Rayla Blackthorn was a young Nord born into a noble family that had lost its luster. She had long black hair that she kept braided down her back, deep blue eyes, the typical fair skin of the Nords, a button nose with dozens of freckles dotting the length of her cheeks. She wore simple clothes, mostly because that's just what she was comfortable in and could afford for herself, and she had a small wolf's fang pendant that rested against her chest and was a small reminder of her brother. She often read when she wasn't working to keep her home clean, taking extra care around her father whenever she slept off the alcohol from the night before.

Her father, Gislak, was a greedy drunk who gambled away any and all money they had to spare- driving them into near poverty time and time again. He had invested thousands in the last war, but when the White-Gold Concordat was signed he lost everything the Blackthorn clan could claim to their name. As a result, Gislak and her mother, Finith, constantly fought and Finith became an adulterous witch- constantly absent from home and her kind demeanor replace by a much colder standoffish one. Her older brother, Jondric, had been the one to protect her until he had gone off to war, but he had yet to return home and no news of him- not even if he was still alive or not- had come for many months.

Things weren't as bad as they could have been and Rayla took solace in that, but then when she was nearing her eighteenth birthday, her father made plans to marry her off to some strange man in hopes of rebuilding their wealth and she had no say in the matter. Rayla had always done what she could to please her parents, especially her father since he was the only one present at home, but she had a bad feeling about the man she was to be wed to.

His name was Velanus Falenshield, the Imperial partener of Ainethach- the Reachman who owned the silver mines in Karthwasten. He was a tall, burly sort of man and put on a show for everyone else to see, giving the impression that he was a kind man who wanted what was best for his staff, but Rayla could sense something about him that gave her shivers down her spine. The day that she was wed to the man, she had tried to beg her father not to go through with this arrangement, but it was to no avail as Gislak told her to be a good little girl and do as she was told if she didn't want to bring dishonour to the family's name. When she looked to her mother, Finith was too busy blatantly flirting with one of the miners to notice her distraught daughter's pleading looks. Feeling defeated, Rayla swallowed her tears and put on a brave face.

That night, Rayla found out why she was terrified just being near Velanus. She had set her things down in her new home and when she didn't answer Velanus quickly enough, he hit her. He had been drinking nearly as much as her father did normally, but he was already an abusive man on top of that. Rayla had no idea what she did wrong and when she looked up at her new husband as he loomed over her, she could do nothing more than wipe the blood from her split lip and beg for his forgiveness. Seemingly satisfied, Velanus demanded that she strip down naked and watched as she obeyed- smirking as the last of her clothing slid to the floor and Rayla hid her body in shame. Rayla didn't want to consummate their marriage, but she knew that she had no choice when he threw her to the bed and forced himself on her.

From that night on for the next six years, Rayla truly thought her life was over and she was doomed to be a punching bag and plaything for this abusive and sadistic man. She did as she was told more out of survival than obedience, but even a sweet girl like her could only take so much. She prayed every day and every night to the Nine Divines, hoping that one of them would answer her and deliver her from the abuse and suffering she endured at her husband's hands. Then one night, she had had enough and waited until Velanus had passed out for the night to leave- hoping that the supplies she had gathered together would be enough to get her to the next city. Making certain that no one was around to see her leave, she quietly made her way out of Karthwasten and took the road northeast- crossing the river and into the wilds.

She constantly kept her guard up, glancing behind her to make sure that no one was following her, but even so her nerves were wreaking havoc and she bumped into someone. Immediately backing away, frantically looking for something- anything- to defend herself with, Rayla grabbed a large branch and held it in front of herself. The man she had bumped into looked at her with a furrowed brow and put his hands up in the air.

"I mean you no harm, lass." he said, approaching her very slowly. "Are you alright? Is there some way I can help you?"

Rayla's heart was pounding and she tried to stand her ground. "S-Stay back..!"

The man's eyes widened as the light of Secunda and Masser shined through the branches of the trees, revealing the bruises and busted lip on her face. "You're running from the person responsible for those injuries?"

Rayla started, but she nodded. A rustle sounded behind her and she spun around in a panic, the branch now held with both hands.

"It's alright, lass. I can take you somewhere safe."

Rayla glanced back at the man, flinching when he came up beside her and gently placed a hand on hers- lowering the branch.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." He looked at her, reaching up to brush aside her hair as it fell out of her braid- wincing when he saw how bad the bruise on her cheek was. "Let's start with names. I'm Ralof."

"Rayla."

Ralof offered her as reassuring of a smile as he could. "Well, Rayla, why don't you come with me? I know somewhere safe where we can treat your wounds."

Rayla was hesitant, but his demeanor reminded her of Jondric and she sensed that she could trust him. She accepted his hand and let him lead her off a bit further northeast to the cliffside along the Karth River bank.

When they reached the embankment, Rayla could see other men and even women dressed in the same armor as Ralof. She felt all eyes on her as Ralof led her into the camp and set her down inside one of the tents.

"Don't worry, Rayla, you're safe here. I promise."

Rayla accepted the warm drink one of the other soldiers brought to her and sat quietly, staring down at the golden liquid as Ralof treated her wounds.

"Who did this to you?" Ralof asked, unsure if she would even answer.

"M-My husband..."

Ralof and a few others that had overheard her looked at her with pity and worry, wondering if there was deeper damage than what they could see.

"Your husband beat you?" one of the women asked, bringing over a blanket for her.

Rayla fought back her tears as she nodded, but when the woman had wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and pulled her in closer- telling her it was OK to cry- she let them flow freely.

Here were a bunch of strangers, showing her a kindness she had never known from anyone other than her brother and giving her shelter and safety from the abuse she endured. She knew then that someone, whoever it was, had heard her prayers and answered them. Finally, after six long years, she felt safe and unafraid.

Ralof had sat by Rayla as she slept that night, feeling as protective of her as he was of his own sister. Here was a strange young woman who had run into him in the woods as she ran from an abusive husband. How she had endured it for as long as she had was beyond him, but it showed a strength in her that he hadn't seen in a long time.

When morning came, Ralof spoke with his commanding officer then took Rayla and one of their horses to the nearest city- passing through Dragonbridge and onward to Solitude's stables. He arranged for the carriage to take her to Riverwood and told her to ask for his sister, Gerdur.

"Gerdur will take care of you, I promise." Ralof said, trying to reassure Rayla when he saw her worry and fear return briefly. "Tell her you're a friend of mine."

"You won't come with me?"

"I am needed here." Ralof handed her a steel dagger. "Take this just in case you need it. The roads are fairly safe from here and they will take you far away from your husband."

Rayla knew he was right, having found out that Ralof and the others at the camp were all Stormcloaks, just like her brother. "Thank you, Ralof..."

"Safe travels, lass. I'm sure we'll meet again."

Rayla managed a smile and the carriage began to pull away, but then she remembered something. "Ralof!"

"What is it, lass?"

"Could you find my brother? His name is Jondric Blackthorn! He joined up with the Stormcloaks some months ago!"

"I'll see what I can find out, I promise!"

Rayla was satisfied with that and waved from her seat in the carriage, clutching the dagger to her chest. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before lifting her gaze to the sky. "Thank you, Divines, for answering my prayers..." she said softly to herself.

When Rayla had reached Riverwood, she asked around for Gerdur and was directed to the mill. She cautiously approached the blonde woman, seeing the family resemblance between her and Ralof, then sheepishly asked if she was indeed Gerdur. When Gerdur confirmed her suspicious, she did note that Rayla looked as though she had taken a beating and asked what she could do for her. Rayla passed along Ralof's message, then followed Gerdur into her home when she offered her a meal after the long journey. She sat quietly until Gerdur asked her what happened, then she did her best to explain her situation. Gerdur's husband, Hod, had come in for lunch as well and quickly grew angry at Velanus for laying a hand on Rayla- making a comment about how a real man would protect his wife, not beat her into submission. After they had all of the information they needed, Gerdur and Hod offered Rayla a bed in their home as long as she needed it for. They even offered to give her work at their mill or ask around town. Rayla was grateful and accepted their offer, hoping that this would help her find a new start so that she could leave her old life behind her.

But something told her that this would not be an easy journey and eventually she would have to confront her husband herself.