Alright, I figured I would give a little more of an intro with this one since I sort of know what I am doing now. Thank you to those who have viewed my first chapter, and if you read it soon after it was posted, it was originally put up with only ~1,000 words and then was updated to ~1,822. So if you missed the conversation between Neri and Ri'saad, please go back and check it out.

The way that I write is by letting the story develop on its own, so even I don't know some of the things that will happen yet! These first few chapters I hope to get out rather quickly but in all honesty it may slow down as things progress... we'll see! Neri is based off of my playthrough but some things have been changed.

Anyway, hope you enjoy it, reviews and suggestions are welcome.

Chapter 2

The cart ride to Riften seemed longer than it should have been. The skies were clear, the roads were dry, there weren't any bandits even, but it still seemed to drag on. They were expected to hit Riften today and Neri couldn't be happier that the trip would be over soon. Bjorlam, the carriage driver was a good man, always more than willing to take her where she wanted to go but he had the terrible habit of talking most of the way. As she leaned back on the bench she was thankful that she was now able to tune him out since he didn't need any replies with his prattling.

The day was still early and a heavy fog had yet to lift. Looking into the gray abyss she let her mind drift and soon found herself fighting to stay awake. After several moments of struggling with her eyelids, she eventually gave in to the weight of them and swayed with the motions of the carriage.

A frightened whinny of a horse caused her to snap her eyes wide open and her hands to fly to her daggers. Her ears flattened to her skull and a low hiss escaped her lips as she looked around. The fog was still heavy but there was the distinctive dark shape of Riften's walls. Bjorlam was holding the reins tightly trying to calm the horses down. She could hear yelling in the distance but couldn't find the source disturbing the horses. As the tense seconds dragged by she eventually heard an all too familiar sound.

Sheathing her daggers she leaped over the edge of the cart as the roar continued to echo around her. Sprinting toward the sound she pulled her bow from her back and notched an arrow, ready to pull it back at a moment's notice.

She skidded to a stop next to a tree and saw the source of the disturbance. Some of the Riften guards were standing at the water's edge waiting for the dragon as archers sent their arrows towards him. Even in the dense fog, Neri was able to make out the green scales and distinctive spade tail: a blood dragon. Currently his attention was focused on the dock as people ran for cover as he finished his breath of flame and snapped his jaws at a running argonian.

Pulling back the string, she aimed and let her arrow fly, embedding itself in the neck of the dragon. He roared in protest and turned his head to look at the group on the shore. Neri ran forward notching another arrow and letting it fly to hit the chest of the dragon. As he flew over the crowd, he paused in flight letting out another column of flame trying to hit the rolling Khajiit. Dashing to the side she landed another arrow into his shoulder. His breath and flight stuttered and he peeled off to loop back around to her.

Now the Riften guards turned to see who had drawn the attention of the flying beast and watched in amazement at the skill of the dragonborn. She heard a few loud exclamations of "Dovahkiin" and "dragonborn" but other than a short glance to the group she paid them no attention; until a familiar face stood out from the group. His ears had perked up for a moment at the sight of her but his tail still twitching from the excitement of battle.

Another roar from the dragon demanded her returned attention. She didn't have the patience for this beast today. Watching his shadowy form through the fog she readied her voice. Once close enough, she gave her shout, "JOOR, ZAH FRUL!"

As the blue light wrapped itself around the dragon, it crackled like azure electricity, tearing at the dragon's soul. His roar changed from anger to pain as the light continued to pulse around him and he struggled to stay aloft. Soaring above her, he quickly descended and landed haphazardly at the edge of the water.

Neri placed her bow onto her back and drew her daggers, charging at the dragon before he had even landed. As the beast turned his head towards her she slashed down the side of his face and slid under him avoiding the snap of his jaws. Rolling and dodging his jaws she hacked at his head and neck. Pulling his head back slightly she sprinted around him attempting to dodge the fire licking at her tail.

Just as the fire subsided she heard a shout from the behind the dragon and saw the male Khajiit charging, leading the guards towards the dragon. They attacked his tail, side and wings allowing red liquid to flow freely from him onto the snow. Turning his head to his new attackers he gave his own shout, knocking them away and to the ground.

Taking the opportunity of his distraction, Neri grabbed his snout as he turned to face her again and swung herself on top of his head. He bucked, angrily biting at the air as she slashed at his face. Raising her dagger for the final blow, she plunged it into his skull. He let out his final call as he fell forward. She ripped her dagger from his head and balanced herself as his head dug into the snow and his body went limp beneath Neri's feet.

Stepping onto the ground she wiped her dagger on the snow as the body behind her began to flake away like ash, its very essence being absorbed by her own soul. She heard the footfalls of the guards as they approached her slowly as they marveled at the sight of her absorbing the dragon's soul.

"Never thought I would see it in all my days!"

"Unbelievable! The Dovahkiin slaying a dragon right before us!"

All of the men stood at a distance from her still staring in awe at the dragon and her, save for one.

"Was that balancing act really necessary, Neri?" a throaty chuckle sounded above as armored feet and a swinging tail came into her view.

Sheathing her daggers, she looked up at him with a toothy grin, "Sometimes I can't resist the theatrics." She took his outstretched hand and he hoisted her upright, "Good to see you again, Kharjo."

"And you, Neri," he held her wrist a moment longer then nodded slightly as he released her arm.

"Where is the rest of the caravan?" she asked and turned around to search the dragon's body for its rewards.

He watched her as she moved around the body then turned to look at the guards slowly dispersing and returning to their posts. "The dragon flew over us and I joined the fray just as it ate a guard. I knew that if the guard hadn't finished him off then it would turn on us eventually. As you know, fighting in a group is better." He saw her tail swish back and forth in amusement and a smile play across her lips, "Well… for most, I suppose."

At that, she let out a hearty laugh, shaking her head as she returned to him. "What can I say? Everyone seems to make too much noise."

"Yes. Khajiit do move stealthier than most," he turned and took a step in the direction of his caravan and looked back at Neri.

"You seem to make quite a bit of noise though. What does that say about you being Khajiit?" she fell in next to him and they continued down the hill to meet the caravan on the road.

"I can be quiet when I need to be. Maybe not as stealthy as you, I'll admit. You are the best I know."

"Hmm... won't argue with that," she chuckled as she looked over at him and he grinned in return. "So how are things with the caravan? No serious problems I hope."

"Of course most beasts do not hunt along the roads, but bandits are the real trouble…" he let his voice trail off and her ear twitched at his dropped tone.

"Bandits giving you trouble, then?"

"A few days ago we were ambushed. A nuisance, really, but many of the marauders had quick fingers," he crossed his arms and scowled at the ground as they walked. "One of them stole my moon amulet, given to me by my mother when I was just a cub. It is my only memory of home in this cold land."

Neri looked over at Kharjo out of the corner of her eye. They weren't close by any means, she only saw him on her trips to Riften and occasionally on the way to Dawnstar, but she couldn't help but feel for his loss. "I could get your amulet back."

"You are kind to offer. We believe the bandits are a part of a group headquartered here. Be careful. I miss my amulet, but a life cannot be replaced as easily." He looked up and smiled sheepishly at her.

"Thank you for the concern, but I am sure that I have dealt with worse."

Just as she finished her words, the caravan came into view moving up the road. Kharjo nodded a farewell to Neri and fell in with the caravan as she stepped in line with Ahkari.

"Ah, Dovahkiin, greetings to you. I trust you kept our Kharjo safe when the dragon descended?"

Neri glanced over her shoulder to spot Kharjo grumble and shake his head at her, "I guess you could say something like that. And you know that you can call me Neri."

"Yes but Khajiit with a title is a wondrous honor."

"Ha, that is what Ri'saad said."

"And it is true. So what can I do for you, Neri?"

"I would like to change the status of Khajiit. Our people should be treated just like everyone else and should be allowed in the walls of the cities. I wanted to talk to each of the caravans, have us all united when I present it to the Jarls."

"With no High King, it will be a difficult task indeed. Although, I cannot pass the chance at equality for Khajiit. If you need anything of us, you are welcome to it. May your road lead you to warm sands."