JoS/Henriette/2nd Journal - Destined

Last Seed, 31st, 4E 201

I packed my things last night and took the ride to Windhelm from there. A little detour, but there is one another person I want to thank tomorrow when I finally leave for Ivarstead. He gave me clothes and food in my time of need when he didn't even seem to have much to spare, so it's only fair I give something back to them. I'm not sure if I'll be returning to Riverwood anytime soon, so I offered everyone who helped me my gratitude for helping me in the time of need. They were a little worried of me, but I'll be fine, I'm sure of it. Sofia, of course, wanted to tag along with me. I'm not sure how far she's willing to follow me, but I don't mind her company at all. It's useful to have a friend fighting by my side.

Before we settled down in our rented room, we walked around the city and talked to folks around the Candlehearth Hall, and heard about all kinds of rumors. Something about Azura's shrine up in the mountains, something about some bandits holed up in some cave, not about much to be honest… But a story about a young boy trying to summon an assassin from the Dark Brotherhood stuck to my mind. His name is Aventus Aretino, and he lives here in Windhelm. I have heard stories about the Dark Brotherhood, scary stories. Why would a kid want to contact them? Well, curious as I were, I investigated. I decided to go alone though.

The door to his apartment was locked and he wasn't answering. The streets were empty, so I simply broke into his house. When he saw me, he mistook me for the assassin he was intending to hire. I didn't say a word to him, and I just listened. He ran away from an orphanage in Riften. He has lost both his parents like me, but he's still very different from me. The best words I could find to describe him would perhaps be helpless, pitiful and dependent. He doesn't seem to be ready to take a step towards adulthood and being independent. Regardless, he wants the owner of the orphanage dead. She's an old woman who's known as "Grelod the Kind", and Aventus hates her for some reason.

After hearing his story, I told him that I'd help him, but I don't know if I can keep that promise… I don't want to murder an old woman, especially one who cares for children. But if what Aventus said is true about that woman, maybe she might deserve to die? I won't just take his word for it, but if I ever visit Riften, I'll make sure to pay a visit to the Honorhall Orphanage and see for myself what this Grelod is all about.

Heartfire, 1st, 4E 201

We have now made it safely to Ivarstead. My feet are sore from all the walking and tomorrow I'll probably be feeling even worse. I'm not used to this yet. We saw some great sights on the way, hunted some deer for a meal on the road, stayed clear of trouble. Some wolves and a lone bristleback tried to get the better of us, but they were no match. We also saw a troll, but we decided not to fight it. We may have improved a lot during this short period of time as an adventurer, but no way we can take down a beast like that. It would've probably eaten us alive. Tomorrow is the day we climb the 7000 steps and hopefully learn something about this gift I have.

Heartfire, 1st, 4E 201

There and back, now back in Ivarstead, still in one piece! Those old men sure were surprised when I walked in. Bet they weren't expecting a little girl! They probably haven't seen a female in a long time, period.

They were very respectful of me and wanted to help me grow and develop. In their words, I have a gift from gods, a power of the dragons bestowed upon me by Akatosh himself. They themselves don't see the Way of the Voice as a weapon, or as a tool for personal gain, but I, as a Dragonborn, exceed their own rules and standards, so they don't care about me using these powers how I want. Going there and training there made me feel very good and confident about myself. I suppose it wouldn't hurt learning from them a little. I'm happy to accept any help and knowledge they offer me. If path to higher learning goes through meditation and focus, it's what I'm going to do as well. It's not like that's gonna stop me from being the kind of person I want to be.

They sent me on a "trial" to retrieve some old horn in a crypt called Ustengrav. Bleak Falls Barrow turned out to be too easy of a task to overcome, so I'm sure I'll pass whatever trial they have stored up for me. I needed a direction for my next journey anyway, so why not travel there next? It's really far away from here though. I could just take a carriage to Morthal which is nearby, but what's the fun in that? I'm gonna continue to travel by foot and see the world!

I still miss my mommy and daddy, and big bro too, and I'm still not happy about my current condition as a Vampire either, but… At least I continue to live. I feel like I have a purpose now!

Heartfire, 3rd, 4E 201

Initially we were planning on making it to Morthal today, but we were getting tired and the sun was already setting. Dawnstar… It was getting late. Traveling during night is something I eventually have to get used to because of how week walking around in sun makes me feel, but I'm not sure how Sofia would feel about it. Besides, I'm not ready to take that step yet myself. Nights are more dangerous. Making a trade between feeling slightly weaker and inconvenienced and exposing myself to greater danger is not one I'm willing make so quickly.

The worst part of being in the dark is not being able to see anything, especially not things that are far away. If I can't see my enemy, how can I hit them with my arrows? I invested in a good sword and I'm getting better, but I just don't feel comfortable using it in actual fights yet. Yeah, there's so much to consider. I'll make the transition eventually.

I had a torch, just one though. It was enough to guide us to Dawnstar, but it also caused us some trouble… Attracted some attention from Draugr who were wandering in the night… Me and Sofia managed to take them down even though we were outnumbered.

Part of the reason it got so late was because of us wasting time helping some strange man by the road. He was very, very cheerful, maybe a little creepy, dressed up like some court jester, talked about himself in 3rd person. His name was Cicero. A wheel on his wagon was broken, and the man at the farm next door refused to help him. Don't know why, but I managed to convince him. Got a lot of money got my troubles too, so I guess it was worth it. I guess clowns make a lot of money, huh?

Now We're safely at the inn and with a belly full of food. Time to sleep I guess… Tomorrow we'll make it to Morthal.

Heartfire, 3rd, 4E 201

We ended up staying in Dawnstar for one day to replenish our supplies, talk to people, stare at the sea, just relax. We slept in way too late. Bed was way too small for two girls to sleep in, so neither of us could get comfortable sleep. We had some strange nightmares too. Some priest of Mara was talking about it in the Inn, but we have no time or interest in helping him. We'll depart early tomorrow for sure! I wish I had more to tell… This is kind of a boring place, and there's not much to do.

WIP