An Unwanted Destiny
The Khajiit known as Zahraji sat irritated on the wagon leading to Helgen. She was 19 years old and had dark fur with deep golden eyes. She bore a scar under her right eye and 3 across her nose from a previous fight with a bandit. She sat sullenly with her hands bound and surveyed her surroundings. To her right sat a handsome man with a gag binding his mouth keeping him from speaking. His hands were bound tight and he kept his eyes low. Sitting in front of her was a man who was named Raeolf. To his left was an unknown man. Zahraji did not want to have anything to do with these men or speak to them. Her main focus was trying to escape.
"So it seems you have finally gotten your bearings. What is your name friend?" he asked. The Khajiit glowered at him and said nothing. Still the man smiled despite his predicament. The khajiit sighed. There was no need to be rude. Her parents had always taught her to be polite and to treat others with respect until they have proven themselves unworthy of such an honor. And the man had been in no way rude to her despite her race and the nords' feelings to her kind.
"Zahraji. My name is Zhraji." she responded. The man smiled and nodded. "I'd shake your hand but ours are currently bound. He smiled kindly at her. "Where are we going?" she asked. The man Raeolf smiled sadly. "Helgen. After that its Sovenguard." he responded sadly. The Khajiit's eyes widened. Sovenguard. That was where you went when you died depending which Gods you worshipped. A bitter sadness swept over her. She was going to possibly die and her parents would never know what happened to their only child.
The wagon came to a stop and the prisoners were led out one by one. First the man that had spoken to her, then the horse thief who had spoke only nonsense followed by the gagged man who never even spoke at all. Two lines were made and Zahraji stood behind the horse thief who took off running. Archers quickly brought him down. Then it was her turn. "You with the trade caravans khjiit? Bad day to be separated from them. Captain what do we do? She's not on the list." the one known as Hadvar asked. His commanding officer turned to look at him. "It doesn't matter. She goes to the block." she stated coldly.
Zahraji sighed and walked forward. "Im sorry. I'll see that your remains are returned to Elyswere. He stated sadly. The khajiit ignored him and took her place. As the axe raised to take off her head she heard a deathly roar. Time seemed to stop as she stared in awe at a colossal black dragon perched atop a watch tower. The beast opened its massive jaws and bellowed. Only its bellow sounded like it was speaking. The dragon's eyes settled on the khajiit's form and it sucked in a massive amount of breath. It spoke one word before unleashing a torrent of flame. 'Dovahkin.' Zahraji didn't stop to wonder what it meant. She took off running passed everyone not bothering to stop and help those slower than her. 'To hell with them. I'm not risking my life for these fools.' she went off her own way initially ignoring Hadvar's advice to follow him. He was a damned Imperial who initially was going to lop off her head.
Well not him per se but he was there to lead her to the block. She ran the other way but changed her mind quickly when the dark dragon landed heavily in front of her. Its eyes bore into her and it seemed to look into her very soul. It uttered a low growl and opened its massive jaws to take hold. Zahraji felt someone tackle her from behind and drag her off before the dragon could bellow fire. It took hold of another person instead; a Stormcloack and tore him asunder then it took off flying elsewhere.
Hadvar and Zahraji ran off towards the opposite ends of Helgen along the way the khajiit spotted an altmer standing aside. "Move bitch!" Zahraji snarled as she ran passed not really caring if she plowed into the elf or not. Both Hadvar and khajiit ran until they came into a clearing. "Looks like we lost him." Hadvar commented. He may have commented too soon because above him a large black dragon flew overhead bellowing. Zahraji and Hadvar took shelter hoping the dragon did not see them. Unbeknownst to them the dragon did see them but opted not to attack. It wasn't worth its time to stop and finish off a khajiit and a human. The dragon flew off to parts unknown. "Listen. I know that it was a mistake nabbing you. But we could use your help. What I would like you to do is-" Zahraji cut him short. "You think I'd help you? After what you tried to do? What gave you that clue? I'm getting out of here and going to try and get back to Elsywere before you or those Stormcloak soldiers decide to up and lop off my head." she snarled. "Besides..this isn't my concern. You did something to piss that dragon off probably and you have to deal with it." she added and started to walk off.
Hadvar was angry now. "You think that once this dragon is done doing whatever it is here it won't go to Elsywere? What makes you think it won't? we didn't do anything to that dragon. Dragons are supposed to be extinct." he yelled back. The khajiit turned and looked at him. "What can I do? All I want to do is go home and get my family out and away." Zahraji replied trying to keep the worry out of her voice.
Hadvar understood. "If we can stop this dragon then everyone will be safe. All races." he replied softly. Zahraji sighed. "where do I have to go?" Hadvar smiled warmly. "Whiterun. If you follow this path it will lead you directly there. However you might have problems going to Dragon's Reach which is in Whiterun. Let them know that you are a survivor of the Helgen attack and you need to speak to the Jarl Balgruuf. He rules over Whiterun. Just don't do anything…crazy…and they should let you in." Hadvar replied. The Khajiit wanted to ask why he couldn't do it but didn't. He had business in Riverwood. Zahraji went off. It was a peaceful enough walk and she managed to stop and grab a few snowberries to munch on and take a drink from the cool river while continuing on her journey.
After she told this Jarl then she'd head back home. No one ever asked her to stay and help fight. She approached the city and made her way to the guards. The looked at her suspiciously. "I have news from Helgen. I am to speak to the Jarl." she reported. The guards looked at her. How would a khajiit know of Helgen unless…. "Ok, but don't try anything funny sneak thief." a guard warned. 'Piss off!' she muttered below her breath not caring if the guard heard or not.
Within the city she caught a few eyes who looked at her. Apparently no one ever saw khajiits before or had them in their city. They let her alone and she let them alone. Suddenly she felt someone tug her tail. She turned around and saw a little human boy looking at her. "Hi wanna play tag?" he smiled not caring if she was khajiit or not. Zharaji found herself smiling despite her mood. She would have played for a while but his father came over and pulled him back. "Don't talk to those things. They are thieves and murderers." he growled.
The Khajiit smiled nastily. "My my my, we are so welcoming aren't we?" she said cooly. The father backed away with his son his eyes never leaving hers. She turned and walked away. 'This is why I do not like humans that much.' she thought to herself. She felt sorry about for the young boy though. For his innocence would soon be changed to prejudice as he grew older.
She made her way to Dragon's Reach and went inside the huge building. There was a fire pit cooking some sort of delicious smelling beef and a large table holding all kinds off foods. The people inside the building looked at her briefly but said nothing to her. As she approached the Jarl who was looking at her. Before she even got close a battle hardened female dunmer got in her path. "No one approached the jarl khajiit." she growled warning. She drew her sword. Zahraji snarled. "Back off bitch! Im in no mood to deal with your kind." she snarled back her ears flattened against her skull. "I have news from the dragon attack in Helgen. Right before those bastards tried to lop off my head." she added.
Now the Jarl was at full attention. "well you are most forthright about your criminal past." he added calmly. Zahraji sighed. "look…I just came to let you know about that black dragon at Helgen. I've done my part. I'm done." she added and turned to leave. Balgruff stared after her. "You have done a great service to my city. I thank you for that. As a reward I give you this armor set and weapon." he handed the items over to the stunned Khajiit. "I know it is much to ask and I do not expect it of you…but I would like your assistance in dealing with this dragon." Balgruuf asked. Zahraji stared in disbelief. The Jarl himself had asked for her help. The help of a Khajiit.
She sighed again. She knew what her parents would say. "Help those in need but please by the Divines don't get yourself killed." The khajiit sighed again. "Ill do it." Balgruuf smiled broadly and rose out of his throne. We need to speak with my court wizard. He has more information about dragons and how to deal with him. His name is *Frangar.* Both Khajiit and nord went to speak to cloaked man who was off in his study trying to figure out why the dragon had suddenly appeared and if there were more.
a/n * I don't think that's the wizards true name…I forget. I just know his name starts with an F.