As the rays of first light cut through the heavy mist that clung to the silver stones of Markarth Ashley was tightening the straps of her fur armor gauntlets hair pulled back with a simple braid. The orcish bow on her back was heavy but the ebony dagger on her thigh felt comfortable, being armed like this was still so bizarre. The ability to take a life made her heart clench. Taking a deep breath of crisp mountain air Ashley looked up at the sky to the fading lights of the stars above her prayer to the divines bolstering her dwindling courage. She was taking the road to Falkreath alone…

Ashley didn't have the heart to ask any more of the kind Priestesses of Dibella, finding out her purpose was enough.

Biting her lip she descends the stone steps to the lower levels of Markarth her fist over her heart eyes downcast finding it hard to look anyone in the eye. Anxiety gnawed at her heart and twisted her belly, the wilds were no place for her. Shit, she could barely fight off the Vigilant of Stendarr when he attacked her what chances would she have when it came to an ambush of bandits?! Taking a slow and shaky breath when she felt the hot bite of tears building up and blurring her vision, she didn't have the time to cry. Throat constricted and tears ready to spill she balled her fists and looked up sharply glaring at the imposing height of Dwarven metal gates, fuck her fear. Fuck her anxiety. Fate be damned she was going to get to Falkreath on the will of the Divines and her unwavering determination alone.
No. One. And I mean no one can hinder her journey.

The road to Falkreath snaked along the edge of the river and the constant rush of white water was helping to drown out Ashley's thoughts. So far she had followed the road for nearly an hour as it twisted through the canyon stopping to look at the environment around her, it was cold sure but the breathtaking mountains that nearly pierced the sky kept her enamored with the harsh land. The scent of juniper hung like a perfume in the mist with it the smell of stone and cold. A promise of cold nights ahead made worry form in her belly. Making a fire would draw too much attention to herself, it might invite unwanted company. Yet sleeping alone in the cold without a good source of warmth would undoubtedly lead to her death. Rubbing her cheeks Ashley pressed the heel of her palm to her eyes in frustration trying to ease the start of a very bad headache.

"You should not carry such a worried look, as it does not suit you maldovah."

Ashley jumped out of her skin turning on her heel quickly dagger in hand pointed adamantly at Alduin who stood behind her. An amused lift of his brow made her wish she had stabbed him. "I do not have the time to entertain your perverted needs Alduin." She sheathed the dagger with a glare. "Leave me alone."

Alduin rumbled with mirth, "Perverted? My my little one have you been thinking about me?" His hand reached out and touched the hairs that escaped the braid framing her face letting the silky strands slide through his claws. "You've done very well in my absence. To banish a Deadric Prince from this realm albeit temporarily is no small feat. It's only shown your worth more to the Divines." Stepping up to her Alduin slid his hand along her neck, "A show of strength that shook the very core of the Deadra."

Ashley scowled, "That was no show of strength, I fought for more than just my life." His claws scraped gently along her scalp, thumb teasing her pulse. "It was out of fear, nothing else."

Alduin smiled wide his fangs bared, "Imagine the power if you fought with unwavering courage." Blood red eyes glittered with an unreadable emotion. "Your power is limitless. Your strength immeasurable."

Pulling away Ashley looked at the fallen dragon-like he grew two heads, "I don't have that kind of courage."

Grasping her hand he brought it up to his lips, "The magic in your blood has yet to be awoken maldovah." This press of his lips to her knuckles made Ashley's breath catch and heat to sear her blood. "Perhaps the thrill of dragon fire may bolster your courage for the journey ahead. As it had when you came to Markarth."

Confused and a bit flustered Ashley slowly pulled her hand away, "What about Markarth?"

"You felt it in your soul, coursing through your veins." Alduin purred tucking her hair behind her ear letting his claws drag slowly across her cheeks. "That power you expelled was brought on by fire in your blood. Your dragon blood."

Ashley scoffed, "You speak in riddles. How can there be a fire in my blood?"

Chuckling Alduin tilted her chin up, "I put it there." His nose brushing hers, lips but a breath apart. "I gave you a taste of my fire to awaken your powers, more of it now will only make you stronger." He captured her lips greedily claiming her mouth with his skilled tongue, heat blossomed in her chest as she clung to his shoulders. Whiskey filled her senses and she breathed in the scent of smoke. She was warm, and her core buzzed with desire.

Pushing against his chest Ashley stumbled back panting for breath her hand pressed to her breast where the warmth pulsated. "What did you do?!" This felt very different from fire magic, it was in her making all her nerves tinge with sharp sparks of heat. "Alduin you bastard did you even for once think that maybe a mortal body cannot contain dragon fire?!" Falling to her knees she wrapped her arms around herself breathing heavy her eyes screwed shut as pain flared all over her body. The heat was incredible building up in such force that she felt that her blood would boil. Whimpering she leaned over so her forehead resting against the cool stone Ashley's mouth hung open as she gasped for breath. "Y-you bast-tard." Then all went black.

Slowly her eyes fluttered open drawn to the dancing green lights above her the stars sparkling in her hazel eye. Crickets sang and the wind blew through the dry grass and against the stone. Night had descended across Skyrim.

Taking in a deep breath Ashley watched the black tops of trees move past her line of sight, there were no more mountains caging her in…when did she leave the mountain territory of The Reach? Sluggishly she moved her head to the side as she gazed at the dark road ahead of her. "It's so different without the music.." Ashley sighed wistfully closing her eyes.

"What music?"

Groaning Ashley moved her head to the other side pressing it into rough fabric breathing in the scent of whiskey and smoke. "There was always music in Skyrim when I played day and night, in a fight or when I crossed into a hold. The tavern music was my favorite…thank gods it still plays in them."

"When you played in Skyrim?"

Giggling she snuggled closer into the warm chest, "No…I played Skyrim, its a game."

"Is this where your knowledge comes from the little one?"

Huffing Ashley lifted her arm slowly and slapped the offending man carrying her, "I'm not little you are all just freakishly huge." Tilting her head back she watched the night sky dance with colors beyond what she could have envisioned.

"You strike me so casually." Alduin sounded almost surprised.

Feeling more herself Ashley shrugged with a relaxed smile. "Your face is easy to slap."

"I'll drop you…" She felt the growl come from deep in his chest, it made her smile turn impish.

Wiggling for a second she managed to get herself sitting up in his arms, "No you will not. I quite like it up here and from now on you'll be my main form of transportation."

Alduin leveled her with a very unamused ruby glare, "I'm not some common steed, child."

"Of course not! You smell much better than a horse."

Instantly she felt the sharp impact of the hard-pressed road to her rear shooting pain all the way up her spine. Her sight dotted with little lights as she rolled onto her knees with a gasp, "How cruel!" Getting up she brushed off the little stones from her legs and dust from the fur of her outfit, her earlier lethargy gone with the rush of adrenaline.

"Don't be lazy if you are to survive in Tamriel you need to build stamina, there are creatures that would jump at the chance to tear into your flesh. If you can run you might be able to live." Alduin circled her slowly his eyes glowing as a toothy smile spread across his face, "How about this little one, you start running and if I catch you I get to do whatever I want to you till light." He watched her eyes widen and her cheeks turn bright red, purposefully he looked down at the apex of her thighs making her squirm. Looking back up into her doe-like hazel eyes Alduin pointed behind her, "This road will take you all the way to Falkreath…I suggest you start running. I'll wait for 20 minutes then I'll hunt you down." Licking his lips Alduin made shooing motion with his hands.

'oh fuck' Ashley turned quickly in her hide shoes and began to run, she knew if she sprinted now she'd kill her stamina and be caught long before she reached Falkreath. Although the exact distance to the city was unknown to her she felt a burning need to try. What Alduin didn't know about her was her hobby of long-distance running and her history of free running, she wasn't an idle gamer she was a very active young woman with a love of the outdoors. With a smile she paced herself watching as the dark trees around her with hoping the next shadow wouldn't be him, the dancing lights of torch bugs and lunar moths kept her company keeping up with her and fluttering in her vision. Rounding a slight bend in the road Ashley took a measured breath and caught the scent of water, Lake Ilinalta was close by. Falkreath was not but a few miles from her location she might make it! With a smile she kept looking ahead with newfound determination, she can do this. Tilting her head she could just make out the forms of two people walking on the dark road just barely illuminated by moonlight. When she passed them she saw the distinctive amber glow of their eyes, 'Vampires…'

"OH! Where are you off too in such a hurry?" One of them called out.

"I'm being hunted!" Ashley called back with a wave of her hand.

The two vampires looked at each other then back behind them in confusion…she was being hunted by what? The shadows of the forest lurched and shifted, their vision being fine-tuned for the night made it easier for them to see the great beast stalking slowly along the road its body black as a starless night jagged and spiked, wings with sword-like talons scoring the dirt as it walks on bright ruby eyes burning with the thrill of the hunt. The vampires jumped off of the road in fear as the massive dragon passed them by, drool slipping from his maw and tail sweeping from side to side. Crouching low their claws dug into the bark of the trees they hid behind…instinct told them to stay away.

"That was him…the world eater."

"B-but they said the Dragonborn killed him…there is no way unless he truly is immortal."

"That girl is as good as dead."

"She didn't smell of fear, she smelled of determination."

"Well good for her." The vampire sniffed, "She's still dead though."

The Lunar Moths that hung around her began to fidget and flutter faster passing her and into the trees. Ashley watched them go with a frown, Mara better have a plan for saving her ass. Clutching her amulet Ashley began to pray to the Divines.

Opening her eyes she saw it a beautiful white stag with Lunar Moths on his racks. Taken back she slowed down to a stop breathing heavily as the beast starred her down with unblinking eyes, stomping twice it knelt down before her tilting its head to the side. Shocked she reached forward touching the rack with shaking fingers instantly she felt the flash of urgency and she jumped on its back clutching the fur of its mane as it sprang up and began to sprint down the road. Holding on for dear life Ashley smiled bright her fingers woven in the coarse hairs as she breathed in the scent of the forest. Looking ahead she caught sight of carvings on the base of the elks' antlers elegant knots and chalices swirling around moon and trees. Her amulet hummed gently basking her in a magical glow its warmth enveloping her like a hug. Feeling like an anime character riding through the spirit forest, she smiled and laughed watching as the torches on the gates of Falkreath came into view just as dawns first light began to streak across the sky, she did it!

The stag thundered past the gate slowing to a trot with a snort and a toss of his head. Three travelers had just come in from the Eastern gate and stood stock still at the sight of the white Elk. The guards stood back their torches in hand watching as the beast did a few circles and stopped facing the Western gate with a chuff its ears forward and hooves kneading the dirt. In a flutter of golden robes, Ashley slid off the stags back touching the robes gently she felt the last traces of Maras warmth on them, if the goddess wished her to be a priestess then who was she to say no. Looking back into the forest she pet the stags neck, "Don't be mad that I beat you here!"

Orion went for his sword as soon as he saw the jagged profile emerge from the trees, he felt his blood turn to ice at the sight of those ruby eyes. "No."

As the head of Alduin reached the gate no one dared move absolutely struck by the terror that this son of a God invoked. The black dragon growled with a snap of his jaws he breathed hot breath against the priestess, "You cheated, asking for help from the Divines was not in the agreement."

Ashley threw back her head and laughed, "Changing forms wasn't in the agreement either so I guess we both cheated?" She patted his snout, "Come on change back you're scaring everyone." With a huff, Alduin pulled back dissolving into black smoke, where the dragon stood now stood a man with unamused red eyes. He glared at the white stag and the beast snorted in his face.

"You witless grass eater," Alduin snarled ready to sink his claws into the elk when he felt the hot slap on his cheek. Looking down at Ashley he saw her move in front of the elk.

"Don't touch him, he's a good boy." With hands-on her hips, she poked the dragon in the chest, "Just because you're a sore loser doesn't mean you hurt the stag. Come on we finally made it to Falkreath I'm hungry and I have business to attend to."

"It stinks of mortals here," Alduin huffed glaring at the guards who stood back their swords shaking in their terrified grasps.

"Then go, I'll be safe within city walls." Ashley placed her hand on Alduin's wrist as the dragon looked around with visible distaste. His eyes flashed and his fangs showed in a terrible snarl, "Are you even-"

"HI!" (you)

Ashley looked back confused till she spotted Orion with a similar look of rage his sword in hand. "Oh no…no no-no." Biting her lip she stood her ground in front of the dragon, "Alduin, bo fod zu'u need hi zu'u fen bel hi." (Alduin, go if I need you I will summon you.) "Bo nu!" (go now) The dragon looked down at her in shock then with one last snarl he disappeared in the black smoke, letting out the breath she had been holding in Ashley rubbed her temples. Feeling a nudge she looked up at the stag the eyes of the beast like starlight shone brightly at her, with a smile she pressed her forehead to it's, "Thank you." With that, the stag walked back into the forest. Sighing she turned to Orion and his companions, "We have some catching up to do. How about over some mead and a hot meal?" Not waiting on them she walked right into the Dead Mans Drink.