Chapter 1

Two boys ran across the large town of Solitude, rushing past several shops and people, including guards. One was a skinny Khajiit male with grey, almost white fur, green slanted eyes and a broad grin on his face. The other was a Nord boy, about the same height with short black hair and blue eyes. He too was smiling. Both had just turned sixteen that day. The two boys shared the same parents but were not related. According to their father (who was an Argonian), they were both adopted as babies when their mother (who was a Dark Elf) found them outside Solitude, alone and crying. Since their real birthdays were unknown, they had just decided to have them be on the same day.

"Come on, Leif. Hurry up! Father will not wait much longer!" called the Khajiit, grinning. Leif struggled to keep up.

"What do you expect, Kesh? I'm a Nord, not a Khajiit" he called back. Kesh merely sped up, causing Leif to curse under his breath and attempt to match his speed, which he failed miserably. Minutes later, they arrived outside a large, three story house. Leif was breathing heavily but Kesh seemed perfectly fine. The Nord boy was in great shape from being trained in swordsmanship for ten years but running for that long would tire out most people…unless they were Khajiit. They walked inside the house.

"Father? Where are you?" called Leif. An Argonian man walked out from one of the many rooms and smiled.

"Oh, so you two are finally here. Good, I have a message for you, Leif. Here, I'll tell you in private. Kesh, wait for a moment, alright?" he said, leading the Nord into the room he was just in and showed him a letter. It read "Varna, I would like to make a request. It has come to my attention that you have a son named Leif who has just turned sixteen today. As you know, the Imperial Legion still needs able fighters. Send him to Castle Dour. I will appraise him and if he is worthy, he will be able to fight alongside me and my army, if he so wishes. If he does not wish to, he will be sent home straight away with no further contact between us and no trouble. Sincerely, General Tulius"

Leif looked up from the letter. He wasn't sure what to say to this…his father had said to come home straight away (through a courier, of course. They knew it was important because he only did such things when he needed them home for something) but he had not expected a letter from the General of all people.

"I understand if you do not want to go" said Varna, looking somewhat concerned. Leif shook his head.

"No…I don't want to…but the least I can do is go over there and tell him so myself. What about Kesh? Is he coming too?" he asked. Varna shook his head.

"No. He was not asked for in the letter, was he? Only you" he responded. Leif sat down on the bed in the corner of the room. He had never gone anywhere or done anything without Kesh…even though they were not related, they were as close as brothers and sometimes he felt they were even closer. When one boy trained, the other was right there with him. When one was sick, the other was beside them until they got better or were forced to leave. Nothing had managed to separate them.

"…well…I'm not joining so I suppose it doesn't matter" he said slowly, standing up. He grabbed his Ebony Sword, a gift from his father, and walked back to Kesh, who was sitting down in a chair eating a sweetroll. He put it down as he approached and stood up.

"So? What did father want?" he asked. Leif showed him the letter. He read over it quickly and looked upset.

"You're not going to go, are you?" he asked. Leif shook his head.

"No. I don't belong in an army...besides, you wouldn't be there and I don't want to do anything without you" he said. Kesh smiled and hugged him.

"Thanks...you should go and tell him though...best not to keep the General waiting" he said. Leif nodded and left the house, heading for Castle Dour. He had passed by it many times but never had a reason to go in...until now that is.

He went in and walked through the hall into the war room, where Tulius was arguing with a woman about war tactics or some such thing.

"...there, we would surely lose General" said the woman.

"No, we would not. Look, if we-oh. Hello. How can I help you?" said Tulius, noticing the boy.

"Um...hello, sir. My name is Leif. You sent for me by letter?"

It took him a few seconds to remember. "Ah, yes...I remember now. So, before we go any further, I would like to test you. Legate, would you like to do the honors?" he asked, turning to the woman. She shook her head.

"I am sorry General but I do not wish to fight a child" she said. Tulius turned to me again and smiled.

"Well, you're in luck, boy. You'll be tested by me then. Now then...let's get started" he said, drawing his sword and lunging at me. Leif dodged by mere inches and drew his own sword. He blocked the man's swings but was unable to attack himself. He drove Leif into the hall, stabbing and lunging with incredible speed for a man as old as himself. He was just barely able to block him.

He tripped over something on the floor and fell backwards. Seizing his chance, Tulius tried to stab him through the heart.

"He's trying to kill me!" he thought frantically as he rolled over to avoid the sword. Leif noticed that he left his legs relatively unguarded. He kicked out and swept the general's legs out from under him, causing him to fall to the ground as well. Leif quickly got up and pointed his sword at Tulius's neck, breathing heavily.

"Well? Are we done now?" he panted. Tulius laughed and pushed the sword away, getting up.

"Not bad, boy. I hope you realize I wasn't trying though. Had I wanted to kill you, I would have done so in a few seconds. However, I can tell you have potential and even now, you have great skill. It would be an honor to have you in the Imperial Legion" he said, smiling.

"I am very sorry...but I have no interest in this war, so I do not wish to fight in it. I am honored that you would like me to join but I must refuse. If you ever need me for something else though, you can call upon my any time, sir" said Leif, sheathing his sword and beginning to walk out of the room. However, before he could, a man came bursting through the door and with him, a strong smell of smoke.

"What is the matter? Why do I smell smoke?" asked Tulius, concerned.

"F-f-fire..." he stuttered, pointing towards the door. "A house is on fire...his house" he then pointed at Leif.