Author's note: Thank you all so much for the reviews and story alerts. They make me so happy.
To joz:I'm not surprised that you found errors. That's what happens when a math major tries to write. I have the next few chapters done and all they need is polish. I will try to update every 1 - 2 weeks. Of course the more reviews I get the faster I work to get these posted. But no pressure on you all. Also check out my profile for a poll that might pique your interest.
Well, onto the story, and don't forget to leave a review and tell me how I can improve!
Lydia stretched her tired muscles as she left Dragonsreach. It had been three days since she received the M'rasha's letter but there was no sign of the woman and Lydia was starting to think something really did happen to the Khajiit. While she was waiting (and worrying, though she would never admit it) Commander Caius invited her to help train the new guards. She agreed and found the training to be mutually beneficial: they got experience and her own skills didn't become rusty.
By the time she left the Cloud District, the sun had already disappeared below the horizon. Like the evening before, Lydia planned to go to the Bannered Mare, have a few drinks and stumble her way home and into bed. That was until she saw Hulda exit the inn, locking the door behind her.
"Closing up early Hulda? Not feeling well?"
Hulda smirked at the other Nord, "Haven't you heard? Your precious Thane has finally returned."
Lydia eyed the other woman skeptically and asked, "Where?"
Hulda pointed towards the entrance to the city. Lydia took off, sprinting, pushing past a few guards until she was in front of her house. She looked in disbelief at the scene before her. There was a crowd of people drinking, eating and just gallivanting in front of Warmaiden's. As she got close,r Lydia heard someone from the crowd yell out, "What happened then?"
"He gave me a ring and I punched him in the face," the person at the forge boasted proudly and the crowd cheered, "You don't force M'rasha to do your dirty work. If he just killed the man none of this would have happened."
The Nord's eyes opened wide. So Hulda was telling the truth. And so was Proventus. Lydia snuck through the crowd and was able to find a spot near the work bench. A Khajiit was standing at the smelter shoveling hot coal into the screaming fire. Once it was hot enough, she set the shovel down near the pile of coal and took a seat on a nearby stool while Adrianne handed her a goblet.
After drinking some of the ale, M'rasha turned towards the forge before continuing her tale, "So now to the dragon. After the mess in Markarth, I returned to the Blue Palace in Solitude, informed the court wizard that the vampires she wanted dead were dead, received a beautiful Ebony sword for my deed and started my journey home. I was traveling through the market area, heading to the town's entrance when a large shadow appeared on the ground. And faster than you could say 'dragon,' one had landed right in front of me."
"What did you do," Mikael asked as he leaned closer.
"I almost pissed my armor," the Khajiit chuckled checking the smelter before turning back to the small crowd. "Fought dragons before and it was always out on the road or in a small town like Dragon Bridge. Never in a big city."
Brenuin, holding a tankard, stumbled near the workbench until Ulfberth grabbed him and forced him to sit on the ground. "Do ya think the Stormcloaks got a dragon?"
The Thane shook her head, grabbed the heated metal with a pair of tongs and placed it in the small trough. A blast of steam shot into the evening air. "I highly doubt it."
Tilma clicked her tongue at the Redguard beggar, "Shut up you drunk. Let's hear the rest of the story."
"Before I could even draw my blade the monster grabbed me in its mouth and flung me into one of the stalls." The crowd, including Lydia, gasped but M'rasha went on, "Knocked me out for a good while. When I came to, the beast was still there. But so was everyone in Solitude."
She placed the metal back onto the forge and began shaping with a hammer. "When I say everyone came out to battle the beast, I mean everyone: shop owners, stall owners, residents, even General Tullius and members of the Imperial Army and Jarl Elisif's staff came out to fight."
"How did you kill it," asked Warmaiden's owner.
"Eventually the soldiers hurt the dragon so much it couldn't fly. Then Tullius jumped on the creature's back and began stabbing it. Soon enough, it became 'pile on the dragon.'"
"And you?"
"I was wrapped around its head trying to stab the creature's eyes out. I remember Tullius climbing over me, grabbing my sword and impaling it in the monster's head. Soon after, it just dropped dead." The crowd once again raised their cups and cheered. But M'rasha was not finish with her account, "Funniest part is what happened after it died. Just think about it: giant dragon bones sitting in the middle of the market district. Everybody was stumped on what to do with the skeleton. I wonder what they did with the rest of the bones after I left."
The Khajiit moved to the back of the store and pulled out a massive tarp covered object. "Sadly when Tullius killed the monster he broke my blade. I was pretty peeved. But he did apologize and let me go home with the best piece." Once she removed the cloth the crowd fell silent.
Lydia let out a breath she didn't realize and whispered, "By the Nine…"
There, by M'rasha feet, was the skeletal head of a dragon. A real dragon's head. She looked down at the skull and pointed and a small jagged hole. "That's where he stabbed it. Getting the head is great and all but it was insane getting it back here. I was thinking of putting it above my bed," she said jokingly, "But then again who wants to wake up to a dragon's head? And then there's the case it might fall while I sleep. Though it would be a first: death by falling dragon head..." The crowd erupted in cheers and laughter. Mikael pulled out his lute and began singing.
Lydia took the bard's song as her cue to leave. She squeezed and pushed by the drunken revelers and entered Breezehome. Once inside, Lydia went to her room and sat in her chair instead of going to bed. This was not what she expected. The Khajiit was an accomplished blacksmith from the way she worked the forge and smelter at the same time, a great storyteller, and if were to be true, a competent fighter if she helped take down a dragon.
Maybe this M'rasha wouldn't be so bad.
And maybe Brenuin would become the new High King of Skyrim.
The next day, Lydia woke up too soon for her liking. She was not a morning person. When she rolled of bed she noticed she was still in her armor. Ah, that's where the pain is from. She undid the leather and latches and shrugged the breastplate to the floor. It wasn't until the armor fell noisily to the ground did she remember: She was no longer Breezehome's only occupant. She cursed, hastily put on an old tunic and crept out of her room, into the small hallway and to M'rasha's room. The doors were closed giving Lydia hope that maybe her Thane didn't hear the noise. She placed an ear to the door and let out a sigh, hearing silence.
"Hello." In one fluid motion, Lydia turned around, grabbed the dagger at her side and held it to the throat of her "assailant."
If the Nord was truly being attacked, that would be the moment the intruder would use to beg for their life. That is if the person was an actual intruder.
"Well, at least I know Proventus didn't give me someone with the fighting ability of a training dummy," M'rasha stated, pushing the tip of the sword away from her neck. Lydia quickly sheathed her blade, her face now flushed with embarrassment. 'So much for a first impression.'
This was the first time and could clearly see her Thane up close. And the first thing she noticed was that she was short, at least a half head shorter than the Nord. The woman was covered in thick brown and black striped fur and a mop of thick, black hair that fell stopped at the base of her neck. Several gold and silver hoops adorned her ears. Gone was the armor she had worn the previous night. She was dressed in simple black robes, similar to the style Farengar wore and carrying a goblet. Bright yellow eyes gazed up at the Nord, amused and annoyed by Lydia's actions.
"You must be Lydia," the woman stated in a deep, raspy voice, "You left before the real festivities began. Nazeem challenged Sinmir to an arm wrestling match. It did not end well." The Khajiit let out a chuckle and turned to head downstairs.
Lydia followed her. "And you must be M'rasha." The Khajiit nodded and walked towards the small room that held the alchemy table. Once down the stairs, the Nord turned to follow her Thane but stopped when she spotted the staggering amount of potions on the dining room. There were scores and scores of bottles, each filled with liquids of different colors: red, blue, green, purple, dark red and many more.
"How many apothecaries did you steal from to get so many potions," Lydia blurted out and quickly covered her mouth. If M'rasha was offended she hid it well. She placed her cup onto a chair, peered through the rows of bottles and picked up a dark green bottle and a large blue bottle. "I didn't steal any of these. I made them. Alchemy has always been a strong trait." M'rasha turned to her housecarl. "And now I need you to do something for me."
"Yes?" M'rasha handed her the two bottles and led her to the door. "I need you to go to Farengar and give him this. He'll give you something in return."
M'rasha opened the door and Lydia walked out. "It should be ready by now. Then meet me by the stables outside of town."
M'rasha slammed the front door shut leaving a fuming Lydia on the doorstep. She turned on her heel and began marching angrily towards Dragonsreach.
'I am not a courier. I am a warrior!' She began to scale the stairs only bump into Skulva who was heading to the stalls.
"Hey Lydia! How's-" He fell silent when she turned and gave him a murderous look. And when she took a step towards the man, Skulva let out a yelp, jumped down the stairs and scurried into the lower district. Lydia watched the man's fleeting form until he disappeared around a building before continuing the numerous steps to the keep.
That made her day a little better.
But not by much.
'Stupid cat… lazy…can't get anything for herself...' Lydia didn't even acknowledge her former fellow guards as she used her body to push open one of Dragonreach's massive doors. Once inside she stomped up yet another flight of stairs and headed towards Farengar's lab. The court wizard was seated in chair writing down notes.
"Here." Lydia slammed down the two bottles startling the Nord from his work. "I'm supposed to pick up something."
He relaxed when he saw who had startled him. "Ah Lydia! You're just in time. I just finished enchanting your things."
"What things?" Farengar grinned. The wizard got up from his chair and went into his storeroom. He came out moments later carrying a suit of beautifully crafted Dwarven armor. Each piece glowed faintly. The wizard placed the armor on his desk. Lydia moved closer and ran a finger over the detail on the chest plate.
"This...is mine?" She asked in amazement.
"Yes, it's yours. You can change in my bedroom." Before she could object the man dropped the armor into Lydia's hand, pushed her into the small room and shut the door behind her. Lydia took off her iron armor and donned her Dwarven armor. It was heavier than her previous armor but it fit her like a glove. She opened the doors and smiled at Farengar who was perched on his desk.
"Thank you Farengar. I will never forget this."
"Not done yet. And don't worry about your old armor. I'll keep it safe until your return. And those are for you," He pointed to the enchanting table. There sat a Dwarven shield and sword, both glowing.
"I hope this is the last of the gifts," Lydia chuckled as she inspected the weapon. "I may not be able to handle any more surprises."
"That's all. And I will only take credit for the enchanting."
"So tell me who I must see and thank: Eorlund or Adrianne?"
"If you want to thank the person who forged your armor look no further than your Thane."
Her head jerked towards the wizard. "What?"
"Yes, she created your armor. By the time she was finished poor girl was too drunk to enchant the pieces. I was surprised she even made it back home in one piece. She asked me to do it and paid me last night. I guess these," he grabbed the bottles, "Are 'thank you' gifts."
'An alchemist and a blacksmith.' Those were not the skill sets she imagined to have. And as she looked down at her new armor, a wave of regret washed over her. Maybe M'rasha was different.
"Don't you have someone to meet," Farengar asked. Lydia grinned, thanked the wizard once more and left Dragonsreach with a spring in her step.