Two Weeks Later
Ciri laughed as she disarmed Brynjar for the second time in a row. Brynjar flushed with frustration.
"Damn it! How did you move so fast?"
Ciri chuckled. "Footwork, duh. If you got rid of that clunky shield, you might have a chance to catch me."
Brynjar dropped the steel shield and charged at Ciri. She laughed again as she parried his blow then zoomed behind Brynjar in the blink of an eye.
"How-, What did-? Wait you're using magic aren't you? You won't get away with that!"
"I will because you can't catch me!" Ciri moved again, taking advantage of Brynjar's surprise. However, Brynjar's instinct took over, dodging her blade swiftly. Ciri spun and landed another blow, with the Dragonborn parrying it. The two were engaged in an intricate dance of swords, with two completely different styles: one that relied on speed and dodging, the other on strength and instinct. Brynjar could feel his body tiring somewhat, and he could see Ciri was too, but was determined not to show it. She made a minor misstep and Brynjar saw his opportunity.
"Zun Haal!" He shouted at Ciri, instantly knocking her weapon out of her hand and her body onto the ground. He rushed forward to rest his sword at the nape of her throat. "I win," Brynjar laughed, still breathing heavily. He helped an unarmed Ciri to her feet. She rubbed her back.
"Oww! What the hell was that?" She groaned as she sheathed her sword.
"The Thu'um, the power of the dragons. Told you it was powerful."
"What? Now that is cheating. At least I can't help that I'm just better than you," Brynjar laughed as she playfully shoved him. They sat on the small pier over the small lake. "I'm serious now, when are we going to leave this place? You keep telling me about these great cities and expansive wilds, and now I want to see them." Brynjar looked Ciri in the eye. It was hard not to get lost in her large, emerald eyes. Not to mention her beautiful face. It had taken Brynjar a lot of restraint not to stare, at her face and her backside. He'd always been able to have his pick of women, being the Dragonborn and all, they simply couldn't resist him. But Ciri was different, she wasn't easy to crack. She seemed to have a natural barrier to his charm and good looks, so much so that he wondered if she wasn't attracted to men. It was somewhat frustrating to Brynjar, so used to women falling for him without him even trying, that he couldn't have her. And he didn't dare make any bold advances, lest she try to cut his hands, or something worse off. All he could manage were a few well-timed jests and flirts.
"You're right, it is a bit dull out here. Yeah, we'll go to Whiterun first thing tomorrow. I've friends there, and I think you'll really like them."
Ciri smiled. "Won't see 'til tomorrow, I guess." The two of them sat on the pier in silence a while longer. Brynjar had the thought to lean over and kiss her, but he wasn't sure how she might react to that. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden change in temperature and fresh snowflakes.
"Snow? This close to spring and this far south? Strange," he frowned. He noticed Ciri's face morph into one of caution.
"The Hunt, they've found me. Quick, get the horses." Ciri stood and readied her sword as Brynjar hurried toward the stable. The sky grayed and the temperature dropped further. Ciri could hear the horses panicking and ran to help Brynjar. In the distance she could already hear the pounding hooves of several horses.
"How many are there?" Brynjar asked, shouting above the rising wind.
"Dozens probably. They're gaining quickly, we need to ride now." Ciri heard shouts and growling from behind them. Several Wild Hunt riders had dismounted behind them along with several ice hounds. Brynjar drew his sword.
"Here take the reins and ride north. Quickly now, while I distract them,"
Ciri shook her head. "You can't they're too many of them, they'll massacre you."
Brynjar grinned. "Ciri, I've faced dragons and come out without a scratch. Besides, I've seen colder summers than this; ice runs in my blood. Now go!"
Ciri reluctantly climbed on the horse and kicked into a gallop. What she saw when she looked back was stunning: a lightly armored Brynjar slicing through the Riders with flames in his hand. As she galloped, branches and leaves whipped her across the face. She heard several riders gaining on her as their portals opened. One rider was particularly close behind her. She turned to see Brynjar galloping close up on her.
"Strun Bah Qo!" Brynjar yelled. Immediately several riders were struck by lightning and vaporized. The ones in their proximity were also knocked off their horses. Ciri swore she saw Caranthir open a portal. Suddenly he appeared in front of them and struck Brynjar's horse, causing him to fly forward.
"Bryn!" Ciri cried. Her worries were quickly silenced as a streak of lightning closed the distance between Brynjar and Caranthir, shooting the elf back into his own portal. Ciri reined her horse back around and stretched out her hand for Brynjar. He jumped on the horse with no effort at all. Ciri and Brynjar rode on until all signs of the Wild Hunt virtually disappeared. Ciri slowed the horse to a slow trot.
"Are you hurt?" She asked without turning around.
Brynjar groaned. He gripped his shoulder, where a shallow gash had blood gushing from it. "Agh, I'm fine, what about you?"
"Fine. That was really something you did back there. Lemme guess, the dragon language?"
"Mhm, yeah that. You know you totally needed saving that time,"
Ciri grinned and rolled her eyes. "I never need saving, thank you."
"You're welcome," Brynjar retorted.
Ciri laughed, but stopped when she noticed Brynjar's grip slacken. She saw his hand fall, covered in blood and not elven blood either.
"Brynjar?"
"Uhhh," Brynjar mumbled incoherently before falling to the ground with a thud.
"Brynjar!" Ciri jumped off the horse. She turned Brynjar over to see his wound. She examined the jagged wound where blood was continually gushing. "Oh gods, I don't even know what I can use." She struggled to move Brynjar from the road and propped him against a rock.
"S-saddle, r-red bottle." Brynjar managed weakly. Ciri rummaged through the saddle bags to find the bottle he mentioned. She quickly located the small bottle. Brynjar opened his mouth, gesturing to drink it. Ciri took the top off the bottle and poured it down his mouth. He grimaced as he finished the contents of the potion. His wound stopped bleeding immediately. Ciri tore a piece of cloth from his shirt and wiped away the blood over the wound. She went through the saddlebags again and found a bottle of very strong alcohol. Not having anything else, Ciri poured it on Brynjar's wound. He winced in pain as the liquid ran down into the wound. Ciri used all of her strength to haul Brynjar off the ground and back onto the horse. Brynjar fell asleep on horseback as Ciri walked on with the reins.