Chapter 20 - Silence Broken
*****
Astrid didn't lie. She found reason to visit Riften rather quickly, no more than a couple of weeks after my own visit to the Sanctuary. Of course, she knew where I lived, and Haelga was at my place when Astrid knocked on my front door. I found the two women meeting rather amusing. Haelga was blunt in her questioning as to who she was. I said she was my lover in Falkreath, and that she was my boss otherwise. Haelga didn't ask too many questions about what I did, and although I hated lying to her, I couldn't freely admit what I did either.
Inviting Astrid in, the two women sat with me at the dining room, and I found it amusing how alike the two women were, at least in appearance. The conversation remained pleasant, Astrid more than aware of who Haelga was, as I'd explained who she was, while Haelga was never jealous of anyone else I was with, though did joke about the fact I'd found a woman rather similar to her in various ways. Admittedly, I would find it difficult to be with anyone even slightly similar to Muiri...
"So will you be wishing to stay the night?" Haelga asked of Astrid.
"That's why I'm here. We need to talk first, but I didn't plan on returning to Falkreath until tomorrow."
"Good thing I haven't worn him out too much." Haelga then looked at me. "Would she be interested in our room though?"
Shrugging, I said, "I'm not sure. We'll have to see."
"Room?" Astrid asked.
"Oh, I'm sure Ragnar will find it rather fun showing you what's in there. And, trust me on this, you might find yourself having quite a lot of fun in there too."
Astrid looked at me, now wondering what Haelga was talking about. "We can look later, if you want."
Haelga did eventually leave, putting on a little show by kissing me hard and practically feeling me up before she left, whispering not so quietly about how sore her arse was after the night before. She probably wasn't lying, as things were very hot, heavy and rough the night before, the pair of us slowly building back up to where we were before things had originally ended. Once I was alone with Astrid, she looked at me questioningly. "What was she talking about?"
"I can show you later, if you'd like. But what brings you here?"
"I have news, Ragnar. I've taken a chance leaving the Sanctuary to bring it to you, but I'm hoping you will return with me tomorrow. Because you're so new, and don't know a lot about us, I find myself thinking you might be the only person I can trust."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"It's a long story, to do with the history of the Brotherhood."
"Okay, I'll get you a drink and we'll sit near the fire. Wine okay?"
"It was a long ride. A cup of wine would be wonderful."
Once sitting together on the lounge, Astrid sitting as close as possible to me, she started to explain the Brotherhood. About Sithis. The Night Mother. The history of what had happened since the Oblivion Crisis. The destruction and loss of sanctuaries around Tamriel. She admitted that the Sanctuary in Falkreath was truly the last, and that she led what was truly the last remnants of a once ruthless but proud organisation.
"That's not all," she continued, "We've had an arrival in the past week. An arrival from Cyrodiil."
"Who?"
"The Night Mother herself. Or what's left of her. Her sarcophagus, to be exact. And her Keeper."
"You don't sound pleased about this."
"Between you and me, I'm not. We stopped using the five tenets long ago. But I can already sense loyalties are divided. Though the others will continue to obey my orders, I know the arrival of the Night Mother has already caused ripples of discontent, some believing we should return to our roots. None of this matters, though, as we don't have a Listener. They are the only one to communicate with the Night Mother herself."
"And you're concerned..."
"Her Keeper, Cicero, is a fucking lunatic, Ragnar. Off the deep end. I guess it's no surprise when you lug a corpse around, and who knows what he does with it in privacy. But it's already obvious he does not like me at all. He's no leader, but he will use the fact the Night Mother is now present to undermine my authority."
"What do you want of me?"
"Your presence at the Sanctuary for a few days."
"Okay."
She looked at me in surprise. "I was expecting..."
"Astrid, I like you already, and it's not like I'm doing much else. If you want or need my help, you have it."
"Thank you, Ragnar. I'm not sure what I've done to already earn such loyalty." I gave her a look, which made her laugh. "Well, there is that aspect, but..."
"I can see you care, Astrid. That's a good reason too."
After a couple of cups of wine, we ended up upstairs, Astrid intrigued as to the room Haelga had mentioned. She had a good giggle at a few things, though suggested that, while intrigued by one or two of the apparatuses, she'd rather keep most of our lovemaking or fucking to the bedroom, and the bed.
We enjoyed the night together and I showed my full appreciation for her body. Her body was a thing of beauty, quite athletic and she proved to be quite flexible at times. She also had stamina, so much like that night in the inn in Falkreath, our lovemaking lasted a couple of hours, finally having to stop, a pair of heavy breathing, sweaty but rather satisfied lovers. Lying on my back, she cuddled into my side, continuing to make out as her hand stroked my chest, feeling her fingers occasionally trail along a scar or two. She had a few herself, and she explained how she had gained one or two of them. She then told the story of how she'd come to work for the Brotherhood. I wasn't surprised by it, considering what she now did, but it was an explanation at least.
I let Haelga know I would be leaving a few days the next morning. She knew it was primarily for work, but our relationship was now as close as before, so she whispered plenty of naughty things in my ear about what she would do to herself while I was gone, before giving me the sort of kiss that would have me wanting to carry her upstairs. She was very much a tease like that, so I simply said I would return as soon as possible, because she would be spending all night in the Dibella room upon my return. She found that prospect very exciting.
Arriving outside the Sanctuary later that day, Astrid and I tied up our horses well away from the main road and walked inside. She stopped me near her table and gave me a little more information. All she wanted was for me to integrate with the rest of them. Talk to them. Get to know them. And subtly try and understand if they were happy about the Night Mother arriving or not. The last thing she mentioned is that I would be sleeping in her room.
"Won't that cause... issues?" I had to wonder.
"They know Arnbjorn left me. They saw what he did to my face. No, it won't cause an issue, and anyone who does have one can talk to you." The smile on her face suggested she wouldn't mind me defending her however I saw fit. But I was still worried.
"Astrid, I'm not..."
She stepped forward, closing my lips with her right hand. "I'm not looking for a replacement, Ragnar. And I know you're not. Definitely not. But it's obvious we like each other. Is that true?" I nodded my head. "I'm aware of your personal history. I'm not expecting anything except for you to share my bed while you are here. And while sharing my bed, I'm hoping we will enjoy each other intimately. Would you like that?" I nodded again. "That's all I want too."
She removed her hand. "Okay," I said quietly before she hugged me. "I am sorry about everything," I added.
"It's not your fault. It was a long time coming, but I guess the mutual attraction and the fact I was willing to sleep with you rather quickly... Well, that's all on me, Ragnar. You are not to blame. And my hus... Well, he is also responsible for choosing something else over his wife."
"He was an idiot, Astrid. I'm no saint, but if it was between you and..."
She didn't let me finish, her mouth eager for mine, and any idea of me joining the rest of her group ended as I found myself dragged into her bedroom, door closed by her foot, and I was quickly undressed and pushed back onto her bed, where she leapt on me and... Well, let's just say she slept very well later that night. Holding her in my arms as she drifted off to sleep, murmuring that she was happier than she'd been in a long time, I knew I had the same feelings for her that I had for Haelga. I had two blonde Nordic beauties as lovers. I would never love them like my wife, but maybe I would love them like... I'm not sure. I knew I'd never marry again. Muiri would always be my one and only. But I would treat Haelga and Astrid near enough the same.
The next few days were spent mostly in the Sanctuary, getting to know the rest of the Brotherhood. It was rather easy to figure out where loyalties lay. Babette near enough considered Astrid her mother. Nazir would only ever follow Astrid, though respected the position of the Night Mother. Gabriella expressed her support for the arrival of the Night Mother, though figured out rather quickly why I was getting to know and speak with everyone, and assured me she still respected Astrid and her position. Festus Krex shared the same opinion as Gabriella, his opinion of Astrid significantly harsher than the Dunmer. Veezara was indifferent, respecting Astrid though intrigued as to what the arrival of the Night Mother would mean for the Brotherhood in Skyrim.
Then there was Cicero. He was a fucking nutcase. Lunatic. I think probably a little insane. Trying to converse with him was incredibly frustrating. Most of the time, I just gave up. He didn't exactly talk in riddles, but it was obvious rather quickly that he detested Astrid and his worship of the Night Mother verged on... Well, I wouldn't have accused him of defiling the corpse to his face but... jokes may have been made...
