Dragonborn Rising Ch. 07

Chapter 7 - The Road to Revenge

*****

Vex surprised me by admitting she had been intimate with Vald, though she added that what occurred wasn't actually intimate. "He fucked me, came, then left me to finish myself off each time."

"And you did this more than once?"

She shrugged. "He has a big cock." She paused and smirked, "Same as someone else I've heard about."

I know my eyebrows raised at that admission. "Seriously?"

"Women like to share details, Ragnar. And those details have even made it down here." She cleared her throat. "Anyway, Vald owes a debt to Maven. I think the only reason he's still breathing is that he was willing to work for Mercer."

"So I should probably just talk to Maven then?"

"Vald is an idiot, so yes, see what the issue was from Maven and maybe you can get Vald out of the way. Though I think you're big enough to take him, Vald does some talent in those arms."

Sighing to myself, as it was just more legwork, I headed up to the surface and knocked on the door of the manor again. It was opened by one of the men this time, not sure of his name, and asked to see Maven. He let me in and I was escorted upstairs to what looked like her bedroom, though Maven was sat at a desk. She appeared rather amused to see me, though I'm sure that was because she didn't know what was going on. "This is becoming a common occurrence, Ragnar." I wasn't sure if that was a threat or not. She actually smiled when I didn't say anything. "Come now, Ragnar, take a seat. I won't bite. I think it's safe to say that you're definitely in my good books."

I took a seat nearby and explained what I wanted. That's when she actually laughed. "You actually want to help that idiot? Why?"

"Guild business. I'll explain everything once the issue is sorted. I'm not sure you'll want to know yet." I think my tone carried enough that even she wouldn't ask questions. Well, except for...

"This won't bite me in the arse, will it?"

"No, Maven. Your arse will be just fine." Gods, did I just... flirt with Maven Black-Briar? What made it even weirder is that she giggled and I think was maybe a tiny bit... interested. Okay, I needed out right now, so cleared my throat and asked, "What did he do exactly?"

Once she'd explained everything, I figured either myself or someone else would be going for a swim. Thanking her for the information, I headed out towards the docks straight away. There were plenty of rowboats, but I knew I couldn't swim to the bottom to find the quill. So I went looking for an Argonian and eventually found one in the fishery building. The first couple wouldn't even listen to me, but the third was willing to hear me out, and with the promise of a coin pouch, she agreed to help.

With a rough idea of where Vald had shipwrecked, the Argonian undressed to her underwear and dove in. She was gone for a few minutes but eventually appeared carrying a strongbox. I took that first before helping her up onto the boat. Cracking the lock wasn't the difficult, and the quill was amazingly dry, and there was even an inkpot too. I gave the Argonian anything else within it, a few coin and jewels, which made her rather happy, and I rowed us back to shore.

I think I was making a habit of impressing Maven Black-Briar, as when I handed the quill over, I think I left her a little speechless. "Ragnar, what I said about Ingun..."

"Yes?"

"I'd like you to have dinner with us one night, just you, my daughter and I. You've more than proven yourself."

"Um, you do realise..."

"That you're fucking Haelga?" She laughed. "Everyone knows, Ragnar. But it's also known that she's always had open relationships, even when she was married. And as Ingun apparently doesn't mind that you're fucking someone else, and possibly interested in her too, then you're welcome to join us."

"I can do that once this situation with the guild is resolved."

"Very well. Just let me know when you would like to join us."

Vald didn't even know what I was organising, so turning up with the letter releasing him from his debt made him very agreeable, handing over the key to Mercer's house and letting me know others were inside. He suggested they were not the greatest of mercenaries, but I remained careful as I snuck up the ladder and carefully unlocked, opened and slipped inside.

I moved quickly once I heard their footsteps, trying to kill as silently as possible. One fought better than I anticipated, and he got in a couple of good swings that, although I didn't worry, made me cautious. But Vald was right in the end, and I managed to take down all four mercenaries without too much hassle.

The house was empty, and after searching for an hour, I was ready to give up when a cabinet I'd looked at a couple of times had me thinking. Pressing my ear to the door, I was certain I heard a faint breeze, and a kick into the back of the cabinet revealed a hidden passageway. Always careful, I managed to avoid the traps Mercer had set, and I eventually found myself in a hidden office. It was full of information I could take back to Brynjolf and Karliah, including plenty of maps that appeared to reveal numerous locations for possible heists, correspondence between Mercer and unknown clients, that were more than likely private affairs rather than Guild issues. I made sure I took all the gold and jewels on offer, but the one prize that took my eye was the sword in a locked display case.

An elbow into the glass smashed the lid and I grabbed the sword, recognising straight away that the blade was enchanted. Making my way back to the front door, it took a couple of swings of my other sword to smash the wooden bar to get the door open. Once back out into the city, I headed straight back to the Ratway and the Flagon.

Karliah, Brynjolf, Vex and Delvin were all sitting at a table, obviously waiting for me to return. They didn't ask what took so long. All they wanted to know was if I was successful. I'm sure I looked rather smug when I laid down everything. "Oh, and I also took this rather nice sword for myself," I added.

"That's Chillrend," Delvin whispered with admiration, "The bastard had it?"

"In a display case, locked tight. So I smashed and grabbed."

That caused a few chuckles as I grabbed chair, two of them shuffling out of the way, as the four looked over everything I grabbed. It remained quiet for at least a few minutes before Brynjolf exclaimed, "Shor's balls!"

Everyone shut up and looked at him. "What is it?" Karliah wondered.

"The son of a bitch is going after the Eyes of the Falmer. That was Gallus's pet project!"

"I remember," Karliah said quietly, and bitterly.

"Guys, if he gets his hands on them, you can be certain he'll be gone for good and set up for life."

"Then we stop the bastard," I practically growled.

"Aye, that we do, lad. He's taken everything the Guild has left, and to go after one of the last greatest heists is just an insult."

"Does anyone have a plan though?" Delvin wondered, "He's either anticipated our every step, or been two steps ahead so far."

Brynjolf rolled up all the paperwork, placing it in the middle of the table, before he spoke. "Mercer Frey tried to kill Ragnar and Karliah. He betrayed the Guild and all of us. He murdered Gallus and made us question our future. He needs to die."

All eyes turned to Karliah. While agreeing, she retorted, "We have to be very careful, Brynjolf. Mercer is a Nightingale, an Agent of Nocturnal." The rest of us all shared glances. I wasn't concerned. I'd probably fought worse opponents. Brynjolf was naturally worried about taking on someone he'd once called a leader and a friend. Vex wanted blood. I think Delvin just wanted it all over. "Listen, the four of you. We need to prepare ourselves and meet Mercer on equal footing. Just outside of Riften, beyond the Southeast Gate, is a small path cut up the mountainside. At the end of that path is a clearing and an old standing stone. I'd ask Ragnar and Delvin to meet me there tomorrow morning. Vex and Delvin, if you're interested, I can induct you at a later time."

"Shouldn't we..."

"No, Brynjolf. You should prepare yourself mentally for what we are about to do. Once we leave to face Mercer, we either return victorious... or we don't return at all." The other three understood what she meant and left me alone with Karliah, I guess to be alone with their thoughts and prepare themselves. She sat up from her chair and sat next to me. I took her hand and looked at her. She removed her hood. "Sorry, force of habit."

"Maybe when this is all over, you can forget about wearing it at all..."

"Still trying to charm me?"

I shrugged. "I'm generally honest about things like that."

"What are your plans this evening?"

It was time to be honest. "I will probably spend the night with Haelga."

I was surprised when she smiled. "Ah, the Dibellan worshipper. I've heard the rumours, or should I say stories." Before I could ask, she quickly added, "Brynjolf has a big mouth. And I think Vex is a little jealous. But you are still interested in me?"

"Haelga and I have an agreement. Don't get me wrong, I love her, but we have also agreed to an open relationship. She says she won't be with other men, but if she does want to be with another, particularly as I might not always be around, I'm willing to accept it, just as she accepts that I may want to sleep with other women."

"Oh... And I assume you've done that already?"

I shrugged. "A couple of times. Generally, only when I'm away from Riften for a while. But if I were to meet someone I really liked in Riften, she won't mind."

"I've heard you have your eye on Ingun Black-Briar. Playing with fire there..."

"Oh, I've done Maven a couple of favours so she's fine with it now. In fact, I have an invitation to join her and Ingun for dinner."

"Careful, Ragnar. She's a widow and might be tempted by some young, fresh meat."

"Such a thought has already crossed my mind, to be honest. Not in the sense I want to fuck her, but I have a feeling an offer might be made."

"So where does that leave you and I?"

"I'm not sure. Let me ask you bluntly; are you interested in me?"

"Yes."

I couldn't help smile. "Good, because that interest is returned." She blushed again. "So here is my suggestion. We find Mercer. Kill him. Head back here. See what happens. Neither of us makes any promises. If it works, great. If it doesn't, we keep it professional."

She kissed my cheek and whispered, "Deal."

Karliah suggested she would relax for the rest of the day, and after I had a quick word with Brynjolf, I headed back up to the city and into the Bee and Barb. Haelga was busy cleaning up, the room otherwise empty, but stopped everything as soon as she saw me, wrapping her arms around me and the kiss we shared had me rising to the occasion very quickly indeed. Holding her tight to my body, she definitely felt it as she started to giggle. "Not right now," she whispered, "Though I definitely want you right now..."

"How about a quickie?"

She smiled and looked around. She grabbed my hand and led me to one of the tables. She sat down and rest back on her forearms, allowing me to reach under her dress to take off her panties. I took those off and inhaled her scent, which made my cock throb with anticipation. Dragging her forward, I undid my belt and unbuttoned my trousers, freeing my cock. I groaned loudly as I slid inside her, leaning down so we could share a deep kiss.

I didn't lie about a quickie, as I was soon fucking her hard and fast. She made no complaint, wrapping her legs around me but leaving them loose enough so I could really give it to her. We were soon making quite a lot of noise, fiddling with the buttons on her dress so I could free her breasts, tearing at her bra to free them so I could suck on her nipples. "Oh gods," she cried.

If I wasn't kissing her, I was giving her breasts plenty of attention. I was lasting far longer than I thought, and eventually just had my palms placed on the table, my face not far from hers, groaning and growling as I fucked her.

"Oh my!" I heard someone say. I turned to see Svana holding a mop, having already dropped the bucket of water. I thought she would have turned away or said something, but she simply stood there watching me fuck her aunt.

"Don't stop, Ragnar," Haelga cried. Shrugging, I returned my attention to Haelga, kissing her again as I resumed fucking her. I forgot all about Svana as I continued to bury myself. Haelga eventually grabbed me and shuffled herself backwards, knocking everything off the table until she was lying flat, lifting her legs high and wide and begged for me to finish inside her. "Fuck me!"

"You're getting a bucketful of cum inside you in about two minutes, Haelga."

"I can't wait!"

Wrapping her arms around my neck, we kissed as I continued to pound her, and it wasn't long until I felt the urge to cum. She must have been able to read my eyes, as all she did was break the kiss and say, "Fill me up, Ragnar."

I groaned loudly as I buried my cock a last time and empty myself. It was one hell of a good orgasm, and considering it had been a few days since we'd last fucked, I felt rather tired once I was finished. She just held me close to her, kissing my cheek and whispering in my ear that she loved me. "Is she still there?" I whispered.

Haelga moved her head. "No, she's gone now. Maybe she's gone to masturbate about what she saw?"

That gave me a chuckle. "Despite the fact it was her aunt?"

"Oh no, she'd be imagining she was the one getting fucked." She pushed me up slightly. "I've seen the looks she's been giving you, Ragnar. That girls definitely thinks you're handsome."

"So...?"

"If you want to fuck her, then fuck her. And before you ask, I'm being serious. Just don't get weird and suggest a threesome with me involved. That's a bit too far."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

We eventually lifted ourselves off the table. I packed myself away as I handed back her panties. She just put them in her pocket, insisting she would go without panties the rest of the day. "Maybe I'll feel a little of your cum slide down my legs?" she whispered. All she did was quickly take off her bra before doing up the top of her dress. "Now, I really should get back to work, Ragnar. What are you doing the rest of the day?"

"Nothing, to be honest. I will be heading off again soon, though. That issue I'm dealing with should hopefully we resolved completely within the week."

"Good. Why don't you just head to the inn and I'll join you in a couple of hours?"

That sounded like a fine plan, so I went and sat in my usual chair, slowly drinking a couple of tankards. Ingun was the first to arrive, and she sat down opposite me. I mentioned what her mother had suggested, and she thought, though a little weird, she liked the idea of me being invited into her home, thinking it was also an invitation that I could spend the night with her too. That's what I hoped as well, though didn't mention the possibility her mother was actually interested in me too. I was still trying to wrap my head around that one, and wondering what would happen when I turned her down.

Ingun had departed by the time Haelga appeared, with Svana in tow, which was a real surprise. I offered to buy them dinner and a round of drinks. Svana could barely meet my eyes, spending nearly the entire meal blushing, Haelga I think wanted to joke about it but remaining silent. Eventually I had to ask, "Like what you saw?" Svana looked at me wide-eyed, her cheeks very red, before she nodded silently. "Get a good look?"

Svana leaned forward. "It's so big," she whispered.

"Gods yes!" Haelga exclaimed quietly.

I figured blunt would work. "You're interested?"

"I am, but you're clearly with my aunt."

"Oh, I don't mind sharing him with my niece. He'll probably make you pass out with pleasure. You don't get him tonight though."

"And you're interested in me?" Svana asked me.

"I'll be honest. I didn't look at you in that way originally because you were her niece, and figured you'd be off-limits. But I've seen enough of your looks that suggested you were interested in me, and Haelga had it figured out rather quickly too. And the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. If you don't me asking in front of your aunt, have you been with a man?"

She blushed even more if possible and shook her head. "Ah, that's different then. Do you really want me being your first? I say that because your aunt isn't the only one I'm intimate with. While I will try and make your time special, Svana, it will not lead to anything permanent. And trust me on this one, you will think fondly of the first person you are with."

"Who was yours?" Haelga wondered. I'm surprised I hadn't mentioned that, or maybe she wanted Svana to hear it so she would understand.

"She was a working girl in Cheydinhal by the name of Ariel. She told me not to get feelings, but that was impossible. She was beautiful, funny, ambitious to leave the life, and she was my first. What didn't help is that I continued to see her afterwards. She probably knew I was falling for her, but never made a big deal about it. Being run out of Cyrodiil was probably for the best, as I would have only ended up broken hearted by wanting something I couldn't have."

"So what about me?" Svana asked.

"It's your choice in the end, but can I suggest something? Wait for a man who will definitely treat you right."

"You're talking yourself down here, Ragnar," Haelga stated, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze.

"I'm just trying to do the right thing here. Svana, you're a cute young thing, and while I would like to be your first, I'm merely giving my honest opinion."

She smiled and leaned across to kiss my cheek. "Thank you, Ragnar. And you're right. I think I'll just keep you in my imagination for now. Though perhaps it would be best if you two didn't fuck so openly."

Now I felt myself blush. "Ah, that might have been my idea. It had been a few days since I'd seen Haelga..."

We enjoyed a couple more drinks before heading back to the Bunkhouse. Svana hugged me before heading to her room, whispering in my ear that she would think about me that night. I knew what she meant and simply gave her arse a gentle squeeze. That earned a gasp in my ear as no doubt she had many thoughts at once. Kissing my cheek, she disappeared quickly. "That girl will have a couple of fingers inside herself in two minutes," Haelga said as we headed to her room.

Though I hadn't gone into great detail about what I would be doing except that I could be away awhile, I knew Haelga was worried, as all she wanted was to hug me in the middle of the room. I held her tightly in return, her head resting on my chest, feeling her hands tight on my back. "You're worried?" I asked quietly.

"Admittedly, yes, I am. I've realised you must be good at your job, and a hell of a fighter, but..."

"I'll come back, Haelga. I promise."

She slowly undressed me first, her lips barely leaving my skin, sending shivers up and down my body, her lips soft against my hard skin. Coat, shirt, boots, trousers were all in a pile on the floor, and a rather large tent formed in my underwear by the time she put a thumb in either side and lowered them. While desperate to have my cock in her mouth, I returned the favour first, taking delight in undressing her, though she had no bra or panties on still.

We pleasured each other with our mouths at the same time, and while her mouth on my cock was a distraction, I could eat her out without a problem nowadays as it was something we'd done often enough now. I always complimented her about how good she tasted, as she knew I'd happily bury my face in her pussy all day and night, simply pleasing her with my tongue. She suggested that, one day, she'd take me up on that offer in the future.