A month and a half had passed since Dovida returned to Falkreath. Now halfway through the year in the middle of Sun's Height. Once Edna had put together the list for her dream potion, Dovida went back and forth across Skyrim retrieve these rare ingredients. She first traveled to Markarth to score dwarven oil. Yes, Dovida couldn't fathom its use, but she trusted Edna to the fullest extent. The local apothecary thankfully had another item. Powdered mammoth tusk. Next was Morthal, that dark pit they called a town. Edna told her of their locally grown Giant Lichen that they ferment in alcohol to enhance it properties. The apothecary just made a fresh batch, so Dovida stuck around for a couple of days until then. During the second day, she ran into a very odd group of people.
Around twelve in the afternoon, Dovida stood outside of the Moorside Inn. She struck a match, lighting up one of Edna's special mixes. This one was called "Summer Sun", made for stress relief. All of them were made from shredded Nirnroot, but the various spices are what gave them their multiple effects. Local citizen Alva exited the inn, shifting her eyes to the elf.
"What a lovely aroma that is."
"Piss off." Dovida coldly replied, not even looking in her direction.
Alva threw her nose is the air and walked away. Wasn't the first time Alva tried to initiate conversation. Dovida had caught some unwanted attention ever since coming into town. The good and bad kind of attention. The bad kind being that Morthal was Imperial country. If it wasn't for these pointy ears and breasts, Braxen would have been public enemy number one coming here. Thankfully no one bothered to ask why she was there. Dovida liked people who minded their own business. Even so, Dovida remained on point when around Imperials.
The good kind being four men hitting on her to no avail. Apparently, her resting bitch face didn't deter any suitors. Moorside Inn's owner and innkeeper Jonna asked Dovida who her stylist was. Edna had outdone herself. Crafting two pigtail braids in the front that hung down to her chest. She took the remaining hair in the back; pigtail braided it and tied it into a cinnamon roll shaped bun. Elegant was the only word to describe it. A major contrast to being a 250-pound warrior that frightened men with only a glance. To have men drooling over her felt odd, but something that she'd get used too.
"You're still here. Great." Jonna made her way over from inside the inn. "Can I ask you a favor?"
Dovida leaned against the wall. "Why? You don't know me."
"Oh, I assumed you were a sellsword."
"What could have possibly given you that idea?" Dovida said as she wore her spiked boots, gauntlets and leather armor. With the nordic axe hanging on her side.
"My mistake. Sorry to bother you."
Dovida playfully tapped Jonna's arm. "I'm messing around. I'm not a mercenary, but I am an experienced fighter. I can handle an issue for the right price."
"Thank goodness. Here's the deal, I booked a group of traveling musicians called the Harmonic Trio. They were supposed to be arrive from Solitude last night. They never showed up and I am going crazy. Would you be willing to check around the area to see if anything happened to them? I'll pay 200 septims."
"300 and not a coin less."
Jonna threw her hands up. "Alright. I don't have much of a choice. The Jarl's birthday is today, and I promised the Harmonic Trio for her celebration. Get back to me as soon as possible."
"Aye." Dovida ran inside to grab her shield. With that on hand, she was ready to go. Whenever Braxen needed to track down an enemy, he always started on the trail. Dovida headed west out of town, following the path that led to Solitude.
Hjaalmarch's grey skies and foul-smelling wetlands persuaded many tourists to never visit. What exactly was there to see? Short answer, not a thing. Unless you like mudcrabs pinching at your ankles. Or pesky insects biting and sucking your neck dry. Dovida stopped in front of Fort Snowhawk, an Imperial ran fortress, a mile away from Morthal. As much as she wished to blow the entire thing to Oblivion, perhaps they had a lead on the bards. She approached the front gate where two Imperial soldiers looked down from atop the wall.
"Halt elf. You have no business here. Turn around and leave." Said a male guard.
"I only need to ask a question." Dovida shouted. She wanted to ask is she could plow this axe into his skull. Instead, she asked, "have you seen a group of bards travel this direction?"
"No. Now vacate the premises."
Dovida snarled. Leave it to an Imperial to be completely useless. Dovida went about her business, continuing to walk along the trail. A few yards ahead were a bundle of footsteps in the mud. She kneeled down to inspect them. There were prints on top of each other. Either someone was being chased or a group of people were in a hurry. The prints ran northeast into the marshes. While contemplating the next move, a hand tapped Dovida's back. She spun around at light speed. Twisting the unknown assailant's arm and taking them the ground.
"WAIT! WAIT! I'M HERE TO HELP!" Pleaded a female voice.
Dovida took a closer look at the woman underneath her knee. An Imperial woman to be specific. The brown armor. Her tan-colored skin. The black hair which has been shaved off to the stubble. What gave it away were the faded, bloodshot eyes.
"Jastia?"
"I knew you'd remember me!" Dovida released the hold and backed away. Jastia shook her arm to get the feeling going. "I can't believe it's really you!"
Confused, Dovida asked, "What can't you believe?"
"Have you forgotten already? You saved my life from the giants!" Jastia was ecstatic, beaming from ear to ear. Like she ran into an old childhood friend. "I heard my captain talking to someone, so I came to see what the ruckus was about. I just made it over to see you leaving, but I knew it was you."
"Riiiight." Dovida rolled her eyes in the opposite direction. "Well, what do you want?"
"I heard you ask about the bards. I know where they went. Well, I don't know the exact location, but they were chased into the marshes by giant spiders."
That fact confirmed one of Dovida's theories. "How long ago was this?"
"Ten o'clock last night. I was on guard duty and saw them running for their life around this spot. I couldn't abandon my post, so my hands were tied."
"Yet you abandoned your post to come tell me this?"
Jastia's entire demeanor changed. She nervously folded her arms and looked over her shoulder at Fort Snowhawk. Making sure none of her comrades realized she had gone missing. Dovida noticed her knees shaking. Poor girl was scared. Of what, Dovida wanted to know.
"Jastia, are you alright?" She asked with genuine concern.
"This may sound ridiculous. Um." Jastia stared at the ground and awkwardly kicked around some dirt.
"Spit it out girl!"
Jastia folded her hands and blurted out, "I want to leave the Imperial army and go with you!"
Dovida leaned back in shock. She couldn't believe this Imperial girl, one of her sworn enemies, representing the opposition who threatened to tear down Ulfric's foundation, would even ask this. What kind of answer is she supposed to give? On top of that, she doesn't even know her. Dovida's brain malfunctioned trying to piece together what was going on. She muttered, "I don't kno-"
Jastia dropped to her knees and wrapped herself around Dovida's waist. "Please! I don't want to fight anymore. It's caused me nothing but pain ever since I've joined. War scares me to death, and I can't take it. Please, please, please let me go with you!" she begged. Her eyes watered and tears began falling.
An emotional surge hit Dovida's heart. She felt sympathetic for the girl. An Imperial girl of all things. She couldn't shake that from her mind. A weird connection began to form that felt familiar to Dovida. Maybe it was the female side tugging at her strings, but Braxen's soul didn't want to buy it. Then again, Braxen heard stories of many soldiers abandoning both armies for a multitude of reasons. Since Jastia was so young, Dovida understood her worries. Not everyone is cut out for war.
"Jastia, how old are you?"
From her pouted lips, she told Dovida, "Sixteen."
On that note, Dovida's heat sank. She's just a baby. Dovida brought the girl to her feet. Using a finger, Dovida wiped the tears from Jastia's face, who stood four inches shorter than the elf. Dovida wasn't tall herself, only standing a bit under six feet. "Pull yourself together. You can tag along...for now. Help me find the bards and we'll go from there. Can you fight?"
Jastia sniffed and rubbed her eyes. "I can hold my own," she replied, showing her steel blade attached to the hip.
"Good. We'll move slow." Dovida pointed a finger directly in Jastia's face. "Just know, if you're playing any tricks, I will kill you with no hesitation. Do you understand?"
Jastia smiled and nodded. The two girls headed into the Drajkmyr Marshes. Swatting flies and watching mudcrabs bury themselves to hide from any hunters aiming to gather a seafood buffet. They treaded over a hill and Jastia spotted a lute a pile of dirt with its string end sticking out. "Do you see that? It must belong to the bards." Jastia picked it up and brushed away the crud. A well-crafted instrument it was. Not one a person would leave around.
"Most likely. Wait, I think I see them." Said Dovida.
"Where?"
"In that large tree." Dovida charged ahead. Jastia held the lute and followed. South of Folgunthur ruins, the Harmonic Trio were wrapped in spider webs, hanging on tree branches like pinatas.
"Quick Jastia, lift me up." She cupped her hands together and raised Dovida to one of the cocoons. Mumbling could be heard from inside. Dovida ripped off a tiny bit, exposing the face of a Redguard. He took a huge gulp of air upon seeing daylight.
"Holy smokes. Thank goodness someone came."
"Save your energy. I'll get you down." Dovida used her axe to cut the webs. They were thicker than they looked, so it took a bit of extra effort to slice. Jastia heard an ominous ticking sound. Two giant frostbite spiders crawled their way towards the tree.
"The spiders are back!" Cried Jastia.
"Take care of them." Dovida reached out and hung off the branch with one arm, using the other to finish chopping the web. With it severed, the cocoon dropped as the Redguard screamed for his life. His webbed wrapping cushioned the fall. Dovida swung from one branch to another, going to work on the next.
Jastia drew her sword and picked up Dovida's shield. Bashing the shield to draw the spider's attention. One of them attacked Jastia. The other crawled towards the Redguard, who found the power to roll away while still screaming hysterically. Jastia batted away the spider's legs with each poke. It jumped forward and Jastia mirrored the move, plunging her sword right between the eyes. The spider twitched for a split second, threw a soft jab and died. The second cocoon fell right next to the Imperial, containing a female wood elf.
"Hello there. Thanks for saving us." Said the Bosmer.
"Don't thank me, thank-"
"SAVE THE DAMN REDGUARD!" Shouted Dovida.
Jastia hastily yanked her sword from the spider carcass and went after number two. When she reached close range, the spider changed course and smacked her to the ground. Its legs rained in downward spikes. Jastia blocked each drill, every hit sliding her backwards. Moving the shield all around to avoid being impaled. Dovida chopped down the last cocoon and realized she'd have to save Jastia again. Hanging from the tree, Dovida aimed and chucked her axe, cutting off one of the arachnid's legs. She dropped down and ran full speed ahead. A crazed smile on her face. Jastia tossed Dovida her steel sword. In one fluid motion, Dovida caught it and slid under the spider, tearing its core like a hot knife on butter and bounced to her feet on the other side. The spider wailed as its inner guts spilled across the ground before falling over.
"That was amazing! What a dashing rescue!" Exclaimed the Redguard.
The Bosmer helped free the last member, an older Imperial male. With tears in his eyes, he hugged the Bosmer, praising the maker for his safety. Everyone came together to get situated.
"Bless you fine ladies. I owe you two my life." Said the Imperial. He frantically kissed Jastia's hand. She thanked his thanks, albeit a bit strange. He went to grab Dovida's hand.
"Don't even think about it." She warned.
"Of course. So, what are the names of our lovely saviors?" He asked in a regal tone.
"I'm Dovida. The Morthal innkeeper sent me to find you because you guys have a gig tonight. This is Jastia. Former Imperial solider." Jastia waved.
"Well then, allow me to introduce ourselves." All three wore matching blue outfits with webs still hanging off. Tight pants with tucked in, button down shirts that looked a size too big. "To my left, is the Damsel of Drums, the lovely Bosmer, Telona White-Leaf."
The olive-skinned elf with a black-haired ponytail, tied with a white, silk bow, struck a fabulous pose, looking over her shoulder with one hand on her hips. The Imperial continued. "To my right, the Redguard with lips that not only play a mean flute but make women faint in ecstasy. Luscious Lips Zulfan."
The tall, dreadlocked, Hammerfell native posed with a hand under his chin. His black dreads seductively covering one side of his face while his lips glistened. Standing in the middle, the Imperial swept his brown hair with a grey streak to the side and twirled his neatly trimmed, handlebar mustache. "I am Giovanni Rus, Lord of the Lute, and we are the Harmonic Trio, the best traveling music troupe you have seen in the last 100 years."
Jastia clapped for the flamboyant introduction. Dovida had no words. With only "I hate bards" running laps in her mind. The Harmonic Trio collected their instruments from under the tree and they proceeded to Morthal. The Jarl's birthday went off as planned. The Harmonic Trio tore the house down as drinks flowed and people let loose. A fight broke out between two patrons over Telona's affections and one of the Imperial guards went streaking. Giovanni jumped off the bar and crowd surfed, strumming the lute till his fingers bled. Complete insanity. Zulfan's flute solo saw three pairs of women's underwear thrown at his feet, and one pair of men's. Dovida hadn't seen a party like this in years. The music wasn't half bad either. She enjoyed tonight by sitting in the corner, puffing her pipe and counting her gold. The morning after left Moorside Inn and parts of Morthal a mess, but that party will be talked about for years to come. Jastia exited the inn, blinded by the beating sun.
"Good morning," said Dovida, who awaited Jastia on the inn steps.
"Good morning."
Dovida twirled one of her pigtails in a finger. A small habit picked up to keep from pulling any more hair out of frustration. "Tell me girl, what's your end goal?"
Jastia took a seat next to Dovida. "What do you mean? I told you I don't want to fight in the war anymore."
"What were you doing with the Imperial army in the first place? Why me? Why now? What do you hope to gain?"
Jastia curled up, resting her chin on her knees. Staring into the distance with a lot to get off her mind. "My father is an Imperial captain, and I'm his only child. He wanted a son to carry his legacy, but he was stuck with me. He forced me into joining the Imperial Legion, or he threatened to disown me. Can you imagine doing that to your child?"
Dovida didn't say a word. Braxen often toyed with the idea of his son Rorke becoming a Stormcloak when he came of proper age. Midan assumed he was joking. He wasn't.
"So, I gave it a shot. And I HATED IT!" Jastia shouted. Her hands vibrated with anger. "Constantly watching my back. Seeing the little friends, I made get stabbed by Stormcloaks, and burned or frozen by mages. Day in and day out. You saw what happened to me. I hung from that tree for two days! I'm still seeing red, and it won't go away. Once I woke up, I stumbled back home incredibly sick. Bugs and blood ruined my hair, so I shaved it off. And my father, the man who's supposed to be there for me. To comfort me in a trying time. He told me to-told me to count my blessings and shake it off. Because I'm a soldier."
She started to break down. Shaking and breathing heavily. Dovida only knew one way to approach this, whether she wanted to do it or not. She placed Jastia's head on her shoulder and held her in a comforting manner. Dovida wanted to cry as well, but not for the obvious reason. Braxen told many of his own troops a similar message. To get back out there and continue the so called "good" fight. While Braxen took his own share of wounds, he went back into battle the moment he was cleared. That seemed normal to him. That's how he was raised. To anyone else, he must have looked like a complete sociopath. To find out he shared many similarities to his enemy, is what crossed Dovida's wires.
"Ever since you saved me from that giant camp, I've been thinking about you and the kind man you were with. How I could repay that debt if we ever crossed paths again. Now here we are. The maker brought us together again because he wanted me to help you." Jastia raised her head and stared into Dovida's eyes. "You have this confidence about you that I can see. It resonates as someone who knows what they're doing. Sure, you worship Talos, but you're free to worship whoever you want. I don't care."
Dovida went bug eyed. "What? I have no idea what you're talking about."
"No, it's fine, I won't say anything. I saw the amulet dangle from your neck when we fought the spiders. It doesn't matter to me. My end goal is to leave Skyrim for good and find a real purpose in life. In the meantime, I'll have to raise enough money. Dovida, I would like to be your apprentice."
Dovida figured Jastia was going to ask something like that, so she already had an answer. Her mouth opened to respond, until the Harmonic Trio interrupted.
"Ah, our saviors once again grace us with their presence." Said Giovanni. "We're heading out for our next show, and we wanted to thank you properly before we left."
Telona folded her hands and took a bow. "Thank you, sister elf."
Zulfan pounded his chest and saluted. "You have my gratitude for life."
"I have written a song in your honor my lady." Giovanni proclaimed. "Allow to me to play you a melody that I'm sure will titillate your soul."
"Please, that's not necessary." Dovida pleaded. She didn't want this guy titillating anything.
"Nonsense. You absolutely deserve it." His voice sang in a booming tone as he strummed the first chord. "A dashing wood elf, the lovely Dovida. She tore down the spiders, no one could defeat her."
*yink* One of his lute strings popped.
"Blast. Guess I overdid it last night. Sorry to disappoint my lady, but I promise I'll have that sonnet ready when we next met."
"I can't wait." Said Dovida with a blank face. The Harmonic Trio said their goodbyes leaving the girls. Jastia turned her attention to Dovida.
"Well, what do you say?"
Dovida exhaled. "You said you like to travel?"