Wanderer

Chapter Twenty-One

~~~~~~~Asdis P.O.V.~~~~~~~

Riften was warm this time of year, especially considering it was winter and the rest of Skyrim had snow littered across the ground. There was no need for the big fur cape, or the heavy boots to trek through the snow.

I sat on bench just outside Misteval Keep, watching the crowed move from stall to stall. There was a bearded man selling some elixir to others, it just looked like bullshit to me. A tall, dark haired woman with a severe look cut through the crowd, shouldering people as she went. Maven Black-Briar, the most notorious woman in Riften, marched right up to me with a beet red face.

" Did you leave this in my chambers? Is this your handiwork, worm?!" She shouted, gathering the attention of a few merchants and customers.

She threw down a stack of letters, each one of them proof that her business was a fallacy, and she was a criminal.

" Speak! Or I'll-"

" A man came to you asking about me." I interrupted, looking up at her with a piercing gaze. " I want to know what you spoke about."

" And what makes you think I'll help you after the stunt you just pulled?" She challenged.

I stood, taller than her only by a few centimeters, but it was enough to make her nervous. " Because I will destroy you and everything you've worked so hard to preserve with the snap of my fingers. " I said, grasping her bicep tightly. Most of the crowd was now very interested in our conversation. It was unusual for anyone to stand up to Maven. " Now you tell me exactly what you two spoke about."

" Go to hell."

I backhanded her hard, my signet ring cutting the flesh on her cheek on contact. The anticipation in the crowd grew as they watched these events unfold. Most people stayed out of Maven's way because no one knows what happens to those who get in her path. But I didn't care. I was filled with such a rage I picked her up by the collars.

" Tell me if you want to keep those pretty eyes of yours." I hissed, placing my dagger dangerously close to her face.

" He was asking about where you were. I told him you were well guarded I the palace. When I mentioned something about your home in Falkreath he disappeared." She said frantically, a fire blazing in her eyes.

" Who?" I said, letting her feet hit the ground. " Who was the man?"

" Older fellow, silver hair, had noble clothes. He never told me his name."

" And you just told him about my home, where my children were!?" I shouted, my hand clasping around her throat. " I should kill you, and rid this world of another viper." I finished, throwing her down on the ground.

I marched out of the market, frustrated that I've made a complete circle and I was no where closer to finding Silva and Lancion.

I made my way up the steps of The Bee and The Barb to my room to gather my things. I surprised to see a small, cloaked figure sitting on the bed.

" Asdis." The figure said, pushing back the hood to reveal Althea.

" Althea? Talos, I could've killed you!" I said, loosening my grip on my sword.

" As if you could." She teased, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

" Why are you here?"

She looked me in the eyes, a sullen expression on her face. " Ulfric sent me after you, to make sure you were safe."

Anger bubbled in my stomach. Ulfric had angered me before I left, refusing to help me find my wards. Now he finds me so incompetent that he cannot trust me to be on my own without supervision?