Rian and Ulfric stared at each other for a few moments, Rian's heart pounding.

"Why are you here?"

"Looking for you."

"Why?"

"I..." Ulfric paused. "I'm not sure, to be perfectly honest. I felt drawn to the Eldergleam Sanctuary, as though I somehow knew I'd find you there." He approached the inn's porch. "Why did you run?"

Rian sighed. "Come inside..."

Ulfric followed her into the inn, greeting Iddra as he followed Rian to her room. "How long have you been in Kynesgrove?"

"Nearly a week."

Ulfric watched her set her things down before closing the door and removing her cloak. He saw that she wore a band around her forehead to hide her hairline while the rest of her starkissed hair was pinned beneath a cowl.

"I'm sorry I ran..." Rian said, sitting down on her bed. "I wasn't sure what else to do when I saw you... Not after what happened..."

Ulfric sighed. "I should have realized..." He rubbed his neck and watched her fiddle with an amulet that had been hiding beneath her clothes. "That looks Atmoran."

Rian looked down at the amulet, then at him surprised. "Its design was inspired by the Shield of Ysgramor and passed down in my family for generations."

"Is your family Atmoran?"

Rian nodded. "My family is descended from one of the original Five-Hundred Companions."

Ulfric processed the new information, but sensed that Rian was not telling him everything. But, given the nature of their relationship, he wasn't surprised by this.

Rian began to fidget under his gaze, just as before, and tucked her amulet back beneath her clothes. After a few moments of awkward silence, she was the next to speak. "I found the man responsible for the contract on your life."

"Oh? And did you confirm your suspicions?"

Rian nodded. "A contemptuous Imperial who just wanted to further his career and impress his superiors by bringing them your head. He thought he could use the guild without performing the Black Sacrament, not realizing the consequences."

"You seem troubled by this."

Rian sighed. "It means is that either the entire guild, including its leader, were completely fooled or she knew the contract came without the Black Sacrament and passed it to me anyway. Either way, especially if the latter is the case, it makes me question her as a leader."

Ulfric could see how much this was bothering her and understood that she could not speak of it any further than she had. "Will you be returning to your life with them?"

Rian shook her head. "I don't know... and I can't decide until I find the answers I seek..."

"The answers to what?"

Rian looked at him and stood. "For starters, why it is that I am different when I'm around you. I've never faltered, never hesitated; not until I met you." She walked up to him, stopping just in front of him, and met his gaze despite how nervous it made her feel. "I've always held my tongue, always remained silent and never spoke a word unless it were necessary, yet with you I feel as though I can speak my mind without a second thought."

Ulfric looked down at her, seeing those brilliant silvery purple eyes studying him. "Is that why you've returned to Eastmarch?"

"Perhaps. Much like you were to the sanctuary, I was drawn back to the hold." Rian stepped back. "But now that I am here, I find myself unsure of what to do or where to go next."

"Perhaps I could be of assistance on the matter."

Rian looked at him, curious. "How so?"

"Come back to Windhelm with me. Be a member of my court."

Rian was shocked and unsure of how to reply to his request.

"You proved your skills more than once when you first came to Windhelm. I wish to employ them."

"You wish to hire me?"

"Not as an assassin, but as a bodyguard." Ulfric could see her considering his offer and smiled before turning to open the door of her room. "Think on it. I will look forward to your answer."

Rian watched as the Jarl left her room, closing the door behind him. She stood there, dumbfounded by his offer and wondered if he was mad or if he was serious.

Nearly three days had passed since Ulfric made his offer and he was beginning to think that she would reject it and disappear once more. As he sat in his throne, listening to the typical reports from his guards and his steward, his second in command, Galmar, mentioned something about Rian.

"She still remains ever the elusive one, but rest assured my lord, we will find her."

"Find who?"

Ulfric smirked when Galmar jumped as Rian appeared behind him and tapped his shoulder before the effects of her invisibility potion wore off.

"Guards!"

Rian stood, dressed in clothes more suited to miners or sailors, her silvery-white hair pulled back in a low ponytail that swayed with each movement she made. She stayed right where she was, unphased by the reaction of the Jarl's men.

"Stand down." Ulfric said, standing. "Rian is my guest."

"Are you mad, Ulfric?" Galmar asked, bewildered by his statement.

Ulfric ignored Galmar's protests and looked at Rian. "Have you come with an answer?"

"I have, my lord." Rian said, her hair draping over her shoulder as she bowed. "I will accept your offer."

"Good." He looked to his men. "Rian is given immunity and cleared of all charges brought against her. From this day forward, she will act as my personal bodyguard."

When his men began to protest, Rian watched with amusement as he immediately silenced them and pointed out that they had failed to keep her out of the castle to begin with and if they hadn't reached him when they did, she would have claimed his life. Rian knew she would not be trusted, nor would she be respected, but she honestly didn't care. She accepted Ulfric's offer mostly because it seemed like the best thing for her to do and it would also help her find the answers she was seeking to many questions.

'I hope I am doing the right thing...'