The metal was cold in my palms yet the cage door swung open with great relief, and as quietly as I possibly could, I spoke to Ettiene and wiped a clean cloth over his face, cleaning up the blood as he told me what he knew about Esbern.
So much of his face was swollen and bruised that I nearly winced but was able to keep that held in. Not until a voice chilled me to my bones.
"Serlina."
It was a low and disgustingly affectionate purr.
Sir-Lean-ah.
My hands had stopped tending to Ettiene and dropped slowly while he looked as best as he could over my right shoulder, his body tensing, the shackles lightly clanging. I could hear the woman in the next cell becoming frantic as she pulled on her cuffs, her feet scratching against the floor. I on the other hand sent Ettiene a calming look, one that I could only hope that silently said 'I'll take care of this'.
"Rulindil." I steeled myself as I stood up and dropped the rag beside me and turned around to face him. Rulindil had been different when I met him in Morrowind years ago. Unlike most Thalmor operatives who are clean-shaven; he sported a beard of a few inches but that wasn't what had caught my attention, even if it was brief. He has green eyes, an uncommon color, as most other Altmer have gold or amber eyes but now, the way they glared me up and down, I wished him and his green eyes blind.
"How'd you know it was me?" I asked ignoring the way he seemed to fully take me in as my throat tightened but my tone was easy. Like I could be less than bothered that he had caught me here.
"I'd recognize that back anywhere.." His smile showed his teeth, white and menacing. His hand lifted to rest on a restraint on his torture rack, his fingers tapping on it, like the thought of how to use it were flickering in his mind.
I jerked my head to Ettiene behind me as I took a few steps towards him, making sure to not give him the chance to lock me in the same cell. "Still beating defenceless people into some type of false submission?"
He examined his nails.
"I might have it penciled in somewhere in my day." His grin was quick until it curled sickeningly with a small tilt of his head. "Speaking of impudence, how's my handiwork looking these days?" He asked, amused walking around his desk. "Holding up well?" The smug fucking grin grated my nerves and almost against my will, my shoulder rotated slightly. My back was alighting with phantom sensations where my scars resided but the memory of it was what had me drawing myself up to my full height, my shoulders lifting in a nonchalant shrug.
"Very well, Actually. I've been told the remnants are hardly there anymore." I keep my face as politely impassive as I can manage. "Despite your best efforts."
His eyes turned calculated. "I don't suppose you'd show me?"
My eyes narrowed. Not a chance in Oblivion. "It'd be the last thing you ever saw."
That had that smug fucking look on his face dropping along with his hand, a darkness settling in.
"Is that so?" He drawled it, stepping towards me. I didn't back up. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. "So its true.. Another has seen your skin." If I didn't know any better, he looked like he was on the verge of scowling. "I've heard that you were wandering around Skyrim with a… ranger." He sneered the word but the mental image of Bishop gave me an inward smile even as a worrying thought shot to my mind.
"Surprised you've been keeping tabs on me." I tsked. "Even for you that's overly sentimental. You told me that sentiment was far to risky."
"Only risk brings the possibility of rewards."
I scoffed. "If that's the case, then I am a reward you will never have since you don't even qualify as a decent man."
"And the Nord?" He inquired, stepping forward again, now about a few feet away. "Does he?" He snickered. "Or is it your fathers blood that makes you want to lay with those below our station?"
That had my hands clenching and stepping forward as power surged into my chest, caught in my throat. "You mention my ranger again and I will slice you from navel to nose."
A fury passed over him that honestly took me by surprise and before I knew it, he lunged forward his hand clasping around my throat and the momentum of his steps pushing me back until my back hit the wooden beam behind us, the back of my head cracking hard enough for my vision to blink out in spots.
"I must've… misheard you." He squeezed his fingers, the pressure a warning. "Did you say… your ranger?" The word he'd enunciated made a vein near his temple pulse and yet, I raised my chin in defiance and gave him not a word of conformation or denial. His eyes looked over my face, scowling before the hardness slowly left and a cool calm came over him. "No.. He's not yours.. Not in the way you nearly made me believe." He leaned back smug once again. "You've still got that… look to you." His eyes moved over my body before leaning in a little to peer over my shoulder, almost as if to see if he could find the scars. "But I find it displeasing to hear that tone of possessiveness in your voice, especially for a man such as him."
"There are certainly worse than him." My eyes flicked to his hand and clenched my jaw when he lifted me off the beam enough to force me back, my head cracking with enough force that had tight exhales leave my nose.
"I may be many things, but only I will treat you the way you were born to be properly treated." He leaned back away and jerked his head vaguely to the door. "To him, you'd be nothing but his whore."
My eyes snapped back to him.
"I'd rather be his whore," I leaned against his long slender fingers until they dug into my throat, "than your wife."
His green eyes went sickly, before his upper lip curled upwards. I was prepared for the backhand to my mouth, and the blood I tasted launched me into action. Bringing my knee up, I sharply lodged it between his legs. I felt the solid connection and perhaps I imagined it, but I could have sworn I felt something crunch. His hand let go of its hold and stepped back, a yell of pain that blasting off the wooden walls. My leg lifted again and with a solid kick, my foot landed in his stomach launching him back by a good foot. My body sagged in relief from the lack of proximity and turning I quickly grabbed the elvish dagger from my hip and whether it was timing or fate, I turned it in time to thrust it low and deep into his gut. His pained gasp ended on a low moan as his green eyes moved from my face to my chest to my hand that wielded the blade.
The sounds of rushing footsteps overhead caught my ears. Looking back to him I twisted the blade just enough that had him curling inwards on himself.
I leaned in.
"I'd return the other 57 but I don't have that kinda time." He managed a pained gasp, his one hand trying to hold onto the dagger, the other weakly attempting to grab my shoulder which I simply moved it away and it fell to his side. Everything else went by so fast that I didn't have time to take it all in. With a sharp inhale, I forced the blade down and away from him, slicing down and deep past his pubic bone. Turning with my carrying momentum, I lifted the blade higher, slicing across his throat. The sound of gurgled choking met my ears and not long after, his body hit the floor. "Feels just as good though."
The doors on the upper level opened and I raced to the other side, putting myself under the wooden platform. Hidden from sight, I found myself shaking, my body humming with the delayed knowledge of the kill I just made. My breath heaved in and out of my throat as the sound of Malborne's voice, hurried and anxious came from above me and yet, my eyes never left Rulindil's body.
Tearing my sights, I looked to a set of stairs and started towards it, my body trembling. I couldn't get lost in that type of spiral. I still had to get out. I still had a job…
My eyes opened slowly, and focused. The sun was just peeking over the horizon bleeding the sky with a multitude of colours. My head rested on Bishop's shoulder and as carefully as I could manage, I turned my head to look up at his face. Still asleep, his chest rose and fell, deep and slow. I heard a soft whine and looked down to the sound and almost smiled when I took note that Karnwyr slept curled near his masters feet, his back resting against his legs. My eyes lifted to look up at Bishop again, shifting to separate us just a little, jostling his arm slightly.
He didn't budge.
Damn. I chewed on my bottom lip, a wave of guilt hitting me dead center in my chest. He must've been exhausted and even now, the feeling like it was my fault chewed at me.
I shifted so that I could sit up, a few muscle twinges here and there as I did. The fire had died recently, the smoke faint but still wafting into the air.
I could still feel his hands grappling me while my wounds healed, vaguely remembered the sound of his voice, frantic and angry as I tried to get away from whatever it was that was causing me the pain..
Sweet Z'en.
Looking back to his face, I felt torn. I nearly laid back down, nearly reached out to touch his cheek like he had done to me when I had woken..
'He's not yours'.
With a slow breath, I turned away, lifting my legs to rest my arms on my knees, my eyes looking up at the waking sky.
That sonofa bitch knew… He'd known I hadn't given my body or Oath to anyone. Like it was some type of sick sense. Like it came with a scent or something visual. But what he no doubt failed to realize was that the two weren't exclusively separate. Like you could have or take one or the other. That's not how it worked.
The Oath of Amalgamation was usually done before anything physical were to happen. Once it was given, accepted and reciprocated… Well… You were bound to them and only them.
I let out a sigh and run a hand over my neck, trying to work out the few minor aches.
They were meant to be given to one and to only one.
It was for life.
One or…none.
As is the Kothringi way.
But..
With a resigned sigh, I managed to climb out from the bedrolls and after a few quiet paces I stretched. Arms over my head, I held back a wince when the tender spot made itself known. I moved as quietly as possible and started to put my gear back on, letting Bishop get as much sleep as possible. Karnwyr's head poked up, his muzzle smushed from sleep making me smile. He too decided that it was time to get up and did a downward dog stretch after he stood, jaws wide in a yawn, claws digging in the dirt, tail swishing softly before he trotted off to the edge of where we had made camp to relieve himself.
I looked back to Bishop and my traitorous heart did a small stumble.
I wanted him.
It made me ache with how much, like the tension was going to snap my bones sometimes. But to give myself to him would be to.. only him. He didn't follow Kothringi customs though.. So no matter who I met or what I did after. He would be able to walk away and I… would be left to wander alone.
As is the Kothringi way.
I started to tighten my sword harness before I found my hands stilling as I held onto one of my blades, my fingers trailing over the handle. My mothers blades, but my fathers handywork and lessons. A mixture of two different people in a perfect physical object. When my father met my mother, he'd told me he had been reluctant to bind my mother to him in the ways of his people despite my mothers attempts to convince him. Neither of them told me what made them go through with it, but the memory of my father and his devotion to my mother nearly always made me sigh. I could ask him if he could consider it at least..
Sliding the sword into its place, I looked back to Bishop.
No.. he didn't seem like the type to want to be… tied down like that anyway.
I unsheathed my two-handed to check the inside and when no rust came to sight, I started to re-sheath when Bishop's ring caught my eye again. His words about me keeping the ring fluttered through my mind… Gave me.. hope?
Shaking the thought, I buckled it onto my back, my spine twinging a little too much.
Its one thing to have ones mind and eyes set on someone… And another when its their heart and soul.
I heard a soft inhale and a deep groan and turning to look over my shoulder I see Bishop blinking the sleep away before glancing around. His hands moved to where I had been and when his reach came up empty, his head lifted sharply to look around before settling on me.
Turning to fully face him, I offer a soft smile. "Morning." I can't describe the look he sent my way but it had me tilting my head with a frown at him. "You alright?"
"If you were awake you should have woken me up." Running a hand over his face, he looks around before grabbing one of his boots and pulls it on. I found myself blinking at him.
Okay.. Tone?
"I thought you could use a few more minutes of sleep. I didn't want to wake you." I admit slowly as he stands, rolling his shoulders before whistling to Karnwyr who happily trots over and receives his morning scratches. "Did you not sleep well?"
His hand slowed before he looked to me and resumed. "I slept fine. Why do you ask?"
I straightened. "For one, you sound like you woke up on the wrong side of the bedroll." I placed a fist on my hip as I gauged his reaction and only got a scoff in return.
"Regardless of the side I woke up on…" He chuckled looking skyward before looking at me again. "I'm fucked either way."
I must've been to tired to understand his half-awake mumbled meaning but I could help but ask. "What.. does that mean?"
He waved me away and set to rolling up the bedrolls. "Don't worry about it, ladyship." He looked towards the rising sun. "Good news is, is that we could make a lot of ground if we start heading out in the next few minutes."
I didn't find it in me to ask him about the bad news and just helped with getting our stuff packed and soon, we were back on the road.
Our walking took us through the rest of the cold gloomy woods and after a few hours, we started onto a traveled road that lead into warmer winds Bishop seemed to be lost in thought, not making much conversation as I followed his lead to Riften. He had shared a lot with me last night and some of it was even offered freely. I was starting to note that when Bishop shared, or in his mind; overshared he withdrew a little into himself. Like a tortoise, ready to snap in case its exposure endangered it in some way. I let him mull by himself, Karnwyr faithfully trotting by his side. When the woods became denser, I couldn't help but slow down to an easy walk.
The woods here were thick and the colours… it had a lump settling in my throat. On each inhale through my nose the scent of water and earth surrounded me, the sun breaking free from the clouds' iron grip and sent rays down warming my skin.
It reminded me of Black Marsh.
Of home…
I couldn't resist standing still for a second to tilt my head back and let the sun warm me, smiling softly at the quiet. For a moment, I could almost picture myself being back in my village… Almost.
Z'en, I missed my father… With a sigh, I opened my eyes, refusing to address the slight stinging behind them and started to continue walking. The guard on the right took notice of my approach and lifted from the stone wall behind him. He walked towards us, one arm raised, palm outwards to halt us.
"Before I let you into Riften, you need to pay a visitors tax."
I couldn't help but quirk a brow at him and looking to the gate. "A tax? To visit a city?
"Yes, for the privilege of entering the city."
"Privilege?" I looked between the two guards, my suspicion rising. "I've never heard of something like that before." I leaned back, tapping my finger to my chin as if in thought." How much to enter?"
"The tax is 162 gold." That had my finger stopping. It was a large sum of money and certainly more than the low man who didn't have much. Looking back to the guard, he stood unwavering, eyes flickering up and down in that helmet of his. Deciding to play with him a little, I put my hands on my hip. "This city must be pretty spectacular.. Does it go towards anything, like upkeep of the city, guard wages, schools or perhaps you spread it evenly to those less fortunate that can't-"
"What does it matter?" He snapped stepping forward. My gut told me something was off but he seemed a little deterred when I heard Bishop step up behind me, Karnwyr growling low.
"I see you guys are still running this shakedown." He tilted his head down to me. "They're thieves, ladyship."
"I had a sneaking suspicion." I patted his arm in thanks and turned to look at them, my hand going to my own blades. "Don't we kill thieves?"
He shrugged nonchalantly but I caught the way his eyes sharpened. "Why not? They're right up there with bandits in my opinion." He drew the blade and the guard stepped back.
"All right!" The guards hands shot upwards to placate us. "Ill let you in, just let me unlock the door." He turned on his heel and stalked to the door, grumbling a little.
"Psh." Bishop sheathed his dagger and looked to me over his shoulder. "Stay close, ladyship." His voice lowered as the sounds of a heavy lock turning rang out. "Remember, the Thieves Guild made Riften their stomping ground so mind your valuables and your coin."
"There. The gates unlocked." The guard walked to the opposite side of the other gaud and leaned against the wall; arms crossed over his chest.
"Shall we?" Bishop took the lead, letting me follow as the large gates opened leading us into Riften. I was subtly as possible taking it all in as Bishop lead us through only for a man to look us over with a glare. Well, particularly me.
"I don't know you. You in Riften looking for trouble?" He looked like the rough muscle
"She's with me, Maul." Bishops voice was low and menacing. "Back off."
Maul seemed to be momentarily surprised. "Didn't think you'd be back in these parts, ranger. And with.." He trailed of when Bishop cleared his throat. Maul looked back over to me with a raised brow before rolling his eyes back to the gates. "Hmp."
He lead us forward, occasionally pressing a hand to my back when I slowed to look around. There was a couple having a conversation to our right just before we crossed a bridge. Peering over the side, I took note of the lower level before a market came into view. There was decent foot traffic, a small food cart next to an inn, the scent of smoke had your eyes looking around for the cause before you could see the blacksmith.
One vendor was empty, but the others had merchants behind them, calling all to check their wares. Bishop leaned in as we stepped into the inner circle to whisper in my ear.
"You seeing this contact of yours anywhere?" Bishop asked as we passed a few people. Handing a few septims to a woman who was begging on a worn cloth, I look around, looking for Ettiene. I shook my head when I saw no one that even resembled him.
"No, not at this moment. He said he'd be in Riften, just not specifically." I tsked softly. I should have asked him more questions, I-"
"Didn't know at the time. Its not your fault." Bishop's words rang true and that had me letting go of my momentary frustration with a smooth exhale. "I'm going to ask around, see if anyone will tell me anything."
"Alright." He sighed looking around as we walked deeper into the market before his sights settled somewhere. "Ladyship, do you uh.. mind hanging here for a second?" He pointed a thumb over his shoulder to one of the vendors behind him. "there's… someone I need to do."
That had me looking up at him, confused. "Excuse me? Did you just say 'someone I need to do'?" My brow raised and I could have sworn I saw a redness touch the tips of his ears before he coughed, clearing his throat.
"Shit, that came out wrong." For but a moment, he looked… flustered? No… maybe? Perhaps it was being back in Riften… "I was thinking of two things at once and my mouth mixed them up." He cleared his throat again. "I was thinking that there was someone I had to talk to and something I need to do."
"Right." I honestly tried, but I couldn't help my teasing smile that had him sending a look skywards while I walked to the empty vendor booth and leaned against it, my arm settling on the wooden counter. Bishop left me with a touch to my shoulder as he walked over to an Argonian vender who seemed to perk up when he approached. Bishop leaned in, arm resting on the booth and gestured for the Argonian to do the same. Whatever or whoever he needed to do, I thought with a smile, looked to be serious. Then again, looking back to them, Bishop's shoulders didn't seem quite as relaxed as they were when he had been talking to me… Could he not be getting a good deal? Maybe he was asking him about Ettiene. I was honestly about to walk over to see what had him looking more and more uneasy as they spoke when a commotion had me looking away towards a corridor.
Someone in a hood ran through the buildings, carrying a bag of some sort with guards shouting after him as they chased. He ran on the outside of the waist high stone divider and just.. kept going. Past the blacksmith, past several people in fine clothing- with a well place arrow from the guards, he went flying, sprawling to the ground scattering what looked to be goblets, silver plates and perhaps a few coins.
I started to rise from the vendor to go bet a better look when a quick sound of shuffling had me turning on my heel and barely managed to hold a gasp as Bishop twisted an arm away from me before quickly pinning in to the vendor beside me with his dagger through the cloth, seven septims spilling out from his palm.
"Your getting sloppy, red." Bishop ground out, his hand flexing on the handle. "Putting your hands where they don't belong."
"Now ranger, I know its been some time since you've been round these parts, but if I'd known this lass was yours, I'd have never-."
"Don't even try to talk that shit to me. You don't care who you take from, you and I both know that."
His brogue was refreshing as was the bright head of red hair that was grown long past to his shoulders. His blue eyes were sharp and never strayed from Bishop who leaned over him, eyes furious. When had he gotten back to my side? Karnwyr had come back from the meat cart, looking sheepish with his lack of results. Rough stubble of several days growth dusted this redheads face, stocky body and even though he was kind of leaning over, he was a decently large man. And a decent pickpocket if I ever saw one. I hadn't even felt him or heard him approach. Looking to Bishop, he seemed to have his blank face back on and casted me a glance.
"This is who Delphine was talking about. This," he gestured with a tight nod to the red headed man, "is Brynjolf."
"Didn't think you'd be back in Riften for a while longer, ranger," he looked to his arm with a small frown before his eyes lit with a thought and snapped back to him. "Or perhaps you returned because you reconsidered the offer we made?"
"The answer is no." Bishop bit back. Brynjolf quirked a brow at him and stood a little straighter when Bishop removed the blade. Brynjolf rubbed his arm and muttered something about his clothes but nothing of serious note.
"Shame. Its just sitting there and-"
Bishop stepped closer, the blade tight in his grip, pointed at Brynjolf's chest. "I said… No." Brynjolf looked to his blade then back to his face before shrugging.
"Well, the offer still stands if you ever-" Bishop shifted, like he was about to reel back to deck his man in the face but we had business to tend to. Lifting my hand to his chest, I stilled him. His sharp eyes didn't leave Brynjolf, but he did slide back just a little so that I could step into the line of sight. I could feel a slight tremble to him, like a wolf ready to pounce. I flexed my fingers then straightened them slightly a few times; felt the muscles under that armour tense then relax. Gods, he was solid. I bet he was warm and-
Shit. Fuck. Focus.
"Not that I am intrigued by this history fuelled show, the contact I was looking for doesn't seem to be here, but I can take what I can get." I looked up into Brynjolf's face as my hand dropped back to my side. "I was told you know people."
He seemed to look me up and down, more intrigued than anything before he glanced over my shoulder to Bishop. They must've shared a look because when his eyes met mine again, he gave me a reluctant "Aye. That I do."
"Good. I'm looking for.. two people actually. The first is this.. old guy? I think he's hiding out here in Riften." I explain looking around us. For a moment I was surprised that Bishop had caused a slight commotion but no one had reacted much. Even the guards. Strange…
Brynjolf leaned back, coy and cocky against the stall. "Expecting free information, eh?" He hummed in thought. "Help me deal with business first, then we'll see how I can help you."
"We don't have time to help with your kind of business." Bishop bit out over my shoulder. Brynjolf just casted him a bored look in return.
"Its true, we're in a race against another group that mean him harm. Let me find him first." I looked upwards to the sky as a thought came to mind. "Dragons are up and about and he could help us with them. They too, are bad for business."
"Aye, you've got a point there." He cupped his chin in his hand and tapped his index against his lips in thought then shook his head. "But passing on a golden opportunity is worse." The second half he said more to Bishop than myself and that had me sighing.
"Do you know where he is or not?" I press once again and he shook his head.
"No lass. I don't." Liar.
"Shit. Alright." I run a hand over my face. "Then do you know Ettiene? Last I saw he was limping his way back here." I ask and for a moment, he doesn't say anything, but I see the flicker of recognition in his eyes.
"Aye." It was a low whispered answer. "He's part of my association.. Came back all manner of busted up and said a woman saved him after being- that was you?"
I don't know why I shrugged like I was suddenly bashful but I did it. "Yeah.. Thalmor nabbed him.. Is he alright?"
He nodded tightly. "He's seen better days but he'd definitely be in worse condition."
"He told me before we parted ways that if I was ever in Riften I should look him up.. Can you take me to him at least?"
He sighed, looking torn before he gestured for us to follow him that probably shocked us both. He lead us out of the market to what looked to be a small graveyard leaving me feeling a little perturbed as I mumbled a quick prayer for the stones we walked past. I was going to question but I kept it in when he lead us near an alcove and after a quick looking over his shoulder, he pressed a symbol of sorts on a stone coffin.
The sound of stone on stone rang out and I watched as the slabs slide to show a hidden passageway.
I casted a look to Bishop, shocked at his bored look and pointed to it and mouthed a quick 'did you already know about this?'. He rolled his eyes and watched as Brynjolf walked down a small set of stairs to a manhole covered by a wooden lid.
"Surprised you're not having us go the long way through the twisted maze."
"We've had a few rougher folk come and try to settle in, so rather than get mixed up in that business, were going to go this way." He started down a ladder. "But if you don't like it, you're more than welcome to help clearing it out with Thrynn and Delvin." I watches as he lowered himself as he spoke, his voice echoing up to us.
"After you, ladyship." Bishoped held his hand out so I could lead but when I got down to the second wrung on the ladder, I looked up to him before Karnwyr barked by his side. "What about Karnwyr?"
"Don't worry about him. I'm going to have to catch him from down there." I gapped at him.
"Catch him?"
He shrugged. "Yeah. Now hurry up and go down." I was still processing what he had said before he lifted a foot to push on one of my shoulders.
"Alright, alright!" I scoff and go down the steps and dust off my shoulder when my legs hit solid ground. Stepping back, I waited for him to come down and watched when he himself stepped back and held his arm out, elbows bent. Karnwyr whined at the top, claws digging into the stone, his head lowered just past the top of the manhole.
I'd seen Karnwyr jump down ice caverns and yet, he looked so intimidated by a few feet. I tilted my head at him. He looked distressed but in a cute way.
"He's not coming down."
Bishop gave me a glare out of his side eye. "Just give him a second."
"You're seriously going to wait for your dog?" Brynjolf asked leaning against the wall next to a door looking bored.
"He's a wolf." I corrected him. Bishop flicked his fingers at him.
"Come on you mutt. Get down here. I got ya." He certainly did. Karnwyr's shoulders shimmied a little and with a soft bark, he came down, lading in Bishop's arms with a huff from the ranger himself before setting him down. Turning to look at Brynjolf he lifted a brow. "Shall we?"
Brynjolf lifted off the wall and opened the door, leading us through a short hall before we walked into another room.. There were several other people in this place and some stopped to look at our entrance. We walked into a large circular domed room that was illuminated by a large round skylight at the top. Water ran around us with stone bridges that had me pausing to look around while Bishop kept moving forward Karnwyr trotting by his side.
It.. was impressive.
I didn't even stop the long low whistle that left my lips as I followed. I heard Brynjolf talking, calling out to someone who responded but I didn't care enough to listen. I was too busy being distracted by the shelves that held glittering valuables behind a desk with another man who was scowling over at us, a stack of chests behind him, an archery station closest to my left when we entered with someone practicing a few feet from it and an alchemy table. I had a good hand of lockpicking sure, but it was different to walk into a literal thief's den. I saw a woman with light hair walk away from Brynjolf before stilling a second, watching us but then kept walking towards a connecting hallways.
"Oi, ladyship!" My thoughts snapped back to Bishop who was waving me over to where he and Brynjolf stood. "Come on, keep up."
"Alright alright, sorry." I called out while I lightly jogged over to join them again.
"Twice Banished." A different voice had Bishop stilling and looking over his shoulder at the person who was practicing his aim at the archery target on the far side of the dome. "Still calling yourself the best archer in all of Tamriel to get free drinks?" He fired a shot and had it enter just outside the center ring. I glanced to Bishop who didn't react to his words, but it seemed the arrow that landed had him wincing. The Bosmer shot a look back as he reached back to gather another arrow from his quiver.
Thun, thwap, thunk!
I gapped as I watched Bishop fire three arrows in quick succession into the target and land them dead center, splitting one of his down the middle before putting his bow back on his shoulder, a bored look on his face when the bosmer turned to face him, eyes narrowed.
"Still can't make decent shots even at short range?" The archer didn't return his comment, instead, turned to glare at the target as we continued on.
Alright, so Bishop said he had lived around here, but how did he know so many people in the thieves guild?
We walked into another hallway and passed through a door to be in another large room, several tables here though, several more people sitting there and to the right of us, there looked to be a bartender behind a decent sized counter.
Brynjolf walked to it and leaned an elbow on the counter.
"You seen Ettiene?" Brynjolf asked as he took a sip of his drink when the barkeep slid it over to him. The barkeep tore his eyes from us and looked back to Brynjolf.
"Vex was headed to go check on him. Should be here in the next few minutes." His eyes moved from us to over his shoulder before moving away to fill up several tankards. Brynjolf seemed to take note of this and also turned around, Bishop and I included. Walking in from around this basin, two larger men were spotted just as they crossed over the bridge connecting the two bodies of stone, headed towards us.
"Back so soon?" Brynjolf calls to them.
"Made quick work of em." One with a shaved head called back and slowed for Brynjolf to join him at his side to talk quietly to eachother while the other looked over his shoulder at us, passed over me before settling on Bishop.
"Well I'll be damned. Bishop is that you?" He smiled and headed our way.
"Thrynn," Bishop chuckled walking past me to take his arm in a firm shake. "How you been? These idiots finally learning on how impervious to this place you are and paying you a better gold cash out?"
"Only when he does his job well enough." Brynjolf cuts in and tosses a small bag of coin to each of them which they catch without hesitation. Thrynn casts a small smile to Brynjolf before he looks to Bishop again.
"So what brings you back here?"
"Helping out this lovely lady." He turned to direct his attention to me, a cocky smirk curling his lips. Thrynn looked me over before lifting a brow.
"Never thought you'd be traveling with a woman after-"
"In her case, I made an exception."
"I would as well." Thrynn leaned forward, hand held outwards. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, name's Thrynn."
"Nice to meet you. You can call me Serlina." He takes my hand in a casual squeeze before letting it go.
"Must have been desperate or made hearty to deal with this stubborn man." Thrynn jokes easily and gets a small shove from Bishop as they walk to the bar. I found myself following, enjoying the sight of Bishop at ease, almost friendly with him. Not like with Brynjolf who had started talking to the other man who had come in with Thrynn.
"It's not to bad." I admit as they get served drinks and politely decline with a shake of my head. "He has his moments." Bishop casts a look at me as he takes a sip of his drink that I can't help but return with a playful wink. Licking his lips, he shakes his head. "Though you probably wont believe me but as stubborn as this ranger can be, I can give him a run for his money."
Thrynn paused, mouth full of his drink, cheeks puffing slightly before looking between us before swallowing.
"Seriously?"
"Believe it." Bishop made it sound like he was exhausted, and I couldn't help but laugh as I walked up to the bar.
"So Thrynn," I gestured around the large room, eyes connecting with a few others before looking back to him, "what's your job here?"
Thrynn stood a little taller. "I'm one of the heavy hitters around here. When someone needs pushing around, I'm one of the ones they send in." He jerked his head to the other man with a shaved head. "And him."
"I see. But how do you know Bishop?" I jerk my thumb at him in question and he smiles after setting his cup aside.
"Well, I used to run with a bandit clan in the Pale." He looked to the barkeep, tapping his fingers on the counter for a refill while my blood runs a little cool. Bishop looked to me and must've seen my momentary aghast before leaning in to whisper in my ear.
"Different group, ladyship. Don't worry." That had me breathing a sigh of relief. Thrynn didn't seem to notice.
"Turns out I didn't like them and they didn't like me, so we parted ways." He sipped the foam from the top of his cup and pointed to Bishop. "Met this ranger about a week or two later. Low and behold, he and Jules had done the same thing."
"Jules?" I echoed and watch Bishop straighten abruptly after sharply elbowing Thrynn in his ribs. "Who's-"
There was the sound of a large door opening before a small group heading our way but were swiftly parted before a familiar face came to view and my question left my mind as I hurried with a smile on my face.
"Ettiene!" I laughed softly moving from the counter and made it about a few feet when his hands clasped my shoulders tightly.
"Ah! You made it! Good to see you, my friend." No more bruising but he did still have a few bandages wrapped around a few places from what I could see but he didn't walk hunched over.
"You look a lot better than how you originally looked when I first saw you." I said with a comforted smile.
"Yes, though I still have a bit more to go before I am fully up to par with the rest of them." He scratches his cheek. "What brings you to Riften so soon?"
That had me making a face like I was slightly wincing.
"I'm afraid I need a favour." His eyes change as I explain briefly but I am barely halfway through when he holds up a hand and shakes his head.
"Say no more. He's holed up in the Ratway Warrens."
I felt my jaw drop just little before confusion hit me. "I thought you didn't know where he was."
"I didn't." He shrugged before a dark look crossed his face. "But I figured that since I can't get my hands on gold or other valuables, I could get it on information."
"Good idea." I murmur. "What are the Warrens?"
"Ill show you." He jerked his head and I start after him. Bishop leans in to speak quietly to Thrynn who lifts his head away, a shocked look settling firmly. Bishop patted his shoulder before handing a few coins to the barkeep before joining me at my side.
Ettiene heads south, explaining to us that the Warrens consists of several smaller rooms and one large room, but usually it has those who aren't to be disturbed.
"Does he come out?" Bishop asks, his voice low and lacking the earlier playfulness or enthusiasm from his earlier conversation with Thrynn.
"Nah, he hardly ever leaves the place. has someone bring him food and such." He scoffed; eyes widen slightly. "Crazy old coot, from what I've heard. For that to stand out down here, he must really be off his nut." He stopped at the door, turning back to us. "I would say that I could take you the rest of the way there, but I am still recovering and I think there are more of Thalmor heading down there too."
That had us shifting, getting ready for whatever lied ahead. "Thanks for this much. And the heads up." I start to open the door but still when his hand reaches out and touch's my arm gently.
"I'll never forget how you saved my life from those Thalmor maniacs."
"I just turned a key in some locks. Consider us even." He doesn't say anything but with a small inhale, he lets go.
I pushed the door open and head onwards, Karnwyr rushing to be a few paces ahead of me. The door closed behind us and I could help but glance back to Bishop and see a banked look of irritation on his face.
"Hey, what was your deal with the archer back there?"
"Oh him? Nothing more than a competition from years ago that he's never had a chance to compete in. In my opinion he's got a better chance of beating me at making wine."
I frown. "That's… oddly specific."
"Yeah well, he used to live in Valenwood working at his father's winery... said to have helped made the finest wine to ever cross your lips."
"More than the spiced wine in Solitude?" He hummed in agreement and I found myself tilting my head. "Hmm.. I may need a bottle when this is all done."
"Ill put the word out to him."
"Seriously?" That was about the time that the smell hit me. Stagnant water, mould, rotten or fermenting food and urine. "Sweet Z'en, I feel like the more were in here, the worse the smell is." I couldn't help slowing, placing the back of my wrist to block my nose. "Ugh."
"It's a sewer, ladyship. What did you expect?" He may have been sarcastic, but I caught the way the corner of his eyes twitched.
"Flowerpots at every corner. Maybe some fancy sconces. A few chairs to use to rest ones feet, perhaps."
"You and that sharp tongue." He sighed, but his mouth did curl upwards then dropped as his arm wrapped around me to stop my walking and pull be back around a corner, my back hitting the damp stone wall. I nearly got a few words out before I caught the dark look in his eyes, how his body subtly changed to draw his bow. He jerked his head in a downward direction and with my hand on the handle of my blade, I peered around the stone corner and counted two Thalmor. But a voice rang up, closer to us then their position.
"Anything?"
"No sir. Still looking." That came from behind a barred wall on the second level down from us.
"Well hurry up! I want to leave this cesspit as soon as possible."
I looked back to Bishop who was stepping back to give us both space to draw an arrow, eyes locked on the Thalmor behind the bars. Glancing to me, I nod drawing my swords and crouched low starting towards the one on the same level as us. Criss crossing my blades, I stand when I get a good striking distance away and separate them when I see Bishop's arrow fly through the air, severing the head and hood from the Thalmor. Blood sprayed on the stone by my feet but I ducked down when several bolts of electricity shot out beside me. Rolling along the stone, I slipped into the alcove while Karnwyr's fierce growling was followed by a pain-filled scream. Peering around the corner, I gap when I see Karnwyr on the level below; absolutely mauling the last Thalmor's throat. When the body finally dropped, Karnwyr looked up to the both of us, teeth soaked red, ears twitching and with a snarled growl, he took off down a tunnel that opened on the platform he stood on.
"Well, there he goes." Bishop muttered as he reached my side.
"Shouldn't we drop down to follow, keep an eye on him?" I looked to Bishop who just raised a brow at me.
"Ah he'll be fine. Come on, we will probably catch up with him anyway."
We moved forward down our own corridor only to get blasted with fire from another Thalmor who runs towards us, arm raised. A quick slice from a sword had the offending hand dropping to the stone before he was choking on Bishop's arrows then collapsing to the ground. Muttering a curse I tap on my arm, making the flames subside faster.
"Hey, ladyship?"
"Hmm?" I inspect my arm, pleased that there isn't to much damage.
"You've said it few times now, what God are you repeatedly addressing?" His tone was a little sharp but still inquisitive as we walked on.
"Oh, Z'en?" I say as I climb down a set of stairs. Casting a look over my shoulder at him, he had this… look on his face that looked to be a blend of irritation and confusion. "Why do you ask?"
"Nothing, its just that, I thought you were trying to say Zenithar, er something like that."
"Oh.. Does it bother you?"
"Not really it's just that I've said it before, ladyship. Gods are a waste of time." He looked to me with a guarded expression when I rose a single brow at him. "What do you think that I should be more open-minded or perhaps convert to following your god?"
"Oh Gods no." I winced. "Don't do that." I lifted a shoulder and dropped it. "I like the fact that you believe in a godless…." I waved a hand all around us and settled on the word "day to day existence."
His eyes narrowed albeit suspiciously. "You do?"
"I do." I singularly nodded. "And you're good for me."
"I am?" Same doubtful tone.
"Mhm.. You're a good foil for me."
"A foil?" He scoffed. "I don't even know what you mean by that."
"I mean that, when we are side by side, I think that we are contrasted in a good ways. For example, we've gotten into discussions about Daedric princes and the like. Like, are daedric princes really so bored that they have a drinking contest with mortals and nearly lose?" Even now, I still couldn't believe he had a night like that… "But while everyone can have their opinions and beliefs, but I'd like to think that unlike you, I don't tell them to abandon thoughts of them altogether because whatever reasons they have, they are not my own." Turning to look at him, I offered a smile. "Though sometimes you and situations alike can make me wonder about higher powers that make me question things about whom I worship."
"And?"
"I've never felt closer to Z'en then I do after an argument with you." I say as we descend down a circling column.
He laughed, low and genuine. "Fuck you." I couldn't help but join in.
Our amusement was cut short when two more figures in robes attacked, but we managed to hold our own. Well, I did misjudge the space between us and instead of getting a hit in, I got my blade embedded into the wall and a whole-body shove into the brick, knocking the air out of me momentarily. I managed to flip my blade in hand and plunge the blade downward into the weak part in the elvish armour near the neck.
"Sonofa bitch." Bishop glanced to his shoulder and from where I stood, I could see the cut from here. Not too deep but enough to bleed for a bit.
"You- alright?" My worried question came out more in a wheeze, but he simply strided over to me. Warm hands held my shoulders as his amber eyes looked me over, one hand letting go to push the flyaway hairs out of my face. My hand lifted to his shoulder and my lips pressed together when my fingertips came away red.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me. What about you? You took a solid hit."
"Just got the wind knocked out of me. Ill be alright." Even my voice sounded better already though I had a moment where I couldn't help but.. watch him. His face creased with slight worry, anger making his fingers tense where they touched.
"You had blood on you, I thought-"
"Not my blood." I say as my eyes drift to the Thalmor body laying lifeless beside me.
"Does it bother you?" He asks as we get back to it.
"Getting attacked?" I frown and sheath one sword. There wasn't enough space for these type of close quarters. "Well I can't say it's the best feeling in the world."
"No, I meant the Thalmor. High elves." Ah… I glance to him and ponder that question a second before I cast a blank look back.
"Does it bother you to kill other Nords?"
He scoffs, rolling his shoulders in a shrug. "Not especially."
"Well, the same goes for me." I sigh. "There can be good or bad of any race and in such times of being attacked, it plays no part of my heritage when I am fighting for my life." I look to him and tighten my grip on my handle. "Or yours."
That has him pausing a second before he continues by my side, not adding much after my honest quip. Though he didn't send me a smug ass smirk when Karnwyr was waiting for us on the lowest level, blood in his fur, along his jowls, panting happily at another door.
"Told you we'd find him." That had me rolling my eyes even as I rubbed a hand over between Karnwyr's ears and pulled open the door. We headed lower down a flight of stairs; the smell less invasive in here thank Z'en. There were several more twists and turns before we walked into a more open space with a set of stairs leading up to a higher level with what looked to be several cell doors.
I noticed a door beside the stairs and started towards it when I heard an older woman's voice beyond the wood, muttering about buckets, stones and other things. I looked over my shoulder at Bishop who stood behind me, arrow notched and returning my unsure look with one of his own.
"I was expecting this kind of crazy but I'm willing to bet that Esbern doesn't sound like that." I say pointing in the direction of the door.
"I'm going to agree with you." We left the woman mumbling behind the door be.
Starting up the stairs, I had this feeling of dread rising in me but I couldn't seem to place the why it was.. Perhaps it was the man in the cell right at the top of the stairs who was looking at me like a piece of meat. Arms through the bars, he wore a classic chefs outfit, hat and everything. He looked old and from the state of his skin colour, not doing well. Probably diseased. When he licked his lips when I neared the third stair from the top, I heard a deep growl from Karnwyr and the sound of Bishop's bow string starting to strain.
"You wanna get to her, you gotta get through me."
"I'm going to eat well tonight, my darling!" It was a belligerent shout, one that had me jumping slightly and when the cell door swung open freely, I dropped low under his war axe that swung without restraint. I got a good and deep slice into his ribs before Bishop launches an arrow, embedding into his eye socket. His lifeless body tumbled down the stairs to fall in a heap at the bottom.
"Don't eat that." Bishop warned Karnwyr who looked at him with a tilt of his head, a silent 'why not?'.
"You don't know where its been." I called to him and start to the last door. A heavily locked door.
"I think this is it." I mutter looking over the metal bars that reinforce it. Why was my heart racing? It wasn't the chef. Or the Thalmor..
"Can you pick it?" Bishop asks coming up behind me. I glance to the slot to put the key and bite my bottom lip again as Karnwyr sniffs along the bottom of the door.
"I could.. but I think I want to make this as a.. well as normal of an approach as I can manage." I think it was unconsciously, but my hand lifted.
"So what, you going to knock?"
I paused, blinked before looking back to him. "I was thinking about it. Should I?"
He looked positively perplexed. "Why would you?"
"Well, given that the Thalmor would be here to potentially torture and kill him, I doubt they would take the time to knock."
"Alright then…" He muttered on a shrug. Gods.. we were in the sewers, the only neighbors this guy has are a creepy woman and a cannibalistic man who believed he was the finest chef and here I was starting to worry that knocking on his door was going to come off as a little strange. "You gonna knock or what?" Bishop's teasing question and his slight nudge had me smirking before lifting a hand to rap my knuckles only for a metal slot several inches wide slides aggressively to the right, genuinely startling me to the point where I jumped back a foot.
"Go away!" Male voice, older by the sounds of it. I could barely see inside but a glance to Bishop had him looking to me with a tight nod. That had me stepping back in closer.
"Are you, Esbern?"
"What?! No, that's not me. I'm not Esbern." I rolled my eyes and heard Bishop chuckle. I wasn't convinced.
"Esbern, I'm a.." I shrugged trying to find the words before looking to Bishop, "its complicated to explain, but you need to get out of here. The Thalmor have found you, there were Thalmor agents in the Ratway looking for you.."
"Oh, how reassuring! Most likely you're with the Thalmor and this is just a trick to get me to open the door."
"If we were with the Thalmor, she wouldn't have attempted to knock." Bishop threw in.
"And no doubt you're one of them too. Leave me alone!"
"It's okay, old man. Delphine sent us."
"Delphine?" The name left him momentarily shocked but it was quickly covered by him speaking faster. "How do you...so you've finally found her, and she led you to me. And here I am, caught like a rat in a trap." The sound of something ruffling inside had me glancing worryingly to Bishop. This guy was locking down and fast. I gapped for just a second before the sound of the metal slip shot back into place. "Well, you wont get me without a fight!"
I lunged to the door, my hands smacking the metal hard. "Esbern stop! Please listen to me! We're not her to fight! My name is Serlina and I'm the one the Blades have been searching for." I needed to take a breath and let it out. There wasn't any response and I got the feeling the longer I pressed, the more he would fight it. "I- Delphine said to 'remember the 30th of Frostfall'."
It was my last shot..
Silence.
Nothing but dead air and for just a moment, I was worried that I would have to pick this doors lock when the metal slid opened once again, this time a little slower.
"Ah.. I do… I do remember. Delphine really is alive, then?" I nodded stiffly. "You'd better come in then and tell me how you found me and what you want." That had me glancing to Bishop one more time before the sound of a lock turning had my head snapping back to the door.
We waited as the sound of several locks clicking open softly met our ears.
"I'm counting four separate locks." Bishop murmured leaning in my ear.
"This'll just take a moment... This one always sticks...there we go." It sounded like a thick metal bar had been slid across the door before it started opening wide.
"Make that five." I shook my head. Even if I wanted to pick the lock and had managed to do so, I got the feeling that we still wouldn't have made much ground.
"There we are! Come in, come in! Make yourself at home!" He gestured us in, like we were visiting family a startling difference from before. A quick cursory glance told me that this home that Esbern had made had his own idea about where everything should reside and so one could never be quite sure of its current location. By the looks of the sparce furniture, everything had a previous life as another thing. The smell from the outer areas wasn't so strong in here, a pleasant reprieve. Instead it smelt like alchemy ingredients. It was strange but… comforting in a way. He hurriedly shuts the door after peering outside for a quick moment. "That's better. Now we can talk."
Esbern looked between the two of us, old eyes settling on me. "So, Delphine keeps up the fight, after all these years?"
"Yes. I would be more than happy to talk more about it, but The Thalmor have found you. We have to get out of here." I gesture back to the door and he just sneers at it.
"Yes, yes, so you said. But so what?" He brushed it off with a disregarding wave of his hand as he stalked to what looked to be his kitchen area. "I tried to tell her, years ago... I thought she'd have realized it's hopeless by now. The end is upon us after all. I may as well die here as anywhere else." He sighed as he started putting together a single platter of food. "I'm tired of running."
"As much as I would naturally argue with you that its not hopeless, I am still stuck on the whole, 'the end is upon us', what does that mean?"
"What, you have come here and yet you too haven't you figured it out yet? What more needs to happen before you all wake up and see what's going on? Alduin has returned, just like the prophecy said! The Dragon from the dawn of time, who devours the of the dead! No one can escape his hunger, here or in the afterlife! Alduin will devour all things and the world will end. Nothing can stop him!" One moment he looked furious, then the next he looked so forlorn. "I tried to tell them. They wouldn't listen. Fools. It's all come true...all I could do was watch our doom approach..."
His words delivered invisible blow to me that after each one, left me feeling more and more shaken.
"Alduin... The dragon who's raising the others?" Bishop asked walking around the room to keep him and Esbern on two separate sides.
Esbern pointed to him. "Yes! Yes! You see, you know but you refuse to understand!" He leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly. "Wait who are you and why are you here?"
"He's with me." I cut in, my words a little breathless. "This is Bishop, my traveling companion. He's a ranger. Helps me get around."
"Among other things." My mind was still trying to play catch up while my stomach was doing somersaults in my chest when his words settled more solidly in my mind.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute, Esbern" I held my hands up to pause their discussion. "Are you meaning to tell me that you- you you're talking about the literal… end of the world?"
"'End of Days'? I don't think things are quite that bad." Bishop tossed in, crossing his arms after leaning against a wall.
"Oh, yes. It's all been foretold. The end has begun. Alduin has returned. Only a Dragonborn can stop him. But no Dragonborn has been known for centuries. It seems that the gods have grown tired of us. They've left us to our fate, as the plaything of Alduin the World-Eater."
"It's never hopeless, Esbern." I say running a hand over my arm, trying to stop the sudden chill I was feeling.
"Yeah, ladyship over here is Dragonborn."
That had him turning to slowly look up at me with a type of… awe that had me wanting to shrink away, more tension settling amongst my shoulders.
"What? You're... can it really be true? Dragonborn?" I nod, slowly supressing the urge to shrink away.
"That's what people are constantly telling me." I lift a shoulder and drop it, chewing on my bottom lip a little. "Delphine seemed to think it was important."
"Important? Far more than even she realizes!" He announced walking towards me. "If you are Dragonborn, then... Then...there is hope after all. For so long, all I could do was watch our doom approach, helplessly.
"Doom? You mean the return of the dragons?" Bishop ran his hand over Karnwyr who was sitting by his side, but his ears flickered around now and again.
"Dragons, pah. They can be killed. The Blades killed many in their early days as dragon-slayers. No, dragons are merely the final portent of the End of Days."
"End of days." Bishop echoed again, his tone almost scolding. Esbern looked from him to me, the despair fleeting before a calmer look took his place.
"You're right, I forget myself. I've lived without hope for so long... The prophecies are clear. Only the Dragonborn can stop Alduin." He stands a little straighter. "We must go, quickly now. Take me to Delphine. There is much to discuss." Esbern looked around, "But, give me...just a moment... I must gather a few things..." then he began to scramble around his dwelling. Muttering now and again as he stuffed a few things into a go satchel. "I'll need this... No, no, useless trash...where'd I put my annotated Anuad?"
While he scurried around, I was left with my thoughts.
Sweet merciful fucking Gods.. Prophesies, end of days, end of the world, only I could.. take down that black fury… The one I had met its gaze twice more than I would have liked. I felt the beginnings of a panic sweat coming on. My heart thundered in my ears but I forced my breathing to remain slow and steady.
I needed to sit down. I needed air. Clean air. I needed to get out of here.
My hands went to my blades handles, taking the handle tight as I watched Esbern move around faster.. Shaking my head gently I scolded myself. No. Could he really be serious? This guy? There was another older gentleman in Whiterun who was shouting about end times and I suspected he stood in the sun while wearing a heavy robe. And Delphine did say he was paranoid and he'd been living in these kinds of conditions.. Cabin fever? Hmm.. I should give him a potion… just in case.
Esbern moved from his little area and walked by me, speaking over his shoulder.
"One moment, I know, time is of the essence, but mustn't leave secrets behind for the Thalmor...there's one more thing I must bring..." Bishop waltz his way over to my side, leaning in a little.
"You have this look on your face that I am trying hard not to laugh at." That made me feel torn and sighed. "You okay?"
"Yeah.. Its just.." So much to take in. To process. To believe. "He isn't like I imagined him to be."
He looked over my face for a second and I was worried that I had slipped up and shown my panic but his lips slowly quirked up. "How did you imagine him?"
"Like.. Still an old man living in the sewers, but like," my eyes moved around the room, "with more scribblings on walls, like-"
"Like someone who needs to be seen by an herbalist or priestess?"
"Yeah!"
Esbern moved over to a chest by a small makeshift bed, grabbing something quickly after some sifting before turning back to us. "Well, I guess that's good enough...let's be off..."
"So how do you know Delphine?" Bishop asked after we cleared his room and headed back out. I took lead with Esbern between Bishop and I.
"Hasn't she told you?" Esbern returned as we clamoured down the stairs.
"She's vague on details." I toss over my shoulder.
"That doesn't surprise me. We were both Blades, back when that still meant something. Now we're just fugitives from the Thalmor. I didn't know she was alive, but I'm not surprised. She was a survivor."
"Why are the Thalmor so interested in finding you?" I ask as we get to the door we came in from. Again, we are met with that putrid smell that hit you hard in the face.
"Well. They've been hunting down Blades since the Great War, on general principle. But if you mean me, now, in particular... maybe they've started to get an inkling of what the return of the dragons means. I don't suppose they want the world to end any more than we do. Or at least, they'd prefer it to end on their terms."
Esbern's words resonated with me and while I may not like those who would be considered my kin, but I could understand their drive or need for the end of world to coincide with their terms.
End of the world. I swallowed and rubbed at an ache that filled my chest.
We were halfway through the when I heard Bishop catching up by my side, Esbern somehow ahead of us with Karnwyr. He seemed to have been amused with the wolf and though Karnwyr was unsure about him, he did allow a gentle pet over his shoulders.
"Still think this guy needs to see an herbal- hey," his hand reached out to touch my arm and thankfully, I broke out of my mental spiral I was about to slip into. "You alright, ladyship?" His eyes scanned my face and a flicker of heat flashed in them.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I ask with a shrug and gesture to Esbern. "We found him, didn't we?"
"Well, last time you had that type of expression, you and I had a moment in a mill." His hand flexed subtly but I caught it out of the corner of my eye while my face heated.
"Your talking about… that now?" I whisper so that Esbern doesn't hear, feeling flustered for a whole new reason.
"We haven't talked about it at all." He pointed out and I couldn't help the small chuckle that left me. "And I merely mentioned it."
"And you wanna talk or in this case, mention about the most intimate thing I've ever done with a man… while in a sewer, with mixed company that is going on about the end of the world?" My whispers had risen to almost my regular voice, but my lingering creeping dread spilled in a little and that had me huffing an impatient sigh. "Time and place, ranger." I ran a hand over my forehead. Was I sweating?
Thankfully a few unfamiliar voices echoed down the halls, having Bishop draw an arrow to notch it.
"Fine. Later than."
We encountered seven more Thalmor on our trek outwards, right about the same time we were asking Esbern why he wasn't carrying a weapon, and watched as Esbern conjured up a frost atronach. I was surprised that thing could fit in those tunnels.
We were back in the center of the Thieves Guild once again, Bishop stalked over to the bar for another drink, casting off Brynjolf who asked him again if he had changed his mind while Esbern and I spoke to Ettiene. They had a few words and even shook hands after. We took a different way out, Esbern leading the way this time and I wont even deny how deep of a breath I took when fresh autumn air hit my nose.
I felt minimally steadier but I still hadn't been able to shake the inner turmoil Esbern had started in me.
"So, Esbern, what's so important about me being Dragonborn?"
He looks genuinely stumped, mouth opening and closing slightly like he was at a loss for words. "Not yet, not yet.. I'm too muddled to explain myself. I still need some time to get used to the idea of.. well you." He gestures to me and I nod in understanding. When we get to Riverwood, when I've collected my thoughts."
"Yes, you've certainly had me in my head thinking about a few things as well." I admit and for a long moment, no one says anything.
"Would you like to travel together or separate?" Bishop asks breaking the silence. Esbern looks around thoughtfully and I watch as a calculated look comes over him.
"Well, I do move more easily by myself, I've been living as a ghost for quite some time."
"True and they do know what I look like more than you since I kinda messed up their Embassy." I glance to Esbern and shrug. "Long story for a later time." He nods as I look back to Riften. "They'll also be combing those tunnels for you."
"So I shall meet you there?" He inquires and I nod my head, holding my hand out.
"Count on it." He clasps mine then Bishop's before looking off towards High Hrothgar. He starts off in a light jog heading in that direction before he starts to veer off to his left slightly.
With a sigh, I look to Bishop. "Guess we'll go right."
"Sounds good to me." And with one last look in the direction of where Esbern had raced off too, we headed in the opposite.
AN:
Hey guys!
First, apologies about my chapter being a little late. I was hoping to have this up in time for Valentine's Day with some spicy times, but allot happened and wasn't able to get it out in time.
To make up for it, I promise that my next chapter will have been worth the wait. If I were to be honest, technically this chapter is only part 1 out of 2 since it was getting pretty long as I was writing it and needed to break it up so it wouldn't be to much.. So the next one will still be told from our leading ladies POV.
I hope you guys liked how I worked the story in a different way with Riften, I'm trying my best to make it different.. Let me know what you guys think!
Let me know what you liked best! I love your comments!
Until our next chapter,
Stay romancing!
-IMME