A/N- Thanks for keeping up with the story so far, guys. I'm gonna start poting chapters irregularly, to where there;s no set date to when it'll be updated, so check everyday :)
Rayne awoke the next morning with a severe headache. Drank too much last night... Rayne thought to herself. She sat up on the bed, rubbing her eyes, She looked around the room, and noticed that Teldryn was missing. She looked at her clothes. A male belted tunic. Comfortable... Rayne thought. She was never a fan of dresses. They were uncomfortable to her.
Rayne got up off the bed and walked to the door that lead downstairs. Opening it, she saw Teldryn discussing with Ulfric in the battle room.
"Why do you need our help eliminating the remains of bandits? I'm sure you can handle it yourself." Ulfric as resting his hands next to the map of Skyirm on the table.
"From what my scouts tell me, they've multiplied, and strengthened, getting more weapons and food everyday, increasing in numbers. They know we are here, and are preparing to launch a full-scale assault. We need to prep oursleves for a battle." As much as Ulfric disliked the dark elves, Teldryn had a point. He pondered this for a minute, then spoke.
"Galmar, I want you and Ysrald to gather all our available guardsmen, and anyone in the city willing to fight, and get them to the barracks. Prep them on the situation, then start the advanced training. Do it now." Galmar and Ysrald quickly exited the room, and Ulfric rubbed his right shoulder. Teldryn looked over to the door where Rayne had entered. "Hey, didn't see you there. C'mon, we were just discussing our next move." Teldryn motioned for her to come to the table. She followed the order, approaching the table.
"What did you say about a full-scale assault?" Rayne asked Teldryn.
"Well, I have a man who works as a scout for the clan. He's my inside man. He'll be helping us gather information on the situation. When it comes to the battle, he'll be coming here to work on defending the city." Teldryn explained this all very quickly, but Rayne understood it. She looked to Ulfric, who just shrugged, then grabbed his shoulder again. Rayne gathered the courage to ask him a specific question.
"Did you know a man named Thrynn?" She asked him, choking back tears. Ulfric looked up to her.
"I do, in fact. He helped me win the war against the Empire. We were plundering a fort, and he just jumped in, killing Imperials. From then on, he helped us. Why?" Ulfric looked at Rayne with curiosity, and she wiped her eyes with the outside of her hand. "He's dead." She said. She did her best to hold back tears, but failed. She broke out bawling, wondering why she'd do something so stupid as to making her let out her feelings. Ulfric rested a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it, assuring Rayne that it'd be okay.
A few days later...
Rayne watched as the Stormcloak soldiers fired arrows, slashed targets, and practiced for the battle in the snow outside of the city. It wasn't much more time before the Spirti of Boethiah would storm the city, according to Teldryn's man. So these men needed to be in tip-top shape, and have their minds cleared... That means no mead until after the battle. During the past few days, two citizens have been killed by the Spirit of Boethiah, striking fear into the town. When the bodies were found, they made the Dark Brotherhood killings look childish... THese guys were proffesionals. And it's been bugging Rayne. Where did the clan get all this gold to buy the weapons, food, and supplies? It befuddled her.
Ysrald Thrice-Pierced walked up beside Rayne, observing the soldiers. "What do you think?" He asked, pointing to the men. Rayne looked to him, then to all the men and women Stormcloaks training. "They look as if they could kill 'em all," Rayne said. She smiled, watching as a Stormcloak drove his sword all the way through one of the targets, immediately pulling out his bow, firing an arrow at the target, and hitting the hilt of the blade. "You," She began, pointing to the Stormcloak, "come here." The Stormcloak did as told, sheathing his bow and approaching Rayne. "Yes, ma'am?" He said.
"What's your name, soldier?" She asked him, eyeing him up and down.
"Forlyn, ma'am," He said, quickly saluting. "At ease," Ysrald said.
"Well, Forlyn," Rayne began, "you seem to have a quick sword and bow arm."
"Aye, ma'am, been practicing since a child. It's been a life-long passion of mine to fight in a war." Forlyn said all this with pride. Rayne liked that.
"Come with me, Forlyn. I want to show you something." Rayne turned around and headed for the gates that lead to Windhelm. Flroyn looked to Ysrald, and he nodded to him. Forlyn quickly caught up with Rayne, matching her pace.
Palace of The Kings, Battleroom...
Rayne unfolded the map with the bandit locations on it, and layed it on the table. She pointed to one of two points on the map. "These marks are the locations of the bandit clan known as the Spirit of Boethiah," Rayne began, watching as Forlyn observed the map, "and they've been building up in size, gaining weapons, food, supplies, and members. And are prepping to assault. I've seen your moves, and think you'll be a valuable asset. From now on, you'll be working with me on this situation. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Forlyn said, nodding.
"Good. Now, for some questions. What made you weant to become a soldier?" Rayne asked.
"When I was a child, my older brother had influenced me. He was a great hunter, and would take me with him, give me hunting lessons, and he was always careful to keep me safe. Everyday we would hunt, craft, and spend time together. One day, he had recieved a letter from a courier, and left overnight. A note was left on the counter, saying that he had to leave, urgently, for the safety of us. And we never saw him, again." Forlyn, looked down at the table, and watched as a tear hit the table. She looked away
Forlyn continued talking. "It fell down to me to hunt for the family, and to keep a roof over our heads. I travelled a lot to get gold, trading hides and bones for gold. I had to leave the house for a time, about three weeks, and returned to see that it had been plundered, and my parents dead. It filled me with rage. I immediately left the house, heading to the nearby inn, and drank away. All the gold I had collected had dissapeared, and decided the next morning to fufill my dream. Become a soldier. Ulfric took me in immediately, and teaied me personally, as he knew my parents. I've been here ever since then." He looked Rayne right in the eye, and she could see the tears welling up. Rayne willed up the courage to ask him one last question, hoping the outcome wouldn't be someone she had lost.
"What was your brothers name, Forlyn?" She asked, as calmly and comforting as she could. He hesitated before answering.
"Thrynn... His name was Thrynn."
Well, fuck...
A/N- Well, that's it for this chapter. I know, I know, this chapter isn't really that long, but in the chapters to come, you'll have plenty to read. Now, then, what did you guys think of the answer? Lemme know, review or Pm, you know the drill :)