Homesteading IX

"Thank you. I loved them deeply. I nearly went mad after they were murdered by those Aldmeri dogs. I wanted nothing but vengeance. Every day of my life has burned with nothing but the desire to make them pay for their murders." Valerius says as his hands curl into fists before he takes a breath and releases them, taking the letter I had handed him from his pocket.

"But enough of that. Let's see this letter that you've brought." He says breaking the seal and starting to read the letter.

"Hmmm, yes. Ha, ha, ha! Marcus Jannus, it's certainly you alright. But what do you want with me? Tell me, how has he found me here?" Valerius asks after giving a quick chuckle at what he read in the letter.

"Well, Marcus had heard that a bandit named Val had taken over this fort, and he had a hunch that it was you." I say with a shrug.

"Very clever, that one. Always was. Bandits, ha!" Valerius laughs before wiping his eyes and continuing, "Sadie, that's not far from the truth. A fitting ruse as that's about what we've become. Living our lives in the shadows, hiding and skulking about like some caged skeever looking for his next piece of cheese." He says wistfully.

"That's quite different from the tales of an honorable man who was forged in the fires of the Great War, that Marcus shared." I say with a nod.

"Honor? Blah! Any honor I had died with the first Aldmeri diplomat I assassinated. I'm not the same man he knew. But no doubt he's filled your head with tales of glory from the war, and stories of the Keepers of Hattu! Well, I'm afraid that man no longer exists. This hatred, it consumed me, taken my life." Valerius says during his head in his hands to reflect on his life until now.

"I suppose I would still be rotting down in that damn prison were it not for Marcus, but now I'm just rotting here instead. And rot is nonetheless still rot, the only difference really is where and how." Valerius says with dissatisfaction.

"I think that might be why Marcus sent me here. I'm someone who shares that pain of loss. I think he wants to help both of us somehow?" I tell him my guess about Marcus' intentions.

"Why would he want to help me? After he sees what I've become he'll leave soon enough…" Valerius says dejectedly before continuing, "But, go tell him I'll meet him regardless. At least then we can say our proper goodbyes to one another. We never got to do that before. And if you don't mind I'd like to be left in peace." He says wistfully while returning his gaze to the ring around his neck as he gets lost in bittersweet memories.

I nod, leaving him to his contemplation.

Exiting the keep I see Balfring and his men patrolling the area.

I give them a nod of acknowledgment before exciting the town and using longstride to journey back to Falkreath. Stopping on occasion to catch my breathe and regenerate my magika.

Once in Falkreath, I head into the inn to find Marcus, who's changed into some sturdy steel armor with his bags packed at the foot of the bed.

"I spoke to Valerius, he's agreed to meet, but… He seems… Despondent? Is the best word I can think to use? Lost might be better." I tell Marcus with mild concern.

"I see, thank you for doing this for me Mr. Gora. I'm ready to go, but there's just one thing. I'm getting too old for fighting. Well at least by myself that is. I was hoping that it wouldn't be too much of a burden on you to escort me to the Keep? There's another 250 gold in it for you if you will." Marcus asks with a hopeful look.

"I could do that, but you should know, I go by the name Silvantus Malborne now, and I'm the Commander of a local mercenary company." I explain to him.

"I understand, thank you for your help. If you're ready to go, I'm right behind you. Just don't go too fast. Unlike you young ones I'm not cut out for this shite anymore!" Marcus says with a laugh.

"No problem, do you have a horse nearby?" I ask picking up one of the bags and following him out of the inn.

"Yes, just up ahead." Marcus said, leading me to his horse, which he mounts after situating his belongings.

Our journey is rather uneventful as Marcus rides his horse and I'm able to keep pace with my Longstride spell and aside from a short break to let me and the horse rest, we make it to the Keep about an hour or so after midday.

I get a nod from one of Balfring's guards as we pass by the gate.

Once outside the Keep, Marcus dismounts from his horse and heads inside with me close behind.

I see Valerius still in the seat I had left him in.

"Valerius Tiberius Artoria, you old dog! Come here my friend, let us have a look at you." Marcus says jovially, prompting Valerius to stand up. Though he gives more of a confused response.

"Marcus, why have you come here?" Valerius asks his old friend pointedly.

"Valerius, I'm sure this is quite a shock to you and terribly unexpected. I came here to check on my family, but it appears none of them survived. Then I realized you were here so I decided it was in both our interests for two old friends to meet again at last." Marcus explains.

"Oh, your brother, yes. Marcus, I'm very sorry. But, whatever the circumstances, it does my eyes good to see you again after all these years." Valerius says with some warmth returning to his voice.

"Yes, same here old friend, same here. So, The Keepers of Hattu in Skyrim! Who would have ever dreamed of such a time!" Marcus says with a laugh.