Chapter 30
The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller
Rona chanced a glance at Casavir who looked deeply upset, before Roxlin pushed her onward saying, "Nope! Nope!"
Her heart hurt so much and she felt so utterly confused. Roxlin ushered her into their room, each side had a bunk bed, making four beds total. A couple of dressers were pressed against opposite walls and the girl's clothes, trinkets and weapons lay scattered about the room.
Rona found a spot on the floor, next to a bunk and slumped down, pulling her knees to her face while Charissa, Lorrie and even Linel stepped inside. He shut the door behind him.
Roxlin and Lorrie took a seat on the bunk across from her and Charissa stood by, leaning against a wall, her arms crossed. Linel sat down next to Rona and gave her a sympathetic smile and hugged her, "You okay sweetie? It's good to see you."
She leaned into his shoulder and said, "Good to see you too Linel."
"So?" Roxlin looked at her, "What did he say? What happened?"
Rona buried her face in her arms and knees and mumbled incoherently.
"Rona, your face and eyes are bright red. What'd that bastard say to make you cry," Charissa urged.
She looked up and crinkled her face, breaking into tears again and cried, "I told him I loved him."
They all stared, eyes wide.
Lorrie asked, "Was it the first time you said it?"
Rona rubbed the tears from her cheek and sniffed, "Yes."
"Do you really love him?" Roxlin asked.
Rona's mouth twisted as she tried to find the words. She'd never told anyone else how she really felt about him. Why hold back now that the people closest to her - her best friends were here to listen? She opened her heart to them.
"I do. I love him. I've loved him for so long. We've traveled together for months now and even when he makes me so mad, I still love him. He's... honest, and funny, and charming and sweet. He tries to act tough, to hide it, but he's just, ugh..." she pressed her face to her knees again and sobbed heavily, before hopelessly wiping her eyes with her dress again and continued, "I didn't want to be the first to say it. He's been through so much. It's hard for him to open up. So I was waiting, I've been waiting for him to say it. And then I just screamed it at him! All because he said he was going to leave and I didn't want him to go."
Charissa sighed heavily shaking her head, "Oh girl, you got it bad."
"Have you slept with him?" Lorrie asked boldly.
Linel shot her a harsh look, "Gods sister! The things that come out of your mouth sometimes!"
Rona's face burned at the question and Charissa groaned throwing her head back, "Oh Rona, nooo."
Roxlin laughed, bouncing on the bed, "You did it! You finally lost your virginity!"
She hid her brightly lit face in her knees and Linel chuckled, poking her reddened ears, "He seems quite charming, I have to admit. Bit of an ass though."
Rona laughed turning her face to him, "He's a complete ass," she looked up at them, "Hey, did Casavir say anything about Bishop? Like how they know each other?"
"Pft," Charissa waved a hand, "Of course not. He knew we'd tell you. Linel, you have to find out for us." She said looking at him.
He glanced at her with half lidded eyes, "The boys figured out ages ago not to tell me anything either."
"Damn," Roxlin bit her lower lip in thought then perked up punching the air, "Bet I can needle it out of Magrob!"
Charissa scoffed, "I doubt that. Magrob has the patience of a saint. S'why he can put up with you."
Roxlin stuck her tongue out and pouted. Lorrie asked, "Bishop didn't tell you how they know each other?"
Rona, let her legs go and rolled her reddened eyes, "No! Of course he didn't. He's just full of secrets! It took me months to learn even the smallest things about him. I thought he'd finally started to trust me but..." She turned her head, trailing off. The others sat in thought for a moment and then Charissa started, "Sooo... how'd you feel about seeing Cass again?"
Rona lowered her eyes, "I don't know... angry, I think."
"Really?" Linel looked surprised, "But you flashed him that lovely smile, I could have sworn you were delighted to see him."
"I was being polite," she said plainly looking up at them again as they stared at her skeptically. "He left me," she argued, "I gave him my heart and he just... kicked it aside and ran off to chase his dreams. So I don't know. It's been five years. I've moved on."
"Uh huh," Charissa smirked, "sure you have."
Rona scowled at her, "I'm serious! He means nothing to me anymore. What I don't understand is why he's so interested in who I'm with now. I've never seen him so furious than when Bishop stood by me."
Linel laughed shaking his head, "Oh sweetie, most men want what they can't have."
"Yeah," Charissa smirked, "Seeing you in the arms of another man - "
"A damn sexy man," Lorrie whispered, dead serious.
Charissa laughed, "Exactly, a damned sexy man like that, and all his old feelings come rushing back. Now all of a sudden you're this big prize to be won over."
"And you're the Dragonborn!" Roxlin added.
"Mmhm," Linel nodded, "You just jumped leagues ahead in a list of desirable women with that title Rona."
"Tell me about it," she laughed, finally cheering up, "I can't seem to get the men off of me anymore! Bishop's the worst though, humping my damn leg like a dog!"
They all laughed loudly and she felt a million times better. They chatted some more, telling jokes, poking fun at men and their territorial habits and then confiding their own intimate stories with her. Roxlin blushed as she talked about an incredibly romantic evening with her orcish knight before he proposed to her and Linel tutted about the lack of eligible gay men in Cheydinhal. Lorrie crooned about a good-looking young mage she'd been flirting with lately. Charissa of course, just balked at the idea of romance altogether when she was too busy trying to run a guild.
As Linel got up to leave and the girls got ready for bed Rona said, "Hey, you want to come with me on an adventure? I'd love to do something with you all. It's been too long."
"Definitely! What do you have in mind hun," Linel asked.
"I have to get some old horn from the Fane of Ustengrav. It's for the Greybeards, they asked me to find it."
"We can do that, it'll be like old times," Charissa said.
Roxlin squealed, "But first, we're going dress shopping and you're coming with!"
"What?" Rona looked perplexed.
"For the Ball," Roxlin scoffed, "Did you forget already? Or do you already have a dress?"
"Oh no," she groaned, smacking a hand to her forehead, "I completely forgot."
Charissa laughed, "I can see why, it's been a crazy day for you. Get some sleep, we'll shop first thing in the morning and then go off and find this fancy schmancy horn of yours."
Linel said goodnight and retired to the men's quarters while the girls curled up on their bunks. Rona was feeling a lot better but her dreams were restless as her mind wandered to Bishop and the words they'd exchanged. She couldn't understand why he'd been so cruel... unless, it had something to do with his brother. She drifted off after some time and fell into a fitful nightmare.
She ran through the fields, dragons roaring above her. The blood splashed on her face dripped, stinging her eye. It was not her own. Her toned form flexed through her tight fitted, dark leather armor with each stride she took, while her long flowing black hair cascaded through the wind behind her. The glinting greatsword on her back stained with blood, dripped, leaving a trail. She ran through the burning fields, leaping over bodies of the fallen, searching for him. The minute she'd heard what happened she'd left the Tongues who were seeking out their foe at the top of the mountain.
She had to find him and he was somewhere near, she could feel it.
Jillian dropped suddenly, hiding among the corpses as a dragon flew over. She couldn't afford to battle it now, not when she was so close to finding him. She scrambled to her feet as it passed and rushed over the plateau continuing her sprint. She bound around the path, circling the mountain and looked high above to see the dragons swarming, blasting waves of fire and ice at those who remained to fight.
She felt her heart ache at her decision. She'd abandoned them in an effort to save the one she loved. She'd forsaken the world for him.
As she rounded the path and came to a clearing she saw him. Tall and powerful, his bare back muscles brimming in the firelight as his wolf skin armor draped around his waist. His long blonde hair singed at the ends. He was breathing heavy, dual broadswords held in each hand, as he stared down their quarry. An enormous black dragon stood before him, growling and smirking as dragons do.
She watched in horror as his body moved, drawing his swords out and leaping forward to attack the fiend which would see her destroyed. He fought for her, to protect her. To save her. He got in a few good swings making the vicious monster cry out and rise to the skies. And then the beast saw her and eyed his true prey. The black dragon gave a deep-throated and cruel laugh as he suddenly slammed down onto the body of her lover, snapping his jaws down on the man, crushing him.
Jillian sank to her knees then, giving up all will to live, for what purpose was there to go on without him? The world could end now and her pain would go with it.
"Ronin," she whispered as the dragon approached, growling at her, "I will see you in Sovngarde."
Her song drifted through the night, the words needn't be spoken by her, she could simply will them to exist and she did, her last warning to those she left behind, so they would know that she'd died.
"Now the day has come.
We are forsaken this time."
The beast opened his jaws and shouted at her –
Rona snapped awake, shaking all over. Her heart was racing and she rolled over, sitting upright on the lower bunk. The room was dark and quiet save for the light snores of her comrades. The dreams were getting worse and worse. She wiped her brow of sweat and got up pulling her dress and boots on then tip-toed out of the room and wandered downstairs to the empty inn. A gentle light shone through the windows, the sun was just rising.
She stepped outside and took a breath, glancing at the executioner's block before turning away from it and walking up the path to the crenellations. She'd seen some stairs leading up to the top of the walls and wanted to go see the view, perhaps collect her thoughts.
There were a few men up bright and early practicing their sword arms on the training dummies. She ignored their staring as she passed by and hurried up the stairs. She stopped at the edge of a wall and looked out over the rippling sea to the north, the rising sun making it sparkle. The cool wind touched her face and twirled her hair slightly. She leaned on the edge and sighed trying to forget the nightmare.
"It's beautiful, isn't it," a low voice said behind her. She turned as Casavir walked up and stood beside her, looking out at the same scenery.
She darted her eyes from him and said, "Yes it is. It's very peaceful."
He took a step closer to her and leaned on the wall beside her, looking her over, "Rona. Please let me apologize for my behavior yesterday. I did not intend to hurt you," he paused and admitted, "I let my emotions get the better of me."
"Not very fitting conduct for a Paladin," she said mindlessly still refusing to look at him.
"I know you are angry with me. You have every right to be. It just troubles me, seeing you with… him."
She finally turned her head and looked him in the eyes and said, "Why do you care Casavir? What does it matter to you?"
He opened his mouth then closed it again, second guessing his words before saying, "Seeing you last night… You're even more beautiful than I remember. I couldn't help but recall all the time we spent together, chasing down our enemies, watching each other's backs. I must admit that seeing you stirred something within me."
"It doesn't matter," she said, "You made your choice. You didn't want to feel anything anymore, so you went off to become a Paladin. Now you have to live with that."
He pressed his lips together and nodded, "Not, quite so accurate, but you are right. This is the path I chose."
"Why didn't you tell me Casavir? About your plans? You knew how I felt, yet you kept it to yourself until that… day," she hated thinking of that day. He was the first man she'd ever confessed her love to and he rejected her finally revealing his intentions to become a Paladin.
He sighed slightly, furrowing his brow, "I didn't want to hurt you."
"It hurt so much more after I told you how I felt," she leaned her arms on the wall, head in her hand.
"I know. I suppose back then, I enjoyed it, the attention you gave me. I knew once I'd taken my vows I'd never have that again. It was, incredibly selfish and wrong of me."
She did not reply. She had no more to say to him. Their relationship was dead and gone. He was a Paladin now and even if she wanted to rekindle her love for him it wouldn't make a bit of difference.
Finally she said, "How do you know Bishop?"
Casavir stretched his neck and shoulders uncomfortably before replying, "Just an old bandit I'd crossed paths with a few times," he scoffed slightly, "He did tell you that little detail, I hope."
Again she said mindlessly, seeing these pointless maneuvers a mile away, "Yes, I'm well aware of Bishop's painful past."
"Not all of it," Casavir said, "Otherwise you'd already know why he hates me."
She inhaled and turned to him again, staring him fiercely in the eyes, "So tell me, why does Bishop hate you? Or are you going to be just like him and keep it all a big secret?"
His eyes shifted away from hers and she seethed, "I knew it. You want to pretend like you're so different from him, but you're all the same. Lies and secrets and UGH!" she threw her hands out and grumbled furiously. She couldn't stand it anymore and turned to walk away when he grasped her hand.
"Please Rona, forgive me. Don't go away angry." She glared back at him as he said, "It's not something I'm comfortable talking about. It's… one of my greater failings as a Paladin. Please… understand."
She shook her head and sighed heavily. She'd given Bishop the chance to choose not to answer questions he was uncomfortable with, perhaps she should be just as kind to Casavir.
"Fine," she said reluctantly. Would she ever learn about the bad blood between these two?
He dipped in a slight bow and said, "Thank you. I have one other thing I wanted to ask you, if I may be so forward."
She tilted her head, glowering slightly. He just smiled gently at her and said, "I was hoping that you would do me the honor of accompanying me to the Grand Crystal Ball, as my date."
Her eyes widened and she furrowed her brows. Bishop already said he didn't want to go. If she went with Casavir though it would absolutely kill him, she was sure of it. Every assumption he'd made about her supposed feelings for Casavir would immediately come true.
"I'll think about it," she said.
He nodded, "Of course. Take all the time you need."
"Now may I be so forward as to ask something of you?"
"Of course, anything," he replied keenly.
"Can you promise to try to get along with Bishop? I know he can't control himself," she sighed, "But I know you can. So if he tries to provoke you or do anything… stupid, promise me you'll take the high road and just ignore him?"
Casavir smiled and nodded, "Absolutely Rona. I swear to you that I will not entertain any of his crude behavior."
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
They walked back to the inn together and found their friends and her father seated at the large round table having breakfast and waking up. Needless to say everyone stopped eating to stare at the two of them coming in together, except for Serlas who munched away heartily, once again pretending that nothing out of the ordinary was happening. She found it amusing and really appreciated her father's subtle sense of humor and respect for her privacy in that regard.
They sat down, joining the others and she did the same as her father, pretending that nothing strange was going on. She wanted things to go back to normal and to enjoy her time in Solitude for a change. The group got to chatting and reminiscing about their adventures together, laughing about the funniest contracts they'd taken on and sharing with her all the adventures she missed while she'd been away. She even found herself enjoying Casavir's company.
After they'd finished their breakfast the girls all got up to leave and shop for their gowns, Casavir pulled Rona aside to tell her he'd already arranged to pay for hers and his eyes sparkled warmly, lovingly even, when he said so. Her heart pulled slightly as old emotions she'd buried deep inside, started to rise to the surface. She did her best to stay polite, platonic and just all around hide whatever it was she was feeling.
Maybe Bishop was right.
The four of them headed to a boutique called, The Jewel. The inside was dazzling, with tall vaulted ceilings like a palace and walls lined with gorgeous gowns and shelves sparkling with beautiful jewelry. It was a noble woman's wonderland.
The four of them let out their inner female, hidden under the warriors facade they often held, oohing and awing and fawning over every pretty little thing. Rona was admiring a blood red gown when the shopkeeper approached her and said, "I must say, your hair is the most lovely shade of strawberry blonde."
Rona turned to her, blushing slightly and genuinely said, "Thank you! Everyone just says it's pink."
"Oh no dear. It is most certainly not pink. I'm very nuanced when it comes to color, it's why mine are the finest gowns in all of Skyrim," her long lashes fluttered gently over her pretty blue eyes.
"They are very beautiful," Rona agreed.
"Tell me dear, are you the Lady Rona?"
Rona raised her brows. "Yes, why do you ask?"
"Ah, splendid! Sir Casavir was kind enough to cover the cost of your gown for the Ball. But may I make a suggestion," she asked through a lovely white smile.
"Um… alright, what's your suggestion?"
"I'm thinking that a light aquamarine would look lovely with the color of your hair and would really bring out your eyes. Much better than this deep crimson velvet. If you wouldn't mind, I'm feeling truly inspired. May I take your measurements so that I can design you a new and unique dress? It would be a one of a kind, for you to keep of course."
Rona was floored. This kind woman would make brand a new gown just for her, for the Ball? She didn't know what to say.
"I… yes, that sounds amazing!"
"Excellent, please follow me dear."
After their shopping was done they returned to the inn to collect their weapons, armor and the boys. Rona assured her father she would be safe and kissed him on the cheek then set out with them. They went around a low path, leading around the port. Rona stopped by the stables hoping to find Bishop and ask if he'd wanted to join them but he was nowhere to be found. Her stomach turned at the thought of him actually leaving. She rejoined the others as a boatman ferried them across the mouth of the river and towards the swamps of Morthal.
On the other side at shore Roxlin shouted, "Wow! Look at that ship!"
They all turned to get a view of one of the most ridiculous ships they'd ever seen. It had pointed pikes going all the way around the sides of it and a dragon's skull at its helm.
They watched as it turned, leaving the port and Marco held a hand up, shielding his eyes from the sun and said, "There's someone walking the plank."
They watched as a dark figure leapt from the plank of the ship and started swimming to shore.
"It might be someone that needs help," Linel sounded concerned.
Rona agreed and they all headed towards the shore where the person had swum up to. He clambered out of the water and collapsed flat on his back onto the sand, chest heaving and amber eyes staring blankly at the sky.
Her comrades kept approaching but Rona had stopped. She knew his movements and his quirks like the back of her hand.
Roxlin knelt over Bishop and said, "Wow, looks like you had a rough night."
He snapped upright, startled and looked over at them. His exhausted, sunken eyes met hers and she turned her head and rolled her eyes. He was drunk, or at the very least incredibly hung over. She couldn't be more embarrassed. This is the man you love. She scoffed and grumbled to herself, shaking her head.
She felt a rising anger building inside and spoke snappishly, "Now that we know the civilian is alright, shall we continue?"
A few of the others laughed slightly and proceeded down the path towards Ustengrav. Rona was mad, but her urge to speak to him was so much stronger than her will to stay angry. She purposely fell behind them all and Charissa gave her a side eyed glance to which Rona said, "I'll catch up in a minute."
Bishop approached her, soaking wet and when he got close enough she covered her nose and mouth cringing at him, he reeked of alcohol.
"Um… yeah," he held his dripping arms out to his sides and said, "I probably smell."
"You look like hell Bishop," she said looking over his utterly exhausted face.
He cleared his throat and said, "Yeah, I had a really rough night," he exhaled, "Sooo… where are you and this merry band off to?"
"We're going to the Fane of Ustengrav to get that horn for the Greybeards," she hesitated to ask him if he wanted to come because he really did look awful and probably would have been better off going and passing out on a bedroll instead.
He rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous gesture as he searched for whatever words he could bring himself to say to her, "Mind if I come with?"
She let a hint of a smile cross her lips and said, "Only if you can play nice with the other kids."
He chuckled, "I promise to play nice."
She furrowed her brow and frowned slightly, "Do me a favor and go take another dunk in the river please," she covered her nose again, "You smell like ass."
He laughed, smiling at her and she fished through her pouch for some soap handing it to him. She waited for him as he quickly washed up, then she dried him and his clothes off with a spell. They trudged along through the marshes together, lagging behind the group.
"Want to tell me about your night," she asked, trying to keep things friendly.
"I met a pirate," he said.
She stopped and laughed, "What?"
He looked at her and said brightly, "It's true! He and his mates were looking for their ship and I found it for them and then they gave me all the rum I could dream of," he groaned putting a hand to his temple, "and now my head feels like it's going to split open. Hey, if we're going somewhere cold, just ignore me if I stick my head in the snow. And next time we hit the taverns," he shuddered, "no rum."
She stopped him and said, "Here, lemme see your head."
He looked down at her, "Why? What're you gonna do?"
She smirked, "Just, come here you big baby," she reached up and pressed her glowing hands to the sides of his head, rubbing gently.
He groaned and his eyes rolled back slightly, "Aaah... damn, that feels amazing."
"It'll only work for a little while, hopefully until we find the horn," she said pulling her hands away and smiling at him. His own hands suddenly settled, resting on her hips as he stared down at her. A caring look traced his handsome eyes and she felt overwhelmed in her love for him. Then she made the mistake of kissing him on the mouth and reeled back, scowling. She pulled away from him to gag and he laughed loudly, "I was gonna warn you... I may have a puked a few times last night."
He pat her on the back and said, "Ah well, you'll be alright." He seemed pleased that she wasn't angry with him anymore. Back in her good graces as usual.
They finally caught up to the group who were already at the barrow, Casavir was drawing his sword from a mage's chest and he glanced at the two of them, looking annoyed, though he tried to hide it.
"Alright team!" Charissa barked, hands to her hips, "Looks like we've got conjurers and necromancers at play here, probably draugr too."
"Definitely draugr," Bishop called.
She scowled at him and Rona elbowed him in the ribs, shushing him.
"Right. So! I want mages up front! Rona, Lorrie and Linel, you're good with wards, make sure you block any incoming spells. Roxlin, Marco and Casavir, you're going in as our main hit team, take them out as fast as you can. Roxie, girl, don't lose your shit on me, keep that energy under control."
Roxlin chuckled, smirking, "You got it boss!"
"Magrob, Bishop and I will range and provide extra cover. Pick off anyone that's a threat to our main team, got it?" She stared right at Bishop who had his arms crossed and was rolling his eyes the whole time.
"Got it boss," Magrob said.
Rona nudged Bishop in the ribs again, "Alright! Got it." He threw his arms up and scratched his head scowling.
"Rona , Lorrie and Casavir, I want you three to provide healing support whenever we get a breather," Charissa barked, "Everyone's got their jobs, stick to it, stay together, watch each other's backs!"
They headed down into the barrow and Bishop grumbled, "The fuck was that all about?"
"You really have no discipline Bishop. Charissa will whip your ass right into shape!" Rona snickered.
He growled low and pulled her aside, "I'd rather whip your ass into shape."
She bit her lip and evaded his roaming hands and said, "I gotta go on ahead - play nice, remember?"
He frowned and grumbled before pulling his bow out, "I don't know why you don't just shout them to pieces instead Ladyship."
She shook her head and hurried to the front ignoring him. This was so she could enjoy being with her comrades again and working together as a team. She didn't want to spoil it by destroying everything with a single shout.
Inside the cavern they were surprised to find several dead bandits and further in the conjurers and necromancers were battling with more bandits, utterly destroying them. It seemed that the mages were claiming the place for themselves. Rona, Lorrie and Linel cast wards as their enemies spotted them.
Roxlin, Marco and Casavir ran in and started tearing them apart with their weapons, fighting with perfect coordination together. As they moved on through the barrow Magrob, Charissa and even Bishop managed to provide perfect ranged support, picking off the stragglers and threats.
There were a few times Rona had to stop and heal Roxlin who got a little out of control with her battleaxe. She had a tendency to lose herself in the energy of the scuffle and would often ignore her own wounds. There were quite a few times when Magrob came round her and traced a finger over her shoulders and touched her bloodied face lovingly. Rona admired the affection they had for one another. Magrob let Roxlin just be her wild self and he made sure to protect her every chance he got.
Rona was sure that Bishop was doing the same for her when she heard the whistle of his arrows fly by her head a few times, shunting straight into a draugr's head or a mage's chest. Casavir was also being a bit overprotective, staying rather close to her side and making sure no mage nor undead would lay a hand on her. She got the sense that he and Bishop were fighting for her affections and attention and became rather annoyed by it.
They made their way into another room, this one lined with coffins which all shuddered, their lids dropping open, unleashing a wave of draugr on them. There was a second floor landing which Charissa ran up to and called for the ranged support team and mages. Rona, Lorrie, Magrob and Bishop all joined her in picking off draugr that got in too close to their ground floor teammates. There was a moment when Rona noticed Bishop hadn't fired his arrow, he stood perfectly still keeping it trained on Casavir who was struggling to bring down the draugr. Her heart raced as she watched him let it loose but instead of hitting the mark she thought it would, it skewered a draugr coming up behind the Paladin.
"RONA! FOCUS!" Charissa barked at her. She snapped to attention and started firing arrows one after another, picking off the undead. Marco was beheading each and every draugr he could while Roxlin cackled and smashed them to pieces. Linel twisted his rapier in hand and moved elegantly and swiftly, weaving through the creatures, swiping at their ankles and making them collapse. Casavir moved with the grace of a Paladin, blocking their shouts and blows with his shield before cutting them to ribbons. Finally they took out the last of them and everyone breathed with relief. Charissa said, "Everyone take a break, healers get to work."
The ranged team headed down and the healers stepped in and started casting restoration. Bishop stood by staring at them, a scowl on his face, as if a group of warriors working together like this was the most idiotic thing he'd ever seen, then his gaze followed Casavir as he walked up to Rona said, "You've been hurt," he pressed his glowing hand to her cheek and Bishop lost it.
He barreled up to Casavir shoving him off of her and standing between the two of them. Rona shouted, "Bishop!"
"You can cut the bullshit Casavir," he snarled, "I see exactly what you're doing. You wanted to piss me off - well here you go! You pissed me right the fuck off."
Casavir brushed his arm off and glared at him, "I'm watching you, Bishop. I do not trust you and she shouldn't either."
Bishop scoffed and rolled his eyes, "Really? That's the best you can do? You must be like the hundredth lust-filled, lick her boots maniac that's quoted that phrase to me. Funny though, literally the same thing that I told her about you: that you're not to be trusted."
Casavir's brows darkened further over his furious gaze and Charissa groaned, "Ugh. Here we go again."
"I say we let them fight it out," Roxlin said with a broad grin, still looking wild eyed from her own battles.
"What are you talking about Bishop?" Casavir demanded, "So you're spreading bald faced lies about me now?"
Bishop sneered at him, "I told her you're not half the saint you pretend to be. You're the worst kind of liar, Casavir. You want so badly for people to accept the image you present that you convince your own self it's the truth. Tell me, when you look in a mirror, what do you see? I bet you've even brainwashed your reflection."
"Hold your tongue Bishop!" Casavir roared.
Bishop just scoffed shaking his head, "No, no you are in way deeper than that. There's not an ounce of honesty in those eyes. She's too good for you, and she's gonna see right through that mask you put on. You may wake up as this 'saint' Paladin, but I can see it. You want her in your bed just as any red blooded man would.
Marco whistled and Magrob just shook his head.
"DO NOT SPEAK OF HER THAT WAY!" Casavir stood up taller, looming at nearly the same height as the ranger, trying to make himself appear more intimidating, but Bishop didn't flinch.
"Don't try and play martyr with me. She's more than capable of defending her own honor. She doesn't need you or anyone else to jump in front of her enemies arrows. Your lust blinds you to that fact and to the fact that she's too much woman for you to handle," Bishop kept his voice calm as he spoke. His words resonated with her. He sounded genuine in everything he was saying, though that was always one of his greatest traits, his profound honesty.
He went on, "No, she wants a man who's not afraid of making the hard decisions and who will do what must be done. She wants a man who's a sight more honest, than anyone who wears a temples cloak on their shoulder - who carries himself like some kind of standard for others to look up too."
To her astonishment, when Bishop finished saying his piece he actually turned away to leave. No fighting or scuffles - but it was Casavir who provoked him.
Casavir smirked, shaking his head, "Always the savage wolf looking for his next victim, aren't you Bishop?"
"You're one to talk Casavir," Bishop said over his shoulder, "You've got a nice list of victims yourself, don't you?"
Casavir scoffed, "Your brother right? That's who you're alluding to. You talk of being the honest one yet you haven't even told her about him. Why not just tell her the truth already instead of blaming me for something which is entirely his own fault."
"DON'T," Bishop spun around and swung his arm, slamming his fist hard into Casavir's face, knocking him down a peg.
Charissa groaned putting her hand to her head and Roxlin cheered punching the air, "Yeah! Fight! Fight!"
Lorrie even got a little excited and said, "Take your shirts off!"
Linel blushed slightly and muttered, "For once I actually agree with you on something sister."
Bishop snarled viciously at Casavir, "Don't you EVER talk about him that way."
Casavir wiped at the blood on his face, then looked at Rona, "You want to know don't you? Ask him. See if he'll own up to the truth or if he'll keep blaming me."
"YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID CASAVIR!" Bishop roared at him, "Jules would have never... he wouldn't have betrayed us... he wouldn't have betrayed me if you hadn't offered him that deal. If you hadn't threatened his family!"
Casavir's smirk fell from his face and he stood up, "I was only trying to help him. I never threatened anyone - if anyone's a liar, it's you Bishop."
Bishop shouted, "Turn your other cheek Paladin so I can punch that one too!" He swung again and Casavir dodged it and got him back in the gut. The two men scuffled, throwing fists and taking punches. Bishop managed to crack him in the face a few more times and aimed for all his soft spots not covered by armor. Then Casavir got in a hard right hook breaking Bishop's nose and he fell over onto his knee and spit a tooth out.
Bishop wiped the blood from his nose and mouth and barked, "Yeah that's right. Keep lying, keep hiding it. Sure, we were bandits. You got me there Casavir. We fucked up. Just a couple of lying, thieving, brothers, that was us. It was all we knew to survive. But then you," he clenched his fist and ground his teeth, "You destroyed us. He's dead because of you."
Casavir shouted, "I wasn't the one that stabbed him in the heart!"
Bishop faltered, his whole body trembling. Rona stood by, the whole time, mortified and just taking in all their words, trying to piece everything together.
Then Casavir looked at her and said, "That's right, he killed his own brother in cold blood. This is the man you travel with Rona. This is the man you'd choose?"
Bishop stood up and pulled his dagger out, ready to kill and she quickly grasped his arm, holding him back. "Just stop," she whispered. Bishop dropped the knife at her touch and took a breath.
She glared at Casavir who looked taken aback by her fury. The sounds of strings played in the air and she sang the song twisting in her heart. She'd seen enough to know that Bishop had been right about Casavir and she still hadn't truly forgiven him for leading her on for so many years, making her think that they could be together. She'd had enough. It was time to end the fighting, all of it. She wanted out of that barrow and away from their feud. But most of all she didn't want to see Bishop hurting anymore, no matter what his past was.
(The song is Angels by Within Temptation)
"Sparkling angel I believed
You were my savior in my time of need.
Blinded by faith I couldn't hear
All the whispers, the warnings so clear.
I see the angels,
I'll lead them to your door.
There's no escape now,
No mercy no more.
No remorse cause I still remember
The smile when you tore me apart."
She sang her song to Casavir, allowing it to overwhelm them all then turned and left, following the path, forging ahead alone. She came into a vast cavern and saw a Word Wall down below, she leapt from the landing and descended softly with her magic, drawing the word into her soul and tearing apart the enemies in her way with the power of her voice.
You took my heart,
Deceived me right from the start.
You showed me dreams,
I wish they would turn into real.
You broke the promise and made me realize.
It was all just a lie.
Sparkling angel, I couldn't see
Your dark intentions, your feelings for me.
Fallen angel, tell me why?
What is the reason, the thorn in your eye?
I see the angels,
I'll lead them to your door
There's no escape now
No mercy no more
No remorse cause I still remember
The smile when you tore me apart
You took my heart,
Deceived me right from the start.
You showed me dreams,
I wished they would turn into real.
You broke the promise and made me realize.
It was all just a lie.
Could have been forever.
Now we have reached the end.
This world may have failed you,
It doesn't give you reason why.
You could have chosen a different path in life.
The smile when you tore me apart.
You took my heart,
Deceived me right from the start.
You showed me dreams,
I wish they would turn into real.
You broke the promise and made me realize.
It was all just a lie.
Could have been forever.
Now we have reached the end."
She was far ahead of them all and she didn't care. She entered a strange room where four stone figures rose from the water lining a path. At the end was a sculpted hand holding a note. It should have been the horn. She open it and read it.
Dragonborn - -
I need to speak to you. Urgently.
Rent the attic room at the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood, and I'll meet you.
- - A friend