I DO NOT OWN SKYRIM OR ANY OF THE NPC'S OF THE GAME INCLUDED IN THIS STORY

Chapter 1:

He-Who-Stands-Alone

I was born a shadowscale. But by the time I came into the world, the order had been forgotten. I never went to the dark brotherhood for a family. I didn't need one, I stood alone. That's the obvious origin of my name, He-Who-Stands-Alone. The other argonians at the docks have taken it upon themselves to call me Lone. I've never really been the social type of hatchling, the only friends I made were in the imperial army, and they're all dead. I served for 3 years, which ended up giving me a more than a few battle scars. They called me the Marsh Killer. For my homeland and my stealth. Even though I never trained with the brotherhood, my birthsign still helped me easily sneak past the enemy lines. Alas, it was not enough, we were defeated by those hist-forsaken elves.. Which lead to us handing over our freedom, and dignity. That was 20 years ago. I joined the Empire when I was 17. Sure I'm an old lizard, but I still can do my fair share of work. Shahvee tells us argonians at the assemblage to stay positive. It's easier said than done what with the abuse from the nords and our almost unlivable pay. It's hard out here, but we stick together, as Scouts-Many-Marshes always says. Neetrenaza despises the nords almost as much as he despises the cold. Really it's not so bad if you just work a bit harder to keep up your body temperature. I've been saving up enough gold for a carriage ride to Riften. I'm a lot bigger than the other argonians, so I thought I'd become a mercenary after I leave the docks. Us argonians are more accepted than the Khajiit, which gives me something. Still, nordic prejudice follows our race almost everywhere, but today that will change for me. I'll gain respect in battle, possibly even become a thane in one of the holds, but today, it's payday. Which means I'll finally have enough to buy a set of armor and a ticket out of this horrible place. Torbjorn will be walking in with my key to freedom any second. The door of the assemblage swings open.

"Here's your pay, you scaly sacks of disease." Torbjorn throws a small bag of septims our way. We evenly distribute our pay, as we always do, 2 septims each. It's not much, but I've learned to find work elsewhere to satisfy my financial needs. I won't announce my departure. I leave the assemblage and make enter the city gate next to the docks. I've never been skilled at blacksmithing, but in my defense, I've never really had the opportunity to practice. I visit the local blacksmith, Oengul War-Anvil. He's once again shouting at his apprentice.

"Hermir, have you seen my good hammer?"

"No."

"Blast, girl, I told you to leave my tools alone. You have yours and I have mine."

"I didn't touch it!"

"Hammers don't have legs."

"Did you look behind the forge? I think I saw it there."

"Oh...yes. Now that you mention it, I think...sorry about that. Oh, it's a customer! Are you interested in buying a set of armor?"

I move closer to the forge. "Why yes, how's your steel?" I try to sound as though I'm an expert on the metal.

"Every bit as sharp as what you'd find in Whiterun. I respect Eorlund, but he has the good fortune to work at the Skyforge. Something about the fires...their steel just holds tighter. If that makes any sense."

"Of course it does. What would you say the price came up to?"

"For a full set? Including the helmet, boots, and shield? I'd say about 500 gold."

That's all the coin I have. "Say, would you happen to have a cheaper set?"

"I've got a full iron set, it'd come up at about 300 gold."

"You've got yourself a deal." I hand over three fifths of my gold.

"You're quite the large fellow, It'll take me until tomorrow to forge you a set."says Oengul while measuring my dimensions.

"I can wait. Just as long as I get it by sundown tomorrow."

"Of course." Hermir says from behind the anvil.

I decide to collect my things from the docks then stay the night in Candlehearth Hall, it would ease the feeling of treachery with my almost egg brothers and egg sister. But as I said, I never really called them family.

I walk over to the bar.

"This here's Candlehearth Hall, great room's upstairs, an' there's a bed for rent on the ground floor."

I give her 10 gold, "I'd like to rent a room."

"Sure thing, it's yours for a day. I'll show you to your room, right this way."

She guides me to the first room on the left. It's a quality room, no rats scurrying about like in the assemblage.

"Let me know if there's anything else you need. I've got some good baked bread and some cheese, if you're after a bite to eat."

"I'll have an ale an a horker loaf, if you could, milady."

"Gladly, here you go. Enjoy your stay, and don't break nothin'!"

It came up at 28 septims. I'm left with 172 gold, more than enough to make it to Riften.

I make my way upstairs to the great room and sit down at the table nearest to the stairs.

"Captain Lonely-Gale, I-I've been looking for you everywhere!" It's that nord woman Viola. She's obsessed with the town's Butcher, a man who has been murdering young women around the town.

"And now you've found me. Can I help you?"

"Have you thought about my invitation?" It's that nord woman Viola. She's obsessed with the town's Butcher, a man who has been murdering young women around the town.

"I've thought about it, but I'm not sure it's such a good idea."

"Oh, I see. Is it still too soon?"

"Yes, I think that must be it. My wife hasn't been gone that long, after all. Ask me again on another day."

"I'm sorry to be such a bother, we'll talk another time." What a busybody whore. I've never really liked any of Windhelm's residents. Especially the nords. They think that they're the kings and queens of this town. Like that miserable Talos-worshipping oaf Ulfric. He's just a big-headed racist. None of the argonians or dark elves have taken a liking to him. Mostly because he treats anyone who isn't a nord like dirt.

Speaking of dirt, in walks Rolff Stone-Fist. He points in my direction.

"You. You a Dark Elf lover? Get out of our city, you filthy piece of trash."he's drunk, as always.

"I don't like your attitude."I hiss

"Don't like it? Too bad. This city is ours. Ours! Don't think I can take you? 100 septims says I can punch you back where you came from."

"You're on."

"All right, fists only. And none of that magic stuff, either. Let's go!"

I throw about two punches and he's already down.

"That wasn't a fair swing!"

"You lost, give me my money."

"Yeah, here." he spits at me and hands me the gold.

I walk back to my room. I get a few scowls from the nords at the bar. I definitely have a reputation now. I need to stay quiet and lock my door for the night, the barbarians might try to throw me over the bridge next to the stables. By now it's 8. I climb into the bed. It's much more comfortable than the ones you'd find at the assemblage. I get comfortable and fall into a much needed sleep, wondering what tomorrow might bring.