An Unbroken Story

Blood on the Ice (Pt. 1)

"Hold it there. Keep your distance." a guard tells me.
"What happened here?!" I ask worried.
"Another girl killed. This is Susanna, from Candlehearth Hall. Served me a drink just a few nights ago... but I can't say I knew her. Susanna's the third. It's always the same: young girl, killed at night, body torn up." the guard looks at her body for a second, then looks back at me.
"Are the murders being investigated?" I ask.
"We're stretched thin as it is with the war. Nobody has the time to spend on this. Not pleasant, but it's the truth." he grimaces.
"Sounds like the guards aren't doing their job!!" I yell at him.
"Look, there's a war going on, if you hadn't heard. We barely have enough soldiers to walk the streets, much less patrol every corner." he snarls at me.
"WHAT!? That's total bullshit! Tullius is dead! If you mean war, you mean the Thalmor!" I shout.
"Don't yell at me!" he yells back at me.
"Who are you to say that? Ulfric is my brother-in-law. If you have a problem with me, then back off!" I snarl at him.
"And I know where the last snow elf lives!" he mocks me.
"Nielll, back off! For the love of Talos... ANOTHER?!" Rolaf says.
"Yes, captain..."
"Athena, could you... investigate?" he asks me.
"I can."
"Good. Ask some of these gawkers if they saw anything useful."
"I'm going to examine the body before the rats can get to it." Nielll mutters.
I go up to a man named 'Calixto Corrium'. 

"Always sad when someone dies." he mumbles.
"Did you see what happened here?" I ask him.
"Sorry. I thought I saw a fellow running away, but didn't get a good look at him." he frowns.
"I forgive you." I smile weakly.

"I heard a scream and came running, but she was already... like this... when I got here." a woman named Silda says.

I look at the priestess of Arkay. I look at her and she gets what I mean.

"Eehhh... no. Sorry. But I did notice that her coinpurse was still intact, so whoever did this wasn't after gold. I'm going to keep prepared the body, if you'll excuse me." Helgrid tells me.
"Wait! Can I search her...?" I ask.
"She's naked; What is there to search?" she glares at me.
"I'm not a pervert... and that would be gross..." I say.
She glares at me for a few more moments, then sighs.

I pull away her bra. She had some gems and gold... I see a necklace. I pull her bra back up.
"It wasn't a robbery..." I mutter.

I find Rolaf talking with Ulfric about the murder.
"I've spoken to the witnesses." I tell him.
"I thought I said you can't do this!" Ulfric says to me.
"Ulfric, I sent her on it... if she can survive what she has, I think she can do this." Rolaf argues.
"Fine. But if she dies, it's all on you."
"So?" Rolaf looks at me. Same with Ulfric.
"Nothing..." I say.
"Just like always – nobody saw anything useful. The bastard's escaped again!" Rolaf yells in frustration.
"There might be more to this if you'll let me help..." I smile.
"Look, friend, if you think you can do better than the legion of guards, be my guest. You'll need to talk to Jorleif, though. We can't just let anyone go around claiming to be on official business. If he's willing, then we'll talk." a guard comes in.
"Ugh, fine!" I say. I run my happy (what should be if not for the murder) arse to him.

"I've heard about these murders." I say.
"These are difficult times indeed, when men stalk their brethren like beasts. My men are stretched thin as it is. If you offer your aid, I gladly accept. The guards will be told to assist you as necessary. I'm happy to lend my hand as much as I can, as well."
"The one guard wasn't very happy with me." I say.
"Let me guess; Nielll." he smiles. It's a fake smile.
"Yes."
"Don't worry about 'em. He may act like a bad-ass, but he really is soft." he laughs.
"Do you know where he lives?" I ask.
"Um..." he looks shocked.
"Never mind." I say.
"And I am talking with a stalker... or psychopath." he murmurs.

"Jorleif has granted me permission to aid in the investigation." I tell Nielll.
"Sorry about earlier." he tells me.
"It's fine." I lie.
"Anyways, all right, then. I noticed a trail of blood away from here. Helgird's taken the body into the Hall of the Dead to prepare for burial. She's a little crazy, but if she knowns anything, it's dead bodies."