Northbound Pilgrimage II

Chapter XXX - My Home is in Your Arms

Author's Note:

Last smut of the year :D That's not saying much, since the year is almost over. In any case, if you wanna skip the lemony parts, it should be pretty self-explanatory where it starts. Other than that, enjoy <3

I hope you're all liking the story, now that we're past the relationship angst (at least past the most of it. There's always more opportunities for drama, but no more break-ups like that, I promise :D )

Enjoy the read and thank you all for your lovely comments, votes, kudos, etc.

_________________________________________________________

They spent the rest of the day resting and recuperating at the safehouse.

Bishop's health was still largely concerning, so when he finally regained some energy to, at the very least, stay up on his feet and walk, they headed off towards Darkwater Crossing. Aeyrin did lament for a second that she left her bedroll back at the clearing, but Bishop promptly reminded her that she wouldn't need her own anymore.

The journey was somewhat grueling with how many times Bishop needed a break due to either the pain or exhaustion, but eventually they made it to the mining village undisturbed.

Sondas was outright horrified at Bishop's state, but he reassured them that he would be able to heal him properly.

He chased Aeyrin out of his house to work on Bishop in peace and to check on Karnwyr, so she was forced to spend the entire rest of the day in the nearly empty mining village. She was only occasionally approached by Hrefna who would ask her about her adventures and enquire about dragons – the girl was still oddly fascinated by them. But she grew bored of talking soon enough and ran off to play somewhere, leaving Aeyrin alone.

When Aeyrin was idly watching the Eastmarch tundra in the distance, she noticed a mammoth walking rather close to the settlement, unaccompanied by a giant.

She did have enough money to compensate Sondas. She wasn't sure how much Bishop had left from their earnings from the bounty on Thorn, but in either case, it wasn't a bad idea to save as much as they could for a rainy day. And it wasn't as if she had anything better to do to kill time.

She equipped herself quickly and rushed off towards the tundra.

She pre-roasted the mammoth a little with her flame Shout and for the rest of the time that she had to herself, she worked on stripping it of its meat.

The villagers were certainly content with the haul, and hopefully it would be a sufficient payment for Sondas.

All the miners gradually went to sleep before their next day of work, but luckily, she was only left there alone for another hour before Bishop, Karnwyr and Sondas emerged from the wizard's house.

Bishop looked much better and even well rested.

Sondas agreed to the payment of meat and retreated back into his house to get some rest himself.

But Bishop certainly didn't have any inclinations to sleep, now that he was finally feeling well. He quickly scribbled down a letter to Karliah, notifying her about Thrynn's betrayal, and he stuffed it into the mailbox at the village before he approached Aeyrin eagerly.

"Come on, love, let's get out of here. No point in staying until morning. Not when there's a much better place to... 'rest'," he winked at her mischievously and inclined his head back towards the tundra. His suggestive tone did not leave her guessing to his intentions.

It was so late already, but... the suggestion was too tempting to refuse.

They made their way towards the closest hot spring in the tundra, losing only a little more than half of an hour traveling. Karnwyr was also more excited about this idea and he instantly ran off into the night, likely chasing after giants to pester them, as per his favorite game.