Business in Cyrodiil - Yarti/Snakestone/Fanar-Child/Fannah-

1: Our travels bring us to Cyrodiil. We’ve gotten into diplomatic work as of late and this is our first major trip abroad in quite some time. Thankfully Snake has a friend in Bruma that has agreed to watch after the kids while we tour the region and work. Hopefully they’ll be able to accompany us later if the roads prove safe. I’m already homesick.

2/3: We stumbled upon an Ayleid ruin today. The architecture is stunning. This would have been a grand city or tomb in it’s day. No notable treasure inside, but it was a good history lesson. This region is a little safer now.

We expect word from Castle Bruma about our job tomorrow, so we’ll spend the rest of the evening with the kids.

4:Castle Bruma. Our quest technically begins today. We’re not even sure what sort of work the count has in store for us yet. It must have been personal to ask for us by name. I wasn’t aware that our reputation had even spread quite this far. They must be short on mercenaries in Cyrodiil.

The castle is as stunning as expected. A warm breeze blows from the main chamber, heightening the odors in the hall. Snake’s scent grows strong in the heat alongside a lingering hint of honey mead, they nudge at my senses and make it hard to focus. The comfortably lit central hall is so inviting, spacious, the rug so soft and clean. Also quite comfortable to lay on, I imagine. Massive marble columns line the hall, standing strong, unfaltering. The sconces and candelabras emit a passionate glow that kisses the marble in the most beautiful way. A distant lute and my increasingly labored breath break the silence. I do hope the count doesn’t mind a small delay.

5:We relaxed in Bruma for a few more days before embarking for Cheydinhal. We spent some quality time with the kids then spent the last two nights in some prospective property in town. A vacation home in Cyrodiil could be nice.

At dawn, we walked out the east gate of Bruma and began our descent into the greener woods and out warmer temperatures. Along the way, we seemed to have made a new friend. A tiny black fox tagged along with us for most of the trip. It would dart across our path then double back, meeting us at every turn. The wildlife here seem much friendlier than their Skyrim counterparts. Almost tame, even.

By noon we had reached the woods. A small gang of bandits approached us near a clearing but we made short work of them. Beyond the clearing, two buildings peeked from behind a sea of tree trunks. Greenwood Meadery. They offered no lodgings but Snake convinced the owner to lend us his warehouse for the night. The steam from the mead vats is quite warm. A comfortable place to spend a night or two.

6:We thanked the owner of Greenwood Meadery for his hospitality and were on our way. Throughout the day we could catch glimpses of the Imperial City to the south, barely peeking over the rolling hills and trees. At the end of the first day we rested under a outcropping of rock but had little trouble keeping warm long into the night. The next morning was quite uneventful as well. I made breakfast while Snake checked maps to make sure we were on the right track. By noon on the second day we had found the river near Cheydinhal and quickly followed it to it’s source. We had planned to stop by Cheydinhal for a day before making the final trek, but the days grow weary. We wanted to get this over with and get back to Pinegrove within the week if at all possible. The kids must hate being cramped up in a dusty house with someone they hardly know for days on end. It’s time to end this vacation.

A poor step dislodged a rock from the river bank, giving away our positions. They were at arms in an instant and racing down the bank to greet us.

I rushed the mage and Snake led a large axe-wielding Nord and a Breton archer around the back of the camp. My aura touched him and gave him resolve. I worry, of course, but he would not fail. The assumed leader of this merry band wore worn steel armor and stood at the campfire with her shield up, making no attempt to enter the battle.

The first Force Wave took out her ward. She tossed lightning toward me but she seemed untrained or unwilling to do any real damage with it. I know little of Destruction magic but it usually hurt more than this when Xi or foes used it against me. My second Force Wave made her stumble, giving me just enough time to close the gap.

I stepped over her body, toward the campfire where the leader once stood. Snake had already made short work of the other two and was at a stalemate with the leader. I crept behind her and readied a Curse Rune, but there was no need. She heard me and shifted her shield arm to accommodate another potential target, but that was just the distraction Snake needed to end it. He grabbed the shield with his free arm and pulled it down. Hilde erupted over top of the shield, penetrating the woman under her left arm, dragging the her down until Hilde had lodged herself in the ground. The leader now lay a crumpled mess at our feet. Hilde stood glorious and erect, pinning our dying target to the ground. Snake stood over her and flexed down to retrieve her. Sweat glistened on his brow, beading, falling, splashing against Hilde’s shimmering pommel. My hero gripped his cloak and cleaned the blade with his gentle touch. He always takes such good care of his sword. We made eye contact for the first time since the battle and feelings began to flow. I held him tight for some time. I checked the leader for stolen belongings while Snake attended to the chest.

The campsite was so peaceful now. I wanted to sit down, enjoy the warmth of the fire and my husband but this was not the time. Another embrace at the river shore, patting him down to check for injuries that he might be keeping secret, a questioning look into his eyes, awaiting assurance that he’s okay. Satisfied, I took his hand into mine and stepped into the water. Most jobs end like this. Long embraces, frantically checking each-other for injuries, constant pressuring, assurances that we are both fine and unharmed. The worrying continues well into night, never really ending until we can lay down and rest. After his heroic performance though, rest is the last thing on my mind.

7:We traveled quickly. Stopping only to embrace or clear a path. We had a passionate night at the same outcropping of rock and a hearty breakfast to put us on our way the next morning.

It was night by the time we finally saw Bruma in the distance. The count would have to wait one more day for news of our success, I suppose.

Our knocking was met with silence. It worried me. Snake assured me that the kids were fine and his friend was to be trusted but I had a little outburst, pounding against the door. Snake pulled me aside and took out his lockpicks. He slipped inside and found no signs of a struggle. He must have just stepped out and took the kids with him, probably up to the Inn. We stumbled up the steps and into the Jerall View. Fannah’s laughter caught our ears immediately. They were fine. The friend sat at the bar, having the time of his life. Snake put a firm hand on his back and made brief conversation as we passed him. We crossed through the dining room and into the side area where we had gathered the kids most mornings through this little vacation and there we found them. Ecstatic.

Fanar ran over, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist, joyful tears streaming down his cheek. Fannah ran to her daddy and jumped into his arms. Tomorrow, we go home.

8:Good morning; honey and bread from my supplies for breakfast. Nothing quite compares to Snake’s homemade bread and honey from our hives. The kids were up at dawn demanding to accompany us to the castle. It’s so hard to say no to them after the way they’ve been cramped up all week so we packed up and departed together.

We took the long way through town, down the back alley and past countless unopened shops. Hours from now this street would be packed with on-goers but right now it was quiet and moody. Signs rocked in the breeze, distant chatter, the occasional creek of a door, then silence for full minutes at times. The kids eyes were glued to the shop windows, always on the lookout for new toys. Mine wandered a bit. Snake walked in front of me, I trailed an arms length behind him, occasionally running a finger or palm across his tight leather pants or finding his warm hand. Fanar had hold of my right hand for much of the journey. Fannah circled us, peeking through windows, kicking up snow and commenting on everything that caught her attention. The streets grew slimmer and darker as we neared the slums. The occasional guard passed with a nod but this area still felt more dangerous than the rest of town. A couple of times a sound would put Snake on the alert, he’d stop us in our tracks check out the next turn before trotting back, smiling and motioning us on. My hero was rewarded with a kiss for each safe return. We soon cleared the slums and walked up the embankment to the guild quarter.

As we passed the Fighters Guild, Snake ruffled a hand through Fanar’s hair, joking that Fanar would be enrolling there soon. Fanar took it seriously. He grabbed Snake by the waist and starting wailing. Snake knelt down and put an arm around him, assuring him that it was a joke. That he wouldn’t be leaving us any time soon. Amidst the sobbing, I could make out “I don’t wanna” and “but Mama said”, but the rest was too distraught to make sense. Snake gave him some reassuring words, a firm pat on the back and helped him to his feet. Little Fanar hugged him tightly then returned to my side. He seemed satisfied for the moment.

As we approached the square, Fannah dashed ahead of us, stopping at a large stone monument near the steps leading up to the castle. She was bouncing up and down, unable to contain her joy, screaming about being a princess. Snake always calls me his Princess. The first time Fannah overheard him saying it she got it in her head that we are royalty. That we secretly have a castle somewhere and we’re hiding it from them. The kids discuss it sometimes. Loudly. We weren’t sure if she thought this was actually “our” castle, or if she was just overjoyed that she would finally have a point of reference for how “her” castle would someday look. Either way, she needed to calm down. I stepped up and put a stern hand her head, she looked up at me and calmed herself briefly, but it didn’t last. Her closed-eyed grin soon returned and she set into humming and scuffing of feet.

She straightened her dress and put up her most proper facade. Five steps further and she was bounding again. She was half way up the stairs by the time I caught the tail of dress and pulled her to my side. We decided it would be best if Snake carried her. He picked her up gently, placing her on his right shoulder. A popular spot for her when she gets too rowdy. She usually settles down quick after that. I guess she takes after me in that department. Being near him is just so calming.

As we stepped into the main hall, I placed a finger on my lips and hushed the kids. Fannah continued to hum to herself despite my pleading. Hand in hand, we approached the throne room. Fanar and Fannah stood at the bottom of the stairs while we ascended to speak with the count. I could hear them chattering about the castle, growing louder by the minute. A quick motherly glare silenced them this time. I returned my attention to the count and discussion of our reward.

The bandit leader was his former advisor. She stabbed him in the night some months ago and fled with countless artifacts. The count was disappointed to hear that none of the artifacts remained on her person, but he was thrilled to hear of our success. We were awarded with a sum of gold, a moth-adorned goblet from his collection, permission to own property in town, and his well wishes. Snake passed the goblet to Fannah. She would cherish it.

We ended up back at the inn by noon and packed up the rest of our belongings. Pale Pass was in sight by the time the sun began to dip below the hills. We stepped through the gate and back into Skyrim, waving goodbye to Snake’s friend and to Cyrodiil for the time being.