Favour for a Friend

"Step aside," I ordered the guard. He looked unsure for a moment before he opened the door. "Is anyone else in here?"

"No, Dragonborn. Only the prisoners, as ordered originally."

"Good. I don't wish to be disturbed for the next hour. Ensure no-one else enters."

"Of course, Dragonborn."

"Ignore any noises too. You know what prisoners are like, right?"

He looked even more unsure but still nodded. "Of course, Dragonborn. No-one will disturb the prisoners."

"Good man," I stated, patting him on the shoulder.

I walked past two empty cells before arriving at the first one I wanted to visit. I hadn't come to gloat to this person. Simply knowing they were behind bars was satisfying enough. Though the temptation to bury a dagger deep in her black heart was still bubbling under the surface. She looked up as she no doubt sensed my presence. She didn't appear as defeated as I would have thought. "Come to gloat?"

"That isn't necessary. You're exactly where I want you."

"You're an idiot."

"And you're a criminal, who will hopefully see the end of a rope before too long. If not a rope, then the headsman's axe." I leaned in close to the bars. "And you had better pray to the Nine Divines that the executioner isn't me. Because, believe me, I have already put the request in."

"You have no idea who you're messing with."

"Keep your threats, Maven. It's over. You're done. Thought I do have one question. The Black Sacrament. Who was the target?"

She smirked. "Who do you think? I've had you picked out as a threat for a long time now."

"I would consider myself flattered but, then again, the Dark Brotherhood are apparently like the Thieves Guild. Pretty much useless within Skyrim. So I guess I have nothing to fear."

She laughed at me. "Then you're a bigger idiot than I thought you were."

"I'm the idiot that managed to put you and most of your family behind bars. So if I'm an idiot, what does that make you?" She had no retort to that question. 'About bloody time she just shut up.'

I turned and walked around to the other side of the jail. In one cell was her son, Hemming. I didn't know much about him but he hadn't put up much of a fight once he'd been cornered, surrendering rather meekly from what I'd been told. The final cell was opposite Maven and contained the one man I wanted to see.

He rose from his best as I approached. "Ah, Dragonborn. Come to pay me a visit."

I said nothing as I took the ring of keys from my pocket and waggled them at him. I noticed his face fall for a brief moment as I silently counted off the keys. I knew which one I needed but I wanted to make him sweat, trying the incorrect key once or twice. Then I picked the right one and met his eyes. I smiled and his face fell further as he ran forward, throwing his arms through the bars, trying to prevent me turning the key.

"No. No. No. You can't do that. You can't do this."

I grinned. "Who's going to stop me?" I said, turning the key and pushing the door forward quickly, catching him in the face with the steel bars. He stumbled backwards as I strode forward, grabbing him by the hair and throwing him backwards into the stone wall. He bounced off and stepped forward into my fist, watching him collapse to the ground.

I stood over him, breathing deeply. By the Gods, I wanted to kill him there and then, damn the consequences. Who was going to miss him? Maven? His father? Maybe Ingun? Not many others, knowing what I knew about him. He looked up and met my eyes again. All I saw was fear. That made me happy.

"I hear you like to abuse women, Sibbi," I stated, grabbing him by a wrist, hauling him to his feet and ragging him towards the metal clasps that held disruptive prisoners in place. "I've heard many disturbing rumours about what you like to do to them," I continued as I clasped his right wrist in iron before working on his left, "In fact, I hear a number of women have disappeared from Riften because of you. Because of your… interests."

"Lies. Nothing but the lies of whores."

"Liar!" I yelled into his face, "I've seen the evidence."

He smirked. "You mean your bitch of a wife?" I slammed my forehead into his face, leaning back to see his nose and mouth covered in blood, putting a finger to my forehead, then wiping away the evidence. "You obviously don't understand power. Real power. I could have anyone I wanted. Do anything I wanted. And that would have continued if it wasn't for you. Oh well, at least I had fun with your wife." I hit him in the stomach. He wanted to curl up in a ball but his wrists remained held in place. All he could do was cough before he started to laugh. "Well, it was fun while it lasted." Then he met my eyes. "So, what are you going to do? Kill me? You haven't got the balls."

"Who said anything about killing you?"

His eyes met mine again and his face fell. "What do you mean?"

"A favour is always returned, Sibbi," I stated, unsheathing my dagger and holding the tip to his right eye, leaning in close, "Did you not know that?" I asked in a whisper.

There was a commotion behind me and I heard calls of my name. I sighed to myself as I knew who it was going to be. I left Sibbi where he was as I walked towards the cell door, which remained open. I noticed Mjoll and Lydia run towards the door. "Ragnar, stop!" Mjoll called as the pair came to a halt on the opposite side.

"I am merely returning the favour, Mjoll. He…"

"I know what he has done, Ragnar. But this is not right."

"Mjoll speaks wisely, my Thane," Lydia added.

I looked back at Sibbi, blood still dripping from his mouth. "He doesn't deserve to live. And if he does live, then he should live with the pain he caused others. Caused… her."

"So let him face justice. But what you are about to do is not honourable, Ragnar. You are a warrior but you are about torture an unarmed, defenceless man. Would that make you worthy?"

"At this moment, I'm almost inclined to say I don't care."

"You don't mean that," Lydia said with a touch of humour.

I sighed. Part of me wanted to lock the cell door and get to work. A large part of me wanted to beat Sibbi black and blue, leaving him battered and bloodied in chains, on the verge of death. I didn't want to kill him. I wanted to ensure he lived in pain for the rest of his sorry existence. What he had done to Serana was unforgivable. I held him and Maven responsible for everything that had happened.

But they were right. "Ragnar," I heard my name called again. This time quietly. I glanced towards the entrance of the jail to see Serana standing there.

"What are you doing up?" I asked, Mjoll and Lydia moving out of the way as I hurried towards her.

"I knew what you were going to do. I know you better than you know yourself."

She still didn't look well. 'No wonder considering what they did to her.' The guard moved and allowed her to take his seat as I got down on one knee in front of her. "You should be in bed."

"And you shouldn't be down here. So we're both doing something we shouldn't be doing." She grabbed my hand. "Ragnar, it wasn't your fault."

I was angry. In fact, that doesn't even begin to describe how I felt. A fury bubbled under the surface that threatened to explode time and again. There is a line every man has that very few cross. I felt very close to that line. But the anger was because I felt like a failure. And the other part of me simply wanted to weep for seeing how Serana was. I had failed to protect my wife.

She could read my thoughts. "I will live, Ragnar. The healers are doing all they can. I will be well soon enough."

"But he… he… he flayed you…" I finished, little more than a whisper.

"I know what he did, Ragnar." She placed a finger under my chin, lifting my eyes towards her. "Husband, you did not fail me. You rescued me. It was not your fault. It was their fault. But they will now pay for their crimes. You don't have to do anything more except be by my side right now."

"Listen to her, Ragnar. You are a good man but you head down a dark path," Mjoll stated from behind me.

I sighed again. I wasn't defeated. They simply spoke sense. I just didn't want to hear it. I wanted to give into dark temptation and put them all through as much pain as possible. "Go home with your wife, my Thane. She needs you right now more than anyone else."

"Okay." I got to my feet and helped Serana to hers. Then I scooped her up again, eliciting a squeal from her. "My wife is too weak to walk home so I believe I need to escort her home."

She just smiled, kissing my cheek, before resting her head in the crook of my neck as I climbed the stairs outside. I received one or two strange looks as I carried her through town, though there were plenty of rumours about what had transpired since we entered the Keep and then what happened when I'd lead my men away. Once back home, I gently laid her on our bed and covered her up to make sure she was warm.

"Do you need anything?"

"Yes. Stay here with me."

"Anything else?"

"Promise me you won't go back there. Let the authorities deal with them."

I nodded. "I promise." I couldn't help the sigh though. I still had plenty of thoughts.

"You want to leave Riften, don't you?"

"What gives you that idea?"

"This isn't our home, Ragnar. And we've been gone from home for a long time now. So, when do you want to go?"

I shrugged. "We can't go just yet. I'm sure there are things that still need to be organised. But once everyone is happy, I won't say I'll miss this place when we finally leave."

We were finally ready to leave Riften a week later. The Empire had despatched enough men to ensure Fort Greenwall was protected in addition to recruiting numerous others to ensure the safety of Riften. There was no real sign of the Stormcloaks making an effort to retake the city, so far at least, but the Empire wanted to be careful.

As for myself, I now had a small army of followers at my disposal. Karliah and the others were ready to follow me out of Riften. Lydia had already returned the Whiterun in preparation for our return. Isran and the Dawnguard would return to Fort Dawnguard but would wait for further orders. Then there was Mjoll, who told me during a conversation in the Bee and Barb the night before we were leaving that she didn't know what to do. Well, not entirely…

"Riften is now safe, Ragnar. The new Jarl will ensure the city is safe and that the Thieves Guild will never return. With the beast now slain, I now find myself wondering what I should do next."

"Any thoughts?" I asked before draining my tankard, waving at Keerava to bring over two more.

"I do, actually." She cleared her throat and, for a moment, appeared embarrassed. "I wish to serve you. If you'll have me."

"Serve me? What do you mean?"

"I'm a warrior, just like yourself, Ragnar. And, if I were to follow you, I'll be going where the action is. I'll be honest, I yearn to travel Skyrim again. I have spent a long time here in one place."

I grinned. "I know what you mean."

"So, what do you say?"

"I'd be delighted. Come with me to Whiterun and speak to Lydia. She should sort you out a place to reside when we're there."

"Do you want me to take an Oath?"

I couldn't help the smile. "No, that won't be necessary. There are reasons why I've had others take it. But you truly are joining me of your own free will. And, as you just said, you're a fellow warrior. Your word alone is your bond."

"I'd better let Aerin know."

"Won't he want to come along?"

She chuckled. "No. It is about time I cut those strings. He can remain here. I am appreciative for all the help he has given me but it is time he got on with his own life too."

"Then it's settled. We'll head back to Whiterun, get everyone settled in and then we'll wait and see what our next move is."

*****

I was bored. So very, very bored. Life had been so hectic for weeks while I was working in Riften that, upon returning to Whiterun and a sense of normality, I also had next to nothing to do until I figured out what to do next. Or someone approached me and told me what to do. The one positive was that Serana was back to near perfect health, her wounds having healed thanks to healers, though she still refused to enter a temple, so I managed to convince them to visit our home.

While I was bored, some members of my 'army' were not. I'd despatched the Nightingales as spies across Skyrim. Karliah and Brynjolf both headed to Windhelm, Karliah going undercover in the Grey Quarter, hoping she may provoke some sort of uprising. Brynjolf was simply to report on any movements and perhaps worm his way in closer to the Jarl. Delvin and Vex had been sent to spy across the north-east, tracking Stormcloak movements and reporting on anything they deemed a concern.

To keep myself occupied, I spent most days spending at least one or two hours sparring, usually with weapon and shield but sometimes unarmed. Plenty of people took the opportunity to spar with me. Sometimes I'd receive a knock on the door and would find someone wanting to do so. It was during one of these sparing sessions, this time with Mjoll, always keen for a fight herself, who offered the idea of some work.

"What do you know of dwarven ruins, Ragnar?"

"I've been in a few. Why do you ask?"

"I think it's time I tried to retrieve the sword I lost. I was hoping you may accompany me."

"What's so important about this sword?"

"It was the last gift my father gave me before…"

I held up a hand. "Say no more." She smiled and nodded at that, I would guess in thanks for not having to explain further. "Where do we need to go?"

"A ruin by the name of Mzinchaleft."

"Hmmm… We're better go look at a map."

Far to the north. Snowbound landscape. An enormous ancient ruin, no doubt full of enemies and traps ready to maim or kill. So everything I would have expected. The only concern was its proximity to Dawnstar. I knew the town was currently under siege by Imperial forces. But I had nothing better to do and Mjoll was keen to get her sword back.

"So, what do you think?" she asked.

"As long as we avoid Dawnstar then I see no reason why we can't go." I noticed the sigh of relief. "Did you think I was going to say no?"

"No, but you've only just got home so…"

"I'm already bored out of my brain, Mjoll. Trust me, I'm more than willing to do this."

"Who else will come?"

"Serana is fit and healthy now and she won't want to be left behind again. She was bored rigid for most of the time in Riften."

"And Lydia?" she asked, and I noticed the eagerness in her tone. I know the two still lived together, as I thought Mjoll was looking for her own place. 'Now I'm not so sure. Maybe they're just good friends but…'

"She can come if she wants."

"I'll ask her tonight."

"Very good. We'll need to gather provisions and prepare for at least a few days away. I think the most important thing will be to wrap up warm."

We departed two mornings later on horseback, myself, my wife, my Housecarl and Mjoll. Our horses were packed with provisions and camping equipment, three of us heavily armed, Serana choosing to carry a simple pair of daggers and rely on her talents with magic. Mjoll and I had agreed on a route that would hopefully avoid Imperial and Stormcloak patrols. It was the same route I'd taken time and again with Lydia before, heading west towards Rorikstead before winding our way around and past Morthal. I knew we would then hit the snow and it would only get colder and deeper the higher we climbed.

We made our destination by sunset and, unsurprisingly, the outside of Mzinchaleft was infested by bandits. After a long day in the saddle, we were already weary so came up with a plan before attacking, to eliminate the bandits outside the ruin before making camp for the evening, ensuring we kept watch for reinforcements before entering the ruin in the morning.

We split into two groups, Serana and Lydia keeping high, Lydia with a bow, Serana using magic from distance. Mjoll and I would get up close and personal. With light fading fast, though thankfully no snowfall, we had to move fast. The bandits were not in large groups, and certainly nowhere near as well armoured and equipped as Mjoll or myself, and while I won't say it was easy, I don't think either of us broke much of a sweat. Once arrows and magic started raining down as well, we had the exterior of the ruin cleared up in only a few minutes.

After setting up camp and lighting a fire, we settled in for a cold night, agreeing that the four of us would share a single tent simply to try and preserve some body heat. Lydia cooked a simple but filling meal, avoiding the temptation of drinking any alcohol, knowing we all wanted clear heads for the morning. I offered to take first watch, sitting back next to the fire and, while keeping an ear out for any intruders, simply sat back and watched the stars' twinkle.

Serana joined me sometime during the night as she was supposed to take the next watch. She gently touched my shoulder and put a finger to my lips as she sat down next to be on the ledge, our legs dangling over the side. She leaned her head on my shoulder as I wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Ragnar," she whispered.

"What?" She elbowed me in the ribs and shushed me. "Okay, what?" I whispered in return.

"Lydia and Mjoll. Your suspicions were correct."

"How do you know?"

"Because they told me."

"And how did you get onto that subject?"

"Because, listening to their conversation, and how they generally act around each other, I figured I should just ask them."

I chuckled quietly. "Mjoll I knew about, considering she blurted out her fancies while drunk one night. Lydia is a slight surprise, though she did mention long ago that she was involved, sort of, with someone. Had absolutely no idea it was Mjoll though. I wonder when they even had time?"

"You've been to Riften more than enough for them to have met and struck up a friendship."

"Well, yes, but… I had no idea Lydia liked women."

"Does that bother you?"

I laughed again. "Of course not. If they've found happiness with each other, then good for them." I paused and thought for a moment. "Though I guess that would explain while Mjoll is still living with her."

"She won't be moving into her own place, Ragnar."

I yawned and stretched. "Well, I guess I'll go join the love-birds though I'm going straight to sleep."

She kissed my check. "I'll see you in a few hours."

Serana woke me at sunrise the next morning, the snow having cleared overnight, though that's not to say it wasn't bitterly cold. Thankfully the fire was still roaring and Lydia cooked us a hearty breakfast before we armed an armoured ourselves, ready to descend into yet another Dwemer ruin.

"Any idea where your sword is?" I asked prior to opening the door into the ruin.

"My memories are vague at best, Ragnar," Mjoll replied, "But it must surely be somewhere inside. I don't think these bandits would have found it."

"What were you doing here in the first place?" Lydia wondered.

"Fortune and glory."

I was of little doubt that the ruin had once been completely open to the elements. It was no warmer within than outside and thick ice was everywhere. I was on point, weapon in hand, listening out for any sounds that indicated either Dwemer machines or bandits were close by. We had only descended for a couple of minutes before I raised my hand to bring our quarter to a halt, gesturing that voices were ahead. I listened in for a few seconds, realised it was about nothing important. After issuing one or two instructions, we burst around the corner, surprising a couple of bandits, who ended up dead on the ground seconds later in pools of their own blood.

We followed a series of corridors, finding remnants of Dwemer machines, killing the bandits and mercenaries responsible along the way. There were quite a few of them, more than I expected, and all four of us were left wondering what they were there for. We didn't come across any real evidence of what the bandits wanted, apart from the usual gold, jewels and other treasures that could be found in these ruins.

For the first time that I could remember, we actually stumbled across someone who didn't immediately try and kill us. It was all by accident, opening the door to what was a bedroom, the Dunmer sitting at one of the stone chairs turning to see four heavily armed people close in on him. He got to his feet and threw his hands up in the air. "I'm unarmed!"

I lowered my sword, gesturing for the others to follow my example. "Who are you? Better yet, what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing, Nord. Four heavily armed people just burst into my quarters, therefore interrupting me while I'm hard at work."

I glanced at Mjoll, who simply shrugged her shoulders. Lydia and Serana looked rather amused by it all. "We're looking for a sword. You don't happen to have found it?" I finally asked.

"I have no interest in anything except the Dwemer. So unless the sword was Dwarven, no, I haven't seen it." Then he looked across all four of us again. "Am I to assume the men I paid for protection are now dead?"

I shrugged. "They tried to kill us. We merely defended ourselves."

He scoffed. "Well, they managed to kill most of the Dwemer machines so I guess I'll be safe enough," he stated, albeit with a sigh, "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to resume my work. In peace."

I scratched my beard, feeling somewhat awkward. "Um, sure, we'll leave you in peace… Er, sure you'll be okay?"

"I'll be fine. Just go."

We turned as a group and wandered out of his quarters, closely the door quietly behind us. Sharing a glance, all four of us burst into laughter. "I don't think that's ever happened before," Lydia managed to state through her chuckles.

"I can't believe how calm he was. Usually they'd be up in our faces and, sometimes, leave us no choice but to put them down," I added, "Come on, let's get this over with."

We continued our search, finding no sign of the sword, but where there are Dwemer ruins, if you don't find bandits or mercenaries, or dead adventurers, you'll eventually find Falmer. And Mzinchaleft was no different to all the others I've explored. There were tens if not hundreds of them. Once we hit their nest, we really got stuck in, Lydia with her bow and Serana with magic from a distance, leaving Mjoll and I to get up close and personal, close enough to smell their horrid breath and hear their weird breathing patterns, ensuring we were not hit by their poisoned swords, axes or arrows in return.

It was slow, bloody but methodical work. We all knew how to deal with the Falmer having faced them so often before but that is not to say we fought without caution. Our tactics were spot on. Arrows rained down from Lydia's bow, Serana mixed up numerous destructive spells, it always being fun when Falmer were enveloped in flame, leaving the Falmer ranks in disarray, and I'll admit, as easier pickings for Mjoll and I. There is nothing easier than fighting a confused enemy. One that is blind as well? Even easier, though the Falmer being blind never caused them too much of an issue. They always seemed to know we were there. Maybe it was our smell too?

"I remember this bit," Mjoll stated as she pushed another Falmer body off her sword.

"Great. Are we close?" I asked, blocking another sword heading towards me, replying with a thrust.

"Yes. I think so. I remember that tower," she stated, pointing ahead, before gesturing around the cave, "And we need to go through that archway there. Then up the stairs and… I think that's where my sword will be."

I should have known. I just should have known that it wasn't going to be a case of waltzing on in, grabbing the sword and waltzing back on out. Is life ever that easy? Is mine? Has it ever been that easy, after everything I've been through? Of course not. The Gods bestowed me with the gift of the dragon blood and then decided to make everything else oh so bloody difficult. I something want to damn them but…

I digress. The reason for my complaints is quite simple. You see, upon climbing the stairs, having dealt with the numerous bandits and not even bothering to count the number of Falmer, there was an enormous Dwarven Centurion just waiting for someone to walk in. There was little point in trying to sneak up on the thing because it woke up as soon as we rounded the corner.

"Ragnar, what are we going to do?" Serana asked, her tone one only of concern.

I sighed. "I'll just Shout the thing out of the way."

So that's what I did. Or, at least that's what I tried to do.

Because that's when I knew the Gods were laughing at me.

"Um, my Thane, isn't…"

"I know! I know! No, I don't know. The bloody thing should have…"

We split up as the enormous machine trudged towards us before leaning forward and emitting steam where we had just been standing, feeling the heat from it as we looked for distance. I'll try again. Surely it can't withstand another full brunt? I ran up a flight of stairs, directing the other three away from me, telling them that I was going to try again.

"Serana, soften it up with a full whack of sparks," I yelled.

"I'll do what I can," she yelled in reply as the giant machine lumbered towards me. She waited until the Centurion was in the perfect position then unleashed magic through both hands. The Centurion towards them and, just as it was about to blow another load of steam, I Shouted again.

This time it worked, catching it off-guard, as it tumbled end over end. The four of us wasted no time closing in on the machine as it struggled back to its feet. Unlike living things, such as man, mer or animals, it was generally blood loss that resulted in our deaths. I had no idea what caused the Dwemer machines to stop working but a few good hits with a sword always seemed to do the job. The little spider creatures and the spheres would generally fall apart after enough punishment. The Centurion just… stopped.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I simply sheathed my sword as Mjoll wandered the room, continuing to look for her sword. Finally, an exclamation of joy as she jogged to the other side, near where the Centurion had first been standing. The three of us followed as she picked up the sword from the ground.

"Do you have a name for it?" Serana asked.

"Aye. Grimsever."

"It's a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. Malachite, yes?" I asked.

She looked at me and grinned. "It certainly is. Maybe not as good as that sword you're swinging, Ragnar, but it's never let me down. Add to that the enchantments my father put on it and it's worth its weight in gold."

"By Ysmir, Mjoll, is this all yours?" Lydia asked, crouched nearby. I heard Serana gasp too at the size of the blood stain.

"Aye. I still don't know how I managed to get away from the Centurion. The Gods were with me that day, it seems."

"Happy to have it back?" She looked at me and nodded. "Then I suggest we get out of here, on our horses and back to Whiterun."

Unsurprisingly, it was nearing dark by the time we'd returned to the surface and found our horses, though we agreed to make camp again and leave in the morning. It was a long day in the saddle the next day, with plenty of banter and laughter between the four of us. For once, I had nothing on my mind. No dragons, or vampires, or the civil war to worry about. At least for a little while.

But, of course, there's always something else ready to go wrong and mess up your life, isn't there?