-Ch. 8-
"So it's true. That traitorous bitch!" Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone spat as she read Alva's journal. "Well done, daughter. You may have the Ravencrone sight yet." She smiled at Idgrod the Younger.
Idgrod feigned a smile. "Thank you, mother." She bowed. "I couldn't have done it without our new friend, Ozgar." She said, returning her weary gaze to Oz.
"Indeed," The Jarl continued. "Morthal owes you a debt. But I need one more favor from you."
Oz stood up straight. "Of course, Jarl."
"Morthal is still in danger. The journal mentions Movarth, a master vampire I thought was destroyed a century ago." She said, shaking her head slowly in disbelief. "Aslfur!" She called her steward, Idgrod's father, "Gather together some able-bodied warriors to clean out Movarth's lair. They'll be waiting outside for you to lead them."
"Th..thank you Jarl." Oz said, bowing.
Ozgar and Idgrod the Younger stepped back to the entryway of Highmoon Hall. Idgrod gestured to a bench, her expression both curious and angry.
Oz obliged, with a sigh and an awkward smile.
"So," Idgrod said, taking her spot next to him. "You're the one the Greybeards called for, right?"
Oz sheepishly looked about the hall, not meeting Idgrod's gaze. "Yes, that was me. 'Dovahkiin', they call me." He chuckled, finally meeting Idgrod's eyes. Her brow furrowed deeper. Oz continued, "I've been training with them for a short while." He explained. "In fact, the whole reason I came to Morthal was to go to Ustengrav." He said slowly, suddenly remembering his important mission for the Greybeards.
Finally, Idgrod's eyebrows relaxed. "Wow." She said quietly. "I grew up hearing stories about you, you know." She laughed, as a blush slowly crept across her face. "Well, I mean, the Dragonborn. You know, not, you. But, I suppose…" She stammered.
Oz looked at her with a warm smile. "I know what you mean." He smiled. He stood from the bench, holding onto Idgrod's hand. "I have to go get ready, so we can attack Movarth before nightfall. But I'll be back." He said with a quick squeeze of her hand, sending butterflies though both of them.
"Good luck Ozgar." She said with a soft sigh. "Try not to get killed!" She called to him as he made his leave.
"I'll do my best." He smiled back at her before exiting the Jarl's longhouse.
—
Idgrod waited wistfully about Highmoon Hall while she waited for Oz to return. She attempted to distract herself at the Moorside, but Lurbuk's rendition of 'The Dragonborn Comes' didn't help ease Idgrod's nerves.
"He'll be back, Idgrod." She heard her mother say. Idgrod turned from her bedroom window to face the Jarl, who stood in the doorway tenderly watching her daughter.
"One of your visions?" Idgrod the Younger asked, sadly chuckling.
"Mother's intuition." Ravencrone smiled.
Just at that moment, Thonnir walked in with a brawny orsimer slung over his shoulder.
Idgrod coyly winked at her daughter, quickly descending the stairs to greet Ozgar. Idgrod the Younger watched from the loft as Thonnir and Gorm, her mother's housecarl, carried Oz to an auxiliary room where he could be treated.
"Grom, go fetch Falion and Lami. Tell them to drop everything." Jarl Idgrod told Grom once Oz was set down on a cot.
"Aye." Grom said curtly, cautiously eyeing Oz as he left the Hall.
Oz sat up slightly, and smiled at Jarl Idgrod. He broke into a full grin when Idgrod the Younger stepped into the doorway. "I killed Movarth." He said meekly.
Both of the Idgrod's raised their eyebrows.
"By the eight! I didn't think you could do it" Jarl Idgrod exclaimed. Her daughter shot her a disapproving look.
"Mother's intuition?" She grumbled under her breath.
"The rest of those cowards fled before even stepping foot in that monster's lair." Thonnir said, sitting by Oz's bedside. "But this stranger here fought braver than anyone I've ever seen. He helped me avenge my Laelette." Thonnir patted Ozgar's shoulder. Oz smiled through the pain.
Idgrod the Younger's eyes welled up. She stepped to take a seat at his bedside.
"Now maybe we can put this all behind us." Jarl Idgrod sighed. "You've earned our gratitude." The Jarl said with a nod, before retiring to her Throne.
Thonnir patted Ozgar's hand. "Thank you again, friend." He said, leaving the Dragonborn with the Jarl's daughter.
Idgrod and Oz looked at each other in silence for a moment. Idgrod bit her lip, holding back happy laughter and tears. She slowly took his hand in hers. She looked into his bloodshot, almost iridescent eyes with concern.
"You should see the other guy." Ozgar said, finally breaking the comfortable silence.
Idgrod rolled her eyes and finally let out a hearty laugh of relief. She carefully wrapped her arms around Oz, planting a kiss on his cheek, just before the town healers hurried into the room.
"Oh, dear." Lami, the town's alchemist, giggled as Idgrod jumped off Oz.