The awkward tension finally dissolved, leaving me the odd one out. Apparently, the whole "lover" comment had been a joke, and I was the only person who didn't realize it. Both Zavir and the innkeeper found it hilarious, but for me, it just left my face burning red.
Still, I don't think I was completely wrong. From the way those two talked, it really did sound like they knew each other well. Maybe too well. Anyone in my position would've assumed they were serious.
The innkeeper, still grinning, waved us over. "Come on, sit. Both of you. It's been a long time, Zavir, and I've got plenty to say."
I exchanged a glance with Zavir, who only shrugged, so I followed him to a wooden table near the hearth. The place smelled faintly of mead and roasted meat, the kind of scent that warmed the stomach even before eating. It wasn't crowded, but there were a few patrons in the background, talking quietly or nursing drinks.
Once we sat, the innkeeper leaned forward with a grin. "Hahaha! Sorry again for earlier, lad. Couldn't resist. But I don't recall seeing you around here before. New face, eh?"
Without thinking, I blurted, "That's because I'm not from Skyrim."
Zavir groaned, rubbing his temple. "Chad, manners. Introduce yourself first, at least. Where are your manners honestly?"
The innkeeper slapped his own forehead. "Aye, he's right. Nearly forgot mine as well. Name's Elan Norces, innkeeper of the New Age Inn. If you need supplies, a bed, or a drink, this is your place."
I introduced myself properly this time, and Elan accepted it with an approving nod. The conversation picked up naturally after that, drifting toward Thaumkr itself.
From Elan, I learned more about why this inn was so large—nearly the size of Jorrvaskr back in Whiterun. It wasn't just an inn, but the heart of the settlement. Beneath it, the elective committee had approved several shops—smithies, supply vendors, even a tanner. The idea was that centralizing everything would protect the merchants from thieves and bandits.
"There's been no shortage of thieves sniffin' around," Elan explained with a serious look. "Too close to the Dawnstar ruins. Too many loot-hungry fools thinkin' they can snatch something valuable and run."
The more he spoke, the more impressed I became. It sounded less like a backwater settlement and more like a carefully designed hub.
So basically, I thought to myself, this was a mall. A Skyrim mall. The idea almost made me laugh—medieval Nords reinventing shopping centers before electricity even existed. For a split second, I wondered if someone else from my world had already been here and planted the idea. But I dismissed it quickly. No proof. Just my gamer brain making wild connections again.
Still, the thought nagged at me.
…
The casual tone of the conversation eventually shifted. I noticed it in Elan's face first. His grin softened, and he let out a long sigh.
"Honestly, Zavir, I'm glad you came back. The committee's been searching for strong folk like you. We've got a serious problem on our hands."
Zavir raised a brow. "Committee business? What kind of problem?"
"It's about Mzinchaleft. The bandits there. We've tried everything, but… it keeps failing."
Zavir frowned deeply. "You still haven't hired mercenaries for that? When I left months ago, I thought the matter was already settled. If it's still dragging on… then there must be someone strong leading them."
"You guessed it right." Elan leaned closer, his voice dropping. "The Unseeing Bandit is there. Every attempt we've made has failed because of him."
The name sent a visible jolt through Zavir. "You can't be serious. The Unseeing Bandit? I thought he was holed up in White River Watch, not Mzinchaleft. That's where he's always been—"
White River Watch. That sounded familiar, but I couldn't recall exactly. Probably near Whiterun, judging from the name.
Elan cut him off firmly. "It's true. Survivors saw him with their own eyes. There's no mistaking him—steel plate armor, and those cursed green-yellow eyes glaring out from the chestpiece. No one else matches that description."
Zavir leaned back, looking grim. "If that's true, then I can't help you. Not alone. That man would take my eyes before I even unsheathed my sword."
A shiver crawled down my spine. Another powerful figure? Skyrim already had dragons, Draugr Deathlords, and all manner of monsters. And now this "Unseeing Bandit." This wasn't in the vanilla game at all. Whoever or whatever he was, it made me realize just how fragile I was in this world. Traveling alone suddenly felt suicidal. Meeting Zavir might have been the luckiest moment of my life.
But then my thoughts turned to something else. Meridia. Her temple. Her quest. Could I really complete it? If Skyrim was full of enemies like this, how could I even dream of facing her shade? But then again, she had promised me her weapon—the Dawnbreaker. A legendary blade that could turn the tide of any battle. If I wanted a chance at survival, her quest had to come first. It was my main questline, whether I liked it or not. Everything else could wait.
My train of thought ended abruptly when Zavir's hand landed on my shoulder.
"You'll help too, right?"
I blinked, confused. "Um… help with what?"
"The bandits," Zavir said, his eyes steady on mine. "Mzinchaleft. You and I—we could help them."
My jaw nearly hit the floor. Help? Me? The guy who nearly froze to death just walking across the tundra?
"I—uh—I don't think I can fight," I stammered. "I'm not a warrior. I'd only slow you down."
Zavir didn't look convinced, and neither did Elan. In fact, Elan leaned forward with a strange spark in his eyes, as though he'd already decided something about me.
For reasons I couldn't understand, my refusal didn't seem to matter.
Somehow, things were about to take a turn I wasn't ready for.