The Traveller from The Marsh - Chapter 2

  • Chapter 2

     

    24th of Rain's Hand 4E203, road west of Falkreath.

     

    “Well once again we find ourselves in less favourable circumstances” Han-Ei muttered as he poked the camp fire with a stick sending a few sparks up into the air. Ji-Arsha glanced at him wearily. “Yeah” he grumbled. “That was one special plan you had there.”

     

    “Hey it wasn't me that got us into this situation was it” Han-Ei argued.

     

    Ji'Arsha was in no mood for another argument. He thought of the events of the last few years of his life; from coming to Skyrim as an outsider fleeing the oppression of the Thalmor in his homeland only to find Skyrim was no better. He had met Han-Ei on the road into Skyrim from Cyrodiil almost 3 years ago who had unexpectedly taken him under his wing and introduced him to the city of Riften, a city he as a Khajiit would normally be banned from. He stayed only a couple of nights finding most of the city's inhabitants hostile towards him despite Han-Ei's protection.

     

    He had left without saying a thanks or goodbye to Han-Ei and made his way north to the Mages college visiting other cities on the way where he found himself even more unwelcome. At the mages college he had met another Khajiit there named J'Zargo who initially was friendly but competition brought a uneasy relationship between them. He had met back up with Han-Ei 2 years later after the dragon crisis where Han-Ei had become a companion of the Dragonborn. Ji'Arsha had joined them which had led them to their current circumstances.

     

    “Like I said it wasn't my fault. It was self defence” Ji'Arsha answered referring to the fight with the Thalmor.

     

    “Well they had no quarrel with me up until that incident. Now I feel that I should flee Skyrim myself” Han-Ei objected.

     

    “You didn't do anything. You were there but didn't attack. It was me and J'Zargo who did all the harm. As you pointed out I roasted them all to death.”

     

    Han-Ei looked at him curiously. He did have a point. Although he didn't attack the group of Thalmor just being a companion of Ji'Arsha would probably be sufficient enough to warrant an arrest. He didn't want to find out but he didn't want to go to Hammerfell either and he no longer had the protection of the Dragonborn. He pondered what to do.

     

    “Ill go hunting. We need more food for the road” he said getting up deciding the conversation was over. With that he grabbed his bow and disappeared into the forest leaving Ji'Arsha by the fire.

     

    It had started to rain again the droplets hissing as they fell into the fire. It was still early but Ji'Arsha was feeling weary. He moved away from the fire and into the shelter of a large fir tree and closed his eyes.

     

    ***

     

    “Wake up” shouted Han-Ei jolting him out of his slumber. The argonian was stood over him holding two rabbits and a flask of water. “Here, wrap these and put them in your pack” he instructed handing him the two rabbits. He took a swig from the flask and began to gather his things.

     

    Time to hit the road again. The rain was coming down even more heavily now as they trudged along the road leading towards the border with Hammerfell. The road began to give way to mud rather than cobbles as they climbed higher. The trees were becoming less dense; their shelter dwindled with them, blowing the driving rain almost horizontal. Ji'Arsha pulled his leather hood down over his face and tried the drawstrings tight so he could just about breathe and see.

     

    “So what are you going to do when you get to Hammerfell?” Han-Ei asked once they had moved into the shelter of a large lump of boulders.

    “I don't know, haven't really thought it through. I guess I would make my living as a mercenary, I've enough to buy myself some accommodation but aside from that I don't know.”

     

    “What do the Redguards think of Khajiit?” Han-Ei asked thinking of his friend's wellbeing.

     

    “They tolerate us. After all there are a large number of Khajiit living in Hammerfell. I should be welcome somewhere even if it means returning to my old ways.”

     

    “What do you mean?”

     

    “Well to put it bluntly, drug dealing and thievery.” He answered with a sigh.

     

    “That's one way to get yourself made unwelcome very quick” Han-Ei answered. “Have you not learnt anything?”

     

    “Look who's talking” Ji'Arsha muttered sarcastically. “You stole from the Dragonborn!”

     

    There was an uneasy silence as Han-Ei stared at him. Argonians lacked many facial muscles that other races have making reading their emotions difficult. He decided to continue breaking the silence.

     

    “What happened between you two anyway after I'd left? How did you manage to get out of there without loosing your life?”

     

    Han-Ei thought for a moment remembering the incident. “He forgave me. Well sort of; he made me get down on my knees and beg then he cut my face, as you already know and threw me out. At least I didn't have to lick his boots, I think I would have refused. I don't know what would have happened then.”

     

    Ji'Arsha couldn't imagine the huge argonian grovelling on the floor begging for his life, he was too proud and sure of himself. Maybe he truly was sorry for what he did, he certainly was moody and not himself the last couple of days. There were awkward silences and he seemed to be pre-occupied with his thoughts.

     

    “I can heal that for you. The wound looks like it's starting to go bad” Ji'Arsha offered.

     

    Han-Ei felt the cut. It felt warm and very sore when he touched it. Dried blood closed the wound but infection could be felt below the layer of blood. “No, Teekus vowed he'd kill me if he found that I'd healed it by potion or magic. He wanted it to scar so it would serve as a reminder. It was either that or I'd be thrown into jail or worse loose my head. I will accept it as my punishment.”

     

    “Teekus could be one mean & cruel bastard when he wanted to be. Were you scared of him?” Ji'Arsha queried thinking that Han-Ei would not be frightened of anything or anyone.

     

    Han-Ei shrugged and fell silent not answering his companion. He picked at the cut as he walked; the Khajiit was right, if this was not looked at blood poisoning could follow. He made it bleed again and squeezed out some of the infection bringing some relief from the throbbing pain, he would get the wound cleaned at the earliest opportunity but let it heal naturally leaving a scar. Ji'Arsha didn't speak either; he knew the argonian had done this for him and that made him value their friendship even more. He knew they would have to part ways soon for Han-Ei had refused to settle in Hammerfell and that suddenly made him feel saddened and once again alone.

     

    The rain had started to give way to snow as they rounded the bend out of the shelter of the gulley between the rocks. It would be another day's walk at least before they reached any real kind of civilization. There was a small trading post on the border and guards but other than that there wasn't anything until they got over the border and halfway down the mountains.

     

    They kept on walking not speaking often until the sun began to set. The snow was now quite deep and by the look of it not much traffic had passed on the road. Only a cart passed them by earlier in the day heading back towards Skyrim. Han-Ei was very tempted to ask for a ride and get on it leaving the Khajiit to continue on his own. He decided not to and put up with the cold and wet for a little longer walking in the rut cut by the cart's wheels to make going easier.

     

    Behind then through the storm clouds which had started to subside Skyrim stretched out below them. Pristine snow covered fir and pine trees slowly gave way to the grassy lowlands and the open plains. A large fire could just be made out in the lowlands – giants most likely. They were too far away from any towns and cities to see any torchlight and above them a break in the clouds one of the moons shed it's glow on the road.

     

    At last torch lights could be seen in the distance as they neared the border gate. Three buildings were up ahead by the side of two heavy wooden gates that were closed. Two guard huts flanked the gate where two miserable looking Nords stood holding their swords by their sides. A third came walking out of one of the buildings and observed the weary looking travellers trudging up the slope towards him.

     

    “Anywhere we can rest for the night” the Argonian asked.

     

    The guard nodded and pointed to one of the buildings. “There's a small inn over there. But first may I ask what the nature of your journey is?”

     

    Another interrogation. Ji'Arsha didn't want to deal with another one of these idiots remembering the guard who almost refused him entry to Skyrim years ago.

     

    “I'm going back home in the morning – to Riften. He's not” he answered pointing to Ji'Arsha. “He has family in Hammerfell that he is visiting. I'm merely his escort.” He lied.

     

    The guard seemed to accept this explanation. “An argonian escorting a Khajiit?” he asked. “Thought you two races didn't get along.”

     

    “Well, not all of us” Han-Ei answered heading over to the building the guard pointed out.

     

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Comments

5 Comments
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  February 13, 2016
    My apologies Teekus. It would be more useful if I linked the thread.
    My bad.
    Help Thread
  • Teekus
    Teekus   ·  February 13, 2016
    Will do, thanks.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  February 13, 2016
    Wondering where to go? If you want help with directions regarding your story, have a look at the various discussions in TT.
    There's bound to be one of us who can help you out.
  • Teekus
    Teekus   ·  February 13, 2016
    Thanks, I spent a while on the conversations. I always thought my writing didn't 'flow' well but now that you have said that I needn't worry. I'm wondering where to go with this. I've got the next chapter written which I think is quite a sad & emotion...  more
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  February 13, 2016
    You've done a nice job with this Teekus. The conversations flowed nicely and it was quite vivid as well.
    +1