Work Text:
Making Friends
Dare: 14th of Last Seed; Falkreath
"So, what brings you to Skyrim?" Valga asked, pouring me a measure of her 'special.' It smells like that awful stuff the Aurorans like to drink back home. I'm sure with my constitution it can't hurt me... I hope. Lifting the glass, I nodded to the woman behind the counter and knocked it back while I tried to decide how to answer her question.
The liquor burned a trail down my throat and my eyes watered with my effort to keep a cough back. "Potent." I managed, trying not to glare at the slight smile on her face. "As to what brought me here..." I considered it, toying with the edge of one of my gauntlets and opted to go for a lesser truth. "My grandmother decided it was past time for me to make my own name. So, she kicked me out."
"That's rough." Valga said sympathetically, pouring more alcohol into the glass.
"I shouldn't be surprised." I responded. "I did make her particularly angry with a few of my more recent actions." No grandmother, I am not going to murder my half-brother. Even if he is a bloody vampire who has somehow managed to avoid the various purges over the years.
"What did you do? Break the family crystal?" She teased.
"Oh, the usual. Didn't pick up after myself. Made a mess of the training hall. So, I'm off to learn maturity." At several centuries old technically. I think. Father always said that time works vastly differently in the Daedric Realms.
She laughed, a sharp mirthless sound. "Well, you couldn't have chosen a worse place for it. Skyrim's not exactly peaceful right now."
"I noticed that." I responded, downing the second glass. "Thanks for the liquor. I think I'll wander the town a bit until it heads toward dark."
"Don't worry. I won't rent out your bed."
Didn't realize I should worry about that. Skyrim is proving to be educational already. "I appreciate it."
Moving toward the door, I nearly collided with another Imperial woman. "My apologies." I started, helping her right herself.
She gave me a frantic look. "Can you help me? Please?"
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, it's so silly, but I can't. I lost an heirloom in the grass just out back. I really could use some help finding it."
"Be leery. Of anyone asking for your help. But help as many as you can." My mother's voice echoed in my head, and I considered the woman in front of me as my father's answer to that wisdom followed on its heels.
"Ah, don't listen to your mother. Long as you've kept up your training, you'll be safe."
"Dare will not be invulnerable when they leave these realms." Mother's answer was always tart but I suspected it would come into play more as I wandered Skyrim. So, help but don't be stupid about it. Got it.
"If you're too busy..."
"No. I can help. Lead the way."
"Oh, thank you, thank you!" Opening the door, she held it for me, gesturing for me to follow.
"How did you manage to lose it?" I asked, studying the thick grass behind the inn, hearing the distant rumble of thunder. It rains a lot here. I'll have to keep a close eye on my gear.
"I put it in my basket to collect chicken eggs and I almost grabbed a bee by mistake." She responded. "I was so startled by the sudden buzzing in my face that I completely dropped the basket. But when I picked the basket back up, I noticed the ring was gone."
"Where did you drop the basket?" I wondered, looking around for chicken nests, suspicion tickling my spine just as a blow hit the back of my head and I crumpled.
"Sorry about that." She said and I grimaced, trying to get my limbs to obey me while she searched through my pouch. "Wow you have a lot of crystals in here. There we are!"
Grumbling under my breath, pushing up in time to see her reach the edge of the inn I bolted after her. So much for not being Stupid about it. I will tackle you to the ground if I have to. Damned thief.
Tearing around the corner, I pounded toward the gate, dodging foot traffic easily, ignoring the curious shouts behind me.
Coming out the gate, I slowed, reaching a hand up toward my sword when I spotted her coming to a rapid halt. Turning, she went pale when she saw me but after glancing again over her shoulder, she trotted back my way.
"Heeeeyyyyy. Sorry about that. It was all just a misunderstanding... right?" She asked, blinking her eyes rapidly.
Frowning, I peered past her to see a small group of Falkreath guards headed our way. I see.
I looked up at her, eye tracking down to the pouch in her hand and held my hand out, resting the other on my hip. "You're standing right here and waiting until I've counted every last coin." I told her, meeting her grimace with a grin. "And, you're telling me your name."
"Alright, you've earned that much I suppose." She agreed, waiting a beat until the guards had finished passing us. "Arissa Acies Aufero, pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Are you?" I countered, studying the coins in my pouch, getting a general count, making sure it looked like I was counting each individually.
"Hard not to be impressed by someone who can run as fast as you in that kind of armor." She frowned. "So, uh... what do you do? Are you some kind of adventurer?"
"Of sorts." I responded, settling my coin purse back in my pouch. "I don't suppose you'd be wanting to earn some of that coin in a less underhand manner?"
"Oh? Maybe. What did you have in mind?"
"I could use a traveling companion, if not a guide."
"If you want some more muscle on your side, you want a mercenary." She suggested.
"No. If I wanted to travel with someone who'd defer to my judgement, I'd get a dog. You're perfect though as I'm willing to bet you can spot other schemers quicker than I can."
"Huh. I suppose I could be persuaded. Can you use that blade on your back or is it for determent only?"
"I use magic and blade." And crystal, though I'll not be advertising that. Mother said to be very careful who I told of my connections.
"So, do I need to do something to earn your name? Or will you tell me straight up?"
"My name is Dare."
"You're kidding me."
I frowned. "No."
"What kind of a parent names their child Dare? That's just askin' for trouble."
"Not that it's really your business but I named myself." I responded.
"Huh. Why?"
"Because my old name didn't fit me, alright?" I grumbled, trying to ignore the prickles of irritation under my skin.
"I s'pose." She said, yelping as I did when a bolt of lightning struck a tree near the corner of the road, robbing the vision from my good eye momentarily.
I hadn't even noticed the storm getting closer! Turning, I moved back toward the inn, not terribly surprised when Arissa darted past me.
The rain caught me just before the inn and I sighed heavily when I stepped inside, lifting an arm to examine the shining metal. Drat.
"Downpours are common round here." Arissa said cheerfully, dropping a rough towel on my head, giggling when it caught on an antler, the giggle fading away when my hair shifted, and I knew she could see the cracks on the broken one. "I didn't realize the antlers were part of you. I thought they were decoration."
"For many they are." I responded, opting not to attempt a better explanation, drying what I could before heading toward my room, my temper fraying, certain I knew what the next question would be and not wanting to deal with it.
Passing a blond man, I hesitated when he spoke.
"Excuse me madam."
Narrowing my eyes, old scar tissue protesting the movement, I glared at him.
"Sir?" He cringed. "Um, Your Noble Presence?"
My irritation soothed just a touch and I relaxed my face. "What can I do for you?"
"Ah, really? I mean, thank you. My name is Lucien Flavius. I'm a..."
He trailed off when I lifted a hand. "My armor is soggy, and I want to lay it out. Please. Get to the point."
"So, come right out and say it? I... need a guide, someone who can show me around Skyrim and most importantly, keep me from dying."
I gave him as sympathetic a smile as I could muster. "You're asking the wrong person then I'm afraid. I'm new to Skyrim."
"Oh." He frowned. "But you are a traveler, yes?"
"I am."
"So... I don't suppose I might still tag along? I'd reimburse you of course! And if we come across something that enhances my research, I'd pay you for that as well."
I bit off my initial comment. Do not say, in a room full of strangers, that you don't need money. It shouldn't take having a thief as a parent to teach you that's a bad idea but... I studied the young man in front of me. I was wrong. Wrong today even. I glanced at where Arissa was engaged in a laughing arm-wrestling match with the Bard. Perhaps I would do well to surround myself with people familiar with this time period and plane. Maybe this is what Grandmother wanted. I could see her trying to prove that free-will is wasted on mortals. But even meeting these two. Comparing them to Fennmir. And the innkeeper too. I'm not sure I'll learn what she hoped.
"We can discuss it on the road." I responded. "Merely give me a moment to change and I will introduce you to our traveling companion."
"Oh! That's a yes then?"
"Yes." I affirmed, reaching a hand out, amused by how quickly he shook it. "My name is Dare."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Dare. Lead on."
Laughing, I pushed him gently toward his chair. "You're eager to begin but..." A perfectly timed thunder clap deafened the inn and I rubbed at my ears ruefully. "Perhaps we ought to allow that to pass us by first."
"You got it boss."
I couldn't stop the small, bemused smile on my face as I headed toward my room. I am a terrible judge of character. I hope this won't come back to bite me.
Once in my room, I opened my pack, laying my armor out on the table and chair, resolving to apply a good layer of protective salve on it, pulling the salve out and studying it. I'm going to have to make more which means tracking down all the plants or replacements. Grumbling under my breath, I put it away, pulling my tunic and pants off, hesitating with hands over the linen wrapped around my chest, Lucien's 'excuse me madam' echoing in my head, bringing up old feelings of pain and resentment. Deciding that a damp band would be preferable to facing the scars, I pulled a fresh tunic over my head, pulling pants and a pair of soft boots from who knew when on, resting my hands on my thighs and telling myself to breathe. One... two... three... In... Out...
Wiping away the remnants of tears, I pulled hair further over my bad eye and stepped back into the taproom, locking the door behind me.
"Almost didn't recognize you." Arissa laughed when I approached. "Gold and red. You ever wear any other colors?"
"If the occasion calls for it." I responded, not bothering to point out that my pants and boots were brown as I sat down across from her. "Who won the arm wrestling?"
"Ah, Delacourt did, the bastard. I think he cheated. Or maybe I lost on purpose considering our terms."
"There will be someone else joining us. I hope that won't be a problem."
"The scholarly lad? Been waiting for a chance to fleece him." She sighed. "I suppose you'll not be letting me see just how much coin he's carrying?"
"No."
"He's just so obviously an easy mark." She complained. "It's hard to resist."
"How have you so far?" I asked curiously.
"It pays to ensure that the easy marks aren't traps for folk like me."
"What made me different?" I asked, absently noting that Lucien was heading our way.
"Your armor. I figured you for some sort of knight or something. That type rarely has the sense to keep some of their folk back to set traps."
"I understand your reasoning. My mother would applaud it. My father would act mortally offended."
"And what about you?" She asked, grinning at Lucien when he reached us. "Ah, the scholar. Pull up a chair. It's Lucien, right?"
I let her infectious chatter overtake the conversation, tracing whorls of wood with my fingertips, listening to what the scholar hoped to accomplish. Yes. A very good choice if I'm to learn the lay of this land and time.
Narri brought over mead, wine and more of Valga's special liquor, passing them out, sitting bowls of fragrant stew in front of us.
I studied mine, reminiscing of the times I'd sat with my mother over a bowl of purely meat stew and she'd explain how she'd adhered to the Green Pact before her death at the hands of Worm Cultists. How after she'd made her way back to Nirn, it was all she could do to survive.
"Sometimes sharing a vegetable stew with a small cluster of hastily gathered allies is the best we could do. And somehow, I don't think Y'ffre could begrudge me in those moments. But... I will admit, whenever I could get back to Valenwood. Eat the food I grew up with. Trod those paths..." As always, she'd go silent at that point, usually staring off into space, her bear, as immortal as she, stopping whatever he was doing to come over and nudge her face. "Immortality is a heavy burden little Cardinal. It's not something I'd wish for any of my children but my heart aches at the thought of losing you."
If Fennmir was there he'd always interject at that point, trying to get a laugh. "Is that why you had children with a sword and a vampire?" He would tease, his crimson eyes reflecting fire or moonlight, his fangs sharp as he laughed.
Shaking my head, I sighed, pulling myself out of my memories, realizing that Lucien was protesting something Arissa had said. Good. They didn't notice.
Dipping my spoon in the stew, I ate quietly.
"Ah, do you not adhere to the Green Pact?" Lucien asked.
"We are not in Valenwood." I responded. "Though I do admit I have a preference for meat." Lifting my glass, I downed the liquor, grimacing as it burned its way down my throat, no less potent than it had been earlier.
"Where were you raised then?"
I suppose that is a logical question. "I have lived a great many places." I hedged. "My mother was a traveler. We didn't stay in any single place for long." More accurately we visited a great many places. In a great many times but this is my first time... alone.
"What was your favorite place?" Arissa asked.
"Valenwood." I responded instantly. "I suppose that's not surprising considering my... appearance. But it's a beautiful place. Although, High Rock has some lovely wilderness. And the tomes of magic in the guilds there... I sighed. "Wonderful."
"I dabble in magic." Lucien said proudly. "I'm very much an amateur but it's quite fun seeing what I can do."
Images painfully burned in my head of mages who dabbled made me choke on my next bite of stew. "Well, perhaps we can see what we can do about your... dabbling as we travel."
"Perhaps we could." He agreed.
"We'll be starting out in the morning. So, I'm going to get some sleep." I said quietly, excusing myself from the table and slipping back to my room.
The melancholy that wrapped itself around my thoughts accompanied me into my bed and I sighed, staring up at the ceiling for a long moment before closing my eyes and willing sleep to take me.
Smoke choked my lungs and I coughed, scrambling over a smoldering chunk of stone, the earth shaking under my feet as I ran, searching for someone. A thunderous roar echoed above me, but I didn't spare it a glance, still trying to find Someone.
Thunder rumbled, waking me and I stared again at the ceiling. I will never understand this dream. Maybe I should've asked Grandmother about it before she kicked me out. Maybe she'd have an explanation for me. Sitting up, I stumbled around the dark room, dressing in linen and armor, swirling my cloak over my shoulders, resting the glass greatsword over it, feeling settled to have its weight.
Stepping into the taproom, I noted quickly that there were only two people awake. Well, awake didn't really describe the Nord who, based on the bottles around him, was slowly draining what was probably his twelfth bottle of mead. The other looked up as I entered, and his face brightened. Pushing away from the table he approached me with an easy smile and an envelope in his hand.
"I've been looking for you." He greeted. "Got something to deliver. Your hands only."
Taking the letter, I glanced down, recognizing the handwriting at a glance. "Looks like that's it." He said after a moment. "Got to go."
Moving to a table close enough to the remains of the fire to keep me warm, I opened the letter.
Daring Cardinal!
Mother got a message to me! You're finally in Nirn on your own!? I never thought I'd see the day! Thought your father would coddle you until the end of time.
I'm in Solitude. You should come see me. Just... try to avoid anyone dressed in silvers and blues. Those are Stormcloaks and they... tend not to like Mer. Also, avoid anyone wearing really heavy armor with maces and a glowing aura. Those are Vigilants of Stendarr and if they notice any Daedric symbols, they'll try to kill you.
Please. Come see me. I'm bored... but also wary. There's a weight in the air Cardinal. I don't know what it is. I can't quantify it and the Psijics aren't answering my repeated messages.
-Your devoted brother Fenn
Shaking my head, I pulled out some paper of my own.
Fenn;
You know I hate it when you call me Daring.
Solitude seems a good a place as any to wander.
Thank you for the warnings.
I shall see you relatively soon.
-Your sibling Dare
P.S. I've gained two Imperial traveling companions. Imperial as in from Cyrodiil, not as in part of the Legion.
Contenting myself with reading what the smirking General Goods store clerk had told me was a very well regarded book, I found myself frowning over it with each passing word. I can't claim to be enjoying this overmuch. It's not terrible but every Argonian I've met is smarter than this.
With a sigh, I put the book in my bag, pondering over it while watching Narri stoke the fire. "You're up early." She greeted. "Can I get you anything?"
"How much would it be to send a letter to Solitude?" I responded, passing the coin over when she gave me an answer, ordering a bit of egg and cheese while I waited for my companions.
They came in right before I finished, Arissa waving off an offer of food. "I'll eat at midday." She said dismissively. "I think best on an empty stomach and this time of day is when the most predators are out."
Nodding my understanding, I counted potions while we waited for Lucien to finish. "Robes, light armor or heavy armor?" I asked.
"Pardon?"
"Robes or armor?" I repeated.
"Do you really think I'll need some?" He responded, biting his lip.
I exchanged a glance with Arissa. "Light armor." We agreed. "You'll still be able to move but you'll be less likely to drop at the first arrow." I added, reaching a hand up to rest on his shoulder when he grimaced. "You'll be fine." I promised. "Let's get going."
17th of Last Seed
"Why are we hiding?" Lucien asked, his face pale with fear, his hands clutching his bow with white, creaking knuckles.
You'll never be able to fire a shot like that.
Crouching at the edge of the brush with Arissa, I watched the clash on the road ahead of us. The red cloaks of the Imperials made me think a bit uneasily of my own gear. Might be good to buy a more nondescript cloak for a while. Probably be a good idea to get a fur one, protect me from the cold.
"Check the tree line!" One of the Imperials called. "Make sure none broke away!"
Biting my lip, I moved back until I was level with Lucien. "Put your bow away." I hissed, grimacing when a sword tip lifted my chin.
"Only now you give that order?" A soft voice asked. "What would you have done if we hadn't called for the trees to be searched?"
"The same." Arissa said swiftly. "Please. We're not with the Stormcloaks. We're just travelers."
"In fact." Lucien chirped. "If anything, we're Imperial Loyalists! My mother is..." His voice was cut off with a thud and I hissed out a long breath between my teeth, reaching for my Conjuration magic with a thought, narrowing my good eye when the blade bit just a tiny bit harder into my neck, just enough that I felt it break skin.
"Up. Walk to the cart." He ordered.
Scowling, I moved as he'd ordered, noting that another soldier had Arissa's arm and a third had Lucien draped over his shoulder.
"General Tullius, Sir!" The soldier guiding me called. "I found these three in the brush. Figure if they weren't outside help for Ulfric, they're probably thieves."
"Well done." Their General said softly. "Split them up. One per cart and dump their gear with Hadvar."
"Yes Sir."
I wanted to protest losing my sword, feeling wrong without it. Frowning at the soldier who accepted it and my pack, I shook my head and allowed the soldier who'd taken them to bind my hands and lift me into the wagon alongside three men in silver and blue, one a gag stuffed in his mouth, all three with various shades of bruising.
"So, what are you?" One of them asked, giving me a small smile as the wagon began a laborious climb uphill. "Thief? Traveler?"
"Traveler." I responded quietly. "I was heading to Solitude to meet up with my brother. Half-brother."
"Were you planning to join them?" He asked, jerking his head toward the soldier driving the cart.
"No. I have things I planned to achieve and joining an army makes it difficult."
"Well, you're going to die with part of an army. Pity, yeah?"
I shrugged a shoulder while the dark haired man in the cart let out a small whimper. "It's all their fault." He whispered. "All their fault that the ambush happened. That the Imperials are more vigilant..." He trailed off, slumping against the side of the cart.
"Horse thief." The talkative Stormcloak explained. "Were you coming here from Valenwood?"
"That would be quite a journey." I responded. "No..." I considered the map of this area in my head quickly. "Hammerfell. I was working there when my brother sent me a message asking me for assistance."
"That was quite a sword you had. Where'd you get it?"
"It was a gift from my father." I responded honestly, feeling its absence like an impacted tooth. "He worried I'd run into undead and enchanted it, so I'd be able to face them."
"Did he expect you to be delving into ruins?"
I shrugged a shoulder. "I delved a time or two in Cyrodiil. It was the only thing that could touch the ghosts there."
The final prisoner shook his head, giving me a narrow eyed look. I ignored it, focusing my eye on the Nord talking to me.
"That how your eye got messed up? Delving?"
"No. I tangled with a Lurcher that someone had thought they could bring into a city with none being the wiser."
"A lurcher?"
I frowned, trying to think about how better to describe it. "Think spriggan but larger." I decided.
"And it only took your eye?"
And a bit of my antler and I'm sure there are scars under my hair. "I was lucky. And my mother and brother were with me. They're the best archers I've ever seen."
"Do you regret that you're going to die here? In an execution?" He asked, ignoring the driver when he heaved a loud sigh.
"I'm choosing to have hope that some of my families unimaginable luck has rubbed off on me." I responded, quirking a half smile when he lifted an eyebrow. Although mother did die. As did father. I'm not sure I'd call that lucky.
"Talos willing, if it'll spare us..." He glanced at the gagged man. "I'd welcome it."
Jumping down from the wagon, I frowned around me. It almost looks familiar although I know I've never been here. What is this place?
"This is Helgen." The talkative Nord said quietly. "Close to where I grew up. Never thought... well, it doesn't matter what I never thought anymore."
Wincing when I spotted Lucien being held up by a guard, I studied the layout, wondering if there would be a way to break loose, cringing when the horse thief was shot down. Not easily then.
"You there. We didn't get your name." The soldier, Hadvar said, holding a quill ready.
"Dare."
He lifted an eyebrow but scribbled it down. "You're a long way from home Wood Elf. We'll make sure your remains are returned to Valenwood."
Opting not to explain to him how unnecessary that was, I followed the captain as he asked, still trying to place the area around me, watching the first of the Stormcloaks get beheaded. What is the story of this war? I should have looked into it. Asked the Aurorans if they knew.
When the Captain called me forward, I cast a glance at the sky. Please let this not be the lesson Grandmother had planned for me.
The loud roar brought my attention back to the sky. The same roar as in my dream. What is that?
Grimacing when the captain pushed me down to the block, my head positioned so all I could see was the headsman's black boots. Another roar echoed and the ground shook, the headsman staggering, screams echoing, cries of Dragon! making no sense to me as I staggered to my feet, looking wildly around for Arissa and Lucien, the talkative Stormcloak darting forward to grab my arm, pulling me into a run toward a tower.
I had no time to consider how he'd gotten his wrists free, just followed, relieved to see Arissa leaning against a wall, worry pulsing when I noted how hard she was pressing on her stomach. Lurching forward, ignoring the conversation behind me I got close to one of the other Stormcloaks, almost losing my balance when the ground rocked again. "Untie me. I'm a healer!" I demanded, gratefully pulling my hands free when the Stormcloak did as I asked, casting a spell I knew well, calling on the gifts I'd inherited from my mother, flowers blossoming in the tower, releasing healing to everyone who breathed in the scent of them. Ignoring the speculative and slightly alarmed glances from the other soldiers I lunged forward and grabbed Arissa's arm, helping her stand, meeting her startled expression with a reassuring nod.
"Where's Lucien?" I demanded.
She shook her head. "I didn't see him." She admitted.
Hissing out a frustrated breath, I darted up the stairs after the talkative Stormcloak, reeling back against the wall when part of the tower was broken in, the head of the dragon sticking into it. Mother told me they were gone! Why is there a dragon here!?
As he pointed at the building across the way and I threw myself out of the tower to hit and roll, the recurring dream made horrible sense. Because this time, I had a name.
Scrambling over the burning stone, I screamed it, looking for the blond Imperial, catching my breath when I finally spotted him, limping behind the soldier Hadvar.
"Lucien!"
Bolting toward them, I tripped and threw myself backward when the dragon dropped a tree into the town. Scrambling over it, ignoring the flames, I ran toward the Imperial. A wild shout startled me, and I half turned, relief a cooling balm when Arissa ran to my side, shoving a pack and sword into my waiting hands, grabbing my arm and dragging me toward the Keep.
Inside, I staggered forward, dropping the pack on the table and taking a deep calming breath.
"Sorry Lucien. Your gear was in flames by the time I reached it." Arissa said. "And there was no way I was grabbing armor, Dare."
"It's alright." I assured her, casting my spell again, watching Lucien's eyes light up as his concussion eased away, the spell interrupting any damage the head wound may have caused.
"I've never seen that spell before!"
"It's something my mother taught me." I explained, settling the pack and sword over my shoulders.
"We need to get out of here." Hadvar said quietly, studying his healed arms with awe. "There should be a path through the Keep."
Exchanging glances, we nodded, Arissa lifting a dagger from somewhere, handing Lucien a sword.
"I didn't realize the Legion relied so heavily on torture." Lucien said quietly, staring at the trees ahead of us.
"That's what you're focused on?" Arissa asked, Hadvar giving him a solemn look. "Not the spiders or the damn bear?"
"The bear made sense." I said, following Hadvar when he started down the path.
"Let's just get to Riverwood." Hadvar suggested. "It'll be a safe place to spend the night and then I can guide you to Whiterun."
"Where are you heading after that?" Lucien asked.
"I've got to get back to Solitude. See what General Tullius makes of the dragon."
"I'd thought dragons all dead." I said, scrubbing a hand roughly through my hair, ash flaking toward the ground.
"They were just legend. Ancient history." Hadvar agreed. "I shudder to think what their return might mean."
"Well, whatever it is, we're not going to find out until we get to a larger city." Lucien said quietly.
I dropped back to walk by him, leaving Arissa to flirt with the soldier. "How are you holding up Lucien?"
"My mother was in the Legion. During the Great War. She was respected. Well regarded." He whispered. "And now..."
"The gagged man was Ulfric Stormcloak." Hadvar said, turning to look at us. "We couldn't take any chances that there were outside forces who helped stop those carts in an effort to free him." He sighed. "It's like the torture rooms. A necessary evil of war."
Lucien fell silent, his eyes downcast.
I nudged him with my shoulder. "Hey, can you switch which side you're walking on?"
His brow furrowed and he glanced at me then smiled, a trembling smile but a smile nonetheless. "Thank you Dare." He said, moving so he walked on my blind side. "I've got your back."
"And I yours." I promised, pausing when Hadvar did, half listening to him explain the ruin on the mountain. "For better or worse, we're in this together."
"So, a dragon." Arissa said softly, tapping her tankard to mine. "As you're the only one of the three of us with money anymore. You alright with me sticking with you?"
"Of course we are!" Lucien chirped. "It's like Dare said earlier. We're in this together." He lifted his tankard and with a solemn nod, I clinked mine to theirs, taking a long drink.
I had questions still. Questions I wanted to ask my mother. But when the barkeeper brought another round over, I let myself put them aside. Let myself bask in the knowledge that we had survived. And that is worth drinking to.