"Could you repeat that one more time?"

"I said my name is Braxen Thor. I hail from Windhelm in Eastmarch. I'm one of the leading captains of the Stormcloak army."

Skoref folded his arms, very much in disbelief. "You may be suffering from severe trauma. Do you want to lie back down for a few extra days?"

"Funny guy huh? You asked for a name, and I gave you one!"

"Why don't you calm down."

"Be calm about what exactly? I am no woman! I'm a man! A nord! I should be tall, muscular. My beard is gone. I have breasts! Even my..." She reached down, feeling between her legs. "Maker NO!"

Braxen fainted on the bed, ranting to herself. Skoref turned to Edna. "Any idea what's going on? Cause I'm lost."

"There may be some truth to what she speaks. Or she may be under the influence of magic."

"Magic?"

"It's clear from her scars that she's been tortured. If magic is at play here, then her mind may not be stable. There's too many factors we still don't know."

"What do we do?"

Edna thought about it for a moment. The bottom line was this woman wasn't their responsibility but to turn away someone in a desperate time of need was downright cruel. "Braxen."

Braxen went quiet, sliding onto the floor and sat against the bed. She looked at Edna, shaking her head.

"Child, I'm sorry for what happened and I'm glad we could get you back on your feet. However, we can offer no solution to your current problem. If you are who you say you are, then I suggest returning home to find the answers you seek. Windhelm is only a day's away on foot. What I will not do, is send a defenseless woman out by herself. Skoref will accompany you."

Skoref did a double take. "What!"

"You seem to have a hearing problem today. I want you to accompany this woman to WIndhelm like a proper gentleman."

"Um, you're sending me out with this stranger after what she did, and you believe her? What if she kills me in my sleep?"

Braxen spit out a cheap laugh. "If I wanted to kill you boy, I would have done it already."

Skoref threw his arms up. "Did you hear that? She needs to leave. Now!"

"Lady Edna." Braxen sat on his knees. "I don't know what's going on. I do know that I have a wife, a child, a squadron of men back home, who are probably worried sick. I need help."

With a quivering lip, Braxen held back tears. Skoref stood silent, trying to decipher fact from fiction. Edna got up from the bench, inched her way over and knelt down. "I'll do whatever I can. In the meantime, feel free to stay as long as you like."

Three days had passed since the reveal. Braxen, if that was her real name, spent most of her time training. Push-ups. Crunches. Boxing. Edna scraped together some coin to get Braxen equipment from Lod, the local blacksmith. An iron sword and hide shield would suffice. Skoref took notes at how Braxen worked. The movements and foot patterns were that of a well-seasoned soldier. It all seemed strange coming from the body of an elf.

Braxen jotted down anything she could remember about her previous life every night before bed. A 53-year-old nord. A wife, Midan. A son, Rorke. A resident of Windhelm since birth. Worshipper of Talos. Lover of horker steaks and continuous fornication. These were the traits that made Braxen who he is. Yet, everything leading up to current day is a complete blur.

That night, Braxen took a nap on the roof. Cool air brushing against her face. It was the one time she found a bit of peace amongst the insanity. To their credit, Edna and Skoref left her alone, only making small conversation when close by. They were good people.

"Braxen?" Skoref's head popped up from a ladder. "Ah, there you are."

"What do you want boy?"

Skoref rolled his eyes. "A bit of news. I have our bags packed for the Windhelm trip. We can leave as soon as tomorrow morning. Dinner is ready too."

"Thanks." She coldly replied. Skoref climbed back down without saying a word. A few minutes passed as Braxen drifted away into a light slumber. Black sight became a vision, placing her in an unfamiliar room.

"Mommy! Mommy!"

Braxen, who was now folding clothes, felt a force pushing on her back. She looked over the shoulder to see a little elven girl with a similar complexion. Eyes glistening as she tugged on Braxen's robe. "What are you doing out of bed Marsi?"

"Mommy I'm scared."

This was beyond strange. Braxen could see and feel everything. Even weirder, there is no control over her body. She picked up a whimpering Marsi. Rubbing the child's back to ease her fears. She began to sing an unfamiliar tune while strolling to bed.

My baby bear, so love-ly

With mama bear, papa bear, happy as can be

Mouth full of honey, sticky and sweet

A home filled with love, makes it complete

Braxen woke up in a cold sweat. Grabbing her body to reassure she was awake. It had to be the elf's memory. This is a piece of the puzzle to keep very close. Braxen hopped down to find Edna in a rocking chair, smoking a pipe. "Evening Lady Edna. I didn't realize you smoked."

"Once a week. I wait until Skoref's asleep to sneak out for a few puffs. If he caught me I would never hear the end of it." She took a huge drag, blowing smoke like a chimney with ease. "Would you like to try some?"

"Haven't had one of these in years. Why not." Braxen took a small puff and instantly began choking. She passed it back to Edna to catch her breath. "Maker's sake woman. I think I might lose a lung."

"Amateur. You don't think I use all of those of herbs for tea now. Come have a seat child. I'll fix your hair while we talk."

"Fix my hair?"

"I see you constantly tugging at it. Keep it up, you'll go bald. If you're going to parade as woman for the time being, act like one. I'll make it nice like mine." She said, patting her tightly knit bun. "Now come sit down."

Braxen sat between Edna's legs, who ran her boney fingers between the tangled locks. There was slight tugging. A little stiff at first but once the knots were out, it felt pretty nice. This triggered another one of Braxen's memories of Midan. She would spend at least an hour each day styling her hair. Smooth black strands that swayed when she walked. Smelling of lavender. Soft to the touch. How Braxen wished to hold Midan right now.

"Before we discuss anything, I need a promise that what is mentioned here, will not be told to Skoref. Understand?"

"Intriguing as it is to wonder why an old woman would hide something from her kin, I'm no tattle tale."

"Good to hear. Let's make one thing clear. I know for a fact that magic is at play here. Witchcraft and sorcery runs in my family."

"A wiiiiii-wwwiiiitch?" Braxen fell into a daze from whatever she smoked. "You're a damn witch?"

"Technically speaking, yes. I don't practice black magic anymore. It's disgusting and should be outlawed. My mother brought me into her circle at a young age. The number of innocents I saw mutilated gave me nightmares that I still think about today."

"So, you're not the innocent old woman you pretend to be?"

"There is no pretending here child. As I said, I gave up the dark arts long ago. The things I learned will stick with me until my final breath. Fortunately, you happened to fall in the right hands."

"Is that what you call it?" Braxen wiped her eyes, trying to stay awake. "Why keep this...from the boy?"

"Skoref is not my blood. When I was 24, a couple joined the circle. A dark elf and a breton. The elf was pregnant. When the child was born, it was to be in a ritual known as Veershun. Offering a pure sacrifice for the promise of immortality. I helped my mother do horrible things, which I regret but slaughtering a newborn was the final straw. Are you following along?"

"...Barely."

"Well keep up. A few hours before the ritual, I set massive fire runes along the walls of our dungeon. When the ritual began, I waited until everyone's eyes were closed and snatched the child. The runes went off, burning all of them alive. Including mother. I went into hiding and made sure Skoref never learned of his true identity. All done."

"Argh, I feel sick." Braxen carefully got on her feet little by little. "All done what?"

"Your hair. Shouldn't be a bother anymore. "

Braxen felt her head. Edna flawlessly dual braided, then fashioned a crown. A style suitable for a party or combat. Edna brushed away loose hairs and re lit her pipe.

"What the hell is in that?"

Edna blew a circular ring of smoke. "Nirnroot. Honeycomb. A few spices for flavor. Don't worry, you'll be fine."

"Great. Anyway, that was a sad story but how does that help me?"

"It means I have an idea of the matter at hand. Alas, I am now a withered old woman who is of no use other than passing along my knowledge of tea recipes. I sent a letter to Savos Aren, Arch Mage from the College of Winterhold. If anyone can help you, he will. He'll be meeting you in Windhelm, so you and Skoref best leave tomorrow morning."

"Why send the boy with me?"

"Because I won't live forever, and he needs to gain life experience outside of this small town. The magic within him will begin to manifest. Once things are settled in WIndhelm, Savos will take him to Winterhold for training. You've lived for many years Braxen. There's plenty you can teach him."

"What do you mean 'teach'?"

Edna leaned back. "Skoref's a coward. I'm ashamed to admit he's been coddled growing up. Maybe I went too easy considering how much worse it could have been for him. However, Skoref is a sweet soul who can do more than pick flowers and cook for me. You don't have to raise him, just train him."

"And why is that my responsibility?"

"He saved your life." Edna knocked the pipe clean, tucking it in her dress. "Besides that, you'd be doing this old bag of bones a favor. Skoref has no one else and I don't want to die knowing he spent the rest of his life crying over my dead body."

Braxen leaned against the door, regaining a bit of composure. To an extent, Edna was right. This entire situation was maddening. However, Skoref was her savior. A debt for a debt. Braxen was used to training multiple men at once. Another one won't be too much trouble.

"All right. I'll get the boy to WIndhelm safe and sound."

"Thank you, Braxen. I wish I could offer more."

"You've done more than enough Lady Edna. I should get to bed." Braxen opened the front door, then stopped halfway. "One more thing."

"I'll write down the recipe my child."

"Wonderful."