The thundering power of the Thu'um carried the redguard bandit and her two archer companions either side of her off the ground and threw them hardly into the side of a large rock that reached out of the ground behind them. They smashed it with a THUNK before falling to the ground, unconscios.
The seven other bandits were taken aback by the shout, however Nero and his companions were not, and they reacted almost instantly after the thunder declined. Nero unsheathed his sword with one hand and with the other he summoned and threw a fireball into the chest of a bandit. Fire engulfed him as the ball hit him and threw him on his back, meanwhile Nero ran at another bandit.
Serana backed up with Asmund to the door of the tower whilst the Housecarls, weapons drawn and ready, began fighting the other bandits who were now coming at them.
"Stay back" she warned a moment before she threw an icespike into one of the approaching bandits, who received it in the chest, and approached no more. Another man came at her though, with a sword coming down ready to cut her in half. Serana barely pushed Asmund back and dodged the attack before freezing his stomach with a spray of icy frostbite from one hand then burrying her elven dagger in his neck, all the while trying to keep it from Asmund's gaze.
The Housecarls both held their own against separate men, using their skills to defend or parry any attacks and quickly returning strikes and swimgs of their own. Lydia brought one axe up to block a warhammer coming down on her, and then swung horizontally across the stomach of the orc reining in on her, before delivering a killing blow that sent him down to the earth permanently. Iona ducked under a swing of a longsword, and then blocked the second swing with her shield before sending the tip of her own steel into the throat of the large nord who was stupid enough to pick a fight with her.
Nero bolted at the heavily armoured bandit in his sight, who saw him coming and brought up his battleaxe to slice Nero in half. Nero slid beneath the swing of the axe, before digging his feet into the ground to stand up quickly and throw the dragonbone blade of his sword vertically up, cutting across the armour of the bandit who gave a grunt, but it was clearly more anger than pain. Nero needed to get through his armour. The bandit was a moment too fast for Nero's reflexes however and smashed his battleaxe into Nero, who doubled back, tensing over the pain in his chest.
The bandit came running at him with a growing rage and an eagerness to put an end to his life. Knowing he had to get close, Nero raised his sword to block the battleaxe, and a loud CRACK sounded as their weapons collided. Nero, barely a metre from the armoured man, saw clearly the joinings of the armour. He then side stepped, letting the battleaxe fall to the ground under the weight of the angry bandit, and, with as much precision as he could muster, burried his blade into the side of his attacker through the leather joinings of the armour that yielded to the sharpness and strength of the dragonbone. The bandit gasped, cowled, before slowly dropping the battleaxe and collapsing to the floor, his armour chinking and clattering as he hit it.
"Easy, nothing to it" he said in passing, before looking around to see any more bandits. Serana, Iona and Lydia were all standing, panting a little after the battle, but they all looked at each other.
"Well, that could've gone better" said Nero.
"Wasn't there one more?" asked Lydia.
Serana looked around, before suddenly stoppig in one direction, "NERO! LOOK OUT!"
Nero barely turned around, before an arrow of fire flew past his head and smashed the trampling bandit straught in the face, sending him straight over onto his back. Nero blinked, turning back to see who delivered the fireball, and caught sight of Asmund, standing in the doorway to the tower, hand raised towards Nero, or at least, just next to Nero.
Everyone's eyes were wide.
"Well you clearly don't need any practice with firebolts" said Nero, which earned a smile and small "thanks" from Asmund.
Serana turned to him, still completely horrified. She didn't know what to say. She wasn't sure whether to embrace him, or to hit him. Her thoughts were put away however when she, along with everyone else, heard the sound of footsteps and angry grunts approaching. The redguard that Nero had shouted into the wall had gotten back up and walked over, an axe in her hand. Nero turned to face her.
"So, you're the dragonborn" she remarked.
Nero faced her, "yeah, I told you it wouldn't end well."
"You thought that would kill me?"
"Maybe not kill you but definitely shut you up" admitted Nero, his tone deepening.
The redguard chuckled, "well, aren't you just so noble and just, Dragonborn" she said in a mocking tone, "I'll be honest, I thought our returning here, we might find some new housekeepers, but I didn't realise such a man and his whore wife would be present."
Serana had had enough.
The redguard dropped her axe, but thought no one would notice her try to sectretly reach for the dagger strapped to the back of her belt as she approached Nero.
"But luckily, it's pretty fortunate, because it means I'm the one who gets to ki- AGH"
Serana approached so fast and punched the redguard straight in the face, knocking her down, unconscious.
"Well that makes it easier" said Nero.
They then cleaned their weapons, and themselves, before getting their horses to continue their journey. The bandits had a horse they'd come along with, which, with some convincing, Asmund clambered onto.
The day passed as they rode around the mountain, up to Ivarstead, and then along the river and lake to Riften, and as the final stretch came, Nero rode over to Asmund.
"Who taught you to ride a horse?" he asked.
"My father", Asmund responded, tight lipped.
"He taught you well", Nero replied.
A moment of silence passed, before Nero broke it with what he thought he should say.
"Thanks for saving my life earlier."
Asmund looked at him.
"I mean... despite the fact you also could've killed me."
"Uh yeah... sorry about that."
"No don't worry about it, you didn't, luckily. Just saying thanks for it, common courtesy to thank the person who saves your lfie."
"I agree", said Asmund, "one time a giant came a little too close to our village, and I was the stupid kid who was way too close to him. The girl who taight me magic, she came luckily and did some big amazing spell that must've angered the giant, because then he walked away."
Nero smiled, "what is this girl's name?"
Asmund went red again. Nero smiled knowingly.
"Freyda" he said.
Asmund reminded Nero of himself in a few ways. It reminded him of his younger self. In another time. A good time, before...
Of course Asmund had suffered too. Losing both his parents, and then his home. Nero was glad he settled in well with the other kids at Honorhall. Asmund had heart, that much he could see, he'd simply been forced onto the wrong road. Nero was going to make sure that didn't happen to him or anyone else again.
"You'll see her again, Asmund."
The boy looked at Nero, a flicker of hope in his eyes.
"After all, she clearly has to finish your lessons" Nero said, and winked.
Asmund smiled, and nodded to say thank you.
The city eventually rose above the horizon, and Nero and his company drew up their horses to the stable, where Nero spoke to one of the stableboys and got the horses some food for free (it was something about Nero getting a debt-collector off of a stableboy's back).
Serana noticed Asmund was shifting uncomfortably, looking over his shoulder and around, as if to find something with his eyes.
"Are you alright?" she asked him and he turned to her.
"Uh yeah, no, I'm fine."
Serana could easily see through that.
"Hey, it's okay to be scared."
"It's just... being here again..."
She put a hand on his back, "don't worry. There's no one you would be safer with than us" she said to reassure him, and succeeded in earning a smile from him.
"Thanks" he replied.
Once the horses were dealt with, they entered the city. The gates opened to the familiar sight of Riften; the wooden houses erected either side of the street that winded across a bridge to an inn, and past that was a market, the same market where Nero had first met Brynjolf.
"Well, here we are" exclaimed Nero.
People were moving about their daily business as usual for the city. The market was full of people browsing and urchasing. Guards clothed in their purple cloaks over leather and steel armour patrolled around, conversing and passing the time.
"Alright, let's head to Honeyside."
They made their way through the city, while Asmund looked around uncomfortably. Serana noticed this and stuck by him, to keep him safe and calm, until they reached Nero's house.
Iona took out a key and unlocked the door, before they all slumped inside. Even though they'd arrived by mid-afternoon, it had been a long ride. Asmund, despite his wariness, slumped into a chair. The Housecarls also took seats. Serana was up, though quite tired, and so was the one to follow Nero downstairs where he went straight away after coming in.
"So, this is your Riften home. It's nice" she said.
Nero stifled a laugh, but let out a little snort, "it's not my nicest house of all, though to be fair, Markarth is worse... the beds are literally made of stone."
He went to a mannequin that bore a set of Dragonbone armour, but Serana could see he was tired.
"Hey" she said, taking his hand off the set. Nero looked at her, and smiled.
"Long day?" she asked, and received a nod.
Nero cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. They stayed there a moment, before finally releasing each other.
"I was just hoping for at least a few more days of peace and quiet with you" he said, "not that I don't want to help Asmund. But-"
"I know, don't worry. I feel the same. I care about the kid, but do you think I'm happy about being on my feet? I've got a baby coming."
That brought a smile to Nero's face, and seemed to lighten him up in their fatigue.
"Well I'm sure there'll be plenty of sleep when the baby comes" he quipped.
Serana's eyes went wide in realisation, and her facial expression turned to that of fear, and then to anxiety.
"Then we better get all the sleep we can for the next eight months."
"What about other things?" asked Nero.
"There's daytime for that."
That earned a smile that they shared.
"I still can't believe it" said Serana which broke the momentary silence, "I know it's happening and all but... now it's real, like really real. Admittedly, this isn't where I expected I'd be in under a week after getting home."
"Admittedly, me neither", cofessed Nero, "all the more reason we should get this done."
He then kissed Serana once more before finally returning to donning his armour.
"So you remember where the entrance to this... 'ratway' is?" she asked as she headed upstairs with a now fully armoured Nero.
"Yeah... more or less... strangely enough it's right near the orphanage."
Upon saying that, Asmund turned around to see the legendary Dragonborn in his dragnbone armour. Two swords were slung to his back, and he carried a helmet under his arm.
"Woah" he remarked silently.
"We're going now?" asked Lydia when she noticed them.
"The sooner we find whoever did this, the sooner we can put an end to them and save Asmund's friends."
"Right, I guess... let's go" said Iona.
"Can I stop at the orphanage to see my friends?" asked Asmund.
"You are stopping at the orphanage, Asmund. You're staying there with Lydia and Iona until me and Serana find the man who did this."
Asmund just stared blankly.
"Come again?" asked Lydia, and Nero turned to her.
"You, Iona and Asmund will all head to Honorhall, where not only can you protect Asmund but also all of the people that this man has threatened. If you're both there, I trust that those kids will be safe. Me and Serana will head into the Ratway to try and find my contact inside the guild."
The Housecarls nodded in understanding to their Thane's plan. Asmund did not though.
"Why can't I come with you?" he asked.
"Asmund, don't you want to see your friends again?" asked Nero.
"Yeah, I do, of course I do, but... shouldn't I be with you?" he asked, "I know what the man looks like. I can help."
"I know you can Asmund. We know you can, but the very fact that you know what this man looks like tells me he would recognise you too. And, judging by what you've told me about him already, I don't think he would react in the best way, rather a way that would definitely put you in danger, and whilst me and Serana can protect you, it's easier and definitely better if you remain out of danger completely."
Asmund looked up at Nero.
"I want to help" he implored the Dragonborn.
"I know", said Nero, "but you've helped enough already. The best you can do is stay with your friends at the orphanage with Lydia and Iona, where you're safe."
Asmund sighed, "do you know who the man who threatened my friends is?"
"No, but I have a good way to find him", said Nero who then went to Asmund and placed a hand on is shoulder.
"I really do admire your bravery Asmund, and your determiation to save your friends. But it's best for you if you stay here where you're protected. It' dangerous in the Ratway, and I don't know where we'll find this man, so it's best you stay where we know you are safe."
Asmund eventually relented, and nodded.
"Thanks Asmund" Nero said before standing up straight, and turning towards the door.
They left the house and Iona locked up behind them before they headed off towards the orphanage, walking through the market and over a bridge above the small canal below and around to Honorhall.
They went inside, where they eventually saw a woman who could only be Constance Michel come forward. She began asking about whether they were there to adopt a child, until she saw Asmund.
"Asmund! You- You're-!" Constance began stammering as she ran and trew her arms around Asmund, "where have you been?! Where did you go?! I've been so worried..." she practically smotered Asmund who did return the hug eventually before trying to pull away from the Constance.
"Hey- AGH! Hey Constance."
She then turned to Nero and his companions, "thank you! Thank you so much for returning him! Did you try to sneak into a family Asmund?"
"No! Constance it's... it's a long story."
"What's a long story?!" demanded a kid with brown hair and eyes who came through the door and, as soon as he laid eyes on Asmund, suddenly yelled his name and bolted towards him, practically tackling him to the ground.
"Agh! Hey-HEY Aventus!" Asmund greeted the boy who was practically on top of him. Soon enough, other children joined them in the room, suddenly running to see Asmund.
It was odd seeing all the children run to come and see Asmund, Serana thought. They seemed like a little family, despite the irony of them all hoping to find another family.
The Constance went to the children and got them to stop mucking about and get off of Asmund, who finally stood up after all the group's advances. She then turned to Nero.
"Thank you for returning him safely. I do hope he wasn't too much trouble. Again, you have my thanks."
"Constance Michel, can we speak privately, away from the children?"
Asmund looked up at Nero, along with the other children.
"Of course" she said, and led them to a room where Nero explained to her the situation, and that he would leave his Housecarls at the orphanage for protection, while he dealt with the threatener.
"Are you sure we cannot get the guard's protection, perhaps even inform the Jarl about this?" she asked.
"If I were sure this man had no power over the government in this city, absolutely. But I'm not sure, so until I know who he is and he is apprehended, you and the children will have my personal guards to protect you."
The constance seemed to take a few moments of shocked consideration, before finally nodding and standing up, "okay, I will accept their protection. Are they skillfull, experienced?"
"Very" Lydia assured.
The constance nodded, "okay. Thank you, Mr Dragons-bane."
Nero nodded before he and Serana stood up to leave, but just as they were at the door.
"Unless, of course, Mr and Mrs Dragons-bane, you would perchance be seeking a third member of the family?"
Nero looked at Serana and then the cnstance, smiling. He then put a hand on Serana's stomach, "we're way ahead of you on that one, Constance."
"Oh, congratulations" she said, smiling.
"Thanks" they said, before turning and leaving.
"Unless of course, we want siblings?" said Nero, looking at Serana with raised eyebrows. She then laughed, "let's focus on getting one kid out first, shall we?"
Nero smiled, "agreed."
They then headed for the ratway.
~ Elsewhere ~
The office was dark, lit only by a small candle. The woman was writing a letter to a very important ally she'd recently made. He would only help to raise her position, as long as she used him right.
Her focus was disrupted by a knock at the door.
"Yes?" she asked annoyed.
A man in black entered, with red eyes that shined in the darkness, and approached the desk in front of her.
"We are ready" he said in a deep voice.
She put down her quill and parchment, and sat back in her chair. So, a long era finally comes to an end. She then leant forward, and lightly said,
"kill them all."
Author's Notes:
Okay, now THIS is the longest chapter. I think. It just took a really long time to bring out. I actually had somewhere else where I wanted to finish this, but then it would've made this just a bit too log, and actually I quite like the cliffhanger I just left this on. Because I'm evil, mwahahaha.
Anyhoo, oh yeah the orphanage and Constance Michel, I'll be honest, didn't actually originally plan on including her and thm actually going INSIDE the orphanage, but when I got to it I thought it would be nice for Asmund to reunite with his friends.
The next chapter though, ohhhhh, that'll be the stuff.
Characters:
Constance Michel: The carer for the orphans at the orphanage. She becomes the main carer when Grelod the (UN)-Kind is *ahem* taken care of. That's actually the first quest in the Dark Brotherhood questline, and Nero... well, you'll find out all (though let's be honest, if you're reading this, you've almost definitely played the game)
Aventus: a kid who hires you to kill Grelod the (UN)-Kind. Was a little creepy, but if you see Grelod, you understand. You understand.
Dragon Language: None used
Thanks for reading, and as per the usual, please leave a review! Tell me any grammar mistakes I make! This new program I'm using unfortuately doesn't tell me anything! I'm serious!