Skyrim: Dark Firewood

Half-Moon Mill - Part 1

"Looks like a mill."

The sawmill ahead was hard at work, the saw loud and the logs banging against each other. There was an active fire going in the cottage, smoke billowing out of the chimney. Kerev could hear someone chopping firewood with vigor.

"Let's check it out."

Kerev let Faendall lead him down the path, just a step behind him. It didn't take long, the two turning the corner of the cottage to see the sunset shimmer along the lake's horizon. Faendall perked up at seeing two Nords shuffling about. He waved and started walking over, kerev close behind.

"Hello over there!"

The woman looked up from her wood chopping, turning and making eye contact. A warm smile spread across her lips, and she stood up tall. She set her axe aside.

"Guests, oh my!"

Kerev gave pause at her words, slowing down as the two met her. She had blonde hair and orange eyes. They gleamed in what little sunlight was left. Kerev grabbed Faendall by the sleeve, gripping the cloth.

"Guests?" Faendall questioned, still cheery and warm.

"Oh, well, me and Hern house many travelers on the way in and out of Falkreath." She explained.

The woman turned her gaze to Kerev, inhaling a long breath through her nose. Kerev stiffened up, the hair standing up on the back of his neck. He huffed in and out once, his fever suddenly much hotter. He didn't know what she was exactly, but he knew the general category.

"Are you alright? You look a bit...ill."

Kerev shook his head, flinching at the sound of armored boots stomping up the road. He glanced over, shoulders bunched up. The woman rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips.

"Aye, those guards. They're always storming about. Nosy pests."

Faendall hummed, content. He got an arm behind Kerev and rubbed his back. It didn't help the tension in his shoulders. Faendall fought off a frown, figuring Kerev was still in denial of his sickness.

Both Mer looked over at the Nord walking over, two small logs in hand. He smiled, eyes orange with a glint of fire in them. Hern smiled, tilting his head at Kerev.

"Oh my, guests! Did you two need a place to lay for the night?"

Faendall almost immediately nodded, feeling Kerev pull his arm a bit close. He gave Hern a polite gesture, a mini bow with a wave for flair.

"My friend here is sick. But he won't admit it." Faendall revealed.

Kerev took a deep breath and leaned against his shorter friend, starting to get a bit dizzy. The two Nords smiled and stood close together. They touched shoulders, offering sympathetic looks.

"Hert here can get him set up in the bed." Hern separated himself from his wife, holding out his arms to welcome the Mer. "Please, make yourselves at home."

Faendall opened his mouth to thank Hern, but he found himself having to catch Kerev's weight. Hert immediately helped, surprisingly strong for a skinny Nord woman. Kerev nearly hissed at her, biting his lip. She took almost all his weight and started helping Faendall walk towards the cottage.

"I'm sorry-" Faendall started, getting cut off by Hert's giggle.

"We've helped many sick travelers," She explained. "These woods are pretty treacherous to adventurers not so used to these woods."

"Thank you."

Kerev found it harder and harder to hold his tongue, hissing out breaths through his nose. It was unfortunately noisy due to his sickness.