Pein awoke with his hands bound, and with no recollection of any prior events.

"So, you're finally awake. You walked right into that imperial ambush, you and this horse thief."

Pein looked up to see a Nordic man in armor he was not familiar with. And to his right were two more Nords, one was gagged…

"If you would please… just give me a few minutes of silence to recollect my thoughts," Pein asked as nicely as he could. He tried to remember what happened, but to no avail. I must've hit my head. He thought to himself.

The wagon pulled them along down the mountain and soon a town came into view.

"Where are they taking us?" the one next to Pein asked.

"I don't know where we're headed, but Sovengarde awaits."

"No, they can't do this!"

"Sure they can," Pein said. "The penalty for stealing a horse is death. Now shut your mouth before I rob the executioner of a victim." Pein's threat, though hollow, worked. The wagon remained silent up until they were taken before the imperial captain.

"Step towards the block when we call your name, one at a time." The captain said to us, then again to the wagon to the left.

"Ulfic Stormcloak, jarl of Windhelm."

"It has been an honor, jarl Ulfric." The man to Rein's left spoke.

"Ralaf of Riverwood... Lokir of Roarikstead"

"No! I'm not a rebel." Lokir started running. Pein could only chuckle at the futility. Hands bound and in a town full of soldiers. Obviously, Lokir was shot in the back by an archer. Pein couldn't help but chuckle again, the executioner was robbed.

"Anybody else feel like running?" the captain asked.

Yes. Better than dying on my knees. Pein thought but wisely kept it to himself.

"You there, step forth. Who are you"

Again he tried to collect his memories and again failed. Realization struck him hard, he had no memory at all.

"I am... Pein, from… nowhere."

"What do we do captain, he's not on the list."

"Forget the list, he goes to the block."

"By your orders, captain. At least you will die in your homeland kinsmen."

A faction? pein thought as he tried to identify the soldiers on the other wagon. Are the imperials executing a rival faction? But who would be driven to such extremes as to start a war with the imperial legion? How did Pein know about the imperial legion just at that time?

"My ancestors are smiling upon me, imperials, can you say the same!?"

I must've hit my head on something...

"Next, you there, the nord in the rags." A roar from the mountains stopped everyone in their tracks, even the imperial captain. After a few seconds, the roar was heard again, much closer than just seconds before.

"I said, next prisoner!"

"What in oblivion is that?!" a watchman called, just as a giant black beast landed on the top of the watchtower.

NAAL FIN MULAAG DO ALDUIN KIIN UTH HI PRAAN DOVAHKIIN

The excitement of the arrival had everybody scrambling to and fro, but as soon as the sound reached his ears, Pein was out cold.

Pein was awoken surrounded by men with that strange armor. "you too felt that cold voice?"

" Yeah," he said groggily. "... What happened?" Pein asked as some men helped him to his feet.

"That dragon spoke to you in an ancient language very few mortals know. He said 'By the strength of Alduin (first) born of Akatosh I command you to sleep(the sleep of death). Without my help, you never would have woken up."

He was hiding something. Pein thought. But decided to focus more on the crisis at hand.

"Thanks, I guess. who are you anyways?"

"I am Ulfric Stormcloak, jarl of Windhelm and leader of the Stormcloak rebellion."

"Not one for subtlety I see…"

KOLOS HI! Just the words were enough to shake the foundation of the tower.

"The dragon is looking for us." Ulfric said.

"Then let us leave."

"Indeed, perhaps the greybeards can help you."

"Who are the greybeards?"

"save your questions for later." Ulfric snapped. "Right now we need to get out of here! Head up the stairs and jump to the Inn, we'll talk when this is over."

Pein didn't question it, he began running up the watchtower when the dragon knocked his head through the wall, thankfully Pein was out of sight.

YOL TOOR SHUUUUUUUL, fire engulfed the poor soldier in front of him. As soon as the dragon flew off Pein jumped for the Inn as he ran down the stairs his heart stopped.

HI FEN DIR DOVAHKIIN! KRII LUN AUS