Blood and Bile(gulch)

Fredas, 18 Heartfire

I had set off in search of Bilegulch Mine to claim the bounty offered by the Jarl of Falkreath, but my journey had taken me instead to a place called Lost Valley Redoubt, which was occupied by a band of Forsworn.  Perhaps my mistake was in misunderstanding the name of the mine as Bilgegulch, which then meant that no one could give me directions to it because they had never heard of such a place.  Someone finally suggested that it might be Bilegulch instead, which lay somewhere to the north of the village of Roriksted.  Unfortunately I'd never been to Roriksted, nor had Lydia.

My choice to go directly north had taken us into the mountains and to Lost Valley Redoubt.  I felt there was something there, something I had to see.  But when I drew nearer to whatever was calling to me I found that the place was also occupied by hagravens.  I've heard they're very difficult to deal with and my supply of healing potions was low, so I reluctantly chose not to confront them and instead continued on my way toward the mine. 

We soon found that going directly north was impossible.  The mountain slope was simply too steep.  Following a trail to the northeast, we eventually came upon an ancient dwarven ruin of some sort, and an orc stronghold where the orcs refused us entry.  We spent a night in one of the dragon barrows that dot the land, but there was nothing there except a few odds and ends presumably left by some bandits.  The place showed no sign a dragon had ever been interred there. 

After we left there we found that there were many bears and several trolls roaming near the trail.  Bears are difficult enough, and more than one troll at a time is a challenge indeed.  I didn't want to die in the wilderness without ever reaching my goal, so I made the decision to turn back and make our way to Roriksted.  Added to the appeal of not being clawed to death by a troll was the discovery that the area around Roriksted has veins of iron and corundum ore, and a better supply of alchemical ingredients that I'd seen in the region near Lost Valley Redoubt.  I was convinced I'd made the right choice when we stumbled upon a trio of bandits and made them surrender their lives - and all their gear.

Roriksted is a tiny hamlet, but it has an inn, and the people are surprisingly friendly even though the town's namesake fought in the Great War and might be expected to have no good feeling toward Altmer.  One young farmer approached me to ask some questions about the adventuring life and begged me to intercede with his father, the innkeeper.  His father refused to allow him to take up the adventuring life.  I could see that he thought he would be miserable living as a farmer, so I pleaded his case and was able to convince his father to let him go.  It was an oddly satisfying experience.

Lydia and I had accumulated quite a supply of bandit and Forsworn armor, as well as some wolf and bear pelts, but Roriksted has no shops or smithy.  After spending a night at the inn there, I decided that we were close enough to Whiterun to return home and dispose of some of our loot.  I sold most of the weapons and armor to Adrienne Avenicci, then visited the Jarl's steward to purchase an alchemist's worktable for my house.  I'm beginning to think that perhaps combining magic with the words of power I've learned might be the wisest course.  I bought some spellbooks from the Jarl's wizard, Ferengar, so that I can now ward myself rather than worry with armor, and I can summon a fire atronach to fight on my behalf.  I spent some time in my home using my new tools to brew a number of potions.  I would never have thought that I would soon own a home in Skyrim when I first arrived here.. 

After I had put away my alchemical tools and settled down in a chair beside the hearth,  I felt quite pleased.  Though I still haven't located this mine, I think I'll soon discover it after I return to Roriksted.  I've made some new friends, learned new spells,  and chosen a new course of action for my future.  Once we've claimed the bounty in Falkreath, perhaps Lydia and I will pay a visit to the College of Wizards in Winterhold as Ferengar keeps recommending.  I've enjoyed plying my enchanted axe against bandits and draugr, but I have a vision of myself blasting my foes with flames and carrying a wizard's staff.  Let my faithful housecarl bear the weapons and armor.  We'll make an even more formidable pair. 

Perhaps I'll learn to enchant armor and make her a fine set of armor with some protective enchantment.  That will be a fitting repayment for her service.  I had no great love for Nords when I arrived, particularly after my first experiences here.  But Lydia is brave and loyal.  She does as I ask without complaint, even when I've led her far out of the way with my lack of directions.  The only complaint I could make of her is that she grumbles whenever I ask her to carry some of the gear.  I suppose that's a small sacrifice to bear in exchange for her otherwise admirable service.