Ariel's eyes popped open, and she sat up, drenched in a cold sweat. Shaking from head to toe. Waiting on standby is her mentor and savior, Afiya, who took a seat on the bed. A metal tray in hand.
"The usual?" asked Afiya, with a look of concern.
Ariel nodded, rubbing her eyes. "I'm fine. Used to it at this point." Afiya placed the tray down, which held a bowl of porridge and a mug of apple cider. Ariel's favorite. "Oh, thank you."
Afiya smiled. "Of course. I figured you would be hungry since you slept past breakfast. Can't have you hunting Daedra on an empty stomach. That's not all. I got something else for my special girl." Afiya pulled a small box from her robe. "Happy 20th birthday!"
A sense of joy came over Ariel, accepting the gift. Opening it up to find a silver, sapphire necklace. Chain wrapped around her finger; Ariel became hypnotized by the amulets shine.
"I had this specially made." said Afiya. "It's blessed with good fortune. Not saying you need it."
Ariel draped it around her neck. A perfect fit. Grinning from ear to ear, she leaned over to hug Afiya. "It's so beautiful. Thank you." Their cheeks touched, giving each other the warmth, they've shared since Afiya took her in.
"Absolutely. Your last seven years with the Vigilants have been wonderful, and at this point, I can't imagine us without you."
Ariel dug into the porridge. "I appreciate the kind words. Do we have any work today?" she asked with a mouthful of food.
"Hmm, Keeper Carcette mentioned a few skeleton sightings around Whiterun hold, but I'd hate to make anyone work on their birthday."
"No, it's fine. I hate sitting around."
Afiya chuckled. "I shouldn't expect anything less. Alright, get yourself ready and meet me upstairs."
Ariel finished breakfast and got dressed. White robes and steel boots with matching gauntlets. The Vigilant standard. The living quarters were quiet as she tied her hair into a ponytail. She dug a few everyday items from a personal chest. Gold, potions and most importantly, Tyrus' steel sword and journal. Her sword was chipped with rusting edges. Showing signs of being used and being re-sharpened. While teased by other Vigilants for using a dull blade, Ariel refused to let it go. Tyrus' journal was worn. The pages held together by lace. Another piece of Ariel's past that stayed with her. A positive change is that it was now chock full of animal studies.
Ariel took the time to log everything possible about any creatures she found. Weight, fur texture, its habitat, what it eats. This became her life's goal. To publish this knowledge and cement Tyrus' dream in the history books. She held the journal close. Saying a quick prayer, before tucking it into her robe.
In the Hall of the Vigilants, young and old members chatted amongst each other. Some were out on jobs, while others awaited theirs. A few younger ones sat at a table, greeting Ariel's as she appeared.
"Ah, our princess has finally woken. Did you get enough beauty sleep?" joked a male Vigilant.
Ariel raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I did Vanis. From what I see, you're not getting enough these days."
The table went into a frenzy of laughter. Vanis took a bite from an apple. "Good one. Happy birthday by the way. Hey everyone, its Ariel's birthday."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Yelled everyone is unison.
Ariel waved around the hall, giving thanks. Larina, a female Imperial and longtime friend, walked over to hug Ariel.
"Wow. Your 20th birthday." Larina sarcastically scoffed, and threw her shoulder length, black hair back. "I remember when I was that age. So young and naive."
Ariel laughed. "You're four years older than me. What are you talking about?"
"Our mentors always tell me I have an old soul." She winked. "Anyway, I was heading out. Just wanted to say happy birthday. Also..."
She preceded to whisper something in Ariel's ear as Vanis and the other men looked on. Both girls giggled before Larina took off.
"You know the Vigilants aren't supposed to keep secrets." said Vanis. "Do you mind sharing with the rest of the class?"
Ariel stepped over and leaned on his shoulder. "I guess I can let you in on our little secret. Larina thinks...you seriously need a haircut."
She ruffled his hair as the table once again cackled. Vanis playfully smacked her hand away, then pulled up his hood. Covering up his long, brown hair.
"ARIEL!" Afiya, standing next to Carcette, signaled her over.
Ariel approached the veterans and politely bowed. "Greetings Keeper Carcette."
"Greetings Vigilant Ariel. Afiya tells me you're looking for work today?"
"Yes. Anything you have, I'll take."
"Wonderful." Carcette ran her finger down a page in a thick book. "Are you familiar with Hamvir's Rest?"
"Hmm, I don't believe so."
"It's a small graveyard inside Whiterun hold. We've gotten reports of skeletons hanging around and harassing passing citizens. I want you and a partner of your choice to go investigate. It shouldn't take long. Any questions?"
"No, I got it."
Vanis peered over Ariel's shoulder. "Did I hear you needed a partner?"
"You were not summoned Vanis." said Afiya.
"My apologies. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go out with the birthday girl."
"Well, that isn't your choice to make." Carcette added. "Ariel, would you like Vigilant Vanis to accompany you to Hamvir's Rest?"
Ariel looked over her shoulder as Vanis shrugged. "Sure. I could use a jester."
Afiya covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"Hey!" Snapped Carcette. "You two be careful out there. Good luck Vigilants. May Stendarr watch over you."
Vanis and Ariel bowed. They collected their things and stocked up on equipment. Ariel wasn't magic proficient, so she kept a couple of nice sized healing potions ready to go. Outside, Vanis was already on the horse.
"A helping hand onto your noble steed my lady?" Ariel rolled her eyes and climbed on herself. Shaking his head, Vanis kicked the horse into gear.
Vanis steered the horse along the snowy path, going south. About half an hour had passed. Neither said one word. Ariel stayed occupied by flipping through her journal. Page 26. Ice Wolves. Ever since her childhood nightmare, Ariel never got too close to a wolf. One that was alive anyway.
"Ariel, check the map please. I see Giants, but I'm not familiar with this path."
"We're lost huh?"
"We're not lost, we ju-please check the map!"
Ariel silently mimicked his words and unrolled the long piece of paper. "Let's see. We're currently passing the Stonehill Bluff Giant camp. We should be entering Whiterun hold within the next hour."
"Thanks." A few more seconds of silence. "Ariel?"
"Yeah?"
"What was your brother like? Tyrus. You never talk about him."
Caught off guard, she asked, "Not to you, and why do you want to know?"
"You always have that journal close by. I heard it was his before he passed. Must mean a lot."
"Vanis, we've known each other for three years now. I see you all the time. Why do you suddenly care about my past?"
Vanis let out a small grunt. "Excuse me for making conversation."
Ariel closed her journal and tucked it away. "I'm sorry. That was rude I-"
"No, no. You've spoken your mind. I'll be quiet."
Silence once again. The sound of horse hooves breaking it every other step.
"Tyrus...was my inspiration. Always smiling, challenging me to do my best. Even though I was being raised as a farmer, Tyrus made me believe I could do so much more. An overall wonderful man to be around. Kind of like you, just not as silly."
"Sounds like a great man. I'm sure you're doing him proud." Vanis didn't say anything else but was ecstatic on the inside.
The sun sat close to the horizon. Nightfall was a few hours away. On a nearby hill, Vanis settled the horse as Ariel looked down upon Hamvir's Rest. Vanis knelt down beside her.
"Alright. What do we got?"
"Four skeletons here. They're armed. Two with swords. One with a two-handed weapon. An archer. I also see a few coffins. Not sure if anything is in there."
"Pretty strange seeing them outside of a crypt, isn't it? Here's the plan. I'll draw attention to me, and you get the archer from behind. Once he's down, it should be a little easier to take out the rest. Nothing we haven't handled before. Ready?"
"Ready."
Steel mace in hand, Vanis slid down the hill, into the graveyard. "HEY, YOU BAG OF BONES. COME MEET YOUR MAKER!"
The skeletons looked at each other, then attacked. First one comes in with a two-handed battle axe. Vanis dives to the left. He needs to be quick as another enemy wielding a sword and shield charges forward. Steel clangs as sword meets mace. Both knock each other back. A millisecond passes before Vanis feels an arrow fly by his head.
"ARIEL! ANYTIME NOW!"
The archer plucked another arrow. Taking aim at an outnumbered Vanis. Before it released, Ariel knocked head from spine with a surprise sword bash. Another sword wielding skeleton turned his focus towards Ariel.
Vanis continued to dodge the battle axe, going up and down, left to right. With his heart beating and a smile on his face, he dropped down, crushing the skeletons knees with a rough blow from the mace. Its remaining body hit the ground, shattering upon impact.
"HA! I guess you weren't much of a 'stand up' guy." Vanis' cocky attitude earned him a hard smack with the remaining skeleton's shield from behind, knocking him down.
"VANIS!" Ariel yelled.
"I'M FINE! Uh oh." He rolled to the right, as the skeleton thrusted downwards, hitting all dirt.
Ariel drove her sword into her enemy's foot, trapping it. It swung, which Ariel easily ducked. She returned with an uppercut, knocking its skull into the air.
Vanis was on the offensive, smacking his mace against the shield. The skeleton raised its sword arm, and an arrow knocked its blade away. Vanis jumped up, bringing his mace down to bash its skull. He kicked the corpse away as Ariel rejoined him, wielding a bow.
"Nice shot."
"Eh, it was lucky." She tossed the bow away. "Are you okay?"
"I feel great. Always love a good challenge. That appears to be all of our undead friends. Excuse me madam, I must go...empty my barrel."
"Sure thing. I'll look around."
Vanis went to a nearby tree leaving Ariel to soak in the scenery. Besides the murderous undead, Whiterun had a beautiful landscape. A hundred miles of lush grass and wildlife. Her old home wasn't too far from here. Perhaps it was time to finally squash those fears. She noticed something on top of a nightshade flower. A white butterfly. She pulled out the journal, right to page 4, insects. Blue, orange, yellow. Nothing on a white one. A rare find for the Nord.
While taking notes, a shadow loomed nearby. A sword struck Ariel's right shoulder. She fell down, rolling over to see a draugr bringing its sword down once again. She closed her eyes, preparing for the worst.
The sound of clashing metal cracked the air. She peeked to see a long steel sword blocking the draugr's blade. A man in steel armor swiped the other sword back. Ariel watched as his huge blade was swung, swiftly dispatching the draugr. Stabbing it through the chest and slamming into the stone path. Vanis rushed over, mace in hand.
"Wait, what happened?" He noticed Ariel on the ground, quickly going to her aid. "Oh man, you're bleeding."
Ariel didn't seem to notice, distracted by this unknown man sheathing his sword. He made direct eye contact with Ariel. His pupils were white as snow. She uttered a small thank you.
"Don't worry about it." He grimly responded.
"Ow." Ariel winced as Vanis healed her wound with a restoration spell.
"Sit still girl." He demanded. "It's only a small cut."
"Healing magic? You mages?" Asked the man.
"We are Vigilants of Stendarr. Sworn to destroy Daedra and anyone who associates with them. I am Vigilant Vanis, and this is Vigilant Ariel, who I thank you for helping. May I ask your name friend?"
"Greetings. My name is Farkas."