Erik the Slayer & Ri'Karr's Amulet

A Skyrim Story: Erik the Slayer & Ri’Karr’s Amulet

By Ryan Clark

I

Cue music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G18sfyfVQ2s

The sun was hot on this cloudless summer day. Erik took the rag out of his of his pocket, wiped his brow, and sat down on a rock to rest for a minute. He may have been a somewhat muscular man, but today, his muscles ached. Working the farm in the small village of Rorikstead was no easy job. There were crops and animals to constantly tend to. And the pay? Well, let’s just say it left a lot to be desired. While the farm was successful, this was not the life he wanted. Erik didn’t even have a place to call his own. He lived at the town tavern, the Frostfruit Inn, which was owned and run by his father, Mralki. Erik’s mother had passed away when he was little, and he had no siblings. Mralki was a good father, but he was perhaps a little overprotective while he was growing up. Now a grown man of 24, he found himself daydreaming quite often of what life was like outside of Rorikstead. In fact, he’d only been outside of town only a handful of times in his life. In what little free time he had, he would exercise and read books about the various adventures people had. This is the life he desired - a travelling, adventurous life – but his father would not allow it. Every time he would talk to his father about it, Erik would always get the same answer. But this was about to change.

Erik stood up from his break and ran his hand through his shoulder-length brown hair. He then saw someone in the distance approaching on horseback. It wasn’t very often that Rorikstead got visitors, so this was indeed odd. The stranger rode into town, secured his horse at the Frostfruit Inn, and went inside. Curious, Erik walked over to the inn and entered. Mralki and the stranger were in the middle of a conversation. He took a seat nearby and eavesdropped. It appeared the stranger was looking for work.

“You’ll find Silent Moons Camp to the east of here, maybe a day’s ride. It’s just northwest of Whiterun. Those bandits need to pay for what they’ve done,” Mralki said.

“Trust me, they will,” the stranger replied.

With that, the stranger walked out. Erik got up and followed him outside. Once he was at a safe distance from the inn, Erik approached him from behind. The stranger was outfitted in ebony armor, and had a mace made crafted out of some kind of bone-type material dangling from his left hip. It was nothing like the dull, junky iron sword that he had. Erik couldn’t help but be impressed. When he tapped him on the shoulder, the stranger turned around.

“You look like you’ve seen your share of adventure. I envy you that. In fact, maybe you can help me with something,” Erik said to him.

“What is it that you need?” the stranger asked.

“I want to be an adventurer like you, but my father says I can’t. He says that he needs me to stay here and work the farm, and even if he did let me be an adventurer, we couldn’t afford to buy armor. I hope you can change his mind.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you. I can’t stand the thought of being trapped in this village for the rest of my days. I’m Erik.”

“I’m Gavin, but some people just call me ‘Dragonborn’,” he said while shaking Erik’s hand.

“Wow! You’re the Dragonborn? It sure is a pleasure to meet you! Well, Gavin, any help you could provide would be much appreciated.”

Gavin nodded, and then went to Mralki at the bar.

“I’d like to talk to you about your son,” Gavin said to him.

“My son? Erik? What about him? Did something happen? Is he alright?”

“He’s fine. You should let your son choose the life he wants, though.”

“But the world is a dangerous place. Erik has no idea what he’s getting himself into. What’s more, he’s got no armor. I’ll have to save up the money for it,” Mralki said.

“Here. Use this to buy some armor,” Gavin replied, while handing him a bag of coins.

“You would give up your own coin to help my son? I’m moved by your compassion. Your kind deed will not go unrewarded, my friend. Tell Erik I’ve changed my mind, and we’ll visit Whiterun soon to fit him for armor.”

Gavin then went back to Erik.

“Did you have any luck talking to my father?” he asked.

“Your father has changed his mind,” replied Gavin.

“I can’t thank you enough, friend. I’ll hope you come back to Rorikstead soon and pay me a visit. Maybe we can swap stories about our adventures over a mug of ale at the inn! Is there any advice you could give to a new adventurer?”

“A couple things,” Gavin replied. “First, go to the Guardian Stones northwest of Helgen. There you will find three standing stones, each will their own magical powers. One for warrior, one for mage, and one for thief. By placing your hand on one of the stones, the magical properties of that stone will enhance your skills in that area. You can only touch one of them though. Choose which one bests suits you. Then go to the Companions in Whiterun if you want to be a warrior, the College of Winterhold if you want to be a mage, or the Thieves Guild in Riften if you want to be a thief. They will help you train.”

“Thank you, Gavin. I am forever in your debt.”

“No problem at all. Good luck, kid.”

Gavin shook his hand and left. And just like that, Erik’s life changed forever.