Chapter 56
Return to Solitude
Unfortunately the inn keeper was not willing to rent the bath to them again. He said he didn't much care for cleaning up the mess they left the last time no matter how much they tipped him. So Rona put up with pushing off Bishop's roaming hands most of the night before getting him to settle on kissing only.
They set out for Solitude the next morning, hiring a carriage to take them to Dawnstar and then to Morthal where they could follow the road along through Dragon Bridge. They stayed the night in Dawnstar and both had a fitful and restless sleep there. It seemed that everyone in town was suffering from nightmares, but Bishop strongly encouraged her to let it go. As he rubbed the bags under his eyes he grumbled, "I already overheard someone saying they called on a Priest of Mara to look into it, it'll be fine. Let it go Ladyship. I'm way too fucking tired to even try and fix this one..." he finished with a deep yawn before slumping face first into his breakfast.
She agreed because she was also far too exhausted to even think about attempting to help them with that problem. She didn't know where to start on saving people from their own nightmares when she couldn't even stop her own. They spent another day in the carriage, both sleeping along the benches, with Karnwyr resting on the carriage floor, as it trudged along the road through Morthal. The driver took some low paths through the forest towards Dragon Bridge. It was around three in the afternoon when they arrived in the quiet town. Rona paid the carriage driver and they moved along on foot with their wolf up towards Solitude. It was a three hour walk, but they managed to get there around supper time.
Karnwyr ran off into the woods chasing a stray fox and Rona tried to call to him but Bishop shrugged it off and said, "No worries Lightfoot. He'll be fine out here." She took his word for it and they went in. Rona looked over the mostly repaired city. There were still a few signs of the dragon attack from months before, a couple of patched up roofs and some charred marks where dragon flame had flurried against a wall or two, but all in all it was quite peaceful. They hadn't even encountered any dragons on their trip there, to her relief.
"Wanna get some tavern food?" Bishop asked her.
"Yeah I could eat," she said.
They turned into the Winking Skeever and were greeted jubilantly by Corpulus, the red-haired man who owned the place, "Lady Rona! Great to see you back in Solitude. What brings you in?"
The two of them pulled up seats at the bar and she smiled at the friendly Imperial and said, "Just taking a vacation from all the dragon slaying."
He chuckled, "I suppose even the Dragonborn needs some time to herself," he motioned to Bishop then and said, "I see you're still suffering this old ranger on your journey."
Bishop scoffed and said, "Hey! I help plenty with that dragon slaying Corpulus. You could only guess how many times I've saved her ass out there."
Corpulus grinned at him and said, "I see you haven't changed, Bishop. Still always thinking of women's asses."
Rona frowned and Corpulus nervously scratched the side of his head and said, "Ah, pardon my manners, Lady Rona. So, what can I get you two?"
They both ordered the potato soup and got their favorite drinks. Corpulus poured some Alto Wine for Rona and passed over a bottle of Honningbrew to Bishop. The innkeeper leaned on the counter and asked her, "Any chance I can hire your lovely voice a few nights a week while you're in town? You really know how to drum up business."
She smiled but said, "I'll think about it. Been needing to rest my voice a bit too, all that shouting you know."
"Ah, I hear yah," he said. A few new patrons walked in and he excused himself to go take orders and serve them.
Bishop leaned his back on the counter and looked around the room, "Wonder where the others are staying."
"Not here," Rona said, "I think they're bunking up with the Legionnaires in Castle Dour. Pretty sure the kids are staying in the Blue Palace with Jarl Elisif."
"Guess I'll get a room for us," he said and went to call over Corpulus when she grasped his hand. Bishop looked over at her and she shot him a flirty look. His brows perked up and with a salacious grin he asked, "Got something on your mind, Sweetness?"
She pulled him over to her and leaned over his shoulder, whispering sensually in his ear, "I have a house here in Solitude."
His brows shot up quite high at those words and he said, "The hell are we waiting around here for then?"
She laughed and said, "Well I'm still hungry!"
"Yeah me too. In fact, I'm feeling absolutely voracious now."
She let her flirty smirk play at her lips and said, "Just wait a little. Still, you are going to love that bed."
He groaned slightly and leaned over to her, brushing her hair from her shoulders and nibbling at her ear as he quietly murmured, "Tell me more about this bed, Sweetness."
"Twice the size of the one in Whiterun," she tossed, biting her lower lip.
He groaned again then glanced back around at the mostly empty tavern. He stood for a moment and quickly closed the space between their stools, then sat again and he leaned into her whispering, "Look what you're doing to me, love." He grasped her hand and pressed it to the very firm bulge in his trousers. She flushed red and tried to yank her hand back, but he held it there.
Her heart fluttered quickly. He'd only called her 'love' one other time, during some very hot makeup sex. It made her feel more than loved when he said it. She turned to face him and quickly leaned in, meeting his lips with her own, not giving a damn that they were in public. Why hide it? She thought to herself. She'd given herself completely to this man and he'd proven his loyalty to her time and time again. They belonged to each other.
His hand traced the nape of her neck and curled into her hair as he pressed his mouth closer to hers and took her tongue in his mouth. They hadn't even noticed Corpulus there until he sneezed and they pulled away. Corpulus smirked at them and said, "Food's almost ready... but uh, did you two need a room?"
Bishop practically shouted with the biggest grin, "Why would we need a room? We've got a whole damn house!"
Rona laughed and quickly grabbed her glass of wine, trying to hide her burning face behind it.
"Right," Corpulus said with a chuckle, "Well try to save it for after you're home then will you?" He left again, probably to check on their food and Rona downed her glass of wine, grabbing the bottle and filling it again herself.
"Don't drink too much Ladyship, I was thinking I'd order a couple of bottles of Spiced Wine to bring back with us. How's that sound?"
"Perfect," she said with a smile.
They ate quickly and Bishop did get two bottles of Spiced Wine before they made their evening walk through the quiet city and found the large home Jarl Elisif had kindly granted her months ago for saving their city from a thirty odd dragon attack.
She didn't even get a chance to open the door when Bishop cornered her in the doorway, holding the two bottles at their necks in one hand and pressing his other hand against the door by her head. He looked down at her with deep lustful longing before planting another hot and steady kiss on her lips. She pulled away from him and said, "Maybe we should go in first?" He chuckled and she fished around her pouch for the key, first pulling out the wrong one, but then found the right key and let them into the three story home.
It was a bit dusty and pretty empty considering she hadn't lived there since Morning Star, a few months back. He set the bottles on the kitchen table and looked around. In a second he disappeared down into the cellar and she looked after him curiously, then he came back up and hurried up the stairs.
She peered up the stairs and called, "What are you doing?"
He came back down and said, "We're alone."
"Yeah I know."
He thumbed back over his shoulder, "I was just checking for any unwanted housecarls hiding out in here."
With a laugh Rona said, "I already declined one when Elisif asked me after giving me this place."
"Good," he said, then slowly walked over to her and rest his hands to her hips and looked her over, his amber eyes touching on every part of her before resting on her eyes.
"What're you thinking about?" She asked him curiously.
"Just wondering how I ended up with this beautiful woman right in front of me." His words were surprisingly sweet and affectionate. She wasn't sure how much more gentleness her heart could take, it felt like it might explode with joy.
"Because you're the most caring person I've ever met," she said sincerely.
He scoffed slightly.
"It's true," she maintained, "for so long you locked away this wonderful part of yourself, out of fear of loss. But you've opened up so much Bishop. I find myself loving you more and more every day."
A soft smile caressed his lips and he moved in to kiss her again, whispering gently as his lips touched hers, "And I fall in love with you every day, over and over again."
They kissed again, taking their time, before he wrapped his hand under her arm and under the bend in her legs, lifting her into his arms, keeping their mouths entwined. He pulled away for a moment and said, "Grab that wine!"
She grasped the two bottles as well as two glasses sitting by and he hiked up the stairs with her before finding the master bedroom. A smoldering flicker crossed his eyes at the sight of the bed. He set her down and said, "Shit Ladyship, you didn't tell me it had bed posts too!"
She glanced over at the solid oak frame with the four thick bed posts jutting at each corner. "Was that... important?"
"Allow me to show you how to make the most of this beast of a bed we have here," he walked over to it, kicking his boots off and yanking his gloves off, tossing them in a corner. He grasped one of the poles and shook it. It stood quite firm, the whole thing was very heavy and sturdy.
Rona set the bottles of wine on a writing desk and pulled her own boots and gloves off. They disarmed as well, pitching their weapons into a pile on the floor. Bishop threw himself onto the firm, yet cushiony bed, bouncing slightly and sighed throwing his arms behind his head, "Damn, they spared no expense with this place."
She crawled onto the bed and sat up on her knees beside him, "Nice huh?"
His eyes traveled up and down her body as he said, "Very, very nice. Not as nice as you though gorgeous."
She leaned over him before he had a chance to make a move and she carefully undid the buckles on his black leather top, pulling it open and running her hands over his firm chest. She enjoyed the feeling of his hair catching between her fingers and the firmness of each little hill and curve his muscles made.
He gave a low murmur and laid back, relaxing and letting her play with him for once. She pushed his top further down his shoulders and leaned over him, getting a good look at the salacious grin on his lips before burying her face in the crook of his neck. She noticed the spot where she bit him the other day, a bit bruised and kissed it gently. "Sorry, I bruised you," she whispered.
He growled low, "Bruise me more, please Ladyship. I like it rough."
She giggled into his neck and gave him sharp bites along his shoulder and neckline, making him groan, reminding herself she could always heal him later. She met each sharp nip with a gentle kiss and sucked lightly, tugging at his skin moving along his broad chest and back up to the other side of his neck as he turned his head letting her move along that path.
His soft groans were enough to spur her on more as she bit lightly up his neck and nibbled on his ear. He pressed his face inside the nape of her neck, as she was perfectly poised over him and did the same, biting softly, before tenderly sucking and pulling on her skin, making her shiver with goosebumps. She moved on again, pulling away from his nibbling and leaned back.
She traced her hands along his chest, moving them slowly down his chiseled abdomen and on to the hem of his trousers. She pulled at the buckle there, undoing it and pulled his trousers down slightly, stopping to admire the thick hair that coiled around his belly button and further onward before running her fingers across the lower part of his stomach, just above where his swollen bulge was still hiding in his underwear.
Rona decided she was ready to start teasing that part of him and pulled on his underwear. The way he was sitting though made it difficult to remove. She tugged on it playfully and flashed him a pouty look. He chuckled, lifting his rear slightly and yanked his own trousers and underwear down, allowing her to pull them further down his legs to where he could kick them free and onto the floor. He did the same with his top, taking it off the rest of the way before settling back to enjoy the show.
"Better?" He asked.
"Much," she said as she undid the button on her dress and threw it off herself, tossing it into the pile of clothes on the floor. The corner of his mouth perked up and he gave a low murmur of approval at her near nakedness. She positioned herself, sitting between his legs, enjoying the sight of his thick and throbbing manhood before wrapping her hands around him tightly as she began to stroke his shaft hard. His head tilted back slightly as he took a sharp breath and let out a pleasured moan.
She'd never get tired of giving him such pleasure with her hands, her mouth or even her... the idea popped into her head and she leaned forward, placing her mouth on him and giving him a few quick strokes with her tongue, wetting him with her saliva. Another string of pleasured cries came from Bishop as she did so. As she got him thoroughly lubricated she pulled back, wiping her mouth and then unclipped her bra, allowing her supple breasts to fall free.
His eyes burned with desire and his cock twitched with excitement, knowing what she was about to do. She wrapped her breasts around him and pressed them together, creating a new wet hole to stroke him with. He grunted, "Ah... that's the best Ladyship, don't stop."
She moved herself up and down on him, watching his eyes roll back as he groaned heavily. She pressed them together tighter, allowing her nipples to poke through her fingers, giving him full view of a very erotic image and made sure to shoot him a sexy and playful look many times, sending him nearly over the edge as he started to shudder with each stroke up his shaft. He leaned forward at one point and easily grasped her soft mounds into his rough hands, pressing them harder together as he thrust his own hips up and down while she made sure to wet his flared head with more saliva, keeping up the lubrication.
He panted deeply and she could tell he really wanted to come like this so she said, "Do it. Come all over my tits."
His eyes rolled again and he cried, "Ugh! Going to - Uuuhhh!" His thick come spurt heavily from the tip of his cock . It happened several times in fact, three thick shots of milky white cream splashed her chest from the tip, making a complete mess of her chest as he continued to pump himself between her breasts smearing it everywhere. She enjoyed watching him release as she didn't see it often. His semen gave off a strong and musky scent that made her own drooling need ache quite a bit.
Finally he let go of her breasts and fell back mumbling, "Bring your hips over here."
She laughed slightly and said, "Um... let me wipe off first." She crawled out from between his legs and went over to a wardrobe, rifling through the drawers until she found a cloth to wipe the mess with. She finished undressing, pulling off her panties and casting them onto the top of their neat pile of discarded clothes.
Newly cleaned and fully nude she crawled back onto the bed, sitting on her knees next to him and he sighed, looking up at her, "You're too good. I can't stop myself sometimes."
"I wanted you to do it," she said biting her lip, "I like it."
"Hmm, come over here you damn sexy woman."
She glanced over at his flaccid member and said, "You sure about that?"
"It'll be a few minutes before I get up again, but in the meantime I want your hips up here," he pointed to his face.
She laughed, "What?"
"Sit on me, Rona. Face fuck me with that tight pussy of yours."
Her eye widened and her face burned redder than ever and he laughed at her, "We'll get you used to the dirty talk one of these days woman. Now just come over here already."
She stood slightly, letting him guide her hips over his head and she looked down at him, hesitating, worrying she'd suffocate him.
"Now grab the headboard and don't worry, I won't be lacking for air. You're too light to anyways, I could just toss you off if I have to."
She relaxed a bit and bent her knees into the bed, letting herself rest over his head. This was new and incredibly lewd. It made her more aroused than ever especially when she felt his hot breath between her legs and then his tongue tracing her lower lips and her swollen nub. It did not help when she heard him murmuring down there, "So damn wet already. You're dripping Ladyship."
Shameful arousal began anew and then he literally buried his face in her, nibbling, biting and teasing all over in a way she'd never experienced before. She'd been holding quite still until he pulled his head up between her thighs and said, "Grind your hips on me."
So she did, letting herself fall a bit heavier onto him and moaning loudly, while he groaned under her. Then she allowed those lustful feelings to wash over her more. She stopped worrying, let herself lose control and pressed harder against his exploring mouth and tongue, feeling him dip into her entrance and pulling herself up every few moments to give him air before pressing hard against him again. His hands wouldn't stop either as they kept running up and down her lower back, groping her rear and caressing her legs.
This was too much, it was incredibly lewd and she loved it. She grasped the headboard and kept up the pace, not realizing that she was starting to sweat and pant as she humped him all too eagerly. She felt very close as he started sucking hard on her pleasure center and then she felt his thick fingers tracing her entrance before slipping deep inside. He started twisting them and pressing that sweet spot inside which sent her reeling. She cried out, loudly, letting her voice go and feeling her tunnel convulse rapidly around his fingers.
When her quivering orgasm finally stopped she slumped against the headboard, trying to catch her breath. Next thing she knew his hands grasped her by the waist and tossed her down on her back onto the bed. Bishop wiped the sweat off his brow and her essence from his mouth. He, was breathing heavily and she felt his erection prodding her still twitching opening.
He leaned over her and said, "Just tell me when you're ready." He started up again with the tender kissing and stroking of her soft spots. He planted deep biting kisses all along her neck and across her breasts, cupping them gently then pinching and pulling at her budding nipples. His penis continued to knead against her wet folds as well, teasing her in all the right places. Waiting for that second wind, making her mind go fuzzy once more.
She felt her arousal returning in full force only this time she wanted him inside. She wanted to feel him spreading her apart and filling her to the hilt as he always did. It was the greatest feeling in the world, she thought, especially because it was with him. Rona made to push against the head of his cock, looking to take him inside when he pulled back slightly, averting it and she moaned agonizingly. He grinned as he teased her, not letting her have her way just yet.
"I'm ready," she whimpered desperately.
"Are you sure?" He asked, playfully taunting her.
"Yes, Bishop. I'm ready, I need you. Please, please," she pleaded.
He hovered over her, his body pressed hard against hers. He was so much heavier and stronger than her and it felt good having him that close with his arms pressed at her sides. She reached up, wrapping her hands to the back of his neck and said, "Just like this, hold me close."
He groaned needfully at her words and she felt him then, his hips moving upward as his tip penetrated her and his shaft spread her open. She let out a low moan in reply and just enjoyed the feeling for that brief moment where her slick walls adjusted to his girth before he began the slow rock of his hips, sliding himself steadily in and out.
Bishop held her so tightly in his arms that it was almost hard to breathe the way he lay on her, but it felt good too, to be pulled into such a tight embrace by the man she loved and desired. To be held so desperately close by him. It was wonderful.
His deep groans grew louder and he started to pick up the pace, pushing himself deeper and deeper within, enjoying the feelings her body evoked in him. They went on for a long time it seemed, his steady roll of the hips and her focusing all her attention on stroking him within herself, tightening her inner muscles and just feeling him as her hand pressed swiftly against her aching nub between her legs.
Suddenly, without warning he pulled himself up from her, releasing that tight hold and she breathed deeply, her head felt like it was spinning and his bucking became incredibly forceful and intense. He gripped her hips tightly as he thrust hard into her, making the tip of himself kiss the entrance to her womb repeatedly.
She drowned herself in these sexy thoughts. Imagining the head of his cock coming so vigorously right against her precious place deep inside filling her, over and over again. She had no idea why it turned her on so much. She was still safe, there was no chance to get pregnant, but she wanted it. She wanted him to fill her to the core with his cock and empty himself into her, marking her as his own. She wanted to submit to him to let him do this to her forever.
His needy grunts were getting more urgent and his face betrayed his eagerness as his brows knit together and he parted his lips, clenching his teeth and groaned with each deep thrust. Rona was so ready for it. She started to thrust her hips back against him, making them meet even more forcefully together with loud, sensual slaps of skin against skin. She rubbed herself quickly making herself writhe in ecstasy between the feeling of him hitting that sweet spot inside and touching herself.
He closed his eyes and groaned, "Coming Rona! I'm coming hard!" His hips made a few more impatient and hard thrusts before he pulled tightly on her hips holding her against him with no chance of escape and he gasped with his release as his cock erupted within. She could feel the warmth of it entering her and it was enough to send her reeling into her own climactic spasms as her tunnel convulsed, milking him of every last drop. Her back arched with the electric shudders coursing through her and she let out a screaming moan of pure lustful need, her cries echoing loudly through the entire home.
The minute it was over, she felt lightheaded, but incredibly satisfied as he remained sheathed within her. He stayed upright, catching his breath and enjoying the aftershock of his own orgasm and possibly just admiring her lewd expressions, making a memory for another time.
Bishop glanced around and grabbed the cloth she used to wipe herself earlier and then carefully slipped out of her, catching the mess with it. He let her take it and use it to clean herself as he moved over and fell back on the bed. She tossed the now damp rag to the floor and curled up next to him, letting him rest his arm around her shoulders. They quietly enjoyed the afterglow, both completely spent from their efforts.
She glanced over at Bishop, who had his eyes closed and a satisfied smile across his lips. His other hand was up behind his head and she watched his chest rise and fall steadily. She wondered if he'd fallen right to sleep until he opened his handsome amber eyes and looked over at her.
His hand caressed a stray stand of hair from her eyes and he murmured playfully, "Did you come Ladyship?"
She laughed and replied sarcastically, "Not at all. We'll have to try again I think."
He smirked, "I have all night."
He got up suddenly and went over to the writing desk, grabbing a bottle of wine and the two glasses. Rona pulled the covers up on their bed and crawled under the blue and gold, flowery duvet. Bishop crawled in with her and poured them both a glass. They stacked the excessive amount of pillows into a pile behind them, so they'd be more propped up as they leaned back and enjoyed their drinks together.
Rona swirled her glass and took a sip, then ran her hand over his chest, curling her fingers through his hair and said, "I want to know more about you."
He chuckled through his glass, "Like what?"
"Well you said there was still a lot I don't know. So," she shrugged, "tell me something I don't know."
"Hmm," he stopped to think, "I was born Midyear the twelfth, three seventy-four."
"Huh," she said, "I guess we never did tell each other our birthdays. Your sign is the Steed?"
He gave a low whinny making her laugh and then he said, "Probably explains my incredible stamina."
"And your ability to carry so many burdens," she pointed out.
He shrugged then asked her, "What about her illustriousness? When did you grace the world of Nirn with your existence?"
"Last Seed the first!" She declared, "The year three seventy-six."
He scoffed, "Sign of the warrior. Of course," he paused a moment, taking another gulp from his glass, then said, "Damn. Can't believe I'm going to be twenty-eight this year," he groaned, "Only a few more years til I hit thirty."
"Better enjoy your twenties while they last," she teased.
He nuzzled his face into her hair, "Oh I will Ladyship, so long as it's with you."
She enjoyed their silly pillow talk and the cuddling and wanted to know more. They'd spent so much time in Whiterun just fooling around and working so much that they never took the time to talk like this. It was nice.
She asked him, "Where have you traveled to?"
"Well," he started, "we were pretty nomadic... since you know, my parents were also regularly evading arrest and all that. It wasn't so bad traveling that much. Been all over Tamriel. High Rock, Hammerfell, Valenwood, Elsweyr... ugh fuck Elsweyr. That place was hot as hell and you couldn't go anywhere without getting sand up your ass crack." She gave a laugh and he added, "I went to Morrowind once. It was after," he paused and took a breath, "after Jules passed. Decided I needed to get away for a while. Beautiful place, even with the ash everywhere."
"What was your favorite place?"
"High Rock was nice, still a cooler climate out that way. I loved Valenwood though, plenty to hunt in those forests. And Cyrodiil's alright, if you like the city life I guess."
"Hey!" She poked him, "Talking about my home country there."
He chuckled and asked, "What about you? Where've you been?"
"I've been to Valenwood and the Summerset Isles, though those were trips made solely for Ata's job," she said.
"Yeah? So what's the stuffy Thalmor capital of the world like?"
"So. Damn. Beautiful," she said without a trace of irony.
He raised his brows, "Really?"
"It really is," she confirmed, "Lush green grasslands and thick woodland forests. You'd love hunting in those forests, Bishop. There was wildlife everywhere you'd turn. Unfortunately the xenophobia there is a million times worse than here. At least in Skyrim the nords tolerate immigrants, but there, the Thalmor would kill you on site just for being human, or any other race that's not mer."
"Shit," he muttered.
"I wish you could see it though. Alinor is gorgeous. It's like a city made of glass so when the light touches the buildings everything sparkles and radiates color. It's like a painting into another world."
"That's the capital there, right? What brought you out to a place like that?"
"I went with my ata when I was nine years old for the first time. He was part of the Emperor's entourage, working as his eyes and ears among all the Altmer who'd just as easily try and hide their words by speaking in their own language."
"Oh that's right," he said, "You actually know the Emperor don't you? What's he like?"
"He's really nice," she said, "Very... easy to talk to. I was really shy around him at first, not wanting to say the wrong thing or do anything to get Ata in trouble, but he just talked to me like I was any other person, almost like we were already friends."
"Hm," Bishop said, "Never expected that. I always figured he was just another snotty noble."
"Most people think that. Emperor Titus is a good man though. When he found out I liked to sing he actually gave me a very old songbook that had been passed down in his family for generations and also a beautiful music box," she blushed slightly as she said, "He told me that if he'd ever had a daughter he'd have given it to her, but since he had no heirs of his own he wanted me to have it."
"Wow Ladyship that's," he chuckled, "Tell me, what's it like to be the most powerful and beautiful woman alive and living a story straight out of a bard's dream? You really are a princess."
She pouted, "See! I never told you this stuff because I knew you'd tease me. I'll never hear the end of it now."
"You make it all too easy, Princess," he grinned at her then asked, "So where are these precious possessions now?"
"Back home in Cheydinhal."
"Got a house out there too huh?"
"More like an old attic space I rent out from a nice older woman. I hardly stayed there though, I usually just bunked up in the Fighter's Guild. So that attic turned more into a storage space."
Bishop scoffed, "You have way too much junk Ladyship."
She threw a hand up and said, "Well if people would just stop giving me stuff!"
They laughed, drinking the wine and enjoying their time alone together, talking through the evening and learning more about each other than they ever knew before. There was even one point when Rona was mid-story and Bishop pounced on her again and they made love for the second time that night. He truly was insatiable and she couldn't get enough of it. Then drunk off the Spiced Wine and feeling sleepy after a late night together they drifted off in dreamless sleep.
The next morning Rona woke early, though Bishop was still steadily snoozing and she let him sleep in. She went down into the cellar, which had a small bath. The home actually had real plumbing built into it, which astonished her the first time she stayed there. She ran water into the tub from an old spigot on the wall and heated it with her magic. She left the water after bathing herself, thinking Bishop might use it later, then got dressed and left to do some shopping.
The marketplace was busy and bustling with people doing their own shopping. She tried to keep an eye out for any of the Companions, wondering where they might be and in her distraction she clumsily walked right into an older man, dropping the vegetables and wrapped meat she'd just purchased all over the ground which got mixed up with everything the man was holding and dropped as well.
She quickly knelt down to pick it all up and said, "I'm so sorry! Please excuse me! Here, let me get that for you..."
"Oh that's alright," he said timidly above her. As she went to pick everything up however she noticed something very odd about the items mixed in with hers. Most of everything the man had dropped were dirty mismatched trinkets, an old tankard, a few cracked soul gems, an empty bottle of stamina potion, a single bear claw, and the oddest piece of all - an entire pelvic bone. Rona grasped the bone, looking at it stunned then glanced up at the unusual man in front of her and was taken aback by his appearance.
He was an old bosmer, a beggar of sorts, but his eyes looked like they'd been gouged out and he had a lost looking gaze. As his empty eye sockets searched her green eyes, as though he could actually see her, he seemed to grow more excited and cried, "You! You'll help me! You help people, right? That's what you do? Please, take pity on an old madman!"