Chapter 26

Loredas, the 2nd of Sun's Height, Year 202 of the 4th Era

The crowds that had been following her eased up a little, but a few people still waited for her outside of the fishery. Daenerys spent a few minutes talking to some of the most vocal, and she healed three people. After that she set off to Honorhall Orphanage with a half-dozen orphans in their young teens in tow. The children were in awe of her, but they reacted differently. Some were shy and hid behind the other children. Some were puffed up with their own importance. A few were brave enough to ask questions.

"Lady Dragonborn, ma'am?" asked a dark-haired lad. He was one of the older kids, maybe fifteen or sixteen. He had a little scrub of whiskers on his cheeks and was already taller than she was. He held the hand of a shy girl who ducked behind him anytime she noticed Daenerys looking at her. "Why are you going to Honorhall? We're not anyone important."

Daenerys offered him a reassuring smile. "I have a fondness for orphans. Not many know it, but I was an orphan myself. My father died before I was born. My mother died giving birth to me. It's not easy growing up on the streets. I wish someone had taken me in and cared for me." She looked over to Harrald Law-Giver. "I think it is a very good thing the Black-Briars have done, and I want to see it for myself."

Harrald looked like she had handed him a difficult puzzle and demanded he solve it immediately. "I didn't know that about you. Some of the stories call you a queen, but none of them mention a humble childhood."

Daenerys shrugged. She really hadn't told anyone except Brelyna her full story. However, it suited her purposes to let this part out now. It gave her a reason to visit Honorhall. "Oh, I'm nobly born, but my family was on the losing side of one Westeros' many civil wars. I grew up in exile in Essos."

"It's like a bard's story!" said the shy girl. "You really really were a princess in exile."

Daenerys laughed. "I suppose, but you know that growing up on the streets is not at all like the bard's songs."

Their arrival at the orphanage ended their conversation. From the outside Honorhall Orphanage looked like most of the buildings in Riften. It was constructed from logs with thatch for a roof. The windows were narrow and covered with iron bars. Daenerys suspected that was to keep the children inside rather than keep thieves out. She strode up to the front door and entered without knocking.

Beyond the entrance was what was a waiting area. There were several benches along the walls, but no one in sight. However, she could easily hear a woman yelling at the children.

"Those who shirk their duties will get an extra beating. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Grelod," replied a chorus of children.

"And one more thing! I will hear no more talk of adoptions! None of you riff-raff is getting adopted. Ever!" The woman was practically gleeful as she crushed their dreams. "Nobody needs you; nobody wants you. That, my darlings, is why you're here. Why you will always be here, until the day you come of age and get thrown into that wide, horrible world. Now, what do you all say?"

"We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness," replied the children. Their voices had no fire to them. Just the tired familiarity of rote repetition.

"That's better. Now scurry off, my little guttersnipes."

The timing of overhearing that conversation couldn't have been better. Her plan in coming here was to hurt and embarrass the Black-Briars. She had hoped to find enough proof for Harrald to be able to say that it was justified. That conversation was proof enough. Karliah claimed that luck favored those who served Nocturnal. Perhaps some of that luck was coming her way as well. Whether or not that was true, that was more than enough evidence for her to act. After hearing that speech, it would also be a pleasure. "Out of my way," she commanded to Val and the Dragonguard as she pushed past them. "Stay in earshot but let me handle this." With that she marched into the next room.

Bunkbeds stacked three high lined the walls in the room. The children were all gathered around an old woman who turned to face Daenerys as she entered. The woman was grey of hair. Her skin was shriveled like an old apple. Daenerys knew her from Karliah's description, Grelod 'the Kind'.

Her face twisted into a sneer as Daenerys entered. "What do you want? You have no business being in here!"

Daenerys laughed at her. "I have very good reasons for being here. Grelod the Kind, I find you without honor. A true Nord knows the importance of family. Your job is to be a mother to these children, and I find you wanting. You will resign now."

"I don't know who you think you are, but I don't answer to you. I answer to Maven Black-Briar and she knows exactly how I treat these useless layabouts. I'm not here to kiss their hurts. I'm here to keep them in line and teach them to respect their elders. Now, get out before I call the guard!"

Daenerys smiled at Grelod. "I am a Companion of Jorrvaskr and declare you to be without honor. You will resign."

"Companion?" asked Grelod confused but still glaring at her.

Daenerys punched Grelod in the face with her mailed fist. The old hag went flying back and fell to the ground. "Get up and fight! I want you to say two words: I quit." Daenerys kicked her while she was down.

The orphans started screaming and yelling with glee. "Hit her again!" "Companion!"

"You will say the words, or I will continue!" Daenerys kicked Grelod again as she tried to roll away.

"No! No! You can't! The Black-Briars! Maven! Stop!"

"The Black-Briars aren't here, Grelod, and this is a matter of honor. They have no say." Since Grelod wouldn't stand, Daenerys kicked her again. Grelod held out an arm and Daenerys felt it snap.

"Mercy!" begged Grelod. "Mercy please!"

"What mercy did you show these children?" Grelod wasn't moving much so Daenerys reached down and picked her up off the floor by the hair and pulled her upright. Grelod was taller than her, but was having trouble standing. "Say the words!"

"I quit! I quit!" screamed Grelod. "Just don't hit me anymore."

"Leave this place now. Do not pack your things. Never return."

Grelod staggered out of the room while children broke out into cheers of glee. "I can't believe it! Grelod is gone! She's really gone!" "Hurrah! Hurrah!" "We love you, Companion!" "Then she went pow to the mouth!" "Grelod the Kind is gone at last! We're saved!" "That was even better than the Dark Brotherhood."

Daenerys was amused by most of the children cheering her on. She had faced down dragons. Grelod was nothing but an old bully who picked on little kids. However, the mention of the Dark Brotherhood got her attention. "What was that about the Dark Brotherhood?"

The children got quiet fast and they all backed away from a little blonde-haired girl.

Daenerys realized she might have spoken too harshly, especially to these children. If anything Karliah had understated how poorly they were mistreated. She knelt down to put herself closer to their eye level. "I'm not going to hurt you. I was an orphan once, just like you. What's your name?"

The child did a passable curtsey. "Runa Fair-Shield, Companion ma'am. I didn't mean anything bad by it."

Fair-Shield? That was a compound name, probably a Nord clan name. "I understand, but what did you mean by the Dark Brotherhood?"

Runa answered hesitantly at first. "A little boy lived here, Aventus Aretino. He was nice but really quiet and sad because his mother just died. He ran away. He said he was going home to Windhelm and he was going to get some murderer people called the Dark Brotherhood to come here and kill Grelod. I was really hoping he did, but you punching her in the face was even better."

"And kicking her while she was down!" "And picking her up by her hair!"

"Thank you, Runa." She looked around at the children. "I need you all to listen. The Dark Brotherhood is bad. They're evil. Do you know the cost of calling the Dark Brotherhood?"

There was a lot of fearful headshaking and some muttering, but no one spoke up.

Daenerys wished she didn't. Karliah had filled her in on the details of the Black Sacrament along with the rumors that the Black-Briars had connections to the Dark Brotherhood. "You have to pray to Sithis and offer up a human heart. Whether or not the Dark Brotherhood comes, Sithis eats your soul, and you will never ever see Sovngarde."

There were gasps around the room. "I'm sorry." "I didn't know." "I'm sorrier."

"Shh, it's okay. I'm a hero of Jorrvaskr, and it is our job to uphold Nord honor and traditions throughout Skyrim. If you need a hero, that is where you go for help. Now, go play for a little while. Since I made Grelod leave, I have to take responsibility for making things right."

Daenerys stood up. Her followers were looking in from the doorway. She went over to join them and spotted the dark-haired orphan who had the bravery to question her as they walked from the fishery to the orphanage. "You lad, I never got your name, but look after the young ones for a while."

The boy bobbed his head up and down rapidly. "Yes, ma'am, er Lady, er Dragonborn. I will, but you should talk with Miss Michel. She's nice. Not like Grelod. She never locks people in the room unless Grelod makes her, and sometimes she sneaks us extra food."

"You can be sure I'll speak with Miss Michel. Go on now." Daenerys waited for the boy to leave before she turned her focus to Harrald Law-Giver. "Am I going to have trouble with your mother about this?"

Harrald shook his head. "No, I heard with my own ears how she was treating the children, and you are a Companion. It was a matter of honor. Maven, on the other hand, has a temper. She won't like you meddling in her affairs like this."

Daenerys shrugged. "So be it. I will do what is right, not what is easy." She beckoned Val over to her. "Val, do you feel up to giving another piggy-back ride? I need you to go back to camp and bring Aana here. She's raised three children of her own. She can manage things here until something permanent can be worked out."

Val nodded. "I'll go get her. Maybe you could make it permanent. She's a decent cook, but she is lame and too old to be wandering Skyrim."

Daenerys smiled. "That is an excellent idea if she is agreeable. Off with you."

"As you will." Val bowed to her and left.

Harrald sighed. "Maven isn't going to like that either."

"I don't care if Maven likes it or not. I care about the children. I bet Maven won't like what I'm going to do next even more." She gestured to everyone else. "All of you except Sofija split up and search this place. I want you to find the ledger for this place. Search Grelod's room top to bottom. See if there is a second ledger or a stash of coin. Anyone that cruel to children is probably crooked as well. I also want you to find me this Miss Michel."

"You don't have to look for me, I'm here." A woman stepped forward, obviously an Imperial by her features, her deeply tanned skin, and her dark hair. She looked like frightened deer, ready to bolt, yet she walked forward step by step. "It's Constance Michel. I was in the kitchen. The walls are thin. I heard it all. Are you going to beat me down as well, Companion?"

"Should I? I've heard you are nice, but you also knew that Grelod was at least a bully, and I suspect much worse. Are you just the kind hand while Grelod is the fist?"

"I don't know what you mean by that. I never thought the orphans deserved to be treated the way that Grelod treated them. They're just children. They do need a firm hand sometimes. I think they just wore her down and she became bitter. I would like to stay and help, even if I have to work for this Aana woman that you're putting in charge."

"Well then, I'm sure you know everything that has been going on around here. This place has secrets. Speak them now. Otherwise, I can only believe that you were a willing party to everything that went on here."

Constance Michel looked down at her feet. She took a deep breath and looked back up. "I didn't agree with many things, but jobs are scarce here in Riften. Grelod was in charge. I didn't have a choice."

"There is always a choice, Constance." She knew that she had little right to judge this woman. In her dreams she still heard the tolling of the bells and the screams as King's Landing burned. "Sometimes we don't make the right choice. We choose what we want or what is easy. Then we have to live with that forever. Here is your chance, Constance. Make your choice."

Constance nodded her head and started to speak. It was worse than Karliah believed. Young mothers who dropped off their children in the night – no questions asked. Meals withheld for the smallest infraction. Children shackled to the wall in dark closets for more than a day without food or water. Children whipped and beaten until they bled. Two children beaten until they couldn't walk. The money from the children working paid for the food many times over, but they had to pay rent to the Black-Briars. A child hired for a day to the Ratcatchers' Guild who didn't come back because he was eaten by skeevers. Teenagers sold as thralls to various nobles to work their lands. Pretty boys and girls sold to the brothels. Smaller children sold to the Ratcatchers' Guild. Constance called it a finder's fee, but she said it in a sarcastic manner that revealed she knew it was wrong. She also knew the money coming in didn't match the money going out."

"You have to understand," said Constance through tears, "That as bad as it sounds it was still better than the streets. These children have nowhere else to go. Some of them get out. Gods bless Bolli. More of them become fishermen than anything else. Some end up working in Maven's meadery. I tried to make it better for them. I did. I'm not a knight in shining armor like you, so I helped in little ways." She lifted her head up. "Judge me as you will, Companion."

"You may be Imperial by blood, but you just showed you have the heart equal to any Nord. I leave your judgment to the gods, for I find your deeds honorable."

"Truly? I… Thank you, Companion. I should go see to the children now." She headed off to the room with all the beds.

"Lady Targaryen," said Harrald formally once Constance left. "I know you are angry. It shows on your face. Your fury is righteous. What Grelod did was a stain on the honor of every true Nord. It will bring shame on Clan Black-Briar because they sponsored this orphanage. They should not have let it happen. That this place is called Honorhall makes me sick, but I think you are making a mistake searching for the ledgers."

Daenerys eyed Harrald suspiciously. Was he just trying to cover for the Black-Briars? "Explain it to me."

"While what Grelod did was dishonorable, none of it was illegal. When Maven started this orphanage, my mother declared the matron of the orphanage to be the guardian for all the orphans within it. So Grelod was legally their guardian. Parents and guardians have no limits on how they discipline their children. That's a matter of honor, not law. As for the ledgers, are you looking into the finder's fees? And selling children as thralls?"

"Yes," agreed Daenerys. "And also to see whether Grelod and Maven made gold from selling these orphans."

"I thought as much." He sighed. "Parents and guardians are allowed to sell their children as thralls. It's not even that uncommon in the Rift. If a family has too many mouths to feed and can't arrange a marriage or an apprenticeship, selling their child as a thrall may be the best they can do. The child gets a patron, a place to live, and food. The parents get some gold to live upon."

Daenerys frowned. Thralls in Skyrim were not quite the same as slaves in Essos or peasants in Westeros. However, from what she had the differences in law between slave, peasant, and thrall mattered less than how honorable was the man who owned them. From what she had observed in Skyrim thralls lived much like freeman. Their homes weren't as nice. They had to meet their quotas, but they were allowed to sell the surplus. They could save up their money and buy their freedom. Under law they could even buy the land they worked. Few ever saved enough to buy their way free. They spent what little coin they had, but it seemed little different from the taxes that peasants in Westeros paid and much better than slavery in most of Essos. "I wasn't aware that parents could sell their children. What about the brothels?"

"Selling your children is not honorable, but you can't eat honor. It happens, especially in Riften, and as for the brothels…" He paused clearly thinking it through. "Are you familiar with the Guild Act?"

Daenerys shook her head. It sounded like something she should know about, but this was still her first year in Tamriel. She couldn't learn everything overnight. "What is the Guild Act?"

"It's an old law. It goes back to the Second Era and it's the law that established guilds within the Empire. Anyone can make their own clothes, but if you want to set up a shop and sell the clothes that you make, then you have to belong to the Tailor's Guild. You can kill your own rats, but if you hire someone, they have to belong to the Ratcatchers' Guild. And, any whore can sell herself on a street corner or in a tavern, but you have to belong to the Prostitutes' Guild to work in a brothel."

Daenerys could see where this was going and she didn't like it. She waved at Harrald to hurry it up. "I understand that much. Continue."

"For prestigious guilds, like the Blacksmith's Guild, you need a sponsor and the parents usually have to pay a hefty apprenticeship fee. Other guilds, like the Ratcatchers' Guild and the Prostitutes' Guild pay the parents a finder's fee to apprentice their child. It's not illegal, just… dishonorable. If it is any consolation, the Prostitutes' Guild does look after their own. They're not common whores. They have to pay steep guild fees, but they get paid. They can also work their way up the ranks, even become a madame of their own brothel if they're ambitious enough."

Daenerys heard what Harrald was saying and she hated that it was allowed, that it was legal, even if it was dishonorable. She had been bought and sold, too. The words of Viserys came back to her, "I'd let his whole khalasar fuck you if need be, sweet sister, all forty thousand men and their horses too if that was what it took to get my army." She clenched her fists within her gauntlets and held back the angry words she wanted to scream in Harrald Law-Giver's face, no she wanted to Shout Yol-Toor-Shul at him and fry him where he stood. She breathed in and out, slow and deep, calming herself. "I understand. What happened here was legal. It lacked honor. I still want to see the ledger. I still want to see where the money went. Maven Black-Briar is not a poor parent with too many mouths to feed. She is a noble, so I cannot call challenge on her as a Companion, but if she made money off the suffering of these children, I will make her deeds known to the world."

Harrald looked like a scolded child, head drooping down. "I hear you, Lady Targaryen. I offer my apologies if I offended you. I also urge you not to make accusations without proof."

"This situation offends me, Harrald." She took another slow deep breath. "You did what a good advisor should and offered me counsel. I will be having my quartermaster review any ledgers we find."

Searching the orphanage didn't take very long. Some of the evidence was damning. There were three small rooms barely more than closets with bloodstained shackles. Constance Michel produced a ledger, but they couldn't find a second. However, they did find a loose floorboard under the bed in Grelod's room. Hidden beneath the floorboard was a large bag with more than two hundred septims in it. Daenerys flipped through the ledger and found line items listed as finder's fee and bondage price, but there were no names mentioned. However, she wasn't skilled at counting money. Daenerys handed it to Faralda to be kept safe until Camilla could go over it.

While they were searching, some of the older children returned from Black-Briar Meadery and other jobs they worked during the day. All of them were excited to hear that Grelod was gone. They also wanted to know what would happen to them in the future. Daenerys explained that she would be leaving her sworn follower, Aana, in charge with Constance Michel supporting her until something permanent could be worked out. Fortunately, Val arrived with Aana before long. She immediately served the children dinner to calm them down and reassured them that the orphanage would still be their home.

Once Daenerys was satisfied that Honorhall Orphanage was under control she called her people together. "I would be tempted to stay longer, but I have been invited to dinner with Clan Snow-Shod. I'm planning to head there now." She looked over to Harrald. "Will you be accompanying me?"

Harrald shook his head. "I must go tell my mother what happened here. The Black-Briars are her strongest allies. She needs to know what happened."

"Interesting. She is not too indisposed to interrupt when it impacts the Black-Briars, but she couldn't even meet with me today."

"This is an emergency," replied Harrald but he looked away from her gaze.

"Is it? Your mother can send a hundred men to fetch me but then makes me wait. However, when it impacts the Black-Briar Clan, then it is an emergency. Go, Harrald Law-Giver. You have made it clear where the priorities lie in Riften."

Harrald floundered for several moments before he fell back on propriety. "Lady Targaryen, I am sorry that I have given offense. I did enjoy showing you the city. I would remind you that my mother is planning to throw a feast in your honor tomorrow. However, duty calls and I must go." Harrald left through the door at a quick march.

Daenerys wasn't sorry to see him go. She was fairly certain that he had been blind to Maven Black-Briar's corruption, but he had been quick to make excuses for her. Although, it seemed his eyes were starting to open. That might make him more useful in the future, but for now she had other business.

She looked around her followers. "Smile everyone. What happened here was horrible, but remember: the witch was driven out and the orphans will be treated right in the future. Good has triumphed over evil. Now, we've all been invited to a feast courtesy of Clan Snow-Shod. Let's go dine on their food, drink their mead, and brag how we brought honor to Honorhall!"

That shook off the gloom off most of her people. Sophia pumped her fist in the air and let out a whoop. Val gave out a big booming laugh. Barbas barked enthusiastically. Even Lydia the Glum smiled.

Daenerys led everyone outside. Due to the long summer days of Skyrim the sun was up despite the late hour. Perhaps because of the time, there surprisingly only a few onlookers shouting for her attention. Some of them were the same as had been trailing before, but she waved at them anyway as they pushed forward.

With no warning whatsoever she felt a harsh stabbing pain in her neck. She staggered on her feet and fell on her ass. Her hands flew up searching for the source of the pain and she found an arrow sticking out of her neck. People were yelling and screaming. Barbas was barking. She was screaming. She smelled blood and realized it was her own. Three Dragonguard carrying tower shields rushed forward and linked shields. They tilted them up and stood over her.

Suddenly Sofija was above her. "I have to get the arrow out. I'm sorry." Sofija grabbed hold of the arrow and ripped it out.

Daenerys screamed again, but as much as it hurt was fading. She felt dizzy and weak. She pulled for her magic, her hand weakly flailing for her amulet of Talos, but her mailed hand just scratched the hard skysteel of her breastplate. She felt so cold. She tasted blood. Someone was over her. Was that Jon Snow? No. It was Sofija…