Turdas, 14 Last Seed 4E 201
The road from Elinher was steep as young Daniel walked across the border lines back in to Skyrim.
Once again that arse of a Jarl, Sidger had force him into running errands around Falkreath on the threat of being run out of the hold. The intitled, condescending prat had sent him across the border into Hammerfell to collect a parcel from a shady merchant.
Not being in the position to say "no" or "screw you", Daniel had walked to Elinher in the pouring rain to meet this person. Upon arrival the merchant had demanded a "Finder's fee" not seeming to care that the exhausted boy was drenched and slowly freezing to death. Daniel gave the man the few septims he had only to be met with a barrage of screams and curses demanding more. Daniel doubled over as the merchant started to punch and kick him "Where is my money?"
Refusing to give the man the satisfaction, Daniel had taken the beating in silence until the redguard finally tore the cloak from Daniels back, dropped the parcel in front of his face and walked off cursing into the dark. Daniel breathed deeply and reached for the small parcel only to stifle a shout of pain. Pulling the item under his body he ran his fingers along his sides and felt the sharp pain of two broken ribs. Bracing himself against the wooden stall on the market he slowly sat up against the wooden wall and lift his tunic. In the torch light he could see that his entire right side was covered in patches of purple and red.
'Runil,' Daniels muttered under his breathe 'Could really use your help around now '. The old Elf was the only person he had to a friend in the Falkreath hold. While he did specialise in conjuration, Runil was the only person he knew who could treat this injury properly. Taking a slow breath Daniel looked around for a guard hoping that a night patrol would be doing their rounds. By sheer luck, a small troop of redguard soldiers was walking across the main market.
'Hey there!' he shouted forcing himself to stand and start to walk towards them. A blue turban turned in his direction as he staggered across the walk way. "Stay where you are!" snapped a sharp female voice as the soldier drew a curved from a scabbard on her back. The rest of the troop followed suit drawing their blades, ready for an attack. Daniels ribs screamed as he raised his hands in surrender, his sight getting blurry from the pain. As the guards approached, he felt his knees give and the dim torch light vanished.
Daniels felt cold fingers poking and prodding his injuries then shouted as he felt a knife enter his side. 'Oblivion!' Shouted a voice. 'You said he was dead!' The sound of running footsteps met his ears. And he felt a hand slip in to his own. 'Is you can hear me squeeze my Hand' Daniel flexed his fingers against the soft skin. 'He's still alive. Get that wound healed.' Daniels body went numb as the musical hum of restoration met his ears. While there was no pain, he could still feel his ribs shift as they were repaired and hidden beneath fresh new skin. A hand lifted his head up and a potion bottle was pressed to his lips. His eyes shot open as the foul-tasting potion hit his tongue. It was like swallowing liquid frostbite; so cold and foul tasting that it burnt his mouth and throat to the point where he almost spat it straight out. 'What in oblivion was that?' He coughed, his vision coming in to focus.
A hooded woman -red guard by the accent- brandished the empty bottle at him. 'Stamina potion,' she chuckled 'most people throw up first time they have one.'
'I can't imagine why.' Daniel sat up and looked around the dimly lit room. The small room was extremely bare save for a small fire place and the two sleeping bags. All his belongings including his bloodied shirt had been placed in a pile just out of his arm reach. He shifted his weight and made to reach for them only for the priestess to push him back down.
'Don't even think about it', her tone was that of a no-nonsense parent.
Daniel pushed against her hands, trying to sit up again but his body was too weak and heavy, and he found himself pinned down by this small woman. 'I need to get back across the border.'
'You're not going anywhere until I'm satisfied that you can make that trip.' She reached over and grabbed another small bottle. 'Healing position with a sedative. This will knock you out until the morning. Then you may go back to Skyrim, nord'
The firm voice made it clear that the conversation was closed. The pink liquid tasted like juniper berries, a nice improvement from the stamina elixir he had been given earlier. Almost immediately he could feel the sleeping drug kick in and he slowly drifted back in the shadows of sleep.
Fredas 15 Last Seed
He could hear the muttering of voices as he swam in the shadows of his mind, voices that had a cold reverberance to them that seemed unearthly yet familiar. He felt something pull on his shoulders lift him up followed by a stronger force pull him by his ankles. He could feel the temperature fluctuate as his body was pulled in all directions by invisible hands, going from the freezing bite of a blizzard to the heat of a smith's forge. His whole body suddenly went tight, and his ears were met with a welcoming sound of song. Not the music that he would listen to in the tavern, but deep bird song. Blending with a bear's growl.
As the tension left his body, he could feel the warmth of sunlight hit his face. squinting in the brightness. He reached for his shirt and cloak. which still lay, neatly folded next to him and pulled them over his head, the heavy fabric harsh against the new skin. Of his ribs.
He hugged his thin cloak around his shoulders, and pushed open the door stepping in the dry, dusty soil. Looking around he could see what looked like the group of priests who had helped him the following night. They were hunched over with hoes and rakes. breaking apart the soil, possibly getting ready to plant seed for food. Helping himself to an unattended rake, Daniel joined them in the work pulling and turning the soil over and over till it was nice and loose.
As he dug, he noticed that while the top layer of soil was dry and cracked the, soil underneath the thirsty cracks was lush and rich, perfect for planting vegetables and grain. The priests where very happy to have the help as Daniel continued to assist them with the daily chores across the temple yards. It was midday when they finally retired all the work completed in a fraction of the time it would normally take. After joining them for a quick meal. Endlaine, The Head priest had insisted that he bath himself before he return to Skyrim. "Relireh and Sudie will take care of you.'
He hadn't even been given the chance to protest as two of the priestesses had ushered him into the bath house stripping him and practically tossing him in the warm water. Daniel stood up in the bath spluttering blinking the water out of his eyes. Once again, he had been tossed around like a doll by these small but very capable women. Daniel tried to excuse himself, but swiftly averted his ears as the two-priestess started to remove their robes.
He heard them giggle as he turned his back 'please don't embarrassed, we're not' he recognised the voice immediately as the women who had saved him the night before. Risking a look Daniel look over his shoulder and saw them out the corner of his eye.
Relireh had disrobed and was now applying a flame spell to buckets of water, while Sudie was still in the process of undressing and ensuring that Daniel didn't escape. While most men in Skyrim would have dreamed of bathing with two beautiful young women, Daniel was getting this nasty feeling that this experience was not going to be as enjoyable as one might think. Make no mistake, both women where Playful, eager, free spirited and very lovely to look at. They both had seductive brown eyes. With black shoulder length hair framing their faces. Their bodies here those of soldiers, strong, toned muscles where clearly defined around the legs and shoulders, most likely a result of running in heavy armour. Scar tissue adorned their dark brown skin ranging from small arrow wounds to larger lacerations and yet they showed no sign of post-war stress.
They both grabbed a bucket each and poured the water over Daniels shoulders. He yelled in surprise as the water hit his skin it was almost scolding and ridiculously soapy. He only had time to take a few deep breathes before strong hands grabbed him firmly and began to scrub vigorously. As he thought the whole experience was rough and unpleasant with the two women throwing him under the water repeatedly as they rinsed off the soap only to lather it back on. This continued for almost an hour until he was suddenly pulled backwards and sat on a small set of steps. He felt hands on his shoulders as one priestess sat down behind him. He made to look at her only have his head turned back to face the front. Sudie was suddenly very close him almost touching her nose to his own. As he met her gaze, he noticed that her pupils where dilated. the tempo of the bath slowed to a snail's pace. The hands where suddenly much gentler as Relireh began to apply gently pressure to his shoulders and running her fingers across the muscles. Daniel and Sudie remained locked to each other's eyes. Almost like they were linked telepathically. Daniel was torn between being aroused or being on guard. Sudie was giving clear indication of being ready, able and willing but he had a nagging feeling that there was still something not quite right. A glint suddenly caught his eye as Relireh handed something to Sudie who didn't break eye contact as she took the small item and quickly hid it in the water. Relireh returned to massaging his shoulders, no drought she had noticed the sudden tension in his muscles. He felt her weight shift as she leaned forward, "Relax,' she whispered her lips tickling his ear. 'it's time for a shave.' Trying to calm his racing heart, he exhaled deeply, suppressing a shudder as Sudie pulled herself onto his lap, pressing her modest chest against his. Now that she was closer than ever, Daniel could feel his body begin to respond her closeness. But they completely stopped when she pulled from the water a small razor and pressed it softly to his cheek. Had Relireh not told him beforehand that he was getting a shave, his reaction would almost certainly result in injury. Once again, his muscles tensed beneath her fingers. She leaned back to his ear and whispered for him to relax, planting a small kiss on his ear. She smiled gently as her kiss sent a shudder down his spine.
Sudie ran her free hand down the side of Daniels face, gently cupping his jaw as she ran the razor down his cheek in one clean stroke. She held Daniels gaze as she continued to run the blade across his cheeks with long smooth strokes. Once she had finished, she set the blade aside on the baths edge and started running her fingers along the edge of his jaw. Daniel continued to meet her eyes, feeling her weight shift on his lap. He had chosen to keep his hands firmly on the steps next to him locking his eyes with the nubile redguard who was now perched on his lap. Sudie's breathe was starting to become slightly heavier as she ran her fingers across his check ensuring that she hadn't missed any spots. With her chest pressed against his he could feel her heart was racing.
Relireh reached under his arms and snaked her hands up so that they were resting just below his collarbone. Very gently she sank her strong fingers into the top of his chest. Daniel felt a rush of endorphins as his chest muscles relaxed.
The whole experience lasted several hours with both woman taking it in turns to sink their fingers into his stressed and worn out muscles. Just as he was starting to relax, there was an abrupt knock on the door
Immediately everyone froze and look towards the door. 'ladies,' came a voice from the other side of the door. I'm sure you're both enjoying yourselves, but I believe it is time for our guest to leave.
Both women quickly removed themselves and made for their clothes. Taking the hint, Daniel donned his clothes as well he had just shaken the water from his hair when the ladies returned with their robes on and pair of rosy cheeks each.
It was mid-afternoon when Daniel said his farewells and thanks Sudie and Relireh blushed heavily when he smiled at them Sudie even pulled her hood lower to hide
He shook Endlaine hand again and started the long journey back to Skyrim. Having made similar trips before the way back was much quicker than going across taking full advantage of the slopes and their snow-covered surfaces. Pulling a large piece of bark off a fallen oak tree. He slid down the sides of the mountains the cold wind pulling at his ears, hair and clothes, Nord or not he wasn't completely immune to the cold sliding down the slopes he could make out the stone path and the wooden arch that marked the border. As the slope levelled out, he rolled off the makeshift sleigh and tumbled gently on the cobblestone path. Ensuring that the small parcel was still in his satchel. Daniel picked himself up and walked the rest of the way to the hold dusting bits of snow and ice from his person.
As the snow and clouds drew closer. he stopped at Halldir's Cairn. The wind was blowing strongly and the way those clouds where moving the storm was going to move right on top of him. With plenty of fallen wood it was easy to find kindling for a fire., only problem was he had no flint to light it. Daniel then proceeded to empty his satchel, shaking loose the parcel, a few loose septims, an iron dagger, and-finally-the flames tome. He had only glanced at the book, when he called a small flame to his fingertips. Foolishly thinking he had the spell nailed he flicked the flames at the dry timber, only to be caught off guard by the sudden recoil. There was a blast of hot air and the young nord was sent flying backwards out of the cave and into a snowbank. As he lay there in the snow, He could hear the peals of laughter from his parents in Sovengarde. Daniel threw an indignant glare at the sky. 'shut up' he stalked back the now raging fire and wrapped himself in his cloak. This time he was going to read the fucking book properly.