Chapter 50: Last Day in Whiterun
Leaving Ysolda's house 5,000 Septims poorer, I chuckled as I realized the woman had sapped more money out of me then I had spent in total in this new life of mine.
However, even if I took that at face value, I think buying her body for life was worth that coin, and that the two twins growing in her womb would definitely be worth far more than a measly 25,000 Septims in total.
So, I left her home with a soaring heart, looking forwards to the time to come with her.
Since it was early morning, I gave Carlotta another few Septims before taking a ripe Honeycrisp apple, enjoying the wondrous blend of red and yellow apple.
The mature woman just huffed when she saw the small pile of Septims on her counter, before scooping them into her own purse.
Giving Mila a wink, I continued down towards Warmaidens, wanting to fulfill my duty as a partial owner in my new company.
Adrianne was already at the forge, swinging her hammer down at the orange steel ingot below her, shaping it into a usable blade.
Nodding to her, I easily slipped into the role of her assistant, perfecting the blades that she made before switching places with her.
Over the course of five or six hours, we pumped out another twenty blades, much to her delight.
Both of us were sweating hard under the noon sun and blazing forge, and I wiped off my brow as I leaned on the bench beside her, staring down at the dark woman.
Taking a swig of my waterskin, I handed it to her afterwards, the woman gulping down some water before handing it back.
"Adrianne... I have a... technique I'd like to show you. Something that might just make you as renowned as Eorlund Gray-Mane."
The Imperial stared at me with narrowed eyes, disbelief clearly written on her dark features, but she sighed and stood up, gesturing towards the forge.
Smirking at her, I said "You don't believe me, do you?"
Raising her brow, the woman sighed again before shaking her head.
"Eorlund Gray-Mane is a master smith; the mans steel is legendary. How could I compete with him? All I ask is a fair chance..."
My smirk widened, and I placed an Iron and Steel ingot on the anvil.
"I think this will be that far chance... though you might want to invest in some screens to keep this technique... private."
Again, she raised a brow before gesturing at the two ingots, asking "What are you planning on doing?"
"Just watch. Your fair chance is coming~"
With that, I lowered both ingots into the forge, letting them heat up before pulling them from the flames.
After that, I started hammering the two together, folding and welding them together before returning them to the forge.
Adrianne watched with interest, but she still seemed unconvinced.
Continuing to hammer away at the ingot, I eventually revealed a Damascus Ingot to her, making the woman purse her lips.
Letting it cool off, she stared at it with wide eyes before asking "So... what is it?"
"I call it Damascus. It's the process of beating and merging two separate metals into one ingot. I haven't had the opportunity to try it with anything besides Iron and Steel, but I do know that this Damascus Ingot is stronger than pure Steel, and is as easy to shape as Iron. Besides that, the pattern is unique every time, and also..."
Lifting the now cold metal, Adrianne observed the pattern before saying "Really unique... People would buy it for that alone, but you say it's as good as Steel?"
I nodded, before gesturing to the anvil.
"Why don't you forge your very own weapon from it, hmm? A woman should have a good blade on her at all times in Skyrim!"
Nodding, she took the ingot and lowered it into the forge, before eventually smithing herself a simple dagger.
It looked like an ordinary Steel Dagger, with the same long, thin blade and sharp tip, but it now had the same wavy pattern as Damascus, and...
Taking it from her when she was done admiring it, I smirked.
{Damascus Dagger: A Steel Dagger forged from Damascus by the Smith Adrianne; due to her trust and hope in Jeleia, the blade is sharper and deadlier. (25%) Chance to inflict severe bleeding; (1%) Chance to absorb targets health}
The woman was something else...
Admiring the beautiful pattern, I handed it back to her, saying "Keep it up Adrianne, and you'll be as popular, if not more so than Eorlund. I swear it."
The woman nodded, her eyes fixed to the blade.
Moving to the tanning rack, she started working on a sheath, and I chuckled.
Patting her shoulder, I said "I'll be going now, Adrianne. I should be back in a month or two, so until then, good luck."
She stopped what she was doing, staring up at me.
Biting her lip, she sighed before nodding, saying "May the Divines bless you, Jeleia..."
Giving her a nod, I walked away, chuckling at that.
I doubt they will...
Making my way up towards Belethor's, I purchased a few more things for myself, like a leather tent, some more potions, and even a few more unfilled Soul Gems.
The man wanted to 'trade' me for those items, but I shook my head, citing I didn't have the time for it, sadly.
However, I did suggest he start looking for a more... permanent woman by his side, making him purse his lips.
Bidding him farewell, I moved over to Arcadia's Cauldron, buying a few more Anti-Pregnancy Potions as insurance for any woman I laid with, as well as some more basic Health, Stamina, and Magicka Potions, parting ways with a good couple hundred Septims.
After that, the sun was slowly going down, and it was around three, so I made my way to the gate, deciding that I should leave now.
Otherwise, I would find myself back in bed with Ysolda, Hulda, or...
Leaning against the gate was Aela, the Companion staring at me as I walked towards her.
Giving her a smile, I returned her tight embrace.
"Must you go..?"
Her voice was meek, and I gently stroked her hair before nodding.
"I do, Aela... I can't remain here; there isn't enough for me to do to get stronger. I'll miss you, love. But..."
Holding her closer, I whispered "When I return, you should be able to see a bump~"
The Werewolf growled, her warm breath tickling my cheek.
"I... really want to keep you here, but..."
Chuckling, I gently pushed her away, stroking her cheek.
"I know, Aela. I do. However, you'll be fine without me; you've lived this long without me before..."
Nuzzling into my cheek, she sighed as she closed her eyes, before stepping away.
"Be... Be safe, Jeleia. Not for me, but..."
I nodded, holding my stomach.
"For our child; I know, love. I'll try. Should... Should something happen, we can always-"
Aela stepped forwards and pressed her finger against my lips, silencing me.
"Please... Just... be safe."
Feeling her worry and anxiety, I nodded, kissing her finger.
Giving her a warm smile, I turned away and exited the gate, stepping back onto the Plains of Whiterun.
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Falkreath is next, and I'll be taking more creative liberties with the peaceful Hold, so look forwards to that~
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