Memoirs of Larz D'Ovakine ~ A Date with Destiny 1 (spoilers)

• Posted by Guy Corbett January 7, 2012 - 775 views

  I've lost all track of time. Yesterday I woke with an almighty crimp in my back. For as quaint as the Sleeping Giant maybe, the beds don't offer a bit of support. Not to my old bones anyway.

  Stretching to revive my stiff muscles I moved through to the hearth and sat to eat a breakfast of honey nut treat and an ale. Contemplating the events of the previous day. I thought how strange it was that I, a man of old age survived not only a Imperial ambush but a Dragon attack and a prison break.

  How would Altan have faired if the coward had followed through with his own plan? He would of still been sat in a pool of his own waste in the Helgan courtyard either that or he would of received the same prize as that idiotic horse thief. The odds that I would be there at that shack, waking up moments before that brutal surprise, I can't comprehend the numbers.

  Something else was at work. The convenience of the deal, the voice in the dark, the Dragon appearing, the warrior sign on the standing stone and that renewing of my former strength with weapons. I've never really been one who believes in destiny. I worked hard for my success, in my shop and even back with the guild. All this feels different.

  Even if I tried to leave this realm it wouldn't be possible. Something guided me here to go home I'm going to have to try and figure out what its all about. I will spend a couple of days here in Riverwood before heading to Whiterun. After I've spoke to the Jarl I'll get word home by land or sea. Just so they know I've not abandoned them and I still breathe.

  Revitalised in body and soul I stepped out into the sunshine and headed down the main road towards the Smithy and what looked like a traders shop. I hoped my tongue and guile were still as quick and sharp as my sword arm now felt.

  The Blacksmith was friendly we got on immediately. So much so he offered me some Smithing work. I accepted, the ring of the hammer and concentration required always calmed my mind. He was impressed with my work and I made a decent trade with him for all the weapons and armour I'd hauled from Helgen.

  Heading across the road I entered the Riverwood Trader. Closing the door I heard raised voices drawing my attention to a man and women arguing over the counter.

  The man noticed me and ended the argument saying

  "Camilla we have a customer"

  She turned to walk away and as I saw her face my heart skipped a beat. My daughter, Camilla was the image of my daughter. I was captivated. The mans voice got my attention

  "I'm sorry about that, I'm Lucan Valerius, How may help I you?"

  "Morning" I replied " Is there a problem?"

  Lucan smiled and shook his head "Well we have had a burglary, a family heirloom and symbol of this shop, a Golden Claw, Camilla wants to go after the bandits that stole it. They are holed up at Bleak Falls Barrow up on the mountain"

  For some reason I found myself offering my service to help retrieve the artefact. Looking over at Camilla's smiling face I shook my head in confirmation, if I had to be apart from my daughter, I would do it in her memory and with hold my families honour. Camilla offered to walk me to the edge of town and headed out the door.

  The weather was splendid and Riverwood was an idyllic village. Camilla pointed up the mountain to the left over the river. Directing my gaze to points of the Barrow through cloud and mist. She lead me to the bridge over the river and wished me luck before returning to the shop.

  A steady pace was most comfortable, my muscles still hadn't warmed up properly and I would need to conserve my energy. The walk up the mountain wasn't to difficult but as I crossed the tree line the ground became covered in snow and the clouds swirled around me. Part way up the trail I noticed a Black stone tower on an outcrop to the side.

  Suddenly a female voice shouted

  "NOT ONE MORE STEP, THATS FAR ENOUGH"

  My eyes focussed through the snow and fog, a bandit in full furs, Shield in one hand a dagger the other. She repeated her threat

  "NOT ONE MORE STEP, THATS FAR ENOUGH!"

  I drew my bow and fired a quick shot at her. I wasn't going to hang around waiting the more damage at range the better for me. It was enough, she charged, her cry drew the attention of her two companions inside the tower. As she ran at me I fired three arrows into her, spotting her friends running across the little bridge to the tower, she fell at my feet and shocked myself with a smile, the grouping was good. Two to the chest one to the head. 

  It gave me precious seconds to draw my Great sword. I took a running power attack at the first bandit. Sprinting sword raised above my head I carved him twain, parrying the second bandits feeble strike. I lost my footing slightly but recovered with a heavy backhand swing that sent the bandit down on one knee. One last hit and he fell silent.

  There was little in the way of reward in the tower. A few supplies and a  handful of gold. I thought I'm going to utilise the abundance of the armour and weapons to pay my way through Skyrim. 

  Further up the mountain the weather got worse as I approached the steps to Bleak Fall Barrow.