Author's Notes: As the last post was in 2013, I feel safe in making a new thread. I'm cool for any old posters to have a revival, but my post is open to any ideas. No Power Playing meant, but certain liberties were taken with arguably inconsequential NPC's to facilitate the overall story.
Drea saw the far off lights twinkling in the rosy sunset like diamonds set with pink opals and thoughT of home. Of her sweet, wise mother and the warm steady voice that said ,"Now sweet, just cause you can make the snowflakes glow pink and spell Kristoff's name doesn't mean you should go and do that willy nilly. And in front of old Tulbra! Dear, you know she and the Jarl are awful scared of magic."
Drea chuckled at the ghost of her mother's voice as she raised the pale staff in her left hand. The blue globe atop it swirled and glowed softly, then suddenly grew bright as Drea called upon it to strengthen her magicks. After weeks in the bitter cold wilds Drea was more then eager to breach Winterhold's gates before sundown, and with a little help from her magick she could alter her physical limitations to make that wish a reality.
The little wolf pup at her feet gave a sharp yip at the stir in natural energies, and Drea looked down almost impitently at it.
"Oh, very well then." she hastily scooped the little she-wolf into the crook of her arm before she compelted the spell and sped off toward Winterhold's snowy gates.
......
"Hey! No dogs! Take it outside!"
Drea had barely had time to shake the wet snow from her heavy fur pelt before the old shrew behind the bar began barking at her. Drea made a show of looking wide eyed at the mistress of the house before popping her mouth open in a silent "Oh" and turning to the tiny wolf pup she had daintily set on the buffet table by the inn door.
"Deepest apologies, my lady,
rea simpered with a thick smile that didn't reach her stormy blue eyes. "But this here is a service wolf. Lets me know if I'm about to uncontrollably start launching fireballs everywhere."
The sour Nord woman's eyes flicked to the quietly glowing staff at Drea's back, then settled back on Drea with an added edge. Her moements grew slightly more nervous as Drea continued," Safer for everyone, you know."
"Your that...
stranger," the barkeep said, "The one Rolff warned me about."
Before the barkeep could react, Drea was at her counter, so close that the old Nord could see the dried blood upon Drea's face and wonder why it looked like artistic war paint.
"Why don't we introduce ourselves?" Drea said politely, though her smile was borderline maniacal. "My name is Drea Owl-born, and I've just had a very
long, hard journey. Won't you let me buy some of your spiced wine Mistress...?"
"Elda," the barkeep said after a short pause. "Be right up, mam."
"Oh,"Drea called after her, playing idly with her thick braid "A haunch of venison for my pup. Extra bloody."
...
By the time Drea and her wolf pup had eaten, the night time hour was young. When the lithe little barmaid swung by Drea she ordered a bottle of Alto and pulled an elegant, if dusty, looking tome from her pack. The night was young, Drea didn't sleep, and she was in an exciting city. Surely something would catch her ear in that roomy stone inn while the snow beat against the thick glass panes.