Chương 58: On the Road to Ruin III

"You could always let me adopt you?" I suggest, pulling out a spare dagger that I start fiddling with.

"Are you serious? I don't know… If…" Aventus starts to say before trailing off.

"If?" I ask intrigued by his hesitation.

"If… You promise to teach me to be an assassin! That way I can help lots of children, just like you!" Aventus says eyes filled with determination.

"HA, HA, HA!" I laugh wiping tears from my eyes, thinking of a certain beloved TV serial killer who shared a name with a childhood cartoon character who had a laboratory.

"What's so funny!" Aventus pouts.

"Nothing, nothing… *pfft* Sorry, you just reminded me of something from my life before I became who I am. Sure, son. I'll teach you to fight like an assassin, but…" I say with a serious glare causing him to stare intently at me, awaiting my next words with bated breath.

"You have to promise me, the only time you'll use the abilities I teach you, is to protect our family, your friends, your honor, those you deem worthy of protecting, and the ones you love. If you can promise me that… Then, I'll teach you everything you need to know to be the greatest assassin in all of Tamriel… Present company excluded, of course." I say with a smirk before flipping the dagger in the air, catching the blade between my fingers and pointing the handle towards Aventus.

Aventus pauses in deep thought, before taking the handle firmly in his grip, "I promise, Papa. I'll protect our family no matter what!" Aventus says with a look of fiery determination in his eyes.

"Good to hear it," I say ruffling his hair with a smile before saying, "Now pack up your things. You're going to be leaving this town with a friend of Papa's, your new sister, and a guardian."

"Of course. Papa, will only take a minute!" He says rushing off to quickly pack up his things.

After a few minutes, Aventus is waiting with me beside the door as we head out and back to Sadri's shop.

Once inside I see Sophie torturing Sophia with hugs and cuddles, "Silvy! Save me!" Sophia exclaims in desperation.

"Aventus, this is Papa's friend, Sophia, and your sister, Sophie." I say completely ignoring Sophia's cries with a smirk.

"Wow, Papa! Are all these pretty ladies your girlfriends?" Aventus asks before going over to help Sophie torture Sophia.

*Guk* I choke before continuing on, "Yes, son, they are girls who are Papa's friends." I say trying to play it off despite the glares from the girls.

*Cough*

"Anyways, Sophia and Stenvar, I need you to go and escort Sophie and Aventus back to the Outpost. Once there you'll assist in patrols and construction until I return.

"Sure thing, Boss." Stenvar says with a nod.

"What?! No! You can't make me! I refuse!" Sophia says with an indignant pout.

I walk over to her leaning towards her ear, placing my hand on her shoulder to lightly rub her neck with my finger before whispering in a deep voice, "Do this little favor for me... And I'll do any favor you want in return."

I feel her shiver under my grip, "A-any thing?" Sophia asks before she gulps audibly.

"Any~thing you want." I reiterate.

"Kids!" Sophia exclaims with her voice cracking slightly before she coughs to clear her throat, "*Cough, cough* Kids, we're leaving so Daddy can hurry up and make it back home!" Sophia exclaims joyfully skipping out of town with the kids and Stenvar.

I turn to Suvaris, "Thank you for your help, I was wondering if-" I start to ask before a loud knocking interrupts me.

*Knock, Knock, Knock*

"This is the Guard! Open up!" A voice shouts from outside the shop.

"Come in, it's unlocked." Sadri shouts in response as two stormcloaks walk in before staring at me.

"You there, Orc! Come with us!" A beligerent stormcloak shouts.

I grit my teeth and motion the girls to stay quiet as I bite my tongue and breath in deeply, "Of course, gentlemen. It'd be my pleasure to be in your company. But may I know where we're going?" I try asking with my most diplomatic voice.

"That's none of your business, the Jarl waits for no one!" The guard says revealing my intended destination.

'Shit... I didn't think that puppet would realize it was me here so quickly! Well, I talked my way past that blockhead before, I can do it again.' I think to myself before asking the guards, "Of course, I hope my companions can attend as well?"

"Whatever, just get moving!" The beligerent stormcloak orders as they corral us to the Jarl's Palace.

While an ancient and imposing structure, the age and wear is evident by the loose stones and bricks, as well as the tattered stormcloak banners adorning the walls. With Ulfric sitting listlessly on his 'throne' before he notices our arrival.

"Silvantus, I have heard rumors of someone matching your appearance building a name for themselves... Tell me, why did it take you so long to seek me out, have you finished your errands and are you finally able to join my war council?" Ulfric asks with disinterest in my reply.

"Unfortunately not, my Jarl. You see I have been building up a mercenary company and have been strengthening it as well as entering into the good graces of the Jarl of Whiterun so that he relies on our group even more, so that when you invade we can just step aside and let you take the city." I explain with a conniving smile.

"I see... That would indeed save the lives of many soldiers that I would have to use to take the city... And of these rumors that you've joined the Thieves Guild and are infact the dragonborn?" Ulfric questions further.

"Yes, I have joined the Thieves Guild and plan to eventually become it's leader. One of the shadows necessary to ensure your rise to power remains unchallenged. And as for the matter of me being dragonborn... It is true, I guess Talos has blessed me and my quest to aid your victory in this civil war." I say, throwing in Talos for good measure.

"It appears so... Thank you for your hard work, Silvantus... Is there anything you need from me to ensure the continued success of your missions?" Ulfric asks leaning forward in interest.