Building a Home I

"I think that's settled." I say moving back to Kasia.

"Before you leave, I'd like to speak to you in private. We can meet in my house, just down the pathway. I'm sure your friend here can help give Marcus the proper burial he deserves." Walsh say before heading out of the house.

I turn to M'rissi, asking, "Could you please help? I will only be a moment."

"She will help…" M'rissi says hesitantly, her gaze lingering on me before she looks to Kasia with similar sorrow-filled eyes that fill Kasia's eyes and for some reason I recognize that look.

The look of deep loss… And I remember Mogul… But who did M'rissi lose? I ponder this before following Walsh to his home.

We walk over in silence, and once inside Walsh offers me a seat before pouring me a glass of ale, "Sorry about asking for a private discussion, but I have a sensitive request that may upset Kasia if she were to take it the wrong way. But, before we begin, can you satisfy my curiosity and explain to me why Bosska raided Jonestead?"

"Well… I think this is something Kasia should share… But…" I decide to explain everything I know to Walsh as he is the new town leader and needs all the facts.

"That Marcus. Always the ambitious one. But leader of an army of female warriors? Assains? Hiding away in that brothel to the east? This goes way over my head, friend." Walsh laughs wryly, before continuing.

"I settled down in Jonestead to get away from the insanity on the outside. Having it barge through our front door was definitely something I wasn't too happy about." Walsh says taking a drink from his glass.

"I can't imagine locking myself away from the world, but I do understand making a change to pursue what you want out of your life… Any clue as to why Bosska went through the trouble of holding the town hostage and not just…" I say leaving my thought unsaid but the intention clear.

"Making it easier to secure Marcus? Stop the so-called Sirens from unleashing hell? I don't know." Walsh says with a shrug, "What puzzles me is why Bosska took the trouble to smuggle in weapons… When he always had a mercenary company at his disposal. If you want my opinion, I'd say it's some sort of sabre-rattling. For whom? I have no idea." Walsh shrugs at a loss.

"Though I'm sure his client will not be thrilled in the slightest when he returns having only completed half his mission. Thankfully you were here to stop him from taking Kasia away…" Walsh pauses as an awkward expression crosses his face as he looks away from me. "Which brings me to the reason I asked to speak to you."

"I'm listening…" I say leaning back and taking another drink.

"This is very difficult for me to say… But, by keeping so many dangerous secrets, Marcus not only hurt Kasia, he also hurt Jonestead. He should have told us that he was a wanted man. He risked all of our lives trying to protect his family…" Walsh pauses to steady himself and steel his resolve.

"As much as I respect Marcus and his ideals of making Jonestead a peaceful town, a change has to be made for our well-being. That change is Kasia…" Walsh says, letting his words hang in the air.

I take a long drink finishing off my glass, "What about her?" I say fighting to keep a neutral face.

"As long as a Pinder lives in town, none of us can rest easy. If this Project Purity that Marcus spoke of is truly hell-bent on erasing his family name from history… They may not be so merciful with our town next time." Walsh says with a deep confliction playing itself out across his face.

"So… You plan to banish her, is that it?" I say barely holding back the accusatory snarl in my throat.

"No, no, I'm only stating the facts. Kasia will always be welcome in our town." Walsh reassures me, soothing my building anger while he continues to explain.

"Many of the citizens here have come to respect her, probably more so after this incident. What I'm suggesting is that for the sake of our town and her life, it would be best if she were to find someplace else to live for the time being." Walsh says earnestly.

"At least until she can work things out with the Sirens and see if they will grant her asylum. Because the only family she had left was her father… I'm hoping you may have some lodgings where she could stay for a while?" Walsh asks hopefully.

"I have a couple ideas, but I must know… Why me? You barely know me after all." I ask him.

"Well, Marcus trusted her with you. I'm conveying that trust now that he's gone." Walsh says honestly.

"I see… In that case I'll be more than happy to take care of her… But I have a favor to ask in return." I say in response.

"Oh? What could I do to help?" Walsh asks refilling my cup with interest.

"I'm looking to create a construction company, but I have no clue how to run it or what it would entail." I explain my idea.

"As much as I want to help, I've been retired for several years now and I don't plan to leave me home anytime soon. I'm sorry but I can't help you." Walsh refuses.

"Hold on, let me finish." I raise up my hands to stop him, "I'm not asking you to come out of retirement to lead a fledgling company. Just asking if you can offer some friendly advice and consult on some projects in your free time. As well as passing on some of your hard-won knowledge to a friend of mine who would lead the company. You wouldn't have to go anywhere." I counter.

"Hmmm…" Walsh pauses for a long moment before finally nodding, "I guess that's acceptable, it'd be nice to put my old noggin' to good use after all these years. Any thoughts on your first project and the name of this company?"

"Yes, I have some property I've got my eyes on in Falkwreath that I plan to convert into an… Orphanage, of sorts… And as for the company name, I was thinking Dragon Bone Zenith Constructions, or DBZ Constructions, for short." I tell Walsh.

"Interesting, grab your man and we can discuss the details later. And on behalf of Jonestead, thank you for aiding us once again." Walsh says.