Chapter 12
Lydia
After Ragnthor left Lydia was still struggling with her anger. She knew that he hadn't meant to seem like he was not considering her a warrior but that's still how she felt.
Have I not proven my worth, time and time again?
She shook her head and walked over to the inn keeper. "It turns out that I will be staying for a week instead of just one night. Here is the gold to make up the difference."
She counted out a fair amount of coin onto the bar. She then turned and sat back down by the fire. And she spent most of the week there, having nothing to do. She went out a few times and spent the last of her personal money on books.
During the day she would sit near the fire or with her backing facing a corner of the room and read. A few times during the evening so of the local lads would walk up to her and ask if she would like a drink. She would gently tell the no. If they persisted Slasher would stand and growl at the man. That would make them back up quick. She would smile to herself at that.
But other than that the week was boring. It was both the longest and shortest week of her life. Finally the week was up. She packed her bag and walked out of town to where the local wagon was. She bought passage and was off. It took 2 weeks to get home. When she got there it looked mostly the same as when they had left. The grass was dead and brown and the animals had eaten the other field almost completely down to the ground.
She walked into the house and put her bag down then when and put the horses and cow in the stable and threw in some hay. She stood outside for a while, drinking in the peace the seemed to flow from the ground. It was a peace that was soon lessened by Slasher.
He had brought down yet another deer. "By the nine dog. It seems that you always bring us food. Shouldn't it be the other way around?" Slasher gave a happy bark and nudged the deer.
Lydia shook her head and pulled deer around back and cleaned it. Soon she was taking it into the cellar and hanging it from the ceiling. She took a piece and started cooking. When she was done she tossed Slasher half and sat down to eat. Soon she finished and cleaned the dishes.
As she was sitting by the fire with Slasher she thought back. Since Ragnthor had come back a little over a month ago this was longest they had been apart. She felt….like something was missing. Soon she shook off the feeling and went to bed.
The next morning, after breakfast, she walked out and saddled Black Moon and rode into town. As she drew close she could see that a massive battle had been waged there. The ground was tore and still stained with blood.
But as she walked into town it was like the battled hadn't happened, apart from the looks on people's faces. Especially the children. For most it was the first time they had ever seen or heard anything like that. She saw Adrianne was outside so she walked over to talk.
As she approached Adrianne looked out and waved at her. "So where have you been? Ragnthor showed up a week ago and did battle with the Stormcloaks just outside the gate."
Lydia looked down at her feet and felt a little heat climb up her face. "He requested that I…not come and fight. He told me that I didn't need to fight for the empire, only for him and he didn't want to force me on the path that he chose."
As she finished she looked up and saw Adrianne looking at her. "I don't believe you. There must be something more."
Lydia nodded. "He said he didn't want to lose me. To anything."
Adrianne just smiled and nodded. "So he likes you. But to you like him?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't really know. I still hate him for leaving but it is slowly being tempered. And while we were gone he almost died after a battle. I lost control when I saw him drop. I would have attacked Ralof when he picked him up and packed him into the fort if someone hadn't held me back."
Adrianne walked over and put her arm around Lydia. "Well there's something there. If you even need to talk I am always here."
Lydia nodded. "Thank you. Well I need to go and talk with Balgruuf. It has been a long while since I have had time to talk to the Jarl."
Adrianne nodded. "Go on. I need to get back to work anyway."
As Lydia walked off Adrianne smiled and put her hands over her chest. "It turns out it was good for Ragnthor to come back. He is helping Lydia live again." She shook her head and went back to work.
Lydia was soon standing in front of the Jarl. "Greetings Jarl Balgruuf."
Balgruuf stood, grabbed her shoulders and let out a booming laugh. "Lydia! I wondered where you were when Ragnthor showed up without you. All he would say was that he had given you an important task."
Lydia managed to keep a calm face while inside she was shocked. He is helping to keep my honor as a Housecarl intact.
She nodded. "That's correct. I just back last night. I have been given a…leave of absence for the duration of the war. My Thane did not wish to force me on any path he chose." Balgruuf nodded and Lydia thought he looked like he knew more that he was trying to hide.
Lydia continued. "So you did actually have a battle here. Why is there no sign of battle inside the gates?"
Balgruuf's face grew darker. "Because of Ragnthor. He flat refused to have any of my guards outside the city, stating that he want someone to keep the people safe on the off chance he and his men failed to hold them off. I went and stood behind his men in order to give what support I could. The men never even broke the front line. Ragnthor runs a tight group. Whenever there was a break in the fighting he would have those in the back switch with the front to give them a break. And he fought beside his men. Most leaders lead from the back, he cut down as many if not more than his men. The man is a beast when he fights. I never seen anything like it."
Lydia nodded. "That I know. The task he and 2 others were given to join was to clean a fort of bandits. Then men with him had driven them off the day before. The next morning every bandit in the area must have been outside the gates. Between Ragnthor, me and his dog we took out 40 men. When he fights he seems to fight on pure instinct, feeling rather than seeing. And his style breaks moral as well as men."
Balgruuf nodded. "A more honest truth I have never heard."
Then he shook his head and smiled. "Well Lydia, It's good to have you back, no matter for how long. I think Aela has been missing her sparring partner. And if I have any work you can do I will let you know." Lydia nodded and walked toward the doors. After she left Balgruuf sat back down.
He smiled and shook his head. "Well she seems different. Maybe that night when Ragnthor almost pulled her outside he took my advice. Good on him. And on her."
He shook his head again. "Proventus, bring in the farmer who insists he need a full complement of guards to help with wolves on his land. I wish to see if it is really that bad."
Soon Lydia was walking into The Companions mead hall. They Companions were gathered around an open area. Aela and Farkas were fist fighting. Lydia stood off to the side watching the fight. It was a joy to watch to differing styles fight. Aela moved quick and was landing 2 or 3 blows to one of Farkas's 1 but he took them and looked unaffected. The fight only lasted a minute or so more. Aela dunked under his swing and kicked his leg out from under him.
As he fell she put her foot on his throat. "Alright Aela, you win this time."
Aela laughed as she removed her foot. "I'm ready anytime."
She turned and raised her arms. "Who's next?"
Lydia pushed through the crowd. "I will give it a try. That is if you think a lowly Housecarl can fight a Companion."
Farkas barked out a laugh. "You are the only person who has fought Aela to a standstill. If she won't fight you, I will." Aela smiled and nodded.
Lydia pulled off her armor, leaving only a shirt and pants, and walked out and faced Aela. "It's good to see you again Lydia. I was worried that something had happened when you and you Thane didn't come back."
Lydia laughed. "I don't think there is a person, man or mer, that can beat him. He seems to be blessed by the gods."
Farkas growled. "Are we here to fight or talk? FIGHT!"
They nodded and swung. Lydia took a fist on the face and repaid with a blow to the chest that seemed to stagger Aela. She followed up and swung her fist at Aela's jaw. Aela blocked and swung at Lydia chin. Lydia shifted her body and took the blow on her left shoulder. It hit, hard. As her body turned with the force of the blow she used the momentum to slam her fist into Aela's side. Something gave under her fist with a crack. Aela winced and swung 6 times in rapid succession. Lydia took more blows then she blocked. The fight went back and forth for several minutes. Suddenly something popped into her head. She waited until Aela swung. She quickly moved forward and, taking the blow on her left side, grabbed the front of Aela's shirt. She pulled Aela forward and slammed her head into her face. As Aela brought her hands to her face, Lydia swung her left fist into Aela's gut and when Aela dropped her hands to her side Lydia swung as hard as she could at Aela's jaw. Aela's head snapped back and she fell to the floor.
She lay there for a few minutes with Lydia breathing heavily over her, the crowd cheering. As Lydia wiped the blood from her lips Aela's eyes opened. Lydia smiled and she bent down and offered her a hand.
"By the Gods girl," she said as she grabbed Lydia's hand, "Where did you learn to fight like that? I have never seen a speed and brawler style."
Lydia laughed. "I learn from a man can do it much better than me. He would have taken half the time I took to beat you."
Aela's eye grew wide. "Who is this man? I would love to learn from him."
Lydia shook her head and smiled. "I don't know about that. I have watched him take down 25, 30 men by himself. He killed more than 10 with his bare hands. The last man he threw at the ground so hard the man's own armor crumpled around him. He fights in a berserker like rage and with a fencers speed."
Aela nodded and asked. "Still, who is this man?"
Lydia kept shaking her head. "It is the new thane of Whiterun."
They talked until it started to grow dark. Lydia excused herself, saying that she had animals to feed. She made it back just before dark. She hurried to feed the horses and cow then went inside to start dinner. After that she went to bed. And that was how most of the next month went.
Some days she would stay at the farm and did what little house work there was. Some days she went to town to see if Balgruuf had anything for her to do. Then she would talk with Adrianne or train with Aela. Nights found her sitting by the fire, Slasher at her feet. And for every day that passed she grew slightly more worried. She still hadn't heard from Ragnthor.
Soon it was 13th of Evening Star. She had decided to spend the day at home. She had slept late and was rushing out to feed the horses. She was just finishing up when a courier ran up to her.
"I'm looking for Housecarl Lydia."
Lydia nodded. "I am she."
The young man reached into a bag at his side and pulled out a package. "I was asked to deliver this here by an Imperial Legate."
Lydia had to fight to keep herself under control as she reached out to grab it. "Thank you. Is there a fee I need to pay?" The lad shook his head and walked off.
Lydia fought the urge to hug the package to her chest. She hurried to the house and opened the package. It was a large jar with a large orange butterfly in it. There was a note hanging from the neck that said she would need to put a flower and leaves inside the jar every 2 to 3 days. She did hug it to her chest.
"It's beautiful. Thank you Ragnthor." She put it on the mantel and went about the rest of her day.
As she was going to sleep the last the last thing on her mind was He didn't forget about me. He really does care.
The next day around the same time another courier came to the house. He had 2 packages. Lydia took them in the house and opened them. It was 2 pots with mountain flowers growing in them. A note on one said to put the water used to water them should be placed by the fire because the cold water from the well could kill them. She put them on the shelf over her bed.
The next day the same thing happened. A courier came to the door and dropped something off. It was 3 books. They were thick and so Lydia put them by the plants, saving them for the other long days.
The next day another courier showed up. It was a small package. She took it inside and sat down at the table and unwrapped it. It was a gold necklace with an ungodly large sapphire. The note attached to it told her that the sapphire reminded him of her eyes. She wrapped it in soft leather and put it in the chest at the foot of her bed.
The next day the same thing happened. The courier gave her a small bag. Inside were five gold rings, each with a different flawless gem. She wrapped each in a piece of leather and put them in her chest.
The next day a courier came again. This time he only brought a letter. As Lydia took it fear gripped a part of her heart. She sat down and opened it.
Dear Lydia,
So I was trying to give you one gift every day from now leading up to New Life but you are a hard lass to shop for. I tried and I think I did pretty good up til now. But I have completely run out of things I could think of. So you can take the money I gave you and by something just for you every day. And as to way I did this, it was something my father told me he did many years ago when he was trying to win my mother. He never did tell me if it worked. So either he knew more than me and or it didn't and he tried something else. Maybe you could tell me. And sorry for not writing. We have been in some tough fighting. But my boys are coming along well. Have yet to lose a man. Hadvar also transferred under my command. The war is almost over. We hard working on taking over the last hold and then we march on Windhelm to face Ulfric. And I will stay that the past 2 months have been the hardest I have had in a long time. You are almost always on my mind. Its helps me realize why I even joined this war. You're moving down the back roads, by the river of my memory. Ever smiling, ever gentle on my mind. I should be home by spring. I miss you little one.
Ragnthor.
Lydia nodded. "I think it did work." She put the letter in her chest and then went to town.
Ragnthor
Ragnthor was just finishing the letter when he heard a noise behind him. He turned to find Ralof smiling at him.
"So you have finally given up trying to find gifts to send Lydia every day. I wondered how long that would take."
Ragnthor sealed the letter and gave Ralof a shove. "Well at least I try to show a softer side. How are you wooing Brasella? Showering her with blood and severed heads?"
Ralof snorted and shook his head and Ragnthor laughed. "I'm just kidding. I know you're not trying." Ralof tried to put him in a head lock.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. It was Rikke. "Ready your men Ragnthor. Today we march on Riften. Once we have breached the gates I want you to go house to house and make sure the civilians get out safe. An easy job after all the hard ones you have taken. Once we have replaced the Jarl with one more friendly to the Empire, we march on Windhelm."
They stood straight. "Yes ma'am." Rikke nodded and left.
"Well let's go and get the men ready. And hurry, I can't wait for this damn war to be over with." They went out and talked to the men.
There wasn't much to say, everyone knew the attack would be soon. Soon they were all just sitting around and waiting. Suddenly the command came.
"Troops! Stand Ready!" They all shot up and there was a loud crash.
"CHARGE!" And they ran through the hole that had been a gate.
"Men, check the houses and get anyone not fighting out. I will cover you."
They all nodded and started going from house to house. Ragnthor fought guard after guard, trying to disarm where he could, not wanting to see brave soldiers die fighting for what their Jarl believed in. The Stormcloak soldiers he cut down without a second thought. They had made their choice and must now lay in the grave they dug.
The fighting raged of for a few hours when suddenly a roar broke out above the noise of battle. Ragnthor looked up and saw a sight that could only make the fight worse.
"DRAGON! MEN, TO ME!" Soon he was surrounded by his men.
"Those of you with bows stay back and fire at the dragon. Everyone else, make sure civilians stay safe and keep the guards off me."
The men nodded and Ragnthor ran to the largest open spot he could find.
He looked up at the dragon and yelled "FUS RO DUH!"
He watched the air shift as an unseen force shot up toward the dragon. It hit the dragon's wing, crumpling it.
As it fell toward him he yelled "ARCHERS! FIRE AT WILL!" and the air was filled with arrows.
The dragon hit the ground hard enough the earth shook. It was bleeding from over a dozen different wound but the arrows hadn't gone deep enough to affect it. As it shook it's head and roared at him, Ragnthor roared and charged. The dragon drew its head back and as it was just about to release a bout of fire Ragnthor swung and his sword cut deep. So deep, in fact, that it lodged in the dragon lower jaw. As the dragon raised it's head Ragnthor grimly hung on. Suddenly it started to thrash around in an effort to dislodge him. Ragnthor had 2 choices. To be shaken to death or let go of the sword.
He let go and dropped 15 feet to the ground. As hit landed there was a crack and a white hot pain in his ankle. Reaching down to grabbed his dagger he started tearing down the wall between him and his anger. As the dragon lowered it's head to look at him he smiled at the sight before him and he removed the final barrier. He laughed as he swung his fist and popped the dragon's right eye. He managed to keep some control over himself, just enough he could remember the fight. The dragon replied by bathing him in fire.
Ragnthor held up a hand to protect his face and swung the dagger. It caught the dragon in the throat and sunk deep, cutting a vein that caused blood to gush out in hot spurts. The dragon grabbed Ragnthor around the waist with its mouth and bit down, maybe hoping to end him before it was ended. Ragnthor held the dagger in both hands and was slamming it down on the dragon's skull, scales flying off with every blow. Just as the dragon's teeth had broke through his armor and the world was going black he slammed the dagger into it's head with all his strength. The dagger punched a hole through the dragon's skull. Ragnthor felt a shiver pass through the dragon as it entered its death throes.
It snapped it's head forward and Ragnthor was flung out of its mouth. He flew through the air for a second then crashed into a wall with a crack. The last thing he thought before everything went black was LYDIA!
Ragnthor came to in a tent. He sat up and clutched his side. "Damn. Broke a rib, maybe 2."
He pulled on his shirt and walked out. The sun was setting in the west. He saw Ralof, Hadvar and Brasella sitting by a fire and walked over to join them.
Hadvar looked up, shocked. "I didn't think you would be up, much less moving yet."
Ralof laughed. "You clearly haven't been around him much. I have watched him get up and move out 8 days after losing so much blood another man might have died. All his got this time was a knock on the head and a few broken ribs." Ragnthor and Brasella laughed as he sat down.
He looked over at Ralof. "About that. You mind never telling Lydia about what happened, ever. If she knew I think she would kill me herself."
Ralof nodded as Hadvar asked "So you and Lydia. How did that happen? A few years after you left she wanted to rend you limb from limb and now you're…whatever you are."
Ragnthor nodded. "Whatever we are is a good name for. We agreed to take it very slow. And I saved her life. We were up on The Throat of the World and she was almost killed by a troll. That took a lot out of her. By the time I had camp set up she was freezing. If she wasn't a Nord her skin would have been blue. I buried the tent in snow to keep the heat in and held her in my arms all night, keeping her warm. After that we grew…closer. It was during our mission to join the Legion that everything fell into place. We were getting ready to leave when the bandits that my men had driven off came back to try to take the fort. Me and Lydia went out to stop them. It was a large group of over 40 and I took out over 25 myself I'm told. I don't really remember much. I broke the wall between me and my anger to stay on my feet. Ralof knows more than me from here."
Ralof nodded and continued. "It was a sight to see. Ragnthor didn't see the battle. He felt it. He was doing things he shouldn't have been able to do. I saw him throw a sword without looking and it sunk hilt deep in the center of a bandit's back that was going after Lydia. Soon the fighting stopped. The remaining bandits had gathered around there chief. Ragnthor just stood there for a moment, blood pouring of over a dozen light wounds and several very bad ones. He crushed the man with his own 2 hands. He then passed out."
His eyes grew dark as he continued. "Lydia lost control. She started dragging him toward the gates, doing more harm than good. When I picked him up she tried to attack me and most likely would have killed me if Brasella here hadn't grabbed and held her back. Lydia sat by his side for 8 days, never once moving. They have been as close as 2 bumps on a log since then, even though they try to deny it."
Ragnthor was just about to punch Ralof in the shoulder when a voice behind them spoke up "Interesting story boys but we don't have time to stand around on gossip like old hens. I want camp broken down and us to be moving in an hour."
They stood up and faced the voice. "Yes ma'am, Legate Rikke."
2 weeks later they walked over a hill and there is was, Windhelm. As they were walking to the flat near the riverbank Ragnthor heard a voice speak up beside him.
"You really do love her, don't you." Ragnthor turned and saw Rikke. "This woman, Lydia isn't it, is the one you were sitting next outside the barrow?"
Ragnthor nodded. "Aye. That woman is my first and only love. I have wandered for 8 years and never has another woman held my heart as she does."
Rikke nodded, deep in thought. "You know, I could assign you a safe position, if you want."
Ragnthor smiled and shook his head. "No Legate. I could never feel good knowing that I doing a safe job when others are out there fighting and dying. Send me into the thick of the battle, to fight or die well. Besides, I have seen her again. If I die, I will have her face on my mind. But I won't die. I have too much to live for. And If the gods hate me so much as to trigger my death, I have made sure she will be looked after."
Rikke smiled and shook her head. "I will never understand you. Most of the time you are solemn and never look for a fight but when you get in one you fight like something from oblivion. Hell I have seen you punch a hole in the enemy line where no one couldn't get them to flinch and a few hours later you are sitting near the fire, staring off and smoking on the pipe of yours."
Ragnthor's smile left his face and he sighed. "Rikke I wandered for 8 years as a sellsword, taking a job her and a job there. I have been brought to deaths door more times than I care to think about. I'm tired, Rikke. I have left a trail of grieving mothers and widows and it has taken its toll. I may seem a young man to you, but inside I fell like a horse long past his prime but is still working because his owner needs him too. I came home to Skyrim to farm, to settle down, to leave the fighting to other young men. Then I got thrown into the fire once more. I fight hard and brutal so I can be done. Now let's get camp set up and the siege gear ready. I want this war to be over." He walked off and started to help his men get ready.
A few weeks later they had given up trying to starve them out. Ulfric had been given too much time to prepare. So they went into the woods and cut down the largest tree they could find and hauled it to the gates. Ragnthor and his men were assigned as guards for the battering ram and were to be the first ones in the town.
For 3 days the pounded at the gate, slowly denting the doors and chipping the wood. And for 3 days Ragnthor stood there, waiting for the war to finally be over. Around noon on the 4th day the doors splintered.
Ragnthor grabbed a nearby axe and cleared a way through the rubble. Soon he was through. There was a line of soldiers waiting for them.
Ragnthor roared back at his men "CHARGE!"
He threw the axe as hard as he could and it sunk head deep into the chest of a Stormcloak soldier. He then drew his sword and ran into the midst of them, his sword singing its song of death. Soon his men joined in and they made short work of them. They set up a defensive position and waited for orders.
Soon Rikke ran up to Ragnthor. "We are going to split the men into 3 groups. I will take the left, Tullius on the right and you down the center. We need you to make them hurt and no let them get a foot hold anywhere. Drive them back."
Ragnthor nodded and walked over to his men. "We end this today and then we can go home to our wives and children! We push hard, hit harder and never let them come up for air! Today is the day we unite Skyrim!" His men roared around him and they charged into the town.
Fighting the city was tough. The enemy knew the ground and had laid traps. Ragnthor lead the way and tripped most of them. For the most part his armor could take the blows but a few times things had stabbed deep through it.
Some of the men asked if wanted to stop or let someone else take the lead but he snarled and told them to get back in line. The fighting stretched on for several hours and the sun was going down before they reached the castle. As the waited for the others to reach them Ragnthor took some cloth from a small pack on his hip and stuck them in his wounds.
Soon small groups of men were coming at them from behind. Most of them lay down their swords when they saw they had nowhere to go. A few didn't. Those were cut down to the man. Tullius was the first one to make it through followed closely by Rikke.
Blood was slowly oozing out of a few holes in Ragnthor's armor as he stood in front of Tullius.
Tullius eyed he then asked "Are you fit enough to end this?"
Ragnthor nodded. "I am ready."
Tullius motioned and Rikke joined them. "We 3 shall be the ones to enter the castle. Between the 3 of us we should be able to handle however many men are left. Ragnthor, you will be the one to fight Ulfric. It would look better for someone born in Skyrim to end the war."
Ragnthor nodded and they went into the castle.
There were only a few men left in the castle and they were quickly cut down. Ulfric was standing in front of his throne when they got to him.
Tullius walked ahead. "Ulfric. The Empire finds you guilty of both treason toward the Empire but also to Skyrim. For that, I sentence you to death."
Ulfric drew his sword and snarled. "You will have to kill me here, you Imperial dog. But have the Dragonborn end me. It will sound better in the stories that way."
Ragnthor shook his head and walked toward Ulfric. "So you joined up with the Empire. You are a disgrace of a Nord."
Ragnthor smiled and shook his head. "I am only following in my father's footsteps in doing what is right."
Ulfric shook his head. "No, lad. You dishonor Freynar by fighting against the Nords."
Something deep inside snapped and he swung his fist at Ulfric's head. Ulfric duck and laughed as Ragnthor's fist smashed into the, crumpling his gauntlet. The wall holding back his anger was blasted apart.
The fight was short and brutal. Ulfric swung his sword only once. Ragnthor grabbed it and torn it from Ulfric's grasp and broke it over his knee. He pulled his dagger from his boot and slammed it into Ulfric several times, denting the Jarl's armor.
He back off and left Ulfric stand there, swaying, blood pouring from the wounds in his chest. He walked back over and grabbed the top of Ulfric's breastplate, pulled him close and buried the dagger deep in his chest.
"May you find what you seek in the life here after."
He then pushed Ulfric over and walked away as he hit the ground.
Tullius laughed. "Finally that man is dead. A good thing you did, putting that menace down."
Ragnthor turned around and stood in front of Tullius. He looked down and glared at the man. Tullius took a step back and he smiled.
"Do not laugh at his death. He was a far better man than you. He just chose the wrong side. With the war over I need to get back to my farm. If the Legions needs any further help that is where you can find me. I am also releasing my men from their oaths so they can do the same. Should the need arise we will assemble." Tullius didn't say a word as Ragnthor walked away.
Rikke called out to him "Do you want your dagger back?"
Ragnthor shook his head. "Leave it. Let the stories say that the Dragonborn wanted to honor the man with the weapon that slew him." He then walked out the castle doors.
Rikke caught up with Ragnthor before he left that night. "Is there any way that I can convince you to stay on? We need someone like you."
Ragnthor smiled and shook his head. "I have a farm to run and the whole Dragonborn thing to deal with. I will come back if you need help. Not Tullius, can't stand the gall of that man but you."
Rikke nodded and Ragnthor continued. "And if you ever want a break from the soldiers life and want to earn your meals the common way, I have a room in my house for you."
Rikke laughed. "I might take you up on that. Are you leaving tonight?"
Ragnthor nodded. "I have been away long enough. This is the longest I have been away from Lydia since I met her again. She promised me that once the war was over we could try to be together again. I want to take her up on that."
He swung his pack over his shoulders. "It was good serving with you, Legate Rikke." She nodded and he turned to leave. As he walked off into the night he was singing a song of both happiness and longing.
-Author's note: Round 12! Well this one took awhile to come out. I had 2 news games to play and the nerd god stole my will to write for a while. And it might be awhile for the next one with it being Christmas and all. On that note Have a Merry Christmas everyone. And hopefully it is whiter than mine. And I will give bonus points for those who manage to point out the reference to a song and a book/comic book series which I noticed I added when i was proof reading. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If not the next one should be better.