Skyrim's Saviors

2: Xylene

"Madanach has returned! The Forsworn will rise again!"

I sigh and look down at my tankard of mead. Vorstag, my lover, wraps his arms around me and kisses my cheek. Degaine the Beggar had been ranting about Madanach's return for ages now. It's nothing new to me, to be honest. I mean, I'm the one who helped set him free.

You see, I was involved in this Forsworn conspiracy thing, and after countless people were killed, the murders were all blamed on me, and I was thrown into the same prison as Madanach — Cid Cidnah Mine in Markarth. I'm still in Markarth now, living at the Silver-Blood Inn, with my lover, Vorstag.

Times are tough, and you've gotta make allies where you can. Right now, I'm hoping that Vorstag will join us. He's a strong Nord, but I'm hoping he will see the truth in what's happening now, and he will want to stay beside me. Well, that's the hope.

"My love," Vorstag says, as he scoots closer to me. "I have something to ask of you."

"Yes?" I look at him, and then I see it. The amulet of Mara around his neck. He's wearing it?

"Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me?"

Tears fill my eyes. "Yes! Of course, Vorstag!"

He grins and throws his strong arms around me, pulling me close against his body. He's so strong and firm, his arms around me like a cocoon. Vorstag leans back then, and kisses me. Our lips meet, and the heat that blooms in my chest has nothing to do with the mead.

It has everything to do with him.

Vorstag and I have been together for over six months, and in Skyrim, that is a long courtship. When life is uncertain, you have to do things faster than you'd usually do them. Even if that is something that scares you greatly, you've got to get the courage to do them anyways.

When we both pull back, he looks into my eyes, those green eyes of his seeing into my very soul.

"We should go to Riften, in order to seal this," he says.

I nod and he smiles, making that familiar heat come back in my chest, blossoming like a flower. We both get up, and head for the room we share together. Then, we start to pack.

××××××××××

That night, as Vorstag is getting a horse for us, I stand alone in Markarth. That is when a courier approaches me. After doing his usual crap where he blathers on about whatever he has brought me, he hands me the note.

I take it from him, and immediately, my blood runs cold.

It is from Madanach.

Xylene,

I've heard that you're doing well. I'm hoping this letter finds you well, as I need your help. Druadach Redoubt. Come there as soon as you get this letter, we need your help. More details will be given once you arrive.

- M

Vorstag walks up to me then, as I shove the letter in my pocket. He looks at me, confused.

"You okay?"

I nod. "I'll tell you later. Right now, we need to go to Druadach Redoubt."

"Hmmm. Okay. Well, let's go, my love."

I smile and kiss his cheek. "Then, we can go to Riften to get married."

He grins. "I'd love nothing more."