Stick with Ulfric

You think better of stealing from Ulfric. He may have been harsh, but when you reflect on it, you did bring it down on yourself. He could have done much worse to you, considering. Instead, you decide to try and regain some of Ulfric's favour by beginning chores. While he sleeps, you remake the fire, feed and water the horse and go hunting for breakfast.

One of the few possessions you retained is a small leather sling that you wear wrapped around your wrist. Your fathers habit of spending all the households money on drink meant that you often had to hunt for food. It's something you're pretty good at actually. After wandering about the nearby woods for a while, you spot a couple of fat partridges and swiftly take them down with a couple of well placed stones.

Feeling pleased, you head back to camp to find Ulfric dressing himself. He looks up "I thought you'd bolted, boy." he says, his tone initially scornful, but when he sees the birds you caught, his expression softens "but perhaps you're not a complete waste of money" he adds. You set to work plucking and cooking the partridges while Ulfric grooms himself, running a comb through his hair and beard. The smell of cooked meat soon fills the air. Ulfric stands over you and watches you cook, "You're not a half bad cook, boy." he says, approvingly. His tone has softened considerably and you begin to feel he may have calmed down.

"So, where are we headed" you ask "sir!" you add hurriedly as you notice his eyebrow arch.

Ulfric smiles approvingly, "I'm going to a tourney. I compete every year" he replies.

"Do you win?" you ask, inquiringly.

Ulfric frowns slightly "Not so far, but I do well. This is my year though, I'm sure of it. Of course, sleeping rough probably won't help much." he says with a slight annoyance. You decide to focus your attention on cooking rather than risk insulting your master.

The birds begin to turn a golden brown and you take them off the heat, presenting them to Ulfric. He takes a bite and nods approvingly. "Nicely cooked, here", he throws you a leg "I think you deserve a little something. You look like you could use some meat on your bones". You take a bite from the leg before remembering your manners "Thank you...sir" you say after quickly swallowing the mouthful. Ulfric sighs slightly, "You've still got a lot to learn, but at least you show potential."

You finish your small breakfast and set to preparing the horse. You're not very familiar with horse riding, but Ulfric watches you carefully and teaches you how to fasten the straps on the saddle and adjust the reins properly. Over the next few days, you learn a lot and soon you're able to ready Ulfric's horse without supervision. Ulfric also has you maintaining his equipment, polishing armour, sharpening his sword as well as cooking. It's hard work, but you feel a sense of accomplishment. Ulfric treats you well so long as you do your work and only once or twice have you been clipped across the ear for laziness.

As you travel together, the crisp autumn weather gets colder. You still sleep outside, but Ulfric has at least given you a bedroll and blanket, but even they are soon not enough to keep out the chill at night. One night, an especially bitter wind blows and you lie, shivering beneath your blanket. You hear stirring from Ulfric's tent and look up to see him put his head out of the flap.

"Better get in here Eric or we'll both freeze" he says. He also looks cold despite being beneath the canvas and having a thicker blanket than you. You quickly pull your blanket up around you and drag your bedroll in alongside Ulfric's. He spreads both blankets across the both of you and lies close in behind you, his front lying along your back. Your shared body heat quickly warms you and stop shivering. In the darkness of the tent, with Ulfric lying beside you, you can't help but feel a sense of contentment. It's the safest you've felt in a long while. Ulfric's gentle breathing, and the gentle rise and fall of his chest against your back is very relaxing. You find yourself nodding off quickly.

You're startled awake by the feeling of Ulfric's arm wrapping around your middle. You freeze but soon realise that he's still asleep, and has begun to spoon you. You're about to settle back down to sleep when you feel something harden against your backside: Ulfric's cock.