Isn't it a bit boring? Do you need help?"

Old man: "Good morning to you, Nord. I am waiting for a good death"

"Good death? Those two dead sabre cats at your feet weren't good enough for you?

For sure you have killed them. By the smell and the traces on the ground they died not a single hour ago!"

Old man: "Dont mock me. Of course I killed them. You Nords don't understand.

Were I to simply lay down and die, it would not please Malacath. But Malacath has given me a vision of a glorious death. I am to wait here until it finds me. As you can see, it has not yet arrived."

"Ah, I see. So you hope for something special for your death?"

Old man: "Yes. And now, you should leave. I don't want you scaring off my good death."

"But maybe I can help you with that. You know, I am quite good with my sword.

If I kill you in combat with your weapon in your hand, would that be good death for you?"

Old man: "You are a Nord girl. You do not look very strong. And aren't you a Sister of Dibella. What good are you to me? "

"Yes I am. But there is Arkay, the god of death. I know him well"

Old man: "Perhaps... Are you sure about this? Hmm. We shall see."

"WHAT! Why are you two looking at me that way? He asked for it. And I TOLD him I am quite good with my sword."

Ciri: "Interesting. One single clean cut."

Inigo: "Actually, that didn't take too long"

"Of course not!"

Ciri: "Now what?"

"Let's see if he has a note or a tribe emblem with him. At least, we could tell them he died with his iron maul in his hand."

Inigo: "... and letting his corpse rot on the road. A feast for the fleas!"

A question to the audience

Does anyone of you know what to do with the body and the head?

I mean, should we bury them, burn them or simply leave them here on the road?

Does it matter or makes it no difference to Malacath at all?

I got some background information, I got the endorsement of the Jarl, earned some gold and Tamriel has two skeevers less who won't sell their poison to the poor anymore.

A slightly foggy and very early morning awaits us after a refreshing night in the Bee and Barb.  The same slight fog clouds my head a little, since Ciri and I enjoyed a bottle of wine or two for our little success.

Slowly coming back to life, my first steps take me over to the Hall of the Dead for a short prayer and a meditation in the name of Arkay. Ciri is waiting outside in the temple compund. She has her own believes, though she is very appreciative about my religious whims.

Arkay! The god of death! I know him well.

Ciri? Where are you? Hm, she must have walk over to the market.

Halt! In the name of the Jarl!  - What? This must be a mistake?

Turn around and keep your arms in your back. And do not even think about reaching for your dagger!

What is going on here? Shoud I resist? Better not, it must be a simple mistake.

(second voice) Gag her! We don't want her to scream and shout at us. - Do they know who I am ? No one should know in Riften?

You wait here until we get the other drifter, this girl with the white shirt.

(second voice) We have her! Caught her at Madesi's stall, staring at the gems. Vagrant strumpet wanted to loot the Argonian. I bet my ass on that!

Up with you! You have a date with your new friend: the jail master.

We are there in the dungeon below Mistveil Keep. And finally the she-guard is taking my gag away. At least I can ask now what charges have been brought against us?

Shut up!

I'm the jail master not a judge!

I do not care about charges and trials. I follow orders. And my orders are to make sure you have a nice stay in my best room.

And in this function I welcome you both my noble ladies to my secluded lodging.

(What an asshole!)

But, ... we are innoce ... MMMMMMMMPFH!

Ah! Much better. I can't stand all that whimpering in here. And every newcomer is telling me the same. They are so boooooring.

Now, Whitey: You strip first, we don't want your nice white shirt to become stained in here. Wouldn't we?

Reddy, you strip second.

Don't worry, girls. This is an orderly prison and not some primitive bandit cave. Of course you get proper clothes. We do care a lot about our guests here.

Fine. Now we are Whitey and Reddy. I know the imperial prisons, it can't be much worse in here. For sure, it will get amusing soon, clothes or not. *sigh*

At least it seems they do not know who we really are.

Perfect! Your new attire looks smashing and dashing. I like my noble guest to always look at their best. Would you please follow me now?

It would delight me to show you into my best chamber for you and to introduce you to your entertainment schedule.

But I must confess, we are very strict when it comes to timeliness for breakfast, lunch and dinner. So don't stroll too far away.

This way please, my ladies ...

============================================================================================

Part 2:

She suggested that I ask someone some ethical  "questions" and to convince him of a business alternative.

I think that she gave me some very good guidance on the best course of action. Clearly she is not only a caring but also a wise leader

And that's exactly what I will do!

"Ciri, please wait here. The talking and ethical discussion could get a bit lengthy and boring."

Is that the warehouse? Let's wait for nightfall... it makes "talking" so much easier.

Blind and deaf? Did they have a taste of their own wares? 

I like it, when "talking" becomes a bit more initimate. Especially when it's an "ethical" topic.

Having a business lunch is always a good idea to seal the deal.

Thank you so much for your inspiring opinion. Now, I think I will have a look at your wares myself.

Well? That was a nice evening so far, wasn't it? We even reached a common understanding and now share the same ethical ideals.

Yes! Jarl Laila Law-Giver was really wise to insist on the "talking" approach.

The people of Riften have so much to thank her for.

...and I can't decide, what I should lend from a good friend of mine.

The thing is, that I have to appear tonight at Elisif's court. We were allowed an audience and want to convince her and her advisors and asslickers to alllow a traditional festival for the common folks.

As things are,  it would do no good if I would rush into her palace with my usual woodland attire.

In fact, I have already been told that THAT looks rather offending to the finer people and aristocrats of Solitude.

Thanks to Dibella, a friend here in Solitude has a similar figure and a far better sorted wardrobe. She has offered me help and is willing to lend me some of her beautiful clothes.

But she has such a huge selection, now I stand here and I can't decide.

First, I would prefer trousers. I can fight so much better with my legs unhindered.

But I was quickly told to better wear a proper "dress"  and that good sword fighting agiity should NOT be my primary concern at a Jarl's court.

Next critique was about my "smelly" scarf.

Me: What? It doesn't smell!

(Voice from the door):  Yes it does - even here at the door. A composite of campfire and mead, a distinct scent of dead Draugr, insufficiently covered by a note of skeever left-behinds and ... *sniffing* wait... do I sense a tiny bit of male fluids usually used in the act of copulation?

Fine, maybe I wear this elegant fur instead of my scarf?

Yennefer: And, my dear? Have you decided?

Me: No Yen, I fear I havn't. I am still undecided.

Me: And you are sure, the sword won't fit to my dress?

Yennefer: Noooo. A sword is out of question. Even your dagger might not be helpful at all. That is, unless you intend to stab a courtier to raise some attention.

Now, the question remains: What should I wear?

The city is crowded and bristling with life. If it's the war or the busy market days this time of the year, I' don't know.

The Winking Skeever, prominent Inn near the city gate

Many guests frequent this highly overrated inn, but that's the same with every other tavern in the city. And it leaves little options to stay at a better or cheaper place.

But at least the bard is worth her money.

.. and they have the famous spiced wine for the guests who can afford a bottle.

Either by design or by accident, this is the opportunity, where likeminded adenturesses and adventurers meet and share their tales with a bottle or two.

The next evening, a thunderstorm quenches any idea to sit outside and watch the stars in the sky.

That marks it as a time to sit in a chair and read a book from the old shelf in the corner... and to dive into some of the mysteries and secrets of this honorable city.

And I am sure, they have their secrets.

Wait, was is this?

Ciri? You're up for a little stroll in the sewerage? This book here mentions some ancients paths below the city. It might be a way to gain access and some knowledge about the closed parts of the city.

One never knows, when it might come in handy.

I take it, you're not the girl to mind wading through skeever infested mud and excrements, when there is a secret to uncover at the end of the tunnel?

Fine, then let's sneak out of here. No need to tell anyone where we are going.

Somewhere in the unseen part of Solitude, a quarter past midnight

Behind the inn should be a hidden entrance, ... here, I found it!

The book was right, ancient tunnels are leading us directly into the castle and it's underworks.

Shhhhh. We don't want to wake the guards. Let them sleep and dream of girls in their laps instead of girls uncovering their secrets.

A ladder?

It's the college of whispers! ... and the tunnels ends directly in their crypt.. or whatever they bury here.

Back and around a corner, another trap door opens a path into more sewers.

Good doggy! Fine doggy. Shhhhh

The Cloaka Maxima

So, here we are. The Cloaka Maxima

Over there...

No, Ciri. She is just a poor soul. She's no danger. Let's give her a coin, so she remembers who's a friend....

... and whom she might tell what her eyes see all day.

Clearly this guy was not so smart. Did he really think, he could rape two girls who creep through the stench at midnight?

Fool!

Ciri, I know. The stench is awful and gulping it down with his mead can ease it for a minute.

But would you please look at what he is hiding in that strong box?

I guess, there is no need to hide or bury his corpse. The skeevers will tidy this little mess up until tomorrow.

Trust me, they will leave not a single trace of him. If you ignore the remaining metal parts of his clothing and axe.

Interesting.

Exits into all directions.

I guess we've seen enough for tonight. Let's sneak back before anyone notices, we had been leaving.

Solitude, The Winking Skeever, about 2 in the morning

Oh, hello Lady Yennefer.

No, we had just been outside in front of the inn for a minute. Gathering a bit of fresh air after all that mead. But it is still raining and unpleasant.

The smell?

What smell? What's wrong with our clothes?

Lydia!

Please, let me explain it again.

THIS is the statue of Dibella. Not Mara.

And that over here is her shrine. Dibella's shrine. You got it?

No? Not yet?

OK then. Let me show you the difference...  Oooh, don't worry my dear, it's very easy, once you got it.  And you will like it. I promise!

Now, please kneel.Take off your gloves, touch the shrine with your fingers and close your eyes.

Listen, deep inside of you... do you hear it?

Yes my dear, that's the voice of Dibella.

Rejoice! She is calling you!

Lydia? What's the matter? You are shivering. Come here and let me hold you tight.

Yes, the goddess is still talking to you. Don't worry. She favors you.

I envy you. May I give you a kiss now?

You are still shivering. Let go, don't hold it back. Embrace her devine presence!

Oh my. You never had...? Really? You're a grown warrior, but never ..?

Fine, I'm your Thane and I'm to care for my huscarl.

Let's step out of the water and drop your armor on the stones to dry in the sun

In the meantime I'll explain to you some of the practical insights of Dibella.

.

Do you feel her warmth?

See, how much you enjoyed her lesson? I knew it.

Yes, you are doing well to worship her.

So, we came upon this crossroads and had to decide which direction to take.

Fate had decided for the right path to Dawnstar.

So a few hours later, we met a friendly couple of hunters at their camp above the road.

We build a second campfire and contibuted our own hunting success to the small party.

... when suddenly,  they went alert...

"VICTORY OR SOVNGARDE!"

We are under attack? A creature? Where is this beast? Is it big and fearsome or creepy and devious? Strong? Agile? Venomous? This mighty force of nature?

Is it stalking it's prey? Does it intend to avenge it's dead brethren?

Is it us who is prey?

Our friends shoot a  hail of arrows....

But I can't see our foe? Where is it? Is hiding? Is it invisible? A vampire perchance?

OH! My bad, there it is..

Silent, sneaky, agile... and fearsome?

But I stand no chance to bring my own arrows into the target at this distance.

The beast triumphs and escapes into the undergrowth of snowy trees. To live for another day and to spread terror and fear over mankind.

I, the praised Dragonborn, survivor of Helgen, saviour of Whiterun, slayer of a dozen dragons, sucessful hunter of vampires,

I, a noble one in 3 holds of Skyrim by my own merits and achievements.

I will have to bear my shortcomings to defeat THIS beast.

I decide to meditate on the secrets of fate and ask for the guidance of my goddess.

I yearn for her devine revelation.

These beasts are to test me, are to test my attitude, are to remind me.

They are to remind me of my own insignificance next to the power of the nine.

Now what? Does it fit?

Hmmmmm, let me think. Inigo, what's your opinion? Inigo? Could you please pay attention?

Naaa, ok. It's heavy, it's dented, it smells ... yes it's crap!

Let's see if anyone wants to buy it.

Aaah, much better in your own clothes:

Time for a break and to rest for the night