Chapter 3

Katlyn kills a man

(Katlyn's POV)

It seems some issues even a dragon can't bury. Who would have thought that the imperials and stormcloaks would still continue to bicker and fight even though there is a greater threat destroying them? Regardless Ralof was probably my best choice if I want to get out of this with my head. The man named Duncan probably came to the same conclusion and that why he followed us in. Looking at Ralof though it seems he has mixed views on the man, the distrust in his eyes is very plain, making clear that he want's Duncan to know he doesn't trust him. I can't imagine why though?

After saying a few words to one of his dead stormcloak allies he gestured towards me and said Thankfully both Ralof and Duncan respectfully turned away as I donned the dead man It's a stormcloak! Get her!I take it you have never fought with a weapon beforeNoHere maybe a sword might work better for you is a quick fighting lesson, when someone is attacking you, you hold the sword like so and then stick em with the pointy em with the pointy you alright?I fine!Maybe we can use their dead have not need for gold or their weapons, better they be put to good use instead of rusting away.s when Ralof noticed a dead mage in one of the cages with a sack of gold coins next to him, that is when Duncan produced a lock-pick and broke into the cage and tossed me the bag of gold coins. With new reinforcements in tow we made our way into a cave system and fought even more imperial guards. That is where the two stormcloaks left us to wait for the Jarl though I personally thought that if he has not escaped by now he was probably killed by the dragon, and didn't say that though because I didn't want to upset an of the stormcloaks who were helping me escape. Going deeper into the cave we began to run into spiders which prompted Duncan to produce his bow and along with Ralof dispatched all of the giant arachnids. That is when we ran into the cave bear; it was sleeping next to the exit of the tunnel and Ralof whispered Duncan still held his bow with an arrow trained on the bear and moved like a shadow around it. I did my best to follow after Duncan until I stubbed my toe on a rock and let out a curse but before the cave bear could bare it's fangs Duncan began pelting it with arrows and by the second one it was down. After that Duncan produced a knife and began to skin the bear while Ralof and I scouted ahead and found the exit of the cave, a few moments later Duncan appeared once again his new bear pelt in tow.

After we made it outside the dragon flew past us presumably on it's way north. After scanning the surrounding area Ralof said With that said we proceeded down the path all the while Ralof was trying to convince me to join the stormcloaks. I said but said no more on the subject. Eventually we reached a set of stones that Ralof called the guardian stones, He then motioned both of us to pick one. However Duncan said Ralof looked at him and asked With a smile Duncan replied That seemed to shut Ralof up but his eyes were still on me. Not knowing what to pick I decided to go for the warrior stone as he looked at me approvingly. However Ralof and Duncan's exchange revealed something as I turned towards them I asked He gave me a bemused look and said and with a flourish he bowed and continued Ralof was the first to speak to which Duncan replied I couldn't help myself and started to laugh at their constant bickering and said The two didn't talk to each other very much after that but I could tell that underneath all of their bickering the two actually had some respect for the other; though I knew neither of them would admit that. We arrived in Riverwood around mid afternoon, Ralof led us to his sisters mill and when she saw Ralof she said she was cut off by Ralof saying Noticing me for the first time she said I noticed that when she looked at Duncan she didn't say anything to him but simply gave him a glare. Before I could answer Ralof said I said. At the mention of his name Duncan just gave me a sad smile and said I said as I handed him my satchel. Ralof, Gerdur, and her husband Hodd looked at me like I had just done something crazy. After a moment Ralof began recounting our journey from Helgen to here to his sister, all in all it made for an interesting tale, if unbelievable. Gerdur however seemed to believe every word and said After that Hodd showed us to their house where Gerdur produced a simple green dress and gave it to me to change into. After that I proceeded to where the town blacksmith was to find Duncan finishing selling the last extraneous items they both had and with the money bought various smithing supplies. I said Duncan replied and after looking me over he said It took the rest of the afternoon but together with Alvor Duncan made me a set of Iron armor with shoulder guards and a steel sword along with a iron shield he bought from Alvor.

I said. he said with a grunt as he was carrying both the armor and our bags. When we reached the Sleeping Giant Inn the innkeeper informed us that she only had one room available, and with a sigh Duncan paid for the night. After we set our bags in the room Duncan produced a bag of gold and handed it to me saying that this was the money we had made from selling the weapons and bits of armor from the soldiers and that the armor was paid for entirely by him though I could tell that even he wasn't sure why he did it. I said with a amused grin. With a sigh he set his things on the ground and said With that we separated for the night, Duncan went over to the bar and ordered himself some food and mead while I went to Gerdur's house and had dinner with them; between the two of us I think he was luckier because as soon as I was in the door I was bombarded with questions by Ralof's nephew and the boy's parents. While I was trying to skirt around questions about my relationship with Ralof and the stormcloaks I imagined Duncan sitting at the bar with no one bothering him while the bard serenaded the patrons. However the meal was nice and Ralof's family was very friendly towards me, but as much as Gerdur protested that they had plenty of room in the house for me to spend the night I finally made it back to the room at the inn to find that Duncan was nowhere to be found, his stuff was still their so I didn't think that he ran off. It was about that time that the exhaustion of the day finally caught up with me and after dressing into my small clothes that were provide by Gerdur I fell into bed and drifted off into sleep. It was then that the nightmare came and I was back in the storeroom with my blade in the chest of that soldier as his eyes stared back a me in shock his eyes filled with accusation and as blood poured from his mouth he said It didn't stop with him though as he father materialized before me. This wasn't the proud man she had know as a child though, this was a man who looked broken and disheveled. he said with a haunting voice. I awoke in a cold sweat but the waking world wasn't much better because I now had to contend with my thoughts. I killed him, he was just doing his job and I killed him. He probably had family and friends who relied on him and loved him, and who do I have? Nobody, no one would care if I lived or died, so what right did I have to take that man's life. I probably looked very pitiable right about now curled up in a ball sobbing my eyes out but that is how Duncan found me. He burst into the room saying at the sight of me his eyes were filled with compassion but I would have none of that from that man who took so much life today yet was unfazed, even if he did save my life. he said. I shouldn't have been angry at him but I was, He looked at her with eyes filled with sadness but his face showed nothing. He then sat down next to me on the bed and said he let out a sigh and continued As he finished I broke down and held him, I was ashamed at how weak I was acting in front of him but I didn't care. He seemed surprised but quickly embraced me back. We were there in each others arms for a long time.