"One last check. Food and drink. A bit of gold. Medicine for my rash. Utilities. A dagger for protection and blankets." Skoref tightened up his bag. "Braxen, I am ready for Windhelm! Braxen?"

Braxen lay asleep in Edna's rocking chair. Looking particularly cozy by the fire. Skoref called her name once more, with no response. He reached out to give her a light shake. As soon as his fingernail invaded Braxen's radius, she sprung to life. Judo flipping the poor boy over and sticking a bare foot to his neck.

"A Stormcloak sleeps with one eye open at all times. I suggest you learn to do the same." Skoref replied with a few gargling noises, reaching out for Edna's aid. Edna calmly laid in bed, drinking a cup of tea. Not at all concerned with the beat down of her grandson.

"You beg the elderly for assistance? Pathetic!" Braxen released the hold as Skoref gasped for air. She slid into a pair of leather boots to accompany the knee-high purple dress Edna put together. A few trims with precise stitching. Cut down the middle and re sewed to convert the lower half into shorts. "Excellent craftsmanship Lady Edna. I do have a question. Too often these female undergarments get stuck up my butt. How do I fix this?"

Edna shrugged. "Take em off. Although you run the risk of something crawling inside."

"Does that really happen?"

"Aye." A creepy smirk grew across Edna's face. "You want to hear the story of a nude swimmer and a slaughterfish?"

Braxen pondered the true meaning of life for a brief moment. "I'll keep them on. BOY! Get ready for our departure."

Skoref dusted dirt off his everyday farmer's clothes and threw on his bag. "I was ready this morning and stop calling me boy. You look two years older than me."

"Lesson number one. You are a boy until proven that you've become a man. That is how I trained my men. Lesson number two. Age and appearance are irrelevant to one another. I'm thirty years older than you. Up here." Braxen pointed to her head. Skoref brushed it off with an eye roll, prompting an angry sneer from Braxen. Edna crawled out of bed to hug her boy. Skoref embraced her tightly. It lasted for a full minute. Skoref almost couldn't let her go, but alas, he did.

"Love you granny."

Grinning from ear to ear, she pinched his cheeks. "I love you too Skoref." Braxen leaned against the wall. This was upsetting to see in her eyes, bringing up thoughts of young Rorke. His baby boy in a past life. Last thing Braxen could remember, Rorke had turned 4 years old. Soon to be training if Midan would let him. Even that little elven girl was sitting in the back of her mind. Braxen grabbed her weapons and went for the door.

"Come along boy, we're burning daylight."

"You're not leaving without saying goodbye now?" Braxen looked over her shoulder to see Edna with open arms. A little embarrassed, she still felt obliged. Braxen hugged the old woman, who squeezed her as if she was Edna's own child. A warmth that felt very comforting.

"Take care of yourself Braxen. May the maker guide your path to spiritual freedom."

It was a lovely day to travel. Sun shining bright. A slight breeze accompanied by a passion for adventure and revenge. The pair set off eastbound, making the first destination Riverwood. Braxen checked a map as Skoref applied oil to his hands.

"What's this rash you mentioned earlier? Did you get bit by a insect?"

"I'm not sure. I travel through the woods pretty often, so I would recall being bit or catching a disease. This issue with my hands seemed to appear from nowhere. I woke up one morning with a burning sensation. My skin dried out constantly. The local apothecary couldn't identify it. Granny assumed it was a plant that I rubbed against, and I've been using this special oil to keep it under control. Although it's being going on for a few months now."

"Let's pray you'll be able to use a sword with no distraction. Speaking of which, have you ever killed anyone?" There was no answer as Skoref kept his eyes forward. "Did you hear me? I said have you-"

Skoref stood still, locked on to something. Braxen checked his line of sight. A cave bear sat in their path without a care in the world. Twenty feet in between them, giving a few options of approach. Oddly enough, Braxen was ecstatic.

"What great timing! Okay boy, this is a prime opportunity to prove your worth." She dropped her bag and pulled her sword. "Are you ready!"

Skoref ran sideways, jumping into the bushes. In a low squeak he replied, "I'll get the next one."

"Coward! I demand you exit those bushes and fight!"

The bear had clearly heard enough and charged forward, throwing a swiping claw. Braxen dove to the right, getting back into battle stance. The bear stood on its hind legs, preparing to pounce. Braxen struck its underbelly, plunging the blade deep. Years of experience taught her exactly where to strike. The bear toppled over as Braxen repeatedly stabbed its heart. Skoref peeked over the rock, seeing Braxen stand tall. Hands dripping in bear blood. A devilish smile on her face.

"Open you eyes boy! There is nothing to fear. Now BRING YOUR ASS OUT HERE!"

Skoref scrambled out to her side. "Yes ma'am. My apologies."

"Until you find a pair of balls between those legs, you will carry my bags. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Alright. I'm going to clean my hands." She tossed the bloody sword at Skoref's feet. "Skin and slice a few chunks of meat from my kill. Make it quick."

Trying not to vomit, Skoref picked up the sword as Braxen headed for a nearby river. "Can I at least have a pair of gloves?"

"NO!"

Nose twisted and mouth closed, Skoref dug into the bear. A foul smell of organs invaded his nostrils, churning his stomach. Braxen rinsed off at a nearby pond. Taking down the bear proved harder than originally thought. Her shoulders ached, having to apply extra pressure to make up for the lack of extra muscle. Even so, her mindset for battle was intact. Braxen returned, minutes later to a surprise. The bear's entire body skinned. Thick pieces of meat, perfectly trimmed, being wrapped up by Skoref.

"My word. You broke down an entire bear that fast?"

"Yeah. I cooked meat for my granny all the time. Usually the meat was seperated from the animal but I made do. What of it?"

"I-I'm impressed."

Skoref's face lit up with joy, jumping to his feet. "Really!"

"Settle down before you ruin it. Pack everything up and lets get going."

The journey to Riverwood continued. They were making great time as the sun was still high. Skoref filled a role of mule. Carrying both bags while Braxen kept watch for possible attackers. Up a hill, around a curve and they arrived to three standing stones.

"Wow." Said Skoref. "What an interesting set of relics."

"Eh, I've seen them plenty of times before. Not much to see. Take a break. I see Nirnroot I can use later."

Back feeling sore, Skoref plopped down. Braxen stepped down the wet hill. She began to slide. Her boot caught a hole and she rolled down, falling face first into the water. Skoref dropped his water flask and scurried over. "Braxen?"

Braxen floated gently among the current, not moving. Skoref carefully slid down. He grabbed Braxen, flipping her over. A small trickle of blood ran down over her left eye. Unconscious, but still breathing. Using his last bit of remaining strength, Skoref threw her over his shoulders. Before treading uphill, he pocketed the Nirnroot. It was a struggle but Skoref managed to make it back. Only to find two wolves digging through their bags.

"Oh you can't be serious."

The wolves eyed Skoref, who sat Braxen against a standing stone, which depicted a warrior branding a shield. Skoref rubbed it, asking for a bit of faith. "Talos give me strength." Skoref clenched his fists and took a deep breath. One wolf leapt forward, taking an arrow to the face. Another arrow struck the second wolf, killing it instantly. Skoref was frozen, not knowing what to do. An elf approached him, bow in hand.

"Greetings friend. You looked like you could use a hand."

Skoref dropped to his knees, sighing in relief. "Man am I glad you showed up. Thanks a lot."

"Not a problem." He offered his hand. "Faendal."

"Skoref." He accepted, getting back to his feet. "You from around here?"

"Indeed I am. Right over in Riverwood."

"Wonderful! We were just headed over there."

Braxen groaned loudly, grabbing her head. "Ugh. What did I miss?"