The forest was dark and foreboding in the late hours of the night, but there was peace in its sullen ambiance. Aside from his own breath there is nothing to be heard and the woods are simply too dark to see much at all. He was standing on a narrow track made of loose gray pebbles that crunched under his boots when he walked. The trees were densely packed together, leaving just enough space to allow him to maneuver through. He pressed a palm against a tree's rough bark, and breathed in the scent of the forest. The musty scent of leaves after rainfall, the warm soil packed against the earth by scurrying animals, the scent of things in different stages of blooming and growth. The scent of residual smoke also hung in the air, faint, but it was there.

Looking to the east, he peered through the trees and looked towards the clouds, catching the faintest wisps of white smoke. If he was correct, Helgen was there, a small town like Riverwood. What had happened there was of no concern to him. He sighs and resumes his search. A slight sound catches his attention making him reach back, pull out his bow, draw an arrow, notching it and trailing the sound as it moved. He hardly notices his bow any longer, it's as if they had become one over the years. He had customized it to suit his needs. It was made of strong pliable wood with water resistant adhesive, making it stronger and less likely to warp.

A rabbit emerges from the brush, its movement unrushed, not taking notice of him. Smirking he aims, and the world shrinks to no more than what he can see out of the target in sight, there's nothing but the weight of the weapon in his hands. He inhales as time slows to a crawl and the wind reduces to a whisper in comparison to his own rushing heartbeat in his ears. The arrow flies and sinks deep into the rabbit, barley letting it make a sound. Pulling out his knife he walks over and sets to skinning. When all is done, he cleans the blade and pack away his kill. His eyes had grown heavy and decides to call it a night. There was no use in looking if you were to dead on your feet to pay attention.

Could sell the hide for a few coins in the town, he thought as he turns and makes his way downhill and heads towards Riverwood. The land is mostly flat, with a lazy meandering river curling through it. Coming down he hears the light trickles of the river as its flows. Its not loud, like it would be at night. Instead it's mellow. Quiet. The water tumbles down in a series of mini-waterfalls downriver. Up ahead is the bridge which arched over it. At first glance, the river seemed serene and peaceful, but underneath the surface, the waters would whisk away anyone who dared to sink to deep. The stone bridge was the only way to cross for miles, and since he was in no mood to be dragged down in the freezing waters, he decided to cross. The bridge was made of great arcs of stone that defied gravity. Seen from over the valley it was a sign of home to all that lived nearby.

As he walked across the bridge towards the town of Riverwood, his grip on his bow tightened. The latest lead he had gotten was another dead end and his thoughts were clouded with worry and anger. Where the hell could that mutt be? He had searched all over for any crack and cavern that the bastards could have been holed up in. And in the end, had only ended up with a little game after hours of searching. Turning towards the town, he holstered his bow. Giving the sky a quick glance, he guessed that is was just before dawn, the eastern sky beginning to fill with blended tones of rosy pinks and sandy yellows. A subtle way to welcome a new day, a new beginning. The outlines of the houses are becoming clearer and even the leaves on the trees are looking more green than grey, dawn is here for sure. He turned to go up the Inn's steps when movement caught his eyes, making him get into a stance to pull his bow forward again. His eyes strained to focus in the dim light. Someone was up very early. Too early. Curiously, he stood still and watched. He caught sight of someone. The lack of light making it hard to tell. He saw the figure stop and face him, making something in his gut clench. His breath slowed and before he could take a step towards the figure, with a sharp turn on their heel, they walked away. Must have been a woman with the way their hips moved. She had grace about her, but it faded from view as she walked into the mist of the early dawn.

Putting it out of his mind he turned to the inn's doors, and walked up the steps, and pushed the door open. As his eyes adjusted to the bright light of the roaring fire pit, he walked past a few men who were drunk, slurring and talking in hushed whispers near the bar. They had been here for a few days, drinking and whistling at the folks in the town. The man behind the bar gave him a small glance as he wiped the countertop down with a rag, his eyes looking tired.

"Orgnar right?" He asked the barkeep and got a stiff nod.

"That's right. We got rooms and food. Drink, too. I cook. Ain't much else to tell." He said plainly. He nearly smiled. Straight to the point, he liked that about him.

"I'll take a room for the night." He said gruffly, handing coins over.

"Sure thing. It's yours for a day." Picking up the coins, he walked around the bar to show him to his room.

"Hey Orgnar, you wouldn't happen to know of any bandit rings around here, would you?" He asked as they walked. He got a sideways glance from him as he thought about it.

"A couple bandits stole something from the local trade a few nights ago, but nothing of that sort. We don't have any jobs from the Jarl either. Sorry." He spoke and unlocked the door, ushering him inside.

Giving him a small silent nod in thanks, he let the barkeep leave, locking the door behind him. As he put his bow down by the bed, and kick off his boots, he heard the barkeep speak to the drunks that were in the inn.

"If you aren't going to drink or rent a room, you need to leave." He heard Orgnar call out, causing a few chairs scrap against the floor and a pair of male voices or garbled sentences as they left the inn. Sitting on the bed, the wood creaking under the weight of him, he placed his bow beside the bed, leaning against the wall. Leaning back, he let his eyes close. His body felt exhausted from his several days track throughout the area. It dragged him into that shadowy world of dreams in less than a minute from his head hitting the pillow.

He was prepared for the usual darkness of restless sleep that he usually had. Or the foggy painful memories of his past. They come often and only the ending changes. Sometimes he would win and sometimes... Most times, he would lose. If he lost, it's because he made a betrayal of love and trust of someone, he loved more than himself. Again. So long as he did what is right, the dream turns out well. He had woken up from the dream many times feeling wretched for the mistakes, only for the blessed relief, it was just a dream. Again. Then though his heart feels wretched, at least he could face the day. He didn't fear the dreams. Simply; he mourned the memories they evolved from. He wished he could go back, rectify the mistake - the worst of all he had done. However, he could not. Impossible. He had to live with it. Remorse etched at his heart.

Instead he found himself on a cliff, everything around him being seen crystal clear. Like he was really there. A soft breeze that carried the scent of the seawater filling his head. Stepping closer to the edge, he peered out at the ocean. It breathed, the surface rising and falling with rhythmic ease. He remembered swimming in the turquoise waters. Floating in the sea with its push and pull. The ocean was something he respected. He understood its beauty. And its dangers. He found true fascination by the way the waves softly crashed against the rocks below, their curling fingers brushing each stone with a gentle caress as the wind ushered a sense of peace to him. Whatever had brought this dream on, he was grateful for it.

And where the waves crashed for a time, slowly, he watched as they calmed until the sea was still, like a blue mirror laid out before him. The sounds fading from his senses, until a hum saunters into the dream, the gentle tones of a feminine voice, faint and seductive. The sound making everything in him tighten, his chest constricting, making the air he had, escape from his lungs for a moment. His body filling with an electric charge, a need so intense his jaw hurt from clenching.

Turning towards the sound, he pauses, his jaw slacking. There a few feet from him, was a woman. Her face was blocked from his view as her long brown hair shielding her face as the wind blew it around her. Her white dress hugged her body, yet allowing glimpses of honeyed skin beneath, showing her curves until it billowed out at the waist, the cloth moving around her legs as the wind picked up. Her fingers were laced together behind her back, making her side view look relaxed. Her hum has a happiness; there's something carefree about the notes as they fall into the salty air around him.

This dream was unlike anything he'd ever felt before, and he couldn't explain it. Being in her presence was like being punched in the gut and at the same time... Seduced. Her beauty tugged at him, made him feel possessive. Protective. Ravenous. It was... Overwhelming... He takes one step towards her, pauses, no intention of disturbing her, soaking in the sound. A full minute passes before he takes another step, seeing the ground behind her starts to lift away, like the world around him was turning to smoke. All to soon the dream began to become distant. It felt like he had only stood there for a minute. Maybe two. Hell, for all he knew, it could have been hours.

"Who are you?" He asked aloud, causing the woman in white to turn towards him, pulled out of her tune and let out a joyful laugh when her hair refused to get out of her face. Her laugh made him ache, and nearly smile. He watched as she released her hands and lifted one to move the hair from her face. Her humming faded as she started to move the dark strands out of view, the sight of her moving farther away, making him start to walk towards her, picking up the pace when he nearly broke out into a sprint. Regretfully, the dream faded away. Waking up, he was temporarily blinded by the sun streaming in from a window. Groaning, he sat up and dragged a hand down his face, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Waking up can be really harsh, especially if your dreams are better than reality. The saddest part of it is, though, that eventually even the memory of your dream will fade - if you are even lucky enough to remember it, that is. And he could. The image of that woman on those cliffs with him would forever be burned into him, like a brand.

'Who was she?' He shook the question from his mind as he rubbed sleep from his eyes. 'Forget it, it doesn't matter.' Sitting up he pulled on his boots. Absently, he found himself humming the tune he had heard in his dream. His mind was at a loss. Normally when he heard music, he associated it with bards. He found them annoying and found their music repetitive almost like they all knew the same songs. But hers held a uniqueness that left him entranced. Letting out a yawn, he rose to his feet and poured water into a basin. Undoing several buckles, he dropped his black leather armor on the bed. The water was going to be cold, but there was nothing he can do about that. Not without waking the innkeeper just to warm some up. Wetting a cloth, he wiped his face, wincing at the chill it left behind, over his several day-old beard, across his throat and behind his neck, and across his shoulders, and arms. Grabbing some soap, he lathers his throat, meaning only to trim and clean up his face as well as free his neck and the underside of his jaw of bristles.

Pulling out his dagger, he cleaned the blade and set to work, carefully dragging the blade down his cheek, his mind got lost in the memory of the dream. He hadn't had a chance to see her face. Dropping the blade, he let the water clean it off and he set to another line. If he been able to get closer, he could have been able to get a better picture of everything about her. Setting to his other cheek, he dragged the blade down, clearing more of his face out. Finishing up, he let out a sigh as he cleaned the blade of soap and dried it off before setting it back in its sheath on his hip. His mind was in shreds; would he never get that picture out of his mind? Picking up a drying rag, he wiped his face dry. Eyes closed he saw a glimpse of the white dress, the wild hair. Opening his eyes, he tossed the rag on the dresser.

"It was just a dream dammit, move on!" He growled out. Turning he bent down a picked his leather armor and slipped his arms into the dark sleeves, buckling everything tight. Letting his arms stretch above his head, he dropped his arms and reached for his bow, slinging it onto his back. Turning, he opened the door and stepped out. The inn was bare of anyone, a few people must have been asleep still, and even Orgnar was unseen. Turning away from his room he walked to the door. Stopping at a table, he grabbed an apple and bit into it as he stepped out into the morning light. The street was lightly littered with townsfolk, walking about their day. On each side of the street the houses are separated by yards large enough to accommodate animals, lumber mills and such. Seeing children running around with a dog barking at them, wielding sticks as swords made him huff out a chuckle.

Turning his mind back to the reason he was in these parts, he ran through the list of places his partner could be in his mind, checking off the ones he had already searched. As he sifted and sorted, his eyes were constantly on edge, making sure to keep an eye on everything. By the time his thoughts had gone over every place he had been to and searched, he was in something of a short-temper. He caught sight of the two drunks that had been in the inn last night, just in the middle of the street, not far from the bottom of the inn's staircase. He watched as they tried to walk, slobbering and blubbering all kinds of words that made little to no sense to anyone who would walk past them. It had been some time since he last saw someone be so drunk that when they walk, it's as if the ground is the deck of a storm-tossed boat. Both of them looked incredibly imbalanced, each foot comes to the sidewalk as if the connection of shoe and stone wasn't entirely anticipated and the sloppier one of the two lurches, stumbles and slumps against the moss-covered fence.

Ignoring them and their loud bluster, he went back to thinking, leaning against the inn's wall, closing his eyes in thought. It had been 9 days now. They had been going past Valthiem Towers when they had gotten ambushed by bandits. It had all happened so fast, one minute they surrounded him, overpowered them and the next he was alone. And that meant he was alone too. And since they took him, a storm had blown in, covering their tracks, wiping everything away. Thinking about it only furthered his rage at the idea that he could be involved in some horrible dog ring. The thought made his stomach clench. The guilt was like ice in his guts. Clenching his fists, he opened his eyes and saw the kids racing behind the dog up the other end of the town, towards the lumber mill. Following the street, he watched as a lone stranger walk in. They continued walking until they were stopped by someone on the street.

Looking more closely, he saw that they were two women, one younger than the other. The younger handed something to the older, they embraced and after a few spoken words, they parted ways. He watched as she tried to tie her hair, which cascaded in brown waves down past her shoulders, only to get bumped by the children who had tried to run around her, letting her hair fall in front of her face. The image looked... Similar. His blood cooled. He heard her call out, making the children turned toward her and watched as they stood side by side as she spoke to them, one hand on her hip, another pointing a finger at them in a lecturing gesture. From the feet up, he took in her gear. It wasn't anything he had ever seen in these parts. Her heeled boots looked to be a heavy leather, the pants, a dark brown leather, almost skin tight, with two slender swords on either side of her curvaceous hips. A thick buckled belt rests across her hips with a small pouch. The dark blue vest she wore was a mixture of dark brown leather, decorated with a vine like design, and dark blue cloth that stuck to her, following her upper bodies dips and curves. Her arms were covered to the wrists by red armbands. A matching blue wrap covered her across the shoulders, tying in the front, hiding a slender charmed necklace. Strapped to her back looked to be a long great-sword.

A cool breeze catches her hair, making dance around her face, covering it. The children tried to muffle their giggles, despite her lecture. Until they were holding their sides in laughter. Dropping her upraised hand, he watched her shoulder start to shake. Then she laughed out loud along with them. He could scarcely breathe. The sound danced above the wind and the ache returned in his chest from his previous night. Could...? No. Not a chance. But the sound... As she brushed a stray tendril of hair behind her ear, gently brushing her cheek as she did so, she listened to the children apologize, not sounding like she was believing them, she waved a hand side to side. When they bowed their heads slightly, her eyes looked up at the drunks who had caught sight of her and had begun to talk amongst themselves, being so close he could overhear. Well, not like they were trying to be discreet.

"Oye oye! Look at this fine lass." One of them spoke up as he pointed down the stone street. "Oh, she's a beauty who looks a bit parched. I think I may offer to buy her a pint of brew." He called to his companion who was all but sitting on the ground because his legs couldn't fully hold him up.

"Not if I get to her before you do." The other spoke, letting out a burp. "You always go after the pretty women, leaving the beats for the rest of us."

"I can't help it if women find me fascinating." Out of the two of them, the one in the skinned bear pelt seemed the most sober, or maybe in this case, the one who could speak without slurring to badly. "Besides, you'll have plenty of women to choose from. A fair maiden like her would be a waste for a man like you." Looking away from them and their senseless babble, he looked back at her. As if she sensed it, she looked right at him. She didn't avert her gaze, though. Instead, she gave him an expectant look, one that dared him to speak his mind and explain what the hell his issue was. He wished he was closer, to see the colour of her eyes. She arched a slender brow on him and put her hands on her curved hips... The children got her attention again, dragging her eyes from him to them again. She gave them a small smile and stepped aside to let them take off again, smiling after them. Turning away, she began walking towards the inn. The drunks on the street caught sight of her as well and turned their focus on her fully.

"Ay, she must be a witch then. Just look at those eyes! They've put some spell on me!" The drunker of the two called out as he stepped in her way, causing her to pause in her stride, her easy-going stride coming to a near full halt and making her bristle.. "Hey there lovely, want to sit in me lap tonight?" He asked. She let out a huff and rolled her eyes as she tried to step around him. He stepped in the same direction, staying in her path. She didn't even spare him a word.

"Ach, come on lovely, how about a kiss?" The sloppier one of the two tried to reach for her wrist, making her reach for her blade with her right hand, only to bat his attempt away, causing him to stumble and nearly fall to the dirt. She walked forward as the bear skin wearer leaned over to help his friend who was having difficulty getting up on his feet.

He observed her as she turned and started up the inn's steps. Finally, she was close enough to get a better look. Gods, she was beautiful. As she finished tying up her hair, leaving her face fully exposed. He could see several thin braids mixed in with her ponytail that swung gently over her shoulders. Although she was shorter than himself by at least half a foot, he guessed, she had mouth-watering curves that had all sorts of fantasies playing around in his head. Her face had notes that made her look almost elven, but her ears were only slightly pointed at the tips. Her eyelashes were long and black, framing eyes that made him understand what the other drunk was going on about. Some sort of spell indeed. He was mesmerized by the deep swirls of brown that colored her pupils. The brown-mahogany orbs glistened with a mischievous glint that could be noticed next to the umber that rimmed her iris. They glowed with humor and playfulness that never seem to escape. But unlike many of her kin, her features were less pronounced: arched nose instead of the straight and narrow, a softer set of cheekbones instead of their high and tight ones. It was her mouth that had most of his attention though; it was plush, carnal and could make a man think impure thoughts. Her eyes refused to leave his, and after a few steps, she stopped only a foot away from him. He painfully resisted the urge to lean towards her, to touch.

Until her warm eyes looked him up and down, turned cold and lifted her chin at him. Like a Thalmor would, or a noble who thought them better than others. It made his back stiffen and riddled him with a feeling of contempt and the appeal of her dampened. He was glad he had folded his arms, because his hands were hidden from being seen as they clenched. When her eyes sharpened, she almost had an air of impatience about her. He didn't say anything to her, and after a few seconds of silence, she spoke.

"What are you looking at?" She asked dryly. The snap to her voice made him stiffen. He smiled inwardly at her feistiness. Not quite as sweet as she looked, apparently. But that wasn't why he blinked in surprise. He just would never have suspected a voice like that could belong to someone who looked so innocent. It was . . . He didn't really know how to describe it. Smoky. Raspy. Gritty. Like she'd spent a night doing nothing but smoking, chugging whiskey, and screaming in ecstasy Yeah, that voice packed a hell of a punch.

"So, you're someone who doesn't like to lip wrestle. Got it. Or you're just looking for someone to kiss your boots. If it's the latter, I'd suggest looking elsewhere." He caught a sliver of surprise that crossed her face but was quickly replaced by a look of slight irritation.

"Or I'm just looking for a drink and you're in my way". She spoke evenly. But she didn't walk on into the inn.

He gave her a thoughtful tilt of his head, weighing the option. "Ahh, I'd join you, but there's something I want to know before you get too wasted to tell the difference between me and this wall." He watched as she raised a single eyebrow, as if inviting the inquiry. "So, are you so used to those comments that you turn your nose up at all of them like some damn noble" Bristling at the way he was talking to her, she straightened her posture and folded her arms across her chest.

"I'm sorry Princess, did you want someone to pay attention to you too?" She snapped back sarcastically.

'Wha- Princess?" He echoed as he surprisingly found himself letting out a laugh. "Those two only WISH they could work up the courage to whistle at me. I'll be fine." He mockingly assured her. "They have been harassing every pair of legs that's crossed their path for days. Yesterday they got so drunk they even wolf whistled the blacksmith." He meant it as a fact, but he watched as the idea of the scene no doubt played out in her mind for a moment, he watched as the corners of her mouth lift up into a brilliant grin that was followed by a brief outburst of laughter, her eyes closed as she tilted her head back as the giggles sounded from her lips. The sound made his blood hum. "You're the first they have been right to admire though..." He watched the amusement that had crossed her features a moment ago turn into a look of bafflement. But there was no mistaking the blooming colour in her cheeks. She looks away and finds a distraction for a moment. He leans backs back, allowing her time to compose herself, fighting back the smile that wants to break out. When her eyes return to his, with a clarity that left him feeling a little stripped bare, he shifting a little he went on. "Anyway, just give them a wide berth."

"For days? What do you do here? Hold up the wall?" Her hand had pointed to him and the wall behind him, her tone was thickly sarcastic again. His spine stiffened again. He almost chuckled.

"Maybe I'm here to stop noble ladies for drinks before they go in there and have the dullest night of their lives with these close-minded villagers."

"Then I guess you're out of luck since I am not staying the night nor am I a noble. Maybe you should give me a wide berth until a real one comes along" She tossed back. He stood up from leaning against the wall and stood up straight.

"You know, I was just leaving, but now I kinda feel like I need to bother you a little more." At this she gave him a look of dismay.

"Thanks for the heads up about the drunks, not that I couldn't take care of them or myself. But why bother telling me?" She asked. And for a second, he had to wonder about it too. He shrugged and gave her a playful smirk.

"Maybe I'm just a nice guy?" He snorted at the thought. "I need to get going and I wanted to foil the drunks one last time... I was tracking my wolf, Karnwyr, around here. We were separated while hunting a week ago. I've been hearing rumors of bandits holding pit fights somewhere this side of Skyrim." What. The. Hell? What was wrong with him? Why was he telling her this? It's not like she had even asked. But for some reason, he felt compelled to tell her. As he spoke, her look turned pensive. "He's all I've got, and that's the only lead. So, I am off to shut them down before something happens to him." She looked over her shoulder up the road she had just walked up then turned back to look at him.

"I could help you get your wolf back!" She offered, almost sounding excited at the thought. It was a little... Off-putting.

"Enthusiasm like that could get a pretty girl like you in trouble." There it was again. A slight flash of bewilderment, however it left faster this time. Looking off in no particular place he thought about it. Letting out a heavy sigh, he shrugged. "I wouldn't need your help if these were just simple trappers, but from the looks of their trail last I saw, they've grown into a small army of bandits. I'm not about to go stumbling into any ambushes. So, I guess if they're running a ring, there's probably going to be more than just a few bandits". The amount that had surrounded him and his wolf was more than he could count at the time. Not like he thought he needed too. "If you want to come, I wouldn't complain about my odds. I could certainly do worse for company." She gave him a gentle smile.

"Sure, I'd love that." Now it was his turn to feel perplexed. People in Skyrim don't often associate helping someone else with that particular feeling.

"Really? You'd 'love' helping a stranger you just walked up to?" He asked and watched as her grin falter and confusion take its place. Letting one shoulder rise and fall in a half-hearted shrug. "Who am I to complain." He let out a sigh and gave her another look over. "I need to make something clear before we set off." His face fell into his usual scowl, making her frown a little.

"Okay." She said apprehensively, dragging out each vowel for an extra second each.

"I don't trust anyone, not even the man pouring my drink. The only two things I trust anymore are myself, and my wolf. Got it?" He asked and watched a sharpness seep into the dark brown eyes and she squared her shoulders.

"Got it." She answered immediately. She nearly turned away but she paused. Looking at him, he watched her eyes warm a little as she spoke more gently, "We're going to find your wolf. I promise." He nearly let out a humorless snort.

"Oh, that I have no doubts about that. I'm only concerned with how long it will take. He would have already done the same for me by now." He admitted more to himself. "Now before you jump to any stupid assumptions or try to get him to lick your hand, Karnwyr is not a pet. That wolf and I have been together since I was 17. He's closer to me than... than a brother. Got that?"

"How did you lose him anyway?" She asked and he bit back a sneer.

"Private matters that you have no business knowing." He took a step towards the stairs. "Let's get a move on. Every minute we waste here, Karnwyr is being held against his will. And probably worse." The thought alone made fingers hurt from clenching.

"Well, we'll just have to get to him as soon as possible then, wont we?" She asked. Even as he started down the stairs, he looked back at her, seeing that she hadn't moved.

"Well?" He asked.

"You said bandits, right?" She asked. He rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Yes. The very ones that are keeping him captive. Life or death here, time is of the essence." He snapped hoping she would get a move on. He was rattling off where he had already searched as he walked up the road and when he turned to look over his shoulder, she wasn't even near him. Confused and a little angry, he saw that she had only walked down two steps. She looked like she was pondering a moment before she stepped down the remaining steps, her eyes looking in the opposite direction he was going to head. Walking back to her he couldn't help but watch as her hips sway with each step. Looking back up at her face, she turned her gaze back to him.

"I was talking to a... friend," She settled on after a brief pause. "They mentioned something about the Riverwood Trader being robbed by bandits."

"That's what Orgnar was saying to me yesterday. The innkeeper," He supplied at her curious stare. "I had thought about checking up on it, but had decided against it". She sent him another look of bafflement.

"Then why were you walking that way"? She asked, pointing to the entrance closest to the bridge.

"Because it was a robbery. And I didn't want to get roped into helping someone find some stolen goods". Her eyebrows raised as she gave him a surprised look.

"Well Ranger, instead of me following you blindly, all over this country, and with no clear direction, I personally would like to clear out every possibility and hear every perspective. Not make any assumptions or leave out anything that could help us. And Karnwyr." She turned on her heel and strode to the Riverwood Trader. He had to give the woman credit. She made a valid point.

"Fine. But I'm warning you, if you try to treat me like one of your lackeys your gonna regret it! And gods help you if you try and order me around. I'm my own man! Got it?"

"Alright fine!" She snapped back. "I'll just treat you like my shield. The thing that gets bashed first." He groaned and rolled his eyes.

"I really should have had some extra drams of mead this morning." He muttered as he gestured for her to lead the way. "After you." As found himself following her, he caught sight of a few people looking at her strangely. Sure, she had a confident walk about her, and she was quite beautiful, but this was like they were... Marveling at her. "I swear, the villagers look at you like your nobility." Without breaking her stride, she gave him a reprimanding look as they walked.

"I don't care for the way they look at me. And neither should you."

"I don't." He returned. She shrugged as they neared the trader.

"Then stop pointing them out. I'm not nobility." Her sound of distain rang clear, even if she held herself in check. "So, do me a favor, and keep me being a noble out of your regard to me."

"Alright. Just as long as you return the gesture and you do me a favor." He watched her carefully as she slowed and turned to him to face him directly.

"What kind of 'favor' are we speaking of?" She inquired. Her voice had remained calm, but her stance took on a guarded look. He scoffed at the underlay in her question.

"Don't flatter yourself. Not that kind of favor. Besides, you're not my type." She let out a mock chuckle before she turned and started walking again.

"Smart?" She called back to him, making his jaw clench.

"Elvish." He returned, making her stride pause again.

"Only half." She returned. So what, he couldn't help but wonder, was the other half?

"You're an interesting woman." He admitted and saw her shrug again.

"I wouldn't go that far." she slowed and placed a hand on the Riverwood Trader door, intent on pushing it open then turned back to talk right at him. "I would call myself just above.. average." She held her hand up at just at her eye level and smirked.

"That's a weird name, even if self-proclaimed." He watched her eyes squint a bit.

"That's not my name, Ranger." She admitted. He regarded her coolly and waited a second.

"And Ranger isn't mine." He tossed back hoping to see her bristle, but instead, her face softened and she turned to face him.

"My apologies. I was irritated by the drunks from earlier and I didn't think to ask you for your name when I saw you were staring at me."

"I wasn't staring. I was... Observing." The look she gave him clearing said; 'Your joking, right?'.

"Fine. I was put off by your... observing." She smirked as she continued. 'and didn't properly introduce myself. Let me rectify that." She let her hand drop from the door and she lifted her right in introduction. Looking down he saw that most of her arms were covered by her leather gloves, and the material thinned out to a thin strip between her index finger. Lifting her palm slightly upward he noticed her hands were as rough as any other warrior and small silver scars decorated across her fingers. Whoever she was, she was no noble, or at least she'd never been afforded the opportunity to be one. Thinking on that, he found his hand reaching up and clasped her hand in his. His hand enveloped hers, but the grip she had was solid. "My name is Serlina."

"Bishop." He returned and watched her eyes soften and a gentle smile lit her face.

"Bishop." Her voice softened as she repeated his name, like she had been waiting years to let it fall from her lips. Never had he heard his name fall from a women's lips that sounded both seductive and cautious. Unknowingly his hand had tightened, sending a jolt between the two of them. He watched her eyes widen slightly and her breath catch. Give the woman credit, she didn't jerk her hand away or advert her gaze, but the sudden rosiness of her cheeks made him smile. "Well, I think its best we get underway." She spoke evenly, although, she sounded a little... Breathy. He was her give her head a gentle shake as they released each other's arms. Turning her back to him she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Walking in behind her, she abruptly stopped mid-step as a woman who had been in a heated discussion with the clerk and crossed in front of her. Her abrupt stop was like a ripple effect, nearly making him bump into her. His fast reflexes helped as he raised a hand to keep them from bumping into each other. Tossing him a grateful look over her shoulder she turned back to speak to the owner. He waited, not paying attention to the conversation for a moment. Taking a steadying breath in through his nose, he caught the scent of her and inwardly groaned. She walked forward to talk to the man behind the counter while he processed this. She smelled of something sweet. Like Jazbay Grapes or juniper berries and something else. Something foreign. It seemed to slam into his system and shoot straight to his gut, making his blood burn.

While the clerk explained everything, he sold his rabbit pelt for a few gold coins. He waited as she spoke, her face a cool mask. She was different, she absorbed things and then responded more than reacted, dampened the owner's situation rather than adding to the flames. The woman who had been in the trader when they had walked in had tried to speak to him, batting her lashes flirtatiously. He rolled his eyes. It had been a while since he had lain with a woman, but she did nothing for him. He caught the clerk eyeing up Serlina and when she smiled, he stumbled on his words a bit. Watching her mouth, she ran her tongue along her bottom lip as she listened and he felt several places harden. She seemed to be oblivious to the way people reacted to her actions. Before the conversation between them had finished he decided something. Who this woman was, he was determined to find out. And when this ranger sets his sights on his prey, they don't escape.

Author's Notes;

Hey! Hope you guys are liking the story so far! Leave a comment, follow the story or message me any questions any of you guys have!

In this chapter, we meet one of my favorite modded characters. Bishop. It took me a while to get this chapter up and finished, but I think it turned out okay. I can't help but feel like it wasn't a long one. But hey, I've got plenty of chapters to make up for it. Right?

watch?v=xZefoj9OC90 - Prelude: Take Me Back. This is something along the lines of what I like to think Bishop was hearing in his dream. Its short, easy to hear and has a decent amount of fade in/fade out.

The Following Mods I DO NOT OWN but, I do heavily endorse.

Check them out if you want, I have the ones that help you guys get a feel for the weapons, clothes and more!

skyrim/mods/69047?tab=images - Standalone Witcher 3 Female Armor Retextures

The outfit I chose for Serlina to have actually doesn't originate in Skyrim. I personally loved Triss Merigold's clothes and I found that the set I liked best were the dark blues and greens. I find these to be practical, and easy to picture. The dresses I didn't really pay mind to since there are dresses supplied in SR.

skyrimspecialedition/mods/19568- Raven Swords SSE

I found this mod and fell in love with the designs of the swords and use them for my own character that I have. There simple, they are stunning and I thought they worked well with Serlina, being that she has very fine crafted weapons.

skyrim/mods/71754/ - Skyrim Romance.

Last, but certainly NOT THE LEAST, is Skyrim Romance. It has a great sub-rom plot that has many avenues that I am still discovering as I play for the 6th or even 7th time!