"During one of my painful episodes, I said, 'It is under the rug.' Remember? Give me a moment." Inigo says as he makes his way up the path and outside the cabin.
Sweeping aside the fresh layer of snow, Inigo pulls in back the rug revealing a key beneath it before exclaiming, "Ah ha! I knew it was here! I have found the key!"
"Huh, and I thought you were supposed to be the blood hound of the group." Serana digs at me with a smirk of superiority.
"Well, better a blood hound than a blood sucker." I shoot back with my own look of pride.
"You know, back home my mother used to keep a spare in the same place." Inigo says trying to lower the tension between us, before handing me the key with somewhat trembling hands.
"Could you do the honors, my friend? My hands are uncharacteristically shaky for some reason.
"Of course, Inigo. Let's figure out who's behind your melting brain." I say, taking the key and opening the door. Carefully entering the cabin in case who's ever here might be hostile.
And the caution was warranted... As the walls are covered in paintings of Inigo and a large map of Tamrial filled with pins and red strings that seems to have been tracking Inigo over the last few years.
"My friend... Is that a picture of me?" Inigo whispers to me with concern.
"I think you might have a stalker... Though, luckily he seems to be too old and ugly to be a yandere." I whisper back, noticing an old man sleeping on a bed in the corner of the room. He's balding, with nappy hair, and a beard tied into a braid, which rises and lowers with each of his light snores.
"What is that my friend?" Inigo asks in confusion.
"Uh, it's an orc word for an obsessive woman who stalks the object of her affections while killing anyone who she views as a rival for that affection." I explain quietly.
"That sounds fairly normal in my household actually." Serana adds offhandedly.
"Well... That is unsettling... But, I do not sense any danger here... Let us wake him." Inigo says, prompting me to wake the old man.
I tap on the old man's shoulder waking him up as he wipes the sleep from his eyes.
"Oh my, you're... You're here... I was beginning to lose hope!" The old man exclaims as he gets out of bed.
"How did you know I was the dragonborn?" I ask in shock.
"What? Dragonbum? No! Not you, you obstreperous orc! Him! Get out of the way!" The old man exclaims, pushing a me aside as I'm in shock at the complete disregard as I hear Serana suppress a snicker at my expense.
"Inigo? Is it really you? Or am I dreaming?" The old man asks in a bit of a daze.
"That is my name, and let me tell you this, if you insult my friend again... I will be forced to harm you, do we have an understanding?" Inigo threatens, as I see the hairs on the back of his neck bristle and he grips his sword in my defense.
"Huh... Never seen a guard cat before..." Serana says as she leans against a wall.
"My apologies, I am often too terse for my own good. I mean nothing by it, I assure you." The old man says, apologizing more to Inigo than me, which I brush off.
"That is better... My friend here is the legendary dragonborn, a renowned mercenary commander, thane of Falkreath and Whiterun, a proud father of several children, and a prolific lover-" Inigo starts to exalt my many titles before drifting into my lesser virtues, making me cover his mouth in a mild panic as Serana's ears perk up in interest.
"I see... And who is she? Your latest lover perhaps?" The old man asks, motioning towards Serana as me and Inigo look to each other before busting out laughing.
"What's so funny about that?" The old man asks as Serana folds her arms and tapping her fingers against her arms.
"Yes, do share what's so funny you two..." Serana asks, as her blood red gaze makes my hairs stand on end and Inigo gulps nervously.
"Ummm, I already have a a partner who is... Very much your opposite, no offense meant." Inigo explains as Serana eventually nods before leaning back against the wall as she examines her nails.
"Well, I'm sure you make quite the team, Inigo, but it is you who I have been seeking all these years! I'm so glad you're still alive!" The old man exclaims, joyously dismissing the awkward atmosphere that had a risen.
"But, who are you? Why have you been seeking me?" Inigo questions the old man.
"My name is Langley. Langley Longseer to some. Dear boy, I have much to tell you, but how did you find me?" Langley asks with keen interest.
"Well, I started to get brief, painful visions a while ago... They showed me flashes of this place and you, followed by a nasty tugging sensation." Inigo explains, relaxing slightly before Langley's face lights up in revelation.
"Ah ha! The spell works! Not quite as was intended, but it got you here in the end! I was about ready to string that conjuration mage up by his toes!" Langley exclaims excitedly.
"You summoned me? I have to tell you, your spell needs work." Inigo says, rubbing his head as he feels the pain from the latest summoning attempt.
"Yes, I've been trying to locate you for quite some time... I even traveled to Riverhold, where I found your parents shortly after they died, gods rest their souls... Oh dear, you know about that, don't you?" Langley explains, before a look of sad compassion fills his face and he looks to Inigo. His condolences caught on his lips, awaiting Inigo's response.
"They were killed protecting a trading caravan. I had head... You were there?" Inigo questions Langley.
(Author's Note: Hope everyone in America enjoys this long weekend!)
"Yes... I am sorry for your loss... For all your losses... In a way, I've been traveling with you for quite some time... Just... A step behind..." Langley says with an unexpected sincerity.
"Did my mother and father... Die well?" Inigo asks fighting back the mist gathering in his eyes.
"They met their end with dignity... I was the one who found them, and I made sure they had a fine burial... They... They died holding hands." Langley explains solemnly as a rather dark mood fills the room as I comfort Inigo by placing my hand on his shoulder to remind him he's not alone.
Inigo nods appreciatively at me before turn back to question Langley, "Why were you there? We're you looking for me even then?"
"I had hoped they could lead me to you. I continued to track you for years, then the trail went cold... After I found your brother..." Langley trails off, seemingly prepared for Inigo's next outburst.
"You found Fergus?! How?! Have you always been hiding in my past, haunting every step I take?! Why? I do not know you! What do you want from me?" Inigo shouts at Langley, demanding answers.
"I have come to know you very well. I am your friend, Inigo! Perhaps the greatest friend you have! We are destined to work together!" Langley exclaims, getting somewhat heated.
"I already have the only friend I need, Silvantus! And Lydia, a woman who loves me and I love dearly, I even have a rival!" Inigo starts rattling off all the people in his life.
"You don't understand! There's a great evil coming! I don't know when exactly, but it is close. I've seen it in my dreams! You are there too! You are the champion destined to destroy the Doom Strider!" Langley frantically explains to Inigo, afraid Inigo may leave.
"What are talking about? The Doom Strider?" Inigo asks, getting mine and Serana's attention.
"Yes, the very avatar of destruction and death, the demon that has plagued my dreams for decades!" Langley quickly elaborates.
"I... I need to sit down." Inigo says as he rubs his eyes, and Langley moves closer, offering a free chair on the other side of the cabin.
"Take a seat. Rest and I'll tell you all I know... I've been keeping note of everything." Langley says, pulling the chair closer which Inigo takes.
"I am sorry, my friend. I need a moment, my legs are a little wobbly all of a sudden." Inigo says as he settles in the chair.
"It is a lot to take in, I know. Make no mistake, Inigo, you are safe here... All of you are. Inigo and I have much to discuss. I don't wish to be ruder than I've been, but perhaps it's best if you leave us to it for a bit? In fact, if you both could do something for me I'd be most grateful." Langley asks me and Serana with a slightly more respectful tone.
"Alright... What do you need?" I ask Langley.
"Eggs." Langley says.
"What?" I ask, somewhat taken a back by the request.
"Eggs. You know, birds lay them. Snow Thrush eggs to be precise. Six should do the trick. They often boost my visions allowing me to see further into the future. If Inigo is here then maybe the Doom Strider is finally preparing to strike. We must be ready!" Langley exclaims resolutely.
"You've said that a few times now, what is the Doom Strider?" I ask as my quest sense tingles.
"I don't know. Maybe in time we'll find out together. Go on. Go and get those eggs and let Inigo and I talk for a while." Langley says, starting to annoy me.
"Well, where do I find the Snow Thrush eggs?" I prompt Langley again.
"There are at least eight nests outside my home. You shouldn't need to go very far. I hope you don't mind heights, they are usually rather elevated. Come back to me when you have six eggs, no fewer. Find eight and I'll give you something precious for your trouble." Langley explains.
"Alright, I'll go search for your eggs. Come on Serana, let's leave the two of them to talk." I say, moving to the door with Serana following close behind.
"Search up high, and try not to fall off anything." Langley says.
"Sure thing." I say before stopping by Inigo.
"Are you okay?" I ask him.
"I'm a bit shaken by how well this man seems to know me, but I'll be okay. I wonder what else he has to say... I hope my poor mind can take it, it has already been beaten enough as it is." Inigo says with a tinge of his previous humor returning.
"Ain't that the truth... Though I don't know if I trust this Langley guy, stay alert." I warn Inigo in a hushed tone so Langley can't hear me.
"Thanks for your concern, but I personally do not sense danger here. But, perhaps you shouldn't go too far from this house? If you hear any screams of agony, come running okay?" Inigo jokes again, this time slightly less forced than before.
"Will do, I should go and get Langley those eggs now." I assure Inigo as I continue back to the door.
"I have heard the Snow Thrush likes to nest up trees and on the edge of cliffs. Be careful you do not slip." Inigo cautions me as me and Serana leave the two of them to talk.
Entering the growing snow storm, Serana follows behind as I begin to collect the eggs.
"So... You have several children... That's... Unexpected?" Serana comments, in an attempt to engage in some small talk.
"Why is that?" I ask her as I spy a birds nest on the top of a fallen tree, which I begin to crawl up.
"It's just... You seem a little..." Serana trails off, her sentence getting cut off by the raging winds.
"What was that?" I shout as I grabbed the egg and dismounted the tree with a flourish, landing in a small snow bank.
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