Fareeha grits her teeth in anger and clenches her fist so tightly she can feel her nails indent the palm of her hand.
Amelie stands before them, a small army of Thalmor standing behind her. A longbow is strung across her back along with a quiver sprouting dark arrows. Hana is caught in a headlock, struggling under Amelie's tight grip.
"Let her go, she has nothing to do with this." Fareeha growls, her eyes blazing. Fury races in her veins like a wildfire, scorching her body.
Amelie smiles, a cruel display of malicious intent and superiority, "Oh but I think she does. She led you to the old man didn't she? That makes her a traitor, my dear Dragonborn." Amelie frowns slightly but her wicked smile is still plastered to her face, "I really wasn't expecting you to be the great Dragonborn but I suppose fate has its ways."
Angela steps up to Fareeha's side, standing tall and firm, "What do you want Amelie?"
Amelie leans in, "Oh it's really quite simple, I want you to hand over the old man and surrender yourself, quietly I might add. If not . . ." Her gaze lowers to the squirming Hana, "Well let's just say your little friend won't be helping you ever again."
"Don't you dare listen to this spider!" Hana spits, giving a mighty heave to try and yank free. "Just go!"
Amelie's face twists into a frown and she grips Hana tighter, nearly chocking her. "Surrender yourselves and she goes free. I promise."
Fareeha glances at Angela for advice. With just a mere nod and defeated eyes, Angela nods. She drops her Caduceus staff.
"See, your friend Mercy here knows what to do." Amelie's voice suddenly hardens and slices the air like ice, "Drop your sword."
With a frustrated sigh, Fareeha drops her sword, anger twitching in her mind. She didn't want to risk getting Hana or Angela hurt. She would take her chances, and look for a way to escape when Amelie wasn't literally holding Hana's life in her hands.
"Good. Now take them." Amelie barks, nodding her head towards the two women. "And grab that old man, I'm sure he's hiding in there somewhere."
Two guards rush forward and pull Fareeha's arms behind her back in a steely grip. Another two do the same to Angela. Fareeha has to muster all her strength and self-control to not explode when they yank Angela's arms a bit too aggressively. The smiles on their faces disgust her. Another set of guards walk past them and enter Esbern's hideout, searching for him.
"You're not going to get away with this." Fareeha snarls, glaring at Amelie.
Amelie laughs, "I already have, who's going to stop me?"
A chorus of ragged screams erupts from Esbern's room and a wall of flame spews out the doorway in a dance of burning colors. For a moment everyone freezes, shocked by the sudden explosion.
Fareeha feels a smile widen across her face as Esbern walks out of the room, flaming magic twisting around his hands. And then everything seems to happen at once, an explosion of movement.
Hana swipes her captor's dagger and brings it down hard through Amelie's arm, causing her to cry out and let go of her. Fareeha knocks her head back, crashing it into the nose of the guard holding her. He is pushed against the wall, grasping his broken, gushing nose. Fareeha spins and kicks the other guard, sending him tumbling down a set of stairs before turning to Angela, who has already made her escape from her captors. The blonde lunges for her Caduceus staff, the steel spear head singing through the air as she brings it up in front of her.
"Don't just stand there, get them!" Amelie screams, spittle flying out of her mouth in rage. She is kneeling on the ground clutching her arm bleeding arm.
Fareeha dodges under the sword of an advancing guard, rolling onto the ground near her discarded weapon. With a lurch her hand wraps around the hilt of her blade and she swings it upwards, clipping two guards across their legs. She heaves herself up and stands back to back with Angela, their weapons held defensively before them. Esbern stands behind and Hana leaps to join them once her twin daggers are back in her hands.
Fareeha counts seven guards, with Amelie making her way to the back of the pack.
"You ready?" Fareeha asks, knowing that they'll have to fight their way through to escape.
Angela turns to her and gives her a nod and a small smile, "Always."
With that the four rush forward, catching the Thalmor off guard. They attack in union; Fareeha swinging her sword with precision and focus, Esbern unleashing a maelstrom of fire, Hana dashing around her enemies with incredible speed, and Angela invigorating everyone from behind, their own personal guardian angel. It's a brutal dance of flashing steel and colliding blades. The Thalmor fall one by one, being pushed farther and farther back.
With a heaving chest Fareeha finishes off the last Thalmor, bringing him crashing to the cold hard ground.
"Amelie's gone!" Angela huffs, a frown creasing her face, "She must've slipped away while we were fighting."
Fareeha lets out a frustrated sigh and sheathes her sword. She should have been paying more attention.
"Is everyone alright?" Fareeha asks as she turns to face her companions.
Esbern smiles and nods, "Yes, all thanks to your friend here." He gestures to Angela whose cheeks slightly blush.
"Well I don't know about you, but I'd say we should leave before more of them show up." Hana announces as she nudges one of the dead Thalmor's bodies with her foot.
Angela nods, "And we have to get you back to Delphine, I'm sure she's impatient to see you again."
The group clean up the ravaged room, pulling the bodies into a heap and taking any supplies they may need. Fareeha even grabs a long bow from one of the Thalmor and a quiver of arrows, just in case the time comes where she'll need it. Once they are finished Hana leads them back to the entrance of the Ratway, weaving through narrow corridors. There are no more signs of any Thalmor or of Amelie.
They pass through the Ragged Flagon and continue upwards until the slight cool breeze grazes their cheeks, a promise of open sky.
Fareeha sighs with relief and Angela laughs once they reach the gate and step out into the open. The night sky is speckled with small pinpricks of light, shining in a rippling sea of inky purple and liquid black. The air is smooth and gentle, lightly tussling their hair. It calms Fareeha almost instantly and she takes a deep breath to clear her head. She smiles as she feels Angela's hand entwine with her own and she leans against the older woman's shoulder. They make their way out of the city and stop outside the stables where their horses await them.
"So I suppose this is goodbye then?" Hana asks, a tiny hint of sadness cracking her voice.
Angela lets out a small sigh but her eyes shine with a comforting warmth, "I suppose it is." She places a hand on Hana's shoulder, "Thank you Hana, for all your help. We couldn't have done it without you."
Hana smiles, "Yeah well, you two would've been hopeless down there. Someone's gotta watch out for you star-crossed lovers."
Angela chuckles, "You're probably right." She leans forward and grasps Hana in a tight embrace.
"Alright, alright! Enough of that!" Hana squirms under Angela's grip but she's smiling and her eyes twinkle with mischief.
Fareeha steps forward, "My turn now." She says with a wicked smile, wholly intending to embarrass the younger girl even more.
Hana backs away, "No, absolutely not, you can't-"
She is cut short when Fareeha jumps forward and with a laugh, wraps her arms around the protesting girl. She lightly presses her knuckles on top of her head, messing up the girl's chocolate hair. Hana laughs and struggles out of Fareeha's grip, her hands clutching her now fuzzy hair.
"I'll get you for that." She grumbles as she fixes the mess of hair on top of her head.
"I'm sure you will, little gremlin." Fareeha jokes, smiling to herself. In truth she was actually going to miss Hana and her hot-headed personality. She reminded Fareeha of herself when she was her age.
"Actually, could I ask you something?" Fareeha asks hesitantly.
"Just this once." Hana replies.
"Have you by any chance seen an older woman who has a tattoo similar to mine?"
Puzzlement crosses Hana's face as she thinks. With a shake of her head she replies, "No, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I'd remember someone with another eye tattoo. Who is she?"
Fareeha hides the bitter bit of disappointment, "Someone important to me. If you ever see her, could you tell her that I'm looking for her? I have a feeling she may show up sometime around here."
Hana nods and offers an encouraging smile, "I'll keep an eye out, don't worry."
Fareeha's mouth stretches wide into a smile and she raises her eyebrows, "Was that a pun I just heard?"
"Maybe." Hana smirks.
"Well we should get going." Esbern buts in, "There still might be more Thalmor around."
Fareeha nods her head in acknowledgement, "Right," She turns back to Hana, "Farewell, and try to keep your hands out of people's pockets."
Hana grins, "Only because you asked so nicely." Then she disappears into the shadows, leaving the three alone with the horses.
A happy sigh escapes Angela's lips, "I'm sure going to miss her, you know."
"Same here, we can always visit her, once we get through all of this." Fareeha replies while she starts to tack the horses, breathing in their musky scent.
Angela doesn't reply, she just turns her back and looks to the nighttime sky, her hand absent mindedly trailing her afflicted arm.
Fareeha finishes preparing the horses and leads them out into the open, "Esbern, you can ride my horse, Angela and I will share Jesse."
Esbern nods and approaches Fareeha's horse. With a grunt he heaves himself up and sits comfortably in the saddle, old hands gripping the reins. Fareeha turns to the Roan and hauls herself up, scooching forward to make room for Angela.
"So have you thought of a name yet?" Angela asks as she pulls herself up into Jesse's saddle and nestles in behind Fareeha.
"A name?"
"For your horse, you have to give him one you know."
"Ahh yes, of course!" Fareeha had actually given it a thought while they were in Riften. "I was thinking 'Helix'."
"Helix? Does it mean anything?"
"Helix is a group of brave men and women, protectors back in Elsweyr. I was a part of them before I came to Skyrim. They're all very close to me." A small sigh slips through her lips, she misses her home and the people there. "It just seems right, to carry a little bit of them here."
Angela smiles softly, "Of course, I understand completely."
They travel the rest of the night, undisturbed by anything except for the slight rustle of the trees and the steady clopping of the horse's hooves upon the rocky road. Angela had wrapped her arms around Fareeha's waist and fallen asleep, her head resting against the back of her shoulders. The steady rise and fall of Angela's chest and soft breathing brushing her neck soothes Fareeha as she struggles to stay awake. Esbern does little talking, he travels in silence, burrowing in his own thoughts.
The first sign of dawn stretches across the horizon, a break of warm light piercing the cold night. Fareeha smiles to herself as the sun's first rays spill out over the mountains, painting the sky in a splendor of rosy gold.
A few more hours pass and the company finds themselves arriving in Riverwood. Angela is still sleeping behind Fareeha, much to her disbelief. She must've been exhausted to have been able to sleep the entire journey.
"Hey Angela, wake up" Fareeha says softly as she lightly nudges Angela in an attempt to pull her from her slumber, "We're here."
Angela mumbles and shifts her head, burrowing it into the base of Fareeha's neck, yet she still doesn't open her eyes.
"Come on Ange, it's time to go."
Angela groans again and her arms tighten around Fareeha's waist.
Fareeha rolls her eyes with a smile and sighs, "Are you really going to make me do this?"
"Do what?" Angela mumbles under her breath, her eyes still squeezed shut.
"This."
Fareeha pulls her leg out of the stirrup and slowly turns on the horse, careful not to disturb Angela. With a smile she wraps her arms around Angela and picks her up, bridal style. With a huff she hops of the horse and lands smoothly on the ground. She expects Angela to fully wake up but she doesn't. She just smiles into Fareeha's neck and snuggles against her chest.
"Gods you're such a child sometimes." Fareeha chuckles with a shake of her head. She turns to Esbern who has a slight blush to his weathered cheeks and twinkle in his eye. "Come on, Delphine is waiting for you inside the Inn."
Esbern nods and steps inside, Fareeha right behind him. She has to turn her body so she can avoid hitting the door frame. Finally coming to her senses, Angela fully wakes up and slips out of Fareeha's strong embrace with a smile. She rubs her eyes and gives a small yawn and stretch.
"Good morning. Fareeha smirks, "Or should I say midday?"
"I'm sorry for sleeping so late, wake me next time, yes?"
Fareeha nods and takes the lead, making her way down into the basement, where Delphine awaits.
"You're back!" A broad smile engulfs Delphine's face as her eyes make contact with Esbern.
"Delphine! It's so good to see you . . . it's been a long time." Esbern rushes forward to meet Delphine, the lines in his face forming a smile.
"It's good to see you too, Esbern. It's been too long old friend . . . too long." Delphine Embraces her friend, her eyes reflecting genuine happiness. She releases him and places her hands on his shoulder, "Well then, we have much to discuss, yes? I'm assuming you know about . . ?" Delphine gestures her head to Fareeha.
"Oh yes, the Dragonborn!" Esbern exclaims excitedly, "This changes everything, of course. There's no time to lose, we must locate . . . let me show you . . . " Esbern begins rummaging through his sack, searching for something. Incoherent words are muttered under his breath.
"Esbern, what are you-" Delphine raises an eyebrow.
"Aha! Here it is, let me show you!" Esbern pulls out a tattered looking map of Skyrim, it's edges fraying and yellowing. He walks over to the table in the middle of the room and unfurls it for the group to see.
"You see, right here, Sky haven Temple." Esbern points to a spot on the map, a location somewhere in the Reach.
"Do you know what he's talking about?" Delphine asks Fareeha.
"Shh!" Esbern shushs Delphine before Fareeha even has a chance to explain that she has no clue what the old man is pointing out. "This is where they built Alduin's Wall, to set down in stone all their accumulated dragonlore."
"Who's they?" Angela questions, the sleepiness no longer pulling at the edge of her voice.
"The Akaviri."
"Okay so how does this help us?" Delphine persists.
Esbern's eyes widen in astonishment, "Wait, you haven't heard about Alduin's wall? Any of you!?"
Fareeha shakes her head, "No we haven't. What is it and what does it have to do with stopping the dragons?"
"Alduin's Wall was where the ancient Blades recorded all they knew of Alduin and his return. Part history, part prophecy." Esbern responds, excitement lifting his voice.
"So do you think the wall will tell us how to defeat Alduin?" Fareeha asks.
Esbern shrugs, "Well yes, but . . . there's no guarantee, of course."
"Sky Haven Temple it is then. I knew you'd have something for us Esbern." Delphine straightens and places her hands on her hips, a sign of determination, "I know the area of the Reach Esbern is talking about; Karthspire, near the Karth River Canyon. We could travel together or meet each other there. Your choice. But Esbern and I leave today."
Fareeha takes one look at Angela and knows the answer, "We'll go separately. We're both exhausted from Riften and I need to sleep. We'll leave the next morning and meet you there as soon as possible."
Delphine nods her head, "I understand, you can stay here, on the house. And thank you, for saving Esbern."
"Of course." Fareeha bids the two Blades farewell and leaves the basement behind. She crosses the Inn and wanders into an empty room before dropping her pack and sword on the floor and collapsing onto the bed with a sigh.
"Did you stay awake all night?" Angela asks as she shuts the door behind them, muting the sounds of the Inn.
"Mmm-hmm," Fareeha groans, shifting over on the bed to make room for the blonde. "Someone had to watch over you."
Angela chuckles softly and the room falls into a cozy silence. Fareeha manages to slip out of her armor and into a soft tunic and wool breaches before slipping back onto the bed where Angela sits quietly, her brow furrowed in deep thought.
Fareeha lays down and places her head in Angela's lap, whose fingers begin to lightly stroke her face. "What are you thinking about?" She asks after a moment.
Angela's gaze flickers downwards, "I was thinking about Alduin . . . and Gabriel." Angela pauses for a moment before continuing, "I just wonder why . . . why he's doing this. Why he's with Alduin."
"You said Reaper devours people's souls right? Well Esbern said the same thing about Alduin. It could be they're somehow working together, helping each other survive." Fareeha replies softly.
"I just . . . I just feel like this is all my fault. That I am to blame." Angela sighs and averts her eyes.
Fareeha sits up and looks her partner in the eyes, holding her gaze, "This isn't your fault Angela. Alduin existed a long time before you. And Reaper? It's his choice who he wants to be affiliated with, what kind of person he wants to be. His, not yours." Fareeha gently cups Angela's face, "You need to stop blaming yourself."
Angela sighs again, "It's just hard sometimes. He was my friend and now . . . now he's nothing but a monster, born from my failure."
"I suppose you could even say what you did had Reaper-cussions."
Angela's mouth falls open and for a horrible second Fareeha fears she may have been a little too inappropriate, but that soon changes when a playfulness dances into the older woman's eyes.
"I can't believe you actually just said that."
"Yes you can." Fareeha shoots Angela a lopsided grin and laughs.
Angela's face beams and she lunges on top of Fareeha, tackling her down onto the bed in a fit of laughter. She tickles her and nuzzles into her neck, smiling against her sun kissed skin. Fareeha is laughing and squirming, attempting and very much failing to get her to stop tickling.
"I give up, I give up! Have mercy!" Fareeha squeals and shoots her hands up.
Angela finally stops and leans in close, hovering above Fareeha, their noses almost touching. "Mercy you say? She pushes a little farther and brushes a kiss upon Fareeha's lips, "I suppose I can offer you that much."
Fareeha smiles and kisses Angela again, before leaning back and resting her head on the pillow. They stay like that for a moment, savoring each other's company, their eyes reflecting one another. Fareeha breathes in Angela's scent, a mixture of pine trees and warm vanilla. She begins to feel sleep tug at the corner of her eyelids and she suppresses a yawn.
"Oh Fareeha Amari, what would I do without you?" Angela finally says, her sweet breath stroking Fareeha's cheek like flower petals.
"I think the real question is, what would I do without you?" Fareeha replies.
"Hmpf, we need one another, and we'll stay together." Angela rolls over and snuggles into Fareeha's side, pressing into her warm body.
"Always."