I leaned against the wall beside Kara, watching the group's nervous anticipation grow more and more evident. Early on our second day in Solitude, the day we were going to meet Kara and Cassius' mother, we all sat at the bar in the Winking Skeever, just as Lydia and I had the night before.
After our discussion, Lydia and I had stayed up most of the night sharing stories about our travels and duties. She reminded me a lot of myself, and Aela, which was an odd combination, but a good one. Though tired, we were both relatively relaxed, Kara and Cassius, though, had woken twice as nervous as they were the day before. So, Lydia had suggested we all have a drink to take the edge off before we head into town.
Kara looked especially pretty on that day, her long hair tucked behind her ear on one side as she stared down at the tankard of mead in her hands. She and I were both just listening in on her brother talking to Lydia, who was managing to seem nothing but confident though she had just admitted her own worry to me the night before.
I put my hand on Kara's back, trying to bring her some reassurance. She looked up at me, a smile on her face, but her eyes betrayed her discomfort. She was worried.
I leaned down to her exposed ear. "Don't be nervous, pup. It's just your mother."
"I know." She said, a little bit of a laugh in her voice.
"Maybe later you could show me around Solitude." I suggested in a low voice. "I've never been here, you know."
Her eyes lit up then. "Really? Never?" When I shook my head, a big grin stretched across her face. "Then I have to show you around. Solitude is so much bigger than Whiterun, so different. I could show you all of the best stores and shops and the places with the best views."
"A little shopping, maybe?" I asked, rekindling one of our longest running jokes.
She smiled softer then, and she nodded before she spoke. "Anything. Just to spend the day with you." We both smiled at each other, remembering the first time we'd had this conversation.
A few moments later, we turned back to the two beside us, who were carrying a conversation with the bartender.
Cassius spoke to the redheaded man. "Tell me, my good man, anything special happening at the college right now? Any events we might catch while we're in town?"
"Ha. Cassius, you know good and well that the Burning of King Olaf was last month."
Cass mocked disappointment. "Damn it!" He turned to Kara. "We missed the Burning, Karl."
Kara shook her head. "What a shame. I could have sworn it was this month."
Cass nodded, turning back to the bartender. "So we have no means of entertainment, Corpulus. I guess we could always wander up to the college ourselves. See if our father could wrangle up some bards to play for our guests." He gestured to Lydia. "Have you met my wife yet, Corpulus?"
The bartender shook his head. "I kept a drink in her hand last night, but I can't say we were properly introduced." He shook Lydia's hand, who beamed at him and exchanged pleasantries. "If I'd known you were Cassius' wife, I wouldn't have charged ya." He extended his hand toward me, then. "And you're Karalissa's husband?"
Before I could answer, Cassius did for me. "Yep. Karl's husband." He took a swig from his mug as the bartender and I shook hands. "Cute, ain't he?" Cass gave me a wink.
"It's a pleasure. Though, I can't say Sorex will be pleased." he said to me. "My son practically lived and breathed by these two. Could always find these three causing trouble somewhere." He turned back to Cassius. "Hate to bring ya more bad news, Cass, but your pa's not at the college right now."
"Where is he then?" Cass asked, his toned twinging on disbelief.
"A bunch of bards are on a trip around Skyrim, performing in different holds. I'm sorry to say your pa and Pantea went with them." He grabbed a rag to wipe the counter down. They were headed for Morthal, first. Left a few days ago."
Cassius shot Kara a look, then turned back to Corpulus. "A damned shame, really. I was hoping to catch up with him. Grab a drink." He sucked his teeth for a moment. "Say, what about our Ma? She still lives up in Proudspire Manor, right?"
"I'm pretty sure, kid. How long you two been gone?" As he spoke, Kara entwined her fingers in mine and gave my hand a squeeze.
Cass offered an incredibly fake laugh. "Too long." He leaned back in his chair, sliding his arm around Lydia. "Any other rumors? Any sites to show our beloved spouses?" I noticed Lydia jab him discreetly under the table.
"Ah, I hear the Gourmet is in the city." the bartender noted. "Here to cook for the Emperor. Neat, huh?"
"Super neat." Cass said, then pushed away from the table. "Thank you for all the information, Corpulus. We'll be back tonight, but we're going to head in Ma's direction now." He put his arm around Lydia's shoulders. "Send Sorex my regards if you see him before I do."
Corpulus laughed. "I will. You all enjoy your time in the city."
We all headed toward the front door, and once we were outside, Cassius laughed. Lydia rolled her eyes at him as he poked her sides. "Ah! This is perfect!" he said, bouncing toward Kara. "Talos above, I really thought I was going to have trouble not killing him. Figured Vil would have to stop me."
She smiled at him. "Great timing, brother. For us and him." She pulled me toward Solitude, nodding for the rest to follow. "Let's go see Ma."
As we walked along the path, I couldn't help looking up at the size of the buildings around me. Massive structures of gray stone and sediment lined the cobbled walkway. Each building, each home was as tall as Jorrvaskr, if not taller. In the distance, directly ahead of us, I could see the silhouette of a castle.
I looked down as a group of children ran past playing tag. They ran into Kara, yanking her hand out of my own as she caught herself from falling. She only laughed, though, as she watched them play. Cassius made some sort of remark about the 'little shits', but it had no effect on the euphoria that radiated from all of us. So much stress eliminated in a matter of moments.
At last, we approached the large stone building that was apparently their childhood home. Kara stared up at it, then looked over at her brother. "Well, Cassius, this is it."
Cass slowed to a stop, looking up in the same direction as Kara, He pulled his arm away from Lydia and stood beside his sister. Lydia moved next to me, and we exchanged a happy nod.
We both watched as Cassius looked down at Kara, and we saw his face transform from his usual arrogance and confidence to absolutely horrified. He looked back at us, then leaned down to his sister.
Lydia may not have heard it, but the beast heightened my senses. He said to Kara, in the smallest voice I'd ever heard him use, "Karl, I'm scared."
She looked back at him, her face confused. Cassius continued. "What if she's still angry with me?"
Kara offered him a small smile, and placed her hand on his cheek. "She's not." They looked at each other for a moment, then he straightened up. He nodded to her, then looked back at us.
"Alright, you two. Quit slowing us down." he took a deep breath as Lydia and I laughed. "Let's get this over with."
We climbed the stairs to the manor, and as Kara knocked on the door, we waited with baited breath.
The door opened slowly, and from where Lydia and I stood behind the two siblings, we had a decent view of the woman who stood in the frame. She was much older than the rest of us, but still looked very young. Her facial features were identical to Kara's, right down to her long light brown hair, which was graying in stripes. Her eyes were light and bright, just as Cassius and Kara's were, though there was a darkness to them. The woman looked like she had seen death before.
It took her a moment, but once she recognized her children, her face crumpled. She began to cry, outstretching her arms and pulling them both into her embrace. Kara fit nicely against her, but Cassius loomed over both of them.
Lydia and I watched as the three clumped together in the door frame, listening to their mother chant 'My babies.' again and again through her tears. Kara looked so happy, and though I couldn't see his face, I could see that Cassius was tense in the back, probably withholding tears of his own.
Next to me, Lydia straightened her steel armor, trying to make herself presentable. I realized then that I was probably a little greasy myself, and I ran my hand through my hair as the three separated in the doorway.
Their mother put a hand on each of their faces. "I've missed you both, so much."
Cassius spoke with a quivering voice. "We've missed you too, Ma." He reached behind him, extending his arm to Lydia. "Ma, this is my wife."
Her eyes widened. "Wife?" She smiled so wide, I thought her cheeks may burst. Lydia lurked forward awkwardly, but was soon at ease as their mother wrapped her into a bear hug. She pushed her new daughter away from her only slightly, putting her hands on either side of Lydia's face. "Oh, Cassius, she's beautiful!"
Lydia's face blushed, a dark red shade of both embarrassment and satisfaction. Their mother turned to me. "And who is this?"
Kara looked back at me as I approached, my arm extended as Kara beamed up at me. "Ma, this is Vilkas. He's—" Needing no further explanation, her mother crushed me with the tightest hug I've ever received.
After that, we all shuffled into Kara's childhood home. She and Cassius stared at the walls with wide eyes, memories flooding their minds and hearts. We all went up to their balcony, Cassius and I bringing chairs along the way, and we all sat on the stone ledge together.
Their mother immediately began trying to feed us. She brought out loaves of bread and cakes and pies, but we were all too excited to eat. Lydia looked absolutely content next to Cassius, who snaked his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. He, too, looked incredibly happy to be home, and his eyes followed his mother everywhere she went. Kara had been right, he did adore her.
Kara seemed happy too, but no more than she usually seemed. She kept looking over to me for reassurance, for some reason. Every time I smiled at her, though, she seemed to relax a little more.
Their mother finally took a seat after having placed a monumental amount of food on the tables around us. She looked around at all of us, looking absolutely amazed to be sitting with so many people.
"I have to apologize," she began. "If I'd known you all were coming, I would have prepared a meal for you all."
Cassius snorted. "Ma, it looks like you already did."
She laughed too, but she also shoved more food in his direction. "Eat something, Cassius. You look thin." Cassius rolled his eyes, knowing he looked anything but thin, but began to eat anyway.
Their mother leaned back in her seat, looking even happier now that Cassius was eating. She sighed. "Where have you two been? Viarmo sent for you, but he only found Karalissa." She looked my way, an eyebrow raised. "He found Vilkas, too, I've heard."
Kara cleared her throat. "Cassius and I spent a lot of time in the Rift together before we were separated." she offered.
"The Rift?" their mother asked, her eyes confused. "What was in the Rift?"
"We were hunting, Ma." Cassius explained around a mouthful of food.
"Hunting for almost three years?"
Kara laughed. "No, Ma."
Their mother smiled. "Then tell me. I want to hear everything. Every adventure."
Cassius and Kara exchanged a look, then they launched into their tale of adventure and separation, never losing their mother's attention for a moment.
Later that day, Lydia and I had decided to go back to the Winking Skeever. Kara wanted time alone with their mother, and Cassius agreed to be a part of the conversation.
I nudged Lydia with my elbow, nearly causing her to spill her drink on herself. I laughed a little, putting my hand on her shoulder. "Sorry." I offered, and she nodded with a small smile on her face. "She liked you. You had nothing to worry about."
Lydia grinned, her cheeks blushing again. "I guess so." She nudged me back. "She liked you too, you know."
"It was different for you, though. You were seeking approval. I just tagged along."
Lydia snorted. "Vilkas, if you can't see that she loves you, you're dumber than Cassius thinks you are."
I scowled at her. "Cassius thinks I'm dumb?" Lydia just shrugged and gave a small nod. I sighed. "I can't say I'm surprised, but I am." I shrugged too. "Well, I'm glad their mother likes me. I wasn't sure, entirely."
Lydia laughed rather loudly. Upon my confused look, she laughed again. "You are a fool!" She whispered, shaking her head. "I was talking about Karalissa."
I felt my eyes widen, but I didn't respond. Lydia waited for a response, but I didn't give her one.
"You can't be that oblivious, Vilkas. What is it? Denial?"
I thought for a moment. "I don't know, Lydia. We've just never talked about it."
Lydia nearly spat her drink out. "You've never talked about it? What exactly is 'it'?"
I took a long breath, then polished off my mug of mead. "I'm in love with her, Lydia. I'm fairly certain she has feelings for me, but there never seems to be a moment to talk about it. We have plenty of time to ourselves, plenty of time to discuss it, but there's always something that stops me. Some event or crisis."
Lydia nodded, smirking. "She loves you, Vilkas. It's so obvious, even Cassius noticed, and he's just as dumb as you are."
"Easy there."
"You should talk to her, Vilkas. What do you have to lose?"
I furrowed my brow again, thinking about the foreseeable outcomes. "I could lose her, Lydia. What if she doesn't feel for me what I feel for her? I don't want her to feel obligated to be with me. I would squash every ounce of love I have for her if it was any sort of inconvenient for her."
Lydia smiled at me. "And that's exactly why you should talk to her. Because I guarantee, she feels the exact same way."
I raised my hand to Corpulus, signaling for another drink. "Alright, Lydia. I'll talk to her."
Lydia finished off her mug, and nodded for another too. "Attaboy."
