Chapter Four

The next day found the pair refreshed, Inigo packing up the tent as his companion pulled on her armor, making sure the fire was completely out and hanging the cooking pot on her pack after attaching the tent to it, lifting the bag onto her back and moving off. Dar' was quiet for a while, deep in thought. "Something troubling you?" the blue-furred Khajiit asked finally, watching her look up. "I just don't understand how I can be this 'Dragonborn'-I'm no Nord."

"No, you're Khajiit-like me." Came the snarky reply as she shot him a look, seeing him grin before he went on. "Maybe it's not for us to know. Where does this 'Voice' come from-is there a god that grants it?"

"I have no idea." She shrugged. "I guess we could ask the Greybeards...or possibly Ulfric-it's said he Shouted the High King to pieces, so he must have a similar ability to mine."

They headed up the road, helping out a strange little man with a large wagon as they went and taking out a few Imperial soldiers. Inigo was pleased to see she was using her magic this day and stayed back, raining arrows down on them, coming to her side after they were taken care of and helping her loot the bodies. "Well done," he said, watching her look at him. "You wanted me to practice," she replied as they moved off. They reached Windhelm, the female Khajiit staring up at the walls before they entered the city, ending up right in the middle of an argument. The Nord doing the bullying rounded on the pair, Inigo baring his fangs and watching him and his friend run off, Dar' speaking to the Dark Elf and calming her before they moved on. They walked to the Palace of the Kings and went inside, brushing the fallen snow from their cloaks and hoods before walking over towards the throne. "Only a fool would approach without summons." Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak said, eyeing her as she stopped in front of him. "Do I know you?"

"We met at Helgen my lord." Came the reply as she dropped her hood, her bright green eyes shimmering in the light. "You were in the same cart I was remember?"

"Ah yes." Came the reply. "Destined for the chopping block if I'm not mistaken."

"I escaped with Ralof," she said. "He said he'd vouch for me-has he arrived?"

"Ralof's alive? That is good news-he's a good man." The Nord sighed. "He hasn't returned yet. I can always use able fighters-talk to Galmar here."

She turned to the older man, watching him size her up. "Helgen, eh?" he said with a bit of a growl. "Heard quite the story about that. But first tell me-why's a cat want to fight for Skyrim?"

"Oh by the gods," Inigo groaned as his companion pounced, knocking Galmar to the floor and pinning him. "One, never call me a cat again," she snarled. "Two, I grew up in Whiterun Hold-Skyrim is just as much my home as it is yours." Dar' got off him and held out a hand to help him up, blinking as he laughed and accepted. "Been a long time since someone caught me off-guard like that." He said. "You are ready to die for your home. I need to test what you can take, however."

She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow, Ulfric looking at his friend. "I think we can dispense with that trial Galmar," he replied, chuckling as she looked over. "I'll take any test he wishes." She said to them, the old Nord chuckling. "Then head to Serpentstone Island and kill yourself an ice wraith-that's the trial."

The reply was a smirk as she headed out of the palace. The pair were held up, however, by the smell of blood, heading into the graveyard and seeing one of the serving girls from the inn laying there surrounded by people. Dar'Mora lent her aid and helped resolve the issue within a day, taking the murderer, Calixto Corrium, down with her bare claws the next night. She let Jorleif know before finally heading out towards Serpentstone Island, panting a little. "Amazing that the guards couldn't put things together." Inigo said as they walked.

"Actually, not really," the female Khajiit replied. "They just never thought to track the blood. That was my hunter training kicking in there. The man's journals-he was obsessed with bringing his sister back from the dead."

"If something happened to you, I think I would go mad."

She stopped, staring up at him. "Inigo..." she blushed. "I'm nothing special."

"You're wrong." He intoned. "Where everyone sees 'The Dragonborn' or whatever they call you, I see the real you-the one with hopes and dreams of her own that is struggling to deal with what the Divines have laid on her shoulders. I see you as Fergus and I were-as an aaliter-at least for now. If you ever need my strength, I will lend it."

The blue-furred Khajiit gently reached over and wiped away the tears that were following. "C-come on-we should get moving."

Dar' chuckled, the pair returning to heading out. "Thank you Inigo," she said after a while. "This all just...yes, I'm extremely overwhelmed by everything that has happened lately-it's good to know I have at least one person who has my back that actually cares."

He chuckled, noticing she was tired and starting to look for a place to set up camp. "I will always care Dar'," he replied. "Come, let's gather what we need for a fire and get camp set up."

About 10 minutes later found the tent tucked against a small rocky hill, a blazing fire going as the male Khajiit cooked up some venison from a deer his companion took down that was near their camp, having watched her bow her head and murmur a prayer to Kynareth for the creature's spirit before tending to her kill. She took the skin and hung it to dry, putting the horns in her pack as the meat was grilled over the fire. "So that is how you honor your kills." Inigo said as they ate later, having dragged the carcass a ways away and hearing a pair of wolves deal with what was left as they sat near the fire.

"Yes," came the reply. "And I leave what I do not use for those who can-like the wolves and sabre cats. Basically I was freeing the deer's spirit from its mortal form-allowing it to return to Her and be reborn anew. When we die..." she stopped for a moment before going on. "...I pray that my body nourishes those I have hunted so the cycle can continue." She looked at him. "The next time in we're in Whiterun Hold, I want to take you someplace-I'll have some instructions then."

"You've mentioned growing up in that area." Inigo said.

"Yes, on a farm half-way between Rorikstead and Whiterun. I barely remember Elsweyr to be honest-though my parents spoke of it. They taught me about the deities followed there and about the social structure. I do remember an old Khajiiti woman visiting us before we left. She looked at my markings and told us I was destined for great things-apparently they are extremely rare on a white-furred Khajiit-especially the facial ones." She shrugged, finishing her venison and taking a drink from her waterskin. "Doesn't matter to me what my markings are."

"I think that old woman was right." Her companion said. "No offense, but look at what has happened to you-look at what you can do. I'd say her prediction was correct." The male Khajiit smiled gently at her and putting some more wood on the fire before moving into the tent, watching her do the same. "Come, let us get some rest so we are ready for Serpentstone Island."

She chuckled, closing her eyes. "Good night, Inigo." She said, dropping off.

"Good night Dar'Mora." Came the reply as he did the same.

(A.N.: Yeah, Ulfric and Galmar are slightly AU in this one

Ta'agra Translations:

Aaliter-sibling: basically Inigo is viewing Dar'Mora like a sister at this point)