Day 98 - Arrival Home

We arrived in Windhelm in the early morning.  Though we were both exhausted, we continued on, picking up Harold's wagon from the stable and riding the 2 hours to my home.

As we walked through the city, I overheard people mumbling about Imperials in their town.  I asked Harold about their comments.  He told me that tensions are tight between the Imperials and the people that back the man that killed the High King.  He feared that civil war would break out soon in the region.

The thought of war breaking out near my home scared me.  In all the years we've lived in Winterhold, I've never once felt uncomfortable visiting the neighboring city of Windhelm….until now.

When we arrived at my family cabin the woods near Winterhold, I was surprised to see every light on in the small cabin and multiple horses tied up outside.  It looks as though half of the town was there.

A shout arose the moment I opened the door and stepped inside.  My mother and brother rushed forward to hug me with such force I almost fell over.   Only then did the other rise and greet me with hugs and pats on the back.

Once things called down, Ma showed me to where my father laid on my old bed.  His eyes were closed, his face pale, and breath shallow.  I knelt down beside him and took his hand but he gave no reaction to my touch.

"What happened?" I asked my Ma, "Harold wouldn't tell me anything."

"I'm not sure," she replied, "He just appeared late one night, slumped over on his horse, an Imperial arrow in his back."

"In…in his back?" I gasped, "Why would an Imperial soldier shoot Pa?"

"I don't know, Patryce, I don't know.  The moment I found him, I sent your brother off to the Freyan place to get Harold.  He helped me get your father off the horse and inside where it was warm."

"Has…has anyone fetched the healer from Windhelm?"

"He says there is nothing he could do for your father.  The arrow was dipped in poison.  It will kill him slowly."

I'm spending as much time as I can by Pa's bed, singing and talking to him.  There has been no reaction from him at all, not even a muscle twitch.  Everyone tells me that there's no hope of his recovery but I can't help but pray to the Gods that they will do something, anything to save my Pa.