Heartless

Chapter 63 - Part 81

Ulylle ran a finger over her bowstring, thinking deeply as she and Nightstone walked. Despite only meeting each other a few days ago, Ulylle was beginning to wonder if he could help her with a problem she had. When she'd left her home deep in the wilds of Falkreath, she'd gone to the magnificent library in Solitude to trace her bloodline. Various individuals had popped up in records throughout the eras, the latest being of Rey Gildergreen who had fought in the Great War. Whilst searching, Ulylle visited the College of Winterhold for answers where she was met with the solution to her biggest clue yet, a diary. The diary was deep blue, a bronze lock set into it carved in the likeness of a raven. Ulylle had failed in opening the diary so far, and kept it well safe in her waterproof pouch.

As she walked, Ulylle studied Nightstone. He was slender and about the height of the average redguard, a dark rucksack slung over one of his shoulders. His eyes — from what Ulylle could tell — were possibly gold, while Ulylle couldn't fail to notice the twin daggers he carried and never used. Every night that they set up camp, Nightstone would sit by the fire and polish two silver daggers with smooth wooden hilts. He'd never use them, just keep them in good condition, almost as if he were doing a favour for someone.

The pair were on their way to Markarth in hopes of finding someone who could tell them how to stop Shadow once and for all before the whole of Tamriel was destroyed, though they weren't off to a good start. Ulylle being a thief, knew not to trust strangers. Nightstone seemed to know exactly that, for he was quite possibly more secretive than Shadow ever had been.

The pair set up camp as night fell, a chilly gust of wind sweeping through the small encampment, making Ulylle shiver and shuffle closer to the campfire Nightstone had made. Her companion soon returned with an armful of firewood, his cloak rippling in the wind. For a split second, Ulylle had been certain that she'd met Nightstone before.

'So... what brings you to Skyrim, Nightstone?' Asked Ulylle, attempting at conversation.

'I consider myself quite the Thief.' Replied Nightstone with an air of smugness. 'I'm from Cyrrodil.'

'I've never seen you around the guild before.'

'Ah, in kahoots with the Thieves Guild? You can imagine they don't particularly like me because I'm a lone thief. I do what I want, when I want and however I want.'

'Once we get to Markarth, where are we off to?' Asked Ulylle.

'Solitude, if the guy I know isn't there. If he is, we'll head for High Hrothgar immediately.'

'You'll need a lot more than the Greybeards to take down Shadow. She tried to mug me once.' Warned Ulylle.

Nightstone merely chuckled quietly, tending to the fire with a burst of fiery magic.

'My contact's been in the hunting game a long time, Miss Gildergreen. He's probably the best tracker in Skyrim.'

It was Ulylle's turn to chuckle at this, for she had known Shadow for quite some time.