So here I was, after three hundred years, home once again. I didn't know who awaited me inside, I only knew my sister was there and my mother would be as well. But I had to leave now, and it seemed they would be my only source of refuge.

 

 

Well it's time to get on the road again. This time I hope once I step off, I'll stay off the road. I've slept under rocks and logs way too many times now.

 

 

Well at least I look a little better than I did when I was last at home, despite being in a cold and small tomb for three hundred years. I doubt, my mother would approve, though she never really would no matter what I looked like, because to her I tore our family apart. And of course everything was going to be my fault.

 

 

Strange, it wasn't so long ago that I was looking at a sign not so different to this one. But the other sign was in a place much warmer than this and wasn't soaked by the perpetual melting ice.

 

 

A few hours later...

 

 

The first inn I stayed at in Cyrodil, you were good a warm bed with food, but your ale was awful. I can't say I'll miss you.

 

 

So I think my plan is to travel through the mountain range to the west where hopefully I'll be able to go through the Reach, which will eventually lead to High Rock. my families home of Skystone is at the foot of one of the mountains and I should be able to find it easily, or I hope so at least.

 

 

Well goodbye Cyrodil, it wasn't at all a pleasure to see you.

 

 

So this is the old and trodden path I'm going to have to follow to get home. Great.

 

 

At least from this high in the mountains, you're given a hole new perspective on life. You see things as birds see them and look down thinking how small and insignificant we all are with our constant petty disputes that can kill thousands.

 

 

 

A few days later...

 

Home just how I remember it. Well I remember less grass and cleaner walls, but I suppose a few hundred years will take their toll eventually. Something that's unavoidable I suppose, still I would've made sure it was renovated well and kept in great condition.

 

 

Well without surprise the High Rock weather was its usual self. Raining, cloudy and cold.

 

 

Well I'm glad Solomia's put her own spin on our banner, but it's very dark. I would've had red and black instead of grey and black.

 

 

Well the gates were open ready for me, or this place was abandoned. I was hoping it was the former. I didn't want my family home gone. As cold and large as it was.

 

 

This place wasn't as poor on the inside. At least the walls on the inside were cleaner and brighter, though the banners were still Solomia's not mine or father's. She really was trying to establish her control over our clan. She definitely was better at 'the game' than I was.

 

 

Walking into the throne room was easy enough, though it seemed empty except for my sister sitting in the throne. Normally there were others around, why weren't they here. I suppose I'd ask Solomia when we were alone together.

 

 

"Well sister, do I have to call you Lady Solomia now?" I asked with a cheeky grin. 

 

 

"So when you walk in the first thing you ask is if you have to call me Lady Solomia? Gods you haven't changed a bit." She scoffed though with a sweet smile.

 

 

"Well it's quite an important matter, you don't want to go to one of Queen Esmeralda's feasts and me just call you Solomia. What a breach of etiquette that would be?" I laughed with the same grin on my face, though this time bearing a few more of my teeth.

 

 

"I see your time in a tomb hasn't humbled you either. If you were anymore confident I'd have someone shoot you in the head with a silver crossbow bolt." She said. Her tone was still light, though anyone who had no idea who she was could easily be terrified of her.

 

 

"Well, do I not get a hug or anything, I haven't seen you in three hundred years?" I asked with a flirtatious smile on my face that shone straight through the room, not that it mattered.

 

 

"I would, but you've been on the road for weeks and you've probably not bathed in the same amount of time. When you've bathed and you're clean, then we'll catch up properly, like sisters." She commanded as she slumped back into the throne.

 

 

"Really, not even for me?" I questioned as I did my best to widen my eyes.

 

 

She didn't reply at all, in human terms no not even for you. Fine, I just had to find the baths now.

 

 

Well I'm glad to see this place hasn't changed, the baths here were perfect from the beginning, made for any situation. Washing, feasts, exercise and sex most importantly. though since she thought I wasn't clean, I don't think she'd join me.

 

 

Well I'd need to get washed if I wanted any chance of Solomia letting me under the covers tonight, and to be quite honest, I needed it. I was dirty and tired and most of the time the water from the springs beneath the castle invigorated anyone who laid in their waters. I hope I could go back to my older self, sure minus the blatant arrogance and over confidence, but I think Solomia liked that about me.

 

 

I hoped there were some decent clothes left in my wardrobe. If there wasn't I might actually cry. I would despise wearing anything that wasn't practical.

 

 

I suppose there could be something useful at least I hope so.

 

 

 

A few minutes later...

 

Well there can't be anything worse than her lace dresses. I suppose this looks okay.

 

 

It certainly matches my status, but I'm not sure it's really my style, a bit too...vibrant. Maybe there was something else left in my wardrobe.

 

 

Well much more practical, but it lacks the status that I need to show. I think I'll stick with the vibrance of the other outfit, that was at least something most would be happy with me wearing to court.

 

 

I have to say, I wonder if she'll appreciate the new style, or if she'll hate it more than my previous style. I suppose I'll have to wait and see.

 

 

End of Chapter 8

 

 

 

Thank you to anyone who has read this far. Knowing people read this really makes me strive to do more. So a huge thank you from me.

 

Feel free to leave any criticisms in the comments, I'm starting to use expressions now, so expect to see more meaningful screenshots for dialogue.

 

Once again, thank you!