Chapter 19
Day 60
"An entire regiment of guards?!" The man before us was furious. His body shook and he stared down the mine entrance. It was hard to see his face due to the helmet he wore but his voice was shaking. "We need to pull back. Send out two men to search for the men that ran away. They should be close by!" The guards he had brought with him seemed all to happy to hear that they weren't going against the thigns inside the mine. "You! Help them with the injured one. We need them" He turned away from me without another word and a soldier came up to us and offered to help relieve some of the pressure off Zaynabi. Kharjo groaned as he adjusted to leaning on a taller support but he seemed alright.
Another group of guards had arrived in the morning. They had taken a look at the area in front of the mine and moved on to search for any suvivors. That's how they found us, huddled in the tower and still trying to figure out a way to get past the mine safely. Apparently it was alright as long as you kept your distance from the entrance. Where they guarding something in there? Or someone? Could the person resposible for this be in there? If that was the case then the summoners who brought me here where right before me! I knew I couldn't take the chance to go in there. I would be torn apart and that would be the end of that. There was no grandstanding, nothing that made me invincible. I was just a normal person, more weak than those that surrounded me.
"How's the armor?" Zaynabi came up next to me as we marched with guards on the main road. I adjusted the chest piece and tapped the shoulder pieces.
"Everything seems to be staying put now. It fits a lot better. Thank you." Zaynabi had removed some of the steel pieces that made up the shoulders and legs. The only thing she couldn't really adjust was the chest piece but that fit enough to where it didn't feel loose or move when I did.
"Kharjo wants you to hold onto it for him. His sword as well. He knows that it will take some time for him to heal and even then he wouldn't be able to fight the same way again." I looked over at the stumbling guard and limping Khajiit. My left hand felt the pommel of the sword sheathed at my side and held onto it tightly.
"Thank you. I'll take care of it for him. At least until he can wear it himself." I gave Zaynabi a smile but her face remained grim. Their caravan was in shambles. Two of the four members survived and Kharjo couldn't guard them anymore. I had hardly travelled with them for a day when we where attacked and Dro'marash died. I wondered weather or not they believed I was at fault. Was I cursed?
"Akatosh. I pray once more to you. Please watch over me and my companions. Bless us and help our weary hearts hold strong." I whispered and bowed my head. Not sure if anyone was listening or what Akatosh could do for us but I felt it was needed. I had a new faith in something I had never believed to be real. I had never been the religious type before, but after everything that had been happening and the voice I heard. I was a believer now.
We followed the guards in silence for some time before the walls of Riften came into view. There where many guards outside the walls. They where setting up tents and chopping nearby trees. It looked like other people from in town where also pitching in and chopping trees. Other people ran to and from other areas outside of Riften and bringing back barrels or bags filled with things. I wondered if they where from the farms and black-briar buildings. At least that's what I remembered about the area. I also saw the warrior Mjoll checking weapons and talking to guards.
"I guess the city is taking this very seriously." I said to Zaynabi as we walked past everyone and through the gates of the city. The leader of the group of guards came up to me.
"The creatures have been roaming the lands nearby. I would suggest staying within the walls of the city if you can't fight. We have a healer that will bring your injured friend to the temple of Mara. I have to report to the safe." He turned away and headed to the Keep.
Zaynabi and I helped the priests of Mara get Kharjo into the temple. We layed him on a spare bed and told the priests that if there was anything we could do we would. Zaynabi wanted to stay for a little while longer and help get him comfortable. I nodded and went out to the market square. Everyone was busy running around and helping set up defenses around the walls and bringing supplies to the guard who where outside. I made my way to the inn and stoppe din front of the door.
"The bee and the Barb." I smiled to myself as I opened the door and walked in. I had spent many days in the game just trying to complete all of the Riften quests. All the thieves guild ones too. Some where annoying but others where fun. Like becoming a Nightingale, finding the skeleton key, and helping the guild get back on it's feet.
I shook my head to get myself back to reality and walked up to the counter to secure rooms for Zaynabi and I. After paying the twenty gold I brought my pack to my room andslumped into the bed. It felt nice to relax on the soft texture. After adjusting myslef a little I realized the problem was my armor. I removed the metal pieces carefully and placed them near the bed. I checked my bag sand pulled out grey cloth pants and a tanned shirt. After adjusting the belt I went downstairs and sat down to eat a nice meal.
I savored the taste of the meat and Alto Wine. I thought about getting myself drunk but I knew this wasn't the time. We needed the gold now more than ever and I didn't know when we would be getting out of the city so we would need to conserve what we had.
"Are you Darius?" A man walked up to me clad in full steel armor. I was wary at first but then I saw two guards flanking him.
"I am. Is ther esomething I can help you with?" I asked hesitantly.
"The jarl needs to speak with you."