Skyrim's Guard

Chapter Two: The Dead Search

Before Dae had the courage to walk down into the bandits' cave, he first searched around the top part of the cottage.The girl had left her Ebony bow and arrows lying on the table, to which she would probably want back. The sake of having to go down and look through her mess, he picked it up and replaced his Imperial bow. The minute he held it in his hand, it was heavy in his hands, meant for stronger archers. He tested the strong immediately, reeling it back to find the resistance quite strong, which meant for a stronger hit.

Of course he gets stuck here. Why wouldn't he? Dae studied the shelves, picking up books and crystals before sliding some in his bag. Growing up books were always an interest for him. His mother would read to him, he would study folklore when he was old enough to read, and pretty soon he was reading to increase his knowledge in archery. If it were not for his simple bed in a public barrack, and if he had his own home with millions of shelves, all of them would be filled to the smallest opening.

The one he picked up was on the sneaking. The Red Kitchen Reader. It would not be much use to him, but it was something to keep occupied.

At the door, it opened. A tall man came through carrying two bags full of goodies for his children. By the pot, a woman was brewing her special vegetable soup. The best thing that brought hunters to her cabin to eat.

Dae jumped to his feet and ran into his opened arms. His mother stood and flung her arms around her husband's neck. Outside, rain washed onto the floor from the open door. But no one cared. Their little home in the woods never felt more like a home until they were all together.

Out of his bag came a book covered in pictures and sketches. Later that night his mother read him the legend of dragons and a hero coming to save them all from the evil Alduin.

Good things never last. The nightmares only become a reality.

Dae sat in the same spot as the girl did, slouching tiredly with a bowl of soup in his hands. He slurped it meaninglessly.

Of course he would go down and check, but not before he got this time to himself. It was so perfect; maybe he could change his name and live here forever. Alone.

The soup was delicious. He had a couple bowls before he actually got his mind straight. He can't stay here. He vowed himself as a guard and soldier. Like his father, he will die protecting Skyrim. That's what he would have loved.

He shook off his fatigue, gathering his stuff. Before slipping downstairs, he took one quick look outside where the sun had completely gone down and the moon brightened the edges of the trees' leaves far in the distance. The dirt corridor used to be hidden by a shelf that had been moved out of the way for him. It was eerily dark and it went on forever. The walls twisted left and right as he carefully made his way through. Wine bottles scattered the place.

At the very end, he came out to a system of bridges over the drop-off. No sounds but the falling of pebbles echoed from the massive space.

Images flashed through his mind. Being underground didn't help anything for him. Now he was down here alone.

Just get it over with.

Everywhere he went dead bandits littered the floor, their pockets looted of gold and potions. Doors were opened, exposing bare shelves. Chests were emptied. The girl, most likely, was very strong about the fact of never leaving anything behind. Dae expected that from a thief.

Was she even part of the Thieves Guild? Dae pondered this as he searched the area with his bow up and ready to fire at anything that moved. She was seen with the man wearing their armor. Both the woman and her weren't seen in the armor, but Dae doubted that the Thieves Guild were that comfortable with anyone outside. Plus she seemed to hold some authority... yet she did seem a little outcasted. Ugh, he had to stop thinking so much.