Chapter Two: Meaningful Conversation

Hani, still in a daze, watched the man as he sat across from her in the Bee and Barb Inn. He'd removed his helmet to reveal a rugged face and introduced himself as 'Sin'. He was a dark elf, but Hani didn't have a problem with dark elves as everyone else did. She was an imperial by birth, but fought with the Stormcloaks during the rebellion. Because of her decisions, she was discriminated against.

"Stop staring at me like that." Sin demanded.

Hani lowered her eyes, but she couldn't help herself. "Where do you come from?" She asked.

"Morrowind," he answered.

"All dark elves come from there." She said with a frown. "I mean, how did you manage to come here? And how do you have the voice of the Dragonborn? I'm the Dragonborn."

"I know who you are, Hani. I've heard your stories. You defeated Miraak – good for you. If I had been there, I would've defeated him myself." Sin boasted. "Well, thanks for the drink, Hani. I have to go now – I have some things to take care of."

He stood to leave, and in a panic, she stopped him. "Wait, where are you going? Do you plan to stay in Skyrim?"

Sin appeared to be annoyed by her questions, but she didn't care. Despite his harsh attitude towards her, she wanted to see him again. She never met a man like him before, and though she wouldn't admit it, she was interested in more than just conversation with him.

"Stay here and enjoy your mead, Dragonborn." He gave her a mocking bow before leaving the inn.

The audacity of that man! But still … even his clear disdain excited her. Putting aside her distraction, she left the end and went on her way. If they were fated to meet again, then they would, she thought. Until then, she'd head to Solitude to sell her wares.

Solitude, arguably the best city in Skyrim, was a place where Hani found solace. Most of the citizens there treated her respectfully and it took away the pressure of being the Dragonborn for a time. There was just one problem with visiting Solitude…

"Mama! You're home!" Her daughter, Lucia, stopped her.

"Not right now." Hani told her. Lucia whined before walking away. It broke Hani's heart to deny either of her children affection, but it hurt even more to be around them. Those in the town who didn't know her called her a hero – the Dragonborn – but she was nothing more than a lucky murderer. Over the years she was forced to learn to survive.

On her way to the open markets, she stopped when she caught a glimpse of Sin entering Bits and Pieces. At first, she didn't believe her eyes and entered the store only to prove herself wrong, but her heart skipped when she realized her eyes hadn't deceived her. "Sin," she breathed. He turned his dark gaze on her and it made her more breathless than she already was.

"Did you follow me?" He asked angrily.

"No, yes, I mean, I followed you in here, but I didn't know you'd be in the city." She explained.

"I'm looking for a new Ebony bow. No one seems to have one."

"I can make one for you."

"You? Make an Ebony bow?" He crossed his arms over his broad chest.

She nodded, ignoring his skepticism. "I have the materials at my home. It's not too far from here."

"What's your price?" He asked.

She waved away his question. "No price."

He raised an eyebrow. "I'm supposed to believe you're going to do this out of the kindness of your heart?"

"Well, just let me ask you some questions on the way there, and we'll call it even." She replied, frowning when he sighed heavily. It was more than a far offer, she thought.

"Fine, but if you cross the line with your questions, the deal is off and I'll expect you to compensate me for the journey." His armored shoulder brushed hers as he walked out, unaware of the shiver it gave her. A few questions, she told herself. Her interest in him was just curiosity.

Once they left Solitude, they went to the stables and mounted their horses. Normally, she'd have to look for Shadowmere, but he seemed to have the same idea as Hani. She found him next to Sin's mare.

"What in Oblivion is that?" Sin asked, motioning to Shadowmere.

"The only one of his kind, but you have a fine horse. Where did she come from?"

"I stole her." He kicked horse and began to gallop away from the stables.

Hani caught up with him just before he made it to Dragon Bridge and rode by his side. When they reached the middle of the bridge, she took out a coin and tossed it over the side. She did it every time she crossed this bridge, and each coin held a wish for her. This time, she wished for an end to her loneliness.

"You waste septims so easily." Sin muttered, frowning at her tradition.

"I made a wish." She pouted.

"And probably granted the wish of an Argonian." He countered.

"Were you born with your bad temper or did you develop it over time?"

Sin remained silent, a small victory for Hani, and they continued their journey. They came upon another bridge and Hani stopped her horse. "We should water the horses here."

"We can water them later." He grumbled.

"Once we cross the bridge, we'll be faced with snow and only the Divines know what else." Hani dismounted, allowing Shadowmere to trot off to the river. Reluctantly, Sin dismounted his horse, but instead of going towards the water, it ran off. While Hani laughed as he chased the horse, Sin swore angrily at the wild beast. Hani patted her horse gently and smiled, "Should we make him walk, Shadow?"

Sin, after giving up on his horse, returned to the river and stood by Hani. "If I still had my bow, I would've shot her." He huffed.

Hani smiled. "Then you would still be in the same position as you are now."

"I'd have horse meat to eat."

"Are you hungry? There are mudcrabs here." She pulled her crossbow from its place on her back.

"How much longer until we reach your home?"

"If we don't run into any problems, we have six more hours to go. We'll arrive a bit after sunset." She replied.

"Let's go." Sin ordered and began the journey on foot.

"I'll take longer if you walk." Hani called out to him. "And you don't even know where you're going!" She quickly mounted her horse and road to him.

"Since there is only one road for now, I can assume we're going straight. I'll stop when we hit a fork."

She sighed at his stubbornness, then an idea came to her mind. "Very well. This is actually great for me. I have many more questions I'd like to ask you and since you're walking, it'll add a few more hours to our journey." She smiled sweetly.

He stopped and scoffed. "Move up. I'll ride with you."