Pierrot to the Crown
A D Gray-Man and Skyrim Crossover
Allen blew a long-suffering sigh out through his nose as he climbed out of the small boat onto the shore just across the way from Solitude and the East Empire Trading Company docks. He still recalled the plan he'd been more or less subjected to listen to and follow with Komui not too long ago and what he was to do from here on out.
"Allen, listen carefully. There's a very real possibility that you could be a target as well. More than likely the assassin, whoever they are, will assume you to take the main road if you leave at all, since it's the most sure-fire way to reach wherever you need to go from Solitude. That's why you mustn't exit through the main gates, go the route that takes you directly under Solitude. A guard will be waiting for you to ferry you across from there."
Allen had of course done as asked, and met the guard at the edge of the water in the shadow of the huge stone archway that supported much of the city. Even with the guard present, he couldn't help but gaze around in wary alertness, still nervous of a possible assassin just waiting to shoot him through the back of the head with an arrow or sneak up behind him and slash his throat.
If anything, the measures that Komui was going to in order to see him safe was doing the opposite of putting his mind at ease. They were only reinforcing the fact that there was an ever-real, present danger on his life and, really, if they wanted him dead very badly he was sure they'd find a way to accomplish it, safety measures or no.
Upon reaching the shore he climbed out, watching even as the guard rowed the boat back to the other side before he himself turned around to gaze out across the open wilds, still feeling scared despite that he tried to push such feelings aside.
"Head to Morthol from there through the swamps, and do not stop until you reach it. Be on high alert at all times. Possible assassin aside, there are entirely other sets of dangers to face out there that may threaten your life. You can't let your guard down."
He was pretty sure he should've been insulted by that, actually…
He had braved the wilds many times before and had to literally fight to survive. The wilderness was not a completely foreign place for the boy and he would never in a million years admit to anyone some of the measures he'd had to go to in order to stay alive.
The teen shook his head and had to remind himself that the man was only worried for his well-being. After all there was an assassin on the loose that none of them knew what the person looked like, where they were from, or even what their intentions or targets were. No doubt Komui was under a lot of stress and just trying to find the safest way for all to get through this whole affair alive.
Adjusting his travelling pack and taking one last glance around for good measure, he set off over the hill headed southeast. Likely he'd just come across mud crabs and frostbite spiders on the way, creatures he could pretty easily avoid. Hopefully there were no trolls lurking about but one could never be too sure.
The sound of a wolf not far off nearly made him jump but he quickly settled with a sigh, straining his ears to locate the direction it was coming from so he could skirt around them.
As he continued to walk, he could determine that they were somewhere off across a face of rock and unaware of him, the teen deeming it a good idea to move it a bit faster before he got attacked.
The marshes beyond looked just as creepy and ominous as ever, cloaked in a cold fog and overrun by sparse grass and dead looking trees. Thick blocks of ice at least allowed relatively easy passage between smile islands of dirt without getting too wet, and before long was past much of the swamp on the far east bank, making his way directly south from there.
As he made his way along, he came across a pair of slain Draugr by a stone archway, being extra cautious to make sure they really were permanently dead before getting too close. It seemed strange to him…had someone else been through here? Was it recently?
Could it have been the assassin? This thought once again brought his nervous feelings rushing to the forefront, glancing around warily and the boy moving to hide behind the stone arch, peaking his head out and gazing around cautiously. Were they nearby? Maybe even waiting for him…
He stopped and shook his head furiously. Even if they had been through here, likely it wasn't because he was travelling the same way. They had probably escaped this way and run across them…assuming it was the assassin and not some random adventurer.
Still, once again unsettled, the teen hastily went along to reach Morthol as instructed and hopefully someplace a little more safe. He ended up nearly walking right into a group of hostiles camped out near a ruin, which resulted in him having to hide in the freezing water just under the cleft of a rock for many minutes until his teeth were nearly chattering, but finally got an opening to slip away unnoticed(and wet) without conflict.
Stupid! That was stupid, Allen Walker, he silently berated even as he shivered, the freezing air making some of the water turn to frost on the surface of his cloak. As much as he hated the wet and the cold, he kept it on since shedding his clothing in this temperature with such water on him could turn more deadly.
He needed to keep himself from turning careless with haste and clear his mind of fear. Easier said than done but it was also certainly easier than dying.
Continuing on his way, he reached Morthol before too long, having to cut down a persistent mud crab just outside of the town but was happy to finally reach it.
It wasn't incredibly large or protected…certainly not like some of the other Holds like Solitude or Whiterun. There were no major walls protecting the city, and wood houses with grass-thatched roofs were located right on the water. The boardwalks and docks were covered in a thin sheet of snow and ice, and small boats were docked off almost every house.
A brief search brought him to the Moorside Inn, the warmth of the heated inside of the building bringing him great relief, the boy letting out a sigh.
A brief scan of the room, just to be safe, assured him that there was little company within, and certainly no one who looked like a shadowy assassin. Of course looks could be deceiving but at the moment it seemed as if no one of dangerous intent was near.
After having to brave the cold and wet out in the open wilds, that was good enough for him, for the moment.
Making his way to the far desk of the room, he greeted the innkeeper, a redguard woman, with a customary polite smile.
"Well hello. You look like you crawled right out of the swamp. Climbed out of the Morthol moors, did you?" She greeted, looking him over.
"That about sums it up," Allen said in a light tone.
"You're quite young to be travelling by yourself. You have business in Morthol?"
"Um…not quite. I'm just passing through on an errand for my Master." Really he only considered it a half-lie since his trip did technically involve his Master's affairs. Just not the way he made it sound.
"Well make yourself at home by the fire. You wouldn't want to catch your death. Don't be afraid to ask if there's anything I can get for you."
"Thank you," Allen replied politely. "Actually…there is. I'd like to buy some food, lots of it. I have plenty of gold to pay."
The woman nodded. "It will take a short while, but make yourself at home in the meantime."
"Thank you again," Allen offered up before moving to sit by the fire, making it a point to sit on the far corner opposite the front door, just to keep an eye on things.
He finally shed his cloak, casting a glance over at the woman and calling out, "Um, excuse me? You don't mind if I hang my cloak above here to dry a bit, do you? It's not dripping wet or anything."
"Go ahead. Just be careful it doesn't catch on fire. Your fault if it does."
Allen nodded and carefully tossed the cloak over the wood beam standing over the fire, being sure it wasn't too close to catch embers and light up on fire. That done, he settled on the ledge almost uncomfortably close, heat radiating across his previously chilled skin.
It was nearly enough to lull him to sleep but the announcement of food had him awake and alert again, taking the food offered with a grateful smile and another polite thanks. Despite that she had brought a considerable amount, he had it finished in no time and piped up for more, surprising her.
"Wow, you must really be hungry. How long has it been since you've eaten?" she half-joked.
Allen couldn't keep a slight blush from rising to his face and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Um…I've just always had a really large appetite…really, it's totally normal for me. Sorry, it is okay if I have more, isn't it? I mean, I don't want to drain you of all your food stores or anything," he said, remembering his manners now that he at least had some food in his stomach.
"Oh no, it's perfectly alright. I'm just surprised. You just don't look like the type to eat that much. Certainly not like some of the other fat loafs that come around here."
Allen smirked and resisted the urge to laugh somewhat as he heard a man at another table bark, "Hey!"
He noticed the woman pointedly ignore it as she continued talking. "Anyway, you're free to as much as you can eat."
Allen once again thanked the woman, finally feeling full after the second round of food and providing the coin he'd promised, as well as ten gold for a room for the night once he was ready to turn in and significantly dry.
Heaving a long suffering sigh, he settled on the bed of the inn room, a bit uncomfortable with the open doorway but would just have to make do with it for the night and hope nothing happened. His travelling and meal had still done nothing to quiet is tumultuous thoughts or the paranoia nagging at the back of his mind.
However, he did manage to find rest after a short while of gazing up at the ceiling, blissfully unaware of being watched by a small and unnoticed figure.