Taking on a New Job V

"Those are some valid points my friend... But are you sure this is what you want?" Inigo asks.

"Nope, but I know it can't hurt my plans to have them on my side. And something else..." I say trailing off.

"What is it my friend?" Inigo asks intently.

"I always wanted to have a tail, do you think werewolves have tails or stubs?" I ask Inigo seriously.

He pauses for a moment as if processing what I just said, "My friend... Is it possible you're just as crazy as they call me?"

"Oh definitely, just different types of crazy. But I think they complement each other, don't you?" I ask with a smile.

"Absolutely my friend!" Inigo exclaims in agreement.

And with that we make our way back to camp where I see the girls huddled together under a lean-to thrown together against a crumbling stone wall. Seemingly asleep, cuddling up with a sleeping Crimson, guess no snacks for you buddy.

I motion for Inigo to go to bed while I watch over the party.

In the morning we pack everything up and make our way back to Whiterun. Passing through Riverwood I noticed the timbers for the lodge house across from the Mill are in place and I see Faendal and Uthgard patrolling the streets.

"Hey, how's patrol going? Nothing too exciting I hope?" I ask them.

"Nothing too crazy, my friend. Embry got drunk and fought a chicken… The chicken won." Faendal sighs.

"Yes, that was one feisty chicken. Oh, and that trader and Janessa and Marcurio passed through about a day ago." Uthgard adds.

"O~kay, well, we're just passing through. This is our newest recruit, Inigo, and our most recent client, Kasia. We're going to stop by the Trade Post for a while, before heading north." I explain to the two.

"I am Inigo, an archer and swordsman in service of my dear friend Silvantus." Inigo says with a smile extending his hand towards Faendal.

"I'm Silvantus' friend as well, pleasure to meet you." Faendal says firmly gripping Inigo's hand.

...

...

...

"Ah hum." I cough breaking them up from their contest of strength and will.

"Let's get going, keep up the good work and we'll send a relief group in a week or two." I say, waving to them as I lead Inigo, Sofia, M'rissi, and Kasia out of the village and through the roads for a few hours until the structure of the trade outpost comes into sight.

The rubble had been cleared away and the salvageable stones had been pilled up into a nearby improvised stock pile while the first order of timbers had been received and placed while a second order lay in the near by stockpile.

The area had been cleared and I could see the outline of my design.

WWWWWWTTTT

W TTTT

W W

W W

W W

W W

WWWGGWWWW

W = Wall

T = Tower

G = Gate

The cleared interior courtyard already had some semi-permanent shanties housing a Khajiit caravan in it while I saw Lokir barking orders.

"Lift with your legs, we're almost done for today!" Lokir shouts as a couple laborers help him lift a substantial wooden brace above a few posts before setting it in place.

"Whew!" Lokir exhales, "Good work boys, call it a quits for today after a short break and spending an hour organizing the rubble out back.

"Thanks boss." One of them say as the three laborers head to behind the tower.

I approached Lokir before whistling and asking, "Damn man! Didn't expect you to be doing so well! But where's everyone else?"

"Boss! You're early! And as for everyone else, I sent Jenassa and Maurcio out to get a few minor jobs in town while that Grelka lass is out buying materials in town. I heard from your red guard friend from Falkreath that she's looking for trusted laborers to get started on building up that tower there. What about you boss? Your letter was a little... Um..." Lokir trails off.

"What? I don't think my handwriting is that bad?" I say giving him a peculiar look.

Lokir then motions for me to lean in close before whispering, "Boss... I can't read..."

I freeze before facepalming, before whispering, "Okay, when Maurcio returns get him to start up a 'literacy' class for the laborers and passing peasants that wish to learn. And you can 'oversee' the classes without losing face, but it'll be up to you to study what he teaches on your own."

Clasping him on the back before walking away.

"Understood, and these are?" Lokir says motioning towards Inigo and Kasia.

"This is Kasia and Inigo, our latest client and recruite, respectively." I say as Kasia quietly nods and Inigo smiles.

"I almost forgot, where's Lydia?" I ask.

"Oh, she's-" Lokir says before a loud shout interrupts him.

"Incoming!" I hear Lydia shout as a large pickaxe is seen flying over the top of the tower before arcing down and landing about 5 ft from where I was standing.

Lydia jogs over from behind the tower, apologizing, "Sorry about that! It came loose from my grip again."

"Again?" I ask Lokir.

"Yeah boss, we used to have 5 laborers..." Lokir says trailing off.

"By Talos, did she kill them?!" I ask in shock.

"No, no! Just... Removed a foot. But, it was saved by a trip to the healer, but he and his friend said they wouldn't come back until she leaves. But, she does the work of 3 men... So long as she doesn't lose her tools." Lokir says, explaining what had happened.

"Sorry about that, I was-" Lydia begins to explain before tripping over and knocking her helmet over her eyes.

Inigo, who had been uncharacteristically quiet finally speaks up after rushing to Lydia's side, "Hello, I do not believe we have been properly introduced. My name is Inigo, and you are?"

"Hello? Where are you?" Lydia asks with her helmet still askew as Inigo helps her up.

"I am over here, the blue thing that is currently talking to you." Inigo says playfully before turning her helmet so she can see him.

"The blue thing?" Lydia asks before the helmet is righted and she sees Inigo, "Oh, hi! It's a pleasure to meet you!" She says with a bright smile.

"Likewise, are you feeling okay? You seem distracted." Inigo asks with concern.

Lydia seems to space out while looking into Inigo's eyes and I realize she's slightly taller than him as they stand together, "Um... Sorry, what were we talking about again?" Lydia says with a faint blush.

"I was just saying, you seem a bit distracted." Inigo asks again, hand still wrapped around Lydia's arm.

Lydia blush before exclaiming in a mild panic, "Stew!"

"Stew?" Inigo questions.

"Uh, yes? I was... Thinking of making an apple cabbage stew..." Lydia says after thinking for a moment.

"Oh... Okay." Inigo replies dejectedly.

"W-would you l-like to share some w-with me?" Lydia stammers out as Inigo starts to walk away.

"I would love too!" Inigo says merrily turning around and leading the two off.

"What just happened?" Lokir asks in confusion.

"I think Blue's about to get laid." Sofia says.

"Better off that stray leaves her and Fluffy alone!" M'rissi harrumphs.

"Tsk." I tsk thinking about that lucky bastard.

(Author's Note)

It is in this chapter I made a terrible realization… The Skyrim economy is broken… 30 GOLDEN SEPTIMS will only buy you 1 POUND of apples which I found out… Is less than 1.00 American Dollar… If a septim were made out of gold, it would be valued at $300.81 American Dollars. It is now that I plan to implement currency reform in Skyrim, as Silvantus when he rises to power, based on the crafting materials.

Conversion Explanation of New Currency Grades:

3 Septim = 1 Iron Coin

10 Iron Coin = 1 Corundum Coin

10 Corundum Coin = 1 Steel Coin

10 Steel Coin = 1 Dwemer Coin

10 Dwemer Coin = 1 Orichalcum Coin

10 Orichalcum Coin = 1 Moonstone Coin

10 Moonstone Coin = 1 Quicksilver Coin

10 Quicksilver Coin = 1 Ebony Coin

10 Ebony Coin = 1 Malachite Coin

10 Malachite Coin = 1 Stahlrim Coin

10 Stahlrim Coin = 1 Dragon Scale Coin

10 Dragon Scale Coin = 1 Dragon Bone Coin