Chapter One: Sofie – Mons do Dovahkiin
Night had come. Having not sold any flowers I would once again be sleeping on an empty stomach; but I was used to it. I shivered from the cold while fluffing the furs Lady Niranye had tossed out her back door. As mean as the altmer lady seemed, I think she had intended the ragged old sabre cat hides for my use, and for that I was most grateful. I settled under the eaves behind Lady Niranye's house next to a pair of empty garbage barrels. As always my thoughts drifted to my father and the last time I had seen him.
Bright sunlight had been glinting off the ice floating in the salty water. I was standing on the Windhelm docks watching my father board a ship filled with soldiers. He stepped up onto the deck and paused to glance back in my direction. He was a mountain of man and looked so handsome and proud in his Stormcloak armor. He threw me a wink, his smile confident and true.
"Back before ye know it little one," he promised with grin. "You mind Mrs. Boarsback while I'm gone."
That was it. He joined his friends on deck and disappeared among them. The ship raised its sails and slid away from the dock. It sailed through the icy waters toward some unknown destination. I watched the vessel disappear, taking my father with it. I wonder if he would have stayed had he known what had become of me. Mrs. Boarsback died three days later and I was living on the streets ever since.
"Quiet!" a voice whispered in the dark.
The voice drew me quickly from my thoughts. I sat up and peaked between the barrels. In the shadows I saw two figures skulking about, keeping shy of the torchlights. I could tell they were Nords. Nords in the Gray Quarter at night in the City of Kings meant trouble. I shivered as I crouched behind the barrels. I had to be ready to run should their foolishness spill into my small cold world.
The two nord men, both dressed in furs, slunk up to Lady Niranye's backdoor. While one watched from the shadows his partner went to work on the lock. The watcher drew a dagger from his furs, the blade glinted in the torchlights. I wondered what harm they intended and feared for Lady Niranye's life. Quick as a skeever and as quiet as an owl I slipped from my hiding place to find a guard. Scurrying quickly through the shadows I hoped to find a guard quickly. The cold stones under my bare feet were of no concern as I was driven by the fear that something dreadful would happen to Lady Niranye. I glanced behind me as I turned a corner and ran into a solid wall that should not have been there. Only it wasn't a wall at all. I fell back and looked up.
The star-filled sky outlined the shadows of a man and woman looking down at me. The man looked menacing and wore armor I did not recognize but was both grand and ornate. The woman was dark skinned dunmer dressed in well-made fur armor. He had long black hair and piercing dark eyes. About her forehead she wore a gold circlet with a blue gem that glowed slightly.
"What's this?" the dunmer whispered clearly. "A child?" She looked about then directed her attention to her hulking male companion, as if waiting for instructions.
The man knelt down and reached his gloved hand toward me. "Where are you off to at such a late hour Little-one?" he asked. His voice was surprisingly soft for such a large man.
I could not help but smile. He called me "Little-One," which was my father's pet name for me. I took his hand and allowed him to help me to my feet. "Please sir!" I began earnestly. "Something terrible is going to happen to Lady Niranye."
"Lady Niranye?" the dunmer questioned. "Sera this isn't…"
The big man raised his hand and the dunmer fell silent. I could see a sparkle in the man's eyes from under his helmet. "We are lost Little-One, perhaps if we help you, you could help us?"
The dunmer shook her head and sighed.
"Of course, Sera," I said copying the dunmer. "Please hurry, Lady Niranye is in danger as we speak. Follow me." I turned and began to run back toward the house. I could hear the footfalls of the two strangers following close behind me. I led them directly behind the house were the two nord men were still working on the lock. I skidded to a halt and pointed. "There!"
The two nords leaped away from the door and drew their weapons, metal scraping from sheaths.
I stepped well out of the way from what was sure to be a terrible fight.
"What's this?" the dunmer woman asked loudly. "Thieves?"
"None of your concern Grayskin!" one of the nords barked.
"Excuse me?" the dunmer questioned angrily. "What did you just call me n'wah?" She quickly drew two katanas, both blades sizzling with magic as they slid from their sheaths.
"Your reason for being here just became irrelevant," the big lord replied as he stepped into the light. I could see now that his armor was even more impressive than I first noticed. The dragon on his helmet looked particularly impressive to me. "You'll be wanting to drop your steel and scurry back to your holes."
"Who are you to order us?" one of the nords demanded. "We are Stormcloaks under the direction of the High King himself. The trouble is yours. Leave now and perhaps you'll be allowed to live!"
"He's giving you a chance to live fetcher," the dunmer woman warned. "I'd take it."
"Silence Grayskin!" the nord commanded. "Know your place!"
She was fast. I tried to cover my eyes but I wasn't fast enough. I released a shocked gasp as the dunmer's blade sizzled through the nord's neck. With a spray of blood, head and body were collapsing before I could shield the view with my palms. The second nord must have met a similar fate just as quickly. He didn't even have time to grunt before I heard his body crumple wetly to the ground and something roll away into the shadows.
"We always warn them," the dunmer stated sadly while sheathing her swords. "But they never listen."
"You'd be disappointed otherwise," the big man replied with an amused grunt.
I heard him approach me and I slowly lifted my hands from my eyes. I tried desperately not to look in the direction of the massacred nords piled in front of Niranye's backdoor.
He crouched to look into my eyes. "Your Lady Niranye is safe. Your turn, Little-One."
"What would you have of me, Sera?" I asked.
The dunmer woman laughed.
"Call me Balriel," he said. "The lady with the quick swords is Jenessa."
Jenessa crossed her arms across her chest and nodded toward me, her face proud with a slight curl at the corners of her thin lips.
"Sofie," I replied.
"Where are your parents, Sofie," Balriel asked. He reached out and brushed the hair from my eyes. He seemed to be inspecting my face in the torchlight. He likely noticed my much disheveled state; dirt and grime mixed with blood from old wounds. My clothes were filthy rags as well.
"They're both dead," I replied sadly. "My mother was taken when I was little. I don't remember her. My father left to fight for King Ulfric…he fell some weeks ago."
"You live out here…on the street," he looked around. It wasn't a question, he could just tell.
I nodded. "I sell flowers...to pay for food. Lady Niranye lets me sleep under her eaves."
"How generous," Jenessa mused with a frown.
Balriel stood. He looked to the stars and sighed. He then looked back down at me. "Would you show us the way to the Palace of the Kings?" He asked. "We seem to have lost our way."
"I promised I would," I replied. I turned and started to walk down the street. I could hear Balriel and Jenessa following.
"Your feet must be freezing child," Jenessa observed.
"I'm used to it Lady Jenessa," I replied.
"By the gods," she cursed with frustration.
I took them through the dark corridors and uneven stones of Windhelm. Shadow dwellers and other homeless kept their distance as I led the strangers along corridors less travelled yet much faster, in my opinion. Soon we slipped into a brightly lit courtyard featuring the great doors leading to the Palace of Kings. I stopped and turned toward the heavily armed tourists behind me. "Those doors lead to the palace of the court of King Ulfric."
Jenessa grunted with amusement at my words.
"You'll be accompanying us inside," Balriel replied.
"Oh no my lord," I protested. "I am certainly not worthy…"
"I said you're coming with us," Balriel stated in a voice few could refuse.
I simply nodded. When the two warriors moved forward I walked between them. As we approached the huge doors two Stormcloaks stepped into out path.
"Halt!" one of them barked. "No visitors by order of the High King!"
"High King?" Jenessa questioned. "We are well-travelled and have not heard that a moot had even been called, let alone settled."
"Hold your tongue grayskin!" the guard cursed.
"Enough!" Balriel barked. "You'll let us pass or we'll step over your corpses. It's up to you."
"Bold words stranger!" the Stormcloak grunted. "Think you can take on the entire palace by yourself do you?"
That is when Balriel shouted. Standing next to him the force of his voice shook the ground under my frozen feet. I watched in awe as the two guards before us were suddenly blown off their feet and struck the wall behind them. More impressive was the way the great doors bent then tore open at the force of his voice. It wasn't so much loud as it was deeply powerful. The sound echoed through the city and seemed to shake the very stars above us. Boldly we marched passed the groaning guards, through the blown open doors and into the great hall where men were picking themselves from the stone floor, including the High King Ulfric himself. We kept walking toward him.
"Attention!" Jenessa cried out loudly, her voice echoed throughout the hall. "Presenting to the Court of Windhelm, his honor the Thane of Whiterun, Thane of Haafingar, the Mystic Mage of the College of Winterhold, Champion of Azura and the Dragonborn. Dovahkiin Balriel Pax!"
Ulfric was finally on his feet. He quickly signaled his men to stand down. "Dovahkiin," he said with a nervous laugh. "Such dramatics is certainly not necessary. Look what you did to my door."
"Your guards were trying my patience, Jarl," Balriel stated. "As you can imagine my time is short."
"As is mine," Ulfric replied. "Yet surely had you simply identified yourself…"
"I did," Balriel replied. "Do I have your attention?"
"As you know, I studied with the Greybeards at High Hrothgar, this practically makes us brothers," Ulfric stated with amusement. "You are, of course, welcome here. Although I suspect we have differing opinions…"
"Enough!" Balriel spat. "You were at Helgen. You saw Alduin for yourself, yet you continue to waste time, men and blood?"
"As I said," Ulfric mused. "Our priorities differ, as do our destinies."
"Fool!" Balriel cursed. "All of history has led to this moment yet you would trade your honor for a comfortable chair."
"Careful Dovahkiin," Ulfric warned. "You walk on dangerous ground. I am simply reclaiming this land for my people from a crumbling empire that would bend the knee to those who would enslave us. I bleed with my men in this just and noble cause."
"The entire world bleeds Stormcloak," Balriel replied. "It will be consumed in fire no matter who sits in Solitude, if we do not first face the world-eater."
"Dragons are your problem, Dovahkiin. Skyrim is mine," Ulfric replied. "Too long has this nation been weighed down by the shackles of the empire. Now they expect us to disregard our traditions and bow to the Thalmor scourge. Unacceptable."
"The war itself is the problem," Balriel stated. "The lives it takes feeds Alduin and weakens us all. Every day Skyrim grows weaker while Alduin grows stronger and whom else do you think benefits, but the Thalmor."
"Tell the Imperials to surrender and the war will end," Ulfric mused.
"The Imperials won't do that," Balriel replied. "You know this. I think you also know who fuels this conflict the most."
"If they won't surrender," Ulfric spat. He turned his back. "Neither shall I."
"You hear nothing I say," Balriel said shaking his head. "You are like a child. I could shout it to you and still you would not hear. You are blinded by the throne and the power you think it holds."
Ulfric spun about. "I am freeing my people! I fight for them!"
"Keep telling yourself that," Balriel replied.
Balriel suddenly reached out to me and placed his arm about my shoulder.
"This orphan child, another victim of your war, has been starving in your cold streets this entire time. One of your people…it does not bode well for the future of Skyrim if that is what they can expect under your rule!"
"How dare you!" Ulfric spat.
"How dare you, Jarl!" Balriel screamed. "The war ends this night or by the Akatosh himself I will end it myself! Make no mistake, it will end…badly…for you."
"You underestimate our resolve, Dragonborn," Ulfric spat. "We should be working together you and I."
"Yes we should be. This isn't a challenge, you fool!" Balriel exclaimed. "It's what I must do to save this world from destruction! To do that you must stand down your men, for their very souls are feeding the destruction of the entire world."
"Enough of this!" Ulfric spat. "You make no sense. These are two completely different issues."
Balriel pointed at the Jarl of Windhelm. "You are being played. You see a crown on your head and hear men singing songs in your honor. You don't see the flames of prophesy consuming the world. You think you are serving your people, but you only serve yourself, Alduin and the Thalmor."
"Leave my sight, Dragonborn!" Ulfric commanded.
The Jarl's men drew their weapons.
Jenessa pulled her katanas free and like a cat slid into a battle stance, her swords raised menacingly.
Balriel didn't seem to notice. He stepped toward the Jarl. "By the dawn's light lower your flags and silence your war drums, or by the divines I will do my duty." He then turned his back on the Jarl and his men. He strode confidently away.
Jenessa flashed a grin at the Jarl and his men before sheathing her swords and spinning about on her heel. "Come child," she commanded.
I took a second to curtesy to the self-proclaimed High King.
Despite his anger and distress Ulfric looked at me and nodded.
I followed the dunmer sword wielder from the Palace of Kings and out into the frozen night. We proceeded past the Stormcloaks down the steep stone steps toward the city gates.
"Sofie," Balriel spoke. "I have room for you in my home at Solitude."
"The capital?" I mused with excitement. "But…are you sure?"
The dunmer woman stopped and turned to regard me with much confusion on her face. "Child. The Dovahkiin is offering you a home."
"What say you, daughter?" Balriel asked. He stopped and turned to look at me.
I was overcome. I ran to him and flung my arms around him. I clung to his great form and despite the cold metal of his armor, I just hung on. "I promise to be the best daughter ever!"
"Then you shall be so," Balriel replied. He stroked my hair gently. I felt him kiss the top of my head. "You are Sofie, Mon do Dovahkiin." He took my hand and led me the rest of the way out of the city. Dawn was breaking as we crossed the great bridge that spanned the river below. Silver light was outlining the snowy crags above. We soon reached the stables where a carriage was waiting. Balriel released my hand and walked up to the driver to speak to him.
"Lady Sofie, Mon do Dovahkiin," Jenessa spoke reverently. "The Divines smile for you this fine morning."
"Umm…" I stammered. "What does it mean? What you called me just now?"
"It is the dragon tongue. It means Daughter of the Dragonborn," Jenessa replied. She looked down at me then surprised me by bending the knee and lowering her gaze. "My lady," she said.
In time I would grow to get used to being royalty, but I would never forget sleeping under the eaves behind two garbage barrels in the City of Kings.
Balriel stepped away from the carriage. As the light of the sun struck the peaks around us, making them glow brightly. He turned his attention to the battlements of Windhelm. The Stormcloak flags fluttered defiantly and the drums of war pounded relentlessly. Balriel shook his head with deep disappointment.
Jenessa sighed as she came to her feet.
"Lady Sofie," Balriel said to me. "The driver will take you directly to Proudspire Manor, my home in Solitude. There are warm blankets and food in the back, make good use of both. I will see you at home, I won't be far behind."
"Yes Papa," I replied.
He winked at me and I could not help but giggle with delight.