{"id":1253,"date":"2021-11-30T17:52:13","date_gmt":"2021-12-01T00:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/?page_id=1253"},"modified":"2021-12-06T10:53:35","modified_gmt":"2021-12-06T17:53:35","slug":"chapter-3","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/volume-ii\/part-i-past-and-present\/chapter-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 3"},"content":{"rendered":"
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 <\/p>\n

The Dwemer ruins through which Olvir led Qaralana didn\u2019t look different in any respect from the ones she\u2019d just come from. They were empty. They were in reasonably good condition, too, and there were no dead bodies or dismantled automatons about. Olvir\u2019s footsteps echoed through the halls as he ran ahead; Qara trudged along after him, slowly, trying to make sense of what had just happened to her.<\/p>\n

How is it that I\u2019m here? And where is here? I\u2019ve never heard of a place called Amber Creek, though that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean much; there are lots of places in the world I\u2019ve never been to or heard of. But a portal? A portal from Skyrim to\u2026 to where?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAre ye comin\u2019?\u201d Olvir called from the next room. \u201cWe need to get movin\u2019 if we\u2019re going to save Mecaius. Oh, and ye might want to shade yer eyes. It\u2019s a mighty fine day outside and it\u2019ll be bright for ye if ye\u2019ve been in these dark halls for any amount of time.\u201d<\/p>\n

She hurried to catch up to him. The last thing she wanted or needed was to get lost, especially since he was the only person who might give her a hint of what to do next.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m coming. Thanks for the warning, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded, and then turned to push open the metal doors. Qara followed suit, squinting.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It was, in fact, a fine day on the other side of the doors. The sun blinded her for just a moment before she gasped at the sight before her.<\/p>\n

It was spectacular. There was a gated wall ahead of her \u2013 the type of protective wall one would see around a city made of stone, not wood. It had probably been built by the Dwemer, and the gate and its canopy had been kept up by men over the eons since. Aside from that, it looked like the most beautiful parts of the Rift. The trees were vivid yellows and oranges; the sky was almost impossibly blue, and as it was in the Rift the grasses were tall and golden.<\/p>\n

This has to be part of the Rift. It just has to be. This man is just pulling my leg. I\u2019ve come out in a different part of the hold; somewhere up in a valley in the mountains, maybe. These Dwemer ruins are all over the place. <\/em><\/p>\n

Olvir turned and gave her an exasperated look, waving her forward and pointing to her right rather than through the gate. As they ran that way she saw the cave opening, a dark patch underneath the edge of the craggy mountains into which both it and the Dwemer city had been carved. It seemed a horrible shame, to her, to be leaving the gorgeous sun of this beautiful day.<\/p>\n

But I did promise to help, and I owe him for letting me out. And he is wearing what looks an awful lot like a guard\u2019s uniform, which probably means he\u2019s really strong himself and has an in with the local authorities. I guess there\u2019s nothing for it. Besides, I wouldn\u2019t be much of a person if I just walked away from a promise. I\u2019m not some common\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

She stopped her thought in mid-sentence. She\u2019d been about to think \u201cnot some common thief.\u201d She had, in fact, been trained as a thief \u2013 trained by the best, even. But even if she were a common thief, it wouldn\u2019t matter. When she thought about it, she\u2019d never known her father to renege on a promise or to tell a falsehood. He was a master at evasion, of telling just enough of the truth to seed the impression he wanted in someone else\u2019s mind – but she\u2019d never once caught him in a lie. Even his Falmer-Blood Elixir wasn\u2019t an outright lie. He always told people to imagine<\/em> the marvelous things it could do, suggested absurd things it might<\/em> do for them – and their minds supplied the rest. And it was <\/em>the \u2018genuine article\u2019 \u2013 it was genuinely made by his own hands out of goats\u2019 blood and a splash of wine. Not quite the complete truth, but not a lie, either.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d be dishonoring him and Mama if I didn\u2019t do what I said I would do.<\/em> Even if they\u2019re not here to see me do it. <\/em><\/p>\n

She picked up her pace and caught up with Olvir just as he disappeared into the darkened cavern. It was surprisingly well-lit just inside: there were torches along the walls, and an opening to the sky not far in allowed a shaft of brilliant sunlight to flood the first turn in the tunnels.<\/p>\n

Beyond that turn were sturdy, well-constructed wooden ramps and stairways down a steep shaft into what she gathered was a mine, judging by the sounds. Qara dropped into her usual stealth approach, but when she saw Olvir just bull ahead she sighed, straightened up, and followed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d she heard from around the next bend.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do we have here?\u201d the strange voice called just as Olvir called back to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cBandits!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A sturdy man with a nasty-looking greatsword took a huge swing at Olvir. As she had guessed, though, Olvir was rugged. He raised his shield and took the brunt of that massive blow without staggering; then he took his own swipe at the bandit. Qara took advantage of the moment to slip past both of them, and then laid into the bandit with her daggers. Between the two of them, the bandit went down fairly easily.<\/p>\n

\u201cOk, why don\u2019t I\u2026\u201d Qara started to say. Olvir took off running down the tunnel.<\/p>\n

Qara sighed. \u201cScout ahead. Ok, I guess not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Olvir was not in any sense light on his feet, which meant that the next adversary in the tunnel heard him coming well in advance. \u201cHello?\u201d he called out just as Olvir rounded the corner to face him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYer goin\u2019 te pay now!\u201d Olvir yelled, shield-bashing the man and putting him off-balance for a moment.<\/p>\n

As she had done before, Qara slipped past both of the men and started dancing at the foe with her knives. The man was winding up for a massive horizontal strike, though; she barely ducked under the greatsword as the bandit growled and swung at Olvir.<\/p>\n

She had to admire Olvir. He was ready with his shield and deftly blocked the blow. \u201cYou\u2019re not getting me that easily,\u201d he yelled, once more attacking with his own sword.<\/p>\n

The bandit swung again; and while Olvir blocked the blow, and taunted \u201cyou won\u2019t be doin\u2019 that again!\u201d Qara could see that his arm was tiring. She couldn\u2019t seem to get a good opening to step in with her blades.<\/p>\n

\u201cSlow down!\u201d <\/em>she mentally shrieked at the bandit.<\/p>\n

\u201cFO \u2013 KRAH!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The enormous sound erupted from her and filled the tunnel, painfully. Olvir cried out and staggered backward against the wall of the space. But the bandit found himself covered in a layer of numbing frost.<\/p>\n

By Satakal\u2019s tail, I did it again. That was Frost Breath! <\/em><\/p>\n

It did, in fact, slow the bandit. It would have slowed anyone, the extreme cold numbing muscles and chilling the blood. The bandit tried his best to raise his greatsword again, but his icy arms couldn\u2019t quite hoist the heavy piece of steel over his head. Qara stepped in and finished the man off with her blades.<\/p>\n

They were getting closer to the sounds of pickaxe on rock and hammer on anvil; and as they rounded another corner with Olvir in the lead Qara was able to see why. Just beyond them was a large cave with openings to the sky and a stream running through its center. It held a full forge, chests, tables\u2026 and foes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a shame you chose to come here,\u201d shouted the mage across the water from them. He followed that up with an ice spike cast at Olvir.<\/p>\n

\u201cFound ye!\u201d Olvir yelled back, blocking the ice with his shield and leaping across the water to take on the mage. Qara was so focused on them that she didn\u2019t see the open space directly in front of her; and she fell face-first into the very cold water. She heard Olvir running past to engage the rest as she scrambled to find a way out of the water.<\/p>\n

As it happened, the way out was back the way they\u2019d come in, and brought her up onto the drier portion of the cave just behind the mage. He was facing away from her, deeper into the cave, preparing another spell. Qara crept up behind him.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cFighting for Falskaar? You\u2019re not even a Nord!\u201d the man sneered.<\/p>\n

Who is he taunting? Olvir? Isn\u2019t he a Nord? Me? I\u2019m only half-Nord but\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Wait.<\/em><\/p>\n

Falskaar?<\/em><\/p>\n

Her thoughts stopped short as the mage cast another ice spike deep into the cavern. She sprinted ahead, dropped into a roll, and came up behind him with both knives flying. The mage dropped dead onto what she could now see was only a bridge of dirt over the stream. She didn\u2019t have time to bask in her success, though; because now an archer, across a dirt bridge and next to an alchemy table, was taking direct aim at her.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll regret coming back,\u201d the man sneered. He was a good shot, too; the arrow would likely have killed her if she hadn\u2019t been so quick. As it was, her dodge to the side did nothing more than allow the long tail of her leather helmet to catch it, rather than her chest doing so. She headed up the dirt ramp but stopped in dismay as a heavily-built man in an expensive-looking fur cloak ran in to stand beside the archer. He had a greatsword. She was suddenly reminded of what her uncle Roggi had accomplished with just a single swipe of his, and realized that she had to get away.<\/p>\n

Once more she Shouted. Frost enveloped the man with the greatsword, but as she turned to flee the archer drew a one-handed blade and swiped at her with it. She felt the steel cut into her side and yelped, even as she jumped toward the exit.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pathetic that you\u2019re even trying,\u201d the bandit behind her said.<\/p>\n

Maybe, but I intend to get out of this alive.<\/em><\/p>\n

And with that, and knowing how hard it was to maneuver in the dark in the water, she leapt over the side of the dirt bridge and swam for the farthest corner she could find. As soon as her feet found purchase she started healing herself. She heard the bandits and Olvir taunting each other but in her determination to live she couldn\u2019t make out who was saying what.<\/p>\n

The battle went on in a blur of Shouting, slicing, leaping, healing, and even a few arrow shots. Qara found the other bridge across the water, this one a cleverly-designed stone span, and hid beneath it when she was closest to defeat; but as soon as she could stand without gasping she ran back into the battle.<\/p>\n

Just when she was about to give up, Qara ran up a slope, believing she was headed for the tunnel they\u2019d entered from. Instead, she found herself in a dead-end cul-de-sac facing two intriguing chests. Rather than delight at her discovery she felt horror, for just behind her was the sound of the bandit chieftain running up the slope with his greatsword high.<\/p>\n

He uttered a huge howl and began the downward swing that, for a moment, Qara feared might be the last thing she would ever see. She reached up to block with her left-hand blade, knowing how pathetic the gesture would be; and in fact the greatsword was only partially slowed by the block. It came down, but weakly, and sliced into her bicep. She grunted with the pain, determined not to give the bandit the satisfaction of hearing the scream that wanted to erupt.<\/p>\n

Then it occurred to her. She was hurt, but still very much alive. The bandit was badly wounded, himself; that was why he hadn\u2019t simply removed her arm at the shoulder. She marshaled every bit of strength she had left and attacked with her right-hand blade.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn,\u201d the bandit moaned, falling. She watched him bleed into the floor from her blow and from all the others he\u2019d taken on his way to reach her.<\/p>\n

She immediately began using every shred of healing magic she could manage, feeling the wound in her arm close and the bleeding stop. She was going to be in pain for some time, but she was alive and wasn\u2019t going to bleed out the way the man at her feet had just done. She took a moment to clear the coins and potions out of the two chests. Then it occurred to her that it was desperately quiet in the cavern outside the cul-de-sac.<\/p>\n

\u201cOlvir? Olvir, are you ok?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOut here, Traveler. We need to move.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara breathed a sigh of relief. As irritated as she\u2019d been with the man she absolutely needed him to get to where they were going. Wherever that might be. As she reentered the cavern he was putting the final touches on binding his own wounds. He waved and then headed for a tunnel on the far side of the cave.<\/p>\n

\u201cMecaius!\u201d she heard him cry as she followed him through the narrow opening.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

On the far side was another cave, this one smaller. In the center of it, though, was a large cage, and in that a young man who looked a bit worse for wear.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank the divines!\u201d Mecaius said weakly. \u201cGet me out of here? The switch to open the cave is on the wall over there. I have important news for Agnar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Olvir said, reaching across to pull the chain on the wall. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bandits,\u201d Mecaius breathed as the cage door swung open. \u201cThey\u2019re working for Yngvarr.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara stood back, watching the obviously-shaken young man and trying to make sense of everything she\u2019d heard. She didn\u2019t know anyone named Yngvarr. It was a Nord name, for certain, but an old one. And what had that archer said? It was\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cI overheard them talking,\u201d Mecaius continued. \u201cThey\u2019re searching for\u2026 something. That\u2019s why they kidnapped me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are they searching for?\u201d Olvir asked. \u201cWhat could ye possibly know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey wanted to know about some key, and when they found I didn\u2019t know anything they were enraged. They threw me in here and were deciding what to do with me when you two showed up. Thank the divines for that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAgnar must know about this,\u201d Olvir said. \u201cI\u2019ll have our friend here tell him. You go home and get some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mecaius wiped a hand across his bow. \u201cThank you for saving me. I\u2019ll see you in Amber Creek.\u201d He trotted toward the exit, slowly at first but picking up speed as he went.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo wait just a second,\u201d Qara started to protest. Olvir turned to her and shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo to Amber Creek, to the southeast of here. I\u2019d go but I have a patrol to keep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, the one that almost had you leave me behind at the portal?\u201d She couldn\u2019t quite keep the sarcasm out of her voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that patrol,\u201d Olvir smirked. \u201cI made a vow and I intend to keep it. Besides, it sounds like there\u2019s trouble about and Mecaius is rattled and needs to rest. Once you\u2019re in Amber Creek find the Jarl, Agnar, in the main house. Tell him that the bandits are working for Yngvarr. He\u2019ll understand. It\u2019s imperative that he knows.\u201d He beckoned for her to follow him back out through the cavern. \u201cHe may even have a reward for you for delivering such important information.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell I don\u2019t really care about that. I just want to get home so my family won\u2019t worry about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust go tell Agnar. If you\u2019ll follow me, I\u2019ll unlock the gate for ye.\u201d<\/p>\n

So that gate I saw when we came out of the Dwemer city is locked. A good defense. And it\u2019s a good thing I didn\u2019t antagonize Olvir here any further. He\u2019s clearly devoted to his duties, and he\u2019s just really strong. I wouldn\u2019t want to cross him.<\/em><\/p>\n

By the time her eyes stopped watering after they emerged again into the brilliant sunlight, Mecaius was nowhere to be seen and Olvir was waiting \u2013 impatiently, by the looks \u2013 at the gate. Qara trotted up to where he stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry to make you wait,\u201d she said. \u201cI wanted to ask\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

But Olvir ignored her, turning away to throw a huge, rusty-looking lever at his feet. The gate made an alarming creaking sound and then slowly swung open. Beyond it, Qara saw a landscape that was strange and yet familiar at the same time. Mountains ringed the horizon; tall pines and brilliant deciduous trees filled her view. Birds chirped, an elk stood gazing at her placidly and, somewhere ahead of her, she could hear water.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to Falskaar,\u201d Olvir told her as he took up position beside the gate.<\/p>\n

That was when it hit her.<\/p>\n

They really did say Falskaar. <\/em><\/p>\n

I wasn\u2019t just imagining it. They said Falskaar.<\/em><\/p>\n

She could clearly hear her father\u2019s voice, kidding around with Delvin one day while they were training her in lock picking. \u201cNot bad for a reprobate thief from Falskaar, eh?\u201d he chuckled, proud of her achievements. It had been long enough ago that she\u2019d begun to think she\u2019d dreamt the part about Falskaar; but here she was.<\/p>\n

She started running down the only path she saw, assuming that it had to be the path to Amber Creek. It was paved, sort of, in much the same way the main trails were paved with old Imperial cobblestones back home. But the paving wasn\u2019t nearly as wide as what she was used to, and there were places where the cobbles were nearly obscured by grass growing up through the gaps between them. There wasn\u2019t a lot of traffic here.<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s not a hugely populated area. At least not this part of it. That\u2019s something to bear in mind.<\/em><\/p>\n

Small population could be either good or bad. She knew that the big skirmishes in the Rebellion had been around Windhelm, and Whiterun, and of course the decisive battle in Solitude; but there had been plenty of equally brutal battles in smaller towns or near out-of-the-way ruins and the remnants of old Imperial fortresses. Sometimes the smaller places were more dangerous, because the locals knew them inside and out, and attacking forces or even defenders from friendly but larger places did not.<\/p>\n

So who knows what this business means with Yngvarr and all, that Mecaius and Olvir are talking about? Maybe they\u2019re in trouble.<\/em><\/p>\n

The trail through the countryside started to slope downward. Qara began to catch glimpses of clear blue water through the trees. It was a relief to see it; she\u2019d been thinking about water ever since jokingly telling Olvir there was none in the Dwemer ruin. It was true, too; a person could survive for quite a while without much to eat, but without water it was certain death. She hadn\u2019t been thirsty before, but she certainly was now.<\/p>\n

The trail curved around a corner and dipped down to where the water flowed noisily over a shallow ford. It wasn\u2019t just a \u201ccreek.\u201d It was a substantial, if shallow, river; and its water, when she knelt to scoop some up in her hand, was cool, sweet, and refreshing. She jumped across via the boulders just upstream of the ford and found that the roadway on the opposite bank widened, and led to an intersection. The sign reading \u201cAmber Creek\u201d pointed to her left.<\/p>\n

A deer came out of the tall grass and began running down the path in front of her, keeping to the roadway as though it was guiding the way toward the town. It wasn\u2019t until they\u2019d come within sight of rooftops that the deer finally veered off to the right, heading away from people.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Qaralana slowed as she passed through the fence at the edge of town, nodding to the guard standing there. There was a sawmill on her left, noisily dropping logs down onto the guide channel to be split by the mill\u2019s blade. Just beyond it she could see a smithy. On her right was an inn, by the looks; and both beyond it and on the street behind it were other buildings, whether homes or businesses she couldn\u2019t tell.<\/p>\n

It reminds me of Shor\u2019s Stone. A little bigger, but not too much. It\u2019s much smaller than Whiterun or Windhelm, and not as big as Riften\u2026 I\u2019d say it\u2019s about the same size as Falkreath, maybe. Big enough to be a hold\u2019s capital but probably not very important in the grand scheme of things.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not that I know what the grand scheme of things is, around here. This is definitely not any part of Skyrim that I\u2019ve ever heard about.<\/em><\/p>\n

From near the smithy, a voice called out.<\/p>\n

\u201cRangarr!\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d only spoken in exhausted, hushed tones before, but it was definitely Mecaius crying out in happy relief. Olvir had said Mecaius was the smith\u2019s apprentice. Looking that way, Qara saw the slight figure of the young man, and a much more substantial, dark-haired man bent over the forge above.<\/p>\n

\u201cWha\u2014\u201c the man said. \u201cBy the divines! Mecaius? Is that you?\u201d His voice was heavily accented, but not like Olvir\u2019s, or her father\u2019s. He sounded like some of the old Nords she\u2019d met when they traveled in from Solstheim or other secluded northern areas. They tended to speak with long, broad vowels and rolled r<\/em>s, and this man sounded like that. He dropped his hammer and rushed down the stairs toward the younger man.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cI was being held in Brittlerun Cave. But the guard and someone else found me and got me out!\u201d He gestured toward Qara as she approached.<\/p>\n

Rangarr didn\u2019t look at her but his face wore a grin of delight that lit up the entire area. \u201cWell by all means, go inside! Have a drink and get some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mecaius smiled. \u201cActually, I think I\u2019d like to stay out here and do some work with you. If that\u2019s alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course!\u201d Rangarr said, walking back up the steps toward his forge. \u201cGrab a hammer. It\u2019s great to have you back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara followed the man up the steps and smiled as Mecaius walked past. She turned to Rangarr and cleared her throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, I hate to bother you but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not from around here. At all, really. What can you tell me about Amber Creek?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s named after the small stream it was built next to. The stream was, at the time, full of a rich mineral called amber. However, over the years the amber was all mined out. The creek slowly expanded, and over time became a large river like it is today. That amber fueled the growth of the town. Since then, we\u2019ve adapted to make gold through other means. For some, trade; for others, farming.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds familiar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen there are those who make gold through their craft. Like me with my smithing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara had been enjoying listening to the man\u2019s mellow voice, but it suddenly came back to her why she was there in the first place. \u201cOh! Um, can you tell me where the Jarl\u2019s house is? I\u2019m supposed to deliver a message.\u201d Although why Mecaius couldn\u2019t deliver it is a really good question. He got here before I did, and the Jarl probably knows him.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course. It\u2019s the big house just next door, up on a rise. You\u2019ll see the banners hung outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you so much!\u201d she said. \u201cPerhaps I\u2019ll have a chance to talk to you more later on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thank you for helping to rescue Mecaius. I have no children of my own but he is like a son to me. It\u2019s important for a craftsman to be able to pass on his knowledge; and so I am teaching him what I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m glad we could help him, in that case.\u201d Qara smiled at him and then scampered off.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As Rangarr had said, the Jarl\u2019s longhouse was next door to the smithy. The home was made up of at least two wings, one on either side of the great hall, and the roof over it had many peaks, making the place look downright regal. It wasn\u2019t quite as large as Mistveil Keep in Riften but it was clearly a Jarl\u2019s palace.<\/p>\n

She entered quietly. Growing up in and around the Thieves\u2019 Guild she\u2019d learned to be very careful around official places, because it was far too easy to get into trouble in them. But the atmosphere of this very large, very comfortable longhouse put her at ease instantly; it was warm, and cozy. The walls were lined with hunting trophies, attractive green banners hung from the ceiling, and a well-appointed table sat at the end of a large firepit. A friendly-looking, dark-haired Nord man was talking to a small boy at the far end of the great hall.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026when you are older, my son. For now just enjoy being young.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man had a very similar accent to that of the smith, and they were both very clearly Nord. Qara wondered how long this population had been separated from the Nords who settled in Skyrim, whose accents had flattened out over time as they intermingled with Imperials and others.<\/p>\n

The youngster pouted. \u201cIf you say so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not fret, Wilhard. You will grow up to be a great warrior. I am sure of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

So this man is the dad. I wonder if he\u2019s also the Jarl?<\/em><\/p>\n

The boy smiled, and straightened. \u201cBut only if I keep practicing. I\u2019ll go do that now!\u201d He ran past Qara with a smile as bright as the sun.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s something really special about getting support from your dad. <\/em><\/p>\n

Even if he\u2019s a pigheaded, stubborn Nord thief.<\/em><\/p>\n

For a moment that thought had her feeling emotional. It wasn\u2019t a complete certainty that she\u2019d ever see Brynjolf again.<\/p>\n

But no. That\u2019s not right. If his stories were the truth, somehow he made it to Skyrim when he was a little boy. If he could do that, I can surely get home as a grown woman.<\/em><\/p>\n

The large man turned to her. She couldn\u2019t help but smile; he had a warm, open, friendly face that made her want to trust him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you Jarl Agnar?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe found the smith\u2019s apprentice \u2013 Mecaius \u2013 being held in a cave next to the old Dwemer ruin. He wanted to be sure that you know the bandits who took him are working for someone named Yngvarr.\u201d<\/p>\n

He might have been ready to discount anything she said because she was a girl. That happened frequently enough; she didn\u2019t like it, but she was used to it. But as soon as she uttered that name, Jarl Agnar\u2019s attention was firmly riveted on her. His eyes opened wide and his brow creased.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? What led him to believe that? Such a statement cannot be taken lightly!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe told us that he overheard the men talking. They\u2019d had orders from Yngvarr to capture him because they\u2019re looking for something. A key, I think he said.\u201d<\/p>\n

Agnar frowned and shook his head. \u201cThis\u2026 this is bad news. This could very well be the start of another war. Thank you for bringing me this information. Please, accept this token of my appreciation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara shook her head. \u201cNo, really, you don\u2019t have to\u2026\u201d But the Jarl had already pressed a small coin purse into her hand, with a look that said he would take no arguments.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate to ask more of you,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have already saved one of my people. But I have no choice.\u201d He put his hands on his hips and looked down at the floor for a moment, then sighed and met her gaze again. Even though he\u2019d only just met her, he spoke as though she\u2019d been a trusted member of his hold for years.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cLong ago, when there was war between my family and the Unnvaldrs, there was a group of monks that served as our wise men and court wizards. They have since retired to a simpler life, but their roots are still there. They may know what Yngvarr is up to. Please, go to Bailun Priory in the southwest and talk to Brother Thorlough. See if he knows anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBrother Thorlough. Alright, I will do that,\u201d Qara found herself saying. Then, as the Jarl walked past her, she realized what she\u2019d just done.<\/p>\n

What am I thinking? I need to get home! I have to tell Jalamar that nobody is going to attack Riften, I need to tell Chip about this place and\u2026 and what if Dale stops by the house and I\u2019m not there? <\/em><\/p>\n

But still\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

She headed out the door of the longhouse and looked around. Southwest would be\u2026 She turned around several times, trying to judge direction by the angle of the sun.<\/p>\n

That way? <\/em><\/p>\n

She started trotting down the road toward what she assumed was the west and then stopped, once more stunned by how beautiful the place was. Somehow she\u2019d managed to get herself into the midst of its issues, just the same way she\u2019d decided to help Jalamar against everyone\u2019s advice. Somehow, it didn\u2019t seem to matter. She would just trust that she would find her way home once she\u2019d delivered this message for the Jarl of Amber Creek.<\/p>\n

She started to run.<\/p>\n

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Home Previous \/ Next   The Dwemer ruins through which Olvir led Qaralana didn\u2019t look different in any respect from the ones she\u2019d just come from. They were empty. They were in reasonably good condition, too, and there were no dead bodies or dismantled automatons about. Olvir\u2019s footsteps echoed through the halls as he ran … <\/p>\n

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