Between Light and Darkness

5

I headed straight to the gates and took a longing look back at Riften, the city I loved yet could never fully embrace.

"Every time I just get here, I have to leave almost immediately. One day I just want to come home," I thought, my heart heavy with the ache of fleeting moments. The vibrant streets, filled with the scent of spiced meats and the laughter of merchants, seemed to call out to me, but duty always dragged me away.

"Driver! I need to get to Winterhold as fast as humanly possible. I have urgent business at the college, and it's a matter of life or death." I tossed a heavy coin purse into his lap, the sound of clinking septims cutting through the air like a siren's call. I hopped over the side of the cart, the familiar thrill of adventure sparking within me. "No stops, no other passengers. Make haste."

The driver's eyes widened at the sight of the coin purse, and without a word, he slapped the reins. The horse, a sturdy beast with a sleek black coat, sprang forward, pulling the cart along the cobbled path. Gradually, we picked up speed, the rhythmic clop of hooves on stone echoing in my ears. I settled into the cart, the wooden bench creaking beneath me, and focused my mind on the journey ahead.

"I hope I can make it in time," I muttered to myself, anxiety gnawing at my thoughts. The cart wobbled and jolted with every stone in the road, rattling my bones, but I welcomed the sensation; it kept me grounded, reminding me that I was still in control, despite the chaos ahead.

I pulled out the book of maps I had painstakingly crafted throughout my journey. The worn pages fluttered in the breeze as I searched for the fastest route to Winterhold. My eyes scanned the intricate lines and symbols, but of course, there wasn't a clear path marked. The roads twisted like the treacherous thoughts in my mind, each turn more daunting than the last.

As the trees began to blur by, the dense forests of Falkreath faded into the open plains of Whiterun, their grassy expanses rolling gently beneath the vast sky. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, the sight of the distant mountains lifting my spirits slightly.

In the distance, I spotted the jagged peaks of the Throat of the World, their snow-capped tops glimmering under the midday sun. Memories flooded my mind—each climb, each battle fought at their foot. Yet it was the sight of dragons soaring above that truly stole my breath. Their magnificent wings cast fleeting shadows across the ground, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in every corner of this land.

I clutched the book tightly, tracing my fingers over the routes I had charted. The urgency of my mission loomed over me like the dark clouds gathering on the horizon. I redirected my gaze forward, determined to make the most of this.

I took my hood off and the wind whipped through my hair, carrying the scents of grass and earth, blending with the anticipation that thrummed in my veins. My mind raced with possibilities—what awaited me at the college? Would Urag be able to help, and what consequences would my arrival bring? As the cart lurched forward, my heart pounded in rhythm with the horse's hooves, each beat echoing my desire for answers.

I leaned forward, watching as the landscape transformed around me, the plains of Whiterun shifting into the rugged beauty of the foothills. The air grew cooler, tinged with the promise of the snow to come, and I reveled in the freedom of the open road.

"No more delays," I thought fiercely. "Not this time."  I was ready to confront whatever awaited me at the college. With each passing moment, the fire of purpose ignited within me, lighting my path through the wilds of Skyrim.

I awoke with a start as the cart came to a halt. "Milady, I hope you get things taken care of." With that he slapped the reigns and left. I ran as fast as my legs would  carry me. Transforming here wasnt an option. I dont have time to bribe an entire city to forget they saw a werewolf charging at the college.