Disclaimer: I don't own Skyrim but I own Kendrick.
"This/this"- Mental speech.
"This" - Dragon tongue/Thu'um.
Kendrick arrived in Riverwood jittery as fuck with her arrows safely tucked back into the quiver and eyes cast down at the ground.
Glancing around, she took notice of the new guards surrounding the area and made a beeline straight for Sigrid's house. Slipping a hand into her pocket in search of the key, Kendrick closed her eyes tightly against the acute irritation she could feel building in her stomach when she couldn't find it.
She must have dropped it in the goddamn forest.
Taking a deep breath - because she could already feel the tightness in her throat - Kendrick instead raised her hand and knocked. Waiting almost impatiently for the door to open, she smiled when someone finally answered but was quick to frown when she saw that it was Dorthe and not one of the adults.
"Are you home alone?" Kendrick blurted out and the small child beamed and nodded?
"Mother says that I'm old enough to be trusted here while they go off to the market!" She chirped sounding as proud as can be and the young archer furrowed her brow.
"You shouldn't open the door when it's just you here." She scolded, intent on getting her point across but when Kendrick felt the presence in her mind shift to attention, she paused and shook her head.
"Nevermind," She muttered with a sigh. "Just - don't do it again."
Quickly moving inside, she spotted her bag in the corner of the room and hefted it up until it sat on the table. Looking inside Kendrick was pleased to note that her bag of gold was still present and that the potions she had gotten when she had first come here were still corked and untouched. Shifting the items around, she nodded at the sight of her spare pair of underwear, wrapped up soap bars, wash rag, and small dagger - happy that she had yet another way to defend herself.
Even though she couldn't use it properly.
Sure she knew how to stab and hack but anybody with an iota of finesse could best her - which meant she needed to practice handling it and keeping it on her body. And in order to get used to it being on her person, Kendrick needed to get a sheath that wrapped around her waist and maybe even a cloak to keep herself warm and concealed when need be.
She could go to the traders and get the latter but the former could be found here at Alvor's workshop.
"What are you doing?" The curious young girl asked and Kendrick paused and weighed her words carefully before she came to a decision.
"Dorthe," She began as she turned around. "do you wanna be a big girl and help me with something?"
And although a part of the young Nord child definitely balked at the insinuation that she wasn't already grown, the girl still nodded enthusiastically at the thought of doing anything for the young archer who had seen a dragon.
Admiration was a great and terrible thing.
"Great!" Kendrick rumbled and then cleared her throat to break up the tightness nestled there. It barely helped. "I need you to find me a strap - you know, the kind that holds a knife in it."
Licking her lips, the dark haired girl smiled shakily.
"Do you think you can do that for me?" She asked softly and Dorthe beamed.
"Of course!" She grinned, cornflower eyes shining. "I help Da in the forge all the time."
Scampered off further into the house, the blonde opened the door to the back room and glanced around.
"I'll be right back!" She shouted to her and Kendrick was left alone.
Taking in another shuddering breath, the outworlder blinked and turned back to her bag.
Turning to stare at the bread sitting on the table, Kendrick felt her stomach give a grumble and without a moment's hesitation she took a loaf and tore into it. Groaning at the taste, she gave a sniff of the air and her head snapped over to her left towards the pot of still warm stew hanging over the fire pit and she grabbed one of the many bowls resting on the table top.
Wandering over the young archer picked up the ladle and damn near ate from the cauldron when her manners forced her to pause and then to dump it all into the container held at her fingertips. Barely having the patience to grab a spoon, she instead brought the wooden rim to her lips and tipped her head back - and damn near choked herself in the process but that was the least of her worries.
The overwhelming feeling of hunger was center stage at the moment and before she knew it, she had downed three bowls and Dorthe was back and giggling at her.
"Wow," She laughed as Kendrick paused and flushed with mild shame at her lack of decorum. "you musta been real hungry for Mama's cooking!"
And at that, the elder girl cracked a ragged grin as she took the loaf of half-eaten bread in her hand and dipped it into the remaining stew in her bowl.
"You have no idea." She jokingly admitted as she practically stuffed the morsel into her mouth and the blonde child's eyes lit up in glee.
"You're funny!" The Nord girl declared as she almost skipped closer and took a seat at the table.
"I got what you asked for." Dorthe announced as she lifted the belt in her left hand and Kendrick paused when she saw that there was already a blade in it.
"Oh." She muttered as she set down the empty platter and moved across the room the take the weapon from Dorthe's hands. "Were there any empty ones?"
The younger girl shook her head.
"No," She confirmed. "Da makes every sheath with a knife, he calls it a package deal."
Frowning, Kendrick flipped the button on the leather carrier and gripped the hilt of the blade. Sucking in a breath at the sight of the bright silver of the curved metal as she pulled it out, Kendrick marveled at the fact that it was the length of half her forearm and cast a glance back at the old dagger resting on the table.
The one Alvor made was far better than the dingy thing she stole from a skeleton.
Swallowing she strode over to her bag and pulled out her coin purse. Opening it up, she cast Dorthe considering glance.
"Will ten gold pieces cover it?" She asked and the blonde child paused in consideration before nodding. "Good."
Taking out the correct amount, she closed it back up, set her new blade down on the table and moved towards the door.
"I'll be back soon." She told the other girl who perked up to attention at her words. "I have to go to the traders and then to the tavern to pick up a few things, lock the door behind me."
Without waiting for a confirmation, Kendrick was out of the house and across the way to the small shop and she hesitated when there was no one at the counter. Slowly she raised one hand and knocked on the wooden desk, prompting a man to exit from the backrooms.
"Welcome to the Riverwood Trader!" He greeted with a cheery smile and Kendrick gave a weak one back. "I'm Lucan Valerius, what can I do for you today?"
Pausing, she read off the mental list she wrote up in her head and nodded.
"Do you have like - thin leather armor?" Kendrick asked as she looked around. "And a bundle of arrows? And a cloak? And like - three? Three minor healing potions?"
Humming in consideration, the man wandered over to the wall of merchandise and rummaged around.
"You seem to be a bit on a smaller side so the armors I have may be loose on you," He confessed as he pulled out a couple sets of clothes. "but you can go try these on in the back room and pick out which one feels the most natural."
Nodding as she clutched them to her chest, she paused and licked her lips.
"Are these washed?" The outworlder asked hesitantly and the man nodded with a knowing smile.
"Weekly."
Nodding to herself, Kendrick followed him as he led her through the back rooms and into a little cubby and she waited until she could no longer hear his footsteps before setting down her load.
And she waited for a bit more before daring to take off her clothes because even though Lucan in the game didn't show any signs of being a predator, a lot changed when fiction became reality. Making quick work of her boots, jeans, and sweater she picked up the smallest looking set of bottoms and pulled it on.
Glancing down at the leather and cloth pants, she grimaced when she squatted down and realized they were good for fashionable wear but for someone who needed to be agile and mobile - not so much.
Feeling a pang of homesickness as she peeled the clothes from her legs - if Kendrick were in Denver she would have bought it without a moment's hesitation - she tried on the third pair and found that they hung a little loose on her thighs and calves but were tight enough around her hips with the aid of the belt they came with and she hummed as she did some test lunges.
Pleased that they were a good choice for what she needed, she cast one last longing look at the leather pants to her left and sighed.
Picking up the corresponding top piece to the pants she was currently wearing, Kendrick eyed it before setting it down in favor of picking up the matching armored shirt for the first pair of leathers she had tried on. Pulling the collar over her head, she realized it was a perfect fit but swallowed at the fact that in this outfit, the slight pudge that used to cling to her midsection was startlingly absent.
In fact, her hips were more pronounced than usual and it made her feel kind of sick.
A bit self-consciously Kendrick poked at her stomach but then shook her head.
She wasn't here to look good for anyone, she was here to survive.
By any means necessary.
Kul, the Dragon - Mirmulnir she recalled now that her mind was right - purred from within her and Kendrick paused. You have the fen wah krif within you, maybe Dovnaak, you have some yol yet.
Swallowing down the urge go ask him what those unknown words meant, Kendrick instead shakily stuffed her feet into her boots - she didn't bother lacing them up - and gathered up the clothes before she swept from the room.
He terrified her.
Moving back down the hallway, Kendrick paused when she saw the shopkeeper and hefted up the leathers in her arms.
"I'm gonna buy what I'm wearing." She told him as she handed him his extra armor - she kept her original clothes, though - and the man nodded as he gestured for her to follow him.
Moving to stand on the other side of the wooden desk, she eyed the arrows and almost dingy gray cloak on the table and shrugged.
Beggars can't be choosers.
"How much?" Kendrick asked and the man turned to face her.
"Twenty-one gold." He told her. "The whole armor ensemble is ten altogether - five for each piece, the twenty arrows are currently being sold as a bundle so it's three for that, the cloak is two, and the three potions cost two each."
Nodding - because that was actually a good deal - she took out her gold pouch from her jean pockets and paid him in full - making sure to ignore the sour taste in her mouth as she parted ways with her well-earned money.
"It was a pleasure doing business with you!" He beamed as he pocketed his pay and Kendrick gave him a small smile in return.
"Thank you." She murmured as she picked up her things and fumbled out the door. Sighing as it closed behind her, she realized that she had lost thirty-one septums in all and was now down to ninety-three coins.
Setting down her arrows and potions, she swept the cloak out and noted it was like a hood with a cape. Shrugging it on, she noted with a little annoyance that it damn near fell to her ankles but she acknowledged that it was light enough to not be too cumbersome. Picking up her things, she walked to the tavern and pushed open the door as she beelined straight for the bar.
Delphine wouldn't be here so that was good - she didn't need a lot of scrutiny while she was leaving.
"Hey Orgnar." Kendrick greeted with a small wave and the barman nodded to her.
"You were missing today." He said as he set down the cup he was polishing and she gave him her best sheepish smile.
"My mother was staying in Whiterun and she wanted me to come visit her to make sure I was safe, you know, with all that's going on she was worried." She lied smoothly. "And after going to see her, I've decided that I need to be closer to home - she's getting on in age and with trouble popping up all over the place, she needs someone to watch over her and god knows my brother won't be any help."
Spotting the sympathetic look in his dark eyes once she reached the end of her spiel, Kendrick felt a sharp stab of relief and was ever thankful that these people knew next to nothing about her - which meant she could tell them just about anything and there was no way for them to refute it.
"So you'll be quitting then?" He asked her and she made sure to nod apologetically. "Well, I'll give you your last week of pay and you can be off to your home."
Watching as he reached down beneath the counter and pulled out a tiny sack of coins, she smiled when he handed her the purse.
"There's the seven from this week and five in tips." He grinned. "You were missed today."
Feeling her spirits soar for a minute, Kendrick resisted the urge to kiss the man across from her but she settled on a hug.
Just because she hated it here didn't mean she couldn't be kind.
"Thank you." Kendrick told him sincerely as she pulled back and Orgnar smiled.
"Anytime lass," He said. "now off you go - your mother is probably wondering where you are."
Nodding the dark haired girl gave him one last wave and practically sprinted across the way back to Sigrid's home and paused with her fist raised to bang against the door. Once Kendrick went inside, she would have to leave - there was no question about that seeing as how she hardly felt safe being so close to Whiterun. And already there were too many guards coming through and Kendrick needed to relocate but to where, she wasn't exactly sure.
And she knew - she knew - that not having a plan was not the best position to be in but she was running on fumes and panic at this point and if she had to camp out in a tree and sleep on a branch for a few nights while she got her shit together - then so be it.
Steeling her nerves, she knocked and smiled when Dorthe opened the door and the young archer moved inside and over to her bag.
"I'm going to be leaving soon." She announced to the girl as she folded her potions into her sweater and jeans to stop them from making too much noise while in her pack before setting it all inside. "Which is why I need you to tell anyone who asks about me that I went to go live with my mother and her and I are moving out east."
Walking over to the cabinet in the corner, she opened it up and took out a lump of wrapped up, dried out meat and set it inside her bag - noting that it was halfway full after she added the beef. Nodding, Kendrick took two wedges of cheese and three small sweet rolls and placed them in a spare cloth that she had found in the cupboard. Setting the extra provisions inside, she buttoned the bag closed and hefted it up using the dual straps and was pleased to note that it had weight but wasn't heavy.
Sliding it onto her shoulders so that she was wearing it backward, Kendrick picked up her new arrows and put them into her quiver and slid that on so that it was resting on her back.
Knowing she had to at least look a little stupid, she comforted herself with that knowledge that carrying her bag like this was easier and more convenient that wearing it the right way. Reaching over she lifted her sheath and buckled it around her waist as she eyed the way it was just short of loose.
Shrugging it off, Kendrick palmed her bow and turned to look at the wide-eyed Dorthe who looked ready to protest.
"I'll be off now," She told the younger girl softly. "But I'll sure to visit if I can."
Seeing the child clam up, she was a little startled to note that the girl had rushed up to hug her but she returned the affection in her own awkward way nevertheless.
"Have dinner with me before you go?" Dorthe muttered as she peered up at her with large sparkling eyes and Kendrick shifted. "I know you already ate but you liked it right? Surely you'll eat a bit more with me?"
The young archer paused and then looked over at the food and realized that she was still feeling a bit peckish and that this was sure to be the last time she would ever see the girl again so it wouldn't hurt to entertain Dorthe's whims just this once - and so she smiled.
"Just a quick little dine and dash." She agreed and Dorthe cheered. "I really have to get going before dark."
Kendrick was at the end of her rope.
When she had first started out on her journey, she managed to hitch a wagon ride with a farmer traveling to Windhelm but ended up hopping off after she was far enough from Riverwood for obvious reasons. From there she had asked the man for directions to the nearest town and for a while everything had been fine.
That was, until she ran into a pair of wolves and was chased halfway around the forest path.
It had been one of her worst experiences and that was truly saying something. Kendrick ended up "Fus Roh Dah-ing" the mangy flea bags a few feet away and while they had been getting their bearings, she had climbed a tree and started an aerial assault.
It took her well over thirty minutes to kill the things seeing as how they were smarter and more resilient than she gave any animal credit for.
But by the time she got down from her perch and found the road again, she had no idea where she was.
Which fucking sucked.
She was only lucky a river was nearby to give her the relief of guidance.
Kendrick had been walking alongside the water for maybe a few hours now and in that time she found that couldn't stop herself from shouting all the fucking time!
She didn't know if nerves or heightened emotions of any kind that triggered the need to release her Thu'um but as she kept walking, howls kept howling, and the sky got darker Kendrick found herself riddled with near terror of the unknown and she tried futilely to swallow the power brewing in her throat.
I need you to help me. She begged from inside her mind as fire raced through her veins and she gagged. Or else we'll both end up fucked!
Cape and packs discarded as her head was dunked deep into the river, Kendrick released the Thu'um that had been building inside her mouth for the better part of the hour and cringed as she felt just how raw her esophagus was.
Pulling back with a deep gasp, she fell onto her haunches and rubbed her neck as she blinked back the stinging tears bubbling in her eyes at the sharp pain.
Kendrick needed help controlling her shouts but there was no way she could go to the Greybeards - not when she had a Dragon taking up residence in her mind who knew more than any mortal man ever could about the Way of the Voice. And at first she had resolved to not talk to the being inside her at all, but the pain was the perfect motivation.
Especially since she was a pussy.
I need you to train me, She beseeched to the silence in her head and something inside there shifted. Or - or at least give me pointers.
And there was quiet before a snort sounded but when nothing else was offered, she bristled.
What the actual fuck?
Couldn't he see that she was struggling here?
Look, She hurried to spit out, if I don't figure this out I'm gonna be in deep shit, and if I'm in deep shit I'll have to go to the Greybeards and from there on we'll both be in deep shit so please.
But still he said nothing and so she let her eyes fall shut and pushed down the mounting frustration - getting worked up only made it worse.
I'm begging, She whispered, for the love of god, Mirmulnir -
And suddenly he was roaring in her head.
And god there were no words to describe the pain.
Letting out a screech at the assault, Kendrick threw herself to the ground and curled in on herself. Clenching her fingers into the sides of her skull as her back arched sharply in agony, she could feel the beast's full attention shift towards her and it was a horrible thing.
Hi lost ni ofaal fin vahzah wah bel zu'u naal zin! He raged and she sobbed and cowered under the weight of his full regard. You have not faced and bested me in grah nor do you bear the title of Grah-Zeymahzin, Fahdon, or Middovah!
The very foundations of her psyche trembled at his declaration and she dry heaved against the pressure.
Hi fen qiilaan wah zu'u kiir Dovnaak, He thundered out and despite the fact that he wasn't physical, she was sure he was looming over her. There is no other option.
Jerking away from the menace in his words, Kendrick pressed her screaming face into her knees and squeezed her eyes shut.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" She wailed but she knew he was no longer listening and she gave a deep rooted sob at the hot throb of pain that shot through her thoughts. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
And if Kendrick laid there by the river crying and apologizing until the sun started to set, that was no one's business but her own.
Kul - Good (as in moral goodness).
Fen wah krif - will to fight/struggle/battle especially to the death.
Yol - Fire.
Hi lost ni ofaal fin vahzah wah bel zu'u naal zin!- translates roughly to ' you have not earned the right to call/summon me by my name/honor. Since in my headcanon, Dragon's see names as Honor and the right to call another dragon by name is something that's earned.
Grah - Battle.
Grah-Zeymahzin- Battle companion, ally. A person who fights alongside someone in battle. Connotates loyalty but not subservience, an allegiance that is given as a matter of respect but not owed.
Fahdon - Friend, ally or companion. The dragon concept of friendship differs greatly from that of mortals, closer in meaning to 'ally' or 'companion'.
Middovah - Dragon loyalist or ally. Can only reference dragons.
Hi fen qiilaan wah zu'u kiir Dovnaak - You will submit/bow to me child Dragon eater.
Ah! I'm so glad to have a new chapter out! And there's more dragon interactions yay! I'm really going to enjoy building up the relationships Kendrick creates. Mirmulnir will be one of the dragons that stay permanently because as her first soul, I think that he has some emotional importance lol. The other three have yet to be decided but if you guys have any suggestions, tell me.
Question 1: How do you guys feel about the scenes where Kendrick went back and packed up to leave Riverwood?
Question 2: How do you feel about her interactions with Mirmulnir in this chapter? What did you like and why? What do you want to see more of?
Question 3: What do you think about how Mirmulnir reacted to Kendrick's (improper) use of his name? Why?
Question 4: How do you think the relationship between Mirmulnir and Kendrick will develop and why?
Question 5: Where do you think Kendrick should head to and why? Like which city or town etc etc.
Question 6: Which Daedra/Aedra/Gods do you think will develop an interest in Kendrick and why? Do you think that interest will be good, bad, or neutral and why?
Thank you for reading! I know there are errors but I'll fix them later today. Thank you all for your continued support! Until next time guys!
Edit: 6/29/17
