"They were bandits." Aventus's voice was low and grim as he addressed the High King. "I found a group of slain guards just off the road – their armour was stripped off and a pile of fur and leather garments were beside them. The bandits killed them and then took their armour as a disguise."
Leola sat at the long table in her father's palace, her arms wound around Erith. The brunette's face was buried in Leola's shoulder, and though she had been crying, her sobs had since reduced to soft sniffles and muffled whimpers. Leola could feel the salty tearstains that had run down her own cheeks, and the stinging in her eyes from hours of crying.
"And they demanded you pay them a toll in order to pass safely?" Ulfric asked, his own voice deep and angry.
"Yes," said Shelur, who stood off to the side. It was clear that she felt uncomfortable, and Leola didn't blame her. She would certainly feel uncomfortable in the same situation.
"In hindsight we should have just given them the damn money," Aventus muttered, shaking his head. "This never should have happened."
"Don't blame yourself, Aventus," Leola said softly. In her mind, his voice saying those same words echoed about as he told her not to blame herself for those awful things she had said to Erith after speaking with Mephala. Now, she had to convince him of the same thing. "It's not your fault."
"It's not your fault," Ulfric said, repeating Leola's words in a tone that was rather stern. "I know how easy it is to blame yourself. I've lost many men over the years, so I understand how easy it is. Unless you specifically made a poor choice, it can't be your fault. Enemies are unpredictable. You did what you thought was best and it ended poorly-"
"It didn't just end poorly," Aventus snapped, sharply cutting the King off. "A man is dead. A good man – a friend. Sond has been working hard to help your daughter and now he's gone."
"And for that, I am grateful. He is in Sovngarde now, and when I see him there I will have only the utmost thanks to give," Ulfric replied. His voice had become sterner; Leola could tell that he didn't appreciate being interrupted.
"Right now, your gratitude and thanks mean nothing," Aventus said coldly, glaring towards Ulfric before turning away.
"Don't walk away from me," Ulfric growled, but Aventus ignored him. He started walking towards the door, not even bothering to look at Leola and the others as he passed them by.
Erith pulled gently away from Leola's comforting grasp once the palace doors had fallen shut behind the assassin. She rose to her feet, wiping tears from her face. "I'll talk to him," she said softly, looking towards Ulfric. The King had his forehead in his hand, sighing slightly and nodding.
"Go ahead," he muttered, and Erith turned and hurried towards the door. Leola looked towards Shelur, who was frowning slightly.
"Should I go?" the Orc asked softly, and Leola shook her head.
"No, not unless you want to," she said softly. "I appreciate the company. I don't think I've had the chance to actually introduce you to my father yet, either, with all that's gone on..."
Shelur's green eyes widened with surprise. "Oh, that's – hardly necessary," she stammered, and Leola laughed gently.
"Father, this is Shelur gra-Rabash. Malacath sent her home with me. He wants me to have her as a friend and companion, and one day, as an advisor. He basically wants to make sure that when I'm Queen, the Orcs will be well-represented in my court. A show of goodwill towards his people," Leola said softly, and Ulfric smiled.
"When you're Queen?" he asked, gazing towards his daughter. "Here's hoping that day doesn't come soon, because the day you're crowned High Queen will be the day that you bury me."
"I know," Leola said quickly, glancing away. "Just – that's what Malacath told me."
"I understand," Ulfric said with a smile. "Now, let's see…I trust that you have Shelur here up-to-date about our situation?"
"I do," Leola replied, and her father nodded.
"So we have three pieces now," Ulfric said slowly. "And I believe we have two more on the way..?"
"So Erith did tell you about her lead?" Leola asked, and Ulfric nodded.
"Yes," he replied. "It's an unfortunate one, but necessary."
Shelur gave the princess a quizzical look, and Leola smiled. "Erith has been in contact with a family friend from Markarth," she said softly. "He said that he can get us in contact with the Daedric prince Namira. He's coming here with a friend to try to help us."
"Isn't Namira…" Shelur began, and Leola quickly nodded.
"Yes," she said softly. "The problem is that we couldn't find Namira's artifact – a ring – when we went through my mother's home. We've scoured the place and we can't find it at all. We're afraid they'll want it, and we won't be able to give it to them."
"Have you checked her body?" Shelur asked. Leola could feel herself visibly pale, and her head turned to face her father. Ulfric's mouth had fallen open and he was staring at Shelur.
"I hadn't thought of that," Leola said softly.
"I kissed her before she died," Ulfric said, and Shelur smirked slightly.
"If she had the ring with her on the night of her death, she must have been an….active worshipper…" she said, and Leola looked quickly towards the Orc, shaking her head.
"My mother didn't…eat…people," she said softly. "We kept chickens. And cows. I helped her cook dinner."
Shelur nodded slightly. "I apologize, then," she said in a gentle tone. "So…you said you had two pieces on the way?"
"I already met with Sanguine and he gave me his," Leola replied. "I'm just waiting for him to get back to me on Sheogorath's. He said he'd try to get it for me."
"That's helpful," Shelur said softly, a skeptical expression on her face. Leola nodded.
"I'm sure there will be a price," she said softly, and then looked to her father. "Was there any luck with finding the last of the princes while we were gone?"
"No," Ulfric replied, shaking his head. "Erith said that you need to go into Hjerim and speak with the sword again, though – does that have any meaning for you?"
Leola let out a light sigh, giving him a slow nod. She hadn't wanted to tell him about what had happened between her and the others when she spoke with Mephala, but it seemed she had little choice. She especially didn't want to have to do it over again.
"Mephala's sword, the Ebony Blade, is in Hjerim," Leola said softly. "It spoke to me – she spoke to me…and it was scary. I don't want to do it again."
"You have to," Ulfric said sternly, looking at her. "Now, I think it's time you got some rest. You've been through a lot. Will Shelur be staying here, or at Candlehearth Hall?"
"The inn will do me fine, sir," Shelur said softly, and Ulfric nodded.
"Very well," he said. "Would you like me to have a guard escort you there?"
"I should be fine," Shelur replied. "But thank you."
With that, the Orc gave a slight bow before turning and heading to the door. Leola watched her go, and then turned to face her father.
"I hope that my disagreement with Aventus hasn't cost you a friend," he said once the door was shut, and Leola shook her head.
"It won't," she said softly. "He's my best friend. He's just…really blaming himself for Sond." Tears began to well up in her eyes at the thought of her friend being gone.
"Well, he can't. It's how life is – you lose men. Amazing that the Brotherhood doesn't know that," Ulfric said, shaking his head. "Go get some rest now, darling. A couple of letters came for you. I left them on your bed."
Leola nodded slightly, going over and embracing her father gently. "Thank you," she said. "Goodnight."
"I love you, Leola," he said, looking into her eyes. She smiled up at the old man.
"And I love you," she replied softly, before beginning towards her quarters.