3
The Silverblood Inn was big and relatively empty, at least at this time. A cracking and whispering fire warmed the stone of the cold mountain and the barkeeper, Kleppr, could usually point you towards a well payed Job. Shezerade slipped through the Door, keeping the crack as slim as possible so that nobody would notice her entrance. Argis sat at the bar and spoke to a stranger, a traveler as it seemed, Kleppr brought the bard in the corner a jug of ale and nobody saw her. Just the way she liked it. She crept into a dark corner where no light touched her and pointed her ears towards the bar to catch the drifting voices of the two men. She made herself comfortable at the stone wall and concentrated to fade out the strange tounges of the fire. Sure, earsdropping wasn't the most noble of deeds, but better safe than sorry.
Argis' voice was easy to catch, it was rugh and deep like water. The voice of the traveler was smooth and sleependucing, he was probably a merchant traveling the streets of skyrim. That would also explain the two sellswords laughing near the fire.
"But forgive me, I have burdened you with my trivialities for long enough. Please allow me to redeem the favour, tell me what could press upon a soul as noble as yours." Argis seemed to hesistate, but the merchant kept speaking. "I see, you fear me tounge is loose. But do not, as soon as the sun has risen your words will have been buried by a thousand others told to me by the world." Argis nodded.
"You tell the truth, my friend, for my words are nothing mut the whining of a wounded pride. I am a proud servant of our Jarl and he has named me Huscarl to our new Thane. That is the greatest honour of my life and I should be proud to give my life to the hero of our realm, but I have met her today and my heart is heavy in dissapointment."
"As you are to serve a woman?"
"No, that is not what worries me. I knew she would be a woman and truth be told, I do not care. She has done great deeds to aid our city and our realm, I dont mind what gener the gods have given her. What I did not know is that I am to serve a damned cat. She is no hero, no warrior, nothing but another dirty thief."
"A proud nord Warrior to serve a Khajiit. I see which wounds you honour bears, you have my deepest sympathies." Argis downed his ale and bade Kleppr to give him another.
"I may not be in the position to complain and judge, I serve, but I had always hoped to serve a great hero that would lead me to Sovrengarde."
"You had hoped for better for both your mortal and immortal life."
Shezerade surpressed an angry hiss and fled as fast as she could. She took a deep breath, tasting the mountain air, and she tamed her anger about the merchant before it burst out of her. She had not expected anything else from Argis, but she had hoped that he would at least be a bit open towards her. Her dissapointment and her anger just proved to her how much she had overestimated the nord. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her breath and on the burning of the sun on her skin. The steady rythm of her heart mixed with the familiar sounds of the market and she calmed down. A look to the sky told her she still had some timw. She would prepare the ride today. What did she care if Argis was unhappy with her, if his sould would never see the gates of Sovrengarde. Not her problem. She climbed back up the stairs to the familiar doors that pressed cool and smooth against her hands. The cold breath of the Mountain welcomed her as she gave herself into its arms.
Shezerade spent the rest of the day collecting provisions for the ride into the saddlebags, caring for her armor and lying it out, ready to grab, and to inspect her weaponry. She went over every single arrow, looked at every feather, felt the tips. She pretended not to hear Agirs' steps and just kept going until she heard his doors close in her back. She prayed to the gods that the ride tomorrow would be over soon. She could also still ride alone, but that would make coming home even more akward. No, Argis would have to come. Shezerade fell asleep with a sigh.