Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to The Elder Scrolls series, Skyrim, or any of the characters that appear in both my story and the game. These are the intellectual properties of Bethesda Softworks. While the story's plot progresses in my own way, it does follow the quest lines of the Skyrim game.
Chapter 1: Tracking Down My Destiny
The unicorn can't be too far now; the tracks seem fresher than ever and the scent is stronger than usual. However, that isn't saying much. Unicorn scent isn't that strong to begin with, only faintly smelling of the freshest spring water covered with the fairest of flowers. And for being the size of a regular mare, the tracks made by the beast make it seem as though the creature glides over the ground. But I shall not give up! I will track down this unicorn until the end of days… even if I don't know what I will do with it afterwards. What does one do with a unicorn? The hero of the Oblivion Crisis rode a unicorn across the province, using it as a symbol for inspiring hope to rally the people in retaliation against Mehrunes Dagon. It would be fantastic if I could train a unicorn of my own and have it be the crowning treasure of my family: a rare and majestic trophy that would lift our name through the ranks of society. As well, such a rare and majestic beast could also be sold for a fine amount of coin…. My family will finally move out of that shack of a house and into something fit for nobility and the higher-ups. Better to have our bodies rise the ranks of nobility rather than just our family name. There are so many possibilities of want to do after I have caught this creature… if I catch ever this creature. Never have I hunted anything so elusive.
I have spent nearly a full day tracking this unicorn; ever since I went out for my typical morning hunt. After a short time gathering up small rabbits, foxes, and plants, I saw the unicorn standing in a ray of midday sunlight, seeming to glisten and sparkle as light does on a lake. Even through my shock I could make note of the smell—a beautiful aroma unlike any of the finest fragrance I have ever known; the scent of the purest nature that has only known peace and life. With its dark black eyes sitting in contrast to the rest of its snow-white body, the unicorn stared into my eyes and hooked all of my attention. To be graced by such a creature, my soul felt touched and bathed wish a sense of purpose. I began to feel as though this encounter would lead to something much greater. The unicorn then turned its head and within a second disappeared from my sight through the trees and over the hill. I stood in awe as I processed the majesty such a creature could exude and the luck that was just granted me. By the Nine, I saw a unicorn! The momentary shock wore off as I realized that although the unicorn was gone, the feeling of purpose still weighed in my heart. Urgency grew inside me with each motionless moment I wasted pondering the sense of calling that faded with the unicorn. Without wasting another moment, expelling every ounce of my pent-up impetus, I forced my legs into the fastest sprint I could produce to chase after the unicorn, for I needed to understand the feelings it bestowed upon me.
I tracked the beast heading north towards the mountains, leading me pass Cloud Ruler Temple. I briefly took in the fact that in all of my years living in Bruma, I have never seen the place up close. Sometimes I would sit on my roof to gaze over at the place, curious for any activity, and daydream about what it would be like to be a member of the notorious Blades. How adventurous it must be to protect the Emperor and his heirs while fighting off palace intruders! Unfortunately, they only pick the best soldiers in all the land. And although I would be willing to dedicate my life to the protection of the Emperor, I am no solder; only a poor Khajiit who must hunt rabbits in order to keep her family's purse from becoming empty.
I continue tracking the mare into the most northern reaches of Cyrodiil and begin into the mountains. The steep slopes of the mountains have little safety to them already, and the unicorn seemed to tread an unusual path, but I was determined. My bow is sheathed very securely while I carefully climb over the vast number of boulders that cover the mountainside while the only confirmation of still being on the trail of the unicorn is the faint whiff of its aromatic smell. Taking in another large inhale and thanking my Khajiit nose for its enhanced ability of smell, I reaffirm myself to continue in the same direction. Finally, after quite some time of trekking over hard stones and sharp rocks, the trail once again resumes onto a grassy path winding its way through the trees and between the mountains. Allowing myself moment to rest to and look out onto the land I now stand above, I hadn't realized how high up I have made it. Seems as though I have also been led much more west than originally estimated. From where I stand, I can tell that I am in between the western border of the Imperial City, but still east enough to not be directly north of Chorrol. The view is still beyond breathtaking. Impossible not to admire how beautiful Cyrodiil looks in the light of the setting sun.
The setting sun…. Night will be upon me soon enough and seeing as it would take several hours to return home to Bruma, I might as well set up camp and rest here for the night. Probably for the best the I lose all hope for catching the unicorn anyway as I still don't know what I would do with it afterwards. Darkness begins to grow thicker around me while I still have no camp or any clue as to what I am doing—allowing myself to get dragged across the mountains and further from home than I have ever been while the allure of an alternate future kept me chasing the false promise of capturing the rarest creature alive. I let out a big sigh while dropping the bag of small game I hunted earlier. There was no point in chasing down a unicorn.
I took out my knife and began chopping off branches to build a could still smell the lovely aroma of the mare. While I was delighted to smell it, it was a painful reminder that I must give up on my hunt. I began to cut at a nearby branch as the painful thoughts battered at my mind. I felt as though this hunt was some divine quest that I failed at; hunting down a mystical beast only to give up because of darkness. Although I suppose that is as good a reason as any to give up on a hunt. Even with the aid of my night-eye ability, hunting in the dark if very difficult. If I can't clearly see the creature or the path, then there is no way to catch the damn mare. The branch finally fell off the tree and landed on the ground with a crunch. As I bent down to collect it I realized there was little vegetation on the ground, and what was left was blanketed by a small about of soft snow. Upon further inspection, I could make out a milk thistle plant. My heart began to weight heavy with a quickened pace as I began to realize the danger I was currently in. I was in the Jerall Mountains, and while not deep enough in them to be helpless, well enough in to know that at any moment I could be faced with either wolves or bears or both. Those animals are quite a common sight in these mountains. How could I be so stupid as to overlook this and wonder into such a dangerous area?
Suddenly camp seemed like a less attractive idea. With haste, I looked at the area around me to make sure I was not in immediate danger. As I spotted a four-legged figure in the distance I quickly acted to ready my bow, only to freeze after realizing what I was looking at.
In the last light of the setting sun I could just make out its shape, made unmistakable by the long horn on its forehead. Once again, the creature looked upon me with a captivating gaze that touched my soul, but as I started to register that the unicorn was still within my grasp, it fled yet again. Compelled to chase it, I set off in a sprint to catch it. In the back of my mind, I could not help but wonder if this unicorn moved with a motive; The way it appeared to me again right as I was beginning to give up on my hunt, and the way the beast looks at me, it is almost as though it wants me to follow it.
As night descended, and all sunlight gone from the land, I kicked in my night-eye ability to better see the path before me. I trekked deeper into the Jerall Mountains; parts I feel as though no creatures above rodents have been. As I continued to track, my thoughts toggled between what to do once I catch it, and why I am hunting it to begin with. I hoped beyond reason that I have not accidently wondered into the province of Skyrim. Travelling across boarders without a clearance can become a hefty fine; which my parents may not have the coin to cover should my impulsiveness get me jailed.
I spent hours on the disorienting paths of these mountains. I can no longer tell how far I travelled from Bruma and, because of these peaks blocking out the moon, can no longer understand which direction I am heading. As I hear birds beginning to sing, I grasp that the sun will soon rise, indicating that I have been tracking this unicorn for nearly a full day. The trail unravels and becomes smooth. The unicorn's path led me out of the winding mountain full of trees and rock and onto an actual road; a road most likely used to travel between the provinces. I know now that the beast is heading into Skyrim.
My heart beats heavily as the situation sets in. I am heading into dangerous area and I really should turn back and forget about this damn unicorn. But doing a quick assessment, I reason that the unicorn can't be too far now. The feeling of fate pulls me further inwards to Skyrim. Against all rationality, I feel as though this is finally the moment. I pull my bow in front of me and walk slowly down the road, sensing the unicorn is around.
I crouch into a sneak a keep my night-eye active. Slowly I continue, knowing that I could see it at any moment. The heavenly aroma fills my nose and I strain my ears for any sound that resembles a mystical creature of purity that walks as light as a feather. But I did hear something; I hear breathing off in the distance. Multiple breaths actually. Another irregularity about this unicorn, perhaps? Maybe a defensive technique to through off hunters. As I hear a rustle of leaves to my right, I realize how tightly pent up my anxiety was. I jump and yelp as I release an arrow in the direction of the sound, and immediately regret doing so.
"She shot an arrow at us!" said one of the three Nord men halfway out of the brush.
"What a dumb little cat" said another as he pulls a sword from its sheath. Instantly I become so frightened for my immediate future.
The first Nord speaks up again. "Think she might be with that rebel group? Sneaking around with her bow out, makes me wonder if she's trying to free them!" I want to defend myself and tell them all this was just an accident and a big misunderstanding, but my voice gets caught in my throat. I'm so terrified that I cannot even speak to literally save my life.
"She came from the south. Obviously, she wandered here from Cyrodiil. Doubt she even really knows about his rebel group" said the third man. He seems to be the smartest of the three. And he was right; I had no clue what rebels they were talking about. I haven't heard of any rebellion happening in Cyrodiil and I couldn't have made it into Skyrim yet. At least I hoped I was still in Cyrodiil. Maybe it would be possible to reason with this man? "Either way, we can arrest her on illegally crossing the border."
Guess not.