The ascent to the top of the ridge where the road winded down from the crossroads was just ahead. He thought, “She’ll likely stop there to scout ahead. I know I would.”
They arrived at the edge of the woods. There they halted, standing still in a cluster of trees and tall grasses swaying from the breezes often flowing through these mountains.
As they stood there amongst the dense hardwoods, pines, and rich soils he closed his eyes briefly, quietly thinking, “The deep scents of the woodlands were alive here. All the distinctive smells of this area filled one’s soul with a sort of renewal and energy.”
The huntress turned towards him, spoke softly, “Let me scout ahead a bit to make sure the way is clear. Wait here, and I’ll give you a signal once I have assured there are no more of them around.” He nodded his agreement and waited there as he watched her slide out of the Shadows.
She made her way down the road towards the three standing stones, below them and along the White River was the hunter’s camp where her boat was expected to be.
He could see her pause near the three stones, where she would be able to look in both directions, up towards where he stood in the deep shadows of the woodlands and down the road towards Riverwood where they had last seen the Thalmor from on top the rise.
It wasn’t long after that the huntress signaled to him that it was clear to bring her to where she stood next to the standing stones. These stones were also known as the stones of fate. There were thirteen in all, according to lore each one would grant a powerful blessing. Each blessing type varied due to the nature of the stone and its ties to either the Aedra or Daedra.
It was a legend of the Nords, the most populous people living in Skyrim, that these stones would allow heroes of old to rewrite their fates.
He walked close to the edge of shadows alongside the road as a precaution as he made his way down to the huntress who stood near the stones. Once there he could see the hunter’s camp located below them. The White River was flowing gently by this hunter’s camp located near the beginning of what would become lake LLinalta, the source of the river.
The huntress turned towards him and spoke, “How’s our girl doing? My boat is right down there. Let’s get her to it. The quicker we can get all of us to my camp. The quicker were able to save her, get her recovering enough to be back on her feet again. Maybe, we’ll discover a bit from her about her story.”
The adventurer responded, “She’s holding up, I think this is one strong girl. However, I agree, we need to get her to your camp and see what can be done to save her.”
The huntress nodded her agreement, she turned and walked down to the hunter’s camp where there was one person who came forward quick to speak with her. “Rose, are you crazy? What are you doing bringing this girl into our camp and who is this? Can we trust him?”
Rose responded to the hunter, “Hedren, I am not going to let Thalmor have this girl, I don’t care what the cost is to me. I plan on taking her to my camp anyway, so we’ll be far enough away soon, and you’ll be safe.”
Hedren went quiet for a moment losing some of the initial bluster he showed then asked, “What about him? You still didn’t answer my question.” Rose responded, “You know Hedren, sometimes, you just must trust another person without always expecting the worst from them. He has carried her all the way here without a single complaint. How many people do you know would do that for a couple of total strangers?”
Hedren responded, “Okay, but you better get her secured in the boat and be on your way. You know where to find me. I’ll be headed into Riverwood in the morning to help Alvor with the smithy work that has been picked up if you need me for anything.”
