Through my Blood

Chapter XI: The Long Road Ahead

[Serana's POV]

"I expected Ysgramor's city to be... bigger." I commented as soon as we got inside Windhelm, which was also known as the City of Kings as I've read in my books.

"You're not impressed?" Remus asked.

"Oh it's not like that - I am." I assured him. "It's just... most of the time, books don't do places justice with just words. This time, it's... the other way around? Somehow in my mind as a kid, Windhelm is a quarter of Skyrim." I laughed.

"Well, I wouldn't judge you. You were a little girl." Remus nodded his head with a hint of laughter forming on his face. "Come on, let's get ourselves some rest." We marched towards the inn, which was just right in front of us as soon as we got inside the gates. Suddenly, I felt Remus grab my hand.

"Not there." He pointed west. "Come on."

Right. I almost forgot the fact that he's Thane across the nine holds. I wonder how it's like. Being Thane all over Skyrim is no easy feat, and I wonder how he can manage to be an adventurer and hold titles at the same time.

"My thane!" we were greeted by a housecarl, his face painted with both surprise and happiness.

"Good to see you, Calder." Remus gave him a nod. "It's been a while."

"It truly has been, my Thane." Calder gave him a slight bow. His eyes darted off curiously to my direction before turning back to Remus.

"Uhmm, my Thane?"

"Oh, right. This one's Serana. My companion."

I slightly nodded my head with a small smile, "Good to meet you."

"Ah, yes. Good to meet you too, my Lady." he answered, bowing his again.

Wow, this guy's too formal.

Calder turned to ask Remus, "Might I ask, what brings you to Windhelm?"

"Things happened." Remus made his way for the dining table, and motioned for Calder to sit. "You too, Serana." I observed that we were in the house's living room... or a dining area? There was a dining table at the center and a hearth on the left side. At the east wing lies the kitchen. Unlike the kitchen back in Heljarchen Hall, this one's cozy-looking for having plenty of space near a fire pit and a designated area for cooking.

The two of us sat down on the dining table. I wasn't particularly hungry, but Remus was obviously looking for food, which the housecarl seemed to notice so he went to the kitchen to find him something to eat.

"So, what's the situation?" Calder inquired as he put down a huge plate of sweet rolls on the table before settling on the dining bench. Remus immediately grabbed one and stuffed it down his mouth. He offered me some, but I shook my head no. After he pushed down his food with a drink, he started to explain the situation to Calder as I sat there to listen in silence. When Remus was done, Calder stood upright, much to my surprise.

He graciously bowed with a hand on his chest. "Then allow me to join you at the Dawnguard, my Thane." Then he looked at me and nodded.

Remus had an unimpressed look on his face and stuffed another sweet roll in his mouth.

"No, Calder. I need you to stay here. I need ears in every hold. Especially here." Remus muttered while chewing a mouthful of sweet roll. What did he mean especially here? The housecarl's face obviously fell.

"B-but my Thane..." he started to protest but Remus raised his hand to interrupt.

"Oops. No buts." A long grin streaked across his face, seemingly satisfied with all the sweet rolls he just ate. "Trust me, Calder. If you wanted to help me that much, you'll be of much use here in Windhelm than at Fort Dawnguard. We'll find other recruits somewhere." Calder couldn't hide his disappointment but basing on the look on his face, I think he understood.