ARLENE

I could still remember my feet sinking into the mud as I tried to run. I can barely even remember why I had been running in the first place, why I was so afraid. All I knew was that I had to reach the border. If I reached the border they wouldn't follow. I remember the feeling of the small golden chain in my hands. I could remember Lyla. Innocent Lyla…

Five years ago…

The leaves swayed in the wind as the rain crashed against the ground. A little girl looked back at us with sadness in her eyes as she pulled herself up onto the wagon that would take them to their new life. Her pale face was glowing by the moon as she held a doll to her chest tightly. "Daddy why must we leave them?"

Mr. Ramie looked back at little Annabelle with annoyance, his chest rising and falling as he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. "The Khajiit are free now darling. Free to steal whatever the hell they want." His attention quickly turned towards me. "Isn't that right you worthless servant." A soft hand touched his own calming him instantly. The lady of the house Mrs. Ramie looked at us with kindness. "Thank you for all you have done for my family. Please do well for yourself." With that she had cut the ties on our wrists.

Lyla opened her lips as if to say something but noticed that I had already started to walk away. She bowed to them politely one last time before chasing after me quickly. She had caught up to me but, for a moment neither of us knew what to say. We were free yes but with nowhere to go. Our father and mother had died long ago and it was just the two of us now.

We could live anywhere on Tamriel that we wanted. Except we had no money, my thoughts spoke. I let out a desperate sigh. If only they had given us something. Something to help us get started. Lyla's hand grabbed my own as she looked up at me with a smile. Not many Khajiit were considered beautiful, in fact we were often considered freaks of nature, but my sister was the one exception.

Short chestnut fur covered her small frame making her stand out in even the night. Her long white hair was rare among the Khajiit, making our mother call her our gift from the moon. She had been born with our mothers emerald eyes that always had a look of innocence and wonder to them. If she had been born a Nord she would have been considered one of the beautiful ones. It was only because she was born as what they liked to call the "Beast Race" that she was considered ugly. But I always reminded her that she was beautiful.

Since our father died she had started to look at me as the new leader. Her new role model. It was a job I never wanted to take lightly. I wanted to show her that Khajiit's were not all drug addicts or thieves, that we could be just as great as those Nords. Maybe even greater. We could even be heroes! It was a dream that we wanted too badly but how we would get there we were never sure. We just always joke that we would figure out that part later.

I looked down at her and returned her smile. "We will be okay Lyla I promise." I said encouragingly.

Lyla grasped my hand tightly. "I think you're right."

It was at that moment that I felt something in her hand. She released it quickly into mine and smiled that innocent smile. "Lyla what did you do?"

"FIND THEM NOW! THEY COULD NOT HAVE GONE FAR!" Their voices were distant but I knew they could catch us in no time. Men with swords, men with shoes actually on their feet, and a warm meal in their belly. They could make more ground than us without dropping a sweat.

My hand shook as I opened my palm. My fingers lightly held onto a golden necklace worth at least 1600 coins. Tears threatened my eyes as I clutched the necklace. She knew we wouldn't make it without money. But why, why would she do this to herself? I cursed the unfairness of life as my little sister shook my arm violently. "Arlene! Please snap out of it. I knelt down quickly and grasped her face in my hands. Her soft hair mixing into my fingertips. "Lyla listen to me, when I run to the right I need you to run to the left; do you understand me?"

Lyla looked up at me with fear. She was only fourteen, to me she was still just a child; one that didn't understand what would happen if we got caught. "What do you mean? Why can't I run with you? Why would you.." Tears started to roll down her cheeks as the men approached us. I pulled her close to me one last time before clutching the necklace tightly in my hand. Determination forcing me to stand on my shaky feet. "We are going to play hero and villains like we used to okay Lyla? I'll be the villain this time but remember, you have to run away and count to fifty before you can come find me; alright?" A single tear slid down my cheek as I smiled down at her for the last time. "Count to fifty then come find me, okay Lyla?"

I stood to run away but looked back at her for only a second. "I love you little sis." I rose my hand high in the air in order to show the guards that I was the one who had it.

Lyla screamed at me, her feet standing firm on the ground. "I don't want to play Arlene! Please don't do this!"

The men caught sight of the necklace and picked up their pace. Their boots sinking into the mud beneath them.

I waited until they got just close enough before I pushed Lyla away from me. "Go count Lyla! We'll find each other before you know it!"

My feet took off as soon as the last word escaped my lips. The once soft mud now revealed the clinging grasp as I tried to pick up my pace. We were never allowed far away from the manor, but we were allowed far enough to learn about the border of Skryim. That was where the Ramie family would be heading and so would I; I just had to beat them there. I clutched onto the necklace tighter. As long as I had the necklace the guards would hopefully follow me and not Lyla. This was what they were wanting after all, a stupid piece of gold.

I let out a frustrated scream as I pushed myself forward. The mud flying up with my feet and tangling itself in my fur. I could hear the men getting closer as I neared the border. I can make this. I have to make it.

I took another step forward in my run but my feet no longer had ground. I had to only look down for a moment to realize where I was. I had reached the border but I hadn't watched where I was going. I hadn't climbed down correctly, I was falling.

I closed my eyes and lifted my arms on top of my head to try to protect it as I fell. The fall felt never ending. Each rock cutting into my fur more and more until I reached the bottom.

"She has to be unconscious! Start climbing down men!" A hoarse voice shouted out.

I stood on shaky legs trying to regain my balance as I looked at my hands. I could already see from just my arms that my fur was soaked in my own blood. I allowed myself to feel afraid, to accept that I probably would not make it, that I would never see my little sister again.

I could hear the men behind me shuffling down as I tried to stand. You can make it. Make it for Lyla.

My hands found the rocks above me as I started slowly pulling myself upwards.

"SHE'S CLIMBING! MOVE QUICKER!" I heard one man shout.

It was a race against time. One that I couldn't possibly win. My bare feet scraped against the rocks as I climbed, each move causing my body only more pain. I could feel my fingertips grip the ledge as I pulled myself up higher. I could hear swords clashing together violently, voices screaming in vengeance, it sounded like a war.

I looked back to see my pursuers had reached the ground and were about to begin their climb. Either way I may die, but war has more possibility of being lost in the crowd. I thought to myself. I pulled my body upwards to finally climb up the ledge when my fingers slipped. Everything seemed to slow in that instant, the war that I could barely see, the rock that had collapsed underneath my fingers, it was the last few seconds of life that flashes before your eyes when you die. I wanted to let out a cry, a scream, anything but nothing came until a hand grabbed mine.

Time quickly sped up again as I was pulled out of the small canyon and onto the edge of war. "Are you alright!?" I heard someone shout. I looked over at my savior and stepped back slightly. It was a Nord, and he was covered in blood. A man quickly approached him with his sword drawn. Before he could even react he had a sword sticking out through his chest. He stared at me stunned before falling off of the ledge he had just helped me up.

I gasped as I pushed past him, running quickly to get out of whatever I had walked into. Men fell all around me, others laughing as their swords plunged into another victims body. I tried to force my body to run faster with whatever remaining strength it could muster, to avoid all those around me that only had murder on their mind. A hand grasped my arm tightly as they pulled me back, twisting my arm quickly behind my back as I fell to the ground.

"Look here General Tullius we have a coward." I couldn't see the man above me but I could hear the amusement in his voice. Already knowing what he wanted to do now that he had caught me.

The general stood above me, wiping the blood off of his face as he knelt down by me. "A Khajiit huh? What do you say we make an example of these rebels?" The general stood again, his armors golden engravings were lit by the moonlight as he looked out over towards my home. "Put her in the wagon, she'll die with Ulfric."

I tried to fight back as I was dragged across the mud. Trying with all of my might to free the arm that he was dragging. In a panic I quickly dragged my claw across his arm, cutting skin as if it were paper. The man let me go while falling to the ground in a howling scream. I forced myself up once more and tried to run out of what was left of the war. I could see General Tullius watch me as I ran. He did not shout or chase me himself, instead he simply lifted his hand and gestured towards me. The last thing I could remember was something hitting my head as I fell to the ground. Darkness surrounded me as my face met the mud, my last thought was of Lyla, my sweet little sister.

….

LYLA

46, 47,48,49,50. Rain drops fell on my face as I let the mud surround my body. I let out a helpless cry at the sky as soon as I reached 50 seconds. Why hadn't I followed her? Why hadn't I tried to help? Why did I just lay here?

"Arlene!" I screamed out into the darkness but no one responded. I kept waiting for the men to come by, dragging my sister behind them, but for the moment even they were gone. I was completely alone, for the first time in my life I was alone.

I couldn't force my legs to stand and walk. No matter how hard I tried. I felt numb, afraid, my body shook as I reached out my arm and started to crawl towards the direction that they had ran. I doubted that the guards had even seen me lying in the mud when they chased after my sister. If they did, they either didn't find me worth their time or thought I was dead.

"ARLENE!" I screamed out again as I continued to crawl. The trees around me seemed to create a shadow of death around me. My mind whispering over and over, they killed her and it's your fault.

What would a hero do? It's my turn to be a hero right? Tears continued to stream down my face as I crawled towards the border. The closer I got, the more alive the world seemed to become. I could hear faint screaming, laughter from the other side.

"Arlene! Please come back!" I screamed with the last bit of energy I could muster. "I can't do this without you…"

I allowed myself to fall once again, the mud cradling the left side of my face. Two men's voices talked lightly from a distance. Without even thinking I flew to my feet and darted towards the trees. They didn't notice me the first time, but this time I may not be so lucky.

The men appeared as soon as I had found safety behind one of the trees. "I have to say she put up quite the fight but at least we got what we came for."

In one of their hands they held the golden necklace. It was still beautiful even from this distance except something was now practically different about it.

"I guess, but how will we explain the blood all over it to the Misses?" Another asked.

"We don't. The rain will wash it off by the time we get there."
"And if she asks what became of the Khajiit?" He questioned again.

"We tell her that the Khajiit is dead. After all if the general has her, she might as well be." He laughed as he continued walking, completely unaware of my presence. I covered my mouth to cover the sobs until they walked past. Once their footsteps were out of hearing distance I let out a scream. "You bastards!" I screamed after them as I ran towards the border. They said a general had her, maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe I could still find my sister, and right the wrong that I caused.

Once I had reached the border I could see the blood mixed in with the mud. The urge to cry overtook me once more. You can do this Lyla. If sister could then so can you.

I began the slow climb down the rocks until I reached the bottom. Relieved at how quickly I was moving. If I keep up this pace maybe I can catch up with her. I can do this. I started the climb upwards as I dragged my body towards the ledge.

I could feel my fingers dig into the mud from the ledge as I pulled myself up the last bit of the way. The first thing I saw was death. Dead men were scattered across the ground, their eyes still looking up towards the heaven as if they were still begging for a moment of peace before their death. no. NO. I fell to my knees as I felt a wave of nausea hit my body. I have to find sister. If it's not already too late.

…

ARLENE

"Ah you're awake Khajiit. You were trying to cross the border right?" A weak male voice brought me back into reality as the sun shined brightly on my face. The clouds attempted to hide its beauty but it still found a way to shine through. As if it were putting a spotlight on us.

"The border?" I weakly whispered as I tried to remember. A golden locket appeared in my mind bringing back all of the memories at once. Lyla. The men, the war, the general. I could faintly remember it all. Though none of it seemed real, it still all felt like I had dreamt all of it, and at any moment I would wake up in the manor again.

"Take it easy now—." He paused as if waiting for my name.

"Arlene. My name is Arlene." I looked down at my hands to see them tied tightly in front of me. When I looked around I realized I wasn't the only one. The man who had been talking to me was tied and so was another man beside him but one stood out in the wagon. His eyes locked with mine for a moment before he looked straight forward. He had a rough face that was torn from battle and long golden hair that fell just barely behind his shoulders. He was the only one on the wagon who was gagged and tied. Possibly for good reason.

"That is Ulfric Stormcloak." The man said kindly. "He is the leader of our rebellion against those imperial dogs. And I am Trenton."

"Imperial dogs?" I questioned curiously.

A skinny pale man shook his body from side to side beside me. "I don't belong here!" His eyes then locked straight onto me. "We don't belong here! It's the stormcloaks that they want! We just got dragged into their petty argument with the imperials."

The other man's face looked as if it were suddenly made of stone as he stared at the thief beside me. "Ulfric is saving lives. What can you say for yourself petty thief?"

The thief looked down at the weak wood beneath us. "I can say that I don't deserve to die for stealing food for my family."

At that moment Ulfric spit out his gag and moved closer to the thief. "The least you can do is die with dignity and courage you coward." He spat.

Trenton smiled again and tried to lighten the mood somehow. "Ralof, Ulfric. Let us not have our last moments be in fighting. Arlene, where are you from?"

The thief spoke up first. "Why does that matter?"

"The last thought anyone has should always be of home." Trenton said calmly.

"I'm from Tamriel." I replied softly. I wanted so badly to check my clothing to see if I the golden necklace was still with me, but the clothing I was wearing was now only just torn rags. I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath. Praying that Lyla had escaped somehow. That I wasn't dying for nothing.

"Wait why are the wagons stopping?!" The thief asked in a panicked voice.

"Why do you think?" Trenton replied. "End of the line."

Everyone stood as if they had practiced this walk a thousand times. In front of us stood a female guard, her helmet hiding her pale skin from the harsh elements of the weather. Beside her stood another soldier, his helmet was off revealing his long brown hair and burley face. "Trenton step forward." With a smile Trenton stepped off of the cart and towards the two guards. "Trenton you are sentenced to death for aiding Ulfric Stormcloak, and for betraying your country." The female guard stated.

"And I die regretting nothing." Trenton walked towards the chopping block, a smile still on his face. The male guard let a small smile show itself on his lips before looking at the rest of us grimly.

"Gavon step forward." The thief walked towards them, his whole body shaking as he got closer. "I didn't do anything! You can't do this to me!"

The thief ran into the empty roads in a dead sprint, refusing to look back for even a moment. The female guard did not spare a moment before lifting her arm and gesturing towards the archers. "FIRE!" Five arrows pierced his back as he fell to the ground. His body limp and empty.

"If anyone else tries to run that will be your fate! Do you understand!?" She shouted out.

Without waiting for a reply she looked at the list and then at me, giving a questioning look towards the other guard at her side. "Who is this?"

"Prisoner please step forward." He said kindly. As if they were not about to sentence me to my death. "What's your name?"

I felt as if my voice had become a lump in my throat, preventing me from speaking a word to the two soldiers in front of me. The male guard's brown eyes stared at me as if he was regretting sentencing me to die. He had slight hair growth on his face that blended into his thin brown hair. His pose showed strength, as well as exhaustion. It made me question how long he had been at war, how many people he had sentenced to death today.

"Khajiit?" He questioned, raising his voice just enough to catch my attention.

"My names Arlene." I forced myself to whisper.

The female captain quickly looked over the list in her hands letting out a frustrated sigh. I only had to look at her for a moment to see that she clearly outranked the male guard beside her. Her helmet hid most of her facial features except for her eyes that burned as they looked at me. Determination and hate being her only companions in this war.

"Hadvar. Find the Khajiit's name." The female captain threw the scroll at him with frustration, her eyes never leaving mine.

His eyes skimmed the list quickly while he continued to make conversation with me. As if this was just another daily conversation with a stranger. Not a sentence to death.

"You with one of the trade caravans, Khajiit? Your kind always seems to find—." His voice broke off for a moment as he looked up at the captain.

"Captain, what should we do? She's not on the list." Hadvar asked, surprise showing in his voice.

I could feel annoyance and anger trying to scratch at the overwhelming fear that I had started to feel since waking up in that wagon. Of course I'm not on the list. I didn't do anything. I just wanted to protect her. I could feel my own emotions start to take over, my mind trying to take me away from the world I had awoken to.

The captain quickly snatched the scroll away from him, holding it close to her chest as if it were suddenly a well-kept secret. "Forget the list. She goes to the block."

Hadvar looked in shock for a moment before quickly regaining his composure. "By your orders captain."

All emotions washed off of his face as his eyes met mine once again. "I'm sorry. We'll make sure your remains are returned to Elsweyr. Follow the captain prisoner."

My feet began to move on their own as I followed her towards the other prisoners. Not one of them looked at all afraid, each one simply standing and awaiting their turn to be called to the block. A executioner stood beside the block, his face in a mask as if he feared letting the dead know who had killed them, yet his attitude spoke as if he was entertained with his own job. As if he loved to kill stranger after stranger.

Another man stepped out from the group of prisoners, except he was no prisoner. Actually, he was the real one in charge here. The one who didn't care who died on that piece of stone today.

His white hair stood out brightly against his naturally dark skin and dark eyes. His red, brown and golden armor stood out amongst all of the prisoners in rags, and even made the female captain look like a peasant when standing beside her. He walked towards us again, his posture showing no hesitation or even anger. It was not until the moment he saw Ulfric Stormcloak that disgust suddenly appeared in his eyes.

He walked confidently towards Ulfric and met his eyes. Both of them stood strong as they stared at each other, neither wanting to look weak in front of the other. "Ulfric Stormcloak. Some call you a hero, but a hero doesn't use a power like the voice to murder his king and usurp his throne."

"Some deaths are worth it to save Skyrim, General Tullius; you of all men should understand that." Ulfric spoke back confidently.

"You started this war Ulfric. You are the one who plunged Skyrim into chaos, and now the empire is going to put you down and restore the peace."

Ulfric opened his lips as if he were about to speak again but was interrupted by what sounded like a faraway screech.

"What was that?" Hadvar asked cautiously.

General Tullius smirked at Ulfric before turning quickly away from him. "It's nothing. Carry on."

The female captain looked over to a woman in robes, whose face was covered in shadow. Her hands folded perfectly within her light robes. "Give them their last rights." The captain demanded.

"As we commend your souls to atherious, blessings of the eight divines upon thee—."
"For the love of Talos let's get this over with." Barked the executioner. It almost seemed as if he knew how afraid I suddenly was, as if he wanted to see the blade slice against the fur of my neck. His eyes met mine as he grinned and gestured to the captain, telling her almost silently that he wanted me next.

His smile turned to a scowl as she grabbed Trenton instead. Trenton looked back at Ulfric with a proud look in his eyes. I watched helplessly as the back of his legs were kicked by the female captain, forcing him onto his knees. I need to run, but they'll kill me. I thought to myself. It's either the blade or an arrow to the back of my neck.

I cringed at the thought, yet when I looked back at Trenton he seemed completely calm with what was happening. As if the pain and fear did not affect him at all.

The captain shoved his head into the stone block beneath him as he met the executioners gaze. "My ancestors are smiling down on me imperials, can you say the same?" He spoke calmly.

The executioner looked down at him with annoyance. His large axe dragging across the dirt ground before it began lifting above his head. Without a moment more of hesitation he swung the blade down with full force. One blow removing Trenton's head completely.

The captain kicked his body away from the block, leaving his open eyes staring at all of us from the basket.

"As fearless in death as he was in life." Ulfric stated proudly.

I thought for a moment that I was going to be sick, that my mind would give up and force my body to fall from under the pressure of what was coming for me. I thought of my mother and father, their smiling faces as they hid us in the tall grass, my father asking me to watch over Lyla and that they would be right back.

I then thought of little Lyla. How just hours ago she had begged me not to go, not to leave her behind. I'm sorry Lyla.

"Next you in the rags!" The captain spoke.

Once again the screeching noise broke the captain's voice, but this time it seemed closer. As if something was coming for us.

Hadvar looked at her, his fear starting to rise. "There it is again. Did you hear that?"

All the men seemed to look around nervously before the captain spoke again. "I SAID NEXT PRISONER." She stated unafraid.

Hadvar grabbed my arm gently. "To the block prisoner, nice and easy."

Instead of kicking my lets out as the captain had, he gently pushed on my shoulders as I fell to my knees. I hadn't put up much of a fight, in fact I no longer felt a thing. All emotion had washed away as I accepted my fate. Quite tears slid down my face as my head was pushed against the cold stone. The executioner looking down at me excitedly.

"Night night pretty kitty." He whispered as the axe once again slid across the dirt behind him. I forced my eyes away from him as I looked at the tall tower behind him. Wanting my last sight to be something besides for his hateful eyes.

A shadow flew quickly across my vision as the screech suddenly became a roar.

"What in Oblivion is that!?" Hadvar began to back up quickly as his eyes watched the sky. Everyone seemed to back away except for the executioner who lifted his axe above his head excitedly. The smile on his face now too obvious to hide.

I could hear his axe fall towards the block as the ground shook, the axe just barely missing my back as he fell. I let out a small yelp as I looked up quickly, my eyes now meeting those of a dragon.

I quickly pushed myself off of the block as the dragon let out a shout. For a moment my vision went blurry as I tried to regain my balance. His shout repeating over and over towards a new victim.

"Get up! Come on, the gods won't give us another chance!" My arm was pulled as I tried to stand once again. My current savior running far ahead of me towards a tower.

From my side I could hear a woman screaming and crying as fire spread across their home. Her little girl stood watching the dragon in wonder until the dragon spotted her. She had tried to run but the dragon had already decided to kill her. Her mother hadn't even attempted to save her, instead she watched helplessly as fire spread across her daughters face. The little girl's hand stretching out in pain as she reached one last time for her mother before crumbling to the ground. Her body now just a charred shell. Her mother screamed as she fell against the remains of their house. "Celia!" She cried out desperately.

The dragon went to strike the broken woman but General Tullius had reached her first, pulling her into the tower just seconds before the dragon could claim her as its next victim.

I ran towards the tower in a dead run in order to reach the same safety that they had all been desperately reaching for. I'm alive. I thought excitedly. I'm coming back Lyla. I promise. I hadn't even looked back at the floor of the tower before racing up the stairs to find the man who had picked me up before.

"Jarl Ulfric! What is that thing? Could the legends be true?"

Ulfric looked out from the hole that was now in the tower. "Legends don't burn down villages Ralof." He spoke, his voice just as calm as before.

From below I could hear Imperial guards and General Tullius shouting above the roar of the dragon.

"It's in the clouds!" One guard yelled.

"Don't just stand there! Kill that thing! Guards, get the townspeople to safety!" General Tullius demanded.

Ulfric quickly raced up the stairs as the dragon rammed itself against the tower. "We need to move. Now!"

I followed them quickly, not bothering to look back for even a moment when the dragon flew through the stone bricks around us. The tower began to fall apart, crashing against the floor below us as fire and smoke began to fill the air around us.

Ralof grabbed my hand gently before looking out of the hole that the dragon had created. "See the inn on the other side? Jump through the roof and keep going! We'll follow when we can!"

"What do you mean follow when you can!?" I asked panicked.

"GO!" he shouted in response as I jumped across to the inn's roof. My feet had landed perfectly on the board but the fire had already weakened it too much. The wood collapsed beneath me forcing me to fall against the inn's floor.

Hadvar hadn't even seemed to notice me. His eyes still stared at the hole that I had jumped from and a man who stood there. His legs shaking nervously. "Haming! You need to get over here now!"

Another man approached the hole pushing Haming back. "If you won't jump then I will." He spit out at his companion.

"Torolf! Jump!" Hadvar cried out desperately.

The two faces were suddenly overcome with fire as the dragon found his two targets. A small boy screamed out in fear as the dragon's flames overtook the tower. Another soldier shielded the boy as if trying to stop him from seeing the death that was happening right in front of him.

"Gunnar, take care of the boy." Hadvar ran his fingers through his hair as sadness overtook his face. "I have to find General Tullius and join their defense." Hadvars eyes finally noticed me as he started to walk away. "Still alive prisoner? Keep close to me if you want to stay that way." Without looking back he broke into a dead sprint, not caring if I followed or not. I looked back at the tower one more time imagining all who had just perished in there. If General Tullius is still alive then maybe Ulfric and Ralof are too. I tried to encourage myself as I fought the guilt from running away from those still screaming inside the tower.

I had lost sight of Hadvar when I was pulled against a wall. I could see the dragon fly down the alley that I had almost just ran into. For the first time I had been able to truly look at the dragon. His body stretched out, looming over most of the buildings. His scales were completely black as if he had been born from the shadows themselves, brought to life only to bring destruction and chaos. His eyes and teeth were hidden within his own darkness, only a slight red glow hinting from the eye sockets.

Fire swirled off the walls of the homes as Hadvar peeked his head around the corner to check if it was clear before running down the alley.
"Quickly follow me!" He shouted back at me.

Tullius stood with his shield in front of him to block the fire. "Hadvar! Into the keep, soldier where is Ulfric!?"

"Arlene stay close." Hadvar grasped my hand before stopping suddenly.

Ralof stood in his way, the reflection of the fire burning brightly in his eyes and he pulled out his sword. "We are escaping this time Hadvar. You will not stop us." Ralof spoke confidently.

General Tullius threw down his shield, pulling his sword out from its holder as he raced towards Ralof.

"Stop!" I cried out as metal met metal.

Ulfric held his blade against Tullius's sword, both of their arms shaking as they waited for one another to weaken.

Ralof repeated himself once again. Not caring about the blades behind his back. "We are leaving Hadvar, out of our way."

Hadvar stepped to the side, anger shining bright in his eyes. "You damned traitor. I hope that dragon takes you all to Sovngarde."

Tullius kicked Ulfric back, holding his blade up as if he was ready for another attack. Ulfric quickly regained his footing and smiled at Tullius. "Until we meet again in the battlefield my friend." Ulfric walked away gently towards the keep as Hadvars eyes watched me. His eyes questioning on if I would join him or Ralof.

Ralof walked to me, completely ignoring Hadvars gaze. "I told you we would find each other again didn't I Khajiit?" He smiled quickly at me before running towards Ulfric.

"Hadvar we need to go now! Our people need us!" Tullius shouted.

"Arlene?" He stood his ground waiting for me to join him and fight, but instead I had ran back.

"Come on into the keep!" Ralof shouted as I raced towards him.

I hadn't bothered to look back to see if Hadvar had followed or if he still stood in that same place. Come on Arlene don't feel bad, the imperials almost just cut off your head. You can't trust them.

The wooden door slammed behind me, saving us from the dragon's fire but not from the sound of what was still out there. Besides for Ralof and I there also lay a dead Stormcloak soldier in the room. His chestnut hair was covering part of his face while his hand still emptily held his chest, trying to stop the blood from flowing through the armor.

Ralof paused for a moment before walking quietly over to the soldier. His fingers found the man's wrist, checking for a pulse that we both knew was not there. "We'll meet again in Sovernguard brother." Ralof took a deep breath before standing again, wiping all emotion from his face. "Looks like we are the only ones who made it."

My fingers clenched into my fists as I watched him. I could feel the fear creeping in on me. Is this what I will return too when I find my sister? Did I do the right thing by leaving her alone back there?

Ralof's voice broke me from my thoughts as he walked towards me, a knife gleaming in his hand.

I instantly prepared myself for an attack. Though he had helped save my life back there I knew nothing about him or their war. Whether I could trust him or not, I was still unsure. "Come here, let me see if I can get those bindings off."

I felt my body relax slightly as the knife cut through the ropes. "Hey Ralof—I'm sorry." I paused. "About your friend."

Ralof let out a small smirk before standing tall once again. "You should take his armor, he won't be needing it anymore.

I hesitated as I approached the broken body on the floor. You want me to wear a dead man's armor? I looked down once again at my rag clothing. Sure, the estate had never given us nice or protective clothing, but we had at least made ourselves something somewhat decent, but rags, it had been a long time since we had worn those.

I knelt down gently and undressed the armor from the soldier. Underneath the metallic chest plate was the man's bloody bare chest that I guessed had paled from his death, his leg armor however at least had a cover underneath to help me avoid even more uneasiness about what I was doing. Though, this wasn't the first time I had found myself this close to a dead body.

Ralof had already turned his back to me as I slipped my rags off of my shoulders and breasts. My hands shook slightly as I tried to hurry and get the armor onto my body. I could feel the coldness of the blood mix in with my fur as I slipped on the last pieces, trying to ignore the reality of what I was now wearing.

"Have you finished?" Ralof asked calmly.

I grabbed the axe from the man's hand as the dragons shout shook the building once again, bringing us both quickly back to the reality and panic that we were experiencing.

"Come on, let's get out of here before this dragon brings the whole tower down on our heads. One of these gates has to lead to the exit." Ralof ran for the left gate as I ran to the right. I could hear his gate shaking behind me to know we had both met the same conclusion. We were trapped in here.

"Come on soldiers keep moving! Our orders are to find Ulfric no matter the cost. Search this place high and low!" Without a second thought, I knew whose voice had just bounced off of the walls. It was the female captain from the execution, she had survived and from the sounds of it was searching for other survivors as well, Ulfric being one of them.

Panic showed for a moment in Ralof's eyes. "It's the imperials take cover!" His hands grabbed the back of my chest plate as he pulled me back against the wall, both of us now kneeling down and staring towards the gate. The soldier's torches lit the darkness from the north gate as they approached us. Their voices now growing louder.

"Captain, if I may be so bold to ask, what about the towns people? Shouldn't we be aiding in their escape?" A guard nervously asked.

The footsteps came to a sudden halt as I pressed my back against the stone wall. "You would question the general? Listen here Norman or whatever your name is, we listen to the general, no questions asked and no hesitation do you understand?"

"Yes captain, I apologize for stepping out of line."

I watched as Ralof grasped his sword tightly in his hands. His eyes showing complete focus on the gate ahead of us.

The footsteps continued without another word as a pale hand grasped the gate. "Guards open the gate." The female captain spoke calmly.

As soon as the imperials had entered the room Ralof had jumped up to attack. His sword flew into the neck of a young soldier, his eyes wide in shock as he let out a light cough and grasped his neck. Blood trickled over his lips as he fell to the ground, trying so desperately to hang on to his life before Ralof went for the final blow. His sword raised high as he let fury take complete control.

The captain had used her soldier's demise as a distraction as she flew a kick into Ralof's stomach, sending him back into the wall beside me. I could hear a crack as his body met stone and he slumped to the floor. I watched as he forced himself back to his feet as he went for another strike.

He can't take two down. You have to act or let your only hope in escaping die. With that thought I forced myself to my feet, the axe tightly clenched in my hands.

Everything began to move in quick motion as the axe landed in the other soldier's helmet. His body collapsing without me ever having the chance to look him in the eyes.

The captain looked over in one moment of hesitation giving Ralof the perfect chance to strike. His sword entered her chest as hate overtook her eyes. Her teeth clenched as Ralof pulled out the sword. He never gave her the chance for a final attack. Instead, he repeated his first attack, the sword dug itself into her neck as she fell to her knees, her body still trying to fight for life. The blood stained sword slipped through her fingers as she shakily reached for the sword that now rested in her neck. Her fingers bled as she traced it, ignoring the pain completely in search of the answer to what was causing her to die.

Ralof yelled out as he pulled the sword from her neck forcing the last light of life to leave her body as she crumpled to the floor beneath her. Ralof reached down quickly to search the captain's armor, pulling out a small golden key that he tucked into his own armor. "Let's move."

He jumped over the dead bodies as he continued down the dark hallways, completely unfazed by what had just happened. I walked past the axe that still rested in the soldiers head as I reached down for the captain's sword and followed Ralof down the hallway, both of us sprinting as we looked for an exit.

The hallway divided into two ways. One continuing forward while the other trailed off to the left and down some dimly lit stairs.

"Continue forward, the left will only lead us deeper." Ralof continued to run forward as the keep began to shake again. Stones and rock fell in front of us, missing us by only an inch.

"Left it is." I muttered as I ran down the stone stairs, knowing that Ralof would follow behind me.

The moment I had reached the bottom step I heard a woman scream out in fury, the sound quickly being replaced with the sound of two swords clashing. As we approached the room I saw two Imperial men grabbing her arms and holding her back, the third smiling as he twirled a small blade in his hands.

"Let's really make you scream this time traitor." He said gleefully.

The same moment that he had pressed the blade to her throat was the moment that a blade stuck out from his chest. "What the—." The soldier fell as the Stormcloak woman freed herself.

Both guards had now chosen me as their target as they raced towards me, excitement covering their faces. I gripped my sword tightly as I went in for the first hit but Ralof had already beat me too it. The blade hit their knees taking away any ability that they had to stand. One of the guards looked up at us in fear, tears streaming down his face. "No more, please I yield."

Without any communication between the two, both Stormcloak soldiers walked swiftly to the imperials before impaling them with their swords. Silencing them forever.

"Was Jarl Ulfric with you?" Ralof asked calmly, only slight panic hinting in his voice.

The female guard pulled her sword from the body beneath her as she sheathed the blade back by her side. "I haven't seen him since the dragon attacked. I thought he would be with you."

Their voices seemed far away as I scanned the room, blood stained the walls where chambers were pressed against, skeletons being the only reminder of what this room had been, what it still probably was.

"Trolls blood, it's a torture chamber." Ralof spoke, amazement overtaking his voice. He looked towards me as his fingers dug into his hand. "You see this Arlene? This is what the Imperials are. Murder's and cowards, a bunch of hypocrites." I thought of Hadvar and Tullius for a moment. They had saved people back there, I had watched them save people. But they had to both know about this torture chamber, they had to know what happened to those who were not on their side, what would happen to me now that I had chosen to follow Ralof.

Their voices became closer to me once again as I left my thoughts. "I'll keep watch in case Ulfric comes through, May Talos guide you my friend." The female soldier said.

Ralof smiled as he continued down the pathway. "Will she be okay in there? More men could come or the dragon may make this whole place collapse on her." I stated worriedly.

Ralof's smile only grew bigger as the stone walls turned into a cave. "Meghan will be fine, she's a warrior just like her father before her." His hand flew in front of me as he stared across the cavern. "Do you see it?" He whispered.

A large brown bear nuzzled its head against the cave wall as it began to drift to sleep, completely unaware of our new presence. "We can either sneak past the bear or you can borrow my bow. Who knows, we might get lucky."

I knelt down, keeping my eyes trained on the bear. "I don't really trust our luck today, follow me." I continued down the cave as the bear began to stir slight, his eyes looking into mine for a moment, curiosity reflecting in them as he watched me.

Ralof picked up his pace to step in front of me as he quickly raced towards the end of the cavern. "That looks like the way out come on!"

The bear no longer stood by with curiosity as I watched the bear shuffle onto its paws. I stood as soon as the creature had taken its first step, racing towards the end of the cavern with Ralof. Ralof had already made it half way up the climb when he looked down to see the bear going for my legs. "Arlene grab my hand!"

Without a second thought I jumped up, my body slamming against the rocks as I grasped his hand in mine, the bear's claws only missing me by an inch. "What happened to sneaking?" I asked slightly irritated.

Ralof pulled me up, his voice grunting as he helped me reach the ledge beside him. "Hey, we made it right?"

We pulled ourselves up the final ledge and into the sunlight and fresh air of the mountains, gasping something besides for smoke. Just as we had stood I was once again tackled to the ground as a large shadow flew over us. We both lay completely still until the shadow of the dragon flew away from the burned city, possibly heading back home after all of the destruction it had caused.

Ralof stood first before helping me back to my feet and looking out towards the sky. "No way to know if anyone else made it out alive. But this place will be swarming with Imperials before we know it, we need to get out of here and lay low for a few days."

"What about Ulfric?" I asked as I looked back, watching the smoke rising into the sky. I couldn't help wonder if anyone was still alive, sadly I doubted it.

Ralof looked back at me with a smile. "Ulfric can't die, the gods have tried many times but he always survives. Actually thinking about it, He's probably already on his way back to Windhelm."

…..