‘Ahh, good enough, I’ve got the archery bit down, just need the stealth part now, I’ll figure it out eventually.’
Having finished his training, Septimus took a moment to count his septims.
He had 181 left; again, he wasn’t sure if that was a lot or not.
For getting normal items, it seemed a decent amount; for buying weapons, it didn’t look like much.
So while the general shop in the village was still open, he chose to take a look at what they sold.
‘Well, this is underwhelming.
All this shop sells are random items, bowls, cutlery, and brooms; there are no signs of any weapons or potions.
When I asked, the clerk told me I’d have to go to a larger place; they had no blacksmiths or alchemists in this village’
With the sun setting, he headed back to the tavern and chatted with some of the locals; they didn’t have much to say, random tidbits on daily life mostly.
When he asked about Skyrim, no one had heard of anything happening at all; no mention of the rebellion either.
‘Ulfric most likely still hasn’t killed the High King yet; otherwise, the Imperial Legion would have already been sent out to quell the rebellion, and most people would have heard of that.
That means the events of Skyrim haven’t started yet’
Happy with what he learned, Septimus went back to his room to rest.
He woke up before sunrise, well rested and eager to continue his journey; the day of rest at the inn had done wonders for his fatigue.
Packing up all his items, Septimus returned the key to the innkeeper and left the village heading towards Chorrol.
He kept to the road this time as he was told that the roads were well traveled and routinely patrolled.
Septimus made it to Chorrol on the evening of the same day.
The town was impressive; it really fit his image of a medieval city, it featured an actual stone wall with a tall gatehouse, with carriages full of items coming and going.
‘Yeah, those are my ticket to Skyrim; hitch a ride with one heading there, and I’m set’
Septimus did not begin by searching for a carriage; he entered the city and took a look around, just to experience this side of the empire.
Who knows how long it would take him to return.
‘Nice city, I really enjoy the medieval feel.
If only it didn’t smell so bad, I’m sure they have sewers here.
I wonder what’s up with that’
Finished with his sightseeing, he headed to the blacksmith and sold the carving knife for 60 septims, checking the price of other weapons; a normal sword seemed to be around 100 septims, and the blacksmith would most likely also buy them from him for about 70 or so.
Knowing he was heading to Skyrim, Septimus stopped by the tailor and spent a good 90 septims on a hooded leather cloak, for the unpredictable Skyrim weather.
The only reason it was so cheap is that there was currently no demand for it; who buys a heavy leather cloak in summer after all?
He also tried his hand at haggling and got the tailor to trade in his three assorted bags for one shabby, large one that could hang the sleeping roll on the bottom part.
Now somewhat more prepared for the journey ahead, he went to the plaza by the gate leading north east, where he saw carriages dropping their cargo when he’d arrived.
The sun had already set by then, and the plaza was empty, the merchants having left after finishing their business for the day.
Septimus quickly found a quiet spot to rest for the night; there was a house with a small garden just two streets away from the plaza.
It was surrounded by a stone wall slightly shorter than him.
Septimus took off his bag, bow, and quiver and threw them over to the other side of the wall before also jumping in, landing in an overgrown garden.
There was no light coming from inside the house; the owners must have been gone for some time.
After doing a double check and making sure there was no danger, he set up the sleeping roll and went to sleep.
====================
Hearing the noise coming from outside his door, Alotius woke up groggy after overindulging in drinks the night before.
Feeling the chill of the morning air outside his comfy bed, he deeply regretted having to get up today.
While debating whether to cancel the journey just so he could rest longer in bed, the door opened.
A tall, green-skinned man walked in, wearing heavy armour and a large warhammer strapped to his back.
He looked at Alotius and began talking in a low, gravely voice.
“The men are already loading the carriages; get ready, we’re leaving as soon as they are done.” With that said, the tall orsimer did not wait for an answer before turning around and leaving the room, the door still wide open.
*Groan*”I’m coming, I’m coming”.
Still groggy, Alotius quickly got dressed and left the room, carrying a small backpack.
Exiting the inn, Alotius saw his men loading up the carriages; he had 4 of them on this trade run, not the most he ever had, but the journey would be quite dangerous; too large a caravan would be problematic.
“Good morning, Boss.” One of his men, a spindly imperial, saluted him.
“Morning, how long until the loading is done”
“It’s almost done, Boss; it’s only the last cart left.
The lads went out to bring the horses; we should be done by the time they get back”.
“Alright, carry on then, call me when we’re ready to leave.
I’ll be over there nursing a headache”.
Alotius pointed at a crate placed by the inn wall.
“Will do, Boss!” The imperial did another mock salute and walked over to help secure the cargo in one of the filled carriages.
Sitting on the crate, back against the wall, Alotius kept an eye on the workers as he usually did.
When he noticed a man walking out of an alley, he wore leather clothes, carried a large backpack, and a bow and quiver on his back.
‘A wanderer skulking around this early in the morning?’
While Alotius kept an eye on the man, he suddenly turned his head and stared straight at him, nodded once, and gave Alotius a light wave.
“Good day!
Do you have a moment?
I have some questions if you don’t mind.” Alotius could see his orsimmer friend focusing on the wanderer.
“Good day to you, friend.
How can I help you on this fine morning?” He said with a cheery smile.
The wanderer yawned and covered his mouth with a hand.
“Sorry about that.
I had a rough night.
My name is Septimus, and I’m looking for a ride to Skyrim.
Would you happen to know if any of these carriages are headed that way?”
Alotius lifted an eyebrow, surprised.
‘What are the chances a random wanderer comes to me and asks about a trip to Skyrim, huh’
“I can see that friend; you have a little something in your hair.” Alotius said while pointing at his head.
Septimus reached over and scratched his hair, finding that a leaf had gotten stuck in it.
Pulling the green leaf out, he gave it a look, throwing it on the ground.
“Thanks, don’t know how that got there, anyway, so do you happen to know anything or…?”
“Well, yes, I do know, but before I tell you, can you answer me a question first”
Septimus shrugged and nodded.
“Sure, ask away”
“Why did you ask me?
Over a dozen people are working here, why come straight to me?”
“Ahh, that, well, you sort of already answered your own question, uhh, everyone’s working while I saw you sitting on that crate over there, so I just asked you.”
Alotius let out a deep sigh after hearing Spetimus’s answer.
“Of course, well, I guess it’s fine then, not like I was busy or anything…” Getting off the crate, Alotius stood and patted his damp trousers.
“Name’s Alotius Attes, I’m a merchant, and you, my friend, are in luck; I just so happen to be heading over to Skyrim.”
Septimus smiled brightly.
“Great, it’s truly great to meet you, Alotius.
I feel like I’ve used all my luck for today.
Do you happen to need some more hands on your journey?”
“Extra hands, you say.
It depends.
How good are you at handling that bow you carry?”
Septimus shrugged and ran his hand over the bow.
“I’m no ranger, but I can shoot well enough.”
Alotius nodded.
“If you are willing to help carry some cargo and defend the carriages in case we get attacked, I will let you join us.
You won’t get paid, but I’ll cover your meals as long as you do a good job.”
Septimus looked at Alotius for a long moment.
“Agreed, pleasure working with you”
Alotius smiled.
“Likewise, my new friend, now come, let me introduce you to the others; we have a long journey ahead of us!”