The woman sat on the stone low wall, staring at her boots uncomfortably.
Aeyrin approached her nervously, clearing her throat a bit when she stood before her.
"Oh! My thane! I… again I am so sorry… I shouldn't have just barged in…" she stammered a bit – it seemed strange coming from her. By her first impression, she seemed like a hardened warrior woman… then again Aeyrin knew all too well how different it was to maneuver battle and social interactions.
"I-it's fine. Let's just… pretend it didn't happen, please," Aeyrin rubbed the back of her head and bit her lower lip, avoiding eye contact with the woman.
"Yes… gladly," the woman sighed out in an exaggerated relief.
Maybe she thought Aeyrin would be angry and yell at her. Or Shout at her…
She stood up on her feet, straightening her back dutifully.
"My name is Lydia, my thane. I have been appointed as your housecarl," she said that so officially.
What was a housecarl? And again, what was a thane even?
Were titles like this common in Cyrodiil too?
She never really interacted with the nobility, but she always thought there were just counts and countesses and… well… rich people.
"Oh. Alright... what's a housecarl?" Aeyrin asked after a while of pondering.
"Well… I am sworn to serve protect the thane and all her holdings," Lydia explained with a confused expression. It was apparently a common title in Skyrim.
But it didn't tell her a thing.
What did that mean, serve and protect? Was she a housekeeper? She didn't look like one. Was she a bodyguard? Why would the jarl send a bodyguard to protect the Dragonborn?
Aeyrin scratcher her head for a while, not really sure what to do now… was she supposed to take the woman travelling with her? What did she expect to be doing? Was she an aspiring dragon slayer?
"Would you like to come in?" she asked after a while remembering that the woman previously entered the house without invitation. Maybe she was supposed to be an in-house bodyguard… that seemed even more ridiculous.
"You're… back," Bishop raised a brow at the woman entering alongside Aeyrin as he was preparing to make use of an actual cookpot for their meal rather than an open fire only.
Karnwyr raised his head at the woman curiously but laid it back down almost immediately, apparently not really concerned with her. He did bark at her before but obviously didn't attack. He wasn't a guard dog, but it still would be somewhat expected that he would lunge at an intruder. Why didn't he?
"This is Lydia. She's my… housecarl?" Aeyrin grimaced at him uncertainly.
"I've seen you before," Lydia looked Bishop over, for a while ponderingly.
"Yeah… I noticed," Bishop scoffed and smirked. It was like ten minutes ago…
"N-no! That's not what I meant! I meant at the Dragonsreach… you were there before, after the first dragon was slain."
Bishop only nodded at her, focusing back on the cooking.
"I hear that is why you were made thane, my lady. Is he also a thane then? Am I to serve both of you?" Lydia looked a little uncertain about the situation.
"Like I care about some useless title! I got money for that…" he scoffed derisively.
Truth be told, Aeyrin didn't really care about the title either – she could hardly be honored by something she barely understood. Was she supposed to do something as a thane? Did she have responsibilities? Did she have to pay taxes? Were there taxes in Skyrim? With the civil war and all…
No one ever explained anything to her.
"Alright, again. What do I do as a thane and what do you do as a housecarl?" she sighed in frustration.
"You don't do anything. It's completely useless to have a title. Some idiots might kiss your ass instead of treating you like dirt, that's it," Bishop scoffed again while Lydia cleared her throat uncomfortably.
"That's… well, being a thane is a great honor. You get recognized for your deeds and status," she explained almost automatically, as if she practiced the answer.
"She already gets recognized, she's the Dragonborn. It's useless. Just admit it," Bishop grinned at her maliciously.
"Well… I… that really depends, I suppose… You are also given your own property if you don't own any in the hold… and a housecarl…" she rubbed the back of her head.
"Yeah. You get some place where you can finally have some privacy in the city, and someone to take the privacy away," he smirked at her pointedly, making the woman look to the floor in embarrassment.
"I… apologize again… I can of course leave whenever you'd like to… I mean…"
Bishop burst out laughing as Aeyrin flushed immediately trying to change the subject as fast as possible.
"Let's just… please, just explain to me again what you'll be doing. You're going to live in this house too?"
Lydia composed herself again and nodded at her.
"Yes, I am to care for your house when you are away. I can help with the upkeep and furnishing. I could also help you in your travels and battles if you would choose, but… I have only had basic guard training. I am unsure if I would be… of use against… well, dragons," she grimaced nervously.
It was likely that she was expecting to be assigned to some noble as a bodyguard, accompanying them on the roads from city to city, not delving into dungeons and barrows.
"You can of course release me from your service if you prefer," she sighed at Aeyrin's uncertain expression. She really needed none of her services.
"What would you do if I released you?" she asked, noticing her façade falter a bit, her expression somewhat somber.
"I would come back to Dragonsreach to stay in the barracks as I did before. I would have to wait until another person would gain the title of thane," she explained dutifully but didn't really elaborate.
"So, you were a guard before?" Aeyrin pried, trying to discern whether Lydia wanted to be released or not. She was acting so official – it was hard getting an honest answer out of her.
"No. I was trained by them but not accepted into their employ. I merely waited for work to come, given food and lodging but no work or payment," she attempted to hide exasperated sigh. Finally some hint!
"Who'd pay you now?" Bishop looked towards them with a scowl, predictably touchy about their already limited money supplies. He was certain that if the woman preferred to stay in her service, Aeyrin would let her, no matter the cost.
"The city of Whiterun. You do not need to concern yourself with that," she smiled reassuringly but her somewhat sour and uncertain expression returned momentarily.
"Well, if you want to be released you can say so. But if you'd like to stay here, you can. Just… make yourself at home I suppose. We'll be travelling mostly anyways," Aeyrin nodded at her. At least she could make the place homey without having to worry about it falling into neglect.
"I… thank you. I will make sure your house is well maintained and guarded during your absence. And if you need anything from me, please let me know," she sighed out in relief, her reluctance to go back to Dragonsreach now palpable.
"Yeah, we need something. We need you to make yourself scarce while we get back to breaking in the bed," Bishop grinned insolently earning another flushed expression and an angry shove from Aeyrin in a second.
"Bishop! Ignore him. Please, just make yourself at home. He will make sure there's enough food for all of us," she threw an admonishing glance at him as Lydia nodded nervously and headed into the smaller room on the upper floor.
"Hey, by the way, how'd you get past him?" Bishop called out to her before she reached the top of the stairs, inclining his head to the wolf lazing by the firepit.
"Oh. I had some dried meat in my pack for rations, so I just tossed him a piece," the woman shrugged noncommittally as if it were a normal way to get into a house.
Karnwyr looked at Bishop in confusion when he sensed his glare at him, a low whine escaping him when he saw the expression.
"The fuck, man? You're getting so fucking spoiled."
…
Bishop glared at the woman as she chewed through his food with a frown, every once in a while taking a breath as if to say something, then changing her mind and closing her mouth again.
"You know, Lydia. You can really just… dispose of the deference. Those titles honestly don't really mean much to me. I'd rather have a new friend," Aeyrin smiled at her kindly, noticing her reservations.
"Are you certain, my thane?" Lydia gave her a doubtful look, likely too used to her training in housecarl duties to take her request seriously. She already had a very unorthodox welcome into their household, she could have guessed that they wouldn't stand on ceremony.
"Of course. You can even tell Bishop you hate his food if you want," Aeyrin laughed at her, hoping it would help ease the tension.
Lydia looked somewhat abashed for a while then gave a wry smile instead: "I don't… 'hate' it… It's good… But I could give you some tips on how to make it a bit better if you want."
Bishop narrowed his eyes at her, scoffing derisively again.
"Teach her. She's all about bettering herself. I don't give a fuck," he pointed towards Aeyrin and bit down on the cooked boar meat with a level look.
"But you're better at it. And you're the one usually taking care of food when we camp," Aeyrin pouted at him. Bishop always made a decent meal but it was never as good as food they had in taverns. Not that Skyrim food agreed with her altogether but if it could be a little tastier, that would make camping in the wild even better. She was used to eating whatever was available rather than being picky, but it was always a nice little indulgence to get a tasty meal.
"Tell you what, you cook us breakfast and we'll see if your skills are actually worth the effort," Bishop smirked at Lydia, likely planning to scoff at her cooking the next day to avoid her advice.
Lydia nodded with a smile, turning back to her plate with slight reluctance.
She did likely eat food from the same cook as the jarl until now so it was understandable that she would be used to a different quality.
"I spent a lot of time in the Dragonsreach kitchens, I assure you I know what I'm doing," she smiled a bit smugly, the gradual easiness of their conversation making the atmosphere much more comfortable in the house.
…
Bishop tried to look unimpressed.
He did his best to keep a stony expression as he tried the fresh bread with goat cheese filling and jazbay crostata that she made for breakfast, but his eagerness to finish the food has overshadowed every attempt at that.
"I take it you'll be wanting those lessons right about now," she laughed heartily as she watched them devour her food with gusto.
"Shut up. And give it here," he grabbed the plate with the cut up bread from across the dining table.
Aeyrin was stuffing herself with the crostata, picking out the pieces which had the most grapes in them, their taste reminding her of the Eastmarch tundra with every bite.
"If you ever cook me something this good… well I don't know what I'd do, but please try," Aeyrin batted her eyes at him as pleadingly as she could, trying to ensure that he wouldn't oppose Lydia's advice now.
"I have some ideas on how you can repay me," he smirked at her suggestively.
"Fine. You can give me your 'tips' when I make us some lunch later," he grunted at Lydia noncommittally while reaching for another piece of the crostata.
…
The lunch was still not on the level of Lydia's food but it was certainly very good – a lot better than his previous cooking.
Aeyrin passed half of the afternoon spending her reward money for some decorations, flowers and armor stand, as well as more furnishings for the house, shaping it to her liking.
Lydia promised to take care of all the flowers she brought in when they are away and Aeyrin in turn paid for a training dummy that Lydia wanted for the outside to perfect her skills.
Maybe she even wanted to train so that she'd be able to join in on their adventures sometimes.
Aeyrin headed to Jorrvaskr to check if they had any interesting contracts for her before they left Whiterun again – it was always a good idea to pick up something in case they didn't come across any good loot before needing supplies again. This way they could at least get some money from the Companions when they returned.
She came back at dusk to find Bishop crouching by the front door, his knife in hand and Karnwyr splayed near the door, lazing around him.
As she came closer, she noticed that he was actually carving something into the wood by the door – a diamond shape with two inscribed rings in the middle.
What was that? Was he somehow marking his territory? That was weird.
Besides the house wasn't his – she could kick him out any time!
Not that she would, but still, it was strangely presumptuous.
"What are you doing?" she scowled at him, hearing the grunts of effort stop from the side of the house as Lydia interrupted her training to see what was going on.
"Making sure you're not robbed," he grinned as he continued to fiddle with the strange symbol.
"I've seen these marks before… you're the one doing them? Why are you vandalizing houses around Whiterun?" Lydia came over to them, giving him a confused and somewhat outraged look.
Bishop laughed at the insinuation. As if he had nothing better to do.
"They're called shadowmarks. The Guild uses them to see which houses to hit and which to avoid. This one means the owner is under protection," he winked at Aeyrin conspiratorially, but her brows creased even more.
"Are you allowed to do that? I really don't want to draw their attention again," she sighed worriedly, remembering their ordeal in Riften.
"No one cares who does them. Besides, would you rather have your guard dog here kill some poor unknowing thief? That'd be much more of a shitstorm to deal with," he inclined his head to the confused Nord woman who seemed completely lost in the conversation, but scoffed nonetheless at Bishop calling her a 'guard dog'.
"I guess," Aeyrin nodded, she certainly didn't want to involve Lydia in their Guild troubles too.
"Anyway, I got a contract to clear out the pass to Morthal. We could head out tomorrow," she said as the wolf near the door pricked up his ears and barked excitedly.
"Yeah. It's been way too long," Bishop smiled. They didn't really enjoy their traveling on the way from Windhelm with Aeyrin's sickness. Besides, if their last retreat from civilization was anything to go by, things could get even more interesting. Especially since they could finally be completely alone.
Lydia offered several times to leave the house for some time but Aeyrin was way too uncomfortable with her having to leave for them to enjoy some privacy.
He didn't get it at all.
She always got so frazzled by other people knowing what they were doing. They knew anyways, even without seeing or hearing them – it's not like their relationship wasn't more than obvious to anyone. He did make somewhat sure of that – if nothing else then to dissuade any leering lechers.
It was fun teasing her about her bashfulness and she was fine with being close to him or kissing him in front of other people but anything more, even in insinuation, made her squirm.
Thus whenever they kept themselves in public for this long it was way too frustrating.
Furthermore, she did have those tinctures already – there were no more reasons to wait, especially after everything they did together. He knew she was eager already too, but she never mentioned to him that she started to take the stuff.
Not that she ever would get through her shyness about these things.
Maybe he could take her somewhere nice, where no one would disturb them for a very long time. Things usually progressed more naturally between them anyways rather than planning and talking things out.
It usually suited him fine, but the wait was getting way too long already. He was becoming impatient.
Aeyrin left inside the house as he was finishing his handiwork, Lydia still peering over his shoulder.
"I understood none of that," she sighed, watching him work.
"Good. It's better that way, trust me. It's for your own protection too," he said noncommittally as he tentatively brushed the wood dust from his dagger.
"I didn't know you cared…" she smirked at him mockingly.
"'Course I do," he gave her a surprised look at which she startled a bit, suddenly uncertain of his sudden warmness.
"Who else would make food like that for me again?" he grinned at her and she sighed out either in relief or in disappointment. At the very least she seemed more at ease when she knew where she stood with him.
But she wasn't so bad. He expected to hate anyone who would intrude on his and Aeyrin's privacy but once she got rid of that demure servitude persona, she was bearable to be around. It surprised even him how little he minded her presence.
"A sentimental weapon, I assume?" she looked at his knife as he sheathed it into his belt – the blade was clearly worn and overused, the edge by the hilt chipped a bit.
"Yeah," he nodded curtly, it was plain to see after all.
"I have an axe like that. But I don't really carry it around anymore," she sighed wistfully, looking at the direction of the small window to her bedroom, likely the current location of her old weapon.
"Yeah, this one's still useful when there's nothing else, but I try to keep my distance," he nodded, looking his knife over.
It did get him from some tough situations, but whenever he had to use it, he knew that his life was hanging by a thread.
"Wait, that's your only melee weapon?" Lydia gasped at him in utter horror.
"It's enough. I'm fine with swords, but I don't need it. Aeyrin doesn't have a ranged weapon either. It works together," he shrugged. He thought about it before but he knew how Aeyrin hated sharing the front lines.
Besides, he had to watch her ass.
Her back that is…
"She can Shout. And you should still have a sword in case she gets knocked out or you get overwhelmed," Lydia shook her head at him making him groan in frustration.
He remembered the last battle they were in before her illness. If he had a proper weapon, maybe it wouldn't have ended the way it did.
But he could have figured that himself. Now Lydia would be all smug if he took her advice.
"I don't need one. It's fine," he grunted at her, turning towards the door.
"Stubborn ice-brain. Every warrior needs a melee weapon. You're getting a sword and that's final," Lydia raised her voice suddenly making him raise his brows at her with a surprised smirk.
"Or what?" he laughed at her deep scowl.
"Or I'm telling Aeyrin that you're actually using her real name instead of those nicknames when you talk about her to other people."
He gave her a blank stare as she smiled smugly, folding her arms across her chest in victory.
She got way too comfortable and friendly around them in such a short a time.
Why didn't he mind? He hated people. Aeyrin was such a bad influence.
He hated that.
And kind of liked that.
He always told himself that he didn't need anyone, didn't trust anyone.
It would be his undoing. He just knew that.
But for some reason, it didn't matter.
Not being constantly alone was novel and right now, it seemed worth the risks.
He would regret it eventually, but he couldn't bring himself to care about that anymore.
He smirked at her and shook his head in defeat.
"Not a word, woman. I'll get a sword."
