Traveling through The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim

Eric finished the last of the bottle of wine, stood up to say goodbye, walked to the door and turned back.

"I almost forgot. I passed by Sunshine Garden Fortress when I came here. Lund said he had something to talk to you about."

"Why didn't he come with you?"

"Oh, don't mention it. He's very busy right now. He was interrupted three times when he talked to me. But he said he would go to Falkreath City to do some things later this month, maybe to help the Reach tribe with shopping or something. If you can spare some time, you two can get together."

"You're not coming?"

"You two are talking about business, and I can't get a word in. What's the point?"

I stared into his eyes.

"Between you and Lund..."

Eric interrupted directly.

"We're fine! Angie is due to give birth in two months, so as a father, shouldn't I stay by her side?"

Knowing that I was not around when Sunil was born, he is really asking for trouble! I waved him away.

Eric's inference seems to make some sense, but I still don't want to believe that Danger is Rocker's biological father.

The biggest doubt is the old fox's trust in me. Our contact began with the resurrection of Vighar, and I was able to know this because it was a small task in the game. Eric didn't know my identity as a time traveler, so he mistakenly believed that Danger instructed his confidant to reveal the family secrets to me, and used this as evidence to prove that my identity was special. Such reasoning is obviously untenable.

Besides, Donna and Sunil were too ordinary. If they were really born as slaves of a big family and were entrusted with the important task of protecting the young son, they must have been good at something. But I searched Locke's memory and found that Donna was just an ordinary peasant woman, and although Sunil had some business talent, it was just so-so. If they were really masters who hid their identities, how could they be helpless after bankruptcy and even suffer from acute illness and paralysis for many years?

Furthermore, when I went back to visit them, I told them that I had established a relationship with Lord Falkreath, but they did not express any special opinion. If he is really Danger's confidant, shouldn't they be overjoyed?

But if Rocker was indeed just a country boy, how could he induce the wily Danger to launch a coup with just a few words?

This old fox in another world is not the big mouth in the game who talks without restraint to strangers. In fact, even now, I still can't figure out how many cards he has. Just when he pointed out that I was disguised as a fur trader during the second meeting, I was puzzled. In front of him, I seemed to be transparent, with no secrets at all. But where he got the information from, I don't know.

What was even more inexplicable was his attitude towards little Sunil. Danger had obviously known the child's true identity for a long time, but he had always kept it to himself and even promised that he would be raised by me in the future. This was too unbelievable. Could it be that Eric was right?

This brings up another contradiction. The old fox must have known that he had a son living among the people, and he should have roughly grasped my whereabouts. That's why he could cleverly arrange for Rigel to take me in and condone our affair. But Locke arrived in Falkreath in General Tullius's carriage. If I hadn't taken over his body, this horse thief would be dead now.

Moreover, Danger once said that Sidger was the only heir of the Stoon family, and the position of lord would be his sooner or later. But according to Eric's reasoning, the old fox could have let Rigel marry me, and he could have been the lord himself, and then slowly test whether I had enough ability, and then decide on the future heir. But he suggested that the little saber-tooth tiger marry his nephew. From this action, it can be seen that he was not clear about the relationship between Rigel and me at the time, and did not think that I was his son.

As for the origin of the Horik and Stoon families, I think Danger is unaware of it. Because my father has been hiding from Tager, refusing to accept the reward of his old comrade with the broken palm, and even did not tell his daughter about these things. So it is unlikely that the two families conspired to use the child to tie me down.

But if it was an accident that Rocker survived in Helgen Town, it was an accident that he was picked up by Rigel, it was an accident that the bandit leader who took me in had a relationship with the lord's family, it was an accident that the tigress could give birth to a child, and it was an accident that the cunning fox trusted me inexplicably. So many accidents came together unexpectedly, can it really be considered an accident?

After all, I am not Locke himself, and I did not find any information about his father in his memory, so I decided to find an opportunity to ask Donna to see if I can find any clues.

Before that, I have to arrange my subordinates. The five people who live in the castle now are Stein, Lucia, Talver, Kalan and Helata, plus Lund, Lydia, Ariana, eight Red Guards and four cats who are floating outside, which is the complete lineup under my command. I have gathered these people from all over the place, and of course I can't let Baron Sengard get away with it.

Because the situation at the mine was extremely complicated, and Talver was a cautious person, he had to give instructions on everything, no matter how big or small. So he and the couple of Kalan stayed here for the time being. Stein and Herata took the property I packed and went to Falkreath first. Lucia's accounts had actually been handed over, but the little girl couldn't bear to leave the room full of books, and insisted on seeing every piece of parchment taken out of the castle before leaving.

On the way, she took advantage of the fact that no one was around and quietly asked about Helgi's situation. I told her that I had sent Agis to sneak into Markarth to get information and contact Lot and his daughter, who were friends with Helgi. Lucia knew she was powerless and could only sigh secretly.

My plot of land in Falkreath was very busy. Nanya personally supervised it, and nearly a hundred craftsmen worked day and night, and a two-story western-style building had taken shape.

"The living room is in the middle of this floor. To the west is the kitchen, which is connected to the underground storehouse. To the east are the rooms of the old lady and the maid. The old lady is old and it is inconvenient for her to climb up and down. It is safer for her to live on the first floor. All the furniture is just a design for now, waiting for your personal review. If there is anything you are not satisfied with, we will make improvements. The carpenters are ready to serve you. In addition to the bedrooms of the lord and the lady, there are several rooms on the second floor for the guards and servants to live in, or to store your private collection. The guest rooms are not included in the plan of the main building, so as not to be disturbed by outsiders..."

A wood elf of unknown age introduced the layout of the house to me. The short man kept talking until the steward personally drove him away.

"Good day, Baron Locke. Are you satisfied with your new house?"

"Good day, I am naturally satisfied with Nanya's stewardship. Do you know where my mother is now?"

"The old lady should be in Howling Wind Bastion, discussing wedding arrangements with Lord Danger."

The old fox was drinking tea with Donna, and Baron and Baron Sengard were also present. Madam Ganglie was no longer as arrogant as she was a few days ago, but she was still expressionless and unfriendly. Baron Sengard and Danger sang the same tune and tried to adjust the atmosphere. Donna was very embarrassed in front of the three old nobles, and only smiled reluctantly when I sat next to her.

Danger said that my wedding will be held on the 25th of the Chaoyang month, presided over by Ilandul, the priest of Mara, and the banquet will be hosted by Eddie as usual. Irina and I's dresses, wedding rings and other things are ready, and they will be delivered to the house by someone. Donna and I can only stay in the hotel temporarily before the house is built.

Donna didn't care about it. She also told me that Lund also lived in the guest room of the Dead Wine. What shocked me was that she said Lund had just got married a few days ago, and the bride was Nari, the waitress of the hotel.

"When did they get together?!"

"Look at what you said. Those two kids are a perfect match and they even asked me to be the witness. But it's you. As a mother, I'm incompetent and can't make the decision."

Donna patted my hands and hesitated to speak.

"Has mother met Irina? Did she give you a cold shoulder?"

"Not really. I've seen the girl before. She's very pretty and well-mannered. But I always feel that she doesn't like this marriage, and neither do her family. When Lund got married, the bride smiled like a flower. I heard that the innkeeper was just her adoptive mother, but she was also happy. Maybe we peasants don't understand the rules of the nobility, so we have to be nervous."

I smiled and didn't say anything. What kind of bullshit rules are these nobles? I bought that woman at a high price, it's a miracle she likes her. Don't say she doesn't like her, I don't like her either! I'd rather keep those properties, a real man won't have to worry about not having a wife.

I chatted with Donna on the way. Seeing that I was in a good mood, she thought that I had taken a fancy to Irina, so she said a lot of good things about that woman to make up for it. There were many people in the hotel, so I didn't ask her about Locke's father, but went to find Lund first.

The result was nothing.

Nari said that her dear husband had gone out of town to do some work in the morning and would not be back until dinner. Where do I see people showing affection these days? Naturally, he teased her in a sarcastic way, leaving her blushing and stamping her feet, and he ran away through the west gate.

The scene outside the city shocked me. A large number of refugees gathered in groups of three or five on both sides of the official road. Some people could even set up a broken tent to hide, but most of them only had a straw mat on the ground. Lund led a few people to shuttle among them, distributing food and medicine, and they were busy sweating.

"What's going on? Why are there so many refugees again?"

Lund just asked me to help distribute the things first, and said that we would discuss the details in the evening. We didn't return to the city until dark. He settled the wages for several helpers at the city gate and sighed heavily.

"Locke, you're finally here. I really don't know what to do."

Back at the inn, Nari fetched water for him to wash his face and brought him a set of clean clothes. After hearing that Lund wanted to talk with me by candlelight, she was stunned for a moment and then turned and walked away. Not long after, this virtuous new wife brought a large plate of food to the table and brought two small bottles of wine. Finally, she put a deerskin coat on Lund and told him to drink less and go to bed early. It was not until she met my eyes that she ran away with a red face.

I filled two glasses and clinked them with Lund.

"Congratulations, can you tell me about it?"

Lund took a sip and nodded.

"The situation in the tribe is so chaotic, I don't even know where to start..."

"No, I mean, you talk about this first."

I pointed at his leather jacket and pointed at the door.

"Ah? Oh... you mean Nari... what's there to say? Didn't I tell you and Eric before that I have someone I like?"

"Isn't that the lie you told Eric?"

"It was to evade the question, but it wasn't a lie. Nari hadn't agreed at the time, so I couldn't spread rumors and ruin his reputation."

You are so tight-lipped, Lund!

"How long have you two been together?"

"On and off for about a year."

The winter before last, the residents of Falkreath moved to Helgen for refuge. After Rigel was found to be pregnant, Lund and Varga worked together to manage the accounts for his father, and that was when he met Nari. Later, Lund went to the Bloodthrone Fortress to be my butler, but he would occasionally go to Falkreath to do business, and the two of them kept in touch in a lukewarm manner.

Until last winter, when I sent Lund to Sunny Garden Fortress, Nari heard that he had been sent to the front line and was worried all day long. Before the dust settled, he took the initiative to reveal his feelings. The couple fell in love and naturally got married.

"You guy, why didn't you invite me and Eric for such a big event as getting married?"

"You two are both too busy. It's an honor to have the old lady preside over it for us."

Lund's eyes were evasive, and I noticed that the way he addressed Donna had changed.

"Lund, look me in the eye. Answer me: You don't think that, with your status, you can't move us two?"

The answer I got was silence.

"This is ridiculous! Eric, you, and I grew up together. We are half brothers! Those titles and false reputations are just to scare outsiders. How can you take them seriously? Without the two of us, your wedding will not count! Tomorrow morning, I will send someone to inform Eric. I don't believe he dares not to come!"

Lund's eyes were a little red.

"Locke, listen to me. Angie is pregnant and needs someone to take care of her. The old lady... Aunt Donna is here to take care of your wedding. Now, even if you bring Eric here, he won't be in the mood to drink. As for me, I have no idea what's going on in the tribe, and I'm very confused. Instead of getting together, each with their own thoughts and forced smiles, why not wait a few days, when everyone is convenient, and then drink to our heart's content and get drunk. How do you think?"

This person always speaks and acts based on reason, making it difficult for people to refute him.

"I'll do as you say this time. You have to keep your word. Let's talk. What could be giving you such a headache that you even want to fool around with marriage?"

I drained my glass and leaned back in my chair. Lund was silent for half a minute, seemingly choosing his words.

Finally, he pulled a thread out of the tangled mess.

"Locke, according to the information you know, how many people are there in the Snake Cliff Ridge Tribe now?"

"Three hundred? It can't be five hundred, right? That castle can't hold so many people."

"To be honest, I don't know the exact number, but it is definitely not less than four figures."

"This is impossible!"