“So then, I have 2 double beds, 5 drawer units, 2 shelf units, 3 food cupboards, 5 long seats, 1 low table, 2 dining tables, 8 chairs, a selection of candlesticks, mounted heads, rugs and tapestries, both Imperial and from the Shivering Isles, 2 wine barrels, a mead keg – just the one? – and of course a stone bath tub with plumbing. Anything else?” – Borba gra-Uzgash went over her list.

“And one chandelier” – Lena added.

“Of course” – Borba ticked another item on the list. “Magra is overseeing the works, don’t you worry about a thing, he knows how to keep his mouth shut.”

Lena was holding the deed to the Wolf Sanctuary – she’d just been to see the Count. He was so glad to finally welcome her to Cheydinhal, oh it’s been too long, and how kind of her to take on the work to restore the abandoned house, such a pity to have a boarded up building in the city, but no one was willing to put their backs into it to do it up, so if she needed any help, anything at all – a stone mason perhaps or a gardener to tidy it up – she only had to ask… etcetera, etcetera. Go see Borba at her store, she’ll take care of everything.

“The Wolf Sanctuary – I like it!” – Borba was unusually bubbly. “I’ve always hoped you’d join us, ever since you came here, a vampire as you were back then.” Orcs had long memories, as did Elves, Argonians and mages of all races. Long memories and long lives. Cheydinhal was a city of permanence. Arkay guarded them well.

“That’ll be 13,750 septims” – Borba concluded. “Return in a week, and your new home will be ready.”

…

A week later the house was barely recognisable, inside and out – Magra did know his stuff.