A Wood Elf in Windhelm, Stranger in a Strange Land? Options

[haute ecole rider]

Welp it has been a few years (yikes, almost EIGHT??) since I last posted anything in the Fan Fiction forum. I've taken up writing once again now that I have a couple of voices talking in my head once again. I hope y'all enjoy this one . . .

Sundas 17 Last Seed - Candlehearth Hall

“Child!� Lili turned her gaze toward the source of the voice. “Get that mangy mutt out of here! And go home to your parents!�

Here we go again. Lili lowered her hood to show her face, lean, sharp featured and highlighted by slanted eyes. She lowered her hand to touch the dog’s ears, just as pointed as her own. “Forgive me, ma’am,� she kept her voice soft, pitched to carry across the room to the Nord innkeeper behind her counter. “I’ve traveled from across the sea. This dog followed me from the docks. I seek food, a bath, and a bed for both of us. And I assure you Star has been cleansed of any fleas or lice or other vermin. But if you wish,� she half turned to the door behind her, “I’ll go seek lodging somewhere else.�

“Wait!� The woman stepped from behind the counter and approached Lili, gesturing her to step into the pool of light from a nearby sconce. “Forgive me, given your size I thought . . .�

“I take it you don’t see many Bosmer here in Windhelm,� Lili countered softly. “It’s an honest mistake, ma’am.� She looked down at Star’s bright blue eyes. “I can pay for both of us, but I also have a pair of fat salmon -� she held up two fish from beneath her cloak “- I fished up off the docks this afternoon. If you’ll let me use your kitchen for a little while, I can cook it up for us.�

“Salmon?� The woman exclaimed. “Nonsense! Nils!� She called over her shoulder down the hallway extending to the rear of the inn. “My name’s Elda Early-Dawn, I run this inn.� She glanced warily at the black and white dog. “We typically don’t serve dogs in here . . .�

“I’m Lilisfina. That’s why I offered to cook for the both of us,� Lili assured her. “I did clean him up before we came up from the docks.�

“Wait, isn’t he the stray dog the Argonians feed from time to time?� Elda put her hands on her hips. “He’s not filthy, is he?�

“Not anymore,� Lili smiled at him and ruffled his scruff. “I made sure of it.�

Elda narrowed her eyes at the slight Bosmer. “How?� She leaned down slightly and sniffed audibly. “He doesn’t smell fishy, or wet.�

Lili sent a faint wave of restoration magic down his body. Elda gasped and hastily stepped back. Her hand crept to her throat and grasped a small amulet.

“I’ve been traveling all over Tamriel as healer,� Lili explained softly. “And learning as much as I can from fellow healers and mages.�

“Magic?� Elda exclaimed. “Goodness! Not here, nothing dangerous like that! That’s all best kept up at the College of Winterhold.�

Lili pulled the coin purse from her belt. “May I pay for a room, a bath, and the use of your kitchen, ma’am?�

A scruffy man appeared at Elda’s shoulder. “You called, ma’am?�

“Give Nils the salmon,� Elda took a deep breath and met Lili’s gaze. “You can have your choice from our menu, if you want to give that dog something other than fish. We’ll put the salmon on our menu for tonight, or you can have it prepared your way for yourself.� Lili turned to the wizened older man and held the fish to him. “As for the room and the bath, it would be ten drakes for the room and three for the bath.� Her gaze flickered to the dog. “It’d be extra if you bathe the dog too.�

Nils hefted the fish thoughtfully, then grinned in satisfaction at their weight. Lili smiled back, then turned to Elda. “The dog won’t appreciate the bath, but if you have a nice mutton bone left over from that stew I smell cooking he wouldn’t mind that.�

“That’s nice salmon, mind,� Nils exclaimed softly as he met Lili’s gaze. “Salmon my way, salmon your way, or our mutton stew?�

“Let me try the stew,� Lili answered. “I’ve had nothing but smoked fish on the way here.� She counted out the drakes and handed them to Elda. “And here’s three for the bath, and twenty for two nights in the room. Would that be acceptable?�

“Of course,� Elda exclaimed, palming the coins into the purse at her waist. Here’s a woman who knows the value of a good coin. “Follow me, ma’am.� She turned and followed Nils into the back hallway. While he continued down to the rear of the structure, Elda stopped at the first door on the left. She drew a key from her pocket, unlocked it and swung it open. “Does this suit you and your dog?�

“He’s not really my dog,� Lili remarked as she stepped in. “But he decided to follow me.�

“Likely because you fed him,� Elda muttered as Star followed after Lili, his white tipped tail waving over his back as he explored the room with his nose. “Well, do you want your bath first, or eat first?�

“It’s cold outside,� Lili set her pack onto the bed, “and it will take time to get a hot bath ready. I think I’ll eat that stew first.�

“And what would you like to drink?�

“Mead?� Lili asked. “I’ve heard so much about it, and I’d like to try some.�

“Mead it is!� Elda nodded emphatically. “Mind you, be careful with it until you get used to it.�

“I’m Bosmer,� Lili smiled. “Grew up on jagga and rotmeth.� Elda pulled a face. She’s actually tasted jagga or rotmeth?

“Head upstairs, and I’ll have Susanna bring you your meal,� she nodded at Star, “and a bone for that dog. He’d better behave himself!�

“Thank you very much, ma’am,� Lili cast a lock spell on her bag, then followed the Nord innkeeper out. At the taller woman’s gesture, she headed up the wide stairs to the main hall above.

The large space, tucked beneath the high steep roof, took up the entire length of the inn. A large flagstone hearth, its chimney holding up the centerline of the roof, took up the center of the room. The part of the room adjacent to the open stairway held three tables, all three occupied. Chairs were placed along the walls and around the fireplace. On the other side, to the rear, a slender Dunmer plucked at a lute, a plaintive melody drifting from her long fingers.

“Hello!� Another Nord woman, this one a bit younger, her abundant curves highlighted by a rather lightweight outfit, approached Lili. “I’m Susanna the Wicked. Have you already ordered something to eat or drink, ma’am?�

“Elda will be sending something up shortly,� Lili replied. “I’m Lilisfina. You don’t seem very wicked to me, Susanna.�

“Are you new to Skyrim, ma’am?� Susanna tucked her tray beneath one arm. At Lili’s nod, she leaned down slightly to speak softly. “Here in Skyrim, nicknames are meant to be ironic. They call Elda Early-Dawn because, well, she sleeps late most days.� She nodded at a slouched Nord, his winter cap askew over his ears. “And Rolff Stone-Fist, because he has a glass hand. Jaw, too, to tell the truth.� She touched the side of her nose with her finger. “I didn’t tell you that.�

Lili smiled back at her and mirrored her gesture. “Tell me what?� She looked around the room again.

“You’ll have to share a table with one of those men,� Susanna straightened up. She eyed Lili thoughtfully.

“Which one do you suggest?� Lili asked. “I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.�

“Hmm, the black beard nearest us is Captain Lonely-Gale. He’s nice enough, but he’s being - aggressively - pursued by a certain spinster. That makes him cranky when she’s been on him, and she should be coming in here soon.� She shook her head warningly. “Not good company then.� Her gaze shifted to the front wall. “The older gentleman in the left corner behind the stairwell is Adonato Leotelli. He’s a writer, and when he’s writing . . .�

Lili took in the bent head, the quivering quill and the sheets of parchment scattered across the table. “Resents any distraction?�

“And did Elda say you could bring your dog here?� Susanna tipped her head at the Skyrim Husky, who regarded the room from his seated position at Lili’s side. “Because Leotelli will complain about misbehaving dogs, barking and panting and breaking up his concentration.�

“He’s not my dog,� Lili corrected. “But I understand what you mean. I definitely wouldn’t want to interrupt the creative process.�

Susanna snorted softly. “Now that big one with the shaved head and fierce face,� she indicated the man in the opposite corner, scratched iron glimmering in the candlelight with each slow breath, “Stenvar’s a sellsword. Strongest sword arm in the North, if you believe him.� She regarded him with a fond expression. “He’s rough, and looks like an absolute brute, but I assure you, he’s a good man to know. He won’t mind your - the dog, either. If he’s got a temper, I haven’t seen it yet.�

“How would he feel about sharing a table with an Elf?� Lili asked. Susanna glanced sharply at her. “Oh, I heard Rolff Stone-Fist and one other man giving a Dunmer lady a hard time before I came in. Sounded like there’s a fair bit of resentment about them here in Windhelm.�

Susanna laid a finger on her lips. “We can talk about that another time, Lilisfina.� She waved toward the mercenary’s table. “Go on, sit there. I’ll bring you your meal right away!�

Lili and Star wove their way between the chairs toward the indicated table. She noticed the round shield and war axe leaning against a chair at the side of the table, then the hilt of a zwei-hander over the sellsword’s shoulder. He raised his blue gaze from his mug as she stopped beside the chair opposite him.

“May I?� Lili rested her hand on the back of the chair in question.

“Of course,� Stenvar straightened his shoulders slightly and waved his free hand in open invitation. As she took her seat, he clenched his hand and tapped his iron cuirass in greeting. “I’m Stenvar.�

“Lilisfina,� she put her palms together in front of her own chest and nodded once. “My pleasure.�

“Are you certain?� Stenvar’s voice rumbled softly, his eyes glinting with good humor. “I’d argue the pleasure is mine. It’s not often I get a beautiful lass ask to sit at my table.�

Lili regarded him thoughtfully. “Somehow I get the feeling plenty of beautiful ladies do more than just sit with you, sir.� She kept her tone light and soft, and lifted her right brow in challenge.

Stenvar grinned, then shook his head with a chuckle. “Not as many as you’d think, ma’am.�

[haute ecole rider]

And on the Second Day . . .

@Acadian: Liliquirks, indeed! She has more to come, especially on the fourth day! I thought their first outing went pretty smoothly, considering this is a new team. But I'll let my readers judge. Playing a practical mage healer has its interesting applications, such as using spells to dry out wet footgear. That actually comes from a mod I use, Chesko's Frostfall. It's part of my basic mod load out, along with Campfire and Last Seed, which basically replaces (and predates) the CC Camping and Survival content. I've played Skyrim with Frostfall for so long - practically the second play through on LE! I did try the CC content, but they are not as comprehensive as Chesko's mods.

@Sage Rose: You are correct in thinking Sten paused at Yngol's Tomb, as Lili will find out in a later installment. Sten is Lili's wingman, indeed! Wedge all the way!

@treydog: So glad you are continuing to read this tale of ours. We will see how effective her Horkology is! Though she has never seen them before coming to Skyrim, she has already begun the process of observing them and learning what she can about them! Typical Bosmer . . .

@Grits: That horse was a bit of foreshadowing! We'll see more of her on the fifth day! And yes, aren't we all curious about Star?

I'll let Sten bring y'all up to speed on the story thus far . . .

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Morndas 18 Last Seed - The Winter War

Ma,

This might be a long letter, because a lot has happened. I met this woman at Candlehearth last night. She is new to Skyrim, and has traveled a long way. She’s never seen snow before, and thinks our summer is cold. Her clothes are inadequate, but she will be getting warmer clothing as soon as she can. She caught fish and traded it for mutton stew - she had been eating smoked salmon for a sevenday! So I got salmon for dinner last night while she tried the mutton stew. It was a good trade.

She has a dog, too. You’d like him - a good Skyrim Husky - black and white and full of mischief. Loyal too, though she says he’s not her dog. He just chose to come with her. She got him a fresh mutton bone, too, as part of the trade for the salmon.

Anyway, I’ve got a new job. We’re going to a wreck north of the city to clear some reavers that have been harassing shipping in the estuary. Since it is just across the main channel from Einar’s fishing camp, we’ll also look for Leifgard there. She doesn’t have the fighting skills, but she says she can handle herself. I’m interested in seeing how things go.

It’s getting late, and I’ve got an early start in the morning. I’ll write more when we get back.

Lilisfina stopped halfway across the shallow ford to cast a spell in the direction of the horkers at the base of the islet. The big bull grunted softly, then relaxed into the ice. His ladies didn’t even react, already basking in the sun. Beaded jet eyes followed Sten and Lilisfina as they crossed the shallow water. Star paused on the shoreline, then raced across when the others reached the other side.

They set their packs down just above the high tide line, careful not to let the shingle shift beneath the weight. Lilisfina touched Sten’s elbow lightly, then touched her finger to her lips to indicate silence. Heat moved from her free hand to her feet, then his. Before he knew it, the wet cold had evaporated in small clouds of steam from their boots. Warm, he wriggled his toes in enjoyment.

Star seated himself at Lilisfina’s side as she and Sten turned to regard the steep path that wound up the slope. He glanced at her in time to see her eyes lose focus momentarily. Then she met his gaze, held up one finger, and pointed to the top of the rise above their heads. One reaver. Sten slid his zwei-hander from his back and nodded. Ready.

Again Lilisfina touched his elbow to catch his attention. With her other hand she tapped her chest, then gestured pulling something toward her with fingers and thumb pinched. Then she pointed at Sten’s blade.

She’s going to lure him out, away from the others, and I can pick him off. Sten nodded his comprehension. Let me get up the hill, out of their line of sight when they come over the top. He avoided the bear traps and found an outcropping big enough to shield him from view about halfway up the slope. He glanced back at Lilisfina and indicated his readiness.

She tripped the first bear trap on the trail, then the next one a couple of steps up. A shout from above preceded the twang of an arrow into the air. Sten knew the moment the archer showed above the ridge by the sudden focus in Lilisfina’s face. A small flare flew from her fingertips past Sten, then a body hurtled past to land headfirst among the horkers below. Lilisfina turned and sent another spell into the horkers, and pandemonium erupted. Sten heard the grunting roars of the bull horker mingled with the man’s screams.

Shouts of other reavers echoed down to them, followed by crackling of ice beneath their approaching footsteps. While Sten waited, Lilisfina paused beside the second trap and dropped to one knee, draping the device with her cloak. From his vantage point it seemed as if she had been caught in the trap, and her swift glance up the slope past him reinforced the illusion.

She’s smart, knows how to fake the bait. Sten barely had time to form that thought before a burly reaver, clad in iron armor just as battered as his own, ran past. Sten stepped out and laid the edge of his blade hard against the other’s neck. His neck broken, the reaver rolled down toward Lilisfina and Star, tripping the remaining traps between them.

Sten ducked back under cover just as a second reaver, a sturdy woman in leather, appeared and shouted behind her. Sten watched Lilisfina stop the dead reaver’s body with her left hand. Her free hand flung another flare past Sten, and he heard a shout of rage from the woman. Heedless footsteps charged down toward him. Her worn shield led her reckless charge, but it was on the wrong side to protect her from Sten. He stepped into her exposed right side, bringing the hilt of his blade hard on her shoulder. Her leather armor did little to cushion the blow, but still she tried to bring her shield around.

Her momentum carried her downslope and caused her to lose her footing. Sten whipped the long blade around and stabbed her in the chest. As her sword and shield clattered from her hands, Sten kicked her off his blade and glanced back up the slope. Below he heard the horkers resume their ruckus as the woman’s body joined that of the archer’s.

After a few moments, silence fell over the trio. Sten exchanged glances with Lilisfina, then watched Star as he peered over the edge of the path at the horkers. After a couple of breaths Star returned to Lilisfina’s side, tail waving high over his back. Sten watched Lilisfina brush the tips of the Husky’s ears with her fingers, then he turned and crept up to the top of the islet. Lilisfina and Star joined him, the dog creeping on his belly alongside her. So the dog knows to lay low. That’s really rather impressive. Wonder if he was taught to do that somewhere?

They peered over the boulders toward the wreck. The Winter War lay broken in two, its bow pressed up against the far side of the islet, its stern shattered against the cliff that pressed close to the water on the far side of the water. A small cabin, mostly intact, squatted on the stern deck, and battered boards linked the fore and aft sections of the wreck. Each half bore a splintered, shattered mast.

“See any more?� Lilisfina whispered. Sten shook his head and pointed out an open hatch in the bow section. He pointed downward to indicate the potential for more reavers belowdecks. “Star, stay,� she murmured to the dog and eased over the top of the islet. As Sten and the Husky watched, she sidled down to the planking bridge between the bow rail and the rocks. Once her feet were on the deck, Lilisfina crouched down and turned still. After a few breaths she turned on her toes and looked back at Sten.

One finger went up, then pointed at the deck at her feet. One reaver belowdecks in the bow. Two fingers went up next, then pointed to the stern section’s lower decks. Two more in the stern. How can she tell? Sten closed the distance to Lilisfina’s side, Star close behind him. As they moved toward the hatch, Star flashed past them and leaped through the opening. As he disappeared, they heard snarling echo around the lower deck. The reaver’s startled shouting gave away his location to Sten as he took the ladder two rungs at a time.

Star’s white markings made it easy for Sten to find the reaver in the dimness belowdecks as he ran toward the noise. He could see two weapons in the other’s hands. Great. A dual wielder. He managed to parry the reaver’s initial attack. He’s panicky. That’s good. Thanks, dog. Sten managed to put Star out of his focus as he closed with the reaver and put his weight behind his first blow.

The reaver managed to parry him by crossing his war axes in front of his chest. Almost equal in size and bulk as Sten, he struggled to push back against Sten and throw him off balance. Suddenly he faltered with an enraged scream as one leg buckled beneath him. Star’s snarling turned into a savage growling as he gripped the man’s left thigh and shook violently.

As Sten stepped back to free his blade, a slim form slipped past him and touched the reaver on his right shoulder. Lightning flickered around the bandit, and his weapons clattered away with his sudden collapse. As Lilisfina and Star drew back, Sten drove his zwei-hander through the other’s leather cuirass into his chest. The abrupt limpness of the man’s limbs revealed the swift passing of life.

Sten turned away in time to see Lilisfina already crossing the plankings to the stern section. He peered ahead of her, but couldn’t see much other than the angular lines of a cage on the starboard side. As Sten followed behind her, he could see a slumped form near a closed door toward the rear of the deck. Asleep on watch? Or drunk? Sten ran toward the prone body of the watchman and brought his blade down on the man’s head before he had a chance to reach for his own weapon.

Muttering and clattering reached Sten from beyond the closed door. “Jaiden! Didn’t I tell you to keep out of the . . .� The door swung open to reveal a large Nord, himself as big as Sten. That’s a pretty impressive beard, the random thought passed through Sten’s mind as he darted toward the other. “Who in fecking Oblivion are you?� the chief shouted as he hefted his battle axe into a combat grip and swung blindly toward Sten’s head.

Just as I expected. Sten kept his momentum and ducked beneath the axe’s swing. He drove his shoulder into the chief’s midsection just enough to stagger him. As the chief fought for his balance in the doorway, Sten brought the hilt of his zwei-hander into the other man’s jaw. Bone cracked as the chief fell backwards. Sten rocked back on his feet just enough to recover his blade for another blow, but the bandit recovered in time and brought both feet into Sten’s chest. He parried Sten’s strike with the oaken haft of his battle axe and heaved Sten backwards.

He’s getting into this now, Sten noted the chief’s quick scramble to his feet. But he’s still not as quick. Already Sten backpedaled away from the doorway. His tactic drew the chief out after him in a hurried charge, lifting his battle axe for a final blow. In the corner of his eye, Sten saw the black and white markings as the Skyrim Husky sprang for the chief’s rear. This time Star chose to bite the man’s buttocks.

Caught off guard again, the chief’s attack wavered, and Sten dropped beneath the axe’s arc and drove his blade below the edge of the reaver’s cuirass into his abdomen. As the chief collapsed, blood splattered from his shattered mouth with his dying gasps. Lilisfina knelt beside him and touched lightning into him, ending his agony. As silence fell around them, she looked up at Sten.

“That’s the last one,� she murmured. “You took no harm?�

Sten took a deep breath and straightened his spine. “Yes, ma’am,� he wiped the long blade before returning his zwei-hander to his back. “You?�

She smiled lopsidedly at him. “All I did was play decoy,� she murmured. “You did all the hard work here.� Her amused gaze shifted over to Star, who sat beside her and turned his blue gaze back and forth between them. “He helped. Of course.� She moved to the doorway. “I’m going to take a look in there, see if there’s anything of value.�

Sten nodded and knelt beside the reaver chief’s body. He noted the quality of the man’s armor. That’s steel - good Nord steel. Still in good condition. Worth a fair bit of gold to the right buyer. A glimpse of blue woad beneath the man’s thick beard caught Sten’s gaze. He drew the black pelt away from the throat. A sea monster. This is Black Cleitus! Did anyone know he was leading the reavers here?

“What is that?� Lilisfina’s voice reached him. He looked up to see her leaning over his shoulder, peering at the tattoo. “Does it mean anything to you?�

“It’s Black Cleitus,� Sten replied. “He’s well known up and down the northern coast for his ruthlessness and cruelty.�

She whistled softly. “My ship went right past here on the way in, we were lucky I guess.�

“They were probably still hunkered down after that storm,� Sten said.

“Well, I suppose that’s a good thing we got him, then,� Lilisfina remarked. “That will help when we claim the bounty on these reavers.�

Wait. We? “We?� Sten met Lilisfina’s gaze.

“Yes, we,� Lilisfina responded. She leaned over and rapped her knuckles on the carved steel armor. “This have any value?�

“It’s better quality than mine, being steel and well maintained,� Sten replied. “You could sell it for a fair amount of coin.�

“Hmm,� Lilisfina mused thoughtfully. “I saw a boat, a dinghy really, down at the waterline. Must be how they’re boarding ships in the main channel. We can use it to cross over to your friend’s fishing camp and look for him. I’d suggest we build a raft for these bodies and bring them all back to Windhelm - might be worth a bigger bounty if we do.� She turned toward the cage set against the starboard wall. “There’s someone in there, too. Maybe Leifgard?�

They moved to the cage and surveyed the emaciated body within. “He’s starved,� Lilisfina mused. “And I see sign of frostbite as well as torture.�

“It’s Einar,� Sten knew that hawklike nose anywhere.

“In that case,� Lilisfina’s tone turned somber as she looked up at Sten. “I don’t have a good feeling about your friend Leifgard, I’m afraid.�