Growing up I didn't have a normal childhood. When I wasn't in school I was usually off with my brother because my parents worked all the time. He was my main caregiver and as someone who was taking care of me, he wanted me to be able to handle my bullies by myself. So he and his friends taught me many things in order to make me… grow beyond that of a scared little girl. To make me strong enough to handle everything that would come into my life. After all those days of being trained how to not only fight with my hands but with a sword, being tied up and practice getting loose, doing everything they asked of me. It could be why I was just able to survive that dragon attack. When I had gotten into that.. Imperial's inventory I found no guns or pocket knives like I would have thought. I found bows and arrows, a sword, and a dagger. So this place doesn't just look medieval but even the weapons... Are medieval. This place isn't modern at all. There are no cement roads. Trees as far as the eye can see. There is a rushing river just down the cliff to our left and snow-covered mountains to our right. No cars, no motorcycles or bicycles. Nothing modern is here so what can I expect from this place until I find a way home? Another question, is why am I even here? Is this some sort of dream, or is it some kind of sick joke, and somewhere off in the distance I'll run into modern civilization?
That's doubtful, no one I know could put all this together for a joke. It would cost too much to have a fake dragon let alone one that would spew real fire and be able to afford not only the landscaping but hire the actors to play along. No, this isn't some sort of joke and I doubt it's a dream. My dreams usually consist of me being happy somewhere, living on my own, and doing what I want. Never has it been centered around medieval times with swords, bows and arrows, and leather armor. Speaking of which. I reach up to the ugly leather… helmet and yank it off of my head. Shaking my long hair about until gentle pink tendrils fall into my gaze. I wonder if my hair is the only thing that I kept from my appearance... I doubt they would have mirrors but then again didn't people have mirrors in this time period? I think they did so there might be some hope yet. Sudden growling catches my attention and I step in front of Haming withdrawing my sword. How I hate broad swords or even double-edged swords. They are always too long for my height to be able to wield properly. Turning the blade in my hand I could feel sudden eyes on my back that I forced myself to ignore as two black wolves stalk into my line of sight. Wolves. I really don't want to hurt them and knowing their breed they won't attack, unless hungry or we are near their den where they have pups waiting for them. They can be harmless but also extremely deadly if felt threatened. "The wolves here are vicious wild beasts. Keep your eyes open there could be more, they hunt in packs. They will attack without warning or reason." Hadvir explains for me and I step forward so I was now in front of him. I don't want to hurt wolves. I admire the breed, their fierce loyalty to their pack, and their pride. They roam free and their only purpose is to their pack but if they attack I will have no other choice. Right?
Raising my sword I let the sunlight hit the steel and reflect off of it. If they are a part of these lands and not outsiders from another they should know what a sword is. Maybe it will be enough to deter them… Nope. Just then the wolves leaped at me, growling and baring their canines ready to take a chunk out of me. Sidestepping I swing the overly long sword and catch the first to reach me on his side. It yips as it jumps out of my sword's reach just as another leaps at me. I could feel its claws digging into the leather down my side and pierce through to my soft flesh. Biting back a cry of pain I swing the double-edged sword down at the wolf as Hadvir withdraws his own and begins attacking the first wolf I had struck. After my downward swing, I pivot my right foot sending my weight onto the leg as I step in towards the wolf, bringing my sword back up and tearing at the wolf's hide. It staggers back as if trying to gather its bearings, so I leap forward thrusting the blade towards the wolf just in time to catch it under its jaw. I felt the resistance against my blade as my feet touch the ground. With another forward step, I use the momentum to help drive my sword further into the wolf's skull.
If my brother and his friends could see me now. I nearly smirk as I withdraw my sword from the animal. They would be proud. Out of all of my family, my brother was the only one who never treated me like a slave. Like I was worthless and should be happy just for having a roof over my head. He always wanted the best for me. Which is why he and his friends trained me as they had. With a simple swing of my sword, I send the residual blood flying off of my blade. Yes, the training I never thought I would actually use. Knowledge drilled into my mind that I never thought I needed to know. With swords much like the one I am wielding, I know the indentions down the center of the steel are not just for looks. It's a blood catch to prevent blood from lingering on the sharpened ends. It leads down to the tip of the blade in order to protect every inch so it would not rust or dull so easily. With the momentum of slicing the blade through the air, the catch would allow the accumulated blood to easily leave the metal. Sheathing my blade I sigh looking down at the wolf I had just killed. Even though they had attacked first I still feel…. Bad about killing such a noble creature. "Come on, let's get to Riverwood before nightfall." Hadvir speaks up moving past me. Turning momentarily I grab onto Haming's hand and lead him behind Hadvir. Only now letting the feelings of eyes on me reach my conscious thoughts. Who could be watching us? Why are they staying out of sight? Would they be friends or enemies?
Shaking my head I come up on Hadvir's heels as we turn with the road before he slowly stops in front of three weird rock formations. "This is the guardian stones. They guide us down the paths we choose. Go ahead, choose one." He speaks with a smile to his voice as I release Haming and walk up towards the three weird rocks. Taking in the fact that they were more cone-like in structure. Round yet with a peaked tip leveled off so it wouldn't be a sharp point. There were markings engraved in the stones that reminded me of star constellations and a hole in the stone near the top. "The stars guide us even when we feel that we cannot go on." Hadvir explains somewhat as I look more towards the carvings.
This one looks like what my brother would call a rogue or an assassin. Maybe a thief. Why would anyone want to choose the path of stealing from others? There is a lot of risks. If you break into someone's house and get caught not only do you risk going to jail but also you risk being killed for trespassing. I wouldn't understand why anyone would choose that path willingly. Turning towards another I take in the shape of someone wearing robes. I think they are robes because I can't see a man wearing a long sleeve dress with no intricate designs whatsoever. Then again so far all men I've seen have been wearing skirts so who knows what they would wear. "That is the sign of the mage. The stars guide scholars in their search for wisdom and strengthening their aptitude." A mage huh? Wouldn't that be like a witch or something? Sighing I shake my head. That only reminds me of my best friend and the painful feeling further reminding me that I do not know how to return to her. Looking at the other one I realize it was much easier to understand. The armor appears to be much like the one that the female captain had been wearing only, this one covered more of its body much like the metal suits of armor you would find in medieval times. This would stand for a knight or otherwise a fighter. A warrior in its own right. Knowing what I do about history Knights are known for their honor as they fight to not only protect their king but the people of their kingdom. Glory though, a lot of people would feel they fought for was only a secondary plus for them. They gained glory in the battles they've won but also it would mean they had managed to protect and bring honor to their family.
Touching the Warrior stone I trace the intricate carving until I suddenly see a blue light move along the indentions. Stepping back with wide eyes I wonder if I had done something wrong, as I watch the blue light travel up towards the hole in the stone and accumulate there. The sound of electricity echoes around me until it suddenly shoots up towards the sky as if sending the stars themselves the message that I had chosen to follow the path of a knight. "The warrior stone. An honorable choice that." Hadvir comments with a short chuckle drawing my attention back to the darkening area around us. Walking up towards the short silhouette I knew to be Haming, I take his hand and begin following Hadvir again.
I wonder what that stone was really for? Like how will it even help me get home? As we enter the town I notice a couple of guards near a campsite just outside of the walls next to the road. They were talking amongst themselves wearing what looks like steel helmets that were reflecting the gentle glow of the coals. Following Hadvir past the wall, he soon walks up some wooden steps of the first house that had some strange-looking work area outside it. What could that be for? I silently wonder as we pass by a metal-looking workbench and an area blocked off by stone rocks with hot coals inside of the pit. That would be one place that would be awesome to have a bonfire most likely… Well if only the roof wasn't over the top of it so it wouldn't catch the house on fire too. Following Hadvir inside, I let Haming go in first while the brunet was greeting who I believe is his uncle, who was already sitting at a table with food on it. Following Hadvir's advance, I lead Haming to the table and make sure he is set down before finding an empty chair myself at the end of the table. There were bottles and what looks like wooden plates and bowls on the wooden surface. The silverware that should be set next to the plates didn't even really look like silverware at all. What I could only guess was suppose to be a fork reminded me of my dad's grilling fork he would use to flip steaks on the grill with two sharp ends rather than the four small grooves of metal I am used to.
I was letting the others talk as I watch Haming tear into some bread that was in front of him. I had almost been afraid after what happened today that he wouldn't want to eat even though I know he needed to. "Twilight." Hadvir's voice catches my attention successfully pulling my gaze away from Haming. "My aunt and uncle has said you can stay here as long as you need to and that you can use his forge outside." I give him a nod and try to smile at the man and the woman who had just sat down. "Thank you so much for your hospitality."
"You're a polite one aren't you?" His uncle chuckles with a smile before his wife follows. "Please make yourself at home and feel free to use what you need within reason." I give her a nod before setting the helmet I had only just realized I was still holding down onto the table. "With this talk of dragons at Helgen, I fear we may be next. Could you go to Whiterun and plead to the Jarl to send reinforcements?" She asks as the two men chatter amongst themselves. I look towards her in confusion. Why would she want me to go? I don't know where this Whiterun is or what a Jarl even is. "I. I don't know how to get to Whiterun." I speak before thinking and feel my shoulders slouch. I'm usually so good at holding my tongue so why am I suddenly speaking? "That is alright. If you follow the road across the bridge then head north you will get there." She smiles before I look down. North? If the sun rises in the east and sets in the west it should be fairly easy to tell which way is north right? But what if I leave now and the moon is up but I can't tell which way it is raising when it's sitting still without watching it. "Here, you can use this map." She suddenly speaks upholding something out to me. Looking towards her I see a tanned slightly yellow piece of parchment folded up in her hand. Taking it I open it and look at the vast area of the land I am not a part of.
Without thinking I move the stuff in front of me on the table more towards the middle and set the map down. Using my finger to find Helgen I trace the faint line I am guessing was the road we had just walked. Until I find Riverwood. The symbol for the town overlapped what I'm guessing is the river that runs right next to it. I didn't see a bridge beyond the one just on the other side of the guardian stones that we had to cross to get here. So that means if I follow the road through town I should come across a bridge that would link this road with the next set on the other side. It seems one leads into some hills... Or are they mountains? I think Hadvir had said something while I was thinking earlier. Something about bleak falls barrow overlooking Riverwood in the mountains on the other side of the river. Yes, so those hill-like things on this map are mountains, okay. So as long as I don't take the one leading into the mountains I should get to WhiteRun. Easy enough right? Looking up from the map I nod to her. "I'll go to WhiteRun first thing in the morning but.." I shift my gaze toward Haming. "Before I leave I need to figure out how to send a message to Froki Whetted-Blade in the mountains near Riften to inform him what happened at Helgen and where his grandson is." She frowns as I watch her eyes glance towards the boy across the table from her before she finally looks back towards me. "I'll have a courier send the message for you. As for Haming. He can stay here until his grandfather comes for him." I finally smile feeling relieved that Haming will be safe. I didn't really want to venture to WhiteRun and have him tagging along and possibly getting hurt or worse because of something.
"Twilight." Hadvir speaks again still smiling from whatever he and his uncle had been talking about. "It seems that since you are not from around here I can help you by telling you about Skyrim if you want?" I give him a nod as I stand seeing Haming having finished eating. He was now looking down and even I could tell his eyes were heavy with sleep from everything that happened today. "That would be wonderful Hadvir, but first... Haming... We need to get you to bed alright." I speak gently to him and he glances up before nodding with a yawn. He is a good kid, isn't he? Not even arguing about going to bed. "Here he can sleep on the bed over there." Hadvir's aunt speaks up causing me to smile. "Thank you." I mention as I guide the sleepy boy over to the bed and watch him crawl in without another word uttered. He curls up on the animal hides nearly causing me to smirk. Pulling them off of under him gently I cover him with them, before tucking as much of the hide around his form as I could. "Ni.." He begins before his sleepy voice cuts off with another yawn and his eyes close. "Good night Haming." I mutter down to him before standing up and walking back over towards the table as Hadvir was smirking at me. "What?" I ask when I set down and begin folding my map up the way his aunt had given it to me.
"Nothing." He pauses as I watch him take a drink from a brown glass bottle. What could be in that? I wondered curiously. "It seems like either you are a mother or will make an amazing one from the way you've handled Haming." I give him a raise of my brow before shaking my head and stifling a laugh. "No, I don't have kids. Before however, I ended up in Helgen, I would take care of my brother's kids since my parents have guardianship of them. But they are old enough now that they cannot keep up with ones so young." I watch as Hadvir's brow furrows momentarily before he suddenly changes the subject as if he suspects that topic is one I would not like to venture into. He's right, but I'm not sure how I feel about him assuming or if I should even feel anything. Hadvir is rather good looking and there's something that's just… not right with how he shows kindness. "Anyway. What would you like to know about Skyrim, Twilight?" He questions me before taking another drink from his bottle. What do I want to know? Well since I don't know how to get home, I need to know everything. But I should probably ask about what to expect out there when I venture to WhiteRun first. So I'm not taken by surprise. "The lands. What can I expect from them?" Slipping my map into my pocket I lean forward on my right elbow which is now on top of the table.
"Oh, well you've already seen the ravenous wolves we have, but as far as I know, there are also trolls, giants, bandits, and highwaymen." Wait, trolls and giants?! Holy Shit! "Are they all dangerous?" I question though I am silently hoping that the giants are friendly. I would so love to meet one. "Basically yes. Giants usually only attack if you get too close to them or the mammoths." Mammoths?! Aren't they extinct?! Well anyway, it seems like the giants are a no-go for talking to and getting to know. Too bad. I would love to know more about them. "So there are bandits and highwaymen. I'm guessing they are almost the same thing right?" I question getting a nod from Hadvir. "Yes, other than skeletons and Draugr which you usually only see in crypts that's about all you can expect from this area." What?! Skeletons? "Like really live skeletons that move around and attack you?" I couldn't help my dumbfounded and disbelieving tone which causes Hadvir to laugh light-heartedly. Was he just joking then? "Yes, I've never seen one personally but that's pretty much how they are." How the hell?! "Draugr though are long deceased nords guarding the tombs. Again I've never seen them but they don't take kindly to those that step into their sanctuaries." Draugr? They sound like Zombies! Okay, note to self. I'm never ever, ever, ever going into a tomb. I hate Zombies, just zombie movies give me nightmares for weeks and my parents love causing me emotional turmoil like that. "Do they… Do you like turn into a Zom... Draugr if you are bitten?" Though I meant this question to be serious as hell, Hadvir just bursts into a fit of laughter. Wow, and here I thought he was really nice and sweet but he's laughing at me like that? Come on, it's a legitimate question! Especially if you knew what I do about the fictional nightmares. "No, you can't turn into a Draugr." He finally speaks as his laughter slows though he was still chuckling. Wiping his eyes that had shed tears from how hard he had laughed. Sweet so even though they will be like ooberly scary looking if you fight them you don't stand a chance of being zombified. Maybe… Maybe while I'm here if I ever feel confident enough I might be able to work through that fear.
I'm almost afraid to ask this… but here it goes. I take in a breath in order to steady my nerves that are now on edge from him talking about zombies. "Is... Is there anything else I... I need to watch for?" His smile fades as my fear seeps through my words. "Look. If you're scared I understand. I know you can handle yourself against wolves but even I can tell you are weak." I'm… weak? Standing up I lean forward on the table watching him. Moving my left hand to my hip I raise a brow. I trained with those boys for too long to be considered pitiful or weak. There are a lot of things I am, but weak is not one. I just know it. "What makes you think I'm weak, Hadvir?" He frowns as his brows furrow almost as if he was silently wondering if he had said something wrong with his statement. "Look, I know that looks aren't everything but, you are short." I felt my cheeks redden with building anger. No one calls me short. I'm not short! I'm of average height. I'm Five-foot Three and a half. I'm not short. "Also you are extremely skinny, you have hardly any muscle to you at all. If you ran into a troll or even just a bear you could easily be overtaken without the strength to fend them off." Standing straight I look down at my form. Even through this leather armor, I can tell that not only my hair was brought from my world. My entire body was. I am who I was, so maybe he's right. If a bear came at me I know for a fact hunters themselves don't like to tango with the beasts because of how powerful they can be. Even if you wield a gun against them. That's not looking at how right now unless I use arrows I'd have to fight within striking distance of one of them. Even knowing this. I'm not scared and I won't back down. "Whatever this world has to offer. I will confront it all head-on. I'll show you that I am not weak."
Even with that being said though, I have no idea how I'm going to back that up and prove him wrong. He just smirks at me and takes another drink of his almost empty bottle. "With a fire like that in your eyes. Suddenly I don't doubt that you will prove me wrong." Smirking at him I turn towards what I'm guessing is a cooking station over the fire. In here is far too warm for my liking but I know people prefer the warmth and comfort they get from it. I couldn't help my mind from whirling around what he had told me and the proclamation I had just claimed. How am I going to confront everything when I can barely maneuver my sword? "What's a forge?" I quietly ask, drawing Hadvir's attention as I hear him make a sound of confusion before one of realization. "Blacksmiths use them to create weapons and armor."
"So, your uncle is a blacksmith?" I ask looking over my shoulder towards him to see he now has a new bottle of whatever he's drinking. "Yes, why?" Looking back towards the glowing embers I find my hand moving to the sword hilt at my side. "Could he forge me a sword to my exact specifications?" Silence followed as I heard the faint sounds of him taking another drink. "Probably, depends on your specifications."
"A Katana." I mutter now getting another sound of confusion from him. Rolling my shoulders as I take in a sigh I turn to look towards him. "I need a sword made of tempered steel. It's about three feet in length including the handle. It is a one-sided blade with a slight curve upwards. I prefer the handle to be no larger than two inches in diameter and no longer than six inches. It needs to be built strong and sturdy but still light enough it can be held with one hand, so probably no more than six to eight pounds total. "Sounds a lot like an ebony sword is what you are looking for." His gruff voice filters over to us from the stairs as he leans against the railing. His face was as red as my dad's would get when my dad would drink. Leading me to believe he was downstairs drinking before he heard me mention a sword. "Can you make one?" I ask him as I turn more fully towards him. "Hm, yes but the tools are not cheap. I mainly work with steel and Iron because that is what is cheaper to not only make but to sell for those around these parts that do not have much for gold." Taking a step towards him I feel my heart hammer in my chest. How much are we talking about? Is it even possible for me to somehow afford one? Nonono, stop thinking like that. No matter the cost I have to figure out how to afford it. I need it. It's the only sword I can wield properly. "No matter the cost, if you make me a sword to my specifications I will find a way to earn the money for it. You will be paid even if I cannot wield it until I have paid you for it."
"I like the look in your eyes kid. Okay, then I'll make you a deal. You pay for what I am going to need in order to craft your sword and I'll take a nice chunk out of the cost of the sword itself." I felt my eyes widen. Is the sword really that expensive? If it is this may be my lucky day. "What do you need for it?" He smirks and stands up straight watching me. "Two ebony ingots to craft it, one to sharpen it on the grindstone, one leather strip, and I'll have you chop me wood for my forge." That doesn't seem too difficult. But I don't know where I can get ebony ingots. "Where can I find the ingots?" I finally ask as I cross my arms. "Blacksmiths that work with them or around. I bet there has to be some bandits that have some, if you lack the money. Otherwise, you can give me the money and I'll simply order them."
I give him a raise of my brow. Yes but then I would probably have to pay for the order and then pay him for the ingots that will be used. I have a feeling that's the direction he is going with. It's not unlike businesses to use those hidden fees. To make the customer believe they are getting a deal but really are paying either the same amount or more even for what they want. "I'll get you the stuff you need." I mutter before turning around and going towards the door. "Where are you going Twilight? It's still dark out." Hadvir speaks up as he stands. I could feel my cheeks threaten to burn red but this time not with anger. Looking away from him I peer down at the door handle allowing my hair to cover my face. "I smell like Helgen with so many sent to their fiery deaths. Who knows exactly what was blowing on our faces amongst the wind and debris, so I'm going to the river." I mutter having already figured that being set so far back in eras they probably don't have a shower. " ." He stutters as I hear him sit back down. "Take a jug with you. It will be easier than wading into the rapidly moving waters." I heard something move as I glance through my hair to see him now holding out a metal water jug in such a way his face was being blocked from my sight. So, he's blushing too. I nearly smirk as I take the jug and walk outside.
The moment the cool air hits me I close my eyes taking in the chilly air movement. Enjoying how it clings to my all too hot body from how warm it was inside. "So nice." I breathe before walking around the house to try and find a spot of the river that was both at least partially hidden and nearby. I found a lumber mill and glanced around curiously for any onlookers. Beyond the guard on the wall nearby who was looking away from town, I saw no one that would watch. Smiling I walk up towards the water's edge and begin yanking off the armor that was coated in the stink of burning flesh. Keeping my weapons close by I feel my skin break out in goosebumps from the chilly air. Instead of shivering, I find myself smiling, enjoying how my body temperature was dropping. I know why I like the cold so much. Whenever I go to the doctor just for a check-up my body temperature is never above 94 degrees. The only times it's higher than that, is when I'm sick. So if I'm around heat and my body temperature raises, I don't feel so well. But the cold, it's a welcoming embrace even though I know that if my temperature drops too much, not even I am immune to hypothermia but still... I can't stand warm climates.
Dipping the jug into the fast-moving water I let it fill before raising it above my head and pouring the cold water fall over my hair and body. The water making the breeze that much colder nearly made me laugh before I set the empty jug down. The water is moving really fast and it will be difficult to stand, but I'm pretty sure that if I stay closer to the edge I will be fine. I want to be submerged in the water. I can't properly scrub my body and hair if I am just dumping water on me. Grabbing onto the nearby tree I step my right foot into the river before finally my left. Automatically I felt the water begin to take off with me so I tried to find something in order to hang onto tighter. A root from the tree caught my eye as my heart was beginning to thump radically in my chest. If I miss the root I'm gone. I'll be taken away by the water. I found myself nearly closing my eyes as my feet leave the river bed taking what hold I had on the tree with them. As quickly as I could I latch onto the tree root with all my might. I was fully submerged all right but with my pitiful arms…. What was I thinking! I can't pull myself back up, the current is too strong! I could feel my lungs beginning to burn as they argue with me from how I'm holding my breath instead of taking in the fresh air. Turning my head towards the current I try to pull myself further up the root but as I manage to bend my elbows the current pushes me back.
This sucks. I'm finally free, and I found a self-preservation I forgot I had after going through Helgen. Now I'm going to die because of my own stupidity. I could feel the water rushing past me flipping my hair around my arms and body threatening to tangle me up. Nonono, I refuse to go down like this! I chose the warrior stone because knights are honorable and good. They aren't weak and they don't back down! I shout at myself in my head as I return to fighting against the current. I felt my hand finally move up an inch on the root and my heart was making my head pound from my lack of air. I will not give up! Twilight, get your butt up out of this water! You will not drown here. Not now that you don't have someone standing over the top of you and treating you like a slave. You are free. My hands move up another inch and I can feel the surface of the water rushing past my head. Raising my head I try to take in a breath of air but I was barely able to get the tip of my nose up. Just a bit more. Come on! Move it. Wait…. What if I… Curling my legs I use my arms and the root to anchor me as I force my legs beneath me. Finally feeling the slippery river bottom beneath my feet I push my head the rest of the way to the surface. Finally being able to suck in fresh air my lungs frantically inhale and exhale to collect as much air as I could. Ha-ha! I'm not going to die!
It was then a hand reaches down in front of me drawing my gaze away from my fight as I see a head of blond hair. In the night I couldn't quite make out what he was wearing but the sash over his shoulder did show even the slightest bit blue in the dim light. "Grab on." His heavy accent nearly had me letting go of the root in surprise. This guy had blond facial hair coating his upper lip and his neck probably from not having shaved in days if that isn't how he actually likes it. His eyes were gentle as they look down at me and I finally nod at his words. I could picture that face from the stormcloaks on the other wagon. He was the only stormcloak on that wagon that hadn't had his mouth gagged. "Ready, now!" He calls down to me and the word barely reaches my ears before I release the root and suck in a breath. Throwing my hand up, I try to grab onto his hand as I am pulled under but when I close my hand I find nothing. What?! What happened to his hand! I'm going to die! Just as my hand slipped under the water I felt a large hand firmly grasp onto my wrist and begin pulling me up. My head finally resurfaced out of the water as I sputter out some that had come in with the air I tried to intake.
After fighting with the current to pull me up I finally feel myself reach the river bank coughing. My arms feel like led as they fall to the ground in front of me when he finally let's go and sets down himself. His breathing is heavy as he tries to catch his breath. "The current may not look that bad from the shore but it will take away even the burliest Nord if he would venture into it." He says as I finally manage to sit up and look back to the river. "What were you doing anyway?" I shake my head and look over at the outfit I had set aside. I still need to rinse the stench off of it but… I'm too tired! "I was trying to wash away the stench of burning bodies." I finally manage before unsteadily rising to my feet and reaching for my clothes. "Yes, that smell is unforgettable and it lingers.." I could hear his voice slow and drop a few octaves proving the darkening of his own emotions as he recalls earlier in the day. "The eyes…." I mutter as it hits me before I could even think about what I had said. Falling silent I yank on my armor again. "Huh?" He questions as I feel him watching me while I slip on my boots. Should I? I mean what if I'm wrong, my nerves are shot I could have imagined it. Well, either way. "The eyes I felt watching us when we fought against the wolves. They were yours." I speak as I stand up straight and pull my hair from under the leather armor before turning to my bracers and slipping them onto my forearms. "So you noticed." He mutters and I finally look to him before setting back down once I was completely dressed. Making sure my weapons were within reaching distance seems silly with how he had just saved me. It just felt like in this world… I needed to be on my guard. "I did but the others I was with either didn't or didn't say anything about it."
"Well, seeing how you noticed us I don't think I need to ask how you got out." He chuckles and I shake my head before turning my gaze towards the rushing water blackened by the night. "I found the easiest route out of the place and ran. I couldn't chance sticking around with a child on my back and a guy that kept trying to fry himself every turn we took." The guy suddenly bursts out laughing as I smirk at my own words. Really he did nearly find himself on the receiving end of the fire-breathing dragon and another time he didn't even notice that dragon was right over our heads. If we would have run the way he wanted us to we would have been the next to burn. So I wasn't stretching the truth too far really, the guy is lucky to have made it out alive.
"Why an imperial?" He suddenly questions breaking the newfound silence that had finally stretched between us. I glance at the man next to me from the corner of my eye, even though he was facing the river I could tell his eyes were on me. He was bound too in the other wagon, a stormcloak like I was told by that woman. Since the Imperials ambushed the stormcloaks it's not too difficult to figure out that they were on opposite sides of a war. Even before Hadvir told me about how this Jarl Ulfred's death would have ended the war. Just the simply put question weighing lightly in the air from a gently spoken tone, was only uttered because he's trying to figure out why I would save one of the ones that had me bound and were ready to watch my head roll. "A life is a life." I finally spoke with a sigh looking away from him.
"No life is more important than another. They may have been willing to watch our lives end but that didn't mean I had to fall to their level and let him die. He's not a bad guy, I can see it in his eyes but like with all wars. It's only a fight between leaders, the rest are just the ones that obey orders believing that the one they have chosen to support is right. If you take away the leaders you will find that deep down both sides are just men and women. They are the same, their hearts beat pulsing the blood within their veins. No matter what they look like, it is the air they breathe, the land they live off of. When you take away everything like beliefs you would find there is no difference. So why not save a fellow soul that is simply trying to live and fight for what he believes is right?"
"Wise words spoken from someone so young." I could hear him smile if only briefly before I turn to look at him as I puff out my cheeks. "I'm twenty years old." I correct him and he chuckles. "I am still older than you." I roll my eyes. "You sound like an old man but I wouldn't put you any older than thirty."
"It's still ten years." He mutters and I nearly find myself reaching out to poke him as I would with my best friend but somehow I manage to stop myself. "You are only as old as you think you are."
"I wish that were true." He chuckles as I turn away to look at the river again. I find my eyes growing heavy. I should go to sleep soon but I don't want to go back into that hot house. Maybe I'll just lay out here. Would it be safe to? I mean I'm in a town and there are a few guards out but not many. No, it would be stupid of me to sleep here. Pushing myself to my feet I grab my weapons and place them back where they are supposed to be. "I'm going to go to bed. It's late and I must leave for WhiteRun early in the morning once I have things straightened out." I wanted to thank him but the words suddenly just stuck in my mouth and I found myself turning away. Walking back towards the house without even waiting for him to respond. Why am I being rude? How hard could it be to thank someone for saving you from your own stupid mistake?! Shaking my head I walk inside and before I knew it, I found myself curling up in bed next to Haming. He asked me not to leave his side… It hasn't even been more than six hours and I am already planning on breaking that promise. Knowing that... I feel guilt threatening to tug at me even though I know if I want him to be safe until his grandfather arrives, I need to get more guards stationed here so he stands more of a chance.