Power Corrupts: Greasing Hands (ch. 41) (Patreon)

"Are you ready?" I asked Lili as we stepped outside. The others were still armoring up for the journey ahead, as was Lydia. I didn't have any second thoughts about handing over the shield to her. She would need it to protect Hestia, no matter how useful it might have been. 

Lili gave me a serious nod, an oversized pack slung over her shoulders but it was currently empty. I reached into my inventory and pulled out an utterly massive cube of ice that contained Vilkas' arm. It was large and cool enough that she shouldn't have any trouble getting to the College before it melted. On top of the cube, I placed the Dragonstone. 

"Take that straight to Jarl Balgruuf. Say it's a delivery from Jericho," I told her, earning a deadly serious nod. 

"Lili never thought she would go on an adventure like this," she remarked as she quickly adjusted to the weight. Farkas stepped out of the house first, blinking at Lili and the bag that could easily fit ten of her slung over her shoulders. Then he simply nodded and moved on. 

"You never know what life is going to deal you," I agreed. Vilkas was next, also looking at Lili's utterly massive bag stuffed with over a hundred pounds of ice and his arm. He took a cue from his brother and simply accepted what he saw. 

"I've given it some thought," Vilkas said as he approached. "I'll stick around at the College and find out what they know about getting rid of lycanthropy. The Old Wolf has been looking for a cure for years now, but none of us have ever checked there." He informed us and I looked at him for a moment. 

It was a dick move, but I didn't say anything about the known cure. Simply because I knew Vilkas would look after Lili while he was at the College. She wouldn't be stuck there, surrounded by complete strangers until I got there. If he found a cure while he was there? Great. If he didn't? Then I would 'stumble' across the cure and Ygasamor's tomb. A total dick move, but I wanted Lili as safe as possible. Just like I wanted Hestia as safe as possible. 

"If the transformation is magical in nature, then shouldn't that be the first place?" Lili questioned, making Farkas chuckle. 

"In a place like that, secrets get around. If Kodlak started sniffing around for a cure to lycanthropy, then everyone in Skyrim would hear about it by the end of the month. It would raise questions, especially considering that Kodlak hasn't been in the field in about a decade due to old age. Me? I can just say that what took my arm gave me lycanthropy, and no one would think twice about it," Vilkas explained. And that explained why Kodlak had been so quiet about his search for a cure. 

Aela walked out the door last, her expression set in a scowl. I had overheard their argument back in the wagon yesterday, and I'm guessing that Lydia managed to get the final word in. It felt weird having two friends not like each other, especially when one of them was now a member of the familia. During the game, every member of the Companions except for Aela could be cured of their lycanthropy. She refused to do it. And now that was standing in her way to join. 

Hestia stepped outside, flanked by Lydia who wore glass armor that hit her from the Bowlord and the ebony shield rested in hand and another ebony sword rested at her hip. She got the lion's share of good loot in order to protect Hestia. Hestia looked down at us, smiling lightly. We had already said our goodbyes, but Hestia was a worrier. Always would be, even if we were all level hundred. 

"I want to try something," Hestia informed us. She clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. I stood there for a moment, sharing a glance with Lili before I felt what I could only describe as a sense of safety and contentment wash over me. Like I had woken up for work on a cold winter morning, only to remember that I had the day off, so I got to sleep in. 

Hestia opened her eyes, looking thoroughly pleased with herself. "That was my blessing," she told us as we marveled at feeling that washed over us. "It's like the ones that Akatosh and the others have. You're just getting it directly from me instead of a statue," she explained. 

"What does Lady Hestia's blessing do?" Lili questioned, looking down at her hands in wonder. I felt like doing the same, wondering if everyone felt how I felt. Oddly enough, Farkas, Vilkas, and Aela were the ones that looked least effected. Because of Hircine or were they just used to receiving blessings like these?

“I just wanted you to be safe and healthy on the road, and wished you luck in your tasks,” Hestia answered, sounding like she wasn’t quite sure what her blessing did either. Her eyes lingered on me and I sent her a small smile in return. 

“We’ll all be back soon enough,” I promised her and to myself. I was going to come back this way after I got Falkreath on my side before I headed over to Riften. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too long before I stopped by. But, I guess that was just extra motivation to sway the Jarls to my side as quickly as I could. 

“Good, because I want you all here when winter ends and if you aren’t here, I’m going to cry,” she threatened good-naturedly. Hestia looked like she might start crying then and there as her bright blue eyes swept over us. She seemed to brace herself for a moment before she smiled brightly at all of us. “I’ll see you all then,” she decided, accepting that this was where we parted ways for now. 

I turned to Lili and Vilkas and gave them a firm nod. Farkas slugged Vilkas in the shoulder, which he returned twice as hard. Lili gave me a smile, a silent promise in her eyes to not let any of us down. I knew that she wouldn’t. We lingered for a moment, knowing that the moment was coming before we all started to walk different ways. 

Our road would take us to Falkreath, Lili’s would take her to Whiterun then the College while Hestia would start turning Helgen into an unassuming deathtrap. 

…

The forest slowly grew thicker the further west we traveled. The rocky mountains and vast planes were replaced with a forest so dense with trees that the sky above was completely blocked by a canopy of leaves. I slowed my approach to the city of Falkreath, my eyes scanning the forest that flanked an old stone road in search of bandits. Sounds of nature echoed in my ears -- birds chirping, rustling of leaves and the occasional twig snapping. 

It reminded me a bit too much of the Dungeon. It felt like I was walking it's halls, waiting for monsters to spawn so I could kill them. So, as I jogged down the road towards Falkreath, I kept expecting something to come screaming from the forest to attack us. 

But nothing ever did. Though, when Aela suddenly spoke up, I nearly jumped out of my skin. 

"If you entered Skyrim through Helgen, I'm guessing that you've never been to Falkreath?" She questioned suddenly while it sounded Farkas was catching up on sleep. 

"I haven't," I confirmed with a nod. "Anything I should look out for?" I asked, wanting to know what I was in for. I had several things I wanted to do in the Hold, but Falkreath itself was a hold that didn't really have anything going on for it. To become Thane was just doing generic quests, and even as quests went, Falkreath's were painfully average. 

"The Jarl," Aela answered instantly. So, I'm guessing he was a lazy sleaze bag like he was in the game. "He rose to power a short time ago, but he's done a fine job of destroying his family’s reputation. If you want to work or live in Falkreath then you have to bribe him." 

That sounded about right. "And he can get away with that kind of corruption?" I questioned with a frown. I didn't expect every Jarl to be a Balgruuf, but having a reputation for being corrupt was a bit much. I figured that Nords would despise that kind of thing. 

"From what I've heard, Falkreath has become more productive and prosperous since Jarl Siddgeir rose to power. While I'm no gossipmonger, I have met the man. Rumor is that he delegates all of the actual managing of his Hold to his steward Nenya. An Altmer. And I believe that rumor in full." Aela explained and I was momentarily surprised that the steward was the same as the game. 

Given how much the Nords seemed to hate the Thalmor -- enough so that when they heard that the gods walked the planet, their first thought was how wrong the Thalmor were… well, I kinda expected Nenya to be replaced. I recalled her race only because I thought it was odd in the game, and especially in reality. But, now that I think about it, that was fairly racist, wasn't it? Not every High Elf was a Thalmor spy or agent. Expecting her to be removed due to her race made me feel like an asshole. 

I mean, I was. I didn’t care for being that kind of asshole. 

“So, he made you bribe him to work in the Hold?” I questioned, trying to steer the topic away from Nenya. 

“He did. Skjor and I were fulfilling a quest in the Hold when we decided to do some bounty work while we were in the area. Forsworn mostly keep to Markarth, but they can get cheeky and ravage through Falkreath on occasion. We killed them, took their briar hearts, but the Jarl cheated us. Said that we didn’t pay a fee for doing work in his Hold, so he was deducting it from the bounty total,” Aela said, sounding irritated at the memory of it. “I don’t care for money. It’s just a way to keep score for me, but I’ve never come so close to throttling a Jarl before. He was smug about it to.”

“So, what I’m hearing is that he doesn’t have a lot of friends,” I said, looking off to the side to see a small village that branched off the main road. It was surrounded by a wood palisade, so I couldn’t see inside, but it was a sign of life in the forest. One thing that I had noticed the more I explored Skyrim was that each Hold had more than one village. 

“Can’t say for certain, but if that were the case then he wouldn’t be a Jarl. I would say that he’s picky about his friends, and since they have his back, he cares little for the opinions of others,” Aela clarified. And that made sense, I suppose. Most people probably couldn’t care less that he was corrupt so long as things were getting better for them personally, and those that did care wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. 

Before I could ask another question, we reached the top of a hill, and when we looked down I saw Falkreath. Just like Whiterun, it was far more impressive in reality than it was in the game. It had tall walls that surrounded the city, but, interestingly, I saw that the buildings were of a different style than the ones I saw in Helgen, Riverwood or Whiterun. In those villages and cities, they preferred a more Norse style housing. 

The city I looked down at wouldn’t look out of place in an Asian country. The roofing had that Asian flair to it, and some buildings were stacked until some of them were several stories tall. But, at the same time, it still kept hold of that Norse feeling with the guards that stood at attention or the smaller houses that filled a sizable city. 

It was nestled in a valley, not dissimilar to how Helgen was, but when the city spilled out enough, it was like they decided to start building up. It was a sight to see, to be certain. 

“That’s the place,” I said, pushing the wagon forward. 

“In less than a day too. Your speed really is something else,” Aela complimented. I spared a thought wondering how Lili and Vilkas were doing but shoved the thoughts to the side in favor of making my way towards the city. They could handle themselves and I didn’t need to worry myself sick over them. 

“Halt there,” A guard started, holding up a hand as we neared the gates. “What brings you to Falkreath, stranger?” The guard asked, looking at me before he turned his attention to my wagon. 

“Business,” I said, showing off the axe that Jarl Balgruuf gave me, a symbol of my Thaneship. And I really needed to find out what was so special about the axe because the guy’s eyes widened behind his helmet. “I was hoping to speak to Jarl Siddgeir about what I can do for his Hold while I’m in the area.”

“Forgive my rudeness,” The guard said, offering me an apologetic nod, “If you wish, I can take you to him.”

“Thanks for the offer,” I said, figuring that I should take him up on the offer. “Is there someplace I need to put my wagon?” I asked, strolling into the city. I looked around and saw that the buildings were more spaced out with plenty of people walking about. They moved out of my way, giving me curious looks as they passed. 

"We have a warehouse up here, Thane of Whiterun," the guard informed as he led me to a warehouse filled with other wagons and goods. Aela and Farkas got out, giving me a moment to look over the contents of my wagon. This actually reminded me a bit of college. Way back, I was an introvert that could not speak to a person all day and I'd be happy about it. Then I went to College, got roped into joining a fraternity, and there I learned the sacred lesson of making conversation. 

Namely, the best way to introduce yourself and make a good impression was to bring something that they wanted and used it to break the ice. From what Aela told me, he wanted a bribe. So I would give him a bribe. 

I pulled a heavy metal chest out of my inventory and made a show of placing it on my shoulder. It was heavy. Extremely heavy, even with my enhanced strength. But, I kept it in place on my shoulder and braced it with one hand. Aela and Farkas looked suitably impressed, suspecting what the chest contained. 

"Let's go meet the Jarl," I said, tossing my helmet into my inventory to keep my face revealed. According to others, seeing a guy my size dressed in heavy armor was a bit of a daunting experience when you didn’t know me. I wanted a friendly first impression. 

The guard led us to the keep, a massive building that was slotted directly in the center of the city. The main roads flowed towards it, as well as the market square surrounded it. The keep was impressive, but looking at it, it was no dragonkeep like Whiterun. The stone steps led up to a set of large double doors. 

The guard pushed the door open, then stood out of our way so we could enter. I saw that despite the Asian touches of the building, it had a similar interior as the keep in Whiterun. Wide open areas, a second story so people could look down, as well as tables meant for feasting. On the far end was a throne. 

In it was a man not much older than me. Actually, looking at him, he might even be younger. 

He wore fine clothing, a golden circlet with large green emeralds slotted into them. Looking at him, it was clear that he was no Jarl Balgruuf. Jarl Balgruuf was a man -- beard, strong arms, and he looked like a man that had been neck in shit but that didn’t stop him from crawling out. Jarl Siddgeir lounged in his throne, a wispy beard clinging to his cheeks. A beard I recognized -- it was one of a kid who was trying to grow a beard but didn’t understand it looked nasty until it filled out. 

“Jericho, Thane of Whiterun. I’ve heard rumors of a giant of a man wandering Skyrim, and I see that they weren’t exaggerating for once,” Siddgeir remarked, looking faintly impressed as we strode into the room. "Had I known you were coming, I would have prepared a feast, but, alas, you seem to have caught me a bit… flat-footed." 

I knew that tone. That was the tone of someone that wanted their parent out of their room while trying to remain polite. 

"My apologies about that, Jarl Siddgeir. I had some business this way, and I figured I should stop by and pay my respects to you. And give you your due," I added, shifting the large chest on my shoulder to the ground, letting it settle with a heavy thump. My lack of a good impression of the guy, I was here to kiss his ass.

A woman stepped from behind the throne. Tall, only about a foot shorter than me, skin with a faint yellow hue to it and the same with her eyes. Even her hair twisted into a braid was the color of gold. "Jarl Siddgeir's due for what, exactly?" She questioned, her tone as sharp as a knife. I'm guessing that she was Nenya. 

"Not long ago, Aela, Farkas, Vilkas, two members of my familia and I headed up to Bleak Falls Barrow," I started, meeting her gaze. Siddgeir sat up straighter in his throne, suddenly far more interested in what I had to say. "Which is located in your Hold, if I'm not mistaken."

"You are not," Siddgeir said, leaning forward, greed shining in his emerald colored eyes. "Many have attempted to brave the Barrow, but I never expected anyone to actually succeed. Tell me, what was inside? I had always wondered what kind of monster would be located within." 

"A Dragon Priest and two Deathlords," Aela spoke up with pride. Nenya stiffened, eyeing me sharply while Siddgeir's eyebrows disappeared behind his crown as a frown tugged at his lips. 

"I see," Siddgeir said, and that was the only comment he made. Though he did suddenly start eyeing me like a snake he was trapped in the same room with. Which was pretty much the exact opposite of what I wanted. 

"It was a battle, but the long and short of it is that we won. We divided up the spoils, but I had a thought that it would be rather… presumptuous of me to not give you your due given that the Barrow was located in your Hold. It felt too much like stealing from you, especially given the amount that we found." I said, doing damage control. I could tell that Nenya had questions, a great many of them, but she remained silent when Siddgeir spoke. 

"I commend your honesty and sense of justice, Jericho of Helgen," Siddgeir started. "Given how heavy that chest sounded, I'm guessing it was a considerable amount." The guy couldn't be more blatant if he tried. 

In response, I lifted the lid of the chest and revealed that it was filled to that absolute brim with gold bars and coins. I carefully watched their reactions. Siddgeir wore his greed on his face like he was proud of it. Nenya, on the other hand, kept her expression so tightly in what was probably the best poker face I had ever seen, but given how much money I threw at her feet, it was clear that she was shocked. 

"We divided up the loot -- our share were various weapons and armor looted from the Dragon Priest and Deathlords, and a portion of the wealth to support my familia. The rest, however, I believe is rightly yours, Jarl Siddgeir," I said, pushing the chest forward. Aela and Farkas knew better than to correct me. The amount in the chest? Barely a drop in the bucket. 

Most of the money and wealth were in my inventory simply because we didn't have anywhere else to store it. Honestly? I could probably just buy Helgen. 

Yet, the amount of money before them was so great, they didn't doubt it for a second. 

"This truly is a substantial gift!" Siddgeir exclaimed, suddenly looking at me as I was his best friend in the entire world. "It's worthy of celebration to welcome you into my Hold. A feast shall be prepared in your honor," Siddgeir decides. 

"Jarl Siddgeir, a feast so close to the start of winter-" Nenya started, but she was silenced with a dismissive gesture.

"There will be a feast. We can simply import some food from Hammerfell," Siddgeir dismissed with a wave of his hand. Nenya bowed her head, accepting the decision. So, it looked like Siddgeir wasn't a complete puppet. 

"You honor us, Jarl Siddgeir," I said, deciding to defer to his decision. Having a feast before winter did seem like a poor idea, but I was here to suck up. Plus, it wasn't like he didn't have the money to buy food. 

"Excellent. Nenya, begin preparations immediately. And have this gift placed in the vaults," Siddgeir said, gesturing for a few guards to grab the chest. Two of them grabbed it and struggled with it, prompting two other guards to walk forward to help carry the chest filled with gold. "Please, join me for a drink. I suspect that we have much to discuss." 

“And we should give you some privacy,” Aela said, taking the first opportunity to leave the conversation. Siddgeir dismissed them with a wave of his hand. I glanced over my shoulder at Aela and Farkas, the latter looking like he was struggling not to yawn. She nodded at me before she turned to Siddgeir, “I will see you at the feast Jarl Siddgeir.”

With that, she took her dismissal and marched out of the keep. Once she and Farkas left, Siddgeir let out a chuckle. “Your companion does not care for me,” he remarked, smiling slightly as he got out of his throne. I didn’t know what to say to that, so I said nothing and he continued easily, “No matter. Join me,” he said. 

I nodded, falling in step behind the Jarl. Guards flanked us as he took us through the keep, walking by glass containers that were filled with jewels, items and other odds and ends that were worthy of being displayed. Nenya was nowhere to be found, likely coordinating a sudden impromptu feast. 

“Familia,” Siddgeir started as we walked. “I’ve been hearing that word more and more often lately,” he said, looking at me was we walked up a staircase to go somewhere. He was three stairs up and we weren’t eye level. “If rumors are to be believed, the Divines have descended and added another to their number.”

I nodded as we walked, “Divine Hestia. The god of my familia,” I said as we walked, and I wished I could see his face. Instead, I could practically see a knot of tension form between his shoulders and his hand tightened on the railing for a brief second. 

“I see. Well, glad that has been confirmed,” he said, keeping his voice even. “I suppose that I’ll have to give the rumors coming out of Markarth and Orsinium a great deal more consideration.” He said, deciding to not talk about Hestia. I was glad for it. I wanted the guy on my side, and having him feel threatened by me was the exact opposite of what I wanted. 

“Markarth and Orsinium?” I questioned, “I had heard that Malacath had spoken to the orc strongholds to tell them to gather at their kingdom, but Markrath?”

“The orcs have been migrating through my hold to get to their kingdom, which is now being led by a Daedric Prince. Apparently. While I care very little about race -- to me, ability matters far more than race -- but that sentiment is not shared by everyone. There have been conflicts, nothing major, but some orcs are raiding as they march.” He informed as we reached a door after about ten stories worth of stairs. 

He pushed the door open to reveal a small deck-like area on the roof of the keep. The view was incredible. 

“And that is only making tensions worse. Especially with a stronghold encampment right over there,” Siddgeir said, pointing out to a trail of smoke that emerged above the treetops. “It is unlikely for it to come to blows before they move on, but it what happens after that worries me. The number of orcs that are flooding through my Hold -- it is impossible for them to support themselves. Especially with winter right around the corner.”

I frowned, seeing what he was getting at. Off in the distance was a mountain range, and somewhere in that mountain range was Orsinium. Mountains weren’t good for farmland and in winter, there wouldn’t be enough animals to feed a rapidly growing population. 

“So, they’ll either have to buy enough food to support themselves or they take it,” I finished the thought for him. 

“Exactly so. Markreath and my Holds are on their border, so we’ll suffer the brunt of the raids until this Orsinium is crushed. But, until then, the western entrance to Skyrim is closed in everything but name. No caravan would be foolish enough to take that road when they’ll have to deal with Forsworn and orc berserkers,” he explained, dropping hints, but said nothing outright. 

“And that’ll take time. You aren’t likely to get any help from the other Holds with the civil war about to kick off,” I said, making Siddgeir let out a small laugh as one of the guards poured him a cup of mead. I took mine and gave it a cautionary sip. It wasn’t good, but it was better than beer. 

“As you say. Unlikely,” Siddgeir said, sounding like it took some effort to keep the bitterness out of his voice. Even still, he didn’t quite manage to keep it out entirely. 

“As for Markarth, the rumor is that Divine Dibella has taken residence in the city. It’s caused quite a stir, especially with members of the temple. From what I’ve heard Jarl Igmund is unhappy rather than honored to house such a guest,” Siddgeir said, sounding like he was rather happy to hear the man was suffering. Though, I’m not exactly sure how. 

But a memory came to mind of Hestia standing before a group of peasants kneeling in the dirt. Markarth was more or less Dibella’s city given the temple that was dedicated to her there. 

So, who did the peasants listen to? Their Jarl or their god?

“Huh. Makes me glad that Talos vanished back in Whiterun. He would have been ruling the place within an hour, even if he didn’t want to,” I remarked, taking a sip as I mulled over the information. Siddgeir gave me a sharp look and I relayed what I had seen to him -- basically Talos deciding that he wouldn’t be Emperor again then vanishing. 

But, Dibella was in Markarth. That was good to know. Out of the nine Divines on Nirn, I knew where two of them were. 

“Unfortunate, but hardly unexpected. Nothing can ever be easy, it seems,” Siddgeir said with a small sigh. 

And there was my in. “I wouldn’t say that,” I said, looking down at the young Jarl. “I’m here because I ran out of problems to fix in Whiterun. There isn't a single notable bandit group left in the Hold by the time I was done. I can’t fix every problem for you, but I’ve found that most of them go away after I start swinging.”

“I was hoping that you would say that,” Siddgeir admitted. “Because ever since I became Jarl, it’s been nothing but one issue after another. Honestly, I wouldn’t have to deal with half of it if Nenya was better at her job,” He added with a chuckle as he shook his head. I offered a thin smile at that, swallowing a comment that wasn’t how being a Jarl worked. 

“In truth, there have been a great many issues lately. The raids from wandering bands of orcs, to general grievances… most notably, however, is a group of bandits located out at knife ridge. They’ve been there for some time, and recently their numbers have swelled to the point that something must be done. I would send some men to clear them out, naturally, but not only can I not spare any, the bandits are formidable. One has been seen wearing-”

“Ebony,” I interrupted before I realized what I did. “Sorry, I had heard the rumor,” I lied, but earned a nod from Siddgeir, who looked unsurprised. There were several things on my checklist to do while I was in Falkreath. 

The Ebony Mail and Azura's Star. Two Daedric artifacts that could be of a lot of use to me. I had hoped that I wasn’t too early for the Ebony Mail to be in the area, but it seemed like I was in luck. Azura’s star spoke for itself. The ultimate tool for enchanting, something I was going to need sooner rather than later, and I would have the item that all enchanters from novices to masters coveted. 

There was only the question of what it would mean if I took them. In the game, you became the champion or whatever of every single Daedric Prince and Aedra without anyone saying so much as a word about it. I didn’t think that would be the case here. Much less when they walked Nirn. But, likewise, if they had followed through on their promises, then they were normal mortals. They wouldn’t know that I had them. 

Either way, they were better off in my hands. 

“Then there have been a number of disappearances lately from villages surrounding Lake Ilinalta. Too many to write off as young men running off to join the Imperials or the Stormcloaks,” Siddgeir continued, confirming that the Star was here as well. “Not to mention more roaming bandits that I care to think about…” He trailed off before he gave me a hard look. 

“But, above all else, I want you to handle the orcs that are encamped outside of my city. Kill them all or become their best friend, I couldn’t care less. I just want them gone so I can prepare for their inevitable return,” Siddgeir said. “Do this, and becoming the Thane of Falkreath will be the least of your rewards.”

Well, I couldn’t say that I didn’t like the sound of that. 

…

I found myself walking out of the keep for a spell as the feast was being prepared and ‘other matters’ stole the Jarl’s attention. I let out a content sigh as I walked, looking over the shops and stalls. Unlike Whiterun, I was seeing a lot more… well, diversity in people. Mostly Nords but plenty of other races as well from Bretons to Wood Elves. The only races that I didn’t see were Kajhiet and Orcs. 

It wasn’t as big as Whiterun, but it was more organized at least. 

“That went well,” I decided as I walked, wondering where Aela and Farkas had gotten off to. Given that I could easily see over everyone's heads, it was clear that they weren’t outside, but I was in no real rush to find them. I would see them at the feast being thrown in my honor. Never thought that would happen, but it would be a lie to say that I wasn’t excited at the idea of it. Just the sheer novelty. 

I had my work cut out for me. The bandits and the necromancers, I was confident that I could handle at this point. Handling the Orcs was going to be a different matter, but I was feeling confident. If I punched enough of them in the face, then they would respect me and that would be that. 

Siddgeir was left in the dark about Alduin. Jarl Balgruuf hadn’t ordered me to keep my mouth shut, or anything, but he made it clear that the fewer people that knew the better. So, Siddgeir just thought I was a convenient problem solver that dropped into his lap when it sounded like he needed one. 

Everything was going well. I would become Thane of Falkreath in a couple of days, then I could head to Riften. Provided that everything went well, I could have about a week or so before I would have to winter somewhere. Which I would likely spend with Hestia, or try my luck at becoming Thane of another Hold-

“You sure are big mister!” A young girl’s voice observed, prompting me to look down at a young girl around the age of ten or so. Pale skin and dark brown curly hair pulled back in a braid with a simple red dress covering her. In her hands was a basket of flowers. “Would you like to buy a flower for one septim?” 

Well… still wasn’t a fan of kids, but at least she wasn’t dead set on bashing out every last brain cell she had. 

“Sure thing,” I said, kneeling down while I fished a few coins out of my inventory. She held out a hand that I dropped them into her waiting hand. She gasped at the amount before she presented me with a simple lilly and a smile. 

“Thank you! I saw you coming out of the keep and I thought that you were really important, so you would be able to buy a flower for sure,” She said, offering information that she really didn’t need to. “What’s your name, mister?” She asked as I started to rise to my feet. 

“Jericho,” I answered easily, hoping to put an end to the conversation before I resumed my search for Aela and Farkas. “You?”

“Babette!”

Well then.