4
Shitshitshit. Pulling another arrow I ready it and try to follow the man running for me. Currently ignoring the one who isn't hurt I decide to take down the one I have already attacked. He's sprinting towards me with his large sword held above him yelling as if crying out his rage and trying to get himself emotionally ready to fight me. Pulling back my arrow, I take my time to line up my shot before hitting him again. This time he drops to one knee but he's still not done! Damn it! Pulling another arrow I take aim but just then I feel a sharp pain in my arm holding the string. Something dug into my muscles forcing me to call out in pain as my muscles spasm around what is lodged in my arm. My fingers slip on the string sending my arrow flying but with luck, it still hits the downed man I had been aiming at. This time he falls to the floor of the room unmoving, allowing me to look at my arm just as another pain digs into my right leg.
Arrows! I realize as I reach up and close my eyes grabbing onto the arrow in my arm. This is going to hurt like hell but I need to hurry up. As if to further prove my thoughts I heard another arrow bounce off the stone behind me. Shit that was close! Yanking my arm free of the arrow I can't help the painful cry now echoing in the large run-down room causing the bandit to laugh aloud with pride at the pain she had caused me. Okay after that… the one in my leg waits. I just have to try and ignore it. Putting my bow away, I retrieve my sword. I have to get this over with quickly. Taking a step onto my injured leg hurt like hell and nearly had me screaming in pain but I push forward. As I run forward I let out a cry much like the guy had, only this time it was either yell or scream from the pain. Another arrow flies towards me and wedges itself into my abdomen just near my side. Without giving her another chance to hit me I lunge forward and bring my sword down on her. I watch as my blade slices over her shoulder and down her chest tearing the leather she wears with it. She staggers back and seeing that I hadn't cut deep enough, I step forward into my next swing. Bringing my sword across her lower stomach. When she drops to the floor I find myself silently cursing at her resilience and move in for a final attack. Stepping up to her I hold my blade above her with both hands on the hilt. Now die! I silently shout as I shove the tip of my sword down between her hunched shoulder blades with every bit of strength I have left. I could feel my blade slicing through her skin and crushing bone as it makes its way through to her heart. The feeling was unforgettable and nearly had me on the ground with the urge to vomit again. Even though I've told myself these are just game characters everything feels so real to me. As if I had actually just killed someone.
Dropping to my knees I reach down and grab first the arrow that is lodged in my side. From its angle, I doubt it hit anything important but I know when I pull the one from my leg I need to drink a healing potion as quickly as possible. With a cry of pain, I pull the arrow and let it drop to the ground. Giving myself time to fight against the growing darkness from the pain I am feeling, I reach into my pouch and pull a healing potion from my inventory. It was a fight to uncork the bottle with how shaky my hands have become, but once I finally manage it I bring the bottle to my lips. Grabbing onto the arrow lodged in my artery I squeeze my eyes shut. It will be over soon, if this health potion doesn't actually work I'm dead, so either way this next pain won't last long. Ripping the arrow out I toss my head back and to stifle my next cry of pain. I down the entire bottle of disgusting coarse liquid. My cries nearly cause me to choke on the substance yet I somehow manage to force myself to swallow it. Once I was done, I drop the bottle to the ground and try to force my breathing to even.
It didn't take long until my pain begins to lessen almost as if I only had a few cuts and scrapes rather than the life-threatening wounds that I had. Turning my attention to my arm I notice how it was now an ugly cut, the skin around it pink from irritation. Probably from how I ripped the arrow out. Raising my armor I look at my side to notice the same sort of cut. I bet the one on my leg looks the same. Standing I wince at the sudden pain that hadn't quite lessened enough to be too tolerable. I look down at the empty red bottle with curiosity. "This stuff is amazing. No matter how fowl it tastes. I bet if I use another one these ugly cuts will completely vanish. But do I really want to use another health potion just in order to unhinder my movements?" No, I already know my answer to that. The pain I have right now is nothing I'm not used to. I can still move forward and push it out of my mind. It would be a waste of a potion just to take this pain away. Since I've used one that leaves me with, four healing potions. Grabbing everything from the four bodies, I even find myself taking the Skeever tails from the dead rodents before moving up towards the fire. There is a war ax and a shield, so I pick them up before moving to the chest, practically glowing from the firelight making its dark wood seem lighter.
This time as I went to open the chest the lid wouldn't budge causing me to kneel next to it and look at it. From closer inspection, I realize there is a keyhole but none of the bandits had any keys on them. "I wonder if I have anything that is meant for locks like this." As I mutter to myself I reach into my inventory and open up the misc. tab and notice that somehow or another I've accumulated eight lock picks that I don't even know how to use. "Well, it can't hurt to try." Pulling a lock pick out I reach for the lock only to realize I had something in my other hand now. "What the!" I drop the tool from my surprise and look down at the object. It has a wooden handle and it seems to just be a straight flat metal piece.
Am I suppose to use this to pick the lock? Looking at the lock I slip the pick in until I locate the grooves usually meant for keys but I found I couldn't move the lock because the pick didn't have enough leverage. "Hmm, that's why I have that thing." Nodding to myself I pick the metal piece back up and slip it into the space of the lock just below the pick. This time I was able to use it to start to turn the lock. But I felt something catch and I heard my pick break even before the metal pieces fell to the floor of what was left of the pick. "This isn't going to be easy at all." I mutter as I pull out another pick and try again. This time I lean closer to the lock and listen to my pick. I heard a faint click so I decided to hold it still and move the other tool around.
To my surprise this time the lock turned completely just before I heard the sound of the lid unlocking from its base. "Well, I just learned something new." I mutter as I put my tools away and stand before opening the treasure chest. Seeing the little bit that was inside was enough to make me smile. An orange bag much like what I had given to the merchant and two bottles, one a healing potion and the other is a white one. From the looks of the white bottle, it's a potion just like the healing one but I have no idea what type this one is. It's just an unmarked white bottle. "I'll ask Hadvir about it when I get back." I decide before unloading the extra inventory that I've picked up from the bandits and the skeevers into the chest and shut it. I know I'll be back for this stuff. "This makes two chests I need to come back for. I wonder how long it will take me to lug all of it back to Riverwood."
Turning to an archway I move towards it and look down the steps. It's dark and infested with cobwebs. I found chills rolling over my body as I shiver from the thought. The cobwebs are a sure sign of spiders and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with that. So be it, I still need that claw so as long as I don't see any I'll be fine. Nodding to myself I retrieve my bow so I'll have it ready and slowly begin my descent. Of course, once I reach the bottom I use my bow to drag away the thicker cobwebs covering the circular pathway. If someone is down here why would there be cobwebs covering the door? Unless they weren't actually cobwebs and were actually made by spiders recently… no no no, Twilight forget the cobwebs don't think too much or you'll be too busy watching for spiders rather than paying attention to any enemies. As I come upon an area with two tables at the top of two separate steps in their own little cubby areas, I first look towards the small fire that is burning within a bowl on top of a stone… whatever it is. "This is actually pretty cool." I mutter before turning up towards the first table. The only thing on it is a weird-looking vase-like thing, that the designs almost remind me of a dragon. As if this is supposed to be a dragon claw. Tilting my head I pick it up only to find that the claw or beak part of the design comes off of the base. This is actually really neat. I giggle to myself before looking inside. Hmm. Six gold pieces and another health potion. Sweet! I have six potions now!
Refraining from dancing, I step down from the little cubby after putting the jar thing back onto the table. When I move up next to the fire I notice all the dirt, rock rubble, and overgrown root systems. "Hmm. If I'm not careful I will easily trip and knowing me. I'll fall flat on my face." Upon the next table, there were two more jars but when I looked there was nothing inside them. Puffing out my cheeks I glare at the empty jars. That is such a letdown! Walking deeper down the halls I leave the tables behind and surprisingly, I only tripped once on the roots! Giggling to myself I turn a corner and find myself on top of a set of stairs. Looking down into a room where I watch a guy pull something in the middle of the area. Just before I hear something like arrows shoot down from somewhere. The guy falls to the ground and the arrows stop causing me to cautiously step into the room…. Was that a trap? I wonder if it's like when my brother would tie a bucket of hot water above a door and have a string so when I tripped on it the bucket would fall all over me.
If it is then there has to be a way to disengage the trap. As I walk further into the stone room, I look around noticing first the two faces up on the wall above a gated door. One face has a snake in its mouth and the other something that looks like a dolphin. The space in between was disturbed as if something else had been up there but had recently caved away from the original structure. It was then I notice another face on the floor just in front of the gate. A face that has a snake in its mouth as well. Looking around I notice three stones set into the wall with similar markings. Walking over to the first that looked like a bird I touch the marking. What does it all mean? just as I touched it the stone turns and shows a snake. Causing me to jump back with a yelp as my heartbeat begins to race.
"That… was new." I mutter to myself unable to accept that such a thing scared me as it had. Stepping up to the stone again I look at the snake then back up to the faces. I see so what if I match these stones with the faces in order? Would that disengage the trap? It's worth a shot. Moving to the other two I touch the stones until all three showed two snakes and a dolphin. Just like the faces. Walking up to the lever I glance around feeling nervous about pulling the lever after what I had seen happen to that guy. If this doesn't work I need to be able to run away fast! Nodding to myself I lean forward and grab the lever. Pushing it forwards I jump towards the stones without hesitation. Hoping that when the arrows came it wouldn't fill the entire room. But no such arrows did shoot out. The gate lifts up opening the room to the next causing me to watch it with mild wonderment.
As I go to walk into the room I stop by the body and take everything in its inventory before moving on. Just in front of me were a chest, two more jars, and another table with candles and something purple sitting in a holder of some kind. So without hesitation, I run up the steps and look at everything. On the table much to my enjoyment, there was another red healing potion but it was sitting next to a book. Taking both of them I decide to read the book later so I can possibly learn more about this world. Then I turn towards the purple thing on a holder. "What is this?" I question as I pick it up and surprisingly it was cold to the touch. The surface was smooth as glass. "Is this a crystal?" I question looking at it before I suddenly smile. I bet this is worth a good amount. Crystals always are worth a lot right? As I slip it into my inventory I find myself laughing. "Wow, I really am greedy aren't I?" Yes, yes I am. I silently answer myself before I glare at the empty jars. Come on! You're supposed to have something in you! To my surprise, this chest opens without having to fiddle with a lock, and I smile down at another pouch of gold and a healing potion. Well, I don't think I'm going to need to buy any more potions for a while.
After canvassing the area a second time to make sure I didn't miss anything, I move towards the spiral steps leading down into the floor. I step down to the top step as I try and look over the side to see if there was anyone down there, but all I could see were more steps. The wood was spiraled in such a way that it left no room to see below. Since I didn't know what to expect, I switch out my bow for my sword and move as slowly as I could down the stairs. Trying to be as quiet as possible, since I want to be able to see my enemy before it sees me. Nearing the bottom however I let out a shout of surprise as three ugly rodents come running up after me. Skeevers. Just like in the first room and what's been lying dead throughout the halls. I realize as I bring up my sword and start hacking at the foul-looking creatures coming after me. Before long I managed to kill them only having to endure a few scratches. Once in the next room, the only thing I take notice of is a black potion bottle and a rolled-up scroll. Taking them without even thinking about it I put them into my inventory with a sigh. This place is huge and the longer I'm in here the more nervous I'm getting. I don't like the feel of it in here. It's almost like something is going to jump out at me at any given moment and those skeevers didn't help my nerves any!
Walking down the steps I can hear someone talking but they are too far away to really understand. I did manage to make out the words, help me, but I found myself stopping when I find more and more spider webs. This definitely isn't good. I follow the voice ready to help whoever it was. But I come to a room with two doorways one is blocked by roots and the other with spider webs so thick I would have to cut into it with my sword. So I move over to the root-covered side and look in. All around the room were thick spider webs and large round white balls. Just from what I could see I found myself unconsciously taking a step back as my breathing tries to come in quick pants. The hold on my sword shakes and I nearly drop it. Twilight, calm down, this must have happened over time, and there is simply another way into the room that you didn't notice. Just cut through the webs and go in there already!
-*-
As I make my way through the levels of bleak-falls barrow I find my brows creasing further and further together. When Jarl Balgruuf's court wizard, Farengar, had first told me to go into the dangerous depths of bleak-falls barrow in order to retrieve the tablet he needs. I had only thought about the fragile-looking girl with an odd hair color. The way she so confidently smirked and even stated that she was going to the same place I was just sent. I worried how much someone like her could handle. But when I walked up the snow-covered steps and noticed three looted bodies, my thoughts about her had begun to change. When Roloff had initially suggested that the girl would come with me to WhiteRun, I could only see a child that would slow me down. Be a burden and get herself killed if we had run into any bandits. When he had told me we were around the same age I was startled, to say the least. Someone so short couldn't possibly be in her twenties. When I entered the first room of bleak-falls and even after I had expected to find her corpse from taking on something far too strong for her to handle.
The more I walk the more dead I find. Skeevers and bandits alike. All looted of their worldly possessions. This girl must be better than I could have expected. She's strong and has been making her way quickly through this place. Even though she has Nord characteristics, I hadn't thought her enough of a Nord to even attempt to take on this place by herself. At least so I thought. I found myself stopping and looking around to see if there was anything she missed. One thing is certain now, if she can take all of this stuff and still be moving this quickly, there is more to her than what meets the eye. The sound of a girl's sudden fearful scream echoes through the walls bringing me from my thoughts. For reasons unknown to me I draw my sword and begin to run through the halls. Following the screams.
"No! Getawaygetaway GET AWAY!" I scream as I buckle into a thick set of cobwebs next to a large pot. Fight as I might I try to squeeze myself in between the wall and the overly heavy pottery. That I had just tried to throw at the humongous scary as hell spider after my sword had been knocked so easily out of my hands. "EWEWEWEWEWWW! Get away!" I scream again and kick at its huge fangs which surprisingly helps me slide where I was trying to go. "I can't handle this! I wasn't prepared for this! Get AWAY!" I continue to scream as hot tears roll down my cheeks. I watch the spider raise up ready to shoot whatever it is it's been trying to hit me with. "NO!" I close my eyes and cover my face as I curl as far into the tiny space as I can. I'm going to die! I'm going to die because of a disgusting spider! Whatever it shot at me is still burning my skin wracking my body with pain. I had psyched myself up enough to break into this room for the man. After telling myself there was no POSSIBLE way there would be thousands of spiders in order to do this to a room. I was right, there weren't thousands of spiders. JUST ONE REALLY FUCKING HUGE SPIDER!
The spider didn't shoot its acid stuff at me like it was going to, as I realize this I wedge myself to a more standing position so I can see over the pottery. The sounds of growling and yelling met my ears as I watch Mr. Strawberry-blond's muscles swinging a great sword around. What I can see of his skin, his flesh was a bright gruesome red. Either from blood or the same thing that I had been hit with. I watch as he relentlessly attacks the spider only taking the time to roll out of the way whenever it raises up and tries to shoot him again. The way he was breathing, I could tell he was tired, and when he drops down to one knee my eyes widen. He's going to die! I shout in my head before grabbing the top of the pottery and pull myself up as quickly as I can. Retrieving my bow I ready my arrow and aim for the spider.
Just as the disgusting thing goes to… bite or eat the strawberry blond I release my arrow sending it through the gap of his fangs and straight into its mouth. With a shrilling squeal that rang in my ears and threatened to make my head feel like it's going to explode. I watch the spider crumble to the floor in front of the muscular man. I was still holding my bow in the aftermath of my shot when I watch his pale blue eyes turn in my direction. His brows were furrowed as he tries to catch his breath. The pain I am sure he wishes he could hide is evident in every definition of his chiseled face. Only for a brief moment, I thought another emotion had crossed his gaze as he watches me stand and put away my bow. When I jump down from the pottery the pain in my body intensifies causing me to ineloquently crumble to the floor. Shit, this hurts! I force my painful breaths as I reach into my inventory and withdraw a healing potion. Uncapping it with my teeth I managed to put the cool glass to my lips as I roll onto my back in order to help empty its contents down my throat. The sound of another potion being uncorked reaches my ears, as I just lay there waiting for the pain to ebb. I.. I... I just killed a spider… I killed it... It's dead. This feat alone would have me squealing for joy if I wasn't so freakin tired and sore right now! My body feels like it is made up of lead as my arms just lay on the ground out to my sides. My soft hair covering half of my face as I could also feel more of its tendrils wrapped around my limbs. I can't even manage to untangle myself. Maybe I can just go to sleep. Wait no, bad Idea. I'll definitely have nightmares of the huge arachnid. I know I saved strawberry blonde's life but still. I can't believe I gathered enough strength to even shoot it in time, or even at all for that matter.
A figure stands over me mostly blocked by my hair. When I felt hands cup my shoulders and lift my back up off the ground I wanted to freak out. I wanted to scream and run. I was in no shape to protect myself and someone definitely has a hold of me. It didn't take long before I felt my feet touch the ground, just before large bulky hands brush my hair out of my face. Oh, how I hate this place. I mutter silently in defeat realizing how my time of enjoyment came to an abrupt end the second that spider had descended upon me. Before I knew it a bottle was pressed to my lips and without hesitation, I forced the familiar disgusting liquid down my throat. Almost automatically it felt like my body was lighter than what it had been as my energy was being restored. Once the contents were gone I look up into the pale blue eyes belonging to blond. He just gave me a stamina potion? Once I could move my legs I step out of his hold and turn around towards him. "Thanks." I mutter before walking over to where my sword had fallen and pick it up. The guy that had been yelling for help was now yelling at us to get him down. In silence as if in agreement that his debt had been paid from me killing the spider before it could kill him. Strawberry blond follows behind me as I walk up towards the man stuck in the webs. "Get me down, get me down!"
Stopping in front of him I try to ignore the eyes on my back as I look up at him. "Will you shut up?" He just glares down at me as his hide helmet slants slightly to the right. "I will once you get me down!"
"You know that isn't a very nice way of asking for help. I came rushing into this room blindly when I heard you screaming. I believe a thanks is in order." He glares down at me and tries to wiggle his way out of the webbing. "Just cut me down before anything else shows up." I shake my head as I raise a hand and brush my hair behind me before crossing my arms. "You're the bandit leader right?"
"Yes, yes. I can promise you riches for saving me." Hmm… riches, treasure. Nononono Twilight you are here for a reason! Stop it. Get your mind off of your greed. "Where is the golden claw?" I can't figure out whether I am happy I'm helping that merchant or sad because I can't accept the riches this bandit promises me. "Yes, the claw I know how it all works, the claw, the markings, the door on the hall of stories. You wouldn't believe the power that the nords have hidden there. Cut me down and I'll take you there." Well, this is nice. I can get the claw and this treasure right? A win-win. "Just hand over the claw. I'm not too into power. Now if it were treasure I would think otherwise. A girl needs money you know."
"Yes, yes, treasure too but does it look like I can move?! You have to cut me down before I can give you the claw!"
"Well, you're a rude one. Alright, I'll cut you down." I sigh in defeat and raise my sword. A few good swings should do it. But he is a bandit. Should I really completely cut him down? He'll probably take off the second I free him. Hmm. A few good whacks then I'll kill him before he can stand. Nodding to my silent plan I smirk up at him. "W. are you waiting for?! You can't get the claw until you cut me down!" Oh, I'll cut you down all right. Nearly giggling at my plan I start to swing at the webbing. "It's coming loose I can feel it." Yup, one more swing or a couple of easy ones. Hmm... I swing my sword a few times and I watch him hit the ground. I raise my sword back up and tighten my grip on the hilt. Throwing my body forward as I catch myself with a step of my foot, I bring my blade down as hard as I can just before he can turn to run away causing him to stagger. Stepping forward again I throw my sword forward and bury the point into his back. He gives away a few gargled noises as he chokes on his own vomit before I even withdraw my sword. Letting his now limp body fall to the floor with a thud. "I knew you were going to try and run. Sorry, but my goal is that claw you have. You see, you stole it from a merchant in Riverwood and he has asked me to retrieve it. No matter the riches and power you could have promised me. That claw is special to him." I speak down at his body as I see his eyes blink up at me. He is still alive but just barely. Bringing my sword down one last time I feel my blade enter his torso ending his suffering. As soon as he takes his final breath, I hear that sudden burst of music again that I'm guessing happens every time I raise a level. Withdrawing my blade I sheath it as I kneel down and enter the man's inventory. Hmm, the claw, his journal, armor, and a sword. I guess he can keep his normal clothes. I have plenty enough armor and weapons stashed away to get me my sword.
Standing I look back at the strawberry blond whose face was as blank as stone. I guess he didn't want to give away anything he was thinking right now. "Before I go on to see what he was talking about, would you mind telling me why you're here?" I question as I turn more fully towards him and cross my arms. It was then I watch his shoulders straighten as if he was trying to make himself seem as big and intimidating as possible. "I need to go into the main hall and retrieve something." I raise a brow at him then shrug. Lucky for me he came when he did so who am I to argue. "Alright, we'll use the claw to get into this hall of stories together, since I am supposed to return this claw to its rightful owner. I don't think you will have a problem with me tagging along."
"Just don't hold me back." He grumbles before pushing past me through the door. Well, I did say I would tag along, not that I would allow him to follow me. Shaking my head my palm nearly meets my forehead again. Note to self this guy takes words literally. Either way, it's fine with me. I'm not exactly refreshed at the moment, and while you run ahead without thinking I'll level up and become even stronger without you even noticing. Instead of running he walks forward clearly expecting me to follow him. We enter a room that right off the bat I notice those jar things that can have something in them. Running up to them I begin to open and look inside. A little gold but every little bit helps. "Are you a treasure hunter or something?" His deep voice comes up behind me causing me to jump slightly just until I remember that, yes I had ran past him.
"I need money for the sword I want. So I'm taking as much as I can while I am here." I mutter not caring if he heard me. It's not like he really needs to know. "What sword are you trying to get?" I hear something move much like the sound these jars make when I open them. Looking up I see him looking inside one of those pottery things. So... They hold stuff too? "An Ebony sword." I tell him before moving around the room. Like hell, I'm going to let you take all of my treasure. Grabbing another purple crystal I move towards a little cubby in the room noticing one of those pottery containers inside. Opening it, I nearly smile as I find more gold. "That's a good weapon. Why do you want it?" Is he trying to make small talk? Just go kill everyone so I can take their inventory already. As I turn around I see him stopped in front of the next door watching me. Though his expression gives nothing away his eyes seem to be calculating and stern as if I have no other choice but to answer him. I sigh and look away from him as I puff out my cheeks. "If you must know the other swords are too long for me to wield properly. I need a shorter sword and I don't want to use a dagger."
"But you're skilled with a bow." He more states rather than questions as if he is contemplating something or another. "Yes, I'm actually quite adept in both sword and bow but right now, I'm mainly using my bow to make up for the fact my sword is too long."
"I understand. Then you will hang back and use your bow while I am fighting." Is that an order? I shoot him a glare as I take in a breath squaring my shoulders. He takes note of me and turns around as his hand falls to the hilt of his sword. Oh, so you find me as a threat now?! "Get this straight Mr. I do not take orders. If you wish to suggest I stand back and use my bow then state it politely otherwise me and the claw are leaving." I watch his mouth curve in something like a smile as he steps up to me. Holding my ground my hand falls to my own hilt as my eyes narrow into slits upon him. He pauses almost as if rethinking what he was about to do then turns around. "You can come with me or I take the claw from you. Either way, this arguing is annoying." Is that his way of conceding defeat? Sure he slipped in a threat amongst those words but. I think I just won. I give him a smile and drop my hand from my hilt noticing how he seems to relax some when I do even though his back is to me. "Thank you for the option. I will follow along, I may even split the inventories with you if you are nice." He shakes his head before muttering something I couldn't quite catch. Moments later as he sighs he moves ahead. Well while I teach him to be rude to me I guess I can level up now.
Slipping my hand into my inventory I bring up the familiar white words listing the sections that I have stuff in. Down at the bottom, I touch the words level up and bring up the brilliant starry sky with tri-colored clouds. Like I did last time, I tap the word stamina and take a refreshing breath as I feel a little lighter than I had before. Once completely in the star menu, I look at my three main constellations wondering which one I should do this time. I could do my armor again but it's bothering me having to use so many arrows when shooting someone. So without a second thought, I touch my bow constellation so my bows do more damage. Sweet! I giggle and close out of the constellations sending me back into the room I had just been standing in.
I can hear metal clashing against metal causing me to sigh as I move towards it and pull out my hunting bow. Coming to the end of the hall, I withdraw an arrow and pull back my bowstring staring down the ugly-looking creatures. "They look dead already." I mutter before catching the one that was coming up on the man from behind. I smirk to myself as he turns around and looks at the arrow now buried in whatever that is forehead between its eyes before he looks at me. Shrugging I put my bow away and step forward to take the inventory from whatever these guys are. "Took you long enough." He mutters as I kneel down to the last one. "Sorry, had to check something in my inventory real quick." I speak without thinking and suddenly begin to wonder what I would be checking? What if he asks?! "What did you check?" He questions causing me to silently cuss. Shit, think of something quick… Oh wait! Reaching into my inventory I pull out the bandit's journal before tossing it to him. "I wanted to know if he had anything to elaborate on what he meant in there. Look for yourself." Yup because I won't be able to tell you since I didn't actually read it.
Without another word, he pockets the journal and walks forward. It was only then I notice that a piece of the stone floor looks different than the rest. Jumping over the body I leap forward and go to grab onto his armor but he turns and grabs my arm in a bone-crushing grip. I squeeze my eyes shut as I try to move past the pain but a small whimper escapes from me pitifully. "A trap... You almost stepped on a trap." I whimper and pull my arm back once he lets go and looks down at the floor. Rubbing my arm I puff out my cheeks as I feel my temperature rising. How dare he grab me like that! I should have just let him set the trap off! He makes a grunt of understanding and walks around the trap itself. Out of annoyance I stop in front of the trap and make sure I catch his eye as I get ready to step on the trap that would set off the spikes beside us and jump away as quickly as I can. "Don't you dare." He turns to narrow his eyes on me as I match his angered gaze. "Why not? Ever since you got here all you've done is be rude to me. Maybe a spike in the shoulder will set you straight." As I watch him move to take a step towards me I drop my foot onto the pressure plate and leap back out of reach of the spikes.
Landing my hair falls into my face as I hear the spiked wall swing forward and smack against the pillar. I nearly cuss aloud when it didn't have any other resistance but the hand that suddenly had a chunk of my hair and was pulling me up, prevented the undesirable words from slipping. "Do you really think someone as weak as you can stand toe to toe with me?" As he growls under his breath I can feel the heat pressing against my face with his words. Knowing this world is set in the medieval era I did not dare breathe through my nose as he breathes on me. "Actually.." I open my eyes to glare up in his direction. "You are only alive because I allow it. I can take a brute like you any day of the weak. So let me go." Even though I meant every word, I made no move to defend myself so the sudden fist to my face took me a bit by surprise. I heard my nose crunching beneath his massive hand before I could even feel the pain coming from the broken bone. Reaching into my inventory I retrieve the daggers I took off the two bandits that were down here. Taking one in each hand I thrust my right forward only for him to catch it with a chuckle. "Pitiful." I open my blurry eyes up to him as I smirk and burry the dagger in my left into his side since both of his hands were busy. Forcing him to let go of me and allow my feet to touch the ground again. Staggering back forces the dagger to withdraw from his side.
Once I collect myself, I stand straight and put the daggers away before pulling out two healing potions. Seeing him holding his side and giving me a deadly glare. I match his narrowed gaze with my own before tossing him a healing potion. "Now that's out of your system let's get moving." First resetting my nose before downing my own healing potion I sigh. I'm actually glad he didn't try to attack again after that. His brute strength alone will overpower me and I would be done for. Maybe even though I'm free now, I should still watch what I say to others. Even if they are being overly rude for no reason. "Thought you didn't use daggers." He grumbles as I hear an empty bottle hit the floor. I give him a shrug before putting my empty bottle back into my inventory. "You were too close for a bow or even a sword. With your meaty self, I knew I stood no chance hand to hand so you forced me to use what I had at my disposal." Turning around I return to the last creature and empty his inventory.