Well, it's been a while since I posted. Sorry about that but I've been a bit distracted lately. I haven't given up on the story though so expect more to come : ) As I said last chapter we will have a new major character introduced, and a few others. Hope you guys enjoy and constructive criticism is always welcome.

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KIRA

The sun was just beginning to set in the valley. Kira closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, these were the days where she felt alive. The sun's dying rays were warm on face and the air smelled like freshly dug dirt, grass, and rain. She felt happiness in her heart at moments like these, where everything seemed truly perfect and at peace in the world.

"Miss Kira!"

Kira's eyes fluttered open in annoyance at the sharp sound and she sighed irritably as Wilhelm, the stable boy, ran toward her.

"Miss Kira!" He yelled again frantically. "Please, for the love of the Divines, get off of the roof! Your aunt will have my head if she catches you up there when she gets back!"

Kira was currently nestled in between two eaves of the roof of the cottage and had no intention of moving. Wilhelm was terrified of heights so he wouldn't climb up to get her. Putting on a sweet smile, she poked her head over the edge to look at the panicking stable boy, planning on weaseling some more time in her sanctuary.

When she saw him standing there though, covered in mud from working in the garden and obviously worried she knew he had won. She couldn't stand making him feel bad; Wilhelm was her only friend, despite him being a servant.

"Don't fret Wilhelm, I'm coming down." The poor boy's face changed from worry to relief and then suddenly to terror as Kira leapt off of the roof onto a pile of hay.

"Miss Kira! Are you alright?" Wilhelm ran over to the spot where Kira lay motionless.

"Oh gods, oh gods, please- oh please Talos for the love of the gods please be fine. Please don't be dead," Wilhelm frantically murmured, searching for the cause of injury. Mistress Betrid would kill him, or worse, if anything happened to Kira. Just as he was about to break into sobs, a wide smile appeared on Kira's face before she opened her eyes and burst out laughing.

"Fooled you didn't I," she chuckled as she got up. "How could I die from a ten foot drop? Really Wilhelm use your head." Kira grinned again as Wilhelm slowly recovered from his scare and realized she was teasing.

"And another thing, Talos worship is illegal. Be careful who you mention that to, I might have to report you out of civic duty." Kira poked him in the ribs as she said that though, with a wide grin on her face.

"I expect better behavior from a fellow Nord," was Wilhelm's stoic response, but Kira could see the corners of his mouth twitch in humor at her jesting.

She poked him in the ribs once again before leaving Wilhelm to the rest of his work and going inside. She smiled as she opened the door, it was the only home she truly remembered and, in her eyes, was perfect. It was just big enough for her and Aunt Betrid but was furnished tastefully and was neat to a fault. It had one big main room where the kitchen, eating area, living space, and library were arranged, with Aunt Betrid's workspace adjoining the main space, and the living quarters up a small flight of stairs. She hurried up the steps to her room where she checked herself in her mirror. The tall mirror had been sent as a present for her 18th year from her parents and was one of her most treasured items. The smile on her face for the lovely gift quickly changed into a grimace at her appearance. Her work dress was covered in hay and mud and her hair was in complete disarray. Her aunt would be furious to see her like this so she hurriedly changed and combed her hair. Checking the mirror once again she decided she was presentable and pondered over her looks. She was tall and thin, with slight curves at her breasts and hips. She had a splattering of freckles over her nose that she hated and her skin was pale as snow so the blasted marks showed plainly. Her hair was long, wavy, and a deep, rich brown like polished wood but it was still brown which was boring. Sighing heavily she pulled at her dress to make sure it fit correctly and looked at the mirror again. She did like her eyes though, almond-shaped and a deep green they had, what Aunt Betrid called, a soul-searching look to them. A carriage clattering outside broke her out of her inner critique and she ran outside. Aunt Betrid was just stepping out of the cart with Wilhelm's help when she caught sight of Kira. Where before was a grumpy look, framed by wisps of grey hair a smile broke out on the older woman's face.

"I've been gone a week girl, a hug would be appreciated at least."

Kira grinned and hugged her aunt before she and Wilhelm helped her grab the supplies and they went inside.

"Thank you Wilhelm, that will be all for now," Aunt Betrid nodded at the boy who quickly left.

"So, I see the place hasn't been completely destroyed since I left," Aunt Betrid remarked before settling down in her chair.

"Have a little faith," Kira replied in mock hurt before she sat down and caught up with her aunt.

Aunt Betrid talked all about her trip to town while Kira hung on to every detail. After her aunt finished with how her week went, Kira looked at her aunt hopefully.

Aunt Betrid sighed, "Don't give me that look girl, you know you're not ready to go."

Kira's smile faded, "How do you know I'm not ready? I haven't had an accident in almost six months, I can control it now, please?" Kira stared at her aunt with hope radiating from her face.

Aunt Betrid looked at Kira sadly, "Maybe next month Kira but I want to see actual results, people's lives are at stake here and you know you're no-,"

"Not ready, not ready," Kira angrily interrupted her aunt. "You say that every month Aunt Betrid! I CAN control myself, I practice the techniques you taught me every day, I meditate, I can control the power, it doesn't control me! I just want a chance to prove myself but you won't give me that chance. If you just LISTENED TO ME-," Kira stopped midsentence and gasped, fighting the rising tide within her. Flames began to rise from her hands, she wanted to burn, it needed to get out, it had been so long since she just let go, let everything go. It would be so easy to just let it loose, let everyone fear her, see her power, she would force Aunt Betrid to take her to town, she could feel it roaring inside of her so desperate to get out, her vision blurred. Kira managed to take a deep breath of air and began to focus on her breaths.

"In and out, in and out, in and out." It was only until she started to calm down that she realized Aunt Betrid was beside her, holding her hands and whispering the words to her.

Kira was trembling and a few tears escaped from her eyes. So stupid, so childish, to lose control while arguing she was in control.

"Kira, child, come here it will be alright," Aunt Betrid held out her arms, a sympathetic expression on her face, but Kira only whirled around and walked out of the cottage, a flurry of emotions.

It wasn't fair, a grown woman not being able to control her magic; she just wanted to be normal. Instead she was a freak, cast off from the rest of her family to live in solitude. A few more tears escaped her eyes before she angrily brushed them away. She could do better she had to do better, one day she would be in complete control and she would go to the College of Winterhold at the far Northern reaches of Skyrim. There she would be the most powerful, the most wise, her family would welcome her back with open arms and accept that magic wasn't bad, despite their Nordic beliefs. She would have a real relationship with them, instead of just a gift on her name day every year. Underneath the full moon she fantasized about her perfect world, one day, she thought, it would be reality.

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So now you've met Kira, a young, powerful Destruction mage. As you can see though she has problems with her temper and, by extension, her magic. The next chapter will go back to one of the members of the mercenary band but Kira's tale will continue. If anyone wanted to know, Kira means dark-haired in Irish. I know it's not a "traditional" Skyrim name but I thought I'd branch out a little.