, spreading the knowledge that Lassarina really was Ulfric's sister.
"Honestly, don't they have anything better to do?" she muttered as she grabbed her pack off the bed and made her way to the ladder.
She made her way up to the city, stopping by a few shops to grab some things they might need while they were hunting down Mercer-potions, medical supplies, several quivers of arrows for herself and Karliah. Lassarina even picked up an impressive looking ebony sword from Balimund that contained an enchantment that would burn someone's flesh if cut with the blade. Once she was done purchasing supplies, she headed out the southeast gate and looked for the path Karliah spoke of.
Finding it was rather easy, since it was only a little ways away from the gates, and Lassarina turned onto it, smelling Karliah and Brynjolf's scents up ahead. She saw the standing stone long before she saw her companions, and she stared up at the large rock in awe. There was a strange carving right towards the top of the stone, which appeared to be a bird of some kind. Maybe a nightingale?
"I'm glad you're here," Karliah smiled, walking over to her.
Lassarina could not take her eyes off of the standing stone. "What is this place?"
She looked at the stone. "This is the headquarters of the Nightingales, cut into the mountainside by the first of our kind. We're here to seek the edge we need to defeat Mercer Frey."
"Edge?" she echoed. "What kind of edge?"
Karliah walked over to the stone wall nearby. "Follow me; I'll try to explain on the way."
Lassarina and Brynjolf followed Karliah through a set of heavy wooden doors into a hidden cave. Torches had already been lit up inside, lighting the way through the tunnel.
"So, this is Nightingale Hall," Brynjolf murmured, looking around. "I heard about this place when I joined the Guild, but I never believed it existed."
Lassarina turned to Brynjolf and smiled. "I think you used to tell me stories about the Nightingales when I was a child."
"Aye, I did," he grinned. "You only ever asked for stories about thieves."
Karliah looked over her shoulder at both of them. "The assumption that the Nightingales were just a myth was seeded within the Guild on purpose. It helped avert attention from our true nature."
She turned away, looking back at the path, and Lassarina noticed a concerned look on Brynjolf's face, as if he had something on his mind.
"What's wrong, Brynjolf?" Karliah asked.
Brynjolf looked up, startled. "Huh?"
"I can almost hear your brow furrowing."
"Aye, and I can see it," Lassarina chuckled, poking his forehead.
"I'm just trying to understand why I'm here, lass," he explained. "I'm no priest, and I'm certainly not religious. Why pick me?"
"This isn't about religion, Brynjolf," Karliah tossed casually over her shoulder. "It's business."
"Lassarina I can understand," he kept going, mumbling softly. "She goes to pray at the Temple of Mara every day when she's in Riften. She even prays to Talos now."
"I've come to acknowledge Talos as a Divine with whom I have much in common with recently," Lassarina told him coyly. "And Mara was the Divine my mother looked to the most. Einarr prays to her just as often as I do."
"What could you and Talos possibly have in common?" Brynjolf asked, giving her a look.
Lassarina shrugged. "Maybe one day I'll tell you."
Brynjolf chuckled as they all turned the corner, falling silent from the sheer amazement that struck them. Before them was a large hall, with a small stream and waterfall nearby. It looked like it was in shambles right now, with dust, cobwebs and broken furniture lying about. But, she could see that long ago, this hall was once a place that was home to Nightingales of old. Lassarina was already picturing how it must have looked in the past. It was such a shame that it had been reduced to this.
"This is Nightingale Hall," Karliah told them. "You're the first of the uninitiated to set foot inside in over a century."
"And how long has it been since anyone set foot in here?" Lassarina asked, curious.
Karliah frowned. "Twenty-five years."
Lassarina flinched, instantly wishing she hadn't asked. She knew that Karliah was sensitive about Gallus, and her question probably hurt her.
"If you'll both proceed to the armory to don your Nightingale Armor, we can begin the Oath," Karliah told them, pointing to the other side of the cavern.
She walked away from Lassarina and Brynjolf, not looking at them as she crossed the wooden bridge over the stream. Lassarina turned to Brynjolf and saw him still looking around, amazed.
"It's enough to make your head spin, eh?" he grinned.
Lassarina nodded, giving him a teasing glare. "Hard to believe a story you once told me is actually real."
They proceeded through the hall after Karliah, following her into a small room with three stones bearing the birdlike crest. When Lassarina touched the stone, it opened to reveal a set of black armor inside. She stared at it, reluctant to reach for it, something Karliah and Brynjolf noticed after they had changed into their Nightingale Armor.
"You appear hesitant to don your Nightingale Armor," Karliah said. "What's troubling you?"
Lassarina turned to Karliah. "You mentioned an Oath. Does becoming a Nightingale mean we have to pledge ourselves to a Daedric Prince?"
"Woah, becoming a Nightingale?" Brynjolf turned to Karliah. "I appreciate the armor, but that was never discussed."
"To hold any hope of defeating Mercer, we must have Nocturnal at our backs," Karliah insisted. "If she's to accept both of you as one of her own, an arrangement must be struck."
"What sort of arrangement?" Lassarina demanded. "I need to know exactly what I'm getting myself involved in."
"Aye, I do as well," Brynjolf nodded.
Karliah sighed. "The terms are quite simple. Nocturnal will allow you to become a Nightingale and use your abilities for whatever you wish. And in return, both in life and in death, you must serve as a guardian of the Twilight Sepulcher."
Brynjolf let out a mocking laugh. "Aye, there's always a catch." He then sighed heavily. "But at this point, I suppose there isn't much to lose. If it means the end of Mercer Frey, you can count me in."
"Well, I won't do it," Lassarina growled, turning her back on the armor still in the stone.
Karliah turned to look at her, her eyes, the only part of her still visible, wide in shock. "What do you mean you won't do it?"
"I won't be bound to a Daedric Prince," she spat. Glaring at Brynjolf she added, "You might not care where you go, but I want to go to Sovngarde when I die. I want to be reunited with my mother."
"Don't you go and tell me that I don't care where I go," Brynjolf snapped. "I'm only doing this because it's what's best for the Guild. I've spent my entire life there and will do anything to keep it safe!"
"You have no idea what it means to have your soul bound to a Daedra!" Lassarina snarled.
"And you do?" Brynjolf countered.
Lassarina didn't think. "Aye! I do!"
Brynjolf and Karliah both fell silent, staring at her in shock. Lassarina's hand flew to her mouth and she cursed herself silently for revealing too much.
"You've had your soul bound to a Daedric Prince?" Brynjolf asked her, his voice a shocked whisper.
Lassarina sighed and stared at the ground. "Not had, have. I'm still bound to him."
"Which Prince is it?" Karliah asked.
"A few months ago," Lassarina told them. "I almost died. My adopted father from Cyrodiil had found me and stabbed me. I was bleeding badly, and it didn't look like I was going to make it. Vilkas had been with me at the time, and to save my life, he transformed into a werewolf and fed me his blood, making me a werewolf as well."
"You're bound to Hircine," Karliah gasped.
"You're a werewolf?" Brynjolf shouted.
"Aye, it's not something I wanted," she explained. "Neither does Vilkas. But we recently found a way to cure ourselves." She reached into her pack and pulled out the Glenmoril Witch's head, making Karliah and Brynjolf recoil. "This is the head of one of the witches that cursed the Companions with the beastblood. All I have to do is throw it in the fires of Ysgramor's tomb and I'll be cured. I don't want to be freed of one Daedric Prince, only to get bound to another."
"Lassarina, it's the only way we'll stand a chance against Mercer," Karliah tried to reason with her. "Brynjolf and I, we need you to stand with us."
"I said I would help you Karliah," Lassarina glared at her. "But I won't give up my soul for this."
"You said you wanted to avenge the death of your son!" Karliah snapped, yelling for the first time since Lassarina met her. "If you don't do this, you'll never get your revenge. Your son's death will go unpunished. Can you live with that?!"
Lassarina flinched and stared at the ground. She was still tormented by the recurring nightmare of Mercer telling her that her son was dead, and then hearing her baby cry loudly all around her. It was a nightmare she hated more than the ones of the black dragon and of Helgen. It was a nightmare she wanted to be free of.
"I can see how much you want your revenge, Lassarina," Karliah told her. "All you need to do is stand with us and take the Oath."
Lassarina glared at Karliah. "Fine. I'll do it. But I swear, if I can find a way out of this Oath, I will take it."
Grabbing the Nightingale Armor out of the stone, Lassarina stripped off her Thieves Guild Armor and slipped her new armor on. It was black as night and fit like a glove, clinging to her form like a second skin. It was adorned with a cloak and cowl, and the entire set seemed to shimmer with some other worldly glow if looked at closely enough. This armor was special, of that Lassarina had no doubt.
"Good," Karliah nodded, leading them to an adjoining chamber and up to a gate. "After I open the gate, please stand on the western circle."
They entered the chamber, housing a large platform with three smaller platforms that branched out. Lassarina walked over to the one she was to stand on and saw the Nightingale crest on the floor. She stood there, her arms crossed, and waited for Karliah to begin the Oath. The Dunmer held her arms out wide and raised her head to the ceiling.
"I call upon you, Lady Nocturnal, Queen of the Murk and Empress of Shadow," she said loudly, her voice echoing around the chamber. "Hear my voice!"
The room was suddenly filled with a strange light; and in the center of the room, above the large platform in the center, an orb of light appeared, casting its unnatural glow upon them.
"Ah, Karliah," a woman's voice spoke from the orb. "I was wondering when I'd hear from you again. Lose something, did we?"
Karliah fell to her knees and bowed her head. "My Lady, I've come before you to throw myself upon your mercy and to accept responsibility for my failure."
"You're already mine, Karliah," Nocturnal said. "Your terms were struck long ago. What could you possibly offer me now?"
"I have two others that wish to transact the Oath," she told Nocturnal, raising her head, "to serve you both in life and in death."
"You surprise me, Karliah," Nocturnal's voice had the tone of a smile. "This offer is definitely weighted in my favor. Especially since you've brought that one."
Lassarina could feel Nocturnal's gaze upon her and stared at the large orb.
"My Lady?" Karliah seemed confused.
"She does not even know how special you are," Nocturnal told Lassarina. "For she had brought to me the Dragonborn."
Brynjolf and Karliah both gasped and Lassarina glared at Nocturnal. "I didn't think that a Daedric Prince would take an interest in me, let alone know who I am."
"We all want your soul," Nocturnal explained. "All of my siblings, and even the Nine Divines. But it would seem one of my brothers has already claimed you."
"He won't have a claim on my soul for long," Lassarina replied coolly. "And if I'm being perfectly honest, I have no wish to have my soul bound to you. I only agreed to this because Mercer Frey took something from me, something that can't ever be replaced."
"And what is that?" Nocturnal asked.
Lassarina felt her blood boil. "Mercer Frey killed my son. And now I want his life."
Nocturnal seemed rather amused. "You want revenge on Mercer Frey, something you can only get by pledging yourself to me, but you have no wish to do so. You, Dragonborn, are a very complicated person."
"Even if I pledge my soul to you," Lassarina told her. "I'll likely spend the rest of my life trying to find a way out of it."
"Is that so, Dragonborn?" Nocturnal hummed. "Very well, how about we make a special deal, then?"
Lassarina arched a brow. "I'm listening."
"You serve me for the remainder of your living life," Nocturnal offered. "And upon your death, you're free of your contract with me. I'd rather not have to waste my time fighting with the Nine Divines for your soul upon your death, especially since you'll only end up fighting me the entire time."
Lassarina's brows shot up in surprise. "So I'll only be bound to you while I'm living?"
"That's what I offered," the Prince replied. "But this is a one-time offer, one I do not extend to your companions here."
Lassarina looked over at Brynjolf and Karliah, both of them still staring at her in shock. She didn't enjoy the fact that her friends would be forever bound to Nocturnal, but she was also being given a break. Her soul was only bound to Nocturnal while she lived. Once she died, she could go to Sovngarde and be reunited with all those she lost and loved. Her mother, Kodlak, maybe even her son.
Turning to stare at Nocturnal, Lassarina nodded. "Deal."
She felt Nocturnal nod. "Very well, Karliah, you may proceed."
Karliah jumped at her name and rose to her feet. "L-lady Nocturnal, we accept your terms. We dedicate ourselves to you as both your avengers and your sentinels. We will honor our agreement in this life and the next until your conditions have been met."
"Very well," Nocturnal spoke and a light shined down on Lassarina and her friends. "I name your initiates Nightingale, and I restore your status to the same, Karliah. And in the future, I'd suggest you refrain from disappointing me again."
Nocturnal disappeared and Lassarina walked down to the large platform with her fellow Nightingales. They were both staring at her, and she pulled off her hood and cowl, extremely frustrated and annoyed by their amazed gaze.
"Shall I pose so you can paint a portrait?" she snapped.
Her tone seemed to snap them out of their daze and they both lowered their heads, clearly embarrassed for gaping at her.
"Forgive me, lass," Brynjolf murmured. "I just-we were both-"
"Shocked," Karliah finished.
"Aye," Brynjolf nodded.
"Just because I'm Dragonborn doesn't mean I'm any different from the person I was a few moments ago," she growled. "So don't treat me any different and stop staring. We've still got a job to do. Find and kill Mercer."
"You're right," Karliah agreed. "And now that you've transacted the Oath, it's time to reveal the final piece of the puzzle to you; Mercer's true crime."
Lassarina blinked and ran her fingers through her hair. "He's done more?"
"Mercer was able to unlock the Guild's vault without two keys because of what he stole from the Twilight Sepulcher...the Skeleton Key. By doing this, he's compromised our ties to Nocturnal and in essence, caused our luck to run dry."
"So this Skeleton Key," Brynjolf started. "It unlocks any door?"
"Well...yes," she nodded, struggling to explain it clearly.
"So that's how he was able to open those doors back in Snow Veil Sanctum," Lassarina laughed mockingly. "And here I thought he was some sort of master of lock picking."
"But the Key isn't only restricted to physical barriers." Karliah continued.
"How so?" Brynjolf tipped his head.
"All of us possess untapped abilities, the potential to wield great power, securely sealed within our minds. Once you realize the Key can access these traits, the potential becomes limitless."
Lassarina's interest in this item peaked. "The Guild should possess this item."
Karliah shook her head. "Although it would benefit the Guild more than you can imagine, in the end, it would do more harm than good. If they Key isn't returned to its lock in the Twilight Sepulcher, things will never be the same for the Guild. As time passes, our luck would diminish to the point of non-existence. And whether you know it or not, our uncanny luck defines our trade."
Brynjolf let out a chuckle. "First time I ever set out to return something..."
Karliah chuckled as well. "Very true. In our line of work, it's quite rare we set out to return a stolen item to its rightful owner."
Lassarina shook her head and pulled her hood and cowl back on. "Let's go."
"Wait," Karliah stopped her. "Before we depart, Brynjolf has some business to discuss. I suggest you listen to him."
Lassarina turned to look at Brynjolf, completely confused.
"Listen, lass," he started. "There's one last piece of business we need to settle before we go after Mercer."
"And what's that?"
He looked right at her. "The leadership of the Guild."
Lassarina stiffened. "Why tell this to me?"
"Karliah and I had a long discussion before you arrived here. Thanks to your efforts, Mercer's treachery has been exposed. After we deal with him, all that remains is restoring the Guild to its full strength. As a result, we both feel that you have the potential of replacing Mercer as leader of the Thieves Guild."
Lassarina blinked and stared at her oldest friend in disbelief. "Me! But, Bryn, what about you? You were Mercer's second!"
"I've been at this game a long time, lass," he smiled. "A long time. I've stolen trinkets from nobles and framed priests for murder. I'm good at what I do, maybe even one of the best. But it's all I know. I've never been one to lead. Never desired it, never cared for it. Don't want it."
"Bryn, I don't know how to lead. I don't know how I'll be able to handle all of this."
"I'll be there to help you out," Brynjolf reassured her. "So will Karliah and the rest. You won't be alone through all of this."
"It still doesn't feel right."
Brynjolf threw an arm over her shoulders and pulled her in close. "After your mother died and Einarr was adopted, I took it upon myself to take care of you. I brought you up to be a master thief. I watched you pick locks and pockets with ease. When you picked the lock box with the master lock I gave you, I knew that one day, you would rise to great heights in the Guild. You were destined to become our leader, of this I'm certain."
Lassarina smiled fondly at Brynjolf and turned a bit to hug him. She felt like a little girl again, hearing how she was going to be the greatest thief in Skyrim one day. She never thought once that she would lead them.
"Alright," she nodded. "I accept."
Brynjolf dropped a kiss on her head through his cowl. "Then it's decided. When this is all over and Delvin's contacts assure me that we've regained our footing in Skyrim, we'll handle the details. Until then, we have quite the task ahead."
Lassarina smirked. "Then let's get to it."
oOo
"WAKE UP!" screamed a woman's voice.
Einarr groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose, struggling to get his eyes open and ignore the throbbing in his head. Whoever was yelling at him wasn't helping. He was extremely hungover and had no idea where he was, or even what he did the night before. He slowly got up, hearing the woman reprimand him all the while.
"That's right," she hissed. "It's time to wake up, you drunken blasphemer!"
"Ugh," Einarr groaned, clutching his head as he stood up. "Where am I?"
The woman in robes scoffed. "Of course! You don't remember getting here. I'm guessing you also don't remember you and your friend coming in here and blathering incoherently about marriage or a goat."
"Marriage?" Einarr echoed, confused.
"Which means you don't remember losing your temper and throwing trash all over the temple," the priestess continued as if he hadn't spoken.
"Look, I'm sorry," Einarr grumbled. "I don't even remember how I got here."
The priestess glared at him. "Oh, I'd love to help you figure it out, but I'm so busy cleaning up the mess you made of our temple..."
"Which temple am I in?" he asked, looking around, spotting several statues of Dibella around.
"The temple of Dibella. In Markarth."
"I'm in Markarth? But I was in Whiterun just last night!"
The woman stared at him in disbelief. "I highly doubt that's the case. Now, if you were to help tidy up and perhaps apologize afterwords...I might be able to help you."
Einarr rolled his eyes as a sack was thrust into his hands. He got to work and started to tidy up the temple, taking a good look around since men weren't normally allowed inside. Once he was done, he had a bag full of odd things, but didn't give it much thought as he tossed it into his pack.
"Thank you very much for cleaning your mess," the priestess said with a smile. "I'm Senna.:"
"Can you tell me how I got here now?"
"Well," she hummed, stepping forward and looking him up and down. "You were deep in your cups when you and that friend of yours got here. You were ranting, but most of it was slurred. You said something about Rorikstead."
"My friend," Einarr started. "Was he a big Nord with black hair?"
"And blue-gray eyes? Aye, he was. He walked out of here with the alchemist's apprentice, who had been tagging along with the two of you. You were all extremely drunk."
"Did he say where they were going?" he asked.
"From the way they were grabbing each other, I'll guess they are at the inn," Senna chuckled. "Muiri had her legs wrapped around his waist and he was practically ripping her dress off."
"Glad to hear he's over my sister," Einarr muttered to himself.
Senna stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his chest. "Watching them gave a lot of my fellow priestesses ideas. If I hadn't been so angry at the sight of the temple, I would have probably allowed them to do what they wanted. I have a room in the back, if you're interested."
Einarr arched a brow and stared down at her, his ears getting hot at her husky, seductive tone. He quickly pushed her back with one hand. "Sorry, but I'm not. I'm married."
"So?"
"So, I'm loyal to my wife," he told her, stepping around and flashing the bond of matrimony around his finger. "We have a beautiful daughter and I love her. Sorry again for messing up your temple."
He ignored the little shriek of indignation behind him as he stepped out of the temple and walked down the steps. He really was in Markarth, which meant he must have been drunk longer than a night. Walking over to a random guard, he asked what day it was and learned he had blacked out five days ago! Whatever that Breton Sam had given him and Farkas, it was powerful and left them inebriated for a long time.
Einarr made his way over to the Silver-Blood Inn and stepped inside, walking right up to the innkeeper, who was arguing with his wife. "Excuse me?"
The man's wife turned to him and smiled. "Yes, can I help you?"
"I'm looking for my friend. He's a big Nord man, with blue-gray eyes and black hair. Might have been with a woman named Muiri?"
"Oh, them," the woman frowned. "They're in the room over there."
"Thank you."
Einarr walked right up to the room the innkeeper's wife had directed him to. It was dead silent inside, and Einarr gently tapped on the wood. He heard Farkas's familiar groan beyond the wood and sighed, opening up the door. The first thing he saw was Farkas, stark naked, with an equally nude Breton woman sprawled over his body. The woman was passed out, but Farkas was blinking his eyes open.
"Ugh, where am I?" he moaned.
"We're in Markarth," Einarr replied. "We've been away from Whiterun for five days."
"Five days!" he gasped, sitting up, completely forgetting about the woman on top of him and sending her falling off the bed.
She shouted loudly when she hit the floor and sat up, bleary eyed and confused. "Farkas, what in Oblivion did you do that for?"
"Who in Oblivion are you?" Farkas asked, staring at the woman in shock.
Muiri looked at him, clearly hurt, and grabbed her dress off the floor. "You don't remember me?"
"I don't even know how I got here," Farkas groaned, clutching his head.
"Fucking men," the Breton cursed, pulling on her dress, not even caring who saw her naked body. "You're all a bunch of fucking pigs! Sleeping with women and then leaving them the second you get a chance!"
Einarr stepped out of the way as she rushed past him, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. Once she was gone, he stepped into the messy room and shut the door behind him.
"She was pretty," he commented dryly, taking a seat in a chair.
"Fuck, what did I do?" Farkas grumbled.
"Put my sister behind you and took the first step to moving on," Einarr chuckled.
"I didn't want to do that. I don't even know what her name is."
"Muiri. Do you remember how we got here?"
"Nay," Farkas mumbled, laying back on the bed. "My head is killing me though."
"Aye, mine is too. Whatever that drink Sam gave us was, it was strong. He must have kept giving us more if we were blacked out for days. The priestess at the temple of Dibella told me I was saying something about Rorikstead; we should try and look for Sam there."
"Sounds like a plan, but can we rest a bit first? This hangover is going to kill me if I try to move."
Einarr chuckled and couldn't help but agree with him. "Aye, we'll leave tomorrow."
Ohhhhhh Snap! Farkas nailed a Breton! And Einarr got hit on! Not a bad five blacked out days! And Lassarina got a pretty good deal from Nocturnal... I honestly imagine that all those Daedra and Gods would be annoyed at having to fight for the Dragonsborns soul when they die...
I have another Contest! This time, I need my readers and followers to help me make some new whelps for the Companions. I will be selecting three. PM me character Bio's with detailed backgrounds and appearances. My three favorites will be placed into my story! BTW... I like unique names.
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and remember to Fave/Follow/Review!
Much love,
Mirage