Evidently this was too much. I spent the rest of the afternoon pounding the anvil at the Blacksmith shop. Working the metal removing the bumps and lumps of imperfection had a mind ordering effect on me. I calmed after every hammer stroke reflecting on what the Jarl had told me.
As evening approached I'd made the choice, to hell with destiny, I didn't ask to be brought here and I dam well didn't deserve it. I wanted my family, my shop and to be back in the Imperial city. Those ancient monks can wait a while longer if their name suggests anything.
On the way to the inn I was approached by two Alik'r warriors looking for a foreign women, a Redguard, a reward was offered for any information. A few extra coins for handing in a runaway might come in handy. They told me to find them in Rorikstead.
Eating my evening meal that night I noticed the peasant girl serving at the tavern. I happened to mention the two Alik'r men and she pulled me upstairs and held a knife to my throat. I diffused the situation telling her she was safe. She asked me to help her "get rid" of the problem. I said I would but only so as not to cause a commotion. I would drop in on Rorikstead and let those men know where to find her.
Rorikstead was on the way to Solitude so in the morning I gathered up my things and headed to the stables on the outskirts of town.
1000 septims! for a horse. I'm glad that I did so well grabbing what little coin I could here and there. The horse was in good shape, Black haired and saddled with fur and camping gear.
I set off for Solitude, the ride in the morning was fairly uneventful a few wolves, but Skyrim is truly epic and I'm grateful that I now have a horse beneath me. I arrived in Rorikstead around lunchtime and went straight to the inn.
By chance one of the Alik'r was there, I told him my information expecting a nice fat coin purse for him to ask if I would lead her out of the city as they weren't allowed anywhere near. I agreed reluctantly I had no idea if I would be heading back there.
I ate lunch alone by the hearth and set out for Solitude proper. The road from Rorikstead led up higher into the hills before dropping back down in to a huge basin with a river snaking across it base. I came across a road side ambush by some bandits but quickly despatched them.
By late afternoon I had made it down into the basin and came across a camp by the side of the river in the midst of some boulders. A little wooden hut sat upon the top and a log bridge stretched across above the road linking two guard towers on the other side of a stone bridge. Bandits patrolled the bridge and towers.
Encouraging my horse I crossed the river further down stream and dismounted. Drawing my bow I moved towards the guarded entrance to the roadside fortification. The women on watch spotted me at the last second letting a cry go as she received an arrow to the head. My bow arm was stronger than before and my marksmanship continued to impress me.
The scar to my left eye caused irreparable damage but you only needed one good eye for a sure shot. I deftly stuck three more bandits. Swapping to my sword I charged into attack bounding up the stairs of the guard post, across the bridge and into the main camp.
The bandits were still in disarray and I made little work of the two remaining foes. I checked the rest of the camp taking out the other gate sentry for good measure. Last but not least I entered the little hut and confronted the Bandit Chief. He put up a decent fight but without the support of his little rabble he stood no chance.
By the time I had finished picking up anything valuable enough to carry the sun was setting. The camp looked secure enough, I brought my new steed in and secured the gate.
I set off early the next morning not long after I crossed an amazing arching bridge of black stone adorned with carvings of huge dragon heads. It stretched across the river of the most waterfall drops I've seen. On the other side of the river was the aptly named Dragon Bridge. I kept good pace through continuing on to Solitude.
The road contoured a mountainous ridge overlooking a big valley and swamp. As the trees cleared I caught glimpse of Solitude for the first time. The most wondrous city built upon a gigantic natural sea arch. The Blue Palace visible on the pinnacle overlooking the sea to the North.
Tying my horse at the stables I made my way up the steep slope passed the numerous stone guard towers and arches. Through the main gates of Solitude I was immediately confronted with a public execution.
The man was to be beheaded for assisting Ulfric Stormcloak to escape after he killed the king. I stood watching and listening to the mob that had gathered before the axe fell and ended the gabble.
Turning my attention to the market district it felt much more like home. First I set about trading all the weapons and armour at the smithy. I also did a bit of repair work and forged a new dwarven Great sword for myself. Next I headed to the clothes shop I don't remember its name because of the arrogant lady behind the counter. But I felt marvellous to be in some fine cloth and a rest from that ache inducing armour.
I did the rounds of the potion shop and sold the various ingredients I'd acquired before making my way to the Blue Palace. I still wasn't ready or comfortable to march straight back into the Imperial bubble. I would try to get help from the natives and what little I know of the traders who travel to and from cyrodill. Walking up to the Jarl and her congregation I overheard a man already putting his plea's to the beautiful women sat in the throne.
He was asking for someone to be sent to investigate some strange occurrences in an old cave near Dragon Bridge called Wolfskull Cave. The idea came in an instant. As the Jarl excused the man saying she would try to get some men there as soon as possible a man to her right caught my attention.
"Excuse me but the Jarl won't be seeing anyone else today. I'm Falk Firebeard any inquiries can be addressed to me."
I apologized for the intrusion and introduced myself. I explained my situation and asked if they could get the letter I'd written for my family back to the Imperial city in return I would investigate this cave for them. Falk agreed and took my letter assuring me it would be sent.
Feeling much happier that my family might be receiving some hope that I may return I set about making contact with the East Empire Traders. They do regular runs to the Empire and back maybe I could jump on board one of their vessels and get back home.
Making my way back out through the main gates with I have to admit a spring in my step I felt like things were actually starting to go my way. A little further down from the stables the East Empire Traders had a port to anchor trade ships in from the sea to the North. Down the stairs I walked along the board walk to the gated cave entrance of their main warehouse. It was big enough for full ships to enter and be closed behind them. A guard stopped my progress.
"You have no business here. The warehouse is closed."
"Why" I questioned "Is there someone from East Empire I can talk to?"
"Not here because of the problems they have been having this has been shut you'd be best speaking to Orthus Endario in the Windhelm branch."
I thanked him returning to my horse at the stables. My heart sank once I saw on the map how far Windhelm was. No matter what I do getting home wasn't going to be easy.
Flicking the reigns I spurred my horse back on the road. I aimed to get to Windhelm in one shot. Going up through the mountains passed Morthal, then dropping back down to Windhelm. I made good ground and was lucky enough not to encouter anything to taxing. A few frost spiders, wolves and bandits until I approached Fort Dunstad.
The Bandits had extended their fort over the main road. An open gate either side the only means to carry on my journey. Seeing how many there were I kicked my horse into a gallop and guiding him through the first gate. I didn't stop to say good evening instead ploughed straight through the fort and out the other gate. I let the horse run to a natural stop and turned to see my plan working.
My charge had drawn them down and out one at a time because of the narrow gateway. I set about picking them off with my bow. A couple got close enough to force me to draw my sword and I'm not ashamed to say that shout erupted from me again, more instinctively than anything else, stunning a bandit. I looted what I could but the encounter had lingered to long and the sun was setting.
Luckily I came across a lovely inn in the midst of the snowy forests and frostbiten winds called the Nightgate Inn. Their hearth was most welcome and I ate heartily retiring early knowing I still had a way to go.
Up and out by sunrise I made it safely to Windhelm, the skies now crystal clear and the city standing firmly stradling the river at the base of the mountains. Hitching my horse I made my way down to the Docks on the other side of the city. Dropping down to the rivers edge I opened the door to the East Empire Trading Windhelm branch.
The warehouse was dark and empty, walking through into the rear warehouse I found Orthus and again introduced myself and the maddening situation I was in. Orthus sympathised with me but said all ships were commandeered by the Empire for the war. He then pointed to the empty, dusty, vermin haven that was the warehouse. Explaining he told me they had been out of action since some pirates showed up wrecking any voyages except one group of ships. The Shatter-Shields, they shared the Docks with the East Empire.
He then asked if I could get proof they were helping by stealing a log book he would then reward me and let me repair an old ship in the Solitude warehouse and run a trade ship back to Cryodill. He finished with a but.......it would cost around 100,000 septims!
I did let out an exhale of breathe at this news. Even though it was a lot of money to collect I knew I could. My shop turned over more than that and I'd already seen enough evidence on my brief time through Skyrim to know that there was plenty of septims out there to be made.
A weight seemed to lift from me, maybe I could get home eventually and even get answered some of these crazy encounters I've been having, I might even have to visit these Greybeards at some point. I nodded and shook Orthus's hand heading back out onto the Docks.
Stood there I thought firstly I would need to come up with a plan to make 100,000 gold staring out into the distance momentarily before shaking myself back to reality and turning to make my way to the inn, warmth and a belly of mead.
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