The Pretty Imperial

I sat down next to an Imperial woman, who had her feet close to the fire. Her daughter, at least I suspected it was her daughter, was playing with another kid close by.

“You mind if I sit here?” I asked. “I’m new in town, and I don’t know a lot of people yet.”

“Go ahead,” she said. “Better you than any of these ogling men.”

“You get a lot of attention from men?”

"You've got no idea. Half the men in Whiterun have proposed to me. Some were even single. They'll never understand. No amount of flowers or honeyed words are going to change my mind. Right now, all that matters is my daughter Mila. No man's going to get between me and my little girl."

“I get that,” I said, and I offered my hand. “I’m Ylsi.”

“Carlotta,” she said. “So, what brings you here?”

“Just making a fresh start, I suppose. came here with Hod, thought about staying for a while.”

“It’s a good enough place,” Carlotta said. “D’you know who’s who?”

“I haven’t met a lot of people yet,” I said. “Was thinking of checking out Jorrvaskr tomorrow.”

“Ah, so you want to be a Companion then?”

“Maybe,” I said. “I’ve met a couple of them, they seemed nice enough.”

We drank a bit, watching Mila help Saadia, a pretty Redguard working for Hulda, serve the customers. Carlotta had a lovely smile, and seeing it appear as she watched her daughter made me understand why she was so desired.

“So, any men I should avoid?” I asked.

“Most of them know how to take no for an answer,” she said. “That bard Mikael however is begging for a dagger up against his throat, the way he goes on about me. I've heard him boasting, saying he'll 'conquer me as a true Nord conquers any harsh beast.'

I watched the man sing and play his lute. He didn’t look like he was that great at conquering any beasts. Maybe it was the mead, my inflated ego after fighting a giant, or Carlotta’s smile, but I emptied my mug, and cracked my knuckles.

“How about I have a friendly talk with him?”

“If you want to try, go right ahead,” she shrugged. “I don't think anything will get through that thick skull of his, though.”

-

“Oi, bard,” I said. “I have a request for you. You know Ragnar the Red?”

“Of course, dear,” the bard said, with an annoying smirk. “Instrumental or would you like to hear my voice?”

“Oh no,” I said. “I just want you to think about the song, and if you would like to end up the same way as Ragnar.”

He seemed confused for a moment. “I’m afraid I don’t follow.”

“Quit your boasting, and show Carlotta some respect, or I’ll follow you. Then you’ll have something to be afraid of.”

He laughed nervously for a moment. “Are you jealous, love?”

“Yeah, I wish I had such a feminine voice.”

The bard turned red. “I don’t have to take this from you.”

“Yeah you do,” I said. “Or would you rather take it from my fists?”

His eyes darted between my eyes and my knuckles.

“Okay,” he muttered. “I’ll leave her alone.”

“Thanks, love,” I said.

“What’s your name?” He asked, as I walked back to my seat.

“Matilda,” I said, eliciting sniggers from the gathered audience.

-

I had another drink with Carlotta, when a tall armoured Nord approached me. She looked stern and angry, though not specifically angry at me, rather as if the world had pissed in her mead.

“Want to hear a little Nord wisdom? You don't really know a woman 'til you've had a strong drink and a fistfight with her,” she said.

“Why?” I said. “You offering?”

“Well, you handled that bard pretty well, so yeah. I’d like to get to know you.”

I looked at Carlotta for a moment. The drinking had given her rosy cheeks, and she seemed amused by this new development.

“Allright,” I said, no doubt a little rosy-cheeked myself.