Author's Note: I LIVE! I also do apologize because I legit thought that I had uploaded this chapter last year. I would like to thank my fiance and Fanfiction user LurkMore for unconsciously bringing this up. And thank you for all of you who have reviewed and favorite the story. I will be getting better about uploading chapters. And I know I have said it before but this time I mean it because I have someone a literal arm length away to help me. Also mistakes are mine and mine alone.

[Mistveil Keep, Riften]

"May I present to the court, Thane Dandre Birian of Whiterun and his housecarl, my Jarl."

Surrounded by stone and the whispers of the other people in the room, Jarl Laila Law-Giver sat up a little straighter on her throne and watched as the two announced guests entered the room.

"Step forward please," she said.

They stepped forward, stopping just short of the fire pit in front of the long tables. On the right stood a Nord woman wearing Dwarven armor. Her face was devoid of any emotion but her eyes constantly scanned the room, looking for threats or maybe an alternate escape. The behavior of a good housecarl, Laila noted. Her slightly shorter companion stood next to her dressed from head to toe in sturdy leather armor complete with a hood that hid most of his face. The Breton man(at least that's what her sources had told her) was a little more relaxed in his stance but his crossed arms and the slight tilt of his hips projected their annoyance.

The Jarl cleared her throat and greeted the two. "Very glad to finally meet you."

"Dandre Birian, your majesty." The masked figure introduced themselves with a half bow and then added curtly, "I would share the same sentiments if I were not just chased all over the Rift by a dragon. So please, tell me what was so important that I had to leave the safety of Whiterun and travel all the way here?"

So the rumors are true, thought the Jarl. She would see what else this Breton could give up but before she could put on her infamous charm, Unmid was on the move, pushing himself off the wall.

"Watch your tongue Breton," he warned the newcomer.

Dandre turned to the Nord man and shot back, "You should take your own advice. My business is with the Jarl, not her lapdog."

Unmid growled and started to approach the pair; his hand was reaching for his sword but the Jarl called out, "Unmid! Still your hand. You will not attack our guests."

The battle ready Nord returned to his post but continued to glare at the two. Laila was going to have a long talk with her housecarl about flying off the handle without her consent. Again.

The Jarl cleared her throat and continued, "You are Dandre Birian? The Thane of Whiterun?"

Dandre walked to the fire pit step forward and bowed their head slightly. "Yes, I am."

"My sources told me that a Khajiit was its Thane."

"Then your sources need to be rechecked. It turns out the Khajiit was a spy for the Dominion and was recently executed."

That was not what Mercer's agents told her. "By your blade?"

"No, Jarl. But it's apparent that there is no need of my services since you clearly just invited me to answer questions about Whiterun," Dandre huffed. He and his Nord accomplice turned to leave. "I have other business to attend to…"

"Are you the Dragonborn?"

All eyes in the room went straight to Gonnar Oath-Giver, the Stormcloak commander who was sitting at one of the corners of the table, eating. Laila resisted the urge to smack her forehead. Why did she even come up with a plan if everyone was going to go off script? She told the commander, carefully explained that he was supposed to tread lightly when bringing up the subject. But, of course, Gonnar was as subtle as a cow falling through a roof.

A snicker came from Dandre as they turned around to address the court. He pressed a hand to his chest, "You flatter me but no I do not carry that honor."

"Then how did you escape the dragon you told us about?"

The Breton held their hands up as if they was aiming a bow while takinga few steps towards the Stormcloak. "Shoot enough arrows into anything and it goes down. Yes, we did kill the dragon, but without the Dragonborn to take its soul, it will just come back to life. And it did. As for how we got away: the invisibility potions my companion packed. If we didn't have those packed, we would not be in front of you."

Gonnar wiped his mouth with back if his hand, stood and approached, his height overshadowing Dandre. "And what if I think you a liar?"

The leather clad wanderer shrugged. "They are your thoughts, no matter how wrong they are."

The Stormcloak commander leaned over, "Take off your hood."

Dandre placed crossed their arms and stared right back at Gonnar. "No. And please take a step back before you do something stupid."

Laila prayed that that would be the end of Gonnar's tiny inquisition but she could only watch in muted horror as the soldier attempted to grab onto Dandre's hood. Instead the Breton grabbed the Nord's arm and placed a crooked dagger at his neck. Gonnar let out a snarl and attempted to pull away but all that did was make Dandre push the weapon even more into his neck.

"I did warn you, did I not?"

"You're a Thalmor spy," Gonnar snarled out, still trying to break Dandre's hold. At once every guard in the room had their weapons drawn and trained on the two. The Nord woman accompanying Dandre pulled out a giant Warhammer and moved closer to the two men but watched the guards, waiting for one of them to make their move.

"If you think I'm with the Thalmor then you're more foolish than that housecarl," Dandre shouted. "Now calm down before you cut yourself."

"Kill them!"

"Enough!" Laila's voice boomed throughout the room and everyone went still. Her gaze went to the two fighting men and as soon as she locked eyes with Dandre, the Breton let go of the commander and took a step back. But Gonnar wasn't finished with the disrespectful newcomer. He pulled out his sword and approached adventurer.

"Gonnar! Sheathe your weapon and sit down," Jarl Laila commanded.

"He's attacked my honor. By right, Jarl-"

"If you don't sit down, I will put you in the stocks," the Jarl said forcefully, "The last I remember, I am the ruler of this hold. Or has everyone in here forgotten?"

Gonnar's face twitched as he just stood there, clearly contemplating his choices. Just as it looked like he would go after the Breton again, a crossbow bolt flew over his left shoulder and struck the wall. When he turned, Jarl Laila was aiming a crossbow at the soldier. "Try me Gonnar."

Gonnar said nothing as he reclaimed his chair. His eyes not moving from Dandre. Laila passed the crossbow back to Anuriel before sitting back down on the throne.

"Thane Dandre," Laila focused on Dandre, her face softening, "I want to apologize for the actions of my court. It appears some of them need to be reminded how to act in front of guests. The war has everyone on edge. People who I trusted turn out to be traitors. Both the Empire and the Stormcloaks fighting for my allegiance as you can see. The people of the Rift are already dealing with so much…"

The Breton nodded returning back to his place before the fire pit. "I understand and I accept your apology. I, too, have been impeded by the war: 'Join our army.' 'We need to commandeer your supplies.' 'You need to help us control this Dwemer machine so we can obliterate our foes.'"

"Dwemer? You study the ruins?"

"Yes, along with being an adventurer I am scholar of Dwarven artifacts. As a matter of fact I just returned from Reachwind Eyrie in Markarth. Fascinating landmark," Dandre said excitedly before calming himself, "But enough about my troubles. What task do you need of me?"

"There have been reports of necromancers attacking travelers on the road east of here, near Treva's Watch, across the river. I would like you to deal with them. My guard is spread very thin at the moment and those I have sent have returned unsuccessful, if at all."

Dandre stood silent for a moment before bowing. "Very well. I shall deal with the matter."

"I thank you," the Jarl said, relief in her voice. "I will make sure that you are rewarded when you return."

"There's a chance that I may not return for the reward. I'll send my companion here and one other."

"Understood. I wish you luck on your task." With that, the two turned and left the Keep. The moment the guards shut there front door Laila turned to her steward and ordered, "Tell the agents that they've left. And that they need to update their information. Because as of right now, we have no idea who is pulling the strings in Whiterun."

After leaving the keep, Lydia and 'Dandre' left Riften through the south gate and then headed west. As they walked along edge of Lake Honrich, it wasn't long before Lydia noticed shadows appearing and disappearing just right out of view. And they didn't look like any spiders.

"My Thane…" She called out to her travelling companion who was a few steps ahead of her. M'rasha, dressed as Dandre, slowed her pace down so she was walking next to Lydia. "I see them. Hostiles?"

"If they are they're either waiting for us to drop our guard or waiting for us to walk into an ambush."

"Or they're waiting for me to take off my hood," M'rasha offered, "Report back to their masters who the real Dandre is. Best to ignore them for now."

Lydia rolled her eyes, "Must you make everything about yourself?"

"Not my fault everything else is so boring."

Lydia could only scoff. They were approaching the western edge of the lake but their tagalongs were determined to keep a close eye on them.

M'rasha sucked on her teeth, "How annoying."

Lydia looked over her shoulder just in time to see the people hide in some brush. "What happened to 'just ignore them'?"

"That was when I thought they were just some random goons but I think we might be dealing with the Thieves Guild."

"How can you be sure?"

"I can't and that's the problem. Could be the Thieves Guild, could be some of Oath-Giver's men. Moment we try to go after them, I guarantee you, they'll disappear." M'rasha sighed and looked over her shoulder once more to see their followers duck into some bushes. "Well, there's only one thing left to do but first I need to know something Lydia. Do you trust me?"

Lydia let out a bark of laughter. "Do I have a choice?"

The Khajiit wrapped her right arm around the taller woman's waist. "Lydia, if there is one thing that I hope you take away from our time together it's this: You always have a choice."

The housecarl was surprised at M'rasha's tone, "That's a very ominous thing to say."

"And that's not an answer."

Lydia rolled her eyes. "Fine, I trust you."

"Good." M'rasha's grip on Lydia's waist grew tighter to the point of pain. Suddenly, the air around them grew heavy as if the humidity had quadrupled. Lydia wanted to tear away from the Betmer and confront the supposed thieves that were casting their spells but M'rasha would not let go.

"M'rasha!" Lydia harshly whispered and tried once more to get free but M'rasha's hold was as strong as steel.

"I'm the one casting the spell," the Betmer whispered back, "Now do as I say: Breathe through your nose, out through your mouth and, for the love of Talos, keep walking forward. The first Jump is always hard."

Before Lydia could question the Betmer, Lydia felt a very strong pull in her stomach. Everything went quiet as if she were struck with deafness. She started to panic as the scenery around her seemed to melt away and then fly by. And then she made the mistake of looking down at her feet only to see a black inky void below them. A firm hand pushed her chin up, guiding her eyes away from the non-existent ground. But it was too late. Fear had cemented itself within her belly. It was too much, too fast, too quiet!

And suddenly the world grew sharper, more solid, reforming around. There was solid ground beneath Lydia's feet and she could hear rushing water and people going about their business. She blinked once, twice, thrice before she realized she was standing in front of an old Nordic ruin. And when Lydia looked behind her she realized they were right outside of Ivarstead. She looked over to where M'rasha stood. The Khajiit was okay. She was okay. They were okay.

And at that moment, Lydia stumbled to the side of the path, dropped to her knees and vomited.

"I told you not to look down!" M'rasha sounded slightly peeved as she stood behind her housecarl and held Lydia's hair out of her face. When the Nord stopped heaving, M'rasha handed her a bottle filled with water and leaves. The Nord took the bottle but made no move to drink its contents.

"It's to help your stomach," M'rasha explained, "It's just water and mint leaves."

Lydia took a tentative so sip when she realized what the Khajiit said was true, she finished the drink in the gulps and handed the bottle back at M'rasha.

"What the fuck was that?"

M'rasha crouched down near the Nord. "I am sorry I wasn't able to explain what I was going to do. What you experienced was a Jump. A unique type of spell that can transport the caster from one place to another."

"It's crap."

It was the opposite of crap. That had to be one of the most powerful spells Lydia had ever witnessed or experienced. And then she had a thought. "Wait… Why didn't you do that when we were getting chased by that dragon?"

"Couldn't concentrate and didn't have enough energy at the time. Now c'mon!" The Betmer slapped her on the back and started walking away from the ruins. "We got necromancer to deal with and a fake death to present."

"Don't rush me." Lydia stood and ran a hand through her hair and froze. "Wait. Fake death? M'rasha, what are you planning? M'rasha? M'RASHA!"

And in these troubling times it seemed that Jarl Laila wasn't the only person who needed help. After they dealt with the necromancers (and delivered news about Dandre's untimely 'death') their reputation grew and more and more people sought them out to help with various problems: whether it was vampires cultists in Hjaalmarch or a werewolf problem in Falkreath Hold, Forsworn rampaging in the Reach or sponsored treks into draugr infested tombs to retrieve some lost heirloom.

And Lydia loved every second of it.

Even though she would never admit it, even upon death, travelling with M'rasha was not that bad and over time her perception of the Betmer had changed. She learned that the boastful bravado the Betmer displayed around strangers was just an act to see what they would do. Yes, M'rasha did come up with some outlandish and outrageous plans but she always asked for the Nord's input before carrying them out.

But the one unspoken rule between them was not to bring up anything about the Civil War unless circumstances brought it up. Because those arguments always got messy.

Their current job took them far east into Hjaalmarch. And their employer? Well, none other than the Daedric Prince of Life. And even though Meridia was supposed to be one of the 'good' Princes, Lydia was still cautious about the whole thing.

"I'm just saying, helping out a Daedric Prince doesn't sound the smartest of things," Lydia commented as they walked up a snow covered path. "This might be an attempt on your soul. I mean what otherworldly being wouldn't want the soul of the Dragonborn?"

"I KNOW," M'rasha snarled. She then stopped rubbed at her face and then faced a slightly surprised Lydia. "I'm sorry. It's just today….gah! I'm not doing the favor because I want to!"

"So the Daedric Prince…"

"Meridia."

"Meridia is forcing you to do something you don't want to do." Lydia chuckled. "Sounds very familiar."

M'rasha moved closer to the Nord and clapped her on the ear. Lydia yelped and quickly moved away, rubbing her abused ear.

"Hey!"

The Betmer crossed her arms. "Well next time don't be cute. My current situation is vastly different from yours. Like I said before, you always have a choice." M'rasha stopped to pull out a large gem out of her travel bag.

"See this stupid rock? I can't get rid of this no matter how much I try!" The Khajiit dropped the gem onto the ground and punted it off the hill. The women watched as it hit a boulder, bounced into a tree and then disappeared into some foliage.

"I don't see-"

Lydia's comment was cut off by a loud whistling sound. Before either one could react, an object shot out from the bushes and hit M'rasha in the chest with enough force that she went flying and landed on her back about 15 feet from where she was standing. The projectile, which turned out to be the gem, rolled off the groaning Khajiit onto the ground next to her.

Lydia held back a laugh as she helped the older woman to her feet. Then she grabbed the stone and held it out to her Thane. "I believe you dropped this."

M'rasha grabbed the rock and stomped up the hill cursing, or at least that's what Lydia thought, as she approached the monument at the top. They reached the top of the hill and saw the large stone figure of a who Lydia assumed was Meridia. M'rasha darted up the steps and towards the altar.

"Here's your rock!" She slammed the rock into its holder and proceeded to scream at the statue. "Now get out of-"

Without warning, M'rasha was surrounded by a blinding white light that forced to Lydia shield her eyes. The light surrounding her companion grew even brighter before shooting up into the sky. Lydia rubbed at her eyes. "Well, that was unexpected. Guess we can move on. M'rasha?" But when Lydia looked over to where the Betmer once stood, she saw no one. Lydia was alone.

Anxiety started to grow. This was not good. Not good at all. If M'rasha had been kidnapped by bandits or some other group then maybe the Nord would have had a chance to create some rescue plan or get reinforcements. But how do you rescue someone taken by a Daedric Prince?

Before Lydia could mull over her situation further, her vision went white. She hissed and covered her eyes once more. After a few moments, the brightness dimmed and when she removed her hand from her eyes Lydia saw that M'rasha was one again in front of her.

The Khajiit was curled into the fetal position on the ground and was not moving. Fearing the worst, Lydia knelt next to older woman and shook her shoulder. That's when she could hear M'rasha muttering sentences that made no sense to the Nord. Lydia continued to call out to M'rasha's but the woman would not respond.

Desperate, Lydia did the only thing she could think of. She grabbed a handful of snow, pulled on back of M'rasha's leather armor and shove the snow in. The result was instantaneous. M'rasha jumped up and started to pat herself while screaming, "NO MORE FIRE!"

Lydia grabbed her shoulders and shook the smaller woman. "Get a hold of yourself!"

M'rasha squirmed in her arms and then just stopped, squinting up at Lydia. "Where am I?"

"At Meridia's shrine. Remember? The gem?"

M'rasha breathed a sigh of relief and covered her face. "Lydia, a word of caution: Whatever you do, do not be a smart ass to a Daedric Prince. Khajiit are not made to fly."

Lydia couldn't help but chuckle. "Duly noted. So are we done here?"

"Not quite. Meridia has so generously asked if we could clear her temple of the undead."

"And are we?"

"Yes," M'rasha turned and headed down the stairs towards the entrance, "Because I'd rather leave here on her good side."

And so the pair delved into Meridia's temple and destroyed the horrible monstrosities that were inside. Lydia was almost sorry for the necromancer responsible. He didn't even finish his threat before M'rasha was upon him. She used her mace to beat his head into the ground and when his shade emerged from his lifeless corpse for revenge, she killed it too. Lydia didn't even have a chance to ready her weapon. Instead she found an old stool, sat down and watched as M'rasha destroyed everything that the wizard Malkoran held dear, ending with the Betmer setting his corpse on fire.

Lydia rolled her eyes. "Was that really necessary?"

M'rasha scoffed. "Didn't see you helping out."

"Eh. You had everything under control."

Before M'rasha could fire back, a familiar blinding light rendered both occupants temporarily...well...blind. Lydia called out for her companion and heard her but was too afraid to move. She stretched her arms or hoping the woman was in arms length but she felt nothing. Was this permanent, a parting shot from the wizard? Would she have to live the rest of her life depending on others? She looked over to a tree near to her and braced herself in it. How was she going to even get herself it of the-

Wait a second.

She turned her head to the side and there was the tree. And behind that the were a plethora of trees all covered in varying degrees of snow. Lydia let out a loud groan of relief and fell to her knees. She wasn't blind.

Looking at her surroundings Lydia saw that she was right outside the temple and that, once again, she was alone. The Khajiit was nowhere to be found. But before she could panic for the umpteenth time that day, a ball of light came careening down from the sky. When the light disappeared, there stood M'rasha once again, looking haggard but this time holding a very ornate and otherworldly sword in her hand.

"M'rasha? M'rasha!"

The Khajiit stayed silent so Lydia slowly approached her. The Nord went for the sword, lest M'rasha hurt herself or Lydia in her state, but as soon as her fingers brushed against the grip, M'rasha dropped the sword and wrapped her arms around the taller woman. Her head hit Lydia's chestplate with a soft plunk. It was then the Nord heard the haggard breaths coming from her Thane. Lydia tried to push the smaller woman away to check for injuries but M'rasha's grip was firm. So she did the only thing she could think of and started to pet M'rasha's head, soothingly. After a few moments, Lydia heard soft purring coming from the Betmer as her grip weakened. Lydia chuckled softly, prompting M'rasha to finally raise her head slightly.

"Tell anyone and I'll cut your hair off while you sleep," she said in a serious tone, but not moving her head.

Lydia laughed some more. "Of course my Thane. Your secret is safe with me. So after all this you get a sword?"

M'rasha looked over to the glowing sword in the snow. "Dawnbreaker makes the undead explode. So says Meridia."

"But was it worth becoming a bird," Lydia asked.

M'rasha let out gasp and pushed away from Lydia, a look of fake rage on her face. She picked up the sword and stomped down the hill. "And to think I was about to give you this. "No sword for you."

"Oh c'mon M'rasha." Lydia chased after the incensed woman. "You don't need to fly off the handle!"

"I'll show you flying of the handle you… you giant's bastard!"

[Somewhere in Haafingar]

"Lydia, I don't want to alarm you too much but I think we're being followed."

The Nord stopped in her tracks, covered her face and groaned loudly. "Again?"

"Keep walking. I'm not sure if this one is alone or they brought friends," M'rasha stated quietly.

Unfortunately the women's growing renown also attracted the attention of some less than savory types. The same type of people who would call upon the Dark Brotherhood to assassinate you because you called them 'a spineless coward who puts water in the mead they offer guests'. And unfortunately the same type of people also had a lot of coin so the Dark Brotherhood was sending every available member at the two. Lydia pulled out Dawnbreaker and used the blade as a mirror to see behind her. But she didn't see anyone.

"There's no one behind-"

"Bark!"

With weapons drawn, the women turned around to see a dog trotting up to them. He was large, very shaggy and looked a little hungry.

"Hey boy, what are you doing here?" Lydia knelt down pulled off one of her gloves and scratched the dog's ears. That's was when she noticed he had a scroll tied to a string that wrapped around his neck. Lydia's pulled out a dagger and the dog whimpered backing away.

"It's okay pup. Look." She pulled out a small piece of dried beef from her pack. "C'mon. You look a little hungry."

The dog slowly approached the Nord and grabbed the beef and munched on it happily. While he was distracted Lydia reached over and cut the string before the dog had time to react. She unfurled the rolled up paper and read it.

"Says dog's name is Meeko. Owner's probably dead. Rock joint," she summarized.

"Shame." M'rasha turned back around and continued down the road. She took maybe three steps before Lydia's hand clapped her on the shoulder. She tilted her had back to she Lydia with a small smile on her face. "M'rasha, let's take him with us. Poor thing won't survive much longer on his own out here."

The Betmer let out a huff, jerked her shoulder out of Lydia's grasp and continued to walk. "Okay."

"Listen, I'll feed him and take care of him and… Wait, what?" M'rasha quick agreement was the last thing that Lydia expected.

"Just like that?" Lydia asked again hopefully, "You're just going to let me have him?"

"You think because I am Khajiit, I hate dogs?"

Lydia scratched her head and nodded. "Umm... yeah. No offense."

M'rasha laughed and turned to the two. "I've seen how attached you Nords get to your hounds. But if it makes you feel better we could still argue if you want."

Lydia enthusiastically shook her head. M'rasha walked over to the dog and have his head a rub. Meeko barked happily and licked her palm.

"Besides, you said that you would take care of him. Just keep him off my bed, out of my alchemy ingredients and…" she snuffed the air and covered her nose. "Phew, give him a bath. I can smell him from down here. Though that might be you."

"Asshole."

[Breezehome, Whiterun]

They returned to Whiterun a couple days later with their bag heavy with riches, their coinpurses heavier with their rewards and with one smelly but lovable dog (that immediately got a bath the second they got home). M'rasha announced that they would be on a break from all the adventuring and "if someone really needed us they were on their own." On one of these relaxation days, Lydia was alone in Breezehome, seated at the table near the front door busy writing a letter to her family detailing her adventures. Meeko was nearby sprawled out in M'rasha's favorite chair when the front door slammed open. M'rasha stepped inside holding something behind her back. She looked around the room and when she spotted Lydia, pulled out a bow and a half full quiver of iron arrows from behind her back and dropped them on the table, almost spilling the inkwell. Lydia stabilized the small jar before it could tip over and glared at the Khajiit.

"Hey! Watch it!"

"No time! I need you to hit me."

Lydia blinked but then just shrugged her shoulders. "Okay."

M'rasha had her reasons and Lydia wasn't going to question them. Besides she wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to whack her without repercussions. So Lydia rose to her feet, reared back her arm and attempted to punch the other woman. M'rasha quickly stepped back, barely dodging the blow.

"Lydia!"

The Nord held up her hands in surrender. "You told me to hit you!"

"With that!" M'rasha huffed and pointed at the bow and arrows. "I need you to shoot me with that."

Lydia squinted her eyes at the weapons and then looked at her companion. "Thank you for clearing that up. Now please explain to me why am I potentially committing murder?"

"There will be a time where we don't have my wonderful potions to aide us. And that means I need to practice my restoration magic more."

"Why don't you just volunteer at the temple of Kyne," Lydia suggested, "They're always need healers there."

"I went up there and no one needed healing. Now, stop stalling, pick up the bow and hit me!"

Lydia grabbed the bow and one of the arrows while M'rasha went to the back side of the house near the kitchen counter. "Let it be known, I just want to say that this is a very, very bad idea."

"No questions just-ow!" M'rasha's body recoiled slightly as an arrow pierced her right shoulder.

"Sorry." Lydia apologized albeit smugly. M'rasha leaned into the counter and flipped the other woman off. She placed her left hand near the wound and began to heal herself. After a few seconds M'rasha pushed off the counter and Lydia assumed everything was well. That was until M'rasha slumped against the counter. Her left hand glowed with restoration magics but then she suddenly fell to floor. The bow slipped from Lydia's hands as she ran and knelt by the downed Betmer.

"M'rasha are you ok?" M'rasha eyes were closed and her breathing was very shallow. Lydia pulled at Mr'asha tunic to see the wound. The skin was healed up but had a weird green color to it. "M'rasha, your skin is green. Did something happen?"

The older woman waved Lydia away. "S'fine," she slurred. M'rasha opened her eyes but she was trying her hardest to keep them open. Lydia cradled the Betmer's head in her hands.

"M'rasha there is something wrong. Tell me what's wrong."

"Me thinks me out a little too much poison…"

"Poison?" Lydia slowly glanced back at the arrows with dread. "You poisoned the arrows? Why? How much did you put on them?"

"Only way to train. 'n I don't use that much. 'nuff to stop a 'orse? Or m'be muuule…"

It was official. Either M'rasha was the dumbest person alive or she really wanted to see Lydia headless. The Nord let go of M'rasha's head and rolled into M'rasha's makeshift lab. The Nord opened the chest nearest to the alchemy table and pulled out an antidote. She then hurried back to the Khajiit who was looking every worse, and uncorked the bottle. "Open your mouth."

But M'rasha twisted her head away from Lydia. "No...you dropped me head. That hurt."

"No. I guarantee this will hurt." Lydia held onto the arrow that was still in M'rasha's shoulder and yanked it out. M'rasha yowled and tried to move away only to slam her head into the side of the bar counter.

"You crazy... ice head," M'rasha whined, holding her head, "Ya know how much that hurts?"

"Yes. Now drink this." Lydia moved the bottle to M'rasha's lips but M'rasha jerked away acting like a small child.

"Nevah!"

Lydia was getting fed up. Every moment M'rasha didn't drink the antidote put her closer to death and she was too prideful or struck dumb by the potion to see that. So, afraid for the life of her Thane and her own, Lydia did the only thing she could think of at the time. It would lead to very awkward relations later but by the gods there was no time!

"Let it be known M'rasha. You forced me to do this.." Lydia brought the bottle to her lips and drank the contents of the bottle. She grabbed hold of M'rasha's flailing tail and stomped on it. M'rasha's eyes grew wide all's she let out a screech that scared Meeko who was sleeping in front of the fire pit. Before the Betmer could react further, Lydia cover her mouth… with her own. M'rasha's body went still at the action. Lydia pushed the antidote that was in her mouth into M'rasha's mouth. And M'rasha was too stunned over the impromptu kiss to shoot it out so she swallowed the liquid.

Relieved at hearing the Betmer swallow, Lydia broke of the kissed and scooted back and away from M'rasha, now sitting up, who was just staring at her, mouth opened. Lydia moved to get up and bumped the bar lightly. But that was enough to send a bottle of pure grounded fire salts off the counter and into M'rasha's still open mouth. As soon as the salts hit her tongue M'rasha screamed and thrashed on the floor as fire shot out of her mouth. Meeko yelped and ran for upstairs as Lydia grabbed a nearby bucket full of water and promptly dumped on M'rasha's head. And though the water did put out the fire in the Betmer's mouth, it also fanned the look of absolute rage she was giving Lydia.

Lydia gently placed the bucket on the ground and slowly backed away, moving towards the door. "I'm going to go run now." And with that Lydia got to her feet, walked backwards to the front door, opened it, walked outside, closed it, and ran for the hills.

Quaestor Carmalo sniffed as he walked into the city of Whiterun. He was on an important mission to deliver a missive to the famous Thane of Whiterun. He had only heard tales of their adventures and was a little excited to meet with them. Maybe they would tell him a story about fighting off Stormcloaks or giants over a pint. Shaking the fantasies out of his head, the Imperial courier took his first step on the main path...and then quickly jumped back, out of the way as two figures sped by him and entered a nearby house. Seconds later a chair flew out of one of the windows.

"Guess the lovely 'couple' are just having another spat," said a Nord sitting on a barrel in front of the house next door. Carmalo dusted off his uniform and walked up to the Nord. "Can you tell me where Breezehome is? I need to speak to the Thane."

The Nord jerked his head next door. "See where that chair flew out of? That's Breezehome."

Carmalo frowned. "You're joking."

"'fraid not," the Nord laughed. "But don't worry, unless you're trying to kill them they won't bite. Mostly."

"Thank you." With that Carmalo cautiously approached the house in question. The sounds of chaos had died down and he almost relaxed but then he remembered the chair. He took a deep breath, raised his arm and knocked on the door. He could hear muffled voices and then heavy footsteps coming to the door. It swung open to reveal a female Khajiit covered in flour. One shoulder had an arrow sticking out of it while the other one was currently on fire. Carmalo opened his mouth but just stared at the fire on her shoulder. She followed his eyes and then pat the fire out.

"What do you want," she grumbled.

The courier cleared his voice and pulled out a sealed parchment. "Your presence is requested in Windhelm." He held it out and she quickly snatched it and opened it. Her eyes quickly skimmed the letter and then let out a cough. "Let your superiors know that we shall be there in a week." And then she took a step back and slammed the door close.

Carmalo didn't even register what had happened until an arm wrapped around his shoulder. He turned his head and saw the Nord from before with a giant grin on his face. "Congrats. You've survived your meeting with the Thane! Let's get you a drink. You look like you're about to pass out."

M'rasha closed the door and looked at the room. To say it was a disaster zone was putting it lightly: Chairs were overturned, a mace was embedded in a wall, poor Meeko was covered in flour and Lydia, somehow devoid of any flour, had a chair in one hand and a broom in the other ready to repel any attack the Betmer had. Shaking her head, M'rasha began to put things back in their places. "Put down the chair Lydia and help me clean. We have a job to prepare for and only a week."

Lydia sighed, put the chair back in the other room and began to sweep up the flour. "Oh, yeah? What are we doing exactly?"

"East Empire Company. Worked with them before. Looks like they found where the pirate hideaway is at."

"Haven't been on a boat in years."

M'rasha pulled out a piece of paper and some charcoal and began to write. "Let's see...Need to get our armor fixed up, get some ingredients...see if Avenicci has any advice on strengthening Dawnbreaker and another order..." She continued to write while Lydia swept the ruined flour out the door. "Lydia, I do have one question."

"What is it?"

"Where do your parents live? I need to know where exactly I'm sending the dowry."

Lydia's face went white. "Dowry?"

M'rasha had the smuggest look on her face. "Cause I'm assuming that we're married by how far you had your tongue in my mouth."

"But...I had...It was...,"Lydia's face went red as she sputtered. "I hate you so much."