Chapter Text
***
Scouts-Many-Marshes, is many things to many people. To the people of Whiterun he’s a friendly farmer who is always willing to lend a helping hand.To the Argonians of Winterhold he’s a son, friend, and brother who would do absolutely anything for his family. His clan. To the Thieves Guild he’s Dagger and husband to their Guild master Haxir. Due to Haxir’s need for secrecy and security few know him, and even fewer are allowed to contact him.
Scouts knew Haxir was a professional thief when they met all those years ago. He encouraged Haxir to continue to work for the guild when successful heists were few and far between. Finally when the time came for the guild to look for a new Guild master, Scouts was the first one to tell Haxir that he should be the one to lead, despite being newly weds. Haxir agreed, and a new chapter in their lives began.
*****
Haxir would live in Riften and lead the guild for three weeks at a time, then return to Whiterun and spend a week with Scouts. Then immediately return to Riften and start the cycle all over again.
Scouts filled his solitary days with hunting, foraging, anything to keep his mind from worrying about Haxir. He knew Haxir was more than capable of taking care of himself and guild, but it was still hard not to worry.
At nights when Haxir’s absence was more noticeable Scouts would curl up on Haxir’s side of the bed and read the letters and journals the other Argonian left behind. Most of the journal entries were short stories of ‘Hax and Friends’ wreaking havoc in and around Riften, getting into all sorts of trouble with guards and shop keepers alike.
Other entries were Haxir’s personal thoughts from when Mercer was Guild master, doubts that the guild was failing. Fears that something worse is about to happen.
“I’ve lost so much. We all have. Loss is nothing new to us or the Guild. But at what point does the loss outweigh the gain? Mercer is getting desperate. He’s sending us out individually it’s risky maybe too risky. I can’t take another loss, I won’t. I would rather leave my family than watch them die one by one. “
Scouts took a deep breath and gently shut the journal. He hated seeing the self doubt that often plagued his husband. Staring up at the starts through the small bedroom window the Argonian hoped that wherever his husband was that he was safe.
*****
After a short nights sleep the last thing Scouts wanted to hear was someone banging on his door. He loved his neighbors and genuinely enjoyed helping them. Most of the time. But some times it was just too early to do anything
Scouts waited upstairs as silent as he could hoping that who ever needed him would give up. After a solid minute of the persistent knocking the normally patient Argonian had finally had enough. “What in the name of hist is so important this early in the morning?!” The Argonian hissed as he swung opened the door.
Immediately Scouts relaxed and apologized when he looked down at the young and terrified Nord. Wearing the sigil of the Thieves Guild.
"I didn't mean to disturb you sir, I was told to bring these to you as soon as I could." The Nord stated calmly he handed over the stack of letters. Before Scouts could reply, the courier ran off heading towards the city gate.
*****
After spending countless hours repairing jewelry that Lady Gray Mane was trying to sell Scouts finally had enough and happily returned home to eat dinner and read the letters from Haxir. While eating a simple but warm stew Scouts casually opened the first letter.
"Turdas, 12th day of Frostfall,
To my dearest , Scouts. We are currently in Windhelm but we're unable to leave just yet, and as a result I'll be a few days late returning to you. I promise everything is alright. I'll write to you soon. Walk with the shadows
~~
Love Haxir. "
Scouts held the simple letter in confusion, only once has Haxir been delayed from returning home. And that was when he was stabbed by Mercer and shot by Karliah. Concern started to swarm in the Argonians chest but Scouts took a breath and quickly opened the second letter.
" Fredas, 13th day of Frostfall,
To my dearest, Scouts. Luckily we were able to leave Windhelm and we just arrived in Riften early this morning but I don't think I can make it to Whiterun just yet. Please don’t worry my love. Everything is fine.
I fell ill while we were in Windhelm. I swear I’m going to be alright. Brynjolf found out about it and won’t let me leave Riften so I’m going to tell you what I told him. ‘I’m fine, I feel fine what happened in Windhelm was a fluke, a stroke of bad luck nothing more’. He didn’t like that and practicality locked me in my own house.
Being guildmaster means nothing to him I guess. Not that I thought it would, he’s still my father after all.
That being said, please don’t let this worry you my love . I’ll be home soon and when I get there I’m taking another week off to make up for lost time.
~~Your love Haxir
Ps. The guild is doing fine, I’m not sure why they still need me in all honesty. Be well my love.
Walk with the shadows ”
Scouts paused for a moment and then relaxed a little. He knew that Haxir was generally healthy as are most Argonians. And he knew that Brynjolf always worried for the health of his son even during the best of times.
Scouts opened the third and final letter started to worry all over again when he didn’t recognize the handwriting.
"Loredas, 13th day of Frostfall.
Dagger, I'm writing to you on the behalf of Haxir. Haxir's illness has taken a turn for the worst. Along with myself and the other members of the guild we think it best if you came to Riften. As soon as you could.
I don't want to worry you but I wont lie to you either. The boss is in rough shape has been for the last two days . Told us not to bother you but last night he gave the order to summon you. Please don’t waste any time writing a reply. I will be at the Bee and Barb in waiting for you.
Walk with the shadows
Delvin Mallory.
P.S
Haxir says ‘don’t worry too much, it doesn’t do anyone any good’. ”
Scouts sat in silence trying to process what he just read. Hax was sick, he got sicker, and now he was asking him to come to Riften.
After a short moment Scouts began to collect everything he thought he might need while cursing his husband’s vagueness. Falling ill could mean a number of different things.
*****
Scouts’ journey by carriage short and thankful uneventful. But as he got closer and closer to the city gates he could feel something was off. The forest that surrounds the city full of life, was quiet. Even the insects had stopped buzzing. When the silence became too much, Scouts finally spoke to the driver.
“Why is the forest quiet, it’s never been this quiet before?”
The older Nord looked up at the towering trees. “It’s the war, everything is leaving the rift. Sad isn’t it?”
“Sad …and unsettling.”
*****
When the carriage came to a halt Scouts thanked the driver and paid him extra for leaving the safety of Whiterun during the night. And wished the Nord a swift and safe journey back.
As Scouts made his way through the city gates he was happy to hear that the city was very much full of life. He could hear venders in the market shouting about their newest goods. He saw children running around and laughing in front of Honorhall orphanage. Most importantly he could smell the food coming from the Bee and Barb Inn.
As me made his way inside Scouts was suprised to see so many Argonians in the inn all trying to either get a room or something to eat. Keerava was trying her best to keep the peace while Talen-Jei was serving tables and drinks as fast as he could.
Scouts was more than willing to wait for the chaos to die down when he felt a strong hand grip him by the shoulder.
The stranger let out a rough whisper “Dagger, please follow me. The boss is waitin for ya.”
***