It's been so long since I've been able to eat or sleep. I can't remember the last time I was able to relax. I tried crossing the border to Skyrim alone...A big mistake. Some guys in blueish light armor were traveling, they offered to protect me as I headed to Darkwater Crossing. One of my old friends lives there.
It was a stupid idea. These men- (I found out they were called stormcloaks) were ambushed right before we arrived. Imperials! If I had known these guys were rebels, I never would have accepted their offer. What an idiot I was. I was knocked out and put on a cart with a man named Ralof. There were two other people there- Lokir, of Rorikstead...and the Jarl of Windhelm, Ulfric Stormcloak.
It was explained to me that he was the leader of the rebellion; hence his last name, Stormcloak. I thought for sure that I wouldn't escape alive, having been associated with him. But then...something amazing happened. Something so strange, I couldn't explain it if I tried.
We were taken in a prison cart to a town named Helgen- apparently some small imperial controlled village quite a ways away from where we originally planned to be. They were going to execute us- I don't think I've ever been that scared in my life before.
I'm a nord, and I know that we're supposed to be fearless, but something about being captured and led to the chopping block without a trial struck fear into the pit of my soul. My name wasn't even on the execution list, so that should have been my salvation; but some Imperial bitch decided that crossing the border illegally was a crime worthy of death.
They were going to kill me. Let me tell you, that made me very angry. But there was nothing I could do about it at the time. I was led to the block, about to have my head chopped off, when...something happened. You'll never believe this.
A dragon! As big as watchtower, with shimmering dark scales! It appeared out of nowhere and landed on a tower next to where I was being held. It blew the executioner right out of the way! I was saved by a bloody dragon. I was then able to escape with the so-called rebels in the confusion. Helgen was burnt to the ground. My saviour was not benevolent, it seems. It tried to eat me. I still wonder if it was even real, or if I imagined the entire experience.
But if I did, I wouldn't be sitting here in a house in Riverwood, a town not a mile to the west of Helgen. The stormcloak I escaped with; Ralof? He helped me, led me here, convinced his sister to let me stay until I can get some fresh supplies and get out of here.
I wonder what I'm going to do. They want me to go to Whiterun, some large city a couple of miles from here. I'm to warn the Jarl of a possible dragon attack.
Ha! As if they would actually listen to me! They'll think me a fool!
But...I suppose I owe it to Ralof and his sister Gerdur for taking me in and giving me a warm bed. I suppose...
I'll head out in the morning.
-Kora Bloodtooth.