Hey, everyone! I'm back with more Dovahsil!
So, confession... I've actually got three chapters done, but for the moment, I'm only posting this one, as I'm trying to polish up the others real good first.
The end is in sight now (although for some reason more chapters keep coming out of the woodwork, so how near it is, I'm not sure). I hope that I don't disappoint as I work on wrapping things up.
Thanks to everyone who has kept up with this story as it's progressed, and to those of you who have just recently joined us, welcome! Judging by the way my muse feels, I think the rest of the chapters are going to come in quick succession from here on out (my muse is actually crying that I can't stay up all night because I have work in the morning), but feel free to review as you read all the same. (Because...yeah...I'm a review junkie...)
Anyway, thanks again to all my readers. I hope you all enjoy the story. Happy reading! Cheers!
"Adariaaaa."
"What?"
"I'm dyyyyyiiiinnnngggg…"
Adaria glanced over her shoulder at Marcurio who was traipsing along behind her with his face buried in her rucksack. He almost reminded her of a draugr, though significantly less revolting, what with the way he was shuffling and wobbling.
The Dragonborn heaved a sigh as she glanced up at the star-specked sky above. It was, what? Midnight? Possibly later? They had been traveling since early that morning, and it had taken much longer than it should have to wind their way through the snow between Heljarchen and Whiterun. Add that to the fact that she had hardly slept at all over the past couple weeks, and even she was exhausted and ready for a break. Still…
She turned her gaze back to the horizon.
At least she could see the lights of Dragonsreach up ahead.
"Almost there," Adaria grunted, rubbing her sore, dry eyes with one hand as she walked. "Just keep walking. And preferably with your head up. I'm not catching you if you fall."
Marcurio groaned audibly before standing up straight.
"Your superhuman endurance never ceases to overwhelm me," the mage said, yawning broadly as he moved to walk beside her.
Adaria frowned at this.
"It's not really superhuman…" she muttered. "It's just willpower."
"Which you seem to have more of than I do, at least," Marcurio laughed sheepishly.
No… Adaria thought to herself. You have it, too. You wouldn't still be here with me if you didn't.
She wasn't going to say it, though. The man's head was big enough as it was.
For several moments the pair walked in a comfortable silence, the light clomp of their weary footfall and the chirping of night creatures serving as the only sound to break the stillness. Adaria knew Marcurio was tired, even without observing his mammoth-sized yawns and wobbling footsteps. His silence alone was enough to tell her he was exhausted.
It wasn't long before the lights of the Whiterun Stables came into view, and soon, the city gates swung open with a groan of hinges. It didn't look like there was anyone around right now, minus one sleeping guard off in a corner. Adaria frowned slightly at this. As thane of the city, she would need to discuss city security with Jarl Balgruuf. But not tonight. Let the guard sleep tonight. She didn't feel like dealing with the problem right now, and especially not with a sleepwalking Marcurio at her side.
Breezehome was quiet as the pair entered. The fire in the hearth had died down considerably, only a few tiny flames flickering out from among the coals. It took Marcurio about two seconds to drop his pack in a corner and collapse onto his stomach next to the fire.
"Nice floor…" the man muttered, his eyes falling shut in contentment.
"At least let me get you a mat," Adaria sighed in response, moving to throw a few more logs on the fire.
"So tired…" Marcurio slurred in response.
Adaria's eyes softened slightly as she paused to look at the mage sprawled across the hard floor. He already looked like he was asleep.
"Sorry for always dragging you along," she said under her breath.
She hadn't meant for anyone to hear, but just then Marcurio stirred, lifting one heavy eyelid to look up at her.
"What do you mean, dragging me along?"
The Dragonborn's face washed warm when she realized the mage was still awake.
"You're hearing things," she replied, throwing a nearby sabre cat pelt in his face and turning away. "Anyway, let me find you a mat and then you can go to sleep."
"You're changing the subject again," the Imperial responded in a singsong voice, pushing the pelt away and sitting up.
Adaria opened her mouth to counter him, but at that moment, another voice caught her ear.
"My th-...Ad...Adaria."
The silver-eyed woman glanced up to see Lydia standing at the top of the stairs.
"Did we wake you?"
The dark-haired warrior shook her head at this, though whether that meant, "No, you didn't wake me," or, "Yes, but it's fine," Adaria really couldn't say. Lydia didn't give her time to contemplate it, either, for the next moment she hurried down the stairs, her face pulled into a strange expression. Adaria could smell a faint hint of nervousness, too.
"What is it, Lydia? I know something is wrong."
"I'm sorry," the warrioress responded. "It may be nothing, but…"
"But what?"
"Well...a strange man came today asking about you."
Adaria tried not to roll her eyes at this statement. She would have loved to have a septim for every strange person that came looking for her. Being the Dragonborn, it was no unusual occurrence. If it wasn't some mysterious messenger bearing a letter from a "friend" she knew nothing about, it was a vampire lord, a daedric priest, a crazed lunatic, a cannibal, or some other variant form of insanity incarnate.
"And?"
"And…"
Lydia then reached into a pocket and pulled something out, holding it out toward the Dragonborn with a serious expression on her face.
"I was instructed to give this to you. He said you would know what it meant."
By now, Marcurio was standing, leaning over her shoulder in curiosity to see what it was Lydia held.
Adaria could feel the small metal object long before Lydia's hand moved away so she could see it. The woman squinted slightly in the dim half-light, but when she realized what it was she held, she could feel all the color drain from her face. There before her, resting in her open palm, was a round cloak clasp, the image of a dragon and eagle with talons interlocked pressed into its surface. The edges were worn, and a dark, bloody smudge outlined most of the dragon's form.
A menacing smile flashed through her mind, and instantly Adaria could feel her whole body trembling.
No…
"Adaria?"
It was Marcurio. Both he and Lydia were looking at her with concern, but she was only half aware of the fact that they were even there.
They've found you…
Adaria thought she might hurl as her stomach turned in a knot.
You always knew this would happen. You can't escape. They told you, didn't they? He told you. A monster cannot hide forever.
Her whole body felt cold and her head throbbed.
But if they've found me…
"Adaria, are you all right?"
The Dragonborn glanced up quickly at a touch at her elbow, jumping slightly in surprise. She found herself staring into the face of a very concerned Marcurio.
If they've found me...what will they do to them? If they die because of me…
Adaria's head was still pounding as she turned quickly toward the door.
"Lydia, if the man comes back, tell him you never saw me. You were asleep when I came in and asleep when I left."
"My thane?"
"Also, Marcurio, Lydia can give you everything you need to travel back to Cyrodiil. Take it and get your ass out of Skyrim."
"Adaria, what-?"
"Leave!" Adaria shouted, her voice sounding angrier than it should have as the dark wings fluttered across her mind. Her eyes stung, and she set her gaze firmly on the rough surface of the wooden door in front of her as she fought the strange mixture of unfamiliar emotions racing through her head. "For once in your gods-damned life, follow an order and leave!"
And then, without another word, she rushed through the front door, slamming it behind her and half walking, half running toward the city gates. Where could she go? There were so many of them. And they were so thorough. If she wasn't safe in Skyrim, where was she safe?
You know better. You know a monster like yourself shouldn't even be alive. You hurt things. That's all you're good for.
The dark wings fluttered menacingly around her heart as she pushed blindly through the front gates, a complex mix of thoughts racing through her brain.
You can kill them, you know? You're the Dragonborn. You have the soul of a dragon. It would be no trouble to kill a couple dozen soldiers. You've killed far more.
But I don't want to kill them. I shouldn't kill them. I'm the one at fault.
Her head hurt. Her heart hurt. Everything felt numb and cold, her body shivering fiercely.
You're right. You're a monster. You deserve to die. So why are you running...again?
Because I don't want to die. I don't…
But you deserve it.
I know. But still...why did it have to be this way? I wanted stay...to keep traveling with him…
You would have just killed him, too. As you do everything else. Because you're a monster. You're-
"Adaria!"
A familiar voice silenced the thoughts in her head, and Adaria froze in place, turning slowly to meet the owner of the voice.
Marcurio…
"You idiot!" the woman growled as the mage came to a stop in front of her, panting heavily. "I told you to leave!"
"When has that ever worked on me?" the man responded, grinning through the heavy breaths he was taking.
Adaria clenched her fists tightly, her nails biting into her palms. If it weren't for the gauntlets guarding her hands, she was fairly certain she might have broken through the skin.
Marcurio, you fool. You can't stay with me. I have to make him leave. I have to…
"Fine," she choked out, turning on her heels toward the open and wild land to the south.
You fool. What will you do when he dies because of you?
"But you won't be seeing civilization again for a while."
What will you do when he finally knows?
"And no talking to anyone. Period. I don't care how friendly they are."
You know that if he survives, he'll find out. About you. About the monster that you are. What will you do when he leaves you?
"And if you can't handle that, you'd better leave now."
Adaria could hear the soft padding of Marcurio's footsteps behind her, at once so comforting and so frightening. Well, this was it. He really was a fool after all. She needed to do something, to stop him, to make him turn around before his foolishness became his own undoing, but she couldn't. Not now. Just a little more time. Just a little longer with that ridiculous smiling face by her side. It was all she asked.
And then with that, they disappeared into the darkness.