Window Gazing (Anna)

 A/N: Anna birthday fic woooo she gets paperwork as a present

Prompt: Window gazing

I was looking out the window when the most peculiar thing occurred…almost as if by clockwork a horde of guards appeared, one by one, exiting the small tower up on the hill, and beginning their descent. How such a place could fit that many people I have no clue. That combined with the fact I don’t see any coming from other directions makes me wonder if that may be the only barracks in the entire city. There has to be a separate barracks for castle guards…right?

The guards, having reached the end of their long winding staircase, begin to disperse throughout the city, some I see go out of view towards the mine and the warrens, others stay in the same general area as the staircase, and others begin to walk toward the market passing by as they do still looking tired from a no good nights sleep on a stone bed. “People watching?” I hear a voice behind me ask just before I’m lightly thwacked on the head with a pile of papers. A moment later Farkas sits next to me on the bench carved into the windowsill and looks between the view of the city streets below and where my face is still pressed against the window trying to get a better look at what’s going on. “You know we can just go outside if you’re that curious about something.” I’m reminded, but that’s no fun. “Have you ever seen a horde of guards randomly come out of somewhere in Whiterun all at once?” I question Farkas as I sit back away from the window, shifting myself so one leg is tucked under the other as it dangles from beyond the edge of the bench. The nord thinks for a minute or two trying to remember before answering. “Once or twice, a group of them I once saw coming down from Dragonsreach but where they exited the castle as far as I know has no obvious door.” Farkas explains in addition to also having once seen perhaps twenty guards come out of their tiny barracks near the city gates, how peculiar. “Let me guess, you saw a disproportionate amount of guards come out of the tower and can’t figure out how they all fit in there?” I nod in confirmation, and in response am told with an ever so slightly visible mischievous grin that looks can be deceiving. That fact is true, very true, out of all the people I know intimately in any way I think very few of them can be accurately figured out based on first impressions. Now that I think of it, as Farkas continues talking, he is a perfect example. At first glance he may seem intimidating, perhaps even slightly scary if you cross him, and to those who have a very narrow view of intelligence possibly even not too bright- in reality he’s just introverted, usually anxious about something, and prefers to get right to the point instead of wasting time with needlessly complicated language. That part is best left to Vilkas, who despite being even more introverted, is sometimes seemingly incapable of shutting up about certain topics. As I continue to think things over I’m abruptly drawn out of my thoughts by a snap of fingers and find Farkas looking at me blankly before coming to a realization. “You didn’t hear anything I just said, did you?” the awkward downside of getting lost in one’s thoughts. “No…” I admit while trying my best at avoiding eye contact to which he sighs. The sigh isn’t an angry one, or even an annoyed one, it is really more one of minor but expected disappointment. “Well, that settles that then, you’re helping me sort jobs today.” At that I put on my best pouty face though the tactic fails. “Come on, it’ll go quicker if it’s two of us.” Farkas says as he gets up, lightly hitting me on the head again with the papers. Ugh, I hate paperwork. Why can’t I gaze out the window at all the strange things that go on in Markarth instead?

“This is boring.” I groan, sitting on the floor next to the desk with five piles of papers spread out before me. “The less you stop to complain the quicker it will go.” I’m told before being handed down another stack of papers to sort. “Why do you get the desk and I get the floor?” I ask glaring at Farkas where he sits and continues to work. “Because I’m doing more of the work, and I got here first.” He responds, putting another piece of paper in the pile marked with my name. I just hope that one isn’t another job that involves clearing out falmer, the last one wasn’t pleasant. That’s fair I suppose, most of the pile is on his end, I just get the extras to make the process go faster, and at least I can look out the window while I work. This stack of jobs seem like the more difficult ones as I flip through them before beginning to divide them up. Two go into the stack with Ria’s name, three go in the stack labeled Athis, another two I toss in the pile with Njada’s name, and the rest go into the stack labeled Tovar. I don’t like Tovar, as a result he gets the least desirable jobs for the week. “Have fun killing falmer and getting chased by trolls.” I quietly say to myself, putting the pieces of paper in his pile. That draws the attention of Farkas, however, who picks the pile up off the floor and looks through it. “Anna, I know you don’t like him, but you can’t make it like you’re trying to kill him.” He sighs and hands me back the pile, telling me to divide it up a bit more evenly. “Why not?!” I protest. What if I am trying to kill Tovar? He’s not particularly nice, or polite, or very skilled with a sword. “Because he doesn’t know you’re helping me and it will seem like I’m trying to kill him.” With a huff of annoyance I comply though and reconfigure each pile to be more evenly distributed. “I’m done!” I announce holding up one of the reconfigured paper piles. “Not quite.” Farkas tells me while taking the pile I hold and handing me another. I give him another look as I internally contemplate ripping the pieces of paper in my hand to shreds. “If you stop pouting and imagining stabbing me the sooner you’ll finish and the sooner you’ll get your reward.” I’m told calmly. Of course he knows I can be easily enticed by the possibility of rewards, damn it. With a grumbled “fine.” I drop the pile on the stone floor and get back to work. Hopefully this is the last of the piles, it seems like we’ve been here for hours, and my patience is wearing thin.

After half an hour more the unsorted stack of paper is now gone with all jobs for the coming week divided up among each of the companions not part of the circle, and a separate pile is created for the circle who get to choose what they’d like to do. My reward, it turns out, consists of three parts the first being dinner, the second being my pick of jobs for the week, and the third part I’m told nothing more than it’s something that can’t be revealed until we get back from dinner and it isn’t an object. That makes me curious, but my mind is more focused on dinner at the moment. The food at the silver blood inn could be worse, it could be better too, but overall it’s decent. Still tired and a bit grumpy as a result of spending hours sorting stupid pieces of paper earlier I poke at and stab my food, pushing it around on my plate before eventually eating it. Farkas notices and tries to draw me out of that mood with some success, but I still feel as if one more unnecessary annoying thing happens I’ll spiral into a meltdown. We talk some over dinner and that seems to help, but as the inn fills up for the evening with drinking patrons it becomes increasingly clear it’s time to go home.

Once home I kick my boots off into the nearest corner and sit in the center of the small entry room. Argis the housecarl pokes his head in from an adjoining room and asks if everything is alright. I shoo him away as politely as I can manage and Farkas tells him something quietly which puts him more at ease before he retreats back into the room from whence he came. Having assured the housecarl nothing serious is going on Farkas comes and stands by me, offering a hand to help me up. I refuse it and instead decide to lay on the floor. Not to be deterred, Farkas instead picks me up and begins to head upstairs, wishing Argis goodnight as he does. I do my best to struggle but my attempts prove pointless, eventually I’m let down and told to go take a bath with a gentle push in its direction. I start to ask why but the only explanation I get beyond “because you’re stressed” is a rather cryptic “you’ll see.” as the laces to my dress as easily undone and the fabric pushed off my shoulders before falling to the ground.

The bath is at least relaxing and I’m kept entertained as Farkas sits nearby and tells me of the jobs I have the choice of choosing until I’m finished and dressed again. Three piles are neatly laid out on the desk when I return having gotten dressed once more with the various jobs that had been described to me earlier. I go through and pick one from each pile, it should be a sufficient but not overwhelming amount of work for the week.

Good Morning! (Farkas)

A/N: This has been sitting in drafts forever and in the queue even longer oops

 “Good morning!” A cheerful voice says. What?! I blink and open my eyes, turning toward the direction of the sound. I can feel all the blood in my face leave as I turn back looking at the ceiling, back toward the sound, blink a few times, and look again back at the ceiling. “You’re not dreaming.” And I sigh, putting my hands over my face. What happened? Putting my hands back down by my sides I look in the direction of the voice to find Anna sitting there on the bed. “Why are you here? Why am I here? Why am I not wearing a shirt and Where are your clothes?!” I ask sitting up “As for the clothing or semi lack of it, might I remind you it is summer and the temperature is rather warm? As for why I am here, had a nightmare, came here, you let me stay. Why are you here, um...it’s your bedroom?” With a sigh I lay back down, this is going to be awkward to explain. Wait a minute, I look at Anna “You said good morning, that would imply I was asleep…” Anna nods, “Well, that never happens.” I remark, on top of the lack of physical need for sleep, a side effect of lycanthropy is terrible nightmares. Something must have calmed me down enough to allow me to stay asleep for more than an hour or so…interesting

Suddenly, the doors burst open and Vilkas stops in his tracks and goes to say something “It’s not what it looks like. No comments please.” I clarify, raising a hand in the air in his direction. He makes a noise “Oh I’m sure, and what exactly does it look like?” He asks with a note of sarcasm in his voice “I...have no idea.” Vilkas closes the doors “What it looks like to me is that you two did something, and I don’t want to know what or why, and that you ended up here.” Anna lets out a stifled laugh “Oh no, it’s not that scandalous, not at all. I had a nightmare, couldn’t sleep, came here, and he let me stay. But, considering this is his room and his bed, got to lie down somewhere? That’s it.” Vilkas gives her a mostly satisfied but still not entirely convinced look “Why are you only wearing an undershirt then?” He questions and Anna rolls her eyes “You two are most definitely twins. I got the same question from him not five minutes ago. It is summer and therefore it is warm so what do we do when it is warm? We wear lighter clothing to compensate! By the nine why is that concept so hard to understand- rhetorical question, it isn’t.” Vilkas and I both make a slightly offended noise at the sarcasm. “Fine, understood, but still- you should probably get out of here before someone else passes by and comes to more scandalous conclusions simply by association. Also- here…” he throws a shirt at her “Put this on, just give it back later. It’s mine originally after all…” he explains glaring at me. I am nearly positive I did not steal it, more likely Tilma put it in the wrong twins room by accident. Anna throws on the shirt and casting an invisibility spell silently slips out and down the hall back to her assigned quarters, leaving only my brother and I.

“What did you do?” Vilkas asks in a more accusatory tone “Nothing, if you listened to a word of the explanation that was just given.” I reply, getting out of bed “No offense if I’m not entirely convinced.” He responds “Offense.” I retorte, throwing on a shirt “She had a nightmare, end of story.” Vilkas leans against the doorpost “She’s an adult, and as far as I know not a lycanthropic adult, so she should have gotten a glass of milk and gone back to bed. Not wander around in the middle of the night looking for someone to cuddle her back to sleep like a child.” Suddenly he makes a face and goes to grab his foot and Anna appears from another invisibility spell, now fully clothed once more with the shirt in her hand “Need I remind you that some people have ptsd and/or other reasons where getting back to sleep is difficult?” Vilkas’s face contorts, he’s not the biggest fan of being corrected. “Did you have to step on my foot?” He squeaks out. Anna replies with a simple, unphased, “Yes.” Hands him the shirt, thanks him for letting her borrow it, and leaves.

Later that afternoon I find Vilkas still trying to apologize for his behavior earlier, and while Anna seems to have forgiven him, I don’t think she entirely has. Nor do I think that he entirely trusts her, for whatever the reason. “You’re staring, you know.” Aela points out, standing next to me as I watch the two of them talk “Observing.” She makes a noise “Well those two seem to be getting along as well as ever.” She laughs slightly before asking what happened now. “Vilkas was inconsiderate.” She sighs “And since when is that a new thing?” She’s right, while capable of being very kind, he’s not always the most considerate, and takes a while to warm up to people. “She had a nightmare and came to me because she knew I would be awake, and he was somewhat mocking her about it.” Aela rolls her eyes as if to silently say she’s not surprised in the slightest. As Kodlak has pointed out before, Vilkas can be a bit hotheaded or easily agitated at times, he is simply edgy all in all, even if he knows you. I would know that better than anyone, for sure.

Time passes as Aela and I sit on the bench near the door watching Vilkas and Anna continue to talk before they go their separate ways, Vilkas to work on some swordwork with Athis, and Anna exits the yard entirely, heading toward the plains district of Whiterun. “You know where she's going?” Aela and I question at the same time to each other as we watch her round the corner. “No idea…” the two of us mutter in reply.

By mid-evening Anna returns, she’d gone to run a few errands and pick up a book, apparently, and luckily had stopped for dinner, as by the time she gets back things are mostly cleaned up. I find Vilkas to ask him more about their discussion earlier, and as Aela and I had guessed, it was mostly apologies and back and forth of why it’s not always nice to make assumptions about people.

Bird Of Prey (Valan)

  Prompt: A bird of prey

I really need to find a time one of these days to write Jiub a letter thanking him for dealing with the Cliffracer problem on Vvardenfell. While there are certainly still other things that want to kill me for no reason, not having to deal with those flying demons makes getting from place to place much easier, especially along the coast. No longer do I have to keep my eyes to the sky looking for another bird of prey ready to attack when going to visit Tel Fyr, or almost anywhere else along Azura’s coast. While the lack of the feathered bastards is a relief having them gone is almost strange, I don’t miss them, but I feel their absence. Just like I feel Jiub’s a sense now that I think about it, sitting at my desk late one night. The rest of the tower is asleep, not that many people live here anyways, by comparison to other Telvanni towers mine is quite small…not to mention built on top of a grave. I should sleep, or continue looking over what Eno has for me to do, as feeling over the stack of documents I recognize the raised seal of the Morag Tong. The thought of Jiub however stays in my mind, I haven’t seen him in quite a long time now, the last I heard was he moved to the city of Kvatch in western Cyrodiil having dealt with Morrowind’s bird of prey problem. Perhaps he has now moved on to eradicating the mountain lions that prowl that western region? We had communicated by letter for some time during the time I had spent on Solstheim and we were unable to catch up in person. With nothing better to do and unable to sleep I take a large piece of paper and some ink, beginning to write a letter. It requires me to write quite large and as much light as I can get but I do have enough usable vision left to read and write large print. Colored ink, such as the dark red I use to write against the off-white paper makes it easier for me to read due to the contrast. “Dear Jiub, I hope you are well.” I begin writing before pausing and thinking what it is I would like to say. “I heard you had moved to Kvatch recently, having rid Vvardenfell of cliffracers (which I greatly appreciate) and I hope you are enjoying your time there writing, it is a beautiful city in springtime. Should you find yourself in The Imperial City anytime soon, I will be visiting for a few weeks in around a month. Do let me know. Respectfully, Valan Velothi” I press a stamp at the bottom that lists all the various titles I’ve collected before folding the letter, tying it with an extra piece of string, and melting some wax in order to stamp it closed with a seal. With my thoughts written out I can finally sleep, I’ll send the letter off in the morning when I head to Sadrith Mora to once again do errands for Neloth.

Morning comes quicker than expected. Since I am still exhausted I find myself sleeping until the early afternoon until one of the guards wakes me informing me that if I need to do things today I should get up, as the longer the day goes on the worse the weather is looking. With a bit of complaining I do get up in the end and quickly throw on the nearest pair of clean trousers and a shirt, Neloth isn’t worth getting dressed up for. Grabbing the letter and my coat I thank the guard who had woken me and begin to make my way to the small island. Sadrith Mora as expected is practically empty aside from the usual vendors in the market and a few mages here and there. I drop the letter with someone from the mages guild who can get it where it needs to go for a small fee before getting what Neloth needs this time. The man has an unhealthy obsession with canis root tea, but at least he pays me to get it. “Neloth you old bastard I have your tea and the groceries you asked for!” I yell up to where he sits scheming and experimenting as usual. Placing the bag on a nearby table though it’s still somewhat wet from the rain I go up to see what it is the old wizard is up to this time. It turns out, not much, he sits reading a book on opinions regarding necromancy. “I got your tea and the salt rice you wanted.” I tell him, leaning against the doorframe. He looks up from his book and makes a noise of approval before getting up with an over exaggerated groan to go get his coin purse. Noticing the piece of paper the mage from the guild had given me to send the letter to Jiub he points it out and asks what it is. I consider telling him it’s not his business but decide there’s no harm in telling him in the end. “I sent Jiub a letter, he moved recently.” Neloth scoffs “Of course he did, there’s no more birds of prey to hunt. Maybe he’ll move on to mountain lions…or perhaps the dark brotherhood.” The old man drops some coins in my hand and invites me to sit for a cup of tea. While I tend to prefer black tea, canis root tea isn’t so bad, especially if it’s free…and it is so very rare to get a gesture of kindness from the old wizard. The two of us sit and talk over tea, discussing politics, the temple, Jiub and his vendetta against birds of prey, and what seems to be a slowly gathering darkness in the west. For now we can only wait and see, I just hope my letter reaches Jiub okay.

Flash Fiction February 2025 Day Twenty-Eight: Lost Or Loss (Xiran)

A/N: That's a wrap on Flash Fiction February 2025 I hope you enjoyed this month of short stories and snippets!

Flash Fiction February 2025 Day 28 Prompt: Lost Or Loss

For a tiny island you would think that Solstheim would be relatively easy to navigate, after all there is only one real port settlement. If Thirsk Hall and the small village in the north east are not counted the only other permanent settlements on the island are according to my map the Imperial settlement of Raven Rock with its mine and port, the nearby fortress under Imperial control, and a number of ruins housing who knows what scattered throughout the northern half of the island. I continue looking at my map of the island and talk to the sailors responsible for ferrying me from Vvardenfell to the little outpost of the Empire stuck between Morrowind and Skyrim in the Sea of Ghosts. What they tell me gives me the impression there is really nothing there at least at the current moment, which validates what I’ve researched on Solstheim and its history. It is an island seemingly plagued by loss in some form or another. Arriving by boat from Ebonheart to what will be my new home I’m rather surprised at the state of things despite the warnings from the sailors. There is one primary functional dock, a few houses, a central market, a larger structure that I presume houses higher ranking officials or mine operators, and a barracks. I give one of the sailors a look that silently says “wait take me back with you!” as I step off the ship onto the rickety wooden dock. Unfortunately this is where I’ve been assigned, and unless I get reassigned somewhere else, this is where I’ll be until further notice. I don’t expect to get any notice, at least not anytime soon. It would take a major loss for the Empire to give up control of this place, as the ebony found here is a valuable resource, even if there isn’t much else of value here. Unless the Empire gets up and leaves I’m to remain here to advise, investigate instances of crime involving special populations, and if necessary report back to my superiors in House Redoran should the Imperials break any treaty agreement rules. Despite the settlement being quite small I still manage to get lost on my way to where I am supposed to meet my new captain, and arrive late as a result. “Detective Yu, special operations unit on loan from Ebonheart, nice to meet you.” I hold out my hand to the captain of the guard, a balding Imperial man in his mid to late fifties who sits drinking a cup of what I believe to be coffee and reading a newspaper, who ignores the gesture. “You’ll have a room in the inn, be in tomorrow by nine, there’s work to do.” is all I’m told as he continues reading the paper. Scratching my head as I walk out in search of the inn I wonder how this assignment will work practically. He didn’t seem particularly sociable. Oh well, his loss, perhaps he’ll warm up to me over time, or I’ll get a new superior at some point. The sky darkens with the oncoming wall of night, torches and lanterns are lit around the settlement to provide some semblance of light. Wandering around, looking at the new surroundings I come to a sudden stop in the center of the market as I come to a realization. I’m lost. And I forgot to ask where the inn is. Flagging down a passerby I’m pointed in the direction of my destination. It’s structurally sound but not particularly nice, though I’ve seen worse. I'm used to better accommodations. Despairing about the situation I drop my things on the bed of my new living quarters, not bothering to unpack them. I want to go back to Ebonheart!
 

Flash Fiction February 2025 Day Twenty-Seven: A Strange Demand (Valan)

A/N: The Mages Guild having Wolverine Hall really does confuse me and I forget the actual reason it exists, only that most of them are not very nice whenever encountered, despite sometimes successful attempts to raise their disposition.

Flash Fiction February 2025 Day 27 Prompt: Demand

Why the old grump can’t get his own groceries is beyond me. I find myself thinking that very familiar thought once again as I’m shoved out the door of Tel Naga with a list and told to be back by tea time. Yes, Master Neloth is a very powerful wizard. Yes, he is old and supposedly has arthritis that makes his knees hurt. Yes, he has risen through the ranks and taken the necessary exams and trials to be considered at the rank of a Master and serves on the council. All that still doesn’t explain why he can demand that I of all people go run his petty errands. He has a representative on the council who attends meetings, and other staff around the tower, that exist for this very reason. At least he pays me, however little an amount it may be, it's better than nothing, I think that's why I still agree to the silly demand whenever it arises. Wandering through the little market near the gateway inn and the docks I pick up nearly everything on the list except for a few things that require a trip to the alchemist and a very brief stop in Wolverine Hall that cannot be obtained elsewhere. I don’t like going to Wolverine Hall if I can avoid it, the people there are never very nice or hospitable, and can be quite rude. I’m not even sure why we have an outpost of the Mages Guild here, after all Sadrith Mora is the seat of House Telvanni, and we do not exactly get along with the Mages Guild for a variety of reasons. It was likely another strange demand that was included in the treaty made with the Imperials to incorporate Morrowind into the Empire and allow settlement on Vvardenfell in certain areas. In exchange for the opening of ports the demand for House sovereignty was made and to be able to maintain religious freedom. After another unpleasant interaction with a particularly annoying enchanter I find myself back at Tel Naga with the list all checked off, and just in time for tea. Given my encounter with the enchanter I’m almost relieved to be back here. Neloth may demand many a random thing from me, but at least there is tea, and he even seems respectful compared to the other wizards I’ve encountered today. That is certainly something I never thought would be something even remotely possible, while we sit sipping our tea, I find myself grateful for it.

Flash Fiction February 2025 Day Twenty-Six: You Stole My Horse! (Isabelle)

A/N: Newbie assassin very confused about ghost man and his demon horse and weird friend who has her same first name.

Flash Fiction February 2025 Day 26 Prompt: You

There is a flash of bright blue and purple light as suddenly a portal opens and out steps, or more accurately stumbles, a strange man. I’m not sure if he is actually a man at all…or at least a living one. He looks like your average young man, except for one very obvious difference, which is the fact that he is semi-transparent and blue. Astrid looks very pleased at the turn of events where the man does not. Dressed in a set of robes with a hood, pants, and a pair of shoes with a sword at his side the what I assume to be a spirit of some sort looks both like he would fit right in at the sanctuary and looks perhaps two hundred years out of date. Nearby a horse as black as midnight with eyes that would look more fitting on a Dunmer given their red color, which almost seem to glow slightly, makes a noise as it stops drinking from the small pond by the sanctuary's entrance. Seeming to recognize the noise the semi-transparent man turns to Astrid with one hand on his sword as if he is about to draw it. “You! You stole my horse!” he accuses angrily. “I leave for all of five minutes and Issy goes to deal with another world ending problem and you steal my horse!” Astrid neither confirms or denies the accusation, only giving him an unamused smile. “Isabelle, this is Lucien LaChance. He served the brotherhood in life, and continues to do so in death. He is a servant of the Night Mother and faithful child of Sithis, should you need assistance that spell will summon him.” Astrid explains to me confirming my suspicion that the man is in fact a sort of ghost or spirit as I expected. As she concludes her explanation he very obviously does not seem happy with the idea of being summoned at random. She then takes her leave going back inside, leaving only me, the strange rather upset ghost, and the horse. Ignoring me he goes instead over to the horse petting her and talking to her, at one point I notice he slips her an apple- where he got that I have no idea. “You know, one of my good friends is also called Isabelle, though I’ve always called her Issy. So, you’ll be Isabelle and she’ll be Issy to differentiate between you two. Otherwise it would be confusing- two Isabelle’s with black hair who are part of the brotherhood, who would have thought?” he continues petting the horse “And this is Shadowmere, my old friend. I was wondering what happened to her after Issy went off and when she came back there was no Shadow waiting for her. My guess she was taken was correct, it seems.” That’s peculiar, though I can see how such a thing could happen, and it certainly explains why the ghost and Astrid do not seem to be on the best of terms. Horse stealing and rule breaking and unprompted summoning all seem like easy ways to get on this very strange spirits bad side. I allow him to take his horse back, as I already have one myself. To be honest, I’m glad he takes her back…I find her a bit creepy with the red glowing eyes. To each their own, I suppose? Now that the matter is taken care of we have things to do, and I quickly find that the ghost is not much for conversation but will make comments, rhetorical questions, and general remarks nearly constantly. It could be worse, he’s only around for a limited time before going back to wherever it is he goes, and this time with his beloved horse after too long a time apart.  

Flash Fiction February 2025 Day Twenty-Five: The Power Of Friendship (Issy)

A/N: Issy has an odd group of friends with very specific skills and one with a really weird bloodline, and is grateful for all of them even if they are a strange bunch

Flash Fiction February 2025 Day 25 Prompt: Friendship

Growing up I never had many friends, a few close ones here and there that would eventually part ways due to circumstances far beyond our control. Sometimes I think I’m cursed to be alone, it certainly seems that way from time to time, something always happens. Friends move away, lose touch that can’t be picked up again, develop different values incompatible with my own, sometimes in the process of growing up we just end up in different circles…some of them die, like so many others I encounter. It makes me grateful for the people I have in my life now, even if they will not be here forever, they are here for now. Their friendship and even their presence means more than they could ever know. Sitting by the temple of the Divines in the Imperial City one spring day as the weather has finally turned from eternal rain to warm sun and reflect on the concept of friendship. The circumstances of many of my current friendships came about by chance. Baurus and I wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t accidentally taken that piece of bread, Martin and I would never have crossed paths if Baurus hadn’t pointed me in the direction of Jauffre after the emperor's assassination, and I wouldn’t have met Cyrus or Caroline if I didn’t have to escort Martin to Cloud Ruler Temple. Likewise if it weren’t for a series of misadventures and questionable decisions I would not have met Lucien, or in reality met for a second time many years later as he recognized me from his days running up and down the docks where I would go to watch the ships with my brother and father. I do not know how long any of them will be in my life, but I will cherish the moments I have with them, however many or few those moments may be. When the hour grows bleaker by the minute they give me strength and hope to carry on even when all seems lost. It dawns on me then as I sit there plucking at the grass, is defeating enemies with the power of friendship actually a real thing? If your friends consist of three high ranking Blades agents, a professional assassin, and a bastard emperor supposedly of the bloodline that has the blood of dragons running through their veins, I suppose the possibility of such a thing being true isn’t impossible.