Chapter 17

It was a clear, bright morning in the Eastmarch hold. Most of the patrons in Nightgate Inn were asleep, but a band of five travelers was wide awake. They had finished eating a light breakfast and made sure they were dressed warmly before everybody met up outside the stables.

The sun was just beginning to creep up from behind the snow-covered mountains. It was a nice, dry morning free of rain, which Jane was glad for. She was probably the weakest out of the group and traveling in the rain made her feel miserable.

Ahmon stood near his steed, and he lightly rubbed its thick black neck. A stable hand had taken great care of the beasts while they stayed at the Inn, ensuring they were well fed, and their coats were brushed until they shone. When the group was ready to depart, four huge black horses with glowing coats and flowing manes stood ready and waiting, lightly stamping their feet in the snow. They had managed to barter with a traveling leather smith to give up four of his saddles for a decent price, and everything was ready to go.

Their breath came out in white puffs, and Jane rubbed her gloved hands together slightly, already feeling the cold nip at her nose and cheeks.

They helped Bo up onto the saddle first. The Orc hated that he had to have help, but his hip just didn't bend very well anymore, and so he struggled with tasks such as mounting a horse. When he was seated, Nazgurat helped Jane up in front of him. Bo pressed his lips together to stop from groaning as Jane's form pressed firmly against him. It was very uncomfortable, but Bo refused to say anything, and instead, he quietly gathered up the reins with his arms wrapped around Jane's waist.

"You alright?" She asked softly, glancing behind her.

"Mhm."

Ahmon mounted his own steed, riding solo. Lynne and Nazgurat followed suit.

"Everybody ready?" Ahmon called out.

"Yep!"

Ahmon clicked his tongue and the horses began trotting through the snow. They rode at a steady speed for most of the morning, without stopping to rest. Jane was content to just sit and watch the snowy landscape of Eastmarch as it whizzed by. She was looking forward to getting into Whiterun, and away from the ice and the cold.

It was breathtakingly beautiful to watch the sunrise. The sunlight made the snow-covered ground sparkle so prettily that Jane was completely fascinated. She was unaware of Bo's discomfort behind her. He tried to ignore it, but as the movement of the horse and the closeness of Jane's body wore on, the more unbearable it became. He wasn't sure how much longer he'd last, as the group continued to ride at a steady pace.

Everyone stopped to rest the horses and eat a small lunch around mid-day. Ahmon figured they'd be out of Eastmarch within the next couple of days. Everybody was tired of the snow, and they chatted quietly among themselves while they ate. Bo had been quiet since he had been helped down from his horse and handed a chunk of cheese and a thick slice of bread from Jane.

When it came time to get back up on the horse, Bo had to admit his pain. He stood with his hands on the saddle, but his head was bowed. Jane stared at him with a look of concern.

"What is it, Bo?" She asked softly, and she placed a hand on his arm.

"I'm sorry Jane, it's just... terribly uncomfortable with you on the horse with me."

"Oh."

Jane glanced over at Ahmon, who was already on his horse and patiently waiting.

"It's not a problem," Jane responded finally. "I'll ride with somebody else."

Jane turned away from Bo and talked in a hushed tone with Lynne for a moment, who nodded and then wandered over to Bo. She gave him a small vial, which he drank, and Nazgurat helped him up on the horse while Ahmon reached out and took Jane's hand. Bo straightened up in the saddle and watched as the young Nord pulled Jane up onto his horse. A flicker of anger burned inside of him.

She could have chosen to ride with Lynne or even Nazgurat for that matter. But she chose Ahmon. She's probably nice to you because she pities you, and her concern is like that of a friend.

Bo was convinced. Between the snowball fight, and the way Jane seemed to always be nearly in tears from laughing so hard whenever she and Ahmon hung around each other; Bo knew that Jane fancied the handsome Nord. His anger bubbled and churned deep inside of him, and he angrily clenched the reins to his horse and rode in complete silence for the rest of the day with a moody expression. He could not bring himself to look at them, for it only made him feel worse.

Eventually, they reached a small cropping of trees and decided to stop for the night. Bo was helped down from his horse, and he had to walk out the knot that had formed in his legs from riding for so long. He wasn't used to riding and preferred to walk or take a caravan when he traveled.

Bo's legs and hips were very sore, and so Bo slowly wandered around the crop of trees while the others sent up a tarp and went about making a fire. Jane unrolled their bedding and sat down with a content sigh. They had been unable to find enough bedrolls since most of their belongings had been left behind by the cave where they had encountered the bandits. Nazgurat and Lynne were content to share a bedroll, and Jane was more than used to sleeping beside shy, quiet Bo.

Her legs ached something fierce, but she was determined not to let it show. It helped that Lynne had given her a couple of potions to take at her leisure. She waited patiently as Bo continued to shuffle around in the snow until it was too dark to see very well. Then he finally dragged himself back to the camp. He ducked his head under the tarp and slowly eased himself down on the opposite side of the bedroll, well away from Jane.

Jane frowned, and she exchanged a glance across the fire with Lynne, who shrugged and gave her a small smile.

What could I have possibly done now? She thought to herself, but she decided to let it go for now. Maybe he's still really sore.

They had a light meal of mostly cold preserves, and then Lynne walked off to set up magical barriers.

"They're nothing special," she explained to Jane, who had followed her, "but if something gets close we'll at least have a chance to prepare ourselves."

Jane stared down at the runes as they slightly glowed in the snow for a moment before fading almost completely invisible. She was fascinated by magic.

"I'd like to learn more someday," she told Lynne, who smiled.

"Books are a great place to start, but the College is the best place to learn."

"I like restoration, now that I can do a basic healing spell. But I'm more intrigued with other areas."

Lynne chuckled, and she finished casting her runes.

"I'll try to get my hands on some textbooks for you. It's good to learn the basics and get a feel for what you like. Then you can focus your studies on something specific."

"Sounds good. The sooner I learn the better. I don't like this Dragon business."

Lynne had to agree, and they quickly walked back to the camp.

Everybody settled down to sleep for the night. Ahmon laid on his back, snoring softly. Lynne laid on her side with her back facing the fire. She whispered quietly to Nazgurat, who mumbled something back to her. After a while, she shuffled closer and they too went to sleep.

Bo lay on his good side, facing the fire. Jane faced him, but she kept her distance, and the Orc did not try to put his arm around her. His eyes were closed, but Jane knew he was still awake. She finally said something.

"Bo," Jane started quietly. "I know you're not sleeping."

Bo slowly opened his eyes, and he peered over at Jane in the dark. The fire warmed her back, but it was the way Bo was acting towards her that was cold. Jane searched his face for a moment, looking for a hint of his displeasure. She was totally lost.

"What is wrong?"

Bo sighed and was quiet.

"Is it something I did? You need to tell me... Bo..."

"Do you like Ahmon?" Bo blurted out.

Jane paused, and she thought his question over.

"What do you mean by 'like' exactly..."

Bo let out a small huff of air.

"Fancy... romantically," he grumbled.

Jane couldn't believe that Bo was asking her that question. She suddenly realized why he was upset.

"Are you mad because I rode with Ahmon?"

Bo quickly shook his head, but Jane wasn't fooled.

"You can't lie to me Bo," she whispered, feeling angry. "I like Ahmon dearly, as much as I like Lynne and Naz. They are my friends."

Bo was silent. His face was masked in shadow, but Jane could tell he was feeling a mixture of emotions that he wasn't used to dealing with. It made her feel frustrated.

He could avoid these ill feelings if he would just ask me if I like him.

"Bo?"

Bo was silent. He had shifted onto his back and intended to go to sleep instead of talking to her, but his head moved slightly, and Jane knew he was watching her.

"You know you asked me the wrong question, right?"

"What... Do you mean?"

"You didn't ask me if I fancied you."

Jane knew he was flustered and could only imagine how hot his cheeks must have grown. She lay patiently on her side, the fire warming her back, and waited for the Orc to process things.

"D-do you... fancy me?"

"Yes."

Jane swiftly rolled onto her other side, turning her back on him. Bo didn't move for a long moment. He stared at Jane's back as she let out a deep sigh and clenched her hands around the blanket, pulling it closer around her body. She thought he was being a little ridiculous with his jealousy, but also understood he'd never experienced anything like it before. It didn't stop her from wishing they could get over first-dating jitters already. Her desire to roll over and kiss the Orc was overwhelming but knew it would send him into a panic.

Soon, she thought quietly to herself, and she smiled slightly. Someday I won't be able to resist. His lips look so soft, and I want to feel his tusks.

Jane tensed for a moment as she felt him stir behind her. She relaxed when she felt his arm slowly snake its way around her waist, and she welcomed the warmth that radiated off of him.

"I'm sorry," Bo whispered.

Jane closed her eyes and gently rubbed his arm for a few minutes as they both started to drift to sleep.