Kira hid beside a wall and checked for guards with Bishop next to her. He didn't want to be here, this was the last place he wanted to be.

" Tell me why am I here again?" He groaned.

" To help Cael, that's why." She answered through her mask.

" Why would I want to help him?" Bishop growled. Kira stood up and looked at him. He expected to find a glare but instead he could see a playful look.
" What?" He barked. Kira crossed her arms, stood with her hip out and continued to look at him.
" What!" He repeated, a small blush on his cheeks.
" You're jealous."

The bluntness of her statement nearly knocked him to his feet.

" You're flattering yourself."

" What ever you say Bishop." She teased as she turned back around. Bishop didn't even have a chance to say anything before she darted off across the road. He cursed under his breath and walked his way over, not even caring if he got caught. Anything to help him from helping that Forsworn.

" You have freed me, my sparrow! I am in your debt."
The sound of his voice almost made Bishop go back to the Inn. Kira took out her dagger, broke the lock and began to saw at the binds that held Cael's hands together. She had taken a moment to steal a glance at Bishop and couldn't help but notice the slight slump in his poster.

" Hurry, we need to go before the guards come." She whispered. But Cael reached out and snatched her wrist before she had the chance to jump away.

" These guards are Forsworn. If you had not shown up by the time night had fallen they would have set me free. I'm not running away with my tail between my legs .You do not fear the odds, dark one?"

" Not at all. I could gut you before they get ten feet." He remarked before coldly adding," After all they are only Forsworn."

" I see, I guess I made my first tactical error tonight."

Bishop couldn't help but smirk as he watched Cael wave his men to stand down. But it quickly disappeared as he turned and gently took Kira's hands into his own. Cael looked down at the pattern of her gloves and traced them ever so gently with his thumb.

" Why did you ask me for help then?" Kira asked quietly. A smile came across his face.

" I wanted to lay my eyes on the mighty Dragonborn, for I knew who you were the moment I saw you. I wanted to speak with you without you drawing your weapon, as you would have in the wild."
She couldn't disagree because she knew it was true. She had been trained to protect herself from anything she saw as a threat, which is exactly how she would have viewed him. Just the thought of it made her feel guilty, which was a reason why she had not pulled her hands away.

" My beautiful sparrow, my offer still stands. You can run away from your bonds, become a Forsworn and we can be together."

Kira couldn't help but notice Bishop bristle at his words.
" I'm sorry, but I can't do that." she replied softly. The frown on Cael's face made her grow heavier with guilt.

" I suspect being a Forsworn was not apart of your destiny. But that doesn't mean you can't be apart of my family, my sparrow. My clan will see you as one of us. If you wish to visit my home I will mark it on your map."
" I visit your home one day Cael, I promise."

Cael continued to stroke her hands with his thumb and looked at her with beaming eyes.

" I am in your debt and gained my trust. I am here if you need me and my Forsworn. Farewell my sparrow."

Bishop had seen it coming but he never suspected that Cael would actually do it. He was too swift pulling down her mask and planting a kiss on her bare lips. Kira froze in her tracks and suddenly straightened her back even farther, if it was even possible. It was something soft and gentle, something she would expect from him. But she didn't even have the chance to say anything before he turned and disappeared from them both, leaving a shocked Kira and a raging Bishop in his tracks.

I peered over the tree and spotted that small cobblestone town we had been looking for.
"Falkreath is just down below. Perhaps we could rest here for the day and stay a while in Whiterun." I say as I look back at Bishop. Since the other night he hadn't really been like himself, almost like he had a chip on his shoulder. He couldn't possibly be mad at me. At least I hoped not.

" To be honest all I want is a good meal. Markarth's food was disgusting."
I scrunched my nose at the memory.

" That meat nearly made me sick, not to mention poor Karnwyr as well. Lets go cause I'm famished." I respond as I turn to step. I felt my stomach dropped as the floor beneath me crumble. I heard Bishop call out for me but it was too late and all I could do is brace myself. But I didn't fall to the floor beneath me, I fell into a chest.

" You are the Dragonborn but yet you can't even manage to look for weak spots on a cliff. How pathetic."

I could hear his playful chuckle through his armor. I could feel the warmth of his arms that wrapped around me and the gentle touch of the hand that was tangled in my hair and holding my head up against his chest. It was as if I was in a barrier.

" You . . . You saved me." I whispered as I looked up at him.

" Yes, it does seem that I've saved the Dragonborn. I think those are bragging rights." He teased.

" Yea well don't get use to it." I mumbled with a blush, burring my face into his chest. I could feel him smiling down at me from above. Did he even realize how long he had been hugging me?

" Lets get going, I can hear your stomach growling."
I punched him in the chest and pulled away.

" Whatever you jackass." I mumbled.

" Hey save me the trouble and watch where you're going this time?"

I didn't respond this time, I just kept walking. Whatever soft spot I had for him suddenly disappeared. But I couldn't help but be happy to see him back to himself. Despite his smart ass comments being slightly annoying I'd miss them too much if they were ever to be gone.

I turned the corner and began to walk into town when a group of men stopped in my tracks.

" Well, well, look who showed his face boys. And it seems he has come bearing a gift."
I glanced up and spotted a man bearing his chest and all. The look of him made me angry.

" A friend of Bishop, I presume?" I say, trying to keep my tone even. He just laughed at my question.

" Ha! Oh no little mouse, far from that."

I could hear Bishop unsheathe his knife.

" You've got it all wrong Thorn, I'd say she is much more than that."

" Isn't she Bishop? Women are soft and delicate- that's the purpose they serve. This little mouse will serve hers. On my furs, tonight whether she likes it or not. "

My grip tightened on the handle of my sword so tight I thought I'd break it. I was pretty sure even Bishop and Karnwyr could feel the anger radiating off of me.

" I can see you views have not changed Thorn. Still cant see past your own image I see."

" If I remember correctly it was my image that beat you. You claim you're the best, but the truth is, your a pathetic, scared little rodent. Unlike your company here, anyone can see that."

My legs began to move from the restraint of anger. I wouldn't even use a weapon, I'd use my own fists to take him down.

" Someone as vain as you." Bishop spat.

" That, from a man who cares for no one but himself. Now lets take a look of our little mouse here."

The man made his way over to me and tucked his disgusting finger under my chin. His touch was utterly filthy, just as much as the way he ate my body with his eyes. My necked craned back and looked above as he towered above me. His height or his strength didn't intimidate me. But I didn't move. If I could find another reason to hit him even harder than needed than I'd use it.
" Oh, ho, ho, look what we have here. The mighty dragonborn."

My jaw tightened, " That's right."

" The stories of how I conquered the dragonborn will follow me for ages to come." He threw me against him with a hand around my waist, " Then once I'm done I'll turn her in for the coin above her head. Perhaps I'll let you have your way with her, once the clan and I are done, of course."

" You and the clan? I'd rather die than let your filthy paws have your way with me." I countered.

" Feisty, I like it." He sneered as his thumb traced my lips.

" I suggest you remove your hands Thorn."

" Remember what happened the last time we talked Bishop? I'd hate for that to happen again."
" You are six, we are two, you nothing more than hunting dogs. "
" If you wish to fight then fine. Kill Bishop if you must, I want the dragonborn alive."
" Say Bishop, can I have the ok?" I asked. The men stood confused but I could hear the smirk in his voice.

" Go for it."

All my chains broke, all my restraint was out the door. My anger flared stronger than it had ever before and fresh power coursed through my veins. I didn't hold back and I didn't plan to as I raised my fist and swung.