Skyrim: A Sorcerer's Tale

Chapter 71: Chapter XII: Rising Reputation

Chapter 71: Chapter XII: Rising Reputation



When Durrak finally calmed down from his embarrassment fueled berserk rage, we got to the most important part of any dungeon delve: Looting anything not nailed down.

We found the usual valuables and some enchanted weapons. Unfortunately, said weapons were of the user-fueled variety making them far less valuable than a properly done enchantment.

As we were walking down the massive platform at the entrance Durrak asked hesitantly "You think you could maybe enchant my spear?"

I am a bit confused by his tone but still answer "Sure I can, what do you want it to do?"

He thinks for a bit before answering "Something that can make me last longer in battle?"

I start getting flashbacks of people asking for enchantments to make them last longer but quickly manage to shake the memories off.

Shaking my head in an attempt to get rid of the discomfort I say "I can either make it steal life force or stamina."

"Lifeforce" He grunts out immediately. His little brush with death seems to have rattled him a fair bit.

I nod "That won't be an issue, ill get it done when we get to Whiterun."

We continue walking down the mountain at a leisurely pace and chatting about the fights we had, much to Durrak's chagrin.

We had to carry the loot we got from the dungeon and liberated from the raiders in a couple of rather massive bags, but a bit of telekinesis and that problem was solved. Pretty good practice as well.

Suddenly, I sense someone at the edge of my vision and raise my hand abruptly.

My companions stop and prepare their weapons.

I focus my gaze on the place I felt something from but whoever was spying on us was already gone.

After waiting for a bit just in case I shake my head "I was certain I saw something over there, but the moment we stopped they were already gone."

"Think it was that innkeeper?" Davos asks.

"Could be..." I say, suspicion lacing my voice.

We take the time to check out the spot I sensed but there was nothing, not even the snow was disturbed. Since we couldn't really do anything about it, the only choice left was to just go on without any answers.

We spent the rest of our trip to Riverwood with me being incredibly jumpy and the other two mocking me for it.

We returned to Riverwood in the evening, and once again I made a beeline for the trader while my followers went for the inn.

I entered the shop, making the tiny bells above the door jingle and alert the very stressed looking Lucan who was manning the stall.

I approach without a word and place the claw on the counter, he looks at it surprised and then turns to me me with a conflicted expression.

"As I promised, the claw is returned." I drawl out.

He nods hesitantly "Yes, I can see that..." he scratches his cheek awkwardly "Umm... are you still interested in buying it?"

"No." I respond with zero hesitation. It might have been an interesting thing to have, but it was no longer of any use to me.

He nods and pulls out the diamond I gave him as collateral with suspiciously little protest for a trader.

I raise an eyebrow behind my mask and take it, using identify on it I am both furious and insulted.

[Glass counterfeit diamond]

I lock my eyes with Lucan and slowly, deliberately, crush the glass gem in my hand, turning into fine sand with my magic imbued strength.

He shivers in fear, but I say nothing and merely continue staring at him.

He gulps and pulls out the real thing, placing it on the counter with a shaky hand.

I look it over and nod with satisfaction, then grab both the gem and the claw and turn to leave.

I hear some protests from Lucan and turn back to him "You are lucky we aren't in Morrowind.

I would have taken your head alongside your claw for this insult." He flinches and I go on "Be happy you get to keep your life."

I leave the devastated shopkeeper and head to the inn. Seriously, at least don't look suspicious if you want to cheat me you dumbass. The only reason I didn't kill him is that it would bring far too much trouble for a bit of satisfaction.

I join my two companions and we order some drinks.

Unsurprisingly, once again Delphine inserts herself into the conversation after a bit. What does surprise me however, is that the feeling she is giving me is very different from whatever I felt watching me on the mountain... was it really someone else?

I am forced to leave my thoughts for later when she asks "So, how did your bandit hunt go?"

"Oh, it went swimmingly! We managed to slay the raiders and reclaim the stolen loot from Rorikstead." I answer with a shit eating grin.

Delphine seems genuinely surprised at the fact that we actually went after bandits and is actually stunned for a moment, but after a bit she shakes her head "Well, I am glad they got what was coming to them" and leaves us to our drinks.

The local bard, Sven if my memory serves, comes in a couple of minutes later and starts singing that one song about Ragnarr the red getting his head lopped off, and we enjoy the rest of the evening in merriment.

As we approach he seems to notice us and everyone follows his gaze to me, he lets out a tired

sigh and says "It is always a pleasure to have you here Flame-tongue, but as you can see we aren't quite in the mood for receiving visitors right now."

I smirk at this "Oh I assure you, you will be in the mood when I am done." Everyone gives me a blank stare, but the smirk doesn't leave my face as I summon the charred armor of the raider's leader and toss it in front of the throne.

I hear gasps all around me as everyone seems to recognize just what I just tossed in front of them. Balgruuf stares at it for a long time, before slowly breaking out into laughter. "Two hundred years..." He lets out another tearful laugh "Two hundred gods damned years

they have been raiding our villages, and suddenly you walk in and whip out the burned remains of their most powerful weapons like it is nothing and offer no explanation." He once again goes into a hysterical fit of laughter.

Two whole centuries? Sheesh, there are nations on earth that didn't last that long. Even Balgruuf's brother Hrongar seems to be in a state of disbelief, going between laughter

and just looking empty.

Proventus Avenici, the ever diligent steward of Whiterun approaches us and points us to a side

room of the palace while saying in a professional voice "If you would kindly follow me for a meal while the Jarl's household gathers themselves I would be most indebted." Seeing the sense behind his words I quickly agree and we follow him.

We take our time to rest from the long walk while Balgruuf calms his shit and are soon invited

back and offered seats close to the Jarl's own.

He looks us over and says with much more composure than before "You have helped us more

than you can know, honestly Reyvin if you weren't already living in Winterhold I would offer you employment here for this."

I shrug "I don't really need a reward for this, just make sure it is known who put an end to

whoever those raiders were and I will be satisfied." The reputation is worth far more than gold to me at this point.

"You don't even know of them?" He gapes and goes to inform me.

I raise a hand and interrupt him with a cruel smile "Why should I remember a group of ants I

stepped on?" Balgruuf snorts, while his brother seems to just about to let out a 'whoop!'

He turns to Davos, who notably chose to hide his face for this and says "And you, Davos of

Windhelm do you have a request for this deed?"

He just shakes his head "Unneeded, I am here merely as a tool for my current employer.

Nothing more."

Balgruuf looks confused but nods, while Irileth, his personal guard, seems alarmed all of a

sudden and slowly reaches for her blade.

I stare at her and say diplomatically "There is no need for that housecarl, I assure you that the mer under my employ is not here for antagonistic reasons."

She stares at Davos for a bit longer but then slowly nods and leaves her sword in its sheath.

The non-Dunmer present seem kind off miffed by being excluded from what just happened but Irileth promises an explanation later and they leave it at that.

Finally, it is Durrak's turn but before the Jarl can even speak he also shakes his head "Don't

even think about it. I did practically nothing."

"Oh?" The Jarl raises an eyebrow.

Durrak snorts "I did practically nothing" and points at me "He just blew them all to pieces by

himself, honestly it was kind of sad."

Every head snaps toward me, but I merely shrug "When I called them ants I really wasn't

being arrogant."

"He says as he remembers being stabbed." Durrak narrates between chuckles.

I turn to him with a chilling smile "Oh, we also had a bit of an adventure in the burial ground

the raiders were camping out on. I would love to tell you all about it."

The court members seem very curious, Durrak on the other hand pales and I start the tale.

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