Ceabhail:

I've been working on this for a full week. I hope you appreciate that. For some amount of understanding, that's how long it took me to completely write Genus' Adventure to find Presea. An older story, but among my favorites. Might rewrite it. That being said, I put in a lot of attention for this. I love it. I also hate it.

...

Oh, and enjoy =^^=

"Hey… you should really wake up."

I felt a finger poke at my face.

Wow… a dreamless night. I haven't had that in a while. My body felt heavy, almost like I spent a whole day doing stupid stuff. Jeez… what did I even do yesterday?

I tossed in my bed, smacking the finger away. I was still in sleeping mode, and I wanted to stay asleep. My brain was fuzzy, and I think… it was still processing who I was… where I was… and what I did last night.

I had flashes of me marching up a tall mountain, meeting a blue-skinned person. Thrawn. I ate a steak, got a little drunk, insulted his manhood, compared him to a cartoon villain, and then ruin-delved, finding an old stone. Marched to Whiterun, fought some zombies, turned out to be the Last of Us clone, and then fought a dragon. Got even more tired, marched back to Whiterun, got promoted from strange person to… strange person with rights to own land, also money. Walked to my sleeping bed, found out I'm dirty… took a bath, marched up to my bed… passed out.

That's when I snapped my eyes open. I was fully downloaded now. I know who I am… and how I ended up here.

I yawned as I pushed against the bed, groaning as my arms screamed out in pain. Okay… muscle soreness. Not unexpected. I did a lot of shit last night. I'm bound to be sore. I groaned as I sat up, or at least… I rolled over onto my back. I fell asleep as soon as I crashed into the bed. I hadn't moved at all during my coma.

I yawned as I poked at the lump formed under my bed covers. "Ky… time to wake up."

"Ky is already awake." I heard from down the stairs. "She is eating an apple."

If… if she was down there… who was under my covers?

I didn't want to find out, so I just rolled off my bed, falling onto the floor, hitting hard enough to make my entire body scream in pain. I bit my tongue, not literally, I mean… I kept myself from screaming in pain as my body spasmed. It took a second for me to catch my breath, but when I did, I looked up at the person who poked me awake. It was the strong Nord woman. She was wearing Plate armor.

"Hi." I said to the woman.

She smirked as she looked down at me. "You okay down there? Want a hand up?"

I considered it… but the cold floorboards felt nice on my back. "I'm… not sure yet?"

The Nord glanced down at me. "Yesterday sure was something, huh? I saw the way you chopped the dragon's head off. You don't look it, but you're pretty strong." She bent down, offering me a hand. "I'm Uthgerd the Unbroken."

I reached up, taking her hand. "Talia… the…" Think of something funny. Think of it, DAMMIT! "Ineffable." Sure… why not. I mean… yeah. That works in so many different ways.

"You're not able to be fucked?" Uthgerd looked down at my legs. "Why not? Genetic defect?"

I'm… I'm not doing this right now.

I shook my head. "You know what… never mind. Can you just pull me up?"

Uthgerd shrugged, pulling me off the ground. "There you go, Talia, the Unfuckable."

"That's not…" I groaned.

"I'll be sure to let everyone know." Uthgerd said with a serious nod.

Great… just great. I guess I have a title now.

"Do you really have to?" Great… I can just imagine this coming out as news tonight at the feast.

Uthgerd nodded, again… just as seriously. "A title is important to Nord culture. I shall let everyone know you are the Unfuckable."

Maybe I can fix this. "I'm actually Talia the Gray." Because I have gray scales. Obviously.

Uthgerd shook her head. "I like Unfuckable better. It has such a strong message of no one being able to fuck with you." Oh… wow… I hadn't thought of it like that. "With you being a seeress and being able to see what's going to happen next, it would make sense that you're not able to be fucked with." Yeah… I actually like that.

I nodded. "Yeah… I'll go ahead and keep it then." Plus, I am asexual so… I'm Unfuckable no matter how you mean it. "I'm Talia the…" Say it, say it, say it… "Untossable. I mean… Unfuckable."

Uthgerd smiled. "So… you're strong. Want to fight?" She tapped the sword hanging over her back.

Why does everyone want to fight me?

"No." I said.

Uthgerd sighed. "No one ever does." She plopped down onto my bed. "Everyone is scared of me. I mean… I killed this kid when I was applying to be a Companion. And ever since then… no one wants to fight me. Even when I go out for bounty quests… my targets usually just give up. It's not my fault the kid died. He… impaled himself on my sword twenty times and then stuck his head on a pike. It's not my fault."

Ah-huh. I'm just going to slowly back out of the room. "Well, that sounds like a lot of stuff you should really talk about. I'll leave you to process your feelings while I go eat some breakfast." I paused, glancing out the window. The sun was either rising or setting. I'm not sure about the directional pattern of this world yet. "Um… what time is it?"

"Nearly 6… in the evening. I was told to wake you up so you had time to get ready for the feast." Uthgerd replied, sighing as she curled into a ball on my bed.

I slept all day? All fucking day? I can't believe it! I wanted to go out, buy some clothes… or something. Maybe a new sword. A shield. A bow/arrows. I just… I just want to do normal things. Maybe talk to the Jarl about where I can set up my house. Pick out a nice spot. Or… I have a better plan. I'm a Blade now. And just like in Inquisition and Fallout 4… I want an army. And a base to call my own. If I'm going to be here, I'm going to set up my own army, build the Blades up to something better than before. So… I need to get Esbern and go find Sky Haven Temple. And more than that, I'm going to want my own fort outside of Sky Haven. So… I'm going to ask the Jarl if I can retake one of the older forts. I'll build my house outside of the fort. Maybe inside it. And if I can get Ky to join me, and talk a few other people into joining me later, I can form an actual army. I can bring the Blades back from death… or make my own mercenary troop. Or make something like the Fighters Guild.

I glanced back at Urthgerd. She was still curled up on my bed, rolled into a ball. Is… is she going to pout because I won't fight her? "Fine, I'll fight you!"

"Yes!" She fist-pumped as she jumped off my bed. She strolled up to me, and that's when I realized… my head comes up to her chest, and her muscles were almost as big as my chest. Huh… this again? You'd think I'd stop picking fights with Nords.

"Um… what level are you?" I couldn't stop myself from shaking in my boots.

"I'm a Stormcloak. I ditched that piece of shit scroll. Last I checked, I was near 20. That was a year ago." She cracked her knuckles.

"Can we rain-check the fight? I do have a party to get ready for." I was still shaking in my boots.

The Nord smirked. "Sure thing, buddy."

I sighed a relief as I turned around, walking downstairs to the tavern's main floor. Ky was sitting as a table with Recorder, both of them eating sweetrolls. Both of them were dressed in some sick looking dresses. Another mod I'm glad I added. Those were up in Solitude though. No way I can get one in time of the party. Unless I somehow teleport to the Cheat Room, but I don't know how to do that… and I can guarantee that I will never, ever, be stepping foot in the Cheat Room while I'm here physically.

"Morning, girls." I waved to the two as I walked over to Ky and Record.

Ky waved back at me, but Record was doing her usual best to ignore me. I sat pulled up a chair, sitting next to them. The tavern seemed pretty empty. I could see Delphine sitting in a chair next to the door. She was also dressed in a cute dark blue dress, and was keeping her Akaviri Katana sheathed in her left hand. Aside from her, there was no one else but the innkeeper. And she was busy packing up a case of mead into a rucksack.

"I'm guessing everyone's going to this feast then?" I looked back at Record.

Record nodded. "They're waiting on us. We all just woke up." Record waved her finger to Ky and then back to her.

Well, if I'm going to be eating food, it's not going to be sweetrolls. I'll be eating the feast food.

I stood up, shoving the chair back at the table I stole it from. "Well, I'm up so… I guess we can go then?"

Record ignored me, continuing to eat her sweetroll. She had two layers left to unravel. I could smell the glaze on the cinnamon bun. I actually wanted to have one. But for right now, I'm settled on going to this feast, getting hammered, and then heading to Riften.

I glanced at Ky, whose facial fur was glistening with glaze. "Um… Ky… you got a little something…" I waved my hand over my mouth. "all over your face."

Ky nodded. "She will clean up after she is done."

Well… I feel… stupid for just standing here. "Well, girls. I'm going to head to the party. Good luck… with your sweetrolls. I'm going to go twirl myself around Hadvar… or Thrawn." Or Lydia. Who cares.

I left the two of them and made my way over to Delphine. "You coming to the party?"

Delphine gestured to her dress. "I'm worried about standing out, but… safer in a crowd. As long as I wear this…" She slipped a masquerade mask over her eyes. "I'm sure I won't be abducted by some Thalmor. From what I can tell, there aren't any Thalmor spies here in town." Um… I know one. The Redguard girl. "Besides, if there is a spy nearby, I'd like to know about them." She looked me in the eye. "You're the seeress. Do you see anything about a spy?"

I shrugged. "I might know of one, but… my information about her is…" Two-sided? "unclear. There's a Redguard that lives here, works in the inn. She ran away from Hammerfell, and is supposedly on the run from the Alik'r, who claim she sold their village out to the Thalmor. She claims that the Thalmor hired the Alik'r to take her home. Now… which is more likely: a group of mercenaries being hired by their country to hunt down a fugitive, or an enemy nation hiring a mercenary group to collect some foreign princess that spoke out against them?"

Delphine sighed. "Those are always the worst. Either way, she's on the run. She won't turn us in to the Thalmor if she spoke out publically against them. And if she is a Thalmor spy, she won't get far enough to tell anyone about us. Is she a fighter?"

I shook my head. "She's a basic bitch." Let's see how many years pass until that statement becomes dated.

Delphine nodded. "Yes… that's a phrase." She stood up, brushing her dress flat. "Well, Dragonborn, we have a party to get to. And after which… I'd like to get going to Riften."

Yup. That's what I wanted to. "Roger. I have an old woman to kill, a Khajiit to recruit, an evil basic bitch to pants, an old man to find, and a Scottish person I need to ignore."

Delphine just ignored my comment; she must be getting used to my nonsense by now. I'll have to change that. I need her to be uncomfortable around me at all times. Just like my friends. "So, I guess we'll leave by carriage when we're done?" She turned to look at me as we left the inn.

I nodded. "Yup. It's not like I have any possessions other than my laser sword and a Personal Scroll. Once we're done here, we can pack up and leave." I still have a conversation for the Jarl, but that conversation will likely take a minute. Time to go to a feast.

The walk up to the palace was easier than I expected it to be, but… my muscles were still sore from yesterday. Histskin does a lot to heal wounds, but not muscle soreness, it seems. It makes sense though. How could I build muscles if every second I lifted a weight, I'd shed my skin and reset to a predetermined 'normal' for my body. Evolution is a tricky bitch. And Argonian evolution is even crazier. Sigh… I still wish I had elf ears. I wish I could visit the Cheat Room. I'd redesign my character to a Dark Elf. Even though the water-breathing is a lifesaver in this world. And if the world does go to shit because of a zombie virus… well… I'd be able to live in the underwater caves. Unless… zombie Argonians come after me. Huh… the game world would totally do shite like that.

The marketplace was already closing up for the night. With everyone heading to the palace for the feast, no one would be out shopping anyway. It felt weird, not seeing people running around the marketplace, but the entire time I've been here, I haven't even been to the market. And I'll be leaving before I can even go shopping. I was hoping to actual shopping for once. The one day in Falkreath wasn't enough. And all I bought was a rucksack, a sleeping bag, and a canteen pouch. Besides the Jedi robes in my pack, ones that need to be washed, all I have is the mage robes I stole at the beginning of the dragon attack, as well as the iron breastplate given to me by the Jarl Balgruuf.

"So…" I looked over to Delphine as we continued to climb our way up the stairs leading to the palace. "Blades training…"

She glanced at me. "I assume you wish to begin?"

I nodded. "As you've seen, I'm shit at combat."

"You have rudimentary skill." She replied.

"Rudimentary skill is dead." I answered in return. "The dragon almost killed me. More than one bandit will likely lead to my death too." I picked up the beamsword, activating the cyan blade. "And let's be honest… I won't always have this blade. I'll need something more."

Delphine sighed. "On the way to Riften, we'll stop by the shop. I have an Akaviri Blade I can give to you."

"You also have an enchanting table." I pointed out.

Delphine smirked. "Why am I not surprised you know…" She turned to look at me. "So… seeress... do you even know how to enchant?"

Oh… I guess I don't. "Shite… I forgot about that."

Delphine almost chuckled. "A Monk who can see the future… a Mage who can use Shock, the Force, enhancing spells, a Dragonborn who learned to Shout after eating a Dragon… doesn't know enchanting?" She broke out into a laugh. "You continue to surprise me. Do you at least understand the practice?"

I nodded. "Yup. Take something enchanted, break it down… and learn the enchantment."

Delphine shook her fight. "That's dumb. Stop saying dumb stuff." She smacked me on the back of my head. "You need knowledge of the school you're enchanting with, and even then, you have to have knowledge in how to enchant, which is hard to learn. And finding a teacher in Skyrim is near impossible. You know Flames and Shock, and enhancement spells. You could enchant your blade to make you move faster while gripping it, or to shoot fire and lightning from it, but without formal training, you might make you blade explode, or even shock you. It's dangerous."

"I just want a blade that won't break easily. And enchanted blades are unbreakable."

Delphine laughed. "You have me there. Possibly able to cleave dragons too. With the right enchantment." I know just the blade too: Dragonbane. That will have to be my enchanted weapon. I won't have to build it myself, it will be right there, waiting for me.

We came to a stop as we ended the climb up the staircase. Right in front of us was the palace. Two guards stood at the doorway, waiting for us to approach. I looked down at the small dress Lydia left for me last night. The short leather dress. It's not a proper dress, and it's clearly made for a child blacksmith but… whatever. It's all I have. I just wish I had leggings. Whatever, I have scales. No one here wants to see what's under my dress. Except maybe Ky. I think she's into me.

I sighed as I looked back at Delphine. "So… there may be a blade that's enchanted with dragon-slaying enchantments. It may be at Sky Haven Temple."

Delphine glanced at me. "And the surprises keep on coming." She mumbled, exhaling as she looked forward. "How far away is it?"

I smirked. "Let's focus on Esbern first. He'll lead us right to it… even if I don't really need his help finding it." I shrugged. "I can make due with a normal blade until then." I hope I didn't just jinx myself.

I cleared my throat as I approached the guards. "Do… I just go in, or do I have to be announced?" I've never been to a formal thing like this… except for the military balls I was 'invited' to mandatorily attend. Especially in Class A's. Hated the shoes. They were horribly uncomfortable.

The guards all looked at each other. One looked back to me, shrugging. "We know who you are, so you're free to go in."

I nodded as I looked at Delphine. "Well, after you."

She gave me a glance, before shaking her head. "Fine." She brushed past me, walking up to the door. She opened it, and I stepped in behind her, clearing my throat as I screamed to everyone.

"Attention everyone." I shouted to everyone inside the palace gathering. It seemed like the entire town was in here. I could even see Thrawn dressed in his white Imperial suit, and Hadvar dressed in a leather Imperial dress. Well, now it's time to embarrass my new sensei. Better she knows now how embarrassing I can be. "Now entering, the queen of spies, the mistress of swords, the lone survivor, the ruler of clouds…"

"Shut up…" Delphine glared back at me.

"The Del of the Phine! The splendor of the Splinter. The Leather Spanker." I really suck at making insulty names. "Delphine of…" I looked at her. "Where are you from?" I whispered loudly.

Delphine glared at me. "Anvil."

"The Stroke of a metal hammer!" I screamed.

"What are you screaming about?" I heard Recorder right behind me.

I smirked as I glomped her, wrapping my arm around her. "And now, presenting. The Queen of Sass. The Bitch of the East. The Fakest Flute you'll ever blow in Band Camp."

"Hey!" Recorder smacked my hand away. "I'll have you know… I'm not a fake flute. I'm a Recorder!" That's all a recorder is…

Her face was fully red with embarrassment. I loved it.

"Do me next!" Ky said as she snuck in behind Recorder.

I glomped Ky next, and she wrapped her arms around me as I screamed, "And now presenting! The Number One Furry of the Assassin World. The Quietest Pussy that will silently kill you with the cleanest pussy ever licked clean. She looks great in black, but loves to be bathed in red. The One, the Only, the possibly gayest best friend I'll ever possibly consider hooking up with, Ky'ren-thia of…"

"Alinor." Ky'ren-thia replied. She purred. "That was enjoyable. Thank you." She licked me on the face.

Um… okay. I wasn't being serious when I implied that I'd hook up with her.

I patted Ky on the head. "This is not She-Ra. And I'm not Adora." Okay… maybe sometimes, I am. Just not in a sexual way. "We'll talk about this later." I might have a girlfriend later today.

I released Ky from my glomp and smiled. "And I am…"

"The most annoying pair of leather boots you'll never pay for." Recorder slapped me on the back.

"A lizard so pathetic, the gods themselves gave her dragon blood because they pitied her existence." Delphine screamed.

Ky couldn't resist, wrapping an arm around me, saying, "A natural born klutz who couldn't fight her way through a soaking wet piece of cloth." Hey! Ky wasn't even there for that. Okay… I fell into a fountain at the mall one time, wearing a new hoodie I bought… and… let's just say… I fell all over the mall trying to get the soaking hoodie off my face. I made a kid that dropped his ice cream cry.

I patted Ky on the back, giving a thick smile to the rest of my friends. "Oh… girls. That was the kindest thing any of my friends have ever said to me…"

"You have friends?" Recorder arched an eyebrow, glaring at me with disgust.

I laughed as I entered the party. "Oh, Record…" I turned back to face her, grinning as I returned her glare. "I'm the only friend you'll ever have here in Skyrim."

I left her alone with that thought as I entered the grand hall. Looking around the room, I could recognize a few of the people that live here in Whiterun: Ysolda, the Wood Elf hunter. Aela, and the other Companions. They were all here. Even Lydia and her… younger… sister? Daughter? Merura. Her Merura.

I smiled as I waved to Lydia, rushing up to see her. "Lydia!"

Lydia was sitting at a table with Merura, eating venison. My mouth was beginning to water just thinking of it. Lydia was dressed in a deep blue dress, and seeing me coming running up to her, she almost choked on her venison. "You're still wearing that?" She looked at the horribly stained leather dress that looked like it spent years digging up soot from the deepest forge.

I nodded. "I just woke up. No time to buy anything else." I gestured to the dress. "Thanks for this, by the way. It's… rustic."

Merura, the teenage smelter, smiled. "Thanks. It looks like…on you… I'm glad I outgrew it. But for you… it looks like it suits your style."

She outgrew it? It was… almost perfectly sized for me. Huh… Argonians are skinny. "Wow, imagine becoming so fat… that you'd outgrow an adult-sized dress.." I smirked back at Merura. I suspected she was throwing shade at me a few seconds ago so… I threw some back.

"I had some boots that looked like you once." She responded.

"I felt like I've seen you before. Oh wait, my mistake… that was a Sload."

"Two-tongued scale Bitch."

"Orc Forge Wife Fatass."

"Children!" Lydia stood up, waving her hand between Merura and me. "We're at a party! Calm it." Lydia stood up, looking at the crowd forming up around us. "You're making a scene. Please, cool it."

Yeah, might as well. I stuck out my hand for Merura to take in a handshake. "I'm sorry for calling you a fat Orc Forge Wife. Truce?"

Merura's face was red with embarrassment. She sighed as she took my hand. "I'm sorry for implying you looked better in a trash dress. You don't."

Ooh… I'm going to get you back for that.

Merura took my hand, and we shook on it. "Wow… your hand sure is puffy. Have to store that extra winter fat somewhere, huh?"

"Maybe I'm just allergic to fake leather." Merura returned.

Ooh… she's good. Too good. I gotta up my game. I can't be outplayed by some teenage whelp. "So tell me…"

Lydia was sighing, rubbing her eyes. "Children… please stop."

I glanced at Lydia, and then looked back at Merura. "Okay… fine. We'll continue this later. I'll let you eat your sweetrolls in peace."

"Ow, that stung." Merura replied. "Almost as much as your scales sting my hand."

That one… that one was lame. This was it. She's running out of steam. I can finish this!

"I'm just trying to let out some of your hot air by popping your fat hand." I released my hand from hers. Her face was bright red. She knew I had the final snap. I would later pay for this, I'm sure. What am I doing? I'm fighting with a teenager. I'm better than this!

"You know what would go great on these sweetrolls?" Merura gestured to her plate of sweetrolls. Lydia was already rubbing the bridge to her nose. "Some Hist Sap. Don't female Argonians store Hist Sap in their breasts? Can I have some… oh wait…" She snickered. "It appears you don't have any to spare."

Oh… that bitch. That was a low blow.

"You have more than enough for the whole village." I replied back. "Fatass."

"Two-tongued scaled leather coat!"

"Pale-faced soot ogre."

Lydia groaned. She shook her head, turned around, and walked off to the party. "Well, I'll leave the two of you to it. I have a Jarl to talk to."

I immediately broke eye contact with Merura. "I need to talk to him too. I'm come with you."

I stuck my forked tongue out at Merura before turning to follow behind Lydia. "You know… if I dated Lydia… I'd become you older sister."

Merura's face brightened again, but she didn't say anything. She returned to her plate of sweetrolls. I noticed she wasn't eating them though, more like… contemplating on eating them. Did I just give her an eating disorder? I hope not.

"Hey… eat your food. It's not healthy to skip meals." I said sternly. "Just because I called you fat does not mean you should stop eating food altogether."

Merura didn't reply but she did pull her plate closer to her and began eating her sweetrolls.

That brought a smile to me as I raced after Lydia. She was already kneeling before the Jarl. I decided to join her in a kneel, bowing my head to the Jarl.

"Enough, you two. Stand up." The Jarl waved his hand. "This is a party in your honor. You should be dancing, feasting. Why are you spending your time talking to an old man?"

"Old man?" I snickered. "You never looked a day past 40."

"I'm 32…" The Jarl replied.

Lydia glanced at me. "He's joking. He's really 48."

"Hey… she doesn't need to know that." The Jarl replied.

I shrugged. "I'm 32."

That got them both to stop. They both looked me over.

"You look like you're 19 or something." Lydia finally replied.

I shrugged. "Did I say 32… sorry, that's Argonian for 19. Yup…"

The Jarl nodded. "I cannot tell if you're serious or not."

I glared the Jarl in the eye as I said, "I'm never serious." I slowly glanced over to Lydia. "It's a curse." Guess the reference.

Lydia ignored me, continuing to look at the Jarl. "Sire, there is something I wish to request. I'm a Thane now. I'd like to purchase the Breezehome."

The Jarl nodded. "Of course, Lydia… but… that's in the Plains District. Wouldn't you rather by a house in the Wind District?"

Lydia shook her head. "No. It's near Warmaiden's, The Drunken Huntsmen, the market place, and the Bannered Mare. Plus, the house is near the gates. I can easily respond to any invasion upon waking up. It will be nice for Merura to have a house she can call her own. Instead of just sleeping with me in the Companion's guildhall."

The Jarl took a second to think about it, but finally nodded. "You can talk to my steward about purchasing the house. If you can afford it outright, you can still go on a payment plan with interest. It would probably be best for you to consider the idea."

Lydia nodded. "I'll discuss the details with the steward."

The Jarl turned his attention over to me. "And you, Dragonborn. Is there something you wished to discuss?"

I nodded. "There is. I know several of the forts in your Hold have been taken over by bandits. These forts are old, mostly in disrepair, and… honestly, it's not like you have a military to handle the forts."

The Jarl was almost sneering. "Your point."

I looked up at him. "If I was able to secure a fort… could I hold onto it?"

He looked confused. "You mean… own it?"

I nodded. "Yes. I want to make my own mercenary force. An army… if you will. Capable of defeating dragons, bad guys… you know… a protection force. A guild… kind of."

The Jarl smiled. "And to do this… you would take a bandit-owned fort and turn it to your own ends?"

I nodded. "But that's not all. The land you permitted I could have. I was thinking about… making a settlement. Me, a few people I know… and see if others want to join. Maybe make a town of our own."

The Jarl smiled. "And since I'm the Jarl of Whiterun Hold, you would need my permission to build your own settlement."

I nodded. "Yes, exactly."

The Jarl nodded. "I can allow this. You are the Dragonborn. I would be honored to have you create your own guild, build your own settlement, and bring your life to this Hold."

Lydia glanced at me. "If you don't mind…"

I glanced over to Lydia. She looked like she was about to confess her love.

"Could I join you? While I live in Whiterun… I could help you set up this settlement. Maybe help with your guild. Help you clear a fort?"

That brought a smile to my face. "You'd do that?"

Lydia nodded. "This is what I live for. This is what I wanted. And Merura… this settlement would need a blacksmith. Arms and armor. She… this would be exactly what she needs."

I broke into a wide grin. "Lydia… you're the best." I had an idea. "But you're going to need help. I have a few friends that I can trust." I feel sad about thinking about it though. I sighed as I stood up. "Come with me Lydia. I have a friend to chat with."

Lydia followed me as I walked over to Ky. She was waiting with Recorder, both of them already eating some food. Recorder had a plate of sweetrolls and snowberries; Ky had some venison with snowberry paste placed on top of it. Delphine was sitting across from them, holding onto a pint of mead.

I waved to the three of them as I pointed back to Lydia. "Hey, girls. Um… I have a proposition… and a request."

Ky looked up at me, her tail almost wagging as she said, "Proposition?"

"Request?" Recorder arched an eyebrow.

I nodded. "Yeah. You see… I've been thinking about it. And… I kind of want to start my own mercenary guild. I just talked to the Jarl, and he has given me permission to take any fort I want… and turn it into a base of operations. And… I've been allowed to use my plot of land to create a small settlement. If others who have the same right all banned together…" I gestured to Ky and Recorder. "We could put the land together, and actually form our own small town. Lydia has already agreed to this, offering her services, as well as Merura as a blacksmith. So… I was hoping the two of you would use your plots of land to help us make a real settlement."

Ky's face broke into a big smile. "Ky would love that!"

Recorder sighed. "Yeah, I suppose it would be nice to have a house. But… someone has to build the houses."

Lydia raised her hand. "I'm a Thane. Leave the planning to me. I know a few carpenters that would love a new project to work on. Merura is also a blacksmith, so she would smelt the iron. I'm guessing if we go to an iron mine, we can contract some workers to mine for us. In exchange for living in the settlement."

This was happening. This is actually happening. "Of course they can! It will only help the town grow faster! We can set up farms! Source for water! Wells! All of it!"

"Ky can run an animal farm easily enough. She also knows a lot about sand-grown fruits and vegetables. She could start a coconut tree, as well as banana bushes, with a warmth enchanted greenhouse." Ky'ren-thia said with a purr.

"And here comes the part I'm sure the two of you won't like…" I looked at Recorder and Ky. "I have to go to Riften. I'll be leaving with Delphine tonight… once the feast is over. So… what I'm saying is… I would like you two to remain here with Lydia and help her picking out a fort, clearing it out, as well as picking out a plot of land to begin building the settlement on. I have a suggestion, if you're willing to think it over."

Lydia glanced to me. "Oh?"

"North of Whiterun, there's a mine. It's an iron mine. And if you follow the stream to the west, which is water, I might add, you'll find a ruin with a staircase. We could use that as our fort. It also has a smelter in the top of the ruin. The Lunar Forge. It has enchantment purposes, enchanting the metal with the Lunar Enchantment. I think it's a perfect place to begin building out settlement. Between the two places, the mine, and the Lunar Forge. Farms, hunting, the running stream. It should be enough for us."

I smiled as I glanced between the confused faces.

Recorder was the first one to shake her head. "How many times have you thought this?"

I shrugged. "I only wish I could do have the things I want to do in Skyrim. And now… I have the ability to. So… I say we do it." I looked at Lydia. "The iron mine is overrun with bandits. Take care of it, and we'll be able to use it to establish trade with Whiterun, Morthal, and Dawnstar, probably. Commerce with the towns, great move on our part. That will help us get funds to keep building the town. And until then, we can all camp out in the mine, or at the ruin. If we grow even bigger, there's a fort to the south of the ruin. That would be a great fort to own, or even the fort to the north of the mine would be great. They're both overrun, but the ruin should be easy for you three to take care of. Not the fort though. Not yet." Don't forget, Talia… you installed Deadly Bandits. It will be overrun, no matter what. "Be careful though. Ky… you're super stealthy. If you can sneak kill everyone, that would be great. And Lydia… you and a bow… great mix."

Lydia nodded. "This is a tactically sound plan you have. I am feeling better about this now."

That brought a smile to my face. "So… are you two okay with that?"

Ky looked a little pouty. "When will I see you again?"

"After Riften, probably. I may take a short journey to Markarth… so maybe a week from now?"

Ky nodded. "She will do as you ask."

"And while I'm out, I'll see about finding more people to join us." I smiled, patting Ky on the shoulder. I know I will at least get Inigo to join my party. Plus the Jedi Knight Merak. That would be a good start. "I'll see about finding a mage to join us." Might have to visit the college for that. But… I don't want to take anyone away from the college. Is there another mage I know about? Erandur… he's a priest. He'd probably join us and set up a thing for Mara. That'd be cool. Lucien's amazing. I'll probably try to find him. I didn't see him in Falkreath when I went to the pub though. He's an aspiring mage. So… who's a recruitable mage? Illia! My favorite character! Near Riften! After the quest… she's all alone. She'd make a wonderful addition to the town! Our mage!

"Okay… I have a plan. So… let's enjoy the night!" I threw my fist up. "Come on… let's party!"

Cearbhail:

I'm so ambitious, and I have put a lot of thought into where I would want to build a settlement, if I were in Skyrim. And that location seemed perfect.