"Are you sure we shouldn't stop in Whiterun?" Driem asked as they trio drew close to the bottom of the mountain. She looked to Kiir. "It'll be cold up that way, too, and you should get something more than Tukara's old shawl."
Kiir tugged at the thin fabric around her shoulders. "Yeah, we should. I just hate to detour."
"It'll be a bigger detour if we run out of food or freeze to death," Tukara replied with a smirk. "Besides, we still have to get you some mead."
Kiir laughed, and nodded, turning to have Sid follow Cheshire up the path to Whiterun. She turned her head back to look up the mountain, a wave of guilt washed over her. She hated leaving the Greybeards at the mercy of Delphine's hand. Kiir had to keep reminding herself that those old men were powerful and they had an ancient dragon on their side.
They would be fine.
As Kiir came upon the stables and got Sid situated within, she noticed that the portion of Whiterun's wall that had been destroyed in the dragon attack was completely fixed. The newer stone was brighter than that of the older stone around it. She smiled. And life continues on forward.
"Were there this many soldiers here before?" Tukara asked as the trio walked up to the gate.
"Not that I remember," Driem replied. "I wonder what's going on."
Kiir eyed the soldiers milling about on the watchtowers and bridges just outside Whiterun. There had definitely not been this many the last time she was here. And when the gate guards opened the doors, Kiir could not believe the crowd.
There had to have been hundreds of people, most of them dressed in Imperial uniform, walking about the streets. Even the market square at midday wasn't this busy!
"Gods..." Kiir whispered. "Was there an attack here recently?"
"No, but I bet they're preparing for one," Tukara replied. "I think that move on Markarth by the Stormcloaks got the Empire all riled up. They're ramping up a presence here to take out any more attempts by the Stormcloaks to move west."
Driem's eyes danced over the crowd "You're probably right. Plenty of soldiers, but no Justicars. Small blessings."
Kiir scanned the crowd too, equal parts hopeful and anxious she might see a familiar face. She saw a few of the captain's uniforms drifting through the crowd, but none of them were Hadvar. Much to her surprise, though, Kiir saw a familiar Dunmer face, one she hadn't seen since she'd first come to Skyrim. She didn't remember his name, but she was glad he was still alive and well.
"So where exactly are we going?" Driem inquired. Both her and Tukara's heads were well below the shoulder height of most people in the streets. "The Companions?"
Tukara nodded. "As long as we get the fuck out of this crowd, I'm happy."
Kiir agreed, but unfortunately to get to Jorrvaskr, they would have to move further into the crowd. Kiir wasn't sure how much she could complain, though, seeing as she towered over most people and could breath the relatively fresh air above while Tukara and Driem were stuck at shoulder level with most people. She nearly lost the two sisters a few times when other soldiers passed in front of her.
Thankfully, as soon as they were up the stairs, the crowds thinned a little. It was still busy, but not in the shoulder-to-shoulder way that plagued the main roads.
Kiir hopped up the steps to Jorrvaskr, laughing. "I remember when I first came here," she started, "I just could not believe that people had built something with an upside down boat as a roof."
"It's definitely unique," Tukara replied. "No where else like it."
"I wonder where I'd be if Romanda hadn't pulled me in here," Kiir mused as she reached the top of the stairs. "I'd like to think I'd have found my way, but I don't know."
Driem shrugged, reaching for the door. "It doesn't really matter much now, does it? I mean, what happened happened, and you're here now. I wouldn't worry about it."
"I'm not worrying," Kiir clarified. "I'm more just... thinking. It feels like-"
"Kiir!"
Kiir looked up, seeing a familiar bejeweled, one-eyed Khajiit jogging across the floor towards her. Her eye had healed quite nicely, Kiir saw, and she looked just as spritely as she had when Kiir had left. "Nie'mar! How are you?"
"What a surprise!" Nie'mar wrapped Kiir in a hug, laughing. "It is so good to see you!"
"It's good to see you, too!"
Nie'mar pulled back, looking over Kiir's face. "And you got a haircut! Did you ever find your Horn?"
Kiir shook her head. "No, unfortunately. But now I'm on the hunt for an Elder Scroll. The journey never stops, I guess!"
"An Elder Scroll? You have upgraded, that is for sure." Nie'mar looked behind her for a moment. "Aela is out helping the guard while the Imperial Army is here, and Farkas and Romanda are on a job. They should be home either tonight or tomorrow morning. I'm sure they would all love to see you. How long are you staying?"
"No long, just a few hours," Kiir answered. She frowned. "We thought we'd come in and get supplies, but the city is full to the brim."
"Yeah, what's that about?" Tukara asked. "I've never seen the city this busy."
Nie'mar face flashed worry for a moment. "You all heard about what happened in Markarth, yes?"
Kiir looked to Tukara, then to Driem. "Yeah, we did."
"Well, that whole ordeal spooked the Empire. They got Jarl Balgruuf worked up enough to finally chose a side. He declared allegiance to the Empire, and not a week later the soldiers began flooding in." Niemar frowned. "Everyone is worried that the war is going to be dragged here. With the werewolf attacks and then the dragon... This city needs a break."
Driem nodded with a slight frown. "I don't blame them at all. If Whiterun isn't neutral any more, Ulfric very well may bring the fighting here."
"Oh, but," Nie'mar started. She held up a hand and turned back to head into a side office, and returned with a few letters. She handed one to Driem, another to Kiir, and two to Tukara.
"A letter?" Driem asked.
Kiir recognized the elegant script on the front of the envelope immediately. "How long ago did this arrive?"
"Yours? Quite a while ago. We got it only a few days after you left, but no one was sure where to send it to. Most couriers do not take 'some elf probably in Solitude' as an address."
Kiir unfolded the page inside and read through it, realizing it was an invitation. "Eithis got married!"
"Son of a bitch," Tukara hissed. "Can't people get into shit when I'm there to fix it?"
Driem hummed at her own letter. "We knew there'd be ripples from Whiterun's new allegiance, but it sounds like the they're worse than I expected in Windhelm."
Kiir turned, worried to see Driem's face so drawn. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing too terrible, yet," Driem replied. She wiggled the letter in her hand. "But it's only a matter of time. Moira, my wife, says Windhelm has changed quite a lot, recently."
"Changed?"
"Not so safe in the streets anymore, I guess." Driem looked up. "More angry nords coming around wanting to join up. Ones that aren't as used to the dunmer in the Grey Quarter or the argonians on the docks."
"The dunmer are sequestered in someplace called the Grey Quarter?"
Driem winced alongside her pained laugh. "Yeah, it doesn't sound good does it? They're not quite sequestered; I live in the richer district even though I'm mer, but they do make it hard. I won't lie, the bulk of the nords there have been always been pretty racist."
Kiir shook her head. She couldn't understand why Driem would want to live in a place like that.
"Anyway, with me around they were getting better. Now with the influx of spiteful men though it's gone from empty threats to actual fights." She gestured at the letter. "Do you think we could spare another detour and head to Windhelm? I'd feel better knowing they were somewhere safer."
"Bring them here," Nie'mar offered. "We have a few extra beds and, should the Stormcloaks decide to do anything funny, they will have an entire house of trained warriors to protect them."
Driem hummed. "Thank you for the offer, but if the war does come here, and I'm afraid it might, you'll be needed in battle. My family won't be the only ones counting on you. I'll find something else."
Nie'mar shrugged. "If you can not find somewhere else, the offer stands. Are you guys hungry at all? We were going to eat soon; you are welcome to join us. And pack some up for your journey!"
"Starving, thank you!" Kiir followed Nie'mar back towards the dining room and was reminded of when she'd first come here, warming her feet by the hearthfire. Looking back, Kiir hardly recognized herself.
She, Driem, and Tukara each ate their fill and Nie'mar offered them some died fruit and meat to take with them. The food was neatly wrapped in fabric and Kiir couldn't thank her enough.
"I am sorry you did not get to see Romanda or Aela," Nie'mar said. "They will be jealous I got to see you."
Kiir laughed. "You'll give them a hello for me, though, right?"
"Of course!"
"Oh!" Kiir perked up. "You wouldn't happen to know where I might buy a cloak? I didn't see the Khajiit caravans anywhere on my way in and we're heading up to Winterhold, so I'm going to need something."
Nie'mar hummed. "I do not know of any place that sells only cloaks... you might try just walking through the markets. There are new stands every day and it is late enough that the crowds will mostly be home by now."
"Ah, thank you." Kiir nodded and she started for the door. She stopped and turned, offering Nie'mar a smile. "See you around?"
"Definitely!"
It had changed to late afternoon when Kiir left Jorrvaskr. Nie'mar had been right, the crowds had mostly gone, leaving the market busy, but not crowded. They will likely be closing soon, Kiir thought as she hurried down the stairs.
"Actually if we're heading to Winterhold," Driem began, "I could head out now and get my family out myself and we meet you guys there."
"Are you sure?" Kiir asked.
"The more I think about it, the more I doubt putting the Dragonborn, an Altmer of all things, in the capital city of the Stormcloaks would be a good idea. Besides, for the time being I'm still trusted there. The guards won't bat an eye."
Kiir nodded along. "We should be leaving here before sundown. Will we just agree to meet up at the college?"
"That works for me!" Driem hoisted her bag higher on her shoulders, giving a mock salute before setting off down the road.
Kiir turned to Tukara. "You don't have any family we should be worrying about do you?"
Tukara scoffed, starting down towards the market. "Hardly."
Kiir followed and discovered, much to her disappointment, there didn't seem to be any stands or stalls that sold what she needed. There was certainly enough food and medicine to be sold, but few clothing vendors seemed to be out that afternoon. At the very least, the air smelled heavenly, with a mix of herbs and smoked meats.
Tukara bought a few candied sweets, admitting she hadn't had them since she was a kid and was surprised to see any Bosmeri treats in Skyrim of all places.
"Tukara? I'll be a hounds backside!"
Kiir turned, seeing an enormous armored Orc hurry across the market to wrap Tukara into a hug. Kiir chuckled.
"Gnorbash?" Tukara asked.
"Fancy seeing you here!" The orc laughed, releasing the hug. "You decide to re-enlist, too?"
"Re-enlist? You left the Legion?"
Kiir started to walk closer when another person caught her eye. The orc named Gnorbash seemed to have come along with someone. They, too, were dressed in Imperial armor. Captain's armor. "Hadvar?"
Hadvar turned and paused. His eyes grew wide.
Kiir started to make her way over, still surprised to see his face. She had hoped she'd see him, but had already resigned to herself that she wouldn't. As they drew close, she started to speak, but Hadvar didn't stop, opting instead to wrap her in an embrace. Kiir stood still, unsure.
"You're alive."
Kiir relaxed, returning the hug. "I could say the same to you."
Hadvar stayed close a moment longer before he pulled back, his face bright. "I didn't see you in the city after everything. I feared the worst. Where did you go?"
"I followed the dragon out of the city," Kiir replied. "I... was lucky enough to run into some old friends, the ones I'd gotten separated from back at the Embassy. We went from there to Riften, and then back up here."
"Do you ever take a break?" Hadvar chuckled. He looked behind him, and then over to Gnorbash and Tukara. "I actually have some of your things. The girls at the brothel brought them out to me. I guess they assumed I'd run into you again."
The thought of the brothel and the girls brought a sudden tightness to Kiir's chest, but she smiled still. "How are they all? Is Markarth faring okay?"
Hadvar shrugged, but the drawn look on his face answered the question well enough. "They're alright. I'm pretty sure the Argonian-"
"Gismee," Kiir interrupted.
"Yeah, Gismee. I'm pretty sure she's taken over ownership of the place. It fared pretty well, considering how the rest of the city looks." Hadvar reached and scratched the back of his neck. "Honestly, a lot of people just left."
Kiir frowned. She looked to Tukara, catching her eye. "You get everything you need?"
"I did, yeah." Tukara looked between Kiir and Hadvar, a sly smirk on her face. She walked over, Gnorbash trailing close behind her. "Who's this?"
Gnorbash laughed, a deep throaty sound. "So this is that Altmer girl you wouldn't stop talking about?"
Kiir flushed, unsure where to turn her gaze. Hadvar's face had turned a shade of pink, too, and Tukara's grin only grew wider. "I don't think there are many Altmer around here."
"You have her cloak too, right?" Gnorbash laughed again. "The one you said smells like Dragon's Tongue and Mirriam?"
Hadvar cleared his throat and pointed behind him. "Yeah, your stuff, ah," he coughed, "your stuff is back at the barracks. Follow me."
Kiir felt Tukara move up beside her. She leaned in close to her ear.
"He's cute."
Kiir nudged her with her shoulder. "He's giving me back my things."
Gnorbash leaned in, too, joining the conversation. "He's kept that cloak by his bedside since he got here."
"I was keeping it for me."
"Keeping it warm, sure," Gnorbash chuckled.
Kiir rolled her eyes, trying to will the red from her cheeks. Her face was on fire and she tired to look at anything but Hadvar. They wandered down the streets to where the barracks were and Hadvar disappeared inside, returning with a small bag and cloak. Kiir smiled. "I appreciate you holding onto these."
"It was no problem. I'm just glad I ran into you soon enough to return these."
Gnorbash scoffed. "I'm sure that's the only reason."
Hadvar shot him a glare. He then looked back to Kiir. "I should be getting back to work though. How long are you here for?"
"Actually," Kiir raised the cloak, "with this, I think we're all set to be leaving."
Tukara nodded. "We're headed up to the College."
Hadvar raised a brow. "I thought you already went by the College?"
"I did," Kiir replied, "but we've got to head back to try and find an old scroll. Hopefully, it's already in their library. Either way, we've got to get up to Winterhold and we're on somewhat of a time crunch."
"I see." Hadvar frowned, but quickly shook it away. "Then I guess I should be wishing you safe travels!"
Gnorbash crossed his arms. "I finally see you after all these years and you leave a few minutes after."
"Just how things go, I guess."
"I guess, my ass," Gnorbash laughed. "You're doing this just to torture me."
"If I was trying to torture you, you'd damn well know it."
"I know your methods. I quite enjoy a few of them."
Tukara whapped Gnorbash on the arm and then nodded to Kiir. "Come on, we want to get some miles in before sundown."
"We'll be heading here on our way back," Kiir offered, addressing both Hadvar and Gnorbash. "How long are you all stationed here?"
"Until the Stormcloaks decide to try anything," Gnorbash answered. He placed a hand on Tukara's shoulder. "Come stop by and see me again. We can catch up. It'll be like old times."
Tukara laughed, breaking her shoulder free of Gnorbash's grip. "We'll see about that."
Kiir gave Hadvar a small smile. "See you around, then!"
"You bet."
Kiir and Tukara fell into step as they walked back out to the stables. Kiir put the shawl on over her shoulders and then tied the small bag around her waist. "So, you know Hadvar. Who's Gnorbash?"
"An old friend."
Kiir grabbed ahold of Sid's lead. "Old friend? That's all I'm getting?"
"You asked who he was, I'm telling you." Though her voice was level, Tukara couldn't keep a smile from crawling onto her face.
"Then what's 'like old times'?"
Tukara hummed. "We were a lot closer back then."
Kiir leapt up onto Sid's back, settling herself into the saddle. "But you're not anymore?"
"We just haven't seen each other for ages." Tukara hopped up behind Kiir. "It's not like anything happened we just... fell out of contact."
"Fell out of contact," Kiir echoed. "Well, maybe you'll fall back into contact."
"Maybe."
Kiir felt that the conversation had reached its end and she didn't feel like prying, especially with Tukara sitting right behind her in the saddle. Kiir wouldn't put it past her to try pushing her out of the saddle, should the conversation turn down a direction Tukara would preferred it not to go.
However, after a bout of silence, Tukara spoke again. "I guess we both found our old flames."
Old flames. Kiir wasn't sure she considered Hadvar an 'old flame', but it sounded nice enough that she didn't protest. She hummed in response. She shouldn't be thinking about Hadvar or 'old flames', getting the Elder Scroll was paramount. Still, the warm butterflies that danced in her stomach were a nice change of pace. She could get used to this.
