The night was cold and Nyleine couldn’t sleep. Nega’s words haunted her dreams.

 

‘Go out to Orphan Rock, kill the Hagravens there and once you’ve absorbed their souls into the amulet, destroy it.’

“Orphan Rock,” Nyleine whispered as she sat up. She’d never been there, but something about its name made her feel like going there would be worthwhile. However, she needed assurance, she needed answers. Niyleen kept trampling her with all this information, but the more she got, the more confused she became.

“Sister?” Nyleine said trying to keep her voice hushed. She called out again when a response didn’t come, but still nothing. (She must be dead tired.) Sighing, Nyleine walked over to where she saw her sister lay her head and froze. She wasn’t there.

 

(Did she leave!? Why wouldn’t she say goodbye? Why—) Nyleine took a deep breath and calmed herself. (It’s because I’m like this… My clinginess, my neediness, I probably drove Big Sis off.) Nyleine sucked her teeth and got to her feet.(I’m not going to be a burden. This time, I’m going to be the one helping Sister out.) She grabbed a few things, and at once left the lair.

 

 

 

It was raining and with no sense of where to go, Nyleine headed toward Whiterun. Although she wasn’t welcomed within its walls, she had made a few acquaintances outside of them. The first of which was a Khajiit by the name of Ji'aksa. He was always near the stables, and day or night, rain or shine, Nyleine was sure to find him there. Believing him to be a good resource, Nyleine immediately sought him out.

 

Less than three minutes had passed and the Halfling had caught sight of him sitting near the signpost across from the stables. “Ji'aksa!” Nyleine called out. He looked up and nodded.

As she approached he got to his feet and looked at her curiously. “Ji'aksa is surprised. This One rarely visits.”

 

Nyleine smiled. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ve been… wrapped up in some things and haven’t had the time to—”

 

“Ji'aksa knows when This One lies. This One looks away and smiles. Ji'aksa thinks This One should work on it. More cunning, easier intel.”

 

Nyleine sighed. “Right… sorry.”

Ji'aksa shrugged. “What is it that This One wants?”

 

“Right, um… you’ve acquired some maps in your time correct?” Ji'aksa nodded. “Would you happen to know where Orphan Rock is located?”

 

Ji'aksa frowned. Nyleine knew he hated being bothered with trivial things without explanation, but this wasn’t a time to cater to his preferences. “Tsk, east of Helgen. Take path on left, leads north. You’ll arrive. Anything else?” Nyleine shook her head. “Ji'aksa wishes safe travel.” The Khajiit promptly resumed sitting as he was before Nyleine had bothered him.

 

Nyleine nodded inwardly and took off. Running was not her style, but still she ran because in her mind the sooner she got this task completed, the sooner she would be able to meet her sister again. Soon she came upon Riverwood. It was a quaint little lumber mill whose inhabitants treated her well in the past. For a moment she was tempted to stop by the Sleeping Giant Inn and catch up with the innkeeper Del-something who let her stay there for free for a few weeks. However, it was past midnight and the sun wasn’t close to rising. Nyleine stuck to the shadows and continued towards the southwest making sure to stick to the main road.

 

 

Continuing onward towards Helgen, Nyleine slowed as she heard voices. Hiding amongst the darkness, she listened in.

“Heh, we should act soon. The more we wait, the higher the chances that we’ll meet resistance,” said a scruffy voice.

 

“You think I care? Sigrid, Gerdur, and especially Camilla… It’ll be worth it if I can get my hands on any of that fine ass,” said another. The way he talked seemed slimy and disgusted Nyleine to the core.

“Mead, women, and a base. What more can we wish for?” said yet another.

“Ay, shut it, get into position. I want us to be ready in one hour, any longer and we’ll have to stake out for another night.” The men groaned, and she heard their footsteps go in separate directions.

After waiting a minute, Nyleine finally drew breath again. (These bastards!!! A raid on Riverwood!?!) There was no time to warn anyone, but at the same time Nyleine had sworn not to interfere with the predicaments of people that don’t involve her and she couldn’t afford to have anything happen to her now. Hagravens were a cruel and detestable bunch who won’t hesitate to exploit any weaknesses they see, and sustaining an injury here would only worsen her chances of success.

 

She looked back at Riverwood and felt her heart ache. (Stop wasting time contemplating this! These people, no matter how they’ve treated you in the past, are of no concern to you! They don’t even know you. If they knew you were a necromancer…) “That’s what it always comes to,” Nyleine sighed. She knew her instincts were correct and they had never failed her before… and she wasn’t about to disregard them now.

 

 

Nyleine took a moment to become resolute in with her decision. Taking a deep breath, she took out her amulet and whispered, “Sonika the Risen, I call you. Arise and obey!” Suddenly a ghost apparated in front of her. It looked stoic but somehow annoyed. “Protect Riverwood from these bandits. They should either act today or sometime this week. Do this, and I shall free you and allow you to pass on.”

 

The ghost nodded and disappeared. Nyleine, taking a page out of its book, made sure there were no bandits around and cloaked herself in shadows. Nyleine then continued on her way. She passed the way stones—making sure to meditate under the Mage Stone for a moment—then continued up the path. She soon came to an intersection and on her left she saw something looming in the distance. “Helgen…” even in the darkness she would never mistake the ruins of Helgen for anything else. She may have never visited the town post-destruction, but having stayed around Bonechill Passage, the visage of the ruins was burned into her eyes.

 

 

 

Hastening her pace, it didn’t take long for Nyleine to reach Helgen. Desolate and laid to rest, not even the rain could drown out the burnt smell that enveloped the air, but a familiar and somewhat comforting feeling also lingered… that of death. “This could become a good fort if someone would just repair the outer walls. The spirits here are strong… The dark energies here would make my magic so much—never mind.” She looked around and nodded. (This is good for now. I’ll rest up and head out in the morning. Taking on Hagravens at night would be suicidal.)

 

 

After searching for a few minutes, Nyleine found a somewhat stable building with just enough shielding from the elements and soon was fast asleep.