The Blade's Successor

4E 201 | Late Hearthfire | Thirty-Four Days Since Arrival

Tsukihana returned to the dead girl's parents and gave them the truth without asking them to forgive it.

Sinding had been cursed. Their daughter had died because the beast escaped his control. He had left Falkreath and sworn to seek a cure.

The mother wept. The father bowed.

"I do not know what to do with the truth," he said.

"Neither do I," Tsukihana answered. "But it belongs to you."

She gathered supplies from Zaria, restocked potions, and prepared to leave Falkreath. The town had become the first place in Skyrim where her name meant more than foreigner.

At the gate she looked back once.

Then she walked north.

Near an abandoned Nordic tower, steel rang against wood. A Khajiit woman in ceremonial Blades armor fought two spriggans among the ruins. Her curved sword moved with economy and restraint. She cut branches rather than trunks, joints rather than bodies, until both creatures collapsed into leaves and sap.

Without turning, the Khajiit said, "Will you continue staring, speak, or attempt to kill me?"

Tsukihana stepped into the clearing. "I was admiring your swordsmanship."

That answer earned a glance.

Golden feline eyes studied the two katanas she carried.

"Tsukihana Kurogane," the ronin said with a bow.

The Khajiit returned it. "S'vashni."

Her attention settled on the old Blade's sword.

"You carry a question across your back."