Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/12874329.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Major_Character_Death, No_Archive
      Warnings_Apply, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      F/M, Gen, Multi, Other, F/F, M/M
  Fandom:
      Elder_Scrolls_V:_Skyrim, Original_Work
  Relationship:
      Shadow_Of_Cyrodiil/_Karliah_Hearthfire, Hogvir_Hearthfire/_Jennadeen,
      Vennessa/_Silent, Meireka_Deizmo/_Elvin, The_Gray_Fox/_Senna, Crimson/
      himself, Eiah/_Vilkas, Ulna/_Edna
  Character:
      Gallus_Deizmo, Karliah, Karliah_Hearthfire, Meireka, Elvin, Silent_-
      Character, Kyle, Jennadeen_Hearthfire, Hogvir_Hearthfire, Jarl_Jelben_the
      3rd, Vennessa_Hearthfire, Borik, Delvin_Mallory, Vex_(Elder_Scrolls),
      Brynjolf, Vilkas, Farkas_(Elder_Scrolls), Eiah, Crimson_Criminal, The
      Gray_Fox, Emer_Dareloth, Senna, Edna, Maven_Black-Briar, Skior, Kodlak
      Whitemane, Alea, Athinis, Ghost, Tobias, Celros, Mercer_Frey, Bishop,
      Rodr, Ulna, Felis, Az'iem, Ria, Serana_(Elder_Scrolls), Harkon, Thagnas,
      The_Companions_(Elder_Scrolls), Thieves_Guild_(Elder_Scrolls), The
      Watchers, the_empire_-_Character, Listener_(Elder_Scrolls), Ysolda, I've
      lost_count_-_Character
  Additional Tags:
      Angst, Fluff, Sadness, Rape/Non-con_Elements, Anxiety, Violence,
      Emotional_Manipulation, Manipulation, Angst_and_Humor, Slow_Burn, Self-
      Harm, Self-Hatred, References_to_Depression, Depression, Physical_Abuse,
      Smut, Masturbation, Cute, Family, Crying, Blood, Age_Difference, Marriage
      Proposal, Death, And_Lots_of_It, Child_Death, Child_Abuse, Food, Gore,
      Roughness, Religion, Tension, Trauma, Torture, Sex_Slavery,
      Misunderstandings, I'm_Sorry, Language, Kissing, Pain, Panic, Flashbacks,
      noncanon, Break_Up, Awkwardness, Children, Murder, Attempted_Murder,
      Domestic, Love, Romance, Enemies_to_Friends, Enemies, Friends_to_Enemies,
      Voyeurism, Tragedy, Secrets, Slavery, Major_character_death_-_Freeform,
      Romance_mod, Racism
  Stats:
      Published: 2017-11-30 Chapters: 1/28 Words: 5146
****** The Life Of A Ghost: Thief Of Time ******
by MysticAttack
Summary
     The aristocratic status in Cyrodiil holds a large amount of weight,
     especially after the Gold Concordat was signed in E4 Year 175.
     Nowadays you are either well off or nothing more than one to grovel
     at the boots of the Aldmeri Dominion. Karliah Hearthfire is well off,
     thankfully. The youngest daughter of a Great War hero, and living in
     luxury in Leyawiin. A city far south in Cyrodiil, and as of late -the
     newest home for follower's of the Gray Fox who are now calling
     themselves The Watchers. But being a High-Born girl cannot protect
     you from the evil out in the world, especially when you are one who
     wears your title like a set of armour.
     (~A very shitty explanation~)
     `All rights to our lord and savior: Bethesda~~!
Notes
     I really fucked up the storyline okay? Literally everything you know
     about Skyrim? Fuck it. It stops here in this fanfiction, come at me
     Todd Howard. Lore stays in place except most of the goddamn storyline
     of the Thieves Guild in Skyrim. I wrote this before I played Oblivion
     so the town of Leyawiin is off in presentation and names of the
     Palace and a whole lot of shit. Just try not to think too much about
     the shit you know about Elder Scrolls. As I said this is a blend of
     an original work and a Elder Scrolls fanfiction. If I tried to
     explain what the fuck I'm talking about then I would never stop
     typing. Enjoy this horrid sadness fam~
     I wrote this chapter years ago and I dislike it, but I know in order
     to post the future chapters this one has to as well. It's really
     cringy, I'm sorry.
See the end of the work for more notes
The two of them could make out the heavy weight of iron boots thundering down
the hall towards the door, her heart sped up in wild panic as she gazed over;
wide eyed at the honey-eyed boy that lounge beside the Breton on her queen
sized four-poster. Karliah Jeane Hearthfire sprang up in a moment's notice, her
flowing elegant skirt following behind her. "My father is home!" She whispered
in a frantic manner, her slim fingers wrapping around his wrist to pull him to
his feet. "You have to go, now Bishop!" 
This outcome should have been conspicuous to the two of them, it was risky of
them to linger so late into the night. She dragged the Nordic boy to her
window, shoving the mirrored shudders open to reveal a clear and quiet night
that would surely be cut short if her father were to catch Bishop in her
chambers. She pestered him to hasten which drove him to blindly stick a leg out
and hop over the sill and to land on the soft ground outside, thankfully her
room was on the first floor; making getaways very save and secure. The
footsteps grew closer and closer, time seemed to slow; which only made the
young girl's heart pound heavily beneath her ribcage. "We should see each other
once the sun rises." He said, a fluttery smile planted on his lips when he
looked at her through the opening -and for a boy who was more than intimidated
by her father; he seemed to be taking is sweet time with honeyed words. "The
Imperial City is ahead of us, Karliah."
"Of course." She stated in a rushed manner, eyes darting over her shoulder with
anticipation. "B-but this is not the time to be speaking about this! Goodbye!"
Her words fortuitously came out in a curt manner as she slammed the doors on
him, longing to be able to apologize. Yet her father had opened the door only
moments later. The Noble girl stepped in front of her bookshelf and pretended
as if she was searching for a novel to read.
"Karliah." Hogvir; her father spoke, pressing the door open to shuffle through.
Something that she distanced and attempted to look disinterested in; especially
his future words. The way he said her name sounded as if his tone was dripping
with exasperation, "I asked a simple task though it was not done; go to the
market before any personal activities." He ordered, a scowl on his lips. She
could only guess that something had gone wrong at the Sunglow Palace, being the
Hand of the king; you had responsibilities - just as the Jarl himself.
"I can go once the sun rises." Karliah answered briefly, though her words
sounded more like a question than a statement. She hoped that he wouldn't
argue, knowing that her older sister was resting in the other room; and the
sibling was not pleasant when woken up early. Glancing away from the cover of
the book she was pretending to inspect; she glared his way, "It's dark out and
Blackwood is dangerous. I'm sure that Edna would be willing to do so." She
stated, setting the piece of literature back on the shelf.  
But her father didn't seem joyed with her attempt at compromising. With a brief
inhale from his nose; he repeated a low daring tone, "go to the market and get
what we have written down or you're not getting your bow lessons."
At the menace; she bit the inside of her cheek nervously, Karliah had
unremembered to inform her father that her "boyfriend" she called it: Bishop
had been giving her lessons for a few years in marksmen training. Though she
would never get around to telling the truth, and it was better not to agitate
him. She began to bare the same expression of annoyance as her father.
"Why don't you get our housecarl to do it?" She grumbled bitterly, it was
something odd to get worked up about. Hell, the young woman wasn't exactly
positive about what exactly had gotten on her nerves. But without another word;
with the flick of her wrist - she shooed the man out. Muttering that if she was
indeed to leave the Hearthfire Manor, then she needed to change her attire.
Thrusting the door closed with a soft huff. 
And with that; she changed her light rose colored dress to a thin black tunic
that looked casual enough but had been shipped from the lands of Morrowind and
was of a very specific ash grown cotton unavailable in Cyrodiil, topping it off
by slipping into a pair of trousers she found nicely folded in the corner.
Pushing open her door, and turning left down the hall. She found herself
standing in the living room. Her father sat peacefully in one of the many
chairs around their dining table as their housecarl Edna; a strong Imperial
woman who could give most of the guards on patrol a run for their coin - aided
him in unclasping his heavy steel armor from biting into his shoulder. Karliah
fumbled with her hands for a brief moment before shaking her head. "If I die
it's your fault." She muttered, a bit dramatic for her taste but she was still
bitter about how Edna and Hogvir had shown up unannounced and cut her visit
with Bishop; short. She made a move for the door but the soft sound of her
father letting a weak chuckle tumble from his lips make her halt.
"Please do not exasperate the situation, the shops are nearly ready for
closing. If you feel insecure then you can take my dagger." He spoke, head
turning to the side weakly as his hands searched his person. He proved
unsuccessful until the Imperial woman currently removing his breastplate moved
her hands from his broad chest to pull the sheathed weapon from his belt. The
man pursued his lips before softly sputtering out a quick "thank you" to the
woman. 
Edna took it upon herself to hand the dagger to the young woman. It was a
carved sliver blade with a thick handle, most likely used for dirty work such
as hunting or basic protection. She hesitated briefly before grabbing the
weapon from Edna's grip. Her one hand freeing the piece of armor from his body
as he began to speak, "don't forget leeks." Hogvir called out as she spun on
her heel to head for the front door, "your sister has been pestering me about
them."
"Give it a rest." She retorted, hoping for the last word before shutting the
thick wooden door behind her.
* * *
"Lady Hearthfire, I pardon -but can I speak with you?"
Karliah stopped in her tracks at the familiar sounding voice, letting go of an
exasperated sigh. Straightening her form and turning around like the Noble girl
she was, "what do you need Edna?" She asked gently, a soft but fake smile
imprinted on her lips. Hoping that her sudden change of attitude would have the
woman forget her childish actions between her and her father. 
The Imperial Housecarl cleared her throat, shutting the oak door behind her so
the Nordic man inside could hear nothing but muffled tones. "Your father had a
rough day at the Sunglow Palace, and he surely isn't thinking clearly. I would
gladly assist you to the market and help you find the things needed." She said,
brushing her short brown hair from her shaped face.
"You have already stayed a hour past your usual shift, not to mention you were
just in the middle of assisting my father. I'm fine, I can promise you that."
She said, her amthyest eyes bright as she smiled. "As you saw; I'm armed as
well, don't fret."
The housecarl crossed her arms with a sigh, "your father should let me show you
how to use a sword. This land is sworming with thieves, bandits, trolls, and
divines known
what else these days. If you wait just a moment then I can go get one of the
soldiers guarding the gates to be of service."
Karliah let go of a faint laugh, shaking her at the helpful Imperial. "I said I
was fine, I'll see you at sunrise." She waved to the woman, starting for the
market that was a block or two away. Her grin denigrating from her features.
She reluctantly pulled herself onward, interactions with her family
periodically were dreadful and tiring to her (though not so much the encounter
that was just had) considering the one she had broke apart after her mother
passed away on the day she waso born, along with her father that had began to
lack as a parent as the years dragged on, Karliah long ago had came to the
realization that what she wanted was a complete kin.
Pathetic and stubborn tears began to leak from her eyes as she quickly moved
down the gravel road, desperately trying to wipe the tears off her lashes. What
a stupid reason to cry, the youngest daughter in one of the richest families in
Cyrodiil tearing up over a simple errand? How spoiled could one be to whine
about having to go to the market during nightfall?
She continued to roam, looking around at what the Cyrodilian view had to offer
as she kicked at the dirt road until she finally approached the marketplace,
the wide open space seemed abandoned due to the final hours of the day. The
many stalls empty of merchants and items alike in case a thief were to come
across trinkets left behind. The noble girl smiled softly as she noticed a lone
Dumner man packing up his shop for the day in silence. At hearing the scrape of
her slippers on the path; he perked up, red eyes meeting hers.
"A bit late for a young woman like yourself to be wondering Blackwood at night,
aye?" The elf jested softly with a kind smiled  as she strolled into the
torchlight the Dumner was holding in one hand as he shut the crate underneath
the stall.
"I don't suppose you are still selling are you?" She sighed, unable to pinpoint
a quirky respond to his words. She twirled the golden septims in her hand,
biting the inside of her lip, she supposed her father had lost track of the
time; the market closed up at eight.
The Dark Elf shook his head, the short white pony tail on top of his oval-
shaped head shook with him. "I just closed up shop ten minutes ago." He replied
sounding more disappointed than his expression would allow.
She figured, already rehearsing the sardonic comment she would open with her
father once she arrived back at their residence empty-handed. "Oh." She said,
her voice hoarse; her lack of better word made the interaction more delicate
than she intended, Karliah cleared her throat. "Well I was hoping to buy some
of your produce, but I see. I'll try tomorrow and-"
"Nonsense girl!" He interrupted, almost as if he was delighted to help her. She
was used to selfishness in the city of Blackwood, considering that the town was
known for holding the most successful Thieves Guild in Tamriel; The Watchers,
even their name held an echo. Holding some of the most dangerous men and women
the planet Nirn had to offer. She supposed that it surprised her of the lack or
wariness the man held. "You look tired. I won't waste you're energy, I have
enough for the coin you can offer." He smiled wider, showing his golden hued
teeth.
"Oh." Karliah muttered pleasantly, head perking up at the realization that this
blasted trip wasn't just a waste of breath. "Do you have leek?" She questioned,
forcing a smile. As Hogvir Hearthfire's youngest daughter; she needed to be a
charismatic woman. But now was not the time of day to charm some merchant, nor
was she in a jolly enough mood.
"Yes." He replied, then began to rummage around behind the stall before peeking
out and handing Karliah a beige colored sack, "here you are."
"Thank you." She said as she set a small coin purse on the counter in front of
him, untying the end of the sack to check how many leeks were there. Karliah
glanced up with a pleased smile as he rounded the stand to gather the golden
coins before turning to face her.
"It is my pleasure." His ruby red eyes finally seemed to adjust to the
torchlight as the orange glare illuminated her appearance, his pale lips seemed
to part in a sudden surprise. "I . . . Would you like me to walk you back to
you're home Lady Hearthfire?" The dumner asked suddenly.
And hearing the sound of her last name made her grin falter, she was hoping
that the darkness around them would hide her features enough for the elf to not
realize who she was. But unsurprisingly, luck was not on her side. Not only was
she muttering shyly like a peasant girl when she was indeed the Jarl's God
Daughter; she blatantly made herself look out of place.
She could almost hear Edna's voice in the back of her head to oblige his
actions, that Blackwood was a place full of crime and the scum who commit it.
But for the noble girl herself; it didn't matter to her if he walk her back or
not. With the slight shrug of her shoulders; she agreed politely, all she
wanted was to get home and camp back in her quarters with a nice book.
As they walked the dirt trail; it seemed like every time Karliah took a step
forward, the feeling of being scrutinized grew more intense, but at the very
least she wasn't alone as she was before, but with the sudden dissatisfying
feeling; she began to long for the security she would have had if she agreed to
have the Hearthfire housecarl: Edna, escort her. She must not have been in her
right mind to deny Edna of her services; as she had never traveled the city
alone at nightfall.
"What's wrong milady? You're tense" The Dumner pointed out with a grin,
something that meant nothing to him but the kind gesture seemed to concern the
Noble beside him.
"I'm fine." Karliah stated flatly, adjusting the way she carried herself so she
no longer shied; head held high as she cleared her throat. The night was very
still and dim, not even a spec of dust was out of place; nor were there any
sudden outbursts. She was just being paranoid! No one would try to hurt her in
Jarl Jelben the third's city unless they had some sort of death wish, the
Dumner looked over at her once more.
"You are Karliah, correct?" He questioned, she nodded softly. 
"Your father's a good man." The Dumner sounded as if he truly believed his
words. Though most of the individuals living inside Blackwood did believe so.
Karliah only let a soft hum escape her lips. Folding her hands in front of her
person.
"As well, many people do say that-" he stopped speaking and sputtered.
Karliah's slippers caused her to skid to a sudden halt before she spun around
to see the middle-aged man choking on his own blood as a rogue man swiftly drag
a dagger across his throat, she clasped her hands over her mouth as her eyes
widened in panic. A shriek escaped her before she stumbled back.
He shoved the merchant to the dirt -the dark elf's body portrayed as a drag
doll as he twisted around on his own two feet. Tangling and slumping to the
soil, blood already clotting from the large gash in his neck. Before Karliah
could even think correctly to sprint away from the scene, the man's threatening
tone interrupted the silence. "If you move I'll make this night a lot more
painful then it has to be!" He menaced bitterly, eyes boring into her as he
moved to drag the Dumner man's body over to a shadowy corner by one of the
wooden stalls.
Out of sheer fear and panic, Karliah found herself obeying. Standing eerily
still and at the same time she shook under her own weight. Her breathing began
to drag from her quick and shallow inhales, feeling oddly dizzy as she dropped
the sack of food, which led it to roll out of the bag.
Was it a thief? Possibly even a member of the widely feared Watchers? For all
she knew, the man was here to rob her all everything she currently had on her
person. From the silver clip she had in her scarlet hair - all the way to her
gold lined slippers from Valenwood. Though the thought made her head spin more
than it currently was, if she knew anything it was that her father once told
her that the Watchers; like every other thieves guild scattered around Tamriel
- they refused to operate like the Dark Brotherhood. And killing was never a
thing they preferred to do. Nor bold robbery of a young girl in the middle of
the night, they valued stealth and the honor of not getting caught.
This was no member of the Watchers, and it only made the young woman tremble.
She had to fight back, that was the only reasonable action she could come up
with on the spot. Or at least get away and get home as quick as possible
without getting killed just as the poor Dumner man had. She reached around to
her waist and hid the dagger her father had given her; behind her back as thick
tears began to welled up in her lilac eyes, filling to the brim and threatening
to fall.
"I'm just a girl." She whispered harshly, the Nordic man straightened his back
and strode over to her with a sneer gnarling his upper lip, in a bold manner;
he grabbed her chin with dirty fingers along with a force that made her clench
the dagger so hard her knuckles began to ache. Not wasting another precious
second; she swung at the man's chest. Maybe too quickly, but without missing a
beat - she dropped her only source of protection and ran, ran as fast as she
could away from the man and towards the Hearthfire residence where it was safe
and sound (though still a ways away), she felt her heartbeat pulsing in her
throat. Karliah didn't even know if she harmed the man, all she knew was that
she needed to get out of there.
This wasn't truly happening was it? Surely it was all a dream, a horrific
nightmare that was so savage it wasn't even close to what reality was capable
of. But this felt all too real, the tears in her eyes, her heart slamming
against her ribcage, and the ache of her feet as she ran.
But her moment her freedom; the last bit of freedom she would have for a long
time -crumbled in her grip. She felt a rough hand tangle itself in her hair,
the feeling was painful as he tightened his grip on her curls. Pulling her back
and making her cry out, feeling as if he had ripped globs of her red hair out
of her scalp. She was yanked back to his chest, pinning her arms to her side
and sweeping the girl off her feet, the fall didn't feel any better. Bruising
her cheekbone, scraping her knee and surely getting dirt in her eyes and mouth.
She was caught like a mouse in a trap.
With wide eyes; Karliah twisted, whimpered, cried, all while trying to escape
his tight grip. The seconds dragged on and on, her throat felt like it was
boiling - as did her eyes, body breaking out into a cold sweat. When the man
noticed that she wasn't going give up anytime soon -he once again grabbed her
thick red locks and pressed her face deeper into the dirt below.
Her heavy breathing that was a weak attempt to calm her down was just filling
her with a undesirable feeling of dizziness, the dirt particles getting sucked
into her mouth with every large gasp; only causing her to cough. She felt him
fumbled around, pulling something from his belt, all while pushing her tighter
to the ground. She could hardly breath from the pressure, hell, she could
hardly believe the situation at hand.
Whatever he was in the mist of searching for; he found, pulling the cork off of
what seemed to have been a bottle it with his teeth, jerking her head upright
by her curls, and pressing an elixir against her lips.
"Drink it."
At the words she sobbed nosily, trying to twist herself away once again. He
tightened his grip in her hair, which caused agony to flow through her scalp.
But she tried to ignore the pain and focus on a way out of this mess. The tears
finally cascading down her cheeks uncontrollably.
"You little bitch, why won't you just corporate?!" The bandit of a man growled
harshly, the words vibrating against her ear. Pushing the potion through her
lips and forcing her jaw open. As soon as he dunked the liquid into her mouth,
she tried to cough and hack it out. Quickly he covered her mouth, plugging her
nose to give her no choice but to fall unconscious if she didn't swallow; most
likely the outcome either way.
When she couldn't seem to hold her breath any longer; she reluctantly consumed
the elixir, or at least sounded like she did to the bandit, Karliah collapsed
in defeat. Not falling asleep, but too weak from the potion that was rapidly
working through her body alarmingly.
No longer having to hold her down, he was finally free to grab the knife she
had attempted to harm him with from his belt; he had managed to wield it there
before having to chase after her. The man chuckled softly, his left hand let
the empty elixir fall to the dirt before using his grimy hand to grasp her jaw
and force her head upright. "Such a cute face..." He sighed, a thumb ran over
the soft skin on her upper jaw as well as moving the blade closer to her skin.
She whimpered sheepishly as the cool metal grazed against her flesh. "This'll
teach you to do as I say. . ." He pressed the blade against her cheek, dragging
the sharp object down. He heard her cry out in distress when the weapon broke
through the skin, hunching and trying to twist away from the sharp, blinding
pain.
He pressed the metal deeper and that's when a blood curdling scream of utter
agony cut through the silence, echoing through the entire city. Pain began to
radiate through her face, her thundering pulse was like a throbbing vein where
the cut had just been placed; forcing the blood to stream out in thick strands
down her appearance, hating how her father had just sharpened that blade
yesterday at the blacksmith's shop. A sorrowful choke escaping her when he
withdrew the weapon from her skin.
"Big mistake little mouse. How about you come to my camp?" The bandit teased, a
ugly chuckle escaping him, the blood rushing down her face and dripping to the
dirt path, she clenched her eyes shut; all the confusion and pain became too
overwhelming and she began to cry. She didn't attempt to stop it, too focused
on the feeling of her consciousness slipping away due to the poison. Her head
slowly lowered to the ground beneath her.
"I-" Karliah sobbed, she could hardly speak. Tears blurring her vision to the
point where the world around her was a black smear. Hell, she wasn't able to
tell it from the blood or tears anymore. "D-Don't-"
She didn't have the energy to continue her plead, collapsing hard into the
dirt, a soft gasp escaped her from the sudden impact. The bandit chuckled once
again, dropping the silver dagger to the dirt path. He draped the young girl
her over his shoulder and got to his feet. "You'll have a lot of fun little
Hearthfire." He crooned, she whimpered slightly. But didn't speak.
* * *
"We have an entire search party out looking for her as we speak. But we cannot
do anything until they get back-"
"She is my goddamn daughter!" The hand of the king; Hogvir Hearthfire reminded
in a booming tone that echoed throughout the enclosed room, thankfully the
walls were thick. But it only made the steward more aware of how alone he was
in the large room, he glanced at the hefty wooden doors that were tightly
closed and locked from the inside. Turning back to the lord who was pink in the
face. "We will leave no stone unturned looking for her!"
The wood elf steward shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he eyed the angered
Nord who looked as if he was prepared to hurt an innocent puppy. "I understand
milord." He said in a trembling tone, "but the lead commander's investigators
are still trying to find the source; a kidnap, common bandits, or. . ." He
swallowed thickly, "or. . . Sex merchants."
Hogvir Hearthfire was soundless for just a brief moment, his face that was a
coral color before was now reddening; his breathing heavy. The steward relaxed
for a brief moment, praying to the divines that the Hand of the king was at
last attempting to settle down. But of course not, he should have expected
Hogvir to throw the silver candlestick that stood on top of the round council
table; at the stone wall that followed with an obnoxious clanking noise. "That
is impossible!" He outraged, the steward couldn't tell if this was anger or
grief he was seeing in the man's eyes. "What lead do you have? Anything? Tell
me or next that candlestick will be you!"
The elf looked down at the fancy tablecloth, almost hoping that the king would
hear all of the commotion and hopefully come down and speak to Hogvir about
this whole mess of a situation. And as the missing girl; Karliah Hearthfire's
god father -Jarl Jelben should come and console the weeping father. "W-we do
have one lead. . ."
"Tell me."
"Milord, you understand that I would tell you anything. But I don't think you
could handle this-"
"Karliah is my daughter, if she is in trouble then I want to know; Quin." He
said in a low and dangerous tone, seething the steward's name from his tongue.
Something that made the Bosmer gulp and quiver in his boots - it was not common
that he heard his name come from anyone of higher regards.
Quin pretended to clear his throat. "Some of the locals had shared that around
nine at nightfall, they heard a woman scream. A-and that was spoken from the
citizens who live near the marketplace. We are already aware of a dangerous
crime under the consideration that there was a murder last night" Nearly every
word was a stutter, the Steward's eyes focused right on his shaking fingers;
fearing what would happen if he continued; let alone gaze up to stare at the
Nord.
Hogvir had his jaw clenched so firm that he was sure his teeth would crumble,
the older man was waiting for the elf to continue; hanging onto his every word
before he seemed to trail off. "And?" He asked in a slow and dangerous voice.
"I said before; I truly don't think you want-"
"Quin I will lock you up in the city jail for a fortnight if you don't spit it
out right now!" Somehow his words got more and more menacing as they were spat
from the Hearthfire. The steward closed his eyes tightly.
"We have evidence!" The Bosmer clasped his hands so hard together that they
began to turn red from the pressure at his fingertips, as if waiting for some
sort of impact from the lord. Instead there was a brief silence, Hogvir's
posture softened at the words.
"What evidence?" He asked, the tone a bit slow - and thankfully even more
gentle; tilting his head to the side slightly.
Moments later, the elf reluctantly pulled a folded cloth from his person. "I
took this from the evidence chest but I couldn't bring myself to. . . Show you
just yet." He set it on the table delicately, "and I ask of you to not throw
it. . . We need to deliver it to the court wizard Ulna for further
examination."
Hogvir bitterly threw his hands up to grasp the clothed object, impatient to
see the so 'evidence'. But the Nord stopped dead when his dagger tumbled from
the soft fabric. Glaring at the weapon as if it was a dead animal with it's
guts spilled out all over the carved wooden surface. The steward sat there,
still as a board; fearing the worst.
In silence Hogvir grabbed the handle, the newly sharpened blade that he had
given to his little girl to protect herself if she needed to. And . . . It
seemed that she had attempted such a thing.
"Please do not exasperate the situation, the shops are nearly ready for
closing. If you feel insecure about this you can take my dagger."
"It was found in the marketplace, tossed to the side of a puddle of blood." The
wood elf explained slowly to the impassive man, he hadn't moved quite yet; in
fact his shoulders that moved with every breath even halted. The blade still
held in his calloused grip, even the metal suddenly felt unfamiliar; even
though he had owned the thing for several years and shared many memories with
the object. Hogvir turned the cursed blade on it's side, a fair amount of red
blood lined the silver edge. His breath came out in a flutter.
"Who's blood is this?" He questioned in a hushed tone, the man already knew the
answer, something deep down in his aching soul just knew; he just didn't want
to be right. It was hers. His baby girl's blood, someone had had the audacity
to hurt her. Wound her with his own damn weapon. What a twisted fucking
concept. 
"The local conjurer traced it back to the Hearthfire bloodline. And so was the
gore in the marketplace." He stated softly, Hogvir didn't answer. An eerie
silence washed over the two of them, a whole minute must have passed before the
Hand of the king finally spoke:
"Get someone to fetch my eldest daughter." He demanded, ignoring the weaver in
his voice as he rose from the fine chair he had sat rigidly on. A dizzy feeling
overcame him and he sudden felt like he was flying. Honestly he wished that he
was, just so he could fall. "I'm going to be here for a long time and she's not
being alone."
 
End Notes
     Anyone here from Wasted: HI I'M SO SORRY I SWEAR I'M WORKING ON THAT
     CHAPTER but you know me -procrastination lmao (As of March 14th it is
     now posted!!). This is literally my life's work so if you wanna read
     it just leave a comment and I'll post the second chapter! There's
     about 28 chapters with 20k each at least! And a second book as well~
     apologies for any typos and for the actual cringe.
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