Sins of the Dovahkiin

Delphine made her way to Whiterun's gate. She faced quite a few people, as it was expected, her gaze first landed on the farmers that were working in the farmlands. Delphine didn't know if she should feel jealous or sorry for them, jealous because they had a normal life and were probably happy. Most of them had husbands, wives, children – a home, while Delphine had spent the last thirty years running. Yet, those people knew nothing about the world. Only those who explored it themselves truly knew how it worked and, let's face it, most farmers rarely travelled. This world belonged to the men of power, warriors, thieves, assassins, spies, merchants and adventurers – not to the farmers.

Ironically enough, Delphine could barely control her own life at the moment. Living as a refugee wasn't easy. She felt like she was doomed to live a cursed life, well, half a life to be more exact. She didn't live anymore, she existed, she survived, she struggled for no reason and she struggled for hope, which had never abandoned her.

A guard greeted her in her way to the city; she had an especial arrangement with them to go in and out of Whiterun whenever she wanted – all this with the Jarl's knowledge, of course. He was one of the few people that knew who she was and what she had been up to. Delphine found comforting that there were still people with enough common sense to acknowledge the great danger that Tamriel was facing. Without the help of people like him, everything would be lost.

It was still pretty early; the clock was almost reaching eight in the morning when the guards opened the gate for her. The first signs of life appeared in Whiterun – people opening their shops, beggars roaming around, children running through the streets… she did her best to be as discreet as possible by not walking through the main street and avoiding bumping to anyone.

After so many years of running and hiding Delphine got good at knowing people's faces and names. By that time she knew almost everyone in the city without even talking to them, such as where they lived and what they did for a living. Her observing skills were one of things that kept her alive and safe. Thanks to those she noticed a stranger in town who also didn't seem to be a fan of the main streets; the stranger was a tall young woman with dark long hair and with a steel armor. She could tell by her axe that she was no commoner and was heading to the gate, probably leaving the city. Delphine reminded herself that there were more mercenaries now thanks to all the wars that had been happening in Tamriel, but those rarely came to the neutral cities like Whiterun. Jarl Balgruuf was actually known by not trusting strangers in these difficult times. Maybe something made him change his behavior.

Once reaching the castle, Delphine greeted the Jarl and his housecarl. She then headed to the Court Mage's room where he was expecting her. "Ah, Delphine." Farengar grinned. "I have good news."

"They're back, Farengar."

"I know."

"Is that why you're so happy?"

"Yes, but there's also something else. Come, sit, my friend."