Kratos stood motionless in the dappled light, the sun shining down through the leaves of the trees surrounding him. He stood, arms crossed, as motionless as a monolith and appeared just as unyielding, hardly even seeming to breathe. Several yards ahead Lydia crouched dressed in hunting leathers. She too was completely immobile, still as stone, easily holding the tension of her drawn bow. The silence was complete as they watched the stag take the final step into a gap in the trees of the forest.

There was a sharp thwap as she released the bowstring. The arrow struck the deer low on the body and tight behind the shoulder. With a startled call it leapt forward, stumbled and then dropped where it stood. Kratos let out an approving rumble, "I commend your aim. And your patience. Well done."

Lydia flashed a grin at him over her shoulder and stood, "Well, I have had a good teacher." Kratos merely grunted at that. He eyed the long dagger strapped to her chest, noting several others on her person. She had taken to carrying multiple blades at all times ever since her experience with Sanguine, clearly not wishing to be caught without a weapon again. That was not the only change either. Only a day or two after her daedric misadventure, Lydia had come to him and asked that they add unarmed combat to their training regimen. Of course, Kratos had agreed without hesitation.

A small furrow appeared between his brows; it was not as if Lydia was some naive child, but the experience had been a harrowing one for her. She had been drugged and stolen from a place of supposed safety - out from under his very nose! - and then forced to fight against extreme odds with effectively no expectation of victory, the only motivation being to spit in the eye of her abductors and make them bleed for the privilege of killing her. His gaze drifted off into the woods. He had not said anything to her. It was not a topic that he knew how to approach. It was not one he trusted himself to approach.

"Kratos. What troubles you?" He looked back to see her staring up at him, care plain upon her face. He relaxed then, looking down at her, not realizing himself that his frown faded, or that the corners of his eyes crinkled in what Lydia had come to think of as his 'smile'.

"Nothing." He stepped towards the deer, "Come. We will gut here and finish the animal when we return." Lydia nodded and followed after him, pulling a hunting knife from her belt. She quickly gutted the animal, dumping the viscera but preserving the heart, liver, and kidneys in a game bag. She stood when she had finished, wiping her hands on a rag. Kratos nodded his approval before grasping the front legs in one hand, the back legs in the other and hoisting the animal across his shoulders with an ease that no longer even registered as strange to Lydia.

They walked back towards the town, coming down out of the northern mountains in the easy quiet of two who had spent much time together. Kratos pondered as they went. Perhaps he should not let himself be concerned with Lydia's newfound wary edge. That edge was a lesson taught by experience, and experience is a good teacher, not a kind one. He knew she was strong. More than strong enough to weather this and its fallout. The pendulum had swung but it would come to rest eventually in the proper location. Lydia wasn't one to let herself be derailed by something, no matter how difficult. Besides, even if she did slip, he would not.

When they came out of the woods they saw a pair of soldiers waiting for them. They approached and saluted. Kratos nodded in return, "Report."

The lead soldier spoke, "Hail Thane Kratos, Redhand. Jarl Balgruuf has come to Havverfjord and awaits you in your hall. He wished to speak with you but said that he would wait for you to return from your hunt. Thomas believes he means to spend the night before continuing his journey."

Kratos glanced at Lydia briefly, who simply shrugged, "Very well," he rumbled. "Come." With that they set off again, quickly arriving at the longhouse. It was clear that Balgruuf was in residence. They could count at least 25 guardsmen in the livery of Whiterun and it was a sure bet that there were more scattered through the training yard, barracks, and town. As they approached the steps up to the longhouse, Kratos handed off the deer to one of the soldiers who had accompanied them before climbing the steps.

Kratos entered his longhouse, crossing the entryway in a few long strides and sweeping into the main hall. A few Whiterun guards were scattered about the room and there, sitting at the table, was Jarl Balgruuf who was idly grazing at the fruit that Kratos' housekeeper insisted on putting out. As the role had been entirely self appointed by the middle-aged nord woman, Kratos said nothing despite his complete indifference towards the presence of fresh fruit, or the lack thereof.

Jarl Balgruuf laid down the grape he had been about to pop into his mouth and stood, "Ah, Kratos! Excellent that you've returned." Despite his jovial greeting his face slipped immediately into seriousness. "We need to speak." Kratos merely grunted and walked to a sideboard. He filled the basin there with an ewer of water and began to rinse the blood from his hands and forearms.

Balgruuf looked over at Irileth and nodded at her. Irileth smoothly swept to her feet, "Clear the room. The jarl and thane must speak." The various guards saluted and quickly filed out of the room, the last in the train closing the doors after him, leaving Balgruuf, Kratos and their respective housecarls alone in the main hall.

Silence reigned for a time as the jarl sat, idly rolling a grape between his fingers as he eyed Kratos who, with complete lack of concern, was drying his hands. Balgruuf reached up and rubbed at his brow before breaking the silence, "I do believe I asked you not to further complicate my political position."

Kratos set the towel down and turned to face the jarl. He waited a beat before replying, "I did not."

Balgruuf looked skyward letting out a gusty breath and asked the whispered question, "Why me?" He refocused on Kratos, "And what would you call some 40 or so dead stormcloaks if not a complication?"

"A simplification. A statement."

Balgruuf leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, closing his eyes as he pinched at the bridge of his nose. "Kratos… I do not know if you are trying to be this vexing or if it comes naturally." He sighed once more and sat back, gesturing vaguely with one hand, "Please, enlighten me. How do these dead stormcloaks simplify my position when we are already nearing the brink of open war?"

Kratos folded his arms and leaned back against the sideboard, "Ulfric sent the 40 men to capture me. For what purpose I know not. Those men dead and myself free is the simpler outcome." Kratos shrugged, "Ulfric is a fool. War is inevitable, on this I am sure. Now perhaps he will have some pause."

Balgruuf was silent for a few moments, tapping a finger against the table. He raised his brows expectantly. "Well then. It appears some additional context would be very useful for me."

Kratos remained silent and gestured vaguely to Lydia, who seeing that began a more fulsome explanation. She quickly recounted their journey to Windhelm and the battle with the cultists, leaving out the interlude with dragons, "After recovering my thane's property from a cult in Eastmarch we immediately began heading back towards Whiterun. Our interactions with the stormcloaks had, to that point, been positive. Kratos, for his own reasons, believed that we were pursued and so we cut across country seeking to avoid conflict -"

Balgruuf interjected then, holding up a gentle had to forestall Lydia's explanation, "And what," he inquired looking to Kratos, "were those reasons that made you forsake the roads?"

His amber eyes were unflinching, "A feeling."

Balgruuf waited a moment for any additional detail, but saw no more was coming, "A feeling. Thank you. That's -" He stopped himself and turned back to Lydia, "Please, continue your actually informative tale."

Lydia held back a grin, keeping it from her voice as she picked up again, "After days of travel through the wilds, slowed as we were by our recovering wounded, our scouts found signs of pursuit. We decided that rather than try to outrun our pursuers we would meet them on advantageous ground." Lydia paused for a moment, sipping her drink before continuing, "A party of approximately 40 stormcloaks approached. Their captain came to parley with us. He informed us that Jarl Ulfrich wished to speak with Kratos and that they were to escort him to the Jarl without delay. Kratos refused. The stormcloaks then attempted to compel him through force. We routed their force without losing a single man." Lydia could not help the force and pride with which she spoke the last sentence.

This was not lost on Balgruuf, nor was the twitch at the edge of Kratos' lips, the barest hint of an inclination to smile. He rubbed at his forehead before speaking, "Very well. Your actions, as usual, seem defensible if perhaps extreme and incredibly undiplomatic." He and Irileth exchanged a look before he continued, "I agree, however. War appears to be inevitable."

Kratos nodded, "Ulfrich is a fool. He will war amongst his own people rather than face his true enemy."

Balgruuf nodded, "On that at least we agree." He took a deep breath before continuing, "We will need soldiers... Whatever happens, we will need soldiers. To that end, you have a blank check, thane. Raise and train troops. Whiterun will help foot the bill." Blue eyes met amber ones. "Our people must be protected."

Kratos gave a slow nod of respect and agreement, "It will be done."

Balgruuf stood suddenly, breaking the intensity of the discussion, "Good. Then we should be on our way. If I am forced to attend that damn Thalmor embassy party then I will at least spend some time in Solitude beforehand to make the trip not a complete waste." He and Irileth headed to the door. Irileth opened it for him and Balgruuf made to step out before turning back, "Oh and Kratos? The next time you complicate my life, tell me about it. I may have spies, but - timely information, thane. I need timely information." With a final wave Balgruuf stepped out, Irileth on his heels, always watchful.

The jarl and his housecarl quickly gathered their men and set off westward towards Solitude. They were barely outside of Havverfjord, riding at the head of the column of guardsmen, when Irileth abruptly turned face Balgruuf and stated bluntly, "You indulge him, my jarl. I fear too much at times. And I do not understand why."

Jarl Balgruuf smiled, showing strong white teeth, "Ah, my dear Irileth, I do not think that you fully appreciate the situation."

Irileth snorted, "He is an upstart. An imposing one. But an upstart nonetheless and he flaunts your authority."

He shook his head gently, raising one finger in objection, "He does not flaunt my authority, for he does not directly oppose it." He let out a small sigh, "You fail to realize what he is, Irileth."

She squinted at him, somewhat perplexed, "A thane."

He shook his head again, chuckling grimly, "No, Irileth. He is a sabrecat." He turned and looked at her, expression deathly serious, "And he is one that we hold by the tail. A sabrecat that I am trying to keep between me and the enemies." He grimaced, "A sabrecat that I do not want to turn on me."

Irileth's eyes narrowed in anger at the implication of threat to her jarl, "If that is the case my thane, then perhaps it would be better to put the beast down rather than trust its intent."

"I do not think that he would be so easy to kill. Surely you have heard the stories, the rumors."

Irileth rolled her eyes, scoffing, "Rumors! Fanciful tales from the marketplaces and taverns! Surely you can't be serious."

Balgruuf was quiet for a time thinking back on a very interesting visitor that he had received a couple weeks prior. The man had been shown into the jarl's study late one evening by a guard who begged Balgruuf's pardon for the interruption. Waving him off Balgruuf had asked the stranger, "Who are you and what message do you bring in such secrecy that you circumvent my steward?"

The man had dropped the hood of his cloak, revealing long dark hair that was losing its battle with grey, "I am Brother Captain Caius Valerius of the Vigil of Stendarr. And I think there is something that you need to know. However, I would have your oath of discretion not to repeat what I say further except in dire need." What had followed had been an illuminating and terrifying evening for the jarl, but one that, he must admit, simply made more sense than it didn't considering everything that he had seen up until this point.

Balgruuf shook his head focusing once more on Irileth and the present. He sighed, furrows of concern on his face, "I fear, Irileth, that there is more truth to those tales than either of us is comfortable with." Truly this was a place he had never thought to be. Skyrim divided. The Empire weakened. The Thalmor. And now… a being - of unknown origin and capability - who nominally owed him allegiance. He chuckled ruefully, this was not something that any of his father's lessons had prepared him for. He could only follow the dictates of conscience and the highest good for his people, then at least he could have some comfort on his course.

He turned to Irileth with a small smile, "Have some faith. I have the situation in hand." He grimaced then, "At least dealing with this has been less unpleasant than dealing with Elenwen and her nest of vipers will be. Nine! I cannot stand that woman."

Irileth only nodded solemnly, "Such a comparison is only an insult to vipers, my jarl." He let out a bark of a laugh at that.

"Too true, old friend. Too true. And yet that is where we are going. At least we can make a small holiday out of the trip."


Lydia awoke the next morning before the sunrise, as always she arose quickly and slipped on her leathers and mail, foregoing plate for the moment. She padded out of her room holding her boots in one hand and her sheathed sword in the other. She padded down the steps into the main hall of the longhouse, navigating easily despite the darkness.

A single burning candlestick sat on the floor, illuminating Kratos. He knelt, sitting back on his heels, hands laying relaxed on his legs, as still and motionless as if carved from stone. The faint light of the candle flickered and shifted across the craggy plains of his face. Lydia placed her boots against a nearby pillar and leaned her sword up against it as well. She straightened and walked over to him, kneeling by his side in a similar posture. She remembered his lessons and simply existed focusing on her breath, on this moment, on calming her mind and easing that itch of wariness that she could not seem to shake anymore. Time passed. It was then that Lydia could almost see - see? Was that even an applicable concept? - light from her left and feel it like the rays of the sun warming her cheek. Just as she had felt it in the Myriad Realms. A constant. A source of strength.

She was aware that someone else had entered the room, but maintained this open state for a few more moments before opening her eyes and standing in one smooth and easy motion. Their self appointed housekeeper had lit the lanterns in the room and was setting out their breakfast; she was a remarkably small and wizened breton woman with grey hair drawn back in a simple bun. She finished setting out the meal and gave Lydia a gentle smile before bustling off back to the kitchen.

Kratos rose as well, standing to his full height and taking a deep cleansing breath before sitting down at his place at the table. The housekeeper, Agatha, came in again, bearing a pitcher of water that she placed between the two of them. Kratos bowed his head as she did so, "My thanks." She said nothing, only smiled and went off to do… Now that she thought about it she was not entirely sure what the woman had decided were the scope of her duties. Lydia only knew that they certainly hadn't come from Kratos. Perhaps Thomas had. Or perhaps much like the role itself she had simply decided what she was going to do. Lydia shrugged to herself and began eating.

Soon enough Thomas and Aranea came down to the table. To one degree or another Kratos habit of rising early had spread to most of those in his close proximity. Aranea had always woken with the dawn, but as the dawn and dusk were times of import to her Lady, she spent those times in solitary reverence and contemplation.

Kratos looked up from the porridge he had been eating mechanically. Lydia noted that he always ate whatever there was without complaint or any sign of preference. Truly it seemed to be something that simply did not matter to the man. He turned his head to look at Agatha who was hesitating in the doorway, fussing with a rag in her hands. She cleared her throat, before speaking, "Apologies, thane, but there's a stranger knockin' at the rear door. She said that she was someone you'd want to speak with - but I didn't let her in or such like, never seen her before and she didn't give any name."

Kratos let out a rumble that Lydia labeled as inquisitive, before he set down his spoon and stood, "I will see to it. Thank you." Agatha smiled and bobbed a quick little curtsy before hurrying off. Kratos strode after her heading to the rear door which connected through the kitchens. He opened the door to reveal a hooded figure that was leaning against the exterior longhouse wall with their arms folded. "I am here. Speak quickly."

The figure let out a throaty chuckle, before casting back the hood to reveal a wealth of thick golden hair and a pair of deep emerald eyes, "I forgot. You sure don't waste words do you, Kratos?"

"Dragonborn. What do you want?"

She broke out in a toothy grin, "Manners, Kratos," She chided gently. "Invite a girl in?" Kratos' eyes narrowed minutely, but he stepped back, out of the doorway. The moment he did she swept into the longhouse, "Thank you. Now, we should talk."

Kratos merely grunted and began walking back to the table. Sigrunn followed after him, ignoring the disapproving looks that Agatha was shooting her way as they passed by the kitchen area. When they returned to the breakfast table, Kratos returned to his place and began eating once more. Sigrunn hesitated, still standing and looking at the others at the table. She exchanged a nod of respect with Lydia before speaking again, "Thane, it would be best if we spoke in private."

Kratos set his spoon down once more and looked around the table before shaking his head, "No. What needs to be said can be said here." His eyes met the dragonborn's. "I know my people."

Sigrunn shrugged and sat down, "Fair enough. I will trust your judgment."

Kratos nodded, before turning to the dark elf, "Aranea. Can you…?" He gestured vaguely with a finger, indicating the room generally. She nodded with a smile, white teeth startling against her dark skin. Aranea stood and raised her hands, coated with the shimmer of magicka, and let out a pulse that passed over the room.

She sat down again, "We will not be overheard, thane." Kratos nodded his thanks before looking back to Sigrunn.

She was quiet for a moment more, idly twirling one of the forks that had been set out, before speaking again, "I have a lead. To what exactly I don't know. But there should be information on the return of the dragons. Hopefully something concrete on the why and how."

Kratos ran a hand over his beard, "Good. But you are here and not chasing it. What do you need?"

Sigrunn let out another chuckle, "Fair enough. Yes, it will be dangerous. I wouldn't mind the support."

Kratos shrugged, "I can retrieve it."

Sigrunn narrowed her eyes a bit at that, "No. This is going to require a lighter touch. Stealth is our first and best avenue here," She cocked an eyebrow at him, "and I'd wager I'm a better burglar than you are. You're not exactly inconspicuous." Kratos merely let out a rumble and sat forward resting his forearms on the table. Sigrunn continued, "No, what I need is support. It is possible that stealth will fail. If that happens I want an extraction team to help get me and the information out." She shrugged, leaning back in her chair, "And I'd wager you're the best around for that."

Kratos nodded, thinking over what she had said. He was loathe not to handle this directly. Information had been scarce and Farengar had turned out to be an abject failure as a source of information. That man was more smoke and mirrors than magicka. Still Sigrunn had brought this to him. She had shown trust. "Very well. I agree with your plan. What is this lead?"

Sigrunn smiled at that, "Excellent. I'm glad we could agree. Delphine has reaso -" she was interrupted by derisive snort from Kratos. Sigrunn arched a brow and continued, "Delphine has reason to believe that the Thalmor have information regarding the dragons and their return and that they may even be involved. Ambassador Elenwen has been gathering information and their files are all in the embassy. The place is a fortress, but in a few weeks time there is a party where they will be hosting a huge party and most of Skyrim's elite. A lot of moving parts and a built in distraction. It's the perfect time to steal their files." She made a walking figure with her hands, "I tiptoe in and, if all goes well, tiptoe out with no one the wiser. Or if something goes sideways, my backup," she gestured to Kratos, "smashes everything and burns the place to the ground."

Kratos looked up from the table where he was idly tapping one thick finger, "Delphine is paranoid. Ruled by her hate of the Thalmor. She would grasp at any shadow to blame the Thalmor."

Sigrunn shrugged, "Fair. And I agree. But the Thalmor hate something outside of their control. Either they are involved in this or they are trying to figure it out. They have a huge network of spies and agents, gold for bribes, and political clout for leverage. If anyone could turn up something it's them. They'll know something." She ran a hand through her shining hair, "I'm not blind to her irrationalities." She smirked, "Though I have heard that there isn't any love lost between you and the Thalmor either."

Kratos' hand on the table had become a fist, "No. No, there is not." After a beat he relaxed it once more. "Very well," he nodded.

Sigrunn leaned back, "I will be attending the party under a false name. We have a contact that can get us proper invitations." She cocked an eyebrow, "That won't work for you though. You're a little too unique to pass off," she flipped her hair with a hand, "whereas I'm just another blonde of middling height in a land of blondes."

Kratos shrugged, "It is no matter. As you say, I stand out. It would not do to attend the party myself and draw attention." He shook his head, "No, we will wait nearby, prepared to assist. Anything else invites reprisals on Whiterun and its people."

Lydia tried to hold back a smile, "Jarl Balruuf would be overjoyed to hear you say that, my thane."

Kratos snorted, "Contrary to his opinion, I do not seek to create trouble for him. It is merely a natural consequence."

Sigrunn was squinting at them from across the table; she wagged a finger between the two of them, "As much as I want to know what issues you two have been making for the poor jarl, I need to be on the move." She sighed, "I am unsure, but I may be under Thalmor surveillance and I don't want to bring additional attention down on you or our association. Especially before the operation." She stood, "I will go to Solitude now. Gives me time to practice my cover. By a dress. Get drunk."

Kratos moved to stand as well but she waved him back down, "No need. I can see myself out. I'll be staying at the Winking Skeever by the way. Do drop me a line so that I know you're in the area. We won't really have any opportunity to confer before going in there. I'd like to know that I'm not going in with no support." With a final flippant salute she turned, pulling up her hood and went out the same way that she had come in.

Silence reigned at the table for a few moments. "Well!" Lydia let out with a huff, "That was interesting. So we are robbing the Thalmor embassy?"

Kratos nodded, "Yes. We will leave under cover of night. Avoid roads."

Lydia nodded along, "Understood. If she's under surveillance, we may be as well. We need to maintain plausible deniability. They may act against us, but at least it will keep them from retaliating against us or Whiterun openly."

Kratos let out a grunt of approval, "Yes. Indeed." He turned to regard Thomas, "Put the word out. We are increasing recruitment. Also we will need additional infrastructure, barracks, smiths, weapons. The locations we have already discussed with the city planning."

The steward bowed his head, "As you say, thane."

They were quiet again for a few moments before Lydia spoke again, "Are we going to tell Jarl Balgruuf about the robbery?"

They were all silent for a minute,"No. But we will tell him afterward." Kratos paused, thinking, "In a timely fashion."


AN: A bit of a slower paced chapter but somethings that I wanted to cover and hopefully the interactions were still enjoyable for everyone.

Big thank you to all of you reading this and especially everyone who takes the time to review! I can't let the guest reviewers know with a personal message so I'm doing it here.