Four people were riding on their horses on the road. They were all wearing hooded cloaks with direwolves pelt on their backs to warm their bodies. Their white breathes signify the cold that was coming to the province. They were right to buy these pelts.

Winter is coming. Most of them thought.

“I still can’t put my mind out that it would be that successful.” the smallest of them whistled trying to erase the silent atmosphere of their travel. The deep voice failed to hide the girlish tones. She was wearing some kind of white mask with no opening covered by red hooded cloak. The mask itself had a crimson jewel on the forehead that would attract the eyes of those connoisseur of precious metals and minerals. Her body was particularly petite that will make others assume that she was either a child or from a race with small bodies. “We can finally have a new start. Although we may have to check if they accept the gold that we brought. I don’t want to sell the gems yet but only if needed.”

“Thankfully the language was not that different from ours.” Another person said. Compared to the small one in black robes, this character was overwhelmingly large. The entire body was thick, both by pure muscles and heavy armor. The girth of the arms can also be compared to the size of logs and the thickness of the thighs was radiant with veins, muscles and testosterone. The blond hair was short enough to make every see the manly facial features, broad jaw and eyes that of a giant beast. The chest was the only thing that made the gender obvious as it was conspicuously bulging under the chest plate that was made in mind to the size of the breasts. A goliath of a woman. “I’m starting to get hungry, when will we arrive at the next inn?”

“Next village.”

“Half an hour.”

The twins replied as both of them were looking at their maps. They were both wearing all black, form fitting clothing while covered by another black thick cloak. Both of their hairs were tied in ponytail for ease of movement that fits their skills and role in their party.

“Is that even accurate?” the large woman asked. “That peddler was creepy at best so I don’t think his wares should be trusted that much.”

“Seeing from how it gave us precise locations of landmarks and locations on the way, it’s probably a good trade with a pouch of gold dust along with the food. Although the left dried meat and bottles of mead that we bought from him would only give us a day at most on the road so we should really find the nearest inn or someone who would sell us supplies.” Their petite companion replied. “By the way… is she still…?”

She turned and asked the twins behind her.

“Yes. She is probably still in shock.”

“Maybe an aftereffect from what we did… or from guilt.”

Both of the twins replied as they were riding on both sides of their fifth companion. Her facial features were alluring enough that both men and women would find themselves attracted to her. She would look like an imperial princess if she was wearing a dress instead of her armor. But despite her great beauty, it was not matched by her blank expression. Her great black sword hung on the saddleside.

The twins patted her back gently to get some reaction but to no avail. She was still unresponsive, only looking to the ground in gloomy expression that she couldn’t properly head her horse. The twins had to take over the reins of her horse just to lead her with them.

I already cut off my charm spell after we left that place. But after explaining what we did, she went into shock. Probably because she can’t handle the truth and reality. To be honest I didn’t expect her to be like this. A paladin and the brightest of all of us would be the first among us to get broken. I know that no apology could ever reverse what we did… what we decided for her… but life… for us our lives are more important than fighting against certain death. The petite girl thought with guilt. "As long as we are still living... There's still hope."

Silence once again littered on their party. Previously this kind of atmosphere would be broken into laughter or something nice by their leader. Now that very same person who led them through thick and thin was the source of their gloomy looks. It’s been eight days since they arrived on this plane. They formerly planned to enter civilization but after knowing the predicament of their leader and hearing the chaos in the cities, they decided to head through the next province as what was advised by the peddler. They were tired. Not just from travelling but also from trying to escape the grasp of despair that surely brought the ruin of their homeland already. The friends and close acquaintances that they made on that kingdom gave them a sense of guilt and longing. Yet they know that such a thing was already impossible to ease. Three of them had now only one thing in mind, to help their leader and if possible prevent her from taking her own life if it will happen.

“We will find a way. Don’t worry shrimp.” The large woman patted the head of the girl, much to her embarrassment as she flailed her arms to push away the large hand above her head.

“Stop calling me shrimp!”

It was a constant alternation between friendly bickering and silence until they saw a structure on their sight.

“Oh finally! An inn! Let’s stop there for a rest and lunch!” the large woman tried to change the subject. With her perceptive eyes she saw the drawing of a beer on the hanging board of a roadside house.

“Finally.”

“I could use a hot tea.”

“I could use a hot coffee.”

They increased their pace towards the inn. After tying their horses in the posts, they entered the double door of the property. The large woman carried most of their luggage with her, they can’t have the possibility of having their precious things stolen while having lunch.

Inside was full of drunkards, soldiers and from their perspective, probably adventurers. They went straight to the vacant counter stools and sat on their own. The large woman attracted a lot of eyes as she dropped their luggage with a loud thud on the wooden floor. They soon became the topic of various discussions in every table.

“Adventurers?”

“Probably from Daggerfall. Look at their companion. She seems to be a noble lady. I wonder which house she belong?”

“Damn it. Why does every noble ladies run away to be on an adventure? If I was born from a noble family, I would never leave and enjoy myself surrounded by servants and expensive wine!” a woman who felt inferior after seeing the beautiful woman in the party, exclaimed her complaints.

“Not just the lady but the twins are beautiful too.”

“I wonder why the other one was wearing mask. Wait a girl?" He noticed her long flowing hair. "And she’s too small… a child?”

“Wow that woman is big!” another exclaimed.

“By the way, they have runts also on their party… didn’t know they accept children.”

“You better take that back unless you want to be roasted alive, most mages that I know nowadays looks younger than an average adventurer.” another warned her companion.

“What do you think they are doing with their bodies to maintain their youth?”

“Probably potions and magic. I don’t know.”

"Must be very expensive."

"Wait, why don't they sell those to the nobles? Those rejuvenating and potions of youth would get them rich!"

"If it was that easy. To be honest, mages are a close tight community despite being socially accepted nowadays. Their arcane secrets aren't open to public."

"Damn! Fucking selfish mages!"

The barkeep turned after he finished cleaning the cups. He took a glance at the murmuring customers then to the newly arrived people sitting on the stools.

“Adventurers?” he asked.

The petite girl nodded then she asked.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have any new available contracts. Most of the bounties were already taken. As you can see, others were also waiting here. But probably, the next batch of bounties will arrive tomorrow.” He said.

“Don’t worry, we are not for any bounties. We are quite famished you see. So do you serve food here other than wine and mead?” she asked.

“Of course, currently we have prepared a mammoth steak with cheese and stewed venison. If you want seafood then fried fish, boiled giant crabs, roasted horkers meat and clam soup are also available.” the barkeep replied. It was a common dish to be served among inns. After all, they would not cook any dish that isn't popular to the paste of adventurers, travellers and mercenaries.

“Do you have coffee and tea?” one of the twins asked.

“Mmm… unfortunately such product is very expensive and rare to be sold to us. Coffee was deemed as an illegal product by the ruler of this region as part of the imperial sanctions. My last supply of tea was taken last month and since High Rock declared war on the Empire, the East Empire Company stopped supplying tea and coffee to this province. I can only provide you with wine, beer and mead, I’m afraid.”

“I will have mammoth steak with cheese then, can you add some pepper? I’ll pay. And also two bottles of red wine.” the petite girl said. “What about you guys?”

“I’ll probably have the same as you.” The big woman said then turned to the twins.

“I want to check their boiled crabs.”

“Roasted horkers meat for me.”

Barkeep nodded at their orders then turned to their fifth companion who were silently staring on the wooden counter.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Just a hot meat soup with fruit wine for her.” the petite girl said.

“Done. Jaavir! Mella! Get me two Dish One with pepper, a Dish Eight and Dish Nine. Get me new bottles of red and fruit wine!” He yelled on his back towards the kitchen. Then a waitress carrying used plates returned behind the counter and asked them with interest.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“First time to see you and your friends here. And shocking even... you're all girls. Your names?”

They looked at each other as if confused on how to reply until the small girl replied.

“Our group is known as the Blue Rose. Ring any bells?”

The waitress thought for several seconds before shaking her head.

“Nope. Nadaaa, never heard such group. Maybe I could if you tell me your names.” she smiled.

The large woman then introduced herself.

“Name’s Gagaran.” And she pointed at the masked girl beside her. “That midget is Evileye. Those twins are Tia and Tina.”

“Hey!” Evileye got triggered but was ignored in amusement from Gagaran.

“Interesting names… What about that lady over there? Is she your client? From the looks of her armor, she seemed to be a part of your party.” She was pointing to the gloomy woman on the middle of the twins, that’s sitting with a blank face.

“Lakyus. Our leader.” Evileye replied.

“Leader? Something wrong with her?” The waitress noticed the dark expression of the beautiful woman. “Was she cursed or something?”

“Curse?” Gagaran got interested on her assumption. “What makes you say that?”

“Ah no, she seemed like a dead person to me. No offense!” she waved her hands, trying to ease anything that may be deemed an insult to her companions.

“None taken. But why do you say that?” Evileye persistently asked.

“It’s just… she looks like a puppet that had its strings cut.”

Evileye frowned at the comparison yet didn’t deny it. None of them could. As it truly did seem like their leader had become like that.

“No, its just something happened badly that probably traumatized her.” Evileye said.

“Hmmm… then you should head to the Doctor. She would be able to treat the diseases and illnesses that plagues the heart.” The barkeep told Evileye.

“Doctor?”

"Ah you know we currently have a mage that recently moved in. She was a very pretty lady and from her permits, she came from the College of Winterhold. A prestigious and well known school of mages in Skyrim." The waitress explained. "She was very skilled not just healing the injuries and illnesses but also emotional and mental trauma. Most of her patients were soldiers and refugees that suffered during the Great War and escaped the Civil War in Skyrim."

"I... We will visit her then."

"Very good." The waitress smiled as she walked back to the kitchen. "I hope your friend gets well."

----

After renting out two rooms, paying the stable boy to feed their horses and finished filling up their stomachs and went to the house where they were referred by the waitress. It was quite a big property if compared to its neighboring houses. It was a three storey building with four smoking chimneys.

Evileye scanned the building out of caution with a spell and sensed large traces of Mana inside and outside of the structure. She was even confused as the mage didn't even bother hiding or cleaning up the leaking Mana from her property. It's as if the owner doesn't care.

"Is someone inside?" Gargaran asked.

"Yeah, a person." Evileye replied. "Just be on alert."

They walked towards the door and was stopped before knocking as it opened in a rush from the inside. A woman in thick blue robes walked out of the door and went straight to the windows of the first floor. The windows were wide and long enough to diplay the products from inside of the building protected by a thick glass. And it seemed that the woman was closing it all up.

"Good evening. I'm sorry but i will be closing-" the woman quickly noticed them and apologized but was interrupted by Gargaran.

"We will pay. Please this is an emergency." Gargaran begged. Evileye expected the mage to be intimidated instead of pitying her giant companion but was surprised to see the female mage to just glanced at them and finally to Lakyus that was being led by one of the twins.

Evileye could see the brown flowing long hair of the woman hiding a circlet on her head. She could sense that it was an enchanted apparel. Although she doesn't know the effects, she could confirm that the woman was a legitimate mage. And this woman could see from the eyes of the adventurers' the desperation and helplessness.

How could she turn them away.

"Well, please enter. Do take your seats inside while I close the main door. This will be an exception for emergencies only anyway."

The female mage opened to door for them and after letting them in, she went out and closed the outdoor windows and tents she set up. She entered moments later with the folded tents and closed the main door.

She is probably quite confident on her skills if she just let unknown adventurers inside her house without any sense of caution that we may be deceiving her. Evileye thought.

After organizing everything in their places, the mage went back to them and sat on a chair beside Evileye.

"My name is Doctor Harlyn of Winterhold College. How can I help you?" The female mage introduced herself with a smile.

"We are adventurers called the Blue Rose. I am Gargaran the vanguard, that mage is Evileye, the twins are Tia and Tina. And this is our leader Lakyus." The giant woman answered. "And we may be direct but we need immediate help."

"Injury?" The mage asked.

"I don't know if you can consider it injury... But we were recommended to come here by the waitress of the inn for treatment of our companion." Tina murmured.

"Is it her?" The mage asked pointing at Lakyus. They all nodded silently. The mage took a stool behind her counter and sat in front of Lakyus. She held their companion's hand and tried feeling her pulse, then pinched every part of her arms as if trying to get some kind of reaction from her patient. Then she dragged her chair closer and gently held Lakyus head and raised it to look at her eyes. They stayed that way for several seconds then the mage softly let go of Lakyus.

"I see..." The female mage doctor mournfully looked at them.

Evileye got worried at the reaction of the doctor.

"W-what is it? Will Lakyus- can she be cured? Can you treat her?"

The mage smiled, which they expected her to bring good news for them to hear but her words said otherwise.

“I am sorry but this type of mental and emotional damage is beyond my skills.”

Harlyn realized that it was a deep emotional trauma.

"What? Why?!!" Evileye stood in anger. Gargaran however held her petite companion back to her seat.

"Calm down." Gargaran then asked the doctor. "Can you at least tell us what's wrong with her and what could we do to cure her?"

The doctor glanced again at the expressionless Lakyus and said.

"She's beyond the stage of depression. At this point, she practically had given up." Harlyn then added. "I sense no physical reaction after sending several physical and emotional stimuli. This is worse than I formerly thought. In fact, Everytime I send a stimuli, her mind immediately thrashes negative conceptions to push me out."

The faces of Blue Rose started darkening with regret and despair. They started blaming themselves for what they did. However Harlyn gave them hope.

“But it is not impossible to cure her."

This line immediately rejuvenated their spirits.

"W-wait... Really? Is that the truth?" Gargaran asked.

"Yes. I cannot confirm due to the severity of the state of her mind but the mental thrashing that I sensed were probably a result of a mental self defense mechanism to protect what's left of her. I may not be able to treat her here, but the place where I studied can.” Harlyn said. "No, that place will and can definitely treat her without endangering her health or mental stability."

Harlyn stood and took out several things from her counter then faced the adventurers.

"Winterhold College in Skyrim." She said.

Evileye heard this place many times on their way here, including the recent events in that province.

Then she handed Gargaran a scroll.

"This is the updated map of the Province and a College badge. The map will guide you effectively and quickly towards the college and it will also act as a recommendation from a Winterhold Mage to make your travel easier."

Gargaran noticed a seal on the map and understood what the woman said immediately.

"And that badge will guarantee your entrance to the gates of the college as an emergency patient for the Restoration School."

“School? Not hospital?” one of the twins, Tia asked.

"Winterhold College are actually divided into dozens of school for respective type of magic. And the Restoration School can be considered a hospital and an academy of mage doctors that specializes in healing and cure magic." Harlyn explained. "Even though I already have a medical license, I am actually still a student of the Restoration School so I cannot call myself a mage doctor yet.”

“What?”

"I am now in my seventh year and the requirement for me to graduate is to get an imperial certificate on my field study and service. So this is my service."

Evileye was impressed at the state of magic and the support of this country towards mages.

“But I became a mage to become a better doctor.” she said. “I usually sends patients like her who have illnesses that were beyond my skills to the college for treatment and none of them returned untreated. The waitress who recommended me to you actually had a sister who broke down mentally when she lost their two children in an accident. I sent her to the college and she returned in a recovering status where she can now interact with people normally."

Gargaran was impressed. Then Harlyn handed them three bottles with a jelly like substance inside.

"That will help ease her mind on your way there. Apply mildly under her nostrils so that she could breathe the essence. The minty fragrance will relax her mind." Harlyn explained then turned to Evileye. "I sensed your spell earlier by the way."

"Eh?" Evileye didn't expect her statement. She quickly tried to apologize but was stopped by the hand of Harlyn.

"No no, that's not what I meant. Its understandable for adventurers to be cautious always anyway but my point was to confirm if you're a mage which you just did." Harlyn smiled to relax the flustered Evileye. " Don't worry I don't mind. By the way, if you're a mage, do you know a charm spell?"

"Yes."

"Then it would definitely help your companion if you charm her during your travel. I could sense that the state of her body was also affected by her depression. So its would be better for you to control her body until the day she could return to her stable self. You must not forget that her mind must need also a sound body." Harlyn raised some points. "Have her eat healthy fruits, meat and vegetables and maintain her a fit physique. Just don't let her body go to the point of exhaustion. Let her walk with you in the day also, expose her to sunlight and warm baths."

"Thank you. We will take note of everything you said." Gargaran bowed gratefully followed by Evileye and the twins.

"Thank you also for visiting. I hope your friend gets well." Harlyn smiled. “By the way, if you're going to Skyrim from here, just follow the main road and the directions on the road that will lead you to Jehanna. The carriage service there is cheap so better use that to travel through the rocky terrain into the border fort before entering the province of Skyrim. After you enter the borders, show the guards the seal on the map that I gave you. They will lead you to Solitude. Take a ship there to the City of Winterhold. Although... With winter already upon us, it's probably impossible to find a ship on that cold sea. Winter there is colder than the winter we are experiencing right now, so better bring a lot of thick clothes and cloaks. So if you can't find a ship, you can just use the carriage service just outside the gates of the city. Once you arrived at Winterhold, show again the pass and you will be led to the Winterhold College which will give you priority in treatment.” Harlyn gave them a tip.

“How much do you think it will cost us?” Evileye asked. They had to be prepared for the cost so that on their way there, they would be able to find and complete quests to earn enough money for the treatment.

“Hmmm… your friend’s case is not that terminal yet, so there’s a high chance that she will be treated quickly without heavy procedures. So probably cost you about 120 gold coins. Although you’re not peasants but adventurers so you will probably not get the benefits of fee deduction.”

“120…” Tia mulled. She was actually the one that keeps their finances checked and what's left was only 9 gold. Enough for the three weeks trip.

“We may have to get more contracts before heading to that place for treatment.” Gargaran said, assuring the twin.

“Oh you’re registered adventurers right? You can just pay with your service by completing quests instead. The college had a lot of those, most of them were escort missions.” Harlyn tried to ease their worried minds.

“Thanks.” Evileye said.

The five then exited the building at the other door as the main door of the shops as already closed. Gargaran caught a snowflake that's falling from the sky.

“So where are we going now?” she asked.

“To Skyrim!” Evileye and the twins replied.

Hang in there Lakyus… Evileye wished deep inside her while looking at their expressionless companion.

Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra! You were always the one who leads us to the right path. Now it is our turn. Wait for us!