Chapter 145
Astrid looked slightly offended, crossing her arms as she spoke,
"Hey… I'm the Dragonborn, not my husband."
Isran blinked in surprise, clearly taken aback.
"Ah… is that so? Then please forgive my rudeness."
Alex let out a light laugh and turned his head toward Astrid, a teasing grin forming on his lips.
"Haha… does my aura really look more intimidating than yours?"
Astrid's expression tightened, a hint of irritation flashing in her eyes.
"You "
Before she could finish, Alex quickly raised both hands in surrender, leaning back slightly as if bracing himself from an incoming hit.
"Ah, no, no I was just joking!"
Isran watched their interaction in silence, a faint, almost nostalgic expression crossing his face. For a brief moment, a quiet sense of envy stirred within him he missed those days when he could argue, laugh, and share moments like that with his own wife.
Durak then stepped forward, clearing his throat as he reported,
"Well, as you can see… Astrid is the Dragonborn. She may be a woman, but you might not believe this she's the one who killed Alduin."
He then gestured toward Alex.
"And this is Alex, the Dragonborn's husband. He's more of a mage."
Alex gave a small, modest smile before adding,
"But I can handle a sword and a bow a little… though I'm nowhere near as skilled as Astrid."
Isran looked at the two of them, then shifted his gaze to the Vigilant of Stendarr standing beside him.
"Ah, right. I've just received news from our Vigilant ally," he said, his tone firm. "There have been some unusual activities ones that seem to be connected to vampires. I still don't fully trust your abilities, so prove it to me. Investigate this place and return alive. Only then will you show me that you're worthy of facing those savage vampires."
Durak immediately stepped in, his voice carrying a hint of protest.
"Hey, we just got here. At least let them rest first and maybe give them a tour. Let them see what Fort Dawnguard has to offer, Isran."
Isran let out an annoyed groan.
"Ugh… fine. Do as you like."
Durak then turned toward Astrid and Alex, his expression softening slightly.
"Ah, sorry about Isran. He's like that… but he's actually a good man at least when it comes to anyone who isn't a vampire."
Alex scratched the back of his head with a relaxed smile.
"Hahaha… yeah, no worries."
From a distance, Isran called out to Durak, his voice echoing through the fort.
"Hey! You'd better give them Dawnguard armor. They're officially Dawnguard soldiers now."
Durak nodded immediately.
"Alright, boss."
He then turned to Astrid and Alex with a small grin.
"Alright, let's go grab your armor and we'll take a look around while we're at it. You should get familiar with the place."
They began walking through Fort Dawnguard, with Durak guiding them from one area to another, introducing each part of the stronghold.
They soon arrived at the dining hall. Durak gestured around casually.
"This is the dining hall. If you're hungry, you can ask the cook in the kitchen. Don't expect too much from the taste," he added with a smirk, "but at least it'll fill your stomach."
After that, they moved toward the far end beyond the dining hall.
"And this is where the forge and the enchanting table are."
Astrid's gaze shifted toward a wooden enclosure in the courtyard. She tilted her head slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"What's that place for?"
Durak followed her gaze before answering,
"That… used to be for one of our comrades a fellow Dawnguard member. He tried to tame a troll and even put armor on it. But now… who knows where he went and the troll at"
Astrid's eyes widened in surprise.
"What? Are you serious? Trolls can be tamed?"
Durak let out a short laugh, shaking his head.
"Hah, I was just as surprised as you and I didn't believe it either. But back then… I saw it with my own eyes."
They eventually returned to the main hall and began climbing the stairs. Durak spoke as they ascended, his voice echoing slightly along the stone walls.
"And on the second floor, we've got additional armor supplies aside from the forge… and also a place for torture and interrogation. That one's Isran's favorite spot."
They soon arrived at the armory on the second floor. Durak walked over to a rack and picked up a set of Dawnguard armor before handing it to them.
"Here, take this if you want. And if it doesn't quite suit you, you can just keep it as a spare… or maybe even as a souvenir," he added with a laugh. "You know… for when all of this is over and the vampires are wiped out. Hahaha…"
After a moment, Durak noticed their tired expressions the long journey and the tour clearly taking a toll on them.
"Ah, right. The sleeping quarters are downstairs, next to the dining hall and the kitchen. You won't miss it."
After the long tour, both Alex and Astrid looked completely worn out. Their steps grew heavier as they made their way down the stone corridor toward the sleeping quarters, the faint echoes of their boots tapping softly against the cold floor. The air inside was quiet, dimly lit by a few flickering torches mounted along the walls.
Inside, rows of simple beds lined the room nothing extravagant, just sturdy wooden frames with modest bedding. Alex and Astrid's beds were placed side by side, close enough that they could reach each other with just a small stretch, yet still separate.
With a quiet exhale, Alex dropped onto his bed, the mattress creaking slightly under his weight. He ran a hand through his hair, letting his body sink into the rough but surprisingly comfortable surface. After a moment, he turned his head to the side, his gaze drifting toward Astrid.
"Hey…" he said softly, his voice low and gentle. "How are you feeling? Are you alright?"
Astrid was still sitting on the edge of her bed, her posture relaxed but slightly tired. She lifted her gaze to meet his, her expression calm, though there was a faint hint of fatigue in her eyes.
"Yeah… I'm fine," she replied quietly.
A brief silence settled between them. Then, almost instinctively, Astrid lowered her gaze and gently placed one hand over her stomach. Her touch was soft, protective her fingers lightly resting as if trying to feel something beyond the surface.
"Oh, right…" she murmured, her voice growing warmer, more thoughtful. She looked back at Alex, a small, tender smile forming on her lips.
"We haven't thought about a name yet. What do you think, my love? What would be a good name for our baby?"
Alex blinked once, slightly surprised by the sudden question. Then, slowly, a soft smile appeared on his face. His eyes softened as he stared up at the ceiling for a moment, as if searching through his thoughts.
"Hm…" he hummed quietly, his tone calm and reflective. He shifted slightly, resting one arm beneath his head while the other lay relaxed on his chest.
"If it's a boy…" he began, his voice steady, "I'd like to name him Arshan it means strong."
He paused briefly, turning his head to look at Astrid again, his gaze gentle.
"And if it's a girl… Minerva." His lips curved into a faint smile. "It's the name of a goddess of wisdom from another land… it means thinker."
Astrid fell silent for a moment, her eyes widening ever so slightly as his words sank in. She hadn't expected such a thoughtful answer so calm, so deliberate, as if he had carried those names in his heart long before this moment.
(Wow… my husband is amazing…)
Her fingers unconsciously tightened slightly against the fabric of the bed beneath her.
(He's already thought of such meaningful names… he has so much knowledge… while I haven't even thought that far…)
A soft warmth bloomed in her chest, and before she realized it, a gentle smile had already formed on her lips. Her gaze softened as she looked at him really looked at him as if seeing him in a deeper light than before.
"You're really good at choosing names, my love…" she said, her voice light, touched with genuine admiration. She tilted her head slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"Hmm… now I'm curious what does your name mean?"
Alex blinked once, caught slightly off guard by the question. His expression shifted into a thoughtful one, his brows knitting together just a little as he stared upward for a brief moment.
(Hmm… I've never really thought about it…)
"Hm…" he murmured quietly, then let out a faint breath.
"To be honest… I don't know."
He adjusted his position on the bed, turning slightly onto his side. His left arm slid beneath his head, acting as a makeshift pillow, while his right hand lifted lazily into the air, palm open toward the ceiling. His eyes followed the motion, as if searching for something beyond the wooden planks above.
"But…" he continued, his voice steady yet carrying a quiet resolve, "I'll make my name meaningful… through the way I live my life."
There was no hesitation in his tone just a simple, unwavering certainty.
Astrid watched him in silence, her eyes glistening softly in the dim light. A quiet admiration filled her gaze, warmth spreading across her expression as her lips curved into a tender smile.
"Hehe…" she let out a soft, affectionate chuckle.
"That's my husband."
Alex turned his head slightly to look at her, the faintest smile lingering on his lips.
"Alright…" he said gently, his voice growing softer with the quiet of the night.
"Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow, our adventure awaits."
Astrid let out a small yawn, bringing the back of her hand to her lips as her shoulders relaxed. She carefully lay down on her bed beside his, adjusting herself under the covers before turning her head toward him. Their eyes met once more in the dim glow of the room.
"Good night, my love," she whispered softly.
Alex's expression softened even further, his gaze warm and calm.
"Good night, my love," he replied quietly.
And with that, the room fell into a gentle silence, broken only by the faint crackle of distant torches as they drifted into rest.