The pair began their trek towards Bleak Falls Barrow. It wasn't long before a wolf lunged out, eager to defend it's domain. To Yew's eyes, it was much different than the other wolves they fought. It didn't look sickly or too thin. Rather it was clearly just trying to survive in a hostile world. Greta's weapon was drawn.
"Hold." Yew said, and Greta held. With a gesture and a muttered word the wolf was calmed and it retreated back to its den.
"That spell...so that is the power of a Druid huh?" Greta said. Yew bowed.
"Why of course. It was a simple matter for one such as I." Yew said.
"That's useful. So you'll be able to take care of all such wild animals like that?" Greta asked. Yew shook his head.
"Alas no. Some animals are too far gone to hunger or disease to head such a spell. However, it will do us well in most cases combat could be avoided." Yew said.
"I see." Greta said, and withdrew her mace. The two continued onward.
"I-I've noticed..." Greta said before trailing off.
"What have you noticed?" Yew asked.
"W-well. It's nothing really. I shouldn't have brought it up." Greta said.
"But you have. So please, speak my dear cleric." Yew said.
"W-well, and I hope this doesn't come off as rude but...the way you swing your hips as you walk..." Greta said.
"Yes?" Yew said, prompting her to continue.
"Well...it's very much like how most ladies walk. Could you tell me why it is you...walk like that?" Greta asked.
"It comes naturally to me." Yew said.
"R-really?" Greta said.
"Yes." Yew said.
"Ah. I didn't know...I see it all makes sense. Has anyone ever...been hostile to you about it. Teasing, being cruel?" Greta asked.
"Yes." Yew said. He didn't know why he said it, it was like another voice within him had said it for him. But it felt right, like the truth.
"I'm terribly sorry. That's awful." Greta said.
"It makes no matter. I don't concern myself with those types of people." Yew said.
"Good. I have no problem with the way you walk. I think it quite suits you." Greta said.
"Thanks. I like it too. It draws attention to my magnificent derriere." Yew said with a wink. Greta chuckled.
"It-it does do that." Greta said.
"So you have been looking." Yew said, with a grin.
"N-Not like that! I-I mean your bottom is extraordinary but I-I-I didn't mean I was staring! Just hard not to take notice!" Greta said.
"Oh, so it's so fine you can't help yourself?" Yew said.
"I-I-I..." Greta was so flustered she couldn't speak. Yew chuckled.
"Sorry. I couldn't resist teasing you a bit. I understand. It's fine. You can look at my rear anytime." Yew said.
"...Thank you." Greta said awkwardly.
It wasn't too much longer before the duo saw a tower in the distance.
"I don't have a good feeling about that tower." Greta said.
"Why's that?" Yew asked.
"Banditry has been really picking up lately, and this would be the perfect place to camp out." Greta said.
"That makes a lot of sense. Your knowledge of this area and current events has already proven useful." Yew said. Greta nodded.
"Thank you." Greta said.
"Let's tread carefully, then. Hopefully, we can avoid a fight or at the least, get a drop on them." Yew said. Greta agreed.
They began to walk lighter and tried their best not to make any unnecessary noise. Ducking behind stones when they could and trying to spot a potential ambush. They would look ridiculous if no one was here, Yew thought, but it was better then being strewn with arrows for prancing about in the open.
Finally, they saw what looked to be a guard. He was wearing hide armor and had a great sword strapped on his back. Yew reckoned he could kill him quick enough. Get him in the neck a couple of times, maybe some of the weaker points in the armor, which was clearly poorly maintained. Yeah, this guy was all about intimidation. He'd go down easy enough the hulking brute, and Yew wouldn't have to waste any of his spells.
Problem was he didn't know if he was actually a bandit or not.
Likely he was. What Greta said made perfect sense after all. If he was a bandit this is where he would make a base. In fact, this tower didn't look to bad to have as a base for his purposes. Especially if he needed a place to sleep after clearing out the Barrow. There was however an outside chance this man was innocent. Possibly he was an adventurer who had beat them to the punch. Or someone who just happened to be checking out the area. A non-hostile treasure hunter, looking for loot at the Barrow. Even someone sent by one of the town guards. Yew just couldn't be sure.
So he had to find out.
"Hail friend." Yew said, standing up. The man barely flinched.
"No closer. If you leave now, you'll leave with your life." The man said, hand on his blade.
"We're friends. I'm a traveler just looking to find a group of bandits hidden in this area, who stole a golden claw." Yew said.
"I don't know nothing about no golden claw." The man said.
"What's your purpose here friend." Yew said.
"Your making a mistake. You'll die screaming unless you leave right now." The man said. Yew drew his bow and notched an arrow.
"That was a threat. Tell me, how many others have you threatened, and how many others have you fulfilled your threats on?" Yew said.
"Plenty. From young whelps and screaming maids to countless men like you. Die you son of a bitch!" The man said, withdrawing his blade.
Yew began sending arrows flying. Several hitting him in his armor. However the man kept screaming as he charged, and eventually made it over to the rock where he began swinging his great sword. Yew backed up and sent another arrow flying, drawing blood from the man, but he just wouldn't go down. Finally Yew sent an arrow into his throat, and the man fell at last.
However arrows were now flying from the tower and Greta was now in a struggle with a female bandit wearing a horned helm, with a shield and mace. Greta seemed to be doing a fairly good job, avoiding swings and wearing down the bandit. Yew ducked under the cover of the rock and sent a couple of arrows flying one went past the bandit's shoulder and the other went into her leg. After this the bandit lowered her guard allowing Greta to rain blows down upon the bandits head, crushing her skull, helm or no helm.
Greta then ducked behind another boulder. That was good. He needed to deal with that fucking archer who had been taking potshots. The archer in question was on the bottom level of the tower, near the entrance. He took aim, shot and connected with her leg. Then He ducked as she began responding. Then he took aim, shot and connected with her stomach. Prompting another response and some more time under the cover of the rock. Finally, he got her in the neck and she slumped over.
Clearly, she wasn't bright as she had continued to rain down arrows all that time. Going over to her, Yew discovered that her quiver was nearly empty. Why behave in such a suicidal attack? Was she green and inexperienced at combat? or was there some other motivation?
Yew also felt like he was getting more powerful with each kill he accumulated. It was a strange feeling, but not a bad one.
"Do you think it's clear?" Greta said.
"We'll have to ascend the tower to see." Yew said, putting his bow away. In the tower, he would have to rely on his magic because it was too close quarters for bows. Greta nodded and followed Yew up the first floor of the tower.
As soon as Yew ascended he received a blow to his face. His head hit the back of the tower, knocking him dizzy and blood spurted from his nose. For a few moments, his brain was static as he tried to recover from the hit. He heard the sound of metal against metal, and slowly he realized that meant Greta was clashing with whoever had hit him. He opened his eyes and let his vision focus. Greta, smart, beautiful, Greta had maneuvered the foe so that his back was to Yew. Yew began to concentrate, reaching for his magic.
"Piercing Thorn." Yew said and a large thorn appeared from where Yew's hand was pointing and found it's way, rather quickly, into the bandits back.
He fell gurgling to the ground.
"Th-thanks. You saved me there." Greta said, she had gotten several large cuts.
"I should be thanking you. You were the one who saved me. That fiend really got the drop on me, if it wasn't for you, he'd have finished me." Yew said.
"I guess we make a good team." Greta said.
Then she tended to both of their wounds.
Yew felt revitalized.
"Thank you Greta, you excel at the healing arts. I don't know what I would do without you." Yew said. Truth be told, he had some potion recipes he could brew up, but flattering one's companions was often wise. And besides that Greta's company and skills were greatly appreciated, as well as her other...assets.
"I do what I can." Greta said.
"Good, well then, it seems for the moment we have cleared out this tower of bandits. We should probably help ourselves to any loot and supplies they have." Yew said. Greta nodded and the two divided up the labor of checking for anything that might come in handy, on the corpses of the bandits, in any of the barrels or chests and on tables.
Yew helped himself to a couple of fresh apples that the bandits had gathered and Greta had a bit of cheese. Yew also found several health potions he added to his stores. Greta took a couple of their weapons to sell back at town and Yew helped himself to the few arrows he could retrieve from the bandit archer. Both of them took any gold they could find.
"Well, that seems to be all." Greta said.
"Ok then. It's onto Bleak Falls Barrow then." Yew said. He believed he had enough spells he could sling to get through what was to come. Especially with the help of Greta and with his skill at archery.