Well ladies and gents, this is a longer chapter than normal. I wanted to move the storyline for more and Jorik's and Argis' relationship. This chapters is broken up in parts, not really going into the missions. There will only be a few missions that I will give more details, and those are the more important to the story. Also this chapter is setting up for the next chapter.
Leave a review and let me know what you though of the chapter. There is very mild male and male action in this chapter, if you don't like don't read. If you find mistakes, I am sorry for them, I wanted to get this chapter out quickly so I can work on the next one. Hope to hear from my readers.
Chapter 20
Argis chuckled as Jorik's head snapped to the sky. He shook his head in amusement, "We are not chasing that dragon half way across Skyrim so you can put it in its place," Argis told him as he rested a hand on Jorik's shoulder. He knew if he let go before Jorik settled, he would be running after that dragon. Not necessary to take its soul, but to prove he was more powerful.
The past month had shown how much his husband had changed. What Argis now called his dragon instincts were always in control, but the man was there too. Some nights they would stay up talking, other times Jorik would tell him memories of different dragons that he had killed. Argis knew more about the history of the nords and dragons than any person except Jorik.
He slowly let his husband go, ready to bolt after him if necessary. He watched as Jorik slowly relax, and take a seat on a log nearby.
"It was a young one," Jorik said calmly. He listened to the voices of the souls he had taken. They told him that dragon wasn't worth the hunt, it was too young. Jorik smirked, what he thought young and what dragons thought young were two different things. It seems anything under a thousand years was considered young.
Argis looked at him surprised, and looked back to the disappearing figure of the dragon. He raised a brow, if that was a young one, then what the hell had they been hunting before. Most of the dragons they have come across were about the same size as that one.
"Tomorrow we head for Riften and collect this Esbern guy," Jorik muttered.
"Ever been to Riften?" Argis asked. It was one of a few cities in Skyrim he hadn't been in.
"No, from what rumors say, it's where the thieves' guild resides. I would suggest we keep a close eye on our money and leave nothing important in any room we rent," Jorik suggested.
~ooooooooooooooo~
Jorik walked up to the guards at the gates, he glanced at Argis who walked beside him, not behind him as he used to do. His eyes narrowed when one of the guards started walking towards them. He hoped the man wasn't about to give them another mission. He already has enough missions to complete around Skyrim. He rolled his eyes, it seemed as if the people of Skyrim couldn't do their own dirty work. Though on the bright side, it meant more money for him.
"To enter Riften you need to pay a tax," the guard announced.
Jorik's eyes widened, he hadn't expected this. He looked at the guard incredulously, a tax to enter the town. He smirked coldly as he closed the distance between him and the guard, grabbing the guard by the neck of his armor. "I will pay no tax, and you'll let me in anyways," He growled low and menacingly.
"Jorik, don't kill him," Argis warned as he chuckled softly.
"Unlock the gate," the guard yelled, panic thick in his voice as he rushed back to his post when Jorik let him go.
"Let's go find this man and be done with this city," Jorik grumbled as they walked through the gate.
"Who were we supposed to speak with?" Argis asked as he scanned the faces of all the people wandering about. He wrinkled his nose at the stench of the place.
"A man named Brynjolf," Jorik answered, wondering how they were going to find this person with all of these lowlifes around. So far had seen a few people pick a person's pocket. He had also watched a merchant swindle another person into paying more than the item was worth. His scowl turned darker as he listened to a woman extort an innocent man. He wondered vaguely how this man came to be here. There was no way this man would last here, he was too naïve.
"Interesting place," Argis muttered. "Are you sure we should stay here?"
"We need to stay until we find this Brynjolf guy," Jorik grumbled.
"I am surprised the Jarl isn't doing anything about this corruption," Argis murmured scowling darkly as he watched another person be robbed.
"Just like Jarl Igmund? He's doing such a good job keeping Markarth clean. The Silverblood runs the city, not the Jarl," Jorik reminded him.
"True, but still, we don't have things like this happening," Argis huffed scowling at his husband.
"True. You only have people killing each other in the street, or the Silverbloods, sending out there goons to take over more mines, leaving people starving while they make more money," Jorik snapped, glaring at his husband.
Argis fell silent, not sure how to answer to Jorik's accusations. He knew they were true, they had stopped the Silverbloods a few times. He didn't want to argue, he knew he would lose, but Markarth was his home, where he had lived since he was a born.
"Let's go to the market and restock, this way you can question people on this Brynjolf guy," Argis suggested.
"Good idea," Jorik murmured and let Argis take the lead. He placed his hand on the small pouch at his hip, it wasn't all their coin, but enough to get them food and lodgings. The rest of their coin was hidden in his pack, near the bottom where someone would have a hard time stealing it from him.
"Am I questing people or are you?" Argis ask as Jorik fell in step beside him.
"Which ever you think will be faster," Jorik answered with a shrug as he watched one man in particular. The man had red hair down to his shoulders, he was in upper class clothing, but his eyes said it all. That man was watching them like a cat who just found something to play with. He didn't like the look one bit.
"Depends, what are the dragonsouls telling you to do?" Argis asked and turned his attention to the man that Jorik was watching.
"They're telling me to roast one person so they fear me and the rest will give me the answers I need easier," Jorik answered.
"I am glad you aren't listening to them. I am not sure we have enough coin to bail you out of jail for murder," Argis muttered with a grimace. His eyes narrowed as the man that Jorik had been watching intently walked their way.
Jorik eyed the new man, not trusting him in the least. He waited for the man to speak, something told him he wasn't going to like this conversation.
"Never done an honest day in your life for all that coin you carry eh lad," the red hair man started. Jorik raised a brow, that was slightly true, he had killed to get the coin. Not for the dark brotherhood or anything, he had killed bandits, dragons, and others who have raised their sword against him.
"Depends on what you mean. I kill to earn my money," Jorik answered with a smirk. He watched the man's eyes widened and he grinned slowly as wariness crossed the man's face. "I'm looking for a man named Brynjolf."
"What do you want with him?" the red haired man asked.
"He has information we need," Argis answered quickly before Jorik could continue taunting the man.
"Information comes at a price around here lad," the man answerd, regaining his footing after the initial shock.
"What would be that price?" Argis asked, uncertainty entering him.
"You help me and I'll help you," The red haired man answered with a smug grin.
Jorik's eyes narrowed and then he chuckled softly, "What did you have in mind Brynjolf?" He laughed louder when he saw the moment of shock.
"Are you sure I am Brynjolf?"
"Very, the person I am helping didn't describe you but she said if anyone can get information you can. You gave yourself away," Jorik answered with a shrug.
"What is it you need lad?" Brynolf answered with a good natured smile.
"I am looking for a man named Esbern, I was told you could direct me to him," Jorik answered.
"If you want this information then you'll have to do something for me," Brynjolf answered, smiling slyly.
"Depends on what you want young one," Jorik answered shaking his head as he felt the souls press against him. He wasn't amused that they had entered the conversation. They called them man young one, and yet he wasn't much older than him. He could feel the tension in his shoulders and hoped that nothing major was going to happen, not with the angry souls.
"Jorik?" Argis questioned, lightly placed his hand on his husband's shoulder. He could feel the tension and glanced at the other man, praying to the gods he didn't do anything to make this situation worse.
Argis watched as Jorik bowed his head and took a few deep breaths, the tension slowly leaving him. "I'm fine," Jorik said giving Argis a soft smile.
Argis nodded, slowly stepping back. He ignored the other man, not really carrying what he thought. Argis glanced over at the man when he heard a throat being cleared. He ignored the sly smile and knowing look.
Argis' stood there shock as Jorik leaned into him, his forehead touching his, "Thank you," Jorik voiced softly that Argis didn't think Brynjolf heard. What was shocking, was the intimacy of that one move. Jorik hadn't ever pushed to bed him, never once showed that he wanted to bed him. Warmth filled him at this one gesture. He laced his hand through Joriks midnight hair, bring the lower half of his face closer and laying a light kiss on those weathered chap lips. He didn't linger, nor did he push for more, but he hoped it was enough for Jorik to understand that he wanted more from this marriage.
Jorik raised surprised eyes, he hadn't expected Argis to react like that. He backed away from the man with a small smile and then turned his attention back to Brynjolf who stood there with knowing eyes.
"What do you want us to do?" Jorik asked.
"You to do. There is someone we need out of the way," Brynolf said slowly, waiting for a reaction as he watched them closely.
"You want me to kill someone?" Jorik asked, his eyes narrowing.
"No, we just want him framed," Brynjolf said quickly before one of them got the wrong impression.
"No. I am not doing your dirty work." Jorik stepped very close to Brynolf anger eating at him. "You'll tell us where the guy we are looking for is, or I go to the guards and let them know what you plan. If the guards are dirty, then I'll hire the companions to teach you a lesson." Jorik threatened coldly.
"Don't threaten me lad," Brynolf warned, his voice turning cold and forboding.
Argis stepped up beside Jorik, placing a hand on his husband's chest, trying to move him back a few steps. The last thing they needed was a fight where everyone could see, especially with this guy. Something told him that they would be seeing the inside of the jail for a long time. "Jorik, there are other ways to find our information," Argis whispered in his ear, hoping the other guy didn't overhear.
Out loud he said, "Jorik why don't we get some mead."
Jorik turned his attention to Argis, and saw the warning look. He look a deep breath, relaxing his shoulders and allowed Argis to move him back. Without another word he walked towards the inn and away from Brynjolf.
~ooooooooooooooooooooo~
Argis glanced around the bar, making sure Jorik was still up in the room. It was late into the night, the bar was packed, and for some odd reasons Jorik's dragon souls were hounding him more than usual. He worried, but there was not much he could do at the moment. First they needed information, and that he could get, he wasn't sure it would be a good idea for Jorik to get the information.
He was surprised that the woman behind the bar was an argonian. It was rare to see them in cities. If he thought about it, his was the only city he had seen them in. Though that wasn't saying much since he hadn't seen all of the cities yet.
"I need information and am willing to pay for it," Argis stated as he took a seat on the bar stool.
"Depends on what you want and how much you willing to pay," the argonian stated.
"I'm looking for a man that is hiding here in town. He goes by the name Esbern," Argis said cautiously. He watched the Argonian tap the counter. He tossed out a few coin, and waited, hoping ti was enough.
"Anyone around here people who wants to hide are usually found down in the Ratway," the argonian answered.
"Where do I find the Ratway?" Argis asked, hiding his excitement.
"Beneath the city, there are all kinds of lowlifes living down there along with the thieves guild. If you got the coin, they can point you the rest of the way," she answered.
Argis nodded his thanks and headed upstairs to where his sleeping husband was.
~ooooooooooooooo~
Jorik woke slowly, his head was hurting, but the anger of the dragons were gone. For that he was thankful, he had never heard them that angry before. Well, that wasn't really true, the few times he had spoken with that blade girl they had been angry, but then there wasn't as many souls as he had now.
He glanced over his shoulder to see Argis curled up behind him, his arm slung over his waist. He thoughts turned back to the gentle press of Argis' lips against his. It had surprised him at the time, and he wasn't sure how to react then, but now he knew.
He rolled onto his back, watching his husband sleep. He still couldn't wrap his mind around that, being married for months now. They were no longer strangers to each other, but they were like most married couples either. They shared a bed, held each other and that was it. He didn't even know if Argis was into men, he honestly didn't think so.
"I can feel you staring at me," Argis rumbled without opening his eyes. Jorik grinned in amusement.
"Is that a problem?" he murmured, testing the water.
"Depends on what's crossing your mind," Argis mumbled as his mind slowly cleared. He blinked over his eyes and caught the look of wonderment in Jorik's amber eyes. Slowly he reached out, lightly touched Jorik's stubble covered cheek. He leaned forward, not sure if this was a good idea. He had never been with another male, that didn't mean it hadn't crossed his mind at some point. But this was Jorik, after these many month together he wanted to know what it would be like to be together with him.
Jorik sat up, disappointment filling him. He hadn't expected that answer from Argis, not since the small kiss they had shared. He sat on the edge of the bed, gathering his the clothes he had piled on a chair nearby. He needed out of this room, away from Argis and temptation.
He was about to rise to his feet, but strong arms stopped him and tug him back until his back hit the bed. A startled gasp escaped him as he stared up at Argis' face. He saw the hesitancy in Argis' face, but there was certainty. Contentment filled him, the souls approved and didn't press.
Argis' eyes widened when he heard something similar to a purr come from Jorik. It wasn't a human noise, he wasn't even sure what other animal could make that noise. He smirked as a thought came to him, - dragon. That was the only explanation he could come up with. He slowly leaned down capturing Jorik's mouth with his own. It wasn't exactly the same as kissing a woman, but if you ignore the beard and stubble…
Jorik allowed Argis to taste him and then backed away from the kiss. He searched the one blue eye and saw uncertainty in them. He smiled gently, "Are you sure this is what you want?"
Argis started to nod and then thought about it, "I don't know if I can…" he could feel his cheeks heating up.
"Have you ever lain with a man?" Jorik asked softly.
Argis shook his head, he had always taken women to bed. No man had ever offered to bed him, not until now. "Then we'll we'll wait until you are ready." Jorik whispered and rolled out of the bed before temptation grew to great.
"What if I said I was ready right now?" Argis asked, trying to hide his fear of the unknown.
"I would say you're lying, plus we have nothing to prepare," Jorik answered, chuckling softly when he saw the confused look.
"I…" Argis started but was interrupted when Jorik's mouth met his. Anything he was about to say was lost in a soft moan.
"No argument," Jorik stated smirking.
Argis smiled, shaking his head. "We should head and find Esbern."
~oooooooooooooooooo~
Jorik scowled at Esbern's back. He wanted the man dead, the guy was an ass. "You can't kill him," Argis murmured so the older man wouldn't overhear.
"If he keeps it up," Jorik grumbled.
"We'll be in Riverwood in a few hours, then we drop him off and have nothing to do with him again," Argis reasoned.
"You wish!" Jorik said, laughing harshly. "I know there will be more missions with these people. For some odd reason these blades are the protectors of the dragonborn and yet the dragon souls hate them."
"Why?"
"From what I understand, the Blades hunted and killed dragons," Jorik answered.
"And you being dragonborn with all those souls. That should make for some interesting arguments in your head," Argis laughed at the thought. "You take lead, I'll keep Esbern occupied until we get to Riverwood."
"Thank you. I owe you one for this," Jorik murmured and took his hand into his for a moment before running ahead their small group. Argis watched him move ahead with a grin.
~oooooooooooo~
Jorik laid back on the bed, finally able to rest. They were in Markarth after finding Alduins wall for the Blades. He grinned as he watched Argis strip out of his armor, there had been no peace since Riften. With the two others following them they always had to be on their guard.
"What is the plan for tomorrow?"Argis asked as he hung up his armor.
"Make our way to High Hrothgar. To defeat Alduin I need that shout and I trust the Greybeards more than those two," Jorik muttered.
"Yes, you made abundantly clear when you called them murderers and threated to kill them if they followed you out of those ruins," Argis answered with a chuckle.
"Well it worked. They stay in Sky Haven Temple and I don't have to put up with them anymore," Jorik stated with a shrug.
"When are we heading in the morning?" Argis asked as he climbed into bed beside Jorik. He rested his head on his husband's chest, listening to soothing rhythm of his heartbeat. He smiled slightly as Jorik rumbled.
"We are not. First we are re-stalking, and have our equipment repaired. Depending on when that is finished we might not be leaving tomorrow," Jorik answered and watched as Argis drifted off to sleep.
~ooooooooooooooo~
A week later found them back on the road. This time they weren't rushing, they would take their time to get to the Grey Beards. Jorik stared up at the tent, laying contentedly with Argis in his arms. He lightly touched the bite mark he left on Argis shoulder, the contentedness leaving him quickly.
"It's fine," Argis grumbled as he felt Jorik's lightly tracing the bite mark.
"No its not," Jorik hissed.
Argis rolled his eyes and sat up, "Would you feel better if I bit you?" he asked mockingly. His eyes widened when Jorik's breath hitched, and came out in a ragged sigh. They still hadn't consummated their marriage, but Jorik had been teaching him quite a bit. Things he had never thought two men could do. His mind drifted to those thought and he shivered in pleasure at the memory.
He leaned down, licking the side of Jorik's neck, then lightly scraped his teeth along the tender skin. He grinned against as he heard Jorik's groan. He gave a playful nip, enjoying Jorik's reaction. He was about to back away, but Jorik had laced his fingers through his hair, forcefully holding him in place. He smiled softly and set his teeth against Jorik's neck and bit down hard, close enough to draw blood.
Argis wasn't sure how he ended up on his back. He heard the roar from Jorik and then all of a sudden he was flat on his back with Jorik between his legs above him. But what through him off more was the eyes. He was now used to seeing amber eyes constantly, but that wasn't the problem. Those ambers eyes held pupils that were slits like a dragon.
"Zu'u los dovahkiin. Voth sos ahrk sil do dovah ahrk hi los bahlaan liin. Nu Zu'u fent kuz hi ol dii liin." (I am dragonborn. With the blood and soul of a dragon and you are a worthy mate. Now I shall take you as my mate.) Argis's eyes widened more at the dragon words. He knew he was safe, but he wasn't sure what Jorik planned and that worried him. He didn't know how in control Jorik was. One part it was a thrill but on the other hand it was scary. He closed his eyes and gave himself up to his husband, trusting him not to kill him.
~ooooooooooooooooooo~