-Ch. 2-

Ozgar and his new Nord companion sat wide eyed behind a large rock, having crawled their way out of the Helgen dungeons. Ralof, the blonde Stormcloak who helped get Oz through the attack, pointed as the huge black monstrosity flew into the distance.

"Ok, I think it's gone for good." Ralof, the nord said to Oz as the town slumped behind a rock and finally caught their breath.

"Thank Stendarr." Oz muttered as he used the Rock to help prop him to his feet.

Ralof gave the young orc a short nod of appreciation, and surprise. "Good man." He said, even before Oz offered him a hand up. Once on his feet the two brushed themselves off and started walking away from Fort Helgen.

"Thank you, I wouldn't have made it out of there without your help." Ralof said to Ozgar. "Ulfric could use more soldiers like you. If you're a true son of Skyrim, go see him at The Palace of Kings in Windhelm."

Oz furrowed his brow as he mulled over the offer. Ulfric wasn't seen very fondly by the Orcs of Skyrim; even less so the Orcs of the Reach. And now knowing his connection to the Forsworn. "I'll think about it." Oz muttered out.

"Aye." Ralof said. "Until then, my sister Gerdur runs the mill in Riverwood nearby. She can help us lay low for a bit." He said, guiding Oz down the path towards the riverside town.

It was small and rustic, unlike Markarth. "I saw a dragon!" An old woman sitting on her porch said as Oz and Ralof approached. "Don't be ridiculous, mother." Her son chided as Ralof led Oz through the bustling little hamlet.

"Uncle Ralof!" A young blonde boy yelled excitedly, running into Ralof's arms. "Can I see your axe? How many Imperials have you killed? Do you really know Ulfric Stormcloak?" The child raddled off the questions before looking up at Ozgar.

"Uncle Ralof, is that an Orc? Are you friends with an Orc? Are there lots of Orcs in the Stormcloaks?" The child asked wide-eyed.

"Hush, Frodnar." Ralof shushed his nephew with a smile. He looked over his shoulder to look down the road. "Look at you. I think you're ready for your first Stormcloak assignment!" The two toe-headed Nords had the same big smile on their faces. "Watch the road. You see any Imperials coming, you come running and find me and your mama."

"That's right! Don't worry, Uncle Ralof, I won't let those soldiers sneak up on you." Frodnar said, proudly saluting, and dutifully walking back and forth in front of the town gate.

–

Gerdur had given Oz some supplies in exchange for him traveling to Whiterun and request aid from the Jarl. After raiding a nearby bandit camp, Oz was a bit better equipped, and had some loot to sell in addition to a few baubles Gerdur gave him to get a little gold. He walked into the Riverwood Trader, into an argument between the shopkeep and his very attractive sister.

"I said no! No adventures, no theatrics, no thief-chasing!"

"Well what are you going to do then, huh? Let's hear it!" the pretty young woman spat back.

"We are done talking about this!" He said, crossing his arms before finally noticing Ozgar in the doorway. "Oh, a customer!" He said, flustered, trying to act casual. "Sorry you had to hear that. We have anything to suit your needs, my sister Camilla and I would be happy to assist." He said, sternly pronouncing his sister's name.

"Oh, you're Camilla?" Oz said, completely ignoring the merchant Lucan.

Camilla batted her eyelashes at the handsome young half-orc. "Yes, Camilla Valerius. Owner of the Riverwood Trader with my brother Lucan here."

"Own -" Lucan scoffed. "You'd be co-owner at best. But I'm the owner. Now please, Camilla, stop scaring away our customers."

Oz gave Lucan a weary look as he stepped forward and placed his bag on the counter. He turned his attention back to Camilla. "Faendal asked me to give you this note, and say it was from Sven."

Her eyes went wide. "What? Ugh, that long-eared ass. As if this would get me to spend less time with Sven."

"Good, now you can break up with Faendal and just settle down with Sven." Lucan said as he appraised the various goods Oz brought in.

"Oh don't you start." She shot back. "I need to clear my head. I'm going after those thieves."

"Camilla, no." Lucan said sternly.

"Did something happen?" Oz asked inquisitively, doing his best to keep his eyes from Camilla's heaving chest as she huffed and puffed in rage.

"Yes, we did have a bit of a... break-in. But we still have plenty to sell. Robbers were only after one thing. An ornament, solid gold. In the shape of a dragon's claw." Lucan explained.

"I could help you get the claw back." Oz responded almost too eagerly. If he was stranded out here, unable to return home, he might as well get in some practice and make some gold.

Lucan and Camilla's eyebrows raised in a near identical manner. "You could?" Lucan asked hopefully. "I've got some coin coming in from my last shipment. It's yours if you bring my claw back. If you're going after those thieves, you should head to Bleak Falls Barrow, northeast of town."

Lucan then turned to his sister, with a smug look of satisfaction. "So now you don't have to go, do you?"

"Oh really?" Camilla asked defiantly, looking sternly at her brother, then turning to Oz, once again batting her eyelashes with a coy smile on her face. "Well, I think your new helper here needs a guide."

"Wh...no...I...Oh, by the Eight, fine! But only to the edge of town!" He called out as the two were already out the door, Camilla leading Oz by the hand.