Homesteading I

"Now that is fascinating! I knew you had potential. That is exactly what magic should be, experimentation and creation! We can discuss more when we return to your compound." Jouane exclaims happily before noticing Lokir returning to us and the whirlwind of an old man disappears and reappears on the top of the dragon bones loaded onto our cart.

"I see you've met old Jouane, Boss. Hope he didn't cause much trouble?" Lokir asks once he's returned.

"That... Is one weird old man." I say with a sigh as Lokir gives me an understanding nod before I ask him, "So, how did your talk with your dad go?"

"It... It was good, I think? At the very least not bad... I think I'll come and visit in a couple months, but everything that needed to be said has been, and I feel better." Lokir says after some contemplation.

"That's good... Before we go, I've got an idea." I say with a smile before whispering my plan to Lokir.

"I fuckin' love it!" Lokir exclaims in agreement before we start.

It takes about an hour, but we leave the village with smiles on our faces as the dragon skull mounted above the entrance to the inn grows smaller. As too does the note inscribed on the beam supporting its weight.

[Killed by Lokir of Rorikstead, Son of Rorik, Sworn Brother to Silvantus Malborne, and Dragon Born. - Middas, 24th of Hearthfire in the Year 201 of the 4th Era]

Though as we start to leave a figure waves us down at the edge of town by one of the farms.

"Erik? What are you doing out here?" Lokir asks Erik who seems to be carrying a rucksack with him.

"I'm running away! I'm not going to let my father make excuses anymore! A dragon attacked and I ran away in fear instead of fighting it like a man, like you! I hope you'll take me into your company!" Erik pleads to Lokir.

"Ummm... Boss?" Lokir looks at me with concern.

"Why're you looking at me? The boy asked you." I tell him, enjoying his discomfort.

"Look, Erik-" Lokir starts to say before Erik interrupts him.

"I can polish your shield, sharpen your sword, or carry your bag? Please! I'm begging you to let me tag along and learn from you!" Erik desperately pleads.

"I... Fine, come along, no room in the cart so you're going to have to walk." Lokir starts to reject him, but eventually, he sighs and relents.

"Thank you, Lokir! I promise you won't regret giving me this chance!" Erik says enthusiastically joining us.

"Ah, that's Captain Lokir, recruit Erik!" I say giving him a firm reprimand while trying to keep a straight face.

"R-right! Thank you, Captain!" Erik says making a chest salute to Lokir causing Lokir to hang his head and me to snicker under my breath.

With that taken care of we travel till the sun begins to set, before setting up camp and relaxing for the night.

With a thankfully uneventful night, we wake up early and continue on to the growing worksite at the former site of Lakeview Manor.

Meeting Rayya and Benor, who is manning the checkpoint, giving them a nod as we pass.

As we approach I see that a large amount of brush had been cleared away, with house markers laid out and the rest of the supports for the main house having been placed.

All the kids are out playing tag when they notice our group approaching, dropping what they're doing they rush over to greet us shouting in joy.

"Papa's home!" And my kids tackle me to the floor, making me laugh. As the rest of the workers stop to watch the show.

"Papa! Papa! Did you bring us new sisters?" Sofie asks happily as I see Kasia approaching, stumbling a little as she overhears her question.

"Not again Papa! Can't I at least get a little brother!" Aventus pouts.

"What was that? You don't like having sisters?!" Lucia shouts, before diving in and fiercely tickling Aventus.

"No! No! Stop! That's not what I meant!" Aventus tries to defend himself between fits of laughter.

"Calm down, my Brunsumzs! These girls are more like cousins, they're Uncle Lokir's daughters." I explained to them stopping their tickle war.

"It's always fun to have more family." Sofie says happily watching her siblings' wrestling come to an end before getting off of my lap from the earlier dog pile.

"Hi! I'm Sofie, Papa says we're family now what's your names?" Sofie asks Britte and Sissel who are silently watching the show before them.

"Hi, I'm Britte, and… She's Sissel." Britte says giving Sissel a look.

Sissel hides behind Lokir as she stares timidly at the horde of children around her before nodding at Sofie.

Lokir rubs her head comfortingly before pushing her forward a little, "It's okay Sissel, there's nothing to be afraid of, we're all family here."

"Yeah! Com'on let's go play tag!" Lucia shouts in joy taking both their hands in her own and dragging them away from Lokir to go and play tag.

"Hey! Wait for us!" Aventus shouts trailing behind Lucia with Sofie.

"Whew. I'm glad they're getting along." Lokir says with a sigh as Kasia approaches us.

"Hey, Kasia, how's it been going over here while we were gone?" I ask her as I pull myself off the ground.

"Logistics-wise? It's been wonderful, Silvantus. Gerdur sent over her people and they've taken control of the mill in Falkreath. Bolund's brother, Solaf wanted to protest it, but I was able to convince him to leave it in Gerdur's capable hands." Kasia explains as she pulls out her notes.

"Excellent, but is something else wrong?" I ask having noticed how she specified logistics was going well.

"Um... Well, with you gone there's been some... Conflicts?" Kasia says hesitantly.

"Conflicts? What about?" I ask, unsure what could have happened in our absence.

"It'd probably be easier to show you." Kasia replies reluctantly, leading me away from the rest of our group who split off to go and get settled into our tent city.