No Elves in Sovngarde, I've decided to to turn my "A day in Skyrim" adventure i Options

[McBadgere]

Ooooh, excellent stuff!!!...

I do love the Gildergleam/Eldergleam quest...I think that Sanctuary (that in a strange coincidence, my Khajiit character only discovered this morning) is one of the most beautiful locations in the game...But, that's by the by as you haven't gotten there in the tale yet...Ooopsie... ...

Aaaaamywho...

*Cough*...

Brilliant writing, loved that bit with Onmund and Kayla's worrying if she should leave him behind or take him as a follower...Loved it...

Another excellent chapter...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Elisabeth Hollow]

D'awwww, y'all are making me blush!!!! I really appreciate the comments :] I'vegot another chapter set up and doing the editing now, and the chapter after THAT is being written as well. The only key that is sticking now is the J key, I have to remember to push extra hard on that one, so that takes time away when I go to edit and see "'zargo was ust umping for oy when he heard to ail had some ewels and felt it was ustified in acking the ail from its loot" lmfao

[Elisabeth Hollow]

I'm going nuts writing this. The last time I wrote this much was 8 years ago. This is an awesome outlet for me, lol.

Anyways, I posted one chapter on fanfiction dot net, and got screamed at for not putting a space after the ellipses...still not doing it! XD

Enjoy!


CHAPTER FOUR: Different Type of Predator

"You're back in one piece? That's good...what is that?" Danica glanced peevishly at the sapling. "You brought me a stick instead of sap?!"


"No, Danica, look, listen. That traveler? Maurice Jondrell. He follows the voice of Kynareth, and he made the sapling grow by praying to Kynareth."


"But we need the sap!"


"Maurice said, and I quote," I intoned my impression of Maurice in a dry voice "'You fool, you madwoman, do not strike the tree, Kynareth will avenge it, I have another way.' Then he prayed to Kynareth and after a moment this sapling," I held it up to her, "Sprung from the ground. It was amazing!"


Danica took the sapling, and held it gently. "Who am I to argue with a god?" she murmured, and said "Alright, this will work. It will replace the tree outside. I'll have the jarl's men remove the tree outside and I will plant this one. You have my thanks, Kayla." And with that I suppose I was dismissed.


I went back to the house and greeted Onmund. He gave me the usual kiss and "Hello dear" but something seemed off.


"Onmund, what's wrong?"


Onmund sighed. "Honestly? I just feel...like a trophy husband."


I stared at him incredulously for a moment before laughing. He looked startled, then hurt. "I am not a bad looking man," he said defensively. I waved my arms and shook my head and said "No! Love! That's not what I'm-" I cleared my throat and regained my composure. "I just...okay, explain."


"Well," he began reluctantly, "You go off, earning more money then my measly store ever could, I hear all of these wonderful adventures you have, and what do I do? I am a househusband."


"And what's wrong with that?"


"I am getting fat."


"It's a cold place, you need to be burly!"


"No. you don't understand. I am a Nord man, with Nord man needs."


I rolled my eyes. "I suppose I DON'T understand. What is the difference between a Nord man's needs and a Breton man's needs?"


"I crave adventure, excitement! Exploring somewhere I've never been." He sat me down on a chair and knelt in front of me. "Remember when you got my family's amulet back? How I was too afraid to approach Enthir after he told me no once? I don't want to be like that anymore. I want to take what is mine back!"


I have to admit, he surprised me. I had never seen this side of Onmund before, and it was...odd. I fell for him because he wasn't the typical Nord male. He didn't mind that I was a "weak elf," nor that I loved magic. He didn't mind, or I thought he didn't mind, staying safe while I made the world better for him.


"Onmund..." Could I tell him this? SHOULD I tell him this? He looked at me expectantly. Oh gods. "Well, if this is how you really feel, then would you like to accompany me to Morthal my next journey out?"


His eyes widened in excitement. "Yes!" he exclaimed, hugging me tight.


"Alright, we need to make sure- gurk, stop squeezing me!" He let go, his grin never leaving his face. "We'll need four different types of potions, not unlike when you came to Riften with me, then here to Whiterun. Health potion, stamina potion, magicka potion-"


"And mead!"


"...and cure disease..."


"Oh."


I rolled my eyes.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Onmund hopped off the carriage and stretched his legs. I had insisted on no stops unless it was to relieve ourselves, and the carriage driver got an extra 50 septims for obliging.


"You're not the most paranoid passenger I've had on here, trust me," he quipped. We had reached Morthal a little after dusk, and had a guard direct us to the inn. I tried to not usher Onmund inside too fast, to not have him think I was more paranoid than I actually was. He wanted to explore the town a bit, but I feigned exhaustion and suggested a pint of mead before bed. He obliged, and we walked, side by side, into the Moorside Inn.


"This place is dead," Onmund remarked. It really was. There was an orc bard(torturer?!) singing a shameful rendition of "Ragnar the Red," the bartender, and a lone woman to our right.


"Not nearly as dead as it could be," the woman said, her voice sultry and silky. She stood up and looked Onmund up and down, then licked her lips. "What's your name, handsome?" Onmund blushed. The woman was wearing tavern clothing, revealing her ample bosoms and wide hips. Her lips were a shade of red rarely found naturally, skin the typical Nord pale, and eyes wide and innocent. I saw right through her.


"My HUSBAND'S name is Onmund, and I'm Kayla." I took a step forward. Onmund put his hand on my arm in assurance that he was alright. I backed off.


"I'm going to go check with the bartender to see if there are any bounties out." I turned on my heel smoothly, my jealousy making me seethe. I gripped the edge of the bar with my hands and said through clenched teeth, "Who. Is. That?"


The bartender glanced up past me and raised her eyebrows. "You're one brave woman, leaving your man over there with the likes of Alva. She's got all the men in this town wrapped around her finger, just about."
I blinked, and replied "I can see why, dressed like that." The bartender laughed, and said "Name's Joanna." We clasped wrists. "I'm Kayla," I replied, feeling a tad better. "I came here looking to help anyone who needs it. Especially if it includes slaying the town wench." We both laughed hard at that, and Joanna said "Well, it just so happens that the jarl needs someone to investigate the death of Hroggar's wife and child."


"Oh? What happened?"


"House fire, it looks like. Hroggar blamed it on his wife spilling bear fat onto the hearth, but we all know he was shacking up with Alva. Could be motive."


I turned my head and watched Alva and Onmund over my shoulder. Alva laughed at whatever joke he threw out and rubbed his forearm lightly. Her smile never left her face, not even when she was pouting at some unknown request he had declined. Onmund looked like he was enjoying himself thoroughly. I didn't know whether to order a room and slink in there alone or shove a fireball in her mouth. That would take away at least one service she offered to the men.


"Can I have a room? I'll go to the jarl in the morning and see if my help is needed." Joanna nodded and I handed the septims over. I ordered two mugs of mead and headed over to the table. I sat down and handed one of the mugs to Onmund, but Alva slid that one over to herself and said in a mock disapproving voice, "Now where is your poor husband's mead, elf? Did you forget about him already?"


Onmund looks at me expectantly. Incredulous, I said "Well, you rudely took his, but if you're going to throw a tantrum, here." I slid my tankard of mead over to Onmund, sloshing half the contents onto the table.


"Relax, elf, it was just a joke!"


"Yeah, Kayla, she was only kidding, what's up with you?"


I stood up. "I'm tired, and have work to do in the morning. Onmund, I got us a room right over there. Can we go to bed now?"


Alva pouted and leaned closer to Onmund. "But I've only just met him! You're going to take away from me so soon?" Onmund said "No dear, she isn't." He looked up at me, and said "I'll be there in an hour or so. You kept me locked up in the house for so long, I need some socialization besides the little brats that run around wild at home." And with that he turned his back on me. I looked to Joanna for help, but she kept her eyes on her sweeping. I went to the room and began to cry.


He called her dear.


I'M his dear.


Why did he use his pet name he uses for me?


Maybe every attractive woman is dear? No, he never called Brelyna dear, nor Lydia, who is even a Nord.
Is Onmund so unhappy with his life, with me, that he has to guilt me into taking him on an adventure so he can sleaze it up with some two-septim wench away from home? This doesn't make any sense. I asked Hulda if Onmund ever cheated on me in front of her while at the Bannered Mare, and she said no, not even when Uthgerd the Unbroken decided to take her armor off when Mikael did his "Dance of Seduction" on the drums. I was told Onmund walked home alone and Mikael claimed Uthgerd that evening. Or maybe she claimed him? I shouldn't be commenting on the sex lives of people I don't know.


This reminded me of the time I got curious and snuck into Haelga's room at the Bunkhouse in Riften. I sorely regret that mistake.


I decided to take my armor off and go to bed. If Onmund wanted to make friends, who was I to stand in the way? He is a faithful man. I trust him.


I dreamed of about fifty ways to make Alva suffer for making me look like a jealous cow until morning came, and I opened my eyes. I turned over to greet Onmund, but his side of the bed was cold, untouched. Rage, then fear came, and I dressed hurriedly. When I walked to the bar, sans armor, Joanna handed me a note.


"Kayla,

Alva and I talked all night, she is a wonderful and interesting woman. I have gone to explore the town and see the sights.

Onmund"


"That's...that's it?" I asked Joanna.


"I'm sorry, lass, but that's all. If it's any consolation, Alva went home just before sunrise and invited him over, but he declined. He said he needs to to get out of the house, not spend the day inside another one." She shook her head. "They did get pretty close last night, though. The usual flirting with Alva..." She trailed off when she saw my hurt expression. "Morthal ain't no place for a househusband. There are different predators inside the town limits then outside them. Alva will eat your man alive in a worse way than any bear or sabrecat could. At least then, they're dead. When a woman woos your man out from under you, the victim is you, and not him."


I crumpled the note. "I'm not a victim. I'm going to go find my husband."

[McBadgere]

I'm going nuts writing this. The last time I wrote this much was 8 years ago. This is an awesome outlet for me, lol.

*Applauds*...I know what you mean, it was about 20 for me... ...

Anyways, I posted one chapter on fanfiction dot net, and got screamed at for not putting a space after the ellipses...still not doing it! XD

*Punches air with fist...Taking out a low flying pigeon...* YES!!... ...Nice one!!...I think I fell a little in love just then... ...

*Cough*...

AAaaamywho...

Oooh, I remember this quest...Nasty stuff...

Hopefully Onmund will turn out to be the classy husband...

Brilliant writing, glad you're enjoying the return to it...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...


Honey! We've gotten extra for christmas dinner...Behold! A pigeon!...Yes you need to get plucking...I'm busy...Yes I am...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Dec 24 2012, 01:48 PM

[King Of Beasts]

Alva already Onmund under her spell I suppose? Damn vampires always trying to suck you dry of your blood or turn you into a thrall 

Wonderful chapter, can't wait for the next one

There's no reason for screaming at you for not adding spaces where you don't want them. The nerve of some people *angrily walks away muttering*

[Elisabeth Hollow]

There's no reason for screaming at you for not adding spaces where you don't want them. The nerve of some people *angrily walks away muttering*

I know!! I was like "I wasn't aware that the space after the ellipses was imperative to the flow of the story. Your critique as been noted and cataloged, I appreciate the insight. I will be sure to remember that extremely important space in the future!"

Pfffft.

*Punches air with fist...Taking out a low flying pigeon...*

Whoa, calm down!...

You gonna eat that? XD

Oooh, I remember this quest...Nasty stuff...

This quest rings true with me because I've had a man "stolen" from me before. Like the character, I refused to be the victim...except Kayla(the elf) is a bit more proactive when it comes to this. I gave mine an ultimatum and said "It's either me, someone you KNOW you're happy with, or her, just a pretty face." Oddly enough, she was a lot like Alva...she liked having several guys under her thumb. Wow. No wonder this part of the story speaks to me so much.

Hopefully Onmund will turn out to be the classy husband...

Let's just say I will be modeling his reaction from personal experience.

I went back and looked at Alva via Elder scrolls wiki and thought, wow, she isn't even that attractive... then I looked at Movarth (pre-Dawnguard installation, but I have Dawnguard installed now) and was like wow, no wonder these people are vampires, lmfao.

Ugh. I'm hawngry. I'm gonna go eat. Happy Holidays to everyone, and I REALLY appreciate you taking time out of y'all's day to read and review my work :]

[Acadian]

Oh, those pesky ellipses.... Let me check. . . here we are. I use spaces between them but it is a style choice that is purely up to you. The only advice I’ll offer is to be consistent in how you use them (as you are) and, unless your name is McBadgere, not to overuse them.

"And mead!"
"...and cure disease..."
"Oh."
I rolled my eyes.’
You can take the man out of the Nord, but you can’t take the Nord out of the man!

Loved the scene in the Moorside Inn. Kayla is worried about harm befalling her trophy husband and now she has to worry about the town wench as well!

‘I dreamed of about fifty ways to make Alva suffer for making me look like a jealous cow until morning came, and I opened my eyes.’
This is perfectly written and conveys exactly how I imagine Kayla was feeling.

Oh dear, the morning doesn’t bring reassuring news. Taking Onmund along with her isn’t working out exactly the way Kayla hoped. That quest she had in mind probably needs to move to the back burner till she sorts Onmund out.

This story, and your intimate, character-focused style, is a joy to read.

I see you have two line spaces between all your paragraphs instead of one empty line. Since you did so consistently in this episode, it is not a problem but I wonder if it was intentional? For what it’s worth, I would recommend just a single blank line between your paragraphs. Your editing was very tight here with almost no nits; Just a couple tiny things to take a peek at -

‘Onmund looks at me expectantly. Incredulous, I said "Well, you. . .’
Mixing tenses. I’d use ‘looked’ vs ‘looks’ here.

‘Alva pouted and leaned closer to Onmund. "But I've only just met him! You're going to take {him} away from me so soon?" Onmund said "No dear, she isn't." He looked up at me, and said "I'll be there in an hour or so. You kept me locked up in the house for so long, I need some socialization besides the little brats that run around wild at home." And with that he turned his back on me. I looked to Joanna for help, but she kept her eyes on her sweeping. I went to the room and began to cry.’
Two things. First, I think you need a ‘him’ where I inserted one as an object for the verb ‘take’. Secondly, because there are two speakers, I would break to a new paragraph when you change from Alva to Onmund as the speaker.

[McBadgere]

unless your name is McBadgere, not to overuse them

.

...I have no idea what you mean... ...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Dec 24 2012, 07:27 PM

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Crap, I thought I was so careful this time XD I really have no idea why I mix tenses. I usually catch myself, and have been editing as I go along, then reading the chapter over, pasting it in the reply box on here to see if I misspelled anything, and thought I caught it all.

Oh dear, the morning doesn’t bring reassuring news. Taking Onmund along with her isn’t working out exactly the way Kayla hoped. That quest she had in mind probably needs to move to the back burner till she sorts Onmund out.

Kayla was hoping that Onmund was just needing time away from the house, and figured Morthal was as safe as it could get, being it wasn't a "tourist attraction" and the population was sparse. She kind of cheated him in a way, and the situation is forcing her to change her perspective on how she treats him.

I see you have two line spaces between all your paragraphs instead of one empty line. Since you did so consistently in this episode, it is not a problem but I wonder if it was intentional? For what it’s worth, I would recommend just a single blank line between your paragraphs.

When I paste the story here with single spacing, it bunches together and I have to re-space it. Double spacing saves me time, and it doesn't look bad to me. I'll see on the next chapter what I can do to make it just a single space with no hassle :]

Again, I appreciate everyone's reviews!!

This post has been edited by Elisabeth Hollow: Dec 24 2012, 08:21 PM

[Grits]

No space after the elipses?! You…madwoman!

I’m delighted that Kayla has her own story! I enjoy her voice very much. I loved her thoughts about keeping Onmund safe while she made the world better for him. Then I loved it even more when she invited him on the Morthal expedition!

Yikes, Alva. I'm already looking forward to the next part!

[Elisabeth Hollow]

No space after the elipses?! You…madwoman!

I’m delighted that Kayla has her own story! I enjoy her voice very much. I loved her thoughts about keeping Onmund safe while she made the world better for him. Then I loved it even more when she invited him on the Morthal expedition!

Yikes, Alva. I'm already looking forward to the next part!

D'AWWWWWWWWW -blushes-

Y'all are going to give me a giant head lol

[jack cloudy]

I've got nothing to add that hasn't been said already really. Fun characters and I really like how you surprised the readers by turning a flashback into a nightmare, while still letting it keep its value as a flashback.



Hmm, I haven't run into that quest yet (or marriage for that matter), but given how I doubt any woman can be that* seductive no matter how low-cut her dress is, I'm guessing magic is involved in some way.




*There was Riverwood, but given how the tradehouse lady is the only unmarried woman in town who isn't pushing eighty, I'd say it was more of a case of lack of options there.

[King Coin]

The Gildergreen quest goes a lot better with that guy then. My character has never brought that man along, and it always goes poorly, collecting the sap.

Oh my… trouble with the husband. Poor man wants to go on an adventure. Morthal though… Yeeesh. Not the best place for it.

…singing a shameful rendition of "Ragnar the Red,"…
Is there any other rendition? Hate that song!

Slaying the town wench… Yeah, she’ll probably get to do that. I’ve always liked Joanna, glad Kayla is getting along with her.

Whoa… Onmund is going to be in trouble. And that’s the last time he’s being let out of the house!

I crumpled the note. "I'm not a victim. I'm going to go find my husband."
This is war! I do hope Onmund is ok though...

This post has been edited by King Coin: Dec 28 2012, 02:27 AM

[Elisabeth Hollow]

…singing a shameful rendition of "Ragnar the Red,"…
Is there any other rendition? Hate that song

I'm partial to "The Dragonborn Comes" but yeah, I figured they weren't really concerned with the tavern music lyrics. The only time I actually enjoy the music is when they use the drums. I may, at some point, write a better song used in the taverns lmfao. Or bring another song from a different book in there(LotR throwback, anyone??)

Hmm, I haven't run into that quest yet (or marriage for that matter), but given how I doubt any woman can be that* seductive no matter how low-cut her dress is, I'm guessing magic is involved in some way.

-snort- I tried to marry Mjoll the Lioness. I love "Crusaders for good" characters. Personal weakness

There may be an update tonight, depends on whether or not I can finish the chapter I started earlier today. I've been mentally and emotionally drained. I like having two chapters done before posting another one.

[King Of Beasts]

I'm partial to "The Dragonborn Comes"

I like tale of tongues best.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

I'm partial to "The Dragonborn Comes"

I like tale of tongues best.

Tale of wha? I don't spend a lot of time at inns so maybe I miss that one.

[King Coin]

I'm partial to "The Dragonborn Comes" but yeah, I figured they weren't really concerned with the tavern music lyrics. The only time I actually enjoy the music is when they use the drums. I may, at some point, write a better song used in the taverns lmfao. Or bring another song from a different book in there(LotR throwback, anyone??)

I like some of the tavern songs, just not Ragnar the Red. Anything but Ragnar!

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Ah, erm...I checked the word count on chapter 5, and uhm...it's 4,500+ words. Lemme re-work this one...

Looks like I have about FOUR chapters, five inlcuding the one I'm working on. Dang, lol. That gives me a little bit of leeway I suppose.

(PSSSSST Grits, I'm reading your fanfic!!!!)

ALSO, before ANYONE points this out, "Joanna" was spelled like that at first because that is what her name is in the game. However, for every character I go to the wiki and check them and and her name is spelled "Jonna." I'm leaving it like that, for now. Don't let it take away from the story.
- - - - - - - - - - -

I searched Morthal until I found Onmund. It was a fairly short search, considering I had passed him up once in my anger near the jarl's home. He was squatted near the water, studying a nirnroot. I squatted next to him, and he looked up.

"Oh. Hello."

"Is that any way to greet your wife?"

Onmund sniffed. "I suppose not."

He stood up, and I did too. I looked him in the eye. "Why didn't you come to bed last night?" He looked away for a moment, then back to me. "I was talking to Alva."

"Right. 'Talking' to Alva."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Onmund, you need to open your eyes, and look away from her perky breasts." He flushed angrily. "Joanna said-"

"Oh,what did Joanna say? That Alva is a tramp? That she uses her wiles to get what she wants from other men? That she convinced Hroggar to burn his family alive?" I balked at his tenacity, and he continued. "Well guess what, Kayla? You will often hear that from jealous females." He looked pointedly at me. "If you listen to everything the town gossip has to say, you'd be chasing everyone down with a claymore."

"Onmund, you need to-"

"No, Kayla, I'm tired of being your pet! I'm more than that, more than this!" He gestured to himself. "I am a student of the arcane arts, not just your housepet!"

Angry tears filled my eyes as he fumed, and a few townspeaple stopped to gawk. He continued. "Alva treated me like a person last night, like you never did!" He sighed and took a deep breath. "It made me realize that there is more than what you have to offer me."

I was stunned. "What are you saying, Onmund?"

"I'm saying I'm getting my own room at the inn. Don't go in there." he walked to the inn doors, leaving me stunned. "I'm going to go to sleep now, don't disturb me." And walked inside.

I had half a mind to leave him there. He was unhappy? Fine, let him be happy here with the pond sludge. I walked around town angrily, searching for an outlet. Something, anything to get my mind off the anger. Everyone stayed out of my way when they saw me. I spotted Hroggar on the edge of town and zeroed in on him.

"YOU!" He jumped, and gave me a terrified look. "GET OVER HERE NOW!" He backed away, slowly at first, then went into a full sprint further from the town. I chased him down easily, not being in my armor. I tackled him and pinned his arms behind his back, causing him to scream. I sat on his back and clamped his mouth shut with my left arm.

"Listen up, and listen closely," I whispered in his ear. "If you don't tell me everything you know about Alva, I will shove a fireball into your eye sockets. Got it?"

Hroggar nodded. "That also goes for screaming. If you scream, I will paralyze you and leave you out here for the trolls." He nodded furiously and I uncovered his mouth.

"Crazy elf!" he spat, eyeing me angrily.

"You're in no position to throw insults. However, I am in a great position to beat some answers out of you."

"I'd rather die than betray Alva."

"Really? You would?" I leaned in close to his face, and said "Right now, your precious Alva is bedding the entire town."

"No, she isn't! Let me up!" He began to struggle, and I pressed harder on his twisted arms, causing him to begin to screech. I covered his mouth again.

"Remember what I said?!" He mumbled something through my hand, and I uncovered his mouth.

"I can't help it if you're breaking my bloody arm! And I can hardly breathe!" I eased up on the pressure, and leaned back a little, allowing him to breath easier.

"Fair enough. Now, how do you know she isn't sleeping with anyone? Are you with her all of the time? Because if so, you're doing a terrible job at the moment."

Hroggar laughed. "I am with her when it matters. As we speak, she is slumbering. I protect her during the day, and at night, when she awakens, she allows me to sleep."

"...okay. Why?"

"Why what?"

"What would compel her to have protection during the safest part of the day, but not the most dangerous?"
Hroggar clammed up at this. Not even when I dug my knees into his back would he talk. My rage was spent at this point and I felt near tears from frustration more than anything. I was not good at torture. Threatening I could do. I could tell you six ways I would break your neck, but to actually do it? I didn't have the heart. I stood up and stormed off in the direction of the jarl's home.

I flung the door open and the jarl's bodyguard drew his sword. "Jarl Idgrod," I began, staying at the doorway in case the bodyguard decided I was too risky to not fight, "I would like to investigate the death of Hroggar's wife and child. I have reasons to suspect that Alva is involved, and would like a chance to prove her guilt or innocence."

The Jarl quickly regained her composure and replied, "I know you came here with your husband and have seen him cavorting with Alva. Is this accusation coming from facts or jealousy?"

Unable to answer quickly, the jarl nodded and said "That's what I thought. It is no secret that Alva has many men here under her thumb. But so far, no real evidence has come forth against her linking her to any criminal activity." The jarl looked me in the eye. "Come closer, elf."

I obliged and took a few steps closer, now aware of how imposing the jarl's bodyguard was. I couldn't believe how embarrassingly rash I was to have my first impression be as terrible as this one.

"If you believe that Alva has a hand in Hroggar's wife and child's demise, then investigate it." I felt hopeful. "But be warned," Idgrod leaned forward, "If you lay a hand on Alva or anyone else without provocation in this town, regardless of their reputation, I will punish you accordingly. Understood?"

I nodded and gulped. "Yes, my jarl."

"Good. Now be off."

I spun on my heel and left quickly. My gods-damned temper is going to get me killed or jailed. At least in Whiterun I am a Thane, and can get away with assault at least once, but here? In an unknown town in an unknown Hold? I'm scamp meat. I needed to smooth things over quickly and get in the jarl's favor.
I headed back to the inn to talk to Jonna and see where I could get started on the investigation. She pointed me to the burnt down house, and said "No one ever goes there no more. Folks say it's haunted."

"Haunted with what?" I asked, getting a bit nervous.

"Don't get spooked, now. No one has ever seen nothing, it's just a bit of superstition."

I relaxed. "Well, then I guess I can make my way over there." Jonna nodded and served Lurbuk a tankard of mead. He grinned at me(I think) and raised his glass before drinking it daintily. Uhm, alright.

I headed to burned-down house. Though no longer smoking, the smell of burnt wood emanated from the charred ruins. I began to pick through the wood. Hmm. Odd. Jonna said that Hroggar claims that the fire started by his wife spilling bear fat...but the area around the hearth was barely touched. The most scorched place was what seemed like the couples' bedroom.

All I knew of fires is that usually where the fire starts is the most burnt up, and the hearth was in great condition, other than a few scorch marks and fallen bricks. Did Hroggar burn his wife in their marriage bed, then leave his daughter to die? Did he use something to make the fire spread faster? How did he keep them quiet and complacent until they passed out from the smoke? Did he drug them? Tie them up?

I was at a dead end. I couldn't beat Hroggar into telling me even if I wanted to, and Alva was untouchable until I found evidence against her. Jonna has told me all she could. I'm out of options. No wonder the jarl told me to investigate this. There's no way anyone could figure this out.

Unless...I snuck into Alva's house while she was trying to bed my husband and every other male creature in the Hold. I would have to let go of my jealousy for an hour or so, play into her hands, maybe storm off outside. And if Hroggar was at the house, hope he was asleep.

I decided to pluck the nirnroot Onmund was looking at before, and head back into the inn. There wasn't much else to do here in this town besides drink, maybe read a book. I decided to read my favorite book, Thief of Virtue, and searched through my pack to find it. I checked the side pockets. Nope. Maybe under the spare clothing? Nope. I may have left it on the carriage. Sithis and damnation. I adored that book.

I laid on the bed, alone, and wondered what Onmund was thinking. Have I treated him like a pet? A lot of Nord men appreciated a strong woman, but maybe that was the folly in my thinking. I'm an Altmer, not a Nord. Maybe he expected me to be the one who stayed home, cooking and cleaning, maybe giving birth to children. This angered me a bit. I wanted children someday, but if he expected that from me, to be kept at home and be nothing more than a baby machine-

And maybe that was my problem. I was only thinking of MY feelings. Onmund was probably feeling the anger that I feel right now. He had said exactly what was wrong, but I refused to listen.

How am I supposed to fix this?

This post has been edited by Elisabeth Hollow: Dec 29 2012, 05:02 PM

[King Of Beasts]

Wow, great chapter . Kayla definitely has reason to be suspicious though. Does Alva have onmund under a spell, or is he really just tired of being treated like a pet?

[Acadian]

Ah, erm...I checked the word count on chapter 5, and uhm...it's 4,500+ words. Lemme re-work this one...
Looks like I have about FOUR chapters, five inlcuding the one I'm working on. Dang, lol. That gives me a little bit of leeway I suppose.

Oh, that's great progress! I often get quite a few thousand words out ahead before I even think about looking for episode break points. It does seem to help to have what comes next already written before you break things up and post.

Wow, great chapter

You're exactly right!

‘Fine, let him be happy here with the pond sludge.’
The perfect sentiment of a woman scorned. You captured Kayla’s hurt and anger very effectively. I know she wants to punch Alva in the mouth!

Yikes, not off to a good start with the jarl is right! She really does need to sort out her feelings first. Onmund doesn’t want to be a trophy husband/housepet and Kayla doesn’t want to be a baby machine/housepet. . . .