First of all, I can only assume that if you're reading this series of story snippets, you probably know about where they came from - The Girl with the Voice. If you haven't read that story, I highly recommend you do. It might make more sense that way. But if you don't...well, hey...I like to live dangerously too, so by all means...do what you gotta do.
Since Onmund got to have a happy memory in this series, I thought it might be important to allow Lydia one as well. I'm all about good memories in my stories…they make me really think about my own when I've forgotten to do so.
Also. Foreshadowing. Yup.
Leap of Faith
"You are absolutely crazy, Lydia!"
The Nord looked back over her shoulder at the Breton, smirking as she tossed her shield and blade to the side. Marieka hung back near the trees, watching as her housecarl stood near the edge of the cliff. She quickly removed her gauntlets and began to unfasten her boots.
"It's not crazy," she replied. "It's an amazing feeling, Marieka. You really should try it."
She groaned internally, cringing at the thought. "I'm not…really sure I can do it."
"Bah!" The Nord pulled her steel armour over her head and tossed it behind her. She turned around and looked at the Breton, standing in underclothes that barely left anything to the imagination. "Are you afraid of heights or something?"
"Me? No…no, not afraid of heights at all," Marieka replied. It almost sounded as if she tried to convince herself of that. "I just…is it even safe? Hitting the water from this height?"
Lydia laughed loudly. "Of course it's safe. My family came here when I was a girl. You see that spot right down there?"
Marieka approached slowly and looked in the direction of her pointed finger.
"We used to bring large loaves of bread with fresh cheeses and smoked meats. And we'd sit by the river and eat until we were stuffed. And then my brothers and I would come up here and jump off of the cliff into the water down there," she said wistfully.
It was the first time she'd ever seen the woman showing any bit of emotion in front of her.
Lydia blinked several times before turning away from Marieka. "It's the only memory I have of my family anymore," she continued. She stepped to the edge of the cliff and dove forward.
The Breton rushed to the edge, just in time to see the splash of water where Lydia broke the plane of the surface. She watched for a few moments until she surfaced again, laughing wildly.
"Come on, Marieka! Just jump! You won't regret it!" she called from below.
She looked down nervously.
"You can trust me," Lydia yelled. "I'd never let you get hurt!"
Marieka took a few steps back – took a deep breath. She removed her armour and boots quickly and approached the ledge once more. As she looked down, she saw the Nord stepping out of the river on to the shore. She had nothing but faith in her housecarl.
She could do this. She could make this jump.
With her toes over the edge, she leaned forward…and leapt.