Cold Madness
Skyrim
The Dragonborn has gone missing and Skyrim's skies are still filled with dragons. Where has the Dragonborn gone? Does anyone care about the fate of Skyrim and it's citizens? Serana begins her search for the Dragonborn while accidentally teaming up with an unlikely fellow.
Author's Note: The next couple of chapters are a bit slow. Sorry bout that.
Chapter 12: Jorrvaskr
Morning came and Serana made sure to have her hood up before stepping out in the morning sun. Dead Man's Drink was fully booked with everyone staying last night. They had a decent amount of gold so it didn't matter. She stepped up smelling the moist air, it was fresh as if it had rained overnight. She sighed as Ria came out followed by Athis then Cicero who was eating his last carrot. They all gathered at the entrance of town. Finally, Aela came out reached down and picked up a blood-soaked sack by the door. She made her way towards the others with a small smirk and a gleam in her eyes.
"We're off," Aela said. She stopped by Serana and Cicero. "You guys are welcome to come by to the Jorrvaskr anytime," Aela invited. Serana smiled.
"Thanks, I might head there, Whiterun is centrally located. It'll be a good place to decide where to go next," Serana replied. Aela nodded.
"We'll meet you there, I got some business to attend to, Athis, Ria, come along," Aela said and started walking on ahead. Serana sighed as she looked at Cicero who was watching them walk away as well. She looked down and swallowed.
"This search seems fruitless," Serana started. "I think we should head to Whiterun and restart from there," Serana said. Cicero released a lopsided grin.
"Oh, fussy vampire you give up too easy, Cicero will find the Listener, he must!" he said as he began to walk along the path towards the others. Serana just watched him walking along before letting out a sigh. She slowly began following after. Once again she smelt the stench of death as they passed by the corpses, wondering why no one had the gull to bury these people. She wanted to ask Cicero what happened but he didn't bother stopping this time as he kept walking as nothing had bothered him.
They continued to walk along the path, it was quiet, only the sounds of nature could be heard. It was a bit confusing making out the path back to Whiterun. It seemed easier going the other way.
"It's here!" Serana exclaimed following a side path. "The grass is just overgrown, it's covering the right the path," she said as they adjust their course. By the time they made it out of the forest and into the fields of Whiterun, it was well into noon. "Is there such a thing as too many trees?" Serana joked as they found the road to Whiterun. She took a deep breath looking around at the open space. A dragon could be seen in the distance. She felt a strange shiver run down her spine. "It's so open, the skies are so clear, you can see everything," Serana said as she hurriedly started heading right towards Whiterun.
"Dragons, scary, foul dragons, psh," he started. "Cicero has fought one before thanks to the Listener," he said crossing his arms. Serana eyed him.
"You survived?" Serana asked out in shock.
"Of course!" Cicero replied insulted. Serana shrugged.
"I've seen some dragons thanks to the Lis- I mean Dragonborn, myself," she said. "Can't say I was too fond of the idea of battling them," Serana said as she stared at the Throat of the World in the distance. It was as if something up there was watching over Skyrim from there. She only hoped the Dragon in the distance did not make its way toward them. After a while, they headed towards the gates of Whiterun. They opened the wooden gates and stepped in. Whiterun seemed busy as usual. She could hear the sounds of banging as the female blacksmith was working on her newest weapon. The stares of people who openly glanced at them as they passed. Serana was a bit tensed, she thought she would be used the stares and odd glances by now but somehow the feeling never left. Perhaps because it was still quite bright out. Even though the sun was now over the mountain the twilight kept the sky a light bluish purple. She glanced at Cicero who seemed completely oblivious of the stares, that or he simply did not care.
Serana stopped as she reached the Gildergreen Tree. A light breeze caused some of its blossoms to fall gently.
"Gorgeous," she said breathlessly. Cicero crossed his arms and looked up.
"Pretty, pretty, tree of Kynareth," he let out. Serana looked around.
"I know the Companions live someplace close by," she said. Cicero chuckled.
"Silly vampire, this way! Below the Skyforge Steel," he said with a wave of his hand and headed up the steps towards a large boat like structure. Serana caught up immediately and held him back.
"Be on your best behavior…and let me do the talking," she whispered loudly before leading them in. Serana opened the door and smelt the whiff of mead and food. She looked around as she heard a loud thump. Towards her left, there was a small group. Athis was fighting another female as another male Nord watched. Serana looked perplexed as she glanced at Cicero who smirked. He walked towards the fight and began cheering them on. Serana closed her eyes and placed her fingers on her forehead. Here she was worried about Cicero causing a fight turns out there was one already going on. Serana walked up towards them crossed her arms and cleared her throat.
"Shhh, not yet, they're almost done!" a man said sticking out his hand.
"I said it was mine!" the woman yelled and punched Athis in the shoulder. He stumbled back.
"I saw it first!" he yelled back and swung but missed. Though he punched again and this time hit her but she blocked the hit with her arms.
"Oh! So close!" Cicero cheered on. Soon the door opened behind them and Aela walked in. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Hurry up you two, we have guest," Aela barked out. She placed a hand on Serana's shoulder. "Don't worry about those two, come sit," she said as she sat at the table nearby. Serana looked back at the two fighting before following Aela.
"Are you sure they're going to be alright?" Serana asked.
"Of course, they're Companions. You must be hungry from your journey…well at least your friend can eat, you're going to have to wait," she said with a grin as she began picking up a chalice and drinking it. Suddenly Athis and the woman fell on the table in front of Serana and started spilling food and drink everywhere as they rolled about. Mead fell on Serana's lap as well as some baked potatoes. Cicero and the Nord cheered on happily as they rolled off the table covered in food. "Hey, hurry it up, you're making a mess!" Aela let out.
Finally, Athis threw a punch at the woman's' jaw and she stumbled back.
"I yield!" she cried. Aela and the Nord fellow started clapping. Serana shook her head as she wiped the mead and potato off of herself.
"Good fight," the Nord said as he made his way towards the woman and helped her up. Athis looked quite bruised as he looked around. He smiled as he saw Cicero.
"You made it!" he said happily. He wobbly stumbled towards Cicero and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Come let's celebrate!" he said before sliding towards the table. Cicero didn't need telling twice as he sat down and began eating as well.
"So who are these folks? You know them?" the Nord asked.
"Yes, Farkas, these two helped us take on the werewolves in Falkreath," she said happily. "This here is Serana… and the jester is Cicero," Aela introduced. Farkas nodded as the woman looked swore but confused. The Nord woman sat next to Cicero and opened an Ale.
"The names Njada," she said before taking a sip. Athis was suddenly conked out, unconscious on the table.
"He he he, ho ho," Cicero started to chuckle as she stared across the table.
"Shouldn't this count as a win?" Njada asked with a smug smirk. Aela shook her head.
"You yielded," she said. "Farkas take Athis downstairs have Vilkas make sure he's fine," she said. Farkas did as he was told.
"Let's go Dunmer," he said carrying an unconscious Athis and dragged him across the room down some steps. Serana wanted to ask if he was going to be okay but didn't want to come of redundant. Soon Ria and another fellow walked up.
"You're here!" Ria yelled happily. "Heard you saw Athis and Njada fight," she said as she sat down and started eating.
"A Companion welcome, if you ask me," the blond said.
"Here here!" the other Companions said as they all raised their drinks. Serana smirked feeling that exhilarating feeling she felt once before at Falkreath. Something about their comradery lifted her spirits. She rarely felt it, she would think she would have felt it back in Volkihar Castle with the rest of the Vampire Lords but she never did. Soon Farkas came out with a guy who looked similar. They both sat at the table and began eating.
"So tell us about Falkreath," the guy started. Aela smiled. Aela and Ria began telling the rest of the Companions about what happened in Falkreath. Every once in a while Cicero would butt in. They didn't seem to mind, however, especially once finding out he was a Dark Brotherhood assassin. Soon it was getting late and Serana brought out her map. She looked it over trying to figure out what places they haven't searched yet. "Hmm, I haven't been here, here, or here," she said to herself. Aela and the other Nord which she found out was named Vilkas looked over the map with her.
"That's Rorikstead, Riverwood, and Ivarstead," Aela noted. Serana nodded distracted by the sounds of laughter. Serana glanced up as she noticed Cicero juggling some cabbages. Farkas, Torvar, and Ria were around him clapping amused. Serana sighed.
"You should check out Darkwater Crossing as well," Vilkas suggested. Serana looked over and saw another town instead.
"What's this?" Serana pointed out.
"That's Shor's Stone," Vilkas replied. Serana nodded. She inhaled deeply and sighed.
"We're headed towards Rorikstead soon, we'll check that place out for you," Aela offered. "If we hear anything we'll let you know," she added. Serana nodded.
"Thanks, I appreciate it," she said. "I think I'll check out Riverwood first before heading back towards Falkreath then Ivarstead," Serana let out. "The others are just small towns, the chances of finding the Dragonborn there are slim," she finished closing up her map. The sound of clapping caused Serana to look up as Cicero was now dancing. For some reason, she felt unsure, as if her search would end in failure. She frowned as she muffled a yawn.
"They're beds down below you and your friend are welcomed to sleep on them for the night," Aela offered. Serana stood up and crossed her arms watching Cicero dance as he juggled some fruit like the fool he was. Happy go lucky, the back of her mind contemplating the word friend once again. Was he a friend? He did save her life many times now. Though would Cicero consider her a friend? She forced herself to walk away as she began making her way across the room.
"Thanks," Serana let out simply. She made her way towards the stairs ignoring the cheers and jeers behind her.
"Ta-da!" Cicero let out as he caught all the fruit before bending over on one knee and bowed. Serana watched from the corner of her eyes as the others clapped entertained. She let out a jerk like scoff. A small smile crossed her face. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.
