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It was hot in the wizards rooms, but despite it taking him several hours to craft Mjoll's potion I never once felt drowsy. Sitting in the chair in the corner of his room, surrounded by his power I was acutely aware of how dangerous this man could be and that was enough to guarantee I was awake. My hands itched to rest on the hilts of my swords, but my swords were hidden under the mattress in our rooms at Candlehearth Hall. Instead I fiddled with the amulet that had given me away.

It took several hours before he was done. By the end of it my eyes were burning from exhaustion and I felt shaky. I honestly couldn't remember the last time I had eaten.

Wuunferth presented me with a small vial. I inspected it, holding it's contents up to the light, but the glass was dark green and I couldn't see anything beyond it being a liquid.

"How long before she can travel?" I asked.

Wuunferth arched a brow and for a moment looked surprised. "Immediately."

Now it was my turn to look surprised in earnest.

He held up his hand to stop me from speaking. "This will not heal her completely, but it will give her the strength she will need to return home. It's effects are limited, a day-two at the most. Then she will need time, as the priestess told you." There was a knowing look in his eyes. "No more dragon fighting for her." He watched me narrow my eyes and smirked. His smile was a slimy thing. "You think the Dragonborn could come to my city and I wouldn't have someone watching?" He grunted. "You think so little of me?"

My chest felt tight and my skin prickled. I wanted out of this room and out of this city. The thick stone walls of the palace and the city beyond had me suddenly feeling claustrophobic. I cleared my throat, but was still disappointed when my voice came out less strong than I wanted. "I thought this was Ulfric's city."

Wuunferth flashed me a predatory smile. "Be gone Dragonborn, see to your brave Lioness, get her on the carriage, but do not even think about leaving my city before your debt is settled."

I was outraged. "I can't send her alone and injured!"

The wizard shrugged as though to say it was not his problem. "Protection is available for a price. I believe Stenvar is sitting about the Inn, waiting for the next person who can pay his fee. He is more than capable of getting your little Lioness home." Then Wuunferth flicked his fingers at me and I was dismissed.

I wanted to open my mouth to argue but the door to his rooms opened with no one touching it and I took the hint. I was fuming. I slammed the door behind me and stomped my way through the palace. I couldn't imagine trusting a sell sword to keep Mjoll safe. I must have been a sight, because every guard paused to look at me and then quickly looked away.

I shoved open the door to the main hall with more strength than I realized. It slammed back against the wall making me jump and the occupants of the hall looked my way. I froze for only a moment when I realized both Ulfric and Ralof were among the group seated at the large banquet table eating breakfast. They both looked my way curiously and i whirled towards the main doors. I took long strides across the hall feeling as though their eyes on my back were a tangible thing. They had only gotten a brief look, I didn't think it was long enough for either of them to recognize me.

The guards didn't stop me from leaving and I practically tripped over my own feet as I fought the urge to run across the slippery cobblestones back towards the Inn. My prize was still gripped in my fist. I entered the Inn through the side door which led me to the main room. True to Wuunferth's words, sitting at one of the tables eating his breakfast,was a large nord mercenary.

I tried not to draw any attention to myself and slipped down the back stairs and into my and Mjoll's room. Mjoll was fast asleep. I quickly slipped back into my armor and donned my swords and cowl. I wasn't going to hire a sell sword dressed like a mousy little nord. I fully intended to put the fear of the dragonborn in him.

An hour later Stenvar and I were slowly helping Mjoll across the bridge and to the Windhelm stables. Stenvar had already secured their places on the carriage and had come back to help me get Mjoll. He was supporting most of Mjoll's weight, no doubt the hulking nord could have easily carried her, but Mjoll insisted on walking. I followed sedately behind them, Mjoll's pack bouncing against my shoulder.

Stenvar glanced back over his shoulder at me for what must have been the hundredth time. I normally didn't get quite so much satisfaction from someone fearing me, but today I did. If Stenvar feared me more than he loved gold he would take good care of my friend. "I should have dressed more warmly," he chatted nervously.

I rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see them. He was certainly talkative for a sell sword. Oh well, it would help him and Mjoll pass the time. I had never been as inclined to idle talk as Mjoll. I was convinced it was, in her opinion, one of my short comings as a travel companion.

Once we reached the carriage I helped him get Mjoll situated, tucking her warm sabre cat pelt blanket around her. I took out the potion, pulled the stopper and pressed it into her cold hands.

"What is this?" Mjoll's voice croaked. Despite it being midday her breath came out in a puff of white vapor.

"It'll make you strong until you get home to Aerin and he can take care of you."

Mjoll looked concerned. "You aren't coming?" She looked around and just now seemed to notice I didn't have my pack. Her mouth set in a stubborn line.

I shook my head. This was exactly why I hadn't told her of my plan earlier. "Stenvar will escort you to Riften and see you safely home."

Mjoll sat up too quickly and started a round of uncontrollable coughing. She was gasping for breath by the end of it, but she still forced the words out between ragged breaths. "You-can't-stay-in-this-city."

Something must have shown on my face because her own face fell. I spoke quickly, trying to reassure her. "I just have some quick business to tend to, a favor, then I will be right behind you."

Mjoll shook her head. "Ulfric," her voice was breathy now. She was over taxing herself.

"I can handle Ulfric," I promised her, though I didn't sound very convincing even to myself. "You need to take that potion and get on the road as quickly as you can. Stenvar!" I called, looking over my shoulder. The nord was standing directly behind me, waiting for me to climb out of the carriage so he could get in. I moved towards him and was almost shocked when he offered me a hand down. It had been a long time since I had been treated like a lady. I loosely placed my gloved hand in his and hopped down without putting any pressure on him.

He immediately climbed up and took my place. "You take that potion now Lady Mjoll." he said in his gravely voice.

Mjoll looked like she wanted to argue, but when she went through another round of coughing she finally swallowed down the contents. A breath I hadn't realized I had been holding wooshed out of my lungs. I turned to the carriage driver and nodded my head. He began climbing up and settling himself on the seat to begin their journey.

"Be careful with Ulfric Fr- dragonborn." Mjoll called as strongly as she could. She glanced once at Stenvar guiltily to see if he had noticed her slip.

Stenvar shushed her, tucking the blanket tightly around her. "The dragonborn is quite capable of taking care of herself."

The rest of their words were lost in the sound of the horses hooves, the clatter of the wagon and the creaking of the wheels.

I stood out on the road for what felt like hours. Long after the carriage had disappeared up the hill and through the trees. Having Mjoll gone felt like a hole in my chest and I wondered at it. She and I had been traveling together for a long time, but before that I had always been alone. Being alone had never bothered me, in fact, given the way I grew up, I found being alone to be very safe.     
The wind and snow whipped around me and I wondered if the feeling was loneliness. I rubbed my face through my cowl and turned back towards the city. It seemed like it took a lot more effort to cross the bridge now. The guards had stopped overtly paying attention to me, but I could feel their eyes following me.

The small hill leading up to the bridge had never felt so steep. I looked up at the sky and noticed it was now midday. I had been awake well over a full day. I needed to get some sleep. I was feeling almost delirious. I would return to our - my room at the inn and once I slept and ate I would return to Wuunferth. Whatever favor he wished he was going to have to ask for it now. I was not staying in this city one day longer than necessary.

I was halfway across the bridge when I heard the call. I whirled around, unable to believe it. I looked immediately to the sky. I couldn't see it. The call hadn't been that loud, and it wasn't the call of an attacking dragon - not yet. I dropped my hand to rest on the hilt of my sword as I opened up my senses. It was there. I could feel it. My eyes snapped open again as it called once more. This time closer, more aggressive. I spun around frantically, trying to pinpoint it's location.

The guard towers obstructed my view and I quickly raced up the west stairs. I could hear the main gates opening as more guards came to protect the city. The stairs were as old as the rest of the city, uneven, icy stones that were a challenge to run up. Before I was once again in open air the dragon was attacking. It's thu'um shook it's way down to my bones and unable to resist it I opened my mouth and shouted back my challenge to my kin.

I was normally so much more careful about selecting the shouts I used and exercising absolute control, but I was tired. I had been running on adrenaline for far too long and all that was left were my instincts.

"STRUN BAH!" I don't know why I attempted storm call. I didn't even know the final word of the shout. I realized with dismay that I wouldn't be able to shout again for some time. Even for an incomplete shout this one always took a lot out of me.

The dragon turned to look towards me, but it's attention was drawn by the large group of stormcloak's that had poured out of the gate to face the dragon. Thunder rumbled ominously overhead and the noon day sun was quickly swallowed up by the darkest of storm clouds. I pulled out my blades and brandished them just as the sky opened and rain began pouring down on us. The first crack of lightening sent the dragon spiraling away from the city, screaming it's anger.

It swept back towards us, attempting to dodge the lightening as it shouted once more. It was a frost dragon. Shards of ice coated the bridge and guards towers, Stormcloak soldiers scurried back out of the way, desperately seeking cover from the dragon's relentless assault.

I felt so helpless. I didn't have any weapon the could help, and my usual tactic of shouting to get the dragon's attention and leading it away to a place it would be forced to land wouldn't work until I could shout again. I could feel this dragon's rage and its hunger. That surprised me. It wasn't often a dragon attacked because it was hungry.

The lightening struck the dragon again and again as it tried to swoop lower. From across the bridge I heard Ralof's yelling for his men to ready a volley of arrows. I looked up towards him just in time to see the dragon pause, beating the air in the way I knew meant it was going to drop down on top of the men. I raced across the top of the bridge. There was no ledge up here, just a straight drop to the river below. The stones were even more slippery than before. My fault. Rain and ice did not mix. I had my swords ready and was just cresting to top of the stairs when the dragon landed.

I opened my mouth to shout but couldn't. It hadn't been long enough, and pain exploded through my mind. Despite my failed attempt the dragon looked at me and shouted. I spun away, instinctively raising an arm to protect myself. My enchantments took the worst of the blow, but it still knocked me to my knees. I turned back just in time to see Ralof jump forward.

"Cover the dragonborn!"

My head was pounding from taking the full brunt of the dragon's thu'um but not so bad I couldn't silently curse Ralof. The fool was going to get himself killed. True to form, he and several other stormcloak's put themselves between me and the dragon to give me time to recover. The dragon reared it's head back. It's hunger was a living thing in my chest, making my stomach cramp.

"RAFOL!" I screamed.

He turned to face me, confusion and something else on his face.

It was going to take one of them. I leapt from my crouch, throwing myself into him. I managed to knock him out of the way but the dragon continued it's strike. It gaped it's mouth and snapped it shut completely over the stormcloak next to me. I was already off balance from hitting Ralof and when it shook it's head, relishing it's meal, it slammed into my chest knocking me sideways and off my feet.

I was falling. I reached out to grab a hold of something, anything. But there was nothing. I was falling too far. It was then I remembered the crumbling steps that had no ledge. I was falling too far. I had been thrown off the bridge.

It felt like I was flying. With the dragon soul nestled next to my own in my chest, it's anger and hunger radiating through me I felt closer to my kin than I ever had. I couldn't remember what part of the bridge I was on, or if I was going to land on water or the icy rocks below. I didn't want to face the ground, so instead I looked to the sky and listened to the sound of dragon wings in the air.

It wasn't such a horrible thing, to die for Ralof. After all he had saved my life all those years ago. And I was so tired. My body struck, and everything went black.

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