Out of Place
A Skyrim Fanfic Series
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Chapter 2 (Feb 9, 2012)
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Loredas, 21th of Sun's Dusk, 4E 201
(November 20th, 2011)
As I came to, I felt as if someone was shaking me awake. Did someone have an arm around me? Wait... what was going on here?!
"Lass, are you all right?" I heard as I opened my eyes to find nothing but a blur. I reached up to rub my eyes with my right hand. "What's going on? Why is it so bright?" Wondering why I wasn't in the cave anymore, as my vision cleared, I noticed a man with bright blonde hair and blue eyes was looking at me with both confusion and worry. "I found you here, passed out. You look like ya hit'cher head. I should get you to a mender."
He spoke with what sounded like a Swedish or Norwegian accent. I've talked to people from different countries, and I had this thing for learning cultures and languages. I guess for once it came in handy. But at the moment I was more concerned as to why I felt like I fell off a cliff and got lucky. I was tired, dizzy, and sore all over.
I groaned when I tried to sit up. "Woah, woah. Hold on there, gal. You don't look so good. Let me help, please." I winced and let him help me up. Slowly, of course. I carefully glanced at him. "I'm sorry, but where are you from. And where am I? Last I remember, I was in a cave with strange markings. I'm just--owww!" I winced again as I felt blood rush to my head. "I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" I slowly shook my head. "No, I think I sat up too fast." He nodded -- from what I could see -- and went on to answer me. "You're not too far from Riverwood. I just happened to be passing by. I was heading to my sister's house, for a visit before I join the army."
I looked up in confusion. "Riverwood? But I was just down the road from Folk's Creek. I don't remember being near any river areas." The man tilted his head slightly. "I take it you're not from around here. Are you from Cyrodiil? Hammerfell? No, not Hammerfell. You're not dark enough. Are you Akaviri? Your eyes and hair have the look." I rubbed my neck, which was beginning to feel sore, and pushed up a sleeve to look for any bruising. "I'm part Asian, if that's what you're getting at. And what are these places you're mentioning? I've never heard of Cyro... deel? Or Hammerfell. Wait... What is the name of this state... or country, even? I don't even know your name, actually. I'm far too confused..."
The man looked at me with slight pity and concern. "Forgive me. My name is Ralof. The name of this land is Skyrim. The continent is Tamriel. Cyrodiil, Hammerfell, and Akavir are all different provinces within Tamriel." I looked down and furrowed my eyebrows. "Wait. Okay. This might seem like a very stupid, crazy question, but... am I on Earth?" Ralof gave me a soft smile and told me slowly, "We call this mortal realm Nirn. I take it you must be from somewhere much further than Akavir." I heaved a large sigh and dropped my head to my hands, which really smarted. "I'm from a completely different planet...." I took a few slow, deep breaths. "I'm not even sure you know what that means. But somehow, when I decided to explore a cave on a whim, I ended up being transported to this... Nirn. Please don't think I'm some crazy lady. It sounds like, as of right now, you're the only person who can help me."
I looked up at Ralof, who looked more than just bewildered. Or dumbfounded. I doubt there is any word for the expression on his face. "I... don't know what to say... A different world? Beyond all of Nirn? Beyond the Oblivion? It does sound strange. But I just escaped a real, live dragon. I thought those were just tales you tell a child to make him behave. But if a dragon can come from ancient stories to reality, I guess a woman can walk into a cave and exit into Skyrim. I... I'll do what I can to help. If you can walk well enough, I will ask my sister to help tend to your wounds. She knows how to keep things quiet."
I sighed with great relief. "Thank you so, so much. When I'm better I'll do what I can for work. I guess I'm just lucky we speak the same language. But please don't tell her this business about me being from another world. Just tell her I got mugged, and my money and good supplies were taken. I don't know how to explain my clothes, though. Clearly they're not from around here."
Ralof helped me up, and nodded as I spoke. "For someone with a head wound you're thinking pretty cleverly." I shrugged with a light chuckle that didn't hurt my head. I had a knack for thinking under pressure. "You're right, though. A mugging sounds more real than the whole "different world" story, obviously. We can work that out another time. For now, I have an extra shirt and trousers that will help you blend in. If anything, we can say your other clothes were ruined." I chuckled as he rummaged through his travel bag and handed me his extra clothes. "Well, this really adds to the mugging story. I barely know you and we're partners in crime." He laughed and nodded. With a grin he said, "If I'm going to be your partner, can I know you're name?" I blinked. "Oh! I'm sorry. I'm Kiara Nightingale." I held out my hand, which he took and did the old-world gentleman's hand kiss. I stifled a chuckle, realizing this place was definitely not my Earth, much less America. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Kiara." He grinned as he looked up and released my hand. "I better let you change. I won't peek, I promise."
I grinned before turning my back to him to look for a tree or large rock to hide behind. I then furrowed my brow, wondering if his last remark would be the complete truth. I found a very old, decent sized tree and gingerly changed into the clothes he gave me. It took some work, mainly because I had to keep my head level, but I changed fairly quickly in spite of the pain. I noticed I hit some small rocks when I fell, because I found a few scratches, welts and bruises along my back and my forearms. His clothes were a little baggy, but actually fit me decently. He wasn't short, but he wasn't too much taller. I wasn't sure if that meant I was taller than I realized, or if he was on the shorter side for men. He was pretty well-muscled, but I tried not to think of that. I was in pain. No time to think of attraction. Besides, I wasn't partial to blondes. No offense to blondes or anything. Who am I kidding, I'm writing in a journal. I doubt anyone would be offended-- Back to the account.
I finished lacing the pants, checked my hiking boots to make sure they were covered by the overlap of the long pants' legs before I grabbed my old clothes, and rolled each one up to carefully fit them in my hiking bag. As I stepped out from behind the tree, Ralof must have seen my expression and chuckled. I was actually considering the fact that I wasn't in a cave like one I had entered. "I know, I know, it is rather baggy; but keep in mind that these are men's clothes." He smirked and said, "You don't look half bad in them, though." I smirked and replied, "That means I don't look half good in them either. Anyway, I just realized that I'm not in a cave. When I crossed over, I had just entered a cave. Is there one near by?" After pausing before remarking on my 'half good' comment, he nodded and pointed behind himself and to the left. "Actually, there is a cave not far from here. If you passed out, you must have walked for a little while." I shook my head and swung the bag on over my shoulder. "It wouldn't make sense. I blacked out while in the cave. I felt as if I was lifted in mid air. Maybe this magic tossed me 'out' of the cave and near an area very similar to my own."
Once again, Ralof had a very surprised look on his face. "Well, well! Someone must be educated. And with a bump on the head!" He shook his head, clearly amused. Good for him; I wish I could say the same. He continued. "But.. It does make sense... perhaps this magic is not perfected. Or perhaps whoever created the spell did not want anyone smacking into the back of a cave!" Before I could reply, there was a sudden distant roar in the background. "At any rate, we should get out of here. I believe that dragon could be ready to attack another village closer to home!" I shuttered, then said, "I suppose we should head in the direction of your sister's house. And find a way to make some money." He gave me this concerned look. "I know, I know! I need to recover a bit before I worry about working. But don't worry; I'm a strong woman." He raised an eyebrow at me. "Okay, I know what you're thinking. I am stubborn." He grinned and kept that eyebrow up. I could tell he wanted to laugh. I rolled my eyes at him. "Yes! I am a woman who admits to being stubborn. But hey, it's kept me alive so far." Ralof simply shook his head, chuckled, and sighed. "I hardly know you, woman, but it sounds like even the gods couldn't keep you from charging ahead when you wished." I laughed, carefully, since my head was pounding. "You got that right," I said, then I winced and sighed heavily while I looked around at the ground. "Before we go, I need a good walking stick. Otherwise this walk could take much longer." He nodded, and we set to searching for one. We then set out to his sister's hometown, Riverwood.
As we walked in companionable silence, I did some thinking. Here I was in a completely different world in the blink of an eye. Well... in my case that had to be one long, painful blink. It cost me a bump on the head and bruises all over. And with this talk of dragons, it sounds like I'd have to learn to fight, not simply run away from these dragons. I could bet my life that there were plenty, some fairly easy while others more powerful. There were probably many creatures I'd never run into before. I began to wonder what else was out there. I even wondered if all of the plants and animals were the same. Did they have plumbing? And dear god--gods, what how would I deal with all that feminine stuff? I'm a woman; I need to shave important areas, but I refused to use a men's razor. I could cut an important artery, for all I knew. I guess I had to learn some smithing, some woodworking, and become an inventor in a new world, basically. Let's just say I had a lot to learn on my own. For now I needed to think up various excuses for not knowing basic things that females needed to learn in the medieval times, from sewing new stitches to more advanced cooking. I knew how to make stews and soups, and cook riced (of course), but you try killing and gutting an animal. All I can say is 'not fun.' I heaved another sigh. I was not looking forward to what laid ahead of me.
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