Skyrim: Dark Firewood

Fort Greymoor

"Well,"

Kerev could feel shame and guilt bubble up his spine. He had just beaten a man unconscious with the end goal of ending his life. Surely Faendall would get him out of Riverwood and dump him onto the road to abandon.

"I'd say it's a good day to travel."

Kerev slowly looked up at Faendall, surprised. Their eyes met and neither could seem to tear away.

"... you're ignoring what I did?"

Kerev's voice was soft, but he kept it audible. He started to try and slide out of Faendall's grip, but the Bosmer kept holding his weight.

"No. But knowing Sven, he's the one who started it." Faendall was matter-of-fact, confidence making his voice clear.

Kerev stood up straight, still allowing the shorter mer to hold some of his weight. Slowly but surely the pain was fading away. He eyed a split in the path, letting Faendall lead him to the right.

"He was," Kerev mumbled, starting to wipe off his upper lip. "Nords don't like beastfolk."

"You think yourself a beast, friend?"

Kerev nodded, a bit timid as he looked away. The confusion on Faendall's face was the motivation he needed to watch the road. A meadery was up ahead, the roof spike poking through the sightline of brush. 

"Were you called that a lot?" 

Faendall's question made Kerev look at him and tilt his head. He pursed his lips and tried to search Faendall's face for an ulterior motive. He didn't find one.

"...What if I was?"

Faendall shrugged, maintaining his friendly demeanor. Kerev looked away as his friend talked, starting to pull away.

"Then I'd say whoever called you names was rather rude."

Faendall let Kerev pull away fully, keeping a good distance close to the Dunmer. He started counting his steps, wondering why a self proclaimed helpless merchant was carrying a quiver and three daggers. He kept those questions to himself.

"Were you raised by Khajiit?"

Kerev was confused by the soft curiosity of Faendall's voice. The elders around him always told him only others like him would take interest. Others would reject him outright. It was something he had to get used to.

"In a way," Kerev replied. "My parents had a few words about it, but it's hard to avoid certain people when you grow up in the center of their homeland."

"So your parents were Dunmer?"

"One was. But they weren't around much. It was more just me, Hondil, and our merchant friends." Kerev started to play with his tunic, kicking a few stones out of his way.

"What was it like? Being raised in Elsweyr?" 

Kerev turned and saw pure curiosity in Faendall's eyes. No judgement was present, not a single drop of any negative emotion. Kerev could feel his face heat up, almost confronted by the blunt kindness of his new friend. He sputtered out air for a bit, clearing his throat and watching a hold guard slowly walk the path.

"This--...I-I've...known nothing else." the faintest hint of a hiss was on the Dunmer's tongue, one he seemed to actively suppress.

Faendall smiled at Kerev and gave his shoulder a soft shove. He began to plot a way to hear his companion's natural accent.

"Well, at least then we're both out of our element in this Nord land."

Kerev smiled to himself and nodded. He gave his cheeks a rub and shivered from the cold gust of river wind. He was glad Faendall came along.