Markarth
“What do you mean she’s gone?” Vilkas slammed his hands on Kodlak’s table, “Where did she go?”
“She didn’t say,” Kodlak informed him.
“She didn’t even say goodbye,” Farkas was disappointed, his heart and wolf already missing her.
“Surely she gave you some idea?” Vilkas asked.
“I’m sorry son,” he rested a hand on his shoulder, “she doesn’t want anyone following her.”
“If I left now, there should still be a trace of her scent,” Vilkas began pacing, panicked. He didn’t believe she was going to leave because he scolded her. He was just upset and couldn’t control himself.
“You were too harsh on her,” Farkas stated.
“You don’t think I know that?!” Vilkas barked at his brother.
“Calm yourself Vilkas,” Kodlak told him, “She will return to us when she is ready.”
“How can you be okay with this?” Vilkas asked him.
“It is not my place to force her hand,” Kodlak explained, “She must go forth and discover for herself who she is and where she wants to be.”
“I’m going to miss her,” Farkas sighed, rubbing his head.
“Aye,” Vilkas looked to his brother.
…
“So this is the stone city,” Lydia whistled.
“Good place to get a fresh start, I think,” Sonin replied.
It had taken them a few days to reach Markarth. Over that time, Lydia and Sonin bonded. They ran into some wolves and bandits. It took a few tries to get into sync with each other, but now they fought well together. Lydia was always open to talk with Sonin, especially about her love life. She never had the chance to pursue love, so she hung on every tale Sonin told. They quickly became friends and Sonin was glad to have her.
“New to Markarth?” A guard asked her as she approached the gates to the city.
“Yes,” Sonin replied.
“A word of wisdom, don’t poke your nose in other people’s business,” he opened the gate for her.
“Why is that?” Sonin asked.
“See? Already asking too many questions,” is all he offered her.
“That was strange,” Lydia commented as they walked in.
“Very-”
“The Reach belongs to the Forsworn!” a man yelled, pulling a woman by the hair and shoving a dagger into her before Sonin could react.
The city guard jumped him, slaying him in the street. A crowd began to gather, but the guards ordered them to disperse. Lydia had her weapon drawn and shield ready to protect her thane.
A man ran up to Sonin, “Did you see what happened?”
“Some man yelled something about the Forsworn then stabbed her,” Sonin replied.
“Strange, oh!” he handed her a note, “I think you dropped this.”
Sonin raised an eyebrow but didn’t question him.
“What does it say?” Lydia asked her, sheathing her sword.
“To meet him at the shrine of Talos,” Sonin read the note, “I know this is suspicious...but I feel a need to explore this.”
“It may be a trap, my thane,” Lydia replied.
“True, but I have a strong feeling about this. Let’s go,” Sonin began walking to find the shrine.
A guard pointed them in the right direction. Sonin felt like the place was a maze and hated all the steps, but she found the right place. Eltrys was the man who spoke to her. He explained to her that his father was murdered by the Forsworn and he was investigating why. Sonin agreed to help his investigation, leading her to find Margert’s, the woman who was murdered in the street, journal. Turned out she was an Imperial investigator and mentioned a Thonar Silver-Blood. A guard approached Sonin and threatened her to stay out of their business, but that just made her want to continue even more. Lydia was wary but felt confident in Sonin’s ability to protect herself. Her concerns grew worse though after they discovered the guards had killed Eltrys.
…
“I received a letter from Sonin,” Kodlak informed Vilkas.
“She is alive?” Vilkas sounded hopeful, “Where is she?”
“Didn’t say, but she has been helping out some townspeople. Something about weeding out some corrupt guards,” he replied.
“Aye, that sounds like her. Why did she not write me or Farkas?” Vilkas questioned.
“I’m not sure,” Kodlak stroked his beard.
Vilkas grunted. He missed her so much. He had been trying to distract himself with work and training, but he knew as soon as he found out where she was he was going to rush to her and try to bring her back. If not for his sake, for his brother’s. Farkas had changed from his cheerful self to moping about.
…
“Are they ever going to end?” Lydia yelled over to Sonin, who was burning a forsworn archer.
“Eventually, I’m sure,” Sonin replied, using her healing hands on Lydia’s cut on her arm.
“The Jarl better reward us well for all this trouble,” Lydia sighed, dodging an arrow.
“Damn straight,” Sonin chucked an ice shard, snapping his neck around.
“Oh, here comes the leader,” Lydia beat her sword on her shield.
“Ugly fellow huh?” Sonin laughed.
She sent lightning his way, making him hit the ground. Lydia ran over while he was down and brought her sword down on his neck, disconnecting his head from his body. They had been fighting the group of Forsworn for the jarl, hoping that once this main group was out then they would leave the hold alone.
“Guess that’s it,” Sonin sighed, “Let’s check them for anything valuable.”
…
“If you help out the people of my hold, then you will earn yourself the title Thane,” Jarl Igmund told Sonin after they delivered the news of the forsworn being wiped out, “You would need to own a house here too.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Sonin bowed then headed out of the keep with Lydia.
“After a new housecarl?” Lydia teased.
“After a new life,” Sonin laughed.
“I guess I could share you. Take turns being your guard,” Lydia tapped her chin in thought.
“That’s the spirit!” Sonin clapped her shoulder, “But first, let’s drink.”
…
“Another letter?” Vilkas asked.
“Aye,” Kodlak rubbed his beard as he read, “She’s working on being made a thane at another hold.”
“I didn’t think she would care for that,” Vilkas looked to Kodlak.
“She must have taken your words to heart and decided to help the people of Skyrim more,” Kodlak replied.
“If I had known that she would do so without me, I wouldn’t have said so,” Vilkas grumbled and slouched in his chair.
“Then perhaps it is better you didn’t know,” Kodlak remarked, “When next you see her, she will have grown tremendously. She has already been improving the lives of many of Skyrim’s citizens.”
“Ay, of course,” Vilkas rested his hand against his cheek, “I just would have wanted to be a part of that. What if she becomes someone entirely new? What if she doesn’t want to come back or-” Vilkas cut himself off at the idea of her finding someone else.
“Worried she took your heart with her and will decide not to keep it?” Kodlak had a smile on his face, “I told her I would keep her location private, but I didn’t say I wouldn’t send letters to her.”
“Are you suggesting…?” Vilkas propped up in his seat.
“One from you and anyone else who wishes,” Kodlak affirmed.
Vilkas leapt to his feet and made haste to his room. He had much he wanted to write to her, even though he wasn’t sure how to form the sentences. He knew he would have to help Farkas too, since his brother never could grasp a quill well. Aela would write to her also in time.
…
“You have brought back my family’s shield and helped my hold’s people. Once you acquire property here, you will be granted the title Thane and I will bequeath a housecarl to you,” the jarl looked impressed at Sonin.
“Thank you my jarl,” she nodded her head, “I'm honored by this. I will acquire the house as soon as I am able.”
“Good. If you need some work, there are some bounties available. Speak with my steward,” he turned to continue his conversation with his house carl.
Sonin gathered four open bounties. Two were for giants near the area and the other two were for dragons that had been ravaging local farmers. She needed 8,000 septimus for the available house. Killing both the dragons would make that and then the money from the giants would help furnish the place. The jarl had enough faith in Sonin that he didn’t require proof of her kills.
Sonin sat with Lydia in the inn to make out some plans for how they would do this. They could take both the giants out on one day, but Sonin wanted to space out the dragons. Absorbing a dragon soul was very taxing on her body, so she really didn’t want to do it more than once a day. They bought provisions to last a week, then headed out to the giant’s camp.
…
Sonin crouched down between two boulders with her bow ready. Should the giant find her location, they would offer protection from his massive club. Lydia was far up the hill with her hunting bow. Should they spot her, she would have time to climb up a tree behind her out of harm's way. Giant hunting was a skill that neither of them developed, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t make a good strategy.
Sonin let out a deep breath as she let the first arrow fly. It was a simple iron one and her bow was a modest hunting bow, but it would get the job done. The arrow hit his neck, the giant roaring and yanking it out. The second giant, who was sitting down, jumped up and started looking in my direction. Just as planned, Lydia let out a shot. It hit the second giant's thigh. They alternated every round, keeping the giants confused on their locations. The first one fell as the second spotted Lydia. He was bleeding heavily, but moving faster than either of them expected. She wasn’t going to make it up that tree.
Sonin jumped out of her hiding spot and lit up her hands with her fireball spell. She concentrated her palms together to make one big ball and unleashed it. It took a lot of mana out of her, but hit its mark right between his shoulders. It exploded on impact, the force making the giant stumble. Lydia took the opening and rushed him, her sword swiping his head off his shoulders.
The two women looked at eachother, both of them coming down from their adrenaline high, “We should camp here,” Lydia offered.
“Agreed,” Sonin pulled out their sleeping bags.
They alternated watches that night before packing up and heading to the top of the mountain where one of the dragons lived.
…
“What do you mean the courier couldn’t find her?” Vilkas shouted.
“Calm yourself,” Kodlak commanded, “She is probably out on a job. He will try again during his next visit to the hold.”
“You said you knew where she was,” Vilkas countered.
“I knew where she went. There is no telling where her travels have taken her,” Kodlak explained, “She is dragonborn afterall, she may be hunting dragons.”
Vilkas’ blood ran cold. He knew she had fought them before, but the idea of her intentionally battling them made his stomach queasy. She had almost been killed by a dragon before, the one that ripped her torso. He couldn’t stop a flood of images of her laying eviscerated on the snow alone or in the clutches of a dragon’s mouth.
“I fear for her too brother,” Farkas put a hand on his shoulder, “But she will be fine. She is strong.”
“Aye, I know,” Vilkas replied, “But a dragon is a dragon. It would only take one good swipe of its claws or snap of its teeth to kill her.”
“That’s why she has the amulet,” Farkas responded.
“Amulet?” Vilkas questioned.
“She never told you?” Farkas raised a brow.
“Clearly not,” Vilkas grew angry at the idea of her disclosing information with his brother but not him again.
“That shiny one, with the diamonds. It will break and coat her in a protective spell if a dragon were to give her a grave injury,” Farkas informed him and Kodlak.
“Smart girl,” Koalas remarked.
“So she learned from her first encounter,” Vilkas felt some tension release in his jaw.
“She has her housecarl with her too. If I’m not mistaken,” Kodlak reminded him.
“Lydia?” Vilkas guessed, “I don’t know her abilities as a warrior.”
“Better than being alone,” Farkas countered.
“Aye,” Vilkas ran a hand through his hair, “I will find some more work to do and keep my mind occupied.” He made his way out of Kodlak’s quarters.
“How are you holding up Farkas? I haven’t heard as much bellyaching from you as Vilkas has been giving,” Kodlak asked.
“I miss her. It-” He took a moment to gather the words, “It feels like something is missing when she is gone.”
“Aye,” Kodlak replied, “She took a piece of all of us with her. Please, brother, spend some time with Aela. She has been handling this hard, even if she doesn’t say the words.”
Farkas nodded and headed out. Aela was a strong warrior and werewolf, but she had been more emotional now that Skjor was gone. Losing Sonin too may be enough to send her over the edge. Make her lose control of her wolf.
…
“Fuck!” Sonin exclaimed as the dragon’s teeth bit too close for comfort.
“I’m coming!” Lydia shouted at her, slashing at the beast’s sides.
“No stay there! Let me keep it’s attention!” Sonin yelled back the orders, summoning her bound shield and axe.
The dragon lunged its mouth at her again, Sonin swinging the axe into its jaw. Blood gushed from its gums as it tossed his head back and began to take flight. Lydia rushed to Sonin’s side as she casted a protective ward to protect them from the dragon’s frosted breath.
“He’s almost down for good,” Sonin commented, “I want you to run back toward the tree line and use your arrows. I’m going to keep his attention and finish him off with some fire spells.”
“As you command,” Lydia ran to her position.
Just as expected, the dragon was too focused on the dovahkiin before him to worry about the Nord woman running away with her petty arrows. He took severe damage from her fire spells, trying to weaken them with his frost. He didn’t expect her thu’um to be so great, nearly knocking him out of the sky.
“hin thu'um los Mul, dovahkiin,” he shouted to Sonin.
“ruz dir Naal nii!” Sonin shouted back, “Yol!”
The dragon roared in pain, falling from the sky as the fire overtook him. He rolled his head at the impact, trying to get up. Sonin was on him though, her bound blade in hand. She shoved it through his skull. His soul rushed through her body, the word ‘Fo’ chanting in her mind. Sonin smiled as she learned it, ready to use it for the next fight.
…
“By my right as Jarl, I proclaim you Thane of Markarth. I appoint you Argis the Bulwark as your housecarl. He will protect you and your belongings with his life,” Jarl Igmund declared.
“Thank you my Jarl,” Sonin bowed her head and made her way out of the keep.
A nord man was waiting at the door for her. He was built just like Farkas, and sounded a bit like him too. His hair was golden, his right eye blind, and red war paint stained his left cheek. Sonin felt a pull to him that she ignored, brushing it off as her missing Farkas.
“Honor to you my thane,” he said, “I am Argis the Bulwark.”
“Nice to meet you. I am Sonin and this is my other housecarl, Lydia. Do you prefer going by your full title, or is Argis fine?” Sonin asked.
“Just Argis is fine my thane,” he nodded his head.
“Oh, no need for all the formalities,” Sonin threw her hands up, waving her palms, “Sonin is fine, nicknames are welcome too if you come up with one. I like to keep things relaxed between myself and my carls.”
“Surprising,” he replied, looking her up and down.
“I hope we can work well together for our thane’s sake,” Lydia said to the man.
“Aye,” he agreed, “It will be easier with two heads.”
“Good!” Sonin clapped her hands, “Now please, Argis, show me where my house is.”
To Sonin’s disapproval, her house was on one of the highest hills. By the time they climbed all the stairs, she was doubled over with her hands on her knees. Her breath came in heavy huffs.
“Are you okay Sonin?” Argis didn’t hide the confusion in his voice.
“Fucking stairs,” Sonin replied, “They are worse than Dragons.”
“She’ll be fine,” Lydia laughed as she rested a hand on her back.
“No Lids,” Sonin corrected her, “I’m dying. This is the end. You may have all my things. Enjoy them and go find the love of your life with your newfound freedom.”
Lydia rolled her eyes, “Come on oh mighty dragonborn.” She pushed the woman forward.
“You’re the dragonborn?” Argis’ eyes grew wide. “I’ve heard the tales of legends past and rumors of a new one. That is you?”
“Yeah,” Sonin laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of her head, “Sorry if I disappoint.”
“I expected someone…” He didn’t finish his thought.
“Male? More Nord? Not a mage? About a foot taller?” Sonin finished, “That’s alright. I prefer that people don’t know what I look like.” She put her key into the door, “Makes it safer for everyone really.”
He grunted in response like Farkas does. Sonin felt warm at the memory of him. It had been a couple of months now and she really missed being in his bed. Vilkas’ too.
“Wow,” Lydia commented as they entered the main hall.
“Much bigger than Breezehome,” Sonin replied.
“This is a good house,” Argis concurred.
Sonin made her way to the bedroom and let out a deep breath she didn’t know she was holding, “Real beds! No more sleeping on rocks Lids!”
Sonin strolled into the master bedroom and looked at the shelves and items that were on them. Some books and pottery, clothes left behind from the previous inhabitants. There was a large table in the main room with plenty of space for visitors. There were two smaller bedrooms also, perfect for each of their housecarls to have their own.
“We should feast tonight,” Lydia suggested.
“Agreed,” Sonin shook her head rapidly, “I have enough left from those giants’ bounties. Why don’t we get some meat and vegetables? What do you like to eat Argis?”
“Mead,” he replied.
“Aside from that,” she laughed.
“You want to know what I would like to eat?” He raised a brow.
“Of course,” she offered him a smile, “You’re a part of the family now.” She tossed a hand to Lydia, “We may be small and a bit strange, but we’re in this together.”
“I have served a few before you, but none have called me family,” He remarked, “I like beef stew with potatoes.” A slight smile grew on his face.
“Perfect. Any requests, Lids?” Sonin turned to her.
“Bread too,” she answered.
“Great. And we’ll need sweet rolls too,” Sonin began to strip off her armor as she walked back to the main bedroom.
Lydia raised a brow at Argis, who watched her stripping, “She’s pretty different, huh?”
“Very,” he kept his eyes on her petite form, “Has she really slain dragons?”
“Yep. She used to do it on her own, but I’ve helped her take the last two,” Lydia felt proud of her thane, “I’m proud to serve her, I think you will be too in time.”
“Well if she’s about to cook dinner, then I will be now,” he chuckled.
Sonin didn’t bother closing the bedroom door as she stripped to her small clothes. After having all her sexual encounters with the twins, she felt confident in herself and no longer felt a need to be modest. Argis turned his head at that, blushing slightly. He had never seen a woman just strip in his view, unless they were about to fuck.
“Oh, you’ll get used to that,” Lydia clasped a hand on his shoulder.
…
Sonin ladled the simmering stew into a wooden bowl and passed it to Argis, then made one for Lydia before finally pouring one for herself. They thanked her and dug in. Sonin enjoyed cooking almost as much as she enjoyed eating. They exchanged stories with each other over the feast. Argis was impressed, not only by her accomplishments but by her humility with which she discussed them. He wasn’t sure how to feel about her main fighting to be the use of magic, but he already respected her as a person so he would make himself grow comfortable with it.
“What is it with Nords and magic?” Sonin said after her third bottle of mead and fourth sweet roll, “My mom was Breton, so she knew a few things. Father never liked her using it though. She had to teach me behind his back.”
“We don’t trust it,” Argis answered her inquiry.
“I know, I know. Itsjsut-” she hiccuped, “WHY?”
“It’s just always been that way. Too unpredictable, finicky,” he countered.
“He’s got a point,” Lydia began to stand and wobbled a bit, “I’m going to head to bed, I’ve had too much.”
“Light-lightweight!” Sonin exclaimed with a laugh.
“You should go too, you’re the worst of us,” Lydia chuckled as she went to her room and closed the door.
“You do seem pretty drunk,” Argis commented.
“Psh!” Sonin waved her hand, “I can handle myself.”
“Bretons aren’t known for holding their alcohol,” he replied.
“I’m a Nord too damnit!” She stood up quickly then tipped over on her ass, “Okay fine. I’m drunk.” She smiled wide at him.
He couldn’t help returning the expression. They were just getting to know each other, but he could tell he liked her. She had a nice personality. Seeing her in her small clothes didn’t hurt too. Sonin held a hand up to him, hoping he would help her up. He grabbed it, noticing he could see most of her breast down her tunic at this angle. Argis never worked as a carl for a woman before but felt like he could get us to it quickly if they looked like her.
“Thank you kind sir,” she put her hands on his chest plate to steady herself, “I should-I should go to sleep.”
“Aye,” he led her to the room and helped her onto the bed.
“Why don’t you stay?” Sonin propped herself up and flirted.
“You’re drunk, you don’t mean that,” he replied, leaving her looking disappointed.
Sonin flopped down under the sheets and watched him walk out. She was feeling bothered and warm, her body craving attention. It wouldn’t be denied. She reached her hands on her breasts to cup one while moving the other down her already wet sex. In her drunken stupor, it didn’t occur to her that the door was still open and that Agris was seated at the table facing it.
He could tell she was too drunk to notice, but he couldn’t avert his eyes. He couldn’t see everything she was doing, but heard her muffled moans. It had been a while for Argis too and he felt himself harden at the sounds. He didn’t mean to keep watching her wiggle and squirm under the sheets, but he was rather intoxicated too. He would never take advantage of a drunk woman, especially his thane, but he could stop himself from reaching a hand under the table to stroke himself.
…
“I am so sorry!” Sonin had finally awoken at noon, holding her pounding head, “I almost never get drunk.” Lydia and Argis were at the table eating leftover bread and drinking tankards of water. “Divines,” she looked down before meeting their gazes, “Did I do anything embarrassing?”
Argis choked on his bread, beating his chest to knock the piece down, “No.”
Lydia raised a brow but let it go, “Just looking stupid is all.”
“Damn,” Sonin took a seat at the table and grabbed a sweet roll, “I feel like a dragon just shouted directly into my ear. I’m not having a drink for a long time after this.”
“I’m sure you won’t have a choice when you return to Jorrvaskr,” Lydia joked.
Sonin glanced at the table with a sad expression. Lydia knew that wasn’t a good expression on her face, but wanting to give her space and privacy. Agris picked up on it too, not feeling she knew him well enough for it to be his place to ask about it. He felt ashamed for touching himself to her last night, so that didn’t help either.
“I think there are some more things to handle here before I go back,” Sonin finally spoke, “The Jarl mentioned that there were still Forsworn camps that needed clearing out.”
“Sounds good to me,” Lydia replied.
“We’ll go tomorrow to hunt them,” Sonin continued, “We should take some time to train together and learn how best to work with each other.”
“Aye,” Argis grunted.
“Aye,” Lydia agreed.