Bound By Madness

9. Stagnant Waters

It felt like I had been crouched down for hours, hands tight over my ears as I'd tried to block out the sounds around me, but I couldn't even seem to block out Ellery's laughter. Not that I really wanted to, of course! No, no, never would I want to stop hearing him! He and Amicus meant everything to me! But sometimes, just once in a while, it hurt to hear my Jester.

It hurts to remember what I did to you, my terrible and wondrous Ellery. The memory of it drives me a bit mad at times, I think...

Oh, but it was such a blessing to have him with me again! What blessed deity had sent him back, I had no clue, but surely one must have and if ever I learned their name, I would gladly praise them in my own silent way!

I nearly jumped when I felt a hand grasp my shoulder and give a gentle shake. That is not Amicus' hand, for it is far too large and heavy to be his, and it can't be Ellery because he is still laughing from across the way! Gasping in a breath and darting away from the hand, I spun in place as soon as I was out of the person's reach. A large dark-haired Nord met my gaze, his eyes widened slightly before narrowing as he began to straighten up from his crouch.

"And here I'd thought you were hurt or ill. I guess I worried for nothing. You would do well to take yourself elsewhere if you are going to play games with people. Whiterun is home to the Companions and we do not care for trickery. I know a sneak thief when I see one," the man growled at me, hand shifting towards his weapon as he towered over me.

Behind him, I could see a somewhat larger Nord give a small frown, although I couldn't tell if it was at me or the man scowling at me. Shrugging, I slowly picked myself up off the ground, having nearly tripped over my own feet in my hurry to get away earlier.

I didn't want to stay here anyhow. This place is horrible. Far too many rude people and too much noise!

I brushed off my leggings as I moved forward, hoping to walk past the man, but felt a hand grab my arm before I could make it past him.

"What are you saying? Thinking you can get away with bad mouthing someone if you are quiet enough they can't hear you? If you want to speak poorly of me, say it loud enough to be heard or are you too much a coward?" The same man growled again at me.

Oh, believe me, if I could make you hear me, I would. Ellery, Amicus, let's go. I'm done with this place! Now let go of me, you bastard!

Yanking on my arm, I looked around and barely saw Ellery dancing his way down the path leading to the gates. Feeling the man's hand tighten on my arm, I gave another tug and scowled at him, mouthing curses at him as I began to struggle.

"I don't think she can speak, brother," came a softer but still deep voice, causing me to turn towards the larger of the two men.

Oh, did you finally figure that out? Thanks! Now, can you get your brother here to let me go!

I would have screamed the words at them if I could and I think they both caught on to that as the man finally let go, shock on his face as he watched me pant for breath before pushing past him and running for the path Ellery had gone down. I could barely hear Amicus' quiet laughter as I could hear a shout from behind me, but I didn't care enough to try and make out what was said.

At this point, I just wanted to leave this place for good. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever find someplace in this land that wasn't so unwelcoming to the three of us. Where all the towns and cities of Skyrim like this? Was it a Nord thing to be so loud and aggressive?

Had we made a bad choice to come here?

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Wandering past farm after farm, I trudged further north as the sky grew darker with each passing moment. I winced when I felt the first drop of rain hit my cheek, pulling my cloak tighter around my body. All too soon, I was drenched from the downpour, barely able to make out my Jester as he laughed at my misery from further down the muddy road.

Well, I'm glad one of us is having a good time today. Because I'm cold and wet and I think my fingers are going numb again! And you know Amicus doesn't like the rain either!

I scowled at Ellery as he danced through the rain, wondering how the man wasn't slipping in the muck that kept trying to steal my shoes with each step I took. No matter how many times I saw it, I could never understand how he was always unaffected by the rain, yet Amicus always whispered about how much he disliked the rain.

Although, I'd never noticed his touch become any colder than it ever was. In fact, if not for his size, I would think him a Nord with how warm he always was, even in the snow... Ahh, but I didn't have time to think about stuff like this! I needed to get out of the rain!

That's it! At the next farm, we are gonna ask for shelter! Even if we have to sleep with a cow!

Hearing Ellery's laughter grow ever louder, I marched past him as he curled over himself from his merriment. I swear, if I didn't still feel affection for the man, I would strangle him at times like this! He got way too much enjoyment from my suffering!

But if my suffering brought him a smile... who was I to take away his laughter again?

Shaking my head, I continued along the path, praying the next farm would come soon as the sky grew darker yet. Night was nearing and I didn't want to keep walking once the little light that was available vanished and left me in total darkness.

I really regretted not learning that candlelight spell when I had the chance, but I'd wanted to save my coin in case I found someone selling cloth. Even now I could feel that desperate need to begin stitching a new cap for my Jester.

"Damnedest wagon wheel!" A high pitched voice, still noteably male, came faintly through the pouring rain, causing me to jump in shock.

Peering through the downpour, I could barely make out a large shape in the distance, slowing down as I tried to figure out what I was seeing. It was the sudden movement to the side of the thing that made me realize it must be the wagon the man had screamed about that I'd been looking at. And the man himself...

Ellery, is that man...?

Ignoring the sudden laughter that filled the air, I blinked and started walking forward again, realizing I had paused in my movement when I'd spotted the black and red attire the man wore. Or rather, the man's motley. I hadn't thought I would see such a thing after entering Skyrim, since jesters were more common to Cyrodiil, where people had a better understanding of how to live based on what I'd seen so far of this land.

The closer I got to the man and his wagon, the more I could hear him grumbling, the rain finally easing up helping his voice carry further as well. Still, I couldn't quite make out most of what he was saying now, since he'd apparently lowered his voice as he noticed me coming down the road towards him.

"Be careful. He doesn't hold himself like the average person should. He's too... focused to truly be just a mere jester," came Amicus' soft whisper, a cautionary hand resting on my shoulder before he pulled away.