After the story was finished, Sariah gazed down at the empty bow in front of her and a sadness seemed to fill her eyes as her shoulders slumped forward, a single tear rolling down her cheek. Velian's lips curved downward knowing the pain that she must be feeling, hesitantly reaching out his hand placing it on top of hers. Her hand grips his instinctively taking comfort in the warmth and softness of his hand, wiping away her tears, her lips turning up in a small smile as she looks up at him with tears still in her eyes. Taking a few deep breaths, she releases his hand, placing her hand back on her lap regaining her composure.

"Thanks, I think that's the first time I've ever told someone that story."

"It's no problem, I know what it's like to lose my parents" his voice hinting at a tinge of sadness

"Wait, is that why you're looking for the guardian?"

Velian nods, looking down at the table. "My family was attacked by a group of bandits a few ago, they were killed trying to resist. I tried to fight back but I wasn't strong enough, they beat me and left me to die with my family. I managed to make it to the main road where I was found by a passing guard who got me back to the town. The local priest of Arkay was able to heal me but I was still sore for a few days until I was finally able to get up and move. After that, I left on my journey to find the guardian and ask him to help me avenge my family."

"Why didn't you ask the Jarl for help? He could have sent guards out there to take down the bandits."

"I live in Falkreath."

"Oh, I've heard about the jarl there. I understand why you didn't ask him for help then."

"Exactly, that's why I need to find the guardian. I know he can help me, you're the first clue I've found as to where I can find him."

"I'll be more than happy to help you, but I don't know where he is."

Velian runs his hands through his hair, looking down at the floor. "So, I'm right back to square one. I have no idea where to look for him, I've been searching for years and I haven't gotten anywhere. It's like I'm always three steps behind."

Sariah takes a long quiet breath feeling her muscles begin to relax, the chair creaking loudly as she reclines into it "I understand it's frustrating and I really want to help you, I do, but I'm just as clueless as you are on how to find him. "

"I guess I'll just have to go on my own to find him, if I just keep looking, I have to find him sometime."

"Where will you start?"

"Well, you did mention that one of the vampires called him Dawnguard, I hear they've got a fort by Riften, so I'll start there.."

"Do you have enough money to take a carriage over there?"

Velian reaches into the pouch hanging at his side, pulling out just a few coins "No, seems like I have about 15 septims left."

"I see, and you don't look like the kind of guy who would do well out on his own."

"I can handle myself, I got here didn't I?"

"True, you did. But you don't know how long you'll be out in the wilderness and that coin will only buy you so much food and drink. Do you know how to hunt? Where to find clean water?" she says in a soft, kind tone, crossing her arms under her chest.

"Well, no, but I'm sure I can make some money on the road somehow."

"You could but that would take time and you seem like you're in a hurry to find him."

"You're right, why does this have to be so hard?" Velian says, slumping in his chair with his head tilted towards the floor

Sariah reaches her hand forward laying it softly upon his shoulder "You'll find him, I'm sure of it. And you know what, I'm going to help you."

"Oh no, that's okay. I'm sure I can make it on my own."

"Oh? You can make it on your own can you? You already told me you don't know how to hunt and forage in the wilderness and you don't look like the kind of person who can wield a sword."

"I can wield a sword."

"Alright, show me."

Sariah rises from her chair, walking over to a corner of her house and picks up two wooden swords turning back towards him and tosses one of the swords to him. The sound of the sword clattering floor fills the room with Velian's hand hanging in the air.

Sariah smirked, placing her hand on her hip "pick it up, show me what you can do."

Velian stands up from his seat, picking up the sword, planting his feet shoulder length apart facing Sariah with the sword clasped firmly in both hands in front of him. Sariah takes up her sword in her left hand placing her feet shoulder length apart, followed by leading with her left foot holding her sword out in front of her. Sariah lunges forward, swinging her sword to the left, Velian barely managing to raise his in time to block the blow, his sword getting shoved to the side. Velian uses the momentum of the block to swing at her, getting deftly batted away with ease. The two continue to dance around each other before Sariah lunges at Velian with a flurry of blows ending with his sword clattering to the ground. Her own sword pressed against his chest.

"That's you dead, you did a lot better than I expected. I can teach you while we travel. I don't know a lot myself, but I know enough to keep you from getting killed."

"You're right, I've got a lot to learn. One day I'll be strong enough to protect those I care about." Velian says, his fists clenched tightly turning his knuckles white.

"With that kind of attitude, I'm sure you'll get there in no time. But as for now, get some sleep, we'll be leaving early in the morning."

"Where am I supposed to sleep?"

Sariah walks over to her bed, reaching under it to grab out a spare bedroll before tossing to him. "You can spread that out on the floor, we'll stop by and get some tents before we leave and an extra bedroll for the road. "

Velian catches the bedroll followed by unrolling it and spreads it out in front of the fireplace which had since burned down to embers, crawling into the bedroll closing his eyes hearing Sariah crawl into her own bed and within minutes they were asleep.

The next morning Velian awoke, stretching out the soreness from his limbs after sleeping on the hard floor, sitting up as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, noticing the bright light of the sun pooling on the floor around him. Turning his body slightly to look towards the bed where Sariah was sleeping, noticing that her bed was now empty, he looked around the rest of the house to find that she wasn't there either. Rising up from the floor he rolls up the bed, returning it under the bed where she had pulled it from the previous night.

The door creaks open as Sariah re-enters the house carrying a bundle of firewood and lays it down in the fireplace before using a piece of flint and steel to light the fire. Standing up to walk into the kitchen area to grab some vegetables and a rabbit that had been hung up by its haunches. Beginning the process of skinning and preparing the rabbit, as she looks over at Velian who had taken a seat at the table.

"Why are you up so early?" Velian asks with a hint of curiosity

"That's just how I grew up, awake with the dawn. Normally I fall asleep earlier than what I did last night but you'd be surprised at how much you can get done when you wake up early"

"I see, that makes sense. What time will we be leaving today?"

"We'll head into Whiterun after we're done with breakfast and after that we'll get on the road."

Sariah dumps the vegetables and meat into the pot before filling it with water she had in a small bucket next to the fireplace, handing the bucket over to Velian who hesitantly wraps his fingers around the rope hanging over the top of the bucket.

"Can you fill that up? The stream is just around behind the house."

Velian stands up, heading towards the door, opening it before stepping out into the light. Closing the door behind him, he walks casually around the side of the house with the sound of the creek reaching his ears as he makes his way to the back, walking to the small creek, fog clinging lowly to the ground, giving the morning an almost mystical look. He dips the bucket into the stream, spooking the denizens of the creek, he watches the fish dart away from him as a deer lifts its head from the brush across the way. The two stare each other down for a moment before the deer decides it would rather graze elsewhere, its two fawn following closely behind.

The two of them share a quiet breakfast after which Sariah puts on her leather armor, packing up the bedroll and few other supplies before they head out onto the trail making their way to the city of Whiterun. The city bustles with the sounds of the citizens setting up the fresh goods that they have for sale this morning. They make their way quietly through the winding streets of Whiterun, Sariah greets the merchants with a warm smile, mingling among them with an ease that Velian greatly envied. After purchasing some salted beef and a few other items they make their way to Belethor's general store.

Sariah finds them a large tent and an extra bedroll, along with a few other supplies including a spare flint and steel, a backpack and steel sword. Pulling out her coin purse once they reach the counter, laying down the septims before Velian can object.

"I could have gotten some of this stuff at least."

"Don't worry about it, I enjoy helping people out."

Afterwards, the two of them make their way back out into the plaza. Most of the customers had made their purchases and headed home or to The Bannered Mare. Their shoes softly padding down towards the gate, starting down the path to the main road, turning west to begin their arduous journey towards Riften.

"I hate to be doubtful but, what if he's gone by the time we get there. Then this whole journey is for nothing." Velian asks, adjusting the straps on his pack comfortably.

"Well, if he isn't there, then they can tell us where he might be. Or, perhaps, maybe he's on his way back and he'll be there by the time we get there." Sariah tells him assuredly, the chill of the early morning slowly falling away with each step towards their destination.

Velian glances at Sariah out of the corner of his eyes, turning his eyes back to the seemingly never ending road ahead of them. Amazed at how fate had managed to bring them together at just the right time, leaving him wondering at the work of the gods and the mysteries the universe holds.