"Hey, look, isn't that the Dragonborn?"
"Haha! Think she'll Shout at us?"
The sound of children's voices slowly pulled me from my slumber. I grumbled loudly as a finger poked me in the back.
"Wake up, Dragonborn!"
"Go away or I will Shout you to Sovngarde.." I growled.
"Do it then!" A hand smacked my arm, causing me to bolt upright in the small bed in the Bannered Mare.
I glared at the two boys, fury causing my hands to curl into fists. "Bug off, pests!" I clenched my teeth. "Or at least get out for a minute so I can put on my robes."
The boys dashed from the small room, closing the door behind them. Excited giggles sounded from behind the door.
"Oh boy! The Dragonborn!"
"She talked to us!"
With a sigh I climbed from the wooden bed, pulling my robes and sword from under it. Within minutes, I opened the door to the two little boys sitting cross-legged.
At the sight of me, they jumped up. "Dragonborn, will you show us a Shout?"
"No," I pushed them aside and quickly desended the stairs. The inn was eerily quiet. Not even the common crowd was there.
Saadia scurried over to me as I reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Can I get you a drink?" The young Redguard woman asked, wiping her hands on her stained dress.
"Not right now- Well, actually.." I frowned. "I'll come get you if I need something.
"Alright." She sauntered back to her spot behind the bar, looking expectantly at Hulda.
"Go gather some firewood; The fire is burning a little low." Hulda grunted, waving the girl away as if she were an annoying pest.
"As you wish," Saadia grimaced through clenched teeth. With a sharp sigh, she bustled from the Bannered Mare just as Astrid strode inside.
"Alisy! Why, I've been expecting to run into you." Astrid hurriedly crossed over to me as I sat down at an empty table.
"Sounds as if you've ran into trouble?"
"Hulda!" She signalled the aging Nord over to us. "You don't say?" She grumbled as Hulda approached.
"Yes?"
"A tankard of your strongest, please." Astrid dropped her head to the table with a loud thud.
"As you wish. Anything for the Dragonborn, hmm?"
"Any Honningbrew in stock?" I favoured the mead, especially since Hulda liked to slip a little extra honey in it.
"I think so," She glanced back at the bar. "I'll check. Anything else?"
Astrid remained silent, save for a small, faint snore.
"No, that's all." I whispered.
"'Kay." Hulda disappeared behind the bar, a soft clinking sound beginning to cover Astrid's snoring.
"Astrid!" I hissed at the blonde-haired woman.
"Huhmp?" She slowly rose her head. "Did the giant get me?"
"What? No; We're in Whiterun, Astrid. At the Bannered Mare." I held back a laugh. Astrid hasn't been getting her sleep! I thought.
"Oh... Yes.." She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "I haven't found Babette yet."
"What Holds have you checked?"
"Winterhold and the Rift." She smiled graciously as Hulda delivered our drinks. "Thanks."
"How about the Reach? Think the-"
"Forsworn! The Forsworn have her, I just know it!" Astrid shouted. "We need to get to Markarth as soon as possible. Let's hitch a carriage."
