I reach the safety of the shop across the road from Alvor and Sigrid's house: the Riverwood Trader. Inside a man and a woman are arguing as only two people who know each other very well can. Married, I'm guessing, or brother and sister.
Apparently they've had a break-in but the robbers only took one thing: a golden claw ornament! I offer to get it back: I sense money in it! As I expected the shopkeeper, Lucan, offers a handsome reward. His sister Camilla - yes, I was right - wanted to rush out and take it back, but he's obviously the more cautious of the two. She now wants to come with me, but he talks her into just showing me the way.
I sell my loot and buy a few things with the gold I now have.
Camilla and I then leave together.
"Camilla", I explain patiently to the eager girl, "I will get your claw back for you, but I do have a few other things I have to do first."
"That's alright, I don't mind waiting", she says, with a laugh and a smile.
Is she flirting with me? What is it with the women in this town?! Maybe they've never seen a virile young Dunmer before!
"I'm going to the Inn first; you're welcome to join me."
"Oh no, thank you; I'll just wait here." That laugh again!
She's shy, too...
I stroll on with a spring in my step and a whistle on my lips.
The Inn is called The Sleeping Giant. Inside the grumpy bartender isn't much help when I ask him about the strange name. Either he doesn't know or he isn't telling me. He does give me some great gossip and a potentially lucrative bounty contract though!
Oddly, there's an alchemy lab there. After asking Mr. Grumpy I use it to put together a few simple potions with the ingredients I've managed to gather: healing, stamina and the like. Basic alchemy is just a skill I've picked up on the road.
A woman is eyeing me suspiciously as I work. Strange place, this! I don't stay long.
As I head for the door a Bard stops his singing, and without a word of greeting, accosts me with "Faendal thinks he can woo Camilla Valerius away from me! "She's already mine!" I keep telling him!"
What is it about this town? Is there something in the water? It's a hotbed!
"Right. Hello. Um...so you and this 'Faendal' both like the same girl then?"
"Camilla knows I'm the best man in Riverwood! That Elf is just kidding himself if he thinks she would choose him over me. I've seen him sneaking over to her shop when I'm not around. He's wasting his time!"
'Elf', eh?
"Right, yes, of course... And two people spending time together never blossoms in courtship."
"Is that sarcasm?"
"Whatever gives you that impression?"
"I've heard better wisecracks from the barman!"
"No: he's just grumpy."
"Alright, alright! What did you say your name was again?"
"I didn't, but it's Shinbira."
"Still: you have a point, Shinbira" he says with a sigh.
"Here! Let me give you a particularly venomous letter. Say it's from Faendal! That'll stop her inviting him over!"
He wants me, a complete stranger, to get involved in a vicious love triangle by helping him tell lies about his rival? Who's a fellow Elf?
He's not too bright, this boy...
She's obviously sweet on me, anyway!
I make (another) swift exit.
I sense a chance for mischief though, so I take the letter!
True to her word, Camilla is still outside, waiting.
Here we go!
"Hello again, Camilla. I have to tell you: the bard at the Inn wanted me to trick you into believing this letter was from Faendal."
She reads the letter.
"Oh my! Sven wanted me to think this was from Faendal?! Thank you for telling me the truth. Could you talk to Faendal as well? I'm sure he'll want to thank you for standing up for him."
Hehe! Yes of course I will!
I go looking for an Elf. I find him chopping wood at the mill.
"Greetings, brother Elf! It's good to see a familiar face so far from home," he says.
He is a Bosmer, a Wood-Elf, but Mer nonetheless.
Makes a nice change from Nords and dragons!
"It is! Well met, brother. I am Shinbira."
"My name is Faendal"
"Yes, I know: I've heard a lot about you!"
Intrigued, he lets me continue: "I don't think Sven will be spending any more time with Camilla."
I show him the letter.
As he reads I watch his eyes and mouth both widen more than I thought possible in an Elf.
"This, this, is incredible! He wants her to think this was from me?! I knew he was desperate, but I had no idea! I owe you, and thank you friend: here, take this gold I've earned from working at the mill!"
I do.
"Thank you, Faendal. We Mer have to stick together, right?"
"Yes we do! And thank you again!"
I find Alvor at his forge. We do not speak of last night.
He did mention though that he could teach me a few tricks of his trade and I take him up on it. I learn how to make and shape a hide helmet, and make and sharpen an iron dagger. All useful skills! He even lets me keep them, and gives me a few extra materials as well. He really is determined to lend his aid.
I'm now nearly ready to go. There's just one more thing before I leave...
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Since Shin is gonna be a Vamp then there's no point saying who. (Not that you can't guess). I hope I can rest easy with you, its bad enough with what Lissette has in store.... L... more