XXII - Gallus

“I got what I could,” Merill said as she met Karliah and Enthir in the cellar of Winterhold’s tavern. “It was a bit of a tight one.” She pulled Gallus’s journal and the charcoal rubbing from her bag, handing them both over to Enthir.

XXI - Markarth

Merill rose early the next morning and saddled Thelred for the ride to Markarth, almost on the opposite side of Skyrim. The predawn was grey and silent, and she was thankful to be out of the cold, blank snows of Winterhold and into the greener ranges of Hjaalmarch.

XX - Septimus Signus

Silronwe walked her back to the College’s front gates, her fur-lined hood low over her narrow brow as she pulled them open for Merill to pass through.

“You’re sure you don’t want me to go with you?” she asked Merill, worry in her voice. Merill glanced at her through the bars of the gate, her brows low over her brassy eyes. She found herself offering Silronwe a smile in spite of herself.

XIX - The College of Winterhold

Gradually, she began to feel again.

Cold seeped into her fingers and toes, and she could feel fur on her cheek. She heard wind overhead and the whisper of snow drifting across the hills.

XVIII - Snow Veil Sanctuary

Merill was still trying to wrap her head around Paarthurnax’s existence as she clambered down the mountain to Ivarstead once more. It was midday and cloudy when she shouldered open the door to the inn and found Silronwe and Nalimir, sitting quietly at a corner table. Silronwe had a small stone mortar and pestle before her and was grinding something wet and red while Nalimir leaned back in his seat, reading.

XVII - Paarthurnax

Hi all - I'm truly very sorry about the recent delay. This past month there was a death in my family followed almost immediately by a wedding and heaps of other work for me to finish. I'm expecting smoother sailing for this summer. Thanks for your patience. -C

Their journey to Ivarstead took them most of the day, and they reached the small mountainside village when the moon had risen high into the sky. Merill, not keen on climbing the precarious slopes of High Hrothgar in the blustery darkness, suggested they stay the night at the inn, and Nalimir and Silronwe agreed. They paid for two rooms, one with two beds, and Silronwe pleasantly suggested she and Merill share a room, pretending not to notice Merill’s grimace at the suggestion.

XVI - Alduin's Wall

They left the following morning, quietly slipping out of Riften before the sun rose. Merill lagged behind Silronwe and Nalimir, listening as their chatter filled the dark air around them. She pulled her fur hood low over her face, her breath floating in clouds from chapped lips as they moved steadily northward. She kept quiet, Nalimir’s words still ringing harshly in her ears. Not everybody’s out to get you.