Traveling through The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim

The whole night passed peacefully, the only accident being that the two torches on the watchtower were extinguished by heavy rain.

The night wasn't too difficult. The comrades had assigned someone to watch the night, and there were plenty of talkative people among them who enjoyed drinking and chatting with me. For these ordinary members stationed abroad, whether life was comfortable depended entirely on finding a good leader. If they found someone like Eric, carefree and unruly, yet good at making money, they'd naturally enjoy themselves and have a great time. But if they were under Nicada's command...

Krako, the prophet of Yuevaska, adheres to a management style akin to laissez-faire. He only provides guidance on matters of principle, leaving local leaders to their own devices on specific issues. However, the boundaries of so-called matters of principle are difficult to clearly define, often leaving a fuzzy area. For example, the requirement that "the Companions should not participate in politics" is a prime example.

Nygarda clearly believed that even providing me with general information about Loristed would involve me in the civil war and require the approval of higher-ups. However, Eric, who was of the same rank as her, had previously helped Staleo capture Trevar Tower. Staleo held a high position within the Stormcloak faction and was a figure with whom Ulfric could have a say. And Bruno, who hired the Silver Hand mercenaries to occupy the tower, was a traitor who defected to the Empire.

Strictly speaking, Eric's actions are truly participating in the civil war, yet Yuevaska hasn't commented on this. So, I suspect the Companions headquarters won't give Nigada a clear response, and they might even privately dislike her for being "ignorant." After all, even her subordinates have secretly expressed this sentiment to me. There was a guy who was very outgoing and friendly, and since he and Eric got along well, he didn't treat me as an outsider, and he muttered a lot of bad things about Nigada.

You should know that the Companions' demands are never low, and those who can afford them are usually either wealthy or noble. Such individuals naturally have political affiliations, and the missions they assign inevitably involve targeting the enemy. As a mercenary, you should open your hand to take the money and shut your mouth to do the work. You can use your brain, but it's best to use it to complete the mission. If you overthink and overestimate everything, then you're better off doing nothing and expect to be left with nothing.

In this man's view, the Granite Village Hall's current predicament was entirely Nigada's fault. She should have held on to her only major client, me. After all, the rest of the village were refugees; how could they possibly profit from them?

"Sir, isn't that right? This woman is so bad! She refused to take the job offered by Brother Lund. Even when you came to talk to her in person, she still acted like a jerk. I think if you follow her, your brothers will starve to death sooner or later."

"Oh? What did Lund ask her to do?"

"Hey! It was just a little thing, just patrolling and scouting north of the village. And guess what she said?"

Before I could even show my curiosity, the old man rushed into his own questions and answers, straining his throat to adopt a sarcastic, feminine voice.

"You and the garrison of Loristed are enemies. I don't want my rash decision to cause misunderstandings between Lord Igmund and the Companions. Listen, my Lord, is this even human? Brother Lund is a man of talent. With a wave of his hand, he established his headquarters at the northernmost part of the village. This time, I'll still do the work, but they won't give me a single Septim."

"Isn't Lund bad enough?"

He sat upright and waved at me.

"That's not the way to put it. The Lund brothers are just so resourceful. They'll get the job done regardless of your cooperation. Unlike this guy, I think the old man picked the wrong person this time. If Torva had come, there wouldn't have been any such complications."

He curled his lips.

"Look at Eric. He went to Helgen Town alone with just a gun, then made a killing. Now he has over a dozen men under his command. He didn't take a penny from Yuevaska; he earned it all himself. And we're in a different boat. Our first mission just a few days ago was to help the villagers build a fence! Building a fence! Is that what men should do?"

As if realizing that he was a little too excited, he took a sip of ale and lowered his voice.

"I'm telling you, many of the guys who came here with me are using their connections to try to get transferred elsewhere. If you have a chance, please speak to Eric on my behalf and see if you can get me over there."

"Aren't you quite familiar with him? Why do you need me to pass on the message?"

"Hey! How can you have the nerve to speak up about this situation? It's not that I can't endure hardship, but there's no future for me following this big sister."

It was late at night, and the rain outside was gradually easing. Fearing a surprise attack from bandits, I dragged Zilaishu out for a walk. Without the risk of being overheard, he opened up completely. He unloaded on his troubles, recounting everything from his childhood experiences to his current predicament.

This guy's father was a miner. Speaking of mines in games, they're truly safer and more reliable than bomb shelters. But in reality, mining is as risky as sailing. Returning unscathed is a rare occurrence, but leaving no trace is the norm. While this trade is risky, the pay is high, so there's always a shortage of workers. However, miners often live for the moment, worrying about tomorrow's troubles. If a landslide happens, they're not worried.

The old man in the story was the same. Every day, apart from eating meat and drinking, he took care of his wife. Until one day, an accident happened in the mine, leaving a group of little radishes crying with hunger.

As the eldest son, Zilaishu, not yet thirteen, took on the burden of supporting his family without hesitation. However, he was too young to follow in his father's footsteps. Fortunately, the Companions were recruiting at the Winterhold branch, and he became a peripheral member of Skyrim's largest mercenary group. The leader of this branch was none other than Skoyue, the foremost expert in Lunaska.

Back then, Scorch was a far superior player to Eric today. The Circle greatly admired this retired Nord Legion veteran, and the so-called exile was merely a necessary procedure. Of course, it's not ruled out that the higher-ups wanted Scorch to have a chance to build his own team.

By chance, Zilaishu joined the team and started at the bottom, handling boring tasks like reception and registration. He wasn't a brave warrior, but with his quick mind and diligence, he quickly earned his superiors' trust and gradually moved into management roles, such as collecting and storing commissions, recruiting personnel, and assigning tasks.

Three years later, Krako Whitemane became the Prophet of the Companions, and his vacant seat in the Circle was filled by Skoyue, who was succeeded by none other than Madeline Lott. As Skoyue's trusted confidant to his wife, Zilaishu was even more trusted, becoming the second-in-command of the gang. He had the final say on many daily matters and arranged the quarterly commission payments to headquarters.

He was quite frank, admitting that during this time, he had exploited his position to tinker with small businesses to secretly supplement the family income. After all, he had seven younger siblings to support, and despite his and his mother's hard work and frugality, one of them tragically died young. With Zilaishu following Madeline to Whiterun and becoming a full member of the Companions, his family's life became even more difficult.

During his years in Yuevaska, he retired from the world of war and lived a frugal life, looking like he couldn't escape poverty. If all went well, after Krako left office, Skoyue would take over as the Prophet, and Madeline would enter the Circle. Naturally, their ranks would rise, and he was aiming for the position of logistics manager for the Companions.

The current leader is Vignar Greymane. The old man is old and his energy is waning. Although he intends to promote Brill, the little tail who always follows him around, Zilaishu believes that with the support of the Scoyue couple, he has a greater advantage.

That's enough to feed and clothe nearly a hundred people on a daily basis, plus the commissions paid regularly by the local gangs. Yuewaska headquarters also generates a considerable income. Add to that the Sky Furnace's raw material procurement and product supply, and how much profit can be extracted from all that? To catch this overwhelming wealth, it's worth enduring for a few years!

However, things didn't go as planned. Skoyne died unexpectedly, and Madeline was severely injured and disabled, soon fleeing to Markarth. Following a series of events, Krako ordered a strategic retreat, abandoning many organizations in northern Skyrim, including the branch they had painstakingly cultivated in Winterhold for nearly a decade. Those who had followed Madeline to Lunarvaska were suddenly orphaned.

Zilaishu was in a dilemma. His hometown no longer had a stronghold for the comrades. Once he left Yuevaska, he'd be a lonely ghost, left to fend for himself. If he could just fend for himself, it wouldn't be a big problem, but what about the little ones at home? His two younger sisters were adults, one of them married, but he still had four younger brothers, all of whom were still growing up.

As the saying goes, little brats are eating me to death. No matter how hard life is, I can't let those little brats eat me, right?

Should I stay? But the future seemed bleak. His martial arts skills were mediocre, and his climb up the ladder depended on his brains and connections.

The twins, now enjoying the splendour of their time, were Vilkas and Farkas. They had lived in Luvaska since childhood. Their father—or perhaps their adoptive father—was named Jergen, a member of the Companions who died in battle in Cyrodiil. Their mentor was the current Prophet, Krako. Even the huntress Ayla, who was more experienced than the two, would give them some respect when they met. How much more so was a nobody like them, without a backer?

The two brothers had fought their way to prominence, and while they possessed exceptional abilities, they naturally had a following. It was too late for him to curry favor with them now. Why would they leave their trusted associates unused, handing the purse strings to outsiders? If he couldn't get his hands on the purse strings, wouldn't his reputation as a clean and steady person be in vain?

After much deliberation, Zilaishu decided he should try for a transfer. There wasn't much to do at headquarters, and it was better to be free in the gangs. He might not make a fortune, but at least he could earn some extra cash. Eric, the recently promoted agent, was a good friend to him, so he volunteered to go to Helgen, but Krako rejected his application.

Unexpectedly, less than a year later, the old man brought up the old matter again and stuffed him into Nigada's team, sending him to Granite Village. Many of the people traveling with him were old friends, and they all felt a sense of sympathy, understanding that this was a cleanup of the family.

Even if they understood, what good would that do? The entire Skyrim Province was in turmoil, with many displaced and without food and clothing. Although they had been transferred from official members to external positions, they still belonged to the Companions. Leaning against a big tree provided shade, and at least they could earn some income, right?

In the past year, his mother had written several times, cautiously asking if he could send a little more money back home. She said her second sister was getting married, and without a decent gift, she was afraid the in-laws would squeeze her out. She also said her eldest brother was old enough to help with the household, but he had recently caught a cold while fishing with someone and fell out of the boat. Months later, he still had a severe cough, and he probably needed to see a doctor.

All kinds of things...

He didn't know how to respond, or how to explain to his family that his future was completely ruined.

He had always been bathed in the delighted gazes of his mother, the admiration of his brothers and sisters, and the envy of his neighbors. No matter how he put on a smile and acted like a grandson outside, at home, the eldest brother was like a father.

For over a decade, he had carried the family on his shoulders. If, in a few years, his two younger brothers could become more capable, he could finally take a breather, but now was not the time for him to rest. Since he was being assigned abroad again, he could certainly perform well and seek a chance to regroup.

It was only when he arrived at Granite Village that he slowly realized that this Nigada seemed to have brought them here as an exile, with no intention of running the business properly. Or perhaps this woman was just like that, not targeting anyone, but simply wanting to make life difficult for anyone.

"Hey! Look at my broken mouth. Why am I saying all this to the lord?"

He wiped the rain off his face, but couldn't wipe away the expectation in his eyes.

A drizzle fell, and dark clouds obscured the stars and moon. I couldn't see his expression, so I couldn't tell if there was any truth in his words. But at first glance, the overall logic seemed to make sense.

There are definitely factions within the Companions, and there are subtle signs of this. For example, Krako's indifference to Scorpio's death, and Ayla's secret resentment towards the old man. The two most promising new recruits—Eric and Lea—were assigned to the twins' respective factions, but the Huntress and Scorpio were trying to recruit one of them to their own faction.

Sending a cold, unfriendly person to deal with me, the "Friend of Yuevaska," was probably a deliberate move on Krako's part. Eric and I are from the same hometown and are good friends. I've also contributed significantly to Madeline's situation, so I'm clearly leaning towards the other side. Even if the old man doesn't want to offend me, he'll definitely be wary of me.

But I, probably because I was led astray by that old fox Danger, actually felt a little excited when I encountered such intrigue.

I patted the familiar shoulder.

"Your family's problem is nothing more than a matter of money, so it's not difficult to handle. I really want to help you, but as you can see, Granite Village is in ruins and I can't afford to support idle people."

"My life is yours, sir, if you will take me in. I resigned my commission in the Companions at daybreak, and from now on..."

This guy is very good at talking. If I hadn't interrupted him in time, I would have adopted him as my son by now.

"Come on, come on, come on. There are at least eight hundred people who want to talk to me about this, so why should I insist on listening to you? Let's stop playing dumb and just tell me what you can do for me."