This is a rewrite of the original which I hadn't been happy with. Not much has changed really, but with the last one, I didn't leave myself enough room to correct some things and combine some chapters without messing up the whole story.
Skyrim(c) Bethesda.
Forgotten Paladin, Chapter I: Possible Paladin.
There are three types of Paladins: the Dawnguard, the Vigilants of Stendarr, and the Paladins. However, the Paladins were destroyed during the Great War of 4E 171. These mighty warriors had been cut down by the Aldmeri Dominion, whom had feared them for their well-known restoration powers. In this book, we will be following the Paladins.
Raiden Whitestrake, a descendant of Pelinal Whitestrake, had founded the order after the fall of Potema in 3E 137. Raiden swore to Arkay that he would destroy any necromancer, vampire, or any undead who's only goal was to bring harm to mortals. Arkay, hearing Raidan's promise, bestowed him and his family the power needed to complete his goals. Eventually the Paladin Order would be formed.
In 3E 340, Raiden had slayed Careath, a powerful Altmer Lord. When the news of Careath's death reached the Summerset Isles, there was a call for Raidan's head. The recently crowned Magnus did not heed the cries and ignored them. This only served to anger the Altmer even more. While he was resting at an inn, Raiden was assassinated by the Dark Brotherhood. Scholars agree that a High Elf had ordered the contact.
The Paladins, upon hearing about their leader's death, started to look for the offender. Magnus, fearing that the Paladins would end up wiping themselves out, ordered them to stay put. Even though their hearts rang for vengeance, they agreed to halt the search. This event caused an uneasy tension between the Paladins and the Summerset Isles.
Dareth, Raiden's son and successor, spent his first few years trying to make peace with the Altmer. But, the deed had been done, and the Altmer refused to make peace. Across the land of the Empire, a secret war would be raged. Altmer would attack a Paladin without provocation, and the Paladins would attack a High Elf the same way. Dareth eventually decided that moving the Order's location would be the best course of action. They moved to the Jerall Mountains, and worked in the shadows.
End Chapter I, Paladin Orders: Paladin Order.
Author unknown.
Creaking was the first sound she heard, as if she was in a ship or a carriage. Her head rolled against something firm and straight. Whatever her head was on, it kept scratching it. Somewhere nearby a horse snorts and the cold breeze passes through causing her to shiver slightly. A groan sounds out from someone, she pondered whether it was her or not.
Opening her eyes, she found the blurry world to be moving. She tried to think of an answer but couldn't. Moving to left she felt a large amount of pain go through her entire body. Looking around, her vision now clearer, she was in a cart with three other men. Oh.
She had tried grabbing an apple pie from an Imperial cook. She winced at the memory of an iron cast pot hitting her chest. Another light breeze passed through the cart, moving hair and clothing. A shiver went through her. Even if you were half Nord, you were barely protected from the cold. It didn't help that the Imperials decided to put her in rags. Trees swayed slightly with mountain flowers and various other wild plants.
"Ah, so you're finally awake?" a rough voice asked. Her head turned in the direction of the speaker. Finding her mouth to fairly dry she nodded, as she gazed at him. He was a Nord with blue eyes, blonde hair with a braid that fell to his shoulders. He had blue cloth over leather with chain mail underneath. "How are you feeling?" She tried to stretch a little only to find her hands bound. Giving up quickly she responded quietly, "Like I was hit with an iron cast pot." The male shook his head. "Well, from what I saw, you did manage to annoy the cook." There was clear amusement in his voice.
"Hey, that apple pie looked tasty. I haven't eaten in two days!" A chuckle was heard. "I wasn't expecting him to hit me; I suppose at least I didn't take a sword through the chest." He laughed softly. "So, what is your name?" "Kaylee. What's yours?" "Ralof." The now named Ralof looked at her. His eyes saw traveled over the woman in front of him. He couldn't stop staring at her eyes. The pale blue color stood out. Especially for an Imperial. He forced his eyes to look to over her other features. There were was blue war paint on her face. One line above her right eye and two under the same eye starting out straight then running to the right. Her hair went to her shoulders and was the color of wheat.
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Ulfric Stormcloak watched as this mysterious Imperial woman interacted with Ralof. The only view he had gotten was a very annoyed cook dragging her to a nearby captain. He saw her mouth move and Ralof laughed. Two pale blue eyes stared back. For a second he almost saw Rudin, a Paladin he fought with during the Great War. That caused him to wonder. Could she be one?
No! She couldn't be one! They were wiped out during the War! Is... Is possible someone survived? No. The Paladins were dead. Gone. Eradicated. He had watched the Thalmor kill some of them without mercy. The reports had also said that all four hundred and fifty Paladins had been killed. Most had been killed in battle, wounded killed on spot and the captured killed during tremendous torture.
Maybe it was a coincidence? It had to be. He looked over her briefly trying to find any other indication that she was one. He couldn't see one.
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There was a grunt from her right. Sitting next to her was, once more, another male Nord. He had the same hair style as Ralof's, but had blue eyes. Looking at his clothes, finely trimmed, suggest he was a noble. Unnerved by his scrutiny, she looked to the third male Nord. Black loose hair, and black warpaint spread around his eyes, making it difficult to tell what color they were. He had a frightful look, and his body shook in fear. Her graze turned to the road in front of her. A second cart traveled in front of them.
"Damn you Stormcloaks!" Heads turned. "If it weren't for you, I could have stolen that horse, and been halfway to Hammerfell!" Kaylee shook her head at him. Sneering towards her, the thief commented, "Why are you shaking your head. You have no right!" Giving out a half-hearted laugh, Kaylee shook her again. "Even if it weren't for the Stormcloaks, you could have been caught anyways. A deaf man could hear you, and still have enough time to react." The thief shot her a peeved look. Ignoring his glare, she woefully gazed at vegetation.
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As names were called, the horse thief, Lokir, never once stopped trying to tell them that he was innocent and so was she. The Imperials never heard him, as they were far more concerned about executing Ulfric Stormcloak. Unable to hold himself any longer, the thief launched forward attempting escape. He made it halfway up the path before two arrows lodged themselves into his back. No one dared to run after that display. The male Nord with the list looked towards her. "Wait, who are you?"
Squaring her shoulders she stepped forward, "Kaylee of Riften." He frowned before looking at his captain, "She isn't on the list." There was a careless response of "Never mind the list, she goes too." Any false hope she had was shattered. "Follow the Captain, prisoner." Shoulders slumping, and head bowed, she followed quietly. If she was to die here, then so be it. A sullen wind picked up as if it knew the events happening.
She would have kept her head down if she hadn't heard, "Ulfric Stormcloak." Lifting her head, she found an older Imperial standing before Ulfric. The armor he wore showed that he was higher status, a general perhaps. "A couple of people, here in Helgen, call you a hero. Yet, a hero would not use the power of the voice to murder his King." The man in question gave a muffled response. "By the order of Emperor Titus Mede II, you are to executed for treason and murder." Turning to the Captain, the man ordered for them to be given their last rites.
While the priestess began to give them their last rite, an unusual sound was heard. Could have been a roar, but nothing Kaylee knew could make such a sound. Several people frowned and the Nord who had the list asked, "What as that?" The Captain shook her head. "Nothing." She motioned to the priestess to continue. The priestess nodded and went to open her mouth when a red headed male Nord stepped forward. "Oh for the love of Talos, shut up!" He yelled, stomping over to the chopping block. Kaylee saw the male heading the execution frown. Not if disapproval of his use of Talos. No, more for the fact he could have at least let her finish. After the head rolled into the basket, there was a yell of "Next prisoner!". The same noise was heard again.
"I said next prisoner! The renegade from Cyrodiil!" She felt the eyes of everyone on her. There was one that even unnerved her the most, even more than Ulfric's stare. The gray haired Imperial watched as she, a female Imperial with possible Nordic heritage walked forward. He glanced over her. His eyes fell on the pale blue eyes which were unafraid and afraid. Pale blue eyes. What? He opened his mouth to stop her execution when his eyes caught this black mass fly by and land on the tower above them, he heard himself yell out "What in Oblivion is that!" His Captain shouted out, "Sentries! What do you see?" "It's in the clouds!"
"Dragon!" The only female Stormcloak screamed out. He swung around to the nearest guard, "Guards! Get the townspeople to safety!" His eyes managed to catch the Imperial being dragged away by a Stormcloak.
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Kaylee stilled, her head still located the chopping block, and blood from the last execution still present. Taking a deep breath, she tried to quell her fear. The headsman lifted his ax just as a black mass appeared and landed on the tower. Her mind screamed at her to run, but she couldn't. Its black eyes bore into hers.
"YOL TOOR SHUL!" Fire poured out of its mouth, burning the nearby headsman. Oh Gods. She watched paralyzed as the headsman burned. I think I rather have been beheaded than to die from in a fiery smoke. Her mind registered two arms wrap around her and start dragging her but herself did not feel it.. She could hear Ralof's voice. "Come on Kaylee! Get up! The Gods won't give us another chance!"
Dead flesh filled her nostrils and she gagged. Ralof place her next the stairs. "Jarl Ulfric! Are the legends true?" The jarl shook his head. "Legends don't burn down villages." The tower shook, and Ulfric pointed towards her. "Get her up, we need to move now!" And I need answers. He thought. Grabbing one arm, he and Ralof pulled the girl up. She held a very frantic look.
Ralof urged her forward. "Come on, up the stairs!" He sprinted up the stairs, her with him. Hearing a crash, Ulfric looked up the stairs. The dragon had broken through the stone. "YOL TOOR SHUL!" The pair moved against the wall, waiting for the fire to halt. The moment the dragon moved, Ralof bounded up the stairs. "See that building? Jump!" Summing up courage, she jumped across.
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A sharp pain went through her legs when she landed. Losing her balance she grabbed, or tried, onto the nearest wooden pole. Forcing her mind not to think about the dragon, she dashed forward and leaped down a hole to the bottom floor. "Hamming! You need get over here!" It was the soldier whom had the list from before. He was struggling to encourage a young boy to come over to him. The Gods seemed to favor him. Just as the boy moved behind the house, the dragon landed and set fire to an older male. The soldier finally noticed her. "Still alive prisoner? Follow me if you want to live this time." She did. Anything to get away from the dragon. Even if it meant dying in another place.
She ran behind the soldier, letting him guide her through this mess. They past burning houses and found the older Imperial and a squad of Imperial soldiers around him. She screamed and grabbed onto Hadvar as best she could as a roof crashed behind them. "Hadvar! Follow us into the keep soldier!" "Yes sir! Follow us prisoner!" Hadvar said as he followed them to the keep. She ran after him.
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The group entered the keep and caught their breath. Kaylee looked around, not sure if the inside of the keep was safe. Her eyes ended up on Hadvar's superior who was already looking at her. As she calmed down, or as one could after seeing a dragon for the first time, his name came to her. General Tullius, which is what Ralof had called him.
"Hadvar, free that her. We might need the extra blade." Hadvar nodded as he strides over to her, and yanks out a dagger to slice the ropes. Rubbing her now free wrists, she headed towards the chest Hadvar pointed out. Nobody looks as she puts on some heavy Imperial armor. Grabbing the nearest iron sword, she heard Hadvar speak, "Trying giving that sword a few string while we look for something to heal theses burns."
She swung it once to the left before stepping to the right and swinging that way. She sighed. Not the greatest sword, but it will do. Opening her left hand, she watched as the familiar healing spell dance in her palm before casting on herself. Perfect. Once more she caught Tullius staring at her. "I don't know healing hands if that is what you are wondering." He shook his head in response.
Bothered by the way he looked at her, her graze turned to Hadvar watching as he helped the last of the soldiers with their burns. "Already to go sir."
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She blinked as the sun hit her eyes. Eyes widened as they looked out at the land before her. A nearby soldier caught her slack jawed expression, "Beautiful, isn't it?" She nodded. "I have never been outside of the Rift." The Imperial was about to respond when they all heard the sound of wings. "Duck!" She almost grunted as she felt a hand over her mouth and herself be pulled to the nearest bush. As the dragon flew by, someone's breath tickled down her neck.
She would have looked until the dragon turned towards the right. She was pulled back into the bush as the dragon circled around. Holding their breath, they hoped the dragon didn't see them. The Gods seemed to have favored them as well. It only circled once. Moving the hand that was covered her mouth, she turned to find that it had been the General who grabbed her. "Thank you." He nodded.