Soul of a Dragon

by InMyMindsEyes

Serlina is thrown into an adventure in a world unknown to her. When everything she has ever known turned upside down, she must endure pain, loss, lust, power, magic, revenge and destiny. When she encounters a ranger who sparks her interest, making passions unknown rise, her life will never be the same. Some better. Some worse. Some language and smut in later chapters.

12. Taking A Chance

Where Bishop walked, I followed. And if I were completely honest, I was grateful to let someone else take the lead while my mind was still processing a few things from High Hrothgar. Like how my destiny was foretold, despite me not being born here in Skyrim. Does destiny know no borders? Like the Gods knew I would be coming here, and 'gifted' me this power even if I knew about it... Like I was drawn here... Drawn to many things. And... to certain people.

My eyes lifted and landed on Bishop.

This attraction… I didn't understand it, didn't understand why his intensity fascinated me. Or how he'd pepped me up while he was around me. How he'd pushed and pushed and pushed, yet hadn't sent me into a frenzy of self-destruction like times in my past. Maybe because he didn't do it to malign my character. I shook my head and look away again. I had to stop. Stop thinking about it all. And I admit that as I followed, I had tried my best to keep my eyes off him but he had a body you just couldn't help but... admire for its pure… symmetry, I mentally settled on the term as we walked. Wide shoulders, narrow waist, lean hips, and long legs that ate up any distance in powerful strides. I'd be lying if I said I had not watched the way his pants pulled tight against his muscled ass with every step. Yeah, uh, I really had to stop (not) thinking about him.

Damn it.

My eyes snap away and look around again.

The weather is gorgeous today. Blue skies, no hard winds, ambient temperature - it's more like an absence of weather really. Perfect for our spontaneous walk. Then again, I found that the weather was as fickle as I had ever seen while traveling. One minute it overflowed with generous amounts of sunshine and warmth, all sweetness and brilliant unfettered golden rays. The next it was dark, brooding, resisting the sun, threatening to bring down a storm with every ounce of power at its disposal.

Looking to Bishop I see him take a deep breath as he walked through the woods, Karnwyr barking happily as he bounded around, sniffing and chasing small creatures. They both looked comfortable, it was nice to see. It was a good change from how tense he had been up on High Hrothgar.

"You seem to be more comfortable in wide open forest spaces than that of the towns." I call out to him breaking our silence. He glanced back to me and lifted then dropped his shoulders in a shrug. "You don't like the city, do you?" I ask.

"No. I don't." His tone was clipped, making me frown. He sounded like he was on edge, irritated almost, yet he looked physically calm. "I've always liked forests better." He admitted in a softer voice, but his posture began looking tense. I frowned.

"Why is that?" I asked gently as we moved around a fallen tree, the silence returning. I roll my eyes at his lack of conversation and kept walking behind him. I figured he would simply choose to stay quiet, he did that every so often and I had come to accept it. So, I was quite surprised when he started talking again.

"In nature… I found that I can be who I am. Just a person. The trees do not expect me to be kind or selfish." He stated as he ran his hand over one of the trees we passed. "The wildlife expects me to eat it, should I be hungry and able to catch it." His gaze turns sharp as he look to his right, making mine follow and not far, a deer moved slowly, lolloping in their ungainly way, grazing as it went. "The wind does not ask for my words or my counsel. The soil doesn't rise to meet my boots or shy away from them. Here, I am simply the person who sees from these eyes and walks on these feet. I can release the …labels and emotions I receive from everywhere I can't stand. I can leave judgement and expectations in the towns and just walk." He went on and I found myself surprised. He sounded almost… Wise. I blew out a gentle breath. There he went again, surprising me. "Some find it surprising that on occasion people just start walking and never come back, personally I find it odd that it's so rare." He ends sounding a little intrigued, like that thought came to him more often then others. I found myself shrugging, even though I know he can't see it.

"Maybe we are a noble species after all." I murmur and I briefly think of Daodrik. "Unwilling to abandon our responsibilities and... loved ones." I murmur and I hear him scoff.

"Then some are more noble then others." I couldn't tell if he said it factually, or bitterly as he slowed down to make the road last longer. Or at least, that's what it felt like.

Where were we?

I felt my fingers twitching for my map, but I pushed it away, letting the woods around me soothe away my worries... These moments of calmness, granted me the serenity of feeling my own mind stay pleasantly blank, rather than tiring myself with unresolved thoughts. Flowers were sprouting up in an amazing assortment of colours to dazzle the senses and eyes; as beautiful arrays of colours from greens, yellow, purples, reds and others drew you in. Mountains close and far reached up to the sky seemingly trying to pluck and rival the sun. The homely smell of pine drifted in the air lingering gently like a charm. Birds twittered and gossiped in the tall mighty trees. Under these boughs there is little to no undergrowth at all. About our feet are only the browned remnants of branches and needles that have fallen in the recent high winds.

The air has that smell of woodland before rain. I nearly stopped as I breathed deeply. Pine and... Woodsmoke? My eyes snapped open. Like... My eyes snapped back to the ranger in black in front of me. I couldn't help but notice his eyes glanced around, like he was… nervous?

Karnwyr however, was looking happy. Excited almost.

Shaking my head, I pick up my pace until I am just behind Bishop again. Hm. Seems like the discomfort was only one-sided between the two of them. Stepping carefully over the roots that knot the pathway, I see a tall tower just on top of a hill not far from us. And steadily, we kept walking towards it. Crossing a stone bridge, the road went up an incline. The hill was oddly shaped; it either contained completely flat parts or extremely steep slopes and this hill had pathways and stairs built by…?

I stopped and looked around. No villages for miles, so who could have-? My thought was cut off when I heard someone call out.

"What was that?" The voice was unfamiliar and had me bracing. Bishop too. When the hill evened out, there were a few bandits off to our right around a small camp. As soon as we were in their sights, they sprang up, racing towards us, weapons drawn.

"Well ain't this a surprise!" The taller one of the groups called out and I rolled my eyes, my hand going to my swords handle, gripping tightly...

Of course. Bandits.

"You picked a bad time to get lost, friend." A tall orc stood, and drew a mace from his large hips, making my eyes widen in alarm as I raised my hands in (what I could only had hoped look like) peace.

"I'm not your friend." Bishop snapped as the other man drew closer as well, his hand going to his blades handle. My own dropped to mine, my thumb pushing the hilt away from its sheath in a motion to prepare it for being drawn.

"We don't want any trou-", I ducked from a loosed enemy arrow, and flinched when another flew past my head in the opposite direction and landing in the archer's chest, knocking him to the ground, "- oh goddammit". I heard a snarl and Karnwyr was off like the arrow, flying past us and onto a bandit, teeth digging into flesh. I was momentarily shocked until the tall one was able to land a punch on Bishop's ribs, making his air leave him in a small puff of air. Then I saw red and lunged into the action.

After, I blew a few stands of hair out of my face as I cleaned my sword, turning to Bishop I gave him an unimpressed look. "Don't tell me you brought me here just to kill bandits." I stated as he placed an arrow back in his quiver, scoffing at me as he joined my side.

"Oh c'mon, like that wasn't fun?" He asked making me raise my brow at him. He rolled his eyes at me and turned toward the stone bridge that connected to a... Bandit watchtower? Outpost? "Those ones deserved it for just being here. Still, no. That was not the surprise." He clarified and walked ahead, leading the way. Shaking my head, I found myself following. The bridge leading to the tower made me pause. It's has a girth of about three arm spans, yet the top is still curved in an arch to the watchtowers base, a small river flowed underneath. The drop isn't what I would call dangerous, just one hell of a messy landing, if your footing was bad. Walking along, I watch as Bishop walked around with such a familiarity that I found a little surprising. Walking under a stone archway, we entered the watchtower, my eyes adapting to the darker environment. He led us up a small staircase that creaks and groans in complaint as the pair of our feet press against the ageing wood. The staircase is battered and it looks tired and worn down, signs of a constant flow of people here… People like Bishop? I mentally ask myself and let it pass away as I follow Bishop as he turns left and out another archway onto what looked like a lookout, or a balcony. The flash of light made my eyes close against the flair up of light. I found myself lifting my hand to shield my eyes as they readjust again. I slowly pried my eyelids open. The place where we stood was atop stone hill that had turned to ledges and cliffs due to time or landslides. What met my eyes was like nothing I had ever imagined before.

"Well, here we are. It's not Throat of the world but it's mine. Well, partly mine, a long time ago. My first home in Skyrim."

"This is... beautiful…" I whispered in awe, my voice trailing off. The view alone... I had to take several deep breaths as I took in this view. I looked down below, my eyes opened wide as I stared off into the distance. The hills are a patchwork of green grass made even more varied by the shadows of passing clouds that flattened under the wind in beautiful shimmering waves, each blade turned momentarily to reflect brilliant sunlight. A small way east of us was the lake we passed. The autumn breeze carries the scent of coming rain. As the air moves the clouds, streaks of brilliant light break through from the patient sun. I let my eyes rest for a moment, feeling the ambiance of all around me, hearing the sounds, taking in the aroma, letting my mind be still and silent. I want to stop and stay here; I just want time to stand still... Focusing my eyes I can faintly see animals dotting the ground below. There isn't much to threaten a traveller in these woods, except perhaps the occasional bold bear or wolf pack. Or bandit. I glance back to Bishop and I feel something in my chest squeeze as I look at him. He has a lost look on his face. I say nothing as I watch him, his cool mask fading away, letting me see underneath it. Karnwyr nudges him with his muzzle and his eyes sharpen again, mask slipping back onto place. I run my tongue over my lips lightly as I turn to fully face him, a nervous habit I seem to be doing a lot. "Why did you bring me here?" I asked breaking the silence.

"It's where I found Karnwyr as a cub." He stated as he pet Karnwyr's head, his fingers scratching him absentmindedly as he looked around. "I haven't been here for..." He looked around pausing as he thought about it, then took a breath, letting it out slowly, his eyes widening in shock. "Damn, always feels longer than it actually is. I've never brought anyone here before." He sounded... Almost shy. Inwardly I smiled as my gaze moves over the view once more. I was the first? I felt almost... Honoured. It was quite a sight.

"That's very sweet." I say quietly and my heart tumbles a little when he looks to Karnwyr and rubs the wolfs head, making his tail swish side to side. "This place must mean a lot to you." I say and he looks from Karnwyr to the great sight before us.

"Yeah… Yeah it does. This tower is still standing because of a man I once knew…" He trailed off as his face slips into an expression of sadness or maybe... regret? I waited to hear if he would go on. "He's... gone now." He finished. Taking a breath, his face slips back into its neutral state. "Anyway." He waved the thought away with a 'forget-it' gesture and looked back out to open view. "I made the first good decision of my life here, I wanted to make you a part of it." He says softly glancing at me, making something in my chest skitter and my blood pick it's pace up, and yet I can't help but regard him with... confused curiosity. "Ugh-" He runs a hand through his hair, looking put off, even nervous, "-I'm still not being clear, am I?" He askes and I find myself nodding slowly. I think I knew what he was getting at, but Bishop was a hard man to read and understand sometimes... He looks like he thinks on what he needs to say and steps towards me, his legs eating up the space between us. "You're here because..." He looked heavenwards for a moment, no doubt searching for the right words, then back to me, locking his gaze to mine. "Trust doesn't come easy for me." He stated and I nod at his words, though he had said this many a time over our travels together, it still left me feeling a little hurt... And with him recounting those words, my body relaxes as he continued. "To me, -" He made a gesture to the place around us with a low wave of his arm, my eyes following the movement. "-this is the most important place in Skyrim." He dropped his arm and looked back at me. "I wanted you to know." He finished, looking at me with those amber eyes and I felt my heart race all over again. The way he was looking at me right now made my legs weak. He looked so... Serious. For someone so guarded and clipped with what he says. I felt... humbled. I swallowed hard, my heart pounding for some reason. To try to calm my nerves, I made a show of tilting my head away, giving him a skeptical look meeting his gaze, down to his boots and back up again.

"Alright. Where's Bishop and what have you done with him?" I asked playfully and I almost laughed at the look of alarmed shock he gave me.

"Oh for-" He lifted his arms then dropped them to his sides in a are-you-kidding-me? gesture. "Really? Bishop is standing right here and just took a chance and told you he trusts you." He stated gesturing to himself while he spoke, making me smile even more as he grew more and more flustered. He sounded surprised, like the fact of it still shocked himself, even if the look on his face radiated slight irritation… It shocked me to be honest, and my eyes went to the wooden planks under our feet, then back to him.

"You... trust me?" I whispered as he steps towards me again nearly putting us chest to chest as I met his steady gaze, though I had to tilt my head back slightly due to our height difference.

"Yes sweetness, I do."

Sweetness.

This had been the... I didn't know the number of times he had called be that, yet, my heart skipped another treacherous beat. And just with the way he says it, it makes my eyes nearly flutter as I attempted to breath in slowly, deeply absorbing the sensation I got from it while making sure I appeared unaffected...

Dammit you stupid fool, this isn't the time! And I was fighting like hell to not let it go to my head. I didn't and don't care for nicknames majority of time. I had tried not to soften. Men had used endearments on me before, but none had ever uttered one with such a… seductive undertone. That one word from his lips, with his voice... Inwardly I shivered.

Focus!

My eyes slid open and I swallow gently again.

"Trusting people is usually unwise." I remind him, almost paraphrasing his words that he said to me all those… Days? No. Thinking on it, it had been several weeks ago. God, it felt like days. Hell, hours. I had meant for my voice to be sounding lecturing, instead it sounded a little breathless. His eyes sharpen at my words and then simply nods.

"We all have to gamble at some point in our lives." He states sounding surer of that fact. "I'm taking that risk with you." He says carefully. "And so that only leaves one question. Are you willing to do the same?" He asks leaning over me slightly. "To trust me?"

Was I willing?

After everything that we had seen and done together... How safe he made me feel, how he fought by my side, helped me when I was determined to do it by myself and match wits with me day in and out...

The answer was oddly easy for me.

"Like you, my trust has to be earned Bishop." I say slowly, "But you've never given me reason not too." I admit and I hear him let out a breath.

"Then let me give you more reasons too." He held up his hand, palm up making me give him a cautious smirk. "Trust me with this." He added gently, his voice smooth and warm, making my skin prickle in awareness. With what? I glance up and I found myself smirking at him again.

"Is this the part where you grab me by the hand and throw me off this platform?" I tease and he laughs.

"No. Didn't you just say you trusted me?" He teased back and I laugh, resting a hand on my hip.

"I'll trust you, until you steal my sweetroll." I teased smiling up into his liquid gold eyes and take his hand with mine. He chuckles, his eyes darkening as his fingers close around my hand, making me slightly jerk. The contact between the two of us made my hand feel like I had just touched lightning. My skin tingled and burned where his touched mine, his thumb gazing over my knuckles. Gods. His hand were so large. Against mine. his felt rough and unfinished, like he'd had a difficult life and worked twice as hard for everything he had. It suited him, I thought, looking into his deep eyes, my cheeks reddening. His hands were warm in mine as nerves tingling at the harsh comfort of contact.

"Not your sweetroll, no." He stepped until we stood chest to chest, making my breath catch again. He was close. Too close. "I'm planning on stealing something else right now."

What?

I barely had time to register what he had said when his mouth is on mine.

It had been so long since I'd been kissed. So damn long. But never like this. Never with this intense yearning for… more. His lips were warmer and softer than anything I could have imagined, yet fierce and powerful at the same time. I should have done the proper thing and pull away. Yet, I couldn't. It was like my mind and body were two different beings. I refused to pull away, refused to give in. Instead, I melted against him with a small moan, my eyes fluttering closed as my mind blanked as pleasure and heat filled me as my empty hand reached out, holding him on his arm as my own lips responded hungrily. I tightened my hold on him when his hand released mine, letting his fingers slid down my back, tracing its shape, over the swell of my hips and every place he touched was electric. Of their own will, my arms skidded up his incredibly strong, corded-with-muscles chest and anchored around his neck and the world around us fell away.

It was more than just a slight tingle that ran from his skin to mine though. No. No, it was as though someone had attached a live wire to each and every one of my nerves, making my body a conductor to these violent currents that pulsed through me from his body, his fingers. His hands grip my hips in a firm hold, pulling me to him, almost to my toes making me gasp, and he steals the opportunity to push his tongue into my mouth. He's taking his time, giving me slow lazy strokes of his tongue, it's as if he's… savoring my taste, and... I let him. Slowly at first, simply exploring and testing. His tongue brushing mine, rolling over it, pushing against it. He tasted so freaking good, like heat and man and something all his own, it made me warm, a slow burn that had me gasping all anew.

My fingers inched into his hair, a sigh escaping my throat when I found it soft under my fingers, my nails lightly dragging over his scalp getting a low groan to ruble from his throat. My breath hitched when he responded to my light scratching with nibbles on my bottom lip. Desire shoots through my whole body, making me want more. Unconsciously I gently press myself into him, wanting to make the kiss deeper, making him growl low in his throat, making me moan at the sound. His arms clasped tighter around me. I sighed just a little against his mouth, feeling that it was almost… too much, all this newness, this feeling that there was space and light inside me I'd never noticed before that only he could bring out or touch... I find myself reeling, as if I have been tipped backward, nearing an edge of something dangerous. Something... Unknown. I gasp and my hand clenches in his hair. Just as I do, he pulls away, resting his forehead against mine as his chest rises and falls, his breath coming in steady against my lips. Mine feels like I am breathing in sharp cold winds all over again. It hurts, but it's a good, pleasurable pain. And I feel unsteady.

His hold on me loosens as he looks at me, and my brain scrambles to catch up. I must get my breathing under control, though each breath burned my lungs, my skin felt like small bolts of electricity were running over my skin where he touched me. I nearly pressed myself into him and yet, I got a wave of trepidation making me step away from him. The feelings I got from the kiss made me feel things that I didn't know how to deal with.

"You... just kissed me." I said mostly to myself, even after getting my breathing to cooperate, I still sounded breathless.

"You only just noticed?" He asked, his own breathing still slightly erratic, but something about his tone had my back straightening. The ground under me felt unstable, making me feel alarmed.

No. Wait. It was just my legs feeling like they were going to give out on me. I forced them to steady and lock.

"It was kind of hard to miss!" I almost yell, making him laugh, the sound making my stomach clench.

"If I'd known you'd react like this I would have done it sooner." Though he kept looking at me like he was waiting for me to do something, like what, I could hardly imagine. Fall at his feet? Pft no. I may not have been able to lie and say that I didn't feel affected by his kiss, but I still had my dignity. At least, I hope.

"I'm sorry, should I have swooned and fallen into your arms?" I ask and he shrugged at the thought.

"Where's the fun in you taking a nap on me? I'll catch you, but maybe you should leave the swooning for when we aren't so high up" He said glancing around us, and I let out a sigh. I had to silently agree with him. However, in that moment, I had felt on the edge of... something. And it too felt like a high height. I was frowning when I looked back to him.

"Warn me next time. Or I'll… Shout you off a cliff." I mutter. My body still trembled, ached and pulsed.

God Gods. I. Ached…

"So, there'll be a next time?" He asked and chuckles. "I'm looking forward to it, princess." There's a pause and I look back to him, making him clear his throat. "Yeah, so… I'm not really a romance kinda guy. Come on." He gestures to the stone archway we walked out of to stand out on this ledge, "Dragons aren't going to kill themselves." He turned and walked away, calling for Karnwyr who had meandered off somewhere.

That was it?

I stayed there for a moment or two, bringing a hand to my mouth, touching my fingertips to my lips; they still tingled from his kiss. I scoffed.

Kiss.

It felt more like a declaration, a claiming. My body hummed as desire, hot and heavy, pumped in me. Looking around to the breathtaking view and thinking back to his words, I scoff at what he had said about not being a 'romance kind of guy'.

Yeah. Sure. I nod my head mockingly then follow him.

After a couple hours, I found that we didn't speak much about what happened between us. I wasn't sure if I was annoyed or relieved of that fact. I think we both knew that things wouldn't be the same. Hell, I wasn't the same. My hands still trembled when I touched my lips...

Forget it.

It was done.

He kissed you, I told myself and from what I had seen, he got what he wanted. He got his taste and it seems he was content with just that. I didn't know whether to be soothed or irritated by that. Added to the fact that he looked unfazed by our-his- I mentally corrected myself, kiss that he just went about the day… I pushed the feelings that gave me aside and with my map back out, I was able to get a travel plan worked out. A carriage straight to Morthal, being that Ustengrav is just North East of the town. As we climbed into another carriage, our ride began in silence. And continued to drag on until we just passed the halfway mark.

"You ever just go for a walk in the woods?" He asked and I slowly drop my map to look at him, his eyes humorous, and against it all, I felt my lips tilting into a small smile.

"Only when I was a child." I say absentmindedly thinking back. "And before I had responsibilities given to me." I add, my eyes looking back up at the trees. "Though, being in any woods as thick as these do make me think of home." Just which one, I couldn't place. The thought made my eyes snap back to the dirt road, and my attention to Bishop's voice.

"What kind of responsibilities does a Kotrongie have?" He asked making it sound like 'KA-TRON-GEE' and I let out a laugh at his pronunciation of it.

"It's pronounced 'KAH-THRING-EE. And don't take this the wrong way but as a Kothringi, trying to explain what we did to an outsider would be rather taxing. To sum it up… we lived like the simple lives of farmers, while my father tended to the borders." I admit and I see him nod. There was certainly more to it than that, but, details.

"No shame in that." He shrugged. "It's something I always thought of retiring to if things calmed down but I don't know, -" He paused, his tone as he trailed off sounded unsure, until I heard him sneering the word "-taxes", making me throw my head back and laugh again.

"We didn't necessarily have to worry about that."

"Then what responsibilities were yours?" He asked and I smiled as I glanced up to look at our surroundings. It was nearing the end of the day, the last few hours seemed to slip away from us, leaving us to travel in dusk that had come sooner than expected. I had been so lost in the thoughts of the day that I had failed to notice the path ahead of us fading away into the darkness.

"A bit of this and that." I state answering his question a little elusively. "But I always seemed to be bored of them not long after they begun. So, I would wander and help out in the villages."

"There is so much in that sentence that I can't understand."

"Like what? Me helping people?" I ask and he gives me a tight nod. "Does my assisting others bother you? I tend to be asked frequently for help." I say offhandedly making him groan while rolling his eyes.

"Please, tell me that is just some sort of mental condition." He almost sneers and for a moment, I am at a loss.

"Pardon, what?" I ask, simply because I am too shocked and insulted by what he had said to fully process what he had so bluntly stated...

"You heard me. The way you just can't say no to every stray cat that comes our way with their 'Oh, please, go to the cave full of vampires to find my spoon!'". His tone is dripping with his mockery that it almost makes my back straighten.

"I don't-" My voice was curt, but I couldn't get many words out since he cut me off by continuing what he was raving about.

"Or 'my great-great gramps left his favourite rocking horse in the ancient burial crypt, but he is desperate to have it now, at deaths door' requests!" He spoke with a disregarding motion of his hand, like the matters didn't mean a thing, and in this case they didn't, since they were so farfetched. But his point wasn't lost on me. His eyes settled on me, irritated and cold. "After which you forget everything and everyone and run off to do their bidding!" He snaps and my back straightens.

"It's called compassion Bishop!" I snap back and he leans away from me, resting his elbows on the edge of the carriage, looking like the epitome of nonchalance.

"No Darling, that kind of blind trust is called stupidity." My hands clenched as he turned his head so that his gaze looked onward to where our driver was taking us, all the while I felt his words seep in and I felt myself frowning in growing anger. "And I do hope you'll come to understand that; before you wind up giving your own life for the dying wish of some old fool."

I didn't even realize it until it was too late, but my clenched hand lifted and slammed down on the wooden seat beside me so hard that it even made the driver and Karnwyr startle.

"Stop the carriage!" I shouted and slowly, we stopped with little to no argument from the driver.

"What gives?" Bishops brows were furrowed, irritated and confused. His words had pushed at something in me that lead to me spiraling into a fury.

"Let's get a few things straight ranger-" I said through clenched teeth, hands clenched on my knees in tight fists. "First; don't call me 'darling'-" I sneered the word "-with that tone of voice then follow an endearment such as that, with the insult of calling me stupid." As I spoke me recalling his words seemed to sink back into him, making him look at me with eyes mixed with emotions. "Secondly, -" I continued. "-being compassionate is not something to belittle nor make a mockery of. And from what I take of what you have said, you don't believe that it is a worthwhile effort to be such." I took a steadying breath. "Though you may not care, but I do honestly believe that what makes me a good being, is that I am compassionate when times can be horrible. And that doesn't make me stupid." I grit the last word out from clenched teeth. Karnwyr whined at our feet and I paid him no mind. My eyes focused solely on Bishop.

"But you-"

"Do I sound like I'm done?!" I shouted standing up and his mouth snaps shut. I take that as a cue that he got my point and was waiting till I was good and finished. Taking a deep breath, I strive for control. "Make no mistake ranger, that I do as I wish! And if I should so wish to help someone out, then I will damn well do so! You can grumble and do nothing while I do it myself for all I care! My compassion to help those that ask for it are what help me get stronger. And so far, I have been able to stay alive, despite me being albeit naïve. And if I die, helping some 'fool' who is wanting something that is precious to him; though even your examples were to farfetched even for me; then I will die doing something that I believe in! And before you degrade something I do, remember this ranger!" I pointed at him, my eyes narrowing. "This is a part of what makes me who I am. The same person you couldn't seem to keep your hands off of a few hours ago!" I state and a muscle ticks in his jaw. We may not have openly spoken about it but that sure as hell wouldn't stop me from mentioning it! "I will not change what I do so naturally because you find it irritating. I refuse to change myself! I did it once but I will be damned if I do it again!" His eyes lose their heat of anger as my words dawn on him. Let him decide what to do with that as he will. I push the thought away and continue. "I would rather die attempting to bring someone some peace then die knowing I never cared enough to try." I finished, my breath making my chest rise and fall fast.

Words flew from my mouth that I never thought I'd even think, let alone say out loud. But I knew instantly from the look in his eyes that they'd hit their mark. And yet, my anger hadn't dissipated. Why?! I had yelled, proved my point, and Bishop had simply stared at me the whole time. I didn't even know if he was fully listening. But his eyes had sharpened on me and darkened a bit, like after he kissed me... Still standing I fought to breath. I wasn't just angry at his foolish mockery I realized… I stood up straight, turned and dropped down out of the carriage.

"What're you doing?!" He called; the first thing he had spoken since my rage began as I stormed ahead of the carriage.

"I just need to... calm down. Cool off. You ride. I'll walk." I call back and kept walking.

"Come on, get back in the carriage." He called and I wave his words off.

"It would be best if you and I don't speak while I calm down… ranger." My tone was stiff, punctuating my words as they left my mouth. He didn't get out of the carriage, thank the gods.

I simply wrapped my arms around myself as I stewed. Making a mental list as to why I had acted as... Loudly as I did.

1. He kissed me. Just outright, like it was his gods given right! It wasn't

2. He insulted me.

3-

'You let him kiss you though.' Kena's gentle voice was back, soft and still as quiet as a whisper breaking my list.

'Shut it Kena.' I mentally scowl as I gnash my molars. 'I didn't let him, I…' I sighed. 'I got carried err-caught up. You know, the whole mood, the view, his words, his voice...' I kick a rock out of my way, scowling.

'You hardly fought him off.' She teased, 'From what I sense, you did it back in good measure. And wasn't it you who had kissed him first?' She reminded me and I nearly tripped in the memory of it.

'That was different!'

'Oh?'

"Yeah! That was a… thanks for helping me with the bow stuff, that's all! And it was on the cheek! Nothing to scandalous about that!'

'Point being, you still encouraged it.' Her voice was so factual it made me want to shake my head hard.

'You taunted me to do it!'

'Hardly. I didn't put a dagger to your throat, did I?'

I gnashed my molars again and bit down om my bottom lip. 'No.'

'There. Now, why are you really mad?'

'He called me stupid.' I frown at the thought and I was granted with a thick silent pause. 'What?' No quips, no factual to throw in my face.'

'Well... He is not wrong.'

I nearly openly shouted in frustration. Even felt the pressure in my chest rise to my throat, even as I breathed so deeply that my chest quivered in a silent rumble...

'Dammit all to Oblivion! Not you too!'

'I only fear for your safety. Yes, compassion is a wonderous quality to have in a harsh world like this, but where you must go to fulfill someone's wish, it makes even myself nervous for you...' She spoke with a touch of irritation and yet, she held a note of understanding. For Bishop no doubt and I scowled. 'And from what I know of that ranger of yours, he is very... reserved with things. Look at it from his perspective' She offered making me let out a bored sigh. 'He just opened up to you mere hours ago, a man who is more guarded than anyone I have had the knowledge of and now, he is, in his own way, worried about you taking on too much... The way he went about saying it was wrong and just a touch hurtful-" her tone went from soothing to slightly angered, it made me smile. "-but maybe that's the only way he can talk about that without giving away too much." She finished and my anger had almost diminished. I glanced over my shoulder and there he was, eyes on me, his expression a mask of neutrality, yet when our eyes met, the air between us thickened, my skin burned like his hands were still running over my arms, up the ridges of my spine all over again. I gritted my teeth and broke our connected gaze.

'Why do I feel like your right?' I ask and I hear a gentle laugh, the sound to far away to really hear it, but it was there.

'You both were- are.' She corrected. 'Compassion is what helped mold you into the courageous woman you have become, but you should also use caution and not take too much on. Who knows what could lie ahead?'

'I'll... Keep that in mind.' My pace matched that with the horse drawing the carriage. His muscles rippled from under his freshly groomed pelt and his powerful legs. They propelled him forward and kept him going as he powered over the land. Reaching out I ran a hand down it's shoulder. It's hair soft and nice to touch. Almost soothing. I walked a fair distance before our driver asked us to stop for the horse to have refreshments near a small river. I said nothing but I nodded as I watched him unhook the strong animal to lead it to water. Leaning against the carriage I lit a torch and hooked it into a holder, sending my shadows to dance around me. I pulled out my map, mentally going over our travels when I heard Karnwyr let out a yawn, his claws scraping the boards under him, no doubt stretching. He dropped out of the carriage, crossing in front of me, my eyes lifting to watch as he trotted off into the dark, getting a drink and whatever that wolf wanted to do. I shook my head gently as I look back to my map. I've almost memorized it by now, the different towns, marking borders and temples. Though, so much seemed to be missing. My eyes looked down from where we were, and I frowned. The place where Bishop had taken me... It didn't show up on my map. Frowning, I turn and lay the map flat on the side of the carriage, drawing my marking utensils from my pouch. Licking the tip of my charcoal, I mark the towers onto the page. I wrote in my fathers tongue a small symbol for affection by the name of the towers.

Affection

My heart skidded in my chest as my breathing got uneven. I knew why I was angry. The shock of it all had worn away until I was left with the realization.

I had liked it.

His kiss. His mouth on mine, his body close and his scent surrounding me. The very thought made my legs clench. His hair was soft, and a good grip full. His body had trembled slightly as I now recalled. His hands, strong and sure.

Mmm. Damn. Get him out of your head, I scolded myself.

Looking at the map, I distract myself. We had work to do. Looking over the words, I felt a small prick of pride as the marking sink int the paper. And to think, I could never neatly handwrite until I was almost 16. And even then, I didn't do much of it until I had to send word for Daodrik. And after, my uncle had told me that I had better work on my written skill, just as much as swords or magic. Leaning back, I let out a small amused sigh. Thinking back, I recall that I had found it so slow, so frustrating. All the other elven kids were printing neatly and then there was me with my 'spider scrawl' as my uncle had called it and spelling that impressed no-one.

Maybe that was why Daodrik didn't answer my letters, I had thought. My eyes snap to the sky and a familiar pain fills my chest. And suddenly my work was more and more legible, presentable to any and all who could read. My words became quite respectable and my confidence level soared. Well, my handwriting did improve with practice, it had to. But the letters were still a little jagged, no girly roundness or discernible style. But now? Now my words and letters flowed with such a confidence that matched myself and those around me. I was able to write in both Elvish and Kothringi. My parents would be proud... I sigh and recall all the worries I had spoken to my uncle about the letters...

'Maybe he couldn't make out the letters, or anything of it really, I had been crying a lot while writing them… Did my tears make the ink run or smudge? Maybe the way I had hurriedly written them made no sense! Maybe that was why he didn't answer. My questions had gone unanswered, my uncle himself having sent word and even good men to go and call on my brother. Their answers were always the same when they came back to us.

'We were unable to find him.'

Then, in those moments that felt so stretched... I sank deeper into a cold and volatile state that I was surprised that no one had been alarmed as I stormed to my room to write more letters. All the while, I had been thinking up of anything to make up for the fact that he was nowhere to be heard from or seen.

Maybe he was busy... or waist deep in scrolls! Maybe he traveled abroad and no one had seen him! And since so many join the mage ranks, not everyone knew of him yet! Or maybe he was…dead. Killed by a new mage's magic! Or a spell gone awry!

The last thought made my chest constrict, even to this day as I thought about it.

No. Not my brother. He would be too stubborn to die from something as easy for him to understand such as magic, to die from it. And even though I wanted to slip into that state of anger and voided feelings, I had found myself helping those who needed to find their lost things. It felt good to help others. Help them out of the feelings that I myself was experiencing. And maybe I thought, that if I helped enough people, the same kindness would be given back to me. Years later, and I was still hoping.

It kept me going. And it still does...

Looking off into the darkness I wonder if the letters I had written all those days ago were safe in all the hands they were addressed too. My letters that I had sent out from Whiterun made me anxious. Some to my uncle, explaining that my journey to Skyrim was a bit of a long story, and that I was well, even made a few acquaintances, others to friends in the region, and last... To Daodrik. A message that stated that I would find him. In whatever state he be in and deal with him then. I had said it more gently, but realistically, I wanted to beat the living man till his teeth rattled in his mouth like rocks in an empty cup!

Letting out a small breath I look down and relaxed my clenched hands. But he would have to wait. I had more pressing things to attend to.

I had just finished and was putting my things away when I took a small breath and the scent of pine made my heart and stomach flip in my chest. Trying for anger, I turn and found Bishop behind me, eyes on me, his face a little... sullen? My hear rammed hard against my ribs as I looked at him. Would he continue our- my argument, err… discussion? Would he try to make me feel as stupid as he thought I was?

"Yes ranger?" I asked, making him look me in the eyes.

"I wouldn't want you to." He stated so bluntly that my mind almost reeled.

"Wha- What?" I stuttered and blinked in loss. I was missing something.

"Change." He clarified. "I wouldn't want you too change." Though he glared a little, making me scoff and look away, I felt a small wave of joy fill me, center me and steady the chaos that my mind had been spinning into. "And I am- I didn't mean to-" He breathed, ran a hand through his hair drawing my attention again. "I didn't mean to say what I said. Especially in that way. I'm sorry." His words were filled with so many emotions I gave up trying to decipher them. And godsdammit, my knees nearly gave out they had trembled so hard. The relief.

"I... I forgive you." I sigh and let the tension drain away. "You don't know my ways after all." I state as we climb back into the carriage.

"I know some of them." He spoke softly, almost unsure about how I would react again. I rub Karnwyr as the horse is re-hooked and soon, the carriage gets a move on again.

"Indeed. But there are many things about me that you don't know." And most I didn't know how to even address.

Like the kiss.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know every inch of you." He spoke low, his voice heavy. Looking at him, I see his eyes glance from place to place along my body and then settle back on my face and I shift in my seat, sitting upright.

"I'm sorry," I said stiffly, "but I am not a part of some kind of…" I trailed off, stumbling as I tried to explain what I was getting at. Hoping to make it clear... "Look ranger, don't think that just because we are travelling together out here all alone, I will take any advantage to come my way. You are welcome here, with me, in every other way, but not for… that." I clarify, my cheeks heating. I turned from his justifiably shocked expression and busied myself taking my blade out and sharpening it with a small file from my satchel. He hadn't moved a single millimeter by the time I finished working on all my swords, even after I turned to face him down again... He didn't strike me as a man who would meekly let someone dictate terms to him, and I was right.

"I do not touch you out of convenience," he all but hissed with the fuel of his fury. "In fact, I am a man with very distinct boundaries and rules." He states as he leans forward, his elbows on his knees. And here I was, sitting a few feet from him, still reeling of the fact that he had given so nonchalantly...

'Not out of convenience'.

Wow. I was shocked in all honesty, then suspicious. Maybe I was a new level of his 'predatory urges', so to speak. Dragonborn and all that. Ranks higher than a tavern woman would no doubt. I almost scowl when I mentally picture him and Neeshka. Together.

"So, I've seen." I say to carry on our conversation.

"Well, they are also ones that I do not stray to cross, or to take them lightly. And yet, my self-discipline was nothing in the face of your...effect on me." He clenched his hands into tight fists. "So do not ever imply I would treat you with so little value and so much disrespect."

"You mean like you did a while ago?" I shot back and he stiffened.

"This matter is a little different. I apologized for what I said and I meant it." His eyes softened, just a little. "But make no mistake. This is different."

I didn't know how to respond to what he said. I felt unsteady again. So, I simply sat back, nodded and let the silence drag out. We didn't talk for the rest of our ride.

Ustengrav

When we arrived, we stood at the edge of this burial crypt and as I looked down into it, I had this weird feeling, like we were being watched... This deep bowl-like circle that lead deep into the ground looked like a... crater more so than a burial to me. At least on the outside... Stepping down the small flight of stairs we enter the crypt. The smell of dust, dirt and the light remnants of blood hits my nose and I murmur a prayer for dead, hoping that our entry does not disturb their peace...

Rows of tombstones stood erect in silence to the left and right, in front and behind, like a sea of the dead. Some were crumbled with the weathering of centuries; some were smooth stone with new black writing and laid with floral tributes. There is a dead bandit to the right as we entered the ruin, and from the looks of him he looked like a recent kill; making my hand go to my hilt, my hand tightening when we went down another flight of stairs and there was another dead bandit near the bottom of the stairs. Another by a nearby pillar in the middle of the room, and another at the far side.

"Something isn't right here." I state, my voice echoing around the large room.

"I agree. A few bodies laying around in a crypt isn't new, but ones that look recent..." Bishop stepped up to the body, kneeling down so he could look it over, laying a few fingers on it's skin. "Several hours. Bodies cold." He wiped his hands off and stood, looking at me.

"Damn. Someone else has been here recently. May even still be here. Stay alert." I drew my swords, one for each hand.

"Defiantly." He glanced to Karnwyr and drew his bow. "Let's get a move on."

To the left of the entrance to the large chamber is a platform with a dead draugr, one that gratefully, stayed that way. We were able to pick up a potion of minor healing, and a resist shock potion as well...

"Here." I held the health potion out to Bishop. He glanced to the bottle, then to my face. "Id rather you have one then not." I state and he takes it with a small nod.

"Thanks. If I didn't know any better you almost sound concerned about me." He lightly teases and I glance to him, and a small smirk graces my lips.

"Maybe just a little." I return and the tension from before leaves, leaving us with a sense of normality again. Taking a few more steps into the ruin I stop short when the sound of people arguing caught my ear. A male and a female by the sound of their voices.

"These thralls of yours are slower than Argonians in a blizzard." The male said and received an impatient feminine sigh.

"Feel free to take a pick and help them out. I prefer not to suffer myself of manual labor." There was the woman. I smirk. The sound of a body falling to the ground was faint, but I caught it.

"There goes another one." The male said bitterly, his voice was moving father away.

"Bah! Weak-willed rabble. Even in death they're almost useless."

Wait. What?

I peeked around the corner and the voices turned out to be mages wearing dark robes with a symbol on the front. A skull, the symbol of death. Around them were several draugr, moving with pickaxes like they had barley any will of their own, a blue glow around them. Like full body shackles.

"Feel like fighting magic?" I whisper and crouch down, making sure to not alert either of them to our presence.

"I'm ready when you are." He slowly drew an arrow as he crouched behind me. Karnwyr laid on the ground, slowly crawling until his snarling muzzle was pointed directly into the fray.

"They seem less intelligent each time you raise them. Its impossible." The male said kicking the one who had dropped. Seems whatever spell they had used wore off, letting him die. Again.

"As long as they can swing a pickaxe when you tell them, they're as smart as we need them to be."

"Yeah, no, that does it." My anger made me stand. "Get 'em!" I whisper to Karnwyr who took off like a shot, teeth snapping and I followed behind, sword drawn. I think Bishop was behind me, stuttering at my rage as we stormed in.

I had made a downward swing on the woman, making her cry out as she dropped. The draugr did the same, her spell ended with her life. With that, I turned all my attention to the other one. Lightning caught my attention. The noise had reverberated over the sleeping ruin as efficiently as loud as a thunder clap. The bolts flew through the air, alongside Bishop's arrows. Both going in opposite directions. When the bolts connected with my body, I had to grit my teeth and bare down on keeping my body moving. I could deal with fire, the burn familiar, ice was bitter and almost numbed the wounds. But Lightning? It was a bitch to deal with.

After the battle was won, I couldn't help but notice Bishop's sneer as we had battled the mages. Did he feel the same way I did, with their resurrection of the dead? Hmm... Not likely. So, did he simply not like them? I wondered if he and Daodrik would get along. Maybe. Maybe not. Both were overconfident and had their soft moments, so it would have seemed.

Dismissing the thought, we pressed deeper.

The tunnel opens to a short corridor occupied by four draugr; another two mages have engaged in a fight with them. We broke in and finished their battle and moved on. I was a few steps away from Bishop when I stepped on a spellcaster trap to the left, blowing me back to the wall, knocking the air from me.

"Ladyship!" I heard Bishops heavy booted steps as he ran over and knelt by my side as my mind gained it equilibrium. "Are you alright?" He asked and I blinked hard a few times, bringing my vison back into focus.

"Yeah. Just a little dazed is all." I practically slurred it, but I was slowly feeling better. "That's the second time a stupid trap has landed me on my ass!" I huff. "But it was weaker, first one was worse." I groaned as I got to my feet, Bishop holding me by my elbow. Under the chill of the mist in this ruin, and the heat from his touch, I had to suppress a shiver. "I'm okay." I assure him and his hand lifts to my face, his thumb brushing my cheekbone. I nearly leaned into his touch, his warmth but I kept still. I couldn't tell if it was simply to make sure I was okay, or minor display of affection. Either way, it was the fourth time in a single day where this man had surprised me.

"Good." He said softly dropping his hand and we moved on.

The northeastern room contains twelve intact urns, a chaurus egg (lying in a cast iron pot making me think someone was desperate to cook anything edible to put off starvation), a potion of minor healing, which I drank feeling the soreness of my body slowly fade away until I felt like me again, a potion of health, which I pocketed along with a draught of the healer, and a copy of the Restoration skill book Mystery of Talara, V.2.

"You read those?" Bishop asked pocketing a few things from the urns. I shrugged.

"I enjoy them. I am not of great skill in the magical arts, but I know a few things."

"Like what?" He askes and I shrug.

"Very simple spells. I was never adept at learning harder ones. I can heal, make a small fire things such as that, but that's about it. I don't really use them" I say as we walk and I hear him hum in understanding.

"What about you ranger? You got any magic skills?" I ask and I hear him snort behind me.

"Oh, I've got a few." I can hear the grin in his voice. Curiously I look to him and raise a brow.

"Care to show me?" I ask and he steps close, but keeps us apart enough for our drawn weapons not to clash.

"Sure. What do you say after we delve into this ruin, then you and I can delve into a bed roll? Then I can show you-" I laughed and pushed him back with my forearm, making sure to keep the blade away from him. He was teasing me, and I found myself laughing as we walked on.

"You wish ranger." I called back. He mumbled something, but I didn't really hear it due to Karnwyr barking down the path.

Continuing along the path there is a partially hidden staircase to our right just before the next large room. There wasn't much here, another table and a few broken things, nothing to note of. Down the stairs, we found a lot of loose gold coins, and an ancient Nord weapon. A warhammer by the looks of it. It reminded me of something my father would have preferred to use. Picking it up, I found it's weight was lighter than that of my fathers. The grip was well worn away, but the indentations from a strong hand was unmissable. Out of sentimentally and respect, I left it alone. I had enough to carry as it. To the left was a partially hidden pull-chain. Bishop had been the one to find it and after pulling it, it reveals a secret passageway leading to a room with a chest. Though it was locked, I was able to crack it with a pin, letting him have the items inside. He had a few gems and coins to add to his collection.

The last room consists of a narrow, two-level main chamber with an overlooking balcony. A draugr burst from its sarcophagus as we entered, the way it moved and how it emerged still creeped me out and it went against everything that was ingrained in me to fight it. The stairs up to the balcony are at the far end of the room, and there is a chest, two potions of minor healing and a scroll of blank paper which I took. I wanted to write letters and send money to my uncle. I owed him that much. A stone bridge leads to the door to Ustengrav Depths. In the corner before the door there is a coin purse by the door.

"That some type of Nord custom?" I ask pointing to the bag.

"No. Just a place for those that don't want to delve deeper to place it where they should." He admitted and scooped up the bag.

"Or are just to scared too." I add as I open the large door head of me and we go down into it's depths.

As we descend the stairs into the depths of Ustengrav, there is a hole in the wall to the right providing a view of the main chamber. It had given me pause and I found myself heading down a little faster to get a closer view. This place, it had an odour like a stagnant pond...

"Whoever built this had certainly not given a damn about straight lines." I mutter growing irritated as I glanced below making Bishop chuckle low in his throat... It was dark, but several openings in the ceiling shined some moonlight below, however, not much got passed the thick mist like fog that curled all around us. The fog loomed as far as I could see, it was almost tangible, shrouding everything in a thick white veil, the light barely managing to penetrate the haze.

Down the stairs, the wall opens to reveal another view of the main chamber, is a patrolling draugr. I heard Bishop notch an arrow and it flew over the distance, making the draugr drop to the dirt, the lights in it's eyes fading. Over the wall that the lantern sits upon is a leveled shield. Taking precautions, we walked slowly, moss making my boots slip now and again.

"I can't see a damn thing here." I uselessly waved a hand through the mist.

"I don't see a torch to light either. Just gotta work with what we got. Mind your step. I don't want you slipping." I heard him mutter the last bit and I smiled a little. If we just had a little more light, I wouldn't need to step lightly. A torch would have been great, or hell, even a candle- then it dawned on me.

"Candlelight!" I exclaimed and sheathed one of my swords.

"Candlelight? Wanting to set the mood, ladyship?" He teased stopping by my side making me chuckle.

"Well, with the draugr, the skeletons, the dark mist, the damp dirt below us, I don't know about you but I am so ready for a little mood lighting!" He let out a laugh and I smiled as I held my hand out, focusing my power to my fingers... "You said to work with what we have, right?" I felt my hand tighten when the power flowed in, and as I snapped my fingers, a ball of comforting light bounced above us, lighting our path.

"Pretty." Bishop quipped glancing to me and I couldn't tell if he was amused or slightly mocking again.

"Thanks. I always liked the way it glowed." I state as we moved more freely.

"Right. The light." He smirked and I rolled my eyes, even as my stomach lightly flipped.

The path forward and to the left looked clear, until Karnwyr stepped on a pressure plate, making fire blow out from under him, making the wolf screech and whine. Bishop soothed him after we put out the small flames and my irritation at this place grew more. Looking at the floor, I counted four pressure plates, two of which, as Karnwyr found out, are flame spout traps. It could be safely passed if we stayed to the left.

"These traps are a pain." I mutter. Further along, the path is blocked by some rubble making us take the path to the left where the tunnel opens to a stone bridge over a feasting hall.

Two draugr patrol the area, one in the main area and another on another stone bridge on the other side of the room. Bishop took the one out on the bridge, while I took the hall. Across the bridge there are some stairs running in a rough circle leading us down to the level below. There is nothing between the dead draugr and the exit to the room so we moved on.

"Ooh. Throne room." I quip as we walk in, glancing around. There is a table to the right of the lower entrance, five stone tables along the left-hand side of the throne platform, two to the right in front of the throne, and one more on the other side of the platform. Along with some food, there is a sample of charred skeever hide, a branch of lavender, and a sheaf of wheat which I took to make my own potion later. I walked up the platform and studied the stone throne. It looked like it was bathed in the blood of those who had fought for it. The faded red stain on the stone said it all. Might as well of been a bloodied tavern stool. There was some clatter bringing me out of my thoughts. Karnwyr was chomping on the charred skeever. Once the other bridge has been crossed the path returns to the tunnel.

"These closed spaces are making me feel claustrophobic." Bishop muttered and I nodded in agreement. The next room looks rather bare, but to the left is a small room. The entrance is blocked by two gates, and yet, I could only find one handle, the one beside the gates. When only one gate opened, I was frowning.

"I'm missing something." I say aloud and Bishop wanders around and after an overly exaggerated pointing from Bishop that had me almost laughing, he pulled the other chain that he found beside a sarcophagus. The path continued north from here that opens to the main chamber.

There are pillars either side of another throne, each with a potion perched on top.

"If I pick these potions up and more traps are triggered, I will snap." I say as I hold my hand suspended.

"It's a Nordic ruin. There will always be traps and puzzles." Bishop called as he used his bow to knock the other potion from it's pedestal into his hand. Nothing happened. The same with mine. The stairs to the walkway are to the left of the entrance and at the top is a fire spout trap, a dead draugr lies across the trap, leaving it in a state of perpetual activeness.

"At least he died warm." Bishop said as we looked at the draugr. I may have snickered. There are seven tiles from what I counted and we had to travel straight through the middle.

By the first stone pillar there are a series of pillars that were once connected and leading across the chamber, but the walkways between them have collapsed. Just to the left of the bottom of the entrance pillar, there is a dirt path along the wall that lead down below... But I stood for a moment. Faintly, I could hear... Chanting? Like the barrow. My body turned to look at the path.

"What is it?" Bishop asked and I looked to him. "I can hear the chanting again. Like in the barrow." I recall and he nods.

"I still don't hear anything." He says offhandedly and I nod. He wouldn't. I was 'gifted' I rolled my eyes to the ceiling.

"There must be a word to learn down there." And before I knew it, I was walking down the path. We continued down and at the bottom and to the left is a well-lit alcove. By now the word wall is clearly visible, as well as the cause of the fog/mist. A waterfall. From a distance the waterfall had been like a silent white stream cascading over the rocky outcrops, yet as we had drawn closer; the noise had increased steadily until we were only a few feet away. We could no longer even shout to one another over the deafening roar of the water. Yet, the sound was never louder than the chanting in my head. The mist caused my hair to stick to my face. The feeling of learning the word was not as intense as the first time. It was like something silent passed through and over me, yet settled in my mind. When the word stopped burning, I saw the words blur, until I could read it, like I would in any language I knew.

Become Ethereal.

Like… Dead Ethereal? Like Ghosts? I felt a hand land on my shoulder and I turn to face Bishop. I couldn't hear him, but the way his mouth moved under the roar of the waterfall looked like he was asking if I was alright. I nodded and look to the waterfall as he released me to start up the path again. My eyes squinted as I looked at it. I had one like this near our home in the marshes. Hidden behind, was a small cave. I look up and gauge the coldness of the water. I stepped towards the pool and am a little relieved when the water was cool, not freezing. I hold my breath and pass under the water.

My clothes are soaked in a matter of seconds, but I let out a laugh as I walk into a small room beyond. Sneaky nords. The water reached my knees from where I stood and spread out in a small pool until a stone edge lifted away from the water. In here though, the sound of the waterfall sounded… quieter. Maybe it was the lack of space to let the sound in. I turn and from where I stood, I could faintly see Bishop beyond the water's heavy falling currant. His head moving around as he looked around, no doubt waiting for me to emerge from the water.

I was smiling when I pushed my arm through the water current, grabbing him by his jackets buckle from the feel of what I latched onto, and pulled him towards me, taking him by surprise. I was laughing when he was shaking his head, water running over his face as he emerged on my side. He looks around, then at me.

"I was wondering where you disappeared to." He smiles as my laughter echoing all around us. He looks around and notices the small cave. His eyes lock onto me and deepen with desire, making my laugh slow until there was just cracking tension between us. We stood absolutely still for the longest minute I had ever felt. We seemed to be having these 'moments' a lot. I barely breathed while Bishop's eyes roamed my body. I swallowed, feeling each part of me that his gaze landed turn pink, like he was actually touching me, yet he wasn't. How was that even possible? When I thought I could breathe a sigh of relief because his eyes locked with mine again, the most devilish grin I'd ever seen formed on Bishop's lips. I inhaled sharply. When had his grin become less arrogant and more…sexy?

Kiss him.

No, don't you dare.

A war raged between my body and mind. If I kissed him, I wouldn't be able to halt what was sure to follow. Once his lips met mine, I would be lost, just like I had been earlier today. Or yesterday, depending on the hour. Gods. I was mentally rambling.

"Don't even think about it ranger." I said sharply, stepping back. I tried to keep him at a distance, as much as I could. "It's not gonna happen." I mutter as I tread carefully through the water.

"Maybe it will happen, princess." He ran a hand over his face, pushing the water out of his eyes. Even though he didn't say it, I could almost hear the unspoken 'and soon' that would have followed. I couldn't decide whether I was pleased with the thought or not. I chose to work with the latter, since it startled me that I would have even had a small amount of wanting to- not that I would tell him that I mentally cut myself off. The sound of stone on stone broke my mental thoughts (thank the gods) and a draugr stepped from his coffin.

I was glad for the reprieve that the separation had given us. My reaction to him still unbalanced me. After the draugr was dealt with, I sent him a look over my shoulder as I walked to the chest near the open sarcophagus.

"Cocky ranger." I mumbled making him laugh.

"Not cocky," he told me as I pulled the lid, to which it remained closed. Scoffing, I pull a pin from my hair and set on the lock as he finished his earlier statement with a "Just determined."

"For what exactly?" I asked as I move the pin around the keyhole.

"What do you think?" He asked as he walked around, and I scoffed. Men had asked me this in the past, so I figure might as well just get to the point.

"A -fuck!" I say sharply as my pin snaps, making my wrist land in the sharp edge that protruded from the keyhole, and I hear his steps stop. Bringing my wrist to my mouth, I suck the small puncture wound. The chest was unlocked, but my handy lock pin was broken. I held the pieces in hand and sighed. I hated this place. I lifted the lid and finally took notice that Bishop remained silent from my- not intentional- outburst. I had meant to say something less… Crass, but 'fuck' worked too.

"You," he corrected as I took the coins and gems from the chest, leaving the orcish dagger and closing the lid with a snap. Lifting my wrist to my mouth again, I staunch the small wound until I feel his presence close in behind me, making me turn to face him, my eyes guarded. My wrist was still slightly stinging, "I've wanted you since the second I laid eyes on you, sweetness, and that's not going to change." He said it so gently, his voice low making my body shiver. Did he mean it? Since we first- Wait. I dropped my wrist from my mouth.

"Has it occurred to you that maybe you only want me because I didn't throw myself at you?" I mention and head out of the small cave, under the cold splash of water, I felt the heat of my body cool to a shocking degree. Getting out of the water, Bishop was not far behind. We found Karnwyr on the edge of the water, a large bone in his mouth, surrounded by other bones like that of a human skeleton. Wait. My eyes snapped back to his teeth and I gap. Yup. That was a femur. "Spit that out Karnwyr. You don't know where it's been." I snap and the wolf drops the bone with a push of his tongue.

"I don't like it when females throw themselves at me." Bishop stated when he cleared the waterfall, shaking water out of his eyes as he lifted himself from the pool of water.

I couldn't help but bark a disbelieving laugh as we climbed the path back up. "Yeah, right."

"I'm not saying I didn't once-upon-a-time, but not anymore." He adds and I turned to face him when we reach the top of the path.

"You prefer the chase?" I ask and he thinks on it for a few seconds.

"A chase can be fun"—he was certainly looking like he was enjoying this chase— not that I was making it one "but no, I just got sick of being around shallow, superficial people who only wanted me because they liked how I look." I raise my brow at him as we walked on toward a stretch of stone with three pillars protruding from the ground. Upon closer inspection, they looked like they had some type of engraving on them. "I mean," he continued as we walked closer "what you see here can be injured, scarred, or disfigured. Underneath the skin, I look pretty much the same as every other man." He shrugged at his fact and I was left looking at him like I was in shock. There he went again, surprising me. Okay, maybe he wasn't cocky, but . . .

"You're still a jerk sometimes." I say and he shrugs.

"It's been known to happen." He says offhandedly and I sigh. In front of us is several gates, 3 to be exact and I had a feeling like the Whirlwind sprint had to be used here to get by. They wouldn't have taught me just for the hell of it. Right?

Stepping close to one of the stones, trying to make out the design, a loud ringing sound echoes all around us, making my hand fly to my hilt, partially drawing it, Bishop his bow, Karnwyr growled, teeth bared again. The stone glowed a bright red, like magic was trapped in the stone. It's brightness glowing red everywhere, shining on my skin. I frowned. "What's wrong?" Bishop asked and I shrugged.

"Never really liked red. Not my kind of colour." I state and notice that one of the gates ahead of me was up, leaving two. "Hm". I step closer to the second, it too light up, the second gate rising up and out of sight. Looking back at my progress, it would seem that I would have to be in the area between the first two, then sprint to work. The last time I had done this, I couldn't get into the mind frame. Bishop had been there, watching me, teasing and making my blood burn in my veins. Our banter getting me on edge, then I had done it. And landed in his lap. I dug my feet into the dirt and I tried to bring up the same pressure I felt from the mounting before. It had settled in my legs, drawing the muscled tight to my bones, ready to spring. Only now, they were just clenched. The same feeling, but different in power. I tried to just run, but the gates closed on me. Damn. "I hate these damn traps and tricks and… whatever these things are." I spoke aloud, making Bishop snort as he waited while I looped back around, I paced as I waited till the gates were back to their preferred hidden places. I stood between the first and second stone again, then I focused just beyond, like I had in the courtyard.

I had wanted to get to Bishop, with such a ferocity and wanting that I had almost trembled at the thought while I waited for my signal. I could almost see him there, behind the gates, taunting, smirking and watching me with eyes that made my body clench and dampen. And just like before, I Sprinted, my Shout echoing around the stone walls, even after I cleared the gates. After I stopped, slower this time rather than abruptly, I forced my legs to calm from their nearly collapsing state. Looking back, I saw that Karnwyr was stuck between the first and second gate, having come back down on him, blocking his path. Bishop was caught in between the second and third. Hm. I turn around, my breath still trying to catch up with my body and see a chain. Pulling it, all gates rose and let my companions join my side.

"Did better that time." Bishop says when he joins my side and I shake my head, my smile tugging at my lips.

We walk a short distance, my eyes glancing down at the ground, keeping an eye out for tripwire and such. I notice a few different footprints here, and my eyes narrow. Damn. From the look of whoever walked here recently, must have been injured, drunk or just plain sloppy. We enter a large room and I slow to a stop as I look around.

This is the resting place of Jurgen Windcaller.

I can see just ahead the mantle for the horn! Resting atop a coffin. He didn't get it buried with him. The thought makes me a little more relieved. It was one thing to re-kill a corpse, but to open it's resting place, dig around his possessions? The thought made my stomach churn. I feel another gentle wave of relief as I glance around. The footsteps go all over the place, but they do head down the staircase leading down to a small stone path surrounded by water on either side. Pillars are in front of us, marking the top of the stairs, one on either side and I let out a sigh when I see no tripwire between them. No pressure plate designs. No traps. From what I could see.

Passing the pillars, we stop as the earth around us begins to gently trembles. At first no-one moves; I think because we were unable to make sense of the input from our ears and feet. The ground is moving and the noise is like extended thunder only worse because the vibrations are coming from below. Four large stone statues emerge from the water on either side of the room and I relax. The rumblings. Made sense... We walk down, and for a few steps, I can feel a sense of honour being here. As the stone statues reach their place and stop, I can't help but perk up a little.

We had made it. Frustrating traps galore, but we had made it.

"I wonder what the horn is made of. The most elegant or strongest wood? Perhaps he carved it from bone of a mighty beast." I say as we cross the stone path.

"Does it matter?" Bishop asked with a lack of malice. I looked at him and nodded.

"I used to make them in my spare time since I was a child. I could never use them right though." I say as we climbed the steps and I got a bark from Karnwyr as he raced ahead. I noticed that there are two burial urns in front of the coffin, as well there is a single sarcophagus either side of the coffin, with a dead draugr lying outside each. The drunk footwork all around, making me feel slightly on edge as I look to the mantle, not seeing the curve of neither bone nor wood. By the looks of things, nothing was there. My irritation hit a new level as I walked up toward it. The mantle was shaped like a hand, no doubt meant to HOLD A DAMN HORN! I grind my teeth together and notice the faded parchment on the palm of the mantle. I snatched the note and glanced around, noticing the door behind the coffin. The sloppy steps heading that way. Unfolding the note, I look down and read;

Dragonborn-

I need to speak to you. Urgently.

Rent the attic room at the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood, and I'll meet you.

-A friend.

"GODSDAMMIT!" I shout, the note rumpled in my hand as I clenched and nearly tossed the stupid paper, my frustration and irritation making me vibrate.

"Everything alright ladyship?" Bishop asked walking to me, Karnwyr by his heels. I let out a breath, hoping to calm myself and grew more outraged at the fact that it did nothing. I stuff the note into my satchel and walk back towards the door just behind the coffin, my anger not dissipating... Well, stormed would be more apt. "No horn?" He asked and my temper flared again.

"No. Some 'friend' got here before I did and all I can think about is..." I trailed off and took a calming breath as I stomped out to the shortcut to the entrance. "But it makes so much sense now!" I pulled the chain, letting the rocks shift and slowly drop. I had half a mind to see if I could shoot it out, cut everyone some damn time, but I refrained. "The bodies that were here, the traps that had already been activated, the sloppy footwork." I listed everything off. "I don't have many 'friends' here. None of which that I know can do what I had to do to get here. Like the whirlwind sprint." I tsk my teeth. "Unless they were able to get passed without needing it." I run a hand over my hair, pulling the tail to tighten it. "But then, that wouldn't make any sense, because if anyone can get by, why the hell did the Graybeards even bother to teach me?" I huffed out a breath as we walked up through the shortcut. "I'm calling it right here." I turn, my eyes glaring at the room behind us as my hands clenched. "This place can officially bite my ass." With that, I walked out of the crypt.

"Back to Riverwood?" Bishop called back to me and I nodded. "Any idea who were looking for?" He asked as I we walked.

"Yes, to Riverwood, and no, I don't." I stopped and rubbed a hand over my eyes. Taking a breath, I let my hand fall to my side. "But for all this work and running around like it's some type of goddamn chicken chase, I don't care who it is, I am more then willing to skip the palaver and put my boot so far up their ass they taste leather." I look to him and he makes a false attempt to keep his face neutral, but I catch the amusement he feels at my words. Thinking on them I turn away, and head toward a river.

"Now where are you going? Riverwood is that way" He called from behind me, no doubt pointing in a direction opposite from what I was currently walking in.

"I know Bishop. But it's still late, and I am not in any mood to be galivanting across the pains to some note writers beck and call. A cold wash, some food and a little rest. Then I will be raring to go." He follows behind and for a minute or two we walk in silence.

"Can I see the note?" He asks and I don't know why, but I shake my head as I dig it out of my satchel. I snap another light for him to read by and as he does, I can't help but admire the ball of light that dances around. It's been a while since I had to use this spell. And it still brings me a mix of pain and joy looking at it. The sky overhead was thick with passing clouds, letting me have glimpses of the night sky. This whole time I had been here and I hadn't even taken the time to really look at their stars, their constellations, learn their stories... Bishop's scoff drew my gaze to him again.

"Well, whoever wrote this is either going to be a genius or an idiot." He states handing it back to me and I take it, looking it over once, twice, then look back to him.

"What makes you say that?" I ask and he crosses his arms over his chest, his face one of thought.

"The inn in Riverrun doesn't have an attic. It's size may fool you, but I have been in that place more times than I care to count. I assure you, no attic room." He snags a few branches as we walk and I pick some thin twigs, snapping them again and again, letting some of my anger out. No attic room? So, either a fools thought, or a trap of some sort.

Finding a place to make camp was simple enough. Enough foliage to keep the colder winds at bay, the trees around us could provide wood. The river, a little way away. Stacking the wood, I wasn't good at. The sticks and logs just kept falling, so Bishop took over while I laid rocks around to contain it. Fires were easy to make, if you knew a simple flame spell, which I did. Even Karnwyr helped by dragging a log by a branch in his strong jaw. I made a mental note of giving him some extra scratches, and snacks for all his help. And loyalty, he sticks and logs were stacked, making it easy for the flames to collect in my hands, and spread over the dry lumber. Gathering my things to get something to eat I look off into the distance, toward Riverwood. The note still gave me pause. A friend? I huff out a breath as I sat down next to the fire. Leaning with my back against a tree, I grab a stick, poking at the flames until they were high and warmth emanated from them.

"Something on your mind?" Bishop asks as he sat next to me. I sigh and shrug.

"I'm trying to decide how I feel about this note that was left for me. If it's a trap then I will have to be on guard." I set our food near the fire to cook. Nothing to great, some seasons salmon on leeks. "But the more I think about it, the more irritated I get. And when emotions get in the way of things, I can't fight properly." I sigh and lean back.

"Then think about something else."

"Like what?" I ask and Bishop throws a morsel of meat at Karnwyr. I don't think that wolf even chews his food anymore.

"Like... I don't know. Something you enjoy doing." He states. Were almost shoulder to shoulder but he looks a little more worn out. His eyes are slow to blink, but they remain alert. Looking up, I see small sections of the sky have opened, showing stars above us.

"I loved looking at the constellations". I whisper. His head lifts, his eyes going to the sky above us.

"Oh yeah? Any favourites?" He asked and the corners of my mouth lift into a small smile.

"A few. I don't know if Skyrim has a lot of them like we do." I say as our eyes search. Pulling our food to us, we dig in, my eyes still on the sky.

"I don't know if we have any, other than the usual talk of gods and demons." He states leaning back. "But you can tell me about the ones you know about." He stifled a yawn. He was tired, yet I felt like I could walk a full day. It was my anger, I could tell. Thinking back, I recall the stories of my people.

"Kedis the Warrior was always my favourite." I say quietly. "Kedis lived in a good land, but under every good land are the roots of oppression. And in this land those roots took hold and choked out all else. When the borders closed and the curfew began, Kedis and her comrades began to plot. They infiltrated, they sabotaged, they freed prisoners. Kedis was one of the first to be identified, but she evaded capture, even as the wanted posters went up and whispers of her grew throughout our land. More and more of her neighbors prayed in the night that she would be their salvation. She led a charge against the palace gates. And behind those gates were powerful mages." I told her story with quiet awe and enthusiasm. "Though we do not know where Kedis is buried. Many years later when the mass graves were exhumed, her bones were mixed with so many others. It is said that she now lives on in the bones of all her country." I end the small tale, glancing at Bishop who listened, his eyes on the sky as well.

"Sounds like a remarkable woman." He spoke, his voice thick with exhaustion. I nodded and started another.

"Then there was Eral the Mountaineer. He was from the flat lands. He dreamed of mountains and devoted his life to climbing them. He returned home and complained that the sky felt heavy. He had been up in the clouds and now they rested hard upon him." It was a small tale, but I had loved it nonetheless. I glance to Bishop again, his eyes now closed, but he hummed low in his throat, letting me know he was still awake.

"Finally, we have Lunutli. This star tells the story of a woman who built a tower to heaven. And for this the Gods sunk her deep into the sea. But even in the depths, she refused to die. Supposedly if you put your head underwater in some river, she'll tell you about her murder. They renamed it the river of guilt" I almost went on, until Bishops head lulled onto my shoulder, almost startling me. The sound his deep breaths gave me pause. He was asleep. I smiled when Karnwyr slinked over as well, pressing against my legs, and he to shut his eyes. I smiled, my anger from earlier temporarily faded away. Glancing to my bag with my change of clothes, I hold of on my dip in the river. Instead, I slowly lay my cheek atop Bishop's head and breath deeply. His hair still soft and smelled lightly of woodsmoke.

Something rumbled deep in my chest, causing me to lift a hand to press between my breasts. I did it slowly, making sure not to jostle either of them. I frowned. What was that? I lift my head and look to Bishop; the fire casting shadows over his rugged face. His face needed a shave, thought I hadn't minded when he-There is was again. That feeling. I breathed in slowly, letting it out. What could this mean? It's not like I- Realization hit.

No…. NO NO NO NO! I felt the beginnings of panic come into play as I did my best to not jump up or scramble away. NO. It was too soon! I didn't even know him! He barley knew me! And yet… I sigh and rub my eyes. I needed a bath. In very cold water.

I don't know how I actually managed it, but I was able to separate myself from the ranger and his wolf. I had been able to get Bishop to lay down, with out waking him. Karnwyr though had simply lifted his head, yawned, licked his chops and laid back down after I pet him a few times. Bishop. My stomach flipped, the stupid thing. His neutral face shifted to one of deep sleep. Lines of tension eased, giving him a look that made him look a tad bit gentler. I wanted to reach out and touch him... Not to arouse, but to simply learn. The feeling was a dangerous one. One that had me turning sharply on my heel. With my change of clothes and bath items in hand, I stalk to the river. Just today he had given me his trust. And asked me for mine. And now... I sigh as I stop at the river, placing my things off to the side. Now I was left with a question of my own.

Would it be okay to care for him as much as I was beginning too?

Hey everyone!

Sorry for the late update, things are becoming a little hectic but I am writing as much as I can and when I can! But I wrote an extra long chapter, so I hope that makes up for my tardiness!

Just a reminder that I do not own Skyrim or Skyrim romance. That awesome right goes to Mara and her awesome team! I also do not own the right to the Constellations that were mentioned. I borrowed them from somewhere. Anyone want to take a guess?

Things are certainly heating up between Bishop and Serlina and we finally get a glimpse at her temper that she had managed to keep under wraps.

Don't forget to let me know what you guys think, I love the reviews! I love to hear your thoughts and am super excited when people ask questions, wanting to learn about the story. I've already had a few and I look forward to how the story will progress and the reactions I will be getting from all you awesome people!

ALSO; I'd like to give a shout-out to those who had mentioned that my Tumblr wasn't showing up. Took some tinkering, but I think I managed to get the link up and running! Don't forget you guys can reach out to me on here as well!

Anyway, I look forward to hearing from you guys!

Stay Romancing!

-IMME.