Sleep doesn't come easily, and it's interrupted by nightmarish visions of endless white corridors, grainy linoleum flooring, the steady beeping of monitoring machines, the sting of needles and blood pressure cuffs, and the pervasive smell of hospital grade disinfectant.

I wake late, much later than intended. Rajha has left a simple breakfast on the table in my solar, but he and Argis seem to be giving me space for the time being. I appreciate it, and take the time to enjoy the food – better than camp food, always – and catch up on letters. There's one from Killian, who writes about how business is in Riften (and beyond) and how he's heading off to a Dwemer ruin with a couple buddies. Something about tracking down some treacherous bastard who betrayed them and now needs to be eviscerated. It gives me time to reflect on how his life has started to sound like some major crime thriller novel you'd find at a cheap bookstore. At least he seems happy, and he's even got actual friends that he made, for himself. That's something new.

I start writing out my own adventures in reply, but Rajha shows up with a light brunch and reminds me about the motley of weapons and armour I brought back last night. He and Argis are suitably concerned after the confrontation last night, but I reassure him it was just a combination of exhaustion and Ondolemar refusing to take "no" for an answer once again. It does get me thinking, though – there'd have to be a spell or something to protect the home, prevent people entering without my approval, right? I decide to ask Calcelmo or Aicantor when I go up to the keep later.

Rajha and I head out to the marketplace before lunch, first dragging all the weapons and armour to Ghorza, who immediately sets Tacitus the task of inspecting and testing everything.

"Hopefully he learns what good craftsmanship looks like," Ghorza says as Tacitus begins to sort through the three bags I lugged up here. I appreciate that she's not really one for idle gossip, so I get a good idea of the local news that's happened while I was gone.

Rajha and I have a light lunch at the Inn, but it's spoiled a little by Ogmund's angry glares across the room at me. I'm still not sure what I did to him, so I figure maybe paying his tab could help – I don't like to have enemies, and I've found most Nords find it hard to hate on you if you're paying for their mead. I also add an extra fifty septims and tell Kleppr to make sure it goes onto his tab as well.

What I couldn't sell to Ghorza, I trade with Lisbet – Rajha is able to recall all of the foodstuffs and household items we need more of at home, and volunteers to take everything back up the steps. I feel almost bad for letting him do it alone, but he insists.

"Glad to see you're still in one piece," Lisbet comments with a smile. "The whole tower shook last night; we're not prone to groundquakes here, and I can only think of one other time the city shook like that. Anything interesting to tell?"

"Not really," I lie, knowing that she's probing for gossip. Even if I did have any, I wouldn't tell it to Lisbet; she has a tendency of twisting words and making things out to be bigger than they really are.

"Oh, everyone's already gossiping," Kerah tells me as I stop by her stall. In the marketplace. "Hard not to notice when a Dragonborn uses the Voice, and then when the elf came storming back into the Keep last night, furious enough to incinerate one of the juniper trees? People notice, and the Keep has far too many gossips for its own good."

Great. I don't really want the world discussing my private life, but Kerah is always the one to tell me what people are saying behind my back. She purses her lips.

"What else have people said?" I ask, now curious. Gossip is a two-edged sword – sometimes it's awful, sometimes it's great for getting on top of an issue.

Something in Kerah shifts suddenly, as her eyes settle on something over my shoulder. She moves, pulling out a collection of bracelets and holding them up for me to view, smiling as if she's presenting the collection.

"I don't think the Thalmor would take kindly to the rumours that are already flying," she admits, lowering her voice as she shows off one of the bracelets she's just pulled out. "Considering he's got one of his guards watching you right now."

I have to resist the sudden urge to turn around, as she takes my hand gently and wraps the bracelet around my wrist, holding it up so the light hits the sapphires and diamonds, making them sparkle. She's doing what she can to hide our real conversation, so I go along with it. People are still scared of the Thalmor, despite everything I've done to try and change that.

"Good on you for standing up to him, though," she adds, as I shake my head and nod at one of the other bracelets. "Was wondering when you'd finally break up."

"I didn't," I grimace, pointing to another of the bracelets, which she hands to me to try on. "We're still together, it was just a little tiff. He was upset that I took off to handle Forsworn stuff. I didn't tell him, so he was probably worried the whole time."

"Oh, he was worried alright," Kerah grimaces, taking up the other bracelet and wrapping it around my wrist as she did with the first. "Worried that he's losing control of you."

"He doesn't control me," I say, maybe a little too fast for me to believe it. She chuckles softly.

"That's good to hear, then. The day the Thalmor have a Dragonborn in their pocket is the day we may as well lay down for Alduin."

Her words hit me hard, so hard I almost pull away as I look at her. Is she suggesting…? I shake my head, as if the gesture can dispel the doubt that's been nagging at the back of my mind. She slips the bracelet off, reacting as if my involuntary rejection was at the jewellery.

"Ondolemar's not like that," I tell her. "He's not that bad, he's just… look, he's fine when it's just us. In public he has to put on that mask. He wouldn't use me like that."

"Wouldn't he?" Kerah grimaces, tucking the jewellery back into its case. "He's a Thalmor; I don't know how much contact you've had with them before, but most everybody here wouldn't trust them as far as they could throw 'em."

"I've met other altmers, they're not so bad," I point out.

"Thalmor are to Altmers as Dragonborn are to Nords," Kerah says carefully. She purses her lips, keeping her eyes on her goods. "The fact he's sent one of his cronies to watch over you is enough of an alarm bell to me, but maybe that's just the relationship you two have."

It's not, but I don't deign to tell her that. Kerah isn't the type to spread gossip, not unless she was worried it might be truth, but even so I don't really want to give her any reason to worry. I probably just need to talk to Ondolemar about it all. Maybe he's used to being the one in charge and doesn't know how to let go and let someone else run things.

"You just don't know him like I do," I tell her with a shrug. "I'll take the sapphire diamond necklace. And I won't say no if you've got a matching bracelet and ring."

It'll look suspicious if I browse so long without buying – besides, I'm allowed nice things.

"You heard about the dragon sighted up around Lastspell Falls?" Hogni asks when I start to chat to him. I tilt my head, which he takes as invitation to continue. "Had a merchant who stopped by, said he saw it circling the peak. Told him to let the Jarl know, I'd be surprised if he hasn't asked you to check it out yet."

"I got home late and haven't spoken to him personally yet, but I'll keep it in mind when I do," I tell him.

"If you manage to slay it, I wouldn't say no to some dragon meat. Might be an interesting one to sell."

He's trying to sound casual, but I can tell from his tone that he's eager to try it. I don't have the heart to tell him that dragons burn up when they die, and only the bones and a few scales are left behind. Maybe we'll have one visit Markarth, and he can try to carve some hide for himself.

There's a shout from above, and we look up to see something – someone – fall over the edge of the ramparts. It lands in a furry orange heap in front of Arnleif & Sons' front door with a loud, sickening crunch.

"Rajha?"

I'm moving, shoving aside Fraggi as he tries to step forward as I reach the khajiit's side. I can already feel the healing spell in my hands, and press them against his thick fur. He's still breathing, shallow gasps with a pained hiss as he gives up trying to move. I can hear bones resetting and clocking back into place, but I still have a lot of magicka and I can hopefully help him.

"He should have died from that fall," someone says, and I glance up to see we have an audience. Maybe this is a good thing.

"Someone get me some water," I tell them, noticing the dark red staining Rajha's fur around his abdomen. Bones are still grinding and clicking back into place, and he lets out a low hiss as his tail flicks suddenly – I take it as a sign that he's recovering.

Guards are trying to move people along, but one of them stops when he sees me. He scoffs, muttering something about good riddance, before stalking off. The other helps Hroki with the water from the stream, setting a small bucket down with it beside me. I direct her to pour it over the red stain, and she does carefully as I hold Rajha down – the icy water won't be too comfortable for him, and he hates getting wet in general, but if it means cleaning the wound then he can suck it up and deal with it.

"Rajha will kill the one who has done this," he hisses, his voice an animalistic snarl. I still have healing, dual-casting it to hopefully speed up the process.

"You'll be okay," I reassure him, "How much pain is there?"

"Less. But still much." His tail flicks back and forth angrily as he bares his teeth. "The coward attacked from behind."

"So you didn't see anything?"

I look up, recognising the almost-gold vambraces and greaves that are a staple for the altmer companions of Ondolemar. Vaaria glances down her nose at me, with very evident disdain, before returning her attention to Rajha. His eyes narrow.

"Did you?" He asks. I grimace slightly, but keep the healing spell going as I stop him from trying to sit up.

"Rajha, I'm sure she's just trying to help," I tell him, noting the acid in his tone. His eyes remain narrowed at her, but he shakes his head.

"Rajha saw nothing. But you have watched all day; what did you see?"

Vaaria shifts, tilting her head up as I look at her. So she was the one watching me? I glance at Kerah, who seems to anticipate my question and slowly inclines her head.

"I was tasked with the protection of Thane Brighid," Vaaria says haughtily. "I was not paying attention to you."

"I appreciate the concern, Vaaria, but please tell Ondolemar that I'll be fine," I tell her, managing a slight smile. Others are still standing around watching, but most of the small group has started filtering back to their previous tasks. Vaaria sniffs in disdain.

"I have my orders, Thane. Unlike some, I obey when given a directive."

It feels like a subtle dig, but I don't take it to heart. Vaaria has never liked me, even when I've tried to ask her about Altmer culture and the Dominion. If Ondolemar wasn't always trying to tell me Altmer are above petty emotional responses, I'd almost consider her dislike of me jealousy.

I feel the healing spell starting to falter, hitting something of a wall, and Rajha pushes my hands away.

"This one feels much better," he says carefully, sitting up. "Rajha thanks you. Again, you have saved a life."

I remember Ri'saad's comment to me from yesterday and punch him lightly on the shoulder. "Just make sure you use it well."

"If that's all, I'll be going now," Vaaria remarks. I watch as she stalks off, appearing to leave; instead, I notice that she stops at one of the stalls and looks like she's browsing the goods. Still watching.

I'm gonna need to talk to Ondolemar about this. I don't like the idea of being followed, and even less so by Vaaria.

I help Rajha stand, noting that his teeth are still bared, and his tail is still lashing back and forth. He looks calmer, but I can tell that he's still angry.

"Maybe it's best we head home," I tell him. "Get out of the public eye for a bit."

Rajha vehemently agrees.

As we reach the first landing, I glance at the door to Ogmund's house, seeing it ajar. Everything in me is screaming alarm bells, and I glance at Rajha.

"Dragonborn,"

I look back around, seeing movement just beyond the door. A hand reaches out, gesturing for me to approach, and I look back at Rajha.

"Anything sus?" I ask him. He has better sense of smell and sight than me, and he looks warily at the figure beyond the door.

"It is the skald, the one who dislikes you."

"What do you want, Ogmund?" I ask, turning to the door. He gestures again.

"In here. I won't talk out there."

I want to argue with him, but considering this is where Rajha was attacked, I figure he's got the right idea. Just so long as he wasn't the one that did the attacking, of course.

He pulls the door open for me as I step over the threshold, a shock spell ready in my hand just in case. He waits for Rajha to enter before shutting the door hurriedly.

"I saw your cat get attacked," he says, folding his arms. "You can believe if you want, or not—"

"I believe you," I cut him off. "What did the attacker look like?"

He falters, clearly not expecting an outright admission of trust. "You believe me? I thought we were enemies?"

"What? No," I snort, "My enemies are the Forsworn who know they follow a pointless cause but still follow it, and anyone who willingly hurts others for their own pleasure."

"But you told the elf about my worship,"

"What?" I frown slightly, trying to recall. "Oh, you mean in my first couple days here? Wait—"

I realise now what must have happened, even as he stares at me like I've forgotten what day is.

"How can you be ignorant of what you did? Because of you, I was hauled into the dungeons and racked!"

"What?" I hear the gasp in my voice, the shock, and wave a hand as if clearing the air. "Hold on, you were tortured because of your Talos worship?"

"Yes! That happens to anybody who still worships Talos," Ogmund replies, "That's if they don't get outright executed. I thought you wanted that?"

"Gods, no!" I shake my head, stepping back and leaning against the wall for support. "I didn't even know that would happen. Ondolemar just said your amulet was illegal contraband and you could be executed if caught with it. I thought I was helping you out by getting it to him."

"He needed it as evidence," he explains, voice softening as he stares at me. I'm trying not to let the feeling of betrayal hit me, but it does. "I guess he was lying to you from the start."

"I guess," I say slowly. I don't want to believe it, not after everything we've been through. I shake my head. "Maybe it was because he didn't know me then. He wouldn't do that anymore," I reassure him. Ogmund is looking at me with something that I think could be sympathy, but I can't be certain. He grimaces.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," he says slowly. "The person that attacked your friend was an Altmer."