Chapter 1- Escape

Her breathing never slowed, it only heightened as she flew through the woods, dodging fire that nipped at her feet that came from every direction. She could only hope that Serana was still behind her, not far gone.

"Serana!" She screamed, hoping for a response.

A few seconds went by until she finally heard a response, "Right behind you!"

Kas felt relief after hearing words from her friend, though not relieved enough since they were still being attacked. Kas had to trudge through every part of the woods, just hoping that they would stumble upon a cave where they would be safe.

"Kas!" Serana shouted from behind, "I've been around here before! There's an abandoned tower just a little ways ahead!"

Well, it's not a cave, but it's something, Kas thought.

"Alright! Just tell me where to go or when we're close!"

Fire still blazed at their heels as they ran. They never thought they would get out of there alive, they could only hope.

A few miles back, Serana and Kas were exploring old Dwemer ruins, hoping to find some goods that Kas could sell for a sword she had been keeping her eye on. Little did they know that a dragon had conquered those ruins, guarding it with every strength it had in him. For Kas, fighting a dragon was just like chopping the head off of a Draugr; but this dragon was powerful- a Blood Dragon. Kas's strength was not nearly enough against this dragon, not even with Serana on her side. Now they could only run and hope to find help along the way.

"Turn left! Just past that rock up ahead!" Serana said.

Kas did just that without a second thought. She trusted Serana ever since she found her in that crypt one year ago. Since then, they had been best friends, sisters almost. Kas's husband, Marcurio, always joked that Kas would run off with Serana someday because they were so close. Kas only laughed. She had never had a sister before, let alone a family. When she was just a child, her parents were killed by bandits that attacked their farm. She was five years old. Kas had to beg on the streets and work on nearby farms to get enough gold to survive. Now, here she was, fifteen years later and possibly facing her imminent death. She never even got to have kids and start a family with Marcurio.

"There!" Serana shouted from behind.

Sure enough, a tower was in front of them- well, what was left of the tower.

"Huh, it's a bit different from what I remember." Serana said, "But it'll have to do."

"I'm not arguing. Let's go."

Kas and Serana ran into the tower, taking cover from its stoned walls. The dragon angrily hurled a gasp of fire, trying to break through the walls.

"Well, now instead of dying in the woods; we'll die in a castle." Kas said.

"There's gotta be a way. You are the Dragonborn."

Kas thought for a minute. This was true. She couldn't just die here, her and Serana had a life in front of them.

"Alright, how about this," Kas prepared an idea. "Go up to the top of the tower and shoot these arrows at the dragon." Kas handed Serana her favorite bow. "When you're up there, be careful to not let the dragon see you. If he does, run. Just run. Don't let him get you."

"What about you?"

"I'm gonna go outside and do what I do best."

"Wait a minute, you're gonna go out there? Facing the dragon? Are you nuts?! He'll roast you like a pig!"

"I think you forgot that I am the Dragonborn."

"Forget about that. That's suicide!"

"Do you have a better idea?"

Serana thought for a minute. "Well, no. But I can't let you die, Kas!" Serana's eyes shifted to the ground.

"Relax, I'll be fine. We can't stay here for eternity."

"Well, if you think it'll work…"

"It will." Kas replied, almost immediately.

"It's your call, then."

Kas took off her leather cowl, revealing her blonde hair that draped just above her shoulders. Her hazel eyes revealed that she was tired, Serana worried she would not have enough strength.

"Are you sure, Kas? You don't look too good."

"I'm fine."

Serana's red-glowing eyes looked into her best friend's eyes. She did not want anything to happen to her, after all, she was all she had. Kas treated her like family. She saved her on numerous occasions and expected nothing in return.

"We have to make this work." Kas said.

Serana nodded.

"Okay. Take this, just in case." Kas handed her a bottle.

"What is it?"

"It's a health potion. I don't want you getting hurt."

Serana smiled. "I got the easy job."

"Alright. Let's go."

The two of them disbanded. Serana swiftly ran up the steps of the tower, careful not to step on any loose stones. Kas had her back on the wall just next to the door. She could hear the ferocious roars of the dragon. She talked herself down, assuring herself that she could do this, that they would both be fine.

Kas looked up the stairs, seeing that Serana made it safely and stealthily. The dragon never even knew she got up there. Kas took a deep breath, ready to face the dragon.

Serana, from her lookout, had the bow drawn. It was ready to be shot, but she only worried about Kas.

Clank.

From below, Kas took a rock that she found and banged it against the wall. This was Serana's signal. She fired.

Kas looked from the door and saw the dragon was distracted, and even angrier at having been shot at like it was some pitiful creature that was to be hunted. Kas drew her sword from its sheath and ran full force at the dragon.

"FUS RO DAH!" Kas shouted, the dragon was knocked back and slightly dazed, though nothing could take it down.

The dragon snapped its jaws at the small Nord who dared to fight its wrath. Its wings batted at the ground, knocking Kas from her feet.

From above, Serana watched as her friend struggled to her feet. Panicked, she shot another arrow. This time, it pierced the dragon's back. The dragon roared in agony, but it was still strong.

Kas swung her sword, slicing the dragon's wing which bled a violet liquid and stained her sword. The dragon roared again and spit flames at its prey. All around Kas, fire encircled her and trapped her. The dragon did not stop at once; it continued to set fire to the grass, waiting for the Nord to fry.

Serana could not bear to watch as her friend struggled to gain her strength. Fire jumped at Kas, burning her hands and her legs. She did not stop, though, she tried with all her might to destroy the dragon. There was never a moment where Kas would back down from a fight. Serana broke from her position to assist her friend. She would not witness her death.

Serana used her vampiric powers, draining the life from the dragon, weakening it just a little. The dragon turned from his work and saw Serana; almost smiling as he realized he would have a tasty treat with two humans to eat.

Kas picked herself up from the ground, running through the fire, trying to ignore its burning pain. Again, she ran towards the dragon and shouted.

"FUS RO DAH!"

The dragon fell, its teeth just feet away from where Serana was standing. Kas swung her sword at the dragon's throat, pouring blood onto the ground. The dragon still breathed, but just barely hung onto life.

With one final blow, Kas lodged her sword into the dragon's head and pulled it back out, revealing a bloody mess. Like a geyser, the blood spurt from the dragon's head and leaked onto the ground.

"That's teamwork right there." Serana huffed, as she was exhausted from the fight.

"Thank… you…" Kas leaned on her sword that was dug into the ground.

"Are you alright?"

Kas nodded.

"You've been like this all day. What happened?"

"Just tired… is all." Kas collapsed.

Kas awoke to an orange light that flickered and snapped. Kas fearfully rolled away from the fire and put her hand to her sheath. Nothing was there.

"Kas! Relax, it's just me."

"Huh-"

"It's a fire, just a fire pit."

Kas turned her head to see a set of red eyes gazing at her.

"Oh. Wait- how did we… weren't we jus-"

"Just at the tower? Yes. You collapsed so I got us to this camp."

"Collapsed?"

"You were exhausted. I think you caught some sort of sickness- or you're just tired." Serana explained.

"Oh."

The fire continued to snap as the wind flowed. Its flames stretched to the sky, which was dark and spotted with stars. The air, though windy, was calm and gave a nice breeze against Kas's fire-burned face. The burns from the dragon gave a painfully stinging feeling, though was managable.

"I think we should head home, Kas"

"Bu-"

"No. Just for a few days until you're better again. You know Marcurio is probably worried sick by now. We should have returned two days ago-"

"Two days? How long have I been out?"

"A day. Just one day."

"That's strange."

"Yes, you see, that's why we need to go. You can't be out here like this."

Kas frowned. She needed a sword that was strong and dependable, something better than what she had now. The blade was too dull from the spiders and dragons she had slain and the handle was rusted. If she was going to defend the people of Skyrim, she would need a better blade.

"Kas, your life is more important than some sword. It's just until you get better. Please." Serana's eyes softened to a lighter red-glow. This only happened when Serana was really worried.

"Serana, you know I hate when you pull that crap." Serana still stared. "Oh, alright, alright. Fine. Let's get going in a few hours then. Have you gotten any sleep?"

"Sleep? Are you kidding? I've had my fair share of sleep.

Kas and Serana laughed.

"We're going, then. At dawn. We're not too far from home, anyways. We should be there by about noon." Serana said.

The sun rose in the morning, the two of them went on their journey back home. Serana had to keep Kas up every now and then, as she fell whenever her body couldn't hold her weight up any longer. They passed caves along the way, which Kas longingly admired. She was an adventurer at heart, nothing would change that. Serana had to pull her away. At noon, they arrived at Kas's home near Falkreath. Marcurio was working on the garden, trying to distract his mind from his absent wife. He turned as he heard the horse neighing affectionately, which he only did when Kas was around.

"Kas!" Marcurio dropped what he was doing and ran to his wife.

Kas fell into her husband's arms, stuffing her head into his chest. His hugs shielded her, warmed her.

"Where've you been? You said you'd be back days ago!"

"We got attacked by a dragon. A Blood Dragon." Serana replied, as she worryingly examined Kas.

"Blood Dragon? By the Divines, I can't believe it."

"Yeah, and Kas… Something happened, but we're not sure what."

Marcurio looked at Kas and looked into her eyes. Her eyes looked as though they had aged, her face was pale as snow.

"She's gotten a lot better though. She was out for about a day. I think she just needed rest."

"Better?"

"You two, I swear! I am fine!" Kas shouted.

"Love, calm down. Serana is right, something happened. You look terrible."

"Gee, thanks Marcurio."

"Oh, you know you're beautiful. I mean you just don't look well. Why don't you lay down for a bit, get some rest."

Marcurio walked Kas inside their home, where she was greeted by Lydia, her steward.

"Thane." Lydia nodded. She had barely talked to her since she never brought her on adventures anymore. She missed the old days where they would butcher bears and hunt for bandits together.

Kas was led to her bedroom where Marcurio and her shared a bed. Along the walls were trophies that she had gotten over the past year and a half. Most of them were swords and axes that she found in caves and hung them on her walls. She cherished them all. Others were just animals that she hunted and decorated her home with them. She only hunted animals that hunted her first.

"Just lay here for a bit, Kas. Regain your strength." Marcurio said. Kas was lucky to have such a loving husband. As sassy as he could be at times, it was only because he was joking. He was always so sweet and kind, but never hesitated to take down something that would try to harm his wife.

"Come here." Kas grabbed at Marcurio, pulling him down. He snuggled into the bed next to her. Kas put her head on his chest and her arms around him.

"I missed you." She said.

"I did too. More than you'll ever know." He kissed the top of her head.

The two of them stayed like that for a while, not letting go. Marcurio was glad that she was finally home, safe- thanks to Serana, who was sitting at the table downstairs, chatting with Lydia.

"Marcurio…" Kas said, her eyes still closed.

"What is it, love?" Marcurio stroked her hair.

"Mmm… Nothing. I just love you."

Marcurio smiled. "I love you too."

For days, Kas stayed at her home to regain her strength. No one was quite sure what she had caught, though it didn't matter because after days of being fed various stews, health potions, and getting plenty of rest she was good as new. Even Serana, as stubborn as she was, agreed that Kas was healthy again. They figured that Kas had just caught something from the dungeon. Kas was relieved that she was finally allowed to walk herself down the stairs, as Serana and Marcurio kept a watchful eye and did not even allow her to walk out of her room.

"See. I've been telling you two for days- I'm fine!" She said.

"Oh hush." Serana rolled her eyes. "If you saw yourself back there, you woulda said different!"

Serana was just happy to see that her friend was alright.

"Well, now that you two have witnessed the ever-strong Dragonborn awake from her tomb- will you finally let me go?"

"Oh, you are too humble." Serana said. "It's only been a week since you fell ill-"

"And that is enough. I can never stay too long where there are walls surrounding me. I've been locked away like a prisoner with you two always supervising me." Marcurio's sass had started to rub off on Kas since they had married.

"It's only because we care. How many Dragonborns will a vampire meet in her life?"

Kas was about to say a joke about Serana's age but decided against it, she had her share of sass for the day.

"Exactly," Marcurio chimed in, "I may only marry once."

Kas blushed, even after being married for six months, the man still had a weak spot for her.

"I'll stick around for another few days, I suppose. But, by the 18th of Second Seed- you cannot control me!" Today was the 15th.

"Fair enough." Serana said. "However, I'll have to be leaving tomorrow; I haven't seen Gunmar in ages."

Gunmar, member of the Dawnguard, had been waiting for Serana. The two of the got engaged just a few months after Marcurio and Kas got married. The two of the made an unlikely couple, being that Serana was a vampire and Gunmar was brought back to the Dawnguard to become a vampire hunter. However, Serana became highly trusted within the Dawnguard, even Isran began to respect the vampire.

"Alone?" Kas said.

"Well, by carriage, of course. I'll be fine, I've travelled the roads of Skyrim numerous times, even after we became friends."

"I know that, I just feel bad you have to travel alone."

"Kas, I promise- I'll be fine."

The rest of the day Kas just tended the farm, relieved to finally be outside again. There was much to be done; crops to be harvested, skeevers to be chased, chickens to be fed. Kas loved the farm life, but also yearned to be back home to her manor in Solitude. She loved her home back there- all the ancient walls of the castle and the view from her porch was just marvellous. Kas owned numerous pieces of land throughout Skyrim, many of which were received as gifts by the jarls for her good deeds. She wanted to get away from the city life for a while, but realized she missed the laughs and shouts of play from the neighboring children in Solitude.

Ever since Kas was a young girl, she dreamed of having a family. Like the tales she was read when she was just a child, she dreamed of finding the man she loved and starting a family. She yearned to hear the small pitter patter of babies' feet along the floorboard, to love something that was a part of her and her lover. But in times like these, it was too dangerous. With wars, dragons, vampires, and death lurking around the corner- she just couldn't bring herself to birth a child into the world. Marcurio had dreams of becoming a father, he loved children and adored them; he would try to persuade his wife into giving it a chance, but she would have none of it.

"It's too dangerous." She would say.

"Yes, love, I know- but don't you see," He would say back, "Life is too short. While we can be happy together, we can be happy with a child. Happier."

"Exactly my point! Life is too short. I've seen my fair share of children get slain with no mercy by men. Like trolls they would-they… By the time the child would exit my womb- it could be taken from my arms and slain! Don't you see the world we live in? We are attacked by dragons almost daily; vampires raid the towns; bandits lurk the roads…"

"We have excellent securities, dear. We have Lydia, the bard, the carriage driver… We could get a dog!"

"And then what? The child would leave in fear!" Kas got clammy just thinking about it. She remembered her days on the streets as a little girl.

"Kas…"

"No! I'll have none of it!"

Kas and Marcurio would have these conversations often. She desperately wanted children, just as much as Marcurio, but she couldn't birth an innocent soul into a world that death cloaked the lands. Not even a city such as Solitude would be safe enough for an infant. With a title as high as Kas's, many people tried to kill her, some have even gone lengths to try and kidnap her husband, little did they know he was a powerful mage. A Dragonborn's weakness would only worsen if her child was taken- people are merciless. It would be nothing to take a sword to a child's throat. Kas has seen heartless people like that before.

Kas finished weeding the garden, the crops were coming in nicely and she admired her work as she wiped her forehead from sweat. The sun gleamed down on her, warming her neck. Her long hair curtained her shoulders. She looked just like any other farmer in Skyrim, except for the fact that she had abnormal scars that surfaced on her skin.

Many of them were small, and she always wore her armor when she roamed the lands. Though, they made for great conversation among other travelers and any other curious wanderer. Many of them were from dragons that dared to snap at her, some from trolls and Falmer that attacked her in ruins. Despite these, her figure was breathtaking. Her pale skin shone brightly wherever she was, even in the dark. Her eyes shone just as bright, but they were almost never looked directly into; few people ever had been given the chance to make eye contact with her, only the people she was close with. It wasn't because she was disrespectful or anything, she was just always looking around her, impaled with paranoia that something behind her was lurking. She did this to protect whomever she was talking to, she had a strong heart and wanted to protect everyone.

While wheeling away the weeds to the fire pit that Kas had burning, she felt a pair of eyes on her. Though, these eyes were not dangerous, the stare was soft and comforting. She turned around to see Marcurio, eyeing her rear. She smirked and put her hand on her hip.

"Y'know, it's rude to stare."

Marcurio blushed, even though he had nothing to blush over. "Sorry, my lady." He took a bow. "One cannot help but to stare at a wondrous bottom."

She slowly walked over, admiring the man she married.

"As long as I'm the only one you gawk at, I suppose it's fine."

"Why, of course you are the only one."

She smiled. "Well, good." She took his hand that he stretched out for her, then he pulled her closer. He was about to kiss her when she put her hand to his lips.

"Nuh-uh. Not here." She steered him to the stables where she tripped over a clump of hay, pulling him down as she fell.

In the hay, he looked into her eyes, longingly. He teased her by not kissing her every time it looked as though he would. She grew impatient and cupped his face in her hands and planted a kiss on his lips. She giggled as he continued to peck at her neck. The two of them ignored the stray straw that pierced at their skin, nothing would bother them.

At night as the sun set, Kas, Marcurio, Serana, and Lydia sat around the table in the great hall. The four of them helped themselves to a meal that Marcurio had prepared for them, he was careful to leave some extra left over so Serana could have some on her way back to the Dawnguard. Llellewyn, the bard, picked at the strings on his lute while words escaped from his lips, telling the Tale of the Tongues, one of the many ballads that was sung about the Great Dragonborn whom had slain the evil dragon, Alduin. The bards at the college in Solitude had dedicated it to Kas, after she had returned from Sovngarde and defeated the World Eater.

"Peaceful night for once." Serana said.

The others all nodded while they stuffed the venison that Marcurio had spent hours cooking. It was a recipe he had learned back home in Cyrodiil.

"Not a single bandit. I could get used to this." Kas said, relieved to have a peaceful night.

"Well, I wouldn't say it's peaceful quite yet," Lydia interrupted, "There are skeevers down in the cellar."

Kas laughed. "That's nothing. A few pests can't destroy the house completely."

The rest of the evening was very pleasant. The four of them, five including the bard, enjoyed each other's company. The fire in the stone fireplace was still roaring and cracking, there was a soft breeze coming in through the windows, and the stars were shining down on the beautiful house. For a moment, Kas felt like there wasn't a care in the world- no dragons, no dispute between the Imperials and Stormcloaks- nothing.

At around 11:00 in the night, they all settled down into their beds. They slept soundly that night.