A.N. I would like to apologize for how long this chapter took to put up, my muse has not been with me for a while but I'm back and I own nothing but a tablet some notebooks and a Ps4. Italics are elvish and bold is dragon tounge. There is reference to a relationship between two consenting adult women in this chapter. If that offends you this probably isn't the story for you. Just a warning that the next chapter will contain sexual situations between our main girl and another woman. I will put in another note at the start of that chapter but I thought I'd warn you now as well.
Back atop High Hrothgar the Grey beards were quite impressed with what she had learned and said that they would keep their ears out for any whispers of other words of power.
As the weeks went on Katrine's training continued as usual except that Anwen started to instruct her in higher levels of magic, hoping that it would help control the power inside her.
As time went on Katrine gained more words, each time they went out they took the Companions with them, by the winter solstice she had gained one for Kyne's peace, disarm, the word for fire breath, ice form and the slow time shout.
For Annika's birthday on the twenty second of Sun's Dawn they went for a trip to Lakeview manor for a couple of days, it was bittersweet to be back running though the forests and playing in the lake.
On the fifth of First Seed they spent the day together for Adrian's birthday, talking and sharing old stories including of how Anwen and he first met, how Anwen introduced Annika to him and how at Tomas' birth he fainted.
The start of spring was also celebrated with the collection of throw voice shout, adding three new words to Katrine's arsenal as well as an enchanted object that fascinated Katrine and freaked her family out.
As spring entered its height and the days to Katrine's birth month grew closer Katrine's nerves seemed to peak in regards to what would happen during the Dibellan trials, it wasn't that she didn't know what to expect, her mother had explained that in great detail, she shuddered at that memory, but still she was nervous or was it anticipation, she could not be certain.
The night before they were set to leave for Markarth Annika informed Katrine that they would be heading to Windhelm for a night before heading up to Markarth. Katrine was a little confused, it would be quicker to head past Whiterun but she kept quiet, as Master Arngeir suggested that they stop briefly at the Eldergleem sanctuary near Kynesgrove.
They left early the next morning, before Magnus had even begun to gaze upon them, but the day was a warm one once it had begun and they made great time, getting to the location Arngeir had told them where they could find the sanctuary by midday.
Though they were unsure that they were in the right place.
"What would a sanctuary scared to Kyne be doing in a wasteland?" asked Tomas looking at the surrounding area.
"No idea," said Katrine dismounting Ali and staring off to where she could see a dragon flying around.
"Katrine don't even think about it, we haven't got time to fight a dragon," said Anwen.
Katrine sighed and followed her family into the cave. She felt her jaw drop and her eyes widened in shock. There in front of them was a lush paradise, the smell of wild flowers and the sound of a bubbling creek set the stage for a peaceful atmosphere that made Katrine believe for a moment that she had died and been granted access to Kyle's garden.
The Eldergleem was massive some of its roots looked like they would be thicker then a mammoth, Anwen and Annika went to see if they could get closer to the tree, while Tomas and Lydia went to talk to a couple of pilgrims. Which left Katrine to meditate with Oddok sitting by her.
She was there for about half an hour when she started to notice there was something wrong. It didn't take her to long to figure out that she could no longer hear Oddok's breathing. Her eyes shot open and as she caught sight of him she screamed. He had no head.
She looked around wildly then closed her eyes, trying desperately to will away what she had seen. She opened them again hesitantly, there in front of her was Oddok's head impaled on a spear.
"Mama!" she cried out. "Mama! Anwen! Tomas! Lydia!" she got up and raced over to where she last saw Tomas and Lydia and was stopped dead when she caught sight of their corpse's.
"No! No!" she cried out in disbelief this was a dream, this had to be a nightmare.
She ran in the direction of the Eldergleem, she saw an Imperial soldier standing before her mother and Anwen and screamed once more as she saw Anwen's body fall to his sword, she ran harder and got there just in time to see the soldier stab her mother.
Katrine saw red. She ran at the soldier who turned and met her blade with his own, though he could not match the ferocity and it wasn't long before she nocked the sword from his hand and brought him to his knee's. She pulled out Nyérë and stared impassively.
"Please," the soldier begged and if Katrine had been paying attention she would have noticed the voice sounded familiar. But all she could see was her families lifeless bodies, all she could hear was a voice inside telling her she failed.
"Please, I have children," he begged. Katrine turned her gaze to him angrily, not seeing his face.
"So did that woman you killed," she told him and she struck Nyérë across his throat.
She watched him fall, she watched the blood seep from the gash with glee taking in the sweet sound of him choking on his own blood, but then.
"NOOO! Papa!" a blood curdling scream rang out and a small redheaded girl ran to the fallen soldier and begun to shake him.
Katrine felt horrified, what sort of man brings his child to murder someone. She stepped forward to try to pull the girl away, and stepped back in shock as the girl turned her face to Katrine. She knew that face, she had known it her whole life. It was hers.
"Why? Why would you do this? We did nothing to you?" her childself asked.
Katrine, in horror tuned her head to the soldier, it was her father. Of course it was her father.
"No it was not me it was the Thalmor, they killed him," she said.
"No you did this, just as you killed those soldiers at Helgan, just as you killed those bandits," her childself told her, tears streaming down her young face. "Did you not think they had families?"
"They tried to kill me," reasoned Katrine, "There was no other option,"
"Maybe, but you enjoyed it, you reviled in causing their deaths, your a monster!" the child spat.
Katrine fell to her knees horrified, she was right, what had she done? She had took lives not thinking about the suffering she would bring, she did enjoy it.
"No, no please, I am sorry. I was defending myself, I did not mean it,"
"Yes you did," said a masculine voice.
Katrine looked up. Before her stood her father, the Imperial armour was gone, instead he was wearing the clothes he died in.
"They meant to kill you, you would have died. Killing them was your only option," he said reaching out to pull her up off the ground. "What you didn't need to do, was enjoy it. I once told you that only animals kill without feeling guilt, you my daughter are not an animal,"
Katrine looked down at her feet "I did not mean to cause the suffering that I went through,"
Adrian sighed "Every time you take a life, you cause that suffering somewhere. I'm not telling you this to still your blade, if someone tries to take your life you must meet their blade, there will be times when you need to kill, but try to think first, is there another way," he said taking her chin and lifting it so she was looking into his eyes.
"I had to call in a favour so that I could talk to you, like your mother, like Anwen I've been worried about you, you haven't let yourself morn, you've been holding on to your anger and hatred because you think if you let go of that you'll forgive them for what they did, you won't. Hatred is to strong an emotion to waste on someone you don't like," he told her, as he did a bright light appeared behind him, almost blinding Katrine.
Adrian turned his head to look at it for a moment before turning back to her. "We haven't much time," he said. "Katrine, listen to me there is a difference between justice and revenge, seek justice above all lest you pay the price of revenge, it is not a path I want you to go down,"
"I will try Papa, I will make you proud," she told him.
"Oh my little Dovah, you make me proud every time you take a breath, when you were born I stood over your cot, you were so tiny I thought you would die. I begged you to keep breathing and then you did and you grew, you were more then I could ever hope for, you and your brother. I will never stop being so proud," the light behind her father grew so bright Katrine had to close her eyes.
"Papa!" she cried out fearfully. She felt him wrap his arms around her "I'm here my darling, try to remember what I tell you next, under my bed at Lakeview, hidden under a floorboard there is something there for Tomas to use,"
Katrine felt him start to slip away and she tried to grab at him "Please don't leave me," she begged. "I'm here little one, no matter what happens I will always be with you, even if you can't see me," and then he was gone and Katrine did something she had not done since her father had died. She cried, she cried for her father, she cried for the Stormcloaks that were killed as they were captured, for the people of Helgan, slaughtered and burned in dragon fire, for the men that fell to her blade and for their daughters whose father's would not be coming home.
But most of all she cried for her, for what she had been put through, for what had almost happened to her, several times and for what she had done.
As she cried she felt warm, soft arms wrap comfortingly around her. She opened her eyes and wiped the tears from her face and looked up into the concerned eyes of her mother. Katrine sighed in relief, she felt as if a weight she didn't know she had been carrying had finally been lifted from her shoulders. She looked up at her mother and gave her a wide smile.
They decided to leave not long after that.
They reached Windhelm not to late in the afternoon. Annika and Anwen went to get rooms at the inn, Tomas went to look at the market, that left Katrine, Lydia and Oddok to explore the rest of the city. They stopped, however in front of the inn as they caught sight of two Nord males bullying a Dunmer woman.
"You come here where you're not wanted , you eat our food, you pollute our city with your stink and you refuse to help the Stormcloaks," said one of the nords, he was dressed in rags and was visibly filthy, he definitely wasn't helping the Stormcloaks either.
"But we haven't taken a side because it's not our fight," said the Dunmer woman, trying to placate them. Katrine looked at the woman she was small, for a Dunmer and had the soft look of someone who had never seen combat, why would the nords even want her fighting.
The other Nord piped up with "Hey maybe the reason these grey skins don't help in the war is because they're Imperial spies,"
The Dunmer woman looked taken aback "Imperial spies? You can't be serious,"
The first Nord smiled darkly and Katrine felt her hand slide to the dagger on her belt, ready to go to the woman's aid if she needed it, the Nord however just said "Maybe we'll pay you a visit tonight little spy, we've got ways of finding out what you really are,"
The Dunmer woman sighed heavily as the two nords walked away.
Katrine walked up to the Dunmer meaning to ask her if she was alright but before she could the Dunmer woman angrily asked "Do you hate the dark elves? Are you here to bully us and tell us to leave?"
Katrine shook her head "No my friend, I do not hate your people,"
The Dunmer women looked shocked, then smiled warmly "Then you are in the wrong city Windhelm is a haven for prejudice and narrow thinking, unworthy for one such as you,"
"We noticed they were harassing you," said Lydia, probably confused as to what they were talking about.
"Nothing new there, most of the Nords living in Windhelm don't care for us, but Rolf Stone-Fist is the worst by far," the Dunmer woman said indicating her head to the second Nord who was close by watching the conversation.
"He likes to get drunk and wander around the grey quarter yelling insults at us in the small hours of the morning. A real charmer that one," explained the Dunmer.
Katrine was confused "But why would he think you were a spy?"
"Some of these Nords would come up with any reason to despise us. And it isn't just the Dark elves they hate, they make a target of the Argonians as well. In fact anyone who isn't a Nord is fair game for their bullying,"
They said goodbye to the Dunmer woman with Katrine deciding she wanted to see the temple of Talos, they were stopped however by Rolf Stone-Fist.
"I saw you talking to that filthy grey skin," he spat at their feet. Katrine scoffed "Look Lydia this son of a skeever has eyes," Lydia chuckled darkly.
Rolf scowled "You a dark elf lover? Get out of our city, you filthy piece of trash," Lydia went to draw her sword but Katrine held her back with a hold signal.
"I do not care much for your attitude," said Katrine, her voice as cold as ice.
"Oh don't like it? Too bad, this is our city, ours!" he spat angrily "Don't think I can take you? A hundred septims says I can punch you back to where you came from," he said.
For a moment Katrine just stared at him, trying to emulate her mother's impassive, often intimidating, look. She smiled victoriously when Rolf looked away after a few seconds and slipped off her scabbard handing it to Lydia.
"My Thane, Katrine I'm not certain this is a good idea," Lydia said nervously as she looked around to check for guards or worse Annika.
"Oh I am certain that this is a good idea, this hagraven lover needs to be taught a lesson in manners," said Katrine.
Rolf smirked, obviously thinking he could beat her easily. "Right, no weapons and no magic," he said then took a swing at her which she easily dodged, sending him off balance and on to the ground.
Katrine laughed, to which he growled leapt up and took another wild swing, this time Katrine grabbed his arm, twisted behind him and pushed him into a wall, which he hit with a great deal of force judging from the split lip he had when he turned back to Katrine. He rushed at her as if he was going to tackle her to the ground, it was time to end this, thought Katrine.
When he got in striking distance Katrine hit him with a solid roundhouse punch, sending him sprawling in the dirt again. He was down on his hands and knees, breathing heavily, for a full minute before he got up, spat out some blood onto the ground and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"That wasn't a fair swing," he whined.
"You lost, now pay up," said Katrine as she glared at him.
"Fine!" he chucked a hefty coin purse at her and stormed off in the direction of the Palace of Kings.
Katrine smiled at Lydia, who rolled her eyes and passed Katrine her weapons back "That is going to bite us back somehow, I just know it," she said.
"You worry to much, it is going to give you wrinkles," said Katrine and laughed as Lydia unconsciously touched her forehead.
The only light inside the temple was the flickering candles that cast interesting shadows on the statue of the god king of mankind. The air in the room was heavy with incense and dragon tongue flowers. Katrine chose a spot in the front pew to sit, noting that the only people were her, Lydia and a priestess who smiled as they came in.
Katrine stared up at the solemn stone face and bowed her head in prayer, did I do the right thing killing them, she wondered. Was that vison of her father true or was it my own guilt? How much suffering have I caused? How much more will I be responsible for? How do I make this right? Those bandits I killed could have been just trying to survive and those soldiers were just following orders, it was not as if they wanted me dead, one even tried to speak up for me, I hope he survived.
She raised her head to look back up at the statue, nothing. She sighed heavily.
"You getting an answer to your prayers Katrine?" called a voice from behind her.
Katrine and Lydia whipped around and saw Amela standing there with a smile on her face.
"Unfortunately not," answered Katrine walking up to embrace her.
"What brings you to Windhelm and who is your friend?"
"Oh this is Lydia, Lydia this is Amela one of the Stormcloaks that helped get me to Whiterun,"
Lydia and Amela stared at each other as if sizing each other up before clasping hands.
"Well now that you have both decided not to kill each other, what are you doing here?" asked Katrine.
"The brother of Ulfric's second in command came in with a broken jaw and busted lip and when Galmer, that's the second, asked what happened he said a red headed, she demora attacked him,"
Katrine laughed "And from that description you got me?" Katrine heard Lydia hide a laugh underneath a cough.
"Well that And he gave your name," said Amela "So what happened?"
"He insulted me, challenged me to a fist fight and lost," Katrine told her, Amela sighed and shook her head.
"Yeah, he's trouble, I won't tell you how many times the guards have to be called to deal with him. Unfortunately his brother keeps bailing him out, though I think even he is getting sick of it," she said tiredly "Anyway Ulfric sent me down here to get you,"
"After you then," said Katrine gesturing her to lead.
The palace of the kings was a massive stone structure, supposedly built by Ysgarmor when he landed in Skyrim. Inside was a large hall with a long stone table ladened with all manner of silverware. At the end of the hall sat an impressive stone throne, on it sat Ulfric, he was crowded by three men and looked like he was trying very hard not to smile.
Katrine recognised one of the men as Rolf Stone-Fist, he was currently speaking in an angry raised voice, tough his whining tone made him sound like a child. "I'm telling you My Jarl this women is a troublemaker, you would do well to banish her from the city, from the hold even,"
Ulfric shook his head "Not without hearing her side of the story," He looked up at their approach and smiled. "Ah Lady Katrine, welcome to Windhelm, how are you finding it?"
"Thank you My Jarl, you have a beautiful city and most of the people here are quite hospitable," Katrine said giving Rolf a quick side glare.
Rolf looked between Katrine and Ulfric, he looked confused. "Wait Lady Katrine?"
"Yes, Lady Katrine here is the daughter of Lord Adrian Kvatch," Ulfric told him. Rolf's eyes widened, he seemed to realise that this wasn't going to go well for him.
"So Lady Katrine would you like to tell your side of this story?" asked Ulfric. Katrine nodded.
"I had just finished a discussion with a female Dunmer and was on my way to pay my respects at the temple of Talos when was accosted by this man, he insulted me, told me to get out of the city, he then challenged me to a fist fight and lost, that is it," she explained.
"Do you have any one to back this claim?" asked one of the other man, Katrine assumed he was Rolf's brother. Lydia stepped forward "I can back it," she said.
"This isn't the first complaint I have received about your brother Galmer, if I receive another I will be forced to act," said Ulfric.
Rolf opened his mouth as if to say something but Galmer grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the hall.
Once they were gone Ulfric smiled, stepped off his throne and opened his arms for an embrace. "It's good to see you cub, but why didn't you say you would be coming to the city? I would have sent an escort,"
"Mama only told me that we were coming this way two days ago, any message I sent would not have got here quick enough," Katrine told him.
"Your mother is here?" he asked.
Katrine nodded "Along with my brother, Anwen, Lydia and Oddok," she said indicating to the two standing behind her.
"What brings your family to my fine city?"
"We are on our way to Markarth and my Mama thought heading this way would be the least obvious route," Katrine explained.
Ulfric looked confused for a moment before his face cleared to a look of understanding. "The trials, you're turning fifteen?" Katrine nodded and he smiled. "Congratulations, this calls for a celebration. Your family will join my court for supper tonight and will toast the occasion. Go inform your family and I'll send someone to fetch you when the time comes,"
On the way to the inn Lydia remarked to Katrine "You just can't stay out of the centre of attention, can you?"
"It is getting increasingly difficult to do so," laughed Katrine.
They met with Tomas at the bar ordering a mead.
"Hey where have you two been?" he asked.
"The Palace of kings," said Katrine as she ordered a drink for Lydia and herself.
After paying for the drinks they headed upstairs where Anwen had already gotten a table. And appeared to be quite amused by something.
"What is so funny?" Katrine asked her.
Anwen turned and smiled at her "Your mother," she said simply.
Katrine turned to look over to where her mother was talking with a very pretty young blonde, who was smiling and laughing as if whatever Annika had said was extremely funny.
"Suzanna! Stop flirting with the customers and get back to work,"
The girl jumped "Yes Elda," she then gave Annika a kiss on the cheek before hurrying off. Annika spotting them at the table calmly walked over and sat down.
"Where have you two been?" she asked.
"The Palace of the kings, apparently," Tomas told her.
"I take it that Jarl Ulfric heard we were here and wanted to see you?"
"Yes and he invited us to join him and his court for dinner," said Katrine smiling as the woman her mother had been talking to set down some drinks on their table.
"Hello, what is your name?" she asked.
"I'm Suzanna," she said smiling back.
"Well Suzanna take a couple of gold just for you," said Katrine handing the barmaid two septims. The girl's grin got even wider.
"Thank you,"
Tomas snorted as the girl left.
"What is so funny brother?"
"It seems that you and Annika have similar tastes, do I need to worry about my mother around you?" he joked.
Katrine rolled her eyes "Yes Anwen is definitely going to choose a not even fifteen year old over my mother,"
"Oh I don't know you are kind of adorable, let's wait a few years and then we'll see," said Anwen laughing.
"Anyway if we are going to have dinner with the Jarl we had better get cleaned up," said Annika rolling her eyes at them.
Their rooms at the inn were quite comfortable, in Katrine's and Lydia's room there were two beds with a night stand between the two and a chest at the end of each bed, a bookshelf and a wash basin by the door.
"Katrine I've put some hot water in that basin for you to use," said Lydia as she pulled out a soft green tunic and a pair of black cuffed boots to wear.
Katrine herself had chosen a deep blue tunic that had blue grey sleaves with gold cuffs, a white under shirt and a pair of black breaches.
After washing the war paint off her face, getting dressed and re combing her hair she went upstairs and met with Annika, who for the first time had gotten ready before her.
Annika had dressed in a forest green dress with a black over corset that had been edged with golden thread, as well as gold cuffed at the elbows with green sleaves laced into the cuffs that flowed down her arms, leaving her shoulders bare.
Tomas met them not long after dressed in a white long sleaved shirt with a black over vest that came down to mid thigh and belted at the waist, paired with a pair of black pants. It was clear to Katrine that he had shaved the scruff from his face, though he didn't do anything to his hair.
"Did you not have time to style your hair better?" teased Katrine.
"My hair is perfect the way it is," he said defensively.
"Now children let's behave," said Anwen who had come up behind them.
She had chosen to dress in a long velvet black dress, with flowing red sleeves and a deep vee cut into the front, showing just enough to be enticing without being immodest.
Annika's eyes perused over the older elven woman's form "You look exquisite," she said.
"Thank you Annika you look like Dibella in mortal form as always," said Anwen returning the look Annika had given her.
Tomas groaned "I need a drink," he said, and sulked off.
Katrine just shook her head and sat down with Lydia and began a discussion about the future of her training.
It wasn't long before she felt a shadow fall over her.
"Jarl Ulfric sent me to collect you," a familiar voice told her.
Katrine smiled and turned to face him "How are you Ralof?" she said then stood to greet him properly.
"I'm well and how have you been faring?" he asked as he clasped her arm.
"I am better now that my family is safe with me and my life has returned to some form of normalcy," she told him.
"I hear that, now I suppose we'd best not keep Ulfric waiting," he said.
Katrine nodded and called her family over "This is Ralof, one of the soldiers who helped me," she told Annika, who had never met him before. "This is my mother Annika Hanson and my friend Lydia. I believe you have already met Anwen and Tomas,"
"It's nice to see you again," said Tomas as the clasped arms.
"And you as well, My lady," he gave Anwen a slight bow before greeting Annika and Lydia.
"We'll have to have a longer chat another day, I'd better take you all up to the palace," he said.
As they entered the hall the smell made Katrine's mouth water. Roast mammoth, deer and rabbit lined the banquet table. Nords never were big on vegetables, thought Katrine, except for roast potatoes, she amended seeing a platter filled with them.
At the head of the long table sat Ulfric, who upon noticing them smiled. "Ah here is our guest of honour, please join us,"
Katrine was seated next to Ulfric on his left, Lydia sat next to her followed by Annika, Tomas and Anwen. Some of Ulfric's guests looked not to happy at her being seated with them, Rolf Stone-Fist especially.
The rest of the table included Ulfric's second Galmar, a man named Torsten Cruel-Sea, Captain Lonely-Gale, Ulfric's steward Jorleif, Torbjorn Shatter-Shield, his wife Tova, their twin daughters Nilsine, who Katrine did not like for the look she was giving Anwen and Frigga. There was also the court mage Wuunferth, Brunwulf Free-Living and finally Calixto, a rather eccentric man who Katrine immediately didn't trust, it might have been the hungry look he was giving her mother.
"Well ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to join me in welcoming Lady Anwen, wife of the late Lord Adrian Kvatch, their son Lord Tomas Kvatch, Lord Adrian's daughter Lady Katrine Kvatch, her mother Mistress Annika Hanson and I'm afraid I don't know this young lady," said Ulfric stopping at Lydia.
"I'm Lydia, I was hired to protect Katrine," she told him.
Rolf narrowed his eyes at her "You called her My Thane earlier," he said with a sneer.
Ulfric looked amused "Thane Katrine, well little cub you have been busy, how did that happen?"
"I retrieved an artifact for the Jarl," said Katrine.
"You fetched some object for the Jarl and he made you a Thane for it? Perhaps I should do that, would you like me to get you a new sword My Lord?" sneered Rolf.
Ulfric held up his hand for silence "Where exactly did Jarl Balgruuf send you for this item?" he asked.
"Bleakfall's Barrow and it was not a sword it was some kind of ancient tablet, the court wizard believes that it will assist him in his dragon investigation," said Katrine aiming the last part of her sentence at Rolf.
"So you a girl of fourteen went into some draugur filled dungeon that probably had all kinds of ancient traps and magics, if you want to traipse through all that just to get me a sword Rolf you be my guest," Ulfric said.
Annika trying to defuse the tension asked Rolf "You have met my daughter before? Were you one of the soldiers who helped her?"
Rolf had the decency to look uncomfortable "Ah no ma'am I met her in front of the inn today," Annika appeared to take note of the way he refused to look in her eye and Katrine just knew she would ask about it, in an effort to delay that she began a conversation with the court wizard about the magic he mastered in and was happy to learn it was destruction and proceeded to ask for some tips.
The rest of the evening went on with little more fuss. Anwen struck up a conversation with Wuunferth, Tomas talked with Captain Lonely-Gale, Katrine discussed her combat training with Ulfric, Lydia and Annika quietly discussed the route they were planning to take to Markarth and Oddok was laying on the floor beside Ulfric's war dog Vigilance, the both of them gnawing on a bone.
After the meal had been finished Ulfric stood and the hall fell silent. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would ask that you join me in raising your mugs and goblets in a toast to this girl as she prepares to take the trials and wish her luck in her new life as she becomes a woman, to Katrine,"
They left not long after that claiming needing to be up early the next day, and they had not gone ten steps before Annika asked about Rolf.
"I saw him badger a Dunmer woman and he must have seen me ask her what it was about because he accosted me afterwards, he insulted me and challenged me to a brawl, I won and he went running to Ulfric, which is how he knew we were here," Katrine explained quickly.
Annika and Anwen were incensed "The nerve of that man, brawling with a fourteen winters girl, I have half a mind to go back their and give him a taste of elven magic!" Anwen stated angrily her hands crackling with shock magicka.
"Never mind magic I will shove my fist so far up his backside he will choke on it," said Annika.
"Mama, Emel please, do you not think that getting beaten by an almost fifteen winter's girl enough punishment," said Katrine putting emphasise on the fact she was almost fifteen as well as adding the elvish term for mother, a nickname she had for Anwen when she was little that always seemed to crumble Anwen's resolve.
"Your daughter is fighting dirty Annika," said Anwen.
"I heard, what are we going to do with her?"
Tomas decided to put in his two septims with "So did you win anything?" he asked, Annika and Anwen just stared at him. "What? She fought, that Stone-Fist lost, nothing we can do about it now, only thing we can do is ask if she put any gold on the fight," he explained.
Katrine laughed "A hundred septims," she told him.
Her brother whistled "Not bad,"
Annika rolled her eyes but Anwen looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"Ma what's wrong?" Tomas asked as he placed a soft hand on his mother's arm.
"Sometimes you remind me so much of your father,"
They retired to their respective bedrooms once they returned to the inn but Katrine found that sleep seemed to evade her, rather then take her potion she decided to catch up on some reading.
She had picked out a book called Proper lock design and construction, she laughed as she read it as any thief that read the book would now know how to pick the locks featured in the book.
She had just gotten out a couple of picks and was going to attempt this on the chest in the room when she heard what sounded like muffled shouts coming from Annika and Anwen's room. She slipped quietly out into the hall and made her way to where she had heard the sounds.
The door had been left opened just enough that Katrine was able to peer in slightly and then wished she didn't as it seemed that her mother and Anwen was just enjoying themselves. She went to step back and close the door when she heard a sound she never wished to hear again. Anwen crying.
"I knew this was to soon," said Annika softly "I should have told you no, I am sorry,"
"No, I needed this," said Anwen "I needed to feel something other then the deep pain inside of me, it isn't your fault that I'm a mess,"
"You husband was murdered, the child you think of as your own was nearly executed and your family is being targeted by the ruling faction of your own people, I think you are handling yourself better then most would," Annika told her.
"Your not blubbering like a teen girl,"
"Believe me when I got Katrine's letter I cried until I had no tears left," said Annika.
"I have been trying to be strong for Tomas and Katrine, the pain I feel must be nothing compared their pain," said Anwen sounding as if she was exhausted.
"That maybe, but it does not mean the pain you feel is small, nor does it mean that you are weak for letting that pain get to you, because you have been so strong I honestly do not know how I would be dealing with all this if you were not here," Annika said.
Anwen sighed, they were silent for a while and Katrine thought that they must have fallen asleep and was about to slip back to her room when Anwen spoke again.
"What do you think happened with Katrine today? After months of not showing any signs of grief I thought that she never would, after how she was with her grandmother's death I thought perhaps this broke something inside of her, like a soldier coming back changed from a war,"
"It could have been a delayed emotional response, it could have been an anxiety attack or something about that place caused her to see something, remember how insistent Arngeir was that we take her there?" said Annika.
"You think she had a vision or something?"
"Just before I got to her she whispered Papa and I know it will sound impossible but I felt something grip my shoulder, it felt like him," Annika explained.
"You felt that too? I thought I was going insane, I wonder what she saw?"
"Whatever it was it got more of a reaction then we have for months, let us hope that she can heal now. Anyway we have an early morning we best be getting some sleep," said Annika.
"Good night," said Anwen.
Katrine as quiet as she could slipped back to her room and into bed.
They felt something as well I did not imagine it, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.
She rose before the dawn the next morning to find Lydia already up and filling the wash basin with water.
"Good morning Lydia," Katrine said as she leapt out of bed.
"Good morning Katrine, I've got the basin filled with warm water for you," as she finished pouring the water and started to get dressed herself.
"Thank you Lydia but you are aware that I can do that myself right?"
"Yes but it's my job to make sure your looked after,"
Once dressed they met Tomas upstairs as he was tucking in to some breakfast, Katrine ordered her self a light breakfast knowing that the closer to Markarth they got the butterflies would start to play havoc with her stomach.
They talked about meaningless things until they were joined by Annika and Anwen.
"Good morning my Omega, excited for the journey?" asked Annika.
Katrine felt the butterflies flare up in her stomach and she suddenly regretted the seared slaughterfish she just ate.
Annika caught her look and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder "You do know that no one is making you go through with this, you don't have to do it,"
Katrine smiled weakly "I know, but I am going to, I will learn useful skills, make new friends and drink as much mead as I like without you looking over my shoulder," she laughed at the look on her mother's face.
They packed up, Annika said good by to Suzanna and they made their way towards the stables. As they did Katrine caught sight of a ragged woman and a small waif of a child huddled round a lit brazier. She was about to get out a handful of coin from her purse when she heard a voice call out her name.
She turned and saw Ulfric heading towards her, with two Stormcloak soldiers at his heels reminding Katrine of two blue attack dogs. She laughed at the image her mind created, Tomas gave her a look that said he was worried about her sanity, Annika and Anwen just smiled perhaps happy at the first laugh they had heard from her in months.
"You seem to be in good spirits this morning little cub," said Ulfric with a smile on his face.
"Why not my Lord, it is a beautiful day and my family are safe and with me, there is no reason for me to be in poor spirits,"
"Indeed not, I take it your leaving then?" he asked them.
"If we are to reach Markarth by Second seed we need to leave now," Annika told him and reached out to clasp his arm. "I never did get to thank you last night for getting my daughter safely to Whiterun,"
Ulfric shook his head "There is no need to thank me Madam, her father and I were friends during the war, he would have came back to haunt me if I did not help her, though truthfully I am not certain that we would have made it out ourselves if it weren't for her,"
Ulfric and his soldiers gave them an escort to the stables and with one final goodbye to him they were once again on their way.
The journey to Markarth took two days, though they joined up with a Kajiit caravan on the first day that was being led by a male Kajiit called Ri'saad, Katrine was glad of the extra company especially Kahayla who was quite happy to give Katrine some pointers on being more stealthy during hunting and combat, for a bit of coin.
"This one learnt early in life that to be unseen Kajiit needs to step softly and slowly, a good way to do this is to feet in a circle as you bring them to the ground, like so," the Kajiit demonstrated when they had stopped to water the horses. "Heel first then rotate to side of the foot then flat," she then added "Young red head should also keep to the dark places, like shadows when stalking the pray, remember to make your body as small as you can, but this should not be a problem for you small one, kittens born under the shadow often find they are embraced by them,"
Magnus' gaze had begun to turn away from Nirn and it bathed the land in a deep orange glow when Katrine had got her first view of the city of stone.
She had heard many stories of the dwarven built city, how it was carved into the side of a mountain and that it had another city berried underneath it, the dwarven ruin of Nchuand-Zel. However she was not prepared for the sheer size of it, her eyes widened and her mouth fell open in shock.
Lydia gave her a smirk "You might want to close your mouth before torchbugs make their home in there," Katrine glared at her before dismounting her horse.
Once Annika paid the stable master the fee they made their way up to the city gate.
"Halt! What is your business here?" asked one of the guards.
Tomas smirked evilly at the guard and wrapped an arm firmly around Katrine "My sweet baby sister is here for the trials,"
Katrine desperately tried to escape her brothers hold but had no luck. The guards sniggered then stepped to open the gate for them "Welcome to the safest city in Skyrim,"
They entered the city and immediately found themselves in a bustling marketplace. There was a vender selling meat "Bloodiest beef in the Reach right here," a jewellery stall "Take home a lovely handcrafted necklace, ring or bracelet with jewels all the way from Hamerfell," behind the jewellery stall was a building bearing the sign Arnleif and sons trading company, probably the general store, thought Katrine. To the left of that was another building with a sign reading Silverblood inn.
"Let's get some rooms before we take Katrine up to the temple," said Anwen, Katrine felt a catch in her throat as she followed silently behind her family.
Inside was cosy if a little poorly lit, they were welcomed by the inn keeper who introduced himself as Kleper "Welcome to the Silverblood inn, we have strong drink and clean rooms. If you need anything ask me, unlike my wife Frabbi I actually care about our customers," an elderly nord women gave him a sour look as he said that.
"So rooms for all of you?"
"Myself and Anwen will share, Tomas will have one to himself and so will Lydia, we will need them for the month," said Annika as she handed over some coin.
"And what of this lovely young lady?" the elder nord asked absentmindedly counting out the coin he had been given.
"She will be staying at the temple,"
The old man smiled kindly at Katrine "Ready for the trials young lady?"
"I suppose so sir," said Katrine feeling more like a young child then the legendary Dragonborn.
"Don't worry, you'll do fine, my daughter Hroki is up there as well," he told her.
"What does she look like? It would be nice to know someone up there," said Katrine.
"Blonde hair, bright blue eyes, wearing a green dress with a brown bodice," he told her.
After settling everyone in to their rooms, they sat together for a bit, Anwen ordered them a bottle of Firebrand wine, which they sipped and talked of little things until it was time for Katrine to head up to the temple.
As they walked up the many stone steps Katrine wondered why her legs felt so stiff, the amount of times she had climbed the seven thousand steps of High Hrothgr she thought she would be used to it.
Once outside the temple doors Annika pulled Katrine into a near crushing embrace "Mama, it is okay, I will be fine," Katrine said, her voice slightly muffled.
"I know my Omega, I know," said Annika realising her daughter and giving her a sad smile.
She gave Lydia a brief hug "Look after her and Anwen for me,"
Lydia laughed "I will, don't worry about us, just enjoy yourself and pay attention to everything the priestess teach you, you may think you'll not need to know certain things but you would be surprised what comes in handy,"
Tomas pulled her to him picked her up and spun her around "Put me down you big brute!" she cried.
She was placed back on the ground and her brother gave her a mischievous smirk, he then reached into a satchel that he had refused to part with at the inn and pulled out an amulet of Dibella.
"This was Nana Isobel's, Pa asked me to keep it safe for you," he said, his voice breaking slightly.
Isobel Kvatch had been Adrian's mother, Katrine loved going to visit her at her house in Kvatch, she had died the winter of Katrine's eleventh year, her husband Torvald had died in a hunting accident the year after Katrine's birth, Isobel often said that Torvald had been so smitten over his little sky spirit, as he called her. Katrine thought back to how much her grandmother loved her father, perhaps it was good the sickness took her when it did, living to see her son murdered would have destroyed her.
Katrine traded the amulet of Kyne for the Dibellan amulet, storing the other in her pack.
She then gave Anwen a hug and whispered "Make certain that Mama eats and take care of yourself as well,"
Anwen laughed "Don't worry little one, I will take care of her, you just focus on yourself,"
A slight cough from behind them interrupted their moment and as Katrine turned she found herself faced with a slight Imperial woman with black hair, dressed in the traditional orange robes that all Nordic temples seemed to favour.
She gave them a smile that seemed to brighten as her eyes met Annika's.
"Good evening Annika how are you?" the priestess asked.
"I am well and how are you Senna?"
"Very well, just getting ready to welcome the girls born under the Shadow, luckily their is only four of them, it is always easier when there isn't too many of them. But anyway what brings you to the temple?"
Annika gestured towards Katrine.
"Well aren't you a pretty thing, I hadn't realised that it was your Katrine we were to instruct, my how time flies," said Senna eyeing up Katrine, who under the priestess scrutiny straightened she was never one to cower under a gaze, with one exception.
Senna's gaze became predatory as she took in Katrine's wilful stance, she turned back to Annika "If she's anything like her mother her instructor will have her hands full, don't worry we'll take good care of her,"
Annika's face remained neutral but her voice dripped with sarcasm "Oh of that I am sure,"
Katrine gave her family a final goodbye, ordered Oddok to stay with Annika and she silently followed Senna into the temple.
