The bandits had shown a bizarre fondness of idle chitchat, conversing with Aventus and the others about all sorts of events going on across Skyrim. They talked about Runa's baby, about Leola discovering that she was Ulfric's daughter, and about business within the Dark Brotherhood. Much to Leola's annoyance, they talked about what Samuel had done to Erith. Braith seemed shocked; it was clear that she knew Samuel and she seemed incredibly doubtful of their story.
It had fallen dark by the time they reached Riften, and as fearful as Leola was of these bandits, she was thankful for their company. She did believe their words, that other bandits would likely attack them without them there. Braith and Blaise said their goodbyes to the group and left the horse behind. Aventus was relieved, as he had been unsure whether or not they would be willing to do so.
Upon entering, they were greeted by a man who introduced himself as the Jarl's brother, Saerlund. There was a coldness in his demeanour, and once he was gone, Aventus explained that Saerlund very openly despised Ulfric. He had expected the Jarl himself to greet them, but he told Leola that he was sure there was a good reason he hadn't.
They had decided to stay in Honeyside, a lovely little property that Leola's mother had owned in Riften. Given that she hadn't sold the property, it technically belonged to Leola now, and the blonde was uneasy about seeing yet another puzzle piece she had yet to face.
The property was small. A servant from the keep had been sent to tidy it up when the Jarl received word of Leola's visit from Ulfric, so it was much cleaner than she had expected it to be. There didn't seem to be much of interest in the house – a few loose soul gems in the basement's enchanting room, a handful of weapons and pieces of armour in a chest, and a simple enchanted sword hanging from a rack in the basement. Leola was surprised to find that there was still clothing in the wardrobe, and the idea that these garments had once belonged to her mother gave her an uneasy feeling.
Leola was set up in the basement bedroom, which Aventus said had likely belonged to her mother's housecarl at the time. The door was kept shut and the men decided to take turns standing guard. Between the small, low-security home they had chosen for the night and the presence of the Thieves' Guild, the assassin was highly focused on keeping Leola – and Volendrung – safe overnight.
While Bottar slept in the bedroom on the main floor of the house, Sond waited in the basement by the stairs and Aventus stayed upstairs to watch the doors. Sond and Bottar eventually traded places so that the blond could rest his eyes, with Bottar taking his position. Eventually, Aventus took a turn sleeping, though Leola found it unlikely that he was fully asleep at all during the night. She, meanwhile, slept peacefully.
That morning marked the fourteenth day since their visit to Narzulbur, meaning that it was time to visit Largashbur with Volendrung. The group mounted their horses, which had been kept safe in the stables overnight, and headed out for the fort. It wasn't a long distance at all, and as they approached, the gates were drawn open. An Orc stepped out, clad fully in Orcish armour, and accompanied by two women, one of whom was cradling a small bundle wrapped in cloth. It seemed to Leola from a distance that it could be a baby. Two soldiers also stepped out, both fully armed and clearly ready to confront any dangers that may arise from the group of Nords riding in.
"Princess Leola," said the central man, presumably the leader. "I am Chief Gularzob. Welcome to Largashbur. Our brothers in Narzulbur informed us that you would be arriving today, so we have been expecting you."
Leola smiled, getting off her horse and moving towards the Orc. He and his people seemed friendly enough, and her last encounter with Orcs was enough to have her comfortable with approaching them. She politely shook his hand, glancing around at the others who had come out with him and smiling at them as well. The bundle in the woman's arms was, in fact, a small green baby with horns and a fanged underbite, eyes wide open and staring curiously at Leola.
"Forgive the baby, he has yet to lay eyes upon a non-Orsimer," the woman said when she noticed that the blonde was eyeing the child, and Leola smiled.
"Well then, I am honoured to be his first," she said softly before returning her attention to the chief. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for welcoming me so kindly here. I trust that the Orcs in Narzulbur told you of my…predicament?"
"They did indeed, and our wise woman has communed with Malacath to see what He wishes you to do," answered Gularzob. "She would not tell me what he said, though – she wished to see you herself."
"Well then, take me to her," Leola replied with a grin, and he gave a hearty laugh reminiscent of the Nords back in Windhelm.
"Excellent," he said, turning and entering through the gate. Leola and her group followed, along with the Orcs who had accompanied him out.
The fort was similar to Narzulbur. In the middle, however, was a crypt-like altar with a strange skull at the head of it. Orcish armour and weapon lay amidst sprigs of lavender atop the surface, and an elderly Orc woman stood there, patiently watching Leola approach.
"Princess," she said softly, her voice deep and scratchy. "What a pleasure. I am Bogdub"
"The pleasure is mine," Leola said. She felt confident with her pleasantries, knowing that they were important on this trip so as not to offend the Orcs. The courtesy seemed especially important now that the Orcs were referring to her as the princess – which, of course, she was, despite the strange unfamiliarity of the title.
The elderly woman turned her gaze to the other Orcs, who all seemed to be watching. "Well? Go about your business," she snapped, and they all hurried off. Leola giggled a bit and Bogdub gave her a wink.
"Do my friends have to go?" she asked softly, and the woman nodded.
"Nords, you may join our Chief in the longhouse for a drink if you wish," she said. Sond and Bottar both perked up and eagerly hurried after the Chief, and Aventus smiled a bit.
"Stay safe, Leola," he said gently to the blonde before heading after them.
Once all were gone from the area of the village around the shrine, the elderly woman's face grew serious. "Leola," she said, "Malacath tells me that Volendrung is not your only purpose visiting us."
"No, it's not," she said softly. "Since visiting Narzulbur, my father has discovered that my mother's soul has been torn to pieces by the Daedric lords. She wants him to reassemble the pieces and deliver her soul to Sovngarde, where she belongs." There was sadness in Leola's voice. Never had she been forced to explain it this way before – every time that her friends had heard, it had been from Ulfric himself.
Bogdub nodded slightly at hearing this. "Not an easy task," she said gently. "That leads us to a problem with Malacath. I trust that you understand what our Lord's sphere is?"
"No," Leola admitted softly. "I'm not sure that I do."
"Malacath is, essentially, the patron deity of the spurned and the ostracized. He is the father of all Orcs, for we seemingly embody those very values here on Nirn. It is rather unfortunate, do not try to deny it," said Bogdub. "In life, your mother was none of those things. Your mother was a hero – she was a war hero, a slayer of dragons, the savior of Skyrim. All who met her adored her. She had time to help with even the smallest of tasks for even the most insignificant individuals. She was in charge of every major faction, even those sworn to secrecy, and she was the Thane of every Hold. She was beautiful, she was strong, and she was kind. As it turns out, she even had a brief romance with the High King himself, resulting in a beautiful child."
Leola felt a blush come to her cheeks at the old woman's kindness, and a certain pride swelling in her chest at hearing such kind things of her mother. It didn't sound exaggerated – it sounded like this was what the woman genuinely thought of her mother, and it was exciting to finally hear something about her mother that didn't mention her secrets or dark trysts, only her achievements and excellence.
"In death, however, the piece of her soul resting in the Ashpit is truly the vision of the spurned and the ostracized. Here she is, a powerful and beautiful Nordic hero, trapped in the final resting place of the Orsimer. I am sure you can understand how my fallen brothers and sisters must be feeling about her presence there – imagine how you would feel at encountering a Daedra-worshipping Dunmer or Altmer Thalmor agent in Sovngarde." As the woman spoke, Leola quickly put the pieces together, understanding exactly what this elderly Orc was saying.
"So you're saying that Malacath wants her there because she is a representation of his sphere in Oblivion?" Leola asked softly.
"Yes. The Orsimer are neither spurned nor ostracized in death, so though they drink and feast and fight with our Father, they are no longer beings who demonstrate the values that Malacath Himself truly represents." Bogdub gazed sadly at Leola. "He enjoys having your mother there, and I do not know if you will be able to get His piece of her soul."
Leola frowned as she listened. It pained her to think that her mother's soul suffered, and that Malacath enjoyed watching as the Orcish souls enjoy themselves while she was left miserable.
"There must be something," Leola said softly, pleadingly. "I'll do anything, I really will."