Return to the Roundtable! (Mattahouen)

With haste, I fast travel back to the roundtable hold. I'm so preoccupied with my thoughts, that I don't even notice that people have moved, nor the new additions. I simply make a beeline for Fia's bedroom.

When I round the corner and and my smile immediately drops as I see Fia's door closed. Dismissing any worries of rejection from my head, I step forward and knock on the door.

From here, I can hear overexxaggerated blissful moaning from Fia and the creaking of the bed. My spirits fall even further and I take a step back in defeat.

Now with time to kill, I set about wandering the halls. Out on a balcony, I find a familiar face sitting on a chair.

Me: "Roger!"

Roger: "Its Rogier, actually. How are you friend? I assume I have you to thank for the demise of Godrick the Grafted?" He laughs.

Me: "Oh! I missed the 'I'! My bad. Yeah man, little bit of help from Nepheli, and it was no issues!"

Rogier: "I am very glad to hear it! Unfortunately, I took a bit of a tumble and, well... let's just say I won't be going anywhere anymore. So, as thanks for finishing my work, I'd like to give you this." Rogier produces an incredibly fine, thin Rapier and passes it to me.

Me: "Thanks man, I'll be sure to put it to good use." And with Rogier's rapier in hand, I continue my exploration.

Around the very next corner, I see Gideon hunched over a pile of books in a newly opened room, and Nepheli, standing at a table just outside.

Nepheli: "Oh, hello again. I should've known you'd find your way here."

Me: "Nepheli! Good to see you! Thank you for your help with Goderick. Not sure I could've done it without you!" I start for a hug, but as soon as she recognises the movement, she backs away.

Nepheli: "Have you spoken to my father yet? He's the leader here at the roundtable"

Me: "Oh... Gideon? Yeah. He's a bit of a jerk isn't he?" I try to play off my hug attempt as a stretch.

Nepheli: "Watch your tongue Tarnished. You may not like him, but he is still my father, and you would be wise to not blaspheme his name in my presence." Nepheli spits coldly.

I press my lips together and nod awkwardly. Immediately regretting the conversation, I back away. Returning from the path I came down, I spot the depressed lady from the shack, standing by the fire.

Me: "Oh hey! Good to see you're safe!"

???: "Oh, hello. I finally worked up the courage to join everyone, but by the time I got there, the castle was empty..."

Me: "Yeah... I kinda killed everyone" Her eyes grow large and well up with tears.

Me: "But, I found this." And I hand her the note, I found on the pile of corpses in the kitchen.

???: "I see.... thank you for bringing this to me Tarnished." She sobs as she reads the letter. Instinctively, I step up beside her, and wrap her in a warm, comforting embrace.

???: "I am Roderika. Master Hewg, the blacksmith is teaching me to be a spirit tuner. So I'll be around for a while." Roderika returns the hug for a few minutes then steps away.

Roderika: "And I'm happy to help you in whatever way I can." She forces a smile and disappears around the corner.

At the same time, I hear Fia's door open, and a few minutes later, the skeletal guard from Gideon's library stalks through the central room.