"So, Hulda wants this delivered to Markath?" asked the handsome Nord at the seat of the wagon.
"Yes." I pulled the thin book out of my pocket. "Someone from that city accidentally left this at the Bannered Mare. You're headed past Markarth, right?"
"Aye." Bjorlam nodded. His voice rose to combat the whipping winds of the valley around us. "And it'd be no trouble at all to drop that thing by the local customs. Travelers come in and out of each Hold so often these days. It's a wonder people's possessions don't get dropped helter skelter more often."
"Well, some have more stamina than others," I said.
"Huh?"
I sighed. "Never mind." I held the book out to him. "Just do it as a favor for Hulda, if you don't mind."
"Don't have to ask me twice." He took it from me with a grizzled smirk. "That woman is one of the last shining souls in Whiterun. Aside from the Companions still left in Jorrvaskr."
I was about to reply when I heard Applejack's voice murmuring from the side: "Good gravy... a shine like Fluttershy's."
Curious, I glanced over my shoulder.
Applejack stood at the side of the road, gazing uphill at the lawn outside Whiterun Stables. A full-sized horse was tied to a post. The sun caught the gleen of a golden coat.
My friend sighed, tilting the brim of her hat forward. "Oh Celestia," she murmured, her breath shaky. "Please let them all be alright..."
I raised an eyebrow. Leaning over, I murmured, "Uhm... AJ?"
"Hyaa!" Bjorlam cackled, followed by a cracking whip.
I jumped in place, reaching back for a staff that wasn't there. As my heartrate returned to normal, I pivoted to see the Nord in his cart rolling off down the road. He turned right, heading west in the shadow of the Throat of the World. I was so lost in the moment that I didn't detect the trio of figures marching in the opposite direction until they were within a spit's distance. That's when my eyes suddenly filled with a vibrant burgundy color.
"So... uh... say, Red!" A twangy voice rippled from behind me. "Didja send off the book thang or...?"
I scarcely paid attention to a word AJ was saying, for they were marching past us... along the path. I wasn't entirely sure who they were... but I did see her. Or, that is to say, I didn't see the noblewoman as much as I saw the heavenly cloud that was adorning her. Red velvets and violet tresses flowed together like a crimson sea, and the tide washed back with gold trim and lace.
"Oh... my..." I bit my bottom lip. My heart thudded, and I felt a rattle around my chest. So I reached up and grasped the thing—the pendant—to keep it still. "Imperial silk. Is it?" Something sparkled between me and eternity. "It is. Oh, Dibella spare me... this is all just a dream." I gulped dryly. "I'm back in Hammerfell, suffering heat stroke."
"Red?" A tiny orange hoof tapped my ankle. "Y'all alright, darlin'?"
I didn't reply. My eyes followed the immaculate satin cuffs of the dress' sleeves, the ornamental collar, the ivory-white sash behind the bodice.
"How... how could anybody walk cross-country in that? It's... it's possibly sinful. I..."
Something flashed. A pair of eyes like hot coals. The noblewoman was glancing at me as she passed, and she was not happy.
I blinked.
"Whoah nelly!" I heard Applejack's breath stutter.
Before I could see why—
"Back off, Redguard!" A tall woman in thick iron armor growled in my face.
"Gaaah!" I fell on the ground besides Applejack, wincing.
The bodyguard leered over me, a hand to her broadsword's hilt. "Keep your eyes to yourself, desert slug!" She spat. "As Madame Skull-Star's Housecarl, I forebid you to stare at my thane!" Her teeth gnashed. "Or, so help me, I will put your skull to better use on a windowsill!"
"I... I-I wasn't staring at your thane!" I sputtered. "I was... uh... just admiring her—"
"Enough!" Her boot scraped threateningly towards me, making my pony and I flinch. "We have places to be! I shan't waste time with dusty filth such as you!" Then, with a heavy snort, she shuffled off, briskly rejoining the two aristocrats she was escorting.
I exhaled with a shudder. Soon, I felt a fuzzy cheek rubbing my shoulder.
"You okay, sugarcube?"
"Such... exquisite embroidery..." I grumbled. "If that meathead gets a drop of bandit blood on it, I swear..."
"I gotta say..." Applejack gave my pelvis a nudge, help me stand on my own two feet again. "If that bully stood to ruffle yer feathers any longer, I woulda rushed in there and punched her belly a new Momma Hole!"
"AJ... guh... you can't threaten just any person who grunts at me in this land." I sighed, brushing the dirt off my tunic. "Skyrim's... simply a rough place."
"Still dun change the fact that I hate to see anyone shove ya around."
"I know, AJ." I reached down and ruffled her mane with a sly smile. "I know."
She smiled and slapped her hat back on. "Say, Red?"
"Hmmm? What, AJ?"
"What exactly is a housecarl?"
Silence.
"Mmmmm..." I exhaled. Turning around, I marched up the long path back towards the front gates of Whitehun. "...I think I hear some uncut firewood calling."