Chapter 4 - Slayer Scrolls
Chapter 2 -Chrissy, Borazon, Samuel
Day 3 Morning
Morning at Hameltheim Towers
"Why? Tommy! Mommy!" Chrissy kept muttering until a hand on her shoulder woke her.
"Hey, it's time to get up." Borazon says while freezing when he instantly feels the blade of Chrissy's knife at his throat. "Easy."
"Sorry..." Chrissy apologetically mutters as she realizes she almost killed him.
"It's okay. It seems Samuel wasn't the only one with nightmares."
"Yeah..." Chrissy mumbles as she tiredly sits up on the bed.
"Here drink this." Borazon says as he shoves a mug of something hot and warm under her nose into her hands.
"Wow…This smells like coffee." Chrissy says as she inhales the smell.
"I don't know what coffee is, but Samuel made it." Borazon says while he drinks his own.
"Samuel you are a life saver this is better than regular coffee." Chrissy hums as she brings the cup just below her nose with both hands. After blowing over the rim slightly she takes a casual sip. "Hmmm good. It smells like coffee but tastes more like hot coco."
"My mom taught me about the different herbs and plants." Samuel says in awe at the please look Chrissy had plastered on her face.
"You do her proud. Where I come from herbalist are well respected." Chrissy says as she takes another drink but much longer this time causing the boy to turn beat red.
After she was finished with her drink Chrissy takes her armor and heads for the bucket area. Both males politely turn their backs while she uses it and changes. When she comes out, she sees on the table that someone had put a large bowl of warm water, and some soap with a large plate of leftovers next to it for her.
"Thanks guys." Chrissy says at their politeness, and she hears a soft but gruff mumble. "You're welcome." From them both.
"But aren't you going to eat?" Chrissy asks.
"You were sleeping so well we ate before we woke you." Samuel tells her.
"I should've let you sleep longer." Borazon mutters as he checks his throat then returns back to filling up the cart.
As she finishes washing her hands, she notices the Leaders journal was open and looks a little at it.
"At one time I believed he was my friend. He was no friend! He wrote how he enjoyed tricking humans into believing that and using it against us. He really hated humans." Borazon sneers while he angerly slapped the book close.
"What are you going to do with it?" Chrissy asks while cutting a loaf of bread.
"Keep it until I can give it to the right Yarl. In his own words he told how he trick many into believing lies about others." Borazon answers as he puts it into his new pack.
"I am sorry about your family." Chrissy remarks as she finishes making a sandwich with what was left of the cheese and roast.
""Thanks."
"What are you doing?" Samuel asks as he stares at Chrissy while she takes a big bite of her food.
"Huh?" Chrissy asks through a mouth full of food.
"He's asking why you slapped all that food together?" Borazon clarifies.
"Back home we call it a sandwich. And it makes it easier and faster to eat. Though I could go for some mayo." Chrissy answers.
"What's mayo?" Samuel asks.
"Helps make it so the sandwich isn't so dry. What its made with is eggs whipped really fast with some other stuff added." Chrissy answers between mouthfuls.
"That's enough with pestering her. She needs to eat, and we need to finish packing." Borazon tells him.
"Yes sir." Samuel says.
"He wasn't' pestering me. My brother Tommy on the other hand he knows how to pester to get his way." Chrissy tells Borazon with a smile.
"We need to head out as soon as you are ready. Though the sooner the better." Borazon tells her as he slips on his cloak.
"No problem. Let's go." Chrissy says as she throws her cloak on over her backpack between bites causing Borazon to shake his head at her antics.
All was going well until they were heading out the door next to the water barrels, Borazon stops suddenly and carefully examines the stones in front of him.
"What is it?"
"There is some nice ore here." Borazon says and instructs. "Samuel hand me the pickaxe from the cart."
Samuel does as he was told while asking. "What kind of ore is it?"
"Looks like iron but there is something else." Borazon says as he starts to use the pickaxe.
After a few minutes he chips out some iron ore and a few raw pieces of raw items. They placed them in Nelly's cart.
"That don't look like much." Chrissy off handily remarks.
"In this state we could get a decent price from a black smith. Now these they look to be chips of ruby, they aren't worth much to some but if we find a jeweler we might be able to get a small amount." Borazon explains.
"You chipped so you can have it all." Chrissy says as knows he how much he wants to buy a place. Chrissy walks down through the building and is about to leave when she sees the rail-less stone bridge.
"Oh crap!" Chrissy cries out as she latches onto the wood door for fear of falling.
"You really are scared of heights." Samuel says as he notices her latching on the door as he passes her leading Nelly as though there was no problem.
"Yeah, and now, there are no swords or arrows to worry about I really worry about the height." Chrissy says as she breaks the door from her stress. "So, I'll just stay right here because it's got to be even slicker with the rain from last night."
"Now come on lass. It's not that slick because the rain has stopped." Borazon says as he surprises her when suddenly he picks her up and tosses over his shoulder with ease. "I've got you." He follows his grandson's lead and starts walking across the bridge without any problems.
"Borazon this isn't helping."
"Just close your eyes I'll get us across."
"Still not helping."
"What don't you trust me?"
"You are using that damn axe, aren't you?"
"Maybe."
"You huge softy Nord! Plus, you cheat." Chrissy says as she squirms.
"I am huge. I am a Nord, but I am far from soft. Stop squirming or I might drop you." Borazon teases.
"No, you won't." Chrissy says flatly and squirms a little more until he starts to let her slip off his shoulder. "I hate you."
"Why would you hate my grandpa?"
"She doesn't hate me." Borazon says as he lets her slip a little to which she screams and clings to him tighter. "She hates heights."
"Bastard."
"Nope my parents were married." Borazon laughs as he follows Samuel down the ramp of the second tower.
"How you are such a softy?"
"I am not soft." Borazon reputes
"Are to." Chrissy snaps back.
"I am not."
"Are to."
"If you keep it up, I'll drop you."
"No, you won't you are a softy."
"I am NOT!" Borazon said as he suddenly flips her off his shoulder on to the ground.
"Borazon you son of ooff!" Chrissy cries out as her butt hits the hard ground.
"Why are you mad? You are down?" Samuel laughs at his grandfather.
Chrissy opens one eye than the other and sees she is on the ground just outside the first tower next to the now extinguished cook fire from the day before. She kisses the ground next to her causing the two males to laugh even harder and a goat to bah.
"Ass." Chrissy says.
"No, she is a goat." Samuel deadpans to which Chrissy looks up at the boy with an open mouth but laughs.
"Strange humans." A voice purred startling the three humans and goat. Chrissy goes to grab her new sword but is stopped by Borazon stepping on it. Chrissy looks up at him and asks. "What the hell?"
"Good day." Borazon says to the cat like people before them as he places his new axe in front of him while leaning on it in such a way that says. "I don't want to fight but will if you attack first."
"Good day." Was the response from the strange cat like people, while they too, each being their hand was on their weapon ready for a fight until.
"Aren't you from the Katihe tribe?" Samuel asks breaking the tension.
"Yes, young one." One of them responds without taking his eyes off Borazon.
"My mother used to trade with you."
"And you are?"
"Samuel. Son of Johan and Karian. But now just Grandson of Borazon." Samuel says as he points to Borazon.
"Yesss… I remember Karian she was a kind and knowledgeable human." The leader of the Cat People remarks. "She will be missed."
"Thank You."
"And this one is?" The female cat person asks while watching Chrissy getting up.
"I am ummm." Chrissy says as she openly stares at 3 cats like people before her in awe.
To which she is just stared at until Samuel kicks and tells her under his breath to say her family line.
"Huh?"
"Introduce yourself by telling them your family line and title if any. It is an important tradition for them." Samuel explains.
"Oh, right.. I am Christiana Jensen's daughter to Matthew and Cassie. But now just Granddaughter to General George and Celia Hammond of Texas." Chrissy says with a slight curtsy.
"I am Coure of the Katihe son to Rayoton and Goldet." To which a large male cat person nods his head in acknowledgement too. "This is Wayen Daughter to Righten and Matlein." A sleek multi-colored female cat person smiles in response. "While this is Altern son of Wanlen and Jassin." A huge, orange, goofy, gruff, male, cat-person waves in response. "It is an honor to meet you. We were a bit concern when we heard the screaming from up there." Coure says. "
"That was just Chrissy she hates heights." Samuel explains.
"Samuel." Chrissy quietly hisses at him for telling her fear to the new people which doesn't even seem to faze them.
"Then what happened to the Bandits that we were told that may reside here?" Wayen asks.
"My grandfather and Chrissy took care of them yesterday."
"Don't sell yourself short you took out two." Chrissy says.
"Oh, that means law of bounty." Coure says with a large smile on his cat-like face.
"Yes, it does." Borazon says he shows them the wanted posters.
The next little while they traded and bartered back and forth. Nellie's cart lightened dramatically. While the cat people's cart that was being pulled by oxen type creature, weight increased as they had been heading in the direction that Chrissy and her group had come from the day before.
Road to White Run and River Run
"You could have gotten more than just a few lessons in lock picking for the locations of the prison and cabin." Samuel tells her.
"They agreed to do what they could for the guy under the tree. They can have whatever they find." Chrissy points out.
"You would be surprised what they might get out of there." Borazon interjects.
"They can have it. That place was spooky." Chrissy says as she shakes off the chill she got from the memories of that place. "That reminds me… I think that the orc you dealt with was using it as a stash house."
"A what?"
"A stash house is a place or area someone uses to hide stuff. He was using the ghosts to protect items he wanted to keep for himself."
"That is evil."
"Don't tell me you sent them into a place full of ghosts!" Borazon angerly demands.
"I won't tell you that because I didn't. I found one of his journals there and figured out by destroying a certain item it would free them. So, I freed them and they showed me the way out."
"That was very kind of you."
"Thanks."
For the next several hours they traveled mostly in quiet as they still kept a watchful eye out for trouble.
"So how far is River Run from here?" Chrissy asks as she walks up next to him.
"Well, if we don't have too many delays, we should hopefully reach there with in a week." Borazon answers causing Chrissy to grumble about wanting her bike.
After several hours of walk Chrissy is bored and decides to have a little bit of fun.
"Do you smell that?" Chrissy questions.
"What do you smell?" Borazon asks.
"I think it is Lavender. I love it!" Chrissy says as she picks some wild lavender and smells it than she places it into her shirt.
"Now you will smell like that weed." Borazon teases her.
"Better this than you." Chrissy says as she takes another piece and waves it in front of her nose as she walks past him. He just gives her look like he didn't care that was until he saw his grandson do the same, so he checks his pits and about gags at the smell. The two children lightly laugh as they watch Borazon quickly pick some then rub under his pits.
"So, you know that we can use this in teas, seasoning, and healing potions. This is called white mountain cotton it is good for cloths; the stocks are good for rope." Samuel continues for the next several hours telling her about each plant they come across with such joy that she does her best to pay attention.
"I haven't seen him so happy since…I think you being here is helping him." Borazon explains as he watches his grandson pick some of the plants and place them into a burlap bag.
"Why do you say that?" Chrissy asks while she watches Samuel place the plants into the cart then go and pet Nelly telling her she is the greatest war goat.
"I found Samuel and Nelly almost dead in an old hollow out stump when I got to my son's house. From what Samuel told me last night they had been hiding there since that night and he saw everything." Borazon explains.
"I am glad he didn't try to interfere." Chrissy says as she knew that if he had he wouldn't be with them now.
"Actually, his mom made him promise to always hide if Legionnaires or Storm cloaks came by unless I was with them." Borazon tells her. "He didn't leave there until I showed up a week after it happened. I never would have found him if it wasn't for Nelly. After I buried what was left of my boy and his wife, I was about to leave but Nelly came out and wouldn't let me until I found him." Borazon continues.
"I am surprised you didn't stay there."
"We were but I found out my boy didn't fully own the land and the landowner had us removed when I tried to rebuild." Borazon spat.
"That's so not right. Why didn't the landowner check on them?"
"He was afraid that the Storm Cloaks might burn his place. Yeah, well not much I could do. But I will. I am going to buy some land and make sure he gets it."
"Does he want that?"
"He wants to do what his mom used to do so I need to find a place where he can raise his herbs and I can raise horses."
"You like horses?"
"Yeah, I used to help raise them at a stable but never had enough to buy my own." Borazon with a fond smile tells her.
"Well like I was saying ever since I found him, he hasn't spoken much but now just look at him. He is smiling and talking. And I think I have you to thank."
"You don't have me to thank. I think you are the one who is truly bringing it out. Plus, I think what happened yesterday at that place has a lot to do with it too. He got to help deal with the guy who hurt his family and he knows that you have his back." Chrissy tells him.
"Still thanks I don't think I could have done that yesterday without you." Borazon says.
"Hey, no problem anyways Samuel is the same age as my brother Tommy. Seeing him smile makes me smile. I think Samuel and Tommy would be good friends." Chrissy says while she watches him then stops as they both notice Nelly suddenly acting up.
"What or do you thi? Chrissy starts to say but stops as she sees a wolf come charging out of the tall grass towards both Nelly and Samuel, while another went after Borazon. Without thinking Chrissy pulled a Captain America move and threw her shield at the head of the wolf. The aim was true, and it killed the creature but that didn't stop another one that came running out of the tall grass. Chrissy takes off running and tackles it before it can reach the goat or the boy who had placed himself between the wolf and his goat with glass knife ready for a fight.
Chrissy and the wolf wrestled each other down the hill. Occasionally Chrissy would punch it but that would only serve to piss it off. The two came to a stumbling stop and the wolf was on top. It was about to bite down until Chrissy grabbed its jaws. Using slayer strength Chrissy rips its mouth apart sending blood flying everywhere. Chrissy slumped back in relief as she felt the life leave the vicious creature.
"Chrissy!" Both grandson and grandfather screamed as they came running down the hill towards her.
"I'm OK can't say much for this guy. And I am really loving these gauntlets you gave me last night." Chrissy tells them as she tosses the body off of her and shows how they protected her from the teeth of the wolf.
"That was amazing!" Samuel says as he runs up to her.
"No, that sucks. Now I am covered in blood again." Chrissy complains while sitting on her butt in the dirt.
"That's okay it's the perfect opportunity to learn how to skin and gut a wolf or any other animal." Borazon says as he tosses what was left of the other two down next to her.
"Are you nuts that's disgusting." Chrissy retorts as she scoots away from the carcasses.
"It is but you may be out and need some leather or other material and there's nothing already made nearby. Right son?"
"Yes sir, plus wolf pellets are at a good price right now." Samuel explains as he excitedly pulls Nelly towards her.
"Oh, that is so not fair old man using the kid." Chrissy tells him with a dirty look.
"I will use whatever is at my disposal." Borazon laughs.
The next hour all three worked together to gut and skin the wolves. They packed the hide with salt and placed them in the cart while the guts and meat were placed in a bucket that were on the side of the cart. They cleaned up in a stream that wasn't too far from them.
Samuel had given Chrissy her shield back. "That was incredible what you did with the shield where did you learn it?"
"I saw it done by someone else." Chrissy explains as they are back on the road. "So do you know anything that can get Blood out of Leather?" The heavens answered her question as it started raining. To which she looks up and yells. "Really again!"
The males laugh at her and continue for several more hours until they come across some strange stones that remind Chrissy of Stone Hedge she had seen in some pictures.
"This will be a good place to set up camp." Borazon says as he walks over to the largest of the stones. "This one should help protect us."
"I guess I am on firewood duty again." Chrissy says as she grabs up the axe.
"Gather dead standing as the ground is too wet." Borazon calls out to her.
By the time Chrissy had returned they had set up the camp like before except the bed rolls were thicker.
"Don't I get my own tonight?" Chrissy teasingly asks as she nods to the bed rolls.
"Watches again." Borazon answers.
"Can I do a watch tonight?" Samuel asks.
"We will see." Borazon answers.
"I wish they had had a decent bedroll for me back at that place." Chrissy remarked as she sat down on a rock close to the fire.
"Why?" Samuel dishearten asks.
"I just hate putting you guys out of your bedroll even if we are trading watches." Chrissy explains.
"I don't mind as I get a nice warm bedroll when we trade." Borazon remarks with a straight face.
"So that is the reason you like to take first watch." Chrissy laughs.
"Yup." Borazon answers.
"I notice you took the blankets they had." Chrissy says as she points at the thicker rolls.
"Of course, more protection between us and the ground."
"So, what's for dinner tonight?"
"I am frying what's left of the fish you had and making some bake potatoes." Samuel answers.
"Sounds good to me."
Road To River Run
Day 4
The evening went by rather quietly with Samuel even getting the chance to have a watch. In the morning they packed up like before and continued their travels for a few more hours until they arrived at a stone bridge.
"Is that White Run? Why are there so many people?" Chrissy asks as she observes many disarrayed people and carts milling around. She isn't answered as Borazon just covers his face better with his cloak and Samuel copies his grandfather.
"Hey Bor." Chrissy starts to ask again but she's given a look by him that said not to say anything.
Chrissy and Samuel watched Borazon carefully as he kept his head down and covered as they crossed the bridge and made a sharp turn up another hill in the opposite direction as White run. Chrissy raised an eyebrow when she watched Borazon move even farther away from a group of people coming down the hill.
"Move along this is Imperial business." A male dress in roman looking legionnaire garb instructed her as he drew a sword.
"Hey, no problem I am just a fan of you guys and what you do. Thank you for your service." Chrissy response as she realizes he is a soldier and the best way to avoid a confrontation with them would be to show respect and submission, so she raises up her hands.
Chrissy's politeness and response was enough to convince the guard that she and her companions were not a threat so that he put his sword back away.
"You're welcome citizen." Another guard in similar attire says. "But you need to move along we have a dangerous prisoner to deliver."
"Be safe Sir." Chrissy says as she follows behind Borazon while pulling Samuel who has Nelly in tow.
After the legionnaire was out of sight for a while Chrissy spoke up. "Samuel what's up with your gramps?"
"Storm Cloaks and Imperials are enemies. Grandpa has fought against many of them, and he is being cautious as they could recognize him." Samuel answers as he looks back over his shoulder where the Imperials went.
"You never really explained what happened with them." Chrissy said.
"Storm Cloaks don't want to listen to the Imperials who listen to the High elves, so they fight." Samuel explains as he pets Nelly.
"Sounds a lot like how the U.S.A started."
"So, Elves killed you if you worshipped your own god."
"There are no elves on my planet that I know of. We killed each other. But the U.S.A. was founded on people wanting to serve God in their own way. One of the founding laws allows its citizens to freely worship whoever they want as long as their worship doesn't impede the rights and freedoms of others."
"Sound like we are a lot alike except we can't worship Thor here because the High elves don't believe that he is a god and find it is an insult to worship him. So, they kill anyone who does." Samuel explains.
"Beings who force their ideas and beliefs on people like that are just sad persons and need metal help." Chrissy states.
"Not now we need to pick up the pace or we won't get there before the gate closes." Borazon snapped back.
Chrissy picks up the pace while muttering. "Cat-people, Elves, and vampires this place is full of surprises. It's a good thing the Biker Mice aren't here or there might be a problem if they met those Cat people. Man, man would Mikie love this place."
Gates of River Run
It was a few hours after dark when they finally arrived at the River Run closed gates while the rain drizzled down on them.
"It was as I feared." Borazon says as he wipes the rain away from his face.
"Why don't we just knock?" Chrissy asks, wanting to get out of the rain.
"If we do the gate warden may require payment for us to enter." Borazon sneers.
"I take it they like to charge a lot?" Chrissy's remarks as she remembers how, the one time they had stopped, Borazon hid most of his and Samuel's gold in different spots. Samuel had told her to do the same. Chrissy was glad she had listened to Samuel.
Borazon nods as he pounds on the gate and Chrissy hides her new sword under her cloak.
"Who's down there? Why are you here? And what do you want?" A voice calls down from the darkness from above the gate.
"My companions and I are wanting to stay at the Inn for the night than move on to Falls Creek in the morning." Borazon calls up.
"You said you are with the Companions? We don't have need of you." The voice calls back.
"No, I said my friends and I would like to stay at the Inn for the night."
"Oh.. What do you got to trade?" The voice demands with a sneer.
"I have some meat and herbs."
"Any furs?"
"A couple of wolf hides freshly cut."
"Bring them and let me see." The voice says as they hear someone come down a set of wood stairs.
After a few moments a small port door in the gate opens and an old man head pokes out says. "Show me the furs." To which Borazon does.
After a few minutes, of looking through the hole at them the old man snaps "Not bad you need more. 3 copper per person and 5 for the goat."
"Why more for the goat?" Chrissy quietly mutters.
"Because it poops in the road. But if you sleep with me, I might only charge half price." The man creepily answers while he sleazily stares at her.
Out of the corner of his eye Borazon saw Chrissy's face, without thinking he ducked as her hand shot up through the port hole door and pulls, the man almost through.
"Listen you little shit, you are going to let us in, or I am going to pull you through this window inch by inch." Chrissy informs him while using him as a reverse door knocker the hard way.
"Okay!" The man squeals as he makes several attempts to unlatch the gate and finally manages. Once the gate is unlatched Chrissy drops the little half unconscious man to the ground as she roughly pushes open the gate.
"You two go ahead this little shit and I are going to have a conversation about how you talk to a woman."
"Okay. Just don't take too long." Borazon says as he hurriedly pulls both Samuel and Nelly down the road to the public barn to put Nelly in.
"What is the rush?" Samuel asks and his question was answered by a high pitch squeal coming from the darkness where Chrissy was. "Never mind." Samuel says and he suddenly copies his grandfather who covered his private area and quickly walks into the public barn.
Once inside the Inn Borazon instructs Samuel to find a table. Borazon then heads for the bar so he can order some food and drinks for them. Samuel only manages to snag two chairs and a small table next to the fire. That is where Chrissy finds him when she comes in about twenty minutes later.
"Over here." Samuel calls out to Chrissy when he sees her and enters and starts looking around for them.
"Where's your gramps?" Chrissy asks as she warms her hands on the fire.
"He's at the bar ordering food."
"Do you know where we might wash up?"
"You wash up in the rain barrel at the bottom of the steps outside." A woman next to them answers.
"Oh thanks." Chrissy says then quickly heads out to wash up.
"Where is Chrissy?" Borazon asks as he places 3 steaming wood mugs on the table then sits down.
"She's outside cleaning up." Samuel answers, then takes a drink of the hot cider.
It was a short while later when Chrissy came back in. "Hey, did you notice there was a bulletin board out there?"
"That's where it is? I didn't see it. Its black out there how did you?" Borazon says.
"I just can." Chrissy says with a shrug as she puts a couple pieces of paper down next to the mugs. "Anyways there are more bounties plus a few what looks like odd jobs."
"You can find bulletin boards full of odd jobs and bounties in every outpost, village, town, and city.
"Hey maybe we can do more of these and you will have enough to purchase the land." Chrissy suggests before she takes a drink of the hot cider. "Not as good as your Jaffa Bean drink."
"We got lucky at that last one. I can't chance dying or loosing Samuel." Borazon says as a barmaid comes over with 3 large wooden bowls of beef stew, a dry loaf of bread, some room temperature butter and places them on the table.
"Okay. Well, what about these odd jobs?" Chrissy questions after sipping on her cider.
"Depends on what and where they are?" Borazon remarks between bites. "We need to get to Falls Creek within the next few days and it's around a two day travel from here.
"Why?"
"I just heard that there seems to be problems with the jarls nephew, and he could use all the help he can get." Borazon explains.
"Okay these bounties are out. Here is a request for someone to take some supplies to Helena, I wonder where that is." Chrissy says but still places them in one of the pouches on her belt. To which Borazon doesn't acknowledge but Samuel gives her a questioning look from his seat on the floor next to the fireplace.
"There is an intersection for that place along the way." Borazon says. "Who is the one who wants it transported and what is it?
"It says to see the Herbalists and here is another one that is similar but it's from the Black smith."
"We need to see both in the morning anyways."
"What else?" Samuel asks.
"There someone asking for help to retrieve something that was stolen from them. It says to see the General Merchant."
"So basically, another bounty."
"Sounds like."
"We'll still have to see him I need some more lamp oil and you could use a travel lamp too with oil. Plus, good camping supplies like that bedroll you were wanting. We may have to camp until we can find a place to stay."
"Speaking of stay this place looks full up." Chrissy says as she takes a sip from the mug while looking around the large room full of people.
"There was one room left. It just has one bed. You can have it Samuel and I have bed rolls."
"What about Nelly?"
"She is at the stable and I talk to the owner over there and he'll make sure she is taken care of."
"Well, looks like I have a large list of stuff I need before we leave."
The next few hours the trio eat and drink in quiet, warming and drying themselves by the stone pit fire and listen to the local's gossip. Chrissy smirked about the love triangle that was going on. Chrissy wanted to rip her ears off when the bard sang the same song about Rag nar the Red.
"Something wrong lass?"
"That Bard is making me want to repeat what Matilda did but to him!" Chrissy sneered.
"Easy lass, it's a good song."
"The song may be good, but the Bard needs help."
"Maybe back where you came from but he's pretty good here. Or do you think you can do any better."
"Screeching cats in heat do better but I don't sing." Chrissy remarked as she silently though of different ways of how to either kill him or knock him out from a distance.
"If you keep staring at him like that, he may think you are interested in him." Borazon offhandedly remarks which causes Chrissy to immediately turn her back to both him and the Bard and grip her sword tightly under her cloak. This reaction causes Borazon and Samuel to laugh.
Another song started that caused Chrissy to listen as it stuck accord somewhere deep down inside. The song replayed am epic tale of once great dragons and their death. It's haunting tune hit her heart so deep that she started to cry but quickly wipes away the tear and was glad they couldn't see her face due to the poorly lit room and her cloak still covering her head and hiding her face.
"Well, it's getting late, and I want to get an early start." Borazon says as he places his empty mug on the table and flags down the owner. "Where is the room we paid for?"
"Follow me."
To which the trio gather their things and do. They follow the middle-aged woman down past the open stone fire pit to the bar then to a small door off to the side of it. The woman went in and a lit candle horn that was on a small table.
"If there is anything you need the bar is open for another 2 hours after that everyone usually heads for bed."
"Is there a privy or restroom?" Chrissy asks.
"Middle room across from the bar."
"Thanks." Chrissy says as she heads for that door.
"She seems…" The woman remarks while stand a little closer to Borazon.
"She has had a hard life." Borazon tells her as he looks into the woman's eyes.
"Is she your daughter?"
"No. She needed help and we are helping." Borazon answers.
"That is good of you."
"Chrissy actually…" Samuel started to say but was silenced by a harsh look from his grandfather.
"So, she is your wife?" The woman asks while stepping back from him.
"No, I don't go for children. As I said she needs help, so we are helping that is all." Borazon says as he suggestively seductively looks over the owner to which she does the same to him.
"Not in here you two I want some sleep." Chrissy says as she slips past them as Borazon was next to the door.
"We need more mead and Ramneer is trying to wear the mooses head again." A voice from the bar calls out to the owner.
"Another time." She tells him with a wink and leaves.
"Damn grandpa got game." Chrissy snickers.
"What?" Samuel asks.
"It means your grandpa was really thinking about grown up stuff that doesn't involve children that is unless…." Chrissy explains but is interrupted by a slightly red-faced Borazon saying. "Go to bed."
Borazon and Samuel lay their bedrolls on the floor with Borazon's roll closest to the door and Samuel close to Chrissy. All of them made sure that the weapons were within easy reach as they didn't trust some of the people out there. The night went by without incident or nightmares.
Morning Day 5
River Run Inn
The trio awoke to the smell of roasting beef and hot bread loaves. They gathered their stuff in their room and headed out the door to the main area. This time they were able to find an empty table that could seat all three of them. The owner came over and took their orders. After she had left, they started to discuss their plans.
"We can get Nelly than go to the blacksmith as he is across the way. From what I was told last night he should be the first one open. The herbalist usually opens later from what I understand. They're not too far down the way and the general good store is right across from the blacksmith." Borazon explains.
"Should we stay together or separate to take care of things?" Chrissy asks.
"It is best we stay together for now there are some elements here I do not trust." Borazon answers while glancing over his shoulder at a couple of men in the shadows.
"Bandits?" Chrissy asks with a quick glance at the ones he was referring to.
"Good possibility. Could be slavers. Ever since the war started a lot of people are displaced and become easy targets for them."
"Damn no matter where I go that seems to be a thing." Chrissy says.
"You have slavery where you came from?" Samuel asks.
"Yeah, we have the same shit just different names, and they hide it better because it is illegal." Chrissy answers.
"It's illegal here too but once we're on the road we should know for sure what they're up to." Borazon quietly remarks then stops as the owner approaches with their orders.
"Here you go." She says with a wink towards him and places his food down first then vaguely acknowledges the others.
"Yes, grandpa does have game." Samuel remarks quietly causing Chrissy to cough on the bite of eggs she had taken. While his grandfather just looks at him with a stunned expression than turns to Chrissy with a smile and says, "You are a bad influence." To which Chrissy just laughs as does Samuel.
After finishing their meal, they pay for it and head out the door. They stop at the stable and pick up Nelly. Borazon is in the middle of checking her cart when a large balding man comes over.
"Your stuff is still there but I did take that shirt off. The shirt is drying over there. She ate well and had plenty to drink." He tells them.
Borazon gives him the agreed upon price but then the man turns to Chrissy and says, "You owe me 3 copper."
"For what?"
"Chrissy what did you do?" Borazon asks with a little bit of nervousness.
"I was going to charge you 5 copper for having to cut Bearon down, but I am only charging 3 because I did enjoy watching him get his." The man laughs with a wink. "Though it was quite a challenge to cut him down and not damage the gate.
"Hey, I should charge you than because where I come from you pay the one that entertains you." Chrissy laughs back.
"This I am sure maybe true, but we couldn't open the gate this morning."
"Fine here is your fee.. I suggest that you replace your gate warden."
"We did and you just paid him for each of your party to enter." He says with a wink as he pockets the coins. The trio just laughs.
"You are definitely trouble." Borazon says.
"I am mellow compared to some of the other persons I know." Chrissy says while looking directly at Borazon who just smiles back.
"Just heads up there are a couple of strangers in town that may cause problems." Borazon tells the new Gate Warden as the two shady characters leave the Inn.
"Yeah, I know I've been keeping my eye on them. If they try anything in town, they are in for a world of hurt. Our Jarl doesn't allow that shit and have given permission to deal with that type of person as we see fit." He tells them as he picks up a mean looking mace. "The guards and the rest of the town know."
"Do you know anything about them?" Borazon asks.
"No, the old gate warden let them in."
"I may wish to leave my boy out with the cart and goat, while we get supplies." Borazon remarks.
"He'll be safe." The Gate Warden replies/
"Thank you."
"No thank you for the new job."
"No problem." Chrissy says as they walk towards the blacksmith who was just opening.
When they arrive at the open-air blacksmith a large older blonde man has just finished starting the main fire.
"Samuel stay with Nelly. Chrissy stay on the porch but keep an eye out." Borazon instructs as notices the same two men from last night and this morning coming over.
"Hail Black smith my name is Borazon and I was wondering if you would like to trade?"
"Hail Borazon I am Lucus Vale. I have few bits to trade what do you have?" A huge man answers back.
"I have 3 freshly cut wolf hides and their inters for tanning." Borazon says as he brings the hides out.
"Not bad size.." Lucus says as he takes the hides from Borazon and begins to examine them.
Chrissy keeps an eye on not just the bartering men but on everyone around. The two suspicious men from earlier stay off to the side as they also wait for the Blacksmith. That doesn't stop Chrissy from stealthily bringing her knife out and hiding it behind her shield which she is carrying close to her chest.
"Do you have any camping supplies?" Borazon asks.
"Not at this time but I think Havard at the merchandise store may have cloth for tents. You might be able to get the rest from Gerdura at the mill. Tell you what I'll give 4 silver for each hide and 3 for all the inters."
"6 for each hide and 5 for the inters.
"5 for each hide and 4 for the inters but that's all I can do as I am the one who has to tan them."
"Sounds fair."
"Would you be heading by Helena?" Lucus asks.
"We saw your notice and depending on what you want us to deliver and to who."
"It's just some letters to my nephew he is a legionnaire up there." Lucus says proudly.
"I can do it. I used to send and get letters from my grandfather who is serving. They made me so happy." Chrissy says as she recalls.
"Thank you, lass. I would have sent them via courier but there hasn't been one by in a while." Lucus says as he retrieves the letters.
"I wonder why?"
"Bandits, Storm Cloaks or who knows. I am just glad to send them." Lucus says. "Upon your return I'll give 3 silver if no letters in return but if you bring a letter back with news, I'll give you 6.
"Sounds reasonable." Chrissy says as she pockets the letters.
The two made the trade without problems. The Trio made their way over to the merchandise store while the strangers went and did some trading with Lucus.
"Chrissy I still don't trust those ones. We take turns going in and stay with the cart."
"Can I go in and look around? I would like to see his supply on herbs." Samuels says.
"I'll stay here, you two go." Chrissy tells them while she slips her knife back while using Borazon as a shield to hide what she was doing she unsheathes her sword and keeps it ready under her cloak. Seeing her action, he just nods and waits until she is done then him and Samuel heads into the store. Not wanting to be blocked off from escape, Chrissy stays off to the side of Nelly and the cart while she kept her back to the store.
Chrissy became more tense as the men started to walk over towards but is slight relieved when a familiar voice calls out. "Hey lass you guys left this."
Chrissy sees the new gate warden arriving with not just Nelly's shirt but his mace in hand. The two men give them a cursory glance but then continue past and into the store.
"Thanks." Chrissy says as she takes the shirt from him.
"Actually, I just did it so I don't have to clean up after you." He says with a wink and stays until Borazon and Samuel return.
"I got you a small tent, bed roll, sharping stone, and camping supplies. You shouldn't need to go in there." Borazon tells her. To which she just nods her head and takes the stuff from him.
"Can we please go to the herbalist they may have some of the Jaffa beans I used to make the drink Chrissy likes." Samuel asks with a pleading look.
"Oh yes please can we." Chrissy agrees as she adds begging look.
"Fine but you two can go in I'll stay with Nelly." Borazon says as he turns on the two-puppy dog looks they were giving him.
When Samuel and Chrissy enter the small herbalist shop, they are smacked in the face with so many scents that it almost knocks them out.
"Hello!" Samuel calls out.
"Oh, dear sorry just I broke a jar of cantreen berries." A real old lady says as comes around with a broom.
"No problem." Samuel says. "I am Samuel, and this is Chrissy. We are here to trade."
The woman reminds Chrissy of her favorite mystery writer from Cabot Cove Maine that she almost calls her Mrs Fletcher.
"Oh yes I am Genny why don't you two go and look around while I clean this up."
The two look around the small shop that has shelves full of varies types of herbs and potions.
"Now what can I get for you?" The lady asks once she is back at her counter.
"I have these herbs and was wondering if you have any Jaffa beans."
"I do have some Jaffa beans they are right over there. Why don't you go get them while I look at these."
Samuel does as he is told. While he is retrieving the jar of Jaffa beans, the old lady asks Chrissy. "Are you the young lady that is taking Lucus letters to his nephew?"
"I may be."
"Well since you're heading up to Helena I could use someone to drop off these herbs to my dear friend Kellsin. He's not feeling good, and these should help."
"I.." Chrissy starts to say but is interrupted by Samuel "That will depend on what it is."
"I can assure you son that it is not that nasty stuff Luuci that's been going around. But if you must take a look here." The old woman said as she opened a satchel.
Samuel inspects the inside of the satchel and says. "Rose hips, Merricks, and Peettee those are good for many things but mostly cleansing out infections. You might wanna add some lavender depending on what it is."
"You know an awful lot about herbs for a young boy."
"My mother had been an herbalist in the town we lived by before the war started."
"She taught you well young man."
"Thank you." Samuel respectfully replies and says to Chrissy. "They are OK to transport."
"What is Luuci?"
"It's a nasty combination of herbs most made from Lucci Sugar that causes people to do really bad things while falsely making them feel good." The old woman explains.
"That does sound like some nasty stuff."
"It is also quite illegal. Lucci Sugar is quite good for other things like in cooking and healing, but it all depends on how it is processed." Samuel explains.
"I was wondering if you might know what these are?" Chrissy says as she pulls out a few small glass bottles full of liquid that she had retrieved from the prison.
"Let me take a look." The old woman says she pops the corks and takes a small whiff of each and then places it back on.
"These smells of hieih and another of privion." She explains.
"Huh?"
"Hieih is basically for healing while the privion is a type of poison." Samuel explains.
"I'll keep the Hieih put I don't think I need the poison."
"Actually, in the right amount it can be good for you."
"Don't think I'll need it."
"If you take the herbs to my friend, I'll give you a deal of 5 silver for it or I'll trade you another hieih for it."
"I'll take the health for now I may need it later and you can't heal with coins."
"Deal."
"Do you have any lamp oil the Trader only had one." Samuel asks.
"I have 3."
"We'll take them all."
The two do their trades and make their purchases. When they come out, they see Borazon nods toward the two strangers who are just coming out of the store. All three watch them carefully but sigh a little in relief that the strangers headed in the direction that they had come from. Once they are out of sight Chrissy and Samuel go over to the cart.
"I just spoke with one of the guards while you were in there. I turned heads and posters in for the bounty. They signed the posters, and we are to turn them into any Jarl, and they will pay us. But it seems that their maybe bandits in an old mine in the direction were heading but I don't think that's those two where part of that group." Borazon says as they start to head out of the town in the opposite direction as the strangers.
"Do you think that they may be part of the ones that we?" Chrissy asks.
"If they are we better move fast."
Road to Falls Creek and Helena
The group heading out the other gate at a brisk pace. While they were walking Samuel would still occasionally pick some herbs along the road and place them in burlap sack on the cart. Borazon took the lead with Nelly right behind him then Samuel while Chrissy guarding the rear. Several times Chrissy would mentally slap herself for checking out Borazon's ass not just because of his age but she felt like she was betraying someone she just couldn't remember. She decided it was best to look elsewhere and saw something that sent chills down her spine.
"Borazon do you know what that is." Chrissy asks as she points to a structure on a high mountain across the river they were traveling next to.
"I don't know the name but it's just some old ruin." Borazon says as he stops and looks at what she is pointing at then continues.
"As long as we don't have to go there, I am cool with not knowing." Chrissy says as she follows back in behind them.
"Why do say that?" Samuel asks as he too had looked at what she had been pointing at.
"It's giving me the wiggins." Chrissy says with a shivering motion of her shoulders.
"Huh?" Both Samuel and Borazon ask.
"Well, it is very faint, but I feel like there isn't something right about that place. Not vamps but not alive either." Chrissy tells them.
"It could be the draugr." Samuel answers
"What are they?"
"Mom told me that they are the animated dead who protect and take care of tombs, crips and ruins. They are the main reason we don't worry about tomb robbers."
"And what happens if you get past them?"
"You get to keep the stuff, but I wouldn't it may upset people enough that they would put a bounty on you. But I guess that also depends on the tomb and who it belongs to too. Plus, there is also what you took. For example, if you just take a few coins most won't care but if you take family heirlooms they could be cursed." Borazon explains.
The group travels for several long hours at the fast pace that Borazon set later that morning. Only stopping occasionally to relieve themselves and once for a mild meal that was until.
"I was thinking that if we get separated, we still should have a way to communicate." Borazon brings up. "Most of the time we can just send a Courier but as there hasn't been one by River Run lately, we might want to come up with a different plan."
"Where I came from in the old days, they used to leave mail at Taverns or Inns." Chrissy says.
"That is a good idea since there's the way up to Helena and this is the way down to Falls Creek." Borazon says as he points at some road signs and the different paths.
"Why don't you guys head down towards Falls Creek if this is the only road, I need to follow I should be there in a day or so after you arrive. If anything comes up, I can leave a message back at the inn at River Run." Chrissy suggests.
"That would be a good idea if anything comes up and we cannot stay and Falls Creek, I will leave you a message at the Inn there." Borazon remarks, then takes out a few supplies from the cart and hands them to her. "Take these, you may need them. It's a small tent along with a small travel lantern and one small bottle of oil for it. "It's just in case." He hands her the small travel lantern to attach to her belt while he attaches the oil skin and tent to her backpack.
"Thank you."
"Are you sure you really need to go? We could wait." Samuel says with a bit of a whine not wanting her to go.
"Those men may have been bandits from our little time at the towers and may come after us. It is safer for you and your grandfather the sooner you get to Falls Creek. I did promise I would deliver these packages so its best you guys go ahead." Chrissy tells them but finds it hard as Samuel looks at her with damp eyes.
"What about you?" Samuel asks as he tries not to cry.
"I can use my Slayer speed to meet up with you guys in no time. But just in case we have a plan of communication set up."
"Okay just don't forget this." Samuel says as he helps her attach a bed roll to her backpack and slips some of the J beans, she liked so well in.
"If you need anything try and find a Courier to find us. Now come son we must keep going and you Chrissy be safe." Borazon says as he gives her a warrior handshake.
"You too, my friend." Chrissy says as she returns the handshake then turns it into a quick hug afterwards, she gives a handshake hug to Samuel. When the hug was over, she watched them for a few minutes as they went down and around the bend. She heads up the hill at a soft jog which was faster than she had been moving with them.