Chapter Eight

The end of the month of Hearthfire found them at Castle Dour, Dar' ranting at Tullius and berating him for his men's actions against her at Darkwater Crossing and Helgen before using the blade Ulfric gave her to lop off his head. She followed him outside and listened to his speech, Inigo propping her up so she wouldn't collapse. The Nord noticed this, giving the Khajiit instructions to take her to rest. She passed out as soon as they were in the carriage, not remembering much before waking in her bed in Breezehome several days later, her friend helping her drink a potion. She glanced down, seeing she was wearing a set of plain clothes with her armor nearby. "Where..."

"Whiterun." Was the reply. "Arcadia mixed up a couple rejuvenation potions at her shop for you and Danica's been by as well."

Dar' slowly stood up, stretching her body before looking at him. "Thank you Inigo-it was smarter to come here than go to Lakeview. I actually need to go speak with Vignar about something." She went over to her wardrobe, looking through it and taking something out. "I've never noticed this." She said.

"Gift from Ulfric," was the reply. "Said the thane of any hold should look the part."

He left the room so she could change, watching her come out with a blush on her cheeks. "It suits you."

The outfit was blue with a pair of dark pants and brown fur over her shoulders with a short cloak. She braided her hair, leaving two areas she secured with strips of leather along the sides. She fastened a dagger made of Dragonbone to her hip before heading out, Inigo following after changing into some deep blue fine clothes and boots, taking his sword with him. They headed up the street, making quite the dashing pair, only to be stopped by Nazeem, the Redguard glaring at them. "Savages-out of the way. I swear..." he spat.

"Shut up." The male Khajiit shot back.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I said 'shut up'. Now, scurry away before I lose my temper."

"I don't have to take this from the likes of you."

Dar' covered her face with one hand as her companion growled at the man, sending him fleeing while calling for help. "I think he wet himself." She heard him say, lowering her hand and staring at him before looking over at the Stormcloak guard near the market, watching him shrug. "The man's a fool if he can't tell who you are to this city." He said, grinning at her. "We know better than to pick a fight with you-well, most of us do anyways. Got a couple new recruits, but the two of you should have no issues. Good day ma'am."

She nodded to him before the pair headed up the steps towards Dragonsreach, turning off to speak to Danica, who was sitting outside. "Thank you for all you've done my friend." She said, the Nord looking up. "Dar'Mora," came the reply. "Good to see you awake finally. We were starting to worry that you wouldn't."

Dar' handed her some gold for services rendered. "I don't think it's Kynareth's wish I die just yet-She has more for me to do before my final rest I think."

The woman chuckled softly, watching them go up the steps. "Kynareth guide those two...wherever they go." She murmured.

The Khajiit opened the door to Dragonsreach, letting her eyes adjust to the light within before moving off, waving to Farengar before approaching the throne and bowing. "Greetings my Jarl." She said, watching him look up and grin. "Dar'Mora," he said, looking at her. "What can I do for you?"

She exhaled, grabbing a chair and bringing it over before sitting down. "Vignar, you are aware of the circumstances as to why my parents left their farm correct-that the taxes levied by Balgruuf forced them out?"

"You are seeking repayment then?"

"Maybe a little. However, my main concern is the dark elf that's taken up residence in the old place. I would ask he be left alone."

Vignar grinned at her before taking a pouch of about 300 Septims. "Here Dar'Mora-I think this will cover it. Also..." he reached behind the chair and pulled out a blade. "Your thaneship is restored. This is Dovahfeyn-I had Eorlund do up something special."

Dar' put the coin away before taking the greatsword, looking over it before sighting the blade, a look of appreciation on her face. "Amazing. Never been one for a two-handed weapon beyond the bow, but I really should learn."

"If you can use that Dragonbone one I've seen you with, you shouldn't have too much trouble with this. Speaking of that, my brother wants to see what you forged-he's quite interested in taking a look."

She chuckled. "That's just like him-wants to see something new when he hears about it. I actually have a few pelts saved up I've been meaning to bring over-it'll make Lydia happy to get them out of Breezehome I bet." She smiled, remembering when she came up and showed him the repairs Oengul had done.

-*Flashback*-

"So, who'd you have work on my armor lass?" Eorlund Grey-Mane said after looking at her, watching her dig out some pelts from her bag and taking them after she held them out.

"It wasn't my doing Eorlund." Was the reply. "I had been injured and Jarl Ulfric took them to Oengul War-Anvil while I was unconscious."

She sighed as he looked over the repairs and reinforcements that been done and added, nodding. "You tell him he did a good job-I could tell by the work it wasn't your doing-you've never added extra to it. Have you given thought to new armor at all Dar'Mora?"

"I have actually," Dar' said. "Been thinking of going with Dragonscale-got quite a few saved up."

"That would be strong and flexible." The old smith said. "I'd love to see a set of that-hasn't been made in a very long time."

"Could you take a look at my bow Eorlund?" she asked, holding it out. "I think it might need to be restrung and the sight mount has been a bit loose."

He took it carefully, going over it before mending the sights and restringing the weapon. "You have a good eye Dar'-this was getting frayed. Might want to look into getting a new one at some point-I know it's special to you, but if you're going to be fighting with the Stormcloaks, you're going to want something stronger."

I'll take that under advisement." She replied, taking out some gold and watching him wave it off. "Fair trade my dear-the pelts for the work done."

-*End Flashback*-

Dar' grinned, slowly getting up and moving the chair back, slipping the sheath with the blade over her shoulder. "Thank you Vignar," she said, bowing slightly before she and Inigo left, heading for the inn for a drink. They spotted Nazeem down in the market as they passed the Gildergreen, watching him flee when he saw them. The white-furred Khajiit shook her head before heading for Arcadia's Cauldron and going inside. Arcadia looked up from what she was working on, smiling at her. "Good to see you my friend," she said, eyeing her. "I take it the potions helped?"

Inigo nodded. "I believe they did-between your potions and Danica's healing Dar' is on her way to a full recovery."

"I'm glad to hear..." they looked up as the door opened, one of the men looking ill. "Dar' could you get me a potion of cure disease from behind the counter?" The woman asked, watching her go and get the vial, removing the top and helping him drink before sitting him in a chair, her healing magic coming out and helping him.

"How are you feeling Drengar?" the Khajiit asked after finishing, remembering him from the battle here in Whiterun. "How did you get sick?"

"I was out in the rain last night," Drengar Whetted-Stone replied, looking at the owner of the shop. "But thanks to you Arcadia and Stormblade here," he grinned at the blush he got from his comrade. "I will be all right." He got up, setting some gold on the counter. "I'll be sure to recommend you should the others need a potion."

"I do sell more than just healing ones, should you require them." Came the reply as the trio watched him go. "I think we may have just made a convert." She added, explaining how the soldiers seemed to see her shop."

"He must have saw me come in and knew I wouldn't frequent a place like that." Dar' said, setting some gold down on the pile. "For the potions you made me."

"If you wish to make them yourself, it's just garlic, juniper berries and Nordic barnacle."

"Thank you Arcadia-I usually make up healing potions on my own, but those would be quite handy in a pinch."

"What do you use for your potions if I might ask?"

"Wheat, blue mountain flowers and swamp fungal pods if I need a bit of shock resistance. It's a bit strange, I know, but useful when going up against Dwarven automations-they tend to shock you."

"Interesting-I'll have to keep that grouping in mind." She waved to them as they left, looking at the wares in the market. "Hello Dar'," Carlotta Valentina said, watching her come over. The Khajiit smiled gently at her, grinning as her daughter Mila hugged her, the little girl staring up at Inigo shyly. He chuckled, patting her head gently and causing her to giggle as his companion bought some fruit, handing her some coin as her purchases were put into a basket that she took gratefully, moving off after the little girl moved away, getting some meat from Anoriath. "How have your hunts been?" she asked, watching him grin. "Been going well," was the reply. "Good to see you back out and around Dar'-how have you been doing?"

"I've been all right-resting up at the moment."

"So I've heard. Good to see you up and about though. Oh, and my brother has those arrows you ordered-you may want to stop over and see him over at the Huntsman before he decides to sell them."

Dar' chuckled, leading the way down the hill before heading up the steps and into the shop mentioned, the Bosmer male behind the counter glancing up before the three of them heard a yelp. "Nazeem's going to be like that for a while." She said. "He managed to piss off Inigo earlier. I was told you had my arrows in Elrindir?"

Elrindir reached under the counter, pulling out a bundle of arrows. "Here you are-5 score of Dragonbone Arrows-all from that one bone you gave me-it was interesting to work with to be honest." He slipped them into the quiver he had made for them, watching her stare before paying over the rest of the fee for them, along with a bit extra before drawing one out, eyeing the saw-toothed three-pronged tip before sighting the shaft. "These will go well with my new bow." She said, nodding in appreciation." Thank you Elrindir-these should keep me for quite a while."

"It was my brother's idea for the tips-any bandit that gets hit by one of those is going to feel it."

The Khajiit grinned. "It's a good choice-thank you my friend." She headed out with Inigo following. "They are certainly impressive." He said as they entered Breezehome and she set them down along with her basket, Lydia looking at it. "Ah, I can make some stew with this." The Nord woman said. "I do have to ask, those pelts you have drying..."

"Will be going to Eorlund," came the reply. "Unless you wanted a few."

"I did actually-one of the white sabre cat and that cave bear pelt."

She smiled. "They're yours my dear-and thank you for putting up with them." Dar' sat down, falling deep into thought before the stew was served. "Has everything been all right at the new place?" her housecarl asked, watching her look up. "It's been well-Rayya watches over everything for me. It's just nice to have a home here so I'm not having to stay at the inn."

"What are your plans now?"

"I should go see the Greybeards-so that'll be our next destination. Or I could go speak to that Nord in Riften-he wanted to talk to me."

"I'd go see what the Greybeards want first," was the reply. "But that's my opinion. You'll have to head over to Ivarstead. There's also the Companions here in Whiterun-they're looking for new members."

"We'll need supplies for the journey to Ivarstead-that's going to require us going through Helgen and the Jerall Mountains." Dar' got up and checked her pack by the door, grumbling. "I have some of the meat you left here set to go." Lydia said, watching her look up gratefully. "Thank you my friend." Was the reply as she headed upstairs, Inigo letting out a sigh. "I'll make sure she doesn't do anything rash Lydia." He intoned, heading up to change into his armor. They came down after 15 minutes, the housecarl having not only gotten their packs ready, but having folded up the pelts for her to take up to Eorlund, tying them so they were easier to carry. The female Khajiit grinned at her, lifting up the bundle after slipping on her pack. "You are good to me." She said before leaving, heading up to the Skyforge. The old smith blinked at the pelts that were brought up, watching her set them down. "Here my friend," she said before he circled her, eyeing the armor she was wearing before taking her bow, sighting it. "This is impressive Dar'Mora," he said, handing the weapon back and watching her holster it. "You did a fine job on the armor as well-it's a thing of beauty." He handed her some gold for the pelts after untying the bundle and looking them over. "You always have good quality furs Dar'-I don't know how you do it. Some of these I'll take home-I've been wanting to make a fur cloak for Fralia."

Dar' smiled, putting the coin away before waving to him and heading out with Inigo. "High Hrothgar, here we come..." she murmured, the other Khajiit grinning.

(A.N.: Dovahfeyn means 'Dragon's Bane')