Dragon at Helgan
J'Tago's wagon approached Helgen gates. This small "town" was home to a few Imperial soldiers and a few Imperials looking to find a more stable home. J'Tago looked around already figuring a way to escape. From the wagon ahead of her she heard an angry female voice yell out "Imperial bastards!" before lop! Her head rolled from the cutting board and came to rest at Leggate Rikke's feet. Rikke was the head this whole execution and as she barked orders, more heads rolled. Some were not even involved in this 'war' and were innocent bystanders. Bystanders whose families would never see them again.
"Next!" the woman barked. She stared at the Khajiit female. "you with the trade caravans khajiit?" one of the men named Hvaskr had asked sharply. J'Tago didn't reply. "What do we do, she's not on the list?" he asked his commander. "Rikke glared sharply. But J'tago detected just a tad of sympathy behind her battle hardened eyes. Normally she would have let the khajiit go; but orders were orders, and they stated execute everyone on the wagons. No exceptions. "I'm sorry. I'll make sure your remains are returned to Elsewyre." Hvaskr replied sympathetically. J'tago was led to the block. She knelt down and prepared herself for the voyage into Sovenguard. Just as the axe was going to deliver the final killing blow, a great roaring bellow was heard.
What J'tago saw would stay with her the rest of her life. It was, in fact, a fully grown dragon. And it seemed angry. Very, very, angry. It opened its gigantic mouth and shot a stream of fire so hot it singed the khajiit's fur slightly. Soldiers and prisoners alike ran for their lives. J'tago took the hint and ran as well. This thing didn't seem to friendly. The khajiit ran past a tall regal woman who had taken shelter out of sight of the enraged beast. She glanced towards the khajiit but had no time to try and apprehend the cat. She was not going to risk her life for a simple khajiit. J'Tago ran past a man who had fallen down. She would have gone and helped him if it weren't for the dragon that had the man pinned down with one massive foot. It lowered its head and the man was no more. Then it raised its head and stared straight at J'Tago. "Dovahkin…" it growled before shooting a stream of fire at her. J'Tago ran like hell. Now this dragon was after her. Normally it wouldn't concern itself with the likes of a khajiit, but this one was different. It didn't know how, but it was. And therefore it was a threat. Threats needed to be eliminated before they became bigger threats. And this dragon was taking no chances.
J'tago ran into the watch tower just as the dragon's snout plowed into it. Being as it was too big to enter the tower and rid itself of the khajiit, it decided to take the tower apart. Crush the stupid khajiit under all the rubble and end the threat. Luckily J'Tago knew how to avoid being seen if necessary. She slunk out the back whilst the dragon toppled the tower. Thinking the khajiit was dead, the dragon let loose a triumphant roar and flew off, leaving charred remains of humans. Helgen looked like nothing more than an abandoned small city that may have been larger. J'Tago had stopped running when she realized the dragon no longer chased her. She came out of her hiding area and watched the dragon circle a few times bellowing before it flew off.
She chuckled nervously. It was then she realized that she was injured. She needed a healer. And the closest city she knew of was Whiterun. Her father had spoken of it many times when she was a kitten. The best chances of being healed was there. Luckily she had nabbed a few coin off the dead. Stealing form the dead was wrong…but where they were at…they didn't need it anymore. She trudged along to the large city hoping just to be cured and be on her way. But she had to let them know of what she had seen. J'Tago seem cold and distant, but she did have a noble heart. To help those in need. She made her way to the city and was stopped by guards. While they were skeptical of her being in the city and called her a 'sneak thief' and 'cat' they were not outwardly hostile to her and just warned her they were watching her.
She made it to the large castle knows as Dragonsreach, and asked to speak to the Jarl. Baalgruff, the Jarl of Whiterun sat languidly on his throne and listened to his khajjit visitor speak of what happened in Helgen. "If what you say is true…then we are all in danger should this dragon return." He stated to his Housecarl Irrilith, a dunmer. The woman nodded solemnly. She had been suspicious of the khajiit when she approached the Jarl as she was susupicious of everyone that came near him. Even his own advisors.
"I know this isn't your battle, but may I ask that you accompany my housecarl and some soldiers to the watchtower and keep a lookout for the dragon. You will be rewarded for your time." He asked. Any normal Khajiit would have declined and left. But J'tago agreed. "I will do as you ask. This dragon cannot be allowed to live if we can help it. If it attacks your city it will move on and attack others." She responded. Baalgruff nodded. "so be it. Irrilith, take some of the finest soldiers with you and our khajiit friend. Head to the watch tower and keep a lookout. Be careful." He ordered. Irrilith nodded. She would have preferred to stay and guard the jarl but he assured her he would be alright.
The group traveled in silence as per Irrilith's request. If that dragon was around it could hear them. And if dragons had a keen sense of smell it could smell them too if it wanted to. The group made their way to the watch tower and waited. It was quiet. Even the insects didn't make a noise. Then a warm wind picked up followed by a shattering roar. The dragon attacked. Guards fired their arrows at the massive beast as it landed. The dragon loosed a stream of hot liquid fire incinerating a few soldiers. J'Tago let instinct take hold and she jumped at the dragon who had turned face her and finish the job it had started. She jumped on the dragon's head and slammed her dagger repeatidly into its skull. Then she took out one of its eyes. As the dragon thrashed around in pain, and fell to the ground she grabbed a fallen sword and it went through the dragon's throat. The dragon vomited blood and then died.
Irrilith went making sure the survivors of the battle were not to seriously injured. Then she would have the not so wonderful task of informing the surviving family members of the slain soldiers why they would not be returning back home. She hated this task the most. The family members blamed her at first in their grief. Demanding why she had not saved them, why it was her alive and not them. She understood this. Had it been reversed and someone told her that her brother, sister, son, daughter, or lover had died in battle she'd be asking the same thing. "why them and not you?"
By now the dragon's body had taken on an erie glow as it was dissolving. It was kind of like when coals or wood burns the ashes fly upward briefly. The essence of the dragon then went straight into J'Tago's body! This stunned everyone. After asking the khajiit if she was alright, the dunmer had everyone head back to Whiterun. Soon after entering the city, the khajiit heard a low thunderous chant in her head. It wasn't loud but it did vibrate her entire body. No one else seemed to notice.
They approached the Jarl and Irrilith relayed what happened. Making sure J'Tago took some of the credit for the dragon kill. The Jarl was impressed. "Come here khajiit…what is your name?" he asked. J'Tago looked at him. "J'Tago." She replied. Baalgruff nodded. "J'Tago. It is my honor and within my power to grant you the title of Thane Of Whiterun. And as such, you will be given the Breezehome house complete with furnishings. Also, you will be given Lydia. Your own housecarl. On behalf of my city, we thank you. I thank you." Baalgruff got to his feet and shook the stunned khajiit's hand.
Before J'Tago could fully understand what was going on, she felt a slight tap on her shoulder. She turned around. "hello my Thane. I am Lydia, your sword and shield. I swear to protect you and all that you own with my life."
*so now we have Lydia. At first it seems like Lydia does not mind being a housecarl to a khajiit. But what are her actual feelings? Coming soon.