(We all follow the same roads; we just take different paths)
Aranni woke up with a dry mouth and a pounding head. What in Oblivion happened last night? He rolled over and noticed his linen cloth on the bed post, what the… Realizing he was naked he shot up looking to see if he was alone! Thanks be to Y'ffre he was. But oh he should not have done that his head pounded ferociously. “Oh Gods” he presses his hand to his head trying to remember what happened but he can’t it hurts too much to think… Mead, some dancing, a fair-haired mer half completed images that’s all? He cannot remember the last time mead affected him like this… No it never has before he is sure he would remember feeling like this… Water, I need water… By the Eight he was hurting. He could throw back mead as well as any Nord maybe have a slight headache the next morning but not this he felt like a Giant clubbed him. No memory… He has flashes of the fair-haired huntress what was her name? Well whatever took place she was not here now; it must have been one wild night by the looks of the room. Standing up he balances himself on the bedside table he needed something to drink.
Taking his linen pulling them on and slowly walking to the desk his head feels like it will explode the courier have I missed the courier…? Damn, what time is it…?
He hears a knock at the door.
Clearing his throat and then gulping down the beverage he lets out a faint scratchy “Yes?”
“It’s Legionnaire Hadvar the courier is here… Did you have anything to go out to General Tullius?”
Aranni takes another gulp he is parched! “I’ll just be a minute.” Putting his pants on and throwing a tunic over his head he opens the door; motioning for Hadvar to enter as he rummaged through a knapsack. Pulling a concealed compartment on the left side of the bag he hands the report to Hadvar for a moment he hesitates. Hadvar looks over at the Legate questioningly. Should I give the plans over? No.
“That will be all Hadvar.”
The Legionnaire closes the door behind him and smirks rumor had it Legate Aranni had some night and by the state of his room it certainly was!
With his head still pounding he washes his face off and finishes dressing. He needed to get a move on!
Suffering through his hangover grabbing his belongings he hits the road.
They debated which way to go at Half Moon Mill they ask the proprietor Hern if he knew a better or safer route to Dragon’s Bridge after some idle conversation and trading for some small supplies they continue their journey north.
Both are consumed with their own thoughts - the path is deserted.
Bagrak looks at her friend. In some way she is jealous, Nin will be able to choose her path, whilst I once Nin is delivered to Gerir goes back to the stronghold to live the exceedingly boring life of an Orc woman! Never! I won’t go back! I want more… Her heart yarned for more; this may be her last chance to grab it. Even though she had escorted the Chief and Codell to meetings she never thought of the War, civil or great. Would she join the Stormcloaks could she turn her back on her stronghold? The Empire sold the souls of the Nord people! Yes after the last battle of the Great War everyone was hurting but didn’t the Redgurad’s stand their ground! Took them a little while longer but they never gave in. You should never give in always fight for what you believe in isn’t that what she was taught? What did the wise woman tell her once? Follow your heart stay true to yourself that will bring you the greatest glory. Maybe she meant it more for the stronghold’s part but Bagrak felt maybe not … Stormcloaks were fighting for freedom; didn’t she fight that battle inside every day?
Nin looked over she could tell her friend was deep in thought, nay confused, she didn’t mind the silence as she too was also very confused and had her own thoughts swirling around her head. Look at us walking down the road in Stormcloak armor! She hated everything about the Stormcloaks… Ahhh her heart did a flip flop… Not everything. Ralof! She closed her eyes for a second and there he was, that smile, that braid of hair covering his eye and his hand unconsciously pushing it back. He was a Stormcloak, but try as she might to fight the feelings she was losing; she smiled at the thought of his name. Why, she didn’t even know this man! Man! Man! What man joins an army that butchers families! No man does a troll does! And what of Ulfric, just watching him at the camp she wanted to shout at him and tear him apart! Like he could buy us off with 50 gold coins! A sob catches in the throat. He took everything from me! He will not get Bagrak too! She reaches out for her friend’s hand.
Bagrak feels Nin’s hand clasping hers
They continue together hand in hand down the path.
Maybe because both were deep in thought they did not hear the approaching patrol… maybe?
Before they could react they were surrounded!
“Look at what we have here.” The Nord Imperial Solider sneers to his comrades.
“Two Stromcloaks!!! Innocently out for a hand in hand stroll!!!”
Without warning another Imperial came from behind and promptly butted the back of their heads.
Ivarstead was just up the road.
Ralof cannot wait for this mission to be over. I was a bit boring, yeah sure it was an honor, but he wanted to fight! All of them did!
He was part of a troop escorting Jarl Ulfric Storamcloak back from a meeting with allies in Cyrodiil. The Jarl was not alone in his desire to be free of the Aldmeri Dominion and was gathering troops.
The night air was cool and dry nice for this time of year First Seed tends to be a rainy when you are this far south.
Hours later, well past Ivarstead, in fact right outside of Darkwater Crossing they make camp.
Ralof sets up the patrols for the night watch. Shorrlak, Eigma, and Reliele were at the base and upon hearing them snicker he arches his eyebrow and clears his throat. Whispering to them “We are suppose to be quite, don’t want anyone to know we are in the area. Rumors have it that Imperials are tracking us.”
Trying to sober up Eigma let’s out another giggle. “Eigma, please contain yourself.” She has never seen Ralof act this way she knew he was trying to make captain but so stern it makes her snort just trying to control her laughter.
“OK you three out with it get it out so we can quite down.”
“Sorry, just Shorrlak, he is just being… his usual self!”
“Shorrlak settle down.”
“Yes sir” He winks at Reliele who just rolls her eyes not wanting to get reprimanded again.
Several hours into the watch he is relieved. Heading to his tent he sees Shorrlak put his arm around the pretty Breton, Reliele, who hugs him back he should separate them but… no not tonight.
Once inside the tent he lowers the flaps to keep the wind out thinking of that fiery red head he smiles. I really do want to get to know her. She always seemed so deep in thought always had a worried crease between her brows why??? Wishing he could figure her out; he decided to write to her… Bring out his writing utensils; he tries to pen to her what he was thinking, feeling, not an easy thing to do!
Dear Ingoknin,
I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. We are not quite back to base camp yet.
He looks at it crumples it up and throws it to the floor, no, no, this sounds like he is writing to his sister or a business exchange. He starts again.
Dear Nin,
We are settled for the night and I wanted…
Crumples another, she will never be just Nin… Starts again…
This goes on for a few more tries, sighing; this is stupid, taking a deep breath he begins to write…
Ingoknin,
Give us a chance.
Ralof
Looking at the words he wrote he has so much more he really wants to say but doesn’t know how to put his feelings on paper he’s no bard. How could he feel this way for a woman he didn’t know? Before he could change his mind he folded and sealed the letter put her name on the outside and the instructions to deliver it to her in Dragon’s Bridge. Picking up the crumpled papers to toss into the camp fire he heads out to find the courier.
“Ralof what are you still doing awake.”
His head snapped around, he knew the voice, but he didn’t think Ulfric even knew who he was … “My Lord. I was looking for the courier.” Indicating the letter in his hand.
“She is very pretty Ralof but don’t get distracted I need my warriors to have their wits about them. Women all too often cause distractions.”
“Aye, My Lord.” Lifting his head and looking the Jarl right in the eyes. Did he detect a faint smile; no Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak never smiled, did he?
After being excused he put the letter in the pouch and went back to his tent. Passing by Shorrlak’s he heard some murmuring; shrugging because he knew it could be lonely out here.
Lying on his bedroll looking up at the swirls in the leather he couldn’t stop thinking about her those eyes, that hair, ahhh those eyes a man could get lost in them. Those eyes, he felt like he knew them! No, maybe not... It’s his imagination; his own eyes were blue, right… a lot of Nords as well, just that her eyes seemed so familiar to him. That blue… No, it’s just his mind running away from him due to the monotony of his routine. He had to get some sleep but try as he might it was no use he kept seeing her… like how she looked right after he kissed her, her hair all pulled back, her lips slightly open, the flush of her cheeks, he wanted her but for the first time it was more than just a physical longing he wanted more which scared him while simultaneously exciting him. His last thoughts before sleep were sweet for a change.
Upon being woken up by the guard so he could get an earlier start the courier collected his things and left before dawn.
It was going to be humid today you could tell by the thickness in the air and the way the sun seemed as if it was being filtered by a veil...
The Imperial forces gathered; General Tullius was ready. The Captain gave the signal and with that they charged the Stormcloak camp. The soldiers had been waiting for this, for some it was their first action, nervous and excited they charged ahead.
