Lucien opens his eyes to find the axe buried deep in the tree behind him, just a short few inches away from his hip. I could practically see the fear and relief wash over him as he slips to the ground foaming by the mouth.
Alexander:…Did I over do it a bit?
Hadvar smacks me beside the head as I turned to face the group.
Hadvar: What the hell did I say to you just a minute ago you dumbass!
Alexander: It needed to be done! How else will he know the dangers of the job if I don't even come close to simulating it!? He's a grown-
I look back to the still frothing Lucien before turning my head back to Hadvar.
Alexander: -Man…and he can handle it!
Hadvar: Yes but you're the one suggesting we try to recruit as many people as we can! How does this help!? You'll scare the poor bastard away!!
Lucien: It's quite alright Mr.Hadvar.
Lucien finally gets up, foam cleaned from his mouth, keeping himself up by holding onto my shoulder. Meanwhile, Ralof walks up with a confused expression on his face.
Ralof: You'll forgive me if I'm out of line Alexander, but why and how did that milk drinker pass the test you gave him. He didn't beat you, and he nearly wet himself after.
Lucien: I most certainly did not! That's just sweat!
Lucien sniffs around his clothes.
Lucien: Uh…yup! Definitely sweat!
Alexander: Right…well I already explained it but the main reason is because this test wasn't to see if Flavius could beat me in combat. The point was to see if he would still stand his ground and fight. Lots of you here have shown your resolve to fight, but there will be times that you question your will…
I look to the rest of the group.
Alexander:…there will also be moments where your greed or even your desire for self preservation will overshadow that loyalty. This test was intended for Flavius, but as we grow I want this test to make all of you realize just what is expected. You all witnessed his clear signs of fear, yet he never persisted and continued forth in his fight in spite of the danger. Imagine yourselves in that same situation, whether it's with the bandits, the thalmor, dragons, daedra. Being a strong and capable warrior is something that can happen with training and diligence, but an iron will is something one has to be born with, understand that, hone that, and embrace that. You are all dismissed.
Everyone walks away, continuing their usual duties whilst Lucien stands behind me.
Alexander: Well Flavius? Anything you'd like to say?
Lucien: Yes, I'll admit, it was a really difficult test, brutal even. I've always lived a sheltered life so now I understand that I vastly underestimated the hypotheticals you mentioned Mr Skyfield. The way you fought, I felt as if I truly was going to die, I nearly fainted a few times after the first hit you gave me and you didn't even plan to actually kill me.
You kinda did faint but ok.
Alexander: So what will you do after this experience Flavius? Do you still intend to stay? Or will you be leaving back for home after understanding the risks.
Lucien leans back to the same tree, and takes a deep breath before answering.
Lucien: I can't deny that I am a fearful coward. When I first left home, I was terrified. I left my parents, friends, and home and went into an unknown land I'd never been to. Yet, even with those doubts, I still walked through those gates. Even with every moment of second-guessing, I still climbed into the carriage. No matter what, I still took my time and energy to come here. I can't just abandon that now, the efforts I put. I know the dangers, and I know I still have lots to learn, but then again I've never been the type to not relish in the opportunity to study!
Alexander: So you're staying then?
Lucien: Yes, but I have a favor to ask! If possible, could you train me? I know I might be asking a lot for someone as busy as you are Mr. Skyfield, but something tells me that if you trained me, my growth would be exponential!
Alexander: Hmph, you already proved to me that you're perfectly capable, so yes. I shall train you, from now on you will be by my side 24/7 so that I can train you at all times. Only moments where you shouldn't be near me is if you bathe and take a crap.
Lucien: A little crude but terrific!
Lucien reaches his hand out to me with a large grin on his face.
Lucien: I look forward to what I can learn from you, teacher!
I grasp his hand with a smirk.
Alexander: And I look forward to your growth, Lucien. But you can just call me Alexander. Teacher makes me feel old.
Lucien looks confused by the statement.
Lucien: Pardon? You make it sound like you're young. How old are you?
Alexander: Uh…how old do you think I am?
Lucien takes a long look at me.
Lucien: Uh…I wanna say…36?
There was a long silence followed by Hadvar in the distance holding back his laughter.
Alexander: Eh?
Lucien: Eh?…Was…was I wrong?
A tear rolls down my eye as I use every ounce of my will to hold myself back from hitting him in the stomach again.
***********
After packing what I needed for the journey I grab my bag, while I do have a clutter problem I noticed my bag was much heavier then usual, peaking inside I was met with the friendly sight of Redcap, snuggled cozily inside my bag.
Alexander: Redcap?
Redcap: Ogh?
Alexander: Is there a reason you're inside my bag?
Redcap: Want. Come. With. Friend.
Alexander: So why did that warrant a ride inside my bag?
Redcap: You. Never. Say. I. Go.
Alexander: Ah I get it, I never said I would be bringing anyone with my to Riften did I? Well good news buddy, you and I are a package deal. I wouldn't dare leave behind my little buddy! So climb out of my bag already, your feet'll go numb!
Redcap: Yes!
Redcap jumps out, bouncing up and down as we exit my tent, witnessing everyone clearing out the camp we settled in. Lucien walks up with a large camping bag on his back.
Lucien: Ready…urgh…to go…sir!
The bag itself was comically large, almost as big as he was, with even the side pockets filled with what looked to be pencils, feathers, scrolls, and for some reason a frying pan.
Alexander: What're you doing?
Lucien: Well, you said that we were leaving for Riften. It's about 5 days away on foot so I took the liberty to serve as a pack mule of sorts for the journey! Plus like this I could strengthen myself carrying this whole thing! Kill two birds with one stone!
Sven walks by snickering to himself.
Sven: That won't really be necessary newbie number 3. Boss here always designates himself as the pack mule!
Lucien: Wait, what?
He walks off before Lucien could fully turn around to face him.
Lucien: But, how? With that small bag you have?
I shrug.
Alexander: I'm good at organizing so to speak. Give me your bag and I'll see if I can fit it into mine. It won't be necessary but I'd rather do that then risk you hurting yourself.
Lucien takes off his large bag carefully and hands it to me.
Lucien: Fine but I put a lot of essentials in there sir. It was hard to fit them all in even after taking out an extra set of clothes-
The moment Lucien looks away I place the bag into my inventory, disappearing within a second. The moment he turns around Lucien's eyes widen In shock at the sudden disappearance of his bag.
Lucien: Wha…where…how?!
Alexander: Let's get going.
Lucien: B-but?
Redcap taps Lucien's leg.
Redcap: Friend. Smart.
Lucien: That doesn't explain anything.
As we walked toward the bridge to Whiterun, Hadvar, Ralof, and Sofia meet with us.
Alexander: Anything we need to go over before I leave?
Hadvar: Nothing much, but what about that task the Jarl wanted to give us.
Alexander: The Jarl is a busy man, he won't need to waste time waiting for us to do one little thing for him.
Hadvar: That's so irresponsible!
Ralof: Are you sure this recipe for the poison will be of any value? Something as common as deathbells and salt making an expensive poison like this seems unrealistic.
He says staring intently at the slip of paper I gave him with the ingredients.
Alexander: It's called capitalism Ralof, there's a war so anything to help win a fight is in high demand. Don't question it and just enjoy the chance. Make sure to sell them to whatever merchant you can. And if you find the Khajit, offer a partnership with them. For vagabonds of their caliber, we should form relations with to further strengthen our reach.
Ralof: Aye.
Alexander: And what is it you need Sofia? And I better not hear something inappropriate like "my sword in your sheath" or something like that.
Sofia shakes her head as she looks at me with concern.
Sofia: Much as I'd enjoy the tease, I wanted to talk to you about a serious matter.
Alexander: Serious and you in the same sentence is as believable as Ulfric being a mute, but go on.
Sofia: Well it might not happen again since we're moving to a different location, but this morning Camilla and I went to the river for a bath and I swear I saw some pervert streaking through the forest. I didn't get a good look at him though.
A cold sweat drips down my neck as I awkwardly look down at Sofia. I maintained my stoic demeanor however and cleared my throat.
Alexander: And…what time was this taking place?
Sofia: Just short of the crack at dawn.
Alexander: Well that's really early, I don't think anyone would've expected many to have been awake, it's probably just a coincidence.
Sofia: I suppose you're right, I'll make sure to keep any eye out next time though. If I ever caught someone peeping I'll chop off that little head of there's.
Alexander: Well I think it's about time we start leaving now aye lads?! See you all in a few weeks! Bye for now!
As I briskly walk to the bridge, Lucien and Redcap follow behind me as we leave Riverwood, as soon as we covered enough ground I turn back to witness the small and cozy village one last time. It'll be awhile before I see this place again, so I take the time to appreciate the rustic beauty, before saying my goodbyes.
***********
Days pass as we traversed through the lands by carriage, something I've always wanted to experience, no one mentioned what a pain in the ass it is though, with how much I was forced to sit on the hard wood plank called a seat we would have to make some stops so I could stretch and rest my numbed cheeks.
But not only that, whenever we would make these occasional stops to rest I would use that time to train Lucien, I decided to first train him to take hits and to train his use in one-handed weaponry. I did want him to train in using magicka since he displays more talent in the field, but it wouldn't make sense to do that when I don't even have a grasp of the mystical arts myself. Until we get the chance to go to Winterhold or find an adept mage, it'll be hard to train myself, much less Lucien. Still, he and I would make it a habit to practice every night through meditation that Sofia told me about.
"It's not something a talent like myself needs, but focusing and moving your magicka around your body is like practicing a movement with your muscle, the more you do it the better it feels."
At least that's what she would say while whispering in my ear. Which I kindly responded with throwing her into a river, the thought of which made me start to chuckle a bit.
Redcap and Lucien got along about as well as I would've hoped. Because of his unique color and intelligence, Lucien would ask constant questions and write notes in his journal on any answers Redcap gives him, regardless of the fact that some might not be so useful.
Redcap: We. Hunt. For. Floaty Rockfish. Fight. For. Days. We kill. We eat. We dance.
Lucien: Fascinating! And what does this rockfish look like? How many fight it?
Redcap seemed to really enjoy talking to Lucien since he expressed so much enthusiasm in learning about his people, because of that he would stick by Lucien whenever we attacked by bandits, protecting him from any attackers.
After a couple of days the carriage driver Bjorlam speaks up to me.
Bjorlam: We're arriving at Shor's stone, if you don't mind I'd like to stop here to restock and rest.
Shor's Stone, one of the small villages in Skyrim, in terms of usefulness it doesn't amount to much other then having an iron mine and a few quests, two being a fetch and the other just being a waste of damn time. At my level the experience could barely be worth much…but not for a newcomer whose fresh off the press. I turn to Lucien who is currently listing off all the different words Redcap uses and figuring out the meaning of them, then he lifts his head seeing me with a wide grin.
Lucien: Uh…is there something wrong sir?