Day 2: 18th of Last Seed Beatrix Delacroix
Author’s Note: I write this as a recollection of what I've done while in Skyrim, as well as a means to vent. Should I fall in my quests hopefully someone will find this and remember me.
I awoke this morning in a bed at Gerdur’s, and it felt good. I hadn't slept in an actual bed in awhile. I went over to the wash basin and began wetting my hair, trying to get it untangled and brushed down; Gerdur walked up to me and spoke.
Gerdur: “You know for an Imperial you have such pretty hair! It’s so long and straight! It would look better blonde like a Nord though, brunette is too dull.”
I knew she meant it as a compliment, in a Nord way. We walked over to the dinner table and Gerdur served up some chicken eggs and cooked beef.
Gerdur: “There’s breakfast! Better eat up before Hod wakes up. The lout will eat food off your plate if you ain’t quick.
Needless to say, I ate quickly. Afterwards I ventured into Riverwood. I talked to the local blacksmith, Alvor and bought me a fine steel Greatsword, felt good to have a real weapon in my hand again. I then strapped on the armor from that Imperial Captain in Helgen (Note: Still need to wash blood off). Then I set out for Bleakfalls Barrow, the ruins atop the mountains near Riverwood.
The path wasn’t too bad, a wolf and some bandits. Two of the bandits attempted to charge me; they were met by a swift arrow to the skull. The last bandit, their leader, engaged me in a sword fight, his end was quick. As I came upon the ruins, which were massive to say the least, I noticed a few more bandits. Again, swift arrows knocked them to the ground. I entered the ruins and was amazed. I could not believe the ancient Nords built something so grand! Inside I met little opposition in the way of two more bandits. Then I witnessed a bandit pull a lever and was struck by poisoned arrows, a trap! I took a look around and figured out the ancient Nord’s puzzle. There were some rotating pillars with carvings that needed to match the carvings on the wall! For future reference it was
(From left to Right: Snake, Snake, Fish….)
After making my way past the trap door I ran into a few skeevers, no trouble really, just disgusting. I made my way further into the Nordic ruins until I could hear someone screaming for help! I rushed to save whoever it was, but had to cut down some webs, and then as I was close to getting to him…a giant frostbit spider lunges down from the ceiling! I took the beast head on, slashing at its legs with my sword, but it was strong and it’s attacks poisonous. I retreated back through the door, as the beast could not fit. I took some time to heal my wounds, with the restoration magic that mother taught me. Then I took my bow and drew an arrow, I began firing a volley of arrows at the creature. It took a good number of shots, maybe seven, but the spider was felled. I made sure it was dead with a few swings of my sword before cutting the man down.
(The creature)
He was a Dark Elf (Dunmer) named Arvel. Even after saving his life the greedy little elf ran! All he could do was yell.
Arvel: “The Golden Claw is mine! You can’t have it wench!”
I chased him through the halls until we heard some movement. In an instant we were set upon by three zombies (Nords say Draugr). They cut Arvel down swiftly, and set upon me. I drew my blade and one by one they fell. I looked into their cold glowing eyes as I cut them down, and I swear I saw fear…
I continued through the ruins slaying Draugr, avoiding traps, and barely staying alive, when I finally came upon the door to the main chamber. Using the Golden Claw that Arvel…parted with, and my previous knowledge of Nordic puzzles I managed to find my way in. The main chamber was massive! I climber the steps and I was met by a strange black wall, a power emanating from it. The runic lettering on it began to glow and I felt a surge of energy, some kind of old magic I guess (Note: Research this!)
(The strange wall)
In a moment the coffin behind me opened and a powerful Draugr stepped out. Our blades met against each other and the clang of colliding metal rang throughout the inner sanctum. After a few minutes I managed to defeat my opponent, leaving him and the cold floor and prying a stone tablet from his lifeless hands. (Not that they were alive to begin with).
I then set out back to Riverwood; I climbed down the mountain and trekked through the forest, eventually arriving back. I returned the claw to Lucan, who was ecstatic. He promised me a discount and gave me a hefty bag of gold. The felling of having done something good and being a hero is what mattered to me, father always said “Help those that cannot help themselves.”
It was late and I decided to retire to Gerdur’s house. As I entered the house, her son Frodnar gave me a drawing he had made. I’ll never forget what he said…
Frodnar: " made this for ya! So you can put it in the front of that journal you been writing in and people can see what a real hero looks like!”
It really touched my heart, what a sweet kid. Anyways, I think it’s time to sleep.
(By Frodnar)
