"Idolaf, that amount of weapons alone in the time you're asking is insane, not to mention armor?" Adrianne Avenicci asked incredulously, "I understand you want this done by the money being offered but there is no way that I can provide you with it in the time frame. Stendarr's Anvil, it's just Ulfberth and me, do you see a pack of apprentices running around here lately?" She wasn't so much upset by the Battle-Born's request as she was amazed by it, did he not know even a rough estimation of the time and effort it would take to fill a request? While she and thankfully her husband had stayed out of the growing civil conflict in Skyrim, some would expect that those serving or previously having served in Legions would know a thing or two about manpower and logistics. The blond-haired nord in front of her seemed relatively non-pulsed at her questions, before going into a tangent.
"I know we're asking for a lot, I understand it very well." He began, flashing her a small smile sure enough to give a young maiden a blush, though Adrianne was more than used to the unseemly cunning of these so called 'rugged north-men' and had well defended her own on more than one occasions when the patrons of the Bannered Mare got a bit rambunctious. "I wouldn't be asking you if I wasn't sure you can do it. The Legions need your help in securing the province, and doing this is just a single step forward to a swift resolution." The Battle-Born slowly worked to appeal to her, but wasn't quite sure how to close the deal. "Plus the reward would be hefty, I'm sure I could convince the Legate to increase your payment should you ask." Idolaf attempted to smooth it over, attempted to come to a quick resolution for a project he felt was not in his best field of expertise, but Adrianne didn't need to know that. She crossed her arms in response, tapping the front of her smithing apron lightly, an eyebrow raised.
"If you need it so desperately," she started slowly, "why don't you have a chat with Eorlund Gray-mane?" Idolaf's face contorted slightly, eyebrows pinching in like he had eaten a piece of tart cabbage. "If you so desperately need miracles done, I'm sure the best smith in Skyrim can help you." She added, lips curling into a smile as the Battle-Born's reaction shifted from anger to indignation at the thought. Idolaf opened his mouth to retort to her brazen tease, fully aware of the clashing family rivalry as riven as the civil war, but was suddenly interrupted.
"Excuse me?" A voice interjected itself into their quickly heating-up conversation, but it came from above. So engrossed were they in arguing they had failed to notice the slight hush of the crowds from the market, followed by the appearance of a massive being in furs that carried a solid wood chest at the waist like a man would carry a harvest basket. Adrianne turned, looking up at the figure, where Idolaf took a step back, hand nearly falling to the hilt of his sheathed sword in shock. "Smith, do you have the capabilities to fulfill a commission from me?" He spoke once more, seemingly uncaring of the response as He stared at Adrianne.
"My name is Adrianne Avenicci, but depending on what it is, I may very well be able to." She addressed Him, before turning to Idolaf, "Unless of course you expect me to conjure weapons and armor out of thin air like Battle-Born here." She uncrossed her arms, before waving the Legionary off. "Get out of here Idolaf, I might have a reasonable request for my talents. Now," she turned once more to Him, "What are you thinking?" Idolaf looked to make a retort, but suddenly found His gaze upon him, fully staring into his pupils with the focus of a wolf. Idolaf's breath caught in his throat, and with a pang of unnerving quality swiftly turned away from the giant and strode up towards the market. Adrianne watched him go, somewhat thankful the legionary was gone, but restored focus to the beast of a man in front of her as He opened up the chest, and after the shifting of many coins, pulled out an object in an oversized fist. He revealed it to her, showing an ornate looking handle and cross guard. "Looks nice, but what do you want done with it? I can't exactly just fasten the metal on there for a really long blade, and it's too short to be used in a mace or axe." She admitted, after inspecting the haft.
"I was thinking more along the lines of a wide bladed knife." He began, enduring her astonished look before elaborating. "The handle is 8 inches long for example, take that into consideration with the width of the cross bar, leave a 2 inch gap to catch a blade or opposing spar, and then a decent 2 foot length to offset that?" He set the handle down at her bench, before going into further detail. "With a blade width of 4 and a half inches that'll decently off-set the balance and keep a good medium in the metal so as to not fracture during the bonding process if I'm correct." He didn't quite understand how He knew the directive ascertains of smithing a blade, but He knew how to wield them, which was good enough. His words found decent ground to stand on, as Adrianne nodded along, beginning to visualize the concept.
"Alright, I can do that, but it's going to be somewhat costly?" She said, tallying up the numbers in her head. "What metal do you want the blade made out of, any special request on top of that, and I'm going to request a down payment." She looked up at her newest buyer, only to find Him looming somewhat over her beneath the awning, lips separated into two rows of perfectly block-like teeth. It was almost uncanny how His face moved, as if He wasn't fully aware or understanding of why He made the smile in the first place.
"The metal is up to your discretion, though I request something sturdy enough to penetrate rocks, and that the blade be serrated for the majority of its length." He sorted through the chest, now residing on the ground, lip open enough to show His massive palms sifting through the recognizable glimmer of gold. He removed a sizable pouch, gold jangling within, and placed it on the workbench beside her. Her smile widened, it was not that often she received a unique commission, much less so a buyer that was willing to pay sizably up front. "This should be enough, I will pay in full upon your completion of the blade." Adrianne looked back up at Him, unbothered by the demanding tone. This was definitely going to be a treat to work on, and He had thankfully caught her at a decent time of the year. The post winter season had the fine line of repairing and renewing the common tools and weapons for the coming seasons and the inevitable repairs or mass request for parts.
"Deal. I'll have to check in the shop for what to use, but more than likely it'll be done in three days' time." She stuck out her hand, offering Him to shake, but her smile slightly dimmed when He cocked His large head to the side, staring at the offered dark-skinned appendage. Nothing was amiss it seemed, as He tentatively and gently reached forward and consumed her hand and lower arm in a massive palm, shaking it slightly. He picked up the chest, hefting it with ease, before passing the near-by guards and exiting the city gates.
He let the guards close the gates behind Him, once more sealing Whiterun to the travelers of the outside world. Wasting no time, the sun already well into its descent towards the western horizon as He laden the chest over shoulder and vaulted over the top of the ruined perimeter wall. Using a free hand to balance, He spring boarded across the shelved terrain below and onto the main road, brown boots catching traction to pace into a rhythmical jog that matched the speed of a galloping horse. The cobblestone road weaved away from the city, where just scant hours before the giant had been slain (and thankfully moved out of the road due to the efforts of the farm workers and a pair of oxen), and returned Him on the route back to Riverwood, where if estimation served would leave Him at the town's entrance just before sunset. As of this moment, everything was to be considered second nature in the rendezvous with Ralof's family, and further to gather information for the delve into Bleak Falls Barrow. He would further ascend to the target under the cover of night though any undead He might come across may serve a problem. Speculation of their abilities was exactly apt, and He momentarily regretted not pushing the court psyker for more detailed information, but alas it was too late to turn back now.
He re-ascended the switchback roadway leading to Riverwood, thankful for the lack of other travelers as contemplation of the subconscious thoughts from the day before came to mind. Surely nothing was invading His consciousness in waking moments? It seemed completely non-intrusive, dissuading the idea of an attack, but there was still the chance of someone or something attempting to worm its way into His mind. It seemed more off-handed, offering slight notations and alternative observations that He might make of a current focus of attention. His measured tread ate up ground, wildlife wisely departing around Him. If it was an attack, how would He know? Surely nothing would be so bold as to try and puncture His mind, resolute and straightforward as it was, right? Perhaps, but His faith and purity of soul would surely dissuade such an idea.
He mentally paused. Faith? Purity of soul? What claims did he have to make such a seemingly bizarre statement, by what measure? He could not fully pin-point where it came from, but it felt right, as if the prospect was imbued within His very person beyond a simple philosophical examination. Perhaps some meditation was in order. While there was no reason that He could not do it at a time like this, the objective at hand took priority, not just for the Jarl but for the honest people of this Hold. That was purely just and right, then He could do a trial of self-inspection and reflection.
"Krassus! I didn't expect to see you back so soon." Gerdur announced when she opened the door and took stock of the figure in the remaining sunlight, she opened the door fully, ushering with one hand for Him to enter. "Did you manage to speak with the Jarl, did he tell you anything?" she questioned as the door closed behind Him. The family looked surprised to see Him as well, dinner on the table forgotten as they directed their focus onto Him.
"I did. The Jarl has roused a detachment of the guard to soon reinforce Riverwood." He answered, before pushing to the main focus of His arrival. "I was not given the details, but I have a request on behalf of him. Tell me what you can of Bleak Falls Barrow." They stared at Him with raised eyebrows.
"Well let me get you a plate first, you're probably hungry after making that journey so quickly. Must have run all the way there and back to help us." Gerdur turned to the stew pot boiling over the fireplace, empty bowl in hand. Cracking the pot lid and dipping the ladle inside she retracted a hefty portion to fill the bowl to the brim before placing it on the table alongside a half loaf of bread and utensils. "I can't tell you much more than what anyone in the town can." She wiped her hands upon the hem of her apron, sitting back down at the table alongside the others. "The Barrow is old, crumbling, and a reliable death trap to anyone not prepared to venture into it. We get bandits who try and hold up there every couple years but they usually clear out due to the weather or the lack of supplies. Other than that it would probably have some skeevers and spiders running around, but to anyone unlucky there may be more than a few draugr up there. I'm sure Hod or Ralof can tell you more than me." She said casually, before returning to her own meal.
"I'll let Ralof speak for the both of us." Hod began, looking across to his brother-in-law, "He's probably seen more travelling across Cyrodil than I have, and I have had no intention of delving into dank crypts in search of forlorn treasure." Ralof put down his spoon after a quick bite, looking contemplative as he formed his response.
"I can't say for this particular one, never been up there myself, but the bandits shouldn't be too unlike the ones you took down last night." He spoke tactfully, stirring at his stew. "Basic gear, probably no good tactics save for the odd trap, but I'd be more concerned with the Draugr." He looked up, suddenly narrowing his face and lowering his tone. "A couple years back we had to clear out a small tomb near our camp. The draugr would come out at night, in a few odd pairs and the first night our sentry, Trigyr, found himself on the wrong side of an ancient axe's smile. We cleared the place out of course, but I'll never forget those pale witchfire eyes, glowing like hot ice in the night." He took another bite. "They shamble a bit awkwardly, like a wounded man, but they still have the strength to cleave through armor, and some of them even use magic."
"I will take such things into consideration, and thank you all for your insight." He stated, consuming the stew as man would drink water, before gently taking the bread and cleaning the inside of the bowl before finishing it. "I will journey up the mountain tonight, and with good fortune be back in the morning. I ask at that time that you guard my worldly objects while I journey onward." He paused, opening the chest to remove the axe and closing the lid once more.
"We'd be glad to." Gerdur responded, smiling gently up at Him.
Hail, readers and followers. As a new year begins, the return of an old story is given a breath of life. I have been a very busy man, travelling far and wide, doing much and seeing more. I thank you all for the patience you've given this story, and if not that, thanks for even reading this far. There are two things I want to address directly in line to the story real quick; the first being that I totally forgot that the Black carapace, and to a mostly nude giant dude in rags it would be easy to see the multitude of ports on his body. In regards to that, most people are going to see them as odd, symmetrical body piercings, and I'll edit/add in responses to it later in the story. The second is Astartes physiology. Astartes, as a principle, are genetically recrafted killing machines, but are still human. They might be bigger, faster, stronger but are still susceptible to physics and the mechanics of reality. Meaning that if someone swings a blade at an astartes, and they manage to land a hit, it will still cut the skin. It might be a big or small wound, depending on the weapon, swing, and force of the blow, but it will still cut/stab/pierce/scratch. Same works for blunt force trauma, and while it may not directly break or mash something, it can still move it, such as the positioning of a leg tendon or ligament having to shift. They wear armor for a reason, and it should be well recognized that just because they are superhuman, they are not Superman. Think of it as the difference between cutting meat, wood, and rock. With meat you might cut right through with enough force, wood is harder still but doable, and if you strike rock with a knife it will damage a blade, but it'll still leave a mark or even a gouge with the force of the blow. That's all I have for you, and should any more confusion or questions arise, feel free to ask. Thank you, and have a good day.