Part I
The Guard gritted his teeth as daggers of cold rain pierced through the gaps in his issued armor. Through the narrow eye slits in his helmet he could tell through the fog that he still had at least an hour of walking to return to his post in Falkreath. Probably more if this rain doesn't let up. His voice shivered while fog clouded his helmet, unable to adequately vent out through the helmet.
"I'd be a lot warmer and a lot happier with a bellyful of mead…"
For what felt like hours the Guard trudged over the muddy cobblestones leading to home. He cursed as his shield nearly slipped through his numb fingers and clattered to the ground exposing the deer face symbol to the muddy water. As he leaned to pick a sharp HISS pierced his ears causing him to jump back and reach for his steel sword.
"What is it? Dragons?"
He slowly stepped off the path and into the overgrowth surrounding the road. His soggy shield covered his front while he looked side to side ready to slash at anything that may leap at him. By the grace of Talos he was able to reach his target undetected.
Through some brush he spotted a Wood Elf in black robes looming over a battered Argonian woman in a shredded tunic. Purple bolts of energy surround a dagger in the Bosmer's hand suggesting the channeling of Oblivion's energy. The Guard scowled and spat under his breath.
"Hail, summoner. Conjure me up a warm bed, would you?"
The Argonian's presence was curious enough. They were far out from Riften or Windhelm where majority of their kind lived and she was crazy to venture out with such little protection by herself. But what greatly concerned him was the energy among the blade. The magic was Conjuration no doubt about that but there was no summoned creature nearby.
The Bosmer sickly grinned as he reached into a pouch and pulled a white crystal out. At this point the Guard knew that stealth was no longer an option and had to act before the Argonian's soul ended up in the Soul Gem. He bashed through the brush with his shield then pointed at the wizard with the tip of his sword.
"By order of the Jarl, stop right there! You have committed crimes against Skyrim and her people! What say you in your defense?"
The Bosmer shot a look towards the guard, then casually tossed a pouch to his feet with the sound of gold coins jingling through the rain.
"Go. Take it and forget what you're seeing unless you wish to join your town's graveyard so soon."
The Guard lowered his sword. The decision was made as he looked at the pouch containing no less than a month's pay. He simply looked towards the Bosmer and muttered.
"So be it."
Part II
The taste of mud and metal filled the Guard's mouth as he fell to the cobblestone unable to hold his weight. The Argonian rolled off his back and splayed onto her back with her slit eyes staring straight to the sky. The Guard gasped and placed a finger onto her scaly neck. A full cloud of breath flowed from his mouthpiece as he felt her pulse weakly cross his fingers. She was alive but the rain and cold will finish her off if he didn't hurry.
Falkreath was in eyesight now but he had to go down the series of switchbacks to reach the gate. Divines know she won't last that long. Instead, he'll have to cut down the hill directly while being careful not to fall. A dangerous move but damn it to Oblivion if Talos can do what he did than surely the Guard can carry a single lizard! The Guard grinned as he grabbed the Argonian by her waist and threw her upon his shoulder once more.
"Just a few more hours and I can crawl under some furs…"
After a grueling descent filled with slick mud and possibly a broken ankle the Guard was able to limp his way through the Falkreath gates. He felt the Argonian begin to move her head while barely speaking in a weak voice.
"S-sssoul...cairn…don't let me…"
The Guard shivered as his aching was replaced with unease over the hearing of that cursed place.
"It's bad luck to talk about that place."
With a few more grueling steps the Guard was able to shove open the door to the Dead Man's Drink where he promptly had to steady himself at a nearby table causing a few tankards to drop to the floor with a loud clatter.
"Guard! Shor's bones I wish you told me you were on a mission and I would have gladly helped with that weight!"
Narri, the servant of the tavern, rushed over and helped the limp Argonian off of his shoulders.
"You found yourself a lady from Black Marsh? Can't she's going to have the men around here wrapped around her finger."
The Guard shook his head at the servant's crudeness towards an injured traveler.
"Heard about you and your honeyed words…"
"Blame Dengeir. You would give such comments yourself if you had to endure such brashness. Put her in a room and we'll take good care of her. Better get yourself to the barracks. I'm sure the Jarl will find you if he needs a statement."
Without saying anything further, the Guard opened the door and limped his way into the darkening air while rain continued to pour through his armor.
Part III
The day greeted the Guard with a blast of humidity filling his helmet as he hobbled outside. A wrap beneath his greave kept his ankle in place. He'll get to enjoy a few days of light labor for his trouble. Too bad he'll have to stand dripping wet with the damned humidity. Can't escape water in this town whether it be in the rain or in the very air itself. He walked straight to the Dead Man's Drink while putting a noticeable distance between himself and the table he became acquainted with last night. The tavern staff were not our front. It was a little early before the breakfast rush so likely finishing up preparations. He did not see the Argonian anywhere but noticed a piece of paper nailed to one of the closed tavern room doors.
Please do not disturb occupant. That means you, Guard.
-Valga, owner
The blood within the Guard's chest begin to heat as he read the note. All that work and he wasn't allowed to even check on the person he rescued? Such an act is truly defiant against a son of Talos! He grasped the note and threw it to the ground.
"The Imperials think we need their laws. Pfft."
He gently turned the knob and pushed it open. A loud creak announced his arrival and a soft accented voice called out:
"It is our most favored company. There are many of you in this town but surely you were the one who found me if you are here. I can't thank you enough, Land Strider."
The Argonian laid in bed wearing a clean robe, clearly an extra that the tavern keepers had lying around. Her head was wrapped in a clean bandage and the wounds on her arms were clearly treated with herbs. She attempted to lift herself up only for her to stagger and collapse back onto the pillow. The Guard pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed while mustering up his sense of humor.
"Watch yourself, lizard."
The Argonian grunted in frustration as she found herself unable to lift herself again.
"Apologies, guardsman. I'd give you a hug if I was able to. A shame I can't even do that but I'll repay my debt to you somehow. My name is Theeva."
The Guard nodded in greeting and silently gave thanks to Talos that she was in relatively good shape. Can't be too careful in Imperial controlled lands.
"Everything all right?"
Theeva looked down towards the covers then shook her head after a period of silence.
"I'm breathing but I can't say I'm okay. I fled from Windhelm because the Nords there are cruel to my people. I went to Riften hoping to get some help but I only got swarmed by the Thieves Guild. When I refused to take part in their scheme they tried to corner me. I escaped but then I was caught by that mage. By the Hist I can't put into words the terror I felt when I realized what he wanted to do with me! I can't think of a fate worse than having your soul trapped in a soul gem. I know what happens to souls that get used. They get trapped for eternity in the Soul Cairn…"
She attempted to continue but was stopped by the stifled sounds of crying that built in her throat. The Guard leaned forward and rubbed her back. He felt his own heart drop in sorrow seeing the Theeva's state. He couldn't help but think of having his own afterlife be taken away from him just so some mage could get a shinier sword.
"I was a fool to come this way. I should have taken the cart back to Windhelm but I didn't want to return to Windhelm empty-handed."
The Guard looked around the room and noticed Theeva's shredded robe as well as an iron dagger that was clearly dulled to the sharpness of a butter knife.
"Some advice, friend. That armor won't offer much protection in a real fight."
Theeva snorted,
"You call that armor? I can't even call that metal stick a knife."
A chuckle echoed from the Guard's helmet. Despite her state she still has some sort of sense of humor. She should recover fine.
"Pig-sticker like that's not going to get you far. Best visit the blacksmith."
Theeva shook her head and looked towards the covers once more,
"I'm afraid my gold is gone. I don't know how I'll be able to get back to Windhelm, especially since I'll have to repay the folks who took me in."
The Guard heard footsteps approach him and he turned to see the town Priest of Arkay, Runil. The elderly high elf stepped inside the room and warmly greeted both of them.
"Miss Theeva, I'm pleased to see that your wounds have recovered quite nicely. I hope that your sleep has fared just as well."
Theeva shook her head once more,
"I slept but not well. It's like I keep experiencing the attack over and over again."
"A close brush with the afterlife, especially with a soul gem close by, is enough to wrack anyone's soul. But you are here in a safe place now. So please, take deep breaths and let yourself be reminded that you shall not face that fate."
"Thank you, Runil. I wish to repay as much as I can but I wish to ask one more favor."
"But of course!"
"I wish for my soul to return to the Hist but this journey has made me question if I will safely reach it. I'm far from Black Marsh and this close encounter has made me feel, I guess vulnerable is the right word?"
"I would be happy to extend Arkay's blessing upon you. It is his job to guide the soul to their destination, even if their destination differs from those of this land. But first, let's have a comforting meal. Enjoying good food is part of enjoying life after all! Besides, I need to find a good prayer for us."
The Guard looked over towards a small table next to the bed and noticed a platter left for Theeva by the tavern keepers that had a few grilled leeks, but definitely had crumbs leftover from a dessert that was removed while the leeks remained untouched.
"Let me guess. Someone stole your Sweetroll."
Part IV
The tavern bedroom was dimly lit with carefully placed candles surrounding Theeva's bed. Theeva's neck was donned with an amulet of Arkay, its blood red beads reflecting in the candlelight. The Guard and Runil sat on opposite ends of the bed, each gently holding Theeva's hands as Runil reads a passage from a well worn journal:
"Merciful Arkay, we thank you for your constant watch over the blessed cycles of life and death. Through you the souls of the departed are able to find peaceful rest upon their final breath here in our realm. May the cosmic flow continue to bring us renewal in our lives until we can finally end in peace. We come to you this day to ask that you watch over a dear soul, a stranger in our land who comes from a faraway homeland. Though her people may not share their history you taught us that the spirits of all living beings shall be guarded from the horrid forces that prey on them. May you watch over her and guard her with a steady vigil. So that when her last breath comes she may reunite with her marsh-brothers and marsh-sisters within the Hist. So that the sacred cycle of her people may continue forevermore."
With a gentle squeeze of her hand, the two locals conclude the prayer and Runil begins to gather his things.
"A cart should be here soon. It can take you back to Windhelm. It appears some gold was recovered from the foul man who tried to take you so that will cover your trip home. If you ever need some spiritual guidance you are more than welcome to write to me. Arkay always watches but sometimes we mortals need a more verbal reminder."
"The prayer was beautiful, Runil. I'm blessed that all of you came along and helped a foolish traveler like me."
"Death has taken many around here already. We won't leave someone to such a fate if we can help it. The Guard will walk you out. Take care and may Arkay guard you."
"Thank you. May the Hist bless you in return."
The Argonian and Guard walked out to a cool foggy day. A horse and carriage waited at the gate while a few passengers hop off. Clearly adventurers off to check some of the nearby Draugr crypts. The Guard knows that they will likely not come back out. Before hopping onto the cart Theeva turns and says in a hushed tone.
"I know I said this many times, but thank you for saving me. My life was in your hands and you guided me safely back to the living. I hope the Divines bless you in return for the payment I could not provide."
The Guard casually shrugged his shoulder,
"I mostly deal with petty thievery and drunken brawls. Been too long since we've had a good bandit raid."
Theeva smiled warmly
"Well, your skills certainly have not rusted."
She walked forward and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, barely able to completely wrap around his bulk and armor.
"You take care. Ours shall smile at your passing should we cross again."
The Guard clasped her wrist in a traditional gesture of greeting,
"Watch the skies, traveler."
The Guard stood still at the gate as the wagon and its lone passenger went up the switchbacks that he had stumbled down barely over a day before. As the wagon went out of sight his eyes watered. Being a guard was hardly glorious. Usually dull and thankless. But the few days in his career where he knew he made a difference to someone, those days keep him going.