Solitude was as advertised. Not as large as the pre-war cities of Earth, of course. The farms started twenty miles out, on both sides of the road, interspersed with tracks of virgin forest. The stables were the largest so far, with room for a hundred horses. Nora stabled the horses, hired some guards, and took a full backpack with her, just like her friends. Their Khajiit friends were set up near the stables, doing a brisk business, and Nora went to talk with them before entering the city.

 

“That is an interesting proposition, friend Nora,” said Ri'Jaro, his cat face creased in a smile. “This cat would like that, if Dra'zira agrees.”

 

“It will take some planning,” said the female Khajiit, thinking. “And getting with some contacts to insure the shipment of the spices. And of course we will need a building, outside of the city, but close enough to draw customers. You really think our food will be popular?”

 

“It was some of the best I've ever had the pleasure of putting into my mouth,” said Nora with a smile. “Look for some land you can build on, and I will contact you in a couple of days. But start out with these.” Nora handed them several hundred septims and a handful of gems.

 

“This too much, friend Nora,” said Ri'jaro.

 

“What do you think you can get for the gems?” asked Nora, sure that several hundred septims was not the too much they were protesting about.

 

“Twenty thousand septims. Maybe thirty,” said the sharp eyed trade master. “Take some back.”

 

“Nope. Get what you can for them and arrange for the property, then some building supplies. Any left over can go to operating expenses.”

 

“And then?”

 

“And then we're partners. I can't let you take all the risk for my idea, after all.”

 

That taken care of they walked through the gate to the outer works of the city. The guards gave them suspicious looks but didn't try to stop them. Nora was captivated by the city as soon as she was within. Flowers everywhere, tinkling fountains, stone buildings of superior construction reaching two or three stories into the air. People everywhere. Some soldiers, Imperials, Hold guards and mercenaries. But mostly townspeople. Men in everything from noble clothes to the tunics of workers. The women in cheap dresses and expensive gowns. Jewelry everywhere, some looking as if they cost a worker’s wage for a year, based on what the Khajiit had told her about the gems she had given them. A few beggars, mostly men who appeared to have war injuries. Nora reached into her belt purse and made sure that every one she came across got a couple septims. She knew she couldn't drag all of them from poverty, but if they could get a good meal.

 

“You know that most of them are just going to buy a drink, right?” asked Sofia, walking close to Nora.

 

“Maybe. I can't make them do what I want. But I can at least give them a little help. After that it’s up to them.”

 

The sights and sounds of the city were captivating. Hawkers calling out their wares. People talking excitedly about something or other. And as far as she could see, no Thalmor. She was sure they were there, somewhere, but as long as they were out of sight she could forget about them.

 

“How many people?” she asked Sofia.

 

The woman thought for a moment, then looked at her. “A hundred thousand. Maybe more. The largest city in Skyrim, and one of the larger habitations on Tamriel. The Imperial City and maybe the capital of the Isles are the only cities larger.”

 

Nora whistled. That was over twice as many people as lived in the Commonwealth, all crammed into this large tract of land. She didn't see how they fed them all, unless there many more farms than she had seen on the way in.

 

After a couple of miles they came to another gate, this closed and manned by Hold guards. Nora looked them over, wondering if they would stop them from entering the city, or ask for a toll. The guards merely nodded at them, and one spoke.

 

“You're just in time. They're about to take the bastards head off.”

 

That news didn't excite Nora, who really didn't enjoy watching executions. But it seemed to excite some of her companions who pulled her through the gate in their eagerness to watch some poor fool die. The man to be executed stood in restraints on a platform at the end of the large square, a hulking figure in executioner's garb standing near, holding a large ax that had been made for one purpose.

 

A young girl at the back of the crowd was yelling something to an adult. “They can't hurt uncle Roggvir. Tell them he didn't do it.”

 

“Svari,” said the adult, “you need to go home. Go home and stay there until your mother comes.”

 

Valdimar pushed forward, making space for the women to get closer. Nora wasn't sure she wanted to get closer, but she accompanied her friend, getting to the front rank of the observers behind the big Nord warrior. An Imperial warrior in fancy armor started speaking.

 

“Roggvir. You helped Ulfric Stormcloak escape this city after he murdered High King Torygg. By opening that gate for Ulfric you betrayed the people of Solitude.”

 

A man who had helped the murderer of a king escape. Nora didn't wonder that they were having a public execution after such a deed.

 

“Traitor,” yelled people from the crowd.

 

“He doesn't deserve to speak,” yelled someone behind Nora.

 

“There was no murder!” shouted the condemned man. “Ulfric challenged Torygg. He beat the High King in fair combat.”

 

“Liar,” shouted a pretty Altmer woman in fine clothing near the front.

 

“Such is our way! Such is the ancient custom of Skyrim, and all Nords!”

 

The crowd booed, really getting into the spirit of the thing, and Nora felt her stomach turning. She had executed people in the past by her own hand, and had ordered such, but she had never drawn it out like this. It seemed to height of cruelty.

 

“Guard,” said the Imperial officer. “Prepare the prisoner.”

 

“I don't need your help,” said the man called Roggvir. He knelt before the block.

 

“Very well, Roggvir” said the Imperial. “Bow your head.”

 

The man complied, something Nora wasn't sure she would have been able to do. She thought she would be crying, screaming, fighting with her last breath. But this man had accepted his fate.

 

“On this day, I go to Sovngarde.”

 

With a nod from the officer the ax came down in a strong swing, the headsman putting everything into the blow. The head fell to the ground, the neck spurted blood, and the body spasmed. The captain put a foot on Roggvir's body and pushed it to the ground.

 

The Altmer woman looked over at Nora with a savage expression on her face. “His death was too slow. They should have dragged it out, after what he had done.”

 

“Didn't he say Ulfric had killed the king in fair combat?” asked Sofia, frowning.

 

“Ulfric shouted Torygg to death with the voice,” said the Altmer, eyes blazing with anger. “Tore him apart without a chance to defend himself.”

 

Nora used the voice, often, but to attack a man in his own home did seem beyond the pale. And Ulfric was a powerful practitioner of the voice. Maybe more powerful than her?

 

“And if you’re thinking of attending to the Jarl in the palace, you might want to rethink that outfit.”

 

“What's wrong with my outfit?” asked Nora, her pride bowing her up. She was dressed for travel and battle. Of course she didn't look like a common mercenary, with her magical jewelry and the artifact hanging at her side.

 

“Nothing, if you're intending on fighting a battle through the halls of the Blue Palace. If you're expecting to make an impression with the Jarl, you need to dress the part” The Altmer stopped talking for a moment, thinking. “Tell you what. If you do go to the Blue Palace, stop by Radiant Raiment. I'll give you a fine set of clothes to wear before the Jarl, as long as you tell her where you got it. I'll pay you for the advertisement, and let you keep the clothing. I think we have something that will enhance your great beauty, and really bring out those eyes.”

 

“First you insult me, then you compliment me on my beauty. Do you always talk to people you meet on the street like this?”

 

“Just telling the truth on both counts,” said the elf, giving Nora another look over. “You obviously are a great beauty when you clean up. And you carry yourself like a noble, so the Blue Palace seemed like a destination. Now, the day's fun is over, and I need to get back to my shop.”

 

The elf turned and walked off, fading into the crowd. She had been pretty, but Nora wasn't sure she wanted to shop at her place of business.

 

“What say we visit that inn over there,” said Eldawyn, pointing toward a large stone building with a hanging sign in front.

 

“The Winking Skeever,” said Sofia in a quiet voice. “Surely they're forgotten about me by now.”

 

“Then let's go,” said Nora, leading the way. She was anxious to see what kind of trouble her friend had gotten into. It couldn't be that bad, could it, and Nora was willing to pay if she had an unpaid bill or damages to remunerate.

 

The tavern was large, a room that could hold a hundred, with at least thirty tables. There were some private rooms off the side that could hold more. An innkeep tended the bar, and some children were playing through the common room. A bard was playing a lute and singing, her fine voice carrying through the room despite the off-key people trying to carry the tune with her.

 

“We need four rooms for the next couple of days,” she told the inn keep. “As well as meals and drink.”

 

“I have three common rooms, two beds each,” said the inn keeper. “I'm afraid if you want more, you will have to rent the Thane's suite.”

 

“How much?”

 

“Thirty a day for the common rooms. A hundred for the Thane's room.”

 

That was ten more for the common rooms than she had paid in any other city, and the Thane's room was way more expensive than what she was used to. She was tempted to pull out her Thane's necklace from Whiterun and see if that would give her a discount. Nora dismissed that idea, since the news had to be spreading that there was a Dragonborn Thane from Whiterun, and these people were probably suspicious of people shouting.

 

“I'll take them,” she said. “And I want some bathes. After we clean up we will be sitting in the common room. You can serve us meals and drinks at that time.”

 

“Yes, my Lady,” said the innkeep, obviously guessing that Nora was a person of means.

 

After her bath and changing into a casual dress, Nora got a good seat in front of the bard. The bard was a lovely woman, Nora thought a Breton, and she played her lute with nimble fingers while regaling the room with a song. Nora had heard the songs before, favorites of Skyrim played in every tavern. She had memorized the words with her almost perfect memory, and after a couple of drinks in her she started singing along. She sang Ragnar the Red in her fine soprano, switching to contralto for When the Dragonborn Comes. She was proud of her range, and had sung many times with Magnolia at the Third Rail in Goodneighbor.

 

The food was delivered, beef and potatoes with a side of vegetables. Nora had ordered two meals for herself, starving and ready to feed her metabolism. The waitress looked at her funny, a thin woman who couldn't possibly eat so much food. Nora smiled at her and tucked in, shoveling food into her mouth until she felt full, then eating some desert of tasty cake.

 

She noticed a shadow as someone approached her table and looked up. To see the smiling face of the bard. The musician was quite fetching, with golden eyes and long wheat colored hair, and a whimsical smile that could melt any heart.

 

“Can I help you?”

 

“Can I have a seat?”

 

“Of course. And you're beautiful. I have to tell you that.”

 

“Thanks,” said the bard. “But not to lead you on, I'm not really into women.”

 

“Fair enough. And do you have a name?”

 

“Lisette,” said the blond, holding out a hand. Nora took it and gave it a gentle shake. She thought about kissing the back of the delicate hand, but the woman had told her outright that she wasn't into women, so Nora wasn't going to push her.

 

“You have a beautiful voice,” said Lisette, her smile broadening. “So fine. And I've never heard such range. Have you ever thought of becoming a bard?”

 

“Not really, though I have sung in clubs.”

 

“Clubs? Like the Dark Elf corner clubs.”

 

“Venues a long way from here,” said Nora, shaking her head. “And no, I've never thought of becoming a bard.”

 

“You should consider it. I'm sure the college here would accept you. You would make a wonderful performer, with your beauty. And those eyes.”

 

“I'll consider it. So, you are a student at the college.”

 

“A graduate. Though I still have a patron.”

 

The way the woman said that let Nora think that a patron was something she really didn't want. She thought that patrons were a good thing, allowing artists to work on their craft without starving. Maybe there was more to it than that, and she thought it was another thing she might look into when she had the time.

 

“You're an adventurer, then?”

 

“You might say that.”

 

“Then maybe someday I will be singing songs about you.” With that the bard left, picking up a drum and starting a rhythm that she sung to.

 

“You’ve mistaken me for someone else,” shouted a familiar voice, and Nora turned to see Sofia being accosted by a trio of men, standing over her table in a menacing manner. Recorder looked like she wanted to hide under the table, and Sofia was looking quite uncomfortable.

 

“You owe us, whore,” shouted one of the men.

 

Nora was on her feet in an instant, reaching over and grabbing one of the men by a shoulder and spinning him around. “My friend says that she owes you nothing, so leave her alone.”

 

“Are you another whore?” asked one of the other men.

 

Nora glared at him with ice blue eyes, the color of anger, her hand on the hilt of Dawnbreaker. “I beg your pardon.”

 

“Your friend owes us, and we expect payment.”

 

“What did you do?” she asked Sofia, sure that she would not like the answer.

 

“I let them buy me drinks,” she said in a quiet voice. “And took some money for, favors promised. But I'm not a whore, so I left.”

 

No, thought Nora, frowning at her friend. You're not a whore. Just a tease and a thief.

 

“Look, I'll pay you what she owes you, if you'll just go away.”

 

“But she owes us more than money. And we expect payment.”

 

“Here, take this,” said Nora, holding out a gem that could probably buy some houses in the city.

 

“I think we should take it, Eric,” said one of the men.

 

“No. It's a matter of pride. This bitch promised us pussy, and I mean to have it.”

 

“You gentlemen need to leave,” growled the innkeep, approaching with a large cudgel in hand. Valdimar was also there, hands free but balled into fists.

 

“We won't forget this,” said the man called Eric, snatching the gem off the table and storming out.

 

“Any more indiscretions I need to worry about?” asked Nora, turning an angry look on her friend.

 

“Maybe a couple,” admitted Sofia, looking down. “I don't think there were any more in this city, though.”

 

Nora huffed. Hell, she had sold her body in the past, though not since she had become successful in the Commonwealth. Right now she doubted she would ever be forced to again. It was good money, but oh so degrading. She had noticed women in tavern clothes chatting up men through the evening, going off with them for some time then coming back to chat up some more. She couldn't blame Sofia, or anyone, prostituting herself to survive. They had to eat. But taking the money and sneaking off. That was no more than theft.

 

“I've got you out of this now, but don't expect me to always be there to bail you out.”

 

Sofia nodded, still looking down and refusing the meet Nora's eyes. Nora huffed again and went back to her table, raising a hand to attract the attention of a serving wench, getting another bottle of wine sent to her table.

 

She looked over to see Eldawyn talking with a distinguished and handsome Altmer man in fine clothes. She said something and the man laughed, and Nora thought she was doing well with the man. Then her friend said something and looked her way, and the man turned to give Nora a good look over. Nora felt herself tingling under the gaze of the gorgeous Altmer man, his intense green eyes locking with hers. She smiled and nodded.

 

The two elves got up and walked her way. Both got into the seats on either side, and Nora found the man even better looking close up.

 

“This is Auryen Morellus,” said Eldawyn. “The proprietor of the Dragonborn Museum here in Solitude.”

 

“Welcome, Auryen,” said Nora, reaching out a hand to shake. “And I am..”

 

“Nora Jane Adams,” said the man, taking her hand, raising it and brushing his lips across its back. “Eldawyn here has told me so much about you. You are such a beauty. And those eyes. Captivating.”

 

Nora could feel her juices already flowing. She had yet to try an Altmer man, and this appeared to be a romantic. There was only one thing to clear up.

 

“Are you and Elda friends?” she asked the man.

 

“Oh yes. going way back. We, have enjoyed many delicious moments together. And we share views on the politics of the Isles.”

 

Which answered Nora's question. This man was anti Thalmor like her friend. He will do, she thought with a chuckle. Considering what Elda had told her about Altmer sex practices, and the fact that Edlawyn kept going back for return engagements, she thought he would more than do.

 

“What is your Museum about?” she asked, fascinated by everything this man could say. He had an intoxicating scent, and his green eyes shone with humor.

 

“The Dragonborn, my dear. You know there have been seven of them in the history of Tamriel. One of them was the Emperor, Tiber Septim.”

 

“Fascinating,” said Nora, this time taking the man's hand and stroking her thumb across it. Auryen took in a quick breath, and Nora knew they would soon be in bed. “And what has Elda said about me?”

 

“Only that you are a most special person, though she didn't go into detail.” His voice fell to a whisper. “And that you are a most accomplished lover.”

 

“Then why don't we retire to my room so we can establish my bonafides,” she said.

 

“So forward. How refreshing.”

 

“Life is short, and we need to pursue pleasure when its available. Don't you agree?”

 

They went up the two flights of stairs, the Altmer holding Nora's arm in the crook of his. They hurried into the room and the clothes came off. Nora stared at the man under the candlelight. His body was thin but muscular, hairless as all Altmer, just a small patch of pubic hair. And hanging between his legs was a long cock that was starting to twitch to erection. Nora felt herself getting wetter, and she knew that she was ready. But Auryen had other ideas, and starting kissing her passionately, working his way down her body, stopping some minutes on her breasts, then continuing down.

 

Nora fell back on the bed, pulling Auryen down with her. The man hissed in surprise.

 

“So strong. And so lovely.”

 

The man adjusted his position until they were laying in a sixty-nine position, Auryen lapping at her labia with a long and nimble tongue while she took the elf's cock in her mouth. He tasted so good, and his erection firmed up immediately. She didn't think he was the largest she had ever had, but he was close enough.

 

“What about me?” complained Eldawyn after the two had been going at it for some minutes.

 

Nora shifted again, and joined Elda in licking and kissing the body of the elf, working their way down until they had reached his pleasure center. Nora again took him into her mouth, quite the task considering his size. Eldawyn addressed his testicles, and the male Altmer groaned in pleasure. They switched places, Nora licking the balls while Eldawyn hummed around his cock.

 

“Let me get him ready for you,” said Eldawyn, smiling at her friend.

 

“He's not ready?” asked Nora in shock.

 

“Almost,” said Elda, climbing onto the man and mounting him, sliding down until Auryen's cock was buried in her pussy. “Why don't you take the other end.”

 

“Can I?” she asked the man who was groaning in pleasure.

 

“Be my guest,” he said. “I've been wanting to taste more of you.”

Nora climbed onto his face, lowering her pussy to his waiting lips, moaning in pleasure as he started licking and biting her sex. It didn't take her long to cum, and the man moaned his appreciation.

 

“You're turn,” said Elda, a rapturous smile on her face.

 

“Has he cum yet?” asked Nora, who hadn't noted that kind of response.

 

“No. Be my guest.”

 

So Nora mounted him in place of her friend, placing the cock at her entrance and sliding down, slowly. She gasped at the size, but continued to let herself down, slowly, so slowly.

 

“You are so tight,” gasped the man, just before Elda mounted his face.

 

“She gets that a lot,” said Eldawyn with a laugh that transitioned into a moan. “Don't worry,” she said through her gasps. “She can take it.”

 

Nora started moving up and down, savoring the cock, feeling her pleasure rise. Soon she was moving up and down in a frenzy and an orgasm soon took over. She shook, spasmed, and fell limp onto the man, who continued thrusting into her. She felt him swell, and clamped her vagina onto him, increasing the friction. The man screamed his orgasm into Eldawyn's vagina, setting her off, then erupted into Nora's pussy. It was an amazing amount of cum, and Nora found herself climaxing again.

 

The next couple of hours went by in an ecstatic haze. They switched positions, both of them taking the man's cock, then pleasured by his mouth., Nora tried rear entry with him, missionary, then rode him into another couple of orgasms. She couldn't remember how many orgasms she had, they stretched into an endless wave of pleasure. The cries of Eldawyn set her off several times. And Auryen seemed to be enjoying himself. Finally they collapsed on the bed, a heap of intertwined arms and legs. Nora couldn't remember when she had felt so much pleasure. In fact, she wasn't sure she ever had, and resolved, just before she passed out, to book a return engagement with these two.

 

She woke up some hours later, a short sharp cry on the edge of her awareness. Her sensitive ears told her it had been a woman's cry, and not one of pleasure. More like someone in distress. Sofia was her first thought, and despite the fatigue and soreness of lovemaking she vaulted out of bed, grabbed the sheathed Dawnbreaker, and went through her door, naked. Auryen had not been in the bed, and Eldawyn was struggling awake, so Nora ran down the stairs on her own. People had come out of rooms, taken one look at a naked woman with sheathed sword in hand, and retreated back to their chambers.

 

She stopped at the door and listened, not wanting to make a mistake, and heard a muffled cry. She tried the door, found it locked, and sent a hard foot sole into the barrier, shattering the lock and flinging it open.

 

There were three men in the room, the trio that had accosted Sofia earlier. Recorder was laying on the bed, hands and feet tied, a gag in her mouth. The three men were working on Sofia, two holding her legs open, one thrusting into her while calling her names. The two holding her legs turned in a panic, letting go of Sofia's limbs, while the man currently raping her was too caught up in the act to notice.

 

“You bastards,” yelled Nora, stepping forward and drawing the glowing sword. Nora loved sex but drew the line at rape. It was not the giving and receiving of pleasure. No, it was an attack, meant to disgrace the victim more than to gain pleasure in the assault. Her mind flashed back to her being raped by Raiders when she had first exited the vault.

 

The men stepped back, the rapist finally noticing that things had changed and a getting up from between Sofia's legs. Nora decide to kill him first, her anger overriding her reason.

 

“Nora, don't,” yelled Eldawyn, grabbing onto her sword arm. Nora started to shrug her off, but the elf hung on tight. “If you kill them there will be a bounty. Possibly jail time in the Hold prison.”

 

That last penetrated, and Nora shoved the sword back into its sheath and tossed it aside.

 

“The guards won't gainsay me a good beating, will they?” Nora didn't care if they did or not. She needed to punish these less than men. She stepped forward, fists up.

 

The man who had been raping her friend drew a short blade and moved at her. It was obvious these men, who had surprised and overpowered two women, didn't think these would cause any more of a problem.

 

Nora jumped into the air, the sole of her right foot striking the face of the man in the center. He flew back over the bed and into a wall, his nose gushing blood. She landed on the bed and spun, her right foot coming around to hit another man in the head, knocking him aside. The third tried to bolt for the door and overrun Eldawyn. The elf sent a stream of fire into him, not enough to kill, but enough to turn his back.

 

Nora grabbed that man and spun him around, planting a fist into his stomach and bending him over, then punching an uppercut into his chin. She could feel the jaw shatter, and she clubbed him on the side of the head to send him down. Marching over to the man who had been raping Sofia she jerked him up, then started repeatedly punching him in the face.

 

“Mercy,” he mumbled through shattered teeth.

 

“Like the mercy you were giving my friend. I'll show you mercy.” Nora didn't need a sword to kill this beast. In fact, it would be more satisfying if she killed him with her hands.

 

“Stop,” yelled out a male voice, and a hand grabbed her arm before she could strike, starting to spin her around. Nora went with the spin and put her hands on the chest of the armored man, shoving him hard, through the door and into the hall.

 

“Stop, woman,” yelled out another man, keeping his shield between himself and Nora. “We know what happened here, and you will be in no trouble if you stop now. So please, stop, so we won't have to haul you into jail as well.”

 

Nora let out a breath and said a calming mantra, diffusing her killing rage. She stared over at the rapists, then her friends. Elda was untying Recorder, then clasping her in a hug. Sofia was crying on the bed, unwilling or unable to move. And the guards were crowding into the room, grabbing the rapists and applying restraints.

 

“Jarl Elisif does not stand for rape,” said the guard captain, spitting into the face of one of the criminals. “You will be spending a good long time in jail.”

 

“Just get us away from that demon,” hissed one of the men through broken teeth. “If you can keep her away from me I will thank you.”

 

“I should let her work you over,” said the captain. “But I like my position.”

 

The captain turned on Nora, his eyes looking over her nakedness. “Perhaps you should get dressed, my Lady. We will take care of these animals, and let you take care of your friends. And I have to say, I have never seen a woman beat a man so hard, much less three of them.”

 

The innkeep showed up, apologizing profusely. Nora thought about asking him for a discount, but decided that wasn't called for at the time.

 

“Would you like for me to bring you some clothes?” asked the innkeeper.

 

“No. I'll take my friends up to my room and get dressed there. Come on, Sofia,” she said gently, helping the woman up and to a sitting position. “Come with me to my room.”

 

Sofia nodded and put her feet on the floor, then got unsteadily to her feet. Nora could see that Sofia had been hit, and she sent some healing magic into her face. Then got the spellsword's arm around her shoulders and helped her to walk out of the room.

 

“Bring Elesia,” said Nora, nodding toward Recorder.

 

“I'm fine, Dragonborn. I mean Nora. They weren't after me, and as soon as I was trussed up they left me alone.”

 

“Come up to my room anyway,” said Nora with a smile. “I don't want you to be alone.”

 

She turned and helped Sofia into the hall, watching as the innkeep moved his lips in a silent word. Dragonborn, she saw, and while she couldn't get mad at the shocked Elesia, she thought that too much information had been shared this night.

 

Nora cuddled with Sofia when she had her in bed. Sofia tried to push her off, but Nora pulled her in tight, holding on and letting her friend cry in her arms.

 

I don't know what you did to deserve such treatment, Sofia, thought Nora, feeling the bed move as Eldawyn and Elesia crawled on. Deserved or not, and rape is never deserved, I will be here for your healing.

 

Nora had healed the woman's physical injuries. But there was no magic to heal the mental. She would have to depend on the skills she had developed as a lawyer and a leader, and help Sofia to become her old self. And if Sofia learned to not manipulate people in the bargain, so much the better.