Wanderer

Chapter Four

Anger gripped my soul as I marched through the town, my sword latched safely at my side. People gave me sideways glances as I brushed by them.

" Spare change? Any spare change?" A poor, elderly woman said, shaking a tankard in front of her. A group of men passing laughed and one pushed her down.

" Get a job, you lazy elf." One said, kicking her cup away from her, scattering the few septims she had earned.

" Please, I don't want any trouble-"

" Then go back home, spy!" Another said, kicking her in the stomach.

" Hey!" I shouted, crossing the street to meet them. People practically leapt out of my way to avoid the fire ignited in my hands. " Leave her alone, you cowards!"

" Cowards? Ha! Look at this one! Fiesty!" One man, who I assumed was their leader, said. He approached me, his much larger body dwarfing mine. " Don't ya know, lass, that magic is a cowards tool in a fight?" He said, leaning down to my eye level.

"Oh I don't need magic to kick your ass." I said, bucking my head forward to make contact with his own. He groaned in pain as one of his friends grabbed me from behind. Another came and punched me in the gut as I struggled against the other's hold. Another blow landed just below my rib cage, winding me. I doubled over wheezing as he laughed.

" Not so tough now, eh?" He said, grinning from ear to ear.

" Oh honey, this is just foreplay." I quipped, glancing up at him. I pulled all my body weight down suddenly, sending the man holding me over my head, freeing me. The leader had recovered by now, and charged at me. I rolled sideways, away from his grasp before kicking his knee in, a satisfying snap following soon after. As he screamed in pain, I turned on the other two, who had teammed up and blocked the rest of the street. On-lookers made space for us to continue. I ran towards them, scaling the wall and launching myself from it into one of the men. My foot made direct contact with his jaw, and I swung full force, knowing my kicks were stronger than my punches. Dead on, I hit him square in the jaw, which resulted in him blacking out. The one that was left started bouncing around on his toes, ducking his head back and forth in an attempt to confuse me. I stood and watched him for a second before sending a swift kick to his groin. I brushed the dirt off of my pants before helping the elf up.

" Are you alright?" I asked, holding her shoulders and scanning her for injuries.

" Yes, yes, I'll be fine. The gods know in used to it by now." She said, chuckling slightly as she brushed her dark hair from her face.

" Are there several people like that here?" I inquired, eyeing the crowd that now dispersed.

" Unfortunately. Half the city has excluded the Dunmer from all events." She murmured, looking down at her feet. " Especially the poor."

" Don't let a bunch of racists bring you down. Between you and me," I said, leaning in to whisler " you smell much better than half of the people here." I finished rubbing her arm gently.

" Ha! Thank you, Miss-?"

" Wanderer." I answered for her, watching understanding take her face.

" Ah, well. I guess we all have our own secrets. Thank you again. Maybe Ulfric will do something about this one of these days. He's so busy, you know." She said, wandering off into the crowd.

I smiled at her retreating form. "Oh but he is not too busy for me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I marched up the steps to the throne where Ulfric sat, a chalice in his hand. He ignored me as he went to take a sip from the wine. The cup flew from his hand as I used telekinesis.

He sighed as I swirled the dark liquid around. " Yes, Wanderer?" He asked, highly annoyed.

" Why haven't you done anything about the race problem in the city." I stated, more of a knowing rather than a question.

" What problem? Do the Dunmer rampage in the streets? Or are the Argonians being hostile?" He inquired, his attention drawn to the maid clearing the table behind me.

" Oh no Ulfric, " I began, stepping to the side to block his view, " it is the Nords that have the issue. They harass shop owners, make them run out of business. Homes are taken from families, and people are attacked. And what for? Because they simply aren't Nord." I hissed my hand tightening around the cup.

" What do you want me to do? I can't make. People like someone else." He said, already brushing the issue off.

" No, but you can do something about it!" I shouted, slamming the chalice down on the table.

" And what would you have me do!? Hm? Arrest and flog everyone with an opinion!? Then maybe I should start with you!" He yelled back, grabbing my wrist painfully.

I reacted quickly, fire igniting in my hand a dagger in the other. I pushed him back onto his throne as I pressed the blade to his neck. " You. You will never touch me again. Ever." I threatened, pushing the blade down just enough to draw a small amount of blood. I retracted away from him and turned to leave. " If you aren't going to fight for all of the people in your hold, how can I expect you to do the same for all of Skyrim? I'm wasting my time here." I said over my shoulder.

" Wanderer, wai-" Galmar started, but was cut off by the slamming of a door.

~~~~~~~Galmar P.O.V.~~~~~~~

It had been weeks since we had heard anything about Wanderer. There were a few rumors about a woman singlehandedly taking out whole vampire nests. Ulfric had been stressed since their altercation that caused her to leave as well. He had questions about the Voice, and needed advice that was far beyond the brain power of myself. We were standing in the war room when I finally said something.

"You should go, you know." I said, fiddling with the knife in my hands.

" Go where?" Ulfric asked, scouring over a piece of parchment.

" To find her. You've been eyeing my map for days." I stated simply, morning to the map I had set up that tracked Wanderer's whereabouts. " You need her. And not only for the Voice."

" And what else, Galmar, would I need her for?" Ulfric asked, annoyed at my prodding.

" Well for one, she's obviously highly educated and well connected. And," I said, jamming the knife into the table, " you need to apologize."

" Apologize? Haven't I done enough? I passed laws that prohibit discrimination of race in business and public affairs. What more does she want?" He ranted, pacing the room.

" An apology for your bullheaded, arrogant, and ignorant attitude. And maybe one for hurting her." I said, leaning against the table. " This map shows her most current sightings." I finished, handing it over to him.

" Okay, send ou-"

"No," I interrupted, " you have to go." I demanded.

" Why me?" He asked, exasperated at the notion.

" Because you are the one who wronged her." I said. He shook his hand and began to retreat.
" And, you need her to bring Jarl Balgruuf." I finished, a smirk pulling at my lips.

Ulfric slumped his shoulders in defeat. " Fine. Where is she?" He asked.

" Near Riften, there is a horse already prepared for the journey in the stables." I said, patting him on the shoulder. " I figured you'd want to go, so I made some preparations."

" Thank you, Galmar."

" Bring our Wanderer back safe."