Unwelcome Homecoming I

After our meal, Lokir gives out the work assignments for the day before pulling me aside to talk privately.

"Hey, Boss. You got a minute?" Lokir asks with a slightly nervous look on his face.

"Sure, something wrong with construction?" I ask with concern.

"Nah, nothin' like that. In fact, everything is set for the next couple of days. That's actually why I wanted ta speak with ya… About what we talked about before. You know, going back home with me. I know you're still on the mend from the last fight, but it'd mean a lot if you could come with me." Lokir asks me nervously.

"Oh, is that all? Sure. Let's saddle up the horses and we'll ride out in a few." I say with a shrug as I had nothing else planned while I was on the mend.

"Really? Thanks, Boss! This means a lot." Lokir thanks me vehemently before walking off to prepare the horses when Inigo comes over to me.

"Where are you going in such a hurry, my friend? Trying to flee your lovers so soon?" Inigo asks with a cheeky smirk.

"Nah, it's not my lover I'm afraid of." I tease back causing him to blush.

"W-what are you talking about my friend? You joke too much." Inigo replies nervously scratching the back of his neck.

"I'm talkin' about you and Lydia." I say with a smirk.

"I-… *Huff*" Inigo starts to try and deny it once more before sighing deeply, "Is it that obvious, my friend?"

"About as obvious as you in a crowd of argonians. And while it's pretty fun to tease you about this, why are you hiding it? It's not like anyone cares. Hell, I just had a threesome with two of the hottest women around and I'm being cheered at breakfast! So what's the deal?" I ask him with genuine confusion.

"Hmmm… This is… Quite a story… Mind if we sit for a moment before you go off with Lokir?" Inigo inquires hopefully.

"Sure, Lokir can saddle up my horse." I say pushing my work off to him before going toward the fire pit in the middle of our little tent city which is now empty with everyone off doing their work.

"Well, I shall start from the beginning. You may already know I was adopted, yes? But, I grew up in Riverhold, not far from Cyrodiil. My brother and I headed for the Imperial City to find our fortune when we came of age. It was there I found love, for a time at least… And my brother found death." Inigo begins to narrate as he stares into the dying embers of the fire pit.

"You were in love?" I ask slightly shocked.

"Well… If I am honest with myself, maybe it was not love. It was brief and as it turned out one-sided. Anyway, all that happened later." Inigo says before taking a deep breath. I wait a few moments while he steels his nerves.

"I awoke one morning to a lot of noise outside our tent. My brother staggered in bleeding and pushed our father's sword into my hand. He said that if I loved him I would run. He used the last of his strength to rip out the back of the tent and push me down the slope beyond. Some Khajiit-hating locals had blamed us for a spate of robberies in the area and had decided to take the matter into their own hands…" Inigo says as he clenches his fists in rage before riding out the painful memory and continuing.

"Twelve of them had snuck up on us in the night. My brother died but I live because of him…" Inigo says taking a moment to stare off into the glimmering lake.

"I-I'm sorry, Inigo. Losing your brother like that must have been terrible… I… I lost my little sister the same way I think. Though they were slavers raiding our tribe for more 'cattle'…" I say opening up to him in turn.

"I see, I'm sorry for your loss as well, my friend… It hurts losing all that is dear to you so abruptly… Unfortunately, that trauma uncovered a side of myself I never knew existed. His name was Fergus in case I forgot I told you, you know the skooma did my mind no favors… I miss him very much, but part of me is glad he did not witness what became of me after his passing." Inigo says as a tear threatens to stream down his eye before he wipes it away.

"That is true… Had it not been for the love I found while in the slave fields, I could have broken or at the very least never healed from my experiences. I'm sure if it was your brother in your place he could have traveled a similar path." I say placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I appreciate the sentiment but I hit rock bottom and kept digging. Fergus would have been stronger. He was quite a lot like you, I think you could have been good friends. He was quick with words but even quicker with the blade when he needed to be." Inigo says with a smile on his face.

"Yes, but my strength doesn't come from just me. But those who built me up along the way, even if I don't remember them. Do you think I broke my chains and fought through my many masters with just my own awesome might?" I say giving a flex of my pitifully deflated muscles.

"Ha, you're right on that count my friend. Thank you for your counsel." Inigo thanks me with a smile before a silence settles between us.

"Do… Do you ever wish that you stayed and fought?" I ask prying a little further.

"Every day, my friend. Every day… But back to why I am so hesitant to expose my relationship with Lydia… After Fergus' death, I was recruited by a group of bandits a few years ago. That is when I discovered skooma and was the beginning of a lot of nastiness." Inigo explains.