MacabreFox

The Elder Scrolls: Fruits of Contention - Chapter 1 (Completed)

Leaning back in her chair with a heavy sigh, Sevine looked to her comrades with a sleepy gaze, the potency of the mead she drank, had reached her fully, as the apples of her cheeks grew bright red.

"I think I'm gonna call it a night you three, my back aches, and so do my feet. I'm not sure how long we're in town for, so be sure to get plenty of rest." The chair beneath slid backwards across the hewn wood bars, as she rose up.

"Why don't you come home with me tonight?" Leif suggested as he too, stood up from his chair, though with much more haste than Sevine.

"Leif!"

"I don't mean it like that, Sevine! C'mon now, you know me truly. After all these years, I've never laid a hand on you, and that's not what I'm asking for now. I'm asking you to come to my house as a guest, under my roof. I'll even cook breakfast, and there'll be plenty of bacon." His broad-shoulders were squared as he placed both of his hands before him on the top of the table, and leaned hard upon them.

Sevine weighed his offer as being a guest in his home, however, the thought of declining Edith's offer in place of another friend, much less a man at that, made the experienced warrioress feel a pang of guilt. She then looked at her other two companions seated at the table before her, and raised her brows in a peculiar manner of speculation.

"Consider that a yes then," She began as she broke into a broad grin. "You had me at bacon. What if I want to bring someone?"

"Who did you have in mind?"

"Either Roze, or Sagax of course! Preferably both if you have the space available. I'd hate to leave my fellow comrades to that din of that frigid warehouse. But Roze, if you don't want to come with us, go down stairs and ask the keep for Edith, our quartermaster, ask her what room she is in, go knock on her door and tell her Sevine gave the bed she promised me to you." With that, Sevine pushed her chair in to the table, and followed after Leif. She trusted him fully, hell, after the countless times he saved her in battle when she first joined the war during her fledgling years as a soldier, how could she not? Besides, there was bacon. And if there wasn't... Sevine hated to even acknowledge her next thought as to what she would do if Leif lied about that. He would certainly have a black eye by early morning tomorrow, that much she knew.

The two departed from Candlehearth Inn under the cover of a chilly, cloudless night. The twin moons that orbited Nirn held an unsettling crimson hue, even the aurora borealis above ran in mystifying ribbons of vibrant colors, from red, to orange, and faint shades of pink with splashes of yellow. Even the seasoned warrioress, as she strolled through the cobblestone streets of the city alongside Leif. The two walked with a fire in the belly, as the cold turned them against thinking of lingering outside much longer than needed. A cloudless night in Windhelm were bound to be frigid, even in Second Seed, though come morning the day would be considerably warmer. The muscles in her jaw tensed, causing her teeth to chatter noisily in her head as she forced her eyes to stay open.

"You better have plenty of fucking bacon Leif!" Sevine gritted through her clenched jaw as she wrapped her arms about her body, trying desperately to retain what body heat she could.

The two walked in step under the cover of a chilly, cloudless night sky, thin, white vapors rose from their noses, and mouths as they struggled to stay warm. Even though it was the beginning of Second Seed, any cloudlness night such as this was certainly bound to be cold. The moons of Nirn hung in the sky like large, pearl faces, though on this night, as with a few previous nights, the moons were cast in an unsettling crimson hue, while the borealis above danced with mystifying colours of the deepest red, fiery orange, even shades of magenta, and splashes of yellow. Sevine felt unnerved the past nights as well, maybe the battle at the redoubt had knocked a nerve loose? The painstaking sight of all those poor helpless children, it still bothered her days later. She had begun to question where she stood in life, morally speaking. Sevine felt a pang of guilt for experiencing such pleasure over blood-shed in the heat of battle, it made her feel alive, kept her going, and fueled her fire. Yet, the teachings of Mara contradicted her feelings. How could she be a loving person, if she found excitement in taking a life? It made her feel dirty.

Not before long, the two arrived outside of House Raven-Stone, a weathered two-story home made of grey stone, with whitish-grey daub plastered on the upper floor. Fumbling with the iron-lock, Leif released a sigh of relief as the lock clicked, and he pushed the door open to reveal a darkened interior.

"Let me fetch a candle." Leif said to her before disappearing into his home. She could hear him, though she could see him, as he ran upstairs to fetch a candle. As she stood inside the doorway, with her arms wrapped tightly about her, Sevine tried to retain as much of her body heat as possible.

Finally he returned downstairs, bringing a fully lit candelabra with him. Shadows were cast across his face, as he moved from room to room, lighting the house as he went.

"Come in! Shut the door, make yourself at home. You've been here before, I know." Leif called from within the kitchen.

She stepped inside, and shut the door behind her, she hoped her comrades would join her, but if they didn't, she wouldn't hold it against them; to each their own. Two wooden, pew-like benches were arranged to form a square around the main hearth, and were adorned with velvet pillows. There, Sevine took a seat, and allowed herself to relax for once. As she let herself lay against the pillows, feet fallen to the side, head tipped back, Sevine painted a perfect picture of exhaustion. She could hear Leif bustling around in the kitchen, but she was too tired to care what he was up to. Eventually, Leif joined Sevine as he places tinder, logs inside a soot-covered hearth where he then lit the logs afire. Then, he rose to his feet, and sat next to his friend.

"So tell me what I've missed."

"How do I even answer that? Where do I begin?"

"Wherever you want."

"In all my years, I've never felt more confused than I do now. I feel as if I'm at a precipice in my life. I've fought too many battles, killed too many. I feel like a monster when I step out onto the field with my axe, and bow in hand. I do not fear death anymore. Then I think back, and I wonder, what if I had never went to fight? Would I have made a difference? Who would I have become as a woman, would I have children now? A family? A husband? Would I be unhappy? Leif, I don't know what to think anymore. When I close my eyes, I can still see the faces of those I have killed, they float beneath eye lids, I can even hear their cries of pain in my dreams. I can't remember the last time I've had a happy dream, Leif. I've become a predator." She struggled to speak through an ever tightening throat, her eyes became glossy in the glow of the fire.

"Sevine..." Leif began as he turned his attention upon her, he grasped her chin in his free hand, and turned her face to look him in the eye. Then ever so gently, he released her chin and smiled a smile of sympathy.

"All of your questions will be answered in time. You must keep faith. You have sacrificed your life countless times for our country, what more could your country ever ask of you? You deserve to settle down and make a life you now. Maybe get a cabin in Falkreath, or just over Ilinata's Deep in the Reach like you've always talked about. Or have a farm outside Whiterun. You ought to think of saving up your septims more wisely."

The Elder Scrolls: Fruits of Contention - Chapter 1 (Completed)

<Snipped quote by MacabreFox>

For broken hearts: Apply equal parts alcohol and bacon until pain subsides.

<Snipped quote by Chrononaut>

Best believe I'm getting that and rum n coke for my bday this year.

@Leidenschaft

The whole damned list?

The Elder Scrolls: Fruits of Contention - Chapter 1 (Completed)

<Snipped quote by Leos Klien>

BACON IS THE MOST ANNOYING MEME.

I CAN NAME LIKE 10 THINGS THAT TASTE BETTER THAN BACON

1:Crab Leg
2:Cordon Bleu
3:General Tsaos chicken
4:Pizza
5:Ice cream
6:Hamburgers
7:Dr. Pepper
8:Fireball Whiskey
9:A gun in my mouth
10:More pizza

@Chrononaut

Allow me to revise that list for you (;

1:Crab Leg with bacon
2:Cordon Bleu with bacon
3:General Tsaos chicken with bacon
4:Pizza with bacon
5:Ice cream flavoured bacon
6:Hamburgers with bacon
7:Dr. Pepper and a plate of bacon
8:Fireball Whiskey and a whole pound of bacon.
9:A gun in my mouth, wrapped in bacon
10:More pizza, with more bacon

<Snipped quote by MacabreFox>

I'd no idea you were a fan of the Führer.

Or a fan of archaic Hindu symbols.

@Leidenschaft

Mainly a fan of archaic Hindu symbols, but I do his moustache.

There's nothing evil about bacon.
It cures all known ailments.

@Leos Klien

Even broken hearts!

The Elder Scrolls: Fruits of Contention - Chapter 1 (Completed)

<Snipped quote by Chrononaut>

EIN PORK, EIN PLATE, EIN KNIFE

@Leidenschaft

Schaft whatcha doin in my kitchen >.>'? This is what I have every morning for breakfast!

The Elder Scrolls: Fruits of Contention - Chapter 1 (Completed)

<Snipped quote by MacabreFox>

Doesn't sound like Alinor Vintage, bottled in moonstone and corked with malachite, flavored with white tea leaves filtered through a sieve of silk.

@Chrononaut

Alinor Vintage or not, Bacon wins. Hands down. Every time.

The Elder Scrolls: Fruits of Contention - Chapter 1 (Completed)

@Frizan@MiddleEarthRoze
Writing up my next post, and just wanted to say, that Sevine is going to extend an invitation for Roze, and Sagax to join her at Leif's house, as he promised her bacon. So if y'all want to come with, there'll be plenty of bacon. (;

Ianus Congreatio: Secret societies, horror, and mystery in the shadows of Prague.

@Astarael42@MacabreFox
It's not Craven. It's Craaaaaaaaven.

(I couldn't resist)

@kapuchu

I did his have name originally be Wesley Carson, but Craaaaaven sounded better (; It's how I said it in my head too!

Ianus Congreatio: Secret societies, horror, and mystery in the shadows of Prague.

The carriage ride proved lengthy, but not by Johanna’s account, as she had dealt with carriage rides over greater distances, this, this was nothing. Once the carriage began to draw to a stop, Johanna leaned over in her seat, as she sat in the middle of the carriage bench, and pressed her cheek against the window to achieve a better view of her surroundings. Strange, she thought to herself. The fog had yet to lift from the area, even though the sun was well past sunrise. The hour hand on her pocket watch showed time a little past 11:10a.m. Her driver hopped from his seat in front of the buggy, and came around to open the door for Johanna, as gracious as any gentleman. Johanna gathered her belongings she had brought with her, and stepped out of the carriage, and onto the miniature steps leading to ground level. As she looked around the clearing they had come to a stop at, Johanna pondered as to where her guide was that Adam had promised her. There were no chirping birds, no rustling leaves from squirrels, and almost the absent noise of the wind through the branches. It felt as if the whole world stopped before her, and was waiting to hear her speak. A twig snapped in front of her, and her eyes snapped ahead to see a thin, and rather dirty, lad before her. He was past his teens, she could tell that much, but Johanna deciphered that he was still rather young.

“A-Are you Miss Johanna Valerivicus?” The lad appeared to be uneasy, as if he was nervous about being here, amongst the fog, or in the woods; she could not tell which.

“Yes lad, I am. Who might you be? The guide promised to me by a Mr. Ware, I would hope?” Johanna returned as she raised one eye brow in concern. She wondered if the man thought of robbing her, or some other darker deeds. Johanna withheld a visible shudder of the body, and instead, approached the young lad at a cautious pace, with her sword cane in tow.

“The name’s Havel, miss. Mr. Ware told me to look out for a woman such as yourself, in a carriage. ‘Said you would stop right here he did.” Havel’s head trembled in a shaky nod.

“Yes… That’s right. On Mr. Ware’s behalf, I am here to investigate accounts of suspicious activity that have been reported. I hope you can enlighten me as to the source of such activities. Would you be so kind as to show me the way? I seek to gather further evidence on these circumstances.” She said.

“Of course, miss, that’s what Mr. Ware hired me for. The freshest scene is just this way, down this footpath here. Is your driver coming with us?”

“No, why do you ask?” Johanna retorted as she followed the lad’s gesture to the footpath, which was little more than a game trail through the trodden leaves.

“I don’t suppose it’s very wise miss, ‘specially with what’s been happening around these parts.” Havel headed down the muddy path before her, and gave her a quizzical glance over his shoulder. Johanna stopped in her tracks, but her guide kept going. She looked back at her driver, and even though she couldn’t help but shake a feeling of dread, Johanna felt it would be best to leave him behind to attend to the horses.

“He’ll be fine. So what do you think it is?”

“Pardon?”

“The creature. It’s only removing hearts, correct?”

“Yes, miss.”

“You’ve never had that problem before?”

“No, miss. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“You don’t suppose it is a creature then?”

“I didn’t say that miss. I said I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Do you think it’s the workings of a man?”

“Could be, but that’s not what the forest hears.” Havel said.

“Not what the forest hears? What do you mean by that?” Johanna didn’t like how the lad spoke in short sentences, with little information yielding in his responses.

“Listen.” Havel stopped suddenly in his tracks held a finger to his lips. It was then, once more, that Johanna heard it. Silence. Not a birdsong, not a rustle through the branches, no pitter-patter of squirrel’s feet; nothing.

“The forest is never silent like this, miss. Ever since this thing moved in, all of the game has left. I can’t find a single deer, nor a rabbit, nor a bird.” The young man returned with a pathetic frown; but it was a truth Johanna couldn’t deny. She had never heard of the villagers around Prague suffering so badly, until now.

“When was the last kill?”

“A little over a week ago.”
“Are you taking me there then?”

“Aye, that I am. I’m not sure if you’ve a strong stomach for this sort of thing, it’s not something for a lady to see.” He sounded sympathetic, as if he warned beforehand, she wouldn’t feel so bad, or not want to go at all.

“I assure you, Havel, that I have quite the constitution.”

“Well then miss, what do you take of this?”

Havel gestured towards the clearing the duo had come to stop in. Before Johanna lay a stag, long dead, about a week by the smell of decomposing tissue. She placed her hand over her nose, forcing back a rush of bile, and approached the carcass. Immediately, she noticed how the massive deer’s legs were broken, and its back as well. If one was a scholar of the arts, they would’ve noticed the same thing as Johanna, the deer’s limbs were eagle-spread, like that of a man. However, the chest cavity to the deer yielded a single, square, cut where the heart had been extracted. Kneeling down alongside the dead deer carcass, Johanna turned the beast’s head towards her, and looked into its now lifeless eyes.

“Help me carry this back to the carriage won’t you?” Johanna pleaded, though none to nicely.

“What for?”

“I have means to examine the body, and I want to be certain the corpse isn’t missing any other organs.” Johanna bit, she didn’t mean to sound frustrated, but the boy and his frustrating questions annoyed her.

The Elder Scrolls: Fruits of Contention - Chapter 1 (Completed)

{The Biggest TES Collab EVER: Brought to you by - @Frizan@MiddleEarthRoze@LeidenSchaft@MacabreFox }

Only seconds after pushing Leif’s head into his bowl of stew, did Sevine hear her name being called. She was uncertain of the voice who called to her but when her eyes landed on the man that addressed the two of them, Sevine felt he was the same man that cheered for her back on the walls in the redoubt. On closer inspection, she could tell he had the markings of an Imperial despite his black hair that covered a pair of striking, green eyes. Sevine did recognize him however as being a part of the company.

“Hello there lad, take a seat, won’t you?” Sevine asked with a smile as she pushed a chair out to him with the toe of her boot.

“You know this scrawny fellow?”

“Him? Yeah, he’s in the company. Weren’t you the one cheering me on at the walls?” She gestured for the Imperial to sit down, and join them. Mead always made Sevine a friendlier, and more approachable person, it made her smile more than she could help it. As she eyed the man carefully, Sevine couldn’t help but notice how thin as a twig he was, she made a mental note to order him up a bowl of stew as well once the tavern-girl came back ‘round.

Breathing a quiet sigh of relief, Sagax was pleased with Sevine's reception of his intrusion. He'd hate to come off as annoying to one of the few people he knew by name in the company. He could almost feel Sevine's bewilderment at his size. It was the same kind of look his mother and sister would give him when he skimped on meals to leave more to them. He was used to it though and paid the glances no mind. "Oh, thank you." Sagax responded, as he took the chair and adjusted it in a way that he would be facing his company properly when seated.

Smiling at Sevine's question, he nodded and said "Ah, yes, that was me. I thought you could have used a bit of encouragement." He took a seat with Sevine and her friend. "My father once served in the Imperial Legion, you see, and among the things he taught me, he stressed battlefield morale. If your soldiers feel as though the battle is lost, nine out of ten times, it is." Fidgetting with his half-cloak, Sagax looked back up. He knew people in Skyrim weren't particularly warm to the Empire, especially not in Windhelm. "Uh...you don't have an issue with that, do you? My family line having served in the Legion?"

Leif spat angrily on the ground upon hearing the man’s words about his family being Imperials, but Sevine silenced him with a deadly look filled with venom. The blonde man only glowered at Sagax in fuming stillness, as he sat with his arms crossed. Leif found it hard to forgive the Imperials for trying to rule Skyrim, and take away their worship of Talos.

“Not at all, when you fight in battle as long as we have, it matters no more who your enemy is, but what does matters, is that you make it home. So to answer your question, no. Your father sounded like a wise man, morale is essential in every fight no matter who you face.” Sevine replied with a nod of her head.

The tavern girl finally made her way upstairs, and headed over to the table, where she stopped to check on her guests needs.

“Is there anything I can get you?” Her voice was sweet, and reminded Leif of apple orchards in the springtime.

“Aye, three more bottles of mead, and another bowl of stew for him.” She said as she hooked her thumb at Sagax. The girl merely nodded, and then disappeared below.

“What did you say your name was?” Sevine asked as she realized she still hadn’t learned his name yet.

Sagax tensed up at Leif's reaction. "Should have kept my big mouth shut..." he thought to himself. Thankfully Sevine came to his aid and silenced the man with a look hard enough to shatter the very walls of the White-Gold Tower. "Y-yeah. My father spent quite a few years in the Legion before he came back to the Imperial City and joined the Watch." He eased up again, knowing that Sevine's friend would listen to her if no one else. "My mother works as an alchemist in the Imperial City, but apparently they met during a campaign near Falkreath. Her family moved from...Anvil, I think it was, and..." He stopped himself and chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry, I'm getting sidetracked. I do that sometimes."

"Anyway, yeah, I'm glad that you don't have a problem with that. I'm not a very...confrontational person, and I'd sure hate to be on your bad side!" Sagax smiled jokingly. He was suprised to hear Sevine order a stew for him. They had just met, and she was already making friendly gestures. "Well, I guess that means I've made a new friend." He thought. The more the merrier, the saying goes, and Sevine certainly was one of the merrier women he'd met. "Me? Oh, well, I'm Sagax. Sagax Speculatus. A pleasure to meet you...formally, anyway!" Sagax stood back up and held out his hand. A habit he picked up from his mother when greeting people. "Remember your posture!" She'd always say.

As Sagax spoke of his family, and how his mother and father met, Sevine listened on quietly, in a respectful manner with her eyes focused on him. Leif even eased up, and relaxed in his chair as the tavern girl made her way back to the table, and set the three bottles of Nord mead on the table, along with the bowl of stew for Sagax.

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of, your folks obviously raised you well.” With that Sevine rose from her chair, and grasped Sagax’s hand in her own, shaking it firmly. She didn’t believe in weak handshakes, those were for ninnies.

“Well met, Sagax Speculatus, I am Sevine Varg-t’uk, and this here is my old war mate, Leif Raven-Stone. We used to fight alongside each other in the war. If you ever want to learn how to woo a woman, incorrectly, and horribly, Leif is the man to look to.” She joked as she released his hand and returned to her seat. Leif cracked a wicked grin at her comment and only chuckled to himself.

“Horribly, and incorrectly you say?”

“Aye. I don’t know any man who could write sappier poems than you. Where is your skill? The grace for love’s sake, Leif?” Sevine teased openly as she lifted the bottle to her lips, and again drank from the brown glass bottle.

“Those sappy poems have won me many hearts now!” Leif thundered with a grin.

“And how many women have actually stuck by your side?”

“Well that depends? Are we talking about my wife in Solitude? Or my wife Whiterun?”

“Oh you fiend. Please tell me you don’t.”

“Of course not, I couldn’t have all those misses waiting for me, there wouldn’t be enough to go around.” Leif winked at Sagax, if Sevine was kind enough to order him mead, and stew, he was alright in his eyes at least; Imperial or not.

“So are you looking for work?”

“You mean mercenary-type?”

“Aye. I think you ought to sign up, it’ll be like old times.”

“Then I’ve beat you to it.”

“You already did?”

“Aye. As soon as I caught wind that helped was needed, I signed up when your company leader, Ashav I believe, posted the first set of fliers here. The pay sounds good. How has the company treated you so far, Sagax?” Leif asked as he took another sip from his bottle.

He couldn't help but laugh along. "Well then, if my mission ever becomes 'woo the fair ladies of Skyrim' I will certainly be sure to look you up, Leif. I'm no bard, so I'd need all the help I could get!" Sagax said as he popped open the mead Sevine was nice enough to order for him. He took a drink and found the brew much to his liking. "I had heard nordic mead was good stuff, but simple word of mouth doesn't seem to do it much justice." He never had mead before, always just sticking to the water in his canteen. Now he knew why everyone loved the stuff. "It's all wine and brandy back home, not much in the way of ale or mead. I never really took to that stuff, but mead? Hehe, maybe I'll keep a bottle on hand for occasions."

Sagax set his bottle down and look toward Leif when asked how he fared within the company. "Well, it was a rough start, to be sure. Was green as a Cyrodillic leaf in summer. Still am, honestly, though I've got some actual experience under my belt now, even if it is little." Sagax left out the part about his first kill. He saw no need to sullen the merry atmosphere, and no good would come from dwelling on the event. "Got a lot of insults thrown my way. The prominent one was milk-drinker. Not quite sure what that means, though, but I'm guessing it has something to do with being a weakling." Sagax chuckled and said "Well, I can't really argue with that if that's the case." The Imperial rolled his shoulders. They were a bit sore on the account of the not-to-comfortable wagon ride to the city. "But now, I think I've at the very least garnered the approval of the rest of the company." He ended and took another drink from his bottle. He'd definitely need to order another one for later occasions in the future.

Sevine grinned at Sagax’s taste for the Nord mead, most Nord’s brewed their own mead, and ale, there were distinct flavors, meaning the mead from Riften, tasted slightly different than the ones brewed in Solitude. It was Nord mead nonetheless.

“I prefer wine, Alto Wine is delectable, but there are others that I have tried. If you ever get the chance, try some Black-Briar Mead, or some Honning Brew, both are especially delicious.” Sevine commented as she raised her bottle to her lips again and took a heavy draught. Leif could only laugh aloud at Sagax’s contemplative words about being a milk-drinker. She had to admit, Sagax appeared older than her, even if by a few years, so she couldn’t call him a boy by any means.

“Being a milk-drinker, is like being a greenhorn. It does mean you’re a weakling, but in the sense that you’re new to the ways of battle, and you’re more likely to get scared, and unable to fight because of what’s going on around you. They’ll stop calling you that once they see your true colors, people mainly pick on the new recruits, because they’re not sure if you’ll make it through the battle. But if you’ve survived a Forsworn battle, then I’d say you’re a pretty lucky fellow. I used to sail the Sea of Ghosts back in my hey-days as a young man. I’ll tell you one thing, Sagax, I was damned scared when a ship with black flags tried to overtake our ship. That was my first encounter with pirates of course, and I was more than happy to run a blade through them, than to submit to death.” Leif stood up suddenly, his chair slid back against the floor as he stood. He locked his sky-blue eyes on the huntress and said, “I’m going downstairs to grab another round.”

“Don’t get lost wooing women, Leif.” Sevine cautioned with a teasing smile as she watched her companion leave for the down stairs below. She then turned her attention back to Sagax.

“So you said your parents met in Falkreath? I’m from there originally. What did you do before joining the company?”
---

In the meantime, downstairs, Leif had already ordered a next round of three bottles of mead, and slipped the bar-keep coin for payment across the wooden countertop. A curious woman, who reminded him a lot of Sevine by her scowling face, caught his eye as she entered Candlehearth Hall. She looked fierce in her Stormcloak blue outfit, and bear fur draped across her shoulders. His eyes lit up at the sight of her, she was a strikingly beautiful woman, with fiery red hair. Leif left the mead bottles on the table, gesturing to the bar-keep to hold onto them, and he made his way over to the red-haired woman.

“Well hello there, the name’s Leif. I saw you from across the room, and I thought you looked a bit lonely. Can I buy you a drink?”

Leif's words were encouraging, in a strange way. Like Tsleeixth said, everyone starts somewhere, and Sagax's start was here, in Ashav's company. He was certainly scared during the assault on the redoubt, but he took a bit of pride in overcoming the urge to just run away from the fight. He stuck with it, thick and thin. He'd learn to ignore the fear eventually. If not, then Dumhuvud would be sure to beat it out of him. So he certainly had a good incentive to overcome it personally.

When Leif got up to go downstairs for more drink, Sagax turned back to Sevine. "Yeah, I've heard of Black-Briar and Honning Brew. They're partnered I think, which is a fairly good move I'd say. Mead is clearly a big business here in Skyrim, lots of gold to be made. It'd be a waste of time to quarrel for a monopoly." Such quarrels were thankfully uncommon in the Imperial City, as most of the merchants all took part in some sort of trader's pact. Everything was fair, whoever got the customers got them because they had the goods which were more desired, not because of some underhanded pricing tactics.

"As for my parents, yeah, it was a kind of chance meeting I suppose you could say. At the time my mother was a caravan ringleader based in the area. She had a great eye for detail, so she oversaw every good that went in and out. My father, while being a normal footsoldier, a Praefect if I remember right, he also doubled as quartermaster. The Legion contracted my mother, and so they naturally spent a lot of time with each other, coordinating shipments and such. Apparently they took such a liking to one another that when the campaign ended, they got together and moved to the Imperial city. I don't know every bit though, so please excuse any holes. For instance, I don't really know what became of that caravan ring. Mother never told me much about them."

Sagax drank more from his bottle and raised his eyebrows at Sevine's question about his former employment. "Me? Oh, well...I was...an errand boy. Just ran packages and things like that for the local merchants."

"Probably wouldn't do well to elaborate on my thieving..." He thought to himself.

"Hallo Sevine - I hope you saved a drink for me." Roze announced herself as she approached the table, throwing herself into one of the spare chairs beside her friend, and a man that she had yet to know. It seemed she had interrupted a story from the small Imperial, and as such she offered up an apologetic smile.

"Do excuse me - I've just grown sick and tired of staying in that awful warehouse they've set us up in. I've slept in stables nicer than that place." she said, then paused, chuckling lightly. "And I've dealt with trolls with better manners than some of the men in there." She added in after-thought. Now that most of the men had grown accustumed to her small stature, and decided that she wasn't going to be a Forsworn-in-disguise, the flirtation had never stopped. With Farid on the road, it had been compaionable and even amusing - but locked in a warehouse with dozens of men looking for a good time was simply too damn annoying for her to deal with. Deciding that it would be better for her to vacate the premises rather than threaten castration, she had made her way to Candlehearth Hall, wherein she knew Sevine and Jorwen would perhaps like a drink.

"Rozalia Éathliel, at your service." She introduced herself to the man, offering up her trademark mischevious smile.

The huntress smiled in delight as her tent-mate showed up at the table, she wasn’t expecting to see the woman at any time this night, but she was glad nonetheless. She gestured for her to take Leif’s seat as she sat, and grinned wider. The raven-haired woman was a pleasant sight for tired eyes.

“That’s exactly what I thought. I would have stayed behind and toughed it out, but Edith offered to share her room with me. I’m not sure that you know, but her and I go way back. We’re childhood friends to put it lightly. If you’ve got the coin Roze, I’d suggest booking a room while you can here. That blasted warehouse is a shithole. Let the men keep it. We’ve earned a hot meal, a drink of mead, wine or ale, and a warm bed. Not some damned freezing warehouse.” She shook her head in dismay. Thankfully, the tavern-girl came round again, and brought them the bottles Leif had ordered. She set the bottles down on the table and looked at Sevine.

“Is there anything else you need ma’am?”

With that, Sevine looked to Roze and raised her brows as if to say ”Well?” Sevine was a generous person in nature, as she didn’t mind treating her friends. Who else was she supposed to spend her coin on? Her family? That only now consisted of Liliana, and her new husband, and they were miles away in Falkreath.

“If you’re hungry, order something. It’s my treat tonight.” Sevine said with a nod of her head.

Roze raised her eyebrows in slight surprise - she still wasn't used to other people spending money on her. That just wasn't the way she was brought up. However, she inclined her head in thanks towards Sevine.

"Most generous of you, my friend. I'll take some rabbit stew, if you have any." She said to the tavern-girl, who immediately went to retrieve some from the kitchens.

Sagax smiled at the new arrival. He had seen her before at the camp, talking to Sevine. It was nice to know her name finally. "Well met, Rozalia. I'm Sagax Speculatus." Looking at her shoulder, Sagax could see that her wound was healing nicely. Or at least he assumed. Hard to see through the woman's armor, but she wasn't showing any signs of discomfort. "That was a nasty hit you took during the assault. Nice to see that you aren't having any complications with the healing. I would have helped but I had to get a ladder to the walls."

He continued playing with his half-cloak absentmindedly. He wished he wasn't so damned fidgetty, but he couldn't help it. It was just a force of habit for him. "And I saw you got a very...warm welcome from Dumhuvud back at the camp. Good job keeping your cool. Though I think Sevine..." He smiled and nodded at the huntress. "Was about to make Cat-Kicker eat his words, served up on her axe blade." Sagax laughed as he spoke, imagining Dumhuvud's face if Sevine had confronted him the way she wanted to. A sight to behold, truly.

"Ah, don't worry about it. Despite the injury, it was quite amusing seeing you cheering Sevine on." Roze chuckled. As for her wounds, they were indeed, healing up nicely. Following the end of the battle, Roze had been patche dup alongside Sevine - although thanks to the extra cut on her arm, had recieved far more stitches. She'd been forced to leave it in a sling for a good while - the thing irritating her along the road from Karkarth to Windhelm. It was only when she saw the city in her sights that she abandoned the damned thing - her arm had healed up fine anyway.

The shoulder still ached slightly when she drew her bow, but that was some muscle stiffness that she'd have to work through. She'd be damned before giving up her bow.
--

Solveig had come back to the Candlehearth to be alone. Either this fool was blind to the puffiness of tears underneath her eyes or she'd cleaned up well. She looked him up and down with a curious set to her eyes before speaking, "And who are you, Leif?" She said, sticking her thumbs into her belt. "I've not heard of you before."

To his surprise, instead of dismissing him with a groan, the woman seemed to know his name already. Leif grinned like a sly skeever, trying to bite an unsuspecting person in the sewers. Her eyes were red, probably from crying, but that mattered not to him, she was still beautiful in his eyes.

“Yes, I’m Leif, Leif Raven-Stone to be exact. I couldn’t help but to notice how beautiful you are. A woman like you shouldn’t spend her evenings alone. So is that a yes for the drink? Anything you like, wine, mead, ale?” Leif shifted his weight so that he stood closer to the woman. Most women would simply laugh, and blush at his word’s though he could tell that this Nord woman could put him in his place if he weren’t careful.

"You're a forward man, Leif." Solveig said, resting a hand on the counter, "I've met a lot of men like you. But I met them years ago, when they were young and still yet to grow from it. You look a worldly man, yet your name's not whispered in fear by your enemies or praised in the halls." Solveig tugged on the short sleeve of her blue tunic, "My father and men like him earned names with this cloth, Red-Bear, Wolf-Tooth, White-Eye, but I've never heard of Leif Raven-Stone. Until the songs of your deeds are on my tongue long before I've set my eyes on your face, we've nothing between us."

Solveig put her hands on her hips and took a step forward, her foot next to Leif's own as she brought herself close enough for her breath to tickle at his ear, "Besides, Leif. I fancy women." She stepped back with a smirk and slid forward a few coins, "Whiskey, if you have it. Mead if you don't."

Solveig watched Leif's face for his reaction. In truth, Solveig was never keen on narrowing her options for lovers or company, a fact held close until men like Leif came trundling along. But usually they were seasoned adventurers or proven housecarls, a few she'd beaten in the circle.
---

Sevine noticed the shock on her friend’s face at her offer to buy her food and drink. If she had the coin, which she did, Sevine didn’t mind sharing at all. She picked up the habit from the war, as she was more careful with her money than most other soldiers.

“We’re were just talking about his parents, and how they met. They’re Imperial’s who worked closely together. It’s a very sweet, romantic story.”

“Ah, yes. Cat-Kicker. The man is a sore in my mouth. I don’t care for his brutish attitude. If he tries anything again, I’ll be more than happy to put him in his place.” Sevine grumbled darkly. With fresh bottles of Nord mead, and a bowl of rabbit stew, Sevine raised the dark, brown glass bottle up as if in a toast to Roze and Sagax.

“Well here, to our first battle, and making it through alive.” She said as she extended the bottle towards her companions. She wondered what was keeping Leif, though the huntress merely assumed that a woman had caught his eye, and that was the reason for his delay to rejoin their table.

"I'll toast to that." Roze said cheerily, mood instantly picking up at the prospect of mead and food.

As for Dumhuvud... well, the less said about the ''Cat-Kicker'', the better.

"I have a feeling he'll find some other source of entertainment - when I entered, I noticed we've received out very first Khajiit recruit. A big one, at that." She said with a chuckle, supping her cool mead and sighing contently.

"So, sharing love stories then?" She asked, looking at Sagax. "I find that true love often stems between good friends. Happened with my parents as well." She threw in her opinion on the matter - and true it was. Not only good friends, her parents had been a great team when it came to fighting.

The huntress couldn’t help but to chuckle darkly at Roze’s words as she clinked her bottle with hers and Sagax’s in response. She ran a hand through her crimson tresses with a sigh as she gazed at her companions.

“Some men would do well to learn that lesson. I wish the same could be said for me, but if I die an old maid, then so be it, at least I have fought well in my days. Love is a fickle thing. Mara bless and guide me, if I ever do find it.”

Sagax raised his own bottle in a toast. "To long life to us all." He said with a cheerful grin. "Hopefully no one will be taking any more arrows, Mara willing!" Drinking deeply, Sagax put the nearly-finished bottle down and laughed quietly at Roze's comment about love. "That's the truth, if my parents taught me anything. It may seem like love can just happen, but it's very rarely the case." He began thinking about Piper. Maybe he'd end up coming home to see his sister with someone she can say she loves. That'd be the day, not many men worthy of a woman like her would be able to put up with her attitude! "Ha...I wonder how many lechers my sister has bloodied? Maybe none of them are dumb enough to try, but gods know the men in the Imperial City all think themselves handsome and cultured." He shook his head and rolled his eyes. Sagax was glad he was raised to treat people with respect, and that he had grown to have enough sense to leave people be when they aren't looking for company.

Sagax shrugged at Sevine's response to Roze. "Don't worry about that, Sevine. There's someone out there, I'm sure. But if there isn't, I'd say it would be better to go out alone but happy and with no regrets than to die with a heavy heart and someone you don't love."

Sevine smiled at Sagax, again, she really liked how well spoken he was. "You are right,if I do not find love, at least I have lived a happy, meaningful life."

---

“Ah, a forward man, I may be, but I am ever confident in my abilities. Surely a woman such as yourself, hasn’t cast away all hopes of falling in love with a man.” Leif said in return as he reached out to tuck a stray strand of red hair behind her ear. He liked her spunky attitude, and it would not deter him in the slightest. His smile was soft, and his sky-blue eyes twinkled with mischevious thoughts. It mattered not to him, if she preferred women over men, he still desired to hold her in his arms, and kiss her forehead tenderly.

“I have never met a woman like you. Your eyes remind me of the northern sky over the Sea of Ghosts when it is but a clear day, or more rather, the blue that is the color of the frozen ice.” He murmured quietly in return as she whispered in his ear, truth be told, her breath in his ear forced goosebumps to rise in its wake along the nape of his neck.

“I haven’t earned my name, really, it’s more of a family name. I fought in the Civil War, but I’ve done more sailing, which probably explains why you haven’t heard of me. Though I do know a woman upstairs whom you’ve probably heard of. But enough of that. I haven’t caught your name, love.”

"Do you now?" She grabbed up the cup of whiskey and nodded to the keep, if her eyes were mesmerizing sea-ice before, she made them into the blue of stormy seas as she spoke to him, "And if you ever touch my hair like that again, you'll be short a few fingers. A warning for a forward man." Before the silence could become uncomfortable, though she doubted Leif would be perturbed by it, she nodded to the stairs, "Take me to this woman."

---

She leaned forward, cupping her chin in the palm of her hand and smiled lopsidedly, at Roze and Sagax. Their company lifted her tired, battle-worn spirits, and she was glad to have them close for companions.

“What of you, Sagax? Has any lucky woman claimed your heart?” Sevine asked coolly, she had to admit, Sagax wasn’t all that bad-looking in appearance, he was actually quite attractive despite his thin, skeletal body frame.

---

Leif’s brows arched up in surprise at her words, but only grinned even wider. He really did like this woman, and her attitude. It didn’t matter if she wanted to meet Sevine or not, he could still woo her up the stairs.

“Come now, I wouldn’t hurt a fly, much less you. I would treat you like a garden of roses. I would tend to your body with care, and ever with gentleness, I would be the bee to collect your sweet nectar, and to pollinate your flower. But enough of that, come on then. I’ll take you to her.” Leif nodded with his head for her to follow him up the stairs to the second floor, where Sevine and the others waited. With quick steps, he ascended the stairs and returned to his table, where he saw another beautiful woman seated with his friend, and Sagax.

“Sevine, there is someone that wishes to meet you.”

She looked up in surprise at Leif’s sudden return, and mention of someone that wanted to meet her.

“Is that so?” Sevine asked as she rose up from her chair, and looked past Leif, down the stair well, where Solveig emerged.

“Mmmhmmm.” He said as he fetched two more chairs, dragging them over from another table without any occupants and placed them around their table to accommodate the more guests that joined them.

"This one says he'd pollinate my flower." Solveig nodded at Leif as she sat down in the chair he provided. She paused with her cup of whiskey half way to her lips as her eyes went about the table and rested on Sevine, "Sevine? The Huntress, the Wolf-Tooth?" She swallowed and stood. How many times had she heard stories of the warriors who brought victory and fought with bravery in the Great War, her father and the Wolf-Tooth among them? And now she was sitting so close to a woman she could only hope to become like, fierce in battle and gentle in peace-time. Though, gentle was something Solveig was never too good at. Either way, she bowed her head and stuck her hand out. If there was one woman she'd met that made her feel nerve for the first time in a long while, it was this one, "I've heard stories, Wolf-Tooth. In my own endeavors, I only hoped they would be as great as yours." Her voice had lowered to a respectful volume as she looked to Sevine from under her red brows. Had she come off too sycophantic? Would the Wolf-Tooth even give her her time?

Although interested to hear Sagax's response - she knew quite a few fellow Thieves at the guild that would be over him like and bees and honey - but with the arrival of two more, the answer would have to wait. Despite the lack of introductions, Roze could not stop herself from laughing at the firey-headed woman's words about the Nord; he was a handsome one - but he looked the cocky type you often saw in the Bard's College at Solitude.

Leif took his seat next to Roze and smiled at her. Damn it all, he was handsome. Sevine knew that too well, it was something with the way he pulled back his hair, that much she knew. He admired the petite woman, and especially her long, black curls. She looked innocent, but Leif knew better to judge on appearances solely. He wasn’t any rag-tag sailor in Windhelm, no, he lived there, and took good care of his body, and mind.

“I haven’t seen you around here before. Are you travelling with Sevine?”

---

Much to Sevine’s surprise, a woman, close to her in age, appeared behind Leif. The flame-haired maiden seemed ever respectful at meeting Sevine, which made her feel confused. Sure, she had a nickname during the war, but never had she met anyone who felt honored to meet her. The huntress rose from her chair and extended her hand toward the maiden in a welcoming gesture.

“I’m surprised you know who I am. Then again, I’m proud to have served Skyrim, and the Stormcloak’s. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my people. I’m sorry if my friend pestered you, he’s annoyingly good at that. We served in the war together, this man, saved my life countless times, and I his.” In the back of her mind, Sevine felt as if she recognized Solveig, well not her personally, but her features… The hair, the tallness, the serious face…

“I am, Sevine Varg-t’uk. Who might you be?” Sevine asked with a friendly smile. Obviously, anyone who had heard about Sevine’s deeds in the civil war, was a friend of hers.

Sagax was, to understate things, taken off guard by Sevine's question. "Me? Oh, no. In fact, I've never really thought about it." His list of friends was short enough, yet his list of potential partners was even shorter, if existant at all. He was about to continue when Leif arrived with a fierce-looking, red-haired woman. "Well, that didn't take long at all."

Much to Sevine's apparent surprise, this woman knew of her, and looked almost pathetic when greeting the huntress. Who was Sagax to judge though? Everyone has people they look up to, and it's only natural that they would pay their idols the greatest respect. Sagax barely stopped himself from laughing out loud when the newcomer mentioned Leif's intentions of "pollinating her flower". How in the world that man hasn't ended up in a ditch somewhere was a great mystery to the snickering Imperial.

Finishing off his mead, Sagax sat quietly while Sevine greeted their new guest.

Roze regarded Leif with a shrewd look, still amused at the comment by Solveig.

"Yes, I'm here with our friend Sevine - we killed some Forsworn togther. Y'know, typical bonding time." She said with a chuckle. "As for Windhelm... well, it's not my first time here. I'm usually visiting on business though."

Technically, she wasn't lying - she still did a lot of work for the Guild despite having left it with her mother, and quite a few of her contracts had let her to the stony city of Windhelm.

She sat down again, clearing her throat and knocking back her whiskey to regain her edge. The look she got from that little Imperial lad was not lost on her, any more like it and he'd earn his place on the floor. She looked back to Sevine, "My name is Solveig. I'm a warrior that's fought thirteen duels in my time holding the spear." She cast a glance at Leif and Sagax with that, "Frithjolf Iron-Arm and his fighting band yielded to me in the circle one by one, and by the end of it, I'd earned six victories from them. The other seven were hard men, all of them their blood my spear licked and victory I'd gotten drunk on."

She sat back in her seat and sighed quietly, turning her cup round and round with her fingertips. Even in the joyous applause of the circle or the red joy in a challenge answered, it was never lost on her why she'd gotten into the business. Her thoughts went back to her father, hoping he'd talked to her mother and at least made an effort to fix things. She shook her head and put a fierce smile on her face, "I'm no stranger to the thrill of battle. Or at least a duel." She admitted, "I wish I was with my father in the Reach, him and his just returned from the bloody business. Do you know him?"

“Oh so you’ve fought with Sevine as well? As did I. She is a valiant warrior, no? Be careful not to look like the enemy if you’re on her side. When she gets whipped into a frenzy, it’s hard to stop her. What did you say your name was?” Leif asked smoothly, his voice sounded like that of cool water breaking over rocks, smooth and dangerous. He turned his attention back to Sevine, and Solveig, as the two began discussing matters of greater importance.

"I didn't say what my name was." Roze replied smoothly, downing the remainder of her drink before continuing. "But since you asked, it's Rozalia. And no - I'm not interested in your pollination either." She added with a chuckle.

"Pollination? No, I have never uttered such words. Besides, you are far too beautiful, to be addressed so lewdly. If anything, yough ought to be treated like a sovereign queen, lavished with roses, exquisite foods, and the finest wines." Leif returned with a surprised raise of his eye brows. If there was anything Leif wanted to do, it was certainly to cuddle the Breton woman against the bareness of his chest, and run his fingers along her jawbone, or to run his fingers through her hair.

The Nord man sounded smooth, and eloquent in his words; he sounded as suave as silk speaking, if it could talk.. Yet if anyone were to witness what he had said below to Solveig, and then to see him now, sweet-talking Roze and he did, they would know exactly what kind of man he was. This did not make Leif a hero by any means, bu rather a man who forgot himself, and was so deeply moved by a woman and her beauty. And as he saw it, there was no harm in flirting with women, especially if they turned him down. If anything, it strengthened his persistence. Eventually, in the back of his mind,he would find someone to settle down with and call a special place home.

"You are as beautiful as a rose. Very eloquent, but I iamgine also very deadly, with your thorns. I can tell you are not one to be trifled with."

---

“Your father?” Sevine asked in a bewildered tone. It finally clicked in her mind, as she remembered who the woman before her reminded her of. She was rather impressed with Solveig and her record of fighting. The woman sounded like Sevine herself, as she was equally valiant in battle, and duels, as she was.

“You’re not related to a Jorwen Red-Bear by any chance are you? If you are, you look just like your father now that I think of it, and I’ve fought alongside him, many times, and as of recent in the redoubt. Damned good tailor as well.” She grinned broadly, there was not a doubt in her mind as to who Solveig resembled. The realization broke over her like an early spring morning, shattering the last of winter’s grip on the land. The woman before her held the same stance, and body posture as her father. It dawned on her what Jorwen had last said to her, how mournfully he spoke of his daughter, as if he had not seen his beloved family in years.

"I hope you have had the chance to speak with him, I could tell he missed you sorely when we rescued a group of wee babes, now that I think of it, there was a red lass that looked as fierce as you that he doted on. Beasts they were, but children we made them," Sevine hoped that whatever sadness Jorwen felt could be expressed throw her words.

"So he spoke of me?" Solveig tried her best not to let a smile dominate her face. "And aye, the man's my father. Haven't seen him often even in my twenty-eight years. I hoped to catch him soon and I did." Solveig smiled at her empty cup, "So you know him? Fought with him? What's he like out there, in battle and in camp?" She didn't see her father emerge from the stairs enough for his torso to show, his big arms crossed behind Solveig.

Sevine watched without telling Solveig,that her father was behind her with a flick of her eyes and leaned in on her elbows.

"Your father? He is one helluva a man. Jorwen Red-Bear is one of the most bravest men in all of Skyrim. He has saved my life twice, did you know that? Once in the war, and just now in the redoubt. Both times, had he not come in like the big red hairy beast of a man he is, I would have died back in the war. He is a kind man, a man who loves with an easy gentleness. But he is frustrated in war, like he is missing something deeply in his life. And now that I have met you, I know what it is. He missed you. He fought to stay alive for you, killed countless men in the face of death, in the very maws of hell. I am not aware if your mother is still alive, but if she is, then your father is one passionate man. He is truly, a Red Bear. And I know that he loves his family." The huntress had met her gaze dead on while she spoke, and did not avert her gaze to address the man standing behind her.

The Elder Scrolls: Fruits of Contention - Chapter 1 (Completed)

<Snipped quote by MacabreFox>

Well, the difference between them stems from a matter of succession, though the 1200-1300 year schism has understandably torn them apart from each other even further. They've both got their extremists.

@Peik

Agreed. I've done a bit of religious studies in my yester-years, and I was always particularly fond of world literature.