Lydia POV

The whole situation so far seemed fairly strange to Resh to say the least, being dragged across the country by a Blade of all things wasn't something he had ever expected to happen. But even the couldn't compare when he watched in disbelief as from seemingly out of nowhere, Lydia burst into the room and punched Delphine in the jaw for no reason, knocking her out cold.

Resh stood there in stunned silence for a few moments trying to piece together what happened, the only sound being the panting of Lydia's breath, obviously she had put a lot of effort into her run and punch. Eventually he just pointed to the unconsciously woman and asked in both confusion and exasperation, "Why?"

Lydia glared at the downed woman before answering him, "Because I thought you were about to cheat on me."

Resh blinked, still bewildered, "Again, why?"

"Kayci said you might be," she replied, realising now that she was very mistaken, and had just assaulted someone.

"And you listened to her? what could possibly lead you to believe she was right?" Resh sighed, trying to remember if he had told Lydia already not to believe a word that comes out her Kayci's mouth.

"She was persuasive," Lydia answered, beginning to feel a bit stupid.

"Well, she was wrong." Resh muttered, before wondering what to do about the situation, "We should just leave, and come back later if she wakes up."

"If?!"

"She's around 50, that's pretty old for Bretons. And you did punch her pretty hard, she might not get back up," Resh pointed out, before picking up a fancy looking sword and getting ready to leave.

Lydia was shocked at his actions, "What are you doing?"

He held up his new sword, "She would've wanted me to have it… anyway, I'm sure she'll be fine."

The Nord was skeptical however, "I guess… what makes you think we can just leave her here?"

"She's a Blade, she can handle it herself. Besides, I can't do anything about it anyway, I've caused trouble in this city before, they'll probably think I did it and try and arrest me," Resh explained, which Lydia had to admit was probably true.

"Fine, how about you leave I'll just deal with this? I can probably avoid getting arrested. Just go find the others, and do something with them," Lydia sighed, she didn't want to have this womans blood on her hands, nor did she really want Resh to get thrown in prison, so this was the only real option.

"Good idea," Resh agreed, before adding, "Make sure she remembers that she owes me two sets of armour and another sword when she wakes up."

Lydia didn't bother ask why the woman supposedly owe him these things, she was slightly ashamed of herself for knocking her out, so was in no state to keep asking questions. Besides, Resh had already left, depriving her of the chance.

Resh POV

It became apparent that the other two were going to be a while before they came back, when the two were out of sight Resh could only assume one of two things, that they were either arguing or making up somewhere, he hoped the latter.

Either way, Resh now had nothing to do, hunting wasn't particularly interesting by himself. He supposed he could probably find Ralof, but despite having escaped from Helgen with the man, Resh didn't know him very well, so talking to him might not be particularly interesting.

He didn't really have much of a choice though, and went off to find him. Who knows, maybe he could find out more about that 'Stormcloak' thing the man kept going on about when they first met. Resh had told him he'd look into it, yet he never got round to it, so he was starting to feel bad about that.

10 Minutes Later

Like the last times it wasn't difficult for Resh to track him down, the village was relatively small so he could easily find him using his sense of smell. Only after comparing it to Morthal did Resh realise how much he liked the little village unlike the sorry excuse of a city they were last at Riverwood was actually sunny, and not covered in fog. He reckoned the two settlements were roughly a similar size, but at least Riverwood didn't call itself a city, and acknowledged that it was, in fact, just a small village.

He found Ralof by the village's local lumber mill, it wasn't really very surprising seeing as he owned the place, Resh probably could have found him even without his improved Tsaesci senses.

Nevertheless, he now had someone to talk to, even if it wasn't someone he knew very well. From what he knew already Ralof seemed like a relatively nice man, he didn't start telling people about what Resh was when he found out so that was always good. Although he did force Resh to promise not to eat people, which he deeply regretted all these months after, but then again, Lydia would probably have done the exact same thing when she found out, if her reaction when he told her was any indication.

He still found it hard to believe Nords cared about something so insignificant so much, especially when it was a cultural thing. Although, on the other hand he was quite disgusted about what Nord's did to their corpses, burial and preservation was definitely not something he would ever want to do.

The Tsaesci had little time to think about it before Ralof spotted him, and, as he had done last time, the Nord greeted him warmly, that was one thing he did like about Nord culture, they, the nice ones at least, were all pretty friendly to each other.

Resh just hoped the Nord wouldn't bring up anything about Lydia, it would be embarrassing having to explain that they were in fact in a relationship after he had vehemently denied it last time, and been angry at the courier for spreading such a 'disgusting' rumour.

"So Resh," the Nord started, after letting him go from the friend-like embrace he had greeted him with, "I guess you're pretty angry then huh?" he laughed his question.

He looked at him in confusion, "What do I have to be angry about?"

"That courier, he's been telling everyone about you and Lydia twice as much as he was last time, and the detail as well is quite graphic as well, you wouldn't believe what he was telling people about what you did in Morthal a few days ago. Don't worry though, I don't believe it, and I've informed as many people as I could it was all nonsense," Ralof explained, beaming proudly at what he had managed to do.

Resh would have been immensely pleased had everything this 'courier', who seemed to know everything, not been completely right. Resh sighed, "So, about all that…"

Resh POV

"I knew it!" Ralof shouted gleefully, "It doesn't matter how much of a weird snake person you are, there's no way someone as attractive as you could travel around with her and not end up having sex."

Resh frantically tried to get him to shut up, "Do you mind?! you start shouting out all that stuff and I'll probably run out of town," admittedly that wasn't the only reason he wanted the man not to carry on, but it was a good excuse.

Or so he had thought, Ralof lowered his voice, but carried on all the same, "And after all that bollocks about hating the very idea of it, and you actually end up with her," he laughed, "And if any of the stuff about Lydia being pregnant spread around is true, then you're probably in it for the long haul."

The Tsaesci glared at him, "I'm fucking going to kill that courier. This is all private information!"

"Well not anymore. So anyway, does she know about the… you know?" Ralof asked, trying to be discrete, but failing miserably.

"Yes, I kind of had to tell her didn't I?" he pointed out.

Ralof quickly interrupted him, "Did you do stuff with her in that form?"

"Dear gods!" Resh angrily shouted, "Are you some kind of immature child!? You're acting like Kayce when I took my first lover!"

The Nord man recoiled at that and went silent for a few moments, before starting again. "So… did you?"

Resh growled as he had to keep himself from yelling at him, "No."

"Too bad," he muttered, before hastily changing the subject at the other mans deathly glare, "Anyway, have you joined the Stormcloaks yet?"

"No, as I said last time, I will look into it if I ever feel the need. But for now, I'm staying out of whatever pointless politics you Nords are having."

Ralof grew slightly annoyed at his clear dismissal, "Come on, this is my country we're talking about, you could genuinely make a difference. You could actually help my people, it doesn't take a genius to see Skyrim has problems."

Resh growled slightly, suddenly regretting having come to Ralof if he knew all the man would go on about is his Stormcloak nonsense. "No, but it takes an idiot to think they're small enough for one man to handle."

"What about Lydia? I'm sure she would want you to help out her country, and any Nord would feel the exact way I do. Do it for her," admittedly Ralof felt bad that he was attempting to play on his friends emotions, but it was his only choice if he wanted to see Skyrim liberated.

"That doesn't change anything, if I do decide to pick a side in your war, which I probably won't, I'm not going to have someone elses personal feeling decide who I join up with. Although, I'm just going to say that if you keep going on about it, or try to manipulate me again I might just go and join the Empire out of spite," Resh snapped, quickly making Ralof stop, not wanting to Jeapordise any remaining chance of Resh joining.

An awkward silence formed between the two as neither of them spoke, Resh due to being pissed off at the other man, and Ralof not wanting to say anything that could destroy whatever small chance there was of the Tsaesci joining the Stormcloaks.

After several minutes of the tense quiet Ralof finally broke it and asked. "Who's this 'Kayce' person you likened me to earlier?"

Resh didn't have time to answer that, as the woman in question appeared seemingly out of nowhere, and butted into the conversation, shocking the unaware Nord as she did it.

"Me, and it's Kayci by the way," she corrected him, already not liking him for calling her that. Although that could also be due to that ridiculous promise Resh told her about.

"But Resh called you tha-"

"Resh is allowed to, you don't even know me," she interrupted, even Resh wasn't really allowed to call her that because of her rank, but he did it anyway.

"I thought you would be with Brelyna… 'making up' somewhere," Resh said, "Please don't tell me you two are arguing again."

"No, don't worry, we've sorted it all out now. The tavern had to be cleared out because of some idiot knocking out an old woman," she replied, muttering the last part, as she knew it was partially her fault, as she assumed it had been Lydia who hit her.

"Why would someone do that?" Ralof asked.

"I don't know," Kayci said quickly, "Better yet why would someone make their'friend' make unreasonable promises?"

Resh sensed where this was going so attempted to change the subject, "Where's Brelyna then? if you're not in the tavern together, how come she isn't here too?"

"She's the only mage around that could help. Anyway though, as I was saying, are you the one who made Resh promise to ignore part of his culture?" Kayci snapped angrily, prodding Ralof in the chest as she did.

"What promise is this?" he answered nervously, glancing towards Resh as if to ask what was going on.

Kayci glared, and flashed some of her unusually sharp teeth his way. "Would you like me to give you a hint? I don't think you would," despite Kayci not always sticking to tradition herself, she never liked it when people tried to take away someone else's, especially when it was one of her closest friends.

"Kayce, stop it," Resh said, speaking up when she started to get too close to him. He was getting worried she would go so far to kill him for it, and then probably end up making Resh eat him to show the promise was over. And however hungry Resh was, he would rather not have Ralof dead if he could do something about it… unless he started going on about the Stormcloaks again.

Kayci POV

"Why?" she snapped, close enough to deal some damage now, unfortunately Ralof didn't really realise he was in danger so didn't prepare himself. "This bastard has no respect to tradition, plus he's made hunting shit now."

"That doesn't mean you should kill him," that caught Ralofs attention as his eyes snapped open.

Kayci growled, before turning back to Ralof, "Fine, although make Resh take back his promise. He's a man of his word, and however fucking annoying it is, I respect him for that, so say it's over or you'll regret it."

Ralof almost laughed at the threat, but after a quick glance at Resh, who seemed shocked quickly turned serious, "Why? I don't see anything wrong with keeping him from eating corpses. I'm going to assume you're one of his species when I say this, but I don't think he should, so there is no way I'm going to make him take it back."

"The worst kind of ignorance is when idiots like you reject something you know nothing about, I'm glad all Nords aren't like you. Now again, do it," Kayci's tone had a bit of extra venom laced into the words, Resh knew that voice, it was the 'I think someone needs skinning alive' voice.

It seemed Ralof also picked up on the tone as well, "Fine, fine! Resh you promise now means fuck all, now get this bitch away from me."

In an instant it seemed Kayci's mood had gone from vicious and more than likely to kill him, to her usual cheerful self, almost as if she didn't even hear his insult at the end when she hopped away from him, Resh only then realised how close she had gotten, not just in proximity but to actually snapping his neck.

Unsurprisingly, Ralof immediately scampered off, causing Kayci to laugh slightly, and Resh could've sworn he heard her mutter 'pussy' under her breath. Despite knowing this probably wouldn't end well for them Resh was still pleased with the result, it had been annoying not being allowed to eat what he killed. He made a note not to tell Lydia about the promise ending, or she would most likely force him to make one to her.

"So Resh, how'd you get that fancy sword? it almost looks half decent compared to the shitty standard design around here," Kayci asked as if the last five minutes hadn't even happened, admiring the almost Tsaesci looking katana by his hip.

Resh glanced down, and realised what she was talking about, proceeding to happily pull out the blade for her to see. "Oh yeah, the woman Lydia knocked out let me have it, also some decent armour too if we go kill some dragon."

"Really? I thought you didn't like these, as you put it, 'inferior races', equipment," Kayci teased, knowing that a month ago Resh wouldn't have been seen dead having been excited about Tamrielic armour.

"No, I don't. But like the sword it's all Akaviri design, she's a Blade so knows our kinds ways," he explained, flashing a rare smile at the prospect of having a weapon like his last, obviously not as good seeing as it was still human make, but a pretty nice copy.

"Fair enough, did you get me some of that armour?" she asked, suddenly intrigued, however much she liked her skimpily altered leather armour it would be great to have some Akaviri steel protecting her like she used to.

Resh continued, having not finished yet. "Yeah, I also got you one of these swords t-"

"How many times do I have to tell you Resh? I'm not going to change my fighting style just because you don't like it," Kayci interrupted, this wasn't the first time he had tried to encourage her to use weapons. She wasn't really annoyed, but she had gotten tired of this after so many years.

"It's just good sense though, you can't go on forever using your hands. So either you learn magic or use a weapons or I will keeping bugging you," he countered, admittedly trying to teach her magic had been a bad idea when he first tried, but none the less it would still be useful for her to have.

"You know Resh, usually I'd say something along the lines of 'I'll try using magic again when you fuck a Nord', but that seems to have already happened," Kayci laughed, "So you know what? I'll give it another try, but Brelyna's teaching me, I don't want to end up with another finger gone."

Resh was happy enough with that, "Fine, she probably has more skill teaching something like that anyway, coming from that College."

"Plus she doesn't actually know any ice spells which is a plus," Kayci pointed out, much to the dismay of Resh. He wasn't that much of a bad teacher, even if there were a few mishaps… they were all her fault.

30 Mins Later

Brelyna POV

Fortunately for everyone involved the woman Lydia had knocked out wasn't permanently injured in any way, just a large bruise to the jaw, which wasn't hard to fix. She was still surprised though, the woman must have obviously been a fighter when she was young otherwise that could have seriously hurt her at this age.

Even though there was no actual damage, it didn't make the situation any less tense, everyone had left apart from herself, Lydia and the woman, Delphina as she had come to know her. And it was quite clear they weren't going to get along, Delphine was glaring angrily at Lydia, most likely contemplating whether or not it's worth berating her for the unnecessary assault, and Lydia meanwhile, was in the corner as far away as she could be and attempting not to hold eye contact.

The silence was finally broken when Delphine let go of her mouth and asked in pain, "Why did you do that? what was the point?"

"I thought you might have been hitting on Resh," she muttered quickly, realising how absurd it was.

"I'm almost twice his age, there's nothing he would want from me. Apart from that sword he wanted…" she looked over to the weapon rack and sighed, "Which he's already taken."

"Sorry about that by the way, I was… misled by a friend. Anyway, Resh will probably be coming back soon," Lydia informed her, Kayci had been off to go find him, so it was likely they would only be a few more minutes.

Delphine was pleased at this. "Good, it's time to see whether he is the 'Dragonborn' or not, we could have good use of him…"

Yeah, sorry to anyone who likes Ralof, I only made him a bit of a dick because I don't like the Stormcloaks. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, please leave a review and follow if you did. Thanks.