Scroll 1
'Thief Chasing'
An arrow careens into the side of a make-shift target made of hay, flying past it and landing within the river.
Rhiannon let out a frustrated sigh as she held out her bow.
"That's enough for now, Rhiannon. Your focus is clearly on something other than your training." Faendal noted as his hands rested on his hips.
Another sigh escaped through her nose as she walked over to retrieve whatever arrows didn't fall into the river.
"Apologies, Faendal….my mind is, clouded, to say the least."
"The dragon, I presume?" he asked, giving her a knowing glance.
She nods, clutching her bow more tightly than before. "I can't get it out of my head. The burning red eyes….the ear-piercing roar. My dreams are plagued with the image of that creature."
Three moons had passed since the events at Helgen. The people of Riverwood had since been on edge, fearing that the massive creature would return at a moments notice.
And yet it hadn't, which made everyone that much more restless.
"I wish I could ease your worries, but I admit that I am having the same dreams. Seeing it fly over Riverwood that day has everyone here on edge." his gaze rises towards the barrow. "It's hard to believe that dragons exist, but seeing one with my own eyes? An ill omen, for certain."
"Aren't you leaving for Whiterun soon? Or did Alvor find someone else to seek aid from the Jarl there?" Rhiannon asked.
Faendal nodded. "As soon as we're done here, I'm leaving. Though I admit, it may be some time before I even get to see him. I hear that it can take a few winters to receive an audience with the Jarl."
"All the while Riverwood remains defenseless." Rhiannon said darkly, fiddling with an arrow in her hands.
"You could come with me if you want. We may have better luck in explaining things. Plus, you saw the dragon coming from Helgen itself. You might as well have been an eyewitness to the events there."
"I want to, believe me, but Lucan's shop was broken into last night. I offered to help find out who stole from him, on Gerdur's behalf since she's the one who told me about it. If anything, it will distract my mind from all of this dragon business. What doesn't help, is that the one person who saw the thieves flee was that ice-brain Embry."
Faendal's lips upturn into a playful smirk.
"Well, I wish you luck, but do be careful. If they are the same bandits roaming the roads between here and Falkreath, they must be very formidable. Lots of death in their wake from what I hear."
"You worry too much, but even I know better than to second-guess a bandit."
They walked back across the bridge from the mill into town until they reached the Riverwood Trader. There, the two said their goodbyes and went separate ways.
Upon entering the trader, Rhiannon was greeted with a very heated discussion between Lucan and his sister Camilla.
"Well one of us has to do something!" Camilla shouted.
Lucan pounded his fist onto the counter. "For the last time, I said no! No adventures, no theatrics, no thief-chasing!" he yelled, causing Camilla to flinch.
"Well what do you plan to do then, huh? Just let them take away our livelihood like that?!" Camilla protested, folding her arms in irritation. "You are such a coward!"
"We are done talking about this, Camilla. I-" he stopped once he realized Rhiannon was standing in the doorway. "Oh, Rhiannon…" he clears his throat awkwardly. "I'm sorry you had to hear that. Can I help you?"
Camilla scoffed, walking over to the hearth in the middle of the room. "Unbelievable." she groaned coldly. She met Rhiannon's gaze and gave her a pleading look. "Maybe you can talk some sense into my pig-headed brother. Please, Rhiannon, we can't let them get away with it."
Rhiannon placed a reassuring hand on Camilla's shoulder and nodded. "I'll do what I can, but no promises."
Camilla seemed to relax as she took a seat.
Rhiannon walked over to Lucan, who was grumbling near some of his wares.
"Rough morning, Lucan?" Rhiannon asked, leaning over the counter.
A long sigh escaped his lips. "That's putting it mildly. I, uh, don't know what you overheard, but we had a bit of a break-in, as I'm sure you're aware of by now. I wouldn't be surprised with the way Gerdur likes to poke her nose." he puts up his hands reassuringly. "I have plenty to sell, however! It seems they were only after one thing. An ornament, made of solid gold. Shaped like a dragon's claw."
Dragon's claw? Rhiannon thought. That can't be a coincidence.
"Do you have any idea where they may have headed?." she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lucan shook his head. "Sadly, no, but my best guess is up at the barrow? Hard to say, really."
"If only that fool of a man Embry wasn't so filled with drink, he could have told us." Camilla chimed in, folding her arms. "Mara bless you for helping us regardless, Rhiannon." Camilla beamed. "At least someone is willing to do something." she said coldly, giving her brother an icy glare from across the room.
Lucan grumbled as he began to polish a silver candlestick near one of the shelves.
"I'm unfamiliar with how to reach the barrow. Could you point me in the right direction?" Rhiannon asked with a raised brow.
Lucan fidgeted uneasily. "The path isn't that hard to miss. Just past the bridge outside of town." he lazily pointed towards the door, almost dropping the rag he held.
"This is your plan, Lucan? Sending a stranger on a wild goose chase?" Camilla questioned coldly, her voice growing ever more irritated.
"Camilla, that is quite enough. Our friend here will find these thieves, that way you don't have to. Problem solved."
"Oh really?" Camilla questioned, folding her arms. She walked over to Rhiannon and put a hand on her shoulder. "Well it seems our friend here needs a guide, wouldn't you say?"
Lucan grew very flustered. "Wh….no….I…oh by the Eight, fine! Only to the edge of town though, understand?"
Camilla rolled her eyes, grabbing Rhiannon by the hand and pulling her out of the door.
"Gods above, that man loves to test my patience!" Camilla yelled out once they left.
Rhiannon smirked. "Isn't that what kin are for, though?" she asked.
"Normal siblings, sure. Lucan though? He acts more like an overprotective father rather than a brother. Sometimes I just wish he'd leave me be."
A few moments passed and Camilla finally calmed herself down as they walked the road past the inn.
"Have you decided who you're going to pick yet?" Rhiannon asked, changing the subject.
"Huh? What do you mean?" she questioned, looking at her with a confused look.
Rhiannon threw her an amused smirk. "You know exactly what I mean, Camilla Valerius." she teasingly sighed. "Must be nice having two men eating out of the palm of your hand."
Camilla blushed profusely. "S-stop it….you make it sound so terrible."
"The longer you keep tugging at their hearts the way you do, it's going to get more difficult."
"First my brother, then Hod of all people, now you?" a long sigh escaped her lips. "Why can't I just take my time? They both have good qualities to them, I couldn't possibly decide right now."
"I think you're also afraid of hurting one of them too, am I right?"
Camilla stopped, her gaze falling to the cobblestone and dirt road.
"I….suppose. Who….who do you think I should pick, Rhiannon?"
Rhiannon stretched her arms above her head. "I'm not saying this because I'm slightly biased, but I think Faendal would be the more logical choice. Sven is an alright guy, but he's sort of the bragging type. I don't know if it's an act because of the whole bard thing, but it just doesn't seem fitting. Especially for such a nice girl like you."
"You may have a point…..I'll think about it."
"Faendal leaves for Whiterun today, you know. Imagine how happy he would be if you confessed before he leaves?" she smiled, trying to get Camilla excited. "He would be over the moon!"
Camilla rolled her eyes but smiled. "You're enjoying this way too much, my friend."
They reached the bridge leading out of town, Camilla stopping just at the edge. She pointed ahead, towards a fork in the road on the opposite side.
"See the lantern? If you head up the path to the left, you'll see an old watchtower. The same one that overlooks the town from the mountain. Once there, head right to go further up and you'll reach the barrow. You can't miss it at that point."
Rhiannon nodded. "It'll be nice to get a lay of the land from up there, if anything." she paused, turning on her heel to face Camilla. "Wait, how exactly do you know the way? I can hardly imagine dear old Lucan allowing you to go up there." she pointed out, crossing her arms and tilting her head to the side.
Camilla began to fidget in place, her cheeks now flushed.
"F-Faendal took me up there once. Not to the barrow, or anything, but just high enough to show me the town from up there."
Rhiannon smirked as Camilla nervously cleared her throat. "It seems you've already decided on picking Faendal before asking me but a moment ago. Unless you had second thoughts?"
"Well, this is where I leave you!" Camilla yelled suddenly, trying to change the subject. "I really should head back to my brother now. He'll throw an absolute fit if I take to long, such a child!" she continued, turning her back to act as if she were getting ready to go.
A few moments passed quietly as a mourning dove cooed in the distance.
"If you do decide to go after those thieves….please be careful." she said softly, almost a whisper as she continued to have her back facing Rhiannon.
"Not planning on pursuing anything just yet, but don't worry. I know better than to underestimate even a lowly bandit. I have some preparations before going after them, but may go up the path to scout things out."
"Good luck." Camilla said softly, walking back towards town.
Walking across the stone bridge into town, Rhiannon began the climb up the path to the barrow. It had been a while since she hiked up such a steep path, but was willing to accept such an arduous climb.
As she made her first turn up the path, a question burned in her mind.
Why only the claw?
Sure, it was made of solid gold, so that was reason enough. However, the usual bandit would have taken more, and there were plenty of items in Lucan's store that were worth just as much coin.
So why only the claw?
Surely the thieves knew of the dangers a typical crypt such as Bleak Falls Barrow held. Traps and the undead were the two to come to mind.
Rhiannon continued the climb until she found an area of the path where the underbrush was at its thinnest. Crouching down, she eyed the ground carefully and noticed shallow prints within the soft earth. Sadly though, they appeared to be nothing more than deer tracks. She lifted herself up and continued up the path.
The lush greens and browns of the path quickly gave way to stone and snow. Passing a pile of cairn stones, she was met with a view overlooking Riverwood. Her breath hitched at the beauty before her.
Seeing the town from this point of view proved just how small and unprotected it was. If a dragon attacked, Riverwood wouldn't stand a chance. Sitting between two mountain ranges had its advantages certainly, but consequences as well.
Still, the thought of all of that quickly left as she took in Riverwood's beauty. This small moment making Riverwood feel like something out of a painting.
Facing the path again, Rhiannon had no need to continue due to the looming presence of the ruined watchtower not far from where she stood. The unmistakable forms of people caught her eye, both at the top and bottom of the tower.
Rhiannon stiffened as she watched two bandits pointing down at Riverwood while talking to each other. It pained her to know that they were so close to those whom she had grown to know and care for while recovering in the peaceful hamlet.
Yet she was grateful that up until now the bandits had made no advances on the small river town. Especially when they could have taken far more than just an ornamental claw.
Now confirming that Lucans' hunch on the thieves whereabouts proved true, Rhiannon descended the path and returned to town.
She had to prepare.
000
After eating a late breakfast at the inn, Rhiannon grabbed her belongings and headed to Alvor's forge. As she approached however, she saw Sigrid trying to hold back her husband as he yelled into an unsteady Embry's face.
"I'm a few moments away from throwing your drunken arse into the forge!" Alvor yelled.
Embry did not react in the slightest. He burped in Alvor's face, trying to look at him. "Y-you're…..kinda fuzzy. What's wrong with ya?"
Before Alvor could make due on his threat, Rhiannon quickly rushed over and put a hand on Embry's shoulder.
"Embry! There you are!" she exclaimed. "I've been looking for you everywhere!" she continued, giving Sigrid an amused glance.
Embry faced her and Rhiannon was immediately hit with the strong smell of mead as it wafted off of him. His eyes were bloodshot and he swayed in place.
"Who in…..what are…." he stopped to hiccup as he stared into the empty tankard he was holding. "Where did my drink go?"
"That….um, that's why I was looking for you! You left it at the inn and Orgnar nearly tore my hide when he saw me about to clean it up! You should go and thank him!" Rhiannon yelled with a big smile, patting Embry on the arm.
Embry continued to stare into the empty tankard, and for a moment Rhiannon thought her lie didn't work.
"O-okay….I'll go get the fish net, from the-" he hiccuped again as he began walking away.
Alvor, Sigrid and Rhiannon watched him stumble towards the inn and fall face first onto the porch. He didn't move, but the ever so subtle sound of snoring echoed from across the way.
Alvor breathed heavily through his nose, his fists clenched tightly.
"Breathe, husband, breathe." Sigrid soothed. "You must have patience with him, poor fool."
"Hard to do that when the ice-brain keeps making drunken advances toward my wife!" Alvor yelled. "Next time that arse decides to take a drunken swim in the river, I may very well let him drown!"
Alvor stormed back over to the forge and began pounding some iron onto the anvil.
A long sigh fell from Sigrid as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Divines above, thank you for that Rhiannon. Though I imagine Orgnar and Delphine won't be too happy to find Embry passed out at the front of their establishment."
Rhiannon shrugged. "The poor fool has a tab he can never pay and is more likely to do something like that anyway. Besides, Delphine would sooner dump a bucket full of water over his head."
Sigrid smiled at the thought. "You have a point." she stretches her arms above her head. "I'm going to let the big man calm down and go collect some firewood from the mill. Gerdur owes us after we fixed her woodcutting axe. Why don't you stop by for dinner tonight, okay? It's the least we can do after that whole incident."
"I would love to. I'd never pass up on your cooking Sigrid." Rhiannon replied with a smile.
"Well, we love the company. Dinner has especially been more lively since Hadvar has been recovering these past few days."
"How is he doing, by the way? Seems like he's been bedridden far too long for just simple cuts and burns."
Sigrid sighed. "It's the war, I imagine. He probably needed the rest, seeing as how he came down with a fever the night you brought him back here." she starts looking around. "He is up and about today, though I have no idea where he is currently." she puts both of her hands on her hips. "It's bad enough that he makes me worry while this war rages on. Now he's all but disappeared after being bedridden the whole time he's been here."
"I'm sure he's around, but I'll send him your way if I see him."
"What would this town do without you sometimes, Rhiannon. I should probably find the troll that bested you and thank it. You have been divines-sent, I swear! If only my Dorthe were as diligent with her chores as you are with helping people."
Rhiannon snorted. "Careful what you wish for. She's a rebellious one of late. You'll certainly have your hands full, especially when she comes of age."
Sigrid's smile falters and she quickly starts walking towards the lumber mill. "And that, my dear girl, is where I take my leave. You have a wonderful day!"
Rhiannon watched her leave with a smile, but then her face saddens.
Truth be told, Rhiannon had no memory of her own mother. A result of unknown origins. In fact, most memories before she became of age were lost to her. All she has ever known is the open road, which isn't so terrible when one has seen what she had. Still, not a day goes by where she doesn't wonder.
Wanting to give Alvor time to cool his head, Rhiannon retrieved the iron armor she requested and returned to the inn to change.
Once she was dressed, she informed Delphine and Orgnar of where she was headed, telling them that she may be late to her shift at the inn tonight. Delphine was a bit perturbed, but eventually came around.
With her newly dawned iron armor and her leather pack strapped to her back, Rhiannon crossed the bridge out of town and began her trek back up the mountain path.
000
Returning to the tower, Rhiannon knew that she wouldn't be able to sneak inside due to there only being one way in or out. By now the sun was at it's highest and it brightened the snow covered path. In turn, it made whoever traveled it stand out, so more than likely the thieves in the tower had already noticed her.
Knowing how stupid this next step was, Rhiannon walked toward the tower.
"I'd go back down that mountain if I were you, stranger!" one of the thieves yelled as she approached. He leaned against a skinny tree that stood next to the tower. "There's nothing for you here!"
Rhiannon kept a light grip on the war axe at her hip, still slowly walking to the tower. "That's all well and good, but I need to get inside the barrow. If you leave me be, I will leave you be, it's as simple as that."
"And why should we let you?" another one of the bandits called as she came from within the tower at the sound of the conversation. "How do we know you aren't here for the treasure too?" she asked as one of her tusks began rubbing under her lip.
"Quiet! She didn't need to know about that!" the other bandit yelled. "Arvel will have your head if he finds out you snitched about the treasure!"
"And what in oblivion did you just do?!" the orc woman yelled back. "At least I didn't just reveal our leader's name!"
The nord man grew silent as his hand went down towards a steel mace. He withdrew it from his hip and held it up. "Well, I'm itching for something to do, so if this one wants to try and steal our haul, guess we'll have to kill her!"
Before even letting either the orc or Rhiannon try to say otherwise, the nord charged at Rhiannon.
As Rhiannon lifted up her axe to block the oncoming attack, she felt someone coming from behind and they rushed into the bandit attacking her. The two fell to the snow covered ground and wrestled for the bandit's mace.
Watching the two wrestle on the ground, Rhiannon was shocked to see that the person on top of the bandit was Hadvar.
He continued to wrestle with the bandit until he got a clean punch to the man's nose. The bandit screamed as he stopped to grab it. Hadvar grabbed the mace and stood up, watching the bandit writhe on the ground.
The orc woman ran for the tower and reached within the doorway to grab a hunting bow leaning against it. Rhiannon noticed this and took her longbow out and fired an arrow at the orc before she could shoot Hadvar.
The arrow embedded into the orc's thigh and she screamed in pain.
"Put it down, orc! This doesn't have to end in death!" Rhiannon yelled, knocking another arrow within her bows rest.
"I would listen to her if I were you." Hadvar added. "Though if she were not here, I would not be as forgiving." he threatened with narrowed eyes.
The orc shifted her gaze from her fellow bandit on the ground, to Rhiannon aiming her bow and finally cursed under her breath.
"Fine….you can-" she was cut off with a gurgled moan as a sword pierced through her throat.
"Well that's unfortunate." a deep voice called from inside the tower. " Shame I had to kill you, but we can't have you betraying our leader."
Another orc man stepped out from the doorway of the tower, dawned in iron armor. He held a banded iron shield at his side as he withdrew the sword from the orc woman's lifeless corpse.
His gaze fell to the nord with the broken nose and scoffed. "Get up, you pathetic little skeever! Kill them!" he yelled.
Before the nord with the broken nose could make a move, Hadvar stepped forward with the steel mace and struck him across the head. Blood splattered across the snow and the bandit fell over, lifeless.
"You're outnumbered. I suggest you put down your arms." Hadvar ordered. "Otherwise, it will not end well for you."
The bandit laughed. "You think I'm afraid of a damned imperial soldier?!"
"Surrender, now!" Hadvar ordered again, pointing the steel mace at him.
Rhiannon cursed under her breath as she tried to pinpoint a spot she could shoot an arrow, but to no avail.
The orc stood fast, waiting for both Hadvar and Rhiannon to make a move.
"We could be here all day, if you want, but by the time you decide to do anything, my mates will be out here with our haul and you will be the ones outnumbered."
"So the claw is a means to get to this 'treasure' then?" Rhiannon asked, putting her bow away slightly to take out her war axe instead. "Surprised you didn't take everything the merchant had. Would have been worth far less effort, don't you think?"
The orc seemed a bit taken back by her questions, seeming to acknowledge her point.
"What Arvel wants, the group wants. Any opposing idea gets one killed." the orc replied. "We gonna talk all day?"
Rhiannon shrugged. "Depends." she replied, giving her axe a few playful spins in her hand. "You going to let me and my friend head up to the barrow, or try to stop us?"
The orc got extremely frustrated as he raised his shield. He turned his gaze to Hadvar, who was no longer in the same place he once stood.
"Where did he go?!" the orc yelled, pointing his sword at Rhiannon.
Rhiannon quickly ran up to him and began swinging. He blocked her attacks with no issue and began laughing.
Unbeknownst to him, Hadvar managed to make his way to the bridge and circled around behind the orc. While Rhiannon distracted him, Hadvar ran full speed and thrust his iron sword into the orc's back, between the shoulder blades.
The orc yelled out, his back arching at the impact and swung his shield backward, knocking Hadvar down. The bridge was a bit slippery from the snow and Hadvar slid halfway off the bridge, his gaze falling down at the impending drop.
Rhiannon took advantage of the orc going for Hadvar by rushing forward and pushing him. Hadvar then reached up with one hand to grab the orc's ankle, causing him to trip and fall off the edge of the bridge.
The orc barely got a scream out as his body hit the stone walls of the mountain. He disappeared from view as his corpse fell into the trees below.
Hadvar strained to pull himself up, but was quickly assisted by Rhiannon.
Both nords took a short moment to catch their breath.
"That could have gone a bit better." Hadvar breathed.
"Plans….hardly ever go as expected." Rhiannon replied. "Be grateful he didn't take you tumbling down with him."
"Fair point." Hadvar panted. "It seems I owe you again. I hope this doesn't become a habit." he jests, giving her a weak smile.
Rhiannon placed her war axe back on her hip and walked into the doorway of the ruined watchtower. "Safe to say the claw won't be here." she breathed.
"I can't believe these bandits are so close to home." Hadvar noted. "Why the Jarl hasn't sent soldiers here is concerning."
"It's not a place strategic to the war for either the Imperials or Stormcloaks. So I'd guess even the Jarl of Whiterun would rather not send any men here either. Though, I imagine that might change now because of the dragons."
Hadvar watched her go up the stairs of the tower to the outside.
"Not much here, it would seem!" she called down.
"Did you think otherwise?!" Hadvar called back.
"No, but didn't hurt to look anyway! Bulk of their belongings must be up at the barrow! At least the claw will be there!" she replied.
Hearing her footfalls, Hadvar smirked at the curious woman. He didn't know the woman well, but he was amused with the fact that she spoke her mind. Even if what was seen was obvious to others.
Rhiannon returned from upstairs, giving him a confused look due to him staring.
"Something wrong?" she asked curiously as she pocketed some lock picks back to her side.
Hadvar, realizing he was staring, grew flustered. "Uh, no-sorry! I was lost in thought."
Without a reply, Rhiannon walked back out and began searching the two dead bandits outside. Searching for anything useful, she was let down as all she found were a few iron arrows and a small amount of coin.
"You're not against stealing from the dead?" Hadvar asked with a raised brow.
Rhiannon stopped mid-search, looking over her shoulder.
"Referring to the old superstitious folktales? I guess it doesn't apply to me much since I haven't really been here long. I merely do it on a circumstance basis." she replied. "In this case? They're bandits. Odds are that whatever they had on their person, more than likely didn't belong to them in the first place."
She stood up, brushing snow off of her knees. Her gaze rises to the sky, taking note of the sun's position.
"I should probably get to the barrow. It's already mid-day and I would like to be back before sun-down." she walks over and gives a hefty pat to Hadvar's shoulder. "Thanks for the help. You should probably head back and continue to rest."
Hadvar grips the hilt of his sword tightly and turns to follow.
"I'm coming with you." he proclaimed bravely. "It's only fair."
Rhiannon continued to climb the path but chuckled under her breath. "Won't do the legion any good if you die in an old crypt, soldier. Besides, you would be putting me on the receiving end of Sigrid's wrath if I don't send you back. She's awfully worried about you."
"I can't, in good conscience, let you go into that crypt alone. As capable as you may seem, I owe you twice-over now for saving my life. So please let me aid you in this."
It was true that even Rhiannon was a little on edge about going to the barrow. The thought of having someone there to watch her back put her at ease. However, her time spent in Riverwood had made her afraid of a few things. Getting close to those around her being first and foremost.
The recently learned being Sigrid's temper.
"If you're worried about Aunt Sigrid, I'll take the blame if need be." Hadvar assured. "I've had my fair share of her temper before….trust me." he seemed to shiver a bit at recalling past memories.
Rhiannon cocked her hip and folded her arms against her chest. "A dragon in mortal form." she jested with a smile.
Hadvar couldn't help but chuckle. "Made my training in the legion seem paltry by comparison."
A light snow began to fall and Rhiannon huffed, giving in.
"Alright, you can come with me, but on one condition." she said with a serious face.
"Anything."
"You're buying drinks tonight at the inn." she beamed, punching him in the shoulder.
"Deal." he smiled. "Lead the way."
She returned his smile with a playful smirk. "Try to keep up."
The snowfall grew heavier as both Hadvar and Rhiannon traversed the path up to the barrow. Thankfully, it did not hinder their vision. The climb was a little arduous, but nothing Rhiannon hadn't done before.
Turning the corner, the presence of the barrow loomed before them. A testament to days long forgotten, but still felt by those who now inhabited Skyrim.
Rhiannon's breath caught in her throat as she gazed upon the barrow. She had seen plenty of ruins and crypts throughout her travels, yet there was something about this one that stirred many feelings from her.
It almost felt like it was calling to her. Calling her home.
Maybe it was merely the fact that she was back in her homeland, or just the way the ruin appeared. Regardless of why, it surely made her feel small in comparison.
Rhiannon felt a hand on her back, breaking her from her thoughts as she gazed at the barrow.
"Caution, there are people among the ruins." Hadvar warned, pointing so Rhiannon could see.
Rhiannon nodded. "They will not be happy to see us approach, but I'm ready for a fight if you are."
Hadvar drew his sword and shield. "I'll follow your lead, just be careful upon approach. I can guarantee they have more bowmen."
The pair walked up to the stairs when an arrow embedded itself into the snow right in front of them. Hadvar quickly stood in front of Rhiannon, raising his shield. Rhiannon began pulling an arrow of her own into the rest of her bow.
"No one else needs to die today!" Rhiannon yelled so the bandits could hear.
The only response she got was a handful of laughter and a bandit running towards them with a greatsword.
(I'm sorry for the extremely long wait for this one. Between work, early stages of moving and terrible writer's block, this took me longer to write than I care to admit. Regardless, I hope it was enjoyable. With the barrow in their sight, Rhiannon and Hadvar can now pursue the thieves and hopefully be done by nightfall. But what else awaits them within? Next Chapter: Secrets Below!)