The ride towards the town is silent and cold. The wind brushes upon my cheeks seems enough to cut the skin. The orc doesn't seem to mind the weather nor I don't think he will. Orcs are made to withstand the cold as far as I know. Their bodies are made up of heat similar to a hot water bag. Nords in Skyrim can withstand the cold though. I wonder if I made a mistake in identifying my race.
"Are you well back there?" He asked. Buried in my mind, my arms slowly wrapped around his waist. Resting my forehead on his back, I answered.
"I'm cold." My action caught his breath. As if he didn't expect me to act so comfortable in his presence. Coughing a little to mask his surprise, he continued the conversation.
"How come? Your race should be able to withstand the cold of Skyrim." Probably. But I'm not a native now am I?
"I don't know. Are we there yet?" He didn't answer my question but the horse did stop. Looking beyond his shoulder, I saw the entrance of Riverwood. The town looks so peaceful now that I'm looking at it personally. Seeing some familiar faces, I remember this is where I get a good amount of coin for doing some quests.
"Are you still cold?" Totally forgetting that my arms are wrapped around his waist, I removed them went down the horse in a hurry. If he did noticed this action, he didn't bother mentioning it. He went down and took the reigns of the horse. The people looked at us and I felt conscious. In the game they never bothered with me. They will only pay attention if I talked to them. The guards are irritating bunch though.
As we walked towards the Inn, I felt irritated. This is where Delphine is. That bitch had the nerve to order me to kill Paarthurnax. THEY didn't even lend a hand when I needed it. THEY ordered me around and I hate that. Calming my nerves, we entered the Inn. It was packed. Like literally. Looking around, I saw a heavy armored man sitting and talking to a woman with a short hair. My gaze didn't linger when I heard Durak's name.
"Durak! I thought you will never come back." An armored man placed his arm around the orc's shoulder. That's when everything clicked. Durak's friends are wearing a Dawnguard armor. How could I be so dumb? Durak is the only official orc character in Dawnguard.
"That will never happen." The orc laughed and did the same to the man, placing his arm on the others shoulder. The others seem happy to see the orc but one of them noticed my presence.
"Eyy.. Durak brought a nice lady!" I coughed on the compliment. Sensing my discomfort and finally noticing me, Durak placed his arm down. He then gently placing his hand on my shoulder facing them.
"This is Sizaan. She helped me get here with her horse. Sizaan, these are my rangers." I nodded my head to them as a sign of greeting. I was about to retreat and get a room before the Inn ran out when he held a bag. It was Ulfric's bag. The one strapped at the horse.
"You forgot this." He said. I gave him a smile and nodded my head.
"I'll just get a room before we ran out." He nodded his head and went with me instead. I didn't bother and asked the bar keeper for rooms. He claims only one room is available.
"We'll take it." I gave the coin and then showed us to our room. I didn't bother glancing back at Durak at first, but when I did, he was looking at me in a very funny way. His brows are almost becoming one that made ma laugh and wonder what's up with him.
"What is it?"
"One room... Us?" I shrugged my shoulders and answered.
"Unless you prefer to sleep outside." The three of us stopped at a room with its doors open. One bed and one chest. The bed looks so comfortable but I need some new clothes. I need to sell this Stormcloak armor unless I wanted to be ambushed out of nowhere. Before the barkeep goes, I asked.
"Can I also get some clothes? Trousers please." He nodded his head and went away. Entering the room, I sat down the floor beside the bed and began unbuckling the straps of the armor. I do have something underneath and the extra clothes is not necessary but for the sake of conserving heat. I heard the door closing and Durak standing in front of me.
"You... Need help?" I looked up to him and myself in armor. My hands are still freezing and I can't feel the straps that well. I stood up and nodded my head. He began to unbuckle the straps. As he worked, I noticed his hesitation on making a mistake.
"I will take a bath in one of the rooms of my rangers before coming back here. You take the bed and I'll take the floor." I was supposed to argue on that thought when the door opened revealing Delphine. On top of her hands are the clothes I asked. She placed it on top of the chest and went on her way. Rude as always.
After Durak removed my armor, he excused himself and went outside to take a bath. I sat down the bed and sniffed my cotton shirt. It smells just fine but I wanted knew clothes. Peeping outside the room, I saw Delphine.
"Hey uhm.. Can I get a bath as well?" I asked her without any hint of irritation. As if. She nodded her head and went away. I shut the door and lay down the bed waiting for the bath to come. Thinking about it, Dawnguard are vampire hunters. One quest for them will lead to Serana and then to that Vampire Lord. Recalling his gaze months ago, I shivered and closed my eyes.
The bath tub came and I went in for a soak. Taking my time and enjoying the smell of the lavender soap Delphine actually thought of giving, I gave in to the silent peace that I have. If I were to go with Durak, I can be able to practice my skills but I don't want to see Harkon. He'll do something nasty once he sees me. As I continued to wash myself, I went back thinking about the mark embedded on my forehead. Though I know what it is, I don't know what's the purpose. I sighed and finished washing. What if I'm not the Dragonborn? What will I do then?
Slowly, I stood up the tub and went to reached the towel beside the bed until the door opened revealing a freshly clothed Durak. My eyes widened and scrambled for the towel. Problem is that the water dripped from my body gave a slippery characteristic that made me slipped before I was able to get the towel. I closed my eyes and was ready for the impact when I felt that I am no longer falling. Opening my eyes, I saw the face of Durak and his arms holding me. How he was able to catch me so fast, I didn't care.
The eye contact between us seem to never end. I shivered and shielded my breast away from his view. This took him back to reality and immediately straighten up and grabbed the towel to cover me.
"Thank you." He averted his eyes away from me and scratched his head.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were taking a bath as well. I thought you were able to fall asleep."
"Well, I haven't eaten yet so – " not making me finished my sentence, he spoke abruptly.
"I'll get you food!" he sprinted towards the door and slammed it shut.
I was fully clothed when Durak grazed me with his presence. This time he knocked on the door before entering. On his hand is a tray with two plates of food and tankard filled with what I was hoping is water. Reason is that I don't actually drink alcoholic beverages even back home. I know. Weak right? We didn't spoke while we ate. The dish is a simple bread, chicken broth, rabbit leg and cheese. It was the best meal I could ever asked for. Taking the tankard, I took a sniff and I was disappointed to know it smells like beer. I can't asked Durak to changed it so I bear drinking it. It was horrible.
"I never got to thank you for letting me on your horse." I just gave him a hum because I don't entirely trust my voice at the moment. The alcohol took effect and I know I should hit the bed.
"Thank you for the meal, Durak." I gave him a yawn before I let myself rest on top of the bed.
It was night when I awoke. My mind is groggy when I let myself up to see Durak sleeping on the floor and on his back. He's really a gentleman. Grabbing the fur pillow and the blanket, I placed the blanket on top of him. Gently lifting his head, I slipped the pillow. Since he is lying on a bed roll, I snuggled beside him seeking his warmth. The floor is made up of wood. It is hard I admit but at least it is not cold. I was trying to get comfortable when I felt him shifted.
"What are you doing?" I heard him asked. I snuggled my cheek on top of his chest loving his warmth.
"I thought you went to bed." Groaning, he sat up not even minding my head resting on his chest. Grumbling, I faced him with tired eyes.
"You shouldn't trust me, Sizaan." Rubbing my eyes, I aggressively took the pillow and blanket again before settling down the bed. I turned my back against him. Why do I seek him? I want someone to cuddle with that's all. After knowing what happened to Half Moon Mill, I feel all alone in this world. It took a while before I heard him move. The bed dipped and he finally settled down beside me. Facing him again, I lifted the blanket on both of us and snuggled on his biceps again. He stiffened under my touch but I didn't mind.
Morning came, I woke up leaning on Durak's chiseled chest with an arm thrown around my waist pulling me closer to him. What happened yesterday was intentional. I never regret it nor will I ever will. After everything that happened. Half Moon Mill, Ulfric, I feel alone. I know this will be the last time I will have a physical contact with another being. I have to get strong. I have to survive in this game. Hopefully I'll be able to go home.
Slowly, I reluctantly pulled myself away from his embrace. He didn't woke and I took that chance to gather coins in my bag and went outside.