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.

13. Her Thinning Patience

Bishop sucked in a sharp breath as he felt a warm, slender hand sliding over his bare stomach to his hip. Instinctively, he swiftly grabbed and pulled the curious hand as he snapped open his eyes, adjusting the darkness around him and settled on… Serlina. Her expression was one of gentle shock at how tight he had grabbed her hand, whereas he had one of confusion. She never- her head bent down and her lips met his, nipping at his lips until his lips followed hers when she started to pull away. Instantly, his body went on fire with need. He released her hands gently, trailing his fingers over her arms, over her shoulders. Everything seemed almost out of focus... Then again, he though, she was so close that the world just didn't matter at that moment. Her scent so close it seemed to surround him. Her hands, resumed their exploration. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her to the bed, rolling her over, onto her back, and captured her lips with his. His head swam at the contact. At the feel of all her body, her taste... Never in his life had he felt anything better than his tongue on hers. Or his hard body sinuously sliding against her. Her body, close and yet, still felt so far. But he could still feel her. Close… Warm.

He burned even more.

His kiss was fierce and hot, yet hers remained strangely tender. Closing her eyes, she moaned as her hands lifted to drag through his hair, holding with a tight grip as she angled her mouth better under his. When he pressed his hips into hers, her grip tightened, her sigh against his mouth ending on a lustful whine, her hands releasing to roam down.

He pulled back and stared down at her with a powerful hunger that made him burn as the muscles of his shoulders bunched and flexed under her hands as she dragged her nails down.

"I will have you," he said fiercely, his voice possessive.

"And I will have you," she said, smiling as she wrapped her legs around his narrow hips.

His devilish smile took her breath, he heard the gentle hitch. With her cradled in his arms, he rolled onto his back and pulled her on top of him. He groaned when she bit her lip as she stared down at his face while she no doubt felt his hard, masculine body between her thighs. Needful, she rubbed herself against his long, hard shaft. He growled in response to her caress. He swept a famished look over her, then reached up and cupped her breasts in his warm hands. The material she wore irritated him, being that she wasn't naked to his touch. No worries he thought, just more time to tease as he got her out of them... She covered his hands with her own as he squeezed them gently.

"I could stare at you all night," he whispered. Nothing would please him more than watching her move around naked for... quite some time.

That walk ... her body...

It was more than some man could handle. He lifted his hips sharply, sending her forward on a gasp. She caught herself with her arms, one on each side of his head making her to lean over him, her hair falling around her face to form a dark canopy over them.

"Now that's what I want." He reached up to cup her face and pulled her lips to his. His mouth teased hers as he gently sucked her bottom lip between his teeth. She moaned at the contact as he trailed his hand from her breast down her side, slipping his hand past the ties of her pants and to the center of her body. "And this is what I want most." He plunged two fingers inside her and nearly roared when she hissed in pleasure as his fingers teased her relentlessly. In and out and around they swirled, making a hot fire to consume her.

He pulled back from her lips. "Now tell me what you want."

"You," she breathed, her hands trembled as she worked at his own pants, tugging them down with an urgency that he too felt. He burned, his breathing erratic as she pushed and pulled over and passed his hips...

"Then you shall have me." He moved his hands to her hips and pressed her body toward his erection.

Biting her lip expectantly, she looked like she longed to feel him inside her just as much as he did. To have his fullness stretch her body while they shared the most intimate of experiences. He felt the tip of his shaft pressing against her core and growled. Just as he was sure he'd slide inside, something warm and wet lapped at his face followed by a loud bark from above him making him wake with a jolt. Karnwyr leaning over him, tongue out and harsh wolf breath in his face. Dazed, he glanced around the unfamiliar woods and it took a full minute before he remembered he had fallen asleep as ladyship had spoken about the stars.

Her voice, so gentle and soothing… Looking around now, she was nowhere to be seen. Thank the gods… Looking to his lap he groaned at the strain of his erection against the seam of his pants. It had been a fair time since he sported morning wood. What am I, an inexperienced teenage boy? He pushed the feeling away, along with the thought thinking about anything but the burning pressure in between his legs like... He thought a moment.

Skinning animals... Bards... Pushy women.

He smirked inwardly when the pressure left. Running a hand over his face he, he looked to Karnwyr and sighed deeply. It had all been a dream? But it had seemed so real. He swore he could still feel Serlina's hands on his body, her breath against his neck as she leaned forward…

He slapped a hand to his head. Don't think thoughts like that. It defeats the purpose of the counterthoughts from earlier.

"Oh, it's so not fair," he groused, pushing Karnwyr out of his face as he sat up. "It had just been getting good." He admitted as he patted the wolf, making his tail swing back and forth then turned and trotted away so he could go piss on a few trees to mark territory no doubt. Yawning he turned and rolled up his- wait.

He had fallen asleep near ladyship, who had been sitting on her bedroll. He hadn't even rolled out his yet when he had made his way over to sit beside her. No wonder he caught her scent so easily...As he rolled it up and set it aside, a question pulled at him.

So, he frowned, did she sleep at all? There wasn't another bedroll out, not even his own... He sighed. How long had he even slept? Trying his best to forget the intensity of his subconscious, he stood and stretched as he looked to the sky, he estimated that he had slept for a few hours. Nearly dawn. Felt longer... He felt rested. Taking a deep breath, he looked back down he noticed the fire had burned low; the white ash from the logs still slightly burning with embers. Add another thing to the list of things on a slow burn, he thought with a touch of humor as he added several logs building up the fire again. That women, he shook his head.

Serlina was many things and the more he pondered her, he found her settling into the term: enigma. Then again, he thought with a sharp tilt of his head to the side, he was no better. He huffed a silent laugh.

'Has it occurred to you that maybe you only want me because I didn't throw myself at you?' Her words rattled in his mind for some reason as he added another log onto the fire, making him ponder it a while. She had raised a fair point deep in that crypt. But he didn't need to think about it long. In fact, his answer was instantaneous.

No.

He didn't want her because she didn't throw herself at him or because she was the dragonborn. He met her before that was a factor... Though, if she had thrown herself at him, he wouldn't deny her. She called to him like no other woman before. It had been a long time since he had even been interested in spending his time with a woman, let alone share a bed. His sexual appetite he could usually take care of himself. A woman was rare, his trust never a thing to misplace for such an act; and when the occasion arose, it was always quick and numbing after. No slow and savouring. Both willing partners walked away, content with the arrangement. Not to blast his own horn or anything, but some of the women had thrown tantrums when he said nothing would happen again if at all... And that would be that. Though their numbers dwindled in the past few years, he never thought about them after. It made him sound like a bastard but hey, he dealt with it.

But her... He could feel, just from earlier that it wouldn't be the same. Couldn't be.

Could he savour? Or would it be to much?

And the bigger question: would she want it to happen as much as he did?

He nearly let out a laugh. She wanted him. He'd seen the desire in her eyes, heard it in her voice when he had kissed her. She just didn't want to want him, and so fought him every step of the way.

Their kiss, though... He closed his eyes and groaned low in his throat at the memory.

She'd… erupted. Come alive. A living spark. She hadn't hidden her desire then. She'd reveled in it. Her body had burned for his, desperate for him to quench the seemingly unstoppable need. Again, and again he had deliberately brushed his mouth so gently, so softly against hers that he knew she couldn't possibly be thinking about anything. Other than his next kiss that is. And if he were to be honest with no one than himself, so had he... And with every brush of his lips against hers, she not only relaxed more and more, she also began to press her sweet curves closer and closer to him, her hands moving from his arms to come around his neck.

He cupped her hips with his hands at the same moment that he slicked his tongue over her lower lip, lifting her to her toes. When she gasped, the sound a mix of pleasure and a touch of shock, he couldn't resist taking the kiss deeper. Thankfully, she was right there with him, her tongue tangling with his as gentle-and-soft gave way to raw desire. His body on fire, he ran his hand down her back, pressing her closer to him. He wanted her with a force that had him groaning against her mouth. He ached to touch her all over, to gently scrape his teeth over her neck, her breasts. To mark and suck. To feel her writhing in his arms... Closing his eyes, he had breathed her sweet, feminine scent as his body throbbed and ached for her with a primitive need. The need rose in him to taste those full, parted lips as he spread her thighs wide and buried himself deep inside her heat while she called his name. He was a heartbeat from pressing her up against the stone wall behind her, tearing off her clothes, wrapping her legs around his waist, and driving into her when he forced himself to drag his mouth away from hers. Against his iron will, his body had stirred viciously in response to her. Too much to soon ended badly.

Oh yes, he could savor this woman. Wanted to.

All of her.

When he had pulled back slightly to better study her face, her usually calm face was gone and her eyes were beautifully out of focus as she looked up at him. He was mesmerized by the deep swirls of brown that colored her pupils instead of the cautious hazel.

Her eyes were brown when she was aroused.

The knowledge rocked him. And they were torturous.

Darker and more intense then the bottom of the sea, a fierce dusky brown with her usual subtle green flecks towards the center all but gone. They pulled him in, capturing his attention, drowning with it's sheer force. Then after they had separated, her eyes began to slowly change with every gentle blink, the green growing as she calmed her breathing. He attempted to do the same. A faint blush stained her cheeks and he couldn't help but think that she was sexy when she blushed... Despite the place they were in, he wondered what she would look like after a full night of raw, exhausting sex. He could just see her eyes dark with passion, her hair mussed, her cheeks red from his stubble, and her lips moist and swollen from his kisses.

The thought made his entire body burn. Again. Even now.

All he knew was that the sight of her parted lips tempted him in a way he'd never been tempted before. Not that he should be surprised by the way his body responded to her. She was just the type of woman who had always appealed to him but found so… rare through the years.

Intelligent. Brave. And simply beguiling.

He watched as she had looked around at Nilheim towers, eyes bright and awed. Even her voice sounded so soft. Her hand had covered her mouth in an attempt to ensure her gasp was kept unheard. The way she looked around as he had shared about the towers made his chest constrict. She looked upon the place where his best and worst memories had taken place with… wonder. Whereas he looked around in remembrance and felt a mixture of bittersweet ease, disgust and pain.

Then, the way she had spoken and talked. Thanking him and making him feel like a bashful stammering fool. But after their kiss... She had the sexiest breathless voice he had ever heard. He had glanced to the wall behind her, and imagined what it would feel like to press her against it while he took her hard, fast, and furious as she tried to regain their thoughts. She seemed to have been stuck on the statement of: 'you just kissed me'. He laughed aloud just thinking about it. Seems they both effected eachother the same way. She just a step or two behind.

And when they had climbed into their carriage, her eyes were hazel again. Softer and greener with the brown more subdued. He had found himself missing their aroused warmth.

Then he had felt irritated at her 'help the whole world and not care about my own life' sort of thing and spoke his mind, not thinking about what he said as he looked out at the road ahead of them. He had spoken as he would have like it was idle conversation. And yet, her voice sharp and cold made something uneasy slide down his back as she had demanded, not asked, but demanded the carriage to stop. The ever-present laughter evaporated from her eyes as she glared at him... Her usual warmth gone faster than summer rain on the dirt roads. Indeed, even her focus was somewhere on the treeline behind him, as if he had become invisible to her or she could not bare to speak directly to him at all. He'd crossed some invisible line, offended her morals. Again.

In the time he had known her, she rarely had yelled, raised her voice. Shouted, yes. But not like that. And after... The unmoving gaze was accompanied by deliberate slow breathing, like she was fighting something back and loosing. There had never been a time in his life that anyone had had the mettle to stand up to him. Few men had ever dared meet him eye to eye. Let alone a woman... It takes a second or two for the new information she had just blasted out to sink in, even after she hopped down to the dirt road...

She wouldn't 'want to change' … again.… She had already done it? Who would have changed her? If it was a man and still breathing, he would have choked the life from him.

The thought had him blinking hard. Gods. She wasn't his, so he shouldn't feel the need to feel like that. He pulled his bow onto his back.

Change her... Who would!? She was generous in spirit, kind in nature, and courageous of heart. And stubborn as fucking hell.

And yet, I mocked her for it. Belittled it. Called it... He had glanced to her, feeling her rage from afar as she fiddled with the stone that hung around her neck. She seemed to do that often, like when she was in deep thought. Absentmindedly too by the looks of things. Now and then her brows would furrow, like she was angry not only outside, but inside as well. Like she was having another argument. But internally.

He had not only angered her, but hurt her. Damn it all to Oblivion. He had sighed, looking down to Karnwyr who barley lifted his head to look at him. Just gave him those big eyes and he rolled his own. Even the wolf had been against him. Two against one, he thought as he hung his head a bit. Her... compassion, she called it. It was a part of her.

'A part of me that you couldn't keep your hands off of a few hours ago.' She verbally tossed into his lap and he had felt shocked. It hadn't mattered when he was kissing her. Because that wasn't the thing that was on his mind! Not her compassion. Not her being the dragonborn or how he felt about the towers. Just the need to finally get a single taste of her. Like the thought of going another day without knowing and he would burst into flames. Stubborn woman. She was who she was, yes, he got that! But... It was starting to make him feel uneasy when she would all but dive into things like that. But... no. He didn't want her to change. When he had told her, the sharpness in her eyes lifted so swiftly, he almost didn't see it in the dark. Like she had been relieved to hear him say it.

He conceded and apologized.

APOLOGIZED.

He must have had some type of problem, because he never once had to. But he did it. The small steps counted to. Not just leaps of faith or whatever... Like when they were in the crypt near-or in that case- in the waterfall. One minute, she had been looking at it as he turned his back to her to start up the small hill, the next he had turned around to ask her which way and she was gone. Karnwyr barking at the waters edge. Hand on his dagger, he had found himself knee deep in cold water, the water rushing down just in front of him in a loud thundering crash. Her slender arm had shot out so fast, grabbing him and pulling him through, that it slightly startled him. He was wet, the cold seeping through his gear in seconds. Her laughter in the small room though... It bounced around the stone walls, leaving joy all around. Her hair plastered to her face, some strands coming loose.

He was instantly aware of her soft, feminine curves pressing against his hardness. Aware of the way she smelled like red mountain flowers and… something, it still drove him mad. Still, her words, harsh and improper, had him feeling shocked.

She thought he was only sticking around and chasing a, as she so delicately put it, 'fuck'.

Did he want to?

Yes.

He would and could not deny it, but her thoughts seemed to be plagued with the idea that he was pursuing her simply because... she was the only thing close on hand. His teeth grinded. He could have bragged that he could have his pick from all the women who glances and licked their lips at him, but that wasn't the point. He wanted her. And not because she was simply there.

Where the hell was she anyway? Looking around he sighed and picked up his quiver, glancing around and noting her footsteps leading away from the camp. Vaguely he heard Karnwyr at his heels.

"Where is she boy?" He asked and with a soft bark, he bounded away to the river nose to the ground. "Be careful. She may still be a little angry." Little, he scoffed. When they had left the cavern, she looked fit to be tied. Her face looked angered and beyond irritated, bordering on pissed... She looked ready to tear that place to pieces. And knowing her, she would. He had felt her angered trembling when he sat beside her, heard her clipped tone when he asked her to simply just talk. About anything but the crypt. And she had.

Looking at the sky, the stars were beginning to fade as dawn approached. Karnwyr took off somewhere, no doubt casing a creature to eat the search for Serlina forgotten for a time... Clearing a small treeline, he heard the sound of something rising from water and turned towards it; his steps nearly faltered.

She was facing away from him which had him both thanking chances and frowning at the shame of not getting a good eyes view. Up to her bare shoulders in the rivers cold water, she was running her hands through her hair, untied and floating in the waters around her. It had his fingers twitching to get his hands in it, fisting the brown tresses as he kissed her, while she sighed with pleasure.

Good gods.

He nearly groaned aloud but kept quiet so as to not alert her to his presence. She was humming something absentmindedly, the tune he couldn't place, like the one he had overheard when she had cooked a few nights ago... He watched as she moved slowly, her head tilting back so she could look up into the sky again, like she had when she had spoken of her stars.

He was in inner turmoil. He wanted to stay, catch her when she rose up out of the waters, watch the water as it beaded down her curves. Or get undressed and join her. And yet… After everything she had been through, she deserved a moment to herself. Add to the fact that he wasn't so sure about how she felt about him seeing her naked. On the one hand, if it went well, it wouldn't strain their relationship. Hell, might even progress it. If not, she would be hurt. And he would not put that look back on her face anytime soon. It was hard, but he started to step away, mindful of where his feet were being placed avoiding twigs, rocks, tree stumps.

"Have you seen enough?"

He froze, mid-step. Turning to look at her, he saw her face was still away from him, her hands still working through her hair. "Please hand me the clothes." She called to him over her shoulder and he stood, striding to the water, no longer bothering to keep his footing quiet.

"You… knew I was here?" He asked and even to his own ears, he sounded like he was disbelieving. She giggled at his question and he rose another level of shock.

"You are as stealthy and elusive as the wind Bishop. And if someone like you wanders like the wind, I'd expect you to be anywhere." She answered and he shook his head in amused disbelief. Like wind huh? He looked around and saw her bundle of clothes near a large rock. Picking them up and her boots, he looked them over as he brought them to the waters edge. The closer he got, he noticed she dropped lower and lower in the water, having it settle at the base of her neck. It made him smirk. Dropping her clothes next to her boots, he paused for a moment, debating on saying something and decided against it. Turning away, he walked back to camp and found Karnwyr, leg of a goat between his jaws, making him shake his head, by the fire. Scoffing he pulled out his knife and got to skinning the creature for him.

Not long after, he heard footsteps coming up from behind him. Out of habit, he gripped his knife and tossed a quick look over his shoulder, seeing Serlina, redressed in clothes that covered her almost completely. Her vambraces were gone and her shoulder wrap. Her boots were hanging in her hand, her weapons in their sheaths tucked under her arm. Her hair was still down though.

"Didn't have to get dressed on my account." He smirked at her when she packed everything away. She rolled her eyes and shrugged, smirking as she sat down.

"Though I am… comfortable in my own skin, I would rather be… prepared rather then to squirm uncomfortably for your amusement." She sounded a little hesitant to admit it.

"I don't think you're the squirming type ladyship." Though it would be a pleasure to make her squirm under-

"What makes you say that?" She asked, thankfully breaking him out of his trail of thought.

"You're not shy." He stated as he stood, sheathing his dagger at his hip then wiping his hands.

"Neither are you." She tossed back as she sat down to pull on her boots.

"I wasn't the one bathing." He stated and pointed a finger at her. "You knew I was watching, which wasn't long might I add, yet you said nothing." He crossed his arms after tossing the remains of the creature to Karnwyr to chew on.

"Well thank you for your control and your measured watching. As to why you had come to watch me is another thing entirely." She didn't look at him, simply went to buckling her boots.

"I just so happen to have woken up after several hours and saw you were nowhere to be seen."

"Wow. Sounds like you hit a new level of sentimental." She teased picking up her other boot. He scoffed, crossing his arms.

"Hardly. I just wanted to make sure you-" He paused. Weren't in danger or kidnapped. "-didn't wander to far… And how did you know I was there?"

"I... just knew." She said reluctantly, dragging her other boot on. "It was just a feeling. I am glad you said something instead of saying nothing though. Or else I would have thought I was just being ridiculous." She sighed and looked up to him. "It was a shame I didn't get to see though. From the tone of your voice, you sounded like you were quite... Shall we say, bewildered." He snorted.

"Not really. I would say I was a little surprised."

"Call it what you want ranger. I'm going to enjoy watching you squirm when the time comes." Her hands went to her hair, parting and separating strands so she could braid them. Her fingers making quick work of it. She did it so absentmindedly, like it was routine. Since she never wore it down, it must be. Finishing the braids, she pulled the rest of her hair up and tied it.

He went rigidly still at her words. "Princess, you could never make me squirm." He watched as her eyes roamed him up, then down slowly.

"Bet you a full septim I could. Bet ya 10 I could even make your knee's give way." Then slowly, she smiled flirtatiously. He stood, kicking dirt into their fire, putting it out without taking his eyes off hers.

"Bet you the same that I could make you squirm right along with me." He knew he made her knee's shake, so it wouldn't be that hard to make them give out. The thought made his chest lift in male pride. "Enough distractions. Let's head out." Picking up their packs, they continued their journey.

He did his best to stay focused on traveling, but over and over he kept seeing flashes of his dream in his mind.

Damn.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd had such a vivid dream. Her scent was on his pillows, then again, it was her bedroll. Watching her swaying hips didn't help...They had seen Whiterun in the distance and she made a point in asking to 'stop by to drop off a few things at her place.' He shrugged and they readjusted their course. It was on the way anyway. Walking back into the town he had been able to pawn a few things he had collected from the crypt, where she sharpened her weapons and mended her clothes and even managed to purchase some dark fabric. She had said something about 'making warmer clothes'. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her to sleep with him, that way she would stay warm, but he kept it to himself. At least, for now.

"I thought you were in a hurry to get the horn back to the Graybeards and to find out who took it from the crypt." He mentioned as they walked away from the markets.

"Indeed. But in battle, planning and patience walk side by side. And I am always more than willing to go kicking doors down, but I need to take my time and plan for more than one outcome." She pulled a key from her pouch. "And it's nice to go home now and then." She finished with a twirl of the long key.

"Patience is a good virtue ladyship, but there comes a moment when you must stop being patient and take the day by the throat and shake it. Hard" He added as they waited outside a house while she unlocked the door.

"And if it decides to fight back?" She asked raising her brow at him.

"If it fights back; fine. I'd rather end up bloody at the end of the day, then unhurt with no progress made, no knowledge gained."

"And that may play a part in you getting hurt at the end of the day, but I would much rather you be all in once piece." She added opening the door.

"And you call me sentimental." He muttered and she let out a gentle laugh. "This is your home? I thought your home was in Black Marsh?" He asked and she nodded gently as she stepped inside, holding it open for him to walk through. Passing her by, he could have sworn her face held a sadness, if only for moment.

"Not much is left there. So, new home." She made a small wave of her hand around the room. "Make yourself comfortable." She motioned around and with a sweep of his gaze, he took it all in. She moved around, sometimes stopping now and then, unsure of where to place things and store things. Snagging an apple, she lightly tossed him one, letting him catch it in his hand. Looking at it, then her, he smiled and took a generous bite as he walked around. The place was small and filled with the basics. The living room held two weapon racks, a bookshelf, a cupboard filled with nice dishes, a table with two chairs. The dining room held not much but the decorations lacked her type of... Flair. Must have been picked out by someone who didn't know her taste. He frowned. At least the kitchen has a decent cooking pit he thought as he took another bit of his apple. The hanging spices made him smile a little. Though it was a common thing to see, but most people had them away in the living room or in a separate room. It suited her, having spices hanging above her fireplace. And she had plenty by the looks of it. Her cooking was... wonderful. Moving on to the back room, he saw she had an alchemy laboratory in the back, stocked with all things to make potions with. Backing out of the room he caught himself before he hit his head on the wooden steps that lead up to the loft. Going up the wooden staircase, he looked to his left and saw a small room. A table and bed, shield plaque on the wall and a dresser.

A startled scream had him turning on his heel, hand on his dagger as he strode forward towards Serlina, back against one of her dressers, hand pressed to her chest. Just before he drew his blade, he heard another female voice from the bedroom.

"Honored to see you again, my Thane."

"Ho! Lydia! You startled me." She breathed out a slow breath, pressing a hand to her chest. "Oh, my heart." He stepped to the doorway and looked around carefully, noticing the female nord sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. He watched as Serlina tried to supress... hiccups? Then a giggle slipped past her lips, making the dark-haired woman Lydia look at her a little confused. He found himself smirking at her as she gained composure. "Oh! I'm sorry…" She cleared her throat. "Hello Lydia. It's good to see you again." She looked from her to him and back to Lydia. "I can't recall if I introduced you, but this is my companion Bishop. Bishop, you remember meeting my housecarl, Lydia." He leaned against the door, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned his head forward.

"Briefly." He stated giving a tight nod when her gaze met his, she returned it, then glanced back to Serlina. "Since you're here, I was wondering if you could go get a few things for me Lydia. Not to make you go out of your way or anything."

"I wouldn't mind." She stood and held out her hand as a few septims were handed over as well as a list.

"Any chance that I received any letters in my absence?" She asked and Lydia shook her head gently.

"No milady."

"Oh. Okay. That will be all. I will see you sometime soon. I hope."

"Long life to you my Thane"

"Oh, Uhm... You too?" She returned as Lydia made her way to the door. Stepping aside, he let her pass, listened to her retreating footsteps until he heard the sound of the front door closing.

"So, you've had a look around. What do you think of Breezehome?" She asked as she moved around the bedroom.

"Why is it that when we're here, that woman is sitting in your bedroom of all places?" He asked as she looks around, unsure as how to answer the question.

"Well, she's my housecarl. And she's sworn to protect me and all my stuff-"

"From your bedroom, huh?" He sent her a look of sarcastic doubt. "Are you sure she's not trying to protect some other stuff of yours?" Her brows shot up then were pulled downward in a frown.

"Why are you always so rude?" She asked and he almost smiled. Almost.

"Haven't your parents taught you, m'lady, that it's not polite to answer a question with another question?" He smirked when she looked at him, her face a mixture if amusement, irritation and confusion. She lifted her hands to his neck height and gently made them shake to mimic a loose strangling motion.

"You are impossible!" She dropped her arms to her sides.

Now he smiled. His smirk was infectious, making her lips quirk up a little.

"Alright. I have dropped off all I needed. Let's get some food and head to Riverwood." Together they headed down the stairs after packing a few things from the cupboard and racks. On the way out, he noticed the Axe of Whiterun hanging up on a display near the door.

"Not that I mind, but this looks stronger than your usual swords. Why not use this instead?" He asked and she paused, looking at the large weapon.

"I was never well skilled in axes. Especially one that size." She spoke as she turned away, pausing now and again to pack a few herbs.

"You ever battled with war axes?" He asked and for a moment she paused in her packing.

"A few times. Mostly to practice... But... I was always bested…" She spoke hesitantly and trailed off, like the memory hurt to think about. "I loathe anyone who can wield weapons like them. I'm stronger now then I was, but I still can't bring myself to use it. Them." She corrected.

"Then you're just using it for decoration?" He asked as she drew closer, looking it over.

"In a way, yes. As you recall, it's my badge of being a Thane here. So, if I need to say, flex some Thane muscle, I have to have it with me. But it's too heavy for me to have all the time. So, I keep it here."

"I could carry it for you." He lifted it and nodded. It's weight was... impressive. A few swings and he would even start to feel it.

"It's fine. I would... Rather you not carry it. Or use it for that matter." She looked away, a dark look coming over her face.

"What? Afraid I might break your new weapon?" He teased and she looked to it, then him.

"No... I'm not afraid of you breaking it. Its just..." She rubbed her forehead with her fingers, like she was trying to rub away a headache. "It wouldn't suit you." She dropped her hand to her side. "I like how you wield your weapons." She looked strode to the door. "Now come along ranger, I am fit to get this ordeal over with." She opened the door, letting him walk out and closing it behind them.

"Lead the way ladyship." They walked until they were out of the town and on the road to Riverwood. "You got a plan all worked out?" he asked as they passed a sign with arrows leading to different towns.

"A few, yes. But they all- well majority of them- end with bloodshed. And none of which will be mine." She lifted a hand to her charm again, and fiddled with the stone.

"That's almost a little reckless, even for you ladyship." He teased and got him a sideways glance; her eyes lit with mirth.

"Maybe. But I will try to keep it... Pleasant." Her eyes roamed over the field and farms. "This place is quite... astonishing." She stated. "The air even feels different from where we were hours ago."

Looking around himself he grumbled out a small;

"I suppose it is. When you claw your way out of the mire of dysfunction". Or when you first peek over the horizon and see nature without the haze of discontent. He thought to himself bitterly Yes. "It has it's moments..." He finished.

"Damn Bishop. You sound so... wise." She teasingly mocked. "The graybeards would probably be happy to have someone like yourself up on their mountain." She teased, making him gently push her sideways, making her laugh out loud and rejoin his side.

"They graybeards should just die already."

"Oh, my gods, Bishop!" She covered her mouth, but she failed to hide her small smile. "They are the wisest in all the land." She waved a hand extravagantly all around her making him laugh a little.

"Ha! I'm not wise." He rolled his eyes as they made their way uphill.

"Your right. So that makes you all…" She trailed off, looking over her shoulder at him. He thought she was going to say something suggestive... But something about the way she looked at him made his body tighten again. She was looking at him with such calm and honest eyes that it... hurt. It was a weird sensation. "heart." She finished and he scoffed.

"Bah. I'm not all heart ladyship." I'm not exactly a good man either. Not with his past...

"Not a romantic, or a wise man. Not even a man whose all heart. I find that hard to believe."

"Why not?"

"Because I have seen otherwise. Why do you not want to believe it?"

"Because I know me." He snapped back.

"I already knew you had a heart." He stopped and looked at her. A fierce frown creased his brow as if he were trying to figure her out. "Believe it or not," she continued, "it shows in everything you do." She said and oddly enough she smiled, humming in her throat when Karnwyr nudged between the two of them, making her pat his head, ruffling him up a bit between the ears...

"Yeah. Okay." He continued on walking and felt a twinge of unease as the small town of Riverwood. "You ready to ask for a room that doesn't exist?"

"I'm ready to slap some sense into someone." She muttered making him snort. "Now, who is the idiot who is going to ask for the non-existent room?" She asked and he shrugged.

"You are the dragonborn. Letter was addressed to you." He shot back and had her gaping at him.

"So that makes me the idiot?" She asked, her voice slightly amused. He shrugged.

"Ladyship, you said it. Not me." She chuckled a little and nodded.

"What if we could pretend that-" He cut her trail of thought off.

"Oh no. I am not playing the dragonborn, I do not want to even pretend to be so that you can find out who took the horn. I'm a ranger ladyship. I know my place."

"Well… I tried." She playfully frowned, then smiled. "I do like your place..." She admitted and he raised a brow at her.

"Is that so? Why's that?"

"It's here with me." Her voice took on a new lightness to it. "At least, right now." She added quickly, her voice a little more neutral. He looked at her and she kept her face turned away, like she was more interested with the path that lead to the barrows than looking at him. Walking past a few guards that were guarding the small town, they made their way to the inn. Stepping up the steps to the Sleeping Giant Inn, he held the door open, letting her walk in first... The place had a few patrons, even being so early in the day. Glasses and plates of food were all around on tables, the mix of voices, the playing of a lute and Orgnar wiping down the bar. Looking up Orgnar gave him a nod.

"Orgnar, how are things?" He called as they walked through the inn. He watched as several men eyed Serlina who walked, eyes forward, posture slightly tense to the bar... He stepped up to the bar and laid an arm on the table, leaning forward...

"Same as always." Orgnar replied as he picked up a mug and cleaned it with his towel.

"Gimme a mug of ale." He placed his septims on the table and Orgnar took them, nodding.

"Coming right up." He filled a mug and slid a it across the bar, with a small nod. Picking up the mug he took a swallow, humming in appreciation as Serlina stepped up beside him.

"Id like to rent the attic room." She kept her cool, her eyes scanning around, then landed back on Orgnar.

"Attic room, eh?" Orgnar asked making her nod. He shrugged and looked into the mug, then continued to wipe it down with his towel. "Well... we don't have an attic room, but you can have the one on the left." He pointed to the room with the open door. "Make yourself at home." She nodded slowly and bought a few things to eat, taking them to the room. He followed while Karnwyr moved behind the bar, getting under Orgnar's boots to beg for scraps no doubt.

She sat down on the bed with a bounce, bending down to take off her boots.

"What are you-"

"He said to make myself at home." She shrugged, dropping the boots to the floor by the bed. "And if I paid for the room, I damn well will use it." She leaned back as she broke a off a piece of cheese and popped it into her mouth. Chewing she closed her eyes and leaned her head against the wall as he finished his drink.

"You sleep at all last night?" He asked, leaning against the small wardrobe, keeping his body facing the door. Her eyelids lifted a little, giving her a slumberous look.

"I slept a small bit. Tossed and turned a while. Then I decided to have a very long, cold dip in the river." She rubbed her eyes. "Helped some. Still can't tell if I got the smell of the dead out of my hair." She dropped her hand and continued to eat. He smirked.

"You smell fine." Delicious, really. She glanced to him; her brow raised in question. "Trust me princess, I would let you know if you didn't."

"Thanks. I'll remember to do the same."

"I feel better already." She laughed, her head tilted back, the sound making him smile in return. Her eyes opened when the sound of paws on wood caught their ear. They both chuckled when Karnwyr trotted in with a mammoth snout. "Seems Orgnar caved." She patted the bed, letting Karnwyr hop up and lay his head in her lap.

"Trying to impress the thief?" He asked, making her look at him a little confused. "In regard to you bathing to smell good." She shrugged and ran a hand over Karnwyr.

"I like to think of it as being prepared." She did a flick of her wrist, adding a small amount of flair.

"Don't need to have a long soak to do that." She let out a single laugh.

"Thanks ranger." She smiled and laid a hand on the wolfs head, scratching his ears, getting a small whine from him.

"I warned her about you." He spoke to the wolf, getting his big eyes to look at him. "I told her you were not a pet. Now look at you." He shook his head. "Laying on a bed, getting special food, special treatments."

"Now now ranger, don't be jealous." She pat the bed beside her. "There is room for one more in this bed." His brow quirked upwards.

"That's quite an invitation princess. Very... Tempting." He breathed and her eyes widened, like she just realized what she implied.

"Oh. Um- I didn't-" He smiled when her cheeks reddened. He opened his mouth to add more when a shadow filled the doorway causing three sets of eyes snapped to the castor.

"So, you're the Dragonborn I've been hearing so much about." A female Breton stood in the doorway, hand on her hip. She wore a simple tavern gown, a mix of blue and green. He recognised her. She worked in the Inn. Or owned the inn. One or the other... Judging by the lines on her face, she must be well into her 50's and a sharp look in her eye had him tensing as she looked between the two of them. Her gaze settled on Serlina first and almost sneered. She must have seen just a woman sitting on a bed, petting a wolf, smiling and blushing.

Not exactly the picture of someone of tales. He inwardly smiled.

Then she turned her eyes on him and he met her gaze. She eyed him up and down, making him stand a little straighter. "I think you're looking for this." She pulled the horn from behind her back and tossed it to him, catching the horn in his hand. He kept his eyes on hers as he raised the horn up.

"I will have you know, that I wasn't the one searching for this." Her eyes widened a little as he glanced to Serlina, who looked at the older woman with a face of calm. Her hand had tightened in Karnwyr's fur, the wolf looking at the Breton as well. Ears pulled back, eyes narrow, his fur bristled. "Ladyship." He added, giving her a light toss of the horn, letting her catch it with a free hand.

"Thank you, ranger." She shifted, signaling Karnwyr that she was getting up, letting the wolf stand and fall to the wooden floorboards. She placed the horn beside her, farthest away from the Breton as she put her boots back on. Standing up, she had a few inches on the woman, even without her heeled boots. They looked eachother up and down. Serlina keeping her face neutral nodded in greeting.

"We need to talk. Follow me." She looked between the two of them then turned to leave the small room, leaving them to watch her as she walked away.

"Apologies ranger." He looked to Serlina who was buckling her boots back on. "Seems that our thief thinks that you are the mighty dragonborn, despite your strong refusal earlier..." She scoffed and turned her amused eyes to him.

"I guess she thought you didn't look the part." He offered and she huffed a laugh. "How did it feel?" He asked as she held up the horn and spun it in her palm with her thumb.

"Honestly? I'm petty enough to be insulted." He barked out a laugh. "Odd though. Seems she hasn't heard if the dragonborn is a man or a woman. I should say gender is irrelevant when you are under the category of 'dragonborn'." She quipped and he nodded.

"Very true. I wonder why she thought it was me though." He questioned aloud and caught her lifting a single shoulder and dropping it.

"Maybe I didn't scowl enough for her liking." He laughed again as she looked upwards a little in thought. "Or maybe because I took my boots off."

"Yeah, that might have been it." He chuckled when she nudged him and walked out the door. "Eyes forward." He called to her, making her scoff.

"Don't have to tell me that." She tossed back. "'Eyes open. Eyes forward' Pft. You sound like my language teacher from Morrowind." Her brows furrowed. "I hated that woman." She added and he suppressed a laugh when they walked into the room where the old woman walked in.

"Close the door." She all but snapped in a whisper making Serlina narrow her eyes a little. With the heel of her boot, she kicked it closed. The action had him raising a brow at her. She was looking at this woman with the same look of growing irritation she had when they had gone for the horn. And deep down, he wanted to see what happens when she reached the end of her patience. When the sound of the door clicking to place, the woman turned and opened a wardrobe, pulled a key from her pocket, and unlocked another door hidden inside. "Now we can talk." And she delved in and down. Following behind both of the women, and Karnwyr, they walked into a wide room. There was a practice dummy to his left, a large table with, he frowned, a large map with markings all over in the center, a shelf with ingredients and an alteration table to his right.

"Since you know about me, who are you?" Serlina asked as she glanced around the room then back to the Breton.

"My name is Delphine. The Greybeards seem to think you're the Dragonborn." Again, her eyes looked her up and down. He almost frowned. What was with this woman's judgemental eyes? "I hope they're right." She finished.

"The Greybeards may be disconnected from everything… but they know when a real Dragonborn steps forward." Serlina stated, her tone a little strained.

"I hope so. But you'll forgive me if I don't assume that something's true just because the Greybeards say so." Serlina stood a little straighter. "I just handed you the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Does that make me Dragonborn, too?" She was lightly mocking, even if she had a little fact thrown in with her question.

"No." Serlina's retort was sharp and quick as she crossed her arms and looked at her coolly. "You're the one who took the horn?"

"Surprised?" Serlina tsked her teeth and nodded slightly.

"I'll admit, maybe a little." She shrugged. "But I also know that it doesn't take thief to know how to cheat traps." Something in him felt a little stab of pleasure when he saw the older woman straighten a little. "And from the scraping along the floor as I had seen when we were down there, I figured that's exactly what you did. Now, you'd better have a good reason for dragging me here."

"It was the only way I could make sure it wasn't a Thalmor trap. I'm not your enemy. I already gave you the horn. I'm actually trying to help you." Her voice softened as she explained but Serlina didn't look anymore relaxed. She even slightly tensed at the mention of 'Thalmor'.

"What do you want with me?"

"I didn't go to all this trouble on a whim. I needed to make sure it wasn't a Thalmor trap." Again, with the Thalmor… He glanced to Serlina; her expression bare of expression but from where he was standing, he could see her grinding her teeth by the looks of her jaw muscles.

"You'd better start explaining. Fast." Her tone was slightly threatening. It had him raising a brow at her.

"I'll explain what I want when I want, got it?" Delphine snapped and he scoffed. "You'd already be dead if I didn't like the look of you when you walked in here." She spoke as she rounded the table, barely making eye contact. Like she was almost above it. He was beginning to imagine stabbing the woman, the thought alone had him feeling a tiny bit better.

"How do I know I can trust you?" She asked as Delphine picked up a book from one of her shelves.

"If you don't trust me, you were a fool to walk in here in the first place." And from her subtle shift, he could tell that her patience snapped. She rolled her eyes and glanced to Bishop, who was also looking at this woman with pure irritation.

"I don't have time for this". She let out a breath and he felt a twinge of regret, thinking that she would just turn and walk out the door.

He was wrong.

Reaching over to his waist she pulled his dagger from his hips sheath, taking him by surprise. By the time Delphine was standing in the center alongside the table, she looked back up to catch Serlina's gaze. In turn, Serlina smiled, though it held no warmth to accompany it. With speed that almost had his jaw dropping; she reached over, grabbed her by her tavern gown, pulled her forward and laid her flat on the table, sinking the dagger through her dress by her shoulder effectively pining her to the table. A second later she managed to grab the dagger on Delphine's hip, and use it to pin one of her arms as she flailed, trying to get back up. It had all happened so quick that all she could do or even try to do, was to kick around. Her eyes darkened in anger but he could tell: she knew she was getting nowhere.

His scratched his jaw.

Holy. Shit.

Serlina lifted her head and blew a strand of hair out of her face as she looked at the older woman.

Damn this woman was sexy.

He focused back on the flailing woman.

"Alright… Now that I've got your complete attention let me make a few things clear." She leaned over Delphine, getting right in her face, leaning away when she tried to hit her head with her own. "No no, stop flailing. Listen to me!" She snapped and the woman's flailing stopped, not completely, but enough. "First being, I don't appreciate your tone. I don't care if you are using it as a form of verbal defense because you are simply being cautious. I won't stand for it. So, check it." God gods, she looked like a mother scolding a child. He nearly laughed at the image, since Delphine was probably twice her age. "Cautious or not there is still a key factor in being respectable when dealing with people you have never met before." She lifted a single shoulder then dropped it. "Now, I had tried, but you quickly kicked my chance to be polite and pleasant, aside." Delphine was starting to struggle again and that only made Serlina let out a bored sigh. "No, stop squirming and listen..." Slowly, the woman's struggles ceased. "Secondly as for the ' explain what I want when I want'-" her eyes sharpened and her face slipped, showing her anger. "-doesn't really work for me. And seeing as you have time to just… go out and walk into a crypt to take something that wasn't yours to take." She took a deep breath, pulling her head away slightly. "I on the other hand, don't." She leaned back and met the woman's gaze coolly. "So, my questions that I have, and you will be answering them when I ask them. I don't give a damn about your personal explaining timeline..." She struggled again, making her roll her eyes. "This can go a lot easier if you just work with me and I will work with you. If you don't I, have no qualms leaving, both this inn, and you, pinned to this table."

"I'm sure Orgnar might find it funny to see you like this." He added and the woman stilled, her face of pure irritation.

"You sought me out and not the other way around." Serlina reminded her. "That goes to show me that you need my help." She backed off a little again, after enunciating a few choice words that had the woman slowing her pulling and now her face looked contemplating. "And if you want it, you're going to have to learn to play nice with me." Her eyes rose to his. "And those of whom I am with." Her gaze went back to the woman on the table. "And playing nice does not govern you underhandedly threatening my life." She motioned to him with a jerk of her head. "And those of whom are with me as well. Now, what were you going to say before I bolted you to your table?"

Leaning against the wall, he crossed his legs at the ankles. Damn. This woman.

"I simply wanted to know if the rumors were true." She offered and he scoffed.

"I always thought gossip was a poor choice of attaining information." He tossed in, and he got a nod of agreement from the both of them.

"I just need you to hear me out." Delphine held up her hands, as best as she could anyway.

"Alright." With a firm grip, Serlina pulled the dagger from the table as she stood up, small flecks of wood scattering around on the floor.

"But first, why did you take the horn from Ustengrav?" She held his dagger to him, handle out. Taking it from him, his fingers trailed over hers as he took it from her. As Delphine sat up, he caught the way her hands trembled... She hid it relatively well. "Go on. I'm listening." She added as Delphine hopped off the table.

"Like I said in my note, I've heard that you might be Dragonborn. I knew the Greybeards would send you there if they thought you were Dragonborn. They're nothing if not predictable." Delphine examined her clothes and sighed when her fingers wound the large holes from where the blade had gone through. "When you showed up here, I knew you were the one the Greybeards sent, and not some Thalmor plant."

He wasn't able to contain his scoff. Just wasn't sure which one.

"Why are you looking for a Dragonborn?" He asked getting Delphine's attention.

"We remember what most don't - that the Dragonborn is the ultimate dragonslayer." Her eyes looked back to Serlina. "You're the only one that can kill a dragon permanently by devouring its soul. Can you do it? Can you devour a dragon's soul?"

"That's none of your business." He spoke, drawing her gaze again.

"You're wrong. It is my business. You may be the only one that can stop these dragons."

"SHE might." He clarified and caught Serlina's sigh as she slowly wrapped her arms around her ribs like she was trying to contain the feeling of the souls, as if they rattled around in her. Gods only knows what it felt like...

"I absorb some kind of… power from dragons. That's all I can say." She admitted gently.

"This is no time to play the reluctant hero. You either are or aren't Dragonborn. But I'll see for myself soon enough." Serlina's back straightened as her eyes landed on Delphine again...

"I don't need to prove anything to you." She dropped her arms, her fists at her sides. She looked like she was ready to punch the woman. He almost wanted to see her do it.

"You may be the only one that can stop these dragons. But you'll understand that soon enough."

"What's the part you're not telling me?" She stood straight, like she wouldn't be dissuaded from getting an answer.

"Dragons aren't just coming back, they're coming back to life. They weren't gone somewhere for all these years. They were dead, killed off centuries ago by my predecessors. Now something's happening to bring them back to life. And I need you to help me stop it."

"Do you know how crazy this sounds?" He asked, running a hand over his face. Serlina sent him a look that silently said 'I-Know-Right'?

"Ha." Delphine quietly laughed as she ran a hand over the map on the table. "A few years ago, I said almost the same thing to a colleague of mine. Well, it turned out he was right and I was wrong."

From what he witnessed upstairs; it wasn't much of a stretch to imagine, especially when the knowledge was right before her eyes. The thought made him snort.

"What makes you think dragons are coming back to life?" He asked as he lifted from the wall stepping towards them, her face became one of pure certainty.

"I know they are. I've visited their ancient burial mounds and found them empty. And I've figured out where the next one will come back to life. We're going to go there, and you're going to kill that dragon. If we succeed, I'll tell you anything you want to know."

"Oh, and that's all?" Serlina scoffed mockingly. "By the gods. How did you figure all this out?" Serlina asked, turning a bit to pace, her steps slow.

"You should know." She states and Serlina pauses in her pacing. "You got the map for me. The dragonstone you got for Farengar, remember? The dragonstone was a map of ancient dragon burial sites."

"Riiight." She pointed a finger at her. "You were at Dragonsreach when I gave it to him. I was wondering where I knew you from." She dropped her hand and cocked her head to the side a little. "You were rude, even then." He snorted again, turning his head away. Ladyship had a mean streak. Subtle, but it seemed like it was there. Delphine rolled her eyes.

"So, you were paying attention."

"It's known to happen time and time again." Serlina sassed back, placing her hands on her hips.

"Well, I arranged to have Farengar recover the dragonstone for me. It's what I do. I make things happen from behind the scenes. After all, here you are."

"Here I am." She spoke quietly.

"That heavy stone that she lugged around with her, for hours, was some kind of map?"

"Yes. A map of ancient dragon burial sites." She looked at the map on the table, placing her hands spread out on the table. "I've looked at which ones are now empty. The pattern is pretty clear. It seems to be spreading from the southeast, down in the Jeralls near Riften." He tensed. Out near his old neck of the woods. She spoke, trailing her finger over the paper. "The one at Kynesgrove is next if the pattern holds. If we can get there before it happens, maybe we'll learn how to stop it."

"Whoa whoa wait, before it happens?" Serlina looked at her with her with a slightly alarmed face.

"I know that mound - high on the hill east of Kynesgrove." He offered. It was a fair walk away, but he knew where she was talking about.

"Good. Good. Now we won't have to spend time searching for it." Delphine looked to him

"Are we just not going to talk about this? Just moving on from it?" Serlina's voice rose in volume.

"Let's go kill a dragon." Delphine called out, making Serlina raise and drop her arms showing her exasperation.

"I guess not." Serlina ran a hand over the top of her head.

"I need to get into my travelling gear. Give me a minute and I'll be ready." They waved their hands together in a 'whatever' motion.

"Sure. The more the merrier." He muttered. Looking to Serlina, she went back to her pacing, her teeth nibbling on the corner of her bottom lip, her fingers to her charm.

"We should get moving. There's no time to waste." Delphine was in leather armour now, sword at her hip. Huh. A little different from her tavern clothes. Serlina turned and gave her a once over.

"Hm. Now this makes more sense." She motioned with her hand to the outfit. "This was the same thing I saw you in last time." Delphine nodded as she closed the chest, she got her gear out of.

"Shall we?" Delphine motioned to the door. Serlina glanced to it, then shrugged.

"Sure. Let's go." Delphine moved forward, and up the stairs, not even waiting for them. She climbed the steps as Serlina let out a sigh, glancing at him.

"See? No bloodshed needed." She admitted making him laugh.

He flashed a wicked smile at her. "I'm not complaining… But the whole stabbing the table thing." He nodded in approval. "It makes things infinitely more interesting."

"Well, just so long as you're not bored," she said sarcastically. "I would really hate for your experience when traveling together to ever get dull."

He cast a glance at her that had her shifting a little. "Ladyship, I have a feeling being bored around you would be an impossibility."

"Well I'll try to keep it that way." She walked toward the stairs, laying a hand on his shoulder as she passed. He smiled followed behind Karnwyr who was close at her heels.

They didn't talk much as they journeyed together. The tension between the blond Breton and Serlina was so thick and heavy that it could be cut with his knife. He walked up to Serlina, leaning his head down so that he could take directly in her ear.

"What do you make of this woman?" He whispered and got a sideways glance.

"I find that she's rude, pushy, inconsiderate and made me want to beat an elder." She stated with a small glare. "What about you? What do you think of her?"

"She seemed to be really paranoid about the Thalmor." He stood straight. "Couldn't blame her though. Many people who live in Skyrim seem to have something against the High Elves." He cast her a glance and noticed her shoulder had slumped.

"Indeed. But not all of them are bad." She offered and Delphine glanced back at the two of them, making her lift her chin at her. "You said something about the Thalmor?" She asked and Delphine nodded.

"Yes. We're very old enemies. And if my suspicions are correct, they might have something to do with the dragons returning. But that isn't important right now. What is important is that you might be Dragonborn."

Serlina stopped, her brows pointing downward in an angry frown. She started walking again, this time picking her pace up till she was just behind Delphine.

"Are all Thalmor your enemies?" She asked and he lengthened his strides till he was close enough for his liking.

"Might as well be"

"Because?" She drawled the word out in a questioning tone.

"Because they are cruel, heartless bastards that have done nothing good."

"So, let's say I was a High Elf-"

"Why would you? There completely immoral." Delphine gritted out, her breath starting to become puff of clouds with the rising chill in the air. Serlina looked around, like she was searching for strength to simply talk to the woman.

"Well, okay. Let's say in my case I was only... half immoral. And yet, I am the dragonborn. Would that stop you from asking me for my help?"

"But you're not." Delphine sounded like she was in denial of the entire aspect. "And if you were, you should strive to be better than that half, even if you were pretending to be."

"I am going to take that lack of an answer as solid 'no'." She looked away, even slowed down so that Delphine could take the lead. And for a moment, they walked in silence as her words from yesterday echoed in his mind. About her changing who she was… Looking at her now, she looked pained and angry at the same time.

"You alright?" He asked receiving a tight shrug as a hand lifted to her necklace. The stone looking dark.

"Nothing I haven't dealt with and ignored before." She dropped her hand. "Still..." She glanced to him. "I want to come right out and say it just to see how see reacts. That being that I'm-"

"Nah. Can't have her having a meltdown and turning hostile." Though from her aggravating attitude he wouldn't mind getting in a few swipes at her.

"Yeah. I think I may have already reached my quota of dealing with all things irritating today."

"Wouldn't say that, we still have to kill a dragon."

"Ugh. Don't remind me." Her hand lifted to her neck again drawing his eyes.

"Can I ask what your wearing?" She looked at him, a little confused.

"Sorry ranger, I don't understand your question." He rolled his eyes.

"Around your neck." He pointed to the stone in question. "Nothing I've ever seen before." Her eyes lowered, as did her chin to her chest.

"Oh! Um..." She swallowed and touched the stone with her fingers affectionately. "The gem was amongst my mothers things, or so I was told, when she passed. My father had it made into a... charm I suppose?" She rubbed her thumb over the stone. "Though, when I put it on…" She trailed off, her steps slowing.

"When you put it on...?" He repeated, lowering his voice. She took a breath and sighed.

"Your going to think I'm crazy." She looked at him, her eyes wide and the green in them spreading. Green... Not the colour he was coming to... appreciate.

"I started hearing things. A voice." Her eyes lifted to his, and he did his best not to jump to his usual mocking.

"What... kind of voice?"

"A quiet one. Helpful when times were dark. Not like deadra or anything like that. Not malevolent either. She-"

"She?" He raised a brow. "You know it's a woman?"

"Only recently. I named her Kena." She said with a small smile. "She talks to me. Not often." She ended with a small frown.

"About?" He asked as the faint scent of melting metal caught his nose. They must be getting close, being that the hill was close to a mining town.

"Anything. Questions I may have, to help me with my 'immorality'-" she sneered looking to Delphine then stopped to fully look at him "-But she remains silent most times." She shrugs. "You can call me crazy or ridiculous-"

"You're not crazy." He stopped her midsentence and she looked at him, eyes wide, filled with green. Lifting a hand, his fingers found the stone wrapped in dark cord. Lifting it from her neck he had to lean a little to get a closer look. He held the stone in his outstretched hand and it lay there just as heavy as a common rock. The colour dark and elusive. The cord around the stone was worn, the colour faded. In some sections, the cord was hanging on by... a thread. Humming low in his throat he settled the stone back on her neck, his knuckled grazing her skin. She needed another-

"I'm not crazy?" Her unsure voice brought his eyes to hers and he gave a small nod, his hand dropping to his side.

"Not at all." He glanced to Karnwyr who was in front of them, still on edge with the Delphine. Seems he had been that way since ladyship grabbed his fur when they had been back in Riverwood. He made sure that the she didn't get close to ladyship. Keeping her at safe distance. He smirked. "In fact, I once was on my way to the Blue Palace and a man who was asking for his master asked me to help find him in a lost wing of the palace. Gave me a hipbone-" She raised her brows in surprise.

"Like a piece of someone's hipbone or his own?"

"No, like the whole thing and said it was the key to helping him out." He shook his head and chuckled at her shocked face.

"I can't tell if your mocking me." She frowned and narrowed her eyes a little. Laying a hand on her shoulder he gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Trust me ladyship, I'm not." She looked at his hand and after a second he dropped it to his side. "All I'm saying is that out of everything that is happening, hearing voices from a necklace is not the strangest thing I could imagine."

"Thanks ranger." She smiled and rubbed a hand over her shoulder. "A hip bone? Seriously?"

"Not even kidding. Bare bone, hip to hip." She shuddered a little and he smirked. Her smile faded as her eyes sharpened to the sky. "Can you tell me if were close?" His brows dropped in a frown. Looking around, he recognized the forests.

"Yeah. Just ahead there should be a small town." He glanced back to her, again, she was touching her shoulder. "You okay?"

"I just have a feeling."

"You seem to be getting a lot of those recently."

"I suppose I am..." She trailed off when they walked into the small town. "This is a small village. Quiet. Quaint almost."

"What kind of feeling-" A skin crawling scream cut him off, making him draw his bow in an instant.

ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE.

Serlina was drawing a sword as a woman was running away from the town, tears down her face as they picked up their pace. Farmers and mine working were running, grabbing their families, children looking confused until the sound of giant wings flapping in the distance caught everyone's ears.

"No, you don't want to go up there! A dragon... it's attacking!" She was distraught, flailing her hands trying to slow them down. He rolled his eyes. If anything, she was just making herself look foolish.

"Where's this dragon?" They all asked in unison and the woman looked at them, like they were crazy.

"It flew over the town and landed on the old dragon burial mound. I don't know what it's doing, but I'm not waiting around to find out!" And she was off like a shot, running in the opposite direction of them who ran to the hill where he crouched behind a large rock behind Delphine as a pair of black wings soared overhead.

Large and dark, like the thickest and blackest smoke he had ever seen. With red glowing eyes that made his skin craw while his fingers itched for an arrow to fly from his fingers. While suspended in the air, it opened it's large mouth and with a loud thunderous boom echoed all around all around them;

"Sahloknir, ziil gro dovah ulse! Slen Tiid Vo!"

The words were loud and unable to be heard, let alone understood, clearly. The burial crypt rumbled, wisps of blue light flickered all around, the wind picking up, sending flecks of snow all around. Karnwyr was crouched and ready to pounce at his side, lips pulled back to show teeth. There was a sudden rumbling then a loud crack of stone on stone. Shrapnel flew over his head and over everyone else's. Then to emerge with a roar, geysers of hot ash and molten rock spouted upward; until they started to collect and mold into a large shape, dragon bones. Slinking it's way out of the crypt it's body was rejuvenating at a fast pace and when it's head and eyes were fully formed, it's steely gaze turned to the dragon hovering in the air.

"Alduin, thuri! Boaan tiid vokriiha suleyksejun kruziik?"

Alduin.

His jaw clenched as his breathing got ragged slightly. The. World. Eater. It couldn't be. could it? Looking to Serlina her eyes wide, her lips parted as her breath passed from her lips in unsteady puffs of mist, weapon drawn yet her hand shook slightly.

"Geh, Sahloknir, kaali mir. Ful, losei Dovahkiin? Zu'u koraav nid nol dov do hi". The large black lizard breathed, then it's head turned back and forth, like something in the wind caught it's attention. Until it squinted his red eyes toward the dappled shade of the meadow that surrounded them until it settled on the woman beside him. Slowly, against his hushed 'stay down!' she stood and walked out from the space of the rock, meeting the dragons gaze steadily. Her hand no longer shaking, but steady and cold. Emotionless. "You do not even know our tongue, do you?" It's harsh voice able to be understood. She raised her chin, just a little and the overgrown snake with wings growled, showing it's teeth, making it look more menacing. "Such arrogance, to dare take for yourself the name of Dovah." The dragons head swung to the other dragon, now fully erected from his resting place, flesh solid on it's body. "Sahloknir, krii daar joorre." And with that final blast of harsh words, the dark dragon soared off, roaring on the winds while the other, Sahloknir, turned his blood red scaled head to face Serlina.

"My lord Alduin requires your death! I am glad to oblige him." It snarled, making Serlina draw her second sword crouching slightly so that she was ready to strike. He stood and drew an arrow aiming right for the dragon.

"You wanna get to her, you gotta get through me!" The winged lizard snarled, flashing it's teeth.

"I see that mortals have become arrogant while I slept." It raised it's head, making it appear a little taller, even though it was on all four limbs. "I am Sahloknir! Hear my Voice and despair!"

"Have at you!" He called back and the arrow flew across the distance separating them all while the dragon spread it's wings and lifted itself into the sky. Notching another arrow, he followed where it flew, trailing it with a steady eye. Delphine had drawn a bow herself, firing arrow after arrow, almost blindly, some missing their targets. Sahloknir watched as Delphine moved and breathed deeply.

"It's gonna Shout, move!" Serlina was moving to avoid the blast, whatever was coming, he did the same as Delphine fired one after another arrow, while moving to get behind some cover of the large rocks nearby.

"Hiding will not save you!"

"Let's get this over with." Delphine spoke as she glared when an arrow finally hit it's mark. The dragon roared, sending frost from it's jaws in a startling stream straight to Delphine who started to move, but by the looks of it, wouldn't make it in time.

"WULD!" A snap in the air and Serlina was at the Delphine's side, moving her to cover, only to get the frost to hit her back and she let out a pained gasp. Her back was covered in seconds, a thin layer of ice.

"Dovahkiin, your voice is no match for mine!" It took another breath and let out a roar or fire, burning the trees around them as he rushed to Serlina's side, careful to avoid the harsh flames... Delphine was moving again, not even looking at Serlina or thanking her for taking the hit. "My Voice has been silent for too long!" The bastard complained, even as Serlina stood, shivering to face him.

"You alright?" He called over and she gave a tight nod.

"I am officially, pissed off." She gritted with a menacing glare and the dragon soared overhead, it's icy breath falling all around them. The cold bite was intense, he even gritted his teeth to it as he let it wash over him. Years of being naked to the cold hardened him to things such as this.

"It's to be a real fight, then. Good!" It let out a long breath of fire all around. "Come and face me, then!"

Both he and her strode to the dragon, though her pace slower, she slowly sped up. He notched more arrows, firing and landing on each and everyone of his marks. She rolled under a wing as it turned to snap at her, then to Delphine. A pained hiss caught his ear as Serlina's blade pierced through the thin membrane of it's wing, slicing it, effectively making one of the wings useless. It's pained roar had even him flinching from the sound. Closing in, he swung his bow onto his shoulder and pulled his dagger, slicing and cutting as fast as possible into it's thick hide. The dragon looked around and roared when Karnwyr bit into it's hind legs.

That's my boy.

Sahloknir swung it's tail, knocking Delphine back into the rocks, knocking the wind out of her leaving her gaping like a fish against the large rocks. The tail kept coming mid swing and caught him in the ribs, the blow hitting him so hard it burned, feeling like an overpowered punch to the ribs. Digging in his dagger, he sliced ribbons off of it's tail having it shake around, making him drop to the dirt.

"FUS RO DAH!" Serlina's shout blasted from her, making the dragon flinch as the force of it beat at him. It's eyes shined as they looked her over.

"Your voice is strong... for a mortal." The beast sounded amused, and she lifted her chin, blowing hair out of her eyes. Drawing another arrow, he fired, landing deep in it's shoulder. "I do not fear you, Dovahkiin!"

"Good! Because that wouldn't make this nearly as gratifying!" She held her swords drawn, eyes forward and not moving from it as the dragon breathed deeply. He let out frosted roar as she dived under his extended neck, and sliced clean through. The roar died abruptly and he knew, the damn thing was finally dead. It's body slumped forward, caging her under it.

"Ill be damned! You did it!" Delphine called as she stood again, wincing a little. Rushing over, he lifted enough of it's body to pull her from the beast while Karnwyr kept attacking the corpse.

"We- we did it!" Delphine said on a strained breath, her eyes wide as she hobbled over to them. He rolled his eyes and looked back to Serlina.

"Ladyship you alright?" He asked running his hands over her arms. Blood covered her in several places and eyes were dark, angry. She wiped the back of her hand over her chin and gave a tight nod.

"Wait. Something's happening… gods above!" They looked over to the corpse and sure enough the dragon began to burn, just like the last one, it's flesh becoming ashes that rose to the sky. The sounds of harsh winds sounded again and the faint glow of it's soul, a light blue with hints of grey, soared around and over to her, making her gasp and grab at his biceps and hold on while the feeling washed through her. "So, you really are…" She trailed off, watching her in awed wonder. Serlina's face was contorted into a mixture of discomfort and pain, her breath in harsh pants when the winds died, the colour sinking under her skin making her body tremble slightly as she regained her focus. "Gods above! Look at that!"

Serlina's eyes looked to him and she gave him a weak smile, even as her body still trembled slightly. Her face, usually a warm rose colour was beginning to pale, her lips slightly tinted blue.

"You need to warm up ladyship."

"I know. Are you alright?" Her eyes went from his face to his chest to his ribs. "That's was quite a hit you took." Her finger brushed where he had taken majority of the blow and he winced, coiling away from her gentle probing.

"Tsk, I'm fine! I'm fine" He repeated when she looked alarmed in hopes to soothe the worried look he got. "Though of you had a spare health potion, I wouldn't say no." He jested and she dropped her hands from his body, to rummage around in her pack. Pulling out a tall vial, she smiled, more warmly and passed him the bottle. Taking it, he nodded in thanks as he uncorked it, took a steadying, bracing breath and put the bottle to his lips. The liquid didn't taste as bitter as he had become used to, but it did taste a tab bit sweeter. Taking a deeper swallow, he felt his ribs spread, and the subtle crack he felt meant that he had not broken a rub, but merely cracked one, or several. He groaned while the potion worked it magic, then noticed that Serlina was walked, albeit limping a little, to Delphine's side.

"Time to answer my questions. ALL of them." She stated and crossed her arms, wavering a little on the spot. Frowning, he whistled for Karnwyr, who came to his side. Leaning down, he gave the wolf a once over. Nothing to severe, a few tiny cuts, no stitching required. Gently, he rubbed a hand on the side of the wolfs face, making the wolf whine in relief.

"I owe you some answers, don't I? Go ahead. Whatever you want to know. Nothing held back." Delphine stated in sincerity.

"What do you know about the dragons coming back?" Serlina asked, her eyes looking at her she asked as both he and Karnwyr joinder her ranks. He stayed close, salvaging arrows as he walked along.

"Not a damn thing." She crossed her arms and sighed. "I was just as surprised as you to find that big black dragon here." Serlina looked off to the sky where the other dragon had flown from.

"I've seen that dragon before, the one that got away." Her voice, sounding suspicious and distant, it made him look at her while his stomach tightened. Something wasn't right.

"Really? Where?" She asked, stepping toward her, her face pure curiosity, whereas Serlina looked away at the sky, her gaze sharpening before looking back to hers.

"It was the one that attacked Helgen, when Ulfric escaped from the Imperials." She rubbed a hand over her throat, swallowing gently as Delphine looked off towards the distance.

"Interesting. Same dragon..." She huffed out an irritated breath and dropped her arms angrily. "Damn it, we're blundering around in the dark here! We need to figure out who's behind it all!"

"I'd rather start with figuring out on who you are to start." He almost snarled. Not even a thanks for her covering her ass from the frost! He blanched for a moment. She needed to check for frostbite, especially from that frost attack from the dragon. Damn. She was silently nodding to his statement.

"I agree. Who are you exactly and what do you want with me?"

"I'm one of the last members of the Blades. A very long time ago the Blades were dragonslayers, and we served the Dragonborn, the greatest dragonslayer. For the last two hundred years, since the last Dragonborn emperor, the Blades have been searching for a purpose. Now that dragons are back, our purpose is clear again. We need to stop them."

"Dragonslayers my ass. Your aim is worse than hers with a bow." He tilted his head to ladyship who gave him a side glare, even if her lips tilted up in a smirk while Delphine went on something about 'being out of practice. "And The Blades? Who are they?" He asked as Karnwyr moved around him to lick at Serlina's hands. Glancing down, she smiled when she scratched just behind his ear. She looked steadier. It was a small relief. Followed by another when she took a small potion from her pouch and took a hearty swig. Delphine pointed a finger at him.

"Exactly. Nobody even remembers our name these days. We used to be known across Tamriel as the protectors of the Septim Emperors. Those days are long gone, though. For the last two hundred years, we've been searching for the next Dragonborn to guide and guard, as we are sworn to do. But we never found one." Her eyes shifted until they rested on Serlina. "Until now."

"Alright. Then what's our next move?" Serlina asked, sheathing her weapons.

"The first thing we need to do is figure out who's behind the dragons. The Thalmor are our best lead. If they aren't involved, they'll know who is."

Serlina stiffened slightly.

"What makes you think the Thalmor are bringing dragons back? Personally, I don't think they are in a dark room somewhere, rubbing there hands together while they talk in hushed whispers about dragons like you are believing they are." She shrugged and her sarcasm nearly made him laugh. Delphine rolled her eyes as she started walking away from the crypt.

"And what makes you think they aren't?"

"In a dark room whispering about it or in general?"

"Both."

"Not their style. Thalmor aren't exactly the kind to hide what they want. They may be sneaky, but they also aren't shy." She stated making Delphine sighed.

"Regardless of your personal thoughts, I don't have anything solid. Yet. But my gut tells me it can't be anybody else. The Empire had captured Ulfric. The war was basically over. Then a dragon attacks, Ulfric escapes, and the war is back on. And now the dragons are attacking everywhere, indiscriminately. Skyrim is weakened, the Empire is weakened. Who else gains from that but the Thalmor?"

"The dragons themselves." He added making them both look at him with a slight shrug. "Thousands of puny mortals... Doesn't matter if they are nord or Thalmor alike. Food is food to them."

"Not a stretch to imagine." She looked to him, her face looking like she was thinking it over. "I for one, will keep it in mind." She looked back to Delphine. "So, we need to find out what the Thalmor know about the dragons. Any ideas?"

"If we could get into the Thalmor Embassy... it's the center of their operations in Skyrim... problem is, that place is locked up tighter than a miser's purse. They could teach me a few things about paranoia..."

"So how do we get into the Thalmor Embassy?" He asked as they walked.

"I'm not sure yet. I have a few ideas, but I'll need some time to pull thing together... meet me back in Riverwood." They nodded in unison. "If I'm not back when you get there, wait for me. I shouldn't be long. Keep an eye on the sky. This is only going to get worse." She parted from them as they kept walking. Well, until ladyship started to waver a bit.

"We should get moving. Find an inn. Get your strength up." He murmured and looked around. "Windhelm isn't far from here." He looked back to her as she shook her head gently, like she was forcing herself to stay awake and alert. "Think you can make it?" He asked stepping towards her. She looked up at him, her eyes a deep green, sharp and cold.

"I can try." She wrapped her arms around her, trying to shield her from the cold as they began their trek to Windhelm. "Best hurry." She let out a breath. "What I'd give for a warm fire and a long nap. I feel beat down."

"Tends to happen when you stay up all night in a cold river and not getting enough sleep then go about fighting another dragon..." He heard her let out a small laugh. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. Just what you said, it's something that I was told often as I grew up. About the staying up late. The dragon stuff is new." She wavered again, the winds picking up sending flecks of snow across their path. "Guess somethings don't change." She rubbed her shoulders, like she was trying to rid herself of the cold. "What can you tell me about Windhelm?" She asked, her teeth chattering slightly.

"It's an old city, I can tell you that. Possibly being the oldest city in all of Skyrim. The Palace of Kings is ancient." He cast her a glance. "It's not the friendliest for outsiders. The Dark Elves were all forced to live in the slum called the Gray Quarter. The Argonians can't even live in the walls. They're all stuck out on the docks. Still, Candlehearth Hall's got decent food and cheap bunks. You could do worse." He shrugged as he caught sight of the bridge leading to Windhelm.

"Alright. What do you think of Windhelm then?"

"These people think it's cold when they have their cozy little houses. Hah!" He let out a bitter laugh. "I've endured much worse as a child and survived on my own with nothing more than branches to keep me warm." The stinging feeling of his skin, the burning, the numbing. The feeling like he was slowly dying. He scowled in memory.

Looking back, he watched as she walked. Her pace had slowed, but she still kept walking. Damn. The way she was looking around, as if trying to familiarize herself with where she was, all the while looking like she could collapse at a moments notice. A fighter till the end. He had reached the gates before she did, catching the way her eyes slightly widened at the large doors behind him. The city was impressive, despite it being a little cold. As she walked towards him, he looked her up and down. Her clothes covered in dragon blood, dirt and frost, her lips tinted blue, eyes dark as they scanned all around. He watched, intently and an overwhelming feeling of yearning and protectiveness comes over him with a shudder. Her appearance looked slow, but something told him that she could fight till she blacked out. He hummed lightly in his throat. She was going to prove to be a hard challenge for him, one, he smiled to himself, that he would happily take on. It was new, this kind of feeling. He couldn't recall the last time he felt like this. Nor could he recall ever feeling this insane need to keep a woman with him at any cost. Entering the cold city, they made a beeline for the inn. They had both earned a night to recuperate. When paying for the room, Serlina had wandered around, looking about the inn.

"Do you have a fire I could warm up too?" She asked the innkeeper who nodded.

"We do. Head on up the stairs. We also have a young man who is doing a performance later if you wish to watch."

"Thank you." She looked up the stairs and tilted her head side to side. "But I think a bath is in order first."

"Of course. I will show you to your rooms." The woman stepped from behind the counter and walked them to each of their rooms, then the bathing room. "Let me know if there is anything else you need."

"We will. Thanks." He nodded as the woman walked past them leaving them standing alone in the hallway. "See you after?" He asked and she nodded. Going their separate ways, he washed, redressed and watched as Karnwyr step in a small circle and fall asleep on the rug in his room. Shrugging, he figured to just let the wolf rest. Leaving his room after he finished buckling his armor back on, he heard the sounds of man who was arguing with someone.

"Get out of our city, you filthy piece of trash."

"I don't like your attitude." Serlina. Her voice was stronger than from before, but her tone was curt and slightly irritated. She stood at the bottom of the stairs, wearing a clean set of armour. Her hair still slightly damp, but pulled back up already.

"Don't like it? Too bad. This is our city. Ours!" He pushed her back roughly, making her brows raise.

"I don't know or care who you are, but I am not in the mood for this. You don't want to start something with me." She stepped aside, trying to let him pass only for him to get in her face.

"I would walk away from the lady. Now." He threatened getting closer. The older man looked to him, gave him a cold look up and down and sneered at him.

"What, you her keeper? Another lover of the Dark Elves?" He bit out. He crossed his arms and shrugged.

"I personally don't care about them. They stay out of my way; I stay out of theirs. Speaking of getting out of someone's way, I suggest you do the same to her." He motioned to Serlina with a jerk of his chin. He passed her and clenched his hands, no doubt ready to start a brawl. "I wouldn't do that either." He looked from his fists at his side to his eyes, meeting them.

"What, don't think I can take you? One hundred septims says I can punch you back where you came from."

"Alright. You're on." Serlina's eyes widened as she stepped back, giving him a 'what-are-you-doing' look. He waver her away, motioning her to go upstairs and sit down. Looking between the two of them, she gave a tight nod, letting out a breath and started up the stairs.

"All right. Fists only. And none of that magic stuff, either. Let's go!"

As soon as the coins were placed on the table beside them, the older mans fists started to fly. He was a tad bit sloppy, using his anger as fuel. Gauging his shot, Bishop clenched his hand hard, reared back and punched him square in the jaw, making the older man fall to the ground. Out cold. Sighing, he gently shook out his hand and picked up his coin and those he had one, buying him and Serlina a round of drinks then headed up the stairs to join ladyship for some much-needed relaxation. After all, she said she had already hit her quota on dealing with things that make her irritated. Upon reaching the top stair he saw a small crowd of people were blocking her from moving to sit down.

"What's going on here?"

"Must be the performance that the innkeeper was talking about." She lifted up onto her toes, looking around to see what the whole commotion was about. He was taller than most in the room, and in the center of it all, was a bard in a stupid looking hat, smiling and tuning his lute. He sighed, taking her hand, he gently pulled her to a table close. He was beginning to understand what she had said about 'reaching her daily quota.' He himself was nearing his own.

And their night had just begun.

AN:

Hello everyone! Thanks for waiting for another chapter! You guys are awesome! This chapter is a little long to make up for me not being able to keep a certain schedule for my chapters. But to those who remain loyal to my sporadic uploads; I thank you!

Let me know what you guys think of my chapters by leaving a review! Feel free to ask me questions and comment on things! I love hearing your opinions! Until my next chapter,

Translated Dragon Speech:

"Sahloknir, ziil gro dovah ulse! Slen Tiid Vo! –

(Sahloknir, I bind your dragon spirit for eternity! Flesh Time Undo!)"

Geh, Sahloknir, kaali mir. Ful, losei Dovahkiin? Zu'u koraav nid nol dov do hi –

(Yes, Sahloknir, my Champion. So, you are Dragonborn? I see none of the dragonkind in you.)

Alduin, thuri! Boaan tiid vokriiha suleyksejun kruziik? –

(Alduin, my lord! Has the time come to revive our ancient realm?)"

Sahloknir, krii daar joorre. - (Sahloknir kill these mortals)