Northbound Pilgrimage II

Chapter CXXXV - The Sun and the Moons

The platform came to an abrupt halt when it finally emerged up on the surface.

It took so long. The platform just kept rising and rising. They didn't even want to think about how far deep they had been. And about how in Oblivion did the Dwemer build all this stuff so deep, including the lift going up.

It was so much longer than they had remembered. Maybe because this time, they weren't nearly as panicked as the first time they took this elevator. Not nearly as scared that they were going to die. Sure, there was always the little bit of lingering uneasiness when they used these 'escape routes'. What if it got stuck or something? But they had used enough of them now not to expect imminent death.

The sun was blinding as it seeped through the metal grate surrounding them.

Their eyes had become so adjusted to the dim glow of the wondrous caverns beneath that it was hard to take, especially with the bright snowy peaks around them. They had been underground for so long. At first, all they could really see was a bright white light.

They both hissed in unison. It was very unpleasant, more so than they had ever experienced. Then again, it was the longest time either of them had spent in the darkness like this. Eight days, according to their approximate calculations. And it looked like they were right – it was early in the afternoon, just as they had assumed. That is, unless they had somehow been a whole day off.

But that was unlikely. The strain of the days had told them well enough what time it was down there.

They knew that they had plenty of time before the grates to the lift closed again and, instead of venturing out, they took a few moments to adjust to the light and the cold air outside. Soon, the brightness eased and the fresh wind caressing their battered bodies started to feel good.

Aeyrin kept thinking about the time they had spent down below. At first, it was all filled with giddy memories of those platforms above the Silent City, then a feeling of accomplishment. But after a while, it got replaced by unpleasant nagging in her head.

"So, I'm thinking Nightgate?" Bishop mused as he reclined on the ground, trying haphazardly to take his armor off. He was eager to feel the cold on those fucking burns on his back, even if just for a while until they set off again. "It's pretty close, we should be there soon enough and we can recuperate and plan where to go next." And where to get some priest's attention. Windhelm was close. But nothing about their injuries was urgent anymore. There was probably no getting out of this without some scars and, with soothing salves, the pain wasn't even that bad. They could go anywhere else. It might be a good idea to catch a carriage to Markarth straight away. They needed to get their armors fixed, sell their loot to Calcelmo and tell him all about Blackreach. They also needed to get to Sky Haven and give Esbern the Scroll. Carrying it around wasn't very smart. He could cover it with his cloak so that people wouldn't see it, but it was still a dangerous thing to carry – a veritable bandit bait. He didn't really want to dawdle in Markarth – the Silver-Bloods were an ever-present danger. But hopefully a brief visit would be fine.

"I... don't think we can," Aeyrin let out a mournful sigh, interrupting his silent planning. "I think it's the thirteenth. If I counted it right." They entered Alftand on the fifth. It was likely that she was right.

Bishop looked at her in confusion for a bit, but then it clicked.

"Oh," he scowled a little. "Full Secunda."

Aeyrin let out a groan and she moved to cuddle herself against him with a palpably morose face. As much as she loved seeing the sun again, she now always dreaded the moons.

Bishop gripped her around her shoulder and pressed her closer to himself. He hadn't expected this. He didn't even think about what day it was. It was slightly annoying. He was looking forward to the inn – to a nice proper bath, a comfortable bed and a place away from dangers. Most of them at least.