I am Laeilwyn Riverpool (A Skyrim Adventure)

Chapter Thirty: A Visitor

-Laeilwyn's Perspective-

I heard a branch break in the trees surrounding me. My eyes snapped open. It must have been really late at night or really early in the morning, for it was too dark even for my elven eyes to distinguish shapes. The fire that was burning bright when I fell asleep was going out, and the wind sliced right through my tent and froze me to my very core. I tried to sit up, but my body was still too weak. I felt around for my sword, my hand coming into contact with the wrapped handle.

Time to get up.

I rolled on my stomach and moved (with much effort) into a kneeling position. I stuck the sword into the ground in front of me and leaned on it hard to come to my feet. I felt the blood rush to my head and almost fell over again, but steadied myself. I pulled my sword out of the ground and tried to ready myself for whatever made the noise, but I could barely lift it.

I tried to call out. No sound came out. My vocal cords were dry as a bone.

Water.

I staggered over to the barrels Karliah had set up at the camp. I reached in an empty mead jug filled with water. I popped the cork off and waited for the cool liquid to soothe my throat, but when nothing came out, I realized to my dismay it was a frozen block of ice.

Of course, because everything is ice in this godforsaken frozen wasteland!

I smashed the jug on a nearby tree, and heard more rustling behind me.

"Who's there?" I called out, my voice raspy. I tried raising my sword again, but I still could not lift it. I cast it aside and drew my dagger instead. I saw a shadow move in the trees. "Who's there?" I called again. "Show yourself!"

To my surprise, a friendly red fox hopped out of the bushes and gave a little bark. "You scared me little one." I said to it, putting my dagger back. "You should know better than to sneak up on a thief, it'll get you killed." I reached into the barrel of food Karliah left me, which ended up being nothing more than a loaf of bread and a few apples.

She may remember how evil Mercer is, but she clearly doesn't remember how much I can eat.

I selected the loaf of bread and collapsed on a log close to the dead campfire, my body realizing just how cold I was. I placed my bread to the side, tossed another log in and lit it with a fireball. It startled the fox, who grabbed my loaf and ran away with it!

"Hey! Come back here!" I tried to chase it down but I was still too weak.

Great... half my food gone... sneaky little rat...

I sighed in resignation and collapsed on my bedroll once more.

It's fine... I yawned and rolled over on my side. I wasn't... even hungry... anyways.....