OOC: This is the journey to Winterhold for Grits, King Coin, and I. SInce there are only three players, I don't see the point of makin a discussion thread, especially sine we all know our characters, besides Channah, but that's just me, lol. This can certainly be changed, if y'all wish.

To clarify to you two, we can pilot any of the NPCs that we wish. Now, since I wasn't "in charge" of the Lost Knife thing, anyone who's RP'ed with me will tell you that I'm a huge fan of surprises. I like to toss unexpected situations at the people. If it's going to be a major inconvenience, I'll ask first (Life, death, injury, stealing, etc) but otherwise, get ready for surprises lol. And feel free to toss something at me, as well. I hate hate HATE every little thing being planned. I like free-form roaming games, hence why I enjoy this franchise so very, very much.

Once we're there, we can interact with each other if we wish. I'm NOT making it mandatory to constantly be around each other. If we want to go on adventures and show a little character development, it's totally allowed. Just try to make it intt one long post, or several posts. It can be a little backstory revealed or whatever, as long as it's pertaining to what's going on at that moment. For example, if Aravi or Channah are investigating some weird noises under the stairs and find a group of students performing necromancy on a rat, eh,s so be it. Romance is cool. Friendships with other students or teachers is cool. I don't care. Have fun, make it interesting, or boring, whatever you want! I enjoy reading that kind of stuff.

Now, without further ado, here we go, y'all!



-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=






The journey through Lost Knife had shown Kayla a bit of perspective. Firstly, it was that while chitin armor was sleek and stylish, the spaces between the plates were a weak spot. Granted, it was much better than her old regular leather armor, which she had left back in the Wobbly Goblet. She supposed that whomever had ended up with it might sell it for a few septims, though it was pretty worn.

Secondly, she was tougher than she thought. She had survived not only an arrow through the chest, which alone should have killed her, but the icy torrents of the water in the cave hadn't broken her body beyond repair.

And, last of all, she had a new outlook on her friend that traveled with her. The small Khajiit, dwarfed by the Altmer's already stunning height of seven feet, turned into a werewolf every full moons. She had felt a bit protective of Aravi when they had first met, feeling that due to her small size she was quick, but didn't strike hard enough. She was wrong.

She remembered the lumbering beast that snarled and roared at the three trapped in the cage in the cave. Aravi and another woman, an Imperial mercenary named Vera, had transformed out of necessity. The bandits had trapped them in, planning on taking them out like fish in a barrel.

With a sideways glance, masked as an attempt to scratch the ride side of her head, Kayla glanced at the Khajiit on her left. She sighed and ran her fingers through her auburn hair and looked ahead, shifting her pack on her shoulder.

"If my memory serves me correctly, there should be a small mill up ahead. We can probably get a bed for the night and a hot meal if we offer a service like cooking or chopping wood." She stopped momentarily and looked around as she adjusted her sword on her hip. "Or we can pass it up. It's still pretty early, we can probably reach..." she stopped herself.

"Nevermind. We should probably avoid Windhelm." Kayla was sure Aravi was aware of the racism that shrouded Skyrim against anyone not a Nord. Even though Altmer were shunned and accused as spies for the Aldmeri Dominion, she was at least allowed in the cities. Khajiit were not. She turned to her deceptively small comrade.

"I think we can make it to the mill and rest for the night, gather our wits and map out what road we can take, then head out early in the morning. I don't know about you, but I think a night's rest in a bed sounds wonderful."

OOC: OK, free-roaming, no plan. I can do that.



Channah stomped the snow from her boots and stepped into the Frozen Hearth. Warmth hit her face like a dry slap. The innkeeper was engaged in discussion with Nelacar the resident wizard. Channah hung up her fur cloak and hood while they finished.

“It was a minor miscalculation,” Nelacar said. His tone was somewhat less than apologetic. “I have already corrected it for future experiments.”

Ugh, thought Channah. That doesn’t sound good.

Dagur seemed to agree with her. “This,” the innkeeper fumed, “This is why people have a problem with your College.”

Channah walked forward before Nelacar could begin protesting his association with the College. Over the last three days staying at the inn Channah had heard it enough.

Dagur held his position leaning on the bar. “Ah,” he said to Channah. “You’re back. Any luck today?”

Channah sat down on a barstool. “If I had any luck I’d be packing up and moving in. Not today, though. It was that Faralda wench again. Why does she want me to cast Fury at the ground? I’m not here to learn Illusion spells.”

“Ah,” Dagur said again. “Well.”

Channah took that as his best advice. She sighed. “Another night, please, Dagur.” She slid the coins across the bar. “And some hot cider and whatever I smell baking. Is that pumpkin pie?”

Dagur made the exchange. “It’s pumpkin something. What are you going to do today?”

Channah made a face. “I don’t know. My blades are sharp, my mail is clean, and my leathers won’t take any more balm.”

“Sounds like you’re ready to go kill something.”

Channah laughed. Spoken like a Nord. “Perhaps I’ll start with a mage.”

Dagur picked up his cloth and began polishing a tankard. As far as Channah could tell it was the same one he had been cleaning for the last three days. She supposed she was not the only one who needed to keep her hands busy.

“There’s no wizard at the Jarl’s court, but you could always try Windhelm,” he suggested.

Channah gave her cider an appreciative sniff. “It’s the principle. I’m not going to mess with folks’ minds. That’s just not right.” She waited a full minute before taking a sip of cider. She had all day to finish it. And Dagur had all day to watch her.

She sighed again. “That’s a good idea, Dagur. If I can’t get in tomorrow maybe I’ll try it.”

The past few days had been a fearful mix of highs and lows for Aravi.

First, joy at finding out that there may be a chance for her to be a mother sometime in the future. It would require some experiments, and an operation, but it was possible. And illegal. To make this happen, her friends needed soul gems filled with energy.

Which lead to the previous excursion. She brought her friends Kayla and Darnand, a mercenary Vera, and then a relatively unknown bard. That’s when things started to go bad.

Kayla took an arrow in the chest and nearly died.

She was horrified when it happened. That wasn’t what was supposed to happen. She felt guilt, and then torn between calling off the whole thing and continuing to look for her friend. Ultimately she couldn’t abandon Kayla, and it turned out well. But what if she had doomed the rest of the party?

She cut off that line of thought. It had turned out well, and Kayla was here at her side. Darnand and Vera were on their way to Cyrodiil each with a sack of gems and gold respectively.

The joy of finding Kayla again was again replaced by horror. Bandits swarmed into the cave, and she and Vera were forced to become monsters to prevent them from all being killed. Beast blood was usually a secret best kept at all costs. Again, there was joy when it was all over and her friends didn’t abandon her, didn’t try to kill her, didn’t try to take her to a cell.

Now she was happy that all she had to do for the next few days was just put one foot in front of the other. She kept up with Kayla’s long strides easily. She was used to walking or running everywhere.

Kayla mentioned stopping at a mill, or continuing to Windhelm. Then she remembered Windhelm’s culture.

“I don't know about you, but I think a night's rest in a bed sounds wonderful.”

Aravi groaned just imaging a soft mattress. “And a hot meal, with mead.” She had grown fond of the sweet beverage. She only needed to be careful, the Nords tended to brew it stronger than her small body could easily handle.

“I’ve been to Windhelm before.” She grimaced, showing her pointed teeth. “But let’s stop at the mill. I can chop wood. If they want someone to cook, that will be on you. I’m pretty bad. Kharjo is the cook.”

Kayla laughed loudly. "We'll be thrown out at the end of the night if they expect me to cook. I can kill it and skin it and put salt on it. That's it."

She looked to her left and cocked her head. "Hear that running water? We'll follow the creek until it turns into a river, and it'll lead us to the mill." She steered Aravi into the right direction, leading the way. She avoided the obvious questions.

How did it happen?

What's it like?

Does it hurt?

Can you cure it?

Kayla knew almost nothing about Lycanthropy, except there were different types of were-people. As far as she knew, werewolves and werebears were the only two that turned into anything that resembles a man and a wolf twisted and mangled together. Then again, wereboars and werefoxes were rare to find. There wasn't a lot of desire to catch lives specimens of werewolves and study them. Especially if they were anything like Vera.

Ugh. Kayla preferred if her thoughts did not turn towards the Imperial. She was curt, short with words, and had an air of conceit that didn't settle with Kayla. Their first meeting went awfully, when she killed a thrall that Kayla had wanted to save, that Kayla had said she'd save. and their second meeting wasn't too much better.

It wasn't that the mission went badly. It had at first, and it was no fault of Vera's. It was, perhaps, in Kayla's eyes, that Vera had all of that conceit because of her ability. That she might think she was better because of her Lycanthropy. Kayla had resolved to be civil to Vera, even before knowing what she was. Revealing her other nature had given the elf a bit of perspective on the Imperial.

And if that's the way she wanted to be, then so be it. Vera was on her way back to Cyrodiil, and Kayla and her friend were heading in the opposite direction. The more distance, the better. Eventually, Vera would be nothing more than a memory, and Kayla would forget. Kayla felt petty, even being upset at Vera for anything. She realized a few miles back it was a common theme in her life; Nords thought they were better because they were Nords, other Altmer thought they were better because they knew the language and the culture better.


They hit the stream and began following the river northeast. She pointed to the mill.

"There. See? Oh, it looks...unkempt. I hope it's not abandoned." She looked at her map. "I think the woman called this place Mixwater Mill. Come on."

Aravi smiled at Kayla’s good humor, and allowed the high elf to lead them towards the mill. She watched her friend’s expression change. Aravi could guess at what she was thinking.

She was about to ask Kayla, when the Altmer pointed ahead.

“There. See? Oh, it looks...unkempt. I hope it's not abandoned. I think the woman called this place Mixwater Mill. Come on.”

Aravi approached the mill with Kayla. Aravi’s hopes fell as they drew nearer. Her hands drifted to her swords. Something in the back of her mind was making her feel jumpy.

“Hello?!” Aravi called to the silent buildings. “Anyone there?”

No light in the windows. Only a wisp of smoke came out of one chimney.

What happened here?

Aravi looked at Kayla, and shrugged.

She slowly crept forward, unsheathing a sword silently. The steel in her hand gave her some confidence. She knew Kayla was behind her, with magic and that bright sword of hers. If something happened, she wasn’t alone.

The door wasn’t locked when she tested it. Her body coiled like a spring, she eased the door open slowly, ready to leap aside.

A sickly odor emanated from the house, and Aravi’s tail bushed out.

She pulled the door shut and backed away. “There are dead in there,” she said to Kayla. "What do you want to do?"

Kayla looked upset. Her stomach tightened at the stench, and Aravi's face and words confirmed it.

"Count them, then dig graves. No matter who they are, they deserve burials. Did you see anything else? Odd shadows, anything out of the corner of your eye?"

Vampires are masters at disguising themselves as shadows. And they're too quick for us to see sometimes.

"Did you...smell any vampires? Can you do that?"

Aravi would have preferred to just leave, right now. They would get to Windhelm and spend the night there, and leave early in the morning. They would tell the guards of what they found here of course. Now whether or not they would investigate on the words of a Khajiit and an Altmer is another matter…

“No I didn’t see anything, and my nose is no better than any other Khajiit’s. All I could smell was death.”

The door opened, a thin Nord man stood, bracing himself against the doorframe.

A deep voice that must have boomed at one time, merely sounded shallow now.

“You should leave this place now. A great fever has taken us all. Go now before you get it.”

OOC: Wat



-



Kayla frowned, the pull in her gut turning into a dreading feeling.

"A fever? Sir, I'm an alchemist. I have many remedies in my bag, and can brew up more. Please, let me help." She took a step towards the man, her right arm outstretched with her palm upwards.

OOC: It's a plague!

--

“NO! Stop! Don’t come near! We've tried potions, this is beyond them. It only slows it down. Do you have a priest of the Ni-Eight? ”

Aravi grabbed Kayla’s arm. “I’m protected. Let me bring them any potions.”

Kayla looked uncertain. "Pray to your gods-all of them," she said to the man. She didn't mention she was raised as a NOrd, as that would have little comfort for the man at the moment. She handed Aravi several cure disease potions and other remedies, as well as salves and ointments.

"This one," she held a small jar up, "Is for any blisters or boils you might have. It numbs and pulls the infection out. Wipe it off with a wet rag once the ooze is out. And this one," she held out a different bottle, with a thin, clear liquid in it. "If you're in pain, take it. It'll put you to sleep for a few hours. The rest are cures. How many are in there?"

Aravi collected the potions Kayla produced. The beast blood would protect her from any disease, even the dreaded vampire’s disease.

”How many are in there?”

The man answered. “There are seven of us. Four have gone to Sovngarde, and one is nearly there.”

Aravi asked, “Have they been buried?” She already knew the answer from the smell at the house.

The Nord’s face fell. “No, I’ve tried, but strength has fled my limbs.”

Aravi looked at Kayla. She kept her voice low, “I could get the bodies out, if we can convince them to let me in.”

Kayla nodded discreetly at Aravi. "Plagues are spread through the bodies of the infected dead as well as being around the infected while alive. I'm resistant to disease, but if you can't get infected, I've got a strength potion for you to use."

OOC: We'll go with Aravi's idea unless Kayla thinks of something more convincing. And if you want you can jump us to after Aravi's brought out the dead. I have a solution in mind, but they can't do it here.

--

“Right. Thanks, I will need the potion.” She added it to the collection Kayla already showed the miller.

“We just need to convince them to let me in. I have this Amulet of Mara,” she lifted it out of her shirt so that it rested on her chest, “Do you think they will believe it will protect me?”

"It might. I can't think of anything else to try short of force."

Aravi frowned. “I’ll try this. I could probably force my way in, but I would much rather avoid that. Find a shovel and start digging the graves please.”

Ultimately, it was the man’s remorse for the dead and Aravi’s forceful attitude rather any true belief that Aravi was protected that allowed her inside the house.

She couldn’t help but cringe at the terrible smell of the dead and human waste. Urns and buckets were emptied regularly, but not everyone seemed to have made it. At least she could remove the dead. She dreaded mopping up the mess.

She looked around inside as well, and took note of their firewood and food stores. Both were dwindling.

There ought to be plenty of firewood outside, we could just bring some in. Food is another question. We could buy it in Windhelm, or hunt.

She passed out Kayla’s healing potions, and drank one of strength for herself. Then she proceeded on dragged the bodies outside as gently and respectfully as she could while Kayla dug out graves. Two of the disease’s victims were only children.

When the bodies were outside, Aravi returned to the house and cleaned up the various messes. She resupplied them with firewood, and built a much stronger blaze in their fireplace.

She went back outside to Kayla and told her about the food problem. And she had an idea of someone that may be able to help them.

“In Dawnstar there is a priest of Mara. He has a temple in an old tower, just outside of the city. It’s out of our way to Winterhold, but perhaps he could help.”

The Palace of the Kings loomed like some bitter old mountain under the cloudy sky. The walk from Winterhold to Windhelm had been invigorating. Now Channah had a pouch full of ice wraith teeth to trade.

She hoped the Stormcloak guards would let her through without recruiting her or arresting her for being only half Nord. So far she had gotten a lot of crossed arms and blank stares, but no hassle. Actually she couldn’t really evaluate the stares. They just felt blank because of the guards’ closed helmets.

Channah took a deep breath and walked through the massive doors.

Blue carpeting and banners decorated a long, high hall. Jarl Ulfric’s throne stood at the far end. Channah could see his Thanes and she assumed other members of court clustered around him. With luck she would escape their notice.

The door guard crossed his arms. “No lollygagging.”

“Which way to the court wizard?” Channah asked him.

“Upstairs down the South Corridor.” The guard illustrated his remark with a nod.

“Thanks.”

“But you won’t find him there. Bastard necromancer’s rotting in the dungeon.”

Channah felt a chill race over her skin. She had been told that she would meet her end in a necromancer’s lair.

I hardly think this will be the one. She pulled off her gloves before her palms could sweat too much. “Can I go see him?”

The guard nodded toward the right. “Suit yourself.”

In the dungeon Channah found an old man in a hooded robe standing in one of the cells. The robe was blue trimmed with gold. She supposed he kept his skull-head attire for wearing in caves and the like.

“Were you the court mage, necromancer?” She asked him.

“I am the court mage. I am a member of the College of Winterhold. I am not a necromancer!”

I bet that’s what they all say. “Well, do you have a Fury spell tome you could sell me? Or a scroll? I have some ice wraith teeth to trade.”

The mage tugged on his beard. “Do I look like I’m open for trade? You should be worried there’s a murderer on the loose! Has the whole city lost their brains?”

Channah watched him for a moment as he paced his tiny cell. “So, is that a yes or a no?”

OOC: I am so, so sorry, y'all. My computer isn't connected to the internet anymore. I need a new computer now.

--

Kayla dug up the graves, wiping sweat from her face once in a while. She kept her emotions in check until she got to the children. While Aravi was inside, cleaning, she grabbed a few flowers and set them on the graves. By the time Aravi came back out, her face wasn't red from tears anymore.

She nodded, an unsure look on her face. "If you think we can make it, let's go. I'll give them the rest of my rations, and we can hunt on the way up there."

Aravi sensed the other woman had been in tears. She pretended to not notice. If Kayla wanted her to know, she would have showed it.

Aravi looked to the west. Magnus was still high, but quickly sinking to the Nirn. Orange already tinged the afternoon sky.

“I don’t think we can make it there before nightfall,” she said gloomily. That leaves Windhelm. A knot formed in her stomach. It wasn’t always safe there for other races, and Khajiit seemed to be almost universally despised. If there was an altercation, she would surely be taken to the jail just for who she was.

And if Kayla was correct, she might be turned away at the gate. She was able to get in before, but that was nearly a year ago. A lot can change in a year.

And if she didn’t find shelter somewhere, she would freeze to death.

"Windhelm it is. Listen, before I ever go in, I'll make sure you have somewhere safe to stay. The beast races there stick together and look out for each other. And if there's a caravan there, you're even more lucky. I've heard they'll take in travelers, especially their own race."

Kayla stuck the shovel in the dirt next to a grave and looked briefly at the smaller graves. She took in a deep breath, and let it out shakily.

Hold it together...

She cleared her throat and swallowed. "Worst comes to worst, we make a snow cave and spend the night together again. And you know I'm good at making those." She gave Aravi a weaker version of one of her grins.

Aravi was grateful for the other woman’s loyalty. She returned the forced grin with a smile of her own.

Then she looked at the fresh graves. Kayla had been quick about getting them covered. Aravi expected to help with the last one. She was relieved.

She didn’t know these people, and she didn’t shed any tears for the dead. She hadn’t known them. She felt sympathy for those grieving though. Is that strange?

“Let’s go.”

--------

Magnus had just slipped behind the mountains to the west when they arrived at Windhelm. To Aravi’s disappointment, there was no Khajiit caravan camped outside of the walls. Fresh tracks suggested they had been here the day before, but have since moved on.

She exchanged a look with Kayla.

They both proceeded over the bridge to the city gates. Guards stood in front of the gates, blocking entrance.

“You should do the talking…” Aravi said nervously as they approached. She fell half a step behind Kayla.

Maybe they won’t notice me back here…

"Halt!"

One of the guards took a few steps forward. "By decree of Jarl Ulfric, no beasts allowed inside the city."

Kayla was taken aback at the sheer gall of the guard. The last she had visited, it was rumored and not said aloud that beasts weren't permitted in the city. She took a deep breath.

"Look, we're-"

"No, YOU look," the guard stepped closer until his helmet was nearly nose-to-nose with her. "No beast races inside the city, period, elf! You're lucky I'm even letting your kind in!"

Something inside Kayla's head snapped, and she saw red. She took in a deep breath and pointed her finger at the guard's nose.

"Look here, Nord, we've traveled all the way from Chorrol just to come to the College, and we're TIRED! we're trying to find help for a family of Nords who've been stranded in their home, and we're getting supplies for them! So you and your little guard friend are going to let us inside so we can help those poor people DYING out there!"

The guard hesitated. "How many people?"

"Roughly about eight. We gave them half of our rations and we need a priest so they can be healed."

"You're in luck. The Temple of Talos has two healers." He shot a look at Aravi. "You can go in, elf, but the beast stays out here. She can find shelter with the lizards."

Kayla fumed again and opened her mouth to say something.

Before Aravi knew it, Kayla and the guard were in a shouting match over her.

Divines this is bad…

Kayla was about to unleash another onslaught on the guard. Aravi grabbed her arm and yanked her away before she could say more.

It occurred to her as she led Kayla away that it may have been painful.

When they were out of earshot, she said, “Sorry if that hurt.”

In a lower voice she continued, “I noticed the ice is solid. I think I can get in through the harbor. The wall there is in poor repair, or at least it was the last time I was here. I’ll wait for nightfall, and then go over the ice and sneak through the wall there. That leads into the Grey Quarter. I’ll try to get a room at the Corner Club. It’s a dump without a sign, but you should be able to find it. If I’m not there then well…” She looked over her shoulder at the stable. “I’ll be with the horses hopefully...”

…And not at the bottom of the river.

Kayla's surprised look was seen by Aravi, and she apologized as if she had hurt her. Kayla was more surprised than anything that Aravi could lift a spoon, much less yank the much bigger Altmer.

She shook her head at Aravi's plan. "No, this isn't right. You shouldn't have to sneak into the city like you've done something wrong! You're not a criminal, you're...you're Aravi!"

Kayla unclenched her fists and huffed. "This isn't right. What did Khajiit ever to to Ulfric?"She snapped her fingers.

"We disguise you as an old lady! No, that won't work..."

Aravi shrugged.

“No it isn’t right, but we aren’t getting into a fight with the guards either. We won’t win.”

“We disguise you as an old lady! No, that won't work...”

“No that won’t,” she agreed.

A chill wind rose while they stood on the bridge, penetrating Aravi’s furs. She shivered.

“I’m pretty sure I can get in. It’s getting dark and I’m quiet. As long as I don’t run into a patrol or something I should be fine.”

Kayla wrung her hands, looking torn. On one hand, she felt horrid for leaving Aravi outside the gates, but on the other, if Aravi was so sure she could get inside...

"Two hours. You have two hours to get in. If you don't get there, then I'm coming back out."

“Give me three. It won’t be dark enough for another hour, and then I will need time to sneak in.”

She gave Kayla what she hoped was a confident look. “I can do this.”

Blue energy leapt from her fingers and settled into her canvas wrapped feet. They glowed blue briefly before the energy faded into invisibility. Perhaps this show would help convince the Altmer she could go.

Aravi was quiet, even without the muffle spell. Good enough to get behind a bored bandit for a quiet strike, but not good enough usually to get into a camp, and out, without being noticed.

This night would be a test of her skill and patience. Assuming Kayla went for it.

Kayla let out an impatient and helpless noise.

"Fine. Three hours. I know you're more capable than I give you credit for. I just...you're my friend,and I don't want you to get hurt. Besdies, nearly no one in Skyrim can swim, and if you drop into the water, you're gone, and that's terrifying!"

She blew out a breath to calm herself. "I'll be waiting at the...the what club? Corner Club? I'll meet you there. Should I go now?"

Aravi didn’t want to think about what would happen if the ice broke. She would drown or freeze to death if she managed to pull herself out.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’m light. Here,” she shrugged off her pack and handed it to Kayla, “take that for me.”

“Yes it’s the Corner Club. It’s the only place you can stay in the Grey Quarter.”

She gave Kayla a quick hug. “Get a warm bed for me.”

Kayla hugged Aravi tightly and headed into the city, which was much easier the second time without her. She could feel the guards' eyes boring into her through the helmets as she passed by, even on the streets. Outside, a handsome Nord regarded her wearily, and someone called him Captain Lonely-Gale. He frowned and turned his head away from her, and she kept walking towards the Corner Club.

She found the dingy building easily enough, though the other Altmer who saw her go in turned their noses up at her. She got them a room and waited on Aravi.

Aravi let go of Kayla and ran back over the bridge, away from the city.

---------

A weather system rolled in from the north while Aravi waited for the day’s last light to fade from the sky. At first she was glad, the clouds would block out the light of the moons and stars.

Then it started sleeting. Aravi swore like the crudest Nord.

She was hunched against the weather down by the bank of the river. Tiny ice crystals blew into her face, stinging her pink nose. It was earlier than she wanted to go, but in this weather, who would be able to see her? She could hardly see the city walls. Who would see her?

Her claws clacked quietly over the ice. It groaned eerily in a few places, but she kept moving. She made straight for the city walls, then followed them around to the opposite end.

Her heart leapt into her throat once when her foot crashed through the ice and into the freezing water. She pitched forward of her own accord, landing on her stomach to spread her weight over more of the ice. Then she pulled herself away from the break with her claws, sliding on her belly.

When she thought she was sufficient distance away from the break, she got up on her knees, then feet. Always ready to dive forward again.

Thankfully she didn’t have to.

The guards in the harbor were easy to slip by. They kept to predicable paths, making their required rounds as fast as they could.

She went straight for the crumbling spot in the wall. It was still there she saw with some relief. In better weather, this would be child’s play to get to.

Now ice was forming over the stone. She needed to get up quickly.

Using her claws, she exploited crevices in the weathered stone walls. She was almost to the top when she slipped. Her claws started scrapping and she pushed off, landing behind a warehouse.

“What was that?”

Aravi lifted herself onto a stack of crates and laid flat.

She heard the crunch of his boots over snow. She held her breath.

He moved on. He must not have looked up. Claw marks could be seen where she slid.

She tried again, just a little to the side this time. She started to slip again at the same height but held on. She pushed up with her claws and got her hands over the side, and pulled herself up.

I’m in!

Getting to the Corner Club will be easy. The hovels the Dunmer lived in were built right up to the wall. Numerous alleys would allow her to avoid the roving patrols. Nobody else was out in this weather.

Kayla decided that Aravi had taken long enough, even though it wasn't quite three hours yet. She got up from the single-bed with questionable sheets ("Well, if you want clean sheets in this city, you're better off waiting a few weeks," the proprietor had chuckled to Kayla, earning him a disgusted look.) and walked out the door, glancing around. She hugged her cloak to her body, thinking that Windhelm was correctly named as she began walking out the door. A glass bottled shattered near her head, and she jumped and put her hand on the hilt of Dawnbreaker. A very obviously drunk Nord man laughed loudly, nearly falling as he stumbled backwards slightly.

"Damn greyskins better stay-oh, you're a snooty snoot high elf. Well...o back to the Thalmor Embassy and tells 'em Rolff Stone-Fist says hello!" He waved his hand, twisted into a rude gesture. Kayla rolled her eyes.

"That's classy."

"You're a dark-elf lover, ain't you? You filthy piece of trash, get out of our city?"

Kayla's temper flamed again, but she kept it capped this time. She still needed to find Aravi, and with this guy standing outside the Corner Club, Aravi would never risk trying to run inside.

"You've got a terrible attitude for so early in the evening."

"Don't like it? Too bad. This is our city. Ours!"

"Yeah, okay."

" Don't think I can take you?"

"I never said-"

"One hundred septims says I can punch you back where you came from."

That's a mighty short punch, "Yeah, okay." She walked down the steps and shed her cloak. He cracked his knuckles and neck.

"All right. Fists only. And none of that magic stuff, either. Let's go!"

He swung first. Kayla always let her opponent swing first, especially when there were witnesses around. The contest was over easily, as the man was quite drunk, and Kayla only needed to drop to her knees, the bring her fist up sharply. The uppercut knocked him off his feet by a few inches, and he fell like a tree.

Hard.

She looked around. wondering if anyone saw that. Behind her the owner of the inn clapped.

"Bravo!" The Dunmer, who had introduced himself as Ambarys earlier, crowed in glee. "That man has harrassed us night after night for so long. Your room is discounted."

Kayla grabbed her cloak. "Really?"

"Yes. Has your friend arrived yet?"

Kayla shook her head. "No. I'm getting worried."

"Well, there'll be a bowl of milk for her."

"Uhhh...why a bowl?"

"Our cups are dirty. That wasn't meant to be offensive. I'll go clean a cup." He hurried inside.

She was getting close, she knew it this time. She had gotten turned around in one of the alleys and went in the wrong direction for ten minutes before catching herself.

And then she was almost caught by a patrol. Quick feet and foul weather got her away from them before they could decide what she was and if they should chase her.

Now she was there, behind the building. There was no back door she could use, she would have to risk the streets. There shouldn’t be any problems once she got inside. Her septims were just as good as anyone else’s at that point.

She peeked into the street.

Kayla, and a prone form occupied the street. Nobody else was about at the moment. She broke from her hiding place and ran to the High Elf.

“What happened?!”

Kayla jumped and turned around, then grinned, her arms out.

"You're alive, and not frozen into a cat-sicle!" She hugged Aravi, lifting her off the ground. She put her down and pulled her into the Corner Club.

"He challenged me to a fist-fight. That bastard had the nerve to tell me no magick. I had to knock him out so you could come inside. Ambarys, this is my friend."

The Dunmer was pouring milk from a bowl into a mug, and he cursed when it spilled as he glanced over to her.

"Hello! Nice to finally meet you, Aravi. You need blankets? I'm pulling out the GOOD sheets for you and your friend."

Oh thank gods... Kayla thought.

“Yes, I’m – AH!”

Her toes left the frozen ground as she was given a fierce hug. Then before she could say anything more, she was hauled into the Corner Club.

She listened to what transpired with the knocked out man.

“I hope he doesn’t get the guards. Or freeze.” Either way, guards will search this place and I’ll be found.

The Dark Elf that ran the place greeted her much more cheerfully than she expected. She came here prepared to bribe him to let her stay a night.

She shivered. “Yes, I would love some blankets.”

Good sheets?

“Told you I could get in,” she looked at Kalya. She left out the part where she almost fell through the ice.

It suddenly occurred to Kayla that they had left a man outside in the cold. When she vocalized it, the Dunmer waved her concerns away.

"They'll see the bottle pieces and put it together. He's passed out several times here. He's found fairly quickly and we're never really bothered."

"That's great. So, those good sheets...?"

"Ah, yes, let me change those out for you..." He disappeared, then came back out of their room.

"No baths here, but there's a washbasin. It's all we an afford, unfortunately."

Oh good. He won’t freeze then.

Aravi took a peek in the bed and saw what Kayla was talking about.

Her face was neutral again when Ambarys returned with new sheets and a couple of extra blankets.

He changed their sheets quickly after telling them of the wash basin. Aravi wasn’t interested, she was cold and tired. Her furs were soaking wet. The sleet that covered her melted. Cold drops dripped down her back.

There was a fireplace in their room, but it was empty. “Could we have a couple of logs?”

The owner nodded. "Of course. One moment." He disappeared for a little bit, and Kayla went into the room and began searching through her bags. the fistfight had put her in a good mood, and she was sure Aravi was used to her odd sense of humor when she was in a chirpy mood. Frisky, Ma'dat had called her once.

"What do you need logs for? We can keep each other warm." She turned around and gave Aravi an exaggerated wink, causing Ambarys to freeze.

"Oh." he began unloading logs, and Kayla burst into giggles.

"Dunmer blush purple?!"

What? Then she saw Kayla’s expression. Oh!

She made a playful growl sound for effect. The Dunmer’s face was a deep shade.

Aravi grinned while Kayla giggled.

The Dunmer hurriedly built their fire and left. Aravi checked that the door was pulled shut.

“He’ll be peeking through the keyhole tonight for sure.”

She looked at the bed.

“Unless you want to sleep on the floor, it looks like we will be keeping each other warm.” At least its big enough that we will have some space.

Aravi grabbed one of the extra blankets and turned away from Kayla. She took off her wet furs and wrapped herself in the blanket. It was warm, as if it had been sitting by a fire before it was brought in to her. She sighed happily, then laid out her furs by their own fire to dry.

Kayla gave aravi a look filled with mock ust and growled back.

"Oh, darling!" she giggled.

"He'll be sorely disappointed if he peeks through, as I'm not drunk enough to touch a woman." She laughed once he left. "And I don't think you swing that way." She followed Aravi's lead and turned as she undressed, thankful that her pack was thick enough to shield most of her clothing from the snow. She sorely wished for a hot bath, but at least the washbasin wasn't frozen over, and the fire was roaring.

She then slid on her nightclothes, sighing in relief as the thick warm cloth warmed her skin. "And why do I have to be the one on the floor, huh?" She teased, poking Aravi's ribs gently. "For all I know, you find the floor comfortable. Though I doubt it." She sat by the fire, putting her feet near it.

"I'm fine with sharing a bed. It's not like we haven't slept close by each other while out there. Though be warned, I'm a cuddler."

Aravi sat next to Kayla by the fire. She now had the blanket wrapped all around her and over her head. She knew she looked ludicrous, and she didn’t care. It was so nice and warm.

“I am not sleeping on the floor because I had to walk on ice, climb over walls, and dodge patrols to get here. Someone else got to just walk in through the gates like they owned the place,” Aravi said rolling her eyes and teasing her friend.

“But seriously, look at my claws!” She held a hand in front of her, showing her chipped claws. One point was completely broken. Sliding down the ice encrusted stone was hard on her claws.

“I’m fine with sharing. If you cuddle too much I'll push you onto the floor.”

"Don't do that," Kayla said as she inspected Aravi's claws. She suddenly felt a little jealous.

"These must be super useful in a fight."

“They can be. It’s been a while since I’ve used them like that.” As long as you don’t count when I was a werewolf. “And surprisingly, not many people expect them either.”

“I’m thirsty. Think I can get a drink like this?” She smiled a little.

"Make sure you pant a little, make it look like we were busy." Kayla giggled.

She pushed her blanket hood off of her head, then messed her hair up.

"How's that?" Aravi asked.

"If I wore lipstick, I'd put lip prints on your face!" Kayla giggled harder, falling over.

Aravi left and returned again with two drinks.

“He insisted you have a drink as well. He said something about needing to keep hydrated.” Aravi set Kayla’s next to her and sat down. She got milk for some reason, and didn’t even ask for it.

Kayla laughed at Aravi's statement, then laughed harder as the milk.

Aravi looked at the other woman and took a drink of her milk.

The blazing fire was delightful, and the last of the Windhelm’s chill was chased away. Even the blatant racism from earlier couldn’t dampen her mood at the moment.

She suddenly had the odd urge to ask Kayla a question. “Did you ever know your parents?” Where did that come from?

(OOC: I would've answered earlier, but I fell asleep at 4 pm yesterday and didn't wake up until my alarm went off at five this morning...)

Kayla was a little taken aback at the question.

"My parents? You mean my elf parents? No. I never knew them." she swirled her drink around before taking a drink. She was delighted to find it was spiced mead.

"Mmmm, this is delicious." She took another drink. "No, I didn't know them," she repeated. "My mother, my Nord mother, said she found me wrapped up nice and tight and blue from the snow. There was a carriage wreck, but no sign of any people. My father thinks a frost troll got them. Bandits would have left bodies, but trolls would have left bones." She shrugged.

"Anyways, they took me in, warmed me up, and kept me. They treated me like I was their blood.They got a lot of sideways looks, especially since people blame magick users for the Oblivion Crisis, and elves are the ones who use magick the most, especially Altmer." She took another drink. "They raised me with Nord ideals, and I mostly consider myself a Nord. It's only when others remind me that I remember I'm not."

She shifted on the floor and stretched, putting her drink down. She touched her toes, easily reaching them at the end of her long legs, and groaned in delight.

"Oooh, I love stretching after a long day. what about you?" she cracked her neck, then stretched her arms. "Did you ever know your parents?"

The blonde woman behind the counter crossed her arms under her bust. She stared at Channah through narrowed eyes. “Maybe you should just move along.”

Channah ground her teeth. It had taken far too long to get this wench’s attention only to be turned away without food or drink. Here was a woman in bad need of a beating, but the end result would be Channah’s own backside in jail. At least then I’d have a room.

Instead of smacking the innkeeper, Channah stepped back out into the sleet and ice. The fire pots offered little warmth, but a half-naked beggar woman stood near one anyway. “A coin for a poor old woman?” she asked.

Channah flipped up her hood and walked over. “Don’t you remember me? I gave you a Septim about an hour ago.”

“Oh. Right. You people all look the same. Divines bless your kind heart!”

Channah snorted. “Where are the inns? I guess the Candlehearth Hall is a Nords only establishment.”

The beggar pointed the way. Channah headed into the dark alleys of the Grey Quarter, still fuming over the bitchy innkeeper. Damned Stormcloak fetching no kind of hospitality who does she think she is anyway probably half Breton I have more Nord blood than she does I’d wager—

Channah felt a sharp tug on her scalp, and her head was pulled backward.

“Hey!” Her right hand found a wrist and grasped. She stomped a heel down hard on her attacker’s foot, then with a duck and twist freed herself. Something metal clanged away into the bushes. “You fetcher! You pulled my hair!” Channah gave the scrabbling figure a kick while she checked her dreads for damage. Sleet began to run down her neck.

“By order of the Jarl, stop right there!” someone shouted.

Channah turned around to find a torch in her face. She guessed she must be addressing a guard. She got a view of his uniform when he seized her arm. “You have committed crimes against Skyrim and her people,” he continued. “What say you in your defense?”

“What the hells? I’m not the criminal! That man grabbed me! Uh, before I knocked him down and kicked him. He pulled my hair! You do NOT touch the hair.” Channah glared at the guard’s hand on her arm. And if you weren’t a guard, you’d be cradling a stump. “He’s getting away! Look, isn’t the Palace of Kings in that direction? What if he attacks the Jarl?” She cringed at her nonsense, but it was the first thing that came to mind. If the guard would only leave she might still find the man and kick the skitt out of him. Double damn, why did I leave my gear at the stable?

The guard let go and crossed his arms. He began in a lecturing tone. “The Palace is well protec—”

“Shouldn’t you chase him? He’s running like he stole something!” Channah checked her coin purse. It was still there.

The guard stood staring at her, or at least his face plate looked like he was staring.

Channah sighed. He’s long gone. Now I just need to get this one to leave me alone. “Help!” she cried. “Guards!”

That got the guard moving. Channah waited until he rounded the corner before searching under the dead looking shrubbery. It only took a moment to find the dagger. A straight, double-edged steel blade. It glistened slightly with arcane power.

“Thanks, fetcher,” she muttered and tucked it into her belt. “Now I need to get a room and dry my hair.”