Chapter 45
A group of travelers rode across the golden plains of Whiterun. Their horse's hooves thundered against the ground as they galloped towards a small mountainous area. They needed no road, for they knew exactly where they were going, and the band quickly cut up a small hill, taking a shortcut to Riverwood.
A woman sat atop a thick brown stallion and a tall Orc sat behind her. He clenched the reins and snapped them once, urging his steed up the steep hill. They had made good time cutting directly across the Whiterun hold and had reached their destination in less than a month.
It hadn't been the smoothest trip. They had encountered not one but two Dragons along the way. However, the women were there this time around and taking down the massive beasts had been far easier than before. They were a deadly sufficient group. Jane would relentlessly fire arrow after arrow at the Dragon's thick hide whenever it was in the air and Lynne skillfully aimed huge bolts of lightning from a safe distance as well. Jane could conjure up a small army of Atronachs with ease and they also helped greatly.
Once the Dragon landed the two Orcs would take charge, hacking and slashing at the beast while the women continued their assault from afar. It was a good strategy and nobody got terrible hurt in the process so long as they remembered to run whenever it opened its mouth. Scratches and bruises were small prices to pay for the triumph of defeating the Dragon and Bo would absorb its soul as usual.
Three horses fired up the slope and passed through a deep ridge in the mountain onto the other side. Below, Jane could see the small village of Riverwood from where she was sitting. She gawked down at the valley with wide eyes, soaking in the beautiful sight, and Bo chuckled when he glanced down at her.
"Nice, isn't it?"
"It's beautiful."
Jane idly fingered the amulet that hung down from her neck, and she smiled as the horse began to descend down a small winding trail towards Riverwood. She had received the necklace from Bo just before they left Largashbur. It was an amulet of Julianos. Bo had explained to her that he wasn't particularly knowledgeable when it came to the Divines but he knew it had an enchantment to fortify the wearer's magicka. Jane had been completely touched by the gift and had promptly burst into tears when he placed it around her neck. Her reaction completely flustered the poor Orc and he immediately apologized. He forgot that Jane cried when she was happy too.
The wind rushed past Jane's ears as the horses trotted across the small bridge located over a bubbling river and she gazed around the small village with a soft expression. She had always loved visiting Riverwood in the game and she felt something indescribable visiting it in person.
Bo quickly guided their horse towards the stables and dismounted. Jane followed a second later and she patiently waited for Bo to unstrap one of the packs off their saddle and hand it to her.
"You can go in and rent a room," Bo told her, and he placed a coin purse in her hand.
"Okay."
She slung the pack over her shoulder and began walking down the cobblestone road towards the Sleeping Giant Inn. Lynne followed just behind her and jogged to catch up.
"I'm anxious to meet this woman."
"Me too," Jane sighed, and she glanced up at the Nord. "I don't really know how to act."
"Me neither. It's probably best just to let Bo do most of the talking."
The women walked up the stairs to the Inn and Jane wrenched the door open with a small shrug.
"I guess so."
The inside of the Inn was set up in the typical Nord style. A huge fire roared in a pit in the center of the room and several long wooden benches were occupied by various patrons of various races. An Argonian gave her a curious glance and Jane politely nodded her head before making her way towards the front counter. A tall Nord man with dark brown hair stood behind the counter and he smiled when they approached.
"What can I do for ya?"
"We'd like to rent two rooms please. Double beds if they're available."
"Fifteen gold each and they're yours for the night."
Lynne and Jane were silent for a moment as they both counted out the appropriate gold and handed it to Orgnar. He tucked the gold away under the counter and produced two sets of keys.
"To your left. First and second doors."
"Thanks..."
Jane's voice trailed off as she spotted Delphine standing near the large room located to their right. She wore a plain dress and her hair had been swept into a loose ponytail. Their eyes met briefly and Jane hastily looked away. She wasn't supposed to know that was the woman they were here to meet.
A few minutes after Jane entered the room Bo appeared. He looked tense but he smiled when Jane drew closer.
"Delphine saw me. She wants to talk now so might as well get it over with."
"Okay. Do you want me to wait here?"
"Of course not," Bo replied quickly, and he brushed his fingers along her pale cheek. "You're my partner, and if she's unhappy about it well that's just too bad."
Jane grinned. She was proud of Bo for being assertive. The Orc leaned down and pressed his lips against hers for a long moment. When he pulled away his expression was despondent.
"Let's go."
Naz and Lynne stood in the main hall talking quietly to each other. Bo nodded at Naz and they all followed the Orc as he strode towards the room Jane had seen Delphine standing near earlier. They entered into the spacious bedroom and Bo immediately went towards the open wardrobe and disappeared inside.
"Woah," Lynne mumbled quietly, and she peered around the corner for a moment. "How sneaky."
The three others followed closely behind Bo and they entered into a wide room below the floor of the Inn. Delphine frowned as her eyes landed on the two women.
"These are too many ears," Delphine started, but Bo quickly cut her off.
"They know everything I do, so it's pointless to try and make them leave."
Delphine was silent for a long moment as she stared at Bo from across the table with a map of Skyrim on it. The tension in the air was thick. Then she let out a long breath and shrugged her shoulders.
"Alright then. I'm not here to argue."
"What is the plan?" Naz asked gruffly, and he leaned against the wooden post near the staircase.
"Here it is. There is a Thalmor Ambassador named Elenwen. She is the one who throws these big parties I was talking about. They're always filled with upper-class citizens of Skyrim..."
"You mean snooty nobles with too much money," Bo cut in.
He didn't look impressed. Jane remained silent as she listened to Delphine explain her plan.
"Exactly. They're probably drab, but that's not why we're going there. I have a man... a contact on the inside. I want you to meet with him in Solitude. While you're there I'll work on getting an official invite for Elenwen's next party."
"Solitude?" Jane chimed in, and Delphine regarded her with a stony expression. "Where in Solitude?"
"The Winking Skeever Inn. His name is Malborn."
"How do you know we can trust this Malborn?" Naz growled.
"Trust me," Delphine replied with a small snort. "That man wants nothing more than to get revenge on the Thalmor. They killed his entire family back in Valenwood... he has every reason to want to help us."
"Wanting to help and actually helping are two different things," Lynne spoke quietly.
"Look, I'm not here to fight with all of you. This is my plan. I'll get Bo into the party and that's how the infiltration will go. Got any better ideas?"
Everyone was silent. They glanced at one another with mixed expressions.
"Fine," Bo responded finally, and he turned away from the table. "If anything goes wrong... you know who I'll be coming after first."
"Is that a threat?" Delphine replied quickly, and her eyes narrowed.
"It is."
Bo's back was towards them. Jane couldn't see his face but she knew he was barely controlling his frustration. He didn't like that he'd be going almost completely blind into the Embassy with only a stranger on the inside to help him out.
"I am putting my life in your hands by doing as you ask of me. Infiltrating a Thalmor Embassy is like voluntarily walking into a cave filled with trolls."
"I'm not taking this lightly" Delphine huffed angrily, and she crossed her arms. "I am taking your safety very seriously. I didn't throw this plan together in a day."
Bo moved towards the staircase and he then glanced back at Jane. He reached out his hand towards her and she took it. She smiled when he squeezed it gently and began walking up the stairs.
"Just remember what I said."
Naz and Lynne followed closely behind. Naz was thoroughly impressed with the young Orc and he made sure Bo knew it as soon as they were out of earshot of the Breton. The group clambered into one bedroom and Bo sat down on the bed with a small sigh.
"That was good," Naz growled, and he was smiling. "You're too soft sometimes. She will walk all over you unless you put your foot down."
"Thanks," Bo mumbled quietly.
Jane stood close beside Bo and she gently rubbed his shoulder. She wasn't really sure how to handle this side of Bo, but she decided to take it in stride. He was an Orc and more importantly a person capable of many different emotions. She knew he couldn't act sweet all the time and she never expected it from him, especially with the enormous amount of pressure he was under.
"I think it'll be alright," Jane spoke softly, trying to comfort Bo, if only a little.
"I hope so. If I'm caught..."
"Let's not think like that," Lynne responded quickly, and she glanced up at Naz. "Why don't we all wash up and then have some dinner, okay?"
Everyone perked up at the idea of a hot bath and meal. Naz and Lynne left the couple and returned to their room to wash up while Jane wandered into the main hall to fetch a servant. When the tub was filled with steamy hot water she helped Bo undress and then he climbed into the tub with a soft growl. The wooden tub was deep but too narrow for both of them to fit but Jane was content to sit beside it and chat with the sullen Orc while he soaked. She helped wash his back and shoulders and scrubbed his hair. Jane made sure to spend a lot of time massaging his scalp and neck so that by the time Bo was ready to get out of the bath he was visibly more relaxed than before.
Jane also took a quick bath and then the couple got dressed and found an empty table in the dining hall. Lynne and Naz were nowhere to be seen so they ordered a couple bottle of ales and chatted quietly as they sat close together on the wooden bench. Their thighs touched and more than once Jane reached over and rubbed Bo's arm with a smile, trying to keep the mood light. Bo was very receptive, and he slung his arm around Jane's shoulders with a smile on his lips. He kissed the side of her head and then took a swig of his ale. They both quietly listened to the bard that began to strike up a tune in the corner of the room near the front doors until Lynne and Naz resurfaced.
Lynne spotted the couple first and she tugged on Naz's tunic. They walked over to the table and sat down. Both of them looked nice and refreshed.
"Did you order dinner yet?"
"No," Jane replied. "We weren't sure when you'd be out."
Bo waved down a servant girl and ordered four meals and some more ale. While they waited the couples talked lightly, trying not to dwell too hard on Bo's upcoming task. Bo drank a little more than he usually would but not so much he was drunk. He ate with great enthusiasm and was content to listen to Jane and Lynne murmur about random things while he finished his third bottle of ale.
Outside, great big rain clouds had rolled into the valley. Thunder echoed all around and the wind had been begun to pick up as well. It hadn't started raining yet but the horses stamped their foot nervously in anticipation of the storm. Inside, most of the patrons were unaware, including the two couples sitting in the dining hall.
Eventually, his tiredness won over and Bo leaned in close to Jane's ear.
"I'm gonna fall asleep at the table," he mumbled sleepily.
Jane chuckled. She began to stand up from the bench and Bo followed suit. His eyes were half shut and he quickly grabbed Jane's hand and began to stride towards their bedroom.
"Goodnight!" Jane hastily called back.
"Goodnight," Lynne responded with an amused expression.
They reached their bedroom and Bo quickly kicked his boots off and pulled the covers back. He laid down on the bed with a sigh, his eyes closed. Jane almost thought he was asleep but when she joined him a minute later he tightly wrapped his arms around her and let out a deep breath.
"You drank quite a bit tonight," Jane commented.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be sorry," Jane responded softly.
Bo was silent for a moment. His thoughts almost spiraled out of control but Jane's soft touch kept him grounded. Her head rested against his chest and she tenderly rubbed his arm. She knew how upset he was over the whole Thalmor ordeal and wished she could make Bo feel better.
"I just wish I had better answers. I feel like I'm swimming under water but can't reach the surface."
"I know it's hard, Bo. I'm sorry I can't be of more help."
"Don't say that," Bo growled softly, and he clenched Jane's arm. "I'd be even more frustrated if I didn't have you to hold each night."
"Okay," Jane responded lightly.
She turned her head and kissed Bo's chest. She heard the Orc sigh and his arms relaxed as he began to fall asleep. Jane closed her eyes and after a little while of listening to Bo's steady heartbeat, she was lulled to sleep as well.
Naz and Lynne laid in bed but there weren't asleep. Lynne laid on her side with her back to the Orc and his muscular body was pressed against her backside with one arm lazily wrapped around her waist. He growled softly while Lynne stroked his arm and they couldn't resist talking about the topic of Delphine.
"Are we making a mistake trusting her?" Naz asked quietly.
"I'm not sure," Lynne responded with a sigh. "I want to trust her but I'm worried about this plan of hers. I don't know if Bo can succeed."
"I didn't want to say it but I feel the same way. I'm not sure if Bo is the right person to be going to this party."
Lynne silently chewed on her lip while she mulled things over. Behind her, Naz's eyes were closed but his hand moved up to cup her breast through the fabric of her tunic.
"I would volunteer but I'm shit at parties."
Lynne couldn't help but smile as Naz groped her for a moment and she sucked in a deep breath as his thick hand began traveling downwards. She shivered as he slipped underneath the hem of her pants and a moment later his fingers found her sweet spot. Naz began to stroke her, lightly at first, and then faster as Lynne became more flustered. She bucked her hips as he pleasured her and Lynne pressed her buttocks against Naz's groin with a small moan. The Orc growled as his body reacted to her movement. His lips trailed along her round ear and he softly bit her lobe.
"Fuck!" Lynne cried out softly.
Her body suddenly stiffened and then trembled as she came. Lynne clenched her thighs around Naz's hand and he rubbed her lightly as she rode out her climax with a smug grin. He never used to be too interested in pleasing a woman when he was younger but with Lynne, all he wanted to do was make her orgasm, either with his hands or mouth. Often he didn't need it to be reciprocated. However, Lynne was also eager to please and so as often as Naz gave he also received.
Fueled by his desire Naz hastily retracted his hand and began fumbling with the strings to his breeches. Once his throbbing member was free he shoved Lynne's soft cotton pants down, revealing her soft round butt. Lynne rolled her body so she was nearly laying on her stomach and spread her legs. He quickly found her slick folds and guided his cock inside of her. A ragged moan escaped his lips as he entered Lynne in one go. She gasped and then grabbed at the edge of the bed with one hand. Her eyes were squeezed shut as Naz began thrusting into her from behind. This was a position they had never explored before but Lynne realized that she found it incredibly arousing. She moaned Naz's name and he reached around with one hand underneath her tunic and teased her nipples while they both panted for air.
A minute later the Orc snarled and his mouth clamped hard around the supple skin of Lynne's neck as he came. Naz's thighs trembled as he emptied his seed deep inside of Lynne and a moment later she came a second time. She squirmed and moaned beneath him. Their sweaty bodies pressed against each other, and she was vaguely aware that Naz was biting her but it didn't sink in.
After a few minutes, Naz slowly pulled out and rolled onto his back. Lynne reached up to touch her neck and when she pulled it back her fingers were stained red.
"Naz..."
"Yeah?" Naz grumbled sleepily. He was completely spent.
"Do you realize you bit me?"
The Orc's eyes shot open and he shot up in the bed. Lynne slowly sat up as well and lit the candle that was resting in a small silver dish nearby. Naz's eyes widened as they landed on Lynne's bloody neck. He was completely shocked.
"Oh Gods... Lynne, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," Lynne murmured sleepily.
She realized Naz was practically freaking out at the sight of her being wounded and she quickly tried to diffuse the situation.
"I didn't even feel it, honest."
"I-I almost never do that," Naz explained thickly. "It's something that Orcs do but it's been so long..."
Naz groaned. Guilt washed over him despite the fact Lynne had said it was alright. He sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands while Lynne stood up and fished out a potion from her pack. When she was finished cleaning the wound she tipped the contents of the vial back and cast a strong healing spell.
"Naz."
Naz didn't move. Lynne sighed and sat down on the bed beside him.
"Naz. Please."
Finally, he looked at her. His eyes glanced down to the fresh scar that remained on her pale skin. The red bite marks stood out like a bright beacon and he struggled not to look away again.
"You said it's an Orc thing, will you explain it to me?"
"It's... Orcs call it marking," Naz grunted, and he felt awkward having to explain strange Orc behaviors to her.
"I dunno. I guess it's a territorial thing. It's not usually done voluntarily but often in the... heat of the moment."
"Hmm," Lynne replied thoughtfully. "I see."
They were both silent for a moment and then Lynne shifted her body so she was laying back down. She waited for Naz to follow suit but he continued to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Naz... I know you didn't mean to do it. I'm fine so please come lay down."
Naz glanced over at Lynne and then he complied. A smile crossed Lynne's lips as she snuggled closer to him once he was laying down again. She was touched that Naz had been so remorseful over something so minute.
"It's nothing to be upset over."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Naz... I love you. I'm not even a little bit mad. You can mark me as much as you want."
Naz shivered and then he wrapped his thick arms around Lynne and closed his eyes.
"I love you too."
It took some time for him to calm down but eventually his body relaxed and the couple slept soundly until the next morning.
A/N: Hello and Happy Holidays! I want to thank everyone who reads and reviews my stories. I really do appreciate it. I decided to upload a new chapter just in time for Christmas.
It was a very productive 2018! I look forward to bringing you new content in the new year. Thank you for the patience while I work on writing new chapters.
~Ro