They traveled through the tunnel, which was lit by fire sconces. As the pressed forward, Hadvar was starting to get impatient.

"Where in Oblivion are we supposed to go? Where's the way out?"

Just as he said that, they reached the entrance to a cave that included bridges. She then saw that there were more Stormcloak soldiers. She went ahead and charged for the first one who was crossing the bridge. After fighting with him, she carried onto a woman soldier, while Hadvar took care of the other two. One of whom was using a bow to try and kill them with arrows. Then, just as two more came in, she saw the colorful gleam of oil on the floor. She then cast her fire magic at the oil-slicked ground. The fire burst into a giant blaze, traveling straight at the men, burning them alive as finished them off. After the fight, she then realized that she had no idea where the torturer's assistant went. After scanning the area, she saw him at the entrance in which they came from.

"I better stay back and see to the old man. Good luck to you two."

She nodded and he took off into the tunnel. Hadvar came up the steps near her.

"Alright, let's see if we can find a way out" he said

She looked around and saw a bridge that was pulled up. She also saw the lever to it. After pulling it, the bridge came down with a bang. Once across, they came into a less renovated part of the cave. There was a hole in the ceiling, letting out light from above. Just then, they felt the ground rumble and shake and then heard a crash. The sound of rocks falling onto one another. She looked back through where she came from and saw the mess.

"No going back that way now. We'd better push on. The rest of them will have to find another way out." Hadvar mentioned

After looking at pile for a few seconds, she continued onward deeper into the cave, getting a quick look into the light before going on. They came up to a block in the tunnel and a branch tunnel connecting to it. She then saw a skeleton on the big rock, along with a bag of gold and a lantern. She swiped the gold before Hadvar came running up behind her.

"What he doesn't know won't kill him." She thought

Hadvar then looked at the block in the tunnel, thinking for a moment.

"Hmm. That doesn't go anywhere. I guess we'd better try this way." Hadvar said, indicating the other route.

She went a few steps ahead of him down the other part of the tunnel. But as they came up to another cave, she saw tons of spider webs congesting the cave. She then sighed to herself.

"Damn it all. Do I really have to deal with Frostbite Spiders now of all times? They're the last thing I need right now."

She then saw one of the spiders, a somewhat grown spider, hanging from a silk thread. She quietly alerted Hadvar. She took a breath and charged. She slashed at the two weakest first, two baby spiders, and killed them before taking their bigger siblings. Hadvar assisted with the bigger ones, but she really had it all under control. After slaying the last of them. She got to work harvesting their venom. For Frostbite Spider venom can drain health and stamina for a period of time. It even had a cooling effect, meaning that those hit by the venom would feel really cold. After pocketing the venom, they continued onward. They came into another cave with a waterfall and stream. There was a little stone bridge that she crossed and she continued down into the cave. But then, Hadvar came and whispered to her.

"Hold up. There's a bear just ahead. See her?"

Phoenix looked to where he was pointing, and indeed, there was a brown grizzly bear sleeping the in light streaming from above.

"I'd rather not tangle with her right now. Let's try to sneak by. Just take it nice and slow, and watch your step. Or if you're feeling lucky, you can take this bow. Might take her by surprise. Go ahead. I'll follow your lead and watch your back" Hadvar said

He handed her a wood long bow and a quiver of iron arrows. She strapped the quiver to her back and held the bow. She took an arrow and notched it. Staring at her target, she counted to three at least twice before putting the arrow back with the others and slinging the bow around her. She just didn't feel like killing the creature. With the spiders, it was a different story. They're spiders. Big, hairy, poisonous spiders that were attacking them the second they came into the cave. But this bear is mind her own business, sleeping peacefully. The only times Phoenix killed animals is when they attack her and when she is hungry. But right now, getting out of the cave was most important. And trying to fight a bear is not on the priorities list. So she began to creep past the bear. She heard the creature shift a bit and Phoenix froze, holding in her breath. When the bear didn't stir, she continued to creep over to the other side of the cave.

"Almost there" Hadvar whispered

Once they reached the other side, they both sighed with relief.

"Whew. That was close" Hadvar said

"Yeah. I really thought the girl was going to wake up. If she did, today would be even more terrible than it already is. Well, let's just hope there is nothing else waiting for us." Phoenix thought

They continued down another tunnel. Once they reached another fire sconce, they could see light up ahead.

"That looks like the way out! I knew we'd make it!" Hadvar exclaimed

Both she and Hadvar then ran straight for the cave entrance that led to the outside. Once out, they both took in breaths of fresh air. Then all of a sudden, Hadvar rushed over to a boulder.

"Wait!" He called

He ducked behind a boulder, and Phoenix hid behind him. She then saw the dragon flap over them and fly straight for the mountain area. Hadvar got up.

"Looks like he's gone for good this time. But I don't think we should stick around to see if he comes back." Hadvar said, laughing a little, "Closest town from here is Riverwood. My uncle's the blacksmith there. I'm sure he'd help you out."

As they continued down the road, Hadvar looked over at her.

"It's probably best if we split up. Good luck. I wouldn't have made it without your help today."

"Is he serious? If we're heading to the same place, then why on Nirn should we split up? Men. You can never understand them. Ah well, I'll just follow him."

After some time of following him, he seemed to get the memo that she was sticking around, at least until they got to Riverwood. He then spoke up.

"Listen, you should go to Solitude and join up with the Imperial Legion. We could really use someone like you. And if the rebels have themselves a dragon, General Tullius is the only one who can stop them."

"Ha! As if I would join the very group that was going to kill me. Plus, I am not someone to be used, especially for a stupid war like this. Thanks for the offer, but no. Plus, I doubt the rebels have a dragon since I saw it kill one of the Stormcloaks himself" She mentally laughed

They continued down the road. They made it to a three-way intersection, with Hadvar taking the route on the right. Then, as they walked down the road, Hadvar stopped and pointed toward one of the mountains. There, she could clearly see distinctive ancient Nordic ruins.

"See that ruin up there? Bleak Falls Barrow. When I was a boy, that place always used to give me nightmares. Draugr creeping down the mountain to climb through my window at night, that kind of thing. I admit, I still don't much like the look of it." He admitted

"Wimp" she thought

The road continued to twist and turn, with them reaching three oddly crafted stones that she had never seen before. One had the constellation of a warrior on it, one with the constellation of a mage, and one with a crouching thief.

"These are the Guardian stones, three of the thirteen ancient standing stones that dot Skyrim's landscape. Go ahead, see for yourself." He indicated the stones

She walked over to them and inspected each one. Which one should she choose? The warrior stone, the mage stone, or the thief stone? She decided to think about it real quick. She eliminated the warrior stone, because she wanted to master weapons with her own strength, and not by blessings and cheating. She eliminated the thief stone, since she was never going to be a thief unless for some reason she needs to be one. So, all that was left was the mage stone. She pressed her hand to the stone, and it lit up. It sent a ray of light shooting from the hole and into the sky. Hadvar spoke up.

"Mage, eh? Well, to each his own. It's not for me to judge." He said

She looked over at him and smiled, causing him to cough and continue ahead of her, not letting the slight redness of his face be seen by her. They continued, and as they walked, he thought about something.

"Listen, as far as I'm concerned you already earned your pardon. But until we get that confirmed by General Tullius, just stay clear of other imperial soldiers and avoid any complications, all right?" He told her

She nodded and kept walking. Just as Hadvar had finished his sentence, two wolfs came and attacked them. Phoenix took care of them in front defense while Hadvar shot them with arrows. Once dead, she kicked the wolf's bodies down into the water below. After a few more minutes of silent travel, Hadvar spoke again.

"I'm glad you decided to come with me. We're almost to Riverwood." He said

She couldn't help but smile at the kind words he presented her. She then knew her choice was not unfounded. Just a few more minutes, and she could then see the gate entrance into Riverwood, with a guard patrolling over the gate. She ran over to the gate and stood in the entrance way. She looked out into the town that would lead her on the course of her destiny. A destiny she knew nothing of yet.