Sorry for not uploading for a few months, been busy with school. BTW, if you've read the previous chapters before 31/08/2025, please go back and reread them as I have updated the previous chapters to be more fluid
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Varan walked into the home he shared with Elien, being careful not to make any noise as to not wake up Elien, he grabbed the letter he wrote and threw it into the dying embers of the fire. He walked up the stairs and into the bedroom, where he saw Elien still peacefully asleep in the bed.
He removed he clothes before getting into the bed. Once he was comfortable, he pulled Elien into his arms, she stirred a bit as she rested her head on his chest as she often did, "Where did you go?" She asked in a soft, tired voice. Varan was quiet for a moment.
Elien looked up to see Varan deep in thought, "Varan?" She called out, Varan looked down at her, gazing into her tired emerald eyes, "I went to the Bannered Mare since I couldn't sleep." Varan said, his gaze moving to the window.
"I also meet the Jarl, he gave me a job." Varan said once again, his voice was calm, but Elien knew he was deep in thought. "What is the job?" Elien asked as she sat up right, pulling Varan so that his head lay in her bare lap. "He wants me to guard his pregnant wife." Varan explained as Elien played with his long hair.
"Hmmm, when do you start?" Elien's voice rang in Varan's ears, "Tomorrow." Elien nodded her head at his reply, "I suppose you should get some sleep then, no?" Elien asked as she started braiding Varan's hair, "I can't sleep." Varan said as he lifted his hand to Elien's cheek, holding it gently.
"Alright then." Elien said with a smile as she continued to braid his hair, she started to softly hum a song, one Varan did not recognise.
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The sun was starting to rise as snow softly fell, Varan was equipping his armour as Elien watched from the bed, "Have I ever told you how good you look in your armour?" Elien playfully asked with a smile, Varan looked at her as he put on his gauntlets, "No you have not." Varan said calmly, he now braided hair swinging as he turned his head.
"Hahaha, well you do." She said with a laugh as she got out of the bed, her naked figured catching the morning sun, "Will you be returning tonight?" Elien asked as she helped Varan strap on his greatsword. "Yes." Varan's reply was simply, but that was all Elien needed. "Alright, off you go, the Jarl is waiting for you." Elien said as she pushed Varan towards the stairs.
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Varan was making his way up the steps to Dragonsreach, the place he will be spending most of his time at now. While he walked, the guards around him saluted at him, most likely already knowing of his new job as the Jarl's wife's guard, although Varan just ignored them.
As he made his way to the palace doors, he was greeted by a Dunmer woman wearing leather armour with a steel sword at her waist, "You must be Varan Kynor, the Blood-Soaked Blade." The woman said as she stepped towards Varan, who didn't say anything as he just watched the woman approached.
"My name is Irileth, I am the Jarl's personal bodyguard, so you'll be reporting to me." Irileth said as she looked up to Varan, who just nodded his head, "Good, you understand, now follow me, the Jarl is waiting." Irileth made her way to the doors and opened them, walking inside with Varan close on her heel.
As they walked through the great hall, many people kept their eyes on Varan, namely the thanes of the hold. "Ah, Irileth, I see you've met Varan." Balgruuf said with a warm smile as he stood from his throne and walked to the pair. "It's good to see you my friend."
Balgruuf said as he patted Varan's shoulder, "Likewise my Jarl." Varan replied with a bow of his head, "Come now, let me introduce you to my wife." Balgruuf as he nodded to a woman standing by the throne, she was noticeable pregnant, her hair was brown in colour with her eyes being a mix of brown and gold.
"Astira, this is Varan Kynor." Balgruuf said as the approached the woman, Astira just smiled warmly as she greeted Varan, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Varan." Astira bowed her head slightly, the warmth of her smile never fading. "Likewise, your grace." Varan said as he bowed his head. Astira just laughed softly at this, "Please, there is no need for formalities, just call me Astira." Astira said as she walked to Varan, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Varan just nodded his head, "Come now, we have many things to discuss." Balgruuf said with smile as he gestured to the stairs on the side, "Yes, let us go to the patio." Astira said as she started walking slowly with Balgruuf at her side and Varan close behind them.
As they made their way up the stairs and out the doors that lead to the patio, Varan made sure to look around, memorising the layout that he saw, and where there were possible places for an ambush to occur.