Chapter 4: The Golden Claw and Silver tongues.
{You woke up feeling rested… Or did you?}
I woke up groaning with a subtle feeling that someone bashed my skull with an anvil, or a bad headache some people might call it.
As I put my hand up against my head, I felt some bandages around my head, just remembering that Nora had socked me in the face.
"That fucking bitch…" I muttered in anger.
"I'm sorry, do you mind repeating what you justsaid?" I heard a threatening feminine voice, if you can call it that, to which my head snapped to the direction of the voice, which is right next to my bed. It was Nora…
'…Fuck my life…' I thought in my head.
"N-nothing, sorry, forget I said anything please." I said while looking away in shame, having now notice that Ralof and Hadvar are in the room with them both also noticing my awakening.
"Uh-huh, that's what I thought. Now stay still." Nora said while pulling my blanket off of me.
I was about to fight her off because of the sudden action, but I remembered the injury I had to my stomach and let her look with no resistance. However, the moment she had pulled out a dagger to cut the bandages along my stomach, I tensed up when the dagger was inserted in between the bandage and myself.
"I'm not going to cut you. Infuriating as you are to deal with most of the times, I really have no reason to act upon any irrational decisions. I would rather have the information as soon as possible then be done with the dragon threat." Nora said while getting rid of the bandages on my torso.
The moment that I saw what was underneath, I was shocked to say the least. A familiar pattern of characters was on my stomach and a 5 scared circular pattern from the fingers that once embedded my stomach, and not just any pattern…
Kanji
While I am not familiar with what they say, I do know that it may be from a certain anime called 'Naruto' and the pattern was definitely some type of sealing with how intricate the pattern was. But what I do not know is what is sealed within me, and from what I know about Daedric princes, I REALLY, do not want to know the horrific outcome of what it holds.
Wait… if this is a sealing-THAT MOTHERFUCKER JUST DID A SEALING JUTSU ON ME!
"By the look on your face, I can assume that you know what that is on your stomach, what is it? Is it something that we need to worry about?" Nora had spoken in a neutral tone that snapped me back from my thoughts.
I looked at Nora and the other people in the room. Alvor, his wife, and daughter are here with Hadvar and Ralof looking with concern on my being. My memories tell me that the family can be trusted, but I really don't know if anything I say will affect the future with rumors, or anything I really don't want to be bothered with.
"Jester, I can understand that you don't want to say anything, but we need to know if you will be safe for now, can you tell us if there is any immediate danger from what is on your stomach?" Alvor said with a look of consern.
I looked to the family of Nords, and I made my decision.
"The short answer to put everyone's mind at ease, I think I will be fine." I spoke out with a look of relief filling the room.
"The long answer… I wish to speak to just my original companions. I am willing to talk, and what I am going to say is going to sound crazy, but I don't want to risk any leaks to any outside forces and put anyone in danger long term." I continued.
Before anyone could say anything, Alvor spoke up first.
"We understand, we will leave you to your wishes." Alvor spoke out surprising me. Sigrid was lightly pushing the daughter to follow her. She gave a pout in wanting to stay but abide to her father's orders.
When they exited the house to leave us to privacy, Ralof and Hadvar came up to the bed.
"What is it that you want to explain to us lad?" Ralof asked me.
"Ok, before I go and explain myself, know that at this point, I am just as confused as you guys are." The eyes started to widen in surprise. "I will start off with what is on my stomach, I don't really know exactly what this is, but I can take a guess about what it is. This is basically a type of seal, and something may be inside of me-But before you ask, I do not know what is in there, nor do I have an idea of how to undo or get rid of the seal…" I explained to them to which they slowly nodded.
"Maybe we can take you to a mage to have you looked at-" Hadvar suggested, but I quickly interrupted.
"Hell no, I am not willing to be a fucking guinea pig for some damn experiment, and they will likely kill me in the process should they be reckless. I know damn well of what mages are capable of and how far their curiosity goals go, and most of them can go fuck themselves. Worse case, I will get to someone at the collage who I can trust with my life to do it." I quickly rebutted.
"Now I am sure that you are wondering about the one who caused all this. And I need you guys to not freak out when I tell you this." I asked them, to which they nodded in agreement.
"Who we encountered earlier was a Daedric Prince, his name is Quin, the New Daedric Prince of Entertainment."
The room went silent as wide eyes were forming on me at the mention of a Daedric prince.
"Oh, and before you say anything, Quin is the reason why I am here, after striking a deal with Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness." I added.
"…By the nine… It was worse than I could have ever imagined…" Ralof stared in disbelief with Hadvar being left speechless.
"Believe me, you don't know the start of it… either way, we won't be able to do anything about it until we know more, or if something pops up. Until then, we can ignore that fact for now and focus on our current goals."
"Ignore that you were involved in a deal with 2 powerful Daedric princes maybe even more, not a chance in Oblivion. First dragons, now this? We need to find powerful allies to help us with the rising threats as soon as possible and head to Whiterun immediately." Nora responded.
"Nora, as much as I would agree with you, you don't know anything about what is going to happen in the future. Right now, you need to listen to what I have to say and trust my judgment on what to do next. I am giving you information, and I need you to listen." I explained as I got out of the bed staring into the eyes of the she-beast.
Nora was about to talk back, but the firmness in my voice and stance of a healed body seemed to have stopped her and made her think about what I have to say.
"Ok, now that I have your attention, I can assume that you guys did some exploring around town to see if I was right?" I turned to Ralof and Hadvar, to which they both nodded.
"It is as you predicted, the old hag was spouting off about a dragon flying over Bleak Falls Barrow, the golden claw was the only thing that was stolen from the store, and you were somewhat right on the conversation at the inn, but It was cut short as soon as Delphine saw Ralof and I walk in." Hadvar answered my question.
"Hm… basically two out of three, so do you believe me, or do you want more proof?"
"What I want to know, is our next move. If you are done healing up, we need to stop wasting time here. If not Whiterun, what is our best move to stop the dragons?" Hadvar demanded with a bravado in him.
"Our next move? We need to go to Bleak Falls Barrow. There is something in there that we need to get, and we won't be able to stop the dragons without it." I answered Hadvar, to which that bravado immediately faded, and Ralof being wide eyed.
"Wait-wait-wait! Do we really have to go there?! Our ancestors would not appreciate us from desecrating their sleeping grounds!" Ralof protested.
"Oh? I knew you two hated dealing with Dragur, but what if I told you that Bandits were also there, looting your dead ancestors. Also, those very same bandits are the ones who stole the golden dragon claw from the shop keeper. We have three reasons to go there, so why not kill three birds with one stone… Heh, pun joke!" I said aloud, to which the three Nords looked at me funny.
"Eh, you'll get it soon enough… Uh... Where is my shirt at?" I asked looking around the room.
"Your shirt? Oh I ripped it up for your bandages." Nora said with a straight face.
"…" I stared blankly at Nora. Taking my things was one thing, but destroying my original possessions is a whole new level of unforgiveness.
This. Bitch.
"You know… I really do hate you." I said with a sigh, knowing that I cant really do anything that won't result in a broken bone or five.
"Tell me something I don't know. Anyways, I got you something to cover you up for later. Here." Nora gave me a set of unique leather armor that traveled down to the lower legs, that was insulated with fur and leather boots.
"Custom made for you and reinforced leather strong enough to block a few fatal blows, so be grateful to my uncle Alvor and tell him thanks for the hospitality. We already gotten supplies while you were out cold, so we will be ready to leave at a moment's notice." Hadvar spoke with a bit of pride in his uncle's work.
As I was about to put on the armor, I stared at Nora who was still looking at me…
"…What? You going to put on your armor or not? It is rude to not accept other people's gift, especially if it is free." Nora quipped at me.
"One. You still owe me a custom-made white cotton T-shirt. And two, does the word 'privacy' not exist in your culture? Can I have some privacy time to myself to put on my armor, or are you going to stare at me while I change?" I stated the obvious question to Nora.
Two results happened. First one, Ralof was snickering at the remark. Second result, Nora punched the shit out of me, which left me on the ground in pain and left the house with a huff as she made a death stare at Ralof to which he turned stone face at the immediate gaze.
"I will be waiting outside the village gate for you. Don't keep me waiting." Nora threatened as she closed the door.
Overall, I still kinda hate her, and she still owed me a shirt.
As I got equipped, with some trouble putting on the armor, but thanks to Hadvar, I managed to learn how to put on and take off the armor. It is no Daedric level armor, but I guess it will have to do for now… It is really comfy though…
As I exited the house, Riverwood looked just as I imagined it was…
Kinda small and shitty. But it had the familiar feeling of home. The watermill was being worked on by Hod, the owner I think. The crackling fire could be heard from the Blacksmith forge, and the children and town dog is running around without a care in the world of death, dragons, vampires and Daedra.
I saw the Blacksmith and wife out next to the forge area and I gave them my thanks for the hospitality and armor.
I was about to go to the shop, but I remembered that Hadvar and Ralof already talked to the owner, and by the fact that I don't have any gold on me. I am left with really nothing else left to do, so I walked my way to the exit gate to where Nora, Hadvar, and Ralof were waiting.
{10 minutes of traveling later…}
So Nora gave me back my iron sword and shock spell book. As to be expected, yet unexpected, I am unable to read any of the book with its weird texts and symbols. It was going to take some time before we arrive to Bleak Falls Barrow, and my only option of passing the time was useless, but who is to say that I don't make my own entertainment to pass the time…
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
"Are we there yet?"
"No!"
"Are we there yet?"
"No!"
"Are we there yet?"
"NO! Say that one more damn time, and I will punch you in your fucking throat!" Nora threatened loudly, seemingly to have enough of my bullshit.
"Why does traveling have to be a pain in the ass!? Why can't we just fast travel to our destination!? The book sucks, my feet are killing me, and it is getting too cold for me!" I complained loudly as the temperature dropped.
Snow was starting to fall, and we were climbing on the side of a mountain path. Little to say that the gear I have on equipped, is having little effect to keeping my warmth.
"You missed the part where that is my problem, now shut up, and be a man like you are supposed to be! We are almost there to the first bandit outpost, so shut up, or we will be spotted!" Nora responded.
"Ugh, FINE! But I am still going to grumble! (Grumble-Grumble)" I grumbled.
"(Sigh) Thank you lass, for a second, I thought I wasn't going to hear the end of it the entire way up." Ralof thanked Nora, to which she huffed in response.
"Agreed. Oh, I think I see the outpost! I'll go ahead and scout the numbers. Jester, don't make yourself known." Hadvar spoke up while climbing a small hill with bushes to hide behind to peak at the stone tower outpost.
"I'll be right behind you." Ralof said while joining Hadvar.
They both took out a small telescope and stared through the eyeglass trinket at the first outpost tower for a while.
"At this point, I don't see why we just can't rush the outpost. These bandits are supposed to be weak level enemies, aren't they?" I said aloud while shivering with my arms having no affect to keep me warm.
"Bandits or not, you should never underestimate your opponent." Nora said while crossing her arms, seemingly unaffected by the cold.
A minute pass by… Ralof and Hadvar was still staring through the telescope, Nora was standing in the cold with her arms crossed, eyes closed waiting for her next order.
Oh my fucking god, this is taking forever…
I decided to do something that I wouldn't normally do in a play through, and I didn't really want to fight anyone in the cold right now, so I decided to sneak past Nora, who showed no sign of interest in my movement and walked up to the small outpost.
(3rd POV)
"Ok, I think there might be 5 or 6 bandits in the outpost, with the one big Orc standing near the tree looking to be the biggest threat. I can't really tell, but it is safe to assume that they outnumber us." Hadvar said while having trouble guessing the numbers of the bandits.
"You sure? I thought I saw 7 in the tower with one archer on the top. I don't think we will be able to fight them all off at once." Ralof said with an unease in his voice.
"Oh? And here I thought you knew how to deal with camps of bandits." Hadvar teased.
"Hey, I am usually with a group of experienced soldiers around 5 or 6 men at least, not just 2 soldiers, a woman who is basically an agitated bear, and a milk drinker who acts like a child." Ralof defended.
"Wait, there is someone approaching the outpost and having a chat with a bandit!" Hadvar spoke up while getting his telescope focused on the new entity starting a chat with the Orc bandit.
"…Huh… He looks a bit like Jester…"
"…Yeah, I think he does…"
""Wait a minute…"" They both said in unison as they turned back to see Nora alone.
"He is going to get himself killed! What do we do?!" Ralof began to panic.
"By the gods, I don't know! I've never had to deal with someone this fucking stupid!" Hadvar tried to keep a cool head but continued to look through the telescope to decide to see if they should rush the outpost or let one of the key figures to saving the world die to bandits.
"Wait a second… Is he… talking with the big Orc bandit?" Hadvar had to take another look through his telescope to see if his eyes were deceiving him. but alas, his sight held true as 2 more bandits emerged from the outpost, one with a bow at the top of the tower, and the other with an axe at the entrance.
(Back to Isaiah)
"Hey! Excuse me!" I got the attention of a big green and muscular Orc bandit with hide armor with a wolf pelt strung around himself with the head off to the side of his shoulder with a shaved head and a pony tail tied at the base of his head that was leaning against the tree, his first reaction was to unsheathe his sword at the site of me.
…Ok, at this point, I think that the cold has gotten to me, and it is making me think of irrational and hasty decisions… Ah screw it, I already dug myself a grave since the beginning, and I have already made it this far, let's see if I am able to bullshit my way out through this one.
"That's close enough. Turn around, and Trok won't kill you." The Orc threatened brandishing his sword that looked a bit too small for him to swing around.
Wait, did he refer himself in the third person?
"Hey-Hey, easy on the killing spree, I am one of you guys, I was supposed to be up there in Bleak Falls Barrow with some guy named Arven the Swift? Arlos the Swift? He was a dark elf, but I can't remember his name…" I tried to remember that one guy's name.
"Uh, Arvel the Swift?" The orc corrected me unsurely of his actions.
"Yeah, that guy! I was supposed to be with him a few hours ago, but I got held up by giants, and we both know how much of an obstacle they are. My party got killed off, and I barely managed to escape with my life by playing dead. Had to take the long route to avoid the giants when I had the chance." I lied to the Orc bandit who seemed to have bought my lie.
"Uh… Trok… sees…" The Orc bandit Trok unsurely said as he scratched the back of his head.
"Hey Trok! What is going on down there?!" A female Imperial archer called from above.
"Is he another adventurer to kill off?" A Nord bandit spoke from the entrance, brandishing an axe.
Uh oh… these guys seem a bit more blood thirsty…
"Trok was told that he was supposed to be with Arvel the Swift a few hours ago. Got held back by giants." The Orc bandit replied.
"Didn't they say they got killed off and to forget about them?" The Nord bandit said in confusion as the archer was then notching an arrow at me.
Fuck!
"Trok was told that he was survivor. Played dead to avoid giants and took the long way around. He played smart." The Orc answered, making the archer lower her bow.
"I see, well, I don't see why we should not send him up to base. Trok, go with him to the base so they don't kill him immediately. The cold is starting to get to me, I'm going on break." The archer spoke with authority.
I held absolutely no doubt in my ability to lie.
{Speech Skill Increased}
…What the fuck was that?
"Alright, follow Trok to the camp." The bandit Trok was now guiding me to the base. As soon as the archer headed down the post, giving me a chance to spot Hadvar and Ralof to then flash them a sign that I am ok, and held up 2 fingers to signify that there are 2 bandits, then pointed to the post while catching up with Trok before he noticed what I was doing.
…Hopefully they saw that and will take action…
[Bleak Falls Barrow entrance]
Trok and I got to the Barrow entrance, bandits were everywhere. I counted 14 from the entrance and the upper sections where they looked down upon us from the Barrow, and little to say that it was colder up here then it was earlier. I was shivering like crazy from intimidation from the bandits' gaze and the sheer cold through my armor. Hopefully this is all of the bandits that they will have to deal with… I am kinda glad that I bullshitted my way through here, and I would not know what to do if I would get into an actual fight.
Speaking of fights…
Another thing to worry about… What will Nora do to me once she catches up to me… An unplanned sneak in with risk of me being killed that might result in me being killed by her… Actually, that might not sound too bad once I think about it. At least it would be quick and painless…
Trok and I had just made it upstairs of the area, and who seemed like the guy in charge came up to us with his steel sword out.
"Trok, you are supposed to be at the outpost for lookout, why are you here and who is this?" The assumed leader or person in charge spoke up and pointed his sword at me.
"Trok was told to bring survivor to the boss, Arvel the Swift. He is late because of giants." Trok stated to the bandit in charge.
"Huh… I thought they got all killed…Whatever, Arvel should need more fodder for the traps and Dragur… You two go on in." The bandit in charge bluntly stated and ordered us in.
Wow… what an asshole…
As we entered through the gates, Trok glanced at me.
"Hm? You not used to cold yet?" Trok asked me.
"I-I'm…A-A-A bit und-der the weather." I spoke through my chattering teeth.
"Ha-Ha, you talk funny, here is Trok's wolf pelt to keep warm." Trok handed me his big wolf pelt that was on him.
Although it had a faded smell of sweat and blood, it was warm, and it was better then what I have on now. I wrapped the pelt around myself with the wolf's head hanging off of my shoulder just like Trok did. Even though it felt a bit strange for me to wear actual animal skin, I instantly became warmer.
"Thank you Trok! But won't you be cold too?" I asked worriedly to Trok.
"You worry about Trok? Ha! Trok can't be stopped by simple, cold breeze. Human no need to worry about Trok, for Trok is hard to take down!" Trok said with a toothy grin.
"Well, if you say so. I will give it back soon as I warm up." I stated as we approached the doorway into Bleak Falls Barrow.
"Trok never met anyone who worried about Trok before. Trok thinks you are strange, in good way." Trok replied while opening the door for me. How nice of him, I have started to take a liking to Trok.
As we got in, I could just hear a fight start off in the distance and the other bandits were going to check out what was happening. Oh shit, they are catching up quickly. I better step up the pace before I am forced to fight against my own team.
I quickly headed inside and closed the door. It wasn't as cold with the chilling wind constantly blowing, but it was still cold with my breath still showing with each exhale.
"Damn, and to think I almost froze to near death." I mumbled in annoyance at the small frostbites at my fingers.
The room was dusty and filled with cobwebs to say the least, pillars are withering away and even a few collapsed over, either on the ground or leaning against the walls. There was a few holes in the ceiling that had light flood the room with little light to grant little sight, and a warm glow of a campfire off on the other side of the room. Two bandits looked at us before returning their eyes to the warm glow of the fire.
Trok was already walking towards the two bandits, and I followed behind.
"What are you doing here, Orc. Were you not stationed at the outpost like you were supposed to be at?" One of the Nord bandits said with a bit of disgust in his voice.
"And don't waste our time with pointless talk, green skin." The second Nord bandit continued with now name calling.
Oh… I sense a bit of hostility within their own ranks… I kinda expected it, but it was still a surprise to see for myself how bad the racism was from the Nords. I can't imagine how bad it was going to be once I got to Windhelm.
"Trok just wants to know where Arvel the Swift is. Can you tell Trok where he is?" Trok asked nicely with no anger in his voice.
"You want information and passage? 20 septims. Otherwise, you can fuck off to the cold Oblivion right where you came from." Bandit 1 responded.
Ok, this is getting absurd, why is Trok not getting pissed off? He is a fucking Orc! They are known for their brutality!
Trok reached in his pocket and pulled out a small satchel that sounded like coin and was about to hand it to them-Oh HELL NO!
I immediately reached out and stopped Trok's arm, much to the Nords annoyance. Trok's look of surprise landed on me, and I shook my head at him.
"What is your deal, 'Pal'? We are just doing business, as usual." The first bandit said with a straight face.
"First off and foremost, fuck you, and your transaction. Second, don't ever refer to me as 'Pal' again, you haven't earned the right to even perceive the meaning of that word. Thirdly, I already know where to find him. Kinda hard not to when the only entrance to the deep Barrow is right behind you. Last and foremost apologize to Trok for your rudeness." I spoke with demand in my words.
The two bandits just stared at me, then each other and burst out laughing. After 10 seconds of the laughing dying down, they look surprised that I haven't changed my posture.
"Wait, you're serious?" Bandit 2 said with surprise.
"I don't think you understand the situation here buddy." Bandit 1 got up to me.
Bandit 1 kneed me in the gut, and knocked me onto my back, and as I was about to get up, the same bandit then stomped his foot on top of my chest pinning me down. He grabbed his steel mace in a reverse grip at the handle and slammed the base of it down next to my head that was almost too close to be smashing my head. The ringing of the mace clashing with the stone was deafening. The sharp ends of the mace cut a bit of my cheek and a bit of my right ear, but I definitely lost my composure and started to panic with my breathing out of place and rapid as I can feel warm liquid start to flow down the side of my head.
"Let me give you a lesson in reality. You ain't shit to people like me, and that green skin also falls in that category. You must be new here if you don't know who the orc is. We saved him out of pity, and he owes his life to us. He is nothing but another sacrificial pawn to throw away to where ever our needs lie, be it as an extra coin purse or muscle to push and carry heavy stuff. And another thing." Bandit one leans in closer.
"You don't ever talk to me like that, and you will be punished accordingly. And we will start off with cutting off that shitty tongue of yours." The bandit sounded livid when he said that, as he pulled out a rusted iron dagger from his boot.
He grabbed the bottom of my jaw and applied pressure to the sides of my jaw, forcing my mouth to be pried open as he inserted the dagger into my mouth.
I expected the worse as I tasted the rust off of the dagger enter my mouth.
What I didn't expect was for Trok to grab the guy's wrist and held the dagger away from my face.
"What do you think you are doing you blockhead." Bandit 1 began to glare at Trok as bandit 2 was then unsheathing his sword in preparation for combat.
"Trok thinks that is enough. Here is the gold you wanted plus extra if you leave him be." Trok gave the pouch of gold to bandit 1.
Bandit 1 looked at it, grabbed it and bounced it in his hand to feel the weight. He smiled with the new gift.
'Heh, pleasure doing business with you, 'Pal'. Just make sure to make sure to keep your friend's mouth shut next time you talk to me like that… Actually, let him keep talking like that. If it pays me this well, might as well keep the attitude so I can make some more coin off of ya! HA-HA. (SLAP!)" The bandit bellowed. Just before he got off me, he slapped me on the side that was injured and sat at the campfire with his buddy as they laughed off the situation as I clutched the side of my head in pain.
I spat out the taste of rust in my mouth as I got off the ground, I took a deep breath as I tried to calm my nerves. I was frustrated. Even more so that I could not do anything without getting to the same outcome or worse should I act on just emotion alone.
I am weak… and there is no sugar coating that fact as I am useless to even myself in this world.
Trok lightly tapped the back of my shoulder, snapping me out of my self-pity as he nudged his head in the direction that the bandits were guarding. The fact was clear that we are going deeper into the barrow, and we continued on.
[With Nora, Hadvar and Ralof…]
"Damn these bandits, how many more are they?!" Hadvar shouted to Ralof as he plunged his sword into the chest of a bandit, killing another bandit upon the Barrow.
I spotted 4 archers on the opposite side of the barrow, 3 are fighting with Nora, and 3 more bandits ready to make contact with us-ARROWS INCOMING!" Ralof shouted as he hid behind a pillar, evading 3 arrows that pelted the pillar he hid behind.
Hadvar raised up his shield to block a small volley of arrows that all hit his shield.
"Damn those archers… Ralof, pick up that bow from that dead bandit, and assist me while I hold off the 3 bandits!" Hadvar spoke while getting ready for the next wave of bandits.
Nora is fending off four-[SLICE]…3 bandits and has just embedded a dagger into the skull of the unfortunate bandit as she whipped her body around to parry two oncoming blows from a mace and a sword, redirecting them to hit each other, followed by an axe and dagger execution as the axe split one bandit's head, and the dagger sliced the throat of the other. Blood of the bandits was splattered onto Nora as she killed one after the other and was about to face the last bandit in the group who was now backing off in fear of what he witnessed a single woman doing.
The bandit was smiling as he saw that one of the archers shot an arrow at Nora. Nora paused at the sight of a smile on the bandit and heard the sound of the arrow flying. With one quick motion, Nora ducked as the arrow flew over her head as the bandit charged at Nora with new found courage and an axe in hand as he then clashed with Nora as he tried to grab the dagger hand as they struggled to overcome each other.
The look of confidence filled the bandit as he was smiling once again, but soon faded into a look surprise as archers then fired a few volleys of arrows at them.
Taking note of the face change, Nora made use of her barbaric strength and pulled in the bandit and made him a human shield towards the archers. A few arrows pierced the bandit's body and the head as the bandit then went limp.
Peeking over the shoulder of the dead bandit, the archers were still firing at Nora. Nora made use of the meat shield and closed the distance of herself and the archers. After closing the distance, the archers pulled out their daggers and swords to engage combat with Nora. Nora, in response threw the dead body filled with arrows onto the first nearest bandit and was about to attack the other two, when an arrow suddenly found itself in the head of one of the bandits, surprising both the bandit and Nora to find that Ralof had fired an arrow from afar, giving a thumbs up as Hadvar killed off his final bandit with an overhead slash.
Quickly adapting to the sudden change, Nora threw her dagger at the bandit as it sunk into the shoulder, making the bandit cry out in pain. quickly afterwards, Nora had then quickly spun around to decapitate the standing bandit as blood was splattered around the area.
"(Whistle) Now that was a fine execution. Glad to see that you are on our side Lass." Ralof complimented as he approached Nora with Hadvar following.
"What can I say? Practice makes perfect when life in Skyrim is dangerous." Nora replied as she stretched her arms out. "Have you seen Jester cowering in the corner anywhere? I need to teach him a lesson about acting without proper planning and running off without his companions." Nora added sounding a bit intimidating.
"No we haven't, but if I had to guess, he would be in the Barrow, pretty impressive that he 'talked' his way into the bandit camp considering that he avoided quite a tough fight." Ralof complimented Jester's action.
"He is an idiot for doing something so reckless. He should have stayed with us." Nora replied immediately.
"Nora. While I will agree with you, I doubt that is the best outcome considering that Jester is not a fighter. He is more of a liability more then anything. If anything, he actually helped by not being in the way of the fighting." Hadvar spoke up to Nora.
"Then he should have just stayed behind us." Nora pointed out.
"He is impulsive for a young adult. Do you honestly trust that Jester would not get himself into trouble?" Hadvar countered.
Before Nora could answer, she yelled out in pain as an arrow then pierced her shoulder, gaining the others attention to where the arrow came from.
There was a bandit on the ground with a bow trying to notch another arrow but failing to when all three Nords were looking at him, making him fumble, and drop his arrow.
"D-Damn you all!" The last bandit's poor choice of words came out of him.
"I'll take care of it. (Pluck!)" Ralof said but stopped when he heard Nora pull out the arrow out of her shoulder with a grunt.
"Stop. He is mine." Nora growled angrily as she was staring at her target with blood lust in her eyes as she snapped the arrow in half with one hand.
Ralof got scared and backed away from Nora and the bandit.
Nora grabbed Ralof's two-handed battle-axe with one hand and walked slowly to the bandit, dragging the axe along the stone ground, causing an eerie grinding. When Nora was in distance, she raised up the battle-axe in the air, and-
[Intermission, due to the unspeakable violence in this scene, it has been removed for the viewer's mental health.]
-After the mutilation, a bloody Nora turned to the two speechless Nords and smiled as if she looked relieved.
"So, shall we continue to find Jester in the Barrow?" Nora said with the disturbing innocent smile still dawning upon her while she walked past them to the entrance of the Barrow.
"…Hadvar?" Ralof asked.
"Yeah?" Hadvar answered absent mindedly
"Remind me not to piss her off." Ralof spoke.
"Yeah…" Hadvar answered in the same monotone.
"Another question…" Ralof asked.
"Yeah?" Hadvar answered.
"How the hell is Jester still alive after pissing her off multiple times?" Ralof asked in confusion.
"…" Hadvar did not respond to that question, for he did not have an answer to that question.
The two Nords were left once again speechless at the pending question as they followed the bloody trail that was left by Nora.
[Chapter End]
(Author's Notes)
And I will stop off there! Now, first things first, for any loyal readers of mine, I want to apologize for not posting in a while, I've been slacking recently, but it is better late than never! So as an apology, I will do a small skit of what was supposed to happen in game.
-Skit start-
Jester approached the outpost…
"Hey! Excuse me!" Jester got the attention of a big green and muscular Orc bandit with hide armor with a wolf pelt strung around himself with the head off to the side of his shoulder with a shaved head and a pony tail tied at the base of his head that was leaning against the tree, his first reaction was to unsheathe his sword at the site of him.
"Is someone there?" the Orc called out and started to run at Jester with his sword out ready to swing.
"Yeah hey, I am looking for-OH MY GOD!"
The Orc decapitates Jester before he could run away.
"Must have been the wind…" The Orc said, sheathing his sword and returning to his tree as Jester's body collapsed onto the snow.
Ralof and Hadvar look mind blown at the result they just saw.
"…Did that really just happen?" Ralof asked Hadvar, who had his head in his hand in disbelief.
-Skit end-
Hope you enjoyed that. And Good News! (Or bad, considering the outcome.) I am going to have a choice that will be made by you guys in the chapter after the next one!
That's right, you readers will have a choice in chapter 6 and a poll will be held at the end of chapter 5, while I would like to continue with what I have planned, I want to make this a more of an… interesting story. Choices will be made and will have effects on side quests that I have planned later. For better or worse. please don't make me regret this guys...
And for those who are smart enough, or if it wasn't really that 'obviously' stated, they can already see the first choice that I will set up.
So, a notice in advance, you can… 'Influence me' to make some decisions further in the story. We will see…
Also, I want opinions on the jokes, punchlines, gags, and references that I have set up. Preferably on a scale of 1-10, but I am not that picky on how you rate them, I just need opinions on whether or not I am funny.
More reviews make me feel good about myself, so get to typing so I have more reason to write the story y'all!
With that being said, thanks for reading my shitty story, if you like to bother me with anything, my Discord is in the first chapter of this story, or you can DM me through this website or through reviews! This is RedTokyo95, Signing out.
Transmission End