She noticed him looking at her and tries to ignore it, this wasn't the time or the place she wanted it to be on her terms not at his mercy. He must think just another soldier ready to die for the cause! “Bagark, come on let’s get some sleep.”
Bagrak, kind of liked hanging out with the soldiers, what a glorious way to live! Doing what you believed in, not because you are the lowest one in the stronghold. “You go ahead Nin, I’ll be in soon.”
Nin falling onto her borrowed bedroll with disgust closes her eyes. But once again sleep just will not come.
Hesitantly he asks, “Bagrak, what’s with Ingo… In… Ingoknin?” “What really happened with those bandits, did they hurt you?”
She looks over at Ralof. “Not in the way you mean”, but shivers a little at the repulsive memory of the skinny piece of skeever waste Fenrar. “It wasn't pleasant and there was one who ran away like a coward, he would have if given a chance, yeah he would have raped one of us for sure.”
Ralof kicks at the dirt, anger builds inside him at the thought of this lowlife. “Well, I am glad you ran into us, maybe she’ll come around and smile at me again.” He winks and gives her big grin.
Bagrak just laughs. She can’t help it, she likes this Nord. Sometimes she felt maybe Ulfirc wasn’t so wrong, didn’t the Orc’s understand the plight. Wanting to be able to choose who you worship, every mer and man deserved this. Deep in thought she doesn’t realize Ralof is watching her expression change. She knows how it feels, but we are told who to worship, isn’t that the same as saying I can’t worship in the Divines? Remembering that in the stronghold when she asked to be taught to read like the wise woman and being told that wasn't her “purpose”… Nin taught her though, and she remembers the punishment she received when it was found out she knew how to read. Always being told what to do never being able to be who or what you wanted. Why did everyone automatically think the Empire was the route Skyrim should take! What happens if the Empire wins, will the Thalmor come into the strongholds and start on them for worshiping what they call Daedra? She finally noticed the hand on her arm, rubbing it a little and asking… “Are you OK? Bagrak, hey why so deep in thought?”
“Question Nord, who can join your ranks? Is it only open to Nords, you know rumors some say Ulfric only wants Nords.”
“Anyone who is a true son or daughter of Skyrim (he taps her arm) can join; you need to go to Windhelm of course. Why do you want to join us?” His smile is so innocent, she can’t help but smile back, and she hopes it isn't too scary looking.
“You know I just might want to, I have a lot of thinking to do, I have to get Nin to Dragon’s Bridge, but after that, nothing is holding me back, and I love Skyrim, born and raised here, in Narzulbu Stronghold. Why shouldn't Skyrim be free and why should you not be allowed to worship Talos if that is what one chooses!”
“Come join our fight than Bagrak, anyone with your spirit is a welcomed sister in arms!”
“I just might, Ralof.”
“Aye, that is good news, I’ll put in a good word for you my friend.”
My friend, no one outside of Nin’s family and the stronghold has said that to me before. She rolls it around her head some more, my friend.
“Aye, my friend” she gives him a friendly arm bump.
“You know we are traveling north for a bit, that’s the rumor anyway… Why not travel north with us?”
“I am not sure that is wise (she thinks of Nin and her feeling for Ulfric – maybe not a good idea) as an Orc we make our way, we do not take charity if I join I join because I can offer the fight something, not be a burden.”
Ralof respects her that much more after that, it made him want to fight with her at his side a true warrior if ever there was one, he felt. “I understand well Bagrak I hope we run into each other again, that we fight side by side. I also hope to see Ingoknin before you go… if that’s OK?”
“Yes, I think that would be nice, just be easier on her, the last few weeks have been rough.” With that she bids Ralof a good night and heads to the tent where she finds Nin pretending to be asleep.
Nin hears Bagrak enter the tent, but says nothing, keeping her eyes closed she wills sleep to find her
The ice-blue light oddly is not cold, she is drawn to it, wants to be in it… “My child”… who said that, she knows that voice? “Ingoknin don’t forget your task, you must to go the Throat of the World. Hurry time is almost up!”
Dawn hasn't fully come yet. But she is wide awake was it a dream or a nightmare she can no longer tell them apart, work will take her mind off all this the troops would probably like something warm to drink and eat.
As she prepared a warm apple brew and some porridge it helped to clam her mood. Some of the soldiers were patrolling, but she thought for the most part she was alone at this hour.
He had watched her come out of her tent, he couldn't sleep for thinking about her all night, he wanted to offer her a hand, but wasn't sure she would accept it. Instead he settled on inconspicuously watching her for a while.
“Good morning”
Looking up she groans inwardly. “Morning, breakfast is almost ready.”
“Aye, it smells good, but… uh… well… “
Taking a deep breath, he is at a loss for words around this woman. He looks up; she seemed relaxed as he approached. Now her back is all tense he can see her jaw clinching. “Did I offend you yesterday, I didn't…” He trails off still not knowing what to say. Ralof do something, anything!
Nin shaking her head no and shrugging her shoulders she looks up his eyes so blue, gentle, and confused
“I know you went through a nasty experience. But yesterday when you smiled at me, I just, I guess, I just wanted to get to know more about you.”
Sighing deeply, she tries to sallow the lump forming in her throat. He was standing so close to her, he smelled of snowberries and juniper… Why, why is he wearing that damned Stormcloak uniform? She looked up and was about to say something when he wrapped his arms around her waist drawing her in gently and kissed her.
At first she was so shocked she just stood there but soon her own arms reached around his neck pulling him in closer, he deepened the kiss, his tongue lightly caressing her lips and gaining access to her sweetness within. Threading her fingers through his hair, she wanted this!
He felt the heat growing inside him, and knew he had to stop; he just took a chance and was glad he did.
Her heart was pounding, her mind kept repeating the words I want this kiss, and she liked the feel of his strong body pressed against hers, the feel of his soft lips… And just like that he pulled away, they were breathing heavy.
Ralof smiled, he placed his finger over her lips. “Don’t say anything , just listen, I want to know more about you, but right now isn't the time, just say you will write to me, don’t just walk away.”
Still in such a shocked and highly emotional state she just nods yes.
He kissed her one more time, a quick one on the lips, “Now it’s a promise.” And with that he walked away.
She stood there a few more minutes dumbfounded.
“Thorygg, I want you both to find out what you can on the two guests we have, I think you will find the Nord is from Eastmarch, maybe both. I want to know more about her, the Nord. You both can work out the details but no one is to be briefed on the findings, except myself, understood?” Ulfric looked at his two commanders, not excepting a reply. They went on and discussed a few other details about the upcoming meeting in Darkwater Crossing. And they were excused.
Thorygg had asked a few of the soldiers about the two women and upon finding out Ralof had been speaking to the Orc and taken a liking to the Nord, went looking for him. “Ralof, please come see me in my tent.”
Not wanting to keep Thorygg waiting he sets aside the cleaning materials he was using on his war ax and follows him.
“Please tell me what you know of the two women you found yesterday?”
Perplexed by the simple request… What could Thorygg want with these two? He begins to tell him what he knows. “The Orc is from Narzulbur Stronghold, her name is Bagrak she is escorting Ingoknin to Dragon’s Bridge, on an errand for her father, but she is from Kynesgrove. I think Bagrak would like to join our cause, she said after dropping Ingoknin off she may go to Windhelm and pick up arms in Ulfric’s name.”
Nodding, “Your excused solider.”
“Excuse me, but… “
“No more Ralof, your excused.” With the raise of his brow, indicating to the soldier no more will be discussed.
Ralof leaves the tent, more confused than ever.
Turns out Ulfric suspicions were correct she didn't even live that far from Windhelm, should be easy to turn up the information on her and meet back at Windhlem in no time.
Thorygg discusses what he has learned with Istar. Leaving the camp one heads for Dragon’s Bridge and the other to Kynesgrove.
Meanwhile back in Windhelm…
Aranni and Malkus made their way to the docks and Deehei told them of rumors of a bandit ring operating out of Cyrodiil. He also tells him of an attack that took place right outside the city two Dunmer girls, sisters, kidnapped, their brother beaten so badly only by the mercy of the Gods did he survive.
Malkus decided to go back to the stronghold rally his clan and maybe the one south of him.
Aranni decided to move on ahead he was going to have to track the ladies and send word to Malkus on his findings. He had to find Nin!