I stood at the edge of the lake, ignoring the chill of the water and wind plastering the fur to my back. The lake was long and thin with an island along one end, and a river leading from the other where Alduin had motioned.

"Damn." I swore to myself. The world had started going so fast, and now that it had slowed I almost forgot where I was. I moved to a boulder and sat to inspect what I had with me- not much. While unconscious, my fur armour had been taken and replaced with a thin ragged tunic, tightened around my waist by my old belt which they had decided not to confisticate. Naturally my steel dagger and axe were missing, but my half full water skin and food pouch were not. I realized with a rumble from my stomach that I was hungry, very hungry. Presumably I hadn't eaten since my abduction and that would be- what, five, six meals missed? All that remained in my pouch was a single raw carrot, but I ate it with great gratitude as my stomach's complaining subsided. I would much prefer some meat right now- fresh or cooked- but any food would do for now. I took a sip out of my flask and started the journey along the bank, to Riverwood. I had no idea how far it was, but it couldn't be too far away- Alduin was trying so hard to keep me alive that it would be a pity if I collapsed before I got to the nearest town. But if the maps of Skyrim that I studied back in Cyrodiil taught me anything, then I was not far from Helgen and Riverwood was just a couple of minutes around the corner. So if I headed northwest along the riverbank, I would be within proximity of an inn and a drink very soon.

I hauled my fur up and tramped along the beach. Small rocks cut into my feet and big ones hindered my travels, forcing me to clamber over them in my dogged desire to follow the riverbank. Soon I came across a road and walked over it gratefully. My bare feet, instead of being pummeled, were being gently massaged by the unkept and dirty cobblestones. The gates of Riverwood- or Rathgosvah -were a sight for sore eyes. I trudged into town and instantly felt many eyes on my neck. An old lady was yelling about a dragon, and a golden-haired nord complaining that she was mad. "Really, mother! Dragons haven't been seen in hundreds of years!"

I looked up at him and took a few steps closer.

"The old woman is right." I declared to the town. "A dragon has attacked Helgen."

The few people listening gasped and came running. "Where was it headed? What was it doing?" The noise attracted more, and soon the entire town was gathered around me with worried faces.

"Stop!" I yelled, having enough. "I'll tell you about the dragon. But I need shoes, some clothes, a sleep and a good drink first."

A young woman- Camilla, as she introduced herself -ran off to get me some clothes and boots. She came back with a belted tunic and some buckled boots which I wore gratefully. Delphine, a golden haired breton who worked at the Sleeping Giant Inn, took me inside to a mug of ale and showed me an empty room. I closed my door and tried to ignore the hushed whispers on the other side. Orgnar, the tough Nord who ran the inn along with Delphine, came in and offered me a salmon steak and wedge of cheese.

"Nothing fancy, I'm afraid," he grunted, "But it's all we can give ya. If anyone asks, Delphine talked me into giving you free food. Next time you're paying."

I took the food gratefully and chowed down. "So-" I asked between mouthfuls, "Anything I can do to earn some money? The, uh, circumstances dictated that I was robbed of all my belongings." I felt strangely protective of my memories.

"No jobs at our inn, but Gerdur at the mill will pay for any wood that you chop."

"I guess that's where I'll start tomorrow. I'll get some sleep now."
"Right." But Orgnar looked reluctant and embarrased as he backed out of my room. "Well- I'll be seeing you tomorrow." he muttered.

Oh, my. I believe that nord likes me.

Morning came too quickly and I was woken by a rooster's crow. The sheets, although rough, warmed me and removed the bone-chilling cold which infected me in the northern provinces. But as much as I would love to rest, there was work to do. With no money to lean on, I was little more than a beggar with strange tidings. So I hauled myself up and tramped across the riverwood bridge to the chopping block. Wood chopping block, that is. Not for the head.

A few brief hours later I counted out the firewood that I had cut and put it where Gerdur motioned.

"Thirty-six slabs of firewood at five septims each… That's a hundred and eighty septims!" she beamed as she counted out money. "Hey- you're that cat who saw the dragon?"

I nodded, refusing to give further explanation.

"You need to warn the Jarl of Whiterun about this- this creature. Look, here's another seventy septims. Bribe the guards if you need to, just make sure that we get some protection."

"Sure. Whiterun is- where?"

She turned and pointed down the road away from where I had come. "Down that road. You'll see it as soon as you cross the hill."

"Right. I'll head straight there." I nodded again to thank her and headed again downriver.