If there was one thing he could change about the gender-reversing potion, Marcus mused as he made his way from the recruiter’s table to the courtyard filled with Stormcloak wannabes, it would be for it to cause the body to grow taller because, alas, even though he was far wider and thicker than before, he remained his usual 5’ 5”. It had only been a day since he had become a man, yet he had already been called several variations on “short:” shortstack, mini-man, lamnut, skeevie, runt, just play old shorty…In some ways, it was like being a woman. Except without the ass pinching and “accidental” boob groping, so still a step up.

 

He had been afraid his height might disqualify him, but the recruiter had just taken down his name (he went with the name of his dead fiancé because he hoped that would help him be able to respond to it when someone said it) and said, “You’re just in time – the recruitment pairings are being made in about an hour.”

 

Too close! Had it taken any longer, he would have had to wait however many weeks until the next batch of recruits were chosen, and, even regardless of his desire to get paired up with Koren again, he had precious few coins left to live on.

 

He spotted his target as soon as he turned the corner and entered the courtyard. Koren had always stood half a head taller than most and this lifetime was no different. Marcus forced himself not to sprint as he headed in Koren’s direction.

 

“This is taking forever,” Koren rubbed his thick red beard (Marcus had to restrain himself from doing the same) as he scowled at the crowd of fellow recruits in the courtyard. “Why can’t they hurry up?”

 

Marcus smiled at the words, but the smile faltered since there was, of course, no Prid to respond to him. He wondered where she was in this new Skyrim. Instead of her counter, the men around just grunted agreement.

 

This was the point where Koren had first noticed Trendil. Marcus decided it was a good time for that to happen again and, while he was at it, begin to plant the idea of what they all needed to really concentrate on.

 

“Think we’ll end up dealing with the dragons much?”

 

This did get a response, but it was not what he expected. Koren turned with a frown and peered down at him. “Dragons? What in Oblivion are you talking about?” General scoffs of agreement sounded from around them and Marcus frowned as Koren followed up, “Best for you that the dragons all died out thousands of years ago – a tiny man like you would make a nice snack for one.”

 

“Nah,” someone else responded as those around laughed. “He wouldn’t even be a mouthful for a dragon. Maybe they’d save him for a dragon baby toy!”

 

More laughs, but Marcus had stopped listening – his brain was trying to catch up. No dragons? He thought back; the dragons had definitely been back when Trendil joined the Stormcloaks. Hells, one had tried to kill her on the way to Windhelm. The rumors had been rampant all over the city of where they had come from and, of course, what had happened to the Dragonborn, who had arrived on the scene just as suddenly then disappeared just as quickly. If there were no dragons this time, she wouldn’t need to worry about finding the lost sister – she could just focus on winning the war. And Bent’s heart. He just needed…

 

The sound of the gate at the end of the courtyard rattling open broke Marcus from his reverie.

 

“Finally!” Koren turned away, his attention shifting from Marcus to Bearmane who, just like last time, stepped out and looked over the assemblage, then began yelling familiar words.

 

“All right, everyone quiet down! We’re going to separate you all into squads of three. Each squad will get an assignment. Everyone who comes back from their assignment will become a Stormcloak! Pretty simple! Shout out and group up when I call your name! Parks!”

 

A man on the far side of the courtyard yelled out acknowledgement and the pairing up continued as Marcus bit a nervous lip. He hoped he would still get in the same group as before, but thanks to the delay, he had not signed up at the same…

 

“Rell!”

 

Marcus had forgotten about Rell, but the sound of his name sent a spike of panic down Marcus’ spine. Her name had been called before Rell’s last time. Did that mean…

 

“Koren!”

 

Koren pumped a fist. “Yup!”

 

Marcus cursed in his head as Koren began to angle away toward Rell even as Bearmane yelled out the third member of Koren’s party: “Trogan!”

 

Marcus watched in frustration as Koren, Rell, and new party member Trogan (who Marcus recognized as Crowbar from Company M, Squad 3) got together, and therefore missed the first calling of his name.

 

“Marcus!”

 

He jumped and turned as Bearmane walked toward him.

 

“You too short to hear?”

 

“Maybe your words went over his head,” responded someone else, and both laughed.

 

Marcus glared at both as he glanced at the new person, one he didn’t recognize from last time. A stereotypical Nord – tall, blonde, thick as a tree. “I hear just fine. Where is our third?”

 

Bearmane gestured. “It’s just the two of you, the last two left. You have a problem with that?”

 

“No,” Marcus responded at the same time her new companion said, “No, sir!”

 

Bearmane glared at the Nord. “Sir?! Do I look like a geezer to you?!”

 

“Ah...no…”

 

“Then don’t call me sir! When you get back – IF you get back, you can call me Bearmane. Until then, stop talking to me at all!”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Right, you two get to deal with a little problem over on the coast. There is a pack of bandits that has decided to expand into slavery. Not on our watch! Get your asses to Bleakcoast Cove and take care of them. Simple!”

 

Marcus nodded while the Nord said, “Got it!” and Bearmane turned and stalked away.

 

Marcus’ new partner turned and grinned. “Hi, I’m Petr.” He held out a massive arm.

 

“Marcus,” replied Marcus as he took the arm. “Meet at the gate at daybreak?”

 

Petr looked surprised. “Ah. I was going to suggest drinks. Get to know each other a bit. We’ll need to be on the same scroll when it comes to fighting.”

 

Marcus blinked as his brain recalculated. Last time, she had gone off on her own to sell her jewelry and make preparations. It had not occurred to him this time might be different. “Um, that’s a good idea. I have a couple errands to run first. Meet you at the ‘Hearth in two hours?”

 

“Sounds good.” Petr gave Marcus a nod and turned away, while Marcus cast eyes around for Koren.

 

Koren, Rell, and Crowbar stood near the wall of the courtyard, so Marcus idled his way in their direction and lingered long enough to overhear “Serpentstone Island” and “wraith.” So, they had the same job. The job they had not been prepared for and would have died doing had Trendil not been there. Marcus turned and hurried away – he had preparations to make for two groups.

 

 

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