. I

Markarth, Onwards

I resided a while Longer, examining every inch of the remains before heading back to Taralf's house and returning to my bedroom.
I tip toed quietly down the hall and into the room- soon finding myself curling up in the warmth of the blankets and fading back into my slumber.
The morning sun dawned into the room at around 5:59 Am, blessing our eyelids with the soft dim glow and alerting us it was time to depart.
My eyes fluttered open half lidded and saw the silhouette of Sudryl tugging on his shirt and armor, already prepped and ready for the journey ahead. I gave a small yawn and sat up, rubbing at my eyes to smear away the tiredness and ended up adjusting my dress since I felt a breeze at my legs- though too tired to address it- but I might have had my panties exposed to Sudryl (Didn't seem to notice either).
Igrid was still snoring away upon the bed, sprawled like a hibernating Saber with a sliver of drool down her cheek, I snorted at her position and slipped on my boots.
The room filled with the scent of fresh pastries from behind our door, I felt solace in the aroma and tapped at Igrid vigorously to awaken her (she snored louder than we talked), Sudryl eventually had to help me wake up this stubborn woman and have her get ready to go.

By 6:20 AM the three of us had finally all awoken and were prepped to depart,
Igrid was still groggy, her dirty blonde hair was in knots and sticking in every direction from her head, her eyes half lidded And clearly heavy enough to shut any moment now, "you can rest while we say goodbye" I told her whilst grabbing my satchel and throwing it over my shoulder, the iron sword gifted to me by Taralf was in its sheath tied around my waist.
"No amount of sleep will settle that hair upon her head" Sudryl huffed

"Watch it, Elf. I still have a dagger" Igrid growled in annoyance and patted at her head to- somewhat make her look more appealing- I noticed Sudryl roll his eyes and make sure his elven dagger was in its sheath-
I curiously examined it before it was put away and remembered when it had been held to my neck a few days ago,
I even noticed there were two, but I had only seen the one.

"Good morning" Sorie greeted us as she placed a wooden plate of pastries upon the table
"Safe travels, everyone. I hope to hear from all of you soon" she smiled sweetly and gave all three of us a hug farewell,
Igrid Kindly accepted the hug and returned it in her favor,
Sudryl grew an expression of fluster and confusion (which made Igrid snort),
And I- did the same Igrid did and hugged her back as well.
Igrid stuffed a few pastries in her satchel for all of us to enjoy on our journey- we bid our farewells and departed for Markarth,
The atmosphere around us was calmed, fresh snow upon the ground was a sign that it had stormed once more at night- probably after I went for a night stroll,
The sky was clear and showed no signs of harmful weather to Come at least for the time being,
"In what direction is Markarth?" Igrid asked as she took out a pastry and handed it to me and then one to Sudryl and one for her self,
"West, Markarth is wedged between the mountain range of Skyrim's border. Once we arrive you both must let me do the talking or else things will get unpleasant"
Sudryl explained, walking- off the road and to the small stables just at the end of the town "pardon, how much for three horses" he spoke to the stable owner who didn't look up from his raking.
"Bout 1000 a stallion if you've got the coin" the stable owner seemed much older than all three of us, wrinkled skin with tired eyes and hair nearly as white as Sudryl's-
I examined thoroughly before my gaze drifted to the range of horses that were coated in blankets and enjoying their morning meals.
"Uh no sorry we don't have the coin-"
Igrid quickly spoke up and shoved Sudryl out of the way,
. "We'll take them"
Sudryl reached into his pocket and pulled out a small dirtied white pouch and placed it into the owner's hands, to whom then poured out the pouch to make sure 3000 coins was what he was given

And it was.

Igrid and I must have shared the same thought because both of us grew intrigued after seeing Sudryl pull out an outstanding amount of coin simply because it was unexpected. Sudryl looked at us with furrowed brows before following after the stable owner to the horses who were now being prepped for travel.
I looked Igrid in the eyes and she exchanged my gaze as the two of us trailed behind after Sudryl and the Stable owner.
The three stallions were wondrous creatures, I smoothed my hand over the hide of the chestnut colored horse and felt a small smile part upon my face

"Your first time seeing a horse?" Igrid asked me as she too patted her horse upon its muzzle, a lovely white and brown stallion

I stared at her whilst waiting for her to realize the answer to her own question

"Oh right, forgive Me" she smiled awkwardly and with Sudryl's help jumped on the saddle of her horse (swatting at his hands afterwards), it took me a few tries but I successfully got on and grabbed hold of the reigns, my eyes lit up with curiosity as I looked around at the world around me from The view, not much of a difference but I was taller upon the back of a horse.
Sudryl got upon his own- a lovely white steed and took off first.
Leading the way as we followed onwards.

We rode east for Markarth upon the road that was surrounded by open fields, lovely terrains of winter blossoms and fresh smoothed snow that brought serenity to my liking.
Igrid was nibbling upon yet another pastry while I seemed lost in thought whilst admiring the scenery around me
"A murder, and a thief? Why not inform us to the amount of coin on your person?" I suddenly asked and looked at Sudryl in front
Of me as his gaze never faulted and kept at the rode ahead.
"What of it? I take no title of thief for the coin is of my own wealth, there was no reason for me to explain the weight of my pockets"
He responded and glanced over his shoulder to lock gazes with me "I suppose that makes sense" I murmured.
"A liar no doubt" Igrid huffed and turned her direction to me "a spy probably, I don't know what for"
"What Takes you to mock me, Woman?" Sudryl spoke up, "I've spoke nothing but truth to you and you respond with foolish remarks. You know nothing so stay in your place"
He apoke with authority,
I respected the elf and his position and turned to Igrid to see what she'd do in return
"You're a /high Elf/ im aware Not all bare the Will of the Thalmor but you've murdered and you've shown you have no good intentions. Must it take more reason for me to explain why I do not trust the likes of you?"

"Igrid, he's helped us his whole time apart of our journey, even given us horses to make the distance faster than by foot. He has no ill intentions at least to my knowledge, and Sudryl, Igrid means no harm. Her first journey as well as my own is by the likes of harms way, she is being rightfully cautious and wants to remain safe for the time being" I
Said through the cold
Air,
Sudryl and Igrid both fell quiet

"From now on the three of us need to put the bickering aside if we want to remain alive"