Day 128 - An Invitation to Trouble

Ataf invited me out to do some ice fishing today.  I think the headmaster talked him into doing it.  He, nor any of my other classmates, had spoken to me since my little breakdown in song class a week ago.  I don't know if they're afraid of me or just scared that I'll burst into tears.

I thought about turning down Ataf's invitation but decided at the last moment to go with him.  Even if I didn't fish, at least I'd be outside and in the sun, far far away from the college.  We took my old sword and a lunch and walked out of town.  Ataf led me to one of his favorite fishing spots – a spot within sight of Solitude's Blue Palace.  We spent a few hours out on the ice, enjoying the sun but barely speaking.  The limited conversation was good for me – conversations usually turns into uncomfortable talk about my father or family.

As we walked back through town, one of the town's beggars, Noster Eagle-Eye, stopped us.  At first I thought he was going to ask for a septum or two to get something to eat but instead he asked if we should do him a favor.

Ataf started to brush the man off but I stopped him. "What is it?" I asked.

He ranted for a few minutes…. "You see a man fallen on hard times, and you think he's been like that forever? I was there. I fought in the Great War. I was on the field at Anvil. And when I was struck down, they left me. You understand? They left me for dead. I didn't leave them."

Finally, he got down to business, I lost my helmet in one of the old caves, Shadowgreen Cavern to be exact. My pretty, pretty helmet. Life just got worse after that. Kept losing things. So many things...  Could you please please retrieve it for me?  I've heard from others around town that you like to help others.  I don't have a lot to give you but having my old helmet would mean so much to me."

I started to reply but Ataf grabbed my arm, stopping me, "Don't you dare!  Remember what happened last time you went exploring?  Anyway, you're still on probation.  If you get caught, you'll get expelled from the college."

I shrugged off his arm and turned to the old man, "Sure, Noster.  I will do that for you."

"Bless you, my daughter, bless you."

Noster shook my hand and hurried off, mumbling to himself once again.  Ataf glared at me, "You're going to get in so much trouble."

"I'll only get in trouble if you say something and you won't say anything, right?"

His eyes narrowed, "This is wrong, Patrycia, and I won't have anything to do with it."

And with that, he turned and stomped off towards the college, leaving me alone in the center of town.

I don't care what Atif says.  I'm going to go to Shadowgreen Cavern and get Noster's helmet for him.  I mean, how hard can that be?