"Wake up sleepy head!" Cymbeline called as she tore the blankets from over Jasper's head, the Nord groaned and reached for his blanket, finding that the Imperial held it high above her head.
"Five more minutes."
"Nope! We have work to do! Or have you forgotten about the reason you need me?" Cymbeline teased as Jasper grunted, sitting up and rubbing sleep from his eyes, it was midday already based on what Jasper could see from the light pouring through the windows. A bundle of clothes hit him in the chest, followed by the clink of chain-mail against hard leather, Jasper dragged himself out of bed and tugged his armor over his head. Cymbeline stood before him, wearing a set of mages robes and a heavy cloak, any weapons she bore yesterday we're gone, or hidden beneath her cloak, her coppery hair had been braided back out of her eyes as she smiled brightly.
Looking down Jasper found that it wasn't the Whiterun Guards armor he wore, but a combination of thick leather and padded cloth closed by iron buckles.
"What sort of armor is this?"
"It's not really armor... We'll it is but it's more of a special armor. A friend of mine sent it my way a long time ago. Onmund won't touch it, he hates light armor and it's too big for me. Plus you won't need your regular armor where we're going!" Cymbeline rambled tossing Jasper his sword before turning and practically skipping out the door.
"Why did I ever agree to this?" Jasper muttered as he clung to another tree after having stumbled in the mud while climbing down a hill. It had rained non stop since they had left Riverwood, Cymbeline remaining ahead of him chattering excitedly about the various wildlife they passed.
"I remember going down this road after escaping Helgen." Cymbeline said, her voice dropping, "There wasn't anyone but me and Hadvar, but we made it out alive and that's what matters!"
Jasper sighed, the Imperial hadn't explained why they had gone out of Whiterun and were now venturing into the dense forests of Falkreath. Little progress seemed to be made as the Thane stopped every few feet to pick snow berries or mountain flowers, dropping them into her satchel and continuing on her way.
"So you're probably wondering why I took you with me?" Cymbeline asked, turning around mid-stride to face Jasper as he pushed off another tree.
"Every moment." Jasper huffed, out of breath and already longing for the dulcet tones of the Bard's lute back in the Bannered Mare.
"Well, I would take Onmund with me, but he's heading back to the college for a while. So I thought, why not take Jasper? Plus then we can get a gift for Imarrine!"
"A gift?"
"Well it's really just a flower, but it's unlike any that grows in Skyrim."
"What kind of flower?" Jasper inquired, he wasn't one for flowers, but if Cymbeline was going to jump off a cliff for a sweet roll, it was best to ask now before things went to Oblivion.
"A yellow flower." Cymbeline smiled, turning back to face the unmarked path she followed, "They make a powerful healing potion and are very pretty. I think a woman like Imarrine would enjoy a flower like that."
"Are you sure that will work?" Jasper asked further, stepping around a pool of muddy water, he wasn't so sure on a Thalmor like Imarrine enjoying something as mundane as flowers.
"Yes! After all she did give you her thanks!" Jasper stopped, his heart racing as heat rose to his face.
"Her thanks?"
"Yup! She told me to tell you last night! I'm sure she's interested now." Cymbeline sang as she finally came to level ground, Jasper catching up with her and sighing the moment he touched level ground.
"Keep your eyes open Jasper, there are Sprigans in this area." Cymbeline whispered as she reached back in her cloak for a ebony sword that gleamed a burning red in the rain. Jasper drew his sword and donned his shield that still bore the Whiterun logo, he looked around him and saw large ancient trees.
They moved cautiously, weaving around the trees with Jasper falling in step, walking exactly where the Thane stepped and keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of movement.
A tower peaked over the horizon as Cymbeline took a harsh left, walking down a dirt path Jasper wouldn't have noticed before. They walked along the path, passing the mountains as a dark cave entrance opened up ahead.
"If memory serves, there will be Sprigans in here." Cymbeline pondered as she tapped her chin, her eyes brightened as she got an idea, a dark ball of energy floated in the palm of her hand, purple wisps of magic turned off the orb as it turned in her hand.
"Let's go." Cymbeline motioned over her shoulder, ducking into the entrance of the cave and vanishing into the darkness. Jasper sighed, following after her and coming out into a hallow.
A set of staircases folded out before him as he found Cymbeline already halfway down the stairs, sword out and spell at the ready. Catching up with her Jasper was met with a myriad of evergreens and strange trees he had never seen before, they had leaves that reminded Jasper of sunsets and the branches curved, weaving towards the sky. Through the trees he could see carved staircases climbing the hallow's walls, a crystal pool of water waited at the center, a small island covered in bright yellow flowers was in a corner of the water.
Cymbeline crouched down as Jasper neared her and mirrored her moves, he gazed ahead and found a body made of woven wood and a green glow standing still. There was a sound like fabric being torn as the orb of magic in Cymbeline's hand expanded, she threw the orb forth and it became a pillar of black and purple waves of magic, vanishing almost as quick as it appeared, leaving a Flame Atronach in its wake. The mass of flames caught sight of the Sprigan, tossing a ball of fire towards its wooden body as others joined in. The air became filled with the deafening hum of magic.
Jasper ran forth, sword digging into the wood of the Sprigans and leaving deep gashes, but with little avail, the Sprigans fought faster than Jasper could have imagined, quickly over taking Cymbeline's Atronach and leaving it in an explosion of fire.
Cymbeline herself hacked into the Sprigans, her blade leaving the wood to turn to embers and ash, pillars of flame shot from her hand as she backed towards Jasper, directing the flame to ward off the Sprigans until their bodies splashed into the water, burnt corpses of wood, the magic that animated them dispersing into the air.
"We should get those flowers before more show up." Cymbeline breathed, lowering her shaking arm and walking calmly towards the yellow flowers, or as calmly as she could.
They were pretty flowers, Jasper could agree on that as he examined one closely, the delicate yellow petals captured the dying sunlight that peaked over the horizon. Cymbeline was behind him, carrying a basket of the yellow buds, happily humming as she danced down the cobblestone road. They were both battle worn and Jasper was ready for bed, his shoulders slumped from exhaustion and the armor he wore felt heavier than before. Yet he still had to visit Imarrine with Cymbeline.
The gates of Whiterun opened with a loud drawn out creak, the last of the suns rays dipping beneath the horizon as the two returned to the city. Cymbeline dropping off the basket just inside her home and grasping a small piece of parchment with an ink well and quill. She shoved them into Jasper's hands and ordered that he write a note to the high elf before disappearing back into her Breezehome, the door closing behind her.
Jasper trudged up the hill that Whiterun was built on, feet throbbing with every step as the dull tones of metal pounding on metal faded off into the night. The inside of the temple was warm, most of its occupants already sleeping on one of the stone slabs or in a warm bed. Imarrine laid facing towards the door, eyes closed and breath easy, a fresh wrap of bandages was bound across her abdomen, the heavy smell of an earthy salve became stronger as Jasper approached her.
She made no movement even as Jasper scrawled down one word on the parchment, folded it and rested it near her face, the yellow flower laying atop the parchment and rolling slightly as Jasper turned and left the temple.
Imarrine herself awoke just as the temple doors closed the second time, the sharp pain that had taken place in her wound was now dulled and gently throbbed when she moved. Her eyes came into focus as the first thing she came in contact with was a yellow flower resting atop a folded piece of parchment paper.
Sitting up required a little effort, but she picked up the flower and turned it around, examining the petals. There were only two yellow flowers that she knew of in Skyrim, one she had already seen before and knew to be a Dragon's Tongue and the other she had only read about.
They were rare flowers, only found in two known places of Skyrim. It was freshly picked, perhaps a few hours old.
An even rarer light smile crossed the High elf's features as she set the flower in a nearby cup of water and retrieved the small note, opening it her eyes widened at the name scrawled there.
Jasper.
Hello readers! Back again with another chapter that I hoped you enjoyed! Things are finally starting to fall into place! Constructive criticism is always we'll appreciated, always. Till next time!