THE REDORAN EXPEDITION
From the Journal of Lutherus Sotasius. Date of Entry: Last Seed, 20th, 4E, 201.
The skirmish at the Embershard Mine, had given Lutherus some much needed confidence in his newly founded abilities. He would however, still need much more practice before he could be fully able to take on the Bandits at Redoran's Retreat. He walked back to Riverwood, alone, as Faendal had made way to Whiterun to inform the Jarl of the skirmish. He arrived back at the village at around ten to nine in the evening, exhausted and hungry. He initially wanted to tell Alvor of the victory, that his source of ore was now free again to exploit. But it was dark, the Blacksmith's forge had been doused for the evening.
"I'm sure he won't mind if I tell him tomorrow morning." He thought to himself, and made way to the Sleeping Giant Inn.
"Evening Lutherus." Said Orgnar. "Same as usual?"
"No, thank you Orgnar. I'm here for a victory dinner. Have you any Surile Brothers Wine to tap?"
Orgnar looked around his bar. "Afraid not, lad. I can do you a Honingbrew if you prefer?"
"Very well! But, make it two will you? I'm in the mood to celebrate!"
"What ever is the occasion?" Asked Orgnar.
"Embershard Mine is clear again, thanks to me and Faendal."
"Hah! About time too!" Cheered Orgnar, as he fetched two bottles of Honingbrew Mead. He also fetched up some freshly baked potatoes and cooked beef, with an apple for dessert.
"Nice job with the mine, Lutherus!" He called, as he sat down to eat his hefty dinner. He chowed down to the tune's of the performing Bard, Sven. He guzzled down the bottles of Mead like they were milk, probably not his best choice but at this time, it seemed appropriate for Lutherus to get a little bit tipsy, and by tipsy of course, for a lightweight such as Lutherus, he was totally plastered.
"Yes! Yes! *hic* More! Play on Barrrrd!" He cheered as the Bard sang a song in dedication to the Legion. Sven tried to continue to play, but was constantly interrupted by the cheers of the young Imperial. It was starting to upset the other taverngoers.
"Keep it down, lad!" Came a voice.
"Oh shushhhhh!" Slurred Lutherus. The voice came from a regular, who did not take nicely to the orders given by someone younger than him. He arched up, ready to make a swing.
"Hey!" Shouted Orgnar, rushing over to intervene. "We'll have no fighting in my Tavern!"
"He keeps interrupting the Bard!" Countered the regular.
"Look, next round's on the house, okay?" Offered Orgnar, succeeding in getting the angered regular to sit back down. He moved over to Lutherus, now hunched over his seat. "I think it's time you turned in." He said, propping Lutherus to his feet.
"Nnnnnooooooo! I'm faaaaiiiiineeee!" Said Lutherus, as he was moved to his room for the night. He was adamant he was okay, but the second he saw the bed, he collapsed onto it, and into a deep sleep, in full armoured uniform. He rose the next day, with a headache from Oblivion itself. He wondered how his Armor, Bow and Arrows, and his helmet were removed during the night, and why he still had his Dagger and Boots on. But most importantly, his head was pounding at the gates.
"Uhhhh..." He said to himself, pained expression and all. He carefully gathered his things strewn across the room, and put his clothes on. He left his room to Orgnar, quietly chuckling as he cleaned some mugs.
"How you feeling, Lutherus? Good night?"
"Painful." He whispered. "May I have some milk, please."
"No milk I'm afraid." Responded Orgnar, as he handed the young Imperial some Wheat and Blisterwort Mushroom.
"Go make yourself a potion, should clear that headache right up. Just use the Alchemist table over there."
"Thanks. Might I have some bread too?"
"Sure, it's on the house. Gonna go stale otherwise."
Taking the Wheat and Blisterwort, Lutherus pounded them into a paste, which thinned out into a clearer, reddish liquid in a vial. He consumed the Bread, and drank the potion.
"Phew!" He exclaimed, almost instantaneously feeling much better. "That packs a punch alright!"
"Heh, first time drunk eh?" Joked Orgnar.
"Thanks for the hospitality Orgnar. Sorry if I caused a problem last night for you."
"Don't worry lad. We've all been there. Honingbrew is known for it's intoxication capability."
"Say, you don't know what the time is, do you?"
"It's around 9, lad."
"Shit! I'm late for work!" Exclaimed Lutherus, running out of the Inn. He ran to the Mill, thankfully just on the other side of the Inn, expecting a severe bollocking from Hod, his employer. Thankfully, he found neither. Only Faendal was cutting the wood that morning.
"Ah, there you are." Said Faendal, as he drove his axe into a block of wood.
"Sorry I'm late, please don't tell Hod!"
"Heh, don't worry lad. Hod isn't back for a few days, and Sigrid's headed to Whiterun. It's just us today. Now come on, get chopping on some wood."
Grateful, Lutherus took to a pile of wood, ready to chop and started. The pair were on a tight schedule, so kept chatter to a minimum. "Did you speak to Alvor?" Asked Faendal, as he chopped another block.
"No. Not yet, haven't had the chance." Lutherus replied. "I'll do it on my lunch break."
"You mean you turn up to work late and still expect a break?" Teased Faendal. Lutherus felt disheartened.
"Oh, of course. Sorry Fae-"
"I was joking lad." Reassured Faendal. "He's over there now, why not go speak to him?" Faendal pointed to Alvor, who was sat at his Forge whilst the fire stoked.
"Alright. I'll be right back!" Said Lutherus, walking over to Alvor.
"Good job!" Said Alvor, upon hearing Lutherus tell him the mine was clear. "That mine will do me fine for resources, thank you Lutherus!"
"Thank Faendal, Alvor. He led me through the mine with ease. I also found some of these for you." Responded Lutherus, handing over several pieces of ore as well as refined iron ingots. "Faendal was also concerned of the whereabouts of a 'Golden Claw' in the mine, if that means anything to you?"
Alvor pondered. "No, 'fraid not, sorry Lutherus."
"Hmm, maybe that's why the Jarl posted a bounty for Redoran's Retreat."
Alvor stopped what he was doing, and turned to Lutherus.
"Now, listen boy. You got lucky at Embershard mine, but these Bandit's are powerful especially in their hideouts. Don't go thinking you're Dragonborn just because you could cut your way through a mine. If you must go to Redoran, at least go prepared." He warned, then returned to his work.
"Well, I'm going to take Faendal with me, i'll pay him for protection, and split the bounty price with him halfway. I was hoping to buy some weapons from you."
Skeptical, but acceptive of Lutherus's optimism, Alvor agreed. "Very well, you want weapons? I have some fine swords here, shields too!"
Lutherus inspected Alvor's arsenal. "Hmm, I can't hold a sword properly yet, so i'll get a Mace for myself, and a sword for Faendal. I'm sure he can grab a shield from a fallen Bandit at Redoran."
"Don't take unnecessary risks, lad." Warned Alvor. "I have a Hide Shield here. Not as strong as a Bandit's shield, but it'll do the job anyway."
"Hmm...alright then." Said Lutherus, uncertain as his coin from the purchase of the sword and mace already became expensive.
"I'm going to assume you're not well trained with that mace. Give it a few swings later on. Alright?"
"I will, thank you Alvor!" Said Lutherus, as he carried his purchase back to the Mill. He met with Faendal, to trade his weaponry.
"What on Tamriel did you buy me these for, Lutherus?" Questioned Faendal.
"I'm going to need your help again. I'm going against the Bandits at Redoran, and could use you there."
"Very well, I'm up for that. There...is a fee though, remember?"
"But I just bought you a sword and shield!"
"Find someone else then." Replied Faendal, and got back to chopping.
"No! Wait!...Alright then. Here's your money." Said Lutherus, handing over Faendal his 100 Septim fee for collateral.
"Great! Let's continue chopping until say...4 o'clock? We'll get moving after that."
"Okay. Who should we give the Firewood to?"
"Lucan at the Riverwood Trader, we'll trade it to him and then get going to Redoran's Retreat."
The pair continued to chop wood at the Mill until around four, then sold their supply to Lucan, Lutherus easily making his money back from how much he paid to Faendal for his employ. "You go toward Whiterun, and then head West from the City, as if you're going to Markarth. It's right here." Instructed Lucan, pointing to a map of the Whiterun province.
"Thank you Lucan." Said Lutherus, as he gathered his gear for the expedition. He cooked an Apple Cabbage Stew for both him and Faendal to eat on the way.
"Good luck, the pair of you! Come back safely!" said Camilla, giving Faendal, her betrothed a kiss before he left.
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