Heartless

Chapter 23 - Part 30

Really sorry but I've been really tired lately and I just haven't been able to update Wattpad. I have two weeks of intensive dance going on at the moment so I'm kinda stressed.

Shadow

'Okay so if they ever find us, what are we going to do?' Demanded Karliah, drilling the procedure into my head.

'Run in the same direction to the nearest bandit camp, Skooma den, village, ruin, farm, city, camp or town.'

'And what happens if one of us lags behind?'

'Leave them and keep running if they can't be helped.'

'And if we come to a dead end?'

'Let me do the fighting while you act injured.'

Karliah nodded in approval as she sipped her soup, lilac eyes scanning the surrounding area on routine. I threw pieces of diced chicken into my own mouth as I cleaned my ebony daggers, turning them by their cool hilts in the firelight. They didn't feel balanced to me, no dagger I ever recalled using actually ever felt like it was balanced in my hand.

'We shouldn't have a campfire tonight, I feel like we're going to attract unwanted attention. We've been in the area too long.' I mumbled.

'We'll take a chance, it's all we've got.'

'We aren't exactly hidden, Karliah. We're a practical beacon in the snow.'

'Just one night, Shadow, I'm willing to take a chance. This is the farthest away they've been in years. We'll be fine.'

'Famous last words, Karliah. Don't let travelling with me become a comfort and a luxury.' I muttered, tense.

The dark elf shrugged, curling up on her furs, and preparing to spend her usual hour gazing silently into the fire  and probably falling asleep.

'I'll take first watch.' She said, still staring at the flames.

'You're sure? I don't like this.'

'We'll be fine. We can't put out the fire anyway, I'd freeze to death.'

Nodding, I curled up on my mat. I didn't tell her that I sensed evil, and I didn't tell her that the raised hairs on the back of my neck weren't from the cold. I could sense the impending danger, yet I still fell asleep.

—

Almost nonexistent footsteps jolted me from my uneasy slumber, my eyes snapping open immediately as I sat bolt upright. Karliah was fast asleep at my feet and the campfire was still blazing. I grabbed my ebony blades, donned my better Brotherhood armour and placed my bow and quiver across my back as I shook Karliah awake.

'We need to move, now.'

'Wha?' She groaned loudly.

'Shhhh! We need to leave. Someone's near. Get your gear and get up. We're moving.'

Karliah nodded and clumsily began to assemble her things as I doused the fire, allowing a freezing breeze to sweep through our little encampment. The dunmer shivered as I pulled her to her feet and handed her that beautiful bow she always carried. I was annoyed that she had fallen asleep on watch, but I was currently more concerned about the Guild finding us.

Voices echoed all around us as torches lit up the forest. I caught snippets of loud, familiar and sinister tones. The guild had caught up. Hissing profanities, I grabbed Karliah's hand and pulled her into a smooth crouch, gliding over the smooth snow. She was heavier than I, meaning she couldn't perform the little feat where I made no imprint in the snow. I was forced to spend extra time making sure it looked like we had gone in different directions.

Sadly, the guild wasn't fooled, and they were soon sprinting up behind us.

'KARLIAH! MOVE!'

We began to run, I was treading lightly over the top of the snow, tugging Karliah along by her hand, and planning out our route as we went. The nearest town was Winterhold, but the guild would have free reign there, so I changed course and started the journey to Windhelm.