Yew, with his wolf at his side once more, began a more thorough tracking of their prey. The party didn't take many chances. Due to their desire to quickly cut off their targets, they stuck to the main roads and avoided conflict where they could. Occasionally they had to find off desperate highwaymen or even more desperate wild animals. Several days passed. Then several weeks as they made their way through eastern Skyrim. As this was happening Yew gained several levels in Tracking.
As they made their trip the landscape grew increasingly gloomy. They made their way through swamps and woods that seemed dreary even to Yew.
"By the Eight, Skyrim is a nasty place." Sophia said, cleaning her sword after an encounter with a few Falmer.
"It can be a bit brutal in places." Yew said.
"I wouldn't want it any other way. Maybe with a bit less war. it's a hard place and hard places make for hard people." Uthgerd said. As they had made their trek they had seen evidence of warfare. Skirmishes her and there that left dozens dead. Burnt down villages. Mer made a grizzly example of. Most of the fighting was minor though. With Whiterun's neutrality preventing the bulk of either sides forces from a cutting through the center of Skyrim.
"I'd prefer a sunny place. Cyrodil had more than enough opportunities for adventure but it was warm and lovely and a girl could get a decent cup of wine." Sophia said.
"To each their own then. Just don't try to make us live like you southroners and we will get along fine." Uthgerd said.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Sophia said.
Yew had his hands in the pockets of his robes. He wouldn't call the last couple of weeks boring per se, but he was itching for a real challenge. As it was, their party could cope with whatever small groups of enemies opposed them. It did take a bit of the worry out of things, but it also took a bit of the excitement as well. And quite frankly, a lot of the opportunities for growth. Casting a spell or loosing a couple of arrows didn't make for steller experience gains. He longed for some sort of challenge. And was wondering if he was going to have to ditch some of his party to get it.
"How far off we from Riften?" Yew asked.
"About another week or so." Sophia said. It had been nearly 4 months of constant travel with very few serious slowdowns.
"I see." Yew said.
"It would be faster if we had access to some horses. Sadly, those are fairly expensive these days. The armies take as much as they need, and their need is massive." Sophia said.
"We shall have to try and secure some horses at Riften, when we arrive." Yew said.
It was 5 days later, during the late evening, that Yew received his wish. He was on watch. A duty that he found stressful in spite of how calming those nights often felt. Yew was constantly worried about getting distracted. It was then that he noticed figures approaching in the dark.
"Hold. Who goes there?" Yew said and he drew his bow. He had thirty arrows, and all of his spells intact.
"My. My. Such a large group. Do you mean to travel into Riften or to siege it?" Said a voice. It was a smooth-talking Argonian female. She was dressed in black and had several knives tucked into her belt, as well as a short sword on her back.
"Travel. We come in peace." Yew said.
"Do you? That would be a rare treat. So few travel for peaceful purposes in these times." The Argonian replied.
There were many figures gathered alongside and behind her. Yew couldn't count how many. They were wearing black and masked in shadow and darkness.
"What is your intention here? To greet travelers?" Yew said.
"No, no. Just a certain group of travelers. You see, my mistress has guests here in this city. And it seems that a group of people have come to harm these guests. You don't happen to be that party? You peaceful lot." The Argoinan woman said.
Yew had been glancing around as subtly as you could. Not just gauging her parties numbers, which was over 10, but also gauging to see how awake his other party members were. Greta was awake, holding her breath to avoid drawing attention. Uthgerd had a hand on the hilt of the axe she kept on her hip. Sophia also had a hand on the hilt of her sword. Yew had no idea about the others, but that would do.
"We aren't intending on hurting anyone. We just want to hand in some brigands to the proper authorities. That is all." Yew said.
"Well, that's a lovely idea. Shame it can't be allowed to happen." The Argonian woman said. As she finished her sentence an arrow just barely missed Yew's head.
Suddenly chaos unfolded. All of Yew's companions were quickly on their feet and making a stand. Greta was firing off warding spells and other defensive and supportive magic. Yew sent an arrow towards the Argonian woman but he missed as she retreated back into the darkness. Yew sent two other arrows into the necks of a couple of their archers. But a third archer managed to connect and hit Yew right in the arm.
Yew sent a piercing thorn that killed the archer that fired the arrow but it was too late. Yew's left arm was crippled and worthless. He wouldn't be able to use a bow.
With a cry Yew sent forth his vile thorns and killed three more of the Argonian's goons. At this point they were charging in forth, moving to overwhelm the Yew's companions formed a wall and began to defend their camp. The fighters that the Argonian sent against them were lightly armed and armored and they seemed lightly trained as well. Sophia and Uthgard, in particular, were carving through them like a knife through butter.
Yew mostly relied on his piercing thorns, he crippled an opponent with tanglefoot and ended him with another piercing thorn. He used slicing leaves to cut the throats of several members of horde.
However their numbers were too much, and they managed to beat down and beat down the party, not letting up for a second. Blood flowed freely from each side.
When it finally ended 18 people were dead at their feet, probably around 18 had fled, and they all had various wounds from the sheer force of the horde's onslaught.
"By Kynreath that was...that was." Greta said falling to her knees exhausted and panicked.
"It was scary as Oblivion." Yew said, his hands were shaking, but it wasn't fear he was feeling. Not exactly.
"Yeah. And exciting." Uthgerd said.
"It was a perfect night. All I need is a fuck and a bit of booze." Sophia said.
Greta and some potions fixed up their wounds, though Yew's arm was still sore and stiff. When it was Sophia's turn on watch she woke Yew up and had him go down on her. Then she gave him a handjob. It felt fumbling and a bit frenzied, and Yew could barely remember it outside of a blur the next day. But it was a pleasant blur.
Four days later they had arrived at Riften.