Chapter 32: Mara's blessings - part 3

[26th of Morning Star – 5th of Sun's Dawn 4E 202]

Being a morning person and waking early was probably in my genes; when I woke up in the next morning in our Markarth home 'Vlindrel Hall', everybody else seemed to be still asleep, including my pretty wife. Thus, I went into the kitchen and decided to prepare breakfast. I took my time, and when I was about ready, my companions joined me around the big table.

I told them: "Look, I do not think that there is a need for all of us to meet Calcelmo – I would rather do this just with T'mara, as this is our task. Would you others want to explore the city and look around a bit? Let's meet again here for dinner."

Of course Iona and Jordis agreed and said that they'd do some 'girl shopping', and soon I climbed up to the Understone Keep together with T'mara. From my earlier visits to the city I knew where to find the court wizard, so that I guided us into the keep and then turned left into an area, which looked little better than an excavation site. After walking around the last corner, though, we found Calcelmo, as usual, working on his alchemy and enchanting tables, pretty much oblivious to what happened around him. I carefully approached him and finally got his attention.

He looked annoyed and said: "What are you doing here? The excavation site is closed. I don't need any more workers or guards."

I responded: "We are not here for the excavation site – we are looking for you, actually. You are researching the Dwemer, right?"

He looked up now and confirmed: "Yes. Their history and culture is all around us in Markarth. A race of stonecutters, artisans, and engineers. They invented machines and built elaborate underground cities where they researched powers to rival the gods themselves. And then, at a time we are still not sure when, they disappeared. The whole people, all at once. Leaving behind only their works."

I was aware of the sudden disappearance of the Dwemer and had many times wondered what may have happened at that time, and I hoped that eventually somebody would find out. I replied: "Yes, that is quite a mystery. Actually, you sent a letter to me that you are interested in Dwemer artifacts."

He looked interested now: "Oh yes, I did, didn't I? Do you happen to have an artifact for me?"

I nodded and showed him the Dwemer crossbow I had brought with me: "Yes, I do. Based on some schematics we found hidden somewhere, one of my Dawnguard colleagues was able to reconstruct a special Dwemer crossbow, and I have already tested it in combat successfully."

Calcelmo looked at it and murmured: "Amazing – this is absolutely fascinating. Can I persuade you to sell this device to me?"

I smiled and told him: "No, you cannot, but as your reputation as a scholar for Dwemer culture is well known, it is an honor for me to hand this over as a gift!"

Now the court wizard actually smiled and looked quite happy: "Finally somebody who appreciates my work. What a day! Thank you, indeed!"

T'mara now added: "Calcelmo, there is something else – we have also been sent by Mara specifically to you, as she knows that you need some assistance in a very personal affair – would you allow us to guide you?"

The wizard looked somewhat embarrassed and said: "Yes, this is indeed personal, but as you have been sent by Mara, I guess I can admit that I am fascinated of Faleen, the housecarl to Jarl Igmund. She is such a wonderful person – I would love to talk to her about my feelings, but every time I get close to her I have no idea what to say. Maybe you could help me to find out what she likes; Yngvar the Singer actually might know about that."

T'mara promised: "We will see what we can do and get back to you. Good bye for now!"

When we were out of the keep, T'mara looked at me with a smirk on her face and said: "He reminds me of you. After we met, for some time you also did not talk about your feelings towards me at all."

I smiled and responded: "True, but the main reason for that was that I wanted to find out first if the feelings were reciprocated. One sided feelings of love can hurt a lot."

T'mara replied: "Now, where do we find this Yngvar? Shall we first look at the inn?"

I nodded and agreed: "Yes, let's look there first. Somebody there should know where to find him."

As a matter of fact, Yngvar the Singer was at the inn himself, and a patron pointed him out. T'mara addressed Yngvar and explained that we wanted to know about Faleen´s interests. She also mentioned that it wasn't us being interested, but we were asking for somebody else.

Yngvar looked at us and smiled: "Ah, a secret admirer, eh? 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?"

T'mara handed him the 200 septims he wanted, and Yngvar continued: "Wonderful. I'll write it out so you won't forget it. You should probably just let Faleen read it herself. Don't want you stumbling over the words and ruining my flow."

After he had completed the writing, he handed us a sheet of paper with a poem, and we hurried up to the Keep again to find Faleen. As housecarl to the Jarl finding her should not be difficult, and indeed the tough looking Redguard warrior was standing right beside her Jarl. T'mara asked her to step aside for a moment for a personal issue and gave her the poem, adding that this was sent with best regards from Calcelmo. Faleen took a few minutes reading it, and she was visibly impressed. She muttered something about Calcelmo´s unexpected words and quickly wrote a letter to bring back to Calcelmo, which we promised to do. He was glad to see us again, and even more so when he got Faleen´s letter. He mumbled: "This is... more than I could have hoped for. Have you really done this for me? I have to see her. Please, excuse me."

This being said, he ran off to see Faleen. Being curious, we followed with some distance, and we could see and hear enough to understand that the mission was successful. T'mara looked at me with a smile and said: "You know, being in love yourself it is so much easier to understand when others fall in love or dare to confess their love." And she continued: "I guess that our mission here is now completed, isn't it?"

As planned, all of us met again for dinner in my home and discussed the events of the day. Iona and Jordis reported that they had done a little shopping, but somehow did not like the city much, although they did not know exactly why; I had the same feeling, and this was a reason I usually did not spend much time here. We all agreed to leave again tomorrow, first heading to 'Red Eagle Redoubt'.

Quite early in the next morning we all walked out of the city and wanted to head straight to 'Kolskeggr Mine'. However, close to 'Salvius Farm' we ran into a miner called Pavo Attius, who told us that he used to work at the Kolskeggr mine.

I asked: "You're from Kolskeggr Mine?"

He replied: "Was. Forsworn came in the night. Killed everyone. Gat and I are the only ones who escaped. Hopefully Skaggi will send word to the Jarl and something will be done."

I told him: "That's too bad."

He sighed: "You're telling me."

I suspected that the Jarl might not actually be willing to do much about it. Looking at T'mara, I carefully suggested: "What if we took care of the Forsworn?"

He looked hopeful now: "I'd be grateful. Kolskeggr is my home. But, I wouldn't go there if I were you. There's a whole group of them with axes and magic on their side. You'd never stand a chance."

Addressing my companions, I said: "Look, we are going to pass the mine anyway. We can as well look what's happening there and drive off the Forsworn. Once we are done, two of us can get back here and report and the others can proceed to get the artifact, and we can meet again at 'Old Hroldan Inn' later on."

The mine was indeed not far from the city and we got there before noon. In order to be prepared for battle, we ate a quick early lunch and reviewed our armor and weapons. Entering the mine, we first came along a passage with lots of crates and barrels before getting to a crossroad, which was patrolled by a Forsworn; I was able to silently kill the enemy with my crossbow. From here on we did not know where to go and how man enemies we would find. Contrary to our normal stealth approach, I opted for a brute force approach this time and made a lot of noise with a pickaxe and a metal bucket to attract enemies. T'mara and myself had placed ourselves so that every path was covered, as we could fire at approaching enemies at will.

After a few minutes, we had killed about five or six Forsworn, and no more were coming. We now decided to move further down into the mine in pairs, covering two paths leading down from the main crossroad. T'mara took Iona, and I went with Jordis, so that we had an archer and a close combat expert in each pairing.

Jordis and I only found one more Forsworn further down and got some gold ore from a vein plus some minor loot, before we had to turn back and wait for the others. When T'mara and Iona finally returned quite some time later, Iona looked a bit worn, and T'mara reported that they had met a Briarheart, who had put up quite a fight. In total, we had gathered about ten or twelve pieces of gold ore, too. With all of the mine exploration and fighting we were not in the mood to continue walking today and thus decided to make camp here. We found a nice place close to Pavo's house outside and, as usual, had Pammy stand guard during the night.

After breakfast we discussed who would go where, and Iona and Jordis volunteered to walk towards Markarth and report back to Pavo; they would also bring most of the gold ore as a gift. A couple of days later we planned to meet at 'Old Hroldan Inn' again. T'mara and myself started to head north for a few minutes, and close to the next bridge we swam across the river to meet a small footpath leading east, towards 'Karthspire Camp'. According to the map, the path should turn upwards to 'Red Eagle Redoubt' before actually getting to the camp.

Fortunately the sun was up and not blocked by clouds, so that it was easier for us to get dry again after the river crossing; a quick but intense make out session in between also helped to warm up. Merrily and quickly we walked on, and after passing a clay deposit and an iron ore vein, the path did indeed turn left and lead upwards into the hills. From here on we needed to be careful, as we did not know which enemies we might encounter; naturally, this being the Reach, Forsworn were a likelihood.

Our caution was justified, as we could see a small camp ahead when looking up from behind a big boulder. Two Forsworn were visible, both looking in different directions and apparently standing guard. They had not seen us yet, and T'mara and I disposed of them with bow and crossbow. We waited for a few minutes to check if their demise was observed by others, but it did not look like that. Thus, we carefully continued to sneak upwards.

Around the next corner we saw what we assumed to be the main camp, and we noticed a couple of more Forsworn, with maybe one or two more in the tents. To save time, I sent Pammy ahead, and when she had drawn attention to her, we just rushed forward and overran the camp, which was done in less than a minute. From the main camp, an entrance lead into the hills, but there wasn't actually a need to investigate as we found what we had looked for – Hjalti's Sword – in a locked chest in the largest tent. Of course there was the temptation to dive into the hill and get more loot, but, as we were on a mission for Mara, we skipped and rather decided to proceed. We had made good time today and noon was still to come, so that we climbed across the wilderness for a couple of hours, stopped for a quick lunch close to the stone quarry at 'Soljund's Sinkhole', and went down the road towards 'Old Hroldan Inn'.

Halfway down we passed a Shrine of Mara, and naturally we stopped for a few minutes to pay our respects and talk to the few acolytes and travelers around it. Long before evening came we were down again at the inn and booked the same rooms as the first time; if the ghost showed again, we'd be able to deliver the weapon. Jordis and Iona were not expected tonight; they'd show up next day or day after, I guessed.

Naturally, this night we did not get to sleep easily, but fortunately the ghost did show up again. As son as we heard it and moved to the main taproom, it asked impatiently: "Did you bring my sword?" When T'mara confirmed and handed over the weapon, the ghost looked relieved: "Ah – finally!" and disappeared, but not before mysteriously increasing T'mara´s skill in one-handed weapons and blocking a little. I did not really understand how a skill could be increased just with a touch rather than real training, but this was a ghost after all, and in some aspects Skyrim was really odd, as I had already noticed a few times before.

Eydis, the innkeeper, looked at us and commented: "All of a sudden, the ghost disappeared. Do you think that he will be coming back? - I was just getting used to that ghost being here, and poof, now he's gone."

We could not answer her concerns and rather retired to our rooms again; now we could finally sleep.

Late on the next day Iona and Jordis also arrived, and we could continue our journey together. As we had the special tool 'Nettlebane' with us, which we had found at 'Orphan Rock', we wanted to actually use it and get some sap from 'Eldergleam Sanctuary', so that a detour was required. In order to get there, we'd have to pass Whiterun and either pass the mountains via Helgen or via 'Valtheim Towers', but that was a decision we could make later on. For now, we planned to walk back to Whiterun the same way we had arrived; there was not really a reasonable alternative.

When we had started on our way and walked close to the river, the ladies start to have some small talk, mostly about Lydia's and Inigo's upcoming wedding in Riften and potential preparations and gifts. As we took our time, we did not get too far on this day and decided to stop at Granite Hill for the night. There was no inn in the town, but we found a nice place to camp.

After dinner and some conversation with the few local inhabitants, eventually we retired to our bedrolls and soon fell asleep, with Pammy guarding us, as usual. The distance to Whiterun from here was no so very long, so that we took our time the next day, chatting with some village people and picking more flowers and plants as alchemy supplies. Soon after passing the side road to 'Bloated Man's Grotto' we encountered a group of Thalmor; as were not in the mood for arrogant words from them today we quickly passed them silently. When we were some distance away I mentioned to my companions that I had a bad feeling about the Thalmor and we might eventually have to fight them.

An hour later we passed the Western Watchtower, and Whiterun was now visible, with Dragonsreach stretching high above the city. I had always had a feeling of home when I looked at that, although my real home was Riverside Lodge, but Whiterun was the place where most of my friends were, and a Jarl I could proudly call my friend. Today, though, we only quickly visited Jorrvaskr to say hello and moved on to Riverside Lodge for the night, as our goal was further east anyway.

We decided to spend a relaxed day at the lodge, and one day later Iona, Jordis, T'mara and myself moved on towards Eldergleam Sanctuary via 'Valtheim Towers'. As we had cleared the towers some time ago, this might be a good way to go. We walked quite quickly and with only few interruptions, and we actually succeeded to reach the sanctuary at dusk; entering the cave we talked to the acolytes and set up our tents and bedrolls, as we were quite tired after the long walk.

Shortly after dawn the followers of Kynareth politely invited us for breakfast and we accepted. While eating we mentioned that we had gained the 'Nettlebane' and were prepared to harvest some sap from the big tree as instructed by Danica. A Breton called Maurice, however, pleaded: "Please do not cut the roots of the great and beautiful Eldergleam tree here in the cave; the spirits of the tree will object, and the peace of the sanctuary will be impacted!"

I objected: "But how can we get sap from the tree without damaging it?"

Maurice suggested: "I believe that I could make the tree to create a sapling you can take to rejuvenate the tree in Whiterun – this should work as well."

I was not sure how this might work, but we walked over to the tree together. Maurice started to pray to Kynareth, and after some time a sapling was actually apparent, growing somewhat, and finally separated itself from the main tree. Maurice looked exhausted but happy when he noticed that, and I confirmed that this was good enough for us: "Thank you for your effort, Maurice. I am quite happy that we can get something to help the Gildergreen tree without having to hurt the Eldergleam tree here. I will do my best to convince Danica that this is the best approach."

The day was still quite young, and we decided to first go to Riften to hopefully complete Mara´s tasks, and bring the sapling to Whiterun later on. We quickly moved on and managed to get to Riften shortly after dusk, happily finding our beds in Honeyside, with Jordis and Iona taking the guest bedroom.

However, when entering the temple of Mara on the next day, we were a little bit disappointed, as a new tasks was bestowed upon us. We were supposed to reunite two lovers in the area of 'Gjukar´s Monument', west of Whiterun. Well, we were looking forward to finally getting to Winterhold, but as we had committed ourselves to Mara's blessing, it was fair to first complete the related tasks, and thus we were on the road again soon enough.

This time we decided to take the carriage to Whiterun, and once we had arrived there, our first task was to visit Danica at the Temple of Kynareth. When she saw us approaching, T'mara reported: "We were asked by the priests of Kynareth in Eldergleam Sanctuary to not harm the tree by cutting into it to retrieve sap. However, Maurice prayed to the goddess and made the tree create and release a sapling for us. They are convinced that the sapling can replace the dying old tree here and replace it quite quickly, and we just did not want to damage the beautiful Eldergleam tree."

Danica looked skeptical: "Replacing the huge Gildergreen with a small sapling is not exactly what I had in mind. But I understand the concerns and we will make it work somehow. Thank you for your effort, and please let me provide some training in your restoration skill!"

Once both T'mara's and my own restoration skill had improved a little magically – well, magic was something really wonderful in Tamriel after all, and although being part Nord, I could not imagine to live in a place without magic – I commented: "We all hope to see the new Gildergreen tree growing and prospering, and we are sure that you will do your best to support it."

With that we took our leave and retired to Breezehome for the night, with Jordis and Iona taking the guestroom.

[Author's Note: Merry Christmas and wonderful holidays to all of my faithful readers!]