I awoke to the sounds and snores of my fellow Companions. Moving quietly so as not to wake anyone I made sure to put my armour on out side the room. Up in the main hall of Jorvaskkar I found Farkas and Aela already sat eating breakfast round the hearth. I headed over to join them
"Morning, Glad to see your eager to go." Greeting them both with a smile. Farkas swallowed his mouthful fork loaded with more food
"Dragonborn, Morning whats the plan then?" I smiled back at Farkas
"Please Farkas it's just Larz. I was thinking we should head back over the mountains through the Pale Pass onto Bravil. My friend, Augustus, will be at the Fighter's Guild there he may be able to lend a few sword arms. Then on to the Imperial city and my shop in the Market District. We will have to try to keep things as low key as possible we don't want the city guard getting involved." Aela had finished her meal before she said
"Sounds good and I agree, I would feel much better having a few more swords at our disposal, can we trust Augustus?" I made eye contact with her raising an eyebrow
" Do not worry about him. He is one of my oldest friends and shield brother. I've saved his skin more times than I count and vice versa." Laughing I turned to the door
"Come on we have a long ride ahead of us we had best make tracks." They both nodded standing up and following me out to the Stables at the front of the hold.
The road back to the Pale Pass lead through Riverwood and passed the ruin of Helgen. The weather was good and the company even better. Farkas and Myself hit it off straight away swapping stories of past adventures, old friends, the many treasures and women in-evidently drawn to the mighty warrior. It took a few hours before Aela warmed to me and joined in our story telling. Just as we approached the road to the pass that all to familiar rush of air and darkening of the sky rushed above us. Farkas shouted
"DRAGGGGGOOONNNN!" leaping of his horse drawing his bow. Aela was already on foot arrow drawn. I leapt down off Drago tying him to a tree. Running back out into the middle of the road I called to Farkas and Aela
"Stay in cover, use your bows and watch out for its breath attack. It's here for me so just watch yourselves." They both nodded their understanding crouching to the side of the road behind cover Bows poised.
The Dragon swooped over Flaming as it went, the volley of arrows peppering its scaled underside. It seemed reluctant to land with so many arrows finding their mark. Twice it tried to land only to hover before taking to the sky again. The second attempt it resorted to it's flame catching me unaware. Farkas charged from his cover tackling me out off the way as the jet of fire roasted the ground where I just stood. Aela took advantage of the Dragons prolonged hover and struck the beast in the eye with one of her arrows. It roared its head back in pain catching its wing on the tree tops felling them and itself. Crashing to the ground I drew my sword and charged at the dazed Dragon. It gained it's composure quickly but I struck fast taking advantage of it's arrowed eye and diminished sight. Arrows continued to rain in on it from my companions as it lunged forward snapping at me. I unleashed my shout dazing the Dragon as it's face flew at me. Side stepping I brought my sword down on the stunned beast's neck. One mighty swipe I cleaved it's head clean off. In a moment of light and wind all that remained was the headless skeleton.
Turning to face my companions eyes still aglow from the absorbed soul I was met with the largest smile of amazement from Farkas and an open mouthed gape of Aela. She shook herself free of the moment
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.....I never would of believed it. I'm sorry I doubted you Larz." Stretching out her hand. I grabbed it firmly
"I never doubted you Aela, Farkas, you were both amazing. The stories of the Companions don't do you both justice." As we all congratulated each other again that world shaking boom echoed over the mountains
"DOVAHKINN!"
Farkas and Aela both exchanged glances before Farkas broke the silence
"You know you're going to have to face up to your Wyrd at some point Larz." I looked Farkas straight in the eyes
"Not before we save my family, come on lets gets moving." Jumping back on our horses we made for the pass.
It had been dark for hours before we reached the light of Bravil. Augustus welcomed us like conquering hero's. He told me he still had no luck finding out where my family was but assured him I would get to the bottom of it in the morning once we got back to the shop. He kindly put us up for the night. On waking it felt strange to be back in Cyrodill. The past few weeks in Skyrim seemed like a bad dream until I found Farkas and Aela waiting for me at the table for breakfast. Augustus had managed to get two of the guild's fighters to accompany us to the Imperial city.
My stomach began to churn as we tied our horses up in the stables at the main gate to the city. The white stone walls stood tall before us radiating in the morning sun. All hope for stealth went out the window as soon as we entered. I spent the best part of 20 years living in the city and with my two companions standing out like sore thumbs it wasn't long till we had people welcoming me back and the street urchins I paid to lead customers to my shop clambering at our feet asking questions too fast to understand or answer. Entering the Market District Aela came along side me and whispered in my ear
"Larz, a man has been following us since we entered the city." Gesturing with her head behind us. I glanced over my shoulder as we turned the corner to the street with my shop. I spotted the stalker but didn't recognise him. Augustus had told me that my shop had remained closed but as we got closer I saw that my sign had gone and new paper one pinned to the door said
Open for Business
I kicked the door open and burst into my shop Farkas, Aela and the two Guild fighters following behind closing the door in my wake
"Altannnnnnn!" I shouted only to be greeted with the shocked face of a Redguard.
"Larz?" He questioned.
"Eric? What are you doing in here?" I asked my breathing still deep from the anticipation. Eric was my leading competitor in the city he owned a smaller shop in a less prominent location compounding my confusion.
"This is my shop now." Eric answered an expression equally confused by my presence.
"How?"
"Your Son-in-Law sold it to me after you betrayed the Empire with your dealings with the Stormcloaks. After they found out you had been caught and probably executed he sold up and took your wife and daughter with him back to Skyrim. He was quite insistent and agreed the first price I offered I couldn't believe my luck. It was all above board. He had all the paperwork signed and dated look." Reaching below the counter he produced the paper work.
Altan had covered the bases. He had my will signed leaving him and my daughter my shop. A letter stating how I had set up the deal with the Stormcloaks again signed by me. The pieces began falling into place. He must of tipped of the Imperials about the trade to get me out of the picture. Playing on my honour and greed for a good deal. What fool I had been, I had handed him my family and my life's work. Eric saw my look of defeat and anger as I scrunched the paper work in my clenched fist.
"I sorry Larz but it all seemed above board. I couldn't believe it when he told me but once he produced the letter and will what could I say?"
"I don't blame you Eric. Did you not see my family?" I started to grasp at straws.
"Again I'm sorry but no one has seen them." Dejected I turned to my companions
"It looks like we had a wasted trip?" Aela questioned.
"Not wasted just not what I expected." I responded glumly.
"Farkas, Aela lets get back to Skyrim." Farkas turned the handle of the door and opened it to find the stalker crouched in the doorway ear pressed to the now empty space. With a look of sheer terror he bolted
"After him!" I shouted.
Comments
@Vix I think its worked out well. I needed to get back and save his family but then I had to make it that he would want to go back to Skyrim. The ... more