Chapter 19: Unretainable
The wood creaked beneath my feet as I stepped onto the porch of Gerdur's home. I paused for a moment, the heat of the sun finally reaching me. With a sigh, I lifted my hand and knocked.
The door opened before the sound even finished echoing. Gerdur stood there, eyes already damp. Before I could say anything, she pulled me into a fierce, wordless embrace, her arms wrapping tight around my back like she feared I'd vanish if she let go.
"You're alive," She whispered.
"Of course I am," I murmured, resting my chin on her head, my voice soft but devoid of apology, yet filled with a strange intensity.
"You idiot," she hissed, stepping back. "You absolute idiot. Don't ever do something like that again."
"I'm gonna beat that kid to pulp if he stirs you into doing something like that again," Gerdur's lips twitched, remembering the red-haired kid.
I looked at her, remaining silent about his death.
"Promise me," she said, "You won't leave," her voice trembling now.
I exhaled slowly, eyes falling away from hers. "I can't."
Gerdur blinked, like she had been struck. "Why? Why can't you just stay here with me, where it's safe?"
I didn't answer, since I had none to give. It was a strange feeling that drew me to do something in this world. "It's not that simple."
She stepped back, her back against the wall, her hands between her chest, finding comfort in herself, as a single tear flew from her eyes, "Then, we can't do this anymore," she whispered. "Whatever this was—whatever we did."
I closed the gap between us, my arm blocking both sides of her escape, "I won't allow that." My voice was a whisper now as I closed the distance.
"Then stop making me watch you walk to your death." Her voice cracked. "But you won't."
A beat of silence passed. Then she reached up and kissed me, soft, deep. A farewell in every motion of her lips against mine. And that is exactly why I love you, she thought.
When she pulled away, her finger traced my jaw. "Take care of yourself, Darius."
I chuckled, leaning into her neck, biting it as I whispered into it, "This isn't the end of our relationship."
***
Back at Alvor's house:
Alvor forged the steel outside the house, preparing Gerdur's tools, with his daughter watching with keen interest.
Inside the house, Sigrid and Camilla sat across from each other on the dining table.
As Camilla told Sigrid what had happened.
5:10 AM Morndas, 18th of Last Seed, 4E201
The last light of the moon crept through the trees. In Riverwood, the villagers still slept peacefully, unaware that the night was growing longer and colder as if some unseen force shifted the very rhythm of the world
Upstairs in the Riverwood Trader, two single beds occupied a cramped loft. On one lay Camilla, black-haired, youthful, her beauty untouched by the war and battle. The other bed held her older brother, Lucan, whose face was lined with fatigue, his body worn down by responsibility. He stirred groggily, throat dry. He sat up, muttering to himself.
Downstairs, the shop's wooden door creaked open. Two figures entered—Arvel, a lean and sharp-eyed Dark elf, and Gor, a broad-shouldered Nord with a volatile air about him. They crept inside, closing the door
A dim light bled from upstairs windows, but the shop remained cloaked in shadows.
"There it is" Gor whispered, eyes glinting as he reached for the Golden Claw.
But his wrist struck a knife resting on the edge of the shelf.
Clang! Clang!
Both men froze.
A voice echoed from upstairs.
"Damn rat again?" Lucan mumbled as she sat up fully. "Camilla, you left the pantry open again?"
Still muttering, he grabbed a broom in one hand and a small oil lamp in the other.
"I'll get that bastard rodent this time," he muttered, fire in his eyes.
As Lucan descended, Marvel hissed at Gor from behind the counter. "You greedy idiot."
Gor growled, "If we'd come earlier, we'd be out already. The sun will be up soon."
Arvel clenched his jaw, thoughts racing. If she hadn't told me to hurry—
Lucan lit the wall-mounted lamps, bathing the shop in soft gold. He spotted the movement behind the counter and advanced, expecting a furry pest.
But the moment he leaned over the counter, Gor lunged.
The fallen dagger drove into Lucan's throat. Blood sprayed in a sudden burst across Gor's face as Lucan staggered back, choking, clutching the wound, unable to scream.
He collapsed with a thud, but still writhed, gasping. Gor grabbed the dagger again and drove it deep into his back. Lucan went still
Arvel stared in disbelief. This guy's gone more insane.
Upstairs, Cmailla stirred. The noise from below had disrupted her slumber. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up, yawning, and noticed Lucan's bed was empty. Assuming he was cleaning the shop early, she got to her feet, stretching.
Sigh… always up before me. He works too hard, she thought. I have to help him more often. Since it's just us now
Meanwhile, Arvel was trying to pull Gor away. "Let's go. We'vegot a the claw. That woman said no killing—"
Gor ignored him. "We have to check on the irl. If she's awake or not…."
Arvel's eyes narrowed. "No, no one else dies."
Gor sneered, "I just want to see her, that's all." His tone dripped with false innocence. Unable to hide his true intentions.
Before Arvel could argue, footsteps creaked above them all. Camilla was on her way down. Gor ducked beneath the stairs. Arvel is pressing against the counter again. Breath held.
Camilla descended the stairs and gasped—Lucan's body lay in a pool of blood. Her mouth opened to scream, but Gor struck.
He clamped a cloth soaked in a paralyzing potion over her mouth. Her struggle weakened to none.
"Don't kill her!" Arvel snapped, stepping out. "That woman will shred me alive."
Gor grinned. "I'll kill her? Nah. I've waited long enough for her. Maybe, I'll do it if she begs me to."
Camill's eyes fluttered, and darkness consumed her.