The Wolf Queen Awakens

Chapter 16

The little group fled through the night, not stopping, not looking back, although once out of sight of Markarth, the guards were no longer chasing them. Something to be thankful for.

Eola ran by Elisif's side, saying very little but smiling, always smiling. Madanach's child, and there was something about her that definitely reminded Elisif of her father. Same pragmatism and cunning.

Erandur was behind them, but he was getting old by Dunmer standards and was falling behind. It hadn't taken long for Madanach to catch up, Kaie alongside him and Borkul behind them both.

"Dragon-Queen, I take it the Dunmer's with you?" Madanach growled, narrowing his eyes at Erandur.

"He's my friend," said Elisif firmly. "And he's one of my Blades, aren't you, Erandur?"

"Anything I can do to help, I will," Erandur replied, looking Madanach over curiously. "You're a little old to be in the Forsworn, aren't you?"

"I founded the Forsworn, elf," Madanach growled, and Erandur backed off on hearing that, moving closer to Elisif and wondering just how on earth High Queen Elisif had ended up working with the leaders of the Forsworn.

He didn't have a lot of time to wonder, as the Karthspire double bridge loomed up and Elisif led them over it. Then round the Karthspire itself and... Braziers were lit, torches were burning, tents were pitched and a group of Forsworn were approaching with magic going and weapons raised.

Elisif stopped in her tracks. The camp had been gone, they'd driven the Forsworn off and then they'd come by in the night to claim the remnants. She'd not expected a new camp to form so quickly.

"Names and business, strangers," one called out, clearly hoping for an excuse to slaughter them all. He was to be disappointed.

"Madanach ap Caradach," Madanach called, pushing his way to the front. "Here to lead us all to glory!"

Gasps from the warriors, at least one of whom dropped his bow from shock.

"It can't be..."

"Is it really him?"

"Old gods, it is!"

"We're sorry, sir, we had no idea..." the lead Forsworn gasped, motioning for him to enter. "I mean, er, welcome back, my lord!"

"Ah, don't call me that, leave all the milords to the Nords!" Madanach laughed, patting the man on the shoulder. "Come on, let's see what you've managed to put together at short notice!"

"He really did found the Forsworn," Erandur whispered, drawing closer to Elisif and watching in awe as half the camp swarmed, all wanting to get a look at the king who'd been in prison longer than some of them had been alive.

"That's my dad!" Eola whispered, wiping a tear from her eye as her father stopped to shake hands with practically everyone, slowly making his way to the entrance to the Karthspire. Elisif followed after, unsure what exactly happened next, but she had Eola taking her by the arm, Erandur and Cicero behind her and the Forsworn from Cidhna Mine surrounding them all, Kaie leading the way and calling for people to clear a path, the Reach-King's guests were not to be held up.

"Reach-King! Sir! Are you going to clear the intruders out of the ruins?"

"Are we going to shed some outsider blood tonight, sir?"

"We'll follow you anywhere, sir!"

Madanach had reached the top of the steps by this point and was motioning for quiet. Elisif found herself right at the front of the crowd, Cicero bouncing up and down behind her while Erandur and Eola flanked her.