I wake up early in the morning, my squire snoozing in my arms. After I give her a slight kiss on the forehead I get up, grab my squire's glass eye from the table, and make my way downstairs. The inn is abandoned and Hulda is asleep at the bar, her head in her hands. Hulda wakes up when I shake her, but I have to snap my fingers in her face before she seems to comprehend I'm there. "Yes?". She asks as she wipes down the spotless bar. "I need breakfast for two, a pot of boiling water, and two clean rags.". At once Hulda starts making the food, but yells upstairs for her helper to get the rags and water. I'm afraid her screeching will wake my friend, but she doesn't come downstairs.
The water is boiling before the food's done, so I drop the glass eye in the pot while Hulda cuts a stale loaf of bread in two. As soon as the eye is clean I use a wooden spoon to scoop it from the water, and wrap the eye in one of the rags. I slip the glass orb in my pocket and take the pot off of the fire, the water will still be warm by the time I get upstairs. Hulda bangs the table to get my attention, two plates full of food. I pay her and take the plates, but ask her to help me carry the pot of water upstairs. Hulda nods and grasp the kettle by the handle, closely following me upstairs.
My squire is still fast asleep, but mumbles when Hulda places the pot of water on the floor. Once Hulda leaves I take the remaining rag out of my pocket and drop it into the warm water. As the rag soaks I examine the breakfast and cringe, it's clear Hulda is trying to save her store of good food for the winter. The bread is stale, the eggs are old, and the milk has a strange smell. I ignore the food and place the plates on the table. I pick up the kettle and carry it over to the bed, then shake my squire awake. She grumbles in protest as she blinks awake, but gives me a small smile when she sees me.
Her face is still dirty from her night of crying, so I hand her the warm rag before I turn to get our plates. I turn around to hand her the food, but once again place the plates on the table when I see my friend's face is still dirty. She's scrubbing as hard as she can, but she's missing areas. I walk over and take the cloth from her hand, and knock her hands away when tries to steal the rag back. I clean her face and throw the rag back into the bucket, then quickly give my squire her plate of food. I want to speak to my squire, but she's scarfing down her food like a starved wolf.
When she's done I open my mouth to speak, but a banging on our door interrupts me. I yank open the door and step aside as Lydia rushes into the room, panting and red faced. "I thought I told you to take the week off?". I ask Lydia when she spins around, trying to catch her breath. "I am, but I thought you might want to know that the people of Winterhold, Riverwood, and Falkreath are finally here.". I see the look on her face and ask, "Not all of them made it?". Lydia swallows and tells me, "The citizens of Falkreath and Riverwood were harassed by starving wolves and bears, but at least half of the citizens of Winterhold are now buried in unmarked cairns along the road.".
I know what killed them, but I still ask, "Bandits?". Lydia nods and tells me, "The same. The citizens are coming in through the gates right now, but it's starting to snow.". I'm aware that translates to 'if you want to greet the citizens go now'. I thank Lydia and usher her out of the room, my squire still in her nightwear. My friend quickly dresses as I gather my things. By the time I'm done my squire is ready. We leave some of our things in the room, we plan on staying another night here. Our room in Dragonsreach is nice, but more important things happen down here. Once we're ready we leave, snow pelting us when we step outside.
It's as if autumn has left us overnight and winter has stolen into our bed. Ice covers the ground like a glass pane, hoarfrost clings to anything it can, and snow is in the process of covering the world in a thick blanket. I can't even imagine what it's like up in Winterhold and Dawnstar. In all honesty the towns are probably buried, the college is the only building that stands a chance of surviving. We're at the gates when the citizens walk through. Most of them are bloody, bruised, and tired. I notice at once most of the survivors are wearing robes, identifying them as the college members. It's no real surprise, magic users are the only ones strong enough to survive Nameless.
I realize with a sinking feeling that the newly named Jarl Kraldar isn't with him. After the last citizen has shuffled through the doors slam shut, the iron hinges screeching as the wooden gate closes. I lead my squire back up to Dragonsreach, always staying a few feet behind the survivors. When we arrive at the building the survivors are instantly surrounded by healers. I wonder how news of the wounded got up here so fast, then I see Lydia practically jumping up and down to see the survivors over the healers. I can't help chuckling, it seems Lydia's been busy today. I lead my squire around the circle of healers and see the jarl, at once I begin walking towards him.
"What happened?". Balgruuf asks me as he eyes the bleeding citizens. "Nameless attacked them, but actually did them harm. I'll ask their leader some questions.". Savos Aren must have overheard our conversation because now the Arch-Mage is pushing his way through the healers. "Are you the new leader?". I ask him once he's through. "Yes, Jarl Kraldar was the first to fall.". I sigh and ask, "Tell me exactly what happened. Leave nothing out, I want to know any detail you deem important.". The mage suddenly looks uncomfortable and ask, "All of it?". When I nod he sighs, but begins speaking.
"By the time we left Winterhold the snow was waist deep, we thought we'd know if anyone was sneaking up on us. We took a path between two mountains, we were about halfway to Whiterun. That's when they attacked. They had to have known the citizens had the college with them, that's the only reason there would be so many of them. We tried to pick out their leaders, but they hung back from the real fight. The jarl, tavern keeper, and two children died. We managed to drive them off, but one of our town guards died a few hours later. There was one other thing, but I don't wish to mention it.".
I lean forward and ask him, "What?". The mage sighs again and tells me, "One of their leaders gave me a message. 'Enjoy having my wife to warm your bed, soon enough you'll be stone cold.'". I groan at the message, I don't even have to ask who the message is from. I thank Savos and allow him to go back to the healers. I can't help wishing Tullius was here, but he's still getting Windhelm together. I tell the healers to patch the survivors up, the servants to find them quarters, and the cooks to get them a hot meal. Once that's done I make my way outside to train, my squire following me all the while like a silent shadow.
The snow is deep, but the storm has stopped for the moment. "Why are you training in this weather?". My squire asks as she wraps her cloak tightly around her, her lack of body fat causing her to shiver. "You don't always get to fight the enemy in the best of weather. It's important to be prepared.". I grab a bow, but freeze when I remember Irileth telling me how upset my squire got. I put the bow down and glance at my squire, but the damage is done. She's attempting to act like nothing happened by carelessly kicking some snow, but I can see the sadness in her eye. I have a brilliant idea and cross the yard to grab some wooden swords and shields.
My squire looks confused when I hand her the items and asks, "What are these for?". I bite back my sarcastic comment and tell her, "I want to see how good you are with a sword and shield. Now get ready.". My squire nods and straps her shield on her right arm. I fight back my groan when I realize she prefers her left hand in battle. She lost her right eye, so her right side is weaker and now a major blind spot. I strap on my wooden shield and take a fighting stance, but only attack when my squire is ready. I jab at her left knee, but she easily sidesteps out of the way.
She slashes at my right side, but I knock it aside with my sword. I bring up my shield to protect me, and roar as I deliver a overhead swing. My squire yanks up her shield and my blow bounces off, but both of our arms are ringing from the impact. In a real battle my sword would have dented her shield, but the wood is only slightly splintered. My squire knocks her shield against mine and hits me on the side of the helm. My head is ringing, but I swing with all of my strength at her right side. She can't even see the swing, and guilt fills me when she grunts and falls to one knee. The sword is wooden, but she isn't wearing armor and I swung with all my strength.
My squire bows her head and begins breathing heavy. I lower my shield and begin to apologize, but stop when my squire charges and slams her head into my stomach. I can't help smiling as I fall to the ground, my squire on top of me. I always tell new soldiers to never underestimate the enemy, and now my own squire has my hands pinned above my head. "Yield.". My squire tells me as she looks down on me, her one eye sparkling in happiness. "Never to the likes of you!". I tell her through my smile, ignoring the fact I could probably fling my squire off me in a second. My squire frowns and jumps on me, but all I do is grunt.
I allow my squire to remain on top for a few seconds, but then I flip us over. My squire yelps and manages to slip away, but I'm chasing after her. The result is us rolling around in the snow like children, both of us fighting to be on top. In the end I'm sitting on top of my squire, her hands pinned above her head. "Yield.". I tell her as I watch her spit out a mouthful of snow. "I yield! Mercy!", My squire squeaks out before dissolving into a fit of laughter. I laugh with her, but stop when she kisses my cheek. I look down and see my squire smiling, snow in her hair. I smile and climb off my squire, snow now invading every area under my clothing.
As I help my squire up I hear laughter, and turn to see Irileth sitting on the stone wall surrounding the training area. "I was told to tell you two to come inside, a major storm is about to hit. But, watching you two squabble in the snow is more fun.". I roll my eyes and lead my squire inside, both of us shivering. We bathe, eat, and dress for bed. The day has flown by, and I barely noticed. As I lie down beside my squire I realize something. She kissed me. It was on the cheek, but it was still a kiss. A few weeks ago she could barely tolerate hugs. As I drift into sleep I smile. It's a small step to recovering, but it's a start. Everything has to start somewhere, and a kiss is as good a starting point as any.