The wind is snapping my mane around my head, but I don't complain. For once, Odahviing is flying like he's never been injured. My companion keeps flying as high as he can, then allowing himself to begin falling back down to earth before catching himself and doing it all over again. The dragon's movements are smooth and confident. I, however, am starting to get sick. The sudden ascent and descent doesn't do every much good for a stomach. Thankfully, Odahviing finds a cool jet of air and allows himself to be carried by it. Finally, I can look over his side at the world beneath us.
Rolling forest with an ocean lapping at its side. Beautiful, serene waters take up my vision as my dragon friend is carried out to sea. Suddenly, Odahviing falls into a steep dive. I already know what he has planned and desperately begin calling his name. Odahviing ignores me as he completely collapses his wings. I see the water rushing up to meet us and feel my fur begin to rise. Odahviing waits until the last possible second to flare his wings out.
My face erupts in pain as it's slammed into the dragon's neck. I groan as Odahviing glides along the surface of the water and flaps his wings. Slowly, he stops flapping and glides for a few seconds. I sigh as Odahviing gingerly slides into the ocean and allows himself to be drifted along by the currents and tides. My scaly companion turns his head around to face me. Only his eyes and nose are sticking out of the ocean. I chuckle and use a shout on him.
"FUS!". Odahviing growls as his head is forced underwater. He raises his dripping face and strikes. I yowl as he grabs me by the clothes, but there's nothing I can do to stop him. Odahviing tosses me as far away as he can. Water rushes up my nose and I slam my eyes shut. I've never been the biggest fan of swimming; thankfully, Odahviing is beside me in a few short seconds. I remain swimming and reach out to place my hand on his face. Odahviing presses himself into my touch and rumbles his thoughts to me.
"It feels good to not be hunted all the time.". I add my own opinion.
"I know, right? Now I don't have to worry about being a rug for some fancy noble.". He scoffs.
"You'd make a much better bedspread.". I hum and agree with him.
"Actually, that's not a bad idea. I'd have lived on immortally as the item nobles screw on top of.". Odahviing chuckles and uses his nose to lightly splash me.
"This is nice. Just getting to spend time together.". I nod in agreement before Odahviing decides to get serious.
"Are you excited about Ria?". I shrug and he keeps digging.
"I'm well aware you're just trying to dodge the question.". I sigh and relent. It's better to have this conversation sooner rather than later.
"I'm still nervous.". He nudges me in an attempt to get me to continue going. I continue as I stroke Odahviing's face.
"I think me being a cannibal will get in the way. Or the fact I'm old enough to be her mother. Or the fact that Adharanji will probably tell Ria about my sexual exploits when she realizes we're together.". Odahviing nudges me to get me to stop. I listen to my friend as he idly swims in a tiny circle around me.
"Do you truly think Adharanji would be that cruel?". I shrug.
"Not 'cruel'. Just careless. She loves gossip and telling things only she knows to people she barely knows. She'll start giving Ria advice about me, then it'll just spiral into sex talk.". Odahviing finishes my sentence.
"Then, Adharanji will just get carried away and tell of what she saw when she was a child.". I nod and Odahviing decides to take the conversation a different direction.
"Maybe you should spend some time with Adharanji.". I nod and agree with him.
"Adharanji and I meant to bond a while ago, but she got pushed to the side when everything started to go wrong.". Odahviing curls around me and begins tightening himself into an even smaller circle. He does, however, give me a little advice about Adharanji.
"Do something with her and make her feel like you care. There'll be even more time for bonding when this is all done. At least, start it before that.". I nod and drift off into thought.
Ria POV:
I smooth out the parchment before me one last time and reread my letter to Aela.
Aela,
I'm sure you're wondering what's become of me and why I've taken so long to respond. I'm also sure you've heard news of the Dovahkiin being royally pardoned for her attack on Whiterun. If you haven't, then scratch that last sentence. Anyway, that 'Cliffracer' down in Falkreath wasn't really a Cliffracer. It was the last dragon alive. I found it and managed to accidentally capture it.
It was defenseless, but I couldn't bring myself to strike the killing blow. So, the dragon took me to the Dovahkiin. I know it sounds completely insane, but you'll just have to believe me on this one. I've been traveling with the Dovahkiin for some time and attempting to get her pardoned. I've only just now had a chance to write you considering the circumstances. I'm sorry I won't be able to send back a trophy with my letter, but I've found nothing worthy of killing that needs to be slain.
Love,
Ria
I'm still rereading my letter when I hear the door to the Khajiit's home open. I'm currently sitting in the kitchen, so all I have to do is turn my head around to see who's arrived. Adharanji and her mother's dog are the ones to arrive. Adharanji has a large sack of supplies thrown over her shoulders. The younger Khajiit waves at me before heading downstairs to drop off her sack. I'm watching Adharanji disappear when a hand touches my shoulder. I automatically jerk around and see my love smirking at me. I sigh and roll my eyes as the tremendous Khajiit collapses into a seat beside me.
"How was flying?". I notice she's dripping wet. Thankfully, she explains that.
"Fun. Odahviing was a dick and dropped us in the ocean, but it was fine besides that. How's the letter coming?". I pass her my note and silently watch her read it. Oddly, the Khajiit makes a weird face and looks at me.
"Is there anything I can do to help you claim you've bested a mighty beast?". I shake my head.
"I'm afraid you can't.". The Khajiit keeps pushing.
"Are you sure? Odahviing can peel off a scale from his chest, or I can send them my hand in a box.". I cringe as I look at the dead hand resting on the table. It's not working and can never be healed; however, it seems so morbid to have the woman I'm courting cut it off for me.
"No, that's fine.". The Dovahkiin reaches down and pulls a dagger out of her boot. Gently, she places it against the mass of veins protruding from her broken flesh.
"You're sure?". My heart nearly stops as I slam the woman's hands away from her own wrist, then clamp my fingers over the wounded area. Her flesh is cold and slimy, but I force myself to continue covering it for fear she'll hack it off if I let her go.
"Yes! I'm sure!". Carefully, she begins putting the dagger away.
"It's a nice thought and it'd work, but I still don't want you to hack off a limb.". The woman cocks her head to the side.
"It could get infected and kill you.". I want to gain rank in the Companions and eventually return to them. I just don't think it's worth the Khajiit's hand. It's still a part of her. Just a part she can't use. Besides, amputation carries more risk than rewards. If it was going to get infected, fester and kill her, then it will easily take her from me.
"I'll take my chances. I'm sure there's a bear or something big enough to get me the promotion to The Circle.". The Dragonborn seems mildly upset I won't allow her to cut her hand off for me, but she falls silent and nods. I decide to redirect the conversation.
"So, how's the plan coming?". The Dovahkiin adjust her position as she tells me the new plan.
"I'd like to spend some time with Adharanji and get some closer before all of-". She motions to herself, me, and the entirety of Skyrim in general.
"-this is over. Then, you and I can go and watch the fighting.". I suppose I still need to send the letter, and I could always spend time with Odahviing if I get too bored.
"Alright. Where do you figure Adharanji would like to go?". The Dovahkiin bites her lips with her shattered fangs and seems to think about it for a moment.
"I'd imagine she'd like to go hunting or adventuring. I know a cave nearby that'd be a good adventure. Skeletons and rats, mostly. The main necromancers were killed a year or two ago when I wasn't a wanted criminal. I'd think a bear or pack of wolves would be taking over the cave by now. So, a challenge to entertain us, but nothing that could get us killed. Maybe even some loot if a criminal or desperate bandit stashed their treasure there.". The adventure sounds rather boring to me. But it sounds like something the Khajiit would enjoy doing together, so I don't damper her mood by telling her what I think. Instead, I encourage her to do either one.
"Hunting sounds nice. I'd just imagine it'd take a while before you find anything. Adventuring sounds like it'd be over sooner; I just doubt that Adharanji would find it as interesting as you. She's a bandit, and she's been fighting her entire life. Oblivion, she's probably been the final challenge at the end of a dungeon.". The Dovahkiin flattens her ears and grunts.
"I suppose that's true. She's probably use to fighting off adventurers and treasure seekers. Being on the other end and the enemies being animals might be different, but it's still the same overall principle.". A voice behind us stops our conversation.
"Well, what are we waiting for?". I turn to see Adharanji with a large bow in one hand and Puppy bounding around her feet.
"Let's go hunting.".
Note: Alright, I kind of have an idea about what I want to do. Updates might be lengthened to three days because of two stories. 'Luck Be a Lady' is probably going to be published. 'Revelations 5' just doesn't have much of a plot besides 'be an asshole and murder everyone'. And, I've recently found out that New Vegas is a lot easier for me to play than Fallout 3.
Like significantly easier. Easy enough I can play it before each chapter. Now, onto another matter. 'Denerim's Shadow' needs done. That means every Saturday will be dedicated purely to 'Denerim's Shadow'. Just to finish it up. However, that's not the other story I'm doing. There'll be another story after 'The Last Dragon' that will come out when it's done. That story will run alongside 'Luck Be a Lady' and 'Denerim's Shadow'. I just don't have the options yet. More information coming.