Elsewhere in Markarth

 

“Ugh… I’m never drinking again as long as I live…” Lucari said as she awoke, her head still hammering away. “Niyleeeeeeen, I need a—!”

Lucari sat up, looked around and noticed that her friend was nowhere to be found. “Where could she be?” Suddenly, even though she could hear the voices coming from other patrons on the other side of her door, Lucari felt very alone. “T-this is strange… I’ve traveled on my own before, so why do I feel so… empty…”

“Calm down Lucari, she’s probably just at the bar getting something to eat.” Lucari left her room feeling uneasy on her feet. She couldn’t tell whether it was the ale or this feeling that was affecting her.

Entering the lounge, she made a quick sweep of the area but it was as she feared, Niyleen had abandoned her.

“If she thinks I’m such a milkdrinker, why would she leave me in this place by myself,” Lucari groaned as she stumbled over toward the counter.

 

“Are you alright Miss?”

 

“Huh?” Lucari saw that it was the innkeeper and gave him a weak smile. “Y-yeah, I’m fine.”

 

“No, you’re not girl,” Kleppr said definitively. “I’d say to drown your sorrows in ale, but from the looks of things that didn’t go so well.”

“N-no, that’s not it. I…” Lucari hesitated as she decided how much to divulge to the man. “…I was left behind by my fri… traveling companion. I’m new to Markarth and I thought she’d at the very least give me a tour around the city and not just…”

 

“Ah, so you’re the one Niyleen was worried about.”

 

“Uh-huh… huh?”

“Niyleen told me about you. How you’re one of the good ones. I don’t know too much about that, but seeing how broken up about being left behind I can see she wasn’t lying,” Kleppr said. “Listen girl, drink a glass of milk and relax yourself. You’ve a hangover and you’re just overthinking things.”

 

“What would you know?”

 

“More than you could imagine.”

“Right and the next thing you’re going to tell me is that she told you to take care of me,” Lucari said after taking a swig of the glass Kleppr set before her.

 

“That she did.”

 

“…liar…”

“Listen girl, it may just be the atmosphere of my inn, but if you stay here as you are you’ll just become another brooding patron. And if that happened Niyleen would have my head.” Kleppr dug around in his pockets and pulled out a piece of paper. “Take this.”

 

“… A bounty?” Lucari said eyeing the parchment.

 

“One that will get you an audience with the Jarl. I heard that you’re the adventuring type, you might want to wrap your head around it.” He motioned towards the door. “You’d best be going now lass, before Degaine sets his eyes on you.

Taking one final mouthful from her glass, Lucari followed Kleppr’s instructions and departed from the inn. As she was now, meeting the Jarl was beyond her, and although she knew what Kleppr’s intentions were she still felt terrible.

“Fine Niyle,” Lucari sighed. “You win, you win. I’ll just tough it out.” (Oh but you’re going to owe me so bad!)

Before setting off, Lucari looked around at the scene of yesterday’s accident and was quickly approached by a guard.

 

“We’ll handle things from here ma’am. Move along.”

The guard walked off, and Lucari could just feel her mood worsening. “Handle things? The only thing you corrupt guards can contain are the smug looks on your faces as you lie to the general public. Uggh!!” She cried out in frustration before storming off herself.

“Stupid guards… stupid city… stupid Niyleen…” Lucari mumbled as walked. Looking ahead she saw a man dressed in nice looking robes. (Wait I know that attire…)

She approached the man and without fully facing her he asked, “Excuse me Miss, but do you know anything about this house? Seen anyone enter or leave?”

 

The sudden questioning took Lucari off guard. “Who me? I-I-I-I just came to Markarth yesterday sir.”

 

“I figured as much…”

He turned to her and said, “My name is Tyranus. I’m with the Vigil of Stendarr. We believe this house might have been used for Daedra worship. Evil rites and so forth.”

 

“N-no way… Daedra? Here?”

“Yes Miss. As a matter of fact, I was actually just about to head inside. It would sure be good to have someone to watch my back.”

 

“Hmmm…” (Exterminating Daedra worshippers WOULD be a good deed… but what would Niyleen think…)

 

 

 

“There’s no WAY you’re even contemplating this.

 

(But Niyleeeeen—)

 

“There’s no buts. Forsworn are one thing, but active Daedra worshippers? I’ll be damned before I let you do this. Julianos guide me…”

 

 

 

(Ehehehee, but Niyle, I must help out—)

 

“Miss are you okay,” Tyranus asked.

 

“Huh?”

 

“It’s just that… you just have a creepy smile on your face.”

 

Lucari felt her face and couldn’t help but blush. “S-s-sorry. I couldn’t help it, tee hee.”

“In any case, thank you for your time Miss,” Tyranus sighed. “I’ve been delaying this long enough,guess I’ll just go on al—”

 

“No, I’ll help! I’ll definitely help you,” Lucari said hastily. “My pride as an adventurer and self-proclaimed hero won’t allow me to turn my head when people are in need of assistance.”

 

Tyranus smiled. “Thank you Miss—”

 

“Lucari.”

 

The Vigilant nodded. “Follow me, and keep your eyes open. Daedra are powerful creatures and tricksters. You never know what you’ll find.” He headed inside promptly.

Lucari felt something ominous swell in her bosom, but she ignored it. (I am Pure-Shot. No matter what I may come across, my aim shall be true.) After calming her nerves, Lucari headed inside as well.