ylva-snow-mane

[ylva-snow-mane]

Tirdas, 2nd day of Heartfire, 4E 201

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It's been a week since my last entry. I suppose I never got the chance to write because I've been on the road.

I prepared myself for the journey from Whiterun to Markarth as best I could, but eventually grew frustrated with the slow pace of my progress. Even though I didn't have everything I may have needed, like a good stock of food and potions or a proper tent, I decided to simply strike out and hope for the best.

I first set out to Rorikstead, an easy enough journey given my familiarity with the path. But then, after I traveled north along the western road, I encountered a fort that'd been overtaken by Forsworn.

I confess, dear diary, a moment of weakness. My mother always told me horrific tales of the madmen of the Reach. As a girl, I was as afraid of the Forsworn as giants and draugr. And some part of that fear lingers in me, for I decided to scale the mountainside to avoid crossing through the fort. It was tricky and I nearly fell several times, but at least the weather was in my favor. I doubt I would've survived the climb come rain or snow. And for my detour, I only had to face a single saber cat.

Note to future self: Remember! They're fearful of fire! Study more Destruction spells!

I arrived in Karthwasten without incident. As I entered the town, I overheard an argument between a local mine-owner and a mercenary. Apparently, the word around town indicated that the Silver-Blood family of Markarth sought to bully the owner, Ainethach, into selling the mine. I could not stop to deal with this matter at the time, as I'm already on business for the Companions. But I think I will return to this town soon enough to lend a hand to Ainethach.

After I continued past Karthwasten, I came upon a ruined settlement engulfed in flames. I was attacked by Forsworn, but I held my ground in spite of my fear. Once I had dispatched the three heathens, I hurried from the ruined settlement, feeling it unwise to stick around in case their allies found me.

Further up the road, I encountered another mine, called Left-Hand Mine. Here, one of the miners explained that he was from the ruined settlement, called Kolskeggr Mine and that it was overtaken by the Forsworn. I promised him that I would return and take back the mine for the people. But the troubles of the Reach didn't stop there.

I finally arrived in Markarth this morning, only to witness a man attempt to murder a woman in the markets near to the city gate. In broad daylight, no less! Luckily for the woman, Margaret, I threw myself in the way of his blade. It glanced off of my armor and then I caved his head in with my maul. In his dying breaths, he screeched something about the Forsworn. He hadn't even fully collapsed before the guards were ushering me and all others of the markets aside. A strange man then slipped me a note, requesting I meet him by a hidden shrine of Talos.

Suffice to say, this city has put me on edge. And I am wary to patron the local Silver-Blood Inn. I'll give you two guesses what family owns that inn. And most of the town, according to the gossip I've overheard sitting here on the streets. I don't want to lay my head in this forsaken city, not for one night. There is something sinister woven into the very stone of this city, and I want no part of it.

I will simply find this Imedhnain fellow, give him a good thrashing, and then make haste to return to Whiterun. I may even splurge on a carriage ride to ferry me back. I suspect the back of a cart would be a safer bed than any I'd find here in Markarth.

[ylva-snow-mane]

Middas, 27th day of Last Seed, 4E 201

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Today was Harvest's End. A pleasant enough holiday, if a bit simple. I spent the majority of the morning at the forge, making myself a new set of iron armor. This one should be much stronger than the one I had prior.

Yesterday, I joined the Companions. It was Farkas of all people who gave me my first task. I was sent to settle someone's grievances with a man elsewhere in Whiterun, named Titus. It's in the nature of the Companions' work not to know the details, so I know not what grievances or who held them. Regardless, I brawled with the man and he agreed to settle these unknown qualms.

Upon taking my next job from Farkas, I shall go to Markarth to partake of a similar task. It will be a long and dangerous trip, so I must be thoroughly prepared. I will spent the next several days working around town to gather coin, to purchase the necessary supplies for my trip. I will finish preparing my arms and armor at the forge, and purchase a stock of food to sustain me through the trip. I should also consider preparing other provisions, like a tent perhaps.

And this trip will far outrank the dangers of the road to Rorikstead. I am without doubt. I will need a traveling companion.

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[ylva-snow-mane]

Mondas, 25th day of Last Seed, 4E 201

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Today, I decided to stop faffing around. If I want to make enough coin to stop going to bed hungry, then I've got to take multiple jobs at once. I've take three missives posted on the board this morning.

Deliver 13 cuts of salmon to Mralki at the Frostfruit Inn

Deliver a letter to Reldith from Ulfberth War-Bear

Deliver a potion from Jaeshe to Sonja

As it happens, all three of these jobs will take me back to Rorikstead. I already know the path, so I just need to collect all of the things I am to deliver before I head out. The first step is gathering that salmon, then I'll collect the letter and potion.

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I arrived in Rorikstead in the afternoon, mostly without incident. I crossed a pair of wolves, an Imperial patrol with a Stormcloak prisoner, and two giants got uncomfortably close to the road on two separate occasions. But otherwise, the trek was a breeze.

I delivered the salmon, potion, and letter all without incident. Now I'm only a few Septims shy of 400! More than enough to sustain me for a few meals. But I'm not going to buy anything just yet. The sun is still high, and if I don't delay, I can make it back to Whiterun by dusk. I'll head to the Banned Mare for supper. Hulda knows me well, and her prices are much kinder to me.

And who knows? Maybe I'll get to meet Farkas again.

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[ylva-snow-mane]

Sundas, 24th day of Last Seed, 4E 201

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Last night, I met the most handsome man. I went to the Bannered Mare for supper and a drink. As I was sipping my wine, I happened to look up and spotted him across the fire. He was a strapping lad, brawny and strong, with long dark hair. I've seen him around Whiterun for many years, but I've never spoken to him before. Mother always forbade me from much interaction with boys my age, but our eyes met. He had the most beautiful blue eyes. I simply had to introduce myself.

His name was Farkas, and don't you know it, the very first thing he said to me was that I should go to Jorrvaskr and become a Companion! Apparently, he is a Companion himself. He said he and his brother were raised in Jorrvaskr since they were young. Ah, did I yet mention his voice? So deep and strong. I say, meeting Farkas only makes me want to join the Companions all the more! I wonder if all of them are handsome men?

Anyway, now that I have slept, it's time to see about getting some work. My legs are still rather sore from the trek to Rorikstead and back. Perhaps I'll try to find some work around town today instead. Maybe Belethor needs some help in his shop? Divines know Sigurd isn't very much help.

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Today was a wash. Despite my best efforts, I retire to bed tonight with my belly empty once more.

I went to speak to Belethor in his shop, asking if he needed any help. He promptly turned me down flat. I ended up asking Carlotta Valentia if she needed any help at her stall instead. She accepted, and I did my best to help her for the next six hours.

Unfortunately, I performed quite poorly. I tried to sweep and only blew up dust into customers' faces. I tried to stack vegetables in the displays, only to have them tumbling down. I'm fairly certain Brenuin nicked a tomato when I wasn't looking, too. In the end, I probably was more of a nuisance than a help. Carlotta refused to pay me. With good reason, I suppose, though I cannot help but to feel a bit slighted.

It was early into the evening by the time that Carlotta sent me off. The other stalls and stores were already closed down for the evening, leaving me no opportunity to do work elsewhere.

But as luck would have it, as I trudged back to my home with my head hung in defeat, I spotted Adrianne Avenicci still tending to her forge. I hurried to her and asked if she needed any help, and she agreed!

I forged a fine iron dagger and a hide helmet for her. I think she knew I was a novice, because she walked me through the process to smith the dagger and then sharpen it, then showed me how to tan hide to leather, make the hide helmet, and improve the fit. She was quite kind to do so.

Though despite her help, I don't think I did very well. She decided to simply let me keep the dagger and helmet in lieu of payment in coin. Fair enough, I suppose, but I can't eat a hide helmet. I sold it to her for the few coins it was worth, though I kept the dagger. It'll come in handy in the future, I think.

Ah, well. Perhaps tomorrow will bring greater fortune. Only time will tell.

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[ylva-snow-mane]

Loredas, 23rd day of Last Seed, 4E 201

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I awoke this morning to two drunkards brawling. I can barely remember what I dreamed about, only something about a door and stars. Anyway, I should be getting back to Whiterun. Perhaps I can find more work in town.

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My trip back to Whiterun was far more eventful than the trip north to Rorikstead had been! I slew four wolves! Four! And an Argonian thief, who I had to kill when my attempts to dissuade him fell on deaf ears. Do Argonians have ears? Surely they must if they can hear? Nevermind that.

I met many travelers along the road, headed north, as well. The first was a Khajiit caravan. I traded a little with their leader Ri'saad. I traded a few things to him that I had taken from the thief's corpse, and gained some exotic alchemy ingredients in turn.

Shortly after my encounter with the Khajiit, I passed a patrol of Imperial soldiers. They were escorting a Stormcloak prisoner somewhere, probably north to Solitude. I didn't ask. They readied to draw their weapons when I got too close, telling me not to interfere with Imperial business. I thought it best to agree.

A short while after my encounter with the Imperial patrol, I crossed a similar sight, not far from the Rat Hill Mine. A Thalmor patrol this time, with a Stormcloak prisoner of their own. They too were wary of letting me too close, so I kept my head down and hurried past.

And not long after that, a truly exiting sight! A pair of giants, on patrol along the roadside. The ground trembled as they walked. And so did I, as a matter of fact. They're both bigger and smaller than I expected, but I still didn't want to pass too close to them. I actually scrambled off of the road and through a thicket of bushes, simply to give them a wide enough clearance.

It was evening when I finally made it back to Whiterun. I was quite filthy from the trek, so my first stop was a bath. And after that, I decided to take a seat under the Gildergreen. And here I sit now, writing under the sunset skies. The auroras are out tonight, painting the sky in a myriad of beautiful colors. The torchbugs chitter, the luna moths pass... truly, there must be no place more beautiful in the whole of Skyrim than Whiterun.

But then, I've only seen from here to Rorikstead and back. Who knows? I've heard Riften can be quite beautiful. Perhaps I will venture east. I'm sure the fishing is fine. But my coin is still low, and my stomach has begun to ache again. Perhaps I should visit the Bannered Mare and buy myself supper with what few coins remain. Tomorrow, I will need to find more work. But as always, tomorrow's worries are for tomorrow.

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[ylva-snow-mane]

Fredas, 22nd day of Last Seed, 4E 201

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I had a strange dream last night. A bandit accosting a merchant on the road. I bloodied the bandit and sent him running. And then when I turned to the merchant, it was a man no longer but a dog. Happily wagging its tail at me. Perhaps the Divines are telling me to get a hound? I admit, I could use the companionship.

Speaking of Companions, I decided to hold off on seeking to join them. For now. Just until I have a little bit more experience under my belt. I don't want to go to them as an inexperienced whelp, for I'm sure they have no need for a milk-drinker who's barely functional without her mommy. No, I want to go to them seasoned.

I've decided to approach the missive board, as I had intended last night. Surely one of the jobs posted will be easy enough.

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I took a posted job from the bulletin board. Ironically, from Arcadia. She wants me to deliver a potion to Rorikstead. I was a little nervous, never having left Whiterun before. But I needed the coin.

I continued without incident until I got to the Rat Hill Mine. I fought off a skeever and a wolf at the house near there. When I returned to the road, I spotted an orcish woman sitting injured by the roadside. She was in need of a healing potion, but I had none. I tried, instead, to heal her with one of the spells I've learned, Healing Hands. She seemed slightly disgruntled at my use of magic, but thanked me regardless. Her name is Kiva gra-Bol and she said that she would send word to the orc strongholds of what I've done for her, and that I will be considered blood-kin now.

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It took all day, but I made it safely to Rorikstead! By the Nine, traveling the roads of Skyrim alone at night is terrifying. I spent the whole time clutching the hilt of my mace for dear life, as though vampires and draugr were to pop out of the shadows at any moment. Luckily, the only danger I faced was a single wolf.

Today alone, I've slain two wolves and a skeever! If mother could see me now, she'd die all over again from worry. Though I was afraid, I walked onward. The rumbling in my belly bade me. Once I delivered the potion to Rorik, he paid me handsomely! Enough to rent a bed at the Frostfruit Inn for the night, and also buy food to fill me for the first time in days. I swear, cabbage soup has never tasted better.

The walk was quite lonesome, though. I would feel better with someone at my side. Even a hound. Perhaps I should save up to hire myself a mercenary? But I've heard their fees can be several hundreds of Septims! I'll have to do much more work before then. But that's a worry for later. For now, I will rest.

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[ylva-snow-mane]

Turdas, 21st day of Last Seed, 4E 201

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Today was a difficult day. Not very productive. I didn't get much done, I'll admit, though I suppose this was by design.

Since my last entry, I've spent the last several days holed up in my home, poring over the spell tomes I purchased. I understand a great deal of magic now. Something I've always been told to avoid, as a Nord. But how can we truly expect to fight against that which we don't understand? Regardless, I think these Restoration spells will be quite handy in my future endeavors. And what's the harm in a little bit of healing magic?

I've no need for torches any longer, either, thanks to this spell called Candlelight. I've not yet fully mastered the technique of summoning it, but I'm sure I will grow quite familiar with it in time.

Anyway, my study session was quite taxing. I ate what little food remained in my stores, and now only hold a single cabbage to my name. Saving it for emergencies, I suppose. Or for a cabbage stew somewhere down the road. Once I learn to make stew.

I admit I still don't have a knack for cooking yet. Mother always took care of that. I simply fetched the water from the well for her, or bought what she needed at Carlotta's stall. I've heard there is a book written by the Emperor's own chef, the Gourmet, that teaches several basic things about cooking. Belethor sells several recipes as well, as I recall. Perhaps I'll purchase these things later on.

But right now, I don't have the coin to spare. In fact, I will go to bed tonight with my stomach empty. No breakfast, either. After I finished studying, once I had slept and bathed, I searched the house and managed to find a few stray Septims, tucked away here and there in drawers and cupboards. Now I have a whopping 24 Septims to my name. I'll need to find a way for coin soon. Perhaps that missive board at the center of town.

But today, I decided to stroll the city in leisure. I chatted with neighbors, perused the markets (even knowing my coins were too few to purchase anything!), and just enjoyed the fresh air. I tried to do something of use, though. I caught butterflies when they drew too near, and in the evening, I caught torchbugs and even a few luna moths. Perhaps I can sell these to Arcadia tomorrow. They make for good alchemical ingredients, as I recall.

Ah, but such are the concerns for tomorrow. For I am tired, and now I must rest.

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[ylva-snow-mane]

Sundas, 17th day of Last Seed, 4E 201

At last!

After months of hard work, I've done it. Breezehome is mine!

It's been difficult, ever since mother's death back in Rain's Hand. I think the moisture worsened her health. I wish she could've lived to see my 23rd birthday. But she's in Aetherius now, and her pain has ended.

Though her story has come to an end, mine is only just beginning. I must admit, I'm glad to be done working for Arcadia. She is a kind woman and she's taught me much of Alchemy, but I've longed to venture beyond the safety of Whiterun's walls since I could first stand upright. I'm a Nord! I should not be cowering within the city. I should be out there, making my mark on this world!

I spent every last Septim I had, after purchasing this house from Avenicci, purchasing as many spell tomes as Belethor carried. I also bought all of the weapons and armor my coin was worth. I don't know what sort of warrior I'll be, but for now, I have some reading to do.

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