I woke up inside my friend's video game

As the carriage rattled along the frozen path to Windhelm, I found myself talking more than usual—maybe it was the cold, maybe it was nerves. The driver, a gruff Nord with a weathered face, nodded occasionally, though I doubted he was truly invested in my story. Still, the words spilled out, keeping my mind from wandering too far into uncertainty.

"You know," I began, my breath fogging in the icy air, "it all started at the airport. Erika and I, we were so excited for that trip to El Nido. Sun, sand, a little escape from the daily grind. I remember practically dragging her to check out the electronics store." I let out a small chuckle. "She's not as into gadgets as I am, but I had to see the latest tech. New iPads, iPhones… you name it, I was there, eyes wide like a kid in a candy store."

The driver flicked the reins slightly, urging the horses up an icy incline. His silence was my cue to continue.

"Erika wasn't too interested, but I guess my enthusiasm wore her down. She started messing around with the latest iPhone, and I saw that spark in her eyes—the same one she gets when something surprises her. That look where she's not sure if she should be impressed or amused." I shook my head, grinning at the memory. "But it wasn't the phone I was interested in at that moment. No, I had something else planned."

I paused, feeling the weight of the velvet box in my memory, just as I had in my pocket that day. The nerves, the anticipation... "I waited for her to get lost in the tech for a second, and that's when I did it. Pulled out the ring, hands shaking like I was holding a sword for the first time. Erika turned around, and suddenly my throat closed up—like, no matter how many times I'd rehearsed it in my head, nothing prepared me for actually saying it."

The Nord gave me a sideways glance, maybe picking up on the shift in my voice. I continued, lost in the memory now.

"'Erika,' I said, my voice cracking just a little. 'I know you don't need an upgrade—'" I smirked at the ridiculousness of it, "'but I think it's time we upgrade our relationship.' I opened the box, and I swear I almost dropped the damn thing."

Her face. Gods, her face. I could still see it clearly—her eyes wide, a flash of surprise before tears welled up. She had always been so strong, so steady, but in that moment, she was soft, vulnerable. It broke something in me, in the best possible way.

"She was quiet for a second, like the world had frozen around us. Then, when she nodded—choked up, barely able to get out a word, she just whispered, 'Yes, Jayson, a thousand times yes.'"

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, the memory still vivid even now, sitting in this creaking carriage, on the way to Windhelm of all places.

"We hugged, right there in the store, in the middle of all the commotion. People were walking past us, but to me, it was like we were the only ones there. We bought those new devices afterward—she laughed and said it was symbolic or something. A fresh start, new tech, new life. And then we boarded the plane, hand in hand. It was perfect."

The wind picked up outside, causing the carriage to sway slightly. The horses snorted as they pushed through the snowdrifts.

"But... life doesn't always go according to plan, does it?" I muttered. "I didn't know what was coming. Dragons, magic, this entire world we've found ourselves in. None of that was in the plan. We were just supposed to get to El Nido, have some cocktails on the beach, and watch the sun go down."

The driver gave a small grunt, perhaps acknowledging the sentiment.

I fell silent, staring at the horizon as Windhelm's dark silhouette loomed closer. The weight of everything since that moment in the airport sat heavy on my chest.

"We thought it was going to be simple," I added, almost to myself. "But Skyrim… it had other ideas."

As I stared into the distance, lost in thought, the driver finally broke his silence. His voice was rough but carried a strange warmth.

"Boy," he said, glancing back at me with a puzzled frown, "I have no idea what an airport is, or what this iPad, or whatever in Oblivion that thing is you're talking about." He shook his head, clearly trying to make sense of it all. "But one thing's clear to me—none of that really matters. You went on this adventure for a reason, and it wasn't for some fancy gadgets."

I looked up, startled out of my reverie as he continued. "You're out here seeking your beloved, Erika, your soon-to-be wife." He chuckled softly, as if the simplicity of love and commitment made far more sense to him than all the strange words I'd thrown around. "That's what really matters in the end, eh?"

I didn't respond right away, too taken aback by how he'd hit the nail on the head without understanding a word of what I'd said. Maybe that was the point. In Skyrim, things were clearer, simpler. What mattered here wasn't the latest technology or the fast pace of modern life—it was the heart, the bond between two people.

The carriage came to a stop just outside Windhelm's stables. The driver glanced over his shoulder. "Whenever you need a lift, just feel free to ride my carriage again if we meet." He flashed a grin beneath his thick beard. "I'm Bjorlam. Might not know much about your world, but I know the road, and I'll get you where you need to go."

I smiled back, feeling a strange connection to this man despite our worlds being so different. "Thanks, Bjorlam. I'll take you up on that."

As I hopped down from the carriage and adjusted my gear, I realized his words had stayed with me—clear, simple, and true. In a world full of dragons and danger, all that really mattered was the promise I had made, the one I was determined to keep.

I'll keep searching for Erika while doing my part to keep these lands safe. But for now, my path leads to Windhelm for one reason—Gjalund Salt-Sage.