(*velvyn - daughter, *velvynen - my daughter)
Chapter 24
Brigands Abound
Rona held onto her father and cried into his arms like a child, rambling in Aldmeri to him.
"(Father, I've missed you! So much has happened, I don't even know where to start - The dragons! There've been so many dragons! And the Greybeards and Ulfric Stormcloak), " she gasped, "(and Bishop! Augh! He makes me so angry! But I'm so glad you're here... wait)," she stepped back a moment, "(when did you get here?)"
He looked down at her with mild amusement, caressing her hair from her face "(Please slow down, daughter. Let's sit inside and discuss things at length. I too have much to tell you.)"
Illia smirked at them and returned to tending her garden, leaving them be to catch up. As soon as Rona entered into the cottage she looked all around, astonished at the transformation. Everything was mended and so clean! The great room which once held her mother's bed was now fitted with comfortable living furnishings. There was a crackling fireplace against the back wall, the kitchen was a bit larger and a bigger dining table, with enough seating for six, had been placed in the enlarged nook with shining windows overlooking the garden.
"It's so different," she gaped at it all with awe.
"I hope it is a good different," Serlas smiled, "When I arrived I met Illia who'd done a fine job of adding onto the home and repairing it. I offered to help furnish it."
She beamed at him, "(It's beautiful father. It feels like a real home now.)"
"(Shall I give you the tour?)"
"(Yes!)"
He showed her the ground floor rooms, the one nearest the kitchen, facing the road was Illia's room, a quaint space she'd filled with flowers and plenty of alchemist's ingredients. On the other side near the entryway and connected to the porch was the main guest room which Serlas said Rona could make her own. It was the same size as Illia's room, but simpler and unused with a medium sized bed and two dressers on opposite walls and another door leading out to the porch. It was very cozy.
He then led her upstairs to his own room which was nearly as large as the great room below and resembled his living quarters in the Mage's Guild. He had a very long bed to fit his height pushed against the back corner, an enchanting laboratory and walls and walls of books. There were two desks on opposite sides of the walls, one of them facing some windows overlooking the lake beyond, the other against a solid stone wall, facing the mountainside and surrounded by shelves full of old scrolls and tattered books. In the middle was a quaint sitting area with three cushioned chairs and a few tables with books piled up on the tables and sitting in stacks next to the chairs. He'd gone and moved right in it seemed.
She laughed at him, "Ata, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were living here now."
He chuckled, "Well I have been for the last two months, ah! But before I go on I must show you my pet project."
They went back downstairs and he showed her to a door leading to the back of the cottage, which she thought was odd considering the cottage was built against the mountainside so everything beyond was all rock. When he opened the door Rona was floored.
Inside was an expansive space, built directly into the stone. The walls had been carved out into trenches to allow a natural spring to run through while aquatic plants flourished along the planters. There was a desk space next to an alchemy lab with shelves upon shelves of potions, brews and elixirs. He'd even built a small library into the room, the walls lined with bookcases ten feet high, a ladder leaned against them.
"Ata, this is amazing. How did you do all this?"
"Magic of course," he said proudly.
She shook her head smiling at him and he put a hand on her back and suggested, "Come, let us speak in the living quarters. I'll make you some jazbay tea."
Rona found a comfortable spot on the plump cushioned couch and noticed a soft blanket laying on the arm. She ran her fingers across it and pulled it around herself, enjoying the homey comforts. After a few minutes Serlas came over from the kitchen serving the tea on a platter which he set gently down on the wooden coffee table.
He poured her a cup, putting two lumps of sugar in and passed it to her, then took his without sugar and leaned back with elvish sophistication and said, "(Alright, tell me everything.)"
Rona sipped at her piping hot cup savoring the nostalgia of feeling so at home with him before she took a deep breath and began her long diatribe into her adventures through Skyrim. She carried on between Aldmeri and Cyrodiilic. She told him the dreadful happenings at Helgen, went over the story of how she met Bishop, blushing slightly as she did so and moved on to her discovering that she was Dragonborn. She felt like she'd talked for ages, though she was speaking so quickly that it couldn't have been more than an hour. She filled him in on her training with the Greybeards, her meeting with a strange dragon, then how she left and began her journey anew through Eastmarch. She told him what an awful, horrible, rude man Ulfric Stormcloak was and made sure to gloss over all the more private things in her life between her and Bishop.
All the while Serlas listened closely, asking a question here or there, but mostly letting her vent. Then she got to the difficult topics of discussion. She was staring silently into her cup of tea, her father patiently waiting for her to continue when she finally looked up at him and said, "(Did you know that Mother had another child?)"
He blinked and real surprise drew over his face, "(I had no idea.)"
She breathed, relieved that she wasn't the only one kept out of that secret, "(He's a little boy named Nelkir. He's about nine years old and going through...well, the same phase I did at that age,)" they both gave a light laugh, "(His father is Jarl Balgruuf.)"
He nod his head, "(Ah yes, I remember him. We'd met a few times before when you were still small. I didn't know Claudia was involved with him.)"
"I met Kodlak and the Companions too," she added quickly.
"I'm glad. Kodlak is a good man. They're all good people, a rowdy bunch indeed, but so it is with warriors as I'm sure you know," he sipped at his tea and asked, "Did Kodlak give you the answers you've been seeking?"
She fidgeted in her seat and said, "Yes. He gave me every sordid detail about how Mother treated me as an infant... Why didn't you ever tell me Ata?"
He pressed his lips together exhaling, "I didn't want you to think less of her for it. Claudia suffered from some kind of mental condition, I'm sure of it. She could be quite manic at times and at others, very angry and sad. I didn't know how to help her. I will admit I often wondered if Sheogorath influenced her behavior. Please know dear, she loved you. Every time she left you it was to keep you safe - from herself."
Rona looked away. She'd never known. So her mother was mentally ill? It explained so much, but was still difficult to swallow. They paused for a moment, drinking their tea, mulling over their thoughts before Serlas said, "Perhaps you could demonstrate your newfound powers for me. I'd love to see just what it is that the Dragonborn can do."
She beamed at him and led the way outside.
- One hour ago -
"I'm going home," Rona said curtly as she pressed on down the path turning away from him.
Bishop snarled back at her, "FINE! If you don't want to take me seriously then go! Go get yourself killed! I've had all the near death experiences I can stomach anyhow!"
He barreled into the Dead Man's Drink, the irony of it not totally lost on him and strode up to the bar. Valga, the inn keeper caught sight of him and smiled, "Well if it isn't my favorite ranger!"
He pulled up a seat and she took a better look at him, "Gods Bishop, you look awful! What happened to you?"
"Don't want to talk about it Valga. Get me a Black Briar's though, I need something stronger than my usual," he said frowning at the countertop.
"Coming right up," she served him his mead and he fished around for a couple of ten pieces and when he handed them to her she grabbed his arm, leaning over the counter and whispered, "Thorn's men have been checking in every day and asking about you. His rat's about to slip out the door –"
Bishop spun back and saw a scrawny little nord staring at him, suddenly wide eyed. The kid, no older than sixteen, had ratty brown hair and a prominent overbite and wore a beat up old shirt too big for him and some dirty trousers. He yelped as Bishop set his furious gaze on him and scurried through the door making a run for it. Bishop bound after him outside, whistling for Karnwyr who was nearby and yelled, "Sick em'!"
Karnwyr's hair bristled and he growled fiercely chasing their prey down an alley and through the graveyard. Bishop lost track of the both of them for a moment before he heard the kid yowling, "AAAHHH! GET OFF! GET 'IM OFF ME!"
He came around the back of the Hall of the Dead where he saw Karnwyr digging his teeth into the kid's leg. He was scrambling to get away and kicked the wolf right in the face with his other foot. Karnwyr yelped and released him. As the boy got up to run Bishop lunged, throwing his good arm to his neck and forcefully throwing him up against a wall.
"And where do you think you're going, rat?" he snarled.
The kid winced and choked out, "N-n-nowhere!"
"No, I think you were going off to tell Thorn old Bish is back in town. You the new recruit, kid? Trying to rise in the ranks by being a nasty little sneak-thief?"
He was pressing the kid's throat a bit too hard and let up a little so he could talk. The kid gasped for air and started fast-talking, voice squeaking like a boy becoming a man, "W-w-wasn't doin' nuffin' but minding my own business mister! I dun' know nuffin' 'bout no thorns or bish's, I swear! Please let me go!"
The kid gave him a painful look of terror, which to his credit was pretty genuine looking and would have fooled anyone without a trained eye. Bishop however saw right through his ruse and pressed on his throat again, harder this time, "You've got some guts peddling that fast-talking country-bumpkin shit to me. Don't know if they ever bothered to mention to you just who I am, but I can assure you that lying through your teeth right to my face will get you a dagger in the gut faster than you think you can run. So start talking, rat."
The kid choked under his arm, sputtering and turning blue, Bishop let up again and this time he talked, coughing for air first, "Okay – okay! Thorn told me to keep watch 'round town for some old ranger and his mangy mutt, didn't know you were nobody special!"
"What does he want?" Bishop snarled into his face.
"I don't know! Just thought you owed him sum gold or somefin', he never said, just paid me real good too keep an eye out… guy's gotta eat right?"
"Halt!" a guard stood by, his sword drawn. The kid started squealing, "Help! Guards! Do somefin'! He's a maniac!"
Bishop knew it was time to go but had a few last words to part with so he buried his arm into the kid's neck again to choking him into silence and growled, "Tell Thorn that if I ever see his twisted fucking face anywhere near me or my woman that I'll slit his throat. Same goes for you and all those other pieces of trash, rat."
He released the kid as the guard started approaching and booked it back to the inn to the sounds of, "Halt! In the name of the Jarl, you're under arrest!"
Bishop pulled himself up onto his horse with his good arm. He whistled and Karnwyr came running by as they sped off down the path leading to the farm, easily evading the few guards attempting to stop him.
He was very near the farm, with Karnwyr sprinting far ahead when the wolf stopped suddenly, barking and growling madly. As Bishop came over the slope in the road he saw six bandits standing by, blocking the way, weapons drawn, so he turned Whiskey sharply to his left and into the brush, calling for Karnwyr to follow. As they ran through the trees he realized all too quickly that there were ten other bandits on either side in the trees so he leapt off his horse, abandoning the old boy and rolled on the ground, protecting his broken arm.
He drew his dagger, hating every second that he was injured and without his bow. He ran over the sloping hills, Karnwyr at his side and stopped suddenly in the middle of a clearing. There were twenty, maybe thirty bandits all around them. They closed in, encircling them, but keeping their distance. Their weapons and arrows glinting in the light of the day.
Karnwyr growled baring his sharp canines and foaming at the mouth. Bishop held his dagger at the ready. He would not die without a fight. Then he heard a man laughing to his right and turned. Thorn was leaning against a tree his arms crossed, mocking him with his dry laughter. Bishop's heart was pounding, he could feel his pulse in his head and through his broken arm, making it ache.
Thorn approached him, drawing a sword and spinning it in the air, playfully, holding his free hand outward in a welcoming gesture. He hung back and smirked at Bishop who put all his hatred for this man into his scowl.
"Well, well. Look who decided to finally show his face, boys. Been a long time Bishop."
"Not long enough," he growled back.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... is that how you greet an old friend? Oh? What's this? Been injured?" He laughed, "You are just having the worst time of it aren't you?"
Bishop said nothing, only glaring and trying to assess his situation which was not looking good. Why did he have to let Rona go alone? Why didn't he just follow her? Petty arguments be damned!
"I saw that sweet, little mouse come by, all alone," he paced slowly back and forth, like a sabre cat stalking its prey, "Mmm... she is quite the sight. I thought about taking her. You see I haven't been able to get my mind off of her ever since we met outside Helgen. I'd say it was love at first sight, the way she looked at me with those sparkling emerald gems," he gave a perverse and sexual groan, "Oh yes! How I want to carve those beautiful eyes out, plucking each one from that delicate face of hers."
Bishop snarled, "Don't you ever fucking touch her."
Thorn shrugged, still pacing when he said, "Well, I can't now - all because good old Bish here has been going places! Just rising straight to the top of the food chain aren't you? An ugly piss-skin came to me some time ago, I wanted to make her scream but, alas, she came heavily armed and bearing gifts... and she wanted to know all about you! So I told her every single endearing story I could recall."
"Told her what? That my brother and I tortured and raped all those women with you? You sick fuck, I'd never do to a woman what you've done," Bishop spat.
"Yes, well as much as I wanted to, regrettably, I couldn't lie to the lady. Her and her cronies made sure of that with their magic. Still she paid me quite a hefty fee to swear that I keep my hands off you and the girl," he groaned again, "And as much as I wanted to decline, as much as I professed my love for that sweet mouse, I was persuaded to take the deal," He stopped pacing and turned to face Bishop, raising his shoulders and stretching his neck, "Fortunately there is a clause to our deal. See, now if you decide to go and break that clause, which I know you will sooner or later, then me and my boys will be free to go off and collect my darling dearest and impose upon her every blood curdling thing I've dreamed of."
Bishop clenched his teeth and gripped his dagger tighter as Thorn approached him spinning his sword in hand.
He was an arm's length away when the most vile and inhuman words crawled off his tongue, "Oh how I'm looking forward to spearing her insides with my blade. To entwine my fingers in her entrails as she writhes in beautiful agony beneath me. First thing I'll do is bite off that tongue of hers so she can't use that pretty little voice against me. Then I'll slowly peel the flesh from her lovely body and enjoy the sound of the enchanting love song she'll sing for me - "
Bishop could feel the hairs on his whole body raise with the violent desire to slit Thorn's throat and be done with it already. He'd die after the fact, definitely, with thirty arrows and swords at his back, but at least she'd be safe from this deranged freak. Karnwyr raised hackle, sensing Bishop's ire and growled viciously. Thorn stopped talking and looked down at the wolf, "You know, I'm pretty sure that rabid dog of yours wasn't part of the deal. I think I'll get my vengeance for the chunk he took outta my leg all those years ago!"
Thorn raised his sword and prepared to bring it down on Karnwyr when the sound of the loveliest voice in Tamriel carried over to them. Rona was singing, off in the distance at her mother's farm. Everyone in the field turned back to look beyond the trees at the sound of her song.
(The Song is Overcome by Within Temptation)
"Where are the heroes
In my time of need?
Is my cry not loud enough
Or have they gone all numb?
They just tend to stand
Out of the rain
Thinking but not acting
That they're not to blame
Falling and crawling
A fight to stand up
Memory still haunts me
In the dead of night
Over and over, I felt so small
But one day I'll be stronger
And you better watch out
I will overcome, your violence their silence
Although it can't be undone
I will overcome, knowing that I'm not the only one
I will overcome, it's the only way to carry on
Where are the saviors?
Afraid of the toll
Sorry, do my nine inch nails
Slash your soul
Such heroes
Throwing stones
Straight at the one
Who is standing alone
Twisting and turning
It's always the same
Truth is never honest
When you're to blame
Pushing and pulling
Never give in, one day I wish
You'll see you're not so beautiful within
I will overcome, our violence your silence
Although it can't be undone
I will overcome, knowing that I'm not the only one
I will overcome, it's the only way to carry on
Run and run
Run and run
I will overcome, their violence your silence
Although it can't be undone
I will overcome, knowing that I'm not the only one
I will overcome, it's the only way to carry on
I will overcome."
Thorn groaned deeply again with sickening sexual overtones and breathed heavily, "Mmm, how I want to hear her beautiful voice scream!" He looked back at Bishop, throwing a hand behind him, gesturing towards the direction of the song, "You're fucking that divine goddess? You damn lucky bastard. Oh how I'm going to enjoy watching you squirm when I finally tear those clothes off her tempting body and have my way with her, hell when all my boys have their way with her."
Thorn took two steps, walking to Bishop's left side. He stopped beside him and said, "You get to live this time. But remember Bishop, the second that coin stops flowing in is the second that I tear that little mouse kicking and screaming from you." He continued walking and called back, "Or maybe I'll get bored of waiting and break the deal myself. You never know." He laughed loudly as he and his brigands withdrew into the forest.
Bishop's hairs were still on end, his whole body trembling with fear and anger. When the coast was clear of bandits he kicked off the ground and ran through the trees towards the farm.
Rona had chosen a song of power that spoke volumes of her feelings. She felt so alone without Bishop by her side and knew she'd have to overcome even these emotions in order to grow stronger. Perhaps the end of their journey together was drawing near. She'd have to hold strong and carry on without him, somehow.
Serlas and Illia stood by and watched in awe as her voice carried through the skies, summoning visions of the Dragonborn of old. And when she finished her father clapped, beaming at her and said, "That was unbelievable! I've always admired your voice, velvynen, but that was," he breathed, "There are no words. I've never seen anything like it."
His words warmed her heart in the way only a father's could. She made to reply when Bishop and Karnwyr both appeared from the brush, pushing their way through the enormous sunflower stalks growing on the edge of the fence. Bishop looked awful, like he'd been rolling around in the dirt. He lost himself the second he saw Serlas standing there, snarling as he ran over to Rona, standing in front of her protectively and pointing his dagger at the elf.
"YOU WANT A PIECE OF HER YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THROUGH ME!"
Serlas raised his brows at him, "Ah, you must be Bishop."
He took a step forward and Bishop barked again, "GET BACK!"
Serlas approached again and Bishop cut through the air, a warning while Karnwyr growled at him reacting to his master's aggressiveness. The high elf held a hand out and cast a green colored spell over them both. Karnwyr settled down immediately, whimpering slightly and looking around almost confused as his tongue lolled from his mouth. Bishop's legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground and dropped his knife. He looked up at the man and grumbled groggily, "What... what did you do to me?"
Serlas looked down at him kindly and said, "I apologize. That was a pacify spell to calm you. I don't normally use magic on other's without their permission, however, you left me no choice but to defend myself. No worries though!" he clapped his hands together, "It will pass very soon."
Rona came around glaring dragon's fire at him. Her fists were on her hips and she was seething, "What is wrong with you!?"
"I..."
She yelled snappishly, "Well! I was hoping I could introduce you two under normal circumstances, but since you've been acting like such a paranoid lunatic - Ata meet Bishop! Bishop, this is my ata... my father."
Serlas came up beside her and put a hand to her shoulder, "It is alright velvynen." He knelt down and reached a friendly hand out for Bishop to take, "I am Serlas, pleased to make your acquaintance Bishop," he kept his tone light and forthcoming, as though nothing unusual had just happened.
But Bishop just scowled and pushed himself up with his good arm instead, ignoring the friendly gesture. He cast his eyes away, clearly feeling as stupid as he'd just behaved.
Serlas wasn't even angry, in fact he sounded concerned, "You seem terribly on edge, Bishop. Is everything all right?"
"S'fine," he mumbled.
Rona looked over at her father and said swiftly in Aldmeri, "(He's been acting like this for a while now, I don't know what's wrong with him, he won't tell me anything!)"
Serlas smiled gently at her, "Now, now, Rona dear. You know it's rude to speak in Aldmeri among those who cannot understand, especially if it's about them."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms and glared at Bishop. "Well if he'd just tell me what's wrong already then we could help him!"
Serlas said, "Come, let us go inside. Perhaps the comforts of the cottage will settle our restlessness. If you would join us Bishop, I have many things to share, those of which may pertain to you as well."