“That necromancy business really needs addressing” – Lena was saying at breakfast. Olav was serving full Nordic fry-up, and Hauk was not about to pass it up.

“Well, then we should get on with it” – he nodded, not taking his eyes off the sausages sizzling on the grill. “Which one is nearer – the Amulet or the Helm?”

“The Amulet at Fort Ontus” – Lena checked her notes. “That’s South West of Chorrol. The Helm is at Fort Teleman, that’s all the way East of Leyawiin.”

“Wow, that’s a lot of traveling” – Hauk whistled.

“Your horse has arrived” – Humilis from the stables entered the tavern. “She got here last night, and is ready for you now.”

“Oh, that’s great news!” – Hauk beamed at him. “I’ll be over shortly.”

“Your horse?” – Lena raised an eyebrow. “Arrived? From where? Are there not enough horses in Cyrodiil?”

“Not like that, there aren’t” – Hauk grinned. “Luna is a Nord horse, the one that I’ve been riding in Skyrim. It took a while to get the paperwork done, but now she’s here.”

“In Bruma. Of course” – Lena nodded. “But you know, Roach is also a Nord horse and I bought her right here at the stables.”

“Don’t argue.”

“I’m not arguing! I’m just pointing out that you are not making any sense!”

“It’s like with women: if I wanted a Nord woman, I’d look for one in Skyrim rather than in Bruma.”

“I see. Which is why you settled for a half-Breton from the Niben. Makes perfect sense.”

They stared at each other, grinning, then burst out laughing. The day was starting well.

…

It was late morning when they eventually set off towards Chorrol. The air was crisp and clear, the snow was glistening in the sun. It was the height of summer… But the Jeralls never shed their white garb.

“Let’s take the Northern route” – Lena steered Roach North and around Bruma city wall. “Past Applewatch, then West.”

“Do you know where that trail goes?” – Hauk looked uncertain.

“That way!” – Lena beamed. “We’ll find out, I’m sure.”

The views were breathtaking. The road kept climbing and climbing, and eventually they reached a place of worship dedicated to a mudcrab. The worshippers were talking gibberish with an air of wisdom and self-importance.

“That’s Hermaeus Mora” – Hauk laughed at Lena’s suggestion to make a sandwich. “Come on – these people are too far gone already.”

The path continued West featuring hanging bridges and stone steps, still climbing. And then they stood on what felt like the top of the world.

“It’s Skyrim to the right of here and Hammerfell to the left” – Hauk pointed at the mountain tops in the distance. “We are right at the three-way border point where Colovial Highlands become the Jeralls.”

They stood there for a while, marvelling at the view. Suddenly they heard heavy breathing from behind. A daedroth came up the road, turning a corner. It roared, casting on its shield.

“What on Nirn?!” – Lena whipped out a clannfear and started casting paralysing fireballs at the daedroth. “Where did it come from?!”

“Mora’s idea of entertainment, I bet!” – Hauk swore in a language Lena didn’t understand. “You bloody..!” – the last word was swallowed by the roar of Hauk’s dremora. The daedroth was indeed soon quite bloody.

“Let’s get going before Mora sends more clowns” – Lena commented, pulling out daedroth’s teeth. “It’s still quite far to Chorrol and the sun will soon set.”

From that point on the trail started descending, as the Jeralls morphed into much warmer Colovian Highlands. The snow gave way to grass and shrubs. It looked promising at first – the horses were no longer slipping on icy patches, but the descent became very steep. They found more stone steps and platforms designed to help with the incline, no doubt. This would have been very helpful indeed on the way up, but less so on the way down. The horses were now slipping on the narrow steps and required regular healing – they were no mountain goats! The fact loudly pointed out both by Roach and Luna.

It was late in the evening when they finally reached the Northern Gate of Chorrol. It was tempting to go into the city straight away, but the horses deserved a good rest as well, so they circled around the city wall to the Southern Gate and the stables. It was nearly midnight when Lena and Hauk entered the Motierre house where they would spend the night.