Lydia awoke hearing the familiar gravelly voice, "Girl. Hunt?" She looked up and saw in the dim light Kratos' head peaking through the barely open door. She nodded to him and he shut the door gently. She came awake quickly having become accustomed to rising before the sun since becoming housecarl to Kratos.
Their time had been busy since they had returned with their cart of loot from that first bandit camp several months ago. True to his word Kratos had indeed done away with every tax that wasn't levied by the jarl himself and to be fair even there he was not a diligent tax collector. He simply was completely unmotivated by material goods. Something that certainly frustrated his steward Thomas to no end, as he had the job of somehow keeping the household running. Initially they had run off of the monies and goods taken back from those first bandits.
When the people saw Kratos out training with Lydia and working everyday, completing various works, clearing trees and repairing and improving infrastructure in the town, soon enough the people of the holding had begun bringing goods and money to Thomas of their own accord. The holding ran on what outlaws Kratos and she hunted down and the gifts of populace. She was always surprised by the generosity of the people, but perhaps she shouldn't have been. The people had gone from a deeply corrupt leader to one who was nearly an ascetic and completely incorruptible.
The people began to truly respect him as well. He wasn't an open man, or what one might call kind in the traditional sense, but he was unfailingly just if in no way soft. He also seemed to somehow be in the area when his prodigious strength would be of help. He always seemed somewhat exasperated, but his help was freely given, which made Lydia wonder if he didn't gain some satisfaction from seeing to the needs of his hold and somehow plan to be there.
It was a time of disconcerting rumors as well. There was talk from traders about tensions between the Empire and the Stormcloaks escalating and more skirmishes taking place. It was even said that in a portion of Skyrim the voice of the Greybeards had been heard calling for the dragonborn.
It was not long after that, that Kratos had put out the call for those willing to be soldiers. Men and women had quickly flocked in and the corps was now 32 strong. Kratos spent long hours training them. Lydia had never seen a group of recruits with limited experience molded into a cohesive force so quickly. They grew remarkably proficient with their weapons at an almost alarming rate, though she had to admit that personally training with Kratos everyday had made her into an exponentially more deadly warrior than she had ever been before.
Lydia rose quickly and dressed in her lighter hunting leathers, gathering her bow and quiver but also her blade and shield. At some point in the intervening months she had awoken early and found Kratos meditating before the dawn. By wordless accord she had joined him regularly since then except for when he awoke even earlier and took her hunting. Much like the meditation it seemed to a calming and peaceful thing for him. She had to admit it had allowed her to appreciate the beauty of the wilds more as well. She now looked forward to these mornings, early as they were. With a final check of her gear she went out into the main hall where Kratos was waiting for her. He stood motionless in the shadowy hall, his pale skin making him seem almost ethereal, ghostly even. He had his massive bow in hand, an enormous creation of incredible draw that in the intervening months he had crafted from oak and laminate layers of dragon horn.
They exchanged a silent nod and went directly out the back door of the longhouse. They headed north into the woods and foothills of Skyrim's central mountain range passing by the now walled training field and the recently constructed barracks. Kratos led them miles into the wilderness until he arrived in the general area that he wished to hunt. Lydia never could tell exactly how he decided, and he wasn't forthcoming on the subject either. As per their tradition once they arrived, Kratos gestured Lydia forward to lead the hunt.
She supposed that for some it may be daunting, that Kratos always seemed to be testing people. She was coming to believe that he saw it simply as providing an opportunity to improve. He would always guide and instruct and in her experience when met with failure but effort he had only calm insistence that his student was capable of completing whatever task and capable of completing it well. Lydia, though she too had initially thought it stressful, now found it empowering.
Lydia took the lead, moving softly and with purpose, looking for game sign. They did not walk long before Lydia spotted something. She knelt next to the depressed grasses, where an elk had spent the night and gestured to them. Kratos nodded and pointed to a track in some nearby soft earth. "We are fortunate this morning." he rumbled, almost inaudibly, "It is still close." Lydia flashed a smile and they crept along the trail they had found. Kratos breathed deep the cool morning air, enjoying the scent of dew, damp earth and pine. It was a morning like many others, but it always helped him to remember himself and stay centered.
Soon enough they came to a break in the trees and caught sight of the animal foraging on the far edge of the meadow. Lydia cocked an eyebrow and looked up at him questioningly, gesturing between the two of them. Kratos considered a moment before pointing back at her. She shrugged and drew an arrow from her quiver. It was a fair shot, perhaps a little under 60 yards away. She took a deep steadying breath before drawing the arrow back to her ear and taking careful aim. She waited, poised, until the animal in its foraging took another few steps, turning broadside to them. She loosed and the arrow flew true and struck deep a few inches behind the shoulder. The elk let out a bleat and stumbled, nearly falling before lurching drunkenly a few yards and falling.
Lydia looked up to see Kratos nodding, "Well shot. You have become a fine hunter."
She let a broad smile break across her face, "I've had a good teacher. Shall we?" They set out to the elk and quickly disposed of the viscera. Kratos seized he legs of the animal and was about heave it up onto his shoulders for the journey back when he froze. Lydia instantly set an arrow to her bow and began scanning the trees in his sightline, "Kratos? What is it?"
He straightened abruptly, releasing the elk. "I… do not know precisely." He cocked his head. There was some pressure on his senses, but he couldn't define which one, almost a pleading voice he could hear without ears. Suddenly the decision seemed clear. He turned to Lydia, "Something is wrong. We return immediately. At speed. Come." Kratos took off through the woods at a punishing pace, on a much more direct route than the one they had used to travel in. Lydia was rushing along in his wake, very grateful that she was only wearing leathers and not her full steel armor, though she was concerned about what they would find at the end of this mad dash.
Their trip back took perhaps a quarter of the time and the sun was finally about to break the horizon line when they came pounding out of the foothills and up to the longhouse. As they approached they could see a distraught woman clutching at Thomas and pointing away to the west. Kratos slowed only a few steps before he reached them, his rapid arrival creating a pause in the woman's sobs. His face was thunderous, "What has happened?"
The woman turned to him pleading, "They have taken my Jens! He was coming back from the milking and these strange folk in robes, they just grabbed him! You have to help us!"
Kratos voice was harsh and cold, "Where?"
Thomas answered him, "From his farm, my thane, just outside the town to the west."
Kratos set off at a dead run, "Lydia, with me!"
Lydia felt a renewed surge of energy at his call, despite having just done a brutal run through the hills, "Right behind you!" They quickly cleared the still sleeping town and were soon enough on the main road west to Rorikstead, Markarth and, eventually, Solitude.
It was perhaps three quarters of an hour later that Kratos and Lydia spotted a group of figures on the road before them. The five figures stopped and waited for them as they approached. One of the robed figures stepped forward as they neared and reached up to lower his dark hood.
Kratos approached to speak to the interloper and Lydia hung back a few feet, forcing herself to hold her shoulders back and breathe deeply as she tried to recover sufficiently from the pace of their pursuit. The robed man was a robed mer, a tall golden skinned altmer with long pale hair and permanent sneer that only deepened upon examining Kratos' appearance.
Kratos gave the elf a cursory look and then focused on the bound figure with the other elves. His voice boomed in the stillness, "You are Jens?"
The man nodded frantically before managing to get out a shaky "Yes, thane!"
Kratos let out a snort and returned his focus to the lead elf, his brows drawing together and lip curling, "You have one of my people."
The elf only cocked a brow, "This man is a Talos worshipper. The Thalmor are empowered to root out such worship wherever we find it. Surely even you know that." he replied archly.
"This man has done no crime. Robbed no one. Injured no one."
The Thalmor agent rolled his eyes, "He worships Talos. That is sufficient." His eyes narrowed, "Now go back to your dung heap town before we find more reason to return."
Kratos' lip twitched at that, "I do not care for his religion. You have no proof." His fists clenched, his voice low with threat "What I see are bandits extorting a farmer."
The Thalmor's eyes flashed, his voice raised and heated, "You would threaten us? Justicars in commission of our duty? You would throw Whiterun in with the Talos worshipping Stormcloaks over some peasant? Make no mistake that could bring the war here. And if you fools try this, the war will come!" Lydia eyes widened when she saw Kratos' jaw clenching and a vein come into view at his temple, she quickly returned her attention to the elves.
Kratos' breathing had deepened, his hands held as rigid claws, "You come into my hold," he growled, his voice growing progressively louder, "you abduct one of my people," his veins were bulging now, "and you threaten me," he slammed a fist against his chest with enough force to make a couple of the elves jump, "ME, with war?!" He was screaming at them now, saliva flying from his lips. In a lunge too fast to follow he leapt forward, seized the Thalmor agent and raised him up off the ground, "I AM WAR!" And with a horrible wet ripping sound tore the elf in half and threw the ragged blood soaked chunks at the others.
Before anyone could react or shake off their shock, Kratos sprang forward past another elf, but as he passed, he reached out and grasped the elf's face, pulling him off of his feet. As he landed Kratos went down on one knee and in a lightning fast, piston like motion drove the elf's head into the road, shattering it like an immense bloody egg. One of the Thalmor having recovered his wits sufficiently, raised his hands and poured forth a cascade of electricity. It washed over Kratos who ignored it and reaching out grabbed the mage's hands, snarling as the lightning poured over him. The spell ceased and the screams began when Kratos pulped the mage's hands in his grip. Kratos released the mage's ruined hands and unleashed a haymaker that silenced his screams permanently. He looked for his final target only to see Lydia standing over the elf's corpse with her bloody blade.
Kratos shook the gore off of his hands as the scarlet veil over the world dissipated. He took a few deep, calming breaths, letting his eyes drift closed, before focusing on Lydia. "You are well?"
"Unscathed, my thane."
He turned to near abductee, "And you, are you injured?" The man did not speak, only shaking his head in shock, eyes still wide and mouth gaping. "Good. Then we return to Havverfjord." He eyed the dead elves with disgust, "And we will leave this filth to the vultures." He bent and wiped his hands off on a dry portion of one of the Thalmor's robes. He rose and looked back to Lydia and Jens, as she used her dagger to cut the leather thongs he had been bound with. He rubbed furtively at his wrists with trembling hands, his face as pale as milk. His eyes bugged out all over again when he looked over the ruins of the Thalmor, one hand flew to his mouth as he fought the sudden need to vomit.
Jens shaky voice rang out, "No man can do that! Who… what are you?"
Kratos sighed and looked down at the man. "I am your thane. And you are one of my people. I defend my people." But ringing in Jens' ears over and over was the earlier rage-filled cry "I am war!" and on some internal level he instinctively recognized the truth of those words. "Come," Kratos told him, "it is time to return to your wife and children."
"By the Nine! Sylvie! She must be worried sick!" cried Jens rubbing his hands through his hair.
Lydia stepped up and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, "Then come. Let us go back and show her she has no reason to worry." Kratos turned and they began the walk back to town. This time they set a much gentler pace but soon enough they were walking up the main street.
"Jens!" came a frantic cry from the direction of the longhouse. Sylvie came barreling down the street at a dead sprint and leapt into her husband's arms. Kratos continued up the street past the couple's tear filled reunion and the audience it was drawing.
He looked down at the dried, flaking blood on his hands and forearms, "I need to bathe." Lydia let out a chuckle.
"I understand the feeling, my thane. We had two hunts this morning after all."
Kratos let out an amused snort, "So we did." It was almost anticlimactic to Lydia that after the mad rush and adrenaline of the very early morning that the day fell back into the same simple routine that she had grown accustomed to. Though she did receive via courier the new deep red warpaint for herself and the soldiers to match the colors of their thane. She was somewhat excited for the opportunity to use it, as Kratos was unaware that she and Thomas had placed the order.
After a simple evening meal Thomas approached them, "Thane, housecarl, if I may interrupt there is a matter that I would like to get confirmation on. If you would follow me?" Kratos nodded and Thomas led them into the council room of the longhouse where on the table were laid out six pieces of fabric. "My thane, we are having your banners made, your crest on a pale field, but I need your decision on the proper color for the crest and I have these options which I considered appropriate for you to make your final decision."
Kratos stepped up to the table and examined the swatches of cloth, frowning slightly, "I do not understand. They are all red."
Thomas looked somewhat offended at that and walked up to the table indicating the examples one after another, "Scarlet, Ruby, Cardinal, Garnett, Cherry, Blood." He indicated the yellow tunic he was wearing, "Perhaps this appears red to you as well, my thane?" Kratos and Lydia exchanged a slow glance before looking back to Thomas, who cleared his throat, "I apologize. That was uncalled for. If you would make your selection?" Kratos reached out and tapped one of the swatches without taking his eyes of Thomas. "Ah, Blood. Excellent choice. We will have the banners done in no time. Thank you, my thane."
Thomas made a small bow, collected his color swatches and left quickly. They stood in silence for a moment before Lydia spoke, "At times I forget how strange of a man he is. Sometimes I am reminded." She smiled as Kratos let out the snort that she interpreted as his chuckle.
The next several days passed fairly uneventfully and Thomas could not have been more pleased. Boring stability was the largest benefit to the town and local economy. Already they were seeing new comers attracted by the almost non-existent tax policy of the holding and the extreme prejudice with which the thane pursued bandits. More traders were beginning to come though as well for the same reasons.
All in all, Thomas was feeling very satisfied with his position now. He was not becoming a wealthy man, but he was in service to a man of honor, if a strange one, and the town was seeing the benefit of their labor. He untied a burlap bundle that had come in this morning and saw that lying in the protective folds were the banners that he had ordered. He had to admit that Thane Kratos' crest on the pale field made for a rather imposing image. He ran a hand absently over the blood red omega on the banner with a smile.
He raised his head, hearing a knock at the door. He gently rewrapped the banner and headed for the front door of the longhouse opening it when he arrived. Standing at the door was a tawny furred Khajit, who immediately made a graceful bow, "This one apologizes for the interruption, but he is Ra'Jahn and would ask to speak with the thane of this holding."
Thomas bowed himself before replying, "I am Thomas, steward to Thane Kratos. What is this regarding?"
"The Khajiti caravan that this one represents would like to trade here in this town. Before we do so we would speak with the thane here. No disrespect is meant to the steward." This was accompanied by another bow of the head at the last sentence.
"Of course. I believe the thane is in the training yard and would be willing to see you." Thomas gestured off to the right, "If you would follow me?" and set out for the training enclosure. As they approached the gate they could see Lydia before the troops leading them in the exercises and routines. Kratos filtered through the ranks, giving direction in a low voice. The entire body of soldiers appeared to Thomas to move in an almost chilling unison. It was almost unsettling to Thomas how quickly Kratos had been able to instill that level of discipline and skill into his house soldiers.
Upon seeing Thomas and his guest Kratos made his way over to them, dispensing correction along the way. He nodded to them both before addressing Thomas, "What is going on?"
"My thane, may I present Ra'Jahn who represents one of the khajiti caravans? He would like to speak with you regarding trade in the holdings." Kratos led them immediate outside of the enclosure.
"Very well. Speak quickly. What is your concern?"
The khajit bowed his head briefly, "This one has found that when trading in a new place it is best to seek permission as in some places we are not welcome."
Kratos simply shrugged, "Follow the laws and you will have no issue."
Ra'Jahn nodded, "And we shall. This one's concern is not for the behavior of his own people. You met one of ours in Whiterun who is called J'Kar." Kratos let out a rumble of understanding.
He turned his head and called over his shoulder, "Lydia!" She quickly called a break in the drill and hurried over to them.
"My thane?"
"My laws apply equally all." He rumbled with a jerk of his head to Ra'Jahn.
To Lydia the situation was clear immediately and she nodded, "Understood, Kratos. I will see to it that all of our guardsmen understand as well. Nothing of that sort will go unpunished."
"Good" he replied, turning back to the khajit. "You are satisfied?"
"Very much so. Riddle'Thar and the moon gods keep you for your kindness."
"Wait. If in your travels you see or hear of a unique axe imbued with ice or a pair of burning blades that abruptly appeared, tell me."
Ra'Jahn's ears twitched and the khajit and Lydia exchanged a momentary glance, "We of the caravans hear much and listen closely. This one will tell his people. Should we hear rumor of this we will bring word in thanks for your assistance of J'Kar and your hospitality." The tawny khajit bowed again which Kratos returned with a deep nod.
A slightly confused Thomas interjected, "Excellent. With that resolved why don't we discuss accommodations and market days. By your leave, my thane." Thomas led the caravanner off and they settled into a discussion of local trade.
When they had left, Lydia turned to Kratos an eyebrow raised and hands on her hips, "Appeared abruptly?"
Kratos shot her a brief glance from the corner of his eye as he watched Thomas and Ra'Jahn walk away, "Yes." Lydia raised her brows and gave him a look. He said nothing but she waited expectantly and undeterred. He let out a small growl, "Very well. The weapons are mine. I believe I lost them when I… arrived."
Lydia was excited but forced her face to stay calm, "Arrived from where?"
Kratos turned to face her fully. "I am not of Nirn. I come from a plane beyond this one. As I walked the realm between realms I was pulled here by some force that I believe to be related to the large black dragon that destroyed Helgen. We arrived at the same time. This world is new to me"
Lydia was shocked but at the same time it made more sense than anything given what she had seen. It was clear that he was not simply a man. "What realm are you from?"
"It is called Midgard." He shook his head, gritting his teeth. This would inevitably complicate matters. "Enough of this for now. You have a drill to complete. They have had too long to rest. Work them." He turned to go back to the longhouse but Lydia reached out quickly and caught his arm. Surprised, he looked back at her.
Initially she avoided his eyes, "My thane… Kratos. Whether you are from Skyrim, Tamriel or Midgard, you are worthy of following. You are my thane and have been a mentor and… a friend." She released his arm and looked up at him. Perhaps no one else on this plane of existence would have known, but in his ever-stoic face she saw his eyes soften.
He reached out and placed a hand along her cheek, "You honor me. Thank you." Lydia smiled brightly at him.
"Now, I have some soldiers who have rested too long." Kratos let out a snort as he dropped his hand.
"Then you know what to do." She turned and jogged back to the training enclosure and started barking out orders the instant she passed the gate. Kratos stood for a moment looking after her. Her acceptance and kindness reminded him of Atreus. He shook his head, lost in thought. If only he had had more time with Faye. Would they have had a daughter? He turned back to the longhouse. There was work to be done.
AN:Another chapter in the books. As always please take a minute to leave a review, let me know what you like or specifically what you think could use some work.
A lot of appreciation to those who have reviewed so far. They get kudos for helping provide this quick update.
