Well that was awkward, but not nearly as difficult as it could have gone.

I can understand old man Shatter-Shield's paranoia leading him to give Nilsine a Sell-Shield to keep her safe, whether or not she might actually be a future target of the Butcher's. It is just a natural reaction.

OTOH, I wonder what the origin of Calder's ire might be? Is he being a prickly peacock because he is in the presence of Sten, and feels the need to prove his manhood? Or does he simply find this to be a waste of his time and beneath him? Or maybe he just does not like elves - which would not be surprising given the events of the recent war and continuing unpleasantness with the Thalmor.

Awkward is right, and you paint the various hard-edged emotions well. Kudos to Lili for so deftly disarming Calder with a bit of respectful flattery. I can see why Nilsine has some steel and a shield to watch over her; as Friga’s twin, she clearly fits ‘the profile’ of the Butcher’s victims.

‘Snow-borne’ – another strong Nordic name!

I’m curious to see what, if any, clues they find inside.

Isn't Calder the housecarl for Hjerim? As such, he was probably responsible for guarding Friga. He'd be extra-diligent with this second chance, too.

That was tense, but now Lili and Sten have the key and a witness to what they find in the form of Calder.

Ugh, Hjerim is now Nilsine’s? That makes sense, but it must feel like another burden for her to carry while she’s grieving.

Can’t blame Nilsine for not wanting to look inside. I wonder what the investigators will find?

@SageRose: Hmm, I wouldn't use the term Sell Shield to describe Calder - he's a carl, and as we will find out, carls are basically armed indentured servants. The source of his anger will become clearer in the days to come, but not today (in story terms, that is). Though your guess that Lili is a Mer may have a little bit to do with it.

@Acadian: Thank you for your compliments regarding my Nordic clan names - I enjoyed coming across so many of them in ESO and thought it would paint a more in depth picture of Windhelm if we are able to see relationships between different citizens more clearly, as we will see in the coming days. And yes, Torbjorn's fear of losing Nilsine is real - not to mention the fact that it would push his wife over the brink.

@ghastley: You are correct, Calder is the Hjerim carl in game. I'm taking a slightly different approach with his role here, though.

@Grits: Yes, Nilsine is in no condition to decide what to do with the house now that Friga is gone. Like the others have said, I wanted to show the different ways people grieve, and this was a great way to explore that idea.

Now we are able to access the interior of Hjerim, and find more clues to the mystery of Susanna's murder (and those of three other women).

**********************************
Fredas 22 Last Seed - The Scene of the Crime

The odor assaulted Lili as soon as Stenvar swung the door open. She gulped and reached into her pouch for the ointment Quintus had given her. Let’s see if this mint and horker fat concoction does the trick. She dabbed the ointment on her upper lip, beneath each nostril. Stenvar watched her with a raised brow.

“Yes, it’s bad here,” she answered his unspoken question. “But this stuff helps.” Behind her Star whined, and she looked back to see him lingering behind the carl’s bulky form. “Stay, Star,” she held her palm out to the Husky, and he crouched down on the doorstep.

“Please leave the door open,” Lili turned to Calder next. “We need the light — and the air.”

“It’s already chilly in here,” Stenvar remarked. “Doubt leaving the door open would make it much colder.” He looked around the main room, at the overturned furniture and torn tapestries. “Where to start?”

Lili eyed the floor before them. “There’s fresh tracks through the dust here,” she pointed them out to the men. “If the house has not been entered since the murder, there should be no tracks.”

“You’re right,” Stenvar found a disused lantern, and with a bit of fiddling managed to coax a weak light from it. He lifted it toward the walls of the room while Lili followed the trail, first to an alcove on the south wall where an old trunk sat. She looked up in time to see Calder blocking the door with an overturned pot.

“Calder, were all the valuables removed from the house?”

“Yes, we went through and took out everything Nilsine had listed.” Calder straightened up and cast a glance around. “The furnishings were already badly damaged by the guard, but we managed to find everything.”

“Was this trunk here then?” Lili asked. Calder scowled at it.

“No, ma’am, it wasn’t.”

“Let’s see if we can’t get it open.” Lili tested the lid. It swung open with a creak that echoed through the house. “Empty.”

“Here,” Stenvar called from the center of the room, beside a broken trestle table. “Blood on the floor.”
Lili and Calder moved to stand beside him, regarding the stains on the boards at their feet. Lili knelt beside the drops and ran her fingers across them. Part of the splatter smeared with her fingers, part didn’t. “Some of it is older and dry, some of it is still fresh,” Lili remarked. She cast her glance around the hall again. A large fireplace took up the center of the south wall. The space extended back behind an open staircase that led up to the north side of the second story. Disturbances in the dust led to the space behind the stairs, framed by a wooden archway. Lili and Stenvar moved into the small back room, which contained a couple of bookcases and an old wardrobe.

Calder stood in the open doorway as they searched the bookcases. “This was the ladies’s workroom - they kept their books here, and sometimes worked with cloths. You know, making and repairing clothing, and sometimes embroidery.”

Lili examined the back wall. It was comprised of heavy stone blocks, in contrast to the timber structure of the rest of the room. “This is sturdy stone here,” she mused.

“Looks like part of the city wall,” Stenvar offered. He held a sheaf of papers in one hand, his puzzled gaze deepening as he shuffled through them. “That’s funny, why would someone have multiple copies of Giordano’s posters here?”

“Posters?” Lili exclaimed, taking the papers Stenvar handed her. He held up the lantern so she could read them. “Beware the Butcher! The killer who haunts the streets of Windhelm! These calamitous times bring out the worst in people, don’t become the next victim! See Viola Giordano if you spot any suspicious behavior.” She looked up at the two men. “I’ve never seen these before.”

“That’s because someone —” Calder shrugged bemusedly, “— is apparently taking them down as soon as she puts them up.”

“City guard?” Lili hazarded. “They keep denying the existence of a killer with multiple victims.”

“And there’s also these,” Stenvar handed over a small leather bound book and an amulet on a leather strip.

Lili’s blood froze as she read the journal. “Susanna’s mentioned in this,” she murmured. “Last night wasn’t the killer’s first attempt at her. And here’s mention of flesh magick?” She closed her eyes. Y’ffre. Necromancy? “It talks about sources of blood, flesh and bone, and now the killer is seeking sinew and marrow.” She shivered, and tucked the book into her belt. “We’ll need to show this to Silverblade.”

“Thane Shatter-Shield will want to see it first,” Calder stepped forward.

“If only to confirm the handwriting isn’t of someone in his household,” Lili responded. “I do not recommend he read this, however. The contents are rather brutal.” She fingered the amulet in her hand. A leering skull made of green stone peered out of a ring of pewter. Something about it set her instincts pinging, and she flinched at the sensation in her fingertips. “What about this, Calder? Would this be something that Nilsine or Friga would have owned?”

Calder frowned at it. “That wasn’t on the list, but I would ask Nilsine.”

Lili inhaled slowly. There it is, that necromantic odor is stronger back here. But from where is it coming? Again she cast her gaze around the small back room. It doesn’t extend the full width of the great room. Is there something behind this wall? Lili handed the amulet to Stenvar. “Keep this for me, please,” she murmured to him. As he tucked it into his belt purse, she touched the east wall of the room, where it stretched between the stone wall and the space beneath the staircase. “What’s behind this wall, Calder?”

“Nothing?” Calder shook his head. Lili watched as he considered her words. “This part of the city wall is built into the mountain behind us,” he added. “Could be the house was built around a boulder or part of the mountain that juts through the city wall.”

“Feel the wall here,” Lili told the two men. “If the other side is part of the mountain like you suggest, Calder, wouldn’t the wall be chillier than the interior walls in the rest of the house?”

Stenvar placed one hand on the northern stone wall, and the other on the eastern plank wall. “The back wall here,” he indicated the stones, “is definitely colder than the plank wall here,” he tapped the wood. It rang hollowly.

The carl’s scowl loosened into thoughtfulness as he did the same, then shook his head. Lili moved her hands along the wall, pressing the boards, but nothing gave way. She reached the tall wardrobe near the front of the room, and glanced at the floor.

“There’s blood here,” Calder pointed out the splatter in front of the furnishing. His gaze widened as Lili opened the doors to expose an empty interior.

Y’ffre! The smell! She gagged and pressed her hand against her mouth until she could swallow again.

“Do you smell something?” Calder asked behind Lili as she reached into the wardrobe and pressed against the back. It gave slightly beneath her fingers.

“Yes, and it’s not Ma’s cooking,” Stenvar responded grimly. “What do you feel, boss?”

“It’s a hidden door,” Lili responded, already tracing out its shape. “Trying to find a way to open it.”

“Let me find an axe,” Calder offered. Just then, something clicked beneath Lili’s hands, and the back slid away. “Gods, that smell!” Calder spun away and stepped out of the room to retch into a corner.

“May I have some of that mint stuff, please, boss?” Stenvar choked out. Lili pulled the small tin out and handed it to him, not taking her gaze off the gloom within. He handed her the lantern and stepped back into the workroom.

Lili held the lantern before her and examined what she could see in its faint glow. Blood splattered across the floor and partway up the walls of the small chamber. Against the northern wall stood a long table, likewise covered in dried blood. Multiple instruments, some of which resembled those used by Helgird, lay scattered across its rough surface. A bucket rested beneath, full of bones, some bare, some still bearing tissue. Another trunk rested against the stone wall to the left, a small leather bound volume resting on its surface. Lili gritted her teeth and stepped through the abattoir to pick up the book and lift the lid. A moment’s perusal of its contents confirmed her suspicion, and she stepped away.

“Do either of you need to see what’s inside?” The two men returned to the hidden entrance to view the room. “Or have you seen enough?”

“I’ve seen plenty,” Calder grated through clenched teeth. “But I can’t make heads or tails of what I’m seeing.”

“This is where the crimes took place,” Lili waved the lantern around the small space. She slid between the two men out of the room and moved to stand beside the stairway. “Silverblade needs to see this, and Helgird, too.” She held up the book. “This looks like a recipe for flesh magick. Handwriting matches that in the first journal we found.” She tucked it into her belt alongside the other volume. Her gaze moved up the staircase. “What’s upstairs, do you know, Calder?”

“Sleeping rooms, for both ladies and for the carl who guarded them.” Calder’s response was short.

“Where is this carl now?” Lili asked him.

“Her service was terminated,” Calder said gruffly. “She died shortly after.”

“How?” Lili exclaimed.

“Megris was blacklisted,” Calder explained. “And she had no other skills. No one would hire her for any kind of work, so she killed herself.” He kept his gaze averted from Lili, but she could see anger in the set of his jaw, the jut of his chin between those mutton chops.

“I’m sorry, Calder, that it happened to one of your comrades. Was she here when it happened?”

“She was with Nilsine in Kynesgrove, as escort.” Calder stepped toward the smaller room at the right side of the main hall. He looked within. “This was the kitchen,” he volunteered.

Lili and Stenvar headed upstairs, and Calder followed with a heavy tread. He’s angry. Is it because of what happened to Megris? Or with the Thane himself? Or with the situation carls find themselves in?

Upstairs a railing led them around the side of the house, opening up to three rooms set back beneath the eaves. The largest one was situated over what used to be the kitchen below. Of course. It would be warm from the cooking fires below. A second one across the house on the western wall encompassed the chimney from the great fireplace below. Calder indicated the third one, a tiny chamber tucked beneath the eaves in the northeast corner of the upper floor, as the carl’s room. All the rooms held tumbled furnishings, mostly damaged into unrecognizable pieces of wood.

“No valuables or other clues up here,” Stenvar remarked as they finished their examination in the tiny carl’s room.

“I think we’ve seen everything we need to see here,” Lili remarked. “Let’s head out and speak with the Thane.”

Nice job keeping the omnipresent smell front and center as the trio make their way through the clues.

Quite a few answers, but more questions as well.

Megris got a raw deal, sounds like. How could she guard two sisters in two different places at the same time? And who blacklisted her? If their safety was a priority, one would think the Thane would insist they stay together or hire another bodyguard if the sisters had to travel away from each other. Seems Lili’s wondering some of the same things.

I love that Lil is doing the equivalent of putting Vicks Vapor Rub under her nose to battle the smell. It is a classic.

Now it finally makes sense to me why there are so many copies of Viola Giordano's broadsheets in Hjeriim. The killer is taking them down to keep a lid on things.

Well, at least Lil is not the only one having issues with the smell. It must be really rank for both Calder and Stenvar to be repulsed by it as well, given that they are both people accustomed to death (even if not remains that are many days old and have begun to really rot).

You are right, now I see one of the reasons behind Calder's negativity. I wonder if he had a relationship with Megris that was more than professional? In any case, this is clearly more personal to him than I had originally anticipated. Thank you for weaving that into the tale. It was a good touch that added both more world-building and characterization.

That is a great investigative tool, being able to use one's nose to discern clues. Uups, they're going into the house.

Indeed. Why is the younger man scowling?

That's clever, using a pungent concoction under one's nostrils to fend off death aroma. I wonder if there's an equivalent in our world.

Ah-ha! A stack of Butcher fliers. And a book mentioning Suzanna. Wonder if The Butcher has any trophies, as well. Indeed, this leering skull-amulet could be just that. Whoever's been using this house seems rather comfortable with the fact that he or she has been getting away with murder, so far. Blood hasn't been cleaned up, the posters and amulet hadn't been particularly hidden well, etc. It's like The Butcher just assumes their crime spree shall last forever.

Calder seems cagey... Yeah... just seems ... evasive, or something.



This post has been edited by Renee: Jan 8 2025, 07:35 PM

Forgive me for being late with this week's post. Things are in a bit of upheaval here - just found out that my BIL is home on Hospice Care. He is just worn out from all the aggressive treatments and monitoring and not getting any better. I'm saddened that we are losing him, but it's time, and I'm relieved that he will get to spend his final days at home.

@Acadian: Yes, Lili uses her sense of smell in this investigation! It's her superpower! Good questions regarding Megris, it's one of the reasons Calder is so angry these days. We will learn more about him and his past eventually.

@SubRosa: You are correct in that both Sten and Calder, having seen war and battles, are familiar with the smell of death. But perhaps not so familiar with, nor so used to, the smell of necromantic dead. Remember Lili saying undead have a different smell than dead dead? And yes, I was thinking of a superpowered version of Vicks Vapor Rub when I described that ointment! Not sure if Calder had a personal relationship with Megris so much as they were comrades, and when something like that happens to your comrade, well that's enough cause for resentment.

@Renee: An often overlooked part of detecting and forensic work is the sense of smell. Now one may wonder why Lili doesn't use something similar in the crypts - the answer to that is if she did, she wouldn't be able to detect the undead before they rise to attack her and Sten! So in those circumstances yeah, she'll have to figure out a way to make extra potent anti nausea potions.

And now we seek out a witness - the lone witness we have in this tale.

************************************
Fredas 22 Last Seed - The Search for the Unseen

We found the place where the crimes were committed. It was awful. The thought of Susanna dying in such a way hurts inside. Boss isn’t happy about it either.

Star leaped to his feet as Lilisfina led Sten and Calder out of Hjerim. Thane Shatter-Shield, his arms around a sobbing Nilsine, looked up as they joined him on the street. “What did you find, Wood Elf?” His expression grew bleak at the look on Lilisfina’s face.

“These,” she showed him the two journals. “Calder doesn’t recognize the handwriting, which is the same in both.” She handed him the second of the two, the one containing the recipe. “Do you say the same, Thane Shatter-Shield?”

He flipped through the journal, frowning at passages here and there. “No, I don’t know who wrote this - this dreck.” He met Lilisfina’s gaze. “What else?”

Lilisfina glanced at Sten and indicated he hand the amulet to Nilsine. “Does this look familiar to either of you?”

The grieving woman took the necklace from Sten and examined it. “No, I’ve never seen it before,” she showed it to her father before handing it back to Sten. “Perhaps Calixto Corrium might know - he has an interest in oddities.”

“There’s more,” Shatter-Shield frowned at Calder, who avoided his gaze. “What else did you find in there?”

“Are either of you aware of a secret room in the house?” Lilisfina asked. “Tucked away in the back corner behind the stairs?”

“What?” Shatter-Shield took a step toward the house. Sten and Calder moved to block him.

“I wouldn’t look, Thane,” Sten said quietly.

“Stand aside, hireling!” Torbjorn laid one hand on Sten’s right shoulder and tried to push him aside.

“You don’t want to see this, Thane,” Calder spoke softly through gritted teeth. “Don’t add this to your memories of Friga.”

“Friga?” Nilsine exclaimed as she paused behind her father. “You found something . . .”

“What you couldn’t find six months ago,” Lilisfina replied. “Trust your man, if you don’t trust mine, Thane. You don’t want to see what’s in there.”

Sten watched the anguish conquer Torbjorn’s haughty expression as the Thane staggered back, breathless. The noble spun on his heel to stare at Lilisfina.

“All four women were murdered in that room,” Lilisfina continued, her tone flat. “At this time we don’t know yet who was responsible, but I assure you, Thane, and you, Nilsine, that Stennvar and I will find out.” She reached out and touched Nilsine’s wrist lightly. “Thank you for the information about Corrium. We will show him the amulet later today.”

Calder locked the door and regarded the key. “Thane, may I suggest letting Stenvar hold on to the key? And also we post a guard on Hjerim? We know the killer has been going inside the house frequently. Perhaps denying him access will discourage further killing until the Wood Elf and the sellsword identify him.”

Whoa. That youngster does have a brain beneath those mutton chops. Sten could see the way the Thane regarded his carl that the older man was readjusting his assessment of his hireling. “Good idea, Calder. I’ll leave that up to you.” He turned back to Nilsine as Calder handed the key to Sten. “Daughter, let us go find your mother. It is time we tell her what is happening.”

Sten caught Lilisfina watching him as the Shatter-Shields, accompanied by their carl, trudged down the avenue towards the clan manor. “And it’s almost time we meet Silverblade,” she said softly. “Tell her what we’ve found so far.”

Sten eyed the sun’s position. “I’d say a couple of bells at least. Shouldn’t we find Silda? And I’m curious to hear what Viola Giordano has to say about her posters inside Hjerim.”

“I’d be careful what we tell Giordano,” Lilisfina mused as they trailed after the others. “She strikes me as one who tends to berserk on the slightest excuse.”

“Berserk?” Sten found himself chuckling at the mental image that cropped up. “That is almost an apt description of the woman.”

“Then let’s see if we can’t see Silda the Unseen.” Lilisfina smiled wryly. “But where to begin?”

“With other beggars,” Sten responded. He cast his gaze around the graveyard. “There’s Angrenor, we can start with him. He’s not fond of Elves, so I’d suggest that I do the talking.” Lilisfina nodded her understanding. He led her to the barefoot man lingering near the brazier outside the Hall of the Dead. “Angrenor Once Honored, how do you fare today?”

“I’m not too proud to admit that I need a bit of help from time to time,” the emaciated beggar responded with a sly glance at Lilisfina. Watch it, man. Or my fist will be helping you.

Sten slid a silver drake from his purse and held it up to catch the sunlight. “Would this be helpful, then?”

Angrenor’s hand twitched toward the coin, then a suspicious look passed across his face. “What do you need for it?”

“Have you seen Silda the Unseen since last night?” Sten asked him.

Angrenor shook his head. “Not since Susanna was found - dead.” He scowled at Lilisfina. “I bet the Dark Elves had something to do with it!”

“That’s what we are trying to find out,” Sten assured him. “Do you know where she may be hiding?”

Angrenor, his gaze fixed again on the drake in Sten’s fingers, shrugged. “I do know she spends a fair bit of time over in the Grey Quarter with that orphan beggar - the one that sells flowers.”

“Thanks, man,” Sten dropped the silver coin into the Nord’s hand. “Get some warm clothes with that.”

“Will do, sir!” Angrenor nodded as he darted off, not toward the market, but in the direction of the inn.

“Think he’ll spend it on clothes like you said, or on drink at Candlehearth?” Lilisfina remarked dryly. Sten scoffed.

“He says he’s had trouble breathing ever since he took that Imperial sword through his chest, but he has no trouble drinking!”

Lilisfina chuckled. Then her face sobered. “Do you know about the girl who sells flowers?”

“Sofie?” Sten nodded. “I’ve seen her around the Gray Quarter. Shall we see if we can’t find her?”

“Yes, let’s,” Lilisfina dropped her hand to Star’s pricked ears. “The sooner we find Silda, the sooner we can get out of this cold!”

Sten nodded and led her past the Inn. “I’ve seen Sofie here and there in the Grey Quarter, as well as on the docks,” he explained. “Seems to me she has friends among the Dark Elves and the Argonians.”

“Dunmer, and Saxhleel,” Lilisfina corrected softly. “It is what they call themselves.” She glanced at Sten. “Just as you call yourselves Nords, while the rest of Tamriel refer to you as Northmen.”

“Hmm,” Sten mused. You are telling me this, why? Addressing Dark Elves as Dunmer serves what purpose? Would I care to be called Northman by an outsider? “And Khajiit?”

“Khajiit are Khajiit among themselves,” Lilisfina responded. “Though sometimes others will call them Cat-Men, but that is not appreciated.”

“And what do Wood Elves call themselves?” Sten caught Lilisfina’s pleased gaze.

“Bosmer. And the High Elves refer to themselves as Altmer.” Hmm, Mer - wonder if that means Elves?

Sten was silent as they passed the House of Curiosities. Lilisfina stopped before the building and regarded it with distaste.

“Same smell as Hjerim?” Sten hazarded. Lilisfina nodded. “What of Calixto Corrium?”

“I’ve not spoken to him outside the house, so I can’t be certain that he is the origin of that odor,” Lilisfina responded softly. “Let’s go on, find the flower girl.”

They moved past the great gates that led down to the docks and followed the winding path down to Sadri’s store, where Lilisfina had made her first purchases upon arrival in Windhelm. Sten saw a small girl, dark hair tucked into twin braids, seated on the edge of the stone porch fronting the shop. A worn straw basket, full of snowberries, and blue, red and yellow flowers, rested at her side. At their approach, the child’s swinging feet stopped and she leaped up with an expression of hope and wariness. She picked up the basket and approached Sten with a dubious glance at Lilisfina. Star stepped forward and licked Sofie’s face, his tail wagging over his back. She giggled and pushed him away with a fond caress of his fur.

“Would you like to buy some flowers? Please?” She held the basket up for Sten’s inspection. He nodded at Lilisfina.

“She’s the one with the mortar and pestle,” he said.

“What kind of flowers do you have?” Lilisfina asked gently.

“S- snowberries, lady,” Sofie stumbled over the words, “red mountain flowers, nightshade and dragon’s tongue.” She shyly lifted the basket to Lilisfina, who took it in her hands and examined them.

“These are fresh,” she exclaimed. “How did you come by them?”

“I go out every morning and pick them, lady,” Sofie whispered, casting her eyes downward. “Snowberries are plentiful here, and the others are found just a short distance away, toward Kynesgrove and along the road south of the Talos shrine.”

“Even these?” Lilisfina picked up the red flowers. “I heard these are rare around here.”

“There are some growing in the Palace of the Kings, I get a few sprigs from there every now and then,” Sofie did not meet either Lilisfina’s or Sten’s gaze. Stealing from the Jarl, are you? Nothing he’ll find out from me!

“I see,” Lilisfina lifted out the dragon’s tongue and held it to her nose. “This reminds me of warmer climes. How much for the lot?”

“A- all of them?” Sofie stammered, her eyes widening. Lilisfina fingered a couple of drakes out of her coin purse and held them out to the child.

“Will this be enough? Or do you need more coin?”

“Lady, no one has ever bought all my flowers before - “ Again the girl’s voice cracked into silence. Her gaze fell on the silver coins in Lilisfina’s hand. “It would be more than two drakes, lady.”

Lilisfina laughed. “Of course! Here’s twenty drakes for the lot. That should cover the risk you took picking these flowers.” She dropped the remaining coins into the child’s basket, removed the flowers, then handed the basket back to Sofie. Both Sten and the girl watched in bewilderment as she neatly tucked the blooms away into her little belt pouch. She is hiding potions in there, she had that tin of mint ointment, her mortar and pestle, and what else is in that bag? Why hasn’t it burst yet?

“Wait, they’ll be crushed if you put them in your pouch!” Sofie reached to stop Lilisfina.

The Wood Elf shook her head and smiled at the girl. “No, they’ll be fine. This is a magick pouch - it’s bigger on the inside than it seems on the outside.”

“More than your back pack?” Sten remarked with some wonderment. Lilisfina looked up at him and nodded.

“Sofie,” Sten turned back to the girl, “there is one thing we’d like your help with. We are looking for Silda the Unseen. Do you know where we can find her?”

Calder seems to have come around to team Lilsten. His suggestion that Sten keep the key and watch the house is certainly a solid plan. Though watching it in secret might be a better idea, as they could conceivably trap the killer there at unawares. If the actual murders take place in the house, then his victims would still be alive at that point, and possible to rescue. That would also imply that the killer has some means of incapacitating his victims until he gets to the house, such as through alchemy or a Sleep spell.

Have you seen Silda the Unseen
Given that nickname of hers... well...

I appreciated Lil's subtle hint to Sten to refer to the various non-human races on their own terms, rather than those that outsiders use for them. It might make them a bit more friendly, especially to someone like Sten, whose appearance checks every box for the type of person who typically causes them trouble.

I see that Calixto's stank has indeed raised a red flag in Lil's mind. Enough for her to not generally trust the man.

Lil has a bag of holding! Clever girl.

And now, to find someone who is known for her ability to not be found.

Good to see Calder has come around to – as SubRosa says – team Lilsten.

“Stand aside, hireling!”
- - Just these three words tell us so much about Thane Shatter-Shield. None of it good.

Though it has been nearly ten years, I do remember Sofie the flower girl and it was nice to see her again! Thanks to Lili’s generosity, I bet if Sofie knows anything about the whereabouts of Silda, she’ll share it with Lili.

I figure when you’re too small to intimidate or impress with appearance, you learn to develop other ways of getting by. In Lili’s case, she has elevated her speechcraft to an impressive level that shines throughout this episode.

Yes! It is like Dr. Doom calling his henchmen "lackeys" to their face.

“Stand aside, hireling!” Torbjorn laid one hand on Sten’s right shoulder and tried to push him aside.

What a tool. Good luck to Torbjorn trying to shift Stenvar. Nice backup from Calder. Good to see him on the same page as Sten and Lili.

Sofie! She seems clever and resourceful. I bet she knows how to see the Unseen!

If Lili's pouch can hold that much, the first place to check for Silda is in there!

Oh goodness, I would think adventurers sha'n't need to use their noses too much in crypts; that'd be overwhelming. Lili's use of olfactory senses, on the other hand, is helping her hone directly on the scene of the crime.

Question (which I always ask FF writers) how far ahead are you with the story, versus what we're reading now? Acadian & Rosa's tales, they're months ahead of what we actually reading. Sorry if I've asked that before.

"Stand aside, hireling!" - ha ha, love that.

Calder refers to Lili as "the Wood Elf"! No need to point out which Wood Elf, Bosmer are rare in Windhelm.

Calder gives Sten the key, hmm. That's interesting. Can't remember who originally held this key in a previous chapter, and maybe it's nothing, that particular moment. But once again I'm noticing... *Calder*.

Aw, it's Sofie, poor thing. 💐 Seems Lili's also got a Bag of Holding.

Last week I was late; this week I will be early. I have a busy day tomorrow, so thought I'd get this up tonight before I drag myself up to bed. BIL in Colorado is doing better now that he is home on hospice care - he is getting more rest and nutrition, and is surrounded by his loved ones. His spirits are definitely up, so it was the right move at this point. Sister is feeling more upbeat, too, having his family there (his kids are from his previous marriages, they're close to my sister and call her the "evil stepmother" out of fondness and good humor).

@SubRosa: Calder isn't quite on team Lilsten, but he is beginning to respect her after the way she treated him (in comparison to Torbjorn and yes, Nilsine) and the way she is taking these murders so seriously. And yes, I put that phrase in - see the unseen - with memories of Julian musing to herself "let's see what we can see" after her visit to a certain ruined fort below a certain village. I would remind you that Helgird and Lili had determined that Susanna was strangled first, then mutilated/harvested. Likely he only strangled them into unconsciousness and it was the harvesting and resulting blood loss that killed them. *shudders* And yes, that is one of the reasons why Lili took the time to teach Sten about the way different folks call themselves. His innate consideration means the lesson will be well learned, as we shall see.

@Acadian: I agree, that demand of Torbjorn's really shows his true character. We already knew something of his nature after hearing what the Argonians had to say about working for him, but this really puts the bow on top. Sofie is one of my favorites - it takes a lot of guts to approach a foreigner and ask them to buy flowers from you. Of course a soft hearted person like Lili would notice her thin clothes and poor footwear. I always adopt her, even when I swear to myself this play through is not going to have kids . . .

@Grits: Yes, it's good to see Calder back up Sten in front of Torbjorn - that's the beginning of a working relationship there. And yes, Sofie knows how to see the unseen!

@Renee: To answer your question, my writing goes in fits and spurts. When I start a new story, I don't always know if it's going to be worthwhile posting it on Chorrol.com. Generally I get several posts written ahead of time, then start posting. In this case I had 22 posts written before I started posting; I kept writing to stay ahead. Now I'm stuck (yay writer's block), but I still have several posts all ready to go, so hopefully I'll break through and start writing again. Julian's fan fiction Old Habits Die Hard took me over two years to write/post, and there were at least two episodes where I ran out of posts before breaking the block. In the one I had trouble bridging from one chapter to the next, in the second time I had trouble deciding how to write a certain event that was a major plot point.

Okay, that was kind of long winded, and I'm sure everyone is ready to move on to seeing the unseen!

**********************
Fredas 22 Last Seed - A Terrified Witness

A flicker of wariness passed over Sofie’s face at Stenvar’s question. “Silda? Why?” She’s protective of her friend. That’s good for Silda, but it may make it harder for us.

“We want to ask her what happened last night to frighten her so,” Stenvar’s tone remained gentle. “We were told you might know where she is.”

Sofie shook her head. “I can’t tell you —” she glanced around the street. As a city guard walked past, she averted her face from them. “— or they will find me.”

Lili reached forward and touched the basket. “Are you hiding from the guards?” she whispered. Sofie gave the slightest of nods. “Stennvar and I won’t tell them of you,” Lili made a show of checking the street for eavesdroppers. “Would you be able to show us, please?”

“We don’t mean harm to Silda,” Stenvar added, his voice a soft rumble. “We only wish to know what she saw.”

Still Sofie hesitated. Star squeezed forward and leaned into the child. He licked her face and whined softly, then laid a forepaw on her arm beside the basket. She hugged him tightly, her face buried in his neck fur. “I missed you, dog,” she half whispered, half sobbed.

“I’m sorry if I took Star away from you, Sofie,” Lili responded. “I didn’t know he was your dog when I asked him to come with me.”

“He’s not my dog,” Sofie wiped the tears from her cheeks, her voice stronger. “But he was my friend.”

“He still is your friend,” Lili reached to dig her fingers into Star’s ruff. “He came with me because I asked if he wanted to. If I hadn’t, he would have remained on the docks with the Argonians and with you.” She laid her fingers lightly on the girl’s wrist, still around Star’s neck. “But now that I know you and he are friends, I can have him visit you every day while we are in Windhelm.” She paused a moment and watched Sofie’s expression change from grief to doubt. “If you tell me where to meet you, I can bring Star to see you and spend time with you.”

Sofie nodded to herself as if arriving at a decision and stood up to her fullest height, nearly eye level with Lili. “Follow me.” She turned and led them into the warrens of the Gray Quarter. Star danced at the girl’s side, his tail waving gaily over his back in expressions of joy. Lili found herself smiling wistfully at the Husky’s obvious love for the child as she and Stenvar trailed behind. Well, now I’ve made a promise I must keep to this child. How am I going to do that when I’m in Winterhold?

The slick gray ice underfoot brought Lili’s wandering thoughts back to the present as they moved through a maze of alleys, tunnels and back yards. At each turn, Sofie paused to check behind them and ahead. Finally they reached a small corner tucked between a yard and an alley, where old barrels, tipped on their sides and discarded long ago, clustered together to form a rough shelter of sorts. Atop one large barrel rested a tabby cat, its fur the same grey color as the surrounding ice. It turned its vivid green eyes toward Sofie, and the cat rose to all fours and arched its back in a stretch.

“Hello, Icicle,” Sofie addressed the cat with a quick stroke from head to tail. The cat purred briefly, then turned its gaze to Star. As the Husky nosed toward the feline, the purr resumed as the cat playfully tapped Star’s nose. “Play nice,” the girl admonished the two, then knelt before the open end of the barrel. “Are you still there?” Sofie whispered into the darkness. Lili’s sensitive ears heard a furtive shuffle at the far end. “Are you feeling better?” A shaky sob reached her. Sofie sat back on her heels and looked up at Lili and Stenvar. “I’m not sure she’s well enough to talk,” she said sadly.

“Are you two friends, then?” Stenvar seated himself on a nearby barrel, carefully setting his zwei-hander to one side. “For how long?”

“Ever since Da - left,” Sofie’s voice faltered. “Going on five winters now, I think?”

“Where is the rest of your family?” Lili perched cross legged on the smallest barrel. “Are they gone, too?”

“Ma and my brother died in the last famine,” Sofie responded. “Silda helped me hide from the guards.”

“Why are you hiding, Sofie?” Lili frowned. “I didn’t know being an orphan was a crime.”

“The Jarl does not let underage orphans live alone,” Sofie turned her face downward. “The guards know to collect us and send us to the orphanage in Riften.” She peered up at Lili. “I’ve heard it’s a horrible place to live, and Silda won’t let them send me there.”

“So Silda’s been looking after you?” Lili did not try to hide the wonder in her voice. How can a beggar be a better guardian than an orphanage?

“I know she’s not looking that way now,” Sofie lowered her voice. “But most of the time Silda is strong, smart, and she teaches me many things. I’m better at staying alive with little.” She stretched her feet out in front of her, to show off the oversized shoes tied around the ankles with knotted twine. The leather was worn in places, but the soles were well patched, and Lili could see tufts of dirty wool peeking out the edges. “Every spring we go up in the hills south of the city to find the discarded winter wool from the mountain goats. We use them to keep our feet warm.”

“Sounds like Silda is a good friend,” Lili kept her voice soft to match Sofie’s. “But you said most of the time - not all the time?”

“Silda told me, when she was twelve or thirteen summers old, her village was raided, her family killed off, and she was brought to Windhelm as a captive. She managed to escape after several years, but she can’t go back home. There’s no home left.” Sofie turned her gaze toward the barrel where Icicle the cat waited patiently. “There are times, like when a guard catches her off guard and scares her, that those memories come back and won’t let go.”

“And that’s when you are truly her friend,” Lili murmured. “You look after her during those times, no?”

Sofie nodded with a determined set to her small chin. Lili almost smiled at the way the girl tried to be grown up in her affirmation. Then Sofie’s face fell. “Though I’m not sure what to do this time - I’ve never seen Silda this bad.”

“Did she tell you anything about what she saw last night?” Lili reached into her magick pouch at a sudden thought. When Sofie shook her head, Lili rummaged in the tiny purse with her fingers until she found what she sought. “Here, see if you can get her to drink this,” she handed Sofie a tiny blue vial. “I think it will help Silda feel better.”

“I’m not sure I can,” Sofie looked at it dubiously. “I can’t get her to drink or eat anything right now.”

“Tell her a drop or two on the tongue may make the bad things go away,” Lili encouraged her. “I’ve used it a time or two when my own bad memories became too strong to bear.” She ignored Stenvar’s sharp glance at her as Sofie nodded to herself and crept into the barrel.

As they waited, Lili heard murmuring from within the makeshift shelter as Sofie coaxed Silda to take the tincture. After a moment, Sofie called out. “It seems to help a bit. What did you want to know?”

Lili knelt in front of the large barrel. “We are trying to find out what happened with Susanna last night, Silda. We know you were the one to find her. Can you tell us how you came upon her?”

Muffled sobbing indicated the level of Silda’s terror. What did she see? Did she see whoever left Susanna there in the graveyard?

“She’s so terrified,” Sofie’s soft voice reached them, an edge of panic at her apparent inability to comfort her friend.

“Silda, can you tell me if you saw Susanna’s body being left in the graveyard?” Lili matched the softness of Sofie’s tone. “Yes, or no, please.”

“She’s nodding yes,” Sofie answered. “Silda, did you see who left Susanna there?” After a moment of further sobbing, Sofie reappeared at the barrel opening. “She didn’t see who it was, just that it was a man, and not one of the Nords.” She shook her head at Lili’s next question, as yet unspoken. “Not one of the Elves, either, no matter what some folks have been saying.” She moved to hand the vial back to Lili. “Here, thanks for this.”

“Keep it,” Lili folded the girl’s fingers protectively over it. “Have Silda take a couple of drops every three or four bells until it’s gone. It will help to ease her spirit.” She sighed. “She should sleep better tonight. Come find me tomorrow if she is still having trouble with her memories.” Lili rose stiffly to her feet and glanced at Star, who watched the pair within the barrel. “Star, do you want to stay?”

The Husky met her gaze, and waved his tail gently, then sidled closer to the barrel and laid down on his belly. His answer was clear. “Good boy,” Lili approved. “Keep an eye on them, please.”

And Star is the star again. Should this be renamed to "A Husky in Windhelm"?

Star belongs with Lili. And Star belongs with Sofie. Therefore, perhaps Sofie belongs with Lili? But what about Silda. . . gee, this is getting complicated and Winterhold is looking further away. . . .

’Sofie nodded to herself as if arriving at a decision and stood up to her fullest height, nearly eye level with Lili.’
- - A lovely way to remind us of Lili’s own diminutive stature.

I loved how you used Sofie’s footwear to emphasize the necessary and creative things she and Silda have done to survive.

Some investigative help from Silda, but not sure it is enough.

Edit: Got so wrapped up in Lili's story that I overlooked mentioning how glad I am that hospice seems to be easing your BiL's path.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jan 18 2025, 01:00 PM

Awww, who's a good boy! I mean, Star really comes through as the deal-breaker here, and gains Sofie's trust for team Lilstenar. One really feels sympathy for Sofie here. She has it uncommonly difficult, and we only now just learned that Lil has inadvertently made it worse by adopting Star away from her. Though as she pointed out, Star is making his own decisions here, like Dogmeat in the Fallout games.

Lil is definitely making her life more complicated as she creates relationships in Windhelm. Star, Sten, and now Sofie now have their lives entangled with her. I wonder how she is going to manage these relationships vs. attaining her other goals, such as going to Winterhold?

Now I see why Sofie is hiding out from the guards. She does not want to be kidnapped and sent to the workhouse - I mean rescued and sent to the orphanage in Riften. That reminds me of Georgia Tann. She invented modern adoption in America by having poor mothers declared legally unfit, forcibly taking their babies, and then selling them to rich people who wanted kids. Her father was a judge, who made it all legal. The wrestler Ric Flair was one of those babies.

But now I also wonder what is wrong with Silda? Is she physically ill? Or is she emotionally scarred from seeing too much of the Butcher's work? Or just overwhelmed by depression? Ah, so it looks like PTSD that was triggered by the Butcher. Again, you paint characters that we can easily empathize with.

Lil's tincture reminds me of several drugs which have been used in recent years to help manage PTSD, such as marijuana, MDMA, and magic mushrooms. One of neighbors (who recently moved to a new place) micro-doses on mushrooms to help manage his chronic depression, and it does seem to work for him.

@ghastley: Heh maybe I should rename this story, yes? However, we will see that a new star will rise, and I don't think we will miss our Star the Skyrim Husky as much as we think we will.

@Acadian: Yes, things are getting complicated for our little Bosmer! Her knack for making friends is starting to get in the way of her goal to reach Windhelm Winterhold! Sofie was fun to write in this episode, and I look forward to introducing more of her personality to our dear readers. Silda's answer provides direction for the subsequent steps in our investigation, as we will see in the near future.

@SubRosa: Aha! Now we know why it has taken so long for Lili to reach Skyrim! Fifty years! This predilection to make friends everywhere she goes has slowed down Lili's travels. We'll learn more about her journey to Skyrim in upcoming posts. And we all know Aventus Aretino's story, why didn't the same happen to Sofie? That was one glaring inconsistency of many that I wanted to address in this tale. Also I've often thought about the beggars' back stories - we know Angrenor's story, but not Silda's. I want to show that life has been hard for her. And yes, Lilisfina's tincture is for those suffering from PTSD.

In our search for Susanna's murderer, we determined how she died, found the scene of the crime, linked it back to three other murders in Windhelm's recent history, and spoke with the sole witness. Now we move forward with our investigation, minus Star, of course.

***********************************
Fredas 22 Last Seed - A New Investigator

We spoke with the woman who found Susanna. She was not able to give us much, except that the man she saw was not a Nord, or an Elf, as some has said. Boss said that helped a lot.

Lilisfina and Sten made their way through the icy maze back to the tall gates that led out to the docks. She paused and glanced back the way they had come. Sten saw the look of surprise in her eyes, and turned in time to see the gray tabby walk up to Lilisfina and weave between her boots. The cat’s purr rose powerfully as Lilisfina knelt down to offer her hand to the feline.

Icicle rubbed one side of her face, then the other, against Lilisfina’s fingers in a ritual of greeting, then stepped daintily over to Sten and seated herself before him with an air of expectancy. Sten chuckled as he bent down and held out a crooked finger to the cat. Again Icicle rubbed her face against his proffered hand in greeting with constant purring.

“I guess we belong to her now,” Lilisfina remarked with a smile.

“Not the other way around?” Sten asked.

“Unlike dogs, cats do not regard us as a source of direction. Rather, we take orders from them. If she has claimed us, we should count ourselves fortunate to be in her favor.” Lilisfina turned to look up at him. “I know you are fond of Star, but what are your feelings about cats?”

“Do you know why I enjoy working with the Khajiit?” Sten responded. “It’s because they’re their own souls. The decisions they make suit them, not others. And yet, they are kind, generous, and gifted in their own way with magick.”

Lilisfina glanced pointedly down at the small tabby now walking between them. “But this one is not a Khajiit,” she clarified.

Sten chuckled. “No, she is not. Yet in many ways they share many qualities. Besides, you can’t have a farm without cats.”

Lilisfina laughed. “That’s true,” she added. “Even I know that much. Vermin control, the most effective kind.”

“Good judges of character, able to boss dogs and other animals bigger than themselves around, and generous with their catches.” Plenty of half-eaten mice and other rodents left lined up outside our kitchen door every morning. Ma never liked it, but she appreciated their work.

“Then we should be flattered that Icicle chose to come with us,” Lilisfina looked down at the tabby. The cat turned her face up to the Wood Elf and chirped a response.

“Look, there’s Corrium up ahead,” Sten caught sight of the slight Imperial ahead of them, just leaving his house. As he spoke, Icicle ran ahead of them and veered to one side, coming to a stop on Thane Free-Winter’s front stoop where she crouched and stared at the oblivious Imperial. “Hmm, that’s a curious reaction,” he mused aloud.

“I don’t think she likes him much,” Lilisfina murmured, then strode forward with purpose. “Hello, Corrium,” she greeted the museum owner. “How does the day greet you?”

Corrium spun around, startled. The amiable mask slid down over his features as he recognized the pair. “Oh, it’s the Wood Elf and the sellsword!” He adjusted his cloak around his neck with an air of subtle unease. “My day is going well. Yours?”

“As well as can be, considering how cold it is!” Lilisfina drew her fur cloak closer around her shoulders for emphasis. “I was wondering if you could be of assistance,” she gestured for Sten to show him the amulet. “We found this and it’s something neither of us have ever seen. Perhaps in your extensive travels?”

“Ah!” Corrium took the amulet from him. Sten thought the geniality in the man’s expression slipped a little as he studied the oddity. “It is a very curious little thing, isn’t it? This is the Wheelstone. It’s a heirloom of Windhelm, a symbol of its power. Traditionally it’s carried by the court mage.” He hefted it thoughtfully. “I would be interested in acquiring it, if you’re willing to part with it.” His eyes settled on Lilisfina’s with a gleam. “For a piece like this, I could pay, say, five hundred drakes?”

“Hmm,” Sten reclaimed the amulet at her nod. Did Corrium seem reluctant to let us have it back? “Shouldn’t the court mage have it?”

“Wuunferth?” Corrium scoffed. “Bah. It’s purely ceremonial, and I’ve never seen him use it. Besides, I wouldn’t want to be the one to give it to him. He gives me the creeps. They say he dabbles in necromancy.”

“I see,” Lilisfina mused as Sten tucked the amulet back into his pouch. Sten noticed how Corrium’s gaze followed his actions. “I’ll think we’ll hold on to it for the time being,” Lilisfina said firmly.

Corrium made a show of shrugging nonchalantly. “Suit yourself. It’s of value only to collectors, though. Good luck finding someone else who will pay so highly!”

“I appreciate your wisdom, though,” Lilisfina inclined her head to him. “Your advice is much appreciated, and we will keep your offer in mind. Have a good day, sir.”

“You as well, ma’am,” Corrium bowed gracefully, then spun on his heel and continued toward the city center. Lilisfina and Sten watched him go. Once he disappeared past Free-Winter’s house, Icicle leaped off the stoop and trotted back to the pair. She sat down in front of Lilisfina and chirped.

Did that cat just ask a question? “What did you think of Corrium, ma’am?”

“Hmm, I thought his manner was a bit - “ Lilisfina tipped her head to one side, her gaze growing thoughtful. “Skittish?”

“When he spoke of Wuunferth, it felt a little like the pot calling the kettle black, right?” Sten mused. “Kind of creepy, himself.”

“Have you ever met Wuunferth, Stennvar?” Lilisfina turned to meet his gaze.

“The court mage?” Sten shook his head. “Never had a reason to.” A sudden thought occurred to him. “Oh, wait,” he stopped Lilisfina from walking off. “Did you notice an odor about Corrium just now?”

Lilisfina grimaced. “Oh yes, I did. And yes, it’s the same.”

“Not from his house?”

“Stronger,” Lilisfina answered grimly. “Almost as strong as standing outside Hjerim.”

“So he’s the killer?” Sten leaned down to her and kept his voice quiet.

“Hmmm, how to prove it?” she countered back. “Might have to find an excuse to visit Wuunferth.” She peered up at the blue sky above them. “Still need to talk to Viola Giordano, see what she knows.” She turned back to Sten. “Where can we find her?”

“This time of day?” Sten chuckled. “Putting up those posters of hers around town, I’m sure. Let’s start in the marketplace.”

“Good idea,” Lilisfina agreed. “And I want to talk to a couple of the merchants there, see if they have any interest in some of our goods from the cave yesterday.”

Was that only yesterday? Seems a lifetime ago. Sten choked back the grief that surged up his throat and followed after Lilisfina. Icicle strutted down the street ahead of them, her tail upright in the air.

Lilisfina and Sten proceeded along the southern city wall, past Candlehearth and the forge, into the market plaza. Citizens milled about with hushed voices, whispering between themselves or with the merchants. Suddenly Icicle dashed off and disappeared between the feet of the market customers. “Where did the cat go?” Sten wondered.

“Look, do you see her by the Nord farmer’s stall?” Lilisfina tugged his sleeve and indicated the general direction with her chin. Sten spotted the grey tabby leap onto crates piled behind Hillevi Cruel-Sea. “What does she sell?”

“Produce, mostly,” Sten replied.

“Let’s start with her first,” Lilisfina made her way to the farm wife’s stall. Hillevi greeted them with a wary eye at Lilisfina. “Welcome,” she said to Sten. “You won’t find better produce in all of Eastmarch!”

“Did you grow all of these yourself?” Lilisfina cast her eye over the root vegetables that covered the counter surface.

“Of course!” Hillevi exclaimed. “You’d be hard pressed to find a better selection and variety elsewhere.”

“True enough,” Lilisfina responded. “Stennvar, do you think Elda would appreciate if we brought some produce for stew tonight?”

Sten shrugged, his gaze on Icicle as the cat groomed herself nonchalantly atop the crates. “Perhaps. She’d like it better if she didn’t have to pay for them.”

“These rutabaga would go well with a bit of dill,” Lilisfina mused thoughtfully as she hefted one of the large vegetables in her hand.

“We also grow herbs for cooking,” Hillevi reached beneath the counter and drew up a bundle of fresh dill.

“Dill! So far north?” Lilisfina exclaimed. “You are a genius, Hillevi!”

“I have a small field to the south of the main steading that is protected from the snows and the wind,” Hillevi remarked proudly. “It lets me grow some of the more tender herbs.” She indicated the bundle of dill. “This would be three drakes for the bunch, and those rutabagas would be a drake each.”

“Three drakes for a bunch of weeds?” Sten blurted, then bit his lip. I don’t do much cooking, what do I know?

“Oh, but dill adds so much flavor to root vegetables,” Lilisfina remarked softly. “Though I agree, it does seem a little pricey.” She turned back to Hillevi. “What about two drakes for the dill, and I’ll take three of the rutabaga for a drake each?”

Hillevi considered Lilisfina thoughtfully. “That would be acceptable,” she said finally, “if you’ll also do a favor for me.”

Lilisfina tipped her head thoughtfully at Hillevi. “What favor would that be?” Sten could hear the wariness in her tone.

Niranye reached beneath her counter and laid a small, cloth wrapped bundle in front of Lilisfina. “This is a special order, and I’ve not had time to deliver it. It’s nightshade, for the court mage.”

Wuunferth? Would that be our way to the mage? Sten turned his face away to hide his expression.

“How difficult is it to see him?” Sten could still hear the wariness in Lilisfina’s voice.

“Not difficult at all,” Hillevi waved her hand breezily. “Just walk in and tell one of the guards you have a delivery for Wuunferth. They’ll take you to him.”

“If it’s that easy, why haven’t you done so yourself?” Lilisfina regarded the wrapped herbs warily.

Hillevi regarded her for several breaths. She finally sighed. “To be honest, he creeps me out. There are rumors that he practices necromancy, and he’s - well, strange.” She pushed the package toward Lilisfina. “Go on, take a look for yourself. Just don’t damage it.” Her arched brows lifted even higher in surprise when Lilisfina picked up the packet and sniffed it.

“That’s high quality nightshade indeed.” The Wood Elf considered the merchant a moment longer. “And Wuunferth will pay you better than Nurelion the apothecary?”

“Nurelion?” Niranye scoffed. “He couldn’t tell the difference between imp stool and imp sh- chips!”

Lilisfina set the packet down on the counter, opened the pack and retrieved the silver pieces. “Five for the lot, and we will deliver this to Wuunferth before the evening meal,” she said.

“Then it’s a deal!” Hillevi drew out her merchant’s box and dropped the drakes in.

Lilisfina tucked the produce into her pack, and handed the mage’s delivery to Sten as they walked away from the stall. Sten leaned down slightly to her. “Think that cat knew we needed to see Wuunferth?”

Oengul called out to them as they passed his forge. “Good to see both of you out and about!”

“Good to be out and about,” Sten called back. Just then Icicle appeared in front of them, her tail up in a sashay that indicated her mood. “Cat looks proud of herself,” Sten muttered to Lilisfina.

She chuckled. “She knows she helped us,” Lilisfina murmured. “And she knows she’s an invaluable addition to our little team.”