Indira Skyrim Fic
Disclaimer: All familiar characters belong to Bethesda Studios. I own Indira Rosebed.
Chapter 4: Respite
We were outside. I could hardly believe what had happened. We were actually outside. I got away with the help of this Imperial soldier. I have to admit, I do owe him my life.
The dragon passed over us, and we took cover behind a rock. The Imperial soldier watched as the dragon flew back to wherever it came from. I have no idea where it came from, but, the Imperial soldier and I both agreed that it was best to keep running and not wonder if that thing was going to come back.
We both ran on the trail, and he explained to me that he had an uncle in Riverwood, a sleepy little town not too far from here. He figured on getting provisions for the both of us and explain the situation. I could use some provisions; my stomach was aching for sustenance. I honestly do not remember the last time I ate. It might have been a day or so ago. I noticed, in the distance, there was a river. The first thing I would do would be to get a hot meal, and then, maybe a bath.
As we continued on our journey, my Imperial companion pointed out several of these ritual stones. According to legend, these stones were based on constellations and that I would receive some sort of power from them. I touched one, that of the thief, and I felt something in my body radiate. A light shot up into the sky and I was bathed in calming light. It reacted to me and I felt myself slightly more nimble and agile than before. I shook my head and the Imperial smiled at me, shaking his head. I heard him say that it is never too late to change your fate. I seemed to chuckle at that.
We encountered a pack of wolves and I managed to skin their pelts. Probably just scavenging for a next meal, and, while I understand their need to survive, I pray to my gods that these animals understand my need for survival as well. I needed to find that dragon, find out why it attacked.
When we arrived in town, the soldier told me that his uncle was a blacksmith. We all went inside and the blacksmith asked what was going on. I could barely focus, as I could smell fish, rabbit, and eggs, as well as vegetable and fresh bread filling their savory scents in the room. I began to explain that there was a dragon that attacked and destroyed the entire town. The Imperial troop that was with me could sense my hunger and asked if we all sat down and began talking.
I voraciously ate what was on my plate, savoring the taste of real food. I was not about to make my last meal that of roots and berries, I can assure you of that. I guzzled a bottle of wine down laid in my chair for a moment. The Imperial soldier said he had to make his way to Solitude and report back about the situation. The blacksmith told me I could take whatever I needed, within reason, of course.
The wife of the black smith, a woman named Sigrid, I think, was watching me closely. I could tell this Nord was jealous of me, or she thought I was out to steal her husband. There was also a young girl in the room, and she eagerly wanted to hear about the dragon that attacked.
My body was aching from the ordeal and, as I checked outside, it was evening. The Imperial soldier would be staying until morning, and then heading out of town for Solitude. Before he left, he gave me a map of Skryim, in case I got lost. It contained all the most traveled roads and trade routes, as well as the major cities in the area. I did not even want to take a bath, I was so tired. I laid down on a bed that was made for me and fell asleep.
I was dreaming. Dreaming about the attack; the dragon's fiery breath blistering my skin. The beast was looking at me and then unleashed another breath attack. I sat up, startled. I held my head for a while, feeling a slight headache coming from it. I decided to step outside, grabbing my bow and arrows. I walked around the town. Many were asleep, but there was a slight ruckus coming from the inn. Probably a few drunken revelers. I decided to look around for a discrete place where I could take a bath in the river. I found one near the saw mill. The place was concealed and I slowly took my armor off. Once I was fully nude, I stepped into the water and, taking a bar of soap and a rag I was allowed to have, began bathing myself.
Though I have grown accustomed to the wilderness, I was still a woman, and I did have the need to bathe once in a while. Nothing fancy, no perfumes; just soap and water. I liked it. The water warmer than I thought it would be, but it was still cold.
As I was bathing, I closed my eyes and began humming a tune from my childhood. I suddenly missed home. I suddenly missed my family. I do not know if they were still looking for me, or they figured I was on the trail of an elusive game and would be back longer than expected. I continued humming the tune until I heard the rustling of leaves. I opened my eyes and reached for my bow. I regretted I did not have the eyes of a Khajiit, or I would be able to see my peeper, but years of being trained with a bow made me a pretty good shot in the dark.
It was the Imperial soldier, and he had brought a towel with him. I put my bow down and glared at him, asking,
"What are you doing here?"
The soldier said,
"Checking up on you. You left in the middle of the night."
I shook my head,
"I did not realize you were assigned to check up on me. I thought I was a free woman."
The soldier responded back,
"You are, to me, anyway. To the rest of the Imperial Army, probably too, but it's best if you stay away from them, just in case there was a bounty on your head."
I rolled my eyes and said,
"Could I at least dry off without you staring at me?"
The soldier conceded and I snatched the towel from him. He turned around and I quickly dried myself off. I want to put my armor back on, but a part of it got stuck. He asked,
"Could I help you-?"
I snapped at him,
"No! Just because you have seen me naked does not mean I want you to touch me!"
The soldier smiled
"And why wouldn't I want to touch you? You are beautiful."
I grumbled,
"Shouldn't you be heading to Solitude?"
I could see early sun trying to rise over the mountains. The soldier said,
"I will, and, if you ever want to join the Imperial army, come to Solitude. You'll actually like it."
He then walked away. I was tempted to fire an arrow into his back, but I knew better. I had a sense of honor.
For the next few hours, I spent working and crafting my weapons and armor, improving what I could and selling what I could not. I tested the strength of my bow and realized I let my guard down like that. I guess I was out longer than I thought. The blacksmith noticed my behavior and said that I should head to Whiterun and speak to the Jarl about sending troops to their town. I figured that would be a good place to start, but I also wanted to know more about the town itself, and maybe sharpen my skills…
Next Chapter:
Mine Splunking, and the Golden Claw
