~<>~

I stared down at the girl's body in disgust. I had seen enough of war and battle to no longer feel horror over the sight of all the blood, but the loss of an innocent life was always a disgusting waste, especially to something so brutal. The girl couldn't have been much younger than me, maybe in her twenties. She must have been beautiful in life, with strong Nordic features, but now her long blonde hair was blood soaked and spread across the ice and stone.

"Hold it there, keep your distance," one of the guards barked at me.

I pulled up in surprise, not realizing I had continued towards the body. I paused and looked around at the crowd of people gathering. Most looked scared, others sleepy, as though they had sprung from their beds. "What happened here?" I asked the guard.

He looked young under his helmet. Not much older than the girl laying dead in the snow. "Another girl killed," he said, his voice catching. "This is Susana from Candleherth hall. Served me a drink just a few nights ago, though I can't say I knew her," he said sadly.

"Another? This has happened before?" I asked in shock. Windhelm had seemed like such a safe city. I had been wandering around the streets after dark for several nights now.

"Susanna is the third. It's always the same. Young girl killed at night, body torn up," he said with a disgusted shake of his head.

"Are the murders being investigated?" I asked incredulously. I couldn't imagine something like this continuing to happen in Ulfric's city, right under his nose.

The young soldier shrugged. "We're stretched thin as it is with the war. Nobody has the time to spend on this. It's not pleasant but it's the truth."

I exhaled. I wasn't busy with the war. "Could you use some help?" I offered. If I was stuck in this city anyway I might as well make myself useful somehow.

"If you want to help. Ask some of these gawkers if they saw anything useful. I'm going to examine the body before the rats can get to it."

I approached a middle aged man staring down at the body.

"Hello," I greeted a little awkwardly. I wasn't exactly the type who investigated things. I normally settled these types of things with the edge of my sword. I had never actually interviewed witnesses before.

"Calixto Corrium," the man introduced himself. "Of Calixto's Curiosities," he said with a tip of his hat. "Always sad when someone has to die," he said jerking his chin towards the body.

I frowned at the strange turn of phrase. There was something about the man the rubbed me the wrong way. It seemed cold to try and peddle his business standing over the body of a dead girl. "Did you see what happened here?" I asked.

"Sorry, thought I saw a fellow running away but I didn't get a good look at him," Calixto said with a shrug.

I stepped up to Silda the Unseen. I had worked with the Beggar of Windhelm on a few occasions many years ago. She was a talented pickpocket. It had been years since we did any business together and it was obvious those years hadn't been kind to the older woman. She was dressed only in rags. "Another one, terrible," she said with a sad shake of her head.

"Did you see what happened?" I asked gently.

Silda looked into my face, but with my cowl up she had no way of recognizing me. "I heard a scream and came running, but...she was already like this when I got here," Silda said.

I made a mental note to find Silda again after this. It wouldn't do to appear to pay her while questioning her for the guards, but I could certainly spare a few septims for a woman who had helped me when I was younger and still learning the trade.

I stepped up to a priestess of Arkay standing over the body. "This is a shame," she said shaking her head.

"Did you see what happened here?"

She looked up at me in surprise. "Ah no, sorry. The guard summoned me to take care of the body. But I did notice that her coin purse was still intact so whoever did this wasn't after gold. If you'd excuse me I'm going to continue to prepare the body."

I blew out a frustrated sigh and returned to the two guards standing together over the body. An older man had joined the young man. He ran his eyes over me critically.

"You've been seen in the company of the Companions," he observed. "That's an honorable path you're on friend," he said pointedly. I couldn't help feeling like it was a thinly disguised comment on my Nightingale armor, but I chose to ignore it.

"I've spoken to the witnesses," I told the younger man.

He seemed embarrassed by his senior guards behavior but didn't know how to correct it. "Just like always, nobody saw anything useful," he said. "Bastards escaped again," he muttered, half under his breath.

I frowned, looking over the body and the gathered crowd. "There might be more to this, if you'll let me help."

"Listen, friend," the older guard ground out. "If you think you can do better than the legion of guards be my guest," his tone was harsh, and I knew I had offended him. Standing over a dead girl, I just couldn't find it in me to care.

The younger man cleared his throat. "Any help you're willing to give would be appreciated Dragonborn," the young man said quickly. The old man's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open comically but the younger man continued before his senior could interrupt. "You'll need to talk to the steward though. We can't just let anyone go around claiming to be on official business. If he's willing, then we're happy to have the help."

I nodded. "I'll do that," I said and dropped my chin respectfully to the two men. The older guard was still staring after me in shock. It was nice to know my secret hadn't been entirely blown in my time in Windhelm.

I sighed as I climbed the rough hewn stone steps back towards the one place I had been avoiding. Staying away from Ulfric until I understood him seemed like a good plan, but speaking with his steward however was't the best way to avoid his interest while i did so.

I slipped through the door and breathed a sigh of relief when I spotted Jorleif sitting at the end of the large banquet table alone, reading through a stack of papers.

I could hear Ulfric and Galmor in the next room speaking together as they discussed the war, so I hurried to Jorleif's side. "I've heard about the murders," I said without preamble. There was no telling how quickly Ulfric might return and I didn't want to explain myself to him. He confused me more than I was willing to admit.

Jorleif looked up at me in surprise. "Good evening Dragonborn," he greeted formally.

I sighed. "Good evening," I said, remembering my manners this time. "There's been another murder."

Jorleif paled at the news. I guess the guards hadn't sent anyone up to the keep yet to inform them of what was happening on their streets. Lucky me, I got to be the bearer of bad news.

"These are diffucult times indeed," Jorleif said gravely. "When men stalk their brethren like beasts. My men are stretched thin as it is. If you're here to offer your aid I will gladly accept. The guards will be told to assist you as necessary. I'm happy to lend a hand as much as I can as well."

I nodded once and turned to go, anxious to get to work.

Jorleif cleared his throat meaningfully behind me and I turned back to him lifting my brows.

"Mi'Lady Dragonborn," he said respectfully. "We are hosting an...event here tomorrow evening. It-"

"Ulfric has already invited me," I said quickly.

Jorleif looked a little startled for a moment but quickly schooled his expression and bowed his head. "Will you be honoring Lord Ulfric's table?" He inquired.

I chewed on my lip behind my cowl. "I-" I started to say and stopped. "I don't have a dress for such an occasion and cannot be identified as the Dragonborn. Please extend my regrets to your Jarl." I turned once more to go and once again Jorleif cleared his throat behind me.

I turned back to face him and a small smile tugged at the edge of his lips. "And if such a thing could be accommodated, would you reconsider?"

I blew out a sigh. It wasn't like I had anything else to do other than hunt this killer and wait for Wuunferth to send me on a potentially life threatening quest. "Sure," I agreed offhandedly.

Jorleif smiled. "You do us a great honor Dragonborn. Travel safely. It's dangerous out there."

~<>~

With no better idea I returned to the scene of the crime. When I got there the body was gone, the crowd had disbursed and only the young guard remained.

"Jorleif has granted me permission to aid in the investigation," I told him.

The young man looked relieved. I didn't think now was the time to tell him I had never done any investigating before. I looked around the dark cemetery wondering where to start.

"Tough to look for clues in the dark." He said. "But I'll keep any gawkers from mucking up the area over night. See that you're back at first light though. I'm not sure how long I can keep people away."

"Where is the body?" I asked.

"Helgrid's taken the body to the hall of the dead. She's a little crazy, but if she knows anything, it's dead bodies. She will probably have examined it come morning."

I wanted to solve this problem now, but it was sounding more and more like I was going to have to wait. I hated waiting. With a sigh I turned back towards the palace. I hesitated when I saw the flickering light coming from the windows of Candlehearth Hall. Part of my wanted to return to my rooms there, but i also didn't want to give Wuunferth too much space. I wasn't willing to stay in the wizards debt for long.

I slipped through the doors of the palace and up the south stairs to the guest rooms. It was impossible to not be seen coming and going from the palace itself, but it still set my teeth on edge knowing my every move was being reported to Ulfric and no doubt Wuunferth as well.

I slept fitfully. Sifnar had thoughtfully come in and stoked the fire while I was out so the room was comfortable, but my mind kept racing over the few clues I had about who could have been doing the killings.

I was out of bed shortly before dawn, headed back out into the city. The entrance to the Hall of the Dead was in the graveyard where the murder had taken place. The doors were heavy and protested being opened with a loud whine of the hinges that echoed off the stone walls below. I descended the stairs into the cool air of the crypt. This place was a labyrinth of ancient Nord burials. I wondered if they had ever had issues with Drauger below the city. But all the candles were lit and everything seemed well cared for. I turned a corner and I found a work table with Helgird standing over the body.

"Large diagonal cut from left shoulder," she was muttering to herself as she examined the naked body on a table.

I looked away from the body to Helgird. "Have you noticed anything strange about the body?" I asked. I wasn't normally effected by death. I wasn't sure why this one bothered me.

"Well, she's dead. But I guess that's not unusual at least not for someone in here. Someone besides me that is," she deadpanned and I shifted my weight uncomfortably. "Sorry, was only joking with you," she said.

"It's all right. But have you found anything?" I asked, trying not to make her feel bad.

"Not really, the only unusal thing is the shape of the cuts. It looks like they were made with, well the ancient nords used curved blades when they embalm their dead. I don't know who in windhelm would even have such a thing. Other than me of course," she said with a laugh.

"Let me know if you find anything else."

"I wouldn't hold out too much hope. Now I really have to get back to the body. Lot of work to prepare her for the grave."

I headed for the exit. Happy to be free of this place. When I emerged from the underground crypt a cold wind blew through the cemetery. I shivered and regardless of the cold was glad to be out of the catacombs. I stared down at my feet as I tried to decide what to do with the knowledge. I had personally seen hundreds of those curved blades in various crypts I had cleared. It wasn't much of a lead.

When I returned to the scene of the crime a soldier I didn't recognize was waiting.

"Lief asked me to watch the area and keep people out," the young man explained.

"Thank you," I said gratefully. I don't know what I expected to find but all of the snow had been trampled the night before by all the gawkers.

The young guard leaned towards me and his voice was barely above a whisper. "Are you really the Dragonborn?"

I nodded, feeling a little embarrassed over the reverence in his voice.

"Good," he said with a sharp nod. "We could use a little help in this city."

I frowned at his words but only nodded, keeping the air of mystery. I turned away from him and searched the area expanding out in a larger circle. I froze when I saw a splash of blood on the stone steps at my feet.

"Did you see this?" I asked the guard.

The young man only shrugged. I turned away from him and followed the frozen, bloodied trail out of the graveyard and up into the Valunstrad. The more affluent part of the city. I was so distracted as I followed the trail towards a house I nearly bumped into a guard.

"Sorry," I said distractedly as I looked up at the house. It was beautiful as many of the buildings in Windhelm were. Beautiful and old, but this one had a splash of blood on the front steps.

"Trouble?" The guard asked tensely.

I took a step back and surveyed him. He was also young. Young and afraid. I was beginning to realize that everyone in Windhelm was afraid of this killer, and the guards were the ones who risked facing him one on one.

"What is this place?" I asked.

The guard followed my gaze to the house "Hjerim?" He asked as though the name meant something to me. "It's Friga Shatter-shields old place. It's been abandoned ever since she was killed."

"Friga was killed?"

The guard eyed me suspiciously. Either he hadn't heard I had permission to investigate or he had hoped I would be better at this. I guess I couldn't blame him.

"She was the first," he replied with a curt nod.

"Any idea how I can get inside?" I asked, eyeing the lock. I could make short work of it if he left me alone.

"I believe her mother Tolva would have the key," he said gesturing to a house to the south. "House of Clan Shatter-Shield, but..." he hesitated and I could see his reluctance to order the Dragonborn to do anything. "Go easy on her. She's been through a lot."

I nodded my thanks, and waited until he was gone before I turned back to the door. It was the middle of the afternoon which made what I was about to do risky, but I wasn't willing to wait and I certainly wasn't going to torment a grieving mother if this was a dead end. If I was caught and arrested I would have some explaining to do to Ulfric.

I wrapped the shadow of Nocturnal around me and waited to feel the familiar buzz along my skin that told me I was invisible to anyone passing by. I had one minute. I turned back to the door, with a practiced flick of my wrist my picks dropped into my hand and I began working on the master lock. I was pretty handy with a set of lock picks, but it took even me a couple of tries. It was a well built house.

The lock finally clicked and the door swung open with an ominous groan. I pulled the shout to the forefront of my mind and stepped inside. As soon as the door closed behind me I shouted.

"LAS YAH NIR!"

I looked around, but could see no other life forces within the building. I may be the Dragonborn, but I wasn't about to enter the potential lair of a murderer without some assurances. Once again I missed Mjoll, and the comforting companionship she offered.

The house itself was mostly empty. A few broken pieces of furniture and cobwebs were scattered around. I sniffed and grimaced. The air was stale and smelled of blood. Too much for just the splashes that led across the floor. The blood trail led to a small chest shoved against the far wall. I opened it and lifted out a journal and a pile of flyers labeled Beware the Butcher. I shoved the journal and flyers in my pouch. Now wasn't the time to be caught sitting on my butt reading.

I searched the rest of the house quickly. The only odd thing I found was a wardrobe nailed to the wall. When I opened it I found a small lever that opened a false back. I stepped through into a room set up as an altar and littered with corpses. I didn't recognize the magic the altar was worshipping but there was a second journal sitting on the table. I took that too. When I stepped out there was another pile of fliers that covered a strange teal amulet.

I frowned down at the amulet and slid it into my pocket. Either it was a clue, or it might be worth something. Either way there was nothing else here. All Hjerim had done was give me more questions.

I closed and locked the door behind me and headed back towards the palace. It was the middle of the afternoon now, and I was painfully aware of time slipping past. Another night could mean another murder. And now it would be my fault.

I returned to find Jorleif directing a couple servants and guards as they arranged chairs and set placings around the massive stone banquet table.

I had honestly forgotten all about the feast tonight. It seemed trivial and irresponsible now that I was on the trail of a killer to take time for a feast. Ulfric and Jorleif were just going to have to understand.

"Can you tell me anything about "The Butcher?" I asked. Reaching into my pouch and pulling out a flier. I wasn't going to share the journals just yet. I wanted to take time to read them thoroughly in case he confiscated them.

Jorleif sighed as he looked down at the papers in my hand. "Have you been talking to Viola? She keeps posting those around the city. Someone keeps taking them down. Ask her about it if you want an earful."

I nodded and pulled the amulet out next. "Do you know what this amulet is?" I asked holding it up. The lights from the torches reflected off the turquoise stones. Despite its beauty the thing held no appeal to me. There was something off about it.

"I've never seen anything like it. I would take this to Calixo in his house of curiosities he has an eye for strange trinkets. Might even give you a bit of gold for it," Jorleif said with a shrug.

I pressed my lips together. "Viola and Calixo I can find them in the city?" I clarified. The afternoon was growing late and I didn't have time to wander around Windhelm searching for them.

"Indeed," Jorleif said cautiously. His eyes narrowed and I couldn't help feeling like he knew I was about to back out of the feast. "Though the hour grows late..." he pointed out gently.

I was too close to give up now. There was little chance of me having enough time to question the two of them, find the killer AND make it in time to the feast.

"Great," I said turning towards the door.

"If I may, my lady," Jorleif called from behind me.

I turned to face him.

"Viola and Calixo will be at the feast this evening."

"Will they?" I said. That changed everything. Speaking to them at the feast would be much easier than trying to track them down in the city.

"Yes my lady," he glanced over his shoulder to ensure none of the servants or guards would overhear. "I have also attended to the other issue for this evening. You'll find it in your chambers."

Well, it looked like I was going to a feast.

~<>~