Qaralana heard her uncle sigh as they entered Windhelm. It was at least the fifth time he’d sighed since Ivarstead. She’d been trying to ignore it, hoping he wasn’t having second thoughts about ending Paarthurnax. She was absolutely certain they’d done the right thing.
I thought Uncle Dar was certain, too. Maybe it’s not that.
As they passed Candlehearth Hall, Dardeh sighed again.
“What is it, Uncle Dar?” she finally asked, exasperated. “A person would think you were going to your own execution or something.”
Dardeh shrugged. “Sorry. I guess I have been a little obvious. I’m worried about how angry Roggi will be. Let’s just say that I’ve experienced how strong he is.”
Qara had been about to laugh at him, but then thought better of it. Their experience on the mountaintop had been hard for Dardeh, much more than it had been for her.
“That doesn’t matter. You’re the Dragonborn, Uncle Dar!”
“Was. You’re the Dragonborn, now.”
“But that makes you one of the strongest men…”
Dardeh shook his head and cut her off. “Was, Qara. I’m good with my blades, still. You saw that. But basically I’m not much more than a decent sellsword anymore and he is – well, in a different category.” He stared down at the ground for a moment and then shook his head again. “It’s more than that, though. I’m just afraid that I’ve hurt him once too often. I hope I’m wrong.”
She smiled at him. “He’s probably sitting in there fuming and as soon as he sees your face he’ll forget all about it.”
Dardeh gave her a crooked grin. “I hope you’re right, little girl.”
She frowned and stomped her foot. “Uncle Dar. I’m not a little girl anymore.”
He looked surprised for a moment, but then tossed his head back and laughed. “No. You’re not. I apologize, Dragonborn. I should know better.”
As they made their way through the palace’s main hall Qaralana found herself sneaking glances at her uncle. He really did look nervous; but try as she might she just couldn’t picture Roggi being so angry that he wouldn’t forgive them for leaving him behind.
As they approached the dining room Queen Frina had so lovingly redecorated, Qara heard voices – deep ones. Dardeh slowed to a stop and put his arm out to block her passage, then pointed toward his ear.
He wants to eavesdrop on them? Well he knows them better than I do – I hope.
“I’ll go out and investigate, Ulfric. With all the contacts I have out there, I can…”
“No.” Ulfric’s voice was kind, but firm. “I want you here with me, Roggi.”
Qara watched in confusion as Dardeh visibly flinched.
“Ulfric…”
“I will hear no further arguments, Roggi. You are one of my most trusted advisors. And,” he continued, his voice dropping to where Qara could barely make out what he was saying, “I am tired. I need trusted protectors by my side. Between you and Galmar I feel safe. It is disturbing, though, to hear the rumors from the west.”
“I can go.”
That was Harald, and it was Qaralana’s turn to jump. Go? Go where? Any of us could go to Markarth, so that’s not it.
Qaralana turned to look at Dardeh, who shook his head. “I don’t know what this is about, Qara,” he whispered.
“Neither do I, but we won’t find out by hovering in the corridor. Let’s get this over with.”
Dardeh squared his shoulders and stepped briskly into the room, just as though they hadn’t been listening a moment before. Qara followed. Harald glanced at her, his relief obvious. Roggi had been frowning at Ulfric, but as they entered his gaze snapped to Dardeh. She watched the emotions register on his face, each for just a fleeting moment: surprise, relief, and then anger.
So maybe Uncle Dar was right to be concerned.
“So you’re alive,” Roggi said flatly.
Dardeh attempted a nonchalant smile. “We are. And glad to be back, if the truth be told. It was nip and tuck for a while there.” His smile failed, and he sighed deeply. “I’m sorry, Roggi. I knew if I told you what we were planning you’d be angry. And you’re angry now anyway, I can see that. But that was it. That was the end. I’m done.”
Ulfric snorted. So did Roggi.
“You’ve told me that time and again, Dardeh,” Roggi said. “Why should I believe you now?” Dardeh flinched; to Qara’s astonishment his eyes began to water with unshed tears.
He wasn’t kidding. Roggi really is angry. And hurt.
And this is ridiculous.
“Because,” she snapped, speaking before she could stop herself, “we took care of a problem that was long overdue to be dealt with. I couldn’t have done it alone, and Uncle Dar couldn’t have gotten up there by himself. And now it’s done.”
“So… you really did it?” Harald asked quietly.
“Yes, we did,” Qara said. “King Ulfric, Uncle Roggi – Uncle Dar and I went to High Hrothgar. I talked to Master Arngeir. Then we went up to the top of the mountain and talked to Paarthurnax. And I decided that we weren’t going to be safe ever again unless Paarthurnax and his lieutenants were dealt with.”
Roggi’s eyes opened wide for a moment. “You… killed Paarthurnax?”
She nodded. “And three other dragons.”
Roggi looked at Dardeh, his expression one of astonishment. “I thought you decided to leave him alone!”
Dardeh took a defiant stance and shook his head. “I did, Roggi, but that was nearly twenty years ago and it’s not my decision anymore. I’m not the Dragonborn. It was Qara’s call to make, and I was there to support her and lend my swords.”
Qara glanced at her uncle and grinned. “And boy did he ever! You should have seen it. One of the dragons smacked me with its tail and I had the breath knocked out of me for a minute. I thought I was a goner, but Uncle Dar swooped in and…” She shook her head, remembering the moment. “It was the oddest thing. I thought I heard his voice, the way it used to be, clear as a bell.”
Roggi cleared his throat. She looked at him and saw the anger dissolving away, replaced by relief and maybe a touch of nostalgia.
“Well, Qara,” he said, addressing her but not averting his gaze from Dardeh’s, “stranger things have happened. Once I thought he had wings and a tail.”
Dardeh guffawed, and Ulfric chuckled. The tension in the room evaporated.
“I’m convinced there’s something magical about your family, even if I didn’t really see the tail,” Roggi continued. He turned, then, and smiled at Qara. “I’m glad you’re both back safely. Though I am kind of sad to hear that Paarthurnax is gone.”
“I am also relieved that you are both here,” Ulfric said. “I am not certain what I might have been in for if you hadn’t been, Dardeh.”
Qara watched the two men exchange a look, and grin at each other.
I have no idea what’s going on but I think it’s going to be ok.
“So tell us what happened, Qara,” Harald said.
“But let us take a seat, first,” Ulfric said, gesturing toward the table. “I’m afraid I am an old man.”
Qaralana and Dardeh spent the next few minutes filling in the gaps between Harald’s departure on the carriage and their arrival in the Palace of the Kings. Roggi was unusually subdued as Qara explained the reasoning behind her decision.
“It’s funny that you said that about our family being magical, Uncle Roggi,” she said. “Because that’s what made up my mind. That, and you saying that Jurgen Windcaller was a loser. Paarthurnax was using all of the mortals who learned how to Shout. He used the Tongues, hoping they would kill Alduin so he could rule. He used Jurgen Windcaller, too; and when that didn’t work out he used the Greybeards and the Way of the Voice that Jurgen invented to shield his mountaintop from the world. He was gaining strength and influence, waiting for Alduin’s return. He wasn’t expecting Uncle Dar.”
Roggi looked confused, but she pressed on. “Everyone else who uses Words of Power has to study them for years. Harald learned a few really quickly – he’s more talented than most. But Uncle Dar and I just have the magic in us.”
“Had,” Dardeh muttered from the seat next to her.
“Hush,” she snapped, and then felt her cheeks reddening as Roggi chuckled. “Paarthurnax wasn’t expecting him, but he played it well and convinced Uncle Dar that Alduin was the only threat. And then, once Alduin was gone, he waited. He was up there preparing to conquer the world again. He wasn’t expecting me to show up. Because all he really understood was how the mortals that he taught could use the Voice. Some of us have it without being shown. And we were the ones who stopped him, and his brother.”
Ulfric sighed. “I understand. I for one believe that the two of you did the right thing in the end. It’s a shame, though, that Master Arngeir has turned his back to us. What is it that you’ve always said about the limits of courage, Roggi? Perhaps Master Arngeir found his.”
Dardeh spoke, quietly. “Until we know the limits of our courage, we don’t really know ourselves.” Roggi smiled sadly at him and nodded, but didn’t speak.
“Have you ever found the limits of your courage, Roggi?” Harald asked quietly.
Roggi smirked. “Yes. Not long before you were born. I faced down your father, with Dardeh, and ended up a stronger man for it.”
Roggi, Dardeh, and Ulfric all exchanged knowing glances. It seemed to Qaralana that she would never know exactly what had happened among this small group of friends. It also seemed just as well that she didn’t know.
Harald watched, and listened. He’d been deeply frustrated that he hadn’t been allowed to travel with Dardeh and Qaralana, and desperately worried about them. Their return had relieved that worry but had done nothing for the worries he’d gained just minutes before.
It seemed that the dragons were not all that had resurfaced in recent weeks. Galmar reported skirmishes near the border with High Rock, both in the far northwest and farther south, near Markarth. Some of these had involved Orcs – not necessarily bandits, he’d said. They seemed more organized than just groups of random thugs. To the southwest there were Forsworn.
He’d watched Roggi and his father discuss Galmar’s news and admired the way they worked together. There were very few wasted words. They clearly had decades of experience with each other, and a shared background of knowledge. The Thalmor were mentioned more than once, though they didn’t seem to agree on whether the elves were behind the skirmishes. Harald had watched the lines of worry on his father’s face deepen.
“It’s not just that,” Ulfric had said, rubbing his forehead as though it pained him. “There is renewed pirate activity along the entire coastline of Tamriel and as far inland as ships may travel. If we don’t get things under control quickly to ensure a free flow of goods and coin, we will be more vulnerable to the Thalmor than we have been in years – Skyrim, and the Empire as a whole. Frina has gone to speak to her contacts at the East Empire Company, to see whether they know anything.”
Roggi had frowned. “I don’t suppose Brynjolf would have any information, would he?”
Ulfric had shot him a sharp glance. “I don’t know anything about Brynjolf’s business dealings, but…”
“Oh come on,” Roggi snapped, much to Harald’s surprise. “We’re all too old to keep playing this little game, and Harald’s old enough to understand. Should I contact Brynjolf, or not?”
Ulfric had stared at Roggi for a moment, and then glanced at Harald as though he was surprised to see his son still in the room. He sighed. “Let me write to him. I’ll alert him to what we’ve heard and ask him to be on the watch for trouble. He stands to lose as much as anyone else if the piracy continues. In the meantime, what shall we do about the rumors in the west?”
“I’ll go out and investigate, Ulfric,” Roggi said. “With all the contacts I have out there, I can…”
“No. I want you here with me, Roggi.”
Roggi tossed his hands up in the air. “Ulfric…”
“I will hear no further arguments, Roggi. You are one of my most trusted advisors. And I am tired. I need trusted protectors by my side. Between you and Galmar I feel safe. It is disturbing, though, to hear the rumors from the west.”
Harald had found himself speaking. “I can go.” I have a perfect excuse to be in Markarth – I owe Calcelmo a trip through the ruins. I can poke around for rumors and such while I’m there.
But before he’d gotten a chance to expand on his offer to travel, Dardeh and Qara had walked into the room bearing a whole different set of concerns. He hadn’t been completely surprised to learn that Qara had put an end to Paarthurnax, but his mind still whirled, trying to sort out where this development might place all of them on the greater stage.
I always assumed that Brynjolf had his hands in some shady corners. I didn’t realize that Father had anything to do with that. I wonder if that’s what the stable man out in Markarth was talking about when he said “you can bet part of it goes to the King.”
He ran that through his mind as well as the conversation just prior to it, when his carriage driver had mentioned reports that it was “even worse out west past the border.” He had to fight to keep his expression neutral. He could go. He needed to go. His father wouldn’t allow Roggi to leave, and he was absolutely certain that Dardeh wouldn’t leave Roggi. That left him to investigate unless they wanted to risk bringing even more people into their circle, and that struck him as a terrible idea – especially if his father was in danger.
His gaze flitted from one person to the next, and settled on Qara as she tried to make her reasoning understood. It had been a brilliant moment of revelation she’d had, to recognize that Dragonborn were in a different category than other mortals. They’d all known that, to some extent – but she’d figured out why it mattered.
Then he reached a revelation of his own.
We have to go tell Delphine and Esbern what’s happened. Well, we don’t have to – it’s not a requirement – but they’ll be waiting. There’s my excuse for going west, the excuse that doesn’t involve me putting myself in danger.
He waited for an opportune moment to insert himself back into the conversation. Once his father had put the matter of the dragons to rest by declaring that they’d done the right thing, he spoke up.
“Father,” he said quietly.
“Yes, Harald?” Ulfric answered, peering at him. Harald knew that his father could sense that something was afoot, just from that one word. He swallowed his own misgivings and continued.
“Write your letter to Brynjolf. I’ll accompany Qara to Riften to deliver it.”
“But…” Qaralana began. He shook his head and held up a hand to interrupt her.
“You need to at least check in with your parents, Qara. But then,” he said, looking back at Ulfric, “we need to go let Delphine know what’s happened. Or, rather, Qara needs to. I’ll go with her. Not that she can’t defend herself, but if there are two of us it’s safer. After that, we’ll go to Markarth.”
Qara nodded slowly. “And catch a carriage home. That seems reasonable to me,” she said.
Harald smiled at her, and nodded. I’ll catch a carriage home as well. I just don’t know when.
Ulfric stared at Harald, his frown growing deeper; Harald concentrated on his ring, praying silently to Shor and hoping that he was having some success in convincing his father to let them go. Finally Ulfric sighed.
“Very well. I’ll write the letter now. But, Harald,” he added just as Harald began to relax his focus, “you must be very careful. You’re still a target as well.”
Harald nodded vigorously, without breaking eye contact. “I know, Father. And I understand that I need to be here for you and Mother. Maybe I’ll be able to learn more while we’re in Markarth.”
“I’ll compose the letter now,” Ulfric said, rising from the table to go to his private desk. “Once it’s ready, I’ll call for you.”
Roggi and Dardeh left the room as well, taking the side door toward their private quarters. Harald took a deep breath and blew it out, trying to relax his shoulders.
“I don’t know what that was all about, Harald, but I know there was something going on that wasn’t being said out loud,” Qara said very quietly.
He grinned at her. “I can’t keep a secret from you any better than Chip can,” he said. “I’m sure Father knows I’m planning more than I told him. But he has to let me be my own man at some point.”
Qara frowned, but nodded. “What are you planning?”
Harald paused for a moment, but then smiled again. “If you don’t know exactly what it is, you can’t be accused of lying about it later. Don’t worry, Qara. I’ll be fine. But let’s get back to Riften first. Maybe whatever my father is writing to yours will get people’s attention onto something other than us.”
Qara paused for a moment and then grinned. “Yes. Good thought.”
They started down the hallway toward Harald’s private quarters. As they passed the first door Harald paused and glanced into the room. I shouldn’t spy on them, but…
“Well I was livid, Dar,” Roggi was saying, seated at the small table with his arms crossed defiantly before him. “Really, really angry.”
“I know, Roggi,” Dardeh whispered in his raspy voice. “I can only say that I’m sorry. And I am done. They’re both gone now. Finally. Both of the dragons. I’ll stay here with you and help protect Ulfric forever, if that’s what it takes.”
Roggi’s mouth sagged open for a moment, and he stared at Dardeh in what Harald could only see as astonishment. Then his expression softened as he looked down at the table. “Well you can thank Frina when she gets back. She talked me down.”
“From what?”
“From leaving. She reminded me of something.”
There was a long pause. Then Dardeh said “What was that thing?”
Roggi hesitated for a moment, and then looked back up at Dardeh with a soft smile on his face. “We made each other a promise. I intend to keep it.”
“Me too, love. Me too.”
Harald smiled to himself and followed Qara down the hall, to wait in his quarters for his father’s letter to be ready.
They’ll be fine.
“Daddy!” Qara called out to Brynjolf, who was speaking with a middle-aged Redguard man standing near his stall. Both of them turned to look at her, and Brynjolf smiled.
“Hello, lass. How are things?”
“Things are… interesting, Daddy. But where’s Mama? I didn’t see her at the house.”
She watched her father’s expression freeze. It wasn’t something that would have been obvious to just anyone, but she knew her father and knew that he was good at plastering a smile on his face when he was actually upset. It was a subtle change, but she knew it for what it was.
“She’s had business elsewhere and has been gone for a bit now. She’ll be sorry that she missed you.” He glanced past her and flashed another smile – this one genuine – at Qara’s companion. “Good to see you, Harald. I hope you’re well.”
“I am, thank you. I, uh,” he paused to rummage in his pack for the note from Ulfric, and handed it to Brynjolf. “Father wanted you to have some information. It’s important.”
Brynjolf frowned, broke the seal on the parchment and read through it, his frown growing deeper as he went. When he finished reading he shook his head, slowly. “That’s not good.”
“What is it, boss?” the Redguard man asked. Qara had never seen him before, and found it odd to have him call her father “boss.” But odd things had happened before.
“Pirates,” Brynjolf said quietly, not looking up from the parchment.
“Uh-oh,” the Redguard said, stroking his beard.
“Aye. I thought Frina took care of them, years ago,” Brynjolf muttered. “And you know what happens when shipping gets disrupted.”
“Wait,” Harald interjected. “What’s this about Mother? And pirates?”
Brynjolf looked up at him and chuckled. “Your ma hasn’t always strutted around the palace in a fine dress, lad. I’m sure you know that she helped lead the fight in the war, for one thing. But she also wiped out a nest of one of the pirate gangs, the Blood Horkers.”
“Really? That was her?” That was the Redguard again, and Qara thought he looked especially interested.
Brynjolf nodded. “It was. By the way, lad, this is my daughter Qaralana, and you’ve probably guessed by now that this is Ulfric and Frina’s son, Harald. Qara, Harald, this is Coyle. He works with me and, uh…” He glanced at Coyle, looking uncertain.
“And I knew your mum back when we were kids,” Coyle said, grinning at Qara. “It was strange. Came to find your da on business and there was my old friend, too.” He turned back to Brynjolf. “Interesting – there was another crew that got hit pretty hard around the same time, up near Solitude. I wonder if she was behind that one too.”
“Might well have been. Well I’m not sure what to do. Did your Da say what he wants from me other than responding to this letter, lad?”
Qara watched as the three men discussed the matter, their voices kept low. She might have joined in, but her attention was drawn away by the opening of the southern gate and the appearance of a figure in dark leathers. She found herself smiling, butterflies in her stomach.
It’s Dale! Now why am I so happy to see him? I barely know him.
Without stopping to think better of it, she crossed the marketplace to meet him near the foot bridge. He was walking with his gaze on the path ahead of him and stopped just short of colliding with her. He looked annoyed, she thought, until he looked up and realized who was in front of him; then his face broke into a bright smile.
“Miss Qaralana! How lovely it is to… run into you once again,” he said. He reached out to take her fingertips and raise them to his mouth for a light kiss.
She was certain that she was blushing furiously. What is it about that little gesture that is so… exciting?
In spite of the heat that said she must be the color of her belt, she grinned at him. “We’re good at it, aren’t we? The running into each other part.”
Dale laughed. He looked genuinely pleased to see her; she couldn’t help but notice, though, that he didn’t step back to a more respectful distance. And to her surprise, she didn’t mind.
“Yes we are,” he said quietly. “I’m glad I stopped here to sell a few things rather than heading directly to Ivarstead. And how have you been?”
Qara grinned. “Well, I’d tell you the story but it would take all day. My uncle and I took care of a very large problem. We came back to talk to Daddy.”
Dale looked toward Brynjolf’s market stall. “Which one is your uncle? The Redguard?”
Qara giggled, and then felt foolish for having done so. “No, that’s someone who works for Daddy. And the man with blonde hair is my best friend Harald. Uncle Dar stayed in Windhelm. But here I am, and I need to convince Daddy to come to Falskaar with me.”
Dale looked back at her in obvious curiosity. “What’s in Falskaar, if I may be so bold?”
She smiled back at him. There was something mesmerizing about Dale Perdeti. He had an aura of some kind that just drew her to him. She couldn’t quite stop smiling, even with so many serious issues being discussed just out of earshot.
“My grandparents, on Daddy’s side. He didn’t even know they were still alive until Chip and I found them by accident. Chip’s my brother. It’s all very complicated.”
“And Harald is here with you because…”
She grimaced. “Because his parents don’t want either of us traveling alone. It’s fine. Like I said, we’re best friends and we can hold our own.”
Dale smiled again. It felt as though his gaze went straight into her, causing her heart to beat ever faster. “So Harald is just a friend?”
She blushed again and glanced backward, to see that Harald had stopped talking to the others and was watching them. She smiled and turned back to Dale. “Of course, all the elders think we’re more than that but…” She giggled again, and then shook her head.
He’s going to think I’m a complete fool, giggling like a child.
“We grew up together. He’s like another brother.”
Dale glanced over her shoulder toward the marketplace once more and grinned. Or maybe that’s a smirk, she thought.
Then he did something she hadn’t expected. He leaned closer to her, near to her neck, close enough that she could feel his breath fluttering past her ear.
“I’m glad he’s just a friend, Qara,” he murmured. “Because I find myself completely incapable of keeping thoughts of you from my mind.”
She jumped as he raised a hand and traced the line of her cheek, bringing his fingertips just under her chin. It was a cold touch, almost startlingly cold. But she was certain it must be the heat her own excitement was generating that made his fingers seem cold in comparison. She heard – and felt – him take a deep breath, almost shuddering for a moment. He locked his gaze to hers and she felt as though she would never look away.
“I hope you won’t object, but I simply must…”
And before she had a chance to say a single word, Qara found herself being kissed. It was the lightest touch; a part of her mind noted that his lips also felt cold. I must really be blushing, she thought distantly. But even so, it was a delicious kiss. She wanted to return it in kind but was nearly frozen – all but the heart that threatened to beat right out of her chest.
It lasted just a moment; then Dale once again brought his lips near her neck. Then he straightened and took one step backward, his eyes closed tight for a heartbeat or two before they opened and met hers, scanning for a reaction.
“I’m sorry to have taken such liberties. I truly am. It wasn’t appropriate. Please accept my apologies,” he murmured.
Qara shook her head and cleared her throat, feeling as though she’d suddenly come out of a dream state. “It’s fine, Dale,” she said quietly. “Very much so. I’m… flattered.”
Which undoubtedly is the stupidest way I could possibly have put it. Flattered? Flattened is closer to the truth. I want him to do it again.
But I have to get Daddy to Falskaar.
Dale glanced behind her at the marketplace once more and grinned. “I suspect that our audience is not as pleased. In fact, your father and your friend don’t look happy at all. Perhaps I should be on my way to the apothecary. I would hate to create trouble for you. In fact, it’s probably best that I leave.” He gave her a half-bow, as he had before, and stepped back again. “I’ll see you again, Qaralana. Count on it. I’m not that far away, and as I hope you can tell I very much desire your company.”
Before she had a chance to so much as squeak, Dale had disappeared down the stairs to Riften’s lower level. She turned and walked slowly back to where the men were standing. Harald had an odd look on his face. Her father, though, looked livid.
“You need to stay away from him, lass,” Brynjolf snarled. “He’s no good.”
She felt her temper rising. “How do you even know?” she snapped. “Besides, it’s nice to have someone treat me like a girl and not a… thing.”
“I know because I know his father. That’s all you need to know about it except that he’s no good.”
She stomped her foot. “Well if you want me away from him so badly, come with me to Falskaar. Speaking of fathers.”
Brynjolf almost jumped. “Oh… I, uh…”
Coyle chuckled. “You should go, boss. Let me handle the other things.”
Brynjolf glared at him for a moment. “I had forgotten about it.”
Qara snorted. “Well you have a couple more days to get ready, Daddy. Harald and I have an errand to do near Markarth. Then I’ll be home.”
She looked at Harald and was startled. He’d stepped back several paces and was staring at her, silently, with an expression on his face that she couldn’t interpret at all.
“Right? Are we still going to see Delphine?”
“That’s entirely up to you, Qara,” he said quietly. “I’ll come with you. If you like.”
How odd. I’ll get him talking once we’re on the road.
“Ok. Let’s go. I’ll be back for you in a couple of days, Daddy.” She made for the north gate without looking to see who was behind her.
As she walked, she lifted a hand to her lips and smiled.