As the week progresses into the next, Diamond and Aela have been wiping out packs of the Silver Hand while retrieving more fragments of Wuuthrad. It pained her to be keeping their little hunting expeditions secret from Kodlak, but until she feels they've avenged Skjor's death, they will die.
Meanwhile, Libby hasn't really done anything besides spending time with Princess Nassari. Not that she really minded; she loved being with the princess. What started off as letters sending requests for her company a couple times a day, soon turned into habitual get together almost every day. Whether to eat together, or simply stroll around the castle, or simply lie in bed in the princess's room and talk, Libby was glad to have been made a friend of her.
Then the day finally arrives for the Warrior's Festival, and Libby was more than excited for the chance to enjoy the autumn's celebration. Nassari had explained how in Elsweyr, they call the festival Samhain. Libby liked that title better. As rude as it may sound, proclaiming the festival only for warriors seemed rather limited.
The festival was seen as a liminal time, when the boundary between this world and the Otherworld could more easily be crossed. This meant the spirits or fairies could more easily come into our world. At Samhain, it was believed that the fairies needed to be propitiated to ensure that the people and their livestock survived the winter. Offerings of food and drink were left outside for them. The souls of the dead were also thought to revisit their homes seeking hospitality.
Feasts will be had, at which the souls of dead kin were beckoned to attend and a place set at the table for them. Mumming and guising were part of the festival, and involved people going door-to-door in costume, often reciting verses in exchange for food. The costumes may have been a way of imitating, and disguising oneself from the fairies. Divination rituals and games were also a big part of the festival.
There would be other bonfires around, thousands of them scattered throughout the various fields and streets and open squares. Maypoles will be wrapped with streamers of the autumn leaves, painted skulls and carved pumpkins would be on every doorstep, autumnal wreaths made from dried branches will be hung on every door.
Libby was more than excited to finally have fun in her life, but what she didn't expect was for Nassari to show up at the Companion's door, her guards in toll. When Kodlak asked what was happening, Proventus explained how Jarl Balgruuf wanted the princess to enjoy herself at the festival. And so, since Libby (or Lilian) was the only person who spoke Elsweyr, she was assigned to escort her.
Libby didn't mind, in fact, she got up from her seat she had at the dining table and hurried to the princess, wrapping her in a joyous embrace. Nassari was just as excited as well, her smile brightest and most genuine it has been upon her arrival.
The assassin now sits in a chair across from Nassari, whining aloud as the princess blends face paint onto her cheeks. "Uh, I don't like it. How do you do this?" Libby whines in Elsweyr.
Nassari giggles as she continues to work her way towards the other cheek. "I do this every day."
"How?"
"It is not that bad, Lilian." They're sitting at Nassari's borrowed vanity, a scattering of cosmetics on the top – just bits from the enormous collection set in the princess's dressing room.
"No really how? You have fur on your face, and you don't really need it." she smiles when she hears the princess chuckle.
"You are sweet." The princess responds, and Libby could just hear the smile on her lips.
"How does it not feel like you have mud on your face?" Libby says, clenching her eyes shut to ensure nothing leaks inside.
"It actually feels really good. I do not know what is wrong with you." Nassari says as Libby feels her starting to make circles on her forehead. Her breath tickles Libby's knuckles, the smell of her perfume infecting Libby's nose.
"I hate it. I hate having stuff on my face." Nassari has already finished doing her own makeup, her having a thick kohl lining around her lashes. She wanted to do Libby's face next, and the assassin allowed her, despite herself. More out of order of the princess than voluntary.
The princess was already set for the festival, dressed in a gorgeous gown with billowing skirts, exquisite coloring, and whorls of sequence. The completion of the attire being her bone-colored slippers on her feet. Beautiful lace adorns this stunning gown, set in a formfitting silhouette with a sweeping train behind her. Its sweetheart bodice is in the color beige, completely covered with sparkling crystals and jewels cascading into a sheer midriff nude skirt with gold tulle gussets. Her delicate gold earrings glitter in the light, drawing eyes to her elegant neck.
The princess clicks her tongue in annoyance and sets her things on the vanity. Libby blinks her eyes open and exhales. She watches Nassari effortlessly sort through the many tins, containers and brushes, mimicking a painter with so many equipment littering along the vanity. Nassari forbid Libby from looking in the mirror until she is done.
Taking a thicker brush, Libby watches as the princess circles the brush into the rouge powder, small plumes of smoke billowing up. Vocally whining again, Libby closes her eyes again as she feels the princess brush the rouge onto her cheeks.
"Doesn't that feel good?" Nassari says, suppressing a giggle.
"Sure."
"This is fun. I wish you would let me practice makeup on you more often."
Libby opens one eye. "Fun? How is smearing all this gunk on your face fun?"
Nassari sets down her pot of rouge. "If you don't stop complaining, I will draw a mustache on you." Libby's lips twitch but she simply opens her other eye as there's more sounds of clattering on the wooden vanity. "Okay, we have our canvas down."
"What? I thought we were done!"
"Relax." Nassari says as she rises the little container of bronze powder and dusts some on Libby's eyelids. "It is Samhain – you should look nice."
"I would look fine without all of this," Libby argues, her eyelashes fluttering beneath the tickle of Nassari's delicate brush. "Not like they're going to be looking at me anyway with you there."
"Oh please." Nassari snorts with a wave of her hand.
Libby laughs and so does Nassari as she switches once more to another cosmetic. Libby keeps quiet as Nassari finishes the with the powder, then holds still as she feels Nassari line her eyes with kohl and darkens her lashes.
"Okay." The princess says, sitting back so she can see Libby's face. "Open."
Libby opens her eyes, her stomach dropping as Nassari frowns. "What?"
The princess shakes her head. "We're going to have to take it off."
"What? Why?"
"Because you look better than I do."
Libby pinches the princess's arm, laughter on her lips as Nassari pinches back. Her guards stand by the door, small smiles on their lips. Libby turns her head towards the oval mirror and her eyes widen. She expected to see – well, someone unrecognizable. And yet, despite how heavy her face feels, it is still her she sees.
Beneath the black kohl, Nassari has outlined her eyes with gold to bring it out from her eyes, and the eyeshadow is a brown, contrary to the green that matches Libby's tunic. Then her lips are a soft nude, maybe even slightly pink. Her hair was already halfway pinned up, small bejeweled hair pins twisting it in place. It all looks . . . natural.
"Wow." Libby breathes as she blinks. "I'm actually impressed."
"You doubted me?" Nassari says. Libby would've worried she'd insulted her, if it weren't for the princess's mischievous smile. The princess's hair is swooped up into a coronet atop her head, gold barrettes winking with diamonds weaved into her braids.
Helping the princess shove everything back into the drawers, there's a knock that comes from the door. They open seconds later and in steps Kodlak, Vilkas not too far behind. Seeing Nassari, they bow. The princess gives another terse nod.
"Are you all set ladies? We are getting ready to depart." Kodlak says. Libby translates for Nassari and the princess nods.
"We're all set." Libby confirms. She takes Nassari's hand and the two walk out together to the main hall.
There the rest of the Companions are waiting. Farkas is conversing with Torvar, the drunk laughing and hooting about all the mead he can smell already. Libby's heart nervously beats as they approach, grateful for the princess's company. After Farkas came and checked up on her, after their moment together in her living room, Farkas since returned back to Jorvaskrr, shoulders square once more. Through the time since then, he acted as if the moment never happened.
The Companions have since honored and buried Skjor, retrieving the body with the help of Balgruuf and his guards. Tonight, Kodlak had said, that they will honor his memory as they thrive and sing and drink to his name.
Libby approaches with the princess, and Aela is the first to notice the, and bows. The rest of the Compaions turn and bow as well. When they rise, Farkas is the first to speak towards Libby, "You look nice."
Libby smiles. She hadn't failed to notice how his eyes widened when he beheld her face makeup. Dressed in her forest green tunic with gold embellishments and long belled sleeves, she wears brown leather boots and grey pants. A dark red cloak is clasped around her shoulders, still a belt of daggers around her waist and a short sword as well for precautions.
Diamond is standing off to the side, dressed just as nicely too. Her Warhammer looking rather clunky without her armor to match. But she wears a lovely pale pink tunic with dark blue pants and knee-high boots, a cloak of white around her. Her hair is in waves, falling over her ears.
The rest of the Companions vary between normal clothes and their usual armor. Either for precautions or they just didn't bother to change.
"Oh, Your Highness! What a beautiful dress!" Ria exclaims as she beholds the princess.
"Thank you." Nassari says as she picks up the skirts of her gown. Nassari had been taking lessons apparently, by a tutor Balgruuf hired. During their breakfast and lunch meetings, Libby nearly busted her gut laughing at how the princess ranted about how poor the man was.
Ria's eyes flick to Libby as well. "Libby, you look nice as well."
Libby gives a friendly smile. It was a compliment that was rushed or laced with annoyance, apart from Farkas, Ria was rather welcoming, even Libby didn't speak to her as much. "Oh thank you. Nassari deserves the credit though, I just sat back and became her canvas."
"Well you look wonderful." Ria smiles.
"Are you excited about the festival, Your Highness?" Vilkas asks.
Libby is about to translate, but the princess holds up her hand, chewing on the words. And then replies, "Yes, it will be, exciting to see your culture." She says in the common language. Her accent is rather thick, but at least she spoke the words right.
"Wow," Libby smiles, speaking again in Elsweyr. "That was very good. Of course I doubt your tutor deserves the credit."
Nassari hisses and says in Elsweyr, "That blubbering man couldn't teach a dog how to bark."
"Well, then you must be a fast learner."
Kodlak approaches the group, adjusting his gauntlets. "Well now, that's enough talking. There's a whole festival out there waiting for us. Come everyone, let's enjoy."
Nassari lines up with Libby the Companions step aside to allow the princess to go first. Nassari's guards smile towards them as they leave the mead hall. Libby quickly grabs a cloak for Nassari, and after double checking that they have their coin purses, and clasping the cloak for the princess, the two girls then link elbows and walk out behind them. Libby doubles checks the dagger strapped horizontally to her belt, and adjusts her feet to settle the other two tucked into each of her brown leather boots.
Leaning against a wooden post by the door, Diamond watches with disdain as Princess Nassari leaves with Libby. She hated how much the princes admired and loved Libby. It was obvious, she could see it from the way the princess smiled as they hugged, how indulged they were when they spoke their conversations in Elsweyr. She hated it. She hated Libby. She might even say she hated the princess.
If she knew who Libby really was, she wouldn't be so friendly towards the assassin. And yes, if she was being honest with herself, their friendship reminded Diamond of what she and Libby shared so much. And it's not that she wants that friendship back, gods, no. It just infuriates her because Libby seems happier than Diamond. Diamond wanted Libby to suffer, feel the heartbreak of being alone like Diamond did. It should be the other way around, Diamond brushing arms with foreign royalty while Libby stands by feeling more alone than before. But of course Libby can speak it, because Libby is just so damn perfect!
Diamond snarls. She would just rather see Libby huddled in a dark corner with nothing, absolutely nothing. Miserable, cold and alone, just like Diamond was for the past three years after Libby had taken everything from her. And she still didn't even know why Libby did it in the first place. Maybe that's why she's still so resentful towards the assassin. That's another thing: Libby was an Assassin. The whole time she was working for the Faceless, and here Diamond thought she was just a skilled Thief.
What else has she been keeping from her?
Diamond almost wants to speak to the princess herself, but she doesn't even know the slightest bit of Elsweyr, and the princess doesn't exactly have a strong grip on the common language. Not to mention her guards probably won't even let her get remotely close. Libby just waltzed in because she could speak their language.
The trip to the village was enough to make Libby jubilant as decorative banners swopped across from house to house, the smell of delicious foods and exotic perfumes filled the air. Children are running with each other, carrying sticks that were spewing with sparks. The Gildergreen's trunk is wrapped with ribbons of red, yellow and orange. People are dressed elegantly and eventfully as they walk arm in arm with friends or lovers.
Sections of multiple districts had their roads cut off to allow citizens to travel freely, therefore, traveling by foot was the wisest, even if Libby's ankles complained from pinched toes.
People gasp and part quickly as the royal family walks along the avenues, a trio of guards in toll, nodding towards those patrolling the streets. The festival snakes along the board avenue that stretches from the western gate of the city all the way through three districts to the bridge of the castle.
There were jugglers and fire-eaters, vendors selling wares and tents stripped of red and gold populating the parks. The dance girls, whose billowing skirts are sequenced in tendrils of vines, and then small huddles of musicians each playing their own cheerful number that has couples and children in merry gatherings.
Libby holds her cloak closer to her shoulders as a breeze wafts through the streets. Linked at the arms with Nassari, citizens part way as she and the princess walk down the sidewalk, brightly painted wagons amble past. Her eyes scan the crowds for any signs of her Guild members, though she quickly starts to believe it's pointless. One of them had to be here – no thief in their right mind would dare miss the chance to pick all pockets from both royalty and average citizen since most of them have flocked here for the festival.
A part of her just wants to ensure they are safe and still in high profit – not that she has any doubts. Besides, she might not have the chance to go off on her own since she's been assigned to escort the princess.
So, Libby simply sighs through her nose and allows herself to be swallowed by the excitement in the air. As the center of the local square, in front of the large fountain where children and birds play, sits a throne chair. Guards flank the throne, creating a small aisle towards it. Jarl Balgruuf comes in, nods to the guards and citizens and takes his seat. Rather a bold move to be sitting out in the open, guards or not, he is in the perfect position to be assassinated.
Gazes follow them as Libby leads the group of Companions behind Kodlak. Citizens marvel at Nassari and her guards as they pass. And once they make it to a relatively clear spot, Kodlak turns toward the Companions. "Tonight my children, we revel in the celebration of our kind. We will drink to our youth, to days come and gone. We will honor those who have lifted us, and raise to those who have departed. I encourage you to enjoy yourselves, and may we delve in the world of the gods."
With that, he waves a hand of dismissal. Torvar immediately takes Athis and the two head towards the Bannered Mare, its doors open with the odor of mead and ale. Aela and Njada go off together, Ria in toll. Farkas looks to Libby who only offers a small smile before the princess calls for her attention. Libby can only assume he'll go with his brother. And as for Diamond . . .? While Nassari briefly speaks with her guards, Libby turns to find Diamond speaking with Kodlak, who looks like he might be sitting with the Jarl most of the night.
"Lilian," Libby turns her head towards the princes and gives an apologetic smile.
"Sorry. Now, where shall we go?" the assassin asks.
Nassari lifts her chin and smiles widely. "Wherever the gods decide to lead us."
The two of them were swallowed up by the crowd and quickly Libby led Nassari through the narrow, winding alleys to avoid them. They come out the other end in a different district. This one held all of the games that children and adults alike can enjoy – and waste their money on. Libby knew a majority of these games were rigged to the point that only the lucky can win . . . or the incredibly skilled, such as herself.
Walking side by side with the princess, Libby with her hands tucked in her pockets, she keeps an eye on Nassari as she hurries ahead to some of the stalls. A childlike smile is on her face and her eyes are wide with wonder.
People practically leap out of her way as she comes, excusing herself and trying to dodge elbows. Even without a crown on her head, the beautiful craft of gold still sitting on a plush pillow in the princess's bedroom, people recognize her regardless. Libby keeps up with her, walking graciously through the crowd, her cloak sweeping behind her. The eyes of men and women alike follow her, and she smiles as she could feel a couple glares. With her swagger unwavering, she glances over her shoulder and gives a passing couple a rakish smile. She winks and the woman's man stops dead.
Libby turns away when she sees the woman smack his arm and begin to complain about his loyalties.
When they reach the plaza area, the shops disappear and shrink down into shaded tables with merchandise spread across blankets or whicker placemats, and strings of lanterns swoop from streetlamp to streetlamp, glittering like stars.
When they passed under the striped awning of a vendor from Elsweyr, the assassin and the princess both seemed to walk in unison towards the table when they caught a whiff of the food that smelled divine.
Libby chuckled when she beheld the smile on the princess's face, but it was nothing compared to the vendor's face when he beheld the princess approaching. The princess's guards follow with small smiles as well.
"Your Majesty." The Khajiit male says in Elsweyr as he presses his hands together in prayer position and bows. "Bless the gods, it is an honor."
Nassari gives a nod and a smile to the man. The vendor extends out his hands and the princess lets the man grasp them. The vendor kisses the back of Nassari's hand and mumbles something like a prayer of thanks in Elsweyr. The princess chuckles and sets her free hand on top of the vendor's, mumbling something in reply. The male's smile and expression of envy would make others think he won the largest bag of gold in the world.
"Oh my goodness," she breathes in astonishment, keeping to her foreign tongue. She sets a hand on her chest. "You have all of my favorite sweets. Oh this will not be good."
"Well, it might be good for me." The vendor winks.
Nassari takes a toothpick and stabs it into a pink prawn sprinkled with spices and dips it into a red sauce and holds it to Libby. "Try it." she smiles.
"What is it?" Libby says, taking the small crustacean. Whatever it was, it smells incredible. Libby's stomach calling for that taste to be on his tongue, now.
"Karkalec." The princess says. "It's a Khajiit appetizer."
Libby smells the prawn one more time before popping it into her mouth and – gods, that tasted positively astounding! The shrimp explodes into a juice of something spice with lemon, and the salt and pepper sprinkle make his taste buds tingle. Libby knows her face gave away her feelings as she hears Nassari laugh. "Wow." Libby breathes. "That's is incredible!"
Nassari laughs some more as she turns to the man, ordering two plates of the prawn fish. The princess then makes Libby taste a dessert that consists of a rich vanilla custard base topped with a contrasting layer of hard caramel. Libby thinks the princess would've stuffed her with every meal the vendor had if not for Libby's persuasion that they need to explore the rest of the festival. Nassari orders more food from the man, of which her guards carry, and before they depart, the princess and the vendor brush kisses on the cheeks.
Soon they come to a stall where the prize was a simple trio of goldfish in a glass jar. But that doesn't stop the princess as she approaches the stall, run by a balding man with a shining forehead and yellow teeth. When Nassari comes up his eyes widen and he smiles, but it's anything by friendly.
This time Libby picks up her walk. She knew this kind of man. He won't miss the opportunity to scam anyone, especially a native princess with buckets of money to spare.
"Welcome, Your Highness," Libby hears as she approaches. "To what do I owe the honor?"
"Could I play your game?" she asks in the common tongue, folding her fingers together.
"Of course! Of course, Your Majesty. Simply five gold." The man says, his last few words wavering as Libby approaches, her features schooled into neutrality. "Ah, and who is your friend?"
"Lilian Camobrook." Libby answers bluntly. She feels Nassari cast a glance at her, but keeps her gaze on the vendor.
"I see. Would you like to play as well?"
"I'm more of an observer." Libby says, giving him a heedful smile.
The man steps back, his smile wavering as he digs below the countertop and pulls out three thin throwing knives. Across the booth are small square boards set with paper bull's-eyes spread across them.
"The game is simple: stick one knife into the bull's-eye, and the prize of the goldfish is yours!"
"What if I hit the outer rings?" Nassari asks.
"Then you're more than welcome to play again." he smiles as he swipes Nassari's coins off the counter.
Libby has to force herself not to snarl at the man as Nassari picks up the ball. People are stopping and staring at her, watching the princess as she throws the first knife. It hits the wood but at the wrong angle. It vibrates and clatters to the wooden catcher beneath. Libby's shoulders grow rigid as she watches Nassari prep the next knife. This time when she throws, the knife sticks, but it yet again misses the mark. Her third and final knife hits the second ring, but never gets any closer to the center.
Nassari huffs, her shoulders slacking. There's snickering behind them, and Libby's self-control is balancing on an edge as thin as those knives. But it doesn't seem to bother Nassari, or she's very good at hiding it.
"Oh, that's too bad! You're more than welcome to play again, Your Highness." The man persuades, laying his hand openly ready for more coins to drop.
Just as Nassari is about to take up the offer, Libby steps up next to her and drops ten coins on the counter. She stares the man dead on and says gruffly, "My turn. Ten coins, six knives."
The man stares at her with surprise, blinks, and then rises to the challenge by nodding and grabbing the six knives. He puffs out his chest too, his short-sleeved tunic doing little to suppress his disgustingly large gut. "They're all yours."
Libby gives a snobbish grin as she steps up to take Nassari's place. The princess tries to whispers something to her, but Libby simply shushes her softly.
She picks up the knife. She focus narrows to the small, black dot in the center of the target. She steadies her breathing as she cocks her arm, letting her wrist go loose. The blackness of the bull's-eye beckons, and as she exhales, she sends the dagger flying.
It sparkles, a shooting star of steel. Libby smiles grimly as it sticks home.
Beside him, Nassari exhales in awe, the vendor's eyes wide and Libby's smile broadens. Soft mutters come from the small gathering behind them.
"I believe you owe us a fish."
When the vendor turns his head, the assassin is spinning the throwing dagger through her fingers, a mischievous smile on her lips. She's more than ready to imbed the thing in the man's eye. His eyes are wide, his mouth agape in disbelief.
"You said to stick only one knife into the target, did you not?" Libby barks, her tone cold and harsh.
The man struggles to find words and then he coughs. "Listen, how about we make this interesting –"
Libby throws the second knife, and the blade clangs as it lands a hair's breadth from the one she'd already embedded in the bull's-eye.
Nassari's brows rise, accentuating her sapphire eyes. Libby spins the third knife between her fingers, and strikes the target. Then she throws the fourth with her left hand, and fights her whoop of triumph as the blade sinks into the handle of another knife.
"Now that makes four fish total." Libby says, leaning forward onto the counter, crossing her ankle. She leans closer to the vendor and says softly. "Now unless you want these last two embedded in your eyes, you'll give them to us."
The vendor's head is shinier now that it's permeated with sweat. Libby leans back and twirls the knives, stabbing the tips into the counter.
"Go."
The vendor quickly scrambles behind the counter and gathers four bags of the fish, carefully scooping them up and into the same bag. Securing the knot as best he can he hands the bag with slight shaking hands to Libby. She takes them and gives a smile. "Enjoy the rest of the fair."
Taking the princess's arm in her hand, the two girls walk on keeping quiet until they feel the eyes deteriorate. Only when they're on the other side of the gamer district does Libby lead Nassari under the awning of a floral shop and hand Nassari the bag of goldish.
"Well, you certianly put him to shame." she says in Elsweyr, laughing under her breath. She lifts the bag of four goldfish, watching them as they swim around.
"He's lucky he still has any eyes after what he tried to do." Libby says bitterly. She folds her arms under her cloak, her fingers slightly cold.
Nassari rolls her eyes. "I wasn't going to keep going, you know. I am smarter than you think."
"I never said you weren't. I just hate people when they do that. I could see he was ready to ween every coin you had out of you."
"I have plenty more."
"Still, that doesn't mean you should encourage him." Libby is about to continue, ready to chastise the princess when a voice breaks through the crowd.
"Good evening to you, ladies." The girls' heads turn and Libby has to fight for air and self-control when she sees the man walking towards them.
The world is taken out from under her, and her eyes well with tears. He was worried she might even start shaking. She had to . . . she had to dreaming. So see his face –
Dressed in a dark tunic and pants, a wool jacket around his shoulders, his auburn hair is smoothly combed and his blue eyes are swimming with controlled excitement.
Brynjolf.