Skyrim: Dark Firewood

Inside Knife's Ridge

Kerev took a deep breath, tightening his journal's makeshift straps against his body. He started crouching, listening to the world around him. It had taken nearly an hour to even find Knifepoint Ridge. He didn't quite like not having a map.

The Dunmer made his way to the entrance, seeing blood streaking the dirt and grass flooring. It led inside the cavern. He looked back at all the wooden posts and structures, trying his best not to count the dead bodies littered all over the place.

Kerev felt his spine shudder and he swallowed down the lump in his throat. Hopefully most of the bandits were already taken care of.

Kerev didn't take the time to sift through any tents or hidden structures. He stayed close to the dirt and made his way towards the open mineshaft. The doors were creaky but not old, and the light heavily shifted from bright sunlight to suffocating darkness.

He stood at the entrance for a moment, letting his eyes adjust. The Dumer was startled only a few moments later, flinching as a well built Orc rounded the corner.

"Huh? Who's there?"

Kerev all but dove under a table, having to run a solid second towards it. He curled up into a ball, holding his breath. There was a sharp sound of steel as the Orc lumbered closer.

"Come out," The Orc barked, slamming his sword into a chair just beside Kerev.

Kerev had to press his hands against his mouth to mask any noises, fear starting to creep up his chest. This wasn't how he had planned to do this at all. Not only was the camp already covered in carnage, but there were no solid vantage points for him to shoot.

He had always been the one to leap up and protect Hondil, without any hesitation whatsoever. Why now was he choking up? Why now was he trembling under a table? If Hondil were in danger, he would...

"I know you're in here!" The Orc started getting even more agitated.

Kerev stiffened up. He felt his heart and his breathing slow down. If Hondil were in danger. If Hondil were here.

Kerev took a deep breath, moving to draw his bowstring. He bunched up his knees, ready. He held his breath for just a bit longer, focusing. He realized what was missing.

"Right here!"

Kerev shouted, standing up with all his force. He hit the side of the table shoulder-first, easily pushing it upwards and causing it to fall over. His arm pulled the bowstring back as he notched an arrow, aiming right for the Orc's face. The Orc barely had any time to react, turning as Kerev let go.

The Orc screamed as the arrow sunk into his collarbone, back arching as his throat filled with blood. Kerev didn't wait for him to fall over, notching and shooting another arrow into his center mass.

Kerev could hear commotion come from father in the mineshaft, not taking his eyes off the bandit in front of him. The Orc quickly fell still, likely bleeding out. Kerev let out a sharp breath and aimed towards the entrance. It seemed to bottlenose, a chest hiding just around the corner.

The voices got louder and Kerev got calmer, his grip on the bow relaxing. He waited for the first bandit to rear her head, a human, then shot. The woman cried out and stumbled back, two more bandits taking her place.

The bandits shouted and ran for Kerev with their swords drawn, another woman taking an arrow to the shoulder. Kerev managed to shout over them, a grin curling up his lips.

"Thought there'd be more of ya!"

Kerev understood the hilarity of getting almost instantly knocked over, the broadside of a sword's steel blade slamming into his cheekbone. Kerev dropped his bow, ribs smashing into a table leg, snapping it off.