Daughter Of Alduin | A Skyrim inspired novel

Chapter 4 | The Road to Riften

The morning sunlight streamed through the trees as Shea and Nivan woke, stretching and preparing for the day ahead. With the promise of spring in the air, the forest was teeming with life, making their hunt more fruitful. They spent a few hours tracking and catching small game, eventually stopping to cook and eat before resuming their journey to Riften.

Two days later, they arrived at the gates of Riften, only to be halted by a guard demanding a tax for entry. Shea reached for her coin pouch, ready to pay, but Nivan stepped forward, handing over her own money instead.

"Here," Nivan said, her eyes narrowing at the guard. After they passed through the gate, she stuck her tongue out at him, muttering, "What a rip-off."

Inside the city, they were greeted by the bustling sight of Riften's market, a lively hub of activity and trade. Among the crowd, Shea spotted Valen waving at them.

"There's Valen," she said, nudging Nivan. "Let's see what he wants."

As they approached, Valen greeted them warmly. "Glad you made it! Come, let's take a look around the market. There's always something interesting here."

Nivan, still slightly irritated by the guard's tax, let her mood lift at the prospect of exploring the market.

As Shea, Nivan, and Valen explored the bustling market of Riften, they came across a shady figure seated on the ground. An elderly woman, her eyes shadowed by the brim of a wide hat, beckoned them over with a crook of her finger. "Fortunes told for a coin," she rasped.

Shea felt a strange pull toward the woman and, despite Nivan's skeptical look, she handed over a coin. The fortune teller's eyes widened as she took Shea's hand, her face turning pale. "Someone is waiting for you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But if you go there, all will be lost."

Shea recoiled, a shiver running down her spine. She quickly stepped back, the ominous words echoing in her mind. Nivan, noticing Shea's discomfort, asked, "What's wrong?"

Shea shook her head, unwilling to share the disturbing prediction. "It's nothing," she muttered, trying to push the encounter out of her mind.

Later in the day, Valen approached them with a grin. "There's going to be a big party at the inn tonight. Why don't we join in and have some fun?"

Eager for a distraction, they agreed. The inn was already lively when they arrived, music and laughter filling the air. They found a spot at the bar, and Valen ordered drinks for all of them. As the night progressed, the atmosphere grew even more jubilant. Locals and travelers alike joined in the revelry, dancing and singing along with the bard's tunes.

Valen, despite drawing the attention of many women in the inn, only had eyes for the male bartender. His obvious interest amused Shea and Nivan, and they couldn't help but laugh at his antics. At one point, Valen attempted a flirtatious conversation, which ended with the bartender blushing furiously and Valen giving a triumphant wink to his friends.

The three of them danced and sang, caught up in the infectious energy of the celebration. Shea felt the earlier tension from the fortune teller's words slowly dissipate as she enjoyed the company of her friends. Nivan, usually more reserved, let herself be swept up in the moment, her laughter ringing out as Valen spun her around in an impromptu dance.

As the night wore on, the party showed no signs of slowing. Shea and Nivan took turns challenging each other to games of skill and chance, while Valen continued to charm everyone around him. The innkeeper, seeing their enthusiasm, even brought out a special cask of mead for them to share.

By the end of the night, the three friends were thoroughly exhausted but happy. They found a corner of the inn where they could rest, their laughter fading into the background noise of the ongoing party. As they settled in, Shea couldn't stop thinking about what the fortune teller said to her, she was scared, but also very confused, what is happening around her? but suddenly, she fell asleep.