Thwack!
Thud!
The dull sound of the wolf dropping to the floor made Baldur smile with satisfaction. His archery was improving, it certainly felt better than the last time he shot anything.
Matter of fact, all his skills felt significantly better than the last time he used them.
Was it the system?
"Maybe the skills that are good enough to be recorded in the system are a lot better than the ones other, ordinary people use?"
"Brain food for later I suppose." The young Nord said as he hid the body of the wolf in a bush-dense area nearby, glancing back at the path that headed towards Bleak Falls Barrow.
A few months from now, the bandits there will be on their way to Sovengarde or whichever respective afterlife the other races have.
On foot, walking to Whiterun would take about half a day to a full day if travelling in big groups. Currently, Baldur was on his way there after a day spent in Riverwood.
He had decided to slow down his journey to Whiterun. He knew he would be busy doing and planning things that would take majority of his time away and there would certainly not be any time to enjoy himself as much as he had the previous day.
-----
Majority of Baldurs time had been spent on the road before he spotted the famous Honningbrew Meadery from the path he was travelling on.
Honningbrew Meadery is owned by Sabjorn, the man who came up with the idea and the mead.
'According to how the quests in the game described it, Honningbrew is a relatively new business, maybe one worth investing in for profit in the long term? Rather think more about it once I've got a steady stream of income-.'
Even if it was going to become completely bankrupt in the future due to the quest "Dampened Spirits" where the Commander Caius of the Whiterun guards comes for a taste test.
The quest ended when the poor lad Sabjorn goes to jail from Caius falling sick due to the poisoning of the meadery's brew vats.
Enough about that, Baldur had already walked away from the building before he felt a small tremble in the ground. His rational mind had thought of a minor earthquake or an underground explosion, but he knew better.
It was the Giant that the members of The Companions faced when the Dragonborn took the shortcut through the hill from Riverwood.
A hint of fear rose in Baldur's light blue eyes, his thoughts speeding at one thousand kilometers a second as numerous scenarios played out in his now frantic mind.
He questioned whether he should help. Did they even need help? Could he even help?
Circle members, the elite of the companions were all werewolves. Werewolves were powerful and terrifying beasts that was stronger than the average male by at least 3. Even that depended on the quality of the person that became a werewolf.
Baldur was sure that being a werewolf also enhanced your normal state physique. He had come to that conclusion because Giants were no ordinary beings. Whilst taking down a giant could be done by two Circle members, they wouldn't walk away without wounds.
However, 'perhaps I've underestimated The Companions elites or maybe I over estimated the Giant race,' Baldur thought to himself as he drew his longbow, his eyes trained on the Giant in the distance.
Through his eyes, he could see the situation clearly, 'must have something to do with the skills,' he mused.
The three warriors could certainly hold their own with the giant, with the exception of a woman who wore hide armor and seemed worse for wear, stamina wise.
-Farkas' POV-
"Thank the Divines for your bow Aela." Farkas said over the rumble of the Giants heavy breath and heavier footsteps.
Aela shot him a smile, her enhanced hearing catching the relief in Farkas' voice.
"Be careful brother! Wouldn't want to be looking through the field for your mushed arm now would we?"
Farkas said nothing, a nervous smile adorning his face as his other shield-sister, Ria landed an awe inspiring slash on the Giants heel, forcing it to the ground involuntarily.
"RAAAAAHHHH!!!" Screamed out Farkas as a war-cry, his stance clear on making the final blow as he rushed the Giant, using his already massive momentum to leap into the air, his steel long-sword raised over his head in an intent to decapitate the Giant.
Just as he raised the fine longsword to strike, his left eyebrow lifted in confusion. He had caught the faint twang of a bowstring, and moments later, the familiar whish of an arrow sliced through the air, striking the giant's neck. The thick hide stopped it from going deeper than a few millimeters before falling out.
'Couldn't have been from Aela, she would have given a warning and the sound was from further back,' thought Farkas as the Giant, enraged from the influx of pain, stood up at the luckiest moment.
-General POV-
The killing blow from Farkas was reduced to a severe arm wound as the Giant, recognizing the danger the man presented, dropped it's massive and iconic weapon to the ground as it braced with its huge arm.
Splish!
Another arrow with a tip of steel, this time from Aela, lodged itself into the Giants cubital fossa. Her enchanted Elven bow of piercing making the arrow pierce straight through it's elbow, drawing a cry of anguish from the Giant.
(AN: Cubital fossa is the area above your forearm, directly opposite your elbow.)
With Ria and Farkas both landing blows to keep the Giant busy, the mystery person from before revealing himself to be Baldur, walked towards the battle scene, bow drawn and firing multiple arrows that did minimal damage but enough to irritate it.
-Baldur's POV-
"Irritation is a strong weapon in battle, it gives way for anger and then, stupid decisions and for you? An opportunity. That, my boy, is how you deal with a dumb enemy"
With the words of his father echoing in his head, the speed at which he drew his arrows increased by a marginal amount.
His plan was to help The Companions, even if they did not need it, they would be on good terms with him should he want to join them in the nearby future.
He has also wanted to fight the Giant for experience. The bigger the enemy was, the more valuables they had tucked away somewhere.
This was true in the game, whether this translated to the now real life situation, only after the battle would he find out.
"Outsider," Baldur turned towards Aela, the lass eyeing his armor and bow, "how brave of you to join us, your help is appreciated."
"No trouble caused Aela, it's an honor to fight alongside The Companions."
He nodded but both refused to say more, both of them falling into a concentrated silence as they both rained arrows on the Giant. Farkas and Ria keeping it too busy to worry about the major wounds all of them caused it.
Every time the Giant decided to wantonly rush to Baldur and Aela, he and the battle hungry warrior woman were both agile enough to escape it's heavy blows and occasionally finding the chance to strike back with their iron and elven blades respectively.
...
"COME ON!"
Farkas raised his longsword for another killing blow, the Giant in a prime position for him to simply stab his longsword through it's eye and kill it instantly.
Thud!
The Giant, once feared and mighty lay dead on the barren ground beneath it, a steel longsword lodged deep into it's skull.
"Exhale.. Man that fight was something, ay?" Ria put both her hands on her waist, the red war-paint on her face stretching as she gave a bright smile to the small group that gathered around the Giant's bloodied corpse.
'She sure is that same bundle of joy that I remember..' Baldur thought to himself as he looked over at the warrior lady, her shield coated in dents that would no doubt make an ordinary warrior cry.
His heart was still beating in his chest, sending tremors throughout his body that refused to stop no matter how many deep breaths he took.
It was the most insane battle he had ever been in since fighting wolves when he was training with his father.
"I would know your name traveler," said Farkas, a cloth in his hand as he looked up from his now somewhat clean but still dirty blade.
"Baldur Erickson, good to meet you, I don't suppose your name is Farkas, is it?"
"Indeed, that would be me, it's good to meet you, son of Erik." Farkas nodded as he walked forward to give the boy a handshake.
"That over there is Aela, I'm sure you know her and the lady next to her is Ria. Their both shield-sisters of The Companions."
Baldur nodded towards them, 'Gonna be weird considering I know them a bit more than i should..'
"Good to meet the both of you, I'm Baldur."
"Good to meet you too Baldur, I'm sure our friend over there already introduced us? Nice shots by the way!
"You've a strong arm there Baldur, have you thought about joining The Companions?" Farkas said as he gave the man in question a light shove on his arm, a hint of respect in in his eyes.
"Not many would choose to engage a giant like that, even if you were scared!" He continued, a teasing smile on his face now.
"Good bow arm too outsider. As my brother here said, ever thought of joining the ranks of The Companions?" Aela said, a grin on her face. She knew the reputation of The Companions was spread wide over the entire province.
"I must admit, I've thought about it but I cant say for certain whether I should or not, perhaps at a later date."
"No problem, it's not an easy decision to make, that I can understand," said Aela, her hand reaching out towards Baldur's shoulder for a small pat.
Ria, who was crouched near the Giant, assesing what could be harvested and what couldn't, stood up and coughed to get the groups attention.
Soon, they were all gathered around the Giant that they had lifted onto its back, it was easier to harvest things like that.
...
After taking whatever valuables that they could sell from the Giant like some of it's bones, teeth and its big toe, the group decided to head back to Whiterun.
Baldur, on the way decided to explain to them that he was new in the area, having just arrived from a days rest in Riverwood, The group, learning this had given him a wooden block with a carving of a two-handed battleaxe, a weapon he knew all too well.
It was Wuuthrad. The original, before getting broken into pieces likely tasted hundreds of liters of Snow Elf Blood.
Farkas, noticing Baldur's interest in the wooden block he had given him, whispered in a low tone-
"Ysgramor himself wielded that weapon, did you know?"
"Yes, I've read the books about it, and of "The Night of Tears". Very interesting how a weapon such as the one he wielded became immortalized in Nord history."
Aela stepped in before they could continue.
"That token will get you a fair discount around town. The shops look after friends of the Companions."
-----
"Thank you Aela, you too Farkas, you two have done a lot by giving me this," Baldur said as he waved the now very valuable block at them, a small smile on his face the group stepped into the city.
They had decided to go their own ways from here, Ria had gone ahead earlier, something about reporting to Jarl Balgruuf and Kodlak Whitemane. Aela and Farkas had stayed behind to chat with Baldur.
"No problem Erikson, remember, The Companions are always open to you, especially talent like you."
Aela said as she pat the boy on his back, she respected strength and saw potential in the young man, he was someone worth keeping an eye on.
Farkas had just nodded before saying a few encouraging words before leaving with Aela, leaving Baldur at the steps of the Bannered Mare, Whiteruns most famous tavern and inn.
'Looks like my acting skill also increases my charm? Giving me this,' he glanced at the block 'when we have just met is very generous of them.'
Now alone, he needed a place of temporary residence, the Bannered Mare would do, the discount that the block could provide, if it did what he was promised, would leave him with a bit more to spend on other things.
"Yes, one room with a bath for me please."
Baldur handed the 12 silver over, the brown skinned woman, who he pretended not to know, introduced herself as Saadia and led him upstairs to one of the rooms.
'4 more silver to spend on other things, yippee.'
After thanking the woman who would bring a whole quest line of trouble, Baldur sat down and decided to address the system panel, a notification icon had been pinging since after he helped kill the Giant.
[Ding!]
[Skills Page updated, ready to view now]
...
[Skills Page]
[Swordsmanship: 16
Axemanship: 4
Archery: 12 (11+1)
[NEW SKILL: Battle instinct: 1]
Cleaning:13
Athletics: 22
Boxing: 9
Cooking: 8
Acting: 13
Speech: 11]
----------
(AN: No preview today unfortunately, expect something that will make our MC's life a little easier tomorrow!
Chapter 1 and 2 have been edited:
Chapter 1 has the status page i did not put before.
Chapter 2 has a rebalanced Magicka stat)