So sorry for the wait! I get sidetracked way too easy! I blame Mass Effect Andromeda...and Skyrim...and Fallout 4...and Xcom2...
Anyway, enough excuses. I have Chapter 4 around 60% written so hopefully I shall get that released soon.
Hope it was worth the wait, I really need to pull my finger out and get some serious writing done...
High Queen Elisif the Fair stared out at the vista before her, her hands clasped tightly in front of her stomach. She paused to nod at the concerned visage of Thane Bryling before looking back to the view. From her vantage point, the air was clear enough for her to easily see the Shrine of Meridia, and even the burned out husk of the Thalmor Embassy.
"Three months or so and still no sign. What are they waiting for?' Elisif said after a moment.
Bryling thought carefully before answering. She admired the change that the young Queen had adopted but she was much more wary of which words she chose to say around her. She did not wish to make an enemy of the Dragonborn after all.
"Perhaps the defences that Rikke has managed to set up? Even the Thalmor would think twice of open warfare against a manned border. They have no knowledge of our army numbers."
Elisif smiled.
"They have the numbers to wipe us all out within a month. The last reports told of at least two battalions amassed within Cyrodiil. And while there seems to be a small resistance forming, the Thalmor wouldn't bring a second army to a place that holds no real threat to their power base."
Bryling couldn't help but smile. The Queen had been attending every meeting with the veteran Rikke and it seemed that Elisif was learning the art of war at a rapid rate.
"Perhaps the dragons and the Forsworn?" Bryling said after a few seconds of quiet thought.
Elisif nodded.
"A possibility. Although Morgan has explained multiple times that the dragons only fight for her either from respect or fear of her. And while they may attack the elves out of curiosity I doubt we can rely on them as a permanent deterrent. As for the Forsworn…"
Elisif brushed a few strands of golden hair from her face and smirked at Bryling.
"Jarl Shea has done extremely well in keeping the peace as well as keeping the western borders safe, yet she admitted she knows nothing of the duties of being Jarl, nor that of fighting a long war with anyone."
"Sounds familiar," Bryling smiled.
Elisif chuckled.
"I did have help."
Bryling nodded. She knew what the queen would ask about next, and she was ready for the query.
"Heard anything from Morgan since?..."
Bryling managed to not sigh.
"Nothing. From what the last patrol reported, the Dragonborn still resides at her home. And she was apparently curious and a little reserved about hearing of the museum being opened in her honour."
Elisif laughed now, feeling lighter than ever.
"I would wager a few dozen swear words were uttered as well."
Bryling snorted.
"Yet that was over a week ago. I believe Legate Hadvar is due to report in later this evening, perhaps he may know more."
Elisif nodded. She knew of the young man that served the Empire very well. Rikke had promoted him and had him running all over Skyrim, performing duties only for the upper echelon of Skyrims army.
"He is a friend of Morgan. It would have been nicer if she had told me if she was coming or not."
Bryling smiled again.
"You know how she replies to most letters. From what one of her daughters once told you, she incinerates most letters addressed to her after reviewing hundreds of marriage proposals after the war was ended."
Elisif laughed again at the memory. Lucia was the most honest child she had ever talked to.
"Let me know when Hadvar arrives. I have some ideas to ensure the Thalmor army struggles to enter Skyrim from the southern borders."
Bryling nodded and simply watched as the Queen walked away in a swish of skirts. She breathed out a sigh of relief and looked out at the waters far below her. Making a mental note to construct a few safety rails along the pathway, she walked away from the back garden of the Dragonborn Gallery, her mind racing.
The Thalmor would come, she was certain of it. The only question was how soon they would arrive.
Hadvar paused at the small pathway before him. He noted the twelve soldiers that stood behind him were fidgeting and in two cases, were shaking slightly.
"You have nothing to fear from her ."
The soldiers straightened up but he could still see the fear in their eyes.
Can you blame them? She punched Ulfric Stormcloaks head into oblivion.
He hadn't been there at the time, Rikke had given him orders to flank around the south when the battle had started. By the time the three hundred strong makeshift army had gotten there, the battle was over and Ulfric had been obliterated in one savage strike.
Hadvar shrugged. The Dragonborn's home seemed quiet enough. Minus the gigantic white wolf that sat on the doorstep of course.
"She won't bite."
Hadvar managed to not jump when that soft voice cut through the cold air. From the clattering sound behind him, he knew that more than one soldier had done just that.
She looked angry, he noted. She was standing at the doorstep, her hand resting on the wolfs head, her eyes boring into his. Hadvar swallowed and moved forwards, stopping when they were six feet away.
That wolf! It's gigantic!
"Nice to see you again, Hadvar."
He nodded.
"Likewise. Um…you seem a little tense, my friend…" he stammered.
Morgan snorted.
"Three fanatics attacked us and came close to harming my daughters. I was just due to head out and wipe out another pest infestation."
Hadvar blinked.
"How? And where?!"
"Whiterun centre," Morgan replied, small tendrils of black magic oozing from her armour seams.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" He asked, his previous fear forgotten.
Morgan gave him a small smile which put him and his soldiers a little more at ease.
"Kindly let the High Queen I will be delayed. I shall return when the bastard responsible has a severe case of head removal."
Hadvar had never seen his friend so upset. He did note that the air was colder than it had been all day though. He filed that piece of knowledge away and nodded.
"I wish you all the best my friend. Good hunting."
Morgan nodded and she walked back inside her home, the wolf trailing behind her. The second the doors closed, Hadvar winced as most of the soldiers behind him began to vomit. He sighed.
High Queen Elisif wouldn't be completely thrilled by this outcome, but what could he do about it? If there was one thing he was sure of, it was the person responsible for the personal attack on the Dragonborn would surely regret the action.
He just hoped that no innocents would get caught in the crossfire.
Morgan sighed as she watched the detachment of soldiers leave the premises, Had are patting a few backs as they walked. She did feel slightly guilty for scaring what were clearly new recruits, but it wasn't as if she should be feeling calm at a time like this.
She hugged the two children sitting on her lap and closed her eyes.
I have to do this. They are upset I will be away from home for at least a few weeks but if they are to remain safe, I need this Miraak to focus on me. With Aela away, only Jordis and my mother are here.
"I'll be back soon. Then we can spend more time together… Maybe even teach you the first word of Unrelenting Force?" Morgan teased, knowing that Runa in particular was eager to try and learn how to Shout.
Her two adopted daughters embraced her tighter and Morgan smiled. They understood what she was doing. And that hardened her resolve more than anything.
"Windhelm. Still a shithole," Morgan muttered under her breath.
Serana smirked as she kept her arm wrapped around her little dragon.
"What did you expect?"
Morgan sighed.
"I guess… I hoped that maybe the city itself has changed in some ways. But everything is worse. No Argonians, Dunmer or any other race. Ulfric is probably pissing his sides laughing at me now, the prick."
Serana rolled her eyes and ensured her hood was still shrouding her face. They had both agreed that any interaction with the locals was to be avoided as much as possible. Many people had been fond of Ulfric after all.
"Great. Not ruined my life enough have you?"
Wonderful. Had to open your big fucking mouth.
Morgan slowly turned around and ensured she was out of sight of the majority of the citizens before lowering her hood and meeting the gaze of the person who had spoken. Or more specifically, the small child that was glaring at her with a venomous snarl in her voice.
"I lost everyone I knew. The dockworkers were my main source of income AND friendship. I lost the few traders that tolerated me and even gave me gold when I helped them here and there," Sofie snarled as she limped closer, throwing her tattered flower basket to the ground.
Morgan blinked and stood still as the angry child vented.
"And THEN, the new Jarl declared that because I no longer have any adult supervision, I am to report to the orphanage in Riften later this evening until I am old enough. I hate you! I hate you! I hate…."
Her words were cut off when she was enveloped in a gentle embrace, the sweet smell of nightshade invading her nostrils. Sofie wasn't aware she was crying and she clung to the one person she idolised and hated. She had nothing else after all.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realise you would suffer so much," Morgan whispered softly. "I was foolish enough to believe that Ulfric was just one problem to be fixed. I know that many of the dockworkers moved to Riften and Solitude but I assumed they would have taken you with them."
"The city…the fighting…" Sofie sniffled.
"Something I never thought would have happened but I should have expected it. But I can at least get you somewhere safe. And it's not Riften orphanage."
Sofie blinked away tears.
"But where can I go? I don't have the gold for Solitude."
Morgan smiled.
"Serana? Could you take Sofia to the stables? And ask the stable master for an instant trip to Solitude for one person?"
Serana smiled and gently took the child's hand, ignoring her rapid heartbeat.
"And when you get to Solitude, head to the orphanage and give this to Constance. Enough payment to last you until you are of age."
Sofie stared as two flawless emeralds were pressed into her free hand.
"One is for the payment. The other is for you to buy clothing and anything else that will help you settle in. I apologise for what I have put you through, Sofie. I hope that one day, you can forgive me."
Sofie knew her lips were trembling but she managed to utter a soft 'thank you' before being escorted away. She glanced up at the taller woman that held her hand and managed not to scream when the golden eyes met hers.
"There's a lot you don't know about her, little one. But one day, I know that she will seek you out and ensure that you are being taken care of."
"Promise?"
Serana smiled and squeezed the small hand.
"Promise"
The two of them walked for a moment before Sofie spoke again.
"Why is she asking you to take me?"
Serana smiled again.
"In her own words, it would be to 'make sure that the stable master doesn't give you any….well, you get the idea."
Sofie smiled and made sure she held the emeralds tightly. She had been given a second chance, and she wasn't going to waste it.
Captain Gjalund Salt-Sage threw the hammer to the deck and stood up. Wiping his hands on his trousers, he turned around and met the person who had spoken so rudely to him. It wasn't often that he was asked to 'stop pretending to work and explain yourself' very often.
His bravado fled when the golden eyes stared into his soul. The Dragonborn was as beautiful as he recalled, having met her years ago. Vampirism hadn't managed to hide the unnatural gaze she now had, however.
He suddenly found himself slammed against the mast, the small woman pinning him against the wood with a single hand. As if that wasn't bad enough, her voice was calm, quiet.
"You came from Solstheim, correct?"
He was aware that the ten sailors around them made no move to intervene, and he was thankful for their restraint.
"Aye. Returned a few days ago."
"With three people dressed in ragged robes? Tentacled masks?"
He nodded.
"Take me to Solstheim."
"The boat isn't ready…"
"Really? So why have three other boats left within the day? According to the East Empire trafficker, your boat has stayed here since you returned," Morgan said softly, tilting her head.
"And why would I do this?"
The Dragonborn smiled, her fangs now visible.
"The three passengers you had? They attacked me and nearly harmed my daughters. People who get involved with my business in a negative way usually don't get the chance to make things right. This is your only chance, Captain."
He thought about that for a few seconds. Truth be told, he was angry at not having been paid for the voyage. He and his sailors had been knocked out, the gold all taken. As if reading his mind, the Dragonborn produced three red rubies from a pocket and placed them into the chest pocket of his shirt.
"That's for the trip there. When we return and are back in Windhelm, you and your sailors get enough riches to retire early. Deal?"
He had no idea who was dumb enough to turn down an offer like that, but he wasn't stupid. Besides, he had payback for the person who had sent the three thieves onto his ship to steal from him, let alone attack the one person who should be left alone.
"We will cast off within the hour."
He was glad when he was released and the small vampire gave him a chilling smile.
"Thank you, Captain."
He nodded and walked past her, breathing out hard. He recalled a town guard in the tavern the night before talking about the Dragonborn. The way the young man stammered and constantly looked over his shoulder was now understandable to him. Then he patted the rubies in his pocket.
Well, she was true to her word so far. Early retirement? Sounded good to him. He glanced back and shuddered as the Dragonborn stood at the edge of the ship, her diminutive fingers clenching the wood tightly enough to bend the wood slightly.
That guard has no idea. This woman makes a dragon look like a harmless mud crab and she hardly said anything. Talos help us if someone turns her against us…
Serana looped an arm around Morgan's waist and smiled as the ship broke into the open water, the city of Windhelm disappearing in the snowy swirls. She ensured her hood covered her face as usual and spent a moment to gather her thoughts. As expected, Morgan spoke up first.
My little dragon hates the silence after all. Lucia is a crafty one, she told me otherwise.
"Can the ship go faster?"
"It's not a dragon, my love. Besides, enjoy the sea air."
Serana grinned as Morgan let out an unladylike snort which to her keen hearing, sounded very much like 'dragon shit' and pulled Morgan a little closer.
"Three days until we reach Solstheim," Serana remarked. "With a little luck, we can wrap this up and be back within two weeks."
Morgan nodded.
"The issue is that neither of us have been there. With no allies that we know of. That means we are pretty much on our own this time."
"You were alone when you came to Skyrim and you turned out alright…well, mostly alright," Serana amended with a grin.
Morgan snorted again.
"Just remember who woke you up."
Serana laughed now.
"Let's just focus on what we do know."
"Some prick attacked me and thinks it's a good thing to put my daughters in harms way. Then he or she is dumb enough to leave a trail for me to follow. It may be this 'Miraak's' home but it won't stop me from pulling his spine out through his fucking mouth."
Serana shook her head.
"Remind me to not ask you for writing a biography," she chuckled.
She was pleased when Morgan giggled low enough for her to hear.
Serana stood there for another moment and then pulled Morgan into her embrace, ignoring the sailors who occasionally stared at them. Running a hand through the long black hair of her love, she smiled down at the smaller woman.
"We will be back with our family before we know it."
Morgan nodded before capturing Serana's lips with hers, feeling their blood bond surge through her. Nothing would stop her, no matter what Miraak or Solstheim would throw at her. She had Serana at her side after all. She was her rock in a maelstrom of chaos.
She just wished everyone else would stop causing the chaos in the first place and leave her alone, she had surely done enough now.
She also hoped that Miraak was some random idiot and not someone with an agenda.
First time for everything.
She smiled as they parted and the two vampires stared at the waves around them, oblivious to the sailors that scurried around them. With a little luck, she could finish her business within a few days.