p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Being away from home is always fun, but coming back is usually a relief./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"The storm that's been hanging over my head since I left Lost Valley Redoubt has finally broken, so I arrive at the stables in pouring rain. The khajiit caravan is here, and they've set up a little closer to the walls this time; the guards, thankfully, aren't pestering them about it. Usually they get chased away, told to set up a little down the road, so seeing them allowed so close now makes me feel like something good has been accomplished./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""There is talk in Whiterun now, too, of you facing this Daedric Prince," Ri'saad comments as he hands over a small sack of salt. "Perhaps one day people might agree which one it was."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Gods, what are they saying now?" I ask. His lips curl at the edges. I always have time for Ri'saad, he's always been polite to me and helpful, and stores ingredients that he knows I'll buy when he finds them. I don't always have a lot to trade with them, so coin is usually what changes hands./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Some say Sheogorath, others say Meridia. The bard swears up and down that you have been cavorting with Sanguine, but nobody pays attention to him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"emspan style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Great/span/emspan style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;". If people are starting to think I'm pairing up with Daedra then we're gonna have some emreal/em problems. I shake my head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Cat's out of the bag now, I guess, so I may as well set the record straight," I tell him. "It was Molag Bal."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Ri'saad's entire demeanour changes, and I swear I see his tail puff up slightly as he bares his teeth. I've learned that this is just an instinctive reaction when they're aware of danger./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""You faced Molag Bal and lived?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Not by choice," I grimace. "I don't want to get into details, but it's done now."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Of course," Ri'saad visibly calms himself, before digging in one of his pockets. "Here, a gift. It cannot erase the stain the Prince may have left, but this one does not gift to those he does not admire and respect."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"He holds up a silver locket with delicate etchings, unlike any Nordic designs I usually see. I take it hesitantly, staring at it. Under the flickering torchlight, the etchings glimmer in a way that makes them look like they're moving – depictions of great wyrms wreathed in flame. I can't help but smile as I tilt it, admiring the designs./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""It's beautiful, Ri'saad," I hear the breathiness in my own voice, and feel a pang of guilt. I hold it out for him. "But I can't accept this. It's too valuable."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""As is the life of a sister-cub's son, but he owes that to you, too," Ri'saad replies. He takes my hand, placing the locket in it and closing my fingers over it. "Take it. And tell Rajha, his mother-brother hopes he chooses lawfulness for his second life."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Rajha is his nephew, I realise dully. It's hard to understand the speech patterns of the Khajiit sometimes, so it takes me a little longer than I'd like to admit, to realise what he's saying; but the family connection makes sense./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I still have a lot of gear to trade off, but I know Ghorza will have gone off to bed by now. Instead, I trudge up the stone steps to the top of the first tower, and shoulder open the door of Vlindrel Hall./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""You are home! This one welcomes you!" Rajha says as he hurries down the hall to help me. I unload most of the packs, and he takes my backpack and cloak. "Where is the… Ne-de?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I realise he's talking about Kjalle after a few beats, and shake my head. "She's taken on another job. I don't know when she'll be back, but she's okay and said it's your job to organise the house, now."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"We walk into the main hall as I tell him this, and his tail flicks with excitement. He moves fast though, dragging my preferred chair in front of the fire and gesturing for me to sit as Argis ambles out, making a show of checking the timepiece by the entryway./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""And what sort of hour do you call this?" He jokes, moving over to his own seat and sitting down. He's grinning, of course, so I know he's joking. "You look like you woke up on the bad side of a cave bear."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Nothing some warmth, food, and rest cannot fix," Rajha comments, setting my cloak on the drying rack and then heading into the kitchen. "I have made soup!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""How's things been here?" I ask Argis, starting to strip the armour without bothering to get up. Most of my clothing underneath is dry, and being close to the fire is warming me up thankfully, but I won't say no to a change of clothes. Argis shrugs./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""The elf came by after you left, seems to think he's in charge of us just because you're with him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I groan internally. "What did you say to make him leave?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""You hadn't given me any orders to offer him hospitality or protection, and until I receive those orders from you, I'm not obligated to do so." Argis gives me a side-eye as I finally pull the cuirass over my head and toss it aside. "You aren't gonna expect me to look out for him too, are you? The cat, I can handle, maybe the Nede, but—"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""He's a Thalmor, he's capable of looking out for himself," I roll my eyes. Argis – and Rajha, for that matter – have both made their dislike of Ondolemar abundantly clear, so I don't expect them to do anything for him other than to show civility. Argis is Nord, born and raised, so his dislike for the elves is generational; I think Rajha's dislike stems from some sort of fear of authority figures, or maybe there was an incident with one when he left Elsweyr. I still don't know a lot of his history, and as per our agreement I'm happy to leave it that way./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Mistress has shed armour? Good," Rajha appears, taking the armour I've dumped rather unceremoniously onto the floor. "Must be dried and oiled, Housecarl has said. Yes, yes, Rajha will do this."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"He keeps muttering as he disappears again, now laden with the kit I've just peeled off. I give Argis an arched brow./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""You taught him how to care for armour?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""And weapons. He ran out of things to do while you were gone so I showed him a few things about gear upkeep. Figured, if he's busy then he won't get himself into trouble."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Careful," I chuckle, "Any more quality bonding time and I might start to think you two are friends."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Wouldn't dream of it," Argis replies with a grin./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Argis writes out my debrief and update on the Forsworn situation, which I need to send to Jarl Igmund. I want to leave it for the morning, but Igmund isn't the type to wait patiently, and I know it'll take time to send out the missive around Kjalle's new role. After Rajha serves up something for me to eat, he offers to deliver the debrief./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Naturally, just as I'm settling in to wind down, Rajha returns hurriedly, charging up the hallway./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""The elf is coming! I tell him "it is too late to visit, Mistress will want sleep", but he insists."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"He's barely finished speaking before I hear the door flung open and heavy footfalls on the stone. Argis rises, hand on his sword, but Ondolemar ignores him as he strides right towards me, clearly annoyed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Why didn't you tell me you were back?" He demands, "And furthermore, how dare you simply run off like you did! You could have been killed or maimed or kidnapped, and nobody would have known where you were!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Good to see you, too," I say wearily. He seems to recall his manners, but doesn't make any attempt to apologise./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""You should have told me when you returned!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I literally emjust/em got back, Ondolemar," I tell him, gesturing to the cloak still hanging by the fire. "Had time to debrief and eat, and I emwas/em about to turn in."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Oh, emI'm/em sorry, did I mistake our relationship as mere acquaintances?" Ondolemar huffs, doing the wounded pride thing he does. "First I get thrown out of your house, then your housecarl refuses to acknowledge my commands, now I'm not even allowed to know the details of your activities?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Igmund, Raerak, and Falleen knew," I tell him. There's a bone-deep weariness that I can feel settling in, and I know I don't have the patience for Ondolemar's theatrics. emElves/em. "It was Forsworn business."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""But if you had been hurt or even killed—"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""We've been over this, Ondolemar. I couldn't die even if I wanted to."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Nevertheless, it was needlessly dangerous to have gone out on your own. I should have been with you—"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Are you my boyfriend or my babysitter?" I snap suddenly, standing up. "I'm tired, Ondolemar. You should go; we can talk tomorrow."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""No! Not tomorrow, emnow/em!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""The lady has asked you to leave," Argis says icily, hand still on the hilt of his mace. "I think you should go."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Ondolemar glares at him for a few moments, before looking around. "Where emis/em Kjalle?" He asks suddenly, "She's noticeably absent."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"The way he spits her name is more venomous than I'd expect, and I feel myself frowning at his vindictiveness. "She's gone to help her people. That's all I can tell you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Since when did we start keeping secrets, Brighid?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I laugh, unable to hold it back. I can feel the dragons stirring, know that I'm about to lose whatever reserves of patience I had left. "You're Thalmor, Ondolemar, your entire job is secrecy. I don't pry for information from you, stop doing it to me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I need to know what's going on so I can protect you!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""That's not your job, I can take care of myself!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Oh really? Is that what you said to Molag Bal?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I take a step back, as if he's physically hit me, and the back of my knees hits the chair. I can't embelieve/em he'd use…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Get out," I say, as he starts to talk again. He falters./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I beg your pardon?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""This is emmy/em house," I remind him, standing up. The dragons are all alert now, ready for a fight, but I don't want it to come to a fight. "emI/em dictate who is allowed in here and who isn't. Now, emget out/em."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I hear the low, thunderous roll in my words, feel the hall shake. I didn't mean to use the Voice, but Ondolemar's stiff shoulders betray his sudden nervousness. emGood/em./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I expect to see you tomorrow." He says, though the way he spits the words, it sounds more like an insult – or a command. He says nothing else, just turns on heel and stalks out./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Rajha bars the door after he's gone, to prevent any further intrusions. I try to regain control of the dragons, since they've now been stirred up and demand to be let loose./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I can take a message to him, if you want," Argis offers. I get the distinct impression that he doesn't mean a written message, and I shake my head as I return to my seat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I'll… deal with it tomorrow," I tell them both. "Right now, I just want to sleep."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"The storm that's been hanging over my head since I left Lost Valley Redoubt has finally broken, so I arrive at the stables in pouring rain. The khajiit caravan is here, and they've set up a little closer to the walls this time; the guards, thankfully, aren't pestering them about it. Usually they get chased away, told to set up a little down the road, so seeing them allowed so close now makes me feel like something good has been accomplished./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""There is talk in Whiterun now, too, of you facing this Daedric Prince," Ri'saad comments as he hands over a small sack of salt. "Perhaps one day people might agree which one it was."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Gods, what are they saying now?" I ask. His lips curl at the edges. I always have time for Ri'saad, he's always been polite to me and helpful, and stores ingredients that he knows I'll buy when he finds them. I don't always have a lot to trade with them, so coin is usually what changes hands./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Some say Sheogorath, others say Meridia. The bard swears up and down that you have been cavorting with Sanguine, but nobody pays attention to him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"emspan style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Great/span/emspan style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;". If people are starting to think I'm pairing up with Daedra then we're gonna have some emreal/em problems. I shake my head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Cat's out of the bag now, I guess, so I may as well set the record straight," I tell him. "It was Molag Bal."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Ri'saad's entire demeanour changes, and I swear I see his tail puff up slightly as he bares his teeth. I've learned that this is just an instinctive reaction when they're aware of danger./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""You faced Molag Bal and lived?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Not by choice," I grimace. "I don't want to get into details, but it's done now."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Of course," Ri'saad visibly calms himself, before digging in one of his pockets. "Here, a gift. It cannot erase the stain the Prince may have left, but this one does not gift to those he does not admire and respect."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"He holds up a silver locket with delicate etchings, unlike any Nordic designs I usually see. I take it hesitantly, staring at it. Under the flickering torchlight, the etchings glimmer in a way that makes them look like they're moving – depictions of great wyrms wreathed in flame. I can't help but smile as I tilt it, admiring the designs./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""It's beautiful, Ri'saad," I hear the breathiness in my own voice, and feel a pang of guilt. I hold it out for him. "But I can't accept this. It's too valuable."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""As is the life of a sister-cub's son, but he owes that to you, too," Ri'saad replies. He takes my hand, placing the locket in it and closing my fingers over it. "Take it. And tell Rajha, his mother-brother hopes he chooses lawfulness for his second life."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Rajha is his nephew, I realise dully. It's hard to understand the speech patterns of the Khajiit sometimes, so it takes me a little longer than I'd like to admit, to realise what he's saying; but the family connection makes sense./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I still have a lot of gear to trade off, but I know Ghorza will have gone off to bed by now. Instead, I trudge up the stone steps to the top of the first tower, and shoulder open the door of Vlindrel Hall./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""You are home! This one welcomes you!" Rajha says as he hurries down the hall to help me. I unload most of the packs, and he takes my backpack and cloak. "Where is the… Ne-de?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I realise he's talking about Kjalle after a few beats, and shake my head. "She's taken on another job. I don't know when she'll be back, but she's okay and said it's your job to organise the house, now."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"We walk into the main hall as I tell him this, and his tail flicks with excitement. He moves fast though, dragging my preferred chair in front of the fire and gesturing for me to sit as Argis ambles out, making a show of checking the timepiece by the entryway./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""And what sort of hour do you call this?" He jokes, moving over to his own seat and sitting down. He's grinning, of course, so I know he's joking. "You look like you woke up on the bad side of a cave bear."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Nothing some warmth, food, and rest cannot fix," Rajha comments, setting my cloak on the drying rack and then heading into the kitchen. "I have made soup!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""How's things been here?" I ask Argis, starting to strip the armour without bothering to get up. Most of my clothing underneath is dry, and being close to the fire is warming me up thankfully, but I won't say no to a change of clothes. Argis shrugs./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""The elf came by after you left, seems to think he's in charge of us just because you're with him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I groan internally. "What did you say to make him leave?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""You hadn't given me any orders to offer him hospitality or protection, and until I receive those orders from you, I'm not obligated to do so." Argis gives me a side-eye as I finally pull the cuirass over my head and toss it aside. "You aren't gonna expect me to look out for him too, are you? The cat, I can handle, maybe the Nede, but—"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""He's a Thalmor, he's capable of looking out for himself," I roll my eyes. Argis – and Rajha, for that matter – have both made their dislike of Ondolemar abundantly clear, so I don't expect them to do anything for him other than to show civility. Argis is Nord, born and raised, so his dislike for the elves is generational; I think Rajha's dislike stems from some sort of fear of authority figures, or maybe there was an incident with one when he left Elsweyr. I still don't know a lot of his history, and as per our agreement I'm happy to leave it that way./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Mistress has shed armour? Good," Rajha appears, taking the armour I've dumped rather unceremoniously onto the floor. "Must be dried and oiled, Housecarl has said. Yes, yes, Rajha will do this."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"He keeps muttering as he disappears again, now laden with the kit I've just peeled off. I give Argis an arched brow./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""You taught him how to care for armour?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""And weapons. He ran out of things to do while you were gone so I showed him a few things about gear upkeep. Figured, if he's busy then he won't get himself into trouble."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Careful," I chuckle, "Any more quality bonding time and I might start to think you two are friends."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Wouldn't dream of it," Argis replies with a grin./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Argis writes out my debrief and update on the Forsworn situation, which I need to send to Jarl Igmund. I want to leave it for the morning, but Igmund isn't the type to wait patiently, and I know it'll take time to send out the missive around Kjalle's new role. After Rajha serves up something for me to eat, he offers to deliver the debrief./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Naturally, just as I'm settling in to wind down, Rajha returns hurriedly, charging up the hallway./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""The elf is coming! I tell him "it is too late to visit, Mistress will want sleep", but he insists."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"He's barely finished speaking before I hear the door flung open and heavy footfalls on the stone. Argis rises, hand on his sword, but Ondolemar ignores him as he strides right towards me, clearly annoyed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Why didn't you tell me you were back?" He demands, "And furthermore, how dare you simply run off like you did! You could have been killed or maimed or kidnapped, and nobody would have known where you were!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Good to see you, too," I say wearily. He seems to recall his manners, but doesn't make any attempt to apologise./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""You should have told me when you returned!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I literally emjust/em got back, Ondolemar," I tell him, gesturing to the cloak still hanging by the fire. "Had time to debrief and eat, and I emwas/em about to turn in."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Oh, emI'm/em sorry, did I mistake our relationship as mere acquaintances?" Ondolemar huffs, doing the wounded pride thing he does. "First I get thrown out of your house, then your housecarl refuses to acknowledge my commands, now I'm not even allowed to know the details of your activities?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Igmund, Raerak, and Falleen knew," I tell him. There's a bone-deep weariness that I can feel settling in, and I know I don't have the patience for Ondolemar's theatrics. emElves/em. "It was Forsworn business."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""But if you had been hurt or even killed—"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""We've been over this, Ondolemar. I couldn't die even if I wanted to."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Nevertheless, it was needlessly dangerous to have gone out on your own. I should have been with you—"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Are you my boyfriend or my babysitter?" I snap suddenly, standing up. "I'm tired, Ondolemar. You should go; we can talk tomorrow."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""No! Not tomorrow, emnow/em!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""The lady has asked you to leave," Argis says icily, hand still on the hilt of his mace. "I think you should go."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Ondolemar glares at him for a few moments, before looking around. "Where emis/em Kjalle?" He asks suddenly, "She's noticeably absent."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"The way he spits her name is more venomous than I'd expect, and I feel myself frowning at his vindictiveness. "She's gone to help her people. That's all I can tell you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Since when did we start keeping secrets, Brighid?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I laugh, unable to hold it back. I can feel the dragons stirring, know that I'm about to lose whatever reserves of patience I had left. "You're Thalmor, Ondolemar, your entire job is secrecy. I don't pry for information from you, stop doing it to me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I need to know what's going on so I can protect you!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""That's not your job, I can take care of myself!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Oh really? Is that what you said to Molag Bal?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I take a step back, as if he's physically hit me, and the back of my knees hits the chair. I can't embelieve/em he'd use…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Get out," I say, as he starts to talk again. He falters./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I beg your pardon?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""This is emmy/em house," I remind him, standing up. The dragons are all alert now, ready for a fight, but I don't want it to come to a fight. "emI/em dictate who is allowed in here and who isn't. Now, emget out/em."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"I hear the low, thunderous roll in my words, feel the hall shake. I didn't mean to use the Voice, but Ondolemar's stiff shoulders betray his sudden nervousness. emGood/em./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I expect to see you tomorrow." He says, though the way he spits the words, it sounds more like an insult – or a command. He says nothing else, just turns on heel and stalks out./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Rajha bars the door after he's gone, to prevent any further intrusions. I try to regain control of the dragons, since they've now been stirred up and demand to be let loose./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I can take a message to him, if you want," Argis offers. I get the distinct impression that he doesn't mean a written message, and I shake my head as I return to my seat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I'll… deal with it tomorrow," I tell them both. "Right now, I just want to sleep."/span/p