Facing The World Eater

Chapter 2: Before the Storm

"Little Minx, we should get moving." Ralof's voice washed over me and my eyes fluttered open.

I was still in his arms, my face pressed tightly against the leather on his chest. As I peeled my sticky skin away and sat up, I tried to gather my bearings in the now very dark cave. Ralof stood and stretched, his breath hitching a little as he raised his arms over his head. Memories of the previous day flooded my mind, but I found I still couldn't remember anything earlier. I sighed and launched myself to my feet and began to gather our things. Ralof jumped off the edge of the platform and held out his arm to help me down.

"I want to say good morning, but I can't tell how long it's been." I spoke, my voice cracking.

"Only been maybe a couple of hours, but we should get on to Riverwood." Ralof led me forward along the stream.

"Is that close?"

"Less than half a day's walk, just up the road really. This place could very well be swarming with Imperials, and I'll need to get back to Windhelm soon." He paused a beat, "My sister Gerdur runs the mill in Riverwood. I'm sure she'd help you out."

"Just me?" I frowned.

"It's probably best if we split up. I'll probably just get you in more trouble. You might even want to ditch the Stormcloak blues when you get to town."

Before I could open my mouth to protest, he stopped and I slammed into him. He covered my mouth and pointed just in front of us. In the dim light of early morning that poured in from the roof of the cave, a very large bear lay sleeping not far from where we stood. I strained my eyes to see if there were any others, but I saw there was just one. I tiptoed past Ralof's tall frame and crouched against a pillar of rock to get a better look.

"I'd rather not tangle with her right now. Let's try to sneak by. Just take it nice and slow, and watch your step." he whispered, putting his hands on my shoulders.

My jaw tensed. I was angry at what he had said, all of it. Leaving me behind, avoiding a simple bear like he would be the only one to fight it. My insecurities surfaced as anger. I slipped the bow over my head and nocked an arrow, shuffling to a better angle. I would show him.

"I guess if you're feeling lucky," he sighed at my actions, "Might take her by surprise."

"I can do this." I hissed back at him.

"I know you can. Go ahead, I'll follow your lead and watch your back."

What am I doing? I closed my eyes and ground my teeth, carefully removing the arrow and dropping it back in the quiver. I was being foolish and it wasn't worth our safety to pick a fight with a huge bear in the heat of the moment.  We didn't speak another word as we made our way past the sleeping bear and found ourselves at the mouth of the cave. It was early morning, but the sky was still filled with smoke above us.

"Looks like that dragon is gone at least. No way to know who else made it out alive." Ralof turned me to face him, but I looked away, "I wouldn't have made it out of there without your help. Maybe someday if you want to join the fight for free Skyrim, you should come to Windhelm. You've seen the true face of the Empire here. And if anyone knows what the coming of the dragon means, it's Ulfric."

"Why don't you want me to come with you to Windhelm now?" I huffed and pulled away, starting off down the path.

"Because he knows being a Stormcloak means death."

I choked on my breath and turned. A bloodied Hadvar sat leaning against a broken hunk of the city's wall laying to the side of the path. He was trying to tie a bit of cloth around his arm, but it was clear he was very weak and struggling. Ralof clicked his tongue against his teeth and stalked over before swatting Hadvar's hand away and wrapping the bandage for him. Hadvar hissed as Ralof tightened it. I whipped my head back and forth between the two of them.