Shinbira: Journal of a Survivor, Chapter 19

• Posted by Idesto June 29, 2015 - 1,089 views

  4E 201, Last Seed 20th, Bleak Falls Barrow

  Skeevers!

  We were right to be wary, and to descend the spiral staircase with our weapons drawn.

  "I've had enough of you!" Faendal shouts as he shoots.

  He seems to be finding the barrow too stressful already.

  "If... " whack! "you..." chop! "find - ow! - this..." shlomp! "too much - hey, watch it!..." clang! "- already..." thump! "then I think you're..." splat! "in the wrong place, Faendal!"

  There are 3 of the nasty buggers, but we were ready and we kill them quickly. I chop off their tales with my steel knife.

  "Thanks for the advice, Shinbira; I'll remember that." Sarcasm again. I think.

  "Faendal?"

  "Yes?"

  "Why is there an arrow in my helmet?"

  "Sorry about that."

  "Would you like it back?

  "Yes. Thank you."

  "And to think I let you train me!"

  1-1. I don't know if he sees my smile...

  Reaching the bottom we go through more tunnels until we reach doorways covered in webbing. We hear a voice shouting in the near distance: "HELP ME! HELP ME! HELP!"

  Hacking my way through and into the cavern a giant spider descends from above; spitting poison it rushes at us but sword and bow soon prevail! And this time my head is arrow-free.

  Someone is trussed up in the corner. 

  A fellow Dunmer! Must be the last of the bandits.

  Another time, another place: that could have been me. But for the grace of Azura? Maybe.

  But if this Dunmer is anything like me he can't be trusted...

  He's in a state of panic. "You did it, you killed it, now cut me down before anything else shows up!"

  "Fine, but where's the Golden Claw?"

  "I know how it works: the claw, the markings, the door, the Hall of Stories, all of it, I know how they all fit together! Get me out and I'll show you the power the Nords have hidden there!"

  Yes, and my father's Ulfric Stormcloak! I just don't believe you, brother. You wouldn't have run ahead of your 'friends' if you were the sharing type...

  "Give me the claw first!" I demand.

  "Does it look like I can move?!"
  

  "He's got a point there, you know." 

  "Yes, thank you, Faendal. Thank you for your advice."

  "Just returning the favour, brother!" He thinks he's funny.

  "You have to cut me down first!" the bandit continues.

  "Alright, but this might hurt." I draw my sword.

  The bandit is very excited as I hack away at his bonds. "Yes! That's it: you're doing it!" They're tough, and I need several blows, and...

  Oops

  "Um, one swing too many, Faendal.

  "Never mind, accidents will happen, eh? I tried to free him..."

  I don't think he believes me either. 

  "Yes...accident...right. You, tried, didn't you?

  "So, does he have the claw?"

  It was hard killing a fellow Dunmer; it was almost like I killed myself. But I had no choice! He would have run - again - as soon as he was able. It's probably what I would have done.

  I search the body. He does have the claw! And a journal. His name is Arvel the Swift - hah, makes sense! - and I learn that the claw is a key.

  Moving on through the winding tunnels we hear a strange grunt, "Hoh". And are met with undead horrors: animated corpses, flesh & clothes hanging off their skeletal frames, somehow walking & wielding weapons and shields!

  Draugr!

  "You've had enough of skeevers, brother? Is this more to your liking?"

  "Shut up and swing!"

  I do. Thankfully they, like the skeevers, are again no match for we Mer. They carry gold and potions, as well as their weapons!

  We enter another chamber with a staircase at the far end. A Draugr is at the top, and this one has a bow! What strange enchantment can enable this?!

  "Shinbira, my friend!"

  "What is it?"

  "You wanted more archery training?"

  "WHAT?! NOW?!"

  "Now is as good a time as any! 'We're in the field'!"

  Quoting me! Sometimes I hate this Mer.

  "Now, take your bow in your left hand, as...

  Thwack! An arrow narrowly misses my head and embeds itself in the stone wall behind me.

  "... I showed you. Reach behind with your right hand and take an...

  Foosh! Another arrow nearly hits Faendal's big head this time.

  "...arrow from your quiver. Nock it to your bow, all in one movem... - OW!"

  I snigger. "Faendal, you took an arrow for me! How sweet!"

  "It's just a graze, now concentrate! String to your cheek, pull..."

  "OW! That one hit my leg, Bosmer!"

  I'm sure I see him smirking now...

  "Feel the weight, close your eye, target, let go: there!" 

  The Draugr falls down 'dead'.

  "You did well, but that was still my kill." Faendal says, lowering his bow.

  "I don't think so!"

  "Well, we'll have to disagree on that one."

  And, I have to admit, that was good training.* But I don't tell Faendal that, of course.

  We go on...

     * Level 9, +Health (x3), Stealth 2/5, Novice Locks, Novice Alteration  

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