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Chapter 36 - The Book of Love

29 - 31 Last Seed, 5E 3

Yssha was pretty sure she'd met Fastred and her parents on her first trip to Ivarstead. At least the garden beside the house at Fellstar Farm was familiar, and yes, there was the woman she'd helped harvest some of the crops. When the woman saw her, she handed her hoe to another, younger, woman, and approached. "Dragonborn! It's good to see you again. But what are you doing back in this Divines-forsaken village?"

"Ah, Boti, if I remember correctly. I am here to speak with your daughter, Fastred, on Mara's behalf." Yssha smiled. "Ivarstead is not as forsaken as you seem to believe."

"You, Dragonborn?" Boti looked surprised. "I thought you served Talos and Akatosh, not Mara. Although - " she interrupted herself to grin - "she does seem to be showing you her favor. When are you due?"

"Priestess Danica estimates sometime in the middle of Frostfall, though she says that is only tentative."

Boti chuckled. "Whether a healer or midwife admits it or not, it always is. Well, Fastred's over there - still daydreaming about being an adventurer when she isn't mooning over Bassianus. Which means I keep having to remind her to get back to work. But I suppose I can't object to her talking to you, since Mara sent you."

"Thank you." Yssha smiled, going over to the younger woman. "Excuse me, Fastred? I am here on Mara's behalf - may I speak to you for a few minutes?"

Fastred turned to her eagerly. "She sent you, Dragonborn? That's wonderful!" Then she sighed. "My parents are being impossible. Bassianus wants to marry me. And I think I love him. But he wants to move away afterwards, and my father won't allow it. He only cares about this stupid town, but Bassianus makes me happier than anyone ever has. My mother's not any help, either."

Yssha cocked her head. "You sound confused, but then, that is why I am here."

"I don't want to choose! They're both so amazing. I ... would you talk to my parents, please? They'll listen to you!"

Yssha returned to Boti. "Fastred asked that I speak with you and her father."

"Oh my. Probably something about the men." Boti sighed. "We all wish we had her problems. Now, don't tell my husband, but I don't have any problem with Bassianus. Even if it means her leaving Ivarstead, I want Fastred to be happy. If they just snuck out of town together, I could manage my husband."

That was good to know, if it was Bassianus she decided to back, though she hadn't been favorably impressed with him during her first visit. "What would enable them to leave Ivarstead, then?"

"Bassianus is still so terrified of Jofthor. If he knew that I'd keep him from hunting the poor boy down, he'd take Fastred to Riften without a second thought. Let him know that I'll watch out for them. I just want my daughter to be happy."

Riften. Yssha had been afraid that would be their destination. Any other city in Skyrim would be better! It would probably be improving under Jarl Mjoll, but for now, it was still the worst place in the province to raise a family.

Well, she still had to talk to Fastred's father, who was grinding wheat at his small mill, so she went over and repeated Fastred's request.

Jofthor sighed heavily. "I'm sure I know what this is about. She thinks she's in love with Bassianus and wants to leave town. With him. Let me tell you how I see it. Until a few months ago, the girl was head over heels for Klimmek. Wouldn't stop talking about him. Now if I thought she was really in love with Bassianus, that would be one thing. But she's a child. It will pass."

He shook his head. "You know how children are. Her fancies change with the moon. And like always, that Klimmek lacks any kind of spine. He'll need some convincing. A little push and this would all be simpler."

Yssha nodded, deciding she needed to find out more about Bassianus. She had a soft spot for Klimmek, delivering supplies to the Greybeards, without any pay for it, until Family Marcurio had taken over that responsibility, but she felt a need to decide on the basis of more facts than that.

Which turned out to be easier than she expected, when she went to the Vilemyr Inn to talk to Wilhelm, because Klimmek and Bassianus were arguing. She ordered a glass of small ale and took a seat to one side to listen.

Klimmek was sounding irritable. "We're behind again. I need you to catch another two bushels by week's end if I'm to make another delivery."

Bassianus shook his head. "Blood from a stone, Klimmek. I've been out there every morning. They just aren't biting."

"Come on," Klimmek said impatiently. "Everyone in town knows that you spend more time with Fastred or in here talking to people than you do fishing in the river."

"That's none of your business and I'd appreciate if you wouldn't mention it again."

"It is my business, and I'll mention it again if I have to." Klimmek sighed. "As I remember things, it was you that showed up at my doorstep looking for a job and a place to live. Try and remember that."

"Uh, yeah." Bassianus had the grace to look a bit ashamed, but that didn't improve Yssha's opinion, and the argument settled her mind. Bassianus, who seemed more than a bit irresponsible, and wanted to take his prospective wife somewhere he'd have no job and no place to live? No.

Granted, Klimmek was older, but he had a home and an established business ... and he'd been Fastred's love until Bassianus showed up. He would provide Fastred and any children with a stable home in a far better place to raise a family.

So when he finished his meal and left the inn, she followed him. Once they got to the bridge where she'd taken the pack of supplies to deliver for him, she caught his attention. "Klimmek, a moment of your time, if I may?"

He turned, startled. "Yes, Dragonborn? What is it?"

"I understand you were courting Fastred before Bassianus arrived in town?"

He looked downcast at that. "Oh, Fastred. I'm not sure what happened. One moment she's smiling at me, the next I can't even meet her eyes. I'll bet Bassianus would know what's going on. He understands women."

Yssha chuckled. It looked like she would have to follow Jofthor's advice, and give Klimmek a bit of a hint. "Perhaps you are being too passive. Fastred seems to prefer more assertive men."

He frowned, clearly not understanding. "What did you call me?"

She shook her head. "No, no, I meant no insult." He was a fisherman in a small village; clearly, she would have to be plainer. "I am simply suggesting that some women prefer a direct approach. Perhaps if you are more bold, she would respond better?"

He looked blank for a moment, then said, "Wait ... you mean I should just ... tell her? Tell her how I feel?"

"What do you have to lose?" she asked bluntly.

And Marcurio, who'd been silent until then, grinned. "Faint heart never won fair lady, as the old saying goes."

Klimmek stared at the two, then exclaimed, "Ysmir's beard, you're right, both of you! No fish was ever caught by staying away from the shore. I'm off to see her!"

They followed him, catching up as he approached the girl and began speaking.

"Fastred, I have something to say to you."

She looked puzzled, but replied. "Klimmek? What is it?"

"I don't want you to leave Ivarstead."

Fastred frowned, still puzzled. "Why not?"

"Because ... I would miss you."

"But I thought you only cared about your fishing!" Fastred was smiling now.

"What good are fish if you have to eat them alone?" Klimmek asked softly, holding his arms out

Fastred went to him. "Oh, Klimmek ... "

Yssha and Marcurio left as the two embraced.

When the two returned to Riften and reported to Dinya, the priestess was delighted. "How wonderful. Like the sea, their love roils and swells, but brings life and nourishment to all."

"That was most enjoyable," Yssha said. "Would the Lady Mara have other similar missions we could carry out?"

Dinya smiled widely. "I see you are eager to carry the light." She paused briefly, then continued in what Yssha thought of as her "trance" voice. "As you venture, Mara fills my mind ever more with visions of love in peril. Embers lie nestled in stone, needing only fuel to bloom to a flame that will warm all around them."

Then she interpreted her vision. "Go to Markarth. There you'll find Calcelmo, wise, acid, and reclusive. Help him to emerge and state his intentions. This is the prayer heard by the goddess and relayed to her servants."

"I have met Calcelmo several times. I will be most happy to help him - but I am surprised to hear he is in Markarth. I would have expected to find him in Nchardak with Neloth or down in Blackreach. I thank Lady Mara for saving me wasted trips."

"She is happy to help those who are willing to help her," Dinya said calmly. "Now go, child, and bring these two together."

Since they knew he was in Markarth, they had no trouble finding Calcelmo. She and Marcurio made enough noise approaching that instead of being startled, he turned to face them. At first, his expression was impatient and irritated, but when he recognized them, he smiled. "Dovahkiin, Thane Marcurio - to what do I owe the honor?"

"We are here on Mara's behalf," Yssha replied, returning the smile. "The question here is how we may help you."

Calcelmo's face lit up. "I was beginning to lose faith that any help would come. Eh ... You see ... I've been thinking about Faleen quite a bit. You know Faleen?"

"The name and that she is Jarl Igmund's housecarl, yes. Beyond that, I am afraid not."

"Well, suffice to say she is resplendent, but not without resolve. Striking, in all senses." He looked positively besotted, Yssha though with amusement, until he continued. "The trouble is that I can't seem to speak around her. My mouth goes dry, and I start to shake. I could never hope to approach her."

"Sounds to me like you just need something to talk about," Marcurio said.

"That's the trouble. I only know Faleen from the Keep, so I have no idea what sorts of things she likes. It's not a simple matter. I could offend her fairly easily by bringing up the wrong subject. I've seen it happen before."

"Are you sure you are not overthinking this?" Yssha asked.

"That may be the case," Calcelmo admitted. "But she is as volatile as a sabre cat. One wrong word, and I've seen her turn on a man so quickly ... "

"I believe I see the problem." Yssha thought for a moment. "Hmm. Is there anyone who would know what she likes?"

"There is one... Yngvar. He's quite popular with the ladies. Thankfully Faleen is not quite his type, but they've been friends for some time, and he may have some ideas. Please, ask him what she likes. It's my only chance."

"We will do our best for you, then."

When they found Yngvar lounging on the steps of Markarth's eastern side, and she asked, he grinned. "Not for you two, obviously. Mind telling me who the would-be suitor is?"

"It is no secret, since it is he who sent us to you. It is Calcelmo."

"Calcelmo? Is he interested in Faleen?" Yngvar grinned. "That sly old codger. I should have guessed. Good for him. For the both of them. Between you and me, she could use a bit of warmth." He paused briefly. "As for what she might like ... I didn't tell you this. Faleen likes to act tough, but she really has a soft spot for, of all things, poetry. You know, I took some classes at the Bards College as a youth. Poems come in handy when wooing. There's a poem I once used on an older lady of Rorikstead. I can change it to be about Faleen, if you've got some gold. Are you prepared to receive my golden words?"

"Certainly, at College rates. With, perhaps, a bonus if your golden words convince her to speak to him."

"Done, Ysmir. Two hundred gold, given the length; bonus at your discretion, if it works."

"Agreed. How long?" She handed over the initial payment.

"Wonderful. I'll write it out so you won't forget it. You should probably just take this directly to Faleen. Wouldn't want the old icebrain stumbling over the words."

"Why don't you have a drink at the inn? I should have it written by then. Just meet me back here."

As promised, Yngvar had the poem scribed when they headed back up to Understone Keep. Stopping briefly at Vlindrel Hall, Yssha and Marcurio read it.

"Not the best I've seen," Marcurio said. "Might do the job if she's no critic, though, and since she's not going to be expecting a Dwemer researcher to be a poet at all ... "

"It seems rather weak for a College-trained bard," Yssha agreed. "But I agree, it may work."

"Let's deliver it, then, and see what happens."

In the throne room of Understone Keep, Yssha bowed to Jarl Igmund. "May I speak to your housecarl for a moment, my Jarl?"

"Of course, Ysmir. Faleen?"

"My Jarl." Faleen turned to Yssha. "Yes, Ysmir?"

"My friend Calcelmo asked me to bring you a missive, since I was coming here." She handed over the poem."

Faleen read it, her expression going from puzzled to pleased. "I thank you, Ysmir. Would you mind taking him my reply?"

Yssha saw Igmund start to object, and shook her head with a twitch of her ears. "I would be pleased to, housecarl."

Faleen grabbed a scrap of parchment and a pen, scribbling a brief note. "Thank you. I know I shouldn't be using you as a messenger, but - "

"Say no more - it is a pleasure to do a favor for a friend." She took the note, and she and Marcurio headed back to the excavation site. When they got there, she handed him the note. "This is from Faleen."

He reached for it, not quite grabbing it out of her hand, and unfolded it, then beamed. "This is... more than I could have hoped for. Have you really done this for me? I have to see her. Please, excuse me."

He dropped the note, hurrying out of the excavation. Yssha retrieved and read it, then grinned at Marcurio. "We owe Yngvar his bonus." She handed the note over, then sprinted for the Throne Room.

"My Dearest Calcelmo,

"I always knew you to possess a great mind, but your charming poem revealed a depth of feeling I never suspected.

"I'll admit to being a bit surprised at the direction of your feelings, but not unpleasantly so. Let us meet to discuss further.

"Yours,

"Faleen"

When they made it, Yssha grinned to find Calcelmo almost speechless.

"Faleen... I..."

Faleen soothed him. "Sssh. It's all right. You don't need to say any more. I had no idea you were so ... nuanced."

Calcelmo murmured, almost too softly for even a Khajiit's hearing, "I love you."

Faleen smiled. "So I hear. Come here, you."

As they embraced, Yssha and Marcurio left, smiling, stopping to deliver an extra hundred septims to Yngvar, who accepted with a grin. "It worked, then. Good!"

When Yssha and Marcurio reported success to Dinya, the priestess congratulated them. "The goddess smiles at your efforts, children. The dawn shines bright upon you. You have seen the young, fickle love of youth, and helped a more seasoned love find its way.

"There is one final aspect we wish for you to explore. For a strong love can withstand storms and even survive death. Take this symbol of Mara." She handed Yssha an Amulet of Mara. "She will guide you to the wandering souls of two whose love was so great that their entwinement binds them to this world."

The promised guidance led them to Gjukar's Monument, southeast of Rorikstad, where they found the ghost of a woman wandering the ancient battlefield.

When they approached her, she spoke to them. "I'm searching for my Fenrig. He was marching with Gjukar's men, who they say were wiped out here. I've turned over every body, though, and I can't find him. Please help me look. He has a bright red beard and hair."

"I am sorry," Yssha said. "I see nothing but the monument - no traces of a battle, and certainly no bodies."

The woman looked angry, and sounded that way as well. "Are you a fool? Look at the bodies around you. Even if you're blind, surely you must smell the blood."

Yssha looked at Marcurio. "Do you see something I am missing, beloved?"

He shook his head. "The only battle I know of here was hundreds of years ago."

"I don't have time for your foolishness," the woman snapped. "Either help me or be gone." She sighed, then added, "Come, help me search for must be here somewhere ... "

Yssha felt a tugging from the amulet, and followed it, calling back. "We go to seek him a bit further away. We will return."

Perhaps half an hour later, they were at what Marcurio said was the site where Gjukar's forces had camped the night before the battle. There was a ghostly soldier walking around.

They walked up to him, and Yssha asked, "Fenrig?"

The ghost nodded. "I am. Why do you ask?"

"Because a woman is searching for you on a plain not too far away."

He looked puzzled. "Ruki? Where is she?"

Yssha described the field, and he nodded. "We're expected to fight there tomorrow. Gjukar elected to camp here for the night. I don't like it, though."

"Perhaps if you return with us, and speak to Ruki, she will be able to clarify things?"

He nodded. "If she's come this far from home, it must be important. Lead on. I just need to report back to camp by sunrise."

They had to avoid a mammoth herd on the way back, but otherwise, it was simply a matter of getting the two ghosts within sight of each other. When that happened, Ruki ran up, a wide smile on her face, : "Fenrig! You're alive!"

"Of course I am," he replied, embracing her. "What brings you here?"

"I had heard that Gjukar's men were wiped out. I came to find you."

Fenrig was clearly puzzled. "But that battle isn't expected until tomorrow ... Ruki, what's going on?"

Ruki shook her head. "I'm so confused. What's happening?"

Fenrig tried to reassure her, hugging her more closely. "It doesn't matter. I'm here. We're together now. And we will be forever."

Still embracing, they floated skyward until they vanished in the distance.

Yssha turned to her husband. "Our task here is obviously complete. Let me call Odahviing, and we can return to Priestess Dinya."

This time, Dinya was waiting at the altar when they entered the temple, smiling at their approach. "Your efforts have helped illuminate the entire province. I trust by now you've achieved a higher comprehension of love. Carry the blessings of Mara with you, so the rest of the province may shine with her glories."

Yssha felt a warmth similar to what she'd sensed when she'd been given the Cloak of Nocturnal, and checked herself, to find her resistance to hostile magic had increased. She bowed to the priestess. "I thank Lady Mara for her blessing, and you for your assistance in explaining her will to me."

Dinya smiled. "Should you wish to serve Lady Mara again, simply return, and I'm sure she'll have more you can do."