The Wolf Queen Awakens

Chapter 7

Erandur knelt before Mara's shrine in the Temple of Divines, hoping he passed for an ordinary worshipper. He'd spoken briefly to Rorlund who'd looked a bit confused at the name Maia before seeming to realise who he was talking about and reassuring him he'd go get her, and to make himself comfortable in the Temple in the mean time.

So here he was, praying quietly to Mara and hoping she'd come soon.

Footsteps on the Temple floor and then a cloaked figure kneeling beside him, the hood falling back to reveal red hair and a golden circlet.

"Hello!" Maia gasped, sounding a little out of breath but definitely pleased to see him. She'd had her armour repaired and cleaned up, but otherwise looked much as she'd done when he last saw her. "You made it! How was the journey?"

"A little rough but no bother," Erandur replied, getting to his feet with a smile. "Maia, my friend, it's good to see you." He held out his arms for a hug, which she gladly returned, happy smile on her face... and it was then that he noticed the steel plated Nord behind her, glaring at him and reaching for his sword.

"Maia, look out -," he began and Maia turned around. To his surprise, she actually glared at the big Nord, tapping her feet.

"Bolgeir!" she snapped. "He is a friend, and a sworn priest of Mara! Stand down immediately!"

Bolgeir let his sword go and stood back, folding his arms but still glaring at Erandur, who was now a little puzzled. Clearly a bodyguard of some sort, so why call on him? Had to be something requiring a priest's assistance, but this city had the Temple itself and a Hall of the Dead. Why him in particular?

"Is he a friend of yours, Maia?" Erandur asked, wondering just what her situation was in this city. Rich, clearly, but he also had the sense she wasn't in charge of her own destiny. Was her father someone powerful, a controlling man who loved his daughter but also didn't like her risking herself? Maybe this was why she'd taken up mercenary work, to get some freedom.

"Bodyguard," said Maia tersely. "Gods know why I need one in my own city with guards on every corner, but apparently it's dangerous for me to step outside alone. But there I go, talking about my problems. How are you, Erandur?"

"Very well, thank you," Erandur replied, fairly bursting with questions by this point. "So, you needed my help."

"Not here," said Maia, lowering her voice as she glanced at the other visitors. "Come on, come with me. We need to talk."

Erandur followed her out, that bodyguard of hers falling into step a few paces behind, not taking his eyes off Erandur. Something was very wrong here, in fact the entire city seemed on edge. Could be the war. Could be the trauma of having its High King murdered. Maybe even dragons. But Maia seemed like a different person here. Angrier and yet more vulnerable, if that made any sense. Back in Dawnstar, he'd worried for her physical safety but she'd seemed calm, even cheerful, most of the time. Even when he'd confessed about Vaermina and his history with the cult, she'd been angry briefly, even a little disappointed... but she'd sighed, forgiven him and told him as long as he wasn't still in league with Vaermina, it was fine. Everyone had their secrets after all. Something in the way she'd said it had made him wonder what her own might be... but he'd not felt confident enough to ask. Now he had a feeling they might be to do with this city.

She was heading towards the Blue Palace and what was clearly the upmarket end of town. Solitude's manor houses towered on either side and Erandur wondered which was hers. She finally halted just before the Palace itself.

"Erandur, I – I'm afraid I haven't been entirely honest with you," she said, blushing furiously and not meeting his eyes. Secrets. He knew it. Well, she'd not turned him away after hearing his, and he doubted hers were worse.