Chapter 7: A Lady's Honor
"Ah sir. Good morning. Out-standing morning. How'd you sleep last night?" I heard once I made my way down the stairs to the innermost portions of the shop. My wolf followed right behind me after stretching his spine and yawning profusely. I woke up feeling my bones creak in odd places and back in an uncomfortable pain but kept my complaints to myself. Best not to impose upon another's home too harshly.
Sleeping on a bed made of animal hide wasn't as bad as remembered though. The fact they didn't complain about my wolf sleeping upstairs with me piqued my interest. It can't be just because the money so said, "You've given me a room in your home despite my visage so that leaves me to wonder what your aim is. It can't be because of the gold I gave you."
The human frowned a bit perhaps from the memory of something agregious that's happened to him. "Well, you see, as I mentioned before, I've this very priceless artifact of mine that was taken some time ago and was wondering if you'd be willing to retrieve it for me." Lucan Valerius looked desperate enough but I'm not needing coin that much to do a fetch quest like some public servant.
"I've no…"
"Bleak Falls Burrow," a female voice resounded in the shop interrupting my declination before I could finish. Camilla, the man's sister, walked up towards the two of use avoiding my gaze though. I noticed a dust of flush in her cheeks. The dreams must've been very interesting.
"That's the place the thief took it. It's a dark elf by the name of Arvel. He used to do odd jobs for my brother from time to time," she confessed. It was an inside job then and not random burglary. But the fact they know where he is, plus it's been a few days now, left me curious.
"So, you know the thief?" I crossed my arms over my chest. The imperial looked anxious and fumbled around trying to come up with a response. I turned towards his sister instead. "I've no reason to search for anything for you or your brother, without something in return, imperial."
The Woman turned her chin from me then the sister tilted her head from side to side getting her bearings. "But before it was a burrow it was called a temple. A temple where ancient nords worshipped dragons and according to legend, housed one."
I huffed a bit at the woman but smirked internally. She must've overhead my mentioning of dragons and my research of them being my reason for coming to this nord riddled land that reeks of wet dogs and mud. "Eavesdropping isn't very ladylike." In Summerset such a crime would earn you a day in the Grotta. The dark room with magicka inhibitors enchanted upon the walls.
"I never once said I was," she retorted sharply . She sighed and walked towards and counter and rated her hand on it. "My brother lost it trusting the wrong man..."
"That's not true," he said swiftly. "I never trusted him that much, not that it matters. I've coin for you if you do this and I'll even give you a discount for now on for my wares."
"The temple could be good for your research. If you keep the claw in mind it'll only help you further, wouldn't you say?" The woman followed on with. I looked before the two siblings then shook my head at this situation. The brother is persistent but a fool and the sister is strong willed but crude. They truly are a match to run this store of theirs together.
"Fine," I accepted this request. "I'll go to this Bleak Falls Burrow, and if I find your claw, I'll return it."
"Excellent! I'm sure with your magicka and bandit killing skills you'll have no problem!"
I blinked a bit at what I have to assume is a slip when the sister palmed her forehead right after. "Bandits?" I questioned the man.
"Uh… I mean… well…" he stammered.
The sister stepped in my line of sight. "What my brother is trying to say is that the thief is a bandit and more than likely the Burrow is occupied by them." The sister clarified now that this crucial bit of information was given by mistake. "Hopefully this won't deter you?" Her tone was highly inquisitive as if asking whether or not I fear a few vagabond not with a single piece of moon silver.
"When I return, I'll expect gold paid to me for time, travel, hazards, and dangers incurred." I said with a shrug.
"But I…"
Growl!
Lucan shut his mouth when my pup seemed to find his antics as annoying as I do. Speaking of which. "Do you have a leather belt you can part with? He needs a collar." I placed a hand on top of my pet's head and scratched between his ears before he attacked another human. Human blood appears to be his favorite ironically.
"Uh, sure sir. I can get you that right now." Lucan galloped to the back leaving just the three of us alone. I scratched between my pup's ears. He's doing good work.
"Sir Elf," the woman bowed slightly down to me. "I'm sorry if this is a bother to you, but my brother hasn't been the same since the claw was taken a few days ago."
"I'm curious about something." I faced the woman and approached her. Her eyes widened as I removed my hood and look upon her with unshielded eyes. "How do you know this bandit of yours hasn't sold it off?" I stepped a little closer to her. I narrowed my eyes upon her and reveled in her nervousness now that it's just the two of us. "What makes you so certain he's still at the Bleak Falls Barrow?"
The woman bit her lip. The question was good after all. If I stole something made of gold I'd be finding the closest fence for the Thieves Guild and sell it or smuggle it to another country. I'm anything but a thief though not like this bandit. He took the claw for a reason and she knows it. I could feel it.
I leaned down until my lips hovered over her ear. She didn't make a move to push me or reject this advance. "What's the claw for?" I muttered softly.
The woman remained still before placed her hands out and pushing against my chest. She avoiding all eye contact with me until I took her hands in my own from my chest. "You can tell me." I said holding her hands gently in my own giving them a soft and gentle squeeze. Her eyes rose up towards mine just as my vision began to shift. I had her now. A few tricks from my colder days resurfaced after that witch attempted to soul trap me.
Suddenly she frowned deeply and looked very... Hurt? Betrayed? By who is the question.
"I... I heard from him," she mustered courage to say to me. "My brother he... he doesn't know that I was... I heard the claw was a key to something within Bleak Falls Burrow. He's the sort that chances treasure for however long it takes. If his men are there then he's still figuring out how it works."
The "him" she's referring to must be the thief and yet she's feeling a sense of dissapointment and betrayal from this man. "You know him well." I leaned a little closer to the woman. "You know him on a personal level." She bit hard into her lip. Her eyes said it all. I snort a bit and stepped back away from the dumner lover as far as I can see. My vision returned to normal and turned away from this human. "You truly are brother and sister," I felt disgusted from last night's moment of weakness. To think. I wished to sleep with a woman Tainted by one of them. The implications behind my words didn't fall on deaf ears. A look of shock branded itself in her expression then anger.
"Are you judging me?" She was in disbelief from her declaration but wasn't an unfounded accusation.
"Do you have feelings for that Dumner? Sleep with him perhaps?"
Her rage grew on her expression. "That is no business of yours, you bastard!"
"True," I agreed taking her by surprise. I'm sure she didn't expect that or even the fact said it so calmly. "Well, unfortunate for you I don't get acquainted with dumner nor the ones they're intimate with."
"Unfortunate for me, hah!" The woman scoffed at me. "Typical arrogance from a high elf."
"Typical lack of class from an Imperial," I sighed. "It's a shame to. You're very attractive." I shrugged and turned away from the woman. Dumner truly curse anything and everything they touch. The proof is in the state of their country of Morrowind now covered in ash and destroyed by years of strife both from Oblivion and Black Marsh. Even their own lands turned against them.
"Don't assume just because you see yourself as high and mighty, you are towards others."
"I'll try not to," I waved the woman off. I grew tired of her bickering.
"You know nothing of what I feel or what happened to me because of him!" she cried fiercely now showing me a new bout of emotion I never expected. Hurt, disgust, shame, rage, and fear. The rattled eyes that focused upon me brought forth a new revelation that chilled my ever molton hot blood.
"This dumner assaulted you?" It wasn't a question because now it shown on her expression. The shame grew as her defenses crumbled. I breathed out and shook my head. "I'll find and kill this dumner then for his crime. I apologize as well for my discourteous nessus. This wasn't my intention."
The woman turned her back to me and rubbed her eyes. I stepped back and gave her a bit more space to collect herself. I've witness actions like this from all races and the crime calls for only one response within my house. I've murdered, stolen, manipulated, and perverted life as we know it but never forced myself upon another in such a manner.
"Killing him won't solve anything," she snort and rubbed her eyes a bit more.
"It won't turn back time, but will solve much. Your honor was stolen; I'll take it back and cease my advances." Now I know this she'll never lay with a Mer again.
"I'm surprised you care." She scoffed.
"I don't care. But I do understand." The woman whirled around and glared heatedly at me. My expression was poised and stoic but the memories of oblivion haunted me to this days. The woman's eyes widened and her expression softened from what she saw in my eyes now. I held out kg hand once more goading her to take it but now she hesitated. She shivered hugging herself for some desperate visage of warmth. I waited patiently showing I meant no harm, still and unmoving like stone. Eventually she too my hand in one if hers. She shivered as if dropped in the midst of a snowy mountain during a blizzard until my magicka radiated within my hand surrounding her with the Heavenly light of Aetherius blanket her. I took her hand in both of mine as the warmth spread out restoring the best of what I can sure to my condition. The aura faded as I cut away the magicka to manifest primordial light and dropped my hands from her.
"An old tradition I learned from my mother outlines that if flesh is taken, so it will be given as consequence equal to the crime. I'll give you his ear as proof of your revenge." It's the best I can do seeing that Altmeris held no Rite of Vengeance. Especially since the crime of those blasted Dumner only further taints the the concept of Mer, especially my house. "Would this be acceptable?"
The woman blinked back a new set of tears that threatened to curse her cheeks once more. She appeared uplifted and some of the life taken from her restored. The light restored her body and cleaned of her any defilement. It's old magicka faintly used outside of churches and monasteries "Why?" The question was simple and yet complicated I'm sure but held a simple answer.
I looked up to the ceiling feigning any possible musing and pondering. "I covet your affection." The woman blinked then scoffed trying to smother a chuckle.
"You're strange, even for a high elf." She sighed, but I felt a shift in her core. It's brighter now than previously. "Revenge is a man's game more than lady desires to be part of. What you did, the light of Mara to help me, is more than enough. Thank you," she sincerely meant her appreciation towards my actions.
"I'll avenge you regardless," I declared. "The honor of a lady once tarnished can't be easily reimbursed."
"I suppose that's true." I felt her hands tighten within mine. "You covet my attention, you'll have it if..." Her sharp glare bolstered my interest in her. The words she wished to use but can't say shown in her eyes. Revenge is nothing strange to me, but it's many forms are what keeps life interesting. She doesn't desire his ear because of what she lost, but because of what he can continue to take if no properly punished. A woman like this, this selfless, is atypical.
"Here we go!" Lucan returned from the back. I'm his hands is a brown leather belt perhaps for a child and perfect for a massive wolf like the one by my side. He present it to me smiling nervously. "Here you go good sir. For you, on the house. Uh... Something going on?" The human turned his sight between us both and how closer we stood before one another and our intertwined hands.
"No," I walked to the counter. "Thank you." I took belt from his hands. It was a bit long but easy to fix with a quick slash of my knife. Speaking of such I need weapons. I've only two knives and nothing else. Without access to bound weapons and limited magicka I'm completely unarmed. A knife might be just enough for now. I prefer my magicka more than anything.
"I'll return with the claw or not at all. Thank you for allowing me to stay here as well."
"It's no problem. Safe travels!" Lucan escorted my wolf and I out into the cool air of a Skyrim early morning. The human woman waved a good by before exiting the shop. I stretched my stiff joints and rolled my shoulders. My wolf trot up to me and pushed his head into the palm of my hand. I pet him again and breathed out, "Shall me depart?" I've long studied the maps of Skyrim always being updated by travelers and cartographers working constant to make travel easier. I know Bleak Falls Burrow is just north of here and saw it from outside the shop. It wouldn't take long to reach it. Maybe I'll find a dragon wall there as well and learn new history or words like the ones in Cyrodil.
"Ah, elf!" My thoughts came to a halt as a very familiar nord called me out from behind a house and waved me down. It was just as I was about to leave as well past the lumber mill. Ralof was half naked with a woodman's axe in his hand. Best go see what he wants else he'll bother me needlessly until I leave. I noticed a woman with him as well who wasn't the nord female I touched souls with. It was another with alike features shared between them. Must be the sister I heard about last night.
"Morning Ralof." I greeted the nord with a wave as I approached the lumber mill. A relative sizable stack of wood was to his left and many more logs to the right waiting to be cut down the center. The woman next to him jeered at me. I could be blind and still see the suspicion in those eyes.
"Gerdur, this is the elf I told you about," the man is still speaking in a jovial tone and has been since arriving here.
"The one that saved you?" She didn't had her mistrust from her tone either. This one is smarter than the average savage skyrim human.
"Aye. He's agreed to help us deliver the message to the Jarl too. Right elf?" Ralof smiled at me.
I let out a harsh breath first then nodded. "You've provided me the funds, the order dictates I follow through if given compensation."
"The Order?" The nord questioned. I shook my head. I'm not about to explain the entity of Altmer culture to this human without being paid for the lesson. I've given enough knowledge to this fool that'll never be used already.
"I thank you then," The woman walked up before me and bowed her head a tad. "Thank you for bringing my fool of a brother home safe to us."
"Hey! I have feelings ya know!"
"He's hard to ignore and a loud mouth hit a good man," she said ignoring his outburst.
"Very true. I might not have reached here without him so thanks is not necessary," I stated plainly.
The woman blinked. She was taken back from my response and faced back to Ralof. "This one is different, and yet you've never knew his name?"
"Elf never gave it?" he pointed out.
The sighed groaned and faced back to me. "My name as you heard from my rock head brother is Gerdur. May I know the name of the man who saved my brother and blood sister?"
"I've no name to give." I spoke plainly.
"No name? Do you remember your name?"
"I do, but I've lost the right to use that name."
"I'm sorry to hear that elf." Ralof said and meant in a manner I didn't understand. Even his sister gazed upon me with sympathy. "Losing one's name is never easy but knowing you, you'll get another one; a better one."
"One can hope." I took a breath in then out to calm the coming madness always plaguing my mind and has been since the Oblivion Crisis. Ever since I acquired a black book at my father's request, he's always tested who I was or what I became; especially when I lose myself. This time, who I was, was lost because of my complacency. That and a fool that trampled me with a stolen horse while I was examining some flora, Stormcloaks that placed a last defense against a few Empire soldiers nearby while the thief was escaping, and finally those same soldiers attacking me believing I was with the stormcloaks. The fact I was covered in mud, blood, and dirt made my defense as a simple traveler and scholor unlikely. I killed over a dozen before they got the best of me. Cutting off my head was the least they could do afterwards.
"Where you off to, you and your pup," he leaned down and smiled at my wolf. "Can't believe it made it after all that boy."
Bark!
Ralof backed off from my wolf dogs loud snarl.
I pet the heavy breathing wolf.
"It is quite a surprise to see a... Man such as yourself travel with a wolf," Gerdur put delicately. Instead of calling me an elf she called me a man. It's an insult to call me a man but ignorance is their way.
"You can call me elf if you wish. It's what I am after all."
The woman looked sheepish but nodded. "I wish I had a name to use instead of calling you elf. I know I dislike when I'm called human. I'm more than a human that's why we have names."
"Indeed." I looked around a bit and noticed a dumner in the distance sitting in a stump carving away at a piece of wood. A bow leaned up next to him against the stump in prestine condition rested in arms reach same with its quiver of arrows. I recognized the bow well and wonder when a Race Hunter is here. Normally there kind would be in the mountains or cliffs instead of here at the base of one.
"Anya is still sleeping elf," Ralof informed me completely incorrect in thilat assumption. I know she's awake and know she's been watching us moments after Ralof called out to me. I can feel her eyes on me now in fact. I didn't like the knowing and slightly teasing tone he used when saying that though. He dare to assume that I'm searching for a human I happened to have a physical interest in. One that even now I'm curious of...
I palmed my forehead gently and took another breath. Curse that Mage and his annulment.
"I can grab her before you go Elf. Maybe you can... get a poke before you go... Ugh!" The degenerate keeled over from a deserved swift elbow to his stomach from his sister. Her eye was twitching but gained her bearings once she pulled her elbow out of his torso.
"I heard you and Anya were familiar but not how. Who is she to you, if you don't mind me asking sir elf?"
I rose a brow at the woman. How are these two related I wondered but pushed that thought to the back of my mind. "She and I, our souls, melded together to free each other from a spell that bound her. In simple words, we mated, but only spiritual projections of ourselves. Nothing physical in the "waking' world in which we all reside." I didn't expect the woman to understand my words or the context behind it.
"Forgive me, but I asked what she meant to you." The woman stated clearly to ensure I heard it. "How or why is between the both of you. I wish to know if your see her as more than just another human."
"Ah," it seems I was the one that was ignorant this time. Her desire was simple and yet attempted to complicate it. That's a failing on my part. "Your blood sister, I have no romantic thoughts or intentions," I said hoping it'd appease her. The woman narrowed her eyes at me and frowned.
"What do you think of her sir elf? I didn't ask for your intentions," she clarified further.
I rubbed my head and calmed my nerves mentally berating myself for making this more complicated than needed. She's asking something so simple and yet too dense realize it. The simplicity of human thoughts still confound me to this day. "Your sister, to me, I think of her as an adept warrior." Memories of our time the bandit mine outside Riverwood played throughout my mind. With an axe in one hand and sword in the other she fought well against large number of bandits covering me when pool of magicka ran dry. "Her strength of will and individuality sparked my interest and think..."
My thoughts turned to the being wrapped in chains ripping and tearing into her skin in a darkness so deep creatures of oblivion would shutter at the thought of it. The woman that was hanging on for life and sanity strongly through it all when a slightly weaker mind would've succumbed to the dark long before. At that moment, standing below her, I saw her as something more stunning that the sunsets of Summerset. She was beautiful and a gem worth saving if only to mold into an unrelenting force later.
"I think well of her," I finalized hoping that finally appeased her. To my relief Gerdur's frown turned into a smile of satisfaction. Even Ralof nodded showing his approval from my answer.
"You are honest as Ralof said. Anya told me you're not like any elf she's even seen. Not a high elf. But you have no desire to court her?"
"You'd allow an elf to marry your fellow nord?"
"No I wouldn't," she said sharply. I expected at much not that I would or could "marry" a human. They're simply cattle and lower beings to us. Nothing more or less. "But, you don't see her as just a nord or human. I saw that clearly." I stood taken back by this woman. I'm beginning to wonder if she's the village chief not only because of her gift of observation but also understanding. Her views are very obtuse in the manner she cares more about emotions and feelings over race and species. That's rare in any race, especially for Altmer.
"If you wish to covet her I will not stand in your way sir elf. Maybe someone with a sound mind and not a rock head like Ralof and his peers would fit her best."
"I don't have a rock head," Ralof argued weakly.
"I have no desire to covet her affection or anyone's." Such is impossible for me to begin with.
"Matters not. You have my blessing sir elf." Knowing Nord customs once the eldest gives their blessing its seen as a great sign of respect and acceptance from the family. The eldest is the only one that can their blessing as well now that I think of it. That means she's the elder sister and their mother and father dead. I suppose the human has the signs of a woman nearing her 4th decade.
"Thank you," I said, and Gertur smiled nodding her head slightly.
"You wish to see her before you leave though elf? I never got an answer," Ralof's smirk returned and her sister narrowed her eyes in a harsh glare at him.
"It's not necessary."
"But do you wish to see her, aye?" he asked once more smirking further playing his sister's game realizing it actually worked compared to his normal tactics. The teasing nature of his question bothered me as well. Nevertheless
I sighed and shrugged neither confirming nor denying.
"Then I'll grab her. Wait here!" The man dropped the axe, grabbed his blouse, and ran towards a house while struggling to put said blouse on. I took a breath and shook my head at that man and his antics. These are the people you wanted to have this world? These beings you called man? Despite my thoughts according to history many a catastrophe were averted because of them. The fool they called "The Champion of Cyrodil" is one such example. Even one of the greatest magicka practitioners in history was human.
"Pardon me, sir." I turned my attention back to the eldest of the three. Her expression was serious but oddly relaxed as well. "Ralof trusts you but to be honest, I'm suspicious of your origins. He told me you were attacked and taken by the empire and yet a dragon appeared the moment your were about to be beheaded. Your interest in dragons and their language makes me wonder if you caused this." It seems I revealed more information about myself without realizing it. Ralof is a fool and simpleton but his sister is anything but. I paid his knowing no mind now proving to be a mistake.
"I've no connection to the dragons or their return to your lands. I simply researched them in the past and decided to spend the next decade furthering my knowledge."
"I hope that's all," her tone sounded threatening almost. I wanted to snort at the human but noticed an intent in her clothing and sleeve. She's two knives and maybe a third hidden in her dress. She knows how to use them too. Skyrim females remind me of those in Hammerfell. Many learn to defend themselves and few to kill when necessary. This woman is willing to kill me? Fascinating.
"It is, not that it matters." She narrowed her eyes at me. "Whether or not my appearance somehow summoned a dragon doesn't change the fact it's here now. Nothing can change that." The woman frowned but lessened her glare and accepted my answer. Minutes later an ecstatic Ralof returned and fighting tooth and nail to escape his hold was Anya herself. She was fighting hard but Ralof was stronger than her and held her despite the kicking.
"Come on Anya. No need to be shy. It's only the elf hah!"
"Damn you Ralof! Put me down! I don't want to...!" Anya saw me and froze. I crossed my arms over my chest somewhat conflicted. I'd never admit that though. The woman's fight suddenly faded away and her froze in Ralof's arms never once breaking contract. Ralof smiled and finished his approach up to his sister and I. "She isn't as the imperials say "a morning person," but strong." He sat her down in front of me and the woman averted her gaze from mine.
Both of her blood siblings watched with wonder of how their sister were acting. I know her personality well. She's never been treated like a female before and most males have approached her with untoward intentions. Then she melded with me and it left a mark on her soul. I can practically taste it in the air. The effects of human mortality and essence has effect me too. I've seen myself being less abrasive towards her kind because of it.
"Uh..." the woman bit her lip.
"Anya is shy?" Gertur muttered in her brother's ear.
"Told ya. The elf put spell on her. I swear on Talos he had to."
"And the elf has good ears that do more than frame his face," I glower towards the two nords. They both adopted sheepish expressions once caught. Humans never change. I drew my attention back to the human before me, acting shy as the other two noted. I looked up to the sky taking note of the current time. It's only an hour after sunrise but I've a mountain of to climb. Need to push this along plus explain myself.
I reached for the cupped hands of the human and pried them apart to hold in my own. I don't care much for human shows of intimacy but can't deny that I allowed this human to touch a part of me no one every has before. This this action spawned interest in the two next to me and surprise from Anya. Ignoring this I said, "The ritual I used for use to meld together... It's reserved for... Pairing in certain circles. It's a share of experiences and emotions. Altmer damper them typically and never meld souls, For me it was done out of desperation to survive, but we still bonded."
"Sounds reason enough to marry to me... Ow!"
"Be quiet Ralof!"
Anya's chin dropped and a snarl vibrated up her throat. "Elf, I... Come with me." She shot the siblings a dirty look before yanking me along to follower her to a somewhat secluded area behind the logging stand. She looked around first for eavesdroppers and looked up to me with bright blue eyes once ensured we're alone. Not sure how one we can be in the open with people walking down the center road of the town I can see from our position, but wasn't about to address this.
"I don't know what to feel or do." She gripped her arms crossing them over sher chest then turned away. To see a human woman who can crush a man's skull act this timid was interesting. I placed my hands behind my back with my fingers out like a spear in the small of my back and right hand over the other. A listening pose of sorts to appears dignified and show that I'm open verbal exchange. "I never... Never felt what this is, for you, nor did what we did with another man."
"I'm not a man for one, Anya." I spoke the name of the woman I've melded with. I'm compelled to give her that much respect since she's more than a human or nord to me now. It took a human's remark to realize this. "I'm a High elf, one of the purest form of Ehlnofey existing within the mortal realm of Nirn. I am the son of High Magister Udermr of the House of Chronicles. Despite the circumstances of my birth there's a strict law we Altmer follow even in houses as exploratory as mine. Any and all breeding is forbidden without my father's consent. Do you understand me?"
Anya cupped her chin, an expression of confusion was evident. I decided to clarify.
"I'm not running away for anything. I'm simply..."
"What is simple is we shared a bed, I gave myself to you and only you. I do not care if you be an elf, elf. You will take responsibility."
"Do you understand what that phrase means?" I narrowed my eyes at the woman. Before she didnt seem that knowledgable on relationships outside of human versions of courting. She seemed ignorant of what comes after outside of the physical that is. Her fierce glare lessoned and the nervousness set back in. "Did Ralof tell you to say that?"
"Ugh," she winced. Of course that fool gave her advice in an attempt to chain me down to this woman despite the fact our thyst was mental not physical.
"According to your culture, I've nothing to be responsible for. I haven't touched you in an impure manner... I haven't had sexual relations with you, physically. You're still a virgin."
"Why does that matter elf. You took me when no one else did and... I do want... More," she flushed but held strong on her convictions and confession not too surprised. I know her type well and should've accounted for this. She's quite blunt as always too. "I want to know more about you. We were close. Elf or not I let you... I let you..." she dropped her chin and squeezed her eyes shut.
This became complicated. She's the sort that knows what's right and strives to take responsibility for it despite the implications behind it. A man and a woman mate and join in the form of "marriage" for those humans. For Altmer it's contractual mainly for the sake of birthing children as powerful and perfect as possible. It's one reason I'm thankful to be a son of the House of Chronicles who broke this mold finding higher power within branching out. I'm an example of this. Had I been born in a different family I'd been killed by golden hands around my neck, if I was lucky. Unfortunately this woman's mindset shown clear as day. We have mated and it's her responsibility to be my "wife" and I her "husband"
"It was a means to an end for the sake of survival... And maybe a little bit of pleasure on my part but as I said, we can't breed nor concede a child."
"So... You don't want me?" the woman's chin dropped. I toom a breath and rubbed my forhead. This is truly getting out of hand. I turned ready to leave until I picked out the hurt on her expression. She looked seconds from crying.
"Anya," I breathed out harshly. "It's not about what I want in this regard. You're a strong female with willpower grandeur than any I've seen in many years, but our differences in culture are too great. Yes, we had our time together, touched souls, felt a bond reserved for trusted partners, but I'm an elf and you're human. Had I been a dumner it'd be easier." Dark skinned followers of what they constitute as "Good Daedra" are no different in scale as Osimer. They see humans as breeding partners despite the fact they'd outlive them then take their bones for burial rituals later.
Anya grasp my other shoulder and held me still before her. "Do. You. Want. Me." She's not listening still or maybe she's like the other humans waiting patiently at the stump. The question was simple and had a simple answer. If I had it my way the answer would be "Yes," but it's never that simple. Because of the ritual and our meld something within her awakened. I can feel it now that we're close once more. Her bloodline there's Mer within it. How far vak this ancestor goes or which race of Mer they were I can only speculate. Perhaps Falmer for they who's skin turned as white as the snow from our celestial golden sired children with humans during and after the war. If my father saw this woman he'd place her on an alter for study.
I reached up to her hands and brushed them off before taking them both in mine. Her eyes widened but appeared hopeful. "I do." Her eyes widened further but that didn't stop a smile from forming on her lips. "But that changes nothing." I let her hands go and shook my head.
"But you..."
"I'll give you time to change my disposition." Time I can use to research her bloodline and those connected to her soul. We've touched spirits and so can feel if her bloodline is nearby. She's alone in this town as far as I can see. I rested my hands in top her shoulders to get a bit closer to her. "I need you to learn how to be a proper lady both sophisticated and fine in dress. I need you to learn more than how to swing a sword and axe. Your sister Gertur is a decent example but I need more than that. If you can do this I'll uphold your customs. Is that fair?"
"So, I have to be smarter than Gertur and act like a prissy noble?" The woman scoffed. "How can I do that, elf?"
"Read a book."
"I can't read," she said. I blinked until I remembered that not all human females here learn basic literature. It's primarily reserved for the men or women of nobility.
"That's why I said learn... Unless you'd prefer not to resume this tryst of ours." Anya frowned deeply. She thought on it for a bit then nodded.
"I can do it," she tried to sound confident. Hard headed humans like this always run at their issues never thinking before moving. Maybe once educated she'll slow down. "But I want you to visit me," she countered swiftly. "Winterhold is where I be most elf. Find me once a month and call upon me."
I snort a bit. "That's fair. Very well."
Anya smiled. Now satisfied with how things progessed I stepped back. I estimate thus woman will live another 3 decades before she'll die of "natural causes" in her sleep. We melded souls and so a loose end I can't dispose of without betraying tradition. I can wait that long but not with how she is now. She rushed off towards Ralof and started giving them the good new. Gertur smiled looking happy for her sister and Ralof laughed. I watched from the logging stand and shook my head. They always think of the now and never the future.
"Elf, you're family now so get over here!" Ralof called out to me. Is it really that simple? Telling their sister she's not good enough for me is good cause to call me family?
"We turning Anya into a lady in a dress; wager you can't wait to see that elf," Ralof said as I approached three. Anya smacked the man over his back making him cry out a bit.
"I told you Anya. A man, even an elf, wants a lady not a hoyden like you've always acted." She added in. The three of them bicketed between themselves. Watching them I grew a bit curious.
"Why are you allowing an elf to court your sister?" I asked them all. It was strange to me. Despite what the Thalmor are doing they allowed a potiental agent to get close to them and their faction the Stormcloaks. I found myself curious of why.
"The same reason you accepted a nord despite a few reasonable demands," the eldest sister stated. "You see more than race in a joining and so do we. Your blood or origins matter not when you become family to us."
'Foolish,' I thought. You should never trust anything with a soul, but this is their way. It's almost refreshing in a way. My family would scoff from disgust of such words. Thankfully they're not here, I hope. "Very well. I must be off though."
"Where ya goin, elf?" Anya asked stepping into my personal space without reservation.
"To Bleak Falls Burrow to handle a task then White run," I informed the three.
"But elf, the letter," Ralof reminded me.
"I won't be long. For now," I reached into the folds of my knapsack and presented a ruby to Anya. Took it oddly confused. Guess gems and jewelry mean nothing to women like her. Gertur though thanked me at her beheast. I waved off the trio left in the direction of the mountain. My wolf kept up with my pace well as we left Riverwood.
"I hope there's not too many bandits," I prayed just for the sake of saving time. I doubt the gods care by this point.
The bandits were many. I got halfway up the mountain before I was stopped on the road and gold demanded for my life. Lightning was my answer killing the few who got too close. Ones at a far believed using their bows the correct answer towards magicka users that can fired elements out of their hands. A few balls of fire shown them painful how ignorant they are against a magicka user such as myself. While I've been annul the stars above speak to me, offering me their power and their wisdom still. With each enemy felled a sliver of my lost potiental returned. Just potential though. It seems the annulment completely reset my body back to basics in manner I'll have to retrain to achieve at least some of my prior worth.
Bark!
"Yes, I know." I gazed up. The hill to a small tower between Bleak Falls Burrow and us. Despite the cold of the mountain I could still pick up the scent of filth in the air. If only I could use my chameleon spells or even remember what the incantations were for it. Having to relearn such basic spells, my pride quakes from the fact. I threw my hood up over my head of silvery blonde hair and continued up.
"Circle around. Attack from behind once they approach me, Reston." I ordered the Wolf. He barked then rushed down the hill into the snow. I took a single breath basking in the nectar of my ancestors long gone from this world of Mundas. It takes time to restore magicka, even an Altmer, but I've long mastered breathing techniques that quicken the process. In the past I remember in a single breath I could restore five times the amount I do now. Battlemage is what the ignorant called me. I was a Magister not a Mage; nothing so simplified. It's why Archmages are looked down upon for they will always be lesser than a true Magister.
What I am now is nothing in comparison, but I've power regardless. I approached the tower following the path as if unaware of the bandits ahead. They did well keep out of sight, for the most part. I could see one peeking out from the entrance of the tower every few seconds. I could hear them arguing a bit as well thanks to my sharp hearing. Once I was about to pass by the entrance one of them shown himself.
"Well, what do we have here," the bandit, a red guard of all things announced loudly to get my attention. It's the typical scare tactic any traveler unaware might suffer. Although I'm unsure what normal traveler would be traveling up here to begin with. I faced the bandit as he walked towards me dressed completely in furs and leather armor. A warm cloak rested over his shoulder that looked very comfortable. "You're a long way from home elf. Away from your comfortable desk and books," the bandit sneered at me.
"I could say the same Hoonding. Shouldn't you be shoveling sand right about now," I returned dryly with a tone dripping of disgust. The redguard frowned deeply at me and drew a sword. Out of all the swords I've seen on bandits so far, this one wasn't bad. A simple steel. Most others wield iron and shabby steel. This one was in decent condition. I guess being a redguard it's disgraceful to have a sword in poor condition.
"Don't think you understand your situation, elf," the bandit snarled throughly annoyed.
"Do you?" I rose my hands and fire came alive within them. "A sword won't get you far with me you filthy n'wah." The insult originated from the Dumner but effective nevertheless. It showed when the redguard yelled for his compatriots to appear. Four more bandits emerged from the tower all with their respected swords and axes brandish. They stood with their leader all with poor furs and shabby steel or iron weapons in hand. I dropped my hands same with the fire that rested within them.
The red guard smirked at me. "Not so arrogant now."
"You shouldn't be," I huffed at them all. "Five pieces of trash only turns into garbage," I sneered right back at the redguard. That smirk was wiped off his face replaced with fury.
"Kill him!" he roared. Provocation at its finest same with the coming result. I last d the first two with lightning to the chest taking them off their feet. The other four charged at me frantically.
BARK!
"Ahghhh!" My wolf leapt from behind them. He took this time getting around them and pounce upon the Redguard as I desired, clamping his fangs around his ankle. I dodged the swipe of one and then the other grabbing him by the chest piece. I dragged him around and threw him towards the other watching them tumble to. The ground. Fire burst from my hands and engulfed them. Both men screamed from the biting flames burning their armor and skin, but leaving them alive.
"Damn wolf!" the redguard rose his sword up to stab my pet. A mistake in his part. I rose my hands combining the sparks spell together and fired the spell into his blade. The redguard instantly convulsed and seized down to the ground. Reston shot up and bit into the neck of the redguard leaving just the remaining two stuck frozen in place at what they just witnessed. Seems they recovered well enough from the sparks slamming into this chests leaving a smoldering leather chest piece remaining. Seems I missed their hearts else they'd be dead.
"Now for you two," I spoke openly bit faced towards the two still wallowing in the snow in extreme pain from my flame spell. I walked towards the two bandits now hesitating to press their numbers advantage. They stepped back away from their felled fellows providing an opening to finish them off. I kneeled down and placed a hand on each of them. I made eye contact on the remaining two as I charged lightning through my hands directly into their bodies. They watched both as the men shook, screamed, and finally went silent. Only the crackling of my spell remained coupled by the dying gasps of the two my wolf was handling. The taming spell and bond are working amazingly well. Haven't used it in decades but glad to see it still works.
I stood up before the remaining two and held up my hands. They both looked at each other before charging desperately at me. I stepped to side as my wolf shot past me into the chest of one of them biting and clawing at his torso down to the snow. A shard of ice formed in my hands and flew at the last who turned towards his mauled friend. The shard pieced through his armor into his side with enough force to knock him back into the ground.
"Trash," I scoffed at the bodies before me painting the white snow red. Reston shot to the last and finished him off as well. This was good practice for the both of us for conflicts between us and humanoid opponents. This was the ninth altercation now, and he's responding to orders well.
I walked over the bodies one after the next taking off any coin I could find and one with a flawed garnet. It's not much but every bit will accumulate into the greater whole.
"Good work Reston. Well done," I praised the Wolf dog. He wagged his tail joyfully. "Come. We've more to deal with."
Bark!
He followed right behind me higher up the mountain.