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]

@Acadian: Considering how many ingredients mages, alchemists and healers go through, a Pouch of Holding, while discreet, is a required essential! I'm glad you are enjoying the growing relationship between Sten and his "boss" - it's gentle, fun and easy. No drama! Plenty of that elsewhere, as we know!

@SubRosa:

Good thing neither of them is a Khajiit. They would have pushed the phial off the edge of whatever it sat upon, and shattered it on the floor!

Yup! Or that Lili doesn't have a cat following her! (As she will in a couple of days . . . )

@Grits: Yup, a winter storm was blowing up when they ducked into the cave; however I tried to show that the weather had cleared in a later installment when they entered Curalmil's chamber. Maybe that needs to be rewritten to more clearly show that the weather had - ummm - cleared. That line of Sten's about the dead reminds me of Julian's thoughts about what to call the undead once they are dead - umm - really dead. Be sure that our Bosmer will not forget about the White Phial in her Pouch of Holding!

@Renee: Thanks for the reminder about Sten's thoughts around Lili's apparent reluctance to kill animals and how that fits with the Green Pact. Sometimes a second read pays off. The dog is bothered by the smell, but unlike Lili, he doesn't throw up. Instead, he just doesn't roll in them. I agree, the chanting one hears at those Word Walls is pretty incredible. One of my favorite things about them, though I don't like losing my vision, even if it's only temporary. Comes from being deaf, I suppose, and being so reliant on my own vision since my hearing isn't so great.

@ghastley:

After fighting (and barfing) our way through Forsaken Cave, we discover that the White Phial, or what seems to be such, is badly cracked. Unsure of Nurelion's reaction but certain of his disappointment, they collect the high value alchemical ingredients and carefully pack up the Phial for transport back to Windhelm.

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

Middas 20 Last Seed - Nurelion

The lanterns at Candlehearth cast a welcoming glow through the falling snow as Lili and Stenvar entered the city, Star following in their footsteps. The Skyrim Husky reflected their mood, his head down and tail quiet with exhaustion. Gusts of freezing wind swirled around them, tugging on Lili’s fur cloak and hood. Just beat that snowstorm back to Windhelm. The snow, which had started when they first entered Forsaken Cave, had paused briefly to show them a peek of western sun beneath lowering clouds upon their exit. They had decided to take advantage of the calm and head home, rather than up the road to Heljarchen. A second snowstorm had blown up and chased them from Anga’s Mill all the way home.

Stenvar reached the door to Candlehearth first, and swung it open for Lili. He waved her and Star inside, before entering the warmth of the inn. “Warm up and eat first, then we’ll go to Nurelion’s shop,� he suggested softly. “Are you able to partake of food yet, ma’am?�

“What happened to ‘boss’?� Lili whispered back.

“Oh, that’s just between the two of us,� he responded, still keeping his tone soft as they moved toward Elda. “Around everyone else, it’s back to ‘ma’am’. Wouldn’t want folks to think we’re getting too familiar.�

“That doesn’t bother me Stennvar, just so you know,� Lili smiled at his startled expression. She turned toward the innkeeper. “Another two nights in your fine lodgings, please?�

The older Nord snorted. “Of course! How was your adventure?�

“Sickening,� Lili responded as she slid the drakes across the counter. “I’d like soup tonight, and maybe some of that healing tea instead of mead.�

Elda frowned at her. “Are you feeling all right, lass?�

“Getting better,� Lili returned with a smile for the other woman’s concern. “And hot baths for both of us -� she slid a glance at Stenvar. “Y’ffre knows we need it!�

“Which would you like first?� Elda glanced from Lili to Stenvar and back again.

“Bath for me,� Lili responded. “I’d like to give my stomach more time to settle. Big guy here, though, might want to eat first.�

“And the dog?� Elda leaned over the counter to regard the Skyrim Husky, who returned her gaze with a tired wag of his tail.

“Bone, of course! Then sleep, I’m sure,� Lili ruffled his ears fondly. Star licked her hand in return.

“I’ll eat first,� Stenvar remarked gruffly. “I’ll get Star his bone, too. Then he can sleep while you eat.�

“I’ll meet you upstairs in half a bell, then,� Lili responded, and headed for the rented room. Stenvar turned for the stairs to the common hall, Star trailing after him.

Nils appeared within a few moments with the copper tub on rollers. He parked it in the center of her rented room. “I’ll be back with the hot water,� he exclaimed. “You look about all tuckered out, lassie!�

The hot bath was just what Lili needed for her aching muscles. After a quarter of a bell, she reluctantly changed back into her woolen dress and headed upstairs.

Stenvar looked up from the remains of roast mutton and potatoes as Lili sat down at the table. Susanna appeared within a few breaths with a ceramic mug of hot lavender tea and set it down before Lili. “Sten tells me you’ve had a rough time in that crypt,� she said gently. “Drink this up, and I’ll bring up some apple cabbage soup in a moment!�

“Sounds wonderful,� Lili reached for the tea and inhaled the aroma. “Wait, is there a touch of imp stool in this?�

“Yes! Adds just a bit of oomph to the healing effects of the tea!� Susanna winked at her. “I’ll be back soon!�

Lili sampled the tea. It was just hot enough to warm her stomach, but not so hot to burn her tongue. “This is perfect,� she sighed. “Hits the spot."

Stenvar gulped his ale, then belched. “This hits my spot,� he remarked. Lili chuckled and drank more of the tea, savoring its rich flavor.

“I’m not looking forward to seeing Nurelion,� she rested her elbow on the table and her jaw in her palm. “I hate to disappoint him with a cracked Phial.�

“Assuming that’s the Phial,� Stenvar pushed his plate away. “Are you going to sell him all those alchemical ingredients we collected from that room?�

“If he’s interested, yes,� Lili responded. “And that gravedust and tar. Those are difficult to obtain, obviously, so he might want to purchase them.�

Before long Lili felt much better with a belly full of apple cabbage soup. Her stomach no longer felt queasy, and she felt warm again. “Well, better get this over with,� she sighed as she stood up and shrugged into her fur cloak. “I’m sure Nurelion is still open.�

“He should be,� Susanna said as she cleared the table away. “It’s still early enough. Though I hear he’s taken to bed, he’s become so ill.� She looked from Lili to Stenvar. “But his apprentice Quintus is competent enough, he should be able to help you.�

“Thank you,� Lili responded. Stenvar rose as well.

“Do you want me to come with you, ma’am?� he asked.

“I don’t think you need to,� Lili said and stepped toward the side door. She paused and turned back. “But I wouldn’t mind the company. It’s a horribly cold night out there.�

Star rose slowly to his feet and followed after Stenvar. Lili could almost hear him groan. “Star, we’re nearly done for today. Just a short walk to the market. You can stay in my room if you want to sleep.�

Star looked up at her, then stepped forward to her side and licked her fingers. Stenvar held the door open for the two of them, and they stepped out into the blowing snow.

“Y’ffre blast this snow!� Lili exclaimed as her feet slipped on the icy stones. “Why does it have to snow so much?�

Stenvar laughed. “Snow means it’s warm!� He dropped a blue glance at her. “Come winter, there won’t be much snow - it’ll be too cold!�

“I better be settled at the College by then,� Lili retorted. “I can spend all my days indoors then - studying restoration and alchemy in a warm lecture hall sounds appealing.�

“Hmm, not sure about that,� Stenvar remarked. “I’ve heard rumors that mages have been snooping around Saarthal. Mages in a burial crypt? No good can come of that . . .� He grinned when Lili groaned expressively.

“I suppose I’d better figure out how to make my potions more potent then,� she said finally. After much slipping and cursing, mostly on Lili’s part, they reached the door to The White Phial. Lili drew a deep breath. “Here we go . . .�

Inside, Quintus Navale greeted them wearily. Lili peered closer at his face. “You look like I feel, Quintus,� she exclaimed softly. “How is Nurelion? I heard he was quite ill.�

“He’s upstairs,� Navale replied. “He’s not doing well at all. Coughing so much he can’t keep much food down.�

“That’s terrible,� Lili commiserated. “What have you been giving him to help?�

“A Cure Disease potion, but I’ve run out of ingredients for it, specifically vampire dust and charred skeever hide.� Quintus shook his head, then met Lili’s gaze. Hope flickered across his face. “Did you find . . .�

“I’m not sure,� Lili responded softly. “I’ll have to show it to Nurelion.�

“By all means, go upstairs!� Quintus exclaimed. “He’s sitting by the fire.�

“I’ll show Quintus the ingredients we brought back, if you’ll let me have your pack, ma’am,� Stenvar volunteered. Lili handed him the backpack and headed upstairs. Behind her she heard Star sneeze as Stenvar removed the ingredients from Forsaken Cave and set them on the counter.

The aged alchemist slumped in the chair before the fire, which provided the only light in the room. Y’ffre! He looks a hundred years older than when I last spoke to him just yesterday! Lili noted the blood stained cloth clenched in one hand. “Nurelion, sir?� she stepped forward. “I’ve returned from Forsaken Cave.�

His head came up and Nurelion turned his face to peer at her. “Did you find it?� His hands reached out to her. “Do you have the Phial?�

Lili reached into her belt purse and drew out the green wrapped relic. She placed it carefully into his cupped palms. Laboriously he untied the laces and folded back the fabric. He gasped when he saw the cracked vial. “This . . . it matches every description of the Phial that I’ve found in lore. But if it can’t hold liquid, there’s no way of knowing. How did you manage to damage it then?�

Lili knelt beside the chair so she could see his expression. “I’m very sorry, Nurelion. It was already cracked like this when we found it. Is there any way it can be repaired?�

Nurelion shook his head. “Figures . . . I . . . I doubt you have sufficient knowledge to harm it if you wanted to. Either way, this is the end of it . . .� He coughed violently, and Lili caught the Phial as it slipped from his shaking hands. She set it on the small table beside the chair and cupped his hands in hers. There’s something dark in him - in his chest - something that’s been growing there a long time. He is dying - slowly. Nurelion freed one hand to fumble in his coin purse. He placed a few silver coins in Lili’s hand and managed to push her away firmly. “This is for your trouble. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m not quite in the mood to entertain guests. I trust you can show yourself out.� He turned his face away from Lili.

She rose to her feet and returned to Quintus and Stenvar, their heads together over the pile of ingredients. Quintus slid several silver coins to Stenvar, who closed up the backpack and left the botanicals on the counter. Together they turned to face Lili.

“Nurelion is not happy - he can’t be sure that’s really the Phial since it’s too cracked to hold liquid.� Lili looked down at the silver coins. Five drakes. I really don’t have the heart to argue with him about the value of our efforts in obtaining a cracked relic. “How do you like the ingredients we found?�

“Some of these are quite rare, so I’ve paid accordingly,� Quintus responded. “Stenvar should be holding a hundred twenty five drakes for these.� He moved to stand in front of Lili. “He also told me how difficult it was for you in that crypt.� His gaze fell to the coins in her palm, and he frowned. “I know my master can be short at times, but you’d think he’d show more appreciation for your efforts.� He moved back to the counter and opened the merchant’s drawer. He counted out more drakes, and handed them to Lili. “This should cover the work the both of you put in to obtain the Phial for my master.� He pulled down a few sprigs of greenery. “And also, add lady’s mantle and peppermint to your potions for upset stomach. Use our table to make fresh potions, and I’d recommend distilling them down to increase the potency.�

Lili slipped the coins into her belt purse, and the ingredients into her backpack. “Thank you very much, sir,� she responded. “I’ll return in a day or two to borrow your table, that’s much appreciated.� She looked at Stenvar, then back at Quintus. “Your master is dying, and it’s no disease that can be cured,� she added. “All you can do is keep him as comfortable as you can for the rest of his days.�

Quintus flinched at her words, and his brown eyes glimmered in the candlelight. “I was afraid of such,� he said finally. “Are you a healer, then?�

“I have some skill there, yes,� Lili admitted. “Enough to know your master is mortally ill, indeed. If it had been identified earlier, there might be a chance to slow things down. Perhaps he already knew and was self treating for that purpose.�

The apprentice alchemist lowered his gaze to the floor for a moment. “I suspect you may be right,� he said finally. “Nurelion’s been pushing me hard for the past year or two, harder than he’s ever done. His personality changed too - more impatient, more demanding, more exacting.�

“Sounds to me as if he wants to make sure you’re ready to take over after him,� Lili touched Quintus’s shoulder lightly. “You’ll be all right - just keep him as comfortable as you can for his final days.�

Quintus met her gaze bleakly. “Any suggestions? I hardly know where to start.�

“Something to ease his breathing, and to stop the bleeding in his lungs,� Lili paused to consider him. “And pain. Pain control is going to be essential to ease his suffering.� She cast her glance around the shop. “May I?� At his nod she began browsing through the shelves. “Mistletoe will help with the bleeding, cornflower, ginger and if you have it primrose seeds for congestion, poppy and vervain for pain.� She turned back to Quintus. “You may have to make more than one potion to get the maximum effects from these.�

“Thank you,� Quintus pressed both hands, one over the other, against his chest in gratitude. Star sneezed again as they left the shop.