Warning!
This chapter contains scenes that my puppies found innapropriate for younger audiences
For your safety, read with your eyes closed...
Chapter 9:
Shouts followed. Some of good nature, celebrating the long awaited alliance, others not so much. Irileth had told Dila that the Grey-Manes were Stormcloak sympathizers, and would probably come wanting the Jarl`s blood. In fact, some went as far as drawing their swords.
That didn`t last long though. Siris had pulled two swords out of their respective owners hands, and the rest of the guards already had their weapons drawn. The two guards whose swords were on Siris hands grabbed the hilts of their non-existing swords, before turning to each other in confusion. Dila also had her bow trained at the would-be assailants. Seeing that they were severely outnumbered, the Grey-Manes slowly put down their weapons.
- I was going to let the Grey-Manes stay, as a symbol of non-hostility toward sympathizers. – Balgruuf said, gravely. – But I see that that was a mistake. You are now commanded to leave Whiterun Hold, and, if any of you return, I`ll have your heads.
The Grey-Manes slowly started to scatter. They left through the door, and the Battle-Borns were ready to give chase, but the Jarl stopped them.
- They are to leave unharmed and unharassed. – Dila was actually impressed at the good-nature of the Jarl. Very few men could say they were as honorable as him.
Dila slowly put her bow down when she saw the last Grey-Mane leave the room. Siris gave the swords back to the guards, tapping them in the shoulder and shrugging of two cold stares. He walked back to Dila. She sheathed her bow and turned to him.
- Siris. – Balgruuf said, turning to his friend, before squezzing him in a tight hug. – Thank you for your support. I don`t know what I would have done without you!
- We will discover soon enough… - Siris said, almost suffocating. - … if you don`t release me.
The Jarl did so. Then he noticed something was off with his friend. There was something missing.
- Siris? Where is your sword?
Siris shuffled his feet. Dila knew that he had taken great prize in that sword. She had felt his anger when he had broken it.
- It… broke, Balgruuf. – he said, lowering his voice.
- Can`t we fix it?
- Akvari swords aren`t made through normal forging. They require a much more refined method which, unfortunately, their owners brought to the grave.
Dila could feel Siris sadness when he said that. She had hoped Siris was overacting, but now she saw his distress. The jarl stopped, thoughtfull. Dila knew that Siris could fight with any weapon and even with his bare hands, but the Akvari Dai-Katana was a style upon itself. Siris had thought her that.
Then the Jarl`s face went grim. He had rememebered one thing. One he had been trying to forget for a long time.
- Siris, come with me. I have something that might interest you.
Siris looked at Dila, confused, before looking back to his friend. Balgruuf was heading toward a small stair case that led to the basement.
- What is it? – he asked.
- A new sword…
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Siris was following Balgruuf through the small, cramped basement. His friend had insisted that Dila stayed in the main hall. Siris didn`t know why. A sword is just a sword.
- Balgruuf, it`s alright. I can buy a new sword.
- Balgruuf didn`t even listen to him, and merely brought down a small wooden plank from the wall. There was a door behind it.
- Now, Siris. – Balgruuf said, turning toward his friend. – Behind this door is one of the most powerful weapons ever created. It holds unimaginable power. But beware! – he said, lifting a finger in warning. – It is dark in nature. It will try to corrupt you. It will try to break your will and command you. I trust that you are strong enough to spit in it`s face. So, here is my gift to you.
The Jarl opened the door with a small key he had on his pocket. He gestured that Siris stepped inside the small room. To Siris surprise, someone started talking to him.
"Ah! Balgruuf finally got the guts to come here and take me… Or is he sending another filthy mage to try to destroy my symbol on this land?"
Siris looked around, confused. He could see no one other than Balgruuf in the room. His gaze then met with the object on the table. His jaw dropped in surprise.
Laying on a small table, was a beautiful Dai-Katana. It was much different from Siris`s, though: It`s blade was black as the night sky, with what seemed like a golden trim above the hand guard. The hilt was dark grey. He slowly approached it. He extended his right hand to claim the blade. As he touched the hilt, another voice took hold of his mind.
"New flesh to wield this blade! An Argonian, who would have thought"
- Who are you? – Siris asked, confused.
"I`m the Daedric Prince of Secrets, Mephala." A loud laughter flooded his mind when he shuddered. "Don`t be afraid, mortal. I am not evil to those that favor me. I feel that you are worthy of this blade."
Siris felt a cold feeling run up his arms. He was holding a Daedric Artifact. An item of timeless power. It had slain countless beings. And was he guilty that a smile was creeping it`s way to his face?
"Good, you are eager to test this blade. And I sense someone… Why don`t you start with… Dila?.."
Siris released the sword and it fell on the floor. He stepped back, eyeing the sword. A trickle of sweat went down his face.
"Weakling…" sounded on his voice, but that wasn`t what had scared Siris.
He was scared because he couldn`t distinguish who had spoken. Mephala…or himself.
- Siris?
Balgruuf snapped him out of the trance. Siris rolled his eyes across the room before settling them in the sword at his feet. It was a really beautiful sword. Seemed sharp as well. He reached for it once again. This time, no one said nothing. He tested it and gave a light swings. Sattisfied with the silence he received, he slung it on his scabbard.
- Thank you, Balgruuf.
- It`s the Ebony Blade. It is said to leech the life of those it hurt. It looks good on you.
- Thanks. I guess.
Balgruuf smacked him across the shoulder. Then they went up again.
As Siris emerged from the door, he saw that Dila was leaning on the small barrier, waiting for him. Siris lightly poked her in the shoulder. She turned and smiled as she saw him. Balgruuf laughed. Siris turned to him.
- I think it`s beginning to get dark. We should go to the inn.
- I won`t stop you. Go ahead.
They left the house and almost ran over to the Bannered Mare. Siris quickly asked for a room, before flinging ten septims on the counter. The barkeeper threw him a key. They went up the stairs. Before Siris could open the door, Dila turned him around and kissed him. She kissed him so strongly that she pinned him to the door. He ran his left hand down her curves, while his left hand kept fiddling with the key, trying to fit it in the lock. He managed it, and they both fell in the ground as the door slammed open. Siris closed it with his leg. They stopped for air.
- Wouldn`t you like to move to a more comfortable place? – he asked, admiring his lover.
She nodded in agreement. A moment later, they were in the bed, fighting for dominance. He had it for the time being. He held her wrists with both hands, and she moaned softly. She smiled, right before yelling:
- AAH! – she screamed as if in pain.
Siris let go of her wrists, afraid that he had hurt her. She took the opportunity to flip him under her, straddling him. Somehow he ended up with his wrists locked by her legs.
- Not again… - he moaned. She smiled and began grinding. He closed his eyes.
"I am in heaven…"
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In the next morning, Dila woke up first, for a change. They were again entangled in the position they had held once they both had reached the apex. She got up, trying not to wake him up. She slid from under the blanket and started looking for her clothes. She didn`t seem to find them anywhere though. Her tail swung in annoyance. She turned to bed…
… only to find Siris staring at her, holding his head up with his hand. He had something else underneath the covers.
- Good morning. – he said. – Looking for something?
As he said that, he slowly brought his other hand from under the cover. He was holding her chestplate.
- How did you…
- Shadowscale, remember?
She laughed and snatched it from his grip. She then noticed the sword lying by the floor.
- Beautiful like a sliver of midnight…
Siris got up and bowed to get his vests from the floor. He quickly put them on. Dila did the same, but not before he pulled her in for a long kiss.
- Not as beautiful as you…
She blushed. They had been lovers for two nights now, but she felt like she had known for a long time. She cared for him.
He slung his sword in his back.
- Now, if the lady can get ready… - he said, grinning. – We can be on our way.
She put her armor on quickly, letting the cloak fall on her back. She took her bow and arrows in her hand and exited with Siris, holding his hand. They went out of the inn and headed straight for Dragonsreach. The Jarl was lost in thought, sitting on his throne.
- Ah! Siris! Dila! – he said, looking up to them. – I was wondering when you would show up.
- Well, here we are.
Balgruuf whipped an axe from his belt. He got up from the throne and walked to Siris. He handed Siris the axe.
- Balgruuf, if you keep giving me weapons, I might become a little bit too heavy…
- No, Siris, this weapon is not for you. It`s for Ulfric.
Dila was confused. Why was Balgruuf giving Ulfric an weapon?
- Ulfic`s War Axe, isn`t it? – Siris must`ve caught sight of Dila`s face, as he began explaining her what that meant. – An old custom among Nords. The one that wishes to make peace gives away a weapon as a gift; if the other person gives the weapon back, then war is declared between them.
- So, you are finaly making your support to the Legion public. – Dila said, turning to Balgruuf. – Let me guess: you want Siris and I to go get the weapon to Ulfric, right?
- No. I want Siris to go and give him his axe. You will stay here.
"What?" she thought, shaken by Balgruuf`s words. "Why?"
- Why, my Jarl? – she asked, nervous.
- As much as you are a capable fighter, a bow won`t suit in every situation. – Siris answered. – And your adversary won`t have his back turned to you every time you see him. So I asked Balgruuf that he let his housecarl train you. He accepted it.
Dila felt a tear beginning to form in her eyes. She wanted to cry. The man she wanted…hell, loved!.. was leaving in a dangerous mission, and she was going to sit around, hitting dummies with wooden sticks. She felt powerless. However, she swallowed the tear and let it die within her. She had to be strong like Siris.
- But I have a better idea, now that I think of it… - Siris said, rubbing his chin. – Balgruuf, could you perhaps talk Kodlak into training her without needing to join the Companions?
Balgruuf smiled at his friend`s statement. Yes, Kodlak and the Companions were the most honored warriors in all of Skyrim. They would train her gladly.
- Of course, Siris. Now, If you want to get back soon, you better leave soon. There is a table waiting for both of you in the other hall. Eat and drink all you want.
They ate their breakfast in silence. Dila couldn`t even manage to look at Siris. Any thought about him brought her a sense of preoccupation.
When they were finished, they went to meet Balgruuf. He gave Siris a small pack with a cloak made out of wolf fur.
- It`s going to be cold at Windhelm. Take this.
- Finally, all those wolves I killed paid for something.
Balgruuf chuckled.
- Goodbye, friend. – then he turned to Dila. – You can go with Siris. I will speak to Kodlak. Your training will begin tomorrow.
She nodded, and followed Siris through the door. They walked slowly through the city, Dila leaning on Siris. The sky was light grey, as the sun hadn`t risen yet, and there were clouds gathering. They reached the gate and went through it.
The vision of the prairie by the morning was blurred by the tears that now ran through Dila`s eyes freely. No one was watching them. She turned to Siris and hugged him. He hugged her back.
- Don`t worry. – he said, nuzzling his snout on her hair. – I`ll be back soon.
- I don`t want to lose you... – she said.
- Dila, nothing is going to happen to me. In four days, I`ll be here, by the gates of Whiterun. And then we will both win this war.
- I know. But I can`t help it… - she said.
Siris released his embrace a little, and she looked up to his eyes. He looked so calm. That calmed her down a bit. They kissed, the taste salty because of the tears rolling down her eyes. He hugged her again, and this time, Dila felt a small tear fall in her hair.
- I love you. – Siris said, before breaking the hug once again and turning to the prairie. – Look at the stars…
Dila turned her head to where he was looking. A few stars dotted the grey picture.
- Goodbye, Dila. – he said, stepping forward quickly. Dila stood there, watching him stride forward. She decided what she was going to do.
She took her bow and went inside.
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Siris was pacing forward quickly. He wanted to get to Widhelm as soon as possible, with every nerve in his body telling him not to go at all. To get lost in the forest and disappear. Were it in other circumstances, he would have easily done so. But now that he had Dila…
He heard a whoosh in the air behind him, and looked down to see an arrow by his side. Steel arrow, but there was something wrapped around the shaft. He took the arrow and saw that there was a small piece of paper in the arrow.
He unwrapped it, and, in Dila`s beautiful calligraphy, he saw written:
"I love you too."