Dragonborn Rising Ch 03 1

If you've played 'Elder Scrolls: Skyrim', you may have noticed I've gone a different route. I didn't want to just follow events of the game, and the further this story develops, the more I'll divert. The title of this story is to suggest that, before becoming the Dragonborn, Ragnar had a past.

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Chapter 3 -- Friends and Rivals

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It was bitterly cold the next morning. In addition to the wind, the snowfall was almost blinding, but at least that covered the icy ground underfoot. Despite the early hour and drop in temperature, Windhelm was already busy, walking past a market with merchants already busy selling their wares and produce, the blacksmith at his forge, the clang of his hammer on new steel. The city was alive.

Knocking on the door of the Cruel-Sea residence, it was opened by a young man I knew not to be Torsten. So I asked after his father. Asked who was calling, I merely stated, "A friend."

Torsten appeared seconds later, motioning me away from the front door as he followed me. "I didn't realise you would come so soon."

"The Guild is trying to get back on its feet. First impressions matter." He nodded his understanding. "So, how can the Guild assist?"

He asked me to wait, grabbing a coat from inside, and we walked back towards the inn I'd stayed in. Grabbing an early drink and heading upstairs, we sat at a table in the corner before he started to explain. "How long have you been with our friends?"

"Not long."

"There was a time when the Guild stretched across Skyrim, always influential. But something has gone wrong, and slowly but surely, the Guild has ebbed away to its current position. But word about Goldenglow was spread far and wide, no doubt by Maven Black-Briar as a statement, and I thought I should send word."

"Delvin suggested you needed our help."

"Aye, I do," he said sadly, "My daughter, Fjotli... She was..."

"I understand," I said softly.

"I got the bastard who did it, but that's not the whole story. Not at all. Not only did they kill her, they stole a silver locket from her body that meant everything to her, and means everything to her family. I want that back. Before I killed the bastard responsible, he gave me a name. Niranye. She runs a stall in the marketplace."

All this for a locket? There must be more. "Is that it?"

"No, the locket is only a minor part. Because the Guild has lost so much influence, new groups have sprung up, trying to gain a foothold. There is a new group working around Windhelm, trying to spread across Skyrim. They call themselves the Summerset Shadows."

"Summerset? They're elves?"

Torsten shrugged. "It's possible they originate from there, or they all themselves to invoke fear in Nords. But they do not operate with the honour of your Guild. They must be eliminated. Do that, and you will have a trusted friend in Windhelm again."

"Where are the Shadows based?"

"That I don't know. Maybe Niranye will be able to tell you."

"Anything else?"

"No, that's about it. But if you can get me that locket back, I would be forever grateful."

"I'll do what I can."

He finished his tankard, nodded his head and departed. We wouldn't speak until the contract was now complete. I took my time finishing my own tankard, considering it was rather early, and being sat in the corner and mostly ignored, I listened into conversations taking place around me, hoping to learn a few things. Apparently there was a series of murders taking place around Windhelm that nobody could solve. Pirate attacks had increased, apparently due to both the Stormcloaks and Empire being distracted by the civil war. And an alchemist who lived in the city was apparently at death's door.

All interesting to hear, but nothing I could currently assist with, and I headed out to the marketplace. Asking one of the guards who Niranye was, I was pointed in the direction of an Altmer, a real surprise to see a high elf in Windhelm, considering I'd learn of Ulfric's disdain for the elven people, particularly after the Great War.

Sometimes I could be subtle. Sometime I found being direct put people off more. Approaching her stall, I looked at her wares as she asked, "Help you with something?"

I returned my easiest smile as I replied, "Yes, I'm here about Fjotli."

She might be a thief, but her act was embarrassing. All it took was for me to take the dagger from where I kept it hidden, laying it down, keeping a hand on its hilt. "Look, I don't have time for bullshit, Niranye. So, I'm going to ask a couple of questions and you will answer them."

"What about the guards?"

"I can be rather believable when I want to be. And considering you're an elf in a Nord city, who do you think they'll believe?" I didn't like playing that card

She noticeably blanched at the threat, knowing what I said was true. I'd learned enough in my short time in Skyrim to know elves were rather disliked in the Empire due to the actions of the Thalmor, so I'd use that to my advantage if I could. She raised both hands defensively. "Okay, okay, let's not do anything hasty."

"Look, I don't like making threats, but I have been asked for help. A girl murdered, a father heartbroken, an heirloom stolen. Tell me what I need to know, and you probably won't see me again."

I removed the dagger, hiding it again, but the fear remained on her face. She turned to another merchant and asked them to cover for her, asking me to them follow her home. Once inside, she offered me a seat at the table and started to explain. The Summerset Shadows name I already knew, but she gave me the name of their leader, Linwe. But that wasn't all.

"He's the worst of the lot. He steals valuables from the dead."

"So he murders his marks?"

"No! Linwe prefers stealing from the deceased. Digs up the corpses, breaks into the Hall of the Dead. He even stole that locket right off that poor murdered girl's body... or what was left of it."

"Fjotli?" She nodded. "So how in oblivion did you get mixed up in all of this?"

She sighed, shaking her head. "I used to fence for the Thieves Guild in Skyrim a long time ago. When Linwe moved into the area, he contacted me and said if I didn't fence for them, he'd kill me."

"Tell me where they are, and I'll ensure he won't be a problem."

"And you won't kill me?"

"No. You know that's not how we operate. But we could use a fence in Windhelm in the future."

She nodded. "Linwe is holed up at a place called Uttering Hills Cave. He's got his entire Guild there, so be careful."

"What do you know about Fjotli?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Rumour has it that she was murdered, butchered by a madman. Torsten might think Linwe or myself are responsible for Fjotli's death, but I can assure you nothing could be further from the truth."

I nodded, stating I believed her, and she sighed with relief, perhaps thinking I'd do something if she admitted being involved. The last question I asked was in regards to direction, stating I head out the main gates, to right, then head into the mountains. I'd know I was close when I ran into guards.

Figuring there was little point in delaying, I grabbed my weapons from the room I'd kept at the inn, and headed out. It was still bitterly cold, but the snow had stopped falling, the clouds parting and the sun was now out. It was quite bright, sunlight reflecting off the snowy landscape, and I soon found myself walking along an incline. Taking a couple of wrong turns, I finally found the right path towards the cave I wanted, though any idea of sneaking up ended as I stood out quite brightly against the white background.

The first guard simply charged at me, a rather stupid tactic, I might add. I slammed my shield into him once he was within range, and cut up diagonally with my sword. He was dead before hitting the ground, needing to raise my shield as an arrow was fired at me. Now it was time for me to move quickly, but I moved with thought, eyes on the archer ahead. He fired two more arrows, managing to block both of them, before he dropped his bow and unsheathed a pair of daggers. He was fast, I'll admit that, but I'd spent three years with the Fighter's Guild, and have proven to be the best. Even Corvus had admitted that fact.

Though I'd killed the two guards, I don't believe I'd broken our code, as we were allowed to defend ourselves. And considering this was a rival Guild trying to cut in our action, we could justify violence. Slipping quietly inside the entrance, I let my eyes take a moment to adjust to the gloom before moving on. Two more guards were on patrol, and despite trying to be quiet, my footsteps attracted attention, and I had to take them both down. I didn't kill either of them, but made sure they wouldn't be a problem for me again.

The cave had the remnants of what must have been an underground fort, as I wandered down a winding set of steps. Another was on patrol, who I managed to sneak up on, covering his mouth to render him unconscious. Their leader was not going to get the same treatment, trying the first door on the left, finding it empty except for supplies, but door number two revealed two people, both of them asleep. I crawled up to the first one, covered his mouth enough that he soon woke up, though didn't struggle for too long before he passed out. I was tempted to kill him but figured the message was being received by those I was leaving alive.

Finally, there was Linwe, still fast asleep. Taking the dagger from its hidden sheathe, I sat on the bed and put the tip under his chin. He woke up immediately, reaching for his weapon that I'd already moved. "Linwe?" I asked. He nodded. "You have something that doesn't belong to you. Where is it?"

"Fuck off."

I shook my head. "Wrong answer. Do you have the locket?"

"Fuck you."

I sighed and rammed the dagger upwards. He choked for barely a couple of seconds before he died. Searching his body, I found no sign of the locket, but there was a chest at the end of his bed where I found gold, a few jewels, and a silver locket that I figured was what I wanted.

Waking up the one in the other bed, I held the dagger to his throat. "Linwe is now dead. The two guards outside are dead. Your friends within the cave are alive, though two won't do anything like this again. So you will have one and only warning. Leave Skyrim and return home. Do not come back. Got it?" He nodded. "Good."

I'd worked rather quickly, so that by the time I walked out of the cave, there was still plenty of light, and I made it back to Windhelm without a problem. Returning to the Cruel-Sea residence, only the wife appeared to be home, and she gave me directions to a farm on the other side of Windhelm. It was only a twenty-minute walk to the farm, amazed that anything could grow in such a barren, inhospitable region. Torsten was busy using a hoe on the frozen ground and appeared surprised. "You're kidding?" he asked.

I took the locket from my pocket and handed it over. "The man who stole it lies dead. It's not usually how we work, but it was justice for that and other things."

"You have my thanks..."

Holding out my hand, which he grasped, I said, "Ragnar. And it was a pleasure."

"Thank you, Ragnar. Rest assured, your order has an ally in Windhelm going forward. Hopefully your renewed presence will help us all get very rich."

"Just make sure you look after the little people too. They should not be forgotten."

He raised eyebrows before he whispered, "Teachings of the Grey Fox." Nodding to himself, he added, "Those are words that we should all remember." We shook hands again as I bid him farewell, returning to Windhelm, where I would relax until returning to Riften the next morning. I did drop by to visit Niranye, informing her of what happened. She was happy to hear that the Shadows would no longer bother her, and assured me that she would cooperate with the Thieves Guild once again.

I wandered around Windhelm for a couple of hours, noticing certain aspects of the city, and the clear divide between the Nords to one area, and everyone else to the other. Finding myself wandering the slum, as that was the only word to describe, I wandered into a tavern and found a dozen pair of eyes immediately on me. "What do you want?" the barman asked, not particularly friendly.

"Wait, Ambarys. He is a friend." I glanced in the darkness to see Suvaris at a table by herself.

Ambarys scoffed but said, "Very well, if you say so. But if he causes trouble..."

"Just wanted a drink," I said.

Suvaris kicked out a chair at her table, a suggestion I should join her, and Ambarys did bring me a tankard of ale, though I'm sure he still wanted to tell me to piss off.

Suvaris quietly apologised for the harsh welcome and she proved to be rather delightful company. She worked at a nearby farm for another Nord, who she said appeared to at least tolerate her people. "One of the few," she added bitterly, before she looked at me and smiled, "You're the first I've ever seen who stood up for us, particularly against one of their own."

"It was the right thing to do."

No doubt some of you are probably thinking I ended up fucking her. No, I didn't. She was very pleasant company, and had a wicked sense of humour, leaving me in chuckles quite often. But we parted at the end of the evening with nothing more than a kiss on the cheek and good wishes for the future. Not every woman I helped dropped their panties for me. Only some...

Returning to the inn, I headed straight for bed as I wanted to rise at dawn, asking the innkeeper to wake me immediately. Thankfully she did so, and there was a carriage waiting for me outside that took me all the way back to Riften within the day.

Walking into the Flagon, Dirge ignored me as always, his eyes, if not watching the entrance, only for Vex. I'd learned that rather quickly, and Vex admitted to using that to her advantage, getting him to do pretty much whatever she wanted. Brynjolf was also aware, and had warned her more than once not to take advantage, which she tried hard not to ignore.

Sitting down with Delvin, I told him what happened, and that we now had allies in Windhelm. "Well, happy bloody days. It's about time something went right for us around here! You should go let Bryn know. He'll be just as delighted."

So that's what I did, and I was surprised when he actually embraced me. "Lad, do you know how long it's been since we had a win like this? A new contact, a new fence... I knew I was right about you."

"Um, thanks."

He laughed at my reaction. "So what are your plans for tonight?" The question was asked with such insinuation; I know my jaw dropped. "Someone mentioned it, lad. And it's not a problem."

"Yes, I'll be off to see her shortly."

"Enjoy yourself tonight, lad. And hopefully I'll have another job for you soon."

It was dark by the time I'd arrived back in Riften, so wasn't sure if I was too late by the time I walked into the Bee and Barb. But Haelga was sat at my now usual table, and the broad grin suggested she had been hoping for me to arrive. I sat down with her but before I could order a drink, she asked if I wanted to leave straight away.

We were in her room barely a couple of minutes later, our mouths locked together as my hands blindly undid the back of her dress. Once out of that, I easily undid her bra and dropped her panties as she kicked her boots off too. Her hands moved to my belt, and once that was undone and my trousers were down, she pulled me by my cock towards the table, where she turned around and bent over.

"Seriously?" I wondered, unable to hold back my chuckle.

"I've missed you, Ragnar. Just fuck me first."

Sliding inside her tight, warm pussy, I couldn't help groan and she showed her appreciation too. Resting my cock inside her, I stopped and took off the rest of my clothes first, placing my hands on her hips and slowly thrust into her. She looked back and smiled, I think just enjoying the feeling of my cock inside her once again, and I didn't up the tempo of my thrusts too much, taking my time and enjoying her just as much as she enjoyed me.

Moving one of my hands to grab a handful of one of her breasts, I gave her nipple a tweak as I upped the tempo a little bit more, skin started to slap together, and she lowered herself, folding her arms and resting her head in a way so she could look back at me. "Enjoying it?" I asked.

"I love your cock already, Ragnar. Are you going to fill me up?"

"Give it a few minutes."

"I can't wait."

I was going to cum no matter what I did, and while I wanted to give her a pounding, I did want to draw it out for a little while. While she did repeat 'fuck me' a few times, the smile that remained on her face suggested she liked exactly what I was doing. Moving my hand from her breast to her shoulder, I started to fuck her a little bit faster, and she knew that my climax was close.

"Don't worry about me for now. Just you, Ragnar," she said, and I felt her squeeze my cock for emphasis. Moving my other to her shoulder, I was now properly fucking her, and she was loving it, crying out how big my cock felt inside her and how much she wanted to feel me cum inside her. Gods, I liked her a lot.

When I finally did cum, it was the sort that makes one weak at the knees, driving into her again and again until I was spent, leaving my cock buried inside her as I leaned forward, resting my arms on the table as I kissed her cheek. "Miss me?" I whispered.

"Like you wouldn't believe," she replied, turning her head to kiss me properly. Not happy with the angle, she pushed me back so she could sit on the table, making sure my slightly shrinking cock was inside her before we resumed our kiss, feeling her legs wrap around me at the same time. She finally stopped kissing and hugged me, resting her head against my chest. "Ragnar, I'm getting feelings already. I don't want feelings. I just want to enjoy this."

"Well, try not to think about it too hard." I lifted her chin to meet my eyes. "But there's nothing wrong with feelings either."

She smiled. "Maybe I'm just falling in love with your cock?" That made me laugh, so she added, "I'll go with that. Because, by the Eight, Ragnar, it is magnificent. A real gift, that I will happily admit that I'm glad it's still inside me now."

Lifting her up, causing her to squeal with surprise, she complimented me on my strength as I carried her over to the bed, lying her down still inside her. I could feel my cock still softening, and I eventually rolled off her, looking down her body as she lay on her back. She was slightly pale, no doubt from working indoors most days. Her nipples were very pink and quite dark against her pale skin. Her pussy was still smooth, and I ran my hand down her body towards her sex. She smiled as she spread her legs again, throwing over mine, as I slowly started to fondle her. "My turn now, is it?"

"I'd eat you out but I have just dropped a load inside you." That made her burst into laughter as I added, "So I hope you don't mind fingers."

"As long as they're your fingers, Ragnar."

Being rather turned on as she was, I watched her face as I quickly had her approaching a climax. She watched mine in return, and she did that little thing with her mouth, her lips parting slightly as she moaned, and she was soon eager for me to kiss her once again. It was the sort of kiss that helped my cock near enough spring back to life but now the focus was only about her.

"Rub my clit," she breathed, "Just focus on that."

She wanted more of my lips, but I moved mine down to give one her nipples a suck and a nibble, hearing her squeal with laughter when I did that. I gave both nipples plenty of attention before moving up to her neck, and I figured a nice nibble at her soft skin would be fun too. "Oh, want to mark me, Ragnar?"

I looked up with a raised eyebrow. "Would you like me to?"