Jenassa and I decide to remain at Breezehome for awhile, partly due to the continuing rain, and partly to spend more time bonding with our new daughter.  Lucia is simply adorable, a source of unending surprise and delight, and our housecarl Lydia seems just as fond of her as we are.  The four of us find it easy to amuse ourselves despite the ongoing inclement weather, and we get along so well that our time together flies by in a revelry of mutual affection and laughter.

But when the skies finally clear and the sun shows its face once again, my wife and I prepare to go back on the road.  We haven’t forgotten our promise to confront the Alik’r on Saadia’s behalf, and the date of the reception at the Thalmor Embassy is fast approaching as well.  Lucia is touchingly sad to see us go, and clings to us both as we say our goodbyes, making us promise to return safely.  Our capable housecarl assures us that our house and daughter will be under her constant supervision, and with a final round of farewells, Jenassa and I step out into the bright morning sunshine.

Continue reading “Chapter 75: Slow Learners” →

Next morning, even before I’m fully awake, I can tell that the weather hasn’t improved much since last night.  Rain falls steadily on the roof overhead in a constant murmur, and the ashen atmosphere outside hardly seems like daylight.  Groaning, I turn over and yelp out loud from a sudden stab of pain, startling Jenassa from her sleep.  Great.  It would seem that I injured my leg yesterday when I was clambering over boulders to escape giants, running up the slippery steps of a ruined tower, and fighting off crazed werewolf hunters.  Can’t imagine how that could’ve happened.  I’m guessing that adrenaline, and later on, exhaustion, did their part to mask the pain from the injury — whenever that was.  I don’t really care.  I just hope that we’ve got a few healing potions left.

After Jenassa examines my leg to make sure it’s nothing more serious than a muscle strain, she nods her head when I ask for a remedy.  Sliding out of bed carefully to avoid jostling me, Jenassa finds our backpacks in the corner and retrieves a potion.  She hands it to me as I struggle to sit up, and I’m disappointed to see that it’s only for minor healing.  I look up at her with what I hope is an adorably pathetic puppy-eyed look.  But honey, my leg really hurts.  Surely we have the good stuff stashed away somewhere?  Please?!

My wife manages to look sympathetic and resolute at the same time.  “My love, you know we rely on these potions far too much to use them on trivial injuries.  This should take away most of the pain and start the healing process.  You should be as good as new by tonight if we don’t do anything more active than stroll around town — and in this weather, I doubt we’ll want to do much else.”

Continue reading “Chapter 74: Town House” →