Elder Scrolls Doltborn

Chapter 2: Riverwood

"Are we there yet?" Jaune sighed answering her

"No." Silence, several second blissful moments of silence were given

"Are we there yet?"

"No…" She seemed content with his answer, and once more they continued on their travel, the trail long, the scenery nice.

"Are we there yet?

"'Sigh' Ruby, if we weren't there the last twelve times you asked what makes you think we'd be there now…"

"Sorry." If he turned around he was sure he'd be greeted by her solemn face.

"'Sigh' Its fine…"

"…" The dirt crunched under heel as the moved.

"…" Birds chirping, cicadas crying out.

"…" Yep, he loved the outdoors.

"Hey Jaune?" He knew what she'd say, but he was a dreamer at heart and dared to hope…

"Yeah…"

"So… Are we there yet?" His eye twitched.

"'Sigh' No…"

This is my life now… Talos save me…

The two had begun their travels to Riverwood eons ago… And by eons he meant hours… Like two… And for the past one Ruby hadn't stopped asking him whether they have reached they're goal… He didn't feel he was wrong to be slightly annoyed… Thankfully growing up with Seven Sisters and his old days in the Companions alongside Nora had made him rather resilient to the maddening ways of one Ruby Rose.

"This is so boring!" That didn't mean she wasn't giving it her best shot though.

"Look it won't be that bad as long as we keep at this pace we'll be there by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow!?" He stopped, looking backed to the panicked little brunette.

"… Ruby, do you not travel often?" The reapette looked down her cheek flushed with embarrassment.

"I mean yeah, course I do… but like it's 'Really' cold!" He couldn't help but chuckle at that.

"It's not funny! I come from Cyrodiil, we don't do stupid Snow in Patch!" His light chuckling turned into flat-out laughter and her face, in turn, turned utterly red as her cape.

"J-jerk." Her words were cut off though when she felt a robe thrown over her though.

"'Heh' Sorry, sorry… I guess I just forgot you're a foreigner is all… Well… We won't get there till tomorrow night if we start setting up camp now but since you're not use to the cold we shouldn't risk your health." Talos knows he didn't want the little Imperial to go and catch a cold cause of his stubbornness.

"C'mon let's go find someplace to set up for the night" Ruby was all too quick to nod and follow his lead.

"Um, Jaune? Where are we going?"

"There should be a river not far from here, I don't know about you but some salmon sound good to me about now." Judging by the way her own belly rumbled he was inclined to think she agreed with his sentiment.

"I like fish…" And so they went forward eventually hearing the sounds of water crashing into rock, he smiled as he found a nice spot along it.

"It's too bad we're in such a rush, otherwise we could've stopped at a camp of one of my hunter friends not far from here." A small whimper was heard behind him, he was sure Ruby was cursing their luck at the moment. The colds chill still very strong on her small inexperienced frame leaving her too shake.

"We don't even have a tent… Or covers even. Stupid Army took mine when they arrested me…" He winced.

"Sorry about that, I can make us a fire, as for covers… Oh you can use the Bear's pelt from the cave." She turned curious for more details but froze in place at the sight that greeted her.

"J-Jaune!?" Looking back to her he noticed her red face.

"Huh! Ruby What's wrong!? Your Face Is So Red! Did Get A Cold!?" He moved to get a closer look but the Imperial girl fell flat of her butt panicked, her already red cheeks spreading their shade to the rest of her face.

"W-Why are you naked!?" Before her standing tall and proud was the Nord only his loincloth in place leaving the rest of his rippling, rough and rugged form exposed to the elements. Scars littered his body but in no way detracted from his appeal only adding to it. She couldn't speak, could barely think while the Arc looked to her somewhat confused.

"Cause I'm gonna catch some fish?"

"Why Do You Need To Be Naked!?" He winced at her squeaky shouting.

"Uh, cause I'd drown in my armor swimming…" It was funny how fast her face could switch from red to pale white.

"Swimming!? In that!? Jaune its freezing!" Now he was confused… Until he remembered she wasn't from around here.

"Right… forgot you're not from around here, don't worry I'll be fine."

"Yeah if you wanna become a Jaunecicle!"

"Well what am I supposed to do? Shoot them with an arrow, I'm not that confident in my aim."

"Use a fishing pole!" He tilted his head.

"Fishing… Pole?" Now Ruby looked confused.

"Are you serious!"

I heard Nords were dumb but this is ridiculous!

-Several Hours Later-

Ruby sat on the Bear Pelt, her butt planted snuggily into the rough fur, a cute little burp escaping the young rose as she finished her fourth serving of the large Salmon. Surprisingly she didn't feel at all like she'd overate, not when Jaune had nearly ate two of the giant catches himself all on his own. Guess he needed to eat a lot to keep all those muscles.

She looked to the sack where a dozen more salmon were smoked to preserve and in his words trade when they got to Riverwood. However, those were second to what he was doing before her eyes, sitting cross-legged Jaune crushed some plants he'd picked and a small fish he caught in the river.

She wanted to cry at the waste of perfectly good and tasty Snowberries, who mixed them with Fish!? That would taste just nasty! After several more minutes of mixing until it was a green paste he sighed before thrusting it to her.

"Here." She stared at the bowl confused before looking back to him.

"Um… What?"

"It's medicine, it should help some with your fatigue (Restore Stamina) We've been walking all day and it'll help against the cold too (Cold Resistance). 'Heh' Can't have a little Imperial like you catch a cold after all." Ruby expression turned grim.

"'Gulp' So… So I… Drink this?" He nodded smiling.

"Yep, my Shield Brother Ren taught me this, all kinds of Alchemic formulas actually."

"'Heh' I even managed to grab some Salmon Roe, Ren will love this." Ruby nodded looking down to her medicine, the thick paste before her.

"So… What's this made of…"

"Oh nothing much, a Silverside Perch, one or two Mountain Flowers, y'know the purple ones and a few Snow Berries. I don't have a proper workstation so I couldn't extract it but that just makes it more like a chowder than a potion so it's like another dish."

"Y-yay…" Jaune smirked recognizing that look.

"Ruby Rose, do you not wanna take your medicine?" Her cheeks puffed up in sheer adorable defiance.

"I-I don't need it!" She expected Jaune to look annoyed instead he starting to smirk like Yang would. There was no way that was a good sign.

"Oh well, that's too bad, and here I had some spare ingredients I figured I could use to make desert." For several seconds everything was quiet, until her dastardly curiosity had to raise it's dumb head!

"…Desert?" He smiled digging through his bag to pull out a tiny jar, shaking it in front of the Reapette whose silver eyes stared in astonishment at the contents inside.

"Are Those Honeycombs!?" He nodded.

"Yep, Always carry a few with me since I know where to look for hives… And here I was thinking about coating some of the spare Snowberries I had with them, would've helped our fatigue too, a real shame…" Ruby stared in awe, a small trail of drool on her lip as she looked to the sweet contents in hand before looking back to her nightmarish meal of mushed plants and fish.

Darn It!

Slowly, with fearful, shaky hands she rose the bowl to her lips and sipped… which was a mistake as it only made her suffering last that much longer. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as she downed the concoction, her body heating up as it took affect and her sore muscles beginning to feel alleviated… but in exchanged her poor tastebud's screamed in horror at the eldritch concoction as it slid down her throat, the bitterness of the flowers pairing horribly with the fishes aftertaste as the berries citrussy twist added a whole new horrible depth to their cruel flavor.

Ruby shook in place, a shudder running through her poor little weak imperial body as the medicine ran its course through her. She sniffled; it was so nasty! She kinda wished the dragon had just ate her that way she didn't have to suffer the horrible experience.

"Ruby? You okay?" She looked to him with big teary silver eyes.

"No! I'm not okay! My tongue's been abused! Now Give Me The Good Stuff!" The Nord chuckled pulling out some Snowberries from his knapsack and placing them on a honeycomb, smearing them against the piece of bee construction before handing it to the little rose who snatched it with a speed he could barely catch.

He never even actually saw her hold it, one second it was in his hands, the next they the comb was gone and Ruby was sporting big puffy cheeks like a squirrel storing acorns. He watched as she went lacks like jelly, her adorable silver eyes fluttering as she indulged in the beyond merely sweet treat. The cutest little moan leaving her as she swallowed it and smiled slovenly.

"I'm guessing you liked the honey'd Snowberries." Her fluttering eyes were answer enough.

"Heck yes…"A brow rose.

"Heck?" And her cheeks went right back to pinking.

"Shu-shut up, I don't like swearing." He shrugged.

"Fair enough, so wanna talk about what happened in-"

"'Yawn' Mmm?" He sighed, shaking his head as he looked to the tuckered-out Reapette, poor girl looked like she was running on fumes now that he got a closer look at her. It had been a wild day to say the least and unlike him she hadn't passed out since.

"Go ahead and rest, I'll keep watch."

"But, 'Yawn' I'm not… Even… Tire-" He watched as the little reaper swayed from side to side, maybe it was her bodies urging her to rest, to better recover. Even restoring stamina could only go so far. Though he had to admit it was cute watching her struggle to stay awake, sorta like Nora but with less collateral damage.

"It's fine, I was out for a pretty long time after all, so I'm still filled with energy. Besides, one of us has to keep watch and I know this area pretty well after all."

"But-" No sooner did he flick her head, making her whine before he shot her his big brother smile.

"No buts, now get some sleep."

"O-okay, fine…" No sooner than he said so did the Reapette just seem to suddenly crumble in place, curling up like a little animal to preserve her warmth. He chuckled before placing down a fine powder, it made his nose twitch but wouldn't for regular people, more a repellant for animals and the like.

After all wolves tended to tread around here, not that they wouldn't grow apprehensive upon smelling him but still… He looked back towards the dirt road leading up towards Embershard Mine, his eyes narrowing as he smelt it, blood.

His teeth gritted, a low growl escaping, as he made his way outside the fire's light, animals far and wide felt it, the pressure filling the area. Jaune felt it, the burn of his body as it began to happen, muscles stretching, expanding and condensing at a rapid pace, he bone hardening and warping to accommodate, He felt a heinous dark Magicka enveloped his form.

His breathes grew heavy, heated and powerful as his jaw and nose extended, thick fur growing over his quickly forming snout. His nails grew sharp and long like daggers. Across the forest prey's instinct to run screamed, predator's feeling overwhelmed by a threat so much higher than them on the food chain.

Azure eyes turned to the fire, towards the nestled form asleep at peace, drool dripped down large dangerous maws rowed with teeth that could tear such a small girl apart. He approached, his body a tower of dangerous muscles and blade-like claws and fangs. Slowly, his hand reached out over her…

And then it acted, slamming down towards its target! Tearing into it, filling the weak form snap beneath as it gave to his monstrous strength. And then… He rose it… The several dried-out branched they'd collected, he tossed it into the flame, hoping it would feed the fire long enough for him to finish his work.

Predatory eyes looked down to his companion, seeing her so at peace, so unaware and vulnerable in the great outdoors. It was like she didn't have a care in the world, unaware of the dangers of the night. Or was it because she simply trusted him to keep her safe. If he could he might've smiled at the irony of that, of trusting a monster to keep one safe from the big bad creatures of the night. Hands pulling back he let his claws spread out, as he smelt the air, a bear, several wolves and finally the smell of death that lingered on bandits. Let the hunt begin…

-Embershard Mine-

The guard sat in place, looking out ahead of himself to the narrow path out, looking for any would-be heroes or possible victims. The Jarl had put a bounty on them recently from what he heard, still they were confident they'd be safe, after all, something had happened in Helgen, his money was on a Stormcloack invasion by the sounds of it and from what they're scout had seen.

They wouldn't have to worry, there was no way they had the time to worry about them right now, not when those rebels were making a mess of things. He almost laughed at how silly the boss was being over this all. He heard it then, the howl of a wolves, not that he was worried, he'd killed a few before, what could a single one do?

Then it happened, something fell on his head, a… pebble? He looked to the rock, before noticing several more fall. And then something wet followed and as he touched his hair, the thick saliva between his digits. A low but powerful growl and when he finally looked up he saw it, propped there above him, sharp claws buried in the stone. A monstrosity straight out of every hunter's nightmare, Hircine's own self-made monster.

Werewolf…

And then it acted, lunging down, maws wide and claws out, he never even had the chance to scream…

-0-0-0-

Within a pair of men conversed, the two bandits speaking as their meal cooked.

"Aren't you worried that someone's going to walk in here? The entrance isn't exactly hidden, you know." His fellow brigand rolled his eyes.

"This again? I told you, we have someone standing guard out there. And don't forget the rock trap we rigged up. So, stop your worrying and get some rest. Your shift is coming up and I don't want you dozing off ag-" It happened suddenly, the telling sound of the door exploding into wood chips from an overwhelming force, striding forth on all fours the sudden invading rushed, tripping the wire but moving faster then the stones could fall. And then they saw it, rushing into sight, trailing their scents. A monster parodying the forms of beast and men alike.

A Werewolf, the alpha of the food chain, Hircine's own personal blight of Tamriel. It all happened too fast, by the time sense came to the pair it was already upon them. Leaping at the nearer of the two. The men fell below its weight, as its claws came down hard tearing through the hide armor, leaving claws to dig into all too vulnerable flesh.

He begun to scream but was cut off when it's jaws clamped down on his throat, a single visceral pull was given and no sooner was his jugular and windpipe torn apart and he was left to die a moderately quick yet horribly terrifying death.

The last thing he'd see was his comrade charge the beast with a great axe rose, the heavy blade coming down. Only to be seized by the beast as it grabbed just below the blade before yanking it out of the man's grasp and tossing it away.

The bandit was given a single second to contemplate his terror before it lunged, his death cry the beast's gnashing teeth being the last words of his fading friend… Razing up Jaune's licked his maws before sniffing the air and seeing the drawbridge, he growled making his way towards where the bridge would drop and leaping on to it, claws digging into the wood before he pulled back forcing the thing down.

"What Was That!?" He rose from the waters just in time to see the newest pair of victims who stared in horror, shakingly raising their blades. His response was to let loose a spine shuddering roar, the kind that made lesser men pass out, the further of the two dropped his weapon and turned tail to run. The closer froze in place as he leaped his cries and pleading only spurring his cowardly cohort's retreat more.

"Werewolf! There's a Werewolf!" The men turned towards him, ready to question his sanity before the proof itself acted as long, sharp claws emerged from his chest as his jaws clamped own on his left side.

"AHHH! NOOO!" They saw as he was ended, as the monster glared up at them with burning hateful eyes, its rough tainted gold hairs standing on end. Arrows were launched but all they served was to help him decide who to kill first.

They tried to resist but it was pointless, arrows seemed almost ineffective at all, and it just moved so fast with a terrifying power behind it. No sooner was there only one as the now sole survivor looked to the crumpled corpse beneath the beast. She shook as it turned to her and she saw it, the glint of intelligence within those vicious azure eyes that gazed upon her like prey.

Her last thoughts as the beast lunged were to Talos…

-0-0-0-

"And we're here." Silver eyes lit with hopeful light as the tiny reaper gazed up to see a gate before her, finding the village of Riverwood just as Jaune said. Excitement filled her as thoughts of a warm bed took the reigns. Jaune beside her smiled, a little winded but fine, after all he hadn't expected Ruby to be so fast on her feet… even made it here before sunset.

"Good, everything seems quiet enough here."

I was scared the Dragon might attack…

The pair stepped through the gate into the town.

"A dragon! I saw a dragon!"

"What? What is it now, mother?" Ruby noticed a older lady and her son talking, well the mom insisting on something while the guy seemed annoyed.

"It was as big as the mountain and black as night. It flew right over the barrow!" The man rolled his eyes at her words.

"Dragons, now, is it? Please, mother. If you keep on like this everyone in town will think you're crazy. And I've got better things to do than listen to more of your fantasies."

"You'll see! It was a dragon! It'll kill us all and then you'll believe me!" The pair looked to each other, Jaune's face contorting to one of sternness.

"What does she mean Barrow?"

"Bleak Fall's Barrow, over there, in the mountains…" She looked to where his gaze was set seeing it, she couldn't help but feel a tinge disturbed at what of the structure she could see. Somehow, it just felt ominous… And yet, something she couldn't explain seemed to call to her…

"C'mon, let's go see my Uncle Alvor."

"Wha!? Jaune!? Wait Up! Don't Leave Me Behind!" She readied to follow him before she noticed something, men glaring at him, two to be specific, a skinny-looking Nord, the same one who'd been arguing with her mom and a Bosmer? (Wood Elf) Just as Jaune stepped up to a forge to talk to a stout-looking Nord the two closed in on her, the Bosmer making himself known first.

"Were you with Arc just now? I would stay away from him if I were you. And no sooner was the skinny Nord to her right.

"Right, Fair maiden what would a sweet imperial rose like you be doing with that brute. Are you perhaps involved?" Her cheeks broke out into a name a match with her namesake.

"Wha!? Me and Jaune!? N-No!" The Bosmer looked annoyed.

"Tch, so then he's not taken…"

"Which mean's my muse Katt must still be in his clutches!" The Wood Elf turned to glare at the Nord.

"Neon isn't you're Sven! Nor Arc's!" And now she was confused…

"Who!?" The Nord, Sven though seemed all too happy to answer her curiosity.

"Why the fairest woman in all of Riverwood, Khajiit or not she's stolen my heart as I will her's."

"As if I'd let you! Katt belongs with me, not some dull-witted Nord! She's quick, agile and fierce, just like a Bosmer. Besides knowing you you only want her for Riverwood traders."

"How dare you!" She begun to panic, still confused.

"What's Going on here!?"

Jaune! Help!

All the while Jaune spoke to his uncle inside their house, explaining to him what'd happened in Helgen.

"by the Gods…" Jaune nodded, his uncle's reaction was reasonable but he needed to cut to the chase.

"We need to get word to Whiterun."

"Aye, but first you need to rest, no point in running out at night with such a young girl with you." He moved to protest but his uncle was a stern man.

"But… 'sigh' Your right, not like we'd make it in a day anyways… Too far away."

"That it is, besides your gear, if there is a dragon I can't say I'm confident in you wearing what those Imperials gave you as armor." Jaune sighed but nodded all the same, preparation was never a bad idea, it was then his aunt decided to give her two cents.

"Beside that girl Katt would be in a mood if you went up and left without even visiting her." He smiled her way.

"Well I was going to have to pick up some supplies from Flynt anyways so it's not like I wouldn't say hello to- The door slammed open then, one Ruby Rose entering, her silver eyes glaring at Jaune as her cheeks puffed up in an unadulterated pout for the ages.

"Uh, you okay Ruby?"

"I Am Not Okay! You Abandoned Me! And These Two Jerks Were Saying Mean Things About You! And Then Tried To Make Me Lie And Give Mean Letters To Some Kitty Lady!

"Then those letters in your hand are-?"

"EVIDENCE!" Stepping forward Jaune took the crumbled-up letters in her hands reading through them.

"What in the name of Talos! Why would I ever say this to Neon?"

"Right!? They were saying how this Neon Lady needed to see things straight or some junk like that! So, what do I do, I don't think they'll stop bugging me till I give her a letter." Jaune sighed, he wanted to crumble up the very unlovely letters, but…

"Well we were gonna go to Riverwood traders before we got a room at the inns anyways, might as well talk to Katt while I'm there. C'mon." Turning towards the door Jaune made his way to the doorway. His uncle decided to call out one last time then.

"Jaune, good luck." He nodded.

"I'll be-" Ruby cut in then, her silver eyes narrowing on the big blonde.

"'We'll' be-"

"'Sigh' We'll be heading out before dawn, sorry, once this is over I'll come visits." With a turn he exited the home, taking in the evenings air.

"So, where are we going?" He shrugged.

"Across the street." Following his line of sight she saw the store.

"Riverwood Traders?" Jaune sported a toothy grin as he step forward.

"Yep." He pushed against the door but it didn't budge.

"Oh, guess they're closed." Jaune shrugged, pulling out a key and pushing it inside.

"What the! Why Do You Have A Key!?" Not answering her the blonde pushed open the door.

"Hey Guys I'm ba-"

"C'mon Flynt we have to do something!" Jaune paused as he saw the scene of a familiar Khajiit and Redguard arguing.

"'Sigh' We're done talking about this sis, dad's claw ain't worth heading up there…"

"But, but it's a family heirloom! It should be important to you! Even more then it is to me! So C'mon! What are we gonna do about this!?"

"Nothing Katt! I said no! No adventures, no theatrics, no thief-chasing! And it's not that much of an heirloom, gramps traded for it with some old Nord back in the day and… Huh? Jaune?" Ruby looked to the pair, a Redguard and Khajiit, at least… She thought she was a Khajiit. She'd heard of the Ohmes but they were supposed to look completely human not have cat ears and a tail. All of which were standing up as she turned to see them, or more specifically Jaune. Her eyes widened as a huge smile spread across her face. And no sooner did she quite literally, leap into action and more importantly towards Jaune.

"Ahziss kha'jay! (My moon)" The youthful catgirl pounced the large Nord however, Jaune was used to tackles from a just as short but far more powerful ginger so all he really did was stumble a bit. Ruby watched as the catgirl rubbed her face into his chestplate, ignoring how rough the iron was as she…

"'Sniff sniff' 'Heh'… ~Kha'Jayune's scent~" Silver eyes stared at the Khajiit as her tail snaked around Jaune's body and she pressed herself more into him, her smile spreading as she began to… Purr.

'Cough'

'Purr'

Silver eyes narrowed on the scene.

'Cough, cough'

'Purr'

"Grr, Cough Cough!" Jaune looked her way curiously.

"Did you just say cough?"

"Sh-shutup!" Sea Green eyes turned then to meet Ruby's, the ginger-haired Khajiit seeming to finally notice the little Imperial tagging along with Jaune. For a second, just a second her features begun to contort to one mildly threatening before she focused her features back to that of a friendly smile and a face to match.

"Oh, you must be a member of the Imperial Legion, why would someone like you be around my Kha'Jayune is he showing you around." Ruby felt a vague sense of challenge from the catgirl. But at the same time.

"Kha-who?" The Redguard cut into the conversation then.

"Don't mind her, that's just what Neon here calls our favorite Nord, heya names Flynt, Flynt Coal, you run-of-the-mill trader and sole Redguard in all of Riverwood, and that would be my sister Neon." Said Khajiit huffed proudly.

"Aka cutest Khajiit in all of Tamriel." Shaking his head Flynt shot his sister a amused grin.

"Modest too." Neon stuck her tongue out at her brother but Jaune just shrugged.

"Hey when she's right she right." Neon practically preened at his words why Ruby felt not entirely awesome feeling over it.

"So she is a Khajiit?"

"Oh, yeah I guess most people haven't heard of her kind huh?" Flynt took the reins"

"Katt here's an Ohmes-raht." Said girl grinned.

"AKA every hot-blooded man fetish." Her ears flickered and tail swayed as she squeezed Jaune tighter.

"Isn't that right, Ahziss Kha'jay? (My Moon)" Flynt teased his sis.

"Down girl." Moving between the pair he parted them.

"Don't do that in front of his little girlfriend here." And again Ruby flushed.

"Gi-girlfriend! N-no we're not-!"

"We're not like that, we just, well I guess traveling together to Whiterun." Ruby sighed in relief… Until she suddenly didn't feel relief. And looking to Katt who clung to Jaune made her feel the opposite of it strangely enough.

I feel mad suddenly!

Neon grinned as she looked back to the reaper.

"'Heh' Jimetiit (Milk-Drinker)

Dumb Kitty! I don't need to speak the language to know your making fun of me!

"Oh yeah, Ruby got some letters from you're not so secret admirers." Digging out the crumpled papers he handed them to Katt he eyes them curiously. While distracted Ruby spoke up.

"So what's an Ohmes-raht?"

"Well, they're like the Ohmes, look human but only mostly." As if to emphasize this Katt's tail swayed menacingly as she read through the letters.

"Usually they'd have short fur but Neon prefers to go hairless."

The length that girl will go to get our Nord boy…

Flynt shuddered remembering the monthly screams of his sister and her full body waxings.

Fuck That, Speaking of…

"Jajia Isozeva Wafiit! (Those Short-tailed/ Poorly endowed Idiots)" Ruby saw as Neon's claws dug into and through the pieces of paper of the shaking Khajiit's hands before she tore them apart!

"If I Ever see them again I'll-"

"Do nothing, trust me ignoring those two will be the worst punishment you can give and we need their business." She turned to her brother to protest.

"But-" Jaune hand landed on her shoulder.

"He's right Katt, sides I don't really care what Sven and Faendal think or do anyways, wouldn't be the first time guys picked on me."

"'Exhale' Fine." Her words and her pouting cheeks spoke different story though, but thankfully despite the usually unsocial butterfly she was Ruby could talk her way out of a possible crime every once in a pair of blue moons.

"So um, what were you talking bout earlier, you sounded really angry after all." Neon's frustration shifted from her previous prey to the matter at hand once more leaving Flynt to slap his face.

"'Exhale' You just had to speak up didn't ya, lil miss…"

"That's right! Ahziss Khajay listen! We were robbed!"

"What!? Are two okay?"

"Yeah we're fine, the thief was only after the claw after all." Jaune's eyes widened.

"Your family's heirloom! That Dirty Bastard!"

"Right! I'll Kill that filthy Dark Elf! Stealing Papa Coal's Golden Claw!" To sooth her Jaune petted the catgirl's head much to Ruby's annoyance… Despite his caring actions his face gave an entirely different impression, after all, whether Flynt considered it one or not, the Golden Claw was their family's heirloom. To steal it was more than an insult to his friends but their entire family… And that simply couldn't be allowed. Not when he was intimately aware of the feeling.

One day I'll figure out who stole Crocea Mors.

"Do you know which direction he headed…" His tone was chillingly even as his eyes seemed to bore into his fellow male who swallowed a bit sorry for the sod who'd captured their friend's animosity.

"Bleak Fall's Barrow…" Jaune nodded before looking to Ruby.

"Hey Rubes. Would you mind a small detour?" She looked up to him confused before he spoke.

"We could cut through the mountains, there's a few ruins around there we can use for a camp, and it'll cut down on time going over the mountains instead of around them." She nodded, she got the impression that if she said no he might be inclined to suggest they part ways or worse that he'd try to sneak out and do it why she rested…

"I'll help, it's important to their family after all right?" He smiled her way, Neon below on the other hand pouted at the idea of the pair going together, getting all cozy and alone in the big scary barrows. A lightbulb went off in her head then though as Ruby spoke up.

"Um, well actually we need to get ready right." Jaune nodded.

"Yeah, even cutting through the mountains it'd still be a week-long trip to white without a horse." She nodded.

"Well then, what if we leave a bit late, there's something I kinda wanna do first." He couldn't help but notice her looking to his armor, worn and distorted from Helgan.

"That's fine, there's preparations I need to take anyways, well need some coin and plenty of medicine for the trip." He looked over to Flynt.

"Hey got your hands on any alchemic ingredients lately. Flynt smirked.

"Course I do, wanna make the same deal as usual." Jaune nodded.

"I'll pay in positions." The Redguard nodded.

"Throw in some medicine for Rockjoint would you, wolves have been acting up recently." He nodded, putting out his hand for a proper shake, one Flynt took happily.

"Sure thing."

Good thing I shot down that hawk yesterday

"Oh right!" Digging through his bag Jaune pulled out a the sack and Neon's nose twitched about as she sniffed it slightly drooling at the heavenly scent of smoked Salmon and Mudcrab.

"I figured I'd bring you two some fresh ingredients."

"Ahziss Ari Jer! (I Love You!)"

"'Sigh' Well, looks like ya'll will be spending the night here, can't let my brother-in-law spend the night in no inn after all."

"What!?"

Brother-In-Law!?

"Yeah, you should tots spend the night! We could use my bed if you want."

It was only then Ruby noticed it, the Amulet hanging off Katt's neck.

IS THAT A AMULET OF DIBELLA'S!

-Meanwhile-

Yang groaned as she popped her back, working out any kinks she'd gotten before swigging down a slightly bitter position to restore her injuries. She had to admit the man before her knew how to brew a strong elixir.

Speaking of, she looked back to the Argonian before her, an interesting one to say the least, he looked surprisingly human as compared to any she'd seen around Cyrodiil. His features were surprisingly pretty, androgynies even with long black hair. Why if not for the scales that framed his face and jade skin, she might've thought him human. However, the Pinkish crest poking out from his hairline and his long powerful tail serves to reinforce the fact that yes he was in fact of the reptilian race.

She watched as he cleaned off his arrows, black ebony to pierce through thick armor, light glass to travel fast and gilded elven to pierce deep into flesh. Then man could give a Bosmer a run for his Septims. And his skill with those daggers weren't anything to sniff at either.

"I'm impressed Ren, you really showed those bandits."

"Hardly, compared to you two I feel my performance wasn't nearly as 'Eye Drawing'."

She snorted, yeah right, that was cause he was shooting them all down before they could get in sight. She looked to the position he'd smeared on his arrows and daggers and cringed.

On top of that and his enchanted weapons and the way he moved, well, let's just say if someone told her he was a member of the Shadowscale she'd believe them. Still he wasn't alone in being an utter surprise as the third member of their little group stepped up.

"Heya Renny! I got the Loot!" Stepping their way was a shorter ginger girl, a Nord named Nora, Though she also claimed to have Orc blood in her and really seeing her lug around a colossal Nordic Great Hammer, she was inclined to believe the peppy little ginger named Nora.

"Lookie lookie, Renny, Yangarang, those big bad bandits had horsies!" Trotting forward were a pair of steads, Several dozen sacks of used weapons and armor tied to one.

"Now we can get home way quicker! I can already feel the toasty fire in our home! Oh oh and having some Honey'd Mead viewing the lake, Maybe Jaune-Jaune can tell use some scary stories about the Barrows again!" Ren nodded, the lizard man smiling slightly as he rose unto his slightly nervous stead, sighing as Nora leaped on behind him.

"Do you know how to ride Xiao-Long." She grinned, shooting the scale-boy a thumbs-up before getting on the other mount.

"Yeah, yeah, pops taught me back in the day, now c'mon, lets go, the quicker we cross the boarder the quicker we can find my sis right."

"Ya-huh, Jaune-Jaune's stationed in Helgen, if your sis crossed the way you said then I'm sure she passed by, No way Jaune-Jaune wouldn't help her out!" Yang smirked.

"I hope so… So this Jaune, he cute?" Nora smiled widely.

"Uh-huh, He's a hunksicle! He'd have to beat the girls off with a stick if he wasn't too dense to notice them. Maybe seeing a real Nord like him will get your fire going to Yangarang." The blonde brawler smirked checking her elven gauntlets as she held tight to the reigns of her stead.

"Yeah well, maybe he'll fall for me instead, after all if he's half the Nord you say he is maybe he'll be worth this dragon's time." She smirked, what could she say, she was a Nord through and through after all even if this would be her first time visiting Skyrim. Though she had to admit she always pictured herself doing it to find her deadbeat of a mom and her tribe of shitty bandits not for her baby sis…

"Well, we'll see."