Chapter 33
Ragnthor
3 weeks later they were walking out of Dawnstar. And Lucia was complaining again. He rubbed his temples against her onslaught.
"Why did we leave the horses? Why are we walking? We could move faster if we were riding."
"Lucia, time for a lesson. I don't like delving into the earth and leaving my horse at the entrance. Too many times I have had the entrance barred from me due to cave ins or traps. And even if that's not the case, if you follow the tunnels to their end, you could end up miles from where you started. Better to leave the horses where you know they will be and hike on foot."
"But…"
He snorted. "No buts Lucia, I'm your teacher and your leader. And let's have some silence for a while." By her lack of reply he hoped she had agreed.
They didn't make it a mile before she spoke again. "When are we going to get there?"
He sighed and pointed to a mountain. "According to the Vigilant we met in town, Dimhollow is halfway up that mountain."
She nodded. "That's not far."
"On the far side." He smiled as she groaned. "You know Lydia never complained about distance. And she is over a decade older than you. So am I when I think about it."
She laughed. "Fine, I won't complain anymore. Today."
He laughed. "If that's what I can get, I'll take it."
The next morning they were walking up to a notch in the side of the mountain.
"Is that it?"
Ragnthor laughed. "Well this is where they said it was. So we go in and if it's not we go farther up the mountain." With that he pushed himself through the crack.
They hadn't gone far when he heard voices. He held up his hand and motioned for Lucia to crouch. He held a finger to his mouth as he moved forward. He hadn't gone far before he could make out what they were saying.
"These Vigilants never know when to give up. I thought we'd taught them enough of a lesson at their hall."
"To come in here alone...a fool like all the rest of them."
"He fought well enough though. Jeron and Bresoth were no match for him."
"Ha. Those two deserved what they got. Their arrogance had become insufferable."
"All this talk is making me thirsty. Perhaps another Vigilant will wander in soon."
As soon he heard that he roared "NOW LUCIA" as he dropped off a ledge.
He let out a groan as he hit the ground and charged to 2 vampires. As he drew near the first one he dropped his shoulder and slammed into it hard enough it dropped with a crack as he drew his sword and slammed pommel first into the others chest. As it hit the ground he reversed his grip and drove the sword down through its chest.
As he heard Lucia's little battle roar, knowing she had followed and taken out the other one, he heard a howl. He turned and saw a massive black dog with burning red eyes charging at him. He pulled his sword from the vampire and met its charge, driving his sword into its chest, a blow that should have killed it. Instead it snarled and slowly pulled itself toward him.
He quickly drew his dagger and drove it through its head. "Die you damned beast."
Lucia walked over and looked at it. "What is it?"
He wrenched his weapons from it. "I don't know but don't let one bite you. It's probably infected with something like its masters." She took a step back.
He nodded. "Smart girl. Let's continue. I'd say we found the right cave." She nodded.
As they walked toward the tunnel to the next part of the cave they found Tolan. Ragnthor shook his head and pulled a bottle of oil and a fire starter from his pack and lit him on fire.
Lucia looked at him in shock. "What did you do that for?!"
He looked at with somber eyes. "Do you want to pack a dead body back to the fort?" She shook her head. "I thought not."
"But why burn him?"
"Because the Vigilants hate the undead more that even I do. I don't have the gear with me to give him a proper burial and if a vampire gets past us, that could raise his body from the dead. But burned, nothing can happen to him. He will never be torn from his place in Stendar's halls."
She nodded. "Ok."
"Then let's go before the smell of flesh gets strong."
The next room the entered was full of graves. Ragnthor smiled. "I guess this is why they call it Dimhollow Crypt."
Lucia hit him. "Stop that."
Suddenly there was the pop, pop sound of draugr coming out. "Draw your sword Lucia." Skeletons started to come from the tunnel they were just in.
Suddenly he heard laughter as a vampire stepped out of the next tunnel. "Trapped again. Will you Vigilants never learn?"
Ragnthor drew his dagger. "I'm no Vigilant vampire." Then he hurled the dagger as hard as he could. It sunk hilt deep in the vampire's throat. "Lucia, take care of the skeletons. I'm going after the draugr."
"HOW DO YOU KILL SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY DEAD!"
He turned and looked. Lucia was hiding behind her shield and one was almost on top of her.
"Swing Lucia!"
She made a quick swipe. The skeleton was so close she could have missed even if she tried. As the sword hit it fell into a pile of bones at her feet.
"That's how!"
"Oh."
Ragnthor laughed as he ran toward the draugr. "Now hold them off."
He met them with a building fury. He cut clear through the first one and blade finally stopped halfway through the chest of the next. He tore his sword out and whirled, taking off the head of the next. The last he slashed at its legs and as it fell he cut its head off.
AS he stood there breathing and shaking off his anger Lucia came up to him. "You alright Ragnthor?"
He laughed. "Of course. I just let myself get a little soft during the last 2 years. I see you came out fine."
She smiled. "Of course. You just have to hit them." he laughed as they walked into the next room.
In the corner there was a table covered with candles and he shook his head, smiling. "Some things never change."
"What things?"
He pointed in the corner. "You know what that table is?" She shook her head and put mocked a shocked expression. "You never asked Farengar about his? I can't believe it. Go take a look."
He watched as she walked over and saw the small shudder go through her. "What is it? It looks evil."
He smiled. "You have more Nord in you than you think. We always have had an instinctive…wariness of magic. That's an enchanting table. By using it, if you have the knowledge, you can put different kinds of magic into your weapons and armor."
"How?"
"Magic."
She hit him. "Well I don't like the look of it. Let's go."
"By your command."
They hadn't gone much farther before she spoke again. "More graves."
He nodded. "I know. I might have to ask around Dawnstar about this place when we are done. I know nothing about this."
AS they walked up an incline into another man carved part of the cave, he heard the skittering of spiders and saw their webs. "Shite."
"What?"
"There are…" suddenly something jumped at him and he reacted.
He drew his sword and cut it in 2. Lucia screamed as it hit the ground. "WHAT IS THAT!?"
"A giant spider."
"GIANT SPIDERS!"
Another skittered toward him and he drove his sword through its head. "Yes. And loud noises make them mad. So how about less screaming and more fighting?"
As she drew her sword he got another. "And watch out for their fangs. Their venom…" one darted from a side corridor and latched onto his leg and he roared, slicing it in half "hurts like hell and will kill you. I hate spiders." He reaching into his side pouch and pulled out a bottle of antidote and forced it down with a cough. "Damn that tastes nasty."
"Do they get any bigger?"
He laughed. "The largest I have fought stood taller than me." She let out a short, muffled scream as the skittering started again. "And it sounds like there is a big one waiting for us. Let's get it over with."
She shook her head. "No. No no no no no."
He turned and looked her in the eyes. "Do you know why you're here now?"
"Because Lydia can't come."
He shook his head. "That's part but not all of it. We had a fight, Lucia, a knockdown, drag out roaring fight just inside the town. To make a long story short, if we hadn't found a compromise, I would be back on the road wandering again. You are the compromise. Lydia hates not being able to come, not being able to do all she can to keep me safe. But she trusts you to. She trusts you to stop me from going off and doing something truly stupid."
"But isn't this stupid?"
He laughed. "Maybe a little. But we signed on for a job. And I for one plan to finish it. You in?" He offered her a hand.
She took it. "Fine. But I have to ask, what counts as stupid?"
He smiled. "Don't let me fly on a dragon I plan to kill and we should be fine." She smiled and nodded.
A short while later they walked up to a door. When they walked through they entered a massive chamber with a lake filling the bottom with an island covered with primitive stone arches with a small pedestal in the center.
As they got closer to the island, Ragnthor saw there was a button on the pedestal and he cursed under his breath.
"What?"
"Stay close Lucia. Something might happen."
"What?"
"I don't know. But I have a bad feeling about this."
When they reached the center, he shook his head and pushed the button. Suddenly there was pain in her hand as something shot up through the button. As it bored through his hand he dropped to his knee for the pain.
"Ragnthor! What…"
He snarled. "Don't touch me. I don't know what will happen." Then, as quickly as it happened, the spike retracted and he was free to move.
Suddenly a purple, blue fire appeared and stared circling. It stopped about a quarter of the way around, at a brazier.
As he started poking around the hole to see if any bones where broken he spoke to Lucia. "Start shoving to braziers around until the fire continues."
"Does this count as stupid? It seems like it should."
He laughed as he cleaned his hand. "Yeah, I guess this counts as stupid. But it was necessary."
"So Lydia's not going to be mad?"
He could hardly talk from laughing. "No. She's going to be mad. But it's my fault and I will tell her as much."
"Ok."
He had just started wrapping his hand when she spoke again. "Got one."
"Good. Now get the other 2."
"Why won't you help?"
He raised his hand. "Maybe because of this."
She laughed. "Fine."
A short while later she shouted again. "Finished."
Suddenly there was a loud click and the ground slightly shook as a puff of dust rose from the center of the circle. "Lucia, get over here."
She ran over as something raise up out of the ground. it was a chamber. And in it was a woman.
"Ragnthor, we should help her."
He put a hand on her as she ran past. "What. Let's see what she does."
Suddenly she spoke. "Unh...where is...who sent you here?"
"Who were you expecting?"
"Someone like me like me, at least."
"What do you mean, like you?"
She smiled. "Can't you tell by looking at me? A vampire."
His hand drifted to his sword. "The Dawnguard would want me to kill you."
"Not fond of vampires, are they? Well look. Kill me, you've killed one vampire. But if people are after me, there's something bigger going on. I can help you find out what that is."
He let go of his sword. "Alright. I'll trust you. Where do you need to go?"
"My family used to live on an island to the west of Solitude. I would guess they still do. By the way...my name is Serana. Good to meet you."
"My name is Ragnthor and this is my niece Lucia. Any idea how to get out of here?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. This place looks pretty different from when I was locked away."
As they started walking he saw the tube on her back. "Is that an Elder Scroll?"
She put a hand on it. "Yes, it is, and its mine."
"Why do you have a Scroll?"
"It's…complicated. I can't talk about it. Sorry."
He smiled. "I understand." He pulled out a package and Lucia gasp. "I have one too."
She looked astonished. "Interesting."
Lucia finally got over her shock. "How long were you in there?"
Serana rubbed her chin. "Good question. Hard to say. I…can't really say. Who is the High King?"
Lucia looked at Ragnthor before speaking. "Lady Elisif of Solitude is the High Queen."
Serana looked confused. "I don't know that name. You say she is Jarl of Solitude? Who supports her?"
Ragnthor spoke. "The Empire."
"What empire?"
Ragnthor looked confused. "The one base in Cyrodiil."
Her eyes went wide in shock. "Cyrodiil is the seat of an empire? I've been gone longer than I thought. Definitely longer than we planned. Please let's hurry. I need to get home to figure out what's happened."
"Agreed. Let's get out of here. Lucia, the way we came or press forward?"
"Press forward." With that Ragnthor walked up the stairs toward the far side of the cave.
Suddenly something burst out of a stone statue. Ragnthor just reacted. His sword was instantly in his hand and he cut clear through whatever it was. When he looked at it he was shocked.
"A gargoyle! I thought they were a myth."
"They are no myth. We should be on our guard. But to deal with one so quickly…who are you?"
He shrugged his shoulders as he sheathed his sword. "Some say a hero. Some call me The Fighting Thane. But most call me Ragnthor."
Lucia piped up. "He is the Dragonborn."
"Dragonborn. Interesting."
He shook his head. "Not so much. But let's get out of here."
A short while later they had made it outside.
"Ah, it's good to breathe again! Even in this weather, it's better than a cave."
Lucia nodded. "I agree. Let's not go into caves anymore Ragnthor."
He smiled. "I'll try. But we will go where the Dawnguard send us until our task is done."
"And what task is that?"
He stared Serana in the eyes. "Keeping my family safe."
"A worthy goal."
"But hard. We will be on our way to the place you mentioned just as soon as we get our horses from Dawnstar. Do I need to buy one for you?"
She shook her head. "No. I can keep pace with a horse. Just go slow near people."
He smiled. "I can see the problem."
"Thank you."
He turned to Lucia. "Well Lucia. A day and a half to Dawnstar and then another week and a half, maybe 2, to Solitude."
She groaned. "Why is Skyrim so big?"
He laughed. "For a girl who has spent most of her life in Whiterun I would think you would want to see the world."
She grumbled "Fine."
He just laughed as he started walking in the general direction of Dawnstar.
Just shy of 2 weeks later they were riding up to a small bay with a rickety bock extending into it. Moored to the dock was an even more rickety boat.
"That's it, out there to the north. We used to keep a boat around here to get there and back."
As they rowed out to the island Ragnthor saw the castle. "So this is your home."
She nodded. "That it is. Home…sweet castle."
"Big."
"Yeah."
Soon they docked the boat and walked over the bridge to the gate. They were half way across when she stopped them.
"Hey, so...before we go in there..."
"You alright?"
"I think so. And thanks for asking. I just wanted to thank you for getting me this far. But after we get in there, I'm going to go my own way for a while. I think... I know your friends would probably want to kill everything in there. I'm hoping you can show some more control than that. At least for your niece's sake. Once we're inside, just keep quiet for a bit. Let me take the lead."
"Ok."
She looked shocked. "Really? Just like that? I thought it would be harder."
He smiled. "I've no death wish."
Lucia smiled. "I don't know about that."
"Hush now."
They walked up to the gate.
The guard smiled as they approached. "Lady Serana's back! Open the Gate!"
They had just gone inside when they were stopped by a man. "How dare you trespass here! Wait...Serana? Is that truly you? I cannot believe my eyes! My lord! Everyone! Serana has returned!"
"I guess I'm expected."
A voice rose from the far side on a main hall. "I can't believe it."
Ragnthor could see a man stand as they walked down into the hall. "My long-lost daughter returns at last. I trust you have my Elder Scroll?"
She snorted. "After all out these years that's the first thing you ask me? Yes I have the scroll."
He sighed. "Of course I'm delighted to see you, my daughter. Must I really say the words aloud? Ah, if only your traitor mother were here, I would let her watch this reunion before putting her head on a spike. Now tell me, who are these strangers you have brought into our hall?"
"These is my saviors, the ones how freed me."
The man turned to face them. "For my daughter's safe return, you have my gratitude. Tell me, what are your names?"
He struggled to push the rising urge to fight is way out for Lucia's sake, for all their sakes. "I'm Ragnthor and this is my niece Lucia. Who are you?"
He smiled. "I am Harkon, lord of this court. By now, my daughter will have told you what we are."
Ragnthor smiled back. "You're vampires."
Harkon laughed. "Not just vampires. We are among the oldest and most powerful vampires in Skyrim. For centuries we lived here, far from the cares of the world. All that ended when my wife betrayed me and stole away that which I valued most."
Ragnthor pushed down the feeling again. "Well what happens now?"
Harkon folded his arms. "You have done me a great service, and now you must be rewarded. There is but one gift I can give that is equal in value to the Elder Scroll and my daughter. I offer you my blood. Take it, and you will walk as a lion among sheep. Men will tremble at your approach, and you will never fear death again."
Ragnthor had the feeling he was being trapped and had to stop his hand from reaching for his sword. "And if we refuse?"
He chuckled. "Perhaps you still need convincing." As he bent over Ragnthor grabbed Lucia's hand and motioned for her not to scream.
Suddenly his form exploded into the form of the vampire he had killed before. "This is the power I offer! Now make your choice."
"We refuse."
His voice dropped. "So be it. You are prey, like all mortals. I banish you." The next thing they knew they were outside.
He felt Lucia trembling. "What just happened?"
He pulled her into a hug. "We just got lucky, little lass. Oh so very lucky."
"What do you mean?"
He let her go. "Each and every one of those vampire can most likely turn into what the beast Harkon was. I have fought one once and it came close to getting the better of me. If it had gone south there would have been only one thing to do."
She looked at him, fear growing in her eyes. "And what's that?"
"Sell our lives as high as we could."
"This counts as stupid, doesn't it?"
"Very, very stupid. But also necessary."
Her whole body exuded shock. "How was this Necessary!"
He gave a small smile. "Honor, Lucia. Serana has been locked in the box for most likely over 600 years without anything to eat. She could have very easily taken out her hunger on us. And she traveled with us without taking blood for 2 weeks. Beast she may be but I will always help a person how has done not harm or made no threat to me."
"We're going to do a lot of stupid things, aren't we."
He smiled. "Most likely."
She nodded. "Ok. What's next?"
He laughed. "Back to fort Dawnguard to report to Isran."
"But your Dragonborn, shouldn't you be in charge?"
"We joined his group Lucia. He guides our path."
"Fine."
He clapped her on the shoulder. "Good girl. Now let's get back in the boat. It's your turn to row." He laughed as she started complaining again.
4 weeks later they were walking up to the fort when they heard the sounds of a fight. Lucia looked at him and he nodded, drawing his sword and breaking into a run.
As they rounded the bend leading to the door they saw Isran and rest of the Dawnguard fighting off a group of vampires. He bellowed as he charged in. He drove his sword deep into the closest one then kicked it off his blade.
As he looked around he saw Lucia take another then pressed her back against him. He smiled as he took down another.
As quickly as it had started it was over. As he cleaned and sheathed his blade Isran walked over. "Look at this. I should have known it was only a matter of time before they found us. It's the price we pay for openly recruiting. We'll have to step up our defenses. I don't suppose you have some good news for me."
"I have news but it's not good."
"Damn. What do you know?"
"They were looking for a woman trapping in the crypt."
"A woman? Trapped in there? That doesn't make any sense. Who is she? More importantly, where is she?"
"The daughter of a power vampire lord."
He shook his head. "And so you took her to them."
He nodded. "They also have an Elder Scroll."
Anger flashed through Isran's eyes as he got in Ragnthor face. "They What? And You Didn't Stop Them? You Didn't Secure The Scroll?"
He felt his course through him and in the corner of his vision saw Lucia back away. "You're damn right I didn't. I'm far past the age where I will willingly throw my life away for a cause. And even if I wasn't I wouldn't put my niece in harm."
"So they have everything they wanted and we are left with nothing. And it's your fault."
He pulled himself to his full height, towering over the Redguard, and pushed him back with one finger. "Insult me one more time, old man, and I will break you so fast you won't even feel the pain."
Suddenly Isran smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. "Peace. I'm just tired of always being 3 or 4 steps behind."
Ragnthor nodded. "We have to do something."
"Of course we do. I'm old, not stupid."
Suddenly Lucia piped up. "I don't know about that."
He glowered at her. "As I was saying, we just need some help. If they're bold enough to attack us here, then this may be bigger than I thought. I have good men here, but... There are people I've met and worked with over the years. We need their skill, their talents, if we're going to survive this. If you can find them, we might have a chance."
Ragnthor nodded. "Where am I going and who am I fetching."
"Right to the point, aren't you. I like that. Not like those fools in the order. We should keep it small. Too many people, and we'll draw unwanted attention to ourselves. I think we'll want Sorine Jurard. Breton girl, whip-smart and good with tinkering. Fascination with the Dwemer. Weapons in particular. Last I knew, she was out in the Reach, convinced she was about to find the biggest dwarven ruins yet."
"You sure she'll help?"
"Might need a little convincing first, but she should. You'll also want to find Gunmar. Big brute of a Nord, hates vampires almost as much as I do. Got into his head years back that his experience with animals would help. Trolls in particular, from what I hear. Last I knew he was out scouring Skyrim for more beasts to tame. Bring the two of them back here, and we can get started on coming up with a plan."
"Where can I find them?"
"Sorine will be somewhere in the Reach, looking for Dwarven ruins. Gunmar was near Ivarstead, last I heard. Watch your Back."
A few days later they were riding into Ivarstead. They rode slow, looking around. Ragnthor shook his head as he looked at Lucia. Her face looked worn, like a soldier's after a long, bloody campaign, and there were massive bags under her eyes and she looked tired enough to fall off her horse. Her shoulders were hunched and her eyes had an almost nervous twitch. He was about to speak up when a voice rose up near him.
"Greetings Ragnthor. What brings you to our town again?"
Ragnthor reached a hand down. "Klimmek! How have you been?"
The man smiled. "Good, good. I will tell you over dinner tonight."
Ragnthor shook his head. "I couldn't intrude. As soon as me and my niece find the man we are looking for, we are off to the reach, looking for another."
Klimmek shook his head. "Nonsense, me and Fastred would be delighted to have you both there."
Ragnthor raised an eyebrow. "We will be there."
"So you're looking for that…well I would call him big but not compared to you, Nord right?"
He nodded. "How did you know?"
"Because you know everyone here. To find them you would go to their house, not hunting. He rode out of town about an hour ago. Toward the troll cave."
"There is not a troll there, is there?"
Klimmek shrugged. "There have been no deaths but I don't know."
Ragnthor nodded. "Lucia, go to the inn and wait for me."
She bristled, life filling her. "Why should I wait?"
"Because the last time I fought a troll in that cave, me and Lydia almost died."
She nodded. "Fine."
"She can come with me. Better have her sit at home than at the inn. You don't know what will happen to a lovely girl like her." Lucia nodded and followed him.
A short while later he was riding up to the man. "Greetings."
The man stood and looked at him. He was big, probably as big as himself, but not as bulky. He had shoulder length red hair. He was wearing a mix of different armors. Leather, as far as he could tell, from the waist down and steel from the waist up. The mark of a hunter of dangerous game. Quiet to sneak up on them, strong to handle the fight.
"Quiet you fool. I've been tracking this man killer for 2 weeks and I won't lose it to a blundering fool like you."
"And just what is this man killer?"
"A massive boar bear. He's killed 3 in the week's I've been on him. Up to a dozen more before."
Ragnthor smiled as he swung off his horse. "Well then let's get this bear."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded. "Trust me. This bear is like a skeever compared to what we need to talk about."
The man looked at him then nodded. "Alright. Let's go."
The fight was short, the last few months having honed Ragnthor back to full fighting form.
As they walked out of the cave the man looked at him. "You move fast for a man in full frontline armor."
Ragnthor laughed. "That not the first time I've heard that. I've surprised more than a few people in more than a few countries."
"You're well traveled then."
He nodded. "I've been almost everywhere save the Summerset Islands. I was a restless soul as a youth."
The man laughed. "Weren't we all. Well since you have taken the time to hunt me down I would wager you know my name. Care to give me the honor of yours?"
"I'm Ragnthor."
The man gave a half smile. "Have a surname or title?"
"Of the Isles."
The man eyes widened. "The Vast's son. And don't look so surprised. Your father was famous and you managed to be even more so. So I would wager you are here for more than a bear."
He nodded. "Isran needs your help."
Gunmar laughed. "Isran? Needing someone else's help? I can believe I just heard those words. But he's a few years too late. I've moved on to more important matters."
Ragnthor looked at him. "Hunting bears and other beasts?"
He nodded. "Most Thanes aren't like you. Most men when I think of it. They let the beasts run loose and the Companions only defend Whiterun with their fangs from creatures of the night. I pick up the scraps. And besides He can handle it on his own. He made that very clear. What could he possibly need my help with?"
"Vampires."
His eyes widened. "Well that changes things. Tell me what you know."
Ragnthor shook his head. "Not much. But they have and Elder Scroll."
"By the Eight." Ragnthor glared at him. "And you say different, Legate?"
"I do."
"I meant no major offence. Where am I going?"
"Fort Dawnguard."
Gunmar laughed. "He finally got that place up a running. Well I guess I should go and see what he needs. Be seeing you, Legate." He laughed as Ragnthor shook his head.
A short while later Ragnthor was tying Bowen to the fence in front of Klimmek and Fastred's house. He smiled as he heard laughter and the patter of little feet running around the house.
He knocked and heard Klimmek call to him. "Come in Ragnthor." He did and felt the peace, joy and madness of a happy home.
A little boy who couldn't have been more than 3 was running around laughing and screaming. Lucia had taken off her armor and was close behind him, laughing every time he managed to slip out of her grasp. Klimmek sat by the fire, smiling as he carved a piece of wood. Suddenly Fastred walked out carrying a large plate of meat. She was pregnant and fairly far along.
She smiled as she saw him. "Ragnthor, it's good to see you!"
He nodded as he started taking off the armor above his waist. "And you as well."
"Dinner is ready as soon as you are." He quickly laid his armor down by Lucia's.
As the first bite of food entered his mouth, he was in heaven. He looked over at Fastred. "This is wonderful." He heard a muffled grunt from Lucia as he looked over and saw her shoving in food almost as fast as she could.
Fastred laughed. "I can see that. When did you last feed her?"
Ragnthor smiled. "Around noon. But we have been living off trail food for almost 4 months."
Lucia swallowed, almost choking. "This is the first real food we've had since the inn in Dawnstar almost a month ago."
Klimmek nodded. "Dawnstar. What were you doing there? From what I remember you said you would never set foot there again."
Lucia's mouth opened and Ragnthor gestured to cut her off. "Don't ask me again Klimmek. The things we have seen in the last few months I wouldn't wish on any man."
He nodded. "Is that why Lydia isn't here?"
Ragnthor nodded. "It is. She's home, taking care of our son."
Fastred clapped her hands together. "So you did get married! She hoped as much when she came for ours. When was it?"
"2 years ago as of 3 months ago."
"Why didn't we get an invitation?"
Ragnthor shook his head. "Because it was hurried. I had just gotten home after over a year in prison. I was weak, tired and scared if I didn't do it soon something would killed me before we could."
He heard Lucia swallow. "Cidhna Mine is a prison!?"
"By the divines Ragnthor! Why were you there?"
"Cleaning up Markarth Klimmek. That night I talked to you at the bar I got a message from…several people telling me to. After getting out with some help from some other friends I drove my blade deep in Thonar's throat."
Klimmek nodded. "The Silver-Bloods. You picked a hard family to fight."
"Not anymore. His brother died in the war and I watched the Forsworn kill his wife. Markarth is free from their fingers."
"And a good thing to."
Soon after the conversation turned to a lighter mood and before long it was time to leave.
Ragnthor bent to put on his armor. "Thank you Klimmek, Fastred. That meal surely did us some good. Now it's time to sleep."
Klimmek stepped forward. "You don't have to go to the inn. You can sleep here."
Ragnthor smiled. "Nonsense Klimmek. Your house is already filled you and your family."
He looked around. "I suppose your right."
"Send a message when you need to make it larger. Contained within these rough scarred hands is the talent of a wood worker."
Klimmek stuck out his hand. "I will. Now rest easy and good travels to you."
Ragnthor nodded as he took it. "And may your pole stay strong and your larder full." Klimmek smiled as they walked out the door.
As they were walking to the inn Lucia looked over at him. "So are we headed to the Reach in the morning?"
Ragnthor looked over at her, glad to see the evening had eased the weight on her shoulders. "Actually I was thinking of going somewhere else."
"Where?"
"Whiterun."
She beamed up at him. "Really?"
He nodded. "Just for a day, maybe 2. I need to see if Balgruuf has something for me."
"Is that all?" She smiled at him, just like Lydia.
"Well I guess is should see Lydia and Ragnar. If I'm away too long she will hunt us down and I don't want that. What about you?" She shook her head. "I thought not." Lucia laughed as they tied their horses in front of the inn.
Author's Note: This took a little longer than I had planned. I read somewhere, maybe, that George R.R. Martin said that his writing slows down when he knows just how its going to go. I guess I suffer from that. I've started pounding out the details of how it ends and I'm not a big fan of it. I always knew how it would end but getting the details right just made it really hit home. And I've been working 10, 12 hour days, 6 days a week for a local farmer, trying our damnedest to get ready for planting. Well enough about me, I really hope you like the chapter. And no guessing about the ending in the comments please. Don't spoil it for others.