What Happens In Solstheim

Chapter 2

Picture of Farah up there...

Teldryn has been awake for about two hours now, just sitting at the bar waiting for the stranger to show up. He already could tell she was a late sleeper. It was already eight in the morning and she hasn't set foot outside her rented room. At first he was nervous that she might have left without him, but Geldis assured him that he would've seen her snuck out if she did – he rarely slept and knew about everything that happened in his inn.

"Give the girl a break, Teldryn." Geldis tried putting his mind at ease, "She had a long journey. It's no surprise that she's sleeping in. You've waited three years to get hired, surly you can wait one more hour until she wakes up."

"Sleeping in won't do her any good when we're camping among the ash spawn and reavers." The mercenary grumbled, taking angry gulps of sujamma.

It was at that moment that the only rented room's door opened and someone stepped out. At first he didn't look up to greet her, until she sat down on the stool next to his and chirped a 'good morning'. He was confused; she's a late sleeper and a morning person?

Teldryn inhaled, letting the frustration of waiting go and returned the greeting, "Morning."

"Ooh, someone's not a morning person." She chuckled and accepted a drink from Geldis.

Teldryn turned his head to face her, prepared to tell her that he's been awake for two hours waiting for her to wake up so that they could start their damn adventure – but he couldn't manage to form the words when he truly saw her for the first time. Even through the glass holes in his helmet he found her to be captivating.

The previous night he couldn't make out the color of her hair. That moment it was the first thing he noticed. The only way he could describe the color of her hair was by comparing it to a sunset or the blazing embers of a fire. And with the ash washed from her face he also noticed the light freckles on her cheeks, giving color to her rosy pale skin. The girl wasn't half that bad. If only she had matching armor on... from what he could see, she was wearing a leather cuirass, hide gauntlets and elven boots. No helmet, though. No wonder she had trouble with the ash. Luckily her weapons seemed to match; her sword and bow both of elven make.

"I've never slept that good in my life." She stretched and nearly hit him in the face with the back of her hand, "And I mean that as a compliment, Geldis. There's a pleasant peacefulness to your inn. Can't put my finger on it."

Geldis grinned in satisfaction, "You have my gratitude, sera. Are you leaving on your Miraak business today?"

Teldryn perked up. Did her hear correct? Miraak?

She nodded, "The sooner I can get some answers from him, the sooner I can retire from killing cultists. Not the greatest job out there, you know?"

"Then you'll need supplies." The innkeeper handed her a rucksack filled with food, drink and healing potions, "It's not much, but it'll last you long enough to gather more."

"Thanks, Geldis." She smiled and flung it over her shoulder, "We'll be back for that famous sujamma of yours."

Teldryn followed after her as she left the inn, briefly feeling if all his weapons were intact and his helmet still securely on his head, "Wait, you're here because of this Miraak person?"

She only gave him a sideways look, never slowing her pace, "Yes, why? You know something?"

"Only that the entire population of Raven Rock is obsessed with him." He replied, "I've heard them muttering about him, some seemed like they're under a trance."

Then Geldis was right. It seemed like asking around town was not such a bad idea after all. Farah scanned the small marketplace, contemplating who to ask when her eye caught a familiar Dunmer.