{"id":2254,"date":"2023-02-11T14:22:19","date_gmt":"2023-02-11T21:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/?page_id=2254"},"modified":"2023-02-20T14:37:17","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T21:37:17","slug":"chapter-20-harald-and-coyle","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/volume-ii\/part-ii-above-and-beyond\/chapter-20-harald-and-coyle\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 20 – Harald and Coyle"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cWould you slow down, please?\u201d Harald called after Qaralana\u2019s retreating form.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you hurry up, please? It\u2019s not bad enough that we had to walk all the way down here from Markarth, but then we\u2019re going to have to walk back. It\u2019s going to take hours, Harald.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald sighed and tried to pick up his pace a bit in spite of his heavy armor. He was tired, confused, and more than a bit cranky; but mostly, he was confused.<\/p>\n

He had been shocked to see the dark-haired Imperial man take such liberties with Qara right there in public in Riften. It wasn\u2019t like her \u2013 at least he didn\u2019t think it was, though he had no way to know exactly what might have happened to her in Falskaar. That tale was disturbing enough on its surface that he hadn\u2019t wanted to pry further. And who knew what killing Paarthurnax might have done to her. She might be changed in ways he could never understand. She\u2019d been friendly and normal enough the previous night, though, and excited to have him staying in her extra bedroom as her first real houseguest. But the kiss in the marketplace still shocked him, especially because she\u2019d seemed to welcome the man\u2019s attentions. Brynjolf\u2019s declaration that the man was \u201cno good\u201d and that she should stay away had shocked him, too.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m inclined to agree with the staying away part. The man looked positively predatory leaning into her like that.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dale, he thought, looking up at the cloud-wreathed outlines of Sky Haven Temple and wondering whether he might again need to exercise his influence on Delphine. The man\u2019s name was Dale, according to Qara, and his very existence bothered Harald to no end. He didn\u2019t understand it.<\/p>\n

Other things were competing for space in his mind, too. Qara had gone back to the market to talk to her father before they left. She\u2019d been frustrated, when she returned.<\/p>\n

\u201cDaddy isn\u2019t acting like himself. I don\u2019t know what\u2019s wrong, I don\u2019t know why Mama isn\u2019t home, and he won\u2019t tell me,\u201d she\u2019d said once they were settled in the cart and moving.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really thought you\u2019d get any information out of him?\u201d<\/p>\n

She\u2019d frowned at him. \u201cWell, yes. He doesn\u2019t always tell me everything but he doesn\u2019t ignore me. Besides, I needed to at least find out whether he sent Chip\u2019s message to Vilkas in Whiterun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald hadn\u2019t understood that, either. \u201cVilkas? As in the Companions Vilkas?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she almost snapped. \u201cVilkas of the Companions. Apparently Daddy knows him. At least he managed to send the message.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald had decided to stop asking questions. He\u2019d ridden the rest of the way mostly in silence, occasionally glancing at Qara, wondering why Chip was sending a message to the Companions, and wondering why he felt so confused.<\/p>\n

By the time they approached the Karthspire entrance, though, he was distracted by other thoughts entirely. He was worried about the reports of piracy on the coast. He was worried about whatever was going on in the west. He was increasingly worried about his own father \u2013 because when had Ulfric ever complained of being tired, before? At least Dardeh was there to help. That would allow Roggi to focus fully on the matters at hand, and\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to make it up here or not?\u201d Qara called to him. He tsk\u2019d, embarrassed to realize that he\u2019d been so deep in thought that he\u2019d stopped moving.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Sorry, Qara. I\u2019ll be right there. My mind was leagues away.\u201d Like down in that Dwemer ruin in Markarth. Or on the other side of the mountains.<\/em><\/p>\n

She gave him a grim smile as he caught up with her. \u201cWorried about all the rumors of trouble? So am I,\u201d she said quietly. \u201cBut right now we have something that we can<\/em> do. Let\u2019s take care of that first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald nodded, and smiled. She has changed, he thought. She\u2019s a lot more determined and focused than she used to be.<\/p>\n

She turned to lead the way into the Karthspire, and his smiled faded. Whether that\u2019s a good thing or not is a good question.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

They found Delphine outside, in the training area that peeked so alluringly through the mists when seen from the road below. She sheathed her blade and turned to stare at them as they approached. While she nodded at Harald it was Qara who had Delphine\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to tell you in person, Delphine,\u201d Qara said. \u201cUncle Dar and I went up to the Throat of the World and spoke to Paarthurnax.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpoke? If you didn\u2019t kill him, we have nothing to say to each other,\u201d Delphine snapped, crossing her arms and glaring at them defiantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know,\u201d Qara said. To Harald\u2019s surprise, she didn\u2019t respond with the fiery temper he knew she had barely beneath the surface. She just gave Delphine a soft smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t bore you with all of the reasons I decided to do what I did, but Paarthurnax is dead now. And so are his closest lieutenants.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald watched Delphine closely, as she lowered her hands. Her face relaxed; while she didn\u2019t actually smile, it seemed to him that an enormous weight carried over decades drained from Delphine\u2019s expression, all at once. She took a deep breath and blew it out.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew we could count on you! Glad to have you back on our side.”<\/p>\n

This time Qara laughed, and her response was the Qara he knew and loved. \u201cNo you didn\u2019t, Delphine. I didn\u2019t know what either of us was going to decide until we got up there and talked to both him and Arngeir.\u201d She grinned. \u201cArngeir was not, as you might imagine, very happy with us when we came back down. I don\u2019t believe we\u2019ll see him again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a long time coming, but now it\u2019s done. I suppose it\u2019s time for the Blades to find a new purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald hadn\u2019t been a part of the conversation but found himself asking a question now. \u201cSo you\u2019re all that\u2019s left of the Blades? You and Esbern?\u201d<\/p>\n

She gave him a withering look. \u201cYes. The Thalmor hunted us down, remember? A long time ago we used to protect the Septim emperors, and then the Dragonborn. But for the last forty years – or more – they\u2019ve been determined to kill every last one of us. And the White-Gold Concordat gave them the means to operate with impunity throughout the Empire. Talos worship, you know.\u201d She shook her head and paused for a moment, as if weighing the words she would use next. \u201cThey think they\u2019re the rightful rulers of all Tamriel. They\u2019ve been picking away at the Empire from all sides, slowly and carefully, for at least a century. Valenwood was first, then Elsweyr. Then there was the Great War, and they basically crushed us. So all these years, while the Blades were waiting for a Dragonborn to protect, our leaders became obsessed with taking on the Thalmor as we could, a little at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBased on what I\u2019ve heard,\u201d Harald said slowly, \u201cyour leaders had good instincts.\u201d Father\u2019s been talking about the Thalmor all my life. Even more often now that Roggi\u2019s moved into the castle. Father doesn\u2019t think that the war just before Qara and I were born was really the most important concern. Maybe he\u2019s right.<\/em><\/p>\n

Delphine looked back at Qara and squared her shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a good base here, Dragonborn,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd from here we can rebuild the Blades to protect you and follow whatever direction you give us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara laughed \u2013 a bright, carefree sound to Harald\u2019s ear. It was hard to imagine that she\u2019d had the weight of the world and the moons on her shoulders just a few weeks before.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ll need your protection, Delphine. I haven\u2019t got any difficulty fending for myself. But nobody knows what might be coming next. If there\u2019s any way I can help you rebuild, just let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Delphine pondered for a moment and nodded. \u201cIf you find anyone you think would make a good recruit, I can certainly take a look at them. Remember, though, being a Blade is a lifelong commitment. Their loyalty has to be with us once they’re in.”<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, by the way,\u201d Delphine said, drawing her sword, clearly preparing to go back to her training, \u201cI found something you might be able to use. It\u2019s in the chest by the first bed, in our base. Take it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Qara said. \u201cThank you, Delphine. And for what it\u2019s worth, thank you for insisting that we finish it. I hate to think what might have happened if you hadn\u2019t. And I couldn\u2019t have done it without Uncle Dardeh. He may not be Dragonborn anymore but you couldn\u2019t possibly find a better warrior.\u201d She looked past Delphine and smiled at Harald. \u201cLet\u2019s get going.\u201d<\/p>\n

They went back inside and descended to the Blades\u2019 living space. Qara found the chest Delphine had mentioned, opened it, and gasped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Harald asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s armor! Look at this!\u201d She pulled out a pile of black material. It shimmered like polished dragon scales, even moreso than her current outfit did. It even had a single gleaming pauldron and arm guard, reflecting power back to the observer. \u201cCan you step outside?\u201d she said excitedly. \u201cI\u2019m going to try it on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d He wanted to look at the books and scrolls Esbern had piled up, anyway. Perhaps he could learn something.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He was deep into a book on enchanting when Qara cleared her throat. He swung around and fought to keep his expression neutral. The armor gleamed, its leather parts having a high polish and the protective gauntlet and pauldron shining as if it carried its own light.<\/p>\n

And Qara looked beautiful in it.<\/p>\n

Suddenly he was every bit as confused as he had been standing in the marketplace in Riften. His throat threatened to close up. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she was. He wanted to \u2013 but he had no facility with sweet words. Maybe the Nerevarine had been right to give him his ring, to help with that. But Qara didn\u2019t deserve a false, honeyed speech like the one she\u2019d probably gotten from the dark-haired Imperial.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u201d she asked. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before he could stop himself, he growled. \u201cIt\u2019s nice. You should keep it. But you look like you belong with that Dale fellow. All draped in black.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald instantly regretted his words. Qara\u2019s smile faded, and her expression hardened. When she spoke, he felt the power behind her voice once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I do, Harald Stormcloak. At least he doesn\u2019t treat me like I need protection<\/em>. He\u2019s just about the only one.\u201d She turned and headed for the exit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I\u2019m so good at saying exactly the wrong thing!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cQara, wait!\u201d He scurried to catch up with her. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned to glare at him. \u201cMaybe you noticed that my old armor is black, too. And so is my father\u2019s, and my mother\u2019s, and Chip\u2019s. We all wear black. I surely don\u2019t pick my clothing based on how I\u2019ll look standing next to someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really sorry, Qara. I didn\u2019t intend any disrespect.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sneered. \u201cOf course not, Prince Harald. Now if I\u2019m not mistaken, I need you to protect <\/em>me on my way back to Markarth and put me safely on a carriage back to Riften.\u201d Her voice positively dripped with sarcasm.<\/p>\n

Harald decided saying nothing would be in his best interests. He simply nodded and followed along behind her. He didn\u2019t like having his best friend annoyed with him, and if nothing else, the \u2018Prince Harald\u2019 remark showed that she was. By the time they\u2019d made it back to the road, though, his mind was back to working on the issue Delphine had raised.<\/p>\n

What was he going to do about the Thalmor?<\/p>\n

First, he was going to find the bodies of Calcelmo\u2019s research team \u2013 for he was certain, based on Calcelmo himself, that remains were all he would find. But then, what would he do about the Thalmor?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Coyle stood overlooking the harbor in Dawnstar, admiring the familiar ship moored there \u2013 a big galleon, its high stern overlooking the port city as it would overlook all obstacles in the Sea of Ghosts. It had been a long, long time. For such an old craft it looked to be in excellent repair, still.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Now the question will be whether any of the crew remembers me.<\/em><\/p>\n

He\u2019d told Brynjolf that he would investigate the resurgence of piracy, and watched the thoughts flickering through the old Nord\u2019s eyes as he watched his pretty daughter heading north with the apparently simpleminded prince. Brynjolf had accepted his offer without question.<\/p>\n

Somehow he trusts me. He looked me over pretty carefully, but he knows better than to ask for a lot of details. We both have our pasts, and things we\u2019d prefer not to drag out into the open. But I\u2019ll bet he thought I\u2019d head to Solitude first. <\/em><\/p>\n

The truth of the matter was that he was more concerned about Brynjolf than he was about the piracy, though both things were noteworthy. For reasons he didn\u2019t really understand he cared about Brynjolf, and not just because he was Sayma\u2019s husband, or the guy who ran the skooma operation. Brynjolf was clearly distressed and taking risks with his own health. As far as he could tell, that distress had started the moment Sayma recognized him as Coyle. He\u2019d also overheard enough conversations that involved the words \u201cSayma,\u201d \u201cbusiness,\u201d and \u201cDawnstar\u201d to know that\u2019s where he should start looking for her, hoping to have a heart-to-heart with her about Brynjolf, and his own feelings on the matter, and about their future.<\/p>\n

Well, I haven\u2019t found her. I don\u2019t have a clue where she is, but it doesn\u2019t seem to be here. But this ship, I know. And I\u2019m willing to bet I\u2019ll learn something useful here.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Dancing Draugr. It\u2019s been a long time. A long damn time. I wonder who the captain is these days.<\/em><\/p>\n

He walked down the boardwalk toward the ship, nodding to the few people who noticed his presence. He knew nobody would even think twice about seeing yet another man with the rolling stride of sea legs in a port town, especially if he acted like he belonged there. It was exciting, really. It had been a very long time since he\u2019d been aboard the Draugr.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

When he walked up the plank onto deck, though, he was struck by an overwhelming wave of nostalgia \u2013 both good and bad. It had been a good twenty years since the first time they\u2019d docked in Dawnstar on their circuit of Tamriel\u2019s ports. He remembered it: a beautiful, bright day full of sharp, cold sunlight, with the tang of cold salt air and the cries of gulls and bickering horkers in the distance. He\u2019d stood there, smiling, happy to have a life again and to feel strong and reasonably healthy again. It might even have been the first time he\u2019d mustered a real smile since Daron\u2019s death \u2013 and in spite of what he had to do below deck to keep himself alive and the monster of addiction from clawing its way through his body again, that day had been a fine one.<\/p>\n

He shook himself back into the present. Coyle had no time to waste on nostalgia; he needed to verify the status of this vessel in the here and now. The one crewman on deck lounged about up at the bow, watching the town and paying very little attention to the gangplank. Coyle smirked and stepped onto deck and toward the hatch, opening it and slipping quietly into the hold. Behind him, he knew, would be the crew\u2019s quarters, and he had no interest in revisiting that area, ever. He immediately dropped into a crouch and made for the nearest shadows.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s see what we have here. <\/em><\/p>\n

Stacked barrels lined either side of the hold. Checking a few he found what he might have expected: salted meats, alchemy ingredients, cheeses and mead. Crates marked with the unmistakable East Empire Company logo filled the center, leaving just enough space on either side to maneuver through.<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s an honest cargo ship now? That\u2019s unexpected. But I suppose, if the coin\u2019s there\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The gate to the lower hold was locked but only with a simple lock, easy to pick open. The cargo included casks, kegs, sacks of vegetables, and dried goods. There was light coming from behind the crates to his right, so he slipped into the deep shadows on the left side of the EEC crates and timed his forward movements to match the slow, rhythmic creaking of the ship in the water and its lines pulling against the docks.<\/p>\n

A lone crewman sat in an uncomfortable-looking wooden chair, staring blankly at the wooden floor before him. Coyle smirked again. He knew that stare. He could almost taste the substance that gave a person that stare.<\/p>\n

Well there am I, twenty years ago. Poor sod.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Checking in with his own status he nodded. He was still good. It wasn\u2019t time, yet.<\/p>\n

Directly in front of him was a caged area and unless something major had changed, that would be where the most valuable cargo was stashed. The cage was locked, of course, and with a good lock to boot, far better than the one above. But it yielded to him eventually and the creaking of the vessel covered the sound of his breaking two or three lockpicks.<\/p>\n

The cage was lined with deep shelves full of chests, and he didn\u2019t hear anything sliding around inside them. Whatever was in there, there was a lot of it, packed tightly. He started opening the chests to get a sense of the cargo and as he went down the rows his frown deepened. Some of them held metal ingots \u2013 expensive metals, not your basic iron or steel. He saw lots of ebony and moonstone and, not surprisingly given that they were docked in Dawnstar, quicksilver. A few chests contained an utter embarrassment of jewels and jewelry. Any one of the pieces he picked up to examine could have fed the whole crew of this ship for weeks.<\/p>\n

But the majority of the chests held weapons and armor. Arrows. Bows. Swords of all makes and sizes. Warhammers. Light armor, heavy, boots, helms, shields, and gauntlets.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Who are they arming? It\u2019s got to be contraband or it wouldn\u2019t be down here past crew and two locked gates. Someone\u2019s gearing up for an assault somewhere. No idea who it might be. Well then. This is something Bryn\u2019ll be interested in hearing, and his friend in high places, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

He turned back, making sure the one sleepy crewman wasn\u2019t looking anywhere near him, slipped past through the darkened aisle between stacked goods, and made his way back up onto the deck. There was one other place he had to look: the captain\u2019s quarters, just behind him and through a thick wooden door.<\/p>\n

The layout of the place hadn\u2019t changed. It was just as he remembered it – with the desk, bookstands, washbasin and a ridiculously ornate chandelier overhead – just in front of him through a short, wide corridor. He hadn\u2019t remembered the truly posh rug in the center of the room; but that was because the captain of his day had been a practical man who didn\u2019t risk pricey things in a vessel that always had the potential to leak. To his left was a storage area. It had always been there, but Coyle was surprised to find it gated and bearing a lock he was certain he couldn\u2019t break. The massive chest, strongboxes and crates behind the gate made him wonder what warranted even more security than the arms and armor he\u2019d already found.<\/p>\n

He crossed the room and looked around the other side of the entry. As he had recalled, this was the captain\u2019s sleeping area and personal wardrobe and storage area. Above the bed was a strong ledge with even more crates and sacks.<\/p>\n

Well, well. I wonder what all of this means. I\u2019d best\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Before he could finish his thoughts, the sound of heavy footsteps just outside the door interrupted him. He looked around the enclosed space where he was now trapped and hissed. There was no place to go, except, maybe, up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And so up he went, out of necessity, happy to have gotten so much experience evading traps lately in the course of his employment. It wasn\u2019t effortless, and he was working hard to keep his breathing under control by the time the door opened; but he was at least mostly out of sight for now. At least he hoped that he was. One leg dangled partially over the edge, but he didn\u2019t dare shift his position for fear of making noise so he just waited, and hoped.<\/p>\n

The captain moved around the room, muttering to himself. He leaned over the desk, reading papers atop it, but to Coyle\u2019s frustration he was facing away from him. Coyle thought the timbre of the muttering was vaguely familiar, but he didn\u2019t hear it clearly enough to be sure.<\/p>\n

But if it\u2019s who I think it is\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n

Finally, there was a dry cough, and a chuckle. Without turning around, the captain spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a long damn time, Coyle Sendu. And what in Oblivion are you doing up there? Come down here so I can take a look at you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gods damn it. And here I thought I was being so clever.<\/em><\/p>\n

He sighed. \u201cWell,\u201d he said, the word sounding more like a groan as he maneuvered out of his hiding space and dropped onto the floor, \u201cI saw the Draugr <\/em>was in port and just couldn\u2019t resist trying to figure out who sails her these days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that so?\u201d the man said, turning to face Coyle. \u201cAnd she\u2019s not the Draugr<\/em> anymore. Too many associations. Now, she\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, let me guess,\u201d Coyle said, glad for an opportunity to collect his wits for a moment. \u201cYou named her the Pretty Sister<\/em>. No, wait \u2013 it would have to be in Yoku just because you thought it would be cute and would make you sound like a Redguard. Let\u2019s see, that would be Nukri Sanloa, <\/em>right?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man grimaced. \u201cShe\u2019s the Buoyant Barnacle <\/em>now, wiseass.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Coyle fought to allow himself only a small grin, though he wanted to burst out laughing. That is the stupidest name I\u2019ve ever heard but he\u2019s obviously the captain now, and I need to be careful with my words. <\/em>He cleared his throat a couple of times and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d was all he could manage without laughing. \u201cWell you\u2019re ugly as ever, ain\u2019t ya, Rolvar?\u201d<\/p>\n

To his credit, Rolvar didn\u2019t even flinch. In fact, he laughed heartily and then absolutely leered at Coyle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI may well be,\u201d he said. \u201cTwenty years will take its toll on a man and I got my nose broke at least once more since I saw you last. You still look mighty fine, though, my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coyle felt his hackles rise. He hadn\u2019t been exaggerating when he\u2019d told Brynjolf that he\u2019d done things he wasn\u2019t proud of, and the man before him had been the cause of a great many of those.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t even think about it,\u201d he said quietly, in a tone that he knew would be a warning. \u201cBesides, you know as well as I do that I look like an old man now, so don\u2019t give me that bullshit, Rolvar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d the Nord said, his tone becoming serious as well. \u201cSo why are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Coyle sighed. \u201cWell I know better than to try to get much past you, so here\u2019s the long and the short of it. I found myself a good position. That position relies on shipping and the boss has\u2026 how should I put it. Connections. We\u2019ve heard rumblings about shipping getting disrupted, and the connections are antsy. They aren\u2019t \u2013 well, they\u2019re not the kind of connections you want to have being antsy. So I\u2019m checking around to see what the facts might be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rolvar grinned. \u201cYou\u2019re just always such a stand-up sort of guy, aren\u2019t you, Coyle?\u201d he said, waving at the chair behind his desk and chuckling. \u201cNot a devious bone in your body. Have a seat. It\u2019ll take me a minute and I\u2019m hungry, besides. Need anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, I\u2019m fine.\u201d Coyle breathed deeply through his nose, trying to convince himself that was the case even though after so many hours he was<\/em> now beginning to feel the vague itch of discontent that would have to be addressed before the shakes set in. He was alright for the short term, but it wouldn\u2019t be much longer and he knew that Rolvar would be able to tell, unless he was very careful.<\/p>\n

He knows me too well. I\u2019m not devious, because I can\u2019t lie to save my life. How anyone could be so bad at such a useful thing is beyond me.<\/em><\/p>\n

So they sat there for some time, chatting. Or, more accurately, Rolvar chatted, bragged, and otherwise crowed about having worked his way up to captain and owner of the Barnacle. <\/em>He ran a legitimate shipping business \u2013 that much had been obvious to Coyle from the moment he stepped onto deck \u2013 but he was also starting to accumulate wealth for \u201csome folks out West,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why is that? What\u2019s going on?\u201d Coyle asked even though he thought he knew.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure what the big plan is, my friend,\u201d Rolvar said. \u201cI\u2019m not high enough up in the riggings, so to speak. All I know is there\u2019s something gathering out there and it needs a lot of coin. So we\u2019re\u2026 well, how do I put it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coyle rubbed his chin. \u201cYou\u2019re accepting donations from your regular customers?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rolvar laughed. \u201cThat\u2019s a good way to put it. You have a way with words, Coyle. That\u2019s a good way to put it. Donations. That\u2019s what they are, alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

My gods. Not only is he still as ugly as ever, he hasn\u2019t gotten any brighter in twenty years, either. Well, Bryn will be happy to have this information and I\u2019m pretty sure it\u2019s King Ulfric who will be happy about it, too. I may not be a good liar but I do watch and keep my mouth shut.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo who else is in on this, Rolvar?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Nord grinned. \u201cI couldn\u2019t tell you many of their names, seeing as how I don\u2019t know \u2018em. But there are at least a couple of ships docked in Solitude right now that you might want to take a look at if you\u2019re interested in seeing the big picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

This revelation had Coyle\u2019s interest truly piqued. He leaned forward in his chair to make certain he heard the details.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. One of them is the Dainty Sload<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coyle\u2019s left eyebrow rose. He had serious doubts about that ship being a part of anything serious. It had a history \u2013 according to the rumors someone had planted some Balmora Blue on the captain and the whole crew had gone down with him when the capital city\u2019s authorities had moved in. Besides\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThat old tub is ancient. I\u2019m a bit surprised it\u2019s still floating.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, it is, and so is the Icerunner<\/em>. Both of them are supposedly involved in this big setup.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coyle nodded slowly. He would definitely take a look, but he didn\u2019t expect to see anything unusual about the Sload<\/em>. \u201cLarge ships, though. That does sound a lot like something big wants supplying. Hmm. Thanks for the news, Rolvar.\u201d He stood and stretched his back out a bit. It was definitely time to get moving.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Rolvar, with his oft-broken nose, his smarmy attitude and his penchant for giving things idiotic names, leered at him again. \u201cNo rush, Coyle. You know you can always hang around here for a bit if you like. I\u2019m pretty sure from the looks of you that you could still haul a mean line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gods, no. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, ya ugly bastard. I\u2019ve got to get moving.\u201d Things to do, people to see \u2026 other peoples\u2019 marriages to save. It\u2019s a busy life.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. Suit yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

He remembered, though. He remembered what it was like up in the air, hanging on by a finger, just watching the waves and the gulls and the horkers, breathing the sharp, cold air and feeling alive for the first time in years.<\/p>\n

He thought of that as he pulled himself up through the hatch and took a moment \u2013 a simple moment for himself, standing near the wheel, while he reminisced. About why he\u2019d even noticed that he felt alive, and the mistakes he and Daron had made that had led him to send Dagnell away, forever. They were bad mistakes. They\u2019d created bad memories. And even so there were those moments \u2013 those few and special moments \u2013 when he\u2019d thought maybe life was still worth living after all.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And now I have to save her damned husband so I can save her damned marriage, when all I ever wanted was to have her for my own.<\/em><\/p>\n

Coyle, you\u2019re an idiot.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Home Previous \/ Next   \u201cWould you slow down, please?\u201d Harald called after Qaralana\u2019s retreating form. \u201cWould you hurry up, please? It\u2019s not bad enough that we had to walk all the way down here from Markarth, but then we\u2019re going to have to walk back. It\u2019s going to take hours, Harald.\u201d Harald sighed and … <\/p>\n

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