About this image

"I won't hurt you, I promise. What is your name, little one?"

"M-Maisha."

"Maisha. That sounds northern. Are you from Dune?"

"Y...yes."

"And what is Maisha of Dune doing all by herself in a place like this?"

"..."

"It's okay, you can tell me. Take your time."

"We were on our way to Markarth, from Windhelm. Father always said that it was the safest route for the caravans this time of year. We didn't get very far. There were bandits on the road, lots of bandits. The guards we hired got killed one by one, until it they came."

"They?"

"They were like bandits. Smelly, used lots of bad words, except they were all dressed the same."

"How did they dress?"

"They had blue sashes, but all torn up and so faded they were the color of the sky."

"...These bandits, what did they want?"

"They said cats like us didn't belong in Skyrim, that it was only for the Nords. They killed father. Mother tried to protect me, but...I hid under her body for a day. Then I got hungry, and I followed my nose to this place."

"Did these bandits take anything?"

"Just the gold. They burned everything else."

"...Do you have any other relatives?"

"My family is still in Dune."

"How would you like to see them again?"

"Really? You'd take me home?"

"There was a time, long ago, when I was not so different from you. No child should grow up without a family."

"Thanks, miss! You're really nice. Like a big sister."

"If that's what you want, then that's what I am."