Vivec the Nimble: Alduin's Bane

2- At My Side, You Are Safe

(SC by: @WatchTheSkiies on DeviantArt)

Morndas, 4:57 PM, 16th of Last Seed, 4E 201

He was woken with a jolt as Vivec swiftly hit his chest and flipped him onto his stomach, attempting to pull the water from his lungs. Inigo coughed and choked, palms firm in the mud surrounding the lake. No longer waterlogged, he turned around and collapsed into the ground.

Vivec did the same. "So many diseases." He panted. "Had to- carry you all the way- over here." Head turning, he smiled. "And you said I was trouble."

    Inigo passed him a sharp glare, unamused and very displeased. "Khajiit are not known for their love of water."

    "Oh, that I know. You're lucky I'm such a great swimmer." He jumped to his feet and stretched out an arm, still completely covered in mud.

    Inigo took it, excited to get out of the germ infested waters.

    "I suppose we ought to take a bath?" The elf, disgust in his eyes, began to wring out his hair.

Prompted by the combination of the stench and excitement, Inigo wretched.

"Oh, bloody hell!" The elf hopped forward to rub his back. "You alright, brother? Let's get you out of here."

"Your first good idea." Inigo mumbled.

    "Let's go, maybe we'll bathe at the next pond we see, so long as the water isn't as brown as this sludge."

    Inigo had already started off towards the mountain. He did not even require a map. His natural sense of direction combined with their familiarity of The Rift made him a very handy source.

    "It's like nature's camouflage anyhow. The delicious smell of sewer might deter the bears." The elf chuckled as he jogged to catch up with his travel companion.

    "Yes, or hopefully it will make you even more appealing to them, so that I may be spared from your tiresome banter."

    He pursed his lips. "You're in a bad mood."

    "Yes, I do not particularly enjoy swishing the -"

    "I know, I know. I was there too. Eating literal shite isn't exactly my-"

    "Don't." He exhaled.

    "Sorry- Why don't we take a breather?"

    "No, I'm feeling better already."

   "Back to the old, happy Inigo?"

    "Yes. I am good now."

"You can rant about it on the way!" He stepped forward as they continued on, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I dragged you into that. But hey, I've yet to break my promise!"

"Which one?"

"I got you out of it safely, yes? Seems I'm not too bad of an elven shield."

"Don't you dare start reciting the-"

"Well now I have to. Hold on, I need to start off my monologue strong. At my side, you are safe, until the-"

"Ok, ok!" He laughed. "I get the idea."

    "So." He skipped onward. "Off to Whiterun."

    "Do you think we can make a pit stop ? I'm starving." He purred.

    "We ought to get out of The Rift entirely, Ini. I doubt they'll be very welcoming."

    "There is no way that they had time to communicate to those guards that we made a break for it and stole a wide variety of things on the way."

    His eyes widened. "I know! It's unnatural. I think they just automatically assume we've stolen something whenever they see us."

    He stared off into the horizon for a moment, thinking. "What about Helgen?" Inigo asked, eyes glimmering. "We might as well drop it off."

    "I didn't think of that. Really? To return home... I'd love to at least stop by, say 'Hi' to Val."

    "I think we may make it there by dawn, I'm sure she'd love to have us over." He grinned at the thought of baked goods. Shitty ones, but a cake is a cake.

    Vivec cleared his throat. "I doubt we'll be there by then, but you're right, we can make it in one trip."

The horizon already gently kissed the tips of the orange leafed trees, but as it set, it placed soft halos around their well deserving heads.

"I think it's about time, don't you?"

"Yes. I think so."