Clark in Skyrim, A continued report from across the border. Options

[ghastley]

If mALX is back, then Clark should return too.

We left him in Evergloam at the beginning of the 4th Era, where Nocturnal had just inducted him and Minx as Nightingales, to join Dralsi. The two other members of the first trinity had been slain by Ogrim the Restless, who was the original occupant of the cave complex that became the Twilight Sepulchre.

He's about 225 years old now. Nocturnal and Azura made him immortal, rather than risk having to train a new one. He retired as a Nightingale some time ago, and went back into business managing brothels, and other enterprises that remain profitable in times of war. Much of the other intervening history should emerge as this unfolds.

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Part 1 - Over the border

"So Gilda, have you been into Skyrim before?" Clark asked the young woman sitting next to him. Ahead of them, the horse plodded onward, pulling Clark's carriage along the road towards Helgen. He gave the reins a jiggle, but the horse's gait didn't change. It only knew slow and steady.

Gilda wasn't really paying attention. She was busy looking at the scenery, which is why Clark had asked. "Oh, what? No, I barely got a mile from our farm before now. Mother didn't like me wandering off; she was scared I'd run into bandits."

"Is that how your nose got broken?" Clark guessed.

"Yes, the one time I did get away, she turned out to be right. When the bandits found out I didn't have anything valuable, they ... well, you can imagine what they had in mind. I gave the first one who tried anything my knee, and he did that in return. The others didn't stop me when I ran off, they were too busy laughing at our discomfort."

"How long ago was that? It looks like it's been that way for a while."

"About five months, I think. One day was much like another at our farm, and I lost track of time. I can't thank you enough for getting me away from there."

Clark wasn't sure what had made him offer to take her with him. He did need a new apprentice, that was true, but why he'd suddenly decided it could be her was beyond him. It wasn't her looks, for certain. Apart from her nose, she had crooked teeth, and looked like she never ate anything. Her mother was the exact opposite, so it was clear where all the food went in that household. She was wearing one of her mother's hand-me-down dresses, which fit her like a sack.

But he'd stopped at the farm for directions when he left Bruma, and she'd caught his eye. Before he knew it, he'd told her mother she could have a good career as a merchant's apprentice, hinting that she might be able to send some of her earnings home.

And if she'd persuaded him to do that, she probably had some speech talent, so she might work out well. He'd need to heal her nose, and fix her teeth first, and that would need more magicka than he had. Once he got to Whiterun, he'd be able to use the Alchemy lab at his house to make some fortification potions, but until then he couldn't do anything.

"We'll be in Helgen before long," he told her. "It's just over there, where you can see the smoke rising..." Clark's voice trailed off, as he realised that there shouldn't be that much smoke. Something had apparently set part of the town on fire, if not all of it.

They soon met a ragged bunch of imperial soldiers coming the other way, telling of a dragon attack on the town. Clark didn't think there were any dragons in Tamriel.

"Nor did we, until that one swooped down on us," the legionary told him. "We were preparing an execution for Ulfric Stormcloak and some of his men, when it was interrupted by a blast of magic. Threw everyone around like dolls. We'd heard that Ulfric could use the Thu'um like that, so we had him gagged, but a beast that size doing it was something else entirely."

"General Tullius and the Thalmor Ambassador were there too," one of the other men put in. "We have no idea if they got out."

Nobody knew if it was safe to try passing through. There were trails to Falkreath that might be preferable, as long as you weren't hauling anything heavy.

"But watch out for bandits if you go that way," another soldier advised. "That applies any time you leave the main roads in Skyrim."

Clark had heard much the same from legionaries in Cyrodiil. In his opinion, the roads weren't any safer than any other route, just better paved. He let his horse continue down the road.

Helgen was deserted when they got there. Most of the population seemed to be lying dead in the streets, scorched by the dragon's breath. Anyone alive had presumably fled, and the dragon itself was nowhere around. Clark decided to continue down into Riverwood and let them know what had happened. If the dragon didn't attack there next, of course.

---

Riverwood was intact, but they'd seen the dragon fly over. Gerdur, the mill-owner, told Clark that her brother Ralof had escaped from Helgen, and she thought that Hadvar, the legionary from the town, had too. Ralof had brought a stranger with him, and she'd gone on to Whiterun to warn the Jarl.

Clark knew from his earlier trips that Ralof was a Stormcloak, and he asked Gerdur if he'd been one of the men the soldiers had mentioned as due for execution. Ralof hadn't mentioned that part, just that he'd escaped from the dragon. But now it made sense why Hadvar had been there at the same time. "I'll make sure Ralof stays well hidden," she told Clark.

She turned back to what she'd been doing when they arrived. "When the dragon flew over, I was so startled, I dropped this firewood I'd just split in the river. I was trying to dry it out with a flare spell, but it looks like I'll just have to split some more."

"There's an easier way, you know," Clark told her. He took one of the pieces of firewood and stood it on a stump. "Cast a frost spell on it," he told Gerdur. She did so, until Clark told her to stop. "Now dispel the ice"

Gerdur didn't know that spell, so Clark taught it to her. "Now try the flare."

The wood caught immediately, and she quickly dispelled the flames. "I hardly used any magicka doing that. It was a lot easier than the way I was trying."

"Right, especially as the frost comes easily to you. Here, I'll help you finish these."

"You make it look so easy," Gerdur told him. "Are you sure you're an Imperial, not a Breton?"

"It's all practice, not magicka reserves," he told her. "It looks easy because I'm using less magicka than you would. Just like you know how to roll a log instead of doing it the hard way by lifting. But some spells are beyond my normal reach. That's why I have to wait until I get to Whiterun before I can heal Gilda's nose."

Gerdur noticed Gilda for the first time. "I can help her with a good meal, and you too. I owe you for that firewood trick."

"I hoped you might. Cooking is where you show your skill."

---

"Looking at her, I expected she had no appetite," Gerdur whispered to Clark. "But she's on her third helping of the stew already."

Clark told Gerdur that he suspected her mother had been starving her. Whether that was to keep her thin, or just because the mother ate all the food, he didn't know, but the mother was really fat. "She didn't think enough of Gilda to get her teeth straightened, so I doubt she had any positive feelings for her."

"If Gilda eats like that all the time, she might take after her," Gerdur warned.

"I don't expect she will. I'll get Lydia to look after her, and she'll keep her fit, not fat."

Lydia was Clark's housecarl in Whiterun. She'd been part of the deal when Jarl Balgruuf made Clark a Thane of the city, for his services to its people. He'd forgotten what he'd done for them; nothing major, just a lot of small things that added up. And the Jarl had noticed his effect on the local economy. Even the Khajiiti caravan that camped outside the gates seemed to be more prosperous after Clark had arrived.

They'd be at his house, Breezehome, by the end of the day, if there weren't any problems on the road.

---

"Oh, It's you, Thane," the guard at the gate knew Clark, even if he didn't know the girl. "Is she with you? I have orders to keep strangers out, with dragons sighted in the area."

Clark vouched for Gilda, and the guard opened the gate for them.

"That's a new development," Clark remarked. "The only ones not allowed in before were the Khajiit traders. They have an unjustified reputation as thieves. Well, maybe it's partly justified, but they're not the worst. They just have a more sharing attitude to property than the Nords are accustomed to, and it's often misinterpreted."

---

"What have you got in the sack?" Lydia asked.

"That's not a nice thing to say," Clark admonished. "Even if that is a good description of her outfit. This is Gilda, my new apprentice, and we'll be exchanging that 'sack' for something better-fitting as soon as we can. She's about your height, so is there something in the wardrobe she can try on?"

"You know I only keep a few changes of armour. If you're looking for a dress, you're probably out of luck."

"Leather armour might be more comfortable, if it fits."

Gilda took a look in the wardrobe, but there weren't any dresses, and the leather was loose, even with the straps tightened all the way. She put the "sack" back on, and tied the string back around her waist.

"We have to go to Belethor's in the morning anyway. We'll find you something then. Come out to the back room while I brew up some potions, and then I'll see what I can do about your nose," Clark told her.

Lydia was already back at the cookpot, stirring up some food. She could see that the poor girl needed feeding, even if Clark couldn't.

This post has been edited by ghastley: Oct 2 2014, 07:52 PM

[ghastley]

Acadian: Any excuse for a link to the Oblivion stories. There's more team tactics in this one. It's the only way to beat the numbers.

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Previously Clark and company (Lydia and Gilda) had cleared Kolskeggr mine on their way to Karthwasten to clear the mine there.

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Part 11 - Karthwasten

The miners in Karthwasten were alarmed at the sight of the three blood-stained adventurers riding into town. But Enmon recognised Clark as the man who'd rescued his daughter. "Did you get her safely to Markarth?" he asked.

"Yes, and she's settled in at the Temple. I'm surprised she hasn't written to you... Wait, perhaps she has. The courier would have had to pass Kolskeggr Mine, and we just cleared Forworn from there. If he had any sense, he'd have turned back. There's no way around that doesn't lead you into more of them."

"So that's Forsworn blood all over you? You should go talk to the mercenaries before you clean it off. Maybe they'll just go away if you look scary enough."

Clark doubted it, but it was a valid point. It wouldn't hurt to give them something to worry about.

Most of the mercenaries in the mine weren't particularly well-equipped, and did look a bit nervous as Clark and the two women strode past them to confront Atar, the leader. He wasn't impressed, but then, he was the only mercenary wearing a decent level of armour. Clark suggested that the intruders leave quietly, but Atar just laughed. He had them outnumbered, and felt confident.

A couple of seconds later, it was the other way round. Lydia and Gilda struck quickly, and the lightly armoured men stood little chance. Atar swung his sword at Clark's ward, with little effect. However, his nordic carved suit was shrugging off their attacks, too, helped by a stout shield and a decent block skill.

Gilda stepped back a little and sheathed her sword. Using both hands, she brought her frost to bear on the stubborn mercenary leader. As he slowed, the others dropped out of sword range and switched their attacks also. Clark hit him with shock, and Lydia used her bow. He flailed with his sword, but they were too far away. With a frustrated roar of pain, he fell lifeless off the platform to the rocky floor of the mine.

"If that armour's adaptable to fit me, I want it!" Lydia declared. "The shield, too." It did seem to be a bit better than the steel plate she currently used. Gilda shrugged. She preferred leather, so she could move quietly and quickly. Let the fighter have the plate.

Clark told Lydia to pile everything onto the wagon, and they'd figure it all out back in Markarth. Moth and Gorza would know if the armor could be reworked, or if it was better to sell it, and buy something else. They'd told Clark that they could make ebony equipment, if he brought them the materials. Nordic carved hadn't been mentioned, and maybe that needed something else in its construction.

Clark told Ainethach that he was back in business, and the miners all rushed back to work. Lash gra-Dushnik came up to them as she went into the mine. "I know you're already Blood-kin, Clark, but I'll let our people know what Gilda and Lydia have done today. They'll be welcome in the strongholds, too."

---

"This is nice workmanship," Gorza said, as Clark showed her the armour they'd taken from Atar. "It won't be hard to reshape it for Lydia. If you have any quicksilver, I can improve it, too."

"Not ebony? It looks like they used ebony to make it."

"Oh yes, they did, but they used quicksilver as well, and that's what makes the difference. It's not quite as strong as all-ebony, but it's a lot lighter. And I know it's a matter of taste, but I think it looks better too."

Clark had some ingots of quicksilver, so Lydia got an upgrade she wasn't expecting. He felt he'd regret her exchanging a full helm for an open-faced one. The steel plate did keep her relatively quiet. Lydia poked out her tongue at him, since he could see it now.

"You're quiet, Gilda. Do you see anything in Gorza's stock that you need?"

"No, but if we're going anywhere near Cancelmo, I'd like to ask him if he has any stronger spells."

"If you're wearing that tight leather when you ask him, I'm sure he'll come up with something."

Gilda giggled at that one. She wore leather for a whole lot of reasons, after all.

---

Their next stop was at the Treasury House, where there were a couple of recent widows. Eltrys had died before Clark was imprisoned, and Thonar when he escaped. Rhiada was expecting Eltrys' child, and Clark wanted to be sure she was prepared to raise the child alone. Betrid had married into the Silver-Bloods, and might be still treated as an outsider by that close family.

Rhiada didn't even know that Eltrys was dead. She was used to him being away from home for extended periods, and nobody had told her anything. Clearly the Silver-Blood family didn't want anyone to know about the events that had lead to his death, and had covered it all up.

Thonar's death was a completely different matter. Nobody was talking about anything else. They didn't know about Clark's involvement, and to be fair, that was minimal anyway. The Forsworn with Madanach had killed him. Clark had escaped with them, but that was all. Betrid certainly had no issues with talking to him about it. He seemed sympathetic, unlike the rest of them. She'd expected some inheritance, but everything of Thonar's had gone to the family, not his widow.

"I'm used to being able to buy my own jewels, and fine clothes. Where's the money for that going to come from now?"

"Don't you have any skills?" Clark asked.

Betrid looked embarrassed. "I got expelled from the Temple of Dibella for using my skills. Or at least, taking payment for them. And I'm not a Guild member, so I found myself a husband, instead."

"Perhaps the Guild is where you should be looking now. There might be an opportunity here soon, either a new location, or an expansion of the one in town. I'll let you know, when I know more myself."

Rhiada was still wearing a tavern wench's outfit, even though she was starting to show a bulge of new life. Clark wondered if she had anything else to wear. Eltrys wouldn't have been earning much as a metal-worker, and even less now he was dead. Most of the family's income probably came from her job here as a book-keeper, and the Silver-Bloods probably weren't too generous with her wages.

She'd heard Clark talking to Betrid about the Guild job. "Was that the Guild of Prostitutes you were speaking to Betrid about? I nearly joined up with them before I met Eltrys. Of course, I'm in no condition for that kind of work, now."

"There might still be work for a book-keeper. Not everyone in the Guild works on her back."

"Do you think so? It would be good to believe I have another alternative if I lose the job here. This one still seems needed, even though Thonar's dead. People still need things recorded, and I imagine that settling Thonar's affairs will mean more work than usual, but it's unclear who I'm working for now. If it's Thongvor, I know he doesn't like Bretons. That could account for why I'm not getting paid much, too."

"As I told Betrid, there may be changes at the brothel soon. If it does expand, then there may be new opportunities for both of you."

---

It seemed sensible to visit the brothel next, and discuss developments with Vicuña.

"Have you brought me some new recruits?" she asked, gesturing at Gilda and Lydia.

"No, but I may have some if they're needed. Has business picked up since I was here last?"

"A bit. Since Thonar Silver-Blood died, the merchants seem to have a bit more gold left in their pockets, and some of them like to spend it here. We'e seeing more of the guards, too, and not just to keep order."

Vicuña changed the subject back to Gilda. "Did you make her an amulet for those? It looks like she needs one."

"Yes, but not as strong as you could. Enchanting's not my best skill. Why don't you talk to her about it directly?"

"I am being a bit rude, aren't I? But you haven't introduced us yet."

"Gilda, this is Velith Telvanni, professional name Vicuña. She's the roaming inspector for the All-Tamriel Guild of Prostitutes, and she's the one who showed me the enchantment on your amulet. She was with me when we rescued Enmon's daughter Fjotra from the Forsworn."

"Vicuña, this is my apprentice Gilda. We've just got back from Karthwasten, where we cleared the mercenaries from the mine. You remember, the ones who'd just moved in when you and I were there. And Lydia here is my housecarl from Whiterun."

"I'm pleased to meet both of you. Gilda, can you undo your top, so I can see how well Clark's amulet is working?"

Lydia whispered in Clark's ear. "I didn't think anyone could have boobies as big as Gilda's, but the Dunmer's got her matched. And they make Gilda's look heavy."

"That's because Vicuña's amulet has a stronger enchantment than I could manage. Hers are just about weightless." Clark watched as she lifted Gilda's breasts, feeling the remaining weight.

"I'll make her a better one. My twins' twins deserve that!"

Gilda was delighted. She loved the floaty feeling she had already, and the prospect of more was very appealing. She followed the Dunmer back to an enchanting station, and Clark followed, too. He was intending to get some more enchanting training from Hamal, but he could learn something from watching Vicuña, as well.

"Wow, this is even better! What do you think, Clark?"

"I think at least one of you two should put hers away, before it's too much for me," Clark answered. Neither believed that was possible, but Gilda refastened her leathers. The straps seemed to be straining in a slightly different direction now.

"They're not the reason you came here, are they?" Vicuña asked. Clark told her about Rhiada and Betrid. "So one definite, and one maybe later? And she's pregnant right now? I'd prefer it if she started here as a book-keeper before she gives birth. If she likes that part of the job, it will be easier to persuade her to take on extra duties later. She won't feel under any pressure to do that while she's expecting, especially if everyone can see that."