22nd of Frostfall, 4E 202
The sun was high above the pair as they galloped the horses on the path flanking the White River. Looking over his shoulder, Scouts-Many-Marshes could see the massive stone walls of the city and see faint specks of people. Glancing down, he saw the river and the paved path flow swiftly as they traveled. Nothing had harmed them so far, and occasionally they saw glimpses of foxes or wild goats. The air was still frigid and as the hour passed in their journey, the snow had let up to a drift.
Krii led them on the road until they spotted a waterfall, the pathway continuing over it by a bridge. On the opposite bank, Scouts-Many-Marshes could see smoke and faintly hear wood being chopped.
"There's a mill over that way." Krii told him as the horses stopped. "But we need to go forward to get to Gallows Rock, we might run into trouble though."
He shook his head, "Alright, do you know how much longer?"
Krii glanced at the sun and squinted, "About a hour, the pathway goes through the mountains, but it's not really a road, if you know what I mean." she watched him nod as she took the lead again, eyes darting around to spot any danger. The two climbed up, the whiteness of the snow almost blinding Krii's sensitive eyes as they progressed. But she pulled the dark cowl tighter and continued on without complaining.
Halfway through the quiet journey, she stopped suddenly, ears intent. He stopped the draft horse next to hers and watched her face contort in slight anger.
"What is it?" he whispered.
"A few thieves, Altmers I think. Dismount, we have to take them out quietly. There's probably more in the cave." Krii answered, her voice harsh with disdain.
In truth, Krii had believed she had wiped out the Summerset Shadows in Uttering Hills Cave, but to her surprise some had managed to survive. She was praying to the Nine that none of the Silver Hand had survived, and internally she was fearful of what she might find at the abandoned fort.
Scowling angrily, she went to the snowy ground and crouched, Scouts-Many-Marshes following her lead. They edged close to the camp, both moving slowly underneath the shadows. The darkness of both of their armor allowed them to transverse with ease, and Krii waited for one of the Altmer males to linger a little to long close to the shadows. With swiftness, Krii lunged out of the darkness and slit his throat, allowing the body to roll in the powdery snow and stain it crimson. His companion swiveled around in shock, hearing the dull thud of the corpse drop.
"Show yourself!" she snarled, yellow eyes transfixed on her dead friend. Before Krii could leap out of the shadows, Scouts-Many-Marshes had charged forth and stabbed the high elf in the throat to Krii's surprise. It left the Summerset thief wallowing on the ground in silent agony. Scouts-Many-Marshes stabbed her again and she fell stiff, blood pooling on the pureness of the snow. Krii assessed the situation and deemed it clear, before moving out of the dappled tree shade to him. She could feel a wave of raw emotions from him, and she approached him cautiously.
"That was all of them out here. Hurry though, more will come out soon. We need to leave." she whispered soothingly, trying to ease his building anxiety. He stood there staring at the Altmer he just had slain in silence, beady eyes unreadable.
"I just murdered someone..." he noted blankly, as Krii pulled him back to the horses with unease.
"Yes, but they would've killed you. It is a rough life out here, that you know. But I know who and what will kill us more than you. Please listen when I say, it's okay Scouts."
He suddenly looked very frail and with resignation, he allowed her to walk him back to the waiting draft horses numbly. She stopped him suddenly, concern in her eyes as she faced him, "Look at me." she whispered, repeating it until he rested his eyes on her.
"Do not let this bother you, Scouts-Many-Marshes. Skyrim is harsh mistress, and you need to be tough. Please, tell me you'll be okay, I don't want you to leave." Krii threw her arms around his chest, and he was still, staring over her shoulder at nothing. Krii kept on hugging him and then, very slowly he returned the embrace.
"Will you stay?" she asked in his ear, a snowflake landing delicately on his navy plume of feathers.
"Yes, I will stick by your side. I told you, until the trees themselves fade away." he recalled, resting his chin on her head.
Krii sighed and then released him, climbing on Night-Mare and settling in her mare's saddle. She could feel the emotions lightening, and then she led them forth to the old fort. They encountered no more threats but as they crested a hill, Krii came to a stop again. She pointed out over the hillside, finger hovering in the direction of a pond. A small island was in the center and Krii could see a few mudcrabs embedded in the shore's mud.
"That's Mara's Eye Pond. Through the trees over there, is Gallows Rock. I'm telling you right now, you might not like what's inside. I just pray that it's cleared out still. We'll continue on foot from here on out, in case we need to sneak up on anybody." Krii informed him as she rummaged through her bag for her daedric bow. Cursing lightly when she couldn't find it, she summoned the conjuration spell for Bound Bow instead. Scouts-Many-Marshes was watching her, a look of interest in his eyes.
"What could be in there?"
"A group called the Silver Hand. Many months ago when I was training with the Companions in Whiterun we came across this fort. You know about werewolves, right?" she added suddenly, mischief rising in her voice.
"Like in the stories? Not necessarily, but it's possible they exist. Why? Are you going to tell me that's your a werewolf?" he added with a smirk.
"Why, yes I am." she stated bluntly, her voice free of humor, "The Silver Hand are werewolf hunters, fierce and crazy bastards. A high ranking member of the Companions, Skjor, was killed in there on the night I first transformed. A good friend of Skjor was devastated, and we took out the remaining strongholds in retaliation. But a few members could still be alive." Krii was deep in reverie, and the Argonian looked at her with his head titled.
"You have a lot of history then. Are you still a...?" he left the question blank.
"A werewolf? Yes I am, but only when I need to be. You're taking it surprisingly well, but I think your still in shock from the incident at the cave back there. Let's go on ahead, if my tails starts flicking then there's danger up ahead. If it's flicking one way, then there's an enemy around the corner."
"Understood. Come on, let's head inside."
They left the horses hitched to a low tree branch and skirted the edge of the old fort, attempting to stay hidden in grass thickets or rock shadows. They neared the cold stone wall of the fort and Krii fell into a crouch. She edged around the few barrels at the entrance of the fort, sticking close to the wall.
The sun was beginning to set, though it was still close to midday. It had taken them two hours to arrive at Gallows Rock, and as Krii rounded the arch to the fort's courtyard she saw, once again, the rotting heads of other werewolves. She had to restrain a gag, and Scouts-Many-Marshes looked away from the macabre scene quickly, disgust apparent in his eyes.
The courtyard was ominously empty, and the Khajiit glanced around suspiciously. She deemed it clear and proceeded to the door cautiously, the heads of more werewolves lit sickeningly in the low torch light. She tugged the chain and watched the iron bars retreat into their slots, and then she crept along the shadows, Scouts-Many-Marshes following her silently. As they came to the end of the small dark hallway, Krii peered over the railing at the level below. A fire was casting shadows from somewhere in the next room, and Krii's stomach churned as the shape of humans became distinguished.
"Here we go." she muttered.
~~~Chapter seven everyone, a little longer than others. No annotations for this chapter, but a few spoilers. As well, in the last chapter, Scouts-Many-Marshes wears ebony armor, which is technically wrong on my part because he teaches Light Armor. But, considering it's a dangerous mission, it's more safe for him. A little romance in this chapter. But I'm still considering making this rated M, as well, I'm sure you guys noticed the gore. It would be more detailed should it be rated mature.
R&R
