Lost In The Storm (Everan)

 Prompt: Lost in the storm

Why I ever agreed to take a job that would bring me to the snowy northern mountains of Skyrim is beyond me, even if it’s to help scout for The Blades. Oh how I wish I could be back at home in the sun and warmth of Summerset in spring! Instead I trudge, muttering to myself, ever on and on through the snow- lost in the storm. Will I die from hypothermia in this accursed country? I’m lost! I am absolutely and completely lost! Attempts to look at the map are futile with the biting winds and swirling snow, and so I abandon my mission for the meantime in search of some form of shelter, even if it may be a cave infested with bandits…or worse. After some blind stumbling through the snow I come across a cave mouth, and find it occupied only by a few bandits too tired to put up much of a fight. A pacify spell keeps them calm enough to let me rest and wait out the storm with them. Night falls quickly in this frozen wasteland even in spring. By the time morning comes the snow and wind have lightened a bit, enough to continue my journey. The only problem is I remain lost. The bandits are of little help so I decide to hurry along before the spell wears off and they turn hostile once more. I don’t seem to be all that far from where it is I’m supposed to be scouting out, though I have no idea which direction I’m supposed to go in. The storm has covered any tracks that could serve as clues. I look at a few of the trees dotting the mountains looking for any sort of landmark that could help, and while they prove unhelpful I do notice something that could prove very useful. From behind one of the snow covered trees the figure of a little girl holding a lantern pokes her head out and beckons me to follow, beginning to walk away. I attempt to run to catch up to her as she stops every so often and turns toward me, holding up her lantern as if to look to make sure I’m following. “I’m coming, I’m coming.” I pant as I scramble through the heavy snow, and get an understanding smile in return before she turns again and continues walking, almost floating above the snow. Tiny footprints seem to disappear at a moment's notice. Eventually I’m led to a large compound high in the mountains surrounded by high walls and metal fencing. I go to say thank you, as I had not summoned an ancestral spirit, though I find nobody to be there when I turn to either side. The wind is beginning to pick up again, I need to find somewhere to shelter for the night. Perhaps even within the compound, if I can find a way in. So long as I am not once again lost in the storm.