Chapter 33

It had been a week since Bo and Naz had left High Hrothgar. When Jane wasn't studying her ass off trying to learn as many spells as she could muster, she spent a portion of time each day trying to rehabilitate her shoulder. Her healing process was painfully slow; the muscles had been torn to shreds and so gaining back mobility was a slow process.

Lynne would oversee her exercise, making sure Jane didn't overdo it. They'd start with some light stretches in which Jane would only lift her arm up around halfway before it became too painful. Some days she'd be able to lift it up a little higher, and sometimes it was too much. However, the more she did it the more it improved.

One evening, Jane and Lynne were sitting by the fireplace. Jane dropped her arm back in her lap with a huff and accepted the vial from Lynne's outstretched hand. She popped the cork off and downed the contents in one gulp.

"This is so annoying," Jane groaned, and she leaned back in her chair.

She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing the potion to wash over her aching muscles.

"I know Jane, but it's necessary. If we don't do things slowly you might never be able to use that shoulder properly again."

"I know," Jane grumbled.

She was more frustrated with herself. Jane had known a Frost Troll encounter was probable but had done nothing to change the outcome whatsoever. Because of her lack of judgment, she had paid the price.

It was evening, and they had spent the greater part of the day out in the snowy courtyard practicing conjuration. Jane could now confidently summon a Flame Atronach and had also added a bound bow to her growing list of spells. She found summoning the bow easy but using it was an entirely different ordeal. Her shoulder prevented her from actually using the weapon, but she was happy for now just knowing she could conjure it, and so Jane mostly focused on non-weapon related magic while she was in recovery.

Once Jane was too tired to continue, the women had retired to their room for the rest of the night. As always, they would nod respectfully to any Greybeards they encountered in the hall. Most of the time they never saw anyone besides the cooks in the kitchen, and occasionally they'd greet Arngeir in passing.

They ate a light meal and then sat near the fireplace to do some stretches. Eventually, Jane grew too frustrated to continue, and she stared moodily at the fire, lost in her own thoughts.

A question suddenly entered her brain. She had been thinking back to her time at Nightgate Inn and remembered something odd Naz had said about Lynne.

"Lynne?"

"Yes, Jane?"

"Can I ask you something?"

Lynne folded the corner of the page she had been reading and closed her book. She turned her icy blue gaze towards Jane and nodded.

"Of course."

"Remember when we were back in Nightgate Inn and Naz said something weird... something like we should ask you what your job was before becoming a healer?"

Lynne frowned, and she looked down at the floor.

"Uh... yeah... I remember."

"What did you do before becoming a healer?"

"I-I'd rather not say, Jane."

Jane wasn't swayed. She had an inkling suspicion about what Lynne's former occupation was, but she kept it to herself.

Even if she was... I still love her.

"I really don't think there's anything you could say that would change how I feel about you," Jane responded lightly.

Lynne's brows furrowed together, and she idly twirled a strand of her white-blonde hair between her fingers while she contemplated everything. She had confessed her dark past to Naz, and he had accepted her. She wasn't so sure she'd have the same luck with anyone else.

"I'm not proud of who I used to be," Lynne started quietly.

Her voice was barely a whisper, but Jane listened intently.

"I was uh... well... It's embarrassing to say but I used to be a Dark Brotherhood agent."

"An Assassin?"

"Yeah," Lynne sighed, and she shrugged. "At the time I didn't think anything of it, taking lives. I used to chalk it up to the fact that if I didn't do it, somebody else would..."

"Interesting."

Lynne glanced nervously at Jane, trying to judge her reaction. Jane simply smiled and Lynne didn't know how to respond.

"You've turned your life around now, that's all that matters."

"I guess."

"Is there something wrong?"

Jane watched as Lynne gazed at the fire happily cackling away in the hearth, and her thoughts were far away for a moment before she nodded.

"I left the Brotherhood almost a year ago but they've been hounding me this whole time."

"Really?" Jane responded, curious.

She wondered how far Lynne had gotten in the timeline, or if that was even relevant.

"Yeah. A member betrayed the Guild and almost everyone died. I took off after that and haven't returned."

"I see. What are you going to do about it?"

"I haven't decided yet. It's really starting to get on my nerves but... I've been focusing on keeping up with you and Bo. You're more important."

"Is there something they need help with?"

Lynne nodded again, and played with the hem of her robe, feeling uncomfortable that she was having such a nonchalant discussion with Jane about being a killer.

"There's supposedly a very important contract that Nazir is insisting only I can carry out."

"Were you in a high position?"

"Sort of, but... since everyone is gone I'm assuming he's started over from scratch and they're all novices. But I don't understand why he won't just do it himself."

"Hmm."

Jane thought about what the contract could be, and then it dawned on her.

It's probably to murder the Emperor.

"Well, you know..."

The Nord turned her head towards Jane, and they stared at each other for a moment.

"If you ever want to go and uh... tie up loose ends, I'm sure we could manage."

"Thanks, Jane... for everything."

Tears pricked at Lynne's eyes, and she hastily turned her head away but not before Jane noticed. She sniffled quietly, and a moment later Jane was sitting in her lap.

"I-I'm fine," Lynne laughed, and she wrapped her arms around Jane with a squeeze. "Honest."

"You can't be strong all the time, Lynne."

Suddenly a wave of anxiety washed over her, and Lynne couldn't help but cry. Small sobs escaped her lips as she clutched at Jane's tunic and cried into her shoulder. Jane softly stroked her hair, and she murmured quietly.

"You're an amazing healer, Lynne. And Naz is so lucky to have a partner like you. You're doing so good."

"T-Thank you, Jane."

Lynne let out a shaky breath and pulled away with a small smile. Jane reached up and brushed at her tear-stained cheeks before leaning down to plant a kiss on her pale forehead.

"I don't know where my family is, and for all they know, I'm dead. You're like a big sister to me."

"I feel the same way," Lynne laughed softly. "I never knew my family, so you... Bo, and Naz are all I've got. Hell, even Ahmon is like a little brother."

Jane chuckled, and then she stifled a yawn.

"Are you tired?"

"A bit."

Jane got up off of Lynne's lap and the two women began getting ready for bed.

"You're doing so well with your studies, I'm really proud of you."

Jane grinned as she slipped her boots off and then shimmied under the blankets with a content sigh.

"Thanks, Lynne. I'm trying not to go crazy waiting for our Orcs to return."

Lynne slipped under the covers and after putting the candles out she settled down onto her side, facing Jane. She laid her head down and tucked the blanket under her chin.

"I know," Lynne sighed quietly. "I hope they're doing alright."

"I'm sure they're two of the strongest Orcs out there but I can't help but worry."

"I worry too. It's not just regular enemies they're up against, now there's Dragons roaming the skies."

"It's surreal, isn't it? The Dragons returning."

"I didn't believe it when I first heard," Lynne mumbled, and she yawned. "But that quickly changed when we saw one that night in Whiterun."

"They're terrifying."

"They really are."

Eventually, they both drifted to sleep with lingering thoughts of Dragons and Orcs. They slept soundly until the next morning and once again started up the now familiar routine.

Naz and Bo took almost three weeks to reach Riverwood. Their travels were slowed down considerably due to only having one horse, and so they walked the rest of the way. They had considered riding on the horse together, but one look at Naz told Bo that the horse would have been under too much pressure from both of their weights.

So, they had continued on foot, with the horse trailing several paces behind them. They didn't need to hold the reigns as it followed obediently without being told. Bo thought about what he was going to say to Ahmon if they met again since they were his horses to begin with. However, he was more concerned about how the meeting with Ulfric had gone, and if the young Nord was alright.

It was a mild afternoon when they reached the small town of Riverwood. It was an idyllic little place situated just along the banks of the White River. Bo had frequented the town many times before, and he was happy to see that things appeared exactly the same as he remembered. As soon as they reached the Inn Naz took their horse towards the stables, and Bo wandered up the steps to The Sleeping Giant Inn.

A woman pushed open the door just as Bo was opening it. An older Breton woman stepped out, and Bo hastily stepped back so they did not collide.

"S-sorry," Bo mumbled quietly.

"No worries."

The woman continued making her way down the stairs and Bo quickly walked inside the Inn to see if there were any rooms available.

"Two?"

"Please."

Orgnar nodded, and he watched Bo counted out the appropriate gold.

"You haven't been here in a while, keeping busy?"

"Oh, yeah... pretty busy."

"Been hearing about Dragon's nowadays," the Nord continued as he fished out two keys for the Orc. "You run into any?"

Bo's dark expression was enough for Orgnar to understand.

"Rough, huh? Well, here you go, just let somebody know when you want a bath drawn up."

"Thanks," Bo sighed, and he picked up the keys. "I appreciate it."

Bo waited for Naz to arrive since he had his room key. He stood off to the side with a tired expression. He was in desperate need of a bath and was beyond hungry. Hunting for their food and proved more troublesome than Bo had been expecting and he hadn't eaten since the night before.

A few minutes later Naz entered the Inn and glanced around. He spotted Bo across the way and strode up to him. Bo noticed an envelope in his hands.

"Got us rooms?"

"Yep. What's that?"

"Oh this," Naz grunted, and he laughed. "It's a letter addressed to you. I guess the courier thought I was Bo Gro Graul. I gave him a good scare."

Naz handed him the letter. Bo didn't recognize the handwriting, but he waited until he was in his room to read it.

"Here's your key. I'm gonna wash up..."

"Me too," Naz growled softly, and he wrinkled his nose. "We stink. I'll meet you later."

"Okay."

Bo wandered back towards the rooms and found the one labeled three. Inside were a comfy looking bed, a small dresser and a tiny nightstand with a single candle resting in a little silver dish. Bo dropped his half-burned pack on the floor and groaned as he sat down on the edge of the bed. He rubbed his neck for a moment, his eyes closed. Then he opened them and glanced back down at the envelope. He quickly broke the nondescript wax seal and opened up the folded parchment.

My Friend,

I am writing this to you from Windhelm, although by the time it reaches you I won't be here anymore. Giving back the axe to Ulfric went smoothly, for the most part... but I don't trust him enough to spend another night here.

I met a beautiful Dark Elf and I'm taking her away from this snow-ridden nightmare. I didn't pledge myself to the Stormcloaks, and I made sure that Ulfric knew you are more than aware of what he did to Jane. He's quite a terrible man, by the way.

I am headed to Solitude immediately. I have no plans outside of that so if you need anything at all, please write me a letter and I'll come running. Give the girls a kiss from me and remind Naz he still owes me an ale next time we meet. Stay safe,

Ahmon

A grin spread across Bo's face as he finished reading Ahmon's letter. He was glad that the Nord had the smarts to get out of Windhelm as quickly as possible. He knew that Ulfric was a petty man, and he had been worried that Ahmon might have gotten wrapped up in his business too much. He was relieved to learn that Ahmon had decided against pledging himself to the Stormcloaks, and he was curious as to who the Elf was that he spoke fondly of.

His thoughts drifted to Jane. Bo sighed and placed the letter down before slowly getting up from the bed. He missed her terribly, and in so many different ways it made it almost impossible for him to sleep. Bo was exhausted and every night he longed to hold Jane in his arms. He wanted to kiss her and touch her, and just thinking about her got the Orc riled up. They had only coupled one time and since leaving his body burned with an even more intense desire. It was unlike anything he'd ever felt before, and it left him feeling frustrated despite periodically finding release.

Bo wandered back into the hall and found someone to draw him up a bath. When it was ready, he went back into his room to find a wooden tub filled with steaming hot water. He quickly stripped his damaged armor off and climbed into the bath, growling softly as the warmth soothed his aching muscle. A few rooms down, Naz had followed suit.

The Orcs soaked for a long time in their baths, then regathered once they were clean and dry to have dinner. Bo filled Naz in on the contents of the letter, and Naz was also relieved to hear that things had gone alright. Both of them were too tired to do anything else, and they retired back to their rooms for the rest of the night. Bo slept soundly for the first time in weeks, his dreams once again filled with Jane and Dragons.