Legendary Tales of Tamriel: Unsettling Morning
I awoke sometime early in the morning and I felt like a horse had kicked me in the head. My whole body felt sore as a sickening sensation came from my gut. Rushing over to the trash in the tent I heaved into the bucket as I saw something drip off me. I noticed it was blood and quickly went to see where it had come from. Feeling my shoulders I realized it was coming from me and that I was in serious trouble if I didn't get help. Quickly wrapping my shoulder so it didn't bleed out; I staggered into town. The sky was still dark as I looked up leaning against a building. My breathing was becoming increasingly shallow and it felt like I could barely walk. like my energy had been sapped. Spotting the chapel I struggled to get up the steps and into the building and I was hoping someone would be up at this time. A young priest was cleaning something as he saw me collapse on the floor of the chapel. I saw him rushing off to get a more skilled priest as I lost consciousness.
I awoke laying in a bed with an old looking Imperial male in a blue hued robe looking over me. He looked concerned as he reached over for a bowl.
"Drink this… and try to keep it down…" He spoke holding the bowl to my mouth with another arm behind my back. Looking at the bowl I noticed it was a black liquid that smelled terrible. The next thing he said confused me greatly and I just looked up unsure how to respond.
"This should be easy to stomach given your lineage… Though I don't know how a witcher was able to procreate or how they came to this land…" he spoke rather confused. I wasn't sure what a witcher was so I just looked up at him confused as he put the bowl closer to my mouth. Opening up I swallowed the foul mixture and to my surprise I was able to keep it down.
"So you don't know what a witcher is then? Ah well it's probably for the best; that should do the trick now how did this happen?" He asked looking into the glint of my eyes.
"I just went to sleep before the next leg of my journey to Anvil; I woke up feeling like this…" my head still pounding and the room spinning. They left the room to let me sleep so that I was rested and hopefully recovered by the time I had to leave. After that I made a note of staying at a fancy inn next time but I was thankful to live through what I had experienced. I figured before I left town I would look into better weapons for the road ahead and passing a guard who stopped me before I could enter the shopping district of the city.
"Excuse me miss, are you aware of something? It's an invention called soap if you want to come back to Skingrad I recommend you pick some up and use it." his tone made me want to send my fist through his teeth but I knew it likely wasn't a good idea in my condition. Grumbling I walked past after telling the pompous arse of an Imperial I would be sure to pick some up. Entering "Colovian Traders" I was greeted by Gunder the Nord quite pleasantly, he seemed happy to see another nord in this region of Cyrodiil. The shop was adorned in animal heads, books, weapons, and anything else one would need on their journeys. The dark brown shade of the wood interior looked quite pleasant with a second floor to where the books where stored.
"Welcome kinsman it is wonderful to see another nord in these parts, so what can I help you with?" he spoke in a kindness that through me off as I had mostly gotten hostility in this province. I looked at the counter as I noticed something shine, reaching down I picked up a dagger its shine was that of silver. Spotting this Gunder looked worried and asked me what I intended to do with it.
"Miss I am not really supposed to sell that someone in ditched it here." I simply told him that I had no ill intentions with it and simply wanted it for self-defense if I ran into something my old blade couldn't handle. He growled a bit as he drew a blade from his hip; thinking quickly I set one hundred septims upon the counter and he changed his tone quickly.
"Alright kinsmen before Valmar Sextious gets here get it into your bag, if he asks where it is ill cover for you." Hearing this I quickly put the dagger in my bag before heading to the door noticing an Imperial enter the shop I quickly left before I heard yelling from the shop.
"What do you mean it's gone!? That dagger was evidence you muscle headed ape! Now tell me who you sold it to!" at this I quickly made my way to the stable and looked upon the road to Anvil. Moving quickly enough to get a good pace but not seem like I was avoiding anything I started down the road. It felt comforting to see the Great Forest behind me; as if a presence had left but I still felt like something was wrong I just couldn't tell what. As I walked along the road I had an idea what caused this but I wasn't sure from where it came from. Hearing some commotion I noticed a bandit attempting to rob a traveler; something in me snapped as I charged the bandit, iron sword drawn, and an animalistic glint in my eyes. Swinging my blade it felt like I was watching myself as if I wasn't in control but watching a beast. I swung my blade at the bandit as he tried futilely to avoid its strike and fell to the ground, the fear in his eyes genuine as he began to back up as I advanced onto him. With a growl I swung at him as he struggled to get and attempt to run as if I was possessed. Slamming my boot onto his back as he did I shove the blade deeply into his back; he sputtered blood coming from his mouth as he ceased moving. The haze wearing off I turned my attention to the Imperial woman the stare in her eyes; one of terror and disgust. I took the coin purse off the body of the bandit and offered it to her to compensate for the attack; I had hoped she would realize I didn't want to hurt her but she grabbed the bag of septims and bolted away from me. I just looked on in shock how I was suddenly seen a monster instead of a citizen. What was a witcher and what did it have to do with how I am treated; I had to find out and quickly what my father was. Surely the fighter's guild would know what a "witcher" was as they specialize in combat.
Continuing down the road I listened carefully around me for anything that seemed out of place but as the forest thinned onto the Colovian highlands it seemed to calm down. I could feel the blisters in my boots ache with each step and yet Anvil was easily over several miles away. I pressed on for what seemed like a few hours from where the sun was in the sky, passing an inn called the "Gottshaw Inn" along the road. I considered stopping to rest my feet but I could see the large castle of Anvil from where I was, though it was a fair distance away. Judging by where the sun was I would get there before night fall and I could plan my next move. This land seemed welcoming at times but hostile at others, I would have to be careful as my next mistake could be my last. The scar on my throat was there because I decided to be cheap instead of staying at an inn so perhaps it would be wise to do so from now on if I have the option.
More hours had passed as my feet continued to ache but I could see my destination getting closer as I passed a large in. reading the sign it said "the Brina Cross Inn" it had a large stable with some chestnut horses eating hay in its stable. This place looked nice and quiet but I had to continue, I knew that if I got stuck out here after dark I would likely end up hurt by some beast of the wilds or worse. Thank the divines Anvil wasn't much farther I thought as I trudged on. I saw the stable; it was full of white horses and the main gate was nearby. The guards looked at me suspiciously as I approached the gate; quickly I put my weapon away out of sight to make myself not seem threatening.
"Why in oblivion are you covered in blood…" they asked concerned; realizing I was covered in dried blood.
"I had a run in with a bandit; nothing serious I just have not found the time to wash it off…" I explained which seemed to calm them down; I promised I would be sure to wash it off when I got inside and they let me enter the city. As I stepped into the city what I saw was amazing, it didn't rival the Imperial city or Skingrad but it had a rustic charm to it. The guilds where front and center; the Fighters guild right by the Mages guild. A pond was to the side of me and I noticed a statue erect within; it appeared to be a mermaid. It was amazingly carved as she looked quite life like; looking at the water I took some in my hands and washed the blood off of me. It would have to do and I am not sure how much of an improvement it was. Looking at sky I noticed the sun setting; I would have to join the guild tomorrow but for now I should find an inn to rest my head in. I stepped down the cobblestone road and noticed an inn by the name of "the Counts Arms" it seemed to be the only inn in town that I could see. Stepping into the inn a Redguard stepped forward to me.
"Excuse me how may I help you? I am Wilbur I own this fine establishment." He spoke introducing himself. I asked him how much it cost to rent a room; I was shocked to find it cost 140 septims to rent a room for the night. Reaching into my coin purse I gave him what he needed to rent me the room and he instructed me that it was upstairs handing me the key to the room. Entering the room I noticed the room was quite nice; I changed out my armor and climbed into the bed. Looking at the room from the bed they certainly didn't spare any expenses in making this place quite fancy. I drifted off to sleep and let my dreams carry me off into what adventures I may find myself in as the days continued.