"No."
"No? But why? I must look at the wound to know what I am dealing with." The healer, Gertrude, said.
"It is broken ribs. Besides, this one has a curse attached to him that he would not want you to catch." Ka'zhid lied smoothly.
"Ahhh. I have just the thing for your ribs, but a curse?" The old healer said.
"This one would prefer not to speak of it." The old healer looked at him for a moment considering whether to press the issue, but continued looking for the right herbs and bandages.
"Here we are. That should keep you healthy for a month, and by that time your ribs should be healed." Gertrude handed him a jar of salve and some bandages. He put them into his satchel and began digging around for his coin purse.
"How much does this one owe you?" The healer seemed surprised.
"I don't usually accept payment, but...five crowns." She said with a raised eyebrow. Ka'zhid opened his purse and dug out five septims. Ka'zhid must figure out the monetary system if this one is to remain inconspicuous. He placed the money in Gertrude's hand and nodded his thanks.
"These are not your currency, but they are gold." Gertrude examined the strange coins then nodded, satisfied at the exchange.
Walking out of the healer's home he followed Horst to his home. It was a two storied building unlike the other homes in Carvahall, as Ka'zhid had learned this small village was called. Observing the smith's house he saw that all the water spouts were carved in the likeness of gargoyles, there was a balcony that extended from a tall window, and as they got closer he could carvings around the windows and door. The carvings were many and varied from ravens, to harts, vines, and serpents.
"Impressive."
"Aye, took me some time to build, but now my family has a more than substantial roof over their heads." Horst seemed proud of the house, as he should be. The grandeur was astounding even, and especially, by Skyrim's standards.
"Thank you for letting me stay and heal in your home. Though Ka'zhid must say his knowledge of smithing is limited to a small field." Ka'zhid had only ever learned to craft weapons and armor and that was to supply Sergius Turrianus with something to do when the old man griped that there wasn't enough work to do around the college. He faintly missed the old man's griping, it was endearing in a way.
"We can discuss that after dinner. For now let's get you situated then I need to return to the forge." Horst opened the door.
-~o
The house only become more impressive to Ka'zhid the instant he stepped in the door. There was a large, curved, staircase leading to the second floor. The walls were the color of honey, making the house seem bright, vibrant, and alive. Horst showed him to a guest room fairly close to the kitchen.
"Hold on, there is someone I must introduce to you." The smith bustled off towards the kitchen, from which a strange but mouthwatering smell was coming. A moment later Horst reappeared with a woman with honey blonde hair, about the same age as Horst.
"This is my wife Elain, and this is Ka'zhid. He'll be staying with us for a time until his ribs heal."
"Ka'zhid, at your service." He said bowing slightly.
"Ohh none of that now, I'm no noble woman. Come now, follow me to the kitchen. My husband is impatient to get back to his forge, and until he returns you can keep me company." Ka'zhid noticed a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes before they returned to their, apparently usual, kind warmth.
"Of course ma'am."
"Excellent, as Elain said I still have to close up the forge. I will see you at dinner friend." Horst said as he walked away. A moment later he heard the front door open and close. Elain looked at him for a moment before beckoning him to follow.
Following he ended up in a kitchen. There was a long, smooth, table which was piled with food. He sat in a chair gratefully as Elain went back to the pot she was stirring. He could smell almost nothing from it except spices, all of which he couldn't identify.
"So Ka'zhid, will you be here long?" It wasn't unkind, but genuine curiosity. This is most likely the first of many questions tonight.
"Your husband is allowing me to heal, then work off my debt to you for allowing me stay in this palace of a home." He could see Elain smile at the praise of her house.
"A charmer aren't you?" She stirred the strange stew.
"Some would confirm this." Especially the guards of Whiterun after that one time.
"Where are you from Ka'zhid? I've never heard an accent like yours."
"A strange land far away from this one. The accent is a result of my people's heritage."
Elain seemed to contemplate that for a time. She was about to ask another question when they heard the front door open. Three voices could be heard, one of them Horst's but the other two were unknown to Ka'zhid. He was tempted to get up and prepare for a fight, but Elain seemed at ease so he remained in his chair.
As he listened to the tramping of footsteps he discerned three men coming closer. One he could discern to be Horst's footsteps, but the other two were unbeknownst to him. Normally he would have used his keen sense of smell to identify threats approaching him. Unfortunately his nose was rather occupied trying to detect and separate the spices Elain was using in her cooking which was a fruitless endeavor.
Soon enough Horst enters with the two unknown strangers. The most striking feature of the first stranger was his honey blonde hair, resembling that of Elain's. As he watched the stranger he noticed the features he shared with Horst and Elain. Then he turned his attention to the second stranger. He was thinner than the first, with dark hair. He also shared similar features with Horst and Elain. Brothers? They are Horst and Elains children, of that there is no doubt.
"Ah Ka'zhid, let me introduce my sons, Baldor and Albriech." He gestured to them respectively. The two younger men nodded respectively, but they seemed cautious.
He was about to reply when Elain cut in "Sitdown and we can have dinner."
-~o
Dinner was filled with as many polite questions as the family could ask without becoming rude. Ka'zhid, while answering questions, had indulged in much of Elain's stew. It was beyond delicious. As soon as the first spoonful hit his tongue, his taste buds began to pick apart the stew from the strange spices to the salt. It was a colorful explosion of new things.
After dinner Ka'zhid regretted his choice to eat so much. He bid his hosts goodnight and went off to his room. After locking the door he stripped off his robes and opened his satchel. Digging through it he found the bandages and salves Gertrude had given him. Applying the salves to the broken ribs was a chore but with fur as well it was a major undertaking.
When he was satisfied the mixture worked well, he set about bandaging the ribs. When that task was completed he put his robes back on and lay gingerly down on the bed. Maybe his stay on this strange plane of existence wouldn't be so bad after all.
-~o
Carvahall was a nice little village, if a bit dull. Ka'zhid had only been here a week and most of that had been spent sitting around. Now that it did not feel like he was being tortured every time he breathed he decided to explore the town. Besides, sitting around was making him a little stir crazy. While he did love Elain's cooking it would probably be better to get some exercise than turn into a fat house Khajiit.
As Ka'zhid strode off through the houses he could see some things. The houses weren't as detailed as Horst's but they were sturdy and looked like they would keep out the cold of Winter. It also had its own rhythm. This was a secluded place that operated on its own. He could hear a saw cutting through wood in a workshop down the street. People were heading out to their fields, greeting their neighbors. Overall it was a quiet, humble, little village.
Peaceful. . .just like his mother's village.
He sealed that thought off. That led to a dark road he had long avoided. And would keep avoiding.
The hammering of metal distracted him from his thoughts and drew him down another street. It was a plain looking forge, but the noise being made in it could deafen a troll. Ka'zhid had to cover his ears fifty feet from the forge to even get close. It was so loud he had to nudge the door open with his foot. He really wanted to cast muffle but with so many people around he didn't dare risk it. It only lasted about three minutes anyway.
Hmmmm, this one may have to make the spell permanent. Or perhaps find a way to enchant it onto something to keep noise out? Horst and his sons were currently working on three different projects. Baldor was making nails, Albriech seemed to be sharpening tools and implements for harvesting season, and Horst was stoking the fire and preparing to craft something.
Horst turned to look at whoever had entered his forge. He smiled slightly and waved. He stoked the fire a little and then led Ka'zhid outside to talk.
"I see you're inspecting the forge. So, what do ya think?"
"It is definitely better than some places this one has worked. Ka'zhid has only ever forged blades, so it will be interesting to learn a larger part of the trade."
Horst slapped him on the back with his large hand "That's the spirit. Come back in and I'll show you the tools and trinkets we have." A slight glint in the big man's eyes showed the roaring fire of passion for his work. Ka'zhid could understand that. When one loves their work it isn't just a job, but an art. One that could be molded, shaped and expressed in different ways. That might be why Ka'zhid liked magic so much.
There were just so many uses for it.
Did a rewrite and this is where it ended. Trying to work out the times and dates for a lot of things happening because the Inheritance Cycle isn't very strict on dates. But I also get more wiggle room on that as well. Hope you like this and have a good day.