The IRE of Winter

[ 14.3 ]

I listened to the murmurs in wind, there ran a shiver on the drooping boughs of  trees. I looked about keeping a watchful eye and when there moved none, I closed my eyes as I called on Miraak. Suddenly, I heard a creaking noise of breaking twigs from behind the bushes; and jumped came two men, one on ragged brown clothes, the other looked like to have escaped from prison. With all my wits I stood fingering the dagger on my side as the other held my purchase tight to my chest.

'It's getting dark, mister?' I said as polite as a child. 'Night hunters, I guess?'

'Oh, aye, lass,' the man had crooked teeth and a scornful eyes, he sneered. 'We are hunting for someone. Have you seen a she-elf, black hair, elven dress, with lots of gold in her pockets?'

'Someone told us she went this way...' the other man said in a grin. They were both holding weapons, one with a bow and the other with a spear. 'She runs fast...fast like a elk.' They both broke into laughter, the kind that threatens.

My feet started to make small steps backward, my heart pounding. 'I've seen no elf, mister. Please, let me be.' I knew they meant harm, I could feel it. There eyes were filled with greed and malice. 'Take what I have... Here...' I hurled the remaining coins I had left away but not too far for they might have trouble finding it. The two men came to the grass racing against each to find the gold in the thick grass like hungry dogs. Before long, they stood and counted it and searched, halted and searched until they were disappointed, they gave me a displeased look.

'This is not enough!' the man shouted angrily. 'I think you're hiding some more, come on, girl! Do you want to live?'

'Aye, Pip, I think the girl is lying to us. Why don't we give her a few good lashes 'till her pretty little lips beg for mercy, eh? Beating pretty girls is what yer like...I've never beaten a she-elf before...bet this' would be fun.'

The other man showed off his whip, the other readied his bow. My hands were trembling, ' Please, sirs,' I pleaded. 'I don't have any coins left. Please...I beg you. Go now.'

'Hear that Pod?' the other man chortled. 'The girl is begging...I like begging girls.' They motioned towards me and I scrammed holding my dagger. My heart drummed. I needed to lead them somewhere safe, the dragon was coming.

I scrambled, leaping over the logs and bushes and into the woods but I found myself heading to the clearing. My feet trembled, I needed to get away fast. The men pursued me, O what of all fools! They're running after death. I stumbled a few times, hitting on rocks or logs. I hissed the pain. Still, the men followed like maddened dogs --- and to their wicked tricks they kept a fair distace as if toying with me, snarling and cursing words lettered men wouldn't dare to say.

I didn't stop until I reached the other side of the woods where a grassland stretched shortly and the cluster of trees was fairly far enough. The two men were catching up and I had no choice but run --- run to where they couldn't be harmed. But when least expected, I stumbled again and came thudding to the tall grass round the middle of the open space. I stood in a stupor of tiredness, both anxious and trembling.