I love them, your honor.
Day 23 Explore:
The terrain of Skyrim is quite different from that of High Rock, with the exception of a few places like The Reach, which still hosts an indigenous Breton-like population of Reachmen. However, the unique, if cold, climate makes it perfect for exploring. What makes it perhaps even better is having a companion who is naturally resistant to the cold and knows at the very least the local area. “I need your help with something.” I tell Farkas, walking up to him in the yard one day. Typically people tend to go to Aela with requests for help, or if they want to know something and are alright with a bit of an infodump on certain topics will go see his brother. As a result, I think I confused him a little as he looks up from sharpening his sword. “If it's a contract question ask Skjor, if its history ask Vilkas, if it's anything else ask Aela…unless it’s cleaning, then ask Tilma.” He explains and attempts to go back to his task “But my question is for you.” His shoulders visibly droop “Fine. What's the question?” That’s an improvement. “I need to go to Windhelm for something, I was wondering if you could come with me and on the way we could perhaps explore a bit.” Seeing the question was not overly important, or really not important at all seems to have taken a weight off his shoulders. “You want me to come with you? Like an escort?” I laugh slightly and shake my head “No, as a friend. You know this terrain much better than I do, and going somewhere is always more fun with someone else coming along…” I trail off toward the end, but he agrees to come with me. After a bit of preparation to figure out the best direction we decide to go a route I have not taken before, but I’m reassured that it's one the twins and Aela use frequently when they wind up in Eastmarch. The two of us exit the city and begin the same way I came here from, but then we turn left at the crossroads. “Isn’t Windhelm the other way?” I ask and get a nod in reply “This road will cut through some mountains in a little while and change direction, you’ll see.” Well, I’m glad I decided to wear layers.
This road is an example of how quickly the terrain can change, just minutes ago we were in the temperate grasslands with a few farms dotted here and there where I was able to wander around while we walked and find quite a number of native flora that will be useful for alchemy and now the weather has become colder, with grass being traded for snow covered evergreen trees. I’m told that things will only get colder from here, and the closer to Windhelm we get it will become snowier. At one point while walking along, exploring things close to the road as we walk we stumble upon a peculiar sort of shrine, it turns out ice wraiths were nearby- but between a greatsword and fire based magic they are dealt with fairly easily. “Please tell me those things don’t show up very much.” I say, catching my breath for a moment and am met with a shrug “I don’t encounter them often?” Farkas offers as a reply, that’s fair, I suppose. In the scheme of things we make good time when it comes to traveling the distance we need to, accounting time spent for rests, meals, and the occasional snowball fight, the city comes into view- Farkas was right, it is quite cold here. Crossing the river I look over the side of the bridge “Wouldn’t want to fall in there…” I murmur, staring at the chunks of ice that float under the bridge “Yeah, you’d probably die.” I hear murmured back, along with something else I can’t quite make out, though it sounds like “And I would miss you if that happened.” I think about asking for the latter part to be repeated but decide not to, I probably misheard it. As we get close to the city I see a shrine of Talos on a hill and decide to go climb up and see what's there, a couple of books, a bowl, and some gold. Quietly I pocket the gold and other valuable items and return down the hill. “I wouldn’t mention that to anyone in the city if I were you.” Farkas warns me casually, but he doesn’t seem to care himself. As we approach the gate a guard mutters something about an Arentino boy who is up to no good, perhaps I’ll have to pay him a visit. Windhelm from the outside looks interesting, I wonder what it’s like inside. The guards open the door for us and almost immediately I’m faced with more stone, black ice, and snow than I’ve ever seen in a concentrated area, and raised voices come to my attention. A man stands yelling at a dunmer woman about something involving spying, I quickly look at Farkas who gives me a silent look that says “if you do something I won’t stop you but the guards might.” and go up to the arguing duo to see what's the matter, eventually the man stomps off and the woman thanks me for my assistance before going the opposite way. “You have now encountered one of the many reasons I hate Windhelm.” Farkas says to me, cautiously watching the man from earlier who has been standing by a fire nearby for some time. “Is it bad I’m curious to know the other reasons now?” I ask and get a sigh “Wouldn’t expect anything else.” I am by nature curious, what can I say? “Come on, unless that thing you’re here for is time sensitive we can explore for a bit.” Farkas takes my hand, and his is surprisingly warm given the air temperature, and leads me off toward the market. I guess a bit of exploring never hurt anybody…
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