Disclaimer: The following story is centered around my own character, Mhari Freysri, who is the only character in this piece that I own. All other characters and elements of the world within the Elder Scrolls series is the intellectual property of Bethesda. This story contains, not just massive spoilers, but is in and of itself one very long spoiler, as it is based off of my playthrough of Skyrim: Special Edition. You have been advised. Please enjoy this newest installment of my cringy fanfiction.

*Music: 'Síocháin Shuthain' - Adrian Von Ziegler

"No, no," Sybille sighed in frustration as she watched Mhari struggle with the ingredients in front of her, the aspiring bard fumbling with a hawk's egg and a needle, nearly pricking her finger in the process. "You need to grind the Hagraven's claws into a fine powder while simultaneously incorporating the contents of the hawk's egg. You cannot do it separately; it dilutes the magic."

"I only have two hands, ma'am," Mhari sighed in frustration, covered in residual ingredients from her previous attempts. She patted her robes with her gloves hands, a puff of grey powder clouding around her. "I don't know how I can hold the mortar firm, grind with the pestle, puncture the hawk's egg, and pour the egg's innards evenly - all at once, no less!"

"I'd do it for you," Sybille began. "But muting Daedric magic takes dedication, focus and a considerable amount of skill that is far beyond your current level. You need to know for yourself how to contain it's effects or you will be corrupted by their influence. It's simply inevitable, and I may not always be nearby to do it in your stead."

"And you're certain I can't simply wrap it in a leather sleeve?" Mhari asked. "Maybe silver? Silver has a dampening effect on Daedric magic, doesn't it?"

"A ridiculous myth spread by charlatans and swindlers preying on the fears of superstitious simpletons," Sybille scoffed. "Silver may boast an effectiveness on Draugr, and perhaps even werewolves; but it may as well be paper to a powerful Daedra. And you're dealing with the artifact of a Daedric Prince - that's about as potent as it gets."

"I know, I know," Mhari sighed, placing her hands on the surface of the alchemy table, slouching her shoulders with a discouraged shake of her head. "I'm not going to quit; if I'm going to keep the Wabbajack with me, I want to do so carefully. I just didn't think it'd be this difficult; I mean, I'm not completely new to alchemy and enchantments, but this is the first time since I was a child that I've felt like a true amateur."

"Well you are an amateur," Sybille shrugged, refusing to mince her words to save Mhari's feelings. "But this is how you get better. You learn, you challenge yourself, and you keep at it until you improve. No one said ever said the progress would be swift."

"It's been nearly a month!" Mhari exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation.

"A month is nothing!" Sybille rolled her eyes. "Learning to prepare alchemical ingredients of this caliber and mastering the enchantment required takes most mages years to master. Did you really think you were going to skip that learning curve in a day?"

Mhari sighed with a begrudging nod of agreement. She had come to Sybille three days after her return from the Pelagius Wing after being plagued with incessant nightmares of madness and paranoia every time she slept. The court wizard hadn't believed her at first when Mhari told her she'd received a Daedric artifact from Sheogorath himself, but after inspecting the Wabbajack carefully herself, she knew dampening the staff's powers would be best for not only Mhari, but Solitude. Ever since, Mhari had been meeting Sybille in her quarters at sunrise each day to fashion a proper wrapping to keep the Daedric magic from seeping outward from the Wabbjack.

"Perhaps we should call it a day," Sybille suggested. "We can try again tomorrow. Besides, I have things to do."

"Let me give this one more try. I think I have an idea," Mhari stretched her arms to the sky with a yawn and a sigh. "If that's okay?"

"Alright, once more; but don't expect a miracle."

Mhari placed a sheet of parchment paper across the surface of the alchemy table, much to Sybille's confusion. The wizard raised her eyebrow, but chose to watch to see what Mhari would do. Mhari summoned a weak flame spell in one hand, holding a candle near the flame, allowing the wax to pool on the paper, until she could create a solid, angled mount for the mortar. Unconventional, but that may give her one less thing to fumble with. Sybille thought to herself. But she still needs to get the overall mixture exactly right. If she mixes too vigorously, or pours too quickly - or not quick enough, the solution is ruined. She carefully measured the correct weight of Hagraven claws and dropped them into the mortar, starting to grind them firmly with one hand. She slipped the sharp pin between her teeth and, while carefully holding her hawk's egg, she used a the sharp end of the pin to puncture the bottom and allowed the drippings to slowly drain into the powdered claws as she stirred it carefully with the pestle, grinding the contents in a figure-eight motion, regarding her work with the utmost care and concentration. Finally, the hawk's egg stopped leaking, the mixture now taking on a smoky grey colour, smelling faintly of old eggs, musty moth balls, and burned deadwood.

Mhari raised her eyes to Sybille expectantly; the court wizard approached to inspect the final product and nodded approvingly.

"It's not the most elegant solution, but this will do." Sybille said finally, giving a dry smile of amusement at Mhari's shoulders dropping in exhaustion and relief. "Now you can coat the wisp wrappings with the mixture before we enchant them."

Mhari wasted no time and followed Sybille's instructions to the letter, finally placing the coated wrappings on the enchanting table at her left. She placed her hands in the focusing circles on either side, feeling her palms hum with her own magical energy. She began to speak:

"Egg of hawk - and wicked claws,

Silence the poison from Daedra's jaws.

Seep into these woven wisps,

Words like rivers - flow from my lips.

With this spell, the darkness bound,

In the Mad God's grasp, I'll not be found."

The blue glow of Mhari's magic flowed like smoke from Mhari's lips enveloping the wrappings, engulfing them with light. As the light seeped into the fabric and faded, the room grew still and quiet once more.

"You know," Sybille broke the silence. "Most enchantments are done wordlessly..."

"I've always had trouble with even the simplest enchantments," Mhari frowned sheepishly. "I haven't been able to enchant items any other way."

"Well, I commend you - regardless of your methods, Freysri. But you should bear something in mind."

"Yes?" Mhari gave mage a nod as she spoke.

"While successful, this enchanted wrapping is still...shoddy at best. Even though it will dampen the Daedric magic for a time, it's effects are finite; and if you remove this wrapping, the enchantment will be broken." Sybille watched Mhari as she carefully wrapped the Wabbajack in the moss-green wrapping. "When your nightmares of madness return, you'll know the enchantment is weakening. You'll need to do this all over again; and my supplies are limited."

"I understand," Mhari nodded grimly, holding the now-covered staff and sighing in relief at the overwhelming atmosphere of calm that surrounded her now that the magic had been silenced. "I'll keep honing my skills. Maybe someday I'll be able to cast an enchantment without having to use incantations."

"Well, your incantations are a little on the dramatic side," Sybille teased. Mhari shot her a playful, wordless squint in response. "Then again, bards do have a flair for the dramatic."

"I'm not an official bard yet," Mhari corrected. "I still have to find King Olaf's Lost Verse. Now that I've nearly saved up enough gold to buy a horse, it's starting to seem that I can get started soon."

"Well, be sure to allow yourself ample time for rest before you leave," Sybille warned. "You are clearly at your limit; it will take a few days of taking it easy before you're back to your full strength. Daedric power can be intoxicating, but it is notoriously draining; especially for those who are inexperienced in the arcane arts. Besides, you'll need your strength for Pinemoon Cave."

"What's in Pinemoon Cave?" Mhari asked curiously, carefully tucking the wrapped Wabbajack in the leather holder on the side of her pack.

"In a word? Vampires." Sybille spoke simply, not waiting for Mhari's reaction. "Bodies have been found nearby with every drop of blood drained from them. I suspect the vampires responsible have taken Pinemoon Cave as a den. This is what I will ask for as payment for my aid and supplies. It'll be up to you to clear them out."

"B-But I've never fought a vampire before," Mhari sputtered nervously. "I thought you'd just ask me to be your apprentice for a while or something; help you clean and assist your work."

"Being my apprentice wouldn't be payment," Sybille scoffed, amused at the notion. "It would be a privilege for you. I've granted you my time, patience, and many precious materials that will be difficult to replace. I think asking for something of equal value in return is perfectly reasonable."

"I understand." Mhari let out a resigned sigh. She's right. It's only fair. "I'll find a way to make it happen."

"Good." Sybilled nodded. "Now off you go, bard. I have more pressing matters to attend to."

Before Mhari could protest, Sybille shooed her along, closing the door behind her. Mhari dragged her feet back to the inn and returned to her room. Not caring that it was only midday, she wriggled into the sheets of her bed and slipped into a blissfully-normal slumber.

*Music: 'Scarborough Fair' - The Hound The Fox

Night had descended upon the city, and The Winking Skeever was bustling with patrons; sailors, guards, civilians and even nobles alike had gathered in smatterings throughout the inn, deep in their drinks and joviality. Mhari had taken a seat by Lisette and Jorn on the main floor, discussing their favourite songs and bards.

"So will you be performing with us tonight, Little Bird?" Lisette downed another horn of mead as she spoke, readying her lute expectantly. "It's a full house; lots of tips to be made with a rowdy bunch like this."

"As much as I'd love to," Mhari sighed. "I'm taking the night to spectate and relax. I'm looking forward to seeing what you two have in store tonight."

"Suit yourself!" Jorn chuckled, slamming his goblet back on the surface of the wood table with a satisfied gulp. "We won't let you off the hook next time!"

"Break a leg, you two." Mhari lifted her own mead horn with a smile as the two bards rose to their feet and took their place in the center of the room, making their final preparations before Lisette began plucking at the strings of her lute. Jorn nestled his drum under his arm, ready to begin. They began to sing in harmony, captivating every patron in attendance.

"This is why we're so proud of our bards in Solitude," a familiar voice spoke, breaking Mhari's focus. She smiled as Captain Aldis took a seat by her to watch Lisette and Jorn's performance, waving down Corpulus to order a drink. "Those two especially."

"Do you think they have any idea how sweet they look together?" Mhari whispered playfully.

"Not a chance," Aldis chuckled, handing Corpulus a handful of coin. "You know, I'm glad to see you looking well lately."

"Oh?" Mhari asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "I'm not sure I understand."

"You've been looking tired lately; I thought maybe you were ill," Captain Aldis took his first sip of ale and bit into the meat of a roasted chicken leg. "Folks around the city have been asking about you."

"Well, I...haven't been sleeping well lately," Mhari worded her response carefully, uncertain as to whether or not she should tell others that she was in possession of a Daedric artifact. "But I'm feeling much better now. Another day or two of rest and I'll be right as rain."

"Glad to hear it. You're making quite a name for yourself around here; the people around here really seem to like you." Aldis held up his goblet with a smile. Mhari tapped the side of her own mead horn with his goblet with a sheepish chuckle, uncertain of how to respond. "You're becoming an upstanding citizen of Solitude."

"Thank you, Captain."

"If only my men could exhibit the same amount of dedication." Aldis sighed as he watched a table across the room, surrounded by a group of soldiers in training. Almost as if to amplify Captain Aldis' frustration, two of them started scrapping, nearly knocking the entire table over while the others cheered them on. "They're on rest at the moment, and they've been acting like a bunch of rambunctious hooligans ever since."

"I take it training has been slow, then?" Mhari tried not to burst out laughing.

"I've been thinking about asking the general for some training books. Give the soldiers something to do aside from-"

Mhari clapped a hand over her mouth as they watched one of the soldiers propping a piece of black fabric over his head like a wig, puffing out his chest, clearly doing a horrible impression of Captain Aldis with an exaggerated strut, the other soldiers chortling in response.

"I'm glad you find it amusing," Captain Aldis gave Mhari a playful shove at her poor attempt to regain her composure. "Have you ever heard of a book called 'The Mirror?'

Mhari shook her head in repsonse.

"Well, we used to hand it out to boys looking to learn basic shield work," Captain Aldis explained. "I can't remember the last time I saw a copy, though."

"Hm. Well, I can't guarantee anything," Mhari finished off the last of her mead before she continued. "But if I come across a copy, I'd be happy to bring it to you"

"There's no pressure." Captain Aldis gave Mhari a firm pat on the shoulder. "But still; I appreciate the initiative."

Lisette and Jorn came to the end of the final verse of their, gazing at each other as if they were the only ones in the room. Mhari smiled giddily, leading the applause as they sang the final perfectly-harmonized notes; the entire inn cheered for the bards as they were brought back to reality. Lisette flushed and looked around to the audience, giving a bow; Jorn chuckled and followed suit before they launched into another song; entirely instrumental this time, stepping apart slightly.

"Well, I think I'll turn in for the night, my friend." Mhari yawned, reaching into her purse to leave some coins for her dinner. Captain Aldis motioned for her to stop, placing enough gold on the table for both of them. Mhari thanked the Captain before retreating to her room for the night.

*Music: 'Erana's Peace' - Chance Thomas (from the game 'Quest For Glory V: Dragon Fire')

Mhari was awakened four days later by a knock at the door of her room. She sat up with a yawn and swung her legs around over the edge of the bed and let out a croak. "Be right there."

She shuffled across the room and opened the door to see a smiling Corpulus waving an envelope in the air. "This came in for you this morning."

"Oh, thank you, Corpulus!" Mhari chirped giddily, taking the letter and handing him a few coins. "I'll be right down for breakfast; right after I've had a chance to read this."

She quickly shuffled over to the desk she'd spent the last few days at, sifting through books on the history of Skyrim and the study of basic alchemy. She ripped open the envelope and read it immediately before smiling and holding the letter to her chest with a contented sigh. Her heart ached for her family, missing them dearly, but she was elated to hear from her father and sisters, giving her the feeling of renewed confidence and motivation. "I need to keep moving forward. Maybe I should swing by Katla's Farm and offer to work with them until I've made enough to finally buy a horse; I'm already so close."

Dressing herself in linen work clothes, thick leather gloves, and winter boots with a fleece-lined overcoat, Mhari left the majority of her things locked away in the chest at the foot of her bed before making her way down the stairs to sit at the bar where Corpulus has set aside of plate of fish and fresh vegetables for Mhari. The innkeeper was busy attending to other patrons, so Mhari scarfed down the meal gratefully and left her payment on the counter before making her way out the door and into the chilly Solitude air.

Mhari trudged down the path away from the city gates and waved at the carriage driver as she passed by him. "Good morning, Thaer." He waved politely in response before returning to grooming his horses as he whistled a tune. She continued along the path and approached Katla as she swept the stoop of her farmhouse.

"Good morning, Katla," Mhari greeted with a friendly smile. "My name's Mhari Freysri; I was just wondering if you needed any help around your farm. I'm a little short on coin."

"We could always use help picking crops if you need a few extra coins," Katla barely looked up from her task as she responded to Mhari's offer. "Not much left to do today, but if you want to pick what's left, I'll pay you for your time. After that, you can feel free to ask Geimund if he needs a hand with the livestock."

"Thank you! I'll get started right away, ma'am."

Mhari rolled up her sleeves and trudged around the wooden fence to the only plot on the farm that hadn't been tended to and picked up a nearby harvesting basket. She inspected the green leaves of the leeks in the plot, noting their vibrant gradient from emerald to almost eggshell white. Mhari thought of all the delicious soups and garnishes she could make from them, finding herself growing hungry at the thought. The stalks of these leeks look to be a little more than an inch in diameter...they should be ready. Mhari thought quietly to herself as she slowly dropped to her knees, she began to firmly pull the leeks from the ground, carefully shaking off the soil from the roots before gently pruning the them away with her sheers. Working the soil like this really reminds me of home. She smiled at the thought while she tucked each set away in the basket until it was nearly overflowing.

She hoisted the basket on the crook of her hip, using the back of her wrist to wipe away the droplets of sweat from her brow, making her way back to Katla, who busied herself with fixing a piece of the fencing around the chicken coop.

"Where would you like me to put your leeks, ma'am?" Mhari asked.

"Hm?" Katla turned her attention to the full basket and gave a curt nod. "Oh, good. Just put them on at the top of the stairs by the farmhouse - I'll bring them in with me when I'm finished here. Why don't you go ahead and take a leek or two for yourself?"

"Yes'm."

Katla placed a small handful of gold in Mhari's hands before returning to her task without another word. Mhari tucked a leek in her satchel and started to make her way to Geimund as he leaned against his usual spot by the farmhand's housing, chewing on a piece of wheat, eyes to the horizon beyond the farm.

*Music: 'Woodland Tales' - Adrian von Zielger

"Good afternoon, Geimund." Mhari greeted, reaching for her purse. "I'd like to talk to you about your horses."

"Ah, of course." Geimund replied before his eyes moved to something behind Mhari. He began to chuckle. "Looks like one of 'em wants to talk to you as well."

Mhari looked over her shoulder to see a golden palomino mare with a soft blonde mane sniffing at the tufts of green poking out from her satchel, attempting to nibble at them discreetly - and failing. Mhari let out an amused giggle and started to pull one of the leeks from her pouch to offer it to the mare before Geimund spoke up.

"You don't want to give her that. Leeks and onions are toxic for horses, you know."

"Oh!" Mhari quickly stuffed the leeks into her satchel, covering it with her hands as the mare's ears flattened backward. She trotted back to the stables with a huff. "Thank you for telling me. I-I didn't realize; I thought horses could eat basically most of the same plants that we do."

"And you want to buy a horse..." the farmhand shook his head, slightly irritated. "All that gold'll be wasted if you poison your house in the first week. That and I don't like the idea of selling one of our own to someone who doesn't know how to care for 'em."

Mhari didn't know how to respond as she winced sheepishly with a nod of embarrassed understanding. "I can't say I disagree...but I do want to learn."

"I'll make you a deal, then." Geimund began. "You come work the stables with me every day for the next while. You help me with the daily chores and I'll teach you what you need to know in return. If your work's to my satisfaction, I may even give you a deal on one of our horses."

"Done!" Mhari practically jumped at the notion. "When can I start?"

"You can start right now if you've got the energy." Geimund shrugged casually. "What did you say your name was?"

"Mhari."

"Alright then, Mhari; follow me. I'll introduce you to your teachers for the next while," Giemund started to lead Mhari to the stables where two Palomino mares munched on their respective hay piles. The farmhand patted the withers of the mare Mhari had yet to meet. "This is Wynn; she's our oldest at twelve years old. Lazy, but she'll do any work you set her on if you keep her fed."

Mhari giggled as the other mare from before bumped her arm with her nose with a puff.

"Ah, and this one you've already met. We haven't named her yet; we just got her off a travelling merchant who wanted to buy our milking goats." Geimund pulled a handful of oats from his pouch and offered them to the curious mare. "She's still quite young. Maybe five years old; not very well-trained, as you can tell by her manners."

"I think she's sweet." Mhari cooed, running her hand down the side of the mare's neck. "It's a shame you haven't named her yet."

"We'll leave that up to whoever buys her; we're not looking to keep two horses long-term."

"So, I know leeks and onions are a bad idea, now," Mhari started. "Aside from hay, what else would be safe to feed to my horse?"

"They usually do fine on their own as long as they have plenty of grass and hay to graze," Geimund began, motioning to Wynn as she continued to happily munch on the hay pile, completely ignoring them. "But if you want to treat them, you can't go wrong with a carrot or a turnip. This young mare has a love for apples, though. We'll go over feeding in finer detail later; for now, let's go over some basic care."

"Oh, so how to get them all saddled up?" Mhari asked excitedly.

"No, that comes later. " Geimund let out a whistle to Wynn, who strode lazily to his side expectantly. "I'm going to go over some grooming tips first. I want you to follow along with what I'm doing on the other mare."

Mhari nodded in understanding, watching Geimund pick up two pieces of smooth rope; each about ten feet in length. He handed Mhari one of them as he spoke, slowly but expertly fashioning a halter for Wynn before creating a series of loops around the hitching post. Mhari tried her best to follow along, but she couldn't help but feel incredibly clumsy in her attempt to follow along.

"Not bad, but it's a little too tight around her nose, see?" Geimund inspected her work and corrected her. He showed Mhari the taught rope by the mare's nose and adjusted it easily. "You want to be able to slip your thumb underneath; easy way to make sure it's not too tight."

"This is an interesting-looking knot, but why can't I just tie my horse to the hitch with a regular knot?" Mhari asked as Geimund motioned for her to her undo the knot so that she could attempt the roper halter a couple more times. "Surely it'd be faster."

"Faster to tie them to the hitch, sure; but painfully slow to release if you need to get her free in a hurry." Geimind watched Mhari continue to practice. "This is called a quick-release knot. Makes sure that your horse can pull on her end of the rope without breaking free, but if you grab onto the other end of the rope, it's unravel with one swift pull."

Mhari nodded in understanding, continuing to practice her knots. After half a dozen tries, she felt herself getting quicker and more efficient, if still a little clumsy.

"It's good you're starting to get the hand of this." Geimund encouraged Mhari. "You'll be tying this halter to your horse often; useful from grooming and such, too."

Once Mhari had once again hitched the mare, Geimund walked into the stable for a moment only to return with a small wooden crate filled with supplies. He started using a series of brushes on Wynn; Mhari looked on in confusion.

"Why are you using so many brushes?" Mhari asked, raising an eyebrow. "Can't you just use the one?"

"They each have a different purpose." Geimund didn't take his eyes off his grooming as he spoke. "The first brush helps loosen the dirt and mud, the second brushes all that dirt away."

"And the third?" Mhari asked. "Is this one for the mane and tail?"

"It's softer for the more sensitive areas; like the legs, the face..." Geimund continued. "As for the mane and tail, you'll only need to do that every few weeks or so."

"How often should I be grooming my horse like this?" Mhari started to follow along with Geimund's actions, moving the hard-bristled brush along the mare's shoulders in a circular motion.

"You'll want to give her a quick brushing every time you're about to saddle her up." Geimund and Mhari moved onto the next brush. "This gives you a chance to look her over and check for any areas that may be bothering her; and it's not good to have all this dirt and muck underneath all that equipment. You wouldn't want to put on armour if you were covered in mud and sand, would you?"

Mhari chuckled and nodded in agreement. She and Geimund finished brushing their horses, tossing the brushes back in the crate. Mhari gave her mare a gentle stroke down her nose. "Alright, what's next?"

"Next, we check their hooves. Give them a quick lookover and clean 'em up." Geimund moved to stand beside his horse's leg. "Make sure you stand beside their legs, not in front of 'em or-"

As Mhari moved to one of her mare's hind legs, she was blown back with a swift kick in the stomach. She keeled over, holding her gut with a pained gasp of both shock and winded pain.

"Whoa, you alright?" Geimund jogged over to her side and helped her rise to her feet. Mhari nodded with a wry smile, still trying to catch her breath. "As I was saying, don't stand in front or behind their legs if you can avoid it. At least keep a hand on them as you move around them to let them know where you are. A spooked horse is a dangerous horse."

"Noted," Mhari gasped, hobbling over to a nearby haybale and taking a seat with a wince. "Just give me a moment to catch my breath."

"Take your time." Geimund nodded, returning to his horse. "You can watch me with this next part, but I want you to give it a try before we finish up here for the day."

Mhari nodded, watching as Geimund moved his hand down the side of the horse from elbow to cannon, seeming to lift the horse's hoof upward with ease. Using a wooden-handled hoof pick, Geimund removed the dirt and mud from the bottom of Wynn's hooves one-by-one, keeping a firm hand on her as he moved from leg-to-leg.

"Cleaning their hooves is very important," Geimund continued his lesson as he finished the last hoof. "Last thing you want is for your horse to end up with an infection. Ready to give it a go?"

"I think so." Mhari took a deep breath, her stomach still aching. "That's one mistake I won't be making again, I'll assure you of that."

Mhari approached the mare from the side, reaching out to gently pat the side of her neck, moving her arm down the side of her leg as Geimund had done for Wynn. "When your hand reaches around their ankle, give a gentle squeeze with your fingers."

Mhari obeyed, and was pleasantly surprised when the mare slowly lifted her hoof for Mhari to inspect; she whipped her head up and flashed a toothy grin at Geimund before she used the pick to remove the dirt and manure from the horse's hoof before continuing on to the next leg without any further incidents.

"Good!" Geimund gave a nod of approval and lead Wynn back to the stable, slipping her a carrot and motioning for Mhari to do the same. He eyed the skies as the sun began to set over the docks. "That'll be all for today. If you come back tomorrow and help us out around the farm for the morning, we'll go over grooming and routine care once more. Then we can go over tack - maybe do some riding if I think you're ready."

"Yessir!" Mhari pulled the quick-release knot loose and walked the mare to her stall before feeding her another apple and giving her a firm pat. "I'll see you tomorrow, girl. I'm sorry I spooked you earlier; I promise I learned my lesson."

Mhari walked up the path to Solitude to rest for the night, her body aching from a day of farmwork. The Winking Skeever was nearly empty tonight, so she decided to simply enjoy a meal and pay for her room with a portion of what she'd earned today before slipping away to her room. She lifted the fabric of her linen tunic to inspect her stomach to see a large purple bruise where she had been kicked. Hm. My magic won't make this go away entirely, but I should be able to give myself at least some relief. Mhari rested her palms on the bare skin of her midriff and summoned her mana, feeling the tingling warmth reverberate in her stomach as some of her soreness faded. The bruising, still present, was slightly lighter, but still an intense shade of indigo that Mhari new would take a couple weeks to fade entirely, even with her weaker spells. She used the washbasin to give herself a quick wash before curling up in her bed and slipping off into sleep.

*Music: 'The Green Fields' - John and the Land of Plenty

Mhari whistled a tune to herself as she sat atop the fence overlooking the docks beyond Katla's Farm, allowing herself a break from her duties. It had been four days since her first lesson with Geimund, and she had learned much; they'd worked on walking the mare on a lead, and teaching her to come and stay when directed. Now that she'd gotten the hang of daily grooming and feeding, she'd been mostly helping around the animals; mucking out the stables, ensuring there was plenty of hay for the horses, practicing her knotwork, and how to tack up her horse. She was still slow, but she felt far more comfortable than she had when she'd first arrived at the farm.

"Alright then, Mhari," Geimund called from where he stood by the chicken coop. "I think it's time you learn the basics of riding."

Mhari practically toppled over at this announcement. "Really?!"

"Yep. I'll give you a bit to get her ready and tack up. Don't cut any corners, now. I know you're excited, but-,"

"Anything worth doing is worth being done right," Mhari finished his sentence, having heard him use this line many times throughout the past few days. "I understand."

Geimund watched Mhari as she tied the mare to the hitching post and started her daily grooming, nodding in approval. Good, she'd getting much more efficient. Mhari draped the saddle rug over the mare's back, adjusting it accordingly before placing the saddle atop her back, fastening the girth and checking it's positioning to ensure it wasn't hindering the horse's movement. Mhari slid the bit into the mare's mouth and adjusted the bridle carefully, using her fingers to gauge the tightness before giving her steed a gentle stroke down the side of her neck. Once she'd adjusted her stirrups, she looked over her work and turned to Geimund expectantly.

"Good." Geimund took one last look at Mhari's tack and made a few minor adjustments as she took note of her errors. "Let's mount."

Geimund watched Mhari expectantly as she slipped a toe into the stirrup, and started chuckling as the mare slowly started walking away, leaving Mhari to hop frantically beside her. Gently taking hold of the reins, he brought the mare to a halt and instructed her.

"It's easier if you walk up beside her front leg and turn the stirrup to you," Geimuind turned the stirrup for her in a different position and motioned for her to put her foot in. "Good, now just hop around until you're facing the saddle."

Mhari followed his instructions, feeling a little silly hopping about, but the mare seemed to be staying put, so she didn't want to question his advice.

"One hand on the saddle horn, one to grab a bit of her mane, there," Geimund placed her hands where they needed to be and stepped back. "Now, pull yourself up and lean forward."

Mhari did a couple of bounces before heaving herself upward, nearly losing her balance in the process. She chuckles nervously, but awaited further instruction.

"Now, you're gonna swing your leg over to the other side of her. Try to keep your leg bent while you do; it'll help keep you from kicking her behind when you do. And keep your weight in the front." Geimund watched Mhari swing her leg over and settle into the saddle with a sigh of relief and excitement. "Not bad! That'll get easier as you go."

"This is so exciting!" Mhari couldn't help but let out a squeak of delight. The mare's ears flattened backward as she balked slightly in irritation. Mhari soothed her with a pet, softening her voice as she continued to speak. "Oh, sorry, girl."

"Any horse you ride is going to be a little different; the more you work with them and ride them, the better you'll get to know them. But for now, let's teach you some of the basics of riding," Geimund suggested, mounting Wynn with the ease of a seasoned rider. "I'll get you to follow me along the path up to Solitude and back. To signal your horse to start moving forward, just give a little kick with your heel to her sides."

Mhari obeyed, giving a timid click of her heels, but her mare didn't respond. Geimund and Wynn had started moving past her. Mhari gave another kick, a little firmer this time with two loud clicks of her tongue and sure enough, the mare started sauntering after Geimund.

"Good!" Geimund called back. "We're going to turn left to head up the path. If you're turning left, you want you pull your reins to the left, and you can guess the rest for the right."

Riding felt so much easier than everything that had lead up to it; Mhari smiled to herself as she followed Geimund, heeding his tips and instructions as they approached the gates of Solitude before turning back and returning to the farm. Geimund motioned for Mhari to dismount and told her get the mare ready for grooming. Mhari hopped down to the ground and fed the mare a carrot, patting her and giving her soft words of affirmation before she began removing and putting away her tack. While not yet sunset, the day was getting late and the temperatures were dropping slowly. Mhari tied the mare to the hitching post and gave her a light grooming, chatting Geimund about horses and useful tips about riding. She was turning to put away the soft brush when the mare balked and nearly knocked Mhari over with her erratic movement. Unlike the previous time she had been spooked by Mhari's actions, she did not immediately calm down, but rather stomped restlessly on the spot, giving light tugs to her halter and rope.

Mhari and Geimund made eye contact, confused at her reaction, turning their gazes to Wynn, who had stopped grazing, lifting her head with her ears turning to focus her hearing on their surroundings. Geimund scanned the area, but found no danger nearby, and decided to let it go. Wynn had eased back into her grazing, but the young mare still shifted nervously where she stood. Mhari frowned, sitting atop the square hay heap nearby, hoping her presence may help calm nerves. As the sun began to sink beyond the white sails of the docked boats beyond, Wynn had fallen asleep and Geimund was ready to turn in for the night. He bid Mhari goodnight and reminded her to ensure the stables were secured before she headed back up to the inn.

*Music: 'Dzikaje Palavańnie (Wild Hunt)' - Dzivia

After a little scan of the area, Mhari stretched and prepared to leave the farm when the young mare let out a frantic puff, nipping at the material of her shirt's hem. Mhari pet her nose gently and tried to hush her. "Easy, girl. I'll be back tomorrow. You'll be alright."

As Mhari looked at her, she couldn't help but noticed a panicked flicker in the horse's eyes that she hadn't seen before. A knot formed in her stomach; the kind of knot she always got before something particular bad was about to happen. Nothing appeared to be nearby, but something felt...wrong. She couldn't bring herself to leave, so she spread out a spare bed-roll from the tack room beside the mare's stall and settled there. "I'll just wait here a little while longer until you can rest; or at least until my stomach stops doing backflips."

The night was still; more so than Mhari had grown accustomed to since she'd arrived. No birds could be heard, nor could the crickets, which made Mhari feel even more on edge. I can always hear the crickets this time of night. I can tell something's not right...

As the hour grew later, Mhari's eyes grew heavier and heavier until she'd drifted off.

Mhari awoke with a start, noticing the increased sense of unrest among Wynn and her mare; even the goats and chickens seemed on edge. Mhari rose to her feet, throwing her bow onto her back, hoping she'd be ready for anything that arose. In the bushes just beyond the farm came the sound of rustling and heavy footsteps. Mhari released her mare's knot, keeping a steady hand on the makeshift halter and bridle to keep her from bolting, but ready to release her if needed. She stopped and tried to be as still as possible, focusing her eyes on the brush where the noises were coming from, closing in on their position. Mhari's stomach sank with a feeling of dread as, from the bushes, a massive cave bear emerged. She almost ran off herself before she realized it's eyes were glazed over, seemingly at least partially blind. To Mhari's horror, from it's jaws, she could see foam dripping as it salivated, no doubt smelling the buffet of fresh meat in front of it.

If I let that bear come any closer, every single one of these animals is as good as dead. Mhari thought to herself before coming to another realization. Me included.

Without thinking, Mhari hitched a foot onto the edge of the fence at her side and hopped onto her mare's back and quietly as possible, motioning for her to start moving towards the gates of the farm. Taking a deep breath, she let out a sharp whistle, both grateful and terrified to have caught the rabid bear's attention. Without a moment's hesitation, the ferocious creature came barreling towards her. She gave her horse a quick kick and they took off down the path and beyond the trees, the bear not far behind. I need to lead it away from the area in case this goes wrong. Mhari rode frantically throughout the trees until she decided they'd made it far enough. Attempting to keep her balance on the mare with only her leg-strength, she prepared her bow and knocked an arrow, twisting her body to the left to lead her steed to veer to the side.

Mhari took a deep breath in and drew her arrow backward as the bear continued to charge them. With a slow release of her breath, she let the arrow fly, as it landed square in the bear's eye. To her horror, the bear merely let out a pained and furious snarl before continuing to rush in her direction. Mhari frantically attempted to knock an arrow, but a second arrow flew through the air from beyond the trees, finding it's target where the bear's lungs were. The bear fell to the ground instantly, landing at last at the mare's hooves, it's final breath escaping it's lungs with a low growl.

"Are you alright?" a guard from Solitude jogged up to inspect the bear, imperial bow still in hand.

"Yessir." Mhari let out a sigh of relief, hopping off of her mare's back to calm her as best she could. "Thank you for helping me take this bear down. I thought we were goners for a moment, there."

Without a word, the guard tucked his bow away and started heading back to his post, Mhari following not far behind him. When she'd made it halfway to the farm, Geimund came a riding on Wynn, still in his night linens.

"Mhari!" he called. "What the hell happened? I heard a bunch of commotion and by the time I got outside, you and the young'n were nowhere to be seen!"

"I'm sorry, Geimund!" Mhari tried to explain, panicked at how this might look. "I promise I didn't just ride off with her for no reason; there was a rabid cave bear trudging around the farm. We managed to lead it away before a guard helped us take it down."

"Rabid cave bear?" Geimund's eyebrows raised in surprise. "No wonder she was so on-edge. Damn thing's probably been skulking around the area all day."

"Well, it won't be doing much in the way of skulking now." Mhari frowned. She and Geimund rode back to the farm in silence, Mhari's tiredness setting in now that she'd had a chance to ease her pounding heart.

Mhari decided to curl up in the bedroll by the stables for the rest of the night, the sound of crickets slowly returning to the midnight air, lulling her to sleep.

*Music: 'Southampton' - James Horner (from the film 'Titanic')

The next morning, things on the farm had settled back to normal. Mhari groomed the mare, any remaining tension from the previous night's excitement seeming to have passed. Mhari groomed her main and tail with a few scattered braids and fed her plenty of apples for her courage with outrunning the cave bear. She'd even taken some time to whittle down a piece of wood into a bead with a horseshoe design on the side, weaving it into one of the mare's braids.

"Mhari!" Geimund called out from his usual spot. Mhari approached him and waited for further instruction. "I've come to a decision."

"A decision...?" Mhari was momentarily confused before she realized what he was referring to. "Oh! A decision!"

"You're ready," he said finally. "You still have much to learn, and you're far from an experienced rider, but you'd got the basics down. That and you'd already learned to read her and listen to her. That's a skill even some long-time horse-owners I know never really developed."

"Really?!" Mhari squeaked. "How much do you want for her?"

"How much have you saved up so far?"

"Er..." Mhari pulled out her coin purse and quickly counted what she'd collected. "1200 septims."

"Tell you what," Geimund thought for a moment. "Pay me 1000 gold pieces. I'll throw in some extra gear as a personal gift."

"Done!" Mhari practically pounced at the offer, quickly handing him the gold he requested. "Thank you so much!"

"My pleasure. You were a good student; clumsy, but good." Geimund teased her, but Mhari was too elated to respond with anything other than an excited wiggle. "Have you given any thought to what you're going to name her?"

"Amalthea," Mhari didn't miss a beat, having decided on the name shortly after her first encounter with the spunky young mare.

"That didn't take you long at all," Geimund chuckled, raising his eyebrows. "What made you choose that name?"

"I don't recall exactly what the story was..." Mhari reminisced for a moment as she spoke. "But I remember hearing that name in some old bedtime stories my parents used to tell me and my sisters when we were little. I don't know, it just feels right to me, you know?"

"Suppose that's as good a reason as any," Geimund have a shrug and a smile at her answer before disappearing into the tack room, returning with saddle bags and various extra pieces for Amalthea's gear. "Here; if you ever plan on travelling, you'll want to take these along with you. Might help you keep a balanced load on her. Oh, and you can feel free to keep her boarded here for now if you're willing to swing by and help us out from time to time."

"That's the least I can do," Mhari chuckled, preparing Amalthea fir their first ride as partners. "I'll be back soon; I just wanted to go celebrate with a ride that doesn't include being chased by a bear."

Geimund gave a chortle and a nod, motioning to the gate with his arm as if to shoo her along. Mhari finished the last touches to her tack before bolting off down the path, riding through the trees of the forest, her heart pounding in her chest, ready to take on the next challenge alongside her new companion.

~To Be Continued...~

Note From the Author: Thank you again for reading the latest chapter of Songstress of Skyrim! If you enjoyed this chapter, please consider following this story and dropping a review below. I'd love to hear what my readers think; what their favourite parts were, what they'd like to see more of, etc. If I receive any questions, I am happy to either answer them via private message, or even as a short QA section in the next chapter. I hope to see you in the next chapter, dear reader.

~Voth Werid