Day Twenty-nine

The next morning after a bland Greybeards' breakfast of oatmeal and applemush, Lydia and I tramped back down the snowy steps to Iverstead. I happened to pass by Klimmek and suggested he throw in some spices with the Greybeards next supplies. He said he tried once but it gave them all the winds. You could smell it for miles coming from all the way up there. I told him that was much more information than I needed. Before he left, however, I asked him if he knew how far Winterhold was.

"If you liked the climb up those steps, you're going to love the trek to the College. Nothing but snow and mountains and bears."

"Oh, my," Lydia said.

"Oh, my, is right," I agreed. My mood was a little raw. Lydia had once again declined a free massage. My frustration was getting a bit... pent up. "Is there a carriage here anywhere, Klimmek?"

"Not here, my friend. The closest would be in Riften. It's not nearby but it is a warmer walk."

"That's good enough for me."

I once again headed towards the City of Thieves. I did not even mind fighting off the occasional wolf or bear. It was warmer, I had got my sweet new armor, and I felt I was closing in on ridding Skyrim of Alduin. That would leave the door open for me to take over then plan my family reunion with my dear sister. I was in a good mood. That is, until I met her.

We were near Riften, skirting around a fort by going through the woods when suddenly an arrow embedded itself in a tree mere inches from my face. I yelled out to Lydia then dove for cove. My sword found its way into my hands by instinct now. Lydia had her bow ready and was peeking around a tree for cover.

"Sorry, sorry," a female voice called out. "My mistake, travelers."

I eased up when I saw it was just a woman out hunting, apparently, followed closely by a Khajiit. She was wearing some odd animal hide armor, probably wolf. It did not look at strong as mine but it did blend into the environment better. Even as I watched the Redguard approach, I could barely hear her or the Khajiit walking through the sticks and leaves of the forest. They put their weapons away.

"I apologize for the arrow, friend," she said, "For a moment I mistook you for a black bear."

Lydia approached, "That's not surprising, though he's usually mistaken for a smaller, squealing animal. It's just the smell. You get used to it. My name is Lydia."

"I am Shavina. This is my companion, Kharjo." She looked at me. "And you are?"

"You are in the presence of Ralos Ravenclaw, Thane of Whiterun, and future ruler of Skyrim. It is a good thing your aim was off, Sweetie, or you could have injured me. Perhaps you should try a smaller bow, more suited to a woman."

Did the Khajiit actually growl at me?

"My aim was not off. I moved it at the last second when I realized my mistake. And it wouldn't have injured you, it would have killed you. How it missed a head that big is truly a miracle. Pardon me, Lydia, but that bow in your pack. It looks familiar. May I see it?"

Lydia reached back and handed her the weapon. "We found it recently on our last trip here. It was hidden down in the Ratway."

Shavina nodded, "Just as I thought it would be. My neighbor, Dravin, had his bow stolen recently. I will return it to him for you if you want."

I reached for the bow but the Khajiit's hand locked onto my wrist just before.

"Watch your hands, human," he said, "If you mean to keep them."

"I was reaching for the bow. No need to cough up a hairball. We found it, so we'll return it, if you don't mind."

Kharjo growled again then released me and Shavina gave the bow back.

"You don't trust many people, do you, Ralos of Whiterun?" asked the Redguard.
"You'll fit right in at Riften. Just stay out of trouble and if you are here for skooma, be warned that the supply is about to dry up."

"He's through with skooma," Lydia said, "with my help."

Shavina looked impressed at my housecarl. "I always suspected that behind every great person is an equally great companion." She cast a glance back at the Khajiit, who smiled in return.

"So where is your man, Shavina?" I asked, moving closer to her. "I notice you're wearing a necklace of Mara. Perhaps you just haven't met the right man... until now." I reached out to touch the necklace which conveniently rested on her ample chest. "Do you mind?"

A moment later I was lying on the forest floor with my face buried in a pile of dry leaves and dirt. My arm was twisted in some unnatural position behind my back. I was wondering, where the Nines was Lydia?

"I do mind," Shavina hissed by my ear. "I mind a great deal, in fact. And if you think this hurts, I'm saving you the pain of dealing with my friend. On second thought, I don't think Riften is the place for you, Ralos."

I tried to speak but only dirt and leaves came out.

Lydia spoke up, "Actually we're not staying...we're just getting a carriage...to take to Winterhold."

Why was her voice breaking up? Was she laughing?

Shavina the Rude, as I had taken to thinking of her, finally let me up and she actually handed me a bottle of ale to wash my mouth out with as I coughed and spit out the forest floor.

"Be sure you do," she said, "I would hate to mistake you for a big smelly bear again. Nice meeting you, Lydia."

"You, too, Shavina. Good-bye Kharjo. I love your fur."

"Good-bye, Lydia," the Khajiit said, "May your travels find warm sands."

The two left as quietly as they had approached. I finished the warm ale and tossed the bottle into the trees.

"Love your fur," I said to Lydia mockingly. I left her to continue to Riften.

"You're not mad are you?" Lydia said, "Wait, you've still got leaves on your back."

As it turned out, the driver of the carriage was nowhere to be found. When we arrived, a caravan was just leaving. It had dropped off a good supply of Alto wine and Honningbrew Mead. I was still in a foul mood so I ditched Lydia somewhere and started drinking with the first person I ran into. I had not known it was the carriage driver until we were both too inebriated to even hitch up the horses. Lydia must have found me at some point that night and put me to bed. It was the least she could do.