Inna was finishing cooking Slaughterfish scales when she remembered something about the cave. "Are you all right?" She asked Relie Fanis, who looked at her confusedly. "You lost energy by healing me, didn't you? Aren't you tired? " Relie Fanis shook her head. "I only used some of my Magicka, which the energy used to charge and cast spells. I'm fine physically. " They were camped the farthest they managed to find of Duskglow Crevice, but that was still far from Dawnstar. Inna smirked at her. "Anyway, we need to get back to Dawnstar soon. Kharjo is waiting for me and you have to get your reward from the Jarl." As she spoke, Inna went to some trees near the camp and returned a few minutes later with a huge elk by her side.
"How did you get him to come so close to you? We have to knock them down." Relie Fanis stood up surprised as she readied some flames in her palms. The elk tried to run away when it noticed the flames, but Inna stepped in front of it. "NO! Don't touch him!" She shouted, and turned to the elk, who seemed a little calmer with her presence. Inna walked to up to it and gently pressed her forehead to the elk's, staring deep into its eyes. She took a deep breath and the elk did the same. It stood beside Inna as she put a hand on his neck. "He'll help us get to Dawnstar in half the time than if we walked all the way there." Relie Fanis extinguished the flames and gathered their supplies, still incredulous. She climbed on the animal's back behind Inna and spoke as the elk turned around and began to walk into the woods. "Are you sure you're not half Wood Elf? They can command animals." Inna chuckled and grabbed the elk's neck to steady herself as it broke into a run. "I've never even seen a Wood Elf, nor do I have any special powers. I had to learn to communicate with animals in order to survive."
In the hours it took to return to Dawnstar, Inna told the mage about her relationship with wild animals. "It is something that I developed naturally, it is not related to any otherwordly forces. After Winterhold's guards left me in the middle of this frozen wasteland, I had to survive on my own." Relie Fanis was fasicanted by Inna as much as Inna was for her, but for different reasons - she did not understand how someone who had been rejected so many times could still have hope and get to trust people. Nor did he understand how Inna had survived in that gods-forsaken land.
Relie Fanis held onto Inna's waist as the elk ran. "So did you always live in the tavern in Winterhold?" Inna nodded, grabbing the elk's neck for support. "Yes. In fact, even when my mother was alive, she was so absent that I do not even remember what she looked like. According to the owners of Frozen Hearth Inn, she was always travelling and doing all kinds of 'jobs' - that is, they said she was a member of the Thieves Guild."
Relie Fanis rolled her eyes at the mention of the notorious group. "Oh, yes, I've never seen a city as corrupt as Riften. Even the guards there are fucking uselles." Inna had never been to Riften, capital ofThe Rift, located in southwestern Skyrim, but rumours of its questionable denizens reached even the far northern lands. "Mother was never around, so it was Haran and Dagur who raised me. A few years later, their daughter was born and they could not care for me as much anymore. They are good people, though. I do not blame them for what happened to me." Inna sighed as various memories flooded her mind. "The people of Winterhold are very proud of their origins, full of themselves... and even though the city was destroyed thirty years ago, they still blame the mages of the College for that natural disaster. As most of its members are elves, I am sure you can imagine their reaction when they saw me around town. They had been bothering Haran and Dagur for years, saying that they should kick me out and that I did not belong in Winterhold. That winter in particular was harsher than the previous ones... I was ten years old when they informed me that I was to be taken to the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften." Relie Fanis squeezed Inna's waist with a little more force than necessary when the elk galloped again. "I'm really sorry, Inna. I can't imagine what it must have been like to go through that on your own."
Inna was touched by the girl's concern. "Thank you, Relie Fanis. In fact, two Winterhold guards were tasked with escorting me to Windhelm and then to Riften. They probably thought it was too much work, since I woke up in the middle of the wilderness on the morning of the second day. I managed to find shelter and I... I just had to survive. If it weren't for the beasts, I certainly would not be here. "
Inna was tired - not due to the trip, however; it seemed she hadn't talked so much on the same day in years. She remained silent for the rest of the trip and as she dismounted, she went out looking for the Khajiit, relief washing over her as she saw the tents in the outskirts of Dawnstar. She said goodbye to the Breton, watching the girl enter the city in a hurry. Kharjo left the tents and went straight to Inna when he saw what she was holding. "I found your amulet," she said with a smirk. He took the object in his hands. "There it is... Ah... Home..."
Kharjo beamed at Inna. "If you ever need the skills of a Khajiit warrior by your side, I would be honoured to travel with you. Until then, here. This is for you, in thanks." He took a bag of coins from his pack and placed it into Inna's hands. She was surprised by the weight of the bag, realising that there must be more money than she had ever received. "Five hundred Septims", the Khajiit was amused by Inna's surprise. "I... I have never earned so much money in one job," she said, almost stammering. "Well, this amulet is too important to me."
"I will spend that money wisely, then." Inna pointed to the tent with the goods behind the warrior, "starting by buying a new hood."
Ahkari, the owner of the caravan, left the tent as soon as she heard Inna utter those words and gave her a brown hood in exchange for 20 septims - a bargain, according to the merchant, for the hood was originally from the Thieves Guild and was enchanted, supposedly making prices a little lower. The mercenary covered her head, finally feeling like herself again.
He turned to Kharjo. "And secondly... I do need a good mug of mead and a warm bed." She began to move towards the city. "I would join you if Khajiit could enter the city" Kharjo spoke louder so she could hear him. "I will drink in your name, too!" Inna answered even louder, waving one of her arms as a goodbye.
Dawnstar was one of Skyrim's main cities, and thus it was not surprising that Windpeak Inn was full. However, instead of the relaxed atmosphere and the music of the bards that Inna hoped to find, what she saw was a little commotion around a man wearing a hooded cloak. Two women dressed in miner's clothes were arguing with him, while another Nord tried to intervene. Inna nodded to Relie Fanis when she saw her near the counter, watching the scene from afar.
A black-haired woman complained. "It's a curse! It has to be! I've got to get out of this town."A blond woman who also wore miner's clothes answered her. "Irgnir, get a hold of yourself. They're just dreams. Please tell her, Erandur." As did the two women and the Breton, Inna gazed at the man, whose robes showed nothing more than his face. He had gray skin, delicate features, and red eyes. He did not look very young, but he was not too old either - since elves could live up to three hundred years, Inna estimated he was less than a hundred years replied calmly, in a condescending tone. "Listen to your friend, Fruki. It's just dreams, my dear. I assure you that it is quite normal." It had the opposite effect, however, and Irgnir became even more nervous. "It's the same dream over and over again. You think that's normal? It's evil, I tell you!" Fruki looked from the elf to her friend in disbelief. "Erandur, she has a point. You keep telling us no harm will follow these dreams, but they must be an omen." The owner of the tavern interrupted her. "Give him a chance to speak. He's trying to help us."
The elf sighed and raised his hands. "Everyone, please. I'm doing what I can to end these nightmares. Meanwhile, all I ask is that you remain strong and put your trust in Lady Mara." The three Nords thanked him, looking relaxed for the time being. Upon hearing that, Relie Fanis got up and went straight to the Dark Elf. Inna followed her with her eyes.
"So you're a Priest of Mara? Goddess of love, compassion, marriage..." Inna finally approached, standing beside her companion. The mage nodded. "My name is Erandur. That I am, but I am here for another reason. As you can see, the entire town is being tormented by horrible nightmares. The people of Dawnstar are in grave danger, but I'm afraid there is little I can do about it." Inna and Relie Fanis exchanged a knowing look. "Maybe we can help you. I work as a mercenary." The two women introduced themselves, with Relie Fanis adding that she was a mage in training. "In that case, I fear that I can not offer you money. Lady Mara's blessings will have to be your payment."
"Tell us what's going on here and then we'll see about the payment." Relie Fanis dismissed that before Inna could respond. The mage gestured to one of the tables in the tavern. The three of them sat down and ordered a meal, implying that that conversation might take a long time. The two women were silent as the priest addressed the situation. "These dreams are manifestations created by the Daedric Lord Vaermina. She has an awful hunger for our memories. In return, she leaves behind nightmares, not unlike a cough marks a serious illness. I must end her terrible influence over these people before the damage becomes permanent. "
"Vaermina? I know there are several powerful Daedra, but I've never heard of her. "Inna inquired, feeling as lost as when Relie Fanis told her about her hometown. Erandur seemed to understand her lack of knowledge.
"Vaermina resides in a strange realm known as Quagmire... a nightmarish land where reality shifts upon itself in seemingly impossible ways. From her citadel at the center, she reaches forth to collect our memories, leaving nothing in return apart from visions of horror and despair." Relie Fanis also looked surprised, but not as much as Inna was. "She feeds on memories, and what does she do with them?" Erandur himself seemed confused. "Who can say? Perhaps she collects them for display like works of art in a nonsensical art gallery. Whatever the case may be, her intentions are far from benevolent."
"How do we solve this problem, then?" Inna questioned, wondering what fruits that seemingly complicated job could give her. "I need to return to the source of the problem, to Nightcaller Temple. Perhaps you'd be willing to assist me in that regard?" Inna and Relie Fanis looked at each other for a moment, already knowing the answer. "Yes. But why do you say 'return'?" The Breton, always attentive to detail, could not help but wonder. At that moment, Erandur lowered his voice. "I've already said too much. If anyone overhears what we're saying, it could start a panic. I would simply ask that you trust me and help me end Dawnstar's nightmares."
If those women's complaints had seemed exaggerated to Inna at first, she understood what they were talking about on that same night. As soon as she fell asleep, instead of the restful sleep that she expected, she found herself back in Duskglow Crevice. The horrible scene of the Falmer standing on top of her wound repeated itself over and over again, but now she could understand his grunts. It was as if he were recognising one of his fellow Falmer. Inna struggled even more fiercely as she felt her waist being immobilised. This time, however, she was able to see the face of the human who attacked her and understand his dark intentions by his sadistic look. Inna also felt the pain of the trap wound hitting her chest again. She wanted to scream, but it was as if she could not find her own voice.
Inna woke up startled for the third time that night and left the room, having given up resting. She was surprised to find Erandur and Relie Fanis seated at one of the tables in the tavern. The priest had a calm expression on his face, but Relie Fanis looked every bit as irritated and as weary as Inna felt.