Kari and Runar decided to continue on their journey, leaving Whiterun and the strange Companions behind. Runar had received word that he was needed in Riften, so they took a carriage to the Rift Hold.

As they traveled down the roads towards the Rift, Kari noticed the scenery changing again. She had seen the pine forests of Falkreath Hold and the hinterlands of Whiterun Hold, but now she was seeing another side to Skyrim.

They had gone from Whiterun and taken the road through Eastmarch Hold, revealing tundra, sulfur pools, and pine trees scattering the rough terrain. Bears, wolves, giants, mammoths, and all other manner of beasts dotted the wilderness. It kind of reminded Kari a bit of the more northern lands of Elsweyr. But when they had reached the Rift Hold, Kari was again seeing another side to Skyrim.

Much of the Rift was composed of lush, autumn-colored valleys and rivers, surrounded by mountains to the south, east, and northeast.

Runar chuckled seeing her eyes filled with wonder. "You've never set foot outside of Tenmar Forest before coming here?"

Kari looked at him and shook her head, blushing. "It's all so new to me..."

"This the Rift Hold. It's capital is Riften, where we're headed." Runar began to explain. "The Rift is teeming with wildlife, both docile and hostile. It serves as an excellent hunting ground, and as such encounters with hunters and poachers are common. Bears, Sabre Cats, Frostbite Spiders and wolves make a common practice of hiding in the foliage and ambushing unsuspecting travelers. That combined altogether can make traversing the Rift very arduous and time-consuming, even potentially dangerous for some people."

"It's so pretty..!"

Runar watched Kari for a moment or two, really seeing how innocent and naive she was. She surprised him with her fighting skills when she sparred with Vilkas, something he would have never predicted she was capable of appearing as delicate as she did. Then, thinking a moment, he smiled.

"Kari, would you like to meet a few friends of mine?"

Kari looked at him. "Friends?" Her ears dropped a bit and lay back against her head. "They aren't friends like those Companions, are they?"

Runar shook his head. "They're different, I promise." His smile grew when he saw her ears perk up a bit at that. "So what do you say?"

"OK."

Runar led Kari into town, thanking Bjorlam for the ride as they slid past the city gates. He looked back at her, telling her to stay close and not get lost- even offering his hand to her. He smiled when she took it and he led her down into the Ratway, through the winding maze of tunnels, and to the Ragged Flagon.

Kari held onto Runar's hand tightly, afraid she'd get lost and not be able to find her way out- the scents that hung heavily in the air of the Ratway blocking Runar's. When they reached the Ragged Flagon, Kari was met with fresh cooked food, mead, and a small manner of more pleasant scents. She could see a number of people sitting at the tables set out or on crates.

"Runar! Welcome back!"

Kari looked at the people who waved them- Runar- over. 'They seem friendlier, but they smell different...' She eyed them cautiously, wondering what it was. 'They smell like...' Her eyes widened and she stopped.

Runar looked back at Kari when she stopped. "What is it?"

Kari looked at him worriedly. "I smell a curse..."

Runar's brow furrowed. "Kari..."

Kari squeezed his hand. "Everyone here... they smell like a curse..."

"Runar, welcome back."

Runar looked up from Kari and smiled as his closest friend in Riften- in Skyrim really- joined them. "Brynjolf, good to see you."

"Who's your friend, lad?"

Runar pulled Kari forward. "This is my travelling companion, Kari." He looked down at Kari. "Kari, this is my closest friend, Brynjolf."

Brynjolf regarded the small young woman before him. She looked like she was barely of age, timid and wary of her surroundings, delicate. She was beautiful, even as plain as she may be to others. "Hello, lass. Welcome to the Ragged Flagon."

Kari regarded the man before her, this "Brynjolf". He had friendly light blue eyes, red hair that hung to just above his shoulders and a beard. He was taller than her, standing about the same height as Runar, well built and lean, a bit charming and while he was a bit soft spoken he commanded respect and authority each time he spoke. "H-Hello."

"A bit on the shy side, isn't she lad?" Brynjolf smiled. "Come on, Mercer has a job for you." He looked at Kari. "Would you mind staying here, lass? The cistern is for members only."

Kari nodded, knowing she couldn't do anything and found a seat off to the side where she wouldn't be in anyone's way.

Runar followed Brynjolf, hoping that Kari would be alright.

Kari sat for a while, minding herself and observing the people walking through the modest tavern. 'Everyone seems on edge, like times are tough here.' She watched how some of them moved, the lightness of their steps.

"So, who are you? A new recruit?"

Kari looked at the one who spoke, an older balding man. "No, sir. I am Runar's travelling companion. I'm waiting here while he sees Mercer."

"Runar, eh? Well now, this is a surprise. Runar never travels with anyone." The man chuckled. "Name's Delvin Mallory."

"Kari."

"You're a real cutie, aren't you?" Delvin chuckled. "A bit shy, but that'd be an asset if you chose to undertake our line of work."

"What do you do?"

Delvin smiled. "We're thieves, lass." His smile faded and he sighed. "Though things have been tough around here, lately."

"Is it the curse?"

Delvin looked at her. "You're quite perceptive, but how'd you come to that conclusion?"

Kari blushed and looked away, folding her hands into her lap. "I uh... It's just a feeling..."

Delvin chuckled. "You're not a very good liar, lass."

Kari's blush deepened. "I could smell it... on everyone..."

"You could, eh? Well, you'd be right. Something or someone is royally pissed off and the rest of us get fucked as a result. Our client list has drastically decreased, jobs are sparse, everyone's miserable."

"Do you know what caused the curse?"

Delvin shook his head. "No. And no one here takes me seriously on the matter. They think it's old age or something."

Kari shook her head. "You're right." She looked around. "Curses, like anything else, give off a scent. It's hard to describe the kind of scent it is, other than it gives you an uneasy feeling and makes the hairs on your body stand straight up."

"You're a curious lass, but I like you." He chuckled. "Runar is a lucky lad to have you." He sighed. "He's done a lot of good for the guild since he joined."

'Runar's a Companion and a thief?'

"He keeps himself busy, what with the whole Dragonborn business and all."

'Dragonborn?'

"But he does what he can." Delvin looked at her and smiled. "Keep an eye on him for us, will you?"

Kari blushed and nodded.

Delvin gave her a final nod and left as Runar came back out into the tavern.

"Ready to go?" Runar asked, smiling.

Kari nodded and took his hand again when he offered it, letting him lead the way out of the Ragged Flagon and back through the Ratway. After they left the tavern, Kari thought she should ask.

"Runar?"

"Hmm?"

"What is the 'Dragonborn'?"

Runar looked back at her. "Where did you hear that?"

"Delvin said you were Dragonborn."

Runar sighed and nodded. "I'll explain when we get home."

Runar took Kari his home in Riften, a small little house called Honeyside. He was greeted by his housecarl, Iona, and introduced Kari to her before asking her to prepare dinner.

"While Iona takes care of dinner, I'll explain everything." Runar said, leading her out onto the porch. "Have you ever heard of the Dragonborn before?"

Kari shook her head, taking a seat at the table on the porch.

"Dragonborn is a rare individual who has been born with the blood and soul of a dragon, but the body and frailties of a mortal. They can naturally learn and speak the ancient and powerful tongue of the Dov, called the Thu'um. They can belong to any race or gender, since dragons have no inherent concept of gender, and the dragon blood is a gift bestowed to certain mortals favored by Akatosh."

"'Dov'?"

"That is what the dragons are called in their tongue." Runar explained. "In their tongue, the Dragonborn is 'Dovahkiin' which is translated to 'dragon-born' or 'dragonkind-hunter-born'. Some Dragonborn individuals, like me, have knowledge of the Thu'um and can consume a slain dragon's soul and absorb its knowledge directly, allowing them to learn Words of Power instantaneously, and then use the power of a slain dragon's soul to unlock that Shout."

"How else would a Dragonborn learn to use their gifts?"

"There is an order of Nords that reside in High Hrothgar, the temple at the top of the 7,000 steps, known as the Greybeards. They train in the ways of the Thu'um, believing that it should only be used in worship to Kynareth."

"So, you have the ability to slay dragons and absorb their souls, thus gaining their knowledge and power?"

"That is correct."

"That's amazing."

Runar smiled at that. "It can be amazing." His smile faded a bit and his brow furrowed. "But it's also incredibly dangerous. With Alduin's return and the revival of the dragons in Skyrim, it gets more and more complicated."

"Then why do you do it?"

"Because it's my duty as the Dragonborn." Runar said, looking at her. "I didn't ask for this to happen, but I was born with this gift and no one else can stop Alduin and the dragons." He looked away, sighing. "It all falls to me, whether I want to do it or not."

Kari stood, coming up behind him. "You don't have to do it alone, Runar." She said, placing her hands on his back and pressing her forehead against his tunic. "In such a short time, you've done so much for me. You've taught me so much about this land. You've been a light in all this harsh, cold, and bitter violence of a land. I wish to repay you, somehow, and if I can do that by staying by your side then I want to."

Runar's eyes widened in surprise when she said that. They had only been travelling together for a month or so, but he knew that he wanted her at his side no matter what. He smiled, realizing that he had become dependent on her company- not just to ease his loneliness but to remind himself there was still some good and innocence left in the world. She opened his eyes to a different side of things, acting as his shining beacon of light in all the darkness and chaos that was lain out before him.