Middas, 27^th Last Seed 4E 201

Thirty minutes before I woke Rigmor, I retrieved some furs that would fit Sorella from Cethnelor. I did not have any child-sized leather armour in there. She seemed more than pleased when I presented them to her.

I then honed Ragnar’s sword. It is an excellent weapon, but not worth the effort the New Order has wasted trying to replicate it.

Ren is a fine-looking horse. We were instant friends after I fed him and Angi’s horse some oats.

Rigmor was full of energy when I woke her, eager to visit Riften and see Baa’Ren. She beamed when I returned Ragnar’s sword.

“Ren is a fine horse.”

“I had left him outside the Bruma embassy, thinking I could retrieve him after the deed. I did not have the chance, and a week after Angi brought me here, Ren came trotting up the path. He tracked me all this way!”

“A smart horse who loves his owner.”

“Yeah. Is it silly to feel proud of a horse?”

“Why would it be silly? Ren is special to you, and that is all that matters.”

Sorella was keen to show Rigmor the new set of furs I gave her.

• Rigmor: Those furs look lovely and warm.
• Sorella: Angi thinks they will be good for hiding in the snow when hunting.
• Angi: Wulf, would it be possible to set up a bathtub for Sorella? I do not mind bathing in snow, but I doubt she would.
• Wulf: Yes, we can set up a good copper bathtub. With some magic, the water will be warm.
• Sorella: I am not as pongy as I used to be.
• Meeko: Woof!
• Sorella: I do not smell like a dead Skeever!
• Rigmor: You can hear Meeko!
• Sorella: Can’t everybody?
• Angi: I thought Sorella just had a vivid imagination when she sat and talked with Meeko.
• Rigmor: Meeko can talk telepathetically.
• Wulf: Telepathically.
• Rigmor: I am sure you will be able to hear him soon, Angi.
• Angi: I do not think I want to after I called him horrible names.
• Meeko: Woof.
• Sorella: You did not call him a stupid dog, so no harm done.
• Wulf: Meeko really hates it when people call dogs stupid.

Celestine popped out of the ether. She had spent more time learning the uniqueness of Angi’s camp, so she did not need to use Mark and Recall.

• Angi: Arrgh!
• Celestine: Sorry, Angi.
• Wulf: Rigmor and I are heading for Riften. I do not think we will be back before dark.
• Rigmor: Celestine and Meeko will keep you safe, Sorella.
• Sorella: I know other people can appear out of nowhere to help if lots of bad guys show up here.
• Celestine: Many warriors and mages can be here in seconds if need be.
• Sorella: Are you going to tell other people about the bad guys, Rigmor?
• Rigmor: That is exactly what we are doing.
• Wulf: Where would your mother and father like to be buried, Sorella?
• Sorella: They talked about having their ashes spread over the mountains. I thought it was silly to talk about dying.
• Wulf: Sometimes grownups know of danger but do not tell their children.
• Rigmor: They do not want their children to worry too much and forget how to be children.
• Sorella: So, they knew how we were living was dangerous.
• Wulf: Yes, but like their friends, I am sure they had plans to buy a home somewhere.
• Sorella: Not in Falkreath, the Jarl is an arse!
• Angi: Sorella!
• Wulf: Jarl Siddgeir is a big, hairy arse with pimples!

Sorella had a giggle fit, and Angi finally succumbed and laughed with her.

We moved away to have a quick talk with Celestine.

• Wulf: Celestine, you can ask somebody else to take your place.
• Celestine: No, Wulf. I spent time with Vayu, had a bath and am rested.
• Rigmor: I think Celestine is invested in those she guards.
• Celestine: Angi has started to talk openly with me. Also, she is not skilled at raising a child, so she feels more confident when dealing with Sorella because I am here. We share meals, and yes, I am invested in those I guard.
• Rigmor: Wulf would realise that if he were not an uncouth barbarian.
• Wulf: Excuse me. I know Celestine very well and was just being polite. An uncouth barbarian would not offer her a chance to be relieved.
• Rigmor: I wish fish would take the bait so readily.
• Wulf: Hey! Copycat!
• Rigmor: I am not, and I am supposed to look down on lower-class underlings.
• Wulf: We are not in public.
• Celestine: Rigmor must practice being a stick-up-the-bum noble.
• Rigmor: So, batman, wiggle your fingers and get me to Riften.
• Wulf: I do not wiggle my fingers.
• Celestine: If Lady Ramsbottom says you wiggle your fingers, you do, in fact, wiggle your fingers.
• Wulf: Okay.

I wiggled my fingers, and Rigmor and I emerged from the ether in Honeyside, my house in Riften.

Rigmor commented, “This looks like a cosy little house.”

“Inigo loves this house, which is called Honeyside, and adores The Rift.”

“Inigo and Ko’rassa are wonderful people. I can see why he has become such a close friend.”

“He has not had an easy life.”

“He only got to tell me part of his tale. I said we would have tea or lunch with them when we get a chance.”

“Now, I know I had a bit of fun about your naïve view of Riften, but it is home to many pickpockets and snake oil salesmen.”

“What is a snake oil salesman?”

“Somebody who will sell you something while falsely claiming it has miraculous powers. The saying became popular after a hawker sold a concoction to a noble’s son, claiming it was made from oil secreted by Tsaesci. The son was too embarrassed to go to a local apothecary to cure his pox. Anyway, the concoction cured the young man’s pox by poisoning him. The hawker was charged with murder and publicly beheaded. The noble called him a snake oil salesman.”

“Is that a true story?”

“Yes, Rigmor. Strange but true.”

“Well, I do not have any pockets to pick, so I intend to enjoy the sights and sounds of Riften.”

“Ahh, do not look too closely at anything floating in the canal.”

“Dead bodies?”

“Yes, and turds.”

“Eww!”

“Only joking. The turds sink.”

“I hope Baa’Ren isn’t too mad I took so long to get here.”

“Sorry, Baa’Ren, but I almost died and took a few days to get better. Then we attacked Fort Black to rescue a friend and uncovered a sinister plot.”

“Good point. If Baa’Ren does grumble, I will tell him to get stuffed.”

“Say, ‘Baa’Ren, yava zuubka!’”

“Even though I lived with him for years, my Ta’agra is terrible.”

“Oh, it means ‘get fucked.’ You can use ‘kenabi dat,’ which means ‘stick it’ if you want to be more ladylike.”

“It must come in handy to swear in multiple languages.”

“It’s a hobby of mine.”

I opened the door, and we stepped out into the noises and smells of Riften.

Rigmor excitedly asked, “Can we check out the market? I heard they have all sorts of stuff!”

“They certainly do. I purchased some green stuff from there once, and there is a wonderful selection of yellow stuff.”

“I am going to bite you!”

“We will talk to Baa’Ren, hand over all the shit to him so he can worry about it, and then spend the rest of the day browsing the market.”

“Good plan, My Guardian!”

I bowed and said, “I serve to live. I mean, I live to serve.”

Rigmor smiled then told me, “Yanno, I met a woman not long ago who was wearing the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. She told me the only place to get one is Riften Market. She told me one of the vendors has exclusive import rights from Morrowind and that they are available in many different colours.”

“Let me guess. Does Lady Ramsbottom want a red one? After all, she adores red mountain flowers.”

“Hmm…I was thinking more like bright green with purple polka dots.”

“We might have to order that one on consignment. However, it does not matter what colour milady wears, for you shall be beautiful nonetheless.”

Rigmor’s mood changed.

“No…No, I will not be beautiful! I am so stupid, I forgot myself.”

“What do you mean?”

“Wulf, look at me. Look at me! The last thing I want to do is make a dress look ugly. Come on, let’s go see Baa’Ren.”

I did not contradict Rigmor with platitudes. Instead, I planned to prove her wrong. I would purchase a red dress and present it to her when the opportunity arises. She will then wear it and realise she made the dress more beautiful than it was. I hoped Baa’Ren would allow me to slip out and purchase the dress. It would be placed in Cethnelor till needed.

I said, “Well, at least have a glance at the market before we enter The Bee and Barb. We can shop for stuff later.”

“I will follow you.”

“That is a good idea since you have no idea where to go.”

Rigmor’s mood had changed to one of excitement again. Like the first time she saw Aetheron, her head swivelled side to side as she took in the sights.

As Rigmor watched the hustle and bustle of Riften’s market, I spoke to Snilf.

“I gave you extra coin to purchase some decent clothes and, more importantly, soap.”

“I make more money looking destitute.”

“Snilf, you would make more money if people could approach you without your fleas attacking their skin and your smell assaulting their nostrils. Luckily, your lice are stuck to your hair, or they would be a problem as well.”

“How about I compromise and wash everything but my face and wear some new clothes?”

I handed Snilf ten septim and told Rigmor, “Let me enter first so I can canvas the place.”

She replied, “Okay, and you are a big softy!”

I entered, and the only person to look my way was Sapphire, a member of Riften’s Thieves Guild.

I asked, “Can you see Baa’Ren?”

“Yeah, he was sitting but stood when he saw me.”

Baa’Ren was wearing the robes of a Mara devotee.

She hugged him and then exclaimed, “It’s so good to see you, Baa’Ren!”

“Well met, Rigmor! This one sees you have brought along a friend?”

“This is Lord Wulf Welkynd, My Guardian.”

“That one is a famous guardian indeed! Khajiit’s legs are weary. Let us sit.”

I was delighted to hear Baa’Ren speak in the third person! Khajiiti have a strong sense of clan. They concern themselves with the welfare and feelings of the whole, not the individual. When they say, ‘this one,’ they politely point out that personal thoughts and opinions are being expressed rather than the entire clan’s. Most Man and Mer scholars ignore the reason and disdain Khajiiti intelligence.

We sat, and the mood rapidly changed from light-hearted to serious.

• Baa’Ren: Khajiit hopes that Lord Welkynd is taking good care of you.
• Rigmor: Oh, he has his moments.
• Wulf: Please, Emissary, call me Wulf.
• Baa’Ren: Then that one must address Khajiit as Baa’Ren.
• Rigmor: What is the news about my mother’s ring?
• Baa’Ren: A member of the Thieves Guild in Riften acquired it in the Grey Quarter Ghetto inside Windhelm. It was sold to him by a Dunmer who had been a kitchen servant at the Thalmor Embassy in Haafingar. Khajiit suggests you both lie low here while this one arranges for a meeting to loosen his tongue with coins.
• Rigmor: Baa’Ren, there’s something you need to see. Show him, Wulf.

I handed Baa’Ren the map, journal, and letters we had found. The Emissary spent a few minutes reading them. Eventually, he spoke again, and there was worry in his voice.

• Baa’Ren: So, it has all come to pass! Khajiit had suspicions all along. The New Order of Alinor is well known in Aldmeri circles. They are a shadowy, clandestine organisation of Altmer extremists. Rumours are just seeds upon the wind, but here now is the hard evidence.
• Wulf: Only many conspirators with substantial funds could undertake this level of detailed planning and organisation. It would also take considerable time. How did The New Order get so large that it now threatens the Aldmeri Dominion and The Empire?
• Baa’Ren: What does Wulf think the answer to that conundrum might be?
• Wulf: I believe the Aldmeri Dominion know of The New Order’s plans and will let them run their course. The Dominion will hope much damage is done to Skyrim and The Empire. They will not allow The New Order to conquer the Imperial City, but will intervene and pretend to be our saviours. Plausible Deniability will be their diplomatic policy.
• Baa’Ren: Wulf should be an emissary!
• Wulf: I couldn’t stand being knee-deep in, excuse the language, bullshit all the time.
• Baa’Ren: This one is used to the smell.
• Wulf: The New Order’s plan cannot succeed as described. There must be more resources or allies we have yet to discover. Even if we hadn’t found those documents, His Imperial Majesty wouldn’t have been fooled, and they cannot field armies large enough for a rapid victory.
• Baa’Ren: Khajiit agrees, and we must discover the remaining secrets. Did anyone see you take these documents?
• Rigmor: Don’t worry, there are no witnesses. We slew them all!
• Baa’Ren: Even if you left no witnesses, we must be cautious! We must keep this to ourselves until I investigate the revelations in these documents.
• Wulf: Though Elsweyr is part of the Aldmeri Dominion, I do not question your desire to squash this New Order. But surely His Imperial Majesty needs to know about this immediately?
• Baa’Ren: Yes, that is true. Therefore, Khajiit must shorten his stay in Skyrim and travel to Cyrodiil and Elsweyr immediately. This task will take all of this one’s skills and friends in high diplomatic circles to get to the bottom of it and know what to do next. You two can do nothing about this conspiracy until this one has spoken to his contacts.
• Rigmor: That amount of travel could take weeks, if not months.
• Wulf: Baa’Ren has the means for fast travelling.
• Baa’Ren: Yes, and this one is pleased that Wulf has enabled the old portals. Now, if you could only do the same in Cyrodiil, it would save a lot of walking.
• Wulf: I doubt you rely solely on those portals. You do not use the Moon Gates, as their destinations are useless to you. I detect no Magicka reserves, so you are not a mage. Apart from the portals I enabled, I think you are using Dwemer portals. You have a relic, a Ring of Recall or similar, which takes you to a portal room. From there, a portal with a selector, or multiple portals, allows you to teleport to many destinations around Tamriel.
• Baa’Ren: Wulf would not be surprised if Khajiit kept his secrets.
• Wulf: No, I would not and respect such precautions.
• Rigmor: Speaking of secrets, Baa’Ren. You and Wulf are up to something, and he won’t tell me what it is.
• Baa’Ren: If that one does not know, she cannot be implicated if things go wrong.
• Rigmor: I lived with you for four years, and I do not intend to leave Wulf’s side in the foreseeable future. Do not put Wulf in the position of having to keep secrets from me.
• Baa’Ren: You do not intend to leave Wulf’s side?
• Wulf: It is an interesting tale, Baa’Ren, but we had better not ignore Rigmor’s concern.
• Baa’Ren: Wulf has ships and ports and does business with Roscrea. Certain people in Elsweyr rely on Moon Sugar to fund their activities. The plan is to switch that business to cocoa, which would yield the same profits without attracting Thalmor scrutiny, and use those ships.
• Rigmor: And who are these ‘certain people’?
• Baa’Ren: Rebels, planning the reunification of Elsweyr under a new Mane.
• Rigmor: You are involved in a plan that would have you executed if the Thalmor found out?
• Baa’Ren: Yes, Rigmor. This one was considering aiding the cause before he saw how they treated you. After this one rescued you, Khajiit committed his skills and resources to the cause.
• Rigmor: Wulf is an expert on keeping secrets. But I would have dragged this one out of him.
• Baa’Ren: Khajiit does not think Wulf can be easily persuaded with pouting and pleas. Alas, this one had no defence against such ruthlessness.
• Rigmor: Hahaha!
• Wulf: The hands-on hips and what we call ‘The Sigunn Stare’ are formidable weapons, Baa’Ren.
• Baa’Ren: Yes, but this one surrenders before Rigmor is forced to use them.
• Wulf: How do we contact you?
• Baa’Ren: That is not easy, so Khajiit will find a way to contact you.
• Wulf: Do you want us to visit the Dunmer in Windhelm?
• Baa’Ren: Yes, but be very careful. Rigmor might be a wanted criminal by the Thalmor in Empire-controlled areas.
• Wulf: She has been for some time, Baa’Ren! Much has happened to Rigmor because of that.
• Rigmor: Wulf, Baa’Ren has enough worries.
• Baa’Ren: If Rigmor has been in danger, this one would like to hear the tale.
• Wulf: Do you know of Angi?
• Baa’Ren: Yes, she nursed Rigmor back to health after being hurt.
• Wulf: After Angi nursed her back to health and while escaping a Thalmor hunting party near Riverwood, Rigmor jumped from a cliff into a tree and was severely injured. The combined effort of Master Restoration spells and the healing skills of a woman called Rose, plus Rigmor’s stubbornness, saved her from death. Rigmor is still recovering. It was eerily similar to what Angi did for her.
• Rigmor: We went to Fort Black mainly to rescue Rose. The Thalmor had captured her and taken her there for interrogation. She had already escaped by the time we arrived.
• Wulf: We recovered the artefacts, Rigmor’s heirlooms, while there.
• Baa’Ren: This one is pleased Rigmor was in such good hands and that Rose escaped. Thank you for telling me this, Wulf.
• Rigmor: The bounty on my head, dead or alive, is fifteen thousand gold coins! People tell me they have never seen such a high bounty.
• Wulf: That enormous reward might attract some of the best bounty hunters. However, inexperienced idiots driven by greed might also hunt her. It seems excessive for what Rigmor tells me she has done. I suspect there is more to it than the embassy deaths.

Baa’Ren stared at Rigmor, and his voice was grim.

• Baa’Ren: My child, they have sent none other than their best Thalmor General to Skyrim to track you down!
• Wulf: Would that be General Tilar Aedriath? His name is all over the New Order documents that I have read.
• Baa’Ren: Yes, Wulf, it is General Aedriath. That one has an elite force of a hundred troops at his disposal, setting up camps and checkpoints as we speak. So, you will need to avoid them and travel diligently.

A memory intruded upon the moment. When I travelled the ether and watched Rigmor being whipped, I concentrated on her and took no notice of the conversations from others in the room. However, I must have subconsciously stored them.

When Baa’Ren said General Aedriath, his accent triggered the memory.

Baa’Ren stood beside a Justiciar who seemed proud to display Rigmor as a prized hunting trophy. The Emissary had growled, “This is not needed. It is undignified, General Aedriath!”

Rigmor had never shown any recognition of the name when I read documents to her, or just now when Baa’Ren said it.

I put those thoughts aside and concentrated on the current conversation.

• Baa’Ren: Rigmor, Aedriath will pursue you with extreme prejudice, and when they find out what has happened at Fort Black, he will stop at nothing to find you.
• Wulf: Fort Black was last night, and it may be a few days before he hears of it. However, I doubt that will make a difference in the effort to hunt Rigmor. They are already trying as hard as they can.
• Rigmor: But why, Baa’Ren? I avenged those who harmed my family, but why send these men? Why is there such a large reward? Why give me such special attention?
• Baa’Ren: They fear you, Rigmor. They fear you because of who your father was.
• Rigmor: My father is dead! They got their revenge and would do well to leave me be if they knew what’s good for them!
• Baa’Ren: My dear, sweet child! Have you not seen past the veneer of subterfuge? Would the Thalmor extradite your father and execute him for revenge? To know your enemy, you must first walk in their shoes.

Rigmor was confused, and she had every right to be. Bar’Ren-Dar was assuming Rigmor had knowledge she didn’t possess. Baa’Ren is knee-deep in the bullshit, the political games, and the machinations of governments, and Rigmor is not. It was apparent in the years Rigmor lived with him that he never told her why her family was torn apart.

• Baa’Ren: Has your hatred of the Thalmor blinded you from the truth?
• Rigmor: I… I don’t understand! What…?
• Wulf: Baa’Ren! Dat vaba baso vakovo kestu iko jer raba baqu thzina. It is easy to appear wise after you have found the truth. Rigmor is not blinded from the truth, for it has not been shown to her. That is your fault, for she lived with you for years!
• Baa’Ren: Wulf is correct, Rigmor, and this one apologises for his manners. Khajiit should have told you these things.
• Rigmor: That is the past. Please, Baa’Ren, explain why they have done this to my family, my father.
• Baa’Ren: Your father’s crest on the battlefield was worth five thousand men. Just mentioning the ‘Sons of Talos’ on the field would ensure disarray and even cause whole battalions to rout.
• Wulf: I have told Rigmor how her father is highly regarded amongst those who study The Art of War.
• Baa’Ren: It was not revenge, Rigmor. They needed your father out of the picture, or this plot would be for naught.
• Wulf: It would not just be the New Order who would have desired this. A second Great War is almost inevitable. The Thalmor would have wanted Ragnar removed, for he would be a rallying point, much like Tiber Septim and other Nord heroes. Now they are wary of his daughter.
• Baa’Ren: That is so. Rigmor, after Bruma, they now fear you and what you might become.
• Rigmor: Fear me? Why would they do that? I’m just a young girl!
• Baa’Ren: A young girl who single-handedly slew an entire company of Thalmor soldiers.
• Wulf: AN ENTIRE COMPANY! And that was before she found her father’s sword!
• Rigmor: I didn’t want you to think badly of me, Wulf, so I played down the numbers.
• Wulf: But now you know I kill many. I am surprised, Rigmor, not appalled.
• Rigmor: Yes, we are killers when needed, you and I.
• Baa’Ren: You are both far more than killers!
• Wulf: Sorry, Baa’Ren, please, continue.
• Baa’Ren: Such a feat is not to be ignored. Especially when the young woman in question was raised, taught, and trained by her father, the ‘Beast of Hammerfell.’
• Wulf: Is Rigmor the third target on that list?
• Baa’Ren: Yes, this one believes that Rigmor is one of the ‘top-level’ targets.
• Wulf: The New Order wants to frame the Stormcloaks. Therefore, we deduced that the other two targets are General Tullius and Jarl Elisif.
• Baa’Ren: That is also this one’s conclusion.
• Wulf: To think Rigmor is given the same strategic value, the same target on her back, as those two is difficult to accept calmly. It is ridiculous, as she has no field experience as a commander. However, Rigmor is now in far more danger than I thought.
• Baa’Ren: That is why this one is pleased Rigmor has The Dragonborn to help keep her from harm.

Rigmor looked at me.

• Rigmor: What? The Dragonborn? Pfft, yeah right! That is really cute, Baa’Ren.
• Baa’Ren: It is true, Rigmor. Maybe that one knows it already or not. You would do well to show respect.
• Rigmor: Wulf?
• Wulf: I will not lie to Baa’Ren.
• Rigmor: Okay.
• Wulf: Baa’Ren, I have known since I was a toddler in swaddling that I am a dragonborn. I came to Skyrim to prepare for Alduin’s return. He returned days ago, and soon the Dragon War will restart.
• Rigmor: Wulf’s identity as dragonborn must be kept secret. Alduin does not know, and it is an advantage that Wulf and the Dragonguard take great measures to keep.
• Wulf: Alduin’s return must also be kept secret. It is tempting to warn allies, such as Ri’saad, but we cannot. Alduin is learning about the politics of Nirn, and Skyrim in particular, as this is where many of his allies are interred. He must build his strength by consuming souls in Sovngarde that have not reached The Great Hall. When he restarts the Dragon War, any large contingent of soldiers, be they New Order, Imperial or Stormcloak, would be targeted. Any significant battle is likely to attract many dragons.
• Baa’Ren: Can Wulf defeat Alduin?
• Wulf: I have been training for decades to do so. Yes, I am confident I can defeat Alduin.
• Baa’Ren: Rigmor, will you fight by Wulf’s side against dragons?
• Rigmor: Yes, I will fight beside Wulf and the Dragonguard against dragons and any other foe.
• Wulf: The Dragonguard is another factor the New Order have not planned for. If Ragnar’s Sons of Talos were worth five thousand men, we are worth ten thousand.
• Baa’Ren: This one does not think that is an idle boast.
• Wulf: There is much you do not know about me, Baa’Ren. Once the Dragon War restarts, you will learn I am far more than dragonborn.

Rigmor was no longer the excited young lady who entered Riften.

I said, “Rigmor, all this must be an unpleasant revelation.”

“I…I’m sorry, but I must be alone for a while. I need some time to take all this in.”

“We understand.”

Rigmor walked to the bar, sat on a stool, and ordered a mead. The first mead was quickly followed by a second. She seemed content to sip it while she thought.

I was about to go to Rigmor when Baa’Ren said, “Let that one be, for now. Rigmor will be fine.”

“Rigmor has yet to tell me her entire story, Baa’Ren.”

“To tell is to relive the horror. Rigmor will tell that one eventually. Then Wulf may wish to have remained ignorant.”

I turned to Baa’Ren when he said, “It gladdens my heart to know the premonition was right.”

“A premonition? Let me guess, a seer of Azura?”

“This one has travelled these provinces for many years. As a provincial emissary, my duty is to ensure every angle is covered. This one was approached during an annual ball by the prominent soothsayer, Kaza’Zhid from Corinthe. That one would have kittens if referred to as a seer!”

“Fancy names do not change how foresight works. But I digress. What was this premonition?”

“That one told Khajiit that his Nordling child was destined for greatness. That Rigmor would meet a ‘guardian’ sent by the gods. That one said, ‘A dragonborn shall hail from Helgen on the day of the dragons.’”

“So, that is why you knew I was dragonborn. I was not in Helgen when Alduin arrived in Skyrim. I have accepted a role offered by The Nine, and my title is Champion of The Divines. They sent me to Skyrim to deal with Alduin, but that is only part of my task. My responsibility is the protection of all mortals, regardless of race or religion.”

“Yet that one has taken time from protecting all mortals to aid Rigmor?”

“General Tilar Aedriath is the one who orchestrated Rigmor’s whipping the night you rescued her. You said to him, ‘This is not needed. It is undignified, General Aedriath!’”

Baa’Ren’s eyes widened.

I continued, “When it seemed Rigmor was not going to beg for mercy and allow the brute with the horse crop to kill her, she cried out, ‘No more! Please! No more!’”

Baa’Ren was about to say something, but I put my hand up to silence him and continued.

“When you carried Rigmor to the trapdoor, you said, ‘The nightmare is over, Rigmor. This one shall take you to his home, and you will be safe. Nobody will ever hurt you again.’”

I lowered my hand, and Baa’Ren asked, “How does that one know these things? Did a seer tell you?”

“No, Baa’Ren, I was there in spirit form. I had travelled ethereally in response to the distress of a young girl whose name I did not even know. I pledged to that young girl that I would be her guardian when I could. I am keeping that pledge, for it was an oath. Rigmor and I have a connection that spans kalpa. I was there when she fell while escaping the Thalmor and saw Angi come to her aid. I was there when she jumped from the cliff near Riverwood. Rigmor called for me, and I came.”

“Did the young Rigmor know your spirit was there?”

“Yes, but she could not see me or hear me. I communicated telepathically. I pleaded for her to beg and ask for mercy. If she didn’t listen to me, she would have died, Baa’Ren. But that connection to Rigmor told me much, and I must be careful, for my duty is to be her guardian.”

“That one has a bond with Rigmor and is scared that love may result.”

“Love has resulted, although Rigmor has confessed it to me, I am yet to reciprocate. Protecting Rigmor encompasses all aspects of her well-being. I cannot live a normal life, Baa’Ren. Rigmor is in danger because she is related to Ragnar. Being the partner of Lord Wulf Welkynd would make her a target for far more enemies than Thalmor and New Order.”

“You see this one wears the robes of priests, priestesses and devotees of Lady Mara. Have you consulted one of her priests or priestesses? They can speak to Lady Mara.”

“I can speak to Lady Mara and others of The Nine. I was going to visit the temple while in Riften. Lady Mara has let me know that Rigmor and I have entwined souls. We will desire to find each other every kalpa.”

“Perhaps Lady Azura may provide suitable advice?”

“I do not need to complicate things by speaking to Daedric Princes.”

“Khajiit has many ears and eyes in Skyrim, as it is this one’s duty to be aware of politics. That one has not been quiet in the months since his arrival and has done many good things. Now Khajiit understands why. The Champion of The Divines has pursued his task of protecting mortals with money and a sword. Khajiit much admires such devotion to duty.”

“I had been doing so overseas for years, Baa’Ren. And The Divines know it is easier to follow the Ten Commands of the Nine Divines if wealthy. I admit, I have made good dividends on their investment, but they gave me the capital to start.”

“Please take care of Rigmor, Wulf. These are dark days, and you must keep one step ahead. Aedriath is a very dangerous foe, a master of deception. Do not underestimate him.”

“I will do my best, Baa’Ren. The Divines did not send me to Skyrim without some skills. However, I am yet to realise the full potential of my Thu’um. Still, Rigmor and I have proven formidable and very robust. We work together extremely well, and our sum exceeds its parts. Plus, I have exceptionally talented allies to assist. Some who guard Angi as we speak.”

“Why does that one not travel with more guards?”

“The honest answer should be known to a Khajiiti emissary who is as smart as that one.”

“That one wants to spend time alone with Rigmor to sort through their relationship.”

“Correct. If I thought that increased the danger to Rigmor, I would not do so.”

“Khajiit understands.”

“May I ask a favour, Baa’Ren?”

“This one is curious as to what this favour may entail!”

“I never let Rigmor out of my sight, but I need to do something out of hers.”

“This one advises red or none at all.”

“Rigmor has mentioned the dresses from Morrowind?”

“Many times, and always with hints of Riften Market. Rigmor thinks this one would know what to buy for a young Nordling. That is not an area of Khajiit’s expertise.”

“I will be as quick as I can.”

“If Rigmor asks, I will inform her you had an urgent call of nature.”

“I doubt she will notice. She has that stare-into-infinity thing going.”

“Yes, a habit since that one was a cub. Khajiit will stand to have a better view of the comings and goings.”

I trusted Baa’Ren to watch over Rigmor and exited The Bee and Barb.

I went straight to Brand-Shei. He was the major importer of Morrowind goods in Riften.

“Good morning, Brand-Shei. I have been informed that you stock a popular dress style from Morrowind. A lady friend of mine has expressed a deep desire to own one. ”

“I sell many styles, but one, in particular, has grown in popularity over the last year or so. What colour?”

“Red.”

“What size?”

“Ahh, she is 5’6’, small bosom, waist about this big.”

Brand-Shei laughed as I mentally pictured Rigmor and displayed her waist width with my hands.

He said, “That is a popular size, even amongst those who have no hope of fitting into it. I have new stock arriving tomorrow.”

“Okay, can you send it to my museum in Solitude?”

“Yes, and I shall put it on your tab, Lord Welkynd.”

“It is always a pleasure doing business with you.”

“It is always a pleasure counting your coins.”

A young girl said, “Excuse me, Lord Welkynd.”

I turned to her and said, “Oh, hello. Can I help you?”

“Rigmor is in danger. Three Argonian bounty hunters have been asking about her. A snitch told them she has been seen travelling with you.”

“That is valuable advice, young lady. How much do I owe you?”

“I…I do not beg and earn my coins through information brokering. I could ask a good amount, considering the bounty on Rigmor is fifteen thousand. However, I want to ask a favour. Keep Rigmor safe, and then find me.”

“Who should I ask for if I cannot see you?”

“Little Dartwing.”

“Thank you, Little Dartwing.”

I hurried back and entered The Bee and Barb.

Three Argonians were standing behind Rigmor. Several of my guards from Warm Sands were keeping an eye on her and them. They must be in Riften to collect supplies. Warm Sands is not yet self-sufficient.

I hurried over to Baa’Ren.

“Do you know Little Dartwing?”

“Yes, she lives a perilous life, being an information broker.”

“She told me that three Argonian bounty hunters were asking about Rigmor.”

“Ahh, those three who just entered. I think Rigmor is aware of them.”

“Some of my guards from Warm Sands are also here. They would know I am travelling with Rigmor.”

“Then I shall leave you to do your type of diplomacy, Wulf.”

“Yes, if there is too much trouble, the Riften guards may ask all patrons to remain till they sort it out. You need to do your type of diplomacy.”

I approached Rigmor as Baa’Ren made a tactical withdrawal.

The Argonian in the middle and the one on the right were fighters. The one on the left was a mage.

I whispered to Rigmor, “Stand, but do not turn around. There are three Argonian bounty hunters behind you.”

“Yes, a Khajitti told me. Why can’t I turn around?”

“They might not be sure of who you are.”

“Oh, they might recognise my face. Good thinking, My Guardian.”

“You can take all three without a problem. Let Rigmor of Bruma’s reputation be known.”

“Cool!”

“The Khajiiti might have been one of my guards. There are several of them here. So, you have backup if needed.”

“Okay.”

Rigmor stood, and I stepped between her and the bounty hunters.

The leader of the idiots said, “Step away from the girl, friend.”

“Are we friends? Oh, I remember. Aren’t you called Soon-To-Die?”

“We only want the head. You can keep the rest.”

“And who do you think the woman, not girl, is?”

“We think she is Rigmor, but if we are wrong, we will apologise to her corpse.”

“She doesn’t look like the posters at all!”

“But she is travelling with you, Lord Welkynd, as our Thalmor friends and local informant suggested.”

I said loudly, “THESE THREE IDIOTS THINK THEY CAN MURDER A YOUNG WOMAN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY TAVERN FOR A THALMOR BOUNTY.”

The Bee and Barb patrons told them they would defend the young woman from Thalmor and scum like them.

I said, “WATCH WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEBODY THREATENS RIGMOR OF BRUMA!”

I smiled, and like I was a seer with an accurate prediction, Soon-To-Die attacked me.

I leapt back and did not draw my sword.

Soon-To-Die ran towards me and found a dainty, steel-encased leg in his way.

Soon-To-Die tried to halt his forward momentum. However, he slammed into the bar with a loud “oomph!”

He would have collapsed on the floor, winded, except Rigmor drew her sword and almost cut him in half down the middle.

She parried the second warrior and then did a backward sweep that sent his corpse flying to join Soon-To-Die.

I then heard the mage scream, “My tail!”

A ‘thunk’ from an arrow hitting the mage’s head ended the fight.

Rigmor stepped back while sheathing her sword, shocked by a loud round of applause.

Rigmor had severed the mage’s tail, which resulted in copious amounts of blood. He looked like he had Nirn’s worst hemorrhoids.

I searched Soon-To-Die and found a wanted poster.

I approached Keerava and said, “I apologise for attracting such unsavoury guests.”

“Are you kidding, Lord Welkynd? Do you know how many meads I will sell as everybody crowds inside here and shouts drinks to get fifty variations on what just happened? Talen-Jei will dispose of the corpses and clean up the blood while I stand here piling up the coins! What a wonderful day!”

I approached Ke’jahr.

“Dragonguard Ke’jahr, why are you wearing your Blades armour?”

“I did not want to hide who I was. There are no Thalmor in The Rift to give me trouble.”

“Yes, I have heard that Stormcloaks have been attacking them on sight. Still, refrain from wearing it in public.”

“We heard you were travelling with Rigmor of Bruma. Some of us recognised Emissary Baa’Ren and saw he was looking toward the lady in fancy armour. Then the Argonians entered and stood, staring at Rigmor, while they discussed what to do. Kha’zrr warned Rigmor.”

I walked over to Kha’zrr.

“Thank you for your assistance, Kha’zrr.”

“I got an arrow off, but Rigmor did not need our help.”

“No, she did not. That is why I stepped back and let her demonstrate her skills, just in case any other patron thought to intervene.”

“We are picking up supplies for Warm Sands.”

“Soon, you will be dropping off produce instead.”

“That will be a proud day, Lord Wulf.”

When I reached Rigmor, she said, “Ahh, can we get out of here. They will start buying me drinks in a second!”

“Come on then, Lady Ramsbottom.”

When we exited, Mjoll said, “That was highly entertaining. Perhaps you can use those skills to clear out Riften’s Thieves Guild?”

“Can you guarantee a blood thirsty, far more violent set of thieves would not replace them, Mjoll?”

“Well, no.”

“Then you have your answer why I will not wipe out the local guild.”

Mjoll wandered off, muttering to herself, and was quickly replaced by Little Dartwing.

• Olette: If there was a fight in there, it was very short-lived.
• Wulf: Rigmor quickly disposed of the bounty hunters.
• Olette: I am glad you are safe, Rigmor.
• Wulf: Rigmor, this young lady warned me about the bounty hunters. She uses the name, ‘Little Dartwing.’
• Rigmor: Glad to meet you, Little Dartwing. Thank you for warning Lord Welkynd.
• Olette: Please, call me Olette.
• Wulf: I owe you some favours, Olette. Do not hesitate to ask, for you know I help those in need.
• Olette: Pa was a sailor with a kid in every port from Seyda Neen to Stros M’Kai, and one of them kids is me. He visited Riften one day and started courting Ma, and before you know it, out I pop.
• Wulf: And your mother?
• Olette: Ma became a Skooma fiend years later when she finally conceded that Pa wanted nothing to do with us.
• Wulf: Is she still on Skooma?
• Olette: Ma died a few days ago. She had gone into the Ratway and never returned. By the time I found her, I could not tell if she was murdered for the clink she had on her or if the Skooma done her in. Either way, those who live there did not hesitate to pocket her money.
• Wulf: I am sorry for your loss, Olette. You were very brave to enter the Ratway.
• Olette: I had a better chance of surviving in there than Ma.
• Wulf: And you never see your Pa?
• Olette: Not once have I met him since the first time he learnt of me, over twelve years ago. He is likely dead, as that is the fate for many sailors.
• Rigmor: Do you think that is true, or that he abandoned you and your mother?
• Olette: Despite Ma insisting he would return one day, she and I knew we were abandoned.
• Wulf: What has happened to your mother’s body?
• Olette: Some members of The Thieves Guild helped me retrieve it. It is in the Hall of the Dead.
• Wulf: Can you pay for her internment?
• Olette: If I want to leave her to rot inside the Hall of the Dead with only candles and grumpy spirits for company, then yes, I have the coins. One of the favours is to have Ma buried in Riften’s cemetery, where I can visit and talk to a tombstone when I get all soppy.
• Wulf: I can arrange that, Olette. What else can I do for you?
• Olette: I have made many friends amongst the poor and downtrodden of Riften. One of them is Wujeeta, who used to work in a grand manor house until Ulfric’s savages killed the lord and his family and torched the estate. She recently discovered Skooma, and I do not want her to die like Ma.
• Wulf: I can talk to her and offer assistance, Olette. Wujeeta must decide if she wants that help; I cannot force her.
• Olette: Please, talk to her. If Wujeeta sees a way forward, she may accept your help. She is not fully addicted, just experimenting, but I have seen it many times before. They start off feeling better, but only after taking Skooma, and then they rely on it.
• Wulf: How long have you been an information broker?
• Olette: I started as a gutter rat. People would pay me to crawl through spaces adults cannot fit into, either to spy on people, open doors, or steal items. That was not long after Ma started the Skooma, so I was five years of age.
• Rigmor: People put five-year-olds in danger like that?
• Olette: Even that young, I knew how people paid for their Skooma. I did not want Ma to prostitute herself, so I accepted the danger so I could pay for her habit and feed and clothe us.
• Rigmor: You knew about prostitutes at five years of age?
• Olette: I was spying on people and living amongst drunks, Skooma addicts and prostitutes. Yes, I learned very quickly about adult pastimes.
• Wulf: And information broking?
• Olette: When I was eight, I was paid a few coins to spy on a gang leader by one of his men who desired that position. I decided to snitch on the one who offered a few coins and earned ten times as much. From then on, I worked for myself.
• Wulf: It is a very hazardous occupation.
• Olette: I did it for Ma. There were not many options. I could become a pickpocket and a thief. I could sell my body, as many other children my age were doing. I decided that being an information broker and cutting out the middle man was slightly more honest than being a thief and far less degrading than being an object of adult lust.
• Wulf: Will you continue being an information broker now that you do not have to support your mother’s addiction?
• Olette: I do not know what I will do, Cap’n. Keeping Ma alive has been my focus.
• Wulf: Is there anything else you need doing?
• Olette: Please investigate the orphanage. That might be an option for me if it were not so terrible.
• Wulf: I visited it several months ago, and it was clean and well run.
• Olette: Something happened to Grelod, the one in charge. She has turned into somebody evil who hates children and treats them badly. Children have run away rather than stay there!
• Rigmor: Wulf, if the orphans are being mistreated, you must do something about it.
• Olette: I read you have several orphanages. Perhaps you can run Riften’s?
• Wulf: I will look into it, Olette.
• Olette: One last thing, Cap’n.
• Wulf: Why call me Cap’n?
• Olette: They take care of their crew and try to sail a ship safely.
• Rigmor: That is a good nickname for him.
• Wulf: Okay, Olette, what else?
• Olette: I wanna say goodbye to Ma, but not inside. Would you come with me to the docks by the fishery? Ma always liked sitting down there with her feet in the water.
• Wulf: Yes, of course. It is a peaceful place.

We made our way to the docks, and as is typical for Riften, fog rolled in and out quickly and randomly.

Rigmor and I stood and watched Olette say goodbye to her mother.

“So, Ma. I don’t really know what to say. Most of the time, you were gobbling up Skooma or getting drunk at the Bee and Barb or pining over Pa. But…there was other times too. So, I guess I should talk about them.”

As Olette spoke, the sun broke through the fog. Rigmor grabbed my hand.

“I remember how you used to read me stories about the Champion of Cyrodiil and other heroes. On good days, you’d make me dance with you at The Bee and Barb when the bard started chirping about some hero or another. I was so embarrassed. But it was fun, really…And I remember you used to call me Little Dartwing. That was nice. So, thanks…for all that stuff. Rest easy, Ma.”

Olette finished, and Rigmor’s sniffles mingled with the sounds of gulls. I handed her a clean handkerchief, which she dabbed at her eyes and honked her nose into. She smiled as she shoved it into her gauntlet.

I walked over to Olette, who had a hint of tears in her eyes. She had probably cried herself dry over the last day or so.

• Wulf: Olette, that was beautiful. You loved your mother dearly despite her neglect of you.
• Olette: I do not blame Ma. Those who sell Skooma take advantage of the sad people in Riften. They need to die!
• Wulf: I see you carry a knife. Have you ever had to use it?
• Olette: One man who tried to rape me lost vital parts and bled to death. Another who thought I snitched on him tried to stab me, and he died.
• Wulf: You had every right to defend yourself.
• Olette: I have not robbed nobody after I became an information broker. I am ashamed that I helped rob people in the past.
• Rigmor: You were five years old, Olette. Do not feel guilty.
• Wulf: You have been struggling to speak without street slang. If that is meant to garner my respect, it is a wasted effort. I do not judge people on how they have been raised, and that includes their choice of words.
• Olette: I have been trying to speak better, Cap’n. Many potential clients dismiss me as an uneducated guttersnipe.
• Wulf: Can you read and write?
• Olette: Yes. Members of Riften’s Thieves Guild taught me. They never pressured me into becoming a thief, and many had hard upbringings, so they felt some sympathy for my plight.
• Wulf: If you could be anything you wanted, what would it be?
• Olette: A bard. I want to write and sing songs like those Ma loved about heroes and stuff.
• Wulf: It will be a couple of years before you are old enough to be a bard’s apprentice. In the meantime, how would you like to live at one of my estates? Other children are there, as are bards and teachers of other skills.
• Olette: Not one of your orphanages?
• Wulf: No, I am choosing children who want to learn particular skills to live and learn on my estates. Some want to be farmers, blacksmiths, groomsmen, and so forth. Skills that orphanages are not equipped to teach.
• Rigmor: Olette should live in Aetheron. You can help teach her many things, Wulf.
• Olette: Is Cap’n a bard?
• Rigmor: He has a most wonderful voice and sang me a special song that made me cry. But he has not had training.
• Olette: Where is Aetheron?
• Rigmor: It is a palace and town hidden from view and is probably the safest place anybody could live.
• Olette: And there are other children there?
• Wulf: At the moment, there are Oliver and Van, whom I brought to Aetheron as orphans and have since been adopted by the blacksmith. Kai-Lin should be there and is about your age. She can show you around and introduce you to people. Emily might have arrived as well. She is a bit older than you and wants to be a gardener.
• Olette: And I can go to Solitude Bard’s College when I am old enough?
• Wulf: If you show promise, you can enter the college at fourteen. However, that is too young to live among the bards, even if you are wise to the world. So, if you have put up with me that long, you can live in one of my properties in Solitude while attending college.
• Olette: All I have known is Riften.
• Wulf: All you have known is poverty and danger. I am offering you the chance to be more than an information broker risking her life for a few septims.
• Rigmor: You are never going to get a better offer, Olette. There are a lot of people in Aetheron, but none that you have to stab.
• Wulf: It is where most of The Dragonguard live.
• Olette: A palace?
• Rigmor: A marble palace. It is the most beautiful building I have ever seen.
• Olette: Okay, but Ma will be here.
• Wulf: We shall try to visit as often as you want, Olette. If I fix the problems with the orphanage, you can see that as well and know that you helped make it better.
• Olette: All I did was tell you how bad it is.
• Wulf: Which is vital information I did not have.
• Olette: People here will want to know where I have gone. They will be worried.
• Wulf: I shall let people know. And you can say hello to them when we visit Riften in the future.
• Olette: Okay, Cap’n. You have a deal.

Olette spat on her palm and held out her hand. I spat on mine and shook Olette’s hand.

Olette looked behind us and said, “There is Wujeeta! She has probably finished for the day. Quick, this is your chance to talk to her.”

We soon caught up with the middle-aged Argonian.

I told her, “Young Olette thinks I may be able to help you. I am Lord Wulf Welkynd.”

“Lord, I might lose my job!”

“Oh, and where do you work?”

“At the Riften Fishery.”

“Do you like working there?”

“Yes, Bolli is a good man. He pays us well and watches out for us. I used to work at Black Briar Meadery, but Indaryn and I never saw eye to eye. That elf has no patience at all. It is probably for the best anyway. I’m far better at fishing than working in a meadery.”

“Olette says you once worked for a noble before Ulfric’s mob changed everything.”

“I worked for Sir Aeberio Ponicia.”

“He was His Imperial Majesty’s Emissary to Skyrim. He was murdered four months ago.”

“His crimes were being Imperial and hiring elves and Argonians. That is all the excuse those animals needed. They chanted, ‘Skyrim is for the Nords’ as they butchered Sir Ponicia, his family and every servant they rounded up. I watched from a large pond. They never found me. I was the only survivor.”

“They are cowards, Wujeeta. That is why they have not engaged the Imperial Army in a large battle. Olette told me about your Skooma addiction. Is that why you might lose your job?”

“Yes, and Bolli said that if I show up for work in this condition one more time, then I’m out.”

“Many vulnerable people get introduced to Skooma by those who see you as profit. I wager the first few flasks were free.”

“Yes, and I didn’t mean to do this to myself, but now I can’t help it. I tried some Skooma a few months ago, and ever since then, I can’t stop!”

“Wujeeta, I will cast a healing spell on you. That will relieve the symptoms, remove the craving and get rid of the poison from your body. But you must promise me you will not go back to it, even if times get hard.”

“I promise. Your kindness will never be forgotten. Here, take this. It is the only thing I can offer you for what you have given me.”

Wujeeta held out a ring. It had little monetary value but was likely sentimental to her.

I said, “Wujeeta, I need no payment for doing the right thing.”

Wujeeta looked surprised as she pocketed the ring. I cast Grand Healing, and her eyes immediately looked clearer.

I told her, “You look much healthier. What will you do if tempted by Skooma again?”

“If it weren’t for Skooma, I’d already have been out of this horrible city. All of my gold is completely gone! Now I have to start over. As I promised, I’ll never use Skooma again! Although I suppose a little mead now and then would be harmless.”

“You would just become dependent on mead when times get hard. This city is already full of drunks whose gold vanishes down their throats as quickly as any Skooma addicts. How about if I give you a job on my estate? It is large and well away from Riften and Skooma dealers.”

“You would do that?”

“Absolutely. I know how hard it can be for an Argonian in Skyrim. If the estate I take you to is not to your liking, I have many others and will likely purchase more in the future. I have been considering purchasing the remnants of Sir Ponicia’s estate and the possibility of building a large orphanage and school there. Perhaps that would be an option in the future?”

“It would be good to hear the laughter of children there once more.”

“I would likely name it after him, as an ‘Up Yours!’ to ignorant Nords.”

“What would be my duties?”

“In Aetheron, I would want you to assist the chef when required, but your primary duty would be maintaining some sort of cleanliness in the barracks.”

“Soldiers?”

“Yep.”

“Can I have a sturdy broom? One that will not break when I whack somebody being grotty.”

“Ahh, I see you will do well. So, do we have a deal?”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Try the word ‘yes’.”

“Yes, Lord Welkynd. I want to be your housekeeper.”

“Good. Please, call me Wulf, and tell Bolli while we wait. He deserves to know you have not succumbed to your habit, and he has treated you well. Tell him Lord Wulf Welkynd has hired you.”

“I will.”

“Before you go, who did you buy your Skooma from?”

“Look, I don’t think I should say. I mean, they could kill me!”

“You are going somewhere they cannot find or enter. Even if they did, they would face dozens of the world’s best soldiers. Besides, they will not know you told me and will have no idea where you went.”

“OK, I’ll tell you. I get my Skooma from Sarthis Idren. He has some sort of setup over at the Riften Warehouse. You can’t get inside, though. They’ve kept that place locked up tight since the war began.”

“I can get in. However, I will speak to the Jarl first to make sure she is happy with me cleaning out the scum for her. We shall wait here for you.”

Wujeeta smiled, which is quite endearing on an Argonian except for the dozens of pointy, razor-sharp teeth showing. She headed into the fishery to say goodbye to Bolli.

• Olette: Wow, I did not expect Wujeeta to be joining me.
• Wulf: Not many people can defeat Skooma addiction without help. At Aetheron, others have weaned themselves off Skooma and can help.
• Rigmor: Plus, there is no way of getting Skooma while in Aetheron.
• Wulf: You cannot leave Aetheron, no matter how sneaky you think you are. Guards will not stop you, but it is magically sealed.
• Olette: Why?
• Wulf: You will learn why in time, Olette. I promise to sit and explain things to you.
• Olette: Okay, Cap’n.
• Rigmor: Wulf, we need to talk about plans.
• Wulf: Yes, we shall sit and talk next to the lake. I have a favourite spot that you will love.
• Olette: You can watch the swans, otters and bloated corpses float by!
• Rigmor: I did not think Riften’s Thieves Guild was violent.
• Olette: They aren’t, but Maven Black-Briar is.
• Rigmor: Who is Maven Black-Briar?
• Wulf:  I saw you order a mead in The Bee and Barb. What type of mead did you order?
• Rigmor: Oh, does she own Black-Briar Meadery?
• Wulf: Yes, and she is one of the most obnoxious people you could ever have the misfortune of meeting. She is involved in many crimes, I am sure, but I have not had time to investigate.
• Olette: She has Jarl Laila Law-Giver wrapped around her pinky. If there were coins in it, and not a chance visit from The Dark Brotherhood, I would tell the Jarl exactly what Maven thinks of her.
• Rigmor: Is she that terrible?
• Wulf: Olette, let me test your knowledge of Riften’s population.
• Olette: Ten septim if I answer your question, Cap’n.
• Wulf: Who is the father of Maven’s two youngest children?
• Olette: Rumour is, Hemming, the eldest of her children by fourteen years, is the father of Sibbi and Ingun.

I handed ten septim to Olette while Rigmor stood, mouth wide open, unable to process that revelation.

• Wulf: You seem shocked, Rigmor.
• Rigmor: I do not know what is worse. Is it the fact that Maven bedded a fourteen-year-old, or that he was her son?
• Wulf: Fourteen is the age of consent in Skyrim, as long as the sexual partner is eighteen or under. That allows for the tradition of arranged marriages among some Nords. So, she committed rape as well as incest.
• Olette: But it is only a rumour.
• Wulf: Nobody has said who was desperate enough to bed her to make Hemming.
• Rigmor: Wulf!
• Olette: It was probably very dark, and the male was very drunk.
• Rigmor: Olette!
• Wulf: It could have been one of her servants.
• Olette: But she had bedded them all, so she has no idea which one.
• Wulf: What is the difference between a fox and a pig?
• Olette: Six meads and a dark tavern.
• Rigmor: I can see Wulf is going to be a bad influence on you, Olette. Perhaps you should reconsider and not move to Aetheron.
• Olette: Rigmor, you have no idea what I have witnessed when a sewer rat or while I was looking for juicy information as an information broker. For instance, I can tell you who has been having problems with their man bits, who brought potions or charms to fix it, and whether they were successful.
• Wulf: Olette is a product of the streets of Riften, but children like her exist in any city or large town. That is why I am determined to offer options, whether it be an orphanage where the chance of adoption is real, or learning a trade at one of my estates.
• Rigmor: I do not suppose that many children of Olette’s age have learned to kill.
• Olette: Many of the corpses floating in the canal are children like me who did not learn to kill. You cannot blame Maven for those.

Wujeeta came running back to us.

“That was quick, Wujeeta.”

“Bollis gave me a hug and made me promise to visit when I can.”

“Rigmor and I need to talk before heading to Aetheron. So, you two must wait in my Riften house. There is plenty of food there if you are hungry.”

Olette eagerly exclaimed, “I have always wanted to have a look inside Honeyside!”

We made our way to Honeyside and entered.

 “Olette and Wujeeta, I do not know how long we will be gone. I will try to make it back before dark. Make yourself at home. Raid the larder if you wish.”

We exited, and Rigmor asked, “Where are we going?”

“To the south gate. My favourite spot is not far from it.”

Many eyes followed us, and whispers abounded. We ignored them.

When we stepped through the south gate, I pointed and said, “Just over there is a bench where I sometimes sit and relax.”

Rigmor laughed and ran, saying, “Well, hurry up then!”

Rigmor had a good look around before sitting on the bench. I strolled over and sat next to her.

I explained, “I like to come here early in the morning when the mist is thick on the water. The mist dissipates quickly as the sun rises and warms the water.”

“Yes, it is a nice spot despite the occasional dead Skeever floating by.”

“No dead people, that is a relief.”

“I heard what that bounty hunter said. He was willing to kill me because I was with Lord Welkynd.”

“Well, I am distinctive in this armour, and a snitch did give The Thalmor my description. The one who saw us taking you to the boat. The same snitch got Rose captured.”

“Oh, I would love to get my hands on him.”

“I told you I chopped his head off.”

“Oh, of course, you did. I have never seen somebody lop off so many heads!”

“I have never seen somebody lop off so many limbs. Anyway, you said you wanted to talk about something.”

“Yanno, it’s really weird coming here, to Skyrim, I mean. I never got to see the homeland of my people.”

“Well, here it is in all its glory. Just ignore the sewer outlet over there.”

“Haha. But seriously, Skyrim is such a beautiful place. I’m glad I came here to see it for myself.”

“Baa’Ren-Dar claimed you are the third target. I think we both found that alarming. Are you okay? You seem a bit gloomy, and I believe that is the cause.”

“Yeah…I guess I’m okay. I try to put on a brave face, but really, deep down, I’m feeling a little scared right now. It’s all a bit too much sometimes.”

“The reason they victimised your father and family. The hatred the Thalmor have for you. It can’t be easy to accept these things?”

“I never asked for this. Sometimes I find it hard to imagine I was once a little girl, you know. I was just a normal, happy little girl playing with all the other kids. Then they took it all away. I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know what to do.”

“What could you have done? No matter how brave or strong, there was nothing you could have done against a squad of Thalmor thugs accompanied by Legionnaires.”

“My mom told me it would be okay. But it wasn’t okay! They took her, and I was…I….”

“You have told me this, Rigmor…”

I had to look away, but it was too late.

“Are you crying again?”

“I’m sorry, but I can feel your pain, Rigmor.”

“I should be sorry, I do not want you to cry over my memories, Wulf.”

“They are our memories now, and I am sure there is plenty yet to tell.”

“I will find the courage to tell you. Baa’Ren is the only person who has heard it all.”

“He said that to tell is to relive the horror.”

“That is true. Did you talk to him about your ethereal travelling?”

“After he told me about a seer. That is how he knew I was a dragonborn.”

“He will not tell anybody, Wulf.”

“I know. Anyway, as Baa’Ren was talking, I remembered something I heard when you were being whipped.”

“What?”

“I am telling you this so it does not come as a surprise. I do not think Baa’Ren intended to mention it.”

“Baa’Ren is protective of me, like Angi. Sometimes I want to scream that I can make my own decisions.”

“Baa’Ren tried to get the Justiciar in charge of that whipping to stop. That Justiciar is General Tilar Aedriath.”

“The one in charge of those hunting me?”

“Yes.”

“That bastard was responsible for more than those whippings.”

“Tell me.”

“No, not now. Remember, to tell is to relive the horror.”

“Okay, whenever you are ready, I will listen.”

“And cry.”

“Probably. I will have to carry spare handkerchiefs since you keep stealing mine.”

“Do you think Olette’s father is a Nord?”

“Whoever he is, I think he was Akaviri or descended from Akaviri.”

“The eyes, they are almond-shaped like many of your Akaviri friends.”

“That trait does show up occasionally, even generations after the Akaviri invasion.”

“Riften seems a strange place for an ocean-going sailor to visit.”

“He would have been working on one of the shallow water craft like those you can see from here. At Windhelm’s docks, cargo is transferred from the large ships to the smaller craft that can navigate the rivers and lakes of Skyrim. After sailors have spent their wages on booze and whores, they earn extra by manning the smaller boats until their ship is ready to sail.”

“Do you ever sail on your ships?”

“No. That is not something that appeals to me.”

“How are we getting to Windhelm?”

“I thought I would teleport us to a town called Kynesgrove and walk from there.”

“No horse riding?”

“Maybe. That depends on whether or not Hashire can summon Ren.”

“Why can’t you summon Ren?”

“I know Ren is brave, but he will trust Hashire enough to allow a summons. He may not be so eager to accept one from me. We have had issues with other horses.”

“That makes sense.”

“After a few times, Ren would accept a summons from me, as it would not be so strange to him. I can attach something to his bridle that will allow you to summon him.”

“Cool!”

“I will not make a flippant remark and say not to worry and that we will find Siggun. But we shall try, Rigmor. We shall try!”

Rigmor stood. It was a strategic move in case she needed to put her hands on her hips.

“Wulf, we are heading north to Windhelm, right? We can hole up in the wilderness of Eastmarch. I heard it is pretty lawless, yanno, giants, mammoths and…stuff.”

“Oh no, I have heard that wild stuff can gum you to death! That is why I buy my stuff from Riften Market.”

“Are you going to be a smart-arse or listen?”

“My ears are all yours.”

“Anyway, despite the wildlife and the threat of stuff, it sounds like a perfect place to rest so we can catch our breath.”

“Unlike Baa’Ren, I am immune to impressive pleading.”

“Wulf, can we visit the hot springs, please? PLEASE!”

“You forgot to bat your eyelids, but yeah, why not. Please, do not attack me with a hands-on-hips stance.”

“Ha de ha.”

“Besides, there is a Merethic paleontologist there that I am supposed to talk to, so hopefully, we will see her.”

“A what?”

“Do you know what fossils are?”

“Yeah, something dies, gets covered in mud and rots away, leaving an indent of its body in a rock.”

“A paleontologist studies fossils to learn about early flora and fauna. A Merethic palaeontologist is an expert on fossils from the Merethic period. I want to display fossils in my museum, so I hope Darnette Lauven, the palaeontologist, will be interested.”

“When people aren’t trying to collect my head, I want to see your museum.”

“And I would like to show it to you.”

“What are you going to do about the orphanage?”

“We shall take Olette and Wujeeta to Aetheron, then return to Riften. I can deal with Grelod by using guards if need be. If I want to address the Skooma dealers, I would need to speak to the Jarl first. She is a stickler for such protocol.”

“Will dealing with the Skooma dealers take a long time?”

“I do not know, Rigmor. I am trying to balance helping you with addressing dangers to innocents. Some things I am happy to pass on to a Dragonguard squad or two. The Skooma dealers are a more personal affront to my values. However, they could wait a day or two.”

“I understand.”

“I also want to visit the Hall of the Dead and arrange Olette’s mother’s funeral.”

“I have never been in a Hall of the Dead.”

“I do not mind them, but other people dislike being surrounded by corpses.”

“I never found out what they did with Dad’s body.”

“Baa’Ren could make inquiries.”

“Anything else?”

“We should visit Mara’s Temple. She desires to see us together.”

“You say that so casually. A Divine wants to see us. Like that happens all the time.”

“That is my life, Rigmor.”

“I will get used to its weirdness. Who knows, in a decade I might not even comment about it anymore.”

“That soon?”

“Get moving, Dragonbum.”

On the way to Honeyside, I had to stop suddenly or squish Maven Black-Briar.

Rigmor cursed as she walked into me, which is a bit like walking headfirst into a wall.

As she passed us, Maven gave me a look of pure disdain.

I said, “Good evening, Maven. Taking a walk with all your friends, I see.”

Maven snarled. Rigmor giggled.

We entered Honeyside and gathered the new Aetheron citizens.

After explaining how teleportation works, Olette placed her hand on one shoulder, and Wujeeta on the other.

I teleported us to Coranelor.

• Wujeeta: That was more disturbing than some of my Skooma dreams.
• Olette: Stop whining, Wujeeta. There was nothing in the ether that could hurt us.
• Wulf: Some creatures hunt in the ethereal plane. But we are there for too short a time for them to catch us.
• Rigmor: You never told me that!
• Wulf: Oops.
• Olette: Is all of the palace like this?
• Rigmor: Yep, it is all marble, and so is the town.
• Wulf: These are my private chambers.
• Olette: Wujeeta is less awed. She is used to rich places.
• Wujeeta: I am used to wood buildings with expensive furniture, not pure marble everywhere.
• Olette: How rich are you, Cap’n?
• Wulf: I am probably the richest person in Skyrim. I would be a lot wealthier if I did not have a habit of collecting guttersnipes and Skooma addicts.
• Olette: It sounds more like a hobby than a habit, and I am glad to assist.
• Wulf: What do you want inscribed on your mother’s headstone?
• Olette: Just her name and date of death, and ‘Rest easy, Ma. I love you. Little Dartwing.’
• Wulf: Then you had better give me her name.
• Olette: Jordella Tallowhand.
• Rigmor: That is a beautiful name!
• Olette: Ma was beautiful till Skooma made her look like a Draugr with makeup.
• Rigmor: But she was still beautiful.
• Olette: Yeah, she was.
• Wulf: This must seem daunting to both of you, but I can assure you, everybody here is friendly and understanding. They will help you acclimatise.
• Rigmor: They welcomed me with open arms, and they put up with Wulf, so you know they are patient people.
• Wulf: Hey!
• Rigmor: Mum always told me to speak the truth.
• Wulf: Come, I will show you where you will be sleeping, Olette. Somebody else will show you, Wujeeta.
• Wujeeta: Will I be sleeping in the barracks?
• Wulf: Yes, and that will give you extra incentive to keep it clean. You can try different brooms to see which one is best for whacking.
• Rigmor: Wulf wants to return to Riften to organise Jordella’s funeral and deal with Grelod.
• Wulf: I would prefer to deal with Grelod before the children are put to bed.
• Olette: There are more children than beds, Cap’n!

“This is your bedroom, Olette. Claim a bed. The trunk at the bottom of the bed is yours, and only you will have the key.”

“I ain’t got anything to put in there, Cap’n.”

“Clothes and whatever else you need will be arranged.”

“Then I claim this bed. I have never slept in one before!”

Rigmor commented, “Oh, these beds are terrible with their down pillows, pure woolen blankets and silk sheets.”

Olette laughed, and that made me smile.

I told Olette, “This dining table is reserved for children and one or two adults who might join them.”

“It looks a bit fancy to have roasted Skeever served.”

“You would be surprised how many ways our cooks can serve Skeever.”

“Lotsa Skeevers to eat in Riften, Cap’n. Cooked up nice with a touch of pilfered garlic or a dab of lifted lavender.”

“Wow, Olette really is a gutter rat!”

“Riften is a stinkhole full to burstin’ with suckers of all kinds. You got the lovers comin’ in all trussed up to get ‘trothed at the Temple, giggling like maids. You got the guards who dunno a dog from a dragon, and the city folk who seem to want to get robbed blind.”

“It sounds like any city or town full of life.”

“Yeah, and it was home. Now this place is, and it couldn’t be any more different if it tried.”

“You will adjust, Olette. You have a chance here.”

“Yeah, that was something I likely never had in Riften.”

We entered the main hall, and I saw Kai-Lin chatting to a guard.

• Wujeeta: This is bigger than any hall I have seen!
• Wulf: My guards and other staff eat here. The Dragonguard generally eat in the tavern.
• Rigmor: The tavern is very noisy, and you hear swearing in many languages.
• Wulf: You can eat here if you want, Olette. Wujeeta, you can eat in here or, if you prefer many loud voices and not the best table manners, the tavern.
• Rigmor: Who is the little Khajiiti girl?
• Wulf: That is Kai-Lin. She is Shiva’s niece. She has been helping decorate some of my newer properties.
• Rigmor: Is she Ka’Po’Tun?
• Wulf: Yes.
• Olette: Ah, what is Ka’Po’Tun?
• Wulf: They are a people from Akavir. They resemble some Khajiiti, but are a different race.
• Rigmor: There are many types of people living here, including Minotaur.
• Wujeeta: Minotaurs are monsters from my childhood.
• Wulf: Relax, Wujeeta. They do not eat Argonians because they find them too stringy.
• Rigmor: I should have warned you about Wulf’s bad jokes.
• Wulf: All the people here are my friends and friendly. So, if they look strange or even scary, remember that.
• Wujeeta: Okay.
• Wulf: Please sit and eat whatever takes your fancy. No food is wasted, so do not worry about leftovers.
• Rigmor: This room gets quite busy when the guards and others dine here.

As Wujeeta and Olette decided where they would sit, Rigmor and I approached Kai-Lin.

• Wulf: Kai-Lin, this is Rigmor Ragnarsdottier.
• Kai-Lin: You are very pretty!
• Rigmor: And you are the cutest Ka’Po’Tun cub I have ever met.
• Kai-Lin: How many have you met?
• Rigmor: You are the first.
• Kai-Lin: I do not care. I am the cutest!
• Wulf: A new girl is here, Kai-Lin, and all of this is strange to her. Will you please show Olette and her friend Wujeeta around after she has had something to eat?
• Kai-Lin: Yes, Wulf. I was about to show Emily around.
• Wulf: I thought she might arrive today.
• Kai-Lin: Emily is very confident. Perhaps that might help Olette be confident.
• Wulf: I think Olette will adapt very quickly. Wujeeta might take a bit longer.
• Kai-Lin: Do not worry, they will love Aetheron as everybody else does.
• Wulf: Okay, I shall speak to you soon. You can tell me all about the decorating.
• Kai-Lin: You promise not to yawn and pretend to fall asleep?
• Wulf: Ahh…maybe.

Kai-Lin skipped away, and we headed over to Wujeeta.

• Wulf: Where is Olette?
• Wujeeta: One of the guards is showing her where the privy is.
• Rigmor: You should have thought of that, Wulf.
• Wulf: I do not have a tiny bladder like you ladies.
• Rigmor: All barbarian, no class.
• Wulf: Kai-Lin will show you, Olette and another child new to Aetheron around the place and introduce you to some people.
• Rigmor: There are lots of people here, Wujeeta, and I have yet to meet even half of them.
• Wujeeta: What do I do if the Skooma cravings start?
• Wulf: There are many Restoration Mages here. They can cast a spell like I did to stop the cravings. Still, it can be difficult weaning yourself off Skooma. If you need advice, speak to Inigo. He has gone through it.
• Rigmor: Inigo is easy to spot. He is a blue Khajiiti.
• Wujeeta: OUCH!
• Rigmor: What happened?
• Wujeeta: I pinched myself to make sure I was not having a Skooma dream.
• Wulf: You may hear things about me that seem strange or unbelievable. I promise I will explain everything soon.
• Rigmor: Believe me, Wulf is very strange.
• Wujeeta: Yet you are in love with him.
• Rigmor: What?
• Wujeeta: I can see it in your eyes when you keep glancing at Wulf. I am old, but I still remember that feeling.
• Rigmor: Well, he is still very strange, and luckily, he already knew, or this could be very awkward.
• Wujeeta: He glances at you the same way, so I guessed it was mutual.
• Wulf: Is that a nice pie, Wujeeta? Our cooks make excellent pies!
• Rigmor: Come on, Wulf, let’s see about the orphanage.

I teleported us into Honeyside.

We exited into a light rain.

As we passed The Bee and Barb, Maven exited in front of us.

“I heard that a black cat crossing your path brings bad luck. What about a black soul?”

Rigmor laughed, and Maven pretended not to hear my remark.

I walked over to Snilf and commented, “You are working late!”

“I have to since I am all clean and do not look poor.”

“I know, it must have been sad losing lifelong friends.”

“Huh?”

“All those fleas, drowning, pleading for help from Daddy.”

“Ho de haha.”

I hesitated in front of Honorhall Orphanage.

“What is wrong, Wulf?”

“I know that Grelod is probably ill in the head. But still, if any of the children are harmed, I will find it difficult to control my anger.”

“I am with you. Tirlineth will allow you to think clearly.”

“Let us hope that is the case.”

When we entered the orphanage, four young girls were sitting on seats in the reception area.

We moved in farther and listened as Grelod lectured four more orphans. Contance was standing in the far right of the room.

• Grelod: Those who shirk their duties will get an extra beating. Do I make myself clear?
• Orphans: Yes, Grelod.
• Grelod: And one more thing! I will hear no more talk of adoptions! None of you riff-raff is getting adopted. Ever!
• Contance: Grelod!
• Grelod: Nobody needs you! Nobody wants you! That, my darlings, is why you’re here. That is why you will always be here, until the day you come of age and get thrown into that wide, horrible world! Now, what do you all say?
• Orphans: We love you, Grelod, and we thank you for your kindness.
• Grelod: That’s better. Now scurry off, my little guttersnipes.

We approached Grelod, who immediately attacked us verbally. I scanned her soul. There was no darkness there.

• Grelod: What are you staring at? You are worthless pieces of gutter trash!
• Wulf: I did not know that gutter trash wore ebony armour!
• Grelod: I must start locking the doors again.
• Wulf: I only want to talk to you.
• Grelod: Well then, make it quick.
• Wulf: I visited several months ago, and this orphanage was well run, and the children were well cared for.
• Grelod: It still is, and they still are!
• Wulf: No, Grelod, what I just witnessed is unacceptable.
• Grelod: Samuel is becoming a problem. He fancies himself as something of a leader to the other children. He is up to no good. I know it!
• Rigmor: Wulf, she does not seem to comprehend what you are saying.
• Wulf: Why tell the children that nobody will adopt them?
• Grelod: What? Why, how dare you! Riff-raff! That is all you Riften people are. I will hear no talk of adoptions from you.
• Wulf: I did not ask to adopt a child.
• Grelod: You have taken up enough of my time. Now leave! Begone from here!
• Wulf: No, Grelod, I will not leave, and you would not dare approach the guards. Deep down, you know this is unacceptable.

Grelod stormed off.

A stench was coming from a closed room. When I opened the door, Rigmor started to gag.

Urine-soaked straw covered the floor. Two buckets, used as privies, sat in the corner, half full of excrement. No washing facilities were provided.

There were shackles on the walls, where a child would be forced to hang from their arms.

Rigmor exclaimed, “Oh, Wulf, we cannot leave them in her care!”

“I can scan souls, Rigmor. There is nothing dark about Grelod’s. This behaviour is the result of insanity, not calculated cruelty.”

“Scan souls?”

“It is another blessing from The Divines. I will have Grelod arrested and see about purchasing this place.”

“Who was the woman in the corner?”

“Constance. She is full of compassion. I think she has remained here to protect the children.”

“Why hasn’t somebody done something about this?”

“Orphans are out of sight, out of mind. That is a sad fact I am trying to change.”

We entered Grelod’s room and instantly noticed a very expensive bottle of wine.

“If any adult in my orphanages drank alcohol on the premises, they would be dismissed without a reference.”

We listened in on a conversation between Grelod and Contance.

• Grelod: Listen. It takes two things to be a good teacher. The first is extra beatings. The second is a firm wooden stick for rapping knuckles. Understand?!
• Contance: No, Grelod. These children need love and comfort.
• Grelod: Hroar’s crying is keeping me up at night. I’ll give you one chance to talk the tears out of him, or he’s getting the belt.
• Constance: Please, just let me handle it. It’s not a problem.
• Grelod: Seven septim are missing from my purse. I know it was Runa. You get those coins back, or by Stendarr, I will see her rot in the dungeon.
• Constance: I will handle it. There is no need to blow things out of proportion.
• Wulf: Constance, I will put an end to this right now.
• Grelod: I told you riff-raff to leave!
• Constance: Grelod is not herself, Lord Welkynd.
• Wulf: I feel sorry for her, but I feel a greater sorrow for the children.

Rigmor and I exited and approached the first guard we saw.

• Wulf: Guard, Grelod is not fit to run an orphanage. She needs to be removed immediately.
• Guard: Not my problem.
• Rigmor: Not your problem? Are you willing to let children be beaten and even shackled like criminals?
• Guard: Not my problem, as I am not allowed to leave my post. Guard Bearclaw at the north gate can help you.
• Wulf: Thank you for your assistance.

We walked to the north gate and spoke to Guard Bearclaw.

• Wulf: Guard Bearclaw, Grelod needs to be removed from the orphanage.
• Bearclaw: Why is that, Lord Welkynd?
• Wulf: Her mind is gone, and as a result, she is harming the children.
• Rigmor: They have to use buckets as privies and pee on straw like farm animals.
• Wulf: She beats them and shackles them to the wall. She also seems to be drinking expensive wine with money meant to feed the orphans.
• Bearclaw: Shor’s Bones! This behaviour cannot be tolerated! Come with me, and I shall take care of Grelod.
• Wulf: Guard Bearclaw, Grelod is ill, not evil. She is to be treated with civility, not contempt.
• Bearclaw: But the children…
• Wulf: I will be running the orphanage from now on. I want the children to see compassion, not misdirected anger, when Grelod is removed. Think of it as an important lesson.
• Bearclaw: Okay, Lord Welkynd. I shall try.

We followed Guard Bearclaw to the orphanage.

Once inside, I asked a girl to fetch Grelod and Contance.

As we waited, I whispered, “Hold your temper, Guard Bearclaw. Grelod is likely to be insulting and even threaten violence. Do not draw your sword. I am a mage and can paralyse her if needed.”

Grelod and Constance arrived within seconds.

• Bearclaw: Grelod, Lord Welkynd has made serious accusations concerning your treatment of these children.
• Grelod: How dare you? Wearing that uniform makes you no less Riften riff-raff than that barbarian and harlot with you.
• Contance: Lord Welkynd does not come from or live in Riften, Grelod. You have met him before today.
• Wulf: They called you Grelod the Kind, for you cared deeply for the orphans.
• Bearclaw: Lord Welkynd says you are ill, Grelod, and are not responsible for your actions.
• Grelod: What nonsense is this? The children are fed and healthy!
• Wulf: What happened to the privies, Grelod? Since when is shackling a child to a wall caring for them?
• Rigmor: A child is crying, and you want to hit him with a belt.
• Wulf: You misplaced some coins, so you threatened to put a child in a dungeon.
• Contance: Grelod, I have tried to tell you that you are treating the children badly. You did not listen.
• Wulf: You have been drinking expensive wine using funds meant for the betterment of these children.
• Bearclaw: What say you, Grelod? Are these things true?
• Grelod: I…I…what have I done?
• Bearclaw: Will you come with me, Grelod? There is a place in Solitude that can help you.
• Grelod: No! You are all trying to steal my orphanage. I am not going anywhere! I will…

I cast Paralysis, and Grelod stopped mid-sentence.

I said, “Constance, please bind Grelod’s hands, but not too tight. She will be paralysed for a few minutes.”

Contance rushed off to get some leather strapping, no doubt used on the children in the recent past.

She bound Grelod’s hands and then walked away.

When Grelod came too, she was compliant and followed Guard Bearclaw without saying a word.

As soon as Grelod left, we walked over to Contance.

• Wulf: How long has Grelod been like this?
• Constance: It was gradual, Lord Welkynd. At first, she would misplace things, then she became paranoid that the children were stealing and talking behind her back.
• Wulf: When did she start harming them?
• Constance: About a month ago. I made several complaints to the Jarl, but nothing was ever done. I stopped most mistreatment, but whenever I left the orphanage to run errands, I returned to beaten or shackled children.
• Rigmor: And you stayed to protect the orphans.
• Constance: My only concern is for the children. The poor darlings have no one else.
• Wulf: And that is why I want you to be the Headmistress of a rebuilt Honorhall Orphanage.
• Constance: Headmistress?
• Wulf: I know you are a trained teacher. So, I will build a classroom. There is a natural rock pool below that can be heated and used as a bath. New privies will be installed. Extra beds will be provided, and a much larger monthly stipend to keep the children well fed, clothed, and healthy.
• Contance: Will the Jarl allow this?
• Wulf: The Jarl cannot stop me. If she complains too much, I will mention how the news sheets would love a juicy story about child neglect in Riften.
• Contance: How long would the construction take?
• Wulf: I have hired excellent craftspeople to build several homes. They just finished the last one, so they will be free to rebuild this place. I will have the extra beds delivered, and their work will have minimal impact. Knowing how fast they do things, I think they would finish within two or three weeks.
• Contance: You already have three orphanages.
• Wulf: I am wealthy, Contance. They are not a financial burden.
• Contance: I do not know what to say.
• Wulf: Talk to the children. Discuss what happened to Grelod. Try to explain that she was not evil, just ill.
• Contance: They will understand. Children have great compassion.
• Wulf: Yes, even when terrible things are done to them or they suffer great loss.
• Constance: Where will Grelod go?
• Wulf: For now, she will be in Riften’s prison. It is not a dim, dark dungeon, and the guards are not thugs. Usually, a physician is called to assess a person’s mental state. If deemed senile or insane, they are supposed to be taken to one of several institutions equipped to house them. They are overcrowded, but I can use my influence to ensure Grelod gets a placement.
• Contance: Thank you, Lord Welkynd.
• Wulf: Thank you, Contance, for doing your best for these children.

As we left the orphanage, Rigmor kept smiling at me.

I asked, “Is there something wrong? Do I have a booger hanging out of my nose or something?”

“The way you handled this told me a lot about Valdr Septim. You would be a magnificent Emperor.”

“If I am lucky, I will never have to test that theory. Now, I want to organise a funeral.”

“You take me to the best places.”

“A visit to Skyrim is not complete without a trip to a Hall of the Dead.”

The entrance to Riften’s Hall of the Dead was via Mara’s Temple.

We entered the Hall of the Dead and approached Priestess Alessandra.

• Wulf: Good evening, Priestess. I am Lord Wulf Welkynd. My companion is Lady Ramsbottom.
• Alessandra: Do you have another body to collect? Perhaps some embalming is needed. Who needs sleep?
• Wulf: Don’t you have assistants?
• Alessandra: If you are asking whether I tend the Hall of the Dead alone, the answer is yes.
• Wulf: Why is that, Priestess? Jarls are required by Imperial Law to provide funds for a Priest or Priestess of Arkay and two or three acolytes.
• Alessandra: If you haven’t noticed, Imperial Law means little to Jarls who are idiotic enough to back Ulfric Stormcloak. I get a fraction of the stipend I used to, and nobody is willing to help for free.
• Wulf: That smells like Maven Black-Briar’s interference. She watches every septim spent as if Riften’s coffers were her own.
• Alessandra: I look forward to the day she lies here, waiting for embalming. I doubt I would have to remove a heart.
• Wulf: Oh, Maven has one. However, it is black and shrivelled due to lack of use.
• Alessandra: Let me get into Priestess of Arkay mode. Ahem, what can I do for you, Lord Welkynd and Lady Ramsbottom?
• Wulf: I want to pay for Jordella Tallowhand’s burial and headstone.
• Alessandra: Plots are limited and very expensive.
• Rigmor: You must spend a lot of time in here, Priestess. Otherwise, you would know how wealthy Lord Welkynd is.
• Wulf: To ensure it is done properly, I will pay triple the normal fee. Perhaps that may compensate for a lack of proper stipend until management of the Hold is changed.
• Alessandra: Oh…

I retrieved some parchment and a permanent ink quill from my invisible journal case and wrote out Olette’s preferred inscription.

I handed the parchment to the Priestess.

• Wulf: The headstone is to be black marble. The inscription is to be in gold leaf. Jordella’s coffin is to be of sealed lead.
• Alessandra: It may take a few days to organise.
• Wulf: You can contact me via the Solitude Museum and let me know the cost. Payment will arrive soon after. When the burial is done, you can contact me at the same place. We shall have a private service soon after. You will not need to attend, as I am qualified to perform Arkay’s Rights.
• Alessandra: Are you a Priest of Arkay?
• Wulf: I am Champion of The Divines. Ask High Priestess Dinya Balu if you want clarification on that title. Therefore, I am permitted to conduct the various ceremonies that are usually restricted to the Priests and Priestesses of The Nine.
• Alessandra: Why such extravagance for a vagrant Skooma addict?
• Wulf: All people deserve respect. Jordella was a mother, ill-treated by a society that fails to uphold The Ten Commands of the Nine Divines. The tragic circumstances of her life and addiction do not lessen her value in the eyes of The Nine, or me.
• Alessandra: I apologise, Lord Welkynd. Continuously dealing with the silent dead lessons a person’s awareness of the perils facing the living. I only see the consequences.
• Wulf: And that is why Priests and Priestesses of Arkay are supposed to do field work for several months each year. But that would be another expense of no importance to Jarl Law-Giver and her puppet master.
• Alessandra: You are not afraid to speak your mind.
• Wulf: As long as I spread my wealth to both poor and noble, I am safe.
• Rigmor: Lord Wulf has a private army quite capable of destroying much larger forces.
• Wulf: Be patient, Priestess Alessandra. Things will change for the better.

Rigmor and I made our way to the temple.

As we approached Mara’s Shrine, I warned, “Do not be alarmed.”

“What do you…”

• Mara: Greetings, Special Child. It is a pleasure to meet you, Rigmor Ragnarsdottier.
• Rigmor: Wulf! I can hear Mum’s voice!
• Wulf: We can talk telepathically, Rigmor. Lady Mara sounds like the closest female to a person. I hear Saint Alessia.
• Rigmor: Oh…ah…Hi, Lady Mara. Umm, why Special Child?
• Mara: Valdr is special to The Nine. We regard him as our son.
• Rigmor: That is nice…but weird.
• Wulf: There was a lot of effort involved in allowing Mother and Father to have a mortal child, Rigmor. I do not understand the metaphysics involved, and I likely never will.
• Mara: You are the second pair of Tirnetha I have encountered, what I named Entwined Souls. The Tirnethaeth of the first was tragic, until their souls met after apotheosis.
• Wulf: Are you saying my parents were Tirnetha?
• Mara: Yes, Valdr. While mortal, Tirnethaeth placed within them a want neither could fully fathom nor ignore. Had they met upon Nirn, they would have shared ‘Your Quiet’, what you have named Tirlineth.
• Wulf: Mother loved Lord Morihaus, Rigmor.
• Mara: Tirnethaeth does not forbid other love. But nothing matches the love of Tirnetha in fulfillment or strength.
• Rigmor: Wulf said Tirnethaeth could bring heartache as easily as joy.
• Mara: Indeed. Imagine if, during Saint Alessia’s rebellion, she had met the bearer of Lord Talos’ soul.
• Rigmor: Awkward at best. Catastrophic at worst.
• Wulf: Now I understand Father’s change since he has not been with Mother.
• Mara: Yet you undoubtedly question why you were not told.
• Wulf: Oh, I am sure there is some plausible reason that a mere mortal could not comprehend.
• Mara: On the contrary. Had you known of your bond to Rigmor, suspicion would have become obsession. You would have sought her before Alduin, before your duty, before all else.
• Rigmor: You would have.
• Wulf: Instead of truth, I was met with derision by the gods I serve.
• Mara: You serve mortals, Valdr, and thereby serve us. We chose what we believed best for those we love, including those mortals.
• Wulf: So, the truth became collateral damage?
• Mara: Lord Talos warned me that this would be your reaction. You forget he was mortal and felt the manipulation and interference of The Eight as we once were. He found solace when praying to Saint Alessia.
• Wulf: Do you agree The Nine did the right thing, Rigmor?
• Rigmor: Yes. We do not know all that The Divines know. What did you say to Baa’Ren earlier? It is easy to appear wise after you have found the truth.
• Wulf: And were you upset that Baa’Ren had not told you the truth all those years you lived with him?
• Rigmor: For a few seconds, yes. But then I saw it from Baa’Ren’s perspective. The same with who General Aedriath is. Baa’Ren made decisions he thought best, and secrets were not kept out of spite.
• Mara: We made decisions we thought best, and secrets were not kept out of spite.
• Rigmor: It is different from the malice behind lies, such as what they said about Dad.
• Wulf: I know it was the right thing to do, Lady Mara. However, The Nine should not be surprised if a belief in all they say will never exist.
• Mara: It never has since the day you realised we do not know all.
• Rigmor: We are together, Wulf. Weigh the past derision and falsehoods against that fact.
• Mara: Love is the most powerful force known. What Saint Alessia calls Marael. It is a good Ayleidoon name for it.
• Rigmor: So Marael is the most powerful force known?
• Mara: Yes, and the love of Tirnetha is the strongest expression of it. That allowed you to be conceived, Valdr, and for your parents to live as mortals once more.
• Rigmor: What you call my willpower is likely driven not by a desire for vengeance or the finding of Mum. They are factors, but I believe that wanting to meet My Guardian saved my life three times. That is the power of Tirnetha Marael.
• Mara: Tirnetha Marael allowed you to travel ethereally and share empathetically without training.
• Wulf: Our Tirnethaeth is yet to be shown as beneficial or disastrous.
• Rigmor: Your failure to acknowledge love is biasing Tirnethaeth towards the latter.
• Wulf: Please be patient, Rigmor. One day, I may admit the obvious, but it has a significance I cannot easily explain.
• Rigmor: Intuition?
• Wulf: Perhaps. I do not fully understand my reluctance. I will know when the time is right.
• Mara: Your interactions mirror Valdr’s parents. I have little knowledge of Tirnetha, so any advice I provide is from an observer, not an expert.
• Wulf: See, Rigmor. We even confuse the Divine who gifted us love.
• Mara: It is a force of Aurbis metaphysics, Valdr. I allowed it to seep into Mundus.
• Wulf: As I said, Lady Mara gifted us love.
• Mara: Now I know why others prefer to use Silah or mortal avatars. I wonder if I can have a Sibil?
• Wulf: It has been too long since we talked, Lady Mara. My love for The Divines will never diminish, no matter how grumpy I get.
• Mara: We know, Valdr. Now, others in the temple are staring at you two. Go with my blessing.

Mara’s presence vanished. Most of those in the temple looked at us like we were somehow odd. Dinya was beaming, for she knew we spoke to Lady Mara.

I whispered to Rigmor, “Let’s give them something to gossip about.”

“Like what?”

I teleported us to Angi’s camp. I no longer needed to use Mark and Recall.

Rigmor asked, “Nobody could hear the conversation, could they?”

“No, but you have a habit of miming the words as you speak telepathically.”

“I do?”

“Many people do at first. You will stop doing it after more practice.”

We approached Celestine, who seemed to be busy stacking firewood in a lean-to.

• Rigmor: Baa’Ren will visit Cyrodiil and other places, doing his diplomacy stuff.
• Wulf: He said the New Order is well known, which supports our theory that everything they do is under the watchful eye of our Dominion friends.
• Celestine: Plausible Denial.
• Wulf: Yep.
• Rigmor: Baa’Ren also agreed that their plan could not succeed, even if we did not know the details. Like Wulf, he thinks something is missing from those plans. Another element that might change the odds in their favour.
• Celestine: Did he agree on two of the three targets that we discussed?
• Rigmor: Yes, and he believes I am the third.
• Wulf: Rigmor’s father, Ragnar, was executed because they did not want him to be a rallying point in a resumed Great War.
• Rigmor: They victimised me because they were afraid that I would also be a rallying point.
• Wulf: I do not think they had any intention of allowing Rigmor to live four years ago. They will kill her if they capture her.
• Celestine: We suspected they must have been gathering resources and planning for many years. This information shows that their plans date back at least four years.
• Wulf: Longer than that. The framing of Ragnar needed preparation.
• Rigmor: I always thought they killed Dad for revenge. It was a shock to learn the real reason.
• Wulf: Some bounty hunters wanted to kill Rigmor in the middle of The Bee and Barb.
• Celestine: That would not have ended well.
• Wulf: The patrons would have slaughtered them, but I let Rigmor loose, and she cut them down in seconds.
• Rigmor: They started cheering and clapping!
• Celestine: You provided better entertainment than a bard!
• Wulf: Rigmor is worn out, so I had better get her home.
• Rigmor: I am… oh… Tirlineth will not let me fib, will it?
• Wulf: You can fib, but I will know it is a fib.
• Celestine: That connection between you seems quite useful.
• Wulf: Except when Rigmor farts and desperately wants to blame it on somebody else.
• Rigmor: Lady Ramsbottom does not fart, and if she does, it smells like roses.
• Celestine: Have you had much of a chance to play your role, Rigmor?
• Rigmor: Not yet.
• Wulf: It will take some time for Baa’Ren to organise things. In the meantime, Rigmor and I will visit Windhelm as a contact there has information about Sigunn.
• Celestine: You are getting closer to finding your mother.
• Rigmor: I hope so. We do not know what information the contact has.
• Wulf: Good night, Celestine, and thank you again for guarding Angi and Sorella.
• Celestine: Sorella had been riding Meeko like a horse. He assured me he would still detect people approaching along the path.
• Wulf: He has a way with children, and if it helps Sorella, that is a good thing.
• Celestine: I summoned Vayu and told him about Sorella’s parents. His squad retrieved the bodies and will cremate them. There was no sign of the New Order, and those you and Rigmor killed have not been retrieved. The mine was unmanned.
• Wulf: Oh, I had forgotten about that. Thanks for remembering.
• Celestine: Good night, Rigmor.

I teleported us into Coranelor.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Rigmor was asleep, and I was sitting on a chair, staring into infinity.