Michael Wilson

The adventurer trip back to Riverwood to check on Rose was not without incident. Along the way, some local bandits had seen him and thought he might be an easy mark to make some money.

One of them threw a rock across the White River that whizzed past his head. He returned the response by placing an arrow deep within the bandits should area. The bandit was knocked back from the blow. His two friends or partners backed away quickly not wanting to get that treatment.

The adventurer turned and continued the journey into town, the bandits never pursued him, likely looking for an easier mark. As he came to the entry to Riverwood, he stopped by the poster of Rigmor and saw three strangers standing close to where the blacksmith Alvor and home were.

He pushed forward knowing that this did not bode well for the chances of Rose not being in trouble somehow. As he neared them the hardest of the men stepped forward and said, “Well, you know we’ve been hearing everything about you and your adventures with Rigmor from Hedren.”

The adventurer replied, “Have you now.” The man said, “Yeah, and if you don’t want to wind up in some remote Thalmor prison you’ll pay us one hundred dollars right now.”

The adventuer stood there defiant, not backing away even one step then said, “You see, that’s going to be a bit hard to do since you’re wearing a cuirass that belongs to Rigmor.

The leader who he suspected was this Morion character that Hedren had told him about replied, “Really now, well you see it will cost one thousand dollars to get it and there’s no option for refusing.”

His partners spoke up then and said, “I don’t think he hears you boss, maybe his brain is addled from drinking too much. The other one said, or maybe he’s too stupid to understand what that means.”

The adventurer prepared himself, knowing what he would have to do to get the cuirass back. He gave Morion a cold stare and said, “Well you know, you need to ask yourselves this question, is it worth losing your lives over that piece of armor?”

With that both sides broke into action after Morion told his partners, “Get him boys!” They reacted when the man behind Morion rushed forward, and he bashed him with his shield before sliding his blade between his ribs. He dropped him dead to the ground while the others were in motion for their initial attacks.  

The other two were positioned to come at him from two separate angles to gain an advantage. He prepared to make a broad sweep with his shield and blade.

The shield to knock them off balance the blade to either injure them or take them out for good. After he executed his maneuver, both remaining men laid quiet on the ground. He saw Hedren running out from the forge to his left at that time saying, “You killed them, you killed them all.”

The adventurer stood there over the dead and responded, “What happened here Hedren and where’s Rose?” Hedren replied, “I didn’t know it at the time, but Morion had been spying on me and had somehow gotten a message to the Thalmor. When she showed up, they were waiting for her.”

The adventurer asked, “Where did they take Rose? Do you know?” Hedren replied, “All I know is some fort close to the border down near Falkreath somewhere. The Jarl of Whiterun has heard about this and Irileth is meant to be on her way. He’s none too happy about this at all.”

The adventurer told Hedren, “Get back to your work for Alvor, he appears to be waiting to hear what this is all about.” Hedren asked, “What about Rose?” The adventurer replied, “Don’t worry about her, I’ll get her back, you better help get this mess cleaned up. I am going to retrieve the cuirass of Rigmor and head back to camp.”

With that Hedren turned and walked up the wooden stairs to the forge where Alvor could be seen working at the grindstone. He thought, “What a mess. I ‘am hoping that Rigmor is up to moving because I don’t think it will be wise to stay out there anymore after this.” He knelt and unclasped the cuirass from Morion. He was happy he didn’t have to damage it again while he was fighting with Morion. He was also surprised that his tactics worked so well, and the battle was over without harm to property or injury to any innocents that might have been nearby.

He swung the cuirass over his back and headed out of town heading back quickly as he could to the camp where Rigmor recovered. How was he ever going to tell her about all of this?

He walked over towards the lean-to where Rigmor had been recovering. She was sitting up but holding herself where she had been wounded in the fight, she had with Thalmor. He looked at her and said, “Good morning, Rigmor!” She flinched at the happy greeting and replied gruffly, “Where’s my stuff? What happened and who are you?”

He smiled a bit at her gruff response and replied, “You were hurt. In fact, you almost died.” She said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so ungrateful. How did I get here?” He smiled, walked over closer to her, and bent down on one knee so he could talk with her, not down to her.

He then replied, “I carried you here.” There was a quiet assessment of trust trying to find its place between them. She replied, “I was falling after being injured, that’s the last thing I remembered before everything went dark.”

He thought for a moment, then replied, “How are you feeling? Do you know were Rose went?” She rocked back and forth a bit holding onto herself then said, “Darn, I hurt! I guess I’ll be okay though. Is that her name, Rose?”

He then replied, “Yes, how long has she been gone, and did she say she was going into Riverwood?” Rigmor responded, “She’s been gone over an hour now, said as I was sitting up, she wanted to go into Riverwood and check on a few things including whether the Thalmor were still around. “

He said to her, “I am going to go into Riverwood and check on Rose to make sure she’s okay. “She replied, “What about me? If something happens to you, I’ll die out here alone with no one to help me.”

He chuckled, “You’ll be fine, I shouldn’t be gone long, and no one knows you’re here outside of Rose and me. She told me last night before going to sleep she wanted to pick up your cuirass today.

Rigmor replied, “My cuirass?” He responded, “Yes it was damaged in the battle you had with the Thalmor.” I took it into Riverwood to have the smithy there repair it.

Here, please take a few sips of this water, I’ll leave it with you and here some of the breakfast stew it looks like Rose threw together. I should be back by midday with Rose.”

Rigmor replied, “Just be careful okay, I need you both to come back, to help me if you can, if you want to?” He replied as he stood up and began walking to the boat, “Of course we want to, we’ll l be back soon.”

When he returned to the campsite Rose was still up and watching over Rigmor who appeared to be peacefully sleeping. She watched him as he walked over and sat down on the stump opposite her. Rose noticed the weariness in the way he sat with head bent down and asked, “Are you okay? Was the temple there, and what about the people who made that trip before you, did you find anything about why they were never heard from again?”

Then she softly spoke to him, “I am sorry, you look exhausted, what happened, were you injured?” He replied quietly, “The pilgrims who had made that trip all died on the mountain. Frost Trolls and cold likely, I had to kill two trolls on my way up to the temple.” Rose replied, “So it was there? There’s a temple on top of that mountain?” He reached into his shoulder pack and set down between them bags of gold and a single rose still in bloom.” He spoke to her, “This is your share.”

She looked at the gold and then studied his face and asked, “What about the rose, what’s that for and how did you find one in bloom so high up on the mountain?”

He replied, “I believe it was meant for you, a message from the ‘Mother of Dusk and Dawn.’” She paused then said, “I can’t believe everything was there as told, this will help me to get a new start. What about you, what will you do once we are done getting Rigmor back on her feet and to where she needs to go?”

He sat there in shadow, then said, “As I said, whatever my personal plans may be, life often has other things in mind for me. So, I think I’ll just go with it for now. How’s our girl doing?”

Rose replied, “I think she might begin to get up before too long. Her rate of recovery is amazing considering all the injuries she had. I remember saying that I would have to think of a way to pay you back, you look weary, why don’t we retire to my tent? Let me take care of you tonight.”

He looked up then and said, “Rose, I did this because you deserve it for being so kind and for everything you’ve done for Rigmor, and for me. I would never take advantage of you. So, to bed, yes, I am weary, in need of sleep, and that pilgrimage has worn on me.” She smiled, stood up and walked towards the tent. She turned her head slightly towards him and said, “Come on let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a new day. I’d like to go into town while you rest and recover so I can check on the cuirass.”

He followed her to the tent where he watched her remove her quiver, bow, and hunter’s knife. She knelt, crawled into the tent and into the bedding laid out on one side. She then told him, “Come on, there’s plenty of room in here. I promise tonight we will sleep. You just roll under the covers. Get a well-deserved rest.” He did so after removing his quiver and bow, two handed and long sword and set them near the tent. Once he rolled under the covers, the silence of the night overcame him. The last thing he remembered, was someone holding him as if to say, “I’ll never forget you, your kindness, and how good you were to both of us.”

His rest was peaceful. However, at some point he had a dream he had gotten up to check on Rigmor. He recalled seeing himself kneeling before her lean-to, and that same misty light swirling around him that he had seen in the temple.

He felt the mist reaching out to touch Rigmor. A binding was taking place between their spirits. He thought he heard a whisper, “Here Rigmor is your guardian, know that he will be there when nothing else can reach you.” The next thing he knew he was waking up to someone calling out to him.

He heard them say, “Hey you in the tent, can you wake up, I need to talk, to ask some questions.” He looked over and saw that Rose was not there. He immediately crawled out, stood up and looked at the empty tent before him.

He completed the walk to the door. It was not locked so he opened it and stepped into a room that had been carved into the top of the mountain. There before him sat an array of jars, bottles, containers, a rose, a note, and a lot of gold. Standing up in the center of the room was a shrine.

He carefully approached it not knowing what to expect. He heard a whisper, “guardian, come close so that I may know you better.” He stepped forward, knelt and then a strange mist began to swirl around him. He felt something reach out and touch his heart, as if to measure him or take something from him.”

He heard a voice then, “I am the ‘Mother of the Rose’, the ‘Twilight Queen’, and ‘Mother Soul of Dawn, and Dusk’. Take these gifts but let your heart be true or the gift will become a curse upon you. Your mother and father are proud of you, go with the blessings of the Nine. Quickly now!”

He stood up and gathered the gold and placed it in the shoulder bag he had brought with him. He almost felt compelled to give Rose most of it but something inside told him to hold onto it, she would need help later.

He stepped outside and stood in the doorway of the temple and shrine. The view from up here was breathtaking. He thought to himself, “I can understand now why this was built here. It is a place of peace. The type that continues to flow through you for days and weeks after returning to the world of the living below.

From up here, you can clearly sense and see the beauty that marks the dusk and dawn of each new day. He stood there a little while longer than began his descent to share the good news and gift with Rose.

As he made his way down the mountain, he took the time to do what he could to take care of the pilgrims who had perished on their way to the temple. He didn’t know why, but he felt they needed that respect to be paid to them to allow their spirits to return home to find their final rest.

As he finished the last one, he knelt and could be heard saying, “May your spirit find the truth it sought in life, may it find peace and comfort, and hearth and home at your journey’s end.” He felt a single tear freeze as it rolled down his cheek to mark the end of their time here.

With that he turned and made his way up until he came to the spot she spoke of. There it was. He looked up and knew this would be a long climb up. He would need to keep his eyes wide open for anything this high up.

He began his way up the stairs and rocks that served as a switch back trail. Pausing, he mused, “I understand the reasons why the trails were built this way. The name came from the construction of switching directions to connect the easiest path up or down a trail. Of course, it also gave the person using the trail the opportunity to appreciate the different views as you move to a different location, pointing in another direction.”

He continued to follow the trail up the mountain. He wondered, “What had happened to all the others Rose spoke of that had taken this pilgrimage up the mountain? Had they died from the weather.” Then he saw it, “A frost troll!” He pulled his bow, it appeared that it had not noticed him yet.

He let the arrow fly towards its target. The arrow sped forth across the distance at blazing speed. It struck the troll in the head with such force that the troll was knocked back up against the wall of the mountain.

At that same time luck had intervened and the mountain shivered and shook loose some rocks and debris to come tumbling down its walls to hit the troll and nearly finish its life off. He pulled his final shot and let loose. The troll fell back against the mountain wall, never able to harm anyone else again.

He went to verify it was dead. He began to think about what he knew about trolls as he went, “Frost Trolls, the most fearsome of breeds in Tamriel. Larger and able to sustain raw damage against its prey or enemies. What luck that the mountain decided to let something fall on its head when it did.”

He had taken a position to survey the area. He quietly thought, “There were dead pilgrims here. Seekers likely of truths, unprepared for what dangers the mountains could have. Possibly believing strictly in the faith they had in the divines would protect them.” He mused, “That’s not how it works though. If the divines did not want us to be challenged, there would not be so many dangers in the world around us.”

He continued to make his way up to the summit now where the temple or shrine was supposedly located according to Rose. As he came around a bend, looked upward to see what looked like an entry to a temple, there he saw yet another Frost Troll.

This time he had prepared himself; He readied a fire spell in both hands knowing that Frost Trolls were sensitive to its burning effects, and it would help keep their native abilities to regenerate health from the blood at bay. That would give him the opportunity to deal with the troll before it got too close to him.

He fired off two fire balls from the magic gathered in his hands, he then reached deep within himself and pulled on his reserves. He fired off the shots, two in succession. When they hit the troll, it flared in a brilliant spectacle of light, then the troll collapsed to the ground dead.

The way up to the doorway built into what looked like an entry of some type was open now. There were also more dead pilgrims who had somehow gotten past the first troll only to be killed by its brother or sister above.

He made his way up past the dead to the doorway to the temple or shrine. He stood there thinking for a moment, “I wonder whose temple this is and why up here.”

When he arrived back at camp, the sun had set, he moored the boat, walked towards Rose who was stirring something in the pot that hung over the campfire. He thought to himself, “that smelled great, I hope that is for all of us to share.”

He walked up without saying another word, looked over at Rigmor who Rose had dressed in some sort of burlap looking garment. He mused, “Not my choice of material but its likely easy to work with when Rose is attending her wounds.”

He then stood, looking at Rigmor then back to Rose. He quietly pondered, “There is something about this Rigmor and of course Rose too. Why is this happening? Are the guiding hands of fate at work here.” Then Rose spoke, “We’ll did you get the stuff from Anise?”

The adventurer replied, “Yeah, I suspect she was expecting me. We’ll maybe not me but someone.” Rose asked, “Why do you believe that?” He replied, “Everything we needed was laid out on a table in her cabin together as if she knew exactly what we would want.”

Rose took the stuff from him, put the meat and vegetables in the pot of bubbling water. She then stood up and went and sat down on a stump, watched him for a moment waiting for him to come over to talk.

The adventurer went over and sat down too. Silence descended on the campsite. Rose then asked, “What did Hedren say?” He turned towards her and replied, “He didn’t like it one bit. He said there were people nosing around. Looking for Rigmor, you know the reward and all. He said you owned him big this time.”

She giggled then said, “He need not worry, I find a way to pay him back. I knew he would help. “The adventurer look at her and asked, “Are you and Hedren, you know?” Rose blushed and replied, “No, were just friends that’s all.” The adventurer replied, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so nosy. “

Rose thought a moment then said, “You know I was thinking when you were gone. With Rigmor recovering, you don’t need to stick around if you have other places you need to be.”

The adventurer replied, “It’s okay Rose, I want to stay. I want to help both of you.” Rose paused then replied, “You know, you are kind and generous. I don’t know what we would have done if not for all your help. I’ll have to think of a way to pay you back. “

The adventurer replied, “No need to do that Rose, you are a beautiful, kind, and with a heart of gold.” Rose blushed, “Thank you, I like hearing that. It’s not often heard.”

Rose then replied, “You know when Rigmor recovers and we help her get to where she was going, what then? Have you given it any thought to what you might do?”

The adventurer replied, “I don’t really plan that way, my life is different, it seems that when I try and plan something, life comes at me and says, ‘On no you don’t!’” He chuckled then asked, “What about you.

Rose replied, “you know I am not getting any younger, with the war between the Empire and Stormcloaks, an increase of Thalmor in the area, and other types such as magic users I was thinking it might be time to head for somewhere else. Like maybe the Gold Coast area.”

She looked at him waiting, nothing was said so she said, “You know its rumored that on top of that mountain behind us is a temple. It is said that it is full of gold and treasures. No one has ever come back though that ventured up the mountain to investigate it.”

“You want me to go, and see?” She responded, “If you find anything we’ll split by halves.” The adventurer replied, “Okay, if anyone deserves it is you. Tell me though, why haven’t you had Hedren go and fetch it?”

Rose replied, “Because I don’t trust him to not get himself killed. I consider him a friend, you know. I wouldn’t want any harm to come to him.”

The adventurer replied, “I guess that means you trust me.” Rose replied, “Yes, I do, we were brought together by this girl, and you have been so kind and helpful. I know it’s a lot, but well never mind.”

The adventurer smiled then said, “Where do I go, what do I look for to know I am on the right track.” Rose replied, “go up this mountain path behind us. You will continue across and upward until you see a gold ore location. Once you see that look up and then you will see a rough trail made of old stairs and rocks that lead up the side of the mountain to the temple or whatever is up there.”

The adventurer stood up and replied, “Okay, wish me luck and take care of our girl while I am gone looking for this shrine on the mountain top. “

His trip to the old hunter’s camp was uneventful, peaceful, and relaxing as the small boat slipped through the smooth waters on his way there. When he arrived at the camp, it was empty, and he took some time to scout around the campsite to make sure nothing was wrong. He paused and looked across the lake towards where the Alchemist, Anise’s cabin was located.

He could barely see the cabin across the headwaters of the White River through the dense forested area. You could see the smoke coming from a fire in the fireplace, and the roof top sticking up between the trees up on a ridge from where he stood.

He waded up stream, closer to the calm waters of the lake, so he could cross over where the waters were shallow. He made his way across then looked back towards where he had seen the smoke lifting into the still morning air.

He made his way up to the cabin and went around to the front to find an old lady sitting in a chair. He sensed she expected him. He thought, “More than a mere alchemist, possibly a witch. Rose was smart to caution him.” She greeted him with “A good morning to you. I see you’re here looking. You know I was a beautiful woman in my youth with men from the courts of the great cities vying for my affections.”

She seemed to pause in thought. He spoke, “You must be Anise, I was told you might have some potions, vegetables and such I might get.” He watched her but as she didn’t respond immediately, he said, “Rose sent me over, we’re trying to help someone not feeling too well.”

She replied, “Well dearie, go on in and look around, I am sure you’ll find what you need.” You responded, “Thank you, I’ll get what I need and be on my way. I’ll let Rose know you were very gracious.”

With that he entered the cabin, He saw what he needed sitting at the table all together as if she knew before he arrived and laid it out for him.

He picked up the things Rose had requested he get, stepped outside, and thanked Anise. He then began his walking towards Riverwood to drop off the damaged Cuirass of Rigmor with Hedren at Alvor place.

As he, the adventurer came across the way he stopped and looked up at the old Nordic barrow. He then heard a whisper, this time it spoke the word, “Ro”.  Once again, his blood stirred, and a sense of fate overwhelmed him. He thought, “What could this mean, first the word “Fus”, now “Ro”.

Those words sound familiar to what he had read once in a traveler’s book about the dragon walls. He believed it to be a loose reference, not necessarily one a scholar would use. He knew there were runic symbols carved on each wall. They were said to be the speech of the dragons.

He thought briefly, “likely something found in the songs of Bards, song makers, and explorers who were always looking for new inspiration to inspire their songs or writing. “

He mused, “Dragons had not been seen here in a long time. It was back during the first era they were last heard flying or speaking their strange language in the vaults of heaven above. “

He made his way down to the river and saw Riverwood in the rising light of dawn. He thought, I better make it into town, look around and speak with Hedren about repairing the cuirass.

When he came to the open entry, he saw Hedren was working the forge. He also noticed the posters of Rigmor were still up.

The adventurer set the piece of armor on the table. Hedren responded, “Are you crazy, what are you two thinking? Why bring that around here? The crest of Bruma is a dead giveaway as to who it belongs to.”

He had made his way back and arrived at the camp to find Rose sitting on a log near the fire observing Rigmor. She noticed him and had raised her gaze to ask him, “How did it go? Did Lucan and Camillia have what we needed? We’re the Thalmor still about? I also need to show you something if you have those supplies.”

The adventurer watched Rose as she took the bandages from him. She went, knelt near Rigmor, and began to treat her. As she finished treating her, she turned and said to him, “Come closer and look at this!” She watched the adventurer step forward then slide the fur away from her shoulders to reveal what she had found.

He was moved by what was revealed to him. She had been abused with a slaver’s lash repeatedly until the skin on her shoulders and back had been permanently scarred. He responded to Rose, “She is lucky to still be living after suffering through that alone. I wonder what this girl could have done to spurn someone to just deepened levels or cruelty?”

There was silence as his eyes began to pool with tears that filled him from seeing what she had endured. Rose had noticed his reaction, pulled the fur back up and added the new ones as well. She then stood up, walked over, and sat down on the log again waiting for him to join her.

The adventurer looked over at the injured girl, then spoke to Rose, “Her name is Rigmor, Rigmor of Bruma!” Rose responded, “How do you know that?” The adventurer replied, “Her posters are up all over the town of Riverwood. The Thalmor harassed me at the entry to the town. They have posted a reward of 15,000 Gold Coins for her, Dead or Alive.”

There was silence that fell between Rose and the adventurer after she heard that. She considered then said, “I know what you saw and heard, but I am not going to judge this girl until I hear her side. Especially considering it involves the Thalmor.”

The adventurer replied, “I agree, think about it, she is with title to be referred to as ‘Rigmor of Bruma’. The Thalmor would not have used that designation without there being respect for who she was if not what she was.” He pondered briefly then asked Rose, “Okay, what’s next?”

Rose responded, “I’ve been thinking about it. If you can stay a while longer, I will need some food and medicine to help her healing process. Can you, will you stay?” He never hesitated, “Of course, what is it you need me to do?”

Rose signed slightly then said, “There’s an Alchemist. She lives across the way from the hunter’s camp. She has a cabin in a clearing, upward towards the right after you cross over the White River. She has a herbal and vegetable garden growing alongside of it.”

She paused a moment watching him then continued, “She makes a potion with Nettles that could help her. She also may have some cabbage and other things we need so I can make some soup to help her recover.”

The adventurer asked, “What is her name, this Alchemist?” Rose replied, “Anise is her name, just let her know that I sent you to gather the supplies. Whatever you do though, don’t go down into the cellar if you happen to be the curious type.”

The adventurer and Rose stood up. She began to turn, looked back at him. The adventurer smiled slightly and replied, “Okay, I’ll get the items from Anise, and I won’t go exploring her private cellar.” Rose chuckled at him and said, “Oh, her cuirass was damaged, can you take it into Alvor’s in Riverwood and ask Hedren if he can do us a favor and repair it? Hedren works for Alvor and is learning the craft from him.”

The adventurer replied, “Sure, hand it to me and I’ll make sure I speak to Hedren about repairing it. Besides, it will give me some time to see if I notice any more of the Thalmor lurking around the town.”

Rose responded, “Thank you so much I, we can’t thank you enough for staying to help with her recovery. I’ll have to think of some way to repay you for all your efforts. “

The adventurer replied, “There is no need for you to repay me, I am staying because she, Rigmor, needs our help. There’s a story here to learn. Let’s get her healthy again so we can discover what that is. Maybe, she’ll be able to tell us why the Thalmor have such a keen interest in her.”

Rose replied, “Here, take these coins with you at least, it will help pay for what is needed.” The adventurer turned and said as he walked away towards the boat, “I’ll be back soon, take good care of our girl.” The adventurer held out his open hand and received the gold coins. He turned, walked toward the boat sitting at the shore, and sensed Rose watching him as he faded into the trees that hid the campsite from others on the lake.

He sensed the Dominion regulars looking him over as he read the poster, “Wanted, Rigmor of Bruma, 15,000 Gold Coin, Dead or Alive.” He stood there a moment thinking, “I wonder what she did to deserve so much attention from Thalmor operatives in Skyrim? It must have been something truly unique to earn that much of a reward. 15,000 Gold Coin could feed a family here in Riverwood for some time to come.”

He turned then and headed into the town towards the Riverwood Trader, the local goods store where Lucan and his sister were. As he neared the store, he saw a dark elf speaking with some authority to yet another Justiciar.

He casually walked up to the poster, yet another one of this Rigmor girl, then turned and watched from the walkway of the town in front of the Riverwood Trader.

What he heard was, “I have every right to be here, do you think your authority extends to the Dominion?” The dark elf lady appeared to be unconcerned with his declaration of superiority over her. She responded, “I don’t care who you believe gives you permission to harass the citizens of the Jarl in Whiterun. I will tell you though; I am the authority here, and if you don’t take your group away from this town, stop bothering everyone you have a suspension about, I will have you and your regulars escorted out of town by sword point. Do I make myself clear?”

The adventurer smiled slightly and took an immediate liking to this lady. He thought, “She must be an officer of the Jarl of Whiterun to speak with such confidence.” Then the Justiciar responded, “Well I never, you can be sure the Jarl of Whiterun will hear about this from the authorities in Solitude.”

He turned and headed towards the entry where the rest of the Justiciar and Dominion regulars stood. With that, the dark elf lady looked briefly over at the adventurer. Their eyes connected across the distance. He felt her take the measure of his worth. She then turned towards the Sleeping Giant Inn, the local establishment for food, drink, music, and sleep if needed.

He quietly turned, reached out to open the door to the trader and stepped in through the doorway. Once inside he immediately picked up on the heated discussion taking place between the store owner and his sister according to Rose.

Lucan was speaking, “This discussion is over. There will be no thief chasing, not bandit tracking, nothing of the sort.” His sister Camilla stood there defiant and spat back at him, “Well, what are you going to do about then? Nothing!” They then both noticed him standing there is the shadow of the doorway.

Lucan, turned towards him and said, “I don’t know what you heard but the Riverwood Trader is still open for business. We have just about anything you might need.”

The adventurer responded, “Thank you, I need to see if you might have some clean cloth for bandages. Hmm! Maybe a warm fur to be used as a blanket.”

Lucan replied, “I think you’ll like what we have here, I believe these will fit your needs.” Lucan paused briefly then followed up with, “I hope you’re not planning any trouble!”

The adventurer smiled slightly and responded, “No just helping some folks out, no trouble planned on my part.” The adventurer received the goods, paid Lucan, then began to leave the store with his sister quietly sitting behind him, likely trying to consider who this stranger was.

When the adventurer had stepped outside, he took a few paces forward and looked around at the town. There was no Thalmor anywhere. He mused, “Well, it appeared the Justiciar did indeed believe the Dark Elf lady had enough authority to encourage them to leave the town.” He chuckled quietly to himself, turned, and noticed the poster of Rigmor of Bruma was still there even if they were not.

He shrugged, then began his trip back to Rose and the injured girl who he now knew to be Rigmor of Bruma. He considered as he made his way back to the boat at the hunter’s camp, “Rigmor of Bruma is a title, not a common name. They would have only used the name Rigmor if she was just a local resident of the city of Bruma or the county.”

Continuing to think this through, “He needed to consider this some more concerning this girl. There’s something not adding up right now. I need to learn about what her reasons for being here are and where she was going if we are going to have any hope of helping her.”

He approached the boat, prepared to head back to the hunter’s camp while scanning around the lake’s edges near the camp. He wanted to ensure there was no threatening activity from possible Thalmor or Imperial Scouts. He then leaped into the canoe and made his way out onto the lake towards the hunter’s camp.

When he arrived at the hunter’s camp it was empty. Hedren likely had gone into Riverwood as he had told Rose, the other hunters were off somewhere on the next hunt stocking up to sell so they could get supplies in for the cooler season yet to come.

He made his way up towards the three standing stones that stood timeless on the rocky outcrop above where he stood at the hunter camp below. Beyond the blessing stones would be the road into Riverwood. He began his journey up the trail, paused, thought to himself, “What Alibi should I use with the Thalmor? Maybe none, just see where it goes.”

He arrived at the stones and the road, nothing could be heard other than the normal sounds of the woodlands and mountains surrounding this area. He still worried about what to do about Thalmor but instinctively felt something would come to him at the time.

As he made his way to the road, walked along its path a while and closed the distance to Riverwood, he paused near one of the falls where the waters would tumble, the mist would rise, and the White River finally settle down as it neared Riverwood. He thought, “What am I going to do about the Thalmor if they’re hanging around town and decide to cause trouble. “

He smiled to himself thinking, “Maybe I’ll shake them up a bit by throwing something their way they won’t expect, a little touch of aggression. That will make the Justiciar take pause and consider the outcomes. It was worth a gamble he thought to himself.”

He stood there looking ahead, saw the large Elk across the river. He contemplated, “that would be a good prize for any of the hunters around the camp. Too bad none of them are around to take advantage of it. An Elk that size could put meat on the table for a whole family through the winter months.”

He continued towards the town of Riverwood and whatever fate had in store for him there. Of course, he thought, “I would prefer that it is uneventful trip, I purchase the supplies needed, learn what I can about why they are here and get back to the camp. Rose would be needing the supplies if they hoped to save that injured girl.”

“There they were he thought, is that a poster nailed to the wall there?” With that he continued forward and the Justiciar stepped forward once he approached them.

“Stop! What is it you are doing in this town?” The adventurer stepped closer and gave a cynical response with a crooked smile, “I could ask you the same thing! What are the Thalmor doing in this quiet little town of Riverwood so far from the embassy up near Solitude, the capital city of Skyrim?”

This did give the Justiciar pause, and he thought, “Just who is this that step forward instead of back when the Thalmor questions?” He considers how to respond, “Have you seen the girl shown on this poster?”

The adventurer responded, “No, is it not obvious I have just arrived here? How is that I am supposed to have seen her and who is she anyway that her mere presence somewhere requires so many soldiers and a Justiciar?”

The Justiciar thought briefly, “I think I’ll continue forward; he doesn’t appear to be any immediate threat. Although, he observed that armor is not an ordinary Nord crafted cuirass. The detail and craftsman that forged this is no ordinary smithy. “He then responded to this man, “She is a dangerous criminal, as you can see if you can read? There is a sizable reward available for anyone helping to locate her in such a way to allow us to capture her.”

The adventurer responded quickly, “Your tone and insult does you no favors, Justiciar. A single girl requires a company of highly trained Dominion soldiers, an Imperial Scout, and his dogs, with a Justiciar?”

The Justiciar spate back, “She is a wanted criminal for murder, she is extremely dangerous, and I would caution you if you were to come upon her in your travels. If you see her let us know. Oh, one precautionary tale, anyone caught helping her will be summarily executed and their family sent to Valenwood, to the ports of the slavers. Move along now.”

The adventurer said no more but stepped towards the poster to inspect it closely.