Skyrim(c) Bethesda.
Forgotten Paladin, Chapter VIII: Brotherhood.
Kaylee stares at the note given to her. We know is underneath a black hand. "Who gave this to you." The courier shrugs. "I don't know. Creepy fella with a black hood." Crumpling the note in one hand, she places it in a pocket. "I see. Thank you." I wonder how they will try to kill me. Her last thoughts before falling asleep the room she has rented.
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The first thing she notices is how stiff the bed is. How much it creaks. Her eyelids sluggishly open to reveal she isn't in the inn anymore. Her eyes snap open and she gets up as quickly as possible. "Well, look who is awake. Sleep well?" A masked woman lounges on top of a book case. "I never knew a person of your nature could be a heartless killer." She frowns and asks, "You know about Grelod?" There's a laugh in response. "Half of Skyrim knows. An old hag gets butchered in her own orphanage? I'm not criticizing of course. It was a good kill. However, it is a kill you must repay."
Her gust twisted, she didn't like where this is going. "Who I am I supposed to kill?" she hisses. "Funny you should ask. If you look behind you, you'll see three people. One of them has a contract on them. Go on, I'll just watch and admire." Pulling out her sword she gazes at it. Her eyes were, surprisingly, still the same color. Staring up at the woman, "Do you really think I would actually kill three innocent people?" Thrusting forward her sword slashes the side of the woman's leg.
This doesn't stop the woman from jumping down and getting her arm. "Fine, be that way." Blocking a stab with her shield, she moves the weight of her body forward, pinning the other woman against the wall. "What is your name before I kill you?" An evil smile appears on the woman's face. "You may call me Astrid." Using one her legs, Astrid knocks Kaylee off balance. It gives Astrid enough time to move, but not enough time to dodge Kaylee's thrust, which goes through her stomach. "There will be no freedom for you, Dark Brotherhood."
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Her heart is heavy as she enters Castle Dour. "Where's Tullius?" Her voice is no more than a whisper, and is full of despair. "He should be in his room." She mutters thanks to the soldier. Her heart weighs her down during her walk to Tullius. Lifting her hand to knock she holds back tears. One knock, two knocks. "Enter." He's standing by his desk, looking the Holds they control; all is left the Pale, Winterhold, Marakath and Eastmarch. "How'd the cleansing go?" If her face is to go by, something went wrong.
Tired eyes glance at him. "It would have gone perfectly, if there hadn't been a vampire child." His face doesn't let any emotion pass. "A vampire child?" She shakes her head. "Vampire or not, I killed a child!" Sobs break from her, even though she promised herself she would hold back. Tullius's face softens slightly. He can see why it pains her. Killing a child, whether they be mortal or not, is never easy. He wipes a tear away, strokes her check gently.
A stand of hair falls into her face which he brushes it away not knowing why. Grabbing her back, he pulls her into his arms, strokes her hair. He breaths the faint smell of pine, finds himself enjoying it. Her breathing has become steady; her grip on him tightens, and so does his. The feeling of her in his arms warms him more than a fire ever has. How long they stay like this he doesn't know.
He has to force himself to release her as she releases him. "Thank you General." The nearest wall becomes his stare spot. "May I say for a bit longer?" Part of him wants her to stay, the other not so much. Without thinking he nods his approval. She sits on a nearby chair. "What's the next Hold we take?" Running a hand down the map, he replies "Marakath." "When do I and Rikke leave?" "In two days' time." It isn't long before she excuses herself, and he almost grabs her.
The night air helps to cool the flurry of emotions she feels. Sitting on a nearby bench, she steadies her breath. Some of her screams to go back, hold onto him, and never let go. "Oh Lady Mara, help me." A wind picks up and caresses her, as if the Goddess has heard her prayer. Leaning back against the wall, her eyes flutter shut.
It becomes a mistake quickly as the picture of the child thrusts its way to the front of her mind. Eyes snapping open, she has to bite hard on her fist to keep herself from screaming. Leaning forward, her head moves between her knees, her breathing heavy. She wonders sometimes if she's pissed off a Deadra and they wish to mess with her. Deciding that a walk will be good for her nerves, she head for the docks, never seeing a hooded figure follow her.
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Hiding behind the sawmill, she collects her thoughts staring the water. Water, in some way or another, has always calmed her. A light breeze passes through and she shivers slightly as the cold air hits her skin. She should have brought some furs with her. The hairs on the back of her neck stand as a branch to her right breaks. Unsheathing her sword, she calls out to the darkness, "Who is there?" Movement behind her almost grabs the sword out her hand.
Knocking them in the chest with her elbow, she forces the unknown figure against the cold stone. Her blade touches the neck. "Who are you?" she repeats wanting answers. "If I told you, you would probably deny it." The figure speaks with a female voice. "I assure you, I am no threat." She raises her hands. Removing the sword from their neck, she stares. "Show your face then."
There's a pause before hands reach up and remove the hood revealing a face Kaylee has seen on numerous statues. "Lady Mara!" She kneels before the Goddess of Love. Mara smiles down at Kaylee. "Rise my child." Not wanting to anger her, Kaylee rises. "Now, child, do you know why I am here?" "No milady, I don't."
The goddess chuckles slightly. She raises her hand, "Come." Lifting a hand, Kaylee clasps it with Mara's, whom leads her to a log. "Sit, my child and listen. You called for my help, and I will. I imagine you think will be getting a long bit of advice, but you won't." Giving Kaylee a motherly smile, Mara places her hand on Kaylee's chest where her heart is. "This is what will guide you when the time comes. This is what you listen to." Seeing the confused look, Mara gives out another musical laugh. "You'll know what I mean in time." Leaning forward, she places her lips upon Kaylee's forehead. "Near fear, and know that the Nine watch over you."
White overtakes everything, and Kaylee finds herself looking up at a gray roof. The rough familiar voice hits her. "So, you're awake."
"I... what?" Tullius lets a sigh. "You don't remember falling asleep?" Rubbing her forehead she attempts to remember. Nothing appears at the forefront of her mind. Did Lady Mara actually appear to me? She could have sworn it had been real. She even saw the - no, she couldn't think about it. It wouldn't help. "No I don't. Sorry General for making you carry me." He waves her off. "After seeing how you were..." The thought drifts, but never disappears.
The cold stone walls do not help the anxiety and restlessness that comes crashing down on her. "It's getting late. I should leave." While he may be faced away from her, the quiet feeling of dismissal is present.
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Smoke travels lazily through the Stone city. She has always hated Marakath. It was damp, confusing and hostile to outsiders. A part of her wished she could find whoever planned this city. She would smack them for creating such a maze. A moan comes from a side of her. Glancing down quickly, the body of an injured Stormcloak greets her. She kneels down to check his pulse. It's still strong and steady despite his wounds.
"What's your name soldier?" He rolls his head to look at her. "Agnar, m'lady." Kaylee ran a light healing spell over him, healing some of the major wounds to keep alive until a healer could get him. "Which part of Skyrim are you from?" "Falkreath." She pulled out a mug and filled it with some ale. "Here drink this."
"Thank you."
Rikke sighed as the keep's door closed behind her. It could have gone better. There were too many casualties - on both sides. She would have kept walking if she hadn't seen Kaylee helping a downed Stormcloak. "Helping the enemy, eh?" Kaylee snorted. "Just helping an injured soldier." The soldier in question looked at Rikke with slight trepidation. Rikke stroked her chin. "Here comes the healer."
The moment the two left the soldier with healer, Rikke turned to Kaylee. "I'm very curious to know why." Kaylee glanced at the wall. "He has potential to become a Paladin." Rikke stopped in her tracks. "I didn't know that you could become a Paladin without being blood." A chuckle rang out. "It isn't very well known." "I'm not sure if the General would agree." Blue eyes looked back. "General Tullius has no command over those whom I feel have potential. If he doesn't like it, then he can take it up with me."
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While Rikke was correct, Tullius realized he had no control over it. A sigh escapes from his lips as he glares down Kaylee whom probably couldn't have cared. "Don't glare at me. You know better." And he does, but years of military training declare otherwise. "By protocol, I should punish you for this, but since the Stormcloak will be under your thumb, I can't do anything."
She smirks. "I'm sure you want to do more than just 'punish' me." He can't help the slight blush the rises to his checks. "Now where did that come, soldier?" She smiles innocently while shaking her head. "I can't have just a little fun with my superiors?" He snorts. "Not if you're suggesting something else." A huff escapes. "Very well then, General. I'll refrain from making jokes - around you at least." Knocking back some wine, he gazes at the mug in her hands. "How can you drink that… ale?" Laughter erupts from her chest. "I learnt from the Companions."
"Of course. Speaking of which, I imagine you will be returning your duties there after his rebellion is over?" He isn't sure why he is asking, this is none of his business. Leaning back into her chair, Kaylee muses over it. "Probably, but only for a while. Vilkas knows that I wish to rebuild the Order and cannot due so while I'm still Harbinger." Dusting off a shoulder he nods slowly.
"Of course, Vilkas also wasn't happy of my decision to join you, but when I informed that it was only I would be going, he backed off slightly." "Slightly?" "I think he wanted me to remain neutral. However, I told him that I had made a slight promise to you before I joined the Companions, and I had no desire to break it."
The next morning greets him with a warm smile, as if it knew something was up. Kaylee and Rikke are awake, both pondering over the map. "You know, Rikke, if you weren't so happy being in the Legion, I would definitely ask you to join the Order." Rikke merely laughs in response. "I'm afraid, Kaylee, I still would have turned you down." He clears his throat, making the two stand at attention.
"What is the next point of interest, Rikke?" Rikke relaxes slightly and places her finger on Dawnstar. "I think we should hit the Pale next." Stroking his cheek lightly, he looks at the map. Ulfric was trying to gather some of his forces at Winterhold, leaving the Pale slightly defenseless. "He is starting to feel like a trapped dragon." Kaylee speaks up. Figures she would say trapped dragon instead something else.
"Yes, and that makes him even more dangerous than before." His hands find the table as leans over it, a familiar position. "Rikke, I want you to leave in four days and make preparations. Kaylee, Falk Firebeard needs to see you once more. Said it was very urgent."