Everyone spends hours fixing everything up inside the Inn, until it finally looks brand new. Even the Mugs were finally all cleaned. Hulda walks into the main room with a smile on her face as she witnessed the work we all did.
Hulda: You have all done a great service to me! Thank you!
Alexander: It's no problem at all miss Hulda! The pleasures all ours!
Hulda: Regardless of the fact, if there's anything I could do to repay you, just name it!
Alexander: Anything?
Hulda: Of course! Free of charge, and within my ability!
Hadvar, Sven, and I huddle together in a corner to discuss our reward.
Alexander: So what do you say boys, got anything in mind?
Sven: Free drink for life of course! Think of all the mead we could have!
Alex: That isn't bad, but with our numbers, we could drink her whole business dry.
Hadvar: Free lodging for life? A small base to rest our heads would work.
Though Hadvar was smart to suggest this, I have a feeling that if this world had the mods from the game, then lodging won't be a problem.
Alex: No, i'll already have that covered.
We all scratch our heads still thinking, then I see Sofia wiping down a table. I'll admit, there were probably many different rewards to come up with, but I guess this is the best course of action for now. I take a heavy breath and turn to Hilda with regret on my face.
Alexander: If possible, would you be ok with forgiving Sofia's dept to you? I'd rather my subordinate be free to work without setbacks.
Sofia's ears perk up as she turns around excitedly, while Hulda looks confused at first, but then smiles.
Hulda: You made my Inn better then new, consider it paid! Let me just grab a few things for you at least.
Hulda walks up the stairs and when she leaves the room, Sofia jumps on top of
me, in shock to the feelings of large round lumps of flesh hitting the back of my head, I fall to the ground, now with my head crushed under the weight of her on top of me. And in spite of my obvious disdain for the position I'm in, Sofia just gives that same innocent look while hugging me.
Sofia: So I'm officially part of your group!?
Alexander: Yes, you were able prove yourself. I hope you're ready however, we've got lots to do.
Sofia: Yes sir! But-
Sofia gets back up, assisting me back to my feet, with a confused look on her face she looks me in the eye.
Sofia: How did I pass the test you gave me?? I don't even know what I did?
Alexander: Test? Oh! Right the test!
In the midst of the chaos I completely forgotten the test I made for Sofia to pass in order for her to successfully join our ranks, then Hadvar steps in.
Hadvar: Obviously it was because you helped that Lass before, when that jackass redguard threatened her, you showed willingness to help someone in an unjust situation, isn't that right Alexander?
I just stare blankly at the two, not understanding what he's talking about, until I finally process what he had said, then turned away awkwardly laughing.
Alexander: Uh…yes! Exactly! *cough* *cough* You see, our goal is to form a group, a group full of powerful and capable warriors, lead by a chosen hero who will unite all of Skyrim, and save Tamriel!
Actually the test never mattered. I was just going to screw with her the entire time we were here since I already knew she was a good ally.
Sofia: Sounds like a goal worthy of my assistance! So whose this "chosen hero" you speak of? You make him sound like he's the next Talos or something.
Sven: Well you're certainly not far off—
I bury my fist to Sven's head quickly, knocking him to the floor before he could open up his mouth any more then he already did.
Alexander: There's ears everywhere you trog! Quiet down!
Sven: Sorry boss.
He says struggling to pull himself up from the floor.
Alexander: You'll know in due time. For now while our group is small it's best to keep the details on the down low.
Sofia raises her eye brow but shrugs. I take a deep breath and sigh in relief before wrapping my arms around Hadvar and Sven with a smile.
Alexander: We have more members but let me introduce you to those that are here, the one in the imperial armor is Hadvar, he still is technically part of the Empire, but he swore his loyalty to me as well, and the small one is Sven, a bard and amateur warrior.
Sofia: Yeah we've been acquainted, I'll be sure to reward you next time the opportunity presents itself.
Sofia speaks in a flirtatious tone whilst stroking her fingers along Sven's hair, who blushes slightly in embarrassment.
Sven: Uh…r-reward how?
Sofia: Just let me worry about that.
Completely ignoring this weird interaction I take notice to Hadvar turning his head around repeatedly, as if looking for something, not paying mind to the weird exchange I was forced to witness between Sofia and Sven.
Alexander: Hadvar what's the matter?
I say as I let go of him and Sven.
Hadvar: Think you forgot another member of our group sir.
What? Who could he be talking about? Who am I missing, I cross my arms and was deep in thought trying to remember the allies we have met so far, then I notice a sweet roll on the counter uneaten, I joyfully grab it cause I remember Redcap loves sweet rolls, then it finally came back to me.
Alexander: OH CRAP!!! REDCAP!!! WHERE DID HE GO?!?
With everything that happened since last night, I forgot about the little yellow riekling, out of fear I open every cupboard, look through any shelf, search through the kitchen, and even inside the cups like a moron.
Alexander: Redcap? Little buddy? Come on where are you???
Sofia: Uh…whose Redcap?
Sven: A little yellow riekling that the boss rescued. But where could he have gone? Wasn't he drinking with us the whole night yesterday?
Sven looks at Hadvar but he shrugs.
Hadvar: After the fight I didn't take much notice, last I saw him, he just finished his seventh mug of ale. For a fellow the same size as a child he sure knows how to hold his drink.
I then pop my head above a counter with a sauce pan on my head in emergence.
Alexander: CAN YOU LOT JUST SHUT IT AND HELP ME FIND HIM?!?
Hadvar: Find him where? We cleaned this whole floor, we should've found him by now if he was here.
Sven: Could he have gone outside while drunk?
Alexander: IF THATS THE CASE WE NEED TO HURRY!!! WHAT IF A STRANGER LURED HIM WITH SWEETS AND KIDNAPPED HIM?!?
I jump up to the counter and scramble for the door, but before I could turn the knob, Hadvar grabs my arm.
Hadvar: While I do agree that we need to look for him, shouldn't you calm yourself? You're acting as if he were your child and not a spear wielding killing machine.
Alexander: But he's my spear wielding killing machine! I promised to look after him and keep him safe!
Sven: Sir calm down! Whiterun isn't that big a city! And Rieklings are already a unique enough creature for people to spot on Skyrim! More so for a yellow one! Let's try and go out there and look for him!
Sofia raises her hand while we argue, and clears her throat to further grab our attention.
Sofia: Maybe I'm wrong but I think I know where he is.
Alexander/Hadvar/Sven: Huh?
Sofia: You don't remember Alex? He came with us up in the room when we talked. Albeit he was wobbling around like me one Middas night at a bar in Elsweyr. I don't remember him leaving the room with you.
Alexander: ARE YOU SURE?!?
I grab hold of Sofia's shoulders in desperation and fear, upon doing this the group hears a scream from upstairs.
Hulda: AHHHHH!!!!!
We all divert our heads upwards as we hear some noises and taps hitting rapidly on the floorboards followed by Redcap in a panicked tone.
Redcap: GAH!! WHO YOU?!? WHERE FRIEND?!?
Sofia: Pretty sure.
Everyone rushes upstairs, fearing what the idea outcome of a frightened Riekling and a Nord woman would result in, the one running the quickest up the stairs however was me, because no matter what I would never forgive myself if my favorite little buddy would die because I didn't look after him!
When we finally reach the second floor room, silence was met as we approach the door, followed by Hulda saying:
Hulda: I've got you now!!
Redcap: AAAAHHHHH!!!!
Alexander: REDCAP!!!!
Hadvar: Sir calm yourself!!!
Alexander: TO HELL WITH THAT!!! I'M SAVING MY BOY!!!!
I could no longer contain my desperation, I lunge myself towards the door, landing both feet towards it, causing the hinges to be torn off from the frame and topple into the room.
When I came bursting through the room I expected to see Hulda with Redcap at the end of her sword or a dagger, however nothing would've prepared me to see this.
Hulda: SOOOOO CUTE!!!!!
Alexander: Huh?
Much to my and the others suprise, Hulda instead of trying to kill Redcap, was snuggling him like a teddy bear, while Redcap didn't like this very much, he was very much safe.
Hulda finally takes notice of me on top of her destroyed door.
Hulda: MY DOOR!!! Why did you just burst in here and destroy my door!?
I didn't answer right away, as I was still dazed, blankly I just continue to stare at the sight of Hulda holding Redcap in her arms, still not processing the scene, that is until Hadvar slaps beside my head, snapping me back once again to reality.
Alexander: Ah! Uh…I…thought you were…killing…Redcap.
Hulda: Kill him?!? Why would I kill this adorable little sweet thing.
Everyone behind me peeked through the doorframe with eyebrows raised.
Hadvar: Uh…you do know Rieklings are…dangerous, right Hulda?
Hulda: So is a bear, and they still look cuddly. So why wouldn't I take advantage of cuddling a calm and polite Riekling?
I nod in agreement.
Alexander: You know what, you're absolutely right Hulda! I can agree with that logic! But if you would be so kind as to let Redcap go? We need to be on our way.
Hulda: Oh sure, but just one thing first?
Alexander: Hmm?
Hulda: FIX MY DAMN DOOR!!!!