What in the name of Oblivion was wrong with me?!
Meeting new people had never worried or put me in any sort of discomfort. Even in places I knew I was unwelcome. But meeting this... Ranger known as Bishop... It felt different. I didn't start off pleasant either. I had simply demanded what he was looking at. To which his simply observative face turned to one of harsh judgment. It put my back up. He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. It was strong and defined, his features molded from stone. From what I could see his skin was tanned and when he stood up straight, he must have been at least six foot. His hair was a little long on top, and he looked like he just rolled out of bed, but in a sexy-as-hell kind of way. He had dark eye brows, which sloped downwards in a serious expression. He was a little unnerving. Not much ruffled me, but something about the way he looked at me with his honey-colored eyes like I've never seen before. I didn't even know eyes could look like liquid gold...
There was a look of determination there that I didn't understand. It put me on edge. His black leather armor suited his brooding expression. I took in his muscles, the clean-shaven jaw and tuned into his voice. The voice was unexpected. It was low, with an agreeable trace of huskiness and with a hint of more power than one would think he could hold. He couldn't be much over twenty. He was looking for a companion he had lost, a wolf. The intensity he had spoken about him pulled at something in me. Maybe it was intense loyalty. Or just the way he had surprisingly chuckled when I had called him 'Princess', that I found myself offering aid. Or maybe it was his underhanded compliments that had made my head spin for a number of reasons. First being that he, in all his gruff grandeur had said it so... Softly. His eyes had raked up and down my body appreciatively. And second because I hadn't heard a peep from my hushed voice.
As I had grown up, the judgement of any man who had taken an interest to me was whispered for me, warning or warding me away. The words were almost always mono-symbolic. The words would ring in my ears and snap me out of any girlish gush I was having at any romantic attention directed at me. Words such as; toxic, egotistical, cruel and the most simplistic one had been no. And yet, with him, I was met with silence. It was unusual... After we had agreed, I convinced him to talk at the Riverwood trader about the bandits. Stubborn as he may have seemed when I had offered the idea, he caved and followed. He had acted like the idea of talking to these people would be as equivalent as pulling teeth. Just walking over, he had to quip about me being seen in a different light. Yeah. Word getting around that I had survived a dragon attack would get a few stares. But he didn't need to know that. Just before we had entered, he had been the one to state that we hadn't even properly exchanged names. Which shouldn't have been a problem. It's the feeling I got after, that had been my problem. After offering my name, I held my hand out to him. He looked at me again with his honey- eyes and slowly, his hand clasped mine. And I nearly gasped. His strong hands, slightly rough from working, held mine as he stared deep into my eyes, the touch of his skin makes mine burn for some reason. I couldn't help but blush. Thankfully I opened the door to the Riverwood trader and stepped into some type of squabble.
"Well one of us has to do something!" I watched a slender dark -haired woman speak to the man behind the counter who looked back at her just as angrily.
"I said no! No adventures, no theatrics, no thief-chasing!" Looking between the two, I could tell they were related. Same nose. Distinctive mannerisms.
"Well what are you going to do then, huh? Let's hear it!" My brow rose at her question. The brother glared at her.
"We are done talking about this!" The words were spoken through clenched teeth. I heard the door close behind me and I felt the skin on the back of my neck prickle. Bishop nearly bumped into me, only to carefully walk around me to busy himself with looking around the small shop. "Oh,' he clears his throat and looks between the two of us. "A customer. Sorry you had to hear that. My sister Camilla or I will be happy to help.
Stepping up to the counter I hear the sister start a hushed conversation with Bishop. Keeping my focus on the man, I give him a warm smile. As I look through his wares, I notice a few spell tomes, they looked untouched for some time."
"Do you often get people who buy these types of books?" I ask. He blinks once, twice before looking towards the books in question. "I don't sell them often, but I only have a few old spell books lying about. If you want more, you'll have to go to the College of Winterhold." My blood cools to a degree I was unprepared for. Instead, I say nothing. Selling a few things, I had taken from Helen I move on to the topic of conversation that lead me and Bishop in here.
"I couldn't help but overhear you and your sister are- in a disagreement. Did something happen?" He lets out a sigh and a small nod.
"Yes, we did have a bit of a... break-in. But we still have plenty to sell. Robbers were only after one thing. An ornament, solid gold. In the shape of a dragon's claw." I find myself blinking in curiosity. Interesting. Only one thing? Looking at Bishop, I see him looking our way, even while, Camilla was it? Was trying to run her fingertips over his arm. Occasionally he would glance at her, and roll his eyes at something she whispers. Looking back at the brother, who looks at his sisters' tactics and simple shakes his head.
"I could help you get the claw back." I say after a few thoughts.
"You could? I've got some coin coming in from my last shipment. It's yours if you bring my claw back. If you're going after those thieves, you should head to Bleak Falls Barrow, northeast of town." Nodding I step back from the counter. I turn and look at Bishop, who does not look spirited by the idea. I opened my lips to speak but was cut off my Camilla.
"So, this is your plan, Lucan?" She didn't sneer, but she still sounded unhappy. I suppressed the urge to frown at her tone.
"Yes. So now you don't have to go, do you?" He reminded me of. I nearly smile, but the feeling of pain swarmed my mind. I swallowed it with a deep sigh. Thank the Gods Camilla was speaking again to distract my thought process.
"Oh really? Well, I think your new helper here needs a guide." She said softly, eyeing up Bishop. Helpers, I wanted to correct, but instead, I held my tongue. I also wanted to wave my new map I had acquired from Gerdur in her face, but then, I don't think that would bode well. Instead, I watch as she nearly cozies up with Bishop, making him step away from her. I look at him with a raised brown and a small smirk. Seems he caught her fancy. I could see why. If brooding guys who traveled with wolves were your thing. By the look he was sending me, I think he could sense what my unspoken amusement was based on, though he said nothing about it, or her.
"Wh...no...I...Oh, by the Eight, fine! But only to the edge of town!" I sighed with the brother and after a quick nod in farewell, we set off.
Being the last one to leave the store, I closed the door behind me to look at Camilla, standing next to Bishop with her finger pointing over the top of the straw homes. "We have to go through town and across the bridge to get to Bleak Falls Barrow." She leaned a little closer to Bishop who looked extremely bothered. "You can see it from here, though. The mountains just over the buildings." I watch as Bishop steps away and starts to walk to the outside of town. Her gaze followed him and a small frown formed. She almost takes a step towards him and she sees me, almost forgotten I suppose. She looks at me with a look of a pleasant shop keep and I keep my face neutral. I follow Bishop, making long strides in order to keep up with him. Camilla is speaking again, maybe to feel included I suppose.
"Those thieves must be mad, hiding out there. Those old crypts are filled with nothing but traps, trolls and who knows what else. I wonder why they only stole Lucan's Golden Claw. I mean, we have plenty of things in the shop that are worth just as much coin".
"I thought just the same. But since there was nothing else taken, not even food. That doesn't sound like your average bandit for hire. This theft was straightforward." I say, more to myself, but I hear Bishop grunt in... Agreement? "Do you know if there was anything special about it?" I ask Camilla. She thinks for a few seconds as we pass the stone archway.
"Lucan found the claw about a year after he opened the store. He never quite explained where he got it. He's a tricky one. This is the bridge out of town. The path up the mountain to the northwest leads to Bleak Falls Barrow."
With a few quick directions, me and Bishop head out. The silence between us was thick, making me wonder why I had agreed to this. He walked a few paces behind me. The terrain rose with a set of steps that lead up the mountain. I took them one at a time, my gaze looking all around us, I could even feel the temperature start to change the more we walked uphill. Soon enough, he and his long strides matched mine. Giving him a sideways glance, I see he looks about as gruff as when we had left Camilla's side. Catching my eyes, he looks back at me, his gaze questioning.
"Sorry, I just couldn't help but notice that you looked quite bothered from your encounter from Camilla. Should we turn around? I'm sure she would be delighted to see you again." I smirk at him teasingly, but his eyes remained hard.
"No. I don't care for wenches that fawn all over strangers. Especially when they can't tell when a man isn't interested."
"It's very rare when men aren't." I say softly.
"Well I wasn't. She doesn't matter. All that I care about is Karnwyr." He stated gruffly, making my eyes roll skyward.
"Whether she mattered or not, you could have at least said something." I said in rebut. "But from what you have told me, your only friend is a dog, so." I click my tongue. "Explains your manners." I almost gasp when he grabs my arm and pulls me to a halt. His eyes, so cold and deadly spark with anger.
"That 'dog'" He repeats the word with a disgusted snarl. "Is the only thing left in this world that hasn't tried to stab me in the back. You want manners? You came to the wrong country, Ladyship". We stood apart for a minute or two. I felt his anger, even if it was to defend his friend. How he looked, angered to the point of.. Pain. I felt guilt at my words settle in my gut like stones.
"I apologize for what I said. It was... Unkind." I say softly. His face softens, just enough and he gives me a solemn nod in acceptance. "Can I ask when you got him?" I try to ease the way, and he visibly relaxed as we continued to walk.
"I got my wolf Karnwyr when I was just a boy. We survived together. We hunted together. Someday we'll die together. And that suits me just fine." I glance at him and feel my heart constrict. To be that devoted to something or someone... It was rather staggering. The thought kept me alone in my thoughts till I saw a flicker of white fall in my line of sight. Re-focusing on our surroundings, I let out a small gasp. The trees were covered in snow, glistening in the sunlight. The ground had its own speckle of it all as well. But my gaze followed as large flakes fell down from the sky, like feathers. My hands raised, I nearly catch a flake, the wind catching it and twirling it away from my grasp.
"What's with that look? You look like you've never seen snow before." Bishop's voice rang out, snapping me out of my little moment. Looking at him, I give him a full smile.
"I actually haven't. It's quite lovely." I say, not bothering to keep the wonder out of my voice. He seemed a little taken aback by my admission. After a moment, we continue the winding path.
"You think it's nice here, get used to it. There's plenty of it in a lot of places." He stated.
"I look forward to it." I smile and we continue on our way. I turned a corner and saw a tall watchtower, looking towards the door. I walked calmly towards him. Turning towards me, he reached for his weapon and drew it.
"That's close enough!" He called out. I kept walking. "You asked for it." Drawing one of my swords, I made a few quick slices and the man dropped. I heard more footsteps and frowned. So, there was more of them. I tsked. Turning I see Bishop, bow drawn gaze focused. I watch as his gaze follows his target and with precise aim, he takes down the other bandit with a single arrow. After scouring the watchtower, we continue onward. I honestly tried not to marvel at the large structure when it came into view. More bandits rang out with arrows flying and weapons drawn. I draw my second sword and not long after, both Bishop and I made quick work of them. Making out way up the steps, I catch my breath as I clean my blade and put them back in their sheathes on my hips.
"One and two handed huh?" I hear Bishop ask aloud. Looking back at him I nod. His gaze slides to the large greatsword that sits in the center of my back. "What about that one?" He asks as we reach the top.
"Only for a last resort." I return, and push the large doors. They don't budge. I push again, and my arms tremble from the strain. I tried once more, letting out a huff I look at Bishop. "Want to give me a hand ranger?" I ask and for a second, he looks like he's debating about just letting me struggle. Then he stands beside me and with our combined efforts, we push the door just enough to let us sneak in and close it behind us. "Thanks." I rub my hands together to warm them. Just ahead we overhear some bandits talking. Drawing my sword again, I crouch and walk closer, listening in.
"The dark elf wants to go on ahead, let him. Better than us risking our necks."
"What if Arvel doesn't come back? I want my share from that claw!"
"Just shut it and keep an eye out for trouble."
Bishop is able to take out one with an arrow before the other comes out and investigates. When they both lay on the ground, I make my way over to the chest and open it.
"I wonder where the bandits keep their food and ale in this place." He asks aloud, making me turn an amused look at him. He holsters his bow again as he walks around.
"Not exactly the first thing that comes to mind when in a place like this. But hey, everyone's different." He smirks and rolls his eyes.
"Alright then. How's this; keep your eyes open for traps. Old ruins like this are usually filled with them."
"I'll keep that in mind." I watch as he swings his bow onto his back. "Your pretty handy with a bow, I'll give you that.." I see a flash of pride go over his features. I take a few things and close the chest. "Never could get the hand of it myself." I admit as I stand.
"Not a fan huh?" He asks as we head down the stairs.
"I wouldn't say that. I just... I could never get the stance right. Or focus. I was to 'in my head'. So, I rely on single and dual wielding." I had notice than when a few bandits had gotten close to Bishop outside the barrow, he had drawn a large dagger. He too, wore his on his hip. "Speaking of single wielding, nice knife. Is it even sharp?" He chuckled. "Where did you get it?"
"This dear here is a token I took from one bandit back in the day. I was 7. I barley learned to use a bow. Some bandits attacked my village and well, we fought them off. I took this from one of the corpses and killed the last bandit who thought I was just a lad, incapable of making a quick decision. Oh, and believe me darling, this dear cuts much deeper than my words."
"Does it have any enchantments?" I ask.
"No, it just cuts Princess." His gaze locks on mine as a flirtatious smirk pulls at his lips. "Want to feel?" I return his smirk with one of my own.
"Want to feel mine against your throat?" I rebut and he throws his head back and laughs. Turning a corner, we see a man with a torch walking into a room with a switch in the middle. The man pulls it and I hear several 'whoosh' sounds. Like arrows being let loose. The man drops with a groan. Entering the large room, I take it all in. Several pillars are to our left, and looking above us there are pictures of different animals, one that has fallen to the ground from time. Looking at them, I look at the pillars that have the same designs, but out of order of the ones overhead.
"He didn't match the animals." I say aloud, causing Bishop to look at me with a questioning look. I look back at him and give him a nod. "Traps. You were right." I point to the man who lay dead at the base of the switch. "He must have been to focused on the switch itself to look around. Wasn't too bright if he walked in here and thought it was simply that easy." I walk to the pillars and turn them to match above. When I step back, I look at Bishop and give him a nod. "Kindly do the honours." He rolls his eyes and pushes the switch forward. The gate swings open. I look at Bishop and a small smile lifts the corners of my mouth. "Ta-da." He shakes his head, but not before I catch the small smirk. We continue forward and down a small staircase. A few skeevers are dealt with, and soon we are walking down a small corridor and a scared voice calls out.
" Is...is someone coming?" We both become alert to the voice that comes from behind a web covered wall. "Is that you Harknir? Bjorn? Soling?" The voice calls out. The door is covered in thick spiderwebs that make me frown. Gross. I draw my sword and it takes a few slices but I manage to cut my way through. We take a few steps in and see a dark elf covered in webs, strung un in the far-left corner. I was about to call out to him when a large shadow catches my eye. "No. Not again! Ah, kill it. Kill it! Get me out of here!" We both pay no mind to the elf as a large spider drops from the ceiling. One of its pincers is missing. Hmm. It's quite large, and watching out for its spitting venom. When the giant insect fall, I was out of breath. "You. Over here". The dark elf spoke up again. Looking at Bishop I try to catch my breath. Blowing a strand of hair out of my eyes, I keep my sword drawn as Bishop re-joined my side as we walked to the dark elf.
"You did it. You killed it. Now cut me down before anything else shows up." I raise my sword at point it at him.
"Where's the golden claw?"
"Yes, the claw. I know how it works. The claw, the markings, the door in the Hall of Stories. I know how they all fit together! Help me down, and I'll show you. You won't believe the power the Nords have hidden there." I grind my teeth.
"That's not... That's not what I asked." I grumble. Looking at him, there is no way he could hand it over in his situation. Glancing at his hands, it wasn't in either of them. So, it had to be on his person.
"Fine. Let me see if I can cut you down."
"Sweet breath of Arkay, thank you." I huff out a sigh and slice a few times. I can see behind him a tunnel, no doubt filled with Gods know what. "It's coming loose. I can feel it." One last swing and he drops to the ground. Blowing a breath out to keep the strands of the web out of my face, I wait to let the elf rise. Once free, he bolts off into the dungeon behind him. "You fool, why should I share the treasure with anyone?"
"Damnit!" I shout and run after him. The chase leads into a crypt, where we watch as Arvel steps on a rounded floor switch, causing a wall of spikes to swing and slam into the elf. I slid to a stop, standing above his body. Leaning down I take his journal, open it to the last page to read his latest entry. With the claw in hand, I look down towards the deepest sanctum. Standing up, I place the claw in my satchel. I turn to Bishop only to stop as my gaze lands on the walls. All around us are bodies lying in holes carved into the walls. Burials. Mortification chills my blood as I offer a silent prayer to the heavens and to the spirits of the fallen warriors around us. I hope I hadn't disturbed the dead. I had never in my life seen a place such as this. Like a giant... Tomb. Looking past the trap I could have sworn I felt something calling to me. Just a feeling. "Call me crazy, but I feel like something else is down there. Don't mind if we check it out, do you?" He shrugs, though his eyes are moving around us.
"Made it this far. What's a little further?" He responds as he follows me.
"I do like a man who tests just how far he can go." I hear a hum of approval from behind me.
"I'll remember that."
We walk until we enter a small room with a small path of water that went past a gate. Looking at the path it was heading, I hear the sound of stone on stone, making me turn on my heel keeping my sword up and I recoiled in horror as I saw what had appeared in front of me. I would dare to say that stare I gave... It? was almost one of sympathy for the fiendish form that hobbled, stiff and erratic, towards me out of the upright stone coffin. Almost. The lack of eyelids gave its eyeballs a popping look as they swiveled in their sockets, a faint blue glow inside. It wasn't horrific because it was decaying. It was horrible because it still looked human. Aside from the missing patches of flesh and the torn clothing, it walked with a weapon raised like it had been awaiting us, speaking in a language that I could not detect.
Years and years of being taught that the dead should have the highest respect made me keep my sword down. I was rooted in an inner conflict, and I could vaguely hear Bishop call my name.
"Damn Draugr. I wish they would just stay dead."
Stay.. Dead?
He notched an arrow and let it fly, whizzing past my head. The arrow landed dead center in its chest and I nearly whimpered in shock.
It didn't even flinch.
It just. Kept. Coming.
I could hear my father's distant words. 'The dead are to be respected and not tampered with as much as possible. We respect them. We dig the graves and pray their spirits are well received in the afterlife.' But this one, its spirit hadn't moved on. The life that had dwelt within it had not left so that it was safe from the perils of this world. From what I saw, yes, no harm can come to it now. Its body was dead. A heart that used to beat with love was still. A mind that felt so many emotions was blank for all but one sense.
FIGHT.
Its body looked dead. Its soul however... It looked more like it was being held captive. The thought churned my gut and made my blood still. As it neared, I gripped the handle of my sword until the hilts binding bit into my palm. Blocking its downward strike, I parried and with more force than was probably necessary, I swung high and cut its head from its shoulders, causing it to fall to the ground.
I said nothing but a silent prayer that it stayed down. I watched the blue light in its eyes fade and for a slight moment, I could have sworn I felt a hand rest on my shoulder. Then as quick as I had felt it, it left.
"I take it you've never seen a draugr before?" Bishop asked bringing me out of my head. Though his voice carried a few notes of irritation, the question was dealt gently. I look up at him and swallow past the lump in my throat.
"No. Never." I spoke quietly, nearly disgusted at the sound of my voice. It sounded wrecked. In a sense, I suppose I was. A moral value of mine has been not just once, but many times upheaved and torn apart. From men being beheaded, corpses walking around for Gods know why, in their crypts. Looking at the.. Corpse? I ponder a minute. "From your performance I take it that this happens... Often?" I ask and when I look back at him, he gives me a silent nod.
"More often than you would think. Skeletons too." He adds and the thought makes my eyes snap shut and I look away. "Does seeing them make you disgusted? Or afraid?" He asks. Opening up my eyes, I take a moment before I respond.
"Afraid, no. Disgusted, in a way, yes. I was taught to have a certain respect for the dead. And seeing something like this happen... Makes me feel like... I defiled a corpse."
"But that's all it was. A corpse." He sounded a little irritated. I didnt like it. Not his wording and especially his tone. I sharply turn to look at him over my shoulder.
"It was once a person, ranger!" I snap at him making him flinch a bit. "A person of value. Of substance. Someone who walked and talked just like you or I do." I take a sharp breath and slowly my eyes fall back at the body. I can't help but feel a sense of overwhelming pain for the spirit. "Just the aspect of dying should be enough. They're dead. Why should they have to endure any amount of time that keeps them from having peace in the hear after?" I could not respect it like it was living nor could I respect it as if it was among the dead. Instead, I took the perspective of giving it one final battle to honor the fallen warrior's life.
Lifting my free hand to my necklace, I touched the cool stone.
'Did.. Did I do the right thing?' I pushed the question out to the voice. I hoped. No. I needed an answer. There was a slight pause and I thought that I would not be rewarded with one. Until a nearly silent answer was given.
"Yes. They're at peace now." And the breath I didn't even know I was holding, left me in a rush. Letting go of the stone, I look back at Bishop.
"I apologize. I am not used to these... To this... Country." I stumbled as I spoke. He looked at me with a stare as sharp as steel.
"You'll get used to it." He said finally. Walking over, he pulled a chain that lifted the gate. Part of me hoped I wouldn't. But, then again, since I came to Skyrim, nothing had been going the way I had planned. Walking through the gate, we walk in a small narrow passage, following the flow of water. Nearing a small opening in the wall, I step up and place my foot at the edge. Leaning forward, I glance down and see a white troll thumping around along the ridges.
"Watch your step Princess. Can't be having you fall and expecting me to carry you out of this damn place." I hear Bishop call from behind me.
"Think you can make the shot?" I ask, pointing my thumb to the troll. He steps forward, looks down below, then slowly his eyes come back to mine and gives me a look that says 'are-you-serious?'. I nearly let out a chuckle but keep it in.
I watch as he draws his bow. I watch carefully, seeing the muscles in his chest and arms ripple as he takes a steadying breath and draws his arrow to his ear, aiming at his target and lets the arrow fly. It hits the mark only to have the damn troll roar and run up towards us. I look at him and shrug as I step down and head down to the path leading down. It takes us a little time, but the troll falls to my blade. Walking down the path the troll came up, we walk beside a waterfall. Looking to my right I see a skeleton. Fully upright, walking and holding a bow. I heard the telltale sound of an arrow being drawn and then with a single shot, Bishop takes it down, letting it become a pile of bones. We carry on. We pass through many rooms, filled with draugr and skeletons alike.
Though many fell by my blade, the feeling didn't become any easier. When all was done, we both walked up the stairs and walked the narrow halls. Entering a few larger rooms, I would look around and catch glimpses of Bishop. He would pick up a few things here or there and even pocket a few smaller things. I however, kept finding gold coins laying around. The purse I had was quite full. Soon, we came across a large door and after pushing it open, we walked down a long corridor. Its carvings along the walls drawing my attention, making my steps slow as I look at them.
The door at the end was interesting enough. I ran a hand over the rings while Bishop looked at the murals. The elf had said something about the claw.. The hall of stories.. I frown and look around. A long hall if I ever saw one. Illustrations included. I reach into my larger pouch and fumble around and pull out the metallic crow like foot and Study it. Along the bottom had symbols of animals, much like the ones on the door in front of me. I look at the small animal inscriptions and press each ring accordingly, making sure it matched the claw. The claw was placed, each claw in it's own indentation, pushed, turned and a loud sound of a mechanism being released rang out around us. The door itself slid down slowly, revealing another set of stairs.
We walk up and enter a large cavern. The wide room was spacious, light fell from a hole in the ceiling. After a few strides in, a group of bats flew overhead, making me duck reflexively. They swooped, moving more like a liquid than a flock. Bishop walked off to my left, and as we cleared a wall, my eyes grew wide at the stone wall. The owl carving illuminated by the light that fell. Without taking my eyes off the large wall, I walked towards it and up the steps. I stand on the platform and the faint sound of chanting surrounds me.
"Do you hear that?" I ask Bishop, my voice bouncing off the walls around us.
"Hear what?" He asks making my head to turn and look at him. He looks at me genuinely puzzled.
"That... Singing. Well, it's more like... Chanting." I say as I try to listen more carefully. The rhythmic boom of the voices reminds me of the Kothringi celebration music. It was similar to this, but the language that the deep voices speak in makes it hard to understand. My brows furrowed in concentration. Turning my head this left and right I hear it get louder from my right, near the wall. Looking up at the wall, I see one of the inscriptions burning, the flame a bright blue.
It... called to me.
My feet, like they had a mind of their own, took a few steps toward it. The closer I got, the rim around my vision blurred. I focused hard on the burning letters I could not read and then, like a crack of lightning, the word burned into my mind. The force of it was so sudden and sharp that I cried out and dropped my sword to the ground to clutch my head. My temples throbbed. The pain felt like someone had taken a knife to my skull, cracked it open and pushed in a large rock. I heard Bishop call out to me, even heard the sound of his boots stomping over to me. Squeezing my eyes shut, I willed the pain to go away. Slowly, like receding waves, it went away. I swayed a little and slowly I felt two strong hands on each shoulder, keeping me upright.
"Ladyship, you alright?" Bishops voice was low, maybe even a bit worried. Blinking a few times, I look over my shoulder and meet his gaze.
"Yeah." I whisper. Licking my dry lips, I look back at the wall. The word was no longer glowing. No more chanting either. I frown. My head cleared and I turn in Bishops hold, his hands letting go and dropping to his sides. "I just.. It's hard to explain." I rub my fingers over my eyes. "I think.. I could read a word on this wall. But the word was.. On fire, when I first looked at it. After, I felt something, rush into my mind. It hurt like a-" I rub my head. "I sound like a lunatic that splits her head open when she tries to read." I mumble the last part.
"You can read that?" He asks, his voice sounding cautiously curious. I nod and turn back to the wall. Stepping to the word I had just learned I trace it with my fingers.
"Yeah. I don't know how. Or why I can. I've never in my life seen writing like this."
"It's ancient." Bishop mutters. "What does it say?" He asks.
"Well, I can't make out all of it but this one, says, that's IF I pronounce this right, it-" A loud crash of stone makes us whirl around, cutting off what I was going to say and another draugr lifts himself up from his coffin. Bishop draws his bow and notches and arrow. I lean down and pick up my sword from when I had dropped it.
'Careful'.
I was about to ask why when the draugr took a deep breath and let out three powerful words;
'FUS... RO... DA!'
We got hit by a wave of wind that made every muscle in my body clench. The force of it had even knocked Bishops arrows off their mark and I staggered back, my shoulders touching the word wall behind me.
Okay, I thought to myself as I stood straight again. That makes more sense.
Looking at each other for just a split second, we jumped into high gear. When the draugr dropped, I walked to him. Nothing much about him looked different from the rest, other than a helmet and his ancient weapon. What caught my eye was actually a large stone tablet, with similar markings like that of which was on the wall. I picked it up and its weight was not bad, but it was made of stone. Tying some leather straps around it, I latch it onto my hip.
"That slab of rock must be heavy. Why even bother carrying it around with us?"
"Because it had the same writing, the same symbols and.. I want to know more about why I felt like I just got an axe to my head when I read a word. And if this has any means of helping me out, then I am taking it with me." I state. I also see A round sphere of come kind. It looked like an opaque crystal. Picking it up I admire the coolness of the stone.
"A new hand touches the beacon." I gasp and nearly drop the damn globe. The voice rang out around both me and Bishop, so I knew it wasn't just me hearing it. "Listen. Hear me and obey. A foul darkness has seeped into my temple. A darkness that you will destroy. Return my beacon to Mount Kilkreath. And I will make you the instrument of my cleansing light." When the voice finally finished talking, I looked at Bishop with a stunned face.
"Who in the name of Oblivion was that?" I ask. Bishop walks around and stand beside me, looking at the small globe.
"The temple that was spoken of near Mount Kilkreath belongs to Meridia. The Daedric Prince of Life and Lady of Infinite Energies, or something like that." He scowled.
"I suppose it would be unwise to let a daedric prince's command go unfollowed." I murmur.
"Do whatever you want. I personally don't care about these types of things." He spoke sternly, walking away. Shrugging I place the orb in my pouch.
"I don't either to be honest. But I can return it if I happen to be around that area." I only hear Bishop grumble as I walk around and find a small alcove off to the side. Walking over to a podium I see a wooden handle and pull it, revealing a new way out. "Shall we?" I ask. He shakes his head and point to the door.
"After you my Lady." He waved a hand in front of him and I cant help but let a small smile lift my lips as we walk out. We walk out and see another podium, this one with a skull and an offering of flowers.
A memorial.
The sight soothes me and as we near the opening of the mountain, I get a weird tingling sensation on the back of my neck. I frown as we step outside, and I hear a roar, similar to the one I heard in Helgen. Looking out over the valley I see a large set of wings gliding through the clouds above. I waited; my eyes trained on the skies. The sensation on my neck spread to my arms and I nearly trembled with the feeling. Soon, the wings lowered to below the level of the clouds and a dragon came into full view.
"Is-Is that a-"
"Dragon." I finished quietly for Bishop. He looks at me and I can see him reach for his bow. The dragon soars over and flies towards the larger mountain. Away from us. I won't deny... I felt a large amount of relief fill me. "Come on. We should return this claw." I speak evenly as I turn and walk along the narrow cliff. And get the hell to Whiterun as soon as possible. If dragons were this close by, they're running out of time and need protection. And I kept my promises.
"I take it from your lack of screaming and fear that this isn't the first time you've seen one of those over grown lizards?" He asks following behind me. I slow to a stop and let my eyes move back to where Helgen lay in cinders.
"No. But I have a feeling it won't be the last." I state. I don't say much more, even as we walk back into Riverwood. Walking into the Riverwood Trader, I think I hear Bishop let out a sigh of relief when we don't see Camilla. Stepping to the counter I smile at Lucian.
"I found the golden claw." I take it out of my satchel and hand it to him.
"You found it? Ha ha ha. There it is." His face is one of relief as he looks down at the claw. "Strange... it seems smaller than I remembered. Funny thing, huh? I'm going to put this back where it belongs." He sets it on the table off to the side and looks back at me and Bishop with a smile. "I'll never forget this. You've done a great thing for me and my sister." He hands a large satchel of coins to me. Our goodbyes are quick and once again we set out on the road, this time to Whiterun. Looking at the signs along the way are a solid help and after walking down a stone laid hill, I can see the city off in the distance. I glance over at Bishop who has his gaze trained on a deer near the river's edge.
"So, tell me Bishop, how did you become a ranger" My voice breaks his concentration, drawing his attention to me.
"Why the sudden interest?" His eyes glint with caution again. I shrug and try my best to look as nonchalant as possible.
"Because no one who ask's questions like that ask them without an ulterior motive." He explained. I couldn't tell if it was defensive or paranoid. His tone seemed to walk on that razors edge.
"I just want to get to know you better." I state and I find that its true.
"Ahh princess, you don't need to know my life story to do that." I sigh and walk on. I can't tell if the feeling I got was relief or.. Disappointment. He could lie for all I'd have known. I hear him sigh making me turn to my right and see his mouth frown. His gaze lands on mine and he huffs out a breath.
"Ugh, fine. How did I become a ranger? Like why anyone else sells themselves. I was raised with the skills. The difference is that I was taught to survive, not for profit. Not an... honest kind of profit, anyway. I started ranging about... seven years or so before we met. Word had gotten around that I could track runaways or hunt meals for fat, lazy nobles... Whatever." He took a breath and continued. "I didn't plan on it but they had gold and I had a bow, so I became their ranger."
"How did you learn to live in the wild?" I ask, my voice sounded eager, happy that he was talking and sharing.
"It was necessary to learn how to survive in this damn world. Either survive or die. It's life sweetness, and I had to learn the hard way." His tone went deeper, sounding slightly bitter.
"Did you lose your family?" I asked gently.
"Not exactly. I was born to a family of hunters. I was often taken out for practice. The Reach taught me to always check my footing twice, and the cold northern regions hardened me enough to withstand the bitterness of the wind." Looking at him, he looks lost in thought for a minute, no doubt reliving a few memories. "I was hunting giants from the age of ten, you know, for sport. I had fun with my bow." I felt a little daunted. A mere child taking on a giant. For sport. The amused gleam in his eyes said it all. "We traveled a lot too, from place to place. Pretty.. Nomadic, I watched and learned. One night I just decided to take everything I had – which wasn't much- and struck out on my own." I felt a slight pinch in my chest. I knew that feeling. Taking what you can, and just leaving. But where he had decided, I was sworn to leave.. Or exiled.
"You've seen the world huh?" I hum in admiration. "Must have been nice."
"Nice?!" Bishops eyes widened as he echoes my words. "Bah, listen here sweetie, there's nothing nice in this world. The only nice things I can think of are a mug of ale in my hand and a warm fire."
I didn't know what to say to his response.
"I see.." I murmur as we walked. Looking forward I see several farms coming into view. Not long before we reached the castle gates.
"What's with that response, ladyship? Sabre cat got your tongue?" I look at him and shrug. "Alright. Well what about the illustrious woman before me? You wanna maybe share about your life since you were curious enough to ask about mine?"
"Ah, well, uh- You- you don't want to know about me" I say and stumble a bit.
"Oh, don't I? I'm pretty sure I just asked you princess, and I'm not going to be saying anything if I don't mean it." He looked at me with a smirk. I bit down on my bottom lip as I thought it over. What do I say? What can I say? I suppose, as much truth as I feel comfortable with.
"I came to Skyrim, almost got beheaded, a dragon attack, I survived. The end." I say and he looks at me incredulously.
"That's all?" He asks after a moment, and I can't help my small laugh that rises from my chest. He smiles too. "Long story short huh? Well, I'm sure there's more than that." I lean my head side to side while I thought about it.
"Well.. I was born and raised mostly in the Black Marshes before I started my travels." I see his eyes widen in shock.
"That's quite a journey. All to come up to this gloriously cold shithole? You would have been safer back in your marshes." I laugh. Mostly in saddened amusement. "I thought the Black Marshes was home to the lizard race?" He asks. I nod.
"Mostly. It is their homeland, but it is also shared amongst others. I come from a line of tribes that were also native to the marshes. I'm half Kothringi." I state. He looks pensive, and after a second, he shakes his head.
"Never heard of them." I smile and chuckle.
"Most people haven't." Looking at the farmers' fields I sigh. "Our tribes had become smaller as of late and, like you, I knew after a certain... point in time, I had to take what I could and leave. But in the ways I had traveled, I had no clear path. So, I went to stay with my mother's family in Narsis." His steps didn't falter but I could imagine his mind trying to place the city.
"Narsis. That's in.. Morrowind." He paused. "Altmer." His gaze slide from the top of my head, to my boots. "I can see it. Not as tall as the ones I've come across." I shook my head. And I was curvier than most too.
"Anyway, I was thrown into court, like my mother had taken to before she and my father met." I sighed. "I learned a lot of things there. Some, better than most. I have a great skill of persuasion from speaking circles around them when I got the hang of it. I did get to travel a lot when the time came."
"Where too?"
"Like you I suppose. Bits and pieces of time everywhere. Did about a week or two in the Summerset Isles."
"Hm. Probably for the best that me and my family never went there, Altmer have a thing for pure bloods, right?" He asked it so simply I almost flinched.
"Yes. They are." And my very presence seemed to insult them, since I came from such fine stock and my blood was ruined thanks to my father. "I spent about a month in Cyrodill, even called it home for a while."
"I'd say the same if I wasn't born in Riften. My family drifted all over Tamriel but that's where we stayed the most. The guards were more fun there. Tight asses would squeak in their skirts but in Skyrim they're all muscle. Plus, the climate wouldn't kill ya." He states with a smile and I chuckle.
"After that, let's see, I went to Hammerfell for a while. I can't remember how long." I bite my bottom lip as I think it over.
"Ahh, Hammerfell, a far cry from Skyrim, but it was close enough to trade mammoths, which I hunted. Giants too." My brows raised at this. "I think that place gave me a permanent tan." I laugh as he looks at me again and nods. "It makes sense now."
"What does?"
"You never seeing snow before." I feel heat spread across my cheeks.
"When we traveled, I wasn't able to stay in places long enough to even see the frost stick to the earth." I clear my throat and give him a returned once over. "Well, I think the tan suits you." I say it honestly. The dark golden skin really did suit him. "And after I had grown and grew to... dislike the Altmer ways, I made it clear on my thoughts. And they too didn't like me because I wasn't, as you and they so delicately put it, a pure blood." I see a muscle in jaw flex. "So, I began mucking up their affairs. Even broke a few noble princes' bones for touching me, because I was not theirs to be touched." I felt a bit smug about it to be honest. "But my actions caused such a stir. So, I left." My voice sounded sad, even to my ears.
I hadn't even sent my family any news. I frown. I should get to doing that when I had a minute to spare.
"Well, our pasts are our pasts. We're not going to make the future any better by going on about them." His tone went dry, making me glance his way.
"True, but they can help mold our futures by learning from choices we have already made." I state and he shrugs.
"Well, I don't care. I don't know what kind of life I might have had if I had chosen differently." Looking him up and down I give him a comforting smile.
"You should be proud of your choices Bishop; they've made you who you are."
"I'm not sure 'proud' is the right word. But you've been helpful to me and now it's time for me to give you a good turn." I look at him and feel a little heat rise in my face.
"You better watch your wording there ranger. A girl could get the wrong Idea." I tease, causing his head to lull to look at me, his eyes gleam mischievously.
"Dream on sweetheart. Though I must say, I like your enthusiasm. Now before I get the wrong idea, I-"
"Is that a giant?" I ask cutting him off as I point to where a few people are surrounding it. We are close enough to hear the sounds of the blows dealt by their weapons. I hear Bishop laugh behind me, making me look at him, his bow is drawn again, but no arrow is notched yet. From where we are, we see three warriors attack and with a loud crash, the giant falls to the dirt. As we near the large creature a woman walks up to us with a war-painted face.
"Well, that's taken care of. No thanks to you." Her tone was scolding, and I didn't like it. Her eyes looked both Bishop and I up and down. Hmm. Her gaze had the same type of predatory intensity that Bishop had. And by the look of her gear, she was a huntress.
"You didn't look like you needed help." I return with a shrug.
"Certainly not. But a true warrior would have relished the opportunity to take on a giant. That's why I am here with my Shield-Brothers." She says mounting her bow to her back.
"Well then, I shall mourn the loss and lose many a night's sleep over it." I hear Bishop snicker beside me. "What is a Shield-Brother?" I ask, moving on the topic. The gates are in sights, and she just steps in our way.
"An outsider, eh? Never heard of the Companions?" Outsider. The word seemed to taunt me no matter where I trekked. "An order of warriors. We are brothers and sisters in arms." I nod and I gesture to Bishop.
"No, but I have a companion." She scowled. "I take it from your face that it's not the same."
"No. It's not." She huffs out a breath. I was being immensely rude, but hey, that could just be because of my outsider-narrowmindedness.
"So, you just help clear out farmers' fields for fun? Or are you hired by someone." I ask.
"We show up to solve problems if the coin is good enough." She states.
"So, you don't just do this to help keep things... Safe? Or just because you can?"
"No. Glory only awaits those who triumph. And as Companions, our glory must always be hard-fought." I narrow my eyes at her. The undertone I got from her was that gold was needed to even be the starter point for their so-called skills.
"Sounds like a waste of time." I mutter and her back straightens.
"Well nobody asked you. If you think you're better than we are, go talk to Kodlak Whitemane. See what a warrior of true mettle is like, half-breed." Thought it had not been my first time being called that, the title still stung. She stomped off to her 'Shield-Brothers and took to the remains of the giant.
"Uh giants. I wonder why people collect their toes anyway. I got one once. Never gave me any luck." His quip brought me out of my descending mood. A few feet from the large gate I glance at Bishop, a smile tugging at my lips.
"They collect toes here? I have heard of them being used for alchemy but never-"
"Halt! City's closed with dragons about. Official business only." The guard's voice cut me off and brought me back to the task at hand. Clearing my throat, I meet his gaze, even if the majority of his was covered by his helmet.
"I have news from Helgen about the dragon attack. Riverwood calls for the Jarl's aid."
"Riverwood's in danger, too? You better go on in. You'll find the Jarl at Dragonsreach, atop the hill." He steps aside and I hear a loud lock turn. Nearly passed him I hear his voice lower to speak only to me. "We'll be keeping an eye on you." I kept my gaze on his and gave a stiff nod. As the large wooden gates opened, Bishop sighed.
"Whiterun, home to some of the best taverns in Skyrim. What do you say we open a few flasks and drown 'em in wine?" I moan at the thought of a stiff drink.
"I'll take you up on that offer, but only after I talk to the Jarl about Riverwood." I look at him and he gives me a stiff nod. "I'll even buy the first round. I could use a drink." I state honestly as we turn to head up a flight of stairs. "So, have you-" I stop mid-sentence as I look at a large tree in the center of the plaza, its branches stretching up to the sky. Looking at it closer, it looks.. Sick? Dormant? It was hard to describe. But it reminded me of the large trees in Morrowind. Though it would have been better if the branches were lush and alive.
"TALOS!" I jump when a male voice shouts with his arms raised in front of a statue. "-the mighty! Talos the unerring! Talos the unassailable! To you we give praise! We are but maggots, writhing in the filth of our own corruption! While you have ascended from the dung of mortality, and now walk among the stars!" Looking at the man in robes, I lean my head to my right as I press a hand to my racing heart.
"I heard when I was traveling a few months back that Talos worship was forbidden in Skyrim." Though I made it sound like a statement, my voice sounded confused. Bishop hummed in agreement as we walked.
"It was. Is." He stated as we walked. "But that man goes on and on. No matter how many guards threaten to lock him up."
"He's committed I'll give him that". Bishop snickers again as we pass and head up towards the large staircase. Dragonsreach. It was.. Quite impressive. We walked along the boardwalk and up to the large gates, pushing them open. Upon entering my gaze slides all around us. It's even more impressive inside. Tapestries on the walls above, the rafters made of strong wood. The tables in the center are long and the pit in the middle burns brightly. A few feet from us, we heard voices. Seems the Jarl was speaking to his advisors.
"I only council caution. We cannot afford to act rashly in times like these."
The Jarl looks back to the balding man and squints his eyes at him.
"What would you have me do, then? Nothing?"
"My lord, please. This is no time for rash action. I just think we need more action before we act. I just..." The Jarls gaze leaves his advisor and lands on me and Bishop as we approach.
"Who's this, then?" The Jarl asks as I hear the sound of a sword being unsheathed and I catch Bishop run a hand over his dagger's hilt.
A dark elf steps forward, her sword pointed at me. "What's the meaning of this interruption? Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving any visitors."
My chin lifts a bit, and I raise my hands, palms toward her to show I mean no harm. "I have news from Helgen. About the dragon attack." I state.
"You know about Helgen? The Jarl will want to speak with you personally. Approach." She sheathes her sword as she walks back to the Jarls side.
"So. You were at Helgen? You saw this dragon with your own eyes?"
"Yes. I had a great view while the Imperials were trying to cut off my head.
"Really? You're certainly...forthright about your criminal past"
"I was captured by the Imperials when I tried to enter Skyrim. I had done nothing wrong, aside from being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"It's none of my concern who the Imperials want to execute. Especially now." The Jarl said after my explanation. I ponder that a minute and a thought pops into my mind.
"Would it interest you if I mentioned that the Imperials were about to execute Ulfric Stormcloak?" I state and his eyebrows rise up in surprise. Then, slowly they drop into a stern frown.
"I should have guessed Ulfric would be mixed up in this." He slouches on his throne. "What I want to know is what exactly happened at Helgen."
"The dragon destroyed Helgen. And last I saw it was heading this way." I supply and his hands clench into fists.
"By Ysmir, Irileth was right! What do you say now, Proventus? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?"
"My lord, we should send troops to Riverwood at once. It's in the most immediate danger. If that dragon is lurking in the mountains..."
The tall advisor had a momentary face of panic.
"The Jarl of Falkreath will view that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him! We should not-" The jarl slammed a fist on his throne.
"Enough! I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people! Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once." She raised a fist to her chest.
"Yes, my Jarl." She left his side and went to speak to a guard posted at the doors.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties." The tall man said with a face of detachment.
"That would be best." His advisor leaves. He watches him leave and turns back to me. "Well done. You sought me out, on your own initiative."
"I wouldn't say that." I shyly shift on my feet. "I made a promise." He smirks a little and nods.
"You've done Whiterun a service, and I won't forget it. Here, take this as a small token of my esteem." He reaches behind him and hands me a large heavy axe. I welcome the weight and grip the handle. I smile down at it. Several years ago, I wouldn't have been able to even lift this. And now.. I bow my head to him in thanks and adjust so I can set it on my back. I was almost to the point of carrying too much. My back was beginning to pinch.
"There is another thing you could do for me." He mentions and my head tilts in a gesture of inquisition. "Suitable for someone of your particular talents, perhaps. Come, let's go find Farengar, my court wizard. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and... rumors of dragons." He rises and I stand aside to let him lead. We walk just to the adjoining room and step in, to see a man in a set or long robs, hood up, standing over a table of notes. Looking around, I see the large amp and walk over to it. I mentally remembering all of the Jarl territories, even taking out my own and using some charcoal, draw similar lines.
"Farengar, I think I've found someone who can help you with your dragon project. Go ahead and fill her in with all the details." He gestures to me and after, he walks out, leaving us with the 'court wizard' who looks at us from under a hood.
"So, the Jarl thinks you can be of use to me?" I raise a brow. Was he ignoring the jarl just a moment ago? "Oh yes, he must be referring to my research into the dragons." Oh Gods. I shake my head. "Yes, I could use someone to fetch something for me. Well, when I say fetch, I really mean delve into a dangerous ruin in search of an ancient stone tablet that may or may not actually be there."
"All right. Where am I going and what am I fetching?" I ask, resting a fist on my cocked hip, my smile welcoming. I don't think he took it as such.
"Straight to the point, eh? No need for tedious how's and whys. I like that. Leave those details to your betters, am I right?" He smiled at me like I was a simpleton. My hands clenched at my sides. I bite my tongue. This 'wizard' needs a lesson, and I would happily teach him.
"Watch how you speak to her." I hear Bishops deep voice from behind me, warning the mage.
I turn to face him, no doubt shock registering on my face. I had never had someone other than my family stand in my defense. His sharp eyes were pinned to the man in robs. They never once wavered. I hear the wizard clear his throat and a gentle; 'my apologies' was ushered. I nearly smile. Bishop's gaze didn't soften, but his posture became slightly more relaxed. Then his eyes moved to mine. I nodded in silent thanks and faced Farengar again.
"What does this have to do with dragons?" The bite in my words made him back up, and offer an apologetic smile.
"Ah, no mere brute mercenary, but a thinker - perhaps even a scholar?" Yeah wizard. You better back-peddle. "You see, when the stories of dragons began to circulate, many dismissed them as mere fantasies, rumors. Impossibilities. One sure mark of a fool is to dismiss anything that falls outside his experience as being impossible. But I began to search for information about dragons - where had they gone all those years ago? And where were they coming from?"
"So, what do you need me to do?" I ask for what feels like the third time.
"I, ah, learned of a certain stone tablet said to be housed in Bleak Falls Barrow - a "Dragonstone," said to contain a map of dragon burial sites. Go to Bleak Falls Barrow, find this tablet - no doubt in the main chamber - and bring it to me. Simplicity itself." A weird feeling flows through me.
"Oh, you mean this old stone?" I unwrap the stone I had taken from the very place he spoke of, and place it in his hands, a small feeling of justice flickers in me when I see he can't really hold the slab up.
"Ah! The Dragonstone of Bleak Falls Barrow! You already found it! You are cut from a different cloth than the usual brutes the Jarl foists on me." I snort.
"I'll bet. How do you know this stone tablet is in Bleak Falls Barrow?" I see Bishop out of the corner of my eye, he was looking around the room, occasionally glancing our way.
Farengar frowns. "Well. Must preserve some professional secrets, mustn't we? I have my sources...reliable sources." I shake my head and let out a sigh.
"If you say so. Can you tell me more about the Dragon War?"
"I'm not surprised you've never heard of it. Even I used to think it was just a myth. But not anymore. The Dragon War was a real event, although only the barest glimmer of the actual events has come down to us. Far back in the Mythic Era, the dragons were worshipped as gods in Skyrim. Many of the monumental ruins that still dot the landscape were, in fact, built as temples to the dragons. The details are lost, but at some point, the Nords rebelled. After a long and terrible war, the Nords overthrew their dragon overlords.
Asking if they had all been killed seemed rather pointless, since I had seen 2 already. "How many were killed?"
"Oh. Many were killed, of course. But many survived into historical times. Why, this very palace was built by one of Balgruuf's ancestors to hold a captive dragon. Hence its name-Dragonsreach.
Though I had my doubts, I asked; "Have you encountered any dragons?" He looks saddened for a moment.
"Sadly, no. My work affords me few opportunities for such an adventure. Perhaps some hero will bring one to Dragonsreach, like old Olaf One-Eye once did. What a fascinating conversation that would be!" I smirk at the thought of this man trying to talk or try 'research' on a live dragon.
"I got you the Dragonstone. What next?" I cross my arms and lean against his desk.
"That is where your job ends and mine begins. The work of the mind, sadly undervalued in Skyrim. My...associate here will be pleased to see your handiwork." He motioned to the doorway again and I turn to see a blond-haired woman in leather armor standing there. Hmm. Something was.. Off about her. Her face was neutral, but I couldn't help but shake the feeling like she was... angry, about something. Or irritated maybe? "She discovered its location, by means she has so far declined to share with me. So, your information was correct after all. And we have our friend to thank for recovering it for us." She was withholding information? How much? Would she know anything as to what the hell happened to me in the barrow?
"You went into Bleak Falls Barrow and got that?" Her voice broke me out of my mental list of questions. I give a stiff nod. "Nice work. Just send me a copy when you've deciphered it." Her compliment felt underhanded, but I shook that off. Bishop watched her leave, even his eyes following her like he was unsure of how to deal with her.
"So, can you show me how-" I stop speaking when I see Irileth running in. And by the look on her face, I could tell it wasn't good.
AN:
Still carrying on! Hope you guys are enjoying the story! This one is a slow build up, but things will get heated in later chapters. Let me know what you guys thing! Stay awesome!
-IMME