So I'm hoping you people are liking this re-telling of Skyrim. As we all know, this is purely being written for fun, I do not own any part of the Elder Scrolls series, which is owned and copyrighted by Zenimax Studios, Bethesda's parent company. This is NOT for profit.
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We came up to the former town, and the first place I was introduced to the extremity of Skyrim's situation. It was sad to see reminders of the men and women who lost their lives that day, only to have the once proud walls and towers reduced to rubble-strewn shades of what they were. Inhabited by bandits, no less. I did think it strange that they would move in when the ashes and char had been there for less than a week, but the only thing that really mattered was that would try to rob us.
It was just an hour after dusk, so I figured Lydia and I could try using the dark to quickly skirt around the burnt walls. Or... sneak up on the bandits, a few dagger slits in their backs, or across the throat from behind, a few good arrow shots, and we'd have more loot to sell to a local merchant.
"So," I asked, "how well do you fare in sneak attacks?"
"I'm sorry my Thane," Lydia replied honestly "I've usually never had to practice at it, only having been a guardswoman. Generally, I've always just charged hard in, sword and shield flying. But I've also proven very good with my time spent at my bow. Once I put an arrow through the leg of a thug at a little more than 150 yards. The scum had tried abducting, and holding the Jarl's son for ransom. I'd probably have gotten his neck if the wall's brick hadn't of slipped under my foot."
*yards = meters, for those not using standard*
"Hmm," I said thoughtfully, so you'd be useful in an ambush, but not for ducking around these ruined buildings. Well then, we're going to need to practice at your sneaking, but not actually attack these louts. If any start to notice you, I'll take them out. A warrior who has learned all the different skills is more likely to survive than one who has mastered only a few, and done nothing in the others."
"I will heed your wisdom, Mistress."
I still couldn't quite understand Lydia's loyalty being bound to me so rapidly. It was almost... unnerving. Almost. If I wanted to become a vampire, I would need such loyalty, for keeping my secrets.
As we crept among the piles of rubble, we were feeling acutely aware of the subtle rustling noise of the leather parts of Lydia's steel armor rubbing on itself as she went. The first bandit, a broad-backed redguard was walking ahead slowly. We tried going from pile to pile, but halfway across, Lydia jabbed her foot against a burnt wooden plank. She had the presence of mind to not cry out, but the plank itself still made noise.
The bandit stopped, turning around, and looking in our direction. He slowly walked back, sword out. But after several minutes, he seemed to think it was only one of the many burnt timbers finally falling into the rest of the ash and soot. He walked back the way he was going, but as we slinked forward, trying to stay away from the lightly colored stone of the walls, which would provide much contrast to our darker forms. Then I glanced to see a sharp-eyed wood elf on a wall, to her back, the ruined top of a tower. She was picking up her bow, trying to peer towards us again.
"Lydia, stop!" I hissed, and I pointed as she looked.
We stuck ourselves flattened against the blackened shell of a house. The north gate was only 40 open feet away, the exit we wanted.
After five tense minutes, of the archer staring, she lowered the bow, but didn't put down. Lydia looked like she was about to try for the gate, its pool of shadow cast by the walled catwalk, beckoning.
"Lydia." I quietly called, and shook my head.
After another ten more minutes, the archer actually did put her bow down, and picked up a bottle of mead, taking a swig. Then I nodded to Lydia. We darted for the gate. The first bandit had already wandered over to warm himself by a small firepit, too far away to hear the soft rustling of armor, and the fire obscuring his night vision.
I told Lydia to practice her lockpicking skills, handing her about 10 picks, and suggesting a way to turn the short knife. Then I told her I'd watch for any other rogues that walk over, as Lydia's concentration was centered on the gate's lock. I was sure that they wouldn't notice us. But then after the wide gates were opened in the moonlight, they surely would.
After hearing a satisfactory click, Lydia pushed it forward.
As I expected, we heard shouts, and then my ebony arrow was embedded deeply into the throat of the redguard. The wood elf had leapt forward in her position, but we had already ran through the cover of the wall. By the time we saw others come dashing out, Lydia and I were already hiding among the darkly-shaded foliage of the forest. We were both confident that they wouldn't see us, and after 15 minutes of annoying but necessary waiting, the bandits walked back.
Then we made our way down the road. As we made our way by the lake, I expected it was very cold, and we had better reasons to be here than my swimming around, fishing. Not that the water would bother me, of course, as an argonian, I could "breathe" water and strange as it was for my race, I was a lot more tolerant of strong heat OR cold.
I was becoming increasingly aware of the exact time, but I didn't know why, though I had the idea it was probably related to my "manipulation" of time. By about 1:00 in the morning, we arrived in Falkreath, we had already passed by the northern-marked location of Shriekwind, but I wanted to be sure that we were well prepared first.
We were in the inn/tavern, Dead Man's Drink. I looked around, and found the room marked as the "owner's," pushing the door open. I roused the nord woman sleeping there, renting us a room, and asked about any 'special' service. Valga, as she introduced herself, directed us to our room, then smiled faintly.
"Excuse me, fair Ladies." She said "I am tired, there was a bad brawl in here earlier, and I had to help the town guard with dragging the drunken idiots out. But I will..." she looked at us both with a more "knowing" smile.
"I will fetch Narri, my waitress, I have no doubt that she will... 'ahem' be most 'happy' to 'serve' you both."
