Shadows of the Past

Chapter 10

It was another week before they returned to Whiterun. Edna insisted they find the journal belonging to Runil, the priest of Arkay, before they left Falkreath. With their only lead to its location being "somewhere in Moss Mother Cavern," the two companions set out, hoping for nothing more than a seek-and-find mission. But outside the cave they found a grim tableau. A young Nord from Falkreath named Valdr was bleeding out, victim of a vicious attack by the spriggans that inhabited the cave.

Edna gave the young man a potion of healing, but made him 'sit down and stay put' while she and Kaidan went inside to clear the cave of spriggans and help Valdr retrieve the bodies of his fallen comrades. In gratitude, Valdr insisted Edna take his steel dagger, which she accepted and tucked into her belt.

The journal had been wedged in the crotch of a fallen log, and Kaidan couldn't help but wonder what the old Altmer priest had been doing in the cave when he lost it.

"Oh, likely just communing with nature," Edna replied, when he voiced his thoughts out loud. "Spriggans notwithstanding."

"They're very territorial," Kaidan said. "It's always best to steer clear of them when you can."

"True," Edna agreed. "But you heard Valdr – they didn't even know the spriggans were there when they went in after the bears."

"Can I ask you something?" he ventured as they walked down the long road back to Falkreath.

"Of course, Kai," Edna smiled. "You can ask me just about anything. I won't guarantee I'll give you an answer, but you can ask."

"What were you like as a child?" he asked. "Where were you born and raised?"

Edna gave a light laugh. "Oh, you don't want to hear about ancient history," she dismissed.

"I do," he insisted. "I know barely anything about you. In fact, I think you know more about me, and that's not saying much."

A deep throaty chuckle came from the Dragonborn. "Alright," she acquiesced. "There isn't a lot to tell, really. Most of my life was the Legion. I was born in Cyrodiil, of course, in County Bruma. We had a nice estate there, as well as a farm further south, near the border with the Imperial City, but," here she paused and frowned, "I didn't really have what I would call a 'happy' childhood, truth be told. I believe I already told you my father was very strict."

At his nod of confirmation, she went on. "My mother wasn't much better. She came from a noble family, and while my father had money, he had no title to go with it, so my mother always felt she'd married beneath herself. My brother Cassius was four years older than me, and he was the 'golden child.' He could do no wrong. I, on the other hand, being female, could do no right. My mother was determined to make a proper lady out of me, so I had to learn music, dancing, embroidery, painting – all the feminine skills, really – but nothing very useful."

"You paint?" Kaidan blinked, surprised.

"I said I had to learn it," Edna said, her mouth twisted in a wry grin. "I didn't say I was any good at it. Anyway, I wasn't allowed to learn to read, write or do sums, like Cassius was, because my parents felt I would never need to use those skills once I was safely married off. It was actually Cassius who hid me in his schoolroom when he had his lessons so that I could hear them, too, and stayed up at night with me to help me learn. I had to sneak into my father's library and steal books when he was away on business so I could read them, and then sneak them back into their exact spot in the bookshelves so he wouldn't know I'd borrowed them."

"You couldn't have kept that up forever unnoticed," Kaidan commented.

"No, indeed," Edna agreed. "When my father found out he was furious. I think that's the only time he ever punished Cassius for anything."

"So you were a rebel, even then," Kaidan chuckled.

"Yes, I suppose I was," Edna laughed. "I was quite the hellion. I used to sneak out of my bedroom at night and climb over the rooftops so I could look at the stars overhead and try to find the constellations. One time my mother caught me coming back home after walking through the woods. It had been pouring down with rain, and my dress was muddied to the knees, and my shoes were ruined. I was soaked to the bone and my carefully coiffed hair was hanging down all stringy and lank, but I was exhilarated. I never minded the rain, but my mother was horrified. I was whisked off to my room and thrown in a tub of water I felt was perhaps a bit too hot, and scrubbed a bit harder than getting clean really required. I was nine."

Her smile faded, though, and Kaidan could tell that not all her memories made her laugh to think about them. After a few minutes, she spoke again.

"When I was thirteen, one of the stable boys seemed to take an interest in me. He was tall for his age – I think he was a year or two older than me – and quite well-muscled. His hair was bright red and he had the bluest eyes I'd ever seen. His smile could light up a room, and I think I was half-way in love with him, though I'd been so sheltered, and my parents would never win prizes for 'most loving couple', that I'm not sure I really knew what love was. I only knew he made me feel weak at the knees when he smiled at me, and the summer wind sighed in his voice."

Kaidan had a feeling he knew where this was headed, but asked anyway. "What happened?"

"My father caught him looking my way once and had him horse-whipped in front of me. I was horrified. I begged and screamed at him to stop it, that Timmon – that was his name – hadn't done anything wrong. He was dragged outside the gates of our estate and left there. I don't know what became of him after that, because my father locked me into my room. A guard was posted in the yard outside to make sure I didn't escape out the window, and one was stationed outside the door to my bedroom. I was essentially a prisoner in my own home for about six months before my father's wrath expended itself."

"He kept you a prisoner?" Kaidan growled. "What kind of man does that to his own daughter?"

"The kind of man to whom money is more important than kin," Edna stated. "My value to my father lay solely in who I ended up being married to. And since he felt I was starting to become interested in boys, it was time to arrange my marriage."

"At thirteen?" Kaidan burst out.

"No," Edna replied, shaking her head. "He had to wait until I was sixteen, according to the laws of Cyrodiil. I knew this. So I remained on my best behavior for almost two years from the day I was released from my bedroom. My father made me promise to obey my mother and him in every aspect of my life. I was to work harder on my feminine skills and put aside any attempt to read or write. And I did as they asked. But all the while I was waiting and watching for any opportunity to escape, for any chance their guard would slip, and I could get out of there. And one day it came."

They were drawing closer to Falkreath now, but Kaidan didn't want the story to end just yet. Edna also seemed to want to finish it before they returned to town, so she sat down on a fallen log and gestured for Kaidan to join her.

"My father was away on business. My brother Cassius had gone with him, as he would one day take it over from our father when the time came. My mother had to go visit a friend of hers, and I was still under guarded watch. I had the roam of the house, but I wasn't supposed to leave."

"How did you get out, then?"

"I pleaded a certain, monthly, womanly issue that I knew the guards wouldn't want to hear about," Edna snickered, "and I retired to my room. Then I dressed myself in some servants' clothes I'd managed to steal from the laundry, and made my way through the servants' passage down to the kitchens. The cook mistook me for one of the sculleries and yelled at me to take a bucket of scraps down to the pigsty for the herder to give to the hogs. I did so, and when that was done I slipped out a side gate and into the town. From there, I went to Legion headquarters and signed up. I gave them a false name and lied about my age to get in. I was only fifteen, and if they had known that, they wouldn't have taken me. But I've always been tall for my age, and always looked older than I was. They swore me in, gave me my first uniform, and assigned me to the bunkhouse I'd be staying in."

"Your father couldn't have taken that lying down," Kaidan snorted.

"Nor did he," Edna agreed. "He spent two days combing the city, looking for me before he found me. He came storming into Commander Marcellus' office and demanded they release me. When the Commander realized that I had lied about my age and given a false name, I could tell he was furious. But there was something in my eyes, he told me later, that prevented him from discharging me on the spot. That, coupled with my father's aggressive manner, as if he expected Commander Marcellus to just drop everything to please him, just – as he put it – put a sour taste in his mouth. 'I've seen many victims of abuse in my time,' he said later, 'and I could just tell that being in the Legion would be better for you than returning you to your family.'"

"He sounds like a good man," Kaidan murmured. "I'm glad he had your back on that."

"He was a good man," Edna nodded. "He died in the Great War, and every person in his company mourned him." She paused in reflection, then snorted. "That said, I didn't get off lightly for having lied. Since I was underage, I got every dirty, stinking, filthy job they could think of to punish me until I turned legally of age at sixteen. I think I peeled every potato and cleaned out every latrine in Cyrodiil. It was only once I became of legal age that my actual basic training began. Until then, I was treated more like a mascot or a gofer."

"A gofer?"

"Yes," Edna grinned, getting to her feet. "I was sent all over the base to 'go for' this and 'go for' that. Well, Kai, now you've heard some of my story. Shall we go return this journal to Runil?"

"Aye," Kaidan grinned. "And I'm glad to know a bit more about you, Dragonborn."

After they returned Runil's journal to the old Altmer priest, Edna insisted on helping Mathies and Indara on their farm. Kaidan felt she was working off some of the guilt she might have felt at letting Sinding go, but she said nothing of this to either grieving parent, and they never asked her about it. With Kaidan's help, they tilled the soil, pulled weeds and harvested the cabbages, leeks and gourds that were ready. Mathies was grateful for the additional help, and offered to pay, but Edna insisted he keep the money.

Later that afternoon they returned to Siddgeir to report how they had helped the people of his Hold, and with an almost indifferent gesture, the young Jarl declared her to be his new Thane.

"I'll also notify my guards of your new title," Siddgeir promised. "Wouldn't want them to think you're part of the common rabble."

"Every person is dishonest, who lives off the labor of others," Kaidan muttered under his breath. "Makes no difference if they occupy a throne." Thankfully, Siddgeir didn't hear him.

As they headed to the door, a Redguard woman stopped them. "I'm Rayya," she said, introducing herself. "The Jarl has appointed me to be your Housecarl."

"It's very nice to meet you, Rayya," Edna smiled. "I'm Edna, as I'm sure you've been informed, and this is my friend and companion Kaidan. You know, I fought alongside many of your countrymen over twenty years ago during the Great War. They are formidable warriors. I notice you also use the two scimitars preferred by most Redguards."

"Indeed, my Thane," Rayya replied, a smile of respect growing on her painted face. "The shifrat aldawaran is a very effective style of fighting that confuses your opponent and forces them to be on their guard against a veritable blade wall during combat."

Kaidan whistled appreciatively. "I've heard of that technique," he said. "It's known as the 'whirling blade' in the common tongue. I've heard it's very difficult to master."

Rayya nodded. "It takes dedication and practice, as would any fighting style," she agreed. "I would be happy to teach you about it."

Kaidan chuckled and shook his head. "I'm more comfortable with the two-handed weapons, meself," he declined.

"But I would be interested in learning it sometime," Edna chimed in. "I'm open to new fighting forms. Right now, however, I don't own a house in Falkreath. Which presents a problem, Rayya," she continued. "Where will you be staying?"

"I will remain here until you either purchase a home, or build one, my Thane," she replied.

"Build one?" Edna blinked. "I hadn't thought about that."

"I know there's some land available, near Lake Ilinalta," the Housecarl replied. "Nenya, the Steward, can tell you more about it if you're interested."

"I'll have to think about it," Edna nodded. "Building a house means setting down roots, and I'm not sure I want to do that in Falkreath Hold."

"It also means a place of contact," Rayya reasoned. "The people in the Hold will know where to come to you if they need help." She dropped her voice. "Our Jarl is…preoccupied…most of the time." She was barely able to keep the sneer from her lips.

Edna nodded, understanding. "I wouldn't be there all the time," she felt obliged to point out.

"But I would be," Rayya smiled. "And as your Housecarl, I would have a limited proxy to act on your behalf, should you wish it. You need only give me instructions, and I would see them carried out."

"You've given me a lot to think about, Rayya," Edna smiled back. "Thank you. I'll be in touch soon and let you know what decision I've made."

"I will wait here for you, then, my Thane," the Redguard woman replied. "Good hunting!"

As they left the Jarl's longhouse, Edna glanced up at Kaidan. "What do you think?" she asked.

"Of what?" he countered. "Of Rayya? She seems level-headed enough. You could do worse."

"I meant about buying or building a place here," Edna chided.

"Oh, well," Kaidan shrugged. "You'd have a place of your own down here. You wouldn't have to put up at an inn every time we have to be down in this area."

"True," she admitted. "But Lake Ilinalta isn't that close to town. If this piece of property Rayya mentioned is on the shore, it's a good two or three hours' walk from here. Still…" Her voice trailed off.

"What are you thinking?" Kaidan asked, giving her a side glance.

"I was remembering our farm, down in Bruma," Edna said wistfully. "It was perched on the edge of a bluff, overlooking the valley where the Imperial City lay. It was a grand view. If this property has at least as nice a view, I wouldn't mind building on it." She stopped. "Wait here," she said. "I think I'm going back in and having a word with the Steward. I'm not buying anything until I see the property; I just want to know where it's located."

Three hours later, Kaidan and Edna stood at the top of the rise, looking down at Lake Ilinalta, glimmering in the early evening. The light of the two moons reflected and danced off its surface, and now and then a fish leaped out of the water, to splash back into its depths. The gentle breeze soughed in the branches of the surround pine trees, and a faint murmur of voices came from a hunters' encampment at the base of the bluff between them and the lake.

"This is quite pleasant," Edna smiled. "Let's make camp here tonight, Kai," she suggested.

"Aye," the younger man readily agreed. The tent was pitched and soon after they worked together to pull together a meal from the stores previously laid in. It was braised chicken and vegetables this evening, and the meat was so tender and juicy it practically fell off the bone. Kaidan opened a couple bottles of ale, and the two ate in companionable silence, only occasionally remarking on the events that had brought them to this point.

After supper, they cleared away and sat relaxing by the campfire.

"Where do you want to go from here?" Kaidan asked.

"I suppose we'll have to head up to Riverwood in the morning," Edna said reluctantly. "I'm not convinced this idea of Delphine's is the right way to find out why the dragons have returned. I honestly don't believe the Thalmor have any hand in it."

"If not them, then who?" Kaidan wondered.

"I don't know," Edna frowned, "but it's clear to me that Delphine isn't telling us everything she knows."

"Aye," Kaidan muttered. He didn't trust Delphine for a moment. He respected the fact that, as a former Blade, she had evaded the Thalmor all this time, but her paranoia had her unwilling or unable to trust the very person she claimed she was supposed to protect. He thought about that. Something about it didn't quite ring true, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

Edna excused herself shortly after and climbed up to the loft to sleep, but Kaidan stayed awake and brooded. The small bookcase he had set up for Edna contained a handful of books they had liberated from Ustengrav, Bleak Falls Barrow, and Delphine's own 'secret room' back at the Sleeping Giant. He rose and searched for one he remembered, and brought it back to the couch to read: The Rise and Fall of the Blades.

"Many classic texts tell us of adventures to Akavir, known as the dragon lands of the east. Many from Tamriel have attempted to conquer it, most famously Emperor Uriel V and his Tenth Legion in 3E288 as documented in the Imperial dispatch 'Disaster at Ionith.' Dragons have long been legend in Akavir, and many believe that their brief appearance in Tamriel's history are those that escaped Akaviri, for it was there they were hunted and killed off by the Dragonguard. The Dragonguard would follow those that fled to Tamriel in the late 1st Era."

"From Akavir, eh?" Kaidan murmured to himself. "'Dragonguard'…I like the sound of that." He had known from things Brynjar had let drop over the years that the dragons had originally come from Akavir. At one point in the past, he'd even had a copy of the book Mysterious Akavir, before a succession of fast moving around had lost it for him. He hoped to find another copy eventually. For some unknown reason, the idea of the place fascinated him. He made a mental note to see if he could also find a copy of the book Disaster at Ionith. For now, he continued reading.

"Reman is one of the first documented, and widely accepted, of the mythic Dragonborn; those anointed by Akatosh and Alessia themselves. 'Born with the soul of a dragon' is what his followers would say. Reports differ widely on the nature of the battle at Pale Pass. But the end result is the same, that the remaining Dragonguard, upon hearing the voice of Reman Cyrodiil, knelt and swore their lives to him, their conqueror and savior. Fragments of from late 1st era texts refer to the warriors dropping to their knees saying 'we were not hunting' (or 'did not intend', author - rough translation), continuing 'we have been searching, for you.'"

Kaidan re-read that last line again. The Dragonguard claimed they were 'searching' for Reman Cyrodiil. But no, they weren't searching for him, specifically, since they were fighting against him until he used the Voice. It was only then that they recognized him as Dragonborn.

And Delphine said pretty much the same thing to Edna, he thought, that she and the other Blades were waiting and searching for a Dragonborn. He snorted to himself. How hard could she have been looking, if Edna was right there in the thick of the Great War? They're lucky she didn't die then! And how hard could Delphine have been searching, when she's locked herself in that tavern of hers, playing innkeeper all these years?

He went back to the book.

"They protected Reman with their lives, as well as his descendants, as the Reman Dynasty ushered in Tamriel's 2nd era. It was through these years that their reach extended, and their order grew to become the Blades. Their conquest of the dragons complete, they only sought to protect the Dragonborn, and through him, the Empire."

Kaidan closed the book and rubbed his eyes. He should get some sleep. But the facts he'd read swirled around in his mind, and he agreed with Edna: there was a lot Delphine wasn't saying.

I think we should just wash our hands of her, he thought, but he knew it wasn't his call to make. Only Edna could decide how much or how little contact she wanted with Delphine. He could only follow along and try to protect her as much as he could, to help her achieve her destiny. He rose, stretched and sighed, before seeking the comforts of his own bedroll.

The journey up to Riverwood the next day took them past the ruins of Helgen, and Kaidan gave a low whistle of amazement. The dragon had certainly done a thorough job of razing Helgen to the ground. Broken walls and ruined towers stood out harshly blackened from the snow that lay all around. The wind moaned through the streets congested with rubble, and the two travelers picked their way carefully through the debris. Kaidan tried not to notice the remains of charred bodies lying in undignified postures, their last moments of horror a permanent reminder of what had taken place here. It was odd, he felt, that animals hadn't come in here to scavenge. He glanced at Edna, to see how she was taking this, and saw her face etched with anger.

"Damn that man!" she muttered. "These were his people! This was his city! And it lies here like this still, weeks later. No effort made to bury the bodies, and none made to clean this up and keep bandits from coming in and using it as a base of operations!"

Kaidan knew who she meant. His opinion of Jarl Siddgeir couldn't get much lower, but this certainly didn't help raise his estimation of the man. He reaffirmed his opinion of snobbish Jarls but kept his thoughts to himself.

They hurried through Helgen as quickly as possible, and by midday then arrived at Riverwood. Edna elected not to drop in on her niece and nephew, but instead headed directly for the Sleeping Giant. Delphine must have been watching for them, because she met them at the door once they were inside.

"Good," she began without preamble. "You're finally here. I don't think you were followed."

Both Edna and Kaidan declined to mention they had been several places before coming back to Riverwood, and they had made no effort to hide their movements. Delphine's paranoia was in full force.

"Come on," she gestured. "We need to talk."

They followed the Breton woman back down to her 'secret room' – after she made sure they shut the bedroom door behind them – and once they were in the subterranean study, she announced, "I have a plan for how we're going to get you into the Thalmor Embassy."

"Now hold on just a moment, Delphine," Edna frowned. "I haven't said I'll do it, yet."

Now it was Delphine's turn to scowl. "This is no time to get cold feet," she simmered. "We need to find out what they know about the dragons coming back, and this is the only way to do it!"

"So you say," Edna countered. "We only have your word for it that the Thalmor are involved at all."

"And what would you suggest?" Delphine asked, scathingly. "That we sit around and wait until the dragons destroy Skyrim town by town? You are Dragonborn, unless that was all smoke and mirrors back there in Kynesgrove," she went on, barely keeping the sarcasm out of her tone.

"Now hold on a moment," Kaidan growled, but Edna put a hand on his arm.

"Kaidan please, let me hear what she has to say."

"Thank you," the Breton woman drawled, and this time there was no doubt of the scorn in her voice. "You are Dragonborn, but you're only one Dragonborn. Are you going to be able to travel all over Skyrim – all over Tamriel if necessary – in the blink of an eye to stop every single dragon that attacks the cities and towns and farms across the land? If the Thalmor are behind this somehow, we need to know how they're controlling the dragons so we can stop them."

"And if they're not controlling the dragons, Delphine?" Edna asked calmly. "What then? You intend to put my life in danger, while you sit here safely hidden away, by asking me to infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy – to walk into a veritable viper's nest of a faction who would love nothing more than an opportunity to start the next war when they find out I'm a spy? Is that really what you want? How does that reconcile with your Oath as a Blade to protect me?"

Delphine gasped, but whether in shock or outrage – or both – Kaidan couldn't tell. All that was clear to him was that Edna had just scored a point against Delphine, and he couldn't be prouder of her.

"So you won't do it," Delphine gritted out, her anger barely held in check. Kaidan had a flash of intuition that if Edna flatly refused Delphine's plan, that the former Blade might want to ensure no one knew she was hiding here by taking out the only two people who knew. He desperately wanted to draw his sword, but knew he couldn't jump to conclusions. He hoped Edna knew what she was doing.

"I didn't say I wouldn't do it," Edna said now, still frowning. "I just think it's a poorly thought-out strategy. I do agree with you that I can't kill every dragon out there, especially if they're all over the map and start showing up simultaneously. If – and I do mean if – the Thalmor are involved, or know anything about this, it would be a good idea to get that information. But I also think I could talk to the Greybeards to see what they know about this."

Delphine's lip curled in a sneer. "The Greybeards!" she practically spat. "They sit up there on their mountain and don't get involved in what's going on down here. Why would they know anything about the dragons coming back?"

"Because, my dear," Edna chided her, "they are the ones who have confirmed that I'm Dragonborn in the first place. So I think they would know a bit more about dragons in general than the average person. But why don't you tell me now how you planned to get me into the Embassy, and I will decide if the risk is worth it."

Still not completely satisfied with Edna's reluctant consent, Delphine outlined her plan.

"The Thalmor ambassador, Elenwen, regularly throws parties where the rich and connected cozy up to the Thalmor," she explained. "I can get you into one of those parties. Once you're inside the Embassy, you get away and find Elenwen's secret files. I have a contact inside the Embassy. He's not up for this kind of high-risk mission, but he can help you. His name's Malborn. Wood elf, plenty of reason to hate the Thalmor. You can trust him. I'll get word for him to meet you in Solitude, at the Winking Skeever - you know it?"

"No," Edna admitted. "I can't say that I've ever been to Solitude. But don't worry. I'm sure I can find it."

"While you're doing that," Delphine continued, "I'll work on getting you an invitation to Elenwen's little party. Meet me at the Solitude stables after you've arranged things with Malborn. Any questions?"

"I've got a few," Kaidan announced, unable to remain silent any longer.

"Are they intelligent ones?" Delphine asked snidely. "Or is this where you start blustering and flexing your muscles and telling me I'd better not let anything happen to your Dragonborn?"

"You know what?" Kaidan growled. "I've had about enough out of you."

"Any time you think you're man enough," Delphine snarled, her hand hovering over the hilt of her katana. "The Dragonborn needs someone who can think on their feet, not bully and bluster their way through life."

"ENOUGH!"

Both adversaries stopped as the entire building rumbled, and the faint sound of Sven's croaking overhead suddenly stilled. Dust sifted down from the ceiling, and both turned to look at Edna.

"This childish bickering has gone on long enough," the Dragonborn simmered. "Delphine, Kaidan is my bodyguard and my friend, and I'll take it as a kindness if you remember that he's just doing his job. Kaidan, whatever your opinion is about Delphine, keep it to yourself. We need her help, whether I like to admit that or not. So let's stow the hostilities for now and try to get along, alright? We have a job to do."

"I'm sorry, Dragonborn," Kaidan nodded quietly. "You're right of course." He turned to the Breton woman, and though it tasted like bitter medicine in his mouth, he said, "I'm…sorry, Delphine. I'll watch my words from now on…for her sake."

Delphine gave a brief nod of acceptance. Then, as Edna looked at her expectantly, she took a deep breath and said, "I apologize for my attitude, Kaidan. I've lived too long looking over my shoulder to accept people at face value."

"And…?" Edna prompted quietly.

"And…I will keep my opinions about your skills and talents to myself from now on," Delphine promised.

Edna smiled. "There now," she bubbled. "That wasn't so hard now, was it? Kaidan, let's get back to Whiterun. I'll leave some instructions with Lydia, and we can take the next available carriage to Solitude."

Kaidan didn't trust himself to speak, but merely nodded. He still didn't trust Delphine, and he absolutely hated this idea of hers, but if the Dragonborn was intent on seeing it through, he intended to be close by to assist in any way he could. The only troubling thing was that he didn't know how he could do that if she had to go into the Embassy all by herself.

He brooded in silence the rest of the afternoon as they made their way back to Whiterun. They passed through the gates of the city just before dark and Edna decided their trip to Solitude could wait until morning.

"It will be tomorrow evening before you get to Solitude, my lady," Lydia pointed out. "It's a fifteen-hour trip by carriage."

Edna frowned. "That long, eh?" She sighed. "Well, there's nothing we can do about that. It is what it is. I just hope this party I'm supposed to attend isn't being held tomorrow afternoon."

"Did you need me to pack anything special for you, my Thane?" Lydia asked.

"I'm not sure what I'll need," Edna replied. "I don't really have much in the way of civilian clothes."

"You could just wear your military regalia," Lydia suggested. "I'm sure that would be acceptable."

"N-no…" Edna said slowly. "I don't think it would be." Lydia didn't know about her dishonorable discharge. "Is there anything in the dresser upstairs?"

"There's that fancy dress you brought back from Morthal," Lydia volunteered.

"Fancy dress?" Edna frowned, trying to remember. "Oh yes! I found it in a dresser in that cave we cleared out. It was too nice to leave behind. It's a bit large around the middle for me, but I think I can make it work." Her eyes crinkled in amusement. "All those sewing lessons are finally coming in handy!"