AN: This is a short chapter, but I feel it's fitting after the length and weight of the previous. I will also not be posting a new chapter Friday. I got ahead of myself and really messed up where the story was going. I want some extra time so that I can get the story back on track and make sure it's of good quality.
Also, the note on my previous chapter asked why it seems Brynjolf swears to the Nine Divines, but also Talos. Reviewer twelia brought up an interesting point, saying that Brynjolf may not worship any divines and uses those as expressions, similar to how atheists and others who are not religious say "oh my god/lord". Wanted to include that in case I made others a little curious about it!
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is property of Bethesda Softworks. I own nothing but Roseleigha. Thank you for allowing my words to have the privilege of your time.
The Seer and Her Thief, Chapter 10
Down by the Sea of Ghosts, tucked snuggly under the northern rocks of Solitude, sits a small shine of Akatosh, one of the Nine Divines and the god that bestows the power of Dragonborn upon mortals. It was originally placed by a Nord man named Gogelf, nearby his family home along the coast. Once a week, on Sundas, he would walk by himself to the shrine, take hold of his amulet, and pray to the dragon god of time.
"Da?" a young girl's voice asked from behind him.
The man jumped slightly, startled by his daughter's voice. He turned and kneeled down to her, his eyes leveled with hers. "What are you doing out here, sweetie?" he asked.
"I just wanted to see where you were going…" she replied with shame and hesitation.
Gogelf picked up the tiny auburn-haired girl, one of his very favorite flowers, and kissed her on the cheek. "You're just like your da. Are you going to grow up and be an adventurer?"
She eagerly nodded, her yellow-green eyes sparkling with excitement. "I wanna go back to Riften, da! I wanna be a master thief like you!"
He chuckled, saddened but proud that his little blooming bud wanted to be just like her father. "I wouldn't call myself a master, little lass. Those Nightingales are masters."
"Are they really real?" she asked, her mouth gaping open.
The proud father chuckled once more, finding it always difficult to lie to his children. "I don't know, lassie. I never met one or seen one."
The girl frowned with disappointment, turning her attention to the small shine of the dragon-god. "Is that a dragon?" she asked.
"Aye, my little lass. That's Akatosh, one of the mighty Nine Divines. He gives people the soul of a dragon."
She gasped. "Really?! I want the soul of a dragon, da! I wanna breathe fire!"
He put her on the ground and allowed her to imitate a dragon; flapping her arms and letting out roars, he laughed at her cute behavior.
"Will you pray with me, lassie?"
The girl was confused for a moment, but nodded. "Aren't dragons evil and scary?" she asked.
"Not this one. He's the divine that let people become Dragonborn, just like Tiber Septim."
"Really?" The adorable look of shock on her face that mirrored her mother's face never ceased to warm his heart.
He nodded, continuing, "Come, little lassie. Pray with me."
Gogelf held open his hand, allowing the tiny, fragile hand to hold on to the amulet of Akatosh he always carried around his neck when not praying. He held onto the amulet and his precious girl's hand and prayed.
While he prayed silently, his daughter whispered her prayers, "Akatosh, please give me the power of a dragon so I can protect my family. I love them very much. Thank you."
He smiled, his daughter continuing to do him proud.
Once done with praying, they both stood up and Gogelf put his flower onto his shoulders, allowing her to sit there and rest her chin atop his head.
"Come on, Rosie. Dinner should be ready and mum won't wait forever."
The now grown woman walked to the small shine her father had placed all those years ago. She was able to take care of it, and occasionally prayed to Akatosh when she was desperate. She got on her knees, holding her amulet of Akatosh her father had given her shortly after she prayed with him the first time.
She kneeled there in silence, breathing slowly and allowing the cold air to surround her just like she did when she was little.
Akatosh
Thank you for the blessing of Dragonborn, but I am afraid that I have failed you. I still cannot protect those I care for and love. If I may ask of one thing once more, please don't take Rune and Bryn from me. They're all I have left.
She allowed herself a few extra moments of breathing to let her emotions rebury themselves and returned to Solitude.
