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]

@SubRosa: I remember reading about how difficult it was managing all those factions, not just how they interacted with the player but also with each other. So complicated, like endocrinology! As for a Dragon Priest, I felt Curalmil deserved the highest rank of boss you could get in those dungeons, though I always played that at lower levels and got a lesser draugr. So we're playing pretty fast and loose with the game's leveling system.

@Acadian: Lili agrees that her usually effective anti-nausea potions are not working against the draugr, and is already thinking of ways to improve on her recipe. As this story goes on, you'll get to see the different ways she tests out a stronger, more effective version of her potions. As for the chanting, yes, Lili thought there were MOAH DRAUGR COMING!! Then she discovered the word wall, though it took Sten's local knowledge to identify what it is. See, he's not "just the muscle", he's also the "local flavor"! Hee!

@Grits: I've been thinking about how Lili would fight dragons - in game I've always gone to ranged tactics and let Sten/Argis/Housecarl of the Month get into melee as soon as I ground them. But Lili's aim, as we all know, sucks. I'm so happy you could hear Sten's voice in my writing - he speaks very clearly when I write him, especially his sections. I knew you would recognize his lines from the game!

*********************

Middas 20 Last Seed - A Crack in the Phial

Ma, it wasn’t just a cave - there was an old Nord crypt buried deep in there. Full of draugr too. Boss has a weak stomach around them - apparently they have a stench that makes her sick. Gotta hand it to her though - took a couple of potions and kept going. Both she and the dog were really useful in a couple of bad fights, and she healed me afterward. I guess what I mean is I don’t mind working for this particular mage.

Give my love to Halla and Old Fang. I’ll write more tomorrow.

Sten

Sten gave the word wall one last look as they descended the side stairs back to the chamber floor. Lilisfina moved slowly, as if blind, and he regarded her with concern. “Are you really all right, boss?�

She glanced back at him, her face pale beneath that light tan. “Just tired,� she responded. “Too much magicka, not enough rest.�

“I should have done more,� Sten moved to the central stairs leading further downward below the word wall.

Lilisfina touched his arm lightly. “You did just enough, Stennvar,� she murmured. “It’s just that I did not expect the undead here to be so . . . “

“Potent?� Stenvar supplied. She nodded, smiling slightly. “You have encountered undead before, yes?�

“Oh, yes, I have,� Lilisfina nodded. “Ghosts, wraiths, zombies, bog blights, shambles, and the odd lich here and there. But nothing like these . . . “ She cast her gaze around the chamber one last time before heading down. “Draugr. I wonder why they’re so different from the usual necromantic undead.�

“Another thing to ask the mages at that College, I suppose?� Sten suggested. Lili chuckled and led him into a small circular chamber filled with a pale grey mist. For some reason the mist itself provided a dim light and drew their attention to a stone bowl carved into a plinth. He moved around the small chamber, tapping on the stone walls in search of a hidden door. “Dead end?�

“Hmm,� Lilisfina gazed at the bowl. At her side Star raised himself up on his hind limbs enough to sniff at it. He whined and sat back down, his expectant gaze on the Wood Elf. She ruffled his ears with a soft smile and continued to study the bowl. “Nurelion did give me a potion - said it was key to gaining access to the White Phial. I wonder . . . “

Sten returned to the central plinth. “It’s a bowl. You have a potion. Curalmil - if that was Curalmil - is dead. Really dead, right?�

Lilisfina cast her unfocused gaze up the stairs toward the chamber. “Yes, really dead.� She fumbled through her belt pack and drew out Nurelion’s small vial. “So the logical next step is to pour this potion into this bowl.� She met Sten’s gaze. “I hope this is what it was intended for.�

Sten shrugged. I understand why she’s hesitating. If we’re wrong, we’ve wasted a rare and valuable potion, and our client won’t be happy.

Lilisfina took a deep breath and removed the stopper from the vial. “Here we go,� she poured the scant liquid into the stone bowl. It shimmered briefly in the bottom of the vessel, then drained away into invisibility. Rumbling shook the room, and dust drifted down as the wall opposite the stairs split crookedly down its center. Sten moved to stand between the plinth and the new door, pulling his zwei-hander into ready position.

After a long breath, the two sides of the wall gaped open wide enough to admit them. Beyond Sten saw a room with a central dais, but no sign of enemies. He glanced back at Lilisfina to see if she could sense anything ahead. Her gaze focused on him, and she shook her head.

“No one in there,� she said softly. “Unless there’s traps, it’s safe to enter.�

Sten scanned the floor in front of him for any distinctive tiles or plates, then stepped forward cautiously. He paused just within the room and scanned the walls. Light glowed from arcane crystals scattered around the room, as well as a few bioluminescent alchemical stuffs resting on various shelves and tables. He could see no dart traps, or crevices that could conceal swinging blades. He returned his zwei-hander to his back sheath and moved aside to let Lilisfina and Star enter.

Sten turned toward the central dais. Toward the rear of the room, he could see a small white vial on a stone plinth, similar to the one which supported the offering bowl in the previous chamber. He drew closer to it, continuing to search for hidden traps. Behind him, he heard Lilisfina exclaim and looked up to see her pick up one of the crystals and hold it over the shelving. She began sorting through the alchemical ingredients excitedly.

“Is that your treasure, boss?� he asked, amused. “Alchemical ingredients?�

“For being locked away in a damp crypt for so many centuries,� Lilisfina flashed a delighted gaze at him, “these are in incredible condition. And some are quite rare.� As her eyes returned to the alchemical treasure, she exclaimed again. “Oh, an alchemical table!� She moved toward it and brought out the three vials she had emptied. “Hmm, I wonder if I can make a stronger potion against these draugr?�

“Right now?� Sten turned to see her crouched over an alchemy table, already starting the retort bubbling. She assembled a few ingredients and drew out a mortar and pestle from the same pouch as her potion bottles. Wait, that pouch is too small! How? Later.

“Of course, before we run into any more draugr,� Lilisfina retorted. “Vomiting every time we run into one isn’t fun. My stomach is still aching.�

“I bet,� Sten moved to stand before the plinth again. He leaned forward to peer at the vial. Is it the White Phial? The white glass gleamed softly, except where a large crack ran down the side of it. Uh oh. “Say, did Nurelion say anything about getting this Phial intact?�

“Not exactly, but . . .� the sounds of the mortar stopped as Lilisfina looked around at him. “What is it?�

“Well, it looks like this Phial is cracked.� Sten answered. “Badly.�

“No!� Lilisfina left the table and darted to his side. Like him, she leaned forward to visually examine the relic. “Oh dear, that’s not good, not good at all.� She sighed. “And all that work just to get here . . .�

“All that barfing,� Sten agreed. Lilisfina whacked his biceps, then stepped around the plinth. “Should we bring it back to Nurelion?�

“Of course,� Lilisfina responded firmly. “The issue is how to get it back without further damage to the Phial.� Sounds of boiling reached them and distracted her. “Oh, my retort!� She dashed back to the alchemy table and adjusted the heat on the retort, then returned with the mortar in her hands. She continued grinding while her eyes evaluated the artifact.

“If we can wrap it up in something soft before we take it off the plinth,� Sten suggested, “that might keep it from falling apart on us.�

“Good point,� Lilisfina nodded. She pointed at her backpack on the floor near the entrance. “I think there’s more of that silken fabric in there, take a look.� She turned back to the alchemical table. “I’ve got to finish this potion so we can leave without any more barfing.�

“Right, let me see what I can do,� Sten rummaged in her pack, surprised at what she had managed to collect on their trip through the crypt. Gravedust and gravetar? Gems? Where did she find those? And is that amber? And I remember her harvesting these snowberries on the way out. He shook his head. “So much stuff in here, boss - I doubt your pack was this full when we left Windhelm.�

Her laughter made Star bark and dance in place, his white tipped tail wagging furiously. “How do you think I paid my way around Tamriel? And of course, you get half of what we sell!�

“Oh, no complaints there,� Sten found a few scraps of the green silk and pulled them out. “I was just wondering how you found the time to collect so much loot.�

“Well, I just focused on the small, expensive items. Gravedust and gravetar have high value to alchemists, now I know why. They’re damned hard to get!� Again she laughed. “When I was in Elsweyr and in Black Marsh, I learned how to pilfer on the move. You don’t waste time with the heavy weapons and armor, unless they have real value. Jewelry, gems, alchemical ingredients bring a lot of value for their weight.�

“Umm, there’s a few books in here that smell quite old, too,� Sten closed up the pack and moved back to the plinth with the silken scraps.

“There, that’s done,� Lilisfina declared in satisfaction. “I’ll set this aside to cool a bit.� She moved back to rejoin Sten at the plinth. “Let’s figure this out together. Do you have any spare laces for your armor?�

“Yes,� Sten dug them out of his belt pouch. “I was thinking about using them to tie the pieces of the Phial together before we take it off the stand.�

“Great minds really do think alike,� Lilisfina approved. Sten offered her the laces. “I’ll use one of them to just secure the pieces, then we’ll wrap as much of it as we can before taking it off.� She met his gaze. “How does that sound, Stennvar?�

“Like a plan,� Sten responded. “I’ll have the fabric ready for you.�

“You don’t want to do it?� Lilisfina smiled again at him, mischief sparking in her green eyes.

“I’ll likely knock it over trying to save it.� Sten grinned back. He watched as Lilisfina grew somber and turned back to the Phial. She evaluated the crack again, then created a loop with the lace around the globular base of the Phial. A neat slipknot pulled the pieces together, then she took the long end and created a second loop around the slender neck. This she tied off snugly, then reached for one of the fabric squares in Sten’s hands. He handed it to her, and spread the other scrap flat on the surface of the plinth beside the artifact.

Gently Lilisfina wrapped the silk around the vial, completely enclosing the gleaming glass. She left enough of the fabric to slip beneath it as she lifted it up. Sten found himself cradling it in his large palm as she began wrapping the second scrap over the first, then tied the entire bundle off with another of his laces. “There, that should do it,� she said finally. “Let’s tuck this into my belt pouch so it doesn’t get bumped around too much.�

Sten realized he had been holding his breath when he exhaled slowly for several beats. He watched as Lilisfina suited actions to her words, carefully slipping it into her belt pouch among several of the botanical samples she had already collected from around the room. “All right, let’s clear the rest of this stuff to bring back for Nurelion. We should at least bring him something.�

“Agreed,� Sten said as he stepped past Star to start the suggested task.

“Just a moment,� once again Lilisfina moved back to the table and carefully decanted her cooled potion into her three bottles. After nestling them next to the White Phial, she joined Sten in clearing the rest of the alchemical ingredients. They found a book titled A Game at Dinner, which made Lilisfina very excited with the discovery. She tucked that into her backpack as well.

Sten cast a final glance around the room. “Should we collect those crystals too?� Are they even worth anything?

“They do have some value, but not as much as these ingredients,� Lilisfina replied. “Only enchanters seem to like them, and do you know of any outside of the College?�

“Nope,� Sten shook his head. “What makes you think I would know of any enchanters?�

Lilisfina arched her right brow at him. “Why wouldn’t I think that?� She poked his biceps in that teasing manner he’d come to know well. “You’re smarter than you look, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.�

Sten found himself laughing at her backhanded compliment as they stepped out of the room back toward the large chamber. He glanced up to see Lilisfina pause at the top of the stairs. “Are they still dead?�

“Still dead, and smelling better already,� Lilisfina responded.

“Good. I’d rather fight bandits than draugr. At least bandits know when to stay dead.�