Time is a very interesting concept when you are uprooted and in a new place. At the moment time seemed to be an almost tangible feeling spreading and moving against my skin as it past. When it passed in the subtle blinks of an eye it was abrasive and painful like sand paper. If it decided to move sluggishly the sensation was more like spider webs slowly being dragged over my skin. Now matter how it felt time did in fact pass. Kari and Mjoll left me in Mauls capable hands as they sniffed out, tracked down, and looked for Brynjolf. They had even popped into Solitude and set Sapphire on the trail as well, while they searched for Thrynn and Rune. While the hunt was on for Brynjolfs scent, I recovered with Maul. Weak as my body seemed I forced him to teach me better combat skills. We learned I had skill with a bow, was absolute shit with a long sword, better at hand to hand, and, could throw daggers with surprising accuracy. Slowly I got better... Mostly. In all this time passing there was a single constant in the form a soft burning sensation in my side. At first it light to the degree I barely noticed. Now its like some ones hand is constantly pressed into my side. Maul changed the bandage twice daily whether it needed it or not. He used every salve and healing potion he could think of and then some. The wound remained unfazed however and showed no sign of changing.
Other than time, unchanging wounds, and, training I found something else to contend with and ponder; Maul himself. The man was exhausting and confusing to say the least. He could switch through emotions as fast as I could blink. It would take two seconds for him to be angrily muttering about skeever bites, then go very quiet as if deep in though, to unfeeling and mechanical, then back to angry. I've witnessed almost every emotion flicker across his face just to vanish before it had a chance to settle.
It was another day in time that I found myself on the receiving end of Mauls unstable emotional changes. I was wearing as little as I could get away with under Mauls watchful eye. He said I need padding to protect my wound. I snorted for the upteenth that morning and muttered about over protective mother hens. We were knee deep in snow with the sun shining in our faces. Maul stood a few feet in front me rim rod straight. We were training but I could tell by his eyes that his thoughts were else where. I flipped a dagger in my hand to hold the blade instead of the hilt. There's an intense bite of cold in the air but I don't feel it. My side is burning up just like the rest of me. My free hand wiped across my forehead and came away sweaty. I cursed softly and half heartedly flicked my knife in Mauls direction. He was supposed to flick it away and mock me like usual but this time... Something like steel flashed in his eyes as he planted a foot in my side and I got tossed like a rag doll. I screamed as I landed in a pile snow face sound of horses intermixed with loud, long streams of cursing from several parties including to added voices of Kari and Mjoll. Sitting up carefully I shook snow out my hair just to have Mauls hand reach out and hold my head still while he assed damage. In that moment I couldn't help wonder if Mauls could actually crash my head in his hand as it engulfed my face and marveled silently at how gently he managed to remain with it. I tried to think long enough to control my expression as my side screamed in pain and he turned my face in his hand to look me in the eye. He went from angry, to fear, to sorrow, to pain, then mocking, before going back to anger. He laid me down gently before burying half of me in snow.
"She's burning with fever and I don't know what from. You need to take her to a healer." He murmured so softly I wasn't sure any one would hear him. But they did and two pairs turned downward to look me over.
"There is an apothecary in Markarth. She's the best at making a potion for everything. There is something you should know first... We found Brynjolf. He's hiding in an abandoned dog fighting ring... Alone. He thought body guards would be more trackable so he's been traveling alone until he could leave Skyrim." A soft growl of a sound emanated from Mauls chest. Taking a large breath I placed my hands on Mauls shoulders and heaved up in a standing position. It was painful and would be even more so when I started walking but it wasn't unbearable... Yet.
"If I get a say I'd like to go after Brynjolf first. I'm not going to die tomorrow and I want to get to him before he moves again." Kari and Mjoll both nodded their agreement with albeit wary expressions. I could almost hear Mauls teeth grinding. He exchanged a look with Kari but the meaning was lost on me. In the end he shook his head and look defeated before showing no emotion at all.
"When do we leave?" He asked, tone neutral and was replied with a shrug.
"Now, if you would prefer. I can take us there..."
"Fine." He reached out and pulled me to him by my upper arm while simutaniously placing a hand on Karis shoulder. She gripped both his and Mjolls biceps. More looks were exchanged with glances passed in my direction. I was getting a little pissed.
"I'm standing right fuckin' here-" My sentence was cut off by the world falling as it melted into a chaotic blur. It lasted considerably longer this time but I still wasn't aware reality had returned to me until I was near pissing myself gasping and vomiting while Maul held me up. Kari kept apologizing through the waves of rolling nausea until I settled and quieted. I rinsed my mouth out with snow and took a small vial of mint oil Maul offered to me. I mixed two drops in my mouth before handing it back to him, nodding in thanks.
"Stop. Doing. That." There was no reply except a hand gesturing towards the open mouth of a dank, dark cave. My face twisted up into a glare but I moved forward none the less. Luckily we didn't have to move far before soft mumblings sounded from down a sharp ramp. All lined up like ducks in a row we crouched. Shadows extended over us shrouding our forms. Together we crept to the ramp less edge and peered down. There, ten feet down or more, stood silhouetted form of Brynjolf. Shivering and moving his hands roughly as he spoke in harsh, angry whispers. Just behind him, hidden mostly in shadow with only half of her face illuminated by torch light, stood a woman. With her arms crossed tightly over her chest and lips pressed into a thin angry line was Maven. Blackbriar.