Isabel the Dragonborn

Chapter 4

The next day came, or what I could assume was the next day, and I finally squinted rather than open my eyes. I wasn't ready to be blinded the second I got up. I didn't move from the position I fell in, which was a little uncomfortable from the stiffness I was feeling right now. The rest itself was more refreshing than any potion I could take but I wasn't thinking about the next day when I had fell.

I groaned and moved my arms above my head, keeping them rested on the bed still. When they had sufficient feeling back, I pushed myself sideways so I was on my back. This bed wasn't as comfortable as I had originally thought but it would work for a couple days until I could afford something better. I should have a fair share saved up by then, especially since I would not have to carry them and they were put into the Void.

I waited a few moments before pushing myself into a sitting position on the bed. I stretched one last time and looked around myself at my surroundings in a little more detail. The room I was renting out for a few days was rather nice for being in a place as small as Riverwood. From what I had seen last night while barely awake, there seemed to be a little more than a dozen residents. This was probably a tourist sight more than anything. If Gerdur sent me to somewhere else, it must have been bigger and probably was a keep, given how I was also supposed to go directly to the 'Jarl'.

My eyes averted to the book that I had picked up from Gerdur's home last night: A red book with odd markings on the cover. Probably someone else who had more knowledge of Skyrim than I would be able to fill me in with the cover or the contents, if they were also cryptic. It would be even easier if I could find the Breton himself who directed the book be given directly to me, as he would know more than anyone in Skyrim.

Curiosity would get the better of me quickly but I wasn't quite ready to get settled in and waste another day, especially since I felt a tad gross. Being in a cave for as long as I was and not bothering to clean myself when I got out, not to mention the time before hand when I was captured and carted away, left me more disgusted with myself more than I had felt for a long time. I got onto my feet and left my room, not saying a word but glancing at Orgnar, who was awake despite not doing a thing just like last night. The bard was also back again, singing to no one in particular. It was looking a little odd for him to be practicing singing whenever no one but me had come in for a night. He glanced at me as well but I quickened my pace and left the Inn.

I was met with the sun high in the sky, so it was pretty late in the day. I would have to start my day tomorrow early for wherever I was going. Maybe I would end up finding Gerdur later in the day after getting myself cleaned up. I had to stop by the house, though, and borrow some of her clothes. I wouldn't be surprised if her clothes were too big for my small body, though.

When I had entered Gerdur's residence, it was absent of any people. This family of Ralof's kept pressuring me to act natural in this situation of thievery but I knew it would be bad manners with what they had done for me so far. I went into the space where the second bed was and opened the wardrobe. It was strangely empty with only a few different outfits, all that looked to be like common clothes of different colors but most had tan sleeves and a brown chest piece. They surprisingly didn't look as big as I thought they were, my vision of Gerdur from last night clouded because of fatigue and lack of sleep. I closed the wardrobe, curios on what other clothing Gerdur had laying around. I found a pair of boots and some gloves in another dresser and took a pair of each, setting them on the table by the door for when I leave. I wasn't sure what else would have clothing since the rest of the furniture seemed like they would house dishes or tools. I looked through the rest of the cupboards and end tables and found something that seemed like it would be more my thing than common clothing, at the moment. It was a black robe that covered my chest completely, which was rare from the kinds of clothing other women was wearing, as well as reaching all the way down to my feet. I hated showing off my own body so the robe would be the best fit at the moment. I found a couple more of the same robes but just made a note of where they were for later, in case I needed them. I grabbed my new outfit and left Gerdur's home, going back towards the Inn and lumber mill. I wasn't sure where I was going to get cleaned up at since it was either in a river by the safe town or in a river in a private but possibly dangerous wilderness. I figured I could stay close but not close enough to be seen. I went out using the path Ralof and I had entered from the day before, glancing to see Ralof, Gerdur, and Hod working at the lumber mill. I also couldn't help but notice a Bosmer working at the lumber mill as well but he seemed a tad distracted. I wasn't ready to talk to anyone until after I felt better. I left Riverwood and walked a couple of minutes up the road, enjoying the scenery, to where the water was falling down the rocks, making a tiny waterfall but it would work as a washing place for a few days.