The brilliant orange rays of light illuminated Kasper's face as he warmed his hands on the flames that produced the light.

Night had crept over the landscape, covering all of Skyrim in an unnerving shroud of darkness.

The simple fact that he was not alone comforted him. Skyrim was a dangerous place to say the least, and having friends definitely improved ones hope for survival. He leaned forward, balancing on the balls of his feet as he focused on the flames.

Him, nor his companions, Chase, and Avery, were hardly into their manhood, but they stood together no matter what, and adult or not, there's strength in numbers.

Chase furrowed his golden brows while placing a fist beneath his chin.

"Something bothering you?" Kasper raised a brow of brown.

"It's just that… I would've liked to have made it to Riverwood… that's all." Chase let out a sigh of discomfort as he propped himself on his elbows.

"Well it's not like we made no progress at all!" Avery spoke up, sitting down in front of the fire's warm embrace, "As long as we follow the river, we should make it there by early morn!"

Kasper nodded and crossed his arms. "Exactly, so lets all just get some sleep… Alright?"

Chase sighed once more, shaking his head lightly. "Fine, fine." he shrugged and rested within the simple linen-sack, of which they had two other duplicates.

Kasper and Avery followed as such, ducking under their own covers and nodding off into their own dreams. Strange worlds filled with color and sound, some of which comforting, others somehow concerning. As the night faded into mere memory and the sun began to peer over the mountainous peaks, the trio rose from the slumber, stretching and yawning at the mornings embrace.

The three of them packed up what little gear they had and continued down the path in silence. Their ill-prepared trek had left them in moods of poor taste. Every conversation seemed to turn sour quite quickly due to their lack of food, sleep, and drink. Kasper kept up a steady but brisk pace in an attempt to match that of Chase, who was currently leading the way. Within a few hours the small village of Riverwood came into view, and grins of relief swept over the trio.

"By the nine… Finally!" Avery clasped his hands together happily, a firm snap echoing off the landscape. "It's strange... being home again."

Kasper couldn't help but smiling wide. The three of them had all walked for so long with low supplies, he couldn't wait to lay on a warm bed, or sit on an actual chair. He quickened his pace; the gear he carried rattled as he moved.

The three of them stepped to the main gate. Kasper had heard Riverwood was once a quaint village, but since the resistance it had become more of a fort. A wall of stone protected its borders. Two intimidating doors of iron and oak were on either end of it.

Kasper peered up as he heard the clink of metal armor. A guard's helmet peeked over the railing of the tower.

"Oi! Who goes there?" The guard shouted in a tone more than necessary.

"We're but simple travelers here to visit an old friend." Kasper raised a flat palm over his brow, shielding his tired eyes from the sun.

The guard paused a moment, and if it wasn't for his helmet, Kasper was sure he would be furrowing his brows. "Be you rebels, or dragons?!" he man furiously questioned.

Avery sighed in a disgruntled tone. "Do we look like damnable dragons? Open the bloody gate!"

"Please sir, we've all traveled far, and we're tired and hungry. We mean no harm to you, or the people within Riverwood." Chase stepped forward, emphasizing his words with hand gestures.

The guard paused once more before answering. "The… The whole of Riverwood grants you entrance. Make sure you do not go back on your word, unless you'd prefer your head mounted on a pike!" he spoke aggressively as he signaled for two other men, who trotted up to a metallic mechanism which when turned opened the massive gate to the interior or Riverwood. The three of them stepped inside. Riverwood was lined with a variety of different places. Be it butchers, merchants, or blacksmiths. A large barracks was positioned at the far right of Riverwood. None of the buildings present were the originals. Times had changed, and as a result so did the towns, villages, cities and people.

Kasper, Chase and Avery continued down the stone path, their boots clicking off the rough stones as they made their way to a small home. Kasper stepped up to the quaint homes door, tapping it with the back of his fist three times. After a moment of silence the door swung open with a creek.

"What is it now? What more could your guards possibly want from-" A tall boy, around the age of the trio stepped into the light, and as he gazed upon the three of them his eyes widened. "I… W-What are you all doing here?"

Kasper raised a hand up to stop him. "If you will allow it, I'd prefer to explain inside. We've been on the road for days now, and we're all very tired."

"And hungry." Added Chase with a finger pointed skyward.

The boy nodded while running a hand over his brown hair of medium length. "Y-Yes, come in." he said while opening the door wide and stepping aside for them. They walked in without any further hesitation, and near immediately the warmth of the home embraced them. The let out sighs of relief and unloaded their gear upon the wooden floor. "Now what is this all about? Why have you come?" the boy queried once more.

"Adam, if you'd be so kind to your guests, would you put some food on the table? We're all quite famished, and I'd rather not speak on an empty stomach." Kasper took off his long black coat and hung it by the door. He removed his leather chest guard and placed it with a thud on a nearby desk. He then proceeded to the dining table and slid into the seat with a sigh. Chase and Avery both did the same, removing their armor and sitting down at nearby table. After a moment of silence Adam joined them, holding with him a few bowls of stew and bread. He placed them on the table in front of the four chairs. With a thunk Adam pulled the cork off a jug of mead, and poured a few glasses, sitting down in a vacant chair. A few moments of silence pursued, and Adam tapped the table impatiently as the other three ate.

"Now… What's been going on? Kasper, why aren't you in Rorikstead?"

Kasper stopped, his hand shaking as he stared down the bowl of stew, not uttering a sound. A silence ensued as Kasper stared endlessly, not speaking. Finally, Chase cleared his throat and sat upright. "Adam… Rorikstead has been… It's been destroyed…" he frowned.

Adam gasped as his eyes widened. He turned his gaze downward and peered into the mug of mead. "That… That truly is quite a shame… I am sorry."

"Aye… 'Tis a shame." Avery said and shook his head slowly.

Chase turned to look at Kasper, his brow raised. "Hey, you alright?" he asked in a hushed tone as he placed a hand on Kasper's shoulder.

Kasper nodded. "I'll be fine." he said sullenly and nodded once more.

With that the conversation ended. The four of them sat silently for a long while, taking mouthfulls of stew and bread, washing it down with swigs of mead. A few hours went on without much talk, and as time went by the outside world crept into darkness. Adam pointed to a staircase that led upstairs, four doors lined the upstairs hall and Kasper, Chase, Avery and Adam all departed for their separate rooms.

Kasper closed the door behind him with a heavy sigh, walking forward a few steps into the room, slowly scanning the interior. He slumped down onto the end of the cot, pressing his head down into his palms, rubbing his dark brown hair slowly. His thoughts swirled uneasily as he laid down on the rough surface of the bed. Images flashed in his mind as his eyelids closed, and he drifted into a vivid nightmare.