Dovah's Mate

Three

Very few times since taking the Jagged Crown had Calida ever worn her hair without its significant number of braids.

The braids were apart of her family tradition (dating back to the time of Talos if her grandmother was to be believed), only worn by the right of victory. Where as Nords celebrated with feasts and mead, Calida would sport another braid. She had stopped at ten strands after Miraak's murder, not having the heart to add more without him by her side through those victories.

Now, here in the village of Skellige, Calida had to do her own braids without the use of a mirror or handmaidens. It was reminiscent of her time still as a young adventurer, before her destiny was set in motion, where she had ignorantly worn two strands.

Dressed in her armor, tying off the end of a fourth strand, Calida felt anxiety rise from within. So many unknowns. Not enough time.

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Sot Grohiik. White Wolf.

It was an odd title to carry, Calida mused for a moment. What had her supposed second 'mate' done to earn such a title?

Thinking about her mate, second supposedly or not, Calida felt her heart ache.

Miraak.

Oh how she missed her fellow Dovahkiin, the one that had made her Dovah blood sing in her veins. He had been a challenge to love at times, but in the end she could not regret her time spent with the First Dovahkiin. He had given her two wonderful daughters after all.

Calida, who had been preparing to leave to speak with King Bran, paused by the door.

Why was it exactly that the Nir was chasing Ciri more so than Karlieyah?

They were both of equal power, the same blood. Karlieyah was stronger in her Thu'um then Cirilla, yes, but Ciri was able to use her Dovah blood in unheard of ways. They were Ying and Yang after all.

Calida shook her head, a vain attempt to stop the questions now plaquing her more so and left the inn.

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Calida did not care for King Bran an Tuirseach.

He had taken one look at Calida, standing in his courtyard, and promptly laughed in her face.

It was the same laugh Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak had given her so many years prior. It unnerved her how easy it was to find similarities between the two, despite their worlds being separate.

"You, Woman, what are ye doing with me men?" He bellowed from where he stood at the top of the courtyard stairs.

Calida had merely been trying to observe Kaer Trolde (as many guards had called it) before requesting an audience with the king, but it seemed fate had other ideas.