Deathbeds[✓]

1;

Riverwood, Whiterun Hold... 6 months later

Bishop watched for the third time that day the gentle sway of the brunette's hips, her curly hair bouncing against her shoulders, shining in the waning sun. She was pretty enough, he supposed, but gods- a body like that could make any red-blooded man boil hot. Even this red-blooded man.

He allowed himself to be distracted by this woman momentarily before turning his eyes to the front gates. She had come that way a few days ago, bloody and disheveled with a wood elf hanging off of her shoulder. His leg was twisted in an unnatural way. They caused quite the stir in the quiet milling town with their arrival, even Bishop had to admit to a slight curiosity. It didn't escape his notice the way the people of Riverwood kissed the ground she walked on.

From what Bishop gathered, the wood elf was a resident here- and had been kidnapped while hunting the woods around Riverwood. This woman- short, curvaceous, illustrious woman- had apparently rescued him, brought him back to town. She carried a single steel sword at her hip, leather trousers and a dark green blouse under a leather jerkin. Didn't seem much the adventure type to Bishop, but still, something nagged at him to at least see what had all these people in an uproar over her.

Why was she so special?

From his brooding place at the door to the Sleeping Giant Inn, he watched as she approached the blacksmith and disappeared behind the wall.

"She's a fine lass, aye, buddy?"

Bishop cast a scowl at the drunken Nord next to him. He was in a state that Bishop wished he could achieve. He needed his wits about him tonight- he couldn't leave Karnwyr for long. He ignored the drunk next to him and watched as the woman appeared from the blacksmith and started walking towards the inn.

There were more drunkards lingering around the inn, all watching the woman approach. Bishop watched from his position in the shadows of the inn as two men approached her, one grabbing her arm.

"Oye! Oye!" The one holding her roared, "look at this fine lass! Oh, she's a beauty that looks a bit parched." He leaned his head down towards her, his eyes sweeping down her face. "I think I might offer to buy her a pint of brew."

"Not if I get to her before you do!" The one behind her slurred, jabbing a finger over her shoulder at the man, "You always go after the pretty women and leave the beasts for the rest of us!"

The man holding her released his grip and stood upright, sizing up the other man. Bishop chuckled to himself. What was he saying about red-blooded men?

The woman, seemingly neglected by the two brutes, took a few cautious steps away from under their gazes.

"I can't help it if the women find me more fascinating," he laughed, "besides, you have plenty of women to choose from!" He swept his arm out wide, gesturing to the world around them, nearly hitting the women in the head had she not ducked just at the right time. "A fair maiden like her would be a waste on a man like you!"