[Story] pt.27. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog

Part one is here Part 26 is here

[..]

It's still early evening, so we're able to get a table at the back usually occupied by the woman wearing the full plate, Sofia and I sit while Vilja goes to dance and watch the bard, he may have a voice that only a mother could love but he's all there is, so he'll have to do. I don't know why Sofia doesn't sing actually, she's got a very nice voice when she sings. She just acts all coy when I mention this.

Out of her armour you can see Sofia's belly beginning to grow. She strokes it occasionally. What more could a man want in life?

We overhear some guards talk about increased Stormcloak patrols in the area, one of them is concerned as his brother has joined them, what is he supposed to do come an attack on Whiterun, "it's madness" he says. I won't argue with that. But so far it looks like the Legion has the better of them if the skirmish near the Meadery a few nights ago is anything to go by.

Visitors from further afield bring news of dragon attacks, sightings of the Dragonborn's party in Ivarstead, and there are even rumours of strange activity out of an old fort near Riften.

We call it a night late into the evening, Vilja is a bit drunk, while we've had fewer beers, but are just as happy, the night is still warm, so we roll home.

We're almost in bed, when a cry is heard from downstairs, Vilja shouts up that we have to come and see this, it appears that the child's room has been installed, with two beds. So we can go and pickup the Orphan Lucia, and offer her a home. Vilja looks first shocked then pleased when I say this, she says that's a remarkably kind thing to do. Which given she doesn't now the full extent of our scheming is another good sign.

I tell Vilja she can try one of the beds if she likes but they're​ likely too small for her. She smiles, and we head off to bed.

[...]

The morning starts slowly, I go out to find Lucia on her bench by the temple, instead of the usual small change & food I invite her to stay, she's surprised, but very happy. She runs off ahead and is waiting for me by the door. Once inside Vilja insists on being introduced, and they both take a liking to each other, looks like we've found the ideal babysitter​. Vilja wants to stay awhile and help Lucia settle in, so Sofia and I go out again.

We've nothing more to sell but we can go out to check the notice board, and then head out for a walk, the weather is still good if a little cold, so we may as well take advantage of the visibility, having already had breakfast we load up on some food for the Orc if he's still there. I figure that at some point the boredom will get to him. Perhaps luck will be good to us today.

There are no new quests to be had but looking through the papers we have, one of them appears to be a treasure map and close to Whiterun, so we go look for that, see what we find. Wandering down to the main road it looks like the half giant and his female companion are back. We wave to them on the way past

The map says to climb the mountain behind the windmill, but the odd thing is how many guards are stationed nearby, what are they protecting/guarding I wonder.

[...]

Looking up at the mountain overhang, I spot a young elk looking down at me. It's a simple shot, but now I have to get up there to claim it.

We climb up by going the long way round only to hear voices, this turns out to be a group of revellers on the road from Riverwood, who are anxious to share a drink with us. It's still a bit early in the day but Sofia is never one to refuse free booze. So we drink and get back to search for the elk carcass. It's only young so it comes apart quite easily once we find it. Now to see if we can find the treasure too

[...]

We're half way up the mountain when it begins to snow, it's only light snow but even so, the turn of the weather is abrupt. Then out of nowhere a wolf attacks, Sofia deals with it easy enough, but perhaps that's a hint to get inside. As we walk down the mountain the cloud a thickens up and the sky goes dark. The orc will have to wait.

We hear the clash of swords behind us but walk on, as we approach the gate an idea strikes me. Since, Vilja is at home, his would be ideal cover to visit the thieves den, so we make a quick detour onto the plain led by Sofia's candlelight. Which we douse as we get closer to the entrance. There's nobody home. Pretty soon we're in the entry tunnel.

The barmaid is pleased to see us again, I buy some Skooma with the intent to sell once we're outside the city. I also sell my elk to the cook. Then we get to talking about Nerida. I ask them how much of a debt she owes and if I can buy it. They're surprised, but agreeable, and we settle on 500 Septims. I get them to give me a forged receipt, which I can take before the Jarl's steward to plead my case, that the thief should be released to me.

The next order of business is the slave house. What is going on? They say that they don't know much, no idea who's behind it, but it functions as part of system for the capture, storage and movement of slaves, mostly girls, and they run a tight ship. So there must be money in it. Though the barmaid reckons that there are other motives at work besides money.

It strikes me that there could be mileage in shutting it down, it would make us look good and we'd find out more.

Sofia says, "you're really very sneaky" which I take as a compliment.

Business done we kick back with a meal and some wine, and listen to the bard. Then it's time to go, still at least the weather has cleared up.

[...]

When we get back to the house there is food on the table and Vilja is reading Lucia a bedtime story. There is look of rapt attention on the small girl's face. She falls asleep soon after. Vilja emerges from the room looking very pleased with herself, she says that Lucia is such a clever and loving girl, and what a great thing we've done for her.

We freshen up, and ask Vilja if she wants to go out, but she'd rather stay back in case Lucia wakes up on her first night. A thought crosses my mind that Vilja will make a great mother someday, she's certainly got the patience.

We decide to nip out to the huntsmen, where we find the Orc drying off by the fire. We buy him a beer and sit and talk. He's still intent on going back to the road, but it is beginning to wear on him. I tell him where we are if he needs a place to sleep then leave him be.

We ask one of the elf brothers if there is any news, he's not heard of anything new, so we drink a beer and talk. it's early days yes, but Lucia seems to have embedded herself with very little effort on our part, Vilja seems well suited for the role of "mother" though we'll have to see what happens if we succeed in getting the thief out of jail. With more people we can probably tackle bigger tasks delve into a few dungeons, see what we make of them.

"Do I still have to stay behind defensively," asks Sofia. To which I can only say "Yes." The less stress the better. Sofia does not look happy, but I'm not going to let her endanger herself or the child if she doesn't have to.

"You said at 10 thousand Septims we could get off of Whiterun plain" " Indeed I did, but for that we need to talk to the Khajiit, so we'll have to wait for them to return, and of course we need to fetch the knife for Danica at some point" "You also owe me a new dress" "For that I have something special in mind, but that's rather further afield, you may just have to put up with a new necklace" She smiles, "do tell me more"

I pick up her hand and kiss it, "later, my lady, come on, let's move, time for bed" We say goodbye to the room but neither the elf or the Orc look up.

Vilja is asleep in a chair by the fire when we return so we got to bed quietly.

[...]

Part 28 is here