Apathetic (Project Nemesis)

{5}

Middas, 1st day of Sun's Dusk, 4E 200

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Dragging herself weakly with one arm, her breathing quickened. The Dead's Blood, it's spreading too fast. Faster than her body could've cleared. At this rate, she would die painfully.

Raven closed her eyes, embracing the cold. Maybe it is over for her. Planting her face into the freezing snow, her consciousness drifted as whispers of concern accompany her last moments.

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...

"Come on, Vex. We can't leave her here to die." Brynjolf pleaded, checking for a pulse on the woman frantically. When can't find one, he started to dug through her satchel for a potion, herb, anything that could bring her back.

"Why not? She practically kidnapped us and won't tell us what is going on. We can survive just fine without her." Vex grumbled, finally helping the panicking redhead thief in search of healing potions.

Brynjolf paused. Vex has a point. Why do they need this mysterious woman? No, why can't he let her die? A part of him wanted to reason that leaving people to die is simply not a good act, but another part has another reason of its own. It's not clear why yet, but as he gazed on her masked face, a dreadful feeling dug into his stomach. A fear of losing her. His hand slowly reaching up, stroking the strange golden mask. It pulsed weakly. Tracing the design, it seemed... Familiar to him. Something to do with a priest?

His focus made him lost in his thought. Vex simply stared at him, caressing the woman's mask like a lovestruck fool. Brynjolf was entranced, his fingers paused on her chin. He heard a soft voice, persuading him to finally see his mysterious saviour's face.

Come on, you know you want to.

The woman's hand shot up, startling both thieves. She coughed in pain, trying her best to sit up while groaning and whining in pain. Brynjolf snapped out of his daydream, pushing a healing potion into her hand. Vex watches intensely, her guard up. The woman tossed the potion back into her back, having no intention of consuming it at all.

"College. Let's go to the college." The woman croaked, failing miserably to stand up on her own feet. Brynjolf frowned in concern and supported her onto her feet. Her weight surprised him, for a small build, she is quite heavy. He struggled a bit in hoisting her up.

"Are you sure, lass? You can barely talk. Why don't we rest for a bit?" He suggested, holding her by the arm.

"No," she shook her head. "The college, they can help me. They can, they can helfh-"

"Vex!" Brynjolf called in surprise as the woman stumbled back, fainting. The blonde thief rushed to their side, also surprised from her weight.

"We have to get her to the college of Winterhold. " He fell back down, trying to reduce the momentum of her head from hitting the ground. Vex scanned their surroundings and scowled.

"Are you insane?! We just escaped Winterhold to get away from those hunters! Why in the world would you get back there?"

"She said they can help her! And that's where we're going!" He yelled, increasingly frustrated from seeing the woman's labored breathing. Vex fell silent, shocked. Brynjolf almost never raised his voice at her. If anyone, it's her that is yelling at him. She took a deep breath, cleaned up their scattered belongings.

"Didn't she have a horse that she used to take you here? I'm going to look for it. Sit tight."

"Be careful, Vex." Brynjolf sighed, a bit relieved from her help. Vex nodded, and took off.

Left alone with the wheezing warrior, he cradled her head softly, murmuring affirmations.

"Don't you dare dying now, lass. I still have 9 more questions to ask and you owe me some answers."

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"Halt. Who goes there?"

A bored and snotty looking altmer raised a hand, clearly pissed off from getting a guard shift on such a freezing day. The worn out thieves shivered, looking moments away from collapsing.

"We bring... We have someone... We need help." Thought gritted teeth, Be managed to rasp out their request. The elf raised an eyebrow, sneering at the unconcious woman on a horse behind them.

"Fine. I could use a break from this cold anyway. Follow me."

Both thieves sighed in relief and ushered the horse, following the altmer quickly.

They dragged themselves through the thin and brittle bridge. Brynjolf can see the entire city of Winterhold from up here and the snowy landscape of Skyrim. The College gate and the statue of Shalidor would've been a magnificent view in a clear day. Too bad they are moments away from death to be enjoying such view.

The gate opens on its own, making a shrill creaking sound. Vex stared in amazement, not many magical building in Riften to wonder at.

Their guide greets few people who passed them, each sending a questioning look of confusion. She led them to the Hall of Attainment before pausing.

"You can leave the horse here, I will have someone take care of it. You must carry her from here." She waved to a nearby student who looked regretful for taking a walk, now tasked with a horse. Brynjolf nodded and hauled the woman to his back, nearly collapsing himself. Vex quickly took care of the supplies and belongings from the saddle.

Faralda -Brynjolf had learned the name of their guide- pushed open the heavy iron doors with a grunt. A gust of warm air welcomes them. Vex nearly cried, the cold is too much for her, missing Riften's cozy weather.

"Oh my, what have we here?" A surprised dunmer appeared from the stairs. Faralda nodded respectfully.

"Archmage Savos. Some travelers that seek shelter from the cold. "

The addressed hummed, inspecting his guests. A warm smile on his face.

"Well come on then, prepare them a bed for the night. Welcome, travelers. Make yourself at home. "

The Archmage tried to shake Brynjolf's hand, but the thief grinned sheepishly as he shook the woman on his back slightly. Savos smiled apologetically and gestures to an empty room. Faralda called for more unlucky students to help prepare the room. One particular khajiit mage grumbles inaudibly, his tail twitching in irritation.

"We... I don't know how to thank you."
Brynjolf sighed after setting down the unconscious woman, clasping Savos' hand. The Archmage flinched a bit from his cold hands, but chuckled afterwards.

"Do not worry. Let's just help her to recover quickly, yes? Faralda, please fetch me Mirabelle and Colette, thank you. " The altmer nodded, just happy she finally gets rid of the traveler responsibility. The thieves sat down in exhaustion, catching their breath. Savos analized his guests, particularly curious about the unconscious one.

"Pray tell, from where do you come from, travelers?" He inquired.
The thieves exchanged knowing glances, a bit cautious.

"We're from Riften." Vex answered shortly. The Archmage nodded.

"Ah. Thieves, yes? I sincerely hope you do not intend to rid us of our precious belongings. " Savos smiled. Brynjolf blinked, the possibility of them being suspected of up to no good hadn't occured to him. All he thought about until now is getting help for the woman. Vex studied his face, waiting for a reaction.

"Oh, uh, I'm sorry. No, no we are not here to rob you. We're here because the lass needed help and told us to go here. " He raked his hair, shaking melting dirt to fall on the floor. Savos nodded, almost relieved.

"Excellent. It would not make sense if you're here to steal from us, anyway."

"And why's that?" Vex chimed in, now curious about their host. Which in turn sent them a questioning and confused look.

"Your companion? She is not just anyone. She is wearing the dragon priest's mask, Krosis."