Chapter Thirty-Five:

Passing Through Falkreath

It was Hiemdall's idea that we take the road south through Falkreath Hold near Lake Ilinalta. If we took the road through Helgen, we'd cut a day-and-a-half off of our journey to Ivarstead and get to High Hrothgar faster.

We set off the day after discovering Alduin's Wall. When we left Sky Haven Temple and the Karthspire, we realized that it was already nightfall. Rather than find a place to camp, we just used the now-vacant Forsworn camp. And after clearing the bodies so they wouldn't stink up the place, we had a good night's sleep.

The next morning, we followed Hiemdall's directions by going south across the stone bridge we'd seen the previous day and walking east through the Reach. We stopped once off the road to make camp for the night before we hit the fork to take us to Lake Ilinalta, and then set off early in the morning once more to continue to Falkreath. Javin healed mine and Hiemdall's arms fully on the way there, so he could use his greatsword again and I could use my own blade. I was glad to get it back from Hiemdall.

Milos filled me in on Falkreath before we got there. At the end of the second era, Tiber Septim was a general under the King of Falkreath of that time, but its most interesting attraction was the massive graveyard that was continuously added to over the years. So, Falkreath was a pretty gloomy place.

We decided to stay at the inn for the night—Dead Man's Drink—to recuperate and prepare for Helgen. We'd heard from the innkeeper, an Imperial woman named Valga Vinicia, that it was overrun with bandits now. That meant we had to resupply.

Unfortunately, we were running short of gold.

"Do we have anything to sell?" I asked as I began sifting through my pack.

Milos shook his head. "We sold what we had before in Rorikstead and Whiterun. Well, you, me and Hiemdall, at least. The others must've when they went ahead."

Cha'qim's tail perked up. "Cha'qim is a thief. She can obtain some coin for us."

I shook my head. "No. It'll be too obvious if we're stealing and then leave afterward. We had just enough to get us all a room..." I tapped my chin. "Let's split up and see what we can't do around here. I'm sure the farmers could use some help with harvesting. And there was a mill that we passed before that could probably use an extra hand."

"Hiemdall and I can take the mill," Milos offered.

"Cha'qim and the Redguard can investigate the inn for jobs." Cha'qim shrugged. "No stealing. Khajiit promises."

Aldren, who was leaning against the wall in the main room, shrugged like the Khajiit. "I have something that I'd like to investigate around here. There might be some gold to be found yet."

"Then I'll take the farms," I said. "Let's meet back here later tonight and pool what we got."

With a curt nod, we all went our separate ways. I made my way to Corpselight Farm, owned by a couple named Indara and Mathies Caerelia, and their young daughter, Lavinia, who very graciously allowed me to work for some coin. I had to change from my armour into simpler clothes that would allow me to get a little dirty as I began to dig and get the grown plants out of the ground. I was glad that we'd arrived in Falkreath early, because by midday I still had a lot of work to do.

Mathies was kind enough to buy a drink for me from Dead Man's Drink. I was pretty exhausted from the farmwork and grateful for it. Lavinia would ask me questions as I worked, ranging from if I was a bandit or adventurer to how I was able to work so much.

"I get tired really easy," Lavinia commented as she sat by the fence around the garden. "By now I'd have to go inside. Mama says that I just need to take it easy, but Papa doesn't. He can farm for hours!"

I grunted in response. "Really?"

"Mhm!" Lavinia bounced over to me as I dropped the shovel and began to dig into the ground with my hands. "Mama says that people with scars fight a lot. Do you fight a lot?"

I stopped for a minute and observed the Imperial child, wiping sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand. "Occasionally. But only if someone asks for it."

"Do bandits?" Lavinia asked.

"Yep." I began to dig again. Damn radishes are deep... "They can choose an alternative way of life, but they don't. They want to hurt people instead. So they ask for it. And I deliver them a world of hurt."

Lavinia crouched beside me. "So... you kill people?"

"Occasionally," I repeated. "It isn't something to be taken lightly though. It's a big weight and responsibility. Warriors stand on the battlefield knowing that. Bandits don't. They don't care. You need to be able to."

The girl nodded, her eyes wide. She opened her mouth to ask me more questions when her mother called for her, and she bade me a farewell. I managed to get more work done when she was gone, but I missed the company.

It was still early in the afternoon by the time I finished in the garden. When I was paid I went on my way, and I got paid very well for my work. I was happy about that. Back in Anvil, there were very few farms around the county, but everyone wanted to work near the ships since that was where the money was made. I took jobs wherever I could to save up for my own ship.

Now that I think about it, I mused, all my savings are back in Anvil... I shook my head. Well, a ship is kind of a far-away dream right now. Especially with the Thalmor looking for me and Arnand Bienne...

I made my way back to Dead Man's Drink in order to count out the coin I'd earned. I didn't even make it to the porch before I heard a yelp of surprise and a clang that made my ears ring. I turned my attention to a woman with an armful of household items outside of Gray Pines Goods, the general store in Falkreath. A cooking pot laid at her feet.

"Uh..." I approached her and picked up the pot. "Do you need help...?"

"Valga? Is that you, Valga?" the woman asked.

"N-No... My name's Taryn. I'm passing through Falkreath."

The woman hefted the items in her hands. More almost fell, but I quickly held them in place for her. "Any help you can offer would be welcome, dear!"

I opened my arms to catch whatever would fall. Enough things fell that I couldn't even see over them! But the old woman was panting and seemed grateful for the aid.

"Thank-you, dear," she murmured. "I... I just can't carry what I used to."

"Where's your husband?" I asked.

"Him? Oh, he's back at the house. We've been fixing it up ever since we moved in a week ago..."

I grinned. "New to Falkreath?"

"New to the hold, yes." The old woman took a moment to catch her breath. "We live outside the city, to the east. Pinewatch, the house is called. It was used by bandits before, so we got it at a good price after it was cleared out by the guard."

"Where are you from?" I asked.

"Cyrodiil. Came right from Bravil. Oh, there's a wheelbarrow just over there for my things..." The woman very carefully led me to where her wheelbarrow was. I gingerly placed the bundle of items into it, and then began organizing it so nothing would fall out. "Thank-you, Taryn. Are you headed east?"

"Tomorrow, yes," I replied.

"Oh..."

I looked up at the woman. She was an old Imperial woman with silver hair and a pale complexion, as well as dark brown eyes. Her dress was old and well-worn, splotches of dirt clinging to it, but it was simple and she appeared to be fond of the thing.

"If you need help bringing it back, I don't mind," I offered. "Pinewatch isn't far, huh?"

"It isn't. Not for someone with young legs like yours, at least." The old woman chuckled and offered her hand. "I'm Raesa. You'll meet my husband, Claevius, when we reach my home."

I shook her hand and smiled. "Taryn Greystone. I'm from Cyrodiil too, originally."

"Oh?" I grabbed the wheelbarrow's handle as Raesa began to lead the way. "Where?"

"Anvil," I answered. "Came up north to Skyrim for... for a change of scenery."

"Ah. So did Claevius and I. Did your parents make a fuss because of the war?"

I shook my head. "No. They, uh, didn't mind. They didn't really have much to say against whatever I did back home."

Raesa smiled. "Are they doing well?"

"There was a rocky patch for a bit, but they're fine now." I found it interesting how I could lie so casually. "What about you? Any grandchildren to speak for?"

The old Imperial smirked. "If I've grandchildren, I don't know about them."

"Why not?"

Raesa sighed. "I gave a child up for adoption years ago."

I paused. "Well, why?"

"I was very young when I met my husband. I just didn't feel ready for a child. Neither of us did, so we gave her up. She was never adopted, but she was transferred from orphanage to orphanage because she got into a lot of trouble. We lost track of her..." Raesa sighed again. "When I felt ready to raise her, she was already almost grown. And because we couldn't find her, it was impossible to take her back."

"Oh... I'm sorry."

"Don't be, dear. It was a foolish decision that a fool must live with. I just pray that the Eight will look kindly on it." The road began to slope as we walked. I realized that Raesa wouldn't have been able to make the trip herself if I hadn't offered. Pinewatch was still a ways away. "Still, I'm proud of her, wherever she is."

"I'm sure she'll make her way over here sometime. Parents are important to have." I almost slipped on one of the rocks, but managed to catch myself. "What about your own parents?"

"They died years ago," she replied. "Killed by the Thalmor when they sacked the Imperial City. My husband was a soldier then. He fought in the Battle of the Red Ring to reclaim it. He's a war hero back in the Imperial Province. We wanted to move out here because of the sideways glanced that the Thalmor were giving him. When Pinewatch became available, we packed up from our shack in Bravil and came out here. We haven't regretted it." Raesa stopped for a minute to catch her breath. "Skyrim's a harsh land, but if we treat it right, it'll return the favour."

I grinned. "You're planning to farm out here? What if those bandits try to get their house back?"

"Claevius is a stubborn man. He'll protect us. And the guards make their way out there a few times a week to patrol. I doubt they'll try anything." The roof of Pinewatch soon came into view. I followed Raesa to the entrance with the wheelbarrow and set it down with a sigh of relief. I couldn't imagine the old woman doing it alone. "Thank-you, again. I thought to get it all in one trip. I forgot my age."

"No problem." I sat down on the ground to catch my breath and relax my muscles. "Just... don't go down there without help next time. You'll kill yourself."

"It's going to take a lot more than some pots to kill me." Raesa laughed. "But thank-you for your concern. Will you come in...?"

I shook my head. "Sorry, but I have to meet some people. Nice meeting you, Raesa."

"But—!"

"Really," I interrupted her, "I need to get going. I'll be late."

Raesa hesitated, but nodded in the end. "At least let me get something for your trouble." I opened my mouth to argue, but Raesa held up a hand to silence me. It was her turn to interrupt. "Really, I insist."

I shut my mouth and sighed. Realizing my defeat, Raesa made her way into Pinewatch and came out a few moments later with a coin purse that she gave to me.

"Thank-you," I said to her.

She nodded and patted my shoulder. "Don't kill yourself before you come to visit. You're always welcome here."

I smiled in response and then stood to leave, waving at the old Imperial as I got out of her sight.

I arrived at Dead Man's Drink in the evening and collapsed onto the nearest bed, sighing heavily as I did. Milos and Hiemdall came in soon after and didn't even make it to their beds before they were out. I fell asleep before I saw the others enter.

The next morning, we all emptied our earned coin onto the floor and began counting. We decided we had enough to live off of for the next several days, maybe even two weeks if we were conservative, and set out from Falkreath towards Helgen. I wasn't looking forward to being there again. The first time, I'd almost been executed on a chopping block, and then attacked by a Dragon seconds later. It didn't hold the greatest memories.