Building Alliances V

"I praise the Nine you came along when you did. Your help thus far has been invaluable, but it's time to make some difficult choices. Valerius and I have spoken at length about this and we value your opinion. We need more guards for the town, as there's only a few of us right now. We're vulnerable to attack from several fronts especially from the entrance through the caves. As well as the two main gates. There is no possible way that laborers and carpenters can begin their work if they're not able to do so safely. We need more guards, and I'd prefer not to take men away from your company that could be of better use with you." Marcus says, explaining the situation.

"Hmmm… Is it possible to hire guards ourselves? Stay away from allying with either side in this civil war?" I propose after thinking for a moment.

"Yes! In fact we prefer to remain unaffected by any outside entanglements or alliances. Not that we necessarily have anything against either side in this Civil War. But we think it would be best to remain an Independent settlement. No one to answer to, no one snooping into our business, and most of all no damn politicians to pull our strings. And it seems the Jarl of Falkreath is occupied in his own matters, so it's unlikely we'll have any worries from him. Besides, he's abandoned this place anyway, so the way we see it is, it's ours to do with as we please. So, yes, this is exactly what we were hoping for. Are you absolutely certain this is what you want?"

"Yes, you have no idea how your sentiments align with mine." I say, clapping him on the shoulder with a broad smile as numerous ideas fill my head.

"I hoped that's what you would say! In fact, I already had Patsy post some notices in a few of the Inns here in Skyrim. So far he's made it to Whiterun, Solitude, Riften, Dawnstar, and Windhelm, but he says he doesn't care for carriages anymore though." Marcus jokes.

"Check around those Inns to see if our notices have produced any potential recruits. If you can find, oh, let's say, around five or six recruits, with proper training from Korst that should get us started. Have the recruits gather in the courtyard, and when you're finished, report to Korst for further instructions. Good luck, and be safe." Marcus says before heading downstairs to speak with Valerius, I presume.

"Will do. I'll return after I get the right number of recruits." I assure him before heading out of the Keep when Ceiling, I mean Cienna approaches me.

"Hello, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a second?" Cienna asks, taking me aback for a moment.

"Yeah, sure. What do you want to talk about?" I ask, curious about what she wants to talk about.

"I just wanted to introduce myself mostly. I'm Cienna. There, formal introduction over! I feel better now, don't you?" Cienna says, giving me a rather peculiar introduction. It's then I realize she's much younger than most of the men here.

"Okay? Hello, Cienna. Is there anything else you want to tell me about yourself?" I ask, not really sure where this is going.

"Well, I like moonlit walks through old ruins, candle-lit workshops, and the feel of cold steel in my hand. You know, the same stuff as other women." Cienna jokes with a light laugh.

"Well, that seems different than 'other women.'" I joke back.

"I'm not quite sure how to take that, so I'll just take it as a compliment!" Cienna furrows her brow before shrugging with a smile.

"Good, it was meant as such. Anything else you want to talk about?" I asked still trying to figure out her angle.

"Well, if you're wondering how I ended up with a bunch of soldiers from the Great War, they saved my life. When the elves burned our farm, my parents hid me in a basket in the woods. Barlfring found me and gave me to an orphanage until the war in Hammerfell was over. But he kept in touch through the years. And when I was old enough to be on my own, I joined them. He taught me everything I know about fighting and especially armoring." Cienna explains.

"Those are good skills to have." I compliment her.

"Say, from what I saw at the prison, you know how to handle yourself out there. But if you ever want any company, come and get me. Okay?" She says with a friendly smile.

"Sure, but you can always head to our camp if you're looking for a change of pace." I offered her a friendly smile before leaving to meet with Gerdur, who was waiting by the gate for me with her horse.

"About time you finished up in there." Gerdur says lightheartedly.

"Yeah, sorry it took me so long, but I heard you really worked Marcus over." I reply with a smile.

"He thought just because he had a fancy Cyrodiil education that he'd be able to pull one over on me, but I made sure to squeeze him for every septim." Gerdur says with a hearty laugh.

"Glad business is going well. You ready to head back?" I ask.

"Oh, so now you're going to ask, instead of just taking my horse and riding off?" Gerdur says, giving me an accusatorial glare.

"Uh… Well, in my defense, you were negotiating, and we were in a hurry." I say, not bothering to come up with a good excuse.

"Uh huh, I expect you to buy back my good graces with another mill." Gerdur says with that same dower look as before, breaking into a broad smile.

"Oh, is that all? Why don't I just get you every mill in Skyrim then?" I joke back.

"You're the one who said it." Gerdur says with a smile.

"We should get going." I say, deciding to end our little banter.

"Alright, I've started to get homesick anyway." Gerdur says with a wistful smile.