World Eater

Ch.) 12: All is fair

Alduin barely slept that night, despite feeling safer than he had since Sky Haven; Every time he closed his eyes, visions of Irridessa's bare body walking away from the bed, and stepping into the tub played behind his lids- it was maddening-In the morning when she woke him, he felt like he had only just fallen asleep.

The Dovahkiin was already fully dressed in her black blades armor, her hair pulled into an elegant high braid that hung low down her back; packed and ready to go.

"I tried to let you sleep in." She told him apologetically, standing over him as he lay spread out on his furs. She noted the deep shadows under his eyes, and how they lacked their usual luster- dulled with obvious exhaustion. Once his eyes focussed, he looked away from her sharply, his cheeks tinting lightly as he grunted an affirmation.

She watched him get up suspiciously; He seemed uncomfortable. Alduin could feel her bright gaze follow him like a physical weight as he rolled up his furs and readied the mule outside- Lydia had already packed their things. He tried to remain cool, stoic, until they had mounted their steeds, beginning the next leg of the journey where he could finally settle in place behind her and away from her scrutiny.

Irridessa was just happy to put Dragon Bridge behind them- The villages Penitus Oculatus outpost, and it's strong military presence made her uneasy. They rode in silence- which wasn't out of the ordinary. It wasn't until they had passed a few shabby farms and mills, passing into the grassy marshlands that Alduin was curious enough to speak again.

"Where are we going now?" He asked- His unexpected break in silence startled her, and she flinched visibly. When she looked back he was smirking slightly, and she gave him a withering look. Lydia grinned too, amused despite herself.

"Morthal- I have some private business to take care of." She answered. Alduin sighed, annoyed at her tight lipped response- He hated how she was always so vague, answering questions with answers that only begat more questions. Irridessa felt nervous butterflies swarm in her belly as she thought about Morthal- before they would be able to continue on their journey, she would have to tell Lydia that she intended to join the Stormcloaks, and ask her if she was willing to follow her to war- possibly against her own brethren...If she couldnt, Irridessa would pay for her carriage ride back to Whiterun.

The chances of Lydia choosing to leave were great- after all, Whiterun was her home, and even though Balgruuph was undecided on which side he would fight for, most of the cities people were comfortable under the legions rule- took pride in it even. When war finally reached Whiterun, she knew Lydia may feel obligated to protect her peers...her loved ones. It made her sick to think they may have to meet on the battle field one day- if Balgruuph chose the wrong side, and Lydia chose Whiterun...

"When will we get there?" Alduin persisted, intent on forcing more information from her- if only just to annoy her in return for his own frustrations.

"Tomorrow, before dark if you keep up," She replied tersely. " Hjaalmarch is nothing but marshy, grassy swamp lands- I expect you'll have some difficulty maneuvering in some area's. " Alduin didn't mind swamps- they were a nice place to cool off, and take cover in the spiney black Tree's and brambles that thrived in the marshes. Good hunting too.

"We'll have to keep an eye out for Vampires," Lydia chimed in seriously. " The lack of sunlight here makes it a popular destination for leaches who want to settle. " She wrinkled her nose at the thought of the disease ridden blood suckers.

Vampires- in Alduins opinion, were a step above the Jul- He knew them to be cunning, dangerous beings capable of the most artfully vulgar deeds; They operated like snakes in the grass, weaving here and there, single mindedly focussed on one thing- The prey. They were ambitious, and capable of living long lives- He suspected that if the coven's could manage to unite instead of always destroying each other over territory, they too could have enslaved the populace.