Butterfly || Skyrim

04

Sneaking behind a wide tree to get a better view of a deer, I hold up my right hand slowly creating a flame on my palm.

Marcurio told me not to focus on the size of the flame, instead to focus on its power flowing through my body.

Taking in a deep breath I feel the warmth of the magic migrate through my body and onto my hand. The feeling wasn't painful but rather soothing. It's a type of hotness that wasn't uncomfortable but pleasant.

Taking in one last breath I exhale releasing the flame in my palm.

In seconds my eyes widen as I hear Marcurio shouting my name begin to fade and my ears start to ring loudly.

A loud explosion was created instead of a flame. I slowly turn my hand around seeing it completely red, blisters beginning to form and some parts of my skin has been burned off.

Following onto my knees I begin to cry at the sudden rush of pain I'm feeling.

"Aimée!" Marcurio runs besides me letting himself slide a bit as he kneels down taking a look at the accident, "shit."

I was too in shock to pay attention to any words coming out of his mouth. I didn't even realize he was digging in his bag. Feeling a hand touch my arm I slowly turn to face him watching him lift a red bottle up to my face.

"Drink this." His voice was muffled, the ringing still hasn't left my ears, "It'll ease the pain."

Without thinking I nod, taking the small bottle and placing the opening on my dry lips. Taking a couple of sips I begin to feel the pain in my hand ease just a bit and the ringing in my ears begin to fade away.

Just when I thought the pain was fading, Marcurio takes my burned hand and I yelp snatching my hand away from him.

"Aimée let me heal it." His voice was low and calm.

The tears in my eyes furiously ran down my face. I didn't want him to touch my hand, I hesitate but I know he's only trying to help.

Slowly I offer him my trembling right hand, he gently takes it but it doesn't matter. Despite the gentle touch it caused a lot of pain.

He hovers his free hand over mine creating a bright light that surrounds my hand. At first it stung but in less than a second the pain had faded once again but not only that. The areas that where badly burned began to heal slowly but it wasn't back to how it originally looked.

Letting go of my hand Marcurio looks up at me meeting my teary green eyes. His face filled with guilt he looks away mumbling a curse word.

Even though I barley met the wizard my heart hurt seeing him taking all the blame. I am a grown woman— the Dragonborn! I shouldn't be acting like a child, crying from every injury.

Scooting my body close to his I reach out for his hand with my unharmed hand. This action caused him to snap his head up looking at me with wide eyes.

"I'll be ok." I smile, "let's go find a proper place to camp out."

He nods, he takes my arm helping me up onto my feet.

I look over at the direction where the deer was once standing. That poor thing probably ran off the second it heard my failure of a flame.

Not too far from the incident Marcurio and I set up camp, he did most of the work while I did my best with one hand.

I won't be able to put on my gauntlet or hold any of my weapons for a few days, unless I teach myself how to swing a sword with my non-dominant hand.

Marcurio leaves to go find would for a fire while I stay behind.

As he does that I take out two potatoes which we can use to cook. Earlier before the incident Marcurio and I walked past a stream of water. I can go there an wash off the potatoes and later again to clean out pots & pans.

When Marcurio returns with the wood I stand up holding the potatoes and carrot in a cloth.

Marcurio kneels down before the spot he had made for the fire. Placing them down he then used a small amount of flames to light it up.

Watching the fire grow and swallow the wood I bite my lip in embarrassment. He makes magic look so simple, I don't understand how I can't learn.

"Were you going somewhere?" He asks. His body still facing the fire.

"Yea, I'm going to the stream nearby to wash some vegetables." I tell him.

He turns his body around slightly in order to look at me, "would you like me to accompany you?"

I shake my head, "no, it's ok. It'll be quick."

He hesitates but nods.

I press my lips watching him turn around a towards the fire again.

As I said, it would be quick and it was.

The stream wasn't too far and it wasn't difficult for me to clean off the vegetables with one hand. Luckily I didn't run into any wild animals that would attack or any bandit either.

Returning the camp I see Marcurio still besides the fire this time I smell something cooking.

It's not any vegetables but... meat?

Approaching the wizard I look down at the fire seeing chopped up meat sizzling in the pan.

"Where did you get the meat from?" I ask, has it not gone bad?

"I bought it in Riften." I simply answers.

"We've been out here for two days, has it not gone bad? How do you keep it cold?"

I hear him chuckle then watch as he takes out a bag from inside his bag. Handing it to me I take it. It's nothing special, looks like a regular bag to me.

However this bag has a zipper to it, most bags do not. Unzipping it I feel the coolness from inside and see another piece of meat sitting at the bottom.

"How do you keep it so cold?" I ask, zipping the bag up and handing it back to him.

"Ice." He smiles as he places it back inside his other bag.

I furrow my brows, when does he have time to get ice? And from where? It couldn't possible stay frozen for that...

Then it clicks, "frostbite?"

He turns to me with a large smile on his face, "yep. It takes longer for it to melt so I use it on the meat whenever I travel."

"Maybe you should teach me that instead." I joke. Somehow I'll manage to freeze my hand off.

Once everything was done cooking and we are done eating, we lay besides one another against a wide tree. Watching and listening to the fire crack and the music of nature, it was quite peaceful.

If only the world wasn't so dangerous.

Fixing myself against the tree I bring my legs up for me to hug. Resting my chin on my knees I then turn my head slightly to look over at Marcurio.

"Hey," I say softly, "can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" He replies in a soft voice as well.

"Why did you help me back then, in Riften with those guards?"

"Because you're pretty."

His answer made my heart jump now beating twice as fast, "no, seriously, why?"

He shrugs, "I'm not sure. Seeing those guards trying to rob you, and you not hesitating to give them money made me mad."

I smile looking back at the fire, "you really think I'm pretty?"

I look over at him seeing a smile on his face before reaching out and poking my forehead.

"Get some rest, I'll stay up to keep watch."

I roll my eyes but do as he says. Laying on my unrolled sleeping mat I close my eyes using the sound of nature help me to fall asleep.