Sorry for the long wait everyone, I started a new lab in the second half of the semester and it involves so much out of class research, I swear to god I spend more time in the library than my own dorm nowadays. Heads up though, end of year projects and finals are rearing their ugly heads, so I probably won't be able to post for maybe 2-3 weeks, we'll see how everything goes.

Beta'd by: Immortal Spank, Old man of the mountain

Ferack knew it was too late at night for what he was about to do, but he decided that he just didn't as he quietly climbed the stairs to Ragnar's room.

'It wouldn't be such a problem if he decided to make due on his promise and offer that help he promised with my enchanting research!'

Honestly, was it so hard to stay to your word and help out a little? Ferack doubted the Nord knew much, but the fact that he at least knew what Ferack was talking about when they first met had to mean something, right?

Enchanting, while sought out by many academics, wasn't something wildly sought after. Many of the common folks simply believed that the few enchanted weapons people knew about were parting gifts from Magnus before he left Nirn. But that presumption was so stupid! Why on earth would these strange tables be left behind if an Aedra was responsible for their creation, it just didn't make any sense!

'You can't blame the uneducated for their misconceptions' Ferack reminded himself, 'Blame the powers at be for hiding the truth of their incompetence.'

Seriously, why hasn't the Empire made any efforts regarding enchanting? Do they just not see the benefits, the power, the potential? Ferack knew that the Talmor were looking into it, but those fools got in their own way so often that they never made any progress!

Ferack let out a frustrated sigh just as he rounded the corner to Ragnar's room. "Hey Ragnar you got a min-"

Just as he turned the corner and peered into the nord's room, he saw a large darkish blob standing over Ragnar. The thing turned around at the sound of his voice and he heard the sound of something being thrown. He ducked down quickly, just in time for the thrown object to embed itself into the wall behind him. Cursing, he drew forth his magicka and blasted out an uncontrolled burst of lightning, hitting Ragnar in the process but hopefully that'll be forgiven for saving him from someone trying to kill him.

The lightning illuminated the room in bluish white light, highlighting the would-be killer's black and red outfit as the person – a woman judging by the rounded area on her cuirass – dodged his lightning bolt spell. As Ragnar let out a startled cry, the woman jumped to the side and started to run at him. Smirking, Ferack snapped his fingers and multiple arrays of thunder traps littered the ground.

The eyes of the assassin, the only parts of the woman revealed, widened in surprise as her foot touched the ground. The spell glowed with light as lightning erupted from the sigil, the woman grunted in pain as she tried to regain her footing, only to step on another thunder trap and ignite that one too.

The woman grits her teeth and, in a surprising show of resilience, continues to run at him as she draws out a glowing curved knife from a sheath. Ferack couldn't help but stare at the weapon in glee, could that be an enchanted weapon?

The woman was shoved to the side as Ragnar finally got off his lazy ass and actually did something. The assassin quickly contorted themselves off the ground and managed to balance themself on a mannequin, showing off a very talented amount of balance control and acrobatics.

"Ferack…" His leader grumbled, lighting a bedside candle as he got up, bringing a much needed source of light in the dark room. "You couldn't have woken me up some other way?"

"Ha!" Ferack barked, "Typical Nord, not even a thank you for saving your life?"

"Mmm." The Nord rumbled, "You'll get your dues once we're done with this." Ragnar reached under his pillow and drew an axe of all things, "A glowing curved knife in the hands of an assassin? Must be the Blade of Woe, which means you must be Astrid." His boss frowned, "I thought I told Babette what would happen if you people disturbed me again."

Ferack raised an eyebrow, what exactly was going on? Regardless, his Breton heritage filled his veins with magickal power, ready to unleash another spell at the drop of a knife.

The one called Astrid frowned, "It seems this won't be as easy as I originally anticipated. No matter, however," The woman twirled her knife in her hand effortlessly, "A single Breton isn't enough to take me down, regardless of how impressive a self-taught magicka user is,"

Ferack frowned, what the hell did she mean by that? Ragnar was also with him, and even if the both of them couldn't handle this one woman surely the noise would attract the attention of everyone else?

At that moment, Ragnar grunted and collapsed to one knee. Ferack glanced over, not willing to take his eyes off Astrid longer than necessary.

Ragnar pulled something off his body with great effort, something the size of a needle if he could see it correctly. But that doesn't make sense, how could something so small take such a great deal of effort to take out?

"You still have the strength to move? Impressive," The woman mused, "A werewolf is usually very susceptible to Wolfsbane extract, it seems like you're a different breed than the others."

Ferack grimaced as the sound of Ragnar vomiting something echoed out in the room, his face scrunching up when the smell of iron hit his nostrils. A bead of sweat dripped down Ferack's forehead, what the fuck was he going to do? Where the fuck is everyone?!

"Mmm, not strong enough I suppose," Astrid tittered. "Really, this was the only logical outcome. You threaten my family, interrupt one of our contracts, and you think we would just walk away?! No, you arrogant man, that's not how this works."

Ferack could hear the faint sounds of someone moving downstairs, confidence rose in his chest. Stall. He had to stall.

"I don't know who you are, lady, but how do you expect to get out of here?"

Astrid smiled ruefully, "Quite easily. I think it'll be quite difficult for your little friends to find out what happened when the two people who know about me are dead on the ground." She maneuvered herself off the mannequin and onto the ground. "Really, it'll take me less than twenty seconds. Even if the first batch wasn't enough I have more than enough poison to kill him with another needle." Ferack blinked as a flash of silver shot out and cut him slightly across the cheek, just enough to slowly draw out a drop of blood.

"And you?" The killer laughed, "You're child's play. Honestly, it's a bit unfair, but I've never been known for fairness."

Ferack felt an unholy amount of panic fill his veins. Was that knife poisoned too?! Was he going…to die?

Astrid laughed as she stalked up to him, her steps making little sound as she slowly prowled towards him like a lioness playing with her food. Just as her foot stepped past Ragnar, the aforementioned man's hand lashed out and caught her leg.

The woman looked down, amused as she looked at Ragnar's shaking arm. "You can still move? My my, they're making you Nord men tougher every year."

Ferack saw his boss let out a bloody grin, "See Ferack? That's the problem with arrogant bitches, they don't see the situation for what it really is."

Astrid didn't have time to react as five lighting runes glowed on the ground, her eyes widened as Ragnar and her were shocked with powerful lighting. Her body smoked as she stumbled back, excess lightning dancing on her limbs as her legs and arms spasmed, refusing to obey her commands.

His leader slowly managed to climb up from the floor, hunched over as the man used all of his strength to slowly walk towards a frantic Astrid.

"You," Ragnar rasped, "You come into my home, threaten not only myself but my ally, and expect to get away? No…" Ferack's boss stood above Astrid's downed form, hunched over and dripping blood directly onto her face. Ferack couldn't see what Ragnar looked like, but it must have been terrifying from what he could see of Astrid.

"Unfortunately, you won't be around to see how much you just royally fucked up."

Ragnar's body exploded with fur as his werebear form roared directly into Astrid's pale face. His jaws snapped around the spasming woman's neck, a violent snapping sound echoed into the room as his mouth slammed shut.

Ragnar snapped his head to the side, the Assassin's head tearing off her neck in a savage display of ruthlessness. Despite himself, Ferack turned green and shoved his head out of an opening in the wall, vomiting off the side of the building onto the ground.

Ferack could barely make out the sound of bare feet frantically moving across the floor just behind him. He managed to turn around in time to see Isobel place her feathered hand onto a now human Ragnar's back, taking in large, shaky and heavy breaths.

"Blood on ground, Ragnar mouth red. Expelled blood his?" Isobel questioned, her claws gingerly prodding Ragnar's back and cheek.

"Y-yeah," Ferack grimaced, wiping away the vomit on his lips, "That woman had something called wolfsbane extract, said It'd kill him quickly."

"Bah!" Isobel scoffed, "Extract tricky tricky, but able to fix. Woman not good at alchemy, otherwise use concentrate, much potenter"

Ferack gulped and touched a finger to the stinging cut to his cheek.

Isobel's head turned to face him, "Breton man cut too? Come come, Isobel check if poison"

Ferack held back a shiver as he stepped into her clawed hands, her fingers running across his injury making him violently suppress his shaking spine.

"Poison yes yes, but not deadly, no." Isobel shook her head, "Mild discomfort yes, most be stomach upset, but no death."

Ferack breathed out in relief. "What about Ragnar?"

"Champion Ragnar condition bad," Isobel hissed, "But not unfixable. Herbs Isobel has, cure condition Isobel can. Rest he must, days possible but fixed he will be."

Ferack sighed as Isobel gently carried Ragnar to wherever Isobel was staying. He cringed as some concerned voices sounded out downstairs, looks like he had to deal with that. Ferack's eyes drifted to the now inert dagger laying innocently on the floor. Just as he was leaving, he leaned down and snagged the dagger from the corpse as he made his way back downstairs.

'After all that work I just did I deserve something for my efforts'

(Ragnar)

I blearily opened my eyes, gingerly lifting myself out of a bed as I rubbed the spots out of my vision. Blinking, I saw Isobel turn around and watch me with her beady black eyes.

"Champion Ragnar wakes, okay feeling you are?"

I took a deep breath, reveling in the lack of pain or discomfort. "Yeah, I'm feeling pretty good, you did this?" Also probably a combination of the system, but why not let Isobel relish in her accomplishment?

Isobel cackled, "Yes yes Isobel heal champion, good Isobel is yes? Paltry poison easy for Isobel"

I grinned, standing up and stretching a bit. I paused as I remembered fully what happened last night, I killed Astrid…

Wonderful!

I grimaced, though that means I'll have to deal with her 'family,' now. But that's on them! I warned them what would happen if they went after me again, they have to bear the responsibility of those actions.

But…it's entirely within Astrid's character to act on her own for what she perceives to be the best for her 'family.' She did that to the Dragonborn/Listener after all (though that was probably also motivated by her greed for power and control). I frowned, her husband would have taken exception to me killing his wife, but surely the others could be reasoned with, right? Of course, that all depends on the exact circumstances surrounding this event. If they were all in on the plan, then everyone dies; child body or not.

I took a deep breath and exited Isobels hut, I glanced down at the fort below me, watching the miners exit the mine's entrance for dinner.

"Isobel? If anyone asks where I am tell them I've gone to take care of a problem."

Isobel raises an eyebrow, "That mean Isobel is sought out first"

I chuckled, "Good point." I hesitated but opened my arms out to her and stood still. Isobel stared at me in disbelief, but sure enough, she slowly – and hesitantly – shuffled forward into my embrace.

"Thanks for healing me, Isobel."

Isobel hummed, "First time Isobel thanked. This…nice, more of this Isobel wants."

I let go of Isobel as I descended the hill, walking down the forts dirt path and back onto the main road. With a thought, my Daedric armor appeared as I headed down the pathway with purpose.

(-)

"What is the music of l-"

"Silence my brother"

The door swung open quietly as I descended into the base of the Dark Brotherhood. Random, unimportant initiates milled around, paying me no mind. After all, I knew the password, I had to be one of them, right?

That assumption will get them killed in due time.

I walked, unopposed as I made my way to the main foyer. Noticing a familiar Redguard and Argonian talking nearby the large bed of water, Astrids husband too engrossed in whatever he was forging over in his little hobble. My ears twitched as I could hear Gabrielle and that old man talking just above us in the next room over.

Nazim was the first to notice me. "Oh? You're a large one aren't you, new to the family I take it?"

I said nothing.

Nazim gave a hum of understanding, "A quiet one, eh? I can respect it."

Veezara turned toward me, his nose twitching. "A faint smell of blood on this one, must've come here right after his initiation kill."

"Eager to start, are we?" Nazim chuckled, "Once we get you in uniform there are some contracts that would suit a beginner like yo-"

"Nazim?" I heard Babette's voice call out, "Have you seen where we keep the spare bodies?"

"Have you checked out the back room?" He shouted back.

"Of course, I did you oaf!" Her voice getting louder as she came closer. "It's the first place I cheeeeeeee…" Her voice tittered out when she came into view, noticing me in all my glory. I smiled dangerously, cheekily waving to her as she stopped dead in her tracks.

Before anyone could react, I dragged Astrid's head out of my inventory and tossed it, letting it bounce on the ground a couple of times as everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it. Heads shifted from it to me, back to the head, and back to me.

I smiled.

(Siddgeir)

Siddgeir looked at the…private report in his hand as he sat in his private study. His eyes scanned the contents in the candlelit room, his brow creasing downward further on his forehead the longer he continued to read what obviously must have been a false report.

"Is this information accurate, Melrun?" Siddgeir inquired, his tone flat, but still carrying a dangerous air to it.

Melrun dutifully nodded, "It's true sir. While the loss of the Bilegulch raiders was unfortunate, the coin coming in from the Knifepoint Gang would have rendered their loss obsolete." The captain of the Falkreath guard frowned, "However, with this missed payment, I can only assume that they've either become too arrogant or-"

"They've been dealt with." Siddgeir cut the man off, an irritated tilt to his otherwise neutral tone.

"Precisely, Jarl Siddgeir."

Siddgeir closed his eyes in thought. The loss of the Bilegulch raiders wasn't too bad, they were already encroaching on dangerous lines; demanding more payment, demanding merchandise for their trade. He was already making plans to…dispose of them in the future, in case they proved too cost effective. But the loss of the knifepoint gang was something that would have major problems for him and the hold. If this had happened three months ago, it wouldn't have been too big of an issue, but after "helping" them take over Knifepoint mine they had managed to grow into a sizable bandit force, a force he controlled.

Siddgeir sneered, if his blasted uncle hadn't failed during his time as Jarl this wouldn't be such a big issue. Dengier's reign as Jarl had been…strenuous, for the population of Falkreath, even before the civil war had started. But because he didn't take careof the massive bandit problem that arose when that idiot Ulfric had split the damn land in a civil war, Siddgeir had to step in himself and do his damned job for him.

How lucky for him that the populace already hated his Uncle for his xenophobic attitude towards Hammerfell, so even the smallest of reasons, his uncle's age, had been enough to convince the citizens into making him the new Jarl. And he did what his uncle could not; reign in the fucking problem.

It took time, and a lot of coin, but bandits at their core were greedy. A little tax raise here, a little shop recollection there, and Siddgeir had amassed enough septims to buy off those miscreants. After all, the best way to mitigate crime was to control it, and with him providing the most coin, they turned to him.

Of course, he couldn't let those bandits get too big of a head, so he had to establish himself as the big boss. Wiping out three of their biggest rivals had done that job nicely.

Siddgeir had a nice system in place; He would turn a blind eye to the bandits doing their things while receiving payments on the side to "ignore" them, while the bandits got to continue living, but their operations were severely limited. With crime rates going down, but not erased; his actions, policies, and planning have put him in a position to where his standing as Jarl was more secure than even Balgruff's.

But that's been changing recently, with the loss of his two biggest assets, Siddgeir had little more than a gaggle of bandit groups still under his control. Without Bilegulch and Knifepoint, there wasn't anything keeping the crime rate down internally, which would lead to new gangs forming outside of his control.

Siddgeir took a deep breath, "Do we have any possible leads?"

Melrun hummed in thought, "Well, we know who took care of the Bilegulch raiders, that Ragnar fellow right? It wouldn't be a huge leap in logic to assume he took care of Knifepoint too, would it?"

Siddgeir grunted, "Even if the rumor of his, what was it? 'tamed werebeasts?' is true - which I heavily doubt - there's no way a single man could have taken down such a massive force."

He could believe it for the Bilegulch raiders, they were just a bunch of dumb orcs at the end of the day. Despite their physical strength, one or two people with a solid plan could have easily taken down their operation. But not Knifepoint, which would have required a force of nearly 200 guards to take care of.

"What if he's not alone? The rumors mentioned a Hagraven right? Could he have allies within the Forsworn?"

Siddgeir chuckled, "Are you kidding? The forsworn, working for a Nord? That's the funniest thing you've ever told me, Melrun."

Melrun frowned, "Even still, what about those Bannermist tower bandits? They could have helped out."

"Those people?" Siddgeir waved his hand dismissively, "Too small time, active for less than, what, a month, maybe two? Besides, there hasn't been any issues with that road for a while now, safe to say that they've been taken care of too." Siddgeir leaned back in his chair, "To get them onto a level where that small of a group plus one Nord could take on that force would have taken months, if not years."

Melrun looked conflicted, "Sir, I still believe the Nord must have had something to do with it. And before you say it!" He rushed, interrupting whatever Siddgeir was going to say, "Maybe he didn't have a large role in whatever happened, but you cannot deny that these problems started occurring after he showed up."

The Jarl raised an eyebrow, "These events have also been happening after I reopened the Hammerfell border when Winter passed, are we to accuse every merchant that has crossed those borders as well?" Siddgeir sighed, "But fine, Melrun. You've been with me and have supported me long enough for me to trust your judgment on this, even if I personally do not believe it to be the case."

Melrun sighed, "That's all I ask, my Jarl."

Siddgeir lounged in his throne, "What to do…" The man mumbled, "With his public reputation and deeds he could be made into a Thane…"

"Why would we reward him for all of this?" the captain asked, confused.

Siddgeir stared at Melrun.

The Captain of the Guards coughed into his fist, embarrassed, "You know what I meant, my Jarl."

Siddgeir rolled his eyes, "Because even though Ragnar has done things that hinder me, possibly more than I think but who knows, he has unarguably done good things for the people of Falkreath. I must reward him with something, or in the eyes of the people I'm ungrateful for the fact that he's been doing good for us." Siddgeir chuckled, "Besides, being a thane doesn't really mean anything. A lofty title to be sure, and he will get his voice heard on matters related to Falkreath, but ultimately, the Jarl has the final say."

Siddgeir sighed, "But there's the matter of the requirements for Ragnar to be made into a thane. While I doubt most will care, there are influential individuals who wouldn't take kindly to Ragnar being made thane without at least owning property in Falkreath"

"There's also the fact that even if he does own land, he has to have lived here for at least a year." Melrun commented, "He doesn't meet any of these requirements."

Siddgeir nodded, "That's all true, but owning land should be easy to solve; it's a simple transaction. The other problem can be waived easily, it wouldn't be the first time this hold has given someone the title of Thane without residency for a year, it's just rare."

Melrun frowned, "But those instances were always adventurers that had provedthemselves worthy through multiple deeds for Falkreath. While I agree that Ragnar did a good thing in freeing those people, that's still only one instance of goodwill."

The Jarl hummed thoughtfully, "Ragnar also has apparently hired a good number of our homeless for his little mine, combined with freeing those captives, and his rather generous reputation with the Falkreath citizens, we could get away with doing it."

"Even so that's not enough my Jarl, we should think of something else instead. Maybe a Septim reward? Or maybe something from the vault, something inconsequential like a bow or –"

Whatever Melrun wanted to say was cut off by a polite knock on the door. The two glanced at each other as Siddgeir deposited the report into a desk drawer and took one of the many slips of paper he had on his desk in hand. Ready, Melrun approached the door and opened it as Nenya came into view. Her otherwise prim and proper appearance was gone, replaced by a woman panting out of breath, looking like she ran all the way from the entrance of the hold directly to him.

Siddgeir shifted in his seat, "Nenya? What's going on, why are you so out of breath?" He frowned, "Has there been an attack on the hold?"

Nenya held a hand up so she could catch her breath, Siddgeir suppressed his annoyance at the casual gesture. Nenya had been Falkreath's steward for years, longer than even when his Uncle was in power. No matter how much it grated him, a little familiarity and lenience was warranted.

"My Jarl," Nenya finally managed to get out, "Come quickly, the Dark Brotherhood-"

Siddgeir sprung from his seat, the chair falling to the floor behind him from the force. "The Dark Brotherhood?!" He practically shouted, "Assemble the guards Melrun! Alert the citizens, get everyone inside until we deal with whatever is going o-"

"Peace, my Jarl." Nenya interrupted.

Siddgeir gave a moment to himself to take a deep breath and released it as Melrun shifted nervously. "I'm trying to keep calm, Nenya, I really am. So please, speak quickly, as I understand that I may have reacted too quickly. But if this does not assure me that the problem is taken care of I will have you on paperwork duty for the next three months."

Nenya coughed, "W-well my Jarl, as I was saying, we need to go quickly. A Dark Brotherhood stronghold was discovered just off the road of Falkreath – Don't worry!" She said quickly, noticing that Siddgeir was about to speak, "It's been taken care of, the assassins inside are all dead, but some patrolling guards managed to see the aftermath and the man who took them out."

Siddgeir sighed in relief, Melrun too. "Thank Kynareth for that. So, who's the one who dealt with them?"

Nenya waved behind her as a slightly out of breath guard strolled in. He stood at attention and saluted to Siddgeir and Melrun.

"My Jarl, Captain! I bring word on what steward Nenya has already briefed you on!" The young guard spoke.

"Yes yes we already know the situation, get on with it." Siddgeir rushed.

"W-well my Jarl," The young guard stammered, "I was there during the aftermath of the fight. We've inspected the 'sanctuary,' the man called it, and it was filled with bodies. Sir, there's no doubt in my mind that this cell of the Dark Brotherhood is completely eradicated"

Melrun stepped forward, "That's great, do you know of the name of the man who brought them to justice? They must be rewarded handsomely for their honorable deed!" Melrun clenched a fist, his lips curved down into a snarl "To think an assassin's base was right under our noses."

The scout relaxed under his commander's gaze. "The man called himself Ragnar, sirs. If I remember correctly, that's the man who took care of Bilegulch right?" The guard smiled, "I got the chance to thank him directly, my mother was part of the group rescued by him. To think he could have taken out the Dark Brotherhood too…"

Melrun and Siddgeir shared a glance. Siddgeir cleared his throat and addressed the group, "Well son, you better get some rest. Melrun, make sure this young man gets a belly full of food and enough mead to make him drunk for the rest of the week."

Melrun nodded, escorting both Nenya and the young guard out of his study as he gently shut the door. Siddgeir leaned back into his chair, glancing out the window into the night sky.

"To think you're capable of taking out the Dark Brotherhood…" Siddgeir mumbled, "No normal person could take out an elite group of assassins on their own. Just what are you hiding, Ragnar?"

Name: Ragnar

Race: Nord

Level: 22

EXP: 430/ 1,150

Health: 280 Magicka: 510 Stamina: 270

STR: 20 (26)

INT: 40 (51)

END: 22 (28)

DEX: 24 (27)

SP: 0

PP: 0

Land Controlled:

Falkreath (›)

[+6 STR, +6 END, +11 INT, +3 DEX]

People under your leadership:

Happy: 67

Neutral: 53

Unhappy: 0

Sorry for the shorter Chapter, I wrote this all out on the 8th of April, and I just don't have enough time to write more, I'll go more into what happened with the Dark Brotherhood in the next chapter.