Mercenaries

It was almost dead silent. If I listened hard enough, I could hear the quiet chirp of insects in the distance. A gust of wind then caused a pack of birds to take off into the air, squawking as they did. I glanced left, Serana standing still, bow in hand, arrow nocked though pointing at the ground. She looked my way and smiled, gesturing ahead with her eyes. Looking right, Aela had her eyes focused on the giant elk ahead. None of us had a clear shot yet. Far too many trees.

I took a step forward, ensuring I didn't step on anything that would make a noise. Elks could be startled by the slightest sound. Stepping on a single branch, causing it to snap, would probably cause it to run away. At the very least, it would certainly be startled and wary of anything coming close to it.

I stopped behind a large tree, glancing around it. The elk was still a long way off, but I had a possible shot. I knew as I soon as I loosed the arrow, the elk might run before the arrow even arrived at its destination. They seemed to know when an arrow was on its way. Aela was moving further away from me, appearing to circle around and I assumed she was going to eventually flank the elk, perhaps even forcing it towards Serana and I.

"Ragnar," Serana whispered, glancing to see she was behind a nearby tree, "How close are we getting?"

"Just a little closer. Aela is flanking," I whispered back, before putting a finger to my lips, instead making a couple of signals with my hand. Serana smiled and nodded in understanding.

I'll admit, I was sweating. I wasn't even wearing any armour, though it was cool around Falkreath, so I was wearing a couple of layers. But the concentration it took to hunt an elk was something else entirely. Peeking around the tree, the elk was still eating grass, not a care in the world. Aela was now out of sight, so I cautiously stepped forward, making sure each foot was securely planted, without a sound, before I took the next step. Serana was doing exactly the same thing. All being well, Aela and I were hoping she would get the first shot. My wife was good if not great at most things, but with a bow and arrow, even she admitted that she needed training.

The elk was now only fifty yards away at most. I felt confident enough that, if I took the shot, I'd at least hit the elk. Whether I'd get the killing blow or not, I'm not sure. Aela would kill it from double that distance. I glanced at Serana, gesturing again. She shook her head, and gestured to get closer by around half the distance.

Forty yards away, and the elk moved for the first time in at least ten minutes, raising its head, its ears twitching. I didn't move a muscle. Neither did Serana. I had no idea where Aela was by now, though she was the best tracker and hunter of the three of us, so I knew, if required, she'd get the shot in.

Another ten yards, and the elk lifted its head again. It was clearly listening for any approaching predator. Its ears continued to twitch, obviously gauging any sound it could identify. I was barely breathing by now, glancing to see Serana was behind a tree. She met my eyes and I gestured. She nodded and took a deep breath. Slowly lifting her bow, the arrow already knocked, I watch her take a couple of deep breaths as she steadied her hand, her eyes focused only on the elk ahead.

She loosed, the arrow flying straight and true. It hit the elk in the neck, though the animal didn't go down. However, a second arrow appeared within a second, this one going straight through its eye. The elk cried out and collapsed to the ground.

I walked across to Serana, who was on the verge of leaping for joy. I gave her a hug and a kiss. "I can't believe I did that!"

"Good shot!"

She grabbed my hand and held it to her neck, pressing two of my fingers in. "Feel that, Ragnar. It's beating so fast!" She held up her free hand and it was shaking. A slight surprise, considering her shot was near perfect.

"Just adrenaline, gorgeous. It'll wear off eventually."

She took a deep breath before kissing me again. "Come on. We should check out our prize."

Aela appeared through the trees as we approached the elk. Despite taking two arrows, there wasn't a lot of blood yet. "Nice shot, Serana. Soon you'll be putting your husband to shame." Then she looked at me. "Didn't even get to loose an arrow, Ragnar. Outshone once again."

"Didn't have a chance. That second arrow came so quickly."

Aela crouched down and checked the wounds. "The first shot would have killed it, but it would have been a slow, painful death. We don't want that. My shot went through the eye and into the brain. It wouldn't have died near instantly because of that one."

"I had no idea you cared so much," Serana said.

"They're graceful beasts, and though we hunt them, I respect them. They provide us with food and leather, and I don't want them to suffer because of it. A good, clean, quick death is what I think anyone would want."

"Wise words as always, Aela," I said, earning a warm smile in reply.

We found a sturdy branch, using rope to tie its legs, then the three of us carried the elk back to where we'd left our horses. Tying the elk to my horse, the best and probably only one of carrying a dead elk plus a rider, we rode home with still enough light to ensure we'd be at the gates of Whiterun by sunset. Farkas and Vilkas were arriving back at the same time, a quick question and answer that they were returning from a contract across the river. They kindly offered to help carry the elk into town for us.

The gates were open as always but the line of guards blocking entrance was a surprise. The Commander of the Guard, Caius, appeared to be having a rather heated argument with two robed gentlemen. I couldn't see them but, judging by their accent, they were not locals. The twins and Aela walked through the guards with the elk while I stayed back and listened to the conversation. Serana stayed with me, obviously noting my interest.

"Look, you've already been told you're not allowed in here. So I suggest, if not demand, that you turn around and go back the way you came."

"We're causing no trouble. All we ask is to look for her."

Half a dozen swords were partially unsheathed. The pair of robed gentlemen took a step back. "You have been warned once, gentlemen," Caius stated, "I don't care what you're doing, who you're after or why you are here. All I know is that after what happened, you're lucky I don't toss the both of you in jail with your friend. Now get lost."

"We will be back. This is not over."

Weapons were now unsheathed, the guards taking a step forward. "Is that a threat?" Caius growled, "I would suggest you think very carefully about what you say and do in the next ten seconds. Otherwise you'll definitely find yourselves joining your friend in jail, though only after I let my men..." He trailed off, the insinuation and threat clear.

I glanced at Serana, who simply shrugged, as the pair of men, who turned and I recognised as Redguards, walked towards me. One of them elbowed the other and nodded his head in my direction. They approached me quickly. "You look familiar."

"I get that often. I'm nobody special," I stated.

"Would you like to make some easy coin?" the other asked.

"I'm not sure. It depends on what you want me to do for said coin."

"We are looking for someone in Whiterun, and we're willing to pay good money for information about this person."

"Who are you looking for?"

"A woman. A foreigner in these lands. She's a Redguard, like us. She is likely not using her true name. As I said, we will pay for any information regarding her location. As you've no doubt noticed, we are not welcome here in Whiterun, so we will be in Rorikstead if you learn anything. Are you willing to help us?"

I glanced at Serana. Her face gave nothing away but she shrugged. I looked back at the pair of Redguards. "Sure. I'll see what I can find out. Thought can I ask why you're looking for her?"

"That's none of your concern. All you need to know is that we're paying for information. Good coin. If that doesn't interest you, feel free to walk away."

The pair of men walked past us and out the gates, the half dozen guards and Caius watching until they had disappeared from view before they all turned and headed back into the barracks. Serana and I walked home, taking a seat by the fire. She hadn't said a word yet.

"I know exactly who they're after," she said after we'd sat down.

"I know too. It's fairly obvious as there are only two or three Redguard women in town I know of."

"What will you do?"

"Talk to her in the morning and see what she has to say."

"Do you know who those men were?" I shook my head. "Alik'r."

"And they are?"

"Mercenaries from Hammerfell. If whoever wants her has sent the Alik'r, then they are deadly serious." She paused, before adding, "And I doubt the person they want will make it back to Hammerfell alive. If they're taken back alive, then I dread to think of what would be done to them."

"How do you know all that?"

She smiled for a moment. "I know these things, Ragnar. You should know that by now."

After breakfast the next morning, I headed up to the Bannered Mare, Serana kissing me on the cheek as we exited our house, saying she would head outside to the garden. The inn was rather busy, even in the morning, as many townsfolk would grab breakfast before heading to work. I took a seat, Saadia heading in my direction quite quickly.

"Get you anything, Dragonborn?"

"I'll have a tankard of mead."

"This early?"

I smiled and shrugged. "Not like I have anything else to do."

Saadia smiled before walking to a nearby table to take their order. A tankard of mead was placed in front of me a couple of minutes later, and I tried to keep a subtle eye on Saadia until she appeared to have a minute or two to herself. When her eyes met mine, I gestured in my direction and then to the free seat. Once sat down, she returned a curious look.

"Something you want, Dragonborn?"

"I had an interesting conversation with a couple of Redguards yesterday. Apparently they are seeking out a woman. No idea what for, but they've offered coin in return for information. Just wondering if you know anything about that?"

I gauged her reaction. She kept her face blank, but her eyes said everything. "We need to talk. Upstairs."

Following her into what was likely her bedroom, she asked me to close and lock the door. Turning my back, I certainly didn't expect what happened next, turning and having to step back against the door as I found a dagger at my throat. "I knew they were after me, but I never thought they would have sent you," she spat.

"Hold on a second, Saadia. It's why I asked you straight out."

She raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I wanted to talk to you about it. I know they're mercenaries, and from the sounds of it, they're rather keen to find you. I want to know why. And maybe I can help."

"Help? Why would you want to help me? You barely know me."

"I know you well enough. I'm in here often to talk to you, and plenty of others know you too. You're a familiar face, and I think there are some in town who would consider you a friend. And I can only assume you're on the run. Would that assumption be correct?"

The dagger, still at my throat, was lowered slightly. "Yes," she said quietly.

"Want to tell me about it?"

"You're serious?" I nodded. She removed the dagger from my throat. "Sorry, I just…"

"Don't worry about it. Why don't we sit down and talk?"

She was still wary as we sat the table, resting but still holding the dagger on the table as I sat across from her, keeping my hands visible and trying to look relaxed. "So they finally found me after all this time?"

"Well, no, I don't think they know you're here. That's why they asked me to try and find you."

She smirked. "And what did they offer? Gold?" I nodded. "I didn't think you'd need any, Ragnar."

"I don't. But I immediately assumed they were looking for you."

"Why?"

"I don't think they were looking for Amren's wife. My conversations with him suggest she was born here. Nor would it be the priestess at the temple. So, by process of elimination, that left you."

"How many of them are there?"

I shrugged. "No idea. There were two at the gates wanting to come in, but Caius told them to bugger off. There's a third one in jail." She said nothing. "So what's the truth? Who are you really?"

"Saadia isn't my real name. I'd… rather not share my true name, simply because the less people who know it, the less chance of my true identity being revealed."

"Does anyone else know it?" She shook her head. "Then don't worry about it. So why are you here?"

"My family spoke vehemently against the Thalmor during the war. Once the peace agreement was signed, the Thalmor still did whatever they wanted in our land. Their troops still occupy forts many miles from their own border. Their agents still work within our cities. And they have been exactly vengeance on any who spoke out against them."

"You said your family. What about the…" My question trailed off when her eyes and face showed conflicting emotions. But her continued silence answered the unfinished question. "I'm sorry."

"That is why I am here now. Whether any other members of my family escaped, I do not know. But I had little choice to run. Anyone who spoke out against the Thalmor was either killed or 're-educated'." She paused, before adding, "But that is not all."

"No?"

"Obviously you have been told things by the Alik'r. To ensure people such as myself were rounded up, the Thalmor would spread lies about us, calling us traitors to our people, claiming we assisted their conquest."

"And did you?"

"I would never betray my land or people." She said that with such vehemence, I kept my eye on her dagger, in case her emotions got the better of her.

"So the Alik'r that are here?"

"Are no doubt working with the Thalmor, Ragnar. That I can guarantee. They are mercenaries, not warriors. They would happily hand me over to the Thalmor if they received gold for doing the job."

I got to my feet and walked to open the door. "Where are you going?"

I looked back and couldn't help smile. "Well, if the Thalmor are involved, I'm required to sort it out. Don't worry yourself, Saadia. Your secret is safe with me. Keep your head down and just continue as normal. Both the Thalmor and Alik'r will be taken care of. You have my word."

I headed straight to Jorrvaskr and found Aela in her room. She was now completely recovered from her near death experience but had been sensible and not thrown herself back into the thick of the action. But I know she was getting restless. Explaining what I wanted, she readily agreed to my plan.

After informing the wife of what I was doing, Aela and I headed to the stables, mounted our horses and headed for Rorikstead. We rode fast, Aela splitting up just outside the village, where she would keep watch. I kept riding until reaching the inn, tying my horse to the post outside before heading in.

The two Alik'r were inside, sitting together at one of the benches. The inn was otherwise empty except for the innkeeper. Recognising me, they gestured for me to join them, though I remained standing.

"I expect you have news."

"I do, though likely not what you were hoping."

"What do you mean?"

"There are three Redguard woman in Whiterun, but none that would fit your description. One is a priestess of the temple, and was born in Cyrodil. One is a local woman, born in Whiterun, as was her husband. The third woman is not local to Whiterun but was born in Solitude. None fit the description you gave."

"And you know this because?"

"I know all of them. And, because they trust me, I could ask rather personal questions. And I don't believe they'd lie to me simply because of who I am. I believe, if one of them was the woman you are after, she would probably have confided in me and asked for my help."

The two Alik'r shared a glance, one eventually shrugging his shoulders. "Maybe the information we received was incorrect?"

"I'm not sure I want to tell Kematu his information was wrong."

The one who asked all the questions turned to me. "Very well, it would appear the person of interest is not in Whiterun." He offered a small pouch. "For your troubles."

I held up a hand. "I didn't find the woman so I can't accept."

He gave me a curious look before shrugging. "Very well. An honourable trait." He looked at his partner. "We should head back and report."

I headed outside, mounted my horse and immediately headed back to Whiterun. I passed Aela on the way, who looked my way and nodded. I didn't worry about her. I knew she would do the job I'd asked of, and would do nothing to either give herself away or put herself in danger. Back in town, Serana was surprised to see me so soon, but once I'd explained everything, she immediately offered to help once Aela returned with the information needed. With her offer, I headed to Jorrvaskr and tempted Farkas and Vilkas with some work, while Mjoll and Lydia would offer their swords with having to be asked. I think even the Nightingales would join in, as no doubt those four would be feeling bored after a week of little to do.

Aela returned later the next day with news I'd expected. The Alik'r were in Skyrim, and in force, with reports of numerous patrols accosting any Redguard woman they found. And the Thalmor were supporting their efforts. I had only one question for Aela once she finished her report.

"Where are they?"

"In a fort to the west. I counted at least a dozen Alik'r and Thalmor. Each."

"What's the plan?" Lydia asked.

"Aela?" I asked.

"The layout is what you'd expect of a fort," she replied, grabbing one of the maps, "At least half a dozen will be patrolling the walls. At least another two to four on the grounds itself. The rest will be inside."

"Did you recognise any of the Thalmor?"

Aela shook her head. "No. Though all those Thalmor bastards look the same anyway."

"Okay, what's the plan, Harbinger?"

I glanced at Farkas, who simply smirked at me, before I replied. "Nothing that should surprise any of us. Take out those on the walls as quietly as possible. Is there a front gate?" Aela shook her head. "Right, so then we infiltrate the yard, take out whoever is there. Then enter the fort and eliminate the rest, while trying to obtain any information we may need."

"When do we go?" Serana asked.

"We hit the fort tomorrow night."

*****

The weather was absolutely perfect for us. Dark cloud had rolled in during our ride towards the fort, and by the time we were in position, heavy rain was falling. We were all soaked to the bone, but knew it may help our infiltration, no doubt the Alik'r and Thalmor probably switching off slightly, thinking no-one would even consider attacking in such conditions.

With no need for communication between any of us, the plan of attack already established, we got to work. Aela, Serana and Karliah readied their bows, acquired a target, and waited for our signal, the rest of us sneaking towards the wall. We knew they had fired when one of the bodies on the wall above fell to the ground nearby.

Moving fast, the rest of us entered the fort. Those on the ground obvious had no idea about their men on the walls, as they were not prepared for our arrival. The rain pouring down and thunder rolling across the sky covered their cries of alarm as we moved quick, the darkness aiding us as my sword was bloodied by the Thalmor once again. I heard more fighting up the walls, assuming at least one or two colleagues were taking care of any those armed with bows couldn't take out.

"Clear?" I called.

"Clear, Harbinger," Farkas replied.

"Door's over here!" Mjoll called.

I had left my shield on my back for speed in our initial attack, but considering we were about to enter narrow hallways, I would enter first with shield up, alongside Lydia, who would be doing the same. Behind would be Aela and Karliah, ready to fire when required.

We were met by a small, empty room, with three corridors leading left, right and straight ahead. Something I don't think any of us wanted to see, because that meant we'd have to possibly split our forces. Keeping my eyes on the corridor ahead, I gestured left and right. "Mjoll, left. Farkas, right. Check if they're just rooms or lead on somewhere."

As they checked those, I walked ahead, peeking down the corridor ahead, Serana standing against the wall on the other side. "What do you think?" she asked quietly.

"No idea. We didn't really know what to expect once we got in here."

I kept watch, waiting for anyone to wander down the hallway towards us, but neither Alik'r nor Thalmor made an appearance. Mjoll returned immediately, explaining she found an empty storage room. Farkas returned a little later with Brynjolf and Vex in tow. They found a stairway leading down and a pair of Alik'r in an empty bedroom. They despatched the pair of them quietly.

Leading the way down the final corridor, it turned right and left before opening out into a large, two level area. And it was full of Alik'r and Thalmor. I rushed forward, sword thrusting through one Thalmor, before turning and raising my shield just in time to block the sword of an Alik'r. I had no idea what everyone else was doing, only coming to a stop when the sounds of people dying had ended.

"Everyone okay?" I asked, looking around to see the enemy dead on the ground. I noticed Vilkas on the ground, back against the wall, Aela crouching down in front of him.

"I'm okay, Harbinger. Sneaky bastard got me in the side though."

Aela looked up and nodded. "He'll live, but he's out of the fight."

"Stay with him and get him back to the entrance. We'll keep going."

More long, narrow hallways led to another room fill with only a couple of Alik'r and a Thalmor. They were waiting for us, only raising my shield in time to stop a magic attack while the two Alik'r surged forward. But our numbers still overwhelmed them quite quickly, recognising the Alik'r as the two men who had given me the task of finding Saadia.

There was only one way to. Down. And I figured, if this was the same as most other forts, we were heading towards the holding cells. And I was dreading what we might find.

It was an enormous room, cells lining the walls to the left and right. The remnants of the Thalmor and Alik'r were waiting for us, about half a dozen of them in total. Surprisingly, they didn't attack me as soon as I appeared, allowing Mjoll, Lydia and the rest to line up behind me.

"Which one of you is Kematu?" I asked.

Even the best trained warriors or mercenaries can give away information through the subtlest of gestures. And Kematu may have been the leader of this band of mercenaries, he may have been one of the best warriors to come out of Hammerfell, but he still gave himself away.

"Keep him alive," I ordered, pointing my sword at him, "The rest are fair game."

Now one of the Thalmor spoke up. "I don't know who you are, Nord, but you have one chance to walk away now."

I knew he was lying. Everyone knew who I was nowadays, particularly the Thalmor.

"He's mine," I stated, moving my sword to point at him, "The rest are all yours. Remember, Kematu is to be kept alive."

The Thalmor sent flames in my direction, lifting my shield to keep the heat at bay, though I could feel it against my forearm. Being as talented as the Thalmor are at the arcane arts, I needed an advantage. So I Shouted. That caused plenty of consternation within the enemy, hearing a couple of the Alik'r start begging for mercy. I ignored their pleas, closing in on the Thalmor, who was rising to his feet. I put my sword against his neck.

"You have no idea what you're doing!"

"Do you know who I am?"

"Of course I do. We know everything you do, Dragonborn."

I couldn't help smile. "That's good to know. And it's even better knowing that I'm ruining all your plans."

"You have no idea what we plan for you and your people."

"I know you think we're idiots, and that the Empire is weak. Rest assured, you don't know as much as you think you do." I paused before asking, "Are the rest of them dead?"

"We have Kematu. He's wounded, but he'll live," Mjoll reported.

"Lots of dead people otherwise," Farkas added, "None of ours, though."

I returned my attention to the Thalmor. "Well, that's whatever plan you had established here ruined, isn't it?"

"You'll pay for this, Dragonborn. We know all about you and your interference with our plans. Rest assured, you'll die soon enough."

He was suddenly enveloped by lightning, his body shaking as he nearly screamed in pain. I stepped back as he collapsed to the ground, his body continuing to be wracked by the surge, glancing to see it was my wife. She looked… displeased. "Stop threatening my husband, you Thalmor bastard," she growled, watching her eyes light up as sparks continued to flow from her hands.

Have I ever told you how much I love my wife? She eventually relented, and I performed the coup de grâce on the Thalmor, as he was always going to die. After thanking Serana, I approached Kematu, using the tip of my sword to lift his head, so he was looking at me.

"Why don't you just kill me?" he asked.

"Because we have questions that need answering, so we're taking you back to Whiterun."

Binding his hands, we led him out of the fort towards our horses, where we bound his feet and lay him over the rear of my horse. Once everyone was ready, in particular checking that Vilkas was okay, we headed home.

After throwing Kematu in a cell, I headed to straight to the Bannered Mare. Saadia approached me as soon as I walked in. "How did it go?" she asked, a bundle of nervous energy.

"The Alik'r were working with the Thalmor. We nabbed the Alik'r leader. Want to meet him?"

"Are you sure?"

"Everyone else at the fort is dead. Kematu won't leave Whiterun alive. You'll be fine."

She still seemed unsure, but followed me willingly nonetheless. Once in front of the cell holding him, I kept my eyes on her, watching for a reaction. I had one straight away. "You!" she said, her voice low but I heard the hatred in the tone.

Kematu said nothing as I asked, "You know who he is?"

"He's the son of another noble family. As soon as the Thalmor crossed the border, they allied with them against their own people, simply because they were promised wealth and power. They were traitors to us and the Empire at the time."

I looked at Kematu. "Does she speak the truth?"

He just laughed. "This wench will spin any sort of tale to save herself."

"Well, considering we found you working with the Thalmor, I believe her word means more than yours. Add to that, you're working with the Thalmor in my homeland. You should be glad I didn't just put a dagger through your throat and leave you there."

"So what do you want?"

"My wife will be here soon. And she will extract the information we want. Trust me, she will get what I want out of you. She has… methods. Then you'll die."

"And her?" he asked, pointing at Saadia.

"What about her? She is a citizen of Whiterun, and therefore under my protection. But, one day, Hammerfell, like Skyrim, the rest of the Empire and, one day, all of Tamriel, will be free of Thalmor influence. You chose the wrong side, my friend."

"You can't just kill me…"

"That's where you are wrong. You are not an enemy combatant, such as a Stormcloak, or even a Thalmor. You're a mercenary. A thug for hire. And were ready to commit crimes against the people of Skyrim. The rules of war do not apply to you. I could suggest you appeal to the Jarl for clemency, but he'll ask me what he should do, and I'd say you either lose your head or hang from a scaffold. I may be polite enough to offer you the choice." I looked at Saadia. "Anything you want to add?"

"Honestly, I'd love nothing more than putting a dagger into his neck right now and watching the life drain from his eyes." She took a deep breath. "But I'm not like him. Like them. Let Serana do whatever she needs to do. Then leave it to the Jarl. I know I can never go home, Ragnar. But I will say that it will please me if this man never sees his homeland again too."

Saadia left as I kept watch, waiting for Serana to arrive. She wandered around half an hour later. Kematu looked ready to fight when I opened his cell door, but I was intimidating enough to give him second thoughts, and he eventually relented, allowing me to bind his hands behind his back. Sitting him down on the lone chair, I bound his ankles to a leg of the chair each before I left him alone with my wife.

She'd get all the information I would want to hear.