Aurelian stood panting in cool skyrim air. Recovering from his flight through the twisted passages and ruins. As he caught his breath flashes of his manic escape kept running in front of his eyes. When the dragon attacked he had sprinted away from the headsman's block where he had been kneeling towards one of the nearby houses. Then the dragon let out a deafening roar that seemed to crack the sky. Flaming rocks started falling out of the sky and smashing into the buildings. That had suggested that hiding was not really an option, so he did the next best thing and sprinted as far away from the dragon as he could. He felt a twinge of shame remembering the Legionnaires trying to fight the dragon, futilely firing arrows and spells at its night black scales. Harrald would not have cared that it was a dragon, he'd be there trying to throw a javelin at the Dragon not caring that it was impossible or suicidal. Still Aurelian was here through that cave and enjoying a brisk afternoon unlike the two idiots arguing in front of the barracks building. Couldn't they see there was a Dagon damned dragon attacking?
He'd run past them into the barracks building and found a dagger to cut through his bindings. Grabbing an imperial gladius from the racks. He simply charged through the barracks and passages of the fort. Every damned room he came across there stormcloaks and imperials fighting each other. Aurelian simply charged past them. A few of them tried to stop him but he was able to avoid them. Eventually after much running and sneaking past a bear of all things he'd found himself out here. He was finally catching his breath but that roar sounded again and blasted him to his core. Aurelian dived cover behind some moss stained rocks and watched with a strange mix of fear and anger as the dragon flew past. When the dragon was out of sight he counted out thirty seconds to make sure it was gone. Dusting himself off he felt much better. He was in SKyrim, he was alive, granted he had lost his money and swords but considering his execution was very much on the cards today that seemed a small price to pay. Besides, Aurelian had a good feeling about this province. Dusting himself off and tying his requisitioned gladius to his belt Aurelian made his way down the hill whistling aimlessly.
As Aurelian walked in the warm afternoon air he began to do a mental inventory of his assets. At the moment he had slightly used set of leather armour, with some warm woollen undergarments that he had bought in Bruma and the requisitioned Imperial Gladius. Everything else had been taken from him by the Imperials. Still he had his magic and his skills, that was enough.
Aurelian was distracted from his thoughts by the sound of a branch snapping. Drawing the Gladius and turning sharply towards the sound he saw a half starved nord man clutching a rust stained axe approaching him. He's clearly a bandit. The question is whether he is alone? Aurelian asked himself.
The bandit leered at him, showing a somewhat incomplete collection of yellow teeth.
"Ho there, milk-drinker!" the bandit called out gesticulating with his axe.
Aurelain pretended to look around confused.
"I'm sorry, are you talking to me?" He asked credulously
The bandit tilted his head in confusion.
"Yes, boy are you simple?" The bandit called out.
Aurelian shrugged.
"Well I'm glad we sorted out that confusion. Good Job. Now I can be on my way" With that Aurelian turned around and began to walk away. The twang and a thud as an arrow flew out of the bushes behind the nord and thudded into a tree behind back around Aurelian saw a half-starved redguard woman holding a bow pointed at him.
"Gunnar, don't let him walk away!" She exclaimed through gritted teeth.
"I wasn't" the nord bandit exclaimed, his voice moving up a pitch and becoming winy.
Seeing his moment Aurelian, gathered his magicka into a small bolt of fire and shot it at the redguard woman. She screamed in surprise and pain as the flames caught on her dirty furs and began to burn. The Nord gaped in shock at the magic. AUrelian charged towards him gladius aimed high. The Nord jerked back in surprise, barely bringing his axe up in time to meet Aurelian thrust. Aurelian feinted to the left and as the nord moved to block Aurelian plunged the gladius into his side. The Nord collapsed to the ground, blood pumping from his side. The redguard looked up to see Aurelian approaching her and drew a small dagger. Aurelian could not help but laugh at the tiny thing. The woman must have realised her situation and turned around and ran back into the brush.
"Molag's Balls' ' Aurelian muttered to himself. He decided to follow the woman. Just to make sure she wasn't bringing ten of her closest friends to kill him. He followed the woman into the brush and found a rough path leading through it. It led him to what looked like an abandoned mine. He heard voices, the woman was talking to sleazy looking breton in leathers more battered than Aurelian's.
"Armand please, he's already killed Gunnar! He's coming this way!"
"Please, you and Gunnar may not be a match for him but I assure you my…"
Aurelian rudely cut him off by shooting him in the head with a jagged piece of ice. He'd hit him right at the soft part of the skull .Armand jerked suddenly and then fell to the ground. The redguard had been a bit luckier with her shot. Aurelian had aimed it at her forehead. Instead of piercing her brain the ice shard had shattered on impact making a dozen little cuts across her face. It was a bloody mess. The woman was howling. Completely understandable but still not exactly helpful. So he approached, thankfully the woman was half blind with blood. He grabbed by the shoulder and stabbed her through the chest and into the heart. She collapsed to the ground.
"Dagon Damned fools' ' Aurelian muttered. Still being Bandits he doubted anyone would care. For a brief moment he debated whether to explore this abandoned mine. No doubts there were more bandits hiding inside with their ill-gotten gains. He could probably handle them, if these three were the best they could manage, but it would be wise to get some supplies from the nearest town first. Besides, there might be a bounty for them. Content with decision Aurelian rifled through the three bodies. They barely had twenty septims between them! Clearly being a bandit payed poorly in these parts. Still the breton had some small garnets and an amethyst that might be worth a few septims. Pocketing the gems and the coins Aurelian turned away and began walking back towards the road, the still eyes of the bandits watching as he disappeared into the foliage.
Aurelian followed the road for another hour or so till he eventually saw a decent sized lumber town. Aurelian could see that the town was defended by a small stone and timber palisade. Though he could not see anyone patrolling it. Perfect, no awkward questions from bored gate guards. Strolling with an affected confidence Aurelian walked down the road and through the town gates. The smell of pine sap and sawdust seemed to permeate the town. Still it was enough for his purposes.
"A Dragon I saw a Dragon" the old woman's voice made Aurelian spin around. Some bent-back old woman was badgering a young man.
"Hush mother. People are Staring" The young man hissed. Looking askance at Aurelian. Aurelian never one to waste an opportunity to have someone at a disadvantage stalked over.
"Good afternoon" Aurlian called out cheerfully.
"Well met Imperial '' The nord man replied cautiously. He was a handsome young man. All broad shoulders and flowing blond locks. His voice had a pleasingly melodic quality.
"I was wondering if you could kindly point me in the direction of your general store, if you have one that is?" Aurelian asked innocently.
"The dragon! Did you see the dragon? You must have!"" The old woman interrupted. Desperate for corroboration.
Aurelian paused, giving a faux sympathetic look to the young man.
"A dragon, you say? That would be quite a sight!" Aurelian condescended to the old woman.
A look of confused outrage passed over the old woman's face.
"Bah! Useless milk-drinker" The woman exclaimed storming off towards a nearby cottage and slamming the door.
The young man winced and looked back to Aurelian.
"Sorry about her '' The nord said apologetically.
"Quite Alright" Aurelian replied magnanimously. "I'm Aurelian by the way"
"Sven" The nord said. "You asked about the trader right? It's down the road on your right. Look for the 'Riverwood Trader'.
Aurelian smiled politely, "My thanks" and he turned to leave.
"Actually If you are heading towards the Trader anyway, could you deliver a letter for me? I'd be happy to pay you" Sven asked
"Of course." Aurelian replied carefully. Suspicious to be offered payment for something so trivial.
"There is this woman there, Camilla. Both me and that slimy Elf Faendal are both courting her. If you give her this letter, and tell her it's from Faendal she'll want nothing more to do with him" Sven said, pulling the letter out of his coat.
He just had that ready Aurelian thought to himself. Aurelian took the letter and tucked it into his belt. Trying to hide his amusement.
"Come see me after you deliver it and tell me what her reaction is and I'll pay you then."
"How much?" Aurelian asked bluntly. Time to shake this fool down.
"Well I was thinking 10 septims" Sven responded somewhat taken aback by Aurelian's bluntness.
"10 Septims! For Decieving an innocent young woman? You insult me!" Aurelian exclaimed, hand drifting towards his Gladius.
Sven eyes widened in fear as he looked around to see if anyone had heard Aurelian's exclamation.
"Wait, Wait! I'm sorry, your right ten septims, isn't enough. How about twenty five? That's all I've got on me!" Sven
Aurelian gave him a searching look. Let him stew for a few moments.
"I suppose that will have to do" Aurelian declared and began walking down the road. Well that was easy. If I had tried that back home I would have gotten a dagger in the ribs for my troubles. Whistling cheerfully Aurelian strolled down the street, walking past a blacksmith shop. He took a cursory glance at the Man's work. It was all axes, saw blades and a few basic weapons. He would not find replacements for his rapier and dagger here. Maybe in a big city. He missed those weapons. Signing to himself Aurelian spotted the Riverwood Trader.
Just as he was about to turn off the road a voice called out.
"You were talking to Sven right?"
Aurelian turned and saw a bosmer, dressed in hunting greens with a bow on his back.
"You must be Faendal," Aurelian said with a smile.
After a brief conversation with Faendal Aurelian turned to enter the Riverwood Trader, the proud bearer of two letters and the promised recipient of fifty septims upon their delivery.
Opening the well oiled and maintained wooden door. Aurelian was greeted with the sight of a beautiful young imperial woman arguing with another imperial man.
"Well one of Us has to do something!" the young woman replied. She had lovely black hair done in a severe style that made her seem older. The drab clothes were not helping much either.
"I said no. No Adventures, no theatrics, no thief chasing!" The man replied clearly exasperated by the woman's defiance.
"Well what are you going to do then, huh? Let's hear it!"
"We are done Talking about this" The man said with a tone of finality. They seemed to notice Aurelian at that point. The man looked flustered and blushed
"Oh a customer, sorry you had to see that"
"That's alright. I was looking for Camilla" Aurelian declared. Turning to the young woman expectantly
"I'm Camila." She said nervously
"Perfect. I have two letters from two different idiots for you" Aurelian held out the two envelopes.