Last Seed 18, 4E 201
Dear Ariena,
Allow me to quickly pick up where I left off with my first letter. You will notice I have added the date in case these letters get lost or their order becomes juggled.
My Khajiit rescuers turned out to be a caravan traveling the roads of Skyrim between Dawnstar and Riften. After the initial rescue, their leader, Ahkari, and all of it's members took great strides in making sure I reached my destination. I took an immediate liking to Kharjo, one of the warriors, due to his attitude. He spoke of losing an amulet from his mother to bandits a few days ago and cursed their numbers. Zaynabi, the female who had ran forward to help me, carried a sharp wit and a dark sense of humor. For the few hours I was with them the caravan members were kind and compassionate to my plight.
Further along, we came across two Redguards who were interviewing a woman on the road. Seeing our caravan they ended their conversation and joined the group after speaking quietly to Ahkari. The Khajiit had loaned me fur covers for my legs and feet but the cold managed to seep through. I cared little as I was still in shock and overwhelmed with gratitude for my freedom. We pressed on in silence under the double moons.
A small, hungry wolf pack attacked us but between the Redguard men and the seasoned Khajiit there was little threat. Unarmed, I held back and let the other, more experienced members of the group deal with them.
We made the gates of Windhelm well after sundown. The Redguard silently turned westward and spoke of camping away from the city. The Khajiit headed to the east of the stables to establish their camp. The least I could do was help them. However, I felt I was nothing but in the way of their skillful habits of making and breaking camp. Ahkari called me over and bid me to go to the city and to warm myself in the inn. She pressed 20 gold into my palm and stated the rest was up to me. I thanked my rescuers again and walked into the city. The guards eyed me but allowed me to enter.
I was shivering and hungry when I finally walked into the door of the Inn directly at the front gate. The smell of the fire and the cooking food nearly drove me insane. I drew several glances as I came in the door and I could tell several there thought me a beggar. They were, of course, not wrong. Before I could be ordered to leave, I approached the bar and briefly explained my situation and asked for a room. Those nearby changed their attitude and I placed my gold on the bar in case the Innkeeper had any doubts. She showed me to my room and agreed to have some fresh bread and some stew sent. "After that," she said, "regardless of what's happened you'll have to pay your own way."
And that is my journey so far. I have been in Windhelm since then and things are going well. I am still very poor but this will change over the next few days. I've seen several snowberry bushes and other ingredients which I can use to make enough coin to at least keep me in the room and in some food. I am also headed to speak to your friend at the White Phial tomorrow afternoon.
The wind and the cold here are unrelenting. It is like nothing I have ever seen or felt. Windhelm is made almost entirely out of stone and it only lends itself further to the feeling of the oppressive cold. The city is wracked with racism and rebellion as it's a central point for the rebellion against the Empire. Many here do not trust me and one in particular, Rolff, believes me to be a spy. However, it appears that he believes anyone who is not a true Nord to be a spy. I care little for I am not under a necromancer's knife or being stabbed by a bandit. Life is infinitely better when you are not constantly considering those options!
I have much to share and will do so in a following letter.
All my best,
Kallius
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