Three, Two, One … Blood.

17th of Rain's Hand, 4E 205.

Urzant was packing her things. It was time to leave Solitude to begin her new life as a married woman. She had split feelings about that. On one side there was so much she wanted to do that she would never get the chance to do. On the other side, she kind of wanted children.

"What are you doing?" Mira asked as she walked up behind Urzant.

"I'm leaving," Urzant said. She had decided not to tell Mira that she was getting married. It was better that Mira just didn't know.

"Why?" Mira asked.

"Because I want to," Urzant said. That was the truth. She wanted to leave Solitude. Even if her father hadn't decided on a husband for her she would have preferred to leave. She had learnt what she wanted to learn from this place. She had found that there were humans that were not so close-minded. That was nice to know.

"Are you ready?" Kato asked as he appeared at the door. "The horses are ready to go."

"You are leaving too?" Mira asked. She felt a little betrayed. Why did she only find out about this now?

"Urzant and I are travelling at least part way together," Kato said with a shrug. "I thought I told you I would go once the roads were clear enough to travel."

Mira shook her head. She had no memory of a conversation like that. She sighed. It wasn't like she could change their minds. "I hope to see you both again," she said before hugging first Urzant and then Kato.

"One day we will," Urzant promised.

Kato didn't say anything. He had a feeling they would never get to meet this Kato again. The glamour had outlived its usefulness. He helped Urzant with a bag and they headed outside.

"Goodbye and may Mara be with you, Mira," Kato said.

"Goodbye Kato," Mira said. She waved at them as they walked away. She didn't follow. She knew that if she went to the stables then she would want to go with them, but she couldn't. The College was putting on a play, and she played a very important role that she was not ready to give up. At least they had each other. She smiled as she turned back to the grey stone building. They would be alright.

Kato had fetched all his things from Proudspire Manor earlier that morning and set Kahzii up with all of his things while keeping up an illusion that would hide everything.

"She seems impatient," the stable hand said.

"She is ready to get going," Kato said. He got us on her back and followed Urzant down the road towards Dragon Bridge.

"Father will be waiting for us in Dragon Bridge," Urzant said.

"Then I should probably drop our glamours now," Kato said he reached out and removed the earring from Kahzii then he checked the nearby area for other travellers before dropping his illusions and removing his own glamour. He did not want to appear as someone else before the Chieftain.

The orcs had set camp on the other side of the river. They had chosen not to stay within the town of Dragon Bridge since the humans living there had such low opinions of them.

"Urzant finally you come," Chief Larak said as they made it up to them. His eyes moved from his daughter to the stranger riding with her. Harry wore armour and carried his sword openly. He looked like a fighter.

"Who is this that you bring?" the Chief asked.

"This is Harry, brother of Queen Katla," Urzant said. "He agreed to accompany me on this trip."

"The Queen wishes that she could pay her own respect to the Chiefs of the strongholds by appearing herself at this wedding, but since battle keeps her occupied she has no opportunity to do so. She asked me to attend in her stead," Harry said. He dismounted Kahzii and bowed. "When Urzant herself also asked for my presence I could not turn her down. She has been a good friend these past few months. Solitude can be a poisonous city for those different from the rest. Getting to know Urzant has been a blessing."

Chief Larak didn't seem convinced, but he didn't argue with his daughter. If she wanted to bring this Breton along, he would not stop her. Time would tell if he was just a talker.

Urzant walked up to her mother and they spoke quietly together. Harry did not see her much for the rest of that evening.

19th of Rain's Hand, 4E 205.

The company had left the road behind. Instead, they were travelling across the plains between Rorikstead and Whiterun. They avoided the giants' camps. This was not a time for fighting. Urzant was supposed to make it in one piece.

A roar startled the horses and Harry looked towards the sky. He sighed.

"Will the dragon attack?" a fairly young orc that had travelled across the mountains and joined with Larak's Stronghold only a few months past asked. He had been brought along both to prove himself and to add some extra protection.

"Not unless we anger it," Larak said.

"No," Harry said calmly. "He will attack. But you don't need to be part of it." He got Kahzii to pick up her speed and they left the orcs behind them. He jumped off her back and drew his sword. Kahzii ran back to the orcs.

"What is he doing?" Shuftharz, Urzant's mother, asked.

"Fighting the dragon," Urzant said.

"This should be interesting," Larak said. He leaned back in his saddle and watched as the dragon swooped down on the Breton. He sat up straighter as Harry fought the beast off once. It looked like an ant fighting a wasp. Larak found the boy's fighting style rather well adapted to the beast he was fighting. Then the dragon fell and Harry absorbed the soul.

"So, he is Dragonborn," Urzant said softly.

Larak didn't care about that. "You fight well," he told Harry as they caught up with him.

"Thank you Chief Larak," Harry said. He got back up on Kahzii's back. "I will have to travel to Whiterun and pick some things up but it shouldn't take us that long."

"We will set up camp on the plains," Larak said.

"Then I will keep going and I will see you tomorrow," Harry said.

Larak looked after Harry. "He's a good man for a Breton," he said. He looked at Urzant. "He knows what he is getting himself into?" he asked.

"As I understand it," Urzant said.

"Good," Larak said. "This will be interesting."

20th of Rain's Hand, 4E 205.

Harry re-joined the company late the following day. Kahzii was carrying boxes with her that she had not had before, and Urzant eyed them as Harry pulled up next to her.

"You look disgruntled," Urzant said.

"It's the King's daughter. She speaks to me in a way that sounds far too much like wedding bells in the near future," Harry said.

"You do not approve?" Urzant said.

"I think that is a little too much like incest. Sure we share no blood, but my sister and her father are married. I would rather not touch that," Harry said.

Urzant nodded slowly. She guessed she could understand what he meant. It was just a little funny though. She couldn't help but tease him about it as they continued on the road towards Windhelm. From there they travelled south towards Ivarstead until they took off southeast towards Largashbur.

25th of Rain's Hand, 4E 205.

They were greeted with happy shouts and callouts as they approached the gates. The company rode into the stronghold before dismounting. The old Chief had died a few years prior. He had been afraid of his own shadow in the end, and Malacath had made it clear that he had to be replaced. As far as Harry knew, it had been Rhavaniel who had dealt with it.

The wedding would take place the following day.

26th of Rain's Hand, 4E 205.

Orcs did not care much for the foolish ceremonies of humans and elves, but they did have their own traditions. Before the wedding, the groom had to prove himself worthy. He would fight the strongest warrior among the other gathered men excluding the father of the bride.

Harry quickly realised that this meant he was fighting as well despite not being an orc.

"You only need to draw blood," Urzant said.

"I see," Harry responded. He looked up at her. "Do I fight to my full potential even if that might mean the Chieftain losses?" he asked.

"Yes," Urzant said. "It will be up to father whether the Chieftain is worthy of me or not after that."

"I won't end up having to marry you will I," Harry said. "As much as I like you Urzant I don't think that is what either of us wants."

Urzant laughed. "You are no orc so no it won't happen," she said. "Just don't kill anyone."

Harry nodded. He now knew what was expected of him. He guessed he could fight. It would be seen as cowardly not to, and that would cast bad light on Katla so he was fighting.

The Chieftain of Narzulbur was present with a few men as well. This was unusual but not unheard of.

Harry had heard rumours that there was an Orc moot, and that was why the Chieftain had come. He guessed that was possible. He also realised that it meant he would probably have to fight more than one Chieftain before the wedding. He guessed that was good. If he won, it would show that they lost because he is strong not because they are weak.

There were a lot of shirtless orcs about as Harry walked outside. No armour was allowed so he was glad he hadn't put his on. No shirts were worn just so they wouldn't unnecessarily destroy clothes.

Harry quickly took his own off. That explained all the half-naked orcs. He heard whistles and taunts thrown his way. He was smaller than all the other men.

"This tournament is to second blood," Larak let them know before he sat down.

Two at a time orcs walked into the middle of a big circle and they fought until one of them had made the other bleed twice. The wounds were not allowed to be healed by magic and had to leave scars showing that you had lost. It was a reminder, but also sometimes an honour depending on who put the scars there.

Then it was Harry's turn. He faced off against a young orc from Hammerfell who had settled down in Narzulbur after travelling for a while. He could hear the other orcs cheering for their kinsman. He didn't mind. It was their right to be proud of their people.

Harry drew his sword and rolled his shoulders.

"This will be your doom, human," the orc said.

Harry shrugged. "We will see," he said. He parried the first blow aimed at him and landed a cut along the orc's arm. Then he dodged a second blow and added another cut to his foe.

The fight was called.

Harry moved back to his place in the crowd. He watched several more fights. Urzant sat with her mother dressed in her wedding attire. She was very beautiful and at least as bloodthirsty as the men. She cheered as people got hurt and gasped as particularly nasty wounds were dealt.

Harry noticed that some people were very controlled in their strikes, much like he himself, while others just went for it. The chieftain of Narzulbur was another that dealt precise strikes. He was a mighty warrior with a sad past. None of his wives had made it past childbirth.

Harry entered the arena once more. His opponent was brutish. Harry had seen him fight and knew he needed this fight over with as soon as possible. He sprinted forward and dodged a heavy strike from the orc. He spun around and landed a quick cut along his opponent's back then he crouched as the orc turned around with his heavy sword swinging wildly. He stabbed up and to the side cutting into the soft flesh of the orc's side. He stood up and took a step back. He met Larak's eyes and turned around to leave. Pain flared up in his back as his entire body lunged forward. He turned and blocked the next strike with his sword. He grabbed the hilt of the orc's blade as he struck again and heated the hilt until the other had to drop his weapon. "Chief Larak?" he said.

"He has dishonoured our traditions," Larak said. "Striking a foe when you have already been defeated is a low blow. He has no honour. It is up to you if he is to lose his life as well. It would be a blessing for him at this point."

Harry nodded slowly. This orc would never be accepted in a stronghold again. He knew that much. He would never be served or cared for by another orc. It would be kinder to kill him now.

"Is there any way for him to regain his honour?" Harry asked.

"No," Larak said.

Harry nodded. He walked up to the orc and dropped his weapon on the ground. "You can live with your shame," he said.

Harry wasn't surprised when the orc attacked him. He didn't play around this time. He blocked the strike before chopping the orc's head off. He took his place in the crowd. His back hurt, and he could feel the blood drying. He wasn't about to give up. He knew that continuing and winning now after he had been unfairly treated would put him in very good standing with the orcs. He rolled his shoulders. He had lost a great deal of mobility if he didn't want to make the wound worse. His next fight was against Chief Mauhulakh. He didn't realise until they were standing in the arena that they were the last ones left. He bowed to the Chieftain and they engaged in combat. Harry was slower than he had been at the start of the tournament. He was still faster than most orcs. He dodged and weaved and parried. His feet moved quickly across the muddy ground and his sword even quicker. He hissed as Mauhulakh cut a long gash over his chest. He landed his second strike over the chieftain's left shoulder. He was breathing heavily.

At least he would get the chance to rest a little now. Urzant's mother brought him a steaming cup of something unknown that their wise woman had made. He drank it slowly and ignored the taste as much as he could.

"Who is this human?" Mauhulakh asked Larak as Harry walked down to face Gularzob.

"He is Queen Katla's little brother," Larak answered. "On our way here he downed a dragon single-handedly."

"Then I will wear these scars with pride," Mauhulakh said. "He is a good fighter."

"That he is," Larak said. It was no real surprise to him when Harry defeated Gularzob as well. This human was different from many he had come across before. He showed that the Queen of Skyrim was a strong leader. The fact that she was leading the army wasn't lost on Larak. He rose from his seat and declared Harry the winner of the tournament. "However, to lose against such a formidable foe as Harry Dragon-Heart Prince of Skyrim and Brother of Queen Katla the Dragon-Slayer. Your loss does not show weakness Chief Gularzob. You are worthy of my daughter," Larak said as he took Urzant's hand and walked her over to her husband. Larak returned to his seat. "Let the festivities commence!" he ordered before sitting down to watch as people started moving very quickly.

Harry help out where he could. He was good with cooking and quickly ended up tending to the meat over the roaring fires.

They ate and then it was time for the gifts. Many potions and weapons and finely carved ivory statues were handed out to the married couple. Then at last it was Harry's turn. He was to go last because he was not an orc.

Harry brought with him two heavy chests and sat them down before the couple. "I carry both gifts from my Queen and gifts from myself. Urzant has been a dear friend to me for the past few months and I hope to be able to call her kin-sister. Therefore I present these cuffs to you both. They will protect you and keep you healthy. It is but a small token since I by no means wanted to outshine my sister," Harry said and some of the orcs actually laughed. Then he opened the first box he had. "For Chief Gularzob Queen Katla has made an armour so he may return from battle to his wife and children until the day comes when it is his time to join Malacath."

"You mean to tell me the Queen has made this herself?" Gularzob asked as the armour was brought up to him.

"Yes, Queen Katla was a blacksmith long before she became Dragonborn or Queen," Harry said. "She would have made an excellent Forge-wife."

The guests laughed again. They seemed to be relaxing around Harry after he had proven that he knew how to fight but also how to carry out justice. The fact that he hadn't complained once about his wounds probably helped too.

"Then for the bride, Katla knows that a wife must know how to fight as well. She is well aware that especially among orcs all are expected to keep their Stronghold strong. With some guidance from me she has created a bow that will never break and will help you keep your home and your family safe from harm no matter who poses that harm," Harry brought out a beautifully crafted ebony bow for Urzant and she thanked him for the gift.

Then the real feast began and Harry, who wasn't much of a drinker, disappeared from sight so he would not be asked to drink with Orcs. Nords sometimes said they could handle their liquor. Orcs were worse.

"Don't leave little Prince," Mauhulakh said.

Harry looked at him. "And be that disrespectful to Urzant. I think not," Harry said.

"We will be travelling west in a few days. You should come with us," Mauhulakh said.

"I will. There is something I want to do first though," Harry said. "A man I need to see."

"The feats will go on for several days still," Mauhulakh said. "Let the bride know where you are going and join up with us on the road. You will have plenty of time to take care of your errand."

"Thank you, Chieftain," Harry said before heading off to bed. He would leave early the next morning.