{"id":2570,"date":"2018-12-09T07:21:42","date_gmt":"2018-12-09T13:21:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2570"},"modified":"2018-12-15T07:34:49","modified_gmt":"2018-12-15T13:34:49","slug":"dovakhins-flight-part-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2570","title":{"rendered":"Dovakhin’s Flight – Part 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dovakhin’s Flight<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 9<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Zoe glanced around the party which were going with her to Solitude.\u00a0 What started out as a small group with only Jordis, Leah and her had grown larger as Brelyna decided to head there to look for some herbs nearby.\u00a0 Aela, upon hearing she was headed there, mentioned doing some work there as well.\u00a0 Finally the young merchant, Ysolda, asked to go with them to do some business but had been afraid of going with herself.<\/p>\n

Looking down the path Zoe spotted an overturned cart and looked over at Aela who also noticed it.\u00a0 They shared a glance both knowing what it probably meant before looking at the others<\/p>\n

\u201cHold up,\u201d Zoe stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d Leah asked, moving up beside her.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble, Aela, with me, the rest stay here,\u201d Zoe said to them as she looked at the cart.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, typical set up, overturned cart, they are probably nearby watching to see what we do,\u201d Aela said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYsolda, stay close to Jordis, she can protect you,\u201d Zoe said.\u00a0 \u201cThe rest, be ready, come on Aela.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLead the way, I was feeling restless,\u201d Aela stated.<\/p>\n

They approached cautiously looking for anyone who might spring out.\u00a0 Normally she would just burst in and spring the trap, but this time she had others to worry about.<\/p>\n

Laas Yah Nir!<\/em><\/p>\n

Zoe whispered the shout watching as Aela looked strangely at her, but it had the desired effect.\u00a0 It was a whisper of a shout instead of being loud so one could see nearby people or creatures.\u00a0 She looked around quickly spotting the trap.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo in front of us, one off to each side and one behind us,\u201d Zoe whispered to Aela who prepared for the upcoming attack.\u00a0 Even as they moved forward one stepped out probably to make their demands.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, well, well, what do we have here,\u201d a tall man said dressed in steel armor as he looked them over.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d say we hit the jackpot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say you stepped on a hornet\u2019s nest,\u201d Aela replied back to him, ready for anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot from what I see, a group of lovely women.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be a nice distraction from the troubles we\u2019ve been having lately,\u201d he replied back to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks can be deceiving,\u201d Zoe said, now ready as well.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d suggest you let us pass, or we\u2019ll take what you have instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

The leader laughed before changing to a snarl while drawing his broadsword.\u00a0 In one motion he moved towards Aela who took out her bow.<\/p>\n

Zoe drew her own duel swords before heading into the battle.\u00a0\u00a0 She was a bit unusual in duel weald swords but she focused on attack, not defense.<\/p>\n

Zun Halli Vilk!<\/em><\/p>\n

The disarming Shout caused the leader to drop his sword giving her an opening.\u00a0 She pushed her attack slicing in a fury of attacks.\u00a0 Arrows flew from all around as she dealt the death blow to the bandit in front of her, feeling an arrow deflect off her armor.\u00a0 Aela had dealt with another bandit and the one in back was engaged against Jordis and Brelyna.\u00a0 Zoe took off towards the next bandit, a female.<\/p>\n

She struck fast and quickly defeating the next bandit and looked around to see the rest had been dispatched as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that wasn\u2019t enough to even get the blood flowing,\u201d Aela said, obviously disappointed in the battle.<\/p>\n

Zoe shook her head before going through the bandits looking for anything useful they might have had taking what gold they had before heading back to the others.\u00a0 They started moving again as Ysolda recounted what happened and impressed with everyone\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you weren\u2019t hurt?\u201d Leah asked, giving Zoe a look over.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, you?\u201d Zoe asked back, Leah wasn\u2019t really in full fighting armor with so many in the group.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe only had one attacker, and Brelyna and Jordis had him taken care of before he even got close to us,\u201d Leah replied.\u00a0 \u201cI did see you take an arrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoe looked over to see Leah glaring at her as she spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt hit the armor, deflected right off,\u201d Zoe replied, glad she had worn the Deadric armor.\u00a0 She hoped it would intimidate the Thalmor better than some other choices of armor.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Leah said, taking a look at the armor.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this rate we should make Solitude tomorrow,\u201d Aela stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the weather holds, should be,\u201d Zoe said looking up at the clouds.\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t any storm clouds at the moment but that could change quickly.\u00a0 She really didn\u2019t feel like slogging through the rain or snow.<\/p>\n

She looked forward to reaching Solitude.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Zoe made her way into the palace having decided to go there upon reaching Solitude to let the Jarl know she was there.\u00a0 It was the reason she was there, though walking through the streets she noticed several people who recognized her said hello.\u00a0 Leah had giggled at how many said hello.<\/p>\n

Now she walked up to the throne along with Leah and Jordis and spotted the Jarl, Elsif, her steward Falk, and court wizard Sybille along with General Tullius and Rikki his second in command.\u00a0 They turned at her approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Zoe, glad you could come,\u201d Elsif said with a smile on her face and Zoe noticed the relieved look she had.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got word you wished to see me,\u201d Zoe stated, giving the Jarl a smile back.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we\u2019re expecting a contingent of Thalmor in the next couple of days,\u201d Elsif replied back to her, confirming what Jordis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn Thalmor, can\u2019t stay out of our affairs,\u201d Tullius stated.\u00a0 \u201cThings were just starting to settle down and they how to show up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow general, we\u2019ll wait to see what they have to say,\u201d Elsif said calmly a bit of a surprise to Zoe.\u00a0 The young queen appeared to be growing and gaining some confidence which was nice to see.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is there to say to them, you are the High Queen, it\u2019s been decided,\u201d Tullius said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I didn\u2019t know that,\u201d Zoe said.\u00a0 \u201cCongratulations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Elsif said.\u00a0 \u201cI have a lot of work to do to earn the others trust though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Zoe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are probably coming to make sure the treaty is upheld,\u201d Rikke said speaking up in the conversation.<\/p>\n

Zoe realized this is what made things difficult.\u00a0 The people up here had little love for the Thalmor despite the rebellion and who won.\u00a0 Many of the winners didn\u2019t have much use for them either.\u00a0 It was this distrust and dislike of the Thalmor which the Queen had to worry about, and not appearing weak to the people in Skyrim.\u00a0 If she did another rebellion could happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are probably worried about their attacks on their guards wondering the area,\u201d Falk said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr the incident at their embassy earlier in the year,\u201d Sybille stated.<\/p>\n

Zoe remained quiet about that knowing she had been responsible for that.\u00a0 Out in the wild they could be hit by anyone, or anything, but the embassy she had done that to gain information about the dragons attacking Skyrim.\u00a0 Of course it didn\u2019t help they attacked her as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we have been busy with dragons,\u201d Leah said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but the rumor is that will start to die down,\u201d Tullius said looking at Zoe.<\/p>\n

\u201cReports are Alduin had been killed by your hands Dragonborn,\u201d Sybille said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ended up in a strange place to have the final battle, but he is gone,\u201d Zoe replied, not wanting to get into where she went at the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen Skyrim is indebted to you even more,\u201d Elsif said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, I was only doing what I could,\u201d Zoe said, knowing that she had been rewarded more than she ever hoped on her journeys up here. Add in the fact she felt uncomfortable still with being a hero and she avoided such things.\u00a0 \u201cSo, when do the Thalmor arrive?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve received word they should arrive at the embassy today and will come down to meet with us tomorrow,\u201d Falk said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour support will be most welcome,\u201d Elsif said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe travel was long, I\u2019ll go and relax and be here for when they arrive tomorrow,\u201d Zoe said.<\/p>\n

With that she excused herself and made her way back to her house in Solitude.\u00a0 Walking down the path she noticed a man walking up to her house and stopped at the door to look back at them.<\/p>\n

\u201cJordis, I wasn\u2019t expecting you until tomorrow,\u201d the man said, waving at Jordis who had a slight blush.\u00a0 This was getting interesting Zoe thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrandis,\u201d she said, moving over to give him a hug and now Zoe knew there was a story here even as she waited.\u00a0 Jordis turned to them.\u00a0 \u201cThis is my Thane, Zoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer lover Leah,\u201d Leah said speaking up and stepping forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d he said, as thunder rumbled overhead causing them to look up and see an approaching storm.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go inside and you can tell me all about it while we\u2019re dry,\u201d Zoe said, stepping forward to the door.<\/p>\n

Inside she noticed everything was organized, clean and well maintained.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me go upstairs and change out of this armor,\u201d Zoe said, as she and Leah headed off upstairs to her quarters.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems like your housecarl has someone she likes,\u201d Leah said as she helped Zoe out of her armor.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Zoe replied, going over the reaction and greeting.\u00a0 It would be interesting as she didn\u2019t recall seeing him the last time she had been in Solitude.\u00a0 However people were always coming and going through the port so it would be easy to forget him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAside from that one bandit trap coming here was actually easy,\u201d Leah said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess the increased patrols have started working,\u201d Zoe replied back.\u00a0 With the guards not limited to protecting the cities from dragons they were able to patrol the main roads even more now.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will encourage travel, and with us being located close to the center of Skyrim our business should increase,\u201d Leah said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, looking forward to some quiet time,\u201d Zoe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdventured out?\u201d Leah asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a way, and I don\u2019t really want to get involved in any war against the Thalmor\u201d Zoe replied, despite her dislike of them.\u00a0 It was interesting that no one at the Suite loved them, even Elise who was a dark Elf.<\/p>\n

That bit of news had surprised Zoe, but even among the elves the Thalmor were considered bigoted and racist towards others.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, shall we head down and meet this mysterious stranger of Jordis\u2019?\u201d Zoe asked, as the last bit of her armor had been stowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Leah replied.\u00a0 \u201cThen perhaps a bit to eat and a bath, and some later activities?\u201d<\/p>\n

With that Leah wrapped an arm around Zoe showing her intentions.<\/p>\n

\u201cInsatiable,\u201d Zoe replied back with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, with you who wouldn\u2019t be,\u201d Leah replied making Zoe consider just staying up here than going back down.\u00a0 However they had company and she\u2019d be a good host.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, you minx,\u201d Zoe said to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cMinx, me, you forget how often you walk around nude back home,\u201d Leah replied back to her causing an even bigger grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, have you looked in a mirror,\u201d Zoe replied.\u00a0 \u201cA lot of your outfits you wear, might as well wear nothing at all, and the other customers, most roam around nude as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s besides the point, besides, I look sexier with a little bit still on,\u201d Leah said, then made her way to the stairs adding a bit of sway into her hips.<\/p>\n

Zoe shook her head then put on some clean clothes and made her way down to see everyone sitting around the table and she got her first good look at Brandis.\u00a0 He seemed to be a Nord, short brown hair and didn\u2019t look to be a fighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s the story?\u201d Zoe asked, sitting down.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, I\u2019m a bit new to Solitude, trying to set up a business,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cYou might say I\u2019m an aspiring chef.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you make,\u201d Leah asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cPastries,\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally good ones,\u201d Jordis said speaking up as Brandis seemed to blush a bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope we can have a sample while we\u2019re here,\u201d Zoe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can arrange for that,\u201d Brandis said, making Zoe wonder how his would compare to the Suite\u2019s pastries.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been staying here until he can get his business up and running,\u201d Jordis replied.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not like there isn\u2019t room here, and this house does get a bit lonely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoe held up a hand to forestall any further outbursts and looked around the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long?\u201d she asked, surprising them both.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, been about a moon now,\u201d Jordis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how\u2019s the business?\u201d Zoe asked, watching as his shoulders slumped a bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen having trouble raising the money, if Jordis hadn\u2019t helped me out, I\u2019m not sure where I\u2019d be right now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe house is clean, and you don\u2019t seem dishonest,\u201d Zoe said, knowing he either spoke the truth or was a very good liar as she came up with a plan.\u00a0 \u201cTell you what, we\u2019ll have some of your pastries for breakfast and if they\u2019re good I\u2019ll fund your business.\u201d<\/p>\n

She extended her hand waiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeal,\u201d he said, with little hesitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t regret it,\u201d Jordis said with a smile.<\/p>\n

She looked forward to tomorrow.<\/p>\n

End part 9<\/p>\n

Continued in part 10<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dovakhin’s Flight by AJ Marks Part 9 Zoe glanced around the party which were going with her to Solitude.\u00a0 What started out as a small group with only Jordis, Leah and her had grown larger as Brelyna decided to head there to look for some herbs nearby.\u00a0 Aela, upon hearing she was headed there, mentioned […]
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