Chapter 1:
All mistakes begin small


Aeriette just couldn't get her head around all this. First; those damned Imperials arrest her - unjustly she may add - and tried to take off her head. And then, of all things, a dragon appears and pretty much saves her bacon. A DRAGON?

All in the span of a day. As much as Aeriette loved a bit of excitement, that was a little too much for her. A few days in Riverwood would be much needed. She didn't have anything important to get up to. Granted, Hadvar had mentioned about helping the Imperials. But it's not like she was in a rush to help the very people who tried to detached her head from her shoulders.

And confiscated her belongings. Including the armor she had made for herself.

Beyond annoyed by all this. Took her a few days just to replace what had been taken from her. But now here she was; in her freshly made leather armor. Protecting her in all the right places. Barely any skin was shown. Perfect for the cold weather going on. She wasn't about to freeze just for the sake of 'looking good' like most of the women around here. Insane if you ask her. Granted, she had a high tolerance for the cold, but still, there was only so much her body could take.

Long blonde-white hair was neatly tied back in a plait, keeping it out of striking blue eyes. Which slowly gazed over the small village. Ever since the Dragon flew by, the people had been on edge. No surprise there. Still, she managed to get the supplies she needed. It was a long walk to Whiterun after all. No doubt she would have to sleep in the wild tonight. That wasn't new to her, Aeriette spent many a night under the stars while hunting with her family. Sometimes it was more preferable then sleeping in an inn. At least there was peace and quiet out in the wilds.

Unless the wildlife decide to keep you up all night with their racket.

A light groan leaves her lips as Aeriette stretched her arms above her head; cracking her back in several places. Maybe she had stuck around here for too long. Another night at that inn would take the last of her coin. Though... maybe one last drink before hitting the road wouldn't hurt. Might be a while until she tasted mead again. And Riverwood mead was ever so good.

"Ahhh... go on then. I'll treat myself." Aeriette spoke; more to herself then anyone around her. A common habit of the Nord's it seemed. Armored boots carried the young lady across the pathway; completely ignoring the two men practically drooling over her as she moved up the steps. They had obviously drunk far too much. Tugging the blue scarf around her neck up against her chin, Aeriette was about to head inside when something caught her attention.

Well, hard not to notice those blazing amber eyes staring at her.

She paused, sharp blue eyes returning the gaze as she looked him over. Aeriette maintained the locked gaze; like two animals sizing each other up, before she turned to face him. Obviously not willing to back down despite his piercing gaze. Wait... Aeriette was sure she heard some of the tavern girls mention this man... Bishop right? Some kind of renown tracker or something. She hadn't been paying attention. Tavern gossip wasn't her thing; unless it led to a rather nice bag of gold. Had he been here long? Aeriette was sure she hadn't noticed him before now.

He looked her over; the hair on the back of Aeriette's neck bristling already. Something about this man... seriously annoyed her already. Maybe it was the way he carried himself. Or those predatory eyes.

"What are you looking at?"

The man watched her for a moment; crossing his arms over his chest. "So... you're not someone who likes to lip wrestle then, got it. Or you're just looking for someone to kiss your boots." He looked her over for a moment, as if sizing the young Nord up. "If it's the latter, I suggest you look elsewhere."

Aeriette gave off a light yet amused snort. "None of the above. I just happen to be on my way to get a drink. And you just happen to be in my way."

A coy smile pulled at the man's features. "Ahh, I would join you. But.." He pauses, shifting his position slightly. "There's something I want to know before you get too wasted to tell the difference between me and a wall." Cue Aeriette feeling a little insulted by this. Considering she liked to think she could handle her drink. "So... are you so used to comments like that, that you turn your nose up to men like some kind of damn noble?"

Was he talking about the two drunks behind her? Who, even now, were still whistling for her attention.

"Hoooh?" The young lady cooed, tilting her head to the side as she watched him. ""I'm sorry, Princess. Did you want someone to pay attention to you too?" Aeriette spoke as if she was talking to a cute little puppy.

"Wha- Princess?" A nervous chuckle leaves him as a hand moves to rub the back of his neck. "Those two only wish they had the courage to whistle at me. I'll be fine, don't you worry." He gave off a slight shrug, before nodding in their direction. "Those two have been harassing every pair of legs that crossed their path for the last few days. Yesterday, they were so drunk that even the blacksmith got a wolf whistle from them." Those amber eyes of his inspected her again. "Though... you're the first they are right to admire. Anyway... just give them a wide berth, ok?"

Aeriette seemed to ignore the concern. Something else got her attention. "Wait.. days? What do you do here? Hold up the wall?"

That small coy smile of his was back with a vengeance. "Maaaybe I'm here to stop noble ladies for drinks before they go inside for the dullest night of their lives. With these close minded villages." A more serious tone came across him as his mood change. "I was tracking my wolf, Karnwyr, around these parts. We got separated while hunting around a week ago. Since then, I've been hearing rumors about bandits holding pit fights somewhere around this side of Skyrim. He's all I got, and that's the only lead I have to work with. So I'm off to shut them down before something happens to him..."

Seemed Aeriette had a soft spot for men in trouble. That and he had a companion who could be in danger? Just tugged at the heart strings. "I can help you find your wolf." She spoke before really thinking it through. That was probably a huge mistake.

He looked genuinely surprised. "Enthusiasm like that could get a pretty girl like you in trouble." A heavy sigh leaves him, the young man obviously thinking all this through. Trying to work out a plan. Of sorts. "I guess if they are running a ring, there are going to be more then a few bandits. If you want to come and help, I wouldn't complain about my odds. Besides, I could certainly do worse for company."

A frown tugs at Aeriette's features. He probably could have worded that better. "Sounds like you're offering me a one night stand."

The young Ranger snorts with amusement. "Sounds like someone is hearing what they want to hear." He shifts as Aeriette clearly bristles with annoyance. "But that doesn't mean it can't be open for discussion in the future." Soon his tone moved back to that of a more serious nature. "I don't trust anyone. Not even the man who is pouring my drink. The only two things I trust anymore are myself, and my wolf. Got it?"

Aeriette doesn't like the serious tone. And of course, tries to lighten the mood. "And what if he likes me more then the grumpy Ranger?"

A scoff leaves his lips. "I'm sure he will remember his place after the stomach ache he'll get from you trying to feed him a sweet-roll or something." At this point, he flashes Aeriette a look of warning. "Before you jump to any conclusions and try to get him to lick your hand, Karnwyr is not a pet. That wolf and I have been together since I was seventeen. He's closer to me then... a brother. Got it?"

Safe to say Bishop was incredibly protective over his wolf. "Look... if you two ever need some private time together, just say!"

An audible groan leaves the young man as he rubs his temple with the palm of his hand. "Born to be a bit of a jester as well, were you? Apologies if I'm too busy focusing on a matter of life and death rather then being your adoring fan." Pushing himself off the wall, he nodded his head towards Aeriette. "Let's get a move on. Every minute we waste here, Karnwyr is being held against his will... And possibly worse."

"First, the tavern for supplies... Can't believe I'm putting off drinking to help some rude guy out." The Nord whispered the last part to herself before turning to move towards the door of the inn. Damn her compassion.

"As my lady commands."

By the Gods, he better not keep that up. Would drive her insane if for the whole journey he kept calling her such things.


Near Riften?

If she had known that was how far the trappers were, Aeriette might have thought twice about helping Bishop. This took her way off track. Now miles from Whiterun; would takes days to get back that way. Bishop made sure to only tell her the location a few hours after leaving Riverwood. Too late to turn back now. Might as well see this through. Hey, maybe when they got to Karnwyr, she can find some coin to fill her pockets with. Make this journey worth while.

Bishop had been surprisingly quiet during the day. Not that Aeriette was complaining.

But now that night was approaching, and the wind mountain air was beginning to nip at them, Bishop finally spoke up. "We should rest here. No point wandering aimlessly in the dark. Besides, I'm sure my lady needs to have a nice rest."

"Hey, if you're tired. All you have to do is say so. I'll understand, little Ranger." Aeriette retorted as she placed her pack to one side; going about unbuckling her daggers from her thighs before placing her bow and quiver down to join them. Despite the dangerous glare she was receiving from Bishop, Aeriette couldn't help but grin wickedly to herself. If Bishop was going to insist on calling her such things, she was going to respond in kind.

Although... she was kind of tired.

"Little Ranger? Bah... I'll make you eat those words, princess. You'll find there's nothing little about me."

"Especially your ego, huh?" Aeriette hummed, unfolding her bedroll and smoothing it out on a thick patch of grass.

There was a pause, before Bishop hummed softly. "Not that I usually care, but, what is your name?"

Come to think of it, she never gave him her name. "Oh.. I guess I didn't tell you huh." Aeriette replied, sitting down upon her bedroll as Bishop went about making a small campfire. The dense trees would hide them from prying eyes, they had no fears there. Would be idiotic not to have a fire to keep the biting cold away. Unbuckling her boots, she placed them to the side as Bishop coughed. Obviously trying to urge her on to give him her name. "Ahh.. right. I'm Aeriette."

"Quite the mouthful." Bishop commented.

"I'm sure you say that to the ladies all the time."

A laugh suddenly leaves Bishop's lips; a noise Aeriette wasn't all that used to. Even caused her to flinch slightly in alarm. "Oh, and she has wit. Maybe you won't be such a bore during this journey. Who knows, maybe you'll even be entertaining in other ways."

In jest, Aeriette put on a rather seductive pose across her bedroll; obviously getting Bishop's full attention at this point as she trailed a hand down her curved hips. "Ohh? Is that so?" But it was over in an instant; Aeriette quickly flipping over to face away from the Ranger. Killing the mood entirely. "But like you said, I need to have my rest. What a shame. You'll just have to make do with your hand for company tonight."

"I guess looking at your back isn't so bad either, princess."

With that said, Aeriette slapped her own backside in response, obtaining a soft growl from the Ranger behind her. "It's a look but don't touch deal. Straying hands might find themselves being sliced off."

"Don't worry, I'll keep my hands occupied with other things."

"Too much info there. Just keep it down. I will not hesitate to pour freezing cold water on you if you disturb my sleep."

"I think we need to have a serious talk about the whole 'don't order me about wench'."

Aeriette waved a hand in a rather dismissive manner towards the man. "Later. Sleeping now."


And that's it for Chapter 1!

I would like to point out that Bishop is from a Skyrim Mod (Skyrim Romance Mod) and created by Mara Lightfeather. If you would like to find more details, and even play this mod (Which I strongly suggest you do) then please go and search this up. You wont regret it.

Chapter 2 will be done soon! And as a forewarning, there will be adult content soon (Sexual, violence, the lot) so please be aware of this.

Also, I have re-written this chapter to suit 3.0 better!