Serana laid back on the bed. It really was the most comfortable bed in the world. It felt like her bed back at the castle, but not as stiff and cold from years and years of being unused. And less dusty. It felt nice to lay down on something other than a bedroll.

She sat up after a bit. She looked at some of the stuff Akiseta had set out on the bed and nightstand. Technically, she wasn't going through Akiseta's stuff, since it was out of the backpack. One thing that caught her interest was a small jar with a clear-ish substance in it.

Serana picked it up, and opened the lid. The substance had a mixture of plant-based smells. Serana poked a finger into it. It felt gel-like.

"You're never going to stop going through my stuff, are you?"

Serana turned her head towards the door to the bathing area. Akiseta leaned against the doorframe, dressed in a robe that hung loosely off her body. Small droplets of water clung to her feathers.

"This was already out of the bag."

"Now who's splitting hairs?"

Serana close the jar, and placed it back on the nightstand. "What is that stuff, anyway?"

"Moisturizer. For my scales. Our scales tend to dry out after a while." Akiseta explained.

"Does that hurt?"

"Not unless they dry out completely. It makes them itch, though." Akiseta said, scratching her cheek. "The cold weather doesn't help. I was just about to put some on."

"Oh, okay. I'll be elsewhere, then."

"You don't need to go that far. A different area of the room would give me enough privacy." Akiseta said with a smile.

Serana rolled her eyes. "I might just go to Elsweyr after all. It's warm there, I hear. You'd probably love it."

"The tropical parts, maybe. My Khajiit friends say there's a lot of dry places too, though. Extreme heat would be just as bad for my scales as the cold. Black Marsh is warm and wet, just the way I like it."

"You ever think about going back? Like, for a visit?" Serana asked.

Akiseta shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. I've got a lot going on here, currently. And if I went back, I might run into..." Akiseta trailed off for a minute. "...people I know.. I mean, knew. So..."

Serana nodded, unsure what to say to that. "I'll be around the corner."

She seated herself in a chair. She pulled out the first book in the series she got from the Arcanaeum. Instantly, she felt the same excitement she felt when she read them so long ago.

She couldn't help but think how she and Akiseta were like the two adventurers. Out on their own, fighting powerful foes, facing impossible odds, seeing wonderous sights. She hoped their story turned out like it did for the adventurers. A happy ending, where they could lay down their swords for good.

It was then that Serana remembered that the two adventurers got married towards the end of the series. So, maybe she shouldn't compare herself and Akiseta to the story. It wasn't a good line of thinking. Especially with this feeling still affecting her.

She tried to focus on the story, trying to keep thoughts of that line of thinking at bay. An irritated hiss pulled her attention from the book.

"Are you alright, Aki?"

"Yes." A brief silence was followed by another hiss. "...no. I'm trying to put this stuff on my back, but it hurts a little. I didn't realize how sore I was."

"Do you need help?" The offer left Serana's mouth before she gave it any sort of thought.

"Yeah, if you don't mind."

Serana went back around the corner.

Akiseta sat on the bed, the little jar beside her. She was dressed in nothing but underwear. Her chest and stomach were fleshy like her neck, not covered in scales like the rest of her body. Her skin was a lighter shade of black than her scales. Her breasts also lacked a particular part of the female anatomy.

Akiseta met her eyes, and Serana realized she was staring. "Sorry." She murmured, averting her eyes.

"No need to be sorry, beeko. I should have covered myself a bit more." Akiseta said, using her arms to cover her chest. "I hope I haven't made you uncomfortable."

"No no, you haven't. I was just a little... surprised is all."

"I suppose seeing me like this was a little odd."

"Odd? Why do you say that?"

"Because Saxhleel females don't have teats. Or, nipples, as landstriders refer to them as for people. Our young don't nurse. Hatchlings are fed licorice worms. I just figured it's strange to see breasts without them."

"Not at all. Well, maybe a little. But that's not why I was..." 'Staring. I was staring.'

Serana let her words leave there. She sat next to Akiseta, and picked up the jar. "So, I just rub some of this on your back, then?"

"Yeah. Don't use to much, or it kind of globs on my scales." Akiseta turned so her back was to Serana.

Serana put some of the moisturizer in her palm, and pressed her hand to Akiseta's back, gently rubbing it across her scales. They felt a little coarse, dried out from the weather. They felt warm too, from her recent bath.

Serana couldn't help but notice how toned the muscles in Akiseta's back were. She could feel it over her scales, which were getting a small luster from the candlelight glinting over the moisturizer. She glanced at a small puncture scar on the Argonian's shoulder. She remembered the arrow that pierced her friend back in the Soul Cairn. The arrow that knocked her off the spire, the arrow that could have cost her her life.

'The arrow that almost took her from me.' The thought of how close Akiseta had come to dying made Serana's chest ache. She didn't want to lose her friend.

'Friend.' Serana repeated the word to herself a few times. That's all Akiseta was. That's all they were. Serana kept reminding herself of that as she ran her hand across the Argoinian's exposed back. It didn't stop that feeling from pulling at her chest, at her heart. It didn't stop the warmth she felt coming to her cheeks.

She put a little more of the moisturizer on her hand, and rubbed Akiseta's shoulders. Those muscles were especially toned, from much time spent swinging a sword and drawing a bow.

She felt Akiseta's body slacken a great deal into a relaxed state. Her head tilted off to the side a bit, and Serana heard her let out a groan similar to the one she had back when they'd danced, though this one sounded a bit deeper.

"Your hand feels nice." Akiseta said in a lilting tone. "The cold from it, I mean. Because of my soreness, I mean.." She added quickly, turning her head downward and closing her eyes.

"Right." Serana said quietly.

Was the cold from her hand really enough to warrant such a pleased sound? Or was it connected to the way Serana heard the Argonian's heart beating faster? Like her own was.

Serana picked up a small cloth and wiped her hands on it. "All done. I'll let you get dressed."

Akiseta gave a small nod, keeping her head lowered. "Thanks."

Serana rounded the corner once more. She leaned against the wall, biting her lip. She knew what she heard. And what she was feeling... Was it so ridiculous to think Akiseta felt it too? Was it wrong to hope for it?

Akiseta rounded the corner, fully dressed, buttoning up her winter coat as she approached. "Serana?"

"Yes?"

Akiseta opened her mouth, then closed it.

"What is it, Aki?" Serana asked.

Akiseta looked away, her expression conflicted.

"Aki, talk to me, please." Serana pleaded, approaching her. "You don't have to shut me out anymore. Please, talk to me."

Akiseta looked back at her. The look in her eyes was like she was trying to say something, but couldn't. Instead, she took hold of Serana's hand, and put it against her left cheek, closing her eyes.

Her scales were extremely warm, more so than the rest of her scales elsewhere. Hearing her heart still beat fast, Serana understood why. Akiseta was blushing. Her scales were too dark to let it show, but Serana could feel it.

Akiseta leaned into Serana's hand, still trying to convey words she seemed unable to speak. Serana gently stroked the Argonian's cheek with her thumb, and took her other hand with her free one.

Akiseta opened her eyes, meeting Serana's gaze. There was enough said in her look.

Serana stepped closer to Akiseta, looking up some to keep her gaze. A small shudder ran through her when the Argonian's tail wrapped around her waist. She felt Akiseta's fingers thread between hers.

Akiseta moved Serana's hand from her cheek, placing her own under her chin. Serana felt her heart race a little more as Akiseta began to move her head down a little.

A knock echoing into the room prompted a gasp from both of them, and they stepped away from each other. They shared wide-eyed looks, before looking towards the entryway.

"Who is it?" Akiseta asked, her voice a little high and raspy.

"It's me, Arch-Mage. Sorry to disturb you." An older sounding male voice said from outside the door. "Are you alright?"

" I'm alright, Tolfdir." Akiseta said, her voice sounded normal now. "Did you need something?"

"Jarl Kraldar's steward is here. The Jarl would like to know if you would like to join him for dinner. Your friend is welcome to join as well."

Akiseta looked at Serana. "Um.. you don't mind, do you? I do have an important friendship of sorts with Kraldar, and I'd hate to disappoint him..."

"I don't mind." It wasn't quite true. Serana minded the fact that their moment was ruined.

"We'll be along in just a moment, Tolfdir."


"I'm glad you found time to join me, Akiseta. I know you're a busy woman." Kraldar said, filling three cups with wine. He handed one to Akiseta and one to Serana.

"Of course, Kraldar. It's nice to have a break from what I've been doing. It's been a while since I've eaten a real meal."

"Then please, enjoy yourself. You as well." Kraldar added, turning to Serana. "It's a pleasure to meet one of Akiseta's friends. Forgive my prying, but where are you from? The Companions? The Bard's College?"

"Neither. I am from Haafinger, though." Serana said, sipping her wine. The island was technically in Haafinger, so what Serana had said was basically true.

"Ah. Solitude is a fine city. Makes Winterhold seem like a hamlet, I'm sure."

"It seems to be getting itself back together."

"It is, especially thanks to Akiseta." Kraldar gestured over to Akiseta.

Akiseta shrugged, smiling shyly. "I really didn't do much."

"Listen to her, Humble to a fault. The whole town owes her their lives. And I owe her my current position."

"Really?" Serana tilted her head, her hood shifting slightly. "How so?"

"My predecessor, Jarl Korir, was as Nord as a Nord can get. Blamed the wizards at the College for everything. And he didn't take kindly to Akiseta's appearance. He also wasn't thrilled an Argonian was Dragonborn."

Akiseta remembered Korir. While the rest of the townspeople were happy she'd saved their lives, he had acted as if she had somehow been responsible for what happened at the College.

"The town also struggled because he did all he could to help fund the Stormcloaks." Akiseta added.

"He chose a war over his people. Nice. So, how did you become Jarl?" Serana asked Kraldar.

"It was Akiseta's idea. I had her over for a meal after she saved the town, and I shared my hopes and dreams for Winterhold with her. We agreed that Korir would keep the town in it's struggle for as long as the war ran. So, she came up with a plan."

"I challenged Korir to honorable combat for the position of Jarl."

"You challenged him?" Serana asked. "You used a Nord custom against him."

Akiseta nodded. "He was too proud to refuse. He made me bind my mouth during the fight, to be sure I wouldn't Shout. I still beat him."

"So, you were technically Jarl for a time?"

"Yes, for about two hours. After Korir and his family left for Windhelm, I named Kraldar my successor, and stepped down."

"It was a little underhanded, but it was for the best of the city. We became neutral territory in the war, since we can't afford to fund either side. And as you can see, the results have been wonderful."

"So I've noticed." Serana mused, looking over at Akiseta with a small smile.

Akiseta saw her eyes under her hood, glowing faintly. She couldn't get their little moment from earlier out of her mind. If Tolfdir hadn't interrupted them, Akiseta knew she would have done what she almost did in her dream. She took a sip of her wine, unable to shake away remembering how Serana's hands had felt on her back. She felt her cheeks heat up.

"Oh, Akiseta. I'm sure you were informed about the vampire attack we had a while back."

"Yes, I was."

"I don't want to trouble you, but we had a traveler from Riften last week who mentioned that there was one there around the same time. In the day and everything. Have you any idea what it was all about?"

Akiseta sighed. "It wasn't random, Kraldar. That's all I can say. But rest assured, Winterhold is safe."

"Good. Whatever the problem is, it will be taken care of?"

"Certainly."

"Thank you for putting my mind at ease, my friend. Now, let's enjoy the rest of our meal."


Akiseta waited until they were a ways from the city before summoning Arvak. "It's about time we head back to the fort."

"Yeah." Serana said. She sounded a little disappointed. Akiseta was too.

She pulled herself into Arvak's saddle, then helped Serana up. She bit her lip when Serana held onto her shoulders, remembering how they felt when her shoulders were bare.

She flicked the chain serving as Arvak's reins, and the horse started into a trot. Maybe she and Serana would have more time later.


Thanks to everyone who's following this story. The support is appreciated immensely. We're now at the part I've been eager to write, and I hope you're all as excited as I am for what comes next :D

I will say that I'll be starting a new job soon, and I'm not sure yet how it will affect me writing and uploading chapters. I think I'll have the next one out before I start, but there might be more time in between uploads after that. Anyway, see ya next chapter.