We set off; me on Bani, General Tullius on a dark almost overwhelming stallion beside us, and a troop of soldiers thundering behind us. I was still upset and bewildered with my current position. It seemed that just yesterday my mother was still alive; strong and passionate. It's still hard to believe that a woman so vibrant, so full of life died from such a simple sickness- a small cold. It hurt burying her, seeing her so pale, so lifeless. After weeks of being in that house she raised me in; she died in. After weeks of restless nights and thoughtful days I finally reached an important decision.
Long ago when I was a young child, even though I barely remember anything, and my father was still living we had a grand home in Windhelm. We still do actually that's the house I'm going to claim. My father was the right hand man of the previous Jarl, and he sent us away before the Great War- for our safety of course. He died during that war and my mother just couldn't bring herself to move us back into our home. Now I can't stand to stay in the house in Cyrodiil.
"So, child you never told me your name," the deep voice of General Tullius woke me out of my thoughts quickly. I blinked up at him through thick eye lashes. Then my brain processed what he said.
"My name? Oh, my name is Nonna," it was only a small fib. My best friend, Ashur, had always called me that. I couldn't risk telling this man my full name, mother had taught me as much.
"Nonna, Nonna," he repeated to himself, probably trying to see if it sounded familiar on his tongue. I ignored him instead trying to find my way out of the mess I managed to create for myself.
"General Tullius," I said gently getting the attention of the man beside me, "I'm very thankful for your help, but I think I'll be fine on my own for now." He seemed to think on my words before answering.
"Just stay with us until tomorrow," he finally told me, I wanted to protest but before I could he held up a hand cutting me off. "When we make camp we stay for a while. Tonight you can get rest and by tomorrow evening you'll be at Winterhold," the General explained. Knowing I didn't have much choice in the matter either way I quickly relented giving a nod of my head and a sweet thank you that made me want to cringe.
We traveled for hours. It had been early morning when we first stepped foot, or well our horses stepped hoof, onto the land of Skyrim. I had been taken by the scenery almost at once. The snow fell down in soft little flurries; gently covering the dead ground in a thick white blanket. Trees were few and far in between- dead with sharp cycles of ice hanging from gnarly branches. Strange animals ran around and let's just say my first true experience with a Horker was NOT pleasant.
"Are you sure you're really from Skyrim," an Imperial woman, Cliela, who wasn't all that bad asked me teasingly. She and I had been carrying light conversation all day.
"I was very young when my mother and I left," I explained shortly; it wasn't anything ill towards sweet Cliela, but I was beginning to tire. I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep and I might have if I weren't surrounded by a bunch of lecherous creeps and their King, Tullius. Really the stares were beginning to get- no scratch that they already were disturbing.
We finally stopped for a light lunch beside a beautiful stream. Most of it was frozen, but we had finally made it past all the snow and the grass was a beautiful, albeit dark, green. The ground was also a bit softer, but the air still had that same sharp, crisp quality. General Tullius halted the troops and swinging off his stallion gave everyone permission to wonder around; just not too far.
"Be back in thirty minutes!" he ordered loudly. I jumped off Bani and led her over to the trickling water, which she happily accepted. "Here," Tullius walked over to me with a slice of cheese and a piece of bread.
"Thank you," I said gratefully and sat down on a nearby stone that was unusually smooth. The older man sat next to me; I squirmed wanting nothing more than to get up and walk far, far away from him. We sat in silence. I kept my eyes towards Bani and the dark swirling water; sometimes I glanced over at the scrambling soldiers and menacing war horses. Finishing the bread, I wiped the crumbs from my cheeks. Looking over to Bani once more I finally found a reason for moving away from the man.
Standing up I walked over to retrieve my water pouch from Bani's saddle. Even after I had taken a small swig and but the pouch back in it's place I stayed by her side. Petting her nose and cooing softly to her I could barely keep myself from hopping onto her saddle and galloping away. Thankfully, the unrelenting gaze of Tullius melted away as he called his troops to leave.
More and more hours passed. Great trees stood proudly- green leaves were full and thick in numbers. It was still chilly, but the bright, burning sun offered copious amounts of warmth. Cliela kept me company; we talked off and on about nothing in particular, nothing personal, and especially nothing pertaining to the war. The sun was beginning to set- beautiful colors painted the sky in bright reds, oranges, and violets; a few strange colors stuck out like green. I immediately noticed a drop in temperature and rubbed the goose bumps that appeared on my arms. We stopped to set up camp on a nearby hill area and my temper sky rocketed when Tulius commanded me to stay; like a dog! I gave a polite reply, but the image of Tullius popped up in my head along with that of a strong fist and a lot of blood pouring down his old, ugly face.
Bani nudged my cheek and my glare disappeared. I stared up at the stars watching them appear one by one as the small troop worked together quickly putting up tents and fire pits. Cliela helped me tie Bani next to her own horse, a white and brown stallion. We sat together around one of the many fire pits eating a few salmon that had been caught earlier.
"You can share a tent with Evlin and me," Cliela said pointing over to a cold and aloof dark elf, "I'm sure we can all squeeze together." I thought over it; the pros greatly out weighed the cons definitely. Sleep with someone I've come to know and can trust or have some weirdo attempt to rape me tonight... gee I just don't know!
"That won't be necessary," Tullius came out of nowhere and spoke for me before I could even give my own opinion. I held my tongue.