I stayed in Riften a few days after getting the information about this Amberia woman. I avoided Brynjolf in the market place due to our "disagreement." And Constance stayed in the orphanage tending to the children. But once I heard word getting around the locals about me wanting information about the dragonborn, I figured it was best if I left Riften before anything came of it. When I walked out the front gates, the carraige driver offered to give me a lift, but I turned it down. I wasn't ready to head back to Solitude, or really anywhere for that matter. I just couldn't get my head wrapped around what was going to become of all of this. We have a woman, who seems to be another dragonborn, who is accused of murder. And me, who everyone thinks is committing them. But they're not really "murders", or at least I don't think so. Hroggar and Grelod, in my eyes, did deserve to die. But was I just as bad as Amberia for believing this? Isn't a decission like that on someone's life not ours to decide?
I just couldn't bring myself to say she was wrong in her actions. But it also wasn't my place to call her innocent. That would be up to General Tullius, which I knew he would never agree. The people called for justice, and it wasn't going to be easy convincing everyone that the people killed by her was merely getting what they deserved. But the fact was, I am a Paladin. Warrior of the light. Defender of all. I couldn't bring myself to openly admit she was right in what she did. I had to believe she deserved to be punished. But I couldn't bring myself to do it.
I decided to escape the world for a little while and think on the matter. So I travelled north a ways from Riften. Not too far up a side road I came across a little village. It was called Shor's Stone. It seemed to be built up for a mining base, which Skyrim was famous for several. I noticed a blacksmith's shop and decided to have my armor and weapon repaired. Luckily, Shor's Stone was almost forgotten on the map that the locals here didn't worry themselves with news from the outside. So I figured I could walk around unmasked for a few days without people noticing who I was.
The blacksmith, Filnjar, would tell me stories about how Shor's Stone used to be important to Skryim. But recently it had been shut down due to spiders infesting the mines. "Grogmar and myself was nearly killed when they showed up." He said. "And the guards won't help, they keep making up sorry excuses as to why they can't spare any men." After hearing the man's words, I decided to give a helping hand in clearing them out. Even though I'm not a big fan of fighting spiders. I can handle dragons, undead, bears, and daedric lords. But when it came to the creepy crawly ones, I just could never fully prepare myself.
"If you stick true to your word," he responded. "Then I'll fix up your armor, free of charge." His eyes seemed to light up with a little hope. But I can't argue with free repairs. Even if it is spiders. Since he had my armor scattered across the bench for repair, he lent me the only armor and weapons he had available. Some leather armor and an iron sword. I wasn't used to wearing armor that was so light. I felt naked. But I could move more freely in this for the time being. Once I got everything on firmly, I proceeded into Redbelly Mine.
When I went inside, I could tell what the blacksmith and the miners were talking about. There was a red mist in the air that made it a little difficult to see several feet in front of you. This would make it a little more difficult to get around and see what's coming. But one thing was for sure, I could hear the creepy sound of spiders walking around the mine. I proceeded with the highest of caution. If one of those got the jump on me, I could be poisoned and die here in the mines. Which I had no intentions of dying here. I wasn't going to fall to some petty spiders after all that I had been through.
Luckily, since no one was around, I could finally use all my spells without the risk of alerting anyone to who I was. So first thing, I cast a protective alteration spell on me. But as always, that spell cast fairly loud and it seemed to have alerted several of the spiders in my general area. I could hear there blood curdling screatches as they charged in my direction. So I had no choice, I charged at them hacking and slashing my way through. One of them managed to jump me and tried to bite, but luckily the leather was just thick enough that the spider's fangs miss my flesh. I quickly managed to shake it off and stabbed it through it's head. I continued down the mine killing any more spiders I came across until I reached the bottom of the mine. I stood there in silence for awhile to see if I could hear anymore. When I realized that all was quiet, I returned to the surface.
I came out and greeted the blacksmith, informing him that all the spiders had been dealt with. "Truly?" He asked with exitement. "This is great! We can finally reopen the mine, and put Shor's Stone back on the map. Thank you. Like I promised, your armor will be repaired, free of charge. However, it will take me a day or two to finish the repairs."
I returned his armor and sword to him and went down to the fire that was placed almost to the center of the village. I later found out that the people here gathered here every night and would drink, tell stories, and even sometimes argue about what they didn't like about each other. But one person stood out more than the rest. Sylgja, a nord woman. She had fairly pale skin from never being out in the sun, and straight black hair that came just below her ears. The two of us talked for awhile and she agreed to let me stay with her until I was ready to leave Shor's Stone after my armor was repaired.
As I lay in her floor that night with a wolf pelt for a pillow and whatever covers she could find for me to keep me warm, she told me of her family just over the hillside in Darkwater Crossing. She told me she fell in the mines one day, and even though a priest of Mara came through and healed her, she was still feeling pain and couldn't walk very far without having to rest. "I have a satchel full of letters to my parents, but I can't make the trip." She said. I realized it was only about a two hour walk and I agreed to take the letters for her, for letting me be a guest in her house.
The next morning Sylgja woke me up to let me know she was heading back to work at the mines. I got up and grabbed the satchel and made an early start for Darkwater Crossing. "Be careful on your way there." She warned. "The path there can be covered with bears." I nodded and assured her I'd be fine. But in the back of my mind I thought, "Finally, a true fight that I can handle. Bears will help get my sword arm back into shape." I then went out and headed for my destination.
As I walked the hillside towards Darkwater Crossing, I did in fact encounter a large number of bears. This almost seemed like a breeding ground for the beasts. But no matter. Their pelts would not only bring coin to me but also some good leather to any blacksmiths in need. I pushed my way through killing countless bears. I'd decided to just skin them on the way back since it wouldn't take me long. Once I reached Darkwater Crossing, I asked the miners which one was Sylgja's father. When one finally spoke up, I handed him the satchel and explained why his daughter couldn't come.
"It's a shame she couldn't make the trip herself." He said. "If you're returning to Shor's Stone and you don't mind, could you deliver this to our daughter? We wrote letters to her but we're always too busy and a courier doesn't normally come through here." I agreed to deliver it and slung the bag over my shoulder. As I made my way back to Shor's Stone, I followed the same path to skin the bears I had killed before. I figured Filnjar would be greatful for the extra leather.
When I returned to Shor's Stone, I dropped the pelts on Filnjar's table and headed into the mines to find Sylgja. Once I brought her father's satchel to her, she seemed to be overjoyed. "I can't thank you enough." She said. "I don't have much to offer you, but I would be willing to let you stay with me until you're ready to head out." I thanked her for her kindness and decided to grab a pickaxe and help the miners the best I could. It was still going to be another day before my armor was ready. Plus, it was nice to actually help people and it not take my sword to do it.
That night, around the fire, everyone gathered around as usual to tell their tales of the day. Grogmar told us he found some garnet stone he was going to try and cut into a fine shape to take back to his family. Filnjar told us how he nearly smashed his hand with his hammer while working on my sword. Stories just went around the fire of random subjects, until everyone looked at me and started to ask where I was from and wanted tales of a little bit about myself. I couldn't really tell them all the real truth about me. I didn't want that kind of attention.
"Well," I started. "I actually live in Whiterun. I joined the Imperials shortly after coming back to Skyrim and I was named Legate, which is one of the highest ranks, after I helped end the war against Ulfric."
They all sat there as I told my story, then Grogmar spoke up. "Whiterun, huh? So you know the Companions?" I looked over at him and smile. "Yes." I replied. "I'm actually Har... Well, I'm a member." Everyone's expressions turned to shock. "So that would explain why you were able to handle those spiders with no problem." Filnjar boasted. "Our respect goes out to you, my friend." Everyone nodded in agreement to Filnjar's words.
Sylgja looked over at me and with a shy look on her face as she asked, "So are you married? Do you have a family in Whiterun?" I kind of chuckled at this but then I couldn't stop thinking about Aela. I remembered how close we were before Ysgramor's Tomb. Finally, I looked over at Sylgja and said, "No. I'm not married. And the Companions are my family. But I did consider marraige once. But that was a long time ago." The look on my face was easily read as sadness. Just then, Filnjar stood up and said, "Well, I think that does it for me. I'm going to call it a night. Mikeal, I should have your armor ready by mid day tomorrow." I thanked him as he walked away. Everyone but Sylgja got up and walked back to their houses.
Once everyone was inside, I continued to sit there with a depressed look on my face. Sylgja just looked at me with worry. "I'm sorry if what I asked you, opened any old wounds." I looked over at her and smiled. "Don't worry." I said. "Everything is ok. I just have a lot on my mind." She stood up and walked over towards me. "Well, I'm off to bed. Are you coming?" She asked. I looked up at her, and I couldn't help but notice the way the fire light sparkled off her face. It made me think of two people. Aela and Amberia. "Not right now." I said. "I think I'm going to stay out for a little bit and enjoy the night. I'll be in soon though." Sylgja smiled as she leaned down, put her hand on my left cheek, and kissed my right. "Thank you again for everything you've done." She said. "I don't think you realize what all you've done here these past couple of days." I watched her walk into the house and turned to smile at me once more before closing the door.
As I sat there looking at the flames, I ran the thought through my head that I knew I had to defend Amberia against General Tullius. I knew she was right in what she did. She killed murderers and thieves. Not innocence. But this was still against everything I stood for. Everything I vowed to protect. I was about to defend someone in the Dark Brotherhood who is accused of murder. But I knew the truth. Now it was up to me to make sure Tullius and Rikke saw it the same way I did.
Suddenly, as I continued staring blankly at the flames, I noticed that something felt strange around me. Something just didn't feel right. Then, without warning, I heard something go by my head as though it was cutting the air itself. I heard a thud on the outside wall of Sylgja's house. When I looked over after the initial shock, I noticed it was a steel arrow. I pulled it out and looked at it. I looked around to see who fired it but didn't noticed anything in the darkness. But something like this seemed all too familiar. I approached the darkness just outside the village and shouted, "Aela!?"
