The response of the Companions was favorable to my suggestion. I even promised them the sponsorship of the [Dare Armory] and the [Dare Pharmacy], my company's gear and potion factories. The Companions have [Skyforge] and Eorlund Grey-Mane of course but that can't cover the whole ranks of the Companions. Unlike the game, the Companions, in reality, are a large band of warriors that their number rival Skyrim's official army. They also have minor outposts other than their main headquarters, Jorrvaskr. They exist in every hold except Winterhold so my request was not that unreasonable, they were coming one day anyway.
In regards to that matter, I was not really worried but my concern was to my reputation that was being tarnished by most of my competitors around Skyrim. I have Erikur in Solitude, Black-Briar in Riften, Shatter-Shield in Windhelm and Silver-Blood in Markarth. Two Stormcloak supporters and two Empire supporters. Also, the Jarls of Falkreath and Dawnstar are not fond of me. Other than that, Morthal and Whiterun are friendly to me.
That's why I am now visiting Jarl Balgruuf the Greater in Dragon's Reach with Svidi and Alina. Svidi was invited and Alina is my plus one in all official occasions.
The Jarl was very friendly to me. He even suggested that I should take a bigger building for my company's outpost.
To the two of us who are publicly making a neutral stand in the conflict yet to come, we had had to stick together. I am sure that many assassins have attempted to make a move on his head as there are ones who attempted on mine. He had Irileth and I had Jullanar who are both two badass dark elven assassins.
I tried to search with my [Scan] around the castle that was much bigger and different than what I know from the game but I found that the Jarl's mage was doing a good job in sealing stuff.
Well, everything will have its time then.
As the meeting with the Jarl ended, I rushed back to the inn. There were many Imperial Spies in the castle alone and I hoped that they don't do something while I was busy with the Jarl but it seems that Wulfur's presence took care of everything.
As I finished that one last matter with the Jarl, I can now say that I finished all my business in Whiterun. I just had to establish the new outpost and set Jon Battle-Born there. I also left the nine Agents of [Team 0] at Whiterun to help Jon Battle-Born and make sure that nothing harms the relationship between the Grey-Manes and the Battle-Borns. I informed him with my plan regarding that and he was fully on board, even Olfina got hired in the Outpost as his assistant.
On the 8th of Hearthfire (September), we headed back to Winterhold.
***
We arrived at the 13th of Hearthfire to Winterhold.
The place was busy as usual and there was even a large crowd. Today is one of four days each year when the College opens its doors for new students after all so it was quite hectic. People come from all over Tamriel to study magic away from politics and feuds, that was one of the College's qualities. But it also meant that the town's security will be dealing with a lot of haughty people from High Rock and naughty people from Elsweyr.
But I was going to deal with something more troublesome than any of that.
It all started when I returned home. Jonrad and Hilda have left to the Clan's ground and left a message saying that they want me to come and spend some time with the family, I am free until the middle of Frostfall (October) as Jon Battle-Born arranged his wedding to be on Frostfall.
The troublesome thing that I found was a few notes from Nurina. The first said 'Run!' and the second said 'Help!'. Not sure what was happening, I took Alina and Jull with me.
And here where I met her.
"God please no!" That was what I uttered out loud subconsciously.
She was sitting there while Nurina was pouring her some tea. Nurina seemed a bit pale but her face turned rosy when she saw me.
"Oh, your hulkling son is here. Come, brat."
As the woman who was sitting in front of Nurina said so, Alina and Jull were about to lash at her but I barely shut them up.
"Grandmaster Alfe. It is good to see you."
Alfe Fyr was here. Why on Nirn is she here?
Alina almost fainted from shock when she heard me saying 'Grandmaster Alfe' and Jullanar behaved herself instantly.
In front of us was an absurd being who is a gender-bent clone for another being which is more absurd.
"Jon, Alfe here has a small favor for you to do her." Nurina said.
A favor… from me?
"... Ask away."
"Good brat. I want you to find me an isolated mountain in this hold and build me a small place there." Alfe said.
Isolated mountain! Build her a place?
"Okay… I know a good place. Are there any more details you want me to add?"
"Like what?"
"A good view to the shrine of Azura, a windbreaker, a specific type of furniture…?"
"No, keep it small and simple."
"... May I ask for what reason do you want to stay in Winterhold, in particular? I can help."
"Studying, something is going on and Lord Fyr wants me to stay a few years in this place to investigate." She said casually.
A few years! Investigate! That sounds like him.
"Fine, I will start as soon as possible." I said so but Nurina shouted at me.
"Start now!"
"Tsk, what a rude kid." Alfe was displeased with Nurina.
"Hey, Alina come here." Nurina called.
"... Yes, what is it, master?" Alina woke from her daze.
"Let's switch places." Nurina handed Alina the teapot and sat her beside Alfe. "I am going to spend some time with Jon, you two can bond together, she is my other Apprentice, Alfe."
"Oh, thank you, Master." Alina was very pleased.
"Jon, let's go." Nurina dragged me out right away.
We could hear Alina trying to suck up to Alfe while grinning at me as if she got some sort of opportunity.
The poor fool!
Thank goodness that Nurina took me and ran. I can imagine Alfe asking Alina to massage her feet, now that would be something.
As Nurina and I went far enough from her room, Nurina stopped and rest her back on a wall.
"That old crone, what brought her to me?"
"Don't care, don't know." I said.
"A monster roaming around in your turf and you are not caring about it?"
"A monster that I can do absolutely nothing about!"
"Fair point. Listen, Alfe has some preferences so I will let you know to add to that place you're building her."
"Never thought you would care."
"I care when I don't want my master to keep coming to my place whenever she feels bored or not comfortable enough."
"... Fair point."
"I also want you to investigate whatever she is after." She said.
"Come on? You're asking me? You know I won't be able to do anything about that, we are dealing with higher powers here, woman."
"Tsk! How vexing!"
"If you want to know, just ask her yourself. She won't bite you or whatever."
"Yes, she doesn't bite but she may banish me to Oblivion as a punishment."
"... Wait! Did we just leave Alina with someone who banishes people to Oblivion as a punishment."
"I am sorry for your loss."
"Hey, not funny."
"Don't worry, now tell me, how did your vacation go?"
"Fine, there is a lot to tell you..."
I started to report everything to Nurina while avoiding the matter regarding the [Skeleton Key] and the other things that one shouldn't tell to their parents.
Still, the news about Catatoskr's appearance in Riften seemed to have reached her and I got my ear pinched.
As I finally got freed, I returned to the company with Jull and located a good place for Alfe on an isolated mountain south to the Shrine of Azura and sent some builder from Jonald's team to finish up the job.
As I got that out of the table, I geared up and headed west to the place where an important project is needed to built.