Chapter Two

Hadvars patrol took us all over Riverwood. After leaving the house, we headed to the barracks to check in with the other guards.

And after some idle chat with a large nord, we headed for the south gate to start the patrol. Along the way I saw the saw mill and general stores. Caught up in the new surroundings, I bumped into a man carrying some wood. The man seemed angered by the mistake and puffed up his chest. "You want to pick those up, stranger?" I looked down at the wood and then back up at him. "It was a simple mistake, Sven." Said Hadvar. The man called Sven looked at me, and though he was much smaller (at least a foot shorter) got into my face. "I said pick up the wood." I was just about to respond when Sven's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell to the ground, dark green smoke spiralling from a charred spot in his back. Instincts forced my body into a crouch and sent me leaping for cover behind a barrel. Hadvar grabbed Sven's body and threw it over his shoulder and headed my direction. Green orbs were flying from the direction of the north gate, from the trees beyond. I could just barely make out the forms of tall figures in the forest. Hadvar crouched down beside me and shouted in my ear, "Get to the barracks and inform the guards there. There are only three guards on patrol right now and I can see them moving the villagers to the inn. Go!" Before I could respond, I saw him take off in the direction of his house. I immediately sprinted toward the barracks. A million questions swarmed through my head as I reached the barracks and forced the door open. There were 6 guards looking at me with stunned expressions. "The village is under attack. Hadvar sent me." The guards burst into action. Grabbing swords, shields and bows, and then charging out of the door. The last one out thrusted a sword and a shield in my direction. I caught them and held them curiously. The man grunted and followed his comrades. As soon as my hands found the leatherbound grip, a memory flashed through my mind. A vast green valley, divided in half by a river. The sky was almost crimson, and reflected the ground parallel to it. The valley was covered with blood. The blood of the two armies that fought for the large city many miles away. Arrows flew, and orbs of different colors exploded. Swords drew blood and fire created ashes. Thousands of men and even more elves fought and killed eachother. My own sword carved a path before me, my shield on fire as its enchantments deflected the spells that were meant to end my life. Many elves came before me, only to be put down by the edge of my blade. Comrades fell on either side of me, and soon, I was surrounded by dozens of fire flinging elves. Something triggered inside me, and I felt strong. Full of energy. My feet carried me to each elf and one by one, my blade fed from their souls. With every kill, my sword and strength grew stronger. Soon there were bodies everywhere. But then they rose, and then blackness.

When my eyes reopened, I looked around and immediately remembered where I was. Charging out of the barracks and onto the road, I could see the Stormcloak guards fighting tall men in long black mage robes. There were 4 of them throwing green orbs at the Stormcloaks as they tried to advance through the gate. The Stormcloaks ,however, created a sheild-wall that wouldnt allow the orbs or the wizards to get through. This lasted for about 10 more minutes when finally, one of the sheilds shattered and one of the Stormcloaks flew a few yards into the air. The guards then dropped the sheild-wall and charged the wizards. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, and I charged with them, sword and sheild raised. As I closed in on the action, I saw a wizard trying to catch one of the guards from behind and I went to thrust my blade through his back when he turned around with blinding speed and caught my blade with his hand. The blade did not draw blood, and instead, shattered like glass. The wizard grinned and formed a green orb in his hand and forced it into my chest. I flinched and expected to be propelled through the air like the guard; but the orb just sizzled out after it burned through my clothes and touched my skin. It was my turn to grin as I punched the wizard in the hooded face. As my fist connected with his skull, his hood fell back, revealing a human male face, but sharp pointy ears and snow white eyes. An elf. Another memory flashed through my mind: A heavily decorated room, a fireplace with a warm fire going. Two men sat in highbacked chairs and discussed over hot cups of tea. One of the men, who was tall and fair skinned with white hair and glassy eyes spoke to the other man quickly, and in a different but familiar language. "The Thalmor are not pleased with Emporer Titus' decision. The Empire has a war on its hands, and im afraid that it is not a war the Empire is likely to survive." The other man, who looked very familiar to me, looked into the fire solemnly. "I understand. But we cannot allow the elves to get him. If the elves find the Konahrik, then there will be nothing left to stop them." The elf nodded in agreement and the present rushed back into view. The wizard that I had hit lay on the ground, unconcious. Until a sword pierced his throat. Hadvar twisted the blade once for good measure, and then slid it out of its sheath of flesh. "Quickly, lets get back to the village. We need to take an inventory check and have a meeting to discuss what our next move is. And the soldiers and I have a question or two for you." Without another word, Hadvar strode toward the inn, and I followed.