Northbound Pilgrimage II

Chapter CXXIV - Red Herring

Fuck.

Fuck, his head hurt so much.

His mouth was so fucking dry. And every inch of his body ached with strain. Especially his arm. One of his eyes hurt too. And the whole cheek under it. When he touched it softly with the tips of his fingers, he could feel it sting so much. Like after a punch.

He didn't know where he was. He knew that he was on the ground. Stone, cold, hard ground. It was so uncomfortable. But he had no idea about any details.

Did they really get so drunk last night? That was so fucking dumb. So fucking reckless. He only had hazy memories. He barely remembered anything at all. How the fuck did they get so drunk so fast? That wasn't like him. And not like Aeyrin either, even though she had a lower threshold than him.

Where was she, by the way? It had him worry when he couldn't feel her pressing up against him, wherever he was.

And what did they do last night? He remembered being outside. Were they really outside?

Now he was inside though. It was too warm. Though he did hear water sloshing somewhere near. What the fuck was that?

He really didn't want to open his eyes.

"Get. Up!"

A voice rang around wherever he was. At first, he got hopeful that it was Aeyrin – it was definitely a female voice. But it wasn't hers. Who was that? Why did she sound so fucking angry?

"Get up, now!"

Someone kicked him in his flank and he instinctively let out a groan. Fuck, what was going on?

He should really open his eyes already, as much as he hated that notion just then.

With another groan, he finally opened them. He couldn't see anything for a while, just bright light. But when his eyes adjusted, the first thing he noticed was a giant woman towering above him.

No... not a giant woman. A statue. A statue of Dibella.

"Finally!" the woman spoke again.

Was... the statue talking to him? What? No... he wasn't some fucking 'Listener' of Dibella was he? He had enough of that shit.

But that was ridiculous. What the fuck are you thinking, idiot?

He finally started to scan the surroundings. It didn't take him long to recognize the place. The temple of Dibella. In... Markarth.

He was in Markarth?! How the fuck did he get in here? And why the fuck would he be in Markarth?! That was dangerous! Not just with the Silver-Bloods here, but possibly the Brotherhood too! What the fuck was he doing here?

He noticed the source of the voice promptly. A young priestess, clad in those opulent 'robes' of theirs and all those jewels glittering on her in the light of the braziers. It was one he didn't recognize from before though.

"Get on your feet already, drunkard!" she hissed at him angrily.

Fuck. Fine! I'm trying!

He shuffled in spot before he got in a good position to get up with only the help of his one hand. As he did, he heard a strange ringing noise, as if something clattered onto the ground. He looked down in confusion and then he noticed it. Countless colorful gems fell out of his pockets. And he could feel more stuffed in there.

"Return those. All of them," the priestess scowled at him threateningly.

"Y-yeah... sure..." he mumbled. Did he try to rob the temple? That was stupid. Especially stupid since he fell asleep in there, apparently. What the fuck had possessed him to do that?