Daughter Of Alduin | A Skyrim inspired novel

Chapter 5 | A Glimpse of Homecoming

A few days passed in a dull haze for Shea, each day blending into the next with little to break the monotony. She lay in bed, the weight of waiting pressing heavily on her shoulders. The inn's silence was a constant reminder of her own turmoil.

Then, finally, the long-awaited news came: Nivan had been released. The moment Shea saw her friend, a surge of relief and joy overwhelmed her. She ran forward and wrapped Nivan in a tight embrace, her heart swelling with happiness. She cupped Nivan's face in her hands, their foreheads touching in an intimate gesture of solidarity. For a moment, the troubles of the past few days melted away.

"You're back," Shea whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I was so worried."

Nivan smiled, her dark eyes soft with gratitude. "I'm alright. And thanks to you and Valen for not giving up on me."

As they pulled away, Shea's thoughts drifted back to the reason for their journey. The memory of her parents and the strange powers she possessed loomed large in her mind. She glanced at Valen, who stood nearby, ready to assist with whatever came next.

Their search for answers led them to a peculiar sight: a raven perched on a nearby rooftop, its dark eyes fixed on Shea with an unsettling intensity. The raven seemed almost to beckon her, its gaze piercing through the gloom.

Without warning, the raven fluttered down and landed on the head of a woman seated at the edge of the market square. Shea's breath caught in her throat. The woman was none other than the fortune teller they had encountered earlier.

"Is that...?" Shea started, her voice trailing off in disbelief.

Valen nodded. "It looks like you found your answer."

The fortune teller looked up at them, her expression a mix of recognition and wariness. "So, you've come back," she said, her voice carrying an ominous edge.

Shea approached her, her heart pounding. "I need to know the truth. About my parents. About these powers."

The fortune teller's eyes narrowed. "You want the truth? Very well."

In a hushed, conspiratorial tone, she began to reveal the truth that had been hidden for so long. "I am a witch, and I am the one who erased your memories. The story the Imperials told you about Stormcloaks was a lie. Your parents did not die at the hands of men. They were taken by forces much darker."

Shea's eyes widened in shock. "But Ralim always told me the Stormcloaks had taken my parents, He said it was a Stormcloak who was responsible for their deaths. Is that not true?"

The witch's gaze softened with a hint of sorrow. "Ralim was told to lie to you. He believed the lie and told you what he thought would be easier to accept. The truth is far more tragic, my child."

Shea's breath caught in her throat. "What are you saying?"

The witch sighed deeply. "It wasn't the Stormcloaks who killed your family, Shea. It was you. You couldn't control your powers at such a young age. In the chaos and fear, your power manifested, and it was devastating. I was forced to erase your memories to protect you from the unbearable guilt."

As the witch began to walk away, Shea's emotions surged within her like a storm. Unable to contain her anger, she chased after the witch, her fists clenched and her heart pounding in her chest.

"That's a lie!" Shea yelled, her voice cracking with emotion. "I could never kill my own family!"

The witch turned slowly, a cruel smile spreading across her face. "You can deny it all you want, but the truth remains."

Shea's anger flared. She lunged at the witch, her hand reaching for her sword. "You're lying! I'll make you take back those words!"

Before she could strike, guards intervened, grabbing her arms and pulling her back. "Enough!" one of the guards barked. "There will be no violence here."