Chapter 41

Ragnthor

He sat on his horse at the head of the lane watching Lucia and Serana race toward the house, both eager to sleep in a real bed. He gave a small smile, wanting to freeze the world in that moment of joy. But he couldn't, he couldn't even quiet the unease that was growing within him, that had been growing since he learned he was going back to the Reach. Deep into the Reach.

Lydia moved her horse close to him and put a hand on his leg. "What is it love?"

"The Reach."

A glimmer of…something flashed across her face. "Madanach. But you've been back since and nothing."

"Main roads. Orcish strongholds. Places a man looking to rebuild a kingdom wouldn't be." He urged Bowen down the lane.

"But you helped him. He wouldn't…"

He sighed. "He sees me as they all see me. A pawn, a figure head, a trophy. And then there is Lucia to think about."

"He wouldn't!"

"He is a man the almost convinced me to wage war against my homeland. Lucia is young, and knows little. Hell she only learned what Cidna Mine is a few months ago, they told us of it as children to scare us. Lost causes and long odds appeal to her, as they do to all youth. And if it comes to a fight…" He looked at her, in a shoving match with Serana to be first in the house, "I've strived to keep her away from moral complexities. Everyone she has killed has been a vampire or a corrupted, fallen person. To have her fight through the Forsworn is something different."

"What about those Vigilants?"

He shook his head. "Their actions weren't their own."

"But the Forsworn…"

"I don't know. As I said, moral complexities. She's no mercenary. But there is nothing we can do about it, we have to go and you won't let me travel alone. So go to the house and get some sleep. We leave before first light."

Lucia

Lydia had made them breakfast. And from the look of her Ragnthor hadn't come in last night. As she shoveled in the fried potatoes she didn't think too much of it, he had done that off and on since she had lived there.

She didn't think anything was off until they when outside and she saw Ragnthor standing there. He was looking into the hills behind the house, brushing the neck of a horse. He looked like he had the weight of the moons on his shoulders, stern and immobile…unfeeling. I haven't seen him like this since…when Lydia left us…

That's when she noticed the horse. Jet black and near as tall as Ragnthor at the shoulder. What was his name? It's one of the hard ones…Toirneach. A war horse, though Lucia had no idea how he was bred, Ragnthor had been offered 10,000 for him as a yearling. He was still young, only 3, but worth more than the rest of the herd. For Ragnthor to be riding him…

When he saw them he swung on and Toirneach arched his neck and pawed at the hardened snow, blowing gouts of steam from his muzzle that reached the ground. "Let's go, I want to reach Rorikstead before nightfall." With that he turned and rode off.

A few hours later she rode up to him. "So…why are you riding Toirneach?"

"Toirneach. Not a hard ch but a soft one."

She sighed stupid hard names. "You didn't answer my question."

He stared straight ahead, not saying anything. Finally, when she was about to give up he spoke. "How much has Lydia told you about the 2 years I was gone?"

Now it was Lucia's turn to stare ahead. There was a tinge of anger when she replied. "That you had to do something for the Legion. And then you were gone for 2 years. Then in your talk with Klimmek I learned that you were in Cidna Mine and that it was a prison. All I have learned in almost 5 years."

He motioned for her to follow him and rode forward, out of ear shot of Lydia she noticed. "The Legion asked me to clear the corruption in Markarth. They knew I worked well alone or in small groups." He sighed. "The corruption there was deep, institutionalized, ingrained so well no one really knew anything. I'd been forced to kill a dozen people before I knew enough to do anything. 2 factions, vying for control over each other, had cut off the flow of silver. As I continued my task I was thrown in the mine."

"Why is it called Cidna Mine?"

"The Reach is poor farm ground and so hilly few animals save goats live there. So they make their money from mining. And their hills are full of precious metals. And one of the largest mines is in the middle of the city, once owned by the Silver-Bloods. For generations they used prisoners as cheap labor until the city just moved the prison there." He lowered his voice. "I spent more than a year and half there, constantly being tortured and having to listen to the honeyed words of Madanach, the King in Rags, leader of the Forsworn, and the other faction in Markarth."

"The Forsworn? Aren't they the same…"

"The very." He swallowed. "I was tortured everyday for more than a year and a half. At first it was clubs, then hot irons, then flogs. Toward the end they would haul me off the ground by my wrists and leave me hanging for hours while they took turns beating me with whatever they could lay their hands on, purely for the savage pleasure of killing the Dragonborn Hero bit by bit. Finally his words reached me, worked on me enough for me to save my life. I had a choice, free him and escape or die there under the hooks, clubs and whips. I saved myself by releasing the greatest threat to Skyrim she has even known."

"Who are the Forsworn?"

"In truth, they are close to what they call themselves, forsworn. The Wildmen of the Reach, forced to give up their lands by the Nords. The reachmen are a genetic offshoot of the Bretons, just as most races of men are offshoots of Nords. They were part of High Rock until the Reach was taken by Olaf One-Eye, who…"

"Was the first to capture a dragon in Dragonsreach."

"Very good. Now the Reach has always been fiercely independent, even moreso than the rest of Skyrim. They have risen and fallen as a kingdom many times. Their most recent attempt was during the Great War. The Stormcloaks took the hold back, managing to capture Madanach. Those loyal to the king have forsworn all trappings of Nordic culture, of peace, until they have taken their kingdom back."

She nodded, a glimmer of understanding. "And you freed Madanach…"

"Aye. He believes I support his cause. I don't. But he will be waiting. Last time was easy, two souls in the shadow of an Orcish stronghold. This time…I wouldn't be surprised if he meets us a day into the Reach."

"But why Toirneach?"

"Because I plan to intimidate him. I do not wish you to fight them."

She was startled. "Me?"

"The Forsworn issue is complicated, even moreso than I have described. You need to make a choice, not have me make it. Vampires are easy, if they attack we can kill them. But people…people are more complicated." He sighed and finally relaxed his stern posture. "You are different from me and Lydia, and so you have your own viewpoints on things. It's only natural. You're young and have had a decent life. You've not been hardened like us. So I want this choice to be yours and yours alone. And I will do what I need to so you will make it on your own."

She nodded. "Ok. And about fighting. Lydia said to ask you about Grandfather's fighting ability."

He looked down at her and despite the fact she was a grown and fighting woman she felt like a child again. "Why would you ask about that?"

She kept her head down. "When Lydia was hurt I…fought you. In your berserk state. Lydia said the only why I was able to was because 'I have unlocked the fighting instinct of our family'. And you're the only family I have so…"

She felt a hand on her head and when she looked up he was looking forward. "I don't know much little one. There has always been too much anger in me, even as a lad. So there is not much I can teach you. But I can teach you a few things, and I'm one of the few in Skyrim who can keep up with someone like that so I can spar with you. We will start tomorrow." As he pushed on head she could make out "of course it would fall to me. Couldn't just die out, could it."

Ragnthor

He stood there, breathing heavily. "Come on girl, you're almost there. Right at the edge." Lucia stood facing him, in only regular clothes, chest heaving as she drew great breaths, holding her sword with both hands, shield discarded because of the weight. He sighed. "Alright then." And then he charged.

Her eyes widened as he swung and she managed to catch the blow with shaking arms. He smiled as he grabbed her sword, cutting into his hand, and wrenched it from her grip. Throwing his own he swung a fist, right at her head. It caught, knocking her back as he pushed forward. "Come on Lucia, feel it. Don't let the anger through."

Those little fists hurt! He cursed as she delivered a flurry of blows up his right side. He beat her back with a few massive swings and was pleased by how she was able to deflect the bone breaking blows. He pushed forward and grabbed her. They grappled for a moment, with him judging her strength, before he threw her to the ground. Still strong, even after all that. I need to go slow, so she can feel the change.

As she staggered to her feet he noticed a change and charged again. She countered with a hard punch just below the ribs. As he doubled over and gasped for breath she slammed her other fist into the back of his head with enough force he thought all his teeth would fall out. She kicked his feet out from under him and as he hit the ground the hard packed snow felt like another fist.

He surged to his feet and rushed for a grapple again, this time guarding his solar plexus. She countered by putting pressure on his elbow in an effort to break his arm. She was a slight girl though, and he flexed, driving her whole body toward his swinging fist. She reacted near instantly, letting go and lashing out with her foot. It took him in the knee, dropping him, and he barely managed to catch the knee she threw toward his face. He held it a moment, judging the strength, before letting the force raise him to his feet.

"Alright Lucia," he said as he started to circle her, "hold it as long as you can." She nodded and charged.

They exchanged a flurry of blows, neither coming out on top, before breaking apart. Then closing again. Now Ragnthor caught hold of his second wind. Laughing, he lashed out with blows that could fell bulls and crack trees. And Lucia held her own. Able to deflect the blows she couldn't dodge, she managed to hit him hard enough he could feel the bone creak beneath her blows.

"Harder Lucia, HARDER! Show Me Your Power!" And she did, with a blow out of nowhere the parted the skin on his cheek like a ripe plum. "Yes! Use It! HIT ME AGAIN!" she did, with a blow he didn't feel knocking his head back. He did feel the blood running down his chest though.

He managed to catch the next blow, grabbing her fist tight and pulling her towards him. She pulled as well, building such momentum he could hear the whisper of wind just before she hit him again, deepening the cut and snapping his head back. He smiled as he closed in, counting on his strength to overwhelm her. He knew the blows he gave could shatter bones but she managed to keep free of them and for everyone she dodged she gave another. To a man his size it bothered him no more than a bee sting. But 1000 bee stings…

Suddenly he managed to grab her. As he pulled the struggling girl towards him she dropped like a stone, throwing him off balance, and used her legs to throw him over on his back. He hit, hard, and gasped as the wind was knocked out of him again. Looking around he saw she was starting to stand. With a movement akin to a heron spearing a fish he grabbed her leg and pulled her down. She landed on her chest, hard, and lay there sucking air.

He smiled. "You…did…good…today." She merely rolled over, slim chest heaving. He wheezed out a laugh. "Come one…you know…the rules. We have to…walk until we cool." He pushed himself up and pulled his nose straight before pulling Lucia to her feet and throwing a coat on her.

After a while walking in silence she spoke. "How come you are the one to fight with me? Couldn't Lydia? She doesn't hit as hard."

He took a moment before he replied. "Lydia is a fighter that a family gets once a generation. She is very good and her knowledge of sword and shield far exceeds my own. You however, as with most fighters in our family, will be skilled enough to be considered a once in a century fighter. The kind which is rarely seen. In all my wandering I have met maybe a dozen men and women like you, and they all come from special families. And a few of which have died."

"What about you?"

He sighed. "I am a fighter sent by the gods. The first in 200 years. The first since the Hero of Kvatch in fact how, interestingly enough, is a direct relative. There is every possibility I will never be beaten by anything less than overwhelming numbers until I am an old man. So I alone am qualified to teach you to control this." He wrapped an arm around her. "Plus, I don't want you to hurt my wife." She gave a small laugh.

Lucia

They made another lap around the camp and passed behind a small rise. Suddenly he stopped. "Come out Kaie. Did you really think I wouldn't notice you? And you too Madanach. And the rest."

She gave a start as a woman dressed in skins appeared out a bush, followed by an older man and a half dozen others.

The man spoke first. "Greetings, I am surprised to see you. You said you never planned to come back and were so careful last time."

Ragnthor stood tall and Lucia could see how taunt he was. "I did not wish to be part of your affair. But certain things have force me to come to your home."

His eyes narrowed. "What kinds of things?"

"Come and join in our fire. The night is growing colder and I am tired. I only ask that you more…devoted subjects," he pointed at the brairhearts, "stay out here. My wife very much differs on that point than myself."

He nodded. "Of course we will join your fire. We have few friends on a night like this." With a nod everyone save the woman melted back into the growing darkness.

As Ragnthor walked head with the man, the woman spoke to her. "We saw some of your fight. There are very few people who can fight him like that."

She accepted the praise and replied guardedly. "My uncle is trying to teach me something he only barely understands. It has been…trying."

The woman pulled back the furs on her arm and put it next to Lucia's own. "You are young child, and still have much growing to do, yet your arm is not bigger than mine and I would never dare fight him."

Lucia nodded. "He is something." She pulled back her own sleeve and the woman gasped, her arms were completely covered in bruises. "He is pushing hard. It's…challenging to teach this. Like trying to describe a color to a blind man."

"By The Gods Girl! What Is He Teaching You?"

She rolled her sleeve down, face prickling in embarrassment. "To control my destiny. I am so close to understanding. A few more days…"

"Is it really worth it?"

As they drew close to the fire and she saw Ragnthor standing with his arm around Lydia, she nodded. "It is. Truly." Kaie nodded, seeing something in the slim girl's eyes.

Ragnthor

After he was sure Lucia and Serana were asleep he finally broached the topic. "Why are you bothering me Madanach?"

The old man looked into the fire. "Because you are who you are. You used us to escape, never joined us. And you are our greatest threat. I had to see why you were here."

"Rest easy wolf. I'm not here for you. Personal reasons send me here."

Madanach looked at him, eyes hooded. "What reasons?"

"Vampires. And a prophecy dealing with the end of the sun. If I was marching on you it would be in a full army, under the banner of Whiterun."

He chuckled. "Never easy with you, is it. Here I was, ready to prepare my followers for all out war against you, and you're out here hunting vampires and saving the world." He looked back into the fire. "What about the girl? Kaie says she is your niece. Just for my own curiosity."

"You must have heard the stories my father, grandfather, great grandmother, and so on. She is the heir of their fighting prowess, until such time as my children are ready." He sighed. "To be honest, I had hoped she wouldn't have it. That her Imperial mother would have diluted her blood enough, removed the Nordic catalyst. No such luck, but her children shouldn't have it...I hope. And I was always too angry to learn so I know little. We are staggering through it together. She is close. She just needs to learn to focus it when she wants it. Endurance will come in time."

Kaie spoke up. "She showed me the bruises. Is this safe for a young girl?"

"She has fought me, toe to toe, to the death. To be honest the only reason I won was because I know more and have even faster reactions, as you have seen, even when I control my temper. When she is my age she will be as near my equal as walks this world. And she will be the one I send my children to so they can learn."

Madanach nodded and wrapped his blanket tighter around him. "How long will you be here?"

"We are 5 days out from the cave. I've no idea what we will find there so I can't give a time on being back."

The old man nodded. "Long time to leave horses. I'll have a man watch over them, maybe Borkul. We're close enough to the stronghold the guard would leave him alone. Can't have someone stealing that stallion of yours. How much is that beast worth?"

Ragnthor gave a wry smile. "More than your bounty. And he is still young yet. And I got lucky with him. Mare had the bloodlines of a champ but was a small and sickly creature. Picked her up for a song. First 3 foals out of her weren't worth the time but Toirneach is by far the best horse I have ever bred." He looked at the black horse, standing head down and hoof cocked. "Thank you Madanach." He nodded and they made ready to sleep.

Author's Note: This is not the chapter I started a month ago. This honestly isn't even really close. And to try and fit some of the elements I wanted in it feels a little forced. But, its close enough. And you get to hear Lucia complain about this Irish names I use for...whenever I want something not in english. And is sets up the next chapter well enough. But I don't think I'm going to work on it for a little while. I think I'm going to work on the sacking of Venarium. Because I think i can get a good chapter out of it. Maybe 2. And it will be nice to get away from "one fated hero against the forces of darkness" and do some "man is part of horde that destroys frontier walled village". Also, I am about 1/3 through a chapter of a dragon age story. It might show up if I can get it to flow how i want it, even though it's a story you have all read before. Human noble, Morrigan romance, saves Amarathine, follows Morrigan, "Warden, your dog is lecturing me again". But I really like that story, literally most of my playthroughs are that story. But I don't know, I still have the Dragons Dogma story kicking around too, that I have been mentioning for at least a year, that I write 10 words in every month. But anyway, enjoy. I will try to have something up in a month or 2. Even if it's just an update to the Letter's story.