Chapter Twenty Nine

Dark clouds loomed overhead as they passed through the Riften market. Gaeolin welcomed the overcast weather, as it had allowed them to travel much farther than he could have under the sun. The salesmen were still selling in spite of the drizzle. Brynjolf was going on about his Falmer Blood elixir, being about as convincing as Heimskr was with his sermons. An argument was taking place between Maven Black-Briar and Haelga. Inigo turned an ear as they walked, a smirk on his face as he overheard their spat. 

“If you ever try to practice the ‘Dibellan Arts’ with Hemming again, I’ll make sure that pretty face loses its beauty.” Maven wore a dangerous expression. Haelga pursed her lips, nodding as she backed away. 

“Very well.”

Gaeolin led the way to the northern door of the Bee and Barb. As they entered, Keerava nodded to them. “If you’ve got the coin, you’re welcome here. Pull up a seat.”

Gaeolin scanned the tavern. At a table against the wall sat the woman he was looking for. 

“Ah, Gaeolin. And Inigo Info as well! How have your travels treated you, friends?” Mjoll gave them a smile, dragging a seat from a nearby table, motioning them to join her. 

“All the better, finding ourselves in your company.” Inigo purred,  not even trying to hide his amorous state. 

“We thought we would make the trip, considering what we found.” He reached behind his back, drawing the malachite blade, offering it hilt first to her. “Grimsever has missed the touch of its master.”

Mjoll took the sword, a look of disbelief crossing her face. As she inspected the glass, her expression morphed into glee. “My Grimsever! You found him! Thank you… Both of you. I had resigned myself to settling down, fighting cruelty in different ways but…” She nodded her head to them. “If the two of you ever need another blade at your side, I would be honored to accompany you.”  

The pair made their way to a table near the center of the room. Inigo ordered some ale as Talen-Jei passed them. Gaeolin grabbed a wedge of cheese, turning it in his hand thoughtfully. “We should probably check in with Delphine before long, shouldn’t we?”

“Maybe, but we should also ask around here before we leave. I overheard some guards talking about a dragon near the ruins of Lost Tongue Overlook. We can’t leave Riften with the chance of it being attacked.”

Gaeolin knew there was no arguing this. “You think we’re ready to face a dragon now? Or should we wait her a few days and scout the area?”

“Ideally, the second option would be better.” Inigo cocked an ear down toward his belt. “Mr. Dragonfly says he does not think the dragon would attack riften directly, considering the ample amounts of prey it could catch in that area without resorting to settlements.”

“He’s a mythological tactician now?” The elf smirked.

“Not a tactician, simply a scholar. He was a smart man once, but his knowledge tends to go by without use since his transformation.”

“He was a man?” Gaeolin cocked an eyebrow, growing concerned for his companion’s mental well being.

“Yes. Have I not told you the story of how I found him?” Inigo smiled as his friend confirmed his lack of remembrance. “It happened not long after I got my scars. . I stopped in Windhelm on my way to Riften. I arrived weary, bloody, and fragrant.”

“Charming… “

“I was perhaps not at my best. All I was hoping for was a hot meal and a room for the night, but it was not to be. As soon as I entered the city I felt the weight of distrustful eyes upon me.”

Gaeolin nibbled the cheese. “I’d expect nothing less from Windhelm. If I were you, I would have held out until Kynesgrove.”

Inigo shrugged. “I was too tired to care. I made my way to Candlehearth Hall and tried to purchase a room. I was told in no uncertain terms that I was not welcome, and should seek shelter elsewhere.” Inigo paused to drink. “While I was explaining that I would pay, and cause no trouble, I noticed three brawny men watching me with interest.”

“Sounds like they appreciated the rugged look. ” The bosmer chuckled.

“Nothing like that, my friend. At first, I thought they were gawking because of my fur. I asked, ‘You fellows see something strange?’ The nearest responded, ‘No, friend. We see a man who needs a bed and a bath, but we fear you won’t find them here. If you have coin, maybe we can help you.’”

 “I’m not sure I would have trusted them.” Gaeolin criticized. 

“You underestimate how exhausted I was. By the time I was denied board by the Innkeeper, their offer was more than enough temptation. Anyway, I told the men I would happily part with a few coins for a room. They said they were brothers, and that for fifteen septims I could be a guest in their home that night. They told me their mother would be happy to set another place at their table. I did not have many options, so I agreed.”

“Go on.”

“The men took me to a deserted alleyway and motioned for me to stop. The youngest brother turned to me and said, ‘Before we continue, we must have your word that you will keep what we are about to show you to yourself.’”

“An oath, I must interject, which you are breaking now.” Gaeolin chimed. 

“Stop interrupting. ‘No problem.’ I replied. He nodded then felt along the stone wall, paused, then knocked four times. There was a grinding noise and a large section slid back to reveal a torch lit passageway. ‘Who are you people?’ I asked. ‘Don’t be alarmed.’ Said the eldest brother. ‘Hot food and a warm bed are waiting up ahead.’ We pressed on and the entrance closed behind us.”

“What was the passage like?” Gaeolin, could he have seen himself, would have been ashamed of how enthralled he looked. He was leaning on the table, eyes alight with attention. 

Inigo seemed to take a moment to recall the place. “It was relatively warm. Water dripped from the stony ceiling, and I could smell magic in the air. We soon came to a heavy wooden door. The youngest once again knocked four times. I heard a key turn on the other side, a grunt, the door opened and I was face to face with the oldest woman I have ever seen. ‘We have a guest, dear mother.’ said the eldest brother.

“‘Well, come in then. Table’s set, go wash your hands. You weren’t followed, were you?’ ‘NO,no.’ He replied as he pushed past her. ‘Come in, my friend. You are safe, and soon you’ll be fed.’ I stepped inside. I was in a huge room full of all manner of useless junk and trinkets. It was very dim, as there were no windows. But, I could make out a row of beds against the far wall near a large open fire.” Inigo swirled his drink smiling to his friend. “I’m not boring you, am I?”

“Of course not! Don’t stop there. What happened next?”

The Khajiit obliged. “The old woman looked up at me. ‘Got money?’ she held out a gnarled hand. ‘Of course.’ I said handing it over. ‘Thank you for letting me rest here. What is your name?’ She counted the coins as she replied. ‘Everyone just calls me Mother.’ she said. ‘You can do the same if you like. Makes no difference to me.’ She motioned for me to sit at a long table where the other men were already eating greedily. I sat and tucked in. There was soup and roast beef and vegetables, and I ate until I thought I was going to rupture.”

“Sounds like you…” Gaeolin muttered, drinking a bit from a mug Talen had brought him.

Inigo feigned offense. “No need to be rude. I guess I’ll just stop telling the story…”

“Don’t stop, I only meant you tend to overeat at times.”

“When we were done, I was taken to a corner sectioned off by hanging furs. Inside there was a steaming bath. I sank into it and shut my eyes. I drifted off. I had some very strange dreams. I saw the brothers caper and dance and fly about the room. I saw Fergus in a pool of blood staring up at me mouthing the words ‘Run, Inigo! Run!’” Gaeolin shifted in his seat, a strange tingle on the back of his neck. The tavern seemed louder to him now. People must have been a few drinks into happy hour at this point. He drank some more wine, trying to cure a sudden dryness to his mouth as Inigo went on.

“I saw a vast glass cage, with a rough and scored ceiling. I saw many things that I have forgotten. When I awoke the room was spinning and bleary. I heard deep muffled voices, then I saw what was next to me and my heart froze.”

“What? What!?”

“What I saw was the king of Dragonflies. The largest Dragonfly imaginable. He was in a massive jar to my left and he was spinning about in a frenzy. That is when I realized I was in a jar of my own. I tried to call out for help, but no words came out. I looked down at my hands and I saw that they were missing. I now seemed to have pincers. I leapt to my feet in horror and bounced off the side of my jar. Suddenly I realized I was flying! I buzzed about a bit trying to get used to my new wings. After a while I had things under control. 

“I realized that the handsome dragonfly in the jar next to mine was not so large after all. I had been made small like him. I also saw that we were not alone. A number of other jars were in a row to my left, each holding an insect. There were butterflies and glow bugs and moths too. My vision was blurred by the jar, but i could make out four enormous figures at the far end of the seemingly cavernous room. One of them pointed in my direction and laughed. The sound was booming and very scary. It was Mother. I heard a noise from my right. I looked over, seeing that my dragonfly neighbor had fallen down dead with fright.”

“Oh no…” Gaeolin’s mouth fell open shamelessly as the story went on. 

“Indeed. My sadness was soon overwhelmed by fear, I am sorry to say. I was trapped, and had no idea what this witch wanted with me. Mother came up to my jar and tapped an enormous, grubby finger against the glass. Her toothless grin filled my view. She then picked up the dragonflies jar, shook it, scowled, and slammed it back down. She grabbed another jar from my left. Removing the lid, she plucked out a moth from inside. It flapped feebly, unable to escape from her fingers. SHe held it up to my jar, then forced the poor creature into her mouth. I could hear the body crunch between her gums.” Gaeolin stifled the urge to gag. He began to feel sick. “It was then that I heard a voice inside my head.”

Gaeolin cocked an eyebrow. “I bet you hear lots of voices inside your head…”

Inigo smirked. “I never used to, but ever since I lost my brother, heard about the death of my parents, and became a dragonfly, my mind has been a bit crowded. Back then I was surprised to hear a voice between my ears. It said, ‘Pay attention. Go still and she will not eat you.’ Mother swallowed the moth and picked up my jar. I let myself go limp and motionless. I seemed to be missing my eyelids so I was forced to watch as she uncapped my jar and reached inside. Her gigantic hand paused before it reached me, then withdrew. ‘Stay still.’ said the voice in my head. It was hard, but I managed. Mother held my jar up and studied me. She shook me, then studied me again. ‘PASSED OUT!’ she said with a voice like an avalanche. ‘SCARED HIM SENSELESS!’ She put my jar down and turned away. ‘YOU’LL HAVE TO GET ME MORE! I NEED TO EAT TONIGHT!’ Another huge figure came into view. It was the eldest brother. ‘MOTHER!’ he said. ‘WHY DO YOU HAVE TO FRIGHTEN THEM SO?’ She looked to him with irritation. ‘BECAUSE THEY TASTE BETTER SQUIRMING AND FEARFUL! YOU KNOW THAT!’ Her son sighed, woke his brothers, and left.”

“Identity confusion seems to feature strongly in your stories.”

“Yes, it is a recurring theme. But your identity would be confused too if it woke up as an insect. Mother turned and made for her bed. That is when I heard the dragonfly yell in my head. ‘Your jar! Hit the wall of your jar!’ Mother had placed me on the shelf with the base of my jar hanging over the edge. I leapt towards the glass, flapping my wings as fast as I could. I bounced back then hit it again and again. My jar toppled off the shelf and smashed on the stone floor. ‘Yes!’ cried the dragonfly. ‘Lay still, she’s coming back.’ So there I lay, surrounded by shattered glass as Mother approached us a second time. I was afraid she was going to step on me. But instead, she cursed and knelt down, her joints creaking. ‘I’LL HAVE TO GET YOU A NEW JAR… OR I COULD JUST EAT YOU NOW! NOT TASTY BUT TEMPTING!’ I wanted to flap my wings. I wanted to fly and hide, but I did not. She picked me up. Her grimy face filled my view. She smiled and licked her lips. She opened her mouth…”

“I’m gonna be sick…” Gaeolin could just imagine the stench of the witch’s breath. His stomach was churning, the uproar of the tavern becoming harder to ignore. His head was pounding and his eyes started to sting. Inigo plunged on, trying not to laugh at his companion’s mild suffering.

As her mouth drew nearer I started to flap my wings, I could not help it. I wanted to escape, but alas, she was too strong and I was too small. Suddenly there was a ‘BONK’ noise and Mother’s jaw went slack. Her muddy eyes rolled back and she collapsed. I struggled out from under her hand and saw the dragonfly’s jar rolling to a stop near a chair leg. ‘You knocked her out!’ I yelled in my mind. ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘I managed to tip my jar onto her head.’ ‘Thank you,’ I said, ‘what is your name?’ He said ‘I cannot remember. I have been a dragonfly too long but there is hope for you.’ He directed me to a nearby alchemy table and told me to nibble a bit of this and that. He had the antidote memorized.”

“How did he know what it was?”

Inigo pondered. “I do not know… Perhaps he was a scholar before and simply knew a broad cure for this sort of thing. Or, maybe he had known of her work before, and fallen victim to it before he could stop her. In any case, I followed his instructions and soon felt the worst pins and needles I have ever endured. I passed out and when I awoke,” he held out his arms for emphasis, “I was me again. I rushed over to the dragonfly and opened his jar, but he refused to fly out. I heard his voice in my head but it was weaker… distant somehow. ‘It is too late for me,’ he said. ‘The antidote cannot fix me. I am more dragonfly than man now. Please reseal my jar, it brings me comfort.’ “

“Why didn’t Mr. Dragonfly’s jar smash when it landed?”

Inigo looked as if this were a very silly question. “His fall was broken by the witch’s head, mine was not. Also, his jar is far sturdier than any other I have seen. I have often wondered if it is enchanted. Anyway, I did as I was asked then placed him in a chair while I retrieved my clothes. I then went to the long table where I had eaten. ‘The soup.’ said the insect I would later come to know as Mr. Dragonfly. I turned and smiled at him. We were having the same idea. I carried the soup pot to where Mother lay, opened her mouth, and splashed some inside. ‘It will take time. Free the others and leave.’ said Mr. Dragonfly. ‘Why can I only hear you inside my head?’ I asked. He told me that the others had been there far longer than him and that they had forgotten how to communicate with words long ago. I listened closely to a nearby butterfly. I could hear a faint weeping inside my head, but nothing more.”

“Briefly being an insect gave you the power to understand them?”

“Not just bugs, other animals too. Usually, I do not hear very much that is understandable but sometimes I get lucky. Mr. Dragonfly is the most eloquent by far. Anyway, I opened all the jars then turned to leave. I saw a fat moth with grey wings lumbering out of a pile of dirty clothes where Mother had been. I scooped her up, sealed her in a jar, then hid her at the back of an ingredients cupboard. I could hear her hissing at me in my mind. I turned to Mr. Dragonfly. ‘Do you want to come with me?’ I asked. ‘Yes please,’ he replied, ‘Let us go.’ I grabbed his jar, unlocked the door and opened it. I found myself face to face with the brothers.”

Gaeolin grinned. “Seeing you must have been a shock.”

“Yes, their mouths fell open, their eyebrows went up, and the youngest let out a little whimper. They shrank back as I rushed past and soon I had reached the hidden door that led out to the city. I pulled a rusty wall chain and the opening appeared, but before I could get outside, the eldest brother jumped on my back and tore open my scars. I lost my footing and went to the ground. ‘Roll!’ cried Mr. Dragonfly. I did and a mace came down smashing a flagstone next to my head. The brothers had followed me outside, they each had a weapon and it was clear they wanted me dead.”

“Fools,” Gaeolin leaned back in his seat, “They didn’t know who they were messing with.”

“I had been through a lot and my body was still recovering from all the transforming it had been doing. I felt slow and weak. I regained my feet and brandished my sword at them. ‘Back!’ I yelled. “I will let you live if you walk away.’ ‘Mother wouldn’t turn you back.’ said the middle brother. ‘What did you do to her?’ 

“‘I cured her of her ugliness, and put her somewhere safe.’ I replied. Townsfolk had stopped to see what was happening. We were attracting a crowd. I turned to the onlookers and said, ‘These men held me against my will, call the guard!’ My words were met with stony avidity. Then someone threw a bottle at me. The eldest brother shouted, ‘This filthy Khajiit broke into our home! He was looking for skooma money, no doubt!’ The crowd was getting nasty, and as another bottle smashed near my feet I saw two guards at the back of the group turn and walk away. ‘Run!’ said Mr. Dragonfly. He did not need to tell me twice.”

“Bloody Windhelm…” Gaeolin spat.

“Yes, it is like an ugly, icy cage, where the downtrodden and oppressed must bump shoulders with the apathetic and small-minded. I sped past the graveyard into the marketplace and glanced behind me. I had lost most of the crowd, but the brothers were still on my tail. I rushed through the main gate out onto the bridge. I was exhausted but while my legs were running, Mr. Dragonfly had come up with a plan. As the brothers stepped out of the gate, panting and furious, I walked out onto the ledge to the left before the first stone arch. I sheathed my sword, and held out Mr. Dragonfly’s jar. ‘Do you know who this is?’ I shouted. ‘I don’t care, all those bugs look the same to me.’ replied the middle brother. ‘Stay there, you coward! You’re a dead man!’ I waited until all three brothers stood near me at the edge. ‘Do you love your mother?’ I asked. ‘Yes,’ sniffed the youngest. ‘Tell us where she is and we’ll kill you quickly.’ said the eldest. ‘Here!’ I replied, tossing Mr. Dragonfly off the bridge.”

“Mr. Dragonfly was very brave.” 

“Yes, I am very proud of him. I think he may have used up the last of his courage in that moment though. The brothers all yelled, ‘No!’ and threw themselves over the edge, trying in vain to catch the jar. Had we been ten feet farther down the bridge, they might have survived. But the icy water they landed in was very shallow. There was quite a mess. For a second, I was worried about Mr. Dragonfly, but then I spotted his jar bobbing in the bloody water.” Gaeolin twitched at the description. “I made my way down to the river and retrieved him. He thanked me and I asked him again if he wouldn’t rather be released.  ‘No,’ he said, ‘I will stay in my jar and in your company if that is okay. I have already forgotten my past life and even the meaning of these words I am saying are beginning to fade.’ I told him he could stay with me for as long as he wished then I asked him what I should call him. He told me that Mother had etched his initials on top of the jar, but that he could not remember what they meant. It read ‘Mr. D’, so we settled on Mr. Dragonfly.” Inigo downed the rest of his drink. “And now you know. I hope I did not bore you.”

Gaeolin smiled, shaking his head. “Not at all. I enjoyed hearing it.” He looked around, his head throbbing at the deafening sound. Surely people must be calming down soon?

But to his surprise, the tavern held only themselves and about eight other people. The beat… A tumultuous thumping surrounded him. It was unsteady, layered… maddening. His soul writhed when he finally figured out what it was.

Their heartbeats… 

“Everything okay?” Inigo asked him as he stood. Gaeolin’s face was one of discomfort. 

“I need some air. You can stay and relax if you want. I’ll be back.” He left the inn, the cool night air a relief compared to the temptations behind the door. He wandered the streets, making his way to the only place he felt he could sit without living company. 

The hall of the dead was dimly lit. The smell of rot and corpses would have turned his stomach a few months ago, but he only cared for the solitude at this point. He crouched against a wall, letting his head fall back against the stones. He wondered how close he had come to lashing out. The whole time Inigo had been talking, he could feel the thirst deepening. Bersi had smelled particularly good, his blood wafting toward him during the tale like a honeyed treat. Healga’s scent was less appealing. She should really see a healer soon…

“An odd time for a visitor.” Gaeolin jumped. Alessandra peeked around the door, smiling at him. “As welcome as breathing company is, I wasn’t expecting you.”

No… This wasn’t safe… Gaeolin stood, preparing to leave. “Sorry, I shouldn’t intrude this late.” She leaned against her work table, back to him. 

“I never really thanked you for your help before.” She looked to him. “It meant a lot that you cared enough to make the trip.” His vision blurred, her scent invading his nose. His teeth began to grow, his mouth wetting. She looked back to her charge. “I wanted to say I…”

Her words were cut off. Gaeolin lunged, his teeth sinking into her neck. She struggled weakly, his hold tight. Hot blood coursed down his throat, the life in his arms surging into his limbs like a flood of pleasure. He couldn’t stop. He drank deeply, easing her to the floor as her legs gave out. He let go, leaning back on his knees as his body absorbed the blood. His face grew younger, a strange energy pulsing through his frame. The ecstasy was cut short when he looked into her face. Her eyes dark, an expression of terror frozen in time.

He stumbled to his feet, expression turning to dread before he ran from the hall.