Chapter 25
Middas, the 29th of Midyear, Year 202 of the 4th Era

Once the feast was over Aringoth invited Daenerys to a private meeting in his study. Aringoth's study was tidy and well-organized, much like Faralda's office back at the College of Winterhold. The study held two bookshelves with the titles arranged alphabetically. The desk was clean of everything but an inkpot and a quill. Above the desk was a lattice of cubbyholes that contained scrolls. Unlike Faralda's office there were a large number of potted plants scattered about the rooms, and the walls were adorned with paintings, pottery, and carvings that were obviously the work of children.

Aringoth lowered himself into a comfortable chair. The way he sank slowly into it said more about his age than his white hair and subtle wrinkles. He filled a pipe with some dried herb and started puffing on it. "Well now, that was quite some story your bard told. How much of it was true?"

Daenerys sat down on a wickerwork chair padded with cushions. "Almost all of it. Jon made a few changes. For example, Melisandre was a priestess of R'hllor, not Meridia. She died the morning following the battle. However, those changes were to make the story easier to understand or to flow better. The story is true. I was there. I fought the Night King but could not slay him. Arya Stark did. She saved us all."

He nodded and turned his head to the side and blew out a cloud of smoke. "So why are you here, instead of in Westeros?"

"I should have died. Instead, I awoke in Skyrim. That life is over. As to why I'm here." Daenerys sighed. "The gods have chosen me to stop the dragons, slay Al-Du-In, and save the world, or so the Greybeards believe."

"Old people say a lot of things. It doesn't make them true. I know. I'm an old fool myself. For what it's worth, I believe you." He poked his pipe in her direction. "You spend any time in and around Riften and you learn to spot phonies. You're the genuine article, but that just answers why you're in Skyrim. Why are you in the Rift? And why are you meddling in Riften politics? How does that kill any dragon, let alone the World-Eater?"

"It doesn't, but if I fought Al-Du-In today, I would lose. I'm building my strength, in arms, in magic, and in allies, and I'm fighting other dragons as I go." She could leave it at that, but she liked what she had seen of Aringoth so far. Enough to show him a little more of her plans. "The practical reason: When I leave the Rift, I'll be going north. There is a dragon wandering the sulfur pools region of Eastmarch. I have men in Ivarstead building ballistae. That will take a few weeks. I plan to use that time wisely. I'm planning to recruit more troops in Riften and visit Fort Dawnguard. I would have been perfectly happy to have avoided Riften politics, but I'm already involved."

"Involved? Hmm." He picked his pipe back up and puffed on it a bit. "So, what are these plans, and how do they involve me? That little conversation at dinner has already kicked the beehive."

"I'm planning to take down the Black-Briars and the Thieves' Guild, but I'm not going to be staying in the Rift. I need people ready to step in when I leave and keep things stable. I think you could be one of those people."

"Taking down the Black-Briars and the Thieves' Guild both? When you have only a handful of men? That takes balls!" He laughed long and hard. "Why me?"

"First, Karliah recommended you. Second, I know you've had trouble with the Black-Briars and the Thieves' Guild already. Those led me here, and I like what I've seen of Goldenglow. Your people are happy."

Aringoth shrugged. "I was throwing a feast. People are always happy on a feast day."

"True, but this was a deeper happiness." And she knew how hard it was to get different peoples to work together. That Aringoth could manage them spoke well of his leadership. He might make a good jarl, but there was no way the Nords of Riften would stand for an Altmer jarl. So that left one obvious position. "I expect that by the time I'm done in Riften, that House Black-Briar won't be a power in Riften. The Black-Briar Meadery is one of the largest employers in the Rift. The meadery needs to stay open, keep making mead, and keep people working. How would you like to run the meadery?"

"You're offering me the Black-Briar Meadery?"

Daenerys shrugged. "It's already obvious that House Black-Briar is my enemy and yours. I'm going to take them down. You already tried to make your own label, so you know the business."

"Most people would jump at that because of the gold. I've got more than enough gold to live a comfortable life and still leave some to my daughters. That's all a mer really needs. Well, that and a good pipe."

Daenerys had the feeling Aringoth was telling the truth. Control over the meadery would greatly expand his coffers and influence, but he cared more about his people than for either. "That's admirable, but how is that working out for you and your people? You know that Maven Black-Briar has hired the Thieves' Guild to send you a message? I've seen the mercenaries you've had to hire."

Aringoth grinned. "No, you didn't. They aren't mercenaries. I trained up and armored my own people. Mercenaries aren't that trustworthy." He sighed. "Still, you're right. That's why I went along with that farce at dinner. I shouldn't need my own private army, but I do. Maven Black-Briar wouldn't be content even if I sold her my honey at cost. She's been pushing me for years. If Riften wasn't a skeever nest, I wouldn't need to train up my own little army. The Black-Briar Meadery… You do know that the Snow-Shods own a piece of it as well?"

Daenerys frowned. "No, I didn't. I just knew they owned most of the farms around Riften." The Snow-Shod clan was on the list that she hoped to bring to her side. "In that case, I might not be able to just give you the meadery, but I could still give you a piece of it."

"Are you planning on killing all the Black-Briars then?" He didn't sound displeased or upset about it, just curious.

"It will likely come to that." Mercy was for the strong. She didn't have the political or military power to make an enemy of the Black-Briars, but let them live. "The Black-Briars must go. I've learned that they are behind most of the crime and corruption in Riften. They have to be removed from power, and I need good people to replace them or Riften won't really change. It will go right back to being as it always has been. I think you could be one of those people who helps it change."

He chuckled. "You win. Should have known better than to argue with Ysmir. I'll do it. As much as I hate the city, I live in the Rift. I suppose that I could help run the meadery for a few months, and then hand it over to one of my daughters once things settle down. What will the meadery cost me? My riches are in land and my people, not gold. I can supply your Dragonguard. Are you also expecting some of my 'mercenaries' as fodder for your war?"

"Supplies. Food mostly, but other basic supplies. Camilla can fill you in on our needs. I won't ask you for your men-at-arms. You'll need them for the time being. Maven is going to be pissed that we're aligned. If you have any volunteers brave enough to face dragons, I'll take them and see them trained. The Dragonguard needs to grow because the dragons must be stopped. I need archers especially, but any volunteers should know what they're getting into. Fighting dragons is at least as dangerous as going to war. And…" If she read Aringoth he wouldn't like this part. "… I need one more thing. I need you to send a representative. Someone like your steward or one of your daughters. Someone who would have standing in Jarl Law-Giver's court. I'm the dragonborn, but I need one of the Rift's own to stand up for me."

"Supplies – done. I'll more than recoup my costs with the meadery. I'm sure that I'll have some fools that all but beg me to let them join your Dragonguard. You can have them, but sending someone to Riften." Aringoth frowned and took several puffs of his pipe. "I see the sense of someone from the Rift to support you, but whoever goes will be a target. Maven's enemies have a habit of suffering accidents." He puffed his pipe again. "It would have to be Desthia, but I won't send her. Not into that skeeverhole, not even with you at her side. I'll go myself."

Daenerys hadn't expected Aringoth to volunteer himself. She wasn't sure how old he was, but from the way he moved he was feeling his age. "I'll be honored to have your company."

"Yes, yes, since I'm putting my head on the block with you, I hope to have a good seat when the Black-Briars get what's coming to them. "Now, fill me in on the rest of the details. Let's see if we can't improve your plans any."

.oOo.

One good thing about the deal she made with Aringoth, it gave her a reasonable excuse to delay her departure from Goldenglow Estates. While Hemming Black-Briar did complain loudly about the delays, Daenerys told him quite firmly that she wasn't going to turn down the supplies being so generously donated by Lord Aringoth to the Dragonguard. He was literally donating wagonloads of supplies, complete with the wagons to carry them. While the supplies were being organized, she had Marcus Verres test the volunteers who had come forward to join the Dragonguard. Marcus rejected some of the hopefuls, but they picked up three archers, and four men at arms. Of the seven recruits, five of them were Nords, one Breton, and one Bosmer. With the supplies being loaded and Marcus testing prospects, they didn't leave Goldenglow until just after noon, which suited her just fine.

Daenerys spent a good part of the trip to Riften talking with Jon Battle-Born. Shortly after leaving Goldenglow, Jon had taken her aside and insisted on teaching her how to tell a story properly. According to Jon, she had a gift for oratory, but her stories came across more like a soldier giving a battlefield report. Jon also told her that she needed to be bold and boast about her own deeds more. They rode together for several hours a day while he coached her on how to properly tell a story. Jon was an inspired storyteller, but a somewhat impatient teacher. When she was slow to pick up his methods, he coached her in the telling of two stories: the defeat of Mir-Mul-Nir and the defeat of Lok-Nos-Dov. Daenerys considered it time well spent. She really should have thought of it herself.

Not that she was able to only focus on sharpening her story-telling skills. She also had many conversations with Aringoth, Vignar, and her small council. What remained of her time was spent more time riding and talking with Harrald Law-Giver, Hemming Black-Briar, and Gonnar Oath-Giver.

Daenerys found it amusing that Harrald Law-Giver was jealous of Jon Battle-Born. He didn't entirely believe her that Jon and Olfina Grey-Mane were a couple. She focused on steering the conversation by asking about the economy of Riften and the Rift in general. Despite being heir to the throne, Harrald didn't have much in the way of insights. From what she could gather he left most of that to 'Aunt' Maven and his mother's steward.

Her conversations with Hemming Black-Briar were short and not very productive. Hemming wasn't keen on talking with her. He answered her questions with brief replies that made it clear he was as clueless as Harrald about the details of ruling Riften. He also made poorly veiled threats that falling under the sway of 'the elf' was a horrible mistake.

Gonnar Oath-Giver was a busy man who preferred to focus on his men. When Daenerys finally managed to have a conversation with him, she learned a great deal. Gonnar understood war. He had fought with Ulfric in the Great War and during the Markarth Incident. She also learned that only Gonnar and a dozen men on his command staff were sworn to Ulfric Stormcloak. That made them the only actual Stormcloaks in the Rift. Since the jarl had pledged to the Stormcloak cause, the entire Riften guard belonged to the Stormcloaks in theory. In practice, the guard took their orders from Jarl Law-Giver and the officers of the Riften watch. Gonnar had urged Jarl Law-Giver to start levying forces so they could be trained, but Maven Black-Briar had argued against it. Since the Rift bordered Morrowind, building up an army might cause an escalation in the war. Maven argued that they shouldn't provoke the Empire while Ulfric was still gathering his forces.

Daenerys agreed with Gonnar. While it made a certain amount of sense not to levy too many soldiers now, war was certainly coming. It took time to levy peasants, and it took more time to turn them into soldiers. If Riften was serious about joining the Stormcloaks, they should be training at least some men now. Those men could then become the cadre that trained the others. That's what Jarl Kraldar had been doing in Winterhold. He was building up the core of an army and a navy. Jarl Law-Giver doing nothing told Daenerys that she wasn't truly committed to the Stormcloak side, or perhaps more accurately Maven Black-Briar was not committed to the Stormcloaks. Given that Maven was known to have ties to the Empire, that made a lot more sense.

With the delay leaving Goldenglow, they did not reach Riften by the second day. Ironically, the Dragonguard likely could have made Riften late on the second day. Her people had been marching for weeks and had toughened up. The Dragonguard also spent less time making and breaking camp each night. Their Riften guard escort, on the other hand, were not accustomed to the rigors of a long march. The Riften guard started the day bitching and moaning, and many of them were staggering by the end of the day. They pitched a haphazard camp, and the process started up all over again the next day. Even Hemming Black-Briar couldn't complain when her people were willing to continue marching, but they had to halt so they wouldn't leave their escort behind.

In the evenings Daenerys circulated through the Riften guard escort and provided healing. It cost her only a little time while building goodwill with the Riften guard and letting her take their measure. It was readily apparent to Daenerys that the Riften guards were almost as much in awe of her as the people of Ivarstead. They bowed their heads to her and saluted her. She could hear them calling her Ysmir and Dragonborn as she passed. Some stammered out their thanks for healing. A few were bold enough to ask if the stories were true. Had she really slain two dragons? Had the Greybeards really proclaimed her Ysmir? Had she really fought against the Night King alongside Arya Stark? Daenerys answered their questions truthfully without bragging. She also noticed that there were a few Riften guards that watched her with fear and suspicion.

Healing also gave her the chance to practice using faith as a seeming rather than empathy. She found that using faith made healing much easier. Maybe, it was because she knew that none of them were hurting that badly. She was just healing blisters and the pain of aching muscles. She wasn't skilled enough at Restoration to wipe away their exhaustion. While she knew from her own experience that any healing was a relief when your body was acclimating to the rigors of a long march, it wasn't like their lives were in danger.

Regardless of the reason, when she tried to use faith her healing worked better. Simply remembering Grandfather was enough. Grasping her amulet of Talos while she cast helped. She felt that invoking Talos by calling upon his name would be even more effective, but it felt wrong for such trivial injuries. She tried healing by using her faith in the Nine and nothing happened. When she focused instead on her faith in Kyne, she was able to heal, but not as readily as when she used her faith in Talos as a focus. It didn't take a genius to figure out why. She believed in Talos. He sent Grandfather to her. She respected the divinity of Kyne after invoking her name, but she didn't have faith in the Nine in the abstract.

It was something of a surprise to realize that she had become a Talos worshiper. Even if she had never made him an offering, she had faith in him. Intellectually, she knew that her belief in Talos was not a good thing politically. She was trying to stay neutral between the Stormcloaks and the Empire. Worshiping Talos was decidedly not neutral. Politically, it would be pragmatic to ignore the little seed of faith she'd found inside her instead of tending it and encouraging it grow. However, for the first time she really understood why people acted the way they did about their gods. Faith, believing, it had a power all its own other than just powering her magic. She couldn't just turn her back on it. She wasn't ready yet to shout her belief to everyone, but she was willing to at least tend the seed in private. Which she did by offering Talos a little prayer. Whether it was Talos speaking to her or just her own belief, she felt better for her decision.

They finally reached Riften a little before noon on the second day of Sun's Height. That timing suited Daenerys just fine. If all went as planned, Karliah and Galdrus would have already completed the first steps of her plan. The escort even worked to her benefit. She had more than a hundred witnesses that the Dragonguard had only arrived in Riften this day. While Daenerys couldn't overhear the conversation, she could see Hemming Black-Briar angrily waving his arms around before he took off into the city leaving the rest of them behind. That was an encouraging sign, but Hemming would likely be just as upset if Karliah or Galdrus had been caught.

Daenerys went to the open field where space had been set aside for the Dragonguard to make camp. She stayed out of the way while Marcus Verres walked around and occasionally barked commands when the camp wasn't being set up to his standards. They weren't Imperials and they didn't have quite enough men to set up a proper Imperial camp with a ditch and spikes, but Marcus still wanted a latrine, a proper firepit for cooking and the tents all set close together so they were easier to defend. Under his watchful eye the camp was set up before Hemming Black-Briar calmed down.

Harrald Law-Giver walked over to her and gave a polite bow. "Sorry for the delay. We just learned that thieves broke into Black-Briar Manor and stole everything that wasn't nailed down."

"That's horrible." She forced herself to remember the burning of King's Landing. She needed to show regret and sympathy – not satisfaction. "But you told me there was no Thieves' Guild. Were any of the Black-Briars or their servants killed? Does this happen often in Riften?"

"There is no Thieves' Guild," said Harrald firmly. "This was just desperate people. There weren't any deaths and I wouldn't be surprised to find out that some of the servants helped. There have been a few incidents at small outlying country manors throughout the Rift, but I've never heard of them hitting anything as big as Black-Briar Manor before."

"I have." Daenerys turned and beckoned to Aringoth. "Didn't you tell me that you chased a thief away just a couple of weeks ago?

"Yes, Lady Targaryen, we did. The thief tried to come in through the sewer system. We had a trap set up, and the thief set off an alarm, but she got away clean. Why, has something happened?"

After catching Aringoth up on the gossip, Harrald gave an exaggerated sigh. "I'm sorry you had such a poor welcome to Riften, but I'm sure my mother is eager to meet you. We have been gone longer than expected."

"Of course." She quickly gathered Aringoth, Vignar, Sofija, Lydia, and Faralda over to her and left Marcus Verres in charge of the camp. Barbas had never left her side.

Harrald gave a nod of approval and led the way with an honor guard of six men in front of them and another six behind.

Riften proved to be every bit as malodorous as Vignar had warned. Most cities stank, but Riften was foul beyond belief. Maybe, she had conveniently forgotten how badly cities could stink. Maybe, her werewolf sense of smell made it worse. Maybe, it was the summer heat and the lack of a breeze. Regardless, the rank smell of shit hanging over the city was enough to bring tears to her eyes. She gladly accepted the handkerchief that Harrald gave to her. It helped the smell a little.

The escort turned out to be necessary. They didn't make it a block into the city before someone recognized her. Cries immediately went out. "The Dragonborn!" "Help me, Lady Targaryen!" "Hail Ysmir! Dragon of the North!" "The Dragonborn has come!" The people of Riften pressed around them. On the surface they looked much the same as the people of Riverwood or Whiterun. Most of them were Nords, and most of them were poor. There were more beggars in the streets, but no street urchins.

However, when Daenerys looked deeper, she saw that the people of Riften were different from the people of Riverwood, Whiterun, or Winterhold in an important way. She had grown accustomed to the respect and reverence she received since she killed Mir-Mul-Nir, but the people who shouted at her looked more worn, more dour, and much more desperate. Daenerys lowered the handkerchief from her nose. She realized it sent the wrong message. It was a short journey from Riften stinks, to the people of Riften stink. She almost gagged from the smell, but she focused on the people, meeting their eyes, nodding, smiling, and waving at them. The crowd kept pressing until her escort bashed some back with their shields. After that the crowd backed off, but they still kept calling out to her. The throng didn't thin out until they reached the stairs leading upwards to Mistveil Keep, the home of the jarl of Riften. Despite the name it wasn't much of a keep. It was closer to being a well-fortified manor. Stone walls enclosed a small courtyard and stairs led up to the main building. The walls were of solid stone and the windows were mere arrow slits, but the 'keep' was only two stories high and not very imposing as fortresses go. An honor guard lined the steps and saluted as Harrald Law-Giver led them into Mistveil Keep.

Daenerys was politely shown to a guest room and given an opportunity to clean up. A bath wasn't ready and waiting on her, but some maids quickly drew one. The water was clean and they added a scented oil to the bath which helped drive away the reek of city that permeated even into the jarl's keep. She had decided that she wanted to present herself as a noblewoman and not a warrior maid when being presented to Jarl Law-Giver, so she wore the embroidered Altmer dress that Aringoth had given her. The maid that had been assigned to her didn't have a clue about how to braid her hair properly, and Lydia came to her rescue. Lydia was still braiding her hair when Harrald Law-Giver knocked asked for admittance.

Harrald held his helmet under his left arm and looked a bit flustered. "I'm sorry, Lady Targaryen, but my mother is indisposed. She will be resting for the remainder of the day. The feast to welcome you to Riften has been postponed until tomorrow night."

"I see." That was surprising. Was this another message? You didn't keep someone of higher rank waiting, but it was common enough to make lesser nobles wait their turn. Or was his mother truly that sick? "You asked me to help her. I would be glad to try healing her."

"I suggested as much to my mother, but she… declined at this time."

Daenerys studied Harrald as Lydia finished her braids and stepped back. There was something Harrald wasn't saying. "Very well, I hope to meet with her tomorrow then. Thank you for the information. Since my audience has been postponed, I have business in Riften. Would you like to accompany me?"

Harrald winced. "That's the other reason that I stopped by. Given the reaction of the crowds, my mother advises that you remain in Mistveil Keep for your own safety."

"Hmm." That didn't make sense. You advised someone of higher rank when you did not agree with their actions or could not command them. Yet, if that was the case, why advise her at all? She felt like she was missing something. However, sitting around waiting on the jarl would be a sign of weakness. Besides, she had too much going on to spend half a day sitting on her ass. "Very well, I have considered her advice, but I have business to attend to in Riften. Will you be able to provide me with an escort of guards, or will I need to provide my own?"

Harrald lowered his gaze. He clearly wasn't happy. "I cannot provide you a guard. My mother decreed that if you chose to go against her advice, then you would receive no escort." He looked back up and gave her a weak smile. "However, she gave me no instructions personally other than conveying this message. I would be glad to show you around Riften. What business do you need to attend to in Riften?"

She smiled back. "And I would very much welcome your company." That was the absolute truth. She couldn't move against the Thieves' Guild yet. She would need Karliah's support for that. She shouldn't move against any of the skooma dens today. She only knew where to find them because of Karliah. Moving against them would give away that she had spies in Riften. Maven Black-Briar probably already suspected that her agents were behind the robbery of Black-Briar Manor. Daenerys couldn't afford to give her more clues. However, she could move against at least one other target and Harrald would be the perfect witness. "Since we have time, I would like to see to a better dress for myself and Sofija, Ēlī Vokēdrie. I trust you know seamstress that your mother and Lady Black-Briar use."

He laughed. "Dress shopping is not what I expected of you. Although I can understand you wanting to get out of that Altmer dress…" He frowned. "You had the sleeves removed."

He noticed. Given that he didn't seem to care about fashion, he must be smitten bad. "I did, which helped some, but still not my style."

"Very well, if it is just the dress shop and back, I don't think we'll have problems."

Daenerys laughed. "No, no, I'm not going to shop for dresses all day. I just need to make the connection and order at least one dress. After that, I would like to see the Black-Briar Meadery, the Ice-Blood Fishery, and Honorhall Orphanage."

"That's an odd list. I'm not sure if we'll make them all before they close their doors for the day. Maybe, we can make it. We would have to do Honorhall last and not spend too much time at the dress shop."

"Well, you need to leave and let me change into my armor then." She made a shooing gesture.

"Now, now. I think I'd rather stay and watch that."

Daenerys was surprised. While Nords were usually direct in their flirting, Harrald hadn't said anything so forward before. Perhaps her being a guest in his home made him bolder. She waved a hand to shoo him away. "Off with you and let me change."

"Fine, fine. I'll wait for you outside." Harrald exited her chambers laughing.

Daenerys glanced around the room taking stock of her forces. Sofia, Lydia, Faralda, Barbas, and herself. Add Vignar in the other room. Leave Aringoth behind. They should be safe enough from any ambush, but not from the crowds. It took more manpower to make people mind their distance than it did to simply kill them. However, she also didn't want to divide her forces into small groups so they could be ambushed. She wondered if that could be the reason for the jarl's odd behavior. The jarl likely had witnesses that she had advised Danerys to remain in Mistveil Keep. The jarl could wash her hands of any ambush. How many to take?

She could play what-if games all day. "Lydia, I need you to go talk to Vignar and Aringoth. Explain the situation. I'd like Vignar to come with us. Aringoth should remain behind and bar his door." Vignar was old, but he was still a Companion and could more than hold his own. Aringoth would be a liability in a fight. "After you have done that, hurry to our camp. Get three of the Dragonguard to join our escort and return."

Lydia thumped her chestplate. "Of course, my Thane. I am at your command." She hurried off.

"Why do I need a dress?" asked Sofija with a scowl on her face. "I'm your housecarl. I should be in armor to protect you."

"A dress is just armor for a different battlefield. I know that I've been leaning heavily on Vignar of late, but you are my chosen second, Sofija. You need to learn this as well."

"You wear armor most of the time," complained Sofija.

Daenerys was amused. Sofija prided herself on her dedication. She leapt upon Mir-Mul-Nir's back, but ask her to wear a dress and she gets sulky? "I have been wearing armor most of the time. At first, I needed to accustom myself to the weight of the armor." Which wasn't much of a problem any longer after inhaling two dragons and becoming a werewolf. "Later, I needed to be seen as a military leader. It is also why I ordered the skysteel armor. Skysteel isn't that much stronger than regular steel, but it shines, and that makes an impression. I also only wear a helmet when we're going into combat. I'm a symbol, and symbols need to be seen. I don't expect you to be perfect Sofija, but you can learn to fight on this battlefield as well."

"Just don't expect me to flirt like you are. I'm quite happy with Ull."

"That wasn't intentional. I was just trying to coax information out of him. He read too much into it" Daenerys sighed at Sofija's skeptical look. "Fine. I am also using it to my advantage." Using Harrald. He seemed to be a decent if somewhat gullible man, but she liked powerful men and Harrald was a follower. She didn't even feel guilty about using him. She had the fate of the entire world on her shoulders. The sooner she got this mess in Riften cleared up, the better.

.oOo.

Daenerys dressed in her armor long before Lydia was back. Rather than wait inside Mistveil Keep, she tried to go into the city only to find a crowd waiting at the base of the steps. She decided to face the crowd directly and ask what they wanted. Many of them wanted to just see her and touch her. She asked them their names and sent them on their way. Some of them complained of being poor and out of work. If they were young and fit, she told them the Dragonguard was hiring and told them to seek out her camp outside the gates of Riften. A few were sick and injured and she healed them. She ignored a lout that kept asking for her to show them her thu'um. She also ignored the beggars asking for coin. There were far too many beggars in Riften. If she gave alms to these beggars, word would get around. She didn't have enough coin to donate to every beggar in Riften

When her escort arrived from the Dragonguard, Daenerys was amused to see that Val was one of the three guards. He was carrying her handmaiden, Raina, on his back like she was a little child. While the sight amused her, it was a practical way to get her crippled handmaiden safely through Riften. She sent Raina on inside of Mistveil Keep to wait in the suite that had been apportioned to her. With that accomplished, she and her escort set off into Riften

Val and two of the Dragonguard cleared the path. Vignar and Lydia watched either side. Sofija watched her back. That left her in the center with Harrald Law-Giver and Barbas. The crowds pressed in close, and Val had to strong-arm a few aside, but they managed to push their way into the crowded streets of Riften with Harrald Law-Giver calling out directions.

The Gold & Needle wasn't very far from Mistveil Keep, which wasn't a surprise considering it catered to the well-off of Riften. The owner of the shop, Sjerske the Golden was thrilled to have the Dragonborn in her shop looking for a dress. Sjerske was probably called the Golden because of her long blonde hair, but it made her name a pun in more than one way. Daenerys laid out her requirements: formal, lightweight, and daring. She wanted something that would draw attention, not look like a harlot. After some discussion Daenerys agreed to a gown in a deep blue of Bosmer cut. Sjerkse took some measurements and promised to rush order the dress. She would bring it to Mistveil Keep the next day and make any needed adjustments then. They also briefly discussed a dress for Sofija, but postponed that until next time.

Once they left the Gold & Needle, Harrald led them through the market. Riften's market was made of many small stalls. While Riften might be the poor cousin of Whiterun and Windhelm, it still had a large and active market with people bustling all about. Daenerys saw the usual goods being traded. Camilla was likely in and about somewhere in the market with a couple of bodyguards securing more supplies, but Daenerys didn't see her.

After the market Harrald led them to the Black-Briar Meadery. She was met by Asgeir Snow-Shod, oldest son and heir of the Snow-Shod clan. He was one of the most powerful nobles in Riften. He was powerfully built blond Nord with a neatly trimmed beard and a deep booming voice. He was enthusiastic about meeting the Dragonborn and proudly lead her on a tour of the Meadery. He let her sample some of their special Black-Briar Reserve label, which had quite a bite to it. When she expressed her admiration for it, he insisted on donating a case to the Dragonguard.

While she didn't make an issue of it, she also noticed a lot of children hard at work in the meadery. If she hadn't been told by Karliah, she might have overlooked them. All of the children looked old enough to be apprenticed, and they weren't doing the heavy jobs, but they were everywhere: sweeping, cleaning, moving bottles and such. On the surface it looked like honest work, but she did notice how tired they all were. It bothered her, especially after hearing Karliah's report, but she wasn't going to make an issue out of it and alienate Asgeir.

She waited until she was leaving before she asked Asgeir about his mother. "I understand that your mother is a priestess of Talos? The only priest of Talos in the city if I've heard correctly." Without even thinking about it, her hand drifted to her chest. She couldn't feel her amulet of Talos through her armor, but she knew it was there.

"Aye, my mother is a priestess of Talos. The only one that stayed in Riften and didn't change her allegiance to Mara." He gave her a smile. "Any reason you're asking?"

"I have questions that I'd like to ask her, as a Priestess of Talos. Since the jarl is indisposed this evening, would it be possible for her to come by?"

"No, none of that now. If the jarl won't host you tonight, Clan Snow-Shod will claim the honor. When you're done getting your tour of Riften, come by Snow-Shod Manor. You can meet my mother and my father. We'll give a proper Nord welcome to the Dragon of the North!"

"I'll be there with…" she gestured to her escort, "just a few of my retinue."

Aegeir laughed. "Aye, that's just a few. We're honored to host the Dragonborn and the Dragonguard."

The Riften Fishery was next, and the stench almost overwhelmed her. It was an important business owned by Bolli Ice-Blood. The Ice-Bloods were a minor clan and supposedly not aligned with the Black-Briars. Bolli proved to be a kindly older Nord with a pointed beard. He was enthusiastic to meet the Dragonborn and insistent that she call him Bolli and not Lord Ice-Blood. He was also puzzled as to why the Dragonborn wanted to meet him. Daenerys told him the truth, she was just looking in on the more important businesses in Riften. While Bolli seemed to be a naturally humble man, his fishery and the Snow-Shod farms kept Riften fed. Bolli seemed to be well-liked by his workers, and he didn't hire just Nords. Daenerys saw a lot of Argonians working in the fisheries. She also saw quite a few children. However, these children weren't working hard like the ones at the Black-Briar Meadery. Indeed, some of the younger ones were playing around instead of being on task.

Daenerys decided to dig for information. "Bolli, I see a lot of young workers. Are those all your children? Or are they apprentices?"

"None of them are my children." He shook his head. "I wish that I had children of my own, but I'm not so blessed. No, I hire them from Honorhall Orphanage. When they're old enough the orphanage tries to get them jobs. I pay the orphanage for their labor and that keeps food on their table. To tell you the truth, I hire more than I need. According to Maven many of them can't find jobs. Those who don't often end up on the streets. Most of the girls end up in the brothels, some of the boys as well. If I can teach some of them a skill, it's worth it."

Daenerys nodded. That matched up with what she heard from Karliah. The orphanage really did take care of the younger kids, but it wasn't the charity that Maven Black-Briar claimed it was. The orphanage more than paid for itself by working the older children. They also sold children both to the brothels and as thralls to the Snow-Shods. A few of the orphans ended up with apprenticeships, due to kind-hearted people like Bolli, but most of them didn't. "Well, I'm heading there next. I guess I will see for myself."

"Good for you. I'm sure they'll love to meet the Dragonborn. Would you mind walking these urchins back with you? It's getting close to closing time."

Daenerys smiled. "That won't be a problem at all."