Rian didn't trust this newcomer, this "Murilias Varentia", and something about him sent her into a constant protective mode. She never strayed from Ulfric's side- with the exception of the more... personal moments.

Ulfric took her counsel on the man, suspecting as well that he was just an Imperial spy trying to infiltrate their ranks. He instructed Galmar to keep a close eye on him and alert him to any changes.

One night, after a long day of training and meetings, Rian leaned against a wall in Ulfric's room.

"You know you can't trust him, right?"

Ulfric chuckled and glanced up at her as he himself a drink. "As you tell me every day."

"I'm not just saying it for my own sake, Ulfric."

"I know. Why don't you come here and join me?"

"Is that an order, my lord?"

"No, but it's a request."

Rian sighed . "Very well."

Ulfric poured her a drink and handed it to her, then sat down near the fireplace. "So, I've been meaning to ask you something."

"Oh? And what might that be?" Rian asked, sitting next to him.

"I was hoping you could tell me about your family. You said you were descended from one of the original Five-Hundred Companions?"

"I am. What else would you like to know?"

"Let's start with your parents. What were they like?"

Rian and Ulfric sat for hours, talking and drinking. Rian told him all about herself and her family, feeling incredibly comfortable around him. The alcohol probably helped a bit too.

"So, who was the Companion you were descended from?" Ulfric asked, having finally gotten far enough into her story to ask.

"I... I'd rather not say."

"Why?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you..."

"Try me."

"Ylgar."

"Ylgar? The youngest son of Ysgramor?"

Rian nodded. "I told you that you wouldn't believe me." She sighed at his tone and stood, replacing her now empty goblet on the tray.

Ulfric watched her a moment. "It's not that. Rian, you're basically descended from royalty."

Rian sighed as she came back over to the fireplace. "Why do you think I don't like talking about it? It brings too much attention."

"You almost sound ashamed of it."

"I'm not ashamed. It's just not something I'd want to share with the entire world, you know?"

Ulfric offered his hand to her. "Come here."

Rian hesitantly took his outstretched hand, letting him pull her in a bit closer.

"You should be proud of your heritage. The Companions are a noble faction and have held true to that through centuries."

"And yet I feel like I am betraying them, being an assassin and all."

"Do you enjoy your line of work?"

"Not in particular."

"But, you have always done what you needed to in order to survive, yes?"

"Yes."

"Then I think they would understand."

Rian managed a smile at that. "Perhaps. Thank you, Ulfric."

Perhaps it was the alcohol, perhaps it was something more, but Ulfric and Rian felt a strange pull towards each other. Rian let Ulfric pull her into his lap, straddling him on the bench as he drew her nearer. Ulfric reached up, cradling her cheek in his hand for a moment before leaning forward to kiss her. Neither of them seemed to want to fight whatever was driving them towards this intimate moment.

They sat there kissing for a moment as Rian's fingers grasped his hair and he moved his hand down to the small of her back, causing her to curve her body against him. A soft moan came from her and she pulled away for a moment.

"Ulfric... we shouldn't be doing this..."

"You feel it, too..." Ulfric pulled her back down for another kiss. "Why fight it...?"

"I'm... supposed to..." Rian was losing focus as Ulfric kissed her jaw and neck, pulling back her collar to kiss along collarbone. "...protect you..."

"You can still do that..." Ulfric kissed up the other side of her neck. "Even if you share my bed..."

Rian wanted so much to give in to him, but she couldn't afford to let her guard down for a moment like this. Not with someone like Varentia in the palace. She pushed away from him and stood, trying to compose herself.

"I'm sorry..."

Ulfric sighed and sat back as Rian left his quarters. He had to admire her for breaking free from whatever spell held them and he smiled to himself.

'I won't give up that easily.'

He leaned back against his seat and wondered why he felt so drawn to her, what plan the Divines had for them, and if what they were both clearly feeling was of their own free will.

'Only time will tell, I suppose.'

As he sat there thinking, Ulfric's mind turned towards Rian's distrust of Murilias Varentia and thought on her words of caution. He knew that he could trust her and her instincts, which she had proven to him many times since taking his offer, so he wondered what it was about the man that put her so on edge.

'I should discuss things with Galmar in the morning. Though, he may not even listen given his continuing distrust of Rian.'

Just down the hall, Rian leaned against the wall and tried desperately to compose herself. Her heart was pounding fiercely and her body ran hot and achy, longing for Ulfric's touch once more.

'What's wrong with me...? Why do I feel like this..?'

Rian looked out of the nearest window, scanning the skies as though some sort of answer would just appear. 'Divines, what are you planning..?'

"You're up late. Couldn't sleep?"

Rian shifted her gaze towards the one interrupting her moment of peace and quiet- her eyes narrowing slightly at the sight of Murilias Varentia coming towards her. She didn't know what it was about him that set her on edge more than anything else ever had before, but she wasn't about to let her guard down for a second around him.

"Still won't speak a word to me, eh?" Varentia seemed amused by her silence and chuckled. "You don't trust me, do you?"

Rian remained silent and watched him closely.

Varentia threw his hands up in defeat. "I get it, I've given you now reason to." He offered her a small bow and bid her a good night before disappearing back the way he came.

Rian stood stiff until she could no longer sense his presence and released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. 'That man... what is he up to..?'