Late next the morning, Alvor, Sigrid and I wake up due to Dorthe, their daughter, barging in the front door while loudly complaining.
"Mama! Papa! Do you have any idea how far up the sun is already?! I'm hungry!"
It seems like she was the only one not having trouble falling asleep last night.
Alvor groans. "Divines help me, Dorthe, it's barely past breakfast time…"
Sigrid, is already sitting up and rubbing her eyes, she gives a tired chuckle. "I'm sure she's got that side from you, husband."
Dorthe stomps lightly across the wooden floor. "Well, get up already papa! I want breakfast!"
Well, all of us are awake now, but I'm still in Skyrim. That had removed the little doubt, or maybe hope I had left about all of this just being a dream- a really vivid dream!
Not wanting to get up yet, I stare into the ceiling and sigh, wondering if I can make it back home.
*Bzzt*
The hologram from yesterday appears in front of my eyes once more, the text still reading the same.
"Quest: The necromancer"
- Defeat the necromancer.
Oh yeah... I had forgotten about that.
Yesterday it had only there for a brief moment, I had wondered if my brain had had played a trick on me, but it's seems like it didn't.
Am I the only one who can see this?
"Hey Alvor, what is that?" I ask while pointing at the screen in front of me.
Alvor looks at me with a surprised look.
"What, you don't have elk where you come from?..."
Behind the hologram I pointed at, was an elk's head, mounted above the hearth.
Alvor continues to explain what an elk is.
"It's a beast of the forest, though being majestic and beautiful, we Nords need both meat and fur to survive... but we try not to hunt more than we need, at least not us common folk."
"I see, it's very beautiful!" I reply.
What the hell does getting a quest mean?
I'm not exactly a player or something, right?..
I could've died last night!
I blink my eyes twice, and the hologram disappears from my sight again.
Alvor sighs, probably thinking my silence is pity for the elk, he rubs his neck, looking a bit uncomfortable.
"Aye... it is a beautiful animal... it's a shame in a way to have to hunt them.
But that one fed us through the winter, and its hide's still keeping my daughter warm at night."
Dorthe perks up, grinning. "Papa said he killed it with one shot!"
Alvor chuckles lightly, before clearing his throat.
"It was a good shot, and it was all over quickly."
I just smile, pretending that it really was the elk I had been asking about.
"I see, you're only providing for your family, that's respectable."
Sigrid gives Alvor the look of an inpatient wife, nudging him on to start asking questions.
Alvor catches Sigrid's look and clears his throat again.
"Well… so, I suppose we have other things that we need to talk about... What is your name stranger?"
"Robert... My name is Robert..." I reply.
Alvor gestures to a stool by the table. "Come, sit down with me, let's eat and discuss what to do moving forward, Robert."
I get up from the furs I've slept on and join Alvor at breakfast.
Alvor passes me a plate with some bread and cheese, and there is some apples in a wooden bowl at the middle of the table as well.
This all feels quite rustic, but it's cozy.
Alvor continues. "So, Robert... what'll you do now? If this necromancern is out there, we can't leave him to raise undead by our doorstep. Are you thinking of heading out to Whiterun, to seek aid?"
I take a bite of an apple, to give myself a short moment to think before having to answer.
"Well, I can only think of one way to get back home. And that's to make the Necromancer to send me home again... He is the one who brought me here, maybe he'll be able to backtrack his spell and send me home again.."
Alvor grunts in agreement.
"Aye, but you'll no doubt have to take down his minions first, and then defeat him without killing him..."
"Exactly." I answer.
"And I fear that if I get guards from Whiterun to help me, they'll either kill him, or capture him, and I can't imagine they would let him perform another spell or ritual, even if it is to send me back home."
Alvor nods.
"Mhm... they probably wouldn't. Many Nords don't like magic, and especially not necromancers... But what are your options?"
I sigh. "There's no way I can defeat him alone, I'm going to need someones help... I need to convince someone to help me, no one likes to have a necromancer playing with death near their town, right?"
Alvor stands up, slams his hand in the table, a serious expression on his face.
"You're damn right about that! I'll come with you!"
Sigrid speaks up. "No, Alvor." Her voice is firm, not leaving any room for argument.
"You can't. Dorthe and I need you here. What if you don't make it back?"
Alvor glances at her, torn. "But if no one-"
"I said no," she interjects, and her eyes dart to Dorthe, who's sitting quietly now, watching.
A pause lingers in the air.
Alvor finally lets out a deep breath through his nose and sinks back into his seat. "Well at least I can spare you a weapon."
I reply.
"Thank you Alvor!"
Alvor gives me a soft smile, Sigrid however looks at me as if I'm not going to be able to come back alive.
Wanting to ease Sigrid's mind, I try to assure her.
"Look, you both have done more than enough for me, I'm grateful!
I'll look around town for someone able to help me deal with this Necromancer!
And I won't leave town until I'm confident I'm able to defeat him!"
Sigrid's expression doesn't change.
"Well, make sure you do!" she sighs.
Probably realizing that she can't change my mind. "Well, if you're going to go around Riverwood looking for allies, you can't go dressed like that!" pointing to my otherworldly jeans and shirt.
"You'll draw too much attention.
A new face in town? wanting to lead people out into the forest to fight a necromancer? they'll doubt you enough as is, just by being a stranger!"
Alvor grunts in agreement, he goes to a chest in the corner of the room and pull out some old clothes.
He sets aside a pair of rough-spun wool pants, a thick linen shirt, and a pair of old leather boots.
Alvor gestures to me to put them on.
"She's right you know, these will do better. Not fancy, but they'll keep you warm and let blend you in. A bit worn, but still good."
I change into Alvor's clothes, the boots are a good fit, but the rest are a bit big, but it will have to do for now!
"Thanks! This will help a lot! Do you think I'll pass as a Nord?"
Alvor stares at me, scratching at his beard. "Hmmm... you're about 6 feet tall, right?.. Your height could pass for a Nord... Your beard is rather short though, most Nord men pride themselves with full beards..."
Sigrid speaks up. "No, you can't pass as a full-blooded Nord, your skin is too dark. You'll have to say you're half Imperial if you want to make it believable."
Dorthe laughs. "A Nord called Robert? Maybe you could make it believable if you said you were born in Elsweyr."
Alvor chuckles at that. "Dorthe, be kind!
But she's right... It's easier to be accepted by Nords if they think you're one of us, so a true and strong Nord name would benefit you." He scratches his beard again, thinking. "How about Ragnar, the name would fit you!"
I chuckle at the thought, liking the name.
"An alias, huh? hmmm... Alright, I'll be Ragnar."
Sigrid finally stops wearing her worried expression and smile.
"Aye, the name suits you.
But, unless you want people to doubt from the start, say that you're from Rorikstead.
Its near enough to give them a sense of comradeship, without being able to recognize your face."
I consider it for a moment.
"Hmm... Ragnar of Rorikstead... I like the sound of that..."
Now I'm ready to find help to deal with this Necromancer!
Alvor gets up from his chair and fetch an Iron sword. "Alright, here. It's still sharp, so it should serve you well"
I take the Iron sword and strap it around my waist. "Thank you, Alvor! I'll be back after dealing with the necromancer!"
After finishing my breakfast I leave Alvor's house.
It's been several years since I played Skyrim, but I'm glad I played it a lot, anything I can remember might serve me well!
And when it comes to Riverwood, I know exactly who I want to help me, the fierce warrior of the Blades! Delphine!
From the game I remember that the town is rather small, but it seems bigger now that I'm here... It was only about 10 buildings in the game, right? Well now I'm counting 20...
But still, it feels familiar, so finding the "Sleeping Giant inn" wasn't too hard.
That atleast was easy to recognize, two stories tall, cobblestone base, wooden boards for walls, and a thatch roof.
I scale the stairs up to it and head inside.
Inside, Delphine is standing in the middle of the hall, sweeping the floors, probably after last night's festivities.
She has blonde hair tied back in a practical tail, she looks like she's in her early fifties, but her appearance shows no lack of vigor, her shoulders and arms are lean, but well toned.
Delphine looks up from her sweeping as I approach her, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Good day traveller" she says, her voice lacking any false warmth. "New in town, huh? what can I do for you?"
I answer. "Hello, my name is Ragnar- Ragnar of Rorikstead. I'm here visiting my uncle, Alvor, you might know him?"
Delphine raises a brow, her scepticism makes we wonder if she already sees through my lie.
Then she gives a slight nod.
"Alvor? Aye, of course I know him, he's the only smith in town after all..."
She leans on her brown with one hand, and place her other hand on her hip
"So, Ragnar from Rorikstead- you just here to chat then, or do you need a room?"
I want her help, but I can't reveal that I know she's a member of the blades, so I decide to try to catch her interest.
"Sorry, I don't need a room. You see, there's been a troubling development nearby, one that could pose a threat to Riverwood... And I thought, who better to ask for any capable warriors in town, than the innkeeper. You probably have a general impression of both the townsfolk and travellers." I say, fishing for her interest.
Delphine narrows her eyes. "Troubling development, huh?... And what exactly would that be? I will have to know to point you to the right people for this... Problem..."
Damnit, she's playing the same game I do, trying to fish out information.
I lower my voice, as if wanting to keep it the problem a secret.
"Look, I don't want to make a fuzz about it until after it's resolved... it could be taken care of with a few capable warriors- just point me in their direction, and I'll tell you after the situation is taken care of."
Delphine obviously doesn't like to be kept in the dark, the irritation is clearly visible on her face.
"Come here, stranger!" she says, dragging me by my collar into a nearby room, and then proceeds to close the door behind us.
"Alright, spill the beans new guy! what's going on!" She steps in front of the door and crosses her arms, giving me a stern look.
Yes! She took the bait, all I need now is for her to offer to help me.
"Your name was Delphine, right? Alvor told me to ask you, and that you would know the right people, so please... I don't want any trouble!"
Delphine's tone of voice gets deep and sharp. "You'll tell me what's going on now, or you can forget getting any help from me at all."
I fake a sigh.
"Alright, but please, don't go around scaring the townsfolk. Last night I got chased by a necromancer right outside Riverwood, he had a couple of skeletons doing his bidding, I barely escaped alive."
Delphine raise her eyebrows and her eyes widen.
"A necromancer, here in Riverwood?! Where?!"
I can see the urgency in her eyes, she wants in.
"He's made camp just bit outside Riverwood, I want to lead a small task force out there to take care of him, I'll be able to lead someone there but I can't describe the way without going myself."
Delphine grabs my shirt again and pulls me close.
"Then don't tell anyone else, got it?! You and me will take care of this, right now!"
"Are you sure, Delphine?... You're an innkeeper, are you sure just the two of us are enough for this?..." I ask.
"You told me that this was a necromancer with just two skeletons, right?... If that's so, then yes, we are enough. Now, go wait outside, I'll be with you in five minutes!".
I obey and go outside, waiting for Delphine.
I feel bad for manipulating her into helping me, but it was necessary.
But I don't like the fact that the lying came so natural to me, but I'm desperate, this could my only way of getting back home.
I spend a few minutes taking deep breaths, trying to make myself ready for this
Even though she's probably capable to take him down by herself, I still can't help but feeling nervous.
Delphine finally comes out, not having spent much more than five minutes.
She's geared up, dressed in leather armor and a steel sword at her side.
"All right, Ragnar... which way?". She asks, her expression deadly and ready for action.
"This way, up river" I say.
Without another word she starts marching, her pace determined and focused.
I almost feel sorry for the necromancer, I would not want to be her enemy!
We leave town by the southern gate, and walk for a few minutes before Delphine speaks again.
"So, how far away is this disgrace?"
"Umm..." I say as I think.
"Really?! I thought you knew where this guy was!!" Delphine retorts.
"I think I'll know it when we get there!
I had to jump into the river to escape his skeletons, I'll recognize the height I jumped from... I think."
I say, admitting I wasn't sure, it had after all been dark.
Delphine crosses her arms.
"You think?! You better not waste my time!
If this hadn't been important, I would have left you here, right now."
I scratch my head, a bit embarrassed.
"Yeah, sorry about that... But I'll recognize the place, I have to! I remember there was a massive pine tree there."
Delphine raise her eyebrows in disbelief at my statement.
"Look around you! There's massive pine trees all around!"
I sigh, knowing she's right.
"Well, that's why I told you I couldn't explain where he was, but I will just have to show you..."
This time Delphine sighs.
"Fine... Any idea how long you were in the river? It's current could have carried you far quickly."
"Well..." I mutter, while trying to remember.
"It did feel like a really long time... But again, I was fighting for my life in that deathtrap!"
Another sigh escapes Delphine's lips.
"We'll just walk along the river then, let me know when you recognize anything."
We continue to follow the river upwards, towards the mountains.
It doesn't take more than maybe five minutes of walking until I recognize the small cliff I had jumped from the night before.
"There! That's definitely where I had to jump from!!"
Delphine nods."Alright."
She walks to the edge where I had jumped, first she looks down at the river, then towards the town, then at me.
"Hmmm... Ragnar, I don't think you were in the river for more than a minute if that's the case, you sure this is it?"
I think I blushed a little.
"Well... Yeah, this must be the place.."
Delphine's gaze wander away from me and onto the road behind me.
"You know, I think you're right...
Any idea where that came from?"
She points at the road.
My eyes follow the direction she's pointing, and there was another confirmation that we were on the right track.
Blood, and lots of it.
Whatever or whoever was the owner of that blood, had definitely bled out. "Umm... That wasn't there last night!... Atleast I don't think it was..."
Delphine walks over to the blood to have a closer look.
"No, it wasn't... Last night was the first night this week without any rain- and besides..." She steps on the blood and shuffle her foot, making a small line in the blood.
"It's still fresh."
She stares at the blood for a short moment. "Alright, let's kill this freak!"
Shit.. she wants to kill him!..
But if I let her do that, I'll lose what's probably my only way home.
"Umm... Delphine?... How about we capture him, without killing him?" I ask carefully.
Delphine immediately responds, without a sliver of doubt in her voice.
"No, having murdered to raise undead is unforgivable.
If this blood belongs to a human, I won't relent given a chance to finish him off."
I sigh deeply, realizing that I can't change her mind, atleast not if I don't tell her the truth. Maybe she'll think I'm crazy, but I don't think I have a choice.
"Delphine... What I told you about coming from Rorikstead... That' wasn't true..." I say with my gaze on the ground.
Delphine narrows her eyes.
"Really?... You know, you keep giving me more and more reasons to head back to Riverwood and let you handle this yourself! Tell me everything, right now! Or you're on your own."
She crosses her arms and gives me a stern look, she's dead serious.
I sigh again, now I really don't have a choice but to tell her.
"Alright, I'll tell you the truth...
Last night I was actually my first night in Skyrim...
This necromancer, whatever he did, somehow managed to conjure me here, I-"
Delphine immediately interrupts me.
"Nope, that's a lie.
It's impossible to conjure another human,
it only works with deadra or undead from the planes of oblivion."
With that she turns to leave for Riverwood.
I grab Delphine by her shoulder and pull on her. "No, I swear, I-"
With a swift rotation she somehow manage to put me in an armlock, she kicks my heel and flip me down into the ground.
She draws her blade and points it at me, the tip of her steel only and inch away from my chin.
"Don't even try".
"Wow..." I mutter as I grasp what had just happened, I raise my hands impishly.
I try to plead with her.
"Look, it really is a necromancer here, and there is no way I can take him down by myself...
Why don't you ask him wether or not if he brought me here?"
Delphine is silent, weighing the matter against me having lied to her.
She finally grunts, sheathing her sword. "Fine, but I'm doing this for the safety of Riverwood, not out of sympathy for you."
Relieved, I breathe out deeply.
"Thank you, even so, I appreciate it."
I get back up, dusting off the gravel from my clothes, before asking her.
"Then you agree to take him alive then?..."
Delphine takes an deep breath and exhale through her nose.
"IF there is something to your story, and IF we're even able to take him alive... But let's go, we're wasting precious daylight."
And with that, Delphine and I move into the pine-shrouded forest, in the direction I had escaped from the night before.
She might not fully trust me, but for now, she's willing to help me bring this man in alive—at least, I hope she is.