The sun was just beginning to brighten the eastern sky. A light frost had fallen in the early morning hours. The four rafts were piled with wood and soaked in lamp oil they had scavenged from the grotto. The body of each sailor was set atop the pile of wood, and the fourth was a symbolic one for the captain whose body they didn't find in the grotto or at the wreckage. A lone gull flew overhead and balanced in the wind for a moment, studying the scene below, before gliding away down the coast. A breeze was starting to pick up from the South.

Mist was standing silently on the coast like a statue ever watching the northern ocean. His armor was cleaned and shined glinting in the light of the rising sun. Lightening was holding a torch, standing on his left wearing her hunting garb. Her scales reflected the morning light on her right and the torch light on her left. Kharn was on Mist's right, wearing some leather armor he scavenged off of a marauder and fitted to himself. His breath was forming clouds of fog in the early dawn. The guard was standing by the entrance to the grotto with another torch in hand. They all had their eyes on Mist, waiting for him to begin.

"I've never been one for these kind of things." Mist began, drawing the words out searching for the words to say. "The men we lay to rest here today did not deserve the end they met. They were honorable men, hard workers, and I never knew them to back down from a challenge for the short time I had the honor of knowing them. I have no doubt they died an honorable death and deserve better than we can give here today. May their souls find rest in Sovngarde and they never be forgotten."

Mist pushed the first raft, the one for the captain, into the ghost sea. When Mist waded out waist deep Lightening joined him and lit the oil and gave the raft a final shove out to sea as the flames consumed it. With heavy hearts they sent the crew on their final voyage to sovngarde.

The group left the grotto behind as the sun rose full on the horizon, promising a pleasant day despite the bleak start. Their hearts and spirits grew lighter as they walked along the road leading back to solitude. By the time the gates had come into view, they were laughing at one of the guard's hunting stories. The sun was approaching high noon as they came to the gate.

"Hail! heroes of the IceRunner!" a guard called from watch tower near the main gate called.

"Hail!" Mist raised his bow in response.

They entered the city and were greeted with a small crowd, about twenty people, that had heard of the crash. The guard broke off of the group and headed to the barracks giving them a wave before he ducked in the door.

"Lets get in the inn before more people gather around. I don't think anything quite this interesting has happened here for awhile!" Mist said making way for them in the crowd. "If you want to hear what happened come over to the Winking Skeever!" Mist said to the crowd, who promptly followed them inside.

Inside the inn, the barkeeper looked up and nearly dropped the tankard he was cleaning with the group that was coming in.

"You two go ahead and put on some comfortable clothing, I'll start the tale and you can join in once you get back." Lightening said looking at the crowd coming in.

"Thank you, Lightening! I'll be down quickly." Mist said as he started up the stairs.

"Kharn will stay down here, this one is comfortable in this armor." Kharn said taking a seat by the fire.

The group came in, ordered drinks, and started begging for Lightening to tell them of what befell the IceRunner. She waited for everyone to get relatively comfortable before she began, starting from when they departed the Imperial City. Mist came down the stairs wearing his leather hunting garb while she was telling them about their voyage around the coast of Morrowind and reaching the Ghost Sea. The few people still standing parted to let him into the center and take a seat by Lightening. He mostly sat and listened, Lightening had a way with words. She could talk to anyone about anything and rarely found herself on the bad side of a deal.

"Hey, Mist. Should we tell them where you got that armor of yours?" Lightening asked, turning to him.

"Well, I don't know..." Mist began, knowing full and well they were going to tell them anyways.

The crowd booed at this and a few called to know anyways.

"Kharn what do you think?" Mist asked

"Kharn thinks they will enjoy the tale, and this one will tell you." Kharn said standing up to be sure that all could see him.

He received one or two cheers before he started telling of the ship. Kharn too, despite his strange style of speech, was able to easily capture the group with his words and soon had the whole room listening intently to him.

"That is when this one came back to the deck of the moon-beam ship and told Mist where the armor and weapons were." Kharn finished and sat down

"Aye, and I went below deck, picked the locks and took the armor and weapons for myself. We just stepped back on the IceRunner when the ghost ship vanished! I turned around to see it fade into the black night." Mist picked up the tale.

A few in the crowd gasped at this and one nord sailor told him he got lucky that the ship didn't vanish with him aboard. Lightening took over from there to when the IceRunner ran aground. The crowd seemed to draw in closer as she told them of the crash and Marcus's death. Mist told them of the fight to reclaim the IceRunner from the bandits and Kharn told them of his part taking out the ones on the ground. Lightening told the crowd of the fight at the grotto and how they finally ended the marauder's tyranny.

The crowd cheered as she told of how the leader fell to Mist's bow.

"The only reason I even got that shot is because of Kharn and his fast thinking. Thank you friend." Mist raised a bottle of mead someone had passed to him to Kharn. "And Lightening, dividing their focus and drawing their gaze from Kharn and I was the only way we were able to get the position we had."

"Oh, please. If it weren't for me watching after you two none of them would have even known I was there before they were all dead." Lightening said with a grin.

This brought a chorus of laughter from everyone. Once they quieted down some, Mist recounted the ceremony they performed that morning for the dead they found. Everyone raised their tankards in memory of the fallen sailors.

"A fine tale you tell travelers. Thank you for laying their bodies to rest and letting their spirits go in peace. I knew those men and they wouldn't have asked as much from you as you gave. For that I thank you on their behalf." the nord sailor that had commented on the ghost ship said.

"I ask nor need any thanks, sir, but thank you." Mist replied.

"May your travels fare well Hides-in-Mist. If your travels take you to Windhelm, tell Susannah at Candlehearth Hall that Strome says hello." Strome said.

"I'll be sure to let her know. Well-met Strome."

"Aye, thank you." Strome said as he turned and left the inn.

Lightening broke away from the group and went upstairs to change. Kharn and Mist stayed around the fire answering other questions people had about the fight and their lives before. They deflected most questions about their lives with vague responses and quick answers. The last of the group was dispersing when Lightening joined them at the fire wearing the now clean dress she had worn the day before.

"So, what supplies do we need before we start hiking across skyrim?" Lightening asked as Kharn and Mist rose to their feet.

"Kharn knows we will need food. Dried meat, bread, a water skin or two to keep full." Kharn said as they walked out.

"I'll visit the apothecary, grab a few healing potions and bandages just in case." Mist said.

"Do you need any more arrows?" Lightening asked

"No, I still have a full quiver, only lost two. Do you want to get some light leather or hide armor?"

"No, not until I can get some light armor that fits like my hunting clothes. I don't like wearing anything bulky. I think I'll visit the market and get the food, Kharn why don't you check out the jeweler and see if he will take some of this jewelry off our hands. Mist after you get done at the apothecary then check out the blacksmith see if he wants that war hammer and one of those battle axes." Lightening said

"Kharn would like to disenchant those if you don't mind. The enchantments seem... intriguing."

"Sure, have a look at them once you finish at the jewelers. I really don't want to lug them all across Skyrim."

Kharn was excited to get to learn the enchantment, he had never seen one like it and was wanting to see what it would do. He headed straight to the Radiant Raiment to start selling his wares. Lightening accompanied Mist to the apothecary's shop and looked around while he haggled for a few healing potions. Lightening then went to the circle of vendors selling fresh food and drink and haggled for three loaves of bread, five pounds of smoked venison, and three fresh water skins.

Kharn cleaned out all the gold from the shop but sold them a few good pieces and traded for the few soul gems they had. He returned to the inn and retrieved the war hammer and one of the war axes. Walking down stairs he got permission to use the arcane enchanter at the inn and learned the enchantments off of the weapons.

"Hmmm... Interesting" he muttered to himself as he disenchanted the ax.

Mist checked out the archery shop called the Fletcher and picked up five arrows to fill up his quiver, then joined Lightening, who was still haggling at the square. He bought a bottle of spiced wine from Evette San, it was a secret recipe he had to try it. They joined Kharn at the inn as the sun was sinking.

"Make a good haul at the Raiment, Kharn?" Mist asked taking a seat by Kharn

"Yes! This one made a good deal of coin today. Also the enchantments were most intriguing! The ax was enchanted to pass right through armor! The war hammer though would cause great cold to spread from where it hit."

"Sounds useful at least."

"Of course, I might . Kharn has heard that a Kajhit trade caravan has arrived outside the city. This one thinks he will join them and see what news they bring of home."

"Before you go we need to plan out what were going to do. We still haven't decided on heading to Whiterun or Dawnstar. You both know what I want to do, but I think you two want to go to the College of Winterhold first."

"Kharn would like to visit the college, yes."

"Mist, you know that I want to visit the college. Sounds like your out numbered." Lightening said smiling.

"Alright, we go to Dawnstar." Mist relented "Kharn, have fun with the caravan, take your stuff though. We leave out early tomorrow."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Kharn headed up to his room and collected his things before heading out of the inn. He walked quickly to the city gates and moved swiftly through them. The night was cool but Kharn was unaffected by the shift in temperature, his fur kept him warm. He had lied to Mist about the caravan arriving, they should be there by morning if they kept to their usual schedule if the guards were right. He had been hungering for a good hunt ever since he had caught the scent of deer when they passed Dawnstar. He walked the road back to the game trail they had followed over to broken oar grotto. Free to run his own pace he made it to the grotto as the now full moon was rising.

Inside he found that nothing had been moved since they had left it. He locked his pack and armor in the chest from the IceRunner, using they key he had taken from Mist. He stood outside in the cold night air waiting to catch the scent of another deer nearby. The sky was clear and a slight breeze was blowing inland carrying the smell of cooking fires in Solitude. After a moment of hesitation Kharn detected the scent of deer. Kharn grinned as the smell got stronger, indicating that the deer was getting closer.

Clearing his mind, he found his inner beast eager to come forth for a hunt. Letting the beast take control Kharn felt himself changing. He had been infected during his time wandering the jungles of Elsweyr. The werelion had attacked him in the night and he had barely escaped with his life. A giant breed of kajhit, called the Senche-raht, had attacked the beast just before it delivered the killing blow. Kharn had been unable to be moved from where he was attacked and consequently unable to fight off the lycanthropy before it became an advanced case. The night he first changed, the giant kajhit had to hold him down to keep him from charging off into the jungle and getting lost.

The transformation only took seconds for him now, he had mastered control over the beast and could keep himself from acting purely on instinct. He caught the much stronger scent of the deer and ran off in the direction of it.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mist and Lightening watched Kharn leave before they got their food. Mist got them salmon steaks and baked potato as well as some Honeybrew mead.

"I have to say, Mist" Lightening said after taking a bite out of the salmon. "They do know how to cook here."

"Nonsense! Your cooking is much better than theirs is."

"Well of course, but I didn't have to cook this. And unlike your cooking I don't have to worry about you sneaking different things in there to see if they taste good." she smiled

"Come on, that steak marinade I came up with is delicious." Mist said taking another bite.

Lightening reached across and patted him on the side of his snout. "You know I'm only joking, and yes it is. Just for sake of argument, how would you have cooked the salmon?"

"Well I would have mixed in some dried dragon's tongue and a sprinkle of fire salts in with the salt they used. Like I tried last time but with less fire salts."

"So you don't go hoarse from eating something too spicy again?" Lightening chuckled as she remembered the last time he cooked that particular dish.

Mist smiled remembering it too, he couldn't talk for two days and he didn't sound right for a week. "Like I said, a sprinkle of fire salts."

Once they finished their meal, Mist and Lightening decided to walk the streets for a while before going to sleep. The walked out of the inn and were greeted with the cool night air. Lightening walked close to Mist, his arm around her warding away the chill. They didn't have any destination in mind so they followed the long road towards the bard's college. They walked to the small amphitheater that rested between the bard's college and the eastern wall. They lied down on the upper steps and watched the night sky, waiting to see the aura again.

"The sky is beautiful isn't it?" Lightening said snuggling up closer to Mist.

"It is, but..." Mist paused and looked over at Lightening. "It's nothing compared to you."

"You and your flattering!" Lightening said laughing.

"Fine I'll stop if it bothers you so much."

"No! I didn't say that."

"So you want me to flatter you? A little vain don't you think?" Mist smiled.

"Oh be quiet," Lightening jabbed Mist on the side making him flinch badly, "now shut up and keep me warm while we wait for the aurora."

Mist rubbed his side and got comfortable again. After a minute he heard scuffling to their right. Looking over he saw nothing, figuring it was just a rat he didn't think anything of it. After a minute he heard it again, closer now. He sat up and looked right, still nothing there.

"Lightening, did you hear something over that way?" Mist gesture towards the entryway.

"Yes, but it was probably just a rat. Nothing to worry about. Lay back down, you were warm."

Mist settled back down on the step next to Lightening. He had a feeling they were being watched, but didn't know from where. Soon the night sky exploded with the bands of green and orange again. Lightening let out a slight gasp as the aura wound through the sky.

"Never gonna get tired of that are you?" Mist asked, watching her reaction.

She blushed a little bit, "No, I don't think I will. Its absolutely amazing, reminds me of you actually." She smiled and looked over at Mist.

Mist smiled, accepting the compliment without question. They stayed out watching the aura till it started to fade away into the night. They got up started walking to the inn to get rest before they left early in the morning. They walked out onto the main street and made their way back to the inn. Inside the tenants were singing along to Ragnar the Red and the mead was flowing as fast as the innkeeper could fill the flagons. They went around the crowd and up the stairs to their room.

"Lets get some rest now, I want to get out of here before our guard friend gets off shift." Mist said as he opened the door to the inn.

"Agreed, if he finds out we're leaving he'd probably walk us to the edge of the hold!"

"And tell us war stories the whole way." Mist finished.

Mist pulled off his boots and climbed in bed. Lightening joined him and wrapped her arms around him, falling asleep quickly. Mist fell asleep soon after.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The sky was turning grey in the early light when Lightening and Mist walked out of Solitude.

"I can't do it." Mist said stopping half-way out of the gate.

"No we talked about it, you just have to keep walking. I know it doesn't feel right but we just need to get on the road to Dawnstar." Lightening said turning around to face Mist, plainly ready to get going.

"I can't. He was nothing but helpful if slightly annoying."

"You do this, he'll insist on coming with us."

"Come on, lets just get it over with." Mist turned back and started walking to the guard's barracks.

Lightening stood there for a moment, half expecting Mist to turn around, when he kept going she called for him to wait. Mist turned around, grinning, and waited for her to join him.

"My conscious would be bothering me if we didn't." Lightening said brushing past him.

He laughed followed her to the barracks. They got there as the shift was changing, and walking out of the door as they were getting there was the guard that had helped them. He had a small pack, and a war ax slung over his back.

"Mist! Lightening! I was just coming to the Skeever to meet up with you." He said running over to them.

"You were? Where are you planning on going friend?" Mist asked.

"Well I received permission from the guard captain to accompany you three on your journey across skyrim, I'll have a position with guard when I return and I got my pay for the rest of the month. Also they got me a new steel war ax, its almost like they're glad to see me going. Anyways where is that kajhit friend of yours, Kharn?"

"He spent the night with the caravan outside, wanted to see if they brought any news of Elsweyr."

"Ah, well we have to get going if you want to make it all the way to Dawnstar." The guard said pushing past them walking towards the gate.

"I'm going to kill him, then I'm going to kill you, Mist. I told you we should have just left!" Lightening hissed, keeping her voice down so that only Mist could hear.

Before Mist could reply, the guard captain walked out of the barracks and over to them.

"Heroes of the IceRunner! I have to tell you most people don't give Boromir the time of day. He's good in a fight, and he really knows the back country from his days as an adventurer, which he never really shuts up about. This will do everyone good, he is back out in the field having another adventure and he's not making all the other guards want to kill him." The guard captain smiled, struggling to hide his relief. "Oh I almost forgot, here. You have all of our thanks. If you ever need anything from any of the guards we all know you, and your kajhit friend is allowed in all of the cities around the hold." The captain handed Mist and Lightening a coin purse. "To compensate you for your troubles, we'll have more when you come back through."

"Wait. Your paying us to keep him from annoying you?" Mist said, Lightening was counting the coins.

"Well that's a little blunt. Why don't we say your helping a man that is losing himself in his past life." The captain countered

"Mist, just let it go. I think the captain is right, an adventure will do him good. Captain, thank you and we will be on our way. Mist come on, we need to catch up." Lightening said closing up the coin purse.

"Captain, have a good day." Mist said.

They started walking towards the gate. Once they were far enough away, Mist stopped and turned to Lightening.

"Lightening, what was that about? You were completely against having him come along from the beginning!"

"They paid me enough money to buy us all a horse!"

"Wait really?" Mist pulled out the coin purse and opened it. "By the Nine! I don't think I've had this much coin in my life, at one time at least. I guess its a good thing we went to say good bye after all."

"You were right this time, now lets catch up and find Kharn." Lightening turned and started towards the gate.

They caught up to Boromir at the gate, who was saying his farewells to the guards on duty. The three of them went outside and made their way down to the kajhit's caravan camp. The kajhits there were busy building a cooking fire. Kharn was no where to be seen amid the busy group.

"Excuse me, have any of you seen a kajhit named Kharn around here?" Mist asked after scanning the group for a minute.
None of them were eager to respond it seemed. One female kajhit looked at the group, but said nothing to them.

"He's a friend of ours. We were supposed to meet him here." Lightening offered.

"There is no Kharn here. This one is wondering though, why would kajhit travel with you?" an older, gray furred male said from his seat by the fire.

"Kharn is an old friend of mine, we were traveling to Winterhold together." Mist explained.

"There is no Kharn here, but good luck finding your friend." The gray-furred kajhit said from his seat.

The group walked away from the caravan's camp to talk amongst themselves.

"I don't like this, he was supposed to be here." Mist said, once he was satisfied they were out of earshot.

"Aye, where else would he be?" Boromir said.

"Kharn is right here, sorry about that Mist." Kharn said walking up the road from the direction of the game trail.

"Kharn! Where did you get off to? None of the kajhits at the caravan said that they saw you." Mist said turning to face him.

"Kharn decided to see if there was anything left at the grotto. There isn't, but this one slept there and awoke later than planned."

"Well lets get going then, were going to buy some horses down here at the farm so we can actually get to Dawnstar at a reasonable time. Maybe check out the shops there." Mist said as Kharn rejoined the group. "You alright, Kharn?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"You have blood around your mouth, and on your neck."

"Oh, it is nothing. Kharn was just hunting, raw deer has a wonderful taste." Kharn replied as he joined the group.
Skeptical but not wishing to delay their start any longer Mist withheld his inquires about what actually happened. The four of them walked to the farm
and found the stable hand already up and feeding the horses. Lightening bought the steeds for the group, talking the price down to eight-hundred per horse with the tack and saddle bags.

The sun was fully risen when they finally departed Solitude and began the long road to Dawnstar.