Chapter 6

Rescuing Karnwyr

Their walk back to Whiterun was slow and quiet between them. Rona was poring over every detail of what just happened to her when Bishop mused, "Dragonborn huh? Well, that explains a lot."

She'd almost forgotten he was there and mumbled back, "Yeah..."

"So her fearlessness has a reason for being so and a reason for being completely bullheaded too," he laughed weakly.

She glanced over at him and gave him a half smile, "Are you trying to make me feel better about all this?"

His smirk dropped and he looked forward, "No. Just trying to break the tension between us," he sighed, "Guess we won't be leaving today like I'd planned."

They stopped by their horse, Whiskey, who was chewing on a mouthful of dry grass as though nothing strange had happened.

"Guess I'll get this guy stabled for the night and we can get a couple of rooms over at the Bannered Mare, how's that sound?"

Rona looked down at her feet and said, "I'm sorry Bishop. I'm so sorry. I never meant to cause all this trouble for you. You just wanted to find your wolf and all I've done is drag you around Skyrim and get you into dangerous situations."

He went to cross his arms and pulled them back as his hand flexed painfully and said, "Ah - ow, yeah, well...you do seem to attract a lot of trouble."

"Here," she handed him a coin purse full of gold, "that's everything the Jarl gave me plus what the court wizard paid me today. I'll understand if you just want to take it and leave."

He smirked at her and pushed it back. "Don't worry about it I'm not going anywhere just yet. We still have a deal and this time I've got the Dragonborn on my side. Can't go wrong there," he said looking over his partially healed hand, "...mostly. You know what? Give me some of that gold, I'm gonna buy a few potions and get us a room at the inn and some mead. Lots and lots of mead."

As Bishop went off to the local apothecary, Rona made her way up to meet with Jarl Balgruuf once more where she relayed everything that had happened out at the watch tower, including her being Dragonborn.

The Jarl was pleased with this news and granted her the title of Thane of Whiterun and gave her a key to her own residence. He bade her to travel to the High Hrothgar to answer the Greybeards' summons and learn more about her newfound power.

Rona left more apprehensive than before. She knew nothing about being a Dragonborn, nor of their history. She'd read maybe one or two stories about dragons in her youth but since they didn't exist anymore they simply did not interest her. Now she desired nothing more than to read all the books she could on the subject. She had to know more.

She stood just outside the Bannered Mare. The sun had already set and the light from the tavern shone through the windows. It was bustling and busy inside, she really needed a drink. She entered and found herself surrounded by all kinds of people, the townsfolk and guards gathered round a hearth. A few of the guards from the watch tower were giving regaling details about their fight with the dragon.

Rona looked around and saw Bishop sitting at the bar, a mug in hand and a busty tavern maiden perched on his arm. He was looking at her with complete disgust all over his face. "I told you to get lost, flea," he growled at her.

She huffed at him, "Will you stop calling me a flea? I'm a thief, not a flea..."

"You're a parasite, attaching yourself to a body to make use of it for food, protection or whatever. Until you move on to another body, or are caught and get pinched to death."

She bat her lashes at him and moaned, "I can show you a good time, I make a good belly warmer."

Bishop grumbled at her. In response the wench rubbed her bosom up against him and whispered loudly, "You are everything I desire in a man, I'd be a fool if I didn't give it every effort."

"Consider it given, now get lost before I slit your throat."

She seemed to get the hint finally and slunk away in a huff though it didn't take long before a drunk pulled her right into his arms and she turned her attention to entertaining him while slipping a few coins from his pocket.

Rona sauntered up to the bar and took a seat next to Bishop. He actually smiled at her, seemingly happy to see her, "Hey beautiful. You're looking smoky."

She cocked her head at him, puzzled, until he took his thumb and wiped it against her cheek to show her the ash smeared on her face. "You don't look as bad as the last time you faced off against a dragon, but you are still pretty dirty. Damn," he grasped at some wisps on her head, "it even managed to singe your hair in a few places."

Rona shrugged, "Comes with the territory now." She looked at his hand, which was wrapped in some bandages. "How's the hand?" she asked.

He flexed it, "Much better, though the woman at the apothecary tried to sell me some cure disease potion too, insisting that I have ataxia or some other nonsense. Do I look like I have ataxia to you?"

"No," Rona chuckled and noticed a glass of Alto Wine in front of her, "That for me?"

"Yup, that's your favorite right?"

"I'd drink anything at this point," she said taking the glass and downing it in a single gulp.

Bishop looked surprised at her and said, "Wow, guess I'll order another."

"Please do," she said. Bishop called over tavern maid who quickly poured her a fresh glass before winding her way back through the crowds.

He swirled his mug and ran his eyes over Rona. She noticed his staring and said, "What?"

"Just trying to figure out how this tiny elf could possibly be Dragonborn. What are you? Four foot?"

She smirked and pushed his arm, "Four foot eleven inches thank you very much!"

"Ah, so damn close to a full five feet!" he teased.

"I wish," she sighed, "Altmer are sooo tall! Ata is like six foot five but Mother was even more petite than me. When I was seventeen I realized I'd stopped growing and tried to get my friend to use magic to make me grow a few more inches. He wouldn't do it though, just pat me on the head and told me I was cuter this way." She pouted.

He smiled at her, "Well he was right about that."

She pulled the freshly poured glass of wine to her face to hide her blushing but Bishop just said, "You'll never hide that red, it always races right to the tips of your ears and practically matches your pink hair."

"Ah!" she pressed a hand up to her ear and grumbled at him, "My hair is not pink! It's strawberry blonde!"

Bishop laughed, "Looks more strawberry than blonde I'd say."

She stuck her tongue out at him and sipped her wine when he said, "So, what was up with that song?"

Rona looked up at him, "There was a woman who called to me. She taught me that song. She had long black hair and a flowing silver gown. Did you see her?"

"Nope, not at all. Just you, staring off into space. That dragon flew around us and I tried to tell you to get your bow and start shooting but you completely ignored me. Same as before in the barrow actually..."

She thrust her hands to her knees, "I told you I heard chanting in the barrow! Some loud voices of men and there was a word on the wall...fus. It was glowing and when I approached it everything around me just faded and all I could hear was that chanting."

"So that's why you didn't hear me when I was saving your skin. You know, you're damn lucky I was around," he twisted in his seat and leaned an elbow and his back against the bar, "That draugr was ready to blow you away with a shout before I stepped in."

"Thank you," she said sincerely, "And sorry about your hand too."

"Ah yeah," he flexed it through the bandages, "I tried to pull you away when that dragon blast fire at you, but you wouldn't budge an inch. I don't know how you deflected the flames though, otherwise we'd both be nice and crispy right now."

She shrugged, "I guess I did it with the power of my voice."

"You made all that music too?"

"I don't know. But you heard that?" she asked sipping her wine.

"Yeah, loud singing all around us and trumpets or something. Talk about some of the craziest shit I've ever seen... Oh by the way! I rented the bath out earlier. Already used it myself, but if you'd like to get cleaned up I can keep watch at the door for you."

She snorted, nearly spraying her wine back into the glass and gave him a cynical look.

He laughed and said, "I swear on my oath as a ranger not to peek."

"I really doubt that, but I would like to get washed up," she said rubbing her soot smeared fingers together.

They stood and walked over to the bathing room. Bishop stood outside the door, leaning against it and watched the people mill about.

Rona went inside and undressed behind the carefully placed dividers around the bath. She allowed herself to sink into the warm water and washed away the filth all over her. She could barely see the top of Bishop's head from where she sat, but he thankfully hadn't budged an inch. He was surprisingly honest in that regard.

She started rinsing her hair when she heard a very drunk and deep voice echo into the room, "Who yah hidin' in there?"

"No one," Bishop sounded mad.

"I saw 'er, some sweet little thing in a dress. She naked in there?"

"None of your business, now piss off."

"I think we deserves ourselves a quick look, what do yah wan'? Sum gold? How much for a peek? Ten gold pieces? Twenty?"

"Zero, now get out of my face before I rearrange yours."

Rona grabbed a towel and dried herself off as things started to escalate. She peered around the divider to see a hulking brute of a man towering over Bishop. He was as wide as he was big. He grinned drunkenly at Bishop.

"Tell yah what, I'll give yeh fifty gold pieces if you let me fuck 'er."

Bishop moved fast, making sure his fist met with the man's face. There was a loud crash as the brute tumbled to the floor, breaking a bench with his body. Everyone in the room was silent as they stared at the scene before them.

Bishop shook his hand and roared, "God damn it! I just had this hand healed you stinking piece of shit!"

The man chuckled and slowly pushed himself up, "Wouldn't have done that if I was you."

He drew a mighty broadsword from his back and gave Bishop a toothy grin. The inn keeper started screaming, "GUARDS! DO SOMETHING!" but the much smaller guardsmen were all too bewildered to budge.

The brute rushed at Bishop, who already had his dagger in hand, Rona yanked him backward and thrust herself in front of him and shouted, "FUS!"

The man was thrown, hard, across the inn where he crashed into a wardrobe with a loud CRACK! He slumped onto the floor.

People screamed and others stared, the inn keeper yelled, "OUT! GET OUT!"

Bishop came up behind Rona and pulled her towel around what she realized was her bare naked back and bottom, she'd only been clutching it at her chest to cover her front and in all the commotion forgot to actually pull it around herself. Her face burned red hot. But all he said was, "Get your things, we're leaving," as he traipsed past her.

She threw on her dress and grabbed her boots and gloves and profusely apologized to the innkeeper as she was walking out, the woman had fists to her hips and glared daggers at them.

Rona caught up with Bishop who was already halfway across the town, swinging his arms and walking very quickly. "Wait up," she called, "We don't have to leave."

"Don't know if you noticed princess but that was the only inn in town and we just got kicked out of it, so we're camping tonight."

"No, I...," she nervously ran her fingers through damp hair, "I have a house...here."

"You...have a house...in Whiterun?" he looked unconvinced.

She breathed, "Yeah. I do now. The Jarl gave me a house here when he found out I'm the Dragonborn."

Bishop smacked a hand to his forehead and laughed, "This is just too rich. Everyone just hands you everything on a silver platter, don't they?"

She scowled at him, "I never asked for any of this."

"Right," he said sighing, then changed the subject, "So where is this homestead of yours?"

She looked around, "Ah! He said it was the second building on the right as you come through the gates. Sooo," she whirled around, it was right in front of them, "it's this one!"

She pulled the key from her pouch and pressed it into the lock. With a gentle turn it clicked and opened. They stepped inside. It was a cozy home, lightly furnished, but mostly empty otherwise. A hearth sat in the middle of the room and the cupboards lay barren but as far as she was concerned it was a place to stay for the night.

Bishop stalked past her up the stairs and into the first room on his left, "Bed in here, but it's small, like a closet." He came back and rounded the corner to his right and called, "Now that's a bed! I'm sleeping in this one, you get the closet."

Rona pulled up a chair by the hearth and tossed a pair of logs onto it then lit a fire. Bishop came down and said, "I was just kidding, you can have the big bed if you really want."

She smiled weakly at him, "No, it's ok."

He leaned up against the wall by the stairs and spat, "Stop that."

"What?"

"Feeling sorry for yourself. It's not going to change anything, alright? You're the Dragonborn, so what? Just accept it and move on. 'Sides, that was pretty badass what you did back there, shouting that bonehead across the room..you know, not to mention the fact you just killed a dragon today."

She smiled at him, "You think so?"

"I know so. Oh and speaking of asses, yours is pretty fine if I do say so myself."

Her face burned bright red again, "That was the one and only time you'll ever get to see it!" She laughed and threw an empty tankard from the hearth at him which he easily dodged.

He chuckled, "We'll see about that. I'll win you over just yet." He turned back up the stairs and headed for the small room on the left then called back, "Hey Lightfoot, remember that you never need anyone, let alone some man to defend your honor. You've got that handled all on your own."

Bishop slept in late and she was surprised when he finally came down around noon. She poured him a bowl of hot porridge and served it with a glass of milk and some sweet bread. He yawned and looked down into the bowl scrunching his nose at it.

"What's this?" he asked.

"It's cinnamon porridge, it's really good, I made it fresh myself."

"It looks disgusting," he gagged.

"Just try it!" she urged. He took a bite of his bread and ignored the porridge.

She rolled her eyes and said, "I stopped by the inn and apologized to Hulda for last night. I even paid for the damages. She said we're welcome back any time."

"Good, I like that tavern," he said through a mouthful of bread.

"The guards arrested that brute too, Hulda said it took six of them just to carry him off to the prison."

"Hah, I bet it did," he said downing the glass of milk and standing up.

She took his bowl and dishes to a wash basin, took a few bites of the porridge before rinsing it and said, "Ready to go?"

"Ready whenever you are princess," he said as he collected his quiver and bow, "Hopefully we can get to the Rift without any interruptions this time."

She held two pressed fingers up and said, "On my honor!"

He smirked at her and they left.

Down at the stables Bishop mounted Whiskey and noticed Rona pulling herself up onto a white mare.

"Wrong horse Ladyship."

She settled into the saddle and said, "Nope, this is definitely the right horse."

He looked at her with heavily lidded eyes, "That's some bard's horse, got a drum and a bunch of instruments strapped to it."

She smiled broadly at him and pat the mare on her neck, "Yeah, my horse. Her name is Karinda, I bought her from the stable master this morning and did a little shopping. I figured this would be easier than sharing a saddle with you, plus we can carry more!"

Bishop sighed, "Damn, I sure am going to miss the feeling of your bosom pressing up against my back."

He laughed at her reddening face and snapped his reins. Rona pulled her mare around and spurred her steed on after him.

The two of them spent several days traveling along the path towards the Rift. Bishop spent most of his time finding ways to sexually harass his quarry and stir her into blushing fits, while she took every opportunity to draw up an instrument and sing her heart out just to annoy him.

It was the second night of their travels and they'd made camp a short ways from the road. Bishop insisted it was safer to stray off the path a bit than to camp too close to it where passersby could easily rob them in their sleep.

He was stoking the fire while Rona strummed her lute and hummed a tune to herself. A light snow began to fall around them and a chill brushed through the air. Rona shivered.

"Thought you were a nord." He grabbed a blanket and threw it at her. "It's hardly even snowing."

She pulled it around herself. "I'm half a nord that grew up in the warmer climates of Cyrodiil. I'm not used to all this cold and ice everywhere."

A sensual gleam crossed his eyes and he said, "I could keep you warm all night if you'd like princess."

She kept strumming at her lute, she was wholly used to his lewd remarks now that they hardly fazed her, "I don't think so ranger."

He smirked at her, "So you gonna sing me a song or just keep playing with that thing?"

"You want me to sing?"

"It's not a matter of wanting or not, Lightfoot," he said as he lay down on his side, "Just sing it already and be done with it so we can go to sleep. Knowing you, you've got some song bouncing around in your head, so let it loose already."

He was right about that. She often found herself humming songs she'd never known before. Perhaps it was the visitors from her dreams, the other Dragonborn. Each one that had come to her the last three nights were women and each taught her songs they knew and every morning her mind bubbled with the words. She had to get this one out of her system already.

She parted her lips and sang;

(The song is Winter Moon by Erutan)

"In the woodlands low, born of ice and snow,

there's a maiden weeping tonight.

Snow falls softly 'neath the winter moon

Forest bare and white, she dwells there by night

Listen to her cry sorrow's song.

Snow falls softly 'neath the winter moon

Breathless, icy, bright. Daughter of the night.

Oh, who do you cry for?

Keening softly 'neath the winter moon

Traveler passing through, feet all bare, his smile was true

His eyes shone with starlight

He walked softly 'neath the winter moon

Love made my heart soar, you're the one I've waited for

Stay with me forever

she cried softly 'neath the winter moon

In the snow he stayed, from my side he did not stray

My hands could not warm him

He died softly 'neath the winter moon."

Bishop stared into the firelight as she sang. She'd noticed him gazing off the last few nights, a trace of a shadow crossing his eyes each time. Something from his past, she was sure of it. He was truly an enigma wrapped in a mystery. Every attempt to learn more about him was met with immediate deflection so she stopped asking. What did it matter? She told herself. He was probably going to leave her the minute he got his wolf back anyhow.

"Sad song," he said startling her. He grinned at her, "What, did I scare you?"

She put her lute aside and pulled the blanket around her more and fell onto her bedroll, "No, just cold. Night!"

Another day of travel and plenty of asking around, Bishop and Rona finally got the lead they were looking for after raiding a bandit camp and threatening the bandit leader. He spilled his guts to them figuratively and quite literally after Bishop gut him.

It brought them to a cave called Cragslane Cavern. They left their horses just off the road and carefully approached the bandit's den scoping it out from a small hill overlooking it. A nord was milling around the cave entrance. Two pit wolves were locked in cages nearby. Bishop took no time in waiting, he nocked his bow and picked off the bandit before he had a chance to see them. Rona took pity on the starved beasts in cages and put them out of their misery with quick shocks to their hearts.

Bishop pressed his back against a wall and peered into the cave, a little ways down he spotted another bandit. He glanced at Rona who was ready, she pulled out her dagger and crouched down, using her free hand to cloak herself and slowly started sneaking down the path. Bishop walked in after her and put on a friendly voice, "This where they're holding the pit fights?"

The bandit was alert and drew a dagger from his belt, "You're not invited, stranger."

Rona came up behind him and yanked on his shirt to pull him back and slid her dagger across his throat. He dropped his weapon and clutched at his neck before collapsing on the floor.

Bishop had already charged further down the landing where he found his wolf Karnwyr in a cage. "Ah, there you are, you mutt! The hell were you thinking, getting trapped and making me track you all the way to this godforsaken place!"

He pried the lock open with his knife and Karnwyr stepped out. The poor wolf was ragged and looking a bit thin. He licked at Bishop's hand and whined.

"There, there. What do you say we go play a little game for old time's sake? I'll shoot an arrow into one of these bandit bastards knees and you can go rip his face off."

Karnwyr barked and wagged his tale. Bishop shouted, "Let's go make these sons of bitches pay!"

Rona followed after the two of them and watched their incredible teamwork. Bishop did indeed loft several arrows into several knees, and guts, and heads, and Karnwyr didn't hesitate to tear into their flesh and rip them to pieces.

Rona got a few kills in herself, picking off some of the wealthy patrons of this sickening debacle. Then while Bishop was too blinded by rage, plunging his dagger into the bandit leader, another fellow came up behind him swinging a hammer. The bandit would have crushed his skull if Rona didn't loose an arrow into his ribs giving Karnwyr a chance to attack.

The wolf lunged at the man and sank his teeth into his skull, the man screamed but fell silent after a squelching crunch! Bishop looked back at the scene and then at Rona who just scowled at him and said, "What did you tell me about paying attention to your surroundings?"

He chuckled and stood up, wiping the blood from his hands onto his shirt, "Heh, guess I got a little carried away there." He kicked the mangled head of the corpse under him. "Pieces of shit like this just piss me right the fuck off," he growled.

Rona turned towards the exit and Bishop followed her out of the cavern and into the bright sunlight. It was midday and the light really showed just how filthy they were, Bishop in particular had blood spatter on his face and all over his hands.

"Come on, I know where there's a streamlet nearby that we can wash up at." He started walking down the path, northward, Karnwyr padding beside him but Rona didn't budge.

She stared at his back, stunned. He noticed she wasn't following and turned around and said, "You coming?"

"I...," she paused and fumbled with her hands, then met with his gaze, "I thought you would have left, now that you have Karnwyr back."

He cocked an eyebrow and smirked, "You still need a tracker don't you?"

"To track what?"

"Dragons of course!" he said as he walked away.