The group spends two days traveling through the Jerall Mountains. Cold, snowy and at times frightening roads. Wuunferth lays the Imperial woman, whose name is Julida, face down across his horse and continues questioning her. He believes she can be an asset once he learns she is a locksmith and that she has valuable information she is withholding. He wants to break her. He tears off her clothing, leaving her naked and cold. When she doesn't cooperate with him, he hits her across her backside with his sword and bites her, convincing her he has just infected her with Lycanthropy. At this sight, Nirius is disturbed and rides ahead of the caravan. Julida begs to be released but when she is refused, relieves herself on the horse and Wuunferth's leg.
Meanwhile, Svaela and RaGinn ride near the end of the caravan. They talk about RaGinn's irritation with the Imperial woman's failure and wishes to take something from her wagon. Svaela offers to cover him while he goes inside. RaGinn enters the wagon searching for anything of value. He finds bags of lockpicks, various locks, keys, chests and personal items. He decides to take everything, leaving only one lockpick on her bedroll. After placing everything into his bag of holding, he returns to Svaela.
The caravan stops for the night off the side of one of the passes in a small alcove. Wuunferth and RaGinn take the first watch. Wuunferth continues to question Julida as she is bound and still naked. RaGinn attemps to convince him that she is not worth keeping, but Wuunferth is convinced she is. Wuunferth asks Julida if she knows of the Skeleton Key. She admits she has heard the stories, but that it would be impossible to obtain since she believes it is a fable. After threats and negotiations, Julida finally agrees to be Wuunferth's loyal companion, her only other choices being imprisonment or death. RaGinn hands her one of her dresses from his bag of holding once her restraints are taken off. Julida looks at RaGinn with recognition and apprehension.
JaInamie, Nirius and Svaela take the last watch. They talk more about the dangers of their mission. As they talk, a large frost troll crashes through the trees, waking the rest of the caravan and the party. The group is thrust into a long battle, with many taking a hefty amount of damage. Svaela is hit and is knocked unconcious as JaInamie deals the final blow to the frost troll. RaGinn stabilizes Svaela and he and Nirius heal her. Wuunferth loots the trolls body and finds the Cloak of Elvenkind amongst the belongings. Beaten and tired, the group rests for the remainder of the night.
The caravan continues in the morning, traveling the steep roads coming down the mountains. In the distance they can see Cloud Ruler Temple, which belongs to The Blades. Wuunferth wants to go to the temple but is convinced by the others to stay with the caravan.
They arrive at Bruma at dusk. The caravan makes camp while the group finds lodging in the city. Wuunferth and Julida visit the Temple of Talos, a huge, beautiful Nord building that dominates the city. He gives offerings and sacrifices to his Divine and receives a blessing in return. Once they return to their room, Wuunferth presses Julida for intimacy, which she refuses. He ends up taking it out of force.
RaGinn and Svaela go to The Palace, a shop with a secret club that RaGinn is familiar with. He gives the shopkeep the correct response to his question and they two are given admittance to a back room filled with gambling, dancing, music and drinking. While Svaela gambles, earning 150 gold, RaGinn meets with a High Elf. He sells everything he took from Julida's wagon, with the exception of a bag of lockpicks for himself. The elf tells him that a Dunmer was here looking for someone who fit Svaela's exact description just last week. RaGinn pays him to keep the information to himself, but notices the bartender staring at Svaela and sending an obvious message spell. RaGinn threatens the bartender, who assures him it is too late. Angry, RaGinn returns to the elf and pays to have the bartender taken to Riften.
RaGinn and Svaela gather the rest of the party and they all head to Wuunferth's room. Once together, they begin discussing the dangers now that Drathis is aware of Svaela's journey. They talk about possibly leaving the caravan and changing their route, heading to Stormcloak City. While they are discussing their plans, a delivery for Svaela is brought to the room. It is a small package wrapped in leather and tied. She opens it to find a green stone. The voice of Drathis fills the room. He greets Svaela, says he misses her, notices she has new friends and hopes to see her again.
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