Alessandra

I felt a caress on my cheek some time ago... I thought it to be a trick of the wind, but I think it was a message from my father.

We've made peace with one another without even uttering a single word and I'm content for the first time in my life.

I thank you. Here, please accept this as a token of my appreciation for your selfless action.

Yes. Perhaps one day I'll be able to make the journey, but for now I need to tend the dead.

I hadn't asked you because I was afraid you'd say no. I appreciate your help.

Here, I'm entrusting you with the dagger. Bring it to Andurs and he'll take care of the rest.

I'd like to make the journey to the Hall of the Dead in Windhelm and give my ceremonial dagger to Andurs, the caretaker.

I believe once it's interred with my father's remains I'll be at peace with his memory.

My father was a Priest of Arkay. All my life was spent around the dead, being forced to learn the proper burial rituals and prayers.

I never had any friends; who'd want to spend time with "the little weird girl who hangs around dead people?"

So I grew up with a miserable trade. This is all I know how to do... prepare and inter the deceased.

If you're trying to ask if I tend the hall of the dead alone, then the answer is yes.

You think anyone around here is going to lift a shovel to help me? Guess again. "Leave the dirty work to old Alessandra."

Look, I didn't ask for this job, I got stuck with it thanks to my father.

I had to for honor's sake, but I had waited too long. My father died before he could see my training to completion.

When I finally became a priest, they gave me the new high priest's dagger, but I already owned my father's.

So you see, I have to return it. It breaks tradition, and I need to tell him that I finally did what he wanted.

A Priest of Arkay is entrusted with a ceremonial dagger once they've completed their training.

It usually given by the head priest who sanctified the ritual. In my case, the head priest happened to be my father.

The thing is, I never wanted to follow in his footsteps... I some ways I still don't.

Oh, a new pamphlet from Dinya? I'll be glad to read it. Thanks.