Disclaimer: I do not own Skyrim, Bethesda Softworks does.
A/N: I'm going to mention things that are not in Vanilla Skyrim, a lot of things from the Anniversary Edition that brought in many armors, weapons, and slice of life updates from the Creation Club.
Fishing.
Soothing and simple. Two things in life I find very valuable, because most things, even the least strenuous tasks, can become stressful or complicated. But not fishing.
Fish are simple and basic creatures. Put a small portion of bait on the hook of your line and throw it out into the water, it becomes a waiting game. Eventually a fish will bite, indicated by the tug on your line. From there it's a simple use of strength to reel it in, some more feisty than others, but for the most part, an easy and simple task.
I spend most of my time fishing, if not helping around the mill with cutting lumber or chopping firewood. It's easy on me. I'm still healing, though more able than before. I can move more freely and my side does not hurt quite as much as it once did. Chopping firewood had become less straining as it once was, and I don't run the risk of opening up the wound on my side, so I'm in much better shape than I was before.
It has been two weeks since Gilfre had taken me in. Where once even laughing created discomfort and pain, it is now a dull ache when I do something too intense. I've been healing quite quickly, so Gilfre has been leaving me to my own machinations more frequently. Fishing is the most recent of the hobbies that I've come to appreciate. Brief respite in a time of conflict. I've also come to find myself appreciating the art of woodworking, metalworking, and cooking. All skills I plan to put to use once I become more confident in my ability to properly hunt and move around with the required flexibility.
I've tried swinging the axe that I've been cutting wood with in the same way somebody would use a War Axe, but the movements have proven to be more taxing than I previously thought, my actions are still limited. I began feeling discomfort as I attempted to move more limberly with my left side, but it is not meant to be at this time. I've tried many things during this period that can give me some sort of fulfillment and relief, and I've found that some of those things I take to like a fish takes to water.
Slow times like these have been good for my overall growth and wellbeing.
But not everything has been so calm.
Two nights ago, about fifteen or so Stormcloak Soldiers came and asked for more lumber. A shipment of logs, about eighty or so. They gave their usual spiel about helping the cause, and Gilfre being one to accept business where she could get it, accepted the requisition. However, it seemed more rushed and panicked than I had heard them previously speak. Later today, I'm going to ride over with the shipment and drop it off by the bridge, being the farthest I've been from the mill in the two weeks that I've been recovering here. I wonder why they wanted so much wood in the first place from us, since Anga's Mill is much closer to them than we are.
I think. My sense of distance and ability to read maps is not exactly the best.
I can't remember if I've ever been to Windhelm. Then again, there's probably a lot of more important things to remember about my life than the places I've been.
But the soldiers coming to the mill and asking for a large shipment has come to my attention as striking. I have been here only a short time, but they had only come for a couple of logs at a time. They also requested that we deliver it instead of just taking it back themselves. Were they stretched more thin than they already have been? Were they preparing for something? I truly hope not. I quite like the fact that it hasn't been busy as of late.
"Amos!", Gilfre calls to me, "It's time! Bring the shipment over to the Windhelm bridge by the stables! The horses are ready!", I notice that the sun's almost starting to set, though I distinctly remember starting to fish during the morning. Oh well.
"I'm coming!", I walk over to the carriages next to her house, a small portion of the logs readied within.
On one of the carriages is a man that I have yet to see before, the one opposite him being meant for me.
"I'm Alfarinn", he introduces himself, "The horsemaster by the stables leant us the extra horses and the carriage to bring over the wood. We will probably need to take one more trip after this, but it shouldn't take too long.", I nod at him. The horses look strong enough, and considering there's two of us going over, it should take an hour at best. I get on the unmanned carriage and we begin to ride toward Windhelm.
After 5 or so minutes on the path, Alfarinn speaks up, "Did you hear about Ulfric Stormcloak's return to Windhelm?", I look at him quizzingly, "He's a jarl, why would it be my business where and when he comes and goes?".
He looks at me like I told him I slept with his mother, "You don't know? He was captured at Darkwater Crossing by the Imperials and almost executed at Helgen! I'm more surprised that the news hadn't gotten to you! Most people are speaking of it now." That's certainly noteworthy, "I guess I'm out of the loop.".
He continues "Word is that he only escaped because a Dragon attacked Helgen! Can you believe it?! Dragons have made a return!". I think I misheard him, "Dragon?". "Yes! Winged terrors that swoop down and breath fire and eat man and mer alike!", he exclaims.
Dragons? Of myth? Only depictions of them have ever been recorded in texts! Leather-like skin that is as tough as, if not stronger than steel. Speed in the air unmatched by even the quickest of steeds. The ability to breath frost and flame that even expert level mages cannot hope to replicate.
I utter only a few select and proper words to respond to these discoveries.
"Holy. Shit."
