Private The Long Road

[melancholytears]

Somehow, Bruynzeel's musical ability nearly outshines his skill in the kitchen. And the choice of music, she had never seen such a performance before, not anywhere. He is a master at his craft, that was certain. She didn't realize how enraptured she was with his performance until the first song ended and the girls seated at a small table next to hers began cheering and clapping enthusiastically. Klaern blushes and looks away, once again her eyes are drawn to the Orc from before, but he is seated a little closer to her table now. He is downing his ales quite liberally and just as she is staring at him, trying to size him up, he catches her looking. Klaern smiles and tries to look nonchalantly toward the stage again as Bruynzeel begins another song in the set.

Just then, one of the girls whispers to her sister something and the other stands up from her chair with her arms over her chest, "I want Grandpa to stay more than one night." She pouts loudly. Estle rushes to the small table and whispers to the pouty girl and they settle down to watch Bruynzeel's show. And then Estle sits down with Klaern as Pour brings another glass of wine for both of the Bosmer women. Estle speaks, raising an eyebrow, "So, what do you think of our dear Sai Bruynzeel Klaern?"

Klaern's eyes sparkle for a moment then she says, "Well, really we are just getting acquainted.." The other Bosmer speaks with a casual undertone of the game, "Oh, well, getting to know him will be the fun part..." her voice trails off as she spies another guest she hadn't seen in awhile and she excuses herself from Klaern's table to greet the newcomer to the inn. Klaern is glad for the distraction and then returns her attention to Bruynzeel's performance.

 

[Bruynzeel]

The evening is a blast, his set rocks, the room is happy, Pours is smiling and winks at Bruynzeel as he holds yet another full tray of drinks. Estle does a thumbs up as she hands out the last room key. Klaern has been smiling and trying not to look at him too much which is adorable.

He really regrets getting insane, she is attractive and even if something does happen it has been centuries since he had personal love in his life. He starts wondering what her next daily question will be. He starts wondering how much of his history she can handle. He is sure he is gonna find out.

 

[melancholytears]

The night wears on and the wine, food and great music have exhausted Klaern. Not to mention that she needs the rest, the journey is just beginning. Bruynzeel finishes the night's performances and returns to stand near her. Klaern smiles, "You were wonderful Bruynzeel! I've never seen the guitar played so passionately." She blushes with the wine hitting her a bit harder than she expected and says, "I need to rest. My room is the first at the top of the stairs." She explains as if reminding herself where she was going. Her words a little faint and whimsical, a tipsy Klaern declares softly, "Good night Bruynzeel. It's been a good night."

Estle appears as if on cue, looking at Bruynzeel with a grin, "I will escort Klaern to her room. Pours is waiting to have a drink with you Bruynzeel. Now, if you will excuse me, I have one more young lady to get to bed." With that, she places an arm around Klaern's waist and together they go up the stairs, making small talk and keeping Klaern from stumbling.

Estle is kind enough to help Klaern prepare for bed, even redressing her wound and cleaning it properly before tucking her in and then leaving her room.

Klaern sleeps deeply, her dreams are visions of excitement, playful teasing and flirting with her handsome and mysterious bodyguard, Bruynzeel.

 

[Antman54]

Two weeks, the Orc thinks to himself surprised. He had thought he was further south from Skyrim. Shelakh moved a couple seats closer trying to hear their conversation better. He couldn't figure out why he was so concerned with their business but yet he felt he could only have his attention on them. Just as he sits down however, the Khajiit gets on stage and starts playing. The music the Orc hears is nothing like he's ever heard in his travels. The melodies where like honey to his ears, and he was impressed at the level of skill the khajiit had with his guitar. He finds that that night in the inn was the most fun he's had in awhile, the music was great and the ale was flowing. Shelakh was on his 4th ale when he looks over to find the mystery Wood Elf staring at him. How could those two make it all the way to Solitude by themselves? Surly they will be killed, he thinks to himself, vastly underestimated both of their competence in combat. But he decides not to ponder on that now, and goes back to enjoying the rest of his night.

 

[Bruynzeel]

Bruynzeel smiles, and watches as Estle takes the intoxicated Klaern up to her room, when he feels a hand on his shoulder. "She likes you Sai, your impressive and mysterious. Women love that. But this one has more than a passing fancy." he turns and Pours hands him a Juniper Ale. "Your right Pours, I share that interest as well but I fear what it will mean in the end. To bury another love." "Hush Sai, you forget the time from now til then only dwelling on the after. You have just as much right at a life as those you love."

They move to the table nearest the Bar all the patrons long gone. "Besides Sai if you were really as you protest you wouldn't care about us, your families, those you have adopted into your life as friends and confidants. You love but at a distance, passing through but if it wasn't for you this place and your other inns would not exist. They are havens for travelers of all races. You change the world without knowing it. Before you this place would probably only hold imperials, be boring and bland. You end prejudice where ever you go. Slowly surely, you change minds by loving people, all people. Do you think Estle and I would have had the courage to marry if it hadn't been for adventuring with you and then when we were done and wanted to settle down and run an inn you set us up here."

Bruynzeel looks deeply at Pours, "Son, you earned the right to be here, I do love you. You and Estle are happy and the twins are beautiful you make me happy by being happy." "And even though we love you Grandfather each visit til this one has been sad, you alone, never staying long in one place and never letting someone inside because of past pains." "Pours how did you get to be so wise?" "Sai, I had a good teacher."

 

[melancholytears]

Upon waking, Klaern is well rested and not feeling even the slightest of a hangover, as elderberry wine rarely makes a wood elf ill unless consumed non stop for hours on end and in extremely large quantities, which Klaern did not. She stretches and readies herself for a day of travel, freshening up and then coming down to the inn's main dining area.

Although it isn't as packed as the night before, there are tables of people of all types enjoying breakfast and talk before their own travel takes them to their own destinations. The Orc from before is already seated in the dining area. He doesn't appear out of sorts even after all the ale he had consumed the night before.

Noticing that the twins were playing at their table Klaern smiles to them. The more outspoken twin asks, "Are you gonna take my Grandpa away today? Cuz I don't like you if you're doing that." The young girl looks on the verge of tears and Klaern feels for the young girl, she goes to them and kneels down to be eye level with them, "Your Grandpa will come back. You know, he travels a lot, but I am sure he likes it best when he comes in to this inn to see both of you. He loves you. Now, no pouting, and no tears! Let's make him smile today so when he is out on the road he can smile remembering you both being happy, ok?" Both of the children nod and then the outspoken one, whose name is Nariel, "I'm sorry. I do like you. And I want to make Grandpa smile!" Standing, Klaern gives the children a soft smile of her own, "I'm glad. Be good now girls and remember to smile." With that, Klaern turns and finds her spot near the fire and takes a seat hearing Pours and Bruynzeel laughing together and approaching from the kitchen.

 

[Bruynzeel]

"That is nasty, Pours, the dirtiest joke I have ever heard. That sir is saying something." Brunyzeel quips and laughs with Pours "Well Sai, then I know it's good if even your jaded ears have never heard it." "Look told you she would be sitting next to the fire, Tell Estle we are ready for breakfast. Send me Nariel and Aster, I have gifts." Puts two fur dolls on the table. "Those look adorable I am sure they will love them."

"Good Morning Klaern, you look refreshed. Glad to know you have no ill effects of the previous night. Though it was Elderberry wasn't it?" The question rhetorical he continues. "Today should be easy we will travel with the Khajiit caravan to Chorral. I already arraigned that and a tent for tonight."

Just then the twins show up squealing and happy "Babydolls! Look what I have for you!" He holds up the dolls they both are made of ermine and have hand stitched tiger stripes on them. "These are little Bru's, they are here to keep you safe when I cannot be here." The two girls snatch them up start to walk away giggling and squealing when Aster turns and runs back giving him a hug. Soon joined by Nariel. In unison, "Thank you Grandpa Bru, Thank you." Then Estle walks up with their food. Sunnyside up eggs and bacon with hashbrowns for Bruynzeel, fresh cantaloupe, and moon melon, and a rare treat grapefruit. She also sets down a pitcher of apple juice. Then ushers away the munchkins. Pours comes back to the table and leaves a carafe of coffee.

 

[melancholytears]

"Good morning to you too, Bruynzeel." Klaern's bright eyes shine and sparkle, loving seeing him so relaxed and happy. And the dolls- what a grand kindness, Klaern's own heart gushes with happiness over such a thoughtful and personal gift to these children. When Nariel and Aster come to collect their treasures and give love to their Grandpa, Klaern is so touched, she is nearly brought to tears of joy.

After the gift giving and hugs are over, breakfast begins and is once again catered to her own tastes with a delightful treat thrown in, grapefruit! Klaern loves grapefruit but it is an exotic food for her own lands and therefore treasured even more when acquired. She thanks Estle for breakfast and the Pours brings the coffee and she thanks him too.

She and Bruynzeel begin their breakfast, "It will be interesting traveling with the Khajiit caravan. Thank you for setting that up for us Bruynzeel. It's going to rain later tonight, the tent will be a nice retreat from the weather." Klaern looks thoughtfully at the Khajiit across from her at the table, thinking of Bru's extended family here, "I am glad you stopped here. You look like you needed to visit these kind people. And I am better for meeting them as well."

Taking a drink of her juice and watching as Bruynzeel pours them both a mug of coffee, "I've already readied my pack and will be ready to travel whenever the caravan is ready to depart." She says conversationally, then "Bruynzeel, I've never looked forward to travel as much as I am now. I have thought of question for today, but will ask it later, while we travel." She smiles and takes a sip of the coffee, enjoying it's warmth and rich flavor. "A lady could get used to all these special treats you know, you're spoiling me."

 

[Antman54]

Shelakh awakens the next morning underneath the table he was occupying the night before. "Ugh, guess I had a few to many" he says to himself while climbing back into his seat. He noticed that the dining room was already occupied with some patrons, "Nobody wants to mess with the orc on the floor!" he exclaims out loud, laughing at his own stale joke, as if he was actually saying this to somebody in the room. He shakes his dreads out of his face and notices the young wood elf from the night before. It might have been the ale still in his system talking, but the Wood Elf seemed considerately more attractive then what he saw last night. Not thinking much on it, he orders his breakfast, two rabbit legs, one sweet roll, and one cup of ale to drown it down, his favorite. After breakfast he heads back to the room he needlessly paid for to get ready for his trip home. He changes into some fresh fur armor but decides to leave the shirt off, puts on two leather bracers, equips his orcish great sword on his back, and ties his dreads back to keep them out of his face. The Argonian bar keep thanks Shelakh for his patronage, but Shelakh merely nods his head without even looking in the Argonians direction. On his way to the door, he accidentally bumps into the white Khajiit, who performed the previous night, while he was eating breakfast with his Wood Elf companion, but doesn’t even acknowledge him as he still walks for the exit.

 

[Bruynzeel]

"Speaking of which, the caravan. I umm" He pauses smirks and restarts "The caravan, right... We are not travelling with the greater portion we are travelling with the younger brother of the caravans leader. Because he knows me and I won't have to talk like everyone else. Which could be difficult to carry on for a couple days." Takes a drink of his coffee, "Oh this is not spoiling you this is what I drink and I am glad you like it but this is what we will have anytime it is available."

He makes a sweeping gesture about the room "I was headed here anyway. I stop here every trip to the border of Elsywer and back. They are like family but then I have lots of friends like this throughout the world." Sweep a hand at himself. "Bard after all, pays to know the inn keepers." And he winks hoping the charade works he is not prepared for anyone to know his extensive network of houses and contacts.

The Inns that he owns and essentially lets friends and their family run. In exchange for rumors and info. A person can glean a good deal of information just by knowing who and how many and how often people travel. Refugees, to merchants, to military, drunks talk and so do travelers. Working for the Blades had it advantages back in the day. Now they were fairly gone, just a handful really. But his network was there should the need ever arise for it.

While he is doing his grand sweeping gesture a surely Orc bumps into him on his way to the door. Bruynzeel fumes slightly at the lack of respect, but lets it pass as the Orc is very young and brash younglings deserve some consideration.

He continues with Klaern, "We will in our travels meet many more inn keepers that I know."

 

[melancholytears]

Catching on to Bruynzeel's need to appear like as if he were simply a passing bard, Klaern nods once and takes another sip of her coffee. "Oh, I never considered the fact that you would need to try to speak like your Khajiit brothers and sisters. I am sorry, but glad that you arranged it that way." Whispering to him conspiratorial sounding but not wanting to seem mean or rude, "I like that you speak as you do." In her head she admonished herself for possibly sounding as if she made another social faux pas because she doesn't understand Khajiit culture and lifestyle, she doesn't dislike them. Personally, Klaern didn't approve of racism in any form even from other Bosmers. She quickly apologizes, "I am sorry, that comment was probably inappropriate and my heart isn't that way. At any rate, this suits me too. I would prefer to have time to tell you tales of our village and ask you my own question." She reminded him. Jokingly, "So, I can ask you ANYTHING and you will always answer truthfully Bruynzeel?" Making her upcoming question seem obscene which was her intention. She winks and giggles softly at the face he made for a fraction of a second, if the color could drain from him it would have as it was, his ears seemed to droop and whiskers twitched.

It was then that the same Orc Klaern had noticed from the night before and earlier before her meal bumped right into Bruynzeel. And another look passed quickly across his Khajiit features, one more menacing that he calmed down in an instant, but his ears had gone back and a show of fangs told Klaern he didn't appreciate the rudeness. Klaern watched as the Orc with his dreadlocks now tied back and a huge great sword on his back exited the inn. She wondered to herself where he was going. Wielding a sword that size would take a lot of strength, she thought but to master it would take a lot of skill.

Pushing those thoughts to the side, she saw Bruynzeel down his coffee and she finished hers and said, "I am ready when you are Bruynzeel, lead the way."

 

[Bruynzeel]

He gets up and Estle brings over his pack. "Estle, I am supposed to be like every other traveler." She looks at him sideways "Yeah right, I think that boat sailed ages ago Sai" She hugs him "Good travels Sai, You take care of this young lady. And come back to us soon." Bruynzeel smirks and says "Of course Estle my love, you take care of those sprouts and my man Pours Many Drinks."

Shouldering his gear, taking up his walking stick they head for the door. Out on the street the crowd is bustling the caravan had already started wagons laden with goods had already started out and the road was fairly packed. They travel parallel to the wagon train sharing the side path with the other loose travelers.

As Bruynzeel looks for the party they will be travelling with they talk. "I find it easier to blend when closer to Elyswer, the further we get from my homelands the less I will have to worry about fitting in." Then he spies the Caravan leaders brother his College of Winterhold robes giving him away. As they approach he taps the young Khajiit on the shoulder he turns recognizes Bruynzeel and kneels. "Dro'Bruynzeel, you honor this one with your presence. When this one heard he would be travelling with the all father. He whimpered as a kit." "Stand you fool, and silence that all father stuff do you want everyone to know?" Then presenting Klaern "Ja'Zago of Winterhold may I present Klaern Willowwind."

 

[Antman54]

Shelakh walks out the blue moon inn, the area outside was bustling with people, trying to get last minute wares from the caravan that would be leaving soon. Their was a khajiit among the caravan, with black fur, wearing a brown robe and a hood to cover his face, that Shelakh approaches. "Do you have my goods?" the orc asks. "Right here" the khajiit says slyly, pulling out four small purple bottles. Shelakh grabs all four and puts them into his own bag. "Thank you for your business" the khajiit sneers.
"I have a proposition for you as well"
"What is it?"
"This caravan could use some more protection, more specifically, I do. Travel with us for a couple days an there's more bottles were that comes from"


Shelakh ponders this propositions for a moment. "Well I am traveling north....you have a deal", and the two shake hands on the agreement. Shelakh dismisses himself to speak to a couple other merchant within the caravan to stack up on supplies that he may need for the journey ahead.

 

[melancholytears]

"Well met, Ja'Zago of Winterhold." Klaern says and makes a small bow to him. "Thank you for having us." She says to him with appreciation apparent on her expressive face. She wishes to put him at ease with her and to let him know that respect and appreciation are given openly when earned.

She takes note of the robes, not knowing their meaning, but finding it a different style than the rest of the Khajiit around them. As they meander through the crowd and toward the back of the caravan, Klaern thinks she spots that same Orc from before doing business with one of the Khajiit vendors. Yes, she is certain it is him, the dreadlocks tied back and the great sword on his back. Klaern, clears her throat and bumps into Bruynzeel gently with her hip, "Oh I am sorry." She says and catches his eyes and nods in the direction of the Orc. "I want to talk later, maybe when I ask my question." she says in a normal tone, then whispers under her breath, "Remember that Orc." They continue on to take up positions that are further way from the main caravan.

As the trip begins, Klaern is distracted at first from the activity around them. She is used to a bustling village area but this caravan is different somehow. It is similar to a song where more voices add to the crescendo and bring it all together in a magical treat for the heart and ears. Everyone was bustling and yet all seemed to know where they should be and it enchanted the wood elf. But as they move toward their actual positioning, it all thins out and is much more relaxed.

Wanting to pass some time, Klaern tells Bruynzeel the tale of Pawlien, the Wild, who was a village legend. She tells the tale with sadness in her voice, "He was afflicted by phases of the moon and would go out in the woods and hunt like a wild animal during the full moon, returning to the village with blood all over him. No one would cross him, as he was volatile towards others until the new moon. One day, he didn't come back. It is rumored that a Dire Bear got him. But whatever the reason, his children and wife were quite torn about his absence." Klaern stops speaking for a few moments. She finds this story sad because she knows what it is like to be without a loved one, especially when you are young. She shakes away the sadness by changing the subject.

"So Bruynzeel, are you ready for my question... well here is what I wish to ask today, Do you have any siblings?"

Then with a quiet tone, "Did you recognize that Orc - he was at the Inn and now he was here... I don't know any Orcs myself."

 

[Antman54]

As the caravan prepares to leave, Shelakh meets up with his shady Khajiit employer. The two walk together to their positions away from the main part of the caravan. "About our business arrangement" starts the Khajiit, "For every day you stay, I will give you a extra bottle"
Shelakh knew he would need to take a different path in about a day or two "Make it two bottles, and you have my protection"
"Hmm, I suppose i could do that. You drive a hard bargain"

The Khajiit breaks his pace and begins talking to another Khajiit within the caravan in their native tongue, leaving Shelakh to walk by himself momentarily. As the caravan continues to move, the Orc takes in his surrounding. The warm air, the slight breeze, and the sun in the sky, "It's a good day to be traveling" he murmurs to himself reminiscing the Skyrim weather. He missed the cold chill of his homeland. Shelakh looked ahead onto the current path and notices the Wood Elf and Khajiit, from the night before, not to far from where he was. He sees the young Wood Elf, look at him and whisper to her Khajiit companion, and flashes her a look of contempt

 

[Bruynzeel]

Bruynzeel, relaxes as Ja'Zago steps away and conducts some business with a nearby seller. Purchasing some magical components and looking over some empty soul gems.

Klaern starts conversing with him brings him back from his apprehensive distraction. "He was most likely a follower of Hercine, the God of the hunt, or werewolf god. I have known several of his followers, who struggled with his mixed blessing and curse. Without knowing the Elf I have no idea if he enjoyed or was destroyed by his Moon madness, His families loss is tragic but may have been a blessing if he had failed to control his struggle he just as easily could have been their end. I believe it a good tale if told at the right time to the right crowd." Also remembering a group up in Skyrim that embraced the gift using it to both hunt and to hunt down those doing wrong. Their extra strength and healing allowing them to take on great foes. Similar to his own.

Then Bruynzeel nose twitches as he catches a whiff of the bane of Khajiits, skooma and its raw form moonsugar. Bruynzeel hated the stuff, he hated the weakness of mind its addiction contributed, he hated the reputation it gave his race in all of Tamriel and if he had his way it's trafficking would end.
He starts looking around for the culprits carrying this plague to the rest of the world from his homelands. The characteristic mutterings, and twitching usually give them away.

When Klaern playfully reminds him of the daily question then mutters under her breath about the Orc from this morning and the night before. "It is not uncommon to see the same travelers so often in the span of a few days when not moving yet. I am sure someone has probably hired the scrappy Orc as added muscle or security." But as he says that the scowl the Orc flashes angers Bruynzeel who snarls and bares his teeth. Staring back at the young brash Orc. Not stopping his own scowl til the Orc turns away. The two of them almost equal in size Bruynzeel maybe a hand shorter but a fair bit broader. The only thing keeping Bruynzeel from demanding respect from the Orc was the desire not to anger the caravan leaders and to keep the peace so close to his own inn.

As he is staring at the Orc he recognizes the look of a couple of skooma trafficers and the orc looks to be dogging their side so he must be their security. He huffs a derisive sigh thinking the orc again the weaker for his possible addiction and his obvious lack of good judgement on company kept.

To force him not to anger himself or this Orc further he turns and concentrates on the days travel, and the coming adventures instead. "I am ready for your question whenever you wish to pose it. I think I was distracted when you last asked it."

 

[melancholytears]

Klaern notices Bruynzeel's distraction and no one near so near him would have missed his low snarl and stare int he direction of the Orc. Klaern tenses. She knows those rippling muscles of his were ready to jump into action if he were the least provoked in this moment. Looking to the Orc to see his own teeth bared, the wood elf knows it will be Bruynzeel's own self control that will save a fight from happening and not knowing Bruynzeel for very long herself, she isn't sure how long that Orc will have to turn away. Luckily, he does and Bruynzeel's tenseness subsides and Klaern lets out her breath that she hadn't realized she had been holding.

Hearing his question about her own, "Oh, I was just wondering if you had any siblings." Her eyes then meet his, wanting to make sure everything was alright for now. She sees his annoyance but nothing that looks terribly worrisome, at least not for now. Klaern relaxes further and walks beside this strong Khajiit, waiting to hear tales of his youth.

 

[Bruynzeel]

Bruynzeel, unsure he was ready for this one. "I do, I have a brother our parents long past. We sometimes meet in my travels. He is as strange as I only in a different way. He is supposed to be in Skyrim wandering around last I heard." His actual thoughts wander off to times past, other crossings.

A scene of the night he left strong in his mind.

Mentally he ethereally walks up and turns to what looks like a painting of 4 Khajiits in a tent. Oppulent trappings of wealth are everywhere. Bruynzeel in his youth, M'aiq in his youth, a female Khajiit and an old and tired male. As they enter the painting their presence goes unnoticed. And the scene becomes real.

Bruynzeel in the memory says "But father, I wish to hunt and explore, not to lead our clan in future business dealings." "Silence, your insolence is not appreciated.""Father? I would lead." "No second son, that is not your path." M'iaq and the female exchange hurt glances, its obvious to all but the old man that it was they who were in love. "But father he would be so good at it. His trade deals with the argonians, and the redguard are what paid for all this." His father booms "You are the one betroved to clan Sha'Racii. Ah'Peni is to be your bride not M'aiq's." Bruynzeel and the two lovers look heart fallen. "I will hear no more on it."
The three leave in silence. Bruynzeel thoughts."Regardless of his wishes, I am leaving. Let M'iaq have her and the clan... Father never understood my gift anyway. Always telling me I had to live a normal life. Not understanding the need for adventure and thrill of new people is the only thing I love."
The memory fast forwards through time and it is just after nightfall. We see Bruynzeel in cheap leathers, with only a bow and a few meager arrows. His pack crooked on his back approaching the outer defenses of the rather large camp. In a quiet and darker than normal spot. He nears a guard. The guard looks nervous "Quickly the next patrol is due anytime now, I will cover your tracks and distract them til you make it over that dune." Bruynzeel hands the guard 3 septims and a note. "Take these for your trouble, and deliver this in the morning saying you found it on the other side of the camp in the sand." "Of course my lord." and we watch Bruynzeel race over the dunes til he is too tired to carry on. Never looking back only forward... ever forward.

It was only during the Akaveri invasion when he again saw his brother where he learned of the true tragedy of Ah'Peni committing suicide in face of the shame of his abandoned betrothal. His brothers devastation and a shared night of sorrow and forgiveness which eventually lead to their curse with Clavious Vile.

The scene fades as does the ethereal realm. Returning his concentration to reality he continues barely anytime having expired. "We may run into him." smirks "He is rather fun to talk too. Has a bit of a reputation for it."

 

[melancholytears]

As they walk side by side, she listens and glaces to his face from time to time. Noticing his distant gaze after he speaks the first time and the silence that follows, she looks to the dusty trail not wanting to interfere with his thoughts. She knows he will share more with her when and if he deems her worthy of more.

Klaern not getting the references beyond what he is giving her openly, she is taking what he is saying at face value, says, "It must be nice having a sibling. I have none. I do hope we run into him. I am sure it would be a good reunion for you."

The wood elf adjusts her pack on her shoulder looking to the sky. "The weather is fine for now. But I can feel the heaviness of a storm brewing somewhere close." She says offhandedly. She had always had a gift for weather predicting, especially storms.

It was at that moment when one of the Khajiit vendors in the caravan in front of them yelled at a couple of younger, scrappy looking Khajiit . the angry words passed between them sounded more like growls and snarls exchanged quickly and ended just as fast. The exchange had made the elf twitch just a bit, and anyone looking at her expressive face would have seen panic flash across her eyes, like storm clouds of their own, for just the briefest of moments before she controlled that emotion. She doesn't comment on the exchange, she just tries to get used to having that be part of the usual every day happenstance.

Every now and then Klaern would come across an herb of one kind or another and she would quickly collect them, being much more careful as she does so now, understanding that she must not put any of them in danger over her herb pouch again. The chances of an animal hiding so close to this caravan was not very high- too much noise often frightens off even the most fierce animals. Her thoughts were of this Khajiit, wondering about his life, but not wishing to overstep her bounds again, she wondered what life was like for him. She only lived a fairly quiet life in their village, being trained in healing and learning to become an expert herbalist.

Although she had others around her, Klaern herself led a pretty solitary life. She craved some excitement, something new and this mysterious and handsome Khajiit offered both and more.

As morning gave way to midday, Klaern sang a soft song of the seasons, the way her mother used to sing it to her. It always felt sad to her Klaern when winter's verse came and she even shed tears with the mournful lyrics in her native tongue, "Hriveelle ringwe ndengina thanga yassen templa lye garlli." ('The winter's hold curses us all to death.') The song ends there. For it is one of the few elven songs to end in this way, but it is meant to- all things end. That is just the way of things. Klaern felt it appropriate as her journey was one of a deathbed wish given by her father and although she has a lot to think about, her loss is still fresh and from time to time, she wishes for a moment of remembrance.

 

[Antman54]

Shelakhs attention turns from the young wood elf to her kahjiit companion who was flashing his fangs at the orc in anger. Shelakh met his eyes and gave him a look meant to intimidate back at him, showing his prominent bottom tusks. The orc was sizing up the khajiit with half a mind to approach him, but ultimately decides to turn away from him, due to not wanting to bring unwanted attention to himself, or his employers.


As the day progresses, the young orc keeps to himself, and focuses on the road ahead. He stares off into the distance, his face stern as stone, reminiscing about the day that he was sent away from his stronghold. The chief, Bagul, used treachery to send Shelakh away, by framing Shelakh for the death of another orc within the stronghold. Bagul was a strong orc with no honor, and if things had gone his way, Shealkhs head would have been rolling on the ground 8 years ago. Thankfully, Shelakh had many friends within the stronghold, and was able to escape before Bagul could get to him.


Shelakh could feel his body temperature rising as he thought about the past, but he felt trickles of water on his face which snapped him out of his thoughts. He looks to the sky and notices the dark clouds brewing. “I got a bad feeling of things to come” he whispers to himself.